Scene 1
Colonel: Report! What is the situation?
Major: Everyone is out of the camp and we are established at the Ivy Gate. The enemy have stopped their bombardment. Casualties are very high with our lot colonel, and we lost a fair amount of materiel. We have reorbated the troops so that we’ve got three squadrons, but each troop is well below scale. We are estimated to be at 60% combat effective at present and morale is low, many are suffering from shock and may not be much use when the fighting starts.
Colonel: Its much the same in the other battle groups. It sounds like we got off lightly. HQ was delivering an orders group and the other battle groups were holding parade when the first strikes landed. They are in a mess. What are the scouts saying?
Major: Four enemy landing craft have disembarked. 2 squadrons have secured the docks at little Loyren, 2 squadrons have secured the docks at New Heath and 2 squadrons have disembarked on East Shore. We suspect the East Shore landing party are planning to march on to secure and hold our camp location.
Colonel: Okay. So, the brigade has a numerical advantage and the enemy are spread thin. They certainly don’t have the numbers to take the city, even with those blasted weapons of theirs. With a coordinated push, we can drive them back into the sea…so what could they possibly hope to achieve? Is this simply a show of force because we nettled them?
Major: I’m not sure sir.
Colonel: Have we heard anything from the special action group and Dagrun’s conts?
Major: Yes sir. Sergeant Major Dagrun established the rendezvous point for the Brigadier and the Guard Commander with Captain Luobo of the City Guard. He is on his way back to us for the big push with some guard liaison officers and combat volunteers.
Colonel: and the rest of his crew?
Major: Cont 2 were lost to enemy action Colonel. Missing presumed dead. Cont 1 are in position to delay the enemy advance through New Heath. Apparently, they have also captured an enemy officer. Details were scant but Colour Sergeant Mal and Sergeant Gav are transporting them back to us for interrogation.
Colonel: Do we have any actionable information from the prisoner yet?
Major: No sir. I believe there are language barriers. We will need to use one of the Dewin casters to mediate or…uh…probe…
Colonel: Let me know as soon as they arrive. I will want to meet this prisoner for myself. [Sigh] The Brigadier has decided that we should withdraw from the Aventine in order to concentrate our forces inside the city walls…[deep sigh].
Major: We are surrendering the Aventine sir?
Colonel: [stern] We are concentrating our forces for a counterattack major. Coordinating with the City Guard. The Aventine is not vital ground. The docks and the inner city are.
Major: Vital ground for who sir? The troops have families, friends and property on the Aventine. They are not going to like this at all colonel.
Colonel: [resigned] I don’t like it either Major. We are leaving the people there undefended but it is much more exposed and the enemy seem to have the area well dialled-in with their weapons. The Citadel, the dock warehouses, the narrows and the walls obscure the ships line of sight and give us much greater freedom of movement…if we stayed on the Aventine, we would be fodder for their weapons… as we saw. A notice has gone out for residents to either evacuate or hunker down…
Major: [Frustrated] Understood sir.
Colonel: We are going to be the counter attacking force at New Heath. Do we have a trace for Cont 1’s delaying action? What signal will they use when they begin engaging the enemy?
Scene 2:
Mal: [sound of Mal sprinting through the street, chased by security guards] Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit! Shit!
[Sound of Mal rounding the corner]
Gav: Colour! Quick! In here!
Mal: Gods no! There has got to be…
Gav: Quick!
Mal: [Resigned] Hullus be damned...
[Sound of Mal climbing into sewer and Gav closing the grate]
Gav: Are you okay colour?
Mal: Just fantastic sergeant…how have you been? Well, I hope.
Gav: I was just about to spring into action and effect a daring and cunning rescue.
Mal: Aye… Just needed to plan it from the sewers did you? Could you have picked a more grotesque hiding place Gav?
Gav: There is another grate right by the back of the Row. I was gonna come and get ya and bug out from there. This place is a bloody maze though! They didn’t rough you up to much did they colour? I hear they are getting a bit heavy handed at the row these days.
Mal: Just got a light tickling and had to listen to some dandy cry about how hard he’s got it. Nout I couldn’t handle…is that our prisoner? He is looking….a little rough….sure you couldn’t have tied those bindings any tighter? Or rammed that gag any further down his throat?
Gav: He is a caster colour. He’s lucky I left him the ability to speak at all….
Mal: Did he hit you with anything? Are you hurt?
Gav: Fine colour. Weirdest thing… he healed my wound.
Mal: Bollocks…mate….are you….is….everything….?
Gav: Yeah, everything is still fine. Doesn’t seem to have altered me at all. Guess I just got lucky.
Mal: Beyond lucky mate… that’s a damn miracle. Keep checking yourself over…I’d hate for you to get an unfortunate surprise
Gav: Believe you me…I have checked very thoroughly.
Mal: Have you figured out how to get to Ivy Gate from here?
Gav: No colour and…if I am honest…I don’t think we should spend long down here… there is some very freaky shit going on…
Mal: Don’t tell me you buy all the sewer bogeyman bollocks.
Gav: Look at that.
Mal: [very disturbed]….oh…..wow….yeah… err lets not hang about down here… that is some very disturbing shit.
Gav: We can pop out on Riku square if we follow the tunnel east for a couple of Li. I wouldn’t wanna stay down here any longer than that.
Mal: Agreed. Lets get a shifty on.
Scene 3
[Soundscape of Tuskar Marines marching through the streets, with orders being shouted in Analorian Low Speak] (max 30 second.)
Scene 4
Von Overton: Okay. Here they come. Everyone get to their positions. Remember: Try to stay balanced with each other so no one gets left behind. Wait until as late as possible to open up on them and use the alchemics as your last resort so you can move to your secondary position. No need to go crazy, keep the attacks slow, steady and unpredictable. DO NOT GET FIXED! Noone is coming to get you.
Deky: Okay chaps. Best of luck. Gazi don’t die. [playful] I am really looking forward to seeing you cleaning the latrines.
Gazi: [Playful] Fuck you Deky. I’ll be cleaning it with your toothbrush.
Tomo: Good luck corporal.
Deky: Love you too Tomo.
Von Overton: This is really very sweet… when is the joining ceremony. You’ll make such lovely vir.
[sound of them all moving to their positions]
Scene 5:
[Sound of troops busying themselves- sound of Dagrun marching up]
Dagrun: Eh you! Soft shite! Take me to the colonel post-haste.
2nd Lieutenant: Excuse me?!
Dagrun: I’m sorry. Did I stutter? Take me to the Colonel. Now!
2nd Lieutenant: I am a commissioned officer Sergeant Major! How dare yo-
Dagrun: [grabs 2Lt by lapels 2Lt winces] You’ve got one pip and i’ve got shit stains in my underwear longer lived than your service. Take me to the colonel or you will be sampling said undergarments…do you ken?
Scene 6
[sound of Mal, Gav and Prisoner trudging through sewer]
Mal: Gods above Gav, I can’t see a bloody thing down here!
Gav: What? Really? Oh shit right… you’re renfolk…sorry, do you want to hold on to my arm or something?
Mal: You don’t have to make it sound like we’re broken mate. We just can’t see in the dark.
Gav: Don’t be so touchy! My Dad was Renfolk.
Mal: Was your mum nix?
Gav: Nah, she was mixed like me. Not too many pure nix left. Most I’ve ever seen were on that boat.
Mal: Ship.
Gav: You’re right… it’s not funny anymore.
Mal: So can you and blondey here both see everything clear as day down here?
Gav: Common misconception. No, I can see about twenty paces ahead of me but not much detail. No colours.
Mal: Well, its better than I’ve got. I can’t see the end of my pissing nose. Keep hold of the nix down here. [slightly frightened] If you have to chase after him I’ll be buggered up sideways. Can’t think of anything worse than being trapped down here. My bloody mind is playing tricks on me in the dark. Keep thinking I can see the darkness moving…but that’s madness….right?
Gav: Had a ren mate in the vanguard who used to see stuff in the darkness whilst on sentry. We used to tease him rotten coz he’d send up the alarm every time he’d stag on.
Mal: [Relaxed] Hehe. Yeah, mind plays tricks when it hasn’t got any input. Starts making stuff up from your fears I bet.
Gav: Well yeah but it’s different beyond the boundary, outside the safe zone like. One night we finally got a good night’s sleep without him sending up the alarm. Lost six rangers that night. When we found them they were mutilated husks…still living…sort of…all we could do was put them out of their misery.
Mal: Fuck me Gav… was that supposed to reassure me?
Gav: Right…yeah… sorry colour….but the city is in the safe zone. So it’s probably just your mind playing tricks.
Mal: Sod this right off! You saw the markings on the walls… don’t be playing silly buggers with me Gav. I want to do a soak and a fucking sweep. I don’t want some creepy eldritch nightmare creature killing me. I plan to die in a depraved sexual misadventure. Not in the pissing sewers of this dump!
Gav: Sorry colour, didn’t mean to spook you. 2 minute soak and a quick sweep back to check for follows.
[silence….sound of eldritch creature moving near by]
Mal: That’s not my imagination is it?...
Gav: ….Nope……..
Mal:…can you see it?
Gav: Yes….
Mal: and….
Gav: RUN!
[running panicked]
___________________________________________________
Scene 7
[Sound of scribbling away and tent flapping in wind/ tent flap opens suddenly]
Major: Colonel Sergeant Major Dagrun is-
Dagrun: Thanks for that Major, you can go now…[pause]…no need for the sour face I’m sure you’ve got business to take care of.
[Tent flap closes]
Colonel: You really could make it easier for the officers to like you Dagrun. You catch more flies with honey, you know?
Dagrun: Fresh out of honey Colonel, afraid there is only piss and vinegar left.
Colonel: You’ve got my attention Sergeant Major. You were with the Brigadier and Guard commander. I have my orders, so what prey tell invites your visit to my tent?
Dagrun: I am seeking permission sir to peel off with some of the guards and support the delay action. My boys are on their own out there right now and I don’t like it one bit.
Colonel: and so I should send the most senior soldier in the regiment to perish with them? It was bad enough you twisted my arm into allowing you onto that ship Dagrun. A Sgt Mjr should be leading from the rear.
Dagrun: Perish? Don’t count the lads out and leading from the rear is not my style Colonel. The last year of sitting on my arse has taught me plenty about myself. I lived too long and now everyone wants me to turn into something I’m not. The request is a formality. Out of respect. Besides…I think you might actually like what we’ve got planned. That Luobo is a sharp fellow.
Colonel: Is that right? Then I suppose, in order to save face, I should acquiesce? I do hope to see your resettlement papers on my desk in short order Sergeant Major. I think the regiment has had it’s fill of your brand of ‘leadership’ for now.
Dagrun: Shall we see how all this goes, eh? My ex might still get to cash out my death in service yet.
Colonel: Good luck Mr Dagrun. I shall see you at the front.
Scene 8
[heavy panicked breathing/sound of marching getting closer/]
Deky: Wait for the signal..[calming breaths]…wait for the signal….[calming breaths]….gods! where is the signal?! They are getting bloody cl-…
[whistle blast]
Deky: [Shouted] Up!
[sound of multiple crossbows firing and sound of uruk falling wounded]
[Sound of uruk regrouping and prepping rifles for fire….silence for a moment….marching continues]
Deky:[Shouted] Up!
[sound of multiple crossbows firing and sound of uruk falling wounded…some rifles firing in return…[angry Uruk shouting sound of bodies being dragged rear….pause….marching continues.]
Deky: [Shouted] Up!
[sound of multiple crossbows firing and sound of uruk falling wounded….defilade fire from organised uruks]
Deky: [Shouted over rifle fire] STAY IN COVER!
[sound of Uruk reloading]
Deky: [Shouted]Gazi! Prepare to move!
Gazi: Prepared to move!
Deky: UP!
Gazi: MOVING!
[sound of multiple crossbows firing and sound of uruk falling wounded…. Sound of jar of alchemics hitting front line of Uruk…hissing, burning, screaming, sounds…sound of Gazi moving back through the line.
Scene 9:
[Sound of Gav, Mal and Prisoner scrambling out of sewer- slamming sewer grate closed and falling to the ground in panicked/relieved breaths…..as they catch their breath they begin laughing]
Gav & Mal: [Laughing in relief]
[Sewer grate bangs]
Gav & Mal: [Panicked jump scare]
[Sound of creature on other side of grate….slowly moves away…..silence]
Mal: What the pissing hell was that!?
Gav: Not a clue. I’ve not seen anything like that before….it was like living darkness….
Mal: Not even in the Wilds?
Gav: No…but you hear rumours like…from other units and areas…specially from the gap…but how the hell did something like that get here? We are deep inside the safe zone…
Mal: A problem for later. Let’s just thank our lucky stars we spotted it. It did not seem like it was going to fall for your rustic charms.
Gav: Right. We over shot the square….[sound of rifle fire off to left]….and it sounds like we’ve found the fighting….
Mal: If that’s our lot, it’ll be a delay. The main body will be [sound of troops marching toward them]…bollocks….it seems we are rather late to the party…. Hands up…no hostile intent- they wont be expecting us ‘ere.
[sound of formation coming to a halt]
Orillian regiment scout: [Shouted] Sent to! Sent to!
Mal: [shouted] Udi! Udi!
Orillian regiment scout: Identify yourself!
Mal: Colour Sergeant Malcolm Rigby.
Gav: Sergeant Gavin Fern.
Mal: Cont 1 Special Action Group. Transporting captured persons to Colonel Willifred.
[more organised rifle fire rear]
Orillian regiment scout: Numbers?
Gav: 3 total. Me, the colour, the prisoner.
Orillian regiment scout: Advance one.
Mal: You stay here with blondey. I’ll call you in once they’ve cleared us.
[Mal bounds off toward sound of voice]
Gav: [to the prisoner] Lucky you mate. You are going to be very popular!
[sound of nix muffled speech and squirming]
Mal: [at a distance] Gav! Advance 2!
_________________________________________________________________________________
Scene 10:
Luobo: Ah! Dagrun. You’re here. We were about to leave without you.
Dagrun: Like hell you were son. I would not miss this ride for my life. Is this it then? Where did you get it?
Luobo: Commandeered it from the Crown team. They don’t seem to be planning to use it any time soon. Thought we might take it for a spin.
Dagrun: Right. So this is an all singing all dancing one then is it?
Luobo: Indeed it is, but frankly we have only just managed to get it moving so I don’t expect we will master its many exciting functions in the time we have left. On which, would you mind embarking the craft- I really would like to help prevent the demise of my future wife…
Dagrun: Alright! Alright! My boys are out there fighting too you know. [grunt of effort sound of jars being knocked over/ everyone gasps in anticipation and fear] Fuck….is that what I think it is?
Luobo: Yes Mr Dagrun…and I would much rather they broke on the enemy and not in this cramped and confined space. Your greatest wariness and prudence would be appreciated.
Dagrun: You was just rushing me pal. Don’t get a sad on coz I rushed.
Luobo: Apologies. Please get into the craft with the greatest haste that won’t kill us all Mr Dagrun.
Dagrun: Aye. Lets get this show on the road. I’ve always dreamed of flying in one of these things!
_______________________________________________________________________________
Scene 11:
Deky: [Shouted] Up!
[sound of multiple crossbows firing and sound of uruk falling wounded]
[Sound of uruk returning fire]
Deky: Tomo! Prepare to move !
Tomo: Prepared to move!
Deky: Up!
Tomo: Moving!
[sound of multiple crossbows firing and sound of uruk falling wounded…. Sound of jar of alchemics hitting front line of Uruk…hissing, burning, screaming, sounds…sound of Tomo moving back through the line- sound of gunfire and Tomo hit.
Tomo: [Grunt of pain, hit ground]
Deky: TOMO!!!!
[Sound of continuous enfilade fire on Deky’s position]
Deky: SHIT!!! TOMO!!! GAZI!!!
“[all following conversation is shouted to one another over a short distance]”
Von overton: [ shouted from distance] What is going on?!
Tomo: [wounded and in pain, shouted over gunfire] I’m alive…not sure I’m moving anywhere fast but I’m alive!
Von overton: [shouted from distance] I told you not to get fixed! Corporal, can you get to him?
[sound of rife fire]
Deky: Thank the gods you’re okay!…[worried] I’m fixed Tomo… I don’t suppose you’ve got another jar over there have you?
Tomo: Sorry corporal….
Deky: Can you see anything from there?
Tomo: Let me just…[grunt]…they are advancing…. continuous rate of fire.. they are trying to keep our heads down whilst some of them move up on our flank.
Deky: Who’s side will they…?
[Sound of Uruk rounding corner, sound of Deky drawing short swords.]
Deky: On your own Tuskar? Brave… [smirking] You are big…but that things not loaded is it?
[sound of uruk attaching bayonet]
Deky: [surprised and impressed] ah! That’s quite clever…just slots right on there does it?
Uruk: [soft chuckle] Bayonet.
Scene 12
Colonel: So this is our prisoner is it? Well-done chaps. How about we get him chatting? Agnar. Would you do the honours please.
Agnar: Of course colonel. [ Agnar walks toward prisoner. mystic magical]
[ sound of prisoner grunting and resisting]
Agnar: [struggling to probe mind] This….is……what in the hells are you?
Colonel: What is the hold up Agnar?
Agnar: He is resisting… all I keep getting are visions of fire….
Colonel: Well keep up the pressure! Not a lot of bloody use paying you a Dewin salary if all you are giving me are excuses!
Agnar: Right colonel…. [grunting with effort- mystical chanting] I… think…. I am…. getting somewhere…. I can see….I can see… eyes? Burning violet eyes! Colonel…..[screams] ah! Ah! It hurts! It burns it! [screams peter out as Agnar transforms into heap of ash!
Gav/Mal/Colonel: [astonished} Gods!
Colonel: Agnar!...blast it that’s three casters in a single night.
Gav: Did he just crumble to ash like?
Mal: Aye…and errr…is our prisoner hovering?
[magical floaty soundz n shit]
Colonel: I believe he is.
[sounds of weapons being drawn]
Mal: Get the colonel out of [magical pulsing sound]- eughhhhh [sound of three bodies hitting floor]
Gav: [Paralysed and struggling to speak/speaking with great effort] Colour…I can’t move….
Mal: Colonel…are… you….?
Nix: aucië senhina. Onótiëmene. Lav mi auta ni gresta nin.
Colonel: What…do…you…mean?
Nix: dýgar apsen carima. Mi valdëa Uruk de Analor indo fainuleithian
Colonel: If…we….release…you….they…will….leave our shore?
Nix: la cirya.
Mal: Release…..us…..and…..we…….can…..talk….about……
Nix: vela imi ni isima. Ni indo nahta mi.
Gav: He…. Thinks…. you’ll…. Kill…. Him…. colour…
Mal: Well….I…Was….Thinking….About….It
Colonel: He…can…read….our….thoughts….
Gav: So….If….I…Think….about….like…..
Nix: Fuiol! Fuiol!
Mal: That’s…upset…him….Gav….what…was….that….
Gav: Me…..and….his……mum…….hah!