ZOIDS ASTRAY ACT 021

 ACT 021: EXT. RESERVATION RANCH – MAIN COMPOUND – AFTERNOON

Joran looks over at the herd. Tor stands between them and the compound, agitated, stomping his large hooves and bellowing a warning. Joran watches, hands on hips, confused.

Skarfi approaches from behind, his König Wolf sitting in the main area of the compound.

SKARFI (looking over at Tor)
What’s the deal? I’ve never seen him like that before.

JORAN (concerned)
No idea, man. He’s got the whole herd behind him and he’s angry, giving off warnings. He’s definitely amped up and in full protection mode.

Joran turns and looks toward the lake, the direction Tor is roaring.

JORAN (over comms)
Simon, have you seen anything over in the southeast area, around the lake?

SIMON (over comms)
Was down there this morning. Nothing out of the ordinary.

JORAN (over comms)
Okay, thanks.

Joran turns to Skarfi, shrugging.

SKARFI (looking in the direction of the lake)
You want me to go have a look?

JORAN (following Skarfi’s gaze)
It’s probably nothing, but might be worth a round trip. My hands are full here, so if you’re up for it.

SKARFI (walking toward his König Wolf, one hand waving over his shoulder)
No problem. I’ll be back soon.

Skarfi climbs aboard the Wolf, which comes alive with a howl. The blue Zoid turns and leaves the compound, leaving Joran standing alone.

EXT. LAKESIDE – AFTERNOON

The König Wolf runs along the dirt path. The lake reflects the Zoid’s blue armour back at it. Apart from the gentle waves on the lake, nothing stirs—completely peaceful.

SKARFI (over comms)
I’m at the lake and there’s nothing here that I can see. Lake’s reading cold with very little splash, so I don’t think there’s anything in it worth worrying about.

JORAN (over comms)
Okay, thanks for checking. Tor’s still going off... guess we’ll have to ride it out.

SKARFI (over comms)
Fair enough. I’m going to head—

A flash catches his eye in the distance.

SKARFI (sharply)
One sec, I’ve got a contact.

The Wolf stops and turns, facing the direction of the flash across the lake. Skarfi flicks to sniper mode. His seat adjusts and a viewer drops down. The targeting system is offline, but the zoom still works.

He traces the shoreline... then sees it.

SKARFI (over comms)
Joran, I think I’ve found the issue.

In the distance, a massive Zoid—three heads whipping about. Its body is huge, swollen, and wrong. The armour is grey and stone-like, with green light seeping from every crack and joint. Each head is shaped from a torn-apart Gustav, its maw filled with jagged, jointed teeth. Its body is a fusion of hundreds of Zoids, twisted and melded into four massive legs and two dragging tails.

Skarfi activates his HUD, recording the feed.

SKARFI (over comms)
Sending feed now. Not sure if I’m too far out—are you seeing this?

JORAN (over comms)
It’s rough... but yeah. What is that?

SKARFI (over comms)
Looks like the Molga from the other night, but this thing is huge. I can see hundreds of Astray mixed into it.

The Wolf skulks low, creeping forward. Skarfi tries to scan it, but everything returns blank—like the signals being jammed.

Then, he freezes.

A wild Molga wanders nearby. The three-headed monstrosity turns. Tendrils explode from its limbs, impaling the Molga and dragging it in. It turns grey and dissolves into the creature’s mass. A ripple moves across the beast.

SKARFI (barely audible)
Oh god...

His comms crackle.

UNKNOWN (over comms)
I see you, little Wolf. My name is Houser Gats, and this beauty is called Virodahaka. I believe your little group has something I require.

SKARFI (startled)
I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m on my own.

GATS (sarcastic)
Well yes, you are now. But earlier, you were with a Gustav—Neku’s team. And you were with my daughter, Paige.

Skarfi’s eyes widen, panic creeping in.

GATS (calmly)
Where are they now?

SKARFI (turning the Wolf, ready to run)
They’re gone. I’m not with them any more.

GATS (sharply)
The reservation? (beat) Chelonia?

Skarfi jerks the Wolf around, fleeing. A Smokescreen erupts from its exhausts covering its escape.

GATS (smug)
Chelonia it is.

One of Virodahaka’s heads rears back, green energy building in its throat. The Wolf sprints—but too late. A flash of green. The beam slices through both of the Wolf’s right legs, and shatters the cockpit as it grazes the head. The Zoid howls, crashing into the dirt, digging a long trench in its wake.

SKARFI (wounded, in cockpit)
Drone 77. Command Protocol: Data Supply. T-minus 15 minutes. Target—Danny Garven. Chelonia. Proceed.

A panel pops open on the damaged Zoid’s back. A small drone zips out and vanishes into the sky.

SKARFI (over comms)
Sorry, Joran. Doesn’t look like I’m gonna be able to help out any more.

Static.

Virodahaka looms. Its heads weave like serpents. Tendrils reach forward.

SKARFI (coughing blood)
Sorry, Blue.

The tendrils smash through the cockpit, impaling both Zoid and pilot. The König Wolf lets out one last howl as it’s dragged into Virodahaka’s grotesque mass.

The drone disappears into the clouds.

Silence falls.