Xenogears: The Complete Script

Part 13
Chapter 33: Burning Souls

Compiled by

[Begin music: "Emotions"]

[Scene opens on the World Map. The Yggdrasil travels back to the orphanage. Scene change. Stop music.]

-----

[Begin music: "The Sky, The Clouds, and You"]

[Billy and his cohorts head for his back room. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the back room. Billy goes to the bookshelf and opens it slightly.]

BILLY
"This is the room I remember..."

[Billy walks in and inspects a treasure chest.]

[Item sound]

[Received B&J M686 Gun.]

BILLY
"This is... father's... Reminds me... of... long ago..."

[Billy & Co. leave the orphanage. Scene change.]

-----

[Begin music: "Emotions"]

[Scene opens outside the orphanage. The group enters the Yggdrasil and takes off piloting to the 'Ethos' H.Q. Scene change. Stop music.]

[Scene opens in the practice hall of the 'Ethos' H.Q. Billy, Elly and Billy walk in the front door to discover a priest and two Etones lying on the floor, slaughtered!]

[Begin music: "Fuse"]

[Billy walks up a few steps slowly and shakes his head from side to side about four times.]

BILLY
"Th, this...! What, what happened here?"

[The Etone from behind the desk crawls up a couple inches.]

ETONE
B, Billy...

[Billy walks to the Etone. Camera pan to behind Billy on the side.]

BILLY
"Are you alright? What happened?"

[Elly and Bart walk to behind Billy.]

ETONE
I don't know...... Suddenly, I heard a gun shot......

BILLY
"Hey, hang in there! Hey!"

[Elly shakes her head.]

ELLY
"It's no use... He can't survive with those wounds."

BILLY
"Why... Why did this happen?
............... This is...?"

[Billy stands up.]

BILLY
"This is father's shell casing...
Dammit... Don't tell me he stormed into the 'Ethos' headquarters in desperation?"

[Bart nods.]

BART
"It's possible with him."

[Billy & Co. walk to the hallway area. Scene change.]

[A gunshot is heard as scene opens. Scene opens on the hallway. Camera behind the trio, on the side. An Etone is standing at the confession door. A strange miniature being is in front of him, and very lively.]

ETONE
Wagggh!

[The Etone slumps over to the floor in front of him. The trio separates with Billy behind the "Assassin."]

BILLY
"Don't move! Who are you?"

[The assassin turns around.]

ASSASSIN
There are still survivors?

[Battle: Billy/Elly/Bart vs. Assassin A x2/Assassin B x2]

[Scene opens on same setup, minus Assassin.]

BILLY
"Who... are these guys?
Why're they attacking the 'Ethos'?"

[Bart shakes his head.]

BART
"Watch out, Billy. These guys are professional assassins."

[Billy turns to Bart.]

BILLY
"What! Then, everyone..."

[Elly nods.]

ELLY
"Come on, Billy. There have to be survivors. Let's help them."

[Billy & Co. snoop around and find the cook in the kitchen. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the 'Ethos' kitchen. The cook is there.]

COOK
... wah, wah... Suddenly some men in black came and killed everyone.
I hurried and hid, so they didn't find me...

[The cook is hysterical.]

COOK
... wah, wah... Everyone was killed. They killed them all.

[Billy & Co. head for the library. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the library. A couple of Etones lay sprawled on the floor. Billy examines one.]

ETONE
Uggghh...

[Billy kneels.]

BILLY
"... No good. He has passed away."

[Billy & Co. head for the second floor passageway. Scene change.]

[Scene opens in the hallway past the flight of stairs to the second passageway. When the trio gets a few feet down the hall, an assassin drops in from above the far door. Camera pan to behind the trio, on the side.]

ASSASSIN
You're Etone!
All that awaits those with the 'Ethos' is death!!

[The assassin charges Billy.]

[Battle: Billy/Elly/Bart vs. Assassin A x2/Assassin B x2]

[Scene opens in same setup, minus assassin.]

BILLY
"What's going on?
Are these guys in black gonna kill all of us who are with the 'Ethos'?"

[Billy and his friends head across to the upper rooms of the headquarters. Scene change.]

[Scene opens in the hallway of the upper rooms. Two assassins are standing over two fallen 'Ethos' members. Billy and his friends approach. Camera pan 180 to in front of the assassins. Assassin 1 turns to Assassin 2.]

ASSASSIN 1
Heh, heh, heh. Here comes our prey.

[Assassin 1 turns to the trio.]

ASSASSIN 2
Heh, heh, heh. Kill it!!

[Assassin 1 charges.]

[Battle: Billy/Elly/Bart vs. Assassin B x3]

[Scene opens on same setup, minus Assassin 1.]

ASSASSIN 2
Heh, heh, heh. This could be fun!

[Assassin 2 jumps over the slumped body of an priest and charges the trio.]

[Battle: Billy/Elly/Bart vs. Assassin A x3]

[Billy and his friends enter the first door in the room. Scene change.]

[Scene opens in the first bedroom in the upper level. Camera pans to behind the side of the trio, revealing two dead Etones. Billy shakes his head.]

BILLY
"What's going on...
The Etone are in charge of the 'Ethos' military but they've been killed without signs of struggle."

[The group leaves to the main upper hall. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the main upper hall. Billy walks to a fallen priest, who can still speak.]

PRIEST
Billy, we got beat. They just attacked suddenly...

[Billy & Co. leave and continue searching and find the civilian shelter. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the civilian shelter. The civilians are still alive, but no 'Ethos' members are in sight. Billy walks around, inquiring.]

GIRL
What happened to the man from the 'Ethos'?
He hasn't been back since he left the room earlier.

OLD MAN
What's going on outside? Suddenly, men in black stormed in here.
Etones are fighting back for us now...

BOY
What's happening? I'm scared.

[Billy & Co. leave to pursue the matter further. They head for the vice Bishop's room on the first floor. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the vice Bishop's room. As they enter, camera pan to in front of Billy on the side as an assassin is at the opposite of the room and has just finished off the vice Bishop and his aide.]

ASSASSIN
Purge! Purge...!

[The assassin charges.]

[Battle: Billy/Elly/Bart vs. Assassin A x2/Assassin B x2]

[Billy & Co. head for the Pontiff's room and find a secret doorway in it, which they take. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the secret stairs behind the Pontiff's room. A Bishop is lying on the ground halfway down the stairwell. Billy goes to him and kneels.]

BILLY
"Bishop! Are you alright?"

BISHOP
O, oh... Billy... You're safe...
... The purge... has begun...
We sinners... have brought god's judgment on mankind...

BILLY
"God's judgment? What do you mean, Bishop?"

[The bishop lies still. Billy stands up.]

BILLY
"He's gone.
What was he trying to tell me? Purge, I wonder what he meant?"

[Billy and his friends follow the path downwards and find another secret staircase leading up. But Billy stops.]

BILLY
"Something's over there. It's impossible to get through here like this."

[The group continues on and finds a couple more stairs just like it, and one treasure trove. Returning to the basement, Billy discovers that the doors that were locked before now open and the trio walk through to the infirmary section of the basement. They go a step past the door. Camera pan over to in front of the infirmary to reveal the 'Ethos' pontiff surrounded by 3 assassins. Camera in front of pontiff, on the side.]

PONTIFF
"What is all this about!? Who are you all!?"

ASSASSIN 1
You're still pretending you don't know anything?

ASSASSIN 2
You may be the leader of the 'Ethos', but you don't know when you're beaten.

[Pontiff turns to Assassin 2 behind him.]

PONTIFF
"It's been exposed?"

ASSASSIN 3
Rebelling against us will cost you your life.

[The assassins converge on the pontiff and fire three times, two more times, then two more times.]

PONTIFF
"Ghaaaaaaa!!"

[The pontiff falls face down. Camera pan back to behind the side of the trio as they walk up to the action a few steps.]

BILLY
"The Pontiff!!"

[Billy charges towards the assassins and stops a few feet from them. They turn to see him.]

BILLY
"Damn you...!!"

[The assassins charge.]

[Battle: Billy/Elly/Bart vs. Assassin A x3]

[Billy and his friends head for the infirmary. Scene change.]

[Scene opens in the infirmary. The clergyman is there.]

CLERGYMAN
W, what's happening? Those men in black are killing the 'Ethos' people indiscriminately!

[Billy & Co. continue on past the next locked door that isn't anymore. They find a series of three doors and try the second one.]

[Scene opens on a cell structure. Billy and his friends open the door to find a strangely dressed man inside. He turns to them.]

MAN
...............

BILLY
"Are you alright!? Please answer me!"

MAN
I...... don't... know...... anything.........
I can't...... talk... anymore... than... this...

ELLY
"Hang in there now! Don't worry. We came here to help you!"

MAN
......? ............!

[The man tries to speak.]

MAN
She... vat...
Got... to... contact... Shev... vat...

BART
"'Shevat'!? Did he just say... 'Shevat'!?"

MAN
...

ELLY
"These wounds are horrific. He might not survive in this condition."

BART
"Let's call my crew on the Ygg to come and help him out."

[The man is silent.]

MAN
...

BILLY
"I contacted the Yggdrasil to come and help him.
So, he's taken care of. Let's hurry."

[The trio leave and try the next "cell." Scene change.]

[Scene opens in the third cell. They open the cell door to find Big Joe! Camera pan to behind Big Joe.]

BIG JOE
"Oh, my best buddy!"

[Big Joe walks up to Billy.]

BIG JOE
"You came all the way to save me, eh? Well done, well done.
Someday, you'll brag about saving me! Adios amigos!"

[Big Joe leaves. So does the group. They find an elevator that takes them deeper into the H.Q. After docking, they exit. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the second basement corridor. Billy and his friends travel to the end and examine the door.]

BILLY
"The door is locked!"

[The group goes back to a side door and enters. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on a control room, very bland-looking. The trio walks in. Billy walks a few steps in and shakes his head twice.]

BILLY
"Judging from our position, this room is right under the cathedral...
Which could mean that this is the 'Ethos' data bank?"

BART
"The 'Ethos' data bank?"

[Scene fade.]

[Scene opens on same room, on a balcony to the right of the group. Citan and Rico have come in together. Citan walks to the edge of the balcony.]

CITAN
"I am sure of it. This has to be the 'Ethos' data bank."

[Billy turns to Citan and nods.]

BILLY
"This data bank holds all the information concerning the 'Ethos'.
From the past to the present... everything! This facility is strictly off limits to us.
Only the Bishop class can ever enter this area."

[Bart shakes his head slowly.]

BART
"Yeah, but even then... this place is damn well equipped. Look at it!"

CITAN
"I say... a facility of this magnitude would even be hard to find in Solaris.
Why would the 'Ethos' have such a set up?"

[Elly turns towards Citan, then shakes her head fast.]

ELLY
"... Wait a minute! ... This is Solaris' equipment!"

[Bart turns to Elly.]

BART
"So, Solaris!?"

[Elly turns to Bart.]

ELLY
"Don't be so surprised!
No matter how vast this world is, such advanced equipment as this could only come from Solaris."

RICO
"The 'Ethos' has been assaulted by someone...
And in the basement... we find a Solarian facility..."

[Citan taps his foot, thinks, then looks up again.]

CITAN
"Hmm... the plot thickens..."

[Bart turns to Billy.]

BART
"What's going on here? What is this place?
Hey, Billy! You know anything about this!?"

[Billy turns to Bart and shakes his head several times slowly.]

BILLY
"Don't ask me... How would I know... This is my first time in here...!"

RICO
"Then let's investigate...!?"

[Scene fade/switch.]

[Scene opens on a display panel at the side of the room. Camera in front of Elly. Billy stands behind her. Rico and Bart stand behind Citan on the left side, who's working with another display.]

BART
"Citan, what is that being displayed there?"

CITAN
"It looks like some transmission record from somewhere...
We might be able to find some clues here. Wait one moment..."

[A pause.]

CITAN
"Alright... Now I am able to transmit it to the main displays.

[3 transmissions begin to appear on the screen at once at different speeds.]

TRANSMISSION 1
IGNAS CONFLICT STATUS 37th arms supplement - upgrading Aveh's Gears from level D2 to D3.
Maintain Kislev Gears at level D2. Current balance = 4 : 6 ... REPORT BY BISHOP SHAKHAN
OF THE IGNAS DIOCESE: Due to the intervention of an uncertain factor, correction is
needed. Progress of the operation has declined by 30%...

TRANSMISSION 2
Report No. 50224 from Nortune's D

TRANSMISSON 3
Transferring all Battler data. Also transferring to Solaris all data concerning the A Class
Battler's health conditions and estimated adaption rates for Type Y demihuman deployment...

BART
"What the heck is this!? Why's the 'Ethos' looking into this kinda stuff?
On top of that, that Shakhan's a bishop!? Wasn't he excommunicated from the 'Ethos' 17 years ago!?"

RICO
"That can't be the case if he's been sending in regular reports."

[Elly gets everyone's attention.]

ELLY
"Look, here!
The destinations of all resources collected by the 'Ethos' through trade with each area...
All the resources are being sent on to the Solaris homeland."

[Billy shakes his head slowly.]

BILLY
"B, but, why would the 'Ethos' be sending supplies to Solaris!?"

ELLY
"I don't know..."

[Elly walks over to the display screen.]

ELLY
"This is in the Solarian language, but it's been encoded.
Hold on...... Ummm...... What is this......? ..............."

[Bart turns to Elly.]

BART
"C'mon, hurry up!"

[Elly waves an arm at Bart.]

ELLY
"Hold on! It's hard to translate this stuff!
Ummm...... 'Lambs'... great war... collapse... re-education...
... postwar rehab plan...... based on...... schedule for building 'Gate' foundations...
'Lambs'... 02-04 to Ignas... 05-08 to Aquvy... 11-16 to be uniformly distributed...
Put into practice...... 'Ethos' established as an organization...
... Supervision by elders... conference... supervision by the Gazel!?
The 'Ethos' is...!?"

BART
"Huh?"

RICO
"It's all a front!
The 'Ethos' is really a subsidiary organization of Solaris."

[Billy and Bart turn to Rico.]

BART
"So... what does this all mean?"

[Bart and Billy turn back to Elly.]

ELLY
"In short, it's like this...
500 years ago, there was a great war that occurred between Solaris and the land dwellers.
It's not clear what the outcome was, but after the war, Solaris feared another land dweller revolt...
So Solaris built a 'Gate', or barrier, that separates Solaris' land from the rest of the world's land.
The land dwellers who lived within this Gate were made to dwell as separate races and were thus supervised.
To carry out the actual supervision, Solaris established the 'Ethos'.
So the 'Ethos' is actually controlled by the 'Gazel Ministry', or Solaris' highest governmental body.
So, yes, the 'Ethos' is really a 'front', or a subsidiary organization, working for Solaris!
Excavation findings, goods and natural resources from the surface are transported to Solaris by the 'Ethos'.
This also includes 'human resources', or people used for manual labor and so on.
Basically, this here is the window between the planet's surface and Solaris up there in the skies above.
According to these records, there's been an enormous amount of goods and people transferred to Solaris!"

RICO
"So, the 'Ethos' has been manipulating us, heh. Anything else?"

[Elly turns to Rico.]

ELLY
"The rest is mainly about population distribution and excavation records.
The amount of detailed information about races and their biological data kind of concerns me though..."

CITAN
"Here is a relatively recent record...
It also indicates that there has been a large amount of people sent to Solaris...
The majority of them were people who had come to the 'Ethos' seeking help or spiritual salvation."

[Billy turns to Citan and shakes his head once, then shakes it again.]

BILLY
"This can't be! I've heard nothing of the sort!"

[Bart turns to Rico.]

RICO
"So what happened to all those people you've seen coming here for help?"

[Billy turns to Rico.]

BILLY
"They became Etones... like me..."

BART
"Surely not all of them? What happened to the ones that didn't become Etones?"

BILLY
"Well... arrh...?"

[Bart nods.]

BART
"It's all becoming clear then, eh... How about it, Elly?"

[Bart turns to Elly. Elly nods.]

ELLY
"There are facilities in Solaris for accommodating surface dwellers... I know!
The 3rd class citizen level - Earth dwellers of various races are regularly sent there as manual labor."

RICO
"So this is the source of their labor supply."

BILLY
"But that's impossible...! How could that be..."

[Scene cut to in front of Billy at a distance.]

BILLY
"Even if that was the case, who would kill all those 'Ethos' people, and why!?"

CITAN
"This could be your answer..."

[Billy turns to Citan.]

BILLY
"What?"

[Rico turns to Citan.]

CITAN
"The 44th salvage plan."

[Bart turns to Citan.]

BART
"The 44th salvage plan?
Isn't that what the captain of the Thames was talking about?"

CITAN
"This is the only plan that is not linked to Solaris...
It must have been initiated by the 'Ethos' itself, as a completely independent project.
It was commenced about... 19 years ago. Allow me to display the data..."

TRANSMISSION
... Completed investigation of the Zeboim city which sank to the bottom of the sea approximately
4000 years ago... After over 100 test digs, the city center has been ascertained...
Excavation planned to begin...

CITAN
"So, from this, it appears that under Aquvy lies an ultra-ancient civilization.
They have been doing a huge number of test-digs and obtained a vast quantity of resources from the ruins.
Biological weapons... reactive weapons... Hmm... I see, so this must be their intention...
My assessment of the circumstances is that the 'Ethos' is attempting to break away from Solaris...
And once free from its master, it is likely it will attempt world domination on its own."

RICO
"Attempt a breakaway... and attempt world domination... That's an incredible plan."

CITAN
"Yes, but the real intentions of the 'Ethos' are quite obvious...
The fact that they are not reporting the results, let alone the site's very existence, gives it away...
The 'Ethos' is planning to revolt by monopolizing this ultra-advanced civilization's resources!
Actually, such rebellions have been quite common..."

ELLY
"So, do you think Solaris is responsible for this attack on the 'Ethos'?"

[Citan gets out of his seat and walks back a few steps, turning towards camera.]

CITAN
"Yes, that is probably it. Shall we move along? There could be more to find yet!"

BILLY
"The 'Ethos'... My 'Ethos'... My faith..."

[Bart turns to Billy.]

BART
"Hey, Billy!
How long you plannin' on being like that? Get a hold of yourself!"

[Citan and Rico turn to Billy.]

CITAN
"This is all just speculation based on circumstantial evidence.
It would be best for you to confirm what is the truth with your own eyes."

ELLY
"We're going to go on further...
Citan and Rico, could you please accompany the person from 'Shevat' to the Yggdrasil?"

[Scene fade.]

[Scene reopens with Citan and Rico gone. Billy, Elly and Bart go out the door. Scene change.]

[Scene opens in the hallway outside the data bank. Camera behind Elly on the side. Billy turns to the others and shakes his head very slowly twice.]

BILLY
"...... I...... still can't believe it.
The 'Ethos' was that dubious an organization... What was it that I believed in... all this time?"

VOICE
Isn't that the very reason why I told you back then... that you belong with us...?

[Camera pan to behind Billy on the side to reveal Verlaine and another Etone walk to the corner from the elevator entrance, facing the group. The trio turns to see them.]

BILLY
"V... Verlaine!?"

VERLAINE
"You're defiled, Billy.
You left the 'Ethos' and kept company with dregs who have no faith at all. And you lost sight of what it means to be defiled.
I didn't expect it out of you... You who used to live only for your faith. You should have remained like us.
But fear not, Billy. I shall cleanse you. You'll live within me. You will become one with me in death..."

[Two strange-sounding shots are heard. The Etone behind Verlaine falls to the floor. Verlaine turns around.]

VERLAINE
"What!?"

[Jessie walks in from the corridor. Verlaine backs up towards Billy's group.]

VERLAINE
"Y, you ......"

BILLY
"Father! How could you do that!?"

[Jessie turns to the side, laughs softly and then turns to Billy.]

JESSIE
"What are you getting flustered about, boy?
It was a stun bullet. He's just taking a nap. You should've been able to tell by the sound it made!
Besides, these murderers are not from the 'Ethos'!"

[Jessie walks up in front of the unconscious Etone.]

JESSIE
"Look!"

[Camera pan to in front of Jessie quickly.]

BILLY
"That symbol...!"

[Jessie folds his arms, nods, and then drops them.]

JESSIE
"Yes, that's right. They're agents of Solaris!
Probably an assassination unit under Stone's command!
I got word that they were exterminating all 'Ethos' members, and hurried here. But I was too late...
All 'Ethos' affiliates have already been killed, except for those on some sort of salvage mission."

[Billy turns to the side slightly.]

BILLY
"You claim Verlaine and his men are an assassination unit for the Bishop!?
How could you even say such blasphemy!?"

[Billy turns back. Camera pan to in front of Billy behind Jessie.]

VERLAINE
"That's right... We are servants of the Bishop.
Our mission is to hand out judgment on fallen priests and sinners in order to make them repent."

[Billy backs up a step.]

BILLY
"Is that true, Verlaine? But why people from the 'Ethos'?"

[Verlaine and Jessie turn to Billy.]

VERLAINE
"The pontiff and his brethren deserve to die!
They allowed greed to tempt them into abandoning their 'duties as the 'Ethos' ' to pursue world domination.
They passed their own death sentences when they allowed such desires to overtake them.
And that's not all.
Saving orphans and refugees... that may seem like works of mercy.
But the little boys and girls kept here were actually used as a means to satisfy the desires of the pontiff and bishops.
Indulging in selfish desires... This is not 'conduct befitting priests'!
Such defiled leaven have no right to speak for god. That is why we set out on this purification work.
They must atone for their sins. These are the Bishop's orders!"

[Billy shakes his head slowly.]

BILLY
"Even if that were true, we have no right to punish others!
Judgment belongs to god. That is what we were taught, wasn't it!?"

VERLAINE
"God? Where does such a being exist?
You should know by now how the 'Ethos' came about...
It was an organization created by Solaris aeons ago solely for the purpose of managing ignorant humans.
Its doctrines are just deceptions designed to control the masses.
The 'Ethos' used the two sweet fruits of 'faith' and 'technology' well to skillfully manipulate global affairs and people's zeal.
Thus, they manipulated the ignorant masses to repeatedly continue their pointless wars.
Eventually, battle data on 'man' and 'weapons' gleaned from these wars, were sent to Solaris itself...
And analyzed to aid in ruling the entire Earth.
These intentionally perpetuated wars caused much psychological discord.
But faith in 'god'... salvation... was used as a cushion to soften the blow.
It was a well thought-out system. But the choice of managers was extremely poor.
Or did you think that acting the part of a faithful servant of god would someday yield an answer from a great god somewhere?
Can't you see that such a divine being just 'never existed from the beginning'?
And you don't seem to realize this, but you yourself were 'passing judgment on sinners' as much as we were!"

BILLY
"I... I have been passing judgment?"

VERLAINE
"That's right. Daily you have been dirtying your hands as an accomplice..."

VOICE
Are you trying to take away my ultimate pleasure, Verlaine?

[A shot is heard.]

VERLAINE
"Gah-ha!!"

[Verlaine falls. Scene cut immediately to Billy's side. He walks and kneels in front of Verlaine. Bishop Stone and two bluish guards not unlike the ones that went to Kislev (see Chapter 17) are standing in the far doorway behind Elly that was previously locked.]

BILLY
"Verlaine! Hang in there!"

VERLAINE
"Bi... lly......"

[Another shot.]

VERLAINE
"Ugh!"

[Elly turns around and moves to the side a bit.]

BILLY
"Verlaine! Verlaine!"

[Bart turns around to see Stone and his cohorts.]

STONE
"A good-for-nothing chatterbox such as you has no right to live."

[Billy gets up and turns to Stone.]

BILLY
"Bishop! Why Verlaine!? What in heavens are you trying to accomplish!?"

[Scene cut to behind Stone.]

STONE
"I am the inquisitor sent to Earth from Solaris."

BART
"The inquisitor?"

STONE
"The status of bishop is merely a convenience for my activities on Earth.
The 'Ethos' was created as a Solaris sub-organization and given the task of managing earth-dwellers.
But over the years the 'Ethos' started to set up convenient doctrines for itself...
It then went on to gather the ignorant masses, and created a god for them to believe in.
Then, the 'Ethos' even went so far as to plot a separation from its creator, Solaris.
So Solaris had no choice but to eliminate all those who defy our rule and raise the flag of rebellion.
The ones prepared as 'eliminators' were... the Etone.
Etones, 'the Atoners', the organization I established within the 'Ethos', had two purposes...
On the surface their aim was to eliminate the 'Reapers' or -Wels- that run rampant on the earth.
But, that's not their only purpose. Behind the scenes, we also had selected men like Verlaine...
These were responsible for observing and eliminating any corrupt people who appeared in the 'Ethos'.
You didn't have the chance to learn of this, since you left the 'Ethos' so early.
... Or actually, I just never told you. There was 'another role' I wanted you to perform!"

BILLY
"Another... role!?"

STONE
"Billy. There are certain things in this world that you're happier not knowing.
Even lies and deceptions can become the truth for some people of the earth.
... Particularly those not knowing the true nature of things, or how these systems of things works.
In fact, the -god- and -faith- systems set up by the 'Ethos' were the truth itself, were they not?"

BILLY
"Tell me! What other 'role' were you talking about?
What did Verlaine mean when he spoke of 'judgment'!?"

STONE
"So you want to know? But can you bear the full weight of the truth?
Billy, if you can bear that weight, then I'm willing to tell you."

BILLY
"..."

STONE
"You believed that you were saving wandering souls, didn't you...?
That's why you carried out your cleansing of the 'Reapers' -Wels- from the earth, right?
In fact it was all just another control system put in place by Solaris.
But what's more, your 'saving' work... that very activity you believed in so much, was in reality..."

[Jessie walks in behind Billy.]

JESSIE
"You're talking too much nonsense!"

[Billy turns to Jessie and moves a step to the side.]

BILLY
"Father!"

[Jessie walks past Billy to face Stone.]

JESSIE
"You haven't changed at all since then... have you, Stein!?"

[Billy turns to Jessie.]

BILLY
"Stein?"

STONE
"That's a name I haven't been called for a long time...
Hearing that name vividly brings back a pleasant twinge of pain to the 'scars on this body'.
You know what I mean, Jesiah?"

JESSIE
"Heh, your brain still isn't working right.
Answer me! Why do you have such 'a roundabout way of doing things'!?"

STONE
"That's not worth wasting my breath answering...
Just consider it 'my reward in life'...
Of course, that includes watching your agonizing death.
I could succumb to the desire to slice up your body here and now, and drag out your innards...
But I can't do that now, I have a matter to attend to elsewhere.
That 'duty' comes before any pleasure I could have with you here. I haven't the time to waste anymore!"

[Jessie pulls out his shotgun and trains it on Stone.]

JESSIE
"I won't let you go that easily, Stein!!"

STONE
"I can't be bothered by insignificant wretches like you."

[The two guards step forward as Stone steps behind them.]

STONE
"Until next time! And, as a parting gift, I'll have these men entertain you!"

[Billy walks up a step.]

BILLY
"Bishop Stone!"

STONE
"Well then, excuse me.
Oh and Billy! If you have something you wish to discuss, come see me later. I'll be waiting for you."

[Battle: Billy/Elly/Bart vs. Assassin A x3]

[Scene opens on same setup, minus Stone and the guards, and Jessie's gun has been sheathed.]

JESSIE
"Stein, you aren't goin' anywhere!!"

[Jessie walks into the door Stone was standing in front of. The others follow. Scene change.]

[Scene opens in a control panel room. Jessie is standing on the top level as the others enter. Camera in front of Jessie, on the side.]

JESSIE
"Just missed him. Looks like Stein's..."

[Jessie pulls out his gun and points.]

JESSIE
"There."

[Camera pan to behind Billy, Elly and Bart. Camera pan out over a crate-filled area. Scene change.]

[Scene change to exact same area as a huge white robotic Gear with one "eye" lifts out from under the floor pit, close to camera. Scene change.]

[Scene opens in the control room. Camera behind Elly on the side.]

ELLY
"That Gear is huge!"

JESSIE
"The Solaris mobile Gear, Alkanshel."

BART
"A mobile Gear!? What the heck is that?"

JESSIE
"It may be big but it's slow to maneuver, so we'll be alright in our Gears.
But its firepower is phenomenal. Against a bigger target, like a ship, BLAM! It'd be all over."

ELLY
"Wait a minute! That means..."

BART
"The captain and crew are in danger! They don't know anything about this!"

[Billy nods.]

BILLY
"I think the Yggdrasil can catch up with the Gear.
Let's hurry and go help the Thames' fleet."

[Scene fade. Stop music.]

-----

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

[Scene opens on the Yggdrasil bridge in front of the wheel, a few feet back. Sigurd, Billy, Elly and Bart are on the bridge.]

NAVIGATOR
I've picked up the 'Ethos' fleet and the Thames on the radar, sir. They're on the sea south of here. If we travel at full speed we can reach them in an hour.

SIGURD
"Alright! Set sail for Thames!"

NAVIGATOR
Aye, aye, sir!

OPERATOR
First mate! The radar sir...!

SIGURD
"What is it!?"

OPERATOR
The radar just detected an enormous object! It appeared straight above the fleet!

BART
"Don't tell me Stone's there already!?"

OPERATOR
No, it is much bigger than that! I estimate it's at least 2000 sharls!

BILLY
"That's gigantic... What in the heavens is happening...?"

[Stop music.]

[Begin music: "Ominous"]

[Scene fade.]

[Scene opens on the Thames' fleet at sea a distance away. The Thames is flanked by 'Ethos' ships. Camera pan around Thames from right to left and gain altitude as camera aligns with the front of the ship. The 'Ethos' ships are sailing around the front of the Thames. Camera continue to rotate around Thames, panning back in and lowering. Camera rotate to the back as it heightens and then drops to the Thames' deck. Many brilliant light beams suddenly hit the 'Ethos' ships. Explosions are heard. Fade to white. Pause several seconds. Fade back in to a rumble sound to reveal that there is only one 'Ethos' ship left in view and the Thames is now on fire. Camera pan to the side of the Thames' front hull, looking up to reveal the fishbowl-like ship from Kislev (see Chapter 17) hovering above and behind the fleet. It moves towards the Thames. Scene cut to closer view of the strange ship as it rotates while flying. Pan in close and rotate around to above the flat top, revealing the Thames directly underneath it. Pan back and away. Scene fade.]

-----

[Scene opens in pitch blackness. Orbs are rotating past a screen showing a still of the flying ship and the Thames. Pan back under the large orb to the other side, revealing the orb setup from before.]

ORB FACES
All that was needed was to fulfill the duty. Now, I sense a thought of greed.

A selfish creed... I question his... faith.

We have no need for an organization of fanatics.

We will seek what they will... it's their nature.

But, too much is undue, something must be done. A reprimand is necessary.

They are an expendable group. There is nothing we can do at this point.

Yes, there is nothing more to gain from their continued existence.

They've already done what we required.
Currently, we're in the process of 'dealing' with each area responsible.

Stein is in charge of dealing with Aquvy.

Bear in mind the need for a 'fitting solution'.

Didn't we just take care of that?

Moreover, Krelian is...
rather exhorbitant. It's only a molecular machine. Why is he placing so much importance on it?

'Humans', and 'machines', it's all the same to us.

Yes, they are all the same...

[Camera pan back in towards the still on the screen. Scene fade.]

-----

[Scene opens in the sky. The fishbowl ship is on the right side of the screen, just barely. Pan to the right towards the top of the ship. Scene fade.]

[Scene opens on the main control deck of the fishbowl ship. A Gebler soldier is working at the far end. A large test tube obscures the bridge.]

SOLDIER 1
Main gun, 20 until the energy is recharged.
Engineering, ready for a full demonstration. Main ship, military units are at stand by.

[Camera pan slowly to the left to reveal three soldiers, two Gebler officers, and a gray-haired man standing on the bridge in orange robes.]

SOLDIER 2
Clean up is at 80%. Currently, our heading is clear.

[The Gebler officer closest to the screen turns to the man on the bridge.]

OFFICER 1
Krelian, there are several ships that have not been vaporized. What should we do?

[Scene cut to in front of the bridge close to Krelian.]

KRELIAN
"Lambs 03, 05 and 11 are damaged, just retrieve the non-damaged ones.
Eliminate the rest of the trash.
Use the test subjects, Wels, for retrieval and elimination."

SOLDIER 2
We've confirmed the marker location of Stein.
Of the 130 research and excavation sites, it's in the southernmost peak.

SOLDIER 3
Shocktroops are entering Zeboim now.

[Scene cut to Krelian's side. He throws his head back and laughs, looking skyward with his eyes closed.]

KRELIAN
"I see...
The thing they've searched for over 500 years... This should be interesting."

[Krelian puts his head back in the normal position.]

OFFICER 1
Releasing the Wels.

[Scene fade.]

[Begin music: "Fuse"]

[Scene opens white. Fade in on the Thames' bridge in front of the windows. Camera behind the side of the window where the captain is standing. Camera pan to in front of the captain and Hans, who's at his normal spot.]

CAPTAIN
"What's that!? Did you see that huge fishbowl thing?"

HANS
"What are you asking me for...?"

[The captain turns to Hans.]

CAPTAIN
"Weren't the other salvager fleets almost blown away by one shot?
Is this the way the 'Ethos' greets us?"

[Hans turns to the captain.]

HANS
"I seriously doubt that!
Why do they have to attack us? We only came to help with excavations..."

[Scene cut to inside the bridge above the captain on the opposite side. The birdman lookout turns and jumps up several times.]

LOOKOUT
C, captain, Wels Reapers! Reapers are coming out of that fishbowl thing in the dozens!

[The captain turns to the lookout.]

CAPTAIN
"What!?"

[Hans turns to the window.]

HANS
"Why...? This can't be happening..."

[The captain turns to the window. Pan in closer to Hans' deck. The captain takes a step towards the window.]

CAPTAIN
"...... Launch the Gears! Load the big gun!"

[Hans turns to the captain.]

HANS
"Captain!?"

[The captain turns to one side, and thrusts out his rod, then turns to the other and thrusts it with the other hand. Then he turns back to the window and sheathes the rod.]

CAPTAIN
"Alright, y'all!
We're going to assist and rescue any of the survivors from the other ships...
... if at all possible while trying to retreat!
And shoot down those Wels with our two guns! Don't let those filthy Wels get near our Thames!"

[The captain turns to Hans.]

CAPTAIN
"Hans! Look alive!
Take the helm! We'll show that fishbowl thing how real men of the sea retreat!"

HANS
"Y, yessir!"

[Hans walks to the wheel. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the starboard side of the Thames. A salvage Gear dives off the side. Camera begin to pan down the side as another Gear dives in the water. Camera begin to turn towards the ship. A third Gear shows up on the edge. Camera rotate to face the opposite direction looking up at the sky as glowing Wels descend very slowly towars the Thames. Two shots are fired in rapid succession from a gun on the Thames' deck towards the Wels. Another blast follows. Scene change.]

[Scene opens on the armor ground. Bedlam has ensued, people are running in circles everywhere. Camera pan back to reveal a salvage Gear entering from the left, a Giant Wels on the right, at the edge of the armor ground. The Giant Wels knocks the salvage Gear over with one swipe. Scene fade.]

[Scene opens on the Yggdrasil bridge, a few feet in front of the wheel.]

OPERATOR
I've detected a rescue signal! It seems the Thames is being attacked by a pack of Reapers!

BART
"So this is the purging by Solaris that Stone was talking about!?"

[The door opens. The others on the bridge turn to look. Citan runs in.]

CITAN
"Let us make haste! Otherwise the Thames will be destroyed by Reapers!"

[Scene fade.]

[Set party: Citan/Bart/Billy]

[Scene opens on the bridge again. Citan goes to Sigurd.]

SIGURD
"Let's hurry to the Thames!!"

[Sigurd gets busy.]

SIGURD
"Shall we launch the Yggdrasil?"
[Go ahead!]

[Scene fade. Stop music.]

 Chapter 32: Reaper's Ship

Chapter 34: Ocean Floor

(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.