New America

Cloudy. Raining. Thunder crashes in the distance.

THOUSANDS OF ARMED GUARDS (army uniforms), standing like the Queen’s Guards, all point their guns out toward the sea. At:

Hundreds of boats, of all shapes and sizes, floating away.

YOUNG GAUTAM (mid 20s, Indian) stands in front of the guards. He has an impressive number of medallions on his uniform.

He watches ANIKA (20s, Indian), on a boat, _leading_ the other ships. She looks back at Gautam with contempt and disgust.

Why isn’t dad coming?

YOUNG AMIR (8, Indian) looks up at her. She wraps her arms around Young Amir, and turns him away from seeing the shore.

He chose a different path.

But why?

Corrupted priorities, darling.

Suddenly, COLONEL (30s) sprints up to Young Gautam.

(panicked)

You let them get away?

Sir, they’re following our orders.

I don’t give a damn! They’ll come back for us if she’s left alive.

Colonel raises his FUTURISTIC RIFLE (glowing magazine cartridge) and aims it at Anika.

Young Gautam’s eyes go wide, anxious. He puts a hand on Colonel’s gun and lowers it.

Sir, please, they--they’re not hurting anyone anymore.

Colonel shakes him off, aggressive, agitated.

Not yet.

(to Young Gautam)

Don’t play the fool now. It’s too late for regret.

(re-aims gun)

You knew this was coming.

While aiming, Colonel glances at Young Gautam, who’s turned away. His shame is palpable.

Colonel lowers his gun and hands it to Young Gautam.

Redeem yourself, Lieutenant.

Pause on Young Gautam, petrified.

Go on.

Young Gautam vehemently shakes his head.

Sir, I can’t--

(raising his voice)

Prove yourself to this nation. Prove to me you’re still on the right side of history.

Sir, ple--

(shouts)

Do as you’re told Lieutenant, or you’ll be under “Vanguard”’s wing.

(soft)

We both know what he’s capable of.

Pause. With fear in his eyes, Young Gautam takes the gun.

He cocks back the hammer, causing the purple pulsing from the magazine to ENCAPSULATE the entire gun. He aims it at Anika.

Anika sees this. She glances down at Young Amir, making sure Young Gautam considers Amir, too. She shakes her head.

(soft)

Please.

Young Gautam’s anger builds, trying to pull the trigger. But he can’t. Finally, he shuts his eyes.

Anika looks down at Young Amir.

Darling, listen closely. Don’t trust anyone, but your own heart.

What do you mean?

Everyone will tell you what you want to hear. Don’t trust a word anyone says, other than your own--

***BANG!!***

AMIR (30s now) shoots up from his bed, in a cold sweat. Breathing heavy and inconsistently.

Amir?

LEI (30s, Asian) sits up and wraps her arms around him.

Another one?

He nods, struggling to get his breathing under control.

I’m sorry.

Amir shakes her off, leaning forward, caving his posture in.

He gets up. His RIGHT LEG is made of METAL. It CLAMMERS against the metal floor with each step as he exits.

TITLE CARD: New America.

Bird’s eye view, looking down at what appears to be a lonely, decently-sized ISLAND with a town built on top.

As we fly in closer, we notice oddly-colored buildings, not reminiscent of any particular city or style.

Now, we see everything is MADE OF TRASH. Literally.

Dirty plastic everywhere, damaged bricks, broken shingles, broken doors that have been fixed with plaster and hot glue.

We fly through the city streets. The GROUND is made up of trash. Children’s toys, broken cement, disgusting clothing.

We soar through the center of town, where THREE FARMERS toil dirt, tending to a small garden of food amidst all the trash.

A miniature Town Hall, pillars and steps made of foam from an old movie set. A man in a SHODDY SUIT, that’s just barely too small for him, walks out with a briefcase. It’s taped shut.

The man hops onboard a MOLDY ELECTRIC SCOOTER and rides it through the town. We follow him into a plaza, he scoots past GARBAGE FOLKS, saying and waving hello to nearly everyone.

He reaches a vast lawn, dozens and dozens of tents set up:

Broken tents and tables display various types of foods, products, and handmade goods and crafts.

We can also see now that the lawn is made up of tons of fake grass pieces, barely stitched together.

Under one of the tents is FAY (17), with a banner above her reading, “FAY & CARLOS’ HOMEMADE GADGETS.”

She pitches to new people as they pass by:

(to First Passerby)

Morning Sasha, lookin’ for a new solar-powered A.C. Unit? No?

(to Second Passerby)

Good day Devon, in the market for a new razor? I got one that detects the best length for you on its own. Keep that one-of-a-kind beard in check with a one-of-a-kind razor.

JONAS (40s) approaches her, unhappy.

Hey there Jonas, how’s the refurbished rice cooker treatin’ you and the little ones?

The darned thing quit on me. Can you guys take a look at it?

Fay whistles to CARLOS (17, Hispanic), he sits behind her on a broken plastic white lawn chair. He didn’t hear her, he’s busy tinkering with the wiring of a _laser pointer_.

Carlos, you’re up.

He looks up, snapping out of it, and approaches Jonas.

Hey, uh, what’s wrong with it?

Carlos takes the rice cooker from Jonas and cracks open the back. He inspects the glue keeping the inner wires together.

Don’t know. It just quit on me mid-meal. Had to throw out my entire lunch. Y’all owe me a cup of rice.

Not so sure about that. You cracked my seal. Didn’t we warn you not to tinker with our fixes? You re-activated the manufacturer’s chip. They know we breached the warrant and shut the thing down remotely.

I just wanted it to cook faster, my son said he could fix it.

Your son’s confidence is stronger than his electronics knowledge.

Pause, Jonas clicks his tongue.

(disappointed)

How much to fix it again?

Carlos inspects further. Short pause.

Two-hundred dollars. You can pick it up tomorrow.

Jonas searches through his pockets.

What’m I supposed to feed the kids for dinner tonight?

Fay excitedly hands him a HOT PLATE, with knock-off Pokemon character designs all around it.

As a complimentary product for your returned business, we’d like to gift you our refurbished hotplate.

Carlos looks at her incredulously.

Just don’t push it past medium heat, and you’re good to go.

She beams, seeing Jonas’ relief, as he hands her one plastic dollar bill.

We can’t afford to keep giving away free product, Fay.

Carlos, Fay, and the other merchants pack their products and tents into boxes. No cars around, only scooters and bikes.

I knooow, I knooow. But he just looked so upset. Plus we’ll get that money back in returning business anyways. Didn’t you see how relieved he was? We lost a forty-dollar item, but made that back in respect.

Respect doesn’t feed us tonight.

No, but this two-hundred will. We’re making by. Oooh, that reminds me, I was thinking loaded lettuce for dinner tonight, you down?

You want loaded lettuce every night. Don’t you get sick of it?

Absolutely not! Come ooon, you know you can’t say no to loaded lettuce.

He stops what he’s doing and looks at Fay, he smiles warmly.

Yeah. You’re right. I can’t say no to loaded lettuce.

He helps her rig their plastic container of products onto the front of his damaged electric scooter.

They sit on a dock, a blanket under them, looking out at the empty sea. Not a single person, nor ship, in sight.

Carlos holds a half-eaten head of lettuce, inside it is a type of meat, sauce, melted cheese, all spilling out.

He nibbles a bit, then shakes his head and hands it to her.

I can’t. I’m tapping out.

Fay takes his half, just as she finishes the last bite of hers. She immediately munches on.

How does your stomach have room?

(mouth-full)

Bottomless pit.

Uh-huh.

He leans back and looks at the stars with admiration. Pause.

You ever wonder what’s out there, Fay? Like, beyond these shores?

She sighs.

Not this again.

Seriously, think about it. We keep reading all these stories from a world we don’t know. Shipments of their belongings, but most of it’s broken. Where’s it all coming from? And why are they giving it to us? What’s going on out there?

He looks at the garbage around them.

Doesn’t it confuse you? Look, even right here. Look.

He picks up a NEWSPAPER SHEET, made of a thin glossy plastic, and shows her a passage.

There’s always so much going on, but we only find out in bits and pieces as new shipments come.

All the stories written on those papers are terrible. Someone was raped, another was murdered.

He looks back out at the ocean, enjoying its peace and quiet.

Still, doesn’t it make you wonder who they are? What their lives are like? What’s causing all those atrocities? We’re all still people.

No. We’re not people to them. They give us their waste, because that’s how they see us. Waste. Otherwise they would take us to civilization with them. We’re a different species to them.

Carlos pulls out the laser pointer, fiddling with the wiring.

But we’re all still humans, right?

Nope. Not Landers or Toppers. They’re all rapists and murderers as far as I’m concerned.

(slight disappointment)

Even Toppers?

Long pause. He turns the laser pointer on. It shoots a RED BEAM at the ocean, the water _SIZZLES IN SECONDS_. Fay cheers.

There you go!

It abruptly fizzles out. She stops cheering. He sighs.

Too strong for the default battery. Keep your eyes peeled for a D-cell.

He puts it away and looks back out at the ocean. Fay looks down and takes a last big bite of her meal.

Carlos spots a faint but peculiar light twinkle, far out from the shore. He squints and leans forward.

What’s that?

Just as Fay looks up at the ocean, the light goes out.

What’s what?

... Nothing. Never mind. Ready to go? Got an early morning tomorrow.

He gets up and helps Fay stand.

It’s a wide, open space. Large metal table that fits a dozen chairs. Lei and Amir stand over it with a LARGE PLASTIC MAP.

We get to really see what the world looks like now: All six continents look significantly smaller, more spread apart, and less land overall.

_Antarctica doesn’t exist_. North America has no state borders, Canada does. The United States is also labeled “New America.”

Amir, with a sharpie, draws a circle just off New America’s west coast, and points to it.

We’re somewhere around here by now. In order to get here, we need to find another coast, since--

He draws X’s along New America’s west coast as he continues:

We can’t breach this front. Too heavily guarded twenty-four seven.

What if we go around?

With her finger, she makes a line going over and around Canada, then points at New America’s east coast.

That would take too long. Plus the east coast is too dangerous. We have more in numbers out here.

“More in numbers?” We can’t trust anyone out here. You keep thinking the revolution is going strong, but it’s not. It’s over.

Pause. He wants to refute, but knows she’s right.

He draws a line leading into Canada’s west coast.

What if we go through Canadian land? Corroborate with their customs and get in legally.

His line goes on, breaching the Canadian-American border, and finishes in Los Angeles.

You really think that’ll work? Will Canada let us walk right on in?

They’ll let _*you*_* *guys in.

Amir knocks on his METALLIC LEG.

Plus there’s no way I can ever sneak back on land again, not anymore. We’d have to split the crew. You’ll lead the land crew, I’ll keep two onboard to guard our ship.

Where will you go, though?

Amir slides his finger along the coast.

We’ll--

Suddenly, Amir WINCES from an extreme feeling of pain.

He CLUTCHES the edge of the map, wrinkling it into his fist--

A dirty, cut-up hand is shackled. It CLUTCHES a chain, experiencing the same pain. Just for a second, until we--

Amir’s fist releases the page. He leans down, breathing heavy, regaining control.

Pause as he’s unable to push himself up from the table.

He SLAMS his fist on the table, struggling. Lei helps him up.

His breathing softens, but still feels labored as he looks back at the map, remembering what they were in the middle of.

You alright?

He nods, forcing a monotone and stoic expression.

Are they getting worse?

Short pause. She scrambles for the nearby kitchen cabinets.

Here, it’s okay to take a pill, let me get you a glass of water--

No. This “split” is already over. I’m fine. Save the glass of water for something more important.

She approaches him, lovingly placing her hand on his back.

Are you sure? We can find more--

(ignoring her)

You and your half will travel on land, through Canada. The rest of us will trail beside you through the sea, as backup. If you find trouble, we’ll distract them from the shore, figure the rest out as we go. We don’t really know what’s awaiting us on land anymore.

Lei sighs, anxious by both Amir’s episode, and their plan.

That should work. Do we know where they’re hiding him?

No. He doesn’t know either. We need to find dad first, he’s been visiting Lochan weekly. The sad fuck’s trying to make amends.

Lei nods.

When do we tell the team we’re infiltrating to New America?

Pause. Amir ignores the question, staring down at the map.

Amir, we need to tell them the truth. They deserve to know what we’re getting them into.

The door leading to the ship’s deck opens, TRISTAN (20s, Black, sniper rifle slung across her back) enters.

We found a target. A bunch of male merchants.

Operation damsel?

Lei nods. They close their map and follow Tristan out.

TWO ARMED MERCHANTS stand on either end of the ship, watching the mostly empty seas.

One spots something out in the open, raises his binoculars:

Merchant POV: Amir’s ship is far away, a WHITE FLAG with “SOS” written on it flies high. Lei’s the only one on the ship. She frantically waves her arms about.

(to other merchant)

Hey! Wake up the others!

He looks back out at Lei.

Five merchants all stand at the edge, watching Lei as Amir’s ship gets close enough for them to communicate via shouting.

They continue to float closer throughout the scene.

Who are you!

Heeeelp! I’m all alone, I need help! I’m just a damsel, and I’m very much in distress!

The merchants all share a look.

What happened to your crew?

They all died in a freak accident! I’m all alone! Help! Please heeelp!

We should help her, she seems nice.

And rather pretty.

She could be lying. This is too strange.

Is anyone on the ship with you?!

Tall Merchant slaps the back of his head.

What’s the matter with you?

(hurt)

Whaaaat? You told us to communicate more, that’s what I’m doin’!

I’m all alone, and I’m scared! I’m low on food and water, I need help!

We can sell you some in the morning, it’s too late for business! We’re closed!

Pleeeaaaaase!

C’mon boss, who knows where her ship will float to by morning-time, what’s the harm in one more customer?

Tall Merchant looks down at Mustached Merchant.

How old are you?

Twenty-four, sir.

(aggressive)

It’s a miracle you’ve lived this long. As soon as you idiots see a pretty woman, your logic goes right out the godforsaken window.

(points/waves at the sea)

Look, there it goes. Byyyeee, bye logic, byeee. Nice knowin’ yaaah.

Oh come off it boss, no reason to be a jerk about it.

The lady’s got no malintent, let’s bump the prices up, too. She’s desperate, ain’t she?

(failing to start a chant)

Let her on, let her on, let her on, let her...

She’s so pretty too, pretty people are never mean--

Fine! Shut up, godforsaken damnit.

(to himself)

I need a new crew.

(to Lei)

You’re lucky my team’s full of stupid-ass simps. We’ll sell you food and water, but drop your weapons before you hop on board.

Thaaank youuuu!

As their ships float closer to one another, Lei retrieves her pistol and shows them that she’s placing it on the ground.

Binocular’d Merchant looks curiously at their flooring. He scans the railing, a balustrade design with vertical bars.

He spots AN ELBOW sticking out, just above the floor.

Abort! Abort!

Lei’s “damsel in distress” act quickly disappears, both ships are about a meter away.

(exhausted)

What are you going on about now?

She’s not alone! Abort! Get away!

Amir, ROY (40s) and JORDYN ( 20s) hop up onto the merchant ship, it violently rocks, too small to fit all nine bodies.

Curse you idiots, I despise every single one of you imbeciles—

***BANG!*** A Sniper rifle fires, Tall Merchant’s been shot in the forehead, blood spurts out. His body CRASHES into the ocean. Just as the fight gets too chaotic, we:

Amir leads his team down as they pick up anything and everything they think could be valuable.

Amir and DANNY (30s) look in a treasure chest, picking out jewelry pieces. Amir shows Danny a piece, whom inspects it.

Fake.

Amir tosses the piece away, and shows him another.

Fake.

They rinse and repeats.

Roy snags a few cases of 24 water bottles and carries them on his shoulders.

Lei packs bags of canned goods, food, and kitchen things.

Frozen & dried vegetables, bread, all of which have suspiciously colorful and **moon-inspired** brand designs on the packaging. One of which, for example, exclaims:

“MOON-MUNCHERS: WHOLE-GRAIN BREAD.

TASTIER IN SPACE THAN ON EARTH.”

Jordyn inspects a closet with magazine cartridges and various futuristic weapons, she looks at them like they’re toys.

They all sit at the metallic table with minimal food spreads. The air is lively and jovial, Jordyn tells a story:

So he pulls out his knife, right? And I’m like, ‘bro, really? You think that’ll do somethin’?’ Like, the nerve! I hate when they have undeserved over-confidence. Like, you really think a knife’s gon’ do somethin’ to me? To ME?!

Some “oohs” and “ahhs” from the crew as they listen on.

Amir laughs and smiles along, until he WINCES again. Leaning forward into the table, eyes wrinkled shut--

LOCHAN (20, Indian) is chained up inside a GLASS ORB, electrical currents run through him, smoke escaping his body.

he experiences excruciating pain, YANKING his arms from the chains, a meager attempt to break his wrist free--

Amir rubs his wrist, as if he feels the chain around him too. He pulls out a PILL BOTTLE, and downs one swiftly.

Jordyn continues her story in the background.

Lei puts a hand on Amir’s back.

(soft)

You okay?

He nods and stuffs his face with the uninspired plate of food before him.

Then, then when he tried to slice me from behind, I just went--

(swings a fist)

WHAM! Knocked the snot right outta his stinkin’ face!

Those boys got destroyed. They’re lucky they survived this long out here, to be honest.

Poor, poor idiots. Operation damsel makes a fool out of everyone.

Quit your celebrating. That was just another nothing-burger.

Nothing-burger? We restocked our entire kitchen. Got things to sell, too. They didn’t have any weapons worth more than what we got, but--

That food will only last us a week. Celebrating the smallest win won’t prepare you for the biggest battle. Eat up, stay on-guard.

The room goes quiet.

Suddenly, we hear radio static:

(frantic)

Bzzzzzz--land we’re about to--bzzz--available to help, please report!

Danny slips out of his chair and picks up the radio. He presses the speaker button--

Repeat, you’re cutting in and out.

(frantic)

We’re gett--bzzzz--ambushed at the--bzz--Pacific Garbage Island--bzzzz--please help us--bzzzzzzz...

Pause. Everyone looks to Amir for orders.

He looks to Lei, she’s slightly frowning. He looks back down at his food and shamefully says--

Not our problem.

(frantic)

Bzzzzzzzz--lease, please help, we’re not ready to fight pirates--

Danny, slightly mortified, turns it off.

A line of FIFTY ARMED SHOOTERS stand on the shore, aiming broken crossbows and FUTURISTIC RIFLES out at the sea.

These rifles also have glowing ammunition magazines, in varying colors. Purple. Red. Yellow. Green. Blue...

GARBAGE FOLK COMMUNICATOR (30s) shouts into his radio--

Please, if anyone out there’s catching this signal, come help us stand our ground at the Pacific Garbage Island!

(exasperated)

No one’s coming for us, grab your godforsaken weapon and fight!

Garbage Folk Communicator, in a panic, drops the radio and joins his fellow soldiers, whipping out a pistol.

There are dozens upon dozens of PIRATE SHIPS out on the sea, with different flag designs, coming toward us.

Suddenly, a _CANNONBALL_ with a _trail of FIRE_ soars toward us--

***BOOM!*** It smashes into the island and explodes into a fiery blaze. The Garbage Soldiers hit by the impact catch fire and roll around on the ground, trying to put themselves out.

LEADER (30s) aims his gun at the ships--

FIRE!

The rest of the Armed Shooters aim and fire. A barrage of bullets, with various color trails, hit the ships.

Red. Purple. Blue. Yellow trails behind each bullet. It’s hard to tell in this chaos, but _each bullet causes a different elemental type of effect_ on impact.

Small fires combust on some ships, lightning bolts travel a small distance from their points of contact. Purple, toxic-looking gasses form on and around some ships.

A few more GLOWING CANNONBALLS fly toward us and SMASH into the armed shooters, causing similar effects on the shore.

Horrific screams, gunshots, and explosions coalesce in the background. Carlos sleeps on a torn and dirty mattress.

Until Fay violently shakes him awake.

Carlos, wake up, we have to go!

He wakes up slowly, rubs his eyes and sits up, confused.

Fay (LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT) packs a luggage bag of clothing, valuables, and a few homemade electronics.

What’s going on...?

He peeks out their curtain, JONAS runs for his life.

***PAP!*** He’s been shot, and COMBUSTS into flames in front of us. He falls to the ground, SCREAMING as he burns alive.

Carlos, horrified, falls backwards and away from the window.

What--what’s going on?

We gotta go, come on!

Fay, with a fully-packed bag, helps him up. They dash out.

The garbage huts in this area are close enough together to create a small alleyway with just barely enough cover.

They sneak their way from hut to hut, watching the horror around, trying their best to hide from the many PIRATES.

Carlos stops behind one hut as he watches another innocent GARBAGE NEIGHBOR (30s) get SHOVED to the ground by a pirate.

Neighbor looks up at Carlos, they make extended eye contact.

(mouthed)

Go! Go!

Seeing Neighbor looking past him, Pirate turns toward Carlos.

He quickly dashes after Fay. The Pirate follows them.

(shouts)

Two young ones between the shacks!

At the end of the huts’ alley way is an EMPTY SEA, with small escape boats docked, ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

Just as they reach the end of the huts, HUSKY (30s) blocks their way to the boats, aiming a shotgun at them.

Fay, without losing sight of Husky, hands off the luggage to Carlos and whips out a DAGGER from her belt.

She DASHES around, trying to confuse him.

***BOOM!*** Husky SHOOTS at her, he misses.

Fay wraps around him and SLICES his waist. He HOWLS in pain, and tries to keep up with her, aiming his shotgun again--

***BOOM!*** She slides the other way, but DIRTY ARM grabs her by the collar, and picks her up: MUSCLES (20s, buff, tall).

Fucking rat.

He aims the shotgun at her head, point-blank--

Hey, wait. Boss might want her.

Let me go! I’m worthless to you!

Fay struggles against Muscles’ grasp, but to no avail.

She’s right, fighters are useless to Toppers. Let me finish her.

We’ll find some value outta her. She’s still young, they’re generally worth a lot more.

(to Carlos)

Get him, too.

They both turn to Carlos, he was watching all this with fear, shuddering. He’s clearly not a fighter. He backs up into--

SHORTY (40s), right behind him. They pick him up and strip him of his luggage.

You goddamn animals, let us g--

Husky HITS her out-cold with the butt of his shotgun. Carlos struggles in response, trying to break free.

Stop! Please! Pleas--

The same gun flies in and SMACKS him.

Everyone on the ship is spread out, on-guard, watching the populated sea from every angle.

Ships of all shapes and sizes surround them, each with customized sails and designs.

Roy does one-arm pull-ups on one side. He ends his set and stares off out at the ship in front of him:

Four men sit around a circular poker table. The flag above them reads:

“MERCS 4 HIRE.”

One looks at Roy, the others follow suit.

Roy nods to them.

They nod back, then turn back to their game.

On another side of Amir’s ship, Tristan uses binoculars to scope out ships much farther away.

BINOCULAR POV: We see a bunch of ships floating in the distance. They all say different things on their sails.

“HOMEMADE MEALS & WATER 4 SALE.”

“HOMEMADE MEALS 4 WATER TRADE.”

“MODERN & VINTAGE WEAPONS 4 SALE OR TRADE.”

“¡¡GR4PHIC DEZIGN SKILLZ 4 S4LE!!”

On another edge of the ship, Jordyn lies on a live cannon, upside-down. She watches a ship in front of her float by:

Four warriors try to look intimidating, showing off their weaponry. Their sail reads:

“FUCK U, STAY AWAY.”

(This ship will henceforth be known as the “stay away” ship.)

She blows them a kiss.

A few of them flip her off.

We PAN LEFT, to reveal a smaller ship right beside the “stay away” ship. Their sail reads:

“MED SUPPLIES, AMMO, 4 FOOD TRADE.”

Intrigued by the smaller ship, she flips right-side up, ducks below the balustrade, and KNOCKS on the ground THREE TIMES.

Amir and Lei take inventory and count their various supplies.

They hear the THREE KNOCKS from above, and huddle around the window and peer out at the two ships.

That’s a good target. Think those neighbors are gonna cause trouble?

They’ll let the merchants sink if they can survive for free.

Amir KNOCKS on the roof THREE TIMES, then in the direction of the “stay away” ship, KNOCKS ONCE MORE.

Jordyn holds her ear to the floor, and as if she received an order from Amir, nods and stands.

(to nearby crew members)

Y’all ready for some fun?

Roy and Tristan both jump to her side.

What’s the word?

Merchant ship is ours, leave the brooding cuties next to them alone.

Jordyn waves to grab DANNY’s attention, from the steering wheel, then points to the Merchant ship.

He nods, and turns the ship so the cannons face our target.

Roy and Tristan open a treasure chest full of GLOWING CANNON BALLS, in similar colors as the Garbage Island war-zone.

We get a better look at them, close up. They glow specific colors in vein-like patterns, almost like they’re alive.

Green. We don’t want to splash the angry fellas to the right.

Good call.

Roy retrieves a GREEN CANNONBALL and loads the nearby cannon.

Jordyn makes a “scoot over” gesture to the “stay away” ship.

The “stay away” ship begins to distance itself from the smaller merchant ship.

The three Merchants on their ship, watching all this play out, frantically turn their ship and steer it TOWARD the “stay away” ship, staying as close to them as possible.

One of the warriors on the “stay away” ship notices this and points his rifle down at the merchant steering--

***PAP-PAP-PAP-PAP-PAP***, he snags his arm. Steering Merchant falls on his back, holding his wound, CRYING in pain.

Second Merchant gets on his knees and prays, giving up.

Third Merchant, on the other end of the ship, blows up an inflatable boat, a box of can foods and waters beside him.

Jordyn stands at the cannon, Roy and Tristan watch the chaos.

(bored)

Can I fire yet?

They’re still too close together.

One of em’s escaping with our food!

I said hold--

***BOOM!!*** The cannonball fires, and HITS the merchant ship.

Although there’s minimal ship damage, a **powerful gust of WIND** strikes the merchants, they fly around uncontrollably.

The winds are so strong that a couple warriors on the “stay away” ship were hit, flying into walls and railings.

Booooom! Look at ‘em fly!

She ecstatically loads the next cannonball.

The warriors on the “stay away” ship irritatedly turn to Roy with open arms, offended.

(in the distance)

What the hell was that!?

Another Warrior on the “stay away” ship AIMS HIS GUN at Roy, another helps up his friends that were struck by the winds.

Wait for my goddamn order next time Jordyn, you’re gonna get us killed!

More KNOCKING can be heard coming from the flooring, but they’re all too distracted to catch the order.

You’re not my boss. Amir only knocked to the left once, not twice. Plus, I kinda wanna see what weapons they got over there.

She aims the cannon toward the Merchants, locked and loaded--

You won’t see what weapons they got if you die trying to--

***BOOOOM!*** Again, the merchants all fly around by a powerful gust of wind, minimal damage dealt to the ship.

The merchants land in the water, and quickly swim in opposite directions from the ship.

Y’all hear anymore knocks?

They all pause. All we hear is the Merchants crying.

Jordyn ends the beat sooner than it started--

Great, let’s load’er up and get some new guns.

She loads the next cannonball, as Amir and Lei sprint over--

What the hell is going on!? I knocked twice, didn’t you idiots hear me?!

Jordyn stops loading the cannon. Awkward pause as they all look at each other.

... You did?

Are you trying to get us killed?!

(points to Jordyn)

She is. I told her to hold.

Fake news. Plus, I only heard one knock before all this started!

I knocked twice AFTER the first cannon shot! Keep your godforsaken ears to the godforsaken ground!

Jordyn holds her arms up, in an “I’m innocent” gesture.

Hey man, these cannons kinda take up all my attention.

Your lust for murder takes up all your attention.

Same thing.

***PAP-PAP-PAP-PAP-PAP-PAP-PAP*** the warriors on the “stay away” ship shoot at them--

Everyone on Amir’s ship ducks behind the balustrade. They all retrieve their guns from their holsters.

I knew this was gonna happen. Jordyn ruins every siege.

You don’t know the shit leaving your own asshole, King Kong.

Roy points at Jordyn as she angles the cannon from below the balustrade.

(to Amir)

This is all her fault.

That’s a second thought Roy, first is getting your fucking _gun out_.

He does. Amir aims his futuristic pistol through the bars of the balustrade, and SHOOTS at the warriors. They shoot back--

***BOOOOM!*** Another cannon shot hits the “stay away” ship, bursting the point of contact into FLAMES.

One of the warriors loads their cannon in retaliation, and fires a PURPLE CANNONBALL at them--

***BOOOOM!*** It EXPLODES the area they’re in with a PURPLE GAS.

They evacuate the edge, hacking and coughing as they sprint toward the center of the ship, outside the purple gas’ range.

Bullets fly past them as they all regain their breath, lying on the metallic ship’s flooring.

(through coughs)

Is... Everyone... out?

He looks around, everyone is outside of the gas, except--

Lei!

Without a second thought, he takes a deep breath, pinches his nose, and dives back into the purple cloud.

Bullets fly past him as he searches. He finally finds her unconscious, vomit surrounding her.

Amir grabs her arm and helps her up, but as his nose is now open again, he COUGHS VIOLENTLY as he leads her out--

The crew pulls them out. Amir runs away from them and VOMITS.

Danny runs in with a MEDICAL KIT, and tends to Lei, while the rest of them grab the closest weapons they can, sidestep the cloud, and SHOOT at the “stay away” warriors.

The warriors fire back, the cloud slowly dissipates.

***BAM!*** One of the Warriors was shot in the heart. He falls, two remain.

Amir, recovered from the toxin, whips his pistol out and aims at the “stay away” ship.

He slows his breathing, aims his pistol through its tiny sights, and--

***BAP BAP!*** Clean shot, they both fall one after the other.

He drops his gun, gasping for air, exhausted. We still hear GUNSHOTS in the background.

Everyone’s stopped shooting, except for Jordyn.

Jordyn.

She stands behind the dissipating cloud, FIRING AN ASSAULT RIFLE, shouting like a maniac with a crazy look in her eye.

JORDYN!

She stops and turns to him, confused.

They’re gone.

She lowers her gun and frowns, disappointed.

Disgusting, atrocious conditions. Snack wrappers and liquor bottles littered across the floor.

Husky, Muscles, Shorty, and PIRATE CAP. (50s) sit at a moldy wooden table. They drink beers as they play poker.

Pirate Cap. talks on the phone in the background of the entire scene, in what sounds like a business dealing.

The following dialogue below is to be spread-out in bits and pieces throughout the rest of the scene:

I got seven fresh “pieces” for you... No, no fighters... Yeah, they’re all young... Uhhhh, twenty-ish, just one or two thirty-ish-es...Two female, five male... Yeah, yeah, we know the deal, we’ll sign the NDA’s n’ shit... They were just salvaged from the Pacific Garbage Island invade, just a few scratches each, all are still capable...

Four prison rooms connect to the cabin walls, METAL doors and slits to see through, populated by kidnapped Garbage Folks.

In one of them is Fay (still in her long-sleeved shirt) and Carlos, they watch the pirates through the slit in the door.

She and Carlos stand in this incredibly cramped space.

They speak in whispers throughout this scene:

They’re about five beers in, now.

(scared)

What are they gonna do to us?

That’s wasted thought, help me think of an escape plan.

She scans around the prison cell.

I don’t think that’s a good idea.

Didn’t you hear what they called us? They’re selling us as **pieces.** I’ve read what Toppers do to pieces.

So have I, they’re just gonna make us work.

She looks him dead in the eye, exuding fear, as she exclaims:

They’re just gonna make **YOU** work.

Pause as she cooks up a plan.

Do you have your laser-pointer?

They confiscated everything I had.

You didn’t teach ‘em how to use any of it, did you?

No.

Hey! Shut up over there!

Short pause. Fay looks around their small prison cell again.

She rubs her hand along the wet wood walls, it’s old and eroding due to water damage.

She pulls a POCKET KNIFE from her sock, and chips the wood.

What are you doing? We can’t swim away, don’t even know where we are.

She ignores him and keeps chipping.

Suddenly, a LARGE chip falls off, allowing them to peek into the ship’s INTERIOR WIRING/PLUMBING network.

As they play their game of poker, Husky watches Fay and Carlos’ cell with a suspicious side-eye. Muscles nudges him.

Your turn, bro.

Husky gestures to Fay’s cell with a head nod.

Why are they quiet all of a sudden?

They all turn to their cell.

Carlos, watching them from the door’s slit, quickly turns back to Fay, panicked, and whispers:

They’re onto us!

She hides her knife _UNDER HER SHIRT’S LONG-SLEEVE_ and stands in front of the chipped wall. Just as--

Muscles peeks in through the slit.

What are you two doing in there?

These were the two slippery ones, ‘member? I knew putting them together was a bad idea.

We’re outta cells, nothing more we could do.

Husky shoves Muscles away and peeks in, glaring at Fay.

Step aside.

Carlos steps to the side.

No idiot, your little girlfriend.

I respectfully detest your brazen statement, sir, I do not appreciate your assumpt--

He whips open the cell door and aims his shotgun at her, revealing the rest of the pirates staring her down--

Step aside!

She hesitantly does, allowing them to see the damage she did.

Godforsaken-damnit, get them out!

Shorty yanks them out.

Pirate Cap. steps in and inspects the damage. They’ve made a hole just a few inches thick.

He looks closely at the wood chips on the ground.

They... They have a knife!

***SHWINK!*** Fay SLITS SHORTY’S THROAT!

He lets her go, trying to cover his wound. Muscles runs over to grab her, she ducks to the ground and rolls out the way.

The various other Garbage Folk Prisoners in the nearby cells all cheer her on, clamoring away.

Husky aims his gun at her, Carlos KICKS it out of his hand.

Fay rolls back to her feet, but Muscles grabs her hair. She’s just close enough to swipe at him, and--

***SHWINK!*** She NICKS his chin.

Muscles grimaces, in pain, but still holds onto her.

Keep her still!

Husky aims his pistol, Fay twists and fights for her life, but Muscles manages to keep her somewhat stationary.

Carlos tries again to get Husky’s weapon, but Husky catches him, and SWINGS, hitting Carlos in the eye with the gun.

Then re-aims at Fay, lining her up--

NO!

Stand down, Husky. She’s worth more alive.

Husky glares at Pirate Cap., then slowly lowers his gun.

we’re almost there, just split them up until we arrive.

Husky and Muscles toss Fay and Carlos into separate cells. They share a glance, relieved.

Pirate Cap. stands over Shorty’s bleeding body. Lifeless.

I knew he couldn’t handle it, I don’t know why they gave him to us.

Who knows why Ares thinks the way he does.

Pirate Cap., surprisingly nonchalant about all this, clicks his tongue as he thinks.

Pack him up so he stops staining my floors. We’ll sell him to the next compost farm we pass, or something.

Husky and Muscles pack Shorty’s corpse into a body bag.

BEGIN MONTAGE:

- Roy tosses a TREASURE CHEST over the balustrade railing onto Amir’s Ship, connected by GRAPPLING HOOKS.

- Jordyn inspects the guns that the warriors had. Impressed by the one she holds, she stuffs it in a tote bag on her arm.

- Tristan swipes a lot of canned goods into a plastic bag.

- Tristan, Jordyn, Roy, and Amir all HOP down onto the Merchant ship with empty bags, ready to loot.

END OF MONTAGE.

Amir joins Danny, sitting beside Lei. She’s asleep, with an oxygen mask over her mouth.

How’s she doing?

Better, but her body needs more time to dispose of the toxins.

Don’t give me that. What am I feeding you for? How long until she’s back?

Medicine doesn’t work like that. I’m sorry, Amir. Maybe tomorrow I’ll have better news.

Long pause. Amir lets out a labored sigh. Danny puts his hand on Amir’s shoulder for a bit, then exits.

Amir picks up Lei’s hand and holds it tenderly.

Pirate Cap. and Muscles stand at the bow of their ship. They stand before a FLOATING HELIPAD, in the middle of the ocean.

Their hair and clothing begin to ripple wildly as TWO LARGE HELICOPTERS ABOVE THEM flies down toward the helipad.

What are we asking for?

Hugs? Maybe a high five? What do you *think* we’re asking for?

Muscles rolls his eyes.

JERRY and RYAN (40s, black suits & ties, black sunglasses, earpieces, black gloves) exit one of the two helicopters and face the pirates. ARMED SOLDIERS (camouflage) behind them.

Good to see you guys again.

We know. Exact ages of your pieces?

Seventeen, seventeen, twenty-three, twenty-four, twenty-seven, thirty, and thirty-four.

(giving them shit)

Really didn’t save the best for last, huh.

We’ll take all of them, except the thirty-four. Let’s see ‘em.

Muscles makes his way to the cabin.

Husky points his gun around at the prison cells, until Muscles enters from the stairs.

All, except the thirty-four.

They open all the cells except for one, where THIRTY-FOUR (34) sits.

Wait, what are you gonna--

***BANG BANG!*** Thirty-four drops and bleeds out. One Garbage Folk cries, Husky SMACKS her with the butt of his gun.

Stay together, don’t stray from the pack, or you’re gonna end up like him, alright? Understood? Now move.

Carlos and Fay hide behind the four other Garbage Folk.

(whispers)

What’s the plan?

Fay, monotone and desensitized, shrugs. _Hopeless._

As they make their way up, Carlos looks around frantically for an escape. Fay just looks straight ahead.

There’s gotta be something.

Short pause. She perks up, ever-so-slightly.

There is.

What is it?

When I run, go back and finish making our hole. Hide in the ship until it’s safe to make a move.

If you’re running for the hole too, won’t they catch us?

She looks out at the sea, long pause. Carlos, understanding what she means, enters a quick panic.

No! That’s not happening. I’m not leaving you behind.

What’s the alternative, let them use me until I die anyways? I’m going out on my own terms. At least this way, you can save yourself.

Please, Fay, I can’t do this without you--

Now, now-now-NOW!

Fay HOOTS AND HOLLERS as she sprints for unsuspecting Pirate Cap. She PUNCHES him in the jaw.

Muscles leaves the cabin door just barely ajar to help his boss. The pirates are distracted, Carlos sees his chance.

He bolts to the door, then turns back to watch the commotion.

Fay’s standing her ground against the pirates very well.

He starts to close it, but before he does, he gets one last glimpse at Fay. She glances back at him, smirks--

***BOOM!*** Her head blasts open. She falls into the ocean.

Carlos, panicked, quietly closes the door.

Get her up! She’s still worth compost money.

Muscles does as told. Jerry and Ryan snicker.

No fighters, huh?

Some like to make a dazzling exit. Don’t worry, the others won’t do a damn thing.

Ryan and Jerry share a look.

Alright, let’s grade the first.

Husky nudges First Garbage Folk toward the helipad.

Go on, let’s see what your momma gave you.

First Garbage Folk fearfully takes off his clothes.

Carlos runs to the prison cell they chipped. The hole’s a few inches wide. He KICKS the damaged wood, but it’s too strong.

He runs to their kitchen area. Pulls out a standard cooking knife. Runs back to their hole, and SLICES at the wood with all his might. He’s making slow progress. Too slow.

Second Garbage Folk is naked, holding her private parts, as Jerry and Ryan walk around her, inspecting.

Jerry, with a baton, pokes at her.

Arms out.

Scared for her life, she does. Jerry frowns.

Not much muscle on this one.

She’s worth more than just muscle.

Five hundred.

We both know she’s worth six.

You forget we need to make a profit, too. Five twenty-five.

Short pause.

Deal.

Muscles pushes up Third Garbage Folk, then looks at the rest. A look of worry crosses over him, then he leans toward Husky.

(whispers to Husky)

We’re missing one.

Husky quickly counts them.

(panicked, whispers)

It’s the other seventeen!

Muscles dashes for the cabin.

Carlos, exhausted and making awful progress, looks around the main area. He spots a black trash bag, and grabs it.

He POURS its insides onto the ground. Coins. Rubber bands. Paperclips, various pocket things all clatter to the ground.

He scours the pile, until he finds the _LASER POINTER_.

He dashes back to the hole, turns it on, and--

***BZZZT*** the wood burns instantly, expanding the hole.

The cabin door ***SWINGS*** open, Muscles and Carlos make eye contact. Panicking, Carlos burns the hole wider.

Muscles dashes for him. The hole is finally human-sized.

Just as they’re a meter away, Carlos JUMPS in, out of sight.

Muscles tries to grab him, but he’s too slow. He sticks his head into the hole, trying to see how deep it goes, until--

***BZZZZZT*** The laser **BURNS** through Muscles’ arm, creating a hole going straight through his bicep.

Muscles SCREAMS IN AGONY as blood pours out from the hole.

He yanks a cloth from the ground and wraps it around his arm.

Most Garbage Folk, held at gunpoint, stand with Armed Soldiers. Last Garbage Man (24) is the last to be graded.

Inadequate arm strength on this one. We’ll offer you three-fifty.

Look at the calf muscles, he could be a great runner.

How about this. Three hundred, and we’ll drop you a B2-graded weapons crate. Unsecured.

Secured.

Take it or leave it.

Pause. Pirate Cap. nods. Jerry pulls out what only looks like 12-15 plastic dollar bills, and hands it to Pirate Cap.

We’ll drop the shipment tomorrow morning at seven. Until next time.

Jerry, Ryan, and their ARMED SOLDIERS whip out pistols and herd the Garbage Folk onto the helicopter.

Carlos has squeezed himself in with the pipes and wires within this shoddy pirate ship, as still as he can.

Twenty-two hundred isn’t bad. We’ll have to keep an eye out for that weapons crate drop.

And the pipsqueak. He’s somewhere in our godforsaken walls.

Husky KNOCKS on the walls.

You hear that, you little shit?! We’re gonna find you, better hope you drown down there!

(softer, hushed)

He’s got this laser blaster thing, too. Be careful.

He wouldn’t dare. It’ll burn the entire ship down, with him in it.

Carlos admires his laser pointer, proud, but worried.

Jordyn smokes a joint, lying on the balustrade. She takes a hit and stubs it out. She looks at how much is left: nothing.

Damnit. You were supposed to last me another week.

She tosses it and enjoys the sunrise colors above her. Then she squints, seeing something peculiar.

A LARGE METAL CRATE falls from the sky.

It’s so far from us, only barely visible. Until it’s not--

***SPLASH!*** It crashes into the ocean, in the distance. She sits up, then looks up at Danny, who’s navigating the ship.

He saw it too. Without a second thought, he turns the steering wheel toward it, Jordyn dashes for the cabin door.

Amir lies down facing Lei, still with an oxygen mask. He watches her stomach inflate and deflate as she breathes.

Three soft knocks sound out. Amir doesn’t look away from Lei.

What’s wrong.

Jordyn steps in.

Nothing, sir. There’s actually a random crate that _Toppers_ dropped. We don’t know what grade it is, or why it’s here, but... It’s here.

Amir cradles Lei’s cheek with his hand.

How close?

Mile away.

Call me up when we’re half-a-mile.

Yessir.

She dips out the room.

The pirates grappling hooked the crate to their boat. Muscles pries open the metal casing around it as the others guard.

Husky taps Pirate Cap. and points him in the direction of ANOTHER boat. Amir’s boat, heading their way.

Damnit. They knew we weren’t alone out here.

Pirate Cap. looks up at the sky, the helicopter flies high above them. He shoots it a wry smile.

You want a show, eh? I’ll give you a godforsaken show.

Jerry and Ryan watch them below, a glimpse of excitement.

Pirate Cap. looks back at Amir’s ship.

Load the cannons.

Husky nods and runs to the cannonball chest.

Everyone’s at the bow of the ship. Danny navigates.

Amir looks through a pair of binoculars.

They see us. Load your weapons.

Everyone begins reloading their respective guns.

Don’t fire until my order.

Amir’s ship is closer, Husky aims his pistol at them.

Muscles pries the last metal latch keeping the crate locked.

***POP!*** the top of the casing flies off.

Got it!

He immediately hops inside. Pirate Cap. curiously steps forward, trying to get a look.

What’s in it?

(excited)

Ohhh, ho-ho-ho! Good stuff boss, good stuff!

Stay inside, maybe they didn’t see you drop in there.

Someone’s inside the crate.

Copy that. We’ll take out the top guy first, the rest’ll fall like pigeons.

No, leave him for last. I wanna ask him a few things.

Amir’s ship is now a few dozen meters away, enough to hear each other. The two shout at each other during this scene.

That’s far enough.

Danny slows them down.

That’s a pretty cool crate you got yourselves. Where’d you get it.

Found it. Happenstance.

Someone give it to you?

Pirate Cap. shrugs.

Just a guardian angel, I guess.

(gestures at Helicopter)

That guardian angel?

Pirate Cap. smirks.

You in communication with Toppers?

Pirate Cap. shrugs.

Never met a Topper in my life.

Uh-huh. Well, in favor of avoiding unnecessary bloodshed, why don’t you toss us a little treat, and we’ll let you be. How’s that sound?

Pirate Cap. shakes his head.

Sorry brother, doesn’t work for me.

Can we blast their heads off yet?

Hold on, maybe they’ll come to their senses.

Husky stands beside Pirate Cap., watching this, on-guard, but suddenly perks up, as if he’s just met a celebrity.

You’re Amir Fadel! I knew I recognized you from somewhere.

Amir turns away, quickly irritated.

You’re thinkin’ of a different Amir, bud.

No-no-no, I’m sure it’s you. Wow, I thought you were dead.

That’s not the real him, is it?

It is! My childhood pillow sheet was made of newspapers with his face on it. It’s gotta be him.

Let’s see a magic trick, big shot.

Amir ignores them.

Give us the crate and maybe he’ll sign your dicks!

Jordyn, stop.

Pirate Cap. turns to Husky, covers his mouth from their view.

Kill everyone but Amir, the Toppers put a crazy bounty on him alive.

(looking up)

They must’ve known he was nearby.

Boss, there’s like six of them on that ship. I think we should just--

***BANG!*** A bullet with a red trail blows Husky’s head off, setting his neck ablaze.

Jordyn’s gun smokes, grinning.

Jordyn!

Whaaaat? You said leave the leader. Didn’t say nothin’ ‘bout the goon.

Amir rolls his eyes and, from his utility belt, whips out a GRAPPLING HOOK. He aims it at Pirate Cap.

Pirate Cap. pounds his chest and holds out his arms, in a “bring it on” kind of way.

Carlos holds his ear to the ship, unsure if they’re still talking. He readies his LASER POINTER.

Amir LATCHES his grappling hook onto the Pirate Ship, presses a button on the device, and SWIFTLY starts flying toward it.

As he’s flying through the air, a **RED LASER ZAPS his arm.**

AH!

The laser cuts right through, severing his entire arm off.

Carlos cut himself a peep hole to see out of. Amir’s detached arm PLOPS into the ocean, right in front of him.

He gasps, shocked.

Amir STOMPS onto the Pirate Ship, leaving a trail of blood. He pulls a flare gun-like device, and aims it at his open arm socket.

***BANG!*** A blaze of fire, the width of a shotgun shell explosion, burns right into his open arm.

His skin BURNS, closing the wound in the process. He grits his teeth, eyes shut, feeling immense pain as the “medicine” does its thing.

But as the wound is closing-- ***BANG!* **Amir ducks and rolls.

Pirate Cap. aims at him. *click-click-click*, he’s out of ammo. He quickly reloads it with a GLOWING YELLOW MAGAZINE.

Amir struggles to pull his weapon out of his right holster, using his left hand. He looks up, just in time--

***BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG-BANG!*** He rolls out the way.

As Pirate Cap. Fires, a GREEN BULLET TRAIL knocks his gun out his hands, a gust of wind sends the gun FLYING out his hand.

***SHWINK!*** ANOTHER GRAPPLING HOOK clings to the edge of the Pirate Ship, Jordyn starts flying in.

Jerry watches with binoculars.

Now. They’re engaged, send ‘em now.

Ryan nods urgently, then presses a button on his earpiece:

Now. Move in now.

As Jordyn reaches the Pirate ship, MUSCLES hops out the crate, wielding a MECHANICAL NUNCHUK.

The nunchuck, when facing outward at its foe, _STRETCHES two meters out_, then retracts as it faces inward.

Jordyn, caught off-guard, gets SMACKED by the nunchuck, cutting her cheek, and sends her flying across the ship.

Euphoric, she hops back to her feet and runs to the fight.

Tristan aims her sniper rifle at the fight, but they’re all too bunched together, she can’t get a clear shot.

Amir and Jordyn evenly fight with Muscles and Pirate Cap., trading hit-for-hit.

Tristan, while aiming at the fight, looking for her shot, she spots a SHIP IN THE BACK behind the fight. It’s flag is a distinct logo.

Her eyes go wide.

Roy. Roy!

She turns to him, but he’s already distraught, worried.

There’s more.

She follows his line of sight. There’s another coming toward them from from the left. Another further left.

Three more behind them. Five more on their right, all of which are coming toward them.

Toppers trapped us.

The fight is still even, until:

***WHAM!*** Jordyn tried to dodge a nunchuck slice, but Muscles read her movements correctly and snags her. She goes flying across the ship.

Amir SHOOTS his gun at Pirate Cap., but he ducks, lunges forward, and TACKLES Amir to the floor.

Pirate Cap. knocks the gun from Amir’s hand and stands, towering over him. Pulls his own gun out and aims down at Amir. Grinning.

You’re about to make me rich. Hands on your head--

***ZAP!*** A laser BLASTS Pirate Cap.’s head off. Amir turns--

CARLOS is at the cabin door, aiming his laser, shaking, extremely scared, but there’s an anger burning in his eye.

Carlos then points it at Muscles.

Muscles, out of range from Carlos, drops the nunchucks and raises his hands up, knowing he can’t compete.

Spare me, buddy. I didn’t wanna do all that to you or your girlfriend, I’m just trying to survi--

***ZAP!*** Muscles’ head detaches from his neck, his body instantly collapses and bleeds out.

***ZAP-ZAP-ZAP-ZAP!*** - Carlos, taking his anger out, cuts Pirate Cap. And Muscles’ bodies into shreds.

Also, unknowingly, he burns up the ship’s flooring. It catches FIRE, but Carlos doesn’t care. Amir does.

Hey. Hey! Hey, stop!

Amir runs up to him, trying to get him to stop, but as soon as Amir stands, Carlos AIMS IT AT HIM, shaking, a tear strolls down his cheek.

Amir raises his hands. He looks into Carlos’ eyes. He sees the hurt. The pain. The regret. The shame. The self-hatred.

(re: pirates)

Did you know them?

Carlos shakes his head.

I wish I never did. You?

Amir shakes his head.

We’re on the same side.

No one’s on my side anymore.

Amir sees a GROUP OF SHIPS with the same distinct logo float toward them, a street-block away in distance. He gesture at the ships.

Neither are they.

Carlos looks at the ships behind him. A look of defeat washes over him.

I can get us out of this.

Carlos looks back at him, doubtful.

They want me, not you, not--

(gestures to Jordyn)

--her, not anyone, but me. We’ve been through this before. We have four more over--

(gestures to his ship)

--there. They know what to do.

I don’t see anyone over there.

(gestures to Topper ships)

Neither do they.

Tristan, Danny, and Roy all camp out at various windows, beneath the ship, aiming their guns out.

Tristan watches Amir talk with Carlos.

Come on Amir, hurry up.

Amir still has his hands behind his head.

We can get us all out of this. Then we’ll send you on your way. But I need your help.

Carlos looks around, about a dozen ships surround them.

How?

Amir slowly lowers his one hand from behind his head, and holds it out to Carlos.

(re: laser pointer)

I need that.

Screw off.

I saw what you did. You nicked me.

He gestures to his arm-socket. Carlos’ eyes go wide, remembering the arm that fell in front of him. He looks almost embarrassed.

I’m... I’m sorry.

(shouts)

There’s no time for apologies! Give me the damn laser, so I can get us the fuck out of this!

Carlos takes one last look around at the enemy ships, they’re much closer. Carlos slaps the laser pointer into Amir’s palm--