ZOIDS ASTRAY ACT 001

 ACT 001: EXT. FOREST EDGE – NIGHT

A quiet camp sits just inside the ruins of an old building, pressed up against the tree line. Two Zoids rest beneath heavy camo netting, their cores powered down.

Neku crouches beside the fire, stirring rations in a metal tin. Danny finishes scanning the Zoids with a handheld device.

DANNY
All clear. No signs of infection.

He plops down near the fire. Neku tosses him a ration with a small smirk.

NEKU
You gonna scan it a fourth time just to be sure?

DANNY (grinning)
Don’t tempt me.

Nyssa stands beyond them, silent and watchful, scanning the dark tree line.

— CRACK.

A dry twig snaps somewhere deep in the forest.

In an instant, Neku is up, sidearm in hand, moving to the camp’s edge. Nyssa taps Danny’s head as she passes and gestures down.

Danny drops flat. Nyssa throws a tarp over him without a word and continues toward Neku.

Nyssa reaches her, taps her shoulder. The pair advance toward the trees — low, calm, precise — weapons raised, breath steady.

— Another snap.

A figure emerges. A girl. Naked. Pale. She stumbles forward out of the dark and collapses at their feet.

Neku crouches beside the girl, still covering the treeline with her weapon. She pulls a small mirror from her pocket and holds it above the girl’s mouth.

The mirror fogs slightly.

NEKU
Contact.

Nyssa immediately steps past her, dropping into a crouch between them and the trees, arm extended across them in a protective line.

NYSSA
Covered.

Only then does Neku holster her weapon and fully assess the girl. She checks pulse, breathing, any obvious injuries. Then shrugs off her jacket and wraps it gently around the girl’s shoulders, lifting her into her arms.

NEKU
Returning.

Nyssa rises with her, sidearm still drawn, pressed close at Neku’s back. They move in perfect sync, retreating steadily to the firelight.

INT. NEKU’S ZOID – COCKPIT – EARLY MORNING

The cockpit is dimly lit, bathed in soft light as the Zoid moves in a steady rhythm. The soft whine of servos and the creak of suspension fill the quiet space.

PAIGE sits curled in the back seat, swimming in one of Neku’s military jumpsuits — sleeves rolled, cuffs dragging past her fingertips. Her bare feet dangle slightly, legs swinging in slow, absent-minded motion.

She pulls up the collar of the jumpsuit and sniffs it, mumbling softly.

PAIGE (smiling faintly, to herself)
Smells safe...

Her whisper catches Neku’s attention. Neku glances over, eyes narrowing slightly, a flicker of confusion and curiosity crossing her face.

Paige’s gaze slowly lifts to Neku, searching.

PAIGE (softly, uncertain)
...Mother?

NEKU (snapped from focus, shocked
No... I—

PAIGE (interrupting, calm)
Where are we going?

Neku takes a breath, gathers herself, then looks forward again.

NEKU
North.

A moment of silence. The cockpit sways gently, the soft mechanical motion rocking them with each step of the Zoid.

Paige runs her fingers along the seams of the jumpsuit — curious, gentle.

Then:

PAIGE
Paige...

NEKU (glancing at her in the mirror)
What?

PAIGE (smiling faintly, still looking at the jumpsuit)
I think my name is Paige.

Neku watches in the mirror. Her eyes soften as she sees Paige nestle into the collar, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply.

A long pause. Then, Neku allows herself the faintest smile.

Neku’s comms light up and she flicks a switch. Nyssa’s face pops onto the viewer, Danny’s head bobbing just behind her, grinning and waving.

NYSSA
We’re gonna make a right in about a kilometre and stop at the lake for fresh water and...
(She stops, eyes sharpening)

NYSSA
Our guest is awake.

NEKU
Just— I haven’t had a chance to—

PAIGE (cutting in with a big smile):
I’m Paige.

Danny laughs quietly. Nyssa frowns, concern flickering over her face.

NYSSA
Hello, Paige.
(a pause)
Where are you from? Is anyone looking for you?

Paige looks down, sadness shading her features.

PAIGE
I don’t know...

Neku turns back to Paige, voice softening.

NEKU
It’s okay. We’ll figure it out.

Paige’s eyes light up, her smile widening again.

NYSSA
Neku, when we get to the lake, we need to talk.

Neku nods.

NYSSA
Out.

The screen flicks off.