Int. SmALL ALCOVE WITHIN THE GREAT CAVERNS OF FATE -- TIME INDETERMINATE
"5 Years Later" Across screen. A bird's eye view of the Burn and a wide circle free of it's influence. The camera zooms down to a cave opening, entering into the cave down a long tunnel into the large cavern with the training and lab equipment, down another tunnel into the small alcove with the incubator, now everything covered in dust. A countdown shows on the side of the incubator, ticking down to zero. A bunch of steam releases as tubes and neural connectors disconnect and retreat and dust swirls into air as the incubator opens. A grown man covered in hair, a large muscular man, naked, lays still asleep. His eyes pop open, burning yellow. He looks around as if waking from a dream. He pulls himself slowly out of the incubator. He looks around dazed and lethargic.
The wolf
Savaru?! Where are you old man?
He sees a robe and sandals on a bench against the wall, covered in dust. He heads towards them.
Int. larGE CAVERN IN THE BURN -- INDETERMINATE
The Wolf enters the cavern looking at all the dust covering everything. He moves further into the cavern. He sees a large chest with a rolled scroll atop it in the training area. He moves to it grabbing the scroll and unraveling it. He begins reading, a voice over of the old man's voice.
SAVARU ASUL
Greetings my lad. It is still two years until you find your freedom and the knowledge to fulfill the path only you can traverse. I take for granted that you can now read these words, an accomplishment in itself for a child of the Burn. And though you have gained much courtesy of the technology our little Hawk and I gifted you with, it is your heritage that will be your greatest strength. I have spent the last 8 years creating what is held inside this chest. I am deeply sorry I am not here for you but my time has come. My body is failing, so with great hope and faith in you, do I choose to end my existence walking into the womb of our people. I do so with open eyes and beating heart. I give my life from which it was born, the Burn. Inside this chest is enough of the inoculation to see you back to the Waste. Go, knowing I believe in your strength my lad. One last piece of dream I have dreamed to take with you. It is truly your heritage that will see you through what is to come. Seek your answers there, in the bones of your ancestors. And one other dream I have had, a dreadful one. The Raven is not the true enemy. They will come, the burning ones. Succeed and find the secret of the Ambrosia. Goodbye my lad and good luck.
The Wolf's eyes are teary. He reaches into the chest and pulls out something wrapped in a blanket, it separates slightly and the blades of a butterfly axe is seen.
The wOLF
Thank you old man. I know what I must do.
His eyes burn yellow.
Ext. The mountain fortress of barrakus -- dusk
"One Year Later" Scrolls across the screen. A giant city built into the mountain itself, surrounded by 50 foot thick walls, 100 feet high, with giant percussion cannons every 100 feet along the wall. Barrakus was the largest and most formidable of the nine cities of the Waste. Only a portion of the city actually protruded from the mountain, most of it dug into the mountain. Troops patrolled the wall. Two massive gates made of titanium closed the city off to the Waste.
Int. War room of the city of barrakus -- dusk
The double doors open into the War Room. Two men, one, more a noble with walrus mustache and no weapons on his person but brocaded robe with expensive clothes and balding on top, next to him a bear of a man in his mid thirties, imposing, with two single bladed axes crisscrossed on his back and two percussion pistols on his belt, and ornate armor in the dark purple and dark blue of Barrakus. Various aides surround them, some military in nature standing near the military fellow and the rest minor nobility, half naked women and servants. They stand looking down on a table with a a 3 dimensional holographic map with strategic settings sitting upon it. More military techs sit on consoles with various camera images showing front of gates and various points around the city, the consoles set in front of wide spacing windows looking out at the city gates and beyond. Various servants move briskly around setting out elaborate food and guards stand at attention at various points with their long single percussion rifles heel to arm locked and percussion pistols on their side and long knives on the other. Everyone looks up as the door opens. A seneschal older and in elaborate robes with a long staff which he pounds on the ground three times.
Seneschel
High Lord Leonardo Delinari Silvestri!!!
A man in his mid thirties enters in a brisk fashion, short dark hair and a neatly trimmed beard, charismatic and strength pouring off his every step, twin long swords on his back and two percussion pistols on his side. He is in workman like battle armor, scraped and dented and used. He walks by the Seneschal before he is even done announcing him. He moves directly to the table waving away a beautiful woman attempting to hand him a beverage and another attempting to hand him food. He moves up to the table and the military commander smiles sharing a humor at the High Lord and gives him a sly wink. The Noble seems affronted by the cavalier attitude.
Leonardo
Lord Taleru, and Commander Loris, are we ready for the beast of the Waste, this self appointed God?
The noble steps forward with a look of disgust on his face.
Lord Taleru
This peasant oaf refuses to heed my orders! (Eyes the Commander) Now you shall have your come uppance buffoon! Leo, please, teach him how to treat his betters, I will be content with a light beating, it should be sufficient, just enough so he learns but not enough that you do not lose any usefulness you do find out of him.
Leo laughs, a great booming laugh, people in the room all look. The Seneschel steps up behind and to the right of his Lord.
LEONARDO
First of all Taleru, only my friends address me as Leo, which you certainly are not. You only breathe because my father left his blood upon the sand to make it so.
LORD TALERU
And a thousand prayers I send...
LEONARDO
Silence!!! Do not dare to speak of my father!! You are a self serving toad of a man. You ruled a city which you condemned to be a corpse and a graveyard because of your idiocy, because you refused to ally with my father and fight this demon who calls himself the Lord Raven. Only by my father's hand did you and the remnants of your people fall clear of the massacre that was once one of the Nine great cities of the Waste. Only by my father's honor he held sacred do you stand here now.
LORD TALERU
I did bring ten thousand soldiers with me as well, my Lord.
Leo looks at him till his arrogance melts from him.
LEONARDO
And we lost that many getting your fat carcass out! You will listen to Commander Loris as if I was speaking and I will hear nothing else or you will be the put at the front of the coming battle mark me!
He turns to the commander but as he does a long horn breaks through the darkening eve followed by two more. An aide walks up to the commander with a PDA in his hand whispering in his ear. The Commander nods his head then waves him off.
Commander Loris
It seems we have some company.
The fat noble starts jumping up and down, fear thrashing across his features.
LoRD TALERU
The Raven is here? His demons?! What will we do? What will we do?!
The commander's hand reels back and smacks the fat noble sending him sprawling into his sycophants.
COMMANDER LORIS
Get a hold of yourself man!!
The fat noble looks shocked.
LORD TALERU
How dare you!???
LeONARDO
Enough! Commander, please do not hit the nobility, no matter how tempting. And Lord Taleru, hold your tongue. I need a break from your constant babbling, in fact why don't you retire for the evening and take all your fawning sycophants with you so we can get on with the business of war.
The Lord Taleru looks aghast.
LORD TALERU
Well I never. Fine if that is the way you want it I shall be off to my rooms but you will inform me before any major military decisions are made, especially concerning my troops. I am still a Lord of one of the Nine and will be treated as such.
Leo sighs.
LEONARDO
Of course Lord Taleru, now please leave, my day has been tiring and there is much to do before it finds it's end.
Lord Taleru gathers his robes and stalks from the room as his entourage of beautiful women and servants follow him. The Seneschal throws a disapproving look at Leo and follows the noble spitting platitudes. The only thing left are Leo's guards, the Commander, the military aides.
LeoNARDO (CONT'D)
So who is it that is knocking on our door John? Is it the demons of Trielles?
The Commander smiles.
ComMANDER LORIS
No Leo. Too small and coming from the south not the west. I would hazard a guess that your invitation was received and accepted. Are you sure about this?
Leo smiles back and claps his friend on the back.
LEONARDO
Sure, no, confidant, not in the least. But we stand no chance at all without the infamous Hawk and her rebel army at our side. Even with it John, I don't know if we can win this war.
This time John slaps Leo's back.
COMMANDER LORIS
Ah you were always too much of a worrier. Even when we were kids, remember the pack of wolves that cornered us in the cave and you thought we were goners. So cheer up, we will send this Raven home without his wings.
Leo smiles a true smile.
LEONARDO
What I remember is that we were held up in that cave for three days and would of died if my father hadn't come with his guard. John, this Raven scares me when very little ever has. He is a mad man and spends his troops like their lives mean nothing and their numbers endless. And the rumors of their speed and strength, and the tech of their weapons far surpasses our own. Even with this rebel leader I do not have high hopes of our survival. (Sees the grimace of his life long friend.) Do not misunderstand me my oldest friend, you know me better then any, blood brothers since the womb spit us out, like our fathers before us. We will fight till the last breath of our people spills out into the sand.
John echoes a big belly laugh.
COMMANDER LORIS
Now that's the Leo I know!!!! We will serve the Raven a bloody day, a bright bloody day!!!!!!
Leo chuckles.
LEONARDO
Your optimism is the ever burning torch to humanity my friend. Now about this rebel, the infamous Hawk of the Waste. When can we expect this legend walking?
COMMANDER LORIS
Scouts say not until tomorrow, noon at the earliest.
LEONARDO
And what numbers does she bring?
COMMANDER LORIS
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
My scouts put it at 40,000, a good size army, and he said they looked well armed.
LEONARDO
That's something. And when can we expect the demons out of the west?
John's face takes a look of disgust on.
COMMANDER LORIS
Last word was three days out at the earliest. And don't ask me the numbers, let's just say a lot. Enough my friend, no more war planning today. Since we have nothing to do for the eve, and that pompous ass is hiding in his rooms, I say we have a night of drinking to do in the hall. Too long since we have drunk ourselves into oblivion. Though we might need to borrow a few of the wind bag's serving girls, did you see the breasts on that dark haired beauty?
Leo laughs and claps his friend on the back.
LEONARDO
How did it feel hitting that wind bag? Damn I wish it would of been my fist.
COMMANDER LORIS
It felt better then old Buteri's daughter on my eighteenth birthday, I would tell everyone to give it a go. Now let us get drunk my friend, a wild roaring, last day of lungs drawing joy and breath, drunk! Drunk as our ancestors first laying the bricks of civilization!
Their laughter echoes in the room as they head towards the door with guard stepping in behind them.
Ext. Outside the gates of barrakus -- early afternoon
The Hawk at the head of an army of soldier, refugees from the 7 cities that have already been conquered by her brother, stands in front of the mountain fortress of Barrakus, a few hundred feet in front of her with it's gates open and a platoon of it's soldiers in their dark blue and dark purple armor with the flag of Barrakus. The Hawk's army rides on some stolen air bikes and some hover tanks and hover transports, but not many, most of her troops on foot. The Hawk herself is in her black leathers with some titanium overlays, a flechette rifle strapped across her back and twin thin blades also across her back. Throwing knives trail her waist and two flechette pistols on her side. She wears no helmet. Three men surround her of note, her sub commanders, two ex colonels and an ex general of conquered cities. One is short but extremely wide man with two single handed war hammers on his side and a large percussion rifle strapped to his back in black titanium armor, a double horned helm with open face, his features craggy and worn, in his mid forties(The General Busari). Another is whip cord thin with two electric rods strapped to his back, crisscrossed, and a flechette rifle in his hands and coming out of an intricate full face helmet with, eyes only, showing, a horn sits upon his hip.(Colonel Tavaris). The Third is of medium build but really tall with short brown cropped hair with no helm, many scars vertical down both cheeks, and two large scimitars on his back and two flechette pistols on his waist band and in black leathers only. (Colonel Kisera)
General busari
Are you sure about this lass?
The Hawk smiles a mischievous smile.
The hAWK
As sure as anything in this mad world. It is time my brother and I come to terms. He has a lot to answer for and it's and the sands call it's due. This is the best place I would say to start.
Colonel Tavaris steps up holding his rifle like a lover.
GENERAL BUSARI
I thought the plan was to have this Wolf by your side, the reason we have been sitting in the desert for years upon counting. Him being a no show gonna throw a kink in the tally you want to take out of your brother's hide?
The Hawk spits.
THE HAWK
Obviously the old mutant dreamed a wrong dream. The Wolf seems to not be the key he thought he was and I have no time to wait or their won't be anything left to save. No, here we stand or here we fall.
Colonel tavaris
Makes no difference to me. I love me a good fight and this sounds like it's gonna be a good one, a shit kicker if I ever seen one. What say you Kisera?
Colonel Kisera looks grim as death itself and just stares at Busari.
Colonel kisera
It is as good a place to die as any other. I care not as long as blood is spilled and my honor is atoned.
Colonel Tavaris rolls his eyes.
Colonel tavaris
You are always a barrel full of fun.
General busari steps up next to Hawk but looks back at the two Colonels.
GeneRAL BUSARI
Enough rambling out of you two. You ready lass. This Lord's soldiers just might change their mind if we make them wait any longer.
The Hawk nods and the General looks back at Tavaris. Tavaris tilts his face plate up to show a deep scar across his face as he puts the horn to lips and lets out a deep booming roar. The army starts moving forward and the Hawk starts moving with her three companions.
Int. WaR ROOM OF THE CITY OF BARRAKUS -- early afternoon
The Commander and Leo are standing at the war map again, looking hung over, guards in their normal positions and various military aides moving around at consoles near open faced window overlooking the front of fortress. The Seneschel comes through the doors looking disgruntled and forced into this duty. He slams his staff against the ground.
SenESCHEL
High Lord Dinero Furasi Talero, first son of Isar Luker Talero, the Sword of the Forest City of Rulinar, the last surviving son of the greatest city of the nine, the Scion of the most courageous men in the Waste, the deliverer of justice...
Leo growls.
CommANDER LORIS
My head is hurting too much to listen to this.
LeONARDO
Enough my old friend, the pompous windbag can enter now.
The Seneschel sighs a relief and motions behind him in the hall. The Lord Taleru charges in with fury etching his face with his entourage of scantily clad women, servants with trays of food and skins of wine and this time, he has his General, a large robust man of his fifties with a lot of muscles, but also a gut, with oiled long white hair back in a pony tail in heavy armor with a large two handed sword on his back and a percussion pistol on his side in the colors of the city of Rulinar, light green and a dark green(General Usine). The Lord steps up.
Lord TALERU
How dare you? How dare you?
LEONARDO
Yes you said that already. What did I dare that I shouldn't of dared that you think I dared? Can you be more specific my lord?
Commander Loris chuckles and even the Seneschal attempts to hide a grin.
LORD TALERU
Do not mock me boy!! I am a High Lord of the Nine!!!!
Leo loses his smile.
LEONARDO
Get to the point, High Lord.
The Noble seems to take in the look in Leo's face and seems to grab a hold of his anger but not his pride.
LORD TALERU
What is this ragtag army that is entering into the city? Why are they allowed into the city and flying no colors at that, all in black. It is a stupid choice to let some foreign army into a city soon to be besieged. It could be full of spies, assassins. My opinion should of been sought before such a decision was made.
Leonardo sighs.
LEONARDO
Lord Taleru, might I remind you this is my city, my rule. Wether I decide to seek your opinion or ignore it is entirely upon my whim as is your continued stay here.
Taleru's anger rolled up again.
LORD TALERU
Do not threaten me Lord Silvestri. We both know that you have maybe 40,000 troops, another thirty in this army that you just let in here, that will probably run when the battle starts raging. And we face far more then that my own spies tell me of the demons that come out of the west. You need my ten even if you do not admit such. And our enemies weapons are far more advanced then ours. You might think I am many things, a coward among them, but even a coward knows when there is nowhere else to run and to stand and fight is the only choice left. And fight, we of the forest city, will, we have no choice, but under my command they shall do so, not yours, and our cohort of long rifleman you will certainly need. Though with this demon's ability to see everything we do before we do it I know not how this city will do what the other seven could not. Now answer me!!! Who commands this army you let within your doors?!
The HAWK
Well that would be me. And do not worry, my brother will not be able to dream his way out of this battle, it will be blood, sweat and courage that will win the day.
The Hawk stands there with her three men surrounding her. She has a calm non chalance and leans against the door frame as if bored. Lord Taleru looks at her in disbelief and he is not the only one. Everyone looks at her as if this is a joke, this small statured woman couldn't be the infamous rebel leader.
LORD TALERU
Did you say your brother? I told you, she is an assassin, a spy. Chain her now General.
General Usine moves to obey and the Hawk's men move to intercept but she waves them off. The Hawk is a blur as the man thinks he is dealing with just a woman, ignoring the cybernetics across her brow, and in her eyes. Within a blink he is thrust through the air bowling over scantily clothed women and servants sliding at least ten feet. The Hawk's open palm is still extended in the air and she stands straight again with a smirk. Taleru's man starts getting up his anger broiling through the roof but Commander Loris moves in front of him, his hand on a percussion pistol and Leo moves forward.
LeONARDO
Enough! Lord Taleru, you ever attempt to give an order like that in my city again and I will personally feed you and your soldiers to the demons myself. I invited her and her army here to save what is left of the free people of the Waste, to stop this beast out of Trielles. Brother or not, she's here for his blood same as us.
LORD TALERU
But her brother! You can't trust her!! She will get us all killed!
Faster then thought Kisera has moved forward and has a pistol aimed a foot from Taleru's head.
CoLONEL KISERA
I tire of your prattle fat man, and tire of nobles in general. Say one more word to disrespect the Lady Hawk and it will be the last your overblown carcass utters.
Lenoardo smiles and looks at the flechette pistol Kisera holds. Lord Taleru is sweating and looks pale as death. He looks at Leo, pleading.
LORD TALERU
Do something.
Leo steps forward slowly and eyes the pistol ignoring Taleru.
LeoNARDO
Is that one of the demon's weapons?
Kisera nods his head.
LeoNARDO (CONT'D)
Hmm, fascinating. (Turns towards the Hawk) I hope you have more where that came from? And please ask your man to lower his weapon, Taleru is an obnoxious man to say the least but for the moment he and his 10,000 troops will be useful. I believe he has learned his lesson, haven't you High Lord Taleru?
Taleru nods his head, fear still deep as he sees the cold eyes of a hardened killer in Kisera. The Hawk steps forward putting her hand on Kisera's and lowering it. He still stares at Taleru but steps back holstering his weapon. Taleru's general is now back at his side glaring at the Hawk. Commander Loris is back at Leo's side.
The hAWK
It seems we got off on the wrong foot. I received an invitation requesting my assistance. I am here. And yes the Raven is my brother in most senses of the word but it will not stop me from ripping his throat out when the opportunity arrises. And in answer to your question, my entire army is equipped with my brother's tech. IN addition I have brought a thousand extra rifles, and two thousand pistols as a gift for my allies, one of which I am guessing is not the fat man.? And if the fat man's lap dog does not stop staring I will remove his eyes.(Stares at Usine.)
General Usine blinks then rubs his chest which is still hurting and looks away.
LEONARDO
I agree. We have got off on the wrong foot. My name is Leonardo, my friends call me Leo. I am the ruler of the city you stand in. Next to me is my commander, John Loris, a more loyal and courageous fighter you will never find. You have already met our esteemed guest High Lord Taleru, once ruler of Rulinar, the Forest City and his surviving Captain turned General, Usine. I am happier then words can express that you accepted my offer and have joined us in what looks to be a damn bloody battle.
THE HAWK
At least some of you seem to have some worth. I am the Hawk, my friends call me the Hawk, my enemies call me the Hawk and so on and so on. My three friends and commanders are former military of the various cities that find themselves in my brother's hands as are the soldiers in my army. The wide one over there is Busari, gruff and too protective of me but reliable and competent. It's his job to keep the two rabble rousers over there under control and as he puts it is a full time occupation. The jovial always smiling one is Tavaris, quick with his grin as he is with killing though the true master of such is the one your fat noble had the misfortune to irritate, Kisera. He is almost as good as me and that in itself should say more then needs to be said.
LEONARDO
Kisera as in, The Kisera, the bounty hunter, the killer of killers, the beast of the sands?
Taleru chokes back fear in a look and steps back.
The hAWK
I believe that was his profession but irrelevant to the now. We have a lot to do and little time in which to do it. There is one other important to me who is not here but she is doing some scouting of our oncoming friends. I brought some toys not even my brother has I have been itching to try and this battle will be the perfect place to do so. Let us get down to what matters and stop with the trivial pleasantries. We have a battle to plan and each second that ticks into the dust is another life that will die for it doing so.
Leo smiles and claps his also smiling friend John on the back.
LEONARDO
I am liking you already my friend Hawk. Let us as you say, get down to it.
Everyone around has good cheer except for Taleru who is scowling.
THE HAWK
My brother's tech has the same problem your own does, over heating. Like your own weapons they have 4 to 5 minutes of constant use before they need a fifteen to twenty minute or so cool down to unlock. It's why we all carry around blades and the such. So eventually this battle is going to get down to the dirty stuff, and that is where the courage of a man or woman will be telling. My brother's soldiers are stronger, faster, and harder to kill then any common soldier. They do not feel and do not care, our advantage is they do not think, so can be confused. I have some ideas on how to use that.
comMANDER LORIS
We are all ears Lady Hawk. I don't know about Leo here but I plan on living forever so anything you got to say that will help with that I'd appreciate.
The Hawk smiles and Tavaris comes up and slaps Loris on the back.
ColonEL TAVARIS
I think I'm gonna like this fellow my little Hawk, what say you Kisera.
Kisera grunts.
CoLONEL KISERA
I say you talk to much like usual but in answer to your query, he looks like he can kill so that's good enough.
Tavaris's smile sours.
COLONEL TAVARIS
You are the ultimate downer, you know that. I have no idea how you ever became my best friend.
COLONEL KISERA
I am cursed, most likely.
GeNERAL BUSARI
Enough you two. Let the Lady Hawk and the High Lord here do the speaking.
Lenoardo laughs.
LeoNARDO
This is going to be an interesting day I have no doubt.
The hAWK
You have no idea how my every day finds it's way to an end with who I am surrounded with, but I wouldn't trade them for anything, though I will never repeat that statement within their hearing again, their heads are big enough.
Leo and the Hawk share a smile. They all move to the 3-D map of war.