Episode 01 · The Mistake

Read the Pilot

The cold open of Chains Beneath Bakhtak. A sealed desert transport cuts through the night toward a forest that has never known intrusion. Three strangers are about to collide.

18 scenes · screenplay by Isaiah M. Willis-Dean

Scene 1

Ext. Desert transport - night

A sealed transport cuts through the desert like a scar nearing the border of a massive forest blasting black smoke from the top of the vehicle.

Angular. sealed. its hull catches Moonlight in cold plates of white and steel.

Scene 2

Int. Desert TRANSPORT - continUOUS

Inside the transport, two figures.

The DRIVER wears a snow-suit insulated, segmented like future armor. black fabric glowing seems, Visor reflecting frost blue data readouts about the heat.

Beside him sits a stoic NAMTARIAN GUARD

Black-wrapped desert leathers. ritualistic cuts in his bald head and ritual geometry tattooed over his face. Eyes socket and eye ball black as night with bright pink irises, unblinking. Bone charms clink softly at his belt.

The interior was pristine with a neon and black design. Behind reinforced glass, eight AKIRANS kneel in restraints

Blood-red eyes black hair. Chains binding neck to hands a ankle to hips.

They look hollow, bruised, quiet.

The Driver glances back through the glass peering with one eye open, he snorts.

Driver

Bunch a damn monsters. I hear they are quite the danger. Hope they like greenery.

The Namtarian guard doesn't react

The driver pouts in boredom.

Driver (V.O.)

What a creep these guys ain’t no better get me the hell outta here

DrIVER

I know where not to visit.

The driver laughs at his own joke

The Namtarian Guard does not react

The Transport slows. Then stops.

The Driver sighs dramatically throwing himself back in his seat and unbuckles his belt.

Driver

Gotta piss

The Namtarian turns his head slightly away.

Namtarian guard

Mission and destination are the only imperatives.

Driver

Relax. Ill be quick sheesh you guys don't take leaks.

Scene 3

Ext. DeseRT TRANSPORT - cONTINUOUS

The driver steps out. Heat and desert air rush in.

As he passes the rear window-

Shuyami (O.S.)

A moment.

The driver stops at the window.

Shuyami

Some of us could use a bathroom break too.

The driver pauses for a moment then breaks into laughter.

He bends slightly clutching his stomach.

Inside the transport, Shuyami smiles.

Small, controlled.

Behind him, SHION chuckled quietly.

Shuyami Glance back at him.

SHUYAMI

You wanna see something funnier?

Shuyami turns and leans into Shion’s face.

SHUYAMI

There are things that we can do they will never be ready for.

Shuyami’s body melts into blood.

He slips down into the small impossible gaps in the vehicle.

The other Akiran’s jump back, chains rattling.

Shion’s face looked the most thrown off.

CUT TO:

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