"First Contact" Part 2 by Ed Scott 0013 First draft - 7/29/00 Second draft - 7/3/00 Third draft - 4/2/01 Final draft - 4/25/01 Edited by Rygar SCENE 1 - AVIAN SPACE FLEET The next day, COLONEL AARON EAGLE is on the command deck sitting in his chair as the crew of The Righteous Indignation comes in. AARON (to the guests) Welcome to the command deck. (beat) Captain Heron? ROBERT Yes? AARON Notify the Draco and the Hunter that I'm taking the Falconis to Aldebaran. Tell them to stay here and keep watch. ROBERT Yes, Colonel. Is that all? AARON No. Tell them we're going to make first contact again. ROBERT Again, sir? BUCKY Is this how you command? Seems a lot easier than what I have to do. Compared to that, you've got it easy. AARON Not really. I had to earn this chair the hard way. (beat) Why don't you try it? Aaron stands up and motions to CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE to take the chair. Bucky sits down and feels that this chair is much more comfortable than his own on the Righteous. AARON Now, we're going to Aldebaran, Bucky. It's your call. BUCKY (feeling the armrests of the chair) Let's see. Set a course to Aldebaran. The FALCONIS NAVIGATOR enters some commands on his touch panel. FALCONIS NAVIGATOR Course set, sir. BUCKY (to Aaron) How fast can this thing go? AARON The Falconis is equipped with a Class X Hyperspace Distortion Drive. How fast do you need to go? BUCKY Can this go faster than mark-5? AARON (obviously unfamiliar with the unit of speed) Mark-5? CAPTAIN ROBERT HERON, an expert tactician and officer, decides to explain. It is required for him to know the power ratings of other ships. ROBERT Mark-5, Colonel, is their equivalent to our delta-4. (to Bucky) The Falconis can do delta-9 if it's an emergency. Regular cruising speed is delta-6. BUCKY Oh. (beat) Wow. Bucky wishes that ENIGNEER WILLY DUWITT were here to examine the Avians' technology, but he has school today. BUCKY Very well, then, give me delta-7. FALCONIS NAVIGATOR Delta-7, sir. BUCKY Let's go. The Falconis pulls out of formation and jumps to delta-7. It streaks across the cosmos like a bullet from a gun. AARON Now, if you would kindly return my chair. BUCKY Sure. It was fun while it lasted. AARON (now seated) Report. ROBERT Tactical reports all systems functional. FALCONIS NAVIGATOR Speed: delta-7. Destination: Aldebaran. Estimated time until arrival: forty-eight minutes. JENNY Forty-eight minutes? FALCONIS NAVIGATOR Yes, ma'am. The crew of the Righteous spreads around the command deck, watching the crew of the Falconis do their work. SCENE 2 - DT HUNTER MAJOR JACQUELINE EAGLE is seated in her chair on the command deck. Her legs are crossed. She tugs at her uniform's skirt a few times. JACKIE (to herself) These things are always too short. I guess I'm a bit thin for my height. The tactical officer, CAPTAIN JAMES FORESTER, is running standard diagnostics on the ship's systems when something comes up on scanners. JAMES I am picking up an unknown fighter craft, ma'am. It is the same configuration as the others. JACKIE Any life signs? JAMES None, ma'am. Does seem to be inactive, though. JACKIE Put me through to Major Dwight. JAMES Yes, ma'am. TOM (over comm) You called, Major? JACKIE Did you pick up that fighter on scanners, Tom? TOM Yeah, Ms. Eagle. Apparently, my shoe has more life than that thing. We scanned it inside and out. JACKIE I'm going to bring it aboard for study. Do you have any objections? TOM No, not really. If you need a hand, I'll be right here. Draco out. JACKIE Captain Forester? JAMES Yes? JACKIE Get a shuttle out there and tow that thing into the Hangar Bay. JAMES Do you want me to bring a security team with me? JACKIE No, don't bother. If anything weird happens, we'll just eject it into space. JAMES Yes, ma'am. I'll tell the shuttle operator to get on it. SCENE 3 - COMMAND DECK, CC FALCONIS Bucky and his crew are explaining to the Avians why they are at war with the toads. AFC BLINKY aids the discussion with his holographic documentary, and Bucky recounts personal experience with his home world being transformed. AARON Why don't they commission more ships? BUCKY That's what I've been trying to tell the Security Council for some time now. Money seems to be a big issue, I guess. AARON I never liked the stiff-necked politicians. They never know what it's like to see the enemy. Feel the fear of perhaps not returning home after the tour. BUCKY How did you convince them to create this space fleet of yours? AARON We, too, had our share of conflicts. Most of the people in our government were ex-military themselves. So before the war fully broke out in the nearby systems, they stirred up the people and created an economic boom. (beat) Still, even with all the preparations, our world was caught unprepared. DEADEYE Why was that? AARON You can never judge an enemy until you've fought them face to face. (beat) We took heavy losses. We're not a prolific people; we depend heavily on technology to do the dangerous work. Planetary mining, ship construction, fighting, you name it. JENNY So, what did you do? AARON We had to strike hard and fast. Shipyards were constructed around uninhabited planets, where small, fast ships were designed to deal with the enemy, much like your own frigates. (beat) Hit and run was the rule of the day; if it got too hairy, pull back and pull out. BUCKY How did you eliminate the enemy? AARON We had to cut off the supply lines from the enemy's home world, which was quite some distance away. The fast attack ships we designed were perfect for the job. Eventually, it became too costly for the enemy to continue fighting. BUCKY Who *was* the enemy, anyway? AARON The Reptilian Alliance. Much like you're in your own war, we had our own dealings with the coldbloods. Aaron continues to explain how their scanners picked up traces of energy that matched several cold-blooded weapon types. Being attacked upon arrival by these types of weapons, an immediate response was warranted according to Avian tactical protocol. JENNY Then what happened? AARON They surrendered a few cycles later, when the war became a one-sided ordeal. (beat) When the war came to a close and the treaties were signed, there was an overwhelming need to prevent this type of conflict again. BUCKY And how did you pull that off? AARON The space fleet was formed. The different planets contributed in creating a fleet of interstellar ships that would watch over the system and keep conflicts from starting before they became too violent. (beat) Mediation and conflict resolution are the weapons of today's commanders. We only fight in self-defense now. DEADEYE What happened t' all yer fast attack ships? AARON The fast attack frigate class of ship was retired from service a few cycles after the war. Now the current menu of ships includes the Carrier class, Cruiser class, Destroyer class, and Corvette class. Bucky's eyes light up with an idea. BUCKY Are those old ships still functional? AARON To a degree. You'll have to visit Exxen IV and see for yourself. BUCKY Exxen IV? AARON The old war graveyard. That's where all the decommissioned ships go. We keep them in working condition, just in case another emergency arises. FIRST MATE JENNY slowly catches on to Bucky's plan. JENNY Would it be possible for the United Animal Coalition to somehow obtain a few of these old spacecraft? AARON No. BRUISER Why not? You know we need ships to fight the toads! AARON I'm sorry, but it's against protocol to give technology to others. BUCKY Why is that? AARON I am willing to help. I really am, but fleet rules and regulations prevent me from doing so. ROBERT I know a way around that, sir, if I may. AARON Go for it. ROBERT You see, space fleet protocol prevents giving the technology to other parties, but if the UAC became one of the space fleet members, we still couldn't give them technology, but we could help in a more active way. BUCKY So if the toads attacked the UAC, it would be like the toads attacking the space fleet? AARON I'm not as well versed in protocol as Captain Heron is, but I believe that is the case. JENNY Could this be possible? AARON It is possible, but your Security Council might not agree. BUCKY (determined) I've got friends in high places, Colonel. I'll make it possible. AARON Yes, but then I have my superiors to worry about. Well, it shouldn't be a problem. If ... Aaron is interrupted by the navigator. FALCONIS NAVIGATOR Sorry, sir, but we are entering Aldebaran space. AARON Slow to three-quarters sublight. FALCONIS NAVIGATOR Slowing to three-quarters sublight. The Falconis drops out of hyperspace and advances toward Aldebaran. BUCKY This thing can't land, can it? AARON Only in dire emergencies. But once the Falconis lands, it can't get back into orbit. (beat) For two-way transit between the plant and ship, we have teleporters and shuttles. BRUISER Then how'd da ships get built? AARON They're built in orbit at one of the many spacecraft assembly stations. BUCKY If you plan on getting down to the surface, you can come with me and my crew. I don't want to risk getting my molecules scrambled by a teleporter. SCENE 4 - COMMAND DECK, DT HUNTER Jackie is overlooking the crew when the ship's computer suddenly gives the entire crew a frightening warning message. COMPUTER Warning: system-wide failure in five minutes. (beat) Warning: system-wide failure in five minutes. JACKIE What's going on? (beat) Operations Manager? The HUNTER OPERATIONS MANAGER is totally taken by surprise by the imminent failure. HUNTER OPERATIONS MANAGER I don't know, ma'am. All fifteen safety locks have been compromised. It's a cascading systems failure! JACKIE Are the Environmental Systems one of them? HUNTER OPERATIONS MANAGER Yes, ma'am. Jackie enters a command into the interface on the armrest. JACKIE (to the ship) This is Major Eagle. I am giving the order to abandon ship. Regroup on the Draco, and you will receive further instructions. JAMES Incoming message from the Draco, ma'am. JACKIE Yes, Tom? TOM (over comm) We see that you've got an emergency over there. I'm telling our operators to teleport as many people as we can off the ship. Our shuttles are on the way. JACKIE Thanks, Tom. TOM No problem. Just make sure you get out yourself. JACKIE Will do. Hunter out. (to the crew on the command deck) OK, everyone, let's get moving. The entire crew complement of the Hunter evacuates the ship via teleporters and shuttles. From the command deck of the Draco, Tom watches the progress. TOM How much time left? DRACO OPERATIONS MANAGER About two minutes, sir. TOM Let's hope for the best. DRACO OPERATIONS MANAGER Yes, sir. SCENE 5 - HANGAR BAY, CC FALCONIS The ship has landed on Aldebaran. Bucky and his crew are gathered outside The Righteous Indignation. Jenny and Blinky are inside preparing the ship to be powered up again. BUCKY (calls from outside) Let's start her up, Jenny! JENNY (from inside) Starting in three ... two ... one ... Sounds of the main power come online. BUCKY Looks good. Suddenly, the sound of short circuits fills the hangar. When the sound dies down, the main engines cough once and smoke comes out the main hatch. JENNY (walking out, coughing) No good, Bucky. Just then, an ENGINEER comes and apologizes for the mishap. ENGINEER Sorry about that, sir, I'm just not used to dealing with antiquated technology. BUCKY Don't worry about it. Once our chief engineer comes, he'll lend you a hand. JENNY So how do we get down to the surface? AARON Two-person shuttle or teleporter. BUCKY Hmm. I'd rather stay here and watch my ears grow than use a teleporter. JENNY Suit yourself. I'm taking Colonel Eagle with me to the surface. It's an urgent matter. AARON You are? Jenny motions for Aaron the follow her while the rest of the crew, including that of the Falconis, stare in surprise. ENGINEER (to Bucky) Is your First Mate always like that, sir? BUCKY More often than not, my friend. In the teleportation room, there are a few raised platforms, each with its own control panel. AARON Have you ever been teleported, Jenny? JENNY Not until this time, no. AARON It feels nice for the first time. OPERATOR Ready when you are, sir. AARON Do it. In a swirling vortex, the two slowly fade away and are teleported to the surface. SCENE 6 - COMMAND DECK, DT DRACO Major Eagle and MAJOR THOMAS DWIGHT are looking at the Hunter through the main screen. JACKIE Looks beautiful without all the lights. TOM (jokingly) Looks dead to me. JACKIE I hope the Falconis gets back soon. Then we can tell Colonel Eagle what happened. TOM (still joking) I still think it looks dead. The lights on the Hunter start to light up. JACKIE Then tell me, Major Dwight, why does a dead ship suddenly awaken? TOM (seriously) You've got me. DRACO OPERATIONS MANAGER The Hunter is powering up weapons! TOM Shields to maximum. Be prepared to return fire! JACKIE But that's my ship! TOM Not anymore, it seems. We'll do our best to keep it occupied until the Falconis gets here. DRACO OPERATIONS MANAGER Maybe not, sir. It seems to be leaving. JACKIE Where to? DRACO OPERATIONS MANAGER Aldebaran, ma'am. TOM It's going after the Falconis? Whoever is at the controls of that ship is either really stupid or extremely smart. JACKIE Nobody can beat my brother in ship-to-ship combat. Why do you think he has the Falconis? DRACO NAVIGATOR Should I set course to follow? TOM Yes. Match speed, keep some distance, and engage the cloaking device. DRACO NAVIGATOR Course plotted. Speed set at delta-8. SECURITY OFFICER Cloaking device activated. The Draco pursues the Hunter and disappears into the black of space. SCENE 7 - QUEEN'S PALACE, ALDEBARAN Jenny leads Aaron to the Palace, where the QUEEN is waiting for them. Guards lurk everywhere. Aaron notices some of them trying to hide in the shadows, trying not to be noticed. The tension is thick in the air until the Queen appears. JENNY Greetings, my Queen. AARON Hello, Your Majesty. QUEEN I welcome both of you. (beat) Jenny, if you would wait outside, your friend and I have much to discuss. JENNY Yes, my Queen. Jenny leaves and waits outside. Aaron however, is led to the palace archives. AARON Are all the guards necessary, Your Majesty? QUEEN Recently, the Palace has become a major, should I say, hotspot of less- than-pleasant activity. Therefore, the guards are not only necessary, but essential. For my protection as well as yours. (beat) Now, back to why you are here ... AARON Your Majesty, I thought you required the presence of Jenny more than the presence of me. QUEEN I needed her to bring you to me. AARON Is it because of what happened many years ago? QUEEN Yes. I have only read myths and heard legends. AARON What legends? QUEEN My mother told me, when I was little, of a time when Aldebaran was at conflict. Conflict so great that it ruined our planet. (beat) We were saved, though, by the Guardians. They had a power so great that it makes our modern Artificers seem like little children. (sensing Aaron's question) The Guardians sacrificed themselves to give us freedom from the enemy. They vanished, but before they left, they vowed to return, someday, and rejoin us. AARON (realizing what she means) What you say is very flattering. But if I may, I must tell my people's side of the story. QUEEN I am eager to hear it. I have listened to legends long enough. The Queen picks up a book of legends and places it back into the massive bookshelf. AARON Many years ago, when my people we still in this system, we knew a way to draw energy from the forces in space. Your people were just learning to master this technique when the enemy attacked. QUEEN Who were the enemy? AARON Even my people are unsure, but the enemy longed for the secret. Knowing what would happen if this ability fell into the wrong hands, we had to prevent the enemy from obtaining it. QUEEN The Guardians? AARON Yes, what you call the Guardians are what we now call the Avian High Order. The term Guardian still applies to the person, and the Avian High Order refers to the organization. QUEEN Are you one? AARON A Guardian, yes. It is a tradition passed down in my family. Before I joined the service in, I was the Chief Guardian of my division, but the space fleet gave me a chance to serve my people in a different way. QUEEN What about now? AARON I still practice energy manipulation, also called magic, I believe. I am a little better now than I was before, because I'm older and a bit wiser than in my youth. (beat, going back to the story) Anyway, when the war started, the Guardians fought with everything they had and won. Apparently not without sacrifice, however. QUEEN What was the outcome of the war? AARON Your home planet was decimated. So, it was decided that my people would transfer to another world, leaving you our planet's space and resources. We have never come back since. QUEEN Until now, that is. AARON Correct. Just then, Jenny bursts into the Palace Archives. QUEEN (startled) What is it, Jenny? JENNY There is a message for you from the Draco. QUEEN Draco? AARON One of the ships in my fleet. (beat) Jenny, what is it? JENNY They request that you return to the Falconis at once. AARON Very well. I'm sorry, Your Majesty, but I must go. QUEEN I understand. Good luck. AARON Thanks. Aaron pulls a small communication device from his pocket. AARON Falconis? This is Colonel Eagle. (whispers to Jenny) Want to come? JENNY No, I shall stay here. (glances at the Queen) I need to ask some questions. AARON One to teleport. Colonel Eagle vanishes in the blink of an eye. SCENE 8 - COMMAND DECK, CC FALCONIS Colonel Eagle walks in to the command deck. It is busier than usual. AARON This better be important. ROBERT Yes it is, sir. Someone or something has taken control of the Hunter, sir. AARON The Hunter? How about the crew? FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER Aboard the Draco, sir. AARON Put me through. ROBERT Yes, sir. Robert enters some commands, and the two Majors appear on the main screen. AARON Having trouble, Majors? JACKIE Yes, Colonel. It seems that something has taken control of my ship. TOM Pretty strange, Colonel. AARON I understand. I'll get right on it. But first, I'll need Major Eagle on my ship. JACKIE I'm there. TOM I'll be OK, just as long as the Hunter doesn't decide to start hunting. Draco out. ROBERT (noticing a signal) We are being hailed ... by the Hunter. AARON (concerned) Put it through. The face of TOADBORG comes on screen. AARON What have you done to one of my ships? TOADBORG It is what I will do *with* this ship that matters. AARON I fail to see what you mean. TOADBORG Nearby, there is a toad landing force ready to take Aldebaran by force. If you try to intervene, I will gladly destroy you. Jackie walks in to the command deck, having finished teleporting. AARON We'll see about that. Falconis out. (beat, to Jackie) Ready? JACKIE I want my ship back. Aaron and Jackie walk to the security station. Aaron puts his hand on the interface, and Jackie does the same. AARON Computer, recognize: Eagle, Aaron. Colonel. CC Falconis. JACKIE Computer, recognize: Eagle, Jacqueline. Major. DT Hunter. COMPUTER Computer recognizes: Eagle, Aaron. Colonel. CC Falconis. (beat) Computer recognizes: Eagle, Jacqueline. Major. DT Hunter. AARON Initialize ship command override. COMPUTER Initializing ship command override sequence. AARON Transfer all control of DT Hunter to Eagle, Jacqueline. Major. DT Hunter. COMPUTER All control of DT Hunter is transferred to: Eagle, Jacqueline. Major. DT Hunter. The two take their hands off the interface. JACKIE Thanks. AARON No problem. Now, transfer your crew over and get that jerk who tried to mess with me. JACKIE Will do, Colonel. FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER Apparently, the intruder is no longer on the Hunter, sir. AARON Explain. FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER When control was returned to normal, there was an entry in the ship's teleportation logs. Someone teleported out before the control was restored. AARON Destination? FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER The planet's surface, sir. AARON Damn. What about the invasion fleet that cyborg was talking about? ROBERT That landing fleet is inbound, traveling at high sublight speed. Estimated time until arrival: ten minutes. AARON OK. Captain Heron? ROBERT Sir? AARON You have control of the fleet for now. I'm going down to the planet's surface. (beat) Once I'm down there, take the Falconis and go and intercept ... no, actually, cloak the fleet and wait for them to arrive. ROBERT (smiling) Yes, sir! The classic ambush never fails. AARON Only if you're the bad guys. SCENE 9 - OUTSIDE QUEEN'S PALANCE, ALDEBARAN Toadborg makes an escape and ends up on the planet surface. He is outside the Palace. ARTIFICERS are also there, guarding the Queen. TOADBORG Tell your Queen that you have ten minutes until a landing force comes to take your planet. The Aldebarans gathered around start to chatter. TOADBORG I suggest you surrender. It might be more painful otherwise. JENNY No! We will not surrender! Especially not to you! The Queen emerges from the crowd. QUEEN (to Jenny) Quiet, my child. (to Toadborg) Jenny is right. We will not surrender. We will fight you to the last cat. TOADBORG (eyes narrowing) As you wish. SCENE 10 - COURTYARD, ALDEBARAN The fighting between Toadborg and the Aldebarans escalates. The toad landing force slowly deploys its ground troops in the surrounding area, cutting off any attempt to escape. The Artificers are fighting bravely against Toadborg, who repels their attacks effortlessly. TOADBORG Fools! With the technology stolen from those Avian visitors, I am invincible! JENNY Impossible! Jenny launches yet another energy bolt at Toadborg, which is easily absorbed by the shielding. TOADBORG Foolish cat! Toadborg advances toward Jenny. Jenny, on the other hand, is not fazed by his shielding at all. She leaps toward Toadborg and forces one paw through the field. TOADBORG What are you ... Jenny fights the pain rushing up her arm and fires a beam right at Toadborg's face. Toadborg reels backwards, grabs Jenny, and tosses her aside. JENNY Take that! TOADBORG You fools! ARTIFICER #1 Be gone from our world, wretched machine! TOADBORG Oh, so you speak. (beat) Say that again, now that I have your Queen! ARTIFICER #2 Impossible! The Artificers look around. Heads turn and ears perk up. The Queen is nowhere to be seen. JENNY (clutching her arm) I demand to know where our Queen is! Toadborg moves aside, revealing the Queen being held at gunpoint. TOADBORG It seems that you have been taken by my little ruse. You attack me, leaving your Queen vulnerable. All this time, you had no idea. (beat) Surrender to me, and your Queen will survive. The Artificers have no choice but to surrender. Aaron, wearing robes, enters. AARON (to Toadborg) I suggest you leave. TOADBORG Another idle threat. What do you take me for? AARON In orbit, your mothership is deploying troops to the surface. (beat) In orbit, there are two destroyers and a cruiser ready to blow it to small chunks. (beat) And after they're done with the mothership, they can take out your ground troops from orbit as well. TOADBORG You bluff poorly. AARON (into comm) CC Falconis, this is Colonel Eagle. (beat) Perform a low-altitude flyby. On my coordinates. FALCONIS OFFICER (over comm) Affirmative. Low-altitude flyby commencing. A few moments later, a bright object appears in the sky. It becomes larger and larger until the form turns from a dot into a ship. AARON (to himself) Now watch the birdie. The ship draws nearer, and Aaron looks around. Everyone is watching the ship come closer and closer, including Toadborg and the two guards holding the Queen hostage. Aaron picks up a small pebble and lobs it at Jenny, getting her attention. Meanwhile, the ship draws closer, now a large form in the sky. Now knowing that everyone is occupied, Aaron lunges at the Queen, knocking her out of harm's way. Jenny sees what is going on and quickly launches energy beams at the two toads. One of them manages to return fire and catches Aaron in the wing. AARON (into comm) Fire! Fire! Fire! Immediately as the Falconis passes overhead, it launches a barrage of fire toward the toad ground troops. Toadborg immediately realizes that he is outgunned. TOADBORG Retreat! Retreat! The toads begin to retreat back to their ships and begin to lift off, leaving the Aldebarans to pick up after themselves. Aaron orders a ceasefire. QUEEN You are wounded! AARON It's nothing, really. (beat) Let's get back to the ship. SCENE 11 - COMMAND DECK, CC FALCONIS Colonel Eagle returns to the command deck, still dressed in his fighting robes. Bucky is there. BUCKY Nice clothes. AARON How can I help you, Captain? BUCKY The Righteous is ready to go. We ran a systems check, and everything looks fine. (beat) And if you want to see the toads for yourself, I have a plan. AARON After what they tried to do, I do indeed want to see the little frogs myself. Bucky outlines the plan for Aaron. AARON Impressive. What you lack in technology, you make up for with wit and strategy. I like that. (beat) Unfortunately, your pilot is in no condition to fly. JENNY Yes, I am. Jenny enters the room followed by a DOCTOR. The Doctor gives Aaron her report on Jenny. AARON How is our patient, Doc? DOCTOR (taking off glasses) Jenny is doing fine. The tissue regenerator fixed most of the damage, but she still has to refrain from putting appendages through force fields. BUCKY Hear that, First Mate? JENNY (smiles) Yes, Captain. Bucky then tells the plan to Jenny as they walk to the hangar bay. The doctor returns to her duties, and Aaron goes to change his clothes. SCENE 12 - ORBIT OF ALDEBARAN The toad landing fleet is making a run for their mothership. Several TOADS in the lead double bubbles are chattering. TOAD #1 (over comm) I'm picking something up on scanners. TOAD #2 (over comm) I see it too. TOAD #3 (over comm) It's The Righteous Indignation! And it's following us! TOAD #1 Is it gaining? TOAD #3 No. We're almost at the mothership, so it won't matter. TOAD #2 Ha! Those stupid mammals! The landing fleet safely reaches the mothership and docks. Toadborg enters, saying nothing. The Air Marshal prepares his fleets for battle. KOMPLEX Report. AIR MARSHAL The Righteous Indignation is the only ship coming, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. KOMPLEX When will it arrive? AIR MARSHAL In five minutes. KOMPLEX Ready the mothership for battle. I shall take these mammals out myself. SCENE 13 - THE RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION The Righteous Indignation arrives at the toad mothership but keeps some distance away. Bucky sends a message to the toads. BUCKY (over comm) I am Captain Bucky ... JENNY They already know who you are. BUCKY Uh ... right. (beat) I have come seeking your immediate surrender. KOMPLEX responds. KOMPLEX And if we don't? BUCKY I will destroy your precious mothership. KOMPLEX (laughing) Impossible. BUCKY Impossible is a very strong word, KOMPLEX. Give up now, or we'll destroy your ship. KOMPLEX No, you will be destroyed for trying! KOMPLEX severs the link. On the three Avian ships, the three commanders listen in on the conversation. AARON Captain O'Hare? Did you just say destroy? BUCKY Yes, I did. AARON We can't destroy them. It's against protocol. We don't even know them. DEADEYE (sharing the comm) Well, can ye at least beat 'em down, matey? ROBERT Just say it is in self-defense. Aaron looks at his security officer in surprise, then turns back to face the screen. AARON OK, here's the plan. In exactly two minutes, the Draco, Hunter, and Falconis will perform the Alpha Strike maneuver. TOM Will do. JACKIE Got it. ROBERT Alpha Strike? With three ships? That's overkill, sir. AARON But here's the twist, people. Target only weapons and shields. I want them to either run or surrender. Not die. TOM Do you think they'll expect it? AARON (jokingly) How am I supposed to know? I'm just commanding. (beat) Pick your targets, people. By the time we get close enough, all I want you to have to do is push the button. BUCKY The wonders of a cloaked fleet. AARON Yeah, the cloaking device helps a lot. We just can't fire when cloaked, or the energy drain will overload the plasma reactor. BUCKY So what do we do? TOM Sit back and watch the show. After they're disabled, you can state your demands. BUCKY Works for me. FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER Thirty seconds, sir. AARON Raise shields. Full power to weapons. Bring us in. DRACO OPERATIONS MANAGER Targets acquired. HUNTER NAVIGATOR One thousand meters and closing. TOM Steady as she goes. AARON On my mark, deactivate cloaking devices, fire on as many weapon and shield systems possible in five seconds, then reactivate cloaking and pull away. BUCKY Sounds more like a hit and run than an Alpha Strike. AARON A full Alpha Strike would be a waste of energy. FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER Fifteen seconds, sir. HUNTER NAVIGATOR Five hundred meters and closing. FALCONIS NAVIGATOR Plotting attack vector. Sending to other ships. AARON Did you receive? JACKIE Yes. TOM You bet. FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER Attack distance in five... HUNTER NAVIGTOR Two hundred meters and closing. FALCONIS OPS MANAGER Four ... TOM (mumbling) For Alexander... FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER Three ... AARON On my mark. FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER Two ... BUCKY I've got to see this. FALCONIS OPERATIONS MANAGER One ... AARON Mark! The three ships uncloak a spitting distance away from the toad mothership and begin to open fire. Weapons turrets, shield generators, and hangar doors are reduced to burning sections of metal. SCENE 14 - CONTROL ROOM, TOAD MOTHERSHIP A general state of panic fills the air. KOMPLEX Return fire, you fools! AIR MARSHAL The shields have been destroyed! Weapons are offline! The fighters are trapped in their hangars! KOMPLEX Then retreat! The crippled mothership slowly limps away. The cloaked attackers pull away as well, knowing that their job is done. SCENE 15 - SECURITY COUNCIL HEADQUARTERS, GENUS Bucky exits the Council chambers after making his presentation. Aaron, Robert, Jenny, and Jackie are there, waiting. BUCKY I hope this works out. JENNY Me too. BUCKY So if our two forces are indeed allied, what happens? ROBERT I did a little research in my spare time and I found out that even if we can't *give* you ships for your cause, we can *lend* them to you for as long as you need. AARON Are you sure of this, Captain? BUCKY and ROBERT Yes, sir. The two Captains exchange glances. TOM (over comm) Can we get going already? I've got an aniverse to defend. ROBERT That's our cue to leave. Jenny hints to Aaron that she wants him to stay. AARON You go ahead. I'll catch up with you later. The Avian group teleports away, leaving Aaron behind. BUCKY (gets the hint) I'll be heading to the ship. JENNY (as Bucky leaves) May I ask you a question? AARON You already have, but go ahead. JENNY When your ships came into our part of the aniverse, I felt something. I have never felt it before. AARON What you felt was the energy of my people. We also have an energy matrix similar to yours. When the Gateway opened, it allowed the energy to flow through. JENNY Will I ever see you again? AARON It's a big aniverse, Jenny. Only time will tell. The two hug each other. Jenny walks away, leaving Aaron alone. He contacts the Falconis. AARON Falconis? One to teleport. (beat) Let's go home. THE END