Red Sun
Contains strong language
INT. COLOSSEUM BLOODWORKS - MORNING
The sound of hammers on steel and weapons striking various objects fills the air. The distant sound of a CROWD above the set can be heard.
FADE IN to EKSEL, a hulking red-scaled Xerim (LIZARD-LIKE HUMANOID), laying on his bed. He is awake, but resting. There are various primitive WEAPONS on racks along the walls. A straw-like plant covers the stone floor, creating a makeshift carpet. Into the room walks Eksel's manager, HAZMAL, a shorter black-scaled Xerim with half his tail missing. He stands in the doorway, arms crossed and holding a small bundle of papers.
HAZMAL
You're up next. You ready?
EKSEL
As always.
EKSEL sits up and runs his hands over his head, claws scraping against his ivory horns. He stands up and stretches; long and drawn-out. He keeps talking as he starts donning his ARMOR, which is messily strewn in various corners of the room.
EKSEL
What am I against today?
HAZMAL
You don't remember? Honestly Eksel, it wouldn't kill you to be prepared for these fights.
EKSEL scoffs as he tightens a shoulder pauldron.
EKSEL
You talk as if I'm going to lose.
HAZMAL
Even so, you...
Hazmal sighs.
HAZMAL
Never mind. This morning's match is a warm-up. Just you against a single zyboss (MUTANT RHINOCEROS-LIKE ANIMAL), though he's a bit bigger than usual.
EKSEL
Oh, fun. Nasty spines on those things. Fragile underbellies though. Where'd they find it?
HAZMAL
Beats me. Probably a few clicks east of the Grixa tribe would be my guess.
EKSEL
Funny how most of the creatures come from out that way. The Grixa have never been big fans of the colosseum. Buncha stiffs, if you ask me.
HAZMAL
Mm.
HAZMAL licks a claw and flips a page in his bundle.
HAZMAL
Well, it's not like you all from Zexas are much bigger thrill-seekers.
EKSEL
Yeah, I suppose I'm the exception. Not that I really had a choice in the matter.
HAZMAL
Anyway, after that you've got a meal break. But the big show is this afternoon. This one was a crowd request. Got a lot of donations for it, so you better give 'em a show.
EKSEL
Nice. A two-on-one?
HAZMAL looks up from his papers with an expression equivalent to a raised eyebrow. EKSEL'S armor is now fully equipped.
HAZMAL
Try five. Umbrachnids (LARGE MUTANT SPIDERS) from the southern caves.
EKSEL
What the fuck? Who allowed that?
Hazmal folds his papers and puts them in a pouch at his side, looking at Eksel directly now.
HAZMAL
Enough money will persuade anyone to bend the rules. I told you, crowd request. We're talking thousands of donations. You know Xerim from almost every tribe come to see you, right?
EKSEL
Sure, but this is ridiculous! Normal rules are three to one at most. How do they expect me to..?
HAZMAL
Guess you should have done your homework.
HAZMAL turns to leave the room.
HAZMAL
See you at the gate, Eksel.
EKSEL looks down at his right hand. Though the rest of him is fairly heavily armored, his hands and claws are left bare. He curls his hand into a fist, but can't fully stop the shaking.
INT. VANU SPACESHIP COCKPIT - NIGHT
A tall Vanu (BIRD-LIKE HUMANOID) in ragged combat gear, CAPTAIN ALDERO stands next to another Vanu PILOT, who is navigating the ship.
PILOT
Captain, we're approaching star system NX-24B, home of planet Oberon.
ALDERO
Ah, finally. Those Xerim barbarians won't know what hit them.
PILOT
With all due respect, Captain, what do you expect to find there? I've heard that Oberon is nothing but a radioactive wasteland.
ALDERO
Yes, it is. Home now only to the scattered remains of Xerim tribes, and the few other creatures who can survive the harsh environment. However...
ALDERO pauses, briefly typing a few things on a holographic SCREEN, which he waves away before continuing.
ALDERO
Oberon was once a thriving metropolis of wealth, technology, and, most importantly, weapons. The Xerim were smart when it came to war, but not so much when it came to society. Without a stable government or desire for unity, they simply kept fighting. Once they got to the point of discovering FTL travel, it was too late. Some Xerim left, of course, to explore the vast new frontier of space, but the ones that stayed...
ALDERO takes a seat next to the pilot and crosses his legs, watching the approaching ball of fire in the distance as he continues his story.
ALDERO
They destroyed themselves. Blew their entire civilization back to the Stone Age, and almost obliterated their planet in the process. The radiation changed everything on Oberon -- plants dying or mutating, animals twisting into mindless monstrosities. Even the surviving Xerim changed, adapting to the new conditions. They started getting bigger, stronger, more resilient; they needed to be, if they wanted to survive.
PILOT
So you're saying we won't exactly get a warm welcome. I see what you mean by 'barbarians' now.
ALDERO
Yes, indeed. But we're not going there for the Xerim. There must be a veritable credit mine of ancient, advanced weaponry buried in the deserts of Oberon, hidden deep under a forgotten empire. And we're going to make a fortune off of it.
PILOT
Now that's what I like to hear.
ALDERO stands up and begins walking out of the cockpit.
ALDERO
I'm going to prep the rest of the crew for landing. Bring us down.
PILOT
Affirmative, captain.
The ship begins to visibly descend after Aldero leaves the cockpit. A few moments later, his voice is heard on an intercom system.
ALDERO (V.O)
This is Captain Aldero, addressing all crew members. We are preparing our descent to planet Oberon; initiate all landing procedures. Keep the main power on in case we need a quick retreat. Remember your missions, and don't hesitate to kill any Xerim that get in your way. Aldero out.
ZOOM OUT to show the ship's exterior as it approaches the planet.
INT. COLOSSEUM BLOODWORKS - AFTERNOON
EKSEL is standing before the gate to the pit. The cheers of the crowd are louder and more defined now. He rolls his neck, creating an audible cracking sound, then echoes the sound with his knuckles. HAZMAL is beside him, and winces at the sound.
HAZMAL
Wish you wouldn't do that.
EKSEL
Well, it's probably the last time you'll ever have to hear it.
Eksel rolls his shoulders, his armor clinking against itself.
HAZMAL
Look, I know you're nervous, but just play it safe. You'll pull through like always.
EKSEL
Safe isn't what the crowd wants, remember?
HAZMAL
The crowd wants to see you beat the shit out of five umbrachnids and live to boast about it. How you pull it off doesn't matter.
With those words, HAZMAL eyes EKSEL'S hands suspiciously, then shakes his head.
HAZMAL
You sure you don't want a weapon? I mean, I know it's you, but...
EKSEL
It'll only get in the way.
EKSEL raises his right hand, palm forward, then turns it towards himself and curls it into a fist.
EKSEL
These are the only weapons I need. I don't trust anything but my own strength.
HAZMAL
Well, I suppose it's gotten you this far.
The heat coming from outside is nearly visible in waves. The gate is raised up, shining a blinding light Into the bloodworks.
EKSEL
Whatever happens, Hazmal, you've been a great manager. And an even better friend. Thank you.
HAZMAL looks down sadly, but puts a hand on EKSEL'S shoulder.
HAZMAL
Good luck out there, big guy. Try not to die.
Eksel turns toward the gate and takes a step.
HAZMAL
Break a leg, Eksel! Literally. The less legs on those bastards, the better.
EKSEL smiles, then walks through the gate into...
EXT. COLOSSEUM FIGHT PIT - AFTERNOON
The blazing hot sun fills the arena as EKSEL walks towards the center. He is still nervous, but his charisma begins to return as the roar of the crowd fills him with determination and adrenaline. From the safety of the announcer box above and behind him, YISOND SKRALL keeps the energy up with his telling (albeit faked) accent.
YISOND
Ladiesss and gentlemen of all tribesss and creedsss! We have a very ssspecial match coming up! Our fan favourite, Eksssel -- up againsst not one, not two, but FIVE umbrachnidsss!
The cheers and roars get louder and more intense the more YISOND talks.
YISOND
Will he emerge victoriousss? Can he withsstand the assssault from all ssidesss? Place! Your! Betssss!
With those final words, the gate on the far side of the pit opens, and the swarm of umbrachnids spill out, skittering towards EKSEL. There are audible gasps from the crowd, but the cheering continues.
EKSEL'S might is fearsome as he combats the assault. He punches and kicks and whips the umbrachnids with his tail, never letting them get the jump on him. He tears them apart, limb by spidery limb; his own spilled blood only serving to amplify his battle rage. The crowd begins chanting his name as they realize he might actually pull this off.
YISOND
My word! The absssolute madman! Lookss like sssome of you are going to be eating well tonight!
After continuing his fatal frenzy for a few more minutes, Eksel's foes finally lay dead at his feet. The crowd is silent for a pregnant pause.
Then they erupt into applause and cheer.
EKSEL is holding his left arm, and collapses to his knees.
YISOND
We have a winner! Ekssel pullsss through! Hazmal, you may collect your champion.
HAZMAL hastily runs through the gate and picks EKSEL up, supporting his weight.
HAZMAL
I knew you could do it, man. Let's get you cleaned up.
Before they can get back into the bloodworks, a violent rumbling wracks the colosseum. The crowd falls silent, then turns to panic as the shadow of a massive alien spaceship covers the area. It descends quickly, then lands with great force inside the pit, directly in front of EKSEL and HAZMAL. The bottom opens into a metal staircase, and a line of Vanu soldiers walk out, Captain ALDERO among them.
ALDERO
Savages of Oberon! We come with a warning. Stay out of our way while we excavate your planet, and none of you shall be harmed!
EKSEL
...Excavate?
ALDERO
Oh yes, this place was once home to a great many valuable things. Not that you'd understand that, pit fighter.
HAZMAL
We are more aware of our history than any outsider could ever hope to understand. You are unwelcome here.
Aldero makes a hand signal; the soldiers draw their guns.
ALDERO
Did you not understand me, snake? I said we were issuing a warning, not asking for permission.
EKSEL
(Through heavy breaths) The Xerim were almost lost once to the atrocities of that technology. We will never let it back into the wrong hands again!
EKSEL rushes up and grabs ALDERO by the throat. The first shot fires as the screen cuts to black.
END