"Teamwork" by Rygar Additions by Kooshmeister First draft - 10/20/10 Final draft - 11/4/10 Edited by WatsonSword SCENE 1 - CASSIUS PRISON, GENUS Explosions sound in the background as the walls of this prison shake. Taking advantage of the confusion, TINKER and NEWTON run down a hallway, frantically looking for the exit. NEWTON It's around here somewhere! I know it! TINKER But we gotta go back for Zod and Al! NEWTON Let them handle it! That guard freed us, not them! Up ahead, Tinker spots an exit sign. A determined look on his face, he darts left down a hallway instead. NEWTON Hey, where are you going?! (grumbling) Yeah, yeah, you're right. Newton follows Tinker down the hallway. The two of them quickly stumble upon SLYLY ZOD's cell. The blue lizard hisses expectantly. ZOD What is going on? TINKER Your guess is as good as ours. But it's our chance to escape! Tinker pulls out a blaster and shoots the lock to Zod's cell. It crumbles, and the door swings open. ZOD Where did you get that? TINKER Guard gave it to us. ZOD Hmm. So someone is breaking us out, it seems. NEWTON C'mon, guys, let's get Al and go! ZOD He is down the next hallway to the right. Newton, Tinker, and Zod duck as another explosion shakes the building. Feeling the urgency, they run down the hallway and find AL NEGATOR sitting alone in a prison cell. NEGATOR (looking up) I figured you guys would use this opportunity. TINKER (shooting the lock) You know it! The door to the cell creaks open. Negator doesn't move. NEWTON What're you waiting for? Let's go! NEGATOR (shaking his head) You guys go ahead without me. TINKER What? That's crazy talk, Al! NEGATOR I'm done with all this. I'm ready to serve my time and put all this past me. ZOD (cross) This is about your cousin, is it not? He will not forgive you. NEGATOR (listening) You guys better hurry. Some guards are coming. Newton looks down the hall. While most of the prison guards have been investigating the explosions, two have just noticed the commotion at Negator's cell and are running over. NEWTON He's right! Leave him! Let's go! ZOD No. We will all leave together. Zod steps toward the sitting Negator. Quick as a flash, he pinches the base of the sleazasaur's neck. Negator flinches. NEGATOR Ow! What the hell was that for? ZOD (irritated) Hmph. Zod pinches Negator again, in almost the exact same spot. Negator tenses briefly, then relaxes as he falls unconscious. ZOD I am slightly rusty, it seems. Zod picks up the limp Negator and slumps him over his shoulder. ZOD (struggling slightly) Now, we may go. Zod, Tinker, and Newton scurry off, trying to keep ahead of the two guards. Another explosion rocks the building, giving them the opportunity to get ahead. Hoping to find a getaway shuttle, the mercs run outside. The scene is one of barely controlled chaos. The rumbling explosions, while small, have damaged the exterior of the prison building, and many guards run around, trying to contain the damage and keep order. A few guards spot the mercs making their getaway, but another explosion distracts them. Looking around frantically, Tinker spots an oddly familiar frigate sitting in the middle of the front lawn. TINKER You guys! (motioning) Isn't that ... Roedecker's ship? NEWTON Who cares? It's our ticket out of here! Newton darts toward the ship, followed closely by Tinker. Zod, still carrying Negator, trudges not far behind. As they approach The Wraith, the side hatch opens, beckoning them inside. They comply. Tinker, curious, scampers up to the cockpit. He immediately spots VINCENT ROEDECKER in the captain's chair, his paws on the steering mechanism. TINKER Roedecker! Why'd you save us? Roedecker does not respond. Tinker notices that, in the shadows behind Roedecker's chair, a THUG points a handheld maser pistol at the wolf's head. From down below, the hatch audibly closes. THUG Fly. Without any choice, Roedecker complies, steering his frigate into the sky and away from Genus. Tinker watches out the window as the prison explosions begin to die down. SCENE 2 - OUTSIDE UAC HEADQUARTERS, GENUS CHAIRMAN FRITZ WARNER, looking as chipper as possible for someone with his position and responsibility, steps out of his chauffered vehicle and approaches the front steps of the UAC building. This morning, like every morning, a huge throng of REPORTERS is waiting for him. He steels himself as they descend upon him. REPORTER #1 Chairman Warner! Any comment on the commotion at the Zeges border? FRITZ We're working on it. REPORTER #2 You've worked hard to balance the budget since resuming office. How will the destruction of Orwell Station affect that? FRITZ (making his way through the crowd) If I say "higher taxes," would you promise not to quote me? REPORTER #3 Fritz! The S.P.A.C.E. ranks are dwindling now, with the death of Captain Zebulon and the resignation of Captain Horehound. Any comment? FRITZ (off-handed) You want to pilot a frigate? REPORTER #4 Chairman Warner, my sources say the Nharnian delegation was ... By now, Fritz has made it to the door. He turns around and faces the reporters. FRITZ Press releases will be out by noon, as always. Fritz spins around and hurries through the door, same as every morning. He exhales, the weight slumping off his shoulders. FRITZ Not too bad for a Thursday. Fritz straightens his tie, steels himself, and strides toward his office. SCENE 3 - UNKNOWN LOCATION The thug, a beaver with a scar just to the side of his right eye, leads Tinker, Newton, Zod, and Roedecker into a cavernous, poorly lit room. He sneers, then steps back, his weapon trained on them. NEWTON What's the big deal? TINKER I mean, thanks for getting us out, but ... Roedecker shakes his head knowingly. ROEDECKER I've been here before. (calling) I know it's you, Jain! Footsteps echo through the room. A figure approaches the mercs and Roedecker. The light hits him, revealing him to be a stocky puma -- JAIN. JAIN I should have had Marley there hit you on the head harder. ROEDECKER I got a thick skull. Whaddaya want? JAIN With you? Nothing. You weren't who I wanted out. I just brought you along for the ride, since I'm sure you'll prove useful in the future. ROEDECKER Useful?! JAIN You're a lot easier to control than your irritating girlfriend, that's for sure. ROEDECKER (confused) You mean Mimi? JAIN (smirking) Ah. You do still have feelings for her. Good. I'll remember that. (waves a paw dismissively) You may go. ROEDECKER What? You seriously broke me out just so you can lord it over me in the future? JAIN Pretty much. Roedecker growls. He turns around and storms toward the door. He pauses just before the exit, slamming his clenched paw into the desk beside him. JAIN Temper, temper. (to Marley) Open it. Marley opens the door, only to reveal three more thugs, all sleazy-looking mammals, with their masers pointed at Roedecker. The wolf's eyes pop open with surprise. ROEDECKER You're gonna kill me? JAIN No. I'm just going to make sure you leave here unconscious, so you can't find me later. The three thugs shoot, all hitting Roedecker with stun blasts. The wolf twitches, then falls down. JAIN Keep his ship. And drop him off on Sludge. I don't want the UAC to get their paws on him. The thugs drag the limp Roedecker out of the room, and the door shuts behind them. Tinker, Newton, and Zod turn to face Jain. JAIN I see you brought your friend along. I surmised it might happen. ZOD Your words make little sense. JAIN I am not talking to you. (turning to Tinker) Tinker, I need you and Newton to do a job for me. NEWTON If you're the one that busted us outta prison, then I'm happy to help! JAIN Excellent. I ... TINKER Hey, first things first. You broke us outta the slammer, sure, and we appreciate it. But what's in it for us? JAIN (grins) Your wildest dreams. I assume the name Dr. Wallace means something to you? TINKER (blinks) Dr. Gregory Wallace? The famous reclusive inventor? JAIN The very same. But a recluse no more, for I have managed to locate his laboratory and sketch a rudimentary map of his security perimeter. TINKER (eyes wide) And you want me to go steal all his stuff? JAIN Precisely. Tinker begins to drool at the thought of getting his paws on Dr. Wallace's technological marvels. His left eye twitches. NEWTON And you want me in on this, too? JAIN Your size and slipperiness will be invaluable in invading what are no doubt computerized defenses. One destructive newt in the mainframe is all it takes. ZOD And where do Negator and I fit in? JAIN (dismissively) You don't. I need this to be a clean, small operation. You would be of no added benefit. I did not intend for either of you to be freed, though I knew it might happen. NEWTON Hey, now! We're a team, the four of us. We work together, or not at all. We need Zod to handle any big baddies that show up, and we need Al for ... you know, stuff. JAIN (irritated) I am hiring you for a small, covert operation. Not a bumbling mercenary free-for-all. NEWTON Well, it's either all of us or none of us. Right, Tinker? TINKER (to himself, rambling) I mean, the raw AFC tech *alone* is worth millions! And his hyperdrive components have the most untapped potential of anything I've come across! And ... Tinker is practically drooling all over himself. NEWTON Hmph. Well, you clearly can't send Tinker by himself. So it's all or nothing. You pick. JAIN (irritated) This is not the thanks I expected for liberating you gentlemen. ZOD You will get your reward. But we do function best as a team. Simply inform us of what needs to be done. SCENE 4 - DEEP SPACE A lone Betelgeusian banana runner zips through this out-of-the- way sector of space. Its carefully controlled path contrasts with the joyous noises coming from the cockpit, as BRUCE and BRUISER celebrate another successful mission. BRUISER Didja see da look on dat fox's face when we cornered 'im, brudder? BRUCE (munching a banana) I'll never forget it, brudder! Tryin' t' steal Canisian military secrets through an intermediary? Dumb, dumb, dumb. BRUISER (sitting back in his chair) Man, dis is da life! Goin' on missions, hangin' wit' my brudder, smashin' toads, and catchin' bad guys. It's so good t' have ya back, Bruce! BRUCE Good t' be back, Bruiser. (pounds the console) And with the money from this gig, mebbe I can get enough new components that this ship won't act up no more. BRUISER Aw, dis ship runs fine! Give yerself some credit, brudder. (pops his knuckles) Any more jobs comin' in? BRUCE (checking the console screen) Actually, we got one more. Dis'll be an easy one. In fact, I think we can manage it on our way back! The ship changes course slightly before hopping into hyperspace. SCENE 5 - UAC INTELLIGENCE BASE, BETELGEUSIA ENGINEER WILLY DUWITT, wearing his spell gem cap and a matching pair of spell gems strapped to his elbows, continues to practice his magic. Closing his eyes and concentrating, he moves several objects in the air with his mind, getting them to fly in patterns and formations. While straining slightly, he seems much more at ease with this task than previously. A few feet away, FIRST MATE JENNY observes Willy's progress, a soft smile on her lips. JENNY Very good, Willy! WILLY (guiding the objects down) Thanks, Jenny. I think I've got the hang of directing energy through multiple spell gems at once. JENNY From the looks of it, I agree with you. WILLY Should we try this lesson again next time? JENNY No, it's time to move on. I think you're ready to try a few offensive spells. WILLY Really? JENNY It's harder than defensive magic, but it can definitely be valuable. I think you're ready for the challenge. WILLY You're the boss. Willy gets a cup of water and sips it as he sits down next to Jenny. WILLY How are things going with Bucky? JENNY They're fine. We still have little things we need to work through, but considering all the madness that's been going on, I think things are finally on a path to stability. Willy remains silent for a moment. Jenny notices this and looks at him expectantly. WILLY (finally) I hope so. You've earned the right to be happy, Jenny. JENNY (remembering) Willy, you told me you had made some interesting findings in the transportation notes I brought you from Aldebaran? WILLY Oh, yeah, I knew something had slipped my mind. Hold this. Willy hands Jenny his water cup. She takes it for him as he gets up and jogs to a corner of the lab. He comes back, holding a small square of metal. WILLY Levitate this. JENNY (unsure) OK. Jenny closes her eyes and focuses a small bit of magic on the metal object. It doesn't budge. JENNY That's funny ... Jenny tries again, expending more of her energy. Still nothing. JENNY My stars, Willy. What is that metal? WILLY It's an ordinary piece of sheet metal, except I gave it a special treatment. It should be completely impervious to Aldebaran magic. JENNY And you got this from the transporter notes? WILLY Yep. Your ancestors used magic to teleport across the aniverse, but it took large, unstable amounts of energy. They had to construct teleportation devices that were immune to the damaging side effects of the magic. It sounds like it took them a while, but they figured out how to shield their equipment against their magic. JENNY That's ... remarkable. Every other method of shielding things from magic takes an exorbitant amount of energy. WILLY And this was really simple. JENNY (thinking) This would be nice against direct assaults. If only there were a way to protect against thought magic. WILLY Yeah, I was hoping this could be useful against the Armored Artificer, but I'm sure he could find ways around it. JENNY (sadly) Probably. But we'll be OK. (handing Willy his water back) I've got to go. Bucky and I are meeting for lunch. Same time on Saturday? WILLY I'll be here. SCENE 6 - UNKNOWN LOCATION Negator has joined the group in the main room. He looks unhappy to be there, but he goes along with the situation. He periodically rubs his neck. Marley holds a large, unfolded sketch of Dr. Wallace's complex, with Jain pointing at it and discussing his plan. JAIN (matter-of-factly) Dr. Wallace's defenses are no doubt formidable, but based on the observations we've made, they are far from insurmountable. If the perimeter alarm is tripped, some sort of robot force will respond. Fortunately, someone of Newton's size should easily be able to get through and access the security hub. (beat) Once inside, Newton, you will deactivate the defenses from within. Tinker should be able to assist you in this. I obviously don't know what the inside of Wallace's complex looks like, but Tinker should be able to help you find the security console and disable it without destroying the valuable technology. NEGATOR And once we get in there and secure the place -- what's the actual deal? JAIN Patience, Negator. As I was going to say, Tinker, the run of the place is yours. Do what you want with the technology. There are a few specific data files I need from in there. I will give you a list. You are welcome to make copies for yourself, but I wish to obtain this specific information above all else. NEWTON That doesn't sound so hard! JAIN It won't be, I assure you. (beat) But speaking of assurance ... Marley lowers the map, then draws his maser pistol. Before any of the mercs can react, he fires, shooting Zod in the stomach. Zod blinks, then falls over. Negator, Newton, and Tinker react in shock. NEGATOR (reaching for his own blaster) What the?! TINKER Hey, what kinda setup is this? JAIN Relax. He's only stunned. I have decided that your loyalty to one another is very useful. I will keep Zod here as my ... collateral. If Tinker does not bring me the data I have requested, then you do not get Zod back. Simple as that. TINKER (irritated) You really don't trust us, huh? JAIN Not especially. I don't trust anyone in this line of work. (motions toward Zod) But him I trust the least. Having him not present to ruin your mission is almost more valuable to me than using him as insurance. NEWTON Hey, that's my friend you're talking about! JAIN Indeed he is. So be a good friend to him and get me Dr. Wallace's hardware. Then you can all celebrate at Wrenches's. TINKER We need a ship first. JAIN One of my older frigates is waiting outside for you. I was not able to procure you your old ship, though I am sure you still have the blueprints somewhere. Negator, Newton, and Tinker eye each other warily. Finally, they nod. NEWTON This is startin' to stink. But I guess we should get it over with. SCENE 7 - BAR, SLUDGE This seedy bar in a seedy part of a seedy planet doesn't look too welcoming. Various lowlifes scurry about, nursing their drinks or keeping an eye out for their next job. In the back, TAYLOR, a skittish rat, sits by himself, sipping a red drink and looking concerned. His pulse quickens as Bruce and Bruiser enter the door. The BARTENDER notices his new visitors and shoots them a look. BARTENDER No UAC in here. House rules. BRUISER We ain't UAC. BRUCE Yeah, we're just looking for a friend. We won't cause no trouble. The bartender shakes his head, not wanting to confront two large baboons. Bruce and Bruiser look around and spot the seat where Taylor was just sitting. They walk up and notice his drink still sitting there. BRUCE (grumbling) Figures. Bruce looks around and spots only one way that Taylor could have snuck away. He stomps over to the bathroom and slams the door open. He spots Taylor trying to wriggle out a window. Reaching out his hand, he grabs the rat by the legs and yanks him back in. TAYLOR Aah! BRUCE Nice try. Bruiser walks in the door and spots Bruce holding Taylor upside down by his legs. The rat wheezes. The bartender storms in after them, flailing his arms. BARTENDER What are you doing? That's a paying customer! BRUISER He's had one too many. BRUCE Yeah. We're a taxi service. BARTENDER Look, if you guys don't get outta here ... BRUCE We're goin', we're goin'. Bruce and Bruiser slip out, still carrying Taylor. The rat is sweating profusely. TAYLOR You gotta let me go! You got the wrong guy! BRUCE We'll let Rigel VI sort that out. BRUISER They said a rat named Taylor sabotaged some of their factories. They don't even have no motive. BRUCE I'm sure you'll be happy to give 'em one, though. And if it's not you, you've got outstanding arrest warrants on three other planets besides. As Bruce and Bruiser walk back to their ship, Bruce spots a small street market where a vendor sells brown and purple bananas. BRUCE Hey! Excited, Bruce buys some of the purple bananas. He takes one bite, chews for a moment, and then forces himself to swallow. BRUCE Ugh. They don't taste near as good here. But they're still bananas! By now, Bruiser has Taylor tied up in their ship. Bruce boards, and the banana runner blasts off for Rigel VI. On the other side of a hill made entirely of trash, a small frigate touches down. The Wraith lands next to it. Two thugs disembark from the small frigate, carrying an unconscious Roedecker. They toss him into the dirt and mud, then get back on the frigate. The small frigate takes off, The Wraith following closely behind. SCENE 8 - LABORATORY, TOAD HOMEWORLD Several toad SCIENTISTS in glasses and white lab coats work in this state-of-the-art laboratory, running experiments, analyzing results, and discussing findings with one another. In the center of the room, housed in a thick glass case, is the pure black gem of the Armored Artificer of Aldebaran. The main door slides open, and TOADBORG steps through. His voice echoes through the round room. TOADBORG What have you found? SCIENTIST #1 Uh, we've only had this gem for five days ... TOADBORG I asked for answers, not vacillation! Can we harness this power? SCIENTIST #2 I think so, but it's not going to be easy. We found some notes from the human on Aldebaran magic. They're not much, but I think we can use them to combine our plasma weaponry with this gem. SCIENTIST #3 The problem is that it's a limited resource. We can't replicate or synthesize this gem. We're either going to have to channel its energy somehow, or we're gonna have to shatter it into small pieces and use a piece in each weapon. SCIENTIST #2 And shattering that thing is not going to be easy. I think it doesn't even like being looked at. TOADBORG You are the smartest scientists in our entire organization. Do not think that that will protect you from my wrath if you fail at this assignment. Toadborg storms out. The scientists look at one another nervously, though a few roll their eyes. SCIENTIST #4 He's always like this. SCENE 9 - CHAIRMAN WARNER'S OFFICE Fritz has lunch at his desk when the door swings open and CAPTAIN MIMI LAFLEUR walks in. MIMI We need to talk. Surprised, Fritz almost chokes on his sandwich. Swallowing his bite down, he clears his throat before speaking. FRITZ I thought you were scheduled for this time tomorrow. MIMI No, today. It was the first thing you had available, and I promised I'd make an actual appointment to see you. Fritz shakes his head, then activates the comm on his desk. FRITZ (into comm) Claire, is Mimi scheduled for today or tomorrow? CLAIRE SHEFFIELD, Fritz's secretary, responds. CLAIRE (over comm) Today, sir. FRITZ Well, shoot. (looks around) I'm a little busy today. Any chance you can come back tomorrow? Mimi puts her paws on her hips. MIMI No, dammit. You're just trying to avoid an awkward conversation. FRITZ (defeated) ... yeah. I am. MIMI (cross) You're welcome for my help last week, by the way. FRITZ It would have worked out OK, but thank you. MIMI (having a seat) So. You send me off with a present, then you ignore my calls and avoid me when you're on Genus. Then all of a sudden, you're Chairman again, and I don't even get to meet with you? You've had my ship on nothing but patrol since your reelection. Fritz pauses a moment to let all that sink in. FRITZ It was a nice present. I was taking care of Kadaf. I didn't ask to be Chairman again. And there hasn't been anything much to send your ship after. MIMI (standing up) Dammit, Fritz, I don't deserve this! I knew this was temporary the minute I found out you had a trail of ex-wives. But you don't have to be such an asshole about it! Fritz drums his fingers on the desk. FRITZ Look, Mimi ... (looks down) You know I'm involved in some crazy stuff. You clearly know a few things about Nuras and about the Nharnians. The stuff you don't know, I could barely explain to you if I wanted. But this is all to say that I'm a mess. My life is complicated and stupid, and you didn't deserve to have to put up with all of it. I hoped I could keep you from it, but once you started finding stuff out, I knew you wouldn't rest. You're nosy, which is actually one of your best qualities ... MIMI (snorts) I assume you meant that as a compliment, so fine. Keep going. FRITZ It wasn't going to work out. You were going to learn everything about me, and either it would overwhelm you and you'd leave me, or you'd get too into it and you'd wind up dead. Trust me, if you got close enough to me, Nuras would have killed you just to see the look on my face. MIMI I can handle myself, thank you. FRITZ Most of the time, yes. But this is too big for you. It's too big for anyone. And I decided to spare you from all of it. MIMI By leaving me hanging? FRITZ (shrugs) I'm ... not good at break-ups. Any excuse I made would have sounded hollow. And Kadaf really did need someone to take care of him. (beat) Look. I screwed this up. I can't deny that. But I didn't do it out of spite, or hatred, or maliciousness, or ineptness. (beat) OK, a little ineptness. But I did it to protect you. I did it because I love you. Mimi's nostrils flare, and she takes an angry step toward Fritz's desk. MIMI You did *not* just use that line on me. FRITZ (raising his paws defensively) Sorry. But it's true. You deserve better than me. Or at least ... you deserve different than me. (beat) You're a vibrant, young, exciting, attractive woman. I'm an old, flaky, untrustworthy politician with what practically amounts to ties to the occult. I really should never have dragged you into this in the first place. Mimi is still angry, but seeing a deflated Fritz verbally flagellate himself in front of her saps away some of her righteous energy. She softens a little. MIMI I came here for a conversation, not for you beating yourself up and claiming ... ignorance, or stupidity, or whatever it is you're claiming. Fritz sighs, his shoulders slumping heavily. FRITZ I am sorry, Mimi. Miriam. Captain LaFleur. Whatever you prefer. We had a good time together, and I ruined it. It had to be done, but that doesn't make it any less painful. (beat) Sorry. Fritz looks absentmindedly out the window. Mimi searches for a response, but she can't find anything to say. She nods, slowly and solemnly. MIMI I'll ... try to understand. (beat) Goodbye, Fritz. Mimi turns around and silently walks out of the office, closing the door behind her firmly. Fritz watches her as she leaves, his eyes and ears drooping. He sighs and opens his mouth for a moment before finally speaking to himself. FRITZ I really lost myself a good one this time. SCENE 10 - ABANDONED PLANET A small, unadorned frigate touches down on this desolate planet. The hatch opens, and Negator, Newton, and Tinker step out. NEGATOR You sure this is it? TINKER These are the coordinates that guy gave us, yeah. NEWTON So where do I need to slip in? You see any defense system command post or anythin'? TINKER (consulting a sheet of paper) The notes say everything is pretty much hidden, but there should be an opening in one of the rock formations over there. Tinker points to several piles of rocks off in the distance. NEWTON (furrowing his brow) Any chance you guys can help me narrow it down? NEGATOR (shrugs) I guess we start diggin'. Negator, Newton, and Tinker wander over to the rock formation, keeping a lookout for anything that could be keeping an eye on them. They don't do a good-enough job, as a small, well-hidden security camera perched high in a tree spots them. Underground, DR. WALLACE, an aged baboon scientist, notices a red light blinking on his security console. He drops what he's doing and inspects the surveillance screen. WALLACE Hmm. RAMSAY MACLEOD, Wallace's raccoon assistant, ambles over. RAMSAY What it is? WALLACE Intruders. I knew they would come some day, but I expected them to be toads. RAMSAY Well, they could be working for the toads. WALLACE True, but either way, the bufo toxin in my security gas won't kill them. RAMSAY Well, it'll sting and blind them, and then the drones can take care of them. WALLACE Agreed. Wallace presses a button on the console. Above ground, two nozzles pop out of small patches of brown grass next to the rocks. A thin green gas seeps out of them. Negator notices it first. NEGATOR Gas! They're onto us! NEWTON Then let's get going! Newton runs ahead, reaching the rocks first. He starts looking for a hole small enough for himself, to no avail. Tinker gets there next, his eyes stinging from the green gas. He starts looking around as well. NEGATOR (pulling out his plasma rifle) How about I just blast the rocks away? TINKER That might ... woah! The ground underneath Tinker suddenly lifts up, pushing him a few feet in the air. Tinker clings on for dear life. As the ground stops moving, Tinker notices that a metal staircase has been revealed. TINKER Found it! The air now thick with green gas, Tinker doesn't notice the three robot drones zooming out of the hole until it's almost too late. TINKER Incoming! The robots zoom by Tinker, not noticing him behind them. They beeline for the first visible target -- Negator. NEGATOR (having difficulty seeing) I got these guys. You two take cover! Negator begins shooting in the general direction of the drones. He hits two of them; they sputter a bit, but keep coming. He also nearly hits Tinker, who ducks. TINKER Yow! Watch it! Tinker suddenly notices the ground receding under him. It's already almost too small an opening for him to squeeze through. TINKER Newton! In! Now! Newton, already running for the opening, barely slips through before the ground slams shut behind him. NEWTON (over walkie-talkie) I'm in! TINKER (into walkie-talkie) Just find the nearest control panel-looking thing and rip the wires out! NEGATOR Tinker, gimme a hand! Negator is fending off the drones, but just barely. They are coming closer to him and have opened their palms to reveal blaster barrels. They fire at Negator, who dives to take cover. NEGATOR C'mon, give 'em a virus or something! TINKER It's not that easy! Tinker pulls out a taser and runs toward Negator and the drones. His eyes water from the gas, but he manages to zap one of the drones, which fritzes and falls over. Another drone notices him and glares at him. TINKER Ack! The drone fires at Tinker, hitting the rat in his right shoulder. His arm spasms, and he drops his weapon. TINKER (pained) Al! NEGATOR Dammit, we need Zod! Negator fires at the drone advancing on Tinker, knocking it over. Its wheels spin wildly, and the drone is unable to right itself. The third drone fires right at Al's chest, hitting him and knocking the wind out of him. The sleazasaur falls over, stunned. The drone advances, standing directly over Negator, pointing its weapon at his head. NEGATOR (stunned) Didn't even want to come on this stupid gig ... Inside the compound, Newton has found an important-looking alcove off to the side of the staircase. He slips inside and sees several more drones like the ones that attacked them. They are fortunately hibernating. Newton looks around quickly. Spotting a computer terminal, he wriggles in between the panels and looks around. He sees what looks like a motherboard with several wires attached to it. NEWTON (into walkie-talkie) Tinker, I'm in! What should I do? TINKER (over walkie-talkie, panicked) Just rip it up! HURRY! Newton, surprised at the fear in Tinker's voice, instinctively tugs at the motherboard. It won't budge. He turns to the wires. Steeling himself, he grabs them and takes a bite, tearing through them with his teeth. Above ground, the drone is about to fire on Negator when its optics dim. It wobbles, then falls down on top of the sleazasaur. NEGATOR Oof! This thing is heavy. Negator forces the drone off of him and goes to check on Tinker, who cowers behind a tree, nursing his arm. NEGATOR You're really not good at this. TINKER I didn't have time to plan! I didn't know anything about the defenses or what kind of tech he was using! NEGATOR Whatever. (massages his chest) At least Newton saved our bacon. Underground, Wallace and Ramsay watch the screen with concern. WALLACE Perhaps I should have sent the whole contingent after them. RAMSAY Well, we've got other robots we can use. As Wallace and Ramsay talk, AFC LASHES walks up to the screen. LASHES What are Negator and Newton doing here? WALLACE (turning around) You know them? LASHES They're the ones who hijacked the ship I was on. RAMSAY Really? Then you know how they operate. LASHES Sloppily, at best. WALLACE Do you think you could apprehend them for us? LASHES (flexing her tendrils) Certainly, Dr. Wallace. SCENE 11 - RENFIELD'S APARTMENT, GENUS RENFIELD BILLINGS sits on his couch, looking extraordinarily depressed. His normally neatly combed hair is in disarray. He is casually dressed. Shifting slightly, he reaches down and rubs the device attached to his right ankle: a metal bracelet with a little red light that blinks on and off intermittently. A condition of his "freedom." He is under house arrest and under constant observation. There is a knock at the door. Renfield jumps, sitting upright. The door opens, and a squirrel DETECTIVE guarding Renfield enters with a key. He regards the false hare with a mixture of disdain and apathy. DETECTIVE You got a visitor. RENFIELD (confused) A visitor? But who would want to see me? DETECTIVE (reciting) Mackenzie. Level three. File and Records Department. The detective observes Renfield's reaction and smirks a bit. DETECTIVE Yeah, figured you'd recognize 'im. Hearing footsteps, Renfield and the detective both turn to the door as DAWSON MACKENZIE enters with a second DETECTIVE, this one a skunk, behind him. The first detective addresses him. DETECTIVE #1 You got five minutes. We'll be right outside the door. (to second detective) C'mon. DETECTIVE #2 (over his shoulder as they leave) And no funny business. Remember, Billings, one wrong move and it's off to the slammer with you. We got our eye on you. DETECTIVE #1 The slammer? Don't you mean the circus? The two detectives laugh as they exit, shutting the door behind them. Throughout all of this, Dawson merely stood, staring straight at Renfield still seated on the couch. There is a long, awkward silence. Finally, Renfield attempts to break the ice. He lifts his right leg. RENFIELD (nervously) Like my ankle accessory? Dawson looks at the ankle bracelet. He doesn't reply, and Renfield lowers his leg. RENFIELD (smiling weakly) It's not really my color, huh? (beat) A condition of my, uh, parole, you might say. Fritz sort of got me off since I came forward more or less willingly. Helped 'em find Krug's hideout and that bomb on Orwell. (his smile fades) A shame they didn't defuse it in time. (determination coming over him) But that's not on my head. That was all Creelevard. He never mentioned that backup detonator. Renfield seems to realize he's ranting, as if defending himself against a phantom jury, and trails off into silence. After a moment, Renfield stands, looking anxious. RENFIELD Anyway, Fritz got the Security Council to put me under house arrest for the time being. That being, I guess, the duration of the war. Sometimes they come and ask me questions. Mostly they just seem to like to pretend I don't exist. Dawson still doesn't say anything. He just swallows audibly. RENFIELD For goodness's sake, Dawson, say something to me. DAWSON (trembling a bit) You lied to me. About, well, nearly everything. Your name. Where you come from. You ... you made me eat cricket casserole! I ... you and I, we ... aw, jeez, Renfield, we ... Dawson looks distressed, but not ill as he had before. Renfield slumps his shoulders, head hanging down. RENFIELD (sadly) I'm not going to ask for your forgiveness, Dawson. I want it. I really do. But after all the lies, I can't bring myself to ask you to accept my apology. But I am sorry. So very sorry. DAWSON (angrily) What exactly were you planning to do? How could you have expected our relationship to work? After you got done helping the toads take over, were you gonna keep me as some kind of slave, or ... RENFIELD (interrupting) Cut it out! No! After I met you, I knew I was through with my fellow toads! Krug and Creelevard would have killed me if I'd disobeyed them. You've got to understand how difficult it is to say no to guys like that. But I was gonna give it all up to stay with you! (lifts his head) Because that was the one thing that was never a lie. Us. All those times I said I loved you, I meant it. And that night after dinner ... that was for real. Tears stream down Renfield's cheeks. Dawson looks shocked and takes a step toward him, tentatively placing his paw on Renfield's shoulder. Renfield lunges forward and hugs Dawson, startling him, but Dawson doesn't pull away. His anger at the toad-turned-hare melts away, and they embrace as they both sit down on the couch. They clutch one another and cry together. DAWSON (sniffling) It doesn't matter what you are. I can see how sorry you are, how much you're hurting inside. And if the toad inside you hurts that much over what he did, then ... then I can love that toad. (makes Renfield look at him) You didn't ask for my forgiveness, Ren, but you have it. The door opens unexpectedly, and the two detectives reenter, looking a little bemused to see the two hares cuddling on the couch. The second detective gestures for Dawson to come with him. DETECTIVE #2 All right, you two lovebirds, c'mon. Time's up. DETECTIVE #1 (smirking) Eh, ease up, there, Bretner. (more gently to the pair) Come on, Mackenzie. You can visit your boy toy again later. Renfield and Dawson nod. After a moment, the two hares -- real and fake -- kiss unashamedly in front of the amused detectives. Dawson pulls away from Renfield and starts towards the door. After a moment, he stops and turns. The first detective looks impatient. DETECTIVE #1 What is it? DAWSON (to Renfield) By the way, what is your real name, anyway? RENFIELD (without hesitating) It's Renfield Billings. I never want to be called anything else. Dawson smiles and nods, and then leaves, the two detectives following up. DETECTIVE #1 You ever see anything so disgusting? DETECTIVE #2 A toad and a hare. Makes you want to puke. The door shuts. Ignoring the detectives, Renfield is left feeling infinitely cheerier. SCENE 12 - ABANDONED PLANET Recovering, Negator and Tinker approach the rock formation where the drones emerged. NEGATOR Come on, let's get in there and take out the old guy. TINKER (checking the rock formation) I doubt that's all he has up his sleeve, but maybe Newton took care of everything. As if on cue, the hatch pops open again. Negator and Tinker blink in surprise. NEGATOR That was eas ... erk! Negator is silenced by a tendril that darts out from the darkness of the staircase and wraps around his neck. Another tendril wraps itself around his arms and chest. Tinker, startled, can't react in time to dodge the tendril that wraps around his legs. They are both lifted into the air, with Tinker dangling upside down. TINKER L-Lashes? AFC Lashes emerges from the ground, a stern look in her eye. LASHES You are not authorized to be here. NEGATOR Lashes! What gives? We're your bosses! It's me, Captain Al! LASHES Negative. You are Al Negator, wanted mercenary, and you are trespassing. TINKER Wallace must have reprogrammed her! NEGATOR (having trouble breathing) Well, un-reprogram her, dammit! TINKER (the blood rushing to his head) Lashes! Override code three-two-nine-nine! LASHES Unrecognized code. TINKER Crap! Lashes, override code one-one-two-three-five! LASHES (squeezing harder) Unrecognized code. NEGATOR Tinker! Come on! TINKER It's not my fault! Lashes, override code nine-nine-nine-nine! LASHES Not good enough, Tinker. NEGATOR (wheezing) Tinker, how many incorrect overrides did you program into her? TINKER (dizzy) Three ... I did three ... but ... (realizing) Lashes! Speech lock eight-five-oh! Authorization lock seven-two! The pupil in Lashes's eye dilates. Her tendrils droop, dropping Negator and Tinker to the ground in a painful thud. They roll over, groaning, and look at Lashes. LASHES (in a British accent) Lemon curry? NEGATOR (coughing) What ... what the hell did you do? TINKER It's a weird speech override I found deep in Lashes's source code one day. I didn't put it there, but I'm glad I left it alone! NEGATOR (getting up) And she's just going to stay like this? LASHES Lemon curry? TINKER (getting up) I hope so. If Wallace remotely overrides it, we're screwed. NEGATOR Then let's ... aw, crap. Negator notices that the hatch that opened for Lashes is closing again. Underground, Newton groans. Lightly toasted, he props himself up off the ground. NEWTON That tingled ... Newton then notices another motherboard a few feet away, similarly wired into the surrounding computer equipment. A few lights on the ground just by the motherboard suddenly begin blinking. NEWTON Aw, man ... Knowing what he has to do, Newton dives over to the second set of wires and chomps through them. Once again electrocuted, he slumps to the ground, dazed and weak. Back on the surface, the hatch stops closing. It is now frozen halfway shut. TINKER Oh, thank goodness! NEGATOR (squinting) I think I can fit through that. TINKER I know I can! Whee! Tinker lifts his taser and charges down the dark staircase. Negator, grumbling, squeezes himself through the small opening. NEGATOR (to himself) I shoulda laid off all that dessert in prison. Underground, a worried look crosses Wallace's face as he presses buttons on the console, to no avail. WALLACE They've managed to short out the entire defense system! RAMSAY What can we do? Wallace hesitates. WALLACE I could blow it all up again ... RAMSAY No! I haven't had time to finish the backups! We'll lose a ton of work! WALLACE (solemnly) Better than having it fall into toad hands. Wallace is about to press a button when a plasma blast comes from across the room, hitting the computer panel he was next to. NEGATOR Ah, ah, ah, Doctor. We can't have you blowing up all this equipment. It's bad for patient care. TINKER (behind Negator) He's not that kind of doctor, you idiot! NEGATOR Hey, *you* come up with good quips while you're holding up a scientist. TINKER Who do you think writes that very column in Tech Thief magazine? NEGATOR (ignoring Tinker) I suggest you raise your hands high, Dr. Wallace. Keep them where I can see 'em. Wallace reluctantly begins to raise his hands in defeat. Ramsay, however, bolts. NEGATOR Hey! Negator fires after Ramsay, but the raccoon is too quick for him, and he darts into a side room. NEGATOR Dammit! Tinker, go zap him. I'll keep an eye on the baboon. Tinker nods and chases after Ramsay, his taser shooting sparks. In a side room, Ramsay rushes over to a piece of communications equipment. He hits a preset button and activates the comm. RAMSAY (into comm) Mayday! Mayday! Whoever's getting this, we are under attack! Repeat, Dr. Wallace's compound is under attack! Coordinates are ... Ramsay hesitates, not really wanting to give out the coordinates of this secret laboratory. With a sigh, he realizes that he must. RAMSAY Coordinates are three-two ... ack! Tinker has come up from behind and zapped Ramsay with the taser. The raccoon twitches and falls over, unable to complete his message. Tinker walks up to the comm and shuts it off. TINKER (shaking his head) Don't worry. I won't shoot you up like Negator shot your cousin. (pets the comm) I bet even Wallace's comm-station has awesome goodies inside! SCENE 13 - DEEP SPACE Bruce and Bruiser are headed home, Taylor tied up in the bay behind them, when the ship's comm lights up. BRUCE Anudder call, huh? Bruce presses a button, and Ramsay's voice filters in. RAMSAY (over comm) Repeat, Dr. Wallace's compound is under attack! Coordinates are ... coordinates are three-two ... ack! Bruce's eyes open wide. BRUISER Hey, ya think he mean da same Dr. Wallace who you worked wit'? BRUCE He's gotta. The first half o' the coordinates match up. (urgent) We gotta help! Good think we ain't too far away! Bruce turns the banana runner hard to the left. The frigate skitters a bit before it jumps into hyperspace. SCENE 14 - LABORATORY, TOAD HOMEWORLD In the lab housing the pure black gem, an excited scientist jumps up and down. SCIENTIST #5 I got it! I figured it out! All the scientists turn toward him. SCIENTIST #5 I figured out how to channel the gem's energy! SCIENTIST #2 How? SCIENTIST #5 I got those shards from Crystal Peak to resonate on the same frequency. It's a bit iffy right now, but they seem to be displaying a similar energy pattern, though it's weaker. SCIENTIST #1 I already tried that! SCIENTIST #5 It only worked after I coated the shards with a liquid substance we uncovered in that regen warehouse raid a few months ago. SCIENTIST #3 You mean the stuff in those green barrels? I'm glad I had those saved! SCIENTIST #4 Do you think it can handle broadcasting to as many shards as we want? Toadborg asked for five thousand. SCIENTIST #5 (a little dejected) Splitting up the energy like that weakens it a bit, so we can only broadcast the power through so many shards. With my calculations, I'll be lucky if I can get three thousand. SCIENTIST #2 That's still a lot of troops. SCIENTIST #3 Yeah, we could take over the aniverse with that, no sweat! SCIENTIST #4 Toadborg'll be happy with what you give him. I mean, what else is he gonna do? SCIENTIST #5 I hope you guys are right. (beat) Now, we still need to figure out how to focus the gem's power to create directed magical energy ... SCIENTIST #1 One hurdle down, a dozen more to go ... The scientists all congregate, working together toward a common goal. SCENE 15 - ABANDONED PLANET Underground, Wallace and Ramsay are gagged and tied up in a closet, with Ramsay still unconscious. Tinker sits on the floor of the main room, reprogramming Lashes. He is next to the main computer terminal, which seems to be transferring copious amounts of information to an external drive Tinker has plugged in. TINKER Almost got it ... there! Satisfied, Tinker closes Lashes's rear panel. He stands her up and activates her. The android blinks, then softens. LASHES Engineer Tinker! How good to see you! TINKER (grinning) Good to see you too, Lashes! The door opens, and Negator steps in, carrying a lightly toasted Newton, who is upright but woozy. NEGATOR Found him in that room we passed by on the stairs. (waves his hand through the air) You smell like charcoal, Newton. NEWTON (weakly) No permanent damage ... I hope ... TINKER Hey, Newton! Good job disabling the security system! NEWTON Yeah, no problem. Hey, is that Lashes? LASHES Captain Al and Pilot Newton! It seems we have almost all reunited. Where is Gunner Zod? NEGATOR (laying Newton on the floor) We're gonna go get him as soon as we're done here. We're, uh, picking up some scientific UAC equipment from one of their research facilities. LASHES (looking around) This all seems so familiar ... TINKER (quickly) It's a facility similar to where they made you, I think. Go around with Al and tell him what's valuable. I need to finish getting files off the computer. Lashes nods and begins showing Negator around. Newton groans and slumps over, exhausted. Tinker directs his attention toward the computer. He begins to drool again. TINKER This is the best day of my life! Above ground, the banana runner touches down on the surface of the planet, right near the mercs's frigate. Bruce and Bruiser step out. Bruce takes a quick look at the ratty old frigate parked next to their banana runner. He searches the hull quickly, finds a panel, opens it, and rips a few wires out. BRUCE C'mon, Bruiser, I'll show you where the entrance is. Bruce leads Bruiser to the rock formation where the secret entrance to Wallace's laboratory is. The hatch is closed now. BRUCE It's down here underneath dese rocks. Ya gotta open it from the inside, though, unless ya got the remote key. BRUISER (pulling out a grenade) I got one'a dose. Bruiser removes the grenade pin and sits the grenade on top of the rocks. He and Bruce take cover. The explosion rips open the hatch, revealing the metal staircase that leads underground. BRUCE Not subtle, but I'll take it. C'mon! Bruce and Bruiser rush down the stairs. Underground, Tinker's teeth chatter involuntarily as the explosion reverberates through the room. TINKER Oh, that isn't good. (yelling) Al, we may have company! Negator and Lashes enter the room, each carrying a load of computer equipment. NEGATOR Yeah, I felt it too. Negator puts down the equipment and draws his plasma rifle. Tinker nervously pulls out his taser. Newton, still weak, sits up, concerned. Suddenly, a bellowing yell echoes through the hallway containing the staircase, reverberating and distorting as it enters the room. BRUISER Ayoooooooga! Bruiser storms into the room, setting his sights on Negator and Tinker. BRUISER Well, I'll be. Al Negator and his little dummies. TINKER Hey! I'm not that little! Bruce enters the room behind Bruiser. BRUCE Brudder, you handle dese nincompoops. I'm gonna make sure Dr. Wallace is OK! Bruce runs into a different room, searching for Wallace and Ramsay. BRUISER (approaching) Dis is gonna be easy. NEGATOR Stay back, big boy. Negator fires at Bruiser, who dodges the shot and lunges at Negator. The sleazasaur dives out of the way, knowing he could never win in a contest of strength against Bruiser. He lashes out with his tail. Bruiser quickly grabs the tail and uses Negator's momentum against him, spinning the sleazasaur around and hurling him through the air. Negator lands in a heap, groaning. Tinker nervously holds up his taser. BRUISER Yer makin' me laugh. Dat wouldn't even tickle. Just then, Lashes launches her tendrils at Bruiser. The baboon is caught off-guard momentarily, but he manages to keep his attacker at bay. BRUISER Why do youse guys have a pink Blinky? LASHES You are interfering with important UAC business! BRUISER A *stupid* pink Blinky. Bruiser parries all of Lashes's attacks but remains on the defensive. Negator tries to pick himself up but is still disoriented from being flung around. Newton, barely standing up, knows what he has to do. NEWTON I'll help you, Lashes! Newton runs over to Bruiser and climbs on his leg. BRUISER What da ... Newton runs up Bruiser's leg and onto his back, leaving a trail of slime behind. He leaps onto Bruiser's head and covers the baboon's eyes. BRUISER Ya gross little ... Distracted by Newton, Bruiser can no longer prevent Lashes from getting a good swipe in. The android hits Bruiser in the belly, knocking the wind out of him. BRUISER Oof! Lashes then wraps Bruiser in a coil. LASHES I warned you. BRUISER But I didn't warn you! Bruiser grabs the coil ensnaring him and begins to bend it. The metal starts to buckle under the pressure. LASHES Alert! Alert! TINKER We gotta get out of here! Tinker yanks his external hard drive out from Wallace's computer. He nervously looks at all the equipment Negator and Lashes have scavenged. He doesn't have time to sort out what's important, so he grabs the nearest pile and sprints to the surface. TINKER Al, Newton, let's go! Negator, disoriented, also grabs a handful of equipment and runs. Newton, not sure what to do, drops two globs of slime in Bruiser's eyes. BRUISER Argh! Newton hops off of Bruiser and escapes. NEWTON Lashes, come on! (calling ahead) Wait for me, you guys! At that moment, Bruce reenters the room, with Wallace and Ramsay safely behind him. BRUCE You need a hand, brudder? BRUISER (wiping his eyes) Nah, I got dis. Bruiser begins grabbing the tendril holding him, one hand at a time, pulling Lashes toward him. The android cannot get herself into a position to overpower her opponent. Noticing that the mercs have bolted, she decides to depart as well. LASHES This will not be forgotten. Lashes electrifies her tendril, shocking Bruiser. The startled baboon lets go. Lashes drops him to the ground, then hurries after Negator, Newton, and Tinker. BRUISER Ooh ... BRUCE (alarmed) Brudder! BRUISER (stunned) I'll be OK. (getting up) But I ain't gonna let 'em escape! Above ground, Tinker has made it to their ship. Negator catches up to him to see Tinker frantically going over the destroyed external panel. A pile of electronics equipment sits on the ground next to him. TINKER They ripped out the power connection! It's not gonna fly! NEGATOR Well then, let's get on their ship! TINKER Hey, good idea! Tinker picks up his haul, and he and Negator sprint over to the banana runner. They open its hatch and climb aboard. The first thing Tinker sees is Taylor tied up on the floor of the main bay. TAYLOR Tinker! TINKER Taylor! NEGATOR You know this guy? TINKER (running up to Taylor) Yeah, he's my cousin! Tinker unties Taylor. TINKER What happened? TAYLOR Those two baboons caught me after I stole some secrets from Rigel VI. NEGATOR Less talking, more flying! TINKER Oh, right! (runs up to the console) Taylor, can you help me fly this? TAYLOR Maybe. I kept an eye on how they were pilotin' it. As Negator steps outside the frigate to direct Newton and Lashes, Tinker and Taylor work together to get the ship started. NEGATOR (coming back in) They're almost here. But Bruiser is right behind them! Newton and Lashes dive aboard. Bruiser is a few dozen feet away and closing in. NEWTON Go go go! Tinker and Taylor manage to get the banana runner airborne, and the ship takes off into the atmosphere, Bruiser just barely unable to catch up to it. He shakes his fist in the air. BRUISER (angry) Come back here wit' our ship, you lousy stinkin' lowlifes! SCENE 16 - CHAIRMAN WARNER'S OFFICE Fritz, after a busy day of whatever boring stuff he does as Chairman, is winding down. He flips through documents with one paw and snacks on potato chips with the other. Just then, his desk comm lights up. CLAIRE (over comm) Your four o'clock is here, sir. FRITZ (into comm, blinking) I thought I was done for the day. CLAIRE I'm afraid not. I'm letting him in. CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE steps into Fritz's office. Fritz groans mentally as he leans back in his chair. BUCKY We need to talk. FRITZ I've heard that already today. (beat) I honestly forgot we were scheduled for today. BUCKY You were booked solid all week otherwise. FRITZ That sounds about right. So what's up? How's the ship? How's Jenny? BUCKY (sitting, calmly) You know why I'm here, Fritz. FRITZ Landlord giving you grief again? Bucky closes his eyes and shakes his head. BUCKY I figured I'd give you a few days to bring it up. You know, give you a chance. With all the Renfield craziness, I gave it another few days. But you haven't said one word to me since it happened. FRITZ Since what happened? BUCKY Since I died. Fritz gulps a bit. FRITZ Right, that. What specifically did you want to talk about regarding it? BUCKY Well, for starters ... everything! I drown on a mission, and next thing I know, Kadaf is Death, and you're both dead and alive, and I ... I don't ... I don't even know what's going on! Bucky is trying to keep calm, but he's clearly exasperated by the situation. FRITZ (wincing) Could you please keep it down? The walls aren't that thick. BUCKY Fritz, stop it with the glib asides and give me a straight answer. FRITZ Fine. Yes, Kadaf is Death. He has been ever since I became Frith. BUCKY You ... you're Frith? The Lopinenean god? FRITZ Yes. I was unwillingly destined to become the newest Frith reborn, so when I died on Noctur II during the toad invasion, I was reincarnated and assumed the mantle of Frith. BUCKY But you're also still dead. FRITZ Do I look *that* bad? I know being Chairman ages you, but ... BUCKY No, I mean the you I encountered in whatever that place was. He knew about Mimi and everything else that's happened since you died. FRITZ That's more ... an imprint of me. We're still connected. I mean, we don't sit down and chat over tea or anything. He's like my placeholder, since some transaction had to be processed when I died. He has enough of my consciousness to know what's going on among the living, but I don't really know what he's up to hanging out down there. BUCKY (confused) OK. And ... you're Frith? FRITZ Pretty much. BUCKY Can you prove this? Or are you just crazy? FRITZ Yes and yes, but I don't think you want me to go into it. BUCKY (pondering) So you're saying the Lopineneans are right. Which means The Great Mother ... FRITZ (shakes his head) No, she's real. Most of the religions out there have some truth in them. We all have our own little role in things. So you're not a heretic or anything. BUCKY And as Frith, you have powers? FRITZ Yeah. BUCKY (leaning forward) And you haven't used them to end this war because? ... FRITZ (sighs) Because it's not my job as Frith to meddle in minor affairs like that. BUCKY (incensed) Minor?! Did you just call the Toad Wars "minor?!" FRITZ Compared to the stuff I have to do as Frith, yes. If the toads win, they rule the aniverse. If my foes win, then chaos will take over the aniverse, and/or entropy will rend it apart. I'm not saying the Toad Wars aren't important, but try to keep a little perspective here. BUCKY But you're the UAC Chairman! You're *supposed* to work toward defeating the toads! FRITZ And I am. As Fritz. As myself. Frith is like a second job I didn't want to take. Bucky narrows his eyes. BUCKY Still, you're not doing everything in your power to defeat the toads. FRITZ As Fritz Warner, yes, I am. BUCKY And you never told me *any* of this. Why? FRITZ Because it would lead to this weird and halfway circular argument we're having now. And I'm still me. I'm still the Fritz who knew you on Noctur II, and I'm still the Fritz who's trying to keep the UAC on top in the Toad Wars. Bucky stands up. BUCKY Well, as little as I trusted Fritz, I'm finding Frith even harder to swallow. FRITZ You and me both. Bucky just shakes his head. BUCKY Well, *I'm* going to go out there and do my best to end this war. FRITZ (motioning toward all the paper on his desk) And I'm going to stay in here and do the same. Bucky storms out. FRITZ We all have our battles to fight, Bucky. (beat) Though at least he didn't flip out like I half-expected him to. SCENE 17 - ABANDONED PLANET Bruiser sulks a bit as he walks into the underground laboratory. BRUCE Did they get away, brudder? BRUISER Not only dat -- dey took our ship! BRUCE (irritated) Well, that stinks. WALLACE Bruce, my boy, if you need a ship, I would be happy to give you one of ours. RAMSAY Yeah, we've got a few with some great experimental technology onboard. BRUCE Well, dat banana runner *was* kinda a piece of junk ... WALLACE Anything for you. I am forever indebted that the two of you showed up and rescued us from those rapscallions. BRUCE Hey, I'm just glad I got t' see ya again, Doc. RAMSAY And it was great to meet you! Dr. Wallace talks about you all the time. BRUCE Aw, shucks. BRUISER Dat's my brudder! WALLACE You know, Bruce ... I am getting on in years. I can't manage this laboratory forever. It would be nice to have someone who could help Ramsay run it once my time here is done. BRUCE Are ... are you offerin' me my old job back? WALLACE That I am. BRUCE I ... I dunno. Bruce turns to Bruiser. BRUCE Whaddaya think, brudder? What would you do? Go back to th' Righteous? BRUISER (caught off-guard) I guess. But I'm havin' so much fun with' you, Bruce! Are you really thinkin' about stayin' here? BRUCE No. No, I'm not. (to Wallace) It's a real generous offer, Doc, and if things were different, you know I'd stay here. But it just ain't right for me right now. WALLACE (nods) I expected as such, but you cannot blame an old man for trying. RAMSAY Actually, if you wanna stick around for a bit, there's a problem with some of that ship technology I was telling you about, if you wouldn't mind helping us with it. And we could use your strength, too, Bruiser. BRUCE Sure, I can spare a minute. Bruiser? BRUISER Yeah, let's go! Wallace, Ramsay, Bruce, and Bruiser exit the room to go work together on the project. SCENE 18 - UNKNOWN LOCATION Jain stands at a comm terminal, clearly displeased. On the screen, Tinker explains himself. TINKER (over comm) And then these two berserker baboons showed up! I've seen 'em both before on Bucky O'Hare's ship. We sent our AFC after them and everything, but we just couldn't take 'em! JAIN (into comm) And what were you able to retrieve? TINKER (sadly) Well, I didn't get my paws on as much hardware as I'd wanted. I did manage to get all the software and data specs you requested, though. JAIN Well, there is something to be said for that. TINKER Yeah, I guess. And we got Lashes back, so that's good. So, uh, should we just head back there, or ... JAIN (dismissively) No, no, I'd rather you didn't. I'll send my men to pick up your haul and trade you Zod for it. I'm sending the coordinates now. TINKER Thanks. And, uh, now that we know Wallace's coordinates, we'll probably try again ... JAIN Don't bother. He will doubtless increase security even farther beyond what you can manage. Jain ends the communication before Tinker can respond. He stands silent for a moment. JAIN At least they retrieved what I require. Jain slowly walks toward the door. It slides open, and he steps through, walking right past the desk that Roedecker slammed his fist on earlier. A small gray disc stuck to that exact spot on the surface of the desk goes unnoticed. SCENE 19 - DEEP SPACE A day later, The Screaming Mimi is on patrol, with Mimi at the helm, when a communication comes through. FIRST MATE JONATHAN WEISSMAN checks the readings. JONATHAN I don't recognize the signature. MIMI Patch it through anyway. Roedecker, looking kind of irritated, appears on the screen. ROEDECKER (over comm) Hey. Mimi's eyes grow wide, and the veins in her forehead bulge. MIMI (into comm) You have got to be kidding me! What makes you think ... (calming down) OK, Vince. You get five words, and then I'm cutting you off. ROEDECKER I know where Jain is. These words strike Mimi forcefully. Her anger immediately shifts to another target, and she calms down somewhat. MIMI What? How? Where? ROEDECKER He busted me outta jail yesterday and took me to his hideout. I left a tracking device inside and took down the coordinates. I'm transmitting them to you now. A few lights blink on the console. Jonathan nods as a different screen displays a set of coordinates. MIMI I ... I don't know what to say. (swallows) Thank you. ROEDECKER You're welcome. (beat) Uh, I honestly didn't call for help, but since I've got you here, could you come pick me up on Sludge? Jain abandoned me here without my ship, and I'm not in the mood to hijack anybody. Mimi thinks about it for a minute. MIMI Jonathan, set course for Sludge. We're gonna need a hand, whether we go get Jain now or plan an attack for later. JONATHAN Nice rationalizing. MIMI (smirks) It's what I do best. The Screaming Mimi turns around and flies off in a different direction. SCENE 20 - TESTING BUNKER, TOAD HOMEWORLD Toadborg and a few scientists stand in a stark holding room. They look through a glass wall at an outfitted STORMTOAD in the room opposite this one. The stormtoad holds a modified plasma rifle with a small, round metal enclosure in the middle. A coiled cord sticks out of the enclosure and connects to a helmet the stormtoad is wearing. KOMPLEX appears on a monitor next to Toadborg. KOMPLEX Is the report I received accurate, Toadborg? TOADBORG We are about to see, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. SCIENTIST #5 I promise you, it works! We toiled night and day until it was finished. But all the test runs have been perfect. TOADBORG (through the glass) Proceed, Sergeant Melton. The stormtoad powers up his plasma rifle and takes aim at a metal target on the wall opposite him. He aims and fires. An inky black plasma bolt churns out of the weapon. It hits the target and keeps on going, blasting a huge hole in the wall. The force knocks the stormtoad back, and even the scientists can feel the reverberation. TOADBORG (impressed) All plasma fire from these weapons is like this? SCIENTIST #5 (steadying himself) You betcha. TOADBORG Will conventional shielding hold up against this firepower? SCIENTIST #5 Nothing we've got. And I can't imagine the mammals having anything much better. (beat) And that's not all we can do with the gem. Obviously, training stormtoads in Aldebaran magic is not something easily accomplished, but we came up with a few rudimentary tricks. TOADBORG Demonstrate this for me, Sergeant. The stormtoad, who has picked himself off the floor, nods and straightens himself. He points his weapon again. This time, he closes his eyes as if concentrating, then presses a button to the side of the weapon's trigger. A black tendril spews out of the gun barrel. The toad opens his eyes and focuses on a shard of the metal target sitting on the floor near the hole in the wall. The black tendril wisps over to the target, swoops down toward it, and picks it up. The toad concentrates his thoughts, and the tendril waves back and forth in the air, carrying the shard with it. TOADBORG (hushed) This is astonishing. SCIENTIST #5 Like I said, it's the closest we can get to magic in this timeframe! TOADBORG I have seen enough. How long will it take to manufacture five thousand of these weapons? SCIENTIST #5 (nervous) Well, uh, every time we refocus the gem's power, it kind of drains the capacity a little bit. In order to have the weapons still work, we can only use about three thousand five hundred shards. It would take us at least a week to make that many guns and helmets. TOADBORG (irritated) I asked for five thousand guns! And I told you what would happen if you did not deliver. KOMPLEX Silence, Toadborg! These scientists have done well. They have handed us the key to victory. TOADBORG (backing down) I apologize, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. KOMPLEX With these weapons, it will not matter if we have ten thousand stormtoads or merely ten. KOMPLEX gets an even nastier look in his eyes than usual. KOMPLEX Before the mammals know what hit them, we shall blanket the aniverse in our power. We will conquer their cities and deplete their planets. We will dance on their graves. And we will assert our rightful dominance. (beat) Soon, the Toad Empire will finally rule the aniverse. THE END