s5 Ep1

Series 5 | Episode 1
[In the city, a girl and boy search through junk on the streets. The boy looks up to see Zoot approaching. In shock, he touches the girl's arm to get her attention]

Girl: What?
Boy: Zoot. We were just- Please don't hurt us!
Girl: Can't be, you're dead. How?
[Zoot smiles as the scared kids run away]
Girl: He's back! Zoot's back!

[Ram's Palace: Mega is explaining how they defeated the Technos and fooled Ram]

Mega: Our beloved boss thought everything was going to plan. But he only saw what I wanted him to see: the end of the Mallrats.
[Flashback to Ram examining a headset]
Mega: All it took was a specially adapted headset.
Ram: Ringside seat.
[Flashback to the Mallrats being shot and "killed" by Java and the Technos]
Ram: Cool.
Mega: What he didn't realize was they were virtual Mallrats being wasted.
Patch: You gave Ram a whole new reality?
Mega: Including a tearful send off into Paradise.
[Flashback of Ram in his Paradise chamber and Java in Mega's arms, crying out her grief.]
Ram: See you in my dreams.
Patch: What happened to him? Did he end up in Paradise, or what?
Jay: Not exactly.
[Ram is in fact on the top of a trash heap, the wheels of his chair spinning fruitlessly in the mud. His anguish and frustration are obvious]
Ram: This isn't reality space, this is real!

[Outside Ram's Palace, kids are huddled around a trashcan fire, trying to warm themselves. Others are leaning against an abandoned car, deep in Paradise. Pride watches them as Amber approaches]

Pride: Starving to death and they won't let me take off their helmets.
Amber: You can hardly blame them. Wanting to live in a virtual world after all they've been through.
Pride: How are we gonna clean up this mess, Amber?
Amber: One day at a time. Look, I'm heading back to the Mall, see if everyone's okay, you wanna come?
Pride: What are the others doing?
Amber: Well, Lex is doing what he does best: throwing people in jail. Everyone else is celebrating. We should be too, Pride. We've got a real chance now.
Pride: Yeah, until the next control freak comes along and decides he wants to take over the world.
Amber: We won't let that happen. Besides, if we can survive Ram, we can survive anything. [Ominous music plays as the Paradise addicts are oblivious to everything but their virtual world] Who could be worse than that guy?

[Pride acknowledges her words and seems to agree, but the music would seem to suggest that there are worse things out there and they may be about to discover that]

[The music continues as Ebony walks down a hallway inside Ram's Palace. Whispers begin to fill the hallway and Ebony hears her name being called. She looks around in confusion, then fear as she sees Zoot appear from around the corner]

Zoot: Ebony.
Ebony: You're not real! It's a trick.
Zoot: I'm disappointed, Ebony. You show so little faith. Don't you remember what I told you when we became one? [Ebony flashes back to the police car, when Ebony and Zoot ruled the Locos and the city] I told you we'd always be together. That one day we would see my prophecies fulfilled. That time has arrived. Power & Chaos, Ebony! Remember?
Ebony: No.
Zoot: Power & Chaos!
Ebony: Nooo!

[She screams, covering her ears and shutting her eyes tightly. But when she opens them again, she sees that Zoot has disappeared]

[Back at Techno HQ, Mega sits and looks through a file as Jay stands before him]

Jay: You coming to the Mall? Some of us are heading off to spread the word.
Mega: You a Mallrat now? Let's hope people want to hear the word. [Mega is sarcastic and patronizing, but his interpretation of "the word" is hilarious, followed by a nice eyebrow raise] You go; I got my hands full here. Power stations don't run themselves, unfortunately. We're gonna have to start recruiting people, Jay, training them up.
Jay: Look, I want to thank you Mega. For everything.
Mega: Ram had it coming.
Jay: I was hoping maybe Ved was gonna join us. I think maybe he was planning to with Cloe, which is why Ram got rid of him. Because he found out. What do you think?
Mega: We'll never know.

[It seems like Mega is a little uncomfortable with Jay's praise, as he is with any situation that could potentially involve emotion. Hence his cold response to Jay's tentative hope about his brother. Jay sighs and turns to leave. He misses seeing Mega's secretive smile]

[Elsewhere in the Hotel, May and the rest of the rebels seem to be processing the Technos as prisoners. May goes to stand in front of two sullen Technos and levels a zapper at their throats]

May: Name?
Wizard: The name's Wizard. And is that thing loaded?
May: Why don't you jump me and find out.
Wizard: That's quite an invitation. [He leers, May sneers. Lex enters the room, his hand on Java's shoulder, pushing her before him] Hey Sheriff! How long you planning on keeping us locked up in there?
Lex: Well, you're all murdering scumbags who deserve to be punished, and that includes Mrs. Ram here, for all her scheming and fun and games at our expense. Don't know. How about I lock the door and throw away the key. That sounds fair.
[Wizard isn't the brightest bulb in the box, and takes Lex's sarcasm seriously. Though to be fair, knowing Lex, he probably means it too]
Wizard: Is that some kind of joke?
Lex: D'you see me laughing, Pal?
Java: I never deleted anyone.
Lex: No, but you had a pretty good try at it Java. Your own sister too, nice going.
Java: That was her hard luck. Hanging out with a bunch of Virts. She deserved everything she got.
[Speaking of Siva, she's been watching them from across the room and comes to join them]
Siva: You going to put her in with the others Lex? Only I think she'd be better off alone and under guard so she can't cause anymore trouble, don't you?
Lex: Sure, Babe, good idea.
[Jay returns from his meeting with Mega]
Jay: Everything under control?
Lex: I'm just gonna go have a look around outside.
Siva: Rounding up stray Technos?
Lex: Exactly.
Siva: Like Tai-San.
[Lex sighs and lowers his head. He can't look her in the eyes. Lucky for him, they're interrupted when Ebony runs in, scared and crying]
Jay: Ebony!
[In the confusion, Wizard and his buddy look at each other consideringly and then decide to make a run for it. They push past May and make their escape. Various people call out]
Rebels: Watch out! They're getting away! Hold it!
Lex: Hey! Hey! Nice going May.

[Lex gives May all the blame and she turns to look after the escaped Technos, knowing she screwed up]

[Ram is unconscious on the trash heap, hanging over his chair, drooling. Around him, children approach to see what valuable things they might be able to scavenge]

[Back at the Mall, Amber takes Baby Bray from the Eco who was watching him. Trudy comes in with Brady and is thrilled to see Pride and Amber in one piece]

Amber: Oh Bray! It's so good to see you! Did you miss Mommy? Hey?
Trudy: Oh look who's here! Hello!
Amber: Hey, how's it going?
Trudy: Hey, it's so good to see you! I can't believe you're all safe. Did anybody get hurt?
Amber: Only the bad guys.
Trudy: And what's happened to Ram?
Pride: Uh, we took all his toys away and hid the batteries.
[Trudy is confused by this and Amber laughs. She translates]
Trudy: Wha?
Amber: He's still alive but he can't hurt anyone, not anymore.
Trudy: Does that mean we're gonna have to turn the power off? I'm kind of getting used to it.
[Amber looks a little uncomfortable at this. She laughs it off, but it's clear that there will be some hard decisions to make in the near future]
Amber: Yeah. We'll have to talk about all that.
Pride: Well if you ask me, we should go back to the way things were. Like the Technos were never here.
[Trudy and Amber trade a look, surprised at how definite Pride is about cutting off the power. Mouse calls Amber's name and runs to her side]
Mouse: Amber!
Amber: Hey Mouse! How are you?
Mouse: Did you win?
Amber: Yeah, of course. You didn't have to worry; we had it all planned.
Mouse: I was scared.
Amber: I know, but it's like I told you Mouse. Sometimes you just gotta have a little faith.

[Somewhere in the city, Wizard and his buddy, Stats, are running for their lives, though they soon realize that no one is actually chasing them. Wizards calls to Stats and they try to catch their breath while they figure out what to do next]

Wizard: Stats! Wait a minute. Why are we running?
Stats: I don't think anyone followed us either, but just in case.
Wizard: But I mean why run? They're just a bunch of filthy Virts. Man, they're cowards! All of them.
Stats: Maybe. But they have our weapons, and there's at least one of them back there who ain't afraid to use them.
Wizard: Lex? Did you see that? Even his old lady's got him on a leash. Do you know what I reckon? I think Ram's still alive. I don't think those Mallrats have the common sense to finish him off.
Stats: So what if he is? There's nothing we can do about it.
Wizard: Well not yet. Not until we got something to trade. Or someone.
[And a brilliantly stupid plan is born]
Stats: Are you insane?!
Wizard: Big reward if we pull it off. I mean, saving the Technos? That's gotta be worth...Paradise on Earth.
Stats: What if you're wrong? What if Ram's dead?

[Wizard doesn't have an answer for that one]

[Speaking of Paradise, someone seems to be enjoying it right now. On a tropical beach, three girls sit on towels under an umbrella. They giggle and gaze adoringly at someone]

Girl 1: That's the one. [And then we see who they're talking about. Sammy walks up dressed in a wetsuit and carrying a surfboard] That's Sammy!
Girl 3: He's cute!
Girl 1: Hands off! I saw him first.
[Yep, this is definitely a fantasy. We see Sammy with a Paradise headset on. Not that we needed that image to give it away]
Girl 2: He's the greatest surfer ever. Hey Sammy. You're so cool, can I get your autograph?
Sammy: Uh yeah- yeah. Uh, I don't have any paper.
Girl 2: Oh, well uh, you could sign it here, on my heart.
[She points coyly to her chest and Sammy looks really excited by the prospect. But before he can take her up on her suggestion, he hears Mouse's voice calling his name]
Mouse: Sammy. Sammy! Sammy.
Sammy: Huh?
[She takes his headset off, but even without it, he's pretty groggy. And angry]
Mouse: Sammy, listen to me.
Sammy: What are you doing? Can't you see I'm busy? Leave me alone!
Mouse: But I thought you'd want to know. It's all over.
Sammy: What is?
Mouse: You know. Ram and the Technos. We've beaten them.
Sammy: Beaten them in what?
Mouse: I mean we've defeated them! They can't boss us around anymore.
Sammy: You got me out of Paradise to tell me that? Listen. Don't bother me unless it's something important. Come to think of it, don't bother me at all!

[He puts the headset back on and escapes into his fantasies. Mouse is worried about him and sad that he's changed so much. Thanks to Paradise]

[Jay and Ebony are talking in the city]

Jay: I know I went back on my word, but I have my reasons. We can still be together... just, not in the woods, Ebony. This is where we belong.
Ebony: Do you mean it?
Jay: We're city kids Ebony, and I don't know about you, but I never really suited that retro look.
[They laugh softly and seem to have worked things out. Unfortunately the foreboding music starts up and Ebony begins to look around. She stops smiling quickly when she sees what appears to be Zoot walking away from them in the midst of a group of kids. Jay looks at Ebony in concern]
Jay: What's wrong?
Ebony: Nothing.
Jay: Are you okay? What, are you cold?
Ebony: No! I'm fine, just...keep talking. Tell me again about that...retro look.

[Jay looks from Ebony to the direction of her gaze, but sees nothing that could be upsetting her. The Zoot figure keeps walking and turns his head to look back at her. Jay puts his arm around Ebony and she clutches it, sighing, like it's her lifeline. It's not fear in her eyes now so much as resignation and sadness. Does she think she's going crazy?]

[At the Hotel, Java is in a room being guarded by an Eco tribe member. Mega enters to speak with her, and his words would seem to point pretty blatantly to some conspiracy between them]

Mega: Worked like a dream. [She smiles, pleased that whatever it was worked] Time for "Phase Two" I think.

[Ram's day is going from bad to worse. He's still passed out, drooling, stranded on a trash heap. Little scavenger kids are taking his chair apart, piece by piece. His savior is about to appear, however. A motorcycle roars up and a man in red leather jacket and black helmet orders them to back off. They stare at him dumbly]

Slade: Get. [The children stare at him, frozen in place] What are you, deaf? Get outta here!

[They flee, and the dangerous looking young man considers the drooling unconscious Ram]

[It's moving day in the Mall. Primarily for the cafe, which has been moved somewhere on the bottom floor for easier escape if it should become necessary. Considering that they've just beaten what they believe to be their greatest enemy, the question is, what kind of trouble are they expecting? Or is this just the paranoia inherent to every resident of Tribeworld? Trudy, Lex, Siva, and Mouse join Amber, May, and Pride in the new cafe. They've been unpacking and putting away all the cafe items]

Trudy: Hey! So this is where we're gonna have meetings from now on.
Amber: Yeah, Pride and I thought it'd be best to keep everyone close to the exit. Added security. [She stops with a dishrag in her hand and looks at the others inquiringly] Where's Salene?
Pride: Still no sign.
Amber: Siva, wasn't she at the Hotel?
Siva: Yeah. I thought she was coming over here.
Trudy: She's probably just helping Mega or something.
Amber: Yeah, we need to have a roll call. Is anyone else missing? Mouse, where's Sammy?
Mouse: In his room. What about Patch and Dee?
Amber: Hmm, that's a point.
Lex: Tai-San's gone AWOL too. I reckon we should look for our missing friends, right now. Uh, we could split into groups, that way cover more ground?
Amber: Hold it, Lex. It's a bit early to sound the alarm. Besides, we've got more pressing matters to attend to.
Lex: Like what?
[Jay and Ebony come in and join the conversation. Ebony sits alone, looking lost, while Jay offers his opinion on their priorities]
Jay: Like the Technos, for starters. We can't just lock them up and throw away the key.
Lex: Nah, sorry, you're right. Maybe we should put 'em up here in the Mall, give 'em a hot meal, read 'em a bedtime story. How's that?
Jay: Once again, you're missing the point. We need their skills, especially if we're gonna keep the power going. Mega will vouch for their loyalty.
Trudy: Uh, Jay's right, Lex. When those kids who'd signed up with the Guardian got free, a lot of them became, well, almost friends. Some of us were even accepted back into the Mallrats.
[Amber smiles at her, but she's the only one. Lex moves closer to Trudy and speaks very slowly]
Lex: Not by everyone. Trudy.
[Trudy is offended but before she can respond, if she was going to, Pride interrupts her]
Pride: I'm sorry Amber, but I agree with Lex. I have to know what's going on, I'll... catch up with you later.
Lex: Yeah, goes for me too.
[Pride and Lex take off to look for their sweeties. May doesn't get what all the fuss is about, and as usual, she speaks before she thinks]
May: What's the big deal? Salene and Tai-San are probably catching up on some gossip. As for Patch and Dee, I think we all know what they'll be getting up to.

[Amber and Trudy are hilariously grossed out by the thought and turn away, while May is left to figure out what she said wrong THIS time]

[Wizard and Stats appear to have found their "someone to trade," and it's Salene. We're not told how she was caught, or where. She's shoved into a dark room inside a warehouse of some kind and the door is slammed shut on her and locked. The windows are boarded up on inside the room and on the door. She apparently didn't make it easy for them, and she's letting them know just how pissed off she is]

Salene: Hey! Get off me!
Wizard: Knock it off, you hear me!
Salene: Let me out!
[Wizard whines and shows his hand to Stats]
Wizard: Look at that! She drew blood!
Stats: Not such cowards after all.
Salene: Let me out of here!
May: You keep it quiet in there. Be a good girl now!
May: Come on!
Wizard: Play it cool and I'll come back with the food like I told you. We're gonna do a deal, but if you keep this up I may not come back at all, you hear!
[They listen for a moment, but Salene can see the wisdom of being quiet for now. She collapses against the door in frustration and fear]
Stats: She heard.
Wizard: Well at least the hard part's over now. We just gotta wait for the trade.
Stats: That's not quite right.
Wizard: What?
Stats: The hard part being over. I'd say it's still to come.
Wizard: You're a freak, you know that?

[Aww! I think Stats' feelings are hurt! Wizard takes off and Stats follows]

[Lex is in his room, getting ready to go out and begin the search. He's putting his coat on as Siva enters the room quietly]

Siva: Can I come with you?
Lex: I move around faster by myself. Thanks anyway.
Siva: Lex, if Tai-San went over to the Technos, then maybe she got arrested with the others.
[She speaks tentatively, trying to reach Lex without upsetting him. He's not ready to talk about it though]
Lex: Who says I'm going after Tai-San?
[Siva's not stupid; she knows where he's going. She knows that Lex is rarely motivated by altruism]
Siva: Yeah. Like you're suddenly worried about everyone else. And Salene is such a big mate of yours.
Lex: What is this? I've gotta feel guilty for looking out for my own tribe? And for your information, Salene and I go way back.
Siva: Yeah. But Tai-San's your wife Lex! She's the only one you care about, isn't she.
Lex: I don't have time for this. We'll talk later.

[Siva was looking for truth, may have even been willing to accept that Lex loved Tai-San and wanted her back. But Lex is unable to discuss issues so tied up in emotion and pain, so he avoids it and walks out, leaving Siva to wonder about her place in his life]

[Meanwhile, Mega continues with whatever sinister plan he's got going. He enters data into a computer and a picture of Zoot pops up on the screen. He smiles, pleased with himself, and leans back in his chair]

Mega: Pity Ram's not here. He'd be very impressed.

[Impressed with what exactly?]

[May is at the Casino, having a couple of drinks and looking for information on the missing Mallrats. She seems more interested in the former than the latter]

Bartender: So the Mallrats are back in charge, huh? What do you know.
May: Looks like it. They always are. Salene was Mayor anyway, wasn't she? Or did she quit? I forget.
Bartender: Well I'll tell her you were looking for her.
May: Yeah! Well I mean, only if you see her. Don't knock yourself out. Can I have another one of these?
[Yeah, she sounds real interested in finding Salene. While she's waiting for her second drink, Wizard and Stats walk up behind her]
Wizard: She won't be needing that.
May: What are you doing here?
Wizard: I wanted to see how tough you were without that stun-gun.
May: Beat it. You don't scare me.
Wizard: Oh come on. That's not very friendly, now is it?
May: Listen Warlock-
Wizard: Wizard!
May: Whatever! Not many kids around here like being pushed around by Technos. All I have to do is shout.
Wizard: Well go ahead and your friend will suffer.
[That shuts her up for a moment while she tries to figure out who they're talking about]
May: My friend?
Wizard: She calls herself a Mallrat.
Stats: Look we don't want to hurt you; you're the messenger. You're one who's gonna do the deal for us.
Wizard: Shall we go? I hope you don't mind, but we're gonna have to blindfold you.

[May's extremely unhappy about the situation and unsure what to do next. She doesn't really have a lot of choices though. She gets up and leads the way out of the Casino, the Technos following behind her]

[At the Hotel, Java lies on the bed as Lex barges into the room]

Lex: Where is she? Where is Tai-San?
Java: How would I know? I'm in solitary, remember?
Lex: Yeah. And if you ever wanna see daylight again, you better start talking.
[He starts looking around the room, behind the furniture. What exactly is he expecting to find? Java wonders the same thing]
Java: She's not in the cupboard or under the bed, if that's what you think.
Lex: Don't mess with me Java! You know something! I don't know, you found out she was spying on the Technos and you had her "taken care of". If I find out- If something's happened to her, I swear to you, you'll pay!
Java: Have you finished? Why don't we calm down and discuss this. I'll tell you what I know. Maybe I can help you. But only if you help me first.
[She starts trying to use her feminine wiles on him, speaking slowly in a low voice, walking around him, getting closer]
Lex: What does that mean?
Java: Hmm. You and me, we're not so different, are we Lex?
Lex: Is that right?
Java: You know it was all Ram's doing. All the bad stuff. I was just along for the ride.
[She's trying to play poor and innocent Java, but she doesn't pull it off. Lex wants to know why he should care]
Lex: So what?
Java: So you're making me take all the blame and letting Ebony and Siva off the hook! It's not fair. Why don't you use your influence with the Mallrats and get me out of here.
Lex: In your dreams, Java. Do you know anything, or not? [She smiles coyly, secretively, but says nothing] I'll take that as a no.
[Before he can leave, she grabs the shoulder of his jacket and pulls him back, sticking her face right in his. The innocent act is gone and she's back to vindictive, vengeful Java]
Java: Then I'll bring you down. All your scams, selling Paradise. What if I tell them everything?
Lex: Go ahead, Java. Who'd believe a loser like you anyway?
[He smiles at her and walks out, free and clear. Java shouts his name through the door]
Java: Lex? Lex! [She doesn't look so upset anymore though. With her back to the door she smiles again, a confident smile] Just who is the loser, Lex?

[Another hint to a secret Java knows that the others don't]

[It's night, and Ebony sits on her bed remembering Zoot. Specifically the night Zoot died, which is interesting, because she wasn't there. She rubs her hands together restlessly]

[Trudy and Amber are still putting things away in the cafe, enjoying the time to chat]

Trudy: We have a lot to celebrate: the defeat of the Technos, the new cafe! We should have a party or something.
Amber: I think we're all too exhausted.
[Siva and Mouse carry some chairs into the cafe]
Mouse: We can't have a party without Dee. She should be here, and Patch.
Amber: They'll turn up. You worry too much, Mouse. I know what Tai-San would do if she were here.
Mouse: What?
Amber: She'd have us all hold hands and say a prayer.
Mouse: Let's do it.
Amber: Okay. [Jay shows up just in time to participate] Jay, you wanna join us?
Jay: With what?
Mouse: We're going to say a prayer.
[They gather around in a circle, holding hands. They keep their eyes closed as Amber starts the prayer]
Amber: Thank you for our freedom, and for our home, and for bringing our tribe back together.
Mouse: And please bring our friends home as soon as possible. And don't let any of them come to any harm, especially Salene.
Trudy: Mouse, that was- that was really nice. Come on, let's get you ready for bed.
Siva: I'm gonna turn in too, get my beauty sleep. Good night.
Amber: Good night, Siva. [Trudy has led Mouse away, Siva is gone, now Amber and Jay are the only ones left. They sit down together at the table] How are you feeling?
Jay: Shattered.
Amber: Well you did it. You beat Ram. You should be feeling proud.
Jay: Now that it's over, I just, I feel ashamed I was even involved. Taking orders from that creep.
Amber: Yeah, but you stopped taking orders, and you found your own way. Sometimes that's the hardest part: standing up for what you believe in.
Jay: Thanks to you. [They're having a nice little moment, connecting, when Ebony comes in. She reads more into it than a simple conversation, and she may be right. Jay acts just a bit guilty, and speaks a little too quickly] Ebony. Are you gonna join us?
Ebony: Oh I wouldn't want to spoil the party. You've got such a beautiful thing going on here.
Jay: Ebony, it's not like that.
[Ebony turns to leave, but the lights flicker and go out. She panics]
Ebony: Oh my god, what's going on? Are we under attack?
Amber: I knew it was too good to last.
Jay: No. No, it's just a power cut. Mega's lost half his technicians.
Ebony: This is it. This is the beginning.
Jay: Ebony, what-?
[It seems she associates the blackout with her sightings of Zoot, with Zoot's promise of a prophecy coming true. She runs off, and Jay and Amber exchange glances, trying to figure out what she was talking about]
Amber: The beginning of what?

[The lights are going out all over the city and the control room at the Hotel is crazy. The monitors are flashing and an alarm sounds while technicians run around in a panic. Mega grabs one of them as he walks in the door]

Mega: Get me back up. Get those generators working, now!
[He brings up the "Power Grid Reconfiguration Program" on one of the computers, but when he tries to activate it, Ram's face pops up on the monitor instead]
Ram: "That password was incorrect. That password was incorrect. You said the wrong password. You said the wrong password. That password was incorrect- Incorrect."

[At the mall, Trudy goes into Ebony's room and finds her crying on the bed. She tries to comfort her, but thinks the problem is just the power going out. Ebony is a far cry from the power-hungry Loco. She's been reduced to a small, frightened girl. She even tries to protect Trudy and Brady from a terrible imagined fate]

Trudy: Ebony! What's the matter?
Ebony: Trudy. Get out of here! Just take your kid and get out of here while you still can.
Trudy: It's just a power cut okay? We'll be fine with candlelight. It'll be just like the good old days.
Ebony: The good old days. There's nothing good about them. Trudy. Zoot's back!
Trudy: What?
Ebony: He's back! He's here now. Right now.
Trudy: I don't understand Ebony.
Ebony: Are you blind? He's in this room Trudy! He's right behind you.
Trudy: Ebony, you're scaring me.
Ebony: Can't you see? He's here.
[Ebony is very convincing to Trudy and a part of her is convinced that if she looks behind her, she'll see Zoot. She turns slowly, afraid to look, and finally opens her eyes. She sees nothing and is overwhelmingly relieved. She turns back to Ebony, and is unintentionally patronizing]
Trudy: I don't see anything. Oh, you poor thing. You must be exhausted.

[Ebony can't believe that Trudy doesn't see Zoot. He's so very real to her]

[Lex returns to the Mall as Pride is checking the gates]

Lex: What happened to all the lights?
Pride: We don't know yet. I take it you didn't find her.
Lex: You mean Tai-San?
Pride: Who else?
Lex: Do me a favor and don't even start on that.
Pride: Hey look, just take it easy okay. I'm as worried as you are.
Lex: Yeah. Guess you are. I'm sorry.
Pride: Don't know what you got till it's gone, huh?
Lex: I'm telling you Pride, if she's gone for good this time, I don't think I can handle it. I can't lose her again.
[He's genuinely hurting and is being honest with Pride, the honesty he couldn't give to Siva. The moment is interrupted when Amber, Jay, and Trudy join them]
Amber: We heard the grill go.
Pride: I was just locking up. Still no sign.
Trudy: Whoa, wait, someone's coming.
[May hurries in through the gate. She's upset and afraid to tell the others what's happened]
May: It's only me.
Amber: May, are you alright?
May: No, not really.
Pride: What's up?
May: Well, I bumped into those Techno guys, the ones that escaped? Well they didn't leave empty handed. They've taken a hostage and they want Ram in return.
[They're all shocked by the news. Lex jumps forward, thinking it's Tai-San that's been taken]
Lex: Is she alive?
May: She's alive. Look, they took me to this warehouse-
Lex: Where is it?
May: I was blindfolded; I can't tell you that. I did see her. She's okay; she's just scared. It's Salene. [Lex is surprised and Pride is now the one trying to deal with this new development] They've got Salene, Pride. And they said unless we hand over Ram, they're gonna waste her.

[May delivers all this with a guilty look on her face. In some ways, this could be seen as being May's fault. Lex, though happy it's not Tai-San being held hostage, is back to not knowing where she is. His reaction is relief mixed with sadness. Pride though now has his own fear for Salene to deal with]

[Salene is dealing with enough of her own fear. She sits on a bunk leaning against the wall in the dark room that's become her prison. Her face is strained and her emotions color her thoughts]

[Meanwhile, Mega and his Techno flunkies have returned to the scene of the crime, the trash heap where they abandoned Ram. But Ram has long since disappeared. Mega has been thwarted and Mega doesn't like that]

Mega: Search the area. I want him found!

[The boy on the motorcycle rides down the road and into a town called Liberty, with Ram clinging to his back. They pull up in front of a saloon with hinged doors. Those doors are flung open and a boy goes flying through them, helped out by a pretty young woman. She's extremely unhappy with him]

Ruby: And you can take this garbage with you!

[She throws something at his feet, looks around for any more trouble, and goes back inside. Ram's savior takes off his helmet and looks from the boy on the ground and back to the now empty doorway. He looks around him, possibly wondering if this is the kind of place he really wants to stay. But with Ram unconscious, this is the best place for now, so that's where they'll stay. For now]