"Flight Of The Rogue Star" Part 2 by Fero McPiglet Final draft - 3/17/02 Edited by DJ Clawson Edited by Rygar 6/2/09 SCENE 1 - MAIN DECK, STOLEN FRIGATE, time -0:15:33 AL NEGATOR, TINKER, SLYLY ZOD, and NEWTON are standing over a small ANDROID. NEGATOR and TINKER (wringing their hands) Ew! Newton shakes his tiny fists at them furiously. NEWTON C'mon, you guys! I thought you knew about my oil secretions! It's an innate ability for newts. How do you think I can always slip away from people when they're trying to grab at me? (tries to looks modest) And, as you know, the babes just can't get their hands off my bod! NEGATOR (wringing) We knew you were slimy, but this is too much! TINKER (wringing) It's been how many minutes, and this ... this ... *goop* still hasn't dried up! NEWTON Hey, you don't see Zod getting grossed out, do you? Zod is trying desperately to appear nonchalant as he wipes his hands on his pants. He stiffens up when Newton turns around to use him as an example. ZOD (tries to draw attention away from his pants) Um, how long has it been since the machine has been inert? Everybody looks at the floor. The floor is slick with Newton's oil secretions, as is the little robot body lying in the center of the room. TINKER I'm not sure. The system's still resetting itself, though. NEGATOR It's amazing how all the cables and everything retracted after Newton pressed the panic button. NEWTON (puffs up his chest) Well, I was amazing, wasn't I? Dodging left and right, slipping and sliding over and under the wires like a pro space surfer. Man, I was untouchable! And if they did touch me, they'd slip off! It was a snap and a half to hit that panic button! And it's all because of my natural ability ... oh yeah! Man, I wish there were some hot babes in this group! They'd be all over me like flies on swamp muck! Everybody rolls their eyes. Negator leans over and gives the machine a thoughtful look. NEGATOR Y'know, it's funny, but the machine looks a lot like O'Hare's android, Blinky. Everybody takes a second look at the robot. NEWTON Hey, that's right! I can't believe I missed that big eye when I first saw it. TINKER It's the exact same schematic. Size and proportion are similar. Must be the same class type. This model's colored pink, though. ZOD And the eyelashes are clearly feminine in nature, almost as delicate and feathery as gossamer. The other three mercs give Zod a funny look. TINKER Hey, it's coming online! The lights on the robot's body brighten. Servo motors whir as it sits up. The mercenaries all stand back in alarm as the robot opens its single eye. ANDROID (speaking in a soft, feminine voice) Systems error. Systems error. NEGATOR What's happening? TINKER It's rebooting. It's supposed to be a blank right now ... ANDROID Backup guidance systems recalibrating. (turns to look at the mercenaries) Scanning unidentified intruders aboard prototype frigate! NEWTON (clutches at Al) It's doing what it did before when Tinker turned it on! The android raises its arms in the mercenaries' general direction. Its fingers are starting to lengthen into cables and tentacles. The mercenaries back away. ANDROID Intruder alert! Intruder al— NEGATOR (stepping forward with his hands out) Wait, wait, *wait*! Time out! Abort! Abort! The android pauses all of a sudden. Al takes advantage of the momentary stop. NEGATOR Look, your systems had a glitch. Explain what it is that you're trying to do. The android's single eye blinks in confusion, but it gives in to Al's command. ANDROID Humble robot is protecting mark-5 accelerator prototype from unknown intruders. Humble robot will utilize its offensive digital mechanisms to attack and restrain said intruders ... NEGATOR Whoa, whoa, whoa! Did anybody say we were intruders? Who said that we were intruders? The android stares at the sleazasaur. So do the other three mercenaries. TINKER Al, what the heck are you ... NEGATOR (winks at them) Shh ... (he turns to the robot) I'm guessing that you're the frigate's resident maintenance AFC robot? ANDROID Negative. Humble robot is an Android First Class model, but care and maintenance of frigate, including the mark-5 accelerator, are only this humble robot's secondary directives. NEGATOR And your primary directives are? ROBOT Primary directives are protecting the aniverse, following the chain of command, starting with care of crew, then of self, then of ... NEGATOR Good, good. What else? ROBOT (apparently comfortable with answering direct questions) Humble robot is based on earlier maintenance AFC models, but true designation is of Warbot class. Humble robot has offensive programming to repel intruders and hostile parties ... NEWTON Yeah, like how you went all crazy when you woke up with us hijacking this frigate ... NEGATOR Newton! Shut up! The android suddenly became alert. It raises its arms again. ANDROID Unidentified beings! Intruder alert! Intruder al- NEGATOR Stand down, Android First Class! We've gone through this before. We're convinced that you're programming's functioning at peak levels. (pushes Tinker forward) All systems functioning at peak levels, right? TINKER (looks very nervous) Wha? Negator grips Tinker's shoulder and grins a threatening grin. NEGATOR I said, all systems functioning, *right*? TINKER (nods nervously) Uh, yeah, right. The android blinks. ANDROID Humble robot doesn't understand. NEGATOR Hmm, maybe you still have some bugs in you. Tinker, if you will ... Negator shoves Tinker forward. Tinker tries to approach the pink robot, but it raises its arms again in a defensive position. NEGATOR (feigning exasperation) Look, we turned you on to see how well you could respond to intruders. Now that the test is over, you can resume guarding the frigate. ANROID But frigate is already operational, and therefore humble robot must guard it. NEGATOR Right. ANDROID But humble robot still can't identify said beings. NEGATOR (with a glint in his eye) Well, who do you think we are? The android gives him a blank look. NEGATOR See, we're the ones who launched the frigate. The android still gives him a blank look. NEGATOR We're the new crew! ANDROID (hits itself on the head) Of course! Humble robot should have realized! Um, please let humble robot imprint your IDs so humble robot will not make mistakes again. NEGATOR (shifts his feet) Well, our ID tags haven't been issued yet ... TINKER (ventures bravely) ... but you have a built-in retina and printing scanner that we could use for recording. ANDROID Of course! Let humble robot ready the applications ... As the android closes its eye for a while, the other mercenaries crowd over Al. NEWTON Are you crazy? That robot's going to go nutso when it finds out that we're not the crew! TINKER But it's going to imprint us now. That means we *are* the crew! Or at least, we will be. Is that what you're thinking, Al? NEGATOR More or less, yeah. ZOD It is strange to be playing games with a machine like this. We should just shut it down at the first chance we get. NEGATOR But we're in the clear. The frigate is ours, and therefore we're the crew. That little pink toy's going to be our personal flunky. The android suddenly steps inside their huddle. They all leap back in alarm. ANDROID Humble robot heard herself being referred to. Please tell humble robot what is being discussed so humble robot may participate. Al has his blaster in his hand and Zod has his sword out while Newton is poised to run away. All there are wondering how much the android heard. But Tinker approaches the android excitedly. TINKER Wait, what did you just say? ANDROID Humble robot asked if she was being referred to and requests that ... TINKER No, wait! You just referred yourself as a she! I don't think I've ever heard of an Artificial Intelligence referring itself to as female before! They usually go for the male gender or none at all! That is so cool! (gestures at the others) Isn't that great? It's like a new page in the technical manual of robotics! Amazing! NEGATOR Uh, yeah, sure. Amazing. (whispers to the others) Geek talk. They always go gaga over the first female they meet in close proximity. Zod nods in agreement, and Newton suppresses a guffaw. Tinker tries to fuss over the android, but she steps forward and presents her hand, palm up. Tinker uneasily cringes away again at her actions. ANDROID Please identify the chain of command. NEGATOR What? What do you mean? ANDROID Designate crewmembers, please, so that humble robot may address you all properly. NEGATOR Uh, yeah. Negator looks at the three beside him and shoves Tinker forward. NEGATOR This is Tinker, our engineer. TINKER (suddenly squirms) Al? What gives?! NEGATOR Quiet, the robot's imprinting your stats. The android's eye is giving off a scanning ray that slides over the protesting rat. Her hand reaches out and gently holds on to Tinker's palm, also scanning his prints. TINKER But Al? I can't! I mean, I'm not ... NEGATOR (grins) Not an engineer? TINKER (blinks) OK. Well, yes I am, but ... ANDROID Scanning complete! Pleased to meet you, Engineer Tinker. The robot drops Tinker's scanned hand and holds out her other limb in a gesture of greeting. Tinker cringes, but Al shoves him again. TINKER Oh, all right! Tinker takes the robot's hand and gingerly shakes it. TINKER Um, hi. Again. ANDROID Who is next? NEWTON (no longer afraid) Me! Me! I'm next! NEGATOR This is Newton. He's the resident ... uh ... TINKER Megaphone? ZOD Paperweight? NEWTON (glares at the others) Idiots! Newton leaps over towards the robot and shakes her hand, effectively starting the imprinting procedure. NEWTON Hey listen up, robot! I've been driving ride-constructs for years. That qualifies me to operate the most advanced vehicles that have been designed. I've been dodging big feet since I was little, and that means my whole lifetime. I'm the slipperiest, dodging-est, most evasive, most elusive sentient entity on two feet in the aniverse. I am Mister Untouchable! ANDROID (still shaking his hand) And that makes you? NEWTON (with a grin) I'm Newton. I'm the pilot. ANDROID Scanning ... complete. Pleased to meet you, Pilot Newton. NEWTON (pats the robot in the back) Yer all right! (grins at the others) Whaddaya think of that? NEGATOR (shrugs) Fine by me. Just don't slime the controls. ANDROID Final two, please. Negator opens his mouth and draws a blank. He looks at the others. NEGATOR What's left? NEWTON (thinks and counts his fingers) Well, there's four of us. But Bucky's crew is six people, and Dogstar's bunch is five. TINKER But Mimi's crew only makes up four. Since Newton's the pilot and I'm the engineer, that makes the only positions left to be taken are the gunner and the captain ... Al and Zod look at each other. TINKER Uh oh. NEGATOR and ZOD (together) *I'm* the captain! Negator and Zod stare at each other, Al with more passion but Zod with more dignity. NEGATOR and ZOD No, *you're* the gunner! (reacting) Am not! (glaring and yelling) Are too! SCENE 2 - RUINED AREA, time -0:10:46 BRUISER is straining under a pile of machinery. He's lying down n a prone position, wedged under a ton of broken machinery. He was able to hurl the Counter Bot away before it exploded, but the falling debris got him instead. The toad equipment kept him pinned down all that time. His arms are free, and he strains against the burden behind him to no avail. The floor underneath him is slippery red, as his side is bleeding where a jagged piece of metal cut him deeply. Bruiser stops for a moment. BRUISER (getting a faraway look in his eyes) Well, Bruce. I didn't think dat I'd go out dis way. Beaten by a buncha junk. Bruiser strains against the machinery again. His wounds are aggravated by his effort, and he bleeds faster. He stops again and breathes hard. BRUISER Not long now. It's funny, but I ain't really scared. I ain't scared at all. Bruiser closes his eyes. He breathes slowly, waiting for his final moment. Instead, he hears a faint whispering. VOICE So cold ... BRUISER (opens his eyes) Wut's dat? Bruce? Dat you? Bruiser glances about. Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he strains his ears instead to pick up the sound, any sound. VOICE So vast ... BRUISER Who's saying dat? VOICE (growing faint) I'm losing myself ... I'm drifting away ... Bruiser's blood runs cold when he recognizes the voice. He shouts out loud. BRUISER Jenny! Jenny? Is dat you? JENNY (her voice slightly clearer) Is that who I am? ... I don't know ... I don't know anymore ... I'm drifting ... forgetting ... BRUISER (strains at his makeshift prison) Jenny! Hold on! Listen to my voice! JENNY It's so hard ... so very hard ... BRUISER Get it together, Jenny! Concentrate! You Aldebarans is good at dat! JENNY Aldebaran, yes ... I think that's what I was ... BRUISER (pleading) Not was! Is! You're still dere, Jenny! Jenny! JENNY Who are you? Why do you keep calling me? BRUISER It's me! Bruiser! Your crewmate! JENNY Bruiser? I don't know any Brui— BRUISER (panic setting into his voice) Bruiser! Y'know, Betelgeusian Berserker Baboon! JENNY Bruiser? Yes, I knew a Bruiser ... Bruiser realizes that Jenny's spirit is trying to achieve oneness with the aniverse. He strains harder as his own life's blood is seeping away from him. BRUISER It's not yer time, Jenny! It's not yer time yet! JENNY There is ... no time ... BRUISER (doesn't sound pleading but with more authority) Jenny! Concentrate! Focus! Show yourself, Jenny! Show yourself t' me! JENNY Focus ...yes ... Something starts coalescing in front of Bruiser. Something vague, white and shimmering. Bruiser encourages her. BRUISER That's it, Jenny! Focus! JENNY (voice becoming more clear) Focus! A faint translucent figure barely materializes a few feet from Bruiser. Bruiser can barely make out the wavering details of FIRST MATE JENNY's spirit. BRUISER (relieved) Jenny! I can see you, Jenny! JENNY Bruiser? Is that you? BRUISER Yeah, it's me, Jenny. What happened? JENNY It was Willy. I was trying to commune with him in the astral plane, but something happened ... pain ... excruciating pain. I tried to save him ... I pushed him back to his body, but I didn't have enough strength to return to my own. I was too weak ... I'm drifting, Bruiser ... drifting ... the aniverse beckons to me ... Jenny's spirit begins to discorporate again. Bruiser panics and tries reaching out to the fading spirit. BRUISER Jenny! Don't go! JENNY I don't have enough strength left ... BRUISER Then take *my* strength, Jenny! Take all my strength! JENNY Strength? BRUISER Whut's left of it, Jenny. All yours. JENNY ... and power? BRUISER Whutever ya need! Just don't go, Jenny! Don't go! JENNY Strength and power ... In his desperation, Bruiser has stumbled upon the words that are most familiar to Jenny as an Aldebaran. She focuses on the words and the meaning behind them. Her spirit wavers and continues to shimmer as she drifts closer to Bruiser and overlaps him. Bruiser can feel her presence, warm and comforting. He closes his eyes. BRUISER (weakly) Yes, that's it, Jenny. Take all my strength ... all my power ... Slowly but surely, Jenny's astral form gains focus and definition. Her spell gems glow brightly as her spirit fully melds into Bruiser. JENNY (whispering) I feel your strength, Bruiser. And you are so very strong ... Bruiser can feel a tingling inside his body. He feels his body healing as power is infusing within him. He's never felt this way before. He opens his eyes. He puts his hands on the floor and pushes up. His back lifts the broken machinery above him an inch, then a few more. He lifts his knee up and shifts his hands to grasp at the equipment above him. Then, he gives a mighty push. The machinery topples away. Bruiser stands up. He's free. JENNY ... so very strong indeed. BRUISER (stares at the debris in wonderment) Wow. (checks himself) Jenny? Are you there? JENNY (whispering about him) Yes, Bruiser. I'm here. BRUISER Well, we'd better find yer body again. Ah mean, dis feels nice n' all, but ... we just gotta get you back to yer own place, y'know? Dis is just kinda weird 'n' everything. JENNY No. Not yet! BRUISER Whut is it? JENNY Willy! He said something about the time! Bruiser looks at his countdown timer. It's minutes away from zero. JENNY KOMPLEX is coming! We've got to stop him! He's coming here! SCENE 3 - MAIN DECK, STOLEN FRIGATE, time -0:05:32 Al and Zod are still arguing over the bridge. ZOD I commanded legions! Warriors fell over themselves to obey my whims! They respected my authority ... NEGATOR But you were given command based on your samurai prowess, not leadership abilities. And look where that led you. Now look at me, I've been managing spoiled brats throwing tantrums and complaining all the time, and I haven't lost any limbs yet! ZOD (leans over so no one else can hear) I thought that was a secret? NEGATOR (looks puzzled) Huh? What secret? I'm not talking about ... (realizing) Not *that*! I meant all *you* guys! You're the most uncoordinated bunch of scrappers I've ever come across! Isn't it any wonder we all don't get shredded in any of our gigs? It's a good thing I've always been around to pick up the pieces and tell you guys what to do. ZOD Now that is plainly not true. Not once have we ever followed your lead or did anything you wanted. NEGATOR Ah, but that's what I wanted you to think ... Al and Zod continue to argue. Newton, Tinker, and the pink android are standing at the sides, careful not to get between the two warring coldbloods. NEWTON Nuts. TINKER What? NEWTON I should have tried for the captain position, too. TINKER Too late. The AFC's logged your info already. ANDROID What is taking so long? TINKER (puts an arm over the robot) See, those two are engaged in what is known in some mammal species as jockeying for the role of alpha male. If two dominant males are present in one pack, they must compete until one actually exposes his belly to the other in defeat. The android arches her eyelashes, puzzled. NEWTON Let's put it this way: they're trying to "out-macho" each other. ANDROID But all that is required is a show of skills for each person. TINKER Well, it's not like you can instantly test a person for leadership skills. I mean, the skill comes out naturally when one is exposed to situations when one must actually take command of an out-of-control environment. (reflects for a bit) Well, at least, I think that's the case. ANDROID Then what about the gunner position? The one best suited as the gunner would be the one with the better aim and reflexes. NEWTON Good idea! (shouts to the others) Did you hear that guys? Which one of you is the better shot? NEGATOR That's ridiculous ... ZOD How preposterous ... NEGATOR and ZOD *I'm* better! Both of them stop in mid-sentence with their mouths hanging open. TINKER (snaps his fingers) Oh, that's right! The one who claims to be the better marksman gets to be the gunner and thereby forfeits the role of captain! NEWTON (rubs his hands together) This is going to be sweeeeeet! Negator and Zod start fidgeting. The AFC gets impatient and holds out her hand. ANDROID Let us have a test of marksmanship skills. NEGATOR C'mon, Zod, I saw you take shots with those fancy ninja blade thingies you had before. You were able to strip the petals off a rose from forty feet. ZOD And how about your proficiency with your masers? You were always so proud of displaying your talent in shooting between the eyes of moving photographs with a pocket mirror, backwards. NEWTON Enough with the back-patting! Let's have the test! (takes two small discs out of his pocket) I'm tossing these quarter-slice simoleans in the air. Whoever doesn't hit his quarter is the lousy shot. How's that? NEGATOR I'm OK with that. ZOD Fine with me. NEWTON OK ... (gets ready to toss the quarters) Readysetgo! Newton tosses the quarters. In quick movements, Zod throws his ninja star and Negator draws his maser. Both strike at the same time, with Zod's projectile launching and Al's flash of a maser shot. Zod's target has the proof of contact. His quarter makes an audible clink as the ninja star hits, then rebounds off the quarter simolean. Both quarters land at the same time. ZOD There is my mark. Zod's quarter has a dent where the pointed object pierced it. Zod smiles and snatches his falling ninja star from the air as it as returns from hitting the quarter a second earlier. NEGATOR (slaps his forehead) Oh, look! I must have missed my quarter completely! Negator's quarter has no marks at all. Satisfied, the robot steps forward and takes both Zod and Al's hands for imprinting. NEWTON That makes Slyly Zod as the gunner ... ANDROID Processing ... complete! TINKER ... and Al Negator as the captain! ANDROID Processing ... complete! ZOD (takes his hand back and leans toward Negator) I may have been tricked into forfeiting the position of captain, but this proves that you, Al Negator, are a sub-par marksman compared to myself. NEGATOR (shrugs) If you want to look at it that way, why not? I mean, the unmarked simolean could either mean I totally missed it altogether ... (smirks) ... or I was able to pass my maser shot right through the hole of the quarter-simolean. Take it how you will, Zod. Zod pauses. Al folds his hands over his chest as his opponent reflects. Then, Zod makes a small bow. ZOD Very clever. I bow to your craftiness and will take this as a learning experience, as I will my new position. Being a gunner may further hone my skills, after all. But as a true leader, one must be a good sport or at least have better control of his emotion. I give way to your cunning ... (whispers so quietly that only Al can hear him) ... but I won't forget this! ANDROID (oblivious) Crew membership complete! All four mercenaries breathe a sigh of relief. TINKER (shifts about and glances around nervously) So what do we do now? Can we go? ANDROID You still need to designate a name for me. NEWTON Why do we have to do that? ANDROID If I will be working with you, you must at least give me a name. NEGATOR All right, all right. As my first official frigate captain order, I order you guys to think of a name! Something feminine, I guess. (pats the robot's head) And maybe relating to her biggest feature. NEWTON Um, Blinky Two? ANDROID Who's Blinky? NEGATOR (hits Newton's head) Quiet, you! TINKER Vitreous Humor? We could call her Vitty? NEGATOR What's that? TINKER It's the liquid inside your eyeball. Y'know, when you pop the delicate shell, this gooey stuff starts oozing out like jelly? That's the vitreous humor. Al and Newton make gagging motions. Zod just shakes his head. ZOD That is what I consider to be a funny name. To use it would be a laugh. Vitreous humor indeed! NEWTON How about Cornea? NEGATOR Too corny. TINKER How about Iris? That's a pretty name. ANDROID Unit disappointed. TINKER What? What's wrong with Iris? ZOD I think it is too sweet for this battle android. This unit is a Warbot. It requires a name with a cutting edge. Something deadly. Something that denotes a sense of foreboding and danger. Something that hits you like a snap of a snake whip. The pink AFC looks on curiously, as do the other three mercenaries. ZOD (winds up) So how about Lashes? NEWTON You mean as in eyelashes? ZOD Why not? The other mercenaries groan. But the AFC nods her head. ANDROID Humble robot finds the name most acceptable. Processing ... NEGATOR No, wait! ANDROID Processing complete! This unit's designated appellation is now Lashes. This humble robot is pleased to be acquainted with her crew. ZOD Good girl! TINKER (shifts about and glances around nervously) OK, you've been named. Can we go now? LASHES The crew and this humble robot are still not done. TINKER (gapes in disbelief) What? LASHES The frigate still needs to be named. NEWTON What is with all these names, anyway? Argh! NEGATOR Lashes, it's just a frigate! Explain. LASHES The system says frigates have to be named before they are launched. That is the norm. NEGATOR But we've already launched. It's over. LASHES No doubt the frigate and the crew were sent out prematurely to combat a threat, but while the so-called threat has yet to materialize, we should properly christen the ship. NEGATOR And why should we do that? LASHES Humble robot doesn't quite understand the protocols, but supposedly there is a superstition that ships with no proper names bring bad luck wherever they sail. NEGATOR Ha ha! (laughs) Bad luck indeed! What sort of superstitious, paranoid idiots would think that not naming a ship would bring bad lu- Al looks back and sees Zod and Tinker cringing. NEGATOR Uh. ZOD I understand the need for proper rituals before undertaking certain tasks. Perhaps ... perhaps we should do as she suggests. TINKER Oh yes. *Please*! NEWTON (looks at them in disgust) Wusses. LASHES The naming also requires the breaking of liquor vessels. NEGATOR (rubs his chin) Liquor, eh? I like the sound of that! (claps his hands and gestures at the others) Fine! Let's name this frigate! SCENE 4 - TUBE ROOM, time -0:01:56 It has been some minutes since Jenny collapsed lifeless in her tube. CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE no longer tries to claw his way through his prison but stares at his crewmate's body. GUNNER DEADEYE DUCK still impotently pounds in his tube, shouting furiously at the AIR MARSHAL and ENGINEER WILLY DUWITT. AIR MARSHAL Be quiet! Willy's still not well. Willy is lying down on the bench clutching his head in pain. He still hasn't fully recovered from the unexpected attack caused by the mental link between him and Jenny. He groans. AIR MARSHAL Just take it easy, Willy. WILLY (reaching out) But KOMPLEX ... what time is it? AIR MARSHAL It's nearly time. Everything's going to be all right. You'll be fine. DEADEYE (from his tube) Considering ye were the one who nearly killed him! AIR MARSHAL I had to do it! That Aldebaran witch was messing with his head! DEADEYE Ye toads are the one who messed with Willy's head! Yer the one hurting the boy! Willy starts to groan again, and the Air Marshal glares furiously at Deadeye. AIR MARSHAL That's not true! I've been ... BUCKY (finally turning his head) You've been what, Air Marshal? Taking care of Willy? You don't know what he needs. Give him back to us. We take care of our own. He's one of us. He doesn't belong on your side. The Air Marshal stares at Bucky, then shifts his gaze to the Jenny's tube. AIR MARSHAL O'Hare. Two of your crewmates are dead. One of them directly because of Willy. Your fellow frigate captains and their crew are probably all gone now because of this suicidal mission of yours. Are you really prepared to go through that much and more ... just to get your engineer back? Bucky stares at the Air Marshal and at the pale boy at his side. He answers immediately. BUCKY Yes. The Air Marshal is struck by the response, but he doesn't have time to dwell on it. The screen beside him comes to life. WILLY (weakly but happily) It's time! KOMPLEX is here! It is zero hour. The computer screen displays the KOMPLEX core, a huge room filled with computers surrounding a central screen. All the consoles turn on and glow with a green light. The central screen powers on as a beam of light strikes it from a satellite dish outside the planetoid. Eyes open and a mouth forms. The visage of KOMPLEX materializes on the central monitor in all his digital glory. KOMPLEX I have *arrived*! The last word echoes as multiple screens all over the room mimic KOMPLEX's voice. Willy tries to get up. WILLY KOMPLEX is going to connect with the Toadstar now. It'll be a matter of minutes before he'll have complete control. Then he'll be taking over! The other monitors in the KOMPLEX core are visited by KOMPLEX's influence. They light up and feature the face of KOMPLEX. All over the Toadstar, computers turn on and display the same thing. A synchronized sound begins to echo and build up all throughout the corridors of the toad battle station. It is the sound of laughter pouring from the multiple images of KOMPLEX. Bucky and Deadeye can't avoid hearing the mechanical laughter as it booms all over the room. KOMPLEX (speaking from the central monitor) I feel the power of this Toadstar you have created, Willy DuWitt. Willy attempts to stand up. The Air Marshal steadies him. WILLY Is it to your liking? KOMPLEX Yes. You have done well. I am pleased. WILLY (smiling) Anything for you, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. AIR MARSHAL (leans forward) Wait, what's that? Another sound filters from the screen that the Air Marshal and Willy are looking at. It starts out faintly, then grows stronger. WILLY What is it? AIR MARSHAL I think it's coming from the room. One of KOMPLEX's mobile screen turns to face the direction of the sound. A fist suddenly appears and shatters the monitor to pieces. KOMPLEX What? The fist pulls out of the screen and smashes another. The central monitor registers a surprised look that is duplicated by all the other screens. The figure steps into view, pounding his chest. Bucky and Deadeye stare at the screen along with the Air Marshal and Willy. The faint sound becomes all to clear. It's the sound of a battle cry. BUCKY It's Bruiser! DEADEYE He's alive! AIR MARSHAL That can't be! Bruiser shouts his Betelgeusian battle cry and launches himself at the green glow of the room. He starts smashing all the screens he can lay his hands on, yelling all the while. KOMPLEX's expression turns from surprise to outrage. From the central monitor, he sends his mobile screens to intercept the berserker baboon. Bruiser just shatters them and keeps advancing toward the main screen, leaping and smashing at everything in his path. KOMPLEX then activates the Baboon Counter Bots stationed at the walls. The patrol of robots steps forward and surrounds the baboon. They attack in one overwhelming wave, quickly dog-piling and burying the lone attacker. It is overkill, as one or two Counter Bots should have been enough to subdue the Betelgeusian berserker. But, at this moment, Bruiser is more than a just a baboon. He shrugs off the punches and kicks being dealt to his body as if he were impervious. With a roar, he throws back the Counter Bot holding him down and proceeds to do what comes naturally to his kind: Bruiser goes berserk. DEADEYE (watching the battle) Yeah, Bruiser! Go for it! Bruiser lays carnage over the robots and screens all over the KOMPLEX core. The floor is littered with mechanical debris, the walls plastered with broken wires from where flying pieces strike it. In contrast to the bright, sparking robots wrecks and the green glow of the surviving KOMPLEX screens in the room, it almost looks like Bruiser is being surrounded by a glowing aura of light -- a red fiery light that seems to lend strength and power to the devastating blows that the baboon is dealing out at frightening speeds. Willy and the Air Marshal are alarmed. AIR MARSHAL Willy! Can we do anything? We have to help KOMPLEX! WILLY We can't! The KOMPLEX core doesn't have any defenses! KOMPLEX was supposed to redesign his personal guard once he's fully bonded, but there wasn't enough time! AIR MARSHAL (hits his head) And *I* was supposed to guard him! WILLY (typing at the console) Even if KOMPLEX's not fully connected to everything, he's still connected enough to transfer damage to Toadstar itself! If he goes, *everything* goes! KOMPLEX is now screaming on the screen. Sparks are flying all over the room as Bruiser wraps up destroying everything KOMPLEX threw at him. All that's left is the largest screen in the center of the KOMPLEX core. Bruiser reaches the central monitor and steps over it, raising his meaty fists to smash it to pieces. KOMPLEX broadcasts straight to the tube room. His face replaces the view of the KOMPLEX core. KOMPLEX Abandon everything! (glares at Willy) And you, mammal, you will pay for this! WILLY (in pain) I'm sorry, KOMPLEX! I didn't ... I ... BUCKY I don't believe it. Bruiser did it! At that moment, Bruiser brings his fists down on the central monitor. The KOMPLEX consciousness beams out just in time and travels away. It races through the Toadstar but is no longer in control. In the tube room, the screen with KOMPLEX is reduced to static. The pressure of his failure, coupled with the fatigue from his encounter with Jenny, crashes into Willy like a tidal wave. He breaks down. He clutches his head and collapses with a groan. The Air Marshal is immediately at his side. AIR MARSHAL Willy! Willy, wake up! We have to get out of here! BUCKY (from his tube) Let us help him! AIR MARSHAL No! This is your fault! This is all you mammals' fault! Everything in the room is malfunctioning and blowing up. Nevertheless, the Air Marshal rushes to the console and slams his hand on a button. Bucky and Deadeye feel a thrust from the bottom of their tubes. They're helpless as the Air Marshal launches the three tubes out of the doomed Toadstar and into outer space. SCENE 5 - MOLTEN REACTOR, time +0:01:45 RUMBLEBEE is with COMMANDER SIRIUS DOGSTAR. Or more accurately, Dogstar is with Rumblebee. The flying android was able to catch his falling commander but was damaged severely when TOADBORG shot him in the back. Dogstar has been trying to drag Rumblebee on even though he's been injured. His left arm and right leg are still broken, but he's making do despite the pain. RUMBLEBEE (broken voice) Can't move ... bzz ... digital nerve zzystem ... ztill zevered, bzz bzz. Can't move my limbzz. DOGSTAR It's all right. Just conserve your energy. RUMBLEBEE Couldn't ... let you down, Commander ... bzz bzz... or fall into the lava pitzz for that matter ... bzz bzzzz ... DOGSTAR Rumblebee? Rumblebee's circuits shut down. He goes into stasis lock. A few feet away from the two is Toadborg, surrounded by FIRST MATE WOLF, ENGINEER DIGGER and PITSTOP PETE. They have their respective guns and weapons trained on the cyborg. But Toadborg pays them no mind as he is staring at the holo-computer screen that has materialized from his comm unit. It shows Bruiser destroying the main computer that is supposed to house KOMPLEX's electric consciousness. A sub-screen insert shows another room with Willy collapsed on the floor and the Air Marshal trying to drag him away. KOMPLEX (from the comm unit) Willy has failed me. Retrieve his worthless carcass and prepare to abandon this wreck. TOADBORG But KOMPLEX ... WOLF (overhearing) You're not going to disobey your boss, now are you, Toadborg? The holoscreen dissolves, and Toadborg is silent. He takes a step toward the very vulnerable Dogstar and Rumblebee. WOLF Don't move! Hands where I can see them! Wolf and the others prepare to fire, but Toadborg glares at them. His sensors blaze. DIGGER It's a blinder! Watch ou— Toadborg's sensors explode in a blinding light. Digger and Pete are caught off guard, but Wolf swings into action. He shuts his eyes as he grabs a loose wire and swings downward. With his keen sense of hearing guiding him, he knocks Toadborg back with a kick just as the cyborg reaches for the helpless Dogstar and Rumblebee. The lightshow ends in a scant few seconds. Wolf is between Toadborg and his intended victims. But Toadborg isn't worried. He raises his hand as his arm is telescoping back into itself. WOLF What do you think you're ... Toadborg has Dogstar's detonator in his palm hand; he had extended his arm to grab it. Toadborg pushes the button. The bombs planted all over the lava pit explode. All the platforms rock, separate, and start falling apart. Wolf finds himself stranded with Dogstar and Rumblebee on a rapidly sinking platform. Pete and Digger made it to a safe zone by a wall. In the confusion, Toadborg slips away. Keeping a firm hold on his two comrades, Wolf calmly surveys the scene. He measures distance between him and a safe platform. Dogstar notices. DOGSTAR (weakly) Go on without me, Wolf. You can make it. I can't. WOLF "Nobody gets left behind." DOGSTAR What? WOLF Sir, you said that to me once, when the toads trapped us in supposedly neutral territory. I never forgot it. That means everybody, sir. It goes for Rumblebee too. DOGSTAR But there's no way you can carry the both of us. WOLF (studies the deactivated android thoughtfully) Yes. That's true. Wolf reaches for Rumblebee's control panel and pops it open. He taps into it and programs quickly a new configuration. Rumblebee's eyes light up briefly. WOLF Rumblebee. Carapace mode! As if on automatic, Rumblebee's armor shifts and transforms. In a few seconds, it has turned into a hollow exoskeleton frame. Wolf gently eases Dogstar into the makeshift suit, and it closes over him. DOGSTAR What? What did you just do? WOLF Rumblebee's basically offline because his digital nerve system is down. But the manual drive still works. You can move your arm and leg now, sir. Dogstar flexes his arm and leg uncertainly. He is surprised. The pain is still present, but he can move almost normally. WOLF (steadies Dogstar) C'mon. Let's go, sir. Before this whole place blows up. DOGSTAR All right. Dogstar holds on to Wolf as both of them jump to the safe platform and onto next level. In short order, they make it back to the anxiously awaiting Digger and Pete. DIGGER A makeshift exoskeleton! Remarkable! Wolf, how did you ... WOLF Save it for later. Let's get back to The Indefatigable. Everybody starts running to the exit. Wolf continues to support Dogstar despite the suit already holding him up. Dogstar grabs hold of Wolf. DOGSTAR Wolf, why'd you come back? You had your orders. WOLF (shrugs) Sir, you ordered the others to bring back Mimi and her crew. But after that, there was no one left in command but me. So I "ordered" us to go back. We couldn't leave without you, sir. DOGSTAR (sags) You'd make a good commander, Wolf. A real good commander. WOLF No time for that now, sir. Dogstar slumps into the suit, very weary and thoroughly exhausted. He moves like he is resigned to some unavoidable fate. Wolf keeps him from falling by supporting him and very nearly drags him along, the magma reactor blowing up behind them. DOGSTAR (very weakly) I'm getting too old, Wolf. Too old and too tired. Wolf pretends not to hear him as they leave. SCENE 6 - MAIN DECK, STOLEN FRIGATE, time +0:05:31 The four mercenaries have been discussing the frigate's new name for some minutes now. They have not been making any progress. They don't notice Lashes wandering away. NEGATOR Since I'm the Captain, let's call it Al's Armada! NEWTON No way! NEGATOR The Armada of Al? TINKER For one thing, we are just one frigate. Not a whole fleet. And for another, we are *not* naming the frigate after *you*! NEGATOR Hey, Captain Mimi named her ship after herself. The Screaming Mimi, remember? NEWTON You have to admit, it's a pretty stupid name for a ship. TINKER Yeah. It's probably because of gender issues. She's the first female captain in the UAC. NEWTON Heh, though The Screaming Al isn't too bad, if you can stand the connotations that come with it. NEGATOR Shut up, you. It's not like you have any ideas. NEWTON As a matter of fact, I do! Let's name it after the some famous celebrity or some such! Y'know, so we could ride just the marquee and be an established household name on the offset. In fact, we should go for something more legit and name the frigate after a scientist! Now that's prestige! ZOD And which scientist do you have in mind? NEWTON Newton! After the guy who discovered gravity! We could call the ship Newton's Gimmick! Right? Right? NEGATOR (sarcastically) The Incredible Blab is more like it. TINKER I'm the engineer around here! I should pick the scientist! And I pick Wile E. Coyote, the best and brightest mechanologist this side of desert plains planet! He invented a billion uses for rubber bands and dynamite. We should name a prototype ship like this one to honor his memory. NEGATOR Why? What happened to him? TINKER Died of starvation. It's a shame, really. He survived a gazillion failed inventions, then croaked because he skipped too many meals. ZOD I'm sorry, Tinker, but I am not comfortable naming the ship after an apparently suicidal individual. NEGATOR OK, fine, how about something that covers the species borders? How's The Saurian Special sound? NEWTON I'm sure as heck not Saurian! NEGATOR The Reptile Express? TINKER I'm not a reptile. NEWTON (under his breath) You do kinda stand out like that. NEGATOR The Ethnic Minority? ZOD Now that's going too far. NEWTON Al, you suck at this naming business. TINKER How about The Celestial Starscape? Everybody laughs. NEWTON That has got to be the most pathetic name in existence! ZOD It's pretty, but it doesn't exactly inspire terror or fear. NEGATOR Where did you dig up a stinker like that? TINKER (irritated) It's my mother's stage name. Estelle "Celestia" Starscape. The name put her name in lights and let it soar through the heavens. Everybody stops laughing. NEGATOR Well, it's very sweet. Yeah. ZOD I did say it was pretty. But we really need a name that sounds dangerous, like a coiled snake that's sleeping but ready to strike. Something that signifies strength and efficiency. How about The Bloody Shuriken? TINKER That sounds pretty mysterious. And it adds a cultural touch, to boot. NEWTON But what does shu ... shu ... NEGATOR Shuriken. NEWTON Whatever. What does the bloody shuthingy mean? ZOD Shuriken means ninja star. NEGATOR Oh no, you guys gave me flak for even suggesting Al's Armada! We're not putting the word "ninja" on anything! TINKER The "Star" is OK with me, though. Estelle means star after all. We should try to incorporate that. NEWTON Thank you, Mister Etymology. TINKER That's Mister Epistemology to you! NEGATOR Cut it out with the star stuff. Let's get back to the pattern. Bucky O'Hare had the first frigate and he called his The Righteous Indignation. We could go somewhere along those lines. TINKER Like The Righteous Indignation, eh? OK, how about The Political Unrest? Or The Impromptu Coup d'Etat? NEWTON Or how about The Hostile Takeover? Or The Insurrector? ZOD Or how about The Assassination Attempt? Or The Glorious Uprising? NEGATOR (groans) Or how about we forget I ever came up with that suggestion? That last one was pretty good, though. NEWTON I still say we stick with a famous name there. Or something big that nobody could ever ignore! Like The Humongoid! Or Gargantua! Or better yet, The Titanic! Yeah, that's the ticket! We should name the frigate The Titanic! There is an ominous pause after Newton utters the last suggestion. NEGATOR (breaks the pause) Overcompensating there, Newton? NEWTON (jumps at Negator) Take that back! The mercenaries continue their discussion in a more active way as they punctuate their points with their shoves, pummeling, and general mayhem. Lashes peers from the corner to check up on them. SCENE 7 - TOAD ENGINE ROOM, time +0:10:48 Toadborg enters the empty engine room. Using his thrusters, he flew through the Toadstar, watching how everything was beginning to explode. But instead of seeking safety, he went straight for the main engine room. When he stepped inside, various screens on the console showed scenes all over the planetoid. Most of them now show nothing but parts of the Toadstar detonating. Others show things of interest. One screen shows the destruction wrought in the KOMPLEX core done by the Bruiser. The KOMPLEX consciousness has already escaped and is on its way back to the Toad Homeworld. Another screen shows the toad scientist CRAVIS boarding an escape pod while the Air Marshal drags an unconscious Willy with him into it, just catching Cravis before he leaves. TOADBORG So the mammal is safe. He has failed the mighty KOMPLEX, but we'll deal with him later. But to abandon this wreck? (starts typing on the console) No, not while there is one last thing this mobile battle station can do. Toadborg activates the planetary engine and plots a quick course before he himself leaves the doomed Toadstar. SCENE 8 - OUTSIDE, time +0:15:28 Bucky is free-floating in his space tube. He glances outside as the planetoid explodes and detonates in several places at once. He can hear nothing of the explosions in space, but the destruction doesn't concern him. Instead, he stares at Deadeye and Jenny floating in their own tubes. The force of ejection launched them away from the planetoid's gravity, so they have a clear view of the Toadstar devastation. Before they run out of air, that is. Bucky himself is beginning to gasp as the scant oxygen in his tube is depleting. Deadeye had passed out already. But not all of them need air. Not anymore. BUCKY Jenny ... Bucky glances to the side at Jenny's lifeless body floating in the tube. He's not sure how well Dogstar fared, but he lost one member of his crew -- the one most precious to him. The very thought of losing Jenny is enough to make Bucky accept his fate and even welcome his death. He closes his eyes. He has no more tears left. He used them all when Jenny was taken away from him. A tapping makes him open his eyes again. He looks toward the sound. It's hard to make out anything in the space debris, but something looms into view: a white spheroid attached to a thick cable. It's a gigantic eye. It blinks at him. BUCKY Blinky ... It is AFC BLINKY outside his tube, or at least, it is Blinky's thick elongated arms and head. Blinky makes motions toward the side. Bucky turns his head and sees a grinning Pitstop Pete lugging Deadeye's tube and a waving Bruiser holding on to Jenny's. Both burly crewmembers are wearing space suits to protect them in vacuum. Bucky can only nod weakly. Blinky seems to understand, and he himself takes hold of Bucky's tube. Pete and Bruiser take a firm grasp on their respective tubes and a firmer grasp on Blinky's extended head and hand. On a pre-arranged signal, Blinky starts to retract his mechanical limbs, and all three are dragged away. Their destination is the frigate triad of The Righteous Indignation, The Indefatigable, and The Screaming Mimi, all of which are connected by umbilical tunnels, all of which appeared into view as it parts the space debris blocking the way. It is specifically The Righteous Indignation that Blinky's body is anchored and where relative safety lies. In the frigate's bay, Bucky is first broken out of his prison by Pete. As soon as he steps out, he rushes to Jenny's side where Bruiser has opened her tube. BUCKY Jenny? Jenny doesn't move. Bucky kneels down and holds her body close. He doesn't want to let her go. BRUISER (softly) Captain. Bucky feels a hand on his shoulder. He looks up to see Bruiser. BRUISER It's all right, Captain. BUCKY But Jenny ... BRUISER It's gonna be all right. Bruiser takes hold of Jenny's body, forcing Bucky to let go involuntarily. Bruiser holds Jenny by the shoulders. He closes his eyes. Bucky is puzzled but doesn't question it. A quiet moment passes. Then, Bruiser's body glows. A soft aura of red light materializes over his frame. The light flows over Jenny's body, connecting and surrounding the two in a gentle embrace. The aura slowly fades from over Bruiser's body, leaving only Jenny glowing in the strange aura. Bruiser slowly lets go of the body and falls to the side. Bucky starts forward, to catch the supposedly dead body. But Jenny remains standing, even without support. The Aldebaran looks peaceful, standing still, surrounded by red light. There is a small movement on her chest, a rise and fall. Bucky dares to hope. Then, he sees it. Jenny is breathing. She is breathing long, deep breaths. The red glow spread all over her slowly fades into a bright pink. All the light is suddenly drawn into the transparent spell gems over her armor. The jewels begin to shine once more. Then Jenny opens her eyes. The first person she sees is Bucky. Bucky realizes that he has been holding his breath as the whole event transpired. He snaps from his trance and he rushes forward to support Jenny in case she falls. Instead, he is met with a loving embrace from the Aldebaran. He returns the embrace with fervor, appearing to all that he would never let go of her again. No words need be said between the two of them. New tears start streaming from Bucky's eyes, and he let them fall unashamedly. Deadeye is revived just in time to see the scene. He turns away, not comfortable with what he's seeing. He leaves the bay area and immediately goes to the helm of The Righteous Indignation, where Blinky returned to after retrieving the tubes. BLINKY Friend Deadeye! DEADEYE Blinky? What the heck happened? BLINKY Bruiser destroyed the KOMPLEX core and found a way to radio for pickup. By that time, the toad battle station's defense system had gone down. Lieutenant Wolf had just returned from their own pickup mission for Commander Dogstar when Bottlenose located your space tubes via echolocation. DEADEYE How about Mimi and her crew? BLINKY Rescued and retrieved well before that, along with their frigate. Mimi and her crew are recovering on The Screaming Mimi with Bottlenose as their temporary pilot. Dogstar and his crew are in The Indefatigable, recovering from their own injuries. They had encountered Toadborg in the magma reactor when Dogstar tried a solo demolitions run, but ... DEADEYE (cutting him off) Never mind. Explain it to me later. Is it over? Are we done? Two view screens suddenly open, showing Wolf and MAJOR BOTTLENOSE on The Indefatigable and The Screaming Mimi respectively. Bottlenose motions to the side. BOTTLENOSE I say, there's something funny going on at the planetoid. DEADEYE (looks outside) What? The Toadstar? The burning planetoid is still in the process of blowing up. Huge chunks of its surface are breaking off from the main body and spiraling off before exploding. But huge thrusters have opened up at one end of the planetoid. The massive engines start up. Incredibly, the whole Toadstar starts to turn on its axis. DEADEYE What's it doing? The planetoid keeps moving until it stops and faces a certain bearing. The still-burning thrusters consolidate and aim with one direction. Its engine flares from red to blue. The Toadstar begins to surge forward in a lumbering pace, its surface still detonating. Its massive movement is causing waves that shake the frigates. WOLF (ears twitching) That's the hum of an accelerator. DEXTER (frantically crowding Bottlenose in the screen) I succeeded in reviving Dile. He's mumbling something about a planetary warp engine that Willy devised. DEADEYE I forgot! The mark-5 photon accelerator! Willy made one fer th' Toadstar! But I thought everything'd been trashed! WOLF Apparently not. The Toadstar suddenly flashes and, in a blinding light, elongates forward before disappearing. It has entered warp space. Everybody watching in the frigates is frantic. DEADEYE What happened? Where'd that frellin' thing go!? WOLF (turns to the side in his screen) Digger's calculating its trajectory ... Digger himself appears in The Indefatigable screen. DIGGER The Toadstar, as you call it, is on a beeline straight for Genus! DEADEYE Oh no. BOTTLENOSE The planetoid may not have any weapons operational, but its body in itself is a projectile! It's a planetary bullet! DEADEYE What can we do? Can we stop it? DIGGER You just said that Willy built a mark-5 photon accelerator for the Toadstar. There's absolutely no way our frigates can match that speed in warp space! DEADEYE Are you saying Genus is doomed? WOLF That may be the case. SCENE 9 - STOLEN FRIGATE, time +0:20:28 The mercenaries are huddled at a table they pulled out. They are nursing some of their bruises but are trying not to appear too obvious. Lashes is peering over their shoulders. LASHES Tell me again why you guys are playing cards? NEGATOR (bandaged) Oh, don't concern yourself with us. We're just doing some guy stuff. TINKER (bandaged) Yeah, nothing like a good game of cards to help relieve some tension and solve some problems. ZOD (wearing a bandana) Apparently, this is how we usually successfully solve the major dilemmas that we seem to come across every so often. NEWTON (broken) Because it's either that or we brawl all over again. The others stare at Newton in disbelief and then stare at Lashes in growing horror. But they needn't have worried. The pink AFC has already moved away. So they glare back at Newton. TINKER Shh! You want Lashes to hear you? She restrained us with her cables like nobody's business! ZOD (sighs) It sort of reminded me of my training at my former home. Though less gentle. NEGATOR Zod, you're weird. (to Tinker) Tinker, why don't you remove the riot control program from her system? TINKER You think I didn't try? She's got a failsafe active now. I'd probably lose my hands if I tried again like last time! I mean, were you guys really trying to restrain her when she tried to squid-lock us all over again? NEWTON Hey, I was doing my best, OK? But my slick secretions aren't working anymore. She must have coated her wire-whips with some sort of anti-oil counter substance. Besides, she's shielded the panic console. That means I can't push her buttons anymore. ZOD I was also doing my best. But it no longer seems right to draw my sword upon a being who has sworn fealty to me. Even one who is of artificial intelligence. It somehow doesn't seem proper anymore. NEGATOR Well, I can say I wasn't doing my all. I knew I could stop her any time I wanted to. NEWTON Oh no, don't go all superior on us, Al! You were also struggling like the rest of us when she unleashed her tentacles of doom when we were all roughhousing! NEGATOR True. But I realized a split second before she put us all down that all we had to do was stop trying to strangle one another and she would also have quit ... ZOD I remember now. She did broadcast something along the lines of "There is to be no dissension within the ranks. Is that clear?" TINKER (shudders) Yeah, then she cracks her fingers like a donna-matrix's whip! NEWTON Yow! Sure, I like some wild women, but that was ridiculous! NEGATOR Well, she was nice enough to bring us some antiseptic afterwards. And some snacks. ZOD Yes, that was thoughtful of her. But we simply cannot keep playing this charade for much longer. I still think we should find a way to deactivate her or at least reprogram her. TINKER I'm not sure it's possible anymore. Her Warbot programming keeps her constantly adapting and picking up new information. We're going to have a tough time jumping her all over again. NEWTON How about we just order her to shut herself off? Would that work? Al, why don't you do it? NEGATOR Um, I don't think so. I don't want to be around in case she thinks it's another security test we're trying on her and she goes on full battle mode on my tail. You can be my guest, though. LASHES What are you guys whispering over there? Everybody cringes at Lashes who suddenly wanders by. NEGATOR (waits for his heart to slow down) Um, Lashes? Why don't you go do something else for a while? We're trying to conclude our business over here. LASHES Is that an order? The other mercs gradually shy away from Al's general area. Al gulps. NEGATOR Uh, yeah. LASHES All right. Captain. Lashes leaves, and everybody gives a sigh of relief. NEGATOR (wipes a bead of sweat away) I swear, the way she says "Captain," it's like she's being sarcastic! TINKER No way. She's not programmed for sarcasm. Unless she's picking it up from us, which is a very interesting study in applied information gathering. Hmm ... NEWTON She makes me very nervous. Telling us to do stuff with those wire-whips of hers! NEGATOR She broke up the fight pretty easily with restraining cables. As long as we don't have any "discussions" with full-body contact, we should be fine. ZOD I seem to have forgotten already, but what were we having a tussle over again? Before we decided on settling our differences with cards? The four think for a while. NEGATOR Oh yeah! The frigate's name! TINKER That doesn't seem too important anymore. NEWTON Yeah. We should just get rid of that chick bot. ZOD True. We could take her if we pool our resources and work together. Everybody at the table agrees. Al looks at the pot of simoleans on the table. NEGATOR (glances at his cards) Um, after we finish this hand, OK? TINKER (also looks at his cards) Hehehe, all right. NEGATOR OK, the winner of this hand gets the pot and gets to name the ship as a bonus. Is that fine? NEWTON Yeah, yeah! Let's just drop 'em! They drop their cards. NEWTON Straight flush. ZOD Full house. TINKER Four of a kind. NEGATOR Royal flush. I win. NEWTON (throws away his cards) Blast it! Al gets the simoleans. The others just grumble about it. ZOD We should have just played Go Fish, like I suggested. NEWTON Feh, you guys woulda found way to cheat in any case. NEGATOR I won't say if you won't say. TINKER So you *were* cheating! NEGATOR Actually, that's the funny thing. I wasn't. I mean, I *couldn't*! Not with Lashes around anyway. Did you cheat? TINKER Not me! I didn't bring my calculating machine. ZOD I have not tried cheating ever since I learned it was not honorable in card games. NEWTON I tried to, but she gave me the hairy eyeball. NEGATOR Well, I won anyway. Strange, isn't it? Oh well. ZOD So, what have you decided to name the ship, Al? NEGATOR (gathering up the simoleans) Y'know, I was so intent on chea—I mean, winning, that I didn't think about it. NEWTON Go with my suggestion! You can't go wrong with The Nuclear Emission Warp-space Transverse Omni-Navigator! TINKER Which coincidentally stands for your name. I still prefer any variation with star in it. ZOD Like your last suggestion, The Starry-Starry Star Knight? I don't think so. We should go with my proposal to name it after the skill and stealth of an honorable warrior. NEGATOR But you're the only one who can pronounce it. But you have a point. We *should* name the frigate after something that denotes what we are. ZOD And we are what exactly? NEGATOR A band of mercenaries, lowlifes, thieves, crooks ... NEWTON That's not very flattering. TINKER I don't think it's meant to be. Though I doubt Lashes would approve of a name with negative connotations and a damaging impact. ZOD How about utilizing a euphemism? An alternative to soften the harsh blow? NEGATOR Smooth Criminals? TINKER Oh yeah! We *bad*! ZOD Hmm, that is not too bad. But let us go for something less obvious than that. VOICE ... star has gone rogue. I repeat, the Toadstar vessel has gone rogue ... NEGATOR Rogue Star? Hey, that's pretty good! ZOD What? Rogue Star? I didn't say that. Though, it is a viable suggestion. NEWTON Yeah, it's pretty good! Rogues sounds much better than criminals! Also, sorta romantic too! What sorta fine filly would be able to resist being swept off her feet by a rogue? TINKER And it's got "star" in it as well! I'm down with that! NEGATOR (standing up) I guess it's settled then! Where's Lashes so we could christen this frigate The Rogue Star? ZOD But who suggested it? Lashes appears all of a sudden. Everybody is taken by surprise again. LASHES Captain, humble robot has piped in the urgent communication broadcasted in real time through the speakers. Did you receive it? NEGATOR Huh? What urgent communication? LASHES (blinks) Humble robot thought you guys heard. A top-level communication is sent toward Genus, telling its populace to evacuate. A toad mobile battle station given the name Toadstar has gone rogue and is headed straight for Genus. (puts her hand on her chest solemnly) This must be the mission the prototype frigate was launched without warning for. This must be the task this humble robot was activated to help avert. This humble robot had her doubts, but that is now dispelled. Finally, my first official battle mission! Lashes doesn't notice the dumbfounded faces of the people on the table. LASHES Humble robot has taken the liberty of directing the frigate to head the Toadstar off. We should all go to our respective stations to prepare for interception. As the newly appointed crew of this frigate, we must do our best to protect the United Animals Coalition! All the mercenaries continue to gape stupidly at Lashes. She stares back at them, then gives the closest approximation to a sigh an artificial being could manage. Then she snaps out her wire-whips and cracks it at the mercenaries' general direction. The mercs cringe. LASHES (snaps her finger whips again) Move it, people! SCENE 10 - TRANSWARP, time +0:30:00 The Toadstar explodes, a massive blow that seems to shudder the very space around it. SCENE 11 - TOAD HOMEWORLD In the cold heart of the Toad Homeworld, KOMPLEX stares at Toadborg, who is standing at attention in front of him. A replay tape of a massive explosion is being played back behind the huge monitor that is KOMPLEX. KOMPLEX So even your last-ditch attempt is a failure. TOADBORG I tried, at least. KOMPLEX (barely acknowledges his underling's response) How is the human? TOADBORG Recovering in the ward. He's raving again. The attack the Aldebaran used on him must have affected him more deeply than we earlier thought. KOMPLEX Keep an eye on him. If he recovers, he will be punished, then put back to work. TOADBORG (turns to leave) As you command, Oh Mighty KOMPLEX. KOMPLEX Do not treat him so harshly that he cannot recuperate from the injuries you will inflict on him. His plan could have succeeded. The Toadstar could have worked. We can still use Willy DuWitt's talents. SCENE 12 - SPACE The three mammal frigates are still linked up, but everybody is crisscrossing the umbilical tunnels to check up on everybody else in the other crew. At the communications console in The Screaming Mimi, Bottlenose talks to Blinky. BOTTLENOSE Would you play the recording again? BLINKY Rewinding and playing. An audiotape on the console replays a conversation. VOICES "-ight, all right! I'll talk to the UAC fleet! Hello? Hello? Is this thing on?" "Yeah, it's on." "Then why aren't the lights working?" "I thought you wanted it to be screened?" "Oh yeah ... so is this thing on?" "YES!" "But I can see the red light blinking!" "Oh, just get on with it!" "Um, this is the Captain of the ..." "Nuclear Emission Warpspace ..." "Shut up, you! This is the Captain of The Rogue Star. We're, uh, we're intercepting the so-called Toadstar." "Yeah, we're warping directly on its trajectory using the mark-5 accelerator, the only engine that could possibly keep track of another vessel in mark-5 space." "Um, what he said." "I do not really understand why we are really doing this endeavor, but I can assure you that we are being coerced unwillingly to this task." "Um, we ... are ... not ... being coerced ..." "What? Of course we are! If it was not for that little ... uh ..." "What did you say?" "Nothing, nothing! I said nothing of importance!" "Y'know, I just realized something ..." "You were saying something about being coerced?" "I, uh, did say something along those lines, but what I meant was that, uh ..." "He meant it! He meant it! Go crazy on his tail! Go crazy on all their tails!" "Shut up you!" "You piece of ..." "Why you little ..." "Hey! Don't you go all ..." "Gaah!" "This is not the proper way to ..." "That's it, I will make an exception to the rule and kick some ..." "The crew should not fight amongst themselves!" "Yikes!" "Guys, guys! I just realized! We're in a direct line towards the Toadstar!" "Yeah, so?" "We're warping towards it at top speed!" "And?" "It's mobile! That means it's heading right for us!" "Your point being?" "We can't turn in warp space!" "Huh?" "Kablooey!" "What's he saying?" "I think its kablooey." "Kablooey?" "KABLOOEY!" "I still don't get it." "Captain, we've just sighted the Toadstar battle station. It's right in front of us, going at the max speed of ..." "Aaahhh!!" The tape ends with static. Blinky shuts it off. BLINKY Would you like to hear it again? BOTTLENOSE No, that's enough. We can get it analyzed in our remote SIA station. DEXTER (at the side, also listening) What the heck is The Rogue Star? I know of no such frigate. BOTTLENOSE That's what we intend to find out. At least Genus is saved. The Toadstar was blown up within warp space. It took a transwarp explosion to completely obliterate it, but at least the blast was contained. It's a miracle it all worked out. DEXTER Yeah, who were those guys anyway? BOTTLENOSE Dunno. That's a mystery for another day. DEXTER Oh yeah. We deserve a rest ... BOTTLENOSE Yup. But hey, Dexter? It's been a long time since we've seen proper action. We've got a lot of injuries in this mission today, but that's all part of the job. How do you feel about going back into active duty? DEXTER (shakes in his tank vehemently) No thanks! I've had enough for one day ... BOTTLENOSE You realize, of course, that it's only been a couple of hours since we got drafted into this? DEXTER (drapes a tentacle over his eyes) Don't remind me ... BOTTLENOSE (smiles) It's like being thrown in the deep end of the pool, isn't it? In the bay area of The Indefatigable, Digger is following Wolf around as he makes his rounds checking up on everybody in each frigate. DIGGER C'mon, Lieutenant! How in the world did you think to reconfigure Rumblebee's robotic frame like that? WOLF (shrugs) Grace under pressure? DIGGER (writing something in his pad while still following Wolf) But the concept is astounding! It opens a new mode, a new possibility! With a bit of tweaking, I can reconstruct the basic exoframe carapace you created to double, no, quadruple the rider's inherent strength levels! Rumblebee can be a battle suit! If I adapt his omni-directional optic sensors to be a visor, then the rider can also ... Wolf, with Digger trailing behind him, subtly makes his way to the tech table where Rumblebee is waiting to be fixed. RUMBLEBEE (calling to Digger) Hey! Bzz bzz! What am I? Chopped liver? Bzz bzz! Get over here! DIGGER (finally leaving Wolf) Sorry, Rumblebee! I'm just excited at the new form Wolf programmed into you! I would never have thought of it! Aren't you excited? A new mode! A carapace mode! RUMBLEBEE (dryly) I'd be more exzzited if you get me up and running! Bzz bzz! Wolf smiles and goes to the next room. Pitstop Pete is examining Bruiser at another table. Bruiser sees Wolf and tries to stand up. Pete holds him down. BRUISER Aw, c'mon! Let me up! I'm fine! PITSTOP PETE Nope. WOLF (to Bruiser) Sorry, Bruiser. Your Captain asked that you be checked up after Pete here is done with Mimi and her crew. (turns to Pete) How are the four doing, by the way? They've stabilized right? Are they still sleeping it off? PETE Yup. Bruiser tries to get away again, but Pete holds him down again. BRUISER Geez, Pete! (to Wolf) C'mon, Wolf! Let me outta here! WOLF (laughs) No can do, Bruiser. Not yet anyway. Captain O'Hare said something about you being gravely injured in battle. BRUISER Yeah, but I got better! WOLF Well, Pitstop Pete will just make sure then. Your Captain is just being concerned and wanted a proper medic to look you over before we all stop by Quarentus for a full examination. BRUISER (stares at Pete instead) Pete? I thought ya were a mechanic? I didn't know you were also a medic? How come ya never *told* me? Pete gives Bruiser a look. Bruiser stiffens as he makes a realization. Pete grins back at him. BRUISER Oh. Sorry. Ah forgot. PETE Yup. Wolf also grins, then heads out to check up on the other crewmembers. On the deck of The Righteous Indignation, Dogstar is sitting down on a chair, trying not to move about after Pete set his arm and leg in splints. Deadeye approaches him from behind. DEADEYE Ahoy there, Commander! DOGSTAR Deadeye! How are Bucky and Jenny doing? DEADEYE (pulling up a chair beside Dogstar) They're both fine. They're both in the lower deck bunks. Jenny's still lying down. She's absolutely A-OK, but Bucky still won't leave her side. DOGSTAR (smiles) I guess they need some time to be alone. DEADEYE Looks like. I just had to get outta there before one of them starts with the waterworks. (gets a serious look in his eyes) Look, Commander? About our whole mission ... Deadeye pauses so Dogstar continues for him. DOGSTAR Yes. We were very lucky today. DEADEYE Extremely lucky. But your rescue mission went way better than our search-and-destroy mission ever did. DOGSTAR Heh. (tries moving his arm and leg) And I got this to show for it. If Wolf hadn't come back ... (changes his line of talk) What happened with yours, anyway? DEADEYE (eyes looking away) It was Willy. We found him and ... it really messed us up. DOGSTAR What happened with that, by the way? I heard Bruiser ... then Jenny ... DEADEYE Bruiser was left for dead. What happened with Willy and Jenny was very intense. An' I still don't quite understand what happened after that. (eyes turning back to Dogstar) But Willy was the heart of the matter. Seeing him there, on the side of the toads ... it was still him, but ... ach, he didn't want to leave. He had us all captive, and he practically gloated over the Toadstar, about what it is and what it's capable of doing. If he'd succeeded, if the Toadstar had become fully operational ... (looks down as not to meet Dogstar's eyes) It would have been our fault for not stopping Willy when we had the chance. Even Bucky and Jenny couldn't bear to fight him. It's an edge Willy has over us, all of us. We even let it come to the point that Bruiser and Jenny nearly died. He ... we ... it's affecting us all. Real deep. (looks far away towards the window) I don't know what to make of it all anymore. There is a pause before Dogstar continues again. DOGSTAR Honestly, Deadeye, do you think we can still save him? DEADEYE Honestly ... I dunno anymore. DOGSTAR (quietly) While I hope it would never come to that point, we might have to sanction his termination eventually. Willy's too dangerous a person to remain in the hands of the toads. Dogstar expects Deadeye to shake his head in negation. To his surprise, Deadeye slowly nods instead. SCENE 13 - MONKEY WRENCH BAR At the Monkey Wrench bar, the weary mercenaries slump at their table. The television set is broadcasting news about how the Toadstar was destroyed by unknown agents. Fragments of the frigate are being salvaged. NEWTON Well, that was a fiasco. ZOD Another job is thoroughly messed up. Do you think it is possible that our working together really affects our basic performance levels? TINKER It's possible. Notice how different we all act when we're not bunched up as a group? NEGATOR It's not so bad. I mean, we sorta saved Genus, right? NEWTON Yeah, but we can't tell anybody about it or they'll know that we're the one who stole the prototype mark-5 frigate in the first place. ZOD I still cannot get around the concept of how one small frigate could thoroughly obliterate a whole planetoid. TINKER I think the Toadstar was unstable to begin with. Plus, there's this weird physics telemetry going on about in warp space. Something to do with nigh-infinite-acceleration resulting in nigh-infinite-mass coupling together and thereby generating nigh-infinite-force. NEWTON I still think it's the nuclear vegetable bar in the kitchen. Now that was freaky stuff! NEGATOR Whatever the reason, it's just a good thing we all got out of that frigate safe and sound. Who'd'a thunk we'd all fit in that tiny Toad Croaker? NEWTON You stuffed me in the glove compartment. NEGATOR Nobody wanted your slimy skin on the upholstery. Besides, you fit! Where's the Croaker, anyway? TINKER Parked in the back. We'll have to dump it soon enough though before the authorities trace it. ZOD Good. It is best that we dispose of it before we form an attachment to it. I simply do not want to go through another naming a ship phase again! NEWTON That's something I won't miss either. Too bad about the Nuclear Emission Warp-space Transverse Omni-Navigator though. She handled veeeeeery well! NEGATOR You mean The Rogue Star, right? NEWTON The name doesn't matter anymore, right? It got blown up already. TINKER Well, I got to download the schematics for the mark-5 accelerator. Just say the word, and I'll whip up a new frigate! Well, as soon as I find the proper materials, that is. NEGATOR (clutches his head over the table) Not any time soon, please. Not any time soon! TINKER (looks somewhere behind Al) Whatever you say ... Captain. NEGATOR (still clutching his head) Please don't call me that. LASHES Whyever not, Captain? That is your designated title, isn't it? Negator jerks up as Lashes appears behind him. She's dressed in a small waitress outfit and is carrying a tray of mugs and other items. LASHES Here is the swampgrass you ordered, Captain. Negator gingerly accepts the drink after his heart slows down its frantic beating. NEGATOR Uh, thanks, Lashes. LASHES (handing out various orders) And here's your salad, Gunner Zod. Your antacids, Engineer Tinker. And your burrito, Pilot Newton. The others mumble their thanks. Lashes goes off to serve other patrons. Wrenches the bartender ambles over to the group, who are suddenly surprisingly preoccupied with their food. WRENCHES Hey, I'm sorry you guys weren't able to complete your mission. NEGATOR (rubbing his arm) Don't rub it in, Wrenches. The others nod and clutch at their own injuries and bruises. WRENCHES But at least you guys came back in one piece. And you came back with a present! Thanks for the android! Really. She's a great waitress. She's real good at taking orders. Plus, she's a top-rate bouncer! Consider your bar tab paid in full! NEGATOR Hey, thanks! You're all right! WRENCHES Just don't wreck any more tables, and you're in the clear. Wrenches ambles behind his bar. Zod leans over to the others. ZOD Why is it that we did not get rid of her before we landed, again? NEWTON Yeah, that's right! I mean, she was virtually defenseless when the explosion messed up with her systems. We could have dumped her then and there. TINKER She rebooted fairly quickly, though. She still thinks we're her crew, even though there's no longer a frigate. Her protocols shifted to encompass the bar now but her battle directives are still in effect! We just can't lose her! NEGATOR Y'know, she did drag us away from the frigate before we collided with the Toadstar. She was programmed to look after our welfare, even though she did put us in danger in the first place. We sorta owe her that, don't you think? NEWTON Aw, you're just saying that because you can't handle her. Anyway, I was the one who turned her off the first time around! ZOD But you were cowering in your vent. Al says you tried sneaking away. NEWTON Better than you going on and on about your sword. Man, that was just as pathetic! TINKER Remember, I was the one who told you guys what to do. You guys had nothing until I told you about the panic button. NEGATOR After I knocked some sense into you when you went fetal right in the middle of the fight! NEGATOR, NEWTON, TINKER, and ZOD But I was ... No, I was the one ... I was ... The discussion turns from harsh words into harsh blows. The four are grappling at each other again when Lashes appears, hands lengthening into wire-whips. LASHES No brawling in the bar! Lashes snaps her whip. The mercenaries gulp. They quickly and quietly pick up their chairs and get back to the table. LASHES (sheathes her whips) That's better. The guys wait until she leaves then whispers to each other, quietly. TINKER You have to admit, this is a rather amusing situation we've gotten ourselves into. NEWTON Oh yeah, it's reeeally funny. ZOD We just have to be more dignified now. NEGATOR Well, at least your wish came true, Newton. NEWTON Yeah, what wish was that? NEGATOR You did say you wanted more girls in our motley group. Now we have one. Everybody laughs, albeit a little nervously. THE END