"Payback"

by Rygar

First draft - 3/30/04
Final draft - 4/26/04

SCENE 1 - AUXILIARY SIA STATION, SLUDGE

	The main room of this underwater station is well lit but cramped. 
A handful of dolphins, sea turtles, manatees, and other aquatic animals 
are working at computer stations that line the walls, monitoring radar 
screens and analyzing data. At a large computer terminal sits DEXTER, 
his eight arms adjusting switches and pressing buttons rapidly.
	Dexter's superior, MAJOR BOTTLENOSE, enters the room through a 
corridor and swims over next to him. Dexter takes a moment to free one 
of his arms and salute.

DEXTER
Major.

BOTTLENOSE
At ease, Dexter. How are things looking this morning?

DEXTER
I got nothin', sir. There's no toad activity except around Narnox. It's 
their first planet capture in a while, and they're dumpin' a lot of 
resources into that sector.

BOTTLENOSE
I see. That does not bode well for any infiltration or rescue attempts, 
I'm afraid.

DEXTER
No kiddin'. The Indefatigable tried last week, right after it got taken 
over. They overwhelmed 'em in a second.
(beat, sighs)
The toads are really pushin' it lately.

BOTTLENOSE
Perhaps. At least they've confined their major activities to that 
sector, for the moment.

DEXTER
(pushing more buttons)
Maybe, maybe not. The equipment in this place ain't the best for 
trackin' activity. For all I know, a lot of small vessels are jumpin' 
around the place, and we can't pick 'em up.
(beat)
Man, I miss my old console. This piece of junk couldn't detect an enemy 
ship if it flew right over the planet.

BOTTLENOSE
(sighs)
We all miss the equipment from the old SIA base, Dexter. But 
fortunately, we're getting along with this one, and the toads don't 
know we're here. We're safe and sound, and we're doing our duty.

DEXTER
(grunts)
Guess it never hurts for someone to be optimistic.

BOTTLENOSE
(noticing)
You seem to be working pretty hard, old chap. Perhaps you should take a 
little break.

DEXTER
Nah, I'm fine. Besides, workin' hard keeps my mind off things.

BOTTLENOSE
(nods)
As you wish. Carry on, then.

	Bottlenose floats off to check on the base's other personnel. 
Dexter continues working diligently.

SCENE 2 - WAREHOUSE, TOAD HOMEWORLD

	TOADBORG, the hulking cyborg, has just finished storing a huge 
stack of metal barrels. Without word or complaint, he sets down the 
last barrel in the corner of the warehouse and walks over to a small 
computer terminal. He presses a red button on the terminal, and the 
malicious face of KOMPLEX appears on the monitor.

TOADBORG
Toadborg reporting.

KOMPLEX
Ahead of schedule, I see.

TOADBORG
Yes. I continue to operate at peak efficiency and capacity.

KOMPLEX
Good. Then I suggest you begin your next assignment immediately. You 
are to upgrade the wiring systems at the main Toad TV production 
studio.

TOADBORG
(suddenly upset)
Production studio? You mean I have to be present while those insipid 
fools produce that horrendous drivel?!

KOMPLEX
Horrendous drivel it may be, Toadborg, but it keeps the toad population 
ever loyal to me. I know you are loyal as well, which is why I expect 
you to carry out my orders and relocate immediately.

TOADBORG
(smoothly)
If my relocation is what you desire, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX, perhaps you 
could assign me to Narnox. Certainly, the facilities there need 
construction and maintenance work until our framework there is sturdily 
in place.

KOMPLEX
Request denied, Toadborg. You are not to involve yourself in any 
military missions until I deem otherwise. Furthermore, progress on 
Narnox has been remarkable. The few mammal attempts to reclaim it have 
been met with pitiful failure, and the squirrels are proving an easy 
race to subdue.
(beat)
Report to the production studio at once, or suffer the consequences.

	KOMPLEX's face blips off the screen. Toadborg remains standing 
over the computer terminal, upset.

TOADBORG
(thinking)
<No consequences could be worse than my current fate. I have been 
stripped of my duty, of my dignity. I wish to serve KOMPLEX by 
protecting him and by leading his forces, not with these pointless, 
menial tasks.>
(beat)
<Wait. KOMPLEX said the mammals have been trying to reclaim Narnox. 
Bucky O'Hare was also on hand during our invasion. How did the UAC know 
the planet was being targeted in the first place? We destroyed their 
pathetic intelligence agency base months ago.>
(beat)
<And for that matter, how did they know of our recent mining missions 
to Pleid III and Demla? The Air Marshal may be incompetent, but nothing 
he could have done would have alerted the mammals to his plans. Not 
unless they still have a means of gathering information on us.>

	Toadborg's optic sensors narrow slightly, and he peers at the 
computer monitor that displayed KOMPLEX until a moment ago.

TOADBORG
(thinking)
<This bears further investigation.>

SCENE 3 - CHAIRMAN WARNER'S OFFICE

	CHAIRMAN FRITZ WARNER, a little more stressed than usual, is 
trying hard to relax. He's leaning back in his chair, feet propped up 
on his desk. He's talking calmly but firmly into a handheld comm.

FRITZ
(into comm, in a conversation)
No problems over there, then? Good, good. Tell Horst I say hello. ... 
What's that? You ... oh. I'd have to run it by Dr. Lurie first. ... 
Yes, I know, but Bucky and Jenny spend a lot of time there, and it gets 
on Dr. Lurie's nerves. I can't ... I'll try, but that's the most I can 
promise you. ... Yes, I know. I hope he gets better, too. ... Right. 
Right. ... All right. I've got to go. Talk to you later, Dr. Green.

	Fritz clicks off the comm and exhales.

FRITZ
Sheesh. I wish he hadn't gotten all jumpy again. Guess I can't blame 
him, though.
(reaching for a notepad on his desk, sighs)
Now, who do I need to call next?

	Just then, the comm on Fritz's desk beeps.

FRITZ
Or I could take that.

	Fritz pulls his legs off the desk, straightens his tie, and sits 
up straight. He answers the comm, and a raccoon SCIENTIST appears on 
the screen.

SCIENTIST
(over comm)
Chairman Warner?

FRITZ
(into comm)
Dr. Chadwell. I take it you've made some progress with the mark-5s?

CHADWELL
Yes, sir, that's why I'm calling. We've finished building them, and 
we've constructed the adapter apparatus as well. We'll have them 
onboard Orwell Station tomorrow, and our men can begin installing them 
on the S.P.A.C.E. frigates.

FRITZ
Good, good. I'll let Dogstar and Mimi know.
(thinking)
<And Bucky, too, though he's not going to be happy about it.>
(into comm)
Any other news?

CHADWELL
No, sir. We're about to begin our annual review of Genus's defense 
systems. That will take at least a week. After that, we have a few 
projects lined up, including initial specs for a mark-6.

FRITZ
Sounds like your team is on top of things.

CHADWELL
(proudly)
Yes, sir.

FRITZ
Thanks for the call. I'll let you know about tomorrow.

	Fritz clicks off the comm and reaches for his cup of coffee. 
About to take a sip, he pauses when his desk comm activates again.

FRITZ
Geez.

	Fritz turns it on, and to his surprise, ROEDECKER's face appears 
on the screen.

ROEDECKER
(angrily, over comm)
Chairman.

FRITZ
(putting his coffee down, into comm)
Vincent. How did you get this frequency?

ROEDECKER
You really have to ask?

FRITZ
I'll have to have it changed, then. I assume this is about ...

ROEDECKER
(brusquely)
My payment, Warner! We apprehended Greeman. Our part of the deal's 
done. You promised us no funny business, but you've only sent us a 
fourth of our payment so far. I want the rest of our money, and I want 
it now.

FRITZ
(trying to calm Roedecker down)
I understand your concern, Vincent, and I would like nothing more than 
to pay you for your job well done. However, you've caught me at a bad 
time. With the recent invasion of Narnox, we've had to reconfigure the 
military budget somewhat, and ...

ROEDECKER
(gruffly)
But you still had enough money to take Mimi out on a date, huh?

FRITZ
(caught off-guard)
I guess word travels fast. But that was not a date. That was official 
UAC business, and ...

ROEDECKER
Cut the crap, Warner! I *knew* I shouldn't have trusted you.
(leans in)
I want our money by next week, or else.

FRITZ
(amused)
Was that a threat?

ROEDECKER
I don't make threats, Chairman. I make promises.

	The screen dies in a burst of horizontal static. Fritz pauses for 
a moment, then reaches over and finally gets his sip of coffee.

FRITZ
And it's not even noon.
(beat, putting down the cup)
I'd better get the captains in here and brief them on the mark-5s.

SCENE 4 - TOAD TV PRODUCTION STUDIO

	Toadborg walks through a large and crowded corridor of the 
building. Toads are running everywhere, all easily recognizable as 
actors, actresses, producers, or miscellaneous staff. They all seem 
very frantic.

TOADBORG
(seething, thinking)
<This task should take less than two hours. Soon, I will be free of 
this wretched hive. And then, I can put my plans in motion.>

	Toadborg walks past an open door leading into a well-lit room 
where a show is being produced. Electricians, soundmen, and production 
assistants are running around, all being barked at by an assistant 
director. The director himself, decked in shades and a classy outfit, 
sits in his chair, waiting for the toad actors to take their positions.
	As Toadborg approaches the main wiring room, a toad PRODUCER 
comes running after him.

PRODUCER
Hey, you!

	Toadborg spins around, not in the mood for any nonsense but 
trying to remain composed.

TOADBORG
What assistance do you seek?

PRODUCER
We've been looking all over for you! You were due on Set Five ten 
minutes ago! You got flies in your head?
(beat, interested)
Say ... wardrobe did a pretty good job on this outfit. You really *do* 
look like Toadborg!

	The producer knocks on Toadborg's chest plate, apparently testing 
it. Toadborg simmers.

TOADBORG
You must be mistaken. I am here to fix the wiring.

PRODUCER
Wow, you've even got the voice down!
(beat)
Come on, get moving!

TOADBORG
I do not have time for this foolishness.

	Toadborg turns around and continues walking toward his 
destination. The producer, confused and upset, calls after him.

PRODUCER
Hey, where are you going? Come back here! You ... you ... you'll never 
work in this town again!
(beat)
Now we'll never get the scene where Toadborg falls for a sexy toad 
secretary and expresses his love despite the odds! Oh, I can see the 
ratings for "Days of our Flies" slipping already!

SCENE 5 - CHAIRMAN WARNER'S OFFICE

	Fritz is still at his desk. CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE, COMMANDER 
SIRIUS DOGSTAR, and CAPTAIN MIMI LAFLEUR are in his office, having 
been summoned.

FRITZ
Thanks for coming right before lunch. This meeting shouldn't take too 
long.

MIMI
What's going on, Chairman?

FRITZ
First things first. Dogstar, anything to report on Narnox?

DOGSTAR
(slightly somber)
I am afraid, Chairman, that our best efforts to engage the toad forces 
and drive them off the planet have been unsuccessful. Even if Captain 
O'Hare and Captain LaFleur were to assist me, I fear it would not be 
enough. We need a more reliable strategy, like the ones we used to free 
Warren and Noctur II.

FRITZ
(nods solemnly)
I know. We're working on it.
(beat, picks up a piece of paper)
Next order of business. Some of the UAC's top engineers have been 
working for months on following Willy's blueprints for the mark-5 
photon accelerator, and I'm proud to report they have finally succeeded 
in building two more accelerators.

BUCKY
That's great! With those accelerators, we can ...
(realizing)
Wait. Two?

FRITZ
(nods)
Yes, two. The cost for building them is enormous, which is why we only 
had Willy build two himself. Tomorrow, the accelerators will be 
installed on The Indefatigable and The Screaming Mimi.

	Dogstar and Mimi beam, impressed. Bucky looks glum but 
unsurprised.

BUCKY
Figures.
(frowns)
My ship probably wouldn't be able to handle a mark-5, anyway.

FRITZ
You're right; it wouldn't. But funds are still steadily going toward 
constructing you a new frigate, Captain. If we're lucky, you'll have 
one within a month.

BUCKY
(skeptical)
Even after you paid off Roedecker?

	Mimi glances quickly at Bucky when he says that name.

FRITZ
(getting a little impatient)
Bucky, before you speak out of turn again, remember two things: Greeman 
and Narnox. You may not be happy with me, but don't think I'm happy 
with you, either.
(beat)
Now, then. The Roedecker situation is in hand. You'll get your ship, 
Captain.
(looks at his watch)
And it's time for lunch. Dogstar, LaFleur, please be docked at Orwell 
Station tomorrow so the engineers can install the accelerators. O'Hare, 
you're on patrol again after lunch. You're all dismissed.

	Dogstar nods and walks out of the room. Bucky walks toward the 
door as well and exits, noticing that Mimi hasn't budged. Hesitantly, 
he closes the door behind him, leaving the two of them in the room.

FRITZ
Yes?

MIMI
(apparently building up courage)
Fritz. About last week. I ...

FRITZ
Yes?

MIMI
(looks down)
I wanted to apologize for going through your things. I shouldn't have.

	Fritz considers for a moment, then nods. He knows Mimi isn't one 
for apologizing.

FRITZ
Apology accepted.
(smiles)
You know, we're never going to trust each other.
(beat)
But at least that keeps things interesting.

	Mimi flashes a smile back.

MIMI
I guess I'd better get to lunch.

	Mimi leans in and gives Fritz a quick kiss, then heads toward the 
door.

FRITZ
You know, you never called me ...

	Too late. Mimi's gone. Fritz shakes his head, amused, and 
straightens up his desk a bit. Pausing for a moment, he reaches for his 
comm and tries one more frequency. After a minute with no answer, he 
shuts it off and frowns.

FRITZ
Dammit, Daf, where are you?

SCENE 6 - CORRIDOR, UAC HEADQUARTERS

	Mimi sprints and catches up to Bucky, who is on his way out the 
building.

MIMI
Bucky!

BUCKY
(looking over his shoulder, nonchalantly)
Hi, Mimi. I didn't want to interrupt your meeting with the Chairman.

MIMI
(catches up and walks with Bucky)
Ha, ha. Where's Dogstar?

BUCKY
Skipping lunch. He said he had a meeting to go to.

MIMI
Hmm. I think he's getting more comfortable on the ground than out in 
space.
(beat)
Anyway, I was about to join my crew for lunch. Care to join us?

BUCKY
Sorry, but I can't. I'm meeting Jenny for lunch.

MIMI
Ooh, sounds romantic.

BUCKY
Yeah, nothing spells romance like a quick lunch before returning to 
patrol.

	The two walk through a set of double doors and enter a lobby, 
where the rest of Mimi's crew is waiting. FIRST MATE JONATHAN WEISSMAN 
is shining his shoes, GUNNER HARRY CALLAN is doodling on a sheet of 
paper, and ENGINEER DILE O'CROCK has removed the wall clock's casing 
and is examining its insides.

MIMI
Everybody ready for lunch?
(noticing)
Dile? Why did you take the clock off the wall?

DILE
Hello, Captain. I noticed that this clock runs too quickly. It gains a 
second every three hours. That amounts to eight seconds every day, 
which means it gets off by a minute every seven-and-a-half days, which 
is unacceptable. I am attempting to identify the problem and repair the 
clock.

MIMI
(a little put-off by Dile's extreme nerdiness)
O ... K. You can do that after lunch. But right now, I'm starving. 
Let's go!
(to Bucky)
See ya later, handsome. Don't have *too* much fun on patrol.

BUCKY
I don't think that's going to be a problem.

	Mimi's crew gather and walk out of the room. Bucky checks his 
watch, then sprints out another door.

SCENE 7 - THE CAVERN, GENUS

	Jenny and Bucky are sitting at a two-person table in a small 
local restaurant. They've just ordered their food from the zebra 
WAITRESS, who is rushing off to another table. Bucky takes a sip of his 
water and then looks around.

JENNY
What are you looking for?

BUCKY
(turning back to Jenny)
Nothing. Just checking the place out.

JENNY
Something's on your mind, Bucky.

BUCKY
At the moment, just how hungry I am.

JENNY
And that's all?

BUCKY
What's with the questions, Jenny?

JENNY
I'm just trying to talk to you, Bucky. We hardly ever get to just sit 
and talk anymore, unless it's on the job.

BUCKY
(takes another sip of water)
I know. Things have just been so busy lately.

JENNY
I don't think they've been *that* busy.

BUCKY
Are you kidding? Our ship stinks. We botched two missions in a row. 
Willy's still in the hospital. I have no way of figuring out what 
Pigton's up to. And don't even get me started on our new engineer ...

JENNY
(a little upset)
You're the one who wanted to hire Mike in the first place. Why can't 
you leave him alone?

BUCKY
No, I wasn't. Why are you defending him? 
(trying to sound like he's joking)
Is there something I should know about?

JENNY
I cannot believe you just said that!

BUCKY
(raising his paws defensively)
I'm sorry. I was just kidding.
(beat, as Jenny calms down)
But come on, he can't keep his eyes off you. I mean it, if he makes a 
move on you ...

JENNY
At least then *someone* would be making a move on me ...

BUCKY
(taken aback)
What does that mean?

JENNY
(sighing to calm down)
When's the last time we did anything romantic together, Bucky? Anything 
even fun? These past few months, you've been practically 
unapproachable. I know a lot is going on right now, but ...
(rethinking her words)
I'll put it this way. I think it's incredibly hypocritical of you to be 
angry at Mike for having a crush on me when you barely act like we're 
together anymore.

	Bucky is stunned. He doesn't know what to say.

JENNY
(following up)
I didn't mean that like it sounded, Bucky. But try to see where I'm 
coming from. I haven't even been to your apartment in two weeks ...

	The waitress suddenly comes over to the table, carrying a basket 
of bread, which she sets down on the table.

WAITRESS
Everything all right over here?

BUCKY
(looking at Jenny, then at the waitress)
Yes, everything's fine. Thanks.

WAITRESS
Great. Your order will be out in just a minute.

	Bucky reaches for the basked and takes a piece of bread for his 
plate. When he's done, Jenny hesitantly reaches for the basket herself. 
The rest of the meal progresses relatively silently.

SCENE 8 - FRINGES OF UAC SPACE

	Somewhere, a gravelly VOICE speaks into a comm.

VOICE
(into comm)
Hello? ... Yes, yes. ... I need to schedule a transport to Genus. ... 
Yes, Genus. One week from today. ... Wonderful. Thank you.

	Click.

VOICE
As much as I've enjoyed entertaining my dear friend, I need to put my 
plans in motion. And the winds of change are now in my favor.
(beat, chuckles)
I cannot wait to see the look on that rabbit's face.

SCENE 9 - POST OFFICE, UAC HEADQUARTERS

	Bucky, irritated after returning from lunch, is checking his mail 
before returning to patrol. He walks up to his post office box, inputs 
a code on the keypad, and reaches in after the lid slides open. There 
are a few pieces of mail, including a crumpled, dirty envelope with his 
address scrawled on the front, barely legible.

BUCKY
What's this?

	Looking around, Bucky quickly tears open the envelope and pulls 
out a single sheet of folded paper. It, too, is crumpled and dirty. The 
handwriting on it matches the writing on the envelope, though the 
letter is more legible. Bucky's eyes dart across the page as he reads 
the first line: "They're after you."
	Bucky's heart skips a beat, and his throat begins to itch. 
Slightly trembling, he reads the next line: "The UAC isn't safe." 
Taking short, shallow breaths, he reads the last three lines: "Meet me 
at midnight at 144 Rothby Avenue. Come alone and make sure you aren't 
followed. An old friend."
	Gulping, Bucky quickly stuffs the letter back into the envelope. 
As he leaves the post office, he feels as though eyes are watching him 
from every corner.

BUCKY
(thinking)
<Pull yourself together. You're stronger than this. You can handle 
anything they throw at you.>

	Bucky looks around and sees various people milling about the 
hallway.

BUCKY
<Any one of them could be brainwashed and working for Pigton. Fritz 
could be a spy. Or Mimi. Or Deadeye.>
(beat)
<Even Jenny. Her kidnapping could have been a trick. She doesn't 
believe me when I say there's a threat. And with the way she's acting 
lately ...>
(his blood running cold)
<Pigton could've gotten to anyone.>

	Trying hard to go unnoticed, Bucky slips down the hallway and 
leaves the building.

SCENE 10 - SPACE ABOVE TOAD HOMEWORLD

	It is now midnight. A small one-man cruiser darts away from the 
surface of the toad home world, moving quickly but not yet in 
hyperspace. Its lone passenger is Toadborg.

TOADBORG
(driving, thinking)
<It was difficult to make my way off the home world without KOMPLEX 
learning immediately. But he will, and he will not be pleased. When my 
plan succeeds, however, it will all have been worth it. He will welcome 
me back into the top ranks of the military, and under my leadership, 
the mammals will feel fear as they've never known it before.>
(beat)
<And when I get my paws on that pink baboon ...>

	With an angry thrust, Toadborg flips the switch on the ship's 
accelerator, and the spacecraft leaves a thin trail of light as it 
jumps into hyperspace toward Toadborg's destination.

SCENE 11 - 144 ROTHBY AVENUE, GENUS

	Bucky walks down Rothby Avenue. He's dressed in dark clothing and 
continually looks around at his surroundings and over his shoulder. 
Finally, he reaches his destination: an abandoned warehouse. Warily, 
Bucky approaches the building. He stops in front of a doorway and, 
looking around one last time, quickly sneaks in.
	Bucky walks into the main space of the warehouse and spots a 
FIGURE in the middle of the dark room wearing a big hat, a brown trench 
coat, and huge, dark glasses. The figure turns and faces Bucky but does 
not speak. He can't make out anything else about the figure, but he 
feels a vague sense of familiarity. Compelled, he approaches and stops 
right in front of the figure.
	The figure, looking down rather than at Bucky and therefore 
concealing his or her face, reaches into a coat pocket with a gloved 
paw and pulls out a sheet of paper. The figure hands it to Bucky. It 
reads: "Were you followed?" in the same handwriting as the earlier 
letter.

BUCKY
(a bit hesitant)
No.

	The figure pauses, then reaches up and removes the hat and 
glasses. Bucky takes a step back in shock as he recognizes the cute, 
slender white hare in front of him.

BUCKY
Shira?!

SCENE 12 - GUARD STATION, AUXILIARY SIA STATION, SLUDGE

	Two uniformed guards, an OX and a WARTHOG, are manning the front 
post at the aboveground entrance to the Sludge Intelligence Agency's 
auxiliary station. They seem bored.

OX
(yawning)
I hate this gig.

WARTHOG
Yeah, but it could be worse. We could be gettin' shot at.

OX
I just wish something would happen. Whose bright idea was it to hire 
guards for this place when hardly anyone even knows it's here?

WARTHOG
Eh. I can't blame 'em. The last place got pretty trashed, and they 
probably don't wanna take any chances. If the UAC loses this outpost, 
they ain't gonna have a way to keep track of the toads.

OX
Man, I bet you fifty simoleans nothin's gonna happen here. Like, ever. 
No one from the UAC has been by yet. None of the traders even come out 
here.

WARTHOG
Fifty, ya say?

OX
Fifty.

WARTHOG
(thinking)
Nah. I don't think anything's gonna happen, either. Besides, how do you 
make a bet that somethin's never gonna happen? When does the bet end?

OX
(yawns again)
I dunno. When somethin' happens?

WARTHOG
Well, if that's the case, I'll take it, 'cause I gotta win.

OX
Whatever. Forget it.
(checks his watch)
Man. Another two hours 'til we're off duty.

WARTHOG
Hey, you signed up for this gig.

OX
Gotta support the family somehow. At least we ain't gettin' shot at.

WARTHOG
What I said.

OX
(perking up)
Hey, you hear something?

WARTHOG
(not really reacting)
Like what?

OX
I thought I heard, like, a spaceship fly by.

WARTHOG
I doubt it. Besides, who cares?
(nods toward a door far down the corridor)
The guys underwater woulda caught it anyway. If it's unauthorized, 
they'll let us know. No big deal.

OX
I dunno. I hear they ain't got much good equipment down there.

WARTHOG
You worry too much. I didn't even hear anything. I'm gettin' some 
coffee.

	The warthog walks into a side room, leaving the ox to yawn by 
himself, though he looks a little more alert than he was earlier.

SCENE 13 - 144 ROTHBY AVENUE, GENUS 

	Bucky is stunned, almost not believing his eyes. Shira O'Neil 
stands in front of him. Seeing her brings up unpleasant memories of 
lies and betrayal, but she actually appears happy to see him.

SHIRA
(full of emotion)
Oh, Bucky!

	Shira darts forward and throws her arms around Bucky, hugging him 
tightly. Bucky is paralyzed by a mixture of confusion, fear, and 
happiness.

SHIRA
I'm so sorry, Bucky! I'm so sorry. I didn't ever mean to hurt you. They 
brainwashed me!

BUCKY
(alarmed)
Brainwashed?

SHIRA
Oh, Bucky, can you ever forgive me?

	Bucky hesitates, then returns the hug.

BUCKY
Of course. Of course I can.

	After a moment, Bucky releases, and Shira lets go as well. She 
reaches out with her left paw, and Bucky gingerly takes it in his own.

SHIRA
You probably want some information.

BUCKY
(numbly)
Yeah.

SHIRA
I wish I knew more than I did, but here's what I can tell you. I was 
one of the first people to be brainwashed by Pigton.

	Bucky gasps softly as he hears that name.
 
SHIRA
The men already loyal to him in the UAC knew that you and I were 
growing close, and he knew my uncle was a member of the Security 
Council. I guess I was just a perfect target. One night, they broke 
into my apartment, kidnapped me, and took me underground.
(beat)
Most of that memory is hazy. I only got it back recently, after the 
brainwashing finally wore off.

BUCKY
Wore off?

SHIRA
I was one of the first, like I said. I think they've gotten better at 
it now.
(beat)
Oh, Bucky, I never meant to hurt you. Pigton made me steal the dog 
tags. He made me kidnap you and Willy. He could control me. I had to do 
whatever he said.
(beat)
He still controls so many people in the UAC. Hundreds! They don't even 
know, but whenever he wants, he can make them do anything.

BUCKY
(nervously)
Who? Who does he have working for him?

SHIRA
Practically everybody. The whole Council, probably. I wish I could have 
told you earlier, but the brainwashing just wore off, and I only got 
released on parole for good behavior a few days ago.
(starting to cry)
I'm not a bad person, Bucky! I'm so sorry.

BUCKY
(embracing Shira again)
It's OK, it's OK. It wasn't your fault.

SHIRA
Oh, Bucky, I've missed you.

	Shira leans in and kisses Bucky on the lips. He resists at first, 
Jenny popping into his mind immediately. Thinking about the arguments 
from earlier, though, his resistance lessens, and he returns the kiss. 
He's scared and ashamed, but he knows he has Shira's love.

SCENE 14 - SPACE ABOVE SLUDGE

	Toadborg is reading the console on his spacecraft.

TOADBORG
It is as I suspected. A large volume of radio waves is emanating from 
this planet. The mammals were not even smart enough to move their 
intelligence agency to another sector.
(presses a button)
I will enjoy this greatly.

	Toadborg steers the ship onto the dirty, junk-strewn planet, 
landing a few dozen yards from a small, camouflaged communications 
tower. A few more yards behind it sits a large pile of debris. The 
cyborg steps onto the surface of the planet and looks around.

TOADBORG
(thinking)
<My infrared sensors detect a communications tower and a point of entry 
within that junk heap. Excellent.>

	Toadborg walks up to the disguised tower.

TOADBORG
Curious that they have not detected my presence, or at least have not 
responded to it.
(inspecting the tower)
Curious indeed, but beneficial.
(beat, evilly)
I suppose I should make myself known.

	Letting out the frustration pent up inside for months, Toadborg 
lashes out at the tower, ramming his mighty fists into it and disabling 
it immediately. He continues tearing into it, ripping off a huge 
portion of the tower and lifting it over his head.
	Inside the main room of the SIA station, all of the monitor's at 
Dexter's station go blank.

DEXTER
Now what in the ...

	Dexter fiddles with the controls, trying to regain visual. Behind 
him, the animals at other stations appear confused as well.

DEXTER
(into comm)
Major Bottlenose? We may have a situation.

	Back on the surface, Toadborg pauses. Having decimated the tower, 
he lifts a huge chunk of it above him.

TOADBORG
And now, my fun shall truly begin.

	Silently and apparently effortlessly, Toadborg hurls the busted 
machinery at the junk heap, which strikes it at a terrible velocity. 
While not enough to cause a breach, the heap shudders in response.
	The guard station inside shakes. The rumbling has caused the 
warthog guard, who is standing at a break table, to spill his coffee 
all over himself.

WARTHOG
(in pain)
Yeow!

OX
(frantic)
Aah! What the frell was that?!

WARTHOG
(reaching for a pitcher of water)
Hot hot hot ...

OX
Shut up! What was that? The whole building shook!

WARTHOG
(pouring water on himself)
I don't know. Call the rest of security!

OX
(reaches for his comm)
Red alert, red alert! We are under attack! Requesting immediate 
assistance!

	The building shudders again, and an explosion is heard outside.

WARTHOG
(reaching for his blaster)
I don't know what's goin' on, but it sure ain't worth fifty simoleans 
to me.

	Outside, Toadborg has heaved the rest of the tower at the junk 
heap. He makes his way to the entrance, which is now visible beneath 
the debris that was hiding it.

TOARDBORG
First, to crack the shell.

	Toadborg digs his fingers into the metal doorway. Bracing 
himself, he pulls with all his might, slowly ripping the doorway from 
its hinges. Grunting just a little, he pulls harder, tearing the metal 
away bit by bit and leaving a jagged hole about his size. Satisfied, he 
tosses the ruined, twisted door aside.

TOADBORG
And now, inside.

	Not far from Toadborg, the guard station has filled with guards, 
all holding their blasters nervously. They look down the long corridor 
that leads to the surface. Suddenly, in a flash, the lights in the 
station all die, leaving them in darkness.

OX
Oh, shit!

WARTHOG
Keep it down!

	A dull clang reverberates from the hall, echoing loudly in their 
ears.

OX
Something's coming!

WARTHOG
Shh!

	The footsteps continue, getting louder, as the intruder makes his 
way down the dark hall. Clang. Clang. Clang.

OX
What is it?

WARTHOG
Shh!

OX
I don't want to die!

WARTHOG
(losing his temper)
Shut up!

	The clanging gets louder and louder, then stops. Enveloped in 
near-total darkness, the guards suddenly spot something in the 
distance: two slivers of red light. Toadborg is staring at them.

WARTHOG
Fire!

	All the guards fire simultaneously at the intruder, showering him 
in a hail of maser blasts. They illuminate Toadborg's imposing metal 
frame as they bounce off of him. The red eyes come closer and closer, 
the clanging becoming deafening. The ox guard gasps for breath as the 
eyes are suddenly right above him.

TOADBORG
Vermin.

	Toadborg grabs the ox, whom he can see clearly with his infrared 
sensors, and hurls him roughly into a wall. The guard hits it with a 
dull thud, then slouches onto the floor, dead. Swinging powerfully, 
Toadborg knocks a few more guards over. He lifts the break table above 
himself effortlessly and brings it down on a guard, crushing him. The 
few remaining guards, including the warthog, continue to fire at him, 
to no avail.

TOADBORG
You amuse me.

	Toadborg kicks at the nearest guard, sending him flying into the 
wall. He turns around and grabs a guard behind him, then quickly 
squeezes the life out of him. Two guards remain. He punches the first 
one right in the chest, sending him flying. Finally, he swats at the 
warthog guard, knocking him down.

WARTHOG
Ugh!

	Dazed, the warthog looks up. The red glow from Toadborg's eyes 
has intensified, and the guard can now just barely make out the rim of 
Toadborg's heel as it comes down on his head, crushing him with a 
sickening crunch.
	Not even winded, Toadborg rips open the heavy door at the other 
end of the room and quickly continues his way deeper into the base.

SCENE 15 - 144 ROTHBY AVENUE, GENUS

	Shira and Bucky are still in an embrace. She kisses him again. 
Bucky, very distracted, barely hears the sound of a maser blaster being 
slid out of a holster. There's a funny feeling on the left side of his 
face, and he regains control of himself just in time to pull himself 
back. A wash of pain comes over him as a maser blast grazes his left 
cheek, and a warm stream of blood pours from the wound, caressing him.

SHIRA
Sucker.

	Shira gives Bucky a sharp push in the chest, knocking him onto 
the dusty ground. Dazed and hurt, he looks up to see Shira smiling 
cruelly, her blaster pointed at Bucky's face.

SCENE 16 - MAIN ROOM, AUXILIARY SIA STATION, SLUDGE

	Dexter is frantically working the controls, with Bottlenose right 
behind him. The rest of the base's personnel are treading water right 
behind Dexter. The room's emergency lights are on.

DEXTER
(into comm)
Security? Security, come in!

	No sound comes over the comm. Dexter solemnly closes the link.

DEXTER
Nothing. And I'm still not getting any audio or video from any of our 
feeds.
(beat)
Something's very wrong.

	In the entryway, Toadborg, still surrounded by darkness but able 
to see, walks into a small room with a large hatch on the floor through 
which he would just barely be able to fit. He looks at the hatch for a 
moment, then places his paws on it.

TOADBORG
(thinking)
<My sensors detect great pressure behind this portal. As I recall, the 
base we destroyed earlier had a vital underwater component. This must 
lead to the underwater portion of this base, where all the 
communications equipment is stored.>
(beat)
<It would be too difficult for me to maneuver in water. Fortunately, 
there are other ways of dealing with this situation.>

	Toadborg takes five steps back and, leaning over, continues to 
look down at the portal. His chest plate flips open, revealing four 
small missiles. They launch simultaneously and strike the hatch and the 
floor surrounding it, exploding on impact in a burst of fire and water.
	The main room shudders and shakes from the explosions overhead. 
The walls begin to buckle slightly, and pieces of the ceiling begin to 
sink to the bottom of the room.

BOTTLENOSE
(looks up)
Oh, dear.
(turns around)
Evacuate immediately! Everyone, to the escape pods!

	Bottlenose and Dexter take off first down a long hallway to their 
left. Another explosion rocks the room and sends more pieces of 
scrapped metal and equipment into the room, swirling them about. A few 
of the dolphins and manatees manage to enter the hallway, but many of 
them are left behind when a large chunk of the ceiling falls and blocks 
their way.
	A third set of explosions rocks the hallway, and the remaining 
personnel fall behind as new obstacles sink into their path.

BOTTLENOSE
Hurry!

	Dexter and Bottlenose swim on, almost to the escape pods.
	Toadborg, out of missiles but fueled with a maniacal glee, stands 
amid the wreckage he has caused. A gaping hole in front of him reveals 
a large pool of dirty water beneath the floor. A panel slides open on 
Toadborg's left arm, and he removes a small beeping orb from it. 
Jamming it into the wall on his right, he turns around purposefully and 
exits the room, leaving the bomb to count down.
	In the escape bay, Bottlenose and Dexter have donned their Water 
Tanks, enabling them to travel on land and in space. Looking behind him 
before entering the first pod, Bottlenose notices that no one else has 
seemed to escape.

BOTTLENOSE
I'm going back.

DEXTER
(already in the pod)
Are you crazy? We've gotta get out of here before the place blows!

BOTTLENOSE
I am not leaving my men, Dexter.

DEXTER
Look, there's plenty of escape pods. If they're comin', they're comin'. 
I'm worried, too, but there's no point in gettin' yourself killed! Get 
in here, Major!

BOTTLENOSE
(looks down the clogged corridor)
I ...
(sighs, strained)
Bloody hell.

	Bottlenose maneuvers into the pod and slams the hatch shut. 
Dexter, manning the controls, launches the vessel. It shoots out of a 
long, thin corridor and into space.
	Still on the surface of Sludge, Toadborg is dirty and out of 
ammunition. Still apparently not winded, he strides back to his ship.

TOADBORG
And so it shall be for all mammals. The will of KOMPLEX be done.

	Toadborg climbs into his ship and prepares to take off. He waits 
for his work to be finished before returning to the Toad Homeworld. 
	In space, Bottlenose and Dexter sit pensively in the cramped 
escape pod, which has just left Sludge's stratosphere. Bottlenose is 
looking at the planet, hoping to see another escape pod take off. He 
doesn't.

DEXTER
You did the right thing, Major.
(beat)
I'm sure they're fine.

	The interior of the pod is suddenly bathed in orange as a huge 
explosion mars the surface of the planet, right where the junk heap 
disguising the entrance to the SIA base was. Bottlenose does not even 
flinch as the view clears. A huge, smoldering, dead crater stands where 
the outpost once did, charred black and barren.
	Dexter considering rescinding his statement but cannot find the 
words.

DEXTER
(quietly)
I've set our coordinates for Genus. We should arrive there in a few 
hours.
(beat)
Any idea who attacked us? I mean, I'm sure it was the toads, but ...

	Dexter's voice trails off. Bottlenose doesn't respond. Instead, 
he continues to look at the surface of the planet, his lingering view 
of the wreckage quickly fading. Despair and desolation are painfully 
visible in his eyes. He doesn't notice the tiny flicker Toadborg's ship 
makes as it launches into space from Sludge.

SCENE 17 - 144 ROTHBY AVENUE, GENUS

	Shira still stands over Bucky, her maser blaster pointed directly 
at him. Her face expresses sheer hatred, while Bucky has a pained 
expression on his.

BUCKY
Shira, no! They've got you again!

	Shira snorts.

SHIRA
You actually believed all of that? By the Great Mother, you're a stupid 
hare.
(beat)
Pigton told me to bring you in alive, but he'll just have to settle for 
dead.
(takes a step closer)
I've waited so long for this.

	Bucky is panicking. He's feeling too many things, too many 
emotions to focus. Shira's finger starts to pull the trigger. Almost 
instinctively, Bucky reaches to his belt and pulls out his lightsaber. 
He quickly places it between him and Shira and activates it. A green 
burst of energy fires upward right as Shira shoots. The saber deflects 
the blow, which lands squarely in Shira's stomach.
	Bucky gasps as Shira falls over backward, wordlessly. Grasping 
his bleeding cheek with his left paw, he gets on his knees and works 
his way over to Shira, who is lying still on the ground. He hovers over 
her and looks into her face. The only thing he can notice is the hate 
in her eyes.

SHIRA
(weakly)
You ... bastard ...

	Shira spits in Bucky's face, and then her head falls back and her 
eyes shut. Bucky just looks at her, dumbfounded. So many thoughts and 
fears are running through his brain that he can barely process what's 
going on.
	Finally, Bucky shuts off the lightsaber, again almost on 
instinct. He looks at Shira's lifeless body, then at the hilt in his 
paw.

BUCKY
(softly)
I've got to stop trusting old friends.

	Suddenly, complete realization dawns on Bucky. The pain on his 
face returns to life, as does the dull pain in his heart.

BUCKY
(shouting in pain)
Agh!

	Bucky tries to get to his feet, stumbling. He looks back at 
Shira's body.

BUCKY
(unsteadily)
Shit! What am I ... I can't dispose of the body. There's no way. She 
shot herself. I had nothing to do with it. It was self-defense. Gotta 
get out of here. Gotta -- augh! -- gotta get to a hospital ... I'll 
call the police from a public comm, tell them to get the body ...

	Dirty, bleeding, and twisted inside, Bucky makes his way to the 
edge of the room and leaves the warehouse.

SCENE 18 - FRITZ'S APARTMENT, GENUS

	Fritz is sound asleep in his comfortable bed when a comm rings by 
the side of the bed. He rolls over and ignores it the first time it 
goes off. The second time, he groans and reaches for it.

FRITZ
(into comm, groggily)
Chairman Warner.

GRIFF
(over comm)
Chairman, this is Griff.

FRITZ
(sitting up)
Do I even want to know why you're calling me at three in the morning?

GRIFF
(stern but low)
I'm afraid I have bad news, sir.

FRITZ
(opens his eyes)
Uh-oh.

GRIFF
The UAC just received a message from Major Bottlenose of the SIA. The 
auxiliary base on Sludge has been destroyed.

	Fritz lets VICE CHAIRMAN SANZER GRIFF's words hang in the air for 
a moment.

FRITZ
Destroyed as in, completely?

GRIFF
Yes, sir. He and Dexter escaped, but everyone else in the station was 
killed. They're pretty sure it was the toads, though they never saw 
anything.

	Fritz inhales as if to speak, but no words come to him. For once, 
he's speechless.

GRIFF
Sir?

FRITZ
Where are they? Dexter and Bottlenose?

GRIFF
En route to Genus, sir.

FRITZ
Make sure they're attended to once they land.
(beat)
I want an emergency meeting of the Security Council tomorrow at noon. 
The toads are advancing quickly, and we have to address the situation 
immediately.

GRIFF
Yes, sir.

FRITZ
Good night.

GRIFF
Good night, sir.

	Fritz shuts off the comm, then rears his arm back angrily, as if 
he's about to throw it across the room. He catches himself, however, 
and just sinks back into bed.

FRITZ
I swear, if one more thing happens ...

	The comm goes off.

FRITZ
(into comm, angrily)
What?!

DR. LURIE
(over comm)
Chairman?

FRITZ
(calming down)
Oh. Dr. Lurie. I'm sorry. I just received some bad news. I'm kind of on 
edge. How can I help you?

DR. LURIE
Well, I would appreciate it if you could come to Watership right away.

FRITZ
What? You *do* know what time it is, don't you?

DR. LURIE
It's about Willy.

FRITZ
Well, of course it's about Willy. What's going on?

	Fritz listens intently as DR. LURIE tells him something.

FRITZ
(sitting back up)
Yeah, I'll be right over.

	Turning off the comm, Fritz grumbles as he gets out of bed.

FRITZ
This has *not* been my month.

SCENE 19 - EMERGENCY ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	Doctors and nurses mill about the emergency room. Suddenly, Bucky 
stumbles in through the door and tries to make his way to a mouse 
NURSE. He falls down on his knees, clutching his still-bleeding face. 
The nurse runs up to him and holds him steady.

NURSE
(blinks)
Bucky O'Hare? What happened?

BUCKY
(somewhat weakly)
Mugger. Tried to rob me.
(beat)
Didn't even recognize me. Kinda funny, huh?

NURSE
Let me see your wound. Careful.

	The nurse softly helps Bucky remove his paw from the wound, and 
she inspects it.

NURSE
Now that's a weird angle. How close was he?

BUCKY
(winces)
Pretty close. Snuck up behind me.

NURSE
You got really lucky. He could have fried your head, but he didn't even 
cut you all that deep. It probably won't even need stitches. You came 
at a good time, too; it's been a slow night, so we can treat you right 
away. Any other medical problems?

BUCKY
None like the one bleeding down my face.

NURSE
Are you sure? You really seem shaken up.

BUCKY
(insistently)
I'm fine!

NURSE
(backing down)
All right. Let's get you fixed up, then. We'll need your insurance 
information, too.

BUCKY
Good old Mutual of Animals.

	The nurse helps Bucky stand up and allows the hare to lean on her 
as they walk into an examination room.

SCENE 20 - UNDERGROUND, GENUS

	BARNETT and an OCELOT enter PIGTON's room, slightly timidly.

PIGTON
(impatiently)
Well? Tell me what happened! It's been hours since Shira was sent out.

OCELOT
It ain't good, boss.

BARNETT
Shira's dead, and we think O'Hare got away.

	A look of horror and disgust spreads across Pigton's face.

PIGTON
This is unacceptable! What happened when you got there?

BARNETT
There were a couple cop cars and an ambulance outside the warehouse. We 
kept our distance and used the binoculars, and we saw them put Shira on 
a stretcher and pull a sheet over her.

OCELOT
There wasn't any trace of Bucky O'Hare anywhere.

BARNETT
After the cops left, we snuck into the warehouse. There were two pools 
of blood on the floor -- a big one and a small one. The big one was 
probably Shira's. The small one may have been Bucky's, but it wasn't 
too much blood. There was a lot of dust, and we saw some footprints, 
but we couldn't follow them outside the warehouse.

	Pigton, not knowing what to say, just sits there and fumes. 
Finally, he grabs the ocelot by the collar and begins shaking him.

PIGTON
(turning red)
Why does that goddamn rabbit evade me at every turn? *Why*?

OCELOT
(scared)
I-I-I don't know ... I ...

	Pigton releases the ocelot and pushes him away. Oddly calm all of 
a sudden, he turns to Barnett.

PIGTON
I want Richard O'Neil out of the picture, permanently.

BARNETT
You sure?

PIGTON
The police will identify Shira's body, and he's the first person 
they'll turn to for questioning. No matter how loyal he is, we can't 
take the chance of him revealing anything.
(beat)
I want it clean. A hard-to-trace poison, maybe. It has to look natural.

BARNETT
Will do. I'll contact our man on Warren right now.

	Barnett leaves the room. The ocelot, coughing, struggles to get 
up off the floor, then leaves as well. They close the door behind them, 
and Pigton begins talking to himself.

PIGTON
There's no point in going after Bucky O'Hare anymore. He's just too 
slippery. But it doesn't matter. Even he won't be able to stop us when 
our next plan is set in motion.
(beat)
All I have to do now is wait for the go-ahead from the toads.
(grins)
And I don't think that will be long in coming.

SCENE 21 - SPACE ABOVE TOAD HOMEWORLD

	Coming out of hyperspace, Toadborg's vessel cruises smoothly onto 
the surface of the Toad Homeworld and lands in an open dock. There are 
many toads milling about and doing work -- KOMPLEX makes sure progress 
is being made at all times. As Toadborg exits, a view screen extends 
downward from the ceiling and stops right in front of the cyborg. It 
hisses and comes to life, displaying an angry KOMPLEX.

KOMPLEX
Which would be a better question, Toadborg: Why you have not been at 
your last three scheduled assignments, or what possessed you to perform 
an act as foolish as leaving the home world without my permission or 
knowledge?

TOADBORG
I apologize for my insolence, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX, but it was not without 
benefit. Given the mammal response to our current activities, I deduced 
that they were still making use of an intelligence-gathering base, even 
though we had destroyed their original outpost on Sludge. Returning to 
that wretched planet, I indeed discovered a second base being used, and 
I destroyed it thoroughly. The mammals can no longer track our 
movements.

	KOMPLEX peers at Toadborg, still angry.

KOMPLEX
And what makes you so sure they will no longer be able to gather 
intelligence on us? There may well be a third base.

TOADBORG
Not only did I level the base from top to bottom with explosives, I 
succeeded in exterminating all but a handful of its operatives. I only 
detected one pod escaping from the wreckage, and it could not have held 
more than three mammals. The base surely held dozens, many of which I 
slaughtered with my own paws.

KOMPLEX
That did not answer my question, Toadborg.

TOADBORG
Our mistake with the first base has not been repeated. Practically none 
of their staff remains. Without men or equipment, any third base will 
be difficult to establish. And if our own intelligence regarding the 
current vessel of Bucky O'Hare is correct, then the mammals are unable 
to dispense with resources liberally, as we are.

KOMPLEX
(venomously)
You realize that no excuse pardons the fact that you disobeyed direct 
orders from me without a second thought. Do you have anything else to 
say for yourself before I pass judgment, Toadborg?

TOADBORG
I performed my actions for the glory of KOMPLEX and the expansion of 
the mighty Toad Empire. We are now at an even more significant 
advantage over the mammals. If a third base exists, I will locate it 
and crush it with my bare paws, as I did this base. I only regret I 
could not both perform this task and carry out my other assigned 
duties.

	KOMPLEX's eye slits narrow as the computer processes all of the 
information it has gathered.

KOMPLEX
Your stubbornness and refusal to learn from your mistakes angers me 
greatly, Toadborg. However, I do admit that I am impressed with the 
initiative you took and the results you have obtained, should your 
account be believed.
(beat)
I will send stormtoads to investigate the situation on Sludge 
immediately. If what you say is true, then you will have proven 
yourself to me once again and may regain your position in the military.

TOADBORG
(without showing emotion)
Thank you, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. I ...

KOMPLEX
(interrupting)
Do not make a habit of disobeying me. I will forgive, but never forget.

	The monitor retracts, leaving Toadborg standing in the middle of 
the dock. Many of the toad workers had stopped to listen to the 
conversation. Looking around, the cyborg begins barking out orders.

TOADBORG
Quit wasting time and get back to work, all of you! Laziness and 
incompetence will be punished severely! Work faster. Do your duty, for 
the glory of KOMPLEX!

	Elsewhere, KOMPLEX's main control room overflows with gigantic 
computer hardware, all connected together. A large monitor that 
practically fills one wall displays the face of KOMPLEX. No living 
being, toad or otherwise, is in the room.

KOMPLEX
It surprises me that Toadborg held out for this length of time. I knew 
full well he would attempt such a stunt, but he continued his menial 
labor tasks far longer than I expected. 
(beat)
Nevertheless, all is as it should be. Toadborg still understands the 
price of failure, he has resumed the position most suited to him in the 
toad hierarchy, and the mammals have been dealt a crippling blow.
(beat)
Indeed, perhaps it is time for my next master plan to be initiated.

SCENE 22 - CELL, FELDSPAR PRISON, WARREN

	RICHARD O'NEIL is asleep on his stiff cell bed when his usual 
bear GUARD walks up. The guard raps on the cell bars with his baton, 
and the clanging sound rouses Richard.

RICHARD
(sleepily)
Huh? What?

GUARD
C'mere.

RICHARD
OK.

	Richard lazily gets out of bed and walks up to the bars, right 
next to the guard.

GUARD
(under his breath)
Your niece is dead.

	This wakes Richard up.

RICHARD
*What*?!

GUARD
Pigton sent her out to kidnap Bucky O'Hare, but he got the drop on her. 
Didn't think he'd have it in him.

	Richard fumbles for words. His knees weaken, and he grabs one of 
the bars to steady himself and keep from falling over.

RICHARD
That filthy, stupid, mangy ...
(beat, softly)
She joined because of me.

GUARD
She joined to get revenge on Bucky, you mean.
(beat)
But don't worry. You'll be seeing her again soon.

RICHARD
(confused)
What? You just said she was dead!

	The guard places his paw on one of the horizontal bars of the 
cell door, then pulls it away. A small pill now rests on the bar where 
his paw was.

GUARD
(flatly)
Take this.

RICHARD
(confused)
What? Why?

GUARD
Pigton doesn't want to leave a mess. As soon as they ID Shira's body, 
they're going to start questioning you. You might reveal sensitive 
information.

RICHARD
(angrily)
He can't do this to me! I was there from the beginning! I helped him go 
underground!

GUARD
(unmoved)
You knew the risks.

RICHARD
(grabbing the bars and directly facing the guard, intently)
Break me out of here. I keep telling you to break me out, like you 
broke her out!

GUARD
No can do. All she did was try to steal a weapon. You're a fallen ex-
councilman who handed out security passes and tried to kill the UAC's 
biggest war hero while he was recovering in the hospital after saving 
the Chairman from being assassinated.
(beat)
They'd hunt you to the ends of the aniverse, and too many trails lead 
back to us.
(curtly)
Take the pill.

	Weakly, Richard looks up at the guard one last time, then takes 
the pill in his shaking paw. Looking oddly defiant, he swallows it, 
then walks back to his bed and lies down, staring at the ceiling. The 
guard walks off.

SCENE 23 - EMERGENCY ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	Bucky has been bandaged up and seems to be doing fine physically. 
He thanks the doctor as he walks out of the examination room, discharge 
papers in paw. He starts walking toward the exit doors when he stops in 
the middle of the hall and puts his right paw on his face.

BUCKY
(deep breath, thinking)
<What am I gonna do now? Was that really Shira?>
(beat)
<Oh, God, Shira.>
(beat, hurriedly)
<What's going on? Why was Shira there? Did Richard send her? Did he 
talk to Pigton? But then how did the message get to Genus? Maybe Fritz 
... no, he's a friend, dammit! Isn't he? Who else? Parker? Lucas, 
maybe? Someone I don't know? Dammit, it could be anyone!>

	Bucky's paw starts to shake. He wills it to stop. Just then, his 
comm goes off. His paw still unsteady, he answers it.

BUCKY
(into comm, a little weak)
Hello?

JENNY
(over comm)
Bucky?

BUCKY
(surprised but comforted)
Jenny, what time is it?

JENNY
About four in the morning. Listen ...

BUCKY
Why are you calling me at four in the morning?

JENNY
You have to get to Watership right away.

BUCKY
(looks around)
Funny you should say that. Why?

JENNY
It's Willy.

BUCKY
(suddenly alarmed)
What happened? Is everything OK?

JENNY
You should come see for yourself. How long will it take you to get 
here?

BUCKY
Two minutes.

JENNY
What? Where ...

	Bucky shuts off the comm and begins running down the corridors of 
the hospital, thankful for the distraction. He knows where ENGINEER 
WILLY DUWITT's room is, and he speeds toward there, dodging nurses, 
beds, and other hospital equipment in the halls.
	Finally arriving at the door to Willy's room, Bucky bursts 
through it. Standing around the bed are Fritz, Dr. Lurie, Jenny, and a 
panda nurse. What registers with Bucky far more, however, is the fact 
that Willy is sitting up, eyes halfway open, looking directly at him.

WILLY
(weakly)
Captain?

THE END