[ferretchucker]

Opening credits roll. Fade to a shot of the outside of what was Neverending's studio. Flames are shooting through the door and crowds of people watch on in horror as others desperately try to fight the fire with some primitive garden hoses. Rocks are still falling from the ceiling, although it seems to have settled down now. Chronogrl pushes through the crowd of people that's gathered.

Chronogrl: Okay, people, you all need to go back to your compartments. Level 3s and above only from tunnel D through F. Anybody who lives in said tunnels needs to head to the town hall right away.

Newb: What's going on?!

Chronogrl: No idea, but it's serious. Some sort of explosion in here.

Newb: Shit, that's Neverending's studio isn't it?

Chronogrl: You're a non citizen, I'm sorry but you're gonna have to leave now.

Newb: Is Neverending okay?

She turns to him and suddenly looks less focussed.

Chronogrl: Look, I don't know who you are, but he was my friend as well. I want to know what happened to him just as much as you but at the moment my job is to clear you all out of here. Please don't make it harder.

Newb: My friend's in the medical block here, can I just go and get him?

Chronogrl: Sure, that's not mu juristriction. Go.

She turns back and tries to control the crowd some more. The flames have died down now. Fade to The Flayed One's temporary room. He's sleeping heavily whilst people knock at the door. Eventually he wakes up and walks over to open it. Standing there is V.

Flayed: Oh fuck, I don't have to go over wha-

V: Quiet, I need to talk to you quickly. You said you came here from some escape pod, right?

Flayed: What?

V: When you were talking to me about where you came from, that space station, you said you came here in an escape pod?

Flayed: Yeah, what about it?

V: How high tech would you say it was?

Flayed: I dunno, I'm not a technician. What's this abou-

V: How was it powered?

Flayed: Something called Black Fusion. I dunno, it's like they get a miniature black hole and just use it to power everything on the ship.

V: You're serious? That must be incredible...an infinite power source. If we can contain that...

He drifts off then looks back at Flayed.

V: Look, there was an explosion further down the halls, evidence suggests it was a little gift the tekkies left behind. It knocked out our electricity supply and we have no way of reconnecting that. We have four hours worth of power left.

Flayed: Shit dude...well, I don't see how I can help.

V: This escape pod must have some kind of fuel storage, some remnant of this black fusion. If you can bring that back here then...need I explain?

Flayed: Hold on! I see where this is going. No! I'm not sticking my neck out for you guys. I just want to relax. I have had enough of rescue missions. This one girl on the station, Papillon Noi-

V: You don't seem to understand. We need this, and you're going to get it for us. A young woman named Chronogrl, very determined lady, has agreed to go with you. We'll give you all the tools you need, including two motorbikes lent to us by some traders.

Flayed: Fuck you! I'm through with action.

V takes a menacing step forward to Flayed.

V: When you left with all that technology a lot of people here were very angry. You betrayed us. I've forgiven you...but a lot of others haven't. Neverending was particularly furious with you at the time.

Flayed: Where is that old dude?

V: He was at the center of that explosion. Now, I'm not saying you had anything to do with it, but rumors are starting to spread. I'm the only thing standing between you and them and if I move out of the way...

Flayed: You devious bastard. I thought I could trust you.

V: I'm mayor first and your friend second. Sorry, it's just the way things are.

Flayed: So what do I have to do exactly.

V: Go out on the bikes to wherever you left this pod and salvage all that you can from it, but most of all the fuel storage. With any luck we can find out our own way to create black fusion. Worst case scenario we have to use it to power this place for a few more days.

Flayed: What do I get out of it?

V: An unlimited level 2 clearance here.

Flayed: That's it? I don't need this place, I could find a home somewhere else.

V: And 3000 Rels. That should be enough to last you at least three years.

Flayed is clearly tempted by the money, his greed kicking it.

Flayed: Make it 3500.

V: Deal.

Flayed: And I want half before I leave.

V: You drive a hard bargain...but okay.

Flayed: Lovely.

He licks his lips, then takes a big swig from a jug of ale beside his bed. He and V shake hands.

V: Pleasure doing business with you my friend.

Flayed: Same to you.

The camera pans down to show Flayed's fingers crossed behind his back. Ending credits roll.