FADE IN

EXT. TAKRAT MOON COLONY - NIGHT DISTANT FUTURE

There is a massive night sky, illuminated by the billions of distant stars and galaxies. 

A large planet is in the background. It is beautiful and looks quite Earthlike with blue oceans, white clouds and dusty brown continents spread across her surface; across the sky, the twinkling lights of a small spacecraft. 

Without a sound, it makes its way through the night, flying over the city lights of the Takrat moon colony. It comes to a landing on a strip of land next to a group of dark, sleeping buildings. 

Four PEOPLE, cloaked in the shadow of the night, walk down a ramp. One of them stands taller than the other two and he wears a long, black trench coat.

Red embers from a lit cigar glow in the darkness. The four people walk past the buildings without a sound.

INT. APARTMENT, TAKRAT COLONY - NIGHT

A FATHER and SON watch a movie in a modestly furnished apartment. The father is fifty years old with a handsome face, graying hair and a small goatee. His son, Damian, is a thin boy of thirteen.

He is a quiet kid and clings to every word his father speaks with intense interest. Damian is nodding off, tired from a long day at the academy. Steven, his father, turns and tousles his sons long brown hair.

STEVEN
	Don’t fall asleep now. 
          	Here comes your favorite part.

Damian gives his father a tired smile and nods his head.

DAMIAN
	I’ll try dad.

Steven sits back on the cushion and smiles. He watches a scene showing two men sword fighting. It is a furious fight and a man in black armor knocks his foe to the ground and is ready to run him through.

STEVEN
	At least you have a break from
	classes tomorrow.

DAMIAN
	I like my classes.

Steven laughs and turns up the volume to the movie.

STEVEN
	To be a student again. Just
	wait until you enter the world
	of work. You’ll miss the free 
	time. 

Steven’s phone beeps. Shaking his head, he attaches a cord to his ear and opens up the line.

STEVEN
	Yes?

There is silence on the other end, but the call is still connected. Steven, annoyed at missing one of his favorite parts of the movie, shakes his head and tries again.

STEVEN
	Who is this?

A VOICE comes from the speaker. It is a low, calm but icy voice. The voice pierces the silent darkness of the room.

VOICE
	Do you remember our deal?

A look of surprise crosses Steven’s features. With a nervous jab of a button, he disconnects the call and quickly walks back to the couch where Damian is sitting. 

The phone begins to ring again but he does not answer it. Damian rolls his eyes as the communicator beeps over and over.

DAMIAN
	Want me to answer it?
	
Steven shakes his head and walks over to the window. He looks out into the dark street but sees nothing.

STEVEN
	No. It’s just some people trying 
	to sell me something. If you 
	ignore them, they’ll go away.

Damian shrugs his shoulders and goes back to watching his movie. The beeps finally stop. Steven draws the shades and double checks to make sure the door is locked.

The red light on the panel is on, indicating that the door is indeed locked. Steven lets out a sigh and goes back to the couch to sit next to Damian.

EXT. TAKRAT MOON COLONY WAREHOUSE AREA - NIGHT

The four figures approach a sleek, expensive looking futuristic vehicle. The tallest man swipes a card past a lock and the door opens up. They get inside without a word.

INT. VEHICLE - NIGHT

Sitting inside the vehicle, the leader of the group takes out his pocket communicator and dials a number. With the darkness covering his face, he patiently listens to the beeps but gets no answer.

After ten beeps, the man disconnects the call and runs the card over the ignition. The vehicle starts up with a low hum.

INT. STEVEN’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

The phone BEEPS again. Nervous, Steven decides to take the call. Damian pulls on his father’s arm.

DAMIAN
	Not again. Dad, you’re missing
	the whole movie.

Steven manages a weak smile.

STEVEN
	It’s ok. I’ll be right back.
	Besides, I’ve seen this movie
	about a hundred times.

Steven throws his son a canned drink sitting on the end table.

STEVEN
	We’ll watch one of our movies. 
	Your choice.

DAMIAN
	Grasshopper Man?

Steven frowns.

STEVEN
	I don’t know about that one.

Damian waves his father off.

DAMIAN
	It’s ok dad. I’ve seen it before.
	I’ll shut my eyes when the naked
	parts come on.

Steven can’t help but laugh and shrug his shoulders. The phone continues to BEEP.

INT. SIDE ROOM - NIGHT

Steven decides to take the call in another room. He pushes the button.

STEVEN
	Yes?

The VOICE on the other end does not belong to the previous caller. It is the voice of an older, human man.

VOICE
	Mr. Dewolf?

STEVEN
	Speaking.

VOICE
	This is Doctor Markos, I’ve been
	trying to reach you. I wanted to
	talk to you about Damian’s blood
	test results.

STEVEN
	What’s wrong?

DOCTOR MARKOS
	I was looking through his files 
	and he does have some very unusual
	readings. Are you aware that this
	has been going on for quite some
	time?

Steven closes his eyes and rubs his temples.

STEVEN
	It’s nothing to be concerned with.
	We ran him through a whole series
	of tests on him when he was born. 

DOCTOR MARKOS
	I understand that but I think that
	we should run a few more tests on
	him to make sure everything is 
	fine. When would be a good time 
	to bring him in?

There is a BEEP on the phone signaling that another call is coming in. Steven looks at the blinking light, concerned.

DOCTOR MARKOS
	Mr. Dewolf?

STEVEN
	Hold one moment. I have another
	call coming in.

Steven presses a button on the phone. After a brief pause, he is greeted by the icy voice.

VOICE
	I warned you not to cross me.

Steven tries to answer but the voice cuts him off.

VOICE
	I’ll be seeing you soon.

The call disconnects and Steven is left standing dumbfounded. He turns his attention back to the call on hold. He tries to control the anxiety in his voice.

STEVEN
	I’m sorry Doctor. You were saying?

DOCTOR
	When would be a convenient time 
	for you to bring Damian by?

Steven shrugs and rubs his temples again.

STEVEN
	I’ll have to get back to you on
	this. I have a meeting with my
	ad agency that I can’t cancel.

DOCTOR
	Mr. Dewolf. You need to -

STEVEN
	Don’t tell me what I need to do. I
	know my son’s history. I’ll get 
	back to you.

The doctor pauses on the other end. Steven can hear agitation in the doctor’s voice when he finally speaks.

DOCTOR
	That’s fine. Just be sure not to
	let it go too long. Call my office
	and make an appointment as soon as
	you can.

Steven nods and looks behind him to make sure Damian is not listening in on him.

STEVEN
	I’ll call your office tomorrow.

DOCTOR
	That’s fine Mr. Dewolf. Have a 
	good night.

STEVEN
	You too Doctor.

Steven disconnects the call.

EXT. GATED STREET - NIGHT

The vehicle carrying the three men comes to a stop outside a large gate. After a pause, a hand emerges from the open window and a silver disk is run through a laser beam. The gate opens and the car drives through.

INT. CHECKPOINT - NIGHT

Two security guards sit in an office on night duty. They look bored and one of the guards, a man named KIRBY, doodles pictures on his checklist. The other guard, an older man named DANIEL, watches his monitor. He looks back at Kirby.

DANIEL
	If you want something to do, you
	can fill out some of those PVF’s.
	There’s a whole stack of ‘em that
	need to be done.

Kirby throws his pen onto the desk in frustration. He picks up a big stack of forms and flips through some of them.

KIRBY
	I thought I was getting the night
	off. Now I have to sort through
	this junk. What a joke.

Daniel shrugs.
DANIEL
	That’s life kid. Quit your
	complaining. You think I’m
	having a good time here?

Kirby shakes his head and starts working on one of the forms. Daniel notices a vehicle on his monitor. It is approaching the checkpoint but gives no sign of stopping. Daniel turns to Kirby.

DANIEL
	Another one of these idiots that
	can’t read. Go out there and tell
	the driver that they need to check
	in.

Kirby rolls his eyes, grabs his hat and puts it on. 

EXT. CHECKPOINT - NIGHT

The vehicle is about to drive past the checkpoint without stopping. Kirby approaches it and holds up his hand. He motions for it to stop.

The vehicle comes to a stop next to the checkpoint office. Kirby walks up to the dark window and taps it with the base of his light.

KIRBY
	Window down please.

After a pause, the dark window comes down. Kirby looks inside the dark vehicle and nods his head.

KIRBY
	Got to check in after hours. Name
	and identification please.

Kirby gets no answer. He is beginning to look agitated. Daniel leaves the office and approaches the vehicle. He stands next to Kirby.

DANIEL
	Is there a problem here?

Daniel looks at Kirby and then he looks into the vehicle.

DANIEL
	You need to check in sir. I need
	to see your identification.

There is a long pause and Daniel brushes Kirby aside. He is getting irritated.

DANIEL
	Can you understand what I’m 
	saying? Get out of the car. Now.

A moment later, there is a long chain of CRACKING sounds and Daniel drops to the ground like a limp, rag doll. His bones are pulverized.

Kirby takes a step back and fumbles with his weapon. There is another set of CRACKING sounds and Kirby falls to the ground, dead - every bone in his body broken. The vehicle then continues down the road.

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

Steven sits on the couch, watching another movie. On screen are two men talking and getting ready to fight about something. Damian has fallen asleep; his head rests on his father’s shoulder.

Being careful not to wake his son, Steven gets up off the couch and walks to his bedroom. He enters a combination into his wall safe and opens the door.

After a brief pause, he takes a gun out of the safe. He checks to make sure there is ammunition inside the safe as well. The gun is loaded. Steven sits on the bed and closes his eyes, rubbing his temples.

STEVEN
	How the hell did he find me?

There is a SOUND coming from the front room. It is the distinct sound of a door being unlocked - a BEEP noise. Eyes wide, Steven stands up and cautiously makes his way to the bedroom door.

He listens hard. After a moment, he leaves the bedroom and makes his way to the front room. He looks at the lock and the light is still red. His son SHOUTS from the other room.

INT. APARTMENT ROOM - NIGHT

Steven runs into the movie room and sees three anji standing next to the couch; two females and a male. They have features typical of all anji: Slightly tipped ears, a slant to the shape of the eye, lean builds.

The anji are a beautiful race that looks quite human in many ways. Some differences are hair and skin colors. Anji can have brass, copper, light blue or white skin. They also have a wider range of hair and eye colors.

Anji lack body hair and their navels are located in the middle of their back. The anji MAN has brass colored skin and a bald head.

He wears a hoop earring on his right ear. The man has strong, youthful features and he smiles at Steven as he enters the room.

He holds Damian hostage, one hand on his mouth and the other grasps the boy’s hair. Steven points the weapon at the anji man.

STEVEN
	Take your hands off my son.

One of the anji WOMAN steps forward. She is stunningly beautiful with long, black hair and fair skin. She looks at Steven with lovely, yet angry eyes. She waves a slender finger at Steven and speaks with a soft, feminine voice.

WOMAN
	I do not think you are the one to
	be dictating terms.

Steven looks at his son and sees that the boy is confused but not scared. He continues to point his gun at the man.

STEVEN
	If you hurt my son, I’ll kill 
	you.

There is a SOUND coming from behind Steven and a second later, a CRACK as Steven’s leg breaks. He falls to the ground and drops his gun. He SCREAMS out in pain.

An older anji MAN stands over him. He has very handsome features but a stern look on his face. He stands an impressive six foot seven inches and has a deep, smooth copper complexion.

His shiny black hair is short and neat. On his right ear is a gold, hoop earring. He speaks in a calm, low but icy voice.

MAN
	You will not be the one to 
	deal death tonight, Mr. Dewolf.

The tall man walks over Steven and approaches the other anji. The other anji GIRL stares at Damian, compassion in her features.

She looks very young, perhaps the equivalent of a fifteen-year-old human girl. She has bright, light blue skin and long, pale blue hair fashioned into two braids.

Her light blue eyes regard Damian for a moment. She addresses the man holding Damian; she speaks in her native tongue. She turns her attention to Steven.

Steven and the girl look at each other for a long moment. Tears form in her eyes.

GIRL
	Perhaps you are holding him too
	tight.

The man scowls and pulls the boys head back. He removes a long, sharp knife from his belt and holds it to the boy’s neck. The young girl GASPS.

The man laughs and traces the blade over the boy’s neck. Damian looks at his father who lies on the floor in pain. Steven tries to sit up.

STEVEN
	Let go of my son, you bastard!

The tall man motions for the bald headed man to lower his knife.

TALL MAN
	Put your blade away, Taharta. We
	are not killers of children.

Taharta puts his knife away and stares at Steven, angry and defiant. Steven lowers his head rubs his temples. 

STEVEN
	Kojima, leave my son out of this.

Kojima takes a long look at Damian. He studies his features and slowly nods his head.

KOJIMA
	You look just like your father. 
	Not a trace of your mother do I 
	see in you.

Kojima moves in closer.

KOJIMA
	This one has the gift. Very 
	interesting. 
	 
Kojima turns to Steven.

KOJIMA
	Your son will not pay for your
	loose tongue. The sins of the 
	father are not the son’s to 
	inherit.

Kojima looks at Taharta and speaks a few words in his native dialect. Taharta throws the boy down and walks over to Steven. He gives him a kick and picks him up by the shirt collar. 

Kojima holds up a small, silver computer disk.

KOJIMA
	I’ll be taking this.

STEVEN
	It’s no use. I’ve made copies.

Kojima smiles and shakes his head.

KOJIMA
	You’ll be telling me where they
	are located very soon.

The light blue skinned girl looks at Damian. She stares into his eyes and after a moment, a confused Damian can hear a voice in his head. It is the voice of the golden skinned girl.

VOICE
	Stay still. Do not make a sound. I
	promise you that Kojima will not
	harm you.

Damian stares at the girl. The fair skinned anji girl grabs her arm.

GIRL
	Leave him alone, Nikicha.

Nikicha lowers her head. Kojima turns to the pale skinned anji girl, who is only a few years older than Nikicha.

KOJIMA
	You know what to do, Michi.

Michi nods and removes a syringe from her cloak. She walks over to Damian but the boy begins to struggle.

DAMIAN
	Don’t touch me! And don’t touch my
	father!

Damian kicks out and lands one on Michi’s shin. Angry, she grabs him by the hair. Steven tries to help his son but Taharta gives him a smack across the head.

STEVEN
	Its ok Damian. You’ll be all 
	right. I’m sorry.

Kojima motions for Taharta to take Steven out of the apartment.

KOJIMA
	This is the end for you, Dewolf.

Damian struggles as he watches Taharta drag his father from the room. Steven looks back at Damian one last time. His eyes are filled with remorse.

STEVEN
	I love you, Damian. Always 
	remember that.

Damian kicks out and Michi is getting even angrier. Nikicha runs over and places a hand on Damian’s shoulder. She looks into his eyes, a long and compassionate look. She mind speaks to him.

NIKICHA VOICE
	You are a special boy. Your time
	will come.

Nikicha looks at Michi, who is regarding her with a cold stare. 

MICHI
	Step aside.

Nikicha steps aside and Michi jabs the syringe into Damian’s arm. Damian drops to the floor but continues to look in his father’s direction. His eyelids slowly close and after a moment, he fades into sleep.

INT. RESTAURANT - NIGHT

It is now nine years later. Damian is twenty-two years old and has grown into a strong, handsome young man. He has a lean build and his hair is now short.

He sits at a busy, colorful bar with a good friend of his, AMBER.

She is a pretty young woman, two years younger than him. She is slender with light brown hair and blue eyes. The crowd is loud and Damian has to speak up so that she can hear him.

AMBER
	So do you think they’ll call back?

Damian shrugs and puts his glass down.

DAMIAN
	I hope so. They’re the best 
	company in the business.

Amber motions the bartender to bring them another round.

AMBER
	The only problem is, these 
	companies want you to have all 
	this  experience right out of 
	school.

DAMIAN
	Architects are always in demand
	but I think I may have blown
	the interview.

AMBER
	Why do you say that?

DAMIAN
	I could tell. You know how
	it is with me.

Amber nods, understanding. The bartender serves up two big, bright blue drinks. Damian reaches for his money but Amber stops him.

AMBER
	I’ve got this.

DAMIAN
	Are you sure? I can get it, Amber.

AMBER
	Of course. What else is payday
	for?

Amber hands Damian a drink and they toast.

AMBER
	To better jobs.

DAMIAN
	I’ll drink to that.

They take a long drink, and Amber gags. Damian laughs and watches her fan her throat.

DAMIAN
	A little too strong for you huh?

AMBER
	It just went down the wrong hole.

DAMIAN
	Right. Ok.

Amber notices a man watching her. The man is sitting with a woman and two children. He keeps looking back and stealing glances at her and Damian.

AMBER
	That man keeps staring at me. 
	What a sleaze. What’s he thinking?

Damian shakes his head.

DAMIAN
	I’m not going to do it. I don’t
	violate people’s privacy.

AMBER
	You’re no fun tonight.

Damian grins and shakes his head. A news flash comes across a large, flat screen in the bar. There has been an uprising in the Chamiti province on the planet Anjipal. 

The anji living there have rioted and killed fifty human solider stationed there.

Some of the patrons, including Damian, take notice. One of the MEN sitting next to Damian turns to him with a scowl.

  MAN
	Can you believe that? They
	should just blast all those
	anji sons of bitches. Let ‘em
	have it hard.

Damian shrugs his shoulders and takes another drink.

DAMIAN
	As long as human troops are 
	stationed there, there’s going
	to be friction.

MAN
	Just blast ‘em. Damn trouble
	makers.

Damian turns to Amber and motions to the clock.

DAMIAN
	I got to get going. It’s been a
	long day.

Amber nods and downs the rest of her drink with one long, chug.

AMBER
	Let me go to the bathroom real
	quick.

DAMIAN
	I’m going to be feeling this in
	the morning.

Amber stands up and laughs. Damian finishes off his drink, leaves a tip on the bar and walks away.

INT. DAMIAN’S APARTMENT - NIGHT

Damian walks through his kitchen; visibly buzzing from the drinks he had at the bar. He pours a large glass of water and takes a pill.

He can hear the SOUND of the nightly news in the other room. He takes the water with him and stumbles into his sitting room.

INT. SITTING ROOM - NIGHT

Damian plops down on his sofa and absent-mindedly watches the news report. There is a BEEP on his communicator.

He looks at the identification of the caller: Milani, Amber. Damian answers the call.

DAMIAN
	Yeah?

AMBER 
	I forgot to ask you, are we still
	on for tomorrow night?

DAMIAN
	Yeah. That’s fine. I’ll call you
	when I’m ready.

Damian watches the news as he talks to Amber. An image on the screen catches his attention. He stares at it for a moment, almost instantly snapping out of his drunken haze. Amber is asking him a question but he doesn’t seem to hear her.

AMBER
	Helllllooo? Are you zoning out on
	me?

DAMIAN
	Oh. Sorry. Hey, I’m gonna get to
	bed. I’ll call you tomorrow.

AMBER
	Ok. See ya.

Damian disconnects the call and watches the report on the news. It is the final few minutes of a special interview conducted by a young newswoman named MICHELLE DRUMAND. Damian turns up the volume.

He watches a scene showing some young anji men and women standing around a burnt out military vehicle. They are all smiling and making hand signals for the camera.

One of the boys wears a hat on his head - a hat that once belonged to a human soldier.

The camera then shows some burnt out buildings, a few human women and children stand around with weary looks on their faces. Michelle’s voice comes in over this scene.

MICHELLE
	At the end of the brief uprising,
	twenty soldiers and fifteen 
	civilians lay dead. As a man who
	has ties to the leaders in the 
	local community, do you condone
	this type of aggression? 

Damian stares in amazement as the camera zooms in on a handsome anji man, the same man who was in his apartment nine years ago. Kojima sits in a chair and listens politely to the reporter’s questions. He is well dressed and has grown a thin goatee.

KOJIMA
	That is a valid question but,
	let me ask you a question. You 
	speak of aggression. You speak of 
	tragedy. And I’m referring to this
	recent uprising of course. My
	question to you is this: Where was
	your community outrage when your
	soldiers were massacring my people
	by the millions? Where was the 
	outcry when our women were raped?
	When our children were abducted, 
	sold to gangs of sleazy, perverted 
	foreigners and so called men of
	business? Where were your tears
	when entire civilizations hundreds
	of thousands of years old were 
	washed away in a river of blood?
	Now, after a handful of your
	soldiers have been killed in self
	defense, you ask me to feel 
	remorse. Why?

The reporter is a bit taken aback but she continues to press Kojima.

MICHELLE
	The Zaan War was over two-
	hundred years ago. The government
	issued a formal apology. There
	is no excuse for killing innocent
	civilians.

Kojima leans back in his chair and smiles at the young reporter. Damian sits closer to the screen so he can study Kojima’s image.

KOJIMA
	First. Innocent civilians were not
	killed. Those men killed belonged
	to a crime ring that had been
	abusing the anji population for
	over twenty years. Second, 
	remember that many anji alive 
	today can remember the Zaan War. I 
	myself am two-hundred and thirty. 

Kojima gives the reporter a charming smile.

KOJIMA
	That would be about sixty 
	in human years. So, many do
	remember the nightmare of those
	days. I ask you to forgive us
	if there are some who still harbor
	resentment and anger toward a
	foreign army of occupation.

MICHELLE
	Do you condone this violent 
	uprising? 

Kojima pauses for a moment. The reporter sits patiently, waiting for his answer.

KOJIMA
	I can understand their motives.
	Before the Zaan came, before the
	humans came, anji were the 
	very pinnacle of evolution. We
	were geniuses, the founders of
	the sciences and arts. What are
	we now? We squabble and beg the
	foreigner for a few money notes
	so that we can buy our intoxicants
	and live in a twisted world of
	silly bliss. We are thieves and
	cons. We don’t recognize that
	the worn out face we see in the
	mirror is the face of a mighty
	and inventive race. What 
	devastation disease and deceit
	can bring.

Michelle frowns and shakes her head. She makes sure to look straight at the camera.

MICHELLE
	Please stick to the topic. I
	Will not allow you to turn this
	show into a forum to voice
	your racial doctrines.  

Kojima shrugs his shoulders and bows his head.

KOJIMA
	I apologize. I was out of line.
	But I stand by the fundamental
	message behind my words.
	
The reporter nods. She is disappointed with Kojima’s answer but she will have to live with it. She shakes Kojima’s hand and he bows his head to her, in respect. She then turns to her viewers.

MICHELLE
	That’s all we have time for.
	Remember to tune in tomorrow night
	for full coverage on these and
	and other events. I’m Michelle
	Drumand and remember to send your
	comments to Drumand@Planetfocus.
	Good night.

Damian quickly writes down her contact address and turns off the screen. He sits on the sofa and closes his eyes, rubbing his temples. He looks at the address for a long moment and decides to take action.

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

Damian sits at his computer terminal and opens up his mail files. He types in the address Drumand@Planetfocus. Damian pauses for a moment, thinking about what he wants to write.

He looks at a picture of his smiling father sitting next to the monitor. Damian types.

To Michelle Drumand,

I am a student at the local University and am currently studying media and journalism. I am writing a research report on media personalities and would like to feature you in it. Would you have the time to meet with me so that I can ask you a few questions about your job and how you go about it?

I would be honored if I could have some of your expert opinions and advice. I am a fan of your show and consider you to be one of the elite members of the field.

Sincerely

Damian

Damian studies the letter for a moment and then presses the send command. The screen reads “Message Sent.”

INT. DAMIAN’S APARTMENT - MORNING

Damian wakes up and rubs his face, still feeling the effects of last nights drinking. He gets up and studies his face in the mirror.

His eyes are red and tired looking. Damian some water over his face and walks over to the computer terminal to check his mail.

INT. DAMIAN’S APARTMENT - MORNING

Damian reads the computer monitor. He has two new mails. Anxious, he checks to see whom they are from. One is from a man named CYBERPIMP and it offers the services of young girls from across the entire Anjipal system.

Human girls, anji girls of all ages and colors. Damian immediately deletes it. The next mail message is a response from Michelle Drumand. After taking a breath, Damian opens it the mail and reads.

“Mr. Dewolf, I am flattered that you would like to feature me in one of your student reports. I myself am a recent graduate, so I have to take issue with you when you refer to me as one of the tops in the field. If you would like to arrange an interview, I might have some time available. Respond to this message with a place and time and perhaps we can arrange something. Thank you for watching PlanetFocus.”

Damian nods his head and types in a response.

“Michelle Drumand,

I will try and arrange a time and place within the next day. Thank you for your interest.”

Damian sends the message. 

INT. GYMNASIUM - AFTERNOON

Damian and Amber are in a large, busy gymnasium. People work out with weights, some run laps and others swim in a large swimming pool. Amber finishes her run and towels off her forehead.

She walks over to a sparring ring to see Damian fight a mock sword fight with another gym member. Taking a sip of water from her bottle, she sits down and watches the two men fight.

INT. SPARRING RING - AFTERNOON

A strong looking, older MAN with long brown hair worn in a ponytail wipes sweat from his brow.

He shakes his head and raises his lightweight, practice sword. Damian calmly raises his own practice sword.

MAN
	Kid, you’re wearing me out.

DAMIAN
	You’re not quitting yet, are you
	Cain?

The older man smiles and lunges at Damian.

CAIN
	Not a chance!

Cain makes a couple of slick moves with his practice sword but Damian easily parries them and knocks Cain off balance.

Cain falls to the ring floor and Damian points the tip of the plastic weapon to the man’s throat.

DAMIAN
	Your concentration is off today.

Damian smiles and puts out his hand to help the bigger man to his feet. Cain shakes his head and pats Damian on the back.

CAIN
	Kid, I’ve sparred against 
	champions but I’ve never fought 
	against anyone as quick as you.
	You should compete. The money is
	good. 

Damian shrugs his shoulders and looks around at the other men sparring in another ring.

DAMIAN
	It’s just a hobby of mine.

A MAN from the other puts his fingers together and makes a whistling noise. He motions for Cain and Damian to come over to his ring. Cain smiles.

CAIN
	That’s Mitchell. He’s got a mouth
	on him but you can take him down.

DAMIAN
	Not today.

Cain pulls on Damian’s arm.

CAIN
	Come on, I’ll introduce you to
	him. 

Damian rolls his eyes and follows Cain.

INT. SPARRING RING - AFTERNOON

Cain introduces Damian to Mitchell, a tough looking man with a scar running down the left side of his cheek. The two men shake hands.

MITCHELL
	I’ve been watching you spar for 
	awhile now. You compete?

Damian shakes his head.

DAMIAN
	Nah. It’s just a hobby of mine.

Mitchell nods and regarding Damian with a long, arrogant look. He chews on the end of a toothpick.

MITCHELL
	How’d you like to test yourself
	against some real competition?

DAMIAN
	That’s ok. Not today.

Mitchell laughs and turns to Cain. He waves Damian off, and shakes his head in disappointment.

MITCHELL
	Cain man, I thought you said this
	kid could fight? I wanted a match
	up and I get this sorry coward?

Cain looks embarrassed.

CAIN
	Hey man, go easy on him. Damian’s
	cool.

MITCHELL
	This guy’s nothing.

Mitchell turns his back on Damian and starts to laugh it up with some of his friends. Damian, irritated, calls Mitchell out.

DAMIAN
	Ok. I’ll spar with you. 

Mitchell turns around, confident. He smiles and nods his head.

MITCHELL
	Let’s do it.

Mitchell points to the two fighters in the ring.

MITCHELL
	You two get out. I’ve got a 
	student here who needs a few
	lessons. 

Mitchell climbs into the ring and Damian turns to Cain.

DAMIAN
	Thanks buddy.

Cain LAUGHS. Damian picks up his practice sword and climbs into the ring. Amber walks over to watch.

INT. SPARRING RING - NIGHT

Damian bows to Mitchell, but the tough guy just laughs.

MITCHELL
	Cut that junk. Let’s see what you
	got kid.

Mitchell pauses and then lunges at Damian. He performs some impressive swordplay but Damian easily blocks his swings. Mitchell looks at him, impressed but somewhat confused.

DAMIAN
	Save the drama for the theatre.

Mitchell lunges again; with his trademark set of moves but Damian parries and lands a blow on Mitchell’s neck - just hard enough to leave a red mark.

DAMIAN
	Touché’. Better luck next time.

Mitchell frowns but knows he is beaten. He tries to look tough but instead gives a sheepish look to his friends watching him. They LAUGH hysterically.

MITCHELL
	Wise ass kid. You got me on a bad
	day.

Damian climbs out of the ring and Cain mimics a few of his friend’s moves, absolutely impressed.

CAIN
	Sweet moves man. Sweet!

DAMIAN
	I guess. I could still use some
	work.

Damian smiles and heads off for the locker room.

INT. GYM - AFTERNOON

Damian is about to enter the locker room when Amber stops him. She smiles at him, impressed by his performance.

AMBER
	That was amazing.

DAMIAN
	Well, someone had to bring him
	back down to reality.

AMBER
	Why don’t you try and compete?

DAMIAN
	It’s not my thing. I just do it
	because I enjoy the sport.

AMBER
	But you have a natural talent
	for it.

Damian shakes his head and throws his dirty towel into a towel bin.

DAMIAN
	No, I have an unfair advantage.

Amber slowly nods her head, understanding what he is talking about.

AMBER
	You can basically read every move
	he makes before he makes it?

DAMIAN
	Basically.

Amber laughs and looks him up and down seductively.

AMBER
	Are you reading my mind now?

DAMIAN
	No.

AMBER
	Aww. That’s too bad.

Damian raises his eyebrow, not knowing what to say. She pauses for a moment and then breaks into laughter.

AMBER
	Hurry up and shower. We’re still
	on for tonight, right?

Damian snaps his fingers, as if suddenly remembering something. Amber’s smiles slips away.

AMBER
	What?

DAMIAN
	I forgot. I have to finish a
	project for work. David will
	have my head if I don’t have it
	in by tomorrow afternoon.

Amber shakes her head, irritated.

AMBER
	You know, I canceled my other 
	plans for you.

DAMIAN
	I know. I’m sorry. I’ll make it
	up to you.

Amber looks at him, annoyed but she nods her head.

AMBER
	Fine. Whatever. 
	
Damian walks into the locker room and turns around.

DAMIAN
	If I can finish my work tonight,
	we’ll meet up tomorrow. Is that 
	ok?

Amber shrugs her shoulders and heads for the women’s locker room.

INT. DAMIAN’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Damian sits in front of his computer and powers up the terminal. He anxiously waits to see if he has gotten a reply from the news reporter. To his disappointment, the monitor reads “No new Mail”.

He checks to see the status of his sent mail and the message tells him that his mail was read in the mid afternoon.

Bored and frustrated, Damian rubs his temples and surfs through some old mail. A moment later, a chat request comes across the monitor.

It reads “Dragon Lady has issued the following chat request: Join me in the Dragon’s Lair. We can chat.”

Damian shakes his head.

DAMIAN
	You should probably leave your
	house once and awhile.

Damian flips through some old mail sent by his employer. He is about to send a reply when he gets another chat request: Dragon Lady has issued the following chat request: “Come inside and we can talk about a meeting.”

Damian’s eyes widen as he realizes that this might be the reporter. He types in a command and the screen reads, “Request accepted. Please wait while the connection is made.”

INT. APARTMENT - EVENING

Damian enters Dragon Lady’s chat room. A message appears on the screen: “So have you thought of a time and place?”

Damian types “I was thinking of Moon 8 Lounge around late afternoon.

There is a pause and Dragon Lady responds, “Seven would be better.” Damian types back “That sounds great. I’ll be there. Thanks for your help.”

Dragon Lady responds “Not a problem. See you there. Dragon Lady exits the room. David looks down at a huge pile of papers sitting on the desk and he begins to rub his temples.

DAMIAN
	Damn.
 
Damian signs off and looks at the image of a red ball    bouncing up and down on his terminal monitor. After staring at it for a moment, he sifts through the papers and gets back to work.

INT. MARINA 8 LOUNGE - AFTERNOON

Damian walks into the busy lounge, computer notebook in hand and looks around the bar area. No sign of Michelle. He takes a seat at the bar and the BARTENDER approaches him with a smile.

BARTENDER
	What can I get for you this	evening? We have a two for one
	special on all cocktails. 

Damian studies the liquor bottles and the beer taps.

DAMIAN
	I’ll take a Blue ocean.

The bartender nods and goes over to the tap to pour his drink. Damian looks around the bar and just as the bartender returns with his drink, Michelle walks into the bar area.

She is dressed casually but looks great. She looks around the bar and sits down three seats away from Damian.

BARTENDER
	That’ll be two-fifty.

Damian pays the bartender and leaves a tip on the table. Getting up from his seat, he walks over to introduce himself to Michelle. She sees him just as he reaches the seat next to her. Damian holds out his hand.

DAMIAN
	The Dragon Lady, I presume?

Michelle smiles and then takes his hand.

MICHELLE
	Have a seat. I’m sorry, something
	came up so I don’t have a lot
	of time. But I’ll answer a few
	questions if you have them
	ready for me.

Damian nods and sits down.

DAMIAN
	That’s fine.

They look at each other for an awkward moment before Damian decides to make the first move.

DAMIAN
	So, what drove you to become
	a journalist? What gave you that
	spark to want to have your own
	news program?

Michelle nods and starts to talk. As she speaks, Damian begins to focus on her eyes, while pretending to take notes on her answers.

MICHELLE
	I’ve always had a passion for 
	real stories, real events that
	shape our everyday lives. When
	I say news and events, I mean 
	real news and events. Not things
	like what actress is wearing what,
	how much money she has in her 
	account and who her latest sex 
	fling is.

Damian nods.

DAMIAN
	Of course. Your show is very
	professional.

MICHELLE
	Why, thank you.

DAMIAN
	Are some stories harder to cover 
	than others?

MICHELLE
	What do you mean?

DAMIAN
	Such as the rebellions on Anjipal
	for example? I saw your interview
	with Kojima. Very well done.

MICHELLE
	Now there is a story.

Michelle smiles and continues to speak. Damian digs into her mind; it sounds much like a scrambled radio station. Only a few choice words can be made out.

MICHELLE’S MIND
	Kojima. Trajjin. Ankitsu.

DAMIAN
	Would you consider your job to be
	dangerous, at times? I’m sure that
	getting in touch with someone like
	Kojima might prove difficult.

Michelle nods and takes another sip of her drink.

MICHELLE
	Very difficult. Locating contacts,
	people who will willingly give
	information on how to contact
	a person or a group that has
	such an infamous name, can be 
	an amazingly difficult challenge.

Damian concentrates harder.

MICHELLE’S MIND
	Ankitsu. Blue roof. Yaha. Tarik
	Trust. Contact.

Michelle continues.

MICHELLE
	I’d say that its probably one of
	my biggest challenges. As far 
	as actual danger to me, I’ve never
	felt that it was anything too
	dangerous. But that extra element
	gives the job a little more 
	excitement.

DAMIAN
	Do your guests ever make you 
	nervous when you interview them?
	I would be a little intimidated
	by someone like Kojima.

Michelle thinks for a moment. Damian studies her eyes.

MICHELLE’S MIND
	Handsome. Demon-child. Angry. 
	Ankitsu. Island. 

MICHELLE
	No, I wouldn’t say that. Excited
	probably, but not nervous.

Damian’s smiles.

DAMIAN
	I have to say, I was a little
	nervous before actually speaking
	to you.

Michelle LAUGHS and slaps Damian on the arm.

MICHELLE
	Oh God. Please. Anyhow, I really
	have to run, extended deadline
	to meet and all that. But swing
	by the studio sometime and I can
	answer a few more questions for 
	you if you want.

MICHELLE’S MIND
	Are you single? Sexy.

Damian smiles and politely bows his head.

DAMIAN
	I will. Thank you for your time.

MICHELLE
	You’re very welcome. Good luck
	with this report!
	
EXT. LARGE ISLAND, ANJIPAL - AFTERNOON

The sun is out and the sky is an intense blue. Overhead, a flock of crimson-feathered birds fly in a diamond pattern. The SOUND of the waves hitting the sandy shore fills the air. A gentle breeze stirs the trees. 

A small boat drifts onto the shore. On board are Kojima, and Michi. Kojima is dressed only in pair of loose, black pants.

His upper body is ripped and powerful looking. On his upper left bicep is a black tattoo of a creature that resembles a flying reptile.

He jumps off the boat and onto the shore. Michi is dressed only in a small white top and waist wrap.

Unlike Kojima who has a deep, copper complexion, Michi’s fair skin has begun to show the effects of the powerful sun’s rays. Kojima studies the beach for a moment and turns to Michi. She speaks in her native dialect.

KOJIMA
                        Meresnk’s tomb is to the west. You
	stay with the boat. I’ll be back
	shortly.

Michi lowers her head in obedience but she is not happy about having to stay behind.

MICHI
	And what shall I do in the 
	meanwhile?

A slight smile crosses Kojima’s features. He points out to the ocean water.

KOJIMA
	Go cool off in the water.
	Your skin is burning up.

Michi sits down in the sand and watches Kojima walk into the trees, in the direction of Meresnk’s tomb.

INT. DAMIAN’S APARTMENT - EVENING

Damian is cooking a dinner in his kitchen. He dials Amber’s number up and waits for her to answer. After three BEEPS she is on the other end.

AMBER
	What’s up?

DAMIAN
	Wanna go out tomorrow night?
	We can meet up at the Passion
	Fruit.

Amber pauses a moment and then replies

AMBER
	Sure. But I won’t be able to stay 
	all night. My sister is taking me
	out.

DAMIAN
	That’s fine. I’ll see you then.

Amber pauses on the other end.

AMBER
	Hey, is everything ok? You sound
	down.

DAMIAN
	It’s nothing. No big deal.

AMBER
	Is it about the interview?

DAMIAN
	The job? I’m not worrying about 
	it. I could just use a good night
	out, even if its only a few hours.

AMBER
	Cool. Well, I’ll let you go. My
	show is almost on.

Damian smiles.

DAMIAN
	You never miss an episode, huh?

AMBER
	What are you kidding me? Goodnight
	sweetie. See ya tomorrow.

DAMIAN
	Yeah. See ya.

Damian disconnects the call.

INT. DAMIAN’S APARTMENT – NIGHT

Damian looks through some travel information concerning Anjipal. He finds flight rates to Ankitsu. Damian enters the option for “Lowest Available Price” and comes up with a rate.

He shakes his head and looks at his bank balance on the other computer window.

The cheapest and earliest available leaves on the next day. Try as he might, he cannot find a better option. He looks at the note on the table that reads “Dinner with Amber, tomorrow at Passion Fruit.”

He stares at it for a moment before looking back to the screen.

Taking a breath, he clicks on the option for “Purchase Ticket”.

INT. APARTMENT – NIGHT

Dream Sequence. Damian walks through a long, dark hallway. His father lies on the floor. As he walks over to his father’s body, Kojima steps out from the shadows and begins walking toward Damian.

Damian tries to back up but is paralyzed. He tries to SHOUT but nothing comes out of his mouth.

Damian sits up in his bed, startled. He looks around his dark room and after a moment, he lays back down in bed.

INT. DAMIAN’S APARTMENT - DAY

Damian calls his Boss, DAVID, to explain tell him that an emergency has come up and he needs time off.

DAMIAN
	Can’t you give me a month,
	David? 

DAVID
	You’ve got to be kidding me. I
	can’t just let you take a month
	off with no notice. Emergency or
	not. The most I can let you
	have is a week.

DAMIAN
	I know that I’m putting you in
	a bind, but I need this time. I’ll
	make it up to you.

DAVID
	I’m sorry. It doesn’t work that
	way. Besides that, it wouldn’t be
	fair to the others who have been
	here longer than you have.

David pauses and closes his eyes. When he opens them, he has a determined and calm look on his face.

DAMIAN
	Then I’ll have to quit.

DAVID
	Quit? I need you here, At least
	give me some time.

Damian shakes his head.

DAMIAN
	I’m sorry. But I have bigger
	priorities right now.

David puts him on hold for a moment. When he returns, Damian can hear the anger in his boss’ voice.

DAVID
	If you quit, just quit like this
	and screw us over, don’t expect
	a reference and don’t even think
	about trying to come back.

DAMIAN
	So be it then. I’m sorry for the
	trouble I’ve caused you.

Without another word, Damian disconnects the call.

EXT. BANK – DAY

Damian stands in front of a machine and enters a request for cash withdrawal. He enters a figure and the computer warns him: YOUR BALANCE WILL BE 0.00. DO YOU WISH TO CLOSE YOUR ACCOUNT AND PROCEED? 

Damian takes the money from his account. He puts the huge pile of cash in a bag and leaves the terminal.

EXT. ISLAND - EVENING

An ancient, crumbling tomb stands near a lagoon. On its surface are old, worn anji hieroglyphs. There are pictures of anji warriors and priestesses standing in front of strange, mythical beasts. 

Kojima crouches next to a sealed door and runs his finger over one of the hieroglyphs. He reads it and closes his eyes, angry and disappointed. 

KOJIMA
	It is as I thought. The legends
	are true.

Kojima opens his eyes and stands up. Thinking of another way to get in, he begins his walk back to the beach.

INT. APARTMENT - AFTERNOON

Damian packs some of his clothes and other belongings into a backpack. He pauses when he comes across his father’s old racing jacket.

He puts it inside his backpack along with the other clothes. He walks across the room and opens his closet. He picks up a blanket off the top shelf and carries it to his bed. 

Damian carefully unwraps the blanket revealing to wickedly sharp anji swords. They closely resemble a Japanese katana.

The blades are made of a virtually unbreakable metal found only on Anjipal. One of the blades has a pale blue glow and the other has a light green glow.

Damian swings one of them through the air effortlessly before putting them in their scabbards.

Damian looks at a metal locker. The sign on the locker door reads “Steven Dewolf #3248-36B” He opens the locker and takes out a small but very powerful shotgun.

He runs his finger over the weapon, thinking about it for a moment before packing that as well.

Damian picks up a picture of his father and puts it in the bag along with the other items.

INT. APARTMENT - EVENING

Amber calls Damian as he finishes packing his things.

AMBER
	Hey, what’s up? Are you ready?

Damian slaps his head, remembering the dinner date. He looks at the time and then at his flight ticket.

DAMIAN
	Yeah. Sure. I’ll be there.
	Go ahead and get a seat.

AMBER
	Great. I’m on my way.

Damian disconnects the call and stares at the wall, frustrated.

DAMIAN
	I’m sorry, Amber.

INT. APARTMENT - NIGHT

Damian stands at the doorway to his apartment and looks at his old place, one last time. After a long pause, he kisses his hand and then places his hand on the doorway. After that, Damian shuts the door behind him and never looks back.

INT. PASSION FRUIT – NIGHT

Amber sits at a table and looks at the time. She is dressed very nicely and looks as if she has gone to extra lengths to look good.

Frustrated, she picks up her phone and gives Damian a call. After ten BEEPS she hangs up. She finishes off her drink, and slams the glass on the table. 

She gets up, throws a few notes down next to the glass and walks out of the restaurant. 

EXT. BOAT - NIGHT

It is a dark, quiet night. Five fishermen sit on the deck of a small fishing vessel. The men are all humans. SMOKES, the captain of the small fishing vessel, lights a cigarette and looks at the island on the horizon.

His four men, LANDON, SHEA, CHATTER and RODRIGUEZ haul up their last load of fish for the night. Rodriguez wipes the sweat from his brow and turns to his skipper.

RODRIGUEZ
	Hey Smokes, lets call it a day 
	huh?

Smokes takes a final drag from his cigarette and nods his head.

SMOKES
	That island looks like a good 
	Place to rest and get some water. 
	Maybe find some fresh food.

Landon, Shea and Chatter begin to take the last haul below deck. Smokes throws his cigarette stub overboard.

EXT. ISLAND - NIGHT

Michi sits in the sand, and watches the fishing vessel approach the shore. She looks at the five human men walking around on the deck with mild interest.

The vessel anchors and the five men get into a small boat and make their way to the beach. Michi does not bother to run or get up.

EXT. ISLAND - NIGHT

Chatter sees Michi sitting in the sand and points her out to his men. Smokes nods his head.

SMOKES
	Well, well. A local beauty. Looks
	like we might be having some fun
	tonight boys.

The small boat lands on the beach and the men get out. Chatter walks up to Michi and gives her a big grin.

CHATTER
	Youa talki human?

The other men LAUGH and look her up and down. Michi rises to her feet and brushes the sand off her shapely, sun tanned legs. 

MICHI
	I can understand you.

Landon throws his gear in the sand next to Michi and lays down, exhausted.

LANDON
	I’m going to sleep.

Smokes shakes his head and walks up to Michi. His eyes are filled with lust as he takes in her exotic, alien beauty. He takes another cigarette out of his pocket and offers her one.

SMOKES
	You smoke, pretty eyes?

Michi looks at the cigarette and slowly shakes her head. Shea, an ex convict, takes a more abrupt approach and approaches Michi. He runs a hand over her smooth skin, this makes the other men nervous.

SHEA
	Ain’t you a pretty thing? I heard
	you types like human men.

Michi hides her disgust and smiles. She walks to the waters edge and dips her hands into the ocean. She washes off the spot on her arm where Shea touched her.

MICHI
	Don’t touch me.

She stands up and looks the man full in the eye.

   MICHI
	Unless I ask you to.

Shea is offended by Michi’s action and makes his way over to her. He grabs her arm and Michi looks at him, calmly.

SHEA
	Look woman, there ain’t nobody
	out here to protect you so you
	had better be nice.

LANDON
	Leave her alone Shea.

Smokes takes a drag of his cigarette and shakes his head.

SMOKES
	Landon, Shea, Rodriguez you three
	set up camp. Chatter and myself 
	try and find some water.

Smokes walks up to Michi.

SMOKES
	Is there a river or stream nearby?

Michi shrugs her shoulders and slowly pulls a stone off her necklace. She smiles at Shea and motions to him with her finger.

MICHI
	I am not from here. But I think I
	can help you. Follow me, hairy 
	skin and I will show you something 
	that will amaze you.

Chatter and Rodriguez hoot and holler while Smokes raises his eyebrows. Landon is falling asleep in the sand.

Shea winks at Smokes and follows Michi down the beach. They walk for sometime until they get far enough away from the others so that they can’t be seen or heard.

SHEA
	I’m sorry I was so rude to you
	I find you to be very sexy.
	How about we have a little fun?

Shea moves in close to her and admires her beauty. Michi grasps the stone in her hand and nods her head. Her beautiful features are lit by the moonlight. 

MICHI
	I love to have fun. 
	
Shea grins and tries to plant a kiss on Michi but she pulls away from him, smiling. 

MICHI
	Then let the fun begin.

Michi tosses the tiny red stone high into the air. It falls to the sand and sits for a moment. Shea looks at it, confused.

SHEA
	What’s that supposed to be?

MICHI
	Your fate.

A flash of light comes from the sand and it is followed by a loud GROAN. The sand begins to rumble and Shea takes a few steps back, staring at the light. He is mesmerized. 

Moments later, a horrible beast emerges from the light. It is fifteen feet tall and stands on two, muscular legs. Its skin is made of black scales and on its head are two great horns. Michi smiles and rubs the beast’s leg with her hand. 

MICHI
	Do you like my friend? I think 
	that you two will become very
	friendly with each other. 

Shea turns around and begins to run, terrified. Michi talks to the beast in an ancient anji dialect. The beasts’ solid white eyeballs glare at the human.

The beast then gives chase. Shea is running fast but he stands no chance of getting away. The beast grabs Shea and tears him apart.

EXT. BEACH - NIGHT

The four other fishermen hear the SOUNDS of the beast’s roar and Shea’s screams.

They can see the beast coming up the beach. Michi follows it laughing.

RODRIGUEZ
	What the hell is that?

CHATTER
	To the boat!

Smokes, Chatter, and Rodriguez begin running to the boat. Landon gets to his feet but the beast grabs him by the neck and throttles him. It then hurls him into the trees, broken and dead.

With supernatural speed, the black-scaled beast catches up with Rodriguez, Chatter and Smokes. It grabs Rodriguez with one claw and Chatter with the other. The beast then smashes the two men together, killing them.
 
Smokes stumbles and falls into the ocean. The beast catches him and is about to tear the terrified captain apart when a VOICE comes from up the beach.

Michi turns and sees Kojima emerging from the trees. There is a small grin on his face.

KOJIMA
	I see you’ve been keeping yourself
	amused, Michi.

Kojima commands the beast in an unknown language and it complies, laying Smokes on the sand. The beast then vanishes into the black of the night.

Kojima looks at the human for a moment, his eyes narrow as razor blades.

MICHI
	Why do you not let me have my fun?

Kojima looks at Michi and shakes his head.

KOJIMA
	This is not the time for fun fair
	skinned one.

Smokes sits up, shaking and scared. He has the look of a doomed man.

SMOKES
	Please don’t hurt me. Please.
	I’m just a fisherman. I was
	looking for a little water.
	That’s all. I swear.

Kojima walks over to Michi and mutters a few words to her. She smiles and slowly nods her head.

MICHI
	That might work.

Kojima holds his hand out to help Smokes to his feet.

KOJIMA
	Luck seems to be with you
	tonight.

Smokes cautiously takes the anji mans hand and gets onto his feet. Standing at only five foot eight inches, Kojima towers over him. Smokes looks up at Kojima, his face a portrait of fear.

SMOKES
	You’re not going to kill me, are
	you?

Kojima smiles and shakes his head. He takes a canteen off his belt and hands it to the human.

KOJIMA
	I am not going to kill you, but
	I will need your help.

Smokes looks confused.

SMOKES
	What do you want me to do?

KOJIMA
	It’s all very simple. You will
	see. I promise you, that I will
	not harm you.

Smokes nods his head, more than eager to save his neck. Michi smiles and walks over to him. She whispers something into his ear.

MICHI
	Saved from the belly of the beast,
	little hairy skin man.

Kojima looks up at the night sky and nods his head.

KOJIMA
	We rest here tonight. Tomorrow
	morning, we set out.

Michi begins to set up camp. Kojima then turns to Smokes. His smile has faded away and he gives the human an icy, cold stare.

KOJIMA
	I would not try to flee into the
	night if I were you. I know your
	deepest fears. I can feel them. If
	you run, I will make them a 
	reality and you will cry out 
	for death. 

INT. SPACECRAFT - NIGHT

Damian stares out the window as the spacecraft descends on Ankitsu. He looks at the bright, modern city buildings and lights, mixed in with ancient ruins built during the Chamiti Empire.

The Chamiti ruins are very similar to the ancient Egyptian ruins on Earth. A VOICE comes in over the spacecraft speaker.

VOICE
	Ladies and gentleman, we are on
	our final decent over Calimaj. 
	Please stay in your seats and keep
	your seat belts fastened. We thank
	you for flying Anjipal Space 
	Lines  and do hope you travel with 
	us again.

Damian checks his backpack and sits back in his seat as the spacecraft begins its final approach into Ankitsu.

INT. SPACEPORT - EVENING

Damian steps walks through a giant tunnel and arrives inside the Ankitsu spaceport. There are hundreds of people scrambling to get to where they need to be.

Surprisingly enough, they are all humans. Damian straps on his backpack and begins to walk through the crowded spaceport. 

Damian notices a young, light blue skinned anji GIRL standing next to a wall.

She wears her shiny black hair in two pigtails and holds a sign that reads “Taxi”. The girl looks bored. Damian approaches the girl.

DAMIAN
	I could use a ride.

The anji girl looks Damian up and down for a moment and then nods her head.

GIRL
	Follow me.

DAMIAN
	How far can you take me?

GIRL
	Anywhere for the right amount.

DAMIAN
	Ankitsu?

She nods her head.

GIRL
	Sure, why not.

She walks through the terminal without another word and Damian follows her. As they pass a security outpost, she shows the officer a plastic band wrapped around her wrist. 

She gives the officer an attitude as he inspects her bag. The officer nods and the two move on.

INT. CAR - EVENING

The girl and Damian travel in a fancy, futuristic looking car. She is weaving the car in and out of traffic and accelerates to nearly two hundred miles an hour.

Her driving makes Damian nervous and he clutches the edge of the seat. 

The car passes a set of impressive, ancient Chamiti statues that stand hundreds of feet tall. Damian looks at them in wonder.

Another car gets in front of her and she blows the horn at them and makes a few hand gestures. She looks at Damian through a mirror, her eyes studying him.

GIRL
	Is this your first time
	being on Anjipal?

Damian nods his head.

DAMIAN
	Yes, actually. It’s so different
	than where I am from.

GIRL
	You speak Sil’manti. How is
	that?

DAMIAN
	I learned it in school. It’s
	useful to know.

GIRL
	So, you’re a schoolboy?
	Very good.

She looks at Damian for a moment and then pulls out something that looks like a cigar. She lights it and takes a long, hard puff. 

She offers some to Damian.

GIRL
	Try this, schoolboy. You’ll like
	it. 

DAMIAN
	What is it?

GIRL
	Mipali. It gives you a good 
	feeling. I hope you’re not
	with the military.

She turns and gives him a wry smile.

   GIRL
	You might have to arrest
	me.

Damian puts out his hand and shakes his head, declining the powerful intoxicant.

DAMIAN
	If it’s against the law, why
	do you smoke it?

She smiles at Damian and gives a little laugh. She takes a deep drag from her blunt and shrugs her shoulders.

GIRL
	Because I don’t give a damn
	about humans or their laws.

Damian looks at the plastic band around the cab driver’s slender, blue skinned wrist.

DAMIAN
	What is that for?

She looks down at her wrist and rips the band off.

GIRL
	Anji cannot go into the space
	port without special permission.	Humans have come down hard on us 
	since the riots.

Damian stares at the badge lying on the seat and slowly nods his head. She accelerates to over two hundred miles an hour. 

The car passes through a very modern section of the city. Humans can be seen walking along the street, taking in the city nightlife.

GIRL
	A few years ago, they built
	a prison in our section
	of the city. Some of these humans
	were released and one murdered a
	young anji girl. We were so
	angry that we burnt the prison to
	the ground.

She takes another drag from the blunt and gives Damian a wink.

GIRL
	All the prisoners were killed. 
	 
DAMIAN
	That’s a pretty brutal approach,
	don’t you think? 

GIRL
	Only the prison was destroyed.
	No innocents were harmed. Unlike
	humans, we are not bloodthirsty
	and lovers of war. 

DAMIAN
	I don’t love war. I don’t think
	too many of my people really
	do.

GIRL
	I doubt that.

Damian shrugs his shoulders.

DAMIAN
	I’m sorry that you feel that
	way about me.

GIRL
	Oh no. Don’t worry. I like you.

Damian watches in the mirror as she eyes him. She slowly exhales and shakes her head.

GIRL
	This is the world that you have 
	come to. Crazy no?

Damian shrugs his shoulders. He looks out the window at the big city landscape so different than his own home. The skyscrapers are excessively tall and built in an odd, otherworldly and alien design.

DAMIAN
	That’s some amazing architecture.

GIRL
	Ankitsu is far so sit back and 
	relax.
	
The anji girl smiles and accelerates down an empty stretch of road. The joint is already beginning to dull her senses and Damian tries not to show his apprehension about her dangerous driving.

GIRL
	I think that you like speed,
	right? 

DAMIAN
	Not really.

She laughs and flicks the joint stub into a bag sitting next to her. She lights another one.

After giving him another long look in the mirror, she gets quiet and focuses on her driving.

EXT. ROADSIDE – NIGHT

The taxi speeds down a dark street. A group of young anji men watch the car pass by. They wear ski masks to hide their faces. One of the men spots Damian sitting in the back of the car. His eyes flash with anger.

He picks up a rock and hurls it at the car. Another FIRES a gun at the car.

INT. CAR

The girl accelerates down the street. She looks at Damian in the mirror.

   GIRL
	This is a dangerous road.

   DAMIAN
	No kidding.

   GIRL
	Many humans are kidnapped here.
	They usually disappear for good.

She pauses and exhales some smoke.

   GIRL
	You’re a fool to come here
	schoolboy. 

Damian sits in the back of the car, stone faced.

   DAMIAN
	I’m the fool that’s paying you.

She smiles and nods her head.

INT. CAR – NIGHT

The car enters the small town of Ankitsu. It drives past a row of old, wooden buildings constructed in a unique, local fashion.

GIRL
	Where do you want to stay?

Damian looks at the old buildings as the car passes them. He focuses on a modest wooden building with a blue roof. The sign next to it reads “Blue Roof Tavern.”
 
Under the name it says “A place for humans to enjoy the comforts of Ankitsu.” He points to it.

DAMIAN
	Let me off there.

As the car pulls in, the lights shine on a few unsavory, tough looking Anji men. They lean up against the walls and watch the car pull up in silence.

GIRL
	Those men look tough no?

She turns in her seat and gives him a sly grin.

GIRL
	You better be careful, schoolboy.

Damian nods and pulls some money out of his pocket. He hands the money to the girl.

DAMIAN
	They’re no problem.

The girl takes the money and counts through it.

GIRL
	You have nothing extra for my
	trouble?

DAMIAN
	Your trouble?

GIRL
	I am all the way out here. Far
	from the spaceport. No business,
	no money. Be kind to me schoolboy.
	I’ve been kind to you.

Damian sighs and hands her an extra note.

GIRL
	Enjoy your stay.

He gets out of the car and it starts to drizzle. The taxi pulls away and drives off down the road, leaving Damian standing in the dark. The SOUNDS of falling rain and insects fill the night air.

The men continue to watch Damian, silent. He nods at them and walks through a set of colorful beads leading into the building.

INT. BUILDING – NIGHT

Damian walks through a lobby where a very bored looking, older anji MAN sits at a desk. He plays a board game made of colored, wooden pieces.

The room is filled with smoke. He looks up at Damian, but says nothing. Damian approaches the desk.

DAMIAN
	Are there rooms available?

The man nods his head.

DAMIAN
	I’d like one, please.

MAN
	Sixty Dinz’a.

Damian lays the money out on the desk. The man scoops up the money, turns around and selects a key from a few wooden pegs.

He hands the keys to Damian and goes back to his game. Damian walks up a set of old, CREAKY stairs and finds his room. He unlocks the room and goes inside.

INT. ROOM – NIGHT

Damian looks around the tiny, Spartan room. There is one small bed and a small table in the corner.

Damian throws his bags on the bed. He opens one of them and sets the picture of his father on the table. He looks at the picture and then lies down on the bed. 

INT. ROOM – NIGHT

Damian’s door opens and a FIGURE enters the room. The figure carefully walks past the sleeping Damian and takes hold of one of his bags.

Damian instantly snaps up, sword in hand and grabs the figure by the neck.

He holds the neck at the figure’s throat. There is a brief struggle and finally, no movement as the two sit in the dark room. The SOUND of heavy breaks the silence.

DAMIAN
	You picked the wrong room to rob.

Damian stands up, dragging the figure with him. He switches on a light.

He sees that he is holding onto the neck of one of the anji men who were outside when he first came in. He wears a tight fitting chrome colored wristband.

Damian presses the blade into his neck.

DAMIAN
	What should I do with you?

MAN
	I’m only a thief. Nothing more.
	Let me go, I am no danger to you.

Damian presses harder.

DAMIAN
	A thief? Nothing more you say?

Damian looks down into the anji man’s eyes and concentrates but nothing happens. The man starts to LAUGH.

MAN
	It won’t work. 

DAMIAN
	Never laugh at a man who has a
	blade to your throat.

Damian continues to hold onto the man for a moment before coming up with an idea.

DAMIAN
	You have two choices. One, you
	answer any question I ask you,
	truthfully.

MAN
	The other?

DAMIAN
	I kill you and claim my
	right to self defense.

MAN
	How can I refuse those terms?

Damian carefully searches the man and finds a small gun. He empties the ammunition chamber and throws the gun under the bed.

DAMIAN
	Strictly for protection I assume.

The man shrugs and sits in a chair.

DAMIAN
	I won’t mince words with you. I’m
	looking for a man named Kojima.
	Can you tell me how to find him?

The man begins to look nervous at the mention of that name.

DAMIAN
	Well?

MAN
	Kojima is a menace. I would not
	say his name too loudly.

DAMIAN
	Do you know how I can get in 
	contact with someone who has
	connections to him?

MAN
	No.

DAMIAN
	Don’t lie to me. I will kill you.
	
The man squirms in his chair.

MAN
	I am a man of very modest means.
	perhaps if you could help me, I
	could help you.

Damian reaches into his pocket and pulls out a money note.

DAMIAN
	This is all you’ll get from me.
	Plus your life.

The man looks at the note, eager to get his hands on it.

MAN
	I will see what I can do.
	Look for a signal tomorrow.
	I can’t guarantee that it
	will work but it is your
	best chance.

Damian slowly nods. He hands the note to the man.

DAMIAN
	Do it.

He levels his swords at the man’s face.

DAMIAN
	But if you cross me, I’ll 
	gut you like a rotten piece of
	fruit. And if I can’t, I have
	friends that will.

MAN
	I’m in this for the money. My
	word is bought and paid for.

Damian motions toward the door and the man silently leaves the room.

EXT. ISLAND - DAY

Kojima, Michi and Smokes walk through a tall group of trees. Overhead, a flock of crimson colored birds fly through a piercing cloudless, blue sky.

They pass a group of ancient anji statues that stand in a circle. Kojima stops and turns to Michi.

KOJIMA
	Wait here.

Smokes watches Kojima walk away and he calls out to him, still apprehensive about his fate.

SMOKES
	Are we almost there?

Kojima bows his head and smiles.

KOJIMA
	It will not be much longer now.

Kojima walks away leaving Michi and Smokes together. Nervous, he tries to make small talk with the young woman.

SMOKES
	So. Where are you from?

Michi gives the man a bored look and after a few moments, she answers him.

MICHI
	I am from Nazan.

Smokes nods his head, trying to look casually interested.

SMOKES
	I bet it’s nice there. Wanna
	know where I’m from?

Michi shrugs and picks a piece of fruit from one of the trees.

MICHI
	I already know. You are from
	A world that you call Earth.
	New York City? Many people.
	Very big. You grew up in a
	tall building and lived with
	many other human people. You
	loved your father but hate your
	brother. You broke your people’s
	law many times and you have many
	strange fantasies about women. 

Michi smiles and nods her head.

MICHI
	Very strange fantasies.

Smokes looks at her, shocked and astounded. He has the look of a kid being caught putting bogus grades in his teacher’s grade book.

SMOKES
	You can read my thoughts.

MICHI
	Much like reading a book, only
	the words are moving everywhere,
	around the paper. But enough
	talk. You bore me.

Michi turns her back to Smokes and finishes off her fruit.

EXT. ANKITSU – DAY

Damian walks through the town and hears the sounds of DRUM beats coming from the beach. He follows a sandy trail leading to the ocean and finds that there is a festival in full swing.

Anji of all different colors are dressed in exotic costumes. Some of them wear costumes made of crimson and emerald green feathers.

Others have their faces painted in all sorts of strange, and wonderful patterns.

There is a very loud drumbeat. The SOUND is a perfect rhythm. Next to an elaborately carved pole, three copper skin anji girls dance in rhythm to the music. One of them has copper colored hair.

The other two girls have shiny, black hair. Their hair is fashioned into many wild braids and they wear a skimpy outfit made of multicolored feathers. They have beautiful figures.

Damian watches the girls dance. One of the girls stares at Damian for a moment. Her eyes are a very striking shade of light purple. 

He finds himself staring, almost as if in some sort of trance. It takes him a few moments for him to snap out of it. Damian puts a few coins in their donation bucket.

EXT. BEACH - DAY

Damian arrives at the beach. There is a great cliff that is hundreds of feet tall. The have a seat in the sand and watch a performance that is getting underway.

Damian’s attention focuses on a young anji WOMAN climbing up the steep cliff with her bare hands.

She is amazingly beautiful and has a soft, copper complexion with blonde/brown hair done in two pigtails.

Wrapped inside one of the pigtails is a bright, red feather. The girl is scantily clad and she has a lovely figure.

The girl reaches the top of the cliff. She has a bright, beautiful smile and waves to the crowd below. The SOUND of drumbeats begins and the anji members of the audience begin to chant.

She walks around, smiling and blowing kisses. The SOUND of drums beats becomes deafening.

Damian stares at the girl, his fists clenched. The girl looks out into the crowd, her blue eyes focused and concentrating.

She moves to the edge of the cliff and turns her back to the crowd, balancing on the edge with just the tips of her toes.

After a pause, her eyes roll back into her head, revealing their solid whites. The young woman then lets herself fall off the cliff. The audience gasps and watches her
fall, her arms crossed over her chest. The ground below her grows larger as she gets closer to it.

Just as she is about half way to the ground, there is a great flash of light and a giant, black-scaled creature emerges from it.

The creature stretches out a giant claw and catches the girl as she falls.

The audience CLAPS very loud. The smiling anji girl sits in the hand of the beast and it puts her safely back on the sand.

The girl bows to the audience. Damian claps, very impressed by her performance. The girl scans the crowd and she locks eyes with Damian, her gaze rests on him for a long moment.

She then gives him a little smile and then joins her fellow performers.

EXT. IN FRONT OF MERESNK’S TOMB - DAY

Kojima, Michi and their hostage, Smokes arrive at the front of Meresnk’s ancient tomb. Kojima guides the two to a sealed door and carefully runs his finger over a hieroglyph. 

He takes a thin sliver of gold from his pant pocket. It looks much like a golden toothpick. He smiles at Michi and hands the golden pick to Smokes.

KOJIMA
	Take this, I am giving you the
	opportunity to make history.

Smokes carefully takes the golden pick and studies it. He looks back and forth, from Kojima to Michi.

SMOKES
	What is this for?

Kojima points to a small hole in the sealed door, next to a row of deeply engraved hieroglyphs.

KOJIMA
	Place the golden piece in this
	hole.

Smokes looks nervous and begins to shake his head.

SMOKES
	I don’t want to do this. Here,
	you do it.

Smokes holds the golden pick out to Michi but she shakes her head.

MICHI
	This task has been given to you.

Smokes shakes his head and begins to back away from the sealed door. Kojima, growing impatient, leans down and gets in his face.

KOJIMA
	Do it! Now. Do not make me
	tell you again.

Deciding that he has no choice, Smokes reluctantly inserts the pick into the hole. Nothing happens. Smokes lets out a SIGH of relief.

A moment later, there is the SOUND of a deep roar. There is a flash of light. Kojima and Michi get onto their knees and bow their heads as a twenty-foot tall anji demon- man appears before them.

He has blood red skin and a bald head. On his right ear is a giant, silver earring. It speaks out in an ancient language. Kojima answers it.

KOJIMA
	We offer this one. He is the one
	who has broken the seal.

Smokes stands petrified, looking up at the mighty guardian. Michi cries out to Bajal, the skull cracker.

MICHI
	We are your servants eternal
	guardian. Accept this foreign
	offering. Bajal, cracker of
	skulls, he is yours!

SMOKES
	You said that you wouldn’t kill
	me! 

Kojima smirks.

KOJIMA
	Indeed. It is not I who will kill
	you.

Bajal turns its glowing eyes to Smokes. The fishing captain tires to back away but he is grabbed by the ancient demon-child.

BAJAL
	So be it!

Smokes lets out an agonizing SCREAM as Bajal inserts him into his mouth, head first. There is the nauseating sound of crushing skull as Bajal accepts the offering and eats Smokes.

Moments later, Bajal disappears and all is tranquil once again. Kojima stands up and brushes the sand off his pants.

KOJIMA
	Come, we are close.

Michi nods and the two of them enter the ancient tomb.

INT. BLUE ROOF INN – DAY

Damian walks into his room and sees a note lying on the floor, close to the bottom of the door.

Damian opens the note. It reads:

“Go to Yaha’s Outdoor bar one hour after the sun sets. Ask for the “Four Bowl Delight”. Take the bowls and arrange them on the table in the following manner. Someone will then contact you.”

Damian studies the pattern drawn on the note and nods his head. He folds the note and pockets it.

INT. TOMB - DAY

Kojima and Michi enter the burial chamber. Kojima casts his light on the painted walls and looks at the ancient hieroglyphs.

One scene shows children playing in a grain field. Another scene shows a young woman with out stretched arms, a beast rises from the ground.

There is also a wall painting showing ancient anji lying on the ground as they are surrounded by a pack of dark skinned creatures with odd shaped heads and insect-like eyes.

Michi approaches a long table made of gold and other precious metals. On the table is the body of the perfectly preserved Meresnk. 

She was a light blue skinned woman, her shiny black hair is fashioned in the style used in ancient times. Michi puts her hand to her forehead and bows her head in reverence. She calls out to Kojima in a low voice.

MICHI
	The bracelet.

Kojima nods and walks over to the body. He bows respectfully and looks at the golden bracelet around her wrist.

He runs his finger over it. The bracelet is beautiful and intricately decorated.

KOJIMA
	Forgive me, ancestor. What I am 
	about to do, I do for the good of
	all your children.

Kojima carefully lifts Meresnk’s arm and unfastens the bracelet. He holds it in his hands, studying and admiring it. Michi touches it, awed by the artifact.

MICHI
	We are one step closer.

Kojima nods his head and smiles.

KOJIMA
	We have what we came for. Let us
	leave her in peace. I have work
	to finish up in the lab.

Bowing once more, Kojima and Michi exit the burial chamber.

EXT. FRONT OF YAHA’S – NIGHT

Damian stands at the outside bar, looking at his surroundings. There are a few patrons enjoying evening drinks, mostly older human couples.

Damian has a seat at a table next to a lit torch. A young, anji BARMAID walks over to him, smiling. Her anji accent is very heavy. 

BARMAID
	Welcome. What would you like?

DAMIAN
	I’ll have a Joyo cocktail.

He pauses a moment.

DAMIAN
	And the four bowl delight.

She writes down his request and smiles again.

BARMAID
	Very well.

She leaves to prepare his order.

EXT. BAR – NIGHT

Some time has elapsed. Damian sips on his cocktail. The barmaid brings four small bowls, each filled with a different colored broth.

She sets the bowls and a plate of meat on the table. She then begins to demonstrate what he is supposed to do with the food.

BARMAID
	You take this meat and dip into 
	the bowls one at a time. You must
	do it this way, each bowl by 
	itself or it won’t taste the best.

Damian nods and tries it.

DAMIAN
	Very good. Thank you.

BARMAID
	If you need more things, I’ll
	be around this place.

The Barmaid walks away to tend to the rest of her customers. Damian takes the note out of his pocket, studies the drawing and then arranges the bowls on the table, to mimic the pattern. He then waits.

EXT. YAHA’S – NIGHT

Damian sits and waits. The barmaid stops by and sees the empty bowls on the table. She gets ready to pick them up, when Damian makes a motion to stop her.

DAMIAN
	That’s fine. Could you get me
	another cocktail please?

BARMAID
	Very well.

As she walks away, he feels a presence behind him. He turns around to see an anji child with a note. The child smiles and hands him the note. The child runs away, down the white, sandy road.

Damian reads the note.

“Go to the Fisherman’s Warehouse two miles west of the Blue Roof at midnight. Find door 18-A. Wait there.”

Damian pockets the note and lays his bar tab money on the table. He gets up and leaves.

INT. LAB – NIGHT

There is a large, well-equipped lab. There are rows and rows of glass tubes filled with strange, bizarre “Alien” creatures with giant, bulbous heads and large insect-like black eyes. 

Their gaping mouths are filled with rows of sharp looking teeth. The individual aliens are in different stages of embryonic development.

Kojima walks around the lab, looking at the specimens. He picks up a computer notebook and scans through some data, charts and notes.

He opens up one of the glass canister and carefully removes a baseball sized alien embryo. He uses an instrument to draw some clear colored fluid from its body and then places the embryo back into the glass canister.

Kojima walks over to a machine and puts the clear fluid inside and begins to run some tests.

EXT. FISHERMAN’S WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

Damian walks down the sandy road, shotgun in hand, and arrives at an old, rusty warehouse. He walks around the yard, past piles of broken wooden crates and broken equipment.

He follows the numbers on the large, metal rollup doors. He finally arrives at door 18-A. The door is dented and the paint is flaking but he can just make out the number.

Damian stands in front of the door and waits for a few moments.

Out of the darkness, walks a very tough looking anji MAN. He wears a blue bandana and has a deep, nasty looking scar on his right cheek. He is a giant of a man, with dark, copper skin. He wears a hoop earring on each ear.

He regards Damian with a hard stare before approaching him. Damian stays calm but his grip on his gun is strong.

MAN
	Get to the point. What do you
	want to know?

DAMIAN
	I want some information about a
	man named Kojima.

The man looks around and nods his head. He points to the metal rollup door.

Damian steps aside as the man rolls the door open. It opens with a loud CLANG. Insects scurry across the open doorway. Damian holds his nose at the offensive odor but follows the man inside. The mystery man shuts the door.

INT. WAREHOUSE – NIGHT

Damian watches the man light a cigarette. The anji man takes a seat on a stack of barrels.

MAN
	How much do you have?

DAMIAN
	Enough.

The man shakes his head and motions with his hand.

MAN
	Lets see it.

Damian slowly takes some money notes from his pocket and shows them to the man. He nods.

MAN
	My name is Tarik.

DAMIAN
	Where can I find Kojima?

Tarik shakes his head and LAUGHS in contempt.

TARIK
	If you run around asking that
	question too often, you’ll find
	death before you find him.

DAMIAN
	That’s my problem. Don’t worry 
	about it.

TARIK
	He’s not in Ankitsu but he is
	very close.

DAMIAN
	How close?

TARIK
	Yanax’a Island. Fifty miles
	south.

DAMIAN
	What’s his game? What’s he all 
	about?

Tarik lights another cigarette. He exhales and watches the smoke drift and break up for a moment before answering.

TARIK
	Revenge.

DAMIAN
	Revenge?

TARIK
	I knew him once, when we were
	both members of the Trajjin.

Tarik looks at Damian and can se by his facial expression that he has no idea what a “Trajjin” is.

TARIK
	An ancient religious sect. Very
	exclusive, very secretive. We
	were taught to believe that all
	humans were to be considered
	“The Demon-Child”. 

DAMIAN
	And you believed this?

Tarik shakes his head.

TARIK
	I never bought into this belief
	but Kojima embraced it. He swore
	that someday, he would free all
	of Anjipal from the demon’s
	grip. 

DAMIAN
	That’s insane.

Tarik nods his head.

TARIK
	Kojima also believes that just
	as his ancestors helped to create
	humans, he must destroy them.

DAMIAN
	What do you mean by this?

TARIK
	It is widely believed, by many of
	us, that our ancestors visited
	many worlds, back when we were
	strong. One of those worlds was
	your own. Some think that anji
	scientists created humans from 
	anji DNA spliced together with
	another species that lived on
	your world.

DAMIAN
	That’s nonsense.

TARIK
	Perhaps, but there are many 
	physical similarities between
	anji and humans. The odds that
	two races could develop so
	similarly on two different worlds
	isolated by huge distances and
	time spans, are very remote. One
	thing that they claim anji 
	scientists did not recognize was
	the human’s savage nature. So,
	perhaps, in the end, this 
	unnatural union came back to
	destroy its maker.

DAMIAN
	So Kojima is delusional and 
	believes that he is the one
	who will correct the mistakes
	of the past? 

Tarik grins and takes another long, drag from the cigarette.

TARIK
	He became obsessed with the idea.
	There was a time when he was
	considered the most lethal of
	assassins. He was bold and feared
	nothing.

Tarik pauses.

TARIK
	Kojima is a devoted student of the
	forbidden arts. Ancient legends
	that deal with the spirit world 
	and other dimensions. He believes
	that this is one of the paths to
	his freedom. Perhaps a personal
	freedom.

DAMIAN
	Freedom from what?

TARIK
	His past. The things that he
	has seen and experienced. He 
	never told me anything but I 
	always sensed a great deal of
	anger and sadness.

DAMIAN
	So what is he doing now, at this
	moment?

TARIK
	I don’t know the full details
	but I know that he is working on
	a project that he began with a
	certain doctor, a geneticist. 
	Rumor has it, there is an 
	underwater lab located somewhere 
	on Yanax’a. 

DAMIAN
	How do you know about this?

TARIK
	I have my sources. Besides, Doctor
	Dewolf had a tendency to run his
	mouth after a few drinks.

Damian stares at Tarik for a moment, dumbfounded.

DAMIAN
	Doctor Dewolf?

TARIK
	Yes. Doctor Steven Dewolf.
	A brilliant young man. Very 
	dedicated. Kojima valued his work
	above all the researchers he
	had working for him. 

Damian tries his best to hide his shock.

DAMIAN
	Did this Doctor Dewolf ever speak
	to you about his work?

TARIK
	We were not close enough for him
	to consider sharing secret 
	information with me. But I did 
	hear a rumor that he was working
	on a breakthrough project that
	Kojima was funding. He thinks that
	Doctor Dewolf has proven, through
	science, the very theories that
	the Trajjin believe in. Because
	of this, he very much admires the
	doctor. He is one of the few 
	humans that he genuinely likes.

Damian nods and shakes his head at the irony of that statement. He looks around the warehouse, trying his best to hide his confusion. 

DAMIAN
	How does Kojima make his money?

Tarik shrugs his shoulders.

TARIK
	He buys and sells businesses so
	many times that I have no idea
	anymore. 

DAMIAN
	Why did you leave the Trajjin? 
	And why are you selling me
	information about a man you
	were once friends with?

Tarik smiles and exhales a large, cloud of smoke,

TARIK
	We are all one in the end. I
	abandoned Kojima and his rotten
	cause a long time ago.

Tarik stands up.

TARIK
	By the way, watch what you say.
	Kojima has some local support.
	they provide him with money
	and information.
	
Damian nods and hands the money notes to Tarik. 

DAMIAN
	Thank you for your time.

Tarik pockets the cash.

TARIK
	Don’t worry. Most anji love
	humans. We are at the mercy
	of the few who want to ruin
	it for the many.

DAMIAN
	Isn’t it always that way?

TARIK
	Go home kid. Kojima is best left
	alone.

DAMIAN
	I’ll go home when I’m satisfied.

Damian turns around and exits the warehouse.

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

Damian lies in bed, tossing and turning. He gets up out of bed and walks over to his father’s picture. He picks it up and looks at it.

He shakes his head and puts the picture back onto the table. Damian gets back into bed.

INT. BEDROOM – NIGHT

Damian is woken up by a KNOCK on his door. He sits up in bed and waits for another KNOCK before getting up. He cautiously makes his way over to the door. There is a third KNOCK.

DAMIAN
	Who’s there?

The only reply he gets is another KNOCK. Damian takes his shotgun from under the bed and carefully opens the door.

Standing in the hallway, somewhat nervous to see the shotgun in Damian’s hand, is the cliff diving GIRL.

She has taken off her face paint and put on a more modest outfit but she still has the red feather in her braid. She wears a chrome wristband.

GIRL
	I’m not here to harm you.

She has a very soft voice.

DAMIAN
	What do you want?

GIRL
	I know why you are in Ankitsu. I
	can help you.

DAMIAN
	How do you know?

The girl reaches out and touches Damian’s forehead. He nods, understanding.

DAMIAN
	Do you usually violate people’s
	private thoughts?

The girl just stands there, silent, looking at him.

DAMIAN
	I don’t trust you.

GIRL
	Can I go inside your room and
	explain?

Damian shakes his head.

DAMIAN
	Not tonight. 

GIRL
	I understand your fear, but you
	should consider my offer. 

Damian stares into her eyes but cannot get a read. All he gets is a sort of STATIC sound. Finally, he gives up.

DAMIAN
	Good night. Please don’t wake
	me up again.

The girl bows her head and places her hand on the right side of her chest.

GIRL
	I’m sorry to bother you.

Damian shuts the door and waits for her to walk away before going back into bed.

EXT. ANKITSU BEACH – DAY

A small boat docks at a pier on the beach. Several anji men walk over to the boat and begin to unload it. 

Taharta steps off the boat and takes a look around the beach. One of the men points toward the town and he nods his head.

Taharta gets into a car and it drives down a road, toward Ankitsu.

EXT. INN – DAY

Damian looks around his room and shakes his head. He gets up and stretches. Damian looks out the window at the bright, sunny day.

Damian grabs his sword and straps it across his back. He then grabs his keys and leavers the room.

EXT. ANKITSU – DAY

The car carrying Taharta stops in front of Yaha’s Bar. Taharta gets out and goes up to the bar where an older anji MAN slices some fruit.

The man looks up and nods his head. He turns to a GIRL who is busy wiping off a table. He speaks to her in native dialect.

MAN
	Nika’, get the bag inside the
	crate.

Nika nods and walks over to an old crate. She opens it and takes out a yellow bag. She hands the bag to the man.

The man hands it to Taharta. Taharta opens the bag and counts through a wad of money notes. He pauses a moment and then looks up at the man.

TAHARTA
	Do you have any information to
	pass on to me?

MAN
	A human came here the other night.
	He used the code.

TAHARTA
	Very interesting.

Taharta pockets the money. As he does this, Damian walks by. Damian does not see Taharta but Taharta sees him.

Taharta stares at him for a long moment as he walks by, as he just begins to recognize him as the kid from the apartment.

Taharta bows his head to the two bar workers and walks over to his car. He gets inside and speaks to the two anji men waiting inside the car.

EXT. ANKITSU – DAY

Damian walks down by the beach, deep in thought. As he walks, the car carrying Taharta pulls up. Taharta and two men get out of the car.

Damian stares at Taharta, instantly recognizing him. Taharta smiles and claps his hands together.

TAHARTA
	Welcome to Anjipal son of
	Dewolf! I always knew you
	would come here looking for
	us. 

Damian clenches his fists and stares Taharta dead in the eye. Taharta takes off his coat and places the gun on top of the car.

TAHARTA
	I should have finished you off
	but Kojima had a moment of 
	weakness.

Taharta pulls out a long, razor sharp knife.

TAHARTA
	You’ll get no such mercy from me.

Taharta lunges at Damian who quickly draws his sword and blocks the knife. Damian sweeps Taharta’s legs out from under him.

He falls to the ground. Damian raises his sword over the fallen anji.

DAMIAN
	Now it’s your turn.

As Damian swings the sword down, Taharta flips up and avoids the blade’s full blow. He gets nicked in the ear and copper colored blood flows from the wound.

The other men prepare to join the fight but Taharta motions for them to stay where they are.

TAHARTA
	I’ll take him with my own hands.

Taharta throws his knife down. Damian puts his sword away and the two begin fighting. They both display incredible martial arts skills. Taharta seems to have the edge but its still a close fight.

Damian takes a kick in the jaw and his lip gets busted. Damian manages to land several solid punches to Taharta’s face and body.

The fight goes on for a little while longer before Damian kicks Taharta in the stomach and sends him back to the sand.

Damian circles around him, his angry stare burns into the anji man.

DAMIAN
	What did you do with my father?

Taharta sits up and wipes some blood from his mouth. He starts to LAUGH. Damian’s patience runs out and he grabs Taharta by the neck.

TAHARTA
	Are you sure you want to know the
	truth? I don’t think you do.

Damian raises his fist and is about to smash the anji’s face in. At this moment, one of the other men takes the gun off the car and fires at Damian, narrowly missing him.

Damian turns around and sees the man getting ready to fire another shot off. The anji man then gets whacked across the head. He falls to the ground.

The other man turns around and takes a hit in the face as the cliff diving girl attacks him with the butt of her gun.

Taharta uses this opportunity to escape from Damian’s grip. He kicks Damian in the abdomen and runs over to grab his knife. The girl shoots the knife, sending it flying under the car.

TAHARTA
	Very well.

Taharta takes a stone out from his pocket and throws it in the sand. Damian lunges at him; sword in hand but Taharta is able to parry the attack. He starts to LAUGH again.

TAHARTA
	Lets see how you handle this!

Taharta runs off into the trees. Damian is about to chase him down when the girl stops him.

GIRL
	Wait!

She points to the spot in the sand, where Taharta’s stone landed. There is a burst of light and suddenly, twelve seven foot tall demons with shiny black, reptilian skin emerge from the light.

Damian stares in amazement. The creatures look at Damian and ROAR. A fight breaks out.

Damian manages to cut off one of the creature’s arms and decapitate another one. The girl fights the creatures off with the staff but they are hopelessly outnumbered.

Damian grabs her arm.

DAMIAN
	Let’s go!

He shoves her into the car and climbs inside after her. The creatures bang on the car, shattering the windows and denting the roof.

DAMIAN
	Hang on tight!

Damian starts the car up and races down the road. One of the creatures has managed to get onto the roof and it starts to tear away at it.

Damian looks around for options. The beast continues its assault on the roof and has managed to tear much of it away. It puts its massive claws into the car and tries to grab Damian.

The girl looks at the trees on the side of the road and points to them. Damian nods. He accelerates to a neck break speed and turns to the girl.

DAMIAN
	Hold on!

Damian slams on the brakes and the creature fly’s off the car and smacks against a large tree. Damian manages to keep the car under control. It comes to a stop in the middle of the road.

Damian breathes heavily and wipes the blood and sweat from his mouth. He turns to the girl who watches him, curious. After a moment, she extends her hand. 

GIRL
	I’m Jumi.

Damian nods, still breathing hard, and shakes her hand.

INT. ROOM – DAY

Damian packs his things into his bags while Jumi sits in the chair, watching him.

DAMIAN
	So you want to tell me why you
	keep following me?

JUMI
	We are both after the same person.

Damian shakes his head and closes one of his bags.

DAMIAN
	So what’s your reason for wanting
	to find Kojima? Did he murder
	your father too?

JUMI
	No, nothing like that.

DAMIAN
	So what then? Charity? You feel
	sorry for the poor human walking
	around in a place he shouldn’t be?

Damian pauses and shakes his head.

DAMIAN
	I’m sorry. That was wrong. I
	appreciate you saving me back
	there. But I’ve had a hard time
	coming to grips with all of
	this.

JUMI
	Understandable.

Jumi reaches into her belt pocket and pulls out an id hologram.

JUMI
	I am an agent for the Saaj.
	I’m tracking Kojima.

Damian looks at the hologram picture of a smiling Jumi. 

DAMIAN
	Saaj?

JUMI
	A group of anji dedicated to
	getting rid of the Trajjin.
	They’ve polluted our world
	for hundreds of thousands of
	years and its time for them to
	go. 

DAMIAN
	So the whole cliff diving thing
	was an act?

JUMI
	I used to be an entertainer. It
	was a natural cover for me.

DAMIAN
	Forgive me if I’m wrong but don’t
	you dabble in the forbidden arts
	just like the Trajjin?

Jumi nods and shows him a ring on her finger.

JUMI
	Not the forbidden arts. What
	you saw was my guardian, Giyn.
	I was trained to use her only
	for self defense.

Damian checks to make sure his shotgun is loaded.

DAMIAN
	I’m going to Yanax’a Island.
	Tonight. You can come or
	stay, its your call.

JUMI
	We should wait until I can
	get someone to join us. It will
	only take another day or two.

Damian shakes his head straps his swords onto his back.

DAMIAN
	I’ve waited nine years for this
	moment. No more waiting. I’m doing
	this on my terms.

Damian walks out of the room and Jumi reluctantly follows him.

INT. LAB – DAY

Kojima walks through one of his labs, Taharta and Michi alongside him. After reading through some data charts, he turns to Taharta.

KOJIMA
	That boy has come here to face me
	has he?

TAHARTA
	That is his intention. What shall
	we do about it?

Kojima gives him a long, cold stare.

KOJIMA
	What we always do with these
	types. We will not make the
	same mistake with him as we
	made with his father.

TAHARTA
	What of his accomplice?

KOJIMA
	I’m leaving that to you.

Kojima stops and frowns. He stands, silently for a long moment, as if listening to something.

MICHI
	What is it, my lord?

Kojima hands his data book to Michi.

KOJIMA
	I sense something.

Kojima exits the lab leaving Taharta and Michi alone. Taharta smiles and walks over to Michi. He runs his hands through her hair and caresses her arms.

TAHARTA
	Lets share a moment, while we have
	a chance.

Michi puts her finger on Taharta’s lips. She locks eyes with him for a long, seductive moment before backing away.

MICHI
	You will never use my body as
	an object for your pleasure.

Michi walks to the door, Taharta watches her.

MICHI
	I belong to Kojima.

Michi gives him a little smile and exits the lab, to follow after Kojima.

EXT. BEACH – DAY

Damian walks down the beach, heading for the harbor. Jumi follows him.

DAMIAN
	I want to ask you a question.

JUMI
	What would you like to know?

Damian turns around and stares into her eyes, trying to get a read again. He gets nothing.

DAMIAN
	Your mind, how come I can’t read 
	it?

Jumi gives him a little wink and holds up her arm, revealing the chrome wristband.

JUMI
	It’s a special metal that makes
	it difficult. Only the most 
	skilled of mind sifters can get
	around its protection.

Jumi gives him a curious look.

JUMI
	How long have you trained as a
	sifter?

DAMIAN
	Never. Why do you ask?

JUMI
	It takes years of training to be
	able to sift with any real 
	success. If you’ve never trained 
	then you have an exceptional gift.

DAMIAN
	I must be average. Otherwise
	I would have been able to get
	past your protection.

JUMI
	If you train, with a good sifter,
	you will be able to. You are a
	rare breed of human, I can see 
	that.

DAMIAN
	Can a human be trained to use the
	forbidden arts?

Jumi shakes her head.

JUMI
	Human brains are structured
	differently than ours. We also
	use a much higher percentage
	of our brain mass.

Damian nods and points to a boat, anchored a few feet off shore. An old, human MAN is doing some work on the beach, not far from the boat.

Damian approaches the man, who looks up from his work.

MAN
	Yes?

DAMIAN
	Is your boat available for rent?

The man shakes his head and goes back to work. Damian looks around for a moment.

DAMIAN
	I need your boat. I’ll
	pay you for it.

The man is getting irritated.

MAN
	Do you understand what no means?
	I don’t rent my boat out. Good
	day.

Damian stares at the man. 

DAMIAN
	If you don’t cooperate with me, 
	I’ll tell the authorities about
	that stole the boat. 

The man looks surprised. He puts his hammer down.

MAN
	Excuse me?

DAMIAN
	You stole this boat. Perhaps I 
	might also tell them about those
	tools your using. As well as that
	resort on Cumba that you stole
	30,000 money notes from.

MAN
	You can’t prove nothing! Get
	out of here!

Jumi watches Damian; it looks as if she does not approve of what he is doing. Damian walks close to the man and talks to him with a low, menacing voice.

DAMIAN
	Look into my eyes, old man. I’m
	not bluffing. Either you give me
	that boat, or I’m taking it. I 
	haven’t the time to waste with a
	thief like you.

Damian looks angry. He clenches his fists and he lets out a deep, hard breath. His eyes burn into the old man. The old man backs away. He grips his heads in his hands as if in pain.

MAN
	Take it! Take it, damn you!

Damian returns to his senses. Feeling guilty, and somewhat shook up by what has just happened, he takes out some money notes and places them on the man’s work board.

DAMIAN
	I’m sorry. I’ll bring it
	back when I’m done.

Damian wades out into the water and climbs on the boat. Jumi joins him. She throws him an angry look.

JUMI
	I don’t approve of your tactics.

Damian, still shocked at what he has done, shakes his head. He doesn’t say a word as Jumi pulls up the anchor and sets the boat into motion.

JUMI
	We go southwest from here.

The boat begins its journey to Yanax’a Island.

INT. UNDERWATER LAB ENTRANCE – DAY

There is door leading into an airlock. Kojima walks over to the hatch and sees a set of footprints trailing from the hatch and down the hall.

Michi enters the room and walks over to Kojima. He points to the footprints, leading from the water to the door.

He bends down and touches one of the footprints. He holds his fingers on it for a long moment.

MICHI
	What is it?

KOJIMA
	Something strange.

Kojima goes down another corridor and Michi follows him.

EXT. BOAT – DAY

The sun is beginning to set, the wind is picking up. Damian sits on the deck and looks out, into the water. Jumi walks over and joins him. 

DAMIAN
	I didn’t mean to do that. I
	don’t know what came over me.

Jumi nods her head and looks at him, understandingly. 

JUMI
	There is a lot that you have yet
	to learn about yourself. But
	one thing that you must always do
	is control your emotions. Those
	with the gift must always be extra
	careful when controlling their
	fear and anger.

DAMIAN
	I don’t know why I can do what I’m
	able to do. Sometimes it scares 
	me.

JUMI
	Don’t let it. Fear is your number
	one enemy, followed very closely
	by anger and hate. The powers you
	gain. Beware of them. That which 
	you think that you control can
	become your master. 

Damian nods. At that moment, the boat is hit by something. Damian and Jumi look at each other and then run over to the other side of the boat.

DAMIAN
	What did we hit?

Jumi points into the water. There is a gruesome, disgusting looking fish with a flat head and rows of sharp teeth. It has four, large black eyes. The fish looks to be about fifty feet long.

The giant fish is very aggressive and it attacks the boat again. Damian runs over and grabs his shotgun. He begins firing into the water.

The fish is hit with three shots but circles around and hits the boat again.

Jumi joins Damian and starts shooting at the fish. The fish is hit many times but is able to hit the boat hard enough to send Jumi over the railing and into the water.

Damian grabs her gun and takes out the small handgun he took from the thief who broke into his room. He fires away at the fish like a madman.

Jumi manages to swim around the boat and evade the hungry fish’s jaws. It takes a bite at her legs and narrowly misses. She grabs hold of the boat ladder and climbs back on board.

After a few more shots, Damian finally manages to kill the fish. He puts the guns down and runs over to Jumi.

DAMIAN
	Are you all right?

JUMI
	I’m fine. Just a little wet.

 She looks down into the water as the fish starts to sink. 

JUMI
	Lucky for us, that one was just
	a baby.

Damian stands up.

DAMIAN
	How close are we to Yanax’a?

Jumi points to a small lump of land on the horizon.

JUMI
	I only hope that Kojima’s men do 
	not see us before we get there.

Damian nods.

DAMIAN
	It’s a chance we’ll have to take.

EXT. YANAX’A ISLAND – NIGHT

The boat lands on Yanax’a Island. It is quiet and the sun has just set. Near the water’s edge strands an ancient, weatherworn statue of an anji warrior. 

Damian and Jumi get off the boat. They walk around the island’s perimeter, be careful not to make too much noise.

As they walk down the quiet beach, a group of armed guards opens fire on them. Damian rolls under a fallen tree while Jumi takes position behind a large rock.

DAMIAN
	They’re on that hill!

Jumi opens fire on the guards as they come down a grassy hill. Bullets fly everywhere and the gun battle is intense. The guards call out to each other in their native dialect; they position themselves in strategic areas.

Damian reloads and runs over behind another tree. One of the guards narrowly misses his head.

They trade shots back and forth; eventually they are able to kill all the guards. Damian reloads his weapon and joins Jumi.

DAMIAN
	They’ll know we are here now,
	that’s for sure.

JUMI
	Lets get moving before someone 
	finds out about us.

Damian and Jumi continue along the path.

EXT. ISLAND

Damian and Jumi make their way through the island brush. They find a bridge. Damian creeps behind one of the guards and cuts his throat. Jumi takes the other out with several well-aimed shots.

They cross the bridge.

EXT. PATH

They pass an old farm. Jumi stops in her tracks and listens to something.

   DAMIAN
	What’s up?

Without a word, she motions to the tall field of wheat. He strains his ears. Suddenly he can hear a low, deep grunting SOUND.

They enter the field and make their way through the yellow crops.

They enter a clearing. They both stare in horror. Chained to an old, decayed brick wall is a hideous abomination. It looks part man, part animal.

It stands nearly ten feet tall and its skin is a sickly white color.

   DAMIAN
	Good God.

   JUMI
	I’ve never seen anything so vile.

The creature spots them and goes into a furious rage. It breaks its chains and comes after them. Jumi fires her gun but the bullets don’t seem to faze the demented creature.

The creature knocks the gun out of her hand. A fierce fight erupts. The creature possesses an almost supernatural strength. After a long, hard fight Damian is finally able to decapitate the beast.

He cleans the thick, odd colored blood from his blade.

   DAMIAN
	Keep your ears open.

They make their way through the field and onto another trail.

EXT. ISLAND

An old warehouse sits next to the side of the trail. They cautiously make their way past the old, rusted building.

Jumi walks up to the window and looks inside. She notices something move. She jumps back, startled.

   DAMIAN
	What is it?

She points to the window. Damian walks over to the warehouse door and pulls on the handle. The door opens with a loud, rusty CREAK.

They look at each other and nod. They enter the dark warehouse.

INT. WAREHOUSE

The inside of the warehouse is dark and decrepit. They make their way past the rows of crates and old equipment.

They hear a NOISE coming from somewhere nearby. Jumi takes her flashlight and shines it around the building. They walk past a few metal drums, and old metal crates labeled “CC09”.

   JUMI
	Any idea what these numbers
	stand for?

He shakes his head. They continue their walk through the warehouse. Suddenly, the beam of light falls on a group of pale, hideously deformed humans.

They walk through the warehouse with a zombie like gait. Jumi SCREAMS out in surprise.

The zombies attack. It is an intense, grotesque fight. The deformed humans simply won’t go down without a fight. Finally, the combat ends.

Damian stops to GAG.

   DAMIAN
	I think we’d better get the
	hell out of here.

They make their way back through the warehouse and exit the building.

EXT. ISLAND

They walk down an old trail and find a dilapidated shed. Damian nods his head.

   DAMIAN
	That’s what we’re looking for.

They approach the shed. It’s locked with a heavy combination lock. Jumi aims her gun and fires at the lock. The lock holds.

   DAMIAN
	Here. Let me try something.

Damian takes the lock in his hand and concentrates. He enters a sequence of numbers and letters. The lock opens. She smiles at him.

   JUMI
	You’ve done this before, no?

Damian grins at her.

   DAMIAN
	Maybe.

He opens the shed door and they carefully make their way inside.

INT. SHED – NIGHT

Damian and Jumi search the shed. The place is cluttered and the floor is crawling with insects. Toward the back, Damian finds an open hatch.

DAMIAN
	That’s got to be the way in.

Jumi looks down into the hole. A small ladder leads down into the darkness. Damian starts to go down the ladder.

Jumi reluctantly follows him. They descend the ladder in silence. About half way down, Jumi’s foot slips and she lets out a little CRY but she manages to hold onto the ladder.

They finally arrive at an underground pool. The water is still. Damian walks around the pool and sees a light at the bottom.

DAMIAN
	Ready to swim?

JUMI
	If I have to.

DAMIAN
	Good.

Damian strips down to his under shorts and puts his clothes in his backpack. Jumi watches him, curious.

DAMIAN
	It’s waterproof. If you want to
	stay dry and leave no tracks, 
	you should do the same.

JUMI
	Back into the water again.

Jumi begins to strip down. Damian gives her the bag and turns around to give her privacy. When she is done, she puts her clothes and weapon in the bag. They enter the water.

They swim down through the clear water for about forty feet. Damian points to an airlock. The lock has been overridden and the door opens up when Damian presses a button.

They enter the airlock and put their clothes back on. Damian points to the hatch at the end of a long, white walled corridor.

DAMIAN
	We’ve got to be getting closer.

Jumi grips her gun and nods her head.

JUMI
	Where are the guards?

DAMIAN
	Maybe we took them all out.

JUMI
	Kojima is not this careless.

Damian begins cautiously walking down the corridor, Jumi following closely.

INT. CORRIDOR – NIGHT

Damian and Jumi walks down a long, pristine white corridor. Damian stops in his tracks when he sees a long trail of blood on the floor. The trail leads down the corridor and around a corner.

The blood is copper colored. Jumi stoops down to look at it.

JUMI
	It’s anji.

Damian nods and continues down the corridor.
They pass an open door as they carefully round the corner. Damian slips inside, followed closely by Jumi. They enter one of Kojima’s labs.

Together, they look at the different specimens with mixed emotions ranging from amazement to disgust.

Damian stops in front of one jar and looks at an alien that has an unusual pale color. Its eyes are giant and solid black. The color of this creature is different from the dark, scaly skin of the other embryonic specimens.

Jumi studies an empty barrel that sits in the middle of the lab. It reads “MIGLON-303”

They walk around through the lab and into another room. Jumi GASPS as they find a pile of dead anji, dressed in laboratory uniforms. They appear to have been killed with some sort of knife or sword.

DAMIAN
	Looks like someone may have the
	same idea as us.

On the floor are broken containers. It is covered with fluids and dead alien embryos.
Damian heads back to the hallway.

DAMIAN
	Whoever or whatever did this, 
	they’re probably still down here.

They make their way back through the lab and into the corridor. As Damian passes one of the exposed embryos, he grabs his stomach and bends down, hands on knees.

He takes a few moments to get himself back together. Jumi helps him up.

JUMI
	What’s wrong with you?

DAMIAN
	I don’t know. I can’t explain
	it. All of a sudden, I just
	got nauseous.

They stand for another moment as Damian gets himself together before finally exiting the lab.

INT. LAB

Kojima walks around one of his labs, surveying the damage. He turns to Taharta.

   KOJIMA
	Security has been compromised.
	The specimens have been released.
	This intruder has come in from
	Airlock 2, not through the shed
	entrance.

Taharta looks down at a pile of dead alien embryos.

   TAHARTA
	Our plans are in jeopardy.

Kojima smiles and shakes his head confidently.

   KOJIMA
	I’m done with this place. It’s
	time to implement phase 2.

Kojima steps over some shattered glass.

   KOJIMA
	Find this intruder and kill him.

Taharta bows his head and exits the lab. Michi enters from a side room.

   MICHI
	Shall I ready the ship my lord?

Kojima nods his head.

INT. LAB B285 – NIGHT

Damian and Jumi pass through another lab. There are canisters fallen all over the floor. They walk carefully over the slick floor.

Jumi GASPS as a horde of aliens scramble at them from under a fallen table. Damian and Jumi open fire on the creatures filling the room with loud GUNFIRE.

Glass flies all over the lab, alien bodies, riddled with bullets, hit the floor.

Damian rounds the corner and sees three, seven foot creatures feasting on the body of a dead alien.

He motions to Jumi and she nods, providing cover as he jumps out from the corner and opens fire.

The creatures SCREAM in anger and attack the two of them. Jumi is knocked to the floor by one of the creatures. Damian shoots it multiple times before it dies.

After a few more moments of gun battle, the creatures are finally dead. Damian stoops down and holds that position for a moment. Jumi watches him.

JUMI
	Their blood must be toxic to 
	humans.

Jumi looks around the lab and covers for Damian as he gets himself back together. Finally, he nods and points to the open door ahead of them.

He stands up straight.

DAMIAN
	I’m ok. Let’s keep
	moving.

INT. CORRIDOR – NIGHT

Damian and Jumi pass through a corridor. The floor is smeared with blood, as it was in the other areas. Several dead guards lie on the floor.

Jumi picks up one of the dead guard’s guns and examines it. It is fully loaded and there is plenty of available ammunition. She takes the gun.

As they pass by an open vent, a dark, scaly comes out from inside the vent and grabs Damian by the arm. He tries to fight off the arm but it has a firm grip on him.

Jumi takes Damian’s sword off his back and swings it, severing the creature’s arm. It SCREAMS in pain, an odd high-pitched scream, and scurries back into the vent.

DAMIAN
	Thanks.

Jumi winks at him and smiles. They continue their walk down the corridor.

INT. CORRIDOR

They pass a lab. The door is open and a moaning NOISE can be heard from somewhere inside. Damian motions with his head. They carefully enter the lab.

INT. LAB

They walk through the lab. The tile floor is littered with shattered glass, broken equipment of all sorts. Suddenly, a pack of zombies, similar to the ones from the warehouse, attack the two.

A tough fight breaks out. The crazed humans, their minds long since decayed, attack without fear. Damian swings through the piles of zombies. Limbs fly, discolored blood spurts.

Jumi fires into another group of zombies.

   JUMI
	They’re everywhere! 

   DAMIAN
	Watch yourself!

They fight continues until finally, the last zombie is struck down.

They search the lab for clues. He studies a set of chemicals and test tubes. Next to them, on the table are sets of chemical equations.

   DAMIAN
	Whatever Kojima’s been working
	on must do something to the
	human nervous system.

   JUMI
	He’s a sick, disgusting man.

   DAMIAN
	Can’t argue with that.

They exit the lab and enter another corridor.

INT. CORRIDOR

They pass through another long, winding corridor. As they make their way around the bend, more zombies dressed in hospital gowns attack them.

   DAMIAN
	Look out!

The fight is a tough one, as they are greatly outnumbered. They fight their way through the horde of inhuman humans and finally win the fight.

They find the end of the corridor. To the left is another lab. The door is open and they enter the lab.

INT. LAB

As they walk through the lab, they see row after row of test tubes. Inside each tube is an embryonic human. Damian looks at them, disgusted. They pass three metal slabs. A human body, each in a different stage of dissection, rests on each slab.

Jumi curls her lips, revolted by what she sees.

   JUMI
	Monstrous.

Damian looks down at one of the bodies.

   DAMIAN
	I pray that my father had nothing
	to do with this.

Suddenly, one of the bodies sits up and lets out a horrific GROAN. It turns its hollow eyes toward Damian and struggles to get up.

Jumi levels her gun and blows it away. Damian shakes his head. They make their way out of the lab and into a courtyard.

 INT. COURTYARD – NIGHT

Damian and Jumi arrive in a dark courtyard filled with ancient anji statues of warriors, priestesses and kings. As they pass by a column of statues, they hear a LAUGH.

They snap around and see Taharta standing behind them along with five other men. He grasps a long, wicked looking sword.

TAHARTA
	I congratulate your persistence
	but your journey ends here.

Jumi raises her gun but Damian stops her from doing anything.

DAMIAN
	No, I want him. I have to do this.

Taharta grins.

TAHARTA
	For your father no doubt.

Damian draws his sword. At that moment, the five men rush him, swords drawn. They are good but not nearly as skilled as Damian.

Damian uses some fantastic martial art moves along with his sword fighting and takes the men down, one by one. At one point, he goes against a three on one and takes them all out. The fight is soon over.

Taharta claps his hands.

TAHARTA
	Very well done. But lets see how
	you fight when you don’t have the
	advantage.

Taharta adjusts his wristband and attacks. Damian does a good job fighting him off and setting up an attack of his own. He lands a kick across Taharta’s face and sends him flying back, against a stone column.

Taharta leaps to his feet.

TAHARTA
	You put up more of a fight than
	your father did. I enjoyed 
	watching him writhe in pain.

Damian, furious, lunges at him and Taharta parries his attack, and swings his blade. He narrowly misses Damian’s throat.

TAHARTA
	You’re just a watered down version
	of us.

Damian frowns but has no time to think when Taharta attacks again, this time far more aggressively. Jumi watches, wanting to join but Damian wards her off.

TAHARTA
	Is that all you have? Your father
	had such high hopes for you.

Taharta lunges again and knocks Damian back.

TAHARTA
	He may have been smart, but he was
	a coward at heart.

Damian dodges another attack and stands, watching Taharta LAUGHING at him. The anger begins to swell in him; his eyes burn with hate.

TAHARTA
	I wish I could have prolonged
	his pain.
	
Taharta continues to LAUGH. Damian, finally at the breaking point, attacks him. He moves with blazing speed and Taharta’s grin quickly fades.

The two men engage in a long an complex sword fight. Taharta is skilled but it is soon obvious that Damian is the better fighter.

Taharta is quickly on the defensive, but he can’t defend against Damian’s brutal attack for much longer. Taharta takes one last swing but is run through as he pulls his sword back.

Damian takes his sword out and runs him through again. He falls to the ground. He continues to stare at Damian, eyes angry and hateful to the last, until he finally dies.

Jumi walks over to him and takes a stone out of his belt pouch. She rolls the amber colored stone in the palm of her hand.

JUMI
	If he had chosen to use this, we
	would probably be dead.

She tosses the stone to Damian and he studies it.

DAMIAN
	The stone is warm.

Jumi smiles.

JUMI
	Then you’ll be able to use it
	someday.

DAMIAN
	Are you sure?

Jumi nods. Damian looks back down at the dead anji man. 

DAMIAN
	I’m not finished yet.

Damian picks up Taharta’s sword and hands it to Jumi.

DAMIAN
	Hold onto this. It belongs to me 
	now.

Damian wipes the blood from his sword and they leave the courtyard.

INT. CORRIDOR – NIGHT

They continue down another hall. There are more blood trails. In an open room lie six dead anji guards. They regard them for a moment before continuing into a long, wide room.

INT. ROOM – NIGHT

Damian and Jumi walk into a nicely decorated room. There is a long table surrounded by elegantly carved chairs. At the other end of the room, near a door, stands Kojima himself.

Damian and Jumi stop in their tracks. Kojima studies Damian with a cold stare. Jumi confronts him.

JUMI
	The madness ends tonight Kojima!

Kojima, his gaze still on Damian, raises his hand and Jumi drops to the floor, her leg CRACKING.

KOJIMA
	Limp home traitor.

Damian grips his sword tight and moves in on Kojima.

DAMIAN
	Why did you murder my father?

Kojima stays quiet. He draws his own sword, a lethal looking katana.

DAMIAN
	I’ve come for you.

Damian attacks Kojima, displaying his best swordsman skills. Kojima parries his attack with ease. He smiles at the young man, condescendingly. 

   KOJIMA
	You’ve been practicing.

   DAMIAN
	For a long time.

Damian attacks again. He swings his blade in a quick arc trying to knock his opponent off balance. Kojima blocks his attack and goes on the offensive.

   KOJIMA
	Not long enough.

He stops and swings his blade around effortlessly.

   KOJIMA
	Lets see what else you’ve learned.

Damian attacks again but is knocked to the ground. Kojima allows him to get to his feet.

   KOJIMA
	Amusing.

Kojima smiles. Then, in an instant, he has Damian on the floor, the blade to his neck. Kojima moves faster than a blur. He kicks the sword out of the young man’s hand.

KOJIMA
	Pathetic.

Kojima picks Damian up and sends him flying across the room. Damian tries to stand up but takes a kick in the face.

KOJIMA
	Do you know what you are up 
	against? Do you even know who
	or what you are?

Kojima grabs him by the neck and looks into his eyes, anger finally showing on his normally calm features.

KOJIMA
	I’m going to break every bone in 
	your body. I’m going to show you 
	what happens to those that cross
	me.

Kojima punches Damian across the face, bloodying him. Damian lies on the ground but still looks defiant. He spits blood at Kojima.

DAMIAN
	You’re a monster. 
Damian grits his teeth.

  DAMIAN
	If there’s any justice in this
	life, you’ll burn in hell for
	your crimes.

KOJIMA
	I create my own justice.
Kojima grabs Damian and throws him again.

KOJIMA
	I’m through with words. I’ve been
	planning this for a long time.
	I won’t be stopped. 

Kojima has the look of an angry, depraved wild man. Damian wipes the blood from his mouth.

DAMIAN
	You’ve lost your mind.

Kojima LAUGHS and looks into Damian’s eyes.

KOJIMA
	Why do you hate me? You are me.
	
DAMIAN
	I would rather be dead.

KOJIMA
	What drives you? What made you 
	come all the way from the comforts
	of your home to find me? What made
	you abandon your friends, what 
	made you fight and even kill just
	to get at my throat?

Kojima pauses.

KOJIMA
	What drives you is what drives
	me.

Kojima kicks Damian again.

KOJIMA
	Is this what you came for?

Kojima puts his hand on the young man’s temple.

   KOJIMA
	I know that you have the gift.
	Now, see what I have seen.

Damian closes his eyes. He can see an adorably young anji CHILD standing next to a burning building. Several humans dressed in combat gear approach the child.

They pick her up and speak a few words to each other. The child begins to cry aloud.

They throw the child into the burning building. CRIES fill the air. Damian grabs his head. Kojima’s eyes have drastically changed.

They now have a deep yellow glow. The pure anger and evil shines through them.

   KOJIMA
	Who is the real villain, Damian?
	What would you do?

Damian stands up and lunges at Kojima but fails miserably. Kojima kicks him, sending him falling across the table. Jumi struggles to sit up.

JUMI
	Run from this place, Damian. 
	You’re not ready to face him!

Kojima LAUGHS and swings his sword through the air. He stands over Damian, sword raised above his head.

KOJIMA
	Now, death shall take you.

As he swings down, there is a blur of movement. Kojima SHOUTS in pain as his forearm is severed and falls to the floor. He falls backwards.

Damian slowly sits up and looks around but no one is there. A trail of bloody footprints leads into the hall outside.

Kojima holds his arm and tries to get to his feet. The wristband is on the floor, along with Kojima’s forearm. Damian looks him in the eye and begins to get a read on his mind.

 As Damian draws closer, Michi runs into the room and sends        Damian to the ground with a bolt of energy. She steps over him and takes Kojima in her arms.

Kissing his forehead, she takes a stone out of his pocket and grasps it as tight as she can. She looks at Damian, angry and bitter.

MICHI
	They will never have you my love.

Kojima struggles to speak but he is in too much shock. She puts her finger to his lips to hush him. Jumi makes her way over to her gun.

She grabs it and is about to fire off a shot when Michi throws the stone to the ground and bright burst of light swallows them up.

When the light is gone, so are they. Damian slowly stands up, battered and bruised, and looks around the room.

JUMI
	What happened?

Damian puts his finger to his lips and motions toward the hallway near the opposite doorway. He cautiously walks over and looks into the hall.

The light in the hall flickers on and off casting an eerie strobe light effect.

He squints and at the end of the hall he sees someone dressed in a tight fitting, body armor. It looks much like a robotic ninja only this is no robot.

The mystery figure wears a mask and carries a razor sharp katana. The person walks slowly down the corridor, leaving a bloody trail of footprints.

The figure stands still for a long moment, Damian hides behind the wall. Then, suddenly, the mystery warrior fades from sight. He has totally disappeared.

Damian goes back into the room and helps Jumi to her feet.

DAMIAN
	We better get out of here.

As he helps her up, they hear the SOUND of footsteps coming from down the hall. Nikicha enters the room. Damian recognizes her immediately.

DAMIAN
	You?

Nikicha nods.

NIKICHA
	We meet again. But we have to 
	leave this place at once.

DAMIAN
	She’s hurt.

NIKICHA
	I will help you carry her.

DAMIAN
	Why should I trust you?

JUMI
	We have no choice.

Damian shakes his head.

DAMIAN
	She was with them. When they
	took my father away. How can
	I trust her?

Nikicha walks over to Damian and takes his hand. There is a look of great sadness on her beautiful features.

Damian looks into her eyes and after a few moments, his eyes fill with tears. He looks at her, amazed and disbelieving.

She hugs Damian and holds him for a long moment. Damian struggles to control his emotions. 

DAMIAN
	My mother?

Nikicha nods and kisses him on the forehead.

NIKICHA
	Come with me, please. Whoever
	has committed these killings
	might come back for us.

Damian wipes the tears from his eyes and picks up Jumi. Nikicha leads them out of the room and down the hall.

EXT. BEACH – NIGHT

After a long struggle, the group is back on the beach. Damian puts Jumi down in the sand and collapses. Nikicha walks over and sits down next to him.

NIKICHA
	I tried so hard to stop Kojima 
	from taking your father. I
	thought he would kill you as
	well.

Damian looks at Nikicha, studying her.

NIKICHA
	It was hard for me not to take you
	into my arms.

DAMIAN
	Who was my father?

Nikicha smiles at him and takes his hand.

NIKICHA
	He was a good man but his thirst
	for knowledge and prestige was
	his downfall. He wanted to do
	things that no one has ever done.

DAMIAN
	So what did he do?

NIKICHA
	He wanted to create a race
	that was half anji, half human.
	Kojima learned of his ambitions
	and wanted to use the young
	doctor’s knowledge to prove
	the Trajjin doctrine that anji
	created humans. He wanted to 
	prove that this could be done.

DAMIAN
	So he created me. I’m nothing
	but a walking, breathing proof?

Nikicha shakes her head.

NIKICHA
	You are so much more than that.
	your father loved you.

DAMIAN
	Where do you come into this?

NIKICHA
	I met your father when I was 
	working in the lab. I became 
	attracted to him, despite my
	feelings of guilt. I was taught
	to believe that humans were 
	horrible devils but you’re father
	was so good. So full of life.
	We grew to care for each other and
	eventually, I agreed to donate an
	egg to his research and he added 
	his own DNA. After a lot of hard
	work, you were created. I was then
	impregnated and gave birth to you.

JUMI
	Was his father involved with the
	creation of those alien in the
	jars?

Damian nods his head.

DAMIAN
	What’s going on with all those
	odd embryos in the lab?

NIKICHA
	Those creatures, the ones you
	saw in the labs, are part of the
	Shua’kin. They invaded Anjipal in
	ancient times. Kojima has brought
	them back for a very specific 
	reason. Your father helped him
	but did not know the reason behind 
	this task. Those creatures are 
	only one part of a much larger
	plan.

DAMIAN
	For what?

NIKICHA
	Destruction of the human race. 
	The merge between the ancient
	forbidden arts and modern science
	to form a horrible plan. There
	is much to share with you but
	not now. You must travel to Tebest
	to find your sister.

DAMIAN
	My sister?

NIKICHA
	She will train you; show you how
	to use your gifts. Only then will
	you be able to face Kojima.

Jumi listens to them speak.

JUMI
	Who severed Kojima’s arm?

Nikicha shakes her head.

NIKICHA
	Kojima has many enemies. They
	have finally caught up with him.

Damian sits back in the sand for a moment, watching the stars.

DAMIAN
	I don’t know if I’ll ever know
	the truth.

JUMI
	The truth will reveal itself,
	someday. 

Damian stands up. He picks Jumi up and starts to carry her down the beach.

DAMIAN
	Let’s get out of here.

The three walk down the quiet beach, into the night.

EXT. BEACH

Damian stands on the beach, his backpack strapped on and ready for travel. Nikicha runs a slender finger over her son’s face, admiring his features.

   NIKICHA
	You’ve grown strong. I’ve
	thought about you every day
	for so long.

She stops and shakes her head.

   NIKICHA
	Perhaps you should let the 
	military pursue Kojima. I
	don’t want to see my son die
	at the hands of that monster.

Damian slowly shakes his head. His mother SIGHS in disappointment.

   NIKICHA
	Nothing can stop you. Revenge is
	rooted deep inside you now.

Damian looks at him mother for a moment.

   DAMIAN
	No. It’s justice I seek, not
	revenge.

   JUMI
	Sometimes the line between the two
	is blurred.

Damian clenches his jaw.

   DAMIAN
	I have to take him out. What will
	become of humanity if I don’t?

Damian hugs his mother.

   DAMIAN
	Thank you for saving me. We’ll 
	meet again when this is all over.
	I promise.

   NIKICHA
	Be careful of the road you walk 
	down. Many good men have lost 
	their way on it.

   DAMIAN
	I will. You have my word.

He shakes Jumi’s hand.

   DAMIAN
	You’ve been a great help to me.
	I’m sure our paths will cross again. 

Jumi smiles. She hands him a red chip. Painted in the middle of the chip is a black pyramid.

   JUMI
	They will. Until then, take this.

Damian studies it.

   DAMIAN
	What is this?

   JUMI
	You will need it when you go
	to Tebest. Carry it with you
	at all times. The anji there hate
	humans. If you get yourself into
	trouble, show them the black
	pyramid. It will prove that you
	are a friend of the cause.

   DAMIAN
	The cause?

   JUMI
	You will know when the time comes.
	Tebest is a large city. Be on your
	guard at all times.

She kisses him on the forehead. They watch Damian climb into the boat. 

   DAMIAN
	Goodbye and thank you.

He starts the engine and the boat begins to head out into the ocean. The two women watch the boat until it disappears on the horizon.

FADE OUT