"First Contact" Part 1 by Ed Scott 0013 First draft - 7/29/00 Second draft - 7/31/00 Third draft - 4/20/01 Final draft - 4/25/01 Edited by Rygar SCENE 1 - HOUSE OF AARON AND JACKIE EAGLE At the crack of dawn, two siblings get up and have breakfast together. COLONEL AARON EAGLE stares at his cereal. He is a middle-aged eagle and a commander in the Avian Space Fleet. AARON (thinking) (beat) (beat) Sitting across from Aaron is his younger sister, MAJOR JACQUELINE EAGLE. She is younger by three years but still doesn't look a day over her teen years. She also eats cereal. JACKIE Are you OK, Aaron? Aaron stops eating and looks up across the table. AARON Um, yes, sis, thanks. I'm fine. (beat) I was just daydreaming again. JACKIE You better not be dreaming today. You know better than anyone else that today is an important day. AARON (stops eating) Yes, Jacqueline, I know that today is the first test flight. JACKIE It's "Jackie," remember? The two siblings exchange smiles and continue eating. They finish their meal in silence. SCENE 2 - AVIAN SPACE FLEET MISSION CONTROL A ground vehicle pulls up to the guarded gate of the large gray building. A SENTRY walks up to the vehicle and inspects the passengers' identification and performs a retinal scan. SENTRY Good morning, Colonel and Major Eagle. you may proceed. Colonel Eagle parks his vehicle in his reserved space, and the two enter the building. The hallways are filled with portraits of the greatest Avian space pioneers that ever existed. JACKIE These portraits kind of make me feel insignificant. AARON Compared to these people, we are. The two officers continue walking until they reach the main control room. The room is already filled with technicians, officers, scientists, and support crew. A conversation can be heard nearby. The Major identifies it as between the GENERAL and a TECHNICIAN. TECHNICIAN #1 ... and as you know, General, the Hyperspace Gateway allows ships to travel from one point of the aniverse to another, instantaneously. GENERAL But is it safe? TECHNICIAN #1 Of course. We have sent many unmanned probes through the Gateway, and today is the first manned test flight. Colonel and Major Eagle approach the two. The General is an older Avian who has enough metal contained in his medals to build a small machine. JACKIE C'mon, I want to see what's going on. AARON Right behind you, sis. A large view screen dominates the front of Mission Control. Around it on the other walls are numerous other displays, feeding the technicians and staff with diagnostic reports and technical data. A face comes on the screen. It is that of CAPTAIN ALEXANDER SWIFT, the test pilot. ALEXANDER Hello, everyone. I am Captain Alexander Swift of the scout ship Expedition. The ship is ready for departure through the Gateway. GENERAL OK, people! To your stations! I want to see this bird fly! Aaron and Jackie take their place with the General and other senior staff. Other TECHNICIANS chime in. TECHNICIAN #2 (Shouting) Final checklist! TECHNICIAN #3 Environmental system: good to go! TECHNICIAN #4 Sensor array: fully functional! TECHNICIAN #5 Tactical systems: ready! TECHNICIAN #6 Power systems: green! TECHNICIAN #2 Overall ship status: 100%! Colonel Eagle evaluates the results and gives the General his approval. AARON We are ready to go, sir. GENERAL Very well, then. Prepare for launch. JACKIE (reading a display) Gateway systems are powering up ... coordinates are locked ... gateway is opening ... The main screen changes to a view of the Hyperspace Gateway. It consists of a group of small devices in a circular formation. Other space stations litter the background. Energy builds up in the center of the circle, then flashes into a solid sheet of energy. The Gateway is open. ALEXANDER (over the intercom) I am powering up the Hyperspace Distortion Drive. (beat) Looks good. On the screen, the small, one-man ship approaches the Gateway. A glow appears from the rear of the ship. ALEXANDER Engaging HDD, in three, two, one ... The ship then blazes through the Gateway like a shot from a gun. A few moments later, the view changes from the Gateway to the Expedition's camera. AARON Report, Captain. ALEXANDER (static sound) Shields are disabled; the distortions caused by the jump probably polarized the generator. It was the damn phase particles again. GENERAL Continue. ALEXANDER (more static) Engines and power systems are shaky, but stable. Sensors are online, the environmental systems are online; my tactical is shorted out, though. Make the following shield modifications to prevent this from happening again. The side screens buzz with the download of information. Some technicians are processing it at their stations. Touch pads and memory disks are everywhere. A communications officer whispers something to the Colonel. AARON Captain Swift. There is a message for you. ALEXANDER (jokingly) Already? Heck, I leave this part of the galaxy for a minute and now everyone is calling in. Put it through. Alexander presses some buttons on the control panel, opening a link between the Expedition and another ship. The voice of MAJOR THOMAS DWIGHT, a commander with a reputation for coming in at the right time, emerges. TOM (over comm) This is Major Dwight of the Destroyer Draco. Sorry I couldn't make it. I've got an assignment on the outer rim. ALEXANDER No problem, Big Daddy. Little Boy here is glad you could call. Back in their academy days, Major Dwight earned the nickname Big Daddy for rushing in at the last minute and always saving the day. Little Boy came from the younger Swift's constant will to do what Major Dwight told him. TOM Sure thing, Little Boy. Be careful, and don't get too carried away with the glory. By the way, I'll be home tonight for the party. I'll still be on the line if anyone needs me. This sure beats reading reports. Some laughter and light conversation follow. ALEXANDER (in a more serious tone) I've got something on long-range sensors. Seems like a small fleet of craft heading my way. I'll see if I can make contact. On the main screen, still showing a view from the camera, a fleet of ships is seen dropping out of hyperspace. ALEXANDER (over comm) This is Captain Alexander Swift of the Avian Space Fleet Scout Ship Expedition. I come in peace to exchange knowledge and culture ... AARON (to technician) Is the Gateway still open? TECHNICIAN #7 Yes, sir. AARON Good. Then Will can get out if he needs to. VOICES can be heard over the intercom. VOICE #1 ... you warm blooded scum ... VOICE #2 ... think you can trick us? ALEXANDER I come in peace ... VOICE #3 ... prepare to be destroyed! ALEXANDER What the? ... Captain Swift notices the sheer number of ships coming in his direction. AARON Get out of there! That's an order, Captain! ALEXANDER (static is more prevalent) On my way, sir. Powering up Hyperspa- Shots can be heard over the intercom. Static clouds the signal. ALEXANDER (between bursts of static) Can't ... engines damaged ... close ... gate... there's too many ... TOM (over comm) No! We're not leaving you behind! Concentrate, Little Boy! ALEXANDER Do it! More shots can be heard, and the signal terminates in static and background noise. Only the beeping of displays and pushing of touch pads can be heard. A technician shakes her head. SCENE 3 DEEP SPACE The Righteous Indignation is on a routine patrol mission. CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE and FIRST MATE JENNY are keeping watch over the ship's systems. Nothing particularly exciting has happened in the past few days. BUCKY (tiredly) Something is bound to happen sooner or later. Perhaps the toads are hatching another plan. Jenny is concentrating on something that just came up on sensors. Not only on sensors, though, but it was also felt by her. It was an unusual feeling -- something she had never felt before. JENNY We might be getting the action you wanted after all. The sensors are picking up a spatial disturbance in Sector Eight. Bucky reaches for the intercom. BUCKY (over comm) Willy? I need the accelerator online and ready to go. WILLY (over comm) Will do, Captain! BUCKY Thanks, Willy. (turns to Jenny) Plot a course for Sector Eight. JENNY Aye, Captain. The Righteous Indignation speeds up and jumps to hyperspace. Several minutes later, they arrive at Sector Eight. The orange ship drops to cruising speed. GUNNER DEADEYE DUCK contacts Bucky from below. DEADEYE Looks like a fight's been brewin'. An' we missed it. BUCKY (over comm) Looks like you're right Deadeye. Anyway, keep those maser cannons ready and waiting just in case the party's not over. DEADEYE (through the comm) Aye, aye, Cap'n. BUCKY Run a scan for debris. I want to know of *anything* unusual. The toads are never that quick to destroy a ship. JENNY Already way ahead of you, Bucky. It looks like the spatial disturbance is gone. But there is some unusual debris floating about. BUCKY Can you give me some details? JENNY No. It will take some time for the computer to analyze the data. BUCKY Why don't you ask Blinky to help? I'm sure he can add some processing power to your analysis. AFC BLINKY enters the command station of the ship. BLINKY Did someone request the services of humble robot Blinky? JENNY Yes, Blinky. We need you to analyze some data. BLINKY Blinky always willing to help friend Jenny. Blinky will download the information now. Blinky connects himself to the main computer and downloads the information. Once finished, he begins to analyze the data quietly, with occasional beeps. Several minutes pass as Blinky and the ship's computer analyze the data. Blinky then unplugs himself from the computer and gives his analysis. BLINKY There are traces of maser residue on the debris. According to the database, the maser frequency matches that of toad weapons. BUCKY Toads? Then where are they now? JENNY Let Blinky finish. BLINKY The debris matches no record available on file. BUCKY Possibilities? Any close matches? BLINKY This humble robot hypothesizes that it could be a variation on an existing space vehicle. Do you wish for me to broaden my search and check for close matches? JENNY Yes, please. Blinky reconnects himself to the computer and begins processing. More beeps emanate from the android. A few seconds later, something comes up on the display. It is a message from COMMANDER SIRIUS DOGSTAR. DOGSTAR (on recording) Captain O'Hare. This is Commander Dogstar of The Indefatigable. Our ship picked up a spatial disturbance in Sector Eight. Since you are the closest, I assume you went ahead and took a look yourself. We briefly looked at the readings, and they are pretty strange. I'll be meeting up with you shortly. Dogstar out. BUCKY At least we'll have some backup. SCENE 4 - TOAD MOTHERSHIP, DEEP SPACE TOADBORG, the TOAD AIR MARSHAL, and KOMPLEX are all arguing over who should take credit over the destruction of the mammalian fight craft. For the toads, this minor victory is the first in a long line of losses. AIR MARSHAL It was my fleets that destroyed that experimental space fighter. I should be rewarded! TOADBORG No! It was my sensor readings that led your fleets to the spacecraft. I should get all the credit. KOMPLEX Silence! I am KOMPLEX. I deserve credit for everything that goes according to plan. And that is final! TOADBORG and AIR MARSHAL (humbled) Yes, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. TOADBORG (changing the subject) I have something else to address -- a carefully crafted plan to finally rid ourselves of the three S.P.A.C.E. frigates. AIR MARSHAL Yeah, right. KOMPLEX Silence, Air Marshal. Your plans fail even more often than Toadborg's. TOADBORG I have intercepted U.A.C. transmissions and discovered that The Righteous Indignation and The Indefatigable are in Sector Eight, with The Screaming Mimi on the way. AIR MARSHAL But how do you suppose to eliminate all three of the frigates? It's hard enough for my pilots to even scratch one! TOADBORG The key to this plan is to eliminate all chances for failure by your pilots. KOMPLEX And how do you expect to obtain this goal? TOADBORG It is very simple, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. I have had a team of scientists working on combat flight software. It is ready to be placed onboard our fighters. The software never makes clumsy errors like the Air Marshal's pilots. Therefore, flight patterns such as the Double Helix can work flawlessly. KOMPLEX Impressive, Toadborg. TOADBORG Thank you, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. Even if the fighters are let loose without a preset flight pattern, the computers can automatically plot the proper vector and speed changes for optimum damage against the mammal frigates. KOMPLEX Excellent. Air Marshal, order your troops to bring the modifications to all fighters. I want them ready in ten hours. AIR MARSHAL All fighters? Ten hours? How can that ... KOMPLEX Do it! AIR MARSHAL (bowing his head) Yes, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. SCENE 5 - DEEP SPACE The Indefatigable arrives and flies in close formation to The Righteous Indignation. Dogstar informs Bucky about how this spatial disturbance is gaining the interest of many people in the aniverse. BUCKY (over comm) When will The Screaming Mimi arrive? DOGSTAR About five hours. It went back to Genus for a refit to its sensor and computer systems. It seems that astronomers and scientist types alike want a good look at this thing. Heck, they might just name this after whoever detected it first. BUCKY I guess the scientists will have to name it after my First Mate, then. JENNY (smiles) "The Jenny Phenomenon" has a nice ring to it. (beat) But besides that, did you get any info about the debris yet? DOGSTAR No, unfortunately, our computer is crunching numbers just the same as your computer and Blinky. Willy DuWitt enters the command station. He looks at Blinky plugged into the ship's computer. WILLY Having computer troubles again? BUCKY That seems to be the case. I guess cross-referencing thousands and thousands of records must really take some time. JENNY It's a lot faster than I can do it, that's for sure. WILLY I thought my computer at home was slow. (beat) Well, it's getting late. I might as well go now; I've got a big test tomorrow. BUCKY In what subject? WILLY Computer science. SCENE 6 - DEEP SPACE Several hours later, The Screaming Mimi arrives and lends a hand to the data analysis. The ship's advanced sensors gather a much more detailed view of the sector. The three crews communicate via inter-ship comm-link. MIMI So I hear you're having computer troubles, boys? DOGSTAR These computers just take too long to process all this information. MIMI Well, it looks like the analysis is almost complete. BUCKY Then let's have it. MIMI Apparently, the materials in the debris are not on record, period. No close matches, not even ballpark figures. It is very strong, but also very light in mass. DOGSTAR (raising an eyebrow) The perfect spacecraft material. MIMI Yes, and that's not all. BUCKY What is it? MIMI There is some residual energy left on the debris. DOGSTAR Maser energy. Typical after a battle. MIMI No. After filtering out the maser residue, the remaining energy is, well, very interesting. BUCKY How so? MIMI There are no exact matches in the database, but there are some close matches. BUCKY Like what? MIMI If properly modified, the energy signature in the debris resembles the energy signature of an Aldebaran ship. Jenny overhears the conversation and joins in. JENNY Aldebaran? Are you sure? Could it have been an Aldebaran ship? MIMI No, Jenny. The base energy signature is the same, but there are so many differences that the chance of the ship being Aldebaran is minuscule. BUCKY Store this info in the database and transfer it to The Indefatigable and the Righteous. If this thing appears again, I want to know it. DEADEYE Are we going to be shootin' anything soon? 'Cuz I wanna take a nap. MIMI I hope you're not getting too comfortable, because I have picked up a large, and I mean large, fleet of toad fighters inbound. A moment later, The Indefatigable and The Righteous Indignation detect the fleet as well. BUCKY Toads? JENNY Hard to say. They are flying in such perfect formation that it seems almost impossible to be the toads, going by their previous flying history. BUCKY I can't take any chances with that, Jenny. (beat) Deadeye? Warm up those cannons! DEADEYE Aye, Cap'n! DOGSTAR Should we stay and stick it to them? MIMI Sure, we've done it before, and we'll do it again. BUCKY All hands! Battle stations! The crews of all three ships ready themselves for battle. Blinky unplugs himself from the computer and gets ready to make repairs in Willy's absence. Deadeye finally gets some shooting time. JENNY They are entering visual range. DEADEYE Aye, lass! The toad fighters close in on the three frigates. Their formations are tight and steady, making it easy for the gunners on all three ships to draw beads on the enemy. JENNY Ten seconds until they're within firing range. DEADEYE Let's croak some toads! JENNY Eight seconds. Deadeye loosens up his arms and readies his trigger fingers. He whispers something to himself. JENNY Five seconds. The gunner picks out a favorite toad fighter and locks his sights on target. JENNY Four ... three ... two ... one ... DEADEYE Eat masers toadies! (surprised) Wha- Just before the ships enter firing range, they split up and head in different directions, keeping out of range of the maser cannons. BUCKY Jenny, what are they doing? JENNY They're keeping out of our weapon range! If they get behind us, they've got free shots! BUCKY Then make sure they don't get behind us. JENNY There are so many, and they're everywhere! The toad ships fly circles around the three frigates. Every time they get a free shot from behind, they take advantage of the opportunity. When the frigate turns around, the ships just fly in the other direction. The three frigates are taking heavy damage. DEADEYE I need more juice to boost the range of me cannons! BUCKY You've got it. I hope you can shoot in the dark down there. The light goes out as the power is routed to the maser cannons. Blinky makes some adjustments to the power system. DEADEYE Now yer talkin'! The fighters make an attack run on The Indefatigable. They score a direct hit before being gunned down by The Screaming Mimi. JENNY The Indefatigable is taking damage to their accelerator! If this keeps up, it'll overload and destroyed the ship! BUCKY (shouting, over comm) Did you hear that, Dogstar? DOGSTAR Indeed I did. Unfortunately, I'll have to pull out before my ship is a piece of space dust. Good luck, and I'll catch up with you later. MIMI I'm detecting another spatial distortion. This one is a lot, and I mean a lot, bigger. JENNY Yes, I feel it too. BUCKY Feel? Jenny ignores him. MIMI I'm recording the event into The Screaming Mimi's database. BUCKY This is not the time for scientific research, Mimi! Jenny reads the results of a sensor scan of the battlefield. JENNY I know why the toad fighters are so accurate! BUCKY It's a heck of a time to tell me, Jenny. JENNY The fighters are computer-controlled! BUCKY Great. Just great. Computers are going to be the end of us. In the distance, the spatial distortion becomes larger and larger. Once it stops expanding, a massive ship appears. Following it are two smaller ships, but they are all much larger compared to the two frigates battling the toads. DEADEYE I hate to break up the party, but me cannons are overheating! BUCKY We're kind of busy up here! MIMI My ship is taking some heavy damage. We're having some engine trouble, so we have to pull back. BUCKY That's two down. Wish us luck, then. MIMI Good luck, Bucky. If we never see each other again, it's been great working with you. BUCKY Very funny, Mimi. I'll see you later. The Screaming Mimi limps away from battle, leaving The Righteous Indignation to fight it out alone. JENNY I hope those visitors can help us out a bit. BUCKY I hope so too. The three massive ships approach the fray. Suddenly, beam weapons begin firing from the three visitors. They have no trouble tracking the toad fighters and gun them down easily. JENNY Wishful thinking? BUCKY If I gave you a penny for your thoughts, you'd be a millionaire by now. The mysterious ships, still flying in an arrowhead formation, destroy wave after wave of toad fighters without taking a single hit themselves, thanks to multiple arrays of weaponry covering almost every direction. JENNY Never have I seen a ship so big in my life. BUCKY Yeah, but bigger doesn't always mean better. As the last of the enemy fighter are destroyed, the three visitors halt their attacks and turn to face The Righteous Indignation. DEADEYE There's a fine set of ships, matey. I just hope we're not next on the menu. JENNY I'm trying to scan them, but I can't penetrate their shields. BUCKY I just hope they're friendly. JENNY Try making contact with the lead. BUCKY OK, here goes. (over comm) This is Captain Bucky O'Hare of the S.P.A.C.E. frigate The Righteous Indignation. There is a short pause as the mysterious ships process the greeting. Bucky grows more and more nervous by the second. JENNY We are receiving a reply. BUCKY (calmly) Patch it through. A face appears on the small display screen in the command station of the Righteous. FACE This is Colonel Aaron Eagle of the Avian Space Fleet Command Cruiser Falconis. How may I help you? SCENE 7 - TOAD MOTHERSHIP KOMPLEX is chastising Toadborg for his inability to execute his plan as desired. TOADBORG My apologies, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. The sudden arrival of the three unidentified spaceships hindered our ability to attack the frigates. KOMPLEX No excuses! You failed miserably! TOADBORG But I have taken this new information into account for formulating our next move. And this time, we shall be unstoppable. SCENE 8 - COMMAND CRUISER FALCONIS The Righteous Indignation and her crew are aboard the CC Falconis. The engineering team aboard the Falconis is repairing the damage done to the frigate. Colonel Aaron Eagle is with the crew in the hangar bay, where The Righteous Indignation and other space-faring craft are being serviced or maintained. AARON (looking at the battered Righteous Indignation) It looks like your ship took quite a beating. BUCKY It holds together, though, and it's gotten my crew and I out of trouble numerous times. AARON Nothing beats a classic. (beat) Since you are guests on my ship, I would like to ask you and your crew to dinner tonight, since it is getting a little close to dinner time. JENNY That would be very kind of you. AARON (to Jenny) Have we met before, young lady? JENNY (blushing) How could we have? AARON I do not know; you just look very familiar. It's like I've seen you before somewhere, but I can't tell where. (beat) Anyway, I have you and your crew assigned guest quarters. But don't let that mean you must stay there! Feel free to explore the ship and make yourselves comfortable. BRUISER (scratching his head) What happens if we get lost? AARON No worries, my friend, just ask the computer. BUCKY (sighs) I've had enough of computers today. JENNY (ignoring Bucky) How do we go about doing that, Colonel? AARON Quite simple, just ask like you would any person. (beat) Computer, where am I now? COMPUTER (in a synthesized feminine voice) You are in hangar bay two. AARON See? It's very easy. I'm on my way to the command deck, so I can show you to your quarters. Just follow me. Bucky, BRUISER, Blinky, Jenny and Deadeye follow their host out of the hangar and into the maze of corridors that weave around the ship. DEADEYE Now there's a fine lad. BUCKY Seems like a nice person. BRUISER Where are we again? Colonel Aaron Eagle shows the group to a short, dead-end corridor that has guest three quarters on either side, for a total of six quarters. AARON (while the crewmembers pick their rooms) If you ever need me, I'll either be on the command deck or right across from the main hall in the senior staff quarters. Remember, dinner is in one hour. JENNY (to Aaron) These are wonderful accommodations, I'm sure ... (beat, realizes that Aaron is no longer around) Where did Colonel Eagle go off to? BUCKY Wow, this room is sure big. DEADEYE Aye, Cap'n. I could start me own firing range in here. SCENE 9 - COMMAND DECK, CC FALCONIS Aaron Eagle sits down in his command chair and looks at the main screen at the front of the room. CAPTAIN ROBERT HERON is at the tactical station, keeping watch over ship systems and other security matters. ROBERT You have an incoming message from the Hunter, sir; it's Major Eagle. AARON Put it through, Captain. A face comes on screen. It's Jacqueline Eagle. AARON How's my favorite little sister doing? How may I help you? JACKIE Oh, I don't know. I was just checking up on how your guests are doing. AARON They're doing quite fine. Their ship took quite a pounding, but it'll be no time before it's all fixed and ready to go. JACKIE And the crew? AARON Not even shaken. They're like stiff drinks. Captain O'Hare has got himself a mighty fine crew. (beat) Oh, yes, I invited them to dinner tonight; would you like to join us? It's at the usual time. JACKIE Sure, I would love to meet these people. AARON Tell Tom that he can come too. JACKIE I will. DT Hunter out. The link to the Hunter is cut by Major Eagle, and the screen returns to its peaceful view of the starscape. SCENE 10 - CAPTAIN'S MESS, CC FALCONIS The crew of The Righteous Indignation and the three commanders of the Space Fleet ships are seated. Colonel Eagle sits at the head of the table. AARON Now that we're all together, let's begin with some introductions. BUCKY I'm Captain Bucky O'Hare of The Righteous Indignation. This is my First Mate, Jenny ... JENNY Charmed. BUCKY ... my expert gunner, Deadeye Duck ... DEADEYE Ha hah! Pleased t' meet ye! BUCKY ... our berserker baboon, Bruiser ... BRUISER Hiya. BUCKY ... and our android, Blinky, who is not here at the moment. (beat) He needs to recharge. AARON I am Colonel Aaron Eagle of the Command Cruiser Falconis, if you don't already know. JACKIE I'm Major Jacqueline Eagle of the Destroyer Hunter, and I'm pleased to meet you. TOM (in a slightly western accent.) Howdy, I'm Major Thomas Dwight of the Destroyer Draco. (beat) Let me tell ya, Cap'n, you've got a mighty fine crew. BUCKY Thank you, Major. JENNY Colonel, are you and Major Eagle, um ... JACKIE Married? JENNY Yes. JACKIE Oh, no. I hope not. JENNY Why do you say that? JACKIE (smiles) Because he's my older brother. JENNY (blushing) Oh, I'm sorry. JACKIE Don't worry about it; we get asked that question a lot. As dinner is served, the conversations begin. The meal is largely fish, with the proper exceptions for the vegetarian crewmembers. DEADEYE So tell me, Major Dwight ... TOM Call me Tom. DEADEYE Tom, how did ya manage to shoot down all them toad fighters? I could barely touch 'em with me maser cannons. TOM Maser cannons? Oh, yes, microwave based weapons. (beat) Our ships use sophisticated targeting computers to track and destroy targets. Multiple tracer batteries also help. DEADEYE Tracer batteries? TOM Tracers are the cutting edge -- pardon the pun -- of beam-based weaponry. It's a particle beam, only these particles have the capability of literally tearing apart atoms. Not to mention their effect on energy fields. DEADEYE So I take it that these here tracers can do some serious damage. TOM Right on target. (grins) Another pun. Sorry. Jenny and Aaron are having a conversation of their own. A little bit about technology, but more on origins and such. JENNY So, Aaron, where is your home planet? AARON Well, Jenny, to reach my home planet, it would take one of your photon accelerator-equipped ships around ten years. JENNY So how did you arrive here? AARON Our technicians and scientists have developed something called a Hyperspace Gateway. (picks up napkin) Pretend that this napkin represents space. (pokes two holes in napkin with knife) One hole is where you are. The other is where you want to go. (gives napkin to Jenny) Tell me, Jenny, what is the shortest distance between two points? JENNY I'm sure this is a trick question. (traces finger between the two holes) The shortest distance between two points is a straight line. AARON (takes the napkin back) Not anymore. (takes napkin and folds it so the holes align) The shortest distance between two points is zero. (stabs his finger through the two holes) That's what the Hyperspace Gateway does. (beat) But enough tech talk, where are you from? JENNY My home planet is called Aldebaran. It is about a day's journey from here. AARON That is a very nice name for a planet, Aldebaran. I think I've heard it somewhere before. Aaron's mood goes from light to noticeably more serious and quiet. It's as if the name actually means, or meant, something to him. Jenny sees this but continues to eat her grilled fish as if nothing has changed. Bucky, however is engaged in a conversation with Jackie Eagle, describing the current situation of the Toad Wars. BUCKY As you may have seen, the fleet's funding is not nearly as great as what you seem to be getting. Ideally, more ships would allow more patrols and a greater presence in the different sectors. JACKIE I see. But your crew is very well skilled. Sometimes a good crew is better than a good ship. SCENE 11 - CC FALCONIS After dinner is finished, the crew from The Righteous Indignation returns to their quarters, and the Destroyer's commanders return to their respective ships. Colonel Aaron Eagle returns to his quarters but fails to fall asleep. He gets up off his bed and sits down at this desk. Aaron turns on the computer interface. AARON Computer, new search. SCENE 12 - PALACE ARVHICES, ALDEBARAN The QUEEN is also awake, still searching the archives for a reason behind the disturbance felt by her and her people. The disturbance is more than just a simple spatial anomaly. QUEEN The answer must be here somewhere. I can just feel it. The Queen flips through some ancient reference texts. QUEEN It's not in these books. The Queen next tries a text on myths and legends. She browses through the book and finds what she is looking for. QUEEN Oh my goodness. SCENE 13: JENNY'S QUARTERS, CC FALCONIS Jenny is sleeping. This has been the first time in a long time that she is able to sleep in relative ease, and on a large, soft bed. It's a bed fit for an ambassador. Her slumber, however, is soon interrupted. QUEEN (telepathically) JENNY (also telepathically) QUEEN JENNY QUEEN JENNY (cuts telepathic link) Computer, where is Colonel Eagle now? COMPUTER Colonel Eagle is in his quarters. JENNY (to herself) Excellent. SCENE 14 - AARON'S QUARTERS, CC FALCONIS Aaron is still sitting in his chair in front of the computer terminal. The door chime beeps. AARON (tiredly) Enter, please. Jenny walks into the room. JENNY Colonel, I have come to ask you a favor. AARON (still tiredly) First of all, it's one in the morning. Second, when it's one in the morning, you call me Aaron, not Colonel. (beat) Well, what do you wish of me? JENNY I need to go to Aldebaran. Jenny hopes for the best. AARON (sighs) Is this important? JENNY Yes. AARON Why is it so important? JENNY I am not at liberty to say. AARON Did your Queen request your presence? Jenny looks stunned by Aaron's remark. AARON I know all about your people. The Artificers, your powers, and your Queen. JENNY (still surprised) But how? How could ... AARON That, unfortunately, I cannot say. But worry not, for your secret is safe with me. Jenny remains silent. AARON Get some sleep, Jenny, I'll get you to Aldebaran. JENNY Thank you. AARON You're welcome. Jenny leaves the room. After she leaves, Aaron thinks about getting up but decides to fall asleep in his chair. TO BE CONTINUED