"Supply Lines" by Claudia Carranza First draft - 1/12/00 Final draft - 10/18/00 Edited by Rygar 11/10/08 SCENE 1 - HANGAR BAY, MALE RESISTANCE UNDERGROUND BASE, ALDEBARAN TOMMY and PONCE are looking at an Aldebaran cargo ship with pleased looks on their faces. A small horde of Aldebarans, mostly males, are offloading several large crates. The decal on the side of the ship marks her as the Kobayashi Maru. Tommy smiles at Ponce as he checks off the cargo as it files past. TOMMY You know, Ponce. I have to commend you. That last raid went wonderfully. Not a single hitch. PONCE (looking up with a grin) Thanks. Those key cards you got help. Will they work every time? TOMMY (shakes his head) I doubt it. Those things get changed every week or so. I was lucky this time. (looks at a box) What did we end up with, anyway? PONCE (looking at the data pad) According to the manifest log, it looks like a shipment of sensor Array parts that was headed for Genus. The computer logs a fourth of the sensors are compatible for frigate-sized sensors. The rest is medical EQ. TOMMY (ponders) Frigates, hmm? You know what this means, don't you? PONCE (blinks, looking up) What? TOMMY (grins hugely) Aldebaran frigate sensors, right? There is a pause. Ponce looks confused. TOMMY Wrong. Aldebaran Two-Man Fighter sensors. Ponce blinks, uncomprehending until he looks in the same direction Tommy is: at the Resistance's three Aldebaran-Class Two-Man Fighters. PONCE The sensors are too heavy. It'd take massive amounts of modifications just to get them to fit, let alone ... TOMMY (pats Ponce on the back) Hey, you're the computer type. You deal with the modifications. PONCE (open-mouthed as Tommy begins walking away) But Tom ... TOMMY (holds his paw up) Ah! (closes his fingers when Ponce utters another sound) No. (beat) I just want frigate-powered sensors on our two-man fighters. Aldebaran fleet or no, the extended range'll be useful in gathering more supplies. PONCE (ears drooping as Tommy walks away) Why do *I* always get stuck with computer modifications? SCENE 2 - KITCHEN, O'HARE RESIDENCE, GENUS FIRST MATE JENNY is sitting at the dining table, just finishing her breakfast. She's reading a datapad communiqué as CAPTAIN BUCKY O'HARE enters, yawning. Both are wearing casual clothing. Jenny is in a long loose shirt and leggings, while Bucky is just wearing a brown pair of sweatpants and his ID tags. BUCKY (moving to the coffee pot) Morning, Jen. JENNY (putting down the datapad with a frown) Morning, Buck. BUCKY (turns to look at Jenny, sipping his drink) What's wrong? JENNY Those supplies I needed still aren't in yet, and there's been no word from the Aldebaran Shipyard as to the Maru's whereabouts. BUCKY (moves over to sit next to her) Worried? JENNY (looks at Bucky) Yes, but we discussed this at dinner. BUCKY (nods) So we did ... but I think the Righteous could stand a shakedown. Bucky sips his coffee, but the twinkle in his eyes shows conspiracy. BUCKY I heard the asteroid belt out by the Aldebaran Sector is great for joy-flying ... Jenny glances at Bucky with a mixture of thanks and concern. After a moment, but before any of them can say a word, the comm-link nearby bleeps. BUCKY (stands to answer the comm) O'Hare here. COMPUTERIZED FEMALE VOICE There is an incoming transmission from Aldebaran for First Mate Jenny. It is coded Priority One. Jenny stands and moves over, keying her passcode, and Bucky moves aside. JENNY First Mate Jenny here. Jenny is taken aback by the sight of a beautiful white and black Aldebaran SISTER wearing deep royal blue gems of power. Her pale yellow eyes dance out from behind a black mask of fur that blends into her long, straight black hair. SISTER (over comm, nodding) Sister Jenny. JENNY (blinks) Sister, you have me at a disadvantage. SISTER My name is Trisha. I have been appointed new Head of the Thought Order by Her Majesty. I have a request that requires you and your crew's singular talents. Trisha glances through the comm, looking behind Jenny and failing to see Bucky. TRISHA The members of the Male Resistance have recently pirated a cargo ship that was headed toward Genus. Our fleet is currently patrolling another sector and is unable to respond. I was hoping that with your ... friendship with the good Captain O'Hare, you might coax him into having the UAC's top frigate fighter look into the matter for me. JENNY (blinks a few times) I can't make you any promises that he will allow such as thing, Master Sister, but I can make the inquiry ... TRISHA (over comm) Oh come now. Surely you haven't forgotten all your training. If he won't go along peacefully, subdue his mind, and make him. JENNY (narrows her eyes angrily) I have more respect for my captain than that, Master Sister. TRISHA (makes a face) Yes ... I've noticed. I find it rather uncivilized, but what can one Expect from one who has chosen to spend her life away from family? Do ask your *captain* and call me back. Jenny sneers openly as the screen goes blank. BUCKY (still behind Jenny) She's not a very likable person, is she? JENNY (gasps and spins) I forgot you were here. BUCKY (raises a brow) I noticed. (continues when Jenny stammers a bit) Well, let's get dressed. I'll have to set the Righteous's computer to guns. I'm not sure we'll find Deadeye on such short notice. JENNY (recovering) What about Willy? BUCKY I thought you said he was out of town with his parents for the weekend? JENNY (nods) Yes ... yes, I did. BUCKY (levels a curious look at Jenny) You sure you're OK with this, Jen? JENNY (nods) Yeah, I just have a bad feeling about this. SCENE 3 - LUSH ROOM SOMEWHERE ON ALDEBARAN CASSIE turns, haven just finished overhearing the conversation with Jenny, and nods to the new Head of the Thought Order still visible on her screen. Behind Cassie's desk, out of Trisha's line of sight, are twelve Aldebaran ASSASSINS, all powerfully built. Each sister's gems are the blackest shade of red, blue, or green imaginable. CASSIE Good work, Trisha. I trust things are going well for you in the Palace? TRISHA (nods) Yes, Your Highness. CASSIE (smiles proudly) I do so love that title. I'll deal with Jenny. Thank you for setting it up. Cassie cuts the communication, then turns to her to assassins. CASSIE Assassin, take a squad and cloak them at the Genus Entry coordinates. Make sure the Righteous has a warm welcome to this sector. ASSASSIN #1 (nods) Your will be done. The assassin leaves. Cassie turns to another terminal. This one holds a picture of Tommy. CASSIE As for you, cousin ... let's give you some bait. (smiles and keys up Trisha again) Trish, contact the Dock Mistress. Send out a shipment of raw silk to the Aldebaran ambassador on Genus. Make sure plenty of people know about it. TRISHA (nods) Your will be done. Cassie cuts communications again and sits back to ponder her next move. SCENE 4 - QUEEN'S CHAMBERS, ROYAL PALACE, ALDEBARAN Tommy enters silently from a secret passageway behind the QUEEN'S desk. He moves over and, with a smile, drops the used security passes on the desk in front of her, causing the elderly feline to jump with a start. TOMMY (still grinning) Thanks, Mother. QUEEN (turns and sighs) Thomas, will you ever learn not to scare me half to death? TOMMY (shrugs and moves over to a sofa) Prolly not. (grins and reclines back against the armrest) Got any more shipments? The Queen glares at Tommy's feet until he grudgingly removes them from the sofa. QUEEN Actually, yes. The Thought Order's sending out a clothing shipment to Genus. TOMMY (rolls his eyes and pours himself something to drink) More women's clothing, Mother? QUEEN (sighs) No. Bolts of cloth. The Ambassador has wished that a harish seamstress tailor her clothes for the UAC ball this year. TOMMY (perks up) Oooh. Scrap cloth! What's the guard complement? QUEEN (turns back to her papers) It's not highly valuable materials. I don't expect there to be a complement. TOMMY (smiling) No escort? (smiles bigger when the Queen nods) Like taking milk from a kitten! Tommy's carefree manner evaporates when a knock is heard. Tommy dives for a bookshelf to hide behind. QUEEN (calls out once Tommy is hidden) Enter. Trisha enters, carrying a data pad. TRISHA I'm sure you've already received the notice from the Dock Mistress ... Trisha glances at the glass Tommy left by the sofa, half full and across the room from the Queen. TRISHA ... but I thought I'd deliver you the notice in person, seeing as I wasn't too busy. QUEEN (takes the data pad) Thank you Trisha. (beat) Anything else? TRISHA Yes, actually. When I was talking to the Ambassador, she mentioned That O'Hare and his crew currently have shore leave. Perhaps it would be in our best interests, politically, to invite them? QUEEN (shakes her head) I'm glad you thought of it, but we will have plenty of time to socialize with O'Hare and his crew at the UAC Council Ball later this year. A visit from them is hardly worth the fuel and time. TRISHA (nods and acts disappointed, glancing at the bookshelf) It was a thought ... (turns and moves toward the bookshelf) I was wondering if I might borrow a book from you as well, Your Majesty. QUEEN (hides the worry in her voice expertly) Of course, Trisha. TRISHA (takes a book just over Tommy's head and turns) Thank you. I shall return it. The Queen nods as Trisha walks out. When the door closes, Tommy falls over, out from behind the bookshelf. TOMMY Whew! That was close! QUEEN You'd better go. TOMMY Yeah. Thanks, Mother! The Queen sighs as Tommy pauses to kiss her cheek, then bounds off down his secret tunnel. SCENE 5 - THE RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION, EN ROUTE TO ALDEBARAN Bucky is sitting at his console, his feet propped up on the computer in front of him. Jenny climbs the ladder to the upper bay, carrying two cups of steamy liquid. She hands one to Bucky and sits at her console with the other. BUCKY (sipping his drink) You know, it's actually rather peaceful out here. JENNY (widens her eyes in mock terror) Don't say that, Buck! BUCKY (not realizing she's teasing him yet, looks over) What? Why? JENNY (grins hugely) You might jinx us! BUCKY (laughs and looks over the scanners) Well, since your scanners are down, let's see if we can't get the Righteous's original scanners online. JENNY (looks at her screen) Might be difficult. The navigation computer's no longer configured for standard mammalian sensor data. It's configured for Aldebaran data streams. BUCKY (setting his cup down) Looks like I've got a busy couple of hours ahead of me then, doesn't it? Jenny nods and turns to her computer to help. SCENE 6 - ORBIT OF ALDEBARAN Tommy and Ponce are in the lead two-man fighter. Outside the cockpit, two other Aldebaran-class two-man fighters can be seen. TOMMY (over comm) All crews, report in. BRIAN (over comm) Fighter Two, reporting. All systems go. Sensors online and operational. MALE #1 (over comm) Fighter Three, reporting. All systems go. These sensors are sweet! TOMMY (grinning, over comm) Thank Ponce later. Brian, get me a sweep of the area and see if you can locate that cargo ship. BRIAN (over comm) Aye, Tom. Scanning now ... Ponce crosses his fingers and shuts his eyes tightly as if hoping nothing will blow up. BRIAN I've got three small contacts. Heading 0012, mark 2.04, bearing 010.5, and making for the jump coordinates. I think that's our ship, Tom. TOMMY (nods) Let's get in for a closer look. The fighters swoop through space and lazily avoid the few Aldebaran sentry ships in the area. SCENE 7 - ASSASSIN AMBUSH POINT, ALDEBARAN SPACE The head assassin sits calmly, watching the lights of her dimmed displays scroll down the glass of her cockpit. She actives the magical communicators and glances at a follow sister's cloaked ship. ASSASSIN #2 (over comm) I don't like these standard blasters, Licy. They feel so clumsy. LICY (looks over, over comm) You heard what the Master said. We have to make it look like the Traitors. ASSASSIN #3 (bursts in, over comm) That's what bugs me the most. We have to masquerade as *men.* The rest of the group mutters in agreement when a beep flashes on their screens. LICY (over comm) Look lively, Sisters! We've got incoming. The Assassination Sisters watch as the small cargo ship flies through the sector, headed lazily toward the jump coordinates. They sit up straighter in their cockpits, readying for action. As if on cue, Tommy and his small force warp in and take up an attack formation heading toward the carrier. A moment later, The Righteous Indignation warps in, headed toward the cargo ship as well. ASSASSIN #3 (over comm) This is almost too easy! LICY (over comm) Cut communications! O'Hare's witch and those awful men will detect us! Tommy's formation flies closer, unawares. TOMMY (over normal electronic comm) All right, cats, keep your eyes open and your wits sharp. Intel says this cargo's got no escort, but you never know. MALE PILOTS (in unison, via comm) Roger, Tom. TOMMY (watches the Righteous warp in and blinks) What the!? Ponce, get me scans of that frigate. Is it? ... PONCE (without looking up from his console) ID confirmed: UACSF 133-0A: The Righteous Indignation. TOMMY (punches controls) Dammit. Brian, get me a life scan on that bucket of bolts. Cal, scan that cargo ship. Stars take my magic if I'm going to fly us into a trap. The Righteous also zooms toward the cargo ship. JENNY (piloting) Coming out of warp in the Aldebaran Sector, Buck. BUCKY (sits up from his reclining position) Acknowledged. Hailing cargo ship. (beat) Aldebaran Cargo Freighter, this is Captain Bucky O'Hare of the United Animals Coalition. We've been asked to give you escort to Genus. FEMALE #1 (via audio-only comm) Acknowledged, Captain, we're happy to have such a highly decorated escort. Sending you our jump coordinates now. Ponce picks up the transmissions. PONCE Communications between the Righteous and Cargo Ship. TOMMY (turning slightly) Can you crack into the communications? PONCE (shaking his head) I doubt it. Let me try. Ponce fiddles with the controls in front of him. BRIAN (over comm) Life signs confirmed. Two mammals. Sensors indicate one hare and one Aldebaran. TOMMY (rolls his eyes) Great. PONCE (over comm) Communications confirmed. Bucky's going to escort that frigate the whole way. CAL (over comm) We're no match for the Righteous! TOMMY (beat, over comm) There's only two life signs, Brian? Are you certain? BRIAN (over comm) Affirmative. Only two life signs. TOMMY (over comm) Meaning they're running on less than a skeleton crew. If we hit them fast and hard, we can disable the Righteous and take the cargo ship. BRIAN (over comm) But Tom ... attacking a UAC frigate fighter? TOMMY (over comm) Don't worry, we don't have the firepower to destroy them. Aim for the engines. Good luck. Attack! The Assassination Sisters creep closer, cloaked from sensors. LICY (connecting her squad's minds briefly) The Righteous Indignation pulls up next to the cargo ship and begins to accompany it. BUCKY (looking down) I've got three Aldebaran-class two-man fighters on sensors. (glancing up) The escort? JENNY (leans over and glances at the sensor read outs) I'm not sure. BUCKY (studies the readouts more) They seem to be too far away to be ... (alarmed) They're powering up weapon systems! (turns to a different part of his console) Activating shields. Tommy's three fighter swoop in and fire. The Righteous dodges the volley as a soft glow begins to creep over its hull. CAL (over comm) He's activated shields! TOMMY (over comm, annoyed) I see that! PONCE (over comm) I'm beginning to think this was a *bad* idea, Tom. TOMMY (over comm) If you don't have anything constructive to say ... Licy notices the commotion. LICY (communicating telepathically) The Righteous continues to dodge fire. BUCKY Why would Aldebaran fighters attack us? JENNY I can think of a few reasons ... BUCKY (glances at her briefly) Those being? JENNY (concentrating on her pilot's console) Those being things I can't discuss. Bucky shakes his head and grabs at his chair as a shot rocks the ship. BUCKY You know, I'm getting really tired of hearing that. JENNY (tightens her jaw) Where did that shot come from? BUCKY (all business again) Scanning. That's odd ... the shot's trajectory puts it off our starboard. (glancing up) Those fighters are off our port. (beat) Cloaked fighters? JENNY That's reptilian technology, isn't it? The Righteous rocks again as the cloaked Assassination Sisters fire repeatedly at the Righteous's unprotected flank. TOMMY (turning his ship around, over comm) Ponce, why is the Righteous taking damage? We're not shooting at it. PONCE (scanning, over comm) I'm not sure. I'm not reading anything on sensors. BRIAN (over comm) Reptilian cloaked fighters? CAL (over comm) Can't be. Those have to uncloak to fire. We'd be seeing them by now. TOMMY (over comm) Unless they're cloaked another way. Ponce, get me a magic scan. The Righteous's shields drop from the heavy bombardment, and an explosion can be seen. Despite Jenny's incredible piloting skills, she can't dodge what she and the ship sensors can't see. PONCE (over comm) Confirmed. Twelve pings of highly concentrated magic. CAL (over comm) Twelve? Shit, assassins! Tommy, let's get out of here! TOMMY (over comm) And leave Captain O'Hare out to dry? No, thank you. PONCE (over comm) But you were going to do that anyway. TOMMY (over comm) Leaving them drifting but repairable is much better than what this squad's going to do. (flipping a switch) Switch to magic sensors and clear the Captain some breathing room, will ya, boys? CAL, BRIAN, and CO-PILOTS (over comm) Aye, aye, sir! Jenny fails to dodge another shot as she stiffens suddenly. BUCKY (looking over) What's wrong? Jenny merely shakes her head. Outside, the assassination squad swoops around for another pass. LICY (telepathically) ASSASSIN #4 (telepathically) LICY (telepathically) Tommy's fighters swoop into range and begin firing -- not at the Righteous, but at the near-invisible blurs of space behind them. One shot hits, and in a spark of blue magical energy, one of the twelve sleek and deadly ships ripples into view. A mere second later, it ripples out of sight again. BUCKY What the hell was that? (glances at Jenny) It sure wasn't reptilian. Jenny pulls the Righteous into a tight curl to avoid some shots but ends up flying right into another. BUCKY (looking at Jenny) It looked like an Aldebaran class ... Bucky and Jenny's conversation ends abruptly as an explosion rocks the ship, and they are both thrown from their seats and knocked unconscious. PONCE (over comm) The Righteous is drifting! TOMMY (over comm) All right, boys. Let 'em rip. Tommy's fighters speed into the fray as the large gems on the hulls of the Aldebaran two-man fighters begin to glow. Firing both normal blasters, which are strapped on, and the built-in magically run blasters, they score several hits on the unsuspecting assassins. After a brief engagement, which leaves the assassin's ships nearly unserviceable, the assassins tuck tail and run, headed back to Aldebaran. Tommy and his group fly closer to the Righteous as the cargo ship speeds away from the scene. TOMMY (over comm) Damage report. BRIAN (over comm) Chipped the paint. Nothing major. CAL (over comm) I burnt out my starboard blaster and lost shield generator #2. TOMMY (over comm) Then we'll make this quick. Any life over there? BRIAN (over comm) Affirmative. TOMMY (over comm) I'm hailing them. (presses a button, over comm) Righteous Indignation, this is Tommy of the Male Aldebaran Space Fleet. Please respond. Ponce gives Tommy a strange look, to which Tommy can only grin and shrug. Meanwhile, aboard the darkened Righteous, Bucky is the first to awaken, a mere minute after the explosion. He looks around and hears a static-filled communication coming in. He looks about the darkened bay and has to clear his throat before his voice fails to crack. BUCKY Jenny? (beat) Jen? Jen, where are you? (waits, pulling himself up) Jen? Bucky moves to the communication board and keys in to hear the message. TOMMY (over comm) ... Male Aldebaran Space Fleet. Please respond. BUCKY (over comm) We hear you. This is Captain Bucky O'Hare. What's the meaning of attacking my ship? Aldebaran is in cooperation with the Uni ... TOMMY (over comm, interrupting) Close your mouth, and listen for a minute there, hothead. We didn't attack. Standard Aldebaran fighters can't cloak. We're here to help you out so you don't lose life support and freeze to death. BUCKY (glances around, over comm) If I remember right, you're in fighters. We can't dock up. TOMMY (over comm) Don't worry. We'll get you to a secure location. (mutes comm) Ponce, get a tractor beam on him. Have Brian and Cal do the same. We'll take him the long way around. BUCKY (over comm) Captain ... TOMMY (unmuting, over comm, chuckling) I'm not a captain, but go on. BUCKY (over comm) Whatever. I might have wounded over here. TOMMY Damn. (over comm) Alright. But let's get you to a safe spot before we do anything. Apparently, someone in this sector isn't too friendly. BUCKY (over comm) You can say that again. Righteous out. SCENE 8 - HANGAR BAY, MALE RESISTANCE HQ, ALDEBARAN The main hatch to the Righteous opens, and Bucky walks down the ramp struggling to carry Jenny who, though not heavier than he, is longer than he. Several males in the area stop and freeze at the sight of a female Aldebaran in their midst. Tommy walks forward from the crowd, noticing blood matting Jenny's hair and running down her arm, coating her red magic gem. TOMMY (nods to Bucky) Next to see you again, Captain. BUCKY (pauses, then shakes his head) Formalities later. My pilot's been injured. TOMMY (walks over, seeing Jenny) I noticed. We have medics. (as a small group hesitantly walk forward to take Jenny) They'll take good care of her. You and I should ... talk. Bucky nods and follows Tommy through the rock-cavern room. Tommy leads him to a set of stairs, cut into the rock. They enter Tommy's main office. Tommy straightens up his desktop and motions to an empty chair with his tail. TOMMY Make yourself at home, Captain. BUCKY (still standing) I'd like to see my pilot first. Tommy sighs and turns a console to face Bucky. On it is the med bay. Male Aldebaran medics are alternately using magic and standard medicine to help her. Bucky straightens, but seeing she's OK and being helped, he nods and sits. TOMMY (turns off screen, sits next to Bucky) Have any questions? BUCKY Where are we? TOMMY My HQ. Sorry, Captain. I can't tell you more. Security and all that. BUCKY (nods, expecting this) Are we still on Aldebaran? TOMMY (grins) Oh, sure. It's just not a usually visited part of the planet. (beat) I have a question for you. How much has Jenny told you about this culture? BUCKY (shakes his head) Not much, but I respect her for that. She's got secrets, and ... TOMMY (laughs) Most likely, it's because she's embarrassed by it. Most females are when they find a male they feel is equal to themselves. BUCKY (seems confused) I don't understand. TOMMY (drops his head to think) You view Aldebaran as a beautiful, lush planet with an ancient Sisterhood, mystical, wonderful, all that, yes? BUCKY (raises a brow) I still don't follow. TOMMY (looks up with his bright purple eyes) Aldebaran is a highly sexist culture, and all of Aldebaran's laws and structures are centered around keeping that sexist point of view alive. (motions about his office) Welcome to the Headquarters of the Aldebaran Male Resistance, as the females call it. I prefer it known as the Male Equality Movement, but names aren't really important at this point. Gaining equal rights for men is. BUCKY (takes a moment to think about this) This is what Willy was upset about that one time. (frowns) Is there a ... TOMMY Logical reason? Probably. A long time ago, we were equal. A king and queen ruled Aldebaran. One of the kings was abusive and physically beat his queen. She had him killed and took control of the planet herself. She began suppressing men, and now, nearly five hundred generations later, the suppression of men is so complete, most males are losing the ability to learn higher skills like reading or writing. (fixes Bucky with a stare) We're in the middle of a war. A war less publicized than the one you fight, but no less important or deadly. Much rests on us. BUCKY (sits back to think about all this) I understand why Jenny refuses to talk about this. But why are you telling me? (looks up) Hoping I'll help? TOMMY (grins) You read my mind. BUCKY (shakes his head) I can't help you. My loyalties are to the UAC. (continues when Tommy frowns) But I'll do nothing to stop you, so long as it doesn't adversely affect members of my crew or put the UAC itself and any world protected by the UAC in danger of toad attack. TOMMY (laughs) Ever the war hero, eh, Buck? Tommy continues as Bucky scowls at him for using the nickname Jenny uses. TOMMY Ah, well. Your non-interference is more than enough help. Tommy stands and leaves. Bucky nods and calms down, having nothing else to do than trust this feline, and wait. SCENE 9 - QUEEN'S CHAMBERS, ALDEBARAN The Queen is sitting in meditation when the secret door opens and Tommy strolls in. QUEEN (opens her eyes) Tommy. TOMMY Mother. I've got news. QUEEN (sighs) Good or bad? TOMMY (shrugs and sits at the edge of the meditation pad) Depends on who you are. O'Hare's here. I think it was a setup. We went to take the cargo ship when the Righteous warped in. Then out of nowhere, cloaked assassin ships dropped the Righteous. Ponce did some good work, and using the modifications he's made on the standard blasters, we were able to take out the squad with little trouble. Unfortunately, O'Hare's ship is in bad need of repairs and Jenny's been injured. We can heal Jenny, but we can't repair the ship. We just don't have the resources, and stealing supplies from a shipyard's too risky at this point. QUEEN (shakes her head) I can't give you any more support, Thomas. Cassie's watching me too closely. If she alerts the public, both you and your sister lose any hopes of the throne and of helping your people. TOMMY (hangs his head) A kitten can dream, right? (brightens) Ah well. So ... what'cha gonna do now? QUEEN I'm not sure. I need to find out how Cassie's getting cloaking technology. It's reptilian in origin, is it not? TOMMY It would be, if reptilian cloaked fighters could fire and stay cloaked at the same time. QUEEN (shocked) They can fire while cloaked? That is indeed trouble. I pray Cassie's not mixed up with toads. TOMMY (stands and laughs) I doubt that, Mother, as much as Cassie hates men. QUEEN (affords a soft smile) Right you are. Go take care of Jenny. TOMMY (bows) Yes, Your Majesty. The Queen rolls her eyes as Tommy leaves. SCENE 10 - MED BAY, MALE RESISTANCE HEADQUARTERS, ALDEBARAN Bucky walks in, looking for Jenny. He spots her on a medical table. BRIAN is standing over Jenny, haven just finished cleaning her up, and preparing for a complex healing spell. BRIAN (looks up as Bucky enters) Captain. BUCKY (walks over, uncertain) How is she? BRIAN (turns his attention back to Jenny) She'll live. I'm getting ready to heal her fully, now that I've stabilized her and know the extent of the damage done. Hopefully, there's been no permanent brain damage. (grins sheepishly) I'm not *that* good. BUCKY (starts to step back) Do you need me to leave? BRIAN (shakes his head as he closes his eyes) Actually, you'd be a tremendous help. Take her paw. She'll need the sensation of something familiar and real, especially when she awakens. Brian's head gem begins to glow, causing Bucky to become more nervous. BRIAN Plus, your general worry over her wellbeing will keep me focused on the task at hand. Just concentrate on her getting better, Captain. That's almost as good as magic. Bucky steps forward again and nods. He carefully takes Jenny's paw with both of his, rubbing the soft white fur gently. He tries not to seem overly concerned, but as Brian extends his paws toward Jenny's form, and a soft whitish glow passes from Brian to Jenny, he clutches at her paw protectively. A tense moment passes while the glow spreads. When it reached Bucky's paws, it encompasses part of them, causing Bucky's eyes to widen. He bows his head, closes his eyes and hopes beyond hope that Jenny gets better. SCENE 11 - HANGAR BAY, MALE RESISTANCE HEADQUARTERS, ALDEBARAN Ponce has a data pad in his paw, which he is reading with a frown. Tommy wanders over. TOMMY So, can ya fix her? PONCE With a full-scale UAC shipyard at my disposal, no problem. TOMMY (holds up a roll of black tape) Will twenty tons of high-grade electrical tape work? PONCE (sighs and takes the tape) It'll have to. (hands the tape to a male walking by) Thank the stars the computers weren't damaged too much. The Righteous's computer can tell me what's broken and how to fix it. TOMMY (laughs) Yes. Thank the stars we don't have to rely on your guesses all the time! PONCE (smirks) Yeah, well, let's see you try to fix it! TOMMY (holds his paws up) Hey, I'm just the face of the operations. You're the brains. PONCE That's what I was afraid of. (looks at the Righteous again) See if you can get O'Hare to help us out. Even with a starship captain's knowledge of repair, he knows this ship better than anyone. TOMMY What do I look like? A gofer? PONCE (regards Tommy critically) Nah, your eyes are too big. (beat as Tommy grins) Scat! TOMMY I'm going. I'm going. SCENE 12 - ASSASSIN HEADQUARTERS, ALDEBARAN Cassie walks in, and twelve sisters stand quickly. CASSIE Report. LICY (steps forward) The Righteous appeared, as scheduled. The men attacked as planned. We disabled the Righteous, but ... CASSIE But? LICY (drops her head ashamed) The males fought us back. CASSIE (sighs) Worthless. The lot of you. What do I train you for? (paces) Where is Captain O'Hare now? LICY We followed them partway before we lost contact. We can only assume they are within the rebel base. CASSIE Assumptions aren't good enough, Sister. Find them. LICY (bows) Yes, Master. The twelve file out, and Cassie ponders. SCENE 13 - MED BAY, MALE RESISTANCE HEADQUARTERS, ALDEBARAN Jenny moans and opens her eyes, coming to slowly. Brian steps away, allowing Bucky to lean forward. BUCKY (urgently) Jenny, how do you feel? JENNY (murmurs) Terrible. (beat) The ship? BUCKY (good bedside manner) A little dinged up, but fine. JENNY (glances about) Where are ... (spots Brian) ... we? BUCKY (sits back and motions to Brian) He healed you. Jenny is stunned by that. She glares at Brian, then stares at Bucky, then glares at Brian again. BRIAN (steps forward, his guard up) Pleased to meet you again, Jenny. My name is Brian. Jenny narrows her eyes at Brian and says nothing. She turns to Bucky instead, sitting up. JENNY Let's get to the ship. Just then, Tommy enters. TOMMY Hey Buck, you bus- (beat) Oh. She's awake. JENNY (glares evilly at Tommy and seems ready to pounce) What have you done? BUCKY (interrupts before anyone can say anything) Jenny, be quiet. (beat while Jenny regards him in shock) We're safe for now. I don't know who attacked us, but this group has done everything they can to help. I'm not one to attack a friendly, even if a crew member dislikes them. You stay in bed, let Brian here make you feel better, and I'll get us out of here as soon as I can. Is that understood? (beat, as Jenny starts to disagree) I'll make that a direct order if you like. (pause again in which (holds up a roll of black tape) Jenny glares at Bucky but finally lays down, not looking happy. BUCKY (to Brian) Take care of my first mate. She comes back in anything less than perfect health, I'll have your tail, got that? BRIAN (salutes) Yes, sir. Bucky turns his attention to Tommy. TOMMY (grins) Now that the shrew's been taken care of ... Behind them, Jenny growls in her throat. TOMMY We need some help getting your ship operational, Captain. My men aren't experienced at repairing UAC fighter frigates. BUCKY (stands) Lead on. (sighs as he follows Tommy out) And we were supposed to be on shore leave. (grins to Jenny over his shoulder on his way out) Looks like I jinxed us again. Jenny looks unhappy while both Tommy and Brian look intrigued. SCENE 14 - HANGAR BAY Bucky leads the repair crew, and a few hours later, the Righteous is nowhere near being flyable. Bucky has stripped off his shirt and is sitting, arc welding a piece of the hull back in place as Jenny walks out under Brian's supervision. Several men in the area shrink back, as if trying not to be noticed. Jenny stops near where Bucky's perched and calls up. JENNY Captain? Captain! CAPTAIN! BUCKY (stops working and lifts the mask, smiling) Hey, Jen. How are you feeling? JENNY Better. Need any help? BUCKY (nods) Yeah, check the nav charts, and make sure none of the programming was lost, and get her ready for a shakedown. Grumbling, Jenny complies and is followed, much to her distaste, by Brian, but one look from Bucky makes it clear the healer's not to leave her side. BUCKY (to Tommy) Nothing. There's just not enough equipment here to make the repairs I need, and any attempt we might make would probably do more harm than good. TOMMY What about Willy? JENNY (growling, stopping before she enters the ship) What about him? TOMMY (rolls his eyes at Jenny) He's a smart boy. (beat, back to Bucky) Could he slap something together with what we've got? BUCKY (glances between Tommy and Jenny, but makes no comment) Yes, most likely he could. Jen, try to get in touch with him. Jenny nods, and giving Tommy one last glare, she disappears into the Righteous, followed by Brian. SCENE 15 - LOWER BAY, THE RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION Jenny glares at Brian as she enters the bay. JENNY Do you mind? BRIAN (with perfect calm, but doesn't move) Not at all. JENNY (sighs tiredly) I need to be alone for this. BRIAN Why? I realize you might hide this from the rest of the crew because they don't understand magic, but I breathe magic. It's nothing new to me. Cast your spell. Jenny growls and steadies herself for a moment before beginning her spell. JENNY (through the crystal) WILLY (thinking) JENNY WILLY (chuckles) JENNY (ignores the laugh) WILLY JENNY Jenny cuts the communication, opening her eyes to glare at Brain. JENNY (adding silently) SCENE 16 - HIDDEN CORNER, REBEL BASE Licy and her eleven sisters are crouched in hiding, watching the men walk to and fro. Closing her eyes, she casts a spell and sends her thoughts to Cassie. LICY (telepathically) CASSIE (telepathically) LICY (mentally) SCENE 17 - HANGAR BAY Jenny steps out after finishing her communication with Willy. JENNY He'll be here shortly. BUCKY (nods) Good. Let's take a break. (to Tommy) Got anything to drink? TOMMY (nods) Yeah, sure. We've go- Tommy stops abruptly, as if something smacked him across the face. BUCKY (waits a moment) What's wrong? TOMMY (doesn't answer Bucky, but instead turns to Jenny) Do you feel that? JENNY (frowns) No. TOMMY (shakes his head as Brian places a paw on his shoulder) Nothing. Never mind. About those drinks ... As Tommy and Brain briefly discuss the drinks, Willy steps out of the ship. Jenny turns a protective look in his direction. WILLY (looking around and sees nothing but the men) We're on Aldebaran? BUCKY In a rebel base. WILLY The Male Resistance? What are we doing here? JENNY It's a long story, Willy. We'd appreciate it if you'd just fix the engines. Willy is a little taken back. He salutes and heads back into engineering. They leave him to his work. SCENE 18 - ENGINEERING, THE RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION Willy is half-buried deep in a panel, with his legs and the lower half of the roller sticking out, when Tommy enters. Hearing the noise of the hatch opening, Willy doesn't roll out. WILLY (in a sort of muffled voice) Captain? TOMMY (leans against the bulkhead to peer at Willy's lower half) No, it's me. WILLY (keeps working for a bit) Oh, hey. You need something? TOMMY No. I just wanted to see how you were doing. WILLY Fine. TOMMY Need anything? WILLY (beat) Actually, yeah. (rolls out) What the hell is going on? TOMMY Jenny didn't tell you? Figures. (beat) We got in the little battle with Cassie's troops, and the Righteous wound up between us. WILLY And Jenny agreed to come here? TOMMY (sort of nods, sort of shrugs) She was unconscious at the time. WILLY Oh. She's OK now, right? TOMMY Yeah. Just pissed. WILLY At who? You? TOMMY (grins) As usual. I told your captain about the whole mess going on here. WILLY (eyes wide) You *told* the Captain about the Male Resistance?!? TOMMY (sheepishly) What? You may be sworn to secrecy, but I'm not. (beat) I think he took it considerably well. (noticing the glaring look in Willy's eyes) What? What'd I do? Willy sighs and rolls back under the panel. TOMMY (leans forward, trying to see Willy in the tangle of wires) What did I do? Really? WILLY I was gonna let Jenny tell him when she was ready. TOMMY She'd never be ready, Willy. She didn't even tell you, and you're not an Outsider the way he is. WILLY No, you don't understand. I mean, the Captain and Jenny ... Willy trails off. TOMMY What? (leans in) Oh, I get it. They're goin' at it, aren't they? WILLY (from inside, after a beat) Thank you for that scary visual. I'm scarred for life now. TOMMY (grinning broadly) I *knew* somethin' was going on between those two. And to think, good ol' traditional Sis dating an Outsider. (pleading) C'mon, kid, give me the gossip. WILLY (firmly) No! It's their business, not yours. Which is not a concept *you're* very aware of. The hatch opens. Tommy spins around as Jenny enters. JENNY What's going on? (beat, to Tommy) Are you soliciting him again? TOMMY (with a huge grin) No, we were just talking about your love life. WILLY *No*! JENNY (horrified) You were *what*? WILLY (rolls out) I didn't say anything! It's not my fault! TOMMY (goads Jenny) So, what's it like, dating an Outsider? JENNY *You*! Jenny is about to strangle him when Willy comes between them. WILLY Stop it! Will you guys stop fighting for, like, two minutes? JENNY He started it! TOMMY If Jenny's not going to take me seriously, I'm not going to take her seriously, either! WILLY (manages to get them separated) Jesus! I'm glad you guys didn't grow up together! Jenny and Tommy attempt to regain their cool. JENNY All right. So I don't respect your cause. But it doesn't mean you have to butt into my personal business! TOMMY Then don't butt into mine! It's a free aniverse, and I have the right to talk to Willy if I want to without being hassled by *you* ... JENNY Willy doesn't need your influence! WILLY (angrily, interrupting) First of all, I'm in the room. Second, you're *not* the one to decide who I should talk to! I'm not ten anymore! TOMMY You tell 'er, kid! JENNY Oh, don't *you* start. Their squabbling just increases until Bucky enters. He takes in the yelling match for a heartbeat before speaking in a commanding tone to which Jenny straightens immediately. BUCKY Great mother, what's going on here? Can't you three be together for five minutes without the family squabbling? Honestly! We have a ship to fix! Just when the arguing seems ready to continue, a blood-curdling scream is heard from outside the ship. Tommy's eyes narrow dangerously as Bucky puts a paw on his maser pistol. Jenny tenses, and Willy seems slightly afraid. JENNY (sensing out quickly) Magic? But who? ... TOMMY (sensing also) Assassination Sisters. I'd bet my gems on it. (turns to Bucky) Someone really doesn't like you, Captain. (looks at Jenny) Looks like we'll have to fight our way outta this one, sis. Whadda say? All things aside, it'd be fun to kick ass with you. JENNY (glares at Tommy) I still don't like you ... BUCKY (interrupts as footsteps are heard ascending the ramp) Like him or not, you're out of time. As if on cue, a tall, powerfully built Sister, her silver eyes gleaming cruelly and her blood-red gems oozing magical powers, walks into the room. She narrows her eyes and growls ferally at the group. In reply, Tommy growls back and pulls his paw back, casting a spell. Jenny readies a protective spell, while Willy ducks behind something too small to hide him completely. Bucky stands his ground and shoots at the Sister's side, hoping to graze her and injure her enough to stun her. Bucky's blast skims off a protective shield as a glittering white shield surrounds the group. Tommy's spell cuts through a second later, hitting the Sister squarely in the midsection and causing her to stumble backward. Bucky rushes forward, blasting at the Sister. Though she has a protective shield, as off balance as she is, she continues stepping backward. Tommy follows Bucky's lead and rushes also, followed quickly by Jenny, who in turn is tailed by Willy. At the top of the access ramp, Bucky can't get the Assassin to backpedal anymore and is now having to relinquish ground to her. TOMMY (glances at Jenny) Jen, toss a spiral psibolt, level two. Used to fighting in coordination with others, Jenny nods and casts. TOMMY (closing his eyes to cast) Captain, give us a second. BUCKY (shooting) I'll try! The Assassin growls, still advancing, hoping to reach Tommy before whatever spell he's got in mind is finished. Having now regained her balance, Bucky's blaster shots are no longer fazing her. As the assassin nears Tommy, Bucky looks at his near-worthless pistol. In sheer desperation, Bucky hurls the blaster as hard as he can at the Assassin Sister. Surprisingly, she stops advancing to brace and duck the flung weapon. At that moment, Tommy and Jenny's spells are completed, and twin psi-bolts fly from them and strike the Assassination Sister. She screams and drops to the ground. The group rush out of the ship to see the fight continuing. BUCKY (seeing the men getting beaten back badly, turns to Tommy) I don't think we're winning. TOMMY (growls) You think? BUCKY (shoots a few times before replying) I suggest a hasty retreat. Tommy angrily loads up a high-level magic bolt and downs another Sister across the room. TOMMY Unacceptable. I'm not leaving this location. JENNY (coming up to give Tommy support with her own magic) Your base has been infiltrated. It's worthless now that they know where you are! Tommy shoves Jenny to the side and steps back himself as a blue lightning bolt streaks past them and burns the side of the ship's hull. TOMMY You have no idea how's these ladies work, do you? (beat) Of course not. You don't fight them every day. (shouts out) Ponce! Brian! Jump Jack Rabbit Thirteen! From opposite sides of the room, Ponce and Brian jump up onto boxes, placing them higher than the fighting. They both let out loud war cries, to which the cowering crowd responds in kind. The assassins glance at each other, knowing they've lost two of their squad. The crowd turns in on the twenty-two remaining sisters. Tommy, using magic to augment himself, leaps twice as far as O'Hare ever could, to land on a nearby pile of boxes. Meanwhile, Willy pushes his way down to stand with the gathered men, shoving off Jenny's attempt to stop him. TOMMY (whispers) Now. The crowd, tensed and ready, surges forward. The cornered assassins blast at the first two lines of charging men, but the rest move forward, taking their place. Tommy, with a whoop of his own, leaps again into the middle of the fray, bodily landing on a few of the blue-gemmed assassins. Still at the Righteous, Bucky and Jenny have stopped to watch. BUCKY That is the strangest tactic I've ever seen. JENNY It seems to work. SCENE 19 - LOWER BAY, THE RIGHTEOUS INDIGNATION Later, Tommy and Bucky are standing next to each other, Jenny and Ponce with their respective leaders. The main hatch is open. TOMMY Well, Captain ... BUCKY (nods) Tommy. TOMMY (shakes Bucky's paw) It was fun. Thanks for the ride. BUCKY (shakes his head) You are the strangest feline I've ever met. (returns the shake) Good luck. TOMMY (nods) Come on, Ponce. Let's go. Tommy and Ponce leave the hatch. Jenny shuts it closed behind them. BUCKY (sighs) Let's go home. Jenny nods tiredly and Willy turns to the Engineering Room. Bucky leaves to the upper bay. JENNY (following Willy) Willy? WILLY (stops and looks back, still miffed at Jenny) Yeah? JENNY (glances down) I wanted ... to ... apologize. WILLY (blinks in surprise and turns to face Jenny) I'm listening. JENNY (sighs) You're old enough to make your own choices. I ... was wrong. Jenny's tail flicks nervously. WILLY (nods) Thanks, Jenny. It's just important to me. It feels *wrong* what your people do. I guess it bugged me most because when I first learned you ... supported them still. I wondered how you could do that and still serve on this ship, and still have the same relationship with Bucky that you do. (watches as Jenny fights down harsh words) But thank you. And I think Bucky needs some kind of explanation. He's been very patient. Jenny nods and watches as Willy disappears into engineering, then heads to the upper bay, where Bucky is getting the ship ready to take off. JENNY (sits and punches in the nav points) Bucky? BUCKY (not looking at Jenny) You can't tell me, you're sorry, and maybe someday you can explain. I've heard it before. No need to repeat yourself. JENNY (gulps slightly) I wanted to apologize. BUCKY (glances at her) For what? You've got a secret to keep. I respect that, and I respect our friendship enough to not push at it. You'll tell me when you're ready, and I don't think you telling me right now is a good idea. You, Willy, and Tommy have things more important to work out than we do. (turns back to his console) Set course for Warren. JENNY (nods) Aye, sir. THE END