The Airship Oz

The Jewel of the Night

                                                                  {The night before the battle}

Elder:

"The world is similar to outer space. Black holes suck up the old debris of meteors and dust. Old stars burning out and planets we've yet touched. All of it is being swallowed by an unstoppable force. The empire is like that black hole. We are the dust and the meteors. The planets are our homes and countries. The planets and the stars have no choice but to be consumed. We do though. We have the chance to step forth and rebel against being taken. Against being forced into oblivion. We are the stars that will burn them up from the inside and out. Stand to your feet and raise your arm to shout out, ENOUGH! The Empire will NOT have this planet. They will not take our lands and our dignity. Enough! Now, let us take back what was consumed. Let us grow and reach out to new horizons, unchained from the soul-crushing Empire and those who gave rise to it. ENOUGH!"

*All of the people in the camp shouted out in a roar of cheers. People are raising their arms and fists as high as they can and continue to shout "ENOUGH!" SASHA has tears pouring from her eyes and ROSCOE holding her hand tightly. He sends out his roaring cheers and looks to be as fierce as a fighter could ever be. SASHA looks over to CAPTAIN ROCK and he is stone-cold amongst the sea of energy. As if he knows something that no one else does.

*Thinking* It's true. He's an eternal mystery. A book filled with empty pages. She sees him step away out of the crowd and out of sight. Robert and Stain are filling their cups with booze and celebrating as old men do. Talking about the past life of their younger years. DIZ and CHRISTIAN are out dancing in the sand with others who are now letting the musician's song take them over. Everyone is enjoying their last night of possible freedom. Tomorrow, the rebels begin their assault on the outposts. The Empire will no longer have tradespeople or merchants coming through with supplies. 

*The Empire will begin to notice, and they will come for the rebels. They want them out of the comfort of their palaces and beds. Tonight though, SASHA is worried and trembling. SASHA has another aching suspicion that everything is not as it seems. She is finally going to fully out-prove her worth aboard the Oz. Her time has come. And she will give every ounce of herself for this fight. That kind of aching power growing in her belly is stronger than any alcohol that could pass one's lips. She's never been more ready. But oh, so young is her heart and her spirit glows so brightly. CAPTAIN ROCK sees that and maybe he's worried too. Worried about who he might lose through this long fight. A small battle is never that small. He knows the consequences. The loss. Rock made it clear, that this is his family. He won't let go of that. Not if he can help it. *

*Sasha could barely sleep as her thoughts ran wild once more. Most everyone had gone to their tents and snuffed out the fires to rest themselves. Sasha sat up from her cot and looked over at Roscoe sleeping peacefully. His leg was still bandaged but healing with no problems. She knelt next to his cot and took in all of his features. She had known him most of her life and yet she felt as though this new man was right in front of her. She lifted her hand and moved a strand of hair from his face. His chest rose with each breath, and she felt warm and content. She cared so deeply for him. Outside their tent, she heard someone walking around. She got up to go outside and saw Rock walking up the dune. Curious, she followed quietly behind him. Once at the top, she spoke. *

Sasha: Do you mind if I join you?

*She sits on the sand and looks out to the horizon. The sun has not yet risen. The purple and pink clouds lit up the sky. A moment of quiet passed before he spoke. *

Rock: Hmmm... I take it you're too excited to sleep again.

Sasha: You know it. *Deep sigh*