Daylight - First Draft

Act III - Scene 44: Inglorious Return

SC44 - Inglorious Return

EXT. MAYAGARDE. MORNING.

The Sword of Maya glides gracefully into its dock high above Mayagarde. The morning sun has yet to break over the tall walls of the city but it is still illuminated with a warm glow. The airship completes its dock and the main ramp extends to the nearest building. A messy ensemble crosses the ramp - General Greye in front, striding forth with an air of determination. Next, Emperor Crimson flanked by two doctors who he is attempting to shoo away, obviously disgruntled by their constant nannying. Close behind him Vilicia Adams and Commander Fredricks are swept along by a large escort, hands cuffed behind their backs. Eleanor, Zavier and Kayla cross at the very back of the group in sombre silence, Kayla's arm now bandaged and the cuts on Zavier's face stitched up. The doors to the building slide open when Greye nears them and an officer steps forward to greet him. Before he can speak however, Greye pushes him aside and begins to bark orders to the room at large.

GREYE: I want to see Admiral Balfor in the council room right now! And I want all officers to assemble in the square in twenty minutes!

OFFICER: Every officer sir? Our department is very busy with the search for...

Greye grabs the man's collar in one hand and leans in, addressing the man directly with a growl.

GREYE: Every officer in the city. Twenty minutes. That is an order.

OFFICER: Uhhh, yes sir! Twenty minutes sir!

Greye lets the man go. He then beckons for his procession to follow him while the officer turns to his inferiors and begins to yell orders frantically at them. Greye leads them all down a series of long corridoors and then out across the wall until eventually they reach the topmost entrance to the senate building. The guards step aside silently to let him past. A few moments later they are descending down the stairs to the center of the council chamber.

GREYE: Dammit, where's Raije?

CRIMSON: I'll deal with Raije when he gets here. You head to the square. The officers must be briefed on the situation.

GREYE: Very well. But I want to talk to him myself afterwards.

Greye swoops away. Kayla tries to catch his attention before he leaves but he completely ignores her and barges out the exit. Crimson takes a seat rather gingerly. One of the doctors makes to rush towards him but Crimson waves him away.

ZAVIER: What happens now... umm sir?

CRIMSON: You three may leave to visit your friends and family. But I must ask you to return here by midday, we may need your knowledge in order to plan our strategy.

DR. ADAMS: What about us? What'll happen to Emerald Industries now?

CRIMSON: I will speak with you later but for now I'm afraid I'll have to keep you in the detention wing. Emerald Industries rightly belongs to you, so until you're proven guilty of any crime you will remain in charge. Obviously the facility will not be able to operate in the mean time.

Crimson beckons for some officers, who swoop in to usher the two prisoners out of the room. Fredricks does not even glance at Eleanor as he passes her, his eyes pointed straight at his feet. The remaining soldiers that had been escorting them disperse until only Crimson, Eleanor, Zavier and Kayla remain in the room.

ZAVIER: I'm going to the guild. I want to see the others.

Kayla nods silently.

ZAVIER: What about you?

KAYLA: I should visit my mother. I expect dad'll be too busy to see me...

ZAVIER: Take care alright. I'll see you back here soon.

They exchange a small smile. Zavier looks round at where Eleanor was standing but she is now sitting on a step in the aisle, staring at the ground. He walks over to her.

ZAVIER: You alright?

ELEANOR: Yeah... I'm... I'm fine.

ZAVIER: You don't look it.

ELEANOR: I just wish I could see them again. I might never...

Tears begin to fall from her eyes. Zavier crouches down in front of her and puts a hand on her shoulder.

ZAVIER: You'll see them again.

ELEANOR: How... can you be sure?

ZAVIER: Remember what I promised you? I'll get you home safe. As far as I'm concerned, that still stands.

Eleanor smiles at him, her eyes shining with tears.

ZAVIER: You should come down to the guild with me. I expect the others will be pleased to see you too.

ELEANOR: Alright.

Zavier helps her up and gives Kayla one last nod. Kayla walks to the door and holds it open for them. Once they leave she turns her head to look back at the Emperor, still sitting there, now with his head in his hands. Kayla closes her eyes, blinking away tears of her own then leaves the room.