TEASER

INT. – HUB – MRP’S SHOPPE – DAY

THE PREVIOUS DAY

MRP sits upon a stack of books, in his hands flutters a small butterfly. From his other hand a small box appears. Carefully he places the butterfly in the box and closes it. We see GBW, FLOCCULENCIO, and MATT watching him curiously.

MRP taps the box with his index finger and it pops open. From the box three butterflys flutter into the air.

MATT
What the fuck was that?

MRP
Just felt like doing a little something awesome.

GBW
You know we’re here for
something more than mere tricks?

MRP
Tricks make life all the grander.

FLOCCULENCIO
I thought that was variety?

MRP
No that only adds spice.

MATT
What about hot chicks ready to shag you in
ways only the Kama Sutra could imagine.

FLOCCULENCIO
Trust me, that book doesn’t
got much on what I can imagine.

MATT
But I can’t see what you imagine.

FLOCCULENCIO
I can draw you pictures.

MATT
You’ll have to add someone
different for the male figure,
in those diagrams. I do not
want to imagine you in such positions.

FLOCCULENCIO
(beat)
Agreed.

The two men shake hands.

FLOCCULENCIO (cont.)
I’ll have you the first copy by mid winter.

MATT
I’ll look into an editor.

GBW
What about Psychomeltdown?

FLOCCULENCIO
(scoffing)
Him? He’s a lazy arse.
Unless you want the book to come out late
and badly edited, then we can use him.

GBW
(thoughtful pause)
You’re right.
Plus I hear he’ll just take credit for it.

MATT
Not my Flo Sutra Book!

FLOCCULENCIO
Don’t call me Flo.

MATT
Cenio?

FLOCCULENCIO
Flocc will do for now. Until I
can come up with something better.

MATT
Grand Master F?

FLOCCULENCIO
Sounds too 1980s,

GBW
Depends on what 1980s do you mean.

FLOCCULENCIO
This is the problem when everyone is from a different timeline.
You can never have a common reference point when you’re
discussing popular culture references.

MRP
Excuse me, guys?
Are you still looking for the way to stop Doctor What?

FLOCCULENCIO
Huh?

MATT
Wait, why were we here?

GBW
Umm… oh, now I remember…
Doctor What.
Acting weird.

FLOCCULENCIO
Right.

MATT
Shoot. Tell us what the hell is wrong with him.

MRP
I already told you.

GBW
Well, tell us how to stop him then.

MRP
Ah, well in that case.
(long pause)
there is something in your captain.
There is a growing darkness that will consume him,
if allowed to continue. A darkness that will not only
consume him, but will consume all the worlds in the
multiverse. Universe upon universe will be destroyed,
trillions upon trillions of people will die, the hopes and
the dreams of countless universes will cease to exist.

MATT
Shit…
(beat)
All this ‘cause Doc is crazy?

MRP
This is not mere insanity your captain suffers from.

FLOCCULENCIO
There’s also that BO problem.

GBW
And the dandruff.

FLOCCULENCIO
And the porno obsession.

GBW and MATT look at FLOCCULENCIO.

MATT
That’s not a problem.

GBW
It’s more a release valve.

FLOCCULENCIO
I think I’ll remain quiet for the remainder of this conversation.

GBW
Though I’ll hope you’ll pipe up for some constructive criticism.

FLOCCULENCIO
You can count on it.

MRP
I tire of these tangents you go on.

GBW
Sorry, you may continue.

MRP
I am trying to create a sense of drama, of foreboding,
but your continual interruptions and talking of
nonsense just defeats my attempts.

MATT
We like to fuck up other people’s plans.
Its what being an AH.commer is all about.

FLOCCULENCIO
And the booze.

GBW
And the exploration.

MRP
(sighs)
I suggest you all leave.

GBW
Leave?
But you have not told us the way to prevent
this dark future you speak of from happening.

MRP bows his head slightly and steeples his fingers, the light it the room dims. FLOCCULENCIO looks around, opens his mouth and shakes his head.

MRP
Evil cannot be dealt with.
Chaos can not be reasoned with.
This is what you are facing.
The embodiment of chaos, of destruction, of something
that goes beyond the simple concept of evil. A being so
powerful and so incomprehensible that you as mortals
can not even begin to grasp.

MATT
Jesus. This is what Doc has become?

MRP
(shakes head)
No.
Think of him as a means to an end.
A hammer to shape the things to come.

FLOCCULENCIO
So Doc’s a tool?

GBW
(miffed)
Constructive Criticism.

FLOCCULENCIO
Sorry.

MRP
Your friend has quipped correctly.
Your captain, this man you call Doc, Doctor What, Bruno,
is nothing more than a tool for these creatures.

GBW
This begs the question as to why him.

MRP
Why not him?

GBW
But why him?

MRP
Call it an opportunity that they could not let escape.

GBW
The timely arrival of the Devourer and Doc’s super heroic
attempt to save everyone by flying that ship into it’s maw?

MRP
Indeed.
He has been their tool since his return.
He has been working toward their goals since his return.

MATT
And what are these goals?

MRP
Chaos.
Destruction.
All those things that would be bad for the continual existence
of Humanity or any other creatures that inhabit the Mutliverse.

MATT
Then how can we stop him.

MRP
The same way you defeat any creature of evil.

FLOCCULENCIO
Shower them with love and witty remarks?

GBW
(bows head)
No.
(beat)
We kill them…

CUT TO OPENING CREDITS:

An Alternatehistory.com Presentation:

AH.COM: The Series

“THE COMING DAYLIGHT”

Written By : PSYCHOMELTDOWN

ACT I

INT. – AH.COM SHIP – MED BAY – DAY

GBW looks at the shocked faces of the crew of the crew.

TORQUMADA
You’re telling us that Doc has to die?

GBW
Death is the only way.

MICHAEL
The only way to save everyone is to kill Doctor What?

GBW
Death will release what is growing within him.
Death is not merely an annoying thing that occurs.

PSYCHOMELTDOWN
But we don’t want Doc to be dead.
We… you know, want to save him and have him continuing
to live and do all those sorts of things we had liked in him before.
Well, if possible can we subtract a few characteristics from him?

GBW
I did not say that he had to remain dead.
Just that he had to die.

TORQUMADA
(understanding)
Ah, dead, but not Dead Dead.

THANDE
Then this begs the question.
Who’s gonna do the dirty deed?

GBW
Everything is already set into motion.

Everyone pauses for a moment and then suddenly understand.

GREY WOLF
Ward.

INT. – INNER CITY – CORE – DAY

WARD and the CF.netter crew charge the gathered AH.commer crew.

The two forces smash into one another, almost immediately the two forces pair off in groups of fighting.

IRONYUPPIE
I call dibs on the guy wearing the dress.

GRIMM REAPER
This is not a dress.

LANDSHARK
I have much better in my collection, my dear.

GRIMM REAPER pulls out his scythe and advances.

LANDSHARK
Well, that’s a pretty big knife you got there, boyo.

GRIMM REAPER
The better to slice and dice you with.

Camera pans toward other fighting.

MATT and WEAPON M face off one another.

WEAPON M
After all this time.

MATT
I’m telling you the truth.
I’m not a traitor.

WEAPON M
I thought you were a friend?

MATT
Damn it, Lee. I am your friend.

WEAPON M
Then why?

MATT
It’s a long explanation.

WEAPON M
Then forget it.
You die now!

WEAPON M charges MATT.

MIDGARD strums his guitar. Nothing happens.

MIDGARD
Shit, well Betsy best we get this over as fast as possible.

DIAMOND charges MIDGARD swinging a baseball bat, MIDGARD blocks it with his guitar and kicks DIAMOND in the crotch, flooring him.

MIDGARD
(pulling out a flask)
This looks damned fun.
(drinks down flask)

WARD stands watching the unfolding chaos for a moment then spots DOCTOR WHAT standing near the large computer console.

WARD
Well, well, well…

HENDRYK launches himself at WARD, swinging a sword. WARD neatly dodges him and as the other man goes by, punches him in the back. HENDRYK cries out in pain, dropping sword and arching his back, WARD then punches him in the head.

He turns and continues toward DOCTOR WHAT.

KIT and FAEELIN slug it out, DAVE HOWERY comes along and smashes his non functioning admantium chainsaw into FAEELIN’s head, knocking him out.

The two turn to face ROMULUS AGUSTULUS who is standing pointing a gun at them. He pulls the trigger and nothing happens.

ROMULUS AGUSTULUS
What?
This is impossible!
This gun shoul-

KIT and DAVE HOWERY clothesline him, then begin kicking him as he continues trying to fire a weapon that obviously does not work.

SCARECROW and DMA face off.

SCARECROW
Ah, an Aussie.

DMA
I sense this is going to be an epic battle.

They stand and shake hands, DMA pulls out a large bottle of booze from his coat pocket, drains half of it down and then passes the rest to SCARECROW, who finishes it.

DMA
Well, the mood it set.

SCARECROW
And the rage is building.

DMA
Let’s dance!

The two step forward, standing only a yard apart. DMA throws a punch, SCARECROW’s head snaps back, but he continues to stand. Shaking his head, SCARECROW next punches DMA, who also staggers a bit, but still stands.

They continue to trade punches.

BULGARKOTONOS punches OTHNIEL, who staggers back, and is grabbed by MIDGARD, who also punches him, sending him reeling back toward BULGARKOTONOS. The two laugh as they punch him back and forth between them.

KIT spots WARD walking toward DOCTOR WHAT, who’s still tapping away at the computer.

KIT
Ward!

WARD glances at him.

KIT
Feel the wrath of AH.com!

KIT charges WARD, who stands there, watching him with slight interest.

WARD sidesteps KIT’s charge and brings about a full arm punch that has the other man crashing to the floor and unconscious.

WARD
(bellowing)
BRUNO!
We’ve got a lot to talk about.

DOCTOR WHAT looks toward WARD and steps away from the computer console.

DOCTOR WHAT
(grinning)
Oh, indeed we do, Old Man.

INT. – INNER CITY – PRISON CELL – DAY

The sounds of distant boomings can be heard. MIKE COLLINS stands by his sole window looking out, he can’t see much but the glow of raging fires can be seen.

MIKE COLLINS
I know this sound.

RADICAL_NEUTRAL
Them crac heds ar getting’ the shit kicked outa dem.

MIKE COLLINS
Shut up, you.

RADICAL_NEUTRAL
But—

MIKE COLLINS raises a fist, RADICAL_NEUTRAL cowers beneath the bunk bed.

MIKE COLLINS
This can work in my favor.

RADICAL_NEUTRAL
How’s that?

MIKE COLLINS
As in-

BOOOM!

MIKE COLLINS is thrown against the wall of his cell.

He blinks his eyes and then widens them.

Before him is the shattered remains of the door that had prevented his leaving.

MIKE COLLINS
(grinning)
Well, this is nice.

RADICAL_NEUTRAL
(gasping)
Help me.
I can’t… can’t feel my legs..

MIKE COLLINS looks down at the other man, a look distaste.

MIKE COLLINS
I say find some fucking crack head to help you.

MIKE COLLINS walks out the door, singing to himself.

MIKE COLLINS
He’s a righteous man.

FADE

INT – AH.COM SHIP TELEPORTATION ROOM – DAY

GBW is talking to TORQUMADA, the rest of the crew is gathered about, carrying makeshift weapons.

FLOCCULENCIO
Damn, I wish Lee would have had left the armoury open.

MICHAEL
After the stealing of his calendars…

FLOCCULENCIO
I meant to give them back.. but…

PSYCHOMELTDOWN
They were destroyed, huh?

FLOCCULENCIO
(hangs head)
Yes.

PSYCHOMELTDOWN
The same thing happened to all the Alyson Hannigan pics I had…

MICHAEL
Can we please change the subject?
I’m trying to nurse my flaggin courage here.

FLOCCULENCIO
How about ducks?
You like ducks?

MICHAEL
Fuck you.

Pan to GBW and TORQUMADA.

GBW
But we’ll need you, if Doc dies dies, then we’re in it deep.

TORQUMADA
Sorry, but I cannot just leave Luakel. He’s still in critical.

GREY WOLF
What about you teleport in when we need you?

TORQUMADA glances at G.BONE who stares at his computer console.

TORQUMADA
Depends all on that kid over there.

GREY WOLF
Hey, G.Bone you gonna be able
to teleport Torq in when we need him?

G.BONE
What? I’m not coming?

GREY WOLF
We need someone to man the Teleporters.

G.BONE
But this is like the biggest fight of the whole damn decade.

GREY WOLF
We need someone to be ready to teleport us out.

G.BONE
(sighs)
I guess so.

GREY WOLF
So will you be able?

G.BONE
Looks like I don’t have much of a choice, eh?

GREY WOLF
Doesn’t look like it.

GBW
Okay, Torq will Teleport in when we need him.
Hopefully it’ll be over and one with quickly.

GREY WOLF
I don’t much want to think of Doc dying as something
as simple as getting it over and done with.

GBW
Sorry.

GREY WOLF
No, don’t be.
It’s just… He still needs to die and I’m .. It’s gonna be
hard to just sit there and wait for it to happen

THANDE
You know it might already be too late.

The three men glare at THANDE.

THANDE
I’m just saying, the possibility does exist that Ward and his crew
may have already kill him. Along with the others that went with him.

There is a long silence.

GREY WOLF
G.Bone get the teleporter ready, you that are coming,
get ready to kick some CF.netter arse!

FLOCCULENCIO
By god, this time I’ll kick ass and
not even bother to take names!

G.BONE gives the thumbs up sign and the crew steps onto the teleportation tube pad.

GREY WOLF
Beam us away, Scotty.

G.BONE
Aye aye, sir.

G.BONE hits a button and they vanish in a loud pop.

G.BONE
I hope they come out alright.

TORQUMADA
Well, if they don’t, then that’ll probably
mean you’ll be captain of this boat.

G.BONE
Now.. I don’t know what to think!

TORQUMADA shakes his head and walks off.

INT. – INNER CITY – CORE – DAY

DAVE HOWERY and MIDGARD strains and struggle, the admantium chainsaw is locked against the guitar. They both snarl at one another.

DAVE HOWERY
I’ve fought better men than you!

MIDGARD
I’ve fought worse men than you.

BULGARKOTONOS suddenly walks up and swings a bat into DAVE HOWERY, knocking him out.

BULGARKOTONOS
I’ve kicked everyone’s ass!
(laughs)

Pan to: IRONYUPPIE and GRIMM REAPER. LANDSHARK is down and out for the count, he’s lying in an unconscious pool, while the other two fight it out. IRONYUPPIE has her Yo-yo of Death swinging above her head and circles GRIMM REAPER who’s ready to attack.

IRONYUPPIE
Don’t you think this is fun?

GRIMM REAPER
Very fun.

IRONYUPPIE snaps out her yo-yo and it hooks about the shaft of the scythe, with a yank she tears it out of GRIMM REAPER’s grasp.

GRIMM REAPER
Now… Not much fun.

IRONYUPPIE
(grins)
This is what I call turning the tables.
(starts swinging scythe)

DOCTOR WHAT is swinging crazily, like a wild man. WARD gets his in the face, the chest, and the ribs in quick succession, he staggers back from the sudden assault. DOCTOR WHAT pushes his advantage, continuing to swing and continuing to connect with flesh.

Roaring, WARD crashes into DOCTOR WHAT pushing the other man up against a railing and begins working the midsection with his fists. DOCTOR WHAT brings his elbow down upon WARD’s exposed back, repeatedly. WARD continues punching.

DOCTOR WHAT brings up his knee, smashing WARD in the face and causing him to stagger back, blood pouring from a busted nose. DOCTOR WHAT charges again, swinging.

This time WARD is patient, he dodges the first swings, blocks the other, and when the opening is right gives a massive right handed uppercut, causing DOCTOR WHAT to flop on his back, gasping and groaning.

WARD walks over to him and grabs him by the hair.

WARD
Well, this has been more fun than I realized, boy.

INT. – HUB – MRP’S SHOPPE – DAY

THE PREVIOUS DAY

FLOCCULENCIO, MATT, MRP, and GBW are sitting upon various stacks of books.

GBW
The only way to save everyone is to kill Doctor What?

MRP
You say that as if death is a bad thing

GBW
Normally it does make a situation more bleak.

MRP grins.

MRP
There is something that you will need.

GBW
What is it?

MRP tosses GBW a ring.

GBW
What is this?

MATT
Does it hold magical power?

MRP
Magic is merely science that you
cannot begin to comprehend.

FLOCCULENCIO
I once saw this guy on the street…

MRP
(cutting him off)
Call it a device that shall remove this evil from him.

MATT
(nodding)
Like a anti ASB laxative.

MRP
Your vulgar analogy is correct.
But this only works in conjunction
with the demise of Doctor What.

GBW
(twisting ring in his hand)
Will I see a great flaming cat eye glaring at me if I put It on?

MRP
I miss your reference.

FLOCCULENCIO
Its one of those ATL things.

MRP
I deal with knowledge, not trivial
things such as popular culture.

MATT
Dude, you and me.
We’ll never be able to hang out together.

MRP
(crestfallen)
I had hoped we could share a pint or two in the Pub.

MATT
Well.. if you’re buying…

FLOCCULENCIO
I think he just hit on you.

MATT
(to Flocc)
I said “If he’s buying…”

FLOCCULENCIO
(understanding)
Ah.. can I join you two?

GBW
So this laxative ring.
Once Doc dies, it should be applied?

MRP
While he dies.

GBW
Now the question is:
Who will kill Doctor What?

GBW looks to MATT and FLOCCULENCIO.

MATT
I swore off killing superior officers when I joined the crew.

FLOCCULENCIO
I would… but a quarter of a decade of Singaporean propaganda
has made it impossible for me to even think of killing superior officers
without going into convulsions.
(goes into convulsions)

MATT
Dude, that’s so cool.

GBW
I think I know a person who would gladly kill Doctor What…

MRP
The consequences of that choice will be far reaching.

GBW
Don’t they all though?

MRP
The joy of making the hard decisions.

MATT
I don’t get this.
What’s going on?

GBW looks grimly at the camera.

Slow fade out:

END ACT I

ACT II

INT. – INNER CITY – CORE – DAY

WARD smashes DOCTOR WHAT’s face against the metal catwalk, blood splatters against the metal railing. We see the ring GBW had given WARD twinkle in the light of the Core.

WARD
(breathing heavily)
Come on, Boy.
This all you got?

DOCTOR WHAT
I would make a witty quip, but-

WARD smashes his fist into the DOCTOR WHAT’s face.

DOCTOR WHAT
Ow…
I think that loosened up a tooth.

WARD
I’ll loosen up more than that, Boy!

WARD grabs DOCTOR WHAT by the hair and drags him to his feet. Barely standing DOCTOR WHAT is pushed up against the railing and WARD begins to pummel him.

HENDRYK
Lay your hands off Bruno!

WARD turns to see HENDRYK charging him, sword in hand. WARD pulls DOCTOR WHAT around and HENDRYK unable to stop his forward motion, stabs DOCTOR WHAT in the side.

HENDRYK
(horrified)
Doc!

WARD drops DOCTOR WHAT and kicks HENDRYK in the knee, there is a loud crack and HENDRYK begins screaming in pain, collapsing to the floor. WARD then smashes his fist into HENDRYK, knocking him out.

WARD
All these pesky annoyances.
Let’s just get this over with.

WARD kneels down beside DOCTOR WHAT and wraps his hands around his throat. He begins squeezing. Weakly DOCTOR WHAT tries to fend him off, but he barely flails under WARD’s grip.

Pan to:

IRON YUPPIE smashes GRIMM REAPER in the chest with the butt of his staff, knocking him flat. GRIMM REAPER weakly coughs from the nit, trying to move, but seemingly unable.

IRONYUPPIE
You all talk a big talk.
(raises scythe)
But you all can’t walk the big walk.

GRIMM REAPER’s eyes widen slightly.

IRONYUPPIE (cont.)
But where you’re going it doesn’t matter.
A big ugly guy will be poking you with a poker for eternity.

GRIMM REAPER
(weakly)
Ward…
Help…

WARD looks toward GRIMM REAPER and sees IRONYUPPIE with the scythe. He stands up, letting go of DOCTOR WHAT and unsheathes HENDRYK’s sword from DOCTOR WHAT’s side.

WARD
Normally, I don’t enjoy hitting women.
(hefts sword)
or stabbing them.
But that guy you’re trying to kill is my crew.
(beat)
Only I get to kill them.

IRONYUPPIE turns to face WARD, face set in determination.

IRONYUPPIE
Bring it, geezer.

WARD advances.

INT. – CORE – DAY

There is a pop and the AH.commer crew appears.

MICHAEL
Oh, boy, it looks like quiet the fight.

PSYCHOMELTDOWN
Look, an injured CF.netter.

MICHAEL and PSYCHOMELTDOWN charge ROMULUS AGUSTULUS who is flopping weakly upon the floor. They begin hitting him with their lengths of pipe.

GBW
We need to find Doc.

GREY WOLF
There he is.

Pan to DOCTOR WHAT, a pool of blood if forming around him, but he is still trying to get to his knees.

GBW
He’s not dead yet.

GREY WOLF
Damn.
(beat)
God, it sounds weird saying that.

GBW
I know.
(beat)
He needs to die.

GREY WOLF
God, it sounds weird saying that.

GBW
Yeah…

THANDE
KIT!

Pan camera and we see KIT and BULGARKOTONOS fighting it out.

BULGARKOTONOS had KIT in a headlock and is punching his face.

KIT
Not in the face!
Not in the face!
It’s my money maker!

THANDE collides into BULGARKOTONOS knocking the other man to the ground along with himself. KIT staggers a bit, sees BULGARKOTONOS on the ground and with a snarl jumps atop of him.

KIT
I said not in the face!
(begins swinging)

FLOCCULENCIO give a groaning DIAMOND a hand in getting up.

FLOCCULENCIO
Looks like quiet the fight.

DIAMOND
You should see the other guy…
Aren’t you the bad guy?

FLOCCULENCIO
Not anymore.

DIAMOND
Cool.
Now, let’s kick some CF.netter ass.

LANDSHARK (groaning)
Blood Yank, help Yuppie.
And you’d better not get knocked out in the first seconds too…

DIAMOND and FLUCCULENCIO see WARD and IRONYUPPIE fighting. WARD if getting the upper hand and IRONYUPPIE is being pushed back.

FLOCCULENCIO
First time for everything, eh?

DIAMOND
Yeah.

The two head toward WARD, but before they make a few steps, MIDGARD steps in their way.

MIDGARD
(grinning)
Going anywhere, boys?

DIAMOND
Yeah, to your funera-

MIDGARD swings his guitar into DIAMOND, throwing the other man back and destroying the instrument.

FLOCCULENCIO hefts a sword.

MIDGARD
(eyeing sword)
Looks like Merry’s sword.

FLOCCULENCIO
It is.

MIDGARD
Well, no one really expected you to turn coat.

FLOCCULENCIO
Well, I’m very predictable, no?

MIDGARD
I like that sword. I think I’ll kill you with it.

FLOCCULENCIO
Not if I do it first.

MIDGARD
Kill yourself with it?

FLOCCULENCIO
Shut up and let’s fight!

They fight.

GBW
The Denial of Service Device!

GREY WOLF
We shut it off, then Ian has to come back.

The two rush toward the device, dodging the combating AH.commers and CF.netters.

DOCTOR WHAT staggers to his feet and sees the two crouching over the device.

DOCTOR WHAT
NOOO!!

DOCTOR WHAT charges and tears GBW away from the device. He flings GBW against a railing.

GREY WOLF
It needs to be shut off!

DOCTOR WHAT
Traitor!

DOCTOR WHAT and GREY WOLF grapple.

GBW shakes his head and gets to his knees.

He sees WARD advancing upon the two AH.commers, HENDRYK’s sword in his hand. GBW sees IRONYUPPIE lying unconscious upon the floor. WARD raises the sword.

GBW
NOOOO!!!

GBW charges WARD, who turns and with a smooth motion, impales GBW upon the weapon.

GREY WOLF
GBW!

DOCTOR WHAT turns, releasing GREY WOLF and grapples with WARD, who kicks him in the crotch. GREY WOLF tries to punch him, but WARD moves faster and knocks him out with a quick and brutal right hand punch.

WARD grabs DOCTOR WHAT by the neck again and grins.

WARD
It’ll be over in a bit, boy.
(tightens grip)

LANDSHARK
This’ll teach you to lay a hand upon a woman, arsehat!

WARD turns to see LANDSHARK advancing upon GRIMM REAPER, scythe in hand.

With a snarl, WARD lets go of DOCTOR WHAT again and confronts LANDSHARK. With a quick movement, LANDSHARK is on the ground and the scythe is in WARD’s hand.

GBW watches DOCTOR WHAT. He lies there gasping for breath, but it does not seem to come, the breaths come quicker and sharper, until finally there is no inhalation. The crazy mad man eyes of DOCTOR WHAT fades and it is replaced by the normal DOCTOR WHAT eyes.

GBW reaches for his comm unit.

GBW
Torq…
Now…

DARKNESS.

INT. – INNER CITY – CORE – DAY

WARD surveys the battlefield. Crew from both ships are down and on the ground, grappling or groaning from injuries and bleeding from hurts. DOCTOR WHAT is surrounded by TORQUMADA, GREY WOLF, and FLOCCULENCIO, who is clutching his right arm.

He can tell the battle is lost.

With a slice of GRIMM’s scythe, WARD destroys the Denial of Service Device.

WARD
(into comm)
Fortyseven.
Emergency transport.
Everyone.

With a pop he and the CF.netter crew are gone

IAN suddenly appears, looks around.

IAN
This is going to have to be explained.
But now, I have a city to save.

He vanishes again.

INT. – HUB – CHINGO360/ALT-LUAKEL’S FLAT – DAY

The two are looking out a window that faces a wide open space, leveled building and fire rage in the view before them. They aren’t looking at the devestation of the city, but instead are looking at the huge black bat shaped ships in the sky.

Suddenly there is a flash of light and one of the Bat ships explodes into a ball of fire.

ALT-LUAKEL
Holy crap, what was that?

CHINGO360
It’s Ian!

They begin cheering.

The sky, dominated by black bat ships suddenly are filled with silver ships, the streets are filled with robots and Ian constructs.

The Hub ships and the ASB ships slug it out, steams of light and other things fly from them. Hub ships are destroyed, but so are ASB ships.

Soon the ASB ships are whittled down, five, three, one, none.

Silence fills the air.

CHINGO360
I think we won.

ALT-LUAKEL
(looking at devastation)
Huzzah…

INT. – AH.COM SHIP – BATTLE ROOM – DAY

IAN stands at the head of the table, tossing the Service of Denial multifaceted gem from hand to hand.

IAN
I’m not laying any blame here.
I can understand what has occurred.
These being are pretty tricky.

DOCTOR WHAT, GREY WOLF, FLOCCULENCIO, G.BONE, THANDE, TORQUMADA, and KIT sit in the Battle Room listening.

IAN (cont.)
Though this.
(hefts gem)
This I thought were long gone.
Not only do they cause a denial of service, they’re
Able to prevent me from entering the Hub. A relic
from another war fought for this place.
(shakes head)
Needless to say, I’ll be taking hold of this.

DOCTOR WHAT stands up, looking worse for wear.

DOCTOR WHAT
I would like to express my deepest apologies, Ian.
I was… not myself.
(hangs head)

IAN
No need to apologize.
Like I said, I’m not laying blame here.
The ASB, they’re a strange folk.
They took you when you tried to make a heroic death against the Devourer
and they messed with your mind. If it wasn’t for the fast action of GBW,
Matt, Flocculencio, and the CF.netters, then I’d probably not have a place
to barkeep. This is not your fault. This was an act of war by a group who
were merely using you as a tool to do something they could not do themselves.
Kick me out of the Hub, take control of the Core and open the doors for them
to stroll in. The blame lies at their feet, not at yours.

DOCTOR WHAT simply sits down again, unable to say anything.

GREY WOLF
What happens now?

IAN
The ASBs have violated the truce.

FLOCCULENCIO
That means?

IAN
Violate a truce between what can be called two nations.
That does that get you?

FLOCCULENCIO
War?

IAN
War. The eternal struggle to make sure the ASBs don’t kill
off everything in their odd sense of logic.

DOCTOR WHAT
What about the Hollow Earth?

IAN
It was a construct.

DOCTOR WHAT
But the people there…

IAN
They were real. They lived the lives they lived were real.
But all of it was created by the ASBs.
Created by them and destroyed by them.
To set you on the path you are on.

DOCTOR WHAT simply sits quietly, head bowed.

IAN
I am sorry about your friends.
(long silence)
Well, I have to run. Things need fixing
and damages need calculating and backs needing rights putting.

IAN vanishes.

G.BONE
You hear that? The CF.netters are bloody heroes.

FLOCCULENCIO
They did stop us from destroying the Hub…

GREY WOLF
Doc?

DOCTOR WHAT stands up and walks out of the Battle Room.

INT. – AH.COM SHIP – MED BAY –DAY

MATT enters a room and WEAPON M is sitting up in a bed.

MATT
How you doing, Lee?

WEAPON M
Could be better.
(lifts cast)

MATT
I tried taking it easy on you.

WEAPON M
I tried killing you.

MATT
I can’t blame you.

WEAPON M
(hangs head)
Shit.

MATT
It’s not your fault.
The fucking ASBs.

WEAPON M
(looking up)
No. It is my fault. I chose to follow him.
I chose not to ask questions.
I chose not to think why we were doing this.
(beat)
Just the fucking hired muscle. Go here and
shoot this, no questions asked.
(punches bed)
I’ve been down this fucking road before, Matt.
I don’t want to go down it again.

MATT
What are you going to do?

WEAPON M
I’m leaving.

MATT
(long pause)
Then I’ll tag along.
Can’t let you go off by yourself, might get yourself killed.

INT. – AH.COM SHIP – MED BAY – TORQUMADA’S OFFICE – DAY

DOCTOR WHAT enters the MED BAY, TORQUMADA looks up from a chart he is reading.

TORQUMADA
Doc?

DOCTOR WHAT
How.. how am I?

TORQUMADA
Beyond the bruises, the deep cut in your side, the concussion,
the bruised throat, and all the other things?

DOCTOR WHAT
The other thing…

TORQUMADA
I’ve run scans and I’ve found nothing.
But then again this is ASB stuff, far beyond
anything we can ever imagine.

DOCTOR WHAT
It could still be there?

TORQUMADA
I. I don’t know.

DOCTOR WHAT
(shakes head)
I need to be certain.
I need to know.

TORQUMADA
I can’t five you that answer.
I can say I can’t find anything now.

DOCTOR WHAT
Please. Tell me I’m alright.

TORQUMADA
GBW said that the control the ASBs had over you would
end when you died for that brief moment. I’m not positive
on it, but I think he may be right.
You were cured from their control.

DOCTOR WHAT leaves the Med Bay.

TORQUMADA
Doc?

INT. – AH.COM SHIP – MED BAY – DAY

KIERA KNIGHTLY bursts into the Med Bay. She spots DAVE HOWERY.

KIERA KNIGHTLY
Dave!
You’re alive!

GBW, PSYCHOMETLDOWN, OTHNIEL, HENDRYK, LANDSHARK, IRONYUPPIE, and KIT watch the spectacle.

IRONYUPPIE
Damn, Dave.
(sighs)

PSYCHOMELTDOWN
Hey, GBW how are you doing?

GBW
Things could be better.

PSYCHOMETLDOWN
Heard you kicked some ass.

GBW
I got stabbed.

PSYCHOYMELTDOWN
I got knocked out by Michael.

GBW
Really?
Well, guess I had a better experience, no?

PSYCHOMELTDOWN
Yeah…
At least you’re a hero, right?

GBW
Yeah, I feel very heroic…

INT. – AH.COM SHIP – TELEPORTATION ROOM – DAY

ATTA appears upon a viewscreen.

ATTA
I demand entrance!

G.BONE
Fuck off.

ATTA
I demand –

G.BONE turns off the comm.

INT. – AH.COM SHIP – DIAMOND’S QUARTERS

DIAMOND is packing a duffle bag. FLOCCULENCIO peeks into his quarters.

FLOCCULENCIO
You heading out?

DIAMOND
Yeah. I need… a vacation from this place.

FLOCCULENCIO
I hear you.
Where you headed?

DIAMOND

I don’t know.
Somewhere the good Reformist
Sheepist word will be welcomed.

FLOCCULENCIO
This place got any good porn?

DIAMOND
You know it.

FLOCCULENCIO
Mind if I tag along?

DIAMOND
More the merrier.

FLOCCULENCIO
Said that once to this bird I was trying to shag.
She brought another guy.

DIAMOND
Ouch. That reminds me of this one time…

Pull back and fade out.

INT. – CF. NET SHIP – MED BAY – DAY

Pan through the CF.net Med Bay.

We see DOMINUSNOVUS weeping in a bed, MERRYPRANKSTER hooked up to beeping machines, and finally GRIMM REAPER unconscious in a bed. Beside the bed sits WARD reading a book, a heavy bandage about his broken nose.

GRIMM REAPER groans and slowly wakes up. He sees WARD.

GRIMM REAPER
Sir?

WARD
‘morning.

GRIMM REAPER
What? Where am I?

WARD
Med bay.

GRIMM REAPER looks around, and sees the two crewmembers.

WARD
Dominus ain’t pretty no more.

GRIMM REAPER
Merry?

WARD
Pulled a couple of slugs outta him.
Kid was nearly dead.

GRIMM REAPER
What happened?

WARD
Got our asses kicked.

GRIMM REAPER
Was it.. was it because of me?

WARD
No.

GRIMM REAPER
I’m sorry, sir.
You had him…
And I messed it up.

WARD
There are some things
that are more important
than revenge.

INT. – AH.COM SHIP – DOCTOR WHAT’S READY ROOM – DAY

DOCTOR WHAT is sitting in the dark, GREY WOLF enters the room.

GREY WOLF
Doc?

DOCTOR WHAT
I want to be alone, Grey.

GREY WOLF
No you don’t.

There is a long silence.

DOCTOR WHAT
I don’t know what to do now.

GREY WOLF
You’re their captain.

DOCTOR WHAT
No. not now.
Not anymore.
How can they trust me now?

GREY WOLF
They still trust you.

DOCTOR WHAT
How can I trust myself?
How can I be sure that this control thing is gone?
How can I be sure they won’t just reactivate it again?

GREY WOLF
I don’t know
But you can’t hide from everyone.
You can’t fear the thought that they might control you again.
You let that control you, then you’ll become nothing more than a shadow.

DOCTOR WHAT
How can I face them?

GREY WOLF
They still are loyal to you.
They still will stand by you.

DOCTOR WHAT
After all I’ve done?

GREY WOLF
They know this wasn’t you.
They know the ASBs did this.

DOCTOR WHAT
You don’t understand, Grey. I knew what I was doing. It wasn’t
as if my mind was suddenly supplanted with the ASB’s. I knew
what I was doing. I knew it and I didn’t care. I wanted to destroy
the Hub, I wanted to let the ASBs kill everyone.
(hangs head)

GREY WOLF
I.. I see.

DOCTOR WHAT
I can’t stay.
I can’t face them.

GREY WOLF
What are you going to do?

DOCTOR WHAT
I’m leaving.

GREY WOLF
(without hesitation)
Then I’m coming too.

END ACT II

TAG

EXT – THE HUB – DAYISH

A FIGURE staggers through rubble tossed about.

Pull in on the figure. We see it’s STRAHA.

He looks around.

Another FIGURE approaches.

VOICE
I know you.

FIGURE steps forward to reveal MIKE COLLINS.

MIKE COLLINS
You’re the obnoxious one from the Ah.com ship.

STRAHA used to be.

MIKE COLLINS
Used to be?

STRAHA
I left.

MIKE COLLINS
Find the error of your ways?

STRAHA
Just didn’t wanna die.

MIKE COLLINS
How lame.

STRAHA
So.. what are you doing?

MIKE COLLINS
Trying to find out how to get out of this fucking place.

STRAHA
Yeah me too…

MIKE COLLINS
Hope that goes well.
(walks off)

STRAHA
Hey, can I go with you?

MIKE COLLINS
No.

STRAHA scurries after him.

STRAHA
Hey, where you going?
Can I come?

FADE TO BLACK

ROLL END CREDITS