Xenogears: The Complete Script

Part 04
Chapter 09: Pirate's Lair

Compiled by

[Begin music: "Leftovers of the Dreams of the Strong" - skip intro]

[Scene opens on Weltall, docked in the Yggdasil. Pan up to reveal Fei in front of it, facing Citan.]

CITAN
"Fei! I was worried about you!"

FEI
"Doc..."

[The elderly gentleman walks over to them.]

ELDERLY GENTLEMAN
Welcome to the sand cruiser "Yggdrasil". We apologize for that earlier incident.

[The elderly gentleman turns around to see Bart walking over to the group. The elderly gentleman is Maison, and he turns around now to address Fei.]

MAISON
"I'm sure everyone has already had the courtesy to introduce themselves.
But allow me to introduce the sand pirates' leader, Master Bartholomew."

[Maison turns to Bart.]

MAISON
"By the way, may I ask, young master, did you apologize to Master Fei?"

[Bart turns to Maison.]

BART
"What? Uhh... yeah... I told him I was 'wrong'... Right?"

FEI
...

[The first mate chimes in from offscreen as he walks to the group.]

FIRST MATE
Just telling someone you were 'wrong' after the event isn't going to solve everything, young master.

[Citan turns around.]

FIRST MATE
"I'm sorry I've delayed introducing myself...
My name is "Sigurd", the First Mate of this sand cruiser."

[Maison turns back to Fei.]

MAISON
"Well then, please let me know if you need anything."

[Bart turns towards Fei and jumps.]

BART
"... That's the situation... So now, forgive me, will ya!?"

[Sigurd walks over to Bart.]

SIGURD
"Young master! Stay out of mischief."

[Sigurd and Maison walk off with Bart between them.]

BART
"Ouch ouch ouch! Don't pull my ears!!"

CITAN
"Let us go and wait in our cabin until we arrive...
It is well-made and comfortable."

[Fei nods.]

FEI
"..."

CITAN
"What is wrong? You look down."

[Fei turns away.]

FEI
"No... Well..."

CITAN
"Something happened?"

[Fei turns back and shakes his head.]

FEI
"No, nothing."

[Scene change. Citan joins Fei and they walk through the Yggdrasil. Fei and Citan enter the Engine Room via the Gun Room after a bit where two mechanics are talking.]

MECHANIC 1
Once again, final checks! Every second counts! The young master forever!

[One mechanic turns around to address Fei and Citan.]

MECHANIC 2
When we had engine trouble a long time ago, the young master jumped in to fix it.
Sigurd tried to help the young master and they both ended up injuring one eye.

[One mechanic turns back, the other turns around.]

MECHANIC 1
We are proud of the young master, but... he sometimes rushes into things.
The chief thinks it's all his own fault.

[The two return to the Gun Room, which is eloquently decorated, and find Maison standing behind a counter.]

MAISON
"I hope you are not too taken back?
Lately, there are far too many barbaria... I mean... highly energetic lads, around the young master.
So, yours truly, who is in charge of education, demanded to have this room created!!"

[Maison turns around.]

MAISON
(But, because of that, I ended up having to take a side job...)

[Maison turns around.]

MAISON
"How may I be of service?"
[Maison sells stuff to Fei.]

MAISON
"I hope I can be of such service again!"

[Fei and Citan head for the bridge, where they find Bart and Sigurd. Fei approaches Bart first.]

BART
"We're almost at my hideout!"

[Fei approaches Sigurd at the wheel.]

SIGURD
"We're almost at the hideout...
We'll probably stop there for a while for supplies and repairs."

[Scene fade. Stop music.]

-----

[Begin music: "Emotions"]

[Scene opens on the desert. The Yggdrasil cruises northwest on the world map and then turns south into Bart's Lair. Scene fade.]

-----

[Begin music: "Leftovers of the Dreams of the Strong"]

[Scene open on a dock. The Yggdrasil slowly rises to dock in a huge hangar.]

[Camera pans from front of Yggdrasil over to the side as the docking bay mechanisms turn towards the craft. A lock slowly moves into position to keep the craft in place. A docking ramp is connected to the hatch area. Camera pan up to ship's top. Scene fade.]

[Scene open directly on top of the hatch. 3 kids are standing in front of it. 5 soldiers and an operator stand at attention behind them. Camera pans down and comes up behind the hatch. The hatch opens and Bart jumps out. Fei jumps out, walks a different direction, and looks around, then looks in Bart's direction. Citan and Maison follow.]

KID 1
Bart, good to see you back!

KID 2
Welcome back! Bart!

ALL KIDS
Welcome back!

KID 3
Bart! What did you bring us?

BART
"Well... I've got a new model Gear and two people that we helped out."

KID 1
Ehh! A Gear... how boring! Don't you have anything more interesting?

[Bart turns around.]

BART
"I thought you'd say that..."

[Bart turns back to the kids.]

BART
"Look! This is amber I found in a stalactite cavern under the desert.
It's rare to find one with a bug in it!"

[Bart walks up to the kids and they jump. Kid 2 is very lively.]

KID 2
Wow! Thanks Bart!

[Item sound]

We got some amber!

KID 1
What's that?

KID 2
Let's go! We gotta show it off to everyone!

[Kids run off. Bart turns to Fei.]

BART
"Well then... I'm gonna tune up my Gear a little...
Why don't you two go have some tea with old Maison."

[Bart turns to Maison.]

BART
"Thanks Old Maison."

[Maison walks to the docking ramp and turns to Fei and Citan.]

MAISON
"Please, walk this way."

[Fei and Citan follow Maison on to an elevator, which takes them up a level. The elevator stops.]

MAISON
"This is the residential section."

[Maison walks off the elevator and turns back to them.]

MAISON
"Walk this way."

[Fei and Citan follow Maison around the large room to a door and enter it.]

MAISON
"This is the dining hall. I'm sorry it is so gauche."

[Maison leads them up the steps to a large dining bar-shaped table.]

MAISON
"Please take a seat."

[Camera pan around 180 degrees. Fei and Citan sit opposite the table from Maison. Camera pan 180 degrees back to Maison.]

MAISON
"Perhaps you would like some of my famous tea? Master Fei? Good Doctor?"

[Maison pours some tea in Fei's cup and Citan's. Citan immediately drinks his. Fei just sits there. Maison walks to the end of the table and addresses Fei.]

MAISON
"Young visitors are rare indeed, the young master must be very happy.
If things were normal we wouldn't be living in the desert, but rather back in the royal palace..."

CITAN
"Royal palace...? You mean that young one is connected to the old Fatima dynasty?"

[Maison turns to Citan.]

MAISON
"Pardon?"

[After a second, Maison walks off with his back turned.]

MAISON
"N, no... I'm just a senile old fool who talks too much...
Pay no attention to what I just said... Hahaha..."

CITAN
"But... that one-eyed youth does have a certain bearing."

[Maison runs over to Citan.]

MAISON
"Oh... oh... oh...! Well spoken Sir! Awfully good of you to notice!"

[Maison turns around again.]

MAISON
"If I may... I would like to tell you.
The young gent is the last forgotten reminder of the once proud Fatima dynasty.
... That is, before it was destroyed by Shakhan's minions..."

[Maison turns around.]

MAISON
Prince Bartholomew Fatima.

CITAN
"Bartholomew? Edbart IV's successor...
I am sure they announced Bartholomew died of an illness 12 years ago..."

MAISON
"Officially, yes.
However in reality, we rescued the young prince from Shakhan's evil grasp."

CITAN
"Then why must the prince, the rightful heir, resort to piracy...?"

[Maison turns around.]

MAISON
"..."

[Camera pan back and rotate around Maison as he walks to the wall. Camera pan stop at side view of Maison.]

MAISON
"Since fleeing here, we have had only one wish...
... that the young master would grow up to be a great man..."

CITAN
"Not to... reclaim the throne?"

MAISON
"That is correct.
Of course, to say we have absolutely no desire to restore his rule... would be a lie.
We have plans for that as well."

CITAN
"And part of those plans would include piracy...?"

[Maison walks back towards the table and turns to Citan.]

MAISON
"Well, yes... But there is a reason for that..."

[Scene change to a still shot in brownish gray of an excavation site.]

MAISON
"Both Aveh and Kislev are devoted to excavating the ruins.
Each country's strength is increasing daily.
Even if we could get the help of all our comrades to start a revolution...
... the combined strength of all of us would still not be enough.
We would certainly be suppressed by Shakhan's guards in no time at all.
[Scene fade to another still of the docked Yggdrasil in the lair's hangar. Maison continues.]
We needed power.
We tried excavating the ruins using the Yggdrasil but it didn't work as well as we expected.
[Scene fade to a still of the Yggdrasil in the desert overseeing a mini-excavation with Brigandier standing on a high rock in foreground. Maison continues.]
Excavating requires tremendous amounts of time, labor and capital.
The best we can do with our sand cruiser is find small items in the sand."

CITAN
"And the piracy..."

[Scene change to the dining table. Maison is pacing up and down.]

MAISON
"Regardless of who gains the ruins' technology, one thing is certain...
Both Kislev and Aveh will simply use that power to oppress the other.
I agreed with the young master's idea of creating a new power to balance things out a little."

CITAN
"I see...
It is far more effective to plunder from the shadows, than to excavate the technology oneself."

[Maison stops.]

MAISON
"Of course pillaging is an unpardonable act.
However... for Aveh, for Ignas, to continue like this..."

[Maison turns to Citan.]

MAISON
"I'm sorry if it sounds rather self-righteous."

CITAN
"That is something which outsiders like ourselves cannot comment upon.
From what you have told me, I feel that the result of what you are doing will be good.
Seeing your children here tells me that."

MAISON
"I am much relieved by your words."

[Maison turns to the side. Camera pan to in front of Maison, then he turns back to Citan.]

MAISON
"Another cup of tea?"

CITAN
"Yes please. Thank you."

[Maison pours a cup for Citan. Citan takes a sip.]

CITAN
"You mentioned you had plans. Why have you not put them into action?"

MAISON
"With Miss Margie imprisoned, we dare not do anything."

CITAN
"She would not happen to be Nisan's...?"

MAISON
"You are well informed, my dear doctor.
She is the Great Mother Marguerite of Nisan... and the young master's cousin, as well."

CITAN
"Why would Shakhan take her captive?"

[Maison turns around.]

MAISON
"For the 'Fatima Jasper'!"

CITAN
"The Fatima Jasper that is said to show where great treasure is?"

[Maison turns back to Citan.]

MAISON
"My, good Doctor! You do know an awful lot. I am most impressed."

[Maison starts to pour a cup for Fei when he realizes Fei hasn't touched his tea.]

MAISON
!

[Maison is curious.]

MAISON
"You do not like my tea, Master Fei?"

FEI
"No... I'm just not thirsty now!"

[Maison turns to Citan.]

MAISON
"Well, we have no idea what the great treasure actually is...
But it is said to be strong enough to save our kingdom if it is ever in plight!"

CITAN
"And Marguerite has the Jasper that tells the location?"

MAISON
"Only half of it, to be precise.
The young master and Miss Marguerite each have half.
Only by combining the two halves will anyone know where the treasure is."

CITAN
"What exactly is the Fatima Jasper?
When you say a half of the Jasper, I imagine some kind of necklace..."

MAISON
"Only the heirs to Aveh and Nisan know what it really looks like."

CITAN
"I see. So that is why they have her locked up.
My guess is that when they do find out, her chances of living are not..."

[Maison walks away a few feet.]

CITAN
"Ah, I apologize. I simply, I mean...
I was only supposing the worst case. So please do not take it to heart..."

MAISON
"No, that is a terribly realistic scenario."

CITAN
"..."

[A awkward pause.]

CITAN
"Ahem. What exactly do you mean by great treasure...?"

[Maison turns around.]

MAISON
"Well, I haven't the foggiest..."

FEI
The Gear...! He means the Gear! It has to be it!

[Camera pan quickly to entrance. Bart walks in and comes up to the table. He walks to the same side as Maison in front of Citan.]

MAISON
"Young master... are the Gears alright?"

[Bart turns around.]

BART
"Yeah...
Even though they were sealed, sand's gotten into the joints.
It's a pain in the neck to fix, so I'm having the crew take care of it now.
My job is just to pilot them anyway.
Besides, I'm bad with machines, so I'd just get in the way."

[Bart turns back, as Maison turns to Bart.]

MAISON
Young master...

[Maison walks over and pours a cup of tea for Bart. Bart turns to Maison.]

BART
"Anyway... What were we talking about?"

[Maison turns to Bart.]

CITAN
"Whether the great treasure could be a... Gear?"

[Bart turns to Citan.]

BART
"Oh, yeah.
You know, something like that is drawn in one of the Aveh picture scrolls."

CITAN
"Picture scrolls?"

[Bart turns around.]

BART
...

[Bart turns back to Citan.]

BART
"Well, if you're interested then let's go to the planning room...
I'll show you what I mean... since you're my special guests."

CITAN
"That sounds interesting."

[Bart walks off. Fei and Citan get up. Citan follows Bart immediately. Fei stops and talks to a child on the way out.]

KID
Me, I'm waiting for my dad to get back. But I'm not gonna cry! Pretty good, huh?

FEI
"That's really good..."

[A pirate enters the room. The kid sees him.]

KID
Daddy!!

[The kid runs into her dad's arms and he lifts her up for a second then puts her back down.]

KID
Welcome home, Daddy!!

PIRATE
There, there. Have you been a good girl by obeying the nice lady?

[Kid jumps.]

KID
Yes!!

[The kid moves in a little closer.]

KID
I was good, so... where are my presents?

[The pirate straightens himself up.]

PIRATE
Presents!? Look, here's a pirate dress up kit!!

KID
Wow! Thanks dad!!

[Fei talks to the pirate.]

PIRATE
Oops... I'm so embarrassed. But this is how I am with children...

[The pirate turns back to his kid who is jumping with glee.]

PIRATE
It's been a long time since we last had fun. Let's play in the sand!

KID
Dad, this is the desert!!

PIRATE
Wahahaha! You got a lot funnier since I saw you last!!

[Pirate turns back to Fei.]

PIRATE
Well, see ya!!

[The pirate and his daughter leave. Fei walks out and follows the trail of Citan and Bart to the planning room. Scene opens on the room with operators at busy computers everywhere. Bart, Citan and Fei stand in single file. Sigurd's off in the corner. Citan looks around the room several times.]

CITAN
"This place is incredible!
They probably do not even have equipment like this in the capital."

[Bart turns around.]

BART
"Heh heh. Surprised? All this technology is thanks to Sig."

[Bart walks over to a flat section of the floor with black panels. Fei and Citan follow him. Fei stops on the panels.]

BART
"Hey, Fei! Don't stand on the screen. We won't be able to see!"

[Fei walks to the side opposite Citan.]

BART
"Alright men! Display my special file on the main screen."

[Camera pans up to reveal a device hanging like a basketball scoreboard. It descends a few feet. Camera pan back to the floor. The machine makes a noise, and a scroll is reproduced electronically on the panels depicting a huge red giant in front of a man with a crown who is standing on the roof of a castle.]

CITAN
"What is this...?"

BART
"A picture scroll, nearly 500 years old.
This is King Fatima I... 'body cloaked in flames making a blood oath with giants'.
They say he used the strength of the giants to found Aveh."

CITAN
"It is amazing that such an ancient scroll exists... and in such good state too!
I thought the 'Ethos' controlled all such things as these..."

BART
"Normally, yes.
But this was one of my father's prized possessions."

[Bart turns up to the operators on the higher level.]

BART
"Next!"

[The machine sounds again and the scroll changes to a depiction of a giant in front of a cave-shape. A man in red raising his hands in the center and silhouettes of people with their hands raised beside him on each side are in front of the giant.]

BART
"After founding the country, Fatima forced the giants into slumber...
... to protect his kingdom's people if needed in the future. But we don't know where they are hidden.
In another record, one of the giants is called the 'Great Fatima Treasure'."

CITAN
"What about the 'Jasper'?"

[Bart turns to Citan.]

BART
"Hey... you sure know a lot.
Perhaps you're one of Shakhan's spies?"

CITAN
"Of course not. It is only an intellectual interest..."

BART
"Just kidding. It appears the Jasper is the key to finding our treasure."

CITAN
"A key...
Could that be what Shakhan is looking for?"

BART
"Not just him. Gebler is also looking for it."

CITAN
"Really?
Then we must rescue Marguerite as soon as possible."

[Bart walks onto the screen towards Fei and Citan and stops in the middle. Camera pans around to behind Citan.]

BART
"You're telling me!"

[Bart looks at both of them and walks off, his back turned.]

BART
"Since we helped you... I was wondering if I could, in turn, ask you a favor?"

[Citan walks onto the screen a couple steps.]

CITAN
"Would that be... for us to help you rescue her...?"

[Bart turns around to Citan.]

BART
"Bright boy! That's exactly it.
I heard from Sigurd... it seems that both Aveh and Kislev are after you!
So we can help you and you can help us... How about it? It's not much to ask."

CITAN
"Well, if it pays for my room and board then I will help in any way I can..."

[Citan turns to Fei.]

CITAN
"What do you think, Fei? You have not said anything for a while..."

BART
"Yeah. You were great back there in that stalactite cavern.
Your strength alone is greater than ten or twenty of Shakhan's guards."

[Fei turns away from them.]

FEI
...

[Bart takes a slow step towards Fei.]

BART
"I'd love to have your power on my side!"

[Fei turns to Bart. Camera pan from Citan's POV 45 degrees to the left to a side view of Bart and Fei facing each other.]

FEI
"Why does everyone want to make me fight?"

BART
"H, huh... What's wrong with you all of a sudden?"

CITAN
Fei?

[Fei walks up the steps and turns back to them.]

FEI
"I just don't feel like it! 'Love to have my power'? I don't have any!
What's wrong with you, doc, everyone... You're driving me to the brink.
Then there's that Gear... Grahf and my father...
I don't have the time to help you out with your problems when I've got enough of my own!!"

[Fei leaves. Bart turns to Citan.]

BART
"What's with him? Is he always that short-tempered?"

[Citan walks over to Bart.]

CITAN
"No, that is not it... I am sorry.
Things have happened so fast that he has not had time to deal with it all yet. Try to understand."

[Bart turns away.]

BART
...

[Camera moves into the door. Scene fade. Scene open on Fei standing outside the planning room. Two kids come out of the north door, the first one jumping up and down.]

KID 1
We're gonna help service Gears now!

KID 2
Yeah!!!

[Kid 1 stops jumping.]

KID 1
Let's go!

[The kids get on the elevator. Fei watches them silently as the elevator takes them out of sight below him.]

FEI
...

[Fei walks to the south and encounters a door with a notice on it: 'My Room: Enter and Die' -Bart. Fei ignores the message and walks in. He examines a photo frame on the desk.]

FEI
"Who is this picture of? A little boy and girl..."

[Fei turns to leave, stops at the door and jumps in realization.]

FEI
!!

[Fei runs and hides at the foot of the bed, kneeling as the camera pans behind the door to reveal Bart walking in. Bart walks halfway across the room, stops, and then walks to the photo Fei just examined.]

BART
"Boy! What's up with this Fei guy?
I try and become his friend and he suddenly explodes in anger..."

[Bart looks at the opposite corner of Fei's hiding place.]

BART
"Well, looks like he's got a lot on his mind. I don't want to force him.
But he would be fun to fight... Maybe I'll ask again."

[Bart walks to the door and Fei hears him mutter something.]

BART
If I lie in wait under the elevator...

[Bart leaves. Fei gets up and turns towards the door.]

FEI
...

[Fei leaves Bart's room and returns to the planning room where Citan and Sigurd are having a discussion on the screen.]

CITAN
"Fei, there is no reason to be mad at Bart. Just forgive him."

[Fei goes over to Sigurd, who offers info on the situations.]

SIGURD
"What do you want to know?"
[Who is Margie?]
"Margie is Mother Marguerite of Nisan.
But Shakhan of Aveh has locked her up and is looking for the Fatima Jasper now.
Bart may not look it, but he's very worried."
[Who is Shakhan?]
"Shakhan was the Prime Minister of Aveh.
But he is the defacto leader now. His rule is what has put our Aveh in turmoil."
[What's a Fatima Jasper?]
"Margie has half of the Fatima Jasper.
Shakhan wants it because it tells the location of the great treasure."
[More about Nisan]
"Nisan is a small, sacred country in the west of Ignas.
In its center is a huge cathedral beautifully ornamented.
The country was founded by Sophia.
She is called the 'Mother of Knowledge' by her followers, the -Kahal-.
She was also Nisan's first Mother."

[Fei leaves, and takes the elevator down to the Yggdrasil where Bart jumps out of the hatch as he gets there.]

BART
"Can I have a second?"
[Sure.]

[Begin music: "Bonds of Sea and Fire"]

BART
"Citan told me all about your story. Do you want to talk about it?
Why didn't you tell me? It sounds pretty rough."

[Bart walks up to the top of the bridge and the camera follows him.]

BART
"Listen... I'm sorry for being a jerk... just now..."

[Bart turns around to Fei, who's still in front of the hatch.]

BART
"Forgive me, will ya?"

[Fei turns around.]

FEI
...

[Bart jumps down half of the stairs.]

BART
Whoa!!

[Bart ends up standing on the open hatch facing away from Fei.]

BART
"Anyway... Sorry to bring it up again, but..."

FEI
"No!"

[Bart turns around.]

BART
What?

[Fei walks a step away.]

FEI
"I don't like fighting like you do.
I only got into that Gear because I had to. I'd rather not ride them.
If you want that Gear so much then you can have it! I don't want it!"

BART
"You think I like fighting? ... Is that it?"

[Fei turns around.]

FEI
"Don't you? Sure looks that way.
It looks like the only thing you do enjoy is fighting."

[Bart walks off the hatch. Camera follows him. Bart turns back to Fei and stops.]

BART
"I can't let that slide. Who likes fighting? Take it back.
Like it or not, I fight because I have to. I got my reasons, but you wouldn't understand."

[Fei walks straight up to Bart.]

FEI
"Well I don't have a reason to fight! I don't want to fight.
I just want to live in peace and quiet.
[Fei walks away from Bart.]
But you people keep on hounding me to get into a Gear? Why don't you just leave me alone!?"

[Bart walks up directly behind Fei.]

BART
"It's because I see your skill and think..."

[Fei turns around to the side, not directly facing Bart.]

FEI
"Well I hate it! Whenever I get in a Gear people get hurt.
If I fight, people die. I don't want to hurt people! I don't want anyone to die!
I hate it... can't you see that?"

[Camera pans over slowly, then rotates to behind Bart and he walks past Fei, and turns the other way.]

BART
"Yeah, I know the feeling of just wanting to run away from reality.
But do you think the kids left behind in your village would understand?"

FEI
...

[Bart walks back in front of Fei.]

BART
"Citan told me what happened in Lahan.
Would it have been better if you had done nothing? Sure, that happened because you were in the Gear.
But even if you hadn't, people would have died... Right? You weren't the reason.
War... no, the people who started the war are the reason.
And unless you get rid of the reason, nothing will change. I fight to get rid of the reason...
Right now there is no other way so I have to fight... But that doesn't mean I enjoy it."

[Bart walks past Fei to the elevator border and stays facing away from him.]

BART
"I understand why you would feel guilt toward the kids in your village.
And I know why you don't want to harm others.
But if you want to make it up to those children, don't you have to fight?"

[Bart turns around to face Fei, who is still facing away.]

BART
"You do have a reason to fight. A reason you must fight.
But as long as you ignore it and continue to run away, those kids will never forgive you.
Just remember that."

[Bart continues.]

BART
"And another thing,
I'm not saying that not helping me is running away.
You don't have to help. This is my own problem. I don't wanna get you in this against your will.
But, if I had your skill I could bring all of this to an end...
And make it up to those kids. At least that's what I think..."

[Bart walks away.]

BART
Anyway... sorry to hold you up.
The mechanic wanted to talk to you about your Gear.
You probably don't care now, but at least hear what he has to say.

[Fei turns around and stares at where Bart exited.]

FEI
"..."

[Begin music: "Leftovers of the Dreams of the Strong"]

[Fei walks to the Gear Hangar elevator and takes it down. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the Gear dock. Fei heads for Weltall's dock and speaks to the mechanic stationed in front of it.]

MECHANIC
Looks like someone really knew how to tune up your Gear...
Attack, defense, Ether amplification... an exceptionally balanced machine.
But we don't seem to be able to dismantle some parts to see what they do...
I guess you could call them... black boxes.
There are quite a number of them on this machine... Do you have any idea what they actually do?

FEI
"No..."

[Fei walks in front of Weltall, the gantry placing him almost at eye level with his Gear. The mechanic leaves.]

FEI
"..."

VOICE
Fei!

[Fei turns to see Sigurd and Citan walk up to him.]

FEI
"Sigurd, doc... What's up...?"

SIGURD
"We would like to have a word with you..."

[Fei nods.]

FEI
"Oh, okay!"

[Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the Yggdrasil level. Fei, Citan and Sigurd are on the Gear elevator going up to the Yggdrasil level. Sigurd looks at Fei for a second, then leads Fei and Citan down the path a short distance and then stops. Fade music. Sigurd turns to Fei.]

SIGURD
"Look over there..."

[They all look off the gangplank.]

[Begin music: "Bonds of Sea and Fire"]

[Camera rotates to the back of the group and pans over the side of the railing to reveal Bart standing alone in the distance. Camera rotates slowly around to Bart's front.]

BART
Hey, dad... Can you hear me? Ever since I first looked in Fei's eyes I knew...
He's the same as me. He'd understand me... Or so I thought... Did I just imagine it?
I have no confidence. If I follow after you, dad... It'll just be like I'm some decoration.
At the moment, I can't even carry out your will, let alone rescue Margie...
I told him he was only running away but I'm really the one who wants to run away...

[Camera moves back to the trio on the gantry.]

SIGURD
"The young master asked me to apologize to you. Pretty strange, huh?
He knows it's best to apologize in person...
But the young master isn't all that good at this sort of thing..."

[Camera pans 180 degrees to behind Fei, looking over at Bart.]

SIGURD
"He may not look it, but he's really quite lonely...
He's always searching for a friend. We, his minders, can't become his friends.
Even if we wanted to, he just wouldn't see us that way. He knows that."

[Sigurd turns around to Fei.]

SIGURD
"Why you ask? It's because of the burden that he bears.
It must be difficult for one so young to carry so heavy a responsibility.
But he does try to do his best, you know?
That is why we stick by him... It has nothing to do with him being the prince."

[Sigurd walks close to Fei. Camera pan to the other side of Fei.]

SIGURD
"Fei, I sense you too are carrying a heavy burden.
This might be a selfish request, but... would it be possible for you to help the young master?
I'm not asking you to burden yourself with his problems or responsibilities.
But could you two... with whatever it is only you two each know, help the other? Please..."

[Fei turns around.]

FEI
"I'm sorry... I need time to think."

SIGURD
"Of course... take your time. It is completely up to you.
Whatever you decide, we will be leaving early tomorrow morning.
After you're finished preparing for tomorrow, you probably should get some rest.
You can use the bedroom in the residential area above."

CITAN
"I wish to speak to Sigurd some more... so you go ahead and get some rest."

[Sigurd and Citan leave. Fei turns back to look at Bart offscreen.]

FEI
...

[Fei walks back to the elevator and takes it up to the residential section.]

[Begin music: "Leftovers of the Dreams of the Strong"]

[Fei walks to the bedroom and talks to the caretaker.]

CARETAKER
We'll leave first thing tomorrow. Are you ready?
[Alright]
Did you forget anything?
[I'm okay]
Okay. Sleep well.

[Fei walks to the bed across the door.]

FEI
"I'm... so very... tired..."

[Scene fade. Music stop.]

-----

[Scene opens on the Yggdrasil hangar, pitch-black (well its blue but u get the idea.) It's shaking because there's a drilling noise being made. It stops after occuring twice. Then a more fine-tuned sound is heard. Camera pans up the Yggdrasil a small distance and stops. The fine-tuned drilling sound is heard again. Camera pans to the left, to the wall of the hangar. The camera pans back to original shot when the tuned drill is heard again. The sounds stop, and a conversation begins offscreen. Hangar sounds occur at regular intervals.]

BROYER
"Confirmed! It's their base, alright."

HELMHOLZ
"That rock was easy to break through.
I thought it would be a little harder..."

STRATSKI
"These surface-dwelling -Lambs- sure live in a nice place..."

RENK
"Look at that...!
They built this place far better than the facilities at Bledavik.
It's probably a hidden fort built when their old king was still around..."

[A shifting sound is heard as the Camera pans down to beneath the Yggdrasil in front of a wall, obscuring everything.]

VANCE
"Who cares...? Let's just get this over and done with!"

[The tuned drill is heard again as the camera pans to the left.]

STRATSKI
"So... where are the Gears?"

[A thundering sound is heard as the camera walks a few "steps" towards a floor panel. Then it turns to the left and stops as the tuned drill is heard again.]

STRATSKI
"Over here?"

HELMHOLZ
"To the right! There's a hangar!"

[Tuned drill is heard again as the camera pans back to reveal the Gear hangar.]

STRATSKI
"!!"

[The thundering steps are heard again as we realize that the tuned drill sound is a Gear turning and the steps are its footsteps. The camera has been going from the leader's POV all this time, and it turns over to a dock with two standard pirate Gears in it.]

VANCE
"Found them!!"

HELMHOLZ
"These are 'Deurmods'. They're standard pirate Gears."

[The steps go back to the left a bit.]

VANCE
"Ha! Ignore those! We can take them out fast."

STRATSKI
"Why not take a few? Even if we only get those, it was worth sneaking in."

RENK
"Alright! Schpariel is now in place at the back!
Get ready to take out anything that gets in our way!"

HELMHOLZ
"Prep complete!!!"

STRATSKI
"OK over here!"

BROYER
"Anytime is fine!"

[Camera pans back a few feet and up slightly.]

RENK
"GO!!"

[A rumble is heard and the camera flies towards the far wall. Fade fast to white. A rumbling sound is heard.]

[Scene unfade to Fei at his bunk. People are running around in circles as the whole lair rumbles.]

FEI
What was that crash?

[Begin music: "The Steel Giant"]

[An alarm turns on, flashing red constantly, and a constant siren is heard, repeating over and over.]

INTERCOM
Gears have entered the Yggdrasil's dock!
5 Gebler special force Gears, and one single unidentified large Gear.
All pilots report to the Gear Hangar!

[Fei runs out and heads for the elevator to the Yggdrasil dock, and takes it down. Scene fade.]

[Scene opens on the elevator as Fei rides it to the docking point of the Yggdrasil. A crash is heard and a brighter flash as he is landing. Kids come into view running towards the Yggdrasil hatch where a crew operator is standing.]

OPERATOR
All noncombatants, go to the Yggdrasil!! Immediately!

KID 1
Wahhh, I'm scared!!

[The operator follows the kids. Fei walks slowly past the hatch and up to the outer steering wheel. The crashes are more frequent now.]

VOICE
Fei!!

[Fei turns to see Citan on the railing across from the Yggdrasil.]

CITAN
"Fei!! Quick! Get to Weltall now!!"

[Fei turns around. He is seemingly unaffected by the chaos.]

CITAN
Fei!?

[Citan tries again.]

CITAN
"Bart and the others are already fighting!
Aren't you going to do anything? Do you still think it has nothing to do with you?"

[Fei does not respond. Citan is speechless(!).]

CITAN
...

[Camera pans with Citan as he walks to the elevator and takes it down to the Gear Hangar. Camera pans back to Fei.]

[Fade music.]

FEI
"I..."

[Camera pans to the other side of Fei.]

FEI
"I... What am I?"

[Camera pans to the direct 90 degree side of Fei.]

FEI
"That old man... he called me... the slayer of god..."

[Camera pans in close to Fei. The alarm stops, but the flashing and sounds remain.]

FEI
"I don't want that kind of power..."

[Fei turns and holds out his hands, and looks at them.]

FEI
My... strength...
My... home...

[Fade to white.]

[Begin music: "The Steel Giant"]

[----Battle mode----]

[Scene open on Brigandier, with a Deurod next to him.]

BART
"How many Gears are there!?!
I think I took out most of the small fry, but...!"

[Camera pans over to reveal another Deurod on the other side of the first one.]

BART'S OFFICER
"There are at least four, maybe five of them left!
Their performance and technique is far greater than any of the ones we faced before!"

BART
"Dammit!!"

[Scene changes to a closeup of a purple Gear with chain-like protrusions which is an enemy Gear. Camera pull back quick to Brigandier and the first Deurod.]

BART'S OFFICER
"Young master!! They're approaching!!"

[Battle: Brigandier/2 Deurods vs. Swordknight]

[Bart makes a grunt as the SwordKnight jumps off.]

[----End battle mode----]

[The alarm starts again. Scene opens on Citan and Maison standing in front of a docked green Gear, Heimdal.]

CITAN
"Maison, does this Gear work?"

MAISON
"Pardon? Yes it works but..."

[Citan cuts him off.]

CITAN
Alright!

[Citan runs to the Gear and gets in the cockpit. Maison walks a step towards where Citan was.]

MAISON
"Out of the question! It is still under maintenance.
It is nowhere near operational..."

[Sigurd walks in.]

SIGURD
"It's alright, Maison."

[Maison turns around to see Sigurd.]

MAISON
"Master Sigurd! But, for a gent like the good doctor...?"

[Sigurd turns to the Gear.]

SIGURD
"It's fine. He'll be okay.
It may not even be enough for him."

MAISON
Master Sigurd...?

[Camera rotates around Heimdal to his front as he undocks.]

CITAN
"Well... It has been 5 years since I last fought...
I hope I can still remember..."

[----Battle mode----]

[Camera opens on Heimdal and rotates up to his side, midway up.]

CITAN
"Oh, a wild stallion, eh?
Well then, it is high time someone broke you in..."

[Camera switch to a bluish gear with shields on both its arms.]

BROYER
"Eeeaaarrrgh!!"

CITAN
"Reinforcements!?"

[Heimdal attacks the Gear with a punch and kick.]

BROYER
"H, hey, that hurts!!"

[Camera changes to behind Heimdal facing Broyer's Gear.]

CITAN
"Compared to the pain my friends are going through,
Yours is nothing...!!
I cannot allow people like you to persist in tormenting those who cannot fight back.
I will take you on in their place. Come on!"

[Camera switches to a side view of both Gears.]

BROYER
"?? What are you talking about!?"

[Battle: Heimdal vs. Aegisknight]

[The Gear jumps up after being defeated. Citan says "That's it...?"]

[----End battle mode----]

[The alarm sounds again. Camera open on a close shot of Heimdal's head.]

CITAN
"I know I am a little rusty...
There is a limit to what I can learn seeing as I started so late in life.
Even so, I hit that guy hard and he did not go down. They must be using 'that stuff'."

[Heimdal turns around. Camera rotates across it.]

CITAN
"Young one! They are using -Drive-!
They are battle enhancement drugs. Normal attacks will not hurt them!"

[Camera pans up to Brigandier facing an enemy Gear.]

BART
"Are you serious? So that's how they keep at it, huh?
Crap... This'll never end!"

[Camera pans back to reveal that Brigandier and Heimdal are surrounded by two Gears.]

CITAN
"Fei!!"

BART
"It's okay! We'll get by without him!"

[Battle: Heimdal/Brigandier vs. Wandknight x2]

[Scene change. The alarm sounds again. Scene opens on two kids on the gantry next to the Yggdrasil. There is an enemy Gear next to the gantry. The kid looks at it in alarm.]

KID 1
!!
Sis...!

[Camera pans up to the Gear's face.]

VANCE
"Where do you think you're going?"

[Camera pans up to behind the head of Vance's Gear looking down at the two children.]

KID 2
St, stop it...

VANCE
"How admirable... Now what kind of sound will you make when I do this?"

[Vance's Gear raises its hands.]

KIDS
Aaahhhhhhhhhh!!

[The motion is cut off, because Weltall jumps into Vance's Gear and whacks it away.]

VANCE
Wha!?

[Camera pans as Vance gets up to reveal Weltall in defensive stance between Vance's Gear's legs.]

FEI
"Why are you fighting?"

VANCE
"You, what are you doing!?"

[Camera moves in on Weltall and stops short several times as the aura around Weltall flashes.]

FEI
"What does fighting get you?"

[Weltall stays in defense mode.]

FEI
"What if this was your home!?"

[Battle: Weltall vs. Clawknight]

[The alarm starts again. Camera opens on Weltall at one end of the hangar and Brigandier and Heimdal at the other.]

CITAN
"Fei!!"

BART
"I knew you'd come round!!"

FEI
"We'll talk later! We've got big trouble coming down on us now!"

[Camera pans up to reveal a huge brown oval-shaped Gear as it spins down to the ground.]

[Battle: Weltall/Brigandier/Heimdal vs. Schpariel]

[Stop music. Scene fade.]

-----

[Begin music: "Leftovers of the Dreams of the Strong"]

[Scene opens on Weltall's dock. Camera pan up to reveal Sigurd looking at Weltall. Fei and Citan and Bart are next to him. Bart is looking the opposite direction of the group.]

BART
"... Th, th, thank..."

[Bart turns around.]

BART
"Thanks... Fei."

[Bart walks off and takes the lift up while the conversation continues. Fei watches him go.]

FEI
"Bart..."

SIGURD
"Thank you, Fei. Don't know how we could have done it without you."

[Fei looks down.]

FEI
"I... still don't know what I should do."

SIGURD
"Fei..."

[Fei raises his head.]

FEI
"What Bart's doing isn't for his own gain.
He walks the path he believes in, one step at a time...
... wishing only for the happiness of those around him. I, on the other hand..."

SIGURD
"..."

FEI
"I thought I didn't have a path that I could take laid out before me.
But like he said, that's just running away. I must find my own path. Right, doc?"

[Citan nods. Fei turns around to face Sigurd.]

FEI
"If Bart wishes, I'll cooperate with you guys. That's all I can do now.
But I think I'll find the path I should follow as I help others like you.
Moreover, I can't turn my back and ignore what such a terrible group of people are doing to others."

SIGURD
"Thanks Fei."

[Scene fade.]

[Scene opens in front of the Yggdrasil's hatch. Maison stands in front of it, flanked clockwise by Citan, Fei and Bart.]

MAISON
"We must infiltrate Aveh and rescue Margie now!
Gebler has discovered this base. So we should leave a small garrison and evacuate while we still can.
Fortunately, the Yggdrasil is undamaged, so we are able to embark immediately.
The crew's preparations are complete.
Whenever you are ready, Master Fei and good Doctor, please accompany the young master to the bridge."

[Maison heads for the hatch and stops, looking away.]

MAISON
"Doctor Uzuki, Master Fei, I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
I would truly appreciate it if you would be so kind as to stay with us and help us out on our rescue mission!"

[Bart jumps a couple times.]

BART
"Hey, alright, alright. Let me say goodbye to the women before we go."

[Maison enters the hatch. Fei, Citan and Bart take care of their business at the lair and then follow Maison down the hatch.]

[Begin music: "Leftovers of the Dreams of the Strong" - skip intro. Normal Yggdrasil music.]

[The trio go to the bridge and talk to Sigurd.]

SIGURD
"It's time to sneak into Aveh at last.
First of all, our party should inspect the town and work out a plan of action."

[Sigurd continues.]

SIGURD
"Currently anchored at our hideout..."
[Leave the hideout.]

 Chapter 08: Stalactite Cave

Chapter 10: Operation Aveh

(c) 2002 by StarcraftSquall. XenoGears: The Script is a compilation of a previously released video game and all original material contained within XenoGears: The Script is (c) 1998 by Squaresoft. XenoGears: The Script is licensed exclusively to Xenogears: God and Mind and may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the permission of and/or Xenogears: God and Mind.