Scene 32: Facing the Lockdowns

  Setting:

  The spaceship's AI, which appears as a girl, is monitoring the ship’s systems via the internal network. Suddenly, its data shows that the medical capsule has been activated.

  Action:

  The AI accesses the clinic’s systems and, through the cameras, realizes that Akira is inside the medical capsule for treatment. Since Akira is recognized as the ship’s owner, the AI perceives this as a threat to its master.

  AI (processing): “Damage to the owner detected. Security protocols are activating.”

  Immediately, the spaceship’s security systems engage. Rooms begin locking one after another, and the security doors in the corridors slam shut with a loud noise.

  Setting: Restaurant

  John, Nee, Neela, and Kyle are still in the restaurant, discussing the current situation when they suddenly hear the sound of doors locking.

  Nee (worried): “What happened?! Why are the doors locking?”

  John (rushing to the door, using his strength to prevent it from closing): “Come on! We need to get out of here quickly.”

  Nee: “If the doors are locked, where do we go?”

  John (decisive): “We need to head to the storage area. There might be a way to access the emergency systems there.”

  Neela glances at Kyle, who is still in shock over what happened to Akira.

  Neela: “Kyle, Kyle, look at me… Kyle, follow me… Kyle!”

  Kyle (guilty): “I… I… I didn't kill him.”

  The group quickly exits the restaurant. John holds the door open with his strength so everyone can pass through. As they rush down the hallway, they hear the other doors locking and security systems activating.

  Nee (worried): “Everything is locking up. If we don’t make it to storage, we might get trapped.”

  John: “I’m leading the way. Move fast!”

  As they move toward storage, Nee glances around anxiously.

  Nee: “It feels like a trap…”

  Neela, sweating and with wide eyes filled with fear, places her hands under Kyle’s arms and struggles to pull him forward. Her heavy breathing and trembling voice reveal the stress and fear running through her.

  The scene ends with the group rushing toward storage, John keeping the door open with his strength, Neela and Nee desperate to find a way to save themselves and Akira, while Kyle, overwhelmed with guilt, keeps moving forward.

  Nee runs toward the storage area, with the others following closely behind. As she reaches ahead, she realizes that the security door is shut. She shouts in panic.

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  Nee: “Go back! Go back! This way is blocked!”

  John (decisively): “Run toward the parking bay!”

  Nee and John sprint toward the parking bay. Neela, still running, struggles to drag Kyle along with one hand. They reach the mechanical parking door and quickly pass through, entering the parking area.

  Setting:

  In the spaceship’s massive parking bay, two fighter jets remain—one belonging to Akira and another accessible via co-pilot controls for John. The group searches for a way to escape or establish communication with the AI.

  Action:

  The white and blue lights in the parking bay suddenly turn red, casting deep shadows on the walls. A whisper-like voice emerges from hidden ceiling speakers, as if the ship’s AI is speaking to itself. Without warning, the security systems engage with eerie electronic murmurs, as if something more than protecting its master is on its mind.

  John (shouting): “Take cover! Quickly!”

  Nee, her eyes wide with terror, swiftly hides behind a stack of space equipment covered in red warning labels. Neela, sweating and pale, drags Kyle—who is still in shock—toward shelter. The terrifying hum of laser fire fills the air, creating small fires on the ground and the smell of burnt metal.

  John, relying on his physical strength and combat training, skillfully dodges the laser fire. His movements are swift and precise, but his expression reflects both fear and determination to protect the others. He leaps to the left, barely avoiding a laser, then rolls to the right to dodge another.

  Nee (trembling, from behind cover): “John, get to the fighter jet!”

  Neela struggles to hold Kyle steady.

  John, dodging lasers, moves toward the second fighter jet, which he has access to. He swiftly ducks under a laser beam and leaps over another.

  John (shouting): “Come on! Head for the fighter!”

  Neela gathers her courage, lifting Kyle onto her back and running with all her might. Nee cautiously crawls across the floor, avoiding fire as she makes her way toward the fighter jet.

  Kyle, still in shock, is guided by Neela. A laser fires toward him, slightly injuring his back. Neela momentarily loses her balance but fights to reach the fighter jet. Burn marks are visible on Kyle’s back.

  John reaches the jet and opens the hatch. Nee and Neela quickly push Kyle inside before jumping in themselves. John is the last to enter, sealing the door behind him.

  Once inside, the AI, recognizing the fighter as Akira’s, ceases firing.

  Inside the jet, they pant heavily, sweat dripping from their foreheads. Although trapped inside, they finally feel somewhat safe. Their gazes meet—filled with fear and uncertainty about what lies ahead.

  Neela (breathing heavily): “We’re safe for now. But we need to figure out how to get out of this situation.”

  Kyle (delirious with shock and pain): “No… I didn’t kill him… I don’t want to die… There’s no way out…”

  Neela moves closer, carefully looking into Kyle’s eyes.

  Neela (calmly): “Kyle, please, just listen to me. Akira is not dead. You need to stay calm.”

  Kyle (panicking): “No, no! I didn’t kill Akira. No! No!”

  Neela gently places a hand on his shoulder.

  Neela: “Kyle! He’s still alive. We have to help each other. You don’t want things to get worse, right?”

  Kyle looks at her with hesitation, but his breathing remains erratic. Under immense emotional pressure, he starts whispering frantically again.

  Kyle continues his panicked murmuring, growing louder.

  Nee (angrily and firmly): “Kyle! Stop talking!”

  Kyle ignores her, continuing to mutter.

  Nee: “I told you to shut up!”

  Neela suddenly reaches out, covering Kyle’s mouth to quiet him. His muffled sounds turn into “Mmm-mm.”

  John watches the scene anxiously, rubbing his forehead to focus his thoughts.

  John moves toward Kyle and expertly knocks him unconscious using his military techniques.

  Nee is visibly shaken. John quickly tries to calm her down. Outside, weapons remain locked onto the fighter.

  Neela (shaking): “John! Why did you do that? He’s just scared!”

  John approaches Neela and tries to reassure her.

  John: “Neela, he was losing control. We couldn’t let him hurt himself. He needs time to calm down.”

  John moves closer and briefly embraces her, offering comfort.

  Outside the fighter, weapons remain poised, filling the air with tension.

  Neela, her eyes filled with concern, looks at Kyle, desperately searching for a solution to their predicament.

  Neela: “How can we reach Akira? We need to escape as soon as possible!”

  John: “We have to trust each other, Nee. Let’s take this one step forward.”

  With emotions running high and the external dangers still present, Neela and John resolve to come up with a plan to rescue their friend.