ZOIDS ASTRAY ACT 027

 

ACT 027: INT. ROMANOVA RESIDENCE – NIGHT

Neku sits on the sofa, exhausted, her head in her hands. Inu, in the kitchen area, prepares hot drinks for the three of them. Zenko stands nearby, looking down at his daughter.

ZENKO (concerned) 
She’s asleep now, but she’s only been here a few hours and she’s already one of the kindest people I’ve met.

Neku looks up at her father.

NEKU
But she’s not a person, Dad. She’s a hybrid—a Zoid.

ZENKO
And that changes what, exactly?

Inu walks in, carrying mugs, and hands one to Neku.

INU (gently)
Dad’s right. Until that meeting, you would’ve done anything to protect Paige. Why should her not being human change anything?

NEKU (blowing on the coffee)
You're right. It’s just… Nyssa’s reaction. I get that she wants to protect everyone, but I’ve never seen her so full of hate.

ZENKO (thinking aloud)
Could be an anti-bond. Just like Zoids bond with people, they can also reject them—sometimes violently.
(sitting beside Neku)
While your mother worked maintenance on Chelonia, the Gurantula absolutely hated her. She could never get them to accept her. But the Fire Fox? It adored her. I was jealous—that was supposed to be my ride.

He places a hand on Neku’s lap and smiles.

ZENKO (continuing)
We don’t know the science behind bonding. But what you and Paige have? It’s real. She loves you. You can see it in her eyes—she hangs on your every word.

Inu sips her coffee and sits across from them.

INU (smiling)
I’ve known her almost as long as you. What you two have… it goes beyond just a Zoid bond. I’m your sister and even I’m a little jealous.

Neku chuckles, leaning back against the couch.

NEKU (grinning)
You’re both right. She’s a part of me now. A part of us. I can’t—I won’t—let anything happen to her.

---

INT. MILITARY HANGAR 32 – NIGHT

Nyssa sits inside the cockpit of the Dark Sabre, its hatch open and the Zoids chin resting on the hangar floor. She taps away at the monitors, double-checking the upgrades.

DANNY (entering)
Figured I’d find you here. You okay?

Nyssa jumps slightly at the sound of his voice.

NYSSA
Jesus, Danny.
(pauses)
I’m surprised you came. I’d be surprised if anyone did, after the crap I said.

DANNY (shrugs)
Right? All in the interest of keeping us safe. Everyone gets that.

NYSSA (looking down)
Even Neku?

DANNY (smiling)
Especially Neku. She reacted badly, yeah, but she understands.

NYSSA (leaning back)
We’re risking everything for her. Nicholla's putting Paige before the safety of the entire city. I don’t get it.

DANNY (leaning against the Zoid)
You gotta think, Nyssa. What kind of leader would Nicholla be if she threw a little girl under the hammer?

He starts tapping on the cockpit controls, checking diagnostic readouts.

DANNY (continuing)
It’s her job to make the hard calls for the city and its people. Yours is to protect them. Sometimes those roles clash. But she’d do the same for any citizen.

NYSSA (gesturing to a screen)
You’re right… I need to accept the decision and get on with it.

DANNY (nodding)
Exactly. This plan needs all of us. No room for bickering.

NYSSA (rolling her eyes)
Yes, Dad.

She gives him a half-smile, then looks away, thoughtful.

NYSSA (continuing)
What do you think about her? About Paige?

DANNY (pauses, looking up)
Knowing what I know now?
(a beat)
Nothing changes. She’s still Paige.