"A Toad In Mammal's Clothing"
Part 1

by Kooshmeister
Additions by WatsonSword

First draft - 6/14/07
Second draft - 3/12/08
Third draft - 1/19/10
Final draft - 9/26/10

Edited by Rygar and WatsonSword

SCENE 1 - RENFIELD'S APARTMENT, GENUS

	This is a modest but comfortable-looking dwelling on the upper 
floor of a Genus apartment building. In the kitchen, RENFIELD BILLINGS, 
wearing an apron that says "Kiss the Cook" on it, is preparing dinner: 
a cricket casserole.
	Renfield retrieves a jar filled with live crickets. These he 
pours into a blender. He flicks the switch, instantaneously liquefying 
the insects and turning them into a goopy paste. He pours the cricket 
slime into the dish and covers it with a layer of lettuce. Humming 
merrily, he puts it into the oven and sets the timer.
	Suddenly, Renfield's comm beeps, startling him. He takes it out 
and looks at it, chewing his lower lip nervously. He sets it on the 
counter and stares at it a moment before grabbing it and answering the 
call. The snarling face of SERGEANT KRUG appears.

KRUG
(over comm, annoyed)
Where in the aniverse have you been? Why haven't you been answering my 
calls? You better have a good ...

RENFIELD
(into comm, cutting him off)
Don't bother me now, Sergeant. I'm expecting a visitor.

KRUG
Don't you take that tone with me! Need I remind you that you are a toad 
agent and that you take your orders from me?

	Renfield wilts, resigning himself slightly.

KRUG
Now, I have a special assignment for you -- one that should be simple 
given the privileges you've acquired. I think you remember Plan O?

	Renfield reels, looking shocked. His defiance returns, and he 
looks enraged, tightening his grip on the comm, as if to crush it.

RENFIELD
No! No, I won't! This is the last straw, Krug! I'm not helping you and 
your miserable brood anymore! Especially not with something like that!

KRUG
You forget your place, Renfield! Don't tell me all these days looking 
at a hare in the mirror has given you sympathy for those miserable ...

 	 There is a knock at the door. Renfield quickly turns off the 
comm, cutting off Krug mid-sentence. He opens a drawer and shuts the 
comm inside. He goes and answers the door, finding DAWSON MACKENZIE 
standing there.

DAWSON
Hi there, handsome. Mind if I come in?

RENFIELD
Not at all. Come on in. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes.

	Dawson comes in, and Renfield shuts and locks the door after him. 
They kiss and then go to the table.

DAWSON
Thanks for inviting me over. I was surprised you wanted to cook dinner 
for us, especially since you told me you only eat alone.

RENFIELD
Usually, that's true. But I wanted tonight to be special.
(winks)
As long as the company's good, my stomach will be just fine.

	Renfield politely pulls Dawson's chair out for him, and the brown 
hare sits. Pushing him up, Renfield hears a dinging noise and 
disappears into the kitchen, returning a moment later carrying the 
steaming casserole dish with large oven mitts. Plunking it onto the 
table, he removes the mitts and begins serving his boyfriend a heaping 
helping.

RENFIELD
Hope you're hungry.

DAWSON
Starving.
(sniffs)
It smells delicious.

RENFIELD
Eat up!

	Having served Dawson, Renfield serves himself, and they begin 
eating. Renfield is enjoying his dish, although Dawson seems a little 
unnerved by how crunchy the meal is.

DAWSON
This tastes awful ...

	Dawson trails off as Renfield looks up expectantly.

DAWSON
... different. What's in it?

RENFIELD
Heh, that's a secret, sweetie. An old Billings family recipe.

	Dinner proceeds quietly, if crunchily, with the two making chatty 
small talk. Afterward, Renfield begins clearing away the dishes when 
Dawson stops him. He glances up, blinking, as a sultry smirk spreads 
across Dawson's face.

DAWSON
I think I ought to do what that ridiculous apron of yours says.

	Before Renfield realizes what is happening, he's being dragged by 
both paws into the bedroom. The door shuts. Neither comes out for a 
good long while. Within the kitchen drawer, Renfield's comm beeps 
insistently but is never answered.

SCENE 2 - HALLWAY, UAC HEADQUARTERS, GENUS

	It is late at night, and everyone has gone home except for GILLY 
STEPHENSON, who hovers nervously outside Renfield's office door. He 
looks left, then right, then jimmies the lock and lets himself in, 
taking out a flashlight.

STEPHENSON
(whispering to himself)
All right, you stinking little sneak ... I'm gonna find out just what 
it is you're up to once and for all.

	Stephenson snoops around, rifling through papers, grunting in 
disappointment. He tries the drawers, opening them one after the other 
and finding nothing unusual except a pamphlet, which he pockets, until 
he comes to the bottom drawer. He tugs at it uselessly, straining, 
before taking out a pocketknife and using it to jimmy the drawer open.
	Peering down, Stephenson is aghast at what he finds, picking up 
and examining a jar filled with large, fat slugs.

STEPHENSON
(whispering)
Oh, gross!

	Setting the slugs back inside the drawer, Stephenson next picks 
up one of the vials of blood and frowns at it, seemingly perplexed 
about what its purpose could be. Slipping one into his pocket, he 
closes and relocks the drawer, then hurries out of the office, slamming 
the door behind himself. 

STEPHENSON
Slugs in drawers ... vials of blood ... either Renfield is a really 
strange vampire, or he's something else ... like ...
(thinking)
A toad ...

	Stephenson hurries over to his office. Stepping inside, he grabs 
his comm and makes a call. An OPERATOR picks up.

OPERATOR
(over comm)
Genus Police Department. How may I direct your call?

STEPHENSON
(into comm)
I'm calling from UAC Headquarters. Get me Detective Muller, please.

	The comm audio muffles for a moment, until DETECTIVE MULLER picks 
up the line.

MULLER
(over comm)
Detective Muller here. How can I help you?

STEPHENSON
(talking rapidly)
I haven't got much time. My name is Stephenson. Meet me in the alleyway 
behind the District Thirteen warehouse tonight. I have some pressing 
information for you about the traitor in our midst!

SCENE 3 - DINING ROOM, UAC HEADQUARTERS

	CHAIRMAN FRITZ WARNER sits at the head of a large banquet table. 
Also present at the table are VICE CHAIRMAN SANZER GRIFF, seated to 
Fritz's right, and KADAF WARNER, to Fritz's left. The other chairs are 
unoccupied. Plates of food sit untouched before them, and they seem 
apprehensive. Griff twists uneasily in his seat.

GRIFF
Where is he? He's always late. Sometimes I think that hare just enjoys 
making us wait.

FRITZ
Patience, Griff. He'll be here momentarily.

	The doors slide open, making the lone security guard stationed 
there become more alert. However, it is CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE who 
enters. The guard relaxes.

FRITZ
(very formal)
Captain O'Hare. Please sit.

	Fritz gestures at the seat beside Griff. Instead, Bucky has a 
seat next to Kadaf, much to Griff's annoyance. 

BUCKY
Kadaf. Good to see you again.

KADAF
(nods slowly)
Captain.

	There is silence for a moment as Bucky eyes the food but refrains 
from eating. He looks uncomfortable with these opulent surroundings.

BUCKY
(impassive)
How may I be of service, Mr. Chairman?

FRITZ
These are sensitive times. Not only are the Aldebarans entrusting us 
with their pure black gem, but it seems our mandatory blood screenings 
are not having their intended results. We still haven't been able to 
root out the second traitor.

BUCKY
You mean the second toad? Are you so sure there is one?

	Fritz nods and begins absentmindedly eating his steamed 
vegetables. Griff picks up.

GRIFF
Captain O'Hare, we would like you to find some lead as to this second 
toad's identity. It could prove vital to uncovering the location of 
this infernal toad cell that's dug in.

BUCKY
(annoyed)
I'm hardly the best investigator ...

FRITZ
No one alive got insulted by this toad cloning project more than you 
did, Bucky. If anyone's angry enough to get some answers, it's you.

BUCKY
(thinking)
Can't argue with that.

FRITZ
Good. Detective Muller is already making some headway on this case. Get 
in touch with him.

BUCKY
Muller? That old goat? It'll be fun to work with him again.
(beat)
What about my ship?

FRITZ
She's needed for other duties. Don't worry. Jenny will serve as acting 
captain until your return.

BUCKY
You just love drawing little lines in the sand, don't you?

	Fritz just shrugs.

BUCKY
OK. Anything else?

	Fritz shakes his head, and Bucky wastes no time in rising. 

BUCKY
Then I guess I'll get to it.

	Fritz, Kadaf, and Griff watch Bucky exit the dining room, and 
then the three of them chat as they begin eating.

GRIFF
I just hope he can handle this mission.

FRITZ
After all that's happened, you still don't trust him?

GRIFF
Low expectations and lack of trust. That way, I'm not surprised when 
things go wrong, and it's a nice little bonus when things go right.

KADAF
O'Hare knows what he's doing.

FRITZ
That he does. You may dislike his methods, Griff, but he always gets 
results. We'll know the identity of the spy before the week is out.

	Griff frowns, seemingly not entirely convinced. Nevertheless, he 
eats and says nothing.
	Out in the corridor, Bucky emerges from the dining room, looking 
annoyed. He is greeted by FIRST MATE JENNY.

JENNY
What did they want?

BUCKY
They seem convinced there's another toad spy on Genus, and they want me 
to figure out who it is.

JENNY
There's more of them?

BUCKY
I hope not. If I find one, it's going to be damn hard not to punch his 
face in.

JENNY
(nods)
Any idea who it might be?

BUCKY
Nope. Detective Muller's supposed to have some info, so I'm going to go 
touch base with him.
(beat)
You're captain until I get back.

JENNY
(smiling)
Does that mean I get to wear your uniform?

	Bucky blushes, grins, and turns and begins walking off.

SCENE 4 - DISTRICT THIRTEEN WAREHOUSE, GENUS

	It is the middle of the night. Bucky stands with Muller on the 
sidewalk in a seedy-looking part of town near a large old warehouse. 
Despite its rundown appearance, it is still in use.

BUCKY
So this is where he said he'd meet you?

MULLER
Yeah.

BUCKY
Why don't informants ever want to meet at a park or something?

MULLER
I had an informant ask to meet me at a public park once. Just before I 
got there, he got gunned down in broad daylight in front of a bunch of 
people. Two kids got hit in the crossfire.
(beat)
I don't mind dark alleyways and such anymore.

	Bucky just nods solemnly. Suddenly, he hears a whisper from off 
to his right. He and Muller look over.

STEPHENSON
Psst!

	Bucky and Muller turn toward a dark alcove, where they can see a 
shadowy figure beckoning. Bucky shakes his head.

BUCKY
Oh, no. You got us all the way out here in the middle of the night in 
the worst part of town. You can at least come out in the open to talk 
to us!

	Eventually, with some trepidation, the figure emerges from the 
shadows and out onto the sidewalk to stand before them. It's Gilly 
Stephenson.

MULLER
You're the guy who called me?

	Stephenson nods.

MULLER
Good to see you. Now then, let's get down to ...

	Before Muller can continue, a plasma blast pierces Stephenson's 
back and exits his chest. The gopher lurches forward and falls into 
Detective Muller's arms, who catches him.

STEPHENSON
(gurgling, choking)
I ... glurk ... unh ...

MULLER
Ah, dammit!

	Stephenson trails off into silence, his eyes rolling back into 
his head. Muller and Bucky look around for the origin of the shot, and 
they spot a tall, smirking TOAD in a trench coat who quickly darts 
around a corner. Bucky glances down at the stricken Stephenson, but the 
gopher is dead. Muller gently lays him down as Bucky gives chase, 
drawing his blaster.
	However, when Bucky runs around the corner, the assassin is gone. 
He looks around and perks his ears up, but he can't see or hear 
anything.

BUCKY
Sneaky little bastard.

	Giving up with a grumble, Bucky holsters his blaster and walks 
back to where he left Muller. The goat detective is frisking 
Stephenson's corpse.

BUCKY
Find anything?

MULLER
So far, just this.

	Muller hands Bucky the pamphlet he got from inside Stephenson's 
suit. The hare unfolds it and discovers it is an advertisement for the 
Pond Palace Kasino.

BUCKY
(reading aloud)
Pond Palace Kasino. Looks like your kind of place. Any idea what that 
is?

MULLER
It's some sleazasaur casino on Planet Punk. Caters mostly to amphibians 
and other coldbloods. 

BUCKY
What would he be doing with an ad for a place like that on him?

	Muller shrugs.

BUCKY
You think it's an actual lead, or do you think this guy was just 
planning a vacation?

MULLER
Seeing as how you didn't catch that assassin, it's the closest thing to 
a lead we've got.

BUCKY
Great. 

MULLER
(checking Stephenson's other pockets)
There's something else in here.

	Muller pulls out the vial of red blood.

MULLER
That's a little creepy.

BUCKY
Hmm. If he got this from whoever the traitor is, maybe that's how he's 
been dodging those blood tests.

MULLER
I'm going to go with that answer.

BUCKY
That still doesn't tell us who it is, though.
(beat)
Guess I'm off to Planet Punk, then. Don't you have to be wearing a lip 
ring or something just for them to let you set foot on the planet?

MULLER
They'd probably let you get away with just dying your fur neon pink.

BUCKY
Jenny might go for that, actually.
(beat)
OK, I'll go investigate this place for myself. In the meantime, I want 
you to stay here on Genus and keep your investigation going. Maybe you 
can figure out who this gopher is.

MULLER
(good-naturedly)
Not that I take orders from you, but I was planning on that anyway.

BUCKY
All right. Good luck. I'll be in touch, unless I hit the jackpot and 
decide to retire.

SCENE 5 - DOCK FIVE, ORWELL STATION

	Aboard The Righteous Indignation, AFC BLINKY tends to the 
machinery that operates the ship, fiddling with the various circuits 
and wires, when Willy's bedroom door suddenly appears in a flash of 
light in the middle of the bay. Blinky doesn't flinch, going about his 
business as the door opens and ENGINEER WILLY DUWITT steps through.

WILLY
Hey, Blinky!

	Blinky's head turns around on his neck to look at Willy, his huge 
single eye blinking.

BLINKY
Greetings, friend Willy! Always pleasant to see you again.

WILLY
Where is everybody?

	Blinky's head turns back to concentrate on his work.

BLINKY
In Orwell Station lounge.

WILLY
All right, I'll go and see if they need anything. Later, Blinky.

	Willy leaves the room. Blinky stops what he's doing and turns to 
watch him leave.
	In the lounge on Orwell Station, Jenny and GUNNER DEADEYE DUCK 
are sitting at the counter. Deadeye is enjoying a mug of swampgrass, 
and Jenny has a plate of tuna surprise in front of her, though she 
hasn't eaten much of it. She merely pushes it around on her plate with 
her fork. Willy enters and comes up to them.

WILLY
Hey, guys.

JENNY
Hi, Willy. We're just waiting for Blinky to get done recalibrating the 
hyperdrive relay on the ship so we can go out on patrol.

WILLY
Oh, great, then I didn't miss anything.

	Willy sits on the stool beside Jenny. The robotic waiter attached 
to the wall by a mechanical arm comes over.

WILLY
Uh, I'll have a cherry soda.

	The robot beeps in recognition, then goes back up and returns 
with a mug of soda and a straw a moment later.

WILLY
Thanks.
(to Jenny)
So where's Bucky?

JENNY
On a new assignment, directly from the Chairman. Some investigation. 
For the time being, I'm acting captain of The Righteous Indignation.

WILLY
Where is he? Do you know?

	Bucky's voice comes from behind them.

BUCKY
Oh, he's around.

	Jenny, Willy, and Deadeye turn around.

JENNY
Bucky!

BUCKY
I was just dropping by to say I got a lead that I'm going to look into. 
I'd like to have a little backup, for more than one reason. Anybody 
want to go to Planet Punk with me?

	Jenny and Deadeye kind of sneer. Willy looks inquisitive.

WILLY
Planet Punk? What kind of name is that?

BUCKY
A stupid one. Its real name is Punkis, but I guess that doesn't roll 
off the tourists' tongues quite as well.

DEADEYE
It's where all th' rubes go t' lose their hard-earned simoleans. Flashy 
lights an' glitzy machines.

JENNY
It's also a place where a lot of the younger ... what's the phrase? 
Rebellious youth in the aniverse go to hang out.

WILLY
Doesn't sound like you guys are big fans of this place.

JENNY
Well, the whole thing is run by sleazasaurs.

WILLY
So what? Dile's a sleazasaur.

JENNY
Dile doesn't run a casino on a planet the police won't dare set foot 
on.

WILLY
True ...

BUCKY
So I'm on my own for this one, huh?

WILLY
Nah, I'll go.

DEADEYE
(raising an eyebrow)
Feelin' adventurous, lad?

WILLY
It's something to do.

BUCKY
Thanks, Willy. I owe you one.

WILLY
No problem, Captain.

JENNY
Patrol tomorrow with one pilot and no engineer should be interesting.

BUCKY
You'll be fine.

	Bucky leans in and gives Jenny a kiss.

BUCKY
Let's go, Willy. I want to get this over with as soon as possible.

	Bucky turns and heads back toward the docks. Willy slurps up the 
last of his soda and hurries after Bucky.

SCENE 6 - SPACE

	Bucky and Willy sit in a small wedge-shaped rental ship, wearing 
plain clothes. Their vessel makes its way toward Planet Punk as quickly 
as its substandard engine lets it.

BUCKY
Thanks for coming along, Willy.

WILLY
I'm happy to help, Captain. I know things have been kind of rough 
lately, with all the crazy things that have happened, and I guess I 
felt like you needed some support.

BUCKY
Some support, or someone to watch me so I don't do something stupid 
again?

	Willy falls silent. Bucky turns to him.

BUCKY
Maybe I could have said that a little better. But you're right. I 
wouldn't trust me if I were you. Heck, I'm trying hard to trust myself 
day to day.
(beat)
What I did to you was the biggest mistake of my life. I don't even 
really remember doing it; I just kind of remember it happening. But 
that doesn't change the fact that I did it.
(beat)
I know we talked a little about this on Aldebaran. An apology wouldn't 
mean anything right now, but that's the only place I have to start. So, 
I'm sorry.

	Willy takes this all in, letting silence fill the air for a 
moment.

BUCKY
I can't ask you to trust me again. I have to re-earn that trust, one 
day at a time. Starting today, hopefully.

WILLY
You want to re-earn my trust? I can tell you where to start. Tell Jenny 
what you did.

BUCKY
(ears drooping)
I know. I just don't know how to do that without her breaking up with 
me. And I can't handle that again. Especially not now.

WILLY
I can't help you there.
(beat)
Still, thanks for talking to me about this. You could have just not 
said anything.

	Bucky turns and watches as the ship approaches Planet Punk. From 
space, Punk looks like a glittering multicolored neon lightshow.

WILLY
Wow, what a tacky-looking planet.

BUCKY
We warned you. They say Punk is one huge nightclub.

WILLY
So what exactly are we doing here?

BUCKY
You and I are visiting a casino.

WILLY
That looks like it's what everybody is going to be doing here.

BUCKY
Specifically, we're visiting *this* casino.

	Bucky fishes a brochure out of his back pocket and hands it to 
Willy. It reads, "Pond Palace Kasino! A pleasure paradise!"

WILLY
What's this place got to do with toad spies?

BUCKY
No idea. But our only lead had that in his pocket, so hopefully it's 
important. If it's not, we're back to square one.

	Bucky flies the shuttle down and lands in a seedy-looking 
spaceport amid other vessels, most of them derelict. Getting out, Bucky 
gestures for Willy to follow him, and the two exit the spaceport and 
wander the streets.
	Neon signs advertising bars, houses of ill repute, and other 
unsavory businesses are everywhere to be seen. Life forms of all 
species, predominantly reptilian with a handful of amphibians and a few 
mammals scattered about, crowd the noisy streets, which are choked with 
traffic and smog.
	After a bit of wandering, Bucky and Willy reach their goal. The 
Pond Palace Kasino is a towering, multi-story hotel casino, looking 
brand new among the dilapidated, falling-down buildings around it. On 
the front is a huge sign that says "Pond Palace Kasino" in bright 
blinking neon letters. Above that is a giant stylized neon KOMPLEX face 
flanked by huge playing cards.
	Various animals file in and out of the front entrance as Bucky 
and Willy approach. A few toads glance at Bucky, and a couple even 
point him out to other toads, but in general, they're too mesmerized by 
the lights and the money to do anything.

WILLY
Wow.

BUCKY
Yeah, talk about bad taste.

WILLY
So do we go in?

BUCKY
I guess. It says all species are welcome, even though it's 
predominantly toads who visit. Come on.

WILLY
So wait, toads and mammals just hang out here together? There's no 
fighting?

BUCKY
The mammals aren't going to pick a fight with thousands of toads 
hanging around, and the toads enjoy winning the mammals' money from 
them. At least, that's what I've heard.

	Bucky and Willy enter the lobby. It is massive, with a high glass 
ceiling, a dark marble floor, and framed art on the walls. At the 
moment, there are only three people in the lobby: a pair of alligators 
wearing expensive-looking evening wear talking to the lone 
RECEPTIONIST, a cranky-looking female sleazasaur.
	To the left of the reception area is a large set of double doors, 
currently opened to reveal the actual casino beyond. Noticing the two 
mammals, the receptionist seems to recognize Bucky and frowns, picking 
up the handheld comm in front of her. Noticing that Bucky and Willy are 
paying more attention to the alligators, she begins to whisper into it.
	In a plush executive office upstairs, with a big desk, shag 
carpet, and various works of art, PROFESSOR GLUTGRAVE sits watching a 
giant wall of monitors. On these, currently, are views of various parts 
of the casino, as filmed from security cameras, as well as views of 
what is obviously not part of the casino open to the public: glimpses 
of lab equipment and toads in lab coats.
	At the moment, it is dark, with just the glow from the monitors 
illuminating the room. A private comm beeps insistently, and Glutgrave 
picks it up.

GLUTGRAVE
(into comm)
Yes? Oh, really? Just came in, you say? Hang on.

	Bucky and Willy can be seen on one of the monitors. Glutgrave 
presses a button. The screens change to show a giant mosaic image of 
the hare and the human.

GLUTGRAVE
Yes, I see them. You know what to do.

	Back in the lobby, the receptionist nods and hangs up, then 
reaches under the counter. Pulling out a plasma pistol, she takes aim 
and fires. The two alligators duck, startled, as Bucky and Willy scurry 
across the floor and into the gambling area, barely dodging the plasma 
bolts.

BUCKY
Well, at least we know we're in the right place!

	As Bucky and Willy enter the gambling area, the casino is 
absolutely jumping. There are hundreds, possibly thousands, of toad 
civilians, both male and female, present, as well as sleazasaurs and 
various other unpleasant species, all of them flashy, wearing colorful 
attire, gambling, drinking, and making noise.
	There are slot machines, poker tables, craps tables and no 
shortage of bright, blinking neon lights. On a stage in the back, a 
toad band is performing the hit single "Just Sport a Wart."
	As Bucky and Willy stand there, taking all of this in, the 
receptionist reappears, accompanied by three large sleazasaur BOUNCERS 
wearing tuxedoes. Heedless of the customers, the four charge toward 
Bucky and Willy, firing their plasma pistols. Bucky and Willy race 
through the casino and into the kitchen, ducking behind a cabinet as 
the receptionist and bouncers run past them. After they're gone, they 
reemerge and go back out onto the casino floor. Bucky spots an 
elevator, and he and Willy approach it, getting on.
	As Bucky and Willy board the elevator, the receptionist and the 
bouncers reappear and charge toward them, but the doors shut in their 
faces. Bucky quickly hits the "up" button.

BUCKY
I guess they really don't want us gambling here.

	The elevator lets Bucky and Willy off on an upper floor. The two 
creep into the hallway. They look left, then right. It is very art deco 
and has several large potted plants and alcoves that make for good 
hiding places. They sneak down the hall, ducking into an alcove as a 
pair of stormtoads march past. 
	After the toads are gone, Bucky and Willy continue, then dive 
behind one of the potted plants as a toad waiter comes by with a room 
service tray. He doesn't see them and continues on his way.

WILLY
(whispering)
What exactly are we even looking for?

BUCKY
(whispering)
I don't know, but I've got a feeling we'll know it when we see it.
(beat)
At least, I hope so. Otherwise, who knows how long we'll be wandering 
around in here?

	Reaching the corner, Bucky and Willy peer around and see a pair 
of toad scientists in full white lab coats discussing something 
inaudibly.

BUCKY
(whispering)
Lab coats? Looks like we've been given a trail.

	As Bucky and Willy watch, the scientists walk over to the double 
doors of a private office. They go inside and close the door after 
them.
	Bucky charges around the corner toward the office door, Willy at 
his heels. Bucky draws his maser pistol, kicks the doors open and leaps 
in.

BUCKY
All right, wart-brains! I ...

	Bucky stops mid-sentence as he sees the room is empty. The two 
scientists are nowhere to be seen 

WILLY
They're gone!

BUCKY
(irritated)
I can see that.

	Bucky and Willy look around. There is no sign of any toads.

WILLY
There's got to be a secret passage somewhere. You know, like in 
"Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom."

BUCKY
Who Jones and the what?

	Willy smiles and shakes his head.

WILLY
Never mind. Just look around for some kind of triggering mechanism.

	Bucky nods, and he and Willy begin searching the room. Bucky 
pulls aside the large monitor, with no luck. He tries a bookcase next, 
randomly pulling out books and frowning when nothing happens. 
Meanwhile, Willy crawls under the desk and finds a small red button.

WILLY
I think I found it.

	Bucky comes over as Willy presses the button. He crawls out from 
underneath the desk as a section of the far wall slides away, revealing 
a passageway.

BUCKY
Nice job, Willy.

	The passageway is a staircase leading down through the building 
and underground. Bucky cracks his knuckles and walks into the 
passageway, Willy close behind.

SCENE 7 - UNDERGROUND COMPLEX, PLANET PUNK

	Bucky and Willy find themselves passing through a low tunnel 
dimly lit by electric lights mounted on the walls. The tunnel opens 
into a massive natural cavern converted into a laboratory. It is filled 
with banks of computer monitors, machines, and an intricate network of 
glass tubes and globes. In the middle is a deep pool filled with a 
dark-colored liquid. Also present are numerous metallic cylinders 
mounted on pivoting hydraulic platforms.
	The lab is empty except for the two toad SCIENTISTS. The first 
wears a purple tie, and the second wears a striped tie. They are in the 
middle of taking apart one of the control consoles.

SCIENTIST #1
This is no good. We're gonna have to take this entire panel apart!

	There is a "fzzt" as the scientist messes with the wiring, and 
both of them leap back. The striped-tie scientist hits his colleague.

SCIENTIST #2
Careful, you idiot! Damn faulty wiring. One spark and this whole panel 
will catch fire.

	The scientists are so engrossed in what they're doing that they 
don't notice Bucky and Willy's entrance. They silently sneak up to the 
scientists until they're very close. Rushing them, Bucky and Willy 
quickly overpower and knock out the two startled toads with one punch 
apiece, dropping their bodies to the floor.

BUCKY
Piece of cake. Think you can hack their computer, Willy?

	Willy looks at the several computer terminals running along the 
wall opposite him.

WILLY
Shouldn't be too hard.

	While Willy gets to work, Bucky looks into the viewing window of 
the cylinder he's leaning against. He can almost make out a figure 
inside of it.

BUCKY
I don't like this.

	At the computer, Willy suddenly gasps. Bucky's attention is drawn 
back to Willy.

WILLY
Bucky, you better get over here.

	Bucky approaches Willy.

WILLY
Look at this. I think ... I think this is where they're taking toads 
and grafting mammal DNA onto them.

	Bucky lets this sink in.

BUCKY
(quietly)
Just like that fake toad version of me from before. This is where 
they're doing it.

	Bucky looks around, an uneasy feeling settling in his stomach as 
he realizes that every cylinder may contain a toad able to masquerade 
as a mammal.
	Willy points to the screen. It shows a photograph of a male toad, 
with the caption "PHASE 2: BUCKY O'HARE TEMPLATE." Willy's finger then 
moves across, past some technical data, to a photograph of an exact 
double of Bucky. Beneath both pictures, a blinking message flashes on 
and off: "COMPLETE."

WILLY
Apparently, only two far have been successful. Phase One and Phase Two. 
It looks like Phase Two was your guy.

BUCKY
(thoughtfully)
That makes Phase One the guy who infiltrated the UAC. Find out who he 
is.

	Willy nods and types some more on the keys. STORMTOADS suddenly 
march in from various side tunnels and surround Bucky and Willy, plasma 
rifles pointed at them.

STORMTOAD
You warmblooded filth!

	Before Bucky can react, two of the stormtoads hurriedly grab his 
arms, restraining him. He wrenches free. As two of the stormtoads wake 
up the unconscious scientists and help them up, the group of stormtoads 
parts, revealing Glutgrave and a burly toad LAB ASSISTANT who hurriedly 
restrains the hare.

GLUTGRAVE
(jovial)
Captain O'Hare, in the fur!

	Glutgrave marches up to Bucky and gets right in his face, staring 
intently at him with his huge, goggling eyes. Bucky hides his 
uneasiness well.

BUCKY
I think you need glasses, Doc.

GLUTGRAVE
It's Professor, actually. And, no, just curious to see how my handiwork 
matched up against the real thing. I have to commend myself. I hadn't 
thought my duplicate of you was terribly good, but now that I see you 
in person for myself, the likeness is, or rather was, stunning.

	Glutgrave strokes his almost nonexistent chin, appraising Bucky.

GLUTGRAVE
Bureaucratic fools that they are, the Air Marshal and Toadborg never 
gave me much more to work with other than a few photographs and videos. 
Very aggravating. I had to go through more than a few unfortunate toads 
before I was satisfied with your, ah, look. And now that I'm finally 
looking at you, I'm amazed at how close I came.

BUCKY
I take it, then, that you're the one behind that recent ... other me?

	Glutgrave nods with a broad smile and steps back, stuffing his 
hands into his lab coat pockets.

GLUTGRAVE
(gloating)
I would be that scientific genius, yes. It's a process called species-
reassignment gene therapy, or SRGT for short. An idea of Toadborg's, 
actually. You don't know how difficult it was getting your appearance 
just right. With my previous attempt, I was successful only because I 
had no specific template to adhere to.
(smirks)
But I'll have a second chance, I suspect. With you and your friend 
here, I have the real deal to study in order to perfect my next 
duplicate. And so you see, O'Hare, it won't be you that will be 
returning to Genus.

	Glutgrave turns to the other two scientists and confers with 
them.

GLUTGRAVE
Pick out two volunteers. We'll begin work on converting them 
immediately.

SCIENTIST #1
Right away, sir.

BUCKY
So, who's the other success story?

GLUTGRAVE
Wouldn't you like to know?
(to the stormtoads)
Take him and his hairless baboon friend and lock him up.
(under his breath)
You know, I bet I could do a better job than Cravis did on that one ...

	Bucky struggles, but the lab assistant brings his huge fist down 
on the back of the hare's head, and everything goes black.

SCENE 8 - HOLDING CELLS, PLANET PUNK

	Bucky slowly regains consciousness to find he is lying on a 
metallic bench inside of a small cell. He sits up slowly, rubbing his 
head and grimacing. He looks around to find himself alone.

BUCKY
Those idiots are never going to learn to just kill me, are they?

	Getting off the bench, Bucky goes over and peers through the 
small, barred window on the door and sees a narrow, sterile L-shaped 
hall lined with six identical doors. At the end of the hall is an exit, 
and beside that, a desk for a guard, although the guard isn't there 
now. Bucky is in the last cell at the end of the hall.

BUCKY
(whispering)
Willy?

	Willy is by himself in another cell farther down from Bucky's. He 
is lying on the bench and sits up as he hears Bucky's voice.

WILLY
Bucky?

	Willy goes to his own door.

WILLY
Hey, you're awake!

	Bucky rubs the back of his head again.

BUCKY
Yeah. How long have I been out?

WILLY
Not too long. They threw us in here half an hour ago.

BUCKY
There any guards?

WILLY
One. He left. He said he was going to get food. For us, I assume.

	Bucky strokes his chin in thought, a plan formulating.

BUCKY
I've got an idea that might get us out of here. I'm gonna go pretend to 
still be unconscious, so don't say anything to the guard when he gets 
back, OK?

WILLY
(shrugs)
You've had worse plans that worked.

	Bucky walks to his bench when he hears the sound of a door 
unlocking. Quickly, he silently lies back down and pretends to be 
unconscious. 
	Outside in the hall, a STORMTOAD enters the cell block holding 
two trays of nondescript, unappetizing-looking foodstuff. There's a key 
ring on his belt that jingles noisily. He walks up to Willy's cell 
first and bangs on it.

STORMTOAD
Lunchtime, traitor. I put extra maggots in it 'cuz I heard you like 
them so much.
(spits on the food)
And some sauce!

	Willy comes over and accepts the tray of food through the slot on 
the door.

STORMTOAD
That hare woken up yet?

WILLY
No.

	The stormtoad eyes Bucky but proceeds to his cell anyway, leaving 
Willy standing there holding the food tray, frowning down at the food 
on it. Once at Bucky's cell, the stormtoad bangs on the door.

STORMTOAD
You awake in there, long-ears? Come on, wake up, it's lunchtime.

	Bucky slowly sits up, as if groggy, holding his head and 
groaning.

STORMTOAD
Cone on, fuzzy, I ain't got all day! Move it, unless you wanna starve.

	Getting up, Bucky crosses the cell, deliberately acting as if he 
is only partially conscious. The stormtoad seems to buy it. He sticks 
the food tray through the slot in the door, and Bucky takes it. He then 
throws it aside suddenly and reaches through the slot, grabbing the 
toad by the front of his uniform.

STORMTOAD
What the?! ...

	Bucky pulls in with his arm and violently knocks the stormtoad's 
helmeted head against the door with a loud metallic banging noise, 
leaving him momentarily dazed. In the other cell, Willy is startled by 
the noise.
	Still holding the stormtoad, Bucky sticks his other arm through 
and reaches down, grabbing the keys from the stormtoad's belt. After 
pulling them back in with him, he bangs the toad's head against the 
door a couple more times and knocks him unconscious. He lets go of him, 
and he thuds audibly to the floor.
	Willy sets his food tray down and peeks out the window.

WILLY
You managed not to kill this one.

	Bucky appears at the door, smirking.

BUCKY
That helmet made a satisfying noise banging against the bars.

	Bucky unlocks Willy's cell and lets him out. Willy smiles, then 
blinks as he sees the stormtoad lying there on the floor. Bucky drags 
the unconscious toad into the other cell, then slams and locks it. 
Pocketing the keys, he turns to Willy.

BUCKY
Come on, let's go. We've got to get another look at that lab so we can 
find out who this "Phase One" is. And then, we've got to destroy this 
place.

SCENE 9 - UNDERGROUND COMPLEX, PLANET PUNK

	A shrieking, screaming toad in his underwear is strapped to a 
gurney as Glutgrave performs surgery on him while he's still conscious. 
His staff stand nearby, the scientist with the purple tie assisting and 
the one with the striped tie taking notes. A second toad, also in his 
underpants, is strapped to a different gurney, awaiting his turn and 
looking thoroughly worried.

GLUTGRAVE
When we're through modifying him, he'll go right into the stasis 
cylinder.

SCIENTIST #1
Yes, sir.
(concerned)
It looks like the preliminary surgical procedure is taking a bit too 
much of a toll on this one.

GLUTGRAVE
His screaming is annoying me. Don't we have any more painkillers to 
shut him up?

SCIENTIST #1
Nope. Out of anesthetic, out of painkillers.

	The second toad gulps loudly.
	The first toad struggles as the procedure continues, and he 
finally convulses and lies still. His vitals flatline on the monitors 
surrounding the operating table. Glutgrave looks annoyed and throws 
down his surgical tools.

GLUTGRAVE
Another failure! I knew we shouldn't have tried to do the hairless 
baboon first. Dispose of this. We'll do O'Hare first, then. Start with 
what you know, I always say.

	As Glutgrave and the other two scientists step back, the big lab 
assistant sighs and unstraps the dead, mutilated toad and carries him 
toward the pool in the middle of the facility.
	Bucky and Willy sneak in, unnoticed. The two of them duck behind 
banks of computer equipment and creep along toward the computer Willy 
had accessed earlier. The row of cylinders is between them and 
Professor Glutgrave, but not the bio-disposal pool. The lab assistant 
is focused on his task at hand and hasn't seen them yet. He hefts the 
lifeless form of the toad into the liquid, which fizzes as it begins to 
dissolve the body.
	Willy accesses the computer. The screen showing the information 
on the Bucky O'Hare template comes up, and Willy types feverishly, 
causing a second diagram to emerge, titled "PHASE 1: HARE TEMPLATE." 
This time it shows a photograph of an unidentified male toad with short 
brown hair parted down the middle. Across from that is a picture of a 
green hare with the exact same hairstyle. "COMPLETE" flashes beneath 
both pictures.

WILLY
(whispering)
Bucky, isn't that ... 

BUCKY
(shocked)
Renfield!

	Bucky clasps his paws over his mouth, realizing too late that he 
didn't whisper. The lab assistant toad turns and sees them.

LAB ASSISTANT
Hey!

	Bucky leaps back and lifts a large fire extinguisher above his 
head. He throws it at the lab assistant.

BUCKY
Catch!

	The fire extinguisher slams into the assistant's middle. The big 
toad grunts and falls into the pool behind him, landing with a big 
splash. The assistant screams as his body begins to dissolve.

BUCKY
(to Willy)
OK, *that* time was unintentional.

GLUTGRAVE
Call security!

	As the purple-tie scientists runs for the nearest comm, the 
striped-tie scientist hefts a large monkey wrench and charges at Bucky.

BUCKY
Why do all you supposedly smart scientists keep trying to take me on?

	Bucky ducks the scientist's clumsy swing and kicks the toad into 
an open cylinder, which closes shut on him.
	Alarms sound, and stormtoads rush in, plasma rifles blazing, 
heedless of the delicate scientific equipment. Glutgrave yells 
frantically, arms waving. Bucky and Willy take refuge behind the 
cylinders.

GLTUGRAVE
No, no, no! Stop firing, you fools! 

	The stormtoads stop firing, looking chastened, and charge at 
Bucky and Willy, quickly overtaking them. Bucky is seized, and a 
STORMTOAD COMMANDER comes forward with a pair of manacles. Bucky 
struggles against the two holding him.

GLUTGRAVE
Put these warmblooded inferiors back in their cages, where they belong.

STORMTOAD COMMANDER
Shouldn't we just kill them?

GLUTGRAVE
Do you have any idea how quickly their DNA would degrade? Seriously! 
Prioritize a little!

	Willy is guarded by a single stormtoad, who is currently busy 
watching his fellows attempting to cuff Bucky. Seeing his chance, the 
human throws himself at the toad, grabbing his plasma rifle. 
Reflexively, the stormtoad fires. The blast strikes the commander in 
the head. He falls back, dead.
	Bucky wrenches free of the toads, kneeing one in the gut, then 
whirling and elbowing another in the mouth. Both collapse, and Bucky 
grabs up one of their rifles.

BUCKY
Hey, Doc, I'm ending your little science project!

	Bucky turns and fires the weapon into the control panel that the 
toad scientists had been working on.

GLUTGRAVE
(eyes wide)
No! Nooo!

	The panel bursts into flames immediately. Whirling, Bucky 
continues firing at various bits of machinery, destroying vital 
equipment. A growing fire consumes the electronics and machinery. 
Glutgrave instantly reacts.

GLUTGRAVE
(panicking)
Put out those flames!

	The purple-tie scientist and several lab workers scurry to try 
and use fire extinguishers to put out the flames, Glutgrave directing 
them.
	Bucky shoots a couple of stormtoads, who twitch and jerk as the 
plasma fire rips through them, but he is more concerned with wrecking 
the lab equipment. He riddles the cylinders with plasma fire before 
diving for cover behind a bank of monitors as the remaining stormtoads 
take up positions and shoot at him. He pops up, exchanging fire with 
the toads.
	They duck, allowing Bucky to hit the pivoting hydraulic arm 
supporting one of the cylinders, which comes loose and hits the floor 
with a metallic bang and proceeds to roll across the floor, toward the 
startled stormtoads. They turn and try to run, but it rolls over and 
crushes them. The cylinder continues rolling and winds up splashing 
into the pool, as Bucky resumes his destructive rampage.
	Bucky blasts everything in sight, targeting in particular several 
metal drums labeled "Flammable" that consume half the lab as they 
explode. Glutgrave continues directing the firefighting efforts. 
Whenever a terrified toad tries to break and run, Glutgrave collars him 
and shoves him back into the fray.
	At the same time, Willy finally gets the better of the stormtoad 
he's wrestling with, shoving him back and punching him once in the gut, 
then again in the face. The toad staggers and falls. Grabbing up the 
toad's rifle, he runs to join Bucky.

WILLY
Cathartic much?

BUCKY
This is way cheaper than an hour with Dr. Lurie. Good job, by the way.

WILLY
It's not over yet!

	Willy points as even more stormtoads rush in. He dives behind 
some ruined machinery alongside Bucky, and the shootout resumes. 
Meanwhile, the fire is rapidly getting out of control. Things begin 
exploding across the entire lab now, flaming metal chunks flying 
through the air.
	The toads all drop their fire extinguishers and begin backing 
away. A couple of them hurriedly begin unstrapping the panicked toad 
who is still strapped to the other gurney. The purple-tie scientist 
runs up to Glutgrave.

SCIENTIST #1
Professor, we have to evacuate!

GLUTGRAVE
No! We can't lose this facility!

	Glutgrave and the scientist wince as another explosion rocks the 
laboratory.

SCENE 10 - POND PALACE KASINO, PLANET PUNK

	The entire building rocks from the force of the explosions. The 
sleazasaur receptionist at the front desk grips her desk for support, 
and then she reaches under the desk and hits the fire alarm button. 
Sirens blare throughout the entire casino. A few people had already 
exited due to the muffled explosion and the entire building shaking. 
Now, as they hear the alarms, everyone drops what they're doing and 
stampedes for the exit, more than a few pausing to grab money off the 
gaming tables.

SCENE 11 - UNDERGROUND COMPLEX, PLANET PUNK

	The laboratory is a raging inferno. The toad lab personnel 
haven't got the stomach to remain any longer.

SCIENTIST #1
We've got to get out of here!

GLUTGRAVE
No! This facility cost us a fortune. We have to try and save it!

	The other scientist doesn't listen. He yells over the noise, 
taking charge in the confusion.

SCIENTIST #1
Everybody out! We're evacuating! Get out!

	The scientist turns and bolts for the exit. The stormtoads 
pinning Bucky and Willy down abandon the fight and hurry out as well, 
followed by the lab workers and the freed toad in his underwear. 
Glutgrave screams after them.

GLUTGRAVE
Come back here, you cowards!

	The toads keep running. Yelling in fury, Glutgrave grabs one of 
the dead stormtoads' dropped rifles and hefts it up, aiming it at 
Bucky.

GLUTGRAVE
You! This is all your fault!

	Glutgrave fires relentlessly, but he has terrible aim and misses 
Bucky completely.

BUCKY
(taunting Glutgrave)
You need those glasses worse than I thought!

GLUTGRAVE
Die, you miserable hairball!

	Bucky, scowling, fires once, striking Glutgrave squarely in the 
chest. Glutgrave's eyes widen. Bucky fires a second time, hitting the 
toad in the face. He drops the rifle, wobbles, and falls dead to the 
floor. Bucky bolts for the exit.

BUCKY
Come on, Willy!

WILLY
(surveying the blaze)
I kinda wish I could've read his notes, but it's probably a good thing 
this is all going up in flames.

	Bucky grabs Willy's arm and drags him along as they flee from the 
cavern.

WILLY
Where do we go?

BUCKY
When in doubt, follow the vermin fleeing the sinking ship!

	The escaping toads race out onto a landing pad in a large 
sinkhole located somewhere behind the Pond Palace Kasino. Two toad 
escape ships sit parked on landing pads. The toads all cram into the 
first one. It's a tight fit. They blast off and leave just as Bucky and 
Willy come racing out of the tunnel, a muffled explosion collapsing it 
behind them. They get into the second escape ship and lift off.
	 A murmuring, panicked crowd watches the casino tremble and quake 
with internal explosions, shuddering more and more violently with each 
rumbling boom. The neon light displays flicker and then go out.
	The casino is rocked by one final explosion, shattering all the 
windows and raining glass down upon the crowd, who are knocked to the 
ground by the force. The floors collapse onto one another as the entire 
casino interior implodes, collapsing in on itself. Slowly, the building 
settles, and everyone gets to their feet.

SCENE 12 - SPACE

	The toad ship shoots up into Planet Punk's upper atmosphere and 
is soon in open space. Bucky and Willy, both behind the controls, 
breathe a shared sigh of relief.

BUCKY
They won't be giving any more mammalian facelifts to toad spies. We've 
just gotta worry about the one that already got his.

	Bucky narrows his eyes.

BUCKY
And finally, we know who it is.

SCENE 13 - LABORATORY, ALDEBARAN EMBASSY, GENUS

	Computers and terminals line the wall of a dark, cylindrical 
room, while four rows of esoteric Aldebaran devices lead to the center 
of the room where the Armored Artificer's pure black gem rests in metal 
holding arms from the floor and ceiling, all inside a glass tube.
	Six female Aldebaran artificers surround the tube. They wear 
white uniforms and open-face, scalpless balaclavas fitted with ocean 
blue spell gems. One ARTIFICER speaks out.

ARTIFICER
Why must we delve into this ... thing? It carries nothing inside it but 
death and nihilism.

	A figure steps forward into the light shining on the pure black 
gem. It is AMBASSADOR ARTEMISIA in her black uniform and open-faced 
burgonet helm.

ARTEMISIA
(stoic)
It is an order from the Queen herself. The more we know of the pure 
black gems, the better prepared Aldebaran will be when the Armored 
Artificer resurfaces.

	The artificers walk forward and clasp paws, forming a chain 
around the pure black gem. They close their eyes and chant 
synchronously in an unknown language as their gems glow bright blue.
	The pure black gem sucks up the light around it. Jagged bolts of 
darkness fire from the pure black gem, shattering the glass around it 
and striking the artificers, throwing them against the equipment in the 
lab.
	Artemisia ducks and shields her face by reflex, betraying her 
normal stoic tranquility. She slowly stands back up and looks at the 
pure black gem. Its darkness pulses.

ARTEMISIA
(whispering to pure black gem)
What are you?

SCENE 14 - SPACE

	A toad cruiser flies through space. On the bridge, the FIRST 
OFFICER oversees a toad CREWMEMBER who performs a deep space scan of 
some sort.

FIRST OFFICER
These new sensors are incredible -- so sensitive. They can detect any 
object from light years away.

	As if in response, the instruments begin to beep loudly.

CREWMEMBER
(surprised)
Whoa! Captain, come and have a look at this!

	The stern-looking CAPTAIN STRACKWITTS walks over.

STRACKWITTS
What is it now?

CREWMEMBER
The sensor array is registering a massive surge of ... something.

	The crewmember points at the screen, which displays energy spikes 
cascading across a holographic map of the star system they're in. 
They're so engrossed in observing this that they don't hear the loud, 
metallic thudding footsteps until a massive shadow falls over them. 
They turn to find TOADBORG looming over them.

TOADBORG
You've found something?

STRACKWITTS
Yes, sir. I've found a large power source, but we can't identify what 
kind of energy it's radiating.

TOADBORG
Can you lock in on it?

	The crewmember fidgets with some knobs and dials, frowning.

CREWMEMBER
It's difficult. At this distance there's a lot of ambient interference, 
but I think I can ... bingo!

	The crewmember zeroes in on the source of the power and points. 
Toadborg examines the screen and then turns away.

TOADBORG
That power source is coming from Genus? What in the aniverse can the 
mammals be cooking up? I haven't heard anything about this from our 
cell there.

STRACKWITTS
They might not know about it.

TOADBORG
We shall see. Get me Sergeant Krug immediately.

	One of the toad crew places the call. Toadborg turns, and the 
face of Sergeant Krug fills the bridge's massive viewscreen.

TOADBORG
Sergeant! Would you mind explaining to me why I am only just now 
finding out about an enormous energy spike radiating out from your 
area?

KRUG
(confused)
I don't understand ...

TOADBORG
(irritated)
Turn your energy sensors on, fool.

	Krug frowns and nods to someone offscreen. A moment later, he 
blinks and reacts to the apparently massive energy reading he is 
looking at on his end.

KRUG
(surprised)
I ... I didn't know, Toadborg, sir! Honest, I didn't!

TOADBORG
I want you to find out what this energy reading is, Sergeant. Contact 
your man inside the UAC and see what he knows.

	COMMANDER CREELEVARD VALTJHOU, who looks like he's been through 
absolute hell, suddenly shoves Krug aside. Krug hits the floor with a 
loud thud. Creelevard's uniform is in tatters, scarred wounds covering 
every inch of his visible flesh. He wears a ragged cloth cape which he 
appears to wrap around himself for warmth.

CREELEVARD
Sir. I request this assignment.

	Toadborg doesn't look surprised in the least to see Creelevard 
and simply regards him cooly.

TOADBORG
So, you are still alive, Commander. Interesting. But you failed us 
catastrophically as well. As far as I'm concerned, you may as well have 
been dead. Why did you not immediately link up with Sergeant Krug and 
contact me?

CREELEVARD
(growling)
I was ...

TOADBORG
(interrupting)
Never mind. Save it. I'm going to give you a second chance to restore 
yourself to my good graces. As of now, you are Sergeant Krug's second-
in-command.

	Creelevard just nods, clearly unhappy with this assignment but 
taking it in stride. Toadborg's unreadable features somehow manage to 
convey the slightest hint of surprise at Creelevard's acquiescence. 
However, he allows it to pass for muster.
	Krug gets up unsteadily and moves to stand beside Creelevard. 
They glare at one another.

TOADBORG
I want you both to find out what is giving off these energy readings 
and report back to me.

	Before either of them can reply, Toadborg punches a button on the 
console, terminating the transmission. He then turns to Strackwitts.

TOADBORG
Set a course for the UAC border. We will lie in wait there and see if 
these bickering fools can accomplish this relatively simple task.

SCENE 15 - TOAD HIDEOUT, GENUS

	In the toad cell's dark underground stronghold on Genus, Krug 
whirls toward Creelevard, looking smug. Creelevard remains 
expressionless and still as a statue. He endures the gloating for now.

KRUG
How interesting. I guess Toadborg doesn't think too highly of you if he 
put an officer of your former standing under my command.

CREELEVARD
We should locate the source.

	A young TOAD TECH sitting at one of the banks of computer 
equipment pipes up eagerly.

TOAD TECH
I've already done that, sir!

	Krug and Creelevard walk over.

TOAD TECH
It's coming from the Aldebaran embassy here on Genus, of all places.

KRUG
The Aldebarans? Hmph. I might've known. Those witches are always 
dabbling with something powerful. Something involving some kind of 
mystical hoodoo, no doubt.

	Creelevard turns his eye toward Krug and raises a brow, already 
beginning to formulate a plan. He remains silent.
	Krug turns to his men: several stormtoads sitting around looking 
bored, playing cards, eating, some maintaining their weapons. A few are 
shirtless, and most are helmetless.

KRUG
All right, men, prepare for an attack on the ...

CREELEVARD
(interrupting)
No.

KRUG
What?

CREELEVARD
It's foolish to look for something when you don't know what it is. We 
should scout first.

KRUG
(ponders)
Right. OK. But first ... there's a little something I'd like you to 
take care of, Creelevard.

	Creelevard smirks, confident that he's calling the shots now 
without Krug even realizing it.

SCENE 16 - RENFIELD'S APARTMENT, GENUS

	Renfield is in bed with Dawson. They are snuggling together. 
Dawson sleeps soundly as Renfield tenderly strokes his hair before 
sliding out of bed. Pulling on his boxer shorts, he heads into the 
kitchen for a midnight snack when he hears his comm beeping. After a 
moment's hesitation, he opens the drawer, pulls the comm out, and 
answers it. Krug's face appears.

RENFIELD
Krug, I already told you ...

KRUG
(interrupting)
I grow weary of your tardiness! And your cowardice! You've been getting 
sloppy. You need to get your act together. 

	Renfield scowls at this accusation.

RENFIELD
If this is about your plan, Krug, you can ...

KRUG
(interrupting again)
Forget about that. We've got someone else on that. Someone a lot more 
dependable than you.

	Renfield's scowl deepens.

KRUG
Instead, I have a different mission for you. You might not even have to 
kill anyone. A pansy like you would just love that, I take it?
(beat)
You had better take this one if you know what's good for you. Because 
if you don't, I'll personally hunt you down, do you understand me?

RENFIELD
(scared)
I ... yes, sir.

KRUG
Good. There's something interesting happening at the Aldebaran embassy, 
and I want you to find out what.

TO BE CONTINUED