Lexx 2.01 Mantrid (written by Paul Donovan)
(The last insect drifts through space, towards a small
planet)
HDS: Many thousands of years ago, we were defeated by humans
in the great Insect Wars. Our human enemies thought they destroyed all insects,
but I escaped to live on. I hid myself by burrowing deep into a small planetoid,
and there I waited
(A ship reaches the planet - on board, the
captain, navigator, and Rockhound)
CAP: Nothing but silicon NAV:
Another complete waste of time CAP: They're all a complete waste of time as
far as I'm concerned, but they does the paying, so we does the drilling ROCK:
I wish something interesting would happen, just this once. Just something a
little bit out of the ordinary
(The ship moves in to land on the
planet. A space suited Rcokhound climbs down some sort of mine
shaft)
ROCK: OK, Rockhound, on the way down
(At the
bottom, he examines some rocks)
ROCK: I think I might have found
myself something interesting here. Not typically geological. Could be a sign of
life CAP: What do you mean, a sign of life? ROCK: I don't know, but I'm
curious to find out more CAP: Return home now, and we'll use the finger
probe NAV: Rockhound, we sometimes follow the rules, remember? Come home and
we'll go remote ROCK: Sorry, it's been too long since my brain was put to
use. I'm getting - I'm getting a very weird feeling
(At the base of
the shaft, there is a blue light. Tendrils and sparks start reaching for
Rockhound)
ROCK: There's too much electrical action, I'm outta
here
(He starts to climb back up the shaft, but electric sparks knock
him unconscious to the ground)
CAP: Hey, Rockhound, we're getting
some interference. Are you all right? Rockhound, we do not hear you
HDS:
I passed my essence, my soul, my intelligence, my everything into a human
host
(A mist goes through Rockhound's helmet, and up his nose. His
eyes open - they are black)
NAV: Rockhound, please talk to
us ROCK: Sorry. I was asleep, but I'm heading for the top now. All the way.
Here I go
(He starts back up the ladder)
HDS: As the last
surviving insect, I knew that I would never be able to defeat the humans, but if
I possessed a human body, I thought perhaps I could use humans to defeat
themselves. I became His Divine Shadow, the most powerful ruler in the two
universes. My power over humanity grew as I passed my essence down through
generation after generation of human hosts. My insect body also grew in
strength, fed by human flesh gathered from 20,000 unsuspecting planets, all
unknowingly enslaved to their enemy But my order was destroyed by Kai, the
last of the Brunnen G. My prematurely reborn body was killed by the Lexx, the
most powerful weapon of destruction ever built. Kai crushed the brain of my last
human host, but he did not kill me, as I still live on. But he does not know
that I live - through him
(The Lexx is floating through space. In the
cryochamber, Kai's pod opens)
(Stan is on the bridge)
STAN:
I've been thinking. Lexx - there are all kinds of planets. There are planets
with nice scenery, planets with happy law-abiding citizens, and planets with
good rulers, and planets with intellectuals, and planets with women who are -
you know - open-minded. That's the kind of planet I want you to help me find.
Understand? LESS: No, Stan - I do not understand STAN: OK, OK, how about,
er, women who are - available, does that mean anything to you? LEXX: No, it
does not STAN: OK, how about, er, frisky, loose, low moral standards, and
-
(Kai walks onto the bridge, ignores Stan, and walks off down the
other passageway. Stan rushes to Zev's bedchamber and wakes her
up)
790: Oh disgust! Oh horror! It touches my beloved! STAN: Zev,
it's Kai, he's up on his own
(Kai walks into the
bedchamber)
ZEV: Kai. You've reanimated yourself KAI: Yes. I am
experiencing an unfamiliar sense of motivation ZEV: That is a sign of life.
You are not alive, are you? KAI: No. I am still dead. I am motivated to find
more protoblood STAN: I thought the stuff we brought back from the Cluster
was supposed to last you for ages KAI: The protoblood we have now will last
me for a few days at best STAN: Then why are you walking around wasting
it? KAI: I must be animated to find a new supply. Protoblood came from the
GigaShadow. It may be possible to extract some from its offspring, if we can
locate one STAN: What offspring? KAI: One of the Insect larvae on the
underside of the GigaShadow may have come loose when you destroyed the
Cluster STAN: But that was back in the Light Universe, this is the Dark Zone,
and we can't go back because the fractal core was destroyed, so how could we go,
even if we wanted to? 790: Don't look at me, dead man in black. I also feel
no motivation, except to jam circuits with creamy love pudding number
one ZEV: Direct question, number 790 - do you know any way we can get back
into the Light Zone?
(790 seems reluctant, so Zev raps her knuckles
on his casing)
ZEV: Answer! 790: The fractal core was simply a
point where the three physical dimensions of both universes intersect. It does
not have to by definition be the only such point of intersection. I calculate
that other pathways are in theory possible, but the risk to your angelic life
would be - KAI: I know the way
(His eyes are black. Stan doesn't
see this, but is suspicious nonetheless)
(The crew are on the bridge,
watching as the Lexx approaches the neutron star)
KAI: The mass of
this neutron star is very close to the balance required to connect the two
universes STAN: Very close? KAI: Yes. First we will let ourselves be drawn
into the star's gravitational pull. After that, and prior to the Lexx's
molecular collapse, there is a point when we must adjust the mass of the neutron
star, using Lexx's weapon STAN: Well, how do we find this point? KAI: 790
will calculate it 790: With an unacceptable margin of error ZEV: What is
the margin of error? 790: Between 7 and 84% - 17 times out of 20 STAN: I
am turning the Lexx around right now ZEV: No. Doesn't giving Kai a chance to
live mean anything to you, Stanley Tweedle? STAN: Well, yes, of course - but
he's already been around for 2000 years longer than he should, and I want to
live longer than the next few minutes, and if we don't turn the Lexx around,
like right now, then I'm not 100% sure that I will - 20 times out of 20! ZEV:
Stanley - I will do it with you, if you take the Lexx back into the Light
Zone 790: Oh disgust! Zev, nothing is worth sinking that low ZEV: Quiet,
790
(She gets up on the pedestal, next to Stan)
ZEV: You
can have me, naked. My smooth moist skin pressed tightly against yours. Warming
you up, heating you up, raising your temperature until you are ready to explode.
Don't you want me wrapped around you Stanley? Squeezing you, riding you like a
big boy, until - LEXX: I am now inside the gravitational pull of the black
star STAN: Lexx, I'm commanding you to turn around at once, immediately,
right now! LEXX: Too late, Stanley. The black star is much stronger than I
am. We are going faster and faster toward it
(Stan gets down to talk
to 790)
STAN: Why didn't you tell me we were getting so close? Why
are you putting Zev in danger? 790: Zev's wish is my command STAN: Lexx,
please, I'm begging you! LEXX: I am sorry Stanley. It's too late. I cannot go
back STAN: This better be the best sex of my life, this better be the best
sex in the history of the two universes ZEV: I have obligation
whatsoever 790: I'm a witness. You attempted to pull the Lexx back before the
deal was completed STAN: You! -
(Stan turns to
Kai)
STAN: Kai, how come you're suddenly so all motivated to find
protoblood? I thought you were dead, I thought you didn't experience
motivation KAI: Something must have come over me
(His eyes are
black again. The Lexx is heading into the neutron star)
790: 5, 4,
3, 2,1 - STAN: Fire, Lexx, fire now, give it everything you
got!
STAN: (to 790)You better be on the button 790: I will
always do my best for Zev
(The Lexx fires, and dissolves, then
reassembles as it passes through into the Light Universe. Stan checks that all
his bits are there)
STAN: I'm alive! This is a good thing, this is
definitely excellent 790: That's a matter of perspective STAN: Lexx -
where are we? LEXX: We are in a big space, Stan 790: We are in the Light
Universe, security guard class 4 STAN: It's just rocks and Cluster chunks,
millions of 'em KAI: Do not underestimate the ability of the insects to
survive in difficult circumstances ZEV: But how will we even see one, I mean,
there's so much stuff out there KAI: I suggest that we go out and take a
closer look. It will take time to complete a thorough search. We must begin
immediately STAN: You're just Mister Initiative these days, aren't
ya? ZEV: Coming, Stanley? STAN: No. Absolutely not
(But of
course, he goes. They each take a moth out to search through the
debris)
STAN: Completely, totally stupid -
(He nearly
flies right into a larva)
(The larva is lying on the floor in the
cryochamber. Kai is stroking it)
STAN: I'm gonna be sick The idea
of bringing this insect that is dedicated to destroying all humanity onboard the
Lexx makes me completely ill. And I've got a right to say that, because if you
wanna be technical about it, I am the only one on this entire bug ship that is
100% human KAI: You don't find it beautiful, Stanley? STAN: No! KAI:
Strangely, I find it has an attractive quality
(Zev walks in,
carrying a large cutting tool)
ZEV: It was His Shadow, and insect,
who destroyed your people. You should hate it, Kai KAI: True, but perhaps
that is also why I am drawn to it STAN: You're drawn to it because you need
protoblood KAI: I do not normally respond to need STAN: Well, I
do
(He's so agitated, he takes his hat off)
STAN: I
respond directly to need, and I need to see this larva fired right back out into
space and then blasted by the Lexx. And if you don't respond to need, what
exactly are we doing here? ZEV: I want us to be here KAI: I do not know
why I feel this need. I cannot explain it STAN: You are beginning to scare
me, and this thing totally scares me KAI: Do not fear this larva. It is at
best dormant, ready to contain life ZEV: What do you mean, at best? KAI:
It could be dead. I cannot tell. It is not a functioning life form, as you are,
or Stanley is. It cannot live without the insect essence being passed to it, and
the last carrier of the insect essence was the GigaShadow, which we
destroyed
(Zev turns the cutting tool on, but Kai grabs hold of
it)
KAI: No, Zev ZEV: Why not? I mean, how else are we going to
find protoblood, unless we cut it apart? STAN: I'm not against cutting it
into bits, the smaller the better KAI: It may produce protoblood if it is
dormant. It certainly will not if it is dead
(Zev turns the tool
off)
KAI: I must spend some time examining it STAN: Oh
boy
(Stan, Zev and 790 are on the bridge)
STAN: First Kai
experiences motivation, and now he wants to be alone with the insect. Don't you
think he's acting weird? ZEV: No - just more alive STAN: No! Not more
alive. More weird. Something's gotten into him 790: I agree Kai's behaviour
is clearly inconsistent. I suggest that he returns to cryostasis, and we eject
the insect into space STAN: I'm worried, Zev - and you should be
too
(Kai puts his hands on the larva, and electricity crackles. His
eyes go black, and he growls. He falls onto the larva, but wakes up as the
others enter the cryochamber)
ZEV: We are concerned about you,
Kai KAI: Mantrid ZEV: Mantrid? KAI: If anyone can help us obtain
protoblood from this larva, it is Mantrid ZEV: Well, who is Mantrid? KAI:
He was once the Divine Order's greatest Bio-Vizier. No man ever had a more
insatiable hunger for knowledge and experience. A brilliant scientist, and a
truly dangerous human being, so dangerous he was imprisoned by the Divine
Order ZEV: How can we find him? KAI: I know where he is STAN: Oh
no
(On a snowy planet, a beehive-like structure. Inside the huge dome
is a lake, criss-crossed by low bridges. A man falls over on one of
them)
VIGO: Take everything I own. Take my jewels, take my gold,
take my life! MANTRID: Should snake venom swell your limbs to bursting,
should spider poison cause your brain to explode, should your bodily fluids
slowly drain out through pustulent sores, none of this is enough. You deserve
worse, far, far worse VIGO: Yes, yes, but please, please, I cannot wait. Kill
me, kill me now MANTRID: How many have suffered because of you? VIGO: I
must not be allowed to live. I've done such awful things, such terrible
things
(He backs away from the dagger at his
throat)
MANTRID: So many little boys VIGO: So many beautiful
little children, I couldn't stop myself. I must not live another
minute
(The arm holding the dagger is a drone. Mantrid is a head
stuck on a floating jar, which contains his internal organs. Two more drone arms
hover nearby)
MANTRID: So many innocent lambs. You define
vile VIGO: Please do it quickly. End my life MANTRID: (laughs)
Did you hear me, you pathetic old castratu? You are the definition of
vile VIGO: Please, do it quickly. End my life
(The drone arm
hovers away from him)
MANTRID: That's why I like you. But for your
sins, the greatest suffering I can impose is to let you continue to live your
truly unfortunate life VIGO: Then I will kill myself MANTRID: I don't
think so, you putrid sack of decaying flesh. You're far too much of a
coward
(Then they hear a signal)
KAI: Mantrid, this is
Kai, last of the Brunnen G. Mantrid, this is Kai, last of the Brunnen G. I have
come to free you
(On the Lexx, the crew see Mantrid's face on the
view screen)
MANTRID: What do you seek, last of the Brunnen
G? KAI: We want your help, Mantrid MANTRID: Want - what a strange word for
a dead man to say. But I'm no help to anyone KAI: Except yourself MANTRID:
So cruel, last of the Brunnen G - and so accurate. And how can you help
me? KAI: We have the Lexx. We can transport you wherever you desire to
go
(A moth flies through the snow, carrying the larva. It descends
through a hole in the top of the beehive. The moth drops the larva into the
water, then lands. Zev and Kai get out)
ZEV:
Hello?
(Mantrid appears. Zev waves)
ZEV: I'm Zev.
Interesting place you have here MANTRID: A love slave, with a personality.
How peculiar KAI: And I am Kai MANTRID: I know who you are. You were
killed by His Divine Shadow 2000 years ago, and your body was used by him as a
weapon of assassination ever since, and you should still be dead KAI: I am,
but I have recovered my own memory, as well as the memories of many thousands of
others His Shadow killed MANTRID: How peculiar, times two. I'm Mantrid. As
you can see, time has not been kind to me. This is my assistant,
Vigo
(Vigo joins them. He takes Zev's hand, and licks it - Zev wipes
it off))
MANTRID: So, you have found a descendant of the insects
from the Insect Wars. Why do you want protoblood? ZEV: So he can
live MANTRID: I didn't ask you KAI: I want protoblood so that I can
live MANTRID: You want to live? How peculiar, times three. I'll help you with
your problem, and in exchange you will give me the Lexx ZEV: No, you will
help us and we will take you wherever you want to go MANTRID: He cannot live
without protoblood. If you don't give me the Lexx, I'll not help
you
(Mantrid pouts sulkily)
KAI: If you do not help us on
our terms, I will kill you MANTRID: Then it seems that I must accept your
terms
(A drone arm examines the larva)
MANTRID: I envy
it, because the insects could transfer their consciousness from one physical
form to another. Not something we humans have ever been able to master ZEV:
Is it still alive? MANTRID: What do you mean by alive? ZEV: Well, capable
of waking up and killing people MANTRID: I don't know what the word alive
really means. Kai has no heartbeat, he doesn't breathe, much of his brain
doesn't function, so he cannot think as we can, and yet he's showing some
unusual signs of life. Look at me - am I alive? This drone - is it alive? It has
a brain with switches and connections just like us. It can process information
much faster than any human
(Mantrid winks at one of the drone
arms)
MANTRID: Build Mantrid a hammer to smash yourself into useless
bits
(The drone arm quickly builds a hammer out of some pieces of
metal)
MANTRID: Now smash yourself
(The drone arm smashes
itself to bits)
MANTRID: I am living. It is a machine. But if a
machine is given the will to live, then perhaps it should be considered alive.
The boundary between nonlife and life is not clear to me. And to answer your
question, the insect is neither alive nor dead. It's dormant, and to extract
protoblood, I must wake it, at least partially. To be properly alive, these
insects must have their vital insect essence passed to them. Without it, they
are like a computer without a programme, a human without a soul. As it is, this
one shouldn't be dangerous
(Vigo leads Zev and Kai to a structure
made of twigs, where a meal has been laid out for them)
VIGO:
Mantrid is a brilliant man - not a good man, but a brilliant, brilliant man. If
he cannot solve your problem, your problem cannot be solved. Please, sit - this
should ease the pain of your visit here KAI: Thank you, but I do not have a
stomach VIGO: All the more for the lady ZEV: What's that?
(She
points at a small spacecraft, which looks like a four legged
spider)
VIGO: A vessel Mantrid's been working on ZEV: An escape
vessel? VIGO: No - more a vessel for his thoughts. I must work. You - must
enjoy
(Vigo kisses Kai on the forehead, then leaves)
ZEV:
Mmm, this is tasty
(Kai goes outside and watches Vigo)
(On the
Lexx - Stan is on the bridge)
ZEV: Stan - can you hear me? STAN:
Zev? ZEV: We have to wait while Mantrid wakes up the insect, but don't worry
- I think he knows what he's doing. Just hang in for a little while longer,
OK?
(A drone arm cuts off a section of the larva's shell, and pulls
back a membrane to reveal a blue organ)
MANTRID: There it is, and
it's beautiful. The transduction organ, I believe essential to transfer the
insect consciousness from one body to the next. An organ only they
possess VIGO: So what are you going to do with it? MANTRID: I'm going to
remove it, but it won't do me any good unless it's working, so I guess I am
going to have to wake this beastie up VIGO: But the insects are man's
greatest enemies, they are - MANTRID: This insect will just be technically
awake, without the insect essence normally provided by its parent. It will
simply do nothing
(A drone arm pumps some fluid into the larva, which
starts to twitch)
STAN: They're gonna wake up the insect, and they
expect me to stay up here waiting for them. It's out of the question 790:
Tweedle - you give carbon molecules a bad name
VIGO: We should take the
Lexx and go ourselves. We've been trapped here for so long, and - MANTRID:
Don't you realise what an incredible gift this is, you ridiculous excuse for a
man? For years I've been decaying in this stifling prison, struggling to find a
way to maintain my life, with your incessant blithering my only distraction.
Soon I would have been nothing, Lexx or no Lexx
(The drones touch the
organ)
MANTRID: I'm in a very good mood
(Kai hides
nearby, spying on Mantrid. Zev is looking for him)
ZEV:
Kai?
(The drones probe the organ)
MANTRID:
(hisses) Careful, careful VIGO: Mantrid, Mantrid, please
stop
(Vigo grabs hold of a drone arm)
MANTRID: Vigo,
remove your hands VIGO: No, I - MANTRID: I have only one chance, and I
must be quick VIGO: No, I, I don't want you to do this MANTRID: Remove
your hands
(Vigo lets go of the arm)
VIGO: I don't want
to be alone MANTRID: When I die you will be alone VIGO: I will die then
too MANTRID: Don't be a fool VIGO: Mantrid, I cannot live without
you MANTRID: You're being sentimental, my friend VIGO: Mantrid,
please! MANTRID: Vigo - I like you. I've enjoyed some of the time I've spent
with you. But I don't love you. I don't love anyone
(Vigo runs away,
sobbing)
MANTRID: Goodbye, Vigo, goodbye. Eminently forgettable
pathetic little man
(Kai fires his brace through Mantrid's jar, which
falls to the floor. Kai goes to the larva and 'kisses' the blue organ. Vigo runs
over to Mantrid)
VIGO: Mantrid! Mantrid!
(He picks up the
head and carries it away. Kai gets up, backs away from the larva, and trips over
- Zev is there to catch him)
ZEV: Kai. Kai
(The insect
wakes up, and starts to growl - and fly)
ZEV: We have to get away
from here KAI: The insect essence was inside me. I was not setting my own
agenda
VIGO: Remove the blue organ from the insect and bring it to
me
(The drone arms go after the insect. Vigo heads for Mantrid's
vessel)
ZEV: Come on
(She drags Kai away, as three drone
arms hover around the insect. Zev drags Kai behind some twigs. Vigo goes up a
ladder into Mantrid's vessel. The drone arms pull on the insect's shell. Vigo
puts Mantrid's head on a table)
MANTRID: (gasps)
Vigo VIGO: Kai did this. Kai fired the brace through your
jar MANTRID: I should have known. He was acting very peculiar for a dead
assassin VIGO: I will do the transfer MANTRID: It's too late. I'm dying.
You don't know how - how - how to do it VIGO: I've been watching you. I've
been learning MANTRID: (laughs) Goodbye, you silly old fool VIGO:
Yes, I'm a fool, a fool, I'm a fool, a fool, a fool, a fool
(The
insect knocks a drone arm out of the air, but the other two rip out the blue
organ and fly with it to the vessel. The insect follows them)
KAI:
If the insect lives, it could be the end for all mankind. We must tell Stanley
to destroy the planet ZEV: Do we have time to leave? KAI: I do not think
so ZEV: Stanley, are you there? STAN: Zev? ZEV: Destroy the planet,
now 790: Don't even think about it, Tweedle ZEV: Don't think about us -
blow it up STAN: Lexx LEXX: Yes, Stan? 790: The rest of humanity is
nothing. Only Zev matters ZEV: Stanley, the insect is alive. Destroy the
planet KAI: The insect has taken my strength, but it will
return
(The insect turns back to watch Zev and Kai)
KAI:
This planet should already have been destroyed ZEV: Stanley? Stanley? KAI:
It is looking at you. It does not see me, as I am cold. Run
(Kai
collapses. Zev runs. The drone arms give Vigo the organ, and he attaches wires
to it and Mantrid. Zev runs along bridges, and the insect follows - until a moth
knocks it into the water)
STAN: Yeah, ha ha!
VIGO: Mantrid -
Mantrid, please, tell me what to do
(Stan, Zev and Kai are in the
moth)
KAI: I was not aware of it, but when I destroyed His Shadow's
brain I received an added bonus - some of the insect's essence. The correct
survival strategy for it. That explains my motivation STAN: So you were a
Divine Shadow? KAI: Not completely, but I achieved His Shadow's agenda. I
created a new living insect STAN: Oh that's great, that is just great KAI:
Hurry Stanley. We must return to the Lexx, we must destroy the insect STAN:
Yes, yes, yes, back to the Lexx
(Vigo presses a button. A blue mist
from the organ joins a mist coming from Mantrid's mouth. The mist goes into a
vent in the vessel)
(The moth heads back to the Lexx)
(Vigo
gets out of the vessel. The drone arms hover around it. The insect emerges from
the water behind Vigo - but the vessel stomps on it)
VIGO:
(kneels) Thank you, Mantrid. Thank you for saving my life MANTRID: I
am alive VIGO: Mantrid? MANTRID: Yes it is, my friend VIGO: Mantrid, is
that really you? MANTRID: You brought the head to me, so I am Mantrid, but
you also brought a very important part of the insect to me, so I am also an
insect - or maybe a machine, I don't know, a fusion, a new life form, no matter
- I exist. I am. And not surprisingly I feel the insect's instinctive desire to
kill all humans - starting with you, my friend VIGO:No, no, Mantrid, I love
you! MANTRID: I now grant you the wish you have so often begged
for
(A drone arm stabs Vigo)
MANTRID: Goodbye,
Vigo
(On the bridge of the Lexx)
790: Oh, crescendo of
delight at Zev's return! STAN: I'm back too KAI: Quick, Stan STAN:
Lexx - destroy that planet immediately LEXX: As you command,
Stan
(The Lexx powers up, and blasts the planet)
STAN: Ah
- yes! We did it, we killed it! KAI: We must be certain STAN: We blew up
the whole planet KAI: We must be certain
(The Lexx moves through
the debris, until they see the broken body of the insect)
ZEV:
There STAN: Look! ZEV: I think that's what we're looking for STAN:
Looks like there won't be another Insect War 790: Excellent observation - for
a retard ZEV: But we did not find protoblood for Kai KAI: I have
sufficient protoblood STAN: But you said that - KAI: I lied. The insect
essence was controlling me. I have sufficient protoblood
(Kai walks
away)
STAN: Hey - I want you to know that former assistant deputy
backup courier, and now captain of the Lexx, Stanley H Tweedle, just saved
humanity 790: Spare me! STAN: Yeah
(In the cryochamber. Kai's
cryopod closes. Zev kisses her hand, and places it on the pod. Stan puts his hat
on)
STAN: Be cool - get it? What do you say we try to find ourselves
a half decent planet for a change. Somewhere with good looking women - ZEV:
Good looking men 790: With my head on their shoulders STAN: Yeah, we'll
get right on that. Let's go
(The Lexx moves away. Mantrid's vessel
emerges from the rubble. Along with three drone arms, it very slowly sets off
after the Lexx)
© Filking Fairy
© LEXX - LIGHT ZONE 2005 HELEN & Trulyalyana
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