Authors Note: Thanks again for the reviews! They are very encouraging. In response to Bray coming back – let's say, there's a possibility. We don't want to spoil too much. ;)
Again, please inform us on which characters to focus and if we need any areas that need to be improved. That would be great!
And poll: Who is your favourite character?
CHAPTER 4
Lori and the five Mallrats are seated in a room with elegant cream chairs surrounding a glass coffee table.
Ebony: So what's the big surprise?
Lori: Well you won't be staying here. You see, this island has two resorts and there is one in the other side near the coast. That will be your new home. See? I told you that you'd like it.
Amber: Sounds good. Can we examine the resort before making the deal?
Lori: I'm afraid not. Take your chances.
Slade: Does there happen to be… others living there?
Lori: No, no. Not that I know of. It's perfectly empty…
Okay, I'll tell you this. When you reach the resort, you'll see another island in the distance. Just don't enter the island. Anyone who enters it never comes back.
Lex: And you expect us to believe you?
Lori: I know you won't expect you to believe me, but this time I'm not fooling around with you. Don't blame me if something bad happens, because I've warned you.
The Mallrats discuss and they agree to take the risk of accepting Lori's offer.
Amber: So we have decided to take your offer. However, in one condition. We can cancel the contract whenever we want.
Lori [holding a sheet of paper]: Fine. But that means you'll have to leave the resort and the island one hour after your cancellation.
The Mallrats nod and sign the contract.
Lori: Work commences the day after tomorrow, so you get a free day to settle in. I haven't actually sorted out the work roster and such. But wait for a moment here so I can finish it. I'll give you a map and all.
Lori departs the room.
-x-
Back at the caves. Salene spots Sammy crouching in the floor with a frown stitched into his face. His eyes appear to be gazing over at another universe.
Salene: Mind if I sit here?
Sammy, who seems to be snapped from his trance nods.
Salene: So how's it going?
Sammy: I feel terrible. It's Mouse. I-I was the one who convinced her to go, b-because I got angry at her and she got sad. She's now p-probably dying from the virus now and it's all because of me!
Salene: Oh Sammy. It was entirely Mouse's decision to leave. She belonged with the Ecos and she had a great time there, ever since she decided to live with them. Don't worry, the Ecos live in the forest. They will be well away from the city.
-x-
Amber, Lex, Ebony, Jay and Slade are strolling back to the cave.
Jay [looking at the work roster]: Amber, why did you accept? It'll all be like Mega again – forcing us to work.
Ebony: It's a resort we're talking about! If you don't want to live there Jay, then don't.
Amber: Well, Jay, I thought you were reasonable. If we don't do anything, how long would we survive in the caves? Especially with two infants and everyone always disappearing. Besides, Lori's ways are different than Mega. This time, we are actually getting shelter in return.
Jay [startled]: I'm sorry. I was thinking of negotiating a bit more. We'd practically be slaves - and if we have to spend our time there, we won't have time to find the missing ones.
Lex: I'm with Jay on this one this, and all that 'Lori fluff' sickens me. There's definitely something fishy about her. With that oh so great resort she has to offer to us – I bet it's her thrash. I bet they thrashed the place and left it.
Amber: I thought of that too, but can you really think of a better option than the caves? We could construct homes like the Ecos, but I'm sure many of you would prefer a resort. Even if it's thrashed, we can all clean it up!
Slade: There's no point arguing - I saw you all nod.
Ebony: One thing – I bags first work choice.
Amber: Now finally you actually want to work! Just as long as there's something in it for you.
Ebony: I prefer that to living in a squished up cave.
-x-
Meanwhile in another island.
Guard: I don't like doing this so I will give you one final chance. Remain silent and you'll live to see another day.
Guardian (Jaffa): I will not cease to speak out what the mighty Zoot intends for me to say.
He gazes up in the sky with his arms spread out.
It is in the will of the gracious Zoot that all beings worship his glory, his divinity amongst us mere mortals.
Those who choose otherwise must perish in his realm of power and chaos - suffering in their hopeless treachery for all eternity.
Guard: I've had enough. You have chosen otherwise.
Guardian (Jaffa): Suit yourself, you imbecile. Zoot shall never forget your actions, and the rest of your worthless life shall be in peril.
Straight after this, the Guardian pushes and kicks the guard. It is apparent that he had untied his ropes sometime during his captivity. He then makes a run for his life.
KC [looking at Jaffa sprinting and then to Alice]: Guess he had it all planned out.
Alice: I almost forgot he was a Loco. But really, how far can he go before getting caught?
KC: You'll be surprised with how fast mad men can run…even with empty stomachs.
They watch as Jaffa, far ahead of the chasing guards, descend into one of the canoes they had come from. As the guards approach him, he whacks them with the paddles.
Random kid: Wow. Look at him go! All the way to freedom!
-x-
At the resort. A few of the Islanders are huddled up discussing about something. Lori and Charmaine are amongst them.
Charmaine [frowning]: Why did you let them take the second resort? We should've just kicked them out.
Lori [smiling]: The thing is, we need to make them happy so they can be happy to work for us. See, it balances well. Besides, the other resort is not that great and it's all trashed up. Our one is big enough for all, so there is no need for another place lying around.
Random guy: Don't you think that's a bit harsh… making them work.
Charmaine: Monty, why do you always keep on worrying about others?
Monty: I just wanted things to be more eh fair.
Lori: You never seem to learn that you should always put your tribe first. We are giving them a good deal anyway. They won't mind just a little bit of work just for shelter -that is, luxury shelter. Stop being a worry wart.
Monty: I'm just worried about our tribe. If they get angry, they're going to start a rebellion.
Charmaine: Are you like, stupid? We outnumber them.
Monty: They could still be a threat though. From what I see so far, they look kind of tough.
Lori: Remember, I am the leader of this tribe, so I make the decisions and responsibilities. From my point of view, they could be a bit distracting, but no major threat.
Monty: Did you tell them about the other island? And the…
Lori [shrugs]: Indeed I did. But if they don't believe me, it's not my problem. They'll just have to find out the hard way.
-x-
Amber, Lex, Ebony, Jay and Slade reach the cave.
Salene: You're finally back! We were going to get a search party.
Amber: We've made a deal with the other tribe.
May: What's the deal?
Jay [shows the work roster]: Here is a work roster we have to do daily for the other tribe. In exchange we get a resort near the coastline.
Amber: To make this fair, I want each and every one of you to take turns in doing the jobs. The only exception is Ruby, who still is recovering.
Gel: Me? Work? No way!
May: Then stay in the cave if you want, princess.
Ram: I can't work. I'm still a recovering cripple!
Amber: Ram, you walk perfectly fine. In fact, I think you are able to do Ruby's part as well.
Lex: I agree. We wouldn't have been in this mess if it wasn't for your Zoot computer.
Slade: Can we just stop arguing and decide when we get to the place?
Later. Trudy, Amber and Ebony are sitting in the sand.
Trudy [to Amber and Ebony]: So what is the other Tribe like?
Amber: Well they don't seem to be exactly friendly, but they could pass as decent, if they are telling the truth.
A few of them seem to be from the city. But not all of them seemed to be eager to accept us in the island.
Ebony: Oh yeah! Like that Charmaine-girl who kept on giving us death stares.
Gel [popping in]: She sounds like a nasty piece of work! Picking on the Mallrats.
Sammy: Y-yeah, no-one messes with us Mallrats.
Gel: Stop stuttering Semmy!
Sammy: I-I'm s-s-orry.
Gel: Ye doing it again!
Trudy: Stop it Gel. Don't you have to finish packing?
Gel: Oh yeah!
Gel runs off, with Sammy trailing her.
Trudy: I don't understand why Sammy is always after her.
-x-
A while later. Trudy, Amber, and Ebony return to the cave. The rest exit the cave with all their belongings and collected food. Some namely Gel, are taking a longer time than everyone else but eventually everyone is waiting in a bunch outside the cave. Amber stands on top of a small boulder and Jay, holding Bray Jr. hands him to May, then steps up to the boulder as well. Then Amber makes an announcement.
Amber: So, we're about to go to our new home which is quite far away judging from this map. So I want you all now to group up in twos or threes so that you're responsible for another or two other people. If everyone is watchful for the people they're grouped with then, we can minimise the chances of people getting lost. If a whole group gets lost, which should be unlikely for we'll all be following each other, then there's one or two heads which can help find the way back.
Jay: So we've drawn out some copies of the map to hand to a person in each group in case you do get lost. Let me explain it. Lori's resort, which she labelled as "A" is in the centre of the forest, nearing the west. We are at the south right now and our new resort is at the north east.
Jack: Sounds like another long and tedious hike. Okay, I'm with Ellie.
Ellie: Yea, I'm with Jack. We'll take Ruby as well.
Noah: I don't actually really know anyone very much here so what group should I go to? And what about my boat? How are we going to take my boat all the way to the resort?
Lex: I know! We can use the boat to get there. Think about it- Noah's boat isn't too far away and we can just circle the island until we find the resort.
Jack: Hmm… Why hadn't I thought of that?
Amber: Finally Lex! This is the best idea you've given us for as long as I can remember. And I'm telling the truth.
Lex: Why thankyou Amber – I'm actually smarter than you think.
-x-
The scene then changes to a cockatoo then the island where Alice and KC are still trapped in.
Alice: Wonder when and where they're going to move us?
KC: I'm not sure, but I hope it's not any time soon.
Alice: Yea, who knows what they're going to do to us. I hope the others are fine. We might actually see some of them there.
KC: Oh yea. There's something important I forgot to tell you. Remember how I told you that I saw Bray?
Alice: Yeah.
KC: Well the time I saw him, well, he wasn't quite right. He seemed to have forgotten everything before working in the island where we were. It was if all his memories were wiped out.
Alice: I heard that the Technos could do that. Imagine it – your memories being wiped out by some gadgets or something. It must be terrible.
KC: Yea. Bray didn't remember even his own name. He didn't recognise me or knew that he was probably a father but he'd let me try to help him. He really wanted to remember at least the slightest thing. I told him his name and all but that was all I could manage until I was moved.
Alice: If the Technos could wipe people's memories entirely, they probably can manipulate people as well. I know Tai-san – she would never do such a thing.
KC: What do mean?
Alice: We were captured in the same place until she was taken by some Techno and to elsewhere. The next time I heard of her was from another prisoner who came and told me that 'The Supreme Mother' had joined the Technos. I refused to believe him, but he sounded so truthful. You know, these days you never know what to believe.
KC: I wonder what happened to the others. I'm convinced some of them are still out there fighting the Technos. Look at what we've done to the Guardian.
Alice: I suppose so, but the Technos are probably the most formidable enemy they'd have to face. I just wish that we'd see them safe and unharmed again. Someday.
-x-
Nearing sunset.
The Mallrats are abroad the boat while Lex is on the deck, with Darryl next to him. He then grabs Jack who is nearby.
Lex: So guys, you know that island over there.
Points to the 'other' island.
Something tells me that island is let's say, special. Jack, Darryl, I was thinking that we might go and check it out –
Jack: Don't you reckon that we'd focus on getting to the resort first before we start planning these endeavours and such.
Darryl: Yea. And what if there are people there.
Lex: Let me continue. I was saying, that I think that it might just be one of the Techno islands which might hold some of the missing Mallrats.
Ellie [popping in]: A techno island? Sorry what do you mean?
Lex: Well that Lori girl, of the other tribe said that island was kind of special. That when someone entered it, they never came back. Doesn't it fit? The reason that no-one came back is probably because of the Technos there.
Ellie: I think we should set tomorrow. I want to see my sister and the others.
Darryl: Whoa. Not that soon. If no-one came back it'd gotta be swarming with Technos.
Jack: Don't you think it's a bit dangerous… El..? Well if you're coming, I'm coming too. But I think we should tell the others.
Lex: No way! Are you kidding me? Amber and Jay won't let us –make it our secret mission, okay?
The Technos are defeated if you haven't been paying attention. I agree with Ellie, I say we leave as soon as possible – tomorrow morning.