Buck Rogers in the 26th Century



Episode 108x "The Ritz and the Wrongs"

Written by: Erin Weinstock


I don't hold any of the copyrights in this story, and this story was 
made without profit.


Teaser:

ext: Space:

We see a space ship drifting through space from a distance. From this 
distance we can't see it too well yet, but here's what it looks like: 
it's a saucer shape cut in a ring, its center opening being very wide. 
On its outside it's lined with, well they're not lit up on this ship, 
but they're lights. This ship has been badly damaged. The bad shape that 
it's in can't be seen from this distance. There's also another ship 
nearby to it. It has the same design, only this one has its lights on, 
and in the center of it, filling out the ring shape, is something red. 
It looks beautiful, like some type of odd gemstone with electricity 
fluttering throughout it. But once more we can't see this well yet 
because of how far we're away from it. Note: Aleekeyta's voice is 
female.

V.O. Aleekeyta: "The Daffo has been located at last, drifting through 
the Altaira Galaxy."


Cut camera to zoom up on this scene, and we see the two ships better.

V.O. Aleekeyta: "Unfortunately it appears to have suffered a horrible 
amount of damage, cause unknown. My most trusted crew and myself have 
vowed to investigate this."

The ship that isn't damaged moves to being above the other ship. The red 
center of the ship, while still staying in contact with the ship, dips 
down onto the other ship, looking like a drop of water that wants to 
separate from its source. Once the droplet bulb of the red is touching 
the other ship on top of one of the gashes, some of the droplet dips 
down into the ship.

V.O. Aleekeyta: "Due to the massive gashes in the hull, it is highly 
likely this ship no longer has any short of atmosphere to it. So we're 
going to be entering it wearing protective suits and oxygen containing 
helmets. Even though it's very unlikely we'll find anyone left alive, at 
the very least we'll find out who manned this ship, so their next of kin 
and the Thorcomen Defense Administration will know who was lost."

Cut to:

int: Daffo:

This scene starts in total darkness, until after a beat lights start to 
cut through it. There are six of them. The lights look like they're 
searching in the ship. In what little light moves around, we can see the 
ship still seems to have what looks like a proper interior, but whatever 
wasn't bolted down has now been lost. As this scene moves along, so do 
the lights throughout the room.

Riokit: "What could have done this? Those gashes look like something 
only an animal could have done."

Aleekeyta: "I have a suspicion, but it seems wrong for me to even think 
it."

Maz: "What is your suspicion that you so strongly suspect is wrong?"

Aleekeyta: "Something the Thorcomen Defense Administration has never had 
to deal with before."

Maz: "You don't think?"

Aleekeyta: "It's very unlikely, but nonetheless they are still a threat 
in this galaxy."

Riokit: "Admiral."

Pan camera to a flashlight pointing at a door with dim light seeping out 
at its bottom.

Cut to:

int: Research Gathering Room:

We can now see the six. They're aliens; we'll come to learn that the 
name of their species is the Loumis. From inside the helmet we can see 
their faces. Two sets of eyes that look insect-like, nearly no nose. And 
a mouth that has a normal size lower lip, but the upper one is fat and 
wide, covered with thick bristled hair.

Aleekeyta: "It's nice to know the ship didn't lose -" Her speech has 
stopped due to - focus camera on a Loumis sitting in a chair. Seeing the 
full head of a Loumis now, we see the head has a Mohawk running down it. 
This Mohawk look goes for the other Loumis as well when we see them in 
nonprotective wear later. Mouth and eyes open, obviously dead, with an 
information transmitter on his forehead. Only this isn't with a thin 
wire, like the type seen in episode one; this one's wire is thick. 

Aleekeyta walks over to the sitting Loumis.

Now that she is standing before the dead one, softly, Cont: "All of 
its power." A beat, Cont: "Riokit, Maz, Simqa, Culat: I want you to 
detach the hardware this one is hooked up to, and take it back to the 
ship. Pearlsa, you and me, we'll search the ship for anyone else who 
might be able to lend us a clue as to what happened here."

Cut to:

ext: Space:

Focus the camera on the ship in good shape.

Cut to:

int: Research Gathering Room / Good Ship:

In this ship, the room is well lit. Two technicians are packing up the 
tools they used to install the other ship's hardware to this ship. 
Aleekeyta and Maz stand watching this.

Tech one: "The setup has been completed, Admiral Aleekeyta. Is there 
anything else here you'll be needing me for?"

Aleekeyta: "There will be nothing more. You can continue about your 
normal business."

Tech one: "Thank you, Admiral." And with that said, the two technicians 
take hold of their belongings then leave the camera's view.

Maz: "Shall I recall the final minutes?"

Aleekeyta: "There's no need to ask that, Maz. [ beat ] Go ahead, we need 
to find out what happened to that ship."

Maz punches a few buttons on the ship's hardware. Note: not what was 
just installed. 

Suddenly the new hardware lights up, and a screen jumps up into the air.

At first it's flickering black and gray. Then an image quickly forms of 
a Loumis talking in the center of the screen. 

The Loumis is waved away and we can now see what was behind the alien 
better. It's a window looking out onto outer space.

The screen camera turns and we see a Human male who could be in his 20's 
or 30's talking. Note when anything is shown on this screen, no sound is 
happening to accompany it.

The man stops talking and turns to the window like he's being told to 
look at it, as what looks like a star starts moving towards the ship, 
becoming larger as it moves.

The man turns his back to the one he was speaking to, talks, and then 
starts to run out of camera view.

The screen camera then quickly pans around so we can see the opposite 
side of the room. The screen camera POV is now running for a door.

The screen flickers black then gray before a new image comes up. The 
image is another screen that shows the object that is headed for the 
ship. It looks like a ball of light growing in size as it forms out a 
shape. As it moves along, it forms itself out into looking like a hawk 
with no truly outlined shape.

As the hawk moves along it forms out legs and feet containing talons. 

The image grows in size till it fills the screen.

The screen flickers black then gray before the last image comes up. This 
one is of the Loumis raising the information transmitter to his 
forehead, and placing it.

End Teaser

Pre-Credits:

Beginning of Act One:

int: Huer's Office:

Huer is right next to where Dr. Theopolis's face is built into the wall.

Huer: "I won't have it!"

Theopolis: "The rest of the Computer Council and myself don't agree with 
that doctor. Our conclusion is sound. All that remains to be done is to 
make the agreement a truly valid one with the Thorcomen Defense 
Administration."

Huer: "Still, Dr. Theopolis, there must be some way this can be 
prevented! We may be allies with the Thorcomen Defense Administration, 
but the Defense Directorate must stand alone, by itself in matters such 
as this!"

Theopolis: "I don't understand your point in saying that, Dr. Huer. 
Please clarify for me why you believe that to be so?"

Huer: "We're allies with the Loumis, with the Thorcomen Defense 
Administration, and have been for a hundred and ten years, ever since we 
first came into contact with them in the battle of the Norcame. And 
they've fought by our side time and time again since. But we must stand 
by ourselves in control, because if they were ever to deter from being 
our allies and became our foes, then where would that leave us, 
Theopolis?" A beat for Theopolis to think, that Huer doesn't mean for 
the computer to answer. Cont: "It gives them a means of power over us 
that leaves us in no control of our own actions in combat! That's why I 
won't have it, doctor!"

Theopolis: "I see your point now, Dr. Huer, but still I cannot speak for 
the rest of the council on that. Although there is something to your 
point that does worry me in itself."

Huer: "And what would that be?"

Theopolis: "Well a saying Captain Rogers once used on me, and I asked 
him to explain it to me. [ beat ] Don't you think you're jumping the gun 
on one this? Meaning; thinking of something that could be that may well 
won't."

Huer: "An interesting saying, and I understand its point. But I stand by 
my word nonetheless. [ beat ] Theopolis."

Theopolis: "Remember this is not official yet. Maybe, if you really feel 
so strongly about this, you could convince them this takeover of the 
Defense Directorate is really just simply an unwarranted act. But still 
remember, Dr. Huer, we in the Computer Council do not truly agree with 
you on this. This attack is the first the Thorcomen Defense 
Administration has dealt with. There still might be many more in the 
future to follow it."

Huer: "That attack is something I'm sure their media will milk for ages 
to come. The term "Unknown Eagle" was coined due to attacks that up 
until now have only been on Earth ships. And even then, only Earth ships 
carrying Humans. We don't know where these ships come from, or who's in 
control of them." Huer leaves where he's been standing to move around 
his office. Cont: "Dr. Theopolis, I'd like to speak to them personally. 
Try to change their minds on the matter by them seeing with their own 
eyes what I mean to do."

Theopolis: "And who is it of the Thorcomen Defense Administration that 
you'd like to have a word with?"

Cut to:

int: War Room:

It's a large room, surrounded by windows that normally in a time of war 
have panels coming off from the ceiling to cover them. But now the sun 
is shining in through them, and a silhouette, Huer stands at one looking 
out. Behind him is an island table with a painting on it that shows our 
solar system and many that lie out beyond it. The table also is littered 
in numbers spread out all over it. Admiral Aleekeyta stands behind the 
table and watches Huer, who is about to find out ...

Aleekeyta: "Hello Elias, it's been a long time since the last time we 
met here."

Huer turns to face her. Huer: "I know, Admiral Aleekeyta. Meeting with 
you here, my reason for it -"

Aleekeyta: "Elias, I know you too well. I know why you wanted me here."

A beat as Huer rubs his head. Cont: "You don't want the Thorcomen 
Defense Administration to take control of Earth's Defense Directorate. 
And you want to convince me the takeover is a bad choice."

Huer: "All of our ships have known for ages not to enter the Altaira 
Galaxy."

Aleekeyta: "But you've still sent ships."

Huer: "No, the Defense Directorate has not sent any ships. The only 
Earth ships that have gone out that way are ships that are independent 
of any Directorate. To what I've heard they've just been single 
passenger ships and research ones, some of them even loaded for bear."

Aleekeyta: "And that is what the Thorcomen Defense Administration 
intends to put an end to. That no Earth ships enter the Altaira Galaxy 
at all. That nothing like the incident with the Daffo ever happens 
again."

Huer: "That isn't what the Defense Directorate was set up to do. 
Aleekeyta, we don't see it as our job here to try to control people's 
movements. It was one of your ships that had a human crew member on it, 
not one of ours."

Aleekeyta: "Elias, this was not my decision, it was the Thorcomen 
Defense Administration's decision. They only sent me because it was my 
ship that found the Daffo; because we know each other and trust each 
other's decisions. If you can convince me the Thorcomen Defense 
Administration is wrong. Then they'll talk with your Computer Council 
over this matter, and put an end to this takeover talk."

Huer: "Aleekeyta, we may be friends who have had many good times in the 
past, and I hope we still will have many good times to come after this. 
But while you're here on Earth my only focus now with you is going to be 
the job at hand. Understood?"

Aleekeyta: "Doctor, there is nothing here you need to do to convince 
me."

Huer: "But you said a moment ago?"

Aleekeyta: "If this takeover happens it will mean the Defense 
Directorate's and the Defense Administration's staff will be mixed 
together. While I'm here I'll be observing how some of my Defense 
Administration's staff gets along with your staff."

Huer: "And how will that be done?"

Aleekeyta: "Elias, before I go any further with this I'd like to tell 
you that what. I'm about to tell you was approved by your Computer 
Council before I even set foot on Earth soil today."

Huer: "Spill it, Alee."

Aleekeyta: "You are not to tell anyone in your staff about this,  but 
cameras have been set up throughout the whole of the Defense Directorate 
to do this."

Huer's mouth opens in shock; then after a beat to find the right words 
to say, Huer: "Does your staff know about this?"

Aleekeyta: "They don't know and I'm never going to tell them."

Huer: "Are the cameras running now?"

Cut to:

Camera eye; this is one of the Administration's cameras. In its POV we 
can see with a high from above view, Buck, Fox, and Flash sitting at a 
table with food on it. They're in the Defense Directorate's idea of a 
food court. V.O. Aleekeyta: "Yes."

Flash: "I had four female Loumises with me! Four! Can either of you tell 
me you've ever beaten that?"

Normal camera view now at their table. Buck: "Flash, in all honesty I 
can tell you I've never slept with four Loumises. Or even one for that 
matter."

Flash: "You don't know what you're missing."

Fox: "You'll sleep with anything on two legs, won't you, Flash?"

Flash: "You're right, and I'll also sleep with things that have four 
legs as well."

Buck: "You're sick!"

Flash: "A Ked, Buck! I meant a Ked by that!" After a beat of trying to 
gain a good look of dignity in front of the two, Cont: "Buck, what have 
you done since you woke up in this century?"

Buck: "I've done lots, what are you asking about?"

Flash: "I meant how many women have you slept with?"

Buck: "Why are you asking me this?"

Flash: "I'm just wondering. The only people I ever really see you 
hanging around are De-Pas and Fox here." Flash is saying this with a 
smile.

Buck: "I'm not [ beat ] I had a girlfriend back in the 21st century. 
And I have been trying to get a girlfriend in this century. I just 
haven't had any real luck in it."

Flash: "Oh. So you now, Fox?"

Fox: "I like women. They just don't like me."

Flash goes into a look of deep thought, rubs his chin and then goes... 
Flash: "You know, you two are just the saddest pair of bachelors I've 
ever seen. And you know what I'd really like to see happen for the two 
of you?"

Buck: "Please tell me you're thinking with a clean mind right now, 
Flash."

Flash: "Oh my mind is being clean right now for once. Tell you guys 
what. If either of you can get dates with any of the Thorcomen Defense 
Administration's staff, I'll give you guys any of my music chips, any 
ones you want. I have hundreds."

Buck: "Tom Petty? AC/DC? Kid Rock?"

Flash: "Huh."

Fox: "Beethoven? Frank Sinatra? Green Day?"

Flash: "Never heard of -. I'll check, I, I have many chips."

Cut camera to another table; Wilma, Dantin, Thomas, and Jade sitting at it. 
Wilma is shaking her head watching Buck, Fox, and Flash. Note about 
Wilma: when we see her standing throughout this whole episode, we see a 
small brace cast on the ankle she shot in the last episode.

Dantin: "You find something wrong with what they're doing with their 
time off."

Wilma: "You mind if I speak my mind right now, Major?"

Dantin: "Go ahead."

Wilma: "They're boars. They're just a pack of boars."

Dantin: "All of them are boars? What about Rogers?"

Wilma: "What about Buck?"

Dantin: "Ever since you came back from that mission you, him, and 
Taindair had on Sanopp, you've been acting different towards him. Now 
it's my understanding from what I've been told of that event, that for 
the most part on that mission, you two weren't working together. What 
happened? And oh yeah, you've been acting even more different now 
towards him still. Word gets around; I heard something a little while 
ago about you two having to make a crash landing on Otie Nine. Wilma, 
you used to hate that man."

Wilma: "Nothing happened that's of importance to the Directorate."

Jade: "The way you interact with him, that's of importance to the 
Directorate."

Wilma: "Guys, all that happened in those events is my viewpoint on the 
man changed. He, he's a better person than the one I thought he was at 
first, that's all."

Dantin: "And you're now calling him a boar."

Wilma: "Guys, this is none of your business."

Dantin: "You don't like what he just agreed to with Flash and Fox. You 
don't want to see him date another woman."

Wilma: "That is such an ignorant way of looking at what those three just 
did. I'm not even going to respond to you, Major."

Jade: "Ha ha."

Wilma: "OK, time to leave this table."

Thomas: "You're not the only one, Willy. I just got a page."

Dantin: "From who?"

Thomas looks at his pager. Thomas: "Someone of no importance to you, 
Major Yogurt."

Dantin: "You're going to help that wolfman with something! He's the only 
one who calls me that, aside from Rogers!"

Thomas: "And just as Buck would say, "put a sock in it.""

Wilma and Thomas leave the table. Dantin: "Two months! Two months, Jade! 
And no one still will tell me what that means!"

Jade at this just sits looking at Dantin with a wide grin saying in 
look, "I know, you don't," in good amusement.

End of Act One:

Beginning of Act Two:

int: Huer's Office:

Both Huer and Aleekeyta are here. Aleekeyta is acting really relaxed, 
feet up on Huer's desk. Huer on the other hand, clearly isn't but he's 
trying to look like he is. From an alien projection device set up on the 
desk we see an ever-changing screen hovering in the air. What's being 
shown on the screen is film being captured from the many cameras that 
have been set about all over the place.

Aleekeyta: "Elias, just for once could you relax?"

Huer: "How can I relax with this going on?" He points to the screen.

Aleekeyta: "Only the guilty fear justice, Doctor. You have a fine staff 
who I'm sure will prove to you through this. That being as well trained 
in their jobs as they are, this takeover you fear won't be needed."

Huer: "Did you put any cameras on your own ship?"

Aleekeyta: "They're everywhere on my ship too. The Thorcomen Defense 
Administration when deciding to do this act of putting cameras 
throughout your Defense Directorate. Did remember that some of your 
staff might get curious about mine further and wander onto mine."

Huer's attention is suddenly snapped to a full looking at the screen.

Cont: "Is something wrong, Elias?"

Huer: "One of your staff is a Humdos!"

Aleekeyta: "You see something wrong with that?"

Huer: "Aleekeyta, I need to leave here. Right now!"

Aleekeyta: "You don't like Humdos?"

Huer: "No."

Aleekeyta: "Someone in your staff doesn't like Humdos?"

Huer: "No, he isn't a member of my staff. Alee, I need to go, get him in 
here before he encounters -. [ beat ] Oh my, I forgot his wife feels the 
same about them."

Aleekeyta: "Elias, what's going on? Who are these people you have about 
this Directorate that you don't want to encounter Ven-Aid, the Humdos I 
have working on my staff?!"

Huer: "Alee, I have two, no three Candos here! And one of them is a 
terrorist, he's here as a prisoner! His wife, and well sort of kid are 
here also! If he were to find out that there's a Humdos here. I don't 
even think his Vireis series ambuquad could stop him from doing 
something bad!"

Aleekeyta: "You have a known terrorist here?! And with free roam of your 
Directorate?! Elias, how could, how did you allow this to happen?!"

Huer: "He's no threat, Alee! At least to us, he only hates the Humdos!"

Aleekeyta: "My, what an interesting place you run here, Elias. This- 
this, doctor. Don't leave here. Don't talk to these Candos you have here 
at all. For what we're doing to work, neither of us can interfere with 
what takes place outside this room."

Huer: "Alee?"

Aleekeyta: "We are not to leave this room, or even contact Theopolis."

Huer: [ beat ] "Yes Madam."

Cut to:

int: Archives storage, Publications:

Buck and Fox stand in this room that filling its entire look has shelves 
completely stacked with magazines. Note Buck is looking at a Playboy.

Fox: "The same problem."

Buck: "At least you've spent your whole life in this century, I 
haven't."

Fox: "Born in the 25th, OK."

Buck: "The thing about now is well, times have changed. But people, they 
still act like people, Fox. The people we see around us today, I've 
known people who act like ones of today centuries ago."

Fox: "May be lost to time. Buck, were there any tricks to getting women 
in your day that you haven't seen yet happen in this day?"

Buck: "Watching Flash get women, I'd say most of the tricks. That I've 
known about for some time are still in use now."

Fox: "And what tricks aren't?" Fox takes the magazine from Buck, and 
starts to look at it.

Buck: "Well for one, I think Flash only acts how he does act to get 
women. I wouldn't be shocked if there's a whole other non-horntoad side 
to that man we've never seen before."

Fox: "What are you saying?"

Buck: "Fox, if you'll excuse my wording to this. If we stopped trying to 
act like sly foxes around women and acted like our true selves. Maybe 
we'd get some."

Fox: "Act like our true selves. Are you kidding?"

Buck: "Some women like to only see men act like who they really are."

A beat while Fox looks to be in deep thought. Fox: "I'm going to go raid 
the clothing area of the archives. How about you?"

Cut to: 

int: De-Pas'es living quarters:

Ge-Ja and Thomas stand outside a door. Ge-Ja is holding a bottle of 
something.

V.O. De-Pas: "No, I won't do it, no way!"

Ge-Ja: "De-Pas, I'm not asking much of you. All I'm asking is you make 
yourself presentable to the public."

V.O. De-Pas: "I've never had to do this before!"

Ge-Ja: "You've never had fleas before."

V.O. De-Pas: "Thomas, let me out of here!"

Thomas: "Can't do that De, I'm with your wife on this one."

V.O. De-Pas: "Ge-Ja!"

Ge-Ja: "I've heard there are some very important visitors here at the 
Directorate. Do you want to give them fleas or even your daughter?"

V.O. De-Pas: "No, I don't want to give anyone fleas."

Ge-Ja: "Then you'll use the special soap I got you?"

V.O. De-Pas: "No, I won't use that special soap you -. Ow!"

Thomas: "What is it you were thinking about doing?"

V.O. De-Pas: "Nothing bad!"

Thomas: "Nuisance, agrees with Ge-Ja and me, doesn't it?"

V.O. De-Pas growling:

Ge-Ja: "Nuisance will just keep stabbing you till you cave in to us, you 
know."

V.O. De-Pas: "Thomas?"

Speaking slowly, Thomas: "Yes?"

V.O. De-Pas: "Unlock the door, [ beat ] I'll use it."

Thomas takes a tool out of a pocket and uses it to open up the access 
panel by the door. Then taking another tool out of another pocket, he 
works it around the inside of the panel till a beat later Thomas nods to 
Ge-Ja.

Ge-Ja: "De-Pas."

V.O. De-Pas: "Yes?"

Ge-Ja: "It's been unlocked."

A beat, then through the Phasoft-door De-Pas reaches a hand out. Ge-Ja 
hands De-Pas the bottle, who takes it. Then he moves his hand with 
bottle back into the unseen room.

Talking under his breath, Thomas: "Would you like me to lock it again so 
you know he'll go through with it?"

Talking under her breath, Ge-Ja: "I don't think that will be needed, but 
thanks for the offer anyway."

Thomas leaving the scene, Thomas: "Good day and good luck then, Ge-Ja."

Cut to:

int: Main Entrance way to the Defense Directorate:

This is the entranceway that leads to the outside world of New Chicago. 
Wilma is bent over to interact with Twiki better. Who is standing near 
to her, facing the entranceway. People and aliens are moving in and out 
through its clear Phasoft-door. When someone isn't at the door it looks 
like red glass. Once someone has used an access pad, the glass turns 
plain clear, and they pass through.

Twiki: "Give me a reason."

Wilma: "I'm concerned for him. All these aliens moving around here he's 
not used to seeing. He might say something regrettable to one of them. [ 
beat ] I want to tell him what is and isn't OK to say to them."

Twiki: "Buck has been doing better with aliens for weeks now. I'm sure 
he won't fall off the wagon today."

Wilma: "Still Twiki, where is he?"

Twiki: "He's sailing to Brazil."

Wilma: "Twiki!"

Guest one: "Say, aren't you Colonel Deering?"

Wilma gets up to face Guest One, who's a Loumis. Wilma: "I am."

Guest One: "I've heard of you. I may work for the Thorcomen Defense 
Administration, but I've heard of you. You've fought many fine battles 
and won most of them. Tell me, I'd like to, do you drink coffee? I've 
been told it's a very popular drink on this planet. Would you like to 
drink coffee with me now?"

Wilma: "I can't, I'm sorry."

Guest One: "So tell me, where do you plan on being later?"

Wilma: "Can't tell, it's top secret."

Guest One: "Gotcha." 

Guest one walks away. Twiki turns to Wilma and tries to give her a 
raspberry but can't get it out right.

Wilma: "What was that?"

Twiki: "You know what that was."

Wilma looks around herself before turning her attention to a place off 
camera.

Cut camera to camera POV. She's looking right at it.

End of Act Two:

Beginning of Act Three:

int: Huer's Office:

Aleekeyta still looks as relaxed as before. Huer still doesn't have a 
kicked back look to him, but he does look more relaxed. In this scene, 
we're getting a forward look at them. Note we can't see the screen 
they're watching.

Aleekeyta: "Interesting outfit, I didn't know the Directorate recently 
had a dress code change." As she says this Huer runs one of his hands 
over his face at seeing the screen.

Cont: "What is its purpose?"

Huer groans, Cont: "Elias?"

Huer continues his groaning.

Cut to:

int: Study Center:

This room has a library-like look to it, in a sense. Picture rows of 
two-inch thick walls, with card size labels spread out on them every 
three inches. When someone presses one of these labels, it tells its 
contents in a stand out image, ex: "The Wizard's First Rule, by Terry 
Goodkind". After one moment the image goes back inside the label. If 
someone hits one of the labels twice a metal chip comes out of the 
label, which can be taken. Elsewhere in this room are tables filled with 
computers with hovering screens. On these tables right in front of each 
computer is a slot; this is where those chips go. There are many people 
in this room, none of which we've ever seen before, except for Buck and 
Fox. Buck is wearing a pair of khakis and a Hawaiian shirt. Fox on the 
other hand is a sight to see. Top to bottom on the view of him: a civil 
war cap, with a button on it that says "Don't Bomb Vietnam". A Chicago 
Cubs tee, a pair of bell-bottoms, and bowling shoes. The two of them are 
standing by one of the tables. Each of them is holding a hand each of 
these library chip books. They're discussing which one has the best read 
in it. But truly by how they're acting, that isn't really where their 
minds are. Some of the passersby just ignore them. Others just try to 
contain their laugher at them.

Cut camera to zoom up on an alien women looking outwards and smiling. 
She has green long hair. Her forehead down to the tip of her nose is 
pale green. And the rest of her face is a pinkish pale, yellow color. 
Her eyes are orange and she looks to be about Fox's age.

Cut camera backwards into the room from her, to where Fox is just by the 
camera.

Cut camera to a side view of this scene. She comes towards Buck and Fox; 
mainly towards Fox.

Once at the two she faces Fox. Her name is Burash. Burash: "That's an 
interesting uniform. What is it you do here?"

Buck looks to Fox with a smile. Fox: "I [ beat ] I'm one of its fighter 
pilots."

Burash: "Really, you're one of the fighters?"

Fox: "Yeah." Fox tries to put a hand on one of her shoulders. Once he 
touches her just a little she jerks back. Buck notices this with a 
worried look. Fox pulls back.

After a beat, Buck: "You're a member of the Thorcomen Defense 
Administration?"

Burash: "I am. You thought I wasn't?"

Buck: "Well before the other day I'd never heard of the Thorcomen 
Defense Administration. When I started finding out who you guys were -."

Burash: "The Loumis are the ones who founded the Thorcomen Defense 
Administration. But they aren't the only species in it, although I'm its 
first Gasheen. [ beat ] How is it that you're a member of the Defense 
Directorate, and you didn't well know who we were?"

Buck: "I'm kind of new here."

Burash: "Indeed, um what planet are you from?"

Buck: "Excuse me?"

Burash: "What planet are you from? I know you're human, but since you 
didn't know about the Thorcomen Defense Administration till just the 
other day, I can only guess that you must have just come here recently 
from some far off colony planet."

Buck: "I'm from this planet, Earth."

Burash: "How interesting."

Fox: "It is interesting. [ beat ] Your name, I haven't caught it. Mine 
is Fox."

Burash: "Burash Phillyma. You are a canine, not human?"

Fox: "What?"

Burash: "You are "Fox"?"

Fox: "Oh no no, I'm not a canine. Fox is just my last name. I only like 
to go by my last name. My first name is Hieronymous."

Burash: "How interesting. I think I understand now why you go by your 
last name."

Buck: "You wouldn't happen to have any friends here would you? Any 
female friends?"

Burash: "I - I don't have any friends; as I said I'm the 
Administration's first Gasheen. But I know other beings in the 
Administration. [ beat ] Would you like to see my ship?" She turns to 
Fox. Cont: "Fox?" Then she turns to Buck. Cont: "Your name? The name you 
like to go by?"

Buck: "Buck."

Burash: "Buck?"

Fox: "We would love to, Burash."

Burash: "Follow me, I'm sure your chips will work on my ship. It has 
some astonishing computers on it."

She walks off camera, followed by Fox and then Buck.

Cut to:

int: De-Pas'es Living Quarters:

When this scene starts De-Pas is walking into his living room. Ge-Ja and 
Beu-Pas are sitting on the living room floor. The two of them are 
playing a little game. Ge-Ja picks up a wooden letter block and shows it 
to the infant. After saying a word that begins with that letter she puts 
down the block, then asks Beu-Pas what's the next letter of the word. 
Note: De-Pas looks like he has just taken a bath. His only covering is a 
towel wrapped around his waist. He's rubbing another towel all over in 
his hair to make it dry. Note the Vireis series ambuquad "Nuisance" is 
sitting on one of De-Pas'es shoulders.

At first not noticing them, De-Pas is walking towards Ge-Ja and Beu-Pas. 
It looks like the only thing he's paying attention to is drying off.

Ge-Ja: "Cow, Beu-Pas. Cow, what letter comes next?"

Beu-Pas, makes some happy baby noises and grabs a "U".

Ge-Ja picks up the right block. Ge-Ja: "It's the letter "O", oh my oh my 
oh my." De-Pas is watching them, now smiling at the sight.

Beu-Pas'es happy infant sounds pick up more at this.

De-Pas continues drying himself off, smiling at the two. 

Till he looks at a window and the smile goes away.

After a beat he looks down at the ground, then to his wife and baby.

Cut to:

int: Hallway, just outside of Huer's office:

Wilma is holding one of the Administration's cameras. It's the size of a 
shirt button. She's pushing on the door.

Wilma: "Dr. Huer?"

 A beat, no answer.

Cont: "Dr. Huer, did you know -. Oh Rats to hell."

Cut to:

int: Huer's Office:

Aleekeyta and Huer look just about how we saw them last time. Only now 
Huer doesn't look like he's in embarrassment for his staff. Suddenly 
into this scene, Wilma comes through the door.

Wilma: "Dr. Huer! Did you -!" Wilma notices what Huer and Aleekeyta are 
doing.

Wilma walks over to Huer. After a beat, Huer: "You tell no one." Note 
Huer hasn't turned away from looking at the screen.

Aleekeyta: "How did she get in here?"

Huer: "Don't know," beat, Cont: "Told you she was clever."

Wilma: "What is going on here! Are you two, are you two spying on us?! 
The whole Directorate?!"

Huer: "Wilma, I really don't want to tell you what's going on. In fact 
care to join us?"

Wilma: "What?! You don't want to tell me what's really going on and you 
still want me to join you?!"

Aleekeyta: "You'll worry less if you don't know what's going on. Now 
find some place to sit. Because you're not leaving here till Elias says 
it's OK."

Wilma: "Dr. Huer!"

Huer: "She means it, Wilma. You can't leave here."

Wilma: "W-why?"

Aleekeyta: "Sit."

Wilma still looking surprised and unsure in action. Finds a spot on the 
floor, and sits.

Cut to:

int: The Red Mass / Good Ship:

Buck or camera POV; the whole scene is colored in shades of pink. That 
flare once in a while to white. Imagine the whole of the ship's insides 
flashing around randomly and incredibly fast.

After a beat this chaos starts to greatly slow down.

Cut camera to side view of this happening. Buck, Fox, and Burash are 
standing in this void of shifting images. Once it has slowed down to a 
good degree, the image begins to stand more and more on one room. The 
room the scene is shifting into looks like some kind of holding pen.

int: Holding Pen:

Slowing down to a stop now. Everything is in normal colors now. After a 
beat, Burash: "Welcome to the Ratadoc, Fox."

Buck and Fox look all over the place. While Burash goes to a force field 
sealed off doorway and enters a code into a pad by the door. Making the 
force field give way.

Cut to:

int: Next Room:

Close up on Burash who puts a hand on her head showing she's in pain. 
Note: her back is to Buck and Fox.

After a beat of this, V.O. Loumis Doctor: "I think it's time you took 
your medicine, Burash." At this Burash looks outwards in fear and more 
pain.

End of Act three:

Beginning of Act Four:

This scene begins were Act Three left off. Pull camera back from Burash 
to see glittering, white crystal looking walls. Which are the same as 
the walls inside the Holding Pen. The Loumis Doctor stands with his back 
to the camera. 

Buck and Fox now enter the scene from behind Burash. Buck: "You're ill?"

Burash: "I, Fox, Buck, I need to go with, go with him. Go about the ship 
as you wish, I'll catch up with you later." Her voice sounds in pain as 
she says this line.

Fox shares at her, back then to Buck, then back to Burash.

Buck: "[ beat ] You don't have to go, Burash. We have doctors at the 
Directorate that can take care of you."

Burash turns back to Buck and Fox before speaking. Burash: "No no, he 
has to take care of this. There aren't many, he's the only one around 
who can treat me."

At the same time, "Burash." This just came from both, Fox and Buck.

Loumis Doctor: "You're not members of this ship's crew. Don't disturb us 
in our business."

Fox: "She doesn't sound too fond of you."

Burash: "It's OK, Fox. You and Buck, can -." She's choking up as she's 
speaking.

Loumis Doctor: "Leave us alone, and just wander off."

Buck: "Burash, has this man done any -?"

Loumis Doctor: "This isn't your ship. Back off." At this having been 
said, the doctor takes hold of Burash and walks off with her out of the 
room.

Cut camera to; Buck and Fox. Buck looks pissed while Fox just looks 
really worried.

Cut to: 

int: Work Shop:

De-Pas is in here with a women named Kate, who's acting very excited. 
De-Pas is holding a large piece of equipment in his hands. Note, 
Nuisance is siting on his shoulder and will be still sitting on his 
shoulder in the next scene.

Kate: "Are you sure? I mean completely sure this will work how you say 
it will work?"

De-Pas: "It's a dangerous sport, Kate. One I'd never participate in. 
Trust me when I say this, I'm really sure, really certain this will work 
right. With this working hand in hand with your Cheetah Bolt ship's 
navigational controls. Your reaction time at the controls will be noted 
instantaneously."

Kate: "I hope, I mean the Olympics are only seven months away. I need 
good parts in my ship for good practice. One mistake -"

De-Pas: "Not in the way you'd encounter them, but I know force fields 
can be no fun."

Kate: "Exactly, thanks for this. Wanna help me install this into my 
ship?"

De-Pas: "It would be my honor, Kate." And with that having been said 
they go off camera.

Cut to:

int: Hallway just outside of the workshop:

De-Pas and Kate have just entered here. And as that happened they have 
to quickly slide move against the wall to make way for others passing 
through the hallway. The others are ones we've never seen before.

A Humdos goes past the camera.

Cut camera close on De-Pas; wide eyed.

Cut camera back to the Humdos staring at De-Pas as it moves along.

Cut camera back to De-Pas; as he was before, to now after a beat he 
closes his eyes.

Pull camera back a little to see, Nuisance moving around on De-Pas'es 
shoulders watching his face. Kate: "Wasn't that a Humdos?"

De-Pas: "Yes, it was."

Kate: "Aren't they the ones that back on your home planet -."

De-Pas: "Yes I know, please don't remind me."

Cut camera to close up on Nuisance; who in its own way looks shocked by 
the lack of reaction. And isn't moving around on De-Pas'es shoulders.

Cut to:

int: The Ratadoc or Good Ship:

Coming up to just outside of a door marked Medical Treatment Facility, 
are Buck and Fox.

Buck listens at the door, which is not Phasoft in nature.

After a beat he gets a disgusted look on his face and looks back to Fox 
with it.

Fox understands, looking cold.

At almost the same moment the two of them proceed to work at breaking 
the door down because it won't open. 

Fox: "Burash!"

V.O. and in a quaking voice, Burash: "Fox!"

They get the door broken down and then they quickly go inside it. V.O. 
Loumis Doctor: "What are you two doing here! Leave us alone!"

After a quick beat we hear the sounds of a fight. Holding on the scene 
for a couple of beats more before...

Cut to:

int: The room with the health regeneration chambers built into it:

Buck, Burash, Fox, and a Nurse named Stevens are here, when this scene 
starts. Burash is sitting on one of the pullout planks. Fox is by her 
side talking with her. Buck is with Stevens.

Camera on Buck and Stevens, Buck: "Are you sure she'll be OK after that 
treatment you gave her with the chamber?"

Stevens: "The only condition the chambers can't cure is a fatal injury. 
She's going to be fine, [ beat ] at least physically."

Buck: "Except for a fatal injury? What about Wilma's ankle?"

Stevens: "She WANTED to heal it the old-fashioned way. She told me it 
had something to do with being angry with you. And healing it that way 
to make a point to you."

After a beat, Buck: "So what's going to happen to her?"

Stevens: "I don't know, she's not one of ours so we have no control over 
what happens to her."

Cut to:

int: Huer's Office:

Everyone is seated how we last saw them. As this scene starts, Aleekeyta 
stands up.

Aleekeyta: "I've seen enough. Elias, I've made my decision."

As Huer stands up from where he's been sitting. Wilma looks to the two 
of them, puzzled. Huer: "Alee, please I run a good Directorate, don't 
-."

Aleekeyta: "I'm not going to recommend the take over."

Wilma: "So that's what this was about. Why didn't you want me to know?"

Huer: "Alee and I are the only ones here meant to know about what was 
happening, Wilma. [ beat ] It was done so Alee could see how you all act 
when you don't know your behavior is being judged."

After a beat of letting this sink in, Wilma: "I understand, Dr. Huer I'm 
sorry for how I've been acting." 

Huer: "Wilma, I'm not angry at you. I think how you've been acting is 
quite understandable under the circumstances."

A beat, Wilma: "What's going to happen to Burash?"

Aleekeyta: "She hasn't been working for me long. But ever since she 
first stepped on board my ship I've known the Red Mass has been causing 
her pain. She's a good officer, loyal. I had no idea he was hurting her 
that way. [ beat ] Elias, you have a fine staff, good and loyal. Burash, 
I'd like it very much if you took her into your Defense Directorate. 
She'll serve you well."

Huer: "I'll do that, Alee."

Wilma slowly stands up from where she's been sitting because of her 
injury.

After walking over to Huer, Wilma: "May I leave now?"

Huer: "What you witnessed here?"

Wilma: "Doesn't leave here."

Huer: "You can leave now, Wilma."

As Wilma leaves the room, Huer and Aleekeyta watch her leave.

Cut to:
 
int: Buck's Living Quarters:

With reading light overhead and laying on the couch, Buck is reading a 
book. As this scene starts, knocking can be heard.

Buck: "You can come in."

Fox enters, Cont: "So how's she doing?"

Fox: "Settling in." Walking over to Buck, and pulling a music chip out 
of his pocket, Cont: "Here, got it from Flash. Didn't tell him it was 
for you."

Putting down his book and sitting up to take the chip in Fox's hand. 
Buck: "Thanks, who is it?"

Fox: "Missing Persons, never listened to it before. But I've heard it's 
old."

Buck: "Destination Unknown, isn't it always."

Fox: "What?"

Buck: "It's the name of one of their songs. [ beat ] You can never truly 
know what's on the path ahead, Fox."

Fox: "Is that in the song's lyrics?"

Buck: "No, but it should be."

End Of Act Four.

The End. 

Roll Credits.