White Ship
Title is on an otherwise black, empty panel, filled only with the Harmony logo. The first panel, we see a reflection in a large window, the view being of Fourside, broken down, gray and brown, filled with holopanel advertisements. Pull back to reveal a large, empty, dark office. The window is actually the entire back wall. A door opens at the back of the room and a uniformed man walks in.
Guy
General… There's still no sign of Professor Kylen and his daughter.
Scamp (not turning around)
I see… That's unfortunate, but we can't postpone the launch schedule any longer.
Guy
So I guess we have no choice but to put two others in their positions.
Scamp (looks at his watch)
I'll pick the last two replacement candidates.
He turns around.
Scamp
You go escort the flight personnel.
Guy
Understood, General Scamp.
He leaves. Scamp takes his seat at his desk, and a few holopanels activate. He taps on the screen to bring up a list of names with a headshot picture on the side.
Scamp
Search remaining local Health Class A candidates.
The computer says "NONE FOUND"
Scamp (rubs his eyes)
Try Health Class B candidates.
Computer says "217 Matches"
Scamp
Show only two-member households.
Computer says "26 Matches"
Scamp
Randomize.
The computer shows two profiles; a young Flint and his dad.
Scamp
Inform them. If there's no response, try two more times and then choose two different candidates.
"Contacting" appears on the screen. Scamp gets up and goes over to his parrot, resting on a uh, bird resting thing. It gets on his glove. Scamp picks up a suitcase-shaped cage and lowers the bird in.
Scamp
In you go, Myrna…
It squawks as Scamp closes the cage and picks it up. He leaves the room. He walks down a white, sterile hall, and then enters an elevator. As it goes down, he looks over at the holopanel displaying the news, which is full of static and is a bad picture. A city appears to be on fire.
Reporter
I'm still broadcasting from Felville, even though it appears… that I won't be able to leave. As you can
see, the entire town is burning now, and it doesn't seem that any transports are coming to…
The doors open and Scamp leaves before the report continues. He has stepped out into a grand hall with a large Harmony logo statue down below. He steps up to the guardrail and looks down at foyer. Then, we enter a brief flashback. The foyer is now full of people. Scamp is standing behind a podium with large holopanels at his side. Professor Kylen is at his side, as well.
Scamp
Please, forgive us, but you must understand this project's importance and thus its secrecy. Our time
frame puts at only two days until launch, and all candidates have already been chosen and notified.
Please, do not attempt to force your way into the white ship. As we have stated, we have massively
produced and dispensed time machines to most families, preset to a date in the past. Do not stay in this dying world. Give yourself a chance a live.
(crowds are angry)
Flee this world… flee this world…
Back in the present.
Scamp
(Was it wrong not to tell them that their memories will be wiped? It wouldn't of helped their reaction
any…)
Scamp steps out of the building. On the streets, there are soldiers everywhere, and rioting crowds flowing in between immobile cars. Two elite soldiers come up to Scamp.
Soldier
Sir, we're here to escort you.
Scamp
We're going to pick up my son first.
Soldier
Understood, sir.
A small montage follows, showing Scamp enter the train tunnel system. We see some of their world during this. Just as Scamp goes into the tunnel, there's an explosion somewhere, and some loose dirt falls down into the tunnel.
Myrna
Squawk!
Scamp
Calm down, now…
Down below in the empty tunnels, a train is waiting for Scamp. He goes in with the soldiers and the train departs. As he stares out into the blackness of the tunnel, we have some small narration.
Narration
My name is Scamp, and most people see me as the last leader of our dying world. Humanity
and our world are at their breaking point. The atmosphere is deadly, we are out of resources, and we
have no place to run. Except for an entirely different place than anything we know. I oversaw the
construction of a ship capable of breaching the inner chronosphere, where some say a paradise awaits
us. Others say there's nothing there except our death. But I'm willing to give it a shot. There are so many
goodbyes that must be said now, too many I want to think about. I have a painful one myself…
The train pulls into a station, and Scamp steps out. He looks up a sign that reads "Child Care Center." Now we see this place. It's a sterile, white, futuristic environment, and there are still a few children about, although all of them are now with parents. Scamp comes walking in.
Scamp
I didn't expect that there would still be this many here…
He goes up to his son, Edward, who is with his mother.
Ed
It's really happening, isn't it, pop? We're really going on the white ship…
Scamp
That's right.
Ed
You even brought Myrna with you, huh? Well, you know what, I'm glad I'm going! Because I'm way too old for the care center! I'm like the oldest kid here, you know!
Scamp
I'm sorry, Ed, but you know that the schools in Fourside haven't been open in two years. It was better that you stayed here.
Ed
Yeah, yeah… I know.
Scamp and Amy look at one another. She comes up.
Scamp
Amy… I'm still allowed to take you with me, if you want.
Amy
I'm not changing my mind. I'm not coming with you.
Scamp
I see… Then please, please put my mind at rest and go into the past.
Amy
I know that my memory will be erased. I won't even remember you.
Scamp
That doesn't mean that I'll stop loving you. Please, don't have the idea that staying here is some sort
of just cause. You can live and love again. And I want you to.
Amy
This is our world that we've killed. Why should any of us have a second chance?
Scamp
Please, Amy…
Amy
Take good care of our son, okay?
She kneels down and hugs Ed, who has tears in his eyes.
Amy
Be a good boy, Edward.
Ed
(sniff) Okay, Mom… But I don't want to forget you…
Scamp
You won't, Edward. The device is programed so that the loved ones we leave behind will appear to
be… Well, she'll always be in your memories. Amy, will you please run away to the past? For me?
Amy
I'll… I'll think about it. I just wish I could leave this world with my own memories.
Scamp
But we can't… And maybe it's better that way for our people, too. Goodbye, Amy.
They turn and leave as Amy watches. On the way out, Scamp passes by young Nan and her mother.
Scamp
Dorothy, what are you still doing here? You and Nan were chosen—you've got to get to the ship.
Dorothy
I know, General. She just wanted to say goodbye to the others…
Scamp
I understand. But please, hurry.
Dorothy
We'll be there.
Nan
Bye, Eddy.
Scamp and Ed leave, back to the station. On the way there, Ed takes off his medical collar.
Ed
I don't need this stupid thing anymore, right?
Scamp
No.
Ed
Good.
He tosses it into a garbage can, and then they board the train. The next page should start at Fourside park, where the large white ship rests. The park is surrounded by soldiers and a fence, keeping out large crowds. A line has formed leading up to the ship. We close in to see Flint and his dad rush up to the heavily guarded entrance.
Soldier
Hold it!
Buck
We were chosen to replace two no-shows. Last minute thing, apparently.
Other Soldier
Just heard about that, sir.
Soldier
Right. One moment.
He takes out a scanner and scans Buck and then Flint's eyes.
Soldier
You're clear. Go on through and remain orderly.
The two go into the park and are at the end of the line, right behind Nan and her mom. Young Flint peaks out. Hinawa, ahead, notices him and waves. He waves back.
Flint
Hinawa got chosen, too, Dad!
Buck
I'm glad for her and Alec.
A drop ship then comes in and lands. Scamp steps out with a large escort. Flint tugs at his dad's jacket and then points at Scamp. The crowd watches Scamp as he proceeds to a small stage placed at a spot where everyone in line can see him, off to the right. Holopanels on the stage show his face on the screens.
Scamp
Today is a great day for our people. Most see it as a sad day, full of remorse and regret. But in pure
definition, today is still a great day. For all of us. We head into the unknown, while I sincerely wish
that all those many who were not chosen for this specific method of exodus will find a place that they can belong in our less-tainted past. I repeat these words one last time. If you are not coming with us on the white ship, then we have ensured that there are time machines for everyone. And allow me to clear up a rumor: yes, our memories will be rebuilt so that we can safely live in the past, or to wherever the white ship's passengers are headed now.
The crowd outside of the park boos.
If you feel that there is honor in dying with your true memories, then by all means, remain in this world.
But know that we have no other choice. We must protect the entire timeline or face a collapse of all
history. And living with new memories, I feel, is better than not living at all. We have precious little time now. Leder, please come up here for a moment, my friend.
Very tall Leder steps up to the stage. He bends now and opens a small box made of diamond.
Scamp
Is this the device, then? Are you sure that it's ready?
Leder
My research group has taken every precaution, Scamp.
Scamp opens it to reveal the hummingbird egg. He holds in his hand and shows it to the crowd.
Scamp
This is the device of our rebirth; of our second chance. This is no ordinary memory device. Not only
can it create entire, intertwining stories and memories for us, it can also store all of the memories of
every single person, as if creating a recording of time and space itself. This egg will help us forget
about this terrible world. I only hope that we do not repeat the same mistakes over again. And with that,
we will now begin loading the ship. It will, with any luck, be a safe twelve-hour journey. To ensure our
well being, we have divided the ship into two health-based classes. But we will all be together again
on the other side.
Leder boxes up the egg.
Leder
Scamp, the last international shuttle has yet to arrive.
Scamp
I see. How many onboard?
Leder
Just over twenty.
Scamp
(sighing) I can only give them until boarding is complete to—
Soldier
General, I just got a message that that shuttle is now inbound. They're coming here directly.
Scamp
That is certainly a relief.
Leder
Should we greet them personally?
Scamp
Yes, why not?
The shuttle comes in between two buildings, but then suddenly, a rocket fires at it and hits one of its engines.
Soldier
What?! Who fired that?!
Other Soldier
It's coming down!
Cut to the escalator leading to the white ship's door. Everyone stops to watch the shuttle. First in line now is a rather shady looking lady. The shuttle crash-lands, tipping on its side, and digs into the dirt, smoldering and smoking. The side hatch opens and people and soldier pour out. Leder, Scamp and the other soldiers come running up.
Scamp
Is everyone okay? Anyone hurt?
Among the people coming out are a young Pusher and his wife, Jonel and his wife, an 8 year old or so Reggie and his parents, and a nurse carrying a baby, among others.
Pusher
Blast it all! Who gave the crowd fireworks?
Elmore
I believe we were hit by a rocket, dear… The poor jealous people don't want us to go on the ship.
Jonel
Goodness, that wasn't the nicest way to end the trip…
Reggie's Dad
We made it though, right? We're on time and everything.
Scamp
You just made it.
Pusher
Are you General Scamp? You should make sure that the person who fired that rocket is caught and
prosecuted!
Scamp
We are at the eleventh hour here. I believe we can forgo further punishment and pursuit of justice. Please, just get in the line.
Leder
So the shuttle gets shot down… It seems nothing ever goes right, does it?
Scamp
That's one thing you and I both know…
Nurse
Excuse me.
Scamp
Yes? Is there something you need? The flight crew will be glad to assist—
Nurse
No, no. I wasn't chosen. I'm only here to deliver this child.
She hands him baby Kuma, who is wide awake and has just a hint of pink hair.
Nurse
Her parents were wealthy, but were both killed in New Winters. Her name is Kumatora, and I'm sure her
parents would want her taken care of.
Scamp
If her parents were killed… then do we have two more vacancies to fill?
Jonel
My wife and I are were already chosen to replace the baby's parents.
Scamp
I see…
Nurse
Please watch over her.
Scamp
… You're just going to stay here?
Nurse
It's quite all right. As long as I know that baby is safe, my life would've meant something.
Scamp
That's no way to talk.
Nurse
But…
Scamp
Come with me. My wife is staying behind, and I'm still allowed to bring someone.
Nurse
R-really? General Scamp, you'd really take me with you?
Guards (shouting from the fence)
They're pushing through! We can't hold them off any longer!
Soldier
General, we've run out of time. We have to finish boarding and depart or the mission will be in danger.
Scamp
Come on.
Scamp takes the nurse's hand and is rushed off by his escorts. We get a look at soldier rushing the last of the people in line inside, and then shut the door. They stay behind and try to keep the crowds back, but they are literally buried under them. Now we're at the bridge of the ship, where Scamp has just entered with the nurse. Myrna is already on a stand. Scamp takes his seat and brings up the holopanels.
Technician
Systems are all ready, General.
Scamp
Bring everything online.
Throughout the cabin, the lights get brighter and advertisement holopanels suddenly litter the ship. We get a few panels of people reacting and talking to one another about how wrong this seems. Copy and paste the last one of these into a camera that Scamp is looking at.
Scamp (peeved)
Just what is all that?
Technician
The advertisements, sir. Don't forget that this project couldn't of been made possible without generous
funding from the megacompanies.
Scamp
This is disgusting. I won't have the people onboard my ship have their last memories of this world
filled with product logos. Turn this crap off immediately.
Technician
But sir, that's in violation of our contract! There'll be lawsuits!
Scamp (can't believe the words)
I honestly can't tell if you're being serious, ensign. Captain, turn those off.
Captain (smiling)
Gladly.
He flicks a switch, and the ads on the ship close.
Scamp
Get ready to depart…
He closes his eyes.
Scamp
Our world…
Here is the page long montage of the world in ruin. Summers is sinking into the sea. Dalaam's mountain is crumbling and it is raining. People live in tents. Winters is a nuclear wasteland with crumbling towers. Scaraba's sands are consuming the pyramids. Onett has burned to the ground. Twoson is covered in ash and is gray. Threed is reverting to a desert. Empty saturn valley is last, with Fiveton in the distance beyond the hills. On the next page, we switch to the ruins of Fiveton, which has turned into a desert. Buried under sand and just barely recognizable is the building where most of Harmony took place outside of. In the swirling dust, two star-shaped eyes suddenly appear, and then all of Starface appears.
Starface
(I sense… a significant forthcoming change… I should… follow it…)
Starface disappears, and then reappears above Fourside. It looks down.
Starface
(There… that ship… I sense its purpose… It will lead me to where these people will continue…)
Starface floats down, and then goes inside of the bottom of the ship, disappearing through the hull.
Captain
General, the crowds are trying to force their way in.
Scamp
They just can't understand that this ship is already beyond full capacity…
Nurse (holding Kuma)
So we really can't let any of them?
Scamp only looks remorseful.
Scamp
Initiate the fourth dimensional slip and enter the chronosphere, Captain.
Captain
Yes, sir!
A close up as the captain pushes some big important button. We see the white ship on the outside, with people crawling all over it. Then in several copy-paste panels, it begins glowing, and then fades away. We get one last look of Fourside from above, now with the ship gone. On the next page, the ship has entered the chronosphere. Scamp gets on the radio right away.
Scamp
To everyone aboard… We have just entered the chronosphere.
We get a look at the health class A passenger area.
Scamp
There are just over two-thousand of us here.
Now down to the class B passenger area, which is more crowded but not dirty or anything.
Scamp
Our destination is twelve hours ahead. Whatever happens to use from this point on can only be fate…
We close in on Flint and Buck, sitting at the side of the ship, where it's darker.
Flint
Dad… Why did they separate us by classes?
Buck
The healthiest sit above us. But that doesn't mean we're sick, Flint. That's just the way they sort people
in our world. Nothing changes, here, I suppose.
Flint
Do you think… Mom would've been too sick to come with us?
Buck
… Why don't you go look around a bit? You don't want to just sit here for twelve hours, do you?
Flint
I guess not.
Flint gets up and leaves. Buck adjusts his hat and takes a nap. On the other side of the ship, Hinawa is talking to her dad.
Hinawa
So they're really going to take our memories away from us? Does that mean I won't even know you,
Dad?
Alec
No. At least, from what I've heard, the memory device won't take our memories away from us. It will
just rearrange our memories. Like rewriting them. We'll still know each other, I'm sure. We'll just have
different memories. Made up ones.
Hinawa
I see…
She looks over, across the aisle. Wes is sitting there, trying to calm down a 2-year old, overall-wearing
Duster who is kicking and screaming.
Wes
Duster! Settle down! The heck's wrong with you?!
Wes's Mom
Wes, you moron! Can't you handle your son?
Hinawa
So many kids only have one parent…
Alec
That's what the world we just left has done to us, sweetie. It's taken away so many loved ones…
Hinawa looks around at everyone else, emphasize their clothing.
Hinawa
I hope we get new clothes in this new world. These ones are so ugly.
Alec (smiles)
That would be very nice. I've always hated this look.
Hinawa smiles back.
Hinawa
I'm gonna go explore the ship a bit, okay?
Alec
Sure. Be back soon, though.
Hinawa
I will!
Up in the first class area, we go to the weird lady from earlier. She gets up, goes down the aisle, hides behind a corner near a door leading to another section, and takes out a canister with a biohazard symbol. She starts twisting it open, when suddenly Ed bumps into her.
Ed
Hey, watch it!
She just glares at him.
Ed
Weirdo…
He backs off and then continues down the aisle. Show his eyes again to see that he's suspicious. Then he runs to the bridge, which is behind a door on a small elevated area led up to by stairs. He knocks.
Ed
Dad! Dad, open up!
The door slides open. Inside, the captain and operators are busy steering the ship. The nurse is still holding baby Kuma in a corner in the room. Scamp turns around.
Scamp
Edward? What is it?
Ed
Dad, there's this weird lady, and she was holding some strange metal can or something…
Captain
What? General, you better send someone to check that out.
Scamp
Stay here, Edward.
Scamp leaves with two soldiers as Ed watches. Now we're back at the weird lady. She looks down the aisle and notices that Scamp and two soldiers are approaching. She looks angry. She tosses the capsule down an air vent, and then she is surrounded by the soldiers and Scamp.
Scamp
Who are you? What are doing sneaking around?
Soldier
General! She's got a weapon on her!
The soldiers both point their guns, and we can see the other capsule at her side.
Scamp
Hand it over. Now.
Smirking, she takes the capsule and gives it to Scamp.
Scamp (looking it over)
She's just another terrorist… Out to make sure our people go extinct. How did you get onboard?
Lady
I was chosen. I guess your selection systems could've used better background checks.
Soldier
Shut up! What do we do with her, sir?
Soldier
I say we toss her out the airlock.
Scamp
No. She was still chosen. And soon, it won't matter. She'll forget everything she's been fighting for.
Lady
You won't take my memories from me, old man. Never.
Scamp
Make sure she's restrained and keep her in the cargo hold. In nine hours, she won't be a threat at all.
Soldier
Yes, sir.
Soldier
Move, you.
Lady (being led away)
Humans had their chance, Scamp! We don't deserve another!
Scamp stands there a moment longer by himself before turning and leaving. Down below, we see that the capsule has landed in the lower class cabin and is leaking a green gas, but no one seems to notice. Still in the lower class cabin, we go to the back to see that Hinawa is examining a door marked "Cargo." She looks around to see if anyone is watching, and then sneaks in. It's dark and gray down here with limited lighting and lots of crates. She goes down a few staircases, between some crates, and then sees that Nan, Flint, and a few other kids (other M3 characters) have already found this spot. They're all holding clothes and looking them over.
Hinawa
Hey, what are you all doing here?
Flint
Hinawa, look at all this stuff!
Nan
They're real, actual clothes! I've only ever seen a few pairs…
Caroline (oldest child here)
These crates must be filled with clothing! Are these for our new lives?
Lighter (also older)
They must be. Wow, so no more wearing these uncomfortable belts.
Hinawa
So what do you think this new world is going to be like?
Flint
Well, no one knows for sure, right?
Lighter
As long as it's better than our old world, I guess that'll make most of us happy.
Nan
But they're going to take our memories from us…
Caroline
Well, they call it "rearranging" our memories. I guess that's different.
Flint
But there's still a chance we might not know one another anymore…
Hinawa
Well, that's okay! If we're all living nearby to one another, that means we'll get to know each other all over again!
Caroline
Well, that's a pretty upbeat way of looking at it.
Hinawa smiles. The cargo door opens, and the two soldiers come in with the terrorist.
Flint
Oh, no! Hide!
The children scatter as the soldiers come down and put her in the empty area where the clothes are lying about.
Soldier
Dang ship must've knocked over a box.
Soldier
Just keep an eye on her and clean up this mess.
Soldier
Huh? What about you?
Soldier
Relax. I'll keep an eye out from above.
Soldier
Man…
The other soldier leaves. The lady is cuffed and everything, and now sits in the corner. Important: Throughout this part, until Penny actually tells her story, we have scattered one panel flashbacks from her at spots that would work the best. They can sometimes be under the kids' dialogue. Would best to show Penny slipping away into thought for a small panel first. There are six, with a special one right before the story. The first is Penny as a child, running home in a small city. It is a raining. She has a drawing in her hand. The second one, we see from behind her as there is a massive explosion. In the third and fourth one, she watches the soldiers fight terrorists, confused about what's happening as her drawing slips out of her hand. In the fourth, the drawing has fallen into a puddle and we see that it's of her family. In the fifth and sixth one, a shadow comes over as she is crying. She looks up to see her older brother, one half of his body limp, and a hand over his left eye. There is blood (but not dripping).
Soldier
Peh. What's she gonna do now? Get all the clothes dirty?
The soldier goes and sits on the staircase lazily, paying no attention to the terrorist.
Soldier
You're lucky that "punishment and justice" no longer matter or whatever they say. I just hope you don't
become my wife or something in the next world.
The lady looks up at him angrily, and then back at the ground.
Child
Psst. Hey.
She turns around to see the kids looking at her from between two crates.
Nan
Who are you?
Lady
Just leave me alone.
Lighter
Why are you down here?
Lady
Why do you care? Just leave me alone!
Hinawa
Hey, you don't need to be so mean.
Lady
What does it matter? Soon, we won't even remember any of this—not even this discussion.
Caroline
That's okay. We'll just get to meet each other all over again.
Lady
… My name's Penny. And you shouldn't be talking to me.
Nan
Why not?
Penny
I'm a bad person. I just tried to kill everyone on the ship. But I couldn't even do that right.
Lighter
What? Kill everyone?!
Hinawa (sad)
Why would you want to do that?
Lighter
She's a terrorist, that's why!
Penny
That's not how I see myself… You wouldn't be able to understand.
Lighter
Yeah? You're just trying to make sure there aren't any humans left, that seems easy to understand!
Penny
Humans have been alive for a hundred thousand years… I simply believed that we've had our time. I
work with people who simply want us to stop suffering and face reality.
Flint
… I see.
The other kids look at Flint.
Flint
I can kind of see why people like you exist… Our world really seemed to be a terrible place. But this
project is different.
Penny
How so? Just because our memories are going to be "rearranged?"
Flint
Well, I know that might be scary, but at least we'll forget about all the bad things from our world.
Penny
Human stupidity will just continue. We'll just end up ruining wherever we're going to next.
Flint (determined)
Maybe that will happen eventually. But you know what? My dad and all of my friends deserve a second
chance. All of us do.
Penny and the kids look at him.
Caroline
We're not bad people anymore, Penny. We just want our loved ones to live. We can be happy. Don't
you want to be happy, too?
Penny
… I joined the people I worked with because I lost my entire family in the resource wars… I just hated
the fact that I was chosen for the white ship, and that my memories of my family might be erased…
Hinawa
Are they happy memories?
Penny
I… I don't know anymore… Regret's a poison that seems to destroy any good memories…
Lighter
Come on, you must have some happy memories!
Penny thinks back to when she andEgan had the funeral for their parents and sister. She is angry again.
Penny
Just shut up! I bet all of you have nothing but happy memories! What would any of you know how
much misery can kill you from the inside?
Kids
…
Penny
I… I lost everyone. Who have you all lost? Just a parent, maybe? I know Fourside only lets Class A health citizens have two kids…
Hinawa
My mother died.
Flint
So did… mine.
Nan
My daddy was a soldier, and he got killed…
Penny
Yeah, well… My whole family is gone. And I've betrayed what little is left of it.
Caroline
Maybe if you tell us your story, you'll feel better.
Penny
(Naive little brats…) Fine. It's a nice, pleasant bedtime story for little ones, I'm sure.
Lighter
Hey, don't treat us like we're babies! We've all got a standard accelerated education, lady!
Penny
Peh. Education doesn't prepare you for nightmares.
Penny's story and a new page start here. The story uses mostly small panels and should only take up two rows. These have narration only. First panel shows Penny and her brother at the ruins of their house.
Penny
My parents and older sister were all killed in a bombing… The government said it was terrorists. But we
found out that the cell they were targeting was actually next door, and the government hit our apartment by accident.
We see Penny, now five years older, firing a rifle at off panel targets amid a building's rubble. There are other rebels here, including her eye-patch wearing brother who leads the squad.
Penny
After we found that out, my brother and I joined a rebel group. But he was different. Hatred overtook
him. But… I couldn't abandon him. He was all I had left.
Over two panels, we see soldiers firing canisters of poison into the rebel hideout. They burst open and unleash deadly gas into the hideout. Everyone is coughing. Penny's brother is shielding her and covering her mouth.
Penny
The soldiers came… and fired poison into our hideout. My brother and I were the only survivors there.
But he just barely lived…
Probably next row. Penny's brother is in a breathing machine and is wasting away. Holopanels surround him with various info.
Penny
He never recovered. He will live the rest of his life in a breathebed, even as he continues to command
rebel groups.
Penny, at her current age, comes up to him. He hands her the canisters.
Penny
Still so full of anger, he made a had a super germ created that would kill everyone on this ship… That was after he found out that I had been chosen. And of course, he had not. Because he was a known criminal and so sick… But I was never identified. They thought I was still in middle school, and I had
near perfect health despite everything.
Back in the present.
Penny
I've… betrayed my family.
Lighter
What? Do you think your family just wanted revenge?
Penny
He did…
Caroline
And is that what you want?
Penny
I… I don't know anymore.
Flint (angry)
Well, I think you're being an idiot!
Everyone looks at him.
Flint
Do you know that me and my dad only got on this ship because we got really lucky? And you get
chosen, and all you want to do is kill everyone!
Penny (eyes have watered up)
I'm… sorry…
Hinawa looks at her sympathetically.
Hinawa
If you loved your family so much once, then you have to have some happy memories!
Penny closes her eyes. We see her as a child eating dinner with her family at the table.
Penny
I… I do. Not many, but a few… Now I'm just so afraid that I'll lose them…
Hinawa
I don't think they'll take them away from you! They want us to be happy in the new world, right? So
I think they'll let you keep your happy memories. They'll just be… changed.
Flint
Yeah, maybe they'll be changed so that your happy memories seemed to of had taken place in the new
world.
Lighter
And that… would make them even happier, in a way, right?
Nan
Wow, I never thought about it like that.
Penny
Neither… neither did I. You kids are so smart…
Flint
So are you going to be okay?
Penny
… I… I have to fix this!
She yells up to the soldier.
Penny
Soldier! Hey!
Soldier (turns to her)
What the heck do you want now? H-hey! Where did all those kids come from? You all shouldn't be
down there!
Penny
It's an emergency! There's a biohazard leak on this ship.
Soldier
W-what? But I thought we… Oh, crap! What do I do?
Penny
Contact the Captain, you idiot!
Soldier
Oh, right, of course!
Back at the bridge.
Radio
Captain! The prisoner says that she had brought two capsules onboard! And one is leaking in the
lower deck!
Captain
What?!
Scamp
Captain, get a crew down there right away to contain and identify the leak.
Captain
Understood.
Back down in the cargo hold, the soldier is guiding Penny and the kids up.
Soldier
Come on, come on! Everyone out!
Up above, the other soldier is sleeping. Then the cargo door bursts open and he's awakened. Penny is also free of her cuffs.
Soldier
What? What's going on?!
Soldier
Wake up, you moron! We've got a biohazard leak onboard!
Penny
Come on. This way. Hurry!
They run off with the kids following behind. Crew members wearing breathing masks have already arrived with medical equipment, but there's no capsule at the air vent.
Penny
What? It should be right here!
Voice
Over here! We need a medical team!
We switch over to Buck in the hallway. He's clutching something under his jacket and coughing.
Crew Member
Sir, are you all right?
Buck takes out the the capsule, still cuffed in his hands.
Penny
That's it… That's the capsule.
A crew member takes it, and it begins leaking right away.
Crew Member
"Mycobacterium Caproti Boviplosis?" What is that? And how do you close this thing?!
Penny takes out a small metal key from her pocket.
Penny
Use this.
The crew member takes it, inserts it into a keyhole, and twists it. The top closes and the leaking stops.
Penny
It looks like only a little bit leaked out…
Buck
*cough* I found that thing… I tried to protect the other passengers by keeping it covered…
Crew Member
We understand, sir. A medical team is on the way. Let's get you back to your seat.
Panicked Passenger
Wait, so that was a deadly chemical?
Passenger
Have we all been poisoned?!
Passenger
How could you let this happen? We're going to die!
Crew Member
Everyone, calm down! Please!
Penny
Only a tenth of it got out. That's a very low dose.
Crew Member
Yeah, but it looks like he took the brunt of it…
Buck coughs again as Flint and the others run over.
Flint
Dad! Dad, are you okay?
Buck only coughs.
Crew Member
The medical team is on their way. Please, everyone, return to your seats.
Flint
Dad…
Flint looks at Hinawa, who looks sad. The kids split up.
Penny
I'm so sorry for what I've done… Please, forgive me… (And I'm sorry,Egan…)
Buck looks at her while coughing.
Crew Member (looking at Penny angrily)
He'd better pull through.
Elsewhere, we see that Hinawa return to Alec's side. She looks back out as the medical team comes in. Switch back to the bridge.
Captain
General, it seems that the situation is under control. The entire lower deck may have been been
contaminated, but so far there's only one serious case of infection.
Scamp
Any idea what it was?
Captain
Just your typical super germ, sir. It might pose a problem later on, and we don't have enough medical
supplies to keep everyone perfectly able to defend against it.
Scamp
The problems just keep coming, don't they?
Captain
We could still turn around and get treatment back home.
Scamp
We both know that's no longer an option. The center of the chronosphere is directly ahead of us. Keep our current course.
Captain
Yes, sir.
Out the bridge window, we see the massive center of the chronosphere, very close now.
Nurse
General, I'm going to go see if I can do anything to help those on the lower deck.
Scamp
Thank you. Try to keep everyone calm. We'll be arriving shortly.
The nurse leaves.
Scamp
… With any luck.
Navigator
We're now entering the cloud surrounding the center. Massive ionic storms detected.
Scamp
Understood, Navigator Mapson. Only thing we can rely on now are the shields…
We see the ship from the outside as a small object surrounded by raging blue clouds and lightning. Back on the bridge, everything is drenched in blue.
Captain
This is the furthest in any probe has come, General.
Technician
I can see the golden glow of the exact center!
Scamp (stares out at the glowing orb ahead)
The center of the chronosphere… Where all time and space converge… Incredible…
Captain
Sir! We've got an incoming ionic flare, starboard side!
Scamp looks out the right window and sees a massive pillar of energy heading their way.
Scamp (on the radio)
Close the shutters and brace for impact!
A quick panel of the flare hitting the ship from the outside, and then we go back inside. The windows are now covered with metal shutters. The wave of energy rips apart both the upper and lower decks on the right side before dissipating, leaving a gaping fissure in the side of the ship. Many seats are simply gone completely, people, mostly soldiers, are being sucked out, and others are grasping onto chairs. Near Flint and Buck, the medical team and the nurse grab onto chairs and manage to hold on. One side of the massive gash is right near them.
Flint
Dad! What's going on?!
Buck (weak)
Hold onto me, Flint…
Flint does so. We also see Alec holding onto Hinawa, although they're on the other side of the ship and not in as much danger. Buck then notices a lady that looks like Belle clinging to life on the back of the chair in front of him.
Buck
(Belle…?)
He reaches out and grabs her.
Buck
I won't let you go!
Buck has a flashback of his family with Belle in it. Back in the present, close up on their hands slipping. The lady gets sucked back and Buck grabs out for her desperately.
Buck
No!
She gets grabbed by two people a few rows ahead. Buck then covers Flint again.
Buck
(I'm sorry, Flint… Your mother's gone, but you managed to move on when I hadn't…)
Close up on scared Flint.
Buck
(In this new world, I'll make it all up to you.)
Engineer
Captain, we've got a massive hull breach on our starboard side! Engine two has stopped responding!
Technician
The pressure is equalizing. There should be significant oxygen in the chronosphere to breath for at
least a few minutes.
Scamp (sad)
(We must've lost a lot of people just now…)
He looks over at baby Kuma.
Scamp
(But we can't stop…)
Captain
Sir, we don't have enough remaining power to operate both the shields and the halo!
Scamp
Then drop the shields! It doesn't matter if the ship takes a beating now! We must keep going!
Outside the ship, we see shields dissipating. Lightning then begins wreaking havoc on the hull. Inside the ship, everything falls silent. No one is being sucked out anymore, but the lights go off, and everything is engulfed by a dark blue. We see families and loved ones hanging onto one another. A small montage can be here, showing all the named characters. Then, back at the bridge, the golden center of the chronosphere is filling the window, with the shape of Nowhere Island just ahead.
Scamp
Activate the halo!
Back outside the ship, a halo forms around the bow. This seems to affect the core as well, ripping open a hole the same color as the ray halo. Back inside the bridge, Scamp has some final thoughts.
Scamp
(So… are we about to enter a paradise, or just get burned up? I guess that age-old question will be
answered shortly…)
Back at Flint and Buck, we close in on scared Flint, and then enter his point of view. We see the outside, full of yellow flames and blue storm clouds swirling into the ship. Then Flint's eyes shut halfway, and then there's only darkness. On the next page, start with a panel of darkness as well.
Voice
Flint… open your eyes.
Still in Flint's POV, we see that the outside has been replaced by a blue sky and white clouds. Exit this POV to show the inside of the ship as people look outside, and then switch to outside as the ship flies above a sparkling ocean in crystal blue skies. Back at the bridge, Nowhere Island is just ahead.
Captain
Incredible…
Technician
We made it?
Engineer
The sky is so… so blue…
Scamp looks for himself.
Scamp
We really did it.
Captain
General, we've lost nearly all power. We can't maintain flight any longer.
General
We have no choice but to crash land in the water and deploy lifeboats.
Captain
Understood.
Scamp looks back at the approaching islands. He notices that to the far east, there is a large, forest-covered piece of rock jutting out from the ocean with steep cliffs and a large, flat plateau. He then looks back at the valley on the mainland, in front of a large forest. Back outside, the ship lands in the water and comes to a stop with a huge splash.
Captain
We've landed, sir.
Scamp
We don't have much time. Open the lifeboat hatches and set all cargo doors to open in about ten
minutes so the cargo at least has a chance to wash up on shore.
Captain
Understood.
Scamp
It's beautiful, isn't it?
Captain
…
Leder
Incredible… This place is incredible…
One last panel of the bridge and its crew. Cut to show the inflatable lifeboats near the sinking ship, all filled with people. Scamp looks out at the ship, the Harmony logo on the side just now going under.
Narration
I made a decision just then. It was another painful one.
Show the lifeboats from above again.
Narration
We had no idea what this world was going to be like. But it seemed to be a single island, surrounded
by an infinite ocean. This one island might be the last place where my people could live. And in order
to increase our chances of survival, I knew that we should split up to create two different
towns on either side of the island.
A shot of the island that eventually becomes NPC.
Narration
It was safer not to put everyone in one place. And while we won't separate families, we will still
be separated across a long distance. But I was sure that one day in the future, we would meet again,
not realizing that we were once together.
A shot of Flint, still worried about his dad, looking out at Penny in another boat, who still looks sad about what she did. She looks out to the kids and says "thank you." In a few small panels, we see them drift apart from one another.
Narration
So we went our separate ways as the ship that took us here sunk into the ocean…
Most people went out to the eastern island, while the rest of us headed to the small valley near the
ocean.
I have a feeling that life there might be more rustic…
Pusher
I hope we're not going to regret going in this direction.
Elmore
Oh, we've lived our whole lives surrounded by people. I say we go somewhere where there's less of
them.
Pusher
Well, so long as you and I still get to be important.
Elmore
I'm sure we will be, dear.
As the top of the white ship goes under and the sun is beginning to set, we go to Starface, floating above the sinking ship.
Starface
Curious creatures… these humans…
There has never been a continuation quite like this one. I am interested to see… where it all ends.
Back at the rafts, Ed tugs at Scamp's sleeve, and points out that all the crates are following them. They have flotation devices, so they float, too. Some have the animals in them, and others are dropping a few pairs of clothes into the water.
Scamp
It looks like our cargo will wash up.
Scamp looks down at his belt, and takes it off with everyone watching. His clothes return to their default state; plain white. There is a small Dynamic Fabric product logo on the collars. This doesn't include shoes or hats, but jackets and outer wear also revert. He tosses it into the water, where it sinks. Everyone on the other rafts look at one another, and in the next panel, we see a bunch of belts sinking into the ocean.
Back at the beach, everyone is coming ashore. In the next panel, they're in the valley and surrounded by grass. Everyone seems to enjoy the open field and blue skies.
Hinawa
Oh, Dad, it's so beautiful!
Flint is with his dad, who is still coughing.
Flint
So we get to live here, huh? It sure is nice…
Buck
Yes… it is… *cough*
Flint
Dad, I can't believe how brave you were. You tried to save everyone else from getting sick.
Buck
I just did what I thought I should do…
Flint
Do you think I'll ever be as brave as you?
Buck
Of course you will… Flint, I have something I'd like to give you before our memories are changed…
Buck reaches into his reverted white jacket and takes out the rusted, old courage badge. He hands it to Flint.
Flint
What is it?
Buck
Something that's been in my family for a long time. My father called it a courage badge, and now I
would like to give it to you. Before our old lives disappear completely…
Flint
A courage badge, wow…
Buck
I hope it gives you some of your own, Flint. You may need it one day.
We go over to Scamp, his parrot on his shoulder and Ed and the nurse with Kuma at his sides. Leder and flight crew then come up to him.
Captain
Is it almost time? The other group should be at their island by now.
Scamp
Yes, I suppose so. I only wanted to give everyone a few more moments where they can truly appreciate
this place… I feel that once our memories are changed, we will lose some of that appreciation.
Nurse
So this is where we'll spend the rest of our lives…
Scamp
You know, I never got your name, miss.
Nurse
Jenela. I'm Jenela.
Scamp
Nice to meet you, Jenela.
Leder opens the hummingbird egg box and takes it out. Scamp turns to him.
Scamp
Leder, if you have any objections about being the retainer, I could…
Leder
It's all right, old friend. I've accepted my position. I will live with my memories.
Jenela
What does he mean, exactly?
Scamp
The device was designed so that the person who actually activates it will have their memories left intact. Leder, it's up to you to guide the village and make sure we don't do anything stupid.
Leder
I will certainly try.
Scamp (to crew)
Well, I guess this is it. It was an honor serving with you all.
Captain (salutes)
It was indeed. May our new lives be—
The hummingbird egg suddenly activates in Leder's hand. A wave of white with hints of red blasts out. In a montage where it seems that time has frozen, we see several of our characters as the wave goes by them all. We also see one shot of the other group, standing by a cliff on the other island. When the shock wave is gone, we get a close up on the hummingbird egg, which is open in someway. Hundreds of sparkles are going inside of it. Then, it closes. Leder immediately closes the box and pockets it.
Captain (still saluting)
Oh, Scamp, hello there. Lovely evening, isn't it?
Scamp
I… suppose it is.
Captain
That's weird. Why is my hand up like this? And who's this really tall guy?
Scamp
Who, Leder? He's always been here. Anyway, this place is pretty empty…
Captain (hand at side again)
Yeah, I guess it is. Should we build some houses, do you think?
Scamp
I think that's a great idea. I say we work through the night!
Captain
Yes! Hard work will do us proud!
The flight crew leaves. Ed tugs on Scamp's coat.
Ed
Dad, I'm hungry.
Scamp
I'll go find some food, then. Ed, why don't you go meet the other children.
Ed
Okay, Dad.
Jenela
Maybe this baby here could also use some food. I'll come with you.
Leder
Oh, I believe her name is Kumatora.
Jenela
Really? That's a pretty name. Hm… I wonder who her parents are.
Jenela has a thought bubble with two blurry images of a man in a pink beard and a lady with pink hair.
Jenela
Can't… seem to remember them very clearly…
Leder watches everyone set off, and then looks out at the castle in the distance.
Leder
(That old castle… That might be a good place to hide the egg.)
Leder sets off. Elsewhere, a crate has just washed up on the beach, and is now spilling clothes everywhere. There's also a bunch of livestock and animals, now out of their busted cages and wondering around. A bunch of villagers have gathered around it.
Wes
Well, look at that. A box of clothes, washed up on the beach!
Alec
That's pretty strange. Do you think they belong to anyone?
Pusher
Finder's keepers. They look more comfortable than these ugly things we have on now.
Jill (holding up a dress)
Well, this one looks like it'll fit me just fine!
One last shot of this scene without dialogue. Now we change to a new area completely - the pink shell where a magypsy tea party is taking place. They're now all outside, though and looking up at the sky.
Doria
Oh, my! What a strange day it's been!
Ionia
Oh, yes, certainly! First a giant boom, and then a wave of light!
Phygria (yawn)
This is the first time something so exciting has happened in a thousand years.
Lydia
Longer, perhaps! Do you think we have visitors on these islands?
Mixolydia
Ooo, do you think any of them can pull the needles?
Aeolia
I highly doubt that, Missy. But I suppose the chance is there.
Locria
Do you think we should try to find out what's going on?
Aeolia
I don't think we'll even have to leave this spot. Look over there!
They all see Scamp, Jenela, and baby Kuma coming from the nearby rocks.
Lydia
Well, we do have visitors! They even look a little like us.
Mixolydia
Nowhere near as gorgeous, of course.
Scamp and Jenela come up to them.
Jenela
What strange looking people. Are they men or women?
Lydia
We're neither. We're not even human, which you two appear to be.
Scamp
Do you live here?
Aeolia
Well, this is my house, and we were just finishing a tea party and everyone was about to go home.
Locria
We're magical beings that have lived here since this island's creation.
Aeolia
Oh, Locria, why would they need to know that? Don't concern yourself about any of that.
Ionia
Oh, my! What an adorable baby! She's almost as cute as we are!
Doria
She's the spitting image of myself when I was younger.
Ionia
Are you her mother?
Jenela
Well, no. But actually…
Jenela's thought bubble again. The two blurred images combine to form an Ionia head.
Jenela
You must be her—um… Parent.
The magypsies look at one another.
Ionia
Oh, well, if you'd like, we could raise her! You've probably got enough to worry about already.
Jenela
Of course you should raise her, she's your child!
Scamp
Jenela, are you sure about this? They're rather… odd.
Jenela
I think it'd be fine. They at least seem nice enough, don't they? Just as long as I get to visit her every now and then.
Ionia
Of course, of course! We'll all love her equally.
Aeolia
So what's the little one's name?
Jenela
Don't you remember? It's Kumatora.
Phyrgia
We'll watch over her like she was one of us.
Jenela hands Kuma to Ionia. Kuma looks up and smiles or giggles.
Ionia
Hello there, Kumatora! Oh my! This feeling… This one might have powers like we do…
Mixolydia
Really, now? Well, she is a lot like us! She'll fit right in.
Scamp
If you all have been here for so long, is there anything you can tell us?
Locria
Of course there is. Did you see that castle south of here? The humans who last came here built that,
and now it's all that's left of them.
Doria
Oh, Locria, you're always so eager to share stories! You'll only confuse our new friends!
Scamp
There were humans here before us?
Ionia
Well, yes. But they're all gone now.
Locria
These are no ordinary islands. We are the guardians of seven needles, which if pulled, would awaken
a sleeping being with the power to destroy the entire world. A dragon, I believe.
Lydia
But that's just a fairy tale! It's true that there are seven needles on this island that we all watch over, but
we don't really know for sure what would happen if they were pulled.
Ionia
And anyway, only a very special person can pull them, and we don't know what that might be. So don't
you worry yourselves about us or the needles any. We'll just let you humans be. But do try to take care
of this island, would you? The last humans made quite a mess.
Scamp
I understand. So… does this island have a name?
Phyrgia
We simply call it Nowhere Island.
Jenela
Well, what an odd name. But peaceful in a way, isn't it?
Scamp
I see… It was nice meeting you all. Before I leave, might you have any food you could share?
Aeolia
Oh, yes, but only tea cookies. We'll let you take home a batch!
Scamp
Thank you.
Jenela
Goodbye, Kumatora! I'll visit sometimes, okay?
The two humans turn and leave. We get one last shot of the magypsies. On the next and last page, we start by seeing the outline of Tazmilly village, the houses still just wooden frames. Jenela is helping construction.
Narration
One week later…
We see Flint leaving a place where all the crates from the ship are piled up. Flint also has a bundle of wood on his back. Thomas and his dad are "running" this place.
Thomas's Dad
If you need more medicine Flint, we have plenty to go around!
Flint
Thanks!
Flint heads south, up a hill to his new house. Along the way, Hinawa runs over.
Hinawa
Hi. You're Flint, right?
Flint
Yep.
Hinawa
You go back and forth from your house a lot. Is everything okay?
Flint
My dad is sick. So I'm trying to take care of him.
Hinawa
Oh. Well, I hope he gets better.
Flint
Me too.
Hinawa
Oh, my name is Hinawa by the way.
Flint
Hi, Hinawa.
Hinawa
Let me carry that wood for you.
Flint lets her take it off his back.
Flint
Thanks. It's for our house. Dad's doing a lot of the building even though he's sick.
Hinawa
You must be trying really hard to take care of things around her, huh? Maybe I could help.
Flint
R-really? Thanks!
We see the two from behind as they go up the hill, still talking and now holding hands. Now for the last part of the story, we go to Scamp, Myrna on his shoulder, standing outside of his under-construction house. He looks out across the river at Tazmilly village as it's being built, Leder clearly watching over everyone. Near Scamp, Nan and Ed are talking to one another. Scamp then closes his eyes, and we see him visualize seven needles surrounding a dragon. He opens them again and looks at Ed. The last panel is of Nowhere Island at sunset. During these panels, we have this narration.
Scamp
I wonder what will happen to us now… I never would've thought that the place inside the chronosphere
would be so special. A dragon that might be awakened lives under us? One that might destroy this
entire world? What a scary thought… Still… I have to wonder what might happen to me. After all, the
hummingbird egg didn't seem to work on me. And I still remember everything… But maybe I'll just keep that a secret. But I worry… Was what we did… the right thing? What all might happen to us?
This story also has a special ending page like the others, but it is a bit longer than usual, though it should still all be on just one page. The part on NPC island can be 2 or 3 rows. The second part should probably be 2 rows. We see Tazmilly from the distance with a "Many years later…" narration. Then pull back to reveal the same spot we saw at the end of Harmony. Porky and his army, along with the animals, are already there, looking out at the island. They then turn around and notice the failed city on the island. All the trees have already been cut down, and it is a place of urban decay and ugly, broken apartment buildings. About a dozen or so if its inhabitants have come up to see the army, their clothes ragged and themselves nearly starved. A small panel of Porky thinking to himself. Then Penny, 25 years older, comes out of the group and walks up to Porky, looking quite miserable herself. Porky extends a robotic arm. Penny looks at for a small panel, and then shakes it. End with a very devious smile from Porky.
For the last two rows, we go back to Tazmilly market. From a bit of distance and from behind, we see Flint and Hinawa walking with young Lucas and Claus. Pull back so we see Scamp's house. Inside, he is resting in bed, looking a bit frail, with his parrot nearby. But he is fully awake, his eyes wide open.
Voice
What is it, Dad?
Scamp looks over. Ed is with Nan by the fire. Nan is holding baby Alle.
Scamp
Nothing… I just thought I had… felt something.
Scamp eyes the photograph (which we see minimized) on his nightstand. Suddenly, there are cheerful music notes. He looks over at his window.
Scamp
A songbird…
In the very last panel, we see the songbird singing at the sill.
On the very final page, obviously, we're going to see the photograph. It's in black and white, a little scratchy. It's most of the people (pick and choose) we met during the story, a few days after they landed. They each have on their new clothes.
The end…?