Daylight - First Draft

Act III - Scene 55: A Good Offense

SC55 - A Good Offense

EXT. THE SWORD OF MAYA - MAIN DECK. DAY.

Soldiers securing the last of the ammunition and supplies are hard at work on board the Sword of Maya while Eleanor, Zavier and Kayla make their way up the boarding ramp. As they reach the top, Zavier grabs Kayla's arm.

ZAVIER: Hey... can I talk to you for a moment?

KAYLA: Yeah sure.

Zavier gives Eleanor a quick glance over Kayla's shoulder and she quickly gets his meaning.

ELEANOR: I'll just uhhh... see myself on. I'll catch you guys later.

Eleanor hurries off across the deck. Kayla turns back to Zavier with a puzzled look.

KAYLA: What's up?

ZAVIER: So... this is gonna be quite the trip. We'll be lucky if all of us make it back in one piece.

KAYLA: Yeah.

ZAVIER: Once we're through the portal it'll be all down to Eleanor. It'll be real dangerous for her and anyone with her.

KAYLA: I know that. Why are you telling me this?

ZAVIER: I'm just saying... maybe it's better if you stay here. There's plenty of capable soldiers that can take care of this.

KAYLA: Are you serious?

ZAVIER: You have no reason to see this through. Let me handle this.

KAYLA: That's ridiculous! I have every reason. Besides, why should you be responsible?

ZAVIER: I made a promise that I have to keep.

KAYLA: You made that promise under different circumstances.

ZAVIER: I don't care. I won't break it again.

Kayla makes to retort again but Zavier raises his hands to stop her.

ZAVIER: Look it's just... I don't want to see you hurt alright! I couldn't live with myself if something...

He trails off, staring at his feet. Kayla raises a hand to his cheek and he looks back up.

KAYLA: If you want to protect me then keep me close. Don't send me away. Besides... how am I gonna protect you if you go running off again?

Zavier's worried expression cracks slightly as the corner of his mouth twitches into a smile.

ZAVIER: I'm just worried is all.

KAYLA: It'll be fine. You got my back, I got yours. That's how it's always been.

She smiles and then leans forward and kisses him. When they separate, Zavier looks considerably more confident and he stands up straight.

ZAVIER: We'd better get a move on then. You... stick real close you hear?

KAYLA: I'm not going anywhere without you.

Zavier gives her a satisfied nod and the two make their way up on deck where a crewman approaches them.

CREWMAN: You'll need to get inside, we're about to take off.

He guides them into a hallway and points them in the direction of the bridge. As they enter, General Greye turns around to greet them.

GREYE: Ah good you're here. Now are you sure you want to do this? It's not going to be easy...

KAYLA: Dad, I wouldn't trust anyone else with Eleanor's life right now. We're going. Besides it was us that came up with the plan.

GREYE: Of course. Just... be careful alright?

KAYLA: We will.

Kayla and her father embrace, but only quickly as General Greye straightens himself up again to maintain professionalism.

KAYLA: You'll be alright on your end? Once we clear the portal, their army is gonna hit you guys pretty hard.

GREYE: We're ready for them. The fleet is still in decent condition and my soldiers are fired up for a little payback. Our spirit will be all the advantage we'll need. Of course it'll be much better if you can get in and out as quickly as possible.

KAYLA: We won't let you down.

GREYE: You take care of her Zavier. Take care of them both.

ZAVIER: I will sir.

GREYE: Alright then. Now where's Eleanor? The last thing we want is to arrive at Zalvast and then realize we left the most important passenger behind!

KAYLA: She came on board before us. You haven't seen her?

GREYE: Not yet I'm afraid.

ZAVIER: She's on board, I'll go look for her.

Kayla nods and follows Greye as he returns to the bridge. Zavier walks out into the corridoor and follows it along until he reaches the deck again. It is empty now except for the figure standing at the end, staring out over the city. Zavier walks up to her.

ZAVIER: Everyone's been waiting for you.

ELEANOR: Oh... sorry.

ZAVIER: It's no big deal. You doing alright?

ELEANOR: Yeah. It's just a lot of pressure.

ZAVIER: You sure you're up for this? You could always stay on the ship while we get the sceptre.

ELEANOR: No. It's got to be me. It's my responsibility.

ZAVIER: It doesn't have to be. It's been Solis's responsibility for much longer than it has yours.

ELEANOR: I think that was part of the deal when I took the sceptre. He knew he'd have to pass it on eventually and who better to go to than another descendant of Haven.

ZAVIER: Just because you're her descendant doesn't mean it has to be you.

ELEANOR: I know. But it's already decided Zave.

ZAVIER: Your mind's made up?

ELEANOR: It is.

Zavier leans on the railing next to her and looks upon the city below.

ZAVIER: You've come a long way since we first met. Remember how you'd never been on an airship before?

ELEANOR: Yeah... feels like forever ago. I remember I was pretty nervous about flying. Not so much any more.

ZAVIER: Like I said, you get used to it.

ELEANOR: What'll happen after all this is over?

ZAVIER: We'll get you home.

ELEANOR: And what about you?

ZAVIER: Me? Well I guess I'll just go back to work. I probably owe a few extra hours at the guild.

ELEANOR: That's an understatement.

ZAVIER: Tell me about it. So what'll you do once your home?

ELEANOR: I don't know. I'll see my family then... travel maybe. It'd be nice to see the world without having to fight off soldiers or demons every five minutes.

They laugh together for a moment as the engines rumble to life below them.

ZAVIER: Well if you're ever in the city make sure to swing by the guild. You'll always have a home there.

ELEANOR: Thanks. That means a lot.

Eleanor smiles at him and lifts her arms off the railing.

ELEANOR: Well we'd better get inside if everyone's waiting.

Zavier follows suit and they both head back into the corridoor.