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The
Mark of Kane
by
Alan Stevens with David Tulley
Part One: War Crimes
takes place between the Season
Two episodes Voice from the
Past and Gambit.
Part Two: Friendly Fire
takes place approximately
eight months before the final episode, Blake.
ACT ONE: War Crimes by Alan Stevens
(THE
DREAM. ECHOS, SOUND OF PEOPLE RUNNING. SHOUTS AND SCREAMS MINGLE WITH
GUNFIRE. THEN... A ROARING BLAST FROM A FEDERATION SIDEARM)
TRAVIS:
(SHOUTS) Blake!
(FADE
IN ON THE WORD "BLAKE" THE FEDERATION PURSUIT SHIP BACKGROUND
ATMOSPHERE)
MUTOID
1: (ECHOING SLIGHTLY)
Commander? (A PAUSE THEN WITHOUT
REVERB) Commander?
TRAVIS:
(COUGHS) Uh? Have we achieved co-ordinates?
MUTOID
1: We are positioned
exactly one thousand spacials from
the perimeter of the defence zone.
TRAVIS:
Start sending the ident signal.
MUTOID
2: The ident signal is all
ready being transmitted.
TRAVIS:
Then turn it up, so I can hear it.
(THE
SOUND OF THE IDENT SIGNAL FROM THE SPEAKER FILLS THE FLIGHT DECK)
TRAVIS:
We haven't received a reply yet, I take it?
MUTOID
2: No.
TRAVIS:
How long have we been transmitting?
MUTOID
2: Thirty-five minutes.
TRAVIS:
Is it possible that the defence zone is blocking our trans... No, it's
not that. Perhaps...
(TRAVIS
IS INTERRUPTED BY THE REPLY TRANSMISSION)
TRAVIS:
That's it, open voice
channel. Ready?
MUTOID
2: Voice channel open.
TRAVIS:
My name is.... My name is Travis. I am a fugitive from the Federation.
I believe our interests coincide and I can help you.
(BURST
OF STATIC COMES FROM SPEAKER - NOTHING ELSE)
TRAVIS:
Look I know you're out there! You've answered the signal.
(STATIC)
TRAVIS:
All right. Have it your way, but ever heard of Monopasium 239? That ore
is going to give the Federation an intergalactic drive, and once they
have that, they'll do to you exactly what you're planning to do to
them.
(STILL
STATIC FROM SPEAKER)
TRAVIS:
Turn the ship about. Let's get out of here.
(SOUND
OF BUTTONS BEING PRESSED AND POWER BUILD UP)
VOICE:
(THROUGH HEAVY DISTORTION) Wait.
TRAVIS:
(SOFTLY TO MUTOID) Cut engines. (THEN IN ANSWER) Yes?
VOICE:
How did you obtain the signal identification code?
TRAVIS:
You had a beachhead on a frontier world called Auros. I was the Space
Commander who wiped it out. Course your lot had shape-shifted.
Infiltrated the civilian population. So I had to shoot a lot of them as
well, to make sure. So when I came across the ident signal and
rendezvous point, I kept it to myself.
VOICE:
Why?
TRAVIS:
There were five thousand colonists on that planet, and the news got out
about what happened to them. The news about me killing
them
all that is, not about your presence there. Anyway, I was suspended,
but the enquiry never happened and eventually I was given back my
commission. A political decision, I think. They didn't want the masses
to find out about you.
VOICE:
How can you help us?
TRAVIS:
I believe that I may be able to find a way to deactivate the anti
matter minefield for you.
VOICE:
How?
TRAVIS:
I've still got a few
contacts who can lead me to
Federation Central Control. That's the set-up which looks after all of
the Federation's main facilities, climate control, computer flight
co-ordination, (SLYLY) probably even this defence zone. If it does,
then I can bring the barrier down from there.
VOICE:
How do we know we can trust
you?
TRAVIS:
You don't, but then you don't have to. I do all the work; you just
prepare, and wait.
(LONG
PAUSE)
VOICE:
You will tell us the location of Control?
TRAVIS:
Yes, that as well.
VOICE:
How will this benefit you?
TRAVIS:
That's my concern.
VOICE:
We can provide you with power, you can rule
TRAVIS:
(INTERRUPTING) Don't give me that! There won't be anything left to rule
when you've finished.
(PAUSE)
VOICE:
We do not trust you
TRAVIS:
(CUTTING IN) Have we got a deal?
(PAUSE)
VOICE:
Yes, we agree. Contact us again when you have secured the location
co-ordinates.
TRAVIS:
(SWITCHES OFF COMMUNICATION) Right! Move out, but make sure nothing
follows us.
MUTOID
2: The communication did
come from behind
the defence zone.
TRAVIS:
I know, but they must have some way to get through, or they couldn't
have been on Auros. That defence zone's been there for... well it's
been there for...
MUTOID
2: (CUTTING IN) Then why do
they require your help?
TRAVIS:
Because they want to invade, and while they may be able to pilot a
scout-craft through the zone, that won't work for a fleet. Have the
scanners picked up anything?
MUTOID
2: All scans are so far
negative.
MUTOID
1: What course shall I lay
in?
TRAVIS:
I've got to find Docholli. Set a course for the planet Cynra in Sector
5. He spends a lot of them drunk, and I know a bar where we might pick
up his trail.
(SOUND
OF PURSUIT SHIP TRAVELLING AT SPEED THROUGH SPACE, FADE DOWN. FADE UP
AS PURSUIT SHIP LANDS, FADE DOWN. FADE UP ON FLIGHT DECK INTERIOR)
MUTOID
1: Ground zero. Contact
achieved Commander.
TRAVIS:
Right, you two stay here. If anyone tries to board Pursuit Four while
I'm away, kill them, and if I am not back in an hour, then come after
me.... (OPERATES DOOR CONTROL, THEN, AS IF REMEMBERING THAT YOU HAVE TO
GIVE SPECIFIC ORDERS TO MUTOIDS, TRAVIS ADDS...) And make sure you're
armed.
MUTOID
2: Commander?
TRAVIS:
Yes?
MUTOID
2: You instructed me to
tell you when my blood serum
level reached a certain point.
TRAVIS:
Well?
MUTOID
2: My blood serum level has
now reached that point. Do I
have your permission to replenish?
TRAVIS:
(CUTTING HER OFF) No. Wait until I get back.
MUTOID
2: But...
TRAVIS:
No.
(DOOR
SLIDES SHUT. FADE UP ON BAR. PEOPLE TALKING, MIXED WITH LOUD MUSIC)
BARMAN:
Yeah, I s'pose we could get some girls in. Those last strippers we had
were a bit posh though.
CUSTOMER:
My mate had some strippers in.
BARMAN:
Yeah? Any good?
CUSTOMER:
Brilliant! I can get them for you if you want. Real tarts they were.
BARMAN:
(ENTHUSIASTICLY) Get the tarts! Tarts is what we want! (THEN WITH VAGUE
SURPRISE) Travis - what are you doing here?
TRAVIS:
Is there somewhere we can talk?
CUSTOMER:
(TO BARMAN) Right, I'll be getting along then.
BARMAN:
(STILL SOUNDING OFF BALANCE FROM TRAVIS' SUDDEN AND UNEXPECTED
APPEARANCE) Ah... Yeah, okay (AS IF CALLING AFTER THE RETREATING
CUSTOMER), But don't forget what I said! (THEN TO TRAVIS) Now...
Ah...(THEN IN LOUD VOICE) Bethany, hoi Bethan, come here. Take over at
the bar for a minute, will you? I've got some business in the back
room. (IN A NORMAL VOICE) Right, come through Tr... er, friend.
(CUT
TO TABLE IN ANOTHER PART OF THE BAR)
KANE:
Hey! Royce?
ROYCE:
(BLEARILY) What? What is it?
KANE:
You see that guy at the bar? Come on, the big one with the eye patch?
ROYCE:
No.
KANE:
Look will you! Look now! Going through behind the bar.
ROYCE:
(WITH DISINTEREST) Yeah, what about him?
KANE:
I think I recognise him from that Federation bulletin. His name's - er
- Tra... Tru... Trevor! That's it!
ROYCE:
(STARTING TO SOBER UP) Trevor? What century was he born in? No one's
called Trevor anymore. It's a tosser's name.
KANE:
(EMPHATICALLY) Well his
name's Trevor and he's
worth a... (HUSHED TONES) worth a small fortune. Now are you going to
help me, or what?
ROYCE:
It can't be him.
KANE:
(RAISING HIS VOICE) It is him. (THEN CUTS BACK TO GUARDED TONES) It
damn well is him I tell you. So if you... if you.... Are you listening
to me? If you want any money tonight, you'd better give me some backup.
(TRAVIS
AND THE BARMAN ENTER THE ROOM. THE MUSIC AND CHAT FROM THE BAR BECOMES
MUFFLED AS THE DOOR IS CLOSED. THERE IS A CHINK OF GLASSES AND THEN THE
SOUND OF TWO DRINKS BEING POURED FROM A BOTTLE)
BARMAN:
Here, have a drink with me... on the house.
(SOUND
OF BOTTLE BEING PUT DOWN)
TRAVIS:
Thanks.
(PAUSE)
BARMAN:
You're taking a bit of a risk, aren't you Travis? Coming to a public
place like this? Cynra's part of Federation space now. What were you
court-martialed for? Mass murder, wasn't it? On Zercaster?
TRAVIS:
You know about that then?
BARMAN:
Know about it? You top the Federation's wanted list... almost.
TRAVIS:
Almost?
BARMAN:
Yeah! Your name comes just after that terrorist - um - Blake.
TRAVIS:
Just after Blake, eh?
BARMAN:
There's a big reward out for you as well... In fact, two.
TRAVIS:
Two? Who's the second one from?
BARMAN:
Bayban the Butcher. He's so pissed off that you demoted him he's put a
contract out on you. Before Blake came along he used to be top of that
list, you know?
TRAVIS:
Is that so?
BARMAN:
(STARTS ENTHUSIASTICALLY) Yeah. Now he's in third place and - uh - it's
- uh - I'd um - I'd keep my head down if I were you.
TRAVIS:
Mmmm.
BARMAN:
(GETTING NERVOUS) So, um, why are you here, then? Um, just passing
through? Business somewhere else I expect. Just come in for a drink,
eh?
TRAVIS:
I came to see you,
Stenner?
BARMAN:
Me? How can I help you?
TRAVIS:
I want you to tell me where
Kline is.
BARMAN:
What do you want him
for?
TRAVIS:
He's got some information that I need.
BARMAN:
Kline? You've got the wrong man. Kline's just an old drunk. He doesn't
know anything.
TRAVIS:
Oh, yes he does, and I think you know where I can find him. After all,
you do look after his daughter. How old is she now? Twelve is it?
BARMAN:
(WEAK LAUGH) Kline's got a daughter, who told you that rubbish?
TRAVIS:
Docholli did - Kline's alter ego.
BARMAN:
(IN SERIOUS TONE) Docholli. He told you he was Docholli?
TRAVIS:
No. I recognised him. He's a wanted man.
BARMAN:
Look, I've no idea where he is. He's on the run, and people on the run
don't leave forwarding addresses.
TRAVIS:
I think you know where he is, and I also think he sends you money to
look after the girl and keep her off the... off the staff.
I assume the reason Space Command aren't here yet is because the
mother's dead and she never registered Docholli as the father. Yes?
BARMAN:
(SIGHS) That's the trouble with Docholli. Once he gets a skinful....
Look, honestly, I don't
(TRAVIS
SUDDENLY GRABS THE BARMAN BY THE BALLS)
BARMAN:
(SHRILL) No! Wait! Wait! (THE BARMAN IS RELEASED) All right, last I
heard, he was on the planet Disentastra... in the 6th
Sector.... That's all I know, now please....
TRAVIS:
When was that?
BARMAN:
About two weeks ago.
TRAVIS:
What name's he using?
BARMAN:
Kline.
TRAVIS:
(DUBIOUSLY) Still?
BARMAN:
Still! It's still Kline, occasionally Masterson, but still Kline.
(PAUSE)
TRAVIS:
Is there a back way out of here?
BARMAN:
Yeah. Through that door, down the hall. It leads out into an alley.
TRAVIS:
Good.
(AWKWARD
SILENCE)
BARMAN:
One thing - (WITH EMPHASIS) just before you leave. If you knew who he
was, why didn't you turn him in? I mean, two years back you were still
in the service.
TRAVIS:
Yes, but before he went on the run, so was he.
BARMAN:
I don't understand.
TRAVIS:
No. I didn't think you would. Now, I'm sorry about this Stenner, but
I'm going to have to kill you.
BARMAN:
Kill me? You can't do that!
TRAVIS:
Oh, yes I can.
BARMAN:
Why?
TRAVIS:
Because I can't trust you.
BARMAN:
You know me - I won't say anything.
TRAVIS:
That's what you told Docholli.
BARMAN:
How are you going to do it? You can't shoot me Travis, everyone will
hear.
TRAVIS:
It's a problem, isn't it?
(SOUND
OF BOTTLE BEING PICKED UP AND BROKEN ON TABLE TOP)
BARMAN:
(TERRIFIED) No.
TRAVIS:
(WITH A SMILE) Yes.
(CUT
TO TRAVIS EMERGING INTO BACK ALLEY. A DOG CAN BE HEARD BARKING IN THE
DISTANCE. SOUND OF DOOR BEING CLOSED. THEN THE SOUND OF A SCUFFLE)
KANE:
Don't move! Don't even breathe, or I'll splatter your brains all over
that wall. I knew you'd come out this way.
ROYCE:
(RUNNING UP) I think you're right Kane. It' must be him.
KANE:
We know who you are mate.
TRAVIS:
Really? Who am I?
ROYCE:
You're money. That's what you are.
KANE:
Shut up Royce! We don't want everyone to hear, this is our find. You're
Trevor, aren't you?
TRAVIS:
(HEAVY SARCASM) Trevor?
KANE:
(DEFENSIVELY) Yeah, Trevor the ex-Fedman. The one who got done for
killing all those people on that planet. Royce, search him for some ID.
(ROYCE
SEARCHES TRAVIS)
ROYCE:
What's this?
(SOUNDS
OF NOTES BEING COUNTED)
ROYCE:
No ID, but he's got a fair few credits.
KANE:
Every little helps. We're turning you in Trev.
ROYCE:
Shit! Where'd you get a ring with a bloody great stone like that from?
TRAVIS:
My Grandmother.
ROYCE:
Is that right? Well take it
off. It's mine now.
TRAVIS:
You take it off.
ROYCE:
Right, I will.
(ROYCE
PULLS AT THE STONE, THERE IS A BUZZ FOLLOWED BY THE SOUND OF A WEAPON
DISCHARGE AND A SCREAM)
KANE:
Royce!
(SOUNDS
OF EXCESSIVE VIOLENCE ENDING WITH KANE SUBDUED)
KANE:
Stop it! Stop! I've had enough.
TRAVIS:
Right. Who sent you?
KANE:
Sent us?
TRAVIS:
Don't play the fool. Was it Servalan?
KANE:
Servalan? No, it was my....
It was his idea, Royce's. He
recognised you in the bar from the Visplays. It wasn't a put up job....
Honest.
TRAVIS:
No. Huh! If you were Servalan's people, you'd have been better
informed, and your dead friend here would have known about the weapon
built into this
hand. You're just street scum,
aren't you? Who fancied their chances at bounty hunting.
KANE:
Yeah, we're scum.... It wasn't personal, or nothing.
(TRAVIS
HURLS KANE INTO SOME BINS)
KANE:
What are you going to do?
TRAVIS:
What do you think
I'm going to do?
(TRAVIS' WEAPON FIRES AND KANE SCREAMS. CUT TO TRAVIS' FEET CLANKING ON THE PURSUIT SHIP'S METAL WALKWAY. THEN CUT TO THE
FLIGHT
DECK. THE DOOR SLIDES OPEN)
TRAVIS:
Let's go!
(THE
DOOR SLIDES SHUT)
MUTOID
1: Speed?
TRAVIS:
Time Distort Ten.
MUTOID
1: (OPERATING CONTROLS)
Speed Time Distort Ten computed
and confirmed.
TRAVIS:
What information do we have on Disentastra?
MUTOID
2: (VARIOUS BLEEPS)
Although it is an independent Earth
colony and outside Federation borders, they do have many trade links
with Federated worlds, and therefore have wished to present themselves
as an ally.
TRAVIS:
Mmmm, dangerous policy. I doubt Docholli would want to stay there for
long. When we arrive do a computer scan of the passenger rosters of all
the registered space flights that have taken off from Disentastra in
the last two weeks. Check and see if there is any passenger listed
under the name of Kline, or Masterson.
MUTOID
2: Yes Commander, however
if I am to perform that duty
efficiently I will need to recharge my level of blood serum now.
TRAVIS:
Low, is it?
MUTOID
2: My performance ability
is all ready being impaired.
TRAVIS:
Good.
(PAUSE)
MUTOID
2: If my function is
affected to any
TRAVIS:
(CUTTING HER OFF) I'm aware of what happens.
MUTOID
2: Then I don't understand.
(PAUSE)
TRAVIS:
I know of your previous identity, before your bionic rebuild.
MUTOID
2: I am sorry if this had
caused you any distress
Commander, but I can assure you that all memory of my previous
existence was erased from my mind during the modification process.
TRAVIS:
That's what I've been told, but I've also been lead to understand that
although the Federation can put blocks on the past they can't actually
erase it. Deep down inside, the memory of who you once were still
remains.
MUTOID
2: You are mistaken
Commander. All memory is erased.
TRAVIS:
Well, once I've injected you with one of our interrogation drugs, we'll
see exactly how much you do recall. You see, I want you to remember
someone for me.
MUTOID
2: These measures are not
required, Commander.
TRAVIS:
Really? Why not?
(PAUSE)
MUTOID
2: I do recall.
(PAUSE)
TRAVIS:
I don't believe you.
MUTOID
2: Then ask me a question?
(PAUSE)
TRAVIS:
Tell me who you were?
MUTOID
2: My name was Valisha.
TRAVIS:
Tell me about your family.
MUTOID
2: I had two children. My
husband was a surgeon. His
name was
TRAVIS:
(INTERRUPTING) Maryatt. I know. Why were you selected for mutoid
conversion?
MUTOID
2: Maryatt deserted the
Federation. He was never found.
In the case of all deserters their immediate family are sold into
slavery. It was while in a concentration camp on a frontier planet that
I was chosen for modification.
TRAVIS:
Why then did you tell me earlier that you couldn't remember who you
were?
MUTOID
2: We are aware that many
unmodifieds find us disturbing
Commander. And there is also a very vocal opposition to mutoid
conversion within the Federation itself. Therefore we are programmed to
avoid and deflect all questions about our former selves that may arise.
TRAVIS:
Even if it's from a superior officer?
MUTOID
2: Yes.
TRAVIS:
So why aren't you obeying your programming now?
MUTOID
2: Because you are
threatening to render me inoperable.
TRAVIS:
And self-preservation is this case, is a higher priority.
MUTOID
2: Yes Commander.
TRAVIS:
Of course.
MUTOID
2: But I think you are
mistaken in the belief that you
knew me. I have no recollection that we ever met during my former life.
TRAVIS:
We didn't, but I've met your husband. He was the man who saved my life
when I was shot by Blake. That's why I think you were put on board, as
Servalan's little joke. I suppose there's no point in telling you that
your husband wasn't a deserter?
MUTOID
2: No Commander. I have no
emotional links with the past
at all. Memory is only retained because selective removal without
dysfunction and side effects proved impossible. What is removed however
is our capacity for emotion. This has been achieved through physical
surgery to the frontal lobes of the brain, and so is a process that
cannot be reversed.
TRAVIS:
Sometimes I really don't know why I bother.
MUTOID
2: May I now replenish my
blood serum level?
TRAVIS:
Go ahead, but make sure that supply of synthetic lasts, because when
it's gone, you won't be taking any blood out of me. How lone before we
reach our destination?
MUTOID
1: Fifteen hours Commander.
TRAVIS:
I'm going to get some sleep. If there are any problems, wake me.
(DOUBLE-BEAT) Anyone know where I put my dream suppressants?
(CUT
TO SHIP IN FLIGHT. THEN FADE BACK TO FLIGHT DECK)
MUTOID
1: Orbit now established
Commander at two thousand
spacials.
TRAVIS:
Good. Valisha, have you had any luck with the departure manifests?
MUTOID
2: Yes. Computer scan has
found a passenger listed under
the name of Kline who will be leaving on the Bari
in exactly three hours forty-three minutes.
TRAVIS:
Where's he going?
MUTOID
2: Freedom City, Commander.
TRAVIS:
Good! That's Docholli. How long will it take before the Bari
arrives at Freedom City?
MUTOID
2: (VARIOUS BLEEPS)
Travelling at a cruise speed of Time
Distort Five, the Bari
should achieve planetfall in
approximately two hundred and forty hours.
TRAVIS:
Can you reserve me a place on the same flight as Docholli?
MUTOID
2: Yes.
TRAVIS:
Do it. Then after you've dropped me off set a course for Freedom City,
but whatever you do, don't follow
the Bari.
Take another route, and travel at Time Distort Nine. I want you to be
there ahead of me.
MUTOID
1: What do we do when we
arrive?
TRAVIS:
Nothing. Just find a place to land where you aren't going to be
detected and then wait for orders. Also be prepared to wait a long
time. This may take some months.
(PAUSE)
MUTOID
2: Commander? If we capture
Docholli before he boards
the Bari,
then we can interrogate him here and
TRAVIS:
(CUTTING HER OFF) Stop! Docholli must not be harmed in any way because
sooner, or later, he's going to lead me to Blake.
MUTOID
2: Docholli knows Blake?
TRAVIS:
No, but Blake is going to have to find Docholli soon, because he's also
after Federation Central Control and Docholli is the only clue to its
location.
MUTOID
2: So you are going to stay
with Docholli until Blake
arrives?
TRAVIS:
Yes.
MUTOID
2: And then what will you
do with Blake?
(LONG
PAUSE)
TRAVIS:
Kill the bastard.
(FLIGHT
DECK ATMOSPHERE SLOWLY FADES OUT)
END OF SIDE
ONE
ACT
TWO:
Friendly Fire
by Alan Stevens and David Tulley
(BAR ROOM. SUBDUED MURMUR OF
VOICES)
KANE:
Is your name Morik?
MORIK:
Could be. Who wants to kno - ugh!
(SOUND OF A SPRING LOADED
BLADE AND STABBING SOUND. MORIK FALLS HEAVILY TO THE WOODEN FLOOR.
EVERYONE IN THE BAR STOPS TALKING, BUT ONLY FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS.
KANE'S SPRING LOADED BLADE RETRACTS)
BARKEEPER:
I've told you about this before, Kane. I don't want you killing people
in my bar.
KANE:
Perhaps you should aim for a better class of customer. This guy's
wanted in Six Quadrants for rape, murder and theft.
MUTOID
2:
(THE VOICE IS SLOW AND SLIGHTLY SLURRED) He is also... wanted... for
tax... evvvasion... Com-anderrr.
KANE:
And tax evasion. So he's got to be a villain.
BARKEEPER:
Aren't
you supposed to get a bonus or something for bringing them in alive?
KANE:
Well, yeah you do on some, but I've got a mutoid to feed, haven't I?
MUTOID
2:
Can I re-charge my blood seee-rum level now?
KANE:
Ye-
BARKEEPER:
(INTERRUPTING) Not in here, if doesn't. We've had complaints.
KANE:
Take the body outside and do it there.
MUTOID
2:
Yes Com-anderrr.
(SOUND OF BODY BEING DRAGGED
AWAY)
BARKEEPER:
(SHOUTING AFTER IT) And don't do as you did last time! Keep it away
from the door. It puts customers off from coming in, having to step
over you like that. (TO KANE) Bloody mutoids. Where did you get that
thing from anyway?
KANE:
It's a long story.
(FADE OUT BAR SCENE. FADE UP
ON TWO PEOPLE WALKING UP A ROUGH TRACK. A WIND IS RUSTLING THROUGH THE
TREES)
BLAKE:
You've
met Kane before then?
TANDO:
Yeah.
BLAKE:
What's
he like?
TANDO:
Nasty.
BLAKE:
(SLIGHTLY EXASPERATED) Really? What does he look
like?
TANDO:
Tall,
thin. Takes the piss. I don't like 'im Blake. An' 'e's got a funny eye.
Sorta blue an' cloudy. 'An 'e 'angs around with a vampire.
BLAKE:
A
vampire? You mean a mutoid?
TANDO:
Yeah.
They say 'e sometimes lets it feed off 'im. It ain't natural. I don't
like neither of 'em.
BLAKE:
Anything special I should look out for?
TANDO:
Well, 'is left 'and's false, and e's got a spring-loaded blade in it.
BLAKE:
That's colourful.
(THEY ARE NOW QUITE NEAR THE
BAR. A LOW MURMUR OF CONVERSATION CAN BE HEARD CARRIED ON THE WIND.
SUDDENLY THERE IS THE SOUND OF DISTANT MOVEMENT. BOTH BLAKE AND TANDO
STOP)
BLAKE:
What's that over there?
TANDO:
(TAKES A FEW STEPS, THEN HEARS A HORRIBLE WET SLOBBERING SOUND) Urgh! I
hhh-ate mu'oids.
BLAKE:
Come on. Best not to disturb it.
(BLAKE AND TANDO WALK ON A
LITTLE FURTHER BEFORE COMING TO A LARGE WOODEN DOOR. THE BAR MURMUR
GETS LOUDER AS THE DOOR IS OPENED. CUT TO BARKEEPER AND KANE)
BARKEEPER:
Friends of yours?
KANE:
Mine? No. I haven't got any friends.
BARKEEPER:
(LOW VOICE) Bounty hunters though. That real ugly one's Tando.
KANE:
Oh, I know Tando.
BARKEEPER:
(SPEAKING UP) Sir? Can I get you a drink?
KANE:
And how about some fruit for the gorilla?
TANDO:
I 'ate sharkas... sarcum... er... shack... eh... people bein' clever
like.
KANE:
You can almost hear the brain cells dying can't you?
(THE BARKEEPER STARTS TO
CHUCKLE THEN THINKS BETTER OF IT)
BLAKE:
My name's Dev Varon.
KANE:
Well I can't help that.
BLAKE:
I've been told that it's you who's been given official authorisation to
hunt Lafayette. Have you got him yet?
(PAUSE)
KANE:
(TAKES A BREATH) No, not yet. (THEN A LITTLE DEFENSIVELY) Look I know
he's supposed to be one of our lot but, hell, Lafayette's had it coming
a long time.
BLAKE:
I agree. That's why I want to come with you.
KANE:
What? No way. I never share a bounty with anyone.
BLAKE:
You
can claim the bounty, I just want to kill Lafayette.
KANE:
And why's that?
(PAUSE)
BLAKE:
That smuggler he set up
KANE:
Jenna Stannis? The one who was killed running the blockade?
BLAKE:
Yes that's her. She was running arms for me.
KANE:
Well that's no problem, G-P's flooded with arms and
BLAKE:
(INTERRUPTING. HE HAS A CATCH IN HIS VOICE) It's not that
KANE:
Oh, I see, but still, that's one for your conscience. You must have
known that Lafayette was here on Gauda Prime. You shouldn't have used
her. Lafayette always goes for the celebrity kill.
(AWKWARD SILENCE)
BARKEEPER:
He tipped off the Gun-Ships, didn't he?
BLAKE:
Yes.
BARKEEPER:
You know what I'd do Kane? I'd give the man a chance. You might need
some help out there anyway; I've heard that Lafayette's got some
company.
KANE:
(IRRITABLY) Just trekkers. Maggots out for a thrill.
BARKEEPER:
Don't forget, it was a trekker that killed Farnham.
KANE:
Yeah. With a dose of the clap.
BLAKE:
(INTERRUPTING) Look, if it's the premium you're worried about
KANE:
(INTERRUPTING) There is no premium. They just want him dead.
BLAKE:
Oh.
KANE:
But go on. What were you going to say?
BLAKE:
Well, you let me kill Lafayette and I'll let you have this.
(BLAKE THROWS A POUCH ONTO THE
COUNTER. THERE IS A PAUSE, THEN KANE PICKS UP THE POUCH AND STARTS
POURING SOME OF THE STONES INTO HIS HAND)
KANE:
That's a... quite a bit of money. She must have meant a lot to you.
Okay. Does Tando come along as well?
BLAKE:
If you want him.
KANE:
Yeah, all right. We can use his ugly face to scare off the trekkers.
TANDO:
(STRUGGLING FOR A RETORT) Shut up... one eye.
KANE:
Good one Tando. I'll have to write that down. Now let me just collect
Blossom... oh, she's here.
MUTOID
2:
Yes Com-anderrr.
(PAUSE)
KANE:
Varon, I take it your flier's nearby?
BLAKE:
About a five-minute walk. We're going after him tonight, are we?
KANE:
Yeah. He shouldn't be too hard to find. According to the data sheets
he's out in plantation three, looking for Kimmler.
BLAKE:
You mean Lafayette doesn't know yet, about what's happened?
KANE:
(CHUCKLING) No. Good ennit?
(FADE OUT BAR. THEN FADE UP AS
BLAKE, TANDO, KANE AND THE MUTOID GET ABOARD THE FLIER. SOUND OF DOOR
PANEL CLOSING)
TANDO:
Why 'ave I got to be the one who 'as to sit by the vampire? The smell's
'orrible.
KANE:
Don't worry. She'll get used to it.
(VARIOUS BLEEPS. THE DRIVES
ARE ENGAGED, AND THEN WARM UP. WHEN THEY REACH FULL THE FLIER LIFTS
OFF, REACHES A CERTAIN HEIGHT AND THEN, DRIVES HUMMING, STARTS TO
CRUISE OVER THE TREETOPS. THE SOUND OF AIR CAN BE HEARD RUSHING PAST
THE COCKPIT. ALL THE ABOVE TAKES PLACE UNDER THE FOLLOWING
CONVERSATION)
KANE:
When I heard you were carrying some dope around Varon, I thought they
meant drugs, not old Tando here.
TANDO:
Ha - bloody - ha! I'm pissin' m'self Kane.
KANE:
So, how come you two have teamed up them?
BLAKE:
It was Tando who got me this job.
KANE:
Really? Why did you do that Tando?
TANDO:
'E knew Olag Gan.
KANE:
What? The guy who killed all those women? Oh, yeah, of course, Olag and
Tando used to go around together didn't they? Before Olag got himself arrested,
that is.
TANDO:
Olag was me friend.
KANE:
What did they used to call him now?
BLAKE:
The Cat Strangler.
KANE:
(STARTING TO LAUGH) The Cat Strangler, yeah. You've kept some strange
company Varon.
BLAKE:
I only got to know Olag after
the limiter had
been fitted.
KANE: Bet he was like a kitten
wasn't he? But you must have been a bit suspicious, surely? They only
fit the worst with limiters.
BLAKE:
He told me that he'd got it after killing a Federation guard that had
murdered his woman.
KANE:
God that's pathetic. And you believed him?
BLAKE:
I was more trusting in those days.
KANE:
I'll say. He ended up on a penal planet, didn't he? Cygnus Alpha?
BLAKE:
Something like that.
KANE:
So, how did you get ...
BLAKE:
(HASTILY CHANGING THE SUBJECT) Where did you get the mutoid from?
(PAUSE)
KANE:
(SUBDUED) I picked it up on Goth, about five years back. Just before
the war.
BLAKE:
(THERE IS A SLIGHT TRACE OF ANXIETY IN HIS VOICE) What were you doing
there?
KANE:
I was trying to track down some ex-Fed psycho bastard called Travis.
Ever heard of him?
(PAUSE)
BLAKE:
Yes, I think so. He had an eye-patch, or something, didn't he? And a
false leg.
KANE:
No. It was a false arm.
BLAKE:
Yes that's right. Did you ever find him?
KANE:
No. Last I got to hear, he was heading out towards the island galaxies
with Blake on his tail.
BLAKE:
Blake?
KANE:
You know! The revolutionary.
BLAKE:
Uh, yes. So you think the mutoid was left behind by Travis then?
KANE:
I feel it's a safe bet. I found it wandering, brains scrambled,
half-dead. More half dead than they usually are that is. I don't know
what happened to it. Implant burnout probably, caused by a belt round
the head. Bit of blood plasma brought it round.
TANDO:
See? 'Is own blood. Sick.
KANE:
(IGNORING HIM) The thing appears to have been programmed to obey one
specific person only. Which does seem a bit unusual. Anyway, now it
follows me and obeys my orders.
BLAKE:
Why do you think that is?
KANE:
Perhaps I remind it of its old boss. Which isn't surprising really when
you consider that it was him who caused my injuries.
BLAKE:
It was Travis who damaged your eye?
KANE:
Yeah. The eye and the arm, on Cynra. It happened when I was just
starting out. He was walking round as bold as brass, so we jumped him
in this alley. But I didn't know about that laser he'd had built into
his hand. Hadn't read the notes properly, see. Like I said, I was just
starting out. He killed Royce and then beat me to a pulp, before
blowing half my arm away. I think he was a bit pissed off that I'd got
his name wrong and had called him Trevor. Same with trying to kick my
eye out. He wanted to leave his mark on me, so that I'd never forget
his name again.
TANDO:
If I ever see 'im, I'll buy 'im a drink.
KANE:
Nice one Tando, you're improving. Glad to see the brain grafts are
working out.
(PAUSE)
BLAKE:
A lot of people believe that Travis got himself killed during the
Galactic War.
KANE:
Yeah. I heard that as well, but deep down I know
he's still alive. And really that's the only think that keeps me going,
the thought that one day I'll catch up with him.
(PAUSE)
BLAKE:
The mutoid didn't provide you with any information then?
KANE:
No. It's like talking to a Delta Grade - a complete waste of time. And
as for my only other lead, Blake himself, well, Lafayette killed him
three year ago.
BLAKE:
On Jevron.
KANE:
Yeah. That's right. It was definitely him. The Feds did DNA testing -
the lot. Servalan even went to the cremation, and that was after
she became President. Course she's dead now as well.
TANDO:
Lafayette got Bayban too.
KANE:
Did he bollocks.
TANDO:
(DEFENSIVELY) 'E said 'e did.
KANE:
Yeah, he said he did but.... Shit, that reminds me. (TO MUTOID) Did you
get Morik's head?
MUTOID
2:
Yes com-anderrr. It's... here... in the bag.
(RUSTLING SOUND)
KANE:
Yeah, all right, put it away. I don't want to see it now.
MUTOID
2:
Yes Com-anderrr.
KANE:
Anyway, as I was saying... er... yeah, he - a - he says he did it, but
he never proved it did he? No body, no pictures, no nothing.
BLAKE:
But Bayban did disappear. Together with the rest of his team.
KANE:
I reckon on of the other independents got him, perhaps that lot from Scorpio,
but I'm certain it wasn't Lafayette. I met Bayban once you know.
TANDO:
You 'unted 'im?
KANE:
Course I didn't bloody hunt him. No one in their right mind would try
to hunt down Bayban the Berserker! He'd skin you alive. No, I met him
by chance.... On one of the frontier planets.
BLAKE:
What we he like?
KANE:
Mean, and a bit nuts, but to be honest he wasn't half the man his
mother was. Now she really was an evil bitch.
BLAKE:
Does Lafayette claim to have killed her also?
KANE:
No, thank God! But then he couldn't, because Bayban had all ready
admitted to doing it himself. I don't think he had any choice, but to
kill her really.... She was completely out of control. I think it still
upset him though, and he never collected the bounty - which I thought
was a nice gesture. He also gave her a decent star orbit burial. It was
all very tastefully done.
(KANE IS INTERRUPTED BY A
BLEEPING NOISE)
BLAKE:
The heat tracer's picking up a stationary reading at ground level.
Could be heat residue from a flier's drive system. (ANOTHER BLEEP JOINS
THE FIRST) I've got a second reading, same strength... Again,
stationary.
KANE:
I think we've found Lafayette. He booked two fliers out yesterday.
(BLAKE FLICKS A SWITCH AND THE
BLEEPING STOPS)
BLAKE: I'll put us down about
a quarter of a mile from the heat source. Then if it is him... we
should catch him unawares.
TANDO: (WITH RELISH) Uh... I'm
gonna enjoy this.
(PAUSE)
BLAKE:
(IMPASSIVELY) We all are.
(CUT TO THE FOREST FLOOR AND
THE SOUND OF THE FLYER LANDING. THE DOOR PANEL THEN RISES UP AND THEY
ALL SCRABBLE OUT INTO THE NIGHT AIR. THERE IS AGAIN THAT EERY BREEZE)
KANE:
Right! Everyone check their weapons. I don't want any foul-ups.
(AMID THE GENERAL BACKGROUND
OF CLICKS AND SCRAPS, COME THE CLEAR SOUND OF BLAKE PULLING HIS
LIBERATOR HANDGUN FROM ITS HOLSTER)
KANE:
Where'd
you get that fancy toothpick from?
BLAKE:
What this? Oh, I got it a couple of months back from a consignment of
arms Jenna brought in from Sector 12.
KANE:
The 12th
Sector, eh? I didn't think we had any
colonies out there. It looks pretty advanced too.
(SOUND OF KANE PUNCHING HOME
MAGAZINE CLIP)
BLAKE:
Well it is, if you compare it to that museum piece you've got.
(BLAKE RE-HOLSTERS HIS
HANDGUN)
KANE:
(HORROR
STRUCK) Museum piece? Don't you know what this is?
BLAKE:
Yes. It's a machine gun.
(PAUSE)
KANE:
(MESSIANIC) This.... This is a Boucher, high velocity, nine-millimetre
automatic assault rifle. Look.... Walnut stock... This is what you call
a gentleman's weapon... not like that... bloody... curling tongs thing
you've got there. You can't buy this in the shops, you know. This is
handcrafted.... All the way from Outer Gal. The only way you can get
one of these is through mail order. And then you've got to wait a
bloody long time.
BLAKE:
(SOUNDING SCEPTICAL) Mail order?
KANE:
(AS IS TALKING TO A MORON) Exclusive catalogue. Restricted mailing
list. They personally select you.
TANDO:
You should get y'self a decent plasma rifle, insteada usin' that crap.
(SHOCKED SILENCE)
KANE:
(FUMING) You... thick
bastard... I ought to...
(KANE PRIMES HIS GUN)
BLAKE:
(CUTTING IN) Look. Save it for the firefight. If we don't set out now,
it'll be morning before we get there.
(PAUSE)
KANE:
(SULLEN) Come on then. Lets move out. Blossom?
MUTOID
2:
Yes Com-anderrr.
KANE:
(SULLEN) I want to scout ahead and find Lafayette's encampment. Then
when you've done that, come back and tell me how many others there are
with him, and whether they're armed or not. Is that clear?
MUTOID
2:
Yes Com-anderrr.
KANE:
Oh, and on your return, use the homing device to find me. It'll save
time.
MUTOID
2:
Yes Com-anderrr.
(PAUSE)
KANE:
Well go on then - get going.
(SOUND OF MUTOID RUNNING OFF
DOWN THE DIRT TRACK. FADE OUT AS THE OTHERS START TO FOLLOW AT A SLOWER
PACE. FADE DOWN. GAP. FADE UP ON BAKE AND THE OTHERS STILL TRUDGING
ALONG THE DIRT TRACK)
BLAKE:
Kane?
KANE:
(STILL SULLEN) What?
BAKE:
You said earlier at the bar that there was no premium for bringing
Lafayette back alive.
KANE:
(STILL SULLEN) So?
BLAKE:
Why is that?
KANE:
(STILL SULLEN) Because the Federation consider him an embarrassment.
BLAKE:
Really? Why?
KANE:
(BRIGHTENING UP A BIT) Well, he's a self-publicist, ain't he? Every
time he kills someone famous he takes loads of pictures, and then zooms
off to an un-aligned planet to flog his story. Know what? He even
appeared on a game show last month.
BLAKE:
A game show?
KANE:
Yeah. No wonder the Federation wants him dead. He's just using their
dirty washing to make himself a name. In fact I'm surprised that
they've let him get away with it for so long.
(SUDDENLY KANE IS INTERRUPTED
BY AN OWL HOOT)
KANE:
Hey everyone! Blossom's coming back. So hold your fire.
(SOUND OF MUTOID RUNNING UP
AND SKIDDING TO A HALT IN FRONT OF KANE)
KANE:
Okay, what did you find out?
MUTOID
2: They
are... just... up ahead. Eight of th-them... all... armmmed.
KANE:
Right then, lead us to them.
MUTOID
2:
Yes Com-anderrr.
(FADE OUT AS THEY ALL GO OFF
AT A JOG. FADE DOWN. GAP. FADE UP ON THE SOUND OF BLAKE HITTING THE
GROUND NEXT TO KANE. IN THE DISTANCE YOU CAN HEAR A FIRE CRACKLING AND
THE SOUND OF CONVERSATION)
BLAKE:
(LOW VOICE) Which one's Lafayette?
KANE:
(LOW VOICE) That one over there, with the stupid hat. Did you check to
see if there was anyone guarding the fliers?
BLAKE:
There was no one there. It's all clear.
KANE:
Right. Good. I've sent Tando and Blossom round the other side. So that
we can catch Lafayette and his trekker buddies in a crossfire. My idea
is that when Tando signals that he's in position, we just stand up,
walk to the perimeter and then start firing.
BLAKE:
We stand out there in the open? I thought the mutoid said they were all
armed?
KANE:
They are, but shit, they're only trekkers. I mean, look at them sat
round that campfire. They'll be singing songs in a minute.
BLAKE:
I'll carve those words on your grave stone.
KANE:
Grave stone, my arse!
BLAKE:
All right, I'll carve them on your arse, then.
KANE:
(CHUCKLES) Look this'll be like shooting zombies off an escalator. Ever
been to Zondawl?
BLAKE:
Can't say I have... Now, you're sure you've told the mutoid not to
target Lafayette?
KANE:
Yeah. Don't worry. It's all covered.
(SUDDENLY A SHOUT GOES UP)
TANDO:
(IN DISTANCE) Hey... Kane? We're in position.
KANE:
Bloody hell! I told you Tando was thick. Come on Varon, It's now or
never.
(BLAKE AND KANE SCRABBLE TO
THEIR FEET AND WALK QUICKLY OUT TOWARDS THE NOW QUIET ENCAMPMENT)
LAFAYETTE:
(HIS ACCENTED VOICE IS HEARD FROM A DISTANCE) Kane? Are you out there?
(LAFAYETTE'S VOICE TAKES ON A NERVOUS EDGE) Come out my friend.... Come
out and join us.... Ah... Tando? Where's Kane?
KANE:
(SHOUTS) Behind you.
(BLAKE DRAWS HIS HANDGUN)
LAFAYETTE:
(HIS VOICE FULL OF HORROR) Ah! No! No! Ah, non, ne tirez pas! Don't
shoot... No!
(THERE IS A MASSIVE EXPLOSION
OF GUNFIRE. THIS CONSISTS OF REPEATED SHOTS FROM BLAKE'S LIBERATOR
HANDGUN, THE MUTOID'S FEDERATION SIDEARM AND TANDO'S PLASMA RIFLE. ALL
OF WHICH IS UNDERLINED WITH SPORADIC BURSTS FROM KANE'S SUB-MACHINE GUN
AND SCREAMS FROM THE TREKKERS. TOWARDS THE END, KANE STARTS LAUGHING.
WHEN THE FIRING EVENTUALLY STOPS, ALL THE TREKKERS ARE DEAD, BUT
LAFAYETTE CAN STILL BE HEARD SCREAMING, AND GIBBERING IN FRENCH. KANE
FIRES ANOTHER RAKING BURST ACROSS THE CAMP SITE. THEN SUDDENLY THERE
ARE A SERIES OF CLICKS)
KANE:
Ah! Oh! Bastard! The damn things jammed.
(BLAKE STARTS STRIDING TOWARDS
LAFAYETTE. AS HE CLOSES THE DISTANCE LAFAYETTE'S SHRIEKS GET LOUDER)
TANDO:
(STARTS TO LAUGH) Look Kane! All 'em trekkers 'ave got Boucher machine
guns.
KANE:
(SURPRISED AND A LITTLE UPSET) What?
BLAKE:
Lafayette?
LAFAYETTE:
(CRYING) You've shattered my leg... Please.... Get away from me....
Don't shoot (THEN GASPS) Blake.... It's you! But it can't be... I
killed you.... You're dead.
(PAUSE)
BLAKE:
Then here's a message from a dead man.
(BLAKE FIRES POINT BLANK AND
LAFAYETTE SCREAMS AND DIES)
KANE:
(RUNNING UP) You're Blake?
(BLAKE SLIPS HIS HANDGUN BACK
INTO THE HOLSTER)
BLAKE:
(ON A HIGH) Yes, I'm Blake.
MUTOID
2:
Bla... Bla-ake... Blake.
KANE:
(HIS VOICE IS NEUTRAL) Is Travis still alive? Please I have to know.
BLAKE:
(AS IF TO EASE KANE'S MIND) He's been dead a long time.
KANE:
(BREATHING OUT AND SOUNDING RELAXED) Did you kill him?
BLAKE:
I helped.
KANE:
(EXPLODING WITH FURY) Bastard!
(KANE'S SPRING LOADED BLADE
EJECTS FROM HIS HAND AND HE SLASHES BLAKE ACROSS THE FACE WITH IT.
BLAKE CRIES OUT)
KANE:
(PSYCHO CALM) Now we're both marked. Welcome to the Travis club.
(KANE'S SPRING LOADED BLADE
RETRACTS. SOUND OF KANE'S BOOT CONNECTING WITH BLAKE'S GONADS. BLAKE
CRIES OUT AGAIN AND FALLS TO THE GROUND. THEN THE SOUND OF KANE KICKING
HIM)
KANE:
(STILL PSYCHO CALM) I'm going to blow your head off.
(SOUND OF KANE FIDDLING WITH
HIS JAMMED MACHINE GUN)
KANE:
Bastard!
(KANE THROWING THE GUN AWAY)
KANE: (STILL PSYCHO CALM) I
think after this, me and Blossom will have to pay a visit to Outer
Gal... Ha! I know. I'll use this Lafayette's plasma rifle. Now there's
a nice bit of symbolism for you Goodbye Blake.
(SOUND OF PLASMA RIFLE
DISCHARGE. KANE SCREAMS AND FALLS HEAVILY TO THE GROUND)
MUTOID
2:
(DISTRESSED) Com-anderrr?
(MUTOID FIRES AT TANDO)
TANDO:
Argh... Bugger!
(BLAKE PULLING HIS HANDGUN
FROM ITS HOLSTER AND FIRES. THE MUTOID SCREAMS AND FALLS. TANDO RUSHING
OVER)
TANDO:
You all right Blake?
BLAKE: (SOUNDING ANGRY AND
DISTRESSED) Of course I'm not all right... (THEN GAINING CONTROL) What
about you? How's your arm?
TANDO:
I just got a flesh wound.... Let's see yer face Urgh! Yer cut down to
the bone.... It's gonna be a wicked scar. 'E could 'ave 'ad yer eye out
there.
BLAKE:
(STILL WEAK AND DISTRESSED) I think that was his intention ....You
saved my life Tando.
TANDO:
Well you know wot I say. If yer was a friend of Olag's then yer a
friend of mine.... An' between you and me, (LOWERING HIS VOICE
CONSPIRATORIALLY) I didn't like Kane that much anyway.
(TANDO HELPING BLAKE TO HIS
FEET, AND THEY SLOWLY WALKING AWAY TOGETHER)
TANDO:
We'd bedder get you back to the medics. Yer bleedin' real bad....
'Ere... use me 'anky.
(AS BLAKE AND TANDO DEPART,
THEIR VOICES GET FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY)
BLAKE:
(STILL SOUNDING DISTRESSED) No thanks Tando. I'll use my shirt
instead.... It's cleaner. (TEARING SOUND) You know, I'm sure I've seen
Kane's Mutoid before.
TANDO:
Wot? In a nightmare or summut?
BLAKE:
No.... In some pictures... with two children.... Now, where the hell
would I have seen...
(THEIR CONVERSATION IS
SWALLOWED UP BY THE WIND BLOWING THROUGH THE TREES. THERE IS NOW NO
OTHER SOUND APART FROM THE FAINT CRACKLING OF THE CAMP FIRE. THEN)
MUTOID
2:
(WHISPER) Maryatt.
THE END
CREDITS
Production, music and direction by ALISTAIR LOCK
Script editor: ANTHONY BROWN
Producer: ALAN STEVENS
Artwork: PETE WALLBANK
Cast in order of appearance:
| Travis Mutoid Pilot Valisha/Blossom Alien Stenner Customer Kane Royce Morik Barkeeper Blake Tando Lafayette |
BRIAN
CROUCHER CHRISTINA BALIT TRACY RUSSELL BRUCE McGILLIGAN STEVEN ALLEN ALISTAIR LOCK TERRY MOLLOY PETE WALLBANK ALAN STEVENS PETER HALLIDAY GARETH THOMAS DANIEL BOWERS PETER MILES |
