SCENE 066 - EXTERIOR CLUB DESMOND QUARTERMASTER - NIGHT
A LARGE CROWD stands around the entrance of the Night Club as SENATORIAL GUARDS investigate the crime scene. The silver speeder slows to a halt nearest to the site and WILLIAM and PETER jump out. Brushing people aside, they make towards the entrance.
SCENE 067 - INTERIOR CLUB DESMOND QUARTERMASTER - NIGHT
The GIRLS sit next to ERIKAN as medical personnel attend to his injured shoulder. WILLIAM and PETER enter and AIMEE quickly notices them. She quickly runs over and hugs WILLIAM.
AIMEE
William, what happened? Are you all right?
WILLIAM
I'm all wet but I'm fine.
ERIN
Did you capture whoever was responsible for all of this?
WILLIAM
She's been taken care of. We won't be seeing her again.
PETER
How are you, Erikan?
ERIKAN
I was hit in the shoulder. The medics tell me that it should be sore for a few days but that's all.
WILLIAM
(to AIMEE and ERIN) Were either one of your hurt?
AIMEE
We're fine. But the android was destroyed.
PETER
Android?
ERIN
The waitress that served us; she was an android working for Quartermaster.
From the entrance, a dozen SENATORIAL GUARDS make their way towards them and stops.
SENATORIAL CAPTAIN
Senator Quickstriker?
ERIKAN
Yes?
SENATORIAL CAPTAIN
Senator, the Headmaster would like to meet with you and your colleagues in her office immediately.
ERIKAN looks back to the others and then back to the CAPTAIN.
ERIKAN
Lead the way, Captain.
Together, the SENATORS follow the GUARDS out of the club.
SCENE 068 - INTERIOR PROFESSOR MCDOWELL'S STUDY - NIGHT
A large circular room lit dimly from the light of the moon. HEADMASTER MCDOWELL sits quietly in her chair, looking out the window down upon the city in chaos.
Behind her, the entrance of the study opens and the SENATORS are led in by the SENATORIAL GUARDS. HEADMASTER MCDOWELL turns around and looks at them.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Guards, leave us.
The GUARDS bow and leave the room.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Senators, please accept my deepest apologies for the terrible attack made against you this evening. To you most of all, Erikan. My promise of a safe atmosphere seems to have failed. I accept full responsibility for this.
ERIKAN
Headmaster, this could have happened at any time. To our knowledge, this could have been a sudden formation attempted by a follower of Purius Wood. There was no way to foresee an event such as this.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
It doesn't matter. I fear that this may lead to the end of Acameda.
ERIKAN
Headmaster?
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
A long time ago, Ando Acameda formed a vision of a great republic which would represent a beacon of hope after troubled times. The beacon is fading. Acameda is facing its end.
MCDOWELL turns and looks out her window, down upon the city.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
As we speak now, news is traveling of what has happened. By morning, outrage will be the voice of many. Their primary fear will be confirmed: the government is failing to control its unbalanced power. We could do nothing to prevent neither Wood's crime nor this attack. That is why I will address the Congress, as well as the faculty and the students, to announce the end of our age.
AIMEE
Headmaster, surely there must be some other way to meet this challenge without giving up hope.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Yes, there is another way. But I dare not speak of it.
PETER
Any solution would be best.
MCDOWELL returns to look at them.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
But even the best solution would seem so radical. With a congress divided and the people apprehensive, an election would fail. That is why I believe the best idea would be to appoint a new Chancellor effective immediately.
For a moment, silence covers the office. Quietly, ERIN moves forward.
ERIN
Headmaster, you can't be serious? To appoint someone to the Executive Office without a democratic vote is a socialist belief. We'd be dragging our process down even further than before.
HEADMASTER WILNEY
There is nothing else that we can do, Senator Pierce. The only other way is to close the school. And I do not wish to follow that path.
WILLIAM
The decision is controversial, Milady. However, if the right public figure were appointed, we could get away with this.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Who would you appoint, William?
WILLIAM
I would recommend that the Headmaster appoint Erikan Quickstriker as the new Chancellor. He has proven to the forum that he is loyal and true to the people of Acameda.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
A fascinating suggestion. What are your thoughts on the matter, Senator Quickstriker?
ERIKAN
I would be honored if chosen but disappointed in the manner which I took the office. Either way, I have always dedicated myself to Acameda and I will promise to lead with the compassion of the people.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Then I choose you, Erikan, to lead the way for the next age of Acameda.
ERIKAN
I won't fail you, Headmaster. I promise you. The first task of my administration will begin tomorrow: I will request a meeting in the Executive Office at noon with my colleagues in attendance, if they permit.
AIMEE
We'll be there.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Get some sleep, Senators. It has been a long day for us all.
A LARGE CROWD stands around the entrance of the Night Club as SENATORIAL GUARDS investigate the crime scene. The silver speeder slows to a halt nearest to the site and WILLIAM and PETER jump out. Brushing people aside, they make towards the entrance.
SCENE 067 - INTERIOR CLUB DESMOND QUARTERMASTER - NIGHT
The GIRLS sit next to ERIKAN as medical personnel attend to his injured shoulder. WILLIAM and PETER enter and AIMEE quickly notices them. She quickly runs over and hugs WILLIAM.
AIMEE
William, what happened? Are you all right?
WILLIAM
I'm all wet but I'm fine.
ERIN
Did you capture whoever was responsible for all of this?
WILLIAM
She's been taken care of. We won't be seeing her again.
PETER
How are you, Erikan?
ERIKAN
I was hit in the shoulder. The medics tell me that it should be sore for a few days but that's all.
WILLIAM
(to AIMEE and ERIN) Were either one of your hurt?
AIMEE
We're fine. But the android was destroyed.
PETER
Android?
ERIN
The waitress that served us; she was an android working for Quartermaster.
From the entrance, a dozen SENATORIAL GUARDS make their way towards them and stops.
SENATORIAL CAPTAIN
Senator Quickstriker?
ERIKAN
Yes?
SENATORIAL CAPTAIN
Senator, the Headmaster would like to meet with you and your colleagues in her office immediately.
ERIKAN looks back to the others and then back to the CAPTAIN.
ERIKAN
Lead the way, Captain.
Together, the SENATORS follow the GUARDS out of the club.
SCENE 068 - INTERIOR PROFESSOR MCDOWELL'S STUDY - NIGHT
A large circular room lit dimly from the light of the moon. HEADMASTER MCDOWELL sits quietly in her chair, looking out the window down upon the city in chaos.
Behind her, the entrance of the study opens and the SENATORS are led in by the SENATORIAL GUARDS. HEADMASTER MCDOWELL turns around and looks at them.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Guards, leave us.
The GUARDS bow and leave the room.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Senators, please accept my deepest apologies for the terrible attack made against you this evening. To you most of all, Erikan. My promise of a safe atmosphere seems to have failed. I accept full responsibility for this.
ERIKAN
Headmaster, this could have happened at any time. To our knowledge, this could have been a sudden formation attempted by a follower of Purius Wood. There was no way to foresee an event such as this.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
It doesn't matter. I fear that this may lead to the end of Acameda.
ERIKAN
Headmaster?
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
A long time ago, Ando Acameda formed a vision of a great republic which would represent a beacon of hope after troubled times. The beacon is fading. Acameda is facing its end.
MCDOWELL turns and looks out her window, down upon the city.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
As we speak now, news is traveling of what has happened. By morning, outrage will be the voice of many. Their primary fear will be confirmed: the government is failing to control its unbalanced power. We could do nothing to prevent neither Wood's crime nor this attack. That is why I will address the Congress, as well as the faculty and the students, to announce the end of our age.
AIMEE
Headmaster, surely there must be some other way to meet this challenge without giving up hope.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Yes, there is another way. But I dare not speak of it.
PETER
Any solution would be best.
MCDOWELL returns to look at them.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
But even the best solution would seem so radical. With a congress divided and the people apprehensive, an election would fail. That is why I believe the best idea would be to appoint a new Chancellor effective immediately.
For a moment, silence covers the office. Quietly, ERIN moves forward.
ERIN
Headmaster, you can't be serious? To appoint someone to the Executive Office without a democratic vote is a socialist belief. We'd be dragging our process down even further than before.
HEADMASTER WILNEY
There is nothing else that we can do, Senator Pierce. The only other way is to close the school. And I do not wish to follow that path.
WILLIAM
The decision is controversial, Milady. However, if the right public figure were appointed, we could get away with this.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Who would you appoint, William?
WILLIAM
I would recommend that the Headmaster appoint Erikan Quickstriker as the new Chancellor. He has proven to the forum that he is loyal and true to the people of Acameda.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
A fascinating suggestion. What are your thoughts on the matter, Senator Quickstriker?
ERIKAN
I would be honored if chosen but disappointed in the manner which I took the office. Either way, I have always dedicated myself to Acameda and I will promise to lead with the compassion of the people.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Then I choose you, Erikan, to lead the way for the next age of Acameda.
ERIKAN
I won't fail you, Headmaster. I promise you. The first task of my administration will begin tomorrow: I will request a meeting in the Executive Office at noon with my colleagues in attendance, if they permit.
AIMEE
We'll be there.
HEADMASTER MCDOWELL
Get some sleep, Senators. It has been a long day for us all.