This scene was initially meant to be much smaller and part of a larger chapter, but while I was choreographing the original fight I realized that it was too similar to a fight planned for later in the script. If there's one thing I'm adamant about when writing, its that every action scene has its own distinct, unique tone from the others in the story. I'm kind of glad I chose to rebuild this scene though because it allowed me to cameo a character who was never intended for this story at all. So, as always, I hope you enjoy the following...
57. INT. CRIMSON LANCE SHIP, PRISON BLOCK CORRIDOR – DAY
MORDECAI darts down the corridor keeping a sharp eye out for even the slightest sign of movement.
Coming up to a corner he slows right down and pushes himself against the wall.
Behind him LILITH imitates this action, her excitement at being free suddenly replaced by concern that they may be discovered and either killed on the spot or taken back.
Sliding up to the corner, Mordecai pokes his head out and glances down the corridor's extension.
It's empty.
Breathing out a sigh of relief he turns to Lilith and beckons her to follow before peeling himself from the wall and rounding the bend.
Lilith follows. Her expression once more returned to excitement with a hint of confusion.
LILITH
Where is everyone?
Snapping his head around, Mordecai silently shrugs before indicating for her to be silent.
Lilith looks around nervously before sprinting after Mordecai, who's already half way down the corridor.
58. INT. CRIMSON LANCE SHIP, DOCKING CORRIDOR – DAY
A few minutes later, MORDECAI and LILITH both reach a large door, which leads out of the ship and into the port.
Mordecai hits the panel next to the door and they both stand expectantly in front of it as the chamber on the other side pressurises.
Lilith is still in awe over how easy the escape has been up until this point.
LILITH
Ok, this was far too easy. I don't like this.
MORDECAI
Lets not question a miracle, lest you jinx us.
Having finished its process, the door they are stood next to slides open allowing the duo to quickly jog through the pressure chamber, out and away from the ship.
59. INT. SUNCTUARY PORT, DOCKING CORRIDOR – DAY
Exiting the ship they both find themselves in an elevated corridor. The corridor is around four stories high, the entrance and pressure chamber to the Crimson Lance ship being located near the top. Large openings in the corridor allow for a decent view of the port.
Seeing that this corridor is also empty, Lilith starts to rush ahead.
Mordecai begins to follow her however something catches his eye and he stops, walking over to one of the openings and looking down and slightly back towards the Crimson Lance ship.
Down on the ground level, dozens upon dozens of Crimson Lance soldiers stand in formation while STEELE stands out the front giving an unheard speech.
Glancing behind her, Lilith comes to a stop as she notices Mordecai looking out of the opening.
Giving the way to freedom a quick look she jogs back to Mordecai.
He hears her coming and looks up.
MORDECAI
I found out why we didn't run into anyone on the ship.
Lilith approaches the opening and looks down towards the small army beneath them.
As she watches a lone figure strides out of one of the nearby buildings and makes a beeline straight for Steele.
Waving his arms around, the man is clearly angry about something but the conversation is not heard.
Steele listens to the man for a few moments, but after that she decides she's had enough.
Pulling a revolver out from around her waist she raises it up to the man and without a moments delay pulls the trigger.
The man is thrown backwards and hits the floor, dead.
MORDECAI
I think we've stayed long enough.
Mordecai takes a step back from the opening and prepares to make his way down the corridor. Lilith meanwhile is shocked by what she's just seen and takes a moment to react to Mordecai leaving.
Mordecai only makes it a few steps before a voice suddenly calls out behind him.
CRIMSON LANCE GUARD
Hey!
Mordecai spins around to see the same GUARD who was watching them in the cells stepping through the pressure chamber.
It has only taken him a second to recognise Mordecai and he is already pulling his assault rifle out to shoot at them.
MORDECAI
GO!
Taking off down the corridor, Mordecai leaps to the side as a stream of bullets passes through the air where he was stood only moments earlier.
Lilith also bolts away from the Crimson Lance guard, ducking her head as another round is fired.
The Crimson Lance Guard is able to let out two more bursts both missing as his targets round a bend in the corridor.
Lowering his gun, the guard gives chase.
60. INT. SANCTUARY PORT, VARIOUS CORRIDORS – DAY
Spinning to his right, Mordecai rounds yet another bend.
As he sprints down the corridor he starts to slow down and looks back, waiting to see if Lilith is still behind him.
He question is answered as she comes round the bend.
Allowing her to catch up, the pair approaches the end of the corridor, which becomes a T-junction.
Getting there first, Mordecai chooses left and Lilith follows.
61. INT. SANCTUARY PORT, ENTRANCE CORRIDOR – DAY
The pair race down a long corridor.
About half way down is a small passage leading to the exit, out to Sanctuary.
Mordecai rounds the corner first but stops as he does so, allowing Lilith to overtake him.
He leans out and looks back down the corridor, waiting for the Crimson Lance guard to show up.
Over by the exit, Lilith looks back at him.
LILITH
Is he gone?
MORDECAI
For now.
He turns and half walks, half jogs over to Lilith.
LILITH
So that's it. We're really free.
Mordecai hits the panel to open the door and looks back at Lilith as it slides open, not seeing what's outside.
MORDECAI
Remember what I said about jinxing us?
He takes a step out of the building before looking out in front of him and stopping dead in his tracks.
62. EXT. SANCTUARY, PORT ENTRANCE - DAY
Unlike the rest of the settlements on Pandora, Sanctuary somewhat resembles a modern to futuristic city, however at the moment, its less city and more ruins.
The area where Mordecai and Lilith have emerged is on the outskirts and is dominated by single or double story houses and low buildings. In the distance, a small number of taller buildings stand together.
As Mordecai watches a loud boom followed by a plume of smoke indicates a nearby explosion.
A loud noise is heard overhead and both Mordecai and Lilith, who has also stepped out and is stood next to him, instinctively duck their heads as a small attack craft flies directly over the top of them coming from the port. The Crimson Lance insignia can be seen painted on the side.
As it flies down the street a small group of Pandoran soldiers race out from one of the buildings. Two of them turn and start firing at the attack craft but a few missiles sent in their direction quickly wipe them all out.
Above the attack craft another large Crimson Lance ship flies over the city and hovers over the docks, preparing to land.
Mordecai grabs Lilith's arm and steps backwards, back through the doors into the port.
63. INT. SANCTUARY PORT, ENTRANCE CORRIDORS – DAY
Stepping back from the carnage outside, Mordecai turns to Lilith.
MORDECAI
You know what; I've got a better idea.
Letting go of Lilith's arm, he darts down the passage away from the entrance and back into the larger corridor.
As he enters the corridor, he skids to a stop as he sees who's stood only about ten meters from him.
The CRIMSON LANCE GUARD raises his assault rifle as he spots Mordecai emerge from the entrance passage.
Quickly changing his mind, Mordecai jumps back into the passage and races back towards Lilith who hasn't moved from where he left her.
As Mordecai passes her, he pushes against her back, urging her to get moving.
MORDECAI
Never mind. Back to plan A.
They both exit the building.
64. EXT. SUNCTUARY, PORT ENTRANCE – DAY
Racing out of the port, Mordecai runs diagonally down the street, aiming for a ruined building off to the left.
Lilith only just manages to keep up her arms bouncing painfully in front of her, still bound by the glowing cuffs.
Before they have made it even half way to the building, the Crimson Lance Guard emerges from the port entrance and lifts his gun to fire.
This time he targets Lilith instead of Mordecai and unleashes a short burst.
The bullets only just miss, flying right in front of Lilith's face, causing her to stumble in surprise and fall to the ground.
Hearing Lilith fall behind him, Mordecai turns to check whether or not she's still alive.
Seeing her on the ground uninjured, he shoots a quick glance at the Guard who is readjusting his aim and spins back.
At the same time as the guard pulls the trigger, Mordecai suddenly stops dead, causing the Guard to over adjust his aim.
A number of small bullet holes are punched into the road only a few feet in front of Mordecai.
As soon as the burst finishes Mordecai immediately leaps into action, making it to Lilith in only a few steps and violently grabbing her arm, all but dragging her to her feet.
The guard, now frustrated, centres Mordecai in his sights and pulls the trigger… only to hear the click of an empty barrel.
Cursing, the guard yanks the empty clip out of the assault rifle and reaches into a pouch for a new one.
This is all the time Mordecai and Lilith need to dash over to the ruined building and disappear inside it.
65. INT. SUNCTUARY, RUINED BUILDING – DAY
Entering through a hole in the wall into what appears to be a small dining room, Mordecai finally releases Lilith's arm.
He strides across the room towards a small door leading into the kitchen.
MORDECAI
You know, this would be a really good time for you to use your invisible, magic trick ability.
LILITH
I can't right now!
Lilith rolls her eyes and shakes the glowing cuffs in front of her face to emphasise the point.
Passing through the kitchen, they enter a short hall, which leads to a back room.
MORDECAI
Can you do anything with those things on?
LILITH
Beyond kicking and screaming?..
The tone of her voice answers the question.
Shaking his head in frustration, Mordecai leans out through one of the shattered windows, leading from the back room, back outside onto what appears to be a currently empty street.
Quickly making his decision, Mordecai jumps through the window.
66. EXT. SANCTUARY, EMPTY STREET – DAY
The plume of an explosion can be seen rising above the low buildings, accompanied by a dull rumble.
Turning back to see Lilith climbing through the window after him, Mordecai looks left and right, trying to decide on a direction.
After a moment he chooses right, towards the central part of the city.
The pair cross the road and stay close to the sidewalk on the left hand side.
Hearing a loud noise behind him, Mordecai turns and looks up as one of the larger Crimson Lance ships floats up from the port and begins to fly over Sanctuary.
As the ship passes over Mordecai and Lilith, drop pods begin to appear from the underside of the ship, falling down into the city.
Seeing a second and then third Lance ship rise from the port, Mordecai returns his gaze to where he's currently running…
…and slams into a drop pod as it hits the ground only a few feet in front of him, barely giving him enough time to raise his arms to absorb the impact, let alone stop.
Having come to a sudden halt, Mordecai takes a step back and quickly examines the pod. A thin outline marks where the pod opens to release the soldier within.
As Lilith jogs up to Mordecai, somewhat amazed that he wasn't squashed under the pod, he slowly starts to move around the pod, putting himself on the other side to the pod's opening.
A rumbling is heard coming from the pod. Hissing can be heard as the pressure controlled door mechanics spring to life.
The area within the thin outline is pushed out and slowly starts to slide open, revealing inside a soldier suited up in thick oversized armour. None of the man can be seen through the full body suit, which makes him look larger than Brick. On his back is a pair of fuel tanks, which connect to a flamethrower held in his hands.
Although Mordecai put himself on the other side of the pod to the opening, Lilith did not and is seen by the fire-soldier almost as soon as the pod releases him.
Stepping out of the pod, the fire-soldier raises the flamethrower to point it at Lilith and pulls the trigger.
At the same time Lilith automatically raises her arms as through shielding her face even though she knows that it'll do no good against the weapon.
Searing white hot flames shoot out of the flamethrower towards Lilith.
Amazingly, the column of flames veers off to Lilith's left before hitting her as Mordecai jumps the fire-soldier from the side, knocking off his aim.
Grabbing hold of and pushing the flamethrower to the side, Mordecai screams in pain as steam rises from his hands where they are grabbing the burning hot barrel of the flamethrower.
Tearing his hands away, he only has a moment to realise his plan didn't extend much beyond this point before the fire-soldier brings the weapon back and uses it to smash Mordecai in the face.
Falling to the ground dazed, Mordecai rolls onto his side and notices Lilith rooted to the spot as she watches the fight.
MORDECAI
Get out of here!
He doesn't have a chance to say much more as the fire soldier brings a heavy armoured boot down onto his ribs, likely cracking a few.
Lilith suddenly springs into action and sprints directly towards the fire-soldier.
She raises her arms and slams into the massive bodysuit.
The effect is barely noticeable, the intended result of throwing the soldier off balance fails dismally as he hardly moves at all.
Its not completely in vain though as Mordecai feels some of the pressure ease off of his torso as the soldier transfers his weight into his other leg. This is enough for Mordecai to roll painfully out.
It's Lilith's turn now to cop the full anger of the soldier as he pulls back a metal fist and slams it into her chest, sending her flying onto her back.
The fire-soldier brings up his flamethrower and points it at Lilith.
Before he can pull the trigger the soldier is surprised as a handful of dust and small pebbles impact against his helmet. The result is nothing more than a distraction and it works a charm as the wall of flame intended for Lilith instead arcs around towards Mordecai instead.
Thinking quick, Mordecai dives onto the ground towards the fire-soldier, the deadly billowy flames passing right over the top of him.
Rolling out of the dive, Mordecai leaps onto is feet and darts over to where Lilith is pushing herself up from the ground.
Momentarily disorientated, the fire-soldier quickly relocates Mordecai pulling Lilith to her feet and aims his weapon as they both try to put as much distance between the soldier and themselves as they can.
Another burst emerges from the weapon and although the aim is dead on it falls just short of its targets who are aiming for a small divide between buildings.
MORDECAI
Quick! Over there!
Reaching the small opening, Lilith turns sideways and squeezes into the gap. There's barely enough room for her but it seems a better alternate than wasting time trying to hack through the multitude of completely boarded up windows and doors littering the buildings either side.
Mordecai watches impatiently as Lilith slides through the gap wondering whether or not he'll even fit. Behind him, the fire-soldier closes the gap although the large bulky armour means that his speed is far from terrific.
Regardless, it only takes a few seconds for Mordecai to come within range and the flamethrower is fired.
Turning around at just the right time, Mordecai darts to the side, dodging the flames.
The fire slides into the gap where Lilith has almost reached the other end. The small area seems to focus the flames and they race towards her.
Ducking her head Lilith scrambles towards the end of the gap and manages to wrap her hands around the other side.
A second burst comes from the flamethrower, this time aimed directly down the gap.
Lilith pulls herself out of the gap and throws herself to the side as flames erupt from the thin space right next to her. After a second they disappear.
Breathing a quick sigh of relief she tears herself away from the wall she had planted herself against and races down the small alley she's just entered towards a wide street away from the fire-soldier.
Mordecai seems to have run out of idea's as the fire-soldier aims his gun directly down the small gap, ignoring Mordecai for the moment.
That changes as Mordecai races up to him and attempts to tackle the soldier.
Again the result is almost laughable and the soldier swings the barrel of the flamethrower towards Mordecai.
Anticipating the move this time Mordecai ducks under the weapon and reaches out with both hands, grabbing the soldiers hand and wrapping his elbow around the soldiers arm to get a tighter grip, turning his body into the soldier in the process, so that his back is now against the soldiers chest.
The fire-soldier attempts to shake his arm free and Mordecai is swung to his right before being pulled back into the solder as it changes its tactics and attempts to squash Mordecai against its body.
Bringing the other arm up, the fire-soldier manages to get a chokehold on Mordecai who has to suddenly start gasping for breath.
Mordecai releases the fire-soldiers gun arm and brings both hands up to his neck attempting to pry the thick armour away from his throat. However with both hands free the soldier can push down harder.
Mordecai starts turning blue as his eyes roll back into his skull, almost at the point of unconsciousness.
He's suddenly brought back however as three bullets bounce off of the fire-soldiers armour, causing him to drop Mordecai and turn towards the next attacker.
Vision slightly blurred, Mordecai looks over and spots a small group of Pandoran soldiers down the street holding rifles and pistols.
The Pandoran's fire off a few more shots. The few bullets that don't go wide bounce harmlessly off of the fire-soldiers thick armour.
Deciding that out in the open really isn't the place to be, Mordecai rolls onto his stomach and half runs, half crawls back towards the window he originally entered the street from as the bullets from the Pandoran soldiers which don't find the fire-soldier whiz through the air just above his head.
As he reaches the footpath he feels a touch safer, no longer being in the firing line.
Dragging himself up to the window he gives himself a half second breather before finally getting up off of his hands and standing up, looking through the smashed window… right into the face of the guard from earlier.
Mordecai drops back down again under the window frame as the guard lets loose a burst from his rifle into the space where Mordecai's head was just a moment earlier.
Letting out a concerned growl, Mordecai re-evaluates his position and dashes away from the window and the guard, back out onto the road where the Pandoran's are trying to take down the fire-soldier.
67. EXT. SANCTUARY, MAIN STREET – DAY
Lilith emerges from the alley onto a wide street. On either side, the street is lined with small two and three story stores, most with a glass front although many of them have a steel fire protective shutter pulled down, closing them off. There's no-one on the street at the moment.
A few blocks away one of the small fighter crafts fires down on something, at first with bullets before following them up with a missile, causing a large explosion. Satisfied with it's work the fighter turns away and heads towards the main city.
To her right a large Crimson Lance ship hovers over the town, also headed in the direction of the main area of the city. The ship slows down for a moment to drop half a dozen drop-pods into the area before speeding off.
Both ships are two far away to affect her.
From behind her she can hear the sound of gunfire coming from the street where she left Mordecai. Looking back, her face appears conflicted between going back to help him, assuming he's still alive, and acknowledging that as long as her hands are bound by the cuffs, she's the next best thing before completely useless.
Turning back to the street she starts to jog over to the other side.
As she gets about half way across a low boom steals her attention and she slows to a stop. The boom is not one of an explosion but of something impacting the ground. And the sound is uncomfortably close.
Looking down the street in the direction of the noise, Lilith takes a step backwards as she hears another impact.
A third impact hints at what's coming but it's the fourth that makes it visible as it rounds a building about thirty meters down the street.
It could loosely be described as another man in a suit, but this is more of a mech than a suit. Three times higher than Lilith and just as wide the only hint of human control is the head of a greying but hardened man, with a patch covering his right eye sticking out of a small hole near the top of the mech suit. Each of the long arms end with massive launchers.
As he enters the street, KNOXX turns his head towards Lilith and immediately raises one of the Devastators massive arms.
He lets out a grin as somewhere in the machine he pushes the launch button.
An RPG rocket flies out of the launcher and spirals through the air towards Lilith.
Lilith dashes to one side and throws herself into a dive as the rocket hits the street causing a reasonably sized fireball and showering the area in debris.
Struggling to her feet, not an easy task with bound hands, Lilith dashes towards the shops on the far side of the street as Knoxx switches arms and re-aims.
Evidentially he's right handed as the second rocket is nowhere near as accurate as the first, flying into one of the shop windows blowing a huge hole in the wall.
Seeing the opportunity, Lilith heads towards this hole as Knoxx aims the now reloaded, first Devastator arm at her.
A rocket comes flying out of the launcher on the end of the arm just as Lilith darts into the hole, and explodes against the side of the opening, the shockwave from the blast throwing Lilith across the room and into one of the walls.
68. INT. SACTUARY, TWO-STORY STORE - DAY
Despite being sore all over Lilith examines her surroundings. She has two options, a steel door leading deeper into the building, or a staircase that runs parallel to the street she's just come off of.
She heads for the large door and pushes down on the handle.
It's locked. Frustrated she gives it a few more tries before slamming both her palms against the door and dashing up the staircase.
At the top is a small-carpeted corridor, lined with windows looking out over the main street. The corridor leads off in both directions, each ending in what appears to be offices.
Lilith ops to head in the direction away from Knoxx, not contemplating for a second that although the corridor is completely intact, that direction will take her over the section destroyed by Knoxx's earlier rocket.
This fact quickly becomes apparent as she races down the corridor, when the floor suddenly gives way beneath her feet.
Arms held out in front of her, Lilith lets out a scream as she drops down.
She never hits the floor though as her bound hands somehow manage to catch a thick, steel beam poking out from the other side of the now ruined corridor. With her shoulders taking the main grunt of the sudden stop, Lilith finds herself hanging by her wrists, just inside of the opening created by the General earlier.
Attempting to pull herself up and trying to slide the cuffs towards the end of the steel beam, Lilith flops around, like a fish hanging off a line, as low, rumbling footsteps indicate that Knoxx is making his way towards her position.
69. EXT. SANCTUARY, (FORMERLY) EMPTY STREET – DAY
Foot catching on a piece of broken street, Mordecai finds himself hitting the ground as bullet holes pepper the street just to his left.
Behind him, the guard pulls out another empty clip and begins replacing it.
Just down the street, the Pandoran soldiers are now in range of the fire-soldier, who lets off a burst of flame right into the heart of the group. The soldiers split down the middle.
Only able to follow one group, the fire-soldiers pivots left and two of the Pandoran's catch alight, the intense heat all but melting them.
The remaining soldier from the left group and the four which make up the right group, round the fire-soldier, putting themselves behind him and firing off another round.
The fire soldier pivots on the spot, still firing and two more Pandoran's go down.
Rethinking their strategies, the remaining three soldiers race away from the fire-soldier trying to get out of its range.
As they leg it away from the fire-soldier, one of the fighter pods suddenly swoops down from over the low buildings and fires off two missiles, cleaning up the remainder of the squad before disappearing.
Thanking the heavens that the fighter didn't see him, Mordecai goes for the small gap that Lilith disappeared down earlier.
The sound of bullets racing past his ears prompts him to change direction.
Unfortunately, the direction he chooses in the heat of the moment takes him directly towards the fire-soldier.
Knowing he can't let himself slow down, Mordecai speeds up, grabbing the fire-soldiers arm as he tears past it and using it to swing himself around right in front of it, putting it between him and the guard.
The guard fires at Mordecai as he does this, but his aim is now obstructed, the fire-soldier seems pretty capable of resisting bullets.
The flamethrower is swung towards Mordecai and he ducks under it.
The soldier tries again, but this time swings low.
Not expecting that, Mordecai finds himself being slammed on his shoulder, sending him stumbling sideways, out of the fire-soldiers protection.
Bullets immediately fly his way as he rolls across the ground away from his attacker and back onto his feet.
Out of the corner of his eye he spots the flamethrower being aimed in his direction.
Jumping towards the flame-soldier he swings out his arm and just manages to knock the flamethrower to one side as it sends out a ball of flame.
In his current position, both he and the flame-soldier are standing side-on to the guard allowing for a clear shot at Mordecai.
The guard raises his rifle and aims it.
Grabbing both of the flame-soldiers shoulders, Mordecai uses every ounce of strength his stick figure form will allow to try and force the man between him and the guard.
He's only half successful, as he seems to move further than the soldier does, however the soldier does turn with Mordecai exposing his back to the guard.
As this happens the guard lets loose a stream of bullets. Some miss, a good portion bounce off of the fire-soldiers back. But one finds a completely different target.
Piercing the fuel tank strapped to the back of the fire-soldier a loud hissing noise is heard as the pressure inside the tank very quickly becomes critical.
Hearing this, Mordecai's eyes widen and he pushes himself away from the fire-soldier and begins to leg-it down the street as fast as he can manage.
The fire-soldier turns his head to look at the tank strapped to his back.
The soldier is suddenly replaced by a massive, blood infused fireball as the fuel tank explodes taking the soldier with it.
Only just making it out of the range of the explosion, Mordecai doesn't even look back to enjoy the show as he tears through an open door which is where we assume the Pandoran soldiers entered the street from earlier.
As he leaves the street, pieces of the fire-soldiers armour rain onto the ground as a mini mushroom cloud rises over street.
70. EXT. SANCTUARY, MAIN STREET – DAY
The glass from a window shatters as a thick paperweight flies through it, followed closely by Mordecai.
Landing on the footpath he quickly takes in his surroundings and is not impressed by what he sees.
Almost directly across the street from him, Lilith is hanging by her wrists from a steel beam just inside of a ruined wall and what looks like a giant mech is slowly making its way towards her.
Knoxx notices Mordecai a few second after he enters the street. It only takes half a second to register that Mordecai is not wearing Crimson Lance armor, instantly making him a viable target.
Knoxx raises his right launcher and fires a rocket in Mordecai's direction.
As Mordecai darts across the street in Lilith's direction, the rockets powers straight past him and impacts against the bottom of the window he'd just run through.
Mordecai speeds up and a rocket from Knoxx's left launcher flies wide and hits the ground behind him.
Having to wait a few seconds for both launchers to go through their automatic reload cycle gives Mordecai enough time to finish crossing the road and dash through the ruined wall into the store where Lilith is.
71. INT. SANTUARY, TWO-STORY STORE – DAY
MORDECAI
Decided to hang around for me, did you?
Lilith rolls her eyes at the terrible pun.
LILITH
Help me.
Mordecai looks up at the steel beam, quickly assessing Lilith's problem.
Placing himself beneath her, he reaches up and places his hands underneath her boots, wrapping his fingers around her feet.
MORDECAI
On the count of three, push down on my hands.
Although she hears exactly what he says, Lilith gets eager and pushes down with her legs almost straight away. Not ready for the extra weight, Mordecai's arms fall away having almost no effect.
MORDECAI
I said on three!
LILITH
I'm sorry, but we're kind of on the clock here.
She looks around in the direction of the steady impacts signalling Knoxx's approach. Going by the sound, he'll be at the gap within a few more steps.
Mordecai also looks in that direction before turning back to Lilith.
MORDECAI
Alright: Three!
Lilith pushes down with her legs as though jumping while Mordecai tenses his arms to take her weight. Although she doesn't rise by much, enough weight is taken off of the cuffs for them to slide along the beam.
Unfortunately, they slide the wrong way, towards the base of the ruined corridor and further onto the beam. Seeing this Mordecai lets out a quiet growl of frustration.
MORDECAI
The other way! Once more: Three!
They try again and this time Lilith leans back as she pushes down. The cuffs slide in the right direction, moving just past the point where she started.
Lilith looks up at her hands and grins as she sees them edge closer to freedom. However the grin disappears as she looks back down.
Through the ruined wall, Knoxx can now be seen. He's stood a few meters back onto he street but is still uncomfortably close. The smile crossing his face indicates that he now has a pretty good view of her, hanging out in the open.
Mordecai takes a quick look at Knoxx and almost immediately lets go of Lilith.
MORDECAI
Hang tight.
He darts off in the direction of the steel door, bracing his shoulder and slamming into it, trying to bash it open.
Instead he simply bounces off of it, the door seemingly unaffected.
There's a beat where Mordecai nurses a sore shoulder.
Suddenly the wall around the door just crumbles, falling away to make a gap slightly larger than what the door would have on its own.
Mordecai shoots one final glance at Lilith and disappears through the gap.
Watching him vanish through the thick dust stirred up by the wall falling apart, Lilith's face turns to fear as she hears Knoxx stop out on the street.
She turns to face the man in the Devastator mech suit.
Peering at her through his remaining eye, Knoxx raises his right launcher and takes aim. His target it close and immobile, there's next to no chances of him missing.
Something inside the launcher grinds as the rocket is ignited inside the tube.
From the end of the launcher, the rocket emerges, beginning its journey towards Lilith.
Lilith continues to glare at Knoxx.
A revolver fires a single bullet.
Suddenly the rocket explodes in mid air almost half way between Knoxx and Lilith. Caught off guard, Knoxx stumbles backwards, which in the Devastator makes for some very clunky and awkward movements.
Stood in the hole where the steel door was earlier, Mordecai pulls once more on the revolver trigger. It clicks empty.
Deciding that its no more use to him he ditches it to the side and runs back to Lilith.
Grabbing her feet he doesn't even bother counting and simply pushes upwards. Lilith takes her cue and pushes down allowing the cuffs to slide to and over the end of the steel beam.
Falling to the floor Mordecai moves to try and catch Lilith. The end result however is that Lilith lands on him, sending him stumbling backwards grabbing her around the waist.
His back hits a nearby wall, hard, followed closely by his head. For a moment his eyes roll back as stars flash in front of his eyes.
Lilith seems to be aright, falling into Mordecai as he hits the wall.
Quickly finding her feet she grabs Mordecai's arm and pulls him through the gap where the steel door was previously.
Through the ruined wall on the other side, Knoxx is still recovering from the earlier blast, one hand visibly extending from the hole where his head pokes through the mech, rubbing at his eye.
Running through what looks like a sitting room attached to the store, Lilith and Mordecai enter a long corridor with wooden floorboards and doors leading into various rooms along the sides.
Lilith allows herself a victory laugh as Mordecai starts taking his own weight and they put more distance between themselves and Knoxx.
LILITH
Yes! We are out of here.
She takes two more steps and is suddenly brought to a halt by two stocky soldiers emerging right in front of her, from one of the doors down the corridor.
The soldiers are not Crimson Lance but that doesn't stop them from pointing their guns at the pair. Unlike the Crimson Lance soldiers though, they don't immediately start shooting, instead holding their ground, stopping Lilith and Mordecai from going any further down the corridor.
Mordecai turns around and only makes it a step back down in the direction they just came before being stopped by three more soldiers stepping out from two doors on either side of the corridor.
They're boxed in
Mordecai turns back to Lilith.
MORDECAI
What did I tell you earlier about jinxing us?
One of the Pandoran's from the group in front of them steps forwards and examines Lilith. His eyes run down her body, stopping at the glowing cuffs binding her wrists.
PANDORAN
Prisoners.
Mordecai steps forwards putting himself next to Lilith.
MORDECAI
Shit lawyer.
He smiles sarcastically at the Pandoran soldier.
Suddenly a female voice with an English accent is heard from behind him, causing both Mordecai and Lilith to spin around.
HELENA
Lawyers? There's a rare privilege these days.
From the door on the left, Helena emerges. She remains profile to Mordecai and Lilith so that only the right side of her face can be seen.
HELENA
So does that make you one of our prisoners…
She pauses for a brief moment before turning her head to look directly at Mordecai, revealing a huge, fresh, scarred area covering a fair portion of the left side of her face.
HELENA
… Or theirs?
Mordecai and Lilith simply stare back at Helena, neither saying a word.