THE DARKENED LIGHT
________________________________________
SCENE I
RESURRECTION
Nucleolab, Downtown, New York, 10:06PM, April 18, 2413
The disk-shaped light installed in the middle ceiling of the splendid dome-like nucleolab was off. The smell of anti-virus air conditioning swirled through the air, making the room an extra-clean feeling. The only source of light was coming from a capsulary chamber in the center of the lab; either two ends were connected to the ceiling with scattering wires and cables. Light reflected and shatters into the darkness as it hit the capsulary. The top half of the chamber was transparent, and the bottom part was seemed to be solid metal in golden covering. This magnificent piece of technological invention was known as the cellular reconstructor.
The walls surrounded the lab were covered with golden foils to keep the temperature within the room stable, unaffected from the outside world; they shimmered dimly in the reflection of the yellowish light came from the reconstructor.
Several technicians in white robes were standing around the reconstructor, each woked silently yet hastily by themselves, unwillingly. One lone shadow of a man was holding a lead scientist as a hostage in front of the reconstructor at the main control station, overseeing the operation. Behind the control station, was a 2-feet thick, solid metal entrance, and the only entrance of the lab.
A small alarm went beeping off, breaking through the silence of the room as the entrance door opened to the side; in walked a young technician pushing a cart slowly into the lab, the cart carried the lower portion of a right leg in a transparent plastic-like dome. Life-support systems could clearly be seen hooked onto the surface of the leg. The technician took out the leg when approached the reconstructor, and carefully place the leg inside it; sweat went running down his face, but he did not care to wipe it out. From the look on his face, one could tell he is nervous, or was he? He was excited with fear within the excitement to be exact; but who except the young scientist knew for sure? He exhaled in relief and closed the glass indestructable glass sheilding of the reconstructor as he withdrew and joined the others.
Com'on now, nice and slow... McTargartt, the lead scientist watched closely as the glass shielding moved slowly and closed with no sound. Okay, don't you dare fail me now. "Cellular Reconstructor on-line; system ready to proceed. We are ready to start the reconstruct sequence." I wish I didn't damn say that..., however, my life is at stake; all of the lives in this room are in stake.
"Proceed." The man in shadow answered without hestitation and gave the command in a weird voice that sounded like came from a distance.
McTargartt turned back to the control panel and executed the command - reconstruct. Forgive me, Lord. I have no choice.
After proceeding, the man of shadow watched as two tube-like machines inside the reconstructor started doing their job. First creating some kind of field which levitated the leg, then genetic duplicated the rest of the body skeleton. The leg was soon cloned and so was the body skeleton.
McTargartt inhaled deeply and reported, "Ugh.., the skeleton is complete." He paused to look at his captor, but he saw nothing except for the darkness. This gives me the creeps. What does he want with a cloned man? What IS he? He did not allow himself to think about the question for only one reason, he did not want to offend his captor, not yet before he figure out WHAT he is. He continued with the operation without furthur noticing his captor. "Now for tissue processing."
A ring-like object appeared at the feet of the skeleton, moving up from the feet to the head slowly, 'casting' the skeleton with tissues, organs and muscles. After a few moment, this step of recontructing was complete. McTargartt moved the UV shield over to the reconstructor with touch of fingers at the control panel, ready to perform the last step. The step was soon underway, without he informing his captor. The reconstructor was then bombarding the reconstruct subject with slightly greasy solar atoms which would cause skins to generate by the body itself.
I damn wish the solar atoms would burn that guy from the skin to hell. McTargartt remained silent even though his mind was not. "Finish in 5 seconds, counting down; 4, 3, 2, 1. The process is complete."
"Good, remove the shild please." The man of shadow spoke in his distant-voice again, sounding polite yet with sarcasm. He did senced that McTargartt's blood went cold the minute he answered, then smiled in satisfactory.
Within seconds, the UV shield was drawn back; a figure of a naked grown-man could be seen lying inside the reconstructor, his black hair covered half of his face. Immediately, the Thermal Bandages were fastened on. The man of shadow walked directly toward the reconstructor. By inserting a key card taken from McTargartt in the silvery socket at the small panel aside the reconstructor, the glass shielding was removed too. The man's body jerked spasmodically in a sudden, then he awoke, inhaling deeply.
McTargartt was ready to sneak out of the lab since his work was complete, but when he saw the man lying inside the reconstructor, he froze. His face, his body and even his mind just froze at that second; he did not know what to think. In a flash of moment, he eyesight dropped onto the floor, watching the reflection of of man. Oh, no.
________________________________________
SCENE II
RETURNING
A telephone rang noisily in the empty office where Zorg used to be. The ring echoed in the silent office as Ms. Smith, the secretary, picked up the phone on the hall and sat peacefully at her desk. "Zorg Industries, may I help you?"
Mean while, a man walked cleanly and silently down the hall, heading for the office. As soon as she saw the man coming, she stood up. "May I help you with anything, sir?"
The man answered nothing and keep walking; turning at a corner, he entered the office, Ms. Smith was shouting at him. "Hey, it's an authorized area, you can't go-" she stopped abruptly, realizing who the man was. She dropped the phone and fell into her chair; her eyes stared at nothing, her face went pale in fright.
The man continued in, walking down to the other end of the office. There, he walked and stopped to stare out of a round window behind a wide desk. After a few seconds, he reached behind himself for a chair under the desk behind his back without looking.
A buzzer of an intercom at Ms. Smith desk went off, interrupting her thinking; she looked at it, terrified. A few seconds after, she found herself walking into the office to the man, who was then sitting at the desk, facing the window. She continued walking, shivering slightly on the way, and stopped a few feet from the man. She brace herself and asked calmly, "Yes, sir? What do, do you need?"
"If I remember it correctly, you used to call me something different, didn't you?" "I like that handle, please use it, Ms. Smith."
"Yes, sir.., I mean Mr. Z--Zorg..." Her voice shivered when pronouncing "Zorg", showing her fright. She then paused, inhaling deeply, did not dare to look into Zorg's eyes like. She used to.
Zorg leaned on his desk, still facing the window. "I want a list of all transactions for Zorg Industries, while I was away; and a full record of all old customers," be paused to think, then continued, "and bring me copies of all special personnel files." spinned around with a satanic smile; the gloomy lights in the room casted shadows that covered half of his face. " I have some catching up to do."
After Ms. Smith was gone, Zorg punched some buttons on the keypad of his desk, immediately, a glass raised and an automatic dispenser came out and filled it with water. Also, a fruit bowl raised and Zorg picked a cherry, which was then confirmed by a computer voice-message; "Cherry" it said. Zorg paused to stare at the small cherry in his hand and went into some memories. He then bite into the cherry and swallowed it after chewing satisfactorily. He reached over to the intercom and spoke in a low, deep voice. "I want a priest, them name is Victor Cornelious; get me all available information on the subject."
________________________________________
SCENE III
NEW POSITION
The lights in the President's office were bright, so bright that the president had to squint at a man in uniform coming up to him. The man stopped before the president’s desk, his blue uniform suited the light nicely. The president looked at him with doubt. "Yes?"
"Mr. President, a Victor Cornelious is here to see you."
"Good, send him in, please."
"As ordered, sir." The man bowed slightly and left the office without making a sound.
A while later, an elderly man in a brown robe walked in, slightly balded. He walked toward the president and stopped before the desk. The president stood up as soon as he saw the man came in.
"Father, it is nice to see you again under less dire circumstances." The president shook hand with Father Cornelious. "How are you lately?"
"Thank you Mr. President, I am well, and yourself also I hope."
"I'am well, Father, but the work of a president is never done. I am glad however, to offer you this position. As the administrator of Astrological affairs, I am sure the knowledge that was passed down to you can help the government a great deal." The president motioned for Father Cornelious to sit down.
"I am sure it will; I will be honored to offer my service."
"Good, I am glad that you agree, and accept?"
Father Cornelious nodded politely which answered the president. Mr President stood up and said cheerfully, "Then it is settled." He gave a short sigh. "You will have to excuse me, like I said, the work is never done. I still have nineteen more meetings to attend today."
Father Cornelious stood up and returned the hand shake. "I understand, Mr. President."
"Thank you, Mr. President, I am glad to service the government; and thank you for the opportunity."
David was waiting for Father Cornelious outside the office, when he saw the Father came out, he quickly went up acompanying him down the long hall. "How did it go, Father? Was the preparation useful? Was anything went unsettled, or-"
"David, everything went just excellent. You might as well as relax a little." The Father interrupted, then patted softly on David's shoulder.
Within a minute, David questioned worrily again, "How do you think Mr. Dallas and Leeloo are doing, Father?"
"Oh, I am sure they're fine. Leeloo can take care of herself, and you know Mr. Dallas..." Immediately, images of Korben Dallas with trouble ahead, appeared in Father Cornelious' mind. He shook his head abruptly trying to get the images out of his mind. "Ugh, I better stop linking Mr. Dallas with trouble; what could possibly go wrong? They have already saved the world!" He murmured under his breath, trying to convince himself.
"I guess you're right, Father; I guess you're right..." David looked at Father Cornelious without any doubt.
Father Cornelious glanced at David suspeciously, wondering if David was criticizing him.
________________________________________
SCENE IV
FLOSTON AGAIN
Soft orange light shone warmly on Korben and Leeloo, who were sleeping in a small rom; it was so small that only two people could lay horizontally side by side in it. A tiny beep sounded as Korben awakened suddenly, slamming his head right into the ceiling. "Ouch!! Damn it, why do I always have such a luck?!" He dropped back down and muffled his own cry. "I hate space travel..."
They were onboard a shuttleplane, the same kind he and Leeloo had taken when going to planet Fhloston in the Angel Constelation last time around a month ago.
Korben raised himself a little bit, his back touching the ceiling, then moved slowly to one side until his face was on top of Leeloo's. He stared at her with a smug kind of affection, realizing Leeloo was still asleep. He gently reached out his hand to feel her lips, seconds later, he brought his face down and kissed her passionately. I think I still have the permission to do this... This awoke her, and she began kissing Korben back until they were interrupted.
"Oh, sorry to disturb you, Mr. Dallas, but we have arrived." A flight attenent opened the cabin door and said with a smile.
"Thank you," Leeloo smiled and replied, still had teh hint of an accent. She then climbed out.
Beside her, Korben sighed softly, without anyone knowing it, he licked his lips. "Yeah, thanks a lot. " He said with a bit of sarcastism, then moved out of the cabin as well. He streched his arms as he looked around briefly. "Hmm, it's hard to imagine they sent in another hotel-ship right after the old one blew up!"
The flight attendent turned her head around and answered, "The company figures they cannot afford to lose no more money, so they sent out their backup ship to replace the old one."
"A backup ship, uh?"
"Yes sir, this ship is fully equipped with all the instruments the old one had, and some more new things as well." Her smile went phony.
They then went walking down the isle along with other passengers crowded along side them to get out of the shuttleplane. Outside, the fan fare was not as great as it was the first time, but they were greeted as well. Soon, two young men in white uniforms guided Korben and Leeloo all the way up the elevator and down the hall to their destinated room, carrying their luggages.
In the room, Leeloo was looking at some decorations on the ceiling as Korben quietly sneaked up behind her and slipped his arms around her waist. "Now, what did I tell you? A real vacation."
Leeloo turned around and set herself in Korben's arms. "No mission or pain, just love?" She smiled up at him sweetly.
Korben held her tight, "That's right, just love. Just you and me and love." He looked warmly down at Leeloo and held her tighter.
Leeloo said nothing, her lips came right up to Korben and he replied her action.
________________________________________
SCENE V
BACK INTO BUSINESS
Ms. Smith walked wearily into Zor'gs office, carrying an armload of files and stacked them on top of Zor'gs desk along with the orhter stacks. She backed one step off, catching a breath.
Zorg sat deeply in his chair, in the shade from the burning sun, and holding a package of personnel files. he took a glimpse of Ms. Smith and tossed the package in his hand into a trashcan beside the desk; then picked up the next package from the stacks, leafing through the pages.
The secretary started walking away, without saying a word; on the way, she cautiously threw a glance at Zorg, then hurried away.
Zorg gave a sigh after reading the files briefly, then tossed the files carelessly toward the trashcan again. The package of files dropped on to the ground a few inches from the trashcan and scattered across the dark yet shiny floor. Immediately, three small robots of different kinds came zooming out of a hole in the wall near the floor, hurrying to clean the files up.
"This is absolutely ridiculous!!" Zorg mumbled to himself, eyeing the three cleaning robots. He then turned back to the stacks of files on his desk and sighed. "There has to be one decent associates from all these...whatever."
Zorg's eye sight landed on a particular package in front of him, which must had slipped down from one of the stacks lining on the desk. "Hmm..." he picked it up and rubbed his chin softly while studying the package. As he leafed through the pages, the expression on his face changed graduately. "Yes, yes, this will do; if my memoruy serves me."
He reached out a hand toward the intercom; when he was about to hit it, he paused suddenly, then instead of hitting the intercom button, he pushed a stack of files down the desk. The papers scaterrered messily on the floor, and as Zorg watched the robots came hurrying out to clean it up again, he grinned, then pushed all the stacks of files down the desk. "Now, now, now, that's a lot fatster!" He laughed.
________________________________________
SCENE VI
NICOLLE C. JONES
"Look Sandy, I don't have your cash;" Shouted out a dirty, tough looking guy, he paused and seemed to be thinking of an excuse of some kind. "this warrior jacked my car this morning, and I hafta," he continued, pleading. He voice went from loud and graduately into murmurs. There were a worry on his plump face, cheeks were slightly burning from the alcohol.
In front of him was a seemly businessman, around 40; he was a little more respectable, yet still has a hoodlum look. "You don't have to do a thing, my friend; just pay me what you owe." The businessman stared the tough-looking guy and stood up from his chair and drew closer to him.
As the business man drew closer, the tough-looking man backed off a little, looking around for some help nervously, yet trying to cover his nervousness in his action. There were no help to get. "I ain't got no idea what you're talkin'bout."
There was then a moment of silence, both two men came staring with each other, one with confidence, one with fear. The tough-looking guy suddenly grabbed a chair beside him and the chair went sliding off the floor; simultaneously he brought up his gun which had then been drawn to bear on the businessman he was arguing to. His hands were shaking briefly, not entirely sure of his actions.
"Look, my friend," he went backed off a little, and drew a distance between him and the gun pointed at him. He put his hands in his jacket pockets leisurely and continued, "I tried to help you out here, but-" he went to pull his own weapon from the pocket but froze when the barmaid pointed him and the other guy with two hand-rifles or some kind.
The barmaid, an old, Estelle Getty type of person stared glanced coldly and spoke in her little old lady voice, "Look you two, I don't have that kind'a crap going on here; so pay your tabs and get the hell out." She motioned with her guns.
"Heh, you had better listen to her. She's not very pretty when she's angry!" Giggled a young and attractive woman around age of 20, five feet eight in height, dressed in a jumpsuit, leaning on the door in the shadow, who had walked in a moment ago before the actions started.
The two guys glanced at each other and tossed some cash on the bar. The tough-looking guy started walking out a little nervously, the other one followed him, both pointed their guns at each other. The two guys walked passed the young woman and threw her a look. The tough-looking guy sort of stare at her without any fear since she was a female, but the businessman was stunned when seen her face. He gave her a polite nod and hurried out with fear he had never shown.
Still smiling, the young woman walked up to the bar after the two left and took a suspecious yet sweety look on the barmaid, "Seems like you're more forgiving than you used to be."
The barmaid put down the guns and held up a glass of blue liquid over the young women and smiled, "Your usual sweetie, Nicolle." The barmaid examined Nicolle briefly and said, "Hm.., you seem more beautiful everyday. I wonder why."
Nicolle giggled a little and then shifted her head around, looking for someone, then answered as she took the glass from the barmaid, "Ha, that's because you have seen to many ugly creatures everyday. Any way, thanks, Sarah." She looked around swiftly, sencing someone staring at her. Her eyesight focussed on a figure in the shade at a corner and turned back to Sarah. She gave Sarah another smile and walked gently toward the figure in the corner. As she approached, she could see the figure was a man, the man she looked for.
Nicolle sat down cross the man and smiled again, "Nicolle C. Jones, you need my service?" She combed her malt blond hair gracefully and look at the man in the eye.
The man leaned forward and blew smoke from a cigar at Nicolle's face. "Well, Ms. Jones, I was hoping to purchase a little information." He slided a rather large pile of cash across the table toward Nicolle.
"Well, then you have come to the right person; what exactly do you have in mind?" Nicolle spoke emotionlessly.
"Well before we work out the arrangement, I want to know if the information that I am buying is reliable, who is your source?" He blew another smoke at her.
Nicolle still stayed unfazed, "You know, smoking will kill you, especially if you just happened to be caught with a few cigars in your pocket at the wrong place." A wry smil spread across her face, "and about the source, you're looking at her. I was inside for about two years."
The man nodded a little, "And you got out, that is impressive. Okay, I just want to check out something, a reassurance if you will."
The hell do I care. The smile went away on Nicolle's face. "I don't have all day, you want to know if some rumors are true, is that it?"
"Hm, you can say that. Here's what I want to know. There's a word going around that a certain position has opened up in your old company," he paused to smoke the cigar in his hand, then continued despiting the impatience of Nicolle, "a very important position," he looked disturbed, "I want to know what Zorg Industries is up too, but the rumor that I have heard is that someone has taken Zorg's place and is looking for a right hand."
Nicolle stood up and grabbed the cash on the table, "Zorg is dead, and I don't take much stock in rumors." She then started to walk away from the stunned man, suddenly, she turned around and threw him a smile. "Nice working with you."
Nicolle walked quickly, wordlessly down the long metal corridor that led to Zorg's office. She rounded the corner to his office and saw about seven people waiting to go inside; the secretary was at her desk, working on some papar work. Very much like information on the personnels waiting at the office.
A tall lanky guy was leaning against the wall, around 20, dressed in what looked like army surplus clothing, look up when Nicolle came in. He brushed his white hair back from his eyes and straightened up.
"Hey, Nicolle, nice to see you!" he paused and thought for a moement, "I had no idea you were interested in this job; I had always thought that you had reservations." He paused again then continued, showing vividness, "Shall we say about this company-"
Nicolle stared up at at him, said cruely, "Que, I don't have time for your bull; I want to know what the hell is going on, and who the hell is in that office." She pointed straight at the office, then motioned around the room without taking her eyes of Que.
"Whoa, this is the most emotional I have ever seen you, Nicolle." Que giggled, trying to act gently, then stopped abruptly. "Wait, wait, you mean you; no, you haven't heard-" he stopped again and look at Nicolle's face, "Ah, this is great," he laughed loudly.
Nicolle stared at Que, not amused. Suddenly she pulled out a gun and pointed at the head of Que, "Didn't I say I don't have time?" She looked at Que's stunned face seriously. I'll be sorry not to do this, Que; but I am not ready to kill you, not yet. She lowered the gun and shot Que in the leg.
Nicolle looked around the room, no one was looking at the crying Que, as if he did not exist, and no one dare to look at her. She smiled in satisfactory, put the gun back and walked by the secretary into the office, despiting the shouting of the secretary. She threw her a cold glare and the secretary quiet down in fear. Yeah, that's better, you better stay this way. Nicolle turned and kept walking into the office. Near the entrance, a rough guy stood up from his seat at the door to stop anyone from coming into the office as Nicolle approached. Nicolle stared at the back of a man sitting in Zorg's desk, facing the window, not care for the rough guy. She pulled out her gun steadily and shot the guy down at the knee, and kept walking toward the desk. She stopped slowly a few feet from the desk and aimed the gun to the back of the man.
"I don't know who the hell you think you are, but you are about to meet your maker." Nicolle spoke in a deep threatening voice, still not forget to leave a smile on her face.
The man in the chair chuckled a little, politely and replied, "I already have." He spinned his chair around to face Nicolle and the gun in her hand. "Why, Nicolle, you seemed shocked to see me!"
The moment she saw the man, she was shocked, grasped and then stopped, lowered her gun unknowingly. She stared at him in disbelieve. Suddenly, she pointed her gun at the man again, focussing on him. "Zorg! But you're dead, you're toast in Fhloston, how-" she stuttered on, still could not believe who she was looking at.
A smile appeared on Zorg's face, "Now, don't tell me you believed that rumor for a second. Why, Nicolle, you of all people should have known better." Zorg paused, examined the beauty of Nicolle, "However, you are right, I was dead, but well?" He raised his eyebrows.
Zorg stood up and walked around the desk and behind the motionless figure of Nicolle, smiling all the way. "Any way, I am back, without the limp, I am sure you have noticed." He spoke in the ear of Nicolle, who was still holding the gun, aiming at nowhere, unmoved. He moved back to his seat, and cleared his throat, "Any way, you're hired." He looked up and inhaled, "Oh, and get that thing off my face, will ya?" He pulled out a few papers, "I have expected you almost and hour ago, anyhow, since you have worked for me before, we won't have to go through all those niceties, but I want you to start right away; there's a priest-"
Nicolle inhaled deeply, just awoke from unconscious interrupted Zorg, "Wait, there's no way I am working for you, no chance in hell!" She held her gun back a little, still ready to shoot Zorg out of surprise. I'll shoot him later, he is useful right now. She tried to convince herself a reason that she would not even believe.
Zorg replied innocently, in surprise, "Why? What's wrong with me?"
"First off the last time I worked for you, you tried to kill me; then you had me sent to some god awful planet, where I had to do shit work, and when I finally lost my mind I came here and tried to kill you." Nicolle spoke weakly at first but grew more and more grantic, she could then hardly keep herself under control, "then instead of executing me, like you would have done to anyone else, which by the way I was looking forward too, you just gave me a raise and sent me back under more supervision!" Nicolle shouted at Zorg and she was trembling, having trouble breathing due to the emotions.
A bit annoyed, Zorg laughed sadistically, waving his arms about, "And you paid me all back by blowing up my factory, killing my workers and running away." He paused and thought about it then agreed with Nicolle. "Hm, but sure enough, you're right, I should kill you, Nicolle."
Zorg brought his arm up swiftly which had been holding a ZF-1, and pointed at Nicolle's head. He fired, with a smile on his face, Nicolle went to dive out of the way, but the shot caught her shoulder, despiting the wound, she rolled out of the way of incoming shots and gets to Zorg's chair. She brought up her gun against his head again.
Zorg then stopped firing and laughed, Geez, almost got her, but yet... "That's what I love about you, my Nicolle. Now here," he pulled out a silvery envelope about the size of the palm and some key cards, other equipment along with cash were in it. Zorg took a glance at Nicolle's undecided face and continued with a grin, "As I was saying before," Zorg handed her another folder with the envelope, "Victor Cornelious, I want him here in an hour; try not to bruise him to badly, and information on your men are in the folder I gave you." Exhaled softly and continued, "They are waiting for you at the garage; you will like them, professionals, each one of them, just like you." He smiled up at Nicolle and saw her wound. "Oh, and clean yourself up, you look awful with your hair stained with blood."
________________________________________
SCENE VII
CYREZ
It was late afternoon now; in the cold silvery hallway, orange sunlight shone through the glass-wall on the right onto Nicolle's frowning face. She was walking her way to the garage; the beautiful sunset outside the building reminded her how much time she had spent, wasted, she told herself. She had a bit of troubled expression on her face, while thumbing through the packages of photos and other information of the men that she has been given. She paused on one of the information sheets, and tucked everything else under her left arm and continued down the silent, empty hallway faster than before.
She came to a sharp turn at the end of the hall and walked into an opened area, still put her mind in the information files. She suddenly paused when she felt a cold shade landed apon her. She lifted her head and realized there were two guys standing in front of her, over by a rough-looking dark-bodied aircraft. Both were in the shade of the aircraft. ZFX-200-B? What was Zorg thinking, like I am going to rub a military base? She remained silent.
Just then another guy came out from the entrance beside Nicolle, that she came through. The man instantly leveled a gun at her. A small click from the back made Nicolle tensed up as she turned around to face him.
Into her eyes, a weasel-looking guy stepped out into the light. He was shorter than she is by inches, and he looked as if he just had too much of that artificial coffee stuff. He was wearing a pair of heavy duty boots and a black leather jacket that looked as if it was some hybrid of a biker jacket, with spikes and chains. Derbo, the second positio of weapon engineers for Zorg. The thought crossed her mind when she recognized his dirty face. Nicolle had not seen this guy before, nor know much about him, but apparently, Derbo knew all about Nicolle.
Derbo grinned, "Oh, oh oh, this is perfect, I knew you would come stalking back, just couldn't leave your precious work behind." Derbo was enjoying himself, "You're finished though. See Zorg, he is not dead, Nicole, and-" interrupted by his wild giggles, "I am gonna get a big promotion out of this just by shooting you here, right now."
Nicolle lifted her head, looking coldy at Derbo, then suddenly, without Derbo realizing what happened, Nicolle had forced his own gun against his head with a swift motion. "Derbo, get over yourself, I am your boss now, so get a grip, and maybe I won't tarnish," she paused and gave him a dark look, "at the image of you." She finished.
Derbo looked surprised, "Oh, you? Dammit! You tried to kill him for the love of money, I have no idea why he let you live! I can't believe it, he must be out of his damn mind! There's no way you're bossing me, I am in charge, I am his right hand, now, me, me, me! I deserve it!" Derbo was furious, anguish.
Nicolle could feel Derbo's hand slightly shaking in anger, and he clutched the gun tight. "You could always take it up with him, who knows maybe a show of spine might get you some bonus points." Nicolle smiled bitterly.
"What the hell are you up to, Nicolle? You hated Zorg, you would just as soon kill him as to hear his name!"
"Business before pleasure, and trust me this is all business, he pays too good to pass up; besides, I might get close enough to do a great deed to humanity. Get on board, we have to pick someone up. So move it, dirt ball." Nicolle motioned for the aircraft.
Nicolle glared at Derbo and finally loosened her grip on him. To her surprise, Derbo swiftly grabbed Nicolle's gun from her waist as well as himself's. By the time when Nicolle tried to get a hold of Derbo, he moved backward, pointed both guns at Nicolle in the face. "Now, here, I am not going anywhere with a corpse."
Nicolle froze in frustration, thinking what to do next; then, she felt her left cheek burned as she felt the deadly white light blinded her. She closed her eyes, waiting for the sense of nothingness peacefully.
Nothing happened.
She then opened her eyes with confusion and moved away unitentionally, and she saw Derbo lying on the ground, eyeing the ceiling straightly. Several darkened spots were at his chest, still smoking. She did not need to examine him to know he was killed.
"Sleep well, may you rest in, hmm..., hell." One of the man in the shadow of the ZFX-200-B walked up to Nicolle from behind, holding a heavy-blaster in his hand.
Nicolle turned around and saw him. She frowned.
He looked at Nicolle's puzzled face, then introduced himself, "Cyrez, computer genius, hacker." He rolled his eyes with a smile, "At least that's what mentioned in my personal information log, I believe." He smile widened, and put his gun back to where it belonged.
"You know, he's dead." Nicolle looked at Cyrez in surprise, yet appreciated. She examined the man stood in front of her, he was slightly taller than she was, skinny. He had a head of black hair that smoothly came down his forehead. He was a young man, yet older than Nicolle herself, and sort-of-handsome looking.
"He met his destiny." Cyrez laughed nonchalantly. "Don't you worry about me, I'll just make up an excuse. Hmm, let's say that Derbo wanted to kill you and get your position. At least that's true, isn't it?"
Nicolle smiled, I like this kind of attitude, she thought. "What about him?" Motioned for the other guy leaning on the aircraft.
"Oh, Larry." Cyrez turned his head back and squinted at the man so-called Larry. Then turned back to Nicolle again. "Don't mind him, he is with me. He doesn't mind anything as long as it's not gonna kill him." He got serious, "Should we get going?" He called up at Larry, who was leaning sleepily at the aircraft's side, "Hey, Larry, let's move!"
Nicolle went back to Derbo's side, kneeing down to pick up her gun, then decided to leave it. When she straightened up, she glanced at Cyrez at her side, "Hmm, nice shots, Cyrez. All in vital positions." She then added uncomfortably, "I guess I owe you one."
Cyrez smiled uncomfortably too, and then fixed his hair briefly as he moved into the aircraft behind Nicolle.
________________________________________
SCENE VIII
DINNER
Twilight shone softly into the window, casting into the interior of a neat restaurant. In the parlor, soft, classical music played. In the centre, there was a fountain, shooting water about two stories high. Just beside the fountain, in the soft light of the restaurant, Korben was sitting in a table, with Leeloo across. Among the music, Korben's argument with a waitor at one side seemed unsuitable.
"All I want is a little cooperation, can we just have some menus or something?" Korben stared at the waiter without blinking his eyes. In front of him, the waitor bended toward him slightly, he was pale, yet motionless. Turning back to Leeloo in a stunning white gown, Korben whispered, "Geez, all I want is for us to have a nice quiet dinner, and some time to ourselves." Without a word, the waitor silently left his customers.
A few moments later, Korben saw the reflection on the floor other than his contemperary navy blue suit, and knew the waitor was coming back. He did. He came back with two glasses of some blue liquid, and two sets of menus. Korben lifted his eyesight to the horizon, as the waitor closing in.
"Hmm," Korben rubbed his chin softly as he looked over the menu a few times; he then looked up at Leeloo and asked, "Do you know what you want?"
Leeloo lowered her menu and smiled up gently, "Chicken sounds good. I like chicken." She turned her head sideways and glanced at Korben, waiting for his reply.
"Yeah, chicken sounds pretty good." Korben smiled in reply and completely lost himself in the sudective eyes of Leeloo as he stared back.
As the music plays softly, time seemed to fly. Neither Leeloo nor Korben seemed to care, until around twenty minutes passed, and the waitor came back with their dinner. Just when they were about eating, Korben halted to watch Leeloo. He was so in love with her that everything she did seem beautiful. Then she picked up a spoon and started to eat, obviously not frained in manners. Korben giggled softly, politely.
"Heheh. Here, let me help you. You have to learn to eat with other than a spoon." Korben stood up and went to her side. Gently taking her hand, Korben showed her how to cut the meat up with a knife and a fork, "here, like this." It shouldn't be a problem for her; since she learned English in just a few hours. He let go of Leeloo's hands and motioned her to try. She smiled at him and tried to do what Korben showed her, but was unsuccessful. And, again, I may still be wrong. . . The chicken slipped out under her fork, and out from the plate, then scattered across the table, onto the shiny floor.
"Oops, sorry." She looked at the chicken on the ground.
Korben laughed out loud and reached over to wipe off some sauce that got on her snow-white arm. "I can't take you any where; you gonna learn how'ta use one of these." He looked up into her deep green eyes, and pushed a stray stand of her firy hair back, then reached in and passionately gave her a kiss. Leeloo looked into his eyes and kissed him back.
Suddenly, a hyper-active yelling broke into this romantic moment, "Korben! Korben my man, what are you doing here?" The guy who dressed in a flashy silver tight body suit, with a bizard neon green hair, turned around to face his fellows; "Look, look, my man Korben Dallas is here. You gotta know him, he's a hero, he's super green! He saved the world with his sweetie, Leeloo!" He then whispered, "And me, of course. Any way!"
A moment before, Korben had lifted his head to see who was it, along with other curious customers too. Some had a angry face, but then turned into a smile of joy and excitement.. Korben didn't, he recognize that voice. Oh, no. Ruby! What the heck is he doing here? Then he groaned only loudly enough for Leeloo to hear; who was seemingly glad to see Ruby. When he took another look at Ruby, he and his crew were already nearing him. Ruby preceded to pull up a chair and joined Korben and Leeloo. Korben looked at him at the corner of his eyes then turned his sight back to his plate. "Hey, Ruby." He said in a soft sigh. "What are you doing here?"
There was a moment of silence, a brief moment. The silence was not as long as Korben would like, but no one can temper with fate. "Korben my man, I am on location and," Ruby paused, turning his face to his fellows, "Bhzzz, bhzzz!!!" The group scattered as Ruby gestured. Turning back to Korben, he continued, "Okay, I was just here to do my show, and you?" He looked at Leeloo in realization, "Ohoohoo, ah, I'll leave ya two love birds alone. Oh, Korben, you must come and do the show with me! It won't be green without a super hero. Gotta go! M'kay? Super green?" He started leaving, but suddenly turned around, wanting to give Leeloo a peck on the cheek. Korben immediately raised his hand in a no-no gesture, no, akta gamat!
Ruby immediately saw Korben's gesture and understood smartly. He then started walking away with his head still at Korben and Leeloo's direction, "Oh, Korben my man. I'll send someone over to your room tomorrow, so we'll have breakfast together. That's a deal, k? See you two love birds later!" Without caring for an answer he walked away.
"Ruby, no wait!" Ruby was already gone. Korben just had to regret to take Leeloo out to dinner on this day. "Great, me, and my luck again. . ." Korben murmured to himself.
Leeloo leaned forward and kissed Korben, "Don't worry. Remember me? The Fifth Element?" Leeloo joked.
Lifting his head to face Leeloo, Korben sighed, "Yeah, I remember. You'll protect me." He gave Leeloo a dry smile and took a big swallow of his drink despite that he and Leeloo were the hot-spot of other people's attention.
________________________________________
SCENE IX
CEREMONY'S SURPRISE
"Father, let's try the speech one more time." David said. He was helping Father Cornelious with his speech for the introductory ceremony. The father was standing where the city lights shone through the wide, rectangular window in the livingroom, dressing in his formal dress. David was kneeing at one side, trying to get the right picture for Farther's new identification.
"How does this sound?" Father Cornelious cleared his throat and began. "Thank you Mr. President, and honorable guests. I, Victor Conelious, will use this position to help bringing planets and species alike together in harmony,"
A small knock on the door interrupted with Father's speech, just as soon as it sounded, David hurried to the door. The hall was dark, but not dark enough to cover the unfamiliar faces outside the door. He could tell that the front one was a beautiful young women, and two men in the back. One seemed Eastern, half a head taller than the woman, skinny but good-looking. The other man was slightly taller, a tough looking. "Weddings? One floor down. Oh, and congratulations." David leaned forward to shook the woman and the Eastern guy's hands and hurried close the door.
"No, no, no, I am sorry. My name is Nicolle. I am looking for a," Nicolle had reached out one hand to stop the door from closing. In the background, Cyrez giggled, then his sound went from giggling to coughing. Despite him, she looked at a sheet of paper and presented her sweetest smile. "A Father Victor Cornelious. I am sorry to disturb you." Then she added, "It is important, please."
David looked at her and hesitated, "Uh, we're kind of busy, but....., I believe you won't take long." He moved aside to let her and the two men in. David slightly nodded to greet the following guys, the Eastern guy nodded in reply. He turned around, "Oh, Father, they are here to see you. They say it is important."
Turning around from the windows, Father Cornelious said surprisingly, "Oh?" Then realized Nicolle was before him. He bowed his head and watched Nicolle nodded politely in reply, with a little discomfort.
"Father Cornelius?" She smiled, "I am Nicolle. He is Cyrez and that is Larry. It is an honor to meet you." Then continued, "I was wondering if we could talk in private for a moment? It is about your schedule" She asked extremely politely.
Father looked over Nicolle's shoulder to see the two guys, and realized they were from the President's. Yet, he felt a little familiar with one of the men, but not familiar enough to remember him. He looked back at Nicolle. "Oh, yes, of course. David, will you take our guests here into the kitchen and get them something to drink?" Father then watched David and the two men left the room.
Nicolle turned her head slightly and give Cyrez a look, You know what to do.
Cyrez nodded slightly and walked in with David. Without any delay, Nicolle spoke, "Father, now what I would like to speak with you about is a matter that occurred about three weeks ago," paused and waited for a reaction. There was none. She continued, "I worked, uh, I still work for someone you know." She stopped to pull out her satchel, as she reached inside, Father Cornelious finched. "Oh, Father, don't worry, I am not here to hurt you. You have me all wrong." She smiled again and pulled out a small silvery box. It was just like the one which used to contain the wedding rings.
Father seemed to be more relaxed now, he looked at her and smiled, "Oh, please excuse me; these last few weeks have been rather stressful."
"No apologies necessary, I completely understand. Here, this is for you." Nicolle streched out her right hand and gestured for the Father to take it.
Father Cornelious took the box from Nicolle gently, with a smile on his face. He then examined the box carefully as he opened it, when he saw what was inside, he was stunned. A cherry? A sudden cold feeling was coming up his spanes, yet, he did not know why a red, plumpy cherry brought him to this end. He stared at it for a moment, then looked up at Nicolle with puzzlement. "I, I don't understand," he said stutteringly.
An integible smile shown across Nicolle's face in that specific moment, then it was gone. "I believe you do. See, uh, my," she puased on purpose and acted as if she needed to think. Then continued and smiled slightly as she stared at Father Cornelious. "you see, my employer has a bit of unfinished business with you, Father." She rolled her eyes and backed up a little, feeling the wall comfortably. Just then a loud crash interrupted the momentary dead-silence.
In a flash, a figure flew out of the kitchen, passing by Nicolle and Father Cornelious' sides, and crashed into the wide windows. Then the figure was gone from sight, it had disappeared in the darkness of night. Even though Father Cornelious didn't see the face, but he recognize the cloth. "David!!!" Father Cornelious rushed to the broken windows and looked down with tears in his eyes. He turned around just in time to see Cyrez and Larry walked out of the messy kitchen motionlessly. He then turned to see Nicolle, with a mad, angry face, tears were running down his cheeks slightly. "What is the meaning of this?!" He groaned, unlike his usual manners.
Nicolle looked at Cyrez with an upbraiding emotion. "Geez, that was violent alright. Next time, attract less attention." She, inhaled and watched Cyrez simply shrugged in reply. She then thought for a moment, "Zorg's not gonna like all this attractions." She turned back to the shivering Father Cornelious.
"Zor..,Zorg.....,? Another one?" He said weakly, partly grieving, with a slight sad laugh.
Nicolle looked at him with a can't-stand-you face and exhaled. Suddenly, out of surprise she moved forward and grabbed Father by the arm, dragging him to Cyrez's side. "Cyrez, don't forget Zrog's invitation. You know what to write." Then turned to Larry and pushed the powerless Father to Larry before Cyrez could reply, "Would you help me with this? Geez, Zorg just hired whole bunch of bystanders." She shook her head. When she started walking out by herself, she noticed Cyrez followed her. She turned around, "Didn't I tell you to leave a note?"
Lazily, Cyrez stretched his arms and replied, "Has already been done." He looked at Nicolle's pretty yet doutbful face and added, "Let's go." He fixed he hair slightly and smiled up at Nicolle's motionless face. Trying to melt the ice.
________________________________________
SCENE X
FIRST MEETING
In the long hall of Zorg's office, Nicolle led her fellows through the office door, with Larry holding Father Cornelious. Zorg was sitting in his chair, facing the window, watching the city lights glimmered in the night. Larry held Father Cornelious torward, then threw him into a chair directly in front of the desk. Then Zorg span around to face the pale face of Father. He was wearing a vest of the suit which matched the long jacket and a conservative white shirt and the suit pants. He leaned on his desk and put his hands together. "Father, it is so nice to see you again." He grinned.
Father Cornelious was stunned, "Zor, Zor, Zorg?" His eyes were red, "It can't be, you are burned into ashes!" He spoke in disbelieve, I must be dreaming, it can't be! He gulped in fright.
Zorg smiled, "Father, don't act so surprised," he paused and realized that others were still around. He waved them off, but turned to Nicolle. "Wait, Nicolle, you might like to see this. Oh, and where's Derbo?" Cyrez took a few steps back and stopped at a corner, putting his hands in his back, "I shot him. He tried to double-cross Nicolle." Zorg looked at Cyrez for a moment, impressed of his skills to kill a man like Derbo, then turned back to Farther, letting Cyrez stand at the corner, watching.
Then Nicolle walked back and fount herself a chair a few feet from where Cyrez stood. She put one leg on top of another, and looked at Cyrez. He eyed at Nicolle and smiled slightly.
Zorg was now focussing on Father, "Father, the last time we talked, we left off on a bad foot. Oh, I head about your new position, congratulations. Too bad you won't be around long enough to enjoy it." He sat back and laughed. Then pushed a button on his desk and a small black case popped up.
Father Cornelious tried to stay calm, keeping his voice down, "Zorg, you are a monster," having trouble keeping his voice control, "a monster that I thought the world was rid of, but apparently, I was wrong. However, for all your power and the fear that you cause, there will always be someone that will challenge you; someone who will try and defeat you, like Korben and Leeloo. Killing me won't do a thing to stop it!"
Zorg opened up the case, a hissing sound was then heard. While still looking at the box, he talked, "Father, I have made a great number of mistakes in the past, and if one does not learn from one's mistakes, he is doomed to repeat them. You see, Father, when we talked last time I was a bit too-" He paused and grinned, "merciful. So in order for me to rectify my mistakes, I must tie up all loose ends." He took out a small shiny seringe. "Nicolle, will you hold down the Father for me?" Nicolle moved over without an argument. Zorg turned his attention back to the Father. "Now, Father, this won't hurt a bit." He stood up and walked over to Father's side.
Father Cornelious lifted up his dead and glanced at Nicolle, who was holding him down. "How can you serve a mad man like this?"
"I do what I am paid to do,"
"Zorg, you can kill me, but someone who is not afraid of you will come looking for me."
Zorg cut him off, "Father, Father, Father, I am not going to kill you now, that comes later. And as for someone who would come looking for you, I am assuming Korben Dallas and Leeloo, I am counting on it." He smiled and injected the needle of the seringe into Father's arm. "You see, you are a bait. For my revenge for what they did to me." His smile gew more evil. As the Father began to pass out, he pulled out the needle and nodded at Nicolle. He turned back his attention to the Father. "Now, let's discuss the location of your Sacred Stones again. Shall we?"
Time passed like a blink of an eye. Soon, Zorg's was over witht the Father, "Take him down to a cell, and make sure he is safe enough. Then wait for our guests to arrive," He smiled demonicly, yet satisfactorily. He then started walking back to his seat as Nicolle gestured for Cyrez to help her. Zorg suddenly stopped, "Oh, I forgot to ask you, did you leave a note to explain why we invited Father Cornelious to be our honoured guest?" Zorg smiled in satisfactory as Cyrez nodded in reply. Zorg did not noticed a weird emotion floated across Cyrez's face. He continued back to his chair as he began to laugh, the laughing grew louder and louder which echoed around the building, echoed around the lonely night.
________________________________________
SCENE XI
HELP AND PUZZLE
It was morning, the sun was hanging in the middle of the blue sky, shooting its warmth down at earth. The light shone onto the sleeping face of David, in Father Cornelious' apartment. As he felt the warmth on his face, he slowly awoke, wondering what had happened. Then it hit him. He opened his eyes wide in horror, "No! Father!" He tried to stand up, as he felt the leash on his hands and feet, as he remembered he was tied. Oh, no. I am doomed; the Father's doomed! While tears began to fill his eyes, he felt something cold, something metal and sharp in his tied hands. A knife?!?!
David was trudging worrily around the room, did not know what to do. He had managed to untie himslef with the knife in his hands, which he was not sure about its origin. He can tell it was a military knife, smooth and comfortable holding, with the sharp titanium-metal blade. On one surface of the blade, a line of words were carved. Perhaps a name, a message; it was too small to read, and was coded. He had given the blade to two police morning patrols. The blade was to be taken to their commanding officers, perhaps the President, and they would do everything in their power to find Father Cornelious.
David was completely overwhelmed by horror and fright that affected his thinking. He knew he was suppose to relax, and let the government handle this problem, but he cannot let go. He tried to think about he whole event but was too unfocussed to think; he knew from the heart the only way to think was for him to calm down. "Calm down, David, calm down. You got to find help. Calm down and think, David. Father is counting on you. Calm down, calm down...." David was mumbling to himself, trying to calm himself down. It was not apprently working.
He stopped in a sudden, taking a deep breath, then let it out. Took another breath, then let it out again. He had begun to feel better. He tried to bring his mind to focus as he noticed the broken window. They threw the Father down! They killed him! He began to cry, and kneed down on the shattered glasses of the window in grieve. Wait, if they killed Father, they had no reason to let me live! What IS going on here? "There gotta be someone who can solve this puzzle and save Father!" He rose in a second as an idea came to his mind, and was determinded to solve the puzzle, not by himeslef, no, but from a courageous ex-soldier and a perfect human being. Korben Dallas and Leeloo.
On the other side of the gallaxy, at the hotel, in the orbit of the planet of Fhloston, Korben and Leeloo stayed. It was late in this region of star system, everyone on board had gone to sleep, except for Korben and Leeloo. They were just on their way back to their room, ready to enjoy a nice and quiet evening.
Korben put his hands around Leeloo's waist and she acompanied him down the well-decorated long hallway, down the furry red carpet they walked. They stopped at a door, Korben kissed Leeloo and tore himself away just long enough to open the door. As they walk through the door, the lights automatically came on as Korben tossed his navy-blue coat on a chair. Leeloo walked in right after Korben, toward mirror she went, then began playing her firy hair. At this moment, Korben came up behind her and put both of his hands around her. Leeloo smiled in vividness as Korben kissed her bare shoulders and arms, then her neck all the way up to her lips. He started drawing Leeloo over to the bed; he was walking backward, and he tripped over the bed and fell onto it with a gasp. Leeloo turned around and laughed at him, then after a short moment, Korben began laughing too. Leeloo walked over to one side of the bed and sat down gently, staring at Korben with a smile.
Korben suddenly sat up and pulled Leeloo down into the bed, she gasped then giggled. Finally, a little time alone. Korben smiled in silent joy and was ready to enjoy his life of the night. Then the telephone aside the bed rang.
"AHHH!!! Why can't we just have a little time alone with ourselves?" Korben shouted furiously, Leeloo just simply sighed. They both sat up and was unable to decide whether to answer the phone or not. Korben lifted one hand and was going to motion for Leeloo to ignore it when Leeloo reached over the phone, "I'll get it." Korben put down his hand slowly and sighed deeply, which was meant for the beauty in a silvery gown beside him to hear.
Leeloo gave Korben and smile then turned to the phone. "Apipoulai, David!" Leeloo was surprised to hear from her friend, gradually, her attractive smiled faded. She turned to Korben and looked at him seriously while still talking to David on the phone. "Stay calm. We're on our way."
Korben laid down on the bed, stared at the ceiling and sighed, "Yet another mission. . ." he murmured. He closed his eyes for a moment then sat up lazily. He look at Leeloo's beautiful yet concerned face and gave her a phony happy smile, "So, we won't be sharing our breakfirst with Ruby after all."
SCENE XII
RECALLING MEMORIES
In Father Cornelius' livingroom, Leeloo was helping David bandaging his injuries; David was just starting to explain what happened to the Father just as Korben walked in from the kitchen, holding a ice pack.
Hoarsely, David started, "I don't know..., I just don't know what happened! The Father was over the ceremony speech and someone knocked on the door- Thank you Mr. Dallas." He took the ice pack from Korben and put on his head carelessly. With one hand on his head, another rubbing his wounded chin he continued, "Then someone knocked on the door. I thought, I, no she, she looked so nice....."
Korben interrupted abruptly, "She? What she?"
David looked at Korben and lowered his head, "At the door; it was a she that was at the door. A nice looking young woman, there were two big guys with her, but the girl was very polite and she had some papers or something..." He paused to think. "She looked so nice," David bowed his head and sighed, with two slightly burning cheeks.
"That's all you can think of? They didn't say where they were from or anything?" Korben almost yelled at David.
David took a breathe, trying to recall the memory, "I, I don't know, they didn't say a thing about where they were from." He turned to Leeloo at his side, his eyes were watery. "We have to find the Father, I don't know how, but we must,"
She didn't say a thing then why did you let her in?!?! Korben was about to yell it out but kept quiet when he saw Leeloo eyed him not to say a word. What did I do?
Leeloo turned back to David and said sofly, "David, me will find Father, but I need you help."
"My, my help?" David was a little confused, "What can I do?"
Leeloo gently lifted his chin and smiled at him, "You want know where Cornelius is taken," She still had a little problem pronouncing the Father's name smoothly. "I need to see what happened from you eye." She grew serious, but still has a sense of childish emotion on her face. "Now lie back and close you eye."
David startled, "What, what are you going to do?!"
Korben kneed down by David side and giggled a little, "You know...., the Fifth Element." He stood up and smiled at David, "Heh, just relax and lie back, will ya?"
David cried hoarsely, "Wait, wait, wait!! What are you going to do?!?!"
Leeloo leaned forward a little, "I promise it will not hurt."
Korben looked into David eyes with a playful frown, "Or, I can make you hurt as well. You know, it is a very affective way to make someone uncounscious," Korben smiled, not much of a smile to make David comfortable. To David, the smile was more like a way of threatening. "Either way."
Leeloo chuckled.
After a few moments of resisting, David settled unwillingly back against the couch. Leeloo walked behind the couch and placed her beautiful fingers around David's eyes. Korben looked on curiously as Leeloo bowed her head and closed her own eyes. She was trying to touch and look for some clue as to what happened earlier in the apartment. Flashes of memories floated up, some looked familiar, some did not. She saw Father Cornelius practicing his speech, then someone knocked on the door, just as David said. Then she saw the girl and the guys. They walked into the apartment, and David took the guys into the kitchen for some drinks just as the Father went with the girl. . .
* * *
David got some instant coffee to serve the two men just as the Father requested. He then opened the drawer and took out two cups and spoons for the coffee. As he turned around to face the two men and giving them their cups of coffee, one spoon dropped to the floor.
Tink, tink tink tink tink....
The spoon bounced on the marble floor.
He then bent down to get the spoon and so did one of the men, who got the spoon first. David rose and saw the man's neat white shirt and a shiny black jacket. He noticed a badge on the man's white shirt.
It was a rectangular badge, a circle with a letter "Z" in the middle and a line of smaller letters said "org" aside the "Z". Underneath, a line reads "INDUSTRIES".
David was kind-of-familiar with the badge but did not recognize it. David didn't, but Leeloo did.
ZORG INDUSTRIES
David stood up to face the man. The man wiped the spoon and dropped it in his cup.
The man looked at him smiled dryly, "You don't have to go through all this trouble; we will probably be gone very soon."
David smiled in reply, "No, it's alright. No trouble at all." David had a gut feeling that something was not right, he paused and asked, "I am sorry, what you say your name was?"
The man fixed his hair, "Ah, you don't really need to know that really." He flashed a smile.
The remark startled David, a little bit nervous, "Uh, why would you say that?" David turned his back on the man and started inching out the kitchen very slowly.
The man answered him. He answered David with a gun cocking sound. "David, it is David isn't it? Well, Dave, I am just a guy doing his job and well, I can't let anything to interfere with what I need to do, and you're starting to interfere." The man looked over his shoulder and called quietly, "Hey, Larry, stop drinking you idiot! Tie him up and shut his mouth, quick!" Then he turned back to David, "Oh, David, just stand still and be quiet, I promise you won't get hurt if you do."
The other man, bulky, wearing an ioly white shirt with stains drank up his coffee and wiped his hands on his shirt. "Whatever you say, boss." He hurried to David's side and tied him up with an rope. Then taped David's mouth. When he finished this, he turned to the commanding man, "Uh.., what now? Cyrez?"
Gee, do I have to do everything myself? Cyrez put his gun back to his holster and walked forward. He opened a clothespress in the kitchen which has a clean towel hanging inside. He measured the height of David and the clothespress and then stuff David inside.
Cyrez looked at David and said, "Now, you have to be.....uh....asleep, sorry I gotta do this to you; it's all business, not pleasure." Cyrez then brought his gun up and everything turn dark with a flash of pain.
* * *
Leeloo slowly opened her eyes and they shone with hope, "I know where Cor-knee-lius is," She stood up and smiled up at Korben, who watched the process carefully. Then she motioned for Korben to go. "Wake David, quick."
Korben slapped David in the face, and yelled, "Get up!"
As David abruptly jumped up, he found Leeloo's deep green eyes staring at him seriously. She said, "David, we need you help. Now."
Without any hesitation, David replied with a frown, "Again?"
________________________________________
SCENE XIII
PRIVATE CONVERSATION
Everything was still, absolutely still, in the silvery, metalic cell. Still, peacefully still until the heavy metalic door slid open to one side.
Bending down, Nicolle was bringing the drugged Father in, with help from Cyrez. They put him over to a couch-bed and laid him down on it. Nicolle walked over to a small closet and brought out a set of beddings and blankets; she then tossed them on the bed. Cyrez stood by the door and looked at his watch, then back at Nicolle.
Cyrez took a step toward Nicolle, and smiled up at her, "Nicolle, look, I have a previous appointment I need to take care of, would you be needing me for anything else?"
Nicolle thought for a second and shook her head, "No, but DO hang around while Zorg's expecting his visitors."
Cyrez nodded gently and walked out of the door, Nicolle turned to do the same, but Father Cornelius started to woke up and spoke to her. Cyrez watched Nicolle turned back to Cornelius and Cyrez walked out the door and closed it behind him.
Inside the cell, Nicolle stood by the couch-bed.
"How..., how can you do this?" The Father asked sleepily, trying to fight the drug.
Nicolle turned around and grabbed a metalic chair, "What do you mean?" She pulled it over and sat down by the Father.
Father Cornelius exhaled and explained his question with confusion, "How can you work for a monster like Zorg? All, all he wants to do is destroy, he doesn't care about anything but money. He has no respect for life,"
Nicolle turned and faced at the end of the couch, "Let me tell you something, Father. My life, my life has not been what one would call happy. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I was an abused child, I just never found any really meaning in it."
The Father looked over and questioned, "And you think Zorg is someone worth serving?"
Nicolle flashed a sad smile, "Hardly. Zorg is man you can't quit; once you work for him you're in. It's like the mafia or some cult only one hundred times worse. There is no chance of escape, unless Zorg dies. I thought I was out, free," she paused and shook her head sadly than ever, her voice was thrilled, "but you can't kill him. I tried, you suceeded, but he's like that damn rabbit, or some piece of trash that keeps turning up. I have hated him with every breath of my being and it got me nowhere, except tighter in his grasp. I can't win, I am tired. I pray someone can beat him, but I know it's not going to be me. So I decided to try it the other way, I don't know where it will lead me but either way I will be better off, you win I die, I am free. He wins, I am a little bit richer, maybe he'll leave me alone. I don't really have a choice, do I?" She turned her face so Cornelius would not see her.
Father Cornelius sighed when he looked at the back of the pretty but saddened girl, "I don't know what Zorg had done to you, my child, but you can always get away; you can help me, you can help everyone who stood against Zorg."
Inhaling deeply, Nicolle voice was back to normal, "Look, I have already chosen my path, and I stay with who I give my word, so sit back and pray, Father; hope is something you still have, something I wish I still had." She stood up and walked out of the cell without turning back. By closing the heavy cell door, she left the Father with his sighs.
As she walked down the empty hallway, looking out the window, sounds of steps were heard. A guard came up to her from behind, "Ms. Jones? Mr. Zorg wants to see you in his office."
Nicolle turned around and nodded softly at the guard without looking up at him; her golden hair waved beautifully under the light as she walked.
________________________________________
SCENE XIV
DOUBLE AGENT
A few moments earlier, Cyrez walked down the very same hallway and thought about what he had overheard. The Father is right, what Zorg has done to her to make her so emotionless? If I can get to her, she may be a great help. Cyrez shook his head as he realized how hard it is to melt an ice heart. He walked thoughtfully down the hall and to the lower parking deck of the building.
Looking around, Cyrez made sure no one was in sight, he moved swiftly to a sleek-bodied black sportcar, seemly made of titanium. Once he was in, he started the engine and drove it out the building in the less-than-perfect world. He drove to an abandoned warehouse and slowed down. Checking the radar, he made sure no one was following him, he took out small transmitter, and attached a encryption device to it and it began to broadcast.
Bzzz.....tszzzz....
A voice came from the transmitter, "Status report, agent 23058.."
Cyrez sat back and replied, "23058-Cyrez here. Zorg has the Father, and believes that some help is on the way. Major Dallas I am guessing, Colonel."
"We will check his whereabouts now, is the Father okay?"
"He's drugged now but he's safe." Cyrez checked the time, "I need to go."
"Okay, keep your ears sharp Agent, try and stay alive. And, if Major Dallas does show, he is not to know what team you're on if not under absolute emergency, it could compromise the mission. The mission is to paramount." The voice paused for a second, "oh, Agent Cyrez , your blade has been recovered successfully. The recorded images are clear as crystal. You been a great help."
Cyrez frowned, he's mind was hooked on the Colonel's words. Paramount? Don't like the sound of this. He thought and replied, "Roger that, over and out."
The small screen flickered and the words -SIGNAL TERMINATED- came out.
He started the car again and shut of the transmitter. The car burst out of the warehouse and into the busy air. As the car hovered away, a small transmitter was thrown and it dropped hundreds of feet and crashed into pieces as it hit another car's roof.
________________________________________
SCENE XV
PRIVATE CONVERSATION ?
In this silence, Zorg was again sitting in his favourite chair, his special chair, and Nicolle was sitting at the other side, facing him. Zorg drew a smile on his face as he pressed some buttons on his desk, a small video screen came out of the top of the desk, sitting in front of Nicolle. The screen flickered and footage from a survalence camera started to roll.
Tssszzzz.....beep...bzzzz
The sound echoed in the room, and became the very first sound that broke the silence. The very first, but never the last.
The screen showed a cell, with two beings in there, one laid on a bed, another sat on a chair. A voice from the video spoke, "....all he wants to do is destroy, he doesn't care about anything. He has no respect for life." Then another voice replied, "Let me tell you something, Father. My life, my life has not been what one call happy........."
Nicolle recognized the voices at once, it was the conversation between Father Cornelius and herself. She tensed up as the video played.
The voices from the video were the only sound in the room, and soon the voices were gone too, leaving the office in silence as it had begun.
Nicolle stood up, leaning over to the desk, "What do you want, Zorg?"
Zorg sat back and smiled, "Nicolle, relax! I just want to talk, that's all." He looked up at her, "Why don't you sit down?"
Nicolle sat down without a choice. She sat there motionlessly, and also emotionlessly. In her emotionless heart, she trying to steel up for whatever Zorg has in store.
Zorg looked at her and took a deep breath with the smile remained on his face, "Let's take a walk, shall we?"
Kock, kock, kock, kock, kock.........
The sounds again echoed. This time not in the office, but in the empty hallway. This time not the monitor but footsteps.
"Nicolle, you know how I work, and I like to do somethings to make certain that my employees are completely loyal. You, however have been..., uh...., shall we say: exception." Zorg talked as he walked down the hallway with Nicolle by his side.
"Zorg, I-"
Zorg cut her off, "Let me finish. Nicolle, what you said to the Father was absolutely true, I am a rather precautious man, but with you I took a liking. You had the passion of a killer and a sharp intellect that reminded me of myself. So, I took chances, that seem to be paying off. Your loyalty is something I am now certain of, because of that little private conversation you had with the Father. Be glad you don't have hope, it's about as useful as honour; if you hope too high, you set yourself up for a rather long fall. Just don't disappoint me."
Nicolle was a little relieved but still unsure, and it took her some time to realize Zorg had finished his conversation. She braced herself and look straight into Zorg's eyes. "Have I ever let you down before?"
Zorg put a hand on Nicolle's shoulder and laughed, "No, no. You have not. In fact, you are about the only person that hasn't."
________________________________________
SCENE XVI
"WE ARE NOW EVEN."
The room was in a pitch of black; small green and red indication lights flickered in the darkness like dying candle lights. Each flash lit up the face of a man, sweating with anxiety. His shaky hands reached forward and started tapping buttons in the unseen territories shaded in the dark. The flickering lights suddenly went dead, leaving the man alone to himself. As the hissing grew louder, it became an echoing mechancial rotating sound. A red light flickered on, the monitor in front of the man read,
VIDEO CLIP CAPTURED : 100388476
VIDEO CLIP SAVED : 100388476
VIDEO CLIP COPY MADE : 100388476 - 01847675
=== 100388476A-485K(Z-IND)1400-1500/VSC ===
>WAITING FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. . .
The man snapped a thin disk that ejected from the computer device, then rubbed against an old scar on his right arm, which was from saving Zorg's life once at old times.
City lights were like candles in the wind. It was night already, Nicolle was sitting across Zorg's favourite desk, leaning against the back of her chair, listening to whatever Zorg had to say. Zorg stood up, "You see, chaos is upon us. And I bring order to chaos. Is that really so bad?" Nicolle opened her mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Zorg again, "So, to complish this mission, I need you to deliver the sacred stones. Mr. Shadow's patience has a limit.." Zorg dropped into his chair and inhale after his long speech.
Nicolle waited for a moment to see if Zorg had anymore to say, then replied, "I don't know why you want ME to do it. Why don't you have Cy-"
The door to Zorg's office opened abruptly, breaking into Nicolle. Coming into the office, a technician in his usual white dress hurried in, hold a piece of rainbow-coloured disk in his shaking hand. "Sorry to broke in on you, Zorg sir... but" He looked up nervously at Zorg's questioning face.
GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE! Zorg wanted to yell, but instead, he inhaled with his coolness and asked calmly, "But?"
"But I have class-five emergency. . . classified information. . ." The technician glanced at Nicolle. Zorg thought for a second, then realized what the technician wanted to say, "Can you leave us for a second, Nicolle?" He waved at Nicolle, gesturing her to go.
"Certainly," Nicolle stood up and turned back toward the doorway, with a relieved smile on her face that she did not want Zorg, nor the technician to see. Another moment in there, I am going to explode.
At the doorway, Nicolle was curious about this 'class-five emergency'; she leaned on the closed door which led to Zorg's office and carefully took out a small cubic device under her shirt. She placed the device onto the smooth surface of the door and it stayed on the door. Taking out of small head-phone-like wire, she put the round end of the wire into her ear. Each word inside the office was clear as bell. . .
The video from the rainbow-coloured disk that the technician ealier held was played on a mini-monitor on Zorg's table. Crystal clear voices played with a see-not-a-thing video; the sound of a anti-gravity car hummed steadily in the background.
"Status report, agent 23058."
"23058-Cyrez here. Zorg has the Father, and believes that some help is on the way. Major Dallas I am guessing, General."
"We will check his whereabouts now, is the Father okay?"
"He's drugged now but he's safe." "I need to go, General." "Okay, keep your ears sharp Agent, try and stay alive. And, if Major Dallas does show, he is not to know what team you're on if not under absolute emergency, it could compromise the mission. The mission is to paramount."
"oh, Agent Cyrez, your blade has been recovered successfully. The recorded images are clear as crystal. You been a great help."
"Roger that, over and out."
The recording ended with a shearing sound and then silence. "Hmm..." Zorg sat back, "As I have suspected." Zorg inhaled and asked the technician now reaching out his hand and take out the disk. "Where's Cyrez now?"
"Uh... he has not gone back yet." The technician looked up, "Do you wish to eliminate him?" The technician rubbed against a scar on his right arm. Zorg looked up sharply, "Do what you must, but bring his corpse back."
Cyrez is a double agent!? Nicolle was shocked, yet she showed still no emotion on her face. She quickly detached the device from the door and walked into the long hallway shadow as the technician opened the door and walked out. Nicolle silently walked to the elevator and went to the garage.
At the garage, Cyrez just parked his car, and walked toward the elevator; he had just no idea what Zorg knew about him. The elevator door sweeshed opened, a familiar attractive face appeared. "Hey, Nicolle." Cyrez smiled up.
Nicolle, stood coldly inside the elevator, showed no emotion. "Hello, Agent Cyrez." A sharp shock went on Cyrez's face, immediately, he calmed himself, "What are you talking about?" The smiled faded from his face, and he too, became emotionless.
Nicolle stared at him, "You know what I am talking about. What you don't know is, Zorg just find that out." Cyrez inhaled, but said nothing in reply. She continued, "You better get out of here."
"Is this some kind of trick Zorg newly came up with?" Cyrez finally spoke with a serious-tone-laugh. "Zorg's gonna kill you, '23058-Cyrez'. You are in danger." Nicolle watched as Cyrez sighed in grieve.
Cyrez suddenly became suspecious, "So are you, Nicolle, since you are telling me this, you are risking your own life." He said sarcasticly. Under his calm face, there was a sense of fear, of danger.
"You saved my life once, I owe you the same. Now we are even." She replied. Then looked up at Cyrez sharply, "You better go now; if Zorg orders me to hunt you down, I will not hesitate." She stepped back, "There are times I envy you, Cyrez. Good luck." She whispered bitterly.
Suddenly an alarm went off, ringing loudly across the whole building. Red indication lights flashed. Cyrez stepped forward in front of Nicolle, "Wait, go with me! With your help, we can defeat Zorg."
Nicolle smiled dryly, but said nothing. She slowly shook her head with a sigh, and a laugh to herself. You don't know nothing, Cyrez.
Pairs of foot steps can be heard coming from either upstairs or downstairs. Guards, Cyrez told himself. He looked at Nicolle for a long second. An idea flashed across his mind; he suddenly grabbed Nicolle and intended to take her with him. Then, he heard a cocking sound, and saw the barrel of a gun pointed right in fron of his face. Cyrez froze.
Nicolle, who was holding the gun, said, "Cyrez, just leave. Don't make me do this."
Cyrez sighed and put on his heavy black jacket then turned toward his car that was just beside the closed garage door. He ran faster toward it, wanting to get away; then, al
