SCENE 1. INT. CANTINA. SRAN—NIGHT.A cantina on a blasted rock of a planet in the area of galaxy known as the Ash Worlds. The place is empty, save for the serving droid and a hulking figure, who is sitting at the bar. We can hear the hiss and wheeze of the ventilator strapped to his massive body, and when he speaks, his voice has a slight electronic distortion from the mask he wears.
Some kind of cantina-type music plays in the background, tinny as if through slightly broken speakers. Cutting back to this will be a good indicator that we’ve switched scenes or times.
FX: Doors slide open. Wind rushes in from outside, bringing dirt and grit with it. There’s a storm outside. Footsteps as an Er’Kit stumbles in—Andrik. The door shuts with a hiss.ANDRIK:
Woo-ee! That’s quite a storm you have blowing up out there. Dust gets everywhere, eh?
SERVING DROID:
Welcome to Sran, buddy. They don’t call them the Ash Worlds for nothing. What can I get you?
ANDRIK:
Got any Tovash?
SERVING DROID:
No.
ANDRIK:
Juma juice?
SERVING DROID:
No.
ANDRIK:
What
have you got?
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Nothing good.
ANDRIK:
I hear you, pal.
SERVING DROID:
Enough of that talk, or I’ll cut you off.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Promises. Promises.
SERVING DROID:
How about a glass of utoz or vematoid.
ANDRIK:
Which is better?
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Neither.
ANDRIK:
I’ll go for the vematoid. Neat.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You’ll regret it.
ANDRIK:
I’ll take my chances.
FX: A drink is poured and placed in front of Andrik, clunking on the bar.SERVING DROID:
Enjoy.
ANDRIK:
Thanks.
FX: Scrape as Andrik picks up the glass and takes a drink.ANDRIK: (CONT)
(RECOILS) Ugh! What in void’s name?
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Told ya.
ANDRIK:
(COUGHING) It’s disgusting. Pure gutrot.
SERVING DROID:
Another?
ANDRIK:
You bet.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
(LAUGHS) I like you.
ANDRIK:
Good to know. And a . . . a welcome change. The name’s Andrik.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You’re an Er’Kit.
ANDRIK:
Yeah.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Don’t see many of you around here.
ANDRIK:
I can believe it.
SERVING DROID:
Here you go.
FX: Another glass is slammed down in front of Andrik.ANDRIK:
Thanks.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You running from trouble?
ANDRIK:
No.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Then you must be looking to cause it. Those are the only reasons anyone comes to Sran.
ANDRIK:
What about you?
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
I’m still working that out.
FX: Andrik’s stool scrapes as he looks around at the empty bar.ANDRIK:
Pretty dead in here. Pity.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
If you’re looking to party, you’ve come to the wrong place, friend.
ANDRIK:
I’m not looking for a party, but you might be able to help me.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
How so?
ANDRIK:
(LEANS IN, CONSPIRATORIALLY) I’m looking for . . . muscle.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
(LAUGHS) Are you now?
ANDRIK:
Mercs. Bounty hunters, even.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Must be desperate. You got credits?
ANDRIK:
Sure.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Don’t look like you got credits.
ANDRIK:
Appearances can be deceptive.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You’re telling me.
ANDRIK:
Okay, okay. I admit it. I’m not exactly . . . flush right now.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
(NOT SURPRISED) Is that right?
ANDRIK:
But there’s this job . . . a good job . . .
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
With riches beyond my wildest dreams, I’ll be bound.
ANDRIK:
Not just riches.
Power. Real power.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
You don’t say.
ANDRIK:
So what d’ya think?
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
I’m not interested.
ANDRIK:
Oh. I didn’t mean you. I mean . . . you’re a big guy, but no offense or anything, you . . . you don’t sound like you’re in the best shape.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
There’s a reason for that.
ANDRIK:
I bet. All I need is pointing in the right direction.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
To the muscle.
ANDRIK:
It’ll be worth their while.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
What’ve you got in mind? A hit job? Protection?
ANDRIK:
A rescue. Well, more of a breakout, I guess. It’s not gonna be easy.
HULKING FIGURE: (MASKED)
Things never are. And who
exactly are you breaking out?
ANDRIK:
(BEAT, AND THEN LOWERS VOICE AS IF THERE WERE SOMEONE ELSE IN THE BAR WHO COULD HEAR)
Have you ever heard of a woman called Lourna Dee?
Copyright © 2022 by Ballantine. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
