INT. MOTHERSHIP, HOLDING CELL - DAY
When Barbella awakes she finds that she is held down to a chair by means of restraints. There are two guards present in the room.
BARBELLA: What did you do to me?
They don’t respond. A door slides open and the Alien Supreme Leader enters.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: Good. I see that you are awake.
BARBELLA: Is that a good or a bad thing?
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: You have killed a Morellian officer. Code 142. The punishment is death.
BARBELLA: Well, get it over with then.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: Oh it’s not going to be quite so easy. We know everything about you. All your memories. All your anxieties. What we don’t know is why.
BARBELLA: It’s rather simple. I hate everything that stands in the way of justice. Justice for the oppressed, justice for...
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: Hypocrite. You don’t know what justice means. You killed a soldier.
BARBELLA: He killed a friend
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: He merely transported him. Kyle, as you call him is safe and well.
BARBELLA: And how was I supposed to know he wasn’t dead?
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: Is that your defence?
INT. THE UNDERWORLD, WHOPPER HILL - NIGHT
Gustav sits on Whopper Hill looking out at the dark sky above. The only light being provided by a fake moon from the upperworld.
Ariadne sits beside him
GUSTAV: Can’t sleep eh?
ARIADNE: What’s wrong Gustav?
GUSTAV: I had two good nights. No nightmares. And now, all I can think about is Tayo. I feel responsible.
ARIADNE: He’ll be back. I know he will.
GUSTAV: What if he’s not? What if he’s buried at the bottom of the sea or ground into a thousand tiny pieces.
ARIADNE: He was very brave to try to do what he did.
GUSTAV: Or foolish. Part of me wants to help him, to find him, but...
ARIADNE: If you go, I will miss you.
GUSTAV: I don’t know. I just don’t know.
EXT. UNDERWORLD, VISITORS CAMP - DAY
As Gustav approaches the camp he can see some new recruits trying to master the hoverboard. A number of different trainees fall off them. Gustav approaches Morten and Clarissa
GUSTAV: I’d like to sign up.
MORTEN: Good, we were running out of cadets. Some of them broke legs, arms, collar bones...
CLARISSA: Stop joking Morten. You’re giving the boy second thoughts
MORTEN: I wasn’t... eh.
GUSTAV: I hope it’s easier than riding a bicycle.
MORTEN: Sure it is kid. Sure it is.
MONTAGE - GUSTAV PRACTICES HOVERBOARDING
- Gustav floats six feet above ground before falling off
- Gustav flies his hoverboard into a tree
- Gustav is attacked by a seagull and crashes to the ground
EXT. UNDERWORLD, VISITORS CAMP - EVENING
Gustav is hovering two feet above ground. Morten and Clarissa look on.
GUSTAV: I think I’ve got this.
MORTEN: Kid, I don’t think we’ve even got until tomorrow.
GUSTAV: How about now?
Gustav comes back down to the ground and stands off the hoverboard.
MORTEN: I don’t think you’re ready yet
GUSTAV: I’ll never be ready, but if it has to be done, it has to be done.
CLARISSA: I just wish we had more time.
Morten provides him with weaponry and explosives.
MORTEN: Ok kid. Go for it
Gustav is nervous. He hesitates.
MORTEN: Just look up. Don’t look down. And concentrate with everything you’ve got.
Slowly, Gustav puts both feet in position on the hover board
CLARISSA: We’ll be praying for you, Gustav.
Gustav slowly takes to the air. His pace increases steadily. He can see the border with the forbidden zone.
GUSTAV(softly to himself): Please let Tayo be right.
Gustav is relieved as he breaks through to the forbidden zone. He can see the mothership far above him.
The wind blows strongly, making Gustav more nervous. Desperately he tries to keep his balance. He slips but grabs the board in his hands. He is falling.
Another man (Dieter) on a hoverboard catches him.
DIETER: Keep it together kid.
He steadies Gustav who regains his composure.
DIETER : You got this.
They both continue to ascend to the mothership.
INT. MOTHERSHIP LANDING BAY - EVENING
Dieter and Gustav land successfully in the loading bay.
DIETER: Give me your weaponry kid
GUSTAV: What are you going to do with it
DIETER: Trust me
Gustav hands over the weaponry and Dieter puts it to one side.
GUSTAV: What are you doing?
DIETER: Trust me. They are more advanced than we are. If we carry weapons they won’t respect us.
GUSTAV: Are you crazy?
Dieter strides out of the landing bay and Gustav follows him.
DIETER: You risk your life just to get onto an alien ship with hundreds of aliens better equipped for battle than you are and you ask me if I’m crazy?
INT. MOTHERSHIP CORRIDOR - DAY
Dieter and Gustav are walking down the corridor when they are confronted by alien guards.
ALIEN GUARD LEADER: Barton Litbarski and Gustav Heynches you will come with me. The Supreme Leader awaits you.
Both Dieter and Gustav comply before Gustav turns to Dieter.
GUSTAV (in a low voice): You’re Barton Litbarski? The boy who went missing? What happened?
DIETER: Not a lot kid. Not a lot.
INT. MOTHERSHIP, CONTROL CENTRE - EVENING
The Alien Supreme Leader turns to Dieter as he arrives into the control centre.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: Mr Litbarski...
DIETER: Where is Barbella?
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: The woman you call Barbella, is guilty of a crime. She killed one of our soldiers. She does not wish to defend herself. The punishment is death.
DIETER: Is it just you who decides this?
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: We have technology to predict a person’s destiny. Unlike yours, it is never wrong.
DIETER: Can it also read the past? I know Barbella. She’s not a cold blooded killer.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: We can read the memories of anyone who has committed a crime. Bring up video file 10483.
A video starts to play on a screen showing the incident that occurred leading to the death of the alien patrol guard from Barbella’s line of sight. Once it concludes, Dieter protests.
DIETER: It was self defence
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: No humans were killed. They were merely transported
DIETER: And how was Barbella to know that?
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: The truth is, Barbella will re-offend again. Our predictor says so.
DIETER: Let me talk to her. The future can change. If the predictor changes it’s outcome, will you then spare her life?
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: If that were so and it is not, it would be a matter for the council.
DIETER: Please just let me talk to her.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: You have ten minutes.
INT. MOTHERSHIP PRISON CELLS - DAY
The alien soldiers escort Gustav to a prison cell. The cell holds a dozen others including Tayo
TAYO: Gustav. Are you ok? Did they perform experiments on you?
GUSTAV:No
TAYO: Kendra, here says she heard things.
KENDRA: I heard they turn your brain to mush with a scanner.
LOTHAR: And I heard that they cut pieces out of you so they can use it to clone you and then they farm you and then...
GUSTAV: I don’t think there’s any reason to worry
LOTHAR: Ok then, where are the others?
GUSTAV: In another cell.
KENDRA: And how do you know?
Some alien soldiers and a female alien scientist enter the room.
ALIEN SCIENTIST: One by one we will test each of you.
LOTHAR: Oh no. It’s happening.
ALIEN SCIENTIST: Lothar Eldress.
LOTHAR: I’m goosed
Lothar dawdles out the cell gate. He sits in a chair and the alien scientist takes a sample of his blood.
ALIEN SCIENTIST: You are finished. Go back to your cell.
LOTHAR: How long have I got Doc?
ALIEN SCIENTIST: Tayo Kerkes
INT. MOTHERSHIP, HOLDING CELL - EVENING
Dieter enters the holding cell where Barbella is being held. Her arms and legs are still held back by restraints
DIETER: Barbella. Do you remember me?
BARBELLA: The coward
DIETER: This is serious Barbella. They may kill you.
BARBELLA: I will die a noble death. I am no coward
DIETER: Lord Prefect has been toppled, Barbella. You have won. You can live out your life.
BARBELLA: I hope he rots in hell
DIETER: Don’t you have good memories? Memories that make you happy? Memories that you want to replicate?
BARBELLA: Lord Prefect took all my memories and through them in the sewer.
DIETER: You have to fight back Barbella, not with your fist but with your heart and your mind. You can find happiness again. I know you can. It just takes time.
BARBELLA: My body is prepared. I will fight with my fist, with every ounce of strength I can muster
She tries to break free of her restraints.
DIETER: I love you, Barbella. Can’t you see that?
BARBELLA: All I see is a snivelling coward
DIETER: If not me, there must be someone.
The alien supreme leader enters the cell
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: I told you she is not for turning
The alien supreme leader scans Barbella using a device.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: That’s strange.
DIETER: What is it?
INT. MOTHERSHIP PRISON CELLS - DAY
The soldiers and alien scientist return to the Prison cell room. Lister and two other prisoners are with them.
ALIEN SCIENTIST: I am going to call three names. All three will come with us.
The gate to the prison cell is opened. Lister enters.
ALIEN SCIENTIST: Kyroni Jester. Ranut Khan. Fikra Donusa.
All three amble out of the cell, heads bowed. The guards escort the trio out of the room.
LOTHAR: Where are you taking them?
TAYO: Where’s Salman?
LISTER: He’s in the cell I came from.
LOTHAR: What does it mean? What does it mean?
ARHARDT: It means we’re doomed. Stop whinging and act like a man.
KENDRA: Speak for yourself.
INT. MOTHERSHIP CORRIDOR - DAY
The Alien Supreme Leader and Dieter stride down the corridor.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: We are an advanced race. Our mission statement is to rid the galaxy of corrupt individuals and allow existing worlds the opportunity to rebuild.
DIETER: So you are vigilantes then?
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: You should be careful about what you say?
DIETER: I guess I’m not one of the good guys.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: Lord Prefect has opted for a trial instead of his immediate execution. Under our laws, if nobody volunteers to defend him, the task is mine.
DIETER: Only delaying the inevitable.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: I can offer you the chance to save her if you do only one thing.
DIETER: What is it?
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: Defend Lord Prefect
DIETER: Even if I wanted to, I know nothing about your laws.
ALIEN SUPREME LEADER: It’s your choice.
INT. MOTHERSHIP INTERROGATION ROOM - DAY
Lord Prefect sits at a desk, otherwise alone. Dieter enters and sits opposite him.
LORD PREFECT: And who are you?
DIETER: I’ve been asked to defend you.
LORD PREFECT: You? What do you know about defending me?
DIETER: If I had a choice, I wouldn’t be here.
LORD PREFECT: I’d rather an alien lawyer than you.
DIETER: Apparently none of them want to take your case. If you have someone else defending you, it will give you a greater chance of success.
LORD PREFECT: What’s your story? Are you someone who despises the ground I walk on?
DIETER: Frankly, Lord Prefect, it’s your story that matters most, here.
INT. MOTHERSHIP CORRIDOR - DAY
Lord Prefect is flanked by multiple alien guards as they march down a corridor.
INT. MOTHERSHIP, COUNCIL OF MINISTERS - CONTINUOUS
Lord Prefect enters the hall of the Council of Ministers. In front of him are a panel of five alien ministers and a crowd of sixty people are in attendance. Dieter stands beside him and Gustav is seated in the crowd.
COUNCIL LEADER: The leader of the upperworld is charged with corrupt leadership, persecution of the weak and promotion of propaganda. What say you?
LORD PREFECT: I am innocent. I was a well liked leader who..
COUNCIL LEADER: Save it. Firstly, you had multiple relations with women who you treated with disdain. Do you deny this?
LORD PREFECT: Of course
COUNCIL LEADER: Show the video
INT. UPPERWORLD BEDROOM OF SMALL APARTMENT (20 YEARS EARLIER) - AFTERNOON
A woman sits up in bed with bed clothes to cover her body.
BARBELLA’S MOTHER: When will you be back?
LORD PREFECT (TWENTY YEARS AGO): I’m not coming back. We’re finished. Here is your pay.
He tosses some money on the bed
BARBELLA’S MOTHER: I’m not a prostitute.
LORD PREFECT: You are nothing to me. I’m moving on.
BARBELLA’S MOTHER: Take your money. It was never about the money.
LORD PREFECT: It was always a contract. Nothing more. You no longer have anything to offer me. Goodbye.
Barbella’s mother conceals her body with bed clothes and rises from the bed
BARBELLA’S MOTHER: Hadrian?
Lord Prefect is unmoved and continues to the door before slamming it shut.
Barbella’s mother slumps down next to the door and starts to cry.
The video stops.