Only A Flesh Wound

## Summary

The pirates are closing in but you're almost to your new home of Coyote Skull. Aided by new Dustcap, Jaxon, your job is simple; escape and survive.

## Cast

* Jaxon
* Sketchy Galore
* Actaeon
* Jade Meadows

## Mission Requirements

Collect all of the required items to unlock this mission!

1. Completed Season 1, Mission 3
2. 5KM Distance Badge

## Transcript

### SCENE 1: Hi Jaxon!

INT. TUNNELS

Tunnels again, dry and airy but also open and big. An underground cathedral.

FX: Jaxon is shouting from the mouth of a cave passage.

JAXON:

Over here, Kettlemine! Hi, I’m Jaxon. You’re almost home, you’re DOING great. Most importantly, is Sketchy giving you grief yet?

SKETCHY:

It’s called enthusiastic advice, JAXON. And remember who signed off on you going out there. You’re running the Glass Hills, pursued by a masked wardog enthusiast in the DARK.

JAXON:

You’re worried about me. (We can hear the smile form.) YOU’RE WORRIED ABOUT \*ME\*.

SKETCHY:

(Trying to play it cool, utterly failing)

Someone has to.

JAXON:

That’s adorable, Sketch.

SKETCHY:

Focus up, Jaxon.

JAXON:

(Sighs). Fine. Kettlemine, you’re good at this I can tell but…be careful, please. I’ll warn you of the really bad stuff but Sketchy’s right. This place is all glass and sharp edges. The Firewalker left some scars. Although if you want to talk SCARS-

SKETCHY: JAX!

(pause)

Kettlemine, keep your light on and your head up. Jaxon knows the Hills better than I know old world movies. Almost. Tread careful, keep going. Almost home.

### SCENE 2: What do you see, Jaxon?

INT. TUNNELS

Tunnels again, dry and airy but also open and big. An underground cathedral.

JAXON:

Come this way. Be careful, that’s a sharp outcropping. I had a friend who lost a finger there once. GNARLY wound but I sewed it back on.

SFX: crash like a window breaking

JAXON:

Hey Sketch, who’s following us? Pirates or those folks from Peregrine?

SKETCHY:

Pirates.

JAXON:

AVAST!

SKETCHY:

(DEEP SIGH). Why do people keep doing that to me? Jaxon it’s Actaeon, the warhandler. Those dogs are FAST but they’re still way back. I’m seeing some power sources but its really hard to lock in. .

Don’t underestimate the Glass Hills either. It’s dangerous there. I mean, dangerous besides the glass shards, there are also…birds. Odd ones. Vultures. We think. Jax knows more, right?

Jax?

JAXON: (In middle distance)

Did you hear that? Hold, let me check that last intersection…

SFX- metallic howl in the distance

SKETCHY:

Wardogs!

JAXON:

…I think they saw me

FX: ACTAEON hacks the headset again

ACTAEON :

(Delicious. Relishing the words.)

Yes we did.

SKETCHY:

GO! GO NOW! Both of you!

SFX- metallic barking getting closer/louder

### SCENE 3: Are those vultures, Jaxon?

INT. CAVES

A cave. Big. Airy. Spooky wind. Rustling, hushing and clicking in the background as the vultures wake up and move around and do vulture things.

JAXON:

Sketchy we’re about 200 feet up. In the blind I set up for the vulture watchers.

SKETCHY:

I can practically smell it. Good work, Jax. The stench will throw the dogs off for a while. Now we just need to be careful of the vultures. Because that’s a sentence I get to say now.

JAXON:

Sketchy’s right. They’re normally carrion feeders but I’ve seen them hunt. Nothing our size, thankfully but…go slow. Go quiet.

SFX: hisses and clicks (Black vulture noises, they have no voice box)

SFX: Door bangs open, someone grabs the headset from Sketchy

SKETCHY:

(Hisses) KEEP IT DO-oh. Hey, Mayor, what are you doing?

JADE MEADOWS:

Is it true? Did you send a novice Dustcap into the Glass Hills at night?

SKETCHY:

(affronted)

No, I sent the scout who knows the Glass Hills better than anyone into the hills at night. Because you want someone to guide the Dustcap carrying something valuable to come in safely.

JADE MEADOWS:

You mean to tell me that no one else is qualified to do this?

SKETCHY:

Yes that’s exactly what I mean. We’ve got Dustcaps out everywhere, Mayor. Survivor rescue at Kettlemine, diplomatic work at NAS, trading with Peregrine. Besides, no one knows the hills like Jax.

JADE MEADOWS:

Put me on. Jaxon, this is the Mayor. Where are you.

JAXON: (REAL ‘OH SHIT’ feel to his voice)

Vulture cave at the top of the Anvil Cliffs. We’re maybe 500 feet away from a wardog pack. They’ve followed us all the way here. Currently using the smell of the vultures to throw off the dogs.

JADE MEADOWS:

Those vultures will view you as a threat the moment they wake up. What’s your exit strategy. Speak up, Dustcap (THE MAYOR’S VOICE IS TIGHT WITH EMOTION THROUGHOUT)

JAXON:

(NOTICEABLY MORE FOCUSED WHEN TALKING TO THE MAYOR. WE FIND OUT WHY BY THE END OF THE EPISODE.)

I’ve got a climbing harness, my charge doesn’t. Push comes to shove we’ll speed abseil down. Or there’s Plan D.

JADE INGRAM:

No one likes Plan D, Jaxon.

SFX: Metallic, distorted barking, getting closer. Quickly.

SFX: More clicks and hisses.

JAXON:

May not have a choice, mayor! (Terrified, holding it together). They’re waking up and the dogs are coming in. Kettlemine, when When I go, you go.

SFX: Crash as the wardogs break in.

SFX: Hisses and clicks as the vultures Respond. Flapping of BIG wings.

JAXON:

Plan D it is! GO!

### SCENE 4: PLAN D, JAXON!

INT. CAVES

Tunnels again. Vulture and dog fight in the background and receding as the scene goes on.

JAXON:

(breathless, frantic)

Plan D! Alright! Distraction always works!

JADE MEADOWS:

            Jaxon. Where are you?

JAXON:

Okay! (claps hands) Okay. Good news; no dogs or vultures. Bad news, we’re at the top of the Anvil Cliffs. I can see you but…no easy way down without getting cut to ribbons.

SFX: Woosh and clicks as the vultures attack. There’s a dull thud and an OOF as JAXON is knocked over.

JAXON

(winded) And also more vultures!

SFX: Wardogs getting closer as the scene goes on.

JAXON: AND MORE DOGS!

JADE MEADOWS:

Sketchy, check outside and see if you can see them. Jaxon, listen to me carefully. Your headset should have a face shield. Your charge has one too. Deploy them. Now.

JAXON:

(FX: Cool, visor deploying noise)

Copy that.

SKETCHY: (Slightly out of breath)

Mayor, they’re visible but they’re a LONG way up.

JADE MEADOWS:

Anvil Cliffs. Long way up. Vultures….Jaxon, you’ve got your your climbing baton, right?

FX: wardogs getting much MUCH closer.

JAXON:

Of course but there’s two o-

JADE MEADOWS:

I need you to hit the ground. Smash it.

JAXON:

But mayor, that’s –

JADE MEADOWS:

There’s another cave right under you. But you have to break through to it. Survivor, help him.

SFX: Wardogs growling and panting as they sprint in to attack. Vultures hissing. JAXON grunting with effort.

SFX: Baton hitting glass repeatedly, starts to crack, then breaks free and we get a good “falling through a skylight” crash.

### SCENE 5: Good job, Jaxon!...Jaxon?...Buddy?

INT. CAVES

Another cave. Smaller. More packed. Fewer vultures. For now. Hole in the ceiling so the acoustics are a little odd.

SKETCHY:

Kettlemine! Jaxon! JAX! Are you okay?

JADE MEADOWS:

Jaxon! Report!

JAXON:

Ugh. We’re alive. I think. Right? Okay, yeah. We’re alive. (pause) WE’RE ALIVE! WOOOOOOO!

JADE MEADOWS:

Jaxon, focus up. Injuries? Enemies? Does your charge still have the backpack?

JAXON:

Backpack, check. Dogs…are looking at us but won’t jump down. HA!

ACTAEON: (Laughing, looking down on them)

Because my dogs are cowards you think you’re going to escape? Honestly? That’s…almost sweet. And besides, that looks like it hurts.

FX: Wardog noises. Not as threatening. Sniffing the ground.

FX: Sound of chain being yanked. KING whining. HIS MOMENT IS COMING.

ACTAEON:

(To KING) COWARDLY dog! You should have followed them!

JADE MEADOWS:

What hurts? Who is this?!

ACTAEON:

My name is Actaeon, Mayor.

My condolences for your losses.

JAXON:

Mayor, I’m okay! I’m okay. Just a cut on my leg. It’s pretty deep and (Breathing accelerates) I’m okay, right? Kettlemine? Sketch?

(THUD as Jax sits down. Hard.)

Mom?

JADE MEADOWS:

(starting to panic)

Jaxon!

SKETCHY:(gently)

Jade. Go make some tea. I’ll bring them home.

JADE MEADOWS: (Fighting back the emotion)

Okay. Sketchy, bottom shelf, white tin. Tell them.

SFX: Door slams as the Mayor leaves

SKETCHY:

(Deep breath). Okay. Okay. Okay, show me Jax’s leg. Okay. Ow. You’ve got some first aid supplies on you. I’ll need you to wrap Jaxon’s leg, TIGHT.

JAXON:

Sketch I’m okay (fading into shock)a LITTTTLEEEEE OH MY G

SKETCHY:

Slap him. GOD I wish I was there. Just for this bit.

FX: SLAP

Welcome back, Jax! You still bleeding?

JAXON:

Ohhkay! I’m…a little? Not much. Kettlemine, it’s cool. I’ll dress the wound. Clean yourself up, that cut on your face looks ANGRY.

ACTAEON:

Take your time. Dress the wound. My dogs will be there shortly.

JAXON:

Ignore them, Kettlemine. What have we got…what have we got…Smooth walls and…shelves? And…tinned food…Why is there tinned food, Sketch?

SKETCHY:

Mr N stashes spots like this everywhere, Jax. Your mom found this one, negotiated it for us too.

JAXON:

She’s so cool. (Small voice, a little emotional). I’m really scared, Sketch.

SKETCHY:

I know, buddy. You need to stand up. Now.

JAXON:

Oka-(screams)…Okay…the leg is…bad. The leg is bad.

ACTAEON

            He’s lost a LOT of blood…

SKETCHY (On loudspeaker. AND LOUD)

            SHUT YOUR STUPID MASKED FACE!

JAXON

Go. Run ahead. Coyote Skull can send someone back for me.

SKETCHY

JAXON!

JAXON

I’m not the mission here, Sketch.

SKETCHY

No one left behind.

JAXON

Wait Kettle-Oh! Oh that’s smart. Sketch, get

someone to the base of the cliff! The box

just got thrown down there! Mission accomplished!

ACTAEON (to wardogs)

BRING IT TO ME!

(To player)

YOU. I will watch the Light die in your eyes.

(To KING)

FOLLOW them.

SKETCHY:

Plan D part 2! GO!