"Louder Than Words"

by Rygar and Claudia Carranza
Additions by DJ Clawson

First draft - 6/4/04
Final draft - 6/13/04

SCENE 1 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	It's just before midnight on Genus. No light comes in between the 
drawn blinds in front of the window, but it doesn't matter, as the 
room's lights are on. Most patients in Watership are fast asleep, but 
not ENGINEER WILLY DUWITT. The human is in one of the corners of the 
room, feverishly working on reassembling the mark-4 accelerator that he 
spent years manning on The Righteous Indignation.
	Willy is still wearing his hospital gown. Patches of stubble are 
visible on his unshaven face, and his hair, which was already down to 
his shoulders before being kidnapped by the toads, is even longer, not 
to mention dirty. He has a new, black-rimmed pair of glasses that just 
barely fits onto his face.
	After tightening a few screws, Willy puts down his screwdriver 
and flashlight and exhales tiredly. He blinks and pauses for a moment, 
as if deciding whether to take a break. Almost immediately, however, he 
picks the screwdriver back up and goes back to work.

WILLY
(almost whispering, to himself)
No. I can't stop yet. I've got to get home.

SCENE 2 - DANCE CLUB, BREEDING DISTRICT, ALDEBARAN

	A throbbing bass beat fills the dimly lit dance club, as a thick 
smoke makes it difficult to see clearly. So many Aldebarans are here, 
dancing alone, in pairs, and in large writhing groups.
	A FEMALE walks through the dance club, having to slide her way 
past moving bodies and swishing tails. She makes her way to one of the 
private rooms in the back of the club and slips in. 
	The sound of the music is weaker here, as the walls are insulated 
against sound. While there appears to be a party going on here, the 
female steps past it and into the curtained booth at the back corner of 
the room. Within the booth are TOMMY, PONCE, BRIAN, and a RED-GEMMED 
FEMALE.

FEMALE
(sits, puts a chip on the table)
Here. It's the best I could do.

TOMMY
(takes the chip)
Good work, Lara. How old is the information?

LARA
By now, maybe a day.

TOMMY
(grins, hands disc to Ponce)
Grab us a copy.

PONCE
(fiddles with a laptop and the disc)
I'm on it.

TOMMY
(to the red-gemmed female)
You have yours ready?

RED-GEMMED FEMALE
(nods)
We do, Highness. 

TOMMY
(grins mischievously)
This is gonna be fun.

BRIAN
Tommy, are you sure this is the best time to do this?

TOMMY
If our info in the palace is correct, pretty soon, we're going to have 
a lot more to worry about than the normal law enforcement and 
assassins. And Jenny's little altercation last month didn't help things 
any.
(beat)
It's now or never. Ponce?

PONCE
(typing on the laptop)
Got it.

TOMMY
We're good to go, then.

SCENE 3 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	Morning has arrived. The sun is shining strongly now, even 
through the blinds. Willy has barely even slowed down. He's hardly 
slept in the past thirty hours. Bags are beginning to form under his 
eyes, but he's no less determined. Reaching behind the accelerator, he 
connects two wires together, then carefully positions them among the 
machine's exposed circuitry.
	A soft knock comes from outside. Willy ignores it; he knows that 
he's about to have company whether he protests or not. Sure enough, the 
door swings open, and DR. LURIE steps through.

DR. LURIE
Good morning, Willy.
(looking at the machine)
It looks like you've made a lot of progress in the past three days.

WILLY
It's still taking longer than I thought it would. I used to be able to 
repair these in my sleep.

DR. LURIE
(concerned)
Speaking of sleep, Willy, you really ought to get some. Have you slept 
at all since they brought that thing in here?

WILLY
(tightening a nut)
There's no time to sleep.

DR. LURIE
I understand that you want to get home, Willy, but your dimension isn't 
going to vanish if you don't get there before tomorrow. You really 
ought to go easy on yourself. This isn't healthy ...

WILLY
(insistently)
Being *here* isn't healthy, Doctor. Only bad things happen when I'm 
here.

DR. LURIE
(thoughtfully)
What makes you say that? You've made a number of wonderful 
contributions to the UAC.

WILLY
And to the Toad Empire. Thanks to me, the toads nearly took over 
everything.
(sadly)
And no one seems willing to admit that except me.

DR. LURIE
Willy, be rational. The toads brainwashed you.

WILLY
(reaching into the accelerator)
No, the *aniverse* brainwashed me. I was really still a kid when I 
first came here. I didn't have any friends, I didn't understand my 
parents ... I didn't belong. I thought I found a place where I 
belonged.
(beat)
It all seemed so cool. Flying through space, beating the bad guys, 
hanging out with magic cats and pirate ducks. I didn't even really 
think about the fact that there was a *war* going on. It was a big game 
more than anything else.
(stepping back from the accelerator)
But I'm not a kid anymore, and I know this isn't a game anymore. It 
never was. 

DR. LURIE
(writing on his pad, gently)
Let's slow down a little, Willy. You're not entirely making sense ...

WILLY
(banging his fist on the accelerator)
That's because nothing *here* makes sense!
(turning to Dr. Lurie)
The only thing that makes sense is for me to go home. Where I belong.
(turning back to the accelerator)
And the only way to do that is to get this thing running as quickly as 
possible.

	Dr. Lurie pauses for a moment, then slowly approaches Willy and 
puts his paw on the human's shoulder.

DR. LURIE
(calmly)
I admit that I don't know exactly what you're going through, Willy. 
It's been a rough few months for you, and maybe going home would do you 
a world of good. I don't know. But please recognize the fact that I am 
a licensed medical professional, and I am your doctor. I know what I'm 
talking about when I say that this isn't healthy. Please try to go 
easier on yourself. Relax for a bit. Get some food. Take a nice shower. 
Sleep for at least a few hours. All right?

	Willy sighs, then turns to look at Dr. Lurie, his face weary and 
worn.

WILLY
I will, Doctor. I promise.

DR. LURIE
(smiling)
Good. I'll be back to check on you in a few hours.
(beat)
And Willy ...

WILLY
Yeah?

DR. LURIE
I'm sorry this happened to you. It isn't your fault.

	Willy rolls his eyes as Dr. Lurie quietly slips out of the room. 
The human walks up to the door, then pushes it to make sure it's shut. 
He stoops over slightly and locks it.

WILLY
I promise.
(beat)
Once I'm done with the accelerator.

	Willy spins around and goes back to the accelerator. He kneels in 
front of it, removes one of the panels, and begins to poke around 
inside.

SCENE 4 - BUCKY'S APARTMENT, GENUS

	CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE, in slippers and a bathrobe, sits at the 
small table in his small kitchen. He's filling out line after line on 
some official-looking stationary. Though working intently, he looks up 
when he hears FIRST MATE JENNY walk through the door, wearing a 
nightgown.

BUCKY
(eagerly)
Good morning.

JENNY
(smiles)
Morning, Bucky.

	Jenny walks up to behind Bucky's chair and puts her paws on his 
shoulders, giving him a soft peck on the top of the head.

JENNY
(noticing the paperwork)
You are *not* filling out a report.

BUCKY
(smiling wryly)
You're the one who got us into that skirmish yesterday. It would have 
been a nice, quiet patrol run otherwise.

JENNY
You enjoyed that, and you know it.
(walking over to the fridge)
You and Deadeye both.

BUCKY
He's just glad Mike was finally able to get some real power from the 
ship's maser cannon. I admit I've had my doubts, but he's sure worked 
out better than the last Aldebaran engineer we hired.

JENNY
(reaching into the fridge)
Oh, hush.
(pulls out bacon and eggs)
Are you hungry?

BUCKY
I could go for breakfast.

JENNY
(closing the fridge)
Fritz doesn't need you for any more meetings, does he?

BUCKY
(trying not to reveal his sudden feelings of worry)
I don't think so.

JENNY
What did he need to question you about?

BUCKY
Nothing important.

	Bucky sighs to himself. He hates keeping secrets from Jenny, 
though he knows the feeling is not mutual. Still, he wishes he could 
tell her about what happened with him and Shira O'Neil recently. He 
wants to tell her that the UAC has been questioning him about her death 
and the death of her uncle, Richard. He was able to cover his tracks -- 
he stuck perfectly with his cover story about being mugged, and as far 
as anyone knows, he only visited family while on Warren.
	Both deaths were kept off the news, so Bucky isn't afraid that 
Jenny will eventually find out. He truly does want to confide in her, 
but he's still too scared, too unsure of whether he did the right 
things, too worried about what Pigton might try next.

JENNY
(preparing the bacon and eggs)
Just tell me that you and Fritz aren't at each other's throats again. I 
can never tell with you two.

BUCKY
As long as we get a new ship soon, I don't care what Fritz is up to.

JENNY
He's still diverting funds for that, right?

BUCKY
Somehow. Apparently, the Security Council doesn't think it's a good 
idea, but he's hoping we'll have a brand-new ship by the end of the 
month.

JENNY
Well, I certainly can't wait.

BUCKY
Are you going in right after breakfast?

JENNY
I was planning to. Why?

BUCKY
I was thinking of going to see Willy.

JENNY
(smiles)
That's a wonderful idea. Do you want me to come with you?

BUCKY
(musing)
No, Doctor Lurie'll be upset enough that I want to see him. He'll never 
let us both in. Besides, at least one of us ought to report to duty on 
time. I'll tell him you say hello, though.

JENNY
All right.

	Jenny smiles and finishes cooking the bacon and scrambling the 
eggs. She brings two plates to the table and sits one in front of 
Bucky. As she puts the plates down, Bucky reaches over and grabs one of 
her paws. She grins as he softly tugs on her arm, beckoning her.

SCENE 5 - THRONE ROOM, ROYAL PALACE, ALDEBARAN

	AURA, the head of the Healing Order, stands before the QUEEN of 
Aldebaran, addressing the throne. Gathered in the room are a handful of 
nobles and the other three heads of the Orders of Magic -- the HEAD OF 
COMBAT, the HEAD OF GENERAL MAGIC, and TRISHA, the head of the Thought 
Order. There are no males in the room.

AURA
Your Majesty, something *must* be done! These men are recklessly 
endangering the lives of our precious children! We've all read the 
police report from Mercy House. Males, no less than ten, and more than 
half of them magically active, attacked! Healers died, and many of the 
kittens were injured. We can't allow these criminals to continue to 
operate. We can't allow men to have the weapons necessary to do this.
(taking a breath)
Everyone here knows How It Began, why our men must be as kittens to us, 
why they must not wield magic. We are being reminded again. We mustn't 
turn a blind eye or deaf ear on the situation.

HEAD OF COMBAT
(steps forward to speak)
I must concur, Your Majesty. The army has the skills and the training 
to root out these rebels and bring them in, cutting the dissention at 
the source. The time to strike is now. The time to protect our future 
is now.

TRISHA
(steps forward as well)
We all know my predecessors' use of the ancient Silvered Sisters, 
Aldebaran's most elite fighting force, and it has been decreed they 
shall no longer operate in their previous capacity. In light of the 
disturbing increase in unlawful activities of renegade males and the 
normal Sisters of Law Enforcement's inability to effectively handle the 
situation, I hereby request the reinstatement of the Silvered Sisters 
to full and righteous active duty. 

	A quiet hush falls over the room. Everyone was thinking about 
this option, but no one thought it would actually be suggested.

QUEEN
(begins softly, thoughtfully)
I agree that the reckless endangerment of our kittens is a grave 
problem -- a grave problem, indeed. However, the Silvered Sisters, 
while a noble and venerable group of highly trained Sisters, were as 
reckless as those they were attempting to bring in. Even now, I get 
reports that they have not stopped their operations, as was ordered by 
the High Throne.

	The Queen stands and looks first to Trisha.

QUEEN
Your request for the reinstatement of the Silvered Sisters is denied. 
Get them off our streets, and prove they can follow orders.
(looks to HEAD OF COMBAT)
The army has the skills and training, yes, but there is little 
intelligence as to where these dissenters may be hiding. You may send 
one squad per precinct to discover what you can as to the location of 
any bases of operation. I want information first, before any more 
lives, of any kind, are put in danger. 
(looks to AURA)
Blind eyes are open, and deaf ears listen, my Daughter. I know, in my 
heart, How It Began. I will do all I can to see It never happens again.
(scans the crowd)
I retire, to meditate and think upon all that has been left unsaid at 
this meeting.

	As the Queen leaves her seat, and then the room, a general murmur 
runs through the crowd.

SCENE 6 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	Half an hour after Dr. Lurie's visit, Willy is still working on 
the accelerator when someone else raps on the door, more softly than 
the doctor did.

NURSE
(behind the closed door)
Willy, may I come in?

	Willy immediately recognizes the soft voice of his panda NURSE.

WILLY
No.

NURSE
Is everything all right in there?

WILLY
I just don't want to be disturbed.

NURSE
Are you sure? You have a visitor.

WILLY
(still at the accelerator)
I don't want any visitors. I don't need any sympathy.
(his eternal curiosity winning)
Who is it?

NURSE
It's your captain. Bucky O'Hare.

WILLY
Captain ...

	Willy's mind races as images of his time on The Righteous 
Indignation cascade into his memory. They're all happy memories -- at 
least, at first. He remembers the first time he saw Bucky, the first 
mission he went on, the battles they'd had with the toads. Then, darker 
images come to mind. He remembers the pain Enoch inflicted on him. He 
remembers the suffering Cassie put him through. He remembers Deadeye's 
limp body after his maser enhancer exploded.
	Willy winces in pain. He can now only remember the worst times 
from his three years in the aniverse.

NURSE
Willy?

WILLY
(strained)
Tell Bucky I don't want to see him.
(to himself)
And he doesn't want to see me.

NURSE
If you're sure, then I'll tell him. Please let me know if you need 
anything.

	Not responding, Willy again focuses all his attention on the 
photon accelerator. He doesn't even hear the nurse's footsteps as they 
gently fade down the hall.

SCENE 7 - JAIL CELL, ALDEBARAN

	CASSIE sits, once again, at her chessboard. She moves one of the 
small, unassuming pawns into place, then maneuvers the opposite side's 
queen into a more strategic position. She smiles and sits back, 
studying the chessboard once again.
	Footsteps echo down the hall outside, and soon the cell door 
opens, allowing in an orderly with pale orange spell gems. The orderly 
moves to gather the soiled linens and so forth from the bed.

CASSIE
(aloud, but to herself)
One queen castled. One queen not. But which side moves freely? 

	The orderly looks over as Cassie speaks, curiously eyeing the 
chessboard as she tucks in the fresh linens.

CASSIE
(aloud, but to herself)
The castled queen rests, pinned. So her bishop must make its play, 
lending strength to the rook.

	The orderly just widens her eyes and leaves.

SCENE 8 - WAITING ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	Bucky sits in the waiting room, in civilian clothes. He was 
hoping to speak to Willy for a few minutes before reporting to UAC 
headquarters. His hopes rise when his nurse walks into the room.

BUCKY
(standing up)
Can I see him?

NURSE
I'm sorry, Captain O'Hare. Willy said he doesn't want any visitors.

BUCKY
(surprised)
What? Did you tell him it was me?

NURSE
I did. He said he doesn't want to see you.

BUCKY
(a little hurt)
That doesn't sound like Willy. Is he doing all right?

NURSE
To tell you the truth, I don't think so. He's up and moving, but he's 
pretty much refusing all the care we offer.

	Bucky ponders for a moment.

BUCKY
Can I see Dr. Lurie, please?

NURSE
He's seeing another patient, but if you wait right here, I can try to 
get him to stop by.

BUCKY
Thank you.

	Bucky sits back down, simultaneously glum and upset.

SCENE 9 - SPACE ABOVE GENUS

	Three spacecraft streak toward Genus: two sleek fighters shaped 
like jets and one passenger vessel. They slow down and come to a halt 
in front of the planet's foreboding defense system. Its maser cannons 
all suddenly train on the visitors but do not yet fire.
	Inside the passenger ship, SENATOR NURAS, a stately brown-furred 
kat in a sharp pinstripe suit, motions to the PILOT.

NURAS
Transmit the code, please.

PILOT
Yes, sir!
(into comm)
This is the entourage from Terra, requesting access to Genus. Security 
code oh-oh-five-nine-one.

VOICE
(staticky, over comm)
Code acknowledged. Welcome to Genus, Senator Nuras.

	Through the ship's windows, Nuras and the chauffer see the 
defense satellites power down.

NURAS
(smiling)
Even the automated systems are friendly. I sense this will be a 
pleasant and productive mission.
(to the pilot)
Thank our escorts for accompanying us. We will enter Genus alone.

PILOT
(into comm)
Blue one, blue two, thanks for the assistance. I've got it from here. 
Over.

T-BONE
(over comm)
Sounds good.

RAZOR
(over comm)
We're outta here.

	The two jets reverse course and zip back into hyperspace as the 
passenger ship continues toward Genus. A minute later, the defense 
satellites crackle back to life.
	The ship glides smoothly into a dock on Orwell Station and lands. 
Nuras thanks the pilot as the ship's main hatch opens. Standing there 
to greet the ambassador is VICE CHAIRMAN SANZER GRIFF and a detail of 
guards.

GRIFF
Senator Nuras of Terra, on behalf of the United Animals Coalition, I 
welcome you to Genus and offer you an audience in the General Assembly 
three days from now as a representative of your planet.

NURAS
(disembarking, shaking paws)
Vice Chairman, it is a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to 
addressing the Assembly and anticipate the day when Terra joins the 
vaunted ranks of the UAC.
(looks around)
Pardon me if I am mistaken, but I was under the impression that 
Chairman Warner would be here as well.

GRIFF
I am afraid the Chairman has other business to attend to at the moment. 
He would be happy to meet you in his office the day before the assembly 
meeting, if you wish.

NURAS
(smiling)
I would indeed like that. I have a few matters I would like to discuss 
with him.

GRIFF
I'm sure something can be arranged. Now, if you'll follow me, we should 
head to the surface of Genus now. More men will be along shortly to 
escort your pilot to his complimentary accommodations.

NURAS
(kindly)
Excellent. Lead on, good sir.

	Griff turns around and begins walking out of the dock. Nuras 
follows him, and the guards quickly surround them protectively.

SCENE 10 - WAITING ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	Bucky is impatiently flipping through a magazine when Dr. Lurie 
walks into the room. He quickly spots Bucky among the other people in 
the room and steps over to him.

DR. LURIE
You wanted to see me, Captain O'Hare?

BUCKY
What's going on with Willy?

DR. LURIE
I'm afraid I can't discuss ...

BUCKY
(firmly)
I'm the closest thing Willy has to a legal guardian in the aniverse. 
Yes, you can.

	Dr. Lurie hesitates, but the fact that he, too, is worried about 
Willy wins over any dislike he has for Bucky.

DR. LURIE
Follow me, please.

	Dr. Lurie leads Bucky into an examination room, where they can 
talk in private.

DR. LURIE
Willy's nurse told me he didn't want to see you today. I assume that's 
what's got you upset.

BUCKY
Among other things. I'd like to know how he's doing.

DR. LURIE
Well ... Willy's a strange case. At first, I thought he was going to be 
very traumatized upon awakening from his coma. When he came out, 
though, he was thinking clearly, if not especially rationally, and he 
had a singular goal in mind.

BUCKY
And what goal is that?

DR. LURIE
He wants to go home. It's really the only thing he'll talk to me about. 
I was against it at first, but after I saw how important it was to him, 
I decided it might be the best thing for him.

BUCKY
You're not even going to give him any therapy?

DR. LURIE
I've tried, but he refuses to respond to me. He's not responding to 
anyone or anything in the aniverse, as you've experienced firsthand. 
The only thing he'll respond to is his desire to go home, so that needs 
to be encouraged.
(beat)
I may be a trained psychiatrist, Captain, but I've never had a patient 
who's been displaced from his dimension. I can't say for sure this is 
the best thing for Willy, but it's the only thing that seems to cause 
any progress.

BUCKY
I take it they brought in our old mark-4 for Willy to rebuild.

DR. LURIE
A few days ago, yes, and he's really going at it. It's clear he loves 
working on machinery -- perhaps a little too much. I suspect it's one 
of the reasons he stayed around here so long. From what I understand, 
it was just considered a hobby back home, but here, he's seen as a 
qualified professional.

BUCKY
(softening)
That makes sense.
(beat)
He wants to go home. That's just so ...
(frowns)
He never really talked about his life at home. I knew he had one, but 
he didn't seem to like it too much. He always wanted to stay here as 
much as possible. Maybe I should have encouraged him to spend more time 
with his real family.

DR. LURIE
(nods)
And maybe you shouldn't have stuck him in the middle of a war.
(quickly)
But that's all in the past. Right now, Willy is doing what he wants to 
do, and we just have to be supportive. I plan to continue keeping an 
eye on him as best I can, and ...

BUCKY
Yes?

DR. LURIE
(carefully)
I think that, eventually, it will be healthy for him to see his old 
crew again. Not now. But someday, when the time is right, I'll make 
sure you can all sit down with each other and talk.

BUCKY
(passively)
Right. Thank you, Doctor.

	Bucky leaves the room, feeling about as good as he figured he 
would after meeting with Dr. Lurie. The wolf lingers for a moment, then 
exits as well.

SCENE 11 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	Willy is still working. With grim determination, he connects a 
few wires and then closes a panel. Even though he's not sweating, 
thanks to the cool air in the hospital, he wipes his brow.

WILLY
I'm slowly getting there ...

	Stepping around the accelerator, Willy takes off another panel 
and dives in, checking all the wires and circuitry. It's been a long 
time since he was so intently focused on a project.
	For nearly ten minutes, he puts all his energy into checking the 
wiring and circuitry in the panel. The effort gets to him, and slowly, 
memories of the last time he was pushed so hard creep into his mind. He 
recollects the dark, dank laboratories where the toads forced him to 
construct weapons for them. In the back of his mind, he can hear 
TOADBORG barking orders at him as he works.

TOADBORG
(in Willy's imagination)
Get back to work! KOMPLEX will not be pleased that you are so behind 
schedule!

WILLY
(weakly, to himself)
I'm trying as hard as I can!

TOADBORG
(in Willy's imagination)
That is insufficient. It appears that you are not as dedicated to the 
Toad Empire as you should be.

WILLY
(to himself, working faster)
I *am* dedicated!

TOADBORG
(in Willy's imagination)
You still harbor feelings for those puny mammals you once called your 
friends, don't you?

WILLY
(to himself, still working)
They're not my friends! I betrayed them.

TOADBORG
(in Willy's imagination)
No. You have betrayed the Toad Empire. And the price for betrayal is 
death.

WILLY
(to himself)
Then kill me. Anything to stop this.

TOADBORG
(in Willy's imagination)
In time. First, you must be made to suffer.

	This is the breaking point in the imaginary conversation for 
Willy.

WILLY
(shouting)
I *am* suffering! Can't you see that?
(sobbing)
I don't want this! I don't want any of this! I just want to see my mom 
and dad!

	Willy falls on his knees and grabs his head tightly.

WILLY
Get away from me ... all of you, just leave me alone! You keep asking 
and asking, and all I ever do is screw up. All I ever do is fail!

	Willy's heavy breaths become punctuated with sharp coughs and a 
little choking. Pained, he opens his eyes and finally realizes that 
he's still in his hospital room. Calming down, he eases his grip and 
slowly pulls his hands away from his head.

WILLY
Maybe ...
(inhaling slowly)
Maybe I do need a break.

	A little unsteady, Willy pulls himself into the bed and falls 
asleep almost instantly.

SCENE 12 - THE VALKYRIE

	Jenny is alone in the ship, inspecting the main bay, when Bucky, 
now in uniform, opens the main hatch and steps through. Jenny spins 
around quickly, very happy to see him.

JENNY
(vibrantly)
There you are.

BUCKY
(far less vibrantly)
Sorry I'm late.

JENNY
(her enthusiasm draining)
What's the matter?

BUCKY
Willy.

JENNY
What happened?

BUCKY
He wouldn't let me see him. The nurse said he didn't want any visitors.

JENNY
Are you sure? That doesn't sound like Willy.

BUCKY
That's what I said. I'm getting worried.

JENNY
I'm sure he'll snap out of it. You can't blame him for being a little 
skittish after everything that's happened.

BUCKY
I'm more worried about what Dr. Lurie's doing to him.

JENNY
Doing to him? What does that mean?

BUCKY
He's keeping Willy from us. First, he restricted our hours. Now, who 
knows how he's treating Willy now that he's finally awake?
(shakes his head)
These doctors always think they know what's best, but he doesn't know 
Willy. He's just another patient, just another bunch of papers in a 
file. We've been his friends for three years, and Dr. Lurie takes him 
away just like that.

JENNY
Bucky, you're being unfair again. Dr. Lurie's the best psychiatrist on 
Genus, and I'm sure he'll do what's right for Willy.

BUCKY
(exhaling)
I know. It's just ... this is just nuts. 
(rubs his face)
This never should have happened. Any of it.

	Jenny walks up to Bucky and gently rubs his back, calming him 
down.

JENNY
I'll go visit him after patrol. Maybe he'll talk to me.

BUCKY
I hope so. At least one of us ought to see him before he goes back 
home.
(softly)
To apologize, if nothing else.

	Jenny and Bucky remain in the main bay for a few minutes, finding 
comfort and strength in each other's presence.

SCENE 13 - SILVER ACADEMY, OUTSKIRTS OF PALACE CITY, ALDEBARAN

	Tommy, Ponce, Brian, Lara, and a handful of other males and 
females have snuck near the edge of the property. 

PONCE
(looking into his mini-computer)
There's a ventilation duct just around the other side. 

TOMMY
Past the sensors, right?

BRIAN
That's what it looks like.

TOMMY
Joy.
(brings wrist-comm to his mouth)
Lara, you in position?

LARA
(over comm)
Ready and waiting, Tommy.

TOMMY
(grinning)
Go.

LARA
Roger that.

	The group hunkers down, Tommy looking up at the compound, waiting 
for something. There's a flash of magical energy from the far side of 
the facility. A moment later, the sensors flash once, twice, then wink 
out. 

TOMMY
(seeing the sensors wink out)
Move!

	The group rushes forward and scales the wall of the Academy. Up 
and over they go, landing on the well-kept grass. It's a quick run to 
the building, around the corner, and up into the ventilation shaft. 
Once everyone is inside, Tommy whispers to the group.

TOMMY
OK. Everyone has their demos?

	Everyone nods.

TOMMY
Good. Use the floor plans. Find the support columns. One packet per 
column. We've got ten minutes.

	The group nods and moves out, each cat heading to a different 
part of the building.

SCENE 14 - DOCK THREE, ORWELL STATION, ORBIT ABOVE GENUS

	The Valkyrie has just docked. By the dings, dents, and various 
carbon scars along the hull, it looks like they crew has just gotten in 
from a patrol gone bad. As the crew piles out of the ship, ENGINEER 
MIKE MARISON stops Jenny to talk to her. This, of course, draws 
attention from Bucky, but luckily for Mike, one of the dock workers 
pulls Bucky aside for something.

JENNY
(following Mike)
Yes, Engineer?

MIKE
Hey, Jenny. I, ah ... I was wondering...
(takes a deep breath and looks up at Jenny)
Can I take you out for dinner, tonight, maybe?

JENNY
(blinks, startled)
Dinner? Tonight? 

	Mike nods, wringing his paws faintly.

MIKE
Yeah, dinner. Because we just got off a mission and it would be nice 
and all to, you know, wind down.

	For the briefest instant, Jenny feels a sense of anger run 
through her as a result of this Aldebaran male daring to ask her out. 
Once the instinctual response passes, though, she feels upset instead. 
This, too, passes quickly, and she feels almost sorry for Mike, who 
looks a little pathetic standing in front of her.

JENNY
(flicks a glance at Bucky)
I'd love to, Mike, but I have some reports to fill out before the 
morning ...

MIKE
(takes a step back)
Oh, OK. No problem. Just thought I'd ask. I'll, ah, see you later.

JENNY
(nods)
Yes, see you later. Take good care of the ship.

	Jenny turns and walks away, heading out of the dock. while Mike 
turns to go back into the ship. Bucky, meanwhile, narrows his eyes at 
Mike, frowning.

SCENE 15 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	Hours after falling asleep, Willy is still sprawled out on his 
hospital bed. He doesn't even stir as someone opens the door to his 
room and slips in, silently locking the door.

VOICE
Hey, kid. Wake up.

WILLY
(murmuring)
Wha? What's ...

	Willy blinks and gets up. He jumps back slightly as he sees who 
has invaded his room.

WILLY
Lucas!

	LUCAS MACARTHUR stands before Willy, garbed in his Lopinenean 
cloak.

LUCAS
(neutrally)
Hey.

WILLY
(confused and a little upset)
What are *you* doing here?

LUCAS
I came to see how you were doing.

	Willy seems genuinely shocked at this.

WILLY
How did you know?

LUCAS
I'm a vilthuril. I know these things.
(beat)
That, and you've been all over the news for months.

WILLY
(looking away)
Oh.

LUCAS
So, how are you?

WILLY
(sitting up fully)
... OK.

LUCAS
You don't sound OK.

	When Willy just shrugs, Lucas takes the initiative, sitting down 
in a chair next to the bed.

LUCAS
I'm sorry.

WILLY
Everyone says that. As if it's their fault. It's not. It's *my* fault.

LUCAS
Has everyone also assured you that it's not your fault?

WILLY
Yeah.

LUCAS
Good. Then I won't chastise you.

	There is a pause before Lucas speaks again.

LUCAS
It's my fault.

WILLY
(taking a moment to respond)
What?

LUCAS
It's my fault.
(beat, looking away)
When Noctur II was first invaded by the toads, they hadn't yet given up 
on trying to adapt their mind zappers to use on mammals. So, they 
brought a team of scientists to the slave labor camps and took raccoons 
to bring back to their home world as test subjects. While they were 
there, the scientists saw me. I did sort of stick out, being the only 
human and non-raccoon in the lot. They didn't know what I was, or what 
I was doing there, and I'm not sure they believed my story.
(beat)
They took me to their home world and put me through every diagnostic 
test and DNA scrape they had. They eventually got frustrated with me 
and sent me back to the camp. But it was probably the information they 
extracted from my pound of flesh that enabled them to build a machine 
that would work on you.

	Willy doesn't know quite what to say to this. He just blinks.

LUCAS
So, I'm sorry.

WILLY
(after a moment)
It's not your fault.

LUCAS
What is it with the blame game? Does it make us feel better about 
things that were out of our control? Does it help us cope?

WILLY
I don't know.

	Another period of silence passes, each human lost in his own 
reflections of self-blame.

LUCAS
I'm here for you. You know that?

WILLY
Huh?

LUCAS
(smiles for the first time)
We gotta stick together. It's just two humans against the aniverse.

WILLY
I never looked at it that way ...

LUCAS
Sometimes, the best way to cope with these things is to change your 
worldview.
(beat)
How's the accelerator coming?

WILLY
(surprised at the change of topic)
Uh, it's almost done. I wish they hadn't disassembled it so completely, 
though. With people like Al Negator around, they're way too paranoid 
about people stealing their technology.
	
LUCAS
You really enjoy putting it back together, though.

	Something about the tone in Lucas's voice makes Willy wary. 

WILLY
(his eyes narrowing a bit)
Why did you *really* come here?

LUCAS
To make sure you don't do something you regret.

WILLY
Like what?

LUCAS
Like ...

	Lucas winces for a second, as if feeling something painful. 
Recovering, he opens his eyes uneasily and pauses for a second before 
speaking.

LUCAS
Like turn your back on everything you've done. You might be one self-
hating little punk at the moment, but you've done a hell of a lot of 
good for the UAC, and you know it.

WILLY
(sarcastically)
Yeah, working for their worst enemy and giving away a bunch of their 
secrets. *That* sure did them a lot of good.

LUCAS
(scowling just a bit)
I know what being a teenager is like, so I'm going to forgive you for 
being such a prick. The reality, whether you want to face it or not, is 
that the toads would have overrun the aniverse long ago without you. I 
know all about the day you first showed up here, and if you hadn't been 
there, Bucky and his crew would have died that day.

	Willy remains silent and looks away slightly, as if he doesn't 
want to face this truth.

LUCAS
You've rewired climate converters. You've fixed Blinky two dozen times. 
And I don't even have to tell you what good the mark-5 accelerator has 
done.
(beat)
Am I even getting through to you? I know I'm no good at this pep talk 
crap, but I'm trying to talk to you because you're being way harder on 
yourself than you deserve. You're a goody-two-shoes, and you know it. 
Goody-two-shoeses aren't bad people. What you did under the toads was a 
result of the brainwashing and nothing else.

WILLY
It still *happened*.

LUCAS
Yes, it still *happened*, but it could have been much worse. Trust me.

	Lucas winces again but shrugs it off much more quickly.

LUCAS
Imagine if you really *were* this horrible person like you seem to 
think, and you'd gone to work for the toads. Someone of your genius 
would probably have killed the entire UAC and tried to overthrow 
KOMPLEX.
(beat)
Instead, you resisted the programming and came back to your friends. 
You did right.

	Willy just sits and lets these words sink in.

LUCAS
(glancing over his shoulder briefly)
People are coming, so I can't stay much longer. So listen. Stop trying 
to escape what's around you. Stop pretending like you're this pariah. 
Stop hiding from the people who care about you. Trust me, that green 
rabbit wasn't going to come in here to chew you out.
(beat)
Stop hiding from all the good things you have. Stop pretending like 
they don't exist. And stop pretending that everything bad that ever 
happens is your fault. Because trust me, there are far better ways to 
look at life, and far worse lives to live.

	For several moments, no words pass between the two. Finally, 
Willy speaks.

WILLY
Thanks, Lucas.

LUCAS
Sure.
(beat)
I'm going now.

	Lucas turns and reaches for the door.

LUCAS
(facing away from Willy)
You're a good kid, Willy. Don't hurt yourself. I mean it.

	Lucas slips through the door, as quickly and quietly as he came 
in. Willy sits still, turning Lucas's words over in his head. Less than 
a minute later, the nurse knocks on the door again.

NURSE
(behind the door)
Willy? I know you don't want any visitors, but your friend Jenny is 
here to see you, and she seems to think ...

WILLY
(unemotionally)
Let her in.

NURSE
Oh. Of course.

	The door swings open. Wearing a warm but timid smile, Jenny 
enters the room. The two make eye contact, and Willy almost immediately 
looks away.

WILLY
Hi.

JENNY
(happily)
Willy.

	Jenny, carrying a small suitcase, slowly and politely approaches 
the bed. Sensing her presence near him, Willy looks back up.

WILLY
Jenny.

	Jenny stops at the foot of the bed and leans in slightly, still 
smiling warmly. Willy freezes, looking into Jenny's friendly eyes. 
Finally, he gives in and leans forward. The two meet in a gentle hug.

SCENE 16 - COMMON ROOM, ALDEBARAN PRISON, ALDEBARAN

	The guards have brought Cassie to the common room for some 
social time. She settles into a soft plushy chair in the far back 
corner of the room, eyeing everyone suspiciously. The females here are 
certifiably insane. One is playing checkers. Every time she jumps a 
piece, she picks it up and puts it in her mouth. Another sits on the 
floor, arms around her calves, rocking herself. All around the room, 
magical dampeners have been set into the walls near the ceiling.

FEMALE REPORTER
(from a TV hanging from the ceiling)
... massive explosion yesterday. Officials have few leads, but most are 
suspecting the Silvered Sisters' involvement. The Palace has not 
released a statement.

	Cassie's eyes focus on the news report, then narrow.

FEMALE REPORTER
In other news ...

SCENE 17 - THRONE ROOM, ROYAL PALACE, ALDEBARAN

	The Heads of the Orders have called an emergency meeting with the 
Queen. All five stand together, near the middle of the room, 
discussing.

HEAD OF COMBAT
We cannot allow this attack on our schools to go unanswered!

TRISHA
I agree. My order has managed to keep the truth from the public, but I 
don't know how much longer we will be able to do so.

AURA
And if the populous riots? I shudder to think ...

HEAD OF GENERAL MAGIC
It sounds like we have to unite the Orders and attack this threat.

AURA
There may be innocents.

HEAD OF COMBAT
They defy our Queen. They are not innocent.

TRISHA
We can sort out who must die and who must not.

HEAD OF GENERAL MAGIC
How? Only the Silver Sisters have the training for that.

TRISHA
They must be reinstated.

	They stop talking, and all turn to look at the Queen. She's been 
silently listening to this, barely keeping a worried frown in check. 

QUEEN
With the Academy destroyed ...
(beat)
How many are left alive?

HEAD OF COMBAT
(immediately)
Four squads, mix-matched. It will take several days to learn their new 
team members.

QUEEN
(nods, giving in)
Very well. They are reinstated. Inform me when they are ready to go. I 
will approve where and when they will strike. I've no wish to include 
innocent bystanders in this.

AURA, TRISHA, HEAD OF COMBAT, and HEAD OF GENERAL MAGIC 
(in unison, bowing)
As you will, Your Majesty.

SCENE 18 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

	Jenny is sitting on the bed next to Willy. Jenny speaks in a 
friendly but cautious tone, while Willy starts off sullen but gradually 
warms up.

JENNY
It's so good to see you, Willy.

WILLY
Good to see you, too.

JENNY
I brought you something.

	Jenny pulls the suitcase onto the bed and opens it. Inside is 
some of Willy's clothing -- a worn T-shirt and a pair of jeans.

JENNY
I saved these from the Righteous. I thought you might want them.

	A small smile breaks out on Willy's face as he reaches into the 
suitcase and pulls the clothes out.

WILLY
Thanks.
(suddenly realizing)
Wait. What do you mean, *saved* them from the Righteous?

JENNY
(surprised)
You don't know? I thought they told you.

WILLY
Told me what? What happened to the ship, Jenny?

JENNY
(unable to be dishonest)
We lost it on our mission to the Toad Homeworld.

WILLY
(frozen in disbelief)
The Righteous is *gone*?

JENNY
(optimistically)
We're getting a new one, though.

	Willy doesn't hear this. For a moment, all he can think about is 
the fact that the ship he worked on for three long years is no more.

WILLY
(looking down)
You guys lost the ship rescuing me.
(shaking a little)
You should have just left me with the toads.

JENNY
We would never do that, Willy! We're your friends. Friends look out for 
one another. The ship was a small price to pay for getting you back.

WILLY
(miserably)
I don't look out for you guys. All I've done is fuck things up! I'm so 
horrible ...

JENNY
Willy ...

	Nothing that Jenny can say would calm Willy, who's begun to tear 
up.

WILLY
See? This is why I can't stay here! I've done everything wrong! The 
only people who'll ever want me now is my parents. They *have* to love 
me, right?

	Jenny carefully places a paw on Willy's shoulder and squeezes 
reassuringly.

JENNY
We love you too, Willy. We always will. No matter what.

WILLY
You're just saying that! I nearly got you guys all killed!

JENNY
But you didn't. You didn't, because you love us, too, and we're your 
friends. And you're our friend.

WILLY
(sniffling)
I ... I've tried to be a good friend ...

	Jenny can't take it any more. She embraces Willy, trying her best 
to comfort him and calm him down.

JENNY
(stroking his hair)
Shh. Shh. It's OK, Willy. It's OK. Let it all out.

	Willy sits and cries for a few minutes, Jenny never letting go. 
She closes her eyes and breathes softly and regularly, feeling the 
human sobbing against her and wishing she could do more for him. 
Finally, Willy regains control of himself and calms down.

WILLY
Oh, God, I'm sorry. Look at me. I'm such a loser.

JENNY
That's the last thing you are, Willy. There's nothing to be ashamed of. 
You've been through a lot.

WILLY
Yeah ... yeah, I have.
(looking straight at Jenny)
And I don't want to go through any more.
(wiping his nose with his hand)
That's why I have to go home.

JENNY
(softly)
I know.

	Without a word, Willy climbs out of bed and shuffles over to the 
accelerator.

JENNY
Willy?

WILLY
(adjusting a few switches)
Yeah?

JENNY
(finding it hard to even ask)
Do you think you'll ever come back?

	Willy takes a long time to think about this, never turning back 
to Jenny.

WILLY
(finally)
I don't know.

JENNY
(trying to smile)
Well, I hope you do. We all miss you. Deadeye, Bruiser, Blinky, Bucky, 
all of us.

WILLY
You won't miss me. You'll never even know I'm gone.

JENNY
Willy, we've spent the past four months knowing you were gone. And the 
past three years before that owing you our lives.

WILLY
Well ... 
(smiles very weakly)
I'm glad I was able to help.

	At that point, Willy begins ignoring Jenny and devotes his full 
attention to the accelerator. Jenny, sensing that her welcome has been 
worn out, closes the empty suitcase and slips out of the room, not 
feeling reassured.

SCENE 19 - BUCKY'S APARTMENT, GENUS

	Bucky, still in uniform, sits on the sofa, watching the news on 
TV. He's not paying much attention, though. Jenny walks in, and Bucky 
immediately mutes the television.

JENNY
Hey, Bucky. I just talked to Willy, and ...
(sensing conflicting emotions)
What's wrong?

	Bucky doesn't answer.

JENNY
Bucky? Bucky?
(a little impatiently)
Buckminster O'Hare. Answer me.

BUCKY
(sighs)
What did you and Mike talk about?

JENNY
(confused)
Mike and I? When?

BUCKY
Right after we touched down.

JENNY
(eyes widening slightly)
Oh. That.
(smiles faintly)
Nothing, really.

	Bucky lifts a brow, as he doesn't believe her.

JENNY
He asked me to dinner. I said no.

	Bucky closes his eyes a moment, then stands.

BUCKY
I'll be back later.

	Without another word, Bucky moves away, past the TV and out the 
door. Jenny's eyes follow him, concerned. As she looks away, an image 
of the prison on Aldebaran flashes on the screen, followed by the words 
"Jail Break."

SCENE 20 - ENGINEERING BAY, THE VALKYRIE
 
	Bucky walks in and looks about. He finds Mike lying on his back 
under a console, the tip of his tail twitching. 

BUCKY
(leaning on the console)
Engineer?

	Bucky pauses, as there's no answer.

BUCKY
Engineer.

	Again, there's no answer. Bucky kicks Mike's hip, not roughly but 
not gently.

BUCKY
Mike!

	Mike starts at the kick and rolls out, his tail going straight in 
his shock. As he rolls out and spots Bucky, Mike seems to blush, 
reaching up to pull his headphones from his ears.

MIKE
(standing)
Sorry! Yes, Captain?

BUCKY
(annoyed, in a low voice)
I heard you asked Jenny out to dinner.

MIKE
(glances away)
... yeah.

BUCKY
Don't.

MIKE
Excuse me?

BUCKY
Don't go to dinner with her, and don't ask her again.
(trying to stay calm)
We've talked about this.

MIKE
But ...

	Bucky, tired of trying to be calm and patient, grabs Mike by the 
collar and pulls him up, inches from his face. Mike's eyes grow wide.

BUCKY
(almost growling)
I'm trying to be nice about this, so I'm only going to say it once. 
Jenny is *my* girl. We've been through a lot together, and I am *not* 
going to lose her. Especially not to a snot-nosed little engineer who 
doesn't seem to know his place.
(pulling Mike closer)
So lay off, immediately, or you're going to wish I'd left you at that 
stupid convention.
(putting Mike down but still scowling)
Your only mistress is this ship. Am I clear?

MIKE
(takes a half-step back, scared)
Ah, yes, sir.

BUCKY
(turning to go)
Good.

	Bucky storms out of the bay, leaving a very nervous Mike.

SCENE 21 - WILLY'S HOSPITAL ROOM, WATERSHIP HOSPITAL, GENUS

WILLY
It works!

	Willy, now wearing his normal clothes, smiles in triumph as the 
photon accelerator hums to life and begins powering up. Excitement 
races through him as he slowly brings his hand up to the switch.

WILLY
(standing a little unsteadily)
All the settings should be correct.
(to himself)
Here goes nothing ...

	Willy yanks the switch downward. The accelerator crackles, then 
begins to hum and glow slightly. With a flash, Willy's sturdy wooden 
door appears just in front of the wall, adjacent to the accelerator. 
Even now, the old blue door still has two signs on it: "Willy DuWitt" 
and "Keep Out, Nuclear Physicist at Work."
	Willy's eyes grow wide as comfort and reassurance race through 
him, finally giving him a small measure of peace. He says nothing as he 
reaches for the doorknob and slowly pushes the door away from him.

WILLY
Home.
(beat, softly)
Oh, God, thank you. I'm going home.

	Willy steps through the door and closes it firmly behind him.

THE END