Episode 1: Scene 12

SCENE 12

INT – EARTH: ACADEMIC SPHERE: TRAINING FACILITY

Strong winds, dust clouds, flying debris, explosions, rumbling and pelting rain fill the atmosphere. As Ulin navigates through the Rift-Storm, Onizmo is seen in the distance. Ulin crouches down behind a protective barrier and takes a fleeting moment to assess. His posture is controlled and calm; his breathing, steady. He hears Onizmo panic and sees his near impacts.

Ulin flawlessly moves to his next position and the camera suddenly cuts to Onizmo. Onizmo is seen in the midst of chaos, darting past obstacles. Upon following the wrong direction, he makes a wrong turn and suddenly spins, narrowly avoiding being struck by large thrown debris. He stumbles and falls on his back behind an object that shields him from debris flying by overhead. He frantically looks around with heavy labored breathing. His fingers fumble as he aims to work his com cord.

Onizmo (muffled from within his helmet, as he attempts to speak to RadianLX):

“RadianLX! I need surveillance assistance.”

RadianLX (following protocol):

“Activating storm sequence, Zone 4”

Radian doesn’t respond to Onizmo.

Onizmo (yelling in a panicked frustrated outburst):

“arahh!”

The camera abruptly shifts to Blilisius in the control room. The storm can be seen raging through the large wide-spanning glass windows above the console. Blilisius is standing attentively in front of the control console, watching multiple angles of Onizmo’s actions through video monitors. Alden, attending the session for an observational assessment, stands nearby watching the simulation through the window. Blilisius presses the delay button in Zone 3 to pause the storm where Onizmo is. Near simultaneously he flips a microphone switch on the control console, connecting specifically to Onizmo.

Regent High Trainer Blilisius (firmly):

“Onizmo. Hold. I need you to exercise temperance.”

Onizmo (stressful panic):

“There’s just so much. A sign that says this way, but then there’s what looks like a good open opportunity. Everywhere I turn there’s something else coming at me.”

Regent High Trainer Blilisius (firmly):

“Onizmo. Your only focus should be listening to the still calm voice that directs you.”

Onizmo (straining tone):

“That’s just it. I can’t hear it with everything going on around me.”

Regent High Trainer Blilisius (firmly):

“I’ll end the session and have you start again in a level 2 storm.”

Blilisius looks down at the console and begins to reach for the shut off switch.

Regent High Counselor Alden (prophetically):

“He’s going to run for it.”

Blilisius looks up and both of them observe Onizmo jump up and navigate to zone 4.

The camera cuts to Ulin in a commando crawl. Nearly completing the last zone, he sees Ulin run for it.

RadianLX (following protocol):

“Activating storm radius sequence, Zones 5 through 7.”

Ulin looks around then holds steady as he works his com cord.

Ulin (straining breathy tone due to his physical position):

“RadianLX. Emit still voice navigation for Circuit 1, Zone 6.”

The camera cuts to Onizmo. The atmosphere is tense and the storm rages around him. He pauses safely and puts his hand on his helmet, as to press upon his ear. He appears to be trying to hear. He manages to affectively maneuver two hazards and makes his way to the zone 5.

The camera suddenly cuts to the control room where Blilisius and Alden watch carefully. Ulin can be seen on the cameras and through the glass navigating the storm closer to Onizmo.

The camera cuts to Ulin, who swiftly and successfully navigates back to Zone 5. His pace has increased and movements more urgent.

The camera cuts to Onizmo. With his posture showing hesitation, his movements backtrack with a change of mind. He stumbles forward into Zone 6 with another near impact. A close-up catches the sound of his heavy breathing. Onizmo rests in the center radius of the storm.

RadianLX (following protocol):

“Activating storm sequence, Zone 6.”

Onizmo hears the sequence change, elevating his stress. He knows that the radius storm will die down and the fiercest part of a storm will form right where he is. He decides to make a run for it, thinking that he may bypass it in the interim moment.

The camera cuts to the control room where Blilisius and Alden continue to observe. Blilisius’s hand continues hovering over the shut off switch. Suddenly the storm changes, Onizmo is still in the midst. Both Blilisius and Alden watch as Ulin cuts across Circuit 2 into Circuit 1. Blilisius stops his positioning formation.

The camera cuts to Onizmo as he tries to turn a corner. Ulin makes his way behind Onizmo, just as Onizmo steps out. Ulin grabs Onizmo’s forearm and pulls him backward, down toward the ground, just as an object hurtles through a dust cloud and pierces the barrier behind where he stood.

Onizmo grabs his helmet with his hands in disappointment.

Onizmo (yelling in a panicked frustrated outburst):

“aah!”

The camera cuts to the control room where Blilisius and Alden continue to observe. Blilisius’s hand still hovers over the shut off switch. Over the com speaker, they hear Ulin speak to Onizmo.

Ulin (in a shouting but compassionate tone):

“Onizmo.”

Onizmo (frustrated with clenching teeth):

“I thought I had it.”

The camera cuts to Ulin and Onizmo.

Ulin (in a shouting and directive tone):

“We are going to finish this, but I need you to stick to my plan.”

Onizmo nods in agreement.

Ulin (in a shouting and directive tone):

“We will move in tandem. I will hear the still voice and confirm it with you. You will initiate the steps forward. Ok?”

Onizmo nods in agreement. They both rise up to a crouched position. Ulin grabs his com cord.

Ulin (direct):

“RadianLX. Emit still voice navigation for Circuit 1, Zone 6 through 7.”

Ulin pivots behind Onizmo and places his hand on Onizmo’s back with the tip of his fingers bending over his shoulder. Ulin hears the still voice giving direction.

Ulin (clarifying with shouting):

“Did you hear that?”

Onizmo (anxiously shouting):

“What did it say? I couldn’t hear it.”

Ulin (clarifying with shouting):

“He said turn around and go right. I’ll follow you.”

The storm continues to rage and they both smoothly navigate to the next protective barrier, just inside Zone 7.

RadianLX (following protocol):

“Activating storm sequence, Crossway Zone 7.”

Ulin (clarifying with shouting):

“Now we wait and listen.”

Onizmo (anxiously shouting):

“Uh, Radian just said Crossway. That’s straight through where we are.”

Ulin puts his hand on Onizmo’s shoulder again as he faces him.

Ulin (direct with shouting):

“We wait and listen.”

Onizmo nods in agreement. Ulin hears the still voice giving direction. He begins to speak to Onizmo, but Onizmo speaks first.

Onizmo (confident shouting):

“I heard it; Move forward along the straight white line and follow the narrow trail out.”

Ulin nods in agreement.

Ulin (direct with shouting):

“…And without stopping. Keep your head down by the open spaces.”

They both smoothly navigate to the next small barrier. As they approach, the wind howls loudly past them at the same time the still voice directs them to remain steadfast.

The camera cuts to the control room where Blilisius and Alden continue watching. The monitors show Ulin and Onizmo exit the last zone. Blilisius flips down the shut off switch.

RadianLX (following protocol):

“Rift-Storm Deactivated.”

Blilisius flips on the arena microphone switch.

Regent High Trainer Blilisius (Stoic and resolute):

“Training simulation is concluded. Come on in to the control room.”