(Note: Please forgive the awful formatting. I cannot get the website to format it without breaking.) 

 

EXT. THE ONYX - DAY

LARZ steers KIP, the mutant axolotl, through a bustling
street filled with market stalls while ITZEL examines the
passing wares from the back seat. The streets are illuminated
by blue bioluminescent lanterns hanging from the buildings
and merchant stands along the road. Kip barely fits between
the stalls on either side of the narrow street and the
pedestrians are having trouble moving to either side of the
street to let them pass. Itzel leans over to stare at a stall
filled with various mining drills before they turn their
attention to a stall full of gems and necklaces. A merchant
from the gem stand steps forward and extends an arm covered
in crystal necklaces.

CRYSTAL VENDOR
Anything catch your eye? The
amethysts are in the latest
fashion.

Itzel smiles and shakes their head.

ITZEL
They’re very pretty but I’m just
passing through. Thank you.

The merchant nods and returns to his stand. Itzel looks over
Larz’s shoulder at the teaming street then they frown.

ITZEL (CONT'D)
We’re going pretty slow Larz. Any
way to speed it up?

Larz shrugs and turns back to Itzel.

LARZ
We’re going fast enough. I’m not
going to trample anyone you know.

Itzel lets out a small sigh and slumps back in their seat.

ITZEL
I know. We just have a meet’n is
all.

Larz points up the street to a glowing blue sign about two
blocks away.

LARZ
It’s right up the road, we’ll make
it in good time. Just keep an eye
out for anything we need.

ITZEL
On it.

Itzel goes back to scanning the stalls as they keep moving
through the crowd.

CUT TO:

EXT. LEXI’S STORE - DAY
Kip’s head raises to look at a store as Larz and Itzel
dismount. They look up at a glowing blue sign with metal
detailing that is set into the stone facades of the building.
The sign reads “Lexi’s Place.” Larz takes Kip by the reigns
and leads her inside the large doors of the shop.

CUT TO:

INT. LEXI’S STORE - CONTINUOUS
Itzel and Larz enter the store with Kip in toe. Shelves
filled with various crystals are spread evenly throughout the
shop as well as polished crystal tables and chairs that catch
the blue light of the bioluminescent lanterns strung
throughout the room. Itzel turns their attention to the
the counter where they see a woman in a fine crystal-trimmed
black jacket, LEXI, talking to a MINER in a dirty uniform
with a messy short beard who is clutching a bag in his hand.

MINER
Come on Lexi, can’t you throw in a
little more than that?

Lexi shakes her head.

LEXI
I’m sorry, I can’t pay full price
for scuffs and cracks. Maybe the
stall vendors but not me.

MINER
But—

LEXI
That’s final.

The miner nods and turns to the door. He gives Kip an odd
look as he moves out the door and she bleps her tongue at
him. Lexi turns her attention to them and extends her arms
with a big smile.

LEXI (CONT'D)
Ah, you two are finally here. I was
starting to get worried.

Lexi vaults over the counter in one gracious move. She walks
up to Itzel.

LEXI (CONT'D)
So, did you get it?
Itzel rubs the back of their head.

ITZEL
Uh, Lexi, that’s something we need
to talk about in private. Like, in
the back.

Lexi’s face falls.

LEXI
You didn’t find it?

Larz steps forward.

LARZ
No, we did. We just can’t say it
here.

Lexi lets out a deep breath and then waves for them to follow.

LEXI
Alright, then follow me.

She presses a button on her desk and the shutters to the
front door Lower, the sign outside going out.

LARZ
Where should I put Kip?

Lexi looks back and waves to the sitting area.

LARZ (CONT'D)
In the lounge.

Larz takes Kip over to it and makes a motion to stay. Kip
curls up on the floor and Itzel and Larz follow Lexi into a
back room and she shuts the door behind them.

CUT TO:

INT. LEXI’S BACK ROOM - CONTINUOUS
Lexi, Itzel, and Larz all take a seat at a crystal table in a
room filled with crates and shelves full of crystals. A
single lantern hangs above the table. Lexi leans forward and
interlaces her fingers.

LEXI
So, what happened?

Itzel’s knee bounces as they rap their fingers on the table.

ITZEL
Well you see, we got mugged on the
way in.

Lexi’s face falls.

LEXI
Mugged? By who?

Larz gives a wave of his hand.

LARZ
The Acceptors claimed contraband.
Any idea where they might take it?

Lexi runs her hands through her hair and lets out a nerves
chuckle.

LEXI
I do, but it’s bad. If it was
confiscated, it’s in their main
compound for processing.

Larz whistles and leans back in his chair.

LARZ
Oh yeah, that’s real bad.

ITZEL
Nothing we can’t handle though.

Lexi raises her eyebrow.

LEXI
This isn’t some quite burglary
Itzel, that place is a fortress and
is guarded like one.

Itzel waves their hand.

ITZEL
Leave the infiltration to us.
Anything you can tell us about the
crystal? You said it’ll stop the
gas but never said how.

Lexi nods.

LEXI
Alright. The crystals grow when
exposed to electricity and create
a vacuum seal when it fills a given
area. It’s noncorrosive and quite
resilient, which is why I need it.
This stuff is rare and normally too
dangerous for mining teams to carry
due to their electrical equipment.
In the wrong hands, it can be used
to devastating effect.

Larz turns to Itzel and shrugs.

LARZ
Well then, let’s finish our job.
Itzel nods and rises from the table.

ITZEL
Thank you, Lexi. The gas leak will
be sealed in no time.

LEXI
Hold on, before you go, I’ve got
something that might help.

Lexi gets up from the table and moves to the back of the room
and opens a crate. She pulls a box out of it and brings it
back to open it at the table. Inside the box are four purple
bottles with dials on the top.

LEXI (CONT'D)
A friend of mine just sent these
in. They should create a good
distraction.

Itzel’s eyes light up as they lean in to look but Larz only
raises an eyebrow.

LARZ
And they are?

LEXI
Spore bombs. They release a cloud
of spores that incapacitates those
that breathe it in. Twist the top
and push it in to arm it then
throw. I can only spare four, but I
can vouch for them. One saved my
life before.

Itzel grabs the box and puts it in their bag.

ITZEL
I don’t say no to new toys.

Lexi raises a finger and moves to another crate before
returning with a pair of gas masks.

LEXI
I also have these. They’re meant
for the gas from the breach, but
they should help with the bombs as
well. Trust me, you don’t want
those spores in your lungs.

ITZEL
Thanks Lexi. We’ll get this done in
no time.

LEXI
Good luck. Make them hurt.

Larz rises from the table with a nod and he and Itzel leave the back
room. The door closes behind them.

CUT TO:

INT. HIDEOUT - LATER
Itzel rolls out a map of Gerro on a table in a sparsely
furnished room. Kip is curled up in a corner of the room.
Itzel is sitting on a chair while Larz is sitting cross
legged on the floor beside the table, looking at the map as
Itzel begins to trace on it. They circle the front gate.

ITZEL
Alright, so from our scouting we know of three ways in.
MONTAGE— VARIOUS LOCATIONS

A) EXT. ROOFTOP - DAY
Itzel is staring out of a pair of binoculars as they are
crouched down behind the lip of the roof top. Through the
binoculars there is a large gate that is teaming with guards.

ITZEL (V.O.) (CONT’D)
The front is a no go. They have a
couple dozen goons just sitting
there.

B) EXT. SIDE STREET - LATER
Itzel walks through a side street and creeps up to hide
behind a wall at the end of the street. They peer around it
and stare out at a side gate of the Acceptor compound. The
gate is open and there are a half dozen guards who are
thoroughly checked before they are let through.

ITZEL (V.O.) (CONT’D)
The side gate near the dock won’t
do either. The guards pick over
incoming shipments too much to hide
in anything.

C) INT. HIDEOUT - SAME TIME
Itzel crosses out the circles over the front and dock side
gates then circles an area near the back of the facility.
Itzel hands the pencil to Larz.

ITZEL (CONT'D)
That leaves your route. What are we
looking at?

Larz takes the pencil and traces a line down three streets to
the circled area.

LARZ
Something both better and worse.

D) EXT. STREET NEAR BACK GATE - DAY
Larz walks along the street adjacent to the back gate of the
Acceptor compound. He stares out at a small door that has
three guards dressed in trench coats and military caps
stationed near it.

LARZ (V.O.) (CONT’D)
There are only three guards
positioned there but...

Larz narrows his eyes at the door as it opens, then his face
falls as a line of armed Acceptors stream out of it.

LARZ (V.O.) (CONT’D)
...it’s also where the patrols come
from.

E) INT. HIDEOUT - SAME TIME
Larz taps the map with the pencil.
LARZ (CONT'D)

The patrols run about every fifteen
to twenty minutes apart so we don’t
have long if we want to get in and
out undetected.

Itzel crosses their arms.

ITZEL
So I take it we’re overpowering
them?

Larz sets the pen on the table.

LARZ
I don’t see any other way, unless
you want to use the spore bombs.

Larz snaps his fingers.

LARZ (CONT'D)
Which reminds me...

Larz leans over and rummages around in an inner coat pocket.

LARZ (CONT'D)
...I picked this up on the way back.

Larz pulls a mining charge and detonator out of his coat and
sets them on the table. Itzel stiffens.

ITZEL
You bought explosives? This is a
stealth mission.

Larz holds up a hand.

LARZ
It’s a last resort, only for if the
silt hits the slate. Like I said,
we got fifteen to twenty minutes,
so we might need a quick way out.

Itzel settles down but still eyes the mining charge warily.

ITZEL
So I guess we’re waiting out a
patrol then.

LARZ
Then we’ll take on the guards.

ITZEL
And Kip?

Itzel hooks a thump to Kip who raises its head to stare at
them.

LARZ
I found a nice place for Kip. It’s
hidden but close enough for Kip to
come running.

ITZEL
Well then, let’s do it.

Larz nods.

END MONTAGE

CUT TO:

EXT. STREET NEAR THE ACCEPTORS COMPOUND - LATER
Itzel and Larz coax Kip to hide in an alley filled with
crates before covering Kip with some tarps. Larz rubs Kip’s
head between her gills and looks into her big black eyes.

LARZ
We won’t be long. Just stay here
ok?

Kip curls up under the tarps while Larz and Itzel creep to
the edge of the alley and peer out at the street. Itzel
stares out at the gate, watching the three guards converse in
front of it.

ITZEL
Not very professional are they?

LARZ
It’s a slow job I’d imagine.
Itzel smiles and bumps Larz on the arm.

ITZEL
Not today. When are the guards
coming through?

Larz gives Itzel a small smile.

LARZ
Any second now.

The gate to the compound opens and the three guards stiffen
into a vigilant pose. A patrol of twenty Acceptors stream out
of the compound. Each one is carrying crystal rifles and have
bioluminescent batons at their waist. Itzel and Larz watch as
the patrol moves towards a street about a block away. Larz
turns to Itzel.

ITZEL
Once they get around the corner we
bolt for it. Here, you have the
longest arms, so you’re the
thrower.

Itzel reaches into their bag and pulls out the box of spore
bombs. They open the lid and offer it to Larz. Larz grabs one
and the purple jar is dwarfed in his hand.

LARZ
Twist and push the dial?

ITZEL
That’s what she said. Ready?

Larz peeks out from the alley and watches the last of the
patrol move around a street corner then back to the three
guards who have resumed their conversation.

LARZ
We’re golden.

Itzel and Larz pull gas masks out from their bags and pull
them over their heads before they run out from the alley.
They get about halfway there before one of the guards notices
and points.

ACCEPTOR 3
Intruders.

He pulls out a crystal pistol and opens fire on Itzel. Itzel
drops and rolls as crystal bolts slam into the ground about
them. Larz turns the dial on the spore bomb and pushes it in.
The jar begins to glow with a purple light as Larz throws it.
The spore bomb speeds through the air towards the Acceptors
just as the other two guards pull out their pistols. They
look at it and spring to the side.

ACCEPTOR 4 ACCEPTOR 5
Grenade!

The spore bomb collides at the feet of the guards and
explodes into a purple cloud that envelops the guards despite
their initial jump. They begin to cough and stumble about.
Larz and Itzel run into the cloud. Itzel finds a guard in the
spore cloud and tackles them to the ground. Larz finds two of
them, both clutching their chests and coughing hard. He grabs
them by their coats and slams their heads together. The
guards drop to the floor unconscious.

Larz walks around in the cloud to find Itzel pinning a guard
to the floor. He taps Itzel on the shoulder and they get off
the man. The guard pushes themselves up and lashes out behind
them only to get punched in the face by Larz. He crumples to
the floor unconscious. Larz grabs the man by the collar and
returns to the other two to do the same. He drags the
unconscious guards out of the cloud and props them up at the
wall.

CUT TO:

EXT. COMPOUND GATE - MOMENTS LATER
Itzel and Larz are still wearing their gas masks as they pull
on Acceptor coats and hats. The spore cloud is still behind
them, but has faded a fair bit. Itzel’s coat is a bit too big
for them and Larz’s coat is far too small. Larz’s arms hang
out of the sleeve a fair bit and the bottom doesn’t quite get
to his calves. The unconscious guards are propped up on the
corner of the wall, two of which don’t have coats or hats.
Itzel straps a holster belt to their waist before holstering
their pistol. They hand the remaining belts and pistols to
Larz. He puts up a hand.

LARZ
Itzel, you know I don’t.

ITZEL
It’s just part of the uniform. You
don’t have to use it.

LARZ
But—

ITZEL
Take them.

Larz grumbles and puts on the belts and holsters the guns.
Itzel slings their satchel over their shoulder then pops it
open and pulls out a folded-up tarp. They unfurl it and drag
it over the guards until it covers them all. Larz fishes
around in his coat pocket and pulls out a key. He puts it in
the panel near the gate and it slides open. They enter the
gate and close it behind them.

CUT TO:

INT. ACCEPTOR COMPOUND - CONTINUOUS
Larz pulls the door key out of a panel in the wall then he
and Itzel proceed down the cold concrete halls of the
compound. There are doors made of corrugated steel every few
yards and pipes run along the ceilings and walls.
Bioluminescent lanterns hang from the ceiling and cast a blue
light through the place. Itzel pulls off their gas mask and
stuffs it in their satchel.

ITZEL
Well, we’re going in blind, but it
should be near the middle if I had
to guess.

Larz pulls off his gas mask and puts it in his coat. He
points up above a door to their right where a painted sign
reads “Barracks 4” in a big blocky text.

LARZ
Or we could follow the signs.

Itzel nods.

ITZEL
That would be better.
They set off down the hall.

CUT TO:

INT. DEEP IN THE COMPOUND - LATER
Itzel and Larz walk down a hall filled with more pipes on the
walls. Itzel looks at the sign above each door.

ITZEL
Maintenance. Electrical. Nothing
helpful.

LARZ
We’ll need to find it soon. We’re
chewing up time.

ITZEL
You’re telling me.

Itzel turns a bend in the hallway to see two Acceptors
standing in front of a door with “Storage room 5” written on
it. They are the same Acceptors that took the crystal with
them. One of them looks up at Itzel just as Larz comes around
the corner. Itzel squints at them and whispers to Larz.

ITZEL (CONT'D)
Do they look familiar to you?

Larz squints as they gets closer. One of the Acceptors is
squinting back. He bumps his companion on the arm and the
other Acceptor turns to look at them. Larz’s eyes widen.

LARZ
Ah rubble.

Itzel’s eyes go wide and so does the squinting guards.

ITZEL ACCEPTOR ONE
You two!

CUT TO BLACK.