Reverse: 1999 story · Event stories
Into the Rainforest
2 scenes, 308 lines
1. Perilous Rainforest
170 linesTwo heads, one big and one small, peek out from behind the damp, rotting planks.
First the big, dark one, then the small, red one.
Is this the place?
Of course. Sure as shooting.
Rodrygo, I think you must've taken a wrong turn somewhere. There's no one here.
Even if Sandro isn't here, it shouldn't be abandoned. There were people living here.
But remember the gunshots earlier? Perhaps the Apostles Brotherhood got here before us.
Well, since there's no one, we don't exactly need to stick to the shadows.
Come on, let's take a look around and see what we can find.
The girl pokes her small frame out from behind the planks before Rodrygo pulls her back.
What?!
Wait a minute.
Look closely. Something's moving behind the clothes on that laundry line.
Hmmm.
Lopera squints as though aiming at an enemy, then widens her eyes in surprise. There is indeed someone behind the hanging, wrinkled clothes.
Wearing Zeno colors.
Oh, see the colors? They're friendly. No need to worry.
No. Things don't seem right, little birdie. That soldier looks strange to me. Trust this unlucky old thing's intuition on this.
What the hell are you talking about?
The girl doesn't intend to listen to him. She gets up and slips out of cover again.
But Rodrygo is quick to pull her back once more.
Wait, don't do that! You trying to get yourself shot?
Lopera attempts to call the Zeno soldier over, but an oily hand, reeking of fish, covers her mouth entirely.
Hmph! Let go, damn it!
Rodrygo's strong grip renders her struggle futile. The two wait in an awkward, tense stance for the Zeno soldier's next move.
...?
The soldier does not seem to have taken any notice of their hidden struggle, but he moves cautiously still.
Rodrygo's attempt to prove his judgment correct loses out to Lopera's struggling impatience.
Bang—
*cough*
Damn it! What just happened?
A freshly made smoke bomb releases a cloud of moth-scale dust, giving the girl a chance to break free from his clutches.
Hey! Have you lost your mind, Rodrygo?!
*cough* Don't go ...
The alchemical explosion startles the soldier, who turns his gun toward the smoke.
...?
Who's there?
The girl emerging from the pale smoke is unmistakable. Anyone who serves at the São Paulo base would recognize her in an instant.
It's ... you?!
Hey, it's me, Lopera. Put the gun down.
Come on, I need your help. Some old fool has been threatening me.
The corporal's frame stiffens, unmoving except for his eyes, which twitch wildly.
Antonio, someone's here!
Another nervous Zeno soldier emerges from a nearby house, rifle in hand.
What are you two doing? You recognize me, don't you? Seriously, you guys are so—
The Zeno corporal doesn't answer, but her training and instincts read the twitching movements and telegraph his intention—he's preparing to fire.
...?!
Have a fish!
...?!
A fermented fish flies through the air, momentarily distracting the aggressors.
Fire!
Lopera is pushed through a narrow door, a spray of bullets zipping over her head.
What are they doing?!
You gotta fight back, kid! Where's that gun of yours?!
Antonio is the first to fall, toppling over into a heap, his soul seeping out with the blood pooling at his side.
But the other soldier remains wounded, alive.
N-No!
Traitor!
The small but powerful tip of a shoe kicks the soldier in the shoulder, digging into a fresh bullet wound.
Ahhhh!
The corporal curls his body over to the other side, only to be flipped back over by Rodrygo.
Enough, that's twelve kicks already. One more, and you might put him down for good.
We still have questions for him.
What's going on? Tell me everything, right from the beginning.
I ... well, first ... after I joined Zeno—
Meu Deus, not the whole damn story. How about this for a start—why are you here?
I-I was just out gathering supplies.
Rodrygo sighs heavily, as though he has already guessed the whole truth.
And who were you gathering supplies for?
The corporal averts his eyes, hoping silence might save him.
Oh? That's how you want to play it, huh?
Lopera pulls out her revolver and presses it to the corporal's temple, the cold barrel breaking his will in an instant.
No, no, no. I'll tell you everything.
He knows well enough—this little birdie wouldn't hesitate to execute him. Antonio's body is proof.
Spit it out.
I don't know who gave the order. I only know he's from the ... Apostles Brotherhood.
They wanted food, sugar, rum, even people—everything!
The Brotherhood?!
Lopera leaves a purple bruise on his cheekbone with the butt of her gun.
Ah! You lunatic!
How did you get mixed up with those bastards?
Haven't you felt how things at Zeno have changed? You didn't notice anything?
Of course ... You're not like us. You're not ordinary. But we are. We only joined Zeno to make a living, not to serve that lunatic Carlos.
This is all his fault. We can't let him bring another massacre to Socorro. The Brotherhood said they would help us.
Be more specific—what is going on with Carlos?
A momentary spasm of contempt flashes across the corporal's lips.
Carlos is dead.
Then you just missed it. I bet the maggots are already feasting on him by now.
The corporal shivers from blood loss and the cold. The same chill slowly creeps up Lopera's spine.
This doesn't make any sense.
Rodrygo exhales a murky cloud of hot breath to one side, unnoticed by Lopera.
Carlos ...
If what he said is true ... Oh, God. This could turn São Paulo upside down. Who'd have thought Zeno would end up in a mess like this?
And Sandro ...
His coarse fingers rub the corners of his eyes.
...
Seems like it, don't it?
Rodrygo returns to Lopera's side and places his hand gently on her arm, lowering the barrel of the gun.
No, you know the score, little birdie. They killed Carlos, then joined up with the Apostles Brotherhood.
In military terms, it sounds like mutiny.
Lopera shakes off Rodrygo's hand and presses the gun hard into the corporal's forehead, the cold metal sinking into his skin.
Aaah!
The soldier grabs for the gun, but his blood-drained strength fails him. In his weakened state, he is no match for Lopera.
He fails to move the barrel even half an inch.
Are you going to kill me?
You're already an enemy in Zeno's eyes.
Judgment has been handed down.
No! I'm not! I-I just wanted a way out. Please! Ask me anything, I'll tell you!
Rodrygo takes over the interrogation.
Where is Sandro?
Of course, yeah ... Wait, Sandro? Who is Sandro? You came to this village to find him?
The condemned man's expression is sincere, and on the verge of death he has no reason—nor likely the ability—to lie.
There's no one else here. No one's been here. We just ran away after what happened to Carlos.
But you killed your comrades to escape the base, right?
I ...
Darn it!
Ugh!
Traitor!
*cough*
Lopera!
Rodrygo pulls her away before she can cause any more harm to the dying corporal.
Please ... whatever you want ... just leave me here ...
He musters the courage to look Lopera in the eye one last time, his eyes swimming in a cocktail of fluids—blood, sweat, and tears.
We ... were comrades once, right?
I remember ... uh, playing cards with you. You were cheating, but I didn't care ...
... For the sake of those old games ... you remember my name, do you ...?
The corporal throws his hand across his chest, grabbing at the pocket on his uniform.
Don't move a muscle.
It's not a weapon ... I just want to ... show you ...
The corporal continues to fumble at his chest, and Lopera raises her firearm. Both of their arms tremble.
In this moment, the three of them freeze in silent agreement, only a trembling hand moves, reaching into an open pocket.
A gust of wind gathers the stench of the rainforest's decay, blowing humid, sticky air across the scene.
...
The thick forest isolates their little unfolding drama from the rest of the world. There is no one else here but them and a fragile, dying man, who hopes he can tell her his name.
Lucas ...
The air is so thick it feels toxic. In the moment, it feels like all of this is just some sick hallucination.
Only a nightmare, a fleeting moment with no consequences. She doesn't have to pull this trigger.
She could leave now, return to the base, as though nothing happened. That idiot Carlos might even still be alive, but at the very least things will be back in order.
Lucas ...
The dark gun barrel forms a black sun in the Zeno corporal's eyes.
And then the sun explodes.
You have to learn the consequences of your actions.
Disloyalty and betrayal can never be forgiven.
...
Rodrygo squats down, first taking the corporal's pistol, then reaching into his chest pocket.
It's a dog tag. Should we take it with us?
Without a single word, Lopera grabs the dog tag and tosses it into her cauldron.
She sits on the ground. Never before has a battle left her so exhausted, physically and mentally. Her thoughts are as tangled as her ginger hair.
Sandro isn't here.
Her words sound like a whimper.
I want to go back.
Go back? No, you can't go back. Not yet. We've still got a ways to go.
Come. I'll take you to Sandro. We have to keep looking for him.
The girl jumps back up to her feet indignantly.
What did you say?
Lopera, listen to me.
Why should I listen to you? Last I checked, you weren't in my chain of command!
Maybe not, but it weren't for me, kid, you would have walked right up to those traitors and probably caught a bullet like your general.
...!
His point was, unfortunately, irrefutable. She could only offer a huff in reply.
We have no idea what the situation is now! Is your Zeno base now a rebel stronghold, or are there loyal soldiers still holding on there? And what is the Apostles Brotherhood doing through all of this?
Perhaps Lucas and Antonio knew more, but the dead don't speak to likes of us.
I ...
I'm not blaming you.
I only mean the jungle may be the safest place for us now. So, let's get Sandro first. At least then we'll have another ally.
Lopera's mind is swirling, still too chaotic to form her own plan. Rodrygo seems to offer the only path forward.
She nods.
Fine, we keep going.
2. No Place to Go
138 linesWhat ... What is this place?
Some kind of old estate by the look of it.
The soldiers, experienced in jungle warfare, crouch low, hiding their forms in the shade of the tall walled structure.
The last shots we heard came from somewhere near here, but there are no signs of any battle.
While there's no sign of battle, a quick investigation soon reveals that within the estate are a large force of Zeno rebels, along with members of the Apostles Brotherhood.
If there wasn't a fight, it could mean that Sandro escaped, or he was captured.
Then this is the estate the mutineer we interrogated mentioned.
There are some oddly dressed people here, besides the rebels and Apostles.
A few strangely dressed individuals sporadically move between the doors and the courtyard, their dark clothes not suited to the Brazilian sun.
Manus Vindictae.
Look at all these crates. The wood looks bone dry—these must have been brought in recently.
This may be their main base of operations. If so, we have an opportunity to deal a lethal blow to them here and now.
Be careful. There's someone over there. See that strange, black-haired woman? Those claws of hers don't look like fashion accessories.
My God, what is that she's eating? Is that ... human!?
Look closer, Major. It's turkey, just an old dry one.
That's one big turkey leg.
So, what's in God's name is going on here? Rebels, the Brotherhood, clawed cultists?
It doesn't matter. Zeno can handle them all the same way.
A small gray pellet bounces in Lopera's hand.
Take them out first, ask questions later.
Be careful. I have a feeling that the turkey-eating mujer will be a toughie.
No! No, no, no!
I don't know anything. I don't know!
Who are you?
She lowers her eyes, refusing to answer. Lopera doesn't care.
And you're with Manus Vindictae?
Y-Yes.
Then you're going back with the rest of these prisoners.
Her head flutters like a banana leaf in a hurricane.
No! I didn't mean that! Please, I haven't any idea who these people are or why they came to São Paulo!
I-I only came out here looking for food, and might I say that turkey was utterly revolting.
The bizarre and apparently very hungry woman had been a powerful opponent. Ordinarily, she might be intrigued by her story, true or not, but she had other things on her mind.
I need to ask you about a couple of people.
O-Of course!
She nods eagerly—desperately.
I'm looking for a man named Rodrygo. Middle-aged, tan brown skin, wearing a vest.
She nods frantically, hoping to trade her answers for freedom.
I think I saw him, yes! The large man that came out from the forest, he was with someone else; a young man ...
A young man?! Could that've been Sandro?
I'm afraid I don't know. I didn't know any of them, I swear, I'm not lying!
The Brotherhood took the old man and locked him in the basement. The younger man ran away into the forest.
I-I could find him for you! I have an excellent sense of smell, if I do say so myself.
Forget about it, girlie. You've got bad news written all over you.
Please, let me go! I'll be good! I-I'll never see those bloody Manus Vindictae again!
You don't really think I'm just going to let you go, right? Sorry, lady, you're going straight to the Zeno lock-up until we know what to do with you.
L-Lock-up?!
I've told you everything! Please, please, Miss, why can't you just let me go?!
I don't want to go to jail! I won't! I won't!
She springs forward, her claws slicing the air, almost scratching the soldiers holding her back.
This wacko cultist's getting out of control!
I am not! I'm not in any kind of cult!!
Just get her moving. Those arcanum restraints have a time limit.
Two soldiers drag the struggling prisoner away to a particular cell on a particular base.
Rebels, the Apostles Brotherhood, and now Manus Vindictae, the complexity of the situation is now far out of hand.
But she still has one clear and unequivocal purpose—find Rodrygo and, through him, Sandro.
She cannot fail her mission.
This must be the basement.
Rodrygo lies slumped in a corner, unconscious and covered in blood.
Yeah, that's him, Rodrygo.
A set of frayed ropes lies around him, along with a sharp, blood-stained stone.
He might be bleeding out. I'll check on him.
Major Kasyan steps forward to lift his head, checking for signs of life.
—!
Rodrygo suddenly bolts up, seizing the major by the throat, then pulling him close to make him a human shield.
Kasyan!
The sharp bloody stone is pressed up to Kasyan's carotid artery—as at the same moment, her revolver is pointed to Rodrygo's forehead.
Lope ... He ... doesn't—
Shut up!
Drop the gun, or Zeno loses another fine officer, today.
Rodrygo, you have no way out!
The hand holding the stone shard trembles, leaving a red gash on Kasyan's neck.
Ugh!
What are you even doing here?!
No! You know I'll never tell! He'll be free of all this soon!
Anxiety and desire churn in Lopera's stomach. Her patience wears thin.
One last chance, Rodrygo. Keeping your mouth shut won't help you now. Zeno will find him.
Sandro isn't involved in any of this. I'm the one at fault here.
He isn't involved?
And Sandro, he's just a kid.
I've had it with your lies!
You wanna explain why this "innocent kid" had dealings with the Apostles Brotherhood?
Only because of his idiot father—
"Father?" Do you really think you can play the hero here?
Did you even once stop to think what would become of Sandro after all this?
You're just turning him into another you! A total moron!
A turncoat traitor, selling out everyone he knows for a bit of cash!
If he grows up to be like you in the end, then he'll be just another conman—always on the run with not a single person that cares whether he lives or dies!
Or I can take Sandro back with me. Zeno can turn him around, teach him what honor means.
Sandro will never go with you! I'll never let Zeno take him!
An army that brutalizes neighborhoods, then kills its own officers, and you have the gall to tell me about "honor"!?
That's never happening again.
Heh. Little birdie, once there is a first, there will come a second, and a third.
You don't know anything, old man.
No, you're the one who doesn't get it!
I struggled my whole life! Who helped me?! Who gave me a damn thing?!
Nobody!
Everything I have—my family, my property—I earned it, and I'll protect it by any means necessary!
I've never killed anyone innocent; I just did what I had to do. You think every one of them wouldn't have done the same, if they were in my shoes?
I'm sorry about your friend, but it wasn't my fault.
Of course, I care about you. Your friend, her name was Nydia! See, I remember. I'm not as uncaring as you might think.
You're lying!
No! Listen!
Don't say it! Don't you open your mouth! Pray I don't hear your voice again today!
Damn you! Just go to your room!
I'm never setting foot in that room again!
I'm not afraid of you! I'm not afraid of anything. I'll run away. You can't lock me up!
Where will you go?! Take one step outside, and those brutes will tear you apart!
Is that so? What makes you think you deserve to stand here, to live as you do?
I should kick you out, send you back to the banana plantations! Let you experience the disease and death I took you away from! Then you'll see! Then you'll behave!
No. Never.
Don't you think you've got their blood on your hands too?!
Nothing like that!
You, you have no idea what you're doing!
Fine! Then I'll stay ignorant!
Lopera!
...
The major grabs Rodrygo's falling body by the arms, gently lowering it to the ground. The shot echoes over and over against the cramped stone chamber, leaving their ears ringing.
There's nothing pleasant about a bullet grazing your face.
But it's better than a slit throat. I owe you, Lieutenant.
Are you insane?
Kasyan shakes Lopera by the shoulders, but quickly stops. The girl looks ready to fall apart.
Forget it. I don't care about your orders or mine. Don't go after him. Let it go.
I'm taking you back to base to recuperate.
But the admiral said ...
A soldier rushes in, interrupting their conversation.
Major, we heard a shot! Is everything okay?
I was taken hostage by a prisoner, but Lieutenant Lopera here saved my life.
Your aim is still as flawless as ever, Lieutenant.
Unfortunately, I have something urgent to report.
We found the body of a young man on the perimeter. Seems he died about ten minutes ago.
Gunshot wound, looks to be self-inflicted.
My God, this is a dark day.