Written by: TSR Staff
Screenplay and additional Material by: Jeff Bonomo (jeff42@epix.net)
SCENE ONE
FADE UP
EXT. PORT LOREN --- DAY
High angle Extreme long shot of Port Loren, a huge futuristic city. The camera pans slowly over it then starts to descend downward. Skimmers, (Hover cars) and other futuristic vehicles can be seen whizzing through the streets. The camera zooms in on one such skimmer. It is a convertible -type vehicle and a rough looking human, DERRICK XAVIER is driving. His passenger is a monkey like humanoid, a Yazirian named FLATE.
FLATE
I can’t believe I let you talk me into this Derrick. You know how I don’t like working for Pan Galactic.
DERRICK
Flate relax. This will be simple. It’s probably just some computer hacker. And besides I figured the money they are paying us would help with Deli you’re opening.
FLATE
Yeah, but these guys always seem to have some kind of hidden agenda and free lancers like us are only called in when they want to keep something hushed up.
DERRICK
Well, five hundred credits is five hundred credits.
The Skimmer zooms past a shady looking bar with a neon sign that says The Hole in The Wall
FLATE
But stolen data from the Security Service building? I think there is something more or they would have just called the police.
DERRICK
They probably would have but Dr. Janix is an old friend of mine and he knows I owe him one. Plus I don’t think the Pan Galactic Corporation wants this broadcast on the galactic news network. It’s not good to let everyone and their mother in on the fact that someone bypassed security so easily, ya know.
Flate nods as the Skimmer pulls up in front of the Pan Galactic Security Service building.
SCENE TWO
INT. PAN GALACTIC SECURITY SERVICE BUILDING COMPUTER ROOM --- DAY
Derrick and Flate walk into the main computer room They are greeted by two humans, a built man in his mid thirties, JONZ DIANA, and a prestigious looking older man, DR. JANIX. There are also four technicians working at various stations. One yazirian, one human, one insect like vrusk and one blob like dralasite.
DR. JANIX
Ahh, Derrick Glad to see you.
(points to Jonz)
This is Jonz Diana, chief of security.
They shake hands.
DERRICK
Pleasure to meet you.
(gestures to Flate)
This is Flate.
DR. JANIX
Ahh, yes. Flate. Derrick has mentioned you. The Yazirian marksman and master chef. What a splendid combination.
FLATE
(arrogantly)
Lets get down to business.
DR. JANIX
(slightly offended)
Very well.
Dr. Janix walks over to a small computer cabinet containing thousands of computer wafers.
DERRICK
So what do we have here doc? Couple of computer hacker’s or something?
DR. JANIX
No I’m afraid not. Sorry I couldn’t let you in on much before you got here Derrick. You see, The security information and command controls for all of Pan-Galactic research centers in the frontier are stored here. We ran a thorough check of all the systems and couldn’t find anything wrong. There seems to be no way these raiders could have broken in.
FLATE
And this has happened often?
DR. JANIX
Ten times in the past month. On many different worlds.
DERRICK
Can you see if there is a pattern to these raids?
Dr. Janix nods, pleased with the suggestion and Jonz and Dr. Janix walk over to a computer terminal. Dr. Janix sits down and feeds the information into the computer. A holographic display of the frontier appears with red lights marking the systems where the raids have taken place. The lights circle the center system. Dr. Janix turns to Derrick.
DERRICK
Hmm. All the attacks center around our system. Right here in the center. And if the alarms are never set off, it might be an inside job.
There is a soft pop and Jonz and Dr. Janix are surrounded by a cloud of yellow smoke. Quickly they fall to the floor. Derrick and Flate move back against the wall about to draw their laser pistols. As the smoke quickly dissipates they notice they are surrounded by the technicians all armed with laser pistols trained on them. The Vrusk technician GRAMIC steps forward. MANETOE the Yazirian starts to frantically type on the computer Dr. Janix was at
GRAMIC
(in a strange clicking voice)
Draw your weapons and you will be killed.
(beat)
Clever deductions though. For a human you are pretty smart but-
MANETOE
(pointing to the human and the dralasite)
Gieger! Konchinho! Keep them covered!
(turning to Gramic)
Gramic get to work.
Gramic moves to the crystal matrix cabinet and attaches a small metallic cube then turns the controls. Close up of Derrick’s face. Cold and calculating. Close up of Gieger the human. Close up of Konchinho the Dralasite. Footsteps can be heard coming closer form the hallway outside of the computer room. Manetoe turns towards the door and smiles a devilish smile. He slides a black jelly like object from a canister at his side and turns to face the door. Close up on black jelly like object shows it is alive and pulsating.
MANETOE
(to Derrick and Flate)
Enjoy the show boys.
The door slides open and MANETOE Throws the black blob at the unsuspecting guard who has walked into the computer room. He grabs for his laser pistol but the blob sprouts tendrils and tangles around the terrified guard, constricting his neck. The guard collapses into a corner, never getting a chance to scream. MANETOE turns and looks at Flate
MANETOE
Wonderful little creature isn’t it my brother?
Flate stares at him with hate.
FLATE
(coldly)
You are a disgrace to the god of Araks. How dare you call me brother?
The metallic cube the Gramic has attached to the matrix cabinet glows brightly and he disconnects it and puts it in his vest pocket.
GRAMIC
Finished uploading. Lets go.
MANETOE
Excellent.
Manetoe starts smashing the computers and the rest of the raiders back up as the alarms start to sound.
GRAMIC
Let’s get out of here.
The raiders run for the door and Manetoe draws his pistol. Flate and Derrick dive behind a workstation and draw their weapons. Manetoe fires and nearly misses Flate. Manetoe rushes out the door. Derrick and Flate rush after them.
SCENE THREE
EXT. PAN GALACTIC SECURITY SERVICE BUILDING --- DAY
MUSIC UP
LS of The raiders rushing out of the building and across the green grass lawn in front of the large building. As they get into a near by skimmer Derrick and Flate exit the building. The raider’s skimmer takes off. Gieger fires a few quick shots at Derrick and Flate from the window of the skimmer. Derrick and Flate jump quickly into their skimmer and follow them.
Shot of the skimmer chase through the crowded streets of Port Loren. Curious onlookers everywhere.
CUT TO:
INT. DERRICK'S SKIMMER --- DAY
DERRICK
Flate! Try to knock out their hover fans!
FLATE
No problem. But this is getting to the point where it’s worth a bit more than five hundred credits.
Flate stands up in the Skimmer and takes careful aim. He is about to shoot when a laser blast comes from the raider’s skimmer nipping the hood of the skimmer causing Derrick to take evasive action.
FLATE
No! This is definitely worth a lot more than five hundred credits!
Flate takes careful aim again and fires his laser pistol smacking the rear right hover fan. The raider’s skimmer spins out of control and Flate fires another shot. The skimmer crashes into a near by water fountain. Derrick’s skimmer whizzes by and comes to a stop about 40 feet from it. Gramic exits the skimmer and runs towards a near by monorail terminal. One of his eight legs appears to be broken. Derrick and Flate leap out of the skimmer and on to the sidewalk near the fountain.
DERRICK
Flate! Stay with the downed skimmer and alert the police. I’ll handle the bug.
Derrick rushes off. Flate walks up to the smoking wreck.
FLATE
(looking in the wrecked skimmer)
OK boys. I can’t wait till the Port Loren police get here. I’m gonna enjoy this.
The injured raiders look out at Flate. They are laughing hysterically and Manetoe is giggling like a baby.
FLATE
(furious)
What are you laughing about? Hu? Shut up! What the hell is wrong with you?
CUT TO:
INT. BUSY MONORAIL TERMINAL --- DAY
LS of busy terminal. Members of all races can be seen going about their day to day activities. Derrick enters the terminal with Gramic a little bit ahead of him limping.
Derrick is gaining.
CUT TO: MS of Derrick jumping on him and tackling him down. Derrick’s pistol sliding across the floor. Gramic shakes him off and stands, his one leg twitching and bleeding. Derrick stands up and gets into a fighting stance.
DERRICK
It’s over. Don’t make beat you in public, you scum.
GRAMIC
You won’t have to.
Gramic pulls out a laser pistol, but before he can use it Derrick kicks it out of his hand and lunges forward with a fist to the vrusk’s head. Gramic takes the punch and stumbles backwards. Derrick moves forward again.
DERRICK
(angry)
You will come quietly.
CU of Gramic’s wrist. A short stiletto pops up from his wrist band. Gramic swiftly plunges it into Derrick catching his upper arm. Derrick screams. The crowd of people start to run. Gramic hits Derrick repeatedly in the face with his other hand while digging the stiletto into Derrick’s arm.
GRAMIC
Stupid free-lancer. Who do you think you are?
Gramic hits him again
GRAMIC (CONT.)
You should have just left us go when we left the security building.
Gramic continues to beat on Derrick and dig the knife into him causing Derrick to scream and fall to his knees. Gramic towering over him. The monorail terminal is empty.
CU of Derrick’s boot. His free hand lifting up his pant leg and starting to slide a small compact pistol out.
CU of Gramic ripping the knife out of Derrick’s arm and bringing it back as if to plunge it into Derrick’s skull.
GRAMIC
(calmly)
Now, it ends.
Gramic thrusts the stiletto towards Derrick’s skull.
In one swift motion Derrick blocks the attack with his bloodied arm and shoves the compact pistol into Gramic’s insect like mouth breaking one of his mandibles. Vrusk blood rushes down Derrick’s arm and Gramic backs up slowly. Derrick’s other hand grasping tightly Gramic’s arm housing the stiletto.
DERRICK
(exhausted from the pain)
You… will… come quietly… Understand bug?
Derrick slowly brings himself to his feet. He look’s Gramic in the eyes. Gramic’s stiletto arm becomes free and slices Derrick’s stomach.
A loud bang echoes as Derrick blows Gramic’s head clean off his shoulders. As the body of the vrusk slumps over Derrick drops to his knees again this time with his head down and his arms out. Derrick drops his small but deadly pistol and puts his head in his hands. A groan of pain from Derrick can be heard echoing through the empty station.
DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE FOUR
INT. DERRICK'S APARTMENT --- NIGHT
Wide Shot: Kitchen, Boxes piled everywhere cupboards bare. Pan across kitchen to living room. More boxes. Derrick, unshaved and tattered looking, both arm and stomach bandaged up, he packs up clothing and seals the box. A beeping noise can be heard. Derrick walks over to a video screen. Presses a button on the control panel and Dr. Janix’s face appears.
DR. JANIX
Derrick. Hello! old friend I didn’t get a chance to thank you for saving my life yesterday. I came to and I was in the hospital.
DERRICK
(deep troubled voice)
Now were even.
DR. JANIX
(laughing)
Are you still thinking you owe me from that time on Laco? Oh you have no debt with me old friend. Never did.
DERRICK
Yeah, well. Whatever.
DR. JANIX
(seriously)
Derrick? Are you all right my friend? Why are there boxes all over your apartment?
DERRICK
I’m leaving Port Loren.
DR. JANIX
Well how will I get in touch with you if the corporation needs a job done?
DERRICK
You won’t. I’m done doing jobs for the Pan Galactic Corporation or anyone else. I’m going home.
DR. JANIX
Why?
DERRICK
(a little angry)
I killed someone today. I blew his friggin’ brains out all over the station! I killed him because he was about to kill me. I had no choice. And he had no choice. We were two people doing our jobs. No hatred for each other. Nothing personal at all. Just business. Did you know that vrusk that I killed had a family. Seven kids, and a wife with Ix’s syndrome. Did you know that?
DR. JANIX
No. But-
DERRICK
I found out last night. Hours after his brains have been cleaned off the station floor. I’m done Janix. It’s over. When I quit the police force three years ago after my brother was killed I should have gotten out altogether but I didn’t and I hate myself for it now.
DR. JANIX
But those raiders you stopped today were criminals! You know they were most definitely going to sell the data to the Sathar!
DERRICK
You don’t know that. There was no proof of sathar involvement. The PGC always says junk like that when something ends questionable. But we will never know will we?
DR. JANIX
The PGC have came to the conclusion that the slime like creature used on the security guard was bio engineered. It has to be Sathar in origin.
DERRICK
(angry)
You know as well as I do PGC has a bio engineering division. Someone besides the sathar could have made it.
DR. JANIX
Highly unlikely.
DERRICK
Well, if the data was supposed to go to the Sathar they didn’t get the chance to deliver it. One is dead and the others activated something on their necks to turn them into bumbling idiots. So now all of the loose ends are tied up. Nice and neat. The way the PGC likes it.
DR. JANIX
I’m sorry Derrick. The Corporation is sorry it had to end badly.
DERRICK
If the corporation is sorry. Then why don’t you send your condolences and support to that vrusk’s family not to me. I’m fine. I can support myself. They can’t. Good bye Janix.
DISSOLVE TO:
SCENE FIVE
INT. STARPORT --- DAY
A busy star port. Members of all races are rushing everywhere. Through the cacophony we see Derrick walking with his head down and his hands in his trench coat. A WOMAN’S VOICE can be heard on the intercom.
WOMAN'S VOICE
Now boarding flight 4224 to Kdikit, Madderly’s Star, at docking bay 94.
Derrick walks through a gate clearly marked Docking bay 94.
FADE TO BLACK