Chapter 1: Pilot
Notes:
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Chapter Text
COLD OPEN
FADE IN:
EXT. COLONY UPSILON - EVENING
We begin on a scene of utter devastation. The colony
grounds are littered with flash frozen husks, some of which
have also been speared with large icicles. We follow a
trail of frozen tracks into a large tent -- the COMMANDER's
quarters. Inside, we see the back of a tall, humanoid
monster with rough purple skin: MOEBIUS L. The camera
rotates, showing us that he's cornered the Commander, who
has ducked down and curled up into a ball.
Moebius L grins at him with a mouth full of pointed teeth.
This grin takes up so much of his face that he's forced to
squint. He regards the Commander through glowing pink slits
and stares at him for an inordinate duration of time.
COMMANDER
Can you just kill me already? I'd
rather die than have to keep
looking at that ugly mug.
MOEBIUS L
(in a distorted toothy
snarl)
Hold on, I'm trying to think of a
badass one-liner.
COMMANDER
... What?
Moebius L's grin recedes slightly.
MOEBIUS L
Sorry, sorry. It's just, this is my
first time harvesting a colony, and
you're the commander, so...
He groans, clutches his head, and takes a step back.
MOEBIUS L (CONT'D)
Argh, I should've scripted this
ahead of time. Turns out I'm
rubbish at improv.
COMMANDER
What are you playing at?
Moebius L doesn't respond. For a long moment, no one says
anything.
COMMANDER (CONT'D)
... You're an ice guy, right? Like,
your power is to freeze people?
MOEBIUS L
Yeah...
COMMANDER
Let's see... Ice... Cold...
Freezing... All right, how about
this: "If only you'd worn a coat."
MOEBIUS L
Hmm... Not the best, but I suppose
it'll do.
He lunges, grabs the Commander by the collar of his shirt,
and holds him over his head.
MOEBIUS L (CONT'D)
If only you'd worn a coat.
Frost spreads over the Commander's form, and within
seconds, he's frozen solid. Moebius L drops the husk, and
it shatters like glass, releasing red particles that travel
in the direction of the colony's Flame Clock.
After the deed has been done, Moebius L reverts into his
human form. He hunches over and puts his hands on his
knees, panting. He then lets out a breathy laugh.
L
I... did it. Everyone's dead. I
wiped out Colony Upsilon.
Once he's had a moment to process what he's done, L rises
to his full height and heads out of the tent... only to
slip on the icy tracks left by his Moebius form and fall
flat on his face.
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We hear the whir of a projector, and see the previous scene
projected on a vintage movie screen. The camera zooms out
to reveal that this scene is set in Z's amphitheater. Next,
we get a view of the audience. Several Consuls are
clustered in the general vicinity of each other: CONSULS O
and P are seated together, and behind them and to the left
are CONSULS D and J. CONSUL K sits by himself across the aisle.
The camera shifts focus to O and P. O is holding a bag of
popcorn.
O
I have to say, P. You were right:
this IS quality entertainment!
He grabs a handful of popcorn and awkwardly tries to stuff
it under his helmet. The pieces he drops roll off his belly
and onto the floor.
P clutches her forehead and shakes her head.
P
(muttering to herself)
I can't take him anywhere.
She turns to O.
P (CONT'D)
Look, O. THIS is how it's done.
P reaches over, grabs a piece of popcorn, and discreetly
sticks it through one of her mask's eye holes.
The camera pans to the left, stopping on D and J -- both
unmasked -- looking on incredulously, J with a slushy in
hand and the straw up to his lips. The silence is broken by
the sound of air being sucked through the straw.
The camera angle shifts. J lowers his slushy.
J
What was Z thinking, actually going
through with that "promotion"? He's
an imbecile. He proves it time and
time again.
D kicks his feet up on the seat in front of him.
D
J, you're lookin' at things the
wrong way. You of all people should
know that Z isn't after the best
and brightest.
J frowns.
J
Was that really necessary, D?
D
I'm just sayin'.
(beat)
This guy... you can tell him to do
anything you want, and he does it,
because he thinks it's all part of
his training. Seven years in, and
he *still* thinks he's learning the
ropes. Guess that's what happens
when you're kept as an "intern" for
ten terms.
J
But it was more than that, was it
not?
D
Ah, yeah. For all we know, his
cradle was in Origin since the very
beginning. He doesn't know that,
though. K made sure he was spared
from that part of the initiation.
Would've ruined everything.
J
(thoughtfully)
Ignorance is bliss, after all.
K
Go easy on him. He's trying his
best.
(beat)
I've never seen a Consul with such
a can-do attitude. To him,
everything is just part of his job.
By the time he became Moebius, he
was too far gone to be able to
grasp the concept of having fun. I
feel bad for him sometimes.
P
Yeah, but it's funny, so who cares?
O
I concur!
The camera pans across the aisle, where Z -- previously
unseen -- is now seated.
Z
His industry need not be
challenged. It is his heart's
desire to till the soil from which
our prosperity blooms.
P
(moodily)
When did *you* get here?
D puts his legs down and crosses his arms.
D
You can always count on Z to show
up and rain on our parade.
Z
(casually)
I wish only to be entertained.
P
Tch.
(beat)
Well, what are we waiting for? I'm
dying to see how all of this played
out from the very beginning.
She deposits another piece of popcorn into her mask's eye
hole.
P (CONT'D)
(chewing)
Roll the tape.
K
You got it.
Under K's eyelid, the Moebius symbol glows. Using his Iris,
he starts up the projector.
We are shown the screen again. The projector whirs, and the
film skips ahead to a scene set in the amphitheater
projection booth.
ACT ONE
INT. AMPHITHEATER PROJECTION BOOTH
The booth is quite crowded, being filled with a variety of
vintage cinema equipment -- most notably, a large
projector. In the center of the room is a small table and
two chairs positioned across from one another. The
furniture appears brand new and looks very out of place
among its surroundings -- it's recognizable as the type
issued to Keves colonies. Seated in one of the chairs is K,
who has begun to doze off. In front of him on the table is
an assortment of items: a pad of paper, what looks to be
a packet of legal documents, a rubber stamp, and a
promotional pen sporting the Moebius logo.
We see a door open, and a lanky young man -- physically, he
looks to be around twenty-- enters the booth. He's dressed
like a butler, and on his neck is a bowtie shaped like the
familiar infinity sign. At this point in time, the man's
name is ZANDER. Upon noticing that K is sleeping, Zander
makes a concerted effort to close the door as discreetly as
possible. Success -- he does not wake the Consul. Zander
turns away from the door and faces K, and only then does he
realize it was a fool's errand.
ZANDER
(meekly)
Consul?
K bolts awake and scrambles to compose himself, sitting up
straight and grabbing the pen. It slips out of his fingers
-- he's wearing armored gloves, which evidently impede his
ability to grip small objects. He fumbles with it against
the table, struggling to even pinch it between his fingers.
K
(between unintelligible
grunts)
Dammit... Dammit!
He only succeeds in getting a hold of it by sliding it off
the edge of the table and into his hand. He now grasps it
with his fist like a small child. He slowly lifts his head
and looks Zander in the eye, his own eyes opening into thin
slits -- a rare sight. He doesn't say anything. He just
stares.
ZANDER
(sheepishly)
Sorry I'm late. I was finishing up
housekeeping, and I lost track of
time... I was trying to make sure
everything was spotless.
K sighs and closes his eyes.
K
I can't be too mad. If there's one
thing you're good for, Zander, it's
keeping my quarters spick and span.
He gestures at the unoccupied chair.
K (CONT'D)
Take a seat.
Zander sits down in the chair across from him.
K loosens up and reclines slightly.
K (CONT'D)
Why do you think I summoned you
here?
ZANDER
I don't know... Am I in trouble?
K
(amused)
What reason do you have to think
you're in trouble? Is there
something I should know about?
ZANDER
Um... Uhh...
K laughs.
K
I'm just pulling your leg.
(beat)
Now. Let's talk about that
promotion.
Zander gasps, but his excitement quickly fades.
ZANDER
Wait... Is this another joke?
It takes K a moment to respond; he's clearly considering
his words carefully.
K
I can assure you that this
opportunity is very real.
With this, the reality of the situation truly sinks in.
Zander becomes overwhelmed with emotion. His eyes grow
moist with tears of joy.
ZANDER
I... I can't believe it. After all
this time... I don't know what to
say.
K
You've served us diligently for an
entire decade. Well, almost.
Tomorrow marks the end of your
tenth term. What better way to
honor your commitment to this
organization than by recruiting you
onto our team?
ZANDER
I'm really going to be a Consul...
K
Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
We still need to complete the
screening process.
K hovers his pen over the pad of paper.
K (CONT'D)
I'd like you to answer some
questions for me.
ZANDER
An interview? Do I get any time to
prepare?
K
Heh.
(beat)
You've been preparing for this your
entire life.
Zander steels himself. This is it.
K (CONT'D)
First things first. What can you
tell me about Moebius as an
organization? What we do, our core
values, etcetera. I want to make
sure you and I are on the same
page.
ZANDER
Moebius... runs the world.
K nods.
K
Go on.
ZANDER
To maintain equilibrium between the
nations of Keves and Agnus -- that
is what Moebius stands for.
K nods again and begins taking notes.
K
And how do we accomplish this?
ZANDER
(with robotic intonation)
Consuls are diplomats who act as
administrators and strategists.
They make policy decisions, manage
human resources, and assume
leadership roles in military
operations.
K looks up from his work.
K
Wow! Those are some big words. Tell
me, do you know what any of those
words mean?
Zander becomes visibly distressed.
ZANDER
(panicking)
I... I...
He takes a deep breath, and exhales.
ZANDER (CONT'D)
No, sir. I don't.
K nods exuberantly and vigorously takes notes. The camera
rotates, giving us a view of what he's been writing. It's
just a bunch of scribbles.
ZANDER (CONT'D)
I was never taught about any of
those things. All I ever do is
chores.
K stops writing and puts the pen down.
K
Not to worry. You'll be provided
with on-the-job training.
Zander looks relieved.
K (CONT'D)
Anyhow. We have three openings at
this time: C, L, and S.
ZANDER
Uh. Is that code for something?
K
Have you forgotten whom you are
speaking to?
ZANDER
You're... Consul K.
After a beat, it hits him.
ZANDER (CONT'D)
Oh. It's a letter. I always thought
your name was just "Kay."
(beat)
But what does it stand for?
K
It's an initial.
ZANDER
So it IS a name.
K
Yes, no, maybe so. Let's not argue
semantics.
He leans forward and interlaces his fingers.
K (CONT'D)
Here's the thing: 'Z' is already
taken. In fact, that's the nom de
guerre of our founder. Suffice it
to say, that letter is never on the
market.
He holds out his palm.
K (CONT'D)
Like I said, the only letters up
for grabs right now are C, L, and
S.
ZANDER
So, wait. Does it HAVE to be the
first letter of my name?
K cups his hand around his cheek and uses it to prop up his head.
K
(condescendingly)
Uh, yeah.
(beat)
Listen, I don't make the rules --
but I CAN exploit them.
He slides the legal documents and the pen across the table.
K (CONT'D)
This is just your standard
bureaucratic rigmarole. You needn't
read any of it -- just sign at the
bottom of the first page.
Zander signs the paper, and then returns the items to K.
K (CONT'D)
Wonderful!
He stamps the document, imprinting a big red Moebius symbol
upon the page.
K (CONT'D)
Under my seal of office, I certify
that your legal name has been
changed to LARRY.
LARRY
Wait, what?
K
(blithely)
The changes to the registry should
be processed within twenty-four
hours.
He gives Larry two thumbs up.
K (CONT'D)
You're good to go.
Larry looks very confused.
LARRY
Uhh... Did I... Did I get the
promotion?
K
I need to get the go-ahead from Z.
But between you and me, I think
you've got it in the bag.
He stands up, and Larry rises in turn. K reaches out. Larry
approaches and shakes his hand.
K (CONT'D)
Good luck, Zan... Larry. You're
dismissed. Get to bed early, will
you? Tomorrow's your big day.
LARRY
I will. And, uh. Thank you, Consul.
Larry gives him a salute, and then exits the booth.
When the door closes, Consul K shakes his head.
K
Oh, that poor boy.
CLOSE UP ON K'S FACE
K's eyes open.
K (CONT'D)
He has no idea what he's in for.
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We again hear the whir of the projector and see the final
frame of the previous scene projected on the screen in the
amphitheater. We've returned to the live studio audience.
D
Gotta say, pops, I respect the
commitment to the bit.
K
I'm Moebius. It's what we do.
P
Did Z know you changed his name?
O
If he didn't know then, he
certainly does now!
Z
I am merely an observer. My hands
are tied.
P
Then *why* does that policy exist
in the first place?
D
Don't bother, P. He's just going to
say his usual cryptic guff that
leaves you with more questions than
answers.
P
He does this on purpose, I swear. I
bet he thinks it's funny.
Z smiles.
Z
I am Moebius, after all.
He looks to K and dips his head.
Z (CONT'D)
Let us continue.
K nods back at him.
K
Right.
He activates his Iris.
We return to the screen. The projector whirs, and the film
skips ahead to a scene that is initially pitch-black.
ACT TWO
INT. AMPHITHEATER STAGE
We now find ourselves in the scene depicted on the screen.
A spotlight beams down, revealing Larry's sleeping form.
He's lying on the stage of Z's amphitheater.
His eyes blink open. He immediately squints from the harsh
light and groans. After a moment, he sits up. We see from
his POV as his eyes adjust to the light, and we find that
he's unable to see anything beyond the spotlight.
LARRY
Where am I?
Z (O.S.)
Loyal sumpter...
The lights turn on, but remain dim. Larry's attention is
drawn to the audience, where Z sits. K is there as well, on
the other side of the aisle.
LARRY
(taken aback)
Is that... Z?
Z
You toil in this cave, knowing
naught but the shadows on the
wall...
K holds out his arms and shakes his hands.
K
Whoa, whoa, whoa!
K pauses for a beat, and then scratches the back of his
neck.
K (CONT'D)
Ahh... forgive me for interrupting.
It's just... I know you like doing
these monologues, but... could you
try being a little more
straightforward this time? This kid
didn't receive much of an
education, and I want to make sure
you get your message across, so...
CONSUL X teleports into the audience.
X
*Ugh.*
She rolls her eyes and shakes her head in annoyance.
X (CONT'D)
Let *me* handle this.
Z's bottom lip protrudes ever so slightly.
Z
Very well, X.
Larry looks from one side of the seating arrangement to the
other.
LARRY
I have no idea what's happening
right now.
X
So basically, you died.
Larry jolts upright.
LARRY
(incredulously)
What??
X
Yeah, yeah, whatever. It's not that
big of a deal. Did you think
becoming a Consul just meant you
got to put on the armor?
X waves her arms up and down for emphasis.
X (CONT'D)
No! You have to be *reborn* as
Moebius.
K
(contemplatively)
I don't think you *can* just "put
on" the armor... You CAN take it
off, but... Actually, no. I've said
enough.
X gives him the side-eye.
LARRY
I thought Moebius was an
organization. How can I be "reborn"
as Moebius?
X
To work with us, you kiiind of have
to sell us your soul. But wait till
you hear about all our perks and
benefits! Let's see...
X looks up and gives her chin several taps.
X (CONT'D)
(rapid-fire)
Unlimited time off, flexible hours,
immortality, corporate housing with
deluxe amenities and services,
commuter benefits, the ability to
transform into a badass monster,
movie nights...
(beat)
Oh, and educational opportunities,
so you can learn what all those
words mean.
LARRY
Uhh... What? What do you mean--
K
And the armor.
X
And a cape!
LARRY
Well, I'm sold.
Z
So you have chosen, then. You have
chosen... to accept the endless
now.
The Iris in Larry's right eye glows red, and a Moebius
symbol appears over his pupil. In the blink of an eye, he's
wearing the iconic red Consul armor, minus a helmet.
Confetti falls unceremoniously from the rafters and
flutters in the spotlight.
K and X give Larry -- now CONSUL L -- a round of applause.
Z looks displeased.
X
(feigning enthusiasm)
Congratulations!
K
I knew you could do it!
Z watches the last few scraps of confetti descend onto the
stage, and then turns and gives K a dirty look. K notices
this out of the corner of his Iris.
K (CONT'D)
Er... Your first task as Consul
will be sweeping that up.
L
(dejectedly)
That sounds like the kind of work
I've always done...
K
You're a new hire. Until you
complete your training, you can
expect to act as an errand boy.
L looks down at his feet and sighs.
L
Okay...
X jumps up from her seat.
X
Hey, slow down! He hasn't even been
assigned a helmet yet!
K glances at Z and anxiously drums his fingers on his seat's
armrests.
K
Right, right.
X sits back down.
X
The helmets USED to be custom-made
for every member, buuut we stopped
doing that like four hundred years
ago because our design guy got
taken out by Ouroboros.
The mood in the amphitheater seems to drop, and for a
moment, no one says anything.
X (CONT'D)
... So, we implemented a gacha
mechanic to redistribute old
designs.
She taps into her dual Irises.
X (CONT'D)
Here, I'll send you the program.
L's Iris lights up. He concentrates for a moment; then, a
helmet vaguely resembling the head of a horse materializes
over his head.
X (CONT'D)
Oh, wow! I haven't seen that one in
AGES.
K puts his head down and crosses his arms.
K
(sulkily)
Why didn't *I* get a cool helmet
like that...
He looks up.
K (CONT'D)
Is that everything?
Z dips his head.
Z
The initiation is complete.
K stands up.
K
Well, then, L...
He puts one hand on his hip, and uses the other to point at
L.
K (CONT'D)
Get to work!
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We again hear the whir of the projector and see the final
frame of the previous scene projected on the screen in the
amphitheater. We've returned to the live studio audience.
P slaps her armrest, laughs, and holds her hand -- finger
and thumb in the shape of a backwards 'L' -- up to her
forehead.
P
Can you believe it? Consul *L*!
That HAD to be on purpose.
D smirks.
D
Bold words coming from you, Consul
Piss.
P lowers her arm.
P
You LITERALLY Interlink with a kid
named "Urine."
J
(coolly)
My name is J, thank you.
D gestures at O.
D
And let's not ignore the Gogol in
the room. Poor bastard's name
speaks for itself.
O
Hu-uh?
J
That isn't funny, D.
P
Yeah, *D.*
O
I don't get it.
D
Ah, so he's also morbidly *obtuse.*
K leans toward Z and cups one hand around his mouth.
K
(talking out of the
corner of his mouth)
Z, can you do something?
Z shows a hint of a smile.
Z
Such puerile discourse. It's
endearing, is it not?
K doesn't say anything.
Z closes his eyes.
Z (CONT'D)
Give them bread and circuses. It
takes little to appease such vapid
minds. You need only to keep them
entertained.
K
If you say so.
His Iris lights up, and the footage resumes.
ACT THREE
INT. AMPHITHEATER STAGE
L sweeps the last of the confetti into a dustpan with a
broom, humming 'Moebius Battle.' The audience has cleared
out -- including Z -- and the spotlight has been turned off.
K appears on the right side of the stage.
K
How goes it, kiddo?
L yelps and nearly jumps out of his skin. He drops the
broom and it dematerializes -- it's his Blade. The
dustpan is not included.
L
How do you do that?
K
Oh, this?
He teleports onto the left side of the stage.
K (CONT'D)
It's a feature included in the
Moebius Iris upgrade. Just open up
the Gogol Maps app, set your
destination, and you'll be there in
a jiffy.
K grips his helmet's postiche contemplatively.
K (CONT'D)
You know... no one really knows how
teleportation works. It's possible
that your body is broken down and
destroyed, and then an exact copy
is created in the new location. Am
I the same man I was on the other
side of the stage? Are we Moebius
truly immortal, or does our sloth
bind us to a cycle of our own
creation?
He considers this for a beat; then, he teleports back onto
the right side of the stage.
K (CONT'D)
Eh, whatever. It's convenient as
hell.
L says nothing.
K begins walking towards him.
K (CONT'D)
You've spent your entire life on
the grounds of the Moebius Estate.
Origin is extremely difficult, not
to mention dangerous to navigate on
foot -- but that's not a problem
now that you're Moebius.
(beat)
I'm sure you've caught glimpses of
the outside world on screens
before, but nothing compares to
experiencing it yourself.
He taps into his Iris.
K (CONT'D)
I'm sending you the coordinates of
a nice little picnic spot on the
Rae-Bel Tableland. It's about time
you touch some grass.
When he sees L react, he dips his head.
K (CONT'D)
I'll see you there.
He teleports.
L braces himself.
L
Well, here goes.
He teleports as well.
EXT. RAE-BEL TABLELAND - DAY
L arrives in the shade of an enormous tree with red and
orange leaves -- a Saffronia. He reflexively shields his
eyes with the back of his arm.
L
It's so bright...
K strolls up to L and comes to a stop in front of him.
K
Ah. Should've warned you about the
sun. It's just hard for me to wrap
my head around the fact that you've
never been outside, even though I'm
a direct participant in the system
responsible for your subjugation.
He leans up against the Saffronia, crosses his legs, and
peers up into the branches.
K (CONT'D)
Neat tree, huh?
L
I can't see anything.
K
Neither can I. Or at least I don't
have to.
He points to his closed eyes with his index and middle
fingers.
K (CONT'D)
My Iris is so optimized that I no
longer have to rely on my regular
eyesight. That's why I always keep
my eyes closed.
L
Oh. I didn't realize your eyes were
actually closed. I thought the
helmet just made it look like that.
K
What? Really, this entire time?
He looks down in despair.
K (CONT'D)
(forlorn)
I was only doing it to show off...
He opens his eyes a crack, and then scrambles to cover them
with his hands.
K (CONT'D)
Agh! It burns!
They both take a moment to recover.
Once he's finally adjusted to the daylight, L cups his hand
over his eyes and gazes up into the boughs of the Saffronia.
L
It is a nice tree.
K nods.
K
It sure is.
L nods in return.
For several seconds, neither of them say anything.
K (CONT'D)
I was expecting you to be more...
*mesmerized.* I mean, hell! It's
your first time being out in
nature.
He punches the tree.
K (CONT'D)
Seeing this should have changed
your life!
L
Oh...
K takes a few steps forward, and then stops and glances
around. We're shown a view of the Tableland scenery -- the
Saffronia tree stands on the edge of a small cliff, and
beyond that, we see an expanse of hilly terrain populated
by Armus of various sizes. The Armus are grazing
peacefully, unaware that they're being watched.
K nods in their direction.
K
Look over there.
L approaches and joins him in watching the Armus.
L
What are they?
K
They're called Armus. Gentle
giants, as long as you stay away
from their little ones.
He points at a baby Armu that's become separated from the
herd.
K (CONT'D)
Ah, there's one! Isn't it a cutie?
Something else catches L's attention. He points at a pack
of Ferises advancing toward the baby Armu.
L
What are those?
K
Oh, those are...
He swallows hard.
K (CONT'D)
... Ferises.
The camera turns to face the Consuls head-on. They stand
there solemnly and stare straight ahead as snarls and
terrible bleating are heard from off-screen. We then hear a
trumpeting roar and a stampede of heavy footsteps, followed
by several yelps.
L prods K's shoulder.
L
Can we go back to the estate now?
Please?
K
Eh...
He sighs.
K (CONT'D)
You were going to find out about
the circle of life sooner or later.
It's an important thing to know.
The fact of the matter is that some
beings -- monsters, people -- need
to feed on others to survive.
L
I've had meat before.
K
But have you thought about where it
came from? That was another being
that gave its life so you could
survive. How many Anlood fillets
have you eaten in your lifetime?
Every one of those was a monster
that had to die.
L
I know that. I just don't really
think about it, is all.
(beat)
What's going on? You seem really
worked up over this.
K lets loose a nervous cackle.
K
Nothing! It's nothing. Just, ah,
making sure you knew what was
happening over there.
(to himself)
Dammit, what do I say now? I didn't
come prepared to have this
conversation.
L tilts his head questioningly.
K does not acknowledge this.
K (CONT'D)
Moving on! Before we go back,
there's one more thing I ought to
show you.
(quietly)
Heh. I've been waiting for this.
He distances himself from L, giving himself plenty of
space. Then, he stands tall and puts his hands in the air.
As he does this, he becomes enveloped in pink light and
bolts of electricity.
L scrambles backwards from fright and tumbles over the edge
of the cliff.
K continues absorbing energy, transforming him into a
radiant orb of white light. From this orb emerges a
hulking, muscle-bound monster standing in the same
position K was last seen in.
MOEBIUS K
(in a distorted voice)
Hahahahaha! What you see before you
is the TRUE nature of Moebius!
He begins to waltz about, arms still raised above his head.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
Yes! To shed one's skin and
inhibitions and BE TRANSFORMED...
could anything be more liberating?
You will never know TRUE freedom
until you've been unshackled from
your humanity. No longer am I
obliged to conduct myself with
"propriety." I am my own master! I
AM MOEBIUS!
Noticing he hasn't gotten any response, he stops, lowers
his arms, and takes a look around. Not seeing L in his
immediate surroundings, he begins to stomp and
gesticulate angrily.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
Hey... HEY! L! Where did you go?
Why aren't you looking at me?
L (O.S.)
(weakly)
K...? Is that you? Your voice
sounds weird...
We see L lying on his back next to the face of the cliff.
He groans.
L (CONT'D)
I'm down here. I fell and hit my
head. Think I blacked out for a
minute. Guess the helmet's just for
show...
Moebius K grumbles, gets down on his knees, and peers over
the edge of the cliff.
L gasps.
L (CONT'D)
M... monster!
(shouting)
I'm going back now, K!
He teleports back to the estate.
Moebius K stands up. He heaves his shoulders.
MOEBIUS K
Guess I should call him...
He taps into his Iris and holds his right hand up to his
"ear" in the shape of a "call me" sign.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
Er... hello? L?
INT. AMPHITHEATER STAGE
L holds his right palm up to his ear, accepting the call.
L
K? You still sound funny. Is it
because I hit my head?
INTERCUT BETWEEN L AND MOEBIUS K
Moebius K shakes his head.
MOEBIUS K
No, no. That's not it.
He puts his left hand on his hip and begins to pace around.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
It's, uhh. Because I turned into a
monster.
L
You... *what?*
(beat)
That monster, that was you?
Moebius K stops and throws out his hand.
MOEBIUS K
Ugh, I did this whole monologue and
everything.
He resumes walking, gesturing dramatically as he speaks.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
But really, is it THAT surprising?
You already know we can teleport. I
feel like being able to turn into a
monster doesn't require any
additional suspension of disbelief.
L
But... why? Teleportation is
useful. What good does it do to be
able to turn into a monster?
MOEBIUS K
What kind of question is that? Who
wouldn't want to be big and scary
and have huge muscles and fly?
He doesn't get a response.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
... Well, can you come back here? I
won't drain your life force, I
promise.
L reappears next to him on the cliff. He cowers, seeing the
full size of K's Moebius form -- but instead of backing
away, he gets down onto his knees. This has the effect of
making Moebius K seem even larger as he looms over him.
Moebius K clasps his hands together.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
(eagerly)
So? What do you think?
L
I don't think I'd like to look like
that.
MOEBIUS K
Wow. I see how it is. Well, we
Moebius don't all look the same.
Like the helmets, it's another roll
of the dice.
He gestures at himself.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
I never thought about why I'm built
like this. Maybe it's something
like a realization of how I want to
be perceived.
L
You seem happy being that way.
Even though his beastly face is unemotive, it somehow seems
like Moebius K is smiling.
MOEBIUS K
So, why don't you try it? It's not
like you'll be stuck like that.
L
Is there an app for this?
MOEBIUS K
No, actually. It's more...
intuitive. You have to *be* the
change you want to see.
The camera follows him as he begins to walk away.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
Transforming for the first time is
a contest between the body and the
mind. You have to externalize the
strength that lies within you,
and--
MOEBIUS L (O.S.)
Did I do it?
Moebius K whips around and comes face-to-face with a
successfully transformed Moebius L.
MOEBIUS K
Gyah! Now THAT's a face only a
mother could love.
MOEBIUS L
What's a mother?
MOEBIUS K
Oh, uh, it's just an expression.
Moebius L looks down at his feet.
MOEBIUS L
Am I really that ugly?
MOEBIUS K
Hmm.
He strokes his beard.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
Sorry, I can't answer that. Beauty
is in the eye of the beholder, and
my eyes are *closed.*
He points at his eyes, still closed even in his Moebius
form.
Moebius L gingerly examines his arms, and then his torso.
He tugs on the ring-shaped structure around his waist;
then, he runs his fingers across the glassy material on his
inner thigh.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
Do that in your room.
Moebius L lets his arms slump to his sides.
MOEBIUS L
So why did you have me do this
again?
MOEBIUS K
This is all part of your training.
Someday you will find yourself
needing to turn into a monster, and
when that day comes, you'll be
grateful that I taught you how.
He puts his hands on his hips, looks from side to side, and
nods approvingly.
MOEBIUS K (CONT'D)
That's about all I wanted to show
you for now.
He turns back to normal, dusts himself off, and coughs into
his fist.
K
Let's call it a day.
He peers up at Moebius L, who now towers over him.
K (CONT'D)
But first, make yourself
presentable. It's a bit of a faux
pas to be seen in Moebius form on
Z's property. Plus, it'd scare the
bajeebers out of the interns.
MOEBIUS L
Right, got it.
He shrinks back down to normal as well.
K assesses him.
K
How are you holding up? I know all
of this is a lot to take in.
L shakes his head.
L
Nothing feels real. I just turned
into a *monster*, and that's not
even the strangest thing that's
happened today. The only thing that
felt "right" was when you had me
sweep the stage.
K pats him on the shoulder reassuringly.
K
It's your first day on the job.
You'll get used to it. Now, let's
go back. I'll show you the secret
break room.
(giddily)
We have a whole self-serve
concession stand. Just wait till
you see our slushy machine --
endless flavor combinations *and*
endless refills!
He teleports. L teleports as well.
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We hear the whir of the projector and see the final frame
of the previous scene projected on the screen in the
amphitheater. We've returned to the live studio audience.
P gestures at the screen.
P
Okay, okay. Are all of the interns
this dumb, or is this guy just a
special kind of stupid?
K
I wouldn't say he's
*unintelligent.* It's just that
he's undereducated, emotionally
stunted, and deprived of life
experiences other than cleaning and
cooking, just like the rest of our
attendants.
P
Oh, so he's not *a* special kind of
stupid.
She holds up three fingers.
P (CONT'D)
He's *three.*
K holds his forehead.
K
P...
J
That all seems pretty bleak... and
yet, isn't he one of the lucky
ones?
D
Yeah, now that he's one of *us.*
J
True. No point in getting worked up
about the others. We're Moebius,
they're not. It's as simple as
that.
D claps his hands.
D
That's the spirit, J! Keep up that
attitude and you'll be a complete
psychopath in no time.
J blushes and scratches the back of his neck.
K interlaces his fingers and leans forward, resting his
chin on the back of his hands.
K
Being Moebius really does change
you. Or... requires you to change.
And sometimes, that change doesn't
come from within.
(beat)
The monster that destroyed Colony
Upsilon... I *made* that boy into
that. A boy who was at his happiest
with a broom in hand.
Z
Was it not a "promotion"? You freed
him from eternal drudgery.
K
I... augh.
K sighs.
K (CONT'D)
You know I'm a City boy. I've seen
how life can be outside of Moebius's
grasp. And it makes me sad that I
couldn't give him *that.* He's a
good kid. Would've never dreamed of
hurting anyone.
Z
Yet you chose this life for
yourself.
K lifts his head.
K
Well, yes. I'm a megalomaniac. I
care about the soldiers about as
much as I care for the sticky
kernels of popcorn under my feet.
He vocalizes his disgust, and then pauses.
K (CONT'D)
But the interns... It's hard not to
get attached. It's hard to watch
them grow up time and time again,
but never grow old.
(beat)
I died two months before my
nephew's twentieth birthday. I
never saw him again after that. But
what does it matter? He's long dead
by now.
Z frowns and furrows his brow.
Z
What is your aim in telling me
this?
K
Ah, never mind. I wouldn't expect
you to understand.
He looks down again.
K (CONT'D)
(softly)
His name was Larry.
He doesn't have a chance to dwell on this for long. He sits
upright upon receiving a call over his Iris and holds his
right hand -- again, in the shape of a "call me" sign -- up
to his ear.
K (CONT'D)
Hello?
He is answered by a voice recognizable as CONSUL V.
V (V.O.)
Augh! Is your troupe STILL hogging
the theater? Make way! We demand
our daily dose of televised teenage
bloodsports!
In the background, K can make out the voices of several
other Consuls.
CONSULS (V.O.)
Blood! Blood! Blood!
K
All right, all right. We'll be out
in a minute.
He hangs up.
K (CONT'D)
(to the rest of the
audience)
Same time tomorrow?
D dips his head.
D
Sounds like a plan.
The others nod in agreement. One by one they teleport out
of the amphitheater, leaving only K and Z. K turns off the
projector, and then teleports as well. The lights in the
theater dim, and the scene fades to black.
Chapter 2: My Long Shadow
Chapter Text
COLD OPEN
FADE IN:
INT. AMPHITHEATER - PAST
We find ourselves in Z's amphitheater. On the screen,
various scenes from the previous episode play for several
seconds at a time: we see K interviewing L in the
projection booth, L becoming Moebius and receiving his
Consul armor, K and L arriving on the Rae-Bel Tableland,
and the two of them standing together in their Moebius
forms.
X (O.S.)
Z, you're killin' me. You can't
keep doing this!
Shots of each of the characters in the audience are shown
in the following order: CONSUL X, CONSUL Y, CONSUL N,
and Z. Z remains in focus as he speaks.
Z
(feigning ignorance)
Doing what, precisely?
X
Recruiting the least qualified
candidates in all of Aionios, what
else? First it was that twerp who
basically never made it past his
third term or whatever, and now
it's one of the attendants who
doesn't even know how to read! Come
on, Z! Have you lost your entire
frickin' mind?
Z
(serenely)
No matter their faculty or wit, all
humans will relinquish themselves
to the flow. That is an undeniable
fact.
Y
Hear, hear! 'Tis science par
excellence. These immaculate
results would be the envy of all
learned men.
X
See, this is what I'm talking
about! If it doesn't matter what
kind of person they are, why not
seek out people who *don't* need
their hand held every step of the
way? That would make my job SO much
easier.
(muttering)
Tsk. As if Z knows what it's like
to have a "job." Lousy bum...
N
X. You should know that much of the
"work" has been delegated to
several of our senior Consuls. D
and K have proffered themselves to
the cause.
X
UGH! This just sounds like a recipe
for disaster. Knowing those two
louts, they'll probably train them
wrong on purpose. SOMEBODY's gotta
keep them in check. And what about
J and L's *formal* education?
Y
I will shoulder the burden.
X
Not YOU! The LAST thing we need is
for them to start speaking ye olde
gobbledygook.
Y
(sarcastically)
Prithee, forgive me. Alas! It doth
seem we have nary a solution.
X rolls her eyes.
X
Oh, shove off.
Z frowns.
Z
How disappointing. Not even my
kindred are above petty
infighting...
(to N)
And that is what makes you my most
valued asset.
N
I am no "asset." Do not denigrate
me.
Z dips his head.
Z
As you wi--
The footage stops abruptly and is replaced by an alarming
red screen with a simple illustration of an eye overlaid
with a general prohibition sign. There is white text
reading "SIGNAL BLOCKED."
Z (V.O.)
You are not authorized to view this
footage.
AUDIENCE (V.O.)
(startled)
Z...!
INT. AMPHITHEATER - PRESENT
The camera zooms out to reveal that the previous scene was
being projected on the screen in the amphitheater.
Z (CONT'D)
This was not part of our agreement.
We follow his line of sight to CONSUL K, who looks away
guiltily.
K
Ah... my bad. I just wanted to see
if the admin had any special
insight on L. Really, I don't know
what I was thinking, trying to get
away with it.
(muttering)
That's about what I expected from a
Moebius "board meeting." Of course
the organization that's all about
"the now" makes administrative
decisions on the spur of the
moment.
The camera shifts to CONSULS O and P, who are seated
together.
P
Aww, is Z camera-shy?
O
Hah! Seems like it.
The camera then shifts to CONSULS D and J. Unlike how they
appeared in the previous episode, both are wearing their
helmets.
J
How ironic.
(crossly)
I'd like to think I've more than
proven my worth since then. I only
have one of the most powerful
Interlinks in all of Moebius.
D
Pfft. *You* do, do ya? If our
Interlink was one of them Kevesi
Levnises, I'd be in the front seat,
and you'd be in the trunk.
(to the others)
I betcha Z didn't wanna be seen
coddling N. Who's he tryin' to kid?
P holds her hands at either side of her head and gasps.
P
The Consul with the custom gold
armor is Z's favorite, really? I
never would have guessed!
O
What about M? Don't think I saw her
there.
P
Oh, of course not! M couldn't care
less about Moebius. "Silver Consul"
my ass.
J
Just goes to show that Z recruiting
"unqualified" people isn't anything
new.
D puts his arms behind his head and leans back in his seat.
D
Thaaat's Z for ya. The only
"change" he believes in is the kind
you find under a seat cushion.
O and P simultaneously begin rummaging under their seat
cushions. They both come up empty-handed.
P
Oh, right. Our armor doesn't have
pockets.
K clears his throat awkwardly.
K (CONT'D)
Now, Z... may we return to our
"regularly scheduled programming"?
Z
Confirm that you agree to my terms
and conditions, and I will leave
you to your "entertainment."
K nods.
K
Yes, I agree. It won't happen
again.
Z dismisses the error screen.
P leans over the armrest adjacent to O.
P
(hushed voice)
It will *absolutely* happen again.
O snickers.
K's Iris lights up, and the intended footage begins to play.
ACT ONE
INT. MOEBIUS ESTATE, L'S QUARTERS - DAWN
The footage opens on the scene of a dorm room decked out in
gothic accoutrement. The wallpaper and upholstery are dark
purple; everything else is black. The ambient red-purple
lighting of Origin filters through a large arched window on
the far end of the room, and an antique four poster bed
draped in curtains stands against one of the adjacent
walls. Tucked under the plush purple comforter is a
sleeping CONSUL L, who is fully armored. He is wearing
an old-fashioned striped nightcap over his helmet's horns.
His eyes reflexively open as his Iris lights up with a call.
K (V.O.)
Wakey-wakey!
L gasps and bolts upright. Upon registering the voice, he
relaxes, and his eyelids begin to droop. He holds his palm
up to his right ear.
L
(groggily)
What time is it?
K (V.O.)
(matter-of-factly)
Precisely 4:30 a.m.
L groans.
K (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Thought you'd be able to sleep in a
little now that you've got your
big-boy armor, did you? Sorry, but
you're stuck with ME as your mentor
until you complete your training...
and that means you're bound to MY
schedule!
L
(yawning)
I didn't even have to get up this
early as an intern...
INT. AMPHITHEATER STAGE
K stands alone under a spotlight on the stage with one leg
crossed over the other, one hand on his hip, and the other
hand held up to his right ear in the shape of a "call me"
sign.
K
Well, the plan for today is to have
you shadow me, so it's imperative
that we operate on the same clock.
(beat)
Oh, and I'll let you in on a little
secret: Moebius don't require
sleep! Your brain is just tricking
you into thinking you're tired.
Force of habit and whatnot.
INTERCUT BETWEEN K AND L
L's eyes widen and he blinks rapidly as he realizes he does
not, in fact, feel tired. Then, he narrows his eyes
quizzically.
L
Then what's the point of us having
beds?
K becomes visibly distressed. He chuckles nervously.
K
... Let's save that conversation
for another time.
(beat)
Anywho. Report to the amphitheater
AS--
L (sans nightcap) materializes at K's side.
K (CONT'D)
--AP.
A second spotlight clicks on and shines down over L.
K begins to clap.
K (CONT'D)
Ever the obsequious underling! Z
would approve.
He stops clapping. For a beat, no one says anything.
L
(timidly)
Uhh... Question...
He shuffles his feet.
L (CONT'D)
This is kinda embarrassing, but...
if Moebius don't need to sleep, do
they, uh... do they need to use the
restroom?
He grabs his forearm meekly and looks down.
L (CONT'D)
That's usually the first thing I do
after I get out of bed... I drank
so many slushies last night, too.
K bursts into laughter.
K
With THIS armor? You've GOT to be
joking.
He composes himself.
K (CONT'D)
When you become Moebius, you're
purged of any... unseemly bodily
functions. No sweat, no stink, no
number one or number two!
(muttering)
Blech, just hearing myself say
those words aloud makes me feel
unclean. How crude...! Ugh, well,
enough about that.
He stands tall and clears his throat.
K (CONT'D)
I'm sure you've been wondering what
the heck it is we Consuls do all
day, and the answer is anything we
want!
He holds his arms up triumphantly.
L looks at him strangely.
K (CONT'D)
(frantically
gesticulating)
... Ah! I don't mean that in the
sense of goofing off, no no no. Let
me rephrase that: it's... more that
we're throwing things at the wall
to see what sticks, and those
*things* can be anything we want.
... Within reason, of course.
He freezes.
K (CONT'D)
Does that make sense?
L stares at him for a beat.
L
Uh. I guess.
K nods emphatically, and then begins to pace across the
stage.
K
As a reminder, Moebius is an
organization that deals in
international humanitarian law.
We're diplomats. But there's just
one teensy little problem: the
nations of Keves and Agnus don't
WANT to stop fighting!
He stops.
K (CONT'D)
Ah, humans. Such senseless
creatures. And so filthy, too!
Truly "the great unwashed."
(beat)
Where was I...? Oh, right.
L stares as K resumes pacing.
K (CONT'D)
... But even in war, there are
rules and regulations that must be
upheld. We're also responsible for
decision-making and administrative
duties. That is to say, we are the
commanders' commanders.
L
So Moebius works with... *both*
Keves and Agnus?
K
Correct. Right now I oversee a
Keves colony, but I've also
presided over Agnus colonies in the
past.
L looks down and grips his helmet's postiche
contemplatively.
L
That seems... counterproductive.
K
What you need to understand, L, is
that this is *not* a war that can
be won. Not as long as the Queens
are in power. If a hundred soldiers
die, they'll spawn a hundred more.
L
Then why not do something about the
Queens?
K
The Queens are the source of all
human life. If they were to be
deposed, humanity would go the way
of the Ponio.
L
So... what's the end goal?
K
The what now?
(beat)
Say, why don't we skedaddle on out
of here and reconvene at my colony?
This'll all be easier for you to
understand once you see things for
yourself.
He taps into his Iris.
K (CONT'D)
Location... sent! And we're off, to
Colony 6!
K teleports. After a moment of hesitation, L teleports as
well.
Both spotlights turn off.
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We return to the live studio audience.
O
(jollily)
When you put it like that, maybe
we're not so bad after all!
P
Notice how he left out the part
about us harvesting children's life
forces.
O
... Hrm. Well. That's beside the
point.
D
I was a lot less delicate with J
during his initiation. When I gave
him the lowdown, he damn near
bawled his eyes out!
J
Doing a bit of embellishing, are
we? If I recall correctly, I was
wearing my helmet.
P
Well, one of you is lying. You
should know better.
O
Mm, yes. Surely Z has the footage
archived somewhere.
D holds out his hands beseechingly.
D
Aw, you guys! Hasn't J relived
enough trauma? Give the kid a
break!
P
(rolling her eyes)
Yeah. He's *definitely* lying. Can
we go back to watching the guy who
*doesn't* suck at this?
K
(to himself)
That's the nicest thing P's ever
said about me.
K's Iris lights up, and the footage resumes.
INT. K'S LEVNIS - DAWN
L materializes inside the cabin of a Kevesi-style aerial
transport Levnis that has been remodeled to suit Moebius's
overwrought aesthetic. It's windowless, but the motion and
audible jet propulsion clearly indicate that it's in flight.
L stumbles and lets out a cry as the Levnis hits some
turbulence. He reflexively grabs onto the nearest
stationary object -- the back of a lone captain's chair
-- to keep himself from falling. Strapped into the
chair is K, who has his nose buried in a newspaper
titled "The Xenoblade Chronicle." K lowers the
newspaper and glances at L over his shoulder
impassively.
L
(alarmed)
What's going on? Are we... flying?
In a Levnis?
K
Yes, as a matter of fact we are.
This Levnis departed from Keves
Castle approximately ten hours ago.
We will arrive at Colony 6 in...
He holds the newspaper with one hand and pretends to check
a watch.
K (CONT'D)
... Eh, about two minutes.
L holds up his index finger questioningly, but K doesn't
give him a chance to speak.
K (CONT'D)
(authoritatively)
Our Moebius powers are Top Secret.
Teleportation, transformation, the
whole nine yards. We are prohibited
from using them in public spaces,
including common areas in the
Moebius Estate. Not even our
interns have the necessary level of
clearance.
(proudly)
Ten years working under me and you
never suspected a thing!
P (V.O.)
Come on, are you serious?
The footage pauses.
P (V.O.) (CONT'D)
Wuh--? I can do that?
INT. AMPHITHEATER
The camera zooms out to show the screen in the
amphitheater. We then jump to P, whose Iris is lit
up. She brings her hand to her chin, and her Iris
fades.
P (CONT'D)
Huh. That's neat.
K slams his fist down on his armrest.
K
(muttering)
Shit! I was hoping they wouldn't
figure out that the projector is
unsecured.
He leans back and shakes his head.
K (CONT'D)
Ugh, and we only have the theater
reserved for thirty minutes, too.
O
(to P)
As you were saying...
P
Right.
She clears her throat, and then turns and points at K.
P (CONT'D)
The NERVE of you to pat yourself on
the back like that. Ten years
without an incident, wow! You want
Z to give you a medal?
K shrinks back in his seat.
K
U-uh...
P
Are you forgetting the time your
one errand boy walked in on you
posing in front of a mirror in
Moebius form?
K
(flustered)
He... he didn't knock...
P throws up her hands.
P
Damn, if only our rooms' doors had
locks! Then Z wouldn't have had to
take him out back and "send him
off."
K pushes his index fingers together.
K
He... only had a couple terms to
go...
O
Hah, I remember that! And the time
he showed up to his colony a bit
inebriated, got into a scrap with
the commander, and transformed
after getting his arse kicked.
P
Yeah! We had to declare a Code Gold
and neutralize the whole colony.
They called me in as backup. I
remember K spent the whole time
sitting on his Moebius ass while
ugly crying--and I mean UGLY
crying--about how sorry he was.
K
It... wasn't my finest moment.
K plants his elbows on his knees and buries his face in his
hands.
K (CONT'D)
(despondently)
X made sure I never heard the end
of it.
D
K's full of shit. It's about time
someone called him out on it.
(to K)
Why did you *really* invite us to
these screenings? Didja think we'd
be impressed by your dodgy improv
and sing your praises?
J
It does seem rather self-indulgent,
I must admit.
K waves his hands defensively.
K
No no no! It's just that, you know,
we've had that joke about
"promotions" for the longest time,
so I thought you all would get a
kick out of seeing what would
happen if someone actually ran with
it.
P and O exchange glances.
P
Well... It *is* entertaining.
O
*Especially* when K makes himself
the butt of the joke!
P
Are we Interlinked? Because you
took the words right out of my
mouth.
The camera zooms in as the two of them each raise one of
their hands. P goes for a fist bump, and O goes for a high
five. P's fist strikes O's palm with an audible *clink.*
They then avert their gazes and put their hands down
without saying a word.
K
... Let's just move on.
His Iris lights up, and the footage resumes.
INT. K'S LEVNIS - DAWN
K continues.
K
With that being said, we can't
always take the fastest route from
point A to point B. Or, well. *We*
can, but the poor shmuck flying
this thing doesn't get to know
that.
(beat)
I know this all seems very, ah,
performative, but maintaining an
image of normality is an essential
part of our diplomatic strategy!
The moment you and I step off of
this Levnis, we are *human*. Got
it?
L gives him a salute.
L
Yessir.
He pauses to consider.
L (CONT'D)
... What happens if we get caught
using our powers?
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We see the screen from the perspective of the audience.
P snorts.
ON SCREEN
K grips the newspaper with both hands and flaps it
aggressively.
K
(gravely)
That is NOT a mistake we can afford
to make.
BACK TO SCENE
P bursts out laughing.
K
Quiet in the peanut gallery!
O giggles.
O
"P" nut.
K slams his head against the back of his seat and lets out
an exaggerated groan.
INT. K'S LEVNIS - DAWN
For a beat, no one says anything. The silence is broken
when the Levnis shudders and begins its descent. L
tightly hugs his arms around the back of K's chair.
K
When I said you'd be "shadowing"
me, I didn't mean it literally.
The Levnis touches down, and the door at the front end of
the cabin descends into a ramp. L lets go of K's chair and
takes a step back. He stands there motionlessly as K
discards the newspaper, unbuckles his seatbelt, rises to
his feet, yawns dramatically, and does several types of
stretches. He then saunters toward the exit and comes to a
stop at the top of the ramp. After a moment, he's joined by
L. They stand together, silhouettes framed by an early
morning vista.
K (CONT'D)
All right, L. Your time... is
*now.*
ACT TWO
EXT. MILLICK MEADOW - DAWN
The sun has just begun to rise over Colony 6, which is
located in the Aetia Region's Millick Meadow. The colony's
Ferronis is a colossal machine resembling a cross between a
mole and a turtle. It has a quadrupedal build, though only
its front legs -- which end in sets of three enormous claws
-- are visible. Across its back is a broad shell that has
been overlaid with vegetation and converted into a terrace
of sorts. The Ferronis's head extends into a long muzzle
tipped with a tiny maw. Housed inside of this mouth, of
course, is the colony's Flame Clock.
The colony itself is nestled between the arms of the
Ferronis, as if the Ferronis has enveloped it in a
protective embrace. Its elongated head casts a shadow over
the colony grounds.
The front of the colony lacks defensive fortifications of
any kind -- in the event of a raid, the Ferronis's claws
can be rotated inward and made into an impregnable
barrier.
We see from L's POV as he steps out of the Levnis and takes
in the sight of the Ferronis; the camera needs to pan up to
reveal its full size.
L
It's huge.
K
Ah, insightful as ever. It's called
a Ferronis. Ferronises are very
much the fulcrum on which--
P (V.O.)
UGH, do we *have* to sit through
all this exposition?
The footage begins playing at 2x speed.
INT. AMPHITHEATER
On the screen, K prances around and gestures at comical
speeds while lecturing unintelligibly in a pitched-up
voice. P is again the culprit -- her Iris remains lit-up
for the duration of the scene.
K stands up and waves his arms.
K
H-hey, wait! Don't do that!
His Iris lights up, but he is unable to cancel the ongoing
command.
P
A Ferronis is a Ferronis. What
inane spin could you possibly put
on something he can see with his
own eyes?
K
Stop! Stop! I'm about to start
going over Flame Clocks! Please,
this bit is gold!
P
(sulkily)
Fine.
Her Iris fades, and the footage resumes playing at normal
speed.
EXT. MILLICK MEADOW - DAWN
K
See that gizmo in its mouth?
The camera zooms on the Flame Clock, which is half-filled
with radiant blue energy.
K (CONT'D)
That's what we call a Flame Clock.
It's a truly wondrous piece of
technology that was conceived by
one of Moebius's top minds -- a
type of generator that converts a
particular resource into usable
energy. That resource being...
(beat)
... life itself.
L
(uneasy)
What do you mean by that?
K
The reality of this world is that
death is ever-present. It's
everywhere you look. But what we've
found is that it's not so much
"death" as it is "loss of life"...
and using the Flame Clocks, we can
recover that precious vitality and
ensure it does not go to waste.
Moebius's greatest gift to
humanity... is its own circle of
life.
L
Oh.
(beat)
So you just... let this happen?
K sighs.
K
Kid, have you been paying attention
to a single word I said?
He waits, but doesn't get a response.
K (CONT'D)
Ah, forget it. The whys and
wherefores aren't all that
important. Moebius is more
concerned with *current* affairs.
(beat)
On that note, let's get going. We
haven't even made it to the colony
yet.
L
(absently)
Uh. Right.
The two of them head off toward their destination.
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We return to the live studio audience. The footage of L and
K making the walk to Colony 6 continues to play on-screen.
No further dialogue is exchanged between the two of them.
O
... When you put it like that,
maybe harvesting children's life
forces isn't such a bad thing after
all!
P
You just eat up any damn thing he
says, huh?
D snorts.
P (CONT'D)
(derisively)
Did I say something funny, D?
D
Is this some kinda setup? I didn't
take you for THAT much of a fool.
P
Go on, then. Humor my ignorance, if
you would be so kind.
J
(to himself)
Really? Nothing to be gained from
beating around the bush...
(to D)
What is it that you find so...
comical about O's body, D?
D
O's a City slicker, ain't he?
Someone who lived comfortably
enough to be able to gorge himself
on the daily deserves to have his
feelings hurt.
P
What if I told you that O isn--
A loud SCREAM splits the amphitheater's sound system,
redirecting everyone's attention to the screen.
EXT. COLONY 6 - MORNING
L and K stand before a craterous sinkhole that has formed
at the entrance to the colony. K's scream has also drawn
the attention of all the soldiers in the surrounding area,
most of whom are still in the process of getting ready to
start the day. Several soldiers can be seen hiding
themselves behind tent flaps or crouching down
behind crates.
K, who is visibly shaken, points emphatically into the hole.
K
(hysterical)
What... is this??
He starts gagging and coughing to the point that he nearly
keels over. After taking a moment to gather himself, he
begins fanning his face with his hand.
K (CONT'D)
Augh, what an evil smell! The
worthless filters in my helmet
aren't doing a damn thing...!
He attempts to peer into the sinkhole while keeping his
distance.
K (CONT'D)
Is this... raw sewage? Guh, why are
humans so disgusting?
L gives K a look of horror.
K freezes.
K (CONT'D)
... I would know, because I am one!
He lets out an unreasonably hearty guffaw.
Colony 6's LIEUTENANT, a cool and collected young man with
auburn head-wings, reluctantly approaches to receive the
Consuls.
LIEUTENANT
Consul K!
The Consuls spin around, and the Lieutenant gives them a
salute.
LIEUTENANT (CONT'D)
I see you brought a... friend?
(under his breath)
I didn't think Consuls were capable
of *making* friends.
K
That's *not* important! Tell me,
what the hell is THIS?
He extends his arm toward the sinkhole and waves at it
frenetically.
LIEUTENANT
It's... a sinkhole, sir. A couple
days ago, the land just... gave
way. It appears to have been caused
by a breakage in the sewer line. If
you look in, you can see the
damaged pipe.
K
So why hasn't anyone DONE something
about it? Are you telling me you're
OKAY with living in such squalor?
Yech!
LIEUTENANT
We... don't have the means to deal
with problems relating to
infrastructure, sir. In fact, I
would imagine that falls under the
Consuls' jurisdiction. Or... you
would at least be informed of what
to do in such situations.
K crosses his arms and shakes his head.
K
Nuh uh, I'm not going anywhere NEAR
that rotten cesspool.
LIEUTENANT
... I wasn't implying that you'd
have to go in there and repair the
pipe yourself, sir. I just... would
have thought you'd know who to turn
to. Surely there's a colony that
has soldiers trained in the
relevant trade, no...?
K waves him off dismissively.
K
Gah, hell if I know! Why didn't you
try... I don't know, sending out a
dispatch over the Iris Network?
Anything would have been preferable
to leaving this excrement here to
fester. Where is your commander? I
demand to speak to your commander!
LIEUTENANT
... Right this way, sir.
L watches the Lieutenant lead K around the sinkhole and off
toward the Ferronis. He does not follow them.
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We return to the live studio audience.
P
Well that was embarrassing.
K
Would it be "embarrassing" if I
lashed out at a pack Armu for
taking a dump on my shoes? I don't
particularly care what livestock
thinks of me.
J
Is this what you thought of L
before he became Moebius?
K
Hey, those are two entirely
different situations! He was more
like a... pet, or... Well, never
mind. It's not like it matters now,
anyway.
(beat)
Speaking of... I wasn't present on
the scene of the following footage,
so I'll be seeing it for the first
time right along with you.
P
Ahh, there's nothing I enjoy more
than sticking my nose where it
doesn't belong!
D
Z should've given *you* the helmet
with the schnoz.
He gestures in O's direction.
O
(softly)
It's a beak...
D
How do YOU know?
P
Are you dense? His helmet is
*obviously* supposed to be some
kind of bird.
D
Then what's *my* helmet s'posed to
be?
P
Is it not a Garaffa?
J strokes his chin as he studies D's helmet.
J
Hmm... I can sort of see a
resemblance in the "antlers," but
don't Garaffas also have antennae?
P
Antennae...? Hmph. I must be
thinking of something else.
K
Well, I'm not going to wait for you
to figure it out. We haven't got
all day in here.
His Iris lights up, and the footage resumes.
ACT THREE
EXT. COLONY 6 - MORNING
L still stands before the sinkhole. He hangs his head.
L
(to himself)
Why didn't I follow him? Some
"shadow" I am...
A cheeky SOLDIER calls out to him from off-screen.
SOLDIER (O.S.)
Oi, Consul!
L turns to face a nondescript young woman dressed in the
standard black Kevesi uniform.
L
(bashfully)
Um... hi.
The Soldier laughs.
SOLDIER
Oh, WOW. I wasn't expecting you to
be so coy! You and our... neurotic
arsewipe of a Consul are like night
and day. Are you here to replace
him? Please tell me you're here to
replace him!
L shakes his head.
L
I'm supposed to be shadowing him,
but... I don't really want to be
around him right now.
SOLDIER
Can't blame you there. I don't
think I've ever seen him fly off
the handle quite like that before.
He's better known for his incessant
passive-aggressive whinging.
Miserable mudder either way.
L
This is wrong. K isn't like that at
all. I've known him my whole life,
and he's always treated me well.
But... I did what he asked of me
and never complained.
The Soldier laughs again.
SOLDIER
Oh, so this is *our* fault? You lot
just love pointing fingers, don't
you? I know *I* would like to point
a certain finger at our dear
Consul, but he might actually have
me imprisoned. Or worse.
She pauses in anticipation of laughter, but L doesn't
react. She carries on, unbothered.
SOLDIER (CONT'D)
So you're new blood, eh? Is this
something you applied for? Sign me
up, I'd do a much better job than
that irascible fussbudget.
L
I... don't think you can do that.
SOLDIER
Come on, then! Spill the beans! You
knew K your "whole life," huh? Are
you destined to be Consul from the
cradle? Is that how it works?
In the background, Colony 6's COMMANDER can be seen
staggering backwards toward the sinkhole. K is advancing
toward him and impelling him to back away -- the Consul has
quite a few inches on the Commander, but his true power
lies in his very presence.
L senses the impending drama and can't help but stare.
L
(distracted)
Um...
The Soldier follows his line of sight and joins him in
watching what's about to go down.
The Commander holds up his hands pleadingly.
COMMANDER
There's no need for this
escalation, Consul. Please! I
already told you I am more than
willing to resolve this
diplomatically! Can't we talk
things over a little more?
The Commander now teeters on the edge of the sinkhole.
K
Nope! There will be NO MORE
negotiation. The only way to
resolve this...
K lifts his leg...
K (CONT'D)
... is by putting you in your
place!
... and boots him into the sinkhole. The Commander wails,
and gasps and exclamations of surprise resound from the
surrounding tents. K pays them no heed. He nonchalantly
dusts off his hands as he turns and begins making his way
around the sinkhole toward L.
SOLDIER
(whispering)
He's coming... Sparks, I can't hide
now.
L
Urk--
K stops and puts his hands on his hips.
K
(to L)
Where were you? You missed out on
an invaluable learning experience.
And just who is this girl you're
consorting with?
L
Um... uhh...
K
We can chat about it on the way
back. If I breathe in any more of
this miasma, I might croak.
L
We're leaving already? But we just
got here.
K begins walking away.
K
My work here is done, so there's no
point in sticking around. What, did
you think Consuls punch the clock?
L tilts his head.
L
Punch... the clock? Like, the Flame
Clock?
K
Hah! It's adorable how little you
know.
L watches as the distance between him and K grows.
L
(to the Soldier)
I should go. Sorry for what
happened, I guess.
He averts his gaze and then shuffles after K.
SOLDIER
(quietly)
What a strange encounter that was.
Who are the Consuls, really...?
She folds her arms across her chest and taps her foot
contemplatively.
The footage stops.
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We return to the live studio audience.
O cackles.
O
You think she ever figured it out?
K
Doubtful. That colony only lasted
another year or so. Needless to
say, no one lived to tell the tale.
(muttering)
That's what you get for calling me
a "neurotic arsewipe."
O
Oh well! There's always next time.
P
(to K)
So much for that little charade of
yours. Gotta say, I'm impressed it
took you that long to break
character.
K
It was merely a faux pas. I'll have
you know that I did not contradict
a single word I said to him.
J
In the moment, L seemed very...
disillusioned. But--spoiler
alert--he ends up toeing the line,
same as anyone else. I found it
peculiar how detached he was during
the harvest of Colony Upsilon, but
I see now that he was merely
fulfilling a contract, as it were.
Showing teeth for the camera, but
not actually smiling.
(softly)
What a shame. His feeble mind could
never begin to imagine my
exultation...
No one says anything for a beat. The silence is broken by P
drumming her fingertips against her seat's armrest.
P
Are you done? I stopped listening a
few words in.
J sighs.
J
Yeah, yeah. Don't mind me...
K
(ignoring them)
We're coming up on a good place to
stop for the day. Let's see if we
can get through this before I get
an earful from V or one of his
cronies.
His Iris lights up, and the footage resumes.
EXT. COLONY 6 - MORNING
L catches up with K, trailing slightly behind him.
K
Ugh, what a mess. Thank Origin any
"contaminants" don't come with you
when you teleport. Otherwise, I'd
never get that stench out of my
armor.
(beat)
See, L? This is why humans make
TERRIBLE subjects. Everything they
touch turns to literal shit!
L hesitates for a beat before responding.
L
But... until yesterday, *I* was a
human. And you must've been human
once, too, right...?
K
(firmly)
Listen. You and I have always been
a cut above the rest. We were
brought up in polite society,
unlike those stinking dogs from the
colonies.
L looks down.
L
The soldiers we talked to... They
seemed nice.
K
Oh, they're lovely until they catch
a whiff of the enemy's blood.
That's all it takes to make the
masks come off. They turn into
monsters right before your eyes and
they won't stop beating down on the
enemy until they've drained every
last spark of life from their
husks. Those scum...
He clenches his fists for a beat, and then lets go.
K (CONT'D)
Well, the day is still young. When
we get back, I'll give X a shout
and see if she can squeeze an
inaugural assembly into her
schedule. Those tend to be over
pretty quick.
L
What's that?
K
It's a special welcoming ceremony
where all of Moebius gets together
to introduce themselves to the
newest member of the team. You
likely bumped into some of the
other Consuls over the course of
your internship, but I can't
imagine any of them would've given
you the time of day.
L
Yeah. Most of them just wanted me
to get out of the way. They didn't
seem very friendly.
K
This is a highly stressful line of
work, as I'm sure you're now aware.
You can't blame them for feeling a
bit crabby some days.
L
(quietly)
I don't know about that...
K's Levnis comes into view.
K
It'll probably be a while before
you're up to the task of overseeing
your own colony. You can expect
more on-the-job training, along
with some professional development
seminars. Don't forget that there's
work to be done "behind the scenes"
as well.
(murmuring)
I should've thought to introduce
you as a "deputy Consul" or
something to that effect.
He sweeps the back of his hand against his forehead with
dramatic flair.
K (CONT'D)
I was just *too overwhelmed* to
think straight!
L doesn't speak until K has finished his performance.
L
So we're coming back?
K
That's the plan. Now, I don't visit
my colony *every day*; commanders
can generally be trusted with
running things on their own.
He coughs.
K (CONT'D)
(bitterly)
... Except when it comes to matters
concerning sanitation, evidently.
(beat)
It's more that I check in every now
and again without prior notice, as
if providing a "surprise
inspection." And of course, if my
assistance is required, the
commander knows how to reach me.
He points at his eye. His Iris's symbol flashes under his
eyelid.
K (CONT'D)
(sheepishly)
... I don't think he ever has,
but... I'm there if he needs me.
(beat)
Speaking of...
He taps into his Iris and holds his hand to his ear in his
signature way.
K
We're ready to return to the
Castle.
CAPTAIN (V.O.)
Already?! It hasn't even been
fifteen minutes! By the time we get
back, we'll have been flying for
nearly twenty hours straight...!
K
(coldly)
Disrespect my authority and you
disrespect the Queen. Now do as I
say and let us on board.
CAPTAIN (V.O.)
Yes... yessir.
(to an unseen First
Officer)
Guess we're gonna have to take
turns sleeping...
The Levnis's door opens and descends into a ramp. K and L
board the craft.
K
(to the Captain)
Ready for take-off.
CAPTAIN (V.O.)
Roger.
K ends the call. The door closes, and the Levnis's engine
starts up.
After a beat, K nudges L.
K
Wanna know something funny? Agnian
Levnises are fully autonomous. All
right, let's split.
He teleports. L teleports as well.
The footage ends.
INT. AMPHITHEATER
We return to the live studio audience one last time.
P sits hunched over with her elbow on her seat's armrest
and her chin propped on her hand.
P
Tch. "Stinking dogs from the
colonies." Way to throw the rest of
us under the Levnis.
J gasps and whimpers.
P sits up abruptly.
P (CONT'D)
(excitedly)
There's one!
O jumps out of his seat and throws his arms up in the air
triumphantly. His Iris is lit up -- he's presumably viewing
an application.
O
Hah! Bing-O!
P -- whose Iris is now activated as well -- kicks the seat
in front of her.
P
Dammit! All I needed was
'accidental death involving a
Fabricator.'
J snaps out of his flashback.
J
Huh? What?
P holds a finger up to her face.
P
(curtly)
Don't worry about it.
D
(to K)
... Sooo we *are* skipping the
assembly, right?
K
I don't see any reason not to. We
were all there.
D dips his head.
D
Good call, 'else *I* would've
skipped.
P
Okay, T.
O perks up.
O
Tea? Mmm, that sounds lovely.
P
No, peabrain. The Consul.
O
"P" brain? *You're* a "P" brain.
I'm an "O" brain.
P
"O" as in "zero," maybe.
K covers his face with his hands and groans.
K
Yeah. I've had enough of this for
one day.
K turns off the projector, and then teleports. One by one,
the others follow. The lights in the theater dim, and the
scene fades to black.
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