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DISCLAIMER THINGY:
I don't own Survivor, Saber Marionette J, a car, a house, brains, a pet, a mansion, a monkey, a coconut farm, a plasma generator, a sense of decency, a limo, a gun, a television set, pride, dignity, social skills, a credit card, a decent pair of shoes, stock in any companies, DVDs, hot springs, the monkey's uncle, fashion-sense, a chair, more than one blanket, the commas I'm using to separate the items on this list, a good modem, a cadillac, or the voting system. In short, don't sue me, I don't own nearly enough to make it worth your time.
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SURVIVOR: TERRA II
JAPONESS-GAR
Lime
(Goddel - voted off Ep. 3)
Marine
Gennai
Lorelei
Luchs
Cherry
(Yumeji - voted off Ep. 1)
ZAUBERBURG
Bloodberry
Hess
(Panther - voted off Ep. 2)
Faust
Obiichi
Tiger
Hanagata
Otaru
DAY 5
[A DARKENED KAMUNA MOUNTAIN RANGE DOMINATES THE OPENING SPRAWL. A LIGHT DRIZZLE DROPS, WITH LARGE PURPLE CLOUDS BLANKETING THE ENTIRE SKY. SEVERAL LIGHTNING BURSTS TRAVEL FROM CLOUD TO CLOUD.]
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR: Everyone is settled inside their shelter, staring out at the falling rain.]
LIME: (groaning and tapping a rice bowl rythmically with chopsticks) Ahh...rain is boring. How much longer is it gonna rain? It's already been playing all morning! Isn't it tired yet? Rain, rain, rain, RAIN, RAAIIN!
CHERRY: (sharpening the tribe's knives gently on an open towel) Oh, Lime. Don't worry about a thing. The storm should pass by in about an hour if it continues on its current course.
GENNAI: (quiet and reserved, he sits up with his head hidden between his legs)
CHERRY: (notices him and tries to comfort him) Isn't that right Gennai-San? Gennai-San? (gives up with a sigh)
LUCHS: (to Camera, obviously taped on a different date since she sits under a clear sky) After that morning, Gennai just didn't seem too high spirited anymore. I think Lorelei-San had said something to him. From that point on, he just withdrew himself.
MARINE: (to Camera, after a pause) See? Men are scary...
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: Obviously not any better off, the rain showering down the side of the mountain and through their shelter's leaky roof.]
FAUST: I told you it wouldn't hold, Mamiya. The material was too inferior.
HANAGATA: (portion of the roof above him collapses, dumping gallons of water all over him and leaving him like a drenched rat) Waaahhh! That's COLD! What did I ever do to deserve this?!
SOEMON: (squints at Hana) Everything.
FAUST: (to Camera, on that same bright footage as earlier) Obiichi Soemon is a smart man. He knows exactly who to watch, and how to treat them accordingly. He's also the ace up my sleeve, but only he knows that.
HANAGATA: (to Camera, bright and sunny) That Soemon is the most disrespectful and rude person I have ever had the misfortune of meeting. I don't know what he has against me, but if he keeps it up he may have to face the wrath of Mitsurugi!
OTARU: (to Camera, bright and sunny) Almost a week. A week and not a single attempt. I'm not sure that's really Hanagata...
[CUT TO THE STORM BLOWING HARDER, A PLASMA BURST HITTING THE GROUND.]
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: The shelter is shaking in the fierce wind, everyone inside looking slightly worried.]
MARINE: (nervously) It's gotten pretty dark outside.
LUCHS: It's to be expected, Marine. The plasma energy is building up rather than dicharging. Normally it would be released by now. It's going to get real rough soon.
LORELEI: (looks from the group to Gennai) It can't be good for you four marionettes to be exposed to such activity. Perhaps you'd like me to shut down your systems until it's over?
LUCHS: That's unnecessary, Lorelei. Besides, it would be better if we're around to take up the next challenge with both you and Gennai.
MARINE: (wide-eyed) What? They're still going to make us do one of their challenges in this storm?
CHERRY: Despite any hope against it, I'm almost certain they will.
MARINE: How can they? That's just too cruel...
LORELEI: I'm sorry everyone.
[They all look at her (Gennai still unmoving), wondering what she had to be sorry about.]
LIME: Don't say that, Lorelei. The rain's not your fault.
MARINE: I- I- didn't mean that you were cruel, Lorelei.
LORELEI: No...that's not what I meant. The challenge letter. It was given this morning before any of you were awake. I didn't tell any of you about it yet.
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR]
SOEMON: Well, then, Hess. What is the challenge?
HESS: I don't read silly rhymes. (He drops the plushie ponta-kun doll that the challenge is written on and disappears back into the shadows)
OTARU: (picks it up in his left hand) "Run like the wind, like never before. Or else get struck and feel real sore."
BLOODBERRY: (hugs him from behind, causing him to drop the ponta) Say, Otaru? Why don't we forget this challenge, and stay behind? I'll show you myself just how much like the wind I can move...
TIGER: (rolls her eyes) Oh, please. That didn't even make sense.
OTARU: (sharply) Bloodberry! (calms down) We're in the lead here, so let's not give them the chance to catch up. If we're going to see this thing to the end, we're going to have to keep trying like we always have.
FAUST: (unimpressed) Well spoken, Mamiya Otaru. But do you mean what you say, with so many of your marionettes on the opposing team?
TIGER: (smiles at Otaru after Faust's words startle him) It seems your heart is too weak to really back up your words.
FAUST: Listen well, Mamiya Otaru. If the time comes that you choose your marionettes over the well-being of the tribe, know that we will not hesitate in ousting you.
OTARU: (exasperated) You would have me make such a choice? This is nothing but a competition. Anything I do in contest against them doesn't mean a thing outside of it!
TIGER: It doesn't? Then why do you claim it to be a hard decision? If that was the case, there wouldn't be any argument, any doubt to begin with. We wouldn't be having this conversation.
BLOODBERRY: (eyes shaking, she whispers to herself) Otaru. You have me, and yet you won't give up on those other two...
[THE CHALLENGE ARRIVES. IT CONSISTS OF A RACE THROUGH THE EYE OF THE STORM. EACH TEAM HAS TO LOCK HANDS FOR THE ENTIRE RACE, AND IF ANY MEMBER FALLS, THE GROUP MUST GO BACK TO THE STARTING LINE. A DEPRESSED GENNAI BOGS DOWN THE ENTIRE JAPONESS-GAR TEAM, NOT TRYING AT ALL TO RUN. ZAUBERBURG TAKES THE TROPHY, A SHELTER SIZED UMBRELLA.]
DAY 6
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR: The winds and rain battering against the external parts of the shelter.]
LORELEI: (walks over and bends down in front of Gennai, hands resting gently on his knees) I'm sorry about what I said earlier Gennai. I may have been too harsh with my words, but I just felt I needed to say what I did. Don't mess your own chances up on my account.
MARINE: (whispering to the others) What did she say to him that made him like that?
LORELEI: (when he doesn't answer, she lowers herself even further to the ground, turning away) I- I'm so sorry.
LIME: Lorelei? What's the matter?
LORELEI: (crying, she hugs the other tightly) Oh, Lime! What have I done? I didn't mean to hurt anyone!
GENNAI: (completely serious) Don't worry, Lorelei. I'm not mad at you. I'm more mad with myself. I've been a foolish old man, forgetting where to draw the line. It seems even the elderly have lessons to learn once in a while... I suppose it's my turn for apology.
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: Faust Calmly stares at the violent plasma bolts that strike out in the distance.]
FAUST: Such undying power...
SOEMON: (voice over as the camera shows Hess and Tiger to either side of Faust, with himself watching from a safe distance) Loyalty is something I don't take lightly. When I make a pledge, I am bound to hold to it...even if it goes against my ideals.
HESS: Had we more tests, my lord Faust, that undying power could have easily been ours...
FAUST: You mean, it will be ours, Hess.
TIGER: (cradling his arm) Certainly, Faust-Sama. Anything you set your sights on ultimately belongs to you.
BLOODBERRY: (eyes the other bunch suspiciously, sitting over a laid-back Otaru) They don't belong here, Otaru. And we'd be fools to trust them. Still, what can we do?
HANAGATA: (mixing a meal over the fire) Bah! You worry too much, Bloodberry. Can't you see that we Japoness outnumber them four to three? No matter what "master plans" or "preparations" or "strategies" they're constantly talking about, we win. Simple as that.
OTARU: (sits part-way up) Huh? What did you say, Hanagata?
BLOODBERRY: (sharply stares at him) Just what are those guys really plotting? You've heard them?
OTARU: Yeah, what'd they say?
HANAGATA: (reaches in for the spoon he dropped in the pot, screaming and pulling his hand immediately out of the boiling water) Gaah! That's hot!
BLOODBERRY: (lifts him off the ground violently) Answer the question, Hanako!!
HANAGATA: Yaaahh! Calm down! Put me down! I didn't hear anything else...just what I said! A "preparation", a "strategy", and a "master plan"! Honestly!
OTARU: I wonder what that could mean...(turns back to look at the other group of the tribe)
[BOTH TEAMS ASSEMBLE FOR THEIR LATEST CHALLENGE, THOUGH TEAM ZAUBERBURG LOOKS SOMEWHAT DIVIDED. THE RAIN STILL HAMMERS DOWN FROM ABOVE.]
JEFF: Hey, Japoness-Gar, Zauberburg. How are you making out with the storm?
GENNAI: It's actually somewhat depressing, to tell the truth.
FAUST: Plasma is beautiful in its own way.
JEFF: So team opinions would be divided it seems. No matter, the next challenge may help to pull things together. We have for each of you, a set of working pieces for a small rocket. When the signal is given, you will have to assemble the pieces as quickly as you can. Once it is put together, launch it to show that it was properly built. First one launched gains the most important reward here at stake on Survivor - the immunity idol. Survivors ready? Get to it!
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: Everyone stares down at the strange-looking pieces]
SOEMON: I know nothing about rocket science.
BLOODBERRY: Me neither. Otaru?
OTARU: (shrugs) Umm...Faust?
FAUST: (makes an annoyed grunt) You Japoness are useless. Hess, take care of this for me.
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR]
LIME: Yipee! It's a puzzle! (starts snapping pieces together randomly)
GENNAI: (sweatdropping) No, Lime...those two don't go together! You see, it's more like...ah, never mind...
LUCHS: (finishing up the portion she garbbed hold of) There. The propulsion systems are all ready. Now just to... (sees Lime's fork shaped grouping) ...oh no.
CHERRY: (grabs the fork-like bunch from a wide-eyed Lime) We can still do it! Come on, Luchs!
MARINE: Was that good, Lime?
[AS LUCHS IS PUTTING THE FINAL PIECES TOGETHER, TEAM ZAUBERBURG'S ROCKET FLIES OVERHEAD. SHE DISMALLY LETS IT DROP TO THE GROUND, REFUSING TO LOOK IN LIME'S DIRECTION.]
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: The rain finally lets up as the hour for tribal council nears.]
OTARU: (shaking off the umbrella, he thinks out loud) I wonder what Lime and Cherry are thinking right now?
TIGER: (steps in from behind, startling him) Still unable to see our tribe as your true team, Mamiya?
OTARU: (turns to look at her) How can I place trust in those that plot against me?
TIGER: Against you? Whatever gave you that idea? True, I may dislike you, but to coincide with Faust-Sama's wishes, I am willing to co-operate with you. (She steps closer, and he feels his heart begin to beat faster) Despite the hardships we hold against one another outside of this game, I call a truce for now.
FAUST: (from across the camp, out of view) Tiger!
SOEMON: (noticable on the camera, but hiding from both of his teammates' viewp as she runs off to the sound of her master's voice.) A truce is nothing more than a short agreement of ceasefire.
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR: The usual uncomfortable silence that precedes a tribal council...]
LUCHS: (mumbling to herself in anger) I could've built that thing in no time had she not gone and...argh!
LORELEI: (whispering) My fault....this is all because of me...
CHERRY: (trying to cheer up her comrades) Who's hungry? We still have time for a snack of pickles before we go! Anyone?
[IT'S ANOTHER GLOOMY NIGHT FOR A TRIBAL COUNCIL. JAPONESS-GAR IS HERE FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE TIME.]
JEFF: Well, what a few days it's been. It seems you've lost some of your morale yesterday with Gennai slowing you all down, and then you just weren't fast enough today with the immunity. Two times in a row now, you've come to lose another member... not very uplifting I might add. Would anyone like to share any thoughts?
LORELEI: (stands up, face red) I'd just like to say that I'm sorry for everything I've done so far to let the team down... I should have tried harder up until this point, but I haven't and it is irreversible.
CHERRY: Ano...this may be the wrong time and place, but I'd like to remind everyone that there is still plenty of leftovers from dinner. So if anyone is hungry, don't forget that...
GENNAI: Even geniuses like myself can be proven wrong. I believe we could've stood a better chance if I hadn't been so moody myself. I, like Lorelei, am sorry.
LIME: Ne, Luchs? Why is everyone apologizing?
LUCHS: (flatly) Never you mind, Lime...
JEFF: Alright then, let's get things underway then...
[THE CONTESTANTS GO OFF TO CAST THEIR DECISION SHROUDED IN LIGHT FOG.]
LORELEI: (writes her own name) I've done my part, now it's time to compensate them.
LIME: (holds up a scribbled picture of Luchs and beams blissfully) This is a picture of my friend Luchs. Isn't it pretty?
LUCHS: (writes 'Lime') You keep this up and we'll never win. We're not here to play...
[WHEN EVERYONE IS FINISHED, JEFF TAKES THE POT WITH ALL THE VOTES AND STANDS AGAIN BEFORE THE GROUP.]
JEFF: I'll read the votes one by one. Once they are read the decision is final, and that person will have to leave the area immediately. Let's get to it...
(Reveals the very first vote) Gennai.
[Gennai seems like he expected it.]
(and the next) Marine.
(...and the next) Lorelei.
Let's see. Three compeletly different votes, with a tie for Gennai, Marine, or Lorelei. Guess we'll dig deeper...
(he tries not to laugh as he holds up Lime's drawing. Lime sees his face and looks angry. Luchs also recognizes the crude style and sulks at Lime in secret) Luchs. We're now split four ways. Two votes left.
(second last vote is turned over) Lime. It appears this is going to be a tough decision... well let's see what the final vote has to say...
(as he turns it over, the music climaxes) Lorelei. Two votes is just enough. Bring your torch.
[A crying Lorelei brings it over and Jeff puts it out.]
The tribe has spoken.
[That sad music trills on as Lorelei makes her way from the voting area. Everyone has a guilty look on their face as they watch her disappear.]
Near deadlock is a sign of a tightknit group. You members have shown today what it means to be a team, even if it meant having to say goodbye to a close friend. But the decisions from here will only get harder as things progress. After all, in the end, Survivor can only belong to a single person. Some food for thought, even though Cherry's reminded you all about your leftovers...
[The music gets louder as the episode ends to show credits.]
*****************************FINAL WORDS*******************************
[Lorelei smiles wanely at the camera.]
From the very start I felt out of place and responsible for the burdens of everyone else. As the only human woman on this planet, I feel inadequate to represent my whole gender sometimes, and it seems to surface at the worst times. Perhaps Gennai-San was out of line with his fondness of me, but my let down was just as wrong. Once again, everyone, I'm sorry for what I've done...
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Four chapters under my belt...and I'm starting to feel overweight with all of them under there... be sure to see the rest before my buckles burst, on the next Survivor: Terra II!
Four episodes have already passed but who will be the ultimate survivor? Will Tiger's truce with Otaru hold when Faust initiates his "master plan"? Will Marine play a big part in this coming chapter? And how long will it take Lime to figure out that her doodles are actually votes against her teammates? Those answers, and the rest of the ball of wax still to come!
I'm Baka, thanks for tuning in.
DISCLAIMER THINGY:
I don't own Survivor, Saber Marionette J, a car, a house, brains, a pet, a mansion, a monkey, a coconut farm, a plasma generator, a sense of decency, a limo, a gun, a television set, pride, dignity, social skills, a credit card, a decent pair of shoes, stock in any companies, DVDs, hot springs, the monkey's uncle, fashion-sense, a chair, more than one blanket, the commas I'm using to separate the items on this list, a good modem, a cadillac, or the voting system. In short, don't sue me, I don't own nearly enough to make it worth your time.
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SURVIVOR: TERRA II
JAPONESS-GAR
Lime
(Goddel - voted off Ep. 3)
Marine
Gennai
Lorelei
Luchs
Cherry
(Yumeji - voted off Ep. 1)
ZAUBERBURG
Bloodberry
Hess
(Panther - voted off Ep. 2)
Faust
Obiichi
Tiger
Hanagata
Otaru
DAY 5
[A DARKENED KAMUNA MOUNTAIN RANGE DOMINATES THE OPENING SPRAWL. A LIGHT DRIZZLE DROPS, WITH LARGE PURPLE CLOUDS BLANKETING THE ENTIRE SKY. SEVERAL LIGHTNING BURSTS TRAVEL FROM CLOUD TO CLOUD.]
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR: Everyone is settled inside their shelter, staring out at the falling rain.]
LIME: (groaning and tapping a rice bowl rythmically with chopsticks) Ahh...rain is boring. How much longer is it gonna rain? It's already been playing all morning! Isn't it tired yet? Rain, rain, rain, RAIN, RAAIIN!
CHERRY: (sharpening the tribe's knives gently on an open towel) Oh, Lime. Don't worry about a thing. The storm should pass by in about an hour if it continues on its current course.
GENNAI: (quiet and reserved, he sits up with his head hidden between his legs)
CHERRY: (notices him and tries to comfort him) Isn't that right Gennai-San? Gennai-San? (gives up with a sigh)
LUCHS: (to Camera, obviously taped on a different date since she sits under a clear sky) After that morning, Gennai just didn't seem too high spirited anymore. I think Lorelei-San had said something to him. From that point on, he just withdrew himself.
MARINE: (to Camera, after a pause) See? Men are scary...
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: Obviously not any better off, the rain showering down the side of the mountain and through their shelter's leaky roof.]
FAUST: I told you it wouldn't hold, Mamiya. The material was too inferior.
HANAGATA: (portion of the roof above him collapses, dumping gallons of water all over him and leaving him like a drenched rat) Waaahhh! That's COLD! What did I ever do to deserve this?!
SOEMON: (squints at Hana) Everything.
FAUST: (to Camera, on that same bright footage as earlier) Obiichi Soemon is a smart man. He knows exactly who to watch, and how to treat them accordingly. He's also the ace up my sleeve, but only he knows that.
HANAGATA: (to Camera, bright and sunny) That Soemon is the most disrespectful and rude person I have ever had the misfortune of meeting. I don't know what he has against me, but if he keeps it up he may have to face the wrath of Mitsurugi!
OTARU: (to Camera, bright and sunny) Almost a week. A week and not a single attempt. I'm not sure that's really Hanagata...
[CUT TO THE STORM BLOWING HARDER, A PLASMA BURST HITTING THE GROUND.]
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: The shelter is shaking in the fierce wind, everyone inside looking slightly worried.]
MARINE: (nervously) It's gotten pretty dark outside.
LUCHS: It's to be expected, Marine. The plasma energy is building up rather than dicharging. Normally it would be released by now. It's going to get real rough soon.
LORELEI: (looks from the group to Gennai) It can't be good for you four marionettes to be exposed to such activity. Perhaps you'd like me to shut down your systems until it's over?
LUCHS: That's unnecessary, Lorelei. Besides, it would be better if we're around to take up the next challenge with both you and Gennai.
MARINE: (wide-eyed) What? They're still going to make us do one of their challenges in this storm?
CHERRY: Despite any hope against it, I'm almost certain they will.
MARINE: How can they? That's just too cruel...
LORELEI: I'm sorry everyone.
[They all look at her (Gennai still unmoving), wondering what she had to be sorry about.]
LIME: Don't say that, Lorelei. The rain's not your fault.
MARINE: I- I- didn't mean that you were cruel, Lorelei.
LORELEI: No...that's not what I meant. The challenge letter. It was given this morning before any of you were awake. I didn't tell any of you about it yet.
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR]
SOEMON: Well, then, Hess. What is the challenge?
HESS: I don't read silly rhymes. (He drops the plushie ponta-kun doll that the challenge is written on and disappears back into the shadows)
OTARU: (picks it up in his left hand) "Run like the wind, like never before. Or else get struck and feel real sore."
BLOODBERRY: (hugs him from behind, causing him to drop the ponta) Say, Otaru? Why don't we forget this challenge, and stay behind? I'll show you myself just how much like the wind I can move...
TIGER: (rolls her eyes) Oh, please. That didn't even make sense.
OTARU: (sharply) Bloodberry! (calms down) We're in the lead here, so let's not give them the chance to catch up. If we're going to see this thing to the end, we're going to have to keep trying like we always have.
FAUST: (unimpressed) Well spoken, Mamiya Otaru. But do you mean what you say, with so many of your marionettes on the opposing team?
TIGER: (smiles at Otaru after Faust's words startle him) It seems your heart is too weak to really back up your words.
FAUST: Listen well, Mamiya Otaru. If the time comes that you choose your marionettes over the well-being of the tribe, know that we will not hesitate in ousting you.
OTARU: (exasperated) You would have me make such a choice? This is nothing but a competition. Anything I do in contest against them doesn't mean a thing outside of it!
TIGER: It doesn't? Then why do you claim it to be a hard decision? If that was the case, there wouldn't be any argument, any doubt to begin with. We wouldn't be having this conversation.
BLOODBERRY: (eyes shaking, she whispers to herself) Otaru. You have me, and yet you won't give up on those other two...
[THE CHALLENGE ARRIVES. IT CONSISTS OF A RACE THROUGH THE EYE OF THE STORM. EACH TEAM HAS TO LOCK HANDS FOR THE ENTIRE RACE, AND IF ANY MEMBER FALLS, THE GROUP MUST GO BACK TO THE STARTING LINE. A DEPRESSED GENNAI BOGS DOWN THE ENTIRE JAPONESS-GAR TEAM, NOT TRYING AT ALL TO RUN. ZAUBERBURG TAKES THE TROPHY, A SHELTER SIZED UMBRELLA.]
DAY 6
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR: The winds and rain battering against the external parts of the shelter.]
LORELEI: (walks over and bends down in front of Gennai, hands resting gently on his knees) I'm sorry about what I said earlier Gennai. I may have been too harsh with my words, but I just felt I needed to say what I did. Don't mess your own chances up on my account.
MARINE: (whispering to the others) What did she say to him that made him like that?
LORELEI: (when he doesn't answer, she lowers herself even further to the ground, turning away) I- I'm so sorry.
LIME: Lorelei? What's the matter?
LORELEI: (crying, she hugs the other tightly) Oh, Lime! What have I done? I didn't mean to hurt anyone!
GENNAI: (completely serious) Don't worry, Lorelei. I'm not mad at you. I'm more mad with myself. I've been a foolish old man, forgetting where to draw the line. It seems even the elderly have lessons to learn once in a while... I suppose it's my turn for apology.
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: Faust Calmly stares at the violent plasma bolts that strike out in the distance.]
FAUST: Such undying power...
SOEMON: (voice over as the camera shows Hess and Tiger to either side of Faust, with himself watching from a safe distance) Loyalty is something I don't take lightly. When I make a pledge, I am bound to hold to it...even if it goes against my ideals.
HESS: Had we more tests, my lord Faust, that undying power could have easily been ours...
FAUST: You mean, it will be ours, Hess.
TIGER: (cradling his arm) Certainly, Faust-Sama. Anything you set your sights on ultimately belongs to you.
BLOODBERRY: (eyes the other bunch suspiciously, sitting over a laid-back Otaru) They don't belong here, Otaru. And we'd be fools to trust them. Still, what can we do?
HANAGATA: (mixing a meal over the fire) Bah! You worry too much, Bloodberry. Can't you see that we Japoness outnumber them four to three? No matter what "master plans" or "preparations" or "strategies" they're constantly talking about, we win. Simple as that.
OTARU: (sits part-way up) Huh? What did you say, Hanagata?
BLOODBERRY: (sharply stares at him) Just what are those guys really plotting? You've heard them?
OTARU: Yeah, what'd they say?
HANAGATA: (reaches in for the spoon he dropped in the pot, screaming and pulling his hand immediately out of the boiling water) Gaah! That's hot!
BLOODBERRY: (lifts him off the ground violently) Answer the question, Hanako!!
HANAGATA: Yaaahh! Calm down! Put me down! I didn't hear anything else...just what I said! A "preparation", a "strategy", and a "master plan"! Honestly!
OTARU: I wonder what that could mean...(turns back to look at the other group of the tribe)
[BOTH TEAMS ASSEMBLE FOR THEIR LATEST CHALLENGE, THOUGH TEAM ZAUBERBURG LOOKS SOMEWHAT DIVIDED. THE RAIN STILL HAMMERS DOWN FROM ABOVE.]
JEFF: Hey, Japoness-Gar, Zauberburg. How are you making out with the storm?
GENNAI: It's actually somewhat depressing, to tell the truth.
FAUST: Plasma is beautiful in its own way.
JEFF: So team opinions would be divided it seems. No matter, the next challenge may help to pull things together. We have for each of you, a set of working pieces for a small rocket. When the signal is given, you will have to assemble the pieces as quickly as you can. Once it is put together, launch it to show that it was properly built. First one launched gains the most important reward here at stake on Survivor - the immunity idol. Survivors ready? Get to it!
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: Everyone stares down at the strange-looking pieces]
SOEMON: I know nothing about rocket science.
BLOODBERRY: Me neither. Otaru?
OTARU: (shrugs) Umm...Faust?
FAUST: (makes an annoyed grunt) You Japoness are useless. Hess, take care of this for me.
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR]
LIME: Yipee! It's a puzzle! (starts snapping pieces together randomly)
GENNAI: (sweatdropping) No, Lime...those two don't go together! You see, it's more like...ah, never mind...
LUCHS: (finishing up the portion she garbbed hold of) There. The propulsion systems are all ready. Now just to... (sees Lime's fork shaped grouping) ...oh no.
CHERRY: (grabs the fork-like bunch from a wide-eyed Lime) We can still do it! Come on, Luchs!
MARINE: Was that good, Lime?
[AS LUCHS IS PUTTING THE FINAL PIECES TOGETHER, TEAM ZAUBERBURG'S ROCKET FLIES OVERHEAD. SHE DISMALLY LETS IT DROP TO THE GROUND, REFUSING TO LOOK IN LIME'S DIRECTION.]
[TEAM ZAUBERBURG: The rain finally lets up as the hour for tribal council nears.]
OTARU: (shaking off the umbrella, he thinks out loud) I wonder what Lime and Cherry are thinking right now?
TIGER: (steps in from behind, startling him) Still unable to see our tribe as your true team, Mamiya?
OTARU: (turns to look at her) How can I place trust in those that plot against me?
TIGER: Against you? Whatever gave you that idea? True, I may dislike you, but to coincide with Faust-Sama's wishes, I am willing to co-operate with you. (She steps closer, and he feels his heart begin to beat faster) Despite the hardships we hold against one another outside of this game, I call a truce for now.
FAUST: (from across the camp, out of view) Tiger!
SOEMON: (noticable on the camera, but hiding from both of his teammates' viewp as she runs off to the sound of her master's voice.) A truce is nothing more than a short agreement of ceasefire.
[TEAM JAPONESS-GAR: The usual uncomfortable silence that precedes a tribal council...]
LUCHS: (mumbling to herself in anger) I could've built that thing in no time had she not gone and...argh!
LORELEI: (whispering) My fault....this is all because of me...
CHERRY: (trying to cheer up her comrades) Who's hungry? We still have time for a snack of pickles before we go! Anyone?
[IT'S ANOTHER GLOOMY NIGHT FOR A TRIBAL COUNCIL. JAPONESS-GAR IS HERE FOR THE SECOND CONSECUTIVE TIME.]
JEFF: Well, what a few days it's been. It seems you've lost some of your morale yesterday with Gennai slowing you all down, and then you just weren't fast enough today with the immunity. Two times in a row now, you've come to lose another member... not very uplifting I might add. Would anyone like to share any thoughts?
LORELEI: (stands up, face red) I'd just like to say that I'm sorry for everything I've done so far to let the team down... I should have tried harder up until this point, but I haven't and it is irreversible.
CHERRY: Ano...this may be the wrong time and place, but I'd like to remind everyone that there is still plenty of leftovers from dinner. So if anyone is hungry, don't forget that...
GENNAI: Even geniuses like myself can be proven wrong. I believe we could've stood a better chance if I hadn't been so moody myself. I, like Lorelei, am sorry.
LIME: Ne, Luchs? Why is everyone apologizing?
LUCHS: (flatly) Never you mind, Lime...
JEFF: Alright then, let's get things underway then...
[THE CONTESTANTS GO OFF TO CAST THEIR DECISION SHROUDED IN LIGHT FOG.]
LORELEI: (writes her own name) I've done my part, now it's time to compensate them.
LIME: (holds up a scribbled picture of Luchs and beams blissfully) This is a picture of my friend Luchs. Isn't it pretty?
LUCHS: (writes 'Lime') You keep this up and we'll never win. We're not here to play...
[WHEN EVERYONE IS FINISHED, JEFF TAKES THE POT WITH ALL THE VOTES AND STANDS AGAIN BEFORE THE GROUP.]
JEFF: I'll read the votes one by one. Once they are read the decision is final, and that person will have to leave the area immediately. Let's get to it...
(Reveals the very first vote) Gennai.
[Gennai seems like he expected it.]
(and the next) Marine.
(...and the next) Lorelei.
Let's see. Three compeletly different votes, with a tie for Gennai, Marine, or Lorelei. Guess we'll dig deeper...
(he tries not to laugh as he holds up Lime's drawing. Lime sees his face and looks angry. Luchs also recognizes the crude style and sulks at Lime in secret) Luchs. We're now split four ways. Two votes left.
(second last vote is turned over) Lime. It appears this is going to be a tough decision... well let's see what the final vote has to say...
(as he turns it over, the music climaxes) Lorelei. Two votes is just enough. Bring your torch.
[A crying Lorelei brings it over and Jeff puts it out.]
The tribe has spoken.
[That sad music trills on as Lorelei makes her way from the voting area. Everyone has a guilty look on their face as they watch her disappear.]
Near deadlock is a sign of a tightknit group. You members have shown today what it means to be a team, even if it meant having to say goodbye to a close friend. But the decisions from here will only get harder as things progress. After all, in the end, Survivor can only belong to a single person. Some food for thought, even though Cherry's reminded you all about your leftovers...
[The music gets louder as the episode ends to show credits.]
*****************************FINAL WORDS*******************************
[Lorelei smiles wanely at the camera.]
From the very start I felt out of place and responsible for the burdens of everyone else. As the only human woman on this planet, I feel inadequate to represent my whole gender sometimes, and it seems to surface at the worst times. Perhaps Gennai-San was out of line with his fondness of me, but my let down was just as wrong. Once again, everyone, I'm sorry for what I've done...
***********************************************************************
Four chapters under my belt...and I'm starting to feel overweight with all of them under there... be sure to see the rest before my buckles burst, on the next Survivor: Terra II!
Four episodes have already passed but who will be the ultimate survivor? Will Tiger's truce with Otaru hold when Faust initiates his "master plan"? Will Marine play a big part in this coming chapter? And how long will it take Lime to figure out that her doodles are actually votes against her teammates? Those answers, and the rest of the ball of wax still to come!
I'm Baka, thanks for tuning in.