The Aftermath By Andrew Norris PROLOGUE In the year 2070, a Great Space War occured above and on the planet Earth between the Earth forces, the United Animals Coalition, the Toad Empire and the Communist Republic of the Aniverse. During the battle, the latter ceased to exist forever after the devestating obliteration of the Soviet Mothership. The Earth barely survived, with 1/3 of it's population exterminated. As for the Mammals and the Toads, this is their story... SCENE ONE - Genus Control Tower, Planet Genus, The Aniverse, One week after the Great Space War All around the foot of the building are dented, burned spaceships that are undergoing repair. Their crews are all crowded into a large tent on-site for their final debriefing. Among those present are BUCKY, JENNY, DOGSTAR, MIMI, COLONEL RAUL MEW and COLONEL DASH DARING. On a podium at the front of the tent is FLEET ADMIRAL RYGAR BLADE and CHAIRMAN FRITZ WARNER. RYGAR: (Shouts) Soldiers, settle down! (Normal voice) Now, I know we won by the skin of our teeth, but now we need to talk about what happens now. (Pauses) I don't think I need to tell you how exhausted our military is, and it's plain for all to see, there's no denying it. However, Chairman Warner and myself have both agreed that until the S.P.A.C.E. is ready to stand on it's own two feet, we hereby disband the Genus Home Guard and order it's members to join the main forces until further notice. There is a general murmur about this that spreads through the crowd of officers. RYGAR: But, as for the public image, I'll let Chairman Warner fill you in on that one. He stands aside and lets FRITZ take the stand. RYGAR: As far as we know, the general public in the Aniverse have no idea what exactly happened in that battle. Naturally, they'll question the high death toll, but we feel that a war memorial to all those fallen will help to reassure them and us that their deaths will be avenged. While the others applaud, BUCKY, JENNY and DOGSTAR make up a small ring close to the tent door. JENNY: Funny how they both avoided talking about the question of commissioning more ships. DOGSTAR: It's early days yet, Jenny. As Admiral Blade says, we need to find our feet before we do anything. BUCKY: Yes, but with only a handful of Communists still around and a fistful of Toads on the Homeworld, we could have an even bigger problem on our hands. SCENE TWO - The Toad Homeworld Like their Mammalian adversaries, the Toads have suffered great stress from the battle. Several wrecked Cruisers and Gunships await repair in the vast Docking Bays, and in the laboratories, TOAD TECHNICIANS are working overtime to clone a new army of STORMTOADS from scratch. As they work, a frustrated TOAD AIR MARSHAL yells them on. AIR MARSHAL: (Growling) Hurry up, you stupid Toad Techs! We need those Stormtoads pronto! TECHNICIAN #1: (Groans) Sheesh, give us a break, Air Marshal! TECHNICIAN #2: Yeah, Cloning is a lengthy process, ya know. AIR MARSHAL: I don't care! We need to be ready to strike those mangy Mammals at the first opportunity! KOMPLEX: (Over intercom) Attention all Toad Officers! All officers above the rank of Ensign to report to the main Briefing Room immediately! TOAD AIR MARSHAL grumbles to himself as he walks down a corridor and into the Briefing Room nearby. Already inside are various other officers, including CAPTAIN SMATA, COMMANDER CREELEVARD VALJTHOU, MAJOR PADD, CAPTAIN PRITCHARD, LT. CARNE and TOADBORG. All of them look up at the dominating screen of KOMPLEXS' face. KOMPLEX: You are no doubt all aware of the outcome of the Great Space War. However, the Toads never lose a battle. We succeeded in slaughtering one-third of the Earth and finally disposed of those meddlesome Communists! However, to be certain that we shall triumph, there will be certain changes to our strategy. (He looks in the direction of the AIR MARSHAL) Air Marshal, what reports are there of the Toad Clones? AIR MARSHAL: (Shivers) A...All is progressing well, m...mighty KOMPLEX. KOMPLEX: (To other officers) Thanks to a loyal volunteer, a new breed of irrepresible, loyal Stormtoads will be cloned in our own laboratories to deal with the shortage of Stormtoads. And until the manufacturing of our craft has stabilised, the ST will remain dormant until the Empire has stabilised. Until then, we shall simply bide our time and wait for the right moment to attack. Do you all understand? OFFICERS: (Saluting in unison) Yes, mighty KOMPLEX! They all walk off back to their duties. As TOAD AIR MARSHAL walks out, a fellow officer, COLONEL GEORGE SYLVESTER, walks alongside of him. SYLVESTER wears a khaki uniform and a blue cap similar to the AIR MARSHALS'. AIR MARSHAL: (Grumbles) What d'you want, Colonel? I'm a busy man! SYLVESTER: (Middle-pitched voice) Air Marshal, sir, I was just wondering if you knew anything about Project: Hero. TOAD AIR MARSHAL just scowls at him and storms off, leaving COLONEL SYLVESTER puzzled and confused. SCENE THREE - Genus Memorial Gardens, Genus RAUL and MIMI are now in their casual wear and are having a quiet rest in the park to clear their minds. Nearby, several workers are erecting the monument that is to be unveiled at a later ceremony. However, they both ignore this and simply talk about other matters. MIMI: Any idea which DJ's playing over at the Pink Pussycat tonight? RAUL: (Mumbles) It would help if I knew any DJs at all! It's been a long time since I went to the Pink Pussycat. Do they still have that Sushi bar there? MIMI: Nah, they took that out after some poor guy had a little disagreement with the Vugu. Since then, they've just expanded the bar about five feet. RAUL: (Nods) Hmm, at least they're getting a bit more money. They notice the BUILDERS walking away from the monument, and from that distance can only see blurs of the names written on it. Before they can get up to have a look, the BUILDERS return and drape a scarlet cloth over it, ready for the ceremony. MIMI: (Moans) As if one more stone tablet'll solve our problems! RAUL: Hey, we can't just rush straight into everything. In any case, it'll keep the Pepperoni at bay. MIMI: You mean *Papparazzi*. RAUL: (Shrugs) Whatever. SCENE FOUR - Laboratory 4-E, The Toad Homeworld TOAD AIR MARSHAL watches the progress around him as the TOAD TECHNICIANS prepare to release the first Clone. TECHNICIAN #1: Embryo stage completed. TECHNICIAN #2: All systems operational. TECHNICIAN #1: Clone #01 will be active in 5,4,3,2,1... The first TOAD-CLONE emerges from the hydrochamber. Despite wearing nothing but a pair of white underpants, the TOAD-CLONE is evidently more muscular than a regular STORMTOAD, and his face suggests something more sinister about him. AIR MARSHAL: (Barks) Attention! Despite having no clothes on, TOAD-CLONE #01 instantly snaps to attention, and listens carefully to the TOAD AIR MARSHAL. AIR MARSHAL: You are the first of a long line of Toad-Clones who will help to rebuild the Toad army in it's conquest of the Aniverse. Your position is to hear and obey the word of KOMPLEX. You will answer to him and myself only, understood? CLONE #01: (Shouts) Yes, sir! While the TOAD TECHNICIANS crowd around CLONE #01 to begin examining him, TOAD AIR MARSHAL speaks to an image of KOMPLEX on a nearby computer terminal. KOMPLEX: What have you to report, Air Marshal? AIR MARSHAL: (Nervously) Well, mighty KOMPLEX, the Cloning appears to have been a success and it looks like everything is, err, running smoothly... KOMPLEX: Don't count your flies before they're swatted, Air Marshal. If all of these prototype clones are successful, then we can begin mass production, and the prototypes will serve as the test-bed for Project: Hero. AIR MARSHAL: (Stammers) B...B...But mighty KOMPLEX... KOMPLEX: (Bellows) Silence! These prototypes are not of true Toad blood, and so they are expendable. However, if we are successful with pure Toad tissue, then we shall be ready. The screen goes blank, leaving TOAD AIR MARSHAL a quivering wreck. SCENE FIVE - Genus Memorial Gardens, Genus, The Next Day An enormous ceremony is taking place with almost every officer in the S.P.A.C.E. present. Among those there include FLEET ADMIRAL RYGAR BLADE, ADMIRAL HUDSON, VICE-ADMIRAL SAMANTHA RAVEN, BUCKY, DOGSTAR, MIMI, their crews, RAUL, COLONEL DASH DARING, CAPTAIN SHIRLEY SQUIRREL, CORPORAL RICHARD NASS and various CENTURIONS from the Genus Home Guard. Several members of the Press and public are taking snapshots from the barricades, and are held back by the Police. RYGAR: (From podium) We stand here today as one race, a race of united Mammals, to commemorate the loss of our brave soldiers, sailors and airmen who gave their lives in fighting the Toad Menace. Like our forefathers in the First Toad War, they fought for freedom, justice and liberty on our worlds. And just like the victims of the first conflict, we commemorate the brave and the bold with this plaque, so that their courage will be remembered throughout the ages. The entire parade salutes, as a small marching band of volunteers plays a mournful piece. RYGAR unveils the plaque, which has the names of the deceased written in Aniversian. Some of the names included are: LT. ANDREW MICHAEL NORRIS - 2029 - 3226 SISTER HANNAH OF THE 9TH ALDEBARAN ORDER - 3195 - 3226 ANDROID MEDICAL DIVISION (AMD) #04 - 3198 - 3226 CORPORAL ISSAC KINGSTON - 3151 - 3226 SCENE SIX - Laboratory 4-E, The Toad Homeworld The TOAD-CLONES are obeying instructions that TOAD AIR MARSHAL dishes out to them. All the TOAD-CLONES are in perfect tune and obey without question or tiredness. AIR MARSHAL: (Quickly) Order arms! Present arms! Order arms! Stand at ease! Stand easy! Enter TOADBORG, who towers menacingly over TOAD AIR MARSHAL. TOADBORG: (Seethes) Well, Air Marshal? AIR MARSHAL: (Smirks) Still jealous of the Commander of Project: Hero, Toadborg? TOADBORG: Enough small-talk, Air Marshal! What are the first reports?! AIR MARSHAL: They're performing better than expected! But if things go as good as this with pure Toad blood, think of the possibilities! TOADBORG: I trust you know when the pure Toad experiment will be complete. AIR MARSHAL: The techs tell me tomorrow morning, first thing if you'd care to drop by. TOADBORG: We'll see. He storms out, and TOAD AIR MARSHAL snickers to himself. The TOAD-CLONES are still standing to attention, without a single hint of emotion on their faces. IN THE CONTROL ROOM... TOADBORG marches into the Control Room where KOMPLEX is waiting. TOADBORG: The first-generation clones are doing well, mighty KOMPLEX. KOMPLEX: Excellent, Toadborg. And what news of Colonel Sylvester? TOADBORG: He has agreed to donate his DNA samples should our pure-bred clone succeed. (Pause) If I might ask, mighty KOMPLEX, who was the donor for this generation of Clones? KOMPLEX: Colonel Sylvester still, Toadborg. He may not be aggressive enough for ST material, but his quick responses to orders are what we need for the master race. TOADBORG: And yet they are not pure Toad blood? KOMPLEX: That is none of your concern, Toadborg. Just make sure that you are present when the pure-bred is hatched. Afterwards, you will have the honour of dealing with the first-generation Clones. TOADBORG: (Grins) Yes, mighty KOMPLEX.... SCENE SEVEN - UAC Admiralty, Genus The OFFICERS have come together for a small banquet after the ceremony. BUCKY is sat talking to COLONEL RAUL MEW, as is DOGSTAR with MIMI. COLONEL DASH DARING is speaking to FLEET ADMIRAL RYGAR BLADE and VICE-ADMIRAL SAMANTHA RAVEN in the foyer, when SECONDARY-GUNNER NATALIE FARRELL pulls RYGAR to one side. RYGAR: Natalie, what is it? NATALIE: Sir, I'm sorry, but you won't believe it. RYGAR: (Getting irritated) What is it? NATALIE: The S.P.A.C.E. Morgue. I went there to pay my respects personally, but... RYGAR: But what?! NATALIE: Some of the bodies are missing! RYGAR just stands there in shock. NATALIE: Some of the catacombs are empty! They look like they've been like that since the Morgue was closed up last week. RYGAR: How many bodies are missing? And more to the point, which ones? NATALIE: Only three. Lt. Norris, General Osiris and Corporal Kingston. I don't know about you, but I think we have some grave-robbers on our hands. RYGAR: Either that or a scientist going a bridge too far. (Pause) Does anybody else know? NATALIE: No, you're the only one I've told. RYGAR: Good. Don't tell anyone else unless you hear from me. If word of this gets out, we could look like fools. Until we find out who's doing it and why, we'll keep it hidden. NATALIE: Even from Bucky? RYGAR: Yes, even from Bucky. Tonight, we'll both go to the Morgue and try to find some clues, OK? NATALIE: OK. SCENE EIGHT - Laboratory 4-E, The Toad Homeworld With the first batch of TOAD-CLONES elsewhere on exercises, the TOAD TECHNICIANS are left in peace to hatch the second-batch of TOAD-CLONES. One of them appears thinner than the others, and not as aggressive. TECHNICIAN #1: Clones #6 through to #10 will be active in 5,4,3,2,1... The new wave of TOAD-CLONES are revived and emerge from the Hydrochambers. TOAD-CLONE #10, the spindly one, reacts differently to his surroundings, as though he's just arisen from the grave. TOAD-CLONE #10: Wh...Where am I? TECHNICIAN #1: Uh-oh, a defective one. TECHNICIAN #2: (Panics) Quick! Get rid of him before the Air Marshal finds out! TECHNICIAN #1; (Uncertainly) Err, Stormtoads, attack the non-conformist. The other TOAD-CLONES attack TOAD-CLONE #10, and eventually chase him down several corridors until they lose him. TOAD-CLONE #10 then enters a supply cupboard in an effort to find some clothing. TOAD CLONE #10: I need to get outta here! I'm just hoping Bucky still recognises me! SCENE NINE - The UAC Morgue, Genus FLEET ADMIRAL RYGAR BLADE and SECONDARY-GUNNER NATALIE FARRELL are inspecting the empty catacombs when NATALIE spots some slime on the door hinges. NATALIE: (Points to slime) That doesn't look like oil to me. RYGAR: (Examines the slime) Looks like a bit of Jellied Mosquito if I didn't know better. But if we try to analyse it, we could... Suddenly, both of them are hit over the head as someone knocks them out from behind. They fall to the floor as a shadow looms over them... TO BE CONTINUED...