"Flight Of The Rogue Star" Part 1 by Fero McPiglet Final draft - 3/3/02 Edited by DJ Clawson Edited by Rygar 5/31/09 SCENE 1 - MAMMAL BASE, SECTOR ONE It's nighttime at a mammal base. Two bear GUARDS are posted on the edge of the hanger. It's in the middle of the night, and the two are pretty much relaxed at their posts. GUARD #1 (leans back on the wall) Hey, Andrew? Don't you just hate these moments when we have nothing to do? ANDREW (Eyes closed. Shrugs) Mm-hmm. GUARD #1 (looks up to the sky) Heh, I wonder what the other guards when they're bored? ANDREW (shakes his head) Mm-hmm. GUARD #1 (laughs) You sure are not much for intelligent conversation. ANDREW (growls while grinning) Mm-hmm! GUARD #1 (laughs again then sighs) Whatever you say, Andrew. Whatever you say. The two guards remain quiet for a while. Suddenly, there is a sound of a small squeak. GUARD #1 (slightly alert) Hey, Andrew? Was that you? ANDREW Mm. GUARD #1 (leans back again) OK, just checking. The silence is broken again by the blaring of an alarm klaxon. The first guard is startled. GUARD #1 What was that? ANDREW (shrugs with eyes still closed) Mm-hmm. GUARD #1 (straightens up and goes on alert) Stop that! C'mon, I think I heard something ... ANDREW (straightens up as well) Guh ... I seriously doubt it's the Commander doing a surprise inspection, Charlie. CHARLIE (fumbles with his gear) No, it's gotta be something else. The klaxon noise quiets down before the two can ready their masers. They look around. ANDREW Looks like it stopped. CHARLIE (scratches his head) Yeah. Looks that way ... The pair stare at the building that they're guarding. ANDREW (sighs and pats Charlie's shoulder) C'mon, it's your turn. CHARLIE (gives Andrew a funny look) My turn to what? ANDREW (rolls his eyes) To look inside, buddy. I did it last time. Y'know. When it turned out to just be vermin, remember? CHARLIE Oh. (laughs) All right ... I thought you meant ... An explosion rocks the compound, nearly throwing both guards to the ground. CHARLIE What was *that*? It sounded like the hanger. ANDREW We're *at* the hanger. And the doors are still secure. Charlie goes over to the console and punches some codes in it. The hanger door swings open, and the two guards peer inside. CHARLIE (looking up) It's not the doors! It's the ceiling! The ceiling has been blown wide open. The frigate housed in the compound is hovering over the makeshift exit. It takes a split second before it orients upward and zooms away. The two guards are left below, staring at the frigate's vapor trail as it disappears. ANDREW (still looking upward) The Commander's not going to like this. CHARLIE (also looking upward) Well, at least the Commander isn't here to chew us out. ANDREW (punches the other guard's shoulder) I oughta chew you out! CHARLIE (laughs) Hey, c'mon! This is serious ... Many miles away and counting, inside the frigate, four individuals are boasting and gloating in the bridge. NEWTON (raises one of his tiny arms high) Woo-wee! We did it! We stole the prototype mark-5 frigate right under the UAC's noses! NEWTON the newt is at the pilot's chair, waiting for someone to reciprocate his high-five. Nobody pay any attention to him, and he's left with his hand hanging up. He puts it down in disgust and glares at the others -- TINKER the rat who is fiddling with a pocket computer, SLYLY ZOD the samurai lizard who is cleaning his sword, and AL NEGATOR the sleazasaur who is kicking back in an extra chair and propping his feet up the console. TINKER (checking his computer) I still think you should have used less explosives, Al. You could have brought down the whole ceiling over our heads! NEGATOR (shrugs) Well, I didn't, didn't I? I had that dynamite rigged in advance if we ever needed a quick exit. Besides, I wouldn't have done that if *someone* hadn't hit the alarms. ZOD (looks up from his sword) Well, how was I supposed to know that the alarm was not a light switch? I wouldn't have tried turning it on if Newton hadn't requested illumination. NEWTON Oh no, don't you trying pinning this on me! All you guys were tripping all over me in the dark after I got the back door open! I just wanted to make sure you guys could see where we were going. I don't want a repeat of Tinker stepping on my tail again! TINKER Well, I'm sorry Newton, but I was preoccupied with unlocking the frigate's bomb bay doors before Zod and Al here decided to just rip it open. I mean, how would we launch into space if the frigate wasn't space-worthy? Everybody is starting to raise their voices and the conversation is about to turn ugly when Negator raises his hands and puts everything to a stop. NEGATOR Look, there's no need to argue anymore. Why're we playing the blame game when we just broke into the UAC's heavily fortified moon base hanger, got past the UAC's best defenses, and stole the only working model of the prototype mark-5 particle accelerator frigate? I mean, we should be celebrating! Isn't that right? NEWTON (piping up) Hey, that's what I was trying to say, but you guys just kept ignor- TINKER (ignoring Newton) Y'know, that is true. I mean, we did a great job didn't we? No mishaps or nothing? Not until the end anyway. ZOD Yes. I didn't think it would be this easy to steal the United Animals Coalition's fourth frigate. You would think that they would put it under a more watchful guard. NEGATOR They did. We just breezed past it! Not bad for a relatively impromptu caper. NEWTON (climbing on top of the console so the others can see him) Well, I mean, who could resist a setup like that? Bucky, Dogstar, Mimi, and the rest of their crews going on some sorta secret mission or something or another! It's a good thing *I* picked up that frequency! TINKER Hey, yeah, that's right! Where'd that transmission say Bucky and his bunch are again? SCENE 2 - SECTOR THREE, time: -1:30:34 The Righteous Indignation is moving through space at maximum speed. Beside it is The Indefatigable, keeping pace and keeping contact via umbilical tunnel. Inside the main deck of the Righteous Indignation, CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE, GUNNER DEADEYE DUCK, BRUISER, and AFC BLINKY stand in attendance next to COMMANDER SIRIUS DOGSTAR, PITSTOP PETE, RUMBLEBEE, and ENGINEER DIGGER. The pilots FIRST MATE JENNY and LIEUTENANT WOLF are only present via two-way cameras as they cannot leave their posts. The lights are out as both teams are viewing a message being projected on the screen. MIMI (on the view screen, speaking frantically) "... incredible firepower, and it's set to be operational in several hours! Dile's sending you the plans for the armaments, but our position may be compromised at any ..." The screen dissolves into static. The room is flooded in lights. Several crewmembers rub their eyes, particularly the mole Digger. Bucky speaks up. BUCKY (looks to the corner) And that's it? A figure steps out from the side. It's MAJOR BOTTLENOSE, traveling out of his element in his WetSuit, a mobile aquatic breathing apparatus. The floating dolphin gravely moves forward and folds his fins behind him. BOTTLENOSE Yes, that is everything. We can only assume that Captain Mimi LaFleur was found out by the toads. Fortunately, we were able to trace the transmission before it was cut off. I've already relayed the coordinates to Jenny and Wolf. We will be at the rendezvous point in about half an hour. DOGSTAR I don't understand. The toads have nearly finished this new weapon? How can the toads have hidden this huge project away from us for so long? BOTTLENOSE I suspect it has something to do with Willy's knowledge of our radar systems. Perhaps he has installed a device which deflects our probes. Who knows what other important military secrets the renegade has shared with the enemy? DEADEYE (very nearly draws out his masers) Don't you be talkin' about me pal Willy that way, sharkbait! Bucky stops Deadeye's outburst with a stare. Dogstar continues his inquiries. DOGSTAR What about the plans Mimi said she sent? Did they make it? BOTTLENOSE Barely. The designs all came out as gibberish. We'll need to unscramble them before they can be of any use. But there is one thing we were able to decipher. Bottlenose presses a button on his fin. Every crewmember suddenly hears a beep from their communicators on their wrists, even Jenny and Wolf. On the communicator screen flashes a time: -1:27:03. The seconds are running backward. BUCKY What is this? A countdown? BOTTLENOSE Exactly. Mimi made sure it was the first thing that came with the transmission. We can assume that it is the exact time left before the weapon is fully operational. As you can see, we only have an hour and a half left, flight time included. DOGSTAR So that's why you called this emergency conference with us already heading for the target destination. BOTTLENOSE Precisely. I called both of you as soon as our auxiliary communication center orbiting Sludge picked up Mimi's signal. DIGGER I wish Mimi was able to at least tell us what kind of weapon it is. It can't be that powerful or important enough to warrant us leaving everything at the drop of a hat. BOTTLENOSE It's important enough to have Mimi label it a class-A threat. It must be something *big*. It's all in the scrambled files. We'll have to take them with us and decode them on the fly ... DEXTER ... which is why I'll be accompanying you grunts on this mission. A second figure appears out of from the side. It's the octopus DEXTER, with heavy duty treads rolling forward in his mobile WaterTank. His personal aquatic breathing apparatus is less elegant than Bottlenose's, as his huge frame and multiple arms can't be fit inside a standard WetSuit, but it is sufficient just the same. DEXTER I'll be able to supply you all with the necessary information just as soon as I use Dile's codes to enter the toad mainframe. DEADEYE (eyeing Dexter's ungainly mode of transportation) Yer comin' along with us in that monstrosity? Talk about dead weight! (gestures at Digger) Heck, why can't ol' Digger do all the hacking for us? He's an engineer, and he carries his own firepower, t' boot! DIGGER (pats his bazooka lovingly) No can do, Deadeye. I'm more on weapons development than communications. Dexter here's the best information analyst we got. DEADEYE (points at the octopus) Ah, c'mon! This space squid's gonna slow us down! DEXTER (waves his eight arms as compared to Deadeye's four) Feh! You're just jealous because I have more arms than you, pirate boy! DEADEYE (grabs one of his masers) Why, I oughta ... BUCKY (hold Deadeye back) Deadeye! Stand down! Deadeye stops struggling but continues to glare at Dexter. Dexter glares back. Bucky grabs Deadeye's shoulders and forces him to look him in the eye. BUCKY Look, Deadeye, I know you're upset about Willy being brainwashed and joining the side of the toads ... (shakes Deadeye) But this is not the time to lose it. We're under a timetable here. DOGSTAR He's right. We'll be reaching the rendezvous point in ... BOTTLENOSE Ten minutes. DOGSTAR ... ten minutes. We have to gear up and discuss a battle strategy before we get there. (takes a look at his crew) Isn't that right, men? Digger, Rumblebee, Pitstop Pete, and Wolf on the two-way camera raise their paws in a salute. DIGGER, RUMBLEBEE, and WOLF (in unison) Right! PITSTOP PETE (at the same time) Yup! DOGSTAR Then get to work! BUCKY (looks at his own crew) You heard the man. Deadeye had gone back to the side along with Bruiser and Blinky. Jenny is still looking at them through her two-way camera. They all look grim. BUCKY Go to it! Both crews go to their respective places. They ready their equipment and artillery. Dogstar's crew goes to their own frigate via the umbilical tunnel that connects the two frigates together. Blinky leads Dexter to The Righteous Indignation's main communications post. Bucky, Dogstar, and Bottlenose remain on the deck. BUCKY You have a plan, Dogstar? DOGSTAR Not yet. Bottlenose? What's your analysis of the situation? BOTTLENOSE Well, considering that we're essentially flying blind, I'd suggest we try to locate and free Captain LaFleur from wherever she is. She'll fill us in on all the details. BUCKY And what if we can't find her in time? What then? We can't chance having this weapon, whatever it is, be in working order. DOGSTAR Hmm, I think it means we'll have to form two teams. One will be in charge of rescuing our fair Captain LaFleur and her crew, while the other will be on standard search and destroy. BUCKY Agreed. If Dexter doesn't get the base plans decoded soon, I'm sure Jenny can home in on Mimi's location. DOGSTAR Whoa there, Bucky! Not this time! (smiling shrewdly) How come it's always you who gets to rush in, guns blazing and rescuing the damsel in distress? BUCKY (looks confused) Dogstar, what do you mean? DOGSTAR (taps his nose) I mean, I have my skill at tracking. I can easily locate Mimi. BUCKY But you and your crew are much better suited for demolitions! And beside, your crew's not as stealthy as mine. DOGSTAR You'd be surprised. C'mon, Bucky! It's been years since I've gotten to play the knight in shining armor. Let an old dog practice some new tricks? BOTTLENOSE (intervening) Captain! Commander! We don't have time for this! Bottlenose brings out a quarter-simolean -- a crosspiece of the standard spheroid simolean. BOTTLENOSE I'll settle this argument. Bottlenose tosses the coin in the air. BOTTLENOSE Call it! SCENE 3 - STOLEN FRIGATE, time -1:20:12 The coin lands in the palm of Negator's hand and he slams it upside down onto his scaly arm. He lifts his hand and the others peer into the quarter-simolean. NEGATOR Tails. We get to take the frigate on a joyride first. NEWTON Woo hoo! (hops down his chair and heads for the control deck) Let's see what this baby can do! ZOD I still believe we should deliver this frigate to our awaiting customer. NEGATOR So do I. (turns to Tinker) Tinker, how come you voted that we take our time? You're the one who's usually on the edge just in case Dogstar gets on our tails. TINKER Hey, this gives me time to check this ship for loose technology. It's a prototype ship; they must have equipped it with new stuff. And I can download the schematics for later. If you'll excuse me ... Tinker leaves. Negator and Zod are left behind. Zod looks uncomfortable as he uncharacteristically shifts from one foot to another. Al notices. NEGATOR Hey Zod, you look sorta shifty all of a sudden. You got a problem? ZOD I cannot meditate on my accomplishments until the mission is completed. I feel slighty ... frustrated with this. NEGATOR If there were five of us instead of four, we'd have a tiebreaker instead of tossing for it. Al puts his arms around Zod's shoulder and leads him away. NEGATOR C'mon, if you're looking for a place to meditate, I'm sure the frigate has a commissary. ZOD I hardly think that the refreshment room would be a suitable place for meditation. NEGATOR Yeah, but I do my best meditating with a swig of swampgrass! ZOD Well, I wouldn't be averse to partaking in sake ... NEGATOR That's the spirit! I mean, if I'm correct in assuming that "sake" is wine spirits or something. (Al continues to lead Zod away to the commissary) Y'know, you should loosen up sometimes. You remind me of a cousin of mine ... SCENE 4 - TOAD BASE, PLANETOID, time -1:15:47 ENGINEER WILLY DUWITT is hard at work at a console, moving and directing the mobile units on the screen. On another console, he's tabulating the information being processed on the operations. He is sweating from both the work he is doing and the atmosphere of the area. Behind him is the imposing TOADBORG, standing still. The cyborg would pace back and forth if he thought it would accomplish anything. Instead, he leans over and places a heavy gauntlet on Willy's shoulder. He presses hard. TOADBORG How much longer until we are finished? WILLY (shrugs the cyborg's hand away) The robots are moving as fast as they can, but they keep breaking down. If you hadn't botched the mission on Kanopis, we would have the water to cool them down with. TOADBORG Let them break down! We can build more when KOMPLEX arrives. How many more hours? WILLY One and a quarter. We're still on schedule. TOADBORG Not anymore. Mimi and her crew were here. They must have alerted the rest of the UAC fleet of our project. They might already be on their way here. WILLY (asks while still concentrating on his work) What happened to her anyway? Where'd you put her? TOADBORG The Captain and her crew are under the tender mercies of Dr. Cravis. They won't be bothering us any longer. WILLY It wasn't my fault they found us. You're supposed to be in charge of security. Toadborg slams a fist into a metal table, causing Willy to jump in his seat. TOADBORG Don't push me, mammal! We may have converted you, but it doesn't mean I have to tolerate your attitude. You've been responsible for a lot of my failures in the past. You and your friends. WILLY They're not my friends. Not anymore. I'm completely loyal to KOMPLEX now. TOADBORG You had better be. At the first instance that your resolve drops, I'll have the neurosurgeons extract all the information we need from your skull. Just like I wanted to do. WILLY (knows he's walking on thin ice but continues anyway) But you're the one who showed me that KOMPLEX was the way in the first place! If I come under the influence of the mammals again, it'd be your fault. (turns back to his computer) You should be happy I'm helping you guys out, y'know. Toadborg's red optics narrow dangerously. With his back turned, Willy doesn't notice Toadborg slowly raise his hands toward him. He doesn't feel the pressure of the cyborg's gauntlets close to his head. Then, there is a sound behind him. The corridor door just opened. AIR MARSHAL Hey, what's happening? Willy turns to see the AIR MARSHAL walking close with a sandwich in hand. Toadborg frowns at the Air Marshal, and the toad shrinks away. WILLY Nothing. Nothing happened. AIR MARSHAL (pretending to understand the data on the screens) So everything's still all right? WILLY I just need to program and supervise the new robots to replace the ones that break down. But everything is going well. AIR MARSHAL Hey, that's great! Another plan succeeding! TOADBORG (pushes the Air Marshal away from the console) Yes. And you'd better not disturb him, Air Marshal. Why don't you go do something useful for change instead of just stuffing your gullet? AIR MARSHAL Yeah? Like what? TOADBORG Hmm. (processing the information) How about guarding the core KOMPLEX? AIR MARSHAL (wails) But nothing's happening over there! TOADBORG Exactly. That means you won't be able to screw anything up over there. WILLY Leave him alone, Toadborg. We're in the final stages of the project. Nothing can go wrong anymore. Willy spoke too soon. Alarms start ringing. A new screen appears. Two blips appear on radar and seconds later, a long-range camera displays The Righteous Indignation and The Indefatigable racing toward the direction of the toad base. TOADBORG You see. It looks like Captain LaFleur's signal did make it through. The two UAC ships enter the planetoid's airspace. Suddenly, plasma cannons, mortars, gun turrets, missile arrays and other weapons emerge from the planet's surface. They fire upon the frigates, crisscrossing the space with vapor trails and plasma blasts. AIR MARSHAL It looks like the defense systems are keeping them busy. WILLY See, no problem. TOADBORG No. (types in the computer) Scans indicate that there are only two life forms aboard the frigates. WILLY Huh? What do you mean? TOADBORG It means that Bucky and Dogstar and their miserable crew might have already penetrated the perimeter. They've tried this diversionary tactic before and got away with it. It won't work this time. Willy types frantically in the computer. WILLY I ... I didn't get the base's inner defense systems online yet. I was more worried about the KOMPLEX protocols and the generator powering the cannon. TOADBORG No matter. I'm hunting them down personally. (turns to Willy) You stay here and finish your work. Everything must be perfect for KOMPLEX's arrival. WILLY All right. AIR MARSHAL What about me? TOADBORG (frowns with his optics at the marshal) You will still go and guard the KOMPLEX core. You will do the least damage there. (turns to leave) I'll alert Cravis of our visitors and then I'll go give them a proper welcome. SCENE 5 - DECK, STOLEN FRIGATE, time -1:10:32 Newton is seated on the pilot's chair, steering the controls lazily with his tail. A noise behind him startles him. NEWTON (looks behind him) Tinker? What are you doing here? TINKER (goes to the front) Could you move over, Newton? I need to check the console. NEWTON (shoves at Tinker) Hey! This chair ain't big enough for the both of us! TINKER I just need to check under the console ... (feels underneath the exterior) There's supposed to be a skeleton keycard they keep around here for emergencies ... NEWTON (peers under the panel) Wait, I see it. I can get it ... Newton disappears underneath the console and reappears with the keycard in hand. NEWTON There! Here ya go! TINKER (takes he keycard from the newt) Hey, thanks, Newton! Tinker takes the seat beside Newton and slides the keycard into his pocket computer. Newton looks on. NEWTON So what've you found so far? Anything good? TINKER Well, most of the tech is standard for a frigate. It sorta looks like the mark-5 accelerator is the only new addition, along with minor improvements here and there to enhance its usefulness. Well, that and the nuclear vegetable bar. NEWTON Nuclear vegetable bar? TINKER Complicated stuff. The half-life isotopes keep the vegetables irradiated and fresh for decades. Probably for herbivores who go in suspended animation. I'm wary of eating veggies that have been bombarded with weird chemicals as it is, but I think this is overkill. It's a good thing I'm strictly a junk-food connoisseur ... NEWTON (eyes glaze over) Uh huh. Sure. (wakes up again) Anyway, aren't you going to check for the frigate's schematics? TINKER Already downloaded. We could probably build a new frigate if we had the materials. How's the ship so far? NEWTON She handles like a dream! Smooth as gravy and rough as beer. Did you feel the turbulence when I was dodging meteors and racing comets? TINKER (puzzled) No. NEWTON There you go! She's a beauty in design! (kisses the controls) Who loves ya, baby! I'm wondering if I could somehow work the stabilizers into some of my constructs. It would be so cool if I could drive this all the time! TINKER You mean your robotic frame disguises? I could help you with that, no problem. NEWTON Whoa, thanks, man! That makes up for you stepping on my tail. TINKER It'll keep me busy since I really didn't get much new from this frigate. (sighs) I'm sorta disappointed that's there's not enough new stuff around here. NEWTON (points behind Tinker) Yeah? What about that creepy coffin thing over there? TINKER (looks behind him) What coffin? NEWTON That one. I thought it was an escape pod or something, but I dunno. TINKER Amazing! Tinker goes over to the pod and examines it like a slavering hyena over a meal. NEWTON (goes back to lazily steering the ship) Hey Tinker? What is it with you and machines anyway? Whatcha gonna do with it? You hoarding technology or something? TINKER Just keeping it. You can never have enough plans, designs, and schematics! You never know what you might need. (eyes goes a little wild) I mean, there're people spying on you and watching you. There are eyes everywhere keeping track of where you are, what you're doing, and what you're up to! The cameras display your every movement on a billion screens, watching how you breathe, what you eat, who you talk to, when you sleep! I don't like it. Never have. And I'm going to make sure that everybody leaves me alone! The whole aniverse could go to heck and I'd be fine provided there's nobody else around! Nobody is ever going to imprison me again! NEWTON (under his breathe) Sounds like those years you spent in prison really affected your head ... TINKER (gets a crazed look in his eyes) What was that? Did you just call me crazy? NEWTON (feigns a look) Did I say that? I didn't say anything like that! I was going to, uh, ask you what you're going to do with all that tech. Yeah, that's it. TINKER I'm going to build myself a planetoid full of security devices that can monitor everybody else, and nobody'd ever find me again! NEWTON You sure are paranoid. Is that why you're obsessed with stealing other people's technology? Something like a "know your enemy" sort of thing? TINKER How do you know that all the tech I use is stolen? I designed most of them myself. NEWTON Seriously? They why don't you patent them, mass-produce them, and make a fortune to build your self-made prison, I mean, planetoid? TINKER Oh no! Those guys at the office, they're spies! They'll trace my records, and they'll be able to find me again! That's not going to happen! NEWTON You're skipping on an easy get-rich scheme based on that. Pa. Ra. Noid. (points to himself) Me, when I strike it big with this merc business, I'm going to live like a hero! I'll have my name plastered all over the aniverse. My face will be on every poster endorsing whatever it is that anybody's buying! I want everybody to have my name at the tip of their tongues, wondering what brand-name cereal I'm eating, what state-of-the-art sports jet I'm driving, and which sexy young number I'm seeing! Oh yeah, the masses are going to be falling over themselves to see the celebrity that is *me*! Newton! TINKER So your goal in life is to be famous? NEWTON Yup. Just the opposite of your dream, which is to be totally anonymous. Or is that anony-rat? TINKER Well, if that's so, how come you keep hiding yourself under your mechanical constructs and disguises and just take subterfuge missions? Newton opens his mouth to give a retort but shuts it again. He can't think of anything to say. Tinker smirks. TINKER I thought so. (checks back on his work) Hey! I got it open! NEWTON What's inside? The coffin like box slowly opens. Somewhere inside it, something makes an audible click. SCENE 6 - CORRIDORS, TOAD BASE, time -1:05:51 Dexter is rolling along in his WaterTank, the metal treads making clicking sounds on the floor. Dogstar is beside him, masers ready, keeping watch. They're already deep within the toad base. DEXTER Man! Why's it so hot here? I'm near boiling! DOGSTAR Nobody knew the planetoid would have a molten center. That's something else I wish we had info on ... if you would just finish unscrambling Dile's files on this battle station or else help locate Captain LaFleur and her crew. I can't track her. All this heat is destroying any scent of that fox. DEXTER Oh, right. Well, I'd work better if I have an access to the toad mainframes. DOGSTAR (points to a computer databank that they approached) And that's what we're here for. Now get to work. Dexter plugs into the console on the workstation. He projects an incomplete hologram of the toad installation onto the glass of his water tank. DEXTER OK, here's what I've got so far. The hanger, the fueling center, the astro deck ... (points to various parts on the hologram with his tentacles) ... but there don't seem to be any holding cells. DOGSTAR No holding cells? Does that mean that the toads don't plan on taking prisoners? DEXTER I don't know. I hope not. I'm still working on trying to figure out what the big weapon is supposed to be ... There is a loud noise. Dogstar and Dexter turn to see Rumblebee, Pitstop Pete, and Digger running in their direction. DOGSTAR What happened? RUMBLEBEE Bzz bzz. Zcouting mizzionz a zuccezzzzz. Bzz bzz. We found hostilezzz. In fact, we, uh, triggered them. Bzz. DOGSTAR Swell. DIGGER We took care of most of them, but one of the so-called harmless maintenance droids is a mauler. Conventional ammo can't penetrate its armor. PITSTOP PETE Yup. The mauler droid rolls into view. Everybody fires at it, to no effect. DOGSTAR Everybody! Fall back! DEXTER Let me at it! DOGSTAR What are you doing? DEXTER (rolls toward the droid and pulls out his water cannon) Hey you! Here's mud in your eye! Dexter's cannon blasts a stream of highly pressurized liquid at the mauler. DEXTER Ha! If only Deadeye can see me now! "Dead weight" indeed! At first, the stream of water does nothing to the mauler as it slowly but surely lumbers toward the group. Then, liquid begins to seep into the cracks in its hull. The combination of water and ambient heat from the core start to break down the integrity of its armored plates. The mauler starts to slow down. DEXTER They don't call my environmental suit a water *tank* for nothin'! DOGSTAR (nods) I see what you mean. Pete? PITSTOP PETE (fiddles with his pack) Yup. Pete throws an electro-grenade at the droid. The electric surge conducts through the water and courses straight into the mauler's systems, wreaking havoc. Rumblebee's guns and Digger's bazooka take the rest of it apart. DOGSTAR (slaps the side of Dexter's tank) That was quick thinking, Dexter. Good work. We'd better work faster now. They must know we're here if we've triggered the defense system. (looks at Rumblebee) Rumblebee, you were taking point. How could you let that machine get the drop on you? RUMBLEBEE Zorry, Commander, Bzz Bzz. Lieutenant Wolf izz much better at being a pointman than I am. Bzz Bzz. SCENE 7 - SPACE OUTSIDE TOAD FACILITY, time -1:00:27 Two frigates continue to dodge the masers and missile arrays aimed at their destruction. On The Indefatigable, Wolf pilots the ship while he keeps in contact with Major Bottlenose via view screen. Bottlenose is piloting The Righteous Indignation with the help of Blinky. WOLF (via view screen) How're you doing, Major? BOTTLENOSE (laughing) Fine and dandy! Oh, how I missed this! I used to be the best pilot the UAC fleet ever had, until I was promoted and stationed away, actually. Wolf nods at this. He continues flying The Indefatigable, wishing that he was down in the toad base fighting alongside Commander Dogstar and his crew. But he doesn't lose his concentration. He and Bottlenose have already covered their crewmate's surreptitious landing and sneaking into the toad base with their loud entrance and further engagement with the perimeter defense system. But he knows that Dogstar, as well as Bucky, need their respective frigates ready for quick retrieval in case the toad weapon comes online. His ears twitch. Wolf knows he must stay alert. WOLF (looks at Blinky through the view screen) No word from Dexter yet, Blinky? BLINKY No new transmissions so far. But with the toad communications net broken with Dile's codes, humble robot can relay whatever information Dexter sends from here to Bucky. BOTTLENOSE Don't worry about the others, Wolf! I'm sure they're having a grand time traipsing and tromping on those toads and whatnot below! WOLF All right. (checks his radar) Look out! You have incoming! BOTTLENOSE I see it! A barrage of space mines litter The Righteous Indignation's flight path with Bottlenose having no chance of swerving away. Bottlenose confidently flies through the free-floating explosives before detonating them after they've gotten past them. BOTTLENOSE (wipes some imaginary sweat from his forehead) Whew! Echolocation. It's an absolute must if you're planning to sail the seas of space. In a vacuum, we space dolphins use light waves instead of sound waves to bounce our version of sonar. Honestly, Wolf, I don't know how you do it. WOLF (ears twitch) Just practice, I suppose. (checks the communications array) And nothing but silence from either party. SCENE 8 - TOAD BASE, time -0:55:04 Bucky is running silently along a long hallway. Jenny, Deadeye, and Bruiser run along with him. They've penetrated the base with no mishaps from the other side of the planetoid but have yet to run into a single living being. BRUISER Dis place is a maze! BUCKY Any word from Dexter about the plans? DEADEYE Nary a peep. I knew that octopus couldn't do his job! If Willy was with us, he'd have gotten into the mainframes in a jiff and a half! BUCKY (gravely) Willy isn't with us. Period. We'll just have to make do. (turns to Jenny) Can you sense any toads about? JENNY (touching her spell gems) No. None at all. I'm beginning to think that this battle station wasn't meant to house people in it at all. Not even stormtoads. I sense nothing but cold metal and machinery in the vicinity. DEADEYE Can't interrogate nobody if nobody's about! How're we suppose ta cause any major damage if we don't even know where we are? BRUISER Yeah! Can't we just go ahead and bash stuff already? BUCKY Not until we know where the main power supply is. The three stumble into a room with electronics all over the walls. There are several exits leading into paths unknown. They look at each other in disbelief. BRUISER We're rilly, rilly lost, ain't we? BUCKY Dexter will pull through. Or Dogstar will find Mimi. (touches Jenny's arm) Which way do we go, Jenny? JENNY (closes her eyes) I'll check ... DEADEYE (hits a wall in frustration) Bilgewash! We finally get the demolitions gig, and we can't even properly ... JENNY Wait! Don't ... The walls hum to life. Half of the electronic lights blink and shoot out small bursts of electricity at the mammals. They go into evasive maneuvers. Bucky takes huge leaps and bounds evading the blasts and retaliating with some of his own. Jenny somersaults in between, casting spells at her targets. Deadeye is practically sticking to the walls, peppering them with his masers. Bruiser dodges what bursts he can and shrugs of the rest while punching the lights within reach. They succeeded in destroying two thirds of the electronic eyes when Jenny suddenly stops in her tracks in a daze. She closes her eyes, oblivious to the danger. Bucky notices just as several bursts race toward her. BUCKY Jenny! Look out! Jenny still hasn't moved. Seconds before the electric bursts strike, Bucky jumps out form the side and scoops the Aldebaran into his arms and out of harm's way. Deadeye and Bruiser quickly fry the rest of the booby trap. With the walls smoking, Deadeye holsters his guns and grins at Bucky. DEADEYE Ye can put Jenny down now, Romeo. BUCKY Huh? (realizes that he's still carrying his crewmate) Oh. Sorry Jenny. JENNY No. BUCKY (stops midway) No? JENNY Willy. I can sense Willy. (opens her eyes) He's here. SCENE 9 - COMMISARY, STOLEN FRIGATE, time -0:50:52 Al and Zod are downing mugs of swampgrass. Zod is sitting up straight, but Al is apparently lurching a bit. Al drapes his arm over Zod's shoulder again. NEGATOR Heeey, Zod! How're you doin'? Have you had enough yet? ZOD No, I'm fine. NEGATOR (slaps Zod on the back) Hey, you can reeeally hold on ta yur drink! ZOD Of course. My tolerance level for alcohol is very high. NEGATOR (sloshes his beer as he quaffs his drink) Oh? How'd, uh, how'd you do that? ZOD Training. NEGATOR (unsteadily waves his mug about) Really? Is dat a fact? Wow! You samurai lizards must have the coooolest training if you practice by drinking a lot! Heh hehehehe ... ZOD More like developing immunity to poisons. NEGATOR Aaaah, OK ... (slurs a bit) So ... yer really not drunk? ZOD No. Are you? NEGATOR Naaah ... (takes another swig) Sleazasaurs can hold their own ... Al abruptly straightens up, looking sober as all traces of his inebriation disappear. Zod eyes widen in slight surprise that he doesn't show. NEGATOR I was just fooling with you. Maybe thinking you'd join the club if I was lurching a bit. Mind you, I would have stopped before we were singing show tunes, crying over each other or generally doing something we'd both regret. I was really hoping you'd loosen up more. ZOD My apologies, comrade. I was never much of, what you would call, a joiner? But why, pray tell, would you go through such an elaborate ruse? NEGATOR (takes a sip of his brew) I dunno, really. But like I said, you remind me of an uptight cousin of mine. ZOD Yes, you mentioned that before. I find that very curious. I never knew you had a cousin. The way to speak of him leads me to believe that you hold him in high regard. Are you proud of your clan? NEGATOR Not a clan, Zod. Family. (puts down his mug to gesture as he talks) A whole bunch of cousins and, yeah, I'm proud of each and every one of the tykes. It was just a few years ago when they used to run around everywhere and get into all sorts of mischief when we were all together. Most of them are in learning facilities right now, getting the best darned education money could buy. They're growing up nice and proper. Would you believe that? They're maturing so well, it's unbelievable! (smiles to himself and gets a look in his eyes) And they call me their uncle for some reason or another. Heck, I'm not that old! I'm only a coupla years older than they are. (grins and takes a drink) Well, give or take. I'm really their cousin, but I guess they call me their uncle cuz I'm sorta responsible for them. They don't know that, of course. In fact, nobody should know that! Al's eyes snap into focus and he slams his mug on the table. He stares at Zod for a moment then laughs. ZOD What is it? What is so funny? NEGATOR Y'know, I was halfway thinking you'd be intoxicated enough to share some secrets or clandestine operations to me. But it looks like *I'm* the one who spilled the beans. Negator laughs as he takes another drink, then looks carefully at Zod. NEGATOR You're not going to tell anyone, will you? ZOD What secret? That was a secret? That you have a family? Zod sees a very serious Negator nod and decides to choose his words carefully. ZOF Everyone has a family. There is no shame there. Though if you wish for me to keep that in confidence, so be it. And you may trust my sword and life on this. NEGATOR (grips Zod's shoulder) Thanks, man. Really appreciate it. ZOD (nods) Not to worry. There is nothing more important to me right now than my word, my bond, and my honor. NEGATOR (eager to steer the conversation to a new direction) Don't tell me you're still trying to regain what you lost? You're still wallowing around in that crud? ZOD (puzzled but continues) Yes. Yes, I am. There are sayings in several languages that refer to my situation, but it boils down to one desperately wanting what it is that one has taken for granted one before. Reputation, honor, disgrade leading to regret, remorse, redemption. (stands up and slowly draws his blade) Those years I spent wandering, honorless, in the lizard home world had my former sovereign's desired effect on me. My will was broken, shattered like glass. But it is reforged with renewed purpose. As long as my blade is in my hand, as long as its blade is sharp and can cut, I will keep this fragile flower I call my semblance of honor. I will nurture it, despite the fact that it may never, ever bloom as wonderfully as it had before the day I foolishly crushed its petals in my hand. (stares at his sword before sheathing it) That is all I have left. That and revenge. NEGATOR Revenge? Isn't that a counterpoint to your honor? Zod stares at him. Al hits himself on the head. NEGATOR Oh, I forget you samurai lizards have a different take on honor. How could I forget that "hara kara" incident? Or was it "hira kira?" ZOD Hara kiri. Ritual suicide. Or seppuku if it is too confusing for you. NEGATOR (waves his hand) Hiri kara, supultra, mata hari, whatever. Anyway, revenge against who? ZOD Kamikaze Kamo, my sworn enemy by blood. The reason I took steps towards my eventual breaking of my word and bond. And the Air Marshal as well. The one who lead me to my downfall with his open hand and pushed me over when we reached the edge. NEGATOR I don't know about this Kamikaze Kamo, but I do know about the Air Marshal. (gets a look in his eye) Hmm, so you also have a vendetta against the toads? Interesting. ZOD Yes. Now, I'm reviewing my options. Taking jobs with you, my comrade, has been enriching in terms of monetary expenses and experience. I learn as well. Progress is slow. I have always been a lone samurai, but still under, always under, the rule of a master. But now, I have no other master but myself. (looks at Al in the eye) It is a different feeling, one that I am still getting used to. But it is easy to adapt when one is with peers and equals. NEGATOR (looks away) Look, Zod, I can tell this honor business is real important to you. But that's not everything. You know? ZOD (sips from his drink) So you say. NEGATOR Yes. Listen, there's another kind of honor. One that I, and everybody else in Wrenches's Bar, is familiar with. ZOD Oh? And what is that? NEGATOR Honor ... amongst thieves. ZOD I have never heard of such a thing. NEGATOR Because you'll have to learn it for yourself. Just think about it. Hang out with us long enough, and you'll get it. You'll just have to ... trust me on it. ZOD All right. I will ... trust you. (sees Al smile at this) Just as you trust me with your secret. NEGATOR See, you're learning already! (laughs in his drink) Well, look at that. Seems like we did share some secrets with each other. Funny ain't it? ZOD Those are not secrets. If you had asked, I would have simply told you. NEGATOR Would you really? ZOD Of course. NEGATOR (stares at his mug) Looks like we drank all this for nothing then! ZOD (stares at his own mug and swirls his drink) Well, I do actually feel better. (smiles) Strange. Very strange. NEGATOR (laughs) Confession's good for the soul, that's what they say! I guess this is as unwound and as loose as you can get. Feels good, doesn't it? ZOD More or less. NEGATOR You really should relax more. Take Newton and Tinker, they're both wound up like springs, but every so often, they just let it all out ... Outside the room, they heard the distinct voices of Newton and Tinker loudly and clearly. NEWTON and TINKER (screaming) Aaaaaaaahhhh! NEGATOR (sighs and picks up his maser) Well, not like that, though. SCENE 10 - TORTURE ROOM, time -0:45:41 ENGINEER DILE O'CROCK is strapped to a table held upright with a control helmet over his head. His body is bruised and he is bleeding in several places. He is sweating and breathing hard as if his body has been pushed to its limits. The electrodes from the helmet flare as electricity courses through the metal tips directly into Dile's brain. He screams. CRAVIS (laughs from his control panel) C'mon you. Spill it! What did you learn? MIMI (grits her teeth) Leave him alone! CAPTAIN MIMI LAFLEUR glares with pure hate at the bespectacled toad scientist CRAVIS sitting in the control panel. Cravis has several metal plates on his body and simply smiles and grins evilly at his four captives all strapped down in separate tables with similar control helmets on their heads. Only Mimi had been responding to his taunts. FIRST MATE JONATHAN WEISSMAN appears to have gone off into a safe zone in his mind, and GUNNER HARRY CALLAN kept slipping in and out of consciousness. Dile is too busy convulsing on the table. Cravis turns to Mimi. CRAVIS Oh, the Captain! Worried about your crew? How pathetic! (turns off the dial that's torturing Dile) Well, you know what I've learned? I've learned that females have a higher pain threshold than males. It wouldn't be fair to your crew if you can stand the pain easier than they can! Cravis turns the dial on Dile's helmet to the fullest. Dile yells his lungs out. Cravis laughs and also turn the dials on Jonathan's and Harry's as well. The two try to bear it as much as they can, but soon they start screaming as well. MIMI (tears falling from her eyes) I swear! I'll get you for this! CRAVIS Oh no! I'm so scared! (fakes a cringe) I'm so glad Willy and Toadborg let me have you four as my playmates for this evening. Those two have no idea how to have fun. (grins) Now, tell me what I want to hear and maybe I'll let off on exposing your friends to my subsignals. Sure, they're still experimental, but that's what research is for. MIMI I'm not telling you anythiiiieeeeeeee- Mimi is cut off as her helmet powers on and her brain is shocked with bolts of electricity. She sees white hot flashes in front of her eyes as her nerves are frayed and her body twitches involuntarily. She is in agony and also begins to shriek. CRAVIS There. That's what I wanted to hear. Unadulterated pain. The pain suddenly vanishes as Cravis turns all the dials off. Mimi's head slumps forward. She bites her lip to stop from sobbing and nearly draws blood. Beside her, her crewmates are all unconscious. The scientist smiles at her. CRAVIS What? Did you think I wanted to hear about your plans? That's what Toadborg wants. Me, my needs are pretty simple. Give me a lab, some test subjects and leave me to study in peace. I mean, look what I came up with, eh? (pats the machine in front of him) It's amazing how far we've come from torturing prisoners by exposing them to Toad TV? I know you've experienced this before when you first started out as a rebel, but now you're getting the updated version. Tell me honestly now. What do you think? Care for another taste? DOGSTAR (voice from the monitors) Mimi! She's here! I finally caught her scent! CRAVIS What? On the monitors, Dogstar and his crew are barreling into the room just outside where Mimi and the others are being held captive. Mimi looks on groggily. CRAVIS A rescue crew! Hmm. I need those like I need another hole in my head. (taps the metal plate on his head) And believe me, one is quite enough! Stupid canards ... Cravis swivels his chair and turns the monitor away from Mimi so she can't see. The toad scientist gives the console his full attention. He pushes a knob. The sound of a door closing is heard. DEXTER (from the speakers) Augh! I'm stuck! Mimi really can't tell what's happening; she can only hear it. Cravis pushes a switch. There is a slithering sound. DIGGER (from the speakers) Pete! Are you sure you can handle it? PITSTOP PETE (grunting, from the speakers) Yup. Cravis toggles a lever. There are multiple firing sounds. RUMBLEBEE (from the speakers) Look out! Bzz Bzz! DOGSTAR (from the speakers) Rumblebee! Cravis turns a dial. Hinges squeak like they've just opened. DIGGER (from the speakers) You're almost there, Commander! Don't worry about me! Mimi looks at the open door behind Cravis and sees a faraway Dogstar trying to rush in. Dogstar sees Mimi strapped upright on the vertical table with Cravis looking on. The commander lets loose several maser shots toward them. Cravis laughs as the blasts shoot over his head and pushes one last button. He smirks as a force field encloses Dogstar. CRAVIS All that and he still missed. Pathetic. (relaxes and puts his hands behind his head) Looks like your friend botched his mission. MIMI No ... he didn't. Cravis turns around, alarmed. Mimi is standing up, away from her table. Dogstar's last shots had freed her from her restraining table. CRAVIS Ooh ... Mimi dives toward Cravis before he can react. She grabs his head and slams it on the control panel. MIMI (lifting Cravis's head before bringing it down again) Don't ... ever ... threaten my friends again! Mimi slams Cravis's head on the computer several more time until the toad scientist's spectacles break and he falls unconscious. She then sees what she hopes is an off button and depresses it. Dogstar is the first through the door as the various booby traps in the room beyond are automatically turned off. DOGSTAR Mimi? You OK? MIMI (swaying on her feet) I'm fine ... help my crew. Mimi finally falls unconsciousness. Dogstar catches her before she hits the floor. The rest of his crew trickle in. Digger operates the machine to free Jonathan, Harry, and Dile from their bonds. Pete looks them over. DIGGER Well? Are they going to be OK? PITSTOP PETE Yup. DOGSTAR But can they walk? PETE Nope. DEXTER (rolls over towards them) Put them on my chassis. I've got space on my WaterTank. That way, you've got your hands free. DOGSTAR Good idea. Men? Rumblebee and Pete start carefully putting the unconscious crewmembers over Dexter's WaterTank and securing them. Dogstar talks with Dexter. DOGSTAR Looks like it's impossible to consult with Mimi and her crew. DEXTER It's no longer a problem. I've finally and completely decoded the base's floor plans. Look at this. (projects the schematic holo on the glass again and points) We're this close to the main power supply at the central core. We can practically disable the whole system from there. What do you think? DOGSTAR Hmm. It was pure luck that I caught trace of Mimi's scent and we stumbled into the lab. But the doctor could have alerted the base of our exact whereabouts. Everybody'll be heading in this direction. Dogstar thinks, then turns to Pitstop Pete. DOGSTAR All right. Pete, give me your grenades. I'm going to plant some bombs. Everybody else, back to the frigate. DIGGER We should go with you. DOGSTAR No. Dexter's running out of water, and Pete will have his paws full tending to the others. You'll have to be the muscle guarding everybody while Rumblebee takes point. I can handle this. I should be done in short order. (to himself) Can't waste this opportunity. But this is supposed to be Bucky's work. Where the heck is he? SCENE 11 - TOAD BASE, time -0:40:23 Willy is working at his console. Too many machines are breaking down. Trying to coordinate all the remaining robots at once is turning out harder than he thought, considering how much time he has left. Plus, he's trying not to think about the supposed intruders in the base. He is concentrating so much that he almost doesn't hear the noise behind him. WILLY (turns) Who's there? Toadborg? Is that you? It's not done yet. BUCKY Well, it's over anyway. Bucky steps into room along with Jenny, Deadeye, and Bruiser. Willy's eyes widen. WILLY (stands up) You. What are you guys doing here? BUCKY We've come to take you back, Willy. DEADEYE (steps forward with his arms open) Willy, me lad! We thought they'd have ya under round-the-clock guard on the Toad Homeworld! Imagine our surprise when Jenny says yer on board this toad monstrosity. WILLY (backs away slowly from the group) Oh, this isn't a toad machine, Deadeye. This is something I made. By myself. Well, designed, actually. Toadborg just had to gather the parts and provide the builders. BUCKY You? You made this toad weapon that Mimi was talking about? WILLY Of course. I live to serve KOMPLEX. This is my gift to him. DEADEYE What is it? Mimi says it's a great big weapon of some sort. WILLY Yeah, it is. (laughs and still backs away) It's funny, but I got the idea on how to build it from you, Bucky. Not you exactly, but the lightsaber you use. It's from this movie I got to watch. You guys wouldn't be familiar with it. BUCKY That's enough, Willy. You've got to come with us. BRUISER Yeah! C'mon, Willy. JENNY (reaching out a paw) Yes, Willy. We're going to undo what it is that the toads have done to you. Willy finally reaches what he's looking for. He turns around and pulls a maser gun from a drawer. He points the gun threateningly at Bucky and the others. WILLY I don't think so. I'm staying here. DEADEYE (puzzled) Willy! Whatcha be doin' with that firearm, laddie? WILLY What do you think? I'm not going anywhere. BUCKY Put the gun down, Willy. We're not here to hurt you. WILLY You're not going to make me to do something I don't want to do, now would you? BUCKY I ... JENNY (steady) We may have to, Willy. You're not well. WILLY (resolutely) Then you're going to have to take me by force. Because I'm not budging. Bucky and Jenny don't move. Deadeye looks at them both and realizes that they can't bear to go against the boy. He carefully looks at Willy's hand and makes a decision. Deadeye takes a step forward. Willy points the blaster at him. DEADEYE (arms open) Look at me, Willy, me lad. WILLY Get back! I'm warning you! Willy makes motions with the gun at Deadeye. The canard takes another step. DEADEYE (keeps his four arms away from his holsters) I know ye, Willy. Yer not the type to use a maser. And believe me, if there's anything I know, it's about masers. Deadeye takes two steps forward. Everybody is holding his breath. Willy is starting to tremble, especially his arm. Deadeye is way too close. WILLY (nearly yelling) I said get back! DEADEYE (reaches out with one hand open) Give me the maser, laddie. Ye can't use one. I know ye can't. It'd be best for all of us if ye just give it to ol' Deadeye. Willy's hands are shaking and sweating. He can barely maintain his grip on his gun. Deadeye takes another step closer to him. Too close. Willy shuts his eyes tight. He tries to squeeze the trigger. But he can't. Suddenly, the wall behind Willy crumbles. Everybody takes a step back. A huge robot bursts into the room. Willy, being the closest to the wall, falls to the ground. His maser slides away. WILLY Huh? BUCKY A Baboon Counter Bot! The Counter Bot starts swinging its arms in all directions. It only succeeds in smashing the consoles beside it. It appears to be attacking blindly, and Willy is in its way. It takes a step forward. JENNY Willy! Bruiser leaps into action. He jumps forward and grapples the machine from the front just before it touches Willy. BRUISER I'll keep it company! Youse guys get outta here! BUCKY (immediately gets a hold of Willy) C'mon, Willy! WILLY (flailing) Let me go! Help! The Counter Bot suddenly pauses and apparently orients on the sound. Being much stronger that a Betelgusian, the Counter Bot grabs Bruiser and heaves away. It reaches in Willy's general direction. Bruiser quickly recovers from his fall and attacks the machine from behind. He succeeds in pinning its arms in a wrestling hold. BRUISER I can't hold it fer long! BUCKY (motioning at Deadeye while Jenny takes Willy) Hit the back! The communications relay! Dogstar says that's its weak point! With Bruiser keeping the machine as steady as he can, Deadeye brings out his four masers and shoots at the Counter Bot's back, careful not to hit Bruiser. The concentrated maser blasts penetrate. Smoke starts to rise from the robot's vents, and it starts to sag under Bruiser's grip and finally falls on its face. DEADEYE That's done it. WILLY (sounding defeated) No. The Counter Bot suddenly gets up, taking everybody by surprise. It grabs at Jenny, who inadvertently lets Willy go. Willy stumbles out as Bucky immediately goes for the robot. WILLY But how? There's nothing controlling the Counter Bot anymore! Bucky tries attacking the machine, trying to get it to let go of Jenny. Deadeye does the same. Bruiser steps forward and gently but firmly grabs Willy. Bucky, Jenny and Deadeye are so preoccupied with the Counter Bot's front that they miss seeing the back hatch open. Someone tumbles out. It's the Air Marshal. WILLY (surprised) What are you doing here! BUCKY What? AIR MARSHAL (running to Willy with his eyes shut) Willy! Take cover! The Counter Bot stopped moving the moment the Air Marshal left the driver's seat. Jenny is free. But now a clay-like substance starts seeping out of the Counter Bot, all over its armor. Bruiser realizes what it is. BRUISER Explosives! The Berserker leaves Willy to the Air Marshal and rushes at the machine. He sweeps his crewmates aside as he grapples the still Counter Bot for the third time. His momentum takes him through the wall and into the next room. Bucky, Jenny, and Deadeye are struggling to stand up, trying to make sense of what had just happened. DEADEYE For the love of ... There is a huge explosion in the next room. The whole control room is rocked by the detonation of the Counter Bot. Debris falls from the ceiling. Bucky, Jenny, and Deadeye, being closest to the opening, are knocked down by the blast. Willy was already down and was prepared by the Air Marshal. They all get up a few seconds after the dust settles down. AIR MARSHAL Willy? You OK? WILLY I'm OK. (trying to stop his ears from ringing) What the heck was that? What did you do? AIR MARSHAL I went to look for you. Nothing was happening at the KOMPLEX core anyway. I saw the Counter Bot, and I decided to take it for a ride. WILLY (incredulously) You were in the Counter Bot? You didn't drive it very well. AIR MARSHAL (sheepishly holds his hand out) Hey, what do you want from me? I had my eyes closed, what do you think? With that Betelgeusian around, I couldn't see straight. The Air Marshal peers into the next room. There's nothing but devastation. AIR MARSHAL Do you think he's dead? WILLY (also looks into the next room and shakes his head) Bruiser? Most probably. AIR MARSHAL (looks at the mammals lying on the floor) Hey, look! They're all unconscious! WILLY Yeah. So they are. Willy looks at the other mammals, then looks at the cracks on the ceiling. WILLY C'mon, let's take them somewhere that's more stable than this place. Oh, and Amadeus? AIR MARSHAL Yeah, Willy? WILLY Thanks. Thanks a lot. For saving me. AIR MARSHAL (smiles happily) No problem. SCENE 12 - SPACE OUTSIDE TOAD FACILITY, time -0:35:35 Wolf is at the helm of The Indefatigable, still helping Bottlenose and Blinky take out as many of the toads' outer defenses as possible. New laser batteries and missiles arrays keep appearing despite their efforts. So far, there has been little damage to both frigates. After destroying a particularly persistent heat-seeker, Wolf's ears perk up. He quickly scans the radar. BOTTLENOSE (via screen) Someone's coming. WOLF I was just about to say the same thing. BOTTLENOSE Echolocation confirms it. BLINKY As does radar. Wolf makes visual contact with a lone ship flying toward the two frigates. It's unsteadily dodging lasers and not making any counterattacks. It's The Screaming Mimi. Wolf's comm unit comes to life. DIGGER (over comm) Hailing you guys out there! This is Digger, temporary pilot of The Screaming Mimi. Requesting an escort please. This frigate is virtually defenseless. BOTTLENOSE (nods at Wolf from the view screen) We'll watch your back for you, Wolf. You go to your buddies. Wolf nods back and maneuvers The Indefatigable to intercept the Screaming Mimi while The Righteous Indignation lays cover fire. As he nears the other ship, Wolf extends The Indefatigable's force field to encompass the other frigate. He deploys the umbilical tunnel, and the Screaming Mimi accepts it. The airlock opens, and Digger is the first one through. DIGGER Hey, Lieutenant! WOLF (turns to greet his crewmate) Digger. Where's ... DIGGER (interrupts and moves past) Have to get my tools. I need to get The Screaming Mimi's offensive and defensive systems operational again before she can fly solo and help out. Digger disappears into engineering before Wolf can finish his question. Rumblebee is the next one through the airlock but also heads out quickly. RUMBLEBEE I'll man the cannon portz again. Bzz bzz. You must be tired of pulling double duty on remote gunz, Wolf. Finally, Dexter rolls into view with Mimi, Jonathan, Harry, and Dile still draped over his tank. Pitstop Pete is hovering over them and preparing to transfer them to bay area where there is space to lay them down. WOLF Pete? PITSTOP PETE Yup? WOLF (concerned) What happened? Where's the Commander? I need a report. DEXTER Hey, Wolf! (answers as Pete tends to the others) It took us a while, but we found Mimi and her crew. We had the toad scientist we captured tell us where The Screaming Mimi was kept, but he slipped out of our grasp in the hanger. And here we are. PITSTOP PETE Yup. WOLF And the Commander? DEXTER Since we were pretty darn close to the central core, Dogstar wanted to plant some time bombs. He told us to get Mimi and her crew outta there. He's probably still at the magma center attempting his demolitions operation. WOLF By himself? DEXTER He ordered us to leave him behind. If he didn't follow us after a few minutes, we were to leave him. Wolf is suddenly torn at the news. The view screen turns, and Bottlenose sees the indecision on the lieutenant's face. BOTTLENOSE We heard everything. (motions to Blinky to maneuver the frigate closer) Wolf, how about Dexter and I move to The Screaming Mimi until Pete can revive her crew? Blinky can handle The Righteous Indignation by himself. BLINKY Humble robot can? BOTTLENOSE Yes, you can. Wolf is silent in thought. BOTTLENOSE Lieutenant Wolf. I may be a major, but I have no jurisdiction over the crew of The Indefatigable. You're the ranking officer. What's your decision? SCENE 13 - MAIN DECK, STOLEN FRIGATE, time -0:30:40 The man deck is full of writhing wires and cables snaking out in all directions. Al is backed into a corner, firing his masers. Newton is peering down from a vent close by and is being protected by Al. Zod is at the other end, fending off the tentacles with his sword. At the heart of the tentacles is a small machine, unrecognizable because of all the cables streaming out of it. Its sensors are blazing, and it keeps broadcasting. MACHINE Intruder alert! Intruder alert! Intruder alert! ZOD (slicing a groping tentacle) What the heck is this thing? NEWTON (cowering in his vent) I told you, I don't know! NEGATOR (blasting a grasping cable) Then explain what happened! We bust in here and find that someone's rearranged the furniture, and it is *not* to my liking! NEWTON Ask Tinker! He's the one who activated it! NEGATOR Oh, like we could really do that now! Al sees Tinker all coiled up in the cables and held close to the machine. He hears whimpering noises coming from the bound rat. NEWTON What do we do? What do we do!? ZOD (cutting another snaking wire) Yes, what do we do? The cables are filling up the room. Soon, there will be no space left. NEGATOR (shooting down another wiry limb) Tinker! Tinker would know how to deactivate it! We've got to free him! ZOD All right. Cover me. Zod dodges an attacking cable and jumps up to grab at the wall. His hands stick to the surface, and he begins to crawl swiftly toward the top of the room. He does a flip so he lands with his feet on the ceiling and starts running upside down in Tinker's direction. He bypasses the tentacles trying to orient on him as their target. MACHINE Intruder alert! Intruder alert! NEGATOR That's it, Zod! Go for it! Al shoots at any metal limbs that move too close to Zod while keeping his own area clear of intrusions. NEWTON (from his vent) What about me? NEGATOR You just hang in there. ZOD (reached directly over the machine) I am within striking range! I can disable this monstrosity! NEGATOR Zod, no! Free Tinker first! But Zod has already let go of the ceiling and plunged, his sword point aimed downward. Cables snake out and grab him before he can reach halfway. They immobilize him in midair. MACHINE Intruder alert! Intruder alert! ZOD It has me! The cables are starting to wind over Zod to wrap him up like it did Tinker. Zod struggles, but he has no leverage. He cannot use his sword to free himself as more cables snake over him. But Al sees that Zod is very close to Tinker. NEGATOR Zod! Let go of your sword! ZOD (clutches at his sword) No! I cannot! It is all I have left! NEGATOR Tinker would know how to deactivate the machine! Use your sword! I can't reach him; my masers would fry him. You can reach him, and we can end this mess! (sees Zod still stoically holding on to his sword) It's a sacrifice, Zod! It's not just your sword for your life! It's for all of ours! ZOD (closes his eyes) I ... understand. Just before the cables totally restrict Zod's arm, the samurai lizard flicks his wrist and throws his sword directly at the tentacles holding Tinker. His aim is true as the blade neatly severs the coils trapping Tinker. The rat falls out and rolls into the floor. Tinker has a glazed look in his eyes as he curls into a fetal position. The writhing cables and wires pay him no mind as they focus their attention in completely enveloping the still-struggling Zod. TINKER (whimpering) Horrible ... it's horrible ... NEGATOR (shouting) Tinker, how do we turn this thing off? TINKER (still glazed and curling into himself again) Just leave me alone ...leave me alone ... Negator sees that the shock of being held captive is creeping into Tinker's mind. He shouts what he believes to be a voice of authority at the whimpering rat. NEGATOR Tinker, you worthless sack of spit! Snap out of it! Negator sees something other than self-pity in Tinker's face and pours it on. NEGATOR This is not the time for you to be lying down! Get up! Get up and join the others in line! TINKER (flinching as he shows fear in his eyes) I ... I ... NEGATOR (yelling nastily) Did I tell you that it's naptime? Did I say that? No, you pusbag! Now, get up before I really get mad! And you don't want me mad, now do you? Tinker unrolls from his ball but is apparently still off in his own world. TINKER No ... no, sir! I'm getting up! I'm getting up! Please, no more ... NEGATOR (growls angrily) You don't want to go back in the box again, now do you? Do you, you rotten piece of garbage? Answer me! TINKER (standing unsteadily) No, please, sir ... NEGATOR Louder! I can't hear you! TINKER No *sir*! NEGATOR Good! Now what I want you to do is ... to tell us how to deactivate that machine, you scrawny ratfink! TINKER (finally snaps out of his trance) Scrawny ratfink? Nobody calls me a ratfink except ... Al? What the? NEGATOR Tinker! Duck! TINKER (barely ducks away from the swiping limb) Yikes! NEGATOR (relieved) Glad to have you back with us! Now, quick! How do we shut off that haywire house of horror? TINKER (crawling between cables on the ground) The core console! It's the red panic button in the middle of the machine! Someone's got to press it! Someone's gotta ... augh! MACHINE Intruder alert! Intruder alert! Another grasping wire grabs hold of Tinker's leg and starts dragging him back toward the machine. Tinker claws at the floor. TINKER Not again! NEGATOR (blasting at the tentacle) Tinker! Al shoots at the tentacle restraining Tinker, but other wires block his shot. He sees Tinker starting to get into another one of his panic attacks again. With two opposing forces neutralized, the machine now focuses its full attention on Al's general direction. Al knows he can't hold his own for much longer. He turns and sees Newton trying to slip away. NEGATOR (backs away and bangs at the vent) Newton! Get back here! NEWTON (trying to crawl backward deeper into the vent) No way! I'm outta here! NEGATOR Get out of there! (reaches into the vent and drags Newton out) You heard Tinker! You have to reach the panic button! You're the only one who can reach the machine! NEWTON (squirming in Al's grasp) Yeah? You're so hot on giving orders; why don't you do it if you're so big and tough! NEGATOR (shooting with only one hand) Because I'm too big, that's why! You saw how it got Zod! NEWTON Then what makes you think I could do it? NEGATOR Because I know you. (looks levelly at Newton) There's no way you could have slipped out of that tentacled machine from point-blank range if you didn't have an ace up your sleeve! You're not the type to ... argh! Negator misses a shot, and a cable snakes out and snaps at his maser arm. The rifle is knocked away, and more cables wrap themselves around Al's limbs. Al is forced to let go of Newton as he is dragged away. MACHINE Intruder alert! Intruder alert! NEWTON (picks himself up) Ha! That's what you get for messing up my shirt! NEGATOR (wrestling with the tentacles with his bare hands) It's not just your shirt that's going to be messed up if this thing rampages through the frigate! NEWTON (tries crawling away) Hey, I'll make do! Al realizes that he can't appeal to Newton's sense of logic like he did with Zod or with an emotional weakness like he did with Tinker. Al figures there's only one avenue left to get the newt to help them out. He's suddenly glad Tinker and Zod are out of it. NEGATOR (screwing up his pride) But Newton, you're our only hope! Help us! NEWTON (stops in midcrawl) What was that? NEGATOR (more cables wrapping over him) You're our only hope! That thing's taken Tinker captive, and it's even defeated Zod, and now it's even beating me! We were helpless against it! (adds a whimper to his voice, to his own disgust) You're the only one who's gotten away scot-free from its grasp! We need your help! We were powerless against it! Not like you, with your nimble feet and quick reflexes! They couldn't touch you! No one could! You're the best there is at evading and dodging! Hitting that panic button would be no problem for you! You can do it! You can save us! You're the best! You're the greatest! NEWTON (all the praises finally gets to him) All right, all right! (he huffs up and strikes a pose) I'll do it! The last thing Al sees before the cables cover his face is Newton diving into the thick of the tentacles with a squeaky battle cry. NEGATOR (through his mouth being gagged) We're doomed. SCENE 14 - CORE, TOAD BASE, time -0:25:42 The heat is intense. Dogstar is sweating bullets as he runs unsteadily from platform to platform, ducking under girders and jumping over pipes as he places explosives. The central core is designed like a spider's web of steel platforms and walkways all spaced out. Dogstar has a difficult time moving in a straight line as beams and pipes bar his way in the limited paths that he can walk on. He has to watch his way; one false step and he could fall into the flowing molten lava below. DOGSTAR (breathing heavily) This is the second time this week that I've been chased by a tin-plated automaton! TOADBORG (broadcasting loud and clear) You're not going anywhere! The magma reactor is only fit for machines! Toadborg is right behind him, having tracked him just as he was done planting the last bomb. Dogstar leads Toadborg back as a distraction, hoping the cyborg won't realize what it is that Dogstar has done. It's much harder to do now that Toadborg has clipped his leg with a maser. Dogstar can still run, albeit unsteadily. DOGSTAR (moving and firing back shots at the same time) Yeah? Well, come and get me then! TOADBORG (walking slowly through the pipes) It's useless to run. In a few minutes, KOMPLEX will be beamed into this planetoid, and it will spell doom for the mammals in the aniverse! DOGSTAR (pauses as the information sinks in) Planetoid? This is a man-made structure? TOADBORG Not quite. (extends his arms to grab at Dogstar) Willy used the shell of this dead world and designed a battle station capable of destroying worlds. The magma of at the center of the planet powers the station. Dogstar dodges Toadborg's arms and thinks the information over. DOGSTAR (thinking) Dogstar doesn't have enough time to speculate as he sees a magnetic winch from afar. A plan forms in his head as he makes his way toward it. DOGSTAR (climbing into the control seat) C'mon, Toadborg! Let's fight! TOADBORG You still resist? (shakes his head and walks purposefully toward Dogstar) You're old, Dogstar. You're past your prime. A fighting fossil, that's what they call you. Give it up and die like the dog you are. DOGSTAR (waits for the right moment, then throws the switch) Shut up. The magnetic winch powers up. Its attractive force is visible as it picks up small pieces of debris and sends it zooming up to the huge magnet. Unfortunately, it doesn't affect Toadborg. TOADBORG (doesn't even acknowledge the winch) You've tried this tactic before during the taking of Omnicron. I've replaced my steel frame with a ceramic plastic hybrid. Your trick won't work again. DOGSTAR It was worth a shot. TOADBORG Getting forgetful in your old age? DOGSTAR Maybe. Dogstar throws another switch. This time, the winch drops down and swings toward Toadborg. Toadborg sees it but it was too late to avoid it. He fires a last-second shot at Dogstar before the winch hits him dead-on. The cyborg and the winch are thrown into the lava pit below, completely submerging them in the molten liquid. DOGSTAR Or maybe not. But Dogstar is not yet in the clear. Toadborg's last shots strike the magnetic winch's control console, causing it to blow up. The whole booth begins to fall into the lava below. Dogstar leaps to the main walkway but misses. He starts falling but, miraculously, there are stable girder structures underneath him. They knock his breath away but still save him. Dogstar climbs back up the walkway and collapses on it. He grits his teeth at the pain where the lava singed his suit. DOGSTAR I survived. But by pure luck. Again! Dogstar says the last word in anger but gives a sigh of relief nevertheless. He waits until his racing heart stops pounding frantically and slows back to normal before he gets up. He wavers unsteadily on his feet. The heat is really getting to him. DOGSTAR Now, to activate the bombs ... A roar comes from underneath him. Toadborg emerges from the lava in a rage. His armor is blisteringly red hot. Dogstar sees him and tries to scramble away, but the cyborg uses his thrusters to intercept him. He grabs the commander by the back of his shirt and drags him into the air. Dogstar tries to claw at the cyborg but he fails, searing his paws on the burning metal. Dogstar can feel the intense heat emanating from Toadborg's gauntlet through his suit. They land on a new platform. TOADBORG Good attempt. But not good enough. Dogstar reaches for his blaster. Toadborg sees the movement and knocks the gun away. It falls into the lava and dissolves with a puff. Then, he grabs hold of Dogstar's arm. The red-hot armor is burning through Dogstar's suit. TOADBORG You must really be old and senile to think you could escape from me. Now, Cravis informed me of your location when he escaped, but he didn't say exactly what it was you're doing here. What was that I heard about bombs? Dogstar grasps Toadborg's arm, even through the heat. He struggles but doesn't say anything. The heat fumes from the armor are getting to him. His breath was knocked away from him, and all he can breathe now are the fumes. He can feel his consciousness slipping from him. Dogstar is so very tired. Toadborg's sensors narrow as he sees Dogstar's attention straying. TOADBORG This should wake you up. With his free hand, Toadborg jerks at Dogstar's limbs. He takes Dogstar's left arm and, with a sudden twist, breaks it. With his bones wrenched apart, Dogstar howls. TOADBORG Now answer me! Dogstar stops howling and grits his teeth. Toadborg shifts his grip. TOADBORG Tell me about your plans, old soldier! Tell me, or I'll grind your bones to dust! Dogstar doesn't say anything. Toadborg grabs hold of Dogstar's right leg and crushes it. This time, Dogstar doesn't howl. He wills himself not to cry out despite the excruciating pain coming from his two broken limbs. His head droops down. TOADBORG (shakes the commander) Answer me! Dogstar slowly raises his head and looks Toadborg straight in the sensors. DOGSTAR Toadborg. In all the years that we've been fighting, have I ever given in to you? Dogstar spoke in a raspy voice, very soft and very weak. But there is strength behind his words. Toadborg process the information carefully. DOGSTAR (weakly) The toads will never, *ever* break me. TOADBORG (nodding slowly) You're right. Then you are no longer of any use to me. Toadborg lifts Dogstar over his head and tosses him unceremoniously into the lava pit. SCENE 15 - TOAD BASE, time -0:20:58 Bucky wakes up to find himself in a glass tube. He looks outside and sees that Jenny and Deadeye are slumped down and in the same predicament. They are all caged up in three separate transparent tubes. Outside, he can see the Air Marshal and Willy by a control console. AIR MARSHAL He's awake. BUCKY Willy! What did you do to Jenny and Deadeye? And where's Bruiser? WILLY (shrugs) I don't know what happened to Bruiser. We couldn't see through the debris. As for Jenny and Deadeye, we haven't done anything to them ... AIR MARSHAL Yet! The Air Marshal presses two buttons on the console. Jenny's and Deadeye's tubes suddenly light up with electricity. The Aldebaran and the Canard are shocked awake. Bucky give a start. Willy turns to the Air Marshal as he turns off the machine. WILLY Stop that! We're not here to torture them! AIR MARSHAL I thought we were? WILLY I just wanted to talk. That's all. AIR MARSHAL So talk! They're awake now. Jenny and Deadeye come to. Bucky sighs with relief to see that it was just a mild shock. DEADEYE My aching head! BUCKY Willy! Why'd you do that? Willy says nothing but waits until all three are up and looking about. JENNY This place looks familiar. WILLY It does, doesn't it? The three tubes, the machinery ... it looks just like the holding cell we were kept in inside the toad mothership when Toadborg captured the four of us. Y'know, when Negator took the Genus defense codes? It's just a coincidence though. Toadborg's not around, too. AIR MARSHAL Yeah, I'm the one who's here instead. BUCKY Willy, why've you put us here? WILLY Oh, there weren't any proper holding cells in this planetoid. I didn't design it to be. And I didn't want to give you over to Cravis. Now he'd really have tortured you! JENNY If you don't care about us, why wouldn't you? WILLY (fidgets) Uh ... AIR MARSHAL (bringing down a view screen that shows a huge computer) Willy wants you guys to wait and watch until mighty KOMPLEX arrives and animates the whole planetoid! The planetoid that Willy designed! DEADEYE Oh, c'mon! (groggily) I'm sick and tired o' hearin' about this project of yours, Willy! Just tell us what it is and get it over with! WILLY All right, all right. Like I said, I got the idea from Bucky's lightsaber and a classic movie I got from home. There's this giant battle station there, built like a small planet. It has this huge laser cannon, capable of destroying planets. They called it a Death Star in the movie. We might as well call it a Toad Star here. It's not a very imaginative name, but it fits. BUCKY You built a giant maser cannon? WILLY Not a maser. A laser cannon. There's a slight difference. Masers are microwave amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Lasers use light amplification. That's why we needed the Sludge Intelligence Agency's light-wave focusing satellites for the job. The rigidium and other minerals from the mining colonies were needed to create a durable casing. Wood from Betelgeusia will be used as fuel along with the magma core of this planetoid. Water from Kanopis would have helped cool down the robots while they worked under extreme heat, but that didn't quite work out. DEADEYE Feh, what good is a giant *l*aser if you can't even move it about? WILLY Oh that's another thing. This Toad Star is built with a working planetary engine. A mark-5 photon accelerator engine! Once this baby is running, your frigates won't be able to keep up! Bucky and the others reel back in horror. The Air Marshal looks on proudly. WILLY That's right. I was finally able to mix mammal technology with toad technology. We had to use heavy-duty engines, but this Toad Star is spaceworthy. Very spaceworthy. (grins and pats the view screen the Air Marshal brought down) And that's not even the best part! The best part is that KOMPLEX himself will be manning this station. I specifically designed it to accept his consciousness. He'll be beaming himself right into the core. Once he's stationed in, he'll be adapting and personalizing the Toad Star's mechanisms based on his own designs. He'll no longer be confined to the Toad Homeworld or beamed in delicate constructs and computers. He'll be a mobile planet unto himself. His reach will be limitless. And if any planet gets in his way, he'll just blast it! Willy folds his arms together and smiles. WILLY So, what do you guys think? Bucky is shaking his head in disbelief, and Jenny is quiet. Deadeye is staring angrily at Willy. BUCKY (sadly) Oh, Willy. DEADEYE Yer a liar, Willy. A bleedin' liar! AIR MARSHAL (raises a fist) You take that back! If Willy says it works, it works! DEADEYE (growls in his tube) You shut up, you little fireplug! AIR MARSHAL (angrily) Why does everybody call me that? DEADEYE (ignoring the Air Marshal and staring at Willy) Ya say you don't want to see us hurt, Willy? How can ya say that when you just made a whole friggin' weapon that can blow up planets? You even left Bruiser killed out there. Yer a hypocrite, Willy. A bleedin', lyin' hypocrite! Willy is taken aback at Deadeye's strong words. WILLY I ... I didn't think of it like that. DEADEYE Yer damn right, ya didn't think! WILLY (clutches at his head) I ... I need to lie down. AIR MARSHAL (concerned) Willy? Are you OK? Willy walks over to a bench and sits, holding his head. He looks up to his former crewmates and stares at them one by one. His eyes meets Jenny's intense stare. JENNY Willy. (thinking as her eyes mesmerizes Willy) Willy's body stiffens as his spirit is suddenly thrust into the mental plane. He floats upward to meet with Jenny's astral projection. They communicate in a higher place of existence. Willy looks at himself. WILLY JENNY WILLY JENNY WILLY Back in the material plane, the Air Marshal looks concerned. AIR MARSHAL (slaps Willy's back) Willy? The Air Marshal frantically shakes the very still Willy. AIR MARSHAL (very concerned) Willy! What's wrong?! Willy, say something! BUCKY What is it? What's happened to Willy? AIR MARSHAL (wails) I don't know! I don't know! The Air Marshal turns towards the tubes, as if looking to Bucky for help. That's when he sees Jenny, also in a mesmerized condition. AIR MARSHAL Hey, what's wrong with the cat? What's she doing? The Air Marshal points to Bucky angrily. AIR MARSHAL You! Make her stop! BUCKY Stop what? AIR MARSHAL Stop whatever she's doing! BUCKY (alarmed) I ... I don't know what you mean. AIR MARSHAL That dirty Aldebaran witch is doing something! The Air Marshal runs to the machine and slams the button in Jenny's tube. Electricity surges into her tube. The Air Marshal increases the level of power. The voltage rises. In the mental plane, Jenny screams. And so does Willy. JENNY and WILLY Jenny's body convulses violently as bolts of energy course through her body. Willy's body does the same, as if the electricity were summarily being conducted through his body. Their mouths aren't moving, but their screams are ripping into the room like their souls are being torn apart. The electricity from Jenny's tube impossibly surges into the air and connects with Willy's body. Between the connection, two spectral bodies appear visibly to hover in the air, writhing in agony. Bucky, Deadeye, and the Air Marshal feel their blood run cold. They react in horror. BUCKY (clawing at the glass) Jenny! Oh Great Mother, *Jenny*! AIR MARSHAL (tries to go to Willy) Willy! DEADEYE (pounds on the glass) Turn it off! Turn the frellin' thing off! The Air Marshal frantically runs back and shuts off the machine. The spirit images formed from the electricity dissipate and vanish. Jenny and Willy immediately cease their convulsions, but their screams still echo into air. As it starts to fade away, the Air Marshal shakes Willy again. Jenny is so very still in her glass tube. BUCKY (his paws bleeding from clawing at the tube) Jenny! AIR MARSHAL Willy! Willy, wake up! Slowly, Willy's eyes snap back into focus. He is shivering violently and nearly vomits. The Air Marshal is relived. AIR MARSHAL Oh, thank KOMPLEX, you're awake! WILLY (turning to the Air Marshal) What ... what happened? AIR MARSHAL It's the mammals! They tried something. Something bad! But don't worry. It's OK now. It's all OK now. Willy turns to look at his former crewmates. He sees Deadeye furiously pounding in his tube and Bucky slumped down sobbing as his fingers streak red in his glass. In the last tube, he sees Jenny, lying on her side. Her spell gems are as transparent as her glass prison. Her eyes are as vacant as an empty vacuum. She's not breathing. TO BE CONTINUED