Turn 22: Shin The Conqueror

Akito:
What's our next move?

Li Xingke:
Depends on how much Ingrid is going to
give up. But I have an idea of what
she's going to say.

Akito:
Any plans of telling me?

Li Xingke:
No.

The voice comes on.

VOICE
Security escort requesting access.

Li Xingke:
Granted.

The door opens, Ingrid limps in, thrown into a chair by
her escort. He leaves the room.

To say Ingrid is full of rage would be an
understatement-her lip is also bleeding. She looks at
Li Xingke.

Ingrid:
I will tell you nothing.

Li Xingke:
Your resistance is amusing.

He goes over to Mara, leans in front of her.

Li Xingke:
Do you realize how extensive this
agency's resources are? We officially
don't exist. Our cleaning bill is
bigger than most Fortune 500
companies.

Ingrid:
You think this scares me? You are
sadly mistaken.

He rises, walks over to the computer.

Li Xingke:
I thought you might feel that way. So
we checked up on you.

The computer screen lowers, shows a five-year old
playing in the garden.

Li Xingke:
He's cute isn't he. This is an
orphanage outside Moscow. Sound
familiar?

Ingrid is visibly shaken at this, refuses to budge.

Ingrid:
I know nothing.

Li Xingke:
Tell you what I know-how strong a
mother's love is for her son. Shall
we test my theory?

A rifle's sight goes on, targeting the boy's head.

VOICE
Target locked. Proceed?

Li Xingke:
Imagine this child, so full of life
and hope...cut down before he
experiences the first grade, all
because of his mother's allegiance to
a terrorist.

Ingrid is breathing hard, obviously breaking down.
Li Xingke flashes a smug look.

Li Xingke:
Follow my commands. Target the dirt
six inches from the boy.

The scope follows instructions.

Li Xingke:
(to Ingrid)
Now you're going to tell us
everything. Every time I don't like a
response from you, I order a shot.

Ingrid:
Bastard. You and Phantom are the
same.

Li Xingke:
Wrong. I know my enemy, you do not.
Start talking. Why did Rhoemer attack
Washington?

Ingrid stares at her son for a moment, it's not a
choice.

Ingrid:
Phantom needed the final sequence of
genetic codes from Pharcom. More
specifically, Phaganson would not give
them to him, so he took them-under
the cover of Girdeaux's sacrifice.

Li Xingke:
He launched an entire operation to
get some data?

Ingrid:
This should not surprise you, he
wanted to cause some destruction to
this hypocritical city as well.

Akito is disgusted.

Akito:
Two birds with one stone.

Ingrid:
Exactly.

Leila is repulsed, but still curious.

Leila:
Why didn't Phagan give him the
codes? Actually, why did he give him
funding to begin with?

Ingrid smirks for a moment.

Ingrid:
He wanted to be revered. If Syphon
Filter strikes, and only one company
has a vaccine...

Akito:
He'd be worth billions. For the love
of money.

Ingrid:
You are in no position to criticize.
When Phaganson realized the true scope
of Akito's plan, he tried to pull
out. He had to be eliminated.

Akito and Li Xingke are both amazed at Phaganson's
stupidity.

IN A VILLAGE

MALE VILLAGER: W-WHY ARE YOU GUYS...DOING A THING LIKE...
[SLASH]
VILLAGER: AAH! [COLLAPSES]

The Conqueror sets off for the mountains.

Li Xingke:
For a rich guy, he wasn't too smart.
Well, he's gone now. How big is Phantom's operation?

Ingrid:
Phantom's base is in Kazhakstan. It's
an old Soviet base, with several
sections added.

Leila:
Including a lab where he can
construct the virus, right?

Ingrid:
Yes. The guards there were all
personally trained by Girdeaux and Phantom.

Akito:
What about the weaponry?

Ingrid:
It's a former Soviet military base.
Figure it out. But there's a
helicopter there.

Li Xingke:
What kind?

Ingrid:
A Hind-D.

IN VILLAGE

KALLEN: STEPMOTHER...WHERE ARE YOU?! IF YOU'RE THERE, PLEASE RESPOND! STEPMOTHER!
It's Minami!
Minami!

MINAMI: KALLEN! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?! GET OUT OF HERE NOW!
KALLEN: WHAT ON EARTH IS GOING ON? WHY DID THINGS TURN OUT LIKE THIS...?
MINAMI: IT SEEMS LIKE THE CONQUEROR IS WAS BEHIND ALL THIS.
KALLEN: HUH? THE CONQUEROR...? IMPOSSIBLE...WHY WOULD THE CONQUEROR DO A THING LIKE THIS? [GASPS] MASTER, HAVE YOU SEEN MY STEPMOTHER?
MINAMI: YOUR STEPMOTHER WAS AT THE OLD MANOR IN THE MOUNTAINS...
[KALLEN RUNS OFF]
YOUNG MAN: D-DON'T GO...!
[KALLEN STOPS AND LOOKS BACK]
YOUNG MAN: THE CONQUEROR IS IN THE MOUNTAINS...[GROANS]
MINAMI: ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? HEY! HANG IN THERE! I'M GETTING SOME...[GASPS] WAIT, KALLEN! YOU CAN'T DO ANYTHING EVEN IF YOU GO! KALLEN!
[KALLEN CONTINUES RUNNING AND HEADS UP THE STAIRS TOWARD THE MOUNTAIN. THE SCENE SHIFTS]

The Agency computer reacts to the words "Hind-D". It
pulls up a diagnostic of the lethal attack chopper.

It floats on-screen while footage of the chopper in
battle shows. Complete and total destruction.

Leila:
The devil's chariot...

Ingrid:
A gift from the base commander. It's
been outfitted with a laser cannon,
soldier lifts.

Akito:
Remind me to put him on my Christmas
list.

Ingrid:
(ignores comment)
The final sequencing of the virus
also occurs there. However, that is
not the biggest problem.

Leila:
More good news?

Ingrid:
There is a missile silo beneath
Warehouse 23.

Perfect. Ingrid just smirks.

Akito:
(wipes his face with his hand)
This just gets better and better.

Li Xingke:
Is it a nuclear missile?

Ingrid:
No, the nuclear components were
removed. That silo is also where Dr.
Yohannes is.

Akito:
You said the final sequencing for the
virus occurs there. Where exactly?

Ingrid:
Nowhere evident, I assume that the
genetic codes are in the same place
as the missile control room. He likes
convienance.

Li Xingke:
I'll bet.
(mocking)
"Get me some coffee while I launch
this missile."

Akito takes in this information, while Lian thinks.

Leila:
Any other long-range missiles there?

Ingrid:
No. Just that one. But he was
restructuring the missile to carry a
master version of Syphon Filter.

Akito:
(to Markinson)
Well, that explains why he needed the
genetic codes. He's going for
genocide.

Ingrid:
(smiles)
Oh yes.

Thomas is in deep thought, wondering how he can
resolve a possible holocaust.

Li Xingke:
Hmm...alright. We can knock this out
with one large strike force, but they
can't move in with the Hind there.

Akito:
I'll take care of those. Drop me in
before and I'll disable it. I'll get
the detonation codes off the
missile's data port.

Li Xingke:
I won't authorize that. You be alone
and facing an army of Rhoemer's
hardest soldiers, armed-

Akito:
(cuts him off)
Nothing will stop me. I'm doing it.

Leila:
Well, if you're going, I'm backing
you up.

Ingrid, relieved, exhales. Li Xingke: sees this, then
has an idea.

Li Xingke:
I agree, but there's someone else
who's going with us.

Leila:
You can't be serious.

Akito:
If she goes, I stay.

Li Xingke:
Wrong again. She will accompany me in
the back-up chopper. We'll be there
waiting in case something goes
wrong.

Akito:
Fine.

Li Xingke:
We leave immediately. Go suit up.

Leila and Akito leave.

[EXIT OF VILLAGE]
GINO: HEY, QUEEZER!
MINAMI: OH, IT'S YOU! YOU BETTER BE SANE!
GINO: LIKE I COULD STAY SANE IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS! THE CONQUEROR ...DID THIS, RIGHT?
MINAMI: PEOPLE HAVE CALLED HIM A HERO AND SUCH IN SOCIETY...BUT, HE'S JUST A HOMICIDAL MANIAC!
GINO: HOW CRUEL...WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU THE CONQUEROR?
MINAMI: OH, YEAH! YOU GO AND RESCUE KALLEN!
GINO: DID SOMETHING HAPPEN TO KALLEN?
MINAMI: SHE HEADED FOR THE OLD MANISON IN THE MOUNTAINS IN SEARCH OF HER FATH. THAT THE CONQUEROR IS THERE TOO.
GINO: WHAT?!
MINAMI: THAT GIRL WON'T HAVE A CHANCE AGAINST HIM.
MINAMI: I'LL HEAD THERE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TOO. I'LL LEAVE KALLEN TO YOU.
GINO: LEAVE IT TO ME.
[SCENE SHIFTS]

[OUTSIDE MANOR]
KALLEN: STEPMOTHER! WHERE ARE YOU, STEPMOTHER? [SEES HER ON THE FLOOR] STEPMOTHER! [RUNS OVER AND PICKS HER UP] HANG IN THERE, STEPMOTHER!
KALLEN'S STEPMOTHER: [LIFTS HER HAND] KALLEN...
KALLEN: [TAKES IT] STEPMOTHER!
KALLEN'S FATHER: KALLEN...RUN AWAY...NOW...SHIN'S HERE...!
KALLEN: HEY! HANG IN THERE, STEPMOTHER!
[HER STEPMOTHER DIES]
KALLEN: [GASPS, HOLDS HER STEPMOTHER CLOSE AS SHE CRIES]

[A BIT LATER]
KALLEN: SHIN, RIGHT? [STANDS UP] SHIN DID THIS TO YOU, RIGHT? [MAKES HER WAY OVER TO THE MASAMUNE] SHIN...GOLIATH KNIGHTS...XYLVANIA...GEASS...I HATE...[PICKS UP SWORD AND SWINGS IT TO THE SIDE] I HATE IT ALL!

[INSIDE LAB]
SHIN: [WALKS UP STEPS] AT LAST...I CAME TO SEE YOU...
[FOOTSTEPS CAN BE HEARD. SHIP MAKES HIS WAY UP TO THE DOOR AND PLACES HIS HAND AGAINST IT. KALLEN IS RUNNING UP THE STAIRS]
KALLEN: SHIN! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO STEPMOTHER! HOW DARE YOU DO THIS TO EVERYONE IN THE VILLAGE!
[SHIN GRABS HIS SWORD BY THE BLADE. KALLEN GASPS AS SHE IS LIFTED UP. THEIR EYES MAKE CONTACT. SHIN SMILES. A SLASHING SOUND IS HEARD AND KALLEN FALLS BACKWARDS]
KALLEN: [GASPS]
[KALLEN ROLLS DOWN THE STAIRS AND LANDS AT THE BOTTOM]
KALLEN: [GROANS, OPENS AN EYE]
[SHIN TURNS AROUND AND WALKS THROUGH THE DOOR]
KALLEN: [SHAKES] IN SPITE OF EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE...YOU TOLD ME TO LIVE ON...LELOUCH...
[THE Emperor Lelouch IS SCENE BEFORE THE IT SHIFTS]

Ingrid then stands, walking fine. She walks over to
Li Xingke, slaps his glasses off.

Ingrid:
(pointing to screen)
What was the meaning of that?

Li Xingke chuckles, then tells the computer

Li Xingke:
End simulation.

The image of the targeted boy disappears.

Li Xingke:
Had to make it convincing. So, now
the true phase begins. We just have
to accompany them to make sure
everything goes as planned.

He picks up his shades.

Li Xingke:
Too bad Phaganson escaped, you should've
killed him sooner.

Li Xingke' phone rings. He picks it up, short
conversation. He hangs up.

Li Xingke:
He wants to see you.

Ingrid:
Good.

The panel on the wall lifts, an elevator appears.
Ingrid steps inside. Going up. Li Xingke hits a key on
the phone.

Li Xingke:
Ready the strike force, and alert our
friend that we'll be operating on his
turf.

[AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEPS]
GINO: KALLEN...KALLEN...! KALLEN!
KALLEN: [GROANS, OPENS AN EYE]
GINO: [GASPS]
KALLEN: GINO..? [GROANS AND MOVES HER LEGS UP SLIGHTLY]
GINO: SHIN DID THIS TO YOU, RIGHT KALLEN?
KALLEN: YES...
GINO: [GASPS]
KALLEN: YOU GUYS...WERE FROM BRITANNIA...JUST LIKE SUZAKU, RIGHT...? THAT'S WHY I GUIDED YOU GUYS HERE...IT WAS JUST FOR THAT...[TEARS FORM] BUT WHY DID IT TURN OUT LIKE...
GINO: KALLEN...
KALLEN: I HATE IT...GOLIATH KNIGHTS, XYLVANIA, BRITANNIA, AND YOU TOO...I HATE IT ALL!
GINO: [LOOKS AWAY AS HE STANDS UP] I'M SORRY. I WON'T ASK YOU TO FORGIVE ME... [WALKS UP THE STAIRS] BUT...LET ME PUT AN END TO THIS.
[HE UNSHEATHES HIS SWORD AND USES AN ATTACK TO BREAK THE DOOR OPEN.]

[IN THE ROOM]
[THE DOOR EXPLODES AND GINO WALKS IN THROUGH THE SMOKE. HE LOOKS UP TOWARD WHERE SHIN IS STANDING AT THE TOP OF THE LAB]
SHIN: MOTHER. LET'S TAKE THIS PLANET BACK TOGETHER. I CAME UP WITH A GOOD PLAN. LET'S GO TO THE PROMISED LAND...[LIFTS HIS HEAD] MOTHER.
GINO: SEPHIROTH! WHY DID YOU KILL THE VILLAGERS?! WHY DID YOU HURT KALLEN?! ANSWER ME, SHIN!

SHIN: [LAUGHS] MOTHER, THOSE FOOLS CAME AGAIN. MOTHER WAS SUPPOSED TO BECOME THE RULER OF THIS PLANET WITH HER SUPERIOR POWER AND KNOWLEDGE. BUT, THOSE FOOLS...[LOOKS DOWN] THOSE, WROTHLESS FOOLS... [LOOKS BACK UP] SNATCHED THIS PLANET AWAY FROM YOU, RIGHT MOTHER? [LIFTS HIS ARMS OUT] BUT, PLEASE DON'T BE SAD ANYMORE. [PLACES HIS HANDS CLOSER ON THE GLASS CONTAINER] COME WITH ME.

SHIN: WE FINALLY MEET, MOTHER...
[GINO PLACES HIS SWORD AGAINST ONE SIDE OF SHIN'S HEAD]
GINO: SEPHIROTH! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?!
SHIN: [LAUGHS]
GINO: [GASPS]
SHIN: YOU TRAITOR...!

[HE GRABS HIS SWORD AND HITS GINO'S WHICH CAUSES HIM TO FALL BACK. GINO LANDS ON ONE OF THE PIPES AND THEN SHOOTS BACK UP TO WHERE SHIN IS. HE HITS AT THE FLOOR BUT SHIN JUMPS UP AT THE LAST SECOND. GINO JUMPS TOWARD HIM AND THEIR SWORDS CLASHES ONCE.]
GINO: SHIN! AND I TRUSTED YOU!
[SHIN LANDS ON A PIPE UPSIDE DOWN AND ZACK'S SWORD CLASHES AGAINST HIM]
GINO:NO...YOU'RE NOT THE SHIN I ONCE KNEW!
SHIN: [LAUGHS, PUSHES HIM AWAY]

[GINO FALLS DOWN ONTO A PIPE BELOW WITH A GRUNT. SHIN COMES AT HIM AND SLASHES AT THE PIPE. GINO FALLS DOWN AND HITS A PIPE AS SHIN FOLLOWS HIM. HE LANDS ON ONE BELOW AND THEIR SWORDS CLASH AS THEY MOVE BACKWARDS ON THE PIPE]
SHIN: I WAS THE CHOSEN ONE. I AM THE CHOSEN EXISTANCE THAT IS BECOME THE PLANET'S RULER.
GINO: [MOVES BACK AND USES A LIMIT]
SHIN: [BLOCKS IT] IN ORDER FOR TO THIS PLANET FROM YOU FOOLS TO THE HANDS OF THE ARYAN'S, I WAS BORN.
[SHIN COMES AT HIM. GINO TRIES TO BLOCK HIS ATTACK BUT HIS HIT AGAINST A PIPE AND FALLS TO THE FLOOR NEAR JENOVA]
SHIN: FOR MOTHER'S SAKE.
[GINO GASPS AND LOOKS BACK. SHIN'S COMES AT HIM AND SLASHES HIS SWORD AT HIM. THE FORCE CAUSES GINO SLIDES AGAINST THE FLOOR. HE HITS A PIPE IN THE MAIN ROOM. SHIN TURNS BACK AROUND AND PLACES HIS HANDS AGAINST THE TUBE THE VIRUS IS IN]
SHIN: IT'S ALL RIGHT NOW, MOTHER.

[THE TUBE CRACKS. SHIN MAKES A SMALL GROAN. A SWORD IS STICKING OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE PORTION OF HIS BODY]
SHIN: WHO ARE YOU...?

WHITE ZERO: I WAS...JULIUS KINGSLEY...YOU DESPISE ME...! I...RESPECTED YOU...AND ADMIRE YOU, BUT...!
SHIN: Y-YOU BASTARD..!
[WHITE ZERO PULLS THE SWORD OUT AND SHIN COLLAPSES TO THE FLOOR]

WHITE ZERO: [PANTS, GASPS] KALLEN!
[HE RUNS OUT AND DROPS HIS HELMET ON THE WAY OUT. HE MAKES HIS WAY DOWN THE STAIRS AND OVER TO KALLEN WHERE HE PICKS HER UP AND TAKES OVER TO THE WALL. HE LEANS HER AGAINST AND REMOVES HAIR FROM HER FACE]

[KALLEN OPENS HER EYES SLOWLY TO SEE WHAT LOOKS LIKE LELOUCH'S FACE]

KALLEN: LELOUCH...SO YOU REALLY DID COME FOR ME...ARE YOU REALLY A GHOST, HUH? YOU REALLY CAME HERE WHEN I WAS IN A PINCH...
LELOUCH: I'M SORRY. I WAS A BIT LATE ON GETTING HERE.
KALLEN: NOT AT ALL. IT'S FINE...LELOUCH...
[A CRASH IS HEARD]

[MAIN ROOM]
[LELOUCH RUNS OVER AND SEES SHIN COMING OUT OF THE ROOM. IN ONE HAND IS HIS SWORD AND IN THE OTHER IS THE SAMPLE OF THE NOVA-12 VIRUS.]

SHIN: [GROANS] BY THE LIKES OF YOU...THERE'S NO TIME FOR GAMES, FARWELL.

HE JUMPS OUT THROUGH A WINDOW. LELOUCH COULD SEE A TIME BOMB. HE GRABS BOTH KALLEN AND GINO AND ESCAPES JUST BEFORE THE BOMB GOES OFF, DETROYING THE MANSION.

A/N: Next turn, coming soon.