Outside – Venusa Orbit – 45 Seconds After Bomb Implantation
A faint explosion tore through the core of Coronus, not like a movie explosion, but an internal explosion, like the muffled groan of a dying giant.
The faint light inside the satellite began to fade, and the electronic circuitry slowly burned out.
At that moment, all the spy and surveillance systems on the Venusa continent fell silent.
Inside Falcon-07
Savio (watching the screen):
"Oh my God... they did it."
Marco (opening a can of liquor):
"Tell me when we celebrate. I have a special ritual: we dance on the enemy's ashes."
Irina (placing her hand over her heart):
"But... none of them have contacted yet."
Columbo (staring at the broadcast indicator):
"The bomb exploded. But no vital signs... they could be—"
Marco (interrupting):
"Don't finish. That sentence always ends in tears, and I forgot my tissues."
**
Inside the remains of Coronus...
The rubble is slowly flying in the remaining artificial gravity. Franco wakes up in the smoke, a gash on his forehead, his helmet cracked.
Franco (looking around):
"Daniel... Rocco? Where are you?"
**
A weak coughing sound behind the rubble...
Rocco (in a choked voice):
"Are we... in? Because this place looks like a toilet."
Franco (laughing tiredly):
"If this is it, I demand my money back."
Daniel (from behind a huge piece of metal):
"I'm fine... but my arm is stuck."
Franco (crawling over):
"Hang on... I'll pull it out."
**
A moment of silence... as Franco pulls out the burning iron...
Daniel (in a low voice):
"I did it, son... I broke Zacrota's eye. Finally."
Franco (looking at him):
"With your help."
Daniel (smiling):
"I'm just a shadow... You're the light, Franco."
**
The wreckage trembles... then suddenly, a light from above:
Marco (on a megaphone):
"Hello, fighters back from hell! Oh... do you need a ride? Or would you rather fly first class?"
Franco (laughing):
"Just send the rope, we're not asking for much."
**
Minutes later, the trio climbs through a lighted rescue tunnel and back into the craft...
Inside the craft - everyone clapping and cheering
Savio (reaching out to Franco):
"You made us believe... again."
Irina (patting Daniel's shoulder):
"And you... you still love drama, old man."
Marco (holding Rocco's head):
"Oh, back alive! Can't I have your room yet?"
Rocco (coldly):
"Just try it once and I'll turn your bed into a coffin."
**
In the corner, Columbo watches the silent screen... then slowly stands up.
Columbo:
"Coronus fell... but his data was sent before the explosion."
Franco (walking toward him):
"To whom?"
Columbo:
"Just one point... underground, in the heart of the ancient capital: Veronese."
Franco (narrowing his eyes):
"Veronese... the birthplace of Zacrota."
**
A silence falls, until Marco breaks it sarcastically:
Marco:
"Guys, does this mean we have to go to the heart of evil? Cool. I needed a new adventure after losing my pants from the terror."
Rocco:
"Was this before or after the explosion?"
Marco:
"Who asks such questions?!"
**
Franco steps toward the window, looking at the ground in the distance.
Franco (in a quiet voice):
"We broke the monster's eye... now we have to rip out its heart."
**
The camera zooms out, and the ship slowly circles back toward Venosa, while a deep black shadow awaits them underground...