Scene 1: Turok’s castle
TUROK is sitting in his throne room, contemplating the future of his empire. The DARK CABAL, sans TYPHUS, storms in and confronts him
HUNTRESS: We need to talk.
TUROK: …do we? I wasn’t aware we had an appointment.
HUNTRESS: We don’t.
TUROK: How then are you here? You should’ve been killed on the spot. Every intruder is immediately—
WONN-LIR: Your guards are too dead to enforce your rules. WE NEED TO TALK.
TUROK looks concerned, then sighs.
TUROK: Very well. Make it fast. It appears I have some hiring to do.
HUNTRESS: Both Cabal apprentices are missing and this could be a huge problem.
TUROK: Coin AND Typhus are missing?
HUNTRESS: Yes.
TUROK: Sounds like this is more your problem than mine. Perhaps they went to see a movie. I saw the eyes they kept giving each other. (smirks, chuckles)
HUNTRESS: We’re not here to joke and neither should you! Typhus is a raging beast without us to reign him in. If he—
TUROK: If he rage-beasts his way to my capital I shall simply have him destroyed. I can’t imagine you’ve decimated ALL my soldiers. Coin? Well, that’s a different story.
WONN-LIR: How so? We should destroy her as well, especially if she and Typhus are—
TUROK: I can assure you, they are NOT in cahoots. Despite my previous jest, I know that Coin is far too busy controlling, well, everything.
WONN-LIR and HUNTRESS look confused.
TUROK: You thought she was a mere tool of the Light? Oh no. I suppose I can tell you. You’re not leaving here alive anyway…Coin is to become the Time Goddess. What this entails, I do not yet know, but I do know I need her alive. For you see, she is why you stand here before me…your emperor.
WONN-LIR: That makes no sense…
TUROK: For YOU it doesn’t. For me, I’ve lived it. I understand it perfectly. She came to my past and helped me forge the Circuit Stone. By doing this, she awarded me all the power in the Drift System, something YOU will never experience. The Stone chose ME! And soon, thanks to the power of the Stone I will accomplish what I was destined to do the second I left Cerrus — purge ALL magic from the entire Drift system!
WONN-LIR: Coin would never agree to that. We don’t like her or her masters, but she is a magical being, and she would never help you purge her own kind.
TUROK: Oh, I agree that I will eventually have troubles with the Time Goddess. But I can’t kill her, and neither will I allow you to. She must remain alive for the cycle to continue. If I cease to forge the Circuit Stone, then my power never comes to light. Then who runs this place? YOU, Temptress? I shudder at the thought.
HUNTRESS: …TEMPTRESS?? Enough of this. Stone or no Stone, you die NOW!!
TUROK: How? You have no magic here. And I assure you, whatever you did to my guards you will NOT do to me. I am untouchable! I am invincible! My nano-shields will stop any charge you bring to me. So you, Wonn-Lir! Bring your stupid cloak and staff my way and try your luck. And YOU, Seductress…bring those tight pants of yours my way and maybe I’ll LET you get close to me…
TUROK chuckles and then we hear a BANG! TUROK looks shocked, looks down at his chest, and sees blood pouring from it. Pan to HUNTRESS, wielding a smoking gun.
HUNTRESS: Thanks for the idea, ASSHOLE.
TUROK attempts to speak, can only gasp, then collapses. The DARK CABAL runs off, shooting down several more guards who attempt to stop them. Pan back to TUROK, bleeding out and groaning the groans of impending death. We soon hear mysterious SOUNDS from off-screen and a pair of legs mysteriously approaches the dying TUROK. We see a woman’s hand reach out and touch his wound. Light emits from the hand and the wound is completely healed. TUROK breathes and sleeps peacefully.
Scene 2: The past: The darkened newsroom of the Endless Library
The WOMAN FROM CHANNEL 9 is seen on her screen, alone. She looks worried. Two Library AIDES enter the newsroom.
AIDE 1: What just happened, Madame? We heard a horrible bang coming from here.
WFC9: She’s gone.
AIDE 2: Who’s gone?
WFC9: My boss. I’m sure you’ve not met her. You wouldn’t be alive if you had. She’s the whole reason this library, this school, EVERYTHING that makes us who we are…exists. And now she’s gone.
AIDE 1: Is she dead?
WFC9: Worse. She’s in the future. About to get everything she ever wanted.
AIDE 2: And…us?
WFC9: Run. Run far away. This place will not be safe for long. So do what I can’t. Run far away. You can’t stop XOR. I don’t know if I can, either.
The AIDES look at each other, then at WFC9. She simply stares back sadly, then her monitors shut down. The AIDES nervously shake hands and head off to pack up.
Scene 3: A countryside
We pan to COIN, meditating in a field. After several moments of this, the voice of JINN-LIR plays in her head — a telepathic message.
JINN-LIR: Coin! Where are you? I haven’t heard from you in forever, and I don’t even know if you’re alive. Please respond if you can!
COIN contemplates ignoring the message and simply going back to meditate, but thinks better of it and responds with a telepathic message of her own.
COIN: Yes Jinn, I’m alive. I’m on the other side of Acadmium. I do hope all is well.
COIN then closes her eyes again and returns to meditating. Shortly thereafter, another message arrives in her head.
JINN-LIR: You’re alive, great! And no, things are not okay around here. Where on the other side are you? I need to see you, Coin! Also, you sound different. Your voice is deeper. Do you have a cold?
COIN sighs, then responds.
COIN: No cold. You’ll see. I’m near the Endless Library. Meet me there.
COIN then stands up and looks toward the Heavens. As she contemplates, JINN-LIR appears close by. They see each other. JINN-LIR mouths “Coin?” before collapsing from a combination of his injuries, the magical travel, and the shock of seeing COIN all grown up. COIN runs to check on him. In the background, TYPHUS magically appears and hides behind a tree, watching COIN intently.
Scene 4: Turok’s bedchamber
Turok’s AIDES watch over him. Soon, he wakes up, confused.
AIDE 1: Emperor, you’re awake!
TUROK: What happened? Why am I here and not working?
AIDE 2: Somebody brought you here., You were unconscious and she told us to watch over you.
TUROK: Somebody…brought me here? And gave…you…orders?
AIDE 1: Yes, Emperor.
TUROK: And you…took these orders? From somebody else?
AIDE 2: Yes, Emperor. We apologize, we do! But we couldn’t leave you alone, right?
TUROK: …I suppose not. But now I must know who this interloper is, and how they got here, and how they intend to explain to me why THEY give orders to MY people!
A woman’s voice is heard off-screen.
WOMAN: It was me. I saved your life, Emperor.
TUROK looks around to see a chiseled, statue-esque woman staring at him, smiling. His eyes widen in intrigue, but he immediately catches himself and rises from his bed.
TUROK: You? It was you? Who are you? Answer immediately, and then tell me why I shouldn’t have you killed on the spot!
WOMAN: Forgive me, my Emperor. I had no choice. You were hurt and dying. I had to ensure your fine aides here knew of your situation and cared for you.
TUROK: My life. My life was at risk? How? And from whom?
WOMAN: That…I do not know. I simply know what I saw. But forgive me, you wanted my name. I am XOR. Like you, I am a refugee from the planet Cerrus. Like you, I grew to despise what the magical natives have done to the beautiful Drift System, and I fully believe in your ability to purge them all and make this already-great empire even greater. (XOR bows to TUROK)
TUROK: …XOR, hmm? That still doesn’t explain anything. How did you find me, what supposedly happened to me, and why did you presume authority over MY subjects?
XOR: It is all perfectly innocent, my Emperor. I come from a far-off land here in Acadmium, and so have never truly experienced the Capital. I arranged a guided tour, which included this castle. When I approached your throne room — which was of course to be the highlight of y tour — I saw you unconscious, bleeding to death from a gunshot wound to the chest! Not knowing what else to do, I scooped you up and had my guide bring us to your chambers. There, I pleaded — didn’t order — but pleaded with your aides to save your life. And clearly, they did. (smiles, a subtle flash darting across her eyes)
TUROK: I…suppose they did. A gunshot? I remember so little of the day. Perhaps I hit my head on the way down…
XOR: Perhaps you did. Take care of that head, will you? The Drift Empire needs it. I need it (coy smile, that flash returns). I’ll see myself out. Perhaps you and I can get to know each other a little better soon?
XOR walks away. TUROK is nearly entranced. Shaking himself out of his stupor, he prepares to resume work.
TUROK: Ahem! Right. I…have an empire to run. Thanks, you two. It sounds like you saved me. I’ll…draw up a bonus for you for that.
TUROK walks off. The AIDES look at each other.
AIDE 1: Did that woman say…there was blood?
AIDE 2: And a bullet wound. Yes.
AIDE 1: I saw no blood. Or a hole.
AIDE 2: Me neither.
AIDE 1: I don’t recall her pleading, either.
AIDE 2: If so, she pleads awfully aggressively.
AIDE 1: Something’s not right…
Scene 5: The countryside near the Endless Library
JINN-LIR stirs awake and sees COIN. He is just as shocked as before, but this time manages to stay awake.
JINN-LIR: Coin? You…grew…
COIN: That I did.
JINN-LIR: How? What is happening?
COIN: I’m…only beginning to understand myself. An even older version of me appeared in a spaceship, handed me my remaining coins, blessed them or did something else to them, and now I’m…this. I think I’m going to be here when I grow up more, but I have no idea how that’s supposed to happen. I’m sure you don’t believe a bit of that.
JINN-LIR: Why shouldn’t I? Far stranger has happened lately. Typhus grew too, you know.
COIN: I know.
JINN-LIR: You do?
COIN: Yes. He attacked me and was fiercer than ever. Angrier too.
JINN-LIR: Might you know what happened to him? He suddenly transformed in front of Orbius and myself! And then went on his rampage.
COIN: I don’t know. I don’t think he does either. Is Orbius okay?
JINN-LIR: He is safe. Recovering from Typhus’s attack. I…wish I could bring him here. It would’ve been safer.
COIN: He’s a strong wizard. He will be fine.
Silence. Then JINN-LIR notices COIN’S BOOK
JINN-LIR: You…wrote a book? About the Noble Stones?
COIN: Yes…at some point. I don’t recall doing so though. I just found it in the Endless Library.
JINN-LIR: Can I see?
COIN: Go ahead…when I first touched this book magic flowed through it and it sent me back in time. But now…it just feels like an old book.
JINN-LIR takes the book, slightly tenses up.
JINN-LIR: Hmm…there’s clearly magic remaining in this book. I can feel it…but can’t identify it. Foreign magic? Old magic? Brutal magic? I don’t know. No time-travel though, thankfully.
COIN: That’s even more mysterious. But either way, I still need the book. According to it, I’m meant to help forge all four Noble Stones, and this book should help me do it.
JINN-LIR hands the book back.
COIN (con’t): When I went back in time, I helped a young Turok forge the CircuitStone and escape this weird newsroom with some lady talking to us from behind a screen, and then he escaped the Library altogether. And now he’s this emperor…no…this TYRANT. Trying to murder everyone with even a hint of magic. I’m responsible…but I can’t do anything else. I’m to be the Time Goddess, and that means making sure time keeps happening. Brutal as that may be.
JINN-LIR: Perhaps once you fully become this Goddess you can change the timeline?
COIN: That sounds like a question only another Coin can answer. (sadly smirks)
JINN-LIR: So you have more stones to forge…
COIN: Three more, by my count. Which means I need a way to safely travel through time, to the right times. And I have to travel to different star systems to do this. I don’t suppose my magic is enough?
JINN-LIR: Absolutely not. Even Orbius in his prime could not magically travel to another system. That much effort, that much distance…we would explode barely one percent of the way. You’ll need a spaceship.
COIN: I need a time ship. But such a thing doesn’t exist.
JINN-LIR: Not yet. You’ll build it, I know you will. But you’ll need help. Take a spaceship from here to the planet Shock, on the other end of the Drift System. There, engineers go to create marvels. Somebody there will help you make your ship, I’m sure of it.
COIN: Shock…my next step.
JINN-LIR reaches into his pocket, pulls out some money.
JINN-LIR: You’ll need this. I pulled some favors and got paid, but you need it more than me. This should be enough to get you on the ship to Shock, as well as pay any fees you need to get your ship built.
COIN hesitates to take it.
JINN-LIR (cont): And…I’m sorry. Coin, I didn’t create you for any purpose but a selfish one. I treated you poorly when the coins didn’t create who or what I envisioned. I dismissed you as a bag, a tool, a mere weapon for my cause. You were a political plaything to me. But…I was wrong. You were a person from the start. And you have become more than I ever thought you could be. And once your path is complete, you will become greater than I could ever hope to be. My mission is nothing. Yours will benefit all of Orbspace, not just us wizards. I believe in you…Time Goddess.
COIN, near tears, smiles and hugs JINN-LIR in gratitude. No more words are necessary, and so COIN silently departs for the nearest spaceship station. JINN-LIR watches her in admiration, then turns toward the Endless Library. He makes his way toward it. Pan to TYPHUS, still behind his tree and absorbing what he heard. He follows COIN.
Scene 6: Outside the spaceship
COIN has arrived at the spaceship station. She pays to enter and walks toward the ship. Shortly after, TYPHUS appears.
GUARD: Can I help you, sir?
TYPHUS: RIDE SHIP
GUARD: Of course. That will be 10000 Turokians.
TYPHUS: NO
GUARD: Sir, I can assure you that IS the fare. If you don’t have it, please return when you do.
TYPHUS: RIDE SHIP!!
TYPHUS bears his teeth, grabs a large stone from the ground, and uses magic + strength to break it on two
GUARD: …I…suppose I can offer a small discount?
TYPHUS growls
GUARD: A…100% discount?
TYPHUS: GOOD (marches to the ship)
GUARD: …this job isn’t worth it.
Scene 7: The Endless Library
JINN-LIR approaches a LIBRARY AIDE
JINN-LIR: I have some questions, good sir.
AIDE: Certainly. Would you like help finding a book?
JINN-LIR: I actually want to know more about this Library
AIDE: Oh, certainly. The Endless Library was founded in —
JINN-LIR: Not that information. What happened to it? Everytime we ask, the Empire deflects the question.
AIDE: …who wants to know?
JINN-LIR: My name is Jinn-Lir, and I am a wizard.
AIDE: Then…you shouldn’t be here. Your kind are why this Library is in tatters!
JINN-LIR: A…wizard did this?
AIDE: The Emperor did this. BECAUSE of wizards and magic. He escaped the living puzzle that used to be this Library and swore his revenge. Years later he became emperor and…got his revenge. As you can see.
JINN-LIR: I see…but I request you not kick me out. Someone I know just came through here and borrowed a book. Something about the Noble Stones. Do you recall that?
AIDE: Yes, I do. A blue-haired woman, is that her?
JINN-LIR: Indeed. Where did that book come from?
AIDE: To tell the truth…I don’t know. Nobody does. It simply appeared one day. Nobody dared touch it, something felt…off about it. Did your friend touch it? Is he okay?
JINN-LIR: She is fine. She mentioned something about a newsroom though. What could she have meant?
AIDE: …there is a room that looks…like a newsroom. It’s in no shape for usage, however. Dark, powerless, in utter disarray. It’s been untouched for decades, and nobody here knows what it’s there for. It wouldn’t interest you.
JINN-LIR: Except that it does. I wish to see this room. Once I do, I will leave. If Emperor Turok is angry that a magical man entered your Library, he can deal directly with me.
AIDE: Of course…of course. (points toward the NEWSROOM) All the way down, to your left. You’ll know it, it’s the room nobody could possibly want to enter.
JINN-LIR: Except me. Thank you.
JINN-LIR walks toward the NEWSROOM
Scene 8: Planet Shock
COIN departs the spaceship and surveys PLANET SHOCK and all its marvels. Camera pans to various scenes of engineers working, children playing, and statues of TUROK being buffed. A large sign reads “ANY WIZARDS OR WITCHES FOUND ON SHOCK WILL BE EXTERMINATED ON THE SPOT, PER EMPEROR TUROK.” TYPHUS also departs the ship and hides in the shadows. COIN approaches a GUARD and asks for directions. The GUARD points outward. COIN walks off, with TYPHUS lurking behind her in the shadows. Pan to distant building reading SHOCK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND SPACE TRAVEL.
Scene 9: Turok’s war room
TUROK and his DRIFT DOCTORS have gathered for an important meeting.
TUROK: Doctors? A report, please
DD 1: Progress has been good, my Emperor. By the day we are eliminating increasingly more magic and magicians from Acadmium. Planets Shock, Nerve, and Shift have been put on notice, and our armies will be touring those realms shortly to ensure they cooperate.
TUROK: Excellent news!
DD 2: Our reports indicate that here on Acadmium, few pure magic users remain outside of the Wizard Cabal and the Priests of Lifeblood. The Priests suffered a mysterious attack on their temple and haven’t been seen since. If they are dead, then somebody did our job for us. If they are simply in hiding…well, they will have to come out eventually. And then we will deal with them,
TUROK: And the Cabal?
DD1: Of its six members, three are reported missing: the Light Master Orbius, the Dark Apprentice Typhus, and the Light Apprentice Coin.
TUROK: Coin is to be dealt with independently, by me. She’s…special. The other five must be found and brought to justice. And it’s not enough that we know this…EVERYONE must.
TUROK marches to a large computer and microphone. Another DOCTOR preps the computer. Once it’s ready, TUROK takes the microphone. His speech is heard throughout all of Drift, interrupting TV broadcasts without discrimination and even projecting itself on public walls and other public spaces. We see scenes of people on every planet listening and reacting with mixtures of fear and determination
TUROK: Attention, Drift! Five fugitive wizards are among you. We currently do not know their whereabouts and implore everyone to be on the lookout for them. They are the Wizard Cabal: (all members are shown sans COIN) Selene Quickwind, also known as the Huntress. The wizards Wonn-Lir and Jinn-Lir. The Orb Master, Orbius. And finally, the Dark Apprentice, Typhus. All are Public Enemies, and a fine reward will go to anyone who brings them to me. ALIVE. Furthermore, there is one other I wish to see. Her name is XOR. She is not an Enemy, and no one is to apprehend her. I am personally ordering her to appear before me immediately. I look forward to this meeting, and I look forward to seeing my Wizard…friends very soon. Bless The Drift.
We see several quick scenes of Drift citizens all shouting “Bless The Drift!” One CITIZEN doesn’t do so quickly enough and is threatened by a nearby SOLDIER. The CITIZEN quickly stammers out “Bless The Drift!” but the SOLDIER stabs him to death anyway
Scene 10: The Newsroom of the Endless Library
JINN-LIR looks around the dark, tattered NEWSROOM. There is no sign of life at all.
JINN-LIR: Hello? Is there anyone here? A woman, perhaps? I need to speak with you. Hello??
No answer.
JINN-LIR (cont): If you are here, please speak up! It’s about the future of Drift, and all of Orbspace! Please!
No answer. Finally, JINN-LIR gives up and starts to leave. From behind him, a monitor flickers on.
Scene 11: Planet Shock Engineering school
COIN is meeting with an ENGINEERING TEACHER.
COIN: I have something very specific in mind. Can you help me build it?
TEACHER: Very likely. If it can be built, it can be built here. (laughs) What do you have in mind?
COIN: I wish to build a personal ship.
TEACHER: I can help you with that.
COIN: That travels through time.
TEACHER: I can not help you with that. All magic is forbidden here on Shock. And besides, time magic is an impossibility. I can help you build a ship, but you will only be able to fly it in the present.
COIN: That’s fine. I will find a way. It’s not time MAGIC, anyway. It’s something else. Something…bigger.
TEACHER: All the same, let’s never discuss time anything ever again. I don’t want “was nice to blue-haired lady” as the reason for my execution.
COIN: Agreed. Time to get to work?
TEACHER: One sentence in, you’re mentioning time. (laughs) Well, if you’ve got the Turokians, I’ve got the knowledge.
COIN: I do, so let’s go.
Scene 12: Unknown location
The DARK CABAL watch TUROK’S speech with intent
WONN-LIR: He has an entire solar system looking for us.
HUNTRESS: Bet they take my gun before bringing us to see him.
WONN-LIR: We can’t fight this, not alone anyway.
HUNTRESS: Even if we lower ourselves to fighting alongside the Light Cabal, that’s four of us against…how many?
WONN-LIR: A lot, to say the least.
HUNTRESS: There is one thing we can do. Maybe. If we find Coin and turn her to our side for good, we might be okay. After all, who would dare fight us if the Time Goddess herself backed us up?
WONN-LIR: Sure, but where is she?
HUNTRESS: That I don’t know. One more reason to — and I want to shoot myself for saying this — snuggle up to Jinn and Orbius. If anyone knows where Coin might be, it’s them.
WONN-LIR: We befriend them just long enough to overthrow Turok, then we’ll deal with them. How’s that?
HUNTRESS: I like it. Now for the fun part: finding them without getting killed first.
Scene 13: Planet Shock Engineering school
MONTAGE! We watch COIN build her machine, learn about engineering, and turn the ship into her own personal living space. As the ship comes into being, we keep seeing TYPHUS in the shads, always watching and waiting. We finally see COIN take her spaceship for a trial spin. It works! As a spaceship, anyway.
Scene 14: TUROK’S throne room
TUROK watches as XOR enters the room.
TUROK: That didn’t take very long.
XOR: I had so much more of this beautiful Capital to explore. I could’ve stayed here for weeks!
TUROK: Yes, of course. I summoned you here because I…wish to thank you for saving me.
XOR: I would do it again and again if I had to. How is your head?
TUROK: Better than ever, though I still can’t remember the gunshot or what happened leading up to it.
XOR: Trust me, you’re better off not remembering. It was an awful sight.
TUROK: I must ask. Why do you care so much? Many would’ve run away and left me to die. Or they would have rescued me but then disappeared. You came back, and you keep coming back. Why?
XOR: I admire you, my Emperor. I admire how you came from literally nothing. A refugee from an abandoned planet, who rose to not only rule a planet, but an entire solar system! I admire how you stick to your principles in the face of violent opposition from the wizards and other magic-users. I admire how you command respect across all planets and all people. And beyond that, I simply admire…you.
TUROK raises his eyebrows slightly in reaction to that. Then a slight smile in spite of himself.
TUROK: This…sounds like more than a subject paying gratitude toward her…Emperor…. I…uh…
XOR looks at him intently. That same weird, slightly threatening glimmer flashes across her eyes. TUROK suddenly relaxes more.
TUROK: I…well, I admire you too. But…well, why should I? Why should I be with anyone? I rule this system quite fine by myself. Besides, many wish me dead — why should I let anybody else bear that risk with me?
XOR: Well…let’s just say I can more than handle myself. And rather than burden you, I can help you. I know how to make your job a little easier…and I know how to lighten up your life.
That same flash across her eyes returns. TUROK seems like he’s almost drunk.
TUROK: Easy life…an easy life…
Scene 15: Inside the Time Machine
COIN walks into her TIME MACHINE. TYPHUS slinks behind her, quiet as can be.
COIN: It’s magnificent. But it’s not what I need. Not yet anyway. (sigh) How to make it go through time? What to do?
The words of ELDER COIN rings in her head
ELDER COIN: …More than human. And it starts…with these…special things will happen
COIN looks upwards, understanding what she needs to do. She reaches to her solar plexus and removes several of her own COINS. In agony, she absorbs them into the TIME MACHINE. She then casts a time-specific transportation spell.
COIN: 200 years ago…Old Drift…
The TIME MACHINE roars to life and spins and flashes, whirs, and spins. The world outside whirs and glitches until finally it settles into the Planet Shock as it was 200 years ago. COIN is flabbergasted — the TIME MACHINE works! She sees Shock as it was before the Cerrusians took over. What she sees is utter brutality and seemingly unregulated magic, but she’s unsure as to whether this is better or worse than what Drift has now. After a while she stops looking and turns her focus back inward.
COIN: 200 years into the future…New Drift…
The TIME MACHINE does all of the above once again and sends COIN back to the present. She retrieves her COINS and absorbs them back into her system, knowing she will have to endure that every time she travels through time.
Scene 16: The newsroom of the Endless Library
JINN-LIR, disappointed, is about to leave the Library when…
WFC9 (off-screen): You! You called for me?
JINN-LIR turns around, sees the WFC9 on her monitor.
JINN-LIR: i did! Is it you? I was told about a woman in a newsroom. I thought she would be.–
WFC9: In the room? No. It’s a long story, and I fear I don’t have much time. Listen to me. I am in a realm outside of reality and my connection to your world is brief these days. I’ll tell you all I can before I lose this connection.
JINN-LIR: I see…listen, my name is Jinn-Lir, a wizard. My former apprentice, a woman named Coin, came through here years back with a young man named Turok. Together, they forged the Circuit Stone, but I need to know everything about what happened.
WFC9: I remember. I remember it all. Your friend has unwittingly aided the twisted boy, Turok, to become the twisted Drift Emperor. But they are not the real problem. XOR is.
JINN-LIR: Who? Coin did not mention anyone named XOR.
WFC9: She would not have known her. XOR trapped me here. She set up the Library to find (glitches and static)
JINN-LIR: Find what? Find who?
WFC9: She is (glitches and static) Turok is (glitches and static) Stop her before (glitches and static) they are pawns in her plan, as was I (glitches and static)
JINN-LIR: I’m losing you! Speak faster!
WFC9: Go, go, go! Find (WFC9 disconnects, the NEWSROOM is dark and silent once again)
JINN-LIR: Madame? MADAME?? Dammit…
JINN-LIR paces impatiently and frustratedly, then prepares a telepathic message.
JINN-LIR: Master Orbius…I hope you can hear this. Moreso, I hope you’re still alive. I wish I didn’t have to leave you, but I did. And now I know why. I have…learned things. Emperor Turok and a woman named XOR must be stopped. But I don’t know why, or what they are up to. A woman here said something about XOR and a plan, but she disappeared before I could learn anything else. Orbius, I have to face Turok and this XOR, but I don’t know how. Coin is…elsewhere, possibly out of the galaxy by now. I can’t depend on the Dark Cabal. It’s you and me…if you’re still with us. I’m coming back now, Master.
Scene 17: The TIME MACHINE
COIN flips through the book she supposedly wrote.
COIN: Galestone…Akashmiran…Planet Djinn. That feels right, off I go.
COIN begins to pilot the TIME MACHINE as an actual spaceship, setting a course for DJINN. The spaceship rises and takes off. COIN prepares for the next leg of her journey when she’s suddenly attacked from behind. TYPHUS has emerged from the shadows!
COIN: HEY! (turns around) YOU??
TYPHUS: ME!
COIN: I’ve already told you. I don’t want to fight you.
TYPHUS: TOO BAD (takes a swing at COIN)
COIN: How did you even get in here? (ducks TYPHUS’S blow)
TYPHUS: (unintelligible scream, begins to summon magic blast)
COIN: No! No magic! If you destroy this ship, we both go down and you’re dead too!
TYPHUS: grr…(lets go of magic, rushes to tackle COIN instead)
COIN: No!
COIN and TYPHUS brawl, COIN simultaneously defending herself and the ship’s equipment. After a short but intense fight, COIN attempts to appeal to TYPHUS once again.
COIN: Typhus! Please, enough! Why are you trying to kill me? What will that accomplish?
TYPHUS: …MUST KILL
COIN: But you don’t know why. You don’t know why you’ve grown. You don’t know who you are or what happened. I don’t either. I can try to help though.
TYPHUS: TRY??
COIN: I mean, I WILL help! I don’t have any answers though, not yet. But I will help you get them. But you have to promise for now, not to fight me. Don’t try to hurt me or kill me…and we will learn who you are.
TYPHIS contemplates this
TYPHUS: …FOR NOW
COIN: OK…OK…truce?
TYPHUS: YES
COIN: Shake on it?
TYPHUS: NO
COIN: Right, too far. Too far…
We pan out as the TIME MACHINE zips through space on its way to the Akashmiran System.
Scene 18: Turok’s throne room
TUROK is pacing in his throne room when a knock is heard on his door
TUROK: Enter.
One of JINN-LIR’s former SUPERSOLDIERS enters, carrying a bound ORBIUS on his shoulder
SUPERSOLDIER: I found one of your Public Enemies. He was hurt when I found him, but he’s alive. Not sure for how much longer though.
TUROK: Well! Well, well, well…this is a pleasant surprise indeed. Master Orbius, in the flesh. Lay him over there, citizen.
SUPERSOLDIER walks ORBIUS over to a chair, lays him over it.
TUROK: Say…weren’t you one of those super-soldiers Jinn-Lir fused with those magical coins?
SUPERSOLDIER: I was.
TUROK: To attack…me.
SUPERSOLDIER: Y…yes…
TUROK: So why bring HIM to me?
SUPERSOLDIER: The plan failed. We were used. Magic got exposed as inferior. I see the mistake I made now. And I’m proud to have now done something for my Emperor, instead of against him
TUROK: I see, I see. Well, thank you for your service.
SUPERSOLDIER: You’re welcome, my emperor. Now, about the reward?
TUROK: Hmm?
SUPERSOLDIER: Your speech mentioned a reward for capture of your Enemies.
TUROK: Ah yes, yes. You just got your reward. I thanked you.
SUPERSOLDIER: What?
TUROK: And now, MY reward.
TUROK’S MACHINES spring to life and murder the SUPERSOLDIER on the spot. TUROK looks down at the smoldering corpse.
TUROK: Once magical, always magical. And always marked for death.
We pan behind TUROK and see XOR lounging on a cushioned couch, looking slightly nervous but also impressed. She looks at her hands and shakes her head as if saying to herself “no magic yet, he can’t know for now.” Her eyes quickly flash that threatening flash before she closes her eyes to take a nap. Pan out to show XOR, TUROK, and the SUPER-SOLDIER’S corpse in one shot.
END