By Dennis Rowarr SCENE ONE Bridge, the Avenger, space DRAKE, FELICIA and OUTCAST watch as several pale-blue ships continue to approach, their weapons locked onto both the Avenger and the Udolpho located nearby. DRAKE: Diyana, is there a radio link to any of the ships? DIYANA: Only one ship has a working radio link. DRAKE: Put us through. We must convince them they're friendly! DIYANA whirs and hums as a link is established. Through the gem, the three see REDBEAK, leading member of the Corsair Canards, standing on the bridge of his ship. His face is fixed in a permanent scowl. REDBEAK: (hoarse voice) What be the meaning of your invading pirate territory? DRAKE: (calmly) We're trying to make contact with the Udolpho - the black ship close to us. We meant no harm, we just want to get in touch with the Udolpho and we'll be on our way. REDBEAK: Oh, no laddie! Ye don't get off that lightly from the Corsairs! We may not be Federation, but we do believe that people ought to pay their penalties, an' tresapassin' be a high price to pay! SCENE TWO Bridge, the Udolpho, space Despite the size of the ship, the bridge of the Udolpho is surprisingly claustrophobic. There are just two seats surrounding a semicircular console literally choked up with controls. MICHAEL and MIMI are staring at the approaching ships through the perfectly-square windscreen. From their angle, the pirate ships are much larger, and they resemble classic pirate galleons, although these are fully metal and the decks are fully enclosed. MIMI: (smirks) So, the Corsair Canards live on (!) Who knew? MICHAEL: (looking at the instruments) The reunion won't be a friendly one. Their weapons are locked onto a ship that's been tailing us, and no doubt they'll blow us out of space once they've dealt with our friends. MIMI, on learning this new piece of information, turns sternly to MICHAEL. MIMI: (frowning) Someone has been tailing you and you didn't mention it? MICHAEL: (neutrally) The ship is an unknown type, and it bears no Federation markings. Probably just some cargo ship from that picked up your distress signal back on Wednos. Almost casually, he walks out of the bridge, stopping at a console built into the wall. Even with MIMI bellowing in his ear, the squirrel maintains his cool composure as he prepares the ship for action. MIMI: And how do you know? Didn't you even try and make contact with them?! MICHAEL: (not looking up) The Federation has a number of communication satellites across the aniverse that pick up transmissions from any wanted criminals. Radio silence is the only way I can be sure of never being found. At the press of a button, a periscope-like device descends from the ceiling, halting at MICHAEL'S eye-level. He grins at MIMI, who is bewildered. MICHAEL: (grinning) Just watch. You'll be able to see another one of my toys the Federation wanted for itself. OUTSIDE THE UDOLPHO... The pirate vessels have now reached safe firing distance to destroy both of the trespassing craft. In defence, the Avenger has engaged its supermaser, ready to blast the pirates into space debris. On the top of the Udolpho, however, a slim-barreled weapon similar to a maser cannon is slowly rising from a compartment in the ship's roof. It automatically aims itself at one of the nearest pirate vessels, and shoots out an ice-blue ray of light. Upon contact with the metal hull of the pirate ship, the vessel is immediately engulfed in a thickening layer of ice-crystals, which freeze both the ship and its crew in a single position. SCENE THREE Bridge, Redjack's ship, space On seeing the vessel freeze up, REDJACK stands up from his seat, staring in disbelief at the new spaceberg. He continues to stare at it even as the other PIRATES run about in shock. REDJACK: (snarls) So, there do be some life in that old wreck. (to Pirates) Don't just stand there, ya lubbers! Open fire on both of 'em! PIRATE #1: But, cap'n, we can't take both of 'em on! REDJACK: We can if ye don't want to swing from a yardarm, ya bottom- feeder! Destroy them! OUTSIDE REDJACK'S SHIP... The pirate vessels split into two formations - one each to attack the two vessels. REDJACK'S section goes for the Avenger, whilst the remainder take the Udolpho. This section is clearly the least- experienced of the two factions: before either ship has even begun firing, one of the pirate galleons has collided with its ice-bound comrade and consequently destroyed itself. REDJACK'S faction has more luck, causing serious damage to the Avenger. SCENE FOUR Bridge, the Avenger, space The blows from REDJACK and the Corsairs knock the three occupants around like ragdolls in a toybox. Sparks fly from one of the consoles as the ship's primary cable is severed, and the lights flicker on and off. DRAKE: (thunders) Diyana! Fire the maser! DIYANA: All weaponry circuits are inoperable. Defence shields are operating at 49% and decreasing. Repairs are currently beyond the capacity of the auto-repair systems... REDJACK'S ship scores another hit, enough to make a shower of sparks fly from the very top of DIYANA's spell-gem. The damage is enough to tell the three occupants that they are in big trouble. DIYANA: (distorted voice) Main computer terminal has been hit by enemy action. All but the life-support systems are switching to temporary shutdown... The machinery of the entire Avenger grinds to a halt, with the distant whine of the generators powering down to a halt. All the lights go out, and the three crewmembers are left alone, with only their heavy breathing for company. SCENE FIVE Bridge, Redjack's ship, space REDJACK gives a sinister grin as he sees the Avenger's lights going out. The ship's hull is heavily battered and dented, with a trail of smoke wafting out from one of the chemical engines. REDJACK: Good, they're weak! One more volley should finish them off! (to Pirates) Set all maser cannons to maximum! PIRATE #2: Cannons at maximum, cap'n! REDJACK: (counting down on his fingers) Fire all weapons in five, four, three, two... His countdown is abruptly interrupted by the piercing of the ship's hull by a gigantic ice-crystal, followed rapidly by several others in succession. From the portholes, REDJACK can see his ship becoming quickly engulfed in a thick layer of ice like some creeping ivy, and he sees the PIRATES around him freezing in unusual soliloquies as a result of the sheer cold. REDJACK: It can't be! (thunders) WE...ARE...CORSAIRS! He punches the air with his fist, just as a blast of cold air sweeps over him, freezing him permanently in his defiant position. SCENE SIX Alongside the Avenger, space The Udolpho, its freeze-ray now stored back in its compartment, steers carefully through the gigantic flotilla of spacebergs that now entomb the Corsair fleet. It slows up alongside the battered wreck of the Avenger, halting at one of the airlocks. INSIDE THE UDOLPHO... MICHAEL is sat in the pilot's seat, with MIMI watching from the gangway. He keeps his eyes on the Avenger as he carefully pilots the Udolpho diagonally towards the Avenger. MICHAEL: (to Computer) Extend docking arm. A large, retractable corridor extends out from the Udolpho, linking it with an airlock door on the Avenger. A series of powerful electromagnets along the side of the arm help to lock it firmly onto the Avenger. COMPUTER: Docking arm extended. Coupling complete. MICHAEL: (standing up) Right, let's go. If they're life-support systems have failed, then we need to get them out. MIMI: (splutters) Do you still think they're innocent? How do you know they won't rush you once you step inside? MICHAEL: (stares levelly at her) I don't, but my parents always taught me never to kick someone when they're down. He steps into the corridor, with MIMI following behind, trying to contemplate MICHAEL'S behaviour. SCENE SEVEN Bridge, the Avenger, space DRAKE, FELICIA and OUTCAST scramble to their feet, feeling through the darkness for something to guide them. All of them groan and grunt as they move around, checking themselves for injuries. DRAKE: (wheezes) Felicia! Outcast! Are you two OK? OUTCAST: If you think a wounded head is OK, then yes. FELICIA: (stopping still) Did you hear that? DRAKE: What? FELICIA: I thought I heard something out in the corridor. OUTCAST: Supposing it's the pirates trying to get aboard? DRAKE: Maybe, but why do they want to come aboard? They distinctly told us that they never took prisoners. FELICIA: (grumbling) Unless it's our mysterious friends in the Udolpho. DRAKE, keen to find answers, tries to stand up, but groans loudly, and collapses onto the floor. FELICIA and OUTCAST, on seeing their friend in agony, both stand up and rush over to him in the darkness. DRAKE: (angrily) My frigging ankle's broken! OUTCAST kneels down to inspect it, but looks back up at FELICIA. OUTCAST: I'll tend to his foot. You go check what that noise was. For a moment, FELICIA hesitates, but after a silent nod from DRAKE, she sets off down one of the three corridors leading off from the bridge. IN THE CORRIDORS... MICHAEL and MIMI are wandering down one of the corridors leading away from the airlock, using a pair of electric torches to guide their way. MICHAEL is examining the battered walls of the ship as he walks, inspecting the exposed electronics. MICHAEL: (muttering aloud) Strange. MIMI: What? MICHAEL: A lot of these electronics systems look remarkably similar to those on the Udolpho. Whether that matters or not, I'm not sure. MIMI says nothing, and they continue walking. As they round a corner, they almost collide with FELICIA. All of them scream in surprise, and FELICIA steps back, her spell-gems glowing angrily. FELICIA: (bitterly) Who are you?! MIMI: (eyes narrow) I know you, don't I? The glowing of FELICIA's spell-gems fade, and she relaxes when she recognises her adversary. FELICIA: (neutrally) Captain Mimi LaFleur. MIMI: (equally unemotional) Princess Felicia. (crosses arms) Is that eye-patch functional or is it just a fashion statement? FELICIA: I see you are still as cocky as you were when you were frozen. (looks briefly at Michael) Who's your boyfriend? MICHAEL: A fugitive, and if you two can postpone the catfight, can we please get ourselves organised? FELICIA: (calms down) I'll take you to the rest of the crew. We've taken a pretty bad beating, and it looks like our ship is beyond repair. MICHAEL: Not if I can help it. (walks down corridor) I'll tear my own ship apart if only to get yours flying again. As he walks down the corridor from which FELICIA came, MIMI glides past the Aldebaran, grinning snidely. MIMI: (sneers) Don't get too comfortable with him, princess. He's helpful, but temperamental. FELICIA glares icily at the vixen as she glides past, following her down the corridor. SCENE EIGHT Bridge, the Avenger, flying through space, many hours later The Avenger is now fully functioning, and all the damaged parts of the ship have been patched up using parts of the Udolpho. All the lights are now operating again, and DIYANA's spell-gem is glowing warmly as the ship flies through space. MICHAEL and MIMI are both on the bridge with the others, with DRAKE sitting on a chair with his left leg raised and set in a cast, and OUTCAST with his head bandaged. DRAKE: (to Michael) I don't know how we can ever thank you for what you've done, Mr. Olan. You sacrificed your entire ship just to get ours up and running again! MICHAEL: (smiles slightly) Passage to Aes will be enough thanks for me. If there really is a resistance movement there, then I want to be a part of it. FELICIA: (to Diyana) Diyana, full speed. Destination: planet Aes. DIYANA: (normal voice) Confirmed. The ship shifts to maximum speed, as it speeds off into the vast, void of space. TO BE CONTINUED...