AVATAR: EMPIRE OF ICE

BOOK 2: TRADE

CHAPTER 10: THE SOLDIER AND THE SINGER

We fade in on Tarakano's ship, floating next to the dock. The sun is rising. A moment passes, then 2 guards walk towards it, ushering someone who is covered in a hood.

We cut to inside of the ship. Tarakano is sitting there, eating sashimi with a confused expression. All around him on every wall are medals and plaques bestowed by the Kamakoi empire for various things. Tarakano's servant is in the background, cleaning up.

Then the two guards and the hooded man arrive. They close the door and take his hood off, revealing Kamui dressed in a commoner's outfit. Tarakano nods his head and stands up.

Tarakano
Kamui.

Kamui nods his head, then turns towards the two guards.

Kamui
Wait outside. (The guards leave and close the door behind them. He looks at Tarakano) You can't be too careful now that the palace is split down the middle. (Tarakano nods in agreement) Thanks for meeting me here.

Tarakano
What is this about? Do we need more reinforcements?

Kamui
No. The cadets are making mincemeat of everyone in their path. Just as we'd hoped for.

Tarakano
Then…?

Kamui
Admiral Tarakano. (He looks at Tarakano's many accomplishments on the walls) You have proven yourself to be my most trusted ally again and again. The putdown of the Uhaya rebellion. The war of succession in Kyoko, and now the utter domination of Aikira. You, sir, can do no wrong.

Tarakano
Hmm. About time someone noticed.

Kamui
(Chuckles) I have noticed. And that's why I need you once again.

Tarakano
Oh?

Kamui walks around Tarakano rubbing his shoulder.

Kamui
Yes. You're going on a little trip.

Tarakano
But the palace-

Kamui
The palace is in good hands, and will soon be brought to order. But in the meantime, I need you to carry out a very special mission for me. One only you and I know about.

Tarakano raises his eyebrow, waiting for Kamui to continue. Kamui then pulls out a scroll from his pocket and lays it on the table. It's a map of the earth territories. He points towards a little star, next to Lake Laogai.

Kamui
Tang's Fortress. Have you heard of it?

Tarakano
In passing…

Kamui
Tang. A savage who fancies himself king. And this king controls the only deposit of a very popular material used for jewelry. In our attempts to trade with him he has been most unreasonable…

Tarakano
Is that so?

Kamui
Yes. (Looks at Tarakano) Now the time has come, my friend, to remind this king and all who would follow him of their place in the world.

Tarakano looks back at Kamui, and a smile slowly forms on his face.

Tarakano
Now I see.

Kamui rolls up the scroll and hands it to Tarakano.

Kamui
You will sail to Aikira and withdraw a hundred of your most trusted soldiers. Then you will sail down to Lake Laogai and you will show Tang what happens when you say no to the Kamakoi.

Tarakano nods his head.

We fade in on a cloudy day, then we pan down to a Kamakoi outpost on the shores of a rocky beach.

We cut inside to the top of a wooden table. A soldier, Amatsu, is slicing a scallion. He gathers up the slices on the knife's edge, then he pushes them off of the knife and into a boiling pot.

Amatsu then turns around to look at his 2 fellow soldiers, Kano and Nuat. They are younger than he is. Kano is sitting on a chair, looking bored, while Nuat is in the back, carving something into the wall.

We cut to a close up of Nuat and see that he's carving the image of a penis into the wall.

Amatsu raises his eyebrow at Nuat, then looks at Kano.

Amatsu
Hey, did you guys hear the news?

Nuat
(Focusing on the carving) What news?

Kano
Yeah, what is it?

Amatsu
(Smirking as he takes off his gloves) Apparently, the false prince is still alive.

Kano blinks and leans forward in shock.

Kano
Really?!

Nuat sticks his knife in the wall and looks at Amatsu. Then he smiles and walks towards them.

Nuat
Good.

Then Kano looks back at Nuat in confusion.

Kano
What are you talking about?

Nuat
A beheading? Are you for real? If he's still alive, we can torture the piss out of him! (Looks at Amatsu) What did you hear?

Amatsu
I heard it from Shuya, of the 44th squadron. You remember Captain Tuak?

Nuat
The weird fat guy?

Kano
With the crazy mustache?

Amatsu
Yeah, him. He was supervising a construction project on the outskirts of the Koakono forest and he just ran into Kato.

Kano
In the forest?

Amatsu
Yeah, and that's not all. Apparently he was with a famous painter and some airbender.

Nuat
What is this, like a circus troupe?

Amatsu
Maybe!

Kano turns towards Nuat

Kano
Why does it matter how the false prince dies? Why do you want to torture him?

Nuat
Didn't you go to school, dummy? One of the worst crimes for a rock pusher is to pretend to not be a rock pusher. It's called 'blood frog'.

Kano
It's called blood fraud.

Nuat
If they sent him to me. Trust me, trust me. I would make sure the false prince was screaming all night long. (Snickers)

Amatsu raises his eyebrow. Nuat then looks at Kano, who is smirking.

Kano
You know what that sounds like, right?

Nuat then frowns.

Nuat
I meant from torture!

Kano
(Rolling his eyes) Since you went to school, you must also remember that torture is only to be used to extract information.

Nuat
Come on! Like anybody follows that rule…

Kano shakes his head, then he looks back at Amatsu.

Kano
What do you think Kato is doing?

Amatsu
Well, there are several different theories floating around.

Nuat
He's assembling an army of freaks.

Amatsu
That's one of the theories. They say he changed his name to Mushi and he's going south to lead a rock pusher rebellion.

Nuat sneers and clenches his fist.

Amatsu
Another theory is that he's going south to meet up with you know who.

Kano
(Blinks) The Avatar?

Nuat
Queen of the freaks. We need to kill them before they kill us.

The sound of the boiling water becomes louder and Amatsu walks back to the pot to take it off of the fire.

Kano
No way is Kato getting anywhere near The Avatar. He doesn't have the stones.

Amatsu
(Shrugging) Maybe.

Kano
Speaking of old people who disappeared… Whatever happened to Jang? You think he would have been spotted with the false prince.

Amatsu
There are theories about him too. (Amatsu then takes a pepper grinder and sprinkles some pepper into the soup, stirring it up) They say he's actually a spirit trapped in a human's body. A pepper spirit. Who wants soup?

Amatsu raises the soup into the air, separating it into 3 spheres. Then, a clap of thunder cracks from beyond the outpost. We cut to an exterior shot as it begins to rain.

We cut to later that night. The rain is pouring down on the outpost. Inside, we can hear the rain hitting the roof like pebbles. It's dark, but we can barely make out the 3 Kamakoi soldiers asleep in their chambers.

We cut to the front door, which is barely visible in the darkness. A sinister bit of music pipes in, and then the front door is suddenly open.

Lightning strikes, and we see Ta's silhouette in the doorframe. Then it strikes again and she is gone.

The camera slowly pans through the hallway, and the shadow of Ta and Ayana and Oni creep along, then it cuts to the inside of Kano's chamber. He is sleeping.

The door slowly creeps open, then Ayana sticks her head in and blows a dart at Kano's neck. Next, they move on to Nuat's chamber. He soon also has a dart in his neck.

Then it cuts to Amatsu's room. His bed is empty. The door slowly opens and Ayana sticks her head in, then she realizes that nobody is inside. We cut to the hallway and she looks back around, before Amatsu quickly grabs her and pins her against the wall.

Amatsu brandishes an ice dagger and holds it up to her neck. Ayana tries to shove another dart into his neck, but he slams her hand against the wall until she drops it.

Amatsu
Who are you? What are you doing here? (Looking her up and down) Are you an airbender?

Then Amatsu is blasted by a water whip to the face. He recovers and sees Oni across the hall, then he raises his own water attack. But before he can even use it, a water stream from behind wraps around his hands and freezes into shackles.

Amatsu turns around and sees Ta standing behind him.

Amatsu
Who are you people?!

The 3 of them gather around Amatsu, then Ayana successfully blows a dart into his neck. Amatsu slumps to the floor and the frame slowly fades to black.

We fade in on Amatsu the next morning. As he slowly opens his eyes, he notices that he has a rag in his mouth. Then the full situation reveals itself. He looks shocked as he realizes he is tied to a chair in the main room of the outpost.

Amatsu turns and looks across the room. He sees Kano and Nuat are in the same situation as him. Nuat is still asleep, but Kano is staring at him with wide eyes.

The two try to communicate, but all they can muster are muffled yelps back and forth. Kano looks terrified, but Amatsu attempts to give him a comforting look. Then he notices he can hear some conversation outside.

Amatsu again looks around and he notices that there is a knife on the table several feet away. He looks back at Kano and nods, then he starts to shimmy his chair slowly towards the table.

He gets halfway there before the door opens and Ta walks in. Amatsu looks towards Ta with confusion.

Ta
You're awake. (Raises her eyebrow) But you're not where I put you.

She continues to walk inside and then notices the knife on the table.

Ta
Is this what you want? (She picks up the knife and looks at it) No, I don't think so. We don't want this around.

Ta opens up the drawer and puts the knife inside. Then she looks back at the 3 soldiers and leans against the table with a sigh.

Ta
Well, here we are. I'm sure you have a lot of questions for me. And I have a lot of questions for you too. So I'm gonna go over there and take the rag out of your mouth, and I hope we can have a nice calm conversation. What do you say?

Beat. Then Amatsu nods his head.

We cut to a wide shot of Ta walking over and reaching to take the rag out.

He coughs and spits on the floor, then he turns his gaze up at Ta for a moment, before glancing at the front door.

Amatsu
How many people are outside?

Ta
Enough. But it doesn't matter.

Amatsu looks back at Ta, and the more he looks at her the more confused he looks.

Amatsu
You don't… Who are you?

Ta
Also doesn't matter.

Amatsu
I just mean… You're a waterbender, aren't you?

Ta bends a stream of water out from the sink and plays around with it, then she freezes the stream into a dagger. The dagger rotates playfully in the air before Ta decides to impale the table with it.

Amatsu
(Gulps) Okay… So… What do you want from us?

Ta glances towards the door. Amatsu raises his eyebrow. Then Ta saunters towards him and crouches down so her mouth is at ear level.

Kano still looks terrified, and in the background, Nuat starts to wake up. Then Ta whispers in Amatsu's ear.

Ta
Can I tell you a secret?

Amatsu slowly nods.

Ta
I wanted to scare you. I wanted you to wake up and feel terrified and wonder what's going to happen to you. Is it working?

A bead of sweat runs down Amatsu's face.

Amatsu
Yes. It's working.

Ta continues to look at Amatsu, her tongue running back and forth in her mouth, before she stands up again and walks back towards the table. Then there is a knock on the door.

Ta looks over to the door and her expression changes. Amatsu, Kano and Nuat watch as she walks over and opens the door. Oni is standing outside. They hear a small part of their conversation.

Oni
Do you need any help?

Ta
No. It's fine. I was just about to interrogate them.

Oni
Okay.

Amatsu looks over at Kano and Nuat with a look like he is processing something. Kano notices it too, but Nuat is freaking out. He's trying to loosen the ropes tying his hands to the chair. Amatsu then looks back at Ta. Her expression is different now, more neutral.

Ta
How long have you served in the Kamakoi army?

Amatsu
Since I graduated from the academy. Um… Eight years now…

Ta
Not too long ago, you were stationed in Aikira, weren't you?

Amatsu's face blanches as he remembers Aikira, then he swallows and pushes it down.

Ta
About six months ago?

Amatsu
Yes. I was there. (He continues to look at Ta) But… I didn't…

Ta
What?

Amatsu
…I didn't do any of that. I just repaired the ships.

Ta
(Blinks) Ok…

Amatsu
I was trained in naval engineering.

Ta
Yes, but you were there.

Amatsu
Yes.

Ta
You saw everything.

Amatsu
Yes.

Amatsu looks down at the floor, shaking his head. Then he looks back up.

Amatsu
You're Princess Ta, aren't you?

Ta raises her eyebrows, taking a moment before she crosses her arms.

Ta
So, you finally recognize me. (Looks away) But I'm not a princess anymore. Clearly.

Kano and Nuat glance at each other, before looking back at Ta.

Ta
You and your people made sure of that.

Amatsu
I'm sorry, but it wasn't me! I didn't make that decision! (Ta rolls her eyes, nodding) I'm so sorry about what happened to you!

Ta
Stop it, stop blubbering.

Amatsu
(Changes tack) Ok, fine. Fine. Listen. You want your revenge, I get it now. But please. Whatever you do to me, leave Kano and Nuat out of it. I'm begging you.

Ta points at Nuat.

Ta
He was there too.

Amatsu and Kano look at Nuat. We cut to a close up of Nuat as he nods his head with a severe look in his eyes.

Ta
But none of that matters right now. After I left, you took my parents someplace. Where?

Amatsu
I… I don't know.

Ta
King Kobo and Queen Tara. You don't know where you took them?

Amatsu
I didn't take them anywhere! I have no idea where they are!

Ta
Are you sure? Maybe you just don't remember.

Amatsu
Huh? No… I would know if I knew.

Ta gets up and walks over to the door, she opens it and says something to Oni before shutting it again.

Then a strange alien piece of music creeps in as Ta opens her bag and pulls out her large rolled up canvas. She unrolls it and nails it to the wall of the shack. Amatsu sees that the canvas has a large illustration of a brain on it, with various sections crossed out. Then she turns back towards Amatsu.

Ta
Maybe I can help your memory.

Amatsu
What are you talking about? What is that?

The music slowly gains momentum and we cut to a close up of Ta's hands as she walks over to Amatsu. Then we land on him in profile. She slowly gets behind him.

Ta
There are ways to access memory, the truth, the lies, everything in the brain. You must know that, you're a waterbender.

Amatsu
(Shaky) Boys don't usually learn healing…

Ta
Some boys do. They use it to great effect.

Amatsu
(Even more shaky) I heard rumors about that… Yes…

Ta
Mhmm. (Inhale, exhale) Okay, Ta, you got this.

Another sting of dreadful music.

Amatsu
(Looks again at the canvas) What exactly are you trying to do?

Ta's fingers land on Amatsu's temples. Another sting.

Amatsu
(Panicked) Hello? Ta? What are you doing?! Please talk to me!

Ta
Shh, shh. It doesn't matter. Just close your eyes and picture the Great Koi.

Music is even more intense.

Amatsu
(Freaking out) What are you doing to me?! (He turns to Kano and Nuat in a panic) Boys, I think I'm about to- I'm sorry I couldn't protect you.

Ta
(Quietly) Nuaka-Sia, I'm sorry too.

Amatsu
If something happens, I need you to-

We cut to Kano and Nuat as a blue glow shines from offscreen. We hear the electrical hum, Amatsu starts to make all sorts of nasty sounds. Kano looks horrified while Nuat looks on hatefully.

This goes on for a little while.

Ta
Come on… You can do it…

The camera is still on Kano and Nuat as they watch with bafflement and horror. Amatsu starts to scream uncontrollably.

Ta
Stop screaming!

The screaming continues. The blue glow becomes wild and chaotic as Amatsu's screams grow louder.

Then he stops.

With a dramatic slam of percussion, we cut to Amatsu's head limply hanging to the side. His eyes have rolled back in his head.

Ta blinks, and then looks away.

We cut back to Kano and Nuat, who both start screaming while muffled and writhing around in their chairs.

The music builds to a crescendo, and then a cut to black.

We cut to the 3 empty bowls from the night before. They are sitting on the rack, drying.

Then we cut to Kano and Nuat. They are both looking at Amatsu's body with grief and anger. Their attention switches to Ta and we hear her growl in frustration.

As we cut to Ta, she knocks a bowl off of the table. Then she knocks more things off, pawing at them in anger. Some of them shatter as they hit the floor.

Eventually. Ta's rage gives way to quiet sobbing. Kano and Nuat's expressions change again in response to this.

A moment passes as Ta quietly cries behind the table. Then she sniffles and stands up again. Around her are the shattered remnants of various dishes and other porcelain.

Ta walks over and takes the rag out of Kano's mouth, and then out of Nuat's mouth. Immediately Kano begins screaming with tears running down his face.

Kano
You killed him! You killed Amatsu, you murderer! Murderer! What did you do to him?!

We cut to a close up of Ta. She closes her eyes and lets the words flow over her.

Kano
(Sobbing) You killed Amatsu!

Ta opens her eyes and looks over at Nuat. He is staring her down with intense eyes. Then he narrows them.

Nuat
You want to know where your parents are?

Ta blinks and tilts her head.

Ta
You know?

Nuat
Yeah, I'll tell you where they are. They're up my ass, and they love it there. King Karbo and Queen Whatever.

Ta walks over to Nuat and socks him in the face. He spits out some blood.

Nuat
You want them back? Untie me so I can squat.

Kano turns to Nuat.

Kano
What are you doing?

Nuat
Do you think this Aikira bitch is gonna let us live? We're obviously guinea rabbits for her latest torture method. Who cares what I say?

Kano's face crumples with despair.

Kano
Oh koi, no. No, please. (Looks at Ta) Please don't do this. My… My mom… I never said goodbye…

Ta shakes her head and looks down.

Ta
I'm sorry. (Then she looks back at Kano) Wrong place, wrong time.

Kano then starts squirming in his chair.

Kano
No! Please! I don't want to die!

Kano looks at Amatsu's body. Ta begins her slow march towards Kano and a malevolent droning sound pipes in.

Kano
I never had a Laka Tart. I never won Pai Sho. I never even kissed a girl. No…

Ta stands behind Kano with a look of resignation and pity. The droning increases as she puts her fingers on his head.

Kano
NO!

Ta closes her eyes. Then suddenly, Lao busts open the front door.

Lao
Stop it! That's enough!

Ta opens her eyes in surprise and looks over.

Ta
Lao?!

Lao
I won't let you do this.

Kano exhales in pained relief, then he looks over at Nuat, who looks stunned.

We cut to an exterior shot again. We see The Lion-Turtle stationed at the dock. The rain from last night has left puddles all over the ground. Then we cut back to the inside of the shack.

Kano and Nuat have the rags in their mouths again as they watch Ta and Lao, who are standing over Amatsu's body.

Ta
You were supposed to wait in the ship!

Lao
Ta…

Ta
That way you don't have to see or hear anything!

Lao
Ta…

Ta
You think I want you to-

Lao
Ta!

Ta
What?!

Lao looks Ta in the eyes.

Lao
What are you doing to yourself?

Ta looks back at Lao with a complicated expression of grief, then she narrows her eyes.

Ta
It's not your concern.

Lao stands her ground, staring down Ta.

Lao
(Slowly) I helped you. I followed you. It is my concern.

Ta shakes her head, looking away.

Lao
You're poisoning yourself and I can't watch it anymore.

Ta continues looking away, then she turns back to Lao.

Ta
Only you? Or have you been talking?

We cut to Ayana and Oni, who are playing Hanan Dao outside. They suddenly look up in Ta and Lao's direction. Teepo pokes his head out from the cabin of The Lion-Turtle.

Lao
We've been talking.

Ta snickers and nods.

Ta
Of course. So what is this? A mutiny?

Oni
(Walking in) So suddenly you're our captain, now? When did that happen? I thought we were all in this together.

Ta
I thought so, too! But apparently I was wrong.

Oni
This isn't a power struggle, ok? We're not turning on you. We're doing what any friend would do when they see someone losing their mind.

Ta
(Frustrated, to Oni) I don't understand. You told me that if you were capable of it, you would be doing the same thing! Remember? We're never going to beat the Kamakoi if we don't start playing on their level!

Oni
Look, maybe I believed that at one point… But… It's just not worth it.

Ta
It is worth it.

Oni
Come on, Ta! You don't want to be like Kamui! Do you?

Ta
…What if I do?

Oni
Then why should we follow you?

Ta looks away.

Ayana
(Walking in) Because she gets results.

Lao looks in surprise at Ayana, who nods at Ta.

Ayana
All this talk of good and evil is missing the point. We were hopeless. We were in prison. They took Tenpo and we couldn't do a thing to stop it. Now look at us! Ta is the reason we even know what happened to him. She saved us and we owe her our lives.

Lao
Ta saved you? I gave up everything to help you! I was the one who got you out of prison!

Ayana
Because you knew deep down that Ta was the one to lead us to victory! Right, Ta?

Ta doesn't answer. She is looking at Lao.

Ta
You gave up everything? You gave up your life as a servant to the Kamakoi.

Lao
As a slave…

Ta
But that's not what this is really about, is it? You gave up something else, too.

Lao's eyes widen.

Lao
What are you…

Ta
We all know what I'm talking about, right?

The camera pans across Oni, Ayana, and Lao. Lao is looking warily in Ta's direction, who looks back and narrows her eyes.

Ta
Lao was in a relationship with an agent of the Kamakoi. Baka, the sculptor. (Kano and Nuat look at each other) Is that what you gave up, Lao? Were you in love?

Lao looks down and a tear starts to form in her eye.

Lao
You don't know what you're talking about.

Oni
Is this relevant?

Ayana
Yeah, seems a bit petty…

Ta
It's relevant. Lao's heart was never in this from the beginning! She acts like she cares about these Kamakoi scumbags, (Pointing at Kano and Nuat) but really she just wants to go back home and be Baka's little air girl again.

Lao
That is not true! How dare you?

Ta
How dare you? You said you were my sister. Now you want to leave me.

Lao
That's not what this is about! This is about you using these boys as… As… Target practice!

Ta
So you think they deserve better?

Lao grabs Ta by the shoulders.

Lao
Listen to me! This is not about them! This is about you!

Ta rips Lao off of her and turns around, pacing the other way. She is shaking her head, muttering to herself. Then she turns back around.

Ta
It seems to me that a majority rule ought to decide this. Right now, it's two against two. Me and Ayana versus you and Oni.

Lao turns to Ayana and narrows her eyes.

Lao
How could you? Do the scriptures mean nothing?

Ayana
Oh, you've read them? I thought they were banned in the capital. (Yells) Teepo!

Lao
(Rolls her eyes) I got my hands on them. General Inuk smuggled them in for me. (Turns to Ta) Remember him? The one who actually saved you? And I never heard you even mention his name.

Ta
General Inuk wanted me to marry Prince Kato. Need i continue?

Lao looks down in acceptance, then she cringes at the thought. Ta looks at Lao for a moment before she turns her attention to the door. Teepo is standing in the doorway. Kano and Nuat stare at Teepo.

Teepo looks at Kano and Nuat, then he looks at Amatsu, then he looks up at Ta.

Ta
Teepo. You're the fifth vote.

Teepo looks over at Lao and Oni, then he looks at Ayana, then he looks back at Ta.

Oni
Well? What do you think?

Teepo looks down for a long time, then he looks back at the group.

Teepo
I think Ta should be able to do whatever she wants. But to be honest, I don't know how I really feel about anything. (He turns his head to Ta) Because I'm in love with you.

Ta blinks and then awkwardly looks away.

Ayana
Um… Teepo…

Nuat chuckles.

Lao grabs her head in frustration. Kano and Nuat once again look at each other. Then Lao suddenly walks over to the two.

Lao
Look at them.

Ta narrows her eyes. Ayana and Teepo share a guilty look. Then Lao rips the gag out from Kano's mouth.

Lao
How old are you?

Kano
(Shaking) I'm… I'm sixteen.

Lao
And what's your name?

Ta
Lao!

Lao
What is your name?

Kano
Kano.

Ta
This won't work.

Lao

He's sixteen, the same as you.

Ta
I don't care.

Lao
Admit it, Ta. Admit that this isn't about learning some new skill or leveling the playing field. This is about you wanting to inflict suffering on these boys!

Ta
And what if I do?!

Ta starts to growl and then marches towards Lao and Kano. When she reaches Kano, she crouches down to his level and grabs his head, staring right at him. Tears are coming out of both of their eyes, for different reasons.

Ta
You are a soldier of the Kamakoi. Say it!

Kano
Wh-What?

Ta
SAY IT!

Kano
I'm… I'm a soldier of the K-... The Kamakoi.

Ta
I don't care who you are or what your name is, all I know is that you stand with the people that destroyed my home. You made that choice!

Kano
I didn't choose anything! My dad made me join!

Ta
Wha-

Kano
I wanted to be a singer! (Starts sobbing) And now I'll never be able to sing again! (Continues sobbing)

Ta blinks. Then she lets go of Kano's face and stands up. Beat. We cut to a close up of Ta as she hyperventilates and looks around. Then she looks at Lao, who looks back with compassion.

Ta can't look at Lao. She looks down and starts to walk away.

We cut to Kano, who exhales in relief, tears streaming down his face. Ayana, Oni, and Teepo look relieved as well.

Then we cut back to Ta, who faces away. She takes a moment, then turns back towards Nuat.

Ta
Let that one speak.

Lao walks over and takes the rag out of Nuat's mouth. Kano cringes and looks over at Nuat.

Nuat
What?

Ta
Tell them what you told me before.

Nuat
About your parents? (Shrug) I told you I don't know where they are.

Ta smirks, and then nods her head.

Ta
Okay. I see. Well, I'll tell them something. (Turns to group) Did you know that Nuat here was enlisted in the 45th division. The division directly under Admiral Tarakano? (Turns back to Nuat) I read the war report. I saw that you had all sorts of fun in my hometown.

We cut to Nuat, the camera slowly zooming in. Nuat is trying to hide the smallest of smiles.

Ta
Why don't you tell them about your eel-hounds that you used to chase down little boys and girls. Or why don't you tell them about the elderly folk that you threw off of the city wall into the ocean. We don't get to hear about any of that?

Nuat pauses for a moment, then he looks back at Ta.

Nuat
I don't have to say a damn word to you.

Ta
Even if it's your last word?

Nuat
(Sneers) Fine. You're right. I had lots of fun in Aikira. And I wasn't the only one, either. My whole unit had a great time showing those savages who's boss. I kicked your financial minister off the wall myself and I watched him hit the water. Because that's what they told us to do. Admiral Tarakano said that this is what happens to fools when they say no to the Kamakoi.

Ta looks at Nuat for a while, taking it all in. Beat.

Ta
(Towards Kano) Now, you tell me something. Do you think your friend deserves to live?

Kano can't even speak. He is stunned.

Lao
Ta! Hello?

Ta
(Turns around) What? It's three to two. I win.

Lao
You win?

Ta
Our group has decided by majority rule that I have the power. And I will decide what happens to these soldiers right here, right now. (Walks over to Nuat and sticks her hands on his head) Well, Kano?! What do you think should happen to your friend?

Kano
(Disturbed) Nuat… You never told me…

Nuat shrugs and looks away. Kano looks over towards him.

Kano
What were you thinking?!

Nuat looks down, not knowing what to say. Kano looks at Nuat with indignation, his anger growing, then he looks at Ta.

Kano
I can't defend him…

Ta looks at Kano and nods, then she turns her attention to Nuat, her fingers landing on his temples.

Nuat
Do it, you savage!

Ta's face descends into pure darkness. Then the room lights up blue, until Ta is pushed away from Nuat. Lao grabs her in a tight hug.

Ta
(Prying) Lao, let go of me!

Lao
No.

Ta
(Struggling) I need to do this!

Lao
I'm gonna save you again, Ta. Because you're my sister.

Ta
(Softer) Let go of me!

Lao
I'm never gonna let go.

Tears start to flow down Ta's cheeks. She hits Lao in the chest a few times, then she returns the hug, her head collapsing onto Lao's shoulder.

Lao and Ta cry for a long time. Kano and Nuat look at each other once again, and then they look back.

Slow fade to black.

We fade back to the Kamakoi outpost that night. It's a clear night, and an owl-moth lands on a tree branch and coos.

Inside of the shack, Kano is just starting to wake up, apparently from another dart, which is stuck in his shoulder.

Kano blinks and notices that he's been untied from the chair. He stands up and looks around, finding Nuat asleep in the other chair, also untied.

Kano looks up in relief, breathing for a moment, then he looks over at Amatsu.

We cut to the next morning, outside. Kano is holding a shovel, he's just finished covering a grave hole with sand. Then he carves the name "Amatsu" into a nearby rock with a stream of water. He places the rock next to the grave.

Kano walks back into the outpost and Nuat is rifling through the drawers.

Nuat
That was the last of the damn vegetables.

Kano looks over at Nuat for a while, then he sighs.

Kano
I'm done.

We cut to a little later. Kano has a piece of parchment on the table, and he is bending ink over it to write a message. As he does this, he hums a tune under his breath.

We see the piece of parchment as Kano finishes writing the first line.

Dear Mom, I'm coming home.

TO BE CONTINUED…