"Peace and Serenity"

by DJ Clawson

First draft - 1/15/01
Final draft - 4/15/01

Edited by Rygar

SCENE 1 - THE RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION

	The Righteous is docked when ENGINEER WILLY DUWITT'S door appears 
in engineering and he steps through, his portable computer slung over 
his shoulder. He opens the hatch leading to the main bay and steps 
through. GUNNER DEADEYE DUCK, BRUISER, and AFC BLINKY have gathered in 
the bay, putting their dress uniforms together or polishing themselves. 
CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE steps through the main hatch from the dock, also 
wearing his dress uniform.

BUCKY
(seeing Willy)
Oh, good, you're here.
(tosses him a packet)
Put on your uniform. I had it dry cleaned.

WILLY
(catches it)
What's going on?

BUCKY
We're going to Nharnia.

WILLY
The lion planet?

BUCKY
Yes. Chairman Warner and Vice Chairman Griff have arranged a diplomatic 
conference on Nharnia to discuss their possible involvement in the toad 
wars. This could be the breakthrough we've been waiting for.

DEADEYE
Aye, an the Chairman thinks paradin' th' fleet around will impress 'em. 
Show 'em how serious we are about the war.

BUCKY
Whatever it takes to get them into the war is worth it. The Nharnian 
knights are the most highly trained, highly respected warriors in the 
aniverse.

JENNY
That's what their publicity has told us.

	They all turn and notice Jenny climbing down from piloting bay.

BUCKY
We have no reason to believe they're not trustworthy.

JENNY
And we have no reason to believe they *are* trustworthy. The Nharnians 
are a race of reclusive religious fanatics with incredible combat 
training. They have never involved themselves with the toad wars, or 
anything else for that matter, because they believe their faith in 
Frith makes them superior and they are above mortal concerns.

DEADEYE
(rolls his eyes)
Aldebarans talkin' about recluses? Feelings of superiority?

WILLY
(neutrally)
Religious tensions, Jenny?

BUCKY
Just a little.

JENNY
I'm just saying we shouldn't take everything we see on Nharnia at face 
value.

SCENE 2 - CRUISER EN ROUTE TO NHARNIA

	CHAIRMAN FRITZ WARNER is alone in his room on the luxury cruiser. 
The quietness of space through the window parallels his nervous pacing. 
His notes are spread out on his desk, and he is going over a speech in 
his mind, speaking aloud as he walks.

FRITZ
The Nharnian forces would be instrumental ...
(beat, to himself)
Forces? Is that appropriate?
(beat)
The Nharnian *knights* would be ...

	There is a knock at his door.

FRITZ
(continues pacing)
Come.

	The door slides open with a whoosh and CAPTAIN MIMI LAFLEUR 
enters, in dress uniform.

FRITZ
(looking up)
Hi, Mimi.

MIMI
Hello yourself.

FRITZ
(busy)
What is it?

	Mimi sits down on the couch, holding a manila folder.

MIMI
Why is my crew on security detail?

FRITZ
It seemed logical. You'll be there.

MIMI
No, I mean, why is *my* crew specifically in charge of your personal 
safety?

FRITZ
(stops pacing)
You don't want the job?
(slightly joking)
Mimi, I'm insulted.

MIMI
No, I mean why isn't your bodyguard here?

FRITZ
Kadaf didn't want to come to Nharnia.

MIMI
Fritz, he's your bodyguard, and you're on a diplomatic mission to a 
potentially hostile planet. Since when did his personal feelings become 
a factor?

FRITZ
He asked for a few days off, and I gave it to him. He's been with me on 
every other mission I've ever been on.

MIMI
Minus Aldebaran. Do you take him anywhere?

FRITZ
(a little annoyed)
Look, he has personal issues with Nharnia, so I let him skip this trip. 
Now, if you don't think you're up to the job of protecting one 
politician who can regenerate anyway, just tell me and I'll have 
Dogstar follow me around.

MIMI
You don't have to get snippy.
(beat)
Let's change the subject. When are we confronting the Nharnians about 
Warren?

FRITZ
What about Warren?

MIMI
Don't play stupid. The knights who broke into HQ while we were on 
Warren, and then appeared just in time to save O'Hare in that 
snowstorm?

FRITZ
For the last time, we have no proof they were Nharnians, and we have no 
right to accuse an entire planet about being involved in a break-in of 
two culprits. If we arrange some sort of treaty with Nharnia, *then* we 
can ask for their help. But not before. Is that understood?

MIMI
(reluctantly)
Understood.

SCENE 3 - NHARNIA, LAUNCH PAD

	The cruiser lands smoothly on the launch pad, the three ships of 
the fleet land behind it, and the various crews and passengers begin to 
climb out.
	Nharnia is a lush, carefully tended planet, with its high, 
snowcapped mounted visible over the skyline of a city. The inhabitants 
are all lions, mainly dressed in brown monkish robes or similar humble 
dressings. The knights of the crowd are recognizable with their shined 
lightsaber hilts hanging from their rope belts. The male lions have 
long brown manes, except for the young apprentice knights, whose heads 
are clean-shaven. A small, subdued crowd has gathered outside the 
launch pads, but they do not need any sort of security guards or crowd 
controllers to keep them at a respectful distance from their guests.
	Chairman Warner and VICE CHAIRMAN GRIFF are escorted out onto the 
pad from the cruiser by Mimi and her crew -- FIRST MATE JONATHAN
WEISSMAN, GUNNER HARRY CALLAN, and ENGINEER DILE O'CROCK.
	The crowd to greet them is quiet and respectful, but there is 
some talking and cheering, though nothing like the crowds on Genus. In 
the center, a path emerges as two knights, one male and one female, are 
helping an elder KNIGHT through the masses. The knight has grayed fur 
and a white mane, his back hunched with age. He needs his assistants to 
walk properly. The gathered Nharnians step away, giving the old lion 
space, bowing slightly to their obvious leader, even though he wears 
similar robes to their own, with no ornaments. When he gets close 
enough to Fritz to properly see him, his two aides release him, and he 
stands of his own power.

FRITZ
(smiles)
High Master Thearah.

THEARAH
(squints)
Chairman Warner.

	They shake paws, bowing to each other as they do. Thearah turns 
to Vice Chairman Griff, who does the same, albeit more nervously. The 
old leader turns to the rest of the UAC crowd, mainly consisting of 
members of the fleet.

THEARAH
(bows again, with great stiffness)
Members of the United Animals Coalition. We welcome you to our humble 
planet.
(beat)
We sincerely hope you will find peace and serenity here on Nharnia.

	Thearah turns to leave, his aides running to his side and 
motioning for the others to follow. As they move through the aisle 
created by the polite but curious crowd, Mimi stays on Fritz's side.

MIMI
"We hope you will find peace and serenity?" What the frell is that?

FRITZ
Traditional Lopinenean greeting. Quiet.

	They are led to the hotel.

SCENE 4 - HOTEL, NHARNIA

	Mimi is in front of a closed door to the conference room, yawning 
when Bucky and Jenny approach.

BUCKY
How's it going?

MIMI
Guarding the Chairman? I can see why Kadaf wanted a vacation.

JENNY
No, the negotiations.

MIMI
Last time I checked, they were still discussing export duties. Haven't 
gotten to the toad wars yet. They don't need you yet, if that's what 
you're asking. Probably not 'til tomorrow, actually.

BUCKY
Are we free to go?

MIMI
There's a Nharnian escort in the lobby if you want to see a little of 
the countryside before dinner. Dogstar and his crew have already gone 
out.

BUCKY
Thanks. Stay awake.

	Mimi nods tiredly as they turn and head to the lobby. The 
spacious but modest and Spartan hotel is packed with extra security 
guards from the UAC and minor officials. Two non-knight lions are 
behind the desk. In the foyer, Willy is sitting on a couch, talking to 
a young knight with the customary shaved head. Blinky is beside him. 
Deadeye and Bruiser are sitting at the bar, having a few nervous 
drinks.
	Beside the chair where the young apprentice is sitting is another 
KNIGHT. He looks up as he notices Bucky approaching.
	The knight, a male lion with a flowing mane of deep brown hair, 
crosses his arms and approaches the hare gracefully, studying Bucky 
carefully for a moment. The YOUNG LION stands and follows his master, 
walking a respectful step behind.

KNIGHT
(with distant eyes)
I knew your father.

	Bucky's eyes widen, and he steps back defensively.

BUCKY
You're Thayli?

THAYLI
And you are Buckminster O'Hare. Heard about you on the news, I have. 
Even here on Nharnia.

BUCKY
You gave my father your lightsaber.

THAYLI
(referring to the lightsaber on Bucky's belt)
And I see that you carry it.
(after a moment)
Your father is dead. It does sadden me.

BUCKY
How did you know?

THAYLI
Your facial expressions. And the fact that you carry it, and not your 
father. He was a good warrior, an admirable hare.

BUCKY
(a little taken back)
Thank you.
(beat, recovering)
This is my pilot First Mate Jenny. And I see you've met the rest of my 
crew.

THAYLI
Yes.

	Thayli takes Jenny's paw, and they shake. As they do, he bows, 
but she does not, a significant snub, but he does not appear offended.

JENNY
(with some strain)
Pleasure to meet you.

THAYLI
I wish you peace and serenity.
(beat)
This is my apprentice, Fiver. He has been with me for almost five 
cycles now.

	Fiver smiles and bows nervously.

THAYLI
If you wish to see Nharnia, we would be honored to be your guides.

BUCKY
Well, apparently we aren't needed until tomorrow to discuss the toad 
wars. Willy?

	Willy, apparently distracted, looks up.

WILLY
Technology conference doesn't start for another two days. So I'm free.

DEADEYE
(to Bruiser)
What'cha think, matey? Up for some sight-seein'?

BRUISER
What color bananas do dey got here?

SCENE 5 - NHARNIA WOODLANDS

	The Nharnian plains are covered in vegetation, with very little 
of it being actively worked on by farmers. The highway is a dirt road, 
and the hover vehicle Thayli is driving glides smoothly over it, 
blowing only a minimal amount of dust around. The Righteous crew is 
sitting in the back seats comfortably as they pass a large stone 
building.

THAYLI
To your left is Frith-rah ei bi'yit, a monastery where young knights 
picked by the elders are trained and prepared for their apprenticeship. 
It is the largest on Nharnia.

BUCKY
Were you trained there?

THAYLI
No, but Fiver was. I was trained in a more remote monastery.

WILLY
Can anybody be a knight? What do you mean by "picked by the elders?"

THAYLI
Anyone with certain qualities. During their first years, cubs are 
watched carefully for traits needed for knighthood -- a calm heart, 
devotion to Frith, superior fighting skills, and tolerance. At ten, the 
cubs are presented before the Order of Knights, and the most eligible 
cubs, with the permission of their parents, are taken to monasteries to 
be trained. At twelve, they are apprenticed to another knight, usually 
a master, and after ten or fifteen years, they are knighted.

WILLY
Are all trainees knighted?

THAYLI
No. The rate of dropout is about 50%. It is not easy to be a knight.

BUCKY
What do you do?

THAYLI
We travel the aniverse, sending a message of peace and diplomacy. Much 
like your Coalition claims it does.

JENNY
How do you send a message of peace with lightsabers?

	Bucky tries to shush her, to not insult their guide, but Thayli 
sort of smiles and points to a sign along the road. It is in another 
language no one is able to recognize, probably Nharnian Lopine.

BUCKY
What does it say?

THAYLI
"There can be no peace if there are weapons of war."
(beat)
There are two schools of thought on Nharnia, but we all share these 
fundamental beliefs: That there are two forces in the aniverse that 
drive it. Order and Chaos, Frith and Suran. They will always fight for 
domination, but it is a never-ending battle. Like most Lopineneans, we 
serve Frith, the L-rd of Order, and his son, Uraysus. He symbolizes 
stability, peace, and contentment; that is what we all seek.
(beat)
But back to the two schools of thought. There are, of course, the 
knights, for which Nharnia is famous. We believe that Frith and Suran 
are fated to fight, so we must be, like Frith himself, always fighting 
against the chaos of the aniverse. We don't go to war, we don't take 
sides -- we identify chaos and destruction and seek to destroy it. 
Obviously, sometimes weapons are necessary to accomplish this goal. 
Frith is not without his own lightsaber, or so we believe.
(beat)
But there are other people on Nharnia who believe that all fighting, 
even in the name of good, is really chaos, so we should not fight. They 
believe only in passive resistance.

BUCKY
Have the two schools ever fought?

THAYLI
No. All-out war would be chaos, and we all agree on that. Tolerance is 
also an important virtue to all followers of Frith. The two schools 
have always existed, living peacefully and with mutual respect.
(beat, sighs)
But joining the war with the toads could polarize things. Nharnia has 
never taken sides in an aniversian war without there being ideological 
problems. Last time we did so was in a war with the samurai lizards 
some eight hundred years ago, and the passive resisters held a strike 
of all services. Since they control Nharnia's economic and agricultural 
ends, and the knights control the political end, the economy came to a 
halt and we had to leave the war in fear of starvation. So they are 
very powerful, very committed to their cause.

	As he speaks, Thayli pulls off the road and into a driveway 
leading to another stone building, surrounded by walls. There is a sign 
on the door, but it is in Nharnian Lopine.

THAYLI
We will stop here and let the vehicle recharge. You may see the 
training grounds.

	They pile out of the vehicle, which has come to a halt and rests 
on the ground. There is a female KNIGHT at the door, serving as a 
guard. She greets Thayli with a smile, and they take paws and bow to 
each other.

THAYLI
(to the Righteous crew)
This is Master Alia. She is in charge of the training grounds for all 
knights who wish to sharpen their skills.
(to the lioness)
This is the crew of the Righteous Indignation. They are here with the 
United Animal Coalition.

ALIA
(bows)
Welcome.

	Alia opens the gates, letting the crew into the grounds. The 
courtyard is set up like a typical military basic training ground, with 
bots and droids providing the cubs with metal enemies to fight. All of 
the lions are young, either without manes entirely or with the shaved 
heads of apprentices. They are brandishing lightsabers of an array of 
colors -- blue, red, green, purple, and orange. Their speed and skill 
is obvious as they fight off the various attacks of the droids.

DEADEYE
Reminds me o' the ol' Canard training camp.

WILLY
(to Fiver)
Is this where you train?

FIVER
Yes. I know most of the cubs here.

WILLY
Where do the colors on the lightsabers come from?

FIVER
The crystals placed in the hilt determine the color of the blade.

WILLY
Do they have any special meaning?

FIVER
Not particularly. It's more of a personal preference.

BUCKY
(suddenly)
How come there are no golden blades?

	Thayli and Fiver look at him.

BUCKY
What?

THAYLI
It's a strange question to ask.

BUCKY
Can I get an answer?

THAYLI
Of course. That color is uncommon. It is reserved for the highest of 
ranks.
(beat)
Gold is the color of the sun, and we believe Frith is the sun. So in 
that color alone there is special significance.

BUCKY
Would anyone else have one? Other than a highly ranked person?

THAYLI
(thinking about it)
Perhaps a rogue, someone who wishes to mock the order. But the crystals 
are very hard to come by -- the lightsabers are made here, on Nharnia. 
We mine the crystals here, and we do not export them. Hence why 
lightsabers are so uncommon. Why do you ask?

BUCKY
Are there many rogue knights?

THAYLI
There are knights who have left the order willingly, for whatever 
reasons, often to join the passive movement, but they are required to 
hang up their lightsabers. There are always a few who leave the faith 
and begin to worship Suran or some false G-d -- usually we disarm them 
and exile them. I do not know of any who are at large.

	The subject seems to have made Thayli uncomfortable -- he turns 
back to the gate.

THAYLI
We must return to the hotel if you wish to attend dinner.

	They slowly turn to leave. Willy and Fiver are reluctant, the 
former still soaking up the experience and the latter feeling 
nostalgic.

WILLY
This place is so *cool.*

DEADEYE
Ach, ya think this is interestin', Willy me lad, I'll take ya ta Rigel 
VII some time.

WILLY
(curious)
Why? What's it like?

	Deadeye is about to answer, but Bucky smiles and cuts in.

BUCKY
Like this, but more drinking.

SCENE 6 - HOTEL, NHARNIA

	It is now much later; the sun has set, and dinner has been 
finished. Various members of the crews are sort of gathered in the 
lobby, talking with Nharnians or amongst themselves. Bucky, COMMANDER 
SIRIUS DOGSTAR, and Jonathan are sitting around, talking about the 
negotiations.

DOGSTAR
(continuing)
... anyway, we'll be needed tomorrow, to present our case to the 
Nharnians.

BUCKY
How did the negotiations today go?

JONATHAN
They've semi-agreed to at least a treaty with the UAC regarding trade 
and travel, which is tremendous ground from the diplomatic prospective. 
The war is going to be the hard sell.

BUCKY
They really don't seem eager to join.

DOGSTAR
Yes, that's why we're relying on you, Captain O'Hare, for the 
jingoistic speeches.

BUCKY
(sarcastic)
Oh, good.

	Jonathan idly looks at his watch.

BUCKY
Where's Mimi?

JONATHAN
Guarding the Chairman. I've gotta go relieve her.

SCENE 7 - FRITZ'S ROOM, NHARNIAN HOTEL

	The Chairman's room, much like his room on the cruiser, is a mess 
of papers. He enters, carrying a briefcase, which he dumps on the 
couch. Mimi follows, shutting the door behind her. Her eyes are on a 
piece of paper that appears to be a contract of some sort.

MIMI
You really think the Nharnians will sign this?

	Fritz collapses in a chair.

FRITZ
I don't know why they wouldn't. It's just going to open up trade lines 
and the possibility of citizenship for Nharnian natives. It's nothing 
radical.

MIMI
You know, you should have really let me scope the place before you 
entered.
(opens the door to his bedroom)
There could be an assassin waiting for you in your closet.

FRITZ
Oh, quit it. I'm too tired to be safe.

	Mimi grins and goes into the bathroom.

MIMI
You have a hot tub?!?
(storms back in the main room)
I didn't get a hot tub!

FRITZ
Hey, you spend millions of simoleans on an election campaign, become 
Chairman, and *you* can have a hot tub.

MIMI
I want to use it.

FRITZ
Tomorrow, OK? I'm exhausted.

	Before Mimi can answer, there's a knock on the door.

MIMI
That's Jonathan.
(coming up from behind Fritz and massaging his shoulders)
Why didn't you give me the night shift?

FRITZ
Mimi, please. I'm not in the mood. You can have the night shift 
tomorrow if you really want it.

	There is another knock, this time more impatient.

FRITZ
You'd better go. See you in the morning.

MIMI
Get some rest.

	Mimi opens the door and Jonathan is indeed standing there. He 
salutes to her as she saunters out and he enters, shutting the door.

FRITZ
You're here. Good.

JONATHAN
Don't expect me to be a sympathetic ear.
(plops down on the couch)
Where's Daffy?

FRITZ
You know, Nharnia. They're scared shitless of him. I thought it 
wouldn't be appropriate for him to come.

JONATHAN
Will they join the toad wars?

FRITZ
No. Not a chance in hell.

	Neither of them look surprised. There is a tense moment of 
silence.

JONATHAN
You know, you could order ...

FRITZ
Don't even start. Just don't.
(gets up)
I'm going to bed.

	Fritz gets up and moves into the bedroom. Jonathan sighs tiredly 
and opens a newspaper.

SCENE 8 - NHARNIAN HOTEL 

	The hotel is quiet, its lights dimmed for night, though most of 
the lobby and hallways are still lit. In one quiet hallway, Harry is 
making his rounds. He stops at the stairs, glances at his watch, and 
puts his comm up to his face.

HARRY
Captain?

MIMI
(over comm)
Go ahead, Harry.

HARRY
(tired)
Radio check.

MIMI
I read you loud and clear. Everything quiet?

HARRY
Quiet as a ... as a ... what do you compare to when you're talking 
about quiet things?

MIMI
Harry, it's too late for this. Just check on Griff and we can go to
bed, OK?

HARRY
No argument from me.

	Harry walks down the short stairs and turns a corner. To his 
surprise, the hallway, identical to the previous one, is not vacant. 
Harry stops in his tracks when he sees what can only be described as a 
beast staring back at him. The creature is only two feet in height but 
has the bulk of Bruiser and is on all fours. Its body is a grisly mass 
of scaly furless flesh, sweat and slime dripping silently from it onto 
the clean carpet. The face is beastly, like a mutt, and is capped by 
razor-sharp horns like those of a bull.
	Harry doesn't move an inch, frozen to his spot. Slowly, and with 
A shaking paw, he lifts his radio to his face.

HARRY
Mimi?

MIMI
(over comm)
Yes?

HARRY
We have a security breach.

MIMI
What kind of security breach?

HARRY
A breach with big horns.

	There is some static on the line as the creature seems to notice 
Harry and digs its claws into the carpet.

MIMI
... repeat that? I don't think I heard that.

HARRY
(backing away)
A breach with really, *really* big horns ...

	The creature howls, and Harry screams and drops his radio, 
bounding away with the speed of a trained hare. The beast growls and 
follows, tearing up the plush carpet behind it, but it is not able to 
keep up. Harry leaps down the stares in a single bound and bursts into 
Mimi's room, which is serving as radio dispatch. She is sitting at the 
desk with all of the communication and security equipment spread out 
over the room. He nearly collapses on the ground in front of her, and 
she gets up from her seat, pulling out her blaster.

MIMI
What the frell is going on?

	Harry gives her an exasperated look, trying to catch his breath. 
Outside in the hallway, there is a female scream and the beast bursts 
through the door Harry closed behind him, destroying the wooden barrier 
between it and them.
	Harry draws his twin blasters from his position on the floor and 
fires them at the beast. An expert gunner, he does not miss, hitting 
both of the beast's eyes. It howls, shaking its head furiously as Mimi 
hits a button that sets off the building alarms.
	After a few rough shakes, the beast opens its eyes, seemingly 
recovered from the damage, and refocuses on its targets.

MIMI
What *is* that thing?

HARRY
Hell if I know!

	Before the beast can charge, they hear the crash of glass behind 
him. Mimi swings around to see the glass doors leading to the porch of 
her room in shards on the floor as a familiar ROBED FIGURE enters, 
drawing its lightsaber. It has the height of a Nharnian but is much 
slimmer. It draws a golden-hilted lightsaber and powers up the golden 
blade.

MIMI
(recognizing the figure)
You! You're under arrest for breaking ...

HARRY
Captain, I don't think this is the time!

	The figure ignores Mimi and moves between her and the beast, 
which has lost interest in Harry or Mimi and seems to focus on the 
figure. The figure swings its lightsaber, cutting the beast's head in 
half vertically, then steps back.
	The beast howls in pain and collapses on the floor. Only seconds 
pass before a white light appears where the flesh had been torn, 
joining the two sides of the head together with an unseen force. The 
creature takes a moment to recover and then gets back on its feet, 
apparently fully regenerated.

HARRY
Oh shit oh shit oh shiiiit ...

	Harry and Mimi back away into the corner of the room. The beast 
charges, but as it does, the robed figure leaps up onto the desk and 
from there grabs hold of the light fixture, swinging from it like a 
chimpanzee as the beast misses its target entirely and crashes into the 
porch, flying off the landing and into the forest below. The figure 
leaps down, climbs onto the torn porch, and hops down the three-story 
fall like it was only two feet, disappearing into the woods with 
elegance and grace.
	Alone in the room, Harry and Mimi collect themselves, the alarms 
ringing in the background. Mimi spies the radio, which is still open. 
Dogstar's voice is rather frantic on the frequency.

DOGSTAR
Captain LaFleur? You there? We have a situation near the third-floor 
elevators. Requesting ...

MIMI
(grabs the comm)
We hear you. We were just taking care of a "situation" here too.

DOGSTAR
Better send for the pest control, old chap. And wake Captain O'Hare 
while you're at it.

SCENE 9 - THIRD FLOOR, NHARNIAN HOTEL

	By the time a very sleepy Bucky arrives on the scene, Dogstar and
LIEUTENANT WOLF are having a standoff with another large beast by the 
elevator.

DOGSTAR
Good to see you, Bucky. Sleeping on the job?

BUCKY
I wasn't on shift. What the frell is that thing?

WOLF
Beyond me, sir.

BUCKY
What's the plan?

WOLF
We seem to have almost backed this monster into the elevator. Maybe if 
it falls into the shaft ...

	Before Dogstar can continue, the elevator pings and the door 
opens, revealing its passenger. It's another ROBED FIGURE with a golden 
lightsaber. Upon seeing it, the beast ignores the presence of the 
others and lunges at it. The figure does not power up its lightsaber, 
which hangs from the rope belt, but calmly holds one gloved paw out in 
front of it. As the monster charges, it comes only inches away from the 
paw before being stopped by an invisible barrier. The beast howls and 
retreats back, knocking Dogstar and Wolf against the wall.
	As Bucky aims his blaster, Deadeye comes running up behind him, 
blasters drawn.

DEADEYE
What's goin' on?

BUCKY
I don't know, but we gotta stop this before it gets any weirder!

	They blast away at the monster, but it seems to ignore their fire 
as if it was made of some impenetrable force. The robed figure 
approaches the monster, which snarls at it, and draws its lightsaber.
The figure is slower than the monster, though, and before it can use 
its weapon, the beast snarls and bites deep into its right arm. There 
is still no sound from the robed one, despite the beast's hold on its 
flesh, as they drag each other into the elevator.

DOGSTAR
(recovering)
Don't let them get away!

	They all rush to the elevator, but the doors close before anyone 
can pry them open. Bucky glances at the monitor.

BUCKY
It's going up! We can catch it on the next floor!

	The four UAC fleet members scramble up the stairs to find a 
similar hallway and elevator door. They quickly hit the button and the 
door opens, revealing an elevator shaft filled with the stench of 
blood. The beast, now in many smaller pieces as if cut smoothly by a
lightsaber, is laying on the shaft of the floor, dead. The robed figure 
is gone.

DOGSTAR
How did he ...

	Putting a handkerchief to his nose, Dogstar enters the shaft and 
looks up at the ceiling. There is no sign of any abnormal entry or 
exit. He happily completes his inspection and steps back into the 
hallway. There is a moment of silence.

BUCKY
Who wants to tell that Chairman?

DEADEYE
Chairman nothin', Cap'n. Who wants ta tell th' Nharnians?

SCENE 10 - CONFERENCE ROOM, HOTEL

	All of the members of the fleet are now awake and milling around. 
Fritz and Griff are not in their best conditions regarding appearance, 
but neither is anyone else. The two diplomats are sitting one on each 
side of the table, some Nharnians on the other, including Thearah.
Griff is ecstatic, but Fritz is his usual calm self. Mimi, Dogstar, and 
Bucky are giving their reports.

FRITZ
(continuing)
How many of them were there?

MIMI
Two, in total. One on the second floor and one on the third. No word 
from hotel workers as to how they got in. One's still on the loose, 
supposedly.

THEARAH
We have a team of knights searching the woods right now. So far they 
have found nothing.

MIMI
And the two intruders? Anyone looking for them?

THEARAH
Do you need them for questioning or something? From your reports they 
did not seem hostile to you.

	There is a collective, tense sigh on the UAC side.

FRITZ
(very carefully)
We've ... seen these characters before.

THEARAH
(somewhat alarmed)
When?

GRIFF
Three months ago. Two people -- having very similar descriptions -- 
broke into the Security Council Headquarters on Genus and intercepted 
two burglars who were attempting to steal the personnel files of the 
Council members.

THEARAH
What do you mean by similar descriptions?

	Fritz looks tiredly around.

DOGSTAR
Does anyone have the tape on file?

	ENGINEER DIGGER produces a laptop, which he opens on the 
conference table and begins typing into. After a few moments, he turns 
around the screen and pushes it to the Nharnian side so they can see 
the tape.

THEARAH
(watching the tape)
And these two meet your descriptions of the people who saved you 
tonight?

MIMI
Yes, we need them for questioning.

THEARAH
They do resemble Nharnians ...
(beat)
Why was this not brought to our attention?

	Mimi opens her mouth to speak, but Fritz clears his throat.

FRITZ
We have no real evidence that they *are* Nharnians, or that they have 
committed any real crime other than trespassing. We were also worried 
that ... someone dressed up like Nharnians to sabotage our negotiations 
with you.

	The elder knight is silent as he finishes watching the security 
video. When he's done, he turns the screen around to face Fritz and 
Griff.

THEARAH
They're not Nharnians.

	Fritz looks relieved, but the others look skeptical.

MIMI
How do you know?

THEARAH
They're too skinny. They have the height but not the weight. Nharnians, 
even females, are lions -- we have muscle. These two are attempting to 
hide it with their overly large robes, but they are not lions. They 
also have no tails.

BUCKY
And the lightsabers?

THEARAH
I have never seen a gold-plated lightsaber hilt. We don't make them on
here. It's not proper -- not modest. These people are either mocking 
Nharnians or have nothing to do with them.

	There is another tense silence. It is clear that not all of the 
fleet members believe Thearah's story.

GRIFF
Will you aid an investigation into the identity of these two figures?

THEARAH
Of course. But again, they don't seem guilty of any great crime. They 
seemed to have saved some of your files and, tonight, your lives.

	As he is speaking, Thayli comes in and whispers something in 
Lopine in the ear of his Thearah, who looks shocked and scared, then 
settles back into the chair, still swallowing the news.

GRIFF
What is it? 

THEARAH
Those beasts ...
(beat)
They were hellbeasts.

	There is another silence.

BUCKY
OK, *that* doesn't sound good.

THEARAH
Our knights inspected the body. They had the mark of Suran on them.

	The knights all collectively shudder. Fritz looks mildly 
concerned, and the rest of the UAC group confused.

WILLY
Uh, is there a Cliff Notes version available? Who's Suran?

DEADEYE
S'what I'd like ta know.

THEARAH
Suran is the Chaos god, the polar opposite of Frith, who is Order and 
Light.

MIMI
Is there a Suran-worshipping faction on Nharnia?

THEARAH
(looks at her strangely)
Of course not. Those people are heretics; they deserve to die. They've 
sold their soul to evil. In one hundred generations, we've never had a 
knight sell himself to Suran.

GRIFF
What do you think they were doing here?

THEARAH
They would not have attacked the hotel if they wished to harm our 
people. I am not staying at this hotel, nor are any Nharnians who do 
not regularly work here. They must have been after you.

MIMI
Us?

THEARAH
Someone in the UAC. Or multiple people. If those strange knights hadn't 
shown up, you could easily all be dead.

	If anyone was still sleepy, they are all now immediately awake.
Everyone spends a moment looking for something to say.

THEARAH
Perhaps you should all leave Nharnia. I do not wish to put you in 
unnecessary harm.

FRITZ
(fervent)
No, that's what whoever orchestrated this wants. This was to scare us 
off, maybe even kill us. Someone doesn't want us to continue the 
negotiations -- someone who worships Suran. And Suran is evil, right? 
So the negotiations must be good.

THEARAH
Perhaps you are right. But we will have this hotel closely guarded by 
our best knights. They are already here or on their way. You will be 
heavily guarded for the rest of your stay here.

FRITZ
Thank you.

	One by one, the UAC members shuffle out. Some of them are 
worried, or scared, or anxious -- but all are tired. In the hallway, 
the place is alive with sentinel knights, looking very awake and alert. 
Reassured, they make their ways back to their rooms.

SCENE 11 - HOTEL, NHARNIA

	The hotel is now lit for day, and the members of the UAC fleet 
are emerging only slightly more rested-looking than they were just a 
few hours before. The hotel is also now filled with Nharnian guards. 
The three captains are meeting with Fritz and Griff in the conference 
room.

BUCKY
(yawns)
What's our game plan for today?

FRITZ
We're cutting the meeting as short as possible, for our safety and the 
Nharnians. Luckily, we did trade negotiations yesterday, and Nharnia 
has already agreed to become at least a partial member of the United 
Animals Coalition and send a representative to the General Assembly.

MIMI
And security matters?

FRITZ
That's for today. I don't think we can expect them to agree to donating 
a large-scale force for the toad wars, but they may at least agree to 
visit toad-controlled areas on diplomatic missions.
(beat)
So, are we all ready?

	They collectively nod, and Mimi opens the door for the Nharnians 
to come in.

SCENE 12 - HOTEL, NHARNIA

	While their captains are in a meeting, the rest of the crews of 
the UAC fleet are hanging out in the lobby, lying around or nodding 
off. Digger and Willy have a laptop out on the coffee table and are 
talking with the Nharnian apprentice Fiver. Dile is looking on from 
behind the couch.

WILLY
OK, this is the video of the two guys who Thearah claims are not 
Nharnians from three months ago ...

	Digger types into the keyboard, and it plays the security video 
on one side of the screen.

DIGGER
And here ...
(types)
Is the video from last night?

	The video comes up on the other side of the screen, showing the 
robed figure in the hallway fighting the beast into the elevator.

FIVER
Do they speak?

WILLY
No, which is a shame, because we would be able to match up their voices 
if they did.

DILE
Captain LaFleur said they were talking in some language she did not 
recognize when she saw them in Kadaf Warner's room on Warren.

FIVER
Does she remember what they said?

DIGGER
Do you know how hard it is to remember gibberish?

	Digger types something into the computer.

DIGGER
OK, the computer has analyzed their bodies based on the pictures given 
to us. They have two distinct walks that the computer was able to pick 
up. So let's label them person A and person B.
(types, and a computer model comes up)
Person A was in Mimi's room. He -- or she -- has bigger feet and walks 
with a more energetic step. Person A was also the one who retrieved the 
stolen files on Genus.
(beat)
Person B is slower, more careful. Person B was the one who punched 
Kadaf, and the one injured in the elevator.

	Digger brings up some computer modeling on the screen.

DIGGER
It's hard to see with the robes, but Thearah was probably right -- they 
aren't Nharnians. They don't have the build. They're skinnier. They 
have much longer and slimmer feet than those of lions.

WILLY
What does this tell us? Other than that they're not Nharnians?

DIGGER
Not a whole lot. The computer can really only get us so far. They've 
been really good about not leaving any clues.

WILLY
What about their fighting styles? Fiver?

	Digger brings up the videos again, and Fiver watches carefully.

FIVER
It's very similar to Nharnian styles. They're very good -- *very* good.
But ... person B is getting too old, too slow. His or her fighting 
abilities don't match how they were able to be caught by that 
hellbeast.

DIGGER
What is a hellbeast?

FIVER
A beast under the control of Suran or one of his minions.

WILLY
So they were controlled? They weren't wild?

FIVER
Usually they are not, yes.

WILLY
So they came specifically to kill someone. Did someone track their 
routes?

FIVER
Master Thayli says they were intercepted too early, before they could 
show where they were going.

DIGGER
We need more information.

	They sit quietly, trying to think. As they do, Harry approaches 
them, looking a little bruised and tired, but otherwise all right.

HARRY
What're you guys doing?

DILE
Trying to figure out who our mysterious visitors were.

HARRY
Good luck.

DIGGER
You wouldn't happen to know what they said in Kadaf's room that night 
on Genus, would you?

HARRY
Sorry, it went right over my head. But I know who would know.

ALL
(eagerly)
Who?

HARRY
Kadaf Warner.

	They all sigh.

DILE
You have no evidence.

HARRY
I didn't say he did anything wrong. I just said he's connected to this 
in some fashion. Why didn't he want to come to Nharnia?

WILLY
You think he's behind this? That's ridiculous.

HARRY
I'm just sayin' he's our only lead. What's wrong with that?

JONATHAN
I wouldn't piss off Kadaf if I were you.

	They look behind Harry, who turns around and sees Jonathan 
approach.

HARRY
Ah, the Warner speaks.

WILLY
Jonathan's a Warner?
(to Jonathan)
I thought your last name was Weissman.

JONATHAN
My adopted father is a Warner, so yes, I am connected. But don't hold 
it against me.

HARRY
OK, Jonathan. Tell us something. Do you think Kadaf is connected to all 
of this?

	Jonathan has sort of a tired, strange grin on his face.

JONATHAN
I don't think it's any of my business. And I also don't think it's a 
good idea to talk about people when they could be behind you.

HARRY
But ...

	Jonathan shushes him and points. KADAF WARNER has just entered 
the hotel. He is wearing a very strange black robe and has a very 
harried look on his face. He goes to the front desk, but the lion 
behind the desk averts his eyes and refuses to speak to him. Spotting 
Jonathan, he practically runs to him.

KADAF
Where the hell is Fritz?

	They are polar opposites -- Jonathan relaxed, and Kadaf clearly 
barely keeping himself together.

JONATHAN
He's in a conference.

KADAF
Fri-thei nunn al riq'. Zorn'in er-dante.

	Jonathan's eyes sort of widen, and he spits out the soda that he 
was sipping. Kadaf doesn't give him another minute and runs off.

HARRY
OK, what the frell was that?

JONATHAN
(chokes)
Heads up, guys.

	Before anyone can ask him any further questions, two hellbeasts 
charge into the lobby and begin tearing apart everything in sight. The 
UAC fleet members take shelter behind a couch and begin firing their 
blasters at the beasts while swarms of Nharnians rush in to finish them 
off with their lightsabers. It takes several trained knights to destroy 
the beasts, who continually regenerate themselves in ways not 
imaginable to normal regens. Only when they are able to cut the beasts 
into many small pieces do they stay dead.

HARRY
(holstering his blaster)
OK, this is getting really annoying. Are we gonna be of any use ...

	There is a scream from deep in the hotel. The fighting members of 
the fleet -- Harry, Jonathan, Deadeye, Bruiser, and PITSTOP PETE -- 
hurry deep into the hotel, toward the conference rooms.

HARRY
Great. Now what?

	Thearah and his aides are in the doorway to the conference room, 
where they are confronting hellbeasts. Between them and the beasts 
stands one of the two mysterious robed figures. It slashes the beast 
apart just as reinforcements arrive and then ducks out into a 
connecting hallway.

MIMI
(from behind Thearah, in the conference room)
Somebody follow him!

	Harry and Jonathan bound over the body of the dead hellbeast and 
try to follow the tracks of the figure. After some delay getting 
through the crowd, Mimi and Bucky are able to follow, their crews in 
tow. They follow him down a hallway of rooms and into an open door. The 
figure has run through the room and onto the balcony overlooking the 
woodlands.

MIMI
Aw, c'mon, don't tell me he's gonna jump off.

	The figure turns to the crowd, facing away from the woods. The 
armed members of the fleet draw their blasters at him and the Nharnians 
back away, apparently uninterested in pursuing the figure.

BUCKY
All right, that's about enough of this. You're under arrest for
trespassing ...

	Instead of turning and jumping off the ledge, the figure pulls 
down his hood and his metal mask retracts to reveal a humanoid old man 
with a neatly trimmed white beard. The only things to indicate he is 
something other than human are two purple growths with small spikes on 
each side of his head. Under his outer brown robes is a monk habit of 
pure white with gold trimmings. He is wearing a small gold band around 
his head like a crown.

MAN
(in a very strange accent)
Have I satisfied your curiosity?

MIMI
Who are you?

MAN
(mocking)
I am Thoras Ignatius, and I wish you peace and serenity.

	The man crosses his arms and folds into his robes, seemingly 
dissolving and leaving only his robe behind. Mimi prods the bundle, to 
find nothing inside.

MIMI
Why can't we have any conferences that are *not* just plain weird?

SCENE 13 - CRUISER EN ROUTE TO GENUS

	On the UAC cruiser, the three captains of the fleet are having a 
final meeting with Fritz and Griff before going off on their own 
missions. Kadaf is back in his usual position in the corner of the 
room, smoking.

FRITZ
Hellbeasts or not, it was a successful trip.

BUCKY
(disappointed)
The Nharnians didn't want to get involved in the toad wars.

FRITZ
Not yet. But they made gestures as if it might be something we could 
look forward to, which is improvement. Nharnia will be at least a 
partial UAC member, and we can count on their support in diplomatic 
matters with the toads.

DOGSTAR
And those beasts?

FRITZ
It was a very strange, isolated incident. We have no reason to believe 
the attacks will continue on Genus.

GRIFF
We *are* stepping up security on the capitol. The Nharnians have 
offered to serve as guards on Genus for Council members, since they are 
so skilled at that.

MIMI
And what about the investigations involving that guy Thoras? And his 
accomplice?

FRITZ
If you want the UAC to finance an investigation of two petty 
trespassers who are obviously skilled at evading capture, you are 
welcome to submit a request to the budget secretary. But I will not 
authorize it.

GRIFF
The Chairman is right. Our simoleans are better spent elsewhere, unless 
this Thoras becomes some sort of threat. If you wish to continue an 
investigation privately, you'll have to do it on your own time, Captain 
LaFleur.

	Mimi makes a disgruntled sound but gives no other signs of 
protest.

FRITZ
Good. Now you all have your own missions. Captain O'Hare and Commander
Dogstar are on sector sweeps, and Captain LaFleur will be escorting a 
supply ship through some dangerous territories. The next meeting will 
be in two weeks. Consider yourselves dismissed.

SCENE 14 - NHARNIA

	Thearah, the old lion, enters his spacious office, flanked by two 
aides. He shoos them away, but they continue to follow him. His office 
has a wooden desk and a rotating chair that is turned toward the large 
tapestry of a lion charging into the sunset on the back wall.

THEARAH
Who's there?

	The chair spins around. Thoras is sitting in it. He is without 
his outer robes. He stands, a commanding presence, and walks around the 
desk. The lions quickly avert their eyes and bow to him, their 
foreheads touching the ground. They make no move to get up or even look 
at him as he approaches Thearah, looking down at the cowering form.

THORAS
Wan. Danna jinuk.

THEARAH
Dama Frith-rah.

	Thoras turns away, looking back at the tapestry.

THORAS
Do not join the toad wars. Whatever my apprentice says. He is too 
concerned with worldly matters anyway.

THEARAH
Should I cancel the treaty, thairah?

THORAS
No. Diplomacy is excusable; sending forces to the Toad Homeworld is 
not.

THEARAH
Yes, thairah.

	Thoras lets his eyes fall over the bright tapestry, sighing 
heavily.

THORAS
I'm getting too old for this.
(beat, turning back to cowering Nharnian)
But it will all be over soon. Sooner or later, I will be one with all 
of those who came before me, and my apprentice will shed the mortality 
he clings to so desperately and fly.

THEARAH
Thairah?

THORAS
Yes?

THEARAH
The hellbeasts?

	Thoras gives a strange half-smile.

THORAS
How ironic. Suran works in our favor. He forces the issue. My 
apprentice will not be able to hide his identity much longer.

THE END