Episode 1

SCENE 1

(The Mallrats now consisting of Amber, Trudy, Salene, Jack, Ellie, Ebony, Brady, Baby Bray, Slade, Ruby, Ram, Jay, Lottie, Gel, Sammy, Darryl, May and Lex sit in the old café of the hospital. It's the only room that is fully cleaned up and they use it to come together. Ellie starts to cry silently into Jack's shoulder as they eat their breakfast.)

Gel (unkind): What's wrong with you?

(Ellie just sobs a little harder and Jack throws her a dirty look.)

Trudy (softly): What's the matter, Ellie? We survived and we're save.

Jack: It's Alice...

Ellie (cuts him off): I'll never see her again now. She's probably already dead.

(Jack hugs her close and Trudy, who's sitting on the other side of her pats her arm sympathetically. Sad looks on some of the faces although Ram, Ebony and Slade couldn't care less.)

Amber: We've all lost someone and probably the hope of seeing them again.

Trudy: You're not helping, Amber.

Jay: Trust me, Ellie, if I say I know your pain. I had hoped to see my brother again, too. It's devastating, but we have to look ahead.

Lex: Who says Alice was still in the city? For all we know the Technos could have brought her about anywhere. It's not likely they kept their prisoners in the city.

May: You're just saying that because you want to believe Tai-San is still alive.

Lex (heated): Shut it, May!

Ram: Lex is right though. We send them to work for us in the mines and where else we could use them.

Amber: What mines?

Ram: I don't know.

Lex: How can you not know?

Ram (shrugs): I didn't care. Mega took care of that.

Lex (shouts): MEGA! He's freaking dead now!

(Slade jumps up now and faces Lex angrily.)

Slade: He gave his life for us, so don't you dare talking bad about him.

Lex: Yeah well... He could've kept it as long as he would've told me where the freaking mines are.

Slade: Fuck you!

(He tries to hit Lex, but Jay intervenes and Lex storms out of the café. A little while later Ebony, Slade and Ram leave, too.)

May (dry): Well isn't this a nice breakfast.

Amber: I'm sure once we're all sorted out, it'll liven up. We have to let some time pass.

(Her words are underlined by Ellie's sobs, making them sound like a lie.)

SCENE 2

(Ram, Slade and Ebony sit in Slade and Ebony's new room. Except for a bed and a dresser it's still completely empty.)

Ebony: About those mines...

(Both boys shoot her a dark look)

Ebony: Don't look at me like that! I want to know if Mega has ever mentioned anything about them.

Ram (snide): If so, wouldn't we have said something to Lex?

Ebony: I don't know, would you?

Ram: What is it to you anyway? Did the Technos take one of you friends, too?

Ebony (brisk): I'm just curious.

Slade: Well, if someone knows anything it's either Ram or Jay. I haven't talked to Mega about this stuff.

Ram (teasingly): And once again you're useless.

Slade (grins): Useless, I think that's your part.

Ebony: Enough of this! Ram, do you know anything about the mines?

Ram: Even if I did, why should I tell you and not them?

Ebony: I'm the girl of your best mate.

Ram (laughs): As long as you're not my girl that doesn't mean a thing.

Slade (frowns): Up until now I had forgotten you two were married once.

Ebony (brisk): Don't talk about it.

Ram: Yeah, let's forget about that.

Slade (amused): Bad topic, huh?

(Ebony lightly pulls his hair and brings his face to hers.)

Ebony: Forget it, will you? (she kisses him)

Slade: It's practically erased.

Ebony: Great.

(Ram clears his throat to get their attention again.)

Ram: Well the reason why I didn't tell Lex is that I know for sure Tai-San won't be at the mines. She got deleted by Mega that's something completely different. Ellie's sister could be at the mines though or...

Slade: Or what?

Ram: Or we sold her to slavetraders.

Ebony: You'd better not mention that part around here.

Ram: I didn't plan on that.

SCENE 3

(The city is shown, we're outside an old cinema. The doors swing open and we enter the darkness. The curtains in front of the big screen are dark blue with small bright stars on them, a group of people in darkblue robes are sitting in a circle in front of it.)

Camille: With the Technos gone what evil is yet to come?

Cloud: The stars are still not shining bright, something is still wrong. Someone among us in the city will strike, I'm sure

Tilly: Who?

Cloud: We're not supposed to know, when the time has come the stars will tell us.

Camille: So we have to be cautious.

Cloud: Yes, we wouldn't want to lose one of our own.

Jasper: So we stand together as a group.

Cloud (nods): Let's join hands.

(The circle join hands and start to meditate.)

SCENE 4

(Outside the hospital stands a girl in black clothes, dark hair and dark feathers in her hair. She watches the building a while and then slowly starts to walk up to it. She enters the hospital through the café and just waits for someone to notice her. The café is empty though so she starts to kick a chair over to make some noise. Shortly afterwards Lex, Jay and Amber come running up to her. She smirks.)

Crow: Well, hello there.

Lex (snaps): Who are you?

Amber (harsh): What do you want?

Crow: What a heartwarming Welcome.

Lex: You're not welcome.

Crow: Gee, thanks big guy. I'm Crow. My tribe lives out in the outskirts of the woods.

Amber: What tribe?

Crow: The Harpies. You have no idea about who is who, do you?

Jay: Not yet.

(Crow picks up the chair she kicked over and sits down, waiting for the others to do the same. Slowly the Mallrats follow suit.)

Amber: So I repeat, what do you want?

Jay: I hope you haven't come just to make fun of us.

Crow (smirks): As amusing as that would be, I'm not. My tribe leader Kestrel heard there was a new tribe in town and sent me to find out more about you.

Lex: And so you just come in here for a nice chat?

Crow (laughs): I'm not stupid. I came in here after watching you for the past two days and deciding you are no harm to me.

Lex (angrily): You've spied on us?

Crow: Of course I did. For all I knew you could have been dirty cannibals or something.

Amber (laughs): Well, we're not. Crow, would you mind telling us something about this town?

Crow: I'll share what information I am allowed to share, but I need some answers in return.

Jay: We'll answer as good as we can.

Crow: Good, let's start with my questions.

Lex: Why?
Crow: Because!

Amber: Lex, just let her talk, will you?

(Lex crosses his arms, but remains silent.)

Crow: For starters I'd like to know who you are.

Jay (smiles): We're the Mallrats. I'm Jay.

Amber: I'm Amber and I'm the leader of this tribe. The grumpy one is Lex (points at him)

Crow: And where have you come from? How big is your tribe?

Amber: We're from a city over on the other island. The head quarters of the Technos was located there, but after one of the machines got a mind of its own, it released a new version of the Virus. We managed to get out of there just in time. We're 16 right now with two little children.

Crow: And you want to stay for good?

Jay: Yes, is that a problem?

Crow: Not for us. We just like to know who we are dealing with. The Harpies don't come into the city much any way.

Amber: Do you have any more questions?

Crow: No, I don't think so. So about the other tribes in the city. There are actually just two other big tribes. There are the Consilium in the school and the library, they're easy to get along with as long as you don't treat intelligence and education bad. The others are the Astros. They live in the old cinema, but they're completely nuts. So we actually live in peace and harmony here since the Technos are gone.

Lex: Do you know of any Techno camps? Mines or something?

(Crow tilts her head from side to side.)

Crow: Well there were two camps I know of, but they are deserted now. Everyone left as soon as the Technos left.

Lex: Where?

Crow (smirks): Missing someone?

Amber: Crow, please don't mess with him. We've lost quite a few of our friends to these camps.

Crow: That doesn't speak for a great tribe. For one there are the mines which you apparently already know of and I can't tell you about the other one.

Jay: Why not?

Crow: Kestrel doesn't want me to.

Lex: So who cares? She isn't here, is she?

Crow: It doesn't matter. The camp is empty, I've been there myself.

Jay: Then we can have a look for ourselves.

Crow (shakes her head): No. It's dangerous. No one is supposed to go there.

Lex: We can decide that for ourselves.

(Crow gets up and moves quickly to the door.)

Crow: You will have to find out where it is for yourselves, too, then.

(She leaves.)

SCENE 5

(Ebony is alone in her and Slade's room braiding her hair, when Ruby enters and closes the door behind her. She stands there watching the other woman for a while.)

Ebony (looks up): Just spill the beans, Ruby.

Ruby: I remember it.

Ebony: Congrats. What do you remember?

Ruby: It was no accident. You pushed me in front of the truck.

(Ebony goes pale and turns to face her. Ruby looks at her with disgust.)

Ebony: I'm sorry, I really am.

Ruby (laughs): Really? You're only sorry it didn't kill me.

Ebony: No. I just... the baby.

Ruby: You're pathetic, Ebony.

Ebony (furious): Well, who would believe you anyway? It's your word against mine.

Ruby: Yes, but who is more trustworthy? You have the perfect motif to do it.

Ebony: Why haven't you told them yet?

Ruby: It's easier to keep you at bay.

Ebony (suspicious): What do you want?

Ruby (bluntly): Slade.

(They stare at each other in silence. Then Ebony returns to braiding her hair.)

Ebony: Forget it.

Ruby: We'll see how much he loves you when I've told him.

Ebony: You keep you mouth shut, missy! Or next time I'll make sure you die.

Ruby (laughs): We'll see about that. I'll give you some time to think about it.

(Ruby leaves. Ebony looks devastated now.)

SCENE 6

(Jay and Amber's room resembles a bedroom much more than the one of Ebony and Slade. In a little cot Bray Jr. sleeps soundless as the pair lays in bed talking quietly.)

Amber (cont.): We also have to ask around. Not only for the camps but the people we're looking for. Alice, Tai-San, KC, Cloe, Ved...

Jay: Bray.

Amber: Yes, Bray, too.

Jay: What happens when he's still alive.

Amber: Then we have to find him.

Jay: I meant with us, Amber.

Amber: I know.

(She looks away and he has to force her to look at him.)

Jay: I love you and I don't want to lose you, but I don't want you to string me along.

Amber: I love you, too. I really don't know.

Jay: Please just tell me when your feelings change. I don't want to be the last to know.

Amber: I don't want to hurt you, Jay.

Jay: I guess that's inevitable.

(Tears form in her eyes as she strokes his cheek. He kisses her softly on the forehead.)

Jay: This feels awful. It's like our time is running out.

Amber: I.. I don't...

Jay: Amber, it's okay. Just tell me if you still love him.

Amber: I don't know.

Jay: I think you do.

Amber: Jay...

(He shakes his head and gets up. He lingers in the door and looks at her.)

Jay: I have to think about this.

Amber: I love you.

(He leaves and Amber starts to cry silently.)

SCENE 7

(Trudy and Salene sit in the café drinking a glass of water.)

Trudy: Do you think this is really an option?

Salene: What?

Trudy: Finding the ones we've lost?

Salene: I don't know. It would just be nice to know Cloe and Patsy aren't dead like we thought

Trudy (smiles): You've always been so great with the two of them.

Salene: They were like sisters to me.

Trudy: I just wish Bray would return. He's Brady's uncle and I always felt so safe with him around.

Salene: This makes me sad. Talking about all our missing tribe members. We're probably not seeing them again. It's been over a year for most of them.

Trudy: Don't you want to believe?

Salene: I do, but it's just too painful.

Trudy: Salene...

Salene (heated): No! Trudy, no! Don't give me all these ideas. I've cried enough for all of them. I don't want to lose them all over again.

Trudy: I'm sorry. It's just...

Salene: I know you want to believe it, but I just can't.

(She gets up and leaves.)

SCENE 8

(A beach with cages full of people. In one of them we spot KC and Alice slumped against the cage and looking tired. KC watches the Guardian both concerned and disgusted.)

KC (mutters): I had really hoped he was dead.

(Alice's eyes flutter open. They're bloodshot and her hair is a mess.)

Alice: Who?

KC: The Guardian. He's bonkers.

Alice: That's typical for vermin. They're hard to come by.

KC (groans): What do you think, they'll do with me, if I strangle him?

Alice: KC, don't!

KC: Why? He deserves it.

Alice: Yes, he does, but I don't want my friend to become a murderer. Also I don't think they will be pleased with you.

(Outside the cages some men are walking up and down, making sure their prisoners behave. Some of them hand out bottles of water, others are smoking or just talking to each other.)

KC: When do you think, they'll sell us?

Alice: I don't know. All I know is that we have to keep together and try to make a run for it.

KC (sarcastically): We have great chances.

Alice: I know, but we have to try. I'm not going to be a slave for anyone.

KC: How did they get you any ways? You were the last person I'd expected to see here.

(Alice groans and shifts around to look KC straight in the eye)

Alice: They're fucking bastards, that's why. I had just escaped the mines and was resting at the beach, when someone hit me over the head. Never got an actual fight. They are just a bunch of losers.

KC (whispers): So about making a run for it. How do you want to do it? There are about twenty men out there.

Alice: I haven't thought it through yet, but maybe if we get the others involved. When all of us turn on them, they won't know what hit them.

(KC looks at the other captives and raises an eyebrow.)

KC: Do you think we can trust them?

Alice (shrugs): Do you have a better idea?

KC (smirks): Actually I have...

(The two begin to whisper and stick their heads together for a long time. Once a guard pokes them with a stick, but they continue planning when he's gone.)

SCENE 9

(Darryl stands in front of a door in a dark corridor in the hospital. He hesitates before knocking.)

Ruby (from inside): Come in.

(Darryl runs a hand through his hair and enters. In the room Ruby and Lottie sit on the bed playing cards. They both look surprised by their guest.)

Darryl: Hey, I just wanted to check on you.

Ruby: Why?

Lottie: Because you got hit by a truck. Even I know that.

Darryl: Right. So how are you?

(Ruby smiles and pats a spot next to her on the bed.)

Ruby: It's nice of you to check on me, but I'm fine. I have Lottie to keep me company.

Lottie: And if I leave there's always Ram or Slade (snickers)

Ruby (shoots her a look): They're just friends. Like Darryl they check up on my because we're close.

Lottie: Yeah, because that's the only reason Darryl is here.

(The boy's face turns deep red, making Lottie laugh even harder. Ruby smiles, but hits her friend lightly on the back of her head.)

Ruby: I should teach you some manners. The poor guy doesn't even know what to say.

Darryl: It's okay. She's just a kid.

(Lottie looks at him gloomy and sticks her tongue out at him.)

Lottie: Am not!

Darryl (inconsiderate): 'Course you are.

Ruby (rolls her eyes): Guys...

Lottie: But he-...

Ruby (cuts her off): Darryl, you have to understand her point. If anything Lottie is only a few years younger than you. Brady and Bray are kids, but in this world Lottie sure is not.

(Darryl thinks about it for a while then nods.)

Darryl: I guess you're right. Sorry, Lottie.

Lottie (stiff): Never mind, I guess.

(Darryl ruffles her hair and laughs.)

Darryl: Come on, lighten up.

(Lottie tries to bite his hand, but doesn't succeed.)

Lottie: Stop that! Geez... I guess I'll let you check up on Ruby now.

(She winks at her friend and leaves the room. An awkward silence is between Ruby and Darryl and she starts to put away the cards.)

Ruby: Sometimes I wonder what's going on in her head.

Darryl: What do you mean?

Ruby (laughs a little): The boy talk.

Darryl: Well you are a pretty girl so...

Ruby: That doesn't mean everyone is swooning over me and it sure as hell doesn't mean I have my way with all of the guys.

Darryl: That's not what I meant. Lottie doesn't mean that either, I think. She just thinks it's funny.

Ruby: I don't know.

(Darryl gets up and smiles at her.)

Darryl: But I do. She doesn't mean anything by it. Now come on, do you want to go for a walk?

Ruby (smiles): Yeah, why not.

(They leave the room.)

SCENE 10

(Jack and Ellie are going around town chatting to some people. Ellie has a picture of Alice in her hand. She looks determined, but lets out a long sigh as she takes Jack's hand.)

Ellie: I don't think anyone has seen her, Jack.

Jack: Don't worry. Alice is quite a woman, somebody has to have seen her.

Ellie (smiles): She's kinda hard to forget, isn't she?

Jack: Exactly. You shouldn't give up hope just yet. If Alice is our there somewhere, she'll probably try to get back to you, too.

Ellie: You're right. She wouldn't just leave me.

Jack (grins): Of course I'm right.

(Ellie rolls her eyes, but kisses him on the cheek.)

Ellie: Don't let that get to your head.

Jack: Wouldn't dream of it.

(He leans in and kisses her softly on the lips, then he pulls her along to ask some people in darkblue robes about Alice.)

SCENE 11

(In another part of the town right in front of the school two big guards are positioned. A tall but lanky guy walks up to him. His blonde hair is messy and he has a cold look about him although he's smiling.)

Kaelem: So how is it going?

Jim: Most of the town's kids are here at least a part of the day.

Kaelem: What about the kids from the other tribes?

Jim: Well as we expected none from the Harpies and the Astros, but a few from the smaller tribes.

Kaelem: Mhm...I wonder how we can reach them.

Liam: Why is it so important?

Kaelem (smiles): We don't want the new generation to be stupid as cows, do we? I'm not sure, they're taking up education as something important. Well, maybe the Astros do, but I rather not know their way of education.

(The three guys chuckle then return to straight faces.)

Kaelem: I'm going out for a while. Keep the children safe and don't let any unauthorized people in. I don't want strangers in the school, when I'm out.

(The guards nod and Kaelem walks off.)

SCENE 12

(Out in the outskirts of the woods, where the city meets the trees there is an amazing labyrinth of tree houses. It looks almost like a city. Down on a clearing there is a fireplace and a couple of girls sit around is preparing a meal. Crow appears between the trees and sits next to a tall blonde girl with a stern look.)

Kestrel: You're back.

Crow (sarcastically): Obvious, isn't it?

Kestrel: Tell me about the tribe, Crow.

Crow: They're called the Mallrats, their leader is a girl called Amber. They're not dangerous, more the family kind of tribe just bigger than others. They were very curious about the Technos' working camps as they lost a few of their friends.

Kestrel: Did you tell them?

Crow (shakes her head): Of course not.

Kestrel: Good, I wouldn't any strangers wandering around in the mines or the warehouses.

Crow: Me neither.

Kestrel: We're going to have a problem if they found out about the warehouses and you know very well what happened to the mines.

(Crow shudders and nods slowly.)

Kestrel: That's no place for anyone. It's a freaking graveyard.

Crow: Sometimes I wonder how many people were buried in the mines, when they collapsed.

(Kestrel shrugs and brushes the topic of.)

SCENE 13

(In the city Sammy and Gel are moving around the same way Jack and Ellie did. They have pictures of Cloe and Patsy in their hands, whom they never even met. Gel looks at the picture of Cloe in her hand.)

Gel: Her hair looks just awful. Why has no one ever told her, how hideous it looked?

Sammy: Gel, that's not what it's about.

Gel: Really? Maybe she ran away because she was ugly.

Sammy: You shouldn't talk like that. What if we find her?

Gel (laughs): That's ridiculous. No one of them will ever turn up again. They're probably all dead.

Sammy (frowns): Sometimes you're just awful!

(He leaves her side and shows some girls the picture of Patsy. They shake their head and he moves on.)

Gel: Sammy, wait!

(She runs to catch up with him and links arms with him. He shoots her a look, but doesn't pull his arm away.)

Gel: I didn't know you had the hots for her.

Sammy: Shut up! I'm doing this for the others.

Gel: Wouldn't it be easier to just ask for the camps?

Sammy: If that's so easy, go on then.

(She winks at him and walks up to a guy twice her size. She bats her eyes a little and gives him a sweet smile.)

Gel: Hello there big fella.

Guy: Uhm hi?

Gel: I'm Gel. I'm looking for my friend here (shows him the picture of Cloe) She got taken away by the Technos. Do you know of any camps?

Guy: I'm so sorry.

(Gel fakes some tears and takes his hand.)

Gel (sniffles): It's okay. I just wish to see her or at least the place she was last. You know to say goodbye properly.

Guy (nods): I understand. (hesitates then lowers his voice) There are the mines down at the cliffs, but they collapsed so don't get your hopes up.

Gel: Just the mines?

Guy: I just know of them, but there were more camps.

(Gel nods and brushes the tears away.)

Gel (smiles): Thanks.

(She returns to Sammy with a triumphant smile while the guy looks after her with hungry eyes.)

Gel: See, it's that easy!

Sammy: I still don't think the information will help at all.

Gel: You just don't like to lose.

SCENE 14

(Ebony is sitting in her room by herself starring blankly at the walls.)

Ebony VO: What do you want?

Ruby VO: Slade.

(She buries her face in her hands and sighs deeply.)

Ruby VO: We'll see how much he loves you when I've told him.

(Ebony screams in anger and throws a pillow at the wall in front of her.)

SCENE 15

(Amber sits in her room feeding Baby Bray. She smiles down at her son, but her look saddens.)

Amber: Do you like uncle Jay? You do, don't you? Mommy does, too.

(She looks into the distance then down on her son again.)

Amber: But I miss Daddy, too. It would hurt Jay if I looked for him, but... You deserve to know your father. I can't take that from you because of Jay.

(Bray gurgles and she smiles again as she strokes his tiny head.)

Amber: I'll look for him. I have to.

SCENE 16

(Darkness has fallen over the camp of the slavetraders and most of the captives and the guards are asleep. Only a few are keeping watch. Alice pretends to be sleeping near the door of the cage, while KC sits opposite her with an unfamiliar girl. She has short brown hair, is very pale and has a tiny frame. She starts coughing and grips her throat. KC looks at her worriedly. He hits her lightly on the back, but the girl's cough gets even worse and her eyes roll into the back of her head just as a guard is passing. KC grabs his arm through the cage and motions to the girl.)

KC (hurriedly): She needs help. I think she's choking.

(The guard looks at him for a while then at the girl. She breathes heavily, before coughing again. He shakes his head and runs for the door of the cage. KC has crawled towards the girl now and waits for the guard to enter.)

KC: Her pulse is very low.

(The guard opens the door and runs to the girl, without locking the door behind him. Right at this moment Alice kicks him in the back so he tumbles over. KC hits him hard in the face so he blacks out. He helps the girl up and the three escape the cage. They run as fast as they can and the few guards following them are soon not to be seen in the darkness. Breathless they fall into the sand.)

KC: Kayla... that... was... am-...azing.

Kayla (smiles): Thanks...

Alice: We... have to... get going.

(They rest for a few more minutes before getting up and heading away from the slave traders not knowing where they're going.)

SCENE 17

(Salene is in her room making it a little more homey, when someone knocks on her door. She turns around to see May popping her head in.)

May: Is it a bad time?

Salene (smiles): Not at all, come on in.

(May closes the door behind her and sits down on Salene's bed. Time passes as she watches Salene decorating her room, but then the red haired woman turns around.)

Salene: So you're just going to sit there?

May: No, I actually had something to talk to you about.

(Salene raises an eyebrow and sits down next to her friend.)

Salene: What is it? Tell me.

May (hesitates): The kiss. Our kiss.

(Salene's smile fades and May looks down at her hands.)

May: It's never been the right time to talk about it with all the things going on in the city.

Salene: Why do you think this is a better time?

May: I don't know. I just can't ignore it any more. Salene... I...

(She takes one of Salene's hands in hers and smiles weekly at her. In her eyes are hope and fright. Salene looks away and pulls her hand away.)

Salene: May, I'm so sorry, but... This is not going to work. We're not going to work. I really like you, but I don't love you.

(May starts crying and makes a run for the door. Salene grabs her by the hand and turns her around.)

Salene: You're my best friend, May. I don't want to lose you.

May (muffled): I... can't.

(She breaks free and slams the door after her. Salene sits down on her bed and slowly tears are forming in her eyes as well.)

SCENE 18

(Inside the school in a small classroom about twenty children the ages of six to thirteen. A young woman with three long black braids stands at the front of the class, pointing at some cards.)

Dima: This is New Zealand which is, where we are. As you can see it's divided into two main islands.

(A boy with bright green hair raises a hand.)

Kian: So where exactly do we live, Dima?

Dima (smiles and points at a the east coast of the north island): Right here, Kian.

(Another boy raises his hand.)

Tony: And what's that big blop there?

Dima (points at Australia): This? It's Australia.

Kian: Isn't that where the Virus came from?

Dima: No. Where did you hear that? The Virus came from the southern island of New Zealand.

Kian (shrugs): Some guy told me, when the Technos came.

(One of the younger girls raises her hand.)

Becky: Why did the Technos leave?

Dima: We haven't found out about that yet, Becky. Their leader probably died.

Kian: Why didn't they just get a new one.

Dima: Maybe all of their top dogs got erased.

Becky: What do you mean with erased?

Tony: She means killed.

Kian: Well isn't that unlikely? Who could mysteriously have killed them all and freed everyone?

(Dima is about to answer...)

SCENE 19

(Brady is walking on her small legs down the corridor, giggling and brabbeling to herself. Out of one of the doors Ram enters the corridor, when he lays eyes on Brady he stops and looks confused. He kneels down and motions for her to come to him.)

Ram: What are you doing out here all by yourself? Won't your Mommy be concerned?

Brady: Na!

(She hits the air with her little fist and runs into Ram. He holds her awkwardly and picks her up then.)

Ram: Well this is weird. I've never been the baby kind of guy.

(Brady squeals with joy and slams her hands against his cheeks.)

Ram (mutters): Now I know why. Hey, stop that little gnome. Stop!

(Brady laughs and proceeds.)

Ram: Oh well then. Let's get you back where you belong.

(He throws her over his back and only holds her at her ankles. Brady squeals all the way to Trudy's room and keeps hitting Ram on the back. Ram opens the door without knocking.)

Ram: I've found your little devil...

(No one's in the room and he goes to the café.)

Ram: She probably left you out there because you're so terrible.

(He walks off with Brady still on his back.)

SCENE 20

(Lex sits in his room looking at a picture of Tai-San.)

Lex: I've got to find you. I know you're still alive.

(He gently strokes the picture and hides it under his pillow, when he hears footsteps. Shortly after Gel bursts into the room and Sammy stays at the door. Lex gives them both a confused and moody look.)

Gel (shouts): Lex! You're going to love me.

Lex: Don't I have a say in this?

Gel (confused): What? Oh doesn't matter! I found out where the mines are.

Sammy (coughs): Rather sold yourself out for it.

(Lex frowns at him, but Gel just shrugs and continues talking.)

Gel: Don't listen to him. He's just pissed because he lost. Well, about the mines. This guy said they were down at the cliffs.

Sammy: He also said they collapsed and not to get your hopes up. If anyone was in there, they're probably dead.

Lex (hisses): So you're bringing me the news that Tai-San is dead and expect me to be grateful?

Gel (taken aback): No...no! He also mentioned other camps, but couldn't tell me where they are. You could at least go down and take a look for yourself.

Lex: Just go away, will you?

(Sammy and Gel shoot him dirty looks.)

Sammy (muttering): Someone doesn't know how to say thank you.

Gel: I'm not doing anything for you ever again. Just so you know that.

(She slams the door, but Lex just shrugs it off and gazes into space.)

SCENE 21

(Back in the woods the Harpies have gathered for their meal. Crow sits next to Kestrel and eats like a wild animal, while the other girls eat slower and more gracious.)

Sparrow: So this new tribe... is it any good?

Kestrel: We don't know for sure.

Crow (with food in her mouth): Fome of fem 'ot a bad pemper

Sparrow: What?

Dove: Some of them got a bad temper.

Sparrow: Did you meet all of them?

(Crow just shakes her head.)

Sparrow: Too bad, I wouldn't mind some cute guys.

Kestrel: You're not going into the city any ways, Sparrow.

Sparrow: That's so unfair.

Crow: Deal with it.

Sparrow: You've got to talk. You're going all the time.

Kestrel: And taking the risk for all of us.

Vulture: Since when are we so scared? I thought we were called the Harpies for a reason.

Kestrel: Watch your mouth, Vulture! I decided this for the good of the tribe.

Sparrow: Yeah, but the Technos are gone. There's nothing left to fear.

Kestrel: We don't know that.

Vulture: Then tell us, Crow?

Crow (swallows): As far as I can see, it has never been more peaceful.

(Kestrel shoots her a warning look and she starts eating again.)

Vulture: See.

Kestrel: The Technos may be gone, but we've always been an unwanted tribe. The Astros have called us witches and even took Crow for the good of the town.

Vulture: That was a long time ago and nothing happened to her.

Dove: But there could have. Why should we take chances?

Kestrel: Well, I've been thinking about an alliance with the new tribe. The Mallrats.

Vulture: What for?

Crow: Yeah, what for? They look like a bunch of losers to me.

Kestrel: I don't trust the Astros with their predictions. They sound to much like the Chosen to me. With some good alliances we could hold them at bay.

Sparrow: What about the Consilium?

Dove (shakes her head): They're far too liberal.

Crow: So I guess, I'll visit them again?

Kestrel (nods): But they have to sort their things out first.

SCENE 22

(Slade walks into the room he shares with Ebony just to find her laying on bed and staring at the ceiling. She looks at him when he enters, but continues staring. He gives her a concerned look at lays down next to her. He gently caresses her collar bone and kisses her neck.)

Slade: What's wrong?

Ebony: Nothing. I'm just bored.

Slade: You could help the others in their search. You seemed so interested in it.

Ebony (smirks): Doesn't mean I want to help them.

Slade: So why did you ask then?

Ebony (shrugs): Just wanted to know if it was possible to stir things up in here.

Slade: How do you mean?

(Ebony pops herself up and looks down at him.)

Ebony: What do you think is going to happen if Bray would come back? Amber and Jay would have no chance to last.

Slade: And about the others?

Ebony (shrugs): I guess they'd just come crawling back or something.

Slade: Well, if you don't want to help. I'd know another thing or two to keep you occupied.

Ebony (smirks): And what is that?

(She leans down and kisses him passionately. Slade's hand roam over her body, before helping her to get rid of her shirt.)

SCENE 23

(Jay sits in the café with Ram and Darryl just talking, when Amber walks in. She has a determined look about her as she approaches them and then looks at Ram and Darryl.)

Amber: Can I have a word alone with Jay?

Ram: Sure, take him away.

Amber: I meant...

Ram (smirks): I know.

(Darryl rolls his eyes and takes the ex-Techno leader with him.)

Darryl: Come on.

(Amber watches them go as she sits down in front of Jay, who looks at her expectantly.)

Jay: You've made your mind up, haven't you?

Amber (nods): Yes. I know it'll hurt you, if I look for Bray. I hope it could be different, but... Bray jr. deserves to know his father. I'm doing it for him.

Jay (sighs): The decision doesn't surprise me. I always knew you would go looking for him.

Amber: It doesn't mean I don't love you.

Jay: Doesn't it?

(She reaches for his hand and he doesn't pull away.)

Amber: No, it doesn't. I love you a lot.

Jay (smiles): Don't say that. Just tell me if you're going back to him, if we find him? I'd rather know it now then be the idiot in the end.

Amber: You'll never be the idiot.

Jay: Just tell me yes or no. Don't say you don't know, because that's just a yes.

Amber (hesitates): No. No, I won't get back together with him.

(Jay smiles, leans in and they share a kiss.)

SCENE 24

(KC, Alice and Kayla have slept through the night at the cliffs. In the background are the collapsed mines.)

Alice: So you said, you were with Bray weeks ago?

KC (nods): Yes, he was looking for Amber and the others. I don't know what happened to him, though. I was sold to the slave traders and he stayed in the camp. Maybe he's still there.

Alice: Maybe he found his way back though. I don't think the camps are still up now that the Technos are gone

KC: You want to go back, too, don't you?

Alice (nods): I have to. I can't leave Ellie. Don't you?

KC: Well, the Mallrats are my only family. Where you go, I go.

(Kayla watches them talk and then pipes in with a soft voice.)

Kayla: You're from the same tribe?

KC (nods): The Mallrats.

Alice: Don't worry, Kayla. You'll be just as welcome as we are.

Kayla (smiles shyly): Are you sure?

KC: Yes, we've always been accepting of new faces.

Alice: How are we getting back to the city, though? We don't have a boat.

Kayla: A boat? There's a city a few miles away from here.

Alice: But we're not from here. We were shipped here.

Kayla: Oh...

(She sinks into thoughts until KC pokes her lightly in the ribs.)

KC: Where are you from?

Kayla: I've been in camps for the past two years. Before that I was with a tribe called the Vade Mecum. We were nomads, so I have no chance of finding them again.

Alice: I'm sorry, but you can stay with us.

Kayla: Thanks. I'm also grateful you helped me escape.

KC: Thank yourself. We couldn't have done it without you.

Kayla: But you had Alice.

Alice (snorts): And who would've believed me? No way... we needed a younger and more delicate girl.

(They laugh as KC repeats their escape again.)

Alice: I'd say we go to the city then and try to figure something out to get back to the Mall. Anyone against that?

KC: Nope, that's fine with me.

Kayla: Where you go, I'll go.(grins)

KC: You're already stealing my lines, I don't know if I like that (laughs)

SCENE 25

(Crow sits on the platform of one the tree houses and watches the sun rising. In her hands she holds on of the black feathers she also wears in her hair.)

FLASH BACK

(Crow and Kestrel stand in front of the mines before they collapsed. There are only a few Techno Guards and they don't see them as they're overseeing the slave's work. The two girls watch on in disgust, but are unable to do something. As a young girl breaks down one of the guards starts to beat her with a stick, Kestrel can't take it any more and starts to run up to the mines. Crow catches her by the arm just before she can hit the guard, but they already caught his attention.)

Crow (mutters): Fuck, Kestrel! Let's go!

Kestrel: No, I want to do something.

Crow: There's nothing you can do. They'll fucking zap you.

(The guard is already nestling with his zapper as he marches towards them, but Kestrel breaks free of Crow and starts running in zigzag lines to the mines. Crow follows her, because she can't let her friend alone now. The guard tries to zap them, but misses, instead he hits the walls and the ceiling of the mines. Rocks and gravel start to fall, but the guard doesn't notice and soon more guards are trying to zap the girls. Shortly after there is a loud thud and the ceiling starts to crumble. The guards make a run for it, most of the slaves do to. Then everything is black.)

FLASHBACK END

(Crow puts the black feather back in her hair and crawls down the rope ladder.)

FLASHBACK

(Crow wakes up again, she's dirty and has a cut on her cheek, but is fine apart from that. She looks back and sees the collapsed mines. Nervously she scans her surroundings and finds Kestrel kneeling next to the girl, who got beat by the guard. As Crow approaches she realizes the girl is dead. Her face hardens and she turns on her heels to check the other bodies. She kneels down next to a young man, who's unconscious. It's Bray. He has a cut on his forehead and blood is running down his face, but he breathes.)

Crow: Can you hear me?

(Bray doesn't answer. Kestrel appears next to Crow and examines him. With a worried look she looks up at her friend.)

Kestrel: He's not going to make it.