Raunch Five

Synopsis: Arch Bishop Pia Arrabo takes his father’s place as general overseer of the Holy Father Church.

He and his four cousins earn a reputation for being lewd and brutal. But Pia faces his greatest challenge when members of his Church and the Kal-Paniym Order he sprang from plot against him. After being ordained a cardinal, Pia leaves earth to forget about the death of his mother.

He returns to earth centuries later to discover that the Church’s enemies have overrun the realm. In his frantic quest to prove he is still as strong as he was when he left earth, Pia’s thirst for power begins his downward spiral into corruption and madness.

Cast: Pia Arrabo – son of Jolen-Heli and Arch Bishop of the Holy Father Church Agar – Tama-Cider’s oldest son Zelpha – Tama-Cider’s middle son Urias – Tama-Cider’s youngest son Tabita – Muta-Ramah’s daughter Captain Seren – son of Dyno-Might aka The Bomb Sirius Stoutkong – Babodrill Arch Bishop, aka The Primeit Father Dios – Head of the Celestial Authorities Forces, creation of Pia Arrabo Anonymous – Mass Noun Agent, brother of Dios, creation of Pia Arrabo Anonymiss – Wife of Anonymous, created by Anonymous The Magistrate – Jolen’s former Lumi-Visian mistress, mother of Dios and Anonymous Lord Dagon – Hæysux overlord, enemy of Jolen-Heli Lord Moloch – son of Dagon, enemy of Pia Arrabo Lord Mot – son of Dagon, Moloch’s elder twin brother Lord Abaz – Loyal servant of Moloch, enemy of Dagon and Mot Other Characters: Atropos – newly ordained Lady Bishop and Pia’s love interest Mia Arrabo – Abbess over all Lady Bishops of the Church Darius – Persian businessman who handles Church finances Jolen-Heli – Lumi-Visian Sage of Wisdom Tama-Cider – Lumi-Visian Sage of Knowledge, Jolen’s older brother Muta-Ramah – Lumi-Visian Sage of Understanding, Jolen’s younger sister General Dyno-Might – Leader of the Denzenhut people

RAUNCH FIVE Invisibase. Throne room of the Sages.

A Kal-Panyim guards enters and kneels.

GUARD: My Lord, the Prince Bishop has been abducted.

TAMA: Abducted?

MUTA: By whom?

GUARD: The hordes of Lord Dagon.

The cousins walk toward the opening of the temple.

AGAR: Dagon took him.

ZELPHA: He wants the secret of the Blade.

URIAS: He thinks Pia knows it.

TABITA: He’s about to get a big surprise.

Earth. Desert. A prison convey moves dirty a dirty road.

In the main metal carriage is Pia in chains; his white Bishop garb is filthy. He sees other darkskinned men in chains.

Above the convey, Agar swoops down like a bird, followed by Zelpha, Urias and Tabita.

Pia looks out of the carriage bars. He sees a blur fly by.

Pia’s cousins make another pass at the convey. The Hæysux Legions in human guise look up.

Pia’s cousins do one more round before they spin around and dive bomb at the convey.

Zelpha, Urias and Tabita blast downward; Agar raises his hands and bursts of light strike the convey carriage, knocking it over. Hæysux Legions produce tridents and stand their ground as the airborne Lumi-Visians attack.

The satyrs are mowed down by streaks of bright light. Black prisoners watch the fight from the overturned carriage. When the last of the Hæysux are dispatched, the four masked figures in cassocks approach the overturned carriage.

Urias rips the carriage door off. Pia is pulled from the convey. His fetters are removed. Pia goes over to the lead legionnaire on the ground. He pops the locks on a rectangular chest. He lifts out the Blade of Anonymous and turns to the wounded legionnaire.

Correction, the legionnaire is human. The human legionnaire looks up at Pia. HUMAN LEGIONNNAIRE: Please, I only work for them.

Pia is joined by his four cousins.

1

RAUNCH FIVE HUMAN LEGIONNNAIRE: I’m not a satyr. I just work for them!

Pia points the Blade at him.

PIA: You sold your soul and look where it’s gotten you.

HUMAN LEGIONNNAIRE: Please! I’m just a minion! Have mercy!

PIA: Mercy? (grips sword hilt) You betrayed humanity to be a lapdog for the Hæysux.

Pia whirls the blade overhead.

PIA: Beg your lord Dagon for mercy!

The human legionnaire is heard screaming as Pia brings the blade down into the legionnaire’s point of view.

TITLE CARD: RAUNCH FIVE Invisibase. Throne of the Sages.

A Lumi-Visian guard approaches the throne.

GUARD: My Lord, Bishop Pia has been rescued thanks to your niece and nephews.

JOLEN: Very good.

MAG: (OS) My Lord.

Jolen doesn’t even bother to turn around.

MAG: I am so glad your son is safe. I feared for his safety.

JOLEN: Not as much as his mother did.

MAG: His mother. (scoffs) You sure know how to pick them.

Jolen appears in front of Mag. JOLEN: What is this detest that you have for my wife?

MAG: Your wife? She’s a sheltered mortal you took pity upon.

JOLEN: She’s a humble and obedient servant of The Most. That makes her strong in many ways.

MAG: Strong? She almost cried out for a daddy when she was having your bastard child.

JOLEN: My child may be a bastard to those in the realm of men, but celestials—both friend and foe—will know that he has a father.

MAG: A father who laid down with a dog and ended up with a whelp.

JOLEN: I’m speaking about The Most.

MAG: Well, I’m talking about you.

JOLEN: (nods) And you wonder why you were never made a Lumi-Visian Sage.

Jolen walks away. The Magistrate watches him as he goes.

The Church of Fatherless Time. 1465.

An older Lord Darius walks with a Greek woman in a hyjab.

DARIUS: Today you’re going to meet the Arch Bishop, Lady Atropos.

2

RAUNCH FIVE ATROPOS: Yes, my lord.

DARIUS: You will find his presence soothing.

Pia enters with his cousins.

DARIUS: Your Grace, this is Lady Atropos.

Pia tilts his head to her. She dips her head to him.

PIA: Leave us.

Pia walks with Atropos.

PIA: So you’re my mother’s new assistant.

ATROPOS: Yes. PIA: Lord Darius told you the rules.

ATROPOS: Yes, my lord.

PIA: Then know this. My mother is very dear to me. She is all I have in this realm. If any harm comes to her, I pity the poor soul who means to hurt her. She is our Holy Queen Mother and the wife of a Lumi-Visian Sage. She is to be respected and honored.

ATROPOS: I will honor her, my lord.

Pia moves closer to her. She keeps her eyes low.

PIA: Where are you from?

ATROPOS: Thebes, Your Grace.

PIA: Judging by your posture, I took you for a Spartan.

ATROPOS: My father was lame. He tended flocks on the slopes of Cithaeron.

PIA: What does “Atropos” mean?

ATROPOS: Do you want the definition or the short version?

PIA: Whatever suits you.

ATROPOS: It means “destiny”.

A woman wearing a hijab watches Pia and Atropos.

PIA: As in fate?

ATROPOS: You give me too much credit, My Lord.

PIA: I call it as I see it, my lady.

Pia touches her face. She blushes.

PIA: Your father would be pleased with how you’ve grown.

ATROPOS: I used to tend his garden before he died. I learned to use the sickle at a young age.

PIA: Glad to know a woman who isn’t afraid of hard work.

ATROPOS: I just think of the story of Cronos the Titan. None of his siblings were willing to help their mother Gaia overthrow Uranus. But Cronos was the one his father trusted most.

PIA: Cronos overthrew his father?

ATROPOS: Yes. He did so with a simple instrument.

PIA: Why would someone want to destroy his own father?

3

RAUNCH FIVE ATROPOS: Because sometimes our forebears do terrible things and they never get caught. But, rest assured I am strong believer in justice and fate. When I was caring for my father, I felt like he was wronged and one day I would avenge him. But as I got older, I traded the garden tool for a more sophisticated mechanism.

PIA: A washing board?

ATROPOS: A sword, Your Grace. To defeat myself and smite my enemies.

PIA: I see there’s more to you than your name.

Atropos smiles.

ATROPOS: There’s more to you than your mask.

A group of lady bishops join them.

PIA: (to Atropos) As you were.

The lady bishops leave with Atropos. One lady bishop remains.

MIA: (OS) Welcome back, Dindar.

PIA: (turns around) Mother.

Pia goes over to his mother, kneels and kisses her hand with his face plate.

MIA: Stand up, my Lord. You will only kneel to The Most.

PIA: (stands) I have missed you. Every time I am away, I fear the enemies of the Church will enter and seek to kill you.

MIA: These assassination attempts are futile. The Most watches over me.

PIA: Why would anybody want to kill you? It is inhumane.

Pia and Mia walk.

MIA: Your father has many enemies. Some of them are closer than you think.

PIA: Are you saying that I cannot trust my own Bishops?

MIA: I am saying do not let your emotions obscure your judgment.

PIA: Whoever finds favor with me will be treated as such.

MIA: That is pleasing to the ears, my son. But do you welcome criticism as openly as praise?

PIA: Of course, my Lady.

MIA: Then I’ll only say this once. Stay away from that Greek girl.

PIA: Mother.

MIA: I don’t like her, Dindar. I see how she looks at you. She reminds me of my cousin Ishtar.

Always ready to lift her clothes and straddle over any man with a tempered tool.

PIA: Mother, I don’t want to hear about this.

MIA: I know you don’t. So don’t say that I didn’t warn you. (turns) Now, if you will excuse me, Your Grace, I must tend to the children.

Pia bows again as Mia walks away. Pia looks to Darius approaching.

DARIUS: My Lord. The Sultan wishes to see you.

4

RAUNCH FIVE Arch Bishop Pia pays a visit to Mehmed II. MEHMED: The empire is expanding.

PIA: The Count in Wachatia doesn’t think so.

MEHMED: Vlad is in debt to his overlord. Judgment will soon find him.

PI: I thought you would render judgment on him for impaling your men.

MEHMED: I don’t think I like your tone, Arch Bishop.

PIA: Forgive me, Sultan. But you called me here to boast about how great your empire is.

MEHMED: I called you hear to see if you were willing to pick up where your father left off.

PIA: My father didn’t fight for your selfish conquest of Eastern Europe. He fought to keep free information available to the people.

MEHMED: Arch Bishop.

PIA: As long as I’ve been running the Church, you haven’t done anything to support our goals.

MEHMED: I’m allowing you to practice you faith. You should be grateful.

Pia moves toward the Sultan’s table with maps of Europe.

PIA: You’re a conquer, are you not?

MEHMED: I am many things, Arch Bishop.

PIA: Are you not a man of faith?

MEHMED: What are you saying?

PIA: Do you believe that I am the Promised Key? MEHMED: Is that what your father told you?

Pia doesn’t move. Mehmed notices this.

MEHMED: You know what your problem is, boy? You think that you’re invincible. You think because your daddy came down here and got a few common people together to start a church that you’re entitled to something. Yes, I am a conquer. Yes, I am a man of faith. I also know that it is important to respect my enemies and to know what they are capable of.

PIA: Did Vlad Dracula respect you when he impaled your men while he ate dinner?

Mehmed pulls out his sword. Pia tilts his head.

PIA: What are you going to do with that, Sultan?

MEHMED: You are nothing like your father.

PIA: Neither are you. You left Dracula’s brother Radu to take control of Wallachia. Your father would have stayed and got the job done.

Mehmed puts his sword on the table.

MEHMED: You think you’re so smart. The people around you know how unprepared you are to take your father’s place. Now you think because I’ve had a few unsuccessful campaigns, that makes me a failure. Weren’t you once abducted in Libya by enemies of your Church?

PIA: I took care of them.

5

RAUNCH FIVE MEHMED: I’m sure you did. But did you know that whoever put the hit out on you came from your own Congregation?

PIA: Are you saying that because you had to pull out of Corinth?

MEHMED: You’re a fool. Proud and arrogant. Not a drop of humility in you. (nods) I called you here to let you know that I am still keeping my word to your father.

PIA: Our fathers both had a different way of doing things. My father tried to blend in here and he was killed by a Christian. Your father tried to take a well-guarded castle in Albania and fell ill before he could finish his good work. Our enemies will not be modest. We must be strong.

MEHMED: Does strong mean turning a blind eye to the corruption of your own Church?

Pia doesn’t answer.

MEHMED: Have you ever had to put down a rebellion, Arch Bishop?

PIA: My Bishops are loyal.

MEHMED: Don’t be so naïve, boy. There are people in your circle who would love nothing more than to see you fail. You are a fool to think otherwise.

PIA: Those Janissaries revolted on your watch, Sultan. Your father returned to put it down.

MEHMED: So what happens when your own father has to put your people down?

PIA: If you weren’t a friend of father’s, I would— MEHMED: Beware of treachery, Arch Bishop. Beware.

Church of Fatherless Time. Late night.

Lady Atropos walks down the hall with a lamp in hand. She enters the Sanctuary and puts her lamp on the altar. She goes over to a large book and touches the cover.

ATROPOS: (reads) The Sacred Lumi-Visian Writ.

She opens it. With her finger, she guides her eyes to and from the three translations of the ancient text: Hebrew, Greek and Latin. She silently mouths the words, until the lamp light flickers. She looks to her right and watches the flame waver and then fall still.

She hears a distance noise. As she turns, her elbow knocks over a candleholder. She leans over and picks it up. When she stands straight, Pia is right behind her.

PIA: (deep voice) Quaestio.

Atropos yelps and turns to the Arch Bishop who is moving in close.

PIA: Is that a candelabrum you have or a candelabra?

Backing away, Atropos looks down at the candleholder and puts it back on the altar.

ATROPOS: (turns) I should be going.

But Pia is right in front of her, blocking her escape.

PIA: You’ve only been here a few months and already you’re breaking my rules.

ATROPOS: My Lord, please.

PIA: What did I tell you about being in the Sanctuary at this hour?

6

RAUNCH FIVE Pia backs the shorter Greek Lady Bishop into the altar.

PIA: What did I say would happen?

ATROPOS: That I would be punished.

PIA: Do you like being punished, Lady Atropos? Is that why you defy me?

ATROPOS: Have mercy, my Lord.

Pia grabs Atropos and pulls her close.

PIA: For what you have done here, you don’t deserve mercy.

ATROPOS: Then do what you will, Arch Bishop.

Pia lifts Atropos up and sits her on the altar. She quickly undoes the front of his pants until they crumple at his ankles. She mounts Pia and wraps herself around his large frame. She shuts her eyes with her mouth hanging open as she slowly rubs against the Arch Bishop.

From the cracked Sanctuary doors, Bishop Darius watches Pia and Atropos.

Daytime. Arch Bishop’s Quarters.

Darius stares at Pia as Pia talks with his four cousins.

DARIUS: Your Lordship, Valladolid will let us keep our cache in a secluded fornication.

PIA turns his masked head to Darius.

DARIUS: I meant, a secluded fortification.

PIA: Good. That brings us one step closer to a global economy.

TABITA: Why not have the cache in Madrid?

URIAS: Too much corruption.

ZELPHA: The Christians there would try to claim it for the Pope.

Darius watches Atropos enter holding a tray with drinks.

AGAR: (OS) Besides, Byzantine influence is weakening in these parts.

Atropos stands right beside Pia. His cousins take grails from the tray.

TABITA: (OS) I wouldn’t be surprised if the Christian Church split down the middle again.

Darius watches as Pia’s hand reaches behind Atropos while he takes his drink.

ZELPHA: (OS) Word is there are already protests beginning in Germany.

Pia gets a handful of her flesh behind the dress and squeezes.

AGAR: (OS) With the Christians at war with each other, we can take advantage of the open investment opportunities in the West.

Atropos shuts her eyes and smiles before she leaves with the empty tray.

PIA: The more caches we have set up in other counties, the more people we’ll be able to reach regarding the coming of the Universal Library.

URIAS: I hear Germany may be conceding from the Christian Church.

PIA: What do you think, Lord Darius? Is Rhine open game for us?

Darius puts his scroll on the table and leaves. Pia goes after him.

7

RAUNCH FIVE

Hallway. Several congregation members walk by.

PIA: Darius. (catches up to him) Lord Darius, wait.

DARIUS: (spins around) No more of this! I’m through here!

PIA: What are you saying? You’re one of our oldest members.

DARIUS: You’ve turned my beloved Church into a den of adultery!

PIA: Adultery? I’m not married.

DARIUS: Exactly. So why are you having relations with your own Lady Bishops?

Pia pulls Darius away from the others nearby.

PIA: Where are you getting your information?

DARIUS: From my own eyes, Your Lordship. Last night, in the Holy Sanctuary.

Pia lowers his head.

DARIUS: You have desecrated the holy altar of your father. Have you no shame?

PIA: What else have you seen?

DARIUS: Things so raunchy by you and your cousins, I dare not utter them.

PIA: Then don’t.

DARIUS: But I only hold my tongue as not to shame your poor mother.

PIA: She’s tougher than you think, old man. Hell, she’s probably better with a sword than you are with a pen.

DARIUS: How many other Lady Bishops have you taken to your bed? How many of them have you impregnated and excommunicated to keep them silent? Why do you do these things?

PIA: Because, this is my Church. Everything and everyone put here is for my use, and that includes you. When you become an Arch Bishop you can do whatever the hell you want.

Pia walks away.

DARIUS: I’m finished.

Pia turns to Darius.

DARIUS: I will not serve under a fornicator who poses as a moral leader.

Pia walks over to Darius like he will knock him down. But Darius isn’t afraid and doesn’t move.

PIA: Have all of your belongings off of this property by nightfall.

After Pia and Darius walk away, Lady Mia approaches with a worried look.

Darius’ quarters.

Mia enters as Darius packs his things.

MIA: My Lord.

DARIUS: I’ve made up my mind.

MIA: You made a promise to my husband.

Darius approaches Mia. 8

RAUNCH FIVE DARIUS: I made a promise to serve a morally upright Arch Bishop.

MIA: Why are you so quick to judge him? You and the other Lord Bishops did these same deeds in your younger days that you condemn my son for.

Darius turns away from Mia. MIA: You think I approve of the things he does? No, I do not. But, he is still my child. He is the only child that I have. He is the fruit of my womb and I will not discard him.

DARIUS: Then, you have to ask yourself how long you intend to hold on to spoiled fruit.

Mia watches Darius continue packing, before she says…

MIA: I think Atropos is a spy.

DARIUS: (turns to her) How do you know this?

MIA: I saw Atropos lurking the halls one night, so I followed her. I don’t know if she was aware of me. She went into the city to meet with men in dressed black. These men were not Turks or the Ebers. In fact they looked like monks.

DARIUS: Then you know the Arch Bishop is in grave danger.

MIA: He’s in love with her.

DARIUS: You don’t think telling him will make a difference?

MIA: As you put it, why indulge in the nourishment of spoiled fruit?

DARIUS: My Lady, I didn’t mean— Mia kisses Darius on the cheek.

DARIUS: Be safe on your travels.

Darius smiles as he watches Mia leave.

Mia’s Chamber. Night.

Mia is at her desk in her long royal night gown. She looks over Church records left by Darius.

She stops reading and lifts her head. Her eyes shift to her right.

MIA: Come forth, my child.

Pia approaches Mia as she turns around in her chair. Pia bows down and kisses her feet.

MIA: Dindar.

Pia remains on his knees before her.

MIA: What did I say about revering me?

PIA: I cannot show respect to my own mother?

MIA: Not in this manner. You are the head of our Church. You bow to no one, but The Most.

PIA: But, you’re so beautiful and so pure. What sane man wouldn’t worship you?

Pia rests his head on her lap. Mia rubs his scalp.

MIA: I am not pure, Dindar. I often have impure thoughts. I find myself entertaining the notion of dishonoring your father. Then I remember what happened to my mother. And I think about your father’s aura leaving me. I think about getting old and weak like the other women in this region and I shudder. So I wait on him. And every month, right on time, he comes down here 9

RAUNCH FIVE to be with me. I submit and give myself to him. And every time I do, one year of old age is removed from me. (lifts Pia’s head) If you want to remain beautiful or handsome, you must have these traits on the inside. Only obedience and faith can preserve you.

PIA: But, I cannot help myself. The women are so lovely. They flock to me.

MIA: You must control your urges, Dindar. You don’t have to act on every thought that enters your head. There are other ways to deal with these feelings.

PIA: (stands up) You’re right. (bows) Thank you, mother.

Pia starts to leave.

MIA: Dindar.

Pia turns to her.

MIA: There is something about Atropos that you must know.

Sanctuary. Night.

Pia is near the podium reading a book.

Atropos comes up behind him and wraps her arms around him.

ATROPOS: I’ve been thinking about you all day long.

Pia pulls away.

PIA: We cannot do this anymore.

ATROPOS: What are you saying, Your Lordship?

PIA: Darius is gone.

ATROPOS: Good. He wasn’t any use to you anyway.

PIA: Atropos, he served under my father and he believed that I would become the successor he had always thought I would be. But my reckless behavior has grieved him away.

ATROPOS: Look, if it feels good, just do it.

PIA: We can’t keep sneaking around like this.

ATROPOS: If you want to have your fun, Arch Bishop, you have to be clandestine.

PIA: Clandestine? Like the way you are when you meet with those Catholic monks?

ATROPOS: (thins eyes) What are you talking about?

PIA: Don’t patronize me.

ATROPOS: Is that what your mother told you? (scoffs) That old crone knows nothing.

PIA: You watch how you talk about her.

ATROPOS: Oh, be quiet! You lust after so many women, I’m sure you’d sleep with her too.

Pia pushes Atropos into the podium.

PIA: (points to her) We’re through.

ATROPOS: Okay. (moves away) Fine.

Pia exhales as Atropos walks away.

10

RAUNCH FIVE Atropos walks behind Mia with the other Lady Bishops. She coughs with her hand to her mouth before she darts out of line and hunches over in the grass. Mia turns and sees Atropos.

MIA: We don’t have all day, Lady Atropos.

Mia goes over to Atropos and finds her vomiting.

MIA: Should I send for the Church doctor?

ATROPOS: Just give me a moment, mistress.

Mia and the other Lady Bishops move onward.

Atropos’ domain. Night.

Mia and her servants stand before Atropos and the Church doctor.

DOCTOR: Looks to me like a stomach bug.

MIA: Any remedies?

DOCTOR: (meets with Mia) Nothing a good diet won’t cure. Other than that, she’s fine.

MIA: Thank you.

After the doctor leaves, Mia remains.

ATROPOS: I don’t think it’s a stomach bug.

MIA: Have you been with my son recently?

ATROPOS: No. I’ve never touched him.

MIA: Do not lie to me, child.

ATROPOS: I’m not lying, mistress.

MIA: Then look me in the face when you speak to me.

But Atropos keeps her head downward. Then she puts her hands to her face.

ATROPOS: Oh God. What have I done?

MIA: (nods) You just couldn’t stay away from him. Now what are you going to do?

ATROPOS: I don’t know, mistress. Please don’t tell him.

MIA: I’m not saying a word to him. You’re going to do it.

ATROPOS: I’ll be excommunicated.

MIA: You’re a strong believer in justice and fate, so face up to it.

Mia yanks Atropos up by the arm.

MIA: Your bed, your filthy sheets.

Mia pulls Atropos along with her.

Arch Bishop’s Domain.

Pia looks over Church records. Mia enters with Atropos.

MIA: My Lord.

PIA: Not now, mother.

MIA: Lady Atropos wishes to see you.

11

RAUNCH FIVE Pia turns to see Mia leave. He shuts the steel doors behind Atropos.

PIA: Be swift with your words.

ATROPOS: My Lord…(pauses) I’m pregnant.

Pia is silent, but only for a moment.

PIA: What are you telling me for?

ATROPOS: Your Lordship, you’re the father.

Pia moves away from Atropos.

ATROPOS: Your mother said that I should tell you.

Pia doesn’t move or respond to her.

ATROPOS: Are you going to excommunicate me?

Pia turns to her.

PIA: Why would I do that? (joins her) We have to do what feels right. (kneels) Lady Atropos, I want you to marry me.

ATROPOS: Your mother will never agree to this.

PIA: I don’t care. I believe in fate. We were meant to be together.

ATROPOS: (smiles) I knew you would understand.

Pia lifts Atropos up and she wraps herself around him.

Meeting hall.

Members of the Congregation eat. Pia looks to Atropos and stands up.

PIA: May I have everyone’s attention, please?

Everybody looks to the Arch Bishop. Lady Mia watches from the Lady Bishops table.

PIA: I just want everybody to know that it has been an honor to serve as your Arch Bishop. And soon, I will have a lifelong partner to share in my duty to The Most. (pulls Atropos up) I and Lady Atropos are engaged to be married.

Applause and cheers ensue. Mia gets up from the Lady Bishops table and leaves.

Pia sees Mia leaving and goes after her.

Hallway.

PIA: Mother. (catches up to her) Mother, wait.

MIA: (spins around) Are you out of your Kal-Panyim mind?!

PIA: We want to do the right thing.

MIA: The right thing?!

Atropos and the other Lady Bishops are nearby.

PIA: Yes. Like you and father did.

MIA: Me and your father?!

PIA: You once said it is better to bask in matrimony than to burn in lust.

12

RAUNCH FIVE MIA: Your father and I abstained until we were wed.

PIA: Okay, so I drank of the wine before the breaking of bread. The point is we’re in love.

MIA: The point is she’s a whore and you are a whoremonger!

PIA: You know what I think? You don’t like her because she’s Greek.

MIA: I don’t like her because she’s a Catholic spy.

PIA: Oh, now she’s a spy? Where’s the proof that she works for Rome?

MIA: Where’s the proof that the child she carries is yours?

Pia and the others are quiet.

MIA: How do you even know she’s with child?

Pia lowers his head.

MIA: If you marry her, I’m gone. Do you hear me? I will leave this Church.

PIA: (lifts head, bobs it) You want to leave me like Darius did? Fine. Go. I’ll have a new Holy Queen Mother to worship, one who desires reverence over foolish modesty.

MIA: You’re an ungrateful, spoiled rotten, lascivious half-glow!

PIA: And you’re a lonely, miserable, stuck-up old crone!

Mia’s hand flashes up and smacks Pia across his metal face plate. She winces at the pain in her right hand before she hurries away. The other Lady Bishops go after her. But Atropos remains.

Atropos moves in to soothe Pia, but Pia moves away from her in the opposite direction.

Mia’s Domain.

One of Mia’s servants tends to her hand.

MIA: Is it broken?

SERVANT GIRL: It’s a simple sprain, mistress. The swelling will subside.

MIA: Why is he doing this? What is he thinking?

SERVANT GIRL: He’s in love, my Lady.

MIA: What he’s in is not love.

SERVANT GIRL: It is love to him. So if it feels right, why not do it? (smiles) Atropos is so lucky.

What young maiden would turn down a proposal from his grace the masked bastard?

Mia thins her eyes at her servant.

MIA: Has he slept with you too?

When the servant doesn’t respond, Mia takes her bandaged hand away.

MIA: That will be all.

SERVANT GIRL: Yes mistress.

Mia watches in annoyance as the servant girl quickly leaves.

Istanbul. Meeting Hall. Night.

In one of the ballrooms, a celebration/bachelor party is being held.

13

RAUNCH FIVE Pia is surrounded by belly dancers and other gorgeous dark-skinned women. The Bomb and the Primeit watch along with Pia’s cousins as the Arch Bishop dances.

BOMB: He’s really going to do it?

PRIMEIT: Seems like it.

BOMB: Did he check with his father?

PRIMEIT: Do we ask for parental approval before we engage in courtship?

BOMB: Point taken.

Watching from the balcony is the Magistrate and Dagon (in human guise).

DAGON: I’m thinking about settling down myself, having a few little legionnaires of my own.

MAGISTRATE: He doesn’t love her. He just likes how she feels on the inside.

DAGON: Am I sensing envy from your aura, my lady?

MAGISTRATE: Envy is when you covet what someone else has.

DAGON: And jealously is when act hostile towards someone that you believe has an advantage over you. That’s what you did to his mother. Remember? So this must be envy you feel.

MAGISTRATE: I didn’t ask for your correction or your commentary, Hæysux.

DAGON: Then can we conclude that you burn in lust for the Arch Bishop? Surely you know he has a reputation within his own Church.

Mag watches women clamor around Pia. MAGISTRATE: I’ve heard the rumors.

DAGON: They say he’s incredible in bed. (gets closer Mag’s ear) Women beg him for sex.

MAGISTRATE: I want his whoremonger career cut short. (turns to Dagon) Can you do that?

DAGON: What do you mean?

MAGISTRATE: Cut. Short.

DAGON: Ouch. Now that’s cruel, even to prick like me.

MAGISTRATE: Can you make it happen?

DAGON: My people in Rome are set to get him anyway. I’ll be creative with it.

MAGISTRATE: Good. I want him wounded, scarred so deeply that he’ll have no other place to go but into my loving embrace.

DAGON: You’re an evil, hateful bitch.

MAGISTRATE: Thank you.

Mag walks away. Dagon chuckles and sips his drink.

Mia’s Domain. Late night.

Mia’s servants pour water over her bare bronze skin. Mia stands in the large marble bath and is dabbed dry with white towels. She is covered with a long white robe.

Back in her private chambers, Mia is surrounded by servant girls. They do her hair, trim her nails and beautify her face. Mia is led to her bed and turned around facing the doors. The 14

RAUNCH FIVE servant girls quickly fix the bed and do some last minute adjustments on Mia before they all hurry out of the chamber and shut the doors.

Mia stands there in the candle lit room looking at the doors. Then a bright light flashes before her. She closes her eyes as a hand reaches out to her face. She moans as the man’s thumb crests her lips and ultimately ends up in her mouth.

The man before her raises his hand, lifting Mia about two feet off the floor. Her gown slides off of her body and she rotates clockwise before tilting horizontally and resting on the bed.

Jolen-Heli removes his Sage robe and apron. He climbs over Mia’s nude body in his temporary human form. He removes his mask and places it on the nearby table.

Hours later.

Mia rests beside Jolen, who has his mask back on.

MIA: Your son is getting married.

JOLEN: I know.

MIA: I don’t approve of it.

JOLEN: Maybe it’s time for you to step down.

Mia turns to Jolen.

MIA: How can you say that, My Lord?

JOLEN: Dindar isn’t a child anymore.

MIA: You’re right. He’s a whoremonger.

JOLEN: He’s half-human. I didn’t say he would be perfect.

Mia cuddles with Jolen.

MIA: You’re so warm. Why can’t you just stay down here with me?

JOLEN: That’s not how it works, Mia. MIA: You can do anything you want. You’re a Lumi-Visian Sage.

JOLEN: Even celestials are limited. But, The Most is unlimited.

MIA: I always thought we would be the perfect family. I’ve tried to be the best mother that I can be. Better than my own mother. I try to be a good example to the Lady Bishops and here I am having thoughts of murdering my son’s finance.

JOLEN: Well, she is a bitch.

Mia laughs and turns to Jolen. Her eyes get all glassy.

MIA: I love you so much.

JOLEN: I love you too.

MIA: I love our son as well. It hurts my heart to see him do these things.

JOLEN: He must experience these things; the choice is his to make, just as it was once yours.

Mia nestles closer to Jolen.

MIA: So how long do human wives of Lumi-Visians live?

15

RAUNCH FIVE JOLEN: A little over a century. By the time you reach 80, you’ll look like you’re forty.

Silence between them for a few seconds.

MIA: I don’t think I want to be here that long.

Mia and Jolen lay nude together surrounded by candles.

Church of Fatherless Time. Late night.

Atropos moves along the hallway quietly. She comes to the duel doors of the Arch Bishop’s chamber. She carefully pushes the door open. She sees Pia on his bare mattress wearing only his underwear. She gets on his mattress and lies next to him. She rubs his groin to rouse him.

ATROPOS: What did I tell you about wearing clothes in bed?

She sits up beside him, facing him.

ATROPOS: What did I say would happen?

PIA: That I will be punished. But, please. Have mercy.

Atropos goes into her evening gown for something.

ATROPOS: For what your father did to my father—you don’t deserve mercy.

Pia only sees metal flash downward. Then he hears the mattress fabric tear and then sees an ivory handle firm in her grasp. The handle is attached to a blood-soaked dagger, and the blade of the dagger is nestled deep into his groin area.

Atropos becomes cold and callous in seconds.

ATROPOS: Try anything and I’ll cut it off.

Pia looks down at the front of his blood-soaked underwear.

She twists the dagger handle and Pia cries out.

ATROPOS: How’s it feel to have something stab you between your legs? (grins wickedly) Do you like being punished, Arch Bishop? Is that why you defy the Holy Mother Church?

She twists the blade deeper. Pia is in shock, trembling, hearing his flesh tear below.

PIA: (weak) Traitor. Infidel. Filthy heathen!

Atropos pulls the blade upward, spraying blood on Pia’s chest, mask and herself. Pia folds up into a fetal position and groans, cradling what’s left of his mutilated genitals. Atropos rolls him on his back and takes the dagger blade to his flesh again, this time making three swift strokes at the area just above his navel. The three cuts form a bloody letter “A” in his skin.

ATROPOS: Lucky for you, I’m here to kill the true saint of this Church. Fair thee well.

Pia remains on his side making animalistic growls amidst his agony.

Lady Mia’s Chamber.

Mia rests on her back with her hands folded on her abdomen. Suddenly, her bed shakes. Her eyes open. She looks around, then to the foot of her bed.

At the foot of her bed, on the floor is Atropos, gripping her bloody dagger in her right hand.

16

RAUNCH FIVE Mia puts her hand under her pillow and closes her eyes again.

Atropos remains on all fours as she makes her way to where Mia is sleeping. She remains low on the floor listening to Mia’s breathing. She takes a deep breath and springs up. She snarls wildly and stabs nothing by the bed that Mia once lay in. She tosses the sheets away and lifts one of the pillows. Underneath it is an empty sword sheathe.

The bed shakes followed by Mia’s grunt. Atropos recoils, seconds from being beheaded by Mia’s blade. Atropos falls backward into the wall with her left hand to her face. She eyes her own blood and is enraged. Mia has cut open Atropos’ fair Greek flesh from her left ear to her chin. Atropos lets off a horrible scream and lunges for Mia on the bed.

Mia swings her fighter’s sword and blocks Atropos’ dagger. The women take to the floor and strike at each other with their weapons. Atropos lunges aggressively while Mia uses finesse to block Atropos’ attacks. Atropos gets too close and Mia hits her in the mouth, stunning her.

Atropos stumbles backward into a sword rack, knocking it to the floor. She grabs up the first sword she sees and takes her battle stance. Mia takes a moment to stick her sword bladedown into the floor. She removes her ripped evening gown and tosses it away. She takes up her sword, whirls it in a figure eight and goes into her stance, one hand pointing at Atropos.

Atropos carefully approaches Mia, making threat postures with her blade.

Mia stands there like a statue, not moving, ready to strike.

Atropos screams and goes in for the kill. But she is surprised at how fast Mia is. Atropos gets close enough to grab Mia’s hair. Mia nails Atropos in her bleeding face again and she lets go.

Mia moves in and Atropos blocks all of her blows. Mia drives Atropos back into the chamber doors. She clashes blades with Atropos and knocks Atropos’ sword away.

Atropos charges at Mia only to be skewered in the shoulder by Mia’s sword. Mia drives the blade through Atropos’ upper body and forces Atropos into the right-facing wooden chamber door, nailing Atropos’ limp body to the door as it swings outward into the hallway.

Approaching Lord and Lady Bishops are astonished by what they see pinned to Mia’s chamber door. Mia comes out of her room in her nightie and looks at Atropos’ hanging there.

MIA: Get this polytheistic whore out of my sight.

Lord Bishops remove the sword from Atropos’ shoulder and take her away.

Later.

Mia watches the Church doctor tend to Pia. CHURCH DOCTOR: There isn’t much I can do. I don’t think I can save it.

MIA: (cover mouth) Oh God. CHURCH DOCTOR: She cut him pretty deep. I don’t see fatherhood in his future.

Mia is in tears. Her servants try to comfort hr.

CHURCH DOCTOR: I’m so sorry.

17

RAUNCH FIVE

Royal Ottoman Court. Day. Mia stands before Turkish officials in her hyjab and royal gown.

TURKISH OFFICIAL 1: She says she is the daughter of Lord Bishop Stefanos.

MIA: Stefanos?!

TURKISH OFFICIAL 1: We’re holding her until the Church fathers come.

TURKISH OFFICIAL 2: And when they do, she will be transported back to Sparta.

MIA: Back to Sparta?

TURKISH OFFICIAL 1: She is a Greek nationalist.

MIA: She tried to castrate my son and all she gets is extradition?!

TURKISH OFFICIAL 2: It’s out of our hands, my lady.

Mia turns and leaves.

Arch Bishop’s Chamber. Night.

Mia tends to Pia. She kneels at bedside and sobs.

A hand reaches out and touches her.

Mia looks up, stands and embraces her celestial husband.

MIA: (sobs) Look at what they’ve done to my baby!

JOLEN: Rome?

MIA: (bobs head) Atropos claims she’s the daughter of Stefanos.

JOLEN: She is. From his first marriage, before he left Greece and came here.

MIA: This is my fault. I should have never let her in this Church.

JOLEN: Stop it, Mia. (hugs her) It’s nobody’s fault, understand?

Jolen goes over to Pia and lifts the sheet over his lower body.

JOLEN: Oh my.

MIA: Can you fix him?

JOLEN: Yes. But he will be less human and more celestial.

A servant approaches.

SERVANT GIRL: My Lord, My Lady, you have a visitor.

In walks Mehmed II. Jolen and Mia bow. Mehmed, likewise.

MEHMED: (looks to Pia) So Rome tried to cut off your legacy.

JOLEN: It’s not the first time.

MEHMED: This is unacceptable. It’s a declaration of war.

MIA: How do we fight a religious system greater than the Mediterranean Sea? MEHMED: Simple. You don’t. Just send them message.

MIA: A message?

MEHMED: I’ll speak with the folks in Sparta.

18

RAUNCH FIVE JOLEN: I see what he’s saying. I’ll leave the nature of that message up to Dindar.

MEHMED: Atropos will be released next week. Try not to be too messy.

MIA: (smirks) I don’t think that’s an option on her part.

Istanbal. Daytime.

Mehmed and his Janissaries watch as Atropos is put into a carriage.

The carriage moves through the busy city. Atropos looks to the Janissary across from her. He has his face covered and is holding a rifle.

ATROPOS: (shows wrist shackles) Are these necessary?

When the Janissary doesn’t respond, Atropos smiles and turns the cuffs on her wrist.

The Janissary aims the rifle at Atropos’ head. She grins and lowers her hands to her lap.

ATROPOS: So how much does the Sultan pay you guys?

The Janissary sits there showing no signs of life.

ATROPOS: You guys have destroyed Greece. Everything was fine until the Turks came.

The carriage shakes violently.

ATROPOS: Would it hurt to put some windows on this thing?

The carriage abruptly stops.

ATROPOS: Where are we?

When the carriage door is opened, the Janissary takes Atropos by her shackles. She yanked of the carriage and pulled toward a grassy lawn that she knows all too well. She sees Lady Mia and the rest of the Congregation standing before a small gallows.

ATROPOS: Where’s the Sultan?

PIA: (OS) The Sultan can’t help you.

Atropos looks to the armed Janissary as he removes his face covering. It’s Pia Arrabo.

ATROPOS: Why am I not surprised?

PIA: Give it time. You will be.

Pia walks Atropos toward the gallows.

ATROPOS: You know if anything happens to me, the Church will be paying you a visit.

PIA: That’s where you’re wrong, my dear. The Sultan spoke to the group of Catholic monks in the city you’ve been meeting with. Oddly enough, they say they’ve never heard of you.

ATROPOS: That’s not true. I am a Catholic.

PIA: And a spy, yes?

ATROPOS: Have mercy, Your Lordship.

PIA: I loved you, my lady. I told you that my mother is dear to me. And what did you do?

Atropos watches as Bishops secure ropes to the gallows.

PIA: You betrayed my trust, tried to castrate me and tried to kill her.

ATROPOS: My Lord, please.

19

RAUNCH FIVE PIA: When you plunged that dagger blade into my flesh, did you feel like Cronos the Titan? Did you see yourself overthrowing Uranus because I trusted you like Uranus trusted Cronos?

ATROPOS: Arch Bishop, I beg you. I’ll go to prison. I’ll never set foot in Istanbul again. But please, Your Grace, don’t hang me.

Pia looks to his Congregation and back at Atropos.

PIA: You’re right. Hanging is not the way. Rope is but a simple instrument. So I’m going to use a more sophisticated mechanism.

Two Bishops approach the gallows with a large two-man hand saw. Pia takes Atropos by the arm and walks with her like the father of bride going down the aisle.

ATROPOS: Are they cutting down the gallows?

PIA: Instead of stringing you up by your worthless neck, we’re going to hang you upside down…

Atropos watches the Bishops oil up the blade.

PIA: …and saw you in half.

Atropos’ eyes grow large before she faints on the lawn.

PIA: (points) Get her up there.

LORD BISHOP: Your Grace, she’s unconscious.

PIA: Then don’t start cutting until she wakes up.

Pia joins his mother as the Bishops strip Atropos and hang her from the gallows.

They hear sawing and Atropos screaming. Pia and Mia hold hands and watch.

But Mia pulls away and runs into the Church.

Mia’s Chamber.

Mia runs over to the commode and vomits into it. Her servants join her as she gags.

Mia’s Chamber. Later.

Pia enters and finds his mother sitting at her desk. She turns to him and he kneels before her.

He places his head on her lap and his strokes his scalp.

MIA: Are you happy now?

PIA: No. MIA: But you’re healed.

PIA: I said things to you that I now regret. Does this mean you are stepping down?

MIA: I’m stepping down, but not because of what you said.

Pia lifts his head to her.

MIA: I’m returning to Fez, so no one shall make anymore attempts on my life.

PIA: (stands) Then I’ll moving the Church to Fez. For I cannot be far from you.

MIA: You have a ministry to run, a ministry of free information. You’re in the right place.

20

RAUNCH FIVE PIA: If we don’t relocate, we’ll have Catholic spies coming from here until the Sabbath. Now, I will keep my father’s convent with the Eber people. Most of them are in Libya anyway.

MIA: Fez is remote, isolated. You’ll be taxed and made to pay to use the roads.

PIA: If Fez has a Sultan, I know that we can work something out.

Mia stands and palms Pia’s metal face plate.

MIA: Oh, Dindar. I love you so much.

Pia heads for the doors.

MIA: Pia. Pia turns to her.

MIA: Good with the Sages. Go forth in the name of The Most.

PIA bobs his head and leaves.

1492 St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Rome Several Cardinals enter.

St. Peter's Basilica. Meeting Room.

Four Cardinals are seated at a lavish table, eating and drinking.

CARDINAL PETERS: All right, let’s get down to business.

CARDINAL TITUS: Western Schism is coming to an end.

CARDINAL JUDE: The Council of Constance secured France for the Pope.

CARDINAL JAMES: Yes. But now we have to deal with the problems in Spain.

TITUS: Problems? (scoffs) Merely pests. Namely a group of protesters.

PETERS: You talk as if these protesters are harmless.

TITUS: They have no real voice. Our politicians are the voice of the people.

PETERS: These rag-tag groups are not to be underestimated.

TITUS: You give them too much credit. They are as harmless as these ‘new Christians’.

PETERS: Imagine what would happen if we ignored those protesters and they grew in numbers?

JAMES: It would mean full-blown Reformation.

JUDE: A few angry peasants complaining about the selling of indulgences doesn’t spell the end of the Holy Mother Church. What we should be concerned about is this so-called Eastern Orthodox Fatherless Time Church in Istanbul.

JAMES: We sent our agents there. There was no Fatherless Time Church.

TITUS: Then they’ve relocated.

JAMES: But where?

PETERS: If this Church is still around they must have temples and chapels in our region.

TITUS: And where there are temples and chapels, there are treasuries.

21

RAUNCH FIVE JUDE: Tis True. A church cannot operate without funding.

JAMES: So what do we look for? How do we distinguish this religion from the others?

PETERS: If it is library-based, look for members with literature about free information.

JAMES: Do we know who leads them?

PETERS: Yes. As a matter of fact, we do. An Arch Bishop called Pia Arrabo.

TITUS: Lord Arrabo? (scoffs) The masked bastard?

JAMES: What? He’s not their leader?

TITUS: He’s a sadist, a cruel child at play with the lives of those around him.

PETERS: In Greece they call him “The Blood Bishop”.

TITUS: Why? Does he share practices with that torture-loving Count in Wallachia?

The rest of the cardinals share a friendly chuckle.

PETERS: He sawed a girl in two, sent one half of her body to Sparta and the other half here.

The rest of the cardinals drop their silver and push their plates away.

PETERS: People are terrified of this masked man. They say he has strange powers. They say he can read the minds of men. They say he can fly. They say that he is the son of a god.

TITUS: What impractical idealist isn’t the son of a god? How many men have come into the world claiming to be the Christ?

The cardinals laugh it up again.

PETERS: I know you all find this amusing, but trust me when I say that this masked man is no laughing matter. All who have crossed him end up either dead or wish that they were. We need to get on the horn to Spain and warn the monks there. We all have vested interests in Spain. We all have gold in Spain. If this library-based church is looking to set up a treasury for potential investors, Spain is where they would go.

JUDE: We’ll have the Inquisition sweep the countryside. Even the minor villas.

PETERS: Good. (holds up cup) And once we win these nations to Christ, we will all be truly one.

The Cardinals toast and drink.

Fez, Morocco.

Posters of Arch Bishop Arrabo are everywhere. Literature about the Universal Library has flooded society. Children wear masks and little cloaks while they play; Pia is their hero.

Merchants sell replicas of Pia’s mask; he is their protector. Many adults are dressed in the same manner as the Lord and Lady Bishops. At the center of the city is a 20 foot tall marble statue of Pia Arrabo holding the Blade of Anonymous.

The plaque on the base of the statue reads: I AM THE MASKED YOUR BASTARD. The Church of Fatherless Time.

The Church’s numbers have grown.

22

RAUNCH FIVE Arch Bishop Pia Arrabo makes his way through crowded hallways and enters his domain. He goes into antechamber with a shrine; the stone altar is dressed with the masks of the LumiVisian Sages. Pia kneels before the Shrine.

PIA: Here my voice, father. I come before you in the name of The Most.

The middle green mask lights up and glows.

JOLEN’S VOICE: Shalom, my son. I am the Masked your Bastard.

PIA: Father, a dire situation has come up. One of our caches has been raided by the Christian Church. Our gold bullion taken and all of the Congregation members slaughtered.

JOLEN’S VOICE: As the Christian Church grows, our enemies shall multiply. The Holy Office is sweeping through this hemisphere to maintain their orthodoxy with “The Inquisition”.

PIA: What is the Inquisition?

JOLEN’S VOICE: A Papal-controlled, nationwide tribunal that is seeing to the conversion of all Jews and Muslims to Catholicism. I don’t have to tell you how dangerous those of Rome are.

PIA: I know first hand, my Lord.

JOLEN’S VOICE: You will take your Congregation and go to Spain. There you will mount a stage coach and take back the stolen bullion. You will bring the gold back to Fez and you will have it redistributed to the people. Do you understand?

PIA: Yes, my Lord.

JOLEN’S VOICE: I have declared war on the Holy Office and its Inquisitors. If they stand before you, utterly destroy them without hesitation.

PIA: It will be done, my Lord.

JOLEN’S VOICE: No one in your Congregation is to bargain with these Inquisitors or take any payments from them. If they do, they will surely be excommunicated from the Church.

PIA: As you wish, my Lord.

Pia stands and turns to leave.

JOLEN’S VOICE: Dindar.

Pia turns back to the shrine.

JOLEN’S VOICE: A great prize awaits you at the end of this task. It is a special gift from father to son. Now go, Arch Bishop. Go with the Sages. Go forth in the name of The Most.

Sanctuary.

Pia is at a table with his four cousins.

PIA: As you all know, one of our treasury caches was attacked by the Holy Office. The Sages have tasked me with returning all gold bullion in Spain to the Church.

Pia goes over to the old printing press purchased by his father in 1448.

PIA: Tell me, cousins. Why do they see us as a threat?

AGAR: The monarchs are afraid the people will get smart and realize the game they’re playing.

23

RAUNCH FIVE URIAS: We are printing literature about law, politics and religion.

TABITA: Literacy among the masses is dangerous for them.

PIA: And it’s what my father died for: protecting free information. We must continue to do so until the entire world knows that I am the Promised Key of the Universal Library.

AGAR: Right now we’re printing books of the religious nature. Just imagine what will happen once our practices take hold all over the realm. There will be books on poetry, plays, travel, historical accounts and even science. Cousin, we must strike at Rome first.

PIA: But the five of us alone won’t be enough.

TABITA: We need a team.

AGAR: A congregation.

URIAS: A group of super-powered celestials that’ll make Ferdy and Izzy squirm on their thrones.

PIA: First we’ll need a strong man.

Kratolego.

Arch Bishop Stoutkong aka The Primeit opens a scroll and reads it.

PIA: (VO) Or in our case, a strong ape.

Primeit goes into his temple.

PIA: (VO) Somebody who can get in there and shake up the Inquisitors.

Denzenhut.

PIA: (VO) Second, we’ll need a military mind.

Exo-Therm Captain Seren is handed a scroll. He unrolls and reads.

PIA: (VO) Someone who can mount an offensive when the Inquisitors come for us.

Sanctuary.

PIA: (VO) And we need a group of Bishops who aren’t afraid to kick some Inquisitor ass.

TABITA: We most definitely have that.

Over the Church.

Pia and his cousins soar into the sky and shoot off west.

Valladolid, Spain. Abandon Castle. Morning.

Pia and his cousins meet with Primeit and Bomb.

BOMB: This is it?

PIA: It’s all we need.

PRIMEIT: Nice place you have here.

PIA: We’re just squatting here until the job gets done.

24

RAUNCH FIVE Pia notices the Bomb holding a round black object.

PIA: What’s that?

BOMB: A little gift I created. It’s called an explosive.

PIA: An explosive what?

BOMB: It’s a noun, not an adjective.

PIA: Then why not just call it a bomb?

BOMB: Because I’m the Bomb.

PIA: What’s this thing good for?

BOMB: Let’s just say we’re surrounded by hundreds of Spanish troops and can’t get away. If we can’t have the gold, neither can they.

They come to a large table with maps and blueprints.

PIA: Here’s the situation. The message of the Universal Library has spread around the globe. A group of faithful believers in Madrid requested reading materials from our Church. The Church sent the books and the group scheduled a payment of 500 million in gold bullion.

Pia places a few gold coins on the table.

PIA: But the gold never left Madrid. The Church’s bishops here in Valladolid are keeping what little gold we do have hidden until it can be moved to a secure location.

Pia unrolls several letters and puts them on the table top.

PIA: The bishops in Madrid sent letters requesting assistance. But they were all slaughtered and the gold in our treasury in Madrid taken. Now, I don’t have to tell you that this Inquisition is more than likely filled with Hæysux legionaries.

Pia shows them a map of the region.

PIA: So we’re going to grab the gold and flee the Crown of Castile through Portugal. From there we’ll sail to Tangier and the rest is a straight run to Fez. BOMB: I say we split up into teams. Pia and I will man the stage coach.

Pia’s cousins are shown at various locations throughout the countryside.

BOMB: (VO) The rest of you will be spread out along our escape route.

Primeit removes his cassock and gets into a cage.

BOMB: (VO) We’ll rendezvous with Stoutkong at the harbor. He’ll be posing as a circus animal awaiting shipment so he doesn’t drawn attention to himself.

Madrid.

Pia and Bomb walks toward a stable.

PIA: (VO) Each of you will be paid for your part in this scheme.

Pia and Bomb look at horses in stalls.

25

RAUNCH FIVE PIA: (VO) We’re doing this to redistribute the wealth back to the people.

Bomb points to a horse and Pia opens the stall door.

PIA: (VO) Let’s give Ferdy, Izzy and the Inquisition hell.

Pia and Bomb saddle up their horses and climb on.

Monastery.

Pia and Bomb watch monks go in and out of the complex.

PIA: That’s where they’re keeping the gold. The depot is around back.

BOMB: This won’t be easy. There could be over two hundred monks in there.

PIA: Just two hundred? Where’s the fun in that?

Pia and Bomb walk their horses toward the monastery. They spot two monks going around behind a stone wall. Pia and Bomb sneak around the corner and see the men kissing. They look at each other before they sneak up on the monks and attack. Pia and Bomb come from behind the stone wall in monk cloaks and go inside.

Once inside, Pia and Bomb make their way to the treasury. They watch Inquisitors loading cases of gold on to the stagecoach. The Inquisitors are Hæysux legionaries in human guise.

BOMB: This just went from bad to wicked.

PIA: Those aren’t low-level minions. They’re centurions, Dagon’s Elite legion officers.

BOMB: We’ve going to have to pull something out of our auras.

PIA: Relax. (pats shoulder) It’ll be fun.

Pia and Bomb move toward the stage coach.

MONK: This shipment goes to Madrid. No stops.

INQUISITOR DRIVER: Yes, father.

MONK: (points to Pia and Bomb) You two. Open the gates.

Pia and Bomb do this. The stage coach rolls outside. The monk goes out back with his shipment manifest. He sees two wounded monks without their robes. He drops his manifest and runs back to the treasury. He darts out of the treasury loading area.

MONK: Stop that carriage!

The driver of the coach is knocked from the stead. Pia and Bomb get on and grab the reins.

PIA: Git up!

The runaway stage coach is off as it races through the market place.

Legionaries on the road hurl fireballs at the passing coach.

BOMB: Those fire spheres must be compensating for something else!

PIA: (ducks a fireball) Be thankful that’s all they’re throwing at us.

A trident flies in and buries its three-pronged teeth into the stead between Pia and Bomb.

BOMB: You just had to open your big mouth.

PIA: Take the reins.

26

RAUNCH FIVE BOMB: What are you doing?!

Pia gets up on top of the coach and meets with a Hæysux legionnaire. He’s knocked off of the coach, but he flies back and kicks the Inquisitor off. Two more Inquisitors land on the coach roof and rush at Pia. Pia ducks just before both Inquisitors explode into bloody fragments.

Pia looks to the Bomb holding a round black explosive.

BOMB: We’re coming up on the first checkpoint.

PIA: The toll gate.

Up ahead, Agar has dispatched all of the guards. After the coach flies by, Agar gets on his horse and follows. More legionaries give chase. Agar catches up to the coach.

AGAR: Cousin, we have company coming.

PIA: Hold them off until we get to Zelpha in the woods.

Edge of the forest.

Zelpha sees the stage coach coming. Behind him, a legionnaire swings his trident.

Zelpha blasts the legionnaire, but is attacked by another.

BOMB: Zelpha’s in trouble.

PIA: Agar!

AGAR: I’m on it, Your Lordship.

Agar rides ahead. He jumps off of his horse and knocks the legionaries away from Zelpha. After the stage coach enters the forest, Agar and Zelpha dispatch the legionaries. Agar and Zelpha get on Zelpha’s horse and take off.

In the forest, more legionaries come out of the woodwork, throwing tridents. Agar and Zelpha move ahead of the stage coach and pick them off with light bursts.

BOMB: We’re coming up on the bridge.

The forest bridge.

Beaten and battered Hæysux legionaries litter the roadside. Urias throws the final legionnaire into the river. He sees the stage coach cross the bridge. He gets on to his horse and joins them.

Pia remains on the coach roof while Bomb mans the reins.

PIA: Urias just joined us.

BOMB: Good. Let’s hope Tabita is ready to receive us at the aqueduct.

Aqueduct.

Tabita sees the stage coach coming. She starts turning the wheel mechanism to the gate.

27

RAUNCH FIVE BOMB: The aqueduct gate is opening.

PIA: Agar, Zelpha, Urias—get into position!

Agar, Zelpha and Urias move ahead and pass through the aqueduct gates first. Tabita hops on to the roof of the stage coach with Pia. PIA: Ready?

TABITA: Let us proceed.

Tabita joins Bomb on the stead.

The stage coach enters a tunnel and comes out on the other side only to meet with an entire battalion of Spanish troops. Bomb slows the stage coach down before they run into them. The troops are blocking the only means of escape: a floodway lined with buttresses.

The Commander gets off of his horse and approaches the stage coach.

COMMANDER: So this is the level Muhammad stoops to? Theft of our church’s wealth?

PIA: We don’t work for the Sultan of Granada.

COMMANDER: It doesn’t matter. That gold belongs to the king and queen of Spain.

PIA: It belongs to my Church.

COMMANDER: Says who, metal face?

PIA: Says, my father.

The sky grows dark above them. Spanish troops look aloft and see the clouds opening up.

COMMANDER: Mother of God. A beam of light streaks down on the stage coach. Something shoots down and lands on the coach roof with a bright flash. Pia stands before the Blade of Anonymous embedded into the coach roof. Pia removes the Blade and jumps down from the coach.

BOMB: Uh-oh.

Pia walks toward the commander with the Blade in hand.

COMMANDER: Who are you?

PIA: I am the Masked your Bastard.

COMMANDER: What?!

PIA: I am Arch Bishop Pia Arrabo, of the Church of Fatherless Time.

COMMANDER: Ah, yes. The amazing Turkish darkie. Well, your magic and sorcery doesn’t work here. Drop the weapon and surrender the gold and maybe the Inquisitors will show you mercy.

PIA: It is not wise to insult me. (blade glows) It’s a bigger mistake to threaten me. Because when you insult me, you insult my father. And when you threaten me… (lifts the blade) Pia lifts the blade and plunges it into the ground, knocking the troops over. The stage coach is off again and Pia leaps up on to it. The troops watch as the coach rides away with Pia on top.

PIA: Give my regards to Ferdinand and Isabella. For I am more bastard than masked!

Pia turns round only to be knocked off of the stage coach roof as it passes under a buttress. He sees armed troops approaching. He grabs up the blade and runs toward the charging soldiers.

28

RAUNCH FIVE

Late afternoon.

The stage coach comes to the port. They meet with the Primeit who has dispatched Inquisitors and more Hæysux legionaries disguised as humans.

PRIMEIT: There’s a schooner waiting for us.

COMMANDER: (OS) Hold it.

They look to the Spanish army commander with more armed troops. He limps toward them.

COMMANDER: The gold stays here.

AGAR: Where’s our Arch Bishop?

COMMANDER: I’m so sorry. He didn’t make it.

BOMB: Liar.

The commander shows them the mangled cloak and shirt from Pia’s cassock. All of the Spanish soldiers are armed with rifles, pointing at Primeit, Bomb and the others.

COMMANDER: Let’s not make a mess here. Surrender.

TABITA: Do you think those weapons will really stop us?

COMMANDER: No. But I will use them on these members of your Church.

Soldiers bring forth several captive congregation members.

COMMANDER: The Holy Office spared these to show your Arch Bishop we do extend mercy.

BOMB: You want the stage coach? (moves away from it) Take it. It’s yours.

Soldiers climb aboard the stage coach and take it away.

The Commander moves away from the congregation members with his troops.

COMMANDER: Pleasure doing business with you.

After the Commander walks away, his face shifts revealing that he is Lord Dagon.

Moroccan Port City. Evening.

The schooner arrives. Bomb and Primeit get off the boat with the congregation members.

BOMB: Well, we almost got away with it.

PRIMEIT: At least these people are safe.

BOMB: Yeah. It wasn’t a complete waste.

PIA: (OS) You’re right.

Bomb, Primeit and Tabita see Pia with Agar, Zelpha and Urias.

BOMB: I knew that commander was full of it.

PRIMEIT: Glad to see you’re okay, Your Lordship.

BOMB: Yes, but what about the gold?

PIA: It’s fine.

BOMB: But the Spanish army took the stage coach.

PIA: (points) You mean that one?

29

RAUNCH FIVE They see the exact same stage coach near the loading area.

TABITA: We switched coaches underneath the aqueduct.

BOMB: (smiles) You sneaky bastard.

PRIMEIT: That was clever.

BOMB: If you switched coaches, what does the Spanish army have?

PIA: Remember that little present you brought along?

Monastery.

The stage coach is driven inside. Dagon walks away with to two monks Pia and Bomb attacked.

PIA: (VO) I was feeling generous.

Inside the shipping area a Spanish solider grips a battle ax.

PIA: (VO) So I made a special donation to the Christian Church.

The solider swings the axe and strikes the pad lock on the stage coach door.

Outside, Dagon and the monks are thrown to the ground as the entire monastery explodes and crumbles in on itself. Monks run over to the rubble while Dagon stands there, mouth open.

Back at the Holy Father Church.

Pia opens the stage coach door. Gold coins and other precious metals fall to the floor.

A celebration takes place in the sanctuary. Congregation members are rejoicing.

Pia takes a baby and holds it up. Women gather around Pia; some of them kiss his mask.

Pia dances with the people, and then notices his father Jolen-Heli near the doorway.

Pia hurries away to meet with the Lumi-Visian Sage.

But when Pia leaves the Sanctuary, he doesn’t enter the hallway.

He is in the realm of Invisibase. He realizes he is before the Sages and kneels.

Jolen comes down the throne steps with his brother and sister.

JOLEN: You have done well, Arch Bishop Arrabo.

PIA: I couldn’t have done it without your guidance, my Lord.

Jolen moves away from Pia. JOLEN: For your faithful service to the Church and to the Sages, I present to you the rank of celestial Cardinal, for the glory of The Most.

A new black cassock with red trim appears before Pia. Pia stands up and the cassock instantly appears on his body. Then, the throne room vanishes.

Pia is back on earth, in the Church sanctuary. He stands before the congregation with his mother, father and members of the Lumi-Visian Holy Court.

JOLEN: I gave you, Cardinal Pia Arrabo.

30

RAUNCH FIVE Thunderous applause sweeps the hall. Mia smiles and kisses Pia on his mask.

MIA: Congratulations, Your Eminence.

PIA: Thank you, my Lady.

Applause continues as Pia stands tall before his people.

Later.

Outside the Church, Pia talks with Bomb and Primeit.

BOMB: Look at you. A Cardinal.

PRIMEIT: Our friend there is climbing the Lumi-Visian social ladder.

BOMB: Soon he’ll be rubbing masks with the Court Officers and Elders.

PIA: My place is down here with my congregation.

PRIMEIT: Your place is with us among the stars.

PIA: If I am trekking across the cosmos, who will preach to the people?

BOMB: (smiles) Our friend here has finally grown up. Best wishes to you.

Bomb and Primeit leave.

Nearby is the Magistrate dressed in a hyjab and dress.

DAGON: (OS) How the hell did this happen?

She turns to Dagon in his Spanish army uniform.

MAGISTATE: You had him dead to rights and you chose wealth over vengeance.

DAGON: Hey, if you want to play you have to pay.

They watch the Cardinal head back to the Church.

DAGON: He’s getting too powerful, my lady. Imagine if he truly humbles himself and realizes his true potential.

MAG: Yes. He’d be unstoppable.

DAGON: Exactly. Now, imagine if he was working for us.

MAG: What can we do to stop him?

DAGON: Let us think this over. (paces) All of his actions are driven by what?

MAG: Interior motives. Although they seem rational, they are at best emotional.

DAGON: Before the gold heist, what was his last big decision?

MAG: Moving the Church here?

DAGON: What made him move his entire congregation out here?

MAG: His mother.

DAGON: (points to her) Exactly. He’s attached to her. He’ll do anything to be in her presence and to remain in her favor.

MAG: We’ve been over this. We can’t touch her. Jolen has his protective barrier around her.

DAGON: My lady, if you want to bring Pia Arrabo down, you have to take away his dependence on mother’s milk.

31

RAUNCH FIVE MAG: Starve him of her affection? That would mean slaying her. It’s too risky.

DAGON: I’m not saying kill her. Time will do that. I’m saying “replace” her. When she passes on, you have to be there to fill the void. Provide comfort before you administer disaster. He’ll thank you for it and he’ll cling to you just as he did that Greek girl Atropos.

Dagon moves away from Mag. DAGON: I’m sneaking a battalion of troops here soon. Try not to get in their way.

One week later.

Pia is in the Arch Bishop’s chamber removing his remaining possessions.

PIA: Agar, I’m leaving you in charge here.

AGAR: Where will you go, cousin?

PIA: I’m off to spread the word of the Universal Library. We shall hold your coronation…

ZELPHA: Your Eminence, outside!

Outside the Church are a battalion of Spanish troops. Pia meets with them.

PIA: It would be best to surrender, before the Janissaries get here.

An arrow steaks toward Pia’s chest, but he catches second before it strikes him.

PIA: You guys still upset about that thing Spain?

More arrows are fired, but they only strike the ground where Pia once stood. Behind the troops, Pia plunges the Blade of Anonymous into the ground, tossing the troops into the air. Pia begins to slice and dice the Spanish soldiers.

Soldiers head for the Church and are met by Lord Bishops with swords. Some Lady Bishops join the fray, fighting to defend the congregation inside. When soldiers do get inside, they are trapped in a narrow hallway and surrounded by Bishops armed with rifles.

Outside, Dagon looks on as the Cardinal takes down the last of troops. Then he hears dozens of gunshots coming from inside the Church. Dagon removes his helmet and throws it down.

Dagon turns to get on his horse, only to meet with the tip of the Blade of Anonymous.

PIA: Going somewhere?

DAGON: Your Eminence. (grins) Congratulations on our coronation.

PIA: Save it, Hæysux.

DAGON: I’m not mere legionnaire, I’m Lord D— PIA: I know who you are, Dagon. And you’ve been conspiring with a member of my Church.

DAGON: Everybody has a price, Your Eminence.

PIA: Not me.

DAGON: Not yet. Just give it time. Won’t be long before you’re cashed out.

Pia slices Dagon across the shoulder. The horned satyr crumples to the ground.

32

RAUNCH FIVE PIA: My line of credit is secure.

DAGON: Everybody has a credit limit, Cardinal. Be ready when your lender comes calling.

Pia hears a sword being unsheathed. He turns and lops off the sword hand of a Spanish soldier.

Then he turns back to find Dagon gone. Pia is joined by his Bishops.

PIA: (points to wounded soldier) Get him inside.

Church dungeon. Night.

Pia enters and finds the wounded soldier on a rack-like torture device.

PIA: I’m truly sorry about your hand there, senor. Guess you’ll have to use the other one to pleasure yourself. (moves in closer) But I’ll make it worth your while. Give me the locations of all the Spanish troops secretly stationed in this region and I’ll release you of your pain.

The wounded soldier curses Pia in Latin and spits on his mask. Pia tilts his head like he doesn’t understand what just happened. Then he grabs the soldiers bandaged wrist stump.

PIA: (in Latin) You’re being very rude, senor.

Pia’s hand glows and the soldier screams.

PIA: (in Latin) Give me what I want.

The solider shouts and Pia releases his arm. He finally gives up the information in Latin.

PIA: Very good, senor.

Pia places his hands firmly on the soldier’s temples.

PIA: And now, I will release you.

Pia uses little effort as he pushes his hands together, crushing the soldier’s head, spraying blood on the Cardinal’s mask and cassock.

An armed Bishop nearby passes out.

Church Sanctuary. Months later.

Pia is before his congregation. Arch Bishop Agar approaches.

AGAR: Your Eminence, the region is secure and nobles in Madrid want to talk.

PIA: Then they will speak directly with you. Let them give you no political ballyhoo.

ZELPHA: Looks like your work here is done, cousin.

PIA: So it seems. But it’s up to you all to build churches all over this realm.

TABITA: So where are you headed now?

BERBER MAN: (OS) Your Eminence!

Pia sees a mid-aged Berber in cassock approaching. They block him from reaching Pia. Zelpha and Urias grab the man.

URIAS: That’s far enough.

BERBER MAN: I come bearing news. Release me!

AGAR: (points to Pia) Kneel before the Prince of the Holy Father Church!

33

RAUNCH FIVE BERBER MAN: Good sir, must be allowed to speak!

ZELPHA: He is the Arch Bishop and you will address him “His Grace” or “His Lordship”.

PIA: Release him.

Pia pulls the mid-aged man close. He points to his royal cloak.

PIA: This is the Arrabo Dynasty Crest. He is from my mother’s estate.

BERBER MAN: Your Eminence, you must come with me.

PIA: What’s wrong?

BERBER MAN: It’s your mother.

PIA: Is she sick?

BERBER MAN: We don’t have much time.

PIA: What are you saying?

BERBER MAN: We have to hurry, if you want to make it in time to tell her good-bye.

Pia rushes away.

Outside the Church, Pia kneels down and shoots into the sky with a loud thunderclap echoing.

Pia lands before Arrabo Castle. Inside, Pia rushes to the doors of his mother’s chamber. He sees servants by the door. He enters Mia’s chamber and finds his father and some of the LumiVisian Holy Court Officers around her bed.

When they see Pia, the Court Officers all leave and close the door behind them. Pia kneels at bedside. Mia is on her back with her eyes closed. Pia removes his red gloves, his red skull cap and lowers his head to the sheets.

MIA: (weak) Dindar.

Pia lifts his head and holds Mia’s raised right hand with both hands.

MIA: You made it.

PIA: It’s going to be okay, mother.

MIA: I know. I know. (labored breathing) Everything will work out…for the glory of The Most.

PIA: You’ll be fine. Father will extend your life as he always has.

MIA: Not this time, my child. Not even your father can stop this.

PIA: No! No. You cannot leave me. I need you.

MIA: I was blessed to live…one hundred and nine years in this world. Eight-four of those years…I spent with your father. They were…the best years of my life. (closes and opens eyes) I lived happily all these years…because I didn’t…let fear keep me…from what I loved.

PIA: Hold on, mother. Please, hold on.

MIA: Don’t let fear and pride keep you from happiness, Dindar. Be loyal to the Sages and obey the will of The Most. Promise me you will.

PIA: I promise you, mother. I promise.

Mia takes a few more breaths.

34

RAUNCH FIVE MIA: Dindar, do not betray the faith. For the moment you do, you will seal your own doom.

PIA: I won’t betray the faith. Anything to make you happy!

Mia closes her eyes again. After a few seconds, she opens them and looks at Pia. MIA: You want to make me happy, Dindar? Do what your father says. He loves you more than you know. My love is minuscule compared to his. I birthed you, but he created.

PIA: I will obey. Anything for you!

Mia smiles and rests her eyes again.

MIA: Dindar, take of your mask. (breaths heavy) I want to see you true face…one last time.

Pia looks to his father. Jolen approves with a head bob. Pia puts his hands to his face plate and slowly removes it. He looks down on his mother with his light-visage exposed. Mia stares into the Cardinal’s glowing cranial sphere. She frowns. Her eyes grow large.

MIA: Oh God. (nods) Oh, dear God. (trembles) Chaos…Havoc…a dark whirlwind…a great sea storm…the end of the Sages!

Mia lets off a horrific scream with her hands over her eyes. Pia quickly puts his mask back on.

PIA: Mother. (cradles her) Mother, please.

MIA: Rebellion…chained to a rock…patricide…

Pia holds on to Mia as she drifts off.

PIA: Mother, please! Hold on!

MIA: (eyes wide) Oh God. What have I done? (gasps). What have I done?

Mia rests her eyes and goes limp in Pia’s arms. Pia holds her for a moment, and then realizes that she is gone. He looks into her face and lifts her eyelids.

PIA: Mother? (shakes her) Mother, wake up. Mother?!

Pia turns to his father.

PIA: Wake her up.

JOLEN: I can’t.

PIA: (gets up) You extended her life this far! Wake her up!

JOLEN: She’s gone, my son. Gone to be with The Most.

PIA: I will not accept that.

JOLEN: You have to.

Pia grabs his father’s white robe.

PIA: You have to bring her back! You owe it to her!

Jolen removes Pia’s hand from his garments. Pia kneels down to his father.

PIA: I’m begging you. Bring her back.

JOLEN: She’s gone, Pia. PIA: I’ll do anything you ask.

JOLEN: I’m asking you to stand up and accept the truth.

35

RAUNCH FIVE Pia rises to his feet. He turns back to Mia’s remains on the bed. He crumples over her body and buries his face plate into her bosom. Jolen watches Pia mourn for his mother.

Arrabo Castle. Social Area.

Members of the estate stand before Jolen, Pia and the Estate Lawyer.

ESTATE LAWYER: Lady Arrabo has put me in charge of her possessions and assets. The majority of the estate will go to her immediate family with the rest of the funds will be dispersed (shows document) to everyone whose name is on this list.

Later.

Jolen speaks with some estate members. Pia is given a document.

ESTATE LAWYER: This was the Lady’s final request.

Pia reads the document and looks at the lawyer.

PIA: You want me to put her into a plain wooden box and bury her at an unmarked grave site?

ESTATE LAWYER: If you have a problem with the request, we shall carry it out for you.

PIA: She was the head Lady Bishop of the Holy Father Church. And you want to drop her into a peasant’s casket and dump her in a field somewhere?

ESTATE LAWYER: Well, it certainly would be less expensive on the estate’s part.

PIA: Less Expens—?!

Pia grabs up the lawyer and hurls him across the room into some packaged goods.

The lawyer is trying to get to his feet when Pia grabs him up again. Before Pia and swing his fist, Jolen grabs him by the wrist.

JOLEN: Release him.

Pia does this and Jolen pullss Pia by the arm out of the room.

JOLEN: You are really trying my patience.

PIA: They’re trying to dishonor her!

JOLEN: You read the fine print, son. Those are your mother’s instructions.

PIA: It’s a trick!

JOLEN: Then what do you suggest we do?

PIA: Have a grand funeral. Let the world know how good she was.

JOLEN: You want to parade her remains all around the city so our enemies can conspire to steal her body after we’ve buried it in an insure crypt that they’ll all know about?

PIA: People will want to say their good-byes. We cannot deny them that.

JOLEN: What did your mother believe in? Humility and obedience. Faith over works.

PIA: She also believed in honor and integrity.

36

RAUNCH FIVE JOLEN: Agreed. So here’s what we’re going to do, so everybody’s happy. We will have a private funeral here and a public viewing at the church. Afterward, we’ll load a casket with sand and place it in a crypt that we will purchase from the city.

PIA: What about her actual resting place?

Daytime.

Jolen and Pia cross an open field with a horse and cart.

JOLEN: (VO) We will honor your mother’s wishes.

Pia leads the horse. On the cart is a plain wooden coffin.

JOLEN (VO) We will give her the burial ritual that she asked for.

Jolen and Pia dig near a single, large mastic tree.

JOLEN: (VO) We will honor her and be thankful to The Most for all the years she was with us.

Pia and Jolen stand before an unmarked grave. Jolen puts his hand on Pia’s cloaked shoulder.

The father and son walk away from the dirt mound and head back to the horse and cart.

Pia looks out at the stars with earth in the distance. Jolen approaches him from behind.

JOLEN: I thought you would have left by now.

Pia turns to his father on the moon’s surface.

PIA: I like it here. It’s peaceful. Tranquil. No pain, no sorrow.

JOLEN: The people of earth need you.

PIA: They have an Arch Bishop to lead them.

JOLEN: But you are their hero and the Champion of the Sages.

PIA: I need some time to myself.

JOLEN: If you flee from your duties, you will lose your influence in the realm of men. You are our only real link to the minds of men in the mortal world. When you leave them, that light you ignited in their minds with will flicker, dim and eventually go out.

PIA: Humans are resourceful and creative.

JOLEN: They are also deceitful and destructive. It only takes a few to oppress many.

PIA: You came and went from earth as you pleased. Now extend me that same privilege.

Pia takes a few steps before he shoots up off the surface and into the starry void.

Kratolego. The countryside.

Pia walks with the Primeit toward a small villa on a river.

PRIMEIT: You can stay as long as you need to.

PIA: I won’t be leaving anytime soon.

PRIMEIT: I hope you can heal, Your Eminence.

PIA: Thank you Stoutkong.

37

RAUNCH FIVE PRIMEIT: There’s a little gift for you inside. Hope you like it.

Pia enters the villa and closes the gate behind him.

He comes into his personal quarters and looks out at the river.

MAGISTRATE: (OS) Reflection is always the best ointment for loss.

Pia turns to her. She is in a sleeveless evening gown, showing cleavage.

MAG: But it is a short-term remedy that requires repetitive administration.

She stops before Pia. MAG: Love is the only true cure for what ails the heart.

PIA: Love won’t bring my mother back.

MAG: Neither will hiding yourself from the rest of the cosmic community.

Pia turns back to the view of the river.

PIA: I’m not hiding.

MAG: I spoke to your father. He knows not where you are.

PIA: I don’t need his approval go travel.

MAG: You always share your thoughts with your mother.

Mag takes him by the arm and he turns to her.

MAG: Let me fill the void. Let me heal your heart. (touches his mask) let me be your mother.

PIA (catches her hand) You are not my mother.

Mag presses up against him.

MAG: Then let me be your lover.

Pia turns back to the window. Mag embraces him from behind; she reaches around and places her hands over his groin area.

MAG: That quite a bulge you have there, Your Eminence.

She grips what down there and he spins around to secure her arms.

MAG: Strong prominence. Sturdy stature. All the makings of a champion both in the pulpit and in the bedroom. (puts her arms around his neck) Exert your authority over me. Put forth your will for my purp— Amidst her seductive speech, Pia grabs her by the throat and throws her on the bed. She sees him coming at her and crawls across the bed. But she’s caught by him and pulled back. She pulls away and he rips her gown. She gets to the window before he tackles her.

They fall to the floor, Pia on top of the Magistrate. He grips her wooly hair in his fist and turns her head sideway ways so her mask isn’t facing the floor. He jerks down the front of his pants and lifts the back of her gown. He settles over her and begins to force himself on her.

Mag remains braced to the floor with his gloved hand gripping her hair. Pia grunts and falls on top of her. They both remain on the floor together without any more movement or sound.

38

RAUNCH FIVE

230 Years Later.

Kratolego. Pia’s Private Villa.

The Magistrate is bouncing on top of Pia with her head up and back. She falls over on Pia, her mask clanking with his. Pia is unresponsive, not moving and seems dead.

MAG: The women of earth were right. You are incredible.

She gets off of Pia and puts on her Lumi-Visian vestment.

MAG: I have a hearing to attend in the great city.

Pia sits up in bed.

MAG: I shall return to pick up where we left off.

Pia lifts the sheet and looks down at his privates.

Pia goes out on to the patio overlooking the river. He sees the Babodrills (the citizens of Kratolego) below going about their daily routines.

PRIMEIT: When you said you wouldn’t be leaving anytime soon, I should have believed you.

PIA: (turns to Primeit) Stoutkong, you must believe in the Masked your Bastard.

PRIMEIT: I do. But there are some who would rather not.

PIA: You speak of a situation in my home realm?

PRIMEIT: I speak of the situation on earth.

Primeit hands Pia an illustration of a slave ship.

PRIMEIT: The Eber people are being held in bondage. They are being sold as chattel to and by the Laban people who have settled in the Western Hemisphere of the realm.

PIA: What manner of debts do they owe?

PRIMEIT: None.

PIA: Then why are they in captivity?

PRIMEIT: The Haeysux.

PIA: They were weak in numbers and influence when I left.

PRIMEIT: They have it all worked out. Every angle is covered. No where the Ebers can run, no place for them it hide. The humans call it “slavery”.

PIA: Is Dagon involved?

PRIMEIT: We’re not sure. There’s this new legionnaire running things. He’s very powerful and has influence over the higher institutions that fund and run this system of servitude.

PIA: Who is he?

PRIMEIT: His name is Moloch and he’s very dangerous.

PIA: I’ve slew hundreds if not thousands of Hæysux hordes. One little satyr shouldn’t too hard.

39

RAUNCH FIVE PRIMEIT: Your Church is still around, but it hasn’t been the same since your cousins all left and became cardinals.

PIA: They survived this long, they don’t need me. Neither do the Eber.

PRIMEIT: You need to go down there, Cardinal. See it for yourself.

Pia looks again at the drawing of boat decks filled with dark bodies lying side by side.

1767 Maryland, Colonial America Pia walks through a town seeing slaves at work. Then he sees what he’s looking for.

Near an auction block is a building with a sign on it reading: Derpsloski Shipping, Inc. Derpsloski Shipping, Inc. Pia enters and sees paintings of slave ships on the walls.

MAN (OS) Can I help you?

Pia comes to the counter. Behind the counter is a desk. Behind the desk is a Caucasian man with a wide chest, big arms, slant eyes, a goatee and stringy black hair.

PIA: I’m looking for Herbert Derpsloski.

HERBERT: You’re looking at him. What’s with the mask?

PIA: It’s for your protection.

HERBERT: From what?

PIA: From me. Now, you’re a slave trader?

HERBERT: I sell livestock at wholesale prices. The auction will be starting soon if you want to stick around and watch.

PIA: I’m from the Church of Fatherless Time.

Herbert goes blank for a moment.

PIA: I am Cardinal Pia Arrabo.

HERBERT: So a bishop of the church has come to grace us with his presence.

PIA: I’m not from Rome.

HERBERT: Could’ve fooled me.

PIA: I am a friend of the Eber people.

HERBERT: Eber people. Is that what you call them?

PIA: It’s who they are.

HERBERT: The truth is, Cardinal, they don’t know who they are.

PIA: So why don’t you tell them?

HERBERT: An educated slave is an unhappy slave.

PIA: Is that what your master Willie Lynch told you to say?

HERBERT: William Lynch is a mythical figure made up by some Virginia farmers. It’s more a handbook than a speech.

40

RAUNCH FIVE Pia removes his red gloves. Herbert notices his dark skin.

HERBERT: I thought you were from a church.

PIA: I’m originally from Constantinople HERBERT: You mean Istanbul.

PIA: However you wish to put it.

HERBERT: (grins) So you’re Turk. Word is Turks always carry a full purse.

PIA: When the Sultans hear of this servitude racket, you will have much to answer for.

HERBERT: Things have changed, Cardinal. The darkies aren’t running things anymore. God has hidden his face from them.

PIA: Those people you’re auctioning off have a covenant with my father.

HERBERT: They aren’t people. They’re savages, mindless brutes waiting to be put to work for the glory of God. PIA: When you say God, you mean the Christian God? HERBERT: Yes. We know it as money. (picks up pen) So, how many would you like to buy?

PIA: Are you running this criminal organize by yourself? Or is your master Dagon helping you?

Herbert puts his pen down.

HERBERT: I’m not familiar with anybody by that na— PIA: I know all about the human sacrifice rituals. You can drop the charade, Herbie. Or should I call you, Moloch? Lord Moloch of the Hæysux.

Herbert’s horns manifest on his head.

MOLOCH: You’re smarter than the others.

PIA: You can follow my example and release the Eber people.

MOLOCH: I’m afraid I can’t do that.

PIA: You release those people…

MOLOCH: Or what, Turkish delight?

PIA: I will kill you.

Moloch rises up from his desk. He’s over 7 feet tall and a hulking bruiser of a beast. He places his huge hands on the counter and leans his face down at Pia. MOLOCH: What did you say to me, darkie?

PIA: Release the Eber people, or I will kill you.

Moloch produces a large trident and comes from behind the counter.

MOLOCH: You will kill me?

PIA: And your entire family, if you have one. So nobody continues your wicked work.

MOLOCH: I won’t kill you, boy. I need you in working condition.

Pia goes for Moloch, but a pillar of fire appears before him.

Lord Dagon holds his arm out to block Moloch.

41

RAUNCH FIVE PIA: I should have known you were pulling Moloch’s strings.

DAGON: What are you doing down here, light-face?

PIA: Be gone, horn-head.

MOLOCH: (to Dagon) Let me kill him. I’ll sacrifice his aura to you.

DAGON: No. He’s in enough pain already. Can’t you see? He misses his mommy.

Pia growls and fires a light beam at Dagon.

The beam is blocked by Jolen-Heli, who appears before Pia. JOLEN: Enough! Dindar, we’re leaving.

PIA: You knew what was happening down here and you didn’t tell me?

JOLEN: We’re going back to Invisibase right now.

MOLOCH: Go home with your daddy, darkie.

DAGON: Shut up, Moloch! Not another word.

MOLOCH: You act as if you’re afraid them, father.

PIA: Father?

JOLEN: Yes. Moloch is Dagon’s son.

MOLOCH: And heir to the throne of Caprasecks.

DAGON: I told you to be silent.

PIA: Listen to our daddy, Herbie.

MOLOCH: You’re lucky your father is here to protect you.

Dagon whacks Moloch with his trident.

DAGON: Shut your face hole, Moloch!

MOLOCH: He started it! He came to my place of business and threatened me!

DAGON: Is this true, Cardinal?

PIA: I told him to free the Eber people.

DAGON: They will not be freed because you say so, Your Eminence.

JOLEN: You heard him, Dindar. Now let’s go.

DAGON: Just a moment, Lord Jolen.

Jolen and Pia turns to Dagon and Moloch.

DAGON: We were minding our business down here. Your son came here to start trouble.

JOLEN: We’re leaving, Dagon. No one has to die here.

DAGON: No, no. Nobody threatens my son, light-face.

JOLEN: Then what do you want?

PIA: A duel.

They both look to Pia. PIA: We fight for the freedom of the Eber people. If Moloch wins, I will leave the realm of men.

When I win, all of the slaves are to be set free and the Hæysux gone from here.

Dagon thins his eyes like he can’t believe what Pia is saying.

42

RAUNCH FIVE MOLOCH: I accept your challenge. When and where?

PIA: The Mason-Dixon Line, the edge of freedom and enslavement.

DAGON: (bobs head) You know what? That’s not a bad idea. Prince verse Prince.

MOLOCH: It’ll put an end to the light-faces meddling in our affairs.

DAGON: Well, Lord Jolen? Do we have a deal?

Pia watches his father. Jolen extends his hand.

JOLEN: It’s a deal.

Jolen and Dagon shake hands. After Pia and Jolen leave, Dagon exhales and places his trident on the counter.

DAGON: You know we almost got obliterated.

MOLOCH: You need to relax, father.

DAGON: And you need to focus on the larger picture, boy. That library must not be permitted to manifest here on earth.

MOLOCH: I can handle this. Take it easy.

DAGON (picks up trident) Don’t fail me, Moloch. Or I’ll have your horns for this. And then, you won’t be sitting on the throne. Your brother will.

Dagon vanishes and Moloch sits down at his desk again.

Slave Auction.

Moloch watches from the side door of his office. A lanky pale man with horns and a conniving look on his face comes from the back and joins him.

MOLOCH: Abaz.

ABAZ: Looks like I just in time.

Moloch takes Abaz inside and closes the side door.

ABAZ: My lord, the auction.

MOLOCH: We have a problem.

ABAZ: Look, our numbers are straight. All of the shipment manifests…

MOLOCH: I have a brother.

ABAZ: What? A brother?

MOLOCH: Yes. An identical twin brother.

ABAZ: When did you find out about this?

MOLOCH: Just this morning. My father told me that he and my mother left my older brother here on earth while I was taken to Caprasecks to be trained as a legionnaire.

ABAZ: My lord, if he’s your older brother then that means…

MOLOCH: He’s next in line for the throne.

ABAZ: But if something were to happen to your brother…

MOLOCH: I am cruel, but I’m not that cruel. I will not murder my own brother.

43

RAUNCH FIVE ABAZ: You don’t have to. I will.

MOLOCH: But you already agreed to murder my father so that I can get the throne.

ABAZ: We need to deal with your brother first. If he looks exactly like you, he can pass for you.

MOLOCH: It seems my father secretly favors my brother Mot over me.

ABAZ: Why do you say such things, my lord?

MOLOCH: A Lumi-Visian came here today and threatened to kill him. Father showed up and made a deal with them. But he isn’t confident that I can beat this celestial Cardinal.

ABAZ: Where is your twin brother now?

MOLOCH: Lithuania.

ABAZ: We can’t wait any longer. (walks away) I’ll deal with your brother first.

MOLOCH: Abaz. (tosses Abaz a trident) Kill him quickly.

Invisibase. Great Kal-Panyim Temple. Throne Room.

Pia stands before his father.

JOLEN: Why did you go down there?

PIA: They have enslaved our faithful followers.

JOLEN: And you think you can save them?

PIA: What have you done to help them?

JOLEN: You know like I know that person can be free with their mind still in bondage.

PIA: If I hadn’t confronted Moloch, nobody here would have done anything.

JOLEN: The Eber people wouldn’t even listen to The Most. What makes you think they will listen to you?

PIA: It’s not about words, father. It’s about action.

JOLEN: If you go to fight Moloch, you will do it alone.

PIA: You made a deal with me, remember?

JOLEN: I made a deal with Lord Dagon. You make certain you keep your end of the bargain.

Pia walks away.

Lithuanian village. Day. Abaz watches peasants go in and out of a large open barn. He spots a stocky man with black hair who looks exactly like Moloch. The man is a blacksmith. Abaz approaches the barn.

PEASANT: Thanks again for fixing my wagon, Harold.

HAROLD: Come back any time. (notices Abaz) Can I help you, sir?

ABAZ: Harold Derpsloski?

HAROLD: That’s me. Come on in.

44

RAUNCH FIVE Abaz follows Harold into the barn. He takes note wagon wheels and other wagon parts.

ABAZ: You’re quite the businessman in these parts.

HAROLD: My customers are like family.

ABAZ: Tell me, Lord Mot. Are these humans more important than your celestial family?

Horns manifest on Harold’s head.

HAROLD: I know where I come from. But I choose to use my powers to help others.

ABAZ: Word around the cosmos is you’re next in line for the throne.

HAROLD: I’m not concerned with such things. Now, what is your business here?

ABAZ: I have a message from Lord Moloch.

HAROLD: Is that so? Well, tell my cowardly brother if he has something to say to me, tell him to come here and address me directly, not send one of his minions.

BAZ: Worry not, Lord Mot. Abaz pulls out Moloch’s trident.

ABAZ: This won’t take long.

Abaz snarls and hurls the trident at Harold.

The Mason-Dixon Line. Day. Slaves are lined up along the area in an open field where Pia and Moloch will fight.

Moloch waits with his overseers near a wagon used to transport the slaves.

A rumble comes from the sky. Slaves and overseers look aloft.

The overcast clouds open up and Pia Arrabo lands making an indention in the ground.

The slaves cheer as Pia raises his arms for praise.

Moloch takes off his shirt and moves toward Pia. As he walks toward Pia, his pants ignite and burn from his legs, exposing his goat-like lower body. His horns manifest on his head.

The slaves look in awe at the towering, hulkish satyr before their beloved champion.

MOLOCH: Let’s get this over with, darkie. I have to get these bucks to their owners on time.

Pia and Moloch walk toward each other.

PIA: Those people aren’t yours to sell.

MOLOCH: Oh yes, they are.

PIA: Says who?

MOLOCH: God. PIA: What god?

MOLOCH: The god of this world.

Pia rushes in and uppercuts Moloch so hard that he flips in the air and lands on his face.

Pia turns to the cheering slaves with his arms raised and his hand bobbing.

PIA: It’s over. I’m done here. I am done.

Moloch looks up from the ground with blood running from his mouth. He gets up again.

45

RAUNCH FIVE MOLOCH: That’s all you got, light-face?

PIA: (faces Moloch) You want some more?

Moloch charges at Pia and lunges. Pia grabs Moloch by the horns and swings him away.

Moloch log-rolls along the ground, kicking up chunks of grass and dirt before he rolls to a stop.

Pia walks over to Moloch and kneels a few feet away from him.

PIA: You finished?

Moloch gets to his hooves again and comes at Pia. PIA: I’m trying to be nice.

Moloch swings and misses Pia completely. Pia quickly leg sweeps Moloch and kicks the larger satyr away causing him to tumble.

PIA: This is Dagon’s champion?

Moloch gets up again.

PIA: My mother fought better than this.

Moloch paces a bit before he approaches Pia again.

PIA: You’re really boring me.

MOLOCH: Then let’s make this interesting.

Pia goes in to strike. Moloch rears back and grabs Pia’s arm.

MOLOCH: Gotcha, you little bastard!

Moloch rears back with all his might and smashes Pia in the chest. Pia flies backward and somersaults to his feet. He shakes off Moloch’s blow before removing his red skull cap and the cloak of his cassock. He runs toward Moloch and spears him.

Pia and Moloch tussle on the ground, kicking up grass chunks, trading blows. Pia hammers on Moloch, keeping Moloch’s head low to the ground. Moloch grabs Pia and body slams him, but the Cardinal is too fast and very hard to keep hold of.

Pia continues to hammer Moloch in the head, grounding the Hæysux once again. Moloch stays down until Pia is close enough. When Pia goes to grab Moloch’s horns, Moloch springs up and strikes Pia in the face plate. Moloch is hammered again, but this time he’s able to get hold of Pia’s cassock. Pia gets Moloch by the horns and twists until Moloch goes down.

Pia stands over Moloch. Moloch remains down for a moment. Then he lunges forward and nails Pia in the groin. Pia crumples over and falls to the ground. Moloch gets to his feet, bloody and battered. He watches Pia get to his feet. He knocks Pia down again.

Pia goes to swing, but Moloch bashes him in the face again. Moloch gets hold of Pia and slams him on the ground. Pia comes back with more hits, but not as strong as before. Moloch kicks Pia away and the Cardinal rolls along the ground.

Moloch meets with Pia and they tussle. Moloch grabs Pia by the neck and punches his metal mask until it dents a bit. Pia breaks away, but Moloch is all over him, dealing blow after vicious blow. Pia finally goes down and Moloch moves in for the kill.

46

RAUNCH FIVE Pia springs up and is bashed in the pelvis for his trouble. The Cardinal crumples to the ground in a fetal position. Moloch stands over Pia and waits for Pia for get to his hands and knees.

Moloch lifts Pia over his head, gripping Pia at the back of neck and seat of his pants.

With all his strength, Moloch brings his arms together, folding Pia in half. He snarls and throws Pia’s mangled body to the ground, his legs and arms flopping upon impact. Moloch raises his arms and growls as the sky grows dark above.

MOLOCH: It is done father.

Dagon and Jolen-Heli appear before Moloch. Dagon goes over to Moloch and raises Moloch’s arm as the victor. The slaves lower their heads as rain begins to fall.

DAGON: Take that piece of Kal-Paniym garbage and get out of this realm.

Jolen stands next to Pia’s broken form in the grass.

A bright light envelopes them both and they are gone.

DAGON: Get those slaves to their owners.

The slaves are put back into the wagon and taken away.

DAGON: Well, aren’t you full of surprises. He beat him.

Moloch breathes heavily; he can barely stand.

DAGON: But that doesn’t mean you’ll get the throne. Your brother’s first in line.

MOLOCH: As you wish…my lord…

Moloch’s eyes roll up into his head before he collapses face first in the muddy grass.

Dagon looks around to see if anybody saw what just happened. He screams, hurls his trident away and kicks Moloch.

DAGON: Imbecile!

Invisibase.

Pia is in his celestial form kneeling before Jolen-Heli. Jolen takes the Blade of Anonymous from his son. Pia stands up.

PIA: Father…

JOLEN: Enough, Dindar.

PIA: you have to let me return to earth.

JOLEN: We have no influence there, thanks to you.

PIA: Moloch cheated!

JOLEN: This discussion is over.

PIA: Yes, my Lord.

JOLEN: Now, myself and the other Sages have business to tend to on Denzenhut. Remain here.

Until my return.

Jolen leaves with Tama and Muta. Pia stands there all alone.

47

RAUNCH FIVE Vault of the Sages.

Pia stares at the huge vault door.

JOLEN: (VO) I created you using the Universal Powers of Freedom and Endurance. Any celestial being made with these powers are embodiments of them or living weapons.

PIA: (turns from vault) That’s it!

Pia’s domain.

Magistrate enters and finds Pia building something.

MAG: What are you doing?

Pia has his shirt off. He runs over to Mag and grabs her up, groping her breasts and bottom.

MAG: Your Eminence!

PIA: You know you like it.

MAG: We can’t do this here. (pushes him away) If anyone sees us, we’ll be exiled.

Pia goes back to working on his device.

PIA: I’ve already been kicked out of the realm I called home.

MAG: This is your home.

Pia joins Mag again.

PIA: Are you capable of procreation?

MAG: Of course. But you’re a half-glow and you know I don’t want offspring from a half-glow.

PIA: I don’t want to be the father. (points to machine) This will be the father.

MAG: What is it?

PIA: I call it the Anisogamator.

MAG: What does it do?

PIA: Can you get me into the Vault of the Sages?

MAG: For what purpose?

PIA: I need the Universal Powers of Law and Anonymity.

MAG: What will you doing using these Powers for?

PIA: Do you trust me, my lady?

MAG: Of course I do.

PIA: Then get me into the Vault. (touches masks with hers) I love you.

Mag shoves him away.

MAG: You don’t. (walks away) Pervert.

Pia chuckles and goes back to working on the Anisogamator.

Derpsloski Shipping, Inc. Abaz enters and finds Dagon with his trident. Moloch has his eyes on the floor.

ABAZ: Lord Dagon. It is an honor to have you here.

48

RAUNCH FIVE Dagon goes over and grabs Abaz by the throat. He puts the trident teeth to Abaz’s head.

DAGON: Abaz, I’m going to ask you question and I want a complete and thorough answer.

ABAZ: What is this about?

Dagon throws Abaz down and whacks him with the trident.

DAGON: Where is my son?!

Abaz: Your son?! He’s standing right there!

Dagon plants the trident teeth into Abaz’s shoulder, lifts Abaz up, flings the lanky Hæysux clear across the office and through the back wall. Moloch follows Dagon to the back where Dagon begins plummeting Abaz with his trident.

MOLOCH: Father, stop!

Dagon lifts Abaz by the throat and holds him to the wall.

DAGON: You’d better start telling me what I want to hear, Abaz!

MOLOCH: Father, he’s my servant!

DAGON: (points trident) Shut up, Moloch! (turns to Abaz) I’m going to ask you one more time.

What happened to my son, Mot? ABAZ: Mot? (nervous) Who’s Mot? Dagon snarls and bashes Abaz over the head. Abaz crumples to the floor, hands over his head.

Dagon throws the trident down.

DAGON: You’re not worth the effort. (turns to Moloch) Somebody knows something. I know one of you did something to Mot. And you’d better hope I don’t find out.

MOLOCH: Father, I would never hurt my own brother. We are all your loyal servants.

Dagon picks up his trident again.

DAGON: This is a conspiracy. I’m going to get to the bottom of this, Moloch. And when I get there, I’d better not find you (points to Abaz) or him lurking in the darkness!

Dagon vanishes in a pillar of fire. Moloch helps Abaz up.

ABAZ: We have to leave this place…right now.

Invisibase. Pia’s Domain.

Pia has converted part of his quarters into a laboratory. He enters and finds Magistrate near the Anisogamator. Pia removes two glowing orbs from a bag and places them into the holding tank of the Anisogamator. He pulls up a stool-like apparatus that is a cross between a high chair and a portable commode. It is a connected to a tube leading to the Anisogamator.

PIA: (motions for her to sit down) Please.

Mag removes her White vestment and sits down. Pia starts up the Anisogamator.

PIA: I need you to open up your procreative valve.

MAG: (breaths deeply) It’s open.

Pia works the control panel and moves away from the Anisogamator.

49

RAUNCH FIVE A bright flash comes from the Anisogamator and the two glowing orbs lower into the feeding chamber. The orbs race through the tube and up into the open bottom of the apparatus. The Anisogamator powers down and Magistrate just sits there.

MAG: What just happened?

Pia doesn’t answer. He keeps his eyes on Magistrate.

MAG: Are we done here?

PIA: (shows hand) Wait.

Mag gets up and heads for the door. Then she but stops and turns to Pia holding her pelvis.

MAG: Something’s happening.

She takes a few steps and then cries out, crashing to her knees.

MAG: I can feel it.

PIA: it’s working.

Mag crawls over to the stool and get back on to it. She grunts and groans as she leans forward.

MAG: It’s tearing me apart!

Mag screams and empties gallons upon gallons of a milky white substance into a tank beneath the stool. Pia pulls the tank over to his work area and watches as the liquid lifts from the tank and takes on a humanoid form.

PIA: We did it!

But behind the glowing form rises another one like it.

PIA: No. Mag walks over to the two glowing creatures with her hands to the mouth of her mask.

PIA: This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Magistrate shoves Pia aside and holds out her hands to the newly formed light beings.

MAG: I am the Magistrate. I am your mother.

Pia moves away from them, puts his back to the wall and slides down on his bottom.

The light beings extend their arms to her.

MAG: You are the embodiment of Universal Law and the Law represents the will of The Most. I will call you Dios. And you are Universal Anonymity. I will call you Anonymous.

At that moment, Anonymous splits into many light beings. Pia springs up and joins them.

PIA: No. This is all wrong.

MAG: What are you saying?

PIA: We have to destroy them.

MAG: Destroy them?! These are my children.

PIA: We agreed to one being! Not two.

MAG: Well, as you can see, it’s a little more than two. (to Dios and Anon) Come, boys. Let us get you both fitted with Kal-Panyim masks.

Pia stands there silent for a moment and then he leaves.

50

RAUNCH FIVE

Chamber of the Blade.

Pia sees the Blade of Anonymous in the pedestal. He lifts the blade out of the pedestal.

Edge of the celestial plane.

Pia runs, jumps and shoots across the open cosmos.

Outer space.

Pia streaks by an asteroid that Moloch and Abaz are on the other side of.

ABAZ: Why are we so close to Invisibase?

MOLOCH: We have to be far from my father’s watchful eyes.

ABAZ: If he finds out what we did to Mot and what we’re planning to do to him…

MOLOCH: Be quiet. Now, we cannot delay our plan any longer. My father must be removed from the throne of Caprasecks. But we cannot take him on with our powers alone. So I have arranged for him to be destroyed by a Su-Naru giant.

ABAZ: Aren’t the Su-Naru extinct? Did not your ancestor slay them?

MOLOCH: A few of them still remain in the cosmos. There are at least one or two on earth. I will bring father out here and have the giant vanquish him.

ABAZ: Out here? Why don’t we just lure him to earth?

MOLOCH: (bobs head) Good thinking. Proceed with the plan immediately.

Abaz leaves the asteroid.

MOLOCH: And when I’m done with my father, I shall vanquish as well.

Derpsloski Shipping, Inc. Pia lands before the office to find it closed. He smashes through the door and finds a tall, hulkish man standing behind the counter.

PIA: Moloch!

Pia leaps the counter and slashes downward with the blade. The dark-haired man reappears near the doorway. Pia moves in to take him down. The man produces a trident. They clang weapons for a moment, before Pia kicks the horned-headed man out into the road.

Pia comes out and continues fighting with the man. The man’s trident is knocked away. Pia rams him backward and stands over him with the blade.

PIA: I’m back to finish you off, Moloch!

MOT: I’m not Moloch!

Pia grabs Mot up.

MOT: I don’t want to fight you!

51

RAUNCH FIVE Pia goes in for the kill, but Mot vanishes, reappears behind Pia and blasts Pia with a fire sphere.

Pia goes down with the blade and looks up at Mot. MOT: Please.

Pia He studies Mot. PIA: You’re right. You’re not Lord Moloch. But you look like him.

MOT: Of course. He’s my twin brother.

Mot holds out his hand to Pia. Pia takes it and Mot pulls Pia up.

Pia and Mot are back inside of the office.

PIA: You’re still convincing me that you hate Moloch.

MOT: Well how about this: when my mother passed away, I had her buried in a cemetery just outside of my hometown. A few weeks later a peasant asked me what I did with her body. I told him I buried it. Then he asked, “Why did you dig her up again?” I told him I did no such thing. But he said that he saw me doing it and that the men I had with me were druids.

PIA: The townspeople think you stole your mother’s body?

MOT: The man they saw in the cemetery was Moloch. But that didn’t make a difference.

Rumors started that I was a necrophile and a warlock. They burned down my last barn and chased me out of town. I had to relocate and that’s why I’m here looking for Moloch.

PIA: You spin a wild yarn, Hæysux.

MOT: It is no fictional tale, light-face. Moloch murdered my mother. To prove to my father that he was a ruthless legionnaire, he chose to sacrifice someone decent. Someone I loved.

Mot pulls back his shirt and reveals three holes in his chest near his left shoulder.

MOT: Then he sent one of his minions to assassinate me. But he failed.

PIA: Why would Moloch want you dead if you’re down here passing for human?

MOT: Because I’m the elder brother. And if I’m gone, I’m no longer a threat.

PIA: You’re the rightful heir to Dagon’s throne. (nods) I apologize for attacking you.

MOT: I can help you get Moloch, but it won’t be easy. We’re going to need a team of celestials.

PIA: No team. I have to deal with Moloch alone.

MOT: Put yourself in my hoofs. What if it was your mother he slew and desecrated?

PIA: All right. Meet me on the edge of Caprasecks in 72 earth hours.

Invisibase. Pia’s lab.

Pia enters and sees Anonymous near the Anisogamator.

PIA: What are you doing in here?

Anonymous turns around and moves aside, revealing another being much like himself.

ANONYMOUS: Your Eminence, meet my wife Anonymiss.

PIA: You’re a mass noun collective and created a helpmate?

ANON: You can be in a crowd and still feel lonely.

52

RAUNCH FIVE PIA: Aren’t there enough of you already?

ANONYMISS: Are you really sleeping with my mother-in-law?

Pia palms his mask and moves onward. In his personal area he finds Dios.

PIA: How long have you guys been here?

DIOS: Are you our father?

PIA: You guys don’t have a father.

DIOS: So we’re bastards?

PIA: Yes. Masked bastards.

Bomb and Primeit enter.

BOMB: You sent for us?

PIA: Yes. (approaches them) We have a mission to complete.

PRIMEIT: Where’s your father?

PIA: He doesn’t have to know about this. This will be quick and quiet.

MAG: (OS) Know about what?

PIA: Perfect.

MAG: What’s going on?

BOMB: Pia here wants to go after Moloch.

MAG: You can’t break the pact between your father and Lord Dagon.

PIA: Moloch humiliated me in front of the cosmic community. I’m going to finish this!

MAG: You can’t penetrate Moloch’s Palace by yourself.

PIA: You’re right. That’s why you guys are coming with me. (points) All of you.

MAG: No. My boys stay here. They are Holy Court Officers, not fighters.

Pia looks to Dios and fires a light beam at him. Dios fires one back and Pia blocks it.

PIA: Could he do that if he wasn’t a fighter?

ANON: This Moloch character sounds like a real jerk.

MISS: I say we troll him for fun.

BOMB: I’m in.

PRIMEIT: Same here.

PIA: All right. Let’s go.

MAG: Wait. Caprasecks is a long way from here.

BOMB: Relax. We’ll use my ship.

Outer space.

Bomb’s space ship, the Barga, flies towards Caprasecks.

Caprasecks. Dagon’s Throne Room.

Mot stands before Dagon.

53

RAUNCH FIVE DAGON: Are you certain it was Abaz?

MOT: Yes, my lord. Moloch sent him.

Dagon meets with Mot. DAGON: Your brother needs a lesson in humility. Whatever you and the Cardinal are planning for him, you have my permission to carry out. But (points) you are not to take his life.

MOT: I can’t guarantee that.

DAGON: You’d better guarantee it. Or it will be your ass, not just your brother’s!

MOT: Then who would you put on the throne?

DAGON: There are alternative measures for securing an heir that I am willing to take.

The Barga sits on a large asteroid.

Mot finally appears in a pillar of fire. Pia and his team meet with Mot. PIA: You’re late.

MOT: My father held me up. All right, here’s the plan. I can distract Moloch’s guards so you guys can ambush them while the Cardinal here sneaks into the main chamber. But once those higher legionnaires sense your light auras, they’ll send for reinforcements and I won’t be able to hold them off. Then you’ll all be facing thousands of powerful hordes.

PIA: I’m not worried about a few wool-wankers with pitch folks. Just get me to Moloch.

Moloch’s Palace. Main Chamber.

Moloch’s wife approaches him with a tray of daggers and place sit on the bed. Moloch takes one of the daggers and rakes the blade across his chest. His wife licks his bleeding chest.

MOLOCH: Where are the kids?

MOLOCH’S WIFE: Down at the recreational development.

MOLOCH: All of them?

MOLOCH’S WIFE: I’ll go check.

After his wife leaves, Moloch goes over to a table and pours himself a drink.

Behind him, a legionnaire enters.

LEGIONNAIRE: My lord! Intruders on the outer perimeter!

MOLOCH: Foreign or domestic?

LEGIONNAIRE: Light-face by the looks of them.

MOLOCH: Take your legions and get out there!

Gates of Moloch’s Palace.

Mag, Dios, Anon and the others take on the Hæysux legionnaires.

MISS: All of this aggressive interaction is arousing my aura.

ANON: Same here, Miss. And I have to admit it that the Cardinal was right.

54

RAUNCH FIVE DIOS: Yes. This is much better than languishing in Kal-Panyim Court.

MAG: If we get caught here by the Elders, we’ll all be in court.

BOMB: Are you guys really doing this right now?! Shut your metal plates and fight!

PRIMEIT: Thank you, Captain. (punches satyr) This is a battlefield, not a boardroom.

Moloch’s Palace.

Mot walks along a corridor with Pia. MOT: Moloch’s domain is just ahead.

PIA: There’s no element of surprise.

MOT: My father there’s a side entry to his domain just down that hallway.

PIA: You go in there and keep Moloch talking.

MOT: I don’t think my evil twin brother will be in the talking mode.

PIA: You’re dead, remember? He’ll want to know what went wrong.

Pia moves to other hallway.

MOT: You assume too much.

MOLOCH’S WIFE: My lord?

Mot spins around and sees Moloch’s wife with a tray.

MOLOCH’S WIFE: How did you get out here?

Mot creases his brow and tries to look as mean as he can.

MOT: You dare question me?!

MOLOCH’S WIFE: I meant no disrespect.

MOT: Well, it’s disrespectful to me. And I don’t like it.

MOLOCH’S WIFE: Forgive me, master.

MOT: You’re forgiven. Now, please leave.

Moloch’s wife turns away.

MOLOCH’S WIFE: “Please?”

She turns back to Mot and manifests a trident. Two more legionnaires close in on Mot. MOLOCH’S WIFE: Come with me.

Moloch’s Palace. Main Chamber.

Moloch turns to see his wife with a trident to Mot’s back. Moloch approaches with a smile.

MOLOCH: Isn’t this a surprise. You’re alive. Too bad we can’t say the same about mom.

MOT: How could you? She gave birth to us!

MOLOCH: She was a means to an end. Father should have told you that.

MOT: Father would have never told you hurt her! You’re a monster!

Moloch’s wife whacks Mot across the back of the head and he goes down.

MOLOCH: You and I are cut from the same wool. It’s a pity you are not strong like me.

55

RAUNCH FIVE MOT: Strong? I heard you were nearly beaten by the Cardinal.

MOLOCH: Is that what our father told you?

PIA: (OS) No. Moloch and Mot look and see the Blade of Anonymous quickly impale the two legionnaires that came in with Moloch’s wife from behind. Moloch’s wife moves in and spars with Pia for a few seconds, before she is quickly disarmed—literary—when Pia lops off her right arm at the elbow.

After she screams a goes down, Moloch goes for his trident near the wall. But before he can grab it, a dagger is thrown into the top of his opened hand. Mot tackles his brother and swings him away from the weapon. Pia approaches with the blade in head as Moloch gets up.

MOLOCH: What is the meaning of this?!

MOT: It’s about justice brother. Justice for our mother.

Mot stands side by side with Pia. MOT: Justice for my friend here.

Pia looks to Mot to see that Mot is sincere.

MOLOCH: You betray your own kind to side with that light-face?!

MOT: This light-face has more integrity than you ever will.

MOLOCH: Harry, listen to me. You and I—we are family.

MOT: Family tried to kill me over unwarranted inheritance. I’m repaying the favor.

Mot leaves Moloch alone with Pia. PIA: I told you if you didn’t set my people free, that I would kill you and your family. Did you think I would not keep word?

MOLOCH: Your quarrel is with me, Cardinal. Please…please don’t hurt my family.

Pia goes over to Moloch’s wife on the floor. He kicks her over, lifts the blade and slices off her other arm at the elbow.

MOLOCH: You’re a bastard!

PIA: (approaches Moloch) I’m so glad you realize that.

MOLOCH: You will never have peace, Pia Arrabo. I curse the day you were born! I taint your retched aura with my father’s power of the air for all eternity! The embarrassment I bestowed upon you will never equal the blight on humility you will become! You will be a pariah and an outcast! A hater of your own people! You will perish at the hands of your own wicked devices!

PIA: Are you done now?

MOLOCH: If you kill me, you will become worse than me.

PIA: Not worse than you.

Pia swings the blade and lops off Moloch’s upper body at the waist.

PIA: Better than you.

After Moloch’s torso drops to the floor, Pia moves toward Moloch’s wounded wife.

PIA: Tell me where to find your children and I’ll be quick about this.

56

RAUNCH FIVE MOLOCH’S WIFE: Go to Gavisel, light-face!

Pia swings the blade and her horned head goes flying.

Play Area.

Hæysux children play with each other. Pia approaches with both hands behind his back. The young satyrs approach the Lumi-Visian in the blood-spattered cassock.

PIA: With a show of hands, which of you are children of Moloch?

To his surprise, all of the children raise their hands.

PIA: Your daddy really gets around.

HAEYSUX CHILD: Have you seen my mommy?

PIA: As a matter of fact, I have. But she had a terrible accident involving my sword.

Pia holds up the severed head of Moloch’s wife.

PIA: She ran headlong into it.

Pia drops the bloody head before the children and pulls out the blade.

PIA: (wickedly) Playtime’s over, kiddies.

The children see their reflections in the blade.

Denzenhut. Pyrotech Fortress.

Jolen and the Sages talk with General Dyno-Light and his wife Blastina.

A Lumi-Visian guard rushes in.

GUARD: My Lord! The Blade is missing!

Caprasecks. Open field.

Jolen, Tama and Muta fly above the ground littered with Haeysux peasants. They come across blood-drenched Pia swinging the blade continually, chopping up a Haeysux corpse.

JOLEN: Oh my.

The Sages land and surround Pia. Pia is enraged, snarling. He swings the blade in all directions before he’s tackled by Jolen and wrestled to the muddy ground. Pia manages to get to his feet again, but he’s held by his father and uncle while his aunt takes the blade from him.

Pia screams as his father holds on to him. Jolen places his glowing hand over Pia’s mask to calm him. Pia falls limp in the mud and whimpers. Jolen looks to his brother and sister. They nod.

Invisibase. Kal-Paniym Temple.

Jolen comes out on the balcony with the Blade of Anonymous. Anonymous stands before him.

JOLEN: I’m entrusting the Blade with you, Anonymous. I know that you will guard it well.

Jolen sees a huge spaceship in the distance at dry dock.

JOLEN: Your ship is ready for departure. (gives over the blade) Be safe on your voyage.

57

RAUNCH FIVE

Anonymous Motherhship. Bridge.

Anonymous enters and finds Anonymiss at the control panel.

ANONYMOUS: Are we ready for takeoff?

ANONYMISS: Baby, we are set.

ANONYMOUS: Let’s ride.

Kal-Paniym Temple.

Jolen watches the Anonymous Mothership leave dry dock before he goes back inside.

Kal-Paniym Temple. Detention Area.

Jolen enters and finds Pia kneeling with his head down.

JOLEN: You’ve made things very difficult on earth. Although Moloch’s influence is weakened and the slaves will eventually be set free, the hatred you used to kill Moloch will now be passed on to the enemies of the Eber people. They will be hated and never accepted. And if you continue along this path, you will also be hated and unaccepted everywhere you go.

Jolen moves away from his son.

JOLEN: Now, I’ve spoken with the Exo-Therm general. They will give us the materials you need to create the Universal Library. The plans you and your cousins have drawn up were accepted by the Elders of the Court. When you are done your time here, you may begin construction of the information network. You are not a leave this realm without my authorization. You are not to lead any military campaigns without my authorization. Do you understand?

PIA: Yes, my Lord.

Jolen looks at Pia for a moment before he leaves the area.

Caprasecks. Moloch’s Palace.

Abaz enters and sees a memorial shrine in Moloch’s honor. He moves on to the throne room and finds Dagon with armed legionnaires.

ABAZ: Lord Dagon, where is Lord Moloch?

Mot comes out and joins Dagon.

ABAZ: Oh! There he is!

MOT: Don’t play dumb.

ABAZ: He’s an imposture!

Dagon stands with his trident.

ABAZ: He wants to overthrow Moloch and take the throne for himself!

Dagon growls and hurls his trident at Abaz, nailing him in the stomach. Abaz goes down and the legionaries get hold of him. Dagon stomps over to Abaz and takes back his trident.

ABAZ: My lord… (coughs) Listen to me!

58

RAUNCH FIVE DAGON: I’ve heard enough. And I’ve already lost one son. So for you, I’m going to take away everything that you hold dear: your rank, your plush, fancy abode here on Moloch’s estate and your livelihood. (holds out trident) Abaz, for your acts of treason and attempted murder, I hereby banish you from the realm of Caprasecks for all of eternity.

ABAZ: My lord, please!

DAGON: Get him out of here.

Legionnaires take Abaz away.

ABAZ: (OS) My lord, I beg you!

DAGON: Throw him into the vast emptiness of space.

ABAZ: My lord! My lord!

Dago turns to Mot. DAGON: Looks like you’re next in line for the throne. (points) But, if you try anything sneaky like that Abaz did, I will reduce you to mutton and feed you to the peasants. (grins) Now, make yourself comfortable. This is your palace now.

Dagon walks away with the legionnaires. Mot exhales and smiles to himself.

From the Kal-Panyim Temple balcony, the Sages and the Cardinal watch the construction of the Universal Library. It is a long metal and brick, rectangular object. Pia turns to the Sages.

PIA: Well?

TAMA: I like it.

MUTA: So do I. JOLEN: As you were, my son.

PIA: Yes, my Lord.

Pia leaves.

MUTA: He’s a truly productive cleric when his mind is occupied.

JOLEN: And he has had an incident in months.

TAMA: Yes, but how long will this last?

JOLEN: He only gets into trouble when he gets bored. We must keep him busy until it’s his time to ascend to the throne. Come now. Let us meet with the Exo-Therms regarding the security device we need.

MUTA: Security device?

JOLEN: Yes. The Library must be secure and only the General can help us.

After the Sages enter the throne room again, Magistrate is seen near the balcony opening.

Dagon’s Throne Room.

Dagon walks by female satyrs in boiling red water. He sits on his throne, head downward.

MAGISTRATE: (OS) Why so sad, my lord?

59

RAUNCH FIVE DAGON: Leave me be, light-face.

MAG: (approaches) You have a suitable heir and a possible mutiny has been stopped.

DAGON: This is not the time for small talk, my lady.

MAG: Cardinal Arrabo will ascend to the throne soon. And when he does, he will become your heir’s enemy. And if they are enemies, they will try to kill each other.

DAGON: Mot is not a fighter. He admires the Cardinal.

MAG: He murdered your son and took away your champion.

DAGON: (sits up) What do you want me to do? Lead my hordes to the gates of Invisibase to be slaughtered by your master’s accursed blade?

MAG: You have nothing to fear. The blade is no longer in the realm.

DAGON: But it still exists. Therefore, it’s still a threat.

MAG: It wouldn’t hurt you to be just a little unpredictable.

DAGON: Well, I’m sorry we’re not all as dexterous and resourceful as you are.

MAG: You want to hurt Jolen-Heli? You have to attack his heart.

DAGON: His human wife is dead.

MAG: Exactly. So what else does he have left?

Dagon grins wickedly.

DAGON: That’s it. (stands up) His weakness isn’t his spouse or the humans. It’s his son.

MAG: Who’s the best?

DAGON: (sighs) You are.

MAG: Who? DAGON: I said you are. You’re the best.

Mag leaves. Dagon paces, talking to himself.

DAGON: I will ally with Arrabo against his own father. I will finally have my revenge on JolenHeli and all of Invisibase. Since they took my champion, I will take away theirs!

Kal-Paniym Temple. Meeting Hall.

Jolen and Muta meet with Dyno-Might and Bomb. Jolen and Dyno-Might shake hands.

Pyro-tech Fortress. Foundry.

Dyno-Might hammers a tempered metal-like material. He cools the metal in water. He brings the material over to his work table. It is the head and the shank of a blank skeleton key. He welds two conductor foils on the sides, one with an arrow and one with a square.

He looks at an engraving of the Blade of Anonymous. He points to the hilt and looks to the key on the table. When the key is complete, he carries it over to a huge set of duel doors. He puts the key into the slot and the doors open up.

60

RAUNCH FIVE Kal-Paniym Temple. Meeting Hall.

Dyno-Might reveals the Universal Library Cipher. The Sages lift it into the air and envelope it with Kal-Paniym light. The Cipher gradually reduces in size until it lands in Jolen’s glowing hand.

Jolen holds up the Cipher attached to a necklace and drapes it over Pia Arrabo’s neck.

Universal Library.

Pia and his cousins go over records.

AGAR: Stories of the Su-Naru, Volume 1. Does it go in History and Geography?

PIA: Neither. Philosophy and psychology. Theories aren’t solid for general studies.

Pia walks down the main isle with his clipboard.

ZELPHA: The Life and Times of Arch Bishop Simo-Fes. Biographies or journalism?

PIA: Biographies.

URIAS: The Ultimate Guide to the Legion of the Hæysux.

PIA: Parapsychology and occultism.

TABITA: Cousin, The 1611 King James Holy Bible.

Pia turns to Tabita and thinks for a moment.

PIA: Put it under Literature.

TABITA: Rhetoric & Criticism?

PIA: (walks away) Fiction.

Later.

Tabita walks down an aisle. A loud clang is heard. She looks up into the rafters and sees Pia. TABITA: What are doing up there?

PIA: (OS) I think it’s ready.

Pia lands in front of a table filled with flat, glass box-like devices.

PIA: (shows her a control panel) Give it some power.

Tabita hits a switch. The flat glass boxes all light up and hum with energy.

PIA: I pulled these arithmet-logic operators from the Great Temple.

TABITA: Didn’t you help design these?

PIA: Yes. And to think, they started as a theory when I was still an Arch Bishop in Istanbul.

TABITA: What did you do to them?

PIA: I changed the behaviors of the interfaces so that they communicate with each other.

TABITA: I thought they were just fine communicating with us.

PIA: No. That’s not good enough. That’s a like Mechanical Turk. What we need is a system of fully automated information processors that can all do the same task at once without tending to each unit one at a time. I got the idea studying Anonymous. He’s a large group of beings all linked to one mind. Therefore, his communication connectivity is stronger and faster.

61

RAUNCH FIVE TABITA: Why would you use him as inspiration? His mind is all over the place.

PIA: But he’s in control of his thoughts. He’s the perfect example of conductor-free information transmission. He even has a female receptacle to receive and hold his procreative connector.

TABITA: (elbows Pia) Behave.

PIA: Not a chance.

ZELPHA: (OS) Cousin.

Pia and Tabita look to Zelpha.

ZELPHA: Hæysux.

Pia comes out of the Library to find fully armed legionnaires on the platform.

The doors of the Core Network seal behind him.

PIA: This is a private facility.

DAGON: I thought it was open to all celestial beings.

PIA: Not yet.

Dagon notices the Cipher around Pia’s neck.

DAGON: That’s a lovely little trinket. Did your father give it to you?

Pia comes face to face with Dagon.

PIA: Why are you here?

DAGON: We just want to go inside and look around.

PIA: Look around?

DAGON: Browse.

PIA: I know what it is. You’re mad about your son, Moloch.

DAGON: I’m over that.

PIA: Did you see what I did to him? Hmm? What about his family?

Dagon tries to keep a lid on it; he bites his lip and thins his eyes.

PIA: Did you see what I did to his wife and his kids?

DAGON: Yes. PAI: What makes you think I won’t do the same to you?

Dagon waves the legionnaires away.

DAGON: Cardinal, let’s be real about one thing. You have power, great power. It is power that you know the Sages only want to control to keep you from reaching your fullest potential.

PIA: The Sages are righteous. Their methods are legitimate and their motives are sound.

DAGON: Is that what you learned in Sunday School? (circles Pia) Haven’t you ever wondered why the throne has been kept from you for so long?

PIA: The throne is my inheritance. I will receive it in due time.

DAGON: The time is past due. You know and I know that you should be the lead Sage. So why are you out here guarding a library?

62

RAUNCH FIVE PIA: Because I am the Promised Key. DAGON: Wrong. You are a stooge, a lowly drudge for the Lumi-Visian Sages. The real Promised Key is around your neck like a noose. And when Jolen-Heli doesn’t need you anymore, he’ll snatch that trinket away so fast, the chain of that burden will snap your worthless neck.

Pia doesn’t respond.

DAGON: You give so much reverence to those in authority, and yet you never stop to question their sound motives. Ask your father why you’ve been denied your inheritance, why you’ve not been permitted to reach your fullest potential and he will blame it all on your inability blindly follow his constricted, assertive Lumi-Visian doctrine. Meet with him alone and ask him. Pay attention to how he treats you. You will see that what I’m saying is true.

Dagon leaves the platform.

Back inside, Pia meets with Tabita.

PIA: Where are the others?

TABITA: They’re about twelve hours into the Core Network.

PIA: (walks away) I need to go to the Temple.

TABITA: (follows) You’re locking us in here?

PIA: I won’t be long.

Tabita watches Pia speed walk to the duel doors.

Temple Throne Room.

A guard enters.

GUARD: My Lord, Cardinal Arrabo is here.

Jolen points some Elders away.

JOLEN: Send him in.

Jolen goes halfway up the steps. Pia enters and stops at the base of the throne steps.

JOLEN: Your Eminence, how is the Library coming?

PIA: I have questions.

JOLEN: Ask them.

PIA: Why are you keeping me from reaching my fullest potential?

JOLEN: Is that what Dagon told you?

PIA: Just answer my question.

JOLEN: I am not keeping you from reaching your fullest potential. You are.

PIA: How could you say that?

JOLEN: Because your inability to obey has been made manifest by your actions.

63

RAUNCH FIVE PIA: Let’s see if I understand this: I steal gold from another church and I’m awarded the rank of Cardinal. I kill the matricidal, mass-murdering demon that enslaves our beloved people and I get put in the detention area? Is that how this hierarchy works here, father?

JOLEN: There are rules and tents in this realm that apply to all of us here and aboard. If you don’t practice what it is you preach, you are merely behaving like a pigeon in the pulpit.

PIA: Pigeon? Are you calling me a fool?

JOLEN: I’m not insulting you. I’m describing your behavior.

PIA: It doesn’t seem that way.

JOLEN: It doesn’t seem that way to you.

PIA: You think because you’re sitting on that throne you can look down on me? You wouldn’t have any of the technological breakthroughs in this realm if it wasn’t for me!

JOLEN: Lower your voice.

PIA: You’re just using me like you do everybody else!

Jolen takes his time coming down the steps.

PIA: I served you faithfully for centuries and all I get in return is a— Pia gasps with his hands at his throat as he lifts off the floor and levitates toward his father.

Jolen keeps his glowing hand raised as Pia’s paralyzed body floats before him.

JOLEN: (stern) Boy, don’t make me take my mask off.

Jolen lets Pia down and Pia falls to his knees coughing.

Jolen goes halfway up the steps and turns around.

JOLEN: Stand up.

Pia does move.

JOLEN: I am your father. Get up.

Pia gets to his feet.

JOLEN: You return to the Library and continue your duties there. Your position as the Record Keeper is too important to discard.

PIA: But, father— JOLEN: (thunderous) This discussion is over, Dindar. (softer) Over.

PIA: Yes, my Lord.

Pia leaves.

Pia comes out of the temple.

MAGISTRATE: (OS) Your Eminence.

PIA: Not now, my Lady.

She stops Pia and gets close to him.

MAG: Jolen’s going to kill you.

PIA: What?

64

RAUNCH FIVE MAG: I overheard him telling the Elders. Once the Universal Library manifests on earth, he’s going to take the Blade of Anonymous and destroy you.

Pia abruptly leaves.

MAG: Where are you going?

Back at the Library, Pia stands silent.

DAGON: (OS) What did he say?

Pia covers his mask with his hands. Dagon puts his arm around Pia. DAGON: It’s going to be all right.

PIA: (hands down) He hates me.

DAGON: That’s not true. He’s only doing what’s best for you.

PIA: He hung me by my neck and choked down my words.

DAGON: So you don’t incriminate yourself. You just have to trust him.

Pia shoves Dagon away and moves to the edge of the platform.

DAGON: Now do you see?

Pia rubs the Cipher attached to his necklace chain.

DAGON: When you slew Moloch, you did me a favor. Moloch was hindering his brother from reaching his fullest potential because he was afraid of Mot’s power. The Sages are afraid of your powers too. But I know of a way to remove them without consequences.

PIA: Chaos and Havoc.

DAGON: Yes. The destructive primordial elements in your father’s vault. If you obtain these powers, I can give you a genetic blueprint to create a super celestial being of ultimate power.

PIA: Powerful enough to dethrone my father?

DAGON: Powerful enough to defeat all three of the Sages.

PIA: In exchange for what?

DAGON: (eyes wander) Oh, I don’t know. (politely) That Pass Key on your necklace.

Pia pulls the necklace from his person. Dagon extends his hand, palm up.

Pia dangles the Cipher over Dagon’s hand.

PIA: (points to Dagon) You and your hordes overwhelmed me and took it.

DAGON: Whatever.

Pia drops the Cipher into Dagon’s palm and Dagon’s hands snaps shut around it.

Temple Meeting Hall.

Jolen and Dyno-Might talk.

GUARD: My Lord! The Hæysux have accessed the Core Network!

JOLEN: (looks to Dyno-Might) General.

But he’s already gone.

65

RAUNCH FIVE

Outer space.

Dyno-Might, Blastina, Bomb and several members of the Exo-Therm army leave the Barga and fly toward the Universal Library.

Universal Library Platform.

Exo-Therms carry out the remains of slain legionnaires.

DYNO-MIGHT: How many of them?

BOMB: Little over twenty. (points to Pia and his cousins) Verses them.

DYNO-MIGHT: Twenty-three bungling Hæysux flunkies up against five Sage-bred Lumi-Visian cardinals? These horn heads should be ground chevon right now.

BOMB: Maybe they were taken by surprise.

DYNO-MIGHT: No way. Not even Dagon’s best centurions can sneak up on them.

They go over to the duel doors of the Core Network.

DYNO-MIGHT: I designed the lock and the key to this Library. (check doors) Look at this. No scoring from their tridents. No signs of forced entry. Something doesn’t add up.

BOMB: What are you saying, General?

DYNO-MIGHT: I’m saying that somebody let them in.

BLASTINA: General.

DYNO-MIGHT: Go see to the Cardinal.

BOMB: Yes, sir.

Bomb checks on Pia. BOMB: Are you okay, Your Eminence?

PIA: Yes. Thank you, Captain.

BOMB: We know it was Dagon. We’re going to get him for this.

PIA: Take me back to the temple.

Back in the Temple Throne Room.

Dyno-Might and Bomb watch Pia plea to the Sages.

DYNO-MIGHT: At least his son is safe. That’s the important thing.

BOMB: Something’s not right, General.

DYNO-MIGHT: We’re going to let them take it from here, Captain.

Dyno-Might and Bomb head for the exit.

Outside the Temple.

Blastina waits for them by a ship much like the Barga called the Cista.

BOMB: You said yourself there was no forced entry.

66

RAUNCH FIVE DYNO-MIGHT: I said drop it, son.

BOMB: Think about it, Father. Who stands to gain from this security breech?

DYNO-MIGHT: I don’t know. Why don’t you tell me?

BOMB: The financiers of our home realm and the Sages.

DYNO-MIGHT: Everything’s a big conspiracy with you, isn’t it?

BOMB: We can’t always be military-minded. We have to investigate further.

DYNO-MIGHT: Your job is to carry out the orders that I give to you. And I’m telling you to drop this matter and let the Lumi-Visians deal with it. (boards Cista with Blastina) Your mother and I are taking the Cipher with us aboard Cista here. When you’re finished your security rounds here, return to Denzenhut and go directly to the Pyro-Tech Fortress. Is that understood?

BOMB: Yes, sir.

The Cista takes off. Bomb looks back to the Temple and sees the Magistrate standing there.

Later on.

Bomb checks the read outs on door. Down the hall, Pia walks by.

BOMB: Your Eminence?

Outside Temple.

Bomb sees Pia shoot off into the cosmos. Bomb boards the Barga.

Outer space.

Pia streaks away from Invisibase with the Barga at a safe distance.

Aboard the Barga.

Bomb works the controls. He adjusts his display frantically.

BOMB: Man, he’s fast.

Pia and the Barga enter an asteroid filed near Caprasecks. Pia lands on one of the larger rocks and goes down into a valley-like indention. The Barga lands on an asteroid a good distance away. Bomb kneels at the edge of the valley and walks Pia walk up to a stage-like shrine.

Pia just stands there on the platform, unmoving.

BOMB: (asks self) What is he doing?

A pillar of flames shoots down on to the platform before Pia. Dagon meets with Pia with his trident in hand. From Bomb’s viewpoint, they seem to be talking.

BOMB: What are you waiting for?! Destroy him!

Then Pia gets down on one knee. Bomb’s eyes widen as Dagon’s trident comes down across Pia’s left shoulder and then his right shoulder.

BOMB: No. Then Bomb is able to hear their voices.

DAGON: You will make an excellent legionnaire, Cardinal Arrabo.

PIA: Thank you, my lord.

67

RAUNCH FIVE Bomb gasps and shoots off of the asteroid surface.

Dios enters the Meeting Hall.

JOLEN: Father Dios, congratulations on your promotion to celestial priest.

DIOS: Thank you, my Lord.

JOLEN: As you know, the breech in security at the Universal Library has pushed back our plans to move forward with the grand opening. The Exo-Therms have been generous in providing us with free security services through the realm.

DIOS: I can assure you the Celestial Authorities Forces under my command will fill the void once the Exo-Therms are done fortifying the great city.

JOLEN: I have placed Cardinal Arrabo on guard duty at the Vault of the Sages. But he has some personal leave time coming up. I want you to keep an eye on my son. Report all of his activities to me. Make certain he doesn’t get himself into anymore trouble.

DIOS: Yes, my Lord. I will make the Cardinal’s safety my first and foremost priority.

JOLEN: Not only are you a Kal-Panyim attorney in our Holy Court. You are also a space maritime solider. Therefore, you shall be Dios Marinus, captain of the starship Trireme.

DIOS: I don’t have the words, my Lord.

JOLEN: Then let your actions speak for you.

Pyro-Tech Fortress.

Dyno-Might turns to Bomb.

DYNO-MIGHT: I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

BOMB: I speak the truth, father.

DYNO-MIGHT: Conspiracies are inadmissible in a celestial court. You know that!

BOMB: I was there! I saw it. He kneeled before a Hæysux and called him “lord”.

DYNO-MIGHT: Do you know what will happen if we pull out of this contract?

BOMB: We don’t need them to make our economy work. We have a military.

DYNO-MIGHT: What we have an industrial complex with no investors. The Lumi-Visians invest in us. Their problems give our people work to do. It brings business to Denzenhut.

BOMB: Even if it’s shady business?

DYNO-MIGHT: Their personal affairs are none of our business.

BOMB: As long as the affairs don’t cut into your revenue stream, right father?

DYNO-MIGHT: You’d better mind your tone, soldier.

BOMB: I am your son. Not some expendable incendiary on a defense budget!

DYNO-MIGHT: Don’t make me pull rank.

BLASTINA: Seren, listen to your father.

68

RAUNCH FIVE BOMB: I’m done listening. (removes uniform jacket) You know, I tried to go along and be a good soldier, but I see now that you’re bought and paid for like everybody else in this realm.

DYNO-MIGHT: Get out of my fortress.

Bomb leaves.

Great Temple Throne Room.

Jolen stands with the other two Sages.

TAMA: The General’s son is missing.

MUTA: And so is the Cipher.

Pyro-Tech Fortress.

The glass dome that once held the Cipher is empty.

JOLEN: (VO) He’s taken it.

The Barga.

Bomb mans the controls.

JOLEN: (VO) He’s out there with it and we don’t know where.

The Barga soars toward the Milky Way galaxy.

JOLEN: (VO) I can only hope that it’s far from Dagon’s reach.

Pyro-Tech Fortress.

Blastina has her face covered. Dyno-Might holds her close.

JOLEN: (VO) This is the beginning of the end of days.

Kal-Paniym Court.

Magistrate sits back in her chair at the judge’s bench.

JOLEN: (VO) The Sacred Writ tells of a time when wickedness rise…

Kratolego.

Primeit looks to his father on the throne and snares.

JOLEN: (VO) …and morale will be low.

Anonymous Mothership.

Anonymiss on the lap of Anonymous. They touch masks.

JOLEN: (VO) Some will find solace in the madness.

69

RAUNCH FIVE The Trireme.

Father Dios stands before the view screen.

JOLEN: (VO) Others will be forced to face it head-on.

Great Temple. Vault of the Sages.

Pia stands before the huge vault door with his hands folded before him.

JOLEN: (VO) But I believe in something greater than fate.

Pia’s cousins meet with him.

JOLEN: (VO) I believe in something greater than time.

Back to the Throne Room.

JOLEN: I believe in The Most. And who am I to question what The Most has deemed done?

MUTA: What shall we do about Dagon?

TAMA: If he wants to breed a new heir, let’s give him one.

JOLEN: Do we have any red-horned goats round here?

Caprasecks. Countryside Estate. Day. Pia walks with Mot. MOT: You can use this villa as long as you need to.

PIA: Still going to take throne?

MOT: I want to please my father and serve my people. But all I can think about is seeing myself become the monster than Moloch was.

PIA: You are an honorable monster.

Mot laughs.

MOT: Take it easy, Cardinal.

Villa. Master Chamber.

Pia removes skull cap and cloak. He gets on the bed and starches out.

MAG: (OS) Oh, Cardinal?

Pia sits up and sees Magistrate in a sheer mesh gown. She does a sultry dance before the bed, touching herself and rubbing her body in naughty ways. She gets up on the bed.

MAG: You’re being charged with ignoring your mistress and not pleasing her in a timely fashion.

PIA: I plead guilty to all of the charges.

MAG: Then I sentence you…(her gown drops to the bed)…to hard manual labor.

Pia removes his cassock shirt and throws it. He lies on his back with his hands behind his head.

PIA: All right, my Lady. Let’s see what you’ve got.

70