"Friends Like These" by Rygar First draft - 4/24/04 Second draft - 5/11/04 Final draft - 5/23/04 Edited by Dawvitch Night-fall and DJ Clawson SCENE 1 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE, his left cheek bandaged, stands in the doorway of the hospital room, stunned. He's facing ENGINEER WILLY DUWITT, who is sitting up in his bed in the middle of the room. Willy has apparently just awakened from his coma. DR. LURIE, FIRST MATE JENNY, CHAIRMAN FRITZ WARNER, and a panda NURSE are standing around Willy's bed. BUCKY Willy? WILLY (rubbing his eyes) Captain? Is that you? BUCKY You're all right! Thank the Great Mother! WILLY (weakly) I can't see anything. JENNY (realizing) Your glasses. They were broken. WILLY Where am I? DR. LURIE (leaning toward Willy) You're in Watership Medical Center, Willy. I'm Dr. Lurie, a psychiatrist. You've been through quite an experience, but you're safe now. WILLY Safe? BUCKY (not sure what to say) What do you remember, Willy? WILLY Remember? (beat) I remember ... Willy flinches as the memories jump to life in his mind, setting his brain on fire. He recalls Toadborg brainwashing him, KOMPLEX and the others forcing him to work long hours, the Air Marshal befriending him. He remembers the toad mark-5, the Toadstar, and the torture. WILLY (grasping his head) Aah! Willy jerks forward and cries in pain, his eyes shut tight and watering. Dr. Lurie glares at Bucky, then turns to the nurse. DR. LURIE Nurse! NURSE Yes, Doctor. The nurse immediately injects Willy with a mild sedative. His hands begin to shake as he removes them from his head. WILLY Remember ... I remember ... (weakly) Everything. BUCKY (sheepishly) Guess I shouldn't have said anything. Jenny reaches out to Willy and takes his hand in her paw. JENNY (soothingly) It's OK, Willy. It's OK. You're safe now. You're with friends. WILLY (half-awake, not really to anyone) Friends ... I don't have any friends ... I failed my friends. Bucky looks at Jenny, who turns and looks right back, concerned. Willy slumps into a lying-down position. WILLY (sleepily) I want to go home ... Willy falls back asleep soundlessly. NURSE He's out. DR. LURIE (looking at the monitor) He should be asleep for a few hours, but he'll wake up again soon. He'll probably be a bit more lucid then, too. (beat, to Bucky) The Chairman told me I should let you and Jenny be here when Willy first woke up. He thought it might make the patient comfortable, and I couldn't argue with that. (beat) Willy's got a long road to recovery ahead of him, and I don't want you disrupting any of that. I've recommended to the Chairman that no member of S.P.A.C.E. be allowed to see Willy for more than half an hour a week. BUCKY (startled, to Fritz) What? You can't let him do that! FRITZ (shrugs) You want Willy to get better, don't you? Dr. Lurie knows what he's doing. I trust him. (beat) It's the least I can do. Lord knows I've made enough of a mess out of this already. JENNY (to Dr. Lurie) Willy said he wanted to go home. Do you think ... DR. LURIE (shaking his head) I want Willy to remain in my care for at least a few weeks. The psych ward here has everything he needs to get on the road to recovery. He'll go home when he's ready, and not before. (beat) Besides, I thought he got home through a portal on your old ship. BUCKY That's right. The photon accelerator was blown up. (thinking) But we're still got the Righteous's old mark-4 in storage, right, Fritz? FRITZ It's not being used for anything, no. JENNY So Willy could use it to get back home? DR. LURIE (getting impatient) What did I just say? Look, I know you're very concerned about Willy and want him to get better, but so do I. None of you are looking at this from a medical standpoint. He's had enough shocks as it is. Going home would just be one more. He's not ready for it. (to Fritz) Chairman, any chance the UAC could use its deep pockets to fund eyeglasses for the patient, now that he's awake? BUCKY (under his breath) With this budget, you'll have to pick one lens or the other and hope for the best. FRITZ I'll see what I can do. (yawns) OK, it's a hellishly late hour, and I think Dr. Lurie would like to be with his patient for a while. You're all dismissed. BUCKY Dismissed? Since when was visiting my engineer a Council-sanctioned mission? JENNY (a bit aggravated) Bucky, stop it. Let's just go home and get some rest. Bucky looks at Fritz, then at the nurse, then at Dr. Lurie, then at Jenny. He sighs. BUCKY You're right. (to the others) I'm sorry, it's just ... (beat) Take good care of him, OK, Doctor? DR. LURIE I will, Captain. FRITZ Wait a sec. Bucky, what happened to your face? JENNY And how did you get here so quickly when I called? Where were you? BUCKY (trying to sound nonchalant) I was in the hospital. I got mugged about two hours ago. FRITZ Really? BUCKY (tiredly) Really, Fritz. No hellbeasts or a soul-eating dragon. Just a mugger. (to Jenny) Let's go. Jenny takes one last look at Willy, then follows Bucky out the door. DR. LURIE I can't believe you put up with him. FRITZ And I can't believe you're such a jerk to him. Bucky may have a lot of faults, but he's a damn good captain, and he cares about Willy more than you seem to think. Cut him some slack. DR. LURIE (turns to look at Willy) I just don't want anything else bad to happen to my patient because of that green hare. Jenny, I'm fine with, but Bucky just ... (shakes his head) You know I'm not overreacting. FRITZ (sighs) Keep up the good work, Doctor, but work on that bedside manner a bit. And keep me updated on Willy's progress. Good night. Fritz shuffles out, leaving a weary-looking Dr. Lurie and the nurse, who's been ignoring the conversation and tending to Willy the whole time. SCENE 2 - HALL OUTSIDE BUCKY'S APARTMENT Bucky and Jenny have taken a cab to Bucky's apartment. They stand outside in the hall as Bucky opens the door. JENNY (concerned) Bucky, is everything all right? BUCKY (tired) Yeah, I'm fine. JENNY What happened with the mugger? BUCKY (leans on the doorknob) He tried to mug me. I stopped him and he ran away. I went to the hospital. JENNY (not believing him) So you're telling me a mugger was able to sneak up on you? BUCKY (closing his eyes) Look, Jenny, I'm really tired ... JENNY (giving up) Fine. Sorry. (hesitantly) Good night, Bucky. BUCKY Night. Bucky walks into his apartment and closes the door, leaving an agitated and worried Jenny standing outside, staring at the door. Bucky enters but doesn't even turn the light on. He just shuffles through the main room and into his bedroom, then collapses on his bed, taking care not to land on his wound. BUCKY (anguished) Shira ... Seeing the pool of blood in his mind's eye, Bucky lies still, alone with his tortured thoughts. SCENE 3 - THE VALKYRIE, ORWELL STATION The next morning, Bucky appears for patrol duty, looking haggard. He barely got any sleep, and none of it was good. Climbing into his bottom-of-the-line frigate, he listens out for Jenny in the piloting bay. No sound. Yawning, he ambles over to the gunner's chamber to see GUNNER DEADEYE DUCK working on the ship's lone maser cannon. BUCKY Morning, Deadeye. DEADEYE (downbeat) Mornin', Bucky. (noticing) Ye don't look so good, Cap'n. What happened? BUCKY Couldn't sleep. DEADEYE Aye, an' what about yer face? BUCKY (unconvincingly) Mugger tried to rob me. DEADEYE Really? (turning back to the cannon) Must'a been a right foolish mugger, then. BUCKY How are things in this part of the ship? DEADEYE (sighs) Don't even ask me that, Cap'n. This maser cannon here couldn't warm up a cup o' Rigelian coffee. BUCKY I'll see if Mike can do anything with it. DEADEYE I certainly hope so. It just ain't right, Cap'n, not bein' able t' shoot down toadies. We didn't even have a ship fer so long, and then, when we finally got one ... (beat, shakes his head) A duck gets restless, ye know. BUCKY You're not the only one. DEADEYE (works on the cannon more) With yer permission, Cap'n, I'd like t' visit Rigel VII next time we're on leave. BUCKY (perking up slightly) The Canard base? Why's that? DEADEYE (flexing his fingers) Games o' skill. Anythin'. Just need t' shake these cobwebs off. BUCKY (nods) It won't be for another few weeks, but as long as you don't cause any trouble, I'll allow it. DEADEYE (perking up) Ha hah! Thanks, Cap'n! Bucky yawns. DEADYE You look like ye could use some leave yerself, Bucky. BUCKY (a little disoriented) Yeah, maybe. I don't know. Carry on, Deadeye. Bucky turns around and stumbles out of the chamber, leaving a confused Deadeye to scratch his head. Bucky climbs up the ladder to piloting bay, taking care not to try to step on the missing rung. Once he enters the bay, he slides into his chair and slumps down. Groaning, Bucky closes his eyes and rubs his face. The scene from last night with Shira keeps replaying itself in his memory. He can't get over it. He'd never killed another mammal before, not even on accident. Even more, he doesn't know what she told him about Pigton was true, and what was a lie. He has no idea what his next move should be. When he tries to think about it, it just hurts. Shaking his head, he struggles to open his eyes. Taking a deep but unsteady breath, he begins checking the ship's systems, to take his mind off of things. SCENE 4 - CHAIRMAN WARNER'S OFFICE Fritz is at his desk, going through some files, when KADAF WARNER stumbles in the door, looking harried and uncomposed. There are bags under his eyes, like he hasn't slept in days. He's shaking. FRITZ (startled) Kadaf! Where have you been? I've been calling you all weekend. You're an hour and a half late ... (pauses) You look terrible. What's going on? KADAF (coarsely) Didn't sleep. FRITZ (concerned) Why not? KADAF Can't sleep. FRITZ Did you take your medicine? KADAF (oddly focused) No. Doesn't help anymore. FRITZ (impatiently) Kadaf, talk to me. KADAF (staring almost through Fritz) I'm hearin' voices, Fritz. FRITZ What? Is this a new thing, or did you just never mention this? KADAF Hey, I may have a lot of fucking problems, but I've never heard voices before. FRITZ When did it start? KADAF (twitching) Almost a month ago. Heard them in my sleep every now and then. But it didn't get bad until yesterday. It's constant now. FRITZ What are the voices saying? KADAF I can't tell. Mostly just gibberish. It sounds like Lopinenean spoken backwards or something. (rubs his temples) Dammit, it hurts! FRITZ (both upset and worried) Why didn't you say anything? KADAF (coughs) Because all I ever do is bring you problems, give you more crap to worry about. I am the most unappreciative ... (coughs again, winces in anguish) I thought it would pass, thought it was just a phase or something. But it's only getting worse. FRITZ (irritated) You really should have mentioned this to me. KADAF I know. FRITZ You, uh, need a smoke? KADAF No. That doesn't help anymore, either. FRITZ Well ... (sighs) Any idea what's causing this? KADAF Well ... (blinks) ... either I'm crazy, or ... FRITZ (rolls his eyes slightly) Or what? KADAF (cocks his head, suddenly even more serious) He's coming for me, Fritz. FRITZ What? Who? Kadaf doesn't answer. He just looks directly into Fritz's eyes with an unspoken urgency. The chairman's eyes widen as he realizes who Kadaf means. FRITZ (alarmed) Are you sure? KADAF (clutching his head) I wouldn't say anything if I weren't. Fritz ponders for a moment, then turns to Kadaf. FRITZ I don't know. I would have felt something. There's no way I wouldn't know if ... KADAF (quickly) Don't tell me you don't believe me. FRITZ (calmly) I *do* believe you, Kadaf. All I'm saying is, given everything I can ascertain about this situation, I just don't think ... KADAF (angry) No way, Fritz! There is no fucking way you're telling me this. We're in danger, and you're just going to ignore it?! FRITZ (sighs) I am just going to wait until I have more proof before I act accordingly. We both know you're not the most ... stable source of information. KADAF (in disbelief) You think this is just me getting worse, don't you? I'm not going crazy, Fritz. FRITZ (under his breath) Crazi*er*. KADAF I know what's going on, and we've got to do something. FRITZ Yes, we do. You, especially, need to do something. You need to take the day off. KADAF (pleading) Fritz ... FRITZ I mean it. Get some sleep. Doesn't even have to be here. Think you'd feel better if you stayed on Warren for a bit? KADAF No. Nothing's going to help except you believing me. (coughs, starts sweating) Agh ... (weakly) I wish Sheila were here. FRITZ (checks his watch, sighs heavily) I have to get ready for the Council meeting. I'll take the day off after that, and we can talk some more. Go back to your place, take your medicine, get some rest. OK? KADAF Fritz, the voices get worse when I sleep! FRITZ (getting angry) What do you want me to do, Kadaf? KADAF I ... (stops, hangs head) I don't know, Fritz. (beat) I'll go. Kadaf turns around before Fritz can say another word. After his bodyguard shuts the door, the chairman plops down in his chair. FRITZ Dammit, Daffy, what am I going to do with you? SCENE 5 - PILOTING BAY, THE VALKYRIE Bucky is still groggily checking the ship's readings in the piloting bay when the comm goes off. He reaches over to answer it. It's RED JACK, the Corsair Canard. RED JACK (over comm) Captain O'Hare? BUCKY (becoming more alert, into comm) You seem famili ... oh, Red Jack. RED JACK Aye, Captain. BUCKY How did you get this frequency? RED JACK Griff gave it to me, at me request. As Bucky is talking, Jenny climbs into the bay. Noticing the conversation, she sits down in her chair, wordlessly. BUCKY Really? I thought Griff was still a bit uneasy about dealing with you guys. RED JACK Perhaps, but he gave me the frequency just the same. BUCKY (nods) I take it you need Deadeye. RED JACK Aye, Captain. BUCKY (reaching for another comm) Deadeye, you've got a call. DEADEYE (over comm) Be right up, Cap'n! A moment later, Deadeye scurries up the ladder and approaches the comm. DEADEYE Red Jack! Ha hah, good t' see ye, matey! What can ol' Deadeye do for ye? RED JACK We've got a bit of a problem, Deadeye, and we could use the UAC's help. DEADEYE (not too concerned) O' course. What seems t' be the trouble? RED JACK Perhaps it would be best for ye to come out an' see yourself. My ship is stranded in the Brannock Sector. DEADEYE (raising an eyebrow) Stranded, ye say? RED JACK Aye. DEADEYE We're on our way. Right, Cap'n? BUCKY (not too interested) Well ... (beat, thinks) I guess it's better than patrol. Jenny, set a course. Jenny, who was hoping to speak to Bucky when she showed up, just nods and mans her station. JENNY Aye-aye, Captain. RED JACK Thank you, Captain. I've sent the coordinates to your computer. We'll be seein' ye soon. Red Jack severs the communication as The Valkyrie begins takeoff procedure. SCENE 6 - BRANNOCK SECTOR The Valkyrie jumps out of hyperspace and arrives at the coordinates. Bucky spots Red Jack's large blue pirate ship, which is floating in space and not moving. As the frigate gets closer, Bucky and Jenny notice huge gashes along the hull of the ship. BUCKY Jenny, do you see those marks? JENNY (looking at the ship intently) There's no way I could miss them. BUCKY Any idea what might have caused them? JENNY (thinking) (to Bucky) There's no way to tell yet, Bucky. Maybe the Canards will know. As The Valkyrie pulls alongside the pirate ship, Red Jack appears on the comm. RED JACK (over comm) We've picked yer location up, Captain. We're extending the boarding tube. A long cylindrical tube emerges from the side of the blue ship and extends to The Valkyrie, gently attaching to its main hatch. BUCKY Let's see what they can tell us. Bucky rises from his chair and climbs down the ladder. Jenny pauses for a moment, then follows. SCENE 7 - PIRATE SHIP, BRANNOCK SECTOR Bucky, Jenny, Deadeye, AFC BLINKY, and ENGINEER MIKE MARISON enter the main quarters of the pirate ship. BRUISER does as well; he now has a grenade belt strapped around his chest. Mike looks especially nervous as he enters the dingy, weapons-filled space. Red Jack rises to greet them, as do the pirates LANEL and BLACKBEAK. Deadeye walks up to Red Jack and nods. DEADEYE Ha hah! Good t' see ye, matey. RED JACK (shaking paws) It's been too long, Deadeye. Deadeye glances at Lanel, noticing that she and Red Jack are holding hands. DEADEYE I'll drink t' that. Deadeye walks up to the table, where a few mugs of swampgrass sit. LANEL What? No greeting for your old shipmates? Every time we meet, Deadeye, it seems you get softer. DEADEYE (reaching for a pint) Ach, Lanel, ye know that ain't true. I just been a li'l' frustrated lately, is all. BLACKBEAK (walking up to the table) Have yerself a pint, matey, and tell us o' yer sorrows. Lanel walks up to the table as well and sits down. Deadeye sits to talk to his old friends, while Red Jack steps up to Bucky. RED JACK (shaking paws with Bucky) Good to see ye, Captain. (noticing) Are ye all right? BUCKY Just tired, Red Jack. (beat) Looks like your ship suffered some damage. RED JACK Aye, an' that's why we called ye out here. Our ship was attacked a few hours ago by an unknown person. The attacker was brutal but clumsy, and we managed to fend him off, but he didn't appear on our radar, and we never got a good look at him. BUCKY Person, you say? Just one? RED JACK Aye, or a small, highly maneuverable ship. Seemed familiar, somehow. BUCKY (rubbing his chin) That narrows the list of suspects. JENNY (gulps) I think I know who might have done it. BUCKY (musing) You're not the only one. JENNY Red Jack, can we take a closer look at the damage? RED JACK Of course, lass. Red Jack leads the five to another part of the ship, leaving the three ducks at the table to drink and talk. A few minutes later, the crew returns, looking worried. DEADEYE What's th' verdict, Cap'n? BUCKY We think we know who did it, Deadeye, but I hope we're wrong. JENNY Bucky, we've seen those claw marks before. DEADEYE Did ye say claw marks, lass? On the hull o' the ship? Jenny nods. Deadeye downs the rest of his mug of swampgrass and stands. DEADEYE Guess we should be payin' Drayke a visit, then. SCENE 8 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS Willy is sitting up in his bed. Dr. Lurie is sitting in a chair beside him, talking to him and writing things down. They've apparently been sitting there for a while. DR. LURIE Willy, I'd like to ask you about ... WILLY (curtly) I don't feel like talking. DR. LURIE But Willy, if you ... WILLY (shaking his head) I don't want to talk to you, Doctor. I just ... don't. There's nothing to say. DR. LURIE (sighs politely) That's what you've been saying for the past twenty minutes, Willy. I want to help you, but you have to let me. Willy just frowns and stares into space. DR. LURIE (calmly) All right, then. You don't want to talk. What *do* you want to do? Willy blinks. His frown softens slightly, and his eyes focus. WILLY I want to go home. DR. LURIE (writing that down) Home. And where do you consider your home? WILLY (firmly) My home is on Earth. San Francisco. DR. LURIE Well, that would be quite a trip, Willy. And you're not strong enough to make that trip yet, I don't think. You've been in the hospital for months. Maybe if you saw something from home? Would that make you feel better? WILLY (dourly) Why won't you listen to me? I want to *go* home. DR. LURIE I know, Willy. But please try to cooperate with me. I'm your friend. (beat) Maybe if you saw someone from Earth. What about Doctor ... Dr. Lurie catches himself, but it's too late. WILLY (eyes widening) Green. Willy blinks, and he thinks of Dr. Green, first with his human mask on, then without. The friendly green face slowly twists into the angry sneer of a stormtoad. Briefly, Willy sees an image of the Air Marshal, but it almost immediately morphs into the angry, towering gaze of KOMPLEX. Willy bolts upright. WILLY Aah! No! (grabbing his head) It hurts! DR. LURIE (under his breath) Stupid ... Dr. Lurie gets up and goes for the intercom. DR. LURIE (into comm) Nurse! Nurse! Dr. Lurie turns to Willy, who has already calmed down. He's still sitting up, but he's breathing heavily. The panda NURSE rushes through the door. NURSE Does the patient need a ... (noticing) ... sedative? Dr. Lurie looks at his patient, then at the nurse. DR. LURIE No. No, he'll he fine. (shoulders slumping slightly) He'll be fine. WILLY I can't stay here, Doctor. It hurts too much. Dr. Lurie just bites his lip and taps his pen on the clipboard. SCENE 9 - LOBBY, DRAYKE TOWER, ULTESS The goose RECEPTIONIST is busy typing away when the comm goes off. She answers it, Bucky's face appearing on the screen. RECEPTIONIST (into comm) Captain O'Hare? Again? What's the trouble now? BUCKY (over comm, crankily) There's no time to explain. Can you patch me through to Drayke? RECEPTIONIST I'm sorry; he's not in right now. He took s long weekend. He should be in tomorrow. BUCKY Tomorrow's too late. Can you give me his private comm frequency? RECEPTIONIST (hesitant) Well, I don't know if I can do that. I'm certainly not allowed to. Standard ... BUCKY Forget your standard procedure. This is a matter of life and death. I need that frequency! RECEPTIONIST (sensing Bucky's urgency) All right. You were correct last time, I suppose. The receptionist presses a few buttons. RECEPTIONIST There you go. I hope there's not more trouble. BUCKY You and me both. O'Hare out. The comm dies. The receptionist looks worried for a moment, then timidly returns to typing. SCENE 10 - DRAYKE RESIDENCE, ULTESS Though the sun is shining through the blinds, DRAYKE remains fast asleep in his bed, his wife at his side. Slumbering peacefully, he does not react the first three times the comm by his bed beeps. The fourth time, he grumbles and reluctantly reaches for it, activating it. DRAYKE (into comm) Hello? BUCKY (over comm) Drayke? DRAYKE Captain O'Hare? Is that you? BUCKY Yes, it is. Did you and ... DRAYKE (friendly) I never got to thank the UAC properly for recovering that stolen data. I really owe you one. BUCKY Then let me finish. Did you and your scientists ever finish repairing Dallion? DRAYKE Dallion? No, but we were close. He has another week or two to go before ... BUCKY That's what you think. You'd better get to your company in a hurry. We've got a situation. DRAYKE (confused) What? What do you mean? As Bucky explains things to Drayke, the duck's eyes grow wide, and his beak droops. DRAYKE I'll be over there right away. Drayke shuts off the comm and leaps out of bed, running to his closet to get dressed. His wife sleeps on. SCENE 11 - LABORATORY, DRAYKE TOWER Half an hour later, a harried, sleepy Drayke bursts into the main underground lab. Everything appears normal. The room is practically overflowing with computer equipment, as well as a few large tanks filled with a blue liquid. In a far corner of the room rests a pile of rubble from when the lab was struck by toad missiles. Everything else seems repaired, and the lab is once again state-of-the-art. Drayke spots one male bear scientist, HOWARD, typing away nonchalantly at a terminal. DRAYKE (walking up) Howard. Where is everybody? HOWARD (looking up, a bit surprised) Oh, hi, boss. I thought you weren't coming in today. DRAYKE I wasn't. Where is everyone? HOWARD Well, since you weren't here, and Clark wasn't either, we all decided to work on our other projects for the day. DRAYKE Wait, Clark's not here? Where is he? HOWARD (shrugs) He called in this morning and said something came up. I guess he'll be in tomorrow. Drayke grits his teeth. DRAYKE Have you checked on the main tank? HOWARD Uh, no, sir. Didn't see any reason to. DRAYKE (motioning with his beak) Open it. HOWARD (a little confused) Yes, sir. Howard wheels his chair over to an adjacent terminal and presses a few buttons. A mechanical groan is heard as two large doors slowly peel away from in front of a tank next to one of the room's walls. The doors heave and sigh, then stop moving. Drayke's stomach churns and Howard gasps as they observe the tank. HOWARD (in a low voice) It's empty. Drayke walks up and inspects the tank. Its glass walls are intact, and the mass of wires that were once connected to Dallion float gently in the liquid. The only thing missing is the hulking, deadly cyborg. DRAYKE (angrily) Check the security videos from the weekend. I'm calling Clark. Drayke storms out of the lab, leaving Howard behind to look at the empty tank fearfully. SCENE 12 - UAC SECURITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS Fritz stands before the entire United Animals Coalition Security Council. VICE CHAIRMAN SANZER GRIFF is present, as are six other Council members, including a BADGER, a FOX, and a HARE. Fritz remains composed as he speaks, though he is more intense than usual. FRITZ Fact: The toads, presumably through genetic engineering, no longer fear Betelgeusian Berserker Baboons. If this is *not* due to genetic engineering, then the threat is a small, though still extant, one. Otherwise, it is indeed a grave concern. (beat) Fact: The toads have, after a curious moratorium, resumed conquering planets and enslaving their populations. Losing Narnox, while not the crippling blow that Warren was, is a reminder that the toad menace is indeed a real threat, and we can only imagine what planet is next. (beat) Fact: The second and final outpost of the Sludge Intelligence Agency was recently obliterated, leaving only two survivors. While we cannot prove for certain that toads were responsible, I see no reason to suspect any other party. Regardless, we no longer have any way to track toad movement on a large scale. Our three frigates can only do so much on patrol. Fritz takes a deep breath, then continues. FRITZ Fact: Despite my continued insistence that the Council put more funds into the military, we remain, truth be told, a weak military force. The fact that we have been able to hold our own against the toads with only three measly frigates has been nothing short of a miracle, and we cannot depend on Captain O'Hare, Commander Dogstar, and Captain LaFleur forever, especially in the face of this renewed toad onslaught. The members of the Council murmur among themselves as Fritz continues. FRITZ This is why I have called this emergency meeting of the Security Council. I ask once again for the budget to be reworked to increase military spending. I have asked this time and time again, and yet I have not met with the necessary support and approval since my first days in office. I ask you, as your Chairman, your ally, and your fellow mammal, to recognize the true threat the toads present and respond accordingly. Thank you. Fritz stands still, eyeing the other members of the Council as they talk to each other. The rabbit's hearing, though not as good as Bucky's, is above average, and his spirits fade as he hears the comments being made. Finally, one of the Council members, the badger, speaks. BADGER (sternly) While you make a cogent argument, Chairman Warner, the Council has elected not to reverse its previous decisions. We feel that the military already receives as much funding as it requires to successfully combat the toads. (beat) However, we agree that the military does need a review. We feel the funds being allotted to the military are not being used properly. The reason the military has not yet defeated the toads is not due to lack of funds, but to wasteful spending. FOX (speaking out of turn) Like buying another frigate for that insolent hotshot, Bucky O'Hare! And saving up simoleans to buy him yet *another* one! I *still* say that's a huge mistake! HARE (loudly, also speaking out of turn) Bucky O'Hare is the one thing keeping the toads from enslaving the aniverse, and you're too blind to see it! I may be the only one, but I fully support Chairman Warner! GRIFF (banging Fritz's gavel) Order! Order! (beat, looks around as the room quiets down) I support Chairman Warner as well, but that leaves us with a vote of five to three. (beat, to the badger) Councilman Miller, continue. MILLER (to Griff) Thank you, Vice Chairman. (continuing) Furthermore, the budget cannot be revised until the end of the cycle anyway, so there is no reason to even consider doing so now. Your timing is poor in this regard, Chairman. (beat) Additionally, we have another matter facing us. As you know, Terra, the kat planet in Sector Eleven, is strongly considering joining the UAC. They are sending a delegate in less than a week, and we should begin to prepare for his visit. This is what we must prepare for currently, not impossible budgetary maneuvers. FRITZ (waiting for a pause) If I may speak ... MILLER With all due respect, Chairman, the matter is closed. Your resolution has been denied. Fritz takes this in, then sighs. FRITZ I respect the wishes of the majority of this Council. (shaking his head) I only hope that we will never have to see the error of our ways. FOX What, do you think the toads are going to invade Genus? (chuckles) You continue to overestimate those bumbling, addled fools, Chairman Warner. FRITZ (sternly, to the fox) Perhaps, Councilman Nickerson, but you continue to underestimate them far more. And I would appreciate not being attacked personally during a Council meeting. NICKERSON Perhaps if you ceased to engage in so many shadowy activities, Warner, more of us on the Council would find you a respectable person. How *are* negotiations with Nharnia going, by the way? Since you won't tell any of us about them ... GRIFF (banging his gavel) This meeting is adjourned! Thank you all for being here on such short notice. The Council members slowly file out. Councilman Nickerson and the hare each keep an eye on Fritz, the former warily, the latter sympathetically. After they exit, leaving Fritz and Griff alone in the room, the Chairman sighs and sits down next to his right-hand wolf. GRIFF Nickerson is still bitter that Genus is the hub of the UAC and not Corneria. I can't believe how much support he has on the Council. FRITZ What's it going to take, Griff? Do the toads have to kill all their families before they realize how serious this situation really is? GRIFF I don't know, Chairman. I've tried talking with some of them, but they refuse to listen. They all believe the increase in military spending that we enacted when you took office was more than enough. FRITZ It's not enough, though, and it'll never *be* enough. (shakes his head) All we can do now is rely on others. Terra would be a key ally, if we can convince them to join us. They're known to be skilled pilots and fighters, even if they only recently became spacefaring. And I'm getting closer to a deal with the Nharnians ... (beat) I'm doing the best I can. GRIFF (nods) You're doing a good job, Chairman. FRITZ (lazily looks at the door) I just hope it's enough. SCENE 13 - DRAYKE'S OFFICE, DRAYKE TOWER Frustrated, Drayke sits down at his desk and activates his desk comm. A moment later, the face of CLARK, a duck, fills the screen. DRAYKE (into comm) Clark, where are you? CLARK (over comm) I'm at home. Howard told me you weren't going to be in today. He said you wanted us all to take the day off. DRAYKE (surprised) What? I never said that! CLARK Well, that's what he told me. Drayke pauses for a moment, then exhales. DRAYKE Never mind that. You better get over here. We have a problem. CLARK (looking worried) Problem? What happened? DRAYKE Your project escaped. Clark gasps. CLARK Dallion's *gone*? DRAYKE Gone and apparently on the warpath. He attacked a Canard ship earlier today. CLARK (worried) I'll be there on the double! DRAYKE Thanks, Clark. Drayke shuts off his comm and thinks out loud. DRAYKE Why would Howard tell him that? (beat) Unless ... Drayke taps at his computer for a moment, calling up clock-in and clock-out times. DRAYKE (squints) Howard stayed *really* late all last month. And he was the only one here today. I wonder ... (activates his comm) Howard, did you find that video footage? HOWARD (over comm) Yes, sir. I checked all the footage of operating hours over the past few weeks. There was nothing out of the ordinary. The last time Dallion's tank was open was just before the weekend, and he was in it. I don't know how he got out. It's not in the footage. Drayke pauses for a moment, not believing Howard. DRAYKE Thanks, Howard. Return to the lab and see if you can find any clues. Drayke shuts off the comm and stands up. DRAYKE (upset) As soon as O'Hare gets here, I think we all need to have a talk with Howard. (reaches for comm) And I'd better go ahead and call Reynolds, too. SCENE 14 - LOBBY, DRAYKE TOWER Bucky and his crew, having already landed on Ultess, step into the lobby. Bucky walks up to the receptionist's desk. BUCKY Can you call Drayke for us? RECEPTIONIST (pressing a button) Right away. As they're waiting, Jenny shudders slightly. Bucky, up at the receptionist's desk, doesn't notice, but Mike does. MIKE Are you all right, Jen ... er, First Mate? JENNY Yes, I'm fine. This place just reminds me of too much -- the recent incident with Greeman, and everything that's happened with Dallion ... MIKE I've heard you mention that name. Who's Dallion? Jenny becomes a little worried, as she knows Mike's still not used to the harsh conditions the crew usually face. JENNY Just hope you don't have to meet him. (to herself) MIKE Well, is there anything I can do? JENNY We may need your help if we have to do any computer work. (glances at Mike's hip) And I see you finally got a maser pistol. MIKE (grins weakly) Yeah. I just ... don't know how to use it. JENNY What? (closes her eyes and exhales, then opens them) Maybe you should just stay in the ship. MIKE I thought about that. But I'd rather be here with ... BUCKY Drayke. Mike and Jenny turn to see Drayke enter the lobby. DRAYKE (looking tired) Captain O'Hare, I am so sorry about this. Dallion has indeed escaped, and I think one of my men is responsible. BUCKY Who? DRAYKE Howard. One of the scientists working on the project. I asked him to join us; he'll be here shortly. So will Lieutenant Reynolds. BUCKY Good. He better tell us what's going on. A few moments later, Howard enters the lobby. HOWARD (noticing the crew) Whoa, you called in the cavalry, eh, Drayke? DRAYKE (glancing at Howard) I did indeed, Howard. They're here to help us find Dallion. Just then, LIEUTENANT DONOVAN REYNOLDS enters through the lobby, accompanied by two Ultess policemen. DRAYKE Lieutenant Reynolds, thank you for coming over. Everyone, please follow me. (to the receptionist) When Clark arrives, tell him to come to the main lab. RECEPTIONIST I will, sir. Drayke waves his paw, motioning for everyone to follow him. They do, as he leads them through the door and out of the lobby, down a hall, and into a windowless room. As soon as they all walk in the room, Drayke closes the door and nods to Reynolds. REYNOLDS (looking at Howard) So that's the suspect? DRAYKE Yes, he is. HOWARD (startled) Suspect? BUCKY (draws his blaster and points it at Howard) Paws in the air, pal. HOWARD (confused) Wait, what's going on? DEADEYE (drawing his blasters as well) So you're the sleaze that betrayed the Canards, eh? DRAYKE You were the only person who stayed late all last month. That means you were the only person who had a chance to tamper with Dallion. HOWARD What? But I didn't ... DRAYKE You were also the only person here this morning, when Dallion struck. (to Reynolds) Cuff him. We need to talk to him in the lab. Reynolds nods and handcuffs Howard, on whom Bucky still has a bead. JENNY Drayke, are you sure about this? DRAYKE We've got nothing else to be sure of at the moment. MIKE (hesitant, not wanting to agree with Jenny in front of Bucky) You know, he really doesn't seem ... BUCKY (grumpily) Not now, Mike. Drayke, which way to the lab? DRAYKE (walking toward the door) Just follow me. SCENE 15 - LABORATORY, DRAYKE TOWER Howard enters the lab, with Bucky right behind him. Next come Drayke, Reynolds, the policemen, and the rest of Bucky's crew. Drayke walks up to a terminal, and the rest of them follow. DRAYKE This is the lab where we were working on Dallion. Everything was going according to schedule -- at least, as far as I knew. We were almost done repairing Dallion's cybernetics, and he was almost ready to begin physical therapy. I don't know exactly what Howard was up to, or what he did to Dallion. HOWARD I'm telling you, I didn't ... BUCKY (irritated) Quiet! (beat) So what do you want to do? DRAYKE When Clark gets here, I want him to go through the computers and learn as much as he can about what Howard did. I only supervised the project from afar; he knows all the nitty-gritty details. JENNY Do you think Howard's been controlling Dallion somehow? DRAYKE That's my guess. We were redesigning his life support system to remove any remote access components. Howard may have refitted it slightly, added on something that I didn't authorize. It would have to be operated manually, though, so he can't make Dallion do anything right now. HOWARD I really don't know what you're ... Bucky nods to Bruiser, who steps up to Howard and towers over him, a scowl on his face. Shrouded by the baboon's shadow, Howard gulps and falls silent. Mike watches the whole scene uneasily. BUCKY So Dallion may not be in control of himself. Again. Great. (under his breath) I did *not* need this today. DEADEYE (glances at Howard, scowling) Why did ye have Dallion attack th' Canards? HOWARD (looking up at Bruiser) I ... I ... DRAYKE We'll worry about that later. First, we need to get Dallion back. At that moment, Clark walks into the lab and waves to Drayke. CLARK Hey, I got here as fast as I could. (looks over at Bucky, Reynolds, and Howard) I take it you think Howard did it? DRAYKE He stayed late three or four hours every day last month. Any idea what he was up to? CLARK (shakes his head) He said he had a side project he was working on. I never really asked about it. HOWARD That's ... Bruiser frowns and leans closer. Howard shuts up. CLARK I really hope Howard isn't responsible for this. That would be awful. (to Drayke) What do you need me to do? DRAYKE Go through the computer files; see what you can find. I'm going to check the security videos myself. CLARK Aye-aye, sir. Clark sits down at the computer terminal and begins typing. DRAYKE Captain O'Hare, I assume you can control the situation in here? BUCKY (yawns) Won't be a problem. DRAYKE Can I borrow your android? He might be able to help me out. BUCKY Sure thing. (thinks for a moment) Mike, you go, too. MIKE Uh, yessir. Drayke starts walking out of the room, with Blinky and Mike following him. Clark continues to type. JENNY (quietly, to Bucky) Are you sure about this, Buck? Howard seems as confused as the rest of us are. BUCKY He's our lead, Jenny. Let me handle this. Jenny pulls her head back slightly, surprised. JENNY Aye-aye, Captain. SCENE 16 - SECURITY ROOM, DRAYKE TOWER Drayke, Mike, and Blinky are standing in front of a wall of display monitors. Drayke presses a few keys, and three of the screens come to life. They display images of Howard working alone in the lab. DRAYKE Howard slipped up when he claimed he only looked at the footage from operating hours. This is the footage from four days ago, late in the evening. I can't tell what he's up to, but there's no reason for him to have stayed that late. Drayke presses a few more buttons, fast-forwarding through the footage. DRAYKE Let's see if we can find out when he let Dallion free. The footage whirs by for a few minutes. Drayke finally frowns and stops the fast-forwarding. DRAYKE That's odd. Dallion's chamber was never opened except during the day, when all my men were working on him. Mike looks at the video image currently playing, which also shows Howard alone in the lab. MIKE When was this footage taken? DRAYKE That's this morning. Howard was the only person there when I came in. Mike walks right up to the screen and looks at it closely, squinting. MIKE Did you upgrade your security system over the weekend? DRAYKE No, why? MIKE This image quality is better than the video we were looking at from last week. DRAYKE (brow furrowed) What do you mean? MIKE I did a huge project on video technology at the Institute. Trust me. Can you rewind back to that footage we were looking at a minute ago? DRAYKE (uncertain) Sure. Drayke rewinds the tape, and the same footage of Howard from earlier plays. Mike looks at it closely. MIKE Yeah, this is definitely lower quality. Not by much, but it's noticeable. DRAYKE (puzzled) That's really strange. Drayke quickly rewinds to the beginning of that day, showing a handful of scientists milling about. MIKE That image quality is good again. Something's definitely wrong with that evening footage. DRAYKE I don't see what could have happened. No one has access to this room but me and the security staff. BLINKY This humble robot would like to perform an access check, if friend Drayke will allow. DRAYKE (still looking at the screens, upset) Go ahead. Blinky inserts his fingers into two ports on the computer and begins processing data. A moment later, he retracts his fingers. BLINKY Video footage of evenings from last four weeks were recently overwritten. Data manipulation caused minor degradation of image quality. DRAYKE So that footage *isn't* from last week? BLINKY Negative. Not from evenings last week. DRAYKE But Howard was definitely here! I saw his time sheets. And no one on the project had access to those except me and ... Just then, a screen in front of Drayke bursts to life, displaying the angry face of SCARBILL, the captain of the Corsair Canards. He wears a black pirate hat and an overcoat, and he has a scar running down his beak. SCARBILL Drayke! DRAYKE Captain Scarbill? What's going on? SCARBILL Yer head on a plate is what's goin' on! Yer damn cyborg attacked another Canard ship not fifteen minutes ago, an' this time, 'e killed th' entire crew! I lost some o' me best men today. (scowling) I'm comin' over there right away to inspect this situation first-hand, and if ye don't have any answers fer me, Drayke, I'm holdin' ye fully responsible fer this! The video screen dies as quickly as it came to life. Drayke blinks, and his beak hangs open slightly. DRAYKE Fifteen minutes ago? But that's impossible. I was with Howard then. He couldn't have given Dallion any orders while I was around. MIKE Then maybe he didn't do it. Who else did you say has access to that timesheet stuff? DRAYKE (scratching his head) Clark. But he was on his way here fifteen minutes ago. He couldn't have ... BLINKY Requesting permission to access ... DRAYKE (harried, his accent slipping back in) Access whatever ye want. We've got to figure this out, or Scarbill'll have me head! Blinky connects himself to the terminal again and reviews more information. BLINKY Communications records show a connection was established between office A and office 17B seventeen minutes ago. DRAYKE Office A is mine. And office 17B is Clark's. Silence hangs in the air for a moment. DRAYKE That sneaky bastard! He must have rerouted his home frequency to his office, to cover his tracks. He wasn't home at all. (activates the comm on the computer and speaks into it) Captain O'Hare, how are things going in there? BUCKY (over comm, tiredly) Slow. Clark says he hasn't found anything yet. DRAYKE Is he in there? BUCKY Not at the moment. He said he had to get something from his office. DRAYKE Frell. (steely) I'm headed back over there. BUCKY Drayke, what's ... Drayke hurriedly shuts off the comm and rushes out of the room. Mike and Blinky quickly follow him. SCENE 17 - LABORATORY, DRAYKE TOWER Everyone is still standing around, waiting for Clark and Drayke to return. Deadeye is standing in front of Howard, two masers pointed at him. DEADEYE First Parker, then that nurse, and now this ... you scurvy bears're all the same! Did the toads pay ye t' do this? HOWARD Look, this is all just a ... BRUISER (putting his paw on Howard's shoulder roughly) I told ya t' keep it down! Just then, the doors whoosh open, and Drayke hurries into the lab. Mike and Blinky follow closely after. BUCKY Find anything? DRAYKE I found enough. Drayke walks up to the computer terminal and activates a comm next to it. DRAYKE (into comm) Clark, we need you back in here. CLARK (over comm) Sorry, on my way. Drayke hangs up and spins to face Howard. DRAYKE I'm sorry, Howard. I owe you an apology. BUCKY Wait, what? JENNY So you don't think Howard did it? MIKE Nope. It looks like it was that other guy. HOWARD Clark? DRAYKE Aye. And I've got a bad feeling about this. Everyone stay on yer guard. (to Bruiser) But keep an eye on Howard, just in case. Deadeye opens his beak to speak but is interrupted by Clark's entrance. CLARK Sorry, I had to check some records. Did you find anything, Drayke? DRAYKE Aye, Clark, I did. And you? CLARK Nope. (walking up to the computer) Howard hid his tracks well. I'm not finding anything incriminating in here. DRAYKE Well, I found plenty of incriminating information. Where were you fifteen minutes ago? CLARK (confused) I was on my way here. You know that. Why? DRAYKE And why was the video footage of the lab all last month altered? CLARK What? What are you talking about? DRAYKE (angry) Ye faked Howard's times, too, didn't ye? CLARK (standing up) Whoa, whoa, slow down. DRAYKE Reynolds, arrest this duck. CLARK (puzzled) You think *I* did it? You can't seriously believe I ... Clark looks around to see everyone scowling at him. CLARK (shrugs) Oh, well. Before anyone can react, Clark reaches into his pocket, grabs a small transmitter, and presses a button. A deafening sound echoes through the lab, accompanied by a hail of dust and debris, as DALLION bursts through the pile of rubble by the far wall. The cyborg quickly lands in front of the group and turns to face them. Dallion breathes unsteadily, claws bared. Many of his cybernetics have been replaced with lighter, sleeker components not bearing the insignia of the Toad Empire. One of Dallion's eyes -- the scanning one -- is now blue instead of black. What remains of his organic body still looks muscular, but he has slimmed down a bit. He stands awkwardly, as if unsure of himself. His face, far from appearing menacing, seems fearful. Despite all this, he still towers over most of the crew, frightening them. Dallion opens his mouth to speak to the still-startled crew. DALLION (between heavy breaths) Forgive me for what I am about to do. Dallion lunges at Deadeye clumsily, his claws and fangs bared. Deadeye is still a bit startled, but his quick reflexes help him dive out of the way. Dallion lands hard, using his claws to stop himself, then leaps at Bucky with the same maneuver. Bucky quickly jumps to get out of the way. Most of the crew, along with Reynolds and the policemen, have drawn their masers. Howard is now cowering under a desk. In the confusion, Clark has made a break for the door. Bucky spots this as he begins to land. BUCKY He's getting away! Bucky lands and bounds after the escaping Clark, who is now in the halls. Drayke darts after Clark as well. Mike, not wanting to deal with Dallion, runs after them, more out of fright than anything else. Blinky heads after Mike, leaving the rest to deal with the cyborg. Dallion spins around and takes another lunge at Deadeye, who ducks the unfocused blow easily and shoots at Dallion in the chest. The shots just bounce off. DALLION I cannot control myself! DEADEYE Fat lotta good that does me, matey! Dallion feels a volley of maser blasts on his back and spins around to face Reynolds and the policemen. Growling, he claws at the first policeman, ripping his face open. Stunned, the second policeman freezes, giving Dallion a clear shot at him. The more professional Reynolds backs up quickly, still shooting at Dallion, who knocks the other policeman across the room. The policeman strikes an empty containment tank, shattering it and sending a hail of glass shards flying around. SCENE 18 - HALLWAY, DRAYKE TOWER Clark scrambles down the hallway, paying just enough attention to his surroundings to avoid running into things as he operates the transmitter he's clutching in his paws. Bucky follows about twenty paces behind Clark. Drayke, Blinky, and Mike are bringing up the rear. BUCKY Stop or I'll shoot! Clark doesn't respond as he turns a corner. Hardly having broken a sweat, Bucky points his blaster at Clark. He tries to line up a shot, but Clark turns another corner before Bucky can get the shot off. After rounding the corner, Clark spots a fuse box on the wall. He has just enough time to open it and snap some of the fuse switches before Bucky rounds the corner. The halls plunge into darkness. Clark lets out a sharp laugh and then continues down the corridors that he knows and Bucky doesn't. BUCKY (freezing) Dammit! (calling behind him) Drayke, get up here! DRAYKE (calling, panting) Coming! Drayke, Mike, and Blinky catch up to Bucky. Mike runs a little too far and slams into a wall. MIKE Ow! BUCKY Drayke, what can we do about this? DRAYKE (feeling for the fuse box) Depends on which fuses Clark busted. BLINKY This humble robot offers alterative. BUCKY (irritated with the situation as a whole) And what's that? BLINKY Allow Blinky to demonstrate. Blinky's large eye suddenly bursts to life, emitting a strong beam of light that illuminates a good portion of the hall ahead. BUCKY (startled) And how come you never mentioned you had a flashlight? BLINKY Illumination beam recently installed by Engineer Mike. BUCKY (surprised) Really? Mike groans as he picks himself up off the floor, dazed. MIKE (holding his head) Yeah. I had some time to kill ... seemed like a good idea. BUCKY (nodding) Enough chit-chat. After him! Bucky resumes running down the hall, aided by Blinky's searchlight. Drayke, still breathing a little heavily, follows. Mike groans again and tries to catch up. SCENE 19 - LABORATORY, DRAYKE TOWER Dallion is still attacking the crew ferociously but awkwardly. Deadeye is keeping just outside the cyborg's reach and is firing on him. Bruiser, not wanting to use a grenade with his friends nearby, is frantically looking for a heavy object he can throw at Dallion without destroying too much equipment. Jenny is keeping her distance and firing at Dallion as well. Reynolds is shooting cautiously from a hiding place. Howard is still hiding. JENNY Dallion, fight this! I know you can! DALLION (turning to Jenny) I have tried! I cannot. Dallion stumbles a bit as he approaches Jenny, who begins backing up. DALLION I will regret this more than anything else I have done. Fangs bared, Dallion leaps at Jenny. The Aldebaran barely manages to dodge. Adrenaline surging, Jenny decides that her life takes priority over her secrets, and she begins casting a spell to subdue her attacker. The cyborg surprises her by rebounding more quickly than she anticipated, and in an instant, his metal-clawed paw is clutching her throat. DALLION Forgive me. Dallion is about to squeeze when he hears a loud shout. BRUISER Get yer paws offa her! Bruiser heaves a huge metal desk at Dallion, which knocks the cyborg over. Even though Dallion took the brunt of the blow, Jenny is still dazed, and she collapses, unharmed but disoriented. Snarling, Dallion crouches on all fours, glaring at Bruiser. He winces in pain for a moment, as if trying to fight against Clark's control, but he quickly shrugs it off. In the blink of an eye, he vanishes. BRUISER Huh? REYNOLDS Where'd he go? Their question is answered as Bruiser suddenly goes flying across the room, apparently struck hard by a blow to the chest. DEADEYE He's invisible! REYNOLDS (shooting at nothing) Well, that's just great! What do we do? DEADEYE (thinking quickly, looking up) We get wet. Deadeye points his maser blasters to the ceiling and shoots at the sprinklers. He scores a direct hit, and the sprinklers explode, pouring water into the room. A few feet in front of Deadeye, the water droplets stop six feet above the ground, striking something otherwise invisible and forming an eerie, almost ghostly outline. Deadeye shoots at where he thinks Dallion's shoulders are, knowing he might hit flesh. One of the shots apparently reaches its target, as Dallion howls in pain and apparently steps backward. Deadeye uses the opportunity to roll out of danger. He looks back, only to see the semi-visible figure lunging at him. SCENE 20 - HALLWAY, DRAYKE TOWER Bucky, Drayke, Blinky, and Mike run up a flight of stairs to find themselves in a hallway with multiple doors on each side extending many feet down. DRAYKE These lead to smaller labs. Clark probably has the access codes for all of them. BUCKY (groaning) He could be in any of these. DRAYKE Or he could have kept on going, to the elevator at the end of the hall. (frowning) What should we do? BUCKY (looking around) You know this guy a lot better than I do. Where do you think he is? DRAYKE Probably in one of these labs. Dammit. BUCKY Well, let's find him, then. Bucky turns to look behind him. Blinky is standing there alertly. Mike, glad not to be running anymore, is stooped over, paws on knees, gasping for breath. BUCKY (in Mike's direction, upset) Blinky, help Drayke check these doors. Mike continues to breathe quickly, panting and wheezing a little. MIKE Sorry ... just not used to ... running like ... this. While recovering, Mike looks down at the floor, though he can't see much in the darkness. DRAYKE (trying the first door) It's open. The hall suddenly becomes partially awash with light as the door slides open, revealing a tidy, organized lab. Drayke squints at the heavy light, then looks around inside. DRAYKE Nothing. Drayke and Blinky walk up to the next door. Still looking at the floor, Mike now notices a small pile of dust about a foot in front on him. Squinting, he looks down the hall and doesn't notice any similar dust piles. Curious, he looks up at the tiled ceiling directly above the pile. He notices that one of the tiles doesn't quite fit into the framework. Mike almost says something but stops himself. Still breathing a little heavily, he quietly stands up and taps Bucky on the shoulder. BUCKY (irritated) What? You're not helping, Mike. Stay out of ... Mike grabs Bucky's shoulder pad and spins the hare around to face him. BUCKY What are you ... With one paw, Mike places a finger over his lips, indicating for Bucky to be quiet. With the other paw, he points upward, at the askew tile. Bucky is about to complain again when he decides to just look up. He suddenly notices the tile, too. His eyes widen. BUCKY Drayke, come here. DRAYKE (walking up to Bucky) What is it? BUCKY (pointing upward) I think Clark kept going down the hall. DRAYKE (noticing, catching on) You're probably right. BUCKY (pointing his blaster upward at the suspicious tile) Let's get him. Bucky fires. SCENE 21 - LABORATORY, DRAYKE TOWER Caught off-guard, Deadeye gets grazed by Dallion, his lower left arm getting a deep cut. The Canard cries in pain and tries to take cover. He looks up only to see droplets of water stopping in midair just a foot in front of him. He grits his teeth and raises his blasters in one last hopeless effort. Suddenly, an energy blast hits Dallion from the side and sends the cyborg flying. Deadeye rubs his eyes to get the water out of them and notices a soaking-wet Jenny across the room, walking toward Dallion angrily and determinedly. JENNY I *hate* water. Breathing intensely, Jenny raises her arms and creates a force field around the still-invisible Dallion, who was trying to get up. Reynolds, realizing he can't help out much in this fight, sneaks around the glass to tend to his wounded man, who is fading fast, as Jenny advances toward the menacing cyborg. JENNY That should hold you until we can figure out what to do with you. To Jenny's surprise, she suddenly feels a pulse of energy feedback surging through her mind. She catches a glimpse of a wave of energy emanating from the ground in the middle of her force field and hitting the field, severely straining it. JENNY Unh! Jenny tries to concentrate on keeping the force field active, but it's no use. Dallion fades back into view as he uses the energy from his cloaking device to power up his fists. He rears back and punches the ground hard with his right fist, shooting another energy wave into the force field. Jenny screams and falls over, the field dissipating. Dallion falls on one knee for a moment, then unsteadily gets up and lumbers over to Jenny. He hesitates for a moment, then stretches his claws. DALLION Forgive me, Jenny. DEADEYE Hey, Dallion! Startled, Dallion turns to look at Deadeye, who is to his left. Deadeye, having successfully distracted his adversary, takes aim at the one thing he can make out clearly in the haze of falling water: a glowing blue eye. Dallion rears back in agony as Deadeye's shot finds its mark. He crouches down, trying to hold his eye but unable to because of his large, unwieldy fingers. Bruiser stumbles back toward the middle of the room, having just recovered from hitting the wall at full force. BRUISER Nice shootin', Deadeye! DEADEYE (still focusing on Dallion) Thanks, mate. Think you can finish him? Bruiser reaches for a piece of rubble next to him when Dallion gains a second wind and whips his paw out at Bruiser, grabbing the baboon by the left arm. Startled, Bruiser drops the chunk of ruined metal. BRUISER (swinging at Dallion, who ducks) Shoot his other eye! DEADEYE That was just t' buy time! Ye really want 'im swinging around totally blind? BRUISER (crying in pain as Dallion's grip tightens) Well, do somethin'! Deadeye quickly considers his options as he sees the weary but determined Dallion gain the upper hand against Bruiser. SCENE 22 - CEILING OF HALLWAY, DRAYKE TOWER Clark, having climbed into the small space above the tiles in the hallway's ceiling, is now sitting quietly, holding the transmitter in his paw. CLARK (thinking) Clark then hears Bucky say he thinks Clark went down the hall. CLARK A moment later, a maser blast shoots up from right beneath Clark, vaporizing the tile almost directly beneath him. Before he can react, another shot grazes his knee. CLARK Argh! Clark slips and falls through the hole left by the tile, landing on the floor between Bucky and Mike, who are standing in the light coming from the open door beside them. Clark still grips the transmitter as he falls, but the impact causes him to drop it. It lands, undamaged, right next to him. Bucky points his blaster at Clark's head, and Blinky stands right above the duck, the light beam pointed right at him. BUCKY Call Dallion off. CLARK OK, OK, I will! Just don't hurt me! Clark begins to reach for the transmitter. Then, he instead goes for a knife hidden on his hip. He jerks it out before Bucky can reach and slashes at the thing nearest him -- Mike's leg. MIKE (in pain) Aah! The cut isn't deep, but Mike grimaces and falls over, clutching his leg. Bucky and Drayke quickly turn to Mike's yelp, concerned. Clark rolls over, grabbing the blaster Mike dropped. He spins and shoots Blinky's eye, scoring a direct hit. The bulb explodes, and Blinky's light beam dies. Sparks pour from Blinky's wound. BLINKY (shrill) Malfunction malfunction malfunction ... BUCKY *Shit*! Clark scrambles away down the hall and into the darkness, leaving a stunned Bucky and Drayke with their two wounded friends. Bucky quickly snaps out of it. BUCKY (angrily) Take care of them! (starting up) Clark is *mine*! Bucky sprints down the hall after Clark, though he can't see anything. He can only hear Clark ahead of him. CLARK (laughing) You'll never catch me! And once Dallion is through torturing your friends, I'll send him after you! And then you'll wish ... oof! Bucky hears a sharp thud ahead of him. Slowing down just a little, he realizes that Clark must have hit something. He keeps going until he can hear Clark right beneath him. CLARK Frelling ... Incensed, Bucky kicks as hard as he can where he thinks Clark is. CLARK (getting hit in the stomach) Ukk! Bucky hears a small metallic clank as the transmitter hits the ground right beside Clark. Aiming his blaster, he fires until he hears a small explosion. CLARK (coughing) You stupid fool! That might have killed him! BUCKY (turning to point his blaster where Clark's voice came from) Better him than my friends. Now, one more peep out of you, and you'll wish it were Dallion standing above you right now. Bucky kicks Clark again. The duck takes it in the rib and moans in pain, defeated. Bucky then reaches out ahead of him and can feel only a wall. He doesn't bother to suppress his chuckle. BUCKY You ran into the *wall*? SCENE 23 - LABORATORY, DRAYKE TOWER Looking Dallion over as best he can, Deadeye gets an idea. He takes a deep breath and fires a round of shots at the flesh of Dallion's exposed chest, hitting it a few times. Growling in pain, the cyborg tosses Bruiser aside and lunges at Deadeye, landing right on top of him. Deadeye falls to the ground, almost pinned between the floor and Dallion, who is poised on all fours, scowling menacingly. DALLION Forgive me. Moving as quickly as he can, Deadeye jams the blaster in his upper right paw in the center of Dallion's throat, right at the thin strip of flesh between pieces of armor. Caught off-guard by the sudden jab, Dallion coughs as he chokes slightly. Deadeye's finger begins to pull the trigger. DEADEYE No. You forgive me, matey. Recovering, Dallion struggles to speak as his right arm rears back to strike Deadeye. DALLION (urgently) Do it! Deadeye is about to take the point-blank shot when Dallion howls in pain, standing upright and clutching the sides of his head with his paws. Clark's control over him has been broken, and the feedback is excruciating. Deadeye is stunned for a moment, then reacts. DEADEYE Bruiser, take him down! Bruiser runs up to Dallion and slams into his back, sprawling the cyborg on the floor. The berserker baboon then pulls an explosive from his grenade belt, yanks off his pin, and rolls it under Dallion. BRUISER Take cover! Bruiser hides behind a ruined desk, and Deadeye dives behind a row of large water tanks. Jenny, Reynolds, and Howard are not close to Dallion. The cyborg groans and tries to get up, when the grenade explodes. It's a low-level explosive, but it still cuts up Dallion's armor some and knocks the cyborg unconscious. Water continues to spray from the ceiling. Deadeye, gasping for breath, falls on his knees, clutching his sliced arm. He looks over at Dallion, then at Bruiser, who seems proud of himself. Looking down, Deadeye watches the water land on the shards of glass from the broken tank, then trickle down slowly onto the floor. They join up with the current carrying the water to drains at the edges of the lab. Tiny swirls of red dance along with the stream. Deadeye takes a deep breath and closes his eyes, relieved that the battle is through and feeling pain now that his adrenaline is wearing off. SCENE 24 - LABORATORY, DRAYKE TOWER Half an hour later, Scarbill bursts through the door of the lab, followed by Red Jack, Lanel, and Blackbeak. SCARBILL Now you listen t' me, Drayke ... Scarbill pauses as he looks at the trashed lab. Practically nothing is still intact, from the equipment to the walls. The sprinklers have stopped, and most of the water has drained from the room, but puddles remain on the floor. Drayke, standing in the center of the room, turns to look at Scarbill, as do Bucky, Jenny, Deadeye, Mike, Bruiser, Reynolds, and Howard. Jenny is propped up on a chair, still unconscious. Dallion is on the floor across the room, unconscious as well. Blinky is in a corner, powered off and still missing a bulb. Clark is tied securely to a chair, conscious but not looking up. SCARBILL Well, I'll be. What in the name o' Cap'n Plume happened here? DRAYKE We stopped the Canard who was sending Dallion after your ships, Captain Scarbill. SCARBILL A Canard, eh? A right coward 'e must be, then! Show me the bilgesucker. Drayke points to Clark, who is still looking down in anger and humiliation. Lanel steps closer to get a good look at him. LANEL Clark? Hearing Lanel's voice, Clark looks up. CLARK (spiteful) Lanel. Clark suddenly starts struggling against his bonds, to no avail. CLARK Of all the people who betrayed me, you stung me the most, Lanel! BUCKY Betrayed? LANEL (looking a little regretful) Aye. RED JACK Lanel, who is this Canard? I've never seen him before. SCARBILL Aye, lassie, I be stumped as well. LANEL I guess it's no surprise you don't remember him. It was years ago when we kicked him out of the Corsair Canards. SCARBILL (recollecting) Aye ... LANEL He wasn't good at any games of skill. No matter how hard he tried, he was the worst gunman in the clan. He even had trouble walking on his own two feet sometimes. (shakes head) I'd never seen a clumsier duck. Remembering how he captured Clark, Bucky chuckles slightly to himself. BLACKBEAK Now I remember Clark! 'e pleaded with us, but it didn't do him no good. We had t' let 'im go. SCARBILL An' so, all these years later, he tried to get his revenge on us. DRAYKE (puzzled) I never knew any of this. CLARK (angrily) I'm no different than any of you! All you do is prey upon the helpless and take what you want! You've never worked to get what you want! And neither did I! I was going to use Dallion to get what I wanted, just like you pirates! Angered, Scarbill storms up to Clark and slaps him hard in the face. SCARBILL Canards have *honor*, Clark. Canards have pride, and they have loyalty. Ye don't have any of that. (beat) Ye don't have anythin'. DEADEYE I admit, I didn't remember this scupper either. Why's he hate ye so much, Lanel? LANEL (softly) He's my cousin. Everyone turns to look at Lanel, surprised. DRAYKE And ye supported the clan when they kicked him out? LANEL Aye. CLARK That's why I went after your ship first. To shake you up a little, make you afraid. (spits) I should have killed you when I had the chance! SCARBILL (ignoring Clark) Drayke, what d' ye intend t' do with this scalawag? DRAYKE (looking over at Reynolds) Well, if the Ultess police force doesn't mind ... (to Scarbill) I figured I'd just turn him over to you. Scarbill smiles. REYNOLDS It's against procedure ... (looks against the far wall, at the bodies of his two dead men) But considering what happened to my men because of this scum, I'll allow it. SCARBILL Hah! (grabbing Clark by the scruff of his neck) I'm gonna enjoy keelhaulin' you. (to Drayke) Drayke, I apologize for bein' mad at ye. Thanks for wrappin' everythin' up. That scary wolf fella ain't no more trouble, is he? DRAYKE (shaking his head) Not at all. Clark's control over him is broken. SCARBILL Music t' me ears. (looking at the crowd, noticing) If I might ask, Cap'n O'Hare, where's Willy at? 'tis been a while since I seen the lad. BUCKY (sighs) He's in the hospital. SCARBILL Oh. (beat) Nothin' serious, I hope. BUCKY We think he'll be OK. SCARBILL Good. Be sure t' tell him his flyin' disc has become a full weapon in the Canard arsenal. BUCKY (not sure how he feels about that) I will. Good seeing you again. SCARBILL Aye. (to the Canards) All aboard! Scarbill grabs Clark by the neck and begins dragging him out of the room, chair and all. SCARBILL You too, ye bastard. RED JACK Captain O'Hare, Deadeye, thank you. BUCKY (tired) Don't mention it. DEADEYE Stay sharp, Red Jack! RED JACK And you as well, Deadeye. LANEL Goodbye, Deadeye. I hope the next time we meet, it will be under less dire circumstances. DEADEYE Lassie, dire circumstances're when I'm at me best. LANEL I've noticed. Goodbye for now. BLACKBEAK (slapping Deadeye on the back) Well done, matey, well done. DEADEYE Ha hah! Thank ye, Blackbeak. The four ducks exit. Drayke turns to Bucky. DRAYKE Captain O'Hare, I want to thank you again for all your help today. Without you, I'd probably be dead by now -- at Scarbill's hand, if not at Dallion's. BUCKY (wanting to leave but needing more information to file the report) Our pleasure, Drayke. So what did Clark do to Dallion, exactly? DRAYKE Howard and I took a look at his systems and Clark's files. Clark actually did an impressive job of installing his control chip and writing code to govern it without any of us knowing. It made Dallion act as he would in any normal circumstances, except he would do so against his will. Clark could order him to go somewhere or attack someone, and Dallion would do it as if he were acting naturally. (beat) I'm going to remove the chip, of course. BUCKY You'd better. (looking over at the prone Dallion) When Dallion wakes up, tell him he owes us one. DRAYKE (nods) I will. I owe ye one as well -- are you sure I can't at least get you a bulb for Blinky? MIKE Blinky can't just use any old bulb. We have to get one special-made. DRAYKE Oh. BUCKY We do appreciate the offer, though. (looking at Jenny) Now, if you'll excuse us, we should be going. DRAYKE What about Deadeye's arm and Mike's leg? Shouldn't you go to the hospital? BUCKY We've got a first-aid kit on the ship. No offense, but I really want to get out of here. Bucky walks up to Jenny, who is unconscious but peaceful, and picks her up. Cradling her gently in his arms, he gazes at her for a moment. Smiling softly, he turns around and walks out the door. His crewmembers follow him, except for Deadeye, who walks up to Howard. DEADEYE Howard, me matey, I, ah ... HOWARD Yes? DEADEYE I wanna apologize for what I did an' said today. I misjudged ye, and ye didn't deserve it. HOWARD (smiles) That's OK. Everyone did. I'm just glad it all got straightened out. Howard extends his paw to shake with Deadeye. The Canard looks at the bear's outstretched paw, then gladly takes it in his. DEADEYE Ha hah! You're a right good fella. Been a pleasure. Deadeye then turns and follows the rest of his crew. Drayke, Howard, and Reynolds now stand alone in the room. REYNOLDS (a bit sorrowful) I suppose I'd better call an ambulance to transport my men to the morgue. Can I use the comm with your receptionist? DRAYKE Of course. Thanks for all your help, Lieutenant. Reynolds nods and exits. HOWARD So, what do we do now? DRAYKE (sighs) We start cleanin' up, I guess. Most of this stuff is useless, though. I'll probably have to close this lab for good. (beat) After Dallion wakes up, I'll have him help. And besides, we're not done with him yet. He still needs some physical therapy. (looking at Dallion) Not to mention another new eye. SCENE 25 - GUNNER'S CHAMBER, THE VALKYRIE Deadeye is sitting at his maser cannon, his damaged arm in bandages and a sling, trying to relax while the ship flies back to Genus. Bucky enters the chamber and walks toward him. BUCKY Deadeye. DEADEYE (a little tired) Hey, Cap'n. BUCKY How's the arm? DEADEYE Not too bad. Dallion just scraped it up a bit. BUCKY (after a moment) Good job out there. DEADEYE Thanks, Cap'n. (smiles, flexes his fingers) In fact, I think it was just what this ol' duck needed. BUCKY (smiling) Not feeling restless anymore, I take it? DEADEYE (grinning) Ha hah! After today, Cap'n, the more rest, the better! BUCKY I'm sure you'll change your tune if we come across any toads. DEADEYE But seriously, Cap'n, this was just what I needed. I feel a lot better now. BUCKY Good. (beat) I'm going to check on the others. At ease. Bucky exits the chamber and works his way toward engineering, where Mike is working on the still bulb-less Blinky. The cat's leg has a few bandages on it, but the wound wasn't much more than a cut. BUCKY Mike? Mike doesn't react too strongly, because he knows Bucky doesn't like it. He's also a bit tired out from the day's excitement. MIKE Hi, Captain. Is everything all right? BUCKY (sighs) Yeah. I'm just ... tired. (beat) Good job out there. MIKE (surprised, ears perking up) Huh? BUCKY (trying to sound warmer) Good job. Drayke told me you helped figure out everything was Clark's doing, and then you helped us track him down in the hall. (beat) We couldn't have done it without you. MIKE (still uncertain but feeling a tinge of pride) Thanks, Captain. I'm glad I was able to help out. BUCKY (smiles a little) And, just so you know, Jenny's doing fine. She woke up right after we left Ultess. MIKE (subdued) That's ... good. I don't want anything to happen to our pilot. BUCKY Of course not. Let me know how things go with Blinky. MIKE He should be fine, as soon as we get a new bulb. BUCKY Great. Carry on, then. Bucky turns and exits. As soon as he's outside Mike's earshot, he exhales. BUCKY (to himself) That wasn't so hard, now was it? Looking up at the hatch that leads into the cockpit, Bucky climbs the ladder and enters, sitting down in his chair. Jenny is also sitting in hers. She's trying to relax and gather her strength after being hurt by Dallion. She notices Bucky entering. JENNY Is everything all right down there? BUCKY Yeah, it's fine. JENNY The autopilot says we should reach Genus in about twenty minutes. BUCKY Good. I want to file this report as quickly as possible and get some rest. (leans back) I've never been so tired in my life. JENNY (closes her eyes) I know the feeling. (rubs a sore spot on her back) Did you leave Drayke a message for Dallion? BUCKY No. I figured he was already so upset over what happened, there was no point in adding my two cents. Knowing him, he's wallowing in self-pity right now. JENNY I'm sure of it. He must have asked us to forgive him three or four times while he was attacking us. BUCKY He does owe us a favor, though, and I'll call him on it if I have to. JENNY Let's hope you don't have to. Dallion deserves a little peace. BUCKY (tired) Well, he's the one who likes to rip toads' heads off. (yawns) Wake me when we get to Genus. Bucky puts his elbows on a flat part of the control panel ahead of him and leans forward, using his arms as a headrest and trying to catch a quick nap. Jenny looks at him. JENNY (softly) I was about to ask you the same thing. SCENE 26 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS Willy is lying down on his bed, staring at the ceiling and still dazed. A knock is heard on the door, and then Dr. Lurie enters, looking friendly. DR. LURIE Hey, Willy. Are you feeling any better? WILLY No. I want to go home, OK? DR. LURIE Well, if you'll let me talk to you for a little bit, then maybe I can arrange that. Dr. Lurie pulls up a chair and sits down right next to Willy, who does not turn to face the doctor. DR. LURIE First things first. Do you feel comfortable? WILLY No. DR. LURIE Is there anything I can get you to make you feel comfortable? Maybe a new pillow, or ... WILLY I'm not comfortable because I'm not home, Doctor. DR. LURIE But you've always considered the aniverse your second home, right, Willy? Why don't you feel comfortable here? You've got friends who care about you and want you to get better. WILLY (looking around) This isn't my home. I tried to make it my home, but ... I don't belong here. Not really. And the crew ... they're not my family. I want to see my *family*. DR. LURIE And I'm sure they want to see you, Willy. But before you can go home, you have to ... WILLY (getting a little teary) I used to love it here. I had friends ... I had people who cared about me. All the things I thought I didn't have. But now ... now look what I've done! They'll never trust me again. I don't deserve them. All I've done is mess things up here. (beat) Doctor, you have no idea what I've gone through. All I can think about is what the toads did to me, and what I did because of the toads. I betrayed my friends. I betrayed everyone. I can't stay here. I want to go home because I *have* to go home. Can you at least *try* to understand that? (beat, getting emotional) I don't want this place anymore. I don't want the toads. I don't want the UAC. I don't want to fly in space or save planets or be a hero. I just want a real life. A normal life. (beat, looking right at Dr. Lurie) I want my mom and dad. Dr. Lurie sits in silence for a minute, letting Willy's words echo in his mind. DR. LURIE Well, I ... (sighing, scribbling something on his clipboard) You're doing better than I thought. Fine. If you're not going to listen to my medical advice, and you want to go home so badly, then I'll see to it that you get your wish. (beat) I'm sure Chairman Warner would rather listen to you than to me, anyway. A weak smile spreads across Willy's face. WILLY Thank you, Doctor. It means a lot to me. With that, Willy lies back down and quickly falls asleep. Dr. Lurie gets up, puts the chair back, and leaves, muttering under his breath. SCENE 27 - HALL OUTSIDE BUCKY'S APARTMENT It's early in the evening. Once again, Bucky and Jenny are standing outside Bucky's apartment. They both look very tired, but another sort of tension fills the air. Bucky slowly opens the door a crack but remains in the hallway. He pauses, as if he needs to say something but cannot. Jenny finally takes the initiative. JENNY (softly) Good night, Bucky. Get some sleep. Jenny turns to walk down the hall and out the building. Suddenly, she feels Bucky's paw on her shoulder. BUCKY Wait. Relieved yet nervous, Jenny turns around to see Bucky looking at her intently. A slight hint of sorrow is visible on his face. BUCKY I'm sorry, Jenny. JENNY What? What for? BUCKY (looking down) For everything. For today, I guess. I was so tired after what happened last night. I didn't want to be on Ultess. I just wanted to get everything taken care of. You were right about Howard being innocent, and I just ... JENNY (grabbing Bucky gently by the shoulders) Calm down, Bucky. Calm down. BUCKY I *am* calm. I just ... Bucky pauses for a moment, trying to find the right words to say. Finally, he breaks down and starts pouring out his thoughts. BUCKY Ever since what happened with Pigton ... hell, with what happened with Willy ... I've been caring about the wrong things. All I could think about was what Pigton was up to, or the toads, or even Fritz. I was focusing on the wrong things. I was taking it out on the wrong things, too. Not just today. With Mike. He's a good kid, and just because he had a little crush on you, I came down on him unfairly. JENNY It's all right, Bucky. You're ... BUCKY No, it's not all right. I've gotten so wrapped up in the things I'm afraid of that I've become too distant from the things that I care about. From the people that I care about. Jenny's heart skips a beat, and she smiles. This is the closest Bucky's gotten to romantic in months. BUCKY You were right at lunch yesterday. I haven't been paying enough attention to you. That was wrong. (thinking briefly about Shira) Last night, I was ... reminded of what's important. What really matters to me. Who really matters to me. And that's you, Jenny. No matter what, no matter how bad I get, you're always there for me. And I haven't been appreciating it nearly enough. Jenny ... JENNY (softly) Yes, Bucky? BUCKY (looking into Jenny's eyes) I love you. A wave of warmness sweeps through Jenny. Bucky has told her this before, but she hadn't heard it from him in a while, and it reminds her of the first time she ever heard him say those words. JENNY (taking Bucky's paws in hers) I love you, too, Bucky. BUCKY Can you ever forgive me? JENNY (smiles) Forgive you for what? Bucky grins, then reaches in and takes Jenny in a long, tender embrace. He then releases her and reaches down to take her paw in his. Smiling, he opens his door fully and leads her inside. She happily follows, closing the door behind her. SCENE 28 - LABORATORY, DRAYKE TOWER The next day, various scientists mill about the remains of the main laboratory, trying to salvage equipment, while janitors clean away the rest. Dallion is standing in the center of the room, near his old life-support tube, talking to Drayke. Howard is typing at a nearby terminal. DRAYKE ... so that's why we had to replace your scanning eye with a regular artificial one. Twice now, actually. I'm afraid it doesn't have the same capabilities as your old one, but you can still see out of it. DALLION And my thrusters? DRAYKE Those are fine. We reworked them a bit to make them slightly more efficient. (beat) Now, your stealth pack is a different story. We were able to fix it up after you were rescued from the toads, but it looks like the explosion that knocked you out yesterday really did a number on it. DALLION Can you replace it? HOWARD Take a look around, Dallion. Do you think this lab's going to be producing anything that advanced anytime soon? DRAYKE I'm afraid he's right. You're just going to have to do without, at least for a while. DALLION (nods once) I see. DRAYKE I'm sure you feel a little bit clumsy right now. We installed new neurological-to-digital transformers on all your systems. They should give you better control over your cybernetic parts, but you're not used to using the new implants yet. It's going to take you a while to learn how to function at full physical capacity again. DALLION (flexing his right claws) I suppose it is a good thing that I had difficulty carrying myself while under Clark's control. DRAYKE Definitely. You probably would have killed us all otherwise. (beat) That reminds me. We removed most of the implant fragments from your brain. I had ordered Clark to take them all out, but he left one in. He used that to connect directly to your central nervous system, which is how he was able to control you. Tomorrow, we're going to get that last one out. After that, you should be safe from anyone ever controlling you again. DALLION (limply) I am ... glad. HOWARD (sensing regret in Dallion's voice) Take it easy, Dallion. No one here blames you for what happened, and I'm sure the Canards don't either. DALLION That does not make my actions any less forgivable or excusable. I am a weapon now, and I was simply used as one. I should have been left to die in space. DRAYKE That's not true, Dallion, and you know it. You're among friends here, whether you realize it or not. (beat) Now, if you really want to make up for what you did, you can start by helping us clean this mess up. DALLION And what then? DRAYKE Then, after you're done with physical therapy, you're free to go. But you'll always be welcome here, Dallion. Dallion pauses for a moment, looking at Drayke standing in front of him. Feeling oddly at ease, he smiles. DALLION Thank you ... friend. THE END