THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE – LON’S STORY 1866 CONTINUED
The long line of refugees snakes over and under the wooden beams into the crystal chamber where it climbs up the path along the underground stream and into the passageway.
THE GROTTO
Louis watches from the shadows as Lon paces, puffing on a cigar. The last of the forlorn workers pass from the passageway into the grotto, with Jonah on their heels, laying down a gunpowder trail.
JONAH
(saluting)
All done here, sir.
Louis strains to hear their conversation.
LON
Good. The ring tunnel and the vault are locked down. Time to seal this entrance, too.
Louis’ eyes glow with hatred, his hand gripping the hilt of his knife. His discipline breaks, and he charges them. He catches Jonah on the side, propelling him into the pool, and goes for Lon.
Lon coolly fires the gunpowder trail with his cigar, and unsheathes his sword.
LOUIS
Traitor!
LON
To your cause, not to humanity!
In his rage, Louis cocks his arm and throws his Bowie with all his might at Lon.
Lon’s blade meets the blade of the knife, and controlling it with a circular motion slings it back at his adversary.
It sinks into Louis’ chest with a THUD. Louis falls to his knees and then collapses on his face.
JESSE JAMES’ RANCH – NIGHT
Jesse emerges from his ranch house clad only in his nightshirt to the glow of his barn in flames.
A frenzied RINGING of the farm triangle brings the ranch hands tumbling out of their barracks. They quickly form a bucket brigade.
Jesse runs to the corral, only to find it empty of horses.
And there is a flash of light from the mountain above, then the BOOM of an explosion rolling down the mountainside.
PRESENT – GUARDHOUSE CLOSET
Riley cautiously raises the trapdoor and peers out to see an empty guardhouse. He throws the trapdoor aside and climbs out, motioning those behind him to follow.
Sadusky sends the first two of his agents up the stairs to the tower above.
THE TOWER
The two agents overpower the guard on the Gatling gun and one drags him below, the other remains on guard.
GUARDHOUSE
Riley scans the grounds and sees a batch of soldiers milling around the elevated vault entrance.
RILEY
That’s where we got to go next.
Commotion erupts in the yard as they point to the tower above them.
SOLDIER ONE
Shut the entrance!!
BASEMENT OF THE OTHER GUARD HOUSE
The third soldier grabs the brake release and gives it a yank.
DECK OF THE IRONCLAD
A jolt quivers through the deck; all brace as the ship begins to descend.
BEN
(to Abby)
Looks like you were right, dear.
ABIGAIL
Well, duh.
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