Bucky O' Hare
In
Rising Up
By Andrew Norris

SCENE ONE
Boardroom, UAC HQ, Genus
FRITZ and GRIFF are present along with BUCKY, MIMI, DOGSTAR and COLONEL 
RAUL MEW, along with CLAIRE SHEFFIELD.

FRITZ: ...which concludes our discussion regarding the Noctur 4 
Military. Our last thing on the agenda regards the structure of the UAC.

DOGSTAR: (Interested) Oh, what's wrong with it? We've been doing fairly 
well, haven't we?

GRIFF: But not when it comes to exactly how strong it is, especially as 
the coalition members have been shunning us a lot lately.

FRITZ: We've been doing some research regarding the history of the 
Aniverse and Earth.

RAUL: With all due respect, Chairman, we are all aware of Aniversian 
history, but the Earth is perhaps the most aggressive race in history. 
How could such vicious creatures have anything of historical interest?

GRIFF: (Eyes narrow) We are looking at their *political* history, not 
their military background, Colonel!

FRITZ: If we notice from research, the most powerful forces appear to 
be of Imperical origin. The Rigellan Empire, for example, which founded 
our very Aniverse. Then there are the two most powerful forces to have 
controlled much of the Earth in their history. The British and Roman 
Empires. 

MIMI: And I take it that the Toad and Dalek Empires count under this 
too?

GRIFF: (Nods once) And though we have several planets within the 
coalition, a majority of the Council feels as though the large gap 
between the Security Council and the .S.P.A.C.E. makes us seem rather 
weak.

FRITZ: And so, we are amalgamating the UAC, the .S.P.A.C.E. and it's 
members into the Mammal Empire, in a hope to bring about some sense of 
unity among the planets within the Council.

BUCKY: (Frowns) And what do the planets say to this?

GRIFF: They have all agreed, but only because they all want to scramble 
to be the first Emperor (!)

FRITZ: And that is why our Emperor will be elected by a fair 
ballot...on all of the provinces.

DOGSTAR: And who are the candidates?

GRIFF: We have boiled it down to Chairman Warner and Fleet Admiral 
Blade.

MIMI: (Jokingly) A bunny in a trousersuit versus a Tiger who marches in 
his sleep. This should be fun (!)

SCENE TWO
Toad Air Marshals' Office, The Toad Homeworld
TOAD AIR MARSHAL is asleep at his desk when KOMPLEX appears on the 
videoscreen.

KOMPLEX: (Shouts) Toad Air Marshal! On your feet!

TOAD AIR MARSHAL wakes with a start and salutes nervously.

AIR MARSHAL: (Quivers) Y...Yes, mighty KOMPLEX! How may I serve you?

KOMPLEX: I want you to head to the edge of the Noctur system at once! 
Those wretched mammals are up to something. For they have just declared 
themselves an Empire!

AIR MARSHAL: They would dare to compete with you, mighty KOMPLEX?

KOMPLEX: (Grunts) No doubt a long-awaited retaliation for the Cold-
Blood Coalition. With Toadborg occupied elsewhere in the Toxus system, 
you will have to take...it.

TOAD AIR MARSHAL is struck dumb for a moment, but then returns to 
reality.

AIR MARSHAL: (Petrified) Y...You mean...?

KOMPLEX: Yes, I do.

AIR MARSHAL: A...Are you sure he is ready, KOMPLEX? You remember the 
Cyberst...

KOMPLEX: I am aware of what happened, but I feel he is ready for the 
battlefield. Take him with you, or don't bother to polish your medals 
tomorrow!

He severs the link, and TOAD AIR MARSHAL looks positively scared as he 
mops the sweat from his brow.

SCENE THREE
UAC Officers' Lounge, Genus
BUCKY, MIMI and DOGSTAR are all explaining the news to their minors. 
Present are JENNY, LT. WOLF, and JONATHON.

MIMI: And because we're drifting apart, he reckons an Empire might keep 
everyone together.

JENNY: Wouldn't it have been easier just to review the older treaties?

WOLF: (Huffs) I agree, it would save us learning all these silly terms. 
The province of Narnox, for example. What the hell is a province?!

DOGSTAR: Don't like it anymore than you, my boy, but who are we to 
complain? We're just the Imperial Forces now.

JONATHON: Imperial Forces or not, it's not really much of an Empire, is 
it? We've only 20 planets against the 70-something Toad-controlled 
planets!

BUCKY: Well, let's just be thankful that the Dalek Empire in the 
Aniverse consists only of an armament factory on Monotane. 

MIMI: (Grumbling) Despite the fact that they're getting reinforcements 
from the Universe!

JENNY: All the same, we might be able to win support of the Occultas 
Galaxy if all goes well.

DOGSTAR: Assuming a new name will change anything.

SCENE FOUR
The Forbidden Star, The Occultas Galaxy
The Occultas Galaxy lies far out in space a great distance from Genus, 
and is neutral in the Toad Wars. At the very centre of the galaxy is 
the capitol called The Forbidden Star, home to the galaxys' chieftains.

INSIDE THE CAPITOL PALACE...
Inside the Palace is a large throne room, with a black-feathered FEMALE 
DUCK dressed in silver armour sitting on a large gold throne. A white-
furred CAT enters dressed in a blue trousersuit and stops at the throne.

DUCK: (Middle-pitched voice) Hinch throna pintum aresa kinjunk.

A TRANSLATOR (A white-furred DOG) appears from the side.

TRANSLATOR: The Prime Elder, Assyria II, requests the latest report 
from the UAC.

CAT: (Deep voice) The UAC have just declared themselves the Mammal 
Empire and are planning an attack against the Daleks. They also request 
help from us.

ASSYRIA: Narunda kisham nerstunick paqitta saroom.

TRANSLATOR: The Prime Elder says that you are the Fleet Admiral for 
Occultas, and wants to know your personal opinion on the matter.

ADMIRAL: We have always remained secluded from the Toad Wars, and the 
Daleks have done no damage to us. Even if we should agree, the Daleks 
will still be bringing in reinforcements to destroy us.

ASSYRIA: Throna cretus glaforrem aresa partinnius alderon normm.

TRANSLATOR: The Prime Elder requests that you take a faction of the 
Navy to deal with the Daleks.

ADMIRAL: (Curious) Why only a faction when the entire Navy could 
destroy them?

ASSYRIA: Narunda giranttira saroom pintum nerstunick koriand'r zaal. 

TRANSLATOR: Should the Daleks counter-attack, the Noctur 4 Navy will be 
strong enough to enter the war by that time.

THE ADMIRAL nods and leaves, with ASSYRIA watching him leave. THE 
TRANSLATOR looks down as ASSYRIA.

TRANSLATOR: (To Assyria) Do you think it wise to take only a small 
number?

ASSYRIA: Chi pheler hettan Toads fruillan tawnim onoss.

She turns to leave, with the TRANSLATOR left puzzled.

SCENE FIVE
The Toad Mothership, outside of the Noctur System
TOAD AIR MARSHAL is on the bridge overlooking the planetary system, 
when PILOT OFFICER ADDER reports on the bridge.

ADDER: (Salutes) You sent for me, sir?

AIR MARSHAL: Yes, Adder, is it tucked away?

ADDER: Yes, sir. It sure is creepy.

AIR MARSHAL: (Sighs) Yes, but we've been given orders not to let it 
loose until we know what is happening. Anyway, any reports on the 
Mammals?

ADDER: Same as before, sir. Their entire fleet, excluding Fireball XL6, 
ae heading towards Monotane, no doubt to attack the Dalek base there.

AIR MARSHAL: Rather stupid thing to do, really. They've barely been an 
Empire for an hour and they're already preparing an invasion?

ADDER: There is another thing, sir. Our sensors have picked up Admiral 
Alderon Kahill taking a detachment of the Occultas Navy to Monotane as 
well.

AIR MARSHAL: (Grunts) A neutral galaxy interferring as well? And I 
thought the Toads were bitter rivals to the Daleks! (Sighs) Keep an eye 
on the bridge for me, I'm going down below to check up on that thing.

ADDER salutes, and doesn't notice TOAD AIR MARSHAL shivering nervously 
as he leaves the bridge.

IN A DARKENED ROOM BELOW DECK...
A STORMTOAD is keeping guard outside a heavily-reinforced door, with 
groans and the sound of clanking chains from within. THE STORMTOAD is 
keeping his distance when the TOAD AIR MARSHAL arrives.

AIR MARSHAL: (Nervously) H...How is it?

STORMTOAD: (Shakily) I daren't open it up to find out. Something's got 
it excited, sir. It's like a Terror Toad has just been dropped into a 
room full of greenflies!

AIR MARSHAL: Never mind the details, just make sure it doesn't escape, 
OK?

STORMTOAD: Y...Yes, sir.

TOAD AIR MARSHAL quickly scurries away as the groans continue.

SCENE SIX
Bridge, The Righteous Indignation
The Righteous Indignation is being accompanied by the Indefatigable, 
the Screaming Mimi and the Fearless. BUCKY and JENNY are at the 
controls.

BUCKY: I wonder what Willy will say when he hears about this.

JENNY: (Coughs once) No doubt he'll say it's payback for the CBC.

BUCKY: I thought it was!

JENNY: You know what I mean. 

BUCKY: I do, but Monotane hasn't got anything of value for the Empire, 
so why bother colonizing it?

JENNY: We aren't, we're just attacking the Daleks to let them know 
who's boss.

DEADEYE: (From below) Then quit jawin' and hurry up! I be achin' to 
blow up a few dozen tin-pots!

BUCKY: (Grunts) OK, Deadeye. (To himself) It's not the same as fighting 
Toads, though.

They slow up as they approach Monotane. 

ON MONOTANE...
The planet itself is a craggy wasteland close to the border of the 
Aniverse, and has just a handful of caves. Near one of these caves is 
the wreckage of a spaceship, Fireball XL2.
The Dalek Armament Factory is built into one of these caves, churning 
out weapons and various implements. THE DALEK LIEUTENANT is overlooking 
everything while various DALEKS go about their work.

LIEUTENANT: (Staccato) Move all armaments to Storage for sorting.

ALL DALEKS: (In unison) We obey.

They do so, when another DALEK approaches THE DALEK LIEUTENANT.

LIEUTENANT: Report.

DALEK #1: Rangerscopes detect four mammalian frigates overhead.

LIEUTENANT: (Angrily) Bucky O'Hare is here! Exterminate him! He is an 
enemy of the Daleks! HE MUST BE EXTERMINATED!!!

Outside, the four frigates are attacking the DALEKS who are defending 
the base. Due to their superior weapons, the mammals are triumphing 
over the DALEKS.

ALL DALEKS: (Screeching) Exterminate! Annhialate! Destroy! Exterminate 
Bucky O'Hare!

Just when things are going well, an attack squad consisting of 20 
SPECIAL-WEAPONS DALEKS appear from the Factory, causing severe damage 
to the frigates, whereas damage to them is only minor.

DEADEYE: Me masers are no good on them tin-toys!

BUCKY: Try and concentrate your fire, everyone!

The frigates all concentrate their fire on one SPECIAL-WEAPONS DALEK, 
successfully destroying it, but they are too crippled to continue 
fighting.

LIEUTENANT: (To Special Weapons Daleks) Exterminate him!

Before they can act, a squadron of 30 black, cigar-shaped spaceships 
loom overhead, firing powerful lasers at the SPECIAL-WEAPONS DALEKS, 
destroying 10 of them. 

LIEUTENANT: Destroy the invaders at once!

THE SPECIAL WEAPONS DALEKS open fire, but they are all destroyed by a 
further barrage. THE DALEK LIEUTENANT retreats in a Cruiser with some 
of the armaments as the Factory is destroyed by the newcomers.

LATER...
All the ships have landed, and the frigates are being repaired by WILLY, 
DILE, DIGGER and DEADEYE. BUCKY and RAUL are speaking to THE ADMIRAL, 
whom had been commanding the ships.

RAUL: (Inquisitively) But why would Occultas take an interest in what 
we are doing?

ADMIRAL: The Prime Elder was curious about the declaration of a Mammal 
Empire, and sent me to investigate your actions against the Daleks.

BUCKY: But why you, Fleet Admiral Alderon Kahill? Why not a low-ranking 
officer?

ALDERON: (Laughs) It is clear we are too secretive, Captain. The Fleet 
Admiral is often sent out on more missions than lower-ranking officers, 
as they are often given desk jobs.

RAUL: So, will Occultas be backing us up?

ALDERON: I'm afraid that depends entirely on the decision of the Prime 
Elder. But I still wish you luck with your chosen path.

He turns to leave, and steps into one of the ships.

SCENE SEVEN
UAC HQ, Genus
FRITZ is speaking to BUCKY, MIMI, DOGSTAR and RAUL in a private meeting.

FRITZ: (Clears throat) I congratulate all of you on the defeat of the 
Dalek base on Monotane.

MIMI: But won't our Empire look weak if we just keep attacking dead 
planets? Sure, we'd be big but not strong!

FRITZ: True, but what our actions will be depend entirely on the 
Emperor once elected. But I wanted to say that as we are short of 
recruits, some of our ground troops will be re-assigned to the fleet.

RAUL: (Ecstatic) You mean I'm getting a crew at long last?!

FRITZ: Yes, Colonel. I am assigning Corporal Nass and two fresh 
recruits to the Fearless until we can find more able-bodied troops.

DOGSTAR: And I take it that the rest of us will have to put up with 
recruits as before?

FRITZ: No, but don't be surprised if new faces keep popping up. Even 
though we haven't an Emperor, I feel the main concern should be to 
build up our fleet.

MIMI: Is that why you're trying to get The Occultas Galaxy on our side?

FRITZ says nothing, but stares at her.

FRITZ: (Sternly) My opinion of the Occultas Galaxy is neither here nor 
there, Captain. That is all.

They are all dismissed, and RAUL leans over to MIMI.

RAUL: (Whispers) Who spit in his coffee?

MIMI: You're telling me! I wonder why he's so uptight like that.

DOGSTAR: You're asking the wrong fellow there, Mimi. What do you think, 
Bucky?

BUCKY is nowhere to be seen.

DOGSTAR: (Puzzled) That's weird. Did anyone see him leave?

Everyone shakes their heads, and DOGSTAR looks worried.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Next Episode: The Challenge