Five Years Later. 2035. Present Day. Two Years after the Sinking of Midtown Manhattan
Sarah enters a room and grabs her shotgun, before walking over to a recording tape box to broadcast.
Sarah: So this is how humanity dies....today is August 12, 2035. The Authorities of the Wasteland is no more. Chairman Pierce; he bailed on us some time ago, so we can't pretend to be civil anymore. It all began when Dr. Ryan Fenix created a serum called Python that was supposed to advance humanity, but instead, brought upon the apocalypse. Since then, Kronos was in control of the world for some time, but not before one man, my husband, Kyle Desipich, put an end to Kronos. For quite some time, we had peace, but three years later, the staff and soldiers that were banished into the wasteland were captured....mutated....into something not human; the Condemned. We threw everything we had at them and at a cost, a lot of innocent people....our friends....were lost, but the Condemned, they kept coming. Left with no other option, we sacrificed our last possible haven, Midtown Manhattan. We sank the city and finally stopped the Condemned army, but we were reduced to stranded. We found a remote island where we could start a new, but there are some things that can't be replaced.....hearts that were broken....minds that were shattered....dreams that were crushed.
Jake is looking at the photo of himself and Keera, before smashing a glass bottle in anger while Cassandra is with her mothers' necklace as she looks back at Maya.
Sarah: Then a new enemy appeared far more worse; the Krens. Creatures bred from radioactive fluid. They've spread across what's left of Earth, killing everything and everyone in their path. We've tried to run and hold them off, but they're just too powerful. We're out of choices. Out of options and out of time. Our only hope is to abandon the island and split up; some of us are going to live on the ships while others want to risk going back to the land.
Bowers is at Archly Gate with a few remaining A.O.W Soldiers.
Sarah: Good luck, Bowers. This is Sarah Desipich. If you get this message, you are the lucky ones.
Sarah turns off the recorder, before giving a saddened look and falling into the tears.
One Week Earlier.
At a local beach settlement, a school of fish are swimming around, before Shawn shoots one of them with a crossbow with James present.
Shawn: Bam!
Shawn laughs.
Shawn: Told you I could hit a school of fish, boy!
James: Lucky shot!
Shawn: Lucky shot, my ass! It's called skill. It's also called patience and persistence, little brother.
James: Is there also something called "show off"?
Shawn: Ah, fuck you.
James laughs.
Meanwhile, Caleb is cooking fish caught by Shawn, who brings another load of fish for Caleb to cook while Maya is writing in a journal and Mitchell is organizing cups.
Mitchell: Caleb, we're almost low on cups again...and plates.
Caleb: Again? We just did a run two weeks ago.
Mitchell: What can I say? Twelve people altogether.....shit's going to get lower.
Caleb: Ah, fuck. You talk to boss man, yet?
Mitchell: Not yet, but I'll bring it up to him sometime.
Shawn approaches Caleb with the load of fish.
Caleb: Jesus, another batch?
Shawn: Another batch.
Caleb hands Shawn a bowl of shredded fish.
Caleb: Just so you know; you were thought of.
Shawn: For me? How sweet? Or are you being a kiss ass again?
Caleb: Bit of both...we got lucky with this beach....if you hadn't spotted it.
Shawn: Kyle saw it first...give some credit to him too....
Caleb: Yeah...
Mitchell: Hey, Shawn. When you get a moment, I gotta show you something.
Shawn: Okay.....Caleb, we'll be back. Don't burn the fish.
Caleb: Hey, man. That was one time.
Meanwhile, Cassandra and Margaret are on the wall of the settlement.
Margaret: Okay, your turn.
Cassandra: I spy with my little eye....a twig floating in that big beautiful blue and heavily infected ocean.....
Margaret: Wow, really? I can't spot shit out in that big fucking blue waves.....I spy.....the beaming sun.
Cassandra: We need a new game.
Margaret: Yeah, we do....
Shawn and Mitchell walk up to the water as Mitchell points out radioactive fluid spikes in the ocean.
Mitchell: The radioactive fluid spikes are getting worse.....you're hunting for fish on the east side of the beach, right?
Shawn: Yep.
Mitchell: Okay, good....keep it that way.
Shawn: Yeah, I'll tell Kyle that way we can board off anyone from stepping foot into this part of the beach.....
Mitchell: Shawn, if it gets like this, we may have to move.
Shawn: Hey, we're secure here, man. My brothers got the defenses up, plus, we have weapons, food and warmth. We survived here for two years.
Mitchell: yeah, but for how much longer?
Shawn: You'll have to take this up with Kyle.
Sarah is boarding up the walls of the settlement, before Marcus approaches her.
Marcus: Need some help?
Sarah: Nah.....thanks, Marcus. I-I almost got it.
Marcus: Almost, huh? You've only done a third of the wall.....not trying to sound like an asshole, but you've been out here since sunrise.
Sarah wipes her forehead.
Sarah: Kyle asked you to check on me?
Marcus: Actually, Jake did.....said you looked tired.
Sarah: He told you, didn't he?
Marcus: Uh...he told me to come help you? Is there something I should know, though?
Sarah: No...No...just....be careful, okay, Marcus....I know you feel like you and your sister need to pull to earn your place, but, seriously, you have with us.
Marcus: Appreciate that, Sarah.
A short pause, before Sarah is convinced to let Marcus help her.
Sarah: Grab a hammer and nails....and start right here.
Marcus: Yes, ma'am.
James approaches Cassandra, who steps down from the wall.
James: Should inform you that the defenses are back up 100%.
Cassandra: That's my baby.
James and Cassandra share a kiss, before James gives a conflicted look.
Cassandra: What?
James: Nothing...
Cassandra: James, this isn't your nothing look.
A short pause.
James: Okay....I want to ask; you think we can last another year here?
Cassandra: You asking me because of what we both know is out there?
James: More or less...but it's not just that....I'm asking for us too.
Cassandra: Well, it's better than running all the time...we haven't had to run for the past two years.....I mean; we've had to deal with Krens here and there, but who hasn't, right?
James: You're expecting it, too.
Cassandra: I'm not expecting, but I'm just prepared.
Kyle and Jake are in a field of planted fruit and vegetables.
Kyle: I'll be goddamned.....Okay, I admit it.....I am impressed.
Jake: Told you, boy, never underestimate my planting skills....ah, damn it.....(kneels to tend crops) You see these ones? They were in the shade too long...
Kyle: It's alright. We've got plenty of other vegetables to go along with our fish.
Jake: Caleb, that boy sure can cook a salmon.
Kyle laughs.
Kyle: Yeah, he can....he told me stories about how his dad taught him how to cook before he died...he mentioned how his sister, Beth, would try out his cooking.
Jake: And?
Kyle: She threw up the next morning.
Jake: Hey, Caleb's not that bad of a cook...well, he did barbeque the shit of that catfish.
Kyle and Jake laugh.
Jake: You thinking about going out again before it gets too hot?
Kyle: Yeah.....
Jake: Nothing wrong with staying close to home.....I mean; our great granddad would wonder how the hell are two of us growing crops and feeding ten people .....you've got the boots.....you let your beard grown in....You've got the hair....you just need a peace of wheat of your mouth....and suspenders....
Kyle laughs.
Kyle: Hey, I'm going to check on everyone else....you good here?
Jake: Yeah, I got it.
Kyle: Don't be long.....dinner's soon.
Kyle walks over to the beach settlement, before he looks out to the beach to notice Ashley sitting on the sand, near the water barefooted. Kyle then approaches Ashley.
Kyle: You know if your feet get dysentery, we might have to amputate them.....and I'm pretty sure you'll hate the feeling of not being able to wiggle your toes.
Ashley: I can deal with that.
Kyle sits down next to Ashley.
Kyle: Admiring the view?
Ashley: Yeah.....I am...I've never seen the beach before...I know we've been here for two years, but....it's just so vast....peaceful....big....despite having to deal with the Krens...
Kyle: Everyone's gotta deal with Krens.
Ashley: Nora would tell me stories of the beach.....about how her father would show her pictures.... I never thought that somewhere so beautiful like this existed after all these years.....I just wish Nora was here to see this.....My parents.....Nathan...Alexandria....Walter...Billy....they would've loved this.
Kyle: They're all watching us from a better place, Ash.
Ashley: Well, at least, I have my big sister and my awesome brother-in-law to sit here with.
Ashley rests her head on Kyles' shoulder as the two share a brother and sister like moment. Sarah looks out into the distance to notice Kyle sitting with Ashley and smiles for a moment, but suddenly notices movement out in the ocean, which is revealed to be an army of Krens.
Sarah: Oh, shit!
Kyle notices the Krens out in the ocean moving in towards the beach settlement.
Kyle: Ashley....
Ashley looks out to notice the Krens moving in.
Ashley: Oh, god....Krens.
Kyle: You have your gun, right?
Ashley: It's back at the settlement.
Kyle: Good....get your boots. Let's get back to the settlement.
Ashley puts on her boots, before she and Kyle run back to the settlement.
Jake: Everyone! We got Krens coming our way!
Shawn: How many?!
Jake: A whole fucking shitload.....
Kyle returns with Ashley, who hugs Sarah.
Sarah: What were you doing?
Ashley: Just getting a view.....
Sarah: Where's your gun?
Ashley: In my room....
Sarah: Get it. We're going to need you.
Ashley runs off to her room to collect her pistol.
Kyle: James, are those perimeter defenses up?
James: They are....they just need some time to fully charge...take all those fuckers out.
Kyle: Okay, James, you, Cassandra, Jake and Mitchell take the front ...Caleb, you and Shawn take the south part of the wall. Marcus, you and your sister got the north.....Maya, you've learned how to shoot well...just aim, take your time and shoot...we don't have that much ammo....
Sarah: What about me?
Kyle: You and your sister are with me. We're guarding the inside.
Sarah: We could do more, Kyle. Everyone else is taking lead.
Ashley: Trust Kyle, Sarah. He knows what he's doing.
Sarah: I do....it's just I feel like we should be doing more.
Ashley returns with her pistol while a small Krens army makes it ashore.
Shawn: Here they come.
Kyle: Wait til they get a little closer.
The Krens army advances closer to the beach settlement.
Kyle: Wait.....wait...Now! Open fire!
The Midtown Manhattan Survivors open fire onto the Krens army, taking them down as a Krens drone with a rifle opens fire, forcing the group to take cover.
Marcus: Jesus!
James: The Krens have definitely evolved! They're able to use guns now!
Cassandra shoots down a Krens with her bow and arrow.
Cassandra: They can still die though!
Kyle: James, talk to me.
James: Forty-five seconds til the perimeter defenses are active, Kyle!
Kyle: Okay! Keep pushing! Keep pushing!
James: Thirty seconds!
Shawn: Is this all you pussies got?! Gimme a real challenge!
James: Twenty seconds!
A bullet ricochets near Maya, giving Cassandra concern.
Maya: Fuck!
Cassandra: Maya! Are you okay?!
Maya: Yeah, I'm okay! Bullet bounced off the wall! I'm fine!
James: Ten.....nine....eight....seven....six.....five....four...three...two....deploying!
James activates the perimeter defenses as four beacons arise from the ground. However, one defense beacon gets jammed.
James: Ah, fuck!
Kyle: "ah, fuck!" what?!
James: Nothing!
Kyle: No "nothing". You don't go "ah, fuck" for no reason. What's with the "ah, fuck"?!
James: Uh....one of the perimeter beacons is jammed.
Jake: Meaning?
James: The defenses aren't going to activate until all the beacons are up.
Mitchell: Goddamn it!
James: Kyle, someone's going to have to go out there and get that beacon from the ground! We need those defenses up or this is going to get bad quick!
Ashley: I'll do it....I can get there....if you guys cover.
Sarah: Ashley....no...it's a suicide run...
Ashley: I'm fast.....I can do it.
Kyle: No...Marcus, you got a nuke grenade?
Marcus: Yeah? One more!
Kyle: Give it to me.
Marcus: but this is my favorite.
Kyle: Just fucking do it, man! I'll find you another one!
Marcus tosses the grenade to Kyle.
Jake: Kyle, what the hell are you doing?
Kyle: Cover me!
Kyle pull out his Zeus Corps machete and breaks for the beacon.
Sarah: Kyle!
Jake: Kyle! Shit!
Jake turns to the survivors.
Jake: You heard him! Keep my brother covered!
Kyle runs for the jammed beacon, taking down a few Krens with his Zeus Corps machete along the way, before he manages to reach the beacon and attempts to pull it out of the ground.
Kyle: C'mon! C'mon! You piece of shit! C'mon!
As the other Midtown Manhattan Survivors keep Kyle covered, Maya accidently shoots a stray round near Kyles' foot.
Maya: My bad!
Kyle finally manages to pull the jammed beacon out of the ground.
Kyle: Got it!
Kyle activates the nuke grenade, before grabbing a Krens and jamming the grenade in its mouth. Kyle then kicks the Krens back as the nuke grenade explodes, killing all the other Krens surrounding it.
Kyle: Shit!
Kyle flees from the Krens army back to the beach settlement.
Kyle: James! Do it!
James: What?!
Kyle: Do it now!
Cassandra: No!
Jake: Kyle!
Sarah: James! No! He's still out there!
Kyle: James! Push the fucking button!
Ashley: James, don't!
Shawn: Guys, we can't keep this up forever!
A tense moment, before James complies with Kyle.
James: Sarah, I'm sorry.
Sarah: No!
James presses the button on his remote as Kyle slides in a ditch, before the defense perimeters activate, electrocuting and killing all the Krens in the area. Shortly afterwards, Jake, Sarah and Ashley run out as Shawn, James, Cassandra, Caleb and Mitchell follow.
Jake: Kyle! Kyle!
Shawn: Where the hell'd he go? He just vanished!
Sarah: Kyle! Kyle!
Jake: James, what the fuck?! Why didn't you wait til he was clear?
James: Hey, man! It was his call! I just-
Kyle suddenly crawls out of the ditch, unharmed, before he coughs.
Kyle: Nice job, James.....
Jake: Crazy bastard.
Sarah: Are you okay?
Jake: He's fine, Sarah. He's just fine.
Marcus: That was spectacular!
Kyle: Alright. Let's get rid of all these dead Krens.
Shawn: Let's get to work then.
Shawn, James and Mitchell begin to dispose of the dead Krens, before Kyle walks up to Sarah.
Kyle: You okay?
Sarah, annoyed, walks off, before Ashley reassures Kyle.
Ashley: She's grateful what you did. She really is.
Now nightfall, with the vehicles parked in front of the beach settlement gate, the survivors are seen huddled in a campfire where they are eating food except for Shawn, who is keeping watch and Kyle, who is walking around the perimeter.
James: Damn...tastes just like my Aunt Karens' cooking...
Sarah stares at Kyle, who continues walking around the perimeter.
Mitchell: We've taken care of most of the bodies and threw them into the west part of the beach....seems to be the only part of the beach compromised....still, we should be able to get plenty of fresh fish and water from the east side of the beach. Jake, how's the planting coming?
Jake: It's going good....should be able to get some tomatoes, broccoli, beans.
Jake stares at Kyle.
Jake: That's his fourth time around. That boy is real keen on makin sure this place is secure.
Marcus: We got lucky today.
Ashley talks to Sarah.
Ashley: have you two talked?
Sarah: about today? Not yet.
Jake: What he did today? It was a stupid stunt, but it was necessary. He saved the settlement.
Maya: That's what this place is now.....safe.
Caleb climbs up to Shawn's post as he hands him a plate of fish.
Caleb: It's so little, but if I don't bring you something, you'll starve.
Shawn: You keepin an eye on me, Caleb?
Caleb: Makin sure everyone's fed....specially after today.....just glad it didn't get any worse.
Shawn: Usually, it's Nathan who had the balls run into a crowd of....shit, man....I didn't...
Caleb: It's cool.....Kyle's gotten us a whole lot further than I thought. I'll give him that.....Nathan; I don't think he could've one this...still can't believe it was Kyle who killed him.
Shawn: He had his reason to keep that secret.....guess he thought Barnes was an easier target to pin the blame on.....and he was.
Caleb: I don't know, man.....took me a while to forgive Nathan after what happened with Beth.....but recovered to figure out that he was dead.....I didn't know how to respond....and then when I figured out what really happened with Billy....
Shawn: What would you have done if you were in Kyles' place?
A short pause.
Caleb: To be honest, I would've told Sarah the truth right then and there to avoid much more tension.....I'd rather have it heard from him than heard from Barnes.....but fuck it....Barnes, Nathan, Billy.....Beth....they're gone....just like Midtown Manhattan.
Shawn sighs.
Shawn: We should head back.
Caleb: You think we should make a sign? You know like a vacancy sign?
Shawn gives a look.
Caleb: Just a suggestion.
Shawn: Maybe, but we're not a community or something...
Caleb: We could...
Shawn: If we do decide to make this place a community, we're building a strip club.
Caleb: I'm down with that.
Shawn and Caleb climb down from the wall.
Jake: So, Maya, your sister tells me you can sing?
Maya: Yeah?
Maya at Cassandra, who smiles.
Jake: I was just wondering if you knew any songs. I was thinking maybe a little campfire song...how bout I was the line by Johnny Cash.
Cassandra: My Uncle Zed sang that song a lot when I was a kid.....if I listen to that song, I'll think of him....
Jake: Okay, let's not make tonight a sad night...how bout Take Me Home by John Denver.
Maya: No one wants to listen to me sing.
James: Why not? We promise not to laugh.....at least, I do.
Maya: All right.....(singing) Country roads, take me home to the place I belong .West Virginia
Mountain mamma, take me home Country roads All my memories, gather round her. Modest lady, stranger to blue water. Dark and dusty, painted on the sky. Misty taste of moonshine, teardrop in my eye.
Cassandra joins in as Shawn and Caleb return to the campfire as does Kyle, who kneels next to Sarah.
Cassandra and Maya: Country roads, take me home to the place I belong West Virginia Mountain mamma, take me home
Country roads.
The Midtown Manhattan Survivors clap and applaud.
Jake: Bravo, ladies! Bravo!
Later that night, Kyle and Sarah are in their shack shared with Ashley.
Kyle: Ash sleeping?
Sarah: Yeah.....yeah, she is....you know before the Krens showed up, I saw how you was sitting on the beach with her.....I guess she kind of thinks of you as the big brother role model.....when I imagined Ashley sitting on a beach with a guy, I thought it would be her husband, but it's mine instead.....it's a good image....Kyle, look, uh.....we need to talk.
Kyle: About what?
Sarah: About what happened today.....You going out there in the line of fire.
Kyle: James' damn defense perimeter got stuck in the ground.....we needed it up.....if I hadn't done that-
Sarah: I'm not saying we're ungrateful. I'm just saying you can't take risk like that....especially with the Krens. You could've died.
Kyle: I made sure that the damn beach settlement is safe.
Sarah: We all did, Kyle. Not just you. We're all pulling our weight....we're all busting our asses to make sure this place is secure.
Kyle: I know...I know....Sarah, I-I don't mean to worry you.....I don't.....it's just.....I don't want to lose this place or you....or anyone....we've been doing a good job at keeping everyone safe for the past two years....ever since Midtown Manhattan....ever since we left the island....you believe in me, don't you?
Sarah: I do.....
Kyle and Sarah share a kiss, before beginning to get intimate. Kyle looks over to Ashley's room to see if she's sleeping.
Kyle: Uh....you sure she's asleep?
Sarah: I'm sure.....she won't wake up.
Meanwhile, at a deserted valley, where many Skin-Walkers are seen present.
Meat-Head: Goddamn it! I'm fuckin starving! Those damn scavengers we picked up didn't hit the spot! I need a nice thick juicy woman to eat.
Blaze: You'd rather eat a woman than fuck her?
Meat-Head: When you're desperate, you'll do anything for some food, son.
Suddenly, Skull returns to the lair of the Skinwalkers.
Skull: Daddy's home, boys!
Pigmy: Ah, boss man's home! Boss man's home!
Skull: The fuck out of the way, Pigmy....
Skull sits down next to a barrel that is filled with feral rat like creatures.
Skull: Don't be greedy. There's plenty for everyone.
Switch: You know, Skull. As much as I hate to say it, it sure does pain me to see you like this. Usually, you're up and running....taking heads and asking questions later.
Skull: Oh, spare me, you fucking kiss up! I've been like this for the past five years. Living off scraps.....because of that cock-sucker, Kyle Desipich and his lackeys....but from what I hear, he and the rest of those fucks are homeless just like us....and roaming around here....I've been waiting to get my shot at him....waiting patiently for the right opportunity.
Dead-Eye, a Skinwalker scout, approaches Skull.
Dead-Eye: Report, Skull.
Skull: What you got, Dead-Eye?
Dead-Eye: Spotted another local beach settlement in the East.....
Skull: another one, huh? That's the fourth one. We've raided every single settlement that hasn't been fucked by the Krens...what's so special about this one?
Dead-Eye: Well, boss.....the settlement's got a mechanic defense system....also, the group there just happens to be led by Kyle Desipich.....
Skull laughs.
Skull: Oh, boy! Oh, boy!
Skull turns to the Skinwalkers.
Skull: Boys, gather another round, because tomorrow, we're going all hands to that settlement....That man who made us homeless and nothing is there, Kyle Desipich! We go all in! Kill everyone else, but Desipich is mine!
The Skin-Walkers cheer on.