Gundam SEED Fan Fiction ❯ Gundam Seed Shadow ❯ Episode 2 The Beginning P1 ( Chapter 3 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Hcps 
Anime/Manga: Gundam SEED Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Fanfiction Sequel | Uploaded On: 12.30.2011 | Pages: 11 | Words: 10.4K | Visits: 153 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Gundam SEED Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Adventure | Type: Fanfiction Sequel | Uploaded On: 12.30.2011 | Pages: 11 | Words: 10.4K | Visits: 153 | Status: Work In Progress
Episode 2
The episode opens up showing the first rays of sunlight pierce the edge of the horizon as the sun wakes up for the day, yellowish brown sand stretches out endlessly as the camera focuses on a single complex within miles. It's obviously a prison, from the wall with 4 guard towers covered with barbed wire to the main 3 story building with bared windows, the place just screams prison. An interesting fact to note would be that the wall and main building appear to be made out of a red clay substance.
The camera cuts inside the prison, we see a prison guard walking down a corridor lined with cells. He doesn't look like a standard prison guard with his green combat jacket, blue jeans and combat boots. What looks to be a HK 53 submachine gun hangs casually down at his side. He stops in the middle of the corridor and grabbing his submachine opens fire directly above himself at the ceiling.
Prison Guard A: Wake up you stupid pieces of crap, it's time to work!
The bullets sink into the red clay substance the ceiling is made from. All of the cell doors electronically open allowing the convicts to get out, almost immediately after the doors open inmates start rushing out and that's when we notice something odd.
The clothes are an obvious hint, with grey tattered rags that look like they were made from potato sacks. No real prison would force its inmates to wear such dehumanizing clothing, but the less obvious hint is their eyes. Most don't look like cold hearted killers or even petty crocks; they just seem broken.
The prison guard with his brown crew cut hair continues screaming at the prisoners to get up; his mud-green eyes look warped with bloodlust like a predator waiting for its prey to slip up.
The camera cuts into one of the cells. As expected it's a simple, one room with no windows and one light bulb hanging down. The cell only has 3 things in it, a wooden bunk bed, a toilet and a sink with a mirror. The guy in the top bunk stretches and yawns as if waking up to gunfire and insults was an everyday occurrence.
He hops off the top bunk allowing us to get a better look at him, he's about 6 feet tall with brown shoulder length unkempt hair. He's skinny but considering we've yet to see a fat prisoner that might be normal. His light blue eyes are full of watchful intelligence; some can consider him a glow stick in this prison of broken lights.
This one of the few unbroken men walks over to the sink and splashes some water on his face trying to wipe the sleep off his eyes. He shakes his head dry and then exits the cell. The corridor has become crowded with other prisoners as they all walk in one direction somewhere.
Light blue eyes looking left and right, keeping an eye on the other prisoners as well as the other prison guards the man tries to not stick out by copying his fellow inmates with slumped shoulders and downcast eyes, but the prison guard still spots him and with a malicious smile falls back behind the weaker prisoner. The feeling of a football player picking on the weak geek should be coming off the image in waves.
Thinking he's being sneaky and clever prison guard A kicks the prisoner's legs out from under him however the camera did pick up on the prisoner's light blue eyes looking back several times at the guard knowing full well what's coming but choosing to do nothing. The prisoner crashes to the ground while the guard stands over him chuckling evilly.
Prison Guard A: You better watch where you're going there Kenny, I wouldn't want to get your filth on my nice boots!
The guard savors his appetizer of entertainment, getting a nice laugh for a moment while "Kenny" wisely chooses not to respond. With his moment of fun over, prison guard A turns around and begins walking away when a thought enters his mind.
Prison Guard A: Everyone stop!
All the prisoners stop in place surprised by this unusual command and turn to look at the bully, prison guard A. Spotting the one mistake that will lead to his meal of the day, he turns around slowly to look at Kenny who by this point has gotten back up. His mud-green eyes dance cruelly anticipating the response to his next question.
Prison Guard A: Where is your friend Kenny?
The effect is instant; Kenny looks up at the guard his light blue eyes open wide. His head snaps around as he quickly scans the faces of the other inmates. Not seeing his friend among them he turns back to face the threatening bully with a gun and begins to talk fast while thinking faster.
Kenny: He must be up ahead.
With purposeful slow shakes of his head the evil smile never leaving the guard's face.
Prison Guard A: No, I've been standing in this hallway the whole time and I haven't seen him.
Kenny tries to think of something else but nothing comes to mind, seeing this prison guard A makes his move.
Prison Guard A: Sooo that must mean he's still in bed.
Kenny's eyes light up in horror.
Kenny: No, he's up, I'm sure he's up. You must have missed him.
Kenny instantly regrets his poor choice of words, infuriated the predator forgets about his old prey and jumps on the one who dares to challenge him. Slamming the butt of his gun into Kenny's face causing the loyal friend to once more collapse to the ground, only this time the prison guard isn't satisfied with that. Like most bullies who've been challenged, he reinserts his dominance by utterly destroying the opposition by violent, in this case kicking, means.
Prison Guard A: How dare filth like you claim I made a mistake! In this prison we guards are perfect in every single way! The price of saying we made a mistake is DEATH!
Curling up into a ball Kenny protects his face and chest as best he can while playing possum. A new voice emerges out of nowhere.
Unknown: What's the matter does the truth hurt that much Jeff?
The prison guard (Jeff) stops kicking Kenny and turns to look at the source of the second challenger. It's probably a safe bet that this is Kenny's friend considering he's coming from the same cell as Kenny; unlike Kenny though he's shorter, standing at about 5 foot 4 inches. His black hair is cut short as a playful smile dances across his face, looking up he notices the bullet holes in the ceiling and scowls.
Kenny's friend: I know that the warden gives you an unlimited supply of bullets and all but do you have to shoot them up into the ceiling every morning, you do know we're the ones who have to fix it right?
If Kenny's spirit is described as a glow stick struggling to be concealed in this waste land of broken lights, then his friend is a spotlight openly challenging those who would try to break him. We can see this not just in his bright green eyes which shine like an electric current is running through them but in the way he asks the rhetorical question knowing full well that Jeff doesn't care about the extra work he gives the convicts nor will he stop.
Ignoring the previous comment Jeff's mud-green eyes glare at the man with a mixture of annoyance and coldness while the other prisoners watch the scene unfold like a baseball game.
Jeff: Well, well, well, the star of the hour has appeared. Tell me Shadow did you forget the rule that says all inmates must be out of their cell in1 minute after the prison guard yells work, or you will be shot?
With that the murderer raises his gun and points it at "Shadow" judging from his happy expression this is probably one of his most favorite things to do, but like a conman trying to use his ultimate weapon, the silver tongue Shadow talks just before Jeff pulls the trigger.
Shadow: I didn't forget, but the actor in me likes to make a grand entrance.
Shadow's taunt succeeded in making the bully want to smack him in the face instead of simply just shooting him, which Jeff does with the butt of his gun. Shadow like Kenny crumbles to the floor and proceeds to get into a similar defensive position when Jeff's boots start impaling themselves upon him, only this time Jeff's kicks seem a lot harder than they were on Kenny.
Jeff: You arrogant son of a bitch.
The prison guard takes his gun and points it at Shadow's face. There's blood coming from Shadow's lip, but the defiant look in his eyes is still there.
Jeff: Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now.
Shadow talks still with a hint of humor in his voice.
Shadow: Well for starters; who would you beat the crap out of when you're having a bad day? That and wouldn't you miss our escape plans?
For one moment Jeff seems to play around with the idea of finishing this brat off right now, but orders as well as the prospect of a more horrible fate awaiting this worm, steer him away from this idea, so instead he settles for just kicking Shadow one last time in the chest.
Jeff: You know in a way you'd be better off with me shooting you right here and now because the warden is a lot more sadistic then me, he's been known to have broken inmates to the point where they're begging us guards to end them and lucky you have caught his eye. Each time one of your escape plans fail it only reinforces the idea that escape from here is impossible with the other prisoners.
The evil smile is back again as Jeff regains his cool.
Jeff: In fact you help the warden discourage so many prison escapes that he left us with clear orders not to shoot you unless you were in clear violation of a rule; the warden doesn't want anyone to mess with his entertainment.
After the prison guard gets a good distance from them Kenny goes over to see how his friend is.
Kenny: You ok Shadow?
Kenny asks with concern upon seeing Shadow clutching his ribs.
Shadow: Yea, That bastard's kicks didn't hurt at all!
Shadow gets up as he shouts this out loud, but not loud enough to be heard by someone else. The 2 trouble makers start walking with the other inmates down the hallway and down a flight of stairs.
Shadow: An evil jerk like him will probably fall off a cliff.
Kenny laughs
Kenny: hahahha, yea like we're really that lucky, but still Shadow that's unlike you to take such a risk on a day when we're going to try one of our escape plans.
With his light blue eyes scanning left then right the taller man leans in close to his partner as he lowers his voice when he says escape plan. They enter a cafeteria and stand in line, it's important to note that even though they're talking, they're keeping an inconspicuous close eye on the servers.
Kenny: Weren't you the one who told me that when you have an escape plan it's important to not draw attention to yourself the day you're going to execute the plan?
As they get up to the front of the line a rather mean looking server glares up at them then in what's supposed to be a sneaky fashion slips some drugs into their meal but the convicts aren't stupid and clearly see the act, however they act as if nothing happened as they start to walk away with their food trays in hand. Shadow sighs
Shadow: I guess we're going without food today.
Without another word the duo dump their food into a trash can.
Shadow: You know, I know the warden is just playing with us since he can like kill us any time he wants or simply withhold our food but still the drugging thing is getting kind of annoying, this is the third time this week he's done it.
A fight begins to break out between 2 other inmates. The prison guards begin to walk over but not to stop the fight but rather to place bets on the winner sickeningly similar to a dog fight. Shadow and Kenny taking advantage of the distraction walk on over to the fighting inmates' abandoned food trays and grab them. They go to one of the semi-full table, sit down and continue talking.
Kenny: Don't try to change the subject.
Fidgeting in his seat with eyes cast down Shadow looks uncomfortable.
Kenny: Seriously what's going on?
Leaning forward Kenny presses again. Shadow debates whether or not to answer for a few moments then decides.
Shadow: I had a weird dream.
Blinking in surprise Kenny leans back and asks
Kenny: You had a weird dream?
Shadow rolls his eyes annoyed.
Shadow: I just said that.
Kenny and Shadow have started eating.
Kenny: Sorry, but what was this dream about?
Shadow shakes his head.
Shadow: I can't remember exactly it's kind of fuzzy now. I do know that it involved a fire angel though.
Kenny looks disbelieving.
Kenny: A fire angel, are you sure it wasn't a demon?
Shadow looks at his friend annoyed by the disbelief.
Shadow: Yes I'm sure!
Kenny still doesn’t believe him.
Kenny: How?
Shadow gets a dreamily look in his green electric eyes.
Shadow: Because she was beautiful.
Finally starting to pick up interest Kenny asks
Kenny: Oh, what did she look like?
Shadow turns away embarrassed.
Shadow: I can't remember.
Kenny looks at Shadow as if he's nuts.
Kenny: You can't remember; than how do you know she was beautiful?
Shadow replies with supreme confidence.
Shadow: Because I remember thinking to myself, God she's beautiful.
Kenny still looks at Shadow as if he's nuts.
Kenny: You've been in here too long, you need to get laid.
Shadow looks at him crossly.
Shadow: ha, ha, ha, very funny. Last time I tell you about my dreams.
Kenny shrugs.
Kenny: Well what do you want me to say?
Kenny starts using his spooky voice
Kenny: Maybe it's a premonition of a woman you're going to meet in the future.
The scene ends with Shadow starting to laugh for real this time.
Shadow: hahahahah, yeah right.
The next scene opens up with flashbacks of Mr. 4 killing the people in the ball room; we see this from Cagalli's perceptive. We hear Cagalli scream, and as she screams she wakes bolt right up in a bed breathing heavily.
Someone has cleaned off the blood from her face along with the makeup. The nightmare has left its mark, with sweat soaking the young adult's face as well as her golden hair. Cagalli still has on the now dried blood dipped dress but in her dazed dream state that barely registers. As Cagalli begins to calm down she wipes the sweat off her forehead.
Cagalli (Nightmare, it's a nightmare, it's just a nightmare, calm down, get a hold of yourself, it was just a night….)
As her dream daze begins to fade, Cagalli's reasoning abilities begin to start up, allowing the princess to become aware of her surroundings. The room is small with just a bed and bared window. It takes Cagalli all of 3 seconds to realize she has no idea where she is. Her heart rate spikes as fear fueled adrenalin pumps in her system.
Cagalli jumps out of bed as her fight or flight response kicks in. She begins to frantically look around as she desperately tries to make sense of her scattered thoughts. Screaming her head off Cagalli shouts
Cagalli: What, where, where am I, help, someone HELP me, Kira, Athrun, HELP!
Amber eyes shaking with unimaginable terror Cagalli may have woken from her dream daze but the fear remains and only intensifies with the unknown. The shouting does succeed in getting attention as the door slams open to reveal a not so friendly murderer.
Jeff: Shut up!
Cagalli still panicking now has someone to direct it at.
Cagalli: Who are you, where am I, what's going on?
Being an alpha male and having grown used to getting his own way without much question Jeff doesn't like the demanding tone Cagalli gives him or the way she openly ignores him, so in a true bully chest pounding fashion he lifts up his gun and opens fire on the ceiling…again. Jeff smiles cruelly drinking in Cagalli's fear as the broken ruler jumps back afraid.
Jeff: Now listen here girly, the warden says he's going to talk to you personally so you're going to follow me and remain silent or else.
The jerk talks slowly and coldly as if believing the old stupid saying that blonds are idiots and then begins to walk out of the room. Cagalli only hesitates a second before following him. We next cut to see a door open and Cagalli being pushed in.
Cagalli: Wait a minute!
The door gets slammed and locked in her face, for a moment the old stubborn and prideful Cagalli is back as her amber eyes glare at the door trying to burn it down by pure willpower.
Warden: Sorry for my prison guard's rudeness but that can only be expected out of someone who works with scum all day long.
Just like that the old Cagalli is gone swallowed again by her more practical and political side we saw through GSD. Spinning around Cagalli has evidently calmed down from her panic attack and getting a good look at the room spots the source of the voice.
It's easy to tell that this room belongs to the Warden. It's huge with white carpeting, silver chandeliers lights. On one wall there's a bunch of book cases full of thick novels, on another there are two grand windows overlooking the courtyard below. The combination of sunlight and the light from the chandeliers illuminates the room brightly.
In-between the 2 windows is a solid oak desk and sitting on a big matching brown arm chair behind the desk is the warden. The warden is a big guy, a bodybuilder, his black hair with yellow highlights is brushed back behind his head and his black mustache looks too neat to be real. His hazel eyes hold the same cruelty as the prison guards but there's also the hint of cunning, a man well educated.
Cagalli: Who are you?
Determined not to be made a fool again *cough Yuna cough* Cagalli starts off strong and demanding. Like Jeff the warden is used to people showing him immediate respect and generally backing away from him in fear so his hazel eyes flash a little by this little girl's attitude but unlike Jeff the warden has self-control and contains his anger.
Warden: Excuse me but you're in no position to making demands, after all you are in my prison.
Taking a step back the politician loses her aggressive edge by this surprise fact and blinks.
Cagalli: Prison?
In a sadistically mocking way the man with a God complex replies
Warden: Yes, that's right this is Slyer.
Cagalli shakes her head.
Cagalli: Slyer? I never heard of such a prison.
Warden: Nor would you have. You see a while back a bunch of rich and powerful people got together and decided they needed a place where they could put people of annoyance to them, a place where they didn't have to worry about when they will get out, a place where they didn't have to worry about lawyers or the court system, a place where the people who bothered them would just disappear, and never return.
The cruelness of the situation hits the fallen princess like a brick as she finally begins to understand what is going on here.
Cagalli: Are you saying this prison holds nothing but innocent people?
The warden gives a short laugh.
Warden: HA, Innocent hardly, they have committed the greatest of all offences. They tried to go against someone more powerful than themselves.
The sadist's cruel smile spreads across his face as Cagalli glares at him.
Cagalli: You're a monster!
Cagalli's comment doesn't bother the warden, in fact it amuses him.
Warden: Why am I the monster? This prison would still have existed if I had turned down the position only I would have nothing to show for it.
Cagalli's spits out, barely containing her anger
Cagalli: So money's a good enough reason to hurt innocent people.
Now the warden gets up showing his height, a good head and a half taller than Cagalli. His cruel smile never leaves his face, as a twisted light shines in his hazel eyes.
Warden: No, but power is.
Cagalli doesn't get it.
Cagalli: Power?
Gesturing around the room the Warden explains
Warden: Take this office for example; this furniture is some of the finest money can buy. However that dulls in comparison to the power to control the fate of every individual here. If I wanted to, I could kill all of them now, and no one would blink an eye, that's true power!
Cagalli looks at him like he's a madman.
Cagalli: Not only are you heartless but you're also crazy!
For the first time the warden's hazel eyes harden on Cagalli, his sudden stare causes her to take a step back.
Warden: It's not wise to insult the one who controls your fate.
Cagalli looks at him startled.
Cagalli: Fate, are you saying I'm a prisoner here?
The sadist once again mocks her.
Warden: Oh, so you finally realize it then, I must say that took you quite a while.
The pride of Orb still resides in Cagalli, ignorance is bliss.
Cagalli: Who do you think you are, do you know who I am?
Enjoying his little twisted game to cause his new blond prisoner as much pain as possible the warden answers without hesitation.
Warden: You're Cagalli Yula Athha the once Chief Representative of Orb and the current fallen princess of Orb.
Cagalli is taken by surprise with the way this black haired man with yellow highlights so uncaringly admits to kidnapping such an important political figure but she's even more surprised by his terminology.
Cagalli: What do you mean by the once?
The warden shrugs his shoulders appearing to be uncaring while he stabs at her with his psychological blade.
Warden: I believe that would be the most fitting term to describe someone who has been declared dead by their people and is no longer in their own country.
Cagalli is shocked and a little hurt to find this out. The warden gains the upper hand in their verbal battle. Looking down at the floor she says
Cagalli: I've been declared dead.
Warden: Well what did you expect, after that explosion?
Looking up the dead girl standing looks even more confused.
Cagalli: Explosion?
The warden pretends to remember something as he takes his second stab with his psychological blade.
Warden: Oh, that's right you were unconscious, well to cut a long story short after he dragged your body out, he blew up the building so that the other bodies were completely unrecognizable.
The sadist talks about it like it's a joke which infuriates the guilt ridden ex-leader.
Cagalli: You bastard!
She lunges at the Warden who sends her flying with a quick kick to the chest.
Warden: What are you getting mad at me for, I wasn't even there? If you want to be mad at anyone be mad at yourself.
Cagalli is on her knees, she's holding her chest where the warden kicked her. She looks up at the warden angrily
Cagalli: What do you mean?
Warden: Well you were there why didn't you try to do anything?
Cagalli freezes. She tries to respond
Cagalli: I...I….I
Warden: You what? Ahh, was the little princess too scared?
He does the baby talk voice, Cagalli is not taking this well.
Cagalli: Shut up.
She looks to the floor ashamed.
Warden: But wait that didn't stop your loyal soldiers from trying to stop him, even though they probably saw how scary he was first hand.
Her anger is growing.
Cagalli: Shut up!
Warden: Let me guess, instead of taking charge of your soldiers and leading them against your enemy like any competent leader would you sat there hoping that your brother Kira or maybe Athrun would come out of nowhere and save you again. Then when you realized that they weren't going to come you panicked, and abandoned your people to hide in a small dark corner shivering in fear.
Cagalli snaps and charges again in anger.
Cagalli: I said SHUT UP!
With one hand the warden grabs Cagalli's head and throws her at the wall. She hits the wall hard and falls to the ground. Tears have formed in her amber eyes from the pain and guilt.
Warden: You claim that too much power will only bring conflict, but it seems to me that you don't have any power at all. At least not any you gained yourself.
Cagalli still in too much pain to move snaps back at him
Cagalli: Oh yea?!
The warden clearly enjoying himself finishes off his psychological attack bathing himself in her pain.
Warden: Yes, you never earned any of your power, it was given to you. Your position as the Chief Representative was given to you from your father.
Cagalli is slowly regaining mobility.
Cagalli: Are you saying I haven't earned my position?
The warden snaps
Warden: Yes that's exactly what I'm saying! Why don't you face it, you don't have the experience to be in long term politics, I mean you were pretty good with the war time issues, but with the everyday issues you suck! From what I know most of the other politician's think of you as annoyance at best, none of them think of you as the wise leader they can count on for guidance, they think of you as an obstacle!
Cagalli's pride is offended.
Cagalli: If they don't like me so much why don't they make me resign?
The warden holds up two fingers.
Warden: Two reasons, one, it's because of your brother's girlfriend, if they force your resignation they're afraid that their good relationship with the PLANTs will end. Two, your brother and ex-boyfriend are two of the greatest Gundam pilots on Earth. They're scared of you, or more like they're scared of the retaliation those two might do for you. So you can see for yourself that your only power is to call your dogs to aid you but guess what? They wouldn't be able to find you here.
Cagalli has fully recovered and stands up. Her rational mind has returned as she attempts to shoot the warden full of holes with her amber eyes.
Cagalli: Oh and why not?
The warden's smile widens, he's been waiting for this.
Warden: Because you're not on Earth.
Cagalli looks at him anticlimactically.
Cagalli: So I'm on a space station colony.
This time the psychological knife is going in slowly inch by painful inch.
Warden: You're not in the same solar system as Earth.
As if she hadn't heard him correctly Cagalli asks
Cagalli: What?
Warden: You heard me, you're on a planet but it's not Earth or near Earth for that matter.
Looking at the egotistic man like this is another one of his mind games Cagalli rolls her eyes and replies
Cagalli: Right.
Savoring this moment of ignorant bliss the warden smiles.
Warden: I know it's hard to believe so let me start at the beginning. I'll assume you know about the crew of the Lost Ones.
Cagalli not sure where this is headed goes along with him.
Cagalli: You mean the people who died in the ship powered by the S-generator, one of the greatest tragedies in human history.
The warden nods his head.
Warden: Yes, that's right only they didn't die.
Cagalli looks at him as if he's nuts.
Cagalli: What are you talking about of course they died, it's not like a million people can just disappear.
The first time Cagalli mouthed off to him the warden ignored her but that won't fly a second time.
Warden: Unless you want me to kill you, shut up and let me finish!
His cold hazel eyes and metallic voice, shuts Cagalli up. Once the warden is sure Cagalli will not interrupt him again, he begins talking in a cruel humorous voice.
Warden: Now that that's settled where was I, ah yes I remember. You see what happen was that the S-generator started producing massive amounts of power, too much more for the ship to hold, so in desperation they put all of the excess power into the engines. The ship then rocketed forward at God like speeds, and then when it passed Pluto's orbit it ran straight into a wormhole. Talk about bad luck right, but somehow they made it to the other side mostly unharmed and crashed on a planet that's almost exactly like Earth. That's where we are now.
He opens his arms wide.
Warden: Welcome to Sora!
Cagalli just looks at him.
Cagalli: You expect me to believe that crap?
The warden is still smiling but it appears he's grown bored.
Warden: I don't care what you believe but besides from me no one else in this prison knows anything about the current Earth governments, and if you start going around saying you're from a country called Orb on Earth they're going to think you're crazy. Now I've grown bored with you, you have 5 minutes to go change into the prison uniform, so get going.
The warden gestures towards the door as Jeff comes back into the room. Cagalli remains where she is.
Cagalli: What if I refuse?
The warden looks back up at Cagalli; the cold look is back in his hazel eyes.
Warden: Oh, well let me put it to you like this, out of pity I'm letting you have the option of changing by yourself. If you refuse then I'll let my guard here change your clothes by force.
The way Jeff smiles at Cagalli makes her realizes she's better off doing what they say. She glares at the warden, then grabs the clothes from the misogynist (one who disrespects and or hates women) and enters the changing room. We see her take her dress off, sorry for the people who thought they were getting a show but she's still wearing a bra, and underwear and that's when she notices a long scar on her chest were Mr. 4 stabbed her.
She touches it, and we get a flashback of Mr. 4 killing people. The memory causes her to flinch as her hands start to shake in uncontrollable terror.
Cagalli (Get a grip Cagalli this isn't time to be worrying about that now, I have to get out of this mess first then back to Orb.)
Cagalli's shoulder length blond hair flaps around as she shakes her head, as if trying to remind her to get a haircut. The scene ends with the warden calling in.
Warden: 2 minutes.
The next scene opens up in the cafeteria with Cagalli in her new prison uniform being pushed into it. Cagalli's grey uniform is identical to the ones Kenny and Shadow wear. Cagalli looking around at her new surroundings not knowing what else to do walks on over to the food line.
As the stranger in a strange land waits in line, she takes another look around and notices the female and male inmates choosing to sit on opposite sides of the lunchroom.
Cagalli (I wonder why the cafeteria is divided down the middle between guys and girls?)
Cagalli doesn't get long to ponder about this because no sooner does she receive her food, she's surrounded by a bunch of female inmates. The leader, a dark skinned tall woman steps up to face the new meat.
Cagalli: Can I help you?
Cagalli asks nervously looking for a gap in the circle, the newbie doesn't want trouble.
Female Inmate: Yeah you see, you're new here so I just wanted to let you know that I am in charge of the women inmates in this prison. And one of the rules is that the new women must give their food over to me.
Cagalli: What rule?
Cagalli replies defiantly. The female inmate not liking her smart-alecky response punches the newbie in face sending her to floor hard as the food tray spatters to the ground.
Female Inmate: The rule of the strongest. Where are you from anyway?
She asks not really caring. Cagalli rubs her injured cheek.
Cagalli: Orb.
The top dog rolls her eyes annoyed.
Female Inmate: Listen I used to be a reporter, so you can stop lying to me.
Startled the blond hair girl responds
Cagalli: I'm not, I'm from Orb!
An old tick from her old life as a reporter the female inmate doesn't like being lied to.
Female Inmate: Look there's no such country on Sora.
Her words cause an instant freeze effect on the nonbeliever, before when the warden told her that stuff about being on another planet not for one second did Cagalli buy any of it, but now doubt begins to sneak into her mind along with terror of the possibilities of the truth.
Cagalli: What are you talking about we're on Earth!
The ex-reporter good at spotting liars finally recognizes that this chick believes in what she's saying. This startles her along with the rest of her crew.
Female Inmate: No, we're on Sora.
She talks slowly as if to a handicap who doesn't quite understand what's going on. This crazy talk only grows Cagalli's rising doubt and panic.
Cagalli: What, did the warden put you up to this? Pretending we're on some other planet?
Cagalli looks around, as if she expects one of them to confess. The female inmate looks at Cagalli with pity and then starts to walk away shaking her head while talking to the rest of her crew.
Female Inmate: It's not right to take food from a crazy person.
This is the worst possible respond the venerable girl could have received; it sends her panic into overdrive causing her to shout at the top of her lungs.
Cagalli: Come on there's got to be someone here who's not in that lunatics pocket, come on someone tell me we're not on some made up planet!
The inmates look up when she starts yelling, then when they realizes what it's about they ignore her, some of them look at her with pity. Cagalli looks around waiting for an answer that never comes however taking deep breaths the politician rationalizes the situation.
Cagalli (Calm down, this is a prison so of course they're not going to go against the warden who can make their life into a living hell, that's it, of course that's it)
Our favorite goon Jeff walks in about to shout something when he finally gets the opportunity to do something he's wanted to do all day. He spots a male and female inmate all the way in the back close to where Cagalli is. They're just talking or more like flirting but the panther stares at them hungrily waiting for that one slip up he knows they're going to make.
It finally happens in the form of the male inmate putting his hand on the female prisoner's shoulder, pouncing Jeff raises his gun, aims and opens fire on them with no warning. Shadow sees the assault coming and quickly pulls Kenny out of the way, a couple of the other prisoners manage to get out of the way too but the original targets aren't so lucky.
Blood spatters as bullets impale themselves in both the male and female figures who stand mere feet away from Cagalli. The coldness and gore causes Cagalli to reflectively scream but the other inmates have already gone numb to such things.
The bodies fall to the ground as the screaming finally stops and all eyes turn to the murderer waiting for the explanation which is sure to come.
Jeff: Intimacy between male and female scum is strictly forbidden and punishable by death, now enough gawking it's time for you filth to get your exercise so line up and prepare to board the prison bus.
The inmates line up and walk outside; Cagalli in shock follows them. They start boarding buses; Cagalli gets on the same bus as Shadow and Kenny. The buses start driving off into the desert and then split up. The camera cuts into one of the buses, at the front of the bus is Cagalli she turns to ask an inmate next to her a question.
Cagalli: Where are they taking us?
Male Inmate: Somewhere in the desert to dig holes.
Cagalli looks at him not sure if he's just messing with her.
Cagalli: Why?
The Male inmate sighs; he has a defeated look in his eye.
Male inmate: Too keep us tired so we don't have the energy to think. Thinking inmates leads to trouble with the guards.
We go past the male inmate's head to the back of the bus. Kenny is sitting next to the window; Shadow is sitting next to him. They're both leaning to the seat next to theirs; the guy sitting in that seat is a big tall dark skin man.
Shadow: So how many inmates have you got Max?
Shadow is excited but he's keeping his voice down.
Max: All of them except the new girl.
Max says matter of fact. Shadow looks confused.
Shadow: New girl?
Kenny and Max look at Shadow not believing their ears.
Kenny: You know the crazy girl that was shouting crap this morning.
Shadow shrugs unconcerned.
Shadow: Oh, I must have missed it.
Max shakes his head.
Max: Man, what could you have been thinking about to miss that?
Kenny rolls his eyes.
Kenny: Oh, don't tell me that you were thinking about that stupid dream again.
Shadow eyes Kenny clearly not liking his tone.
Max: What dream?
Kenny sighs.
Kenny: It's a long story
Shadow is irritated and cuts him off.
Shadow: That has nothing to do with our plan!
Max shrugs his shoulders.
Max: As long as you don't crack on me, I don't care.
Shadow annoyed replies
Shadow: I'm fine; just make sure no one drops the ball.
Kenny looks worried.
Kenny: What about the crazy girl?
Shadow is unconcerned.
Shadow: Forget about her, once the plan starts she'll just stay out of the way. Then she can come with us if she wants.
The co-conspirators nod their heads in agreement. The bus comes to a stop right near the edge of a cliff. They've seem to have entered a section of the desert where the ground is hard and there's no sand, there's still no sign of life or plants. The inmates and prison guards exit the bus, there are 20 inmates and 7 prison guards with machine guns.
The prison guards hand out shovels as the bus leaves. The inmates pick places and start digging. Shadow and Kenny are farthest away from the cliff, Cagalli is the closest. Cagalli confused looks around and sees everyone else digging, so still not really getting it she decides to just follow everyone else and starts digging too.
We cut forward in time to some point after midday; we can see that all of the inmates have a nice hole coming along, except for non-muscular politician who is sweating heavily, and breathing hard already exhausted.
The sun's bright yellow rays are beating down hard today and even the prison guards are starting to feel the effects, as they shuffle around uncomfortably on their feet and allow their heavy guns to hang by their sides. The murderer Jeff is eyeing Cagalli and not in the good way.
The bus comes into the field of vision and the prison guards upon seeing it show signs of relief and begin to walk towards it. The inmates begin to get out of their holes to follow. Jeff sees Cagalli hasn't notice the bus, or movement of the other inmates. He looks around and sees no one watching so he walks over to her.
Jeff: So how does the sun feel on your pretty smooth skin?
Cagalli startled turns to look at him. When she sees it's the rude guard from earlier she glares at him.
Cagalli: What do you care?
Jeff smirks then looking around quickly, puts his gun down and takes off his coat. Cagalli sensing something off gets out of the hole.
Cagalli: What are you doing?
She asks suspicious, Jeff still smirking walks towards her. Cagalli in turn starts stepping back towards the cliff.
Jeff: I have decided to let scum like you have the honor of servicing me.
Cagalli puts two and two together and her eyes open wide as she continues to back up.
Cagalli: You, you, you can't, you'll never get away with this!
The rapist laughs a little.
Jeff: HAHHAHA, Please like you're the first, in this prison scum like you will do what we prison guards tell you to do.
With that Jeff lunges at Cagalli, causing Cagalli to scream. We turn to see the bus pull up and stop, the prison guards are in the front, the inmates are behind them. If one takes a closer look you can see the inmates are in a strategic pattern behind the prison guards.
They look tired, some of them have been doing this for years, with all of beatings, the abuse, the lack of good food, watching their friends getting killed, it's enough to wear out the very soul, which is what the warden wanted all along; tired and defeated prisoners.
However what the warden didn't expect is that tiredness can reach a new level, a level in which they become so tired that enough is enough, it's time to make a stand and holding the shovels in positions of attack it's clear that today is that day.
At the sound of Cagalli's scream they attack as one. One freedom fighter grabs the gun of one of the prison guards and points it up to the guard's head, and pulls the trigger, blowing off the torturer's head in a matter of seconds. The second guard gets hit on the head with a shovel by a woman knocking him to the ground; another inmate grabs the gun then shoots the prison guard.
The other prison guards get taken out in a similar fashion. 6 of the other bigger inmates rush behind the bus and begin to lift it off the ground moments before the driver hits the gas causing the wheels to spin pointlessly in the air. Shadow and Kenny have grabbed the shovels and begun placing them underneath the bus so that the convicts don't have to keep holding it up.
We cut back to Cagalli; she's struggling with Jeff on the ground, as they begin to roll dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. He has her almost pinned down when he hears gun fire, and turns his head to look. Cagalli takes that moment to do one last desperate flip and sends them both flying off the cliff.
Almost by reflex or an instinct buried deep inside, Cagalli reaches out and grabs the side of the cliff with one hand. Jeff on the other hand isn't so lucky as the world loses one bad guy. Cagalli grabs the side of the cliff with her other hand but years of her desk job as a politician and general lack of physical training have made her physically incapable of pulling herself up, so instead she starts screaming her head off.
Cagalli: HELP, HELP, HELP, SOMEONE HELP ME!
We cut back to the bus, the prison guards are all down their bloody corpses have been thrown into the very holes they forced their victims to dig. The bus driver is hitting on the gas pedal but because of the shovels keeping the back tires off the ground the bus is not going anywhere.
The inmates have all gathered at the bus's door which has a computer lock. There's an air of excitement in the crowd that hasn't been felt by some for decades, but there's also a sense of urgency since they know that they're trying to beat the clock. Kenny pushes his way through the crowd.
Kenny: Move, move it, get out of my way.
He gets to the door then pulls something small out of his pocket; it looks almost like a calculator only it has both letters and numbers on its small keypad. He connects it to the lock and begins typing away. A second later the lock clicks open and Kenny shouts
Kenny: Got it!
Shadow pulls Kenny out of the way as the door opens and the bus driver fires his gun. One of the renewed hopers will never have his dream come true as the bullets kill him instantly. The other inmates with the prison guards' guns open fire on the bus driver filling him with bullets. When it's clear that he's down Max takes charge.
Max: Alright everyone on the bus!
The inmates start getting on the bus; some of them go and knock down the shovels holding the back of the bus up, and that's when Shadow hears Cagalli's screams. He looks around and sees the hands holding onto the side of the cliff; he stops moving. The other inmates have knocked down the shovels holding the bus up and have entered the bus. Max notices that Shadow isn't getting on the bus and shouts at him
Max: Come on Shadow, what are you waiting for get on the bus, we have to go now?!
Shadow is looking back and forth between Cagalli and the bus, between a freedom he's fought so hard to achieve, which he's failed so many times before of reaching and an instinct that tells him to ignore all common sense of self-preservation to help that remaining stranger. Max is growing nervous and impatient as he senses his own freedom slipping away so he gives Shadow an ultimatum.
Max: Because this is your plan Shadow, I'll give you five seconds to get your ass on this bus before we leave you here! FIVE, FOUR, THREE
In that one agonizing moment Shadow makes his choice, like ripping out a staple from his flash Shadow shouts out
Shadow: DAMN IT!
Then takes off towards the person literary on the edge. The camera moves to look down on the weary girl who has grown too tired to yell anymore.
Cagalli (No one's coming, ha looks like the warden was right, without Kira and Athrun I can't even save myself.)
Cagalli's hands slip; time slows down as we see her hands begin to sink into the dark void when out of the darkness a new hand reaches out and grabs the falling sprit's right hand.
Shadow: Got you!
Shadow having chosen his path shows no hesitation and throws caution to the wind as he slides his upper body right over the edge of the cliff; despite the kid's seemingly heroic efforts Shadow is no muscleman, in fact he isn't that much stronger than Cagalli.
It doesn't take long for Cagalli's body to start to drag Shadow over the side of the cliff but with stubborn determination the dreamer slams his other hand into the ground digging his nails into the dirt to slow down the fall; beads of sweat have already formed on his brow as he struggles with the weight. The one who had given up is completely taken by surprise.
Cagalli: Who are you?
Shadow: Not really the best time for questions!
Shadow shouts out, he's slowly being forced over the cliff. His face is getting even redder as he struggles with the weight. Cagalli notices this.
Cagalli (He can't lift my weight, he's going to die because of me)
The guilt ridden girl starts having flashbacks on her conversation with the warden and at that moment the crushing guilt becomes too much for her to bear.
Cagalli: Just drop me.
Shadow startled looks down at the girl.
Cagalli: It's okay, I'm worthless; I can't do a single thing without someone helping me, and I don't want you to die trying to save me.
Something happens, a connection of feelings and understanding for a moment seems to pass through Shadow, awakening in him a fury that even the worst torturers could not arise.
Shadow: Stop acting so HIGH AND MIGHTY, I'm not saving you because of YOU, I'm saving you because I want to, so if you don't want to help then shut up and let me concentrate! I am going to save you, regardless if you want me to or not.
Cagalli eyes open wide, for a moment she sees Kira instead of Shadow.
Shadow: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The fury gives Shadow strength, he digs his fingers even deeper into the ground finally stopping his forward movement. The adrenalin in Shadow's body begins to kick in. The veins in his arms bulge as he slowly but surely begins to lift Cagalli up over the side of the cliff and in one great effort, to the princess's surprise flings her back onto the cliff.
Cagalli lands on her side hard, but considering she was ready to die just a moment ago the hard landing goes unnoticed, as she slowly gets up once again not believing reality. Shadow quickly pulls his upper body back up on solid ground before he falls.
Sitting down, they both struggle to catch their breath, finally Shadow looks over at the person he just rescued and receives a great surprise.
Shadow: You're a girl!
Unbelievable, Cagalli is God knows how many miles away from Orb on some foreign country and yet she still manages to run into one more moron incapable of telling apart gender, naturally the offended GIRL is just a tad bit peeved off.
Cagalli: YES, I'M A GIRL, what is with guys and not being able to tell what gender people are!
Shadow says bluntly
Shadow: You're awfully heavy for a girl.
Steam starts coming out of the blonde's head as her pot of anger begins to boil even fiercer.
Cagalli: WHAT KIND OF JERK CALLS A WOMAN FAT?!
Cagalli looks ready to punch the insensitive moron when Kenny butts in.
Kenny: Sorry to interrupt but Shadow mind introducing me to the woman that cost us are one and only successful escape plan.
Shadow and Cagalli look up to see Kenny standing there, the bus is gone. Cagalli looks to Shadow then Kenny confused.
Cagalli: Escape plan? Where is everyone?
The loyal friend replies angrily
Kenny: If you're talking about the inmates, they left already and if you're talking about the prison guards their bodies are over there.
The tall figures waves at the holes were the corpses were thrown.
Shadow: But you stayed, why?
Kenny looks away from Shadow scratching his cheek.
Kenny: Yea, well I was trying to get them to wait but they weren't having it, and well, I'm not cold hearted enough to screw over my only friend in this hell hole.
In typical male fashion Shadow tries to pass this off as no big deal but he can't hide the glowing smile on his face. The mood however is soured by the building dust clouds in the distance. The camera zooms in to reveal several Jeeps coming full speed in the direction of Shadow and the others but the ever stubborn warrior refuses to let this ruin his day.
Shadow: Well I say we got 5 minutes for introductions so let's do this quickly.
Kenny also seeing the Jeeps goes and shakes Cagalli's hand.
Kenny: I'm Kenny Cyes.
Cagalli has had a long day; the tired girl has reached the point where it's like 'to hell with it' and just surrenders to the flow.
Cagalli: Nice to meet you Kenny, I'm Cagalli Yula Athha.
Shadow jumps up, waves his hand and takes a bow as he says
Shadow: I am the great, the magnificent, the fantastic Shadow Zoomarey.
Kenny rolls his eyes doing the whole "I don't know him thing" while Cagalli just stares at the moron wondering if he has some kind of mental issue. The Jeeps come to a stop no more than 4 meters away, immediately prison guards in full battle gear jump out with automatic weapons raised at the 3 young adults.
But it's not until the warden himself comes out dressed in full battle gear that Shadow and Kenny realize how much deep shit they're in. The warden with long fast strides begins to march over to where they are, his hazel eyes screaming for blood.
Shadow takes a step forward in front of the others, Kenny is on his right, Cagalli is to his left. He starts talking fast and low.
Shadow: Whatever you do, when they start hitting you don't block or try fighting back, that'll only make it more fun for them. Let me do all of the talking.
Kenny: You have a plan?
Shadow: Working on it.
When the bull is about a meter in front of them, Shadow steps forward with a cheerful smile on his face says
Shadow: Hey, warden how's it-
The warden is a torturer first and a killer second so his instincts tell him to not shoot Shadow right there and now but inflict physical damage on him to make him suffer; with the butt of his gun the warden slaps Shadow across the face.
Shadow crumbles to the ground but it doesn’t end there, as the warden begins to vent his anger out on Shadow's body kicking it as hard as he can. The other minions not liking their positions challenged by anyone start doing the same to Kenny and Cagalli.
Warden: You, wise ass, do you think you can get away with messing with me?!
Never before has the warden felt so humiliated, but after beating the source of his anger some more he regains his composure. He picks up Shadow by the head.
Warden: The only real question is why you didn't escape too?
Warden (It doesn't make any sense, this kid's been trying to break out my prison since day one, but up until now he's always failed because of my brilliance so why, why when God finally takes pity on him and cuts him a lucky break does he not take it?)
Cagalli still getting kicked and a little nervous looks to this complete stranger scared what he might tell this obvious madman but Shadow is no rat. With a bloody nose and a cut lip he gives the warden a mischievous smile.
Shadow: I guess I just wasn't satisfied with leaving like that.
This time the warden punches the little brat in the face with his own fist, since physical pain isn't working the warden decides to try for a little fear factor.
Warden: Give me one good reason for not pulling the trigger and ending your life right now.
The goons stop beating Cagalli and Kenny to watch this important moment unfold. It's too late for Cagalli and Kenny to do anything now; they can only lay on the ground hoping Shadow knows what he's doing. Shadow looks into the warden's heartless hazel eyes and says with only a glint of humor
Shadow: I can't since it's probably the best move you can make, pretty soon everyone's going to know that the inescapable prison Slyer was beaten by Shadow Zoomarey and if you don't kill me then it's only going to add to your humiliation when I escape in a completely different way.
Warden (This little punk thinks a miracle is going to happen to him twice. No I know what he's trying to do, he wants me to kill him now to get it over with quickly, well it's not going to work. No I have a special little torture room where I slowly kill those who humiliate me.)
Having reached a decision the warden punches Shadow once more in the face. He's almost drooling imagining the pain he's going to inflict on Shadow.
Warden: Cocky bastard aren't you, you were lucky this time but people only get that kind of luck once, I'm going to put you in an isolation cell till you get so hungry you'll lick my shoes clean or eat one of your friends there. Then after that I'm going to bring you down to my special room; you see I prefer mental torture over physical but for you I think I'll make an exception.
He points at Cagalli and Kenny.
Warden: Bring them back to Slyer and put them in the isolation cell.
He shouts to one of the prison guards.
Prison Guards: Yes Sir!
The episode ends with the prison guards dragging them away.
The episode opens up showing the first rays of sunlight pierce the edge of the horizon as the sun wakes up for the day, yellowish brown sand stretches out endlessly as the camera focuses on a single complex within miles. It's obviously a prison, from the wall with 4 guard towers covered with barbed wire to the main 3 story building with bared windows, the place just screams prison. An interesting fact to note would be that the wall and main building appear to be made out of a red clay substance.
The camera cuts inside the prison, we see a prison guard walking down a corridor lined with cells. He doesn't look like a standard prison guard with his green combat jacket, blue jeans and combat boots. What looks to be a HK 53 submachine gun hangs casually down at his side. He stops in the middle of the corridor and grabbing his submachine opens fire directly above himself at the ceiling.
Prison Guard A: Wake up you stupid pieces of crap, it's time to work!
The bullets sink into the red clay substance the ceiling is made from. All of the cell doors electronically open allowing the convicts to get out, almost immediately after the doors open inmates start rushing out and that's when we notice something odd.
The clothes are an obvious hint, with grey tattered rags that look like they were made from potato sacks. No real prison would force its inmates to wear such dehumanizing clothing, but the less obvious hint is their eyes. Most don't look like cold hearted killers or even petty crocks; they just seem broken.
The prison guard with his brown crew cut hair continues screaming at the prisoners to get up; his mud-green eyes look warped with bloodlust like a predator waiting for its prey to slip up.
The camera cuts into one of the cells. As expected it's a simple, one room with no windows and one light bulb hanging down. The cell only has 3 things in it, a wooden bunk bed, a toilet and a sink with a mirror. The guy in the top bunk stretches and yawns as if waking up to gunfire and insults was an everyday occurrence.
He hops off the top bunk allowing us to get a better look at him, he's about 6 feet tall with brown shoulder length unkempt hair. He's skinny but considering we've yet to see a fat prisoner that might be normal. His light blue eyes are full of watchful intelligence; some can consider him a glow stick in this prison of broken lights.
This one of the few unbroken men walks over to the sink and splashes some water on his face trying to wipe the sleep off his eyes. He shakes his head dry and then exits the cell. The corridor has become crowded with other prisoners as they all walk in one direction somewhere.
Light blue eyes looking left and right, keeping an eye on the other prisoners as well as the other prison guards the man tries to not stick out by copying his fellow inmates with slumped shoulders and downcast eyes, but the prison guard still spots him and with a malicious smile falls back behind the weaker prisoner. The feeling of a football player picking on the weak geek should be coming off the image in waves.
Thinking he's being sneaky and clever prison guard A kicks the prisoner's legs out from under him however the camera did pick up on the prisoner's light blue eyes looking back several times at the guard knowing full well what's coming but choosing to do nothing. The prisoner crashes to the ground while the guard stands over him chuckling evilly.
Prison Guard A: You better watch where you're going there Kenny, I wouldn't want to get your filth on my nice boots!
The guard savors his appetizer of entertainment, getting a nice laugh for a moment while "Kenny" wisely chooses not to respond. With his moment of fun over, prison guard A turns around and begins walking away when a thought enters his mind.
Prison Guard A: Everyone stop!
All the prisoners stop in place surprised by this unusual command and turn to look at the bully, prison guard A. Spotting the one mistake that will lead to his meal of the day, he turns around slowly to look at Kenny who by this point has gotten back up. His mud-green eyes dance cruelly anticipating the response to his next question.
Prison Guard A: Where is your friend Kenny?
The effect is instant; Kenny looks up at the guard his light blue eyes open wide. His head snaps around as he quickly scans the faces of the other inmates. Not seeing his friend among them he turns back to face the threatening bully with a gun and begins to talk fast while thinking faster.
Kenny: He must be up ahead.
With purposeful slow shakes of his head the evil smile never leaving the guard's face.
Prison Guard A: No, I've been standing in this hallway the whole time and I haven't seen him.
Kenny tries to think of something else but nothing comes to mind, seeing this prison guard A makes his move.
Prison Guard A: Sooo that must mean he's still in bed.
Kenny's eyes light up in horror.
Kenny: No, he's up, I'm sure he's up. You must have missed him.
Kenny instantly regrets his poor choice of words, infuriated the predator forgets about his old prey and jumps on the one who dares to challenge him. Slamming the butt of his gun into Kenny's face causing the loyal friend to once more collapse to the ground, only this time the prison guard isn't satisfied with that. Like most bullies who've been challenged, he reinserts his dominance by utterly destroying the opposition by violent, in this case kicking, means.
Prison Guard A: How dare filth like you claim I made a mistake! In this prison we guards are perfect in every single way! The price of saying we made a mistake is DEATH!
Curling up into a ball Kenny protects his face and chest as best he can while playing possum. A new voice emerges out of nowhere.
Unknown: What's the matter does the truth hurt that much Jeff?
The prison guard (Jeff) stops kicking Kenny and turns to look at the source of the second challenger. It's probably a safe bet that this is Kenny's friend considering he's coming from the same cell as Kenny; unlike Kenny though he's shorter, standing at about 5 foot 4 inches. His black hair is cut short as a playful smile dances across his face, looking up he notices the bullet holes in the ceiling and scowls.
Kenny's friend: I know that the warden gives you an unlimited supply of bullets and all but do you have to shoot them up into the ceiling every morning, you do know we're the ones who have to fix it right?
If Kenny's spirit is described as a glow stick struggling to be concealed in this waste land of broken lights, then his friend is a spotlight openly challenging those who would try to break him. We can see this not just in his bright green eyes which shine like an electric current is running through them but in the way he asks the rhetorical question knowing full well that Jeff doesn't care about the extra work he gives the convicts nor will he stop.
Ignoring the previous comment Jeff's mud-green eyes glare at the man with a mixture of annoyance and coldness while the other prisoners watch the scene unfold like a baseball game.
Jeff: Well, well, well, the star of the hour has appeared. Tell me Shadow did you forget the rule that says all inmates must be out of their cell in1 minute after the prison guard yells work, or you will be shot?
With that the murderer raises his gun and points it at "Shadow" judging from his happy expression this is probably one of his most favorite things to do, but like a conman trying to use his ultimate weapon, the silver tongue Shadow talks just before Jeff pulls the trigger.
Shadow: I didn't forget, but the actor in me likes to make a grand entrance.
Shadow's taunt succeeded in making the bully want to smack him in the face instead of simply just shooting him, which Jeff does with the butt of his gun. Shadow like Kenny crumbles to the floor and proceeds to get into a similar defensive position when Jeff's boots start impaling themselves upon him, only this time Jeff's kicks seem a lot harder than they were on Kenny.
Jeff: You arrogant son of a bitch.
The prison guard takes his gun and points it at Shadow's face. There's blood coming from Shadow's lip, but the defiant look in his eyes is still there.
Jeff: Tell me why I shouldn't kill you right now.
Shadow talks still with a hint of humor in his voice.
Shadow: Well for starters; who would you beat the crap out of when you're having a bad day? That and wouldn't you miss our escape plans?
For one moment Jeff seems to play around with the idea of finishing this brat off right now, but orders as well as the prospect of a more horrible fate awaiting this worm, steer him away from this idea, so instead he settles for just kicking Shadow one last time in the chest.
Jeff: You know in a way you'd be better off with me shooting you right here and now because the warden is a lot more sadistic then me, he's been known to have broken inmates to the point where they're begging us guards to end them and lucky you have caught his eye. Each time one of your escape plans fail it only reinforces the idea that escape from here is impossible with the other prisoners.
The evil smile is back again as Jeff regains his cool.
Jeff: In fact you help the warden discourage so many prison escapes that he left us with clear orders not to shoot you unless you were in clear violation of a rule; the warden doesn't want anyone to mess with his entertainment.
After the prison guard gets a good distance from them Kenny goes over to see how his friend is.
Kenny: You ok Shadow?
Kenny asks with concern upon seeing Shadow clutching his ribs.
Shadow: Yea, That bastard's kicks didn't hurt at all!
Shadow gets up as he shouts this out loud, but not loud enough to be heard by someone else. The 2 trouble makers start walking with the other inmates down the hallway and down a flight of stairs.
Shadow: An evil jerk like him will probably fall off a cliff.
Kenny laughs
Kenny: hahahha, yea like we're really that lucky, but still Shadow that's unlike you to take such a risk on a day when we're going to try one of our escape plans.
With his light blue eyes scanning left then right the taller man leans in close to his partner as he lowers his voice when he says escape plan. They enter a cafeteria and stand in line, it's important to note that even though they're talking, they're keeping an inconspicuous close eye on the servers.
Kenny: Weren't you the one who told me that when you have an escape plan it's important to not draw attention to yourself the day you're going to execute the plan?
As they get up to the front of the line a rather mean looking server glares up at them then in what's supposed to be a sneaky fashion slips some drugs into their meal but the convicts aren't stupid and clearly see the act, however they act as if nothing happened as they start to walk away with their food trays in hand. Shadow sighs
Shadow: I guess we're going without food today.
Without another word the duo dump their food into a trash can.
Shadow: You know, I know the warden is just playing with us since he can like kill us any time he wants or simply withhold our food but still the drugging thing is getting kind of annoying, this is the third time this week he's done it.
A fight begins to break out between 2 other inmates. The prison guards begin to walk over but not to stop the fight but rather to place bets on the winner sickeningly similar to a dog fight. Shadow and Kenny taking advantage of the distraction walk on over to the fighting inmates' abandoned food trays and grab them. They go to one of the semi-full table, sit down and continue talking.
Kenny: Don't try to change the subject.
Fidgeting in his seat with eyes cast down Shadow looks uncomfortable.
Kenny: Seriously what's going on?
Leaning forward Kenny presses again. Shadow debates whether or not to answer for a few moments then decides.
Shadow: I had a weird dream.
Blinking in surprise Kenny leans back and asks
Kenny: You had a weird dream?
Shadow rolls his eyes annoyed.
Shadow: I just said that.
Kenny and Shadow have started eating.
Kenny: Sorry, but what was this dream about?
Shadow shakes his head.
Shadow: I can't remember exactly it's kind of fuzzy now. I do know that it involved a fire angel though.
Kenny looks disbelieving.
Kenny: A fire angel, are you sure it wasn't a demon?
Shadow looks at his friend annoyed by the disbelief.
Shadow: Yes I'm sure!
Kenny still doesn’t believe him.
Kenny: How?
Shadow gets a dreamily look in his green electric eyes.
Shadow: Because she was beautiful.
Finally starting to pick up interest Kenny asks
Kenny: Oh, what did she look like?
Shadow turns away embarrassed.
Shadow: I can't remember.
Kenny looks at Shadow as if he's nuts.
Kenny: You can't remember; than how do you know she was beautiful?
Shadow replies with supreme confidence.
Shadow: Because I remember thinking to myself, God she's beautiful.
Kenny still looks at Shadow as if he's nuts.
Kenny: You've been in here too long, you need to get laid.
Shadow looks at him crossly.
Shadow: ha, ha, ha, very funny. Last time I tell you about my dreams.
Kenny shrugs.
Kenny: Well what do you want me to say?
Kenny starts using his spooky voice
Kenny: Maybe it's a premonition of a woman you're going to meet in the future.
The scene ends with Shadow starting to laugh for real this time.
Shadow: hahahahah, yeah right.
The next scene opens up with flashbacks of Mr. 4 killing the people in the ball room; we see this from Cagalli's perceptive. We hear Cagalli scream, and as she screams she wakes bolt right up in a bed breathing heavily.
Someone has cleaned off the blood from her face along with the makeup. The nightmare has left its mark, with sweat soaking the young adult's face as well as her golden hair. Cagalli still has on the now dried blood dipped dress but in her dazed dream state that barely registers. As Cagalli begins to calm down she wipes the sweat off her forehead.
Cagalli (Nightmare, it's a nightmare, it's just a nightmare, calm down, get a hold of yourself, it was just a night….)
As her dream daze begins to fade, Cagalli's reasoning abilities begin to start up, allowing the princess to become aware of her surroundings. The room is small with just a bed and bared window. It takes Cagalli all of 3 seconds to realize she has no idea where she is. Her heart rate spikes as fear fueled adrenalin pumps in her system.
Cagalli jumps out of bed as her fight or flight response kicks in. She begins to frantically look around as she desperately tries to make sense of her scattered thoughts. Screaming her head off Cagalli shouts
Cagalli: What, where, where am I, help, someone HELP me, Kira, Athrun, HELP!
Amber eyes shaking with unimaginable terror Cagalli may have woken from her dream daze but the fear remains and only intensifies with the unknown. The shouting does succeed in getting attention as the door slams open to reveal a not so friendly murderer.
Jeff: Shut up!
Cagalli still panicking now has someone to direct it at.
Cagalli: Who are you, where am I, what's going on?
Being an alpha male and having grown used to getting his own way without much question Jeff doesn't like the demanding tone Cagalli gives him or the way she openly ignores him, so in a true bully chest pounding fashion he lifts up his gun and opens fire on the ceiling…again. Jeff smiles cruelly drinking in Cagalli's fear as the broken ruler jumps back afraid.
Jeff: Now listen here girly, the warden says he's going to talk to you personally so you're going to follow me and remain silent or else.
The jerk talks slowly and coldly as if believing the old stupid saying that blonds are idiots and then begins to walk out of the room. Cagalli only hesitates a second before following him. We next cut to see a door open and Cagalli being pushed in.
Cagalli: Wait a minute!
The door gets slammed and locked in her face, for a moment the old stubborn and prideful Cagalli is back as her amber eyes glare at the door trying to burn it down by pure willpower.
Warden: Sorry for my prison guard's rudeness but that can only be expected out of someone who works with scum all day long.
Just like that the old Cagalli is gone swallowed again by her more practical and political side we saw through GSD. Spinning around Cagalli has evidently calmed down from her panic attack and getting a good look at the room spots the source of the voice.
It's easy to tell that this room belongs to the Warden. It's huge with white carpeting, silver chandeliers lights. On one wall there's a bunch of book cases full of thick novels, on another there are two grand windows overlooking the courtyard below. The combination of sunlight and the light from the chandeliers illuminates the room brightly.
In-between the 2 windows is a solid oak desk and sitting on a big matching brown arm chair behind the desk is the warden. The warden is a big guy, a bodybuilder, his black hair with yellow highlights is brushed back behind his head and his black mustache looks too neat to be real. His hazel eyes hold the same cruelty as the prison guards but there's also the hint of cunning, a man well educated.
Cagalli: Who are you?
Determined not to be made a fool again *cough Yuna cough* Cagalli starts off strong and demanding. Like Jeff the warden is used to people showing him immediate respect and generally backing away from him in fear so his hazel eyes flash a little by this little girl's attitude but unlike Jeff the warden has self-control and contains his anger.
Warden: Excuse me but you're in no position to making demands, after all you are in my prison.
Taking a step back the politician loses her aggressive edge by this surprise fact and blinks.
Cagalli: Prison?
In a sadistically mocking way the man with a God complex replies
Warden: Yes, that's right this is Slyer.
Cagalli shakes her head.
Cagalli: Slyer? I never heard of such a prison.
Warden: Nor would you have. You see a while back a bunch of rich and powerful people got together and decided they needed a place where they could put people of annoyance to them, a place where they didn't have to worry about when they will get out, a place where they didn't have to worry about lawyers or the court system, a place where the people who bothered them would just disappear, and never return.
The cruelness of the situation hits the fallen princess like a brick as she finally begins to understand what is going on here.
Cagalli: Are you saying this prison holds nothing but innocent people?
The warden gives a short laugh.
Warden: HA, Innocent hardly, they have committed the greatest of all offences. They tried to go against someone more powerful than themselves.
The sadist's cruel smile spreads across his face as Cagalli glares at him.
Cagalli: You're a monster!
Cagalli's comment doesn't bother the warden, in fact it amuses him.
Warden: Why am I the monster? This prison would still have existed if I had turned down the position only I would have nothing to show for it.
Cagalli's spits out, barely containing her anger
Cagalli: So money's a good enough reason to hurt innocent people.
Now the warden gets up showing his height, a good head and a half taller than Cagalli. His cruel smile never leaves his face, as a twisted light shines in his hazel eyes.
Warden: No, but power is.
Cagalli doesn't get it.
Cagalli: Power?
Gesturing around the room the Warden explains
Warden: Take this office for example; this furniture is some of the finest money can buy. However that dulls in comparison to the power to control the fate of every individual here. If I wanted to, I could kill all of them now, and no one would blink an eye, that's true power!
Cagalli looks at him like he's a madman.
Cagalli: Not only are you heartless but you're also crazy!
For the first time the warden's hazel eyes harden on Cagalli, his sudden stare causes her to take a step back.
Warden: It's not wise to insult the one who controls your fate.
Cagalli looks at him startled.
Cagalli: Fate, are you saying I'm a prisoner here?
The sadist once again mocks her.
Warden: Oh, so you finally realize it then, I must say that took you quite a while.
The pride of Orb still resides in Cagalli, ignorance is bliss.
Cagalli: Who do you think you are, do you know who I am?
Enjoying his little twisted game to cause his new blond prisoner as much pain as possible the warden answers without hesitation.
Warden: You're Cagalli Yula Athha the once Chief Representative of Orb and the current fallen princess of Orb.
Cagalli is taken by surprise with the way this black haired man with yellow highlights so uncaringly admits to kidnapping such an important political figure but she's even more surprised by his terminology.
Cagalli: What do you mean by the once?
The warden shrugs his shoulders appearing to be uncaring while he stabs at her with his psychological blade.
Warden: I believe that would be the most fitting term to describe someone who has been declared dead by their people and is no longer in their own country.
Cagalli is shocked and a little hurt to find this out. The warden gains the upper hand in their verbal battle. Looking down at the floor she says
Cagalli: I've been declared dead.
Warden: Well what did you expect, after that explosion?
Looking up the dead girl standing looks even more confused.
Cagalli: Explosion?
The warden pretends to remember something as he takes his second stab with his psychological blade.
Warden: Oh, that's right you were unconscious, well to cut a long story short after he dragged your body out, he blew up the building so that the other bodies were completely unrecognizable.
The sadist talks about it like it's a joke which infuriates the guilt ridden ex-leader.
Cagalli: You bastard!
She lunges at the Warden who sends her flying with a quick kick to the chest.
Warden: What are you getting mad at me for, I wasn't even there? If you want to be mad at anyone be mad at yourself.
Cagalli is on her knees, she's holding her chest where the warden kicked her. She looks up at the warden angrily
Cagalli: What do you mean?
Warden: Well you were there why didn't you try to do anything?
Cagalli freezes. She tries to respond
Cagalli: I...I….I
Warden: You what? Ahh, was the little princess too scared?
He does the baby talk voice, Cagalli is not taking this well.
Cagalli: Shut up.
She looks to the floor ashamed.
Warden: But wait that didn't stop your loyal soldiers from trying to stop him, even though they probably saw how scary he was first hand.
Her anger is growing.
Cagalli: Shut up!
Warden: Let me guess, instead of taking charge of your soldiers and leading them against your enemy like any competent leader would you sat there hoping that your brother Kira or maybe Athrun would come out of nowhere and save you again. Then when you realized that they weren't going to come you panicked, and abandoned your people to hide in a small dark corner shivering in fear.
Cagalli snaps and charges again in anger.
Cagalli: I said SHUT UP!
With one hand the warden grabs Cagalli's head and throws her at the wall. She hits the wall hard and falls to the ground. Tears have formed in her amber eyes from the pain and guilt.
Warden: You claim that too much power will only bring conflict, but it seems to me that you don't have any power at all. At least not any you gained yourself.
Cagalli still in too much pain to move snaps back at him
Cagalli: Oh yea?!
The warden clearly enjoying himself finishes off his psychological attack bathing himself in her pain.
Warden: Yes, you never earned any of your power, it was given to you. Your position as the Chief Representative was given to you from your father.
Cagalli is slowly regaining mobility.
Cagalli: Are you saying I haven't earned my position?
The warden snaps
Warden: Yes that's exactly what I'm saying! Why don't you face it, you don't have the experience to be in long term politics, I mean you were pretty good with the war time issues, but with the everyday issues you suck! From what I know most of the other politician's think of you as annoyance at best, none of them think of you as the wise leader they can count on for guidance, they think of you as an obstacle!
Cagalli's pride is offended.
Cagalli: If they don't like me so much why don't they make me resign?
The warden holds up two fingers.
Warden: Two reasons, one, it's because of your brother's girlfriend, if they force your resignation they're afraid that their good relationship with the PLANTs will end. Two, your brother and ex-boyfriend are two of the greatest Gundam pilots on Earth. They're scared of you, or more like they're scared of the retaliation those two might do for you. So you can see for yourself that your only power is to call your dogs to aid you but guess what? They wouldn't be able to find you here.
Cagalli has fully recovered and stands up. Her rational mind has returned as she attempts to shoot the warden full of holes with her amber eyes.
Cagalli: Oh and why not?
The warden's smile widens, he's been waiting for this.
Warden: Because you're not on Earth.
Cagalli looks at him anticlimactically.
Cagalli: So I'm on a space station colony.
This time the psychological knife is going in slowly inch by painful inch.
Warden: You're not in the same solar system as Earth.
As if she hadn't heard him correctly Cagalli asks
Cagalli: What?
Warden: You heard me, you're on a planet but it's not Earth or near Earth for that matter.
Looking at the egotistic man like this is another one of his mind games Cagalli rolls her eyes and replies
Cagalli: Right.
Savoring this moment of ignorant bliss the warden smiles.
Warden: I know it's hard to believe so let me start at the beginning. I'll assume you know about the crew of the Lost Ones.
Cagalli not sure where this is headed goes along with him.
Cagalli: You mean the people who died in the ship powered by the S-generator, one of the greatest tragedies in human history.
The warden nods his head.
Warden: Yes, that's right only they didn't die.
Cagalli looks at him as if he's nuts.
Cagalli: What are you talking about of course they died, it's not like a million people can just disappear.
The first time Cagalli mouthed off to him the warden ignored her but that won't fly a second time.
Warden: Unless you want me to kill you, shut up and let me finish!
His cold hazel eyes and metallic voice, shuts Cagalli up. Once the warden is sure Cagalli will not interrupt him again, he begins talking in a cruel humorous voice.
Warden: Now that that's settled where was I, ah yes I remember. You see what happen was that the S-generator started producing massive amounts of power, too much more for the ship to hold, so in desperation they put all of the excess power into the engines. The ship then rocketed forward at God like speeds, and then when it passed Pluto's orbit it ran straight into a wormhole. Talk about bad luck right, but somehow they made it to the other side mostly unharmed and crashed on a planet that's almost exactly like Earth. That's where we are now.
He opens his arms wide.
Warden: Welcome to Sora!
Cagalli just looks at him.
Cagalli: You expect me to believe that crap?
The warden is still smiling but it appears he's grown bored.
Warden: I don't care what you believe but besides from me no one else in this prison knows anything about the current Earth governments, and if you start going around saying you're from a country called Orb on Earth they're going to think you're crazy. Now I've grown bored with you, you have 5 minutes to go change into the prison uniform, so get going.
The warden gestures towards the door as Jeff comes back into the room. Cagalli remains where she is.
Cagalli: What if I refuse?
The warden looks back up at Cagalli; the cold look is back in his hazel eyes.
Warden: Oh, well let me put it to you like this, out of pity I'm letting you have the option of changing by yourself. If you refuse then I'll let my guard here change your clothes by force.
The way Jeff smiles at Cagalli makes her realizes she's better off doing what they say. She glares at the warden, then grabs the clothes from the misogynist (one who disrespects and or hates women) and enters the changing room. We see her take her dress off, sorry for the people who thought they were getting a show but she's still wearing a bra, and underwear and that's when she notices a long scar on her chest were Mr. 4 stabbed her.
She touches it, and we get a flashback of Mr. 4 killing people. The memory causes her to flinch as her hands start to shake in uncontrollable terror.
Cagalli (Get a grip Cagalli this isn't time to be worrying about that now, I have to get out of this mess first then back to Orb.)
Cagalli's shoulder length blond hair flaps around as she shakes her head, as if trying to remind her to get a haircut. The scene ends with the warden calling in.
Warden: 2 minutes.
The next scene opens up in the cafeteria with Cagalli in her new prison uniform being pushed into it. Cagalli's grey uniform is identical to the ones Kenny and Shadow wear. Cagalli looking around at her new surroundings not knowing what else to do walks on over to the food line.
As the stranger in a strange land waits in line, she takes another look around and notices the female and male inmates choosing to sit on opposite sides of the lunchroom.
Cagalli (I wonder why the cafeteria is divided down the middle between guys and girls?)
Cagalli doesn't get long to ponder about this because no sooner does she receive her food, she's surrounded by a bunch of female inmates. The leader, a dark skinned tall woman steps up to face the new meat.
Cagalli: Can I help you?
Cagalli asks nervously looking for a gap in the circle, the newbie doesn't want trouble.
Female Inmate: Yeah you see, you're new here so I just wanted to let you know that I am in charge of the women inmates in this prison. And one of the rules is that the new women must give their food over to me.
Cagalli: What rule?
Cagalli replies defiantly. The female inmate not liking her smart-alecky response punches the newbie in face sending her to floor hard as the food tray spatters to the ground.
Female Inmate: The rule of the strongest. Where are you from anyway?
She asks not really caring. Cagalli rubs her injured cheek.
Cagalli: Orb.
The top dog rolls her eyes annoyed.
Female Inmate: Listen I used to be a reporter, so you can stop lying to me.
Startled the blond hair girl responds
Cagalli: I'm not, I'm from Orb!
An old tick from her old life as a reporter the female inmate doesn't like being lied to.
Female Inmate: Look there's no such country on Sora.
Her words cause an instant freeze effect on the nonbeliever, before when the warden told her that stuff about being on another planet not for one second did Cagalli buy any of it, but now doubt begins to sneak into her mind along with terror of the possibilities of the truth.
Cagalli: What are you talking about we're on Earth!
The ex-reporter good at spotting liars finally recognizes that this chick believes in what she's saying. This startles her along with the rest of her crew.
Female Inmate: No, we're on Sora.
She talks slowly as if to a handicap who doesn't quite understand what's going on. This crazy talk only grows Cagalli's rising doubt and panic.
Cagalli: What, did the warden put you up to this? Pretending we're on some other planet?
Cagalli looks around, as if she expects one of them to confess. The female inmate looks at Cagalli with pity and then starts to walk away shaking her head while talking to the rest of her crew.
Female Inmate: It's not right to take food from a crazy person.
This is the worst possible respond the venerable girl could have received; it sends her panic into overdrive causing her to shout at the top of her lungs.
Cagalli: Come on there's got to be someone here who's not in that lunatics pocket, come on someone tell me we're not on some made up planet!
The inmates look up when she starts yelling, then when they realizes what it's about they ignore her, some of them look at her with pity. Cagalli looks around waiting for an answer that never comes however taking deep breaths the politician rationalizes the situation.
Cagalli (Calm down, this is a prison so of course they're not going to go against the warden who can make their life into a living hell, that's it, of course that's it)
Our favorite goon Jeff walks in about to shout something when he finally gets the opportunity to do something he's wanted to do all day. He spots a male and female inmate all the way in the back close to where Cagalli is. They're just talking or more like flirting but the panther stares at them hungrily waiting for that one slip up he knows they're going to make.
It finally happens in the form of the male inmate putting his hand on the female prisoner's shoulder, pouncing Jeff raises his gun, aims and opens fire on them with no warning. Shadow sees the assault coming and quickly pulls Kenny out of the way, a couple of the other prisoners manage to get out of the way too but the original targets aren't so lucky.
Blood spatters as bullets impale themselves in both the male and female figures who stand mere feet away from Cagalli. The coldness and gore causes Cagalli to reflectively scream but the other inmates have already gone numb to such things.
The bodies fall to the ground as the screaming finally stops and all eyes turn to the murderer waiting for the explanation which is sure to come.
Jeff: Intimacy between male and female scum is strictly forbidden and punishable by death, now enough gawking it's time for you filth to get your exercise so line up and prepare to board the prison bus.
The inmates line up and walk outside; Cagalli in shock follows them. They start boarding buses; Cagalli gets on the same bus as Shadow and Kenny. The buses start driving off into the desert and then split up. The camera cuts into one of the buses, at the front of the bus is Cagalli she turns to ask an inmate next to her a question.
Cagalli: Where are they taking us?
Male Inmate: Somewhere in the desert to dig holes.
Cagalli looks at him not sure if he's just messing with her.
Cagalli: Why?
The Male inmate sighs; he has a defeated look in his eye.
Male inmate: Too keep us tired so we don't have the energy to think. Thinking inmates leads to trouble with the guards.
We go past the male inmate's head to the back of the bus. Kenny is sitting next to the window; Shadow is sitting next to him. They're both leaning to the seat next to theirs; the guy sitting in that seat is a big tall dark skin man.
Shadow: So how many inmates have you got Max?
Shadow is excited but he's keeping his voice down.
Max: All of them except the new girl.
Max says matter of fact. Shadow looks confused.
Shadow: New girl?
Kenny and Max look at Shadow not believing their ears.
Kenny: You know the crazy girl that was shouting crap this morning.
Shadow shrugs unconcerned.
Shadow: Oh, I must have missed it.
Max shakes his head.
Max: Man, what could you have been thinking about to miss that?
Kenny rolls his eyes.
Kenny: Oh, don't tell me that you were thinking about that stupid dream again.
Shadow eyes Kenny clearly not liking his tone.
Max: What dream?
Kenny sighs.
Kenny: It's a long story
Shadow is irritated and cuts him off.
Shadow: That has nothing to do with our plan!
Max shrugs his shoulders.
Max: As long as you don't crack on me, I don't care.
Shadow annoyed replies
Shadow: I'm fine; just make sure no one drops the ball.
Kenny looks worried.
Kenny: What about the crazy girl?
Shadow is unconcerned.
Shadow: Forget about her, once the plan starts she'll just stay out of the way. Then she can come with us if she wants.
The co-conspirators nod their heads in agreement. The bus comes to a stop right near the edge of a cliff. They've seem to have entered a section of the desert where the ground is hard and there's no sand, there's still no sign of life or plants. The inmates and prison guards exit the bus, there are 20 inmates and 7 prison guards with machine guns.
The prison guards hand out shovels as the bus leaves. The inmates pick places and start digging. Shadow and Kenny are farthest away from the cliff, Cagalli is the closest. Cagalli confused looks around and sees everyone else digging, so still not really getting it she decides to just follow everyone else and starts digging too.
We cut forward in time to some point after midday; we can see that all of the inmates have a nice hole coming along, except for non-muscular politician who is sweating heavily, and breathing hard already exhausted.
The sun's bright yellow rays are beating down hard today and even the prison guards are starting to feel the effects, as they shuffle around uncomfortably on their feet and allow their heavy guns to hang by their sides. The murderer Jeff is eyeing Cagalli and not in the good way.
The bus comes into the field of vision and the prison guards upon seeing it show signs of relief and begin to walk towards it. The inmates begin to get out of their holes to follow. Jeff sees Cagalli hasn't notice the bus, or movement of the other inmates. He looks around and sees no one watching so he walks over to her.
Jeff: So how does the sun feel on your pretty smooth skin?
Cagalli startled turns to look at him. When she sees it's the rude guard from earlier she glares at him.
Cagalli: What do you care?
Jeff smirks then looking around quickly, puts his gun down and takes off his coat. Cagalli sensing something off gets out of the hole.
Cagalli: What are you doing?
She asks suspicious, Jeff still smirking walks towards her. Cagalli in turn starts stepping back towards the cliff.
Jeff: I have decided to let scum like you have the honor of servicing me.
Cagalli puts two and two together and her eyes open wide as she continues to back up.
Cagalli: You, you, you can't, you'll never get away with this!
The rapist laughs a little.
Jeff: HAHHAHA, Please like you're the first, in this prison scum like you will do what we prison guards tell you to do.
With that Jeff lunges at Cagalli, causing Cagalli to scream. We turn to see the bus pull up and stop, the prison guards are in the front, the inmates are behind them. If one takes a closer look you can see the inmates are in a strategic pattern behind the prison guards.
They look tired, some of them have been doing this for years, with all of beatings, the abuse, the lack of good food, watching their friends getting killed, it's enough to wear out the very soul, which is what the warden wanted all along; tired and defeated prisoners.
However what the warden didn't expect is that tiredness can reach a new level, a level in which they become so tired that enough is enough, it's time to make a stand and holding the shovels in positions of attack it's clear that today is that day.
At the sound of Cagalli's scream they attack as one. One freedom fighter grabs the gun of one of the prison guards and points it up to the guard's head, and pulls the trigger, blowing off the torturer's head in a matter of seconds. The second guard gets hit on the head with a shovel by a woman knocking him to the ground; another inmate grabs the gun then shoots the prison guard.
The other prison guards get taken out in a similar fashion. 6 of the other bigger inmates rush behind the bus and begin to lift it off the ground moments before the driver hits the gas causing the wheels to spin pointlessly in the air. Shadow and Kenny have grabbed the shovels and begun placing them underneath the bus so that the convicts don't have to keep holding it up.
We cut back to Cagalli; she's struggling with Jeff on the ground, as they begin to roll dangerously close to the edge of the cliff. He has her almost pinned down when he hears gun fire, and turns his head to look. Cagalli takes that moment to do one last desperate flip and sends them both flying off the cliff.
Almost by reflex or an instinct buried deep inside, Cagalli reaches out and grabs the side of the cliff with one hand. Jeff on the other hand isn't so lucky as the world loses one bad guy. Cagalli grabs the side of the cliff with her other hand but years of her desk job as a politician and general lack of physical training have made her physically incapable of pulling herself up, so instead she starts screaming her head off.
Cagalli: HELP, HELP, HELP, SOMEONE HELP ME!
We cut back to the bus, the prison guards are all down their bloody corpses have been thrown into the very holes they forced their victims to dig. The bus driver is hitting on the gas pedal but because of the shovels keeping the back tires off the ground the bus is not going anywhere.
The inmates have all gathered at the bus's door which has a computer lock. There's an air of excitement in the crowd that hasn't been felt by some for decades, but there's also a sense of urgency since they know that they're trying to beat the clock. Kenny pushes his way through the crowd.
Kenny: Move, move it, get out of my way.
He gets to the door then pulls something small out of his pocket; it looks almost like a calculator only it has both letters and numbers on its small keypad. He connects it to the lock and begins typing away. A second later the lock clicks open and Kenny shouts
Kenny: Got it!
Shadow pulls Kenny out of the way as the door opens and the bus driver fires his gun. One of the renewed hopers will never have his dream come true as the bullets kill him instantly. The other inmates with the prison guards' guns open fire on the bus driver filling him with bullets. When it's clear that he's down Max takes charge.
Max: Alright everyone on the bus!
The inmates start getting on the bus; some of them go and knock down the shovels holding the back of the bus up, and that's when Shadow hears Cagalli's screams. He looks around and sees the hands holding onto the side of the cliff; he stops moving. The other inmates have knocked down the shovels holding the bus up and have entered the bus. Max notices that Shadow isn't getting on the bus and shouts at him
Max: Come on Shadow, what are you waiting for get on the bus, we have to go now?!
Shadow is looking back and forth between Cagalli and the bus, between a freedom he's fought so hard to achieve, which he's failed so many times before of reaching and an instinct that tells him to ignore all common sense of self-preservation to help that remaining stranger. Max is growing nervous and impatient as he senses his own freedom slipping away so he gives Shadow an ultimatum.
Max: Because this is your plan Shadow, I'll give you five seconds to get your ass on this bus before we leave you here! FIVE, FOUR, THREE
In that one agonizing moment Shadow makes his choice, like ripping out a staple from his flash Shadow shouts out
Shadow: DAMN IT!
Then takes off towards the person literary on the edge. The camera moves to look down on the weary girl who has grown too tired to yell anymore.
Cagalli (No one's coming, ha looks like the warden was right, without Kira and Athrun I can't even save myself.)
Cagalli's hands slip; time slows down as we see her hands begin to sink into the dark void when out of the darkness a new hand reaches out and grabs the falling sprit's right hand.
Shadow: Got you!
Shadow having chosen his path shows no hesitation and throws caution to the wind as he slides his upper body right over the edge of the cliff; despite the kid's seemingly heroic efforts Shadow is no muscleman, in fact he isn't that much stronger than Cagalli.
It doesn't take long for Cagalli's body to start to drag Shadow over the side of the cliff but with stubborn determination the dreamer slams his other hand into the ground digging his nails into the dirt to slow down the fall; beads of sweat have already formed on his brow as he struggles with the weight. The one who had given up is completely taken by surprise.
Cagalli: Who are you?
Shadow: Not really the best time for questions!
Shadow shouts out, he's slowly being forced over the cliff. His face is getting even redder as he struggles with the weight. Cagalli notices this.
Cagalli (He can't lift my weight, he's going to die because of me)
The guilt ridden girl starts having flashbacks on her conversation with the warden and at that moment the crushing guilt becomes too much for her to bear.
Cagalli: Just drop me.
Shadow startled looks down at the girl.
Cagalli: It's okay, I'm worthless; I can't do a single thing without someone helping me, and I don't want you to die trying to save me.
Something happens, a connection of feelings and understanding for a moment seems to pass through Shadow, awakening in him a fury that even the worst torturers could not arise.
Shadow: Stop acting so HIGH AND MIGHTY, I'm not saving you because of YOU, I'm saving you because I want to, so if you don't want to help then shut up and let me concentrate! I am going to save you, regardless if you want me to or not.
Cagalli eyes open wide, for a moment she sees Kira instead of Shadow.
Shadow: AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The fury gives Shadow strength, he digs his fingers even deeper into the ground finally stopping his forward movement. The adrenalin in Shadow's body begins to kick in. The veins in his arms bulge as he slowly but surely begins to lift Cagalli up over the side of the cliff and in one great effort, to the princess's surprise flings her back onto the cliff.
Cagalli lands on her side hard, but considering she was ready to die just a moment ago the hard landing goes unnoticed, as she slowly gets up once again not believing reality. Shadow quickly pulls his upper body back up on solid ground before he falls.
Sitting down, they both struggle to catch their breath, finally Shadow looks over at the person he just rescued and receives a great surprise.
Shadow: You're a girl!
Unbelievable, Cagalli is God knows how many miles away from Orb on some foreign country and yet she still manages to run into one more moron incapable of telling apart gender, naturally the offended GIRL is just a tad bit peeved off.
Cagalli: YES, I'M A GIRL, what is with guys and not being able to tell what gender people are!
Shadow says bluntly
Shadow: You're awfully heavy for a girl.
Steam starts coming out of the blonde's head as her pot of anger begins to boil even fiercer.
Cagalli: WHAT KIND OF JERK CALLS A WOMAN FAT?!
Cagalli looks ready to punch the insensitive moron when Kenny butts in.
Kenny: Sorry to interrupt but Shadow mind introducing me to the woman that cost us are one and only successful escape plan.
Shadow and Cagalli look up to see Kenny standing there, the bus is gone. Cagalli looks to Shadow then Kenny confused.
Cagalli: Escape plan? Where is everyone?
The loyal friend replies angrily
Kenny: If you're talking about the inmates, they left already and if you're talking about the prison guards their bodies are over there.
The tall figures waves at the holes were the corpses were thrown.
Shadow: But you stayed, why?
Kenny looks away from Shadow scratching his cheek.
Kenny: Yea, well I was trying to get them to wait but they weren't having it, and well, I'm not cold hearted enough to screw over my only friend in this hell hole.
In typical male fashion Shadow tries to pass this off as no big deal but he can't hide the glowing smile on his face. The mood however is soured by the building dust clouds in the distance. The camera zooms in to reveal several Jeeps coming full speed in the direction of Shadow and the others but the ever stubborn warrior refuses to let this ruin his day.
Shadow: Well I say we got 5 minutes for introductions so let's do this quickly.
Kenny also seeing the Jeeps goes and shakes Cagalli's hand.
Kenny: I'm Kenny Cyes.
Cagalli has had a long day; the tired girl has reached the point where it's like 'to hell with it' and just surrenders to the flow.
Cagalli: Nice to meet you Kenny, I'm Cagalli Yula Athha.
Shadow jumps up, waves his hand and takes a bow as he says
Shadow: I am the great, the magnificent, the fantastic Shadow Zoomarey.
Kenny rolls his eyes doing the whole "I don't know him thing" while Cagalli just stares at the moron wondering if he has some kind of mental issue. The Jeeps come to a stop no more than 4 meters away, immediately prison guards in full battle gear jump out with automatic weapons raised at the 3 young adults.
But it's not until the warden himself comes out dressed in full battle gear that Shadow and Kenny realize how much deep shit they're in. The warden with long fast strides begins to march over to where they are, his hazel eyes screaming for blood.
Shadow takes a step forward in front of the others, Kenny is on his right, Cagalli is to his left. He starts talking fast and low.
Shadow: Whatever you do, when they start hitting you don't block or try fighting back, that'll only make it more fun for them. Let me do all of the talking.
Kenny: You have a plan?
Shadow: Working on it.
When the bull is about a meter in front of them, Shadow steps forward with a cheerful smile on his face says
Shadow: Hey, warden how's it-
The warden is a torturer first and a killer second so his instincts tell him to not shoot Shadow right there and now but inflict physical damage on him to make him suffer; with the butt of his gun the warden slaps Shadow across the face.
Shadow crumbles to the ground but it doesn’t end there, as the warden begins to vent his anger out on Shadow's body kicking it as hard as he can. The other minions not liking their positions challenged by anyone start doing the same to Kenny and Cagalli.
Warden: You, wise ass, do you think you can get away with messing with me?!
Never before has the warden felt so humiliated, but after beating the source of his anger some more he regains his composure. He picks up Shadow by the head.
Warden: The only real question is why you didn't escape too?
Warden (It doesn't make any sense, this kid's been trying to break out my prison since day one, but up until now he's always failed because of my brilliance so why, why when God finally takes pity on him and cuts him a lucky break does he not take it?)
Cagalli still getting kicked and a little nervous looks to this complete stranger scared what he might tell this obvious madman but Shadow is no rat. With a bloody nose and a cut lip he gives the warden a mischievous smile.
Shadow: I guess I just wasn't satisfied with leaving like that.
This time the warden punches the little brat in the face with his own fist, since physical pain isn't working the warden decides to try for a little fear factor.
Warden: Give me one good reason for not pulling the trigger and ending your life right now.
The goons stop beating Cagalli and Kenny to watch this important moment unfold. It's too late for Cagalli and Kenny to do anything now; they can only lay on the ground hoping Shadow knows what he's doing. Shadow looks into the warden's heartless hazel eyes and says with only a glint of humor
Shadow: I can't since it's probably the best move you can make, pretty soon everyone's going to know that the inescapable prison Slyer was beaten by Shadow Zoomarey and if you don't kill me then it's only going to add to your humiliation when I escape in a completely different way.
Warden (This little punk thinks a miracle is going to happen to him twice. No I know what he's trying to do, he wants me to kill him now to get it over with quickly, well it's not going to work. No I have a special little torture room where I slowly kill those who humiliate me.)
Having reached a decision the warden punches Shadow once more in the face. He's almost drooling imagining the pain he's going to inflict on Shadow.
Warden: Cocky bastard aren't you, you were lucky this time but people only get that kind of luck once, I'm going to put you in an isolation cell till you get so hungry you'll lick my shoes clean or eat one of your friends there. Then after that I'm going to bring you down to my special room; you see I prefer mental torture over physical but for you I think I'll make an exception.
He points at Cagalli and Kenny.
Warden: Bring them back to Slyer and put them in the isolation cell.
He shouts to one of the prison guards.
Prison Guards: Yes Sir!
The episode ends with the prison guards dragging them away.