THE VOICE OF ATON "WE ONLY SURF THOSE WHO STAND ON WAVES" by GORDON D WENN CAST LIST --------- PZAAL CONTROL SIX TEO TIHUACAN COMPUTER (vo) SET LIST -------- EXTERIORS INTERIORS --------- --------- DESERT PLANET DESERT CAMP SITE BEACH CUBE ROOM Copyright (c) 2003 - All rights reserved - KitsWriter@Yahoo.com # 1. ACT ONE FADE IN: EXT. - DESERT PLANET - DAY We see a very hot, dry desert. The Sun appears bigger, closer, hotter. Three small moons move across a slightly orange horizon. Giving us our first indication that this is an Alien World. The oppressive heat mirrors the air around us. The rocks crack and turn to sand almost before our eyes. It is an unforgiving place. Then something, rather misplaced, comes into our view. We see a woman, moving effortlessly across the sand, on a glowing disk. She appears regal and as unforgiving as the desert sands. Her skin has a slight blue tinge to it. A crown of tufted blond hair, rings her bald head. A brightly coloured cloak flows behind her, supported by an unseen breeze. Her name is PZAAL. She is the guardian of this place. Its undisputed master. She slows, then stops. Gazing out onto her domain. We see an open flat plain of sand, bordered by banded cliffs of ancient rock. Then the peaceful moment is interrupted by a voice to her right. We see a man standing on the sand below her. He's dressed in somber coloured, protective clothes, that seem proper for this environment. His name is TEO TIHUACAN. He does not belong here. TEO TIHUACAN (to Pzaal) It's beautiful, isn't it? PZAAL waves a disinterested hand at him. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) You know, I'm actually real. You just can't dismiss me, like I was some holographic projection. PZAAL eyes him strangely. Her left hand performs an odd gymnastic incantation. Behind them, a bright flash of light disgorges an ominous looking missile, locked onto TEO TIHUACANS' position. He gives her a very rude look. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) That, was a mistake. He activates a control on his belt, creating a blue hole beneath his feet. He falls into it, vanishing from the scene. PZAAL regards this moment as a mere distraction and returns to her attention back to her desert kingdom. Then, the unseen breeze supporting her cloak, vanishes. Its flowing folds descend behind her, covering the edges of the glowing disk beneath her feet. # 2. She turns, perplexed, at this strange malfunction, seeing the missile behind her acquire a new target. Then her problems increase. Her cloak triggers a short circuit, the glowing disk dissipates, she falls on to the hot sands below. The missile travels then past her, exploding some distance away. PZAAL jumps back up from the ground, in pain. The hot sand burning her hands. She attempts a scream, but super heated air fills her lungs. Blood gasps from her seared lips, her hands burnt claws. As she collapses, a blue hole opens beneath her, she falls through it and away from her torment. DISSOLVE TO: INT. - DESERT CAMP SITE - SOME TIME LATER We see an odd semi-structure erected on the sand. Square panels form a raised floor above the desert. Along the sides, an open metal framework, defines seemingly unfinished walls. It appears fragile and open to the deserts wrath. There is no roof, but the interior seems adequately shaded. Within, rooms are sectioned off, some with familiar functions. Others containing unknown pieces of equipment. CAMERA MOVES IN on one sectioned room. We see a raised glowing platform, with a rectangular box-like structure on top. As we watch, the centre of the box splits open. Then spreads apart, forming wings on either side. From the inside, a platform rises up, holding a body. It stops, locking into the outside wings, creating a larger slab. We move closer towards the body. It is PZAAL, healed from her injuries. She looks peaceful, lying still, her arms by her sides, her head supported by a solid cylindrical pillow. She's dressed in an opaque white body stocking, which ends at her neck. Her blue skin providing a sharp contrast to her brighter surroundings. Then a line of bright light, slides up across her body, from her feet to her head. The slab below her darkens. We see her move, breathe, become aware. She sits up suddenly, remembering the pain. Then she seems to push the memory away. Her expression changes quickly. As if, all of this were to be expected. Her regal bearing returns. She moves her body over to the right. Then pulls herself forward, lowering her legs over the edge of the slab. She surveys the room. Hesitant, but assured that everything will be to her satisfaction. She raises her hands, sealed with the same white material covering her body. Then tries unsuccessfully to remove the gloved areas on her hands. A voice, from behind, cautions her. TEO TIHUACAN I'd leave that on for a little longer. # 3. She turns and sees her former adversary, standing closely to her front. He appears to be in another sectioned off room, separated from her by the same open metal framework, defining the interior of the structure. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) My name is Teo Tihuacan. I am Alien to this world. She glares at him, saying nothing. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) And you are Pzaal. Guardian of Paaz'tok. She looks slightly confused. PZAAL Where? TEO TIHUACAN So formal introductions aren't necessary? She changes the subject. PZAAL Why did you do that? TEO TIHUACAN Save your life? PZAAL No. Not die. He smiles at her. TEO TIHUACAN Unfortunately we are enemies. Dying isn't part of my game plan. She stands up, with a point of order. PZAAL You are mistaken. We have no enemies. We are above petty notions of property and conquest. There is no conflict within our domain. We maintain order. TEO TIHUACAN Your minions have been lying to you. # 4. PZAAL asserts her authority. PZAAL (imperial) You will not speak to me this way! TEO TIHUACAN Or what? She assumes that he's playing being foolish. She smiles at him. PZAAL You are a funny creature. TEO TIHUACAN (inquiry) Funny, Ha-Ha? Or funny strange? PZAAL (perplexed) What? TEO TIHUACAN Please understand. We are at War. You are my prisoner. She dismisses him. PZAAL Go away! TEO TIHUACAN I'm not the one in the cage. She steps forward, onto the floor surrounding the platform. Then reaches out into the space between them. Her hand is stopped by a wall of light, contained by the metal framework. She barks an order at him. PZAAL LET ME OUT! TEO TIHUACAN Why? PZAAL (confused) What? TEO TIHUACAN Why should I let you out? PZAAL I have things to do! # 5. TEO TIHUACAN (shrugs) Such as.... PZAAL (haughty) That is none of your concern! TEO TIHUACAN (direct) And none of yours, either. You've been here for the last five months. You've missed all your appointments. PZAAL (dismissive) Nonsense! He points at the structure beneath her. TEO TIHUACAN The Medical Unit, can only do so much. It still takes a certain amount of time to heal. Please understand, you've been here for a while and will be here for a while longer. She steps back hesitantly, her confusion marked with an unknown fear. PZAAL I don't understand. TEO TIHUACAN Please note, everything that you were, is gone. Everything that you had hoped, will never be. You are the first prisoner in this war. You must remain here until I say otherwise. PZAAL (panic) No, others will come. They will find me. TEO TIHUACAN You would think that they would. But as yet, they haven't. No one has come. You have not been missed. # 6. She seems in control of her panic, although she speaks to him rather flatly. PZAAL That's impossible. They will come. I have many friends. Extremely important people. TEO TIHUACAN No. You are alone. Her expression changes. She glowers at him. He offers no solace. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) I have been on this Planet for three hundred and twenty four years. You are the only member of your Race, who has ever ventured here. I doubt that any of your important friends even know of its existence. You are alone. PZAAL (stern) You're lying. TEO TIHUACAN About what? Her control begins to slip. PZAAL (quick) You will release me! TEO TIHUACAN (snide) You forgot to threaten me. She makes a rather childish noise, then turns her back on him. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Perhaps you're tired. We will continue at another time. She turns back to him, stamping her feet. PZAAL (loud) You will release me, now! He takes a silent moment, then changes the subject. # 7. TEO TIHUACAN Would you like something to eat? His offer is not accepted pleasantly. PZAAL (disgusted) Don't be rude! He seems pleasantly amused at her outburst. TEO TIHUACAN Yes, that would be your odd fixation with food. PZAAL (correct) That is not a proper subject. TEO TIHUACAN My Race, on the other hand, spends most of its time planning, producing and preparing our meals. It's the centre piece of culture. PZAAL (impatient) Be quiet! TEO TIHUACAN Oh don't worry, I wasn't planning on eating you. PZAAL (worried) What? TEO TIHUACAN (shrugs) That was a joke. PZAAL (direct) You will desist with this subject matter. It is rude and offensive. TEO TIHUACAN In my culture, it's rude to talk about Sex, Politics or Religion. PZAAL I'm not really interested. # 8. TEO TIHUACAN But, as a mathematical expression, this would encompass the Beginning, Middle and End of life. A complete equation that seems to condemn us all to silence. PZAAL (terse) I said, I wasn't interested. TEO TIHUACAN (inquiry) Think it'll rain? PZAAL What? TEO TIHUACAN The exception to the Rule. PZAAL You're not making any sense. He takes a short moment, then addresses her somberly. TEO TIHUACAN It is necessary for you to accept your current status. But, do not be afraid, there are volumes of rules that must be followed. Regardless of your own personal misgivings, you will be feed, sheltered and not put into any danger. Her bearing stiffens. PZAAL (nervous) I am not frightened. TEO TIHUACAN Of course you are. This is to be expected. Your fate is in my hands. Her control slips significantly. PZAAL (defensive) Let me out! He smiles pleasantly, standing still, at her demand. # 9. TEO TIHUACAN We could spend the time constructively, after all, this Planet is your home. PZAAL (loud) It is not! TEO TIHUACAN This is Paaz'tok, the original home of your Race. A little rough, here and there, but extremely fascinating. He may have hit another nerve with her. She responds aggressively. PZAAL Lies! Her hands form fists, light splashes as she beats on the barrier separating them. PZAAL(CON'T) You cannot fool me with your lies! You will pay for this insolence. TEO TIHUACAN Please step back away the barrier, you may injure yourself. Her eyes widen in hate. PZAAL (frothy) You will die!... All of you!... Everywhere!... Nothing will remain! TEO TIHUACAN (calmly) There are five trillion of us. A logistical task, that may exceed your abilities. PZAAL We will destroy you! TEO TIHUACAN Your arrogance, shall be your undoing. # 10. She screams loudly at him, then strikes the wall of light. This time however, its' power level has been increased. Her blow is reflected, pushing her forcefully back towards the slab. She looks slightly dazed, but unhurt. Only her pride seems diminished. PZAAL (wounded) You have no right. Her captor continues with the object lesson. TEO TIHUACAN (rapidly) What is your current population? How many star systems have you subjugated? What is your Gross Imperial Product? Do you have a deficit or surplus? PZAAL (quietly) I don't care. TEO TIHUACAN (angry) YOU DON'T CARE! PZAAL (defensive) No I don't. TEO TIHUACAN (loud) THEN YOU'RE NOT IN CHARGE! She seems unimpressed by his outburst. But offers no rebuttal. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) (loud) WELL! She looks away before answering. PZAAL (haughty) Ridiculous. He smiles at her. TEO TIHUACAN I take it, you've never been interrogated before. # 11. The mood suddenly changes when a buzzing sound, somewhere in his clothing, alerts him. He looks at her apologetically. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) (distracted) I have to go.... But, feel free to pontificate in my absence. He turns to his left, walks forward a few steps, down an open corridor. A wall of light appears in his path, contained by the metal framework defining the structure. He steps through it and vanishes. PZAAL accepts his departure as common place. Treating this method of transportation as normal. Her thoughts turn elsewhere. She sits down on the edge of the slab, staring out at the desert sands. Time arcs across the sky. The Sun creating new shadows in this ancient place. She returns to her past behaviour, holding court over this hot, unforgiving kingdom. Her captor forgotten, or ignored as a momentary distraction. She lies back down on the slab, her head supported by the solid cylindrical pillow. Walls solidify in the open framework of her cage. The unseen roof shading disappears. Allowing the full force of the Suns' light to flow over her blue skin. She seems happy. Then, an indeterminate amount of time passes. Days and nights having no defined meaning. PZAAL lies absorbed in the Suns' hard light. Her white coverings long dissolved away by its' intensity. She's dressed only in her original undergarments, revealing her skin to the light. Her body appears a darker, deeper blue. Somewhat healthier. Her blond tufted hair grown longer, still forming a crown about her bald head. But this moment ends. The roof shading returns. The walls dissolve. TEO TIHUACAN stands waiting for her on the other side of the cage. TEO TIHUACAN Enjoying yourself? She sits up, looking at the darker colouring on her arms and legs. PZAAL (relaxed) Yes. Very nice. She slides effortlessly off the slab, towards him. She stands up, stretching unused muscles, making girlish groans. She smiles at her new dark blue skin. She seems at peace. # 12. PZAAL(CON'T) But why must it end? It's all so delightful. ....You could join me. TEO TIHUACAN I'll have to pass. My people have done the 'Blue Thing'. PZAAL Really? Why did they give it up? TEO TIHUACAN Having a photo synthetic organism, beneath ones skin, may be very beneficial. But, in the long term, it creates a certain Apathy, that becomes addictive. PZAAL (shrugs) Really, I hadn't noticed. Her demeanour becomes slightly squirmy. PZAAL(CON'T) (looks around) Where are the facilities? TEO TIHUACAN (points) In the corner. That large round disk, engages the privacy screen. PZAAL (nods) Thank you. She skips over to indicated corner, a cylindrical wall forms around her. We hear bathroom noises. Water flowing, flushing. He realizes that she may be indisposed for an unknown amount of time, so he rearranges the furniture. The slab and pedestal descend into the floor. To be replaced by a living room set, created by unseen forces within the structure. A matching set appears on his side of their undefined cell door. He sits down on the couch, waiting patiently. She eventually makes an entrance. The privacy screen falls away, revealing a made over PZAAL, clean and shiny. She's wearing an elegant dark blue dress, which matches her new skin colour. She sits on her couch, adjusting the folds of her dress for maximum effect. # 13. PZAAL You don't mind if I wear this, do you? There's some very nice things in that wardrobe. TEO TIHUACAN No. If it's there, it's yours to use. Feel free. PZAAL Thank you. You know, this is a very nice fabric. I don't think I've ever seen it before. She moves the material between her fingers, enjoying the texture. She seems calm and quietly distracted by some inner tranquility. TEO TIHUACAN It's one of ours. She answers rather blankly. PZAAL Really, that's nice. Another thought crosses her mind. PZAAL(CON'T) You know, I've been thinking.... TEO TIHUACAN (interrupts) Of course you have, all the Poisons have left your system. PZAAL (confused) What Poisons? TEO TIHUACAN All those rather odd things you consumed before. None of them did you any good. She makes an odd facial expression. PZAAL (stern) And you're being rude again. Just when I thought that you'd decided to play nice. # 14. TEO TIHUACAN As I said before, there are rules that must be observed. A full disclosure of your health, being one of them. She actually hasn't heard him. PZAAL And as I said, I've been thinking. TEO TIHUACAN What about? PZAAL You said that you'd been here for three hundred years. TEO TIHUACAN Three hundred and twenty four years. She smiles, as if she's caught him in a lie. PZAAL Yes, but nobody lives that long. So your statement is false. You're hiding something. TEO TIHUACAN I am currently eight hundred and forty three years old. My maximum life expectancy is fifteen hundred years. But you never now. Instinctively, he looks up to some unseen object. She seems puzzled at this odd action. PZAAL (puzzled) Why did look up, just then? TEO TIHUACAN A small ritual. You never know if some large object is about fall from a great height. PZAAL (annoyed) I don't understand? TEO TIHUACAN Bad things happen at the most unexpected moments. # 15. PZAAL (sarcastic) Really. That sounds ominous. TEO TIHUACAN The Universe is an unrelenting master. But a good grasp of Physics can take the edge off certain paranoid fantasies. And let you get on with your life. She seems unconvinced. PZAAL I still doubt your telling me the truth. TEO TIHUACAN Why would I lie? Her sense of calm diminishes slightly. PZAAL (stern) You cannot deceive me. I know the truth. Your covering up some deception. You might as well confess. TEO TIHUACAN And you'll be lenient with me? She makes a hissy noise, turning away from him. He doesn't relent, but stands, giving the desert an introduction, with a wave of his hand. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Know that this is Paaz'tok, the original home of your Race. At first glance, an ancient world, long dead. But deep below the surface, still thriving with life. She snaps back, nervously chastising him. PZAAL (quickly) Why do you keep saying that? It's not true. This world is nothing. A forgotten dead memory. A horrible discarded place. # 16. TEO TIHUACAN Then why do you keep coming back? She remains oddly silent, unmoving. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Would you like an answer? She turns away again. Holding back some unspoken truth. Still standing, he turns to his left, pointing at something in the distance. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) There. That is where your answer lies. She looks out into the desert, trying to see what he's pointing at. PZAAL Where? What am I supposed to see? He smiles at her, then says something she doesn't understand. A large video screen appears to his front. The image initially showing a view directly to his front, then it slowly moves forward, bringing the distance closer. It stops, showing some ancient banded cliffs. TEO TIHUACAN What do you see? PZAAL Nothing. TEO TIHUACAN (points) What about these cliffs. PZAAL What about them? He moves forward, indicating the banded rock formations on the screen. TEO TIHUACAN These dark banded areas. They entire history of this Planet is written in these rocks. PZAAL (lost) I don't understand. # 17. TEO TIHUACAN This is sedimentary rock. Laid down in shallow seas over three hundred and fifty million years ago. I've been collecting fossil evidence for some time. It's really fascinating. PZAAL How do you know this? TEO TIHUACAN I'm a Paleo Biologist by trade. PZAAL You're in trade? Her remark has an Imperial snubness to it. He corrects her. TEO TIHUACAN Figure of speech. PZAAL Really.... She poses him a question. PZAAL(CON'T) What was that gibberish you spoke earlier. He thinks for moment. TEO TIHUACAN Oh, yes. The main computer responds only to commands in my own language. She looks at him very oddly. PZAAL (scolding) Your own language? Nonsense. Why would need your own language? That's absurd! TEO TIHUACAN (disappointed) Your showing your ignorance again. She stands, stabbing a finger at him. # 18. PZAAL (loud) You will not speak to me in that manner again! For a moment, he stands unmoving, staring at her accusing finger. Then he sits back down shaking his head. TEO TIHUACAN If you haven't noticed, that thing you keep trying to do to me, just doesn't work. My Race is immune. If you continue, you may injure yourself. She sits, making as much noise as she can. PZAAL (correct) To what are you referring? TEO TIHUACAN (explains) It's an interesting adaptation. Your Race doesn't need that much sleep. I believe three hours, every six days. Then there's your food requirements. Your basically a predator. One large meal every three days. Very messy. But alone, and away from the pack. Lest they steal the carcass from you. Something now part of your cultural norm.... Then there's the 'Blue'. PZAAL (loud) What about it? TEO TIHUACAN It gives you a slight mental advantage. The ability to influence others, to do your bidding. PZAAL (shrugs) So? # 19. TEO TIHUACAN Addictive apathy, remember. PZAAL And your people are immune? He taps his head slightly. TEO TIHUACAN (smiles) Dead heads, actually. PZAAL What? He sits back comfortably and explains. TEO TIHUACAN Thirty thousand years ago, my race lived on only one Planet. Our life expectancy was around a hundred years. Then we moved into space. First to our own large Moon, then to another Planet in our Star System. He takes a moment, checking her level of attention. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) The word 'Resources', always seems to come to mind. We found it prudent not to export our home world into space.... Fortunately the outer system was filled with a lot of rocks and several junior gas giants. Raw materials in abundance. Ready to be processed by a freshly built infrastructure, for that leap to the Stars. An adventure spurred on by an expanding population.... He stops, then pours himself a glass of water from a bottle next to his couch. He lifts it up, offering it to PZAAL. She just stares at him, saying nothing. He drinks, puts down the glass, then continues. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Who, of course had to be fed. The menu of choice was a single cell protein material, known as Bulk B Processed. # 20. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Cheap, plentiful and still consumed to this day. It lasts forever and can be prepared to suit to any taste. It also significantly improved our immune systems, to the point where our life expectancy rose to one hundred and fifty years. I won't bore you with the effects of the Delta Five Virus or all those other small bits of personal improvements. (shrugs) But, our skull is thicker and there's a denser area in the speech centres of our brains. Basically we're immune to your mental Voodoo. (taps head) Dead Heads.... Does that answer your question? She doesn't really respond. She sits, staring intently at him. He notices the muscles on her neck are tight. Her hands clenched. Small veins on her forehead begin to appear. She's trying, rather unsuccessfully, to control him. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) (warning) Please try not to injure yourself. She doesn't appear to be listening. He says something to the computer. PZZALS' eyes open wide, her hands unclench, her whole body seems to stretch out. She begins to tremble, then shake uncontrollably. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) This is what I like to call: A Moment of Pure Pain. He waits a few more moments, then says something else to the computer. She collapses onto the floor in a small fluffy blue heap. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) It's a combination of ultra high sound frequencies that cause the organism in your skin to 'short out' their natural bio electric charge and overload the pain receptors in your central nervous system. # 21. He stands up, moving closer to the barrier separating them. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) You can thank the Potato Head People for that one. (thinks) Or was the Great Evil? Anyway, it really doesn't matter. You should feel pretty horrible for the next couple of days. So, drink plenty of fluids. He moves away from her, past his living room furniture, to another part of the structure. We see the somber coloured desert clothes he had been wearing earlier. He changes into them, then exits out into the desert. We can hear him humming the entire time. He returns sometime later, we see PZAAL sitting on her couch, looking like a used rag. There are several empty water bottles on the floor next to her. He changes back out of his desert clothes, then sits back down in front of her. She lifts her head up to look at him. There is a small dried crusty something, in the left corner of her mouth. She looks spent, but speaks to him first. PZAAL What is it that you want? TEO TIHUACAN If you had continued, you would have injured yourself. Your blood pressure was extremely high. You were on the verge of cardiac failure. Not to mention irreversible brain damage. I couldn't let you do that to yourself.... Besides, your the one who wanted us to play nice. She sits up and wipes away the crusty bits from her mouth. PZAAL (painful) That really hurt. TEO TIHUACAN It was suppose to. PZAAL Do you plan on doing that again? # 22. TEO TIHUACAN I'm not sure. Do you plan on hurting yourself again? She picks up the nearest water bottle and takes a large gulp. Then gives him an accusing look. PZAAL You didn't answer my question. What do you want? He smiles, collects his thoughts. TEO TIHUACAN Well, I'd have to tell you another story. And you'd actually have to listen. She takes another gulp of water. Answers him. PZAAL Fine. I'll listen. He doesn't seem convinced. TEO TIHUACAN Would you have relented? Or would you have continued the pain for your own amusement. PZAAL (loud) Just say what you have to say. He sits back again, getting comfortable. TEO TIHUACAN When my Race went out into Space, we had all sorts of preconceived notions about other life forms. But, we just didn't find any. On the whole, it was all pretty empty. So we concentrated our efforts on the Planets. There are three categories. Gas Balls, Goo Balls and none of the above. The last group includes the Primaries, like this one. PZAAL (interrupts) Why is it so important? # 23. TEO TIHUACAN These places are unique. The Life here, formed from a primal soup. In my Galaxy, there are only eleven such worlds. My own world, Mother Dirt, and ten others, all covered with bacteria. The second Galaxy we visited had Two Hundred and ninety four, the third only one. Given the total number of Stars in the Universe, they become a statistical anomaly. That none of the above category. PZAAL (inquiry) How many Galaxies have you been to? TEO TIHUACAN Including yours, Seven. PZAAL (rudely) Is that all you do, visit these Primaries? TEO TIHUACAN No, we live. Expand. Produce. Create territory. Bring life to lifeless places. We still look at the Universe with a sense of awe. At its' vastness and beauty. Its' cruel unrelenting harshness.... Questioning everything. Hearing silence. PZAAL (frowns) That all sounds boring. TEO TIHUACAN (ignores her) We've never been that Imperial. Oh, there've been moments of internal instability. But, you know what they say, what ever doesn't kill you, makes you stronger. # 24. PZAAL (flatly) Really. I've never heard that. TEO TIHUACAN Most of the civilizations we encountered, were already long dead. Just ruins to be plundered. And the living beings we discovered, were just too damn strange to believe. Let alone coexist with. After a while, we just weren't interested. PZAAL Who were the Potato Head People? TEO TIHUACAN A rather intrusive, sentient Plant. It infected hundreds of Races, using their bodies to propagate. Death was caused by Hydro Encephalitis. PZAAL And the Evil, you mentioned? TEO TIHUACAN A huge ancient mind, with an unknown agenda. It existed as a noncorporeal intelligence for several million years. We really don't know how long. But it controlled the thoughts of all living things within its' territory. It was pure Evil. It just had to go. PZAAL And you just killed it? TEO TIHUACAN Those of us, that had not been elevated to Dead Head status, heard it. Every day for six hundred years. We commemorate its' demise with a full day of silence. # 25. PZAAL (snarky) Sounds like you killed God! TEO TIHUACAN (smiles) I love the holidays. PZAAL looks a little put off by his remark. PZAAL (scolding) A direct answer is required for a direct question. You gain nothing by avoiding them. I still think you're hiding something. TEO TIHUACAN (rebuttal) You must ask the right question, to receive the right answer. And to ask the right question, you must already know part of the answer. Besides, I don't respond well to loaded questions. Or to Imperial Edicts. She gives him her best scowl. Then changes her mind slightly. PZAAL Why are you here? TEO TIHUACAN Back to that! Hmmm.... Normally we don't really get involved or interfere with other cultures, but in your case, we've made an exception. PZAAL (sarcastic) Why are we to be so honoured? TEO TIHUACAN Now listen to this very carefully. There is a certain poetry to the logic. She perks up a bit. Deciding to take an interest. # 26. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Your Domain encompasses some eighteen thousand Star Systems. Your Race has a population of seventy four billion. Your three minion Races have a population of about two hundred and fifty three billion. There are one hundred and ninety four client Races, with a population.... PZAAL (interrupts) How do you know all this? TEO TIHUACAN We've been watching you. PZAAL (worried) For how long? TEO TIHUACAN Nine hundred years. She stiffens slightly, not really knowing what to do. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) When we arrived on your periphery, we met this very strange Race. They attacked us, by trying to ram their small ships into our much larger vessels. He gestures a certain level of stupidity. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) It was all very odd. Until we realized that it was some sort of battle tactic. Their ships were made of heavy alloys, like Osmium and Tungsten. They used them like manned missiles. Brave, but not entirely cost effective. Eventually they damaged some important systems, so we had to stop them. Which I suppose, increased their learning curve, to the point where some of them felt attacking us wasn't in their best interests. He seems thoughtful for a moment. # 27. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Of course those that hadn't learned this lesson, attacked those that did. It was very messy. They all now live on six Planets and have been at each others throats for the last six hundred years. PZAAL That's all very amusing. TEO TIHUACAN Actually, they'd been keeping your Frog Soldiers at bay for several millennia. She appears caught off guard. PZAAL What are you talking about? TEO TIHUACAN They're green, have big eyes, look like Amphibians. And are armed to the teeth. She tells an unconvincing lie. PZAAL I've never heard of them. TEO TIHUACAN Regardless, they probed across your border and discovered one of the Planets we had Cooked. PZAAL (interested) What? Cooked? TEO TIHUACAN We take a standard Gas Ball and introduce a biological accelerant. Its' proper name is LMB one five six C. It consumes everything. In nine to eleven weeks, you have a nice Oxygen Nitrogen atmosphere and Oceans filled with wet moss. PZAAL (disbelief) That's not possible. He ignores her scepticism. # 28. TEO TIHUACAN Of course, once all the heavy gases are removed, and the pressure reduced, the land surface rises up. There's extended volcanic activity from another hundred years. Which pumps huge amounts of Carbon Dioxide into the atmosphere. Vegetation absorbs most of it. Large forests and grass lands. We introduce insects to consume the plants, then larger life forms to consume them.... Then comes the Glop Drop. PZAAL finds herself strangely fascinated by his description. PZAAL (inquiry) The what? TEO TIHUACAN Production facilities are constructed in orbit of the smaller gas Planets in the outer system. They consume Methane, Ammonia and Cyanide. Turning them into an organic sludge. This is encased in a large ball of water ice, which is conveyed, then lowered to the surface of the Planet. It fertilizes an area of one hundred million hectares, creating an agricultural production zone. Light manufacturing is added, then a population centre. Approximately ten million people will live there for the next thousand years. We have lived this way, close to nature, for twenty five millennia. We call them 'Burb Worlds'. PZAAL doesn't know what to say. It all seems to have overwhelmed her. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Of course, that's a standard operation. Your Frog Soldiers invaded a Shoe Lizard Farm. # 29. PZAAL A what? The video screen shows an image of a large marine iguana. TEO TIHUACAN This is a Shoe Lizard, so named as its' hide makes excellent foot wear. The meat is very palatable and quite good on pizza. The liver and kidneys, along with certain glands in the neck, provide an interesting Bio Chemical compound that's used in the cosmetics industry. The marketing name is Zarbal. PZAAL is about to ask another question, when an image of a Pizza appears on the video screen. PZAAL Oh!... So what happened to these Frog Soldiers? TEO TIHUACAN Well, they killed everybody on the Planet. Then they became extremely interested in the Shoe Lizards. PZAAL Why? TEO TIHUACAN They're very tasty. PZAAL finds his answer disconcerting, but pushes past her instinctive reaction to the subject matter. PZAAL You just let them kill all your people? You didn't fight back? Demand some retribution? TEO TIHUACAN Yes and No. She seems annoyed by this answer. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) We were a little peeved. But another opportunity presented itself. # 30. PZAAL Explain! TEO TIHUACAN There are approximately sixty billion Frog Soldiers. And basically, all they just wanted to do was sit in some nice warm tidal pool, eating Shoe Lizard. (pause) So we made a deal. After all they were just following orders.... Your orders. PZAAL Nonsense! He gives her a rather all knowing look. She looks away briefly. PZAAL(CON'T) Why would you make such a deal? You were adversaries! What happened to your sense of Honour? TEO TIHUACAN This was more of a tactical victory. Besides, they're also very tasty. PZAAL (shocked) What? You're not serious? TEO TIHUACAN They eat our food, therefore we get to eat them. Simple. PZAAL That's rather flawed logic. TEO TIHUACAN (shrugs) I don't care. PZAAL (angry) YOU DON'T CARE! He gives her another all knowing look. She isn't that happy. PZAAL(CON'T) You're making this all up. # 31. TEO TIHUACAN You soak the eyes in a red wine and pepper bisque, it really brings out the flavour. PZAAL appears nauseous. She strengthens her resolve. PZAAL Is this, that Poetic Logic you were speaking of? TEO TIHUACAN (shrugs) Not really. I guess, we got a little side tracked. He stops talking, rather abruptly. She sits, waiting for more. PZAAL (impatient) Well! He gets comfortable, preparing for a long explanation. TEO TIHUACAN There is an old saying: Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent, but War is merely an extension of foreign policy, by other means. PZAAL (put off) Do you have a lot of these old sayings? TEO TIHUACAN My favourite is: Every plan works perfectly, right up until the first bullet is fired. PZAAL (accusing) So you're working to some plan? TEO TIHUACAN Yes we are. Short version: (loud) You will die!... All of you!... Everywhere!... Nothing will remain! # 32. She remembers the words as her own. She tries to recover the advantage. PZAAL (correct) And how is all this suppose to happen? TEO TIHUACAN Well, you don't have an Army. We ate them. Literally. Your Minions have tried to fill in the gaps, but have only succeeded in reducing your hold on your Client Systems. You're very thin on the ground out there. Everybody is either on the verge of open revolt, or plotting a coup d'etat. PZAAL (disbelief) Ridiculous! TEO TIHUACAN (scolding) You live in a Holographic Fantasy. How would you know what's really going on? Your life is just one big Illusion! She seems hurt. Then oddly violated. PZAAL (frantic) You've been spying on me! Watching me! How dare you! She launches herself up from the couch and at the barrier between them. This time, an electrical current holds her in the light. It arcs through her body causing an incredible amount of pain. She screams silently amid the crackle of the sparks around her. He stops it after a short moment, rises up from his couch, moves closer to her smoking body. TEO TIHUACAN Now that's reality! She slowly looks up at him. Holding back her suffering. PZAAL (quiet) I am your prisoner, you said I would not put into any danger. # 33. TEO TIHUACAN I glad you've accepted the situation. I feel we've made a major breakthrough. I'm sure we can put the rest of your time here to good use. I'll provide you with a daily schedule of activities. PZAAL however, isn't as wounded as she would appear. She leaps back up, screaming as she beats on the barrier. The electrical charge passing through her harmlessly. Her words meaningless noise, he turns the walls black, isolating her inside. Some time goes by, before he decides to change the walls back to normal. The lack of sunlight has diminished her colour. Her demeanor however, remains defiant. She gives him a rather unrelenting stare. He responds with a look of disdain at the filthy condition of her room. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) I'm going to say this as plainly as I can. Your Race has decided to play God. You're all some sort of Minor Deity. Bad Move. The higher up you go, the farther you have to fall. Your Minions have constructed an elaborate fantasy world for you to live in, because none of them want to die at some whim. So now all your victims are made of light. Keeping you in the dark. (smiles) There will be a revolt and we don't want anybody else just replacing you. So we have to destroy the basic concept of your godhood. Also, fifteen billion of your people and the centre of your Empire. He sits down on his couch. She stares hate at him. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) You enforce this one language policy, because your afraid people will be saying things behind your back. Your all a bunch of Paranoid Sociopaths. You believe everyone exists just to serve you. # 34. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) You're cruel, wasteful, incompetent morons. You have no Art or Culture and you've destroyed everything that resembles independent thought. Just to prove your Superiority to a bunch of people living their entire lives in fear. Well, that's all about to end. Her level of defiance seems to decrease. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) All of your Minions will eventually turn on one another, using the Client Races as cannon fodder. They will fail. When they're gone, all the other Races will attack each other, creating a state of Chaotic War for the next four centuries.... Your Empire will become nothing but debris, to be recycled. All of this becomes just a bad memory. For a moment she looks concerned, her hands clenched, fighting an inner panic. She tries not to betray her emotions and looks away from him. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) (upbeat) Then there's the good news! He goes over to his right, retrieving a large plant inside a bell jar. She finds herself drawn to this new oddity. PZAAL What is that? TEO TIHUACAN We call it the Blue Blossom. In good soil, it grows into a small purple flowered plant. Producing a single peppercorn. In poor soil, it grows into this larger blue flower. Note the large tapered bowl shape. # 35. We see a closer look at the Tulip shaped flower inside the jar. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) It produces Hydrogen Cyanide Gas. Which kills small flying insects, who then supply nourishment for the seed pods at the base of the blossom. PZAAL (puzzled) Why is this important? TEO TIHUACAN Hydrogen Cyanide Gas is made of single atoms of Hydrogen, Carbon and Nitrogen. The Nitrogen wants to pair up with another atom of Nitrogen, forming an atmospheric gas. Forty per cent of this Planets atmosphere is Nitrous Oxide. There's also large amounts of Sulfur Dioxide. The Carbon becomes Carbon Dioxide and the Hydrogen becomes water vapour. PZAAL (confused) Why do I have to know any of this? TEO TIHUACAN These are the basic building blocks of life. How do you think all this came to be? Why do you think your even here to begin with? PZAAL (imperial) My actions are none of your concern! TEO TIHUACAN That's not really true, is it? Long before you were born, I spent a considerable amount of time and repaired this Planets Ozone layer. # 36. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Recreating the proper conditions for the 'Blue' to exist. Which is why I was called away that time. I've had this experiment running for the last three centuries. She doesn't really know what to think. All of this new to her. Confusing. She finds a safe place to anchor her emotions. PZAAL I don't know why any of this should concern me. You will desist from any further discussion on this subject. I will hear no more about it. TEO TIHUACAN No. PZAAL (angry) You will not use that word in my presence! He ignores her. TEO TIHUACAN It's all about the 'Blue'. PZAAL (denial) No it's not! TEO TIHUACAN Your Minions have hinted that your population should be increased, to fill in the gaps left by the departure of your Frog Soldiers. PZAAL (loud) Shut Up! TEO TIHUACAN Left alone, each of you could probably live for a hundred and seventy five years. But you don't have any other source of the 'Blue'. # 37. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) So at age eighty five, you all transcend to another level of existence. The polite version of denying the obvious. Each of you gives up your own personal supply, so your next generation can claim its' true place among the Gods. She goes into extreme denial. PZAAL (screaming) No!... No!... No!... No!... TEO TIHUACAN The only alternative, is to have your young feed upon you as they grow. Eat you from the inside, absorbing the 'Blue', like some festering parasite. PZAAL (frantic) Shut up, shut up, shut up.... She rolls herself into a ball, trying to shut him out. TEO TIHUACAN You've known this for a while. Which is why you come here. The conditions are perfect, the light just right, the 'Blue' within you healthy, energetic. No need for your transcendence. No need to be cut from the pack. (pause) Of course, this has all been my doing. You should thank me. Something primal asserts itself, within her. A controlled Predator emerges. We see her eyes change colour. Becoming bright yellow, burning with an ancient fire. Her muscles become taut, her senses acute. She puts one foot on the floor, the other balanced to push her forward. Her hands become claws, lethal and ready to strike. Then the Fire, becomes real. Yellow flames burning away her tattered clothing. It engulfs her body, forming a protective shield around her. Filling her with a renewed energy. She has no fear. # 38. The moment comes quietly and quickly. She leaps, passing through the barrier effortlessly, making no sound. She hits the floor and strikes. Her right hand reaching into his chest, tearing out his heart, before he can utter a single sound. She holds it out in front of his dying eyes, then bites into it, with a savage ferocity. Oddly, the blood appears to be an orange colour and the heart a single unit. A fact revealed by TEO TIHUACANS' voice, from behind and inside her previous accommodation. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) I would like to point out one or two flaws in your presentation. He holds up a Human Heart, with deep red blood dripping from it. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) This is what my heart actually looks like. Please note the six chambers and the colour of my blood. (points to heart) Unlike that orange stuff you use and the single muscle driving it through your body. She looks quickly back at her victim, who vanishes. She suddenly realizes the whole thing has been a fraud. Then the room changes, everything disappearing, reforming. MATCH TO: DISSOLVE TO: INT. - CUBE ROOM - CONTINUOUS .... They are both standing inside a large cube shaped room. It appears well lit and empty. The walls made from interlocking panels. The fire surrounding her goes out. We see her tough blue hide. Alien and unforgiving. She growls, waiting for him to make a mistake. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) There's nothing in the way. It's just the two of us. Predator versus predator. (pause) Please note. I am just a Man. (smiles) But, I do have a pointed stick. # 39. He holds up a long wooden staff, with one end sharpened. She lunges at him. He steps rather quickly, to the side, getting out of her way. Unsure of the distance, she keeps moving and hits the wall. As she turns, the long side of his staff, smashes into her head. He steps back quickly, as her feet sweep out, trying to trip him. She rolls forward, then up, only to find herself embedded on his staff. It all ends rather quickly. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) (happy) Nothing beats a pointed stick. We conquered a Planet with'em. He raises his hands in victory, parading for an unseen audience. We see the sharp end of his staff protruding from her back, holding her bleeding body at a slight angle above the floor. Orange goo flows from the front of her chest, her eyes seem to have changed back to their original colour. She coughs more orange liquid onto the floor. He crouches down, a short distance from her, still not sure how close he should get. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) You know, we didn't finish our talk. I think we still have some time left. He stands up and backs away from her. Then looks up at the inside of the cube. We understand his command. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Computer. Run Weather Program Tango One. Show visuals. They appear to be back in the desert. With the inside of the cube showing an interlocking framework of video screens. The desert suddenly comes alive with Blue flowers, spreading quickly to the horizon. Then a mist seems to form, rising upwards, thickening. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) This parts really interesting. That mist is the water vapour I mentioned. Eventually it will form a thick layer around the entire Planet, with the balance shifting between the water vapour and the Carbon Dioxide. One wanting to hold on to the heat and the other trying to loose it. Slight differences in temperature will cause winds to form. The weather patterns creating a whole new dynamic. Revitalizing the entire Planet. # 40. We see a view from above the Planet, thick clouds darkening. Winds forming into storm fronts, scouring the surface of this ancient world. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) (anticipation) Wait for it.... Almost.... (points) There! The darkened clouds suddenly burst forth with a torrent of rain. Then we see the entire Planet under a cascading deluge. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Of course, this event won't happen for another One Hundred and sixty three years. And you'll be long dead. Actually in another twenty to thirty minutes. So lets run everything a little faster and see how it all turns out. He addresses the inside of the cube again. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Computer. Increase simulation speed three thousand per cent. The rain continues. Although one or two clear spots seem to open up. Eventually the clouds begin to thin, forming regular weather patterns. We see a huge Planetary Ocean, with three large continents. Green patches appear on the land masses, bordered by river systems and lakes. An Ice Cap flows up from the Southern hemisphere, then flows back again. He seems put off by the Ice. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Sorry about that. It just happens. There's nothing you really do about it. Weather is the essence of Chaos. Unpredictable, unforgiving. He looks at her lying on the floor, dying. Then he gets an idea. He steps forward and touches the Planetary display. They appear to fall towards the Planet, to an area where the land meets the water. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Computer. Adjust display. The cube room dissolves. MATCH TO: # 41. DISSOLVE TO: EXT. - BEACH - CONTINUOUS - DAY .... To be replaced by a sandy beach, the ocean surf crashing a short distance from PZAALS' feet. She can feel the sand beneath her. Smell the light breeze, see sea birds caught on an updraft. It's all very real. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) So, do you like it? This is Paaz'tok in fifteen centuries. He doesn't really expect an answer, so he walks closer to the surf. Stepping in the water, feeling it flow over his feet. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Personally, I think this is going to be some of my best work. Trees, flowers, life in the sea. A thriving eco system. Unfortunately the 'Blue' is eaten by six or seven different kinds of Phytoplankton. (pause) But considering yours is the only Race who really needs it and you won't be here anymore, I don't see a down side. For some reason she hasn't died yet. She's lying on her right side, most of his spear sticking out of her chest. She looks at him rather dispassionately. Sits up slightly, then pulls the shaft out of her body. She holds her right hand tight to the wound, the pain strangely real. She then performs that odd gymnastic incantation with her left hand. There is another bright flash of light behind her. However, no missile appears. She leans to her right, trying to see what went wrong, but collapses in pain onto the sand. The flash of light begins to widen, pulse quickly, changing colour. Then an unknown voice makes an announcement. COMPUTER(VO) Interface established. TEO TIHUACAN walks slowly back from the ocean surf. TEO TIHUACAN (frowns) You always seem to doubt how effective your plan will be. # 42. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) (somber) I thought that you might have caught on when the cage obeyed your commands to go into sunlight mode. Also, when my simulation had your internal organs and blood, I definitely thought you'd figured it out. (shrugs) We've known about all your computer implants for a long time. All we really had to do was push you into using them. Exposing your Central Processor Core to a rather invasive interface. (pause) The first casualty of War has always been the Truth. Something you can never really hide from..... But it does set you free. He looks up at the sky. We see a large falling star. A Meteor. It crashes into the ocean some distance away, a bright flash bathes them both in a hard nuclear light. The surf begins to retreat, flowing back into a large wave forming offshore. It rises up, then moves towards them, with silent indifference. TEO TIHUACAN(CON'T) Your final reward is here. Her eyes grow wide with panic as the huge wall of water towers past them. DISSOLVE TO: INT. - DESERT CAMP SITE - SOME TIME LATER We see TEO TIHUACAN standing inside his seemingly incomplete structure. He's staring out into the desert, just looking, smiling. A blue hole appears to his right, sliding upwards revealing an attractive young woman wearing a military uniform. He recognizes her. TEO TIHUACAN Ah, Control Six, how goes the battle. CONTROL SIX Marshall, I'm happy to report that it's over. Victory is ours. # 43. TEO TIHUACAN And the final count. CONTROL SIX They had one million seven hundred thirty eight thousand six hundred and forty three weapon systems installed. TEO TIHUACAN And we attacked with one million seven hundred thirty eight thousand six hundred and forty four weapons. CONTROL SIX Yes Marshall, your intelligence was incredibly valuable. We knew exactly where all of them were. A very infectious, satisfying smile, breaks out across his face. Then CONTROL SIX looks over at PZAALS' body bag. CONTROL SIX(CON'T) What do you want done with that corpse? TEO TIHUACAN Oh, have the Tech boys do their usual workup, before they put her in a pickle jar. CONTROL SIX Is there anything special I should tell them? TEO TIHUACAN Well, it may not be obvious, because of that huge wound in her chest, but the cause of death was drowning. CONTROL SIX nods, making a note of his request. The Marshall points up towards the setting sun. As it begins to disappear behind a mountain, colours flash brightly through the rock. The sky burns with an intense glow. We see them both smiling, the light reflecting from their faces. FADE OUT. THE END #