The Saga of Seven Suns: Veiled Alliances (22 page)

3. ENGINEER 1

PRESSURE OUTSIDE IS INCREASING!

4. ENGINEER 2

LIKE WE’RE BEING SQUEEZED BY A GIANT FIST!

5. COREY

DO SOMETHING!

PANEL 3

Corey and the main engineer shouting at each other.

6. COREY

I WANT ANYTHING YOU CAN THINK OF—INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS . . . CRACKPOT IDEAS . . .

[LINK]

NOW’S NOT THE TIME TO BE SHY!

PANEL 4

Very narrow horizontal panel of a metal hull seam, bending, buckling, the rivets are shoot out like bullets . . .

PANEL 5

Everyone ducks from the flying rivets.

SFX

PNNNG! TINNNK!

7. ENGINEER

DUCK!

PANEL 6

Small inset panel. The chief engineer has an idea, but he isn’t wild about it.

8. ENGINEER

WELL, I’VE GOT AN IDEA, COREY . . .

[LINK]

BUT I’M NOT CRAZY ABOUT IT.

PANEL 7

External shot of the big fuel and processing tanks.

9. CAPTION

“WE COULD PIPE SOME OF THE SUPERCHARGED EKTI FROM THE RESERVOIR TANKS . . . ”

PAGE 66

Eight panels

PANEL 1

Engineers working on pipes and equipment.

1. CAPTION

“DIVERT THE STARDRIVE FUEL INTO ONE OF THE LEVITATION ENGINES . . . ”

2. CAPTION

“MAYBE GIVE IT ENOUGH FOR A JUMP-START.”

PANEL 2

One young engineer, very nervous, wipes sweat from his forehead.

PANEL 3

Corey grabs the engineer, shouting at him, forcing him to do what must be done.

3. COREY

WILL IT WORK?!

4. ENGINEER (SMALL VOICE)

PROBABLY NOT . . .

5. COREY

DO IT ANYWAY!

[LINK]

AT THIS POINT, IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME . . .

PANEL 4

The chief engineer sends Corey up to the shielded bridge deck, gesturing for him to get out of there. Corey climbs the ladder on the right side of the panel.

6. ENGINEER

FINE, BUT GET TO THE ARMORED BRIDGE CHAMBER, GUIDE US UPWARD—

7. ENGINEER

IF
WE CAN GET THE ENGINES GOING.

PANEL 5

Corey climbs up through the hatch onto the bridge deck.

8. CAPTION

“SEAL YOURSELF IN, COREY, JUST IN CASE ANYTHING GOES WRONG.”

PANEL 6

Corey seals the heavy hatch, making the bridge deck secure.

9. COREY

NOT THAT IT’LL DO ME ANY GOOD.

PANEL 7

Long, narrow panel, stark, showing Corey all alone on a very big, very empty bridge.

10. COREY

READY . . . AND WAITING.

PANEL 8

Corey listens to the engineer on the intercom.

6. INTERCOM

THIS IS OUR ONLY CHANCE . . .

7. COREY

JUST DO IT!

PAGE 67

One panel plus full page spectacular.

PANEL 1

Corey looks out the window, his back to us, peering into the mists.

8. COREY

SURE ISN’T VERY FRIENDLY DOWN HERE . . .

[LINK]

WHAT’S THAT?

REST OF PAGE

The wounded, smoking skymine is surrounded by three immense hydrogue warglobes, spiked spheres that look terrible and ominous.

1. SKYMINE

MY GOD! THEY’RE . . .
SHIPS!

PAGE 68

Seven panels

PANEL 1

The chief engineer, determined, powers up his crazy patchwork machinery.

1. ENGINEER

NO CHOICE. IT’S GOTTA BE NOW . . .

HANG ON UP THERE, COREY!

PANEL 2

The machinery shudders, rattles, not inspiring confidence at all.

PANEL 3

The engineer looks sick with dismay—obviously something very bad is about to happen.

2. ENGINEER (SMALL VOICE)

OH . . . NO . . .

PANEL 4

Big panel, the tanks rupture and a giant gush of flame spews out of the side of the skymine.

SFX

FWWRSHHHH

PANEL 5

Corey is thrown to the deck by the explosion.

PANEL 6

He frantically calls over the intercom, shouting for anyone on the engineering deck, but he gets now answer.

3. COREY

HELLO? ENGINEERING DECK??!

PANEL 7

He drags himself to the window.

4. COREY

ANYBODY?

PAGE 69

Three panels

PANEL 1

Big flashy panel. The three hydrogues zap out with their blue lightning weapons, opening fire that blasts the skymine into smithereens.

SFX

BZZZZRRR

SFX

ZZZHHHSSZZZ

PANEL 2

The armored bridge deck/capsule breaks free of the wreckage as the skymine breaks apart.

PANEL 3

Seen from the outside, looking through the window, Corey is plastered against the glass, looking stunned and disbelieving.

1. COREY

THE EXPLOSION . . .

[LINK]

THEY MUST HAVE THOUGHT WE WERE FIRING ON THEM!

PAGE 70

Eight panels

PANEL 1

Seen from above, the big “lifepod” shoots upward like a bubble in water. Far below, we still see the three hydrogues and the burning wreckage of the skymine.

1. COREY

WHOEVER . . .
WHAT
EVER THEY ARE!

PANEL 2

Small panel, Corey is thrown about inside the escape chamber.

PANEL 3

Small, narrow panel, the armored window glass begins to crack ominously from the pressure.

SFX

KKKRKK

PANEL 4

Corey’s face, extreme close-up, his eyes and lips stretched out as he grimaces from the incredible acceleration and pressure.

2. COREY

RISING . . . TOO . . . FAST . . .

PANEL 5

The pod bursts out of the cloud deck, finally reaching equilibrium, like a submerged beach ball popping out of water.

PANEL 6

Shaken, Corey picks himself up. He looks battered and stunned.

3. COREY

EQUILIBRIUM . . . THE CLOUD DECK . . .

PANEL 7

The armored pod settles in the thick clouds atop a sea of mist. (This is the same level where the skymines were operating.)

4. POD

THE SKYMINING LEVEL . . .

PANEL 8

Terrified, Corey looks out the window.

5. COREY

I’M ALIVE, THE ONLY ONE . . . SAFE.

6. COREY

SAFE???

PAGE 71

Across the top, blue band with white letters: EARTH.

Four panels

PANEL 1

Big colorful panel: seen from behind, Thara walking down the red carpet toward King Ben’s throne. She is carrying a potted treeling, though we won’t see it well until next panel. The Throne Hall is opulent, full of sparkly things. A crowd of courtiers and spectators dressed in fancy clothes are watching. A couple of other Theron natives (dressed much differently, more primitive, more exotic) follow two steps behind Thara as she makes her way up to the throne.

1. THARA

KING BEN, I REPRESENT THE SOVEREIGN WORLD OF THEROC.

PANEL 2

Chubby King Ben, looking jovial and pleased, smiling at Thara.

2. KING BEN

SOVEREIGN
WORLD?

[LINK]

DO YOU NOT WISH TO BE PART OF MY KINGDOM, A SIGNATORY TO THE HANSA CHARTER?

PANEL 3

Thara looking calm, possibly bowing her head.

3. THARA

NO, SIRE.

4. THARA

OUR FOREFATHERS LEFT EARTH OVER A CENTURY AGO TO FOUND THEIR OWN COLONY . . .

[LINK]

TO FACE THEIR OWN HARDSHIPS, AND CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINIES.

PANEL 4

Thara facing us now, holding the healthy-looking treeling in her arms. It is in a smooth, ornate pot, lovingly handmade. She looks cool, pleased to be in front of the Great King, but she isn’t overly cowed.

5. CAPTION (THARA)

BY GOOD FORTUNE, WE HAVE REESTABLISHED TIES WITH EARTH . . .

6. CAPTION (THARA)

BUT THAT DOES NOT CHANGE THE ORIGINAL TERMS OF THE CHARTERS OUR FOREFATHERS SIGNED.

PAGE 72

Eight panels

PANEL 1

Malcolm Stannis stands on a high observation balcony. We can see the throne hall and throne far below. He’s not really paying much attention; it’s just another boring diplomatic routine.

1. MALCOLM

I SEE HOW THE KING MIGHT GET BORED WITH THESE ACTIVITIES, DAY AFTER DAY . . .

PANEL 2

King Ben expansive, like everyone’s favorite uncle, somewhat perplexed at Thara’s request, but agreeable. Malcolm looks like he’s swallowed a bottle of vinegar again.

2. KING BEN

OF COURSE, IF THAT IS YOUR WISH.

3. KING BEN

ALTHOUGH MANY COLONIES HAVE EXPRESSED THEIR DESIRE TO REJOIN THE COMMUNITY OF THE HANSEATIC LEAGUE . . .

PANEL 3

Malcolm high-tailing it down the stairs, running full speed to the throne hall.

PANEL 5

In the throne hall, in front of the throne, Thara nods or bows her thanks, happy; King Ben reaches out, benevolent.

4. KING BEN

IF YOU TRULY WANT TO FEND FOR YOURSELVES . . .

5. KING BEN

THEN I GRANT THERONS THEIR INDEPENDENCE FOR ALL TIME.

6. THARA

THANK YOU, KING BEN.

PANEL 6

Malcolm rushes into the throne hall, screeching to a halt at one of the arched doorways . . . but it’s too late. Courtiers and audience applaud politely.

PANEL 7

Malcolm close-up, glowering.

7. MALCOLM

DAMMIT, THIS IS THE LAST STRAW!

PAGE 73

Seven panels

PANEL 1

Malcolm has a forced, fake smile on his face as he rushes the King away.

1. MALCOLM

KING BEN, WE NEED TO TALK—IN PRIVATE.

PANEL 2

Malcolm enters the King’s lavish bedroom carrying a fancy tray with teacups. In the background the King lies on his plush bed.

2. KING BEN

MALCOLM, YOU BROUGHT TEA!

PANEL 3

Close-up of Malcolm pouring tea into two cups (we don’t need to see his face).

3. MALCOLM

NO NEED FOR US TO SHOUT AT EACH OTHER, BEN . . .

[LINK]

BUT YOU KNOW I’M VERY UPSET WITH YOU?

PANEL 4

King sits up in bed, afraid to see Malcolm, knows he screwed up but not looking forward to the confrontation.

4. KING BEN

I KNOW, BUT—BUT REAFFIRMING THEIR INDEPENDENCE WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

5. KING BEN

THE GENERATION-SHIP COLONISTS ALWAYS INTENDED TO BE SELF-RELIANT, CUT OFF FROM EARTH.

PANEL 5

Malcolm’s hand holding out a cup.

6. KING BEN

WE CAN’T RENEGE NOW!

7. MALCOLM

OF COURSE NOT, BEN . . .

PANEL 6

Malcolm looks pleasant, forgiving, not at all bothered.

8. MALCOLM

PERFECTLY UNDERSTANDABLE.

PANEL 7

Profile: Malcolm sips from his cup of tea.

9. MALCOLM

NO ONE COULD ARGUE WITH YOUR LOGIC.

PAGE 74

Seven panels

PANEL 1

Looking relieved, the King drinks from his cup.

1. KING BEN

I’M SO RELIEVED, MALCOLM.

PANEL 2

King grimaces, looks at the cup.

2. KING BEN

VERY STRANGE FLAVOR . . . BITTER.

PANEL 3

Malcolm, looking smug, crosses his arms, perfectly satisfied now.

3. MALCOLM

TASTES FINE TO ME . . .

[LINK]

BUT THEN I’VE ALREADY TAKEN THE ANTIDOTE.

PANEL 4

Big startling panel as the King clutches his throat, face turning purple, in convulsions.

PANEL 5

Very extreme close-up of King’s wide and terrified eyes as he realizes he’s dying.

PANEL 6

The teacup smashes on the floor, spilling tea everywhere.

SFX

KRRSSHH

PANEL 7

Closing the bedroom door behind him as he leaves, Malcolm walks away smiling.

4. MALCOLM

SLEEP WELL, MY KING. . . .

PAGE 75

Across the top, red band with white letters: LLARO.

Twelve panels

(don’t cringe! A lot of them are small and simple)

PANEL 1

TZ, Madeleine, and the two boys are close together as the black Klikiss robots loom all around them.

1. DEREK

WHAT HAPPENS NOW?

2. TZ

THE KLIKISS ROBOTS DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO EITHER.

Note, panels 2 through 6 are very small tight shots.

PANEL 2

Madeleine tense but protective. “Don’t mess with me or my family!”

PANEL 3

Geometric-shaped Klikiss robot head.

PANEL 4

The two boys, looking scared.

PANEL 5

Robot head, tighter.

PANEL 6

The compy TZ.

PANEL 7

Big looming black robot begins to come closer. (Inset with two very tiny, very tight panels 8, 9)

3. ROBOT

WE MERELY WISH TO INVESTIGATE . . .

4. ROBOT

. . . ACQUIRE INFORMATION

5. ROBOT

. . . BY ANY MEANS. . . .

PANEL 8

One of the sharp-looking claws clacking ominously shut.

PANEL 9

Very close of the glowing, scarlet optical sensor.

PANEL 10

Madeleine gives the boys an encouraging shove toward the open ship.

6. MADELEINE

RUN! GET INSIDE THE SHIP!

PANEL 11

Starting to run herself, Madeleine yanks TZ’s mechanical arm, ripping him completely off his feet.

7. MADELEINE

COME ON, TZ!

PANEL 12

Crowding together, everyone scrambles through the ship’s hatch.

PAGE 76

Four panels

PANEL 1

The swarms of robots cluster threateningly together, pushing closer to the ship like a mob, as if they want to overwhelm it with the sheer force of their presence.

1. MADELEINE

FORGET THE CHECKLIST, BOYS—

PANEL 2

The ship takes off precipitously, leaping into the sky, knocking some of the robots backward with the force of its exhausts.

2. CAPTION (MADELEINE)

WE’RE GETTING THE HELL OUT OF HERE!

PANEL 3

Tighter shot of one of the robots, really blasted by the force of the exhaust. (Don’t show any damage though . . . these things have already survived for ten thousand years and they don’t break easily!)