ZOIDS ASTRAY ACT 019

 ACT 019: INT. GUSTAV – MEDICAL BAY – MORNING

The Gustav hums steadily. Soft, warm light filters through the windows against the cold interior. Paige lies unconscious on the med-bed, breathing steady, her face peaceful. No bandages, no blood—just calm.

TILLY sits beside her, checking vitals. A med-scanner buzzes faintly nearby. She doesn’t speak, her eyes occasionally flicking to the others.

In the corner of the bay, NEKU, NYSSA, and DANNY stand in a tight cluster. Bob is not present.

DANNY (quietly)
I applied pressure. She was bleeding—heavily. I wrapped it as best I could. When Tilly got here… I took it off, and...

(gestures toward the bed)
Nothing. Not even a scar.

NEKU (sceptical)
You sure you didn’t just get lucky?

TILLY (from the bed, without looking up)
There’s no way a wound like that closes in ten minutes. That amount of blood and no wound…
(she shakes her head)

Beat.

DANNY (serious)
It happened right after she got hurt. You all saw it. He didn’t speak. Didn’t hesitate. Just—snapped.

NYSSA (flatly)
Because she got hurt. That triggered it.

She pulls up a data pad and plays a grainy loop from the Sea Panther’s recording. The silhouette of Bob’s form, glowing red, armed. Steam and rage venting from his body. The attack is brutal—Vorheas begging—Bob merciless.

DANNY
What if someone accidentally bumps her? Hell, what if she stubs her bloody toe?

NYSSA
Exactly. That thing’s not stable.
(beat)
He… IT... is a loaded weapon—sitting on a hair-trigger.

NEKU (stares at the feed, jaw clenched)
Okay. He goes.

INT. GUSTAV – STORAGE BAY / COLD LOCKER

The room hums softly. Among spare parts and supplies, a single black body bag rests on a raised platform. A blanket has been respectfully draped over it. A small, worn medallion—something personal—sits on top. Nothing is said. No one is present.

EXT. ROADSIDE – EARLY MORNING

The Gustav trundles along the rocky pass, its trailers rattling quietly. Dust swirls beneath its treads. The wind whistles—dry, hollow.

EXT. GUSTAV – TRAILER – CONTINUOUS

DANNY crouches beside the Fire Fox, sleeves rolled, tools scattered across the deck. Sparks spit from his welder as he fuses a salvaged Zeke Dober joint into the Fox’s damaged foreleg.

INU leans nearby, arms crossed, watching in silence. She’s close enough to help—but knows better.

EXT. GUSTAV – ROOFTOP

NYSSA sits alone atop the shell of the Gustav, knees drawn to her chest. A faint sunrise bleeds through thick clouds. She doesn’t seem to see it.

INT. GUSTAV – PILOT CABIN

TILLY sits at the controls, flipping switches. The Gustav hums quietly beneath her. She glances once at the overhead panel—then looks forward, eyes set on the road ahead.

INT. GUSTAV – MEDICAL BAY – LATER

PAIGE sleeps. Peaceful. Breathing soft and slow.

NEKU sits across the room, elbows on her knees, eyes fixed on the bed. Still. Waiting.

Paige stirs, blinking herself awake.

PAIGE (quietly, smiling)
You're here.

NEKU (still watching)
What are you?

PAIGE
Huh?

NEKU
You had a head wound. It was bad—blood everywhere.
Danny patched it. Then it vanished.

PAIGE (softly)
I don’t remember being hurt…
Am I hurt?

She touches her head. Nothing. Confusion lingers in her eyes.

PAIGE
I feel fine.

NEKU studies her one more second, and then stands.

PAIGE
Is Bob okay?

NEKU pauses at the doorway.

NEKU
He’s gone.

She walks out.

EXT. VALLEY – WIDE SHOT

The Gustav winds across the empty terrain, small in the distance.

EXT. RIDGE – CONTINUOUS

Far behind them—Bob stands alone on a rocky rise.
Motionless.
Watching nothing.