ZOIDS ASTRAY ACT 005

 ACT 005: EXT. FOREST PATH – DAY

The Zoids move slowly through thick forest, leaves brushing against armour. Then—

FUWHIP. FUWHIP.

Sticky white threads slap against their cockpits and armour.

NYSSA
Stop. Danny—

DANNY
On it.

Danny opens the cockpit atop the Darkhorn’s back and throws a small drone into the air.

PAIGE (over comms)
What is it? What’s going on?

DANNY
It’s Gurantula silk. Big spider Zoids. Wild ones. These threads are their traps.

The drone drifts upward, blinking with rhythmic pulses. Through the feed, three massive Gurantula Zoids are shown, huddled in the trees.

DANNY (CONT’D)
Chelonia uses them for repairs—natural patchwork. We know the flash patterns that can put them to sleep.

He presses a button. The drone emits a series of bright flashes.

The spiders slump into stillness, sedated.

PAIGE (over comms)
We didn’t have to hurt them...

NEKU (over comms)
Not everything’s about fighting.

NYSSA
Let’s keep it moving—slow—

CRUNCH.

A massive claw reaches out catching and crushing the drone. Metal flakes and sparks rain down.

DANNY
Oh come on!

An ancient, rusting Guysack drops from the canopy, landing between the Zoids with a shriek. Limbs flailing, tail striking at the air.

DANNY (CONT’D)
It’s an old one! Probably a protector!

NEKU (over comms)
Let’s bounce!

NYSSA
On your six!

The Zoids turn and sprint away. The Guysack flails, furious but doesn’t pursue.

Paige breathes hard, clutching the console behind Neku.

FADE OUT.

INT. DARKHORN – SECONDARY COCKPIT – EVENING

Paige has joined Danny in the rear cockpit of the Darkhorn. The pair snack on rations and talk about the world around them. Danny swipes through images and videos on his data pad, showing wild Zoids going about their business.

PAIGE (curious)
So wild Zoids don’t have cockpits for pilots?

DANNY
They do. Over the generations, all Zoids developed cockpits — but wild ones are basically on autopilot. They just do their own thing.

PAIGE
Right... so could anyone just get in a wild Zoid and pilot it?

DANNY (ponders for a moment)
Kind of. Depends on the Zoid.
There’s a few different types.
You’ve got working Zoids — like the Gurantula, Godos, Iguan — they’re pretty docile, so most people can pilot them.
Then there’s battle Zoids — like this Darkhorn, or Neku’s Fox — those need a bond with the pilot.
And the big ones? They usually need a generational bond.
(pauses, remembering)
Oh — and transport Zoids, like a Gustav or Hover Cargo — those can be piloted by pretty much anyone.

PAIGE (tilting her head)
A bond?

DANNY
Yeah — like mutual respect, or trust.
The Zoid won’t move unless it wants to.
This Darkhorn is bonded with Nyssa — but since I maintain it, I’ve got a relationship with it too. So I can pilot it... it just won’t fight for me.

PAIGE (eyes wide)
What about Neku’s Aqua Fox?

DANNY (grinning)
That Fox? It’s a diva. Only lets Neku pilot it.
If I climbed in, it’d just sit there and sulk.

PAIGE (thoughtful)
I see... Could I pilot a Zoid?

DANNY (shrugs, opening another ration)
Maybe. Some people just... can’t. Doesn’t matter what Zoid it is, they won’t listen.
But when it does work — when there's a real bond — some pilots feel this... like a paternal connection.
And the Zoid feels it too.

The pair continue talking as the Darkhorn, piloted by Nyssa, thunders on across the landscape.