#amwriting #scifi #starbreaker #screenplay

EXT. MANHATTAN, CEMETERY - NIGHT

NAOMI BRADLEIGH approaches the grave of MORGAN STORMRIDER.
She wears a sidesword on her hip, and is carrying a bouquet.
MORGAN's grave is covered with similar tributes from previous mourners.

NAOMI
Damn it, Morgan, why did you have to play the hero?

She adds her own contribution, a dozen long-stemmed black roses.

NAOMI
I told you it would get you killed someday.

A tall, slim brunette approaches, her heels clicking against the flagstones.

WOMAN
That may have been my fault.

Naomi turns on her heel and grasps the hilt of her sword.

NAOMI
Christabel?

CHRISTABEL?
When did *you* take up the sword?

NAOMI
At least a decade too late.
I should have had a blade handy when I first saw you sniffing around Morgan.

CHRISTABEL?
I suppose you're right to hate me.
How much did he learn about me?

NAOMI
He learned enough.

CHRISTABEL?
(looks away)
What did he say?

A white-haired man in a white double-breasted suit approaches.

MAN
Unfortunately, Annelise, that will have to wait.

NAOMI
(drawing her sword)
Leave her alone, Magnin.

Naomi places herself between Annelise and the white-haired man, ISAAC MAGNIN.
She raises her sword, ready to fight.

ISAAC
Please come with me.
Morgan needs you.

INT. ASGARTECH SPIRE, RECOVERY ROOM - NIGHT

DR. JOSEFINE MALMGREN, a petite blonde wearing jeans and a cardigan, approaches a high-tech hospital bed in which a lithe, dark man with long black hair rests.

JOSEFINE
Adversary Stormrider?
Are you awake?

MORGAN STORMRIDER opens his eyes. They're green, and have slit pupils like a cat's.

MORGAN
Where am I?
Who are you?
When was I injured?
How long have I been out?

JOSEFINE
You're in the AsgarTech Spire, in the Asura Emulator Project's R&D lab.
I'm Dr. Josefine Malmgren.

MORGAN
Medical doctor?

JOSEFINE
Computer science and psychology, actually.

MORGAN
Asura Emulator...
You know what I am?

JOSEFINE
We haven't met in person, but our mutual friend CLAIRE has told me a great deal about you.

MORGAN
Which explains why I don't recognize you, but--

JOSEFINE
I'm afraid this is going to be hard for you.

MORGAN
Coma?

JOSEFINE
Worse than that.
You were dead.

MORGAN
No.

JOSEFINE ^
Your body was so thoroughly damaged we had to restore your psyche from a backup into a 200 Series model.

MORGAN
200 Series?
This isn't my body.