Los Angeles, CA-

Rain falls heavily from the skies of "sunny" California. Indigo walks through a suburban neighborhood, his hood draped over his head. He looks over at a house nearby, and looks at the area around it. Parked a block and a half away, a car sits at the corner. Two men in the front seats. Across the street, on the top floor of another house, he can faintly see something behind the window curtains. It seems to be a man with a device similar to a telescope.

INDIGO

Well, that’s two. No telling how many others.

Better not try the front door.

Inside the house, a young girl, about 15, sleeps in her room. She sleeps soundly until she hears someone calling her name.

VOICE
Maddie…

(more urgent) Maddie.

Maddie!

Maddie starts to wake up and as she opens her eyes, she’s startled to see Indigo standing over her. Maddie gets ready to scream, but Indigo puts his hand over her mouth.

INDIGO

Maddie!

It’s me! It’s Johnny!!!

Maddie starts screaming, but she is still just as frightened.

MADDIE

No…no you’re not!

You’re not my brother! My brother’s dead!!

Back in England, Terran stands, watching the early morning sun and the waves as they crash against the shore. As he stands there, the words of Gladius ring in his mind.

GLADIUS (memory)

Look, kid. All I’m saying is that you need to improve.

We can’t ALWAYS be there to save your ass.

Terran lets out a deep breath.

TERRAN

(whispering to himself)

I’ve had these powers for two years…

But I’ve always been more ashamed of having them than in learning how to use them better.

Chris was the one who always told me what to do and how I should use them. I guess now, I should start to try to figure that out on my own…

Before I lose someone I care about…

Just at that moment, Terran feels two hands wrap around him from behind. Genesis hugs him, resting her head on his back.

GENESIS

Good morning, Tiger.

TERRAN

(chuckles) Good morning yourself, gorgeous.

GENESIS

Why are you up so early?

TERRAN

Well, technically, I don’t HAVE to sleep.

Something about Lemuan cells reinvigorating themselves, or some crap like that.

Merlan could probably tell you about it.

GENESIS

I don’t care about that right now.

Just let me stay right here.

TERRAN

…

Okay.

A few moments of silence pass. Terran continues to look out of the window, and Genesis continues to have her arms around him as her eyes remain closed and her head continues to rest in his back.

GENESIS

Terran?

TERRAN

Yeah?

GENESIS
I love you.

TERRAN

I know.

GENESIS

That was the first time…I’d ever been…..intimate with someone.

I feel like I lost a part of myself…

…but that I’ve gained something even better.

Terran turns around and looks her in the eyes. Genesis’ left eye is brown, while her left eye is green, and has a soft illumination from it. But that illumination is extremely faint. Almost unnoticeable.

TERRAN

I’ve never noticed how pretty your eyes were before.

GENESIS
(laughs)

Geez, pal. You already scored. You don’t have to try so hard.

Both laugh.

TERRAN
Well, today marks the first day in the rest of our lives.

GENESIS

Well, what’re waiting for? Let’s go out and live!

Back in LA, Indigo fumbles around in Maddie’s darkened room as he tries to calm her down.

INDIGO

Maddie, it’s me…

Honest.

MADDIE

No!! You’re NOT Johnny!!

You don’t even LOOK like him!!!

INDIGO

I swear to God, Maddie…I’m telling you, it’s me!!

MADDIE

If you don’t get out of my room, I’ll scream!!

INDIGO

For God’s sake, Maddie…

Do you remember that day when we were kids and we were playing in the mud when mom told us not to?

Maddie stops, startled.

INDIGO

And you acted like you hurt your leg and threw mud at me?

MADDIE

…

INDIGO

Do you remember that day?

MADDIE

…
Yes.

INDIGO

We came inside and started playing around some more…and we got mud all over the kitchen. Do you remember that?

MADDIE

Yeah…

INDIGO

Mom was so mad, she forced us to clean the whole thing up with toothbrushes. We were up half the night trying to clean up everything. But, I let you go to bed and sleep while I cleaned up everything.

MADDIE

…

INDIGO

You remember that, right?

MADDIE

Oh my God…

…Johnny? It…it IS you. Oh my God!!!

INDIGO

Yeah, it’s me, Sis.

Maddie rushes over to Indigo and hugs him.

MADDIE

But…your hair…your eyes…

You look completely different. What, is this plastic surgery or something?

INDIGO

No…I wish it was.

MADDIE

And you’re supposed to be DEAD! We had a funeral for you and everything!!

INDIGO
Shh…keep quiet. I don’t want anyone to know I’m here.

MADDIE
What?! Why!?

INDIGO
It’s a long story. I had to sneak in here like it was Fort Knox.

Let’s just say some bad people are looking for me.

MADDIE

Oh my God…do you want me to call the police.

INDIGO

No! No…that’s almost as bad.

MADDIE

Huh?

INDIGO

Look, I just had to see you…one last time, okay?

MADDIE

Johnny….?

What’s…going on?

Indigo looks around the room.

INDIGO
So…you’re adopted now, huh?

MADDIE

No…just living with foster parents. After Mom and Dad died, I became a ward of the state, and then, they moved me into foster custody.

INDIGO
Did you ever find out how Mom and Dad died?

MADDIE

Yeah. Apparently, someone broke into our house and murdered them. Burglars or something.

INDIGO

That’s not exactly true. Someone DID break into the house, but they weren’t burglars.

MADDIE

What are you talking about? How would you know that?

At that moment, something bursts through the window of the room, startling Indigo and Maddie.

INDIGO
What the hell--!?

There’s a hissing sound and murky gas begins to spew out from the object.

INDIGO
Gas grenade!!!

Maddie, get close to me!!

At that moment, soldiers leap from the shadows into the yard outside Maddie’s window, pointing guns up at the window. Meanwhile, another squad of soldiers breaks down the front door, heading upstairs towards Maddie’s room. Maddie’s foster mom and dad come out of the room, alarmed.

FOSTER DAD
What the hell’s going on….!?

SOLDIER

Sir…get BACK in your room!

FOSTER MOM
What are you doing in our house?!?

The soldiers, wearing gas masks, make their way to Maddie’s room. Remaining on opposite sides of the door, they signal each other before one of them breaks the door down and goes in with his gun drawn. The gas has made it nearly impossible to see, but infrared opticals allow him to see just fine.

SOLDIER 2

Come out! We know you’re in here!!

The soldiers continue to look around, searching the entire room.

SOLDIER 2
Sh*t! Where’d they go?

SOLDIER 3

Bravo team, did they come out on your end?

SOLDIER 4 (over radio)
That’s negative, Tango Leader.

Nothing on our end.

SOLDIER 3

Damn…then where the hell ARE they?!

The gas starts to clear and the room becomes visible again.

SOLDIER 2

Dammit…there’s no sign of them.

SOLDIER 3

We had him!! There’s no WAY he could have…

The soldier turns and sees Indigo and Maddie situated above the door, Indigo having made an ice platform right above the entrance to the room.

SOLDIER 3

Behind us!! They’re beh--!

Before the soldier could complete the sentence, a huge ball of solid ice comes and hits him in the head, knocking him out cold. As the rest of the soldiers turn, Indigo and Maddie leap down the wall and head out the door. The soldiers start to give chase, but Indigo puts a thick sheet of ice inside the door frame. The soldiers collide with the ice, hitting hard.

Indigo and Maddie start to go down the stairs, but they see more soldiers start to come inside the house. Turning around, they decide to go towards the back. As they do, they see more soldiers coming their way. Trapped, Indigo doesn’t know what to do.

MADDIE

Here! Go in here! It leads to the attic!!

Indigo opens the door, closes it behind himself and Maddie, and starts to head up the stairs. The soldiers reach the door a few moments later and pull it open. When they do, a huge pile of ice falls on them.

MADDIE

Johnny…I’m scared.

What’s going on?

INDIGO

Remember those bad guys I told you about?

Well, you just met them.

There’s another door inside the attic. Opening it, Indigo and Maddie wind up on the roof.

MADDIE

It-It’s too wet! We’re gonna fall!!!

INDIGO

No, we won’t! Come on!!

Indigo pulls Maddie as they carefully step onto the roof. The shingles are wet and loosened from the rain, and they continuously slip. However, they retain their balance and make their way to the end of the roof. Meanwhile, across the street, snipers have appeared.

SNIPER
I’ve got the girl in my sights…but not the boy.

Over the radio, Calabrese commands the operation.

CALABRESE
Take it.

SNIPER

But…

CALABRESE

I said TAKE IT!

That’s an ORDER!!!

The sniper fires a shot. On the other side, the bullet hits Maddie in her shoulder. She yells out in pain, and her hand slips from Indigo’s. She starts to fall off of the roof.

INDIGO
MADDIE!!!!!!!!!

Quickly, Indigo creates a pile of snow beneath Maddie, and she falls onto it, cushioning the impact. Indigo jumps down from the roof, hitting the ground hard and rolling with the fall. He groans and moves over to Maddie.

INDIGO
Maddie!! Are you okay?! Maddie!!!

Maddie is bleeding heavily, and she’s in tremendous amounts of pain. As Indigo rips off piece of his shirt and wraps it around her shoulder, soldiers start to surround him, pointing their guns.

SOLDIER

FREEZE!! Slowly get up and put your hands above your head!!!

INDIGO

But she’s hurt!

SOLDIER

Indigo hesitates.

SOLDIER

Don’t make me tell you again.

Indigo starts to slowly stand and puts his hands above his head. As he does, the soldiers converge on him and immediately put a power dampener on his head. They then take his hands and cuff them behind his back.

INDIGO

Look…I don’t care what you do to ME, but get her to a hospital.

SOLDIER

You know, boy…if I were you, I WOULD care about what we do to you.

(grins evilly)
Oh, I’d be downright AFRAID of what we do to you.

End of Chapter One

Outside a small town in Nevada, a blonde woman dressed in a cowboy hat, a t-shirt tied around her waist, shorts and boots stands outside of a car in the middle of the blazing sun. Inside the car, another woman with dark hair, dressed in a bonnet, a blue blouse and hot pants, sits relaxed. Both are waiting for something.

CASCADE
Goddess…are you sure this is a good idea?

GODDESS

Trust me. The last time I tried to infiltrate one of those federal bases, Tib, Shadow and I got captured. No WAY am I going in again without some sort of backup.

CASCADE

If you say so.

I’m DYING out here. There isn’t enough humidity for me to make much water, either.

GODDESS

Hey! Here she comes!

The two look as an Elemenian ship appears, coming down next to them on the road. As the small cruiser opens, Dremora, the red-haired soldier, steps out.

DREMORA

This is unusual. Usually, I work with your boss.

GODDESS
Yeah, well, he’s a bit busy being a POW right now.

That’s why we had to signal you ourselves.

DREMORA

Fine by me. I don’t like working with men, anyway.

GODDESS

Well, now that we’re all together, let’s start thinking about how we’re going to pull this off…

Elsewhere, Indigo starts to regain consciousness. As he does, he sees that he’s being dragged by US soldiers through a federal holding facility. As he passes some of the cells, he sees some of the members of the Kindred looking at him. The soldiers continue to drag him until they reach a cell. When they do, they toss Indigo inside and lock it shut. Indigo groans, his entire body aching.

CALABRESE

A little sore are we?

I hope my boys didn’t rough you up TOO badly.

INDIGO
Oh, this? Nah. I’m nowhere near as sore as your ass is after your "boys" have their way with you every night.

CALABRESE

Well, I’m glad to see that running all this time hasn’t dulled that quick wit of yours.

INDIGO

Who are you?

CALABRESE

You’ve forgotten me?

I’m truly hurt.

INDIGO

Cut the crap, asswipe!
Where is my sister?

CALABRESE
Hmm? Your sister?

INDIGO
Maddie!! Where is SHE!?!

CALABRESE

You poor lad. Why do you call the poor girl your sister?

INDIGO

What the f*ck are you talking about? She’s my sister, dammit!

CALABRESE

You poor, poor fool. That girl isn’t your sister.

Why, I’m just mortified by the way you dragged that poor girl into this for no good reason.

INDIGO
Cut the crap, you dickless bastard!

What the hell are you talking about?

CALABRESE

Oh, you’ll find out soon…

"Project Indigo".

You’ll find out soon enough.

Calabrese starts to walk away. Indigo, angry, starts to bang on the bars and yell.

INDIGO
Hey!! HEY!!!

Get back here!!!

What are you talking about!?!

Who am I?!
Damn you, talk to me!!!

WHO AM I?!?!!

In England, Merlan and Gladius watch from a distance as Terran and Genesis train with each other outside.

GLADIUS

Maybe all this time, I’ve been going at this all wrong.

MERLAN

What do you mean?

GLADIUS

After all the time I spent trying to train him how to fight, that girl is telepathically teaching him battle techniques and strategies. I mean, they won’t be "Enter the Dragon" quality, but it’s one HELL of an improvement.

MERLAN

Hmm…

I’m not so sure that it’s just her psychic abilities that’s doing it.

GLADIUS

What does that mean?

MERLAN

Look at them. Look at how close they are.

The two of them have a connection that only they can have.

When the heart drives you, you never know what you’re capable of.

Karen taught us that.

GLADIUS

Hm.

I suppose you’re right.

GENESIS

No, no, no…like THIS!

Genesis goes into a fighting stance. A moment later, she begins to glow with a greenish energy. She then brings her right foot around quickly, spinning twice. As she does, he foot leaves a green energy trail behind it. When she’s finished, she lands back on her feet and lets out a deep breath.

TERRAN

Wow. What do you call this move again?

GENESIS

The Gen-ocide.

Eh, just a stupid little name for something I’ve picked up as a desperation move. I’ve never used it in battle, really.

TERRAN

Huh? How come?

GENESIS

Never had a reason to. It requires a second to build up my power, and it’s pretty easy to avoid unless you catch someone off-guard.

TERRAN
I see.

GENESIS

Alright, now give another try.

Terran steps forward and goes into the same fighting stance as Genesis. He waits a minute as his power builds up his power. Gladius and Merlan continue to watch for a moment until they both got back into the manor.

MERLAN

I have reason to believe that the construction of the Helixes are now at the zenith of their production.

GLADIUS

It won’t be long, then.

MERLAN

No…it won’t.

Still no trace of WHERE they’re being constructed, though.

If I could only find out…

GLADIUS

Zepheron has covered his tracks well. He knows that he can’t allow us to find out where the Helixes are being built.

MERLAN
Looks like there’s no choice but to wait and do this the hard way.

Merlan lowers her head and puts her hand over her face.

MERLAN

If only I hadn’t been so foolish…

GLADIUS

It’s not your fault, darling.

You did what you had to.

MERLAN
Thank you, Jesse.

But…I just hope that this world doesn’t suffer because of something that I caused.

Back in the federal holding facility, Indigo sits inside his cell, looking at his wrist…where Merlan’s watch used to be. His wrist is burned and numb.

INDIGO

Damn. The bastards FORCED it off.

VOICE

Ah, so, the famous Indigo has arrived.

Indigo looks up and sees a portion of Thunder’s face between a small opening in the wall.

INDIGO

So YOU’RE here, too?

THUNDER

We’ve been here for the past two weeks.

Enjoying our friends’ incredible hospitality.

INDIGO

(snickers) Right.

THUNDER

I just realized something.

The first time we met, I didn’t know who you were.

And it didn’t dawn on me that you had ice powers.

But now, I’ve finally remembered the truth about you.

INDIGO

What "truth"?

THUNDER

You’re "Indigo".

The scourge of Narwal.

INDIGO
What?!

What’s THAT supposed to mean?

THUNDER

I remember Goddess telling me…a ways back about how during the escape on Narwal, one of us—that is, the products of the Earthian Project—was left behind. He was only a small boy at the time, but he was the government’s "star attraction". The pinnacle of the research done by the Earthian Project.

INDIGO

Man, I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.

THUNDER

Is that so? Well, keep listening.

Originally, close to 50 of us escaped here originally. But now, there’s only a little more of a dozen left. Do you know why that is?

INDIGO

High cholesterol?

THUNDER

No…it was because they were ALL murdered. Every last one of them were tracked down wherever they went and killed. Nearly all the survivors were in Narwal.

But the real kicker is that Goddess was the last one attacked by this assassin. She told us she survived only because she was able to use her mental abilities to confuse the attacker. She told us that this attacker was nothing more than a teenage boy…that used ICE as a weapon. And that the boy was called "Project Indigo".

INDIGO

No….that can’t be true…

I don’t…I don’t remember anything LIKE that…

THUNDER

Still don’t get it, do you?

Why do you think you know all of this stuff? You can use your powers by PURE INSTINCT. You know how to take out an entire army blindfolded. You can create weapons and other objects with your powers without trying. Hell, your fighting abilities are so developed, you could probably take out Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan AND about a dozen other people out with one hand tied behind your back.

Did NONE of this give you a clue?

INDIGO
No…this is not…

Then, why do I remember…

Why do I remember being someone else?!?!

THUNDER
Beats me.

If you want some answers, Calabrese’s the one to ask.

All I know is that if I ever get out of here, you’re gonna be the FIRST person I kill.

INDIGO

This can’t be real…

…it can’t be…

Just then, there’s a loud explosion. A few moments later, an alarm sounds.

ALARM

All personnel, we are under attack! This is not a drill! Repeat- This is NOT a drill!

THUNDER

Ah…looks like I just my get my chance to do it after all…

Outside the base, Goddess and Cascade break into the base and move quickly to avoid the attack teams coming in droves to stop them.

GODDESS

That explosion bought us some time, Cassie, but if we don’t hurry, this’ll all be for nothing! Let’s move!

CASCADE

Okay…okay…you don’t have to get pushy!

In the main control room, Calabrese and the technicians there monitor the situation.

CALABRESE
What’s the situation?

TECHNICIAN

We’re reporting massive damage in sector E, sir.

We’ve sent attack teams to repel any advancing forces.

CALABRESE

Put them through. I want to talk to them.

TECHNICIAN

Yes, sir.

Calabrese puts on headphones with a microphone attached to it.

CALABRESE

Attack team, come in. Come in attack team.

ATTACK TEAM SOLDIER

We read you, sir.

CALABRESE

What’s going on? Who’s attacking?

ATTACK TEAM SOLDIER
Damned if WE know, sir.

We’re getting a whole heap of nothin’ out here.

CALABRESE

Nothing? What do you MEAN nothing?

ATTACK TEAM SOLDIER
I mean there’s nothing. Nada. Zip.

CALABRESE

How can that be? The damage we took was enough to have been dealt by a small army!

How could there be—

Calabrese stops.

ATTACK TEAM LEADER

Sir?

CALABRESE

Get back here at once! Get over here before--!!

At that moment, a squadron of armed soldiers enters the room with their weapons pointed at the technicians.

SOLDIER

Nobody….move.

CALABRESE

Dammit!

A moment later, Goddess enters.

GODDESS
****That’s it lovers. Don’t let any of them near me. I’m alllll yours.****

SOLDIERS (entranced)

Don’t…let them…near.

CALABRESE

You fools! Why weren’t they mentally prepped?

TECHNICIAN

We-We didn’t think there was any reason to, sir.

GODDESS

We meet again, Dominic.

CALABRESE

Ah, my dear Goddess. How are you?

You haven’t changed at all since we last met. Of course, why should you have?

GODDESS

Cut the crap, Calabrese. Release my friends.

CALABRESE
I’m afraid that I can’t do it from here, my dear.

I--

GODDESS

Stop stalling, you lying son of a bitch!

Or should I have these guys put a couple thousand bullets in you?

CALABRESE

Don’t be stupid. You can’t POSSIBLY keep them all under control for very long.
And the attack teams will be returning any minute.

GODDESS

And I assure you that you’ll be dead before any of that happens.

CALABRESE

….

GODDESS

Open their cells. NOW.

I’m not going to ask again.

Calabrese moves over to the control panel and starts pressing buttons.

GODDESS

Hurry up, goddammit. I’ll count to three.

One….

Two…

Just then, the doors to the captives’ cells open. The prisoners all break loose and start to make a break for their freedom.

Back in the command room, Cascade enters urgently.

CASCADE

The Attack Team’s almost here! Come on, we gotta go, now!

While Goddess is distracted, Calabrese pulls a gun and shoots Cascade. She falls to the ground, dead.

GODDESS

NO!!!!!!!!!!!

Goddess runs to Cascade and checks her pulse.

GODDESS
No…

(turns to Calabrese)
DAMN YOU!!

CALABRESE

Don’t go getting upset there, sweetie.

Your powers don’t work so well when you’re under stress.

As Goddess looks around, she sees the soldiers coming out of their trances. Calabrese once again activates his headset and logs into the intercom system for the base.

CALABRESE

Attention! The control room is secure! All teams are to immediately subdue the prisoners! Preferrably alive, but dead if necessary!

Elsewhere, Indigo and Thunder, still with power dampeners on, finish taking out a couple of guards.

THUNDER

Uh, oh.

Looks like Calabrese isn’t fooling around.

INDIGO

So that guy’s Calabrese, huh?

Indigo starts to run off.

THUNDER

Wait! Where the hell are you GOING you moron?

INDIGO

To get some damned answers.

End of Chapter Two

"Project Indigo"

Chapter 3

A half-conscious Thunder is dragged and thrown on the floor along with a group of other Kindred members.

SOLDIER

There’s another one. Now, there’s just one left.

Without their powers, they’re defenseless.

CALABRESE

Don’t get cocky, you idiot. Indigo is still loose.

SOLDIER

Yeah, but he’s just one man. And he doesn’t have his powers.

I’m sure we’ll find him just like the others.

CALABRESE

Don’t be a fool. As long as Indigo’s still free, none of us are safe.

In another area of the base, Indigo remains hidden inside of a small equipment room. While he remains in the shadows, he can hear guards drawing nearer.

SOLDIER 2

Check the equipment room. I’ll stay here and back you up.

SOLDIER 3

Right.

The soldiers start to open the door and Indigo looks around for somewhere else to hide. He looks up and sees a web of pipes going across the ceiling, but they’re more than 15 feet up. Clearly out of his reach. As the soldiers start to enter, Indigo takes a short dash and hops up onto the side of the machine and then hops off of the wall to gain extra height. He grabs one of the pipes and then flips himself up and out of sight. Below him, the guards enter the room, shining their flashlights (which are connected to their rifles) across the room.

SOLDIER 2

Well, is it clear?

SOLDIER 3

Yeah, no one’s in here.

SOLDIER 2

Okay, then. Let’s move on to the next room.

SOLDIER 3

Okay. Let’s go.

On top of the pipes, Indigo lets out a deep breath in relief, and then looks ahead. He sees that the pipes all lead into a section of the wall cut away for ventilation. Seeing this, he decides to crawl inside.

Elsewhere in the base, Calabrese walks back into the control room while soldiers escort Thunder behind him.

CALABRESE

There’s something I want to show you, Thunder.

Something that will mean a turning point in this war.

THUNDER

Unless it’s a declaration of surrender, I don’t give a damn.

CALABRESE

Let’s see if you’re so smug after you witness THIS.

Calabrese pushes a button and a large video screen comes down with a map on it.

CALABRESE

I’m sure you recognize this location.

THUNDER

Narwal…?

CALABRESE

Exact-a-mundo.

THUNDER

What the hell are you up to?

CALABRESE

For months now, we’ve been working on a major project. We’ve been working on newer versions of our standard HUNTER units. These units, called the Helix models, are all better armored and possess more advanced firepower.

THUNDER

Is that all? THAT’S what you dragged me all the way here to see?

We’ve taken apart your stupid erector sets before, Calabrese. And we’ll do it again.

CALABRESE

Well, that’s what you’re wrong. You see, unlike the previous HUNTER units, which needed to be fully-manned to work, these newer units are fully-automated.

THUNDER

What!?

CALABRESE

The machines are also being developed with an advanced AI system that will allow them to perform complex on-the-spot strategical maneuvers and will allow them to complete numerous objectives at the same time. In short, it won’t be long before we can send out these things to totally wipe out you alien freaks.

THUNDER
You bastard!! This’ll never work!

We’ll find a way to beat them!

CALABRESE

You’re forgetting on thing, my friend.

THUNDER

Huh?

CALABRESE

Why do you think I brought up this map?

THUNDER

……

….No!

At Narwal, the Earthian population is minding their own business when all of a sudden, HUNTERs attack them. People start to run for their lives, only to be shot down by the huge machines. Narwese soldiers show up to fight the creatures, but find themselves somewhat out-matched.

Back in the federal base, Thunder watches it all happen as a camera inside one of the HUNTERs relays the images.

THUNDER

Stop this!! STOP IT!!!

CALABRESE

Already? But I haven’t showed you the best part yet.

(chuckles)

The best thing about these machines is that since they’re automated, we don’t have to worry about harming any of our own soldiers when we deploy their….secret weapon.

THUNDER

What secret weapon?

Calabrese only smiles and watches the monitor.

Back in Narwal, the Narwese soldiers are starting to finally gain a little ground fighting off the HUNTERS when the gigantic machines suddenly stop. The soldiers hold their fire, puzzled as to what’s going on. A moment later, a humming noise is heard from the machines. Before the soldiers can do anything, there’s a loud explosion as each of the HUNTERs self destructs. There’s a look of absolute horror on the soldiers’ faces before the image goes snowy.

THUNDER

No!! NOOOOO!!!!!

CALABRESE

Well, that should just about do it.

Wiped out a whole nest of pests with one stroke.

THUNDER

You….BASTARD!!!

Thunder tries to attack Calabrese, but one of the soldiers hits him on the back of the head with his rifle. Thunder falls to the ground, unconscious.

CALABRESE

Take him back to his cell with the others.

And find Indigo as soon as possible.

SOLDIERS

Yes, sir!!

The soldiers leave, dragging Thunder with them.

Well, Beck should be happy to hear that the Helix test run was a resounding success.

Back in England, Terran and Genesis enter Merlan’s ship, coming into a room filled with odd, circular monitors.

TERRAN
Merlan? You wanted to see us?

MERLAN
Oh my God….

GENESIS
What…what’s happened?

MERLAN
Narwal….it’s gone.

GENESIS
WHAT?!?

On the monitors, Genesis and Terran see various images of Narwal from satellite surveillance. More than 50% of the country has been wiped out, and almost all of what remains is on fire.

GENESIS

My God…this is…

This is HORRIBLE!

TERRAN
We’ve gotta go help them! We’ve gotta…

MERLAN

Some microwave signals were sent back and forth from Narwal to somewhere in America.

If you give me some time, I can pinpoint the exact location.

GENESIS

What good will that do for the people who’ve already been hurt?

MERLAN

I may never get another chance at this. We can go to Narwal now and try to fight the symptoms….

Or we can figure out where this started and cure the DISEASE.

Genesis turns around, struggling to hold back her emotions.

TERRAN

Gen…?

GENESIS

Do it.

Let’s get the bastards.

Meanwhile, back inside the federal base, Indigo comes to a research area, where non-military personnel, mostly scientists, are doing something. Indigo waits until the coast is clear before he kicks the grate off of the vent and jumps down. Inside the room, he looks around to make sure no one’s coming. Then, he starts to look around the room. Look for papers, notes…anything.

INDIGO

Doh! What am I thinking? They’d put that sort of stuff on a computer.

Indigo goes up to one of the computers and sees that the user hadn’t logged out yet. He goes over to the computer and brings up the local area network. He then starts to browse the files and comes across one called "Project Indigo". Indigo clicks on it and waits. A prompt soon comes up that says, "Authorized Entry Only! Enter Password!"

INDIGO

Damn….Crap, crap, crap!!

Think, man, think!

What would this guy use as a password!?

Indigo starts looking around the guy’s desk. Everywhere, he sees pictures of Caroline Christi, the famous singer.

As the system starts up, Indigo waits as the computer collects its data.

Indigo selects Option "1".

At this point, Indigo is prompted to go to Option "2".

At this point, Indigo is prompted to go to Option "3".

At this point, Indigo is prompted to go to Option "4".

VOICE

Hey!! Somebody’s in here!!

INDIGO

Sh*t!!! Not now!!!!!

Indigo gets up and starts to run. He pushes his way past the scientists in front of the door. Soldiers appear and start to give chase after him. Indigo keeps running down the corridor when he looks to the side and sees something through a glass window. He detours the room and grabs a particular object: The watch that was given to him by Merlan. As soon as he has it, though, soldiers burst into the room.

SOLDIERS

Hold it RIGHT there!

Indigo stops and raises his hands. However, as he does, he presses a switch on the watch.

MERLAN

I’ve just picked up something!

GLADIUS
What is it?

MERLAN

It’s Indigo’s distress signal!

It’s coming from….the middle of Nevada!

TERRAN

What’s he doing THERE?!

MERLAN
I don’t know…

But the signal I was tracking was coming from Nevada, too.

I just hadn’t narrowed it down yet.

TERRAN

Think it’s a coincidence?

GENESIS

Why don’t we go and see?!

Indigo is once again cuffed and brought face-to-face with Calabrese.

SOLDIER

On your knees!!

Indigo doesn’t move. One of the soldiers hits him in the back of the legs with the rifle, forcing Indigo to kneel.

CALABRESE

Well, now. That was a lot quicker than I expected.

INDIGO

You….You’re Calabrese aren’t you?

CALABRESE

Ah, so you know who I am now.

INDIGO
I know who you are. And there’s some stuff I wanna know.

CALABRESE

Oh, really?

INDIGO

Yeah.

SOLDIER
We found him in the research lab. He had logged into a computer and was looking at stuff about "Project Indigo".

CALABRESE

Ah, I see. Whetted your curiosity, did it?

INDIGO

Who….am I?

CALABRESE

Who are you? You’re a tool. You’re nothing but an object that we intended to use and then discard when we had no further use for you.

But no…I guess that’s not sufficient enough an answer for you.

First of all, who do YOU think you are?

INDIGO

My name….

My name….is Johnathan Miller.

CALABRESE

No, I’m afraid not. You have no name.

You’re a bunch of chromosomes and DNA codes tossed into a pot and simmered until done.

But I know what you’re thinking: "Why, oh why, do I have these confusing memories?"

Well, my boy…the answer to that is simply this:

They’re not real.

Did you see anything on the "Falling Sky" Program?

INDIGO
…yes.

CALABRESE

Good, then I don’t have to explain it.

Basically, we selected a young man named Johnathan Miller to be the originator of your memories. Every year after his birth, we subjected him to a sort of "mental download" and then transferred those memories to you with the help of some very capable telepaths.

After the other subjects escaped years ago, we sent you out to track them down. Even when you were seven-years-old and powerless, you still managed to kill seven of the weaker ones. As you grew up and became stronger and gained your powers, we sent you out more and more.

Of course, as far as YOU knew, you were just a kid from LA who went to school, joined the baseball team, and got his first kiss at thirteen. But that was just a cover. The truth was, you were the most deadly killer ever created.

INDIGO

….

…

So then, my whole life….

…is a lie?

CALABRESE

Don’t think of it as a lie.

Think of it as a dream.

You have to wake up from ALL dreams eventually.

And that’s what you did one year ago.

You see, the REAL Johnathan Miller died in a car accident a year ago. We tried to make up for it by finding another person with a similar lifestyle and physical features, but it didn’t work. Your mind rejected it. Soon, we lost total control and you escaped.

INDIGO

….

CALABRESE

Of course, you must be wondering why I’m telling you all this.

Indigo looks up and sees Calabrese pointing a gun at him.

CALABRESE

I don’t think you’ll be telling anyone.

And I hear confession’s good for the soul.

INDIGO

…

CALABRESE
Say g’night, Gracie.

Calabrese pulls the trigger. There’s a blur between himself and Indigo, and Indigo remains unharmed. When everyone turns, they see Terran standing there with the bullet in his hand.

TERRAN

G’night, Gracie.

End of Chapter Three

CALABRESE

Open fire! Open fire!!!

Soldiers pour into the control room, firing pulse rifles at Terran. Terran dodges the blasts with a smirk on his face, and then waves his hand. A wave of energy crosses in front of the soldiers, knocking them back. Terran then quickly flies over to Indigo and breaks open Indigo’s restraints with his bare hands.

TERRAN
You okay?

INDIGO

Not really, no.

TERRAN

Let me rephrase that.

Are you PISSED?

INDIGO

VERY.

TERRAN
Good.

Then let’s go hurt people.

Terran and Indigo start to attack the soldiers head-on, Indigo letting loose with all the pent-up frustration he now feels. He and Terran topple the soldiers like they aren’t there.

INDIGO

Took you long enough.

TERRAN

Oh, sorry. We were only, what, halfway around the world?

INDIGO

"We"? Where are the others?

TERRAN

They’re executing the other part of the plan.

We get to be the distractions.

INDIGO

Goodie.

More bones to break.

Elsewhere, Merlan and Gladius are in the room with the complex’s main computer. Merlan is analyzing the machine, making careful note of each component.

MERLAN

(points) There.

Gladius’ suit extends a wire to the machine and inserts it into a socket. After a moment, the computer powers down and he pulls the wire out.

GLADIUS

There.

MERLAN

Good. Now, it’s Genesis’ turn.

All around the complex, the power shuts down. The electric locks on the doors become broken. Genesis starts to concentrate and telekinetically unlocks the manual lock to the prison cells. The doors swing open and the prisoners are once again freed.

THUNDER

Gen…?!

GENESIS
Danny! You’re alright!!

Thunder runs up to Genesis and hugs her. Genesis gives him a friendly pat, and then backs away.

THUNDER

I’m just glad to see you’re okay.

GENESIS

Not now, Danny. We have to get out of here.

THUNDER

Yeah, yeah, I know.

But, there still THESE….

Thunder points to the power dampener on his head.

GENESIS

Oh. I’ll take care of it.

Genesis concentrates and a moment later, there’s a loud clicking sound as the power dampeners fall off and hit the ground.

Thunder grins and charges up his electrical powers.

THUNDER

Yeah…NOW we’re talkin’!

Elsewhere, Calabrese attempts to escape, running to the doors of the hangar.

CALABRESE

I need back up!! Where’s my backup!!?

SOLDIER (over radio)

Sorry, sir!!

We’ve got our hands full with the escapees!

CALABRESE

What about the HUNTERS!?

SOLDIER
With the power off, there’s no way we can deploy the Helixes, sir.

CALABRESE
Then use the MANUAL ones then, you idiot!!
I don’t care!! Just get me some support in the hangar immediately!!

Calabrese presses the buttons to enter the code, but realizes that the since the power’s off, that’s useless. He then turns a clamp on the door and starts to push the very sliding door open. Suddenly, the door slides open much easier.

INDIGO

Let me give you a hand with that.

Indigo punches Calabrese into the hangar. Calabrese hits the ground and slides along the slick ground a few feet before he starts to get up. Before he can even move, Indigo is already on him again. Indigo lifts him up by his hair and punches him in the gut. He then kicks him in the face, knocking him to the ground again.

CALABRESE

W-Wait a minute, son! (spits out blood)

Wait a minute!!

Y-You don’t want to do this.

Calabrese gets to his feet and Indigo pushes him against a wall.

INDIGO

Oh yes. I do.

Indigo headbutts Calabrese and grabs his arm, throwing him into metal column.

CALABRESE (out of breath)

W-Wait…(cough, cough)

Wait….

I-I’m the President, boy! If you kill me, you’ll spark a worldwide incident! People will resent Elemenians even more! A full-scale war will erupt!

Just think of what you’d cause!!!

INDIGO

I don’t give a f*ck.

Calabrese tries to pull out a gun, but Indigo freezes his hand. Calabrese yells in pain and staggers back. Indigo covers his hand with ice, forming it into a blade.

CALABRESE

Listen to me, you son of a bitch!!

You care about that sister of yours, doncha!?

If you kill me, she’s as good as DEAD! You hear me?!!

DEAD!!!!

Indigo stops for a moment and looks Calabrese straight in the eye. His eyes blazing with hatred.

INDIGO

I don’t have a sister, remember?

I’m just a tool. A killer.

CALABRESE

No! No, don’t!!!

INDIGO

See you in hell, bastard!

Calabrese cringes. But an instant later, Indigo feels his bladed arm yanked backwards. Turning, Indigo sees that Terran has turned his arm into a thick rope and is stopping Indigo.

TERRAN

Stop, Indigo! Don’t do it!

INDIGO

Shut up!! You stay out of this!!

He’s ruined my life!! He’s made me live in pure HELL for the past year!!!

TERRAN

I’m not asking you not to kill him because of some moral code or anything.

If you kill him, we lose just about any way of PROVING any of this.

And there’s no way we can get a cure for the genetic virus the feds made, either!

INDIGO
You think I give a damn!?!

TERRAN
Indigo, stop this or I’ll have to stop you myself.

INDIGO

…

LIKE HELL!!!

Indigo starts to attack Terran, his rage making him lose control. Indigo swings at Terran with his blade and Terran catches it with both hands.

TERRAN

Indigo, stop it!!

Indigo doesn’t answer. But the iceblade around his arm starts to change shape until it wraps around both of Terran’s hands. While Terran is detained, Indigo puts his hands together and makes a huge spiked ball around them. He then whacks Terran in the jaw with it, sending Terran reeling.

While the two of them are fighting, Calabrese tries to make a break for it…

INDIGO

You’re not going ANYWHERE!

Indigo fires an ice blast at Calabrese, freezing his legs. Meanwhile, Terran recovers from Indigo’s blow and starts to advance. Turning back around, Indigo fires an ice spike at Terran, who transforms a metallic shield on the backside of his arm. Waving his hand, Terran makes the ground start to shake beneath Indigo, knocking him off balance. Indigo struggles to regain his footing and looks up just in time to see Terran elbow him in the jaw. Indigo falls to the ground, groaning in pain.

TERRAN

This is POINTLESS, Indigo.

INDIGO

Shut up…I don’t….
I don’t care what you think…

Just then, there’s a loud explosion. Indigo and Terran turn and see that the same squadron of HUNTERs they faced back during the Kindred’s assault getting ready to attack them.

WOLF
Sorry we’re late sir!

It’s hard to start these things up without ANY power whatsoever.

GRIFFON

Hey, wait a sec…aren’t those the same two from before?

COBRA

Hey, you’re right! It IS them!!

HOG

Good. Then we can get some payback for last time!!

WOLF

Hawk! Take the President and get him out of here!

HAWK

Roger.

One of the HUNTERs swoops in and picks up Calabrese. Then, it spreads large metal wings and starts to take off like a jet.

INDIGO
Hey!! HEY!!!!

GET BACK HERE!!
GOD DAMN IT!!!

Terran grabs Indigo and moves him out of the way just as a blast comes in and narrowly misses them.

WOLF

Uh, uh, uh.

WE’RE your playmates now, sweet thing.

The four HUNTERs start to aim all of their weaponry at Terran and Indigo.

WOLF
Let’s dance.

End of Chapter Four

Inside the federal base in Nevada, Genesis, Thunder and the rest of the Kindred fight their way through fleets of soldiers. The tide of the battle has shifted to the point that the soldiers are now that ones that are trying escape. The Kindred have effectively conquered their former prison.

As Genesis kicks one soldier and telekinetically blasts another one through a window, Thunder fires a blast of electricity through entire line of soldiers.

THUNDER

It sure feels good to be giving pain instead of TAKING it again.

(turns to Genesis)

But it feels even better having you fight with us again.

GENESIS

Um…look, Danny…we didn’t come here to free you.

Not exactly.

THUNDER

Huh?

"We?" Who’s we?

(stops)

You mean Terran, don’t you? He’s here, isn’t he?

GENESIS

Look, don’t start that stuff again. Yes, Terran is here.

Him and a few other new friends I’ve picked up.

THUNDER

"New friends" huh? (scoffs)

I see.

GENESIS

Yeah, maybe if you didn’t act like such an asshole, YOU could have some.

THUNDER

…

Behind you.

GENESIS

Huh?

THUNDER

I said, "BEHIND YOU!!"

Thunder shoots out a blast of electricity, hitting a guard that was aiming at Genesis from behind.

THUNDER
Maybe you should have asked these new friends of yours to teach you how to watch your back.

Thunder runs off to continue the fight. Genesis lets out a deep sigh and follows behind him. After a moment though, the two of them are cut off as someone else approaches.

THUNER

Uh, oh…

More company!

GENESIS
Wait!!

Genesis steps in front of Thunder and greets the two approaching figures, who happen to be Gladius and Merlan.

GENESIS

Looks like your plan’s working.

MERLAN

Of course. I never had any doubts.

THUNDER

Who the hell are you people?

Gladius and Merlan don’t answer.

GLADIUS

I think I heard something coming from the hanger.

Sounds like HUNTERs. Terran and Indigo are there, too.

GENESIS
Oh, no.

We gotta go help.

MERLAN

There are still some things I must take care of.

You two go ahead and try to assist them.

GLADIUS

Alright.

GENESIS

Okay, let’s go.

Genesis and Gladius get moving.

THUNDER

Hey, hold up!

I’m coming too, dammit!

Inside the hangar, Wolf’s HUNTER discharges an arsenal of missiles, striking all over the hangar. Terran and Indigo dodge the missiles, trying to keep from getting themselves blown up.

WOLF
Wooo!! You’re running of room, kiddies!!

Don’t have any precious streets to run away on this time, do you?

Hog’s HUNTER bulldozes towards Terran and Indigo, but the two once again dodge out of the way before it can hit them.

INDIGO

This is YOUR fault, you know.

TERRAN

What?

INDIGO

If you hadn’t stopped me, I could have killed that bastard.

TERRAN

So then, instead of having four of these things to deal with, we coulda had FIVE?

INDIGO

…

Shut up. It’s still your fault.

When Hog tries to ram into Indigo again, Indigo spreads ice along the ground and makes it slope upwards as Hog travels on it. Eventually, it causes Hog to flip over and fall onto his side.

HOG

Goddammit.

Just wait til I get up, punk. I’ll…

TERRAN

No…I don’t think you WILL be.

Terran, moving at blazing speed, rushes over to the HUNTER and starts to tear it apart with his fists. Transforming his arms into crowbars, he prys it open and grabs the pilot from inside.

HOG

H-Huh!? What the hell?

TERRAN

Time for a nap.

A mild burst of electricity comes from Terran’s arm, shocking the pilot like a taser. Hog falls unconscious and Terran leaves him aside.

COBRA

D-Did you see what he just did?!

WOLF
Yeah! But I know that there’s no way he could do that if the three of us all take him on at once.

GRIFFON

Right. Hog was just being stupid.

WOLF
Which WE won’ be.

The HUNTERs start to move in unison. While Terran dodges the whips and cables that Cobra slings at him, he gets hit by a blast of energy from Griffon. Indigo puts an ice shield to block Wolf’s missiles, but the force of it pins him against a wall. Then, one of Cobra’s cables bursts through the shield and wraps around Indigo, squeezing him hard.

COBRA

Won’t be long before I hear a snapping sound…

Suddenly, there’s a loud CLANGING sound.

COBRA

What was THAT?!!?

When Cobra looks up, one of the arms of her HUNTER falls off, having been completely cut off. Gladius then lands on the ground, holding his sword in a defensive manner.

WOLF
Look, it’s HIM, too!!

GRIFFON

Now all we need is that girl and my déjà vu will be complete.

GENESIS

Somebody mention me?

Genesis, her body surrounded a green aura, fires a powerful telekinetic blast at Griffon, knocking him against a wall.

WOLF
Okay, this is ri-goddamn-diculous!
Let’s see you all handle THIS!!!!

Wolf pounds a button on his controls and his HUNTER releases its entire payload of missiles into the air. They start to fall downwards, but bolts of lightning appear, making them explode in the air. Thunder blows on his finger like it’s a smoking gun, grinning.

Terran moves over to Genesis.

TERRAN

Hey, Gen…

GENESIS

Yeah?

TERRAN
Looks to me like we’ve got a clear shot.

And I don’t think these machines are good at dodging….do you?

GENESIS

(grins) You thinkin’ what I’m thinkin’?

TERRAN

Yep.

Let’s do it.

Terran and Genesis both rush towards Griffon and Cobra.

WOLF

What the hell are they doing?

Terran and Genesis both stop in front of the machines and start to draw their power. A few moments later, they both execute Genesis’ "Gen-ocide" move. Their attacks, surrounded by their signature energies, cuts straight through the metal of the machines, ripping them apart. After executing the move, they both land on the ground in the same fighting stance. The HUNTERs start to crackle with electricity, short-circuiting. They then sputter and stop moving, powering down.

COBRA

Dammit!! I can’t move!!

GRIFFON

Neither can I!!

WOLF

Man, screw this! You guys are on your own!!

Wolf takes off, fleeing.

GRIFFON

Wait!! Don’t leave us!!

COBRA
You COWARD!!!!!

Thunder raises his fist in victory.

THUNDER

ALRIGHT!!!!
We did it!!!!

GLADIUS

I have to admit…you two were pretty impressive together.

GENESIS
(blushing) Uh, really? You think so….?

Gladius walks by Terran and pats him on the shoulder.

GLADIUS

Not bad, kid.

Maybe there’s hope for you after all….

TERRAN

Uh…thanks.

I think.

Some time passes after the prison uprising has ended. Terran, Genesis, Indigo, Gladius, Merlan, Thunder, Goddess and Metalm meet inside the control room.

THUNDER

Well, that should just about do it.

All the enemy has either escaped or they’re in the holding block.

MERLAN

You should let them go.

THUNDER

What!? WHY!?!?

Do you KNOW what they put us through!?!?

MERLAN

They were only following their orders.

They’re no longer a threat to you.

THUNDER

Yeah, well, I think they deserve to sit in there for a while.

GENESIS
She’s right, Danny. Keeping them here won’t do any good.

You’ll only give the government an excuse to blame us for this.

THUNDER

Look…I’ll think about it, okay?

I’m not making any other promises than that.

(turns to Merlan and Gladius)

I’ll ask again. Who ARE you people, anyway?

GLADIUS

I could tell you that…

…but then I’d have to kill you.

Thunder gives Gladius a long, hard stare. Then, he turns towards Genesis

THUNDER
THESE are your "new friends"?

Meanwhile, Indigo sits off by himself. A look of severe depression washed over his face. Seeing him, Terran walks over to him.

TERRAN

How you holdin’ up?

INDIGO

I’m fine…just trying to think of a reason to go on livin’ is all…

TERRAN

What the hell happened here, anyway?

INDIGO

…

Okay. You have to PROMISE not to tell anyone else this.

TERRAN
I promise.

INDIGO

Okay….

Well, it’s like this….

THUNDER

So…you still won’t come back with us?

GENESIS

No…I’m going to stay with Terran.

And the others.

THUNDER

I see.

Are you and he….?

GENESIS
Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, we are.

THUNDER
I see.

Thunder hangs his head for a moment.

THUNDER

This is what I get for not paying you any attention all those years, huh?

GENESIS

Danny, it’s not your fault, okay?

We…we were just never meant for each other.

THUNDER

Yeah….

….so YOU say….

GLADIUS

Are you two QUITE finished?

GENESIS

Um…yeah.

Sorry.

(turns to Thunder)

So, what are your plans now?

THUNDER

Well, Narwal’s been all but destroyed, so the survivors are gonna need a place to stay.

When we get the power up and running again, this place is just as good as any.

GENESIS
So you’re staying here, then?

THUNDER

May as well. We’ve been here for two damn weeks.

Merlan looks over at Terran and Indigo and sees them talking.

MERLAN

If you’ll excuse me….

Meanwhile, Indigo has finished telling Terran the whole story.

TERRAN

I see.

Damn, I’m sorry. That’s messed up, man.

INDIGO

Yeah, tell me about it.

But, well, at least now you can forget about that favor I asked you for, right?

TERRAN

…

MERLAN

Excuse me.

Indigo and Terran turn.

MERLAN

I wanted to let you know that while we infiltrated the base, I destroyed every single copy of the data that was contained in the computers.

TERRAN

But you read it yourself, right?

MERLAN

Yes.

And that’s what I wanted to tell you about.

INDIGO

Huh?

MERLAN

I wanted to let you know that even though you were created through artificial means, the genetic information you came from was collected from two very real people. In a way, you could call them your "parents".

INDIGO

My parents?

MERLAN

Yes.

Would you like to know who they were?

Indigo thinks about it for a moment.

INDIGO

Yeah.

Yeah, I guess I would.

MERLAN

Very well.

The genetic samples that were used to create you…

…came from Traachsen and Megami Zennon….the former King and Queen of the Planet Elemen.

Indigo and Terran are speechless.

INDIGO

You’re kidding me, right?

MERLAN

No.

Furthermore, there was another subject from the Earthian Project with a similar origin.

Except, he was naturally conceived and extracted while still in utero.

And his name is Daniel Zennon. Also known as "Thunder".

Your "brother".

INDIGO

My brother?

That guy is my brother?!

MERLAN

In a way, yes. I realize this must be hard for you to accept.

INDIGO

No, I only find out a few hours ago that I was born in a petrie dish. And now I suddenly have a brother. What’s not to accept?

MERLAN

I’m only telling you so that, before you make any decisions, you’ll know the whole truth.

INDIGO

Heh. This is just too rich.

I was created to be the perfect soldier. The perfect specimen in stamina, power and agility.

If I’d known all this sooner, I’d have just gone into PORNO.

Things are quiet for a moment and then the three start to laugh.

TERRAN
Well, it’s good to see that you haven’t lost your sense of humor.

INDIGO

Yeah, well, it’s about the only way I can keep my sanity right about now.

MERLAN
There was one last thing that I wanted to tell you.

INDIGO

What?

MERLAN

When I checked the results of the experiment, I found something peculiar.

It seems that you were born with a flaw.

INDIGO

A flaw? What the hell sort of "flaw"?

MERLAN
I don’t know. It didn’t say.

But, I just thought I should let you know.

INDIGO

….

MERLAN

I think you should join in the conversation with the rest of us. It should be enlightening for you.

Merlan starts to walk off and rejoin the others.

TERRAN

That woman is just TOO weird.

INDIGO

Yeah, but you gotta admit…

…she does have some big headlights.

As the others continue their discussion, Indigo and Terran join in.

THUNDER

Hey, Veronica…

GODDESS

Yeah?

THUNDER

Sorry to hear about Cassie.

GODDESS

It’s okay, Danny. I-I’m taking it okay.

THUNDER

One thing’s puzzling me, though…

GODDESS

What?

THUNDER

Right before you guys arrived, there was an incredible series of explosions.

But neither you or Cassie have any powers of that type. And you two didn’t seem to be carrying any explosives…

GODDESS
Oh yes…that was our "secret weapon".

GENESIS

What secret weapon?

VOICE

That would be ME.

Everyone turns and sees Dremora standing off to the side.

TERRAN

YOU!!!!!

Dremora looks up at Terran.

GENESIS

I don’t believe it! HER?!?!

GODDESS

You know her?

TERRAN
Yes…

I know her too damn well.

GENESIS

She’s one of the Imperial soldiers! She kidnapped me and Terran and took us on this huge ship out in space!

(Genesis looks at Merlan.)

And she was asking us about YOU!

Dremora perks up.

DREMORA

You wouldn’t happen to be…Merlan, would you?

MERLAN

(nods) I am.

You’ve been looking for me?

DREMORA

Yes.

Dremora starts to walk forward. Terran and Genesis get ready to attack, but Merlan holds up her hand, signaling for them to stay put.

MERLAN

Well, I’m here.

What business do you have with me?

DREMORA

I have something for you…

Dremora reaches into a compartment on her belt. Terran and Genesis, fearing she’s about to draw a gun, tense up. However, Dremora only pulls out a small, metallic device.

DREMORA

It’s from Myaga.

Merlan holds out her hand and takes it.

TERRAN

Watch out! It’s probably a bomb or something.

MERLAN

It’s quite alright.

Thank you, Ms……

DREMORA

My name is Dremora Genesha. Of the Imperial Knights.

GLADIUS

The Trai Digan, eh?

DREMORA

Correct.

INDIGO

Uh…

Would somebody PLEASE explain to me what the HELL is going on?

TERRAN

Don’t look at me. I’m just as clueless as you.

THUNDER

Dremora has been our contact inside the Empire for quite some time. She’s been our ally and a great asset to us.

TERRAN

How can you TRUST her?

GODDESS

Why shouldn’t we? She’s given us more of a reason to trust her than YOU have.

TERRAN

…

(turns towards Dremora)

You’re in league with Zepheron, aren’t you?

DREMORA

Zepheron has his agenda.

I have mine.

TERRAN
And I’ll make sure I take BOTH of you down.

DREMORA

(chuckles) Please.

You don’t know what you’re dealing with.

Frankly, I hope the two of you kill each other.

THUNDER

And that said, I think you’ve overstayed your welcome.

Time for you guys to leave.

TERRAN

GLADLY.

INDIGO

Um….

Everyone turns towards Indigo.

INDIGO

Look, I think I’m gonna stay here. With them.

GENESIS

What?!

TERRAN

Are you serious?

INDIGO

Yeah. I’m serious.

THUNDER

What?? Who the hell said YOU could stay?

INDIGO

Look, it’s just something I gotta do, okay?

THUNDER

WHY?!!?

INDIGO

….

THUNDER

I asked you a question.

And why the hell are you looking at me like that?

INDIGO

Nevermind. If you don’t want me to, I’ll—

GODDESS

Danny…

THUNDER

What?

GODDESS
Let the boy stay. What harm could it do?

THUNDER

What?!

You know more than anyone how he—

GODDESS
Yes. And I also know that it wasn’t his fault.

Any more than it was ours when WE were in his position.

THUNDER

…

Alright. You can stay.

But if you do, you’re one of US.

That means you do what I tell you, you understand?

INDIGO

Yeah, whatever.

Indigo turns back towards Terran.

INDIGO

Look man…thanks. For everything.

TERRAN

Hey, I did what I could.

(whispers) Do me a favor, okay?

INDIGO
What?

TERRAN

Keep an eye on that chick.

Signal us again if she does anything, okay?

INDIGO

Okay. No problem.

Terran, Genesis, Merlan and Gladius all get close together.

GENESIS
Take care of yourself.

INDIGO
Thanks. I will.

In a flash, they all disappear.

Meanwhile, at EarthNet Tower, Zepheron sits back, while a professional female manicurist is filing his nails. On a video monitor, Calabrese talks to him frantically.

CALABRESE
We’ve lost the Earthian Project, Beck!

You hear me!? The project is finished!

ZEPHERON
Well, I could hardly care, "Mr. President".

That was YOUR bird, not mine.

Frankly, I could have told you it was a waste of time.

CALABRESE

…

ZEPHERON

You’d better just keep those HUNTERs coming.

My bankroll isn’t water, you know.

You may be the President, but as long as you need my money, I own you.

CALABRESE
Yes, yes. The Helixes are still being completed as scheduled.

In fact, their test run was a complete success.

ZEPHERON

Good. But there won’t be any more "test runs" of that sort of scale until production is completed, is that clear?

CALABRESE

Alright. Consider it a done deal.

But, there was one OTHER concern I wanted to bring up with you, Beck.

ZEPHERON

Oh?

CALABRESE

That…."agent" of yours, Terran…was there.

ZEPHERON

What?

CALABRESE

If what my subordinates tell me is true, he tore apart a HUNTER with his bare hands.

ZEPHERON

Hmm…I see.

CALABRESE

And there were two others with him. A female telekinetic and a sort of….mechanical man.

Beck, what the hell is going on!? I thought you said you had him under control!?

ZEPHERON

Just a minor inconvenience, Mr. President. Nothing to worry about.

CALABRESE

"MINOR" inconvenience? Did you hear what I said? He tore apart a—

ZEPHERON

I HEARD what you said.

And I said it’s nothing to worry about.

Don’t worry, I know how do deal with him and his friends.

They won’t interfere with our plans.

CALABRESE

I sure hope so.

Because they’re totally beyond our level of experience.

ZEPHERON

(chuckles) You worry too much, Mr. President.

Don’t worry. You have the Christian Beck guarantee.

I’ll take care of them.

CALABRESE

Very well, then.

I’ll leave it in your hands.

Good night.

Calabrese disconnects his call. As she does, the phone beeps again.

VANESSA
There’s someone here to see you, sir.

ZEPHERON

I’m busy now, Vanessa.

VANESSA
She’s VERY insistent, Sir.

ZEPHERON

"She?"

Well, let’s not disappoint the young lady.

Send her in.

VANESSA
Yes, sir.

Back in England, Merlan and Gladius have a discussion inside of Merlan’s ship.

GLADIUS

That message was from Myaga?

MERLAN

Yes. It appears something has come up.

GLADIUS

Will it change our plans?

MERLAN
I don’t think so, no.

GLADIUS

Well, that’s good at least.

MERLAN

So…how were they today?

GLADIUS

I have to say….I was pretty impressed.

It seems that training they’ve done together has paid off.

MERLAN

Do you think they’re ready?

GLADIUS

Possibly. It’s still a toss-up.

MERLAN

I think we should chance it. If this doesn’t work, we’ll need time to prepare some other plans.

GLADIUS
So, we’re going through with it, then, huh?

MERLAN

Yes. Let them rest for now.

They’ll need it for the final test.

Back at EarthNet…

ZEPHERON

Let me get this straight.

You didn’t know where else to go…so you came to ME for help?

VOICE

Yes.

ZEPHERON

Despite the fact that you know what I’m like?

VOICE

Yes.

ZEPHERON

I’m not saying that I WON’T help you…but you know that it’s gonna cost you BIG.

So, the question is, my good CC, just what are you willing to do to get your old life back?

CAROLINE

Whatever it takes.

End of "Project Indigo".