Copywrite 1999 -- Robert Baer Jr. DISCLAIMER Road Rovers characters, names, situations and the Road Rovers universe are the property of Warner Bros. I, nor this script/story are connected with Warner Bros. in any way, shape or form. This document may not be publicized or reproduced in any way, shape or form. It must remain fully intact and may be be altered in anyway. It is strictly used for not-for-profit entertainment purposes only, and is not intended to infringe on any Copyrights. This story is written by Robert Baer Jr and the characters Fydo, Boomer, Rasputin, Saundra, Alexander, Grunt, Daisy, Abdullah, Bob, Jake, Marie, Francis, Calypso, Sheena, Bruno, Molly and Flash are all Robert Baer Jr's creations, copyright pending, 1999. The Space Rovers -- "Slave Planet -- Part 1" The scene opens with Captain Persia sitting in her private quarters, relaxing and recording her daily log entry. PERSIA: (speaking into a wireless microphone) Captain's log, entry 345. After departing Jurrassia we have been given a new assignment. We are to proceed with all speed to a faint distress signal in another part of the galaxy. My chief engineer can only give me warp four speed, due to the damage our engines sustained in our mission in Jurrassia. Also damaged was our new artificial wormhole generator that Daisy and Flash had installed on board. The two sisters have been working through the night with Molotov er.. I mean Molly to repair both the engines and the generator. These developments will delay us from reaching our destination by one solar day. Fydo, the latest addition to our crew, has been a surprisingly good crewman! He works well helping Calypso tutoring the ship's children as well as helping out in the ship's lounge. I must admit my first instincts about Ensign Rasputin appear to be wrong. Ever since our mission to Jurrassia was completed, he has more respectful towards me and the other officers, although he has still been attempting to date every female member of my crew (except me!). I am a little concerned about Lt Commander Saundra. Last night, she had a very distressing nightmare about her childhood. Dr Abdullah and Dr Sheena both say that there is nothing physically wrong with her, but still.... Persia's intercom activates, it's Rasputin RASPUTIN: Captain Persia, it's Saundra! She had the nightmare again ..... PERSIA: I'm on my way, Captain out Persia throws on a nightgown and runs down the hallway to Saundra's room. Rasputin is there as is Whitey and Grunt. Boomer was already there, embracing Saundra in his arms. Saundra is in tears and shaking, begging Boomer to hold her. RASPUTIN: Captain, I called Dr Sheena, she'll be here shortly. PERSIA: Very good, Ensign. GRUNT: Grrrrrrrrr! Growl!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrrr!!! RASPUTIN: Thank you, sir! That's the first compliment you've ever given me! PERSIA: The situation is under control now, security detail, dismissed! Grunt and Rasputin leave the room as Sheena enters with a med kit. SHEENA: Captain, will you and Whitey please leave the room? I can't exactly ask Boomer to go since my patient won't release him! PERSIA: Understood, Sheena, please keep me posted about her condition. Persia and Whitey walk down the hallway together. WHITEY: Captain, please explain this to me. Why is Saundra having these violent nightmares. PERSIA: It goes back to her past, Whitey. Did she ever tell you how she became a Road Rover? WHITEY: I've never spoken at length with the Commander on this matter. PERSIA: Well, it's a long story, come with me to my quarters and I'll explain it to you. Whitey and Persia enter her quarters. Each grabs a chair and sits down, Persia offers Whitey some herbal tea but he refuses it. PERSIA: Whitey, when Saundra was almost a year old, she contracted heartworm disease. She knew very sick, mainly because her owner refused to get her proper veternary care. Instead, he took her out into the woods and shot her, to 'put her out of her misery'. WHITEY (shaking his head) How could a human who claims to be civilized do such a terrible thing! PERSIA: Well, anyway, a young Road Rover Cadet named Boomer was test driving a new vehicle in that area when he heard the gunfire. Boomer ran over to Saundra, gently placed her in the vehicle and drove straight back to Road Rover Headquarters. The Master told Boomer to place her in the transdogmafier, that perhaps it would help regenerate her vital tissues and repair the damage the bullet had made. The transdogmafier worked better than expected! Not only was Saundra made whole of the gunshot wound, but it also cured her of the dreaded heartworm disease! In gratitude to the Master for saving her life, she volunteered to join the Road Rovers. She seems to be dreaming about the day that her owner shot her. WHITEY: Now I see! This is why she calls out for Boomer, also. I thought that perhaps she was having nightmares about her former husband .... PERSIA: Whitey, that's one subject that you really shouldn't discuss with her. Rasputin nearly got his face slapped off asking her about Dreadnaught. WHITEY: I see, well, what can we do about ...... A loud horn sounds all over the ship, a voice blasts over the intercom system "INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!" RASPUTIN (over the intercom) Intruder detected, last seen near shuttle craft bay four! PERSIA: We better go see what's going on! WHITEY: Bay four! That's where our shuttle from Jurrassia is sitting The scene shifts to the intruder, who is large and remains in the shadows. The intruder, hearing the security team approaching, ducks into a nearby room. The intruder attempts to hide in a circular tube, unaware that it is one of the ship's transdogmafiers! As Rasputin, Grunt, Whitey and Persia enter the room, they are too late! The machine had already activated, the intruder can be barely seen through the smoke, it grows larger, too large for the chamber and the chamber falls apart. When the smoke clears, they cannot believe their eyes! PERSIA: Oh my gosh! It's Bob, Roberto's son! True, it was Bob, the young Brontosaurus, but now he had been transformed into a Dino-Sapien. WHITEY: He must've stowed away in our shuttle, Captain! RASPUTIN: Never mind that, is he alright? Bob began to look at his new limbs, his silver uniform and his reflection in a nearby mirror, and began crying. BOB: (crying loudly) What happened to me! PERSIA: Bob, listen to me, you accidently stepped into one of our transdogmafiers and it has changed your body .... BOB: (sobbing) I don't want to look like this! I'm sorry I sneaked aboard your vessel, Captain, but please, I'll do anything you ask me, please don't leave me looking like this! PERSIA: Rasputin, Grunt, please take Bob to sick bay, and see if Daisy or Flash can assist Dr Abdullah in helping us find a way to reverse the efforts of the machine. Inform Marie and Francis that we have a transdogmafier that needs repaired. RASPUTIN: Yes, sir! Careful, Grunt! Bob hasn't gotten used to his new legs yet, we may have to carry him to sick bay! Rasputin and Grunt leave with Bob, Whitey and Persia stand, staring at the pile of metal and twisted parts on the floor. PERSIA: Whitey, better go with them, help them all you can. I need to contact Jurrassia, and tell Roberto about his son. The scene switches to the engineering section, where Molly, Marie, Francis, Daisy and Flash are all working on systems repairs. Daisy and Flash begin whistling Dixie as they work. MOLLY: (Angerly) For the love of Mother Russia, vill you two Bloodhounds stop that racket! DAISY: Me? FLASH: and just what's wrong with whistling! MOLLY: You two are driving me insane! FRANCIS: Ease up, Molly. We've all been working for twenty hours straight, we'll all a little bit edgy and ...... MOLLY (angerly) And I'm going to ram these wrenchs down their throats if they continue that loud whistling! MARIE: Madam, please calm down! We're nearly half way completed with the engine repairs, and .... MOLLY (angerly) you two Frenchy's stay out of this! FRANCIS: (growling) Don't talk to my wife like that! Molly, Francis and Marie drop their tools and begin growling at each other, Daisy and Flash get scared and run for the exit, only to be met there by Rasputin and Grunt. Grunt runs over to the three growling dogs and stands between them. GRUNT: Grrrrrrrrrr!!! Growl!!!!!!!! Grrrrrrrrr! Hearing that, Molly, Marie and Francis walk away, pick up their tools, and begin working again. FLASH: Grunt always did have a way with words! DAISY: Yes, isn't he just dreamy? RASPUTIN: Ladies, we need one of you to come with me to the Sick Bay, there's been an accident with one of the transdogmafiers and Dr Abdullaha and Whitey need your help! FLASH: Ok, I'll go, Daisy can stay here! DAISY: Fine with me, as long as Grunt stays here, too! RASPUTIN: Whatever, this is an emergency. come with me now, plesae, Flash! FLASH (softly) I'll go anywhere with you, studmuffin! RASPUTIN: Oh, brother ..... The scene shifts to the bridge, where Persia is talking to Roberto on the main viewing screen, trying to explain to him what happened to his son. ROBERTO: My son, a Dino-Sapien? PERSIA: Yes, sir. It was an accident, our medical staff is working on a way to reverse the process now! ROBERTO: I do believe you, Captain! Bob has always been a bit headstrong, he gets that from his mother, she died a few years ago. PERSIA: I'm sorry, my friend. ROBERTO: Well, you've told me you're on a mission now, I understand. Please, do the best you can to make him normal again! He is a brillaint lad, a gifted student, one of the smartest young dinosaurs on Jurrassia! Perhaps while he's on your ship, he can prove useful to you on your mission! PERSIA: We'll look out for your son, you have my word on it, Prime Minister! ROBERTO: Your word is good enough for me, Captain! Roberto out! BRUNO: Well, he took that news a lot better than I thought he would, Captain! PERSIA: Yes, that Roberto is a very understanding fellow! ALEXANDER: Captain, we are still a solar day from our destination, better get some sleep. PERSIA: You too, old man! You've been up too long yourself! ALEXANDER: Alright, Persia. Jake, you have the com. JAKE: Alright! er... sir! BRUNO: Captain, Sheena is calling. PERSIA: On speakers, Bruno! SHEENA: Captain, I report to you that Saundra is resting now, I gave her a mild sedative. PERSIA: Any idea what's causing her nightmares? SHEENA: No, ma'am, I'm not sure. Boomer refuses to leave her side, he insists on staying with her. PERSIA: You tell Boomer to get some sleep, and that's an order! If you have to, give HIM a sedative as well! I need him well rested for our upcoming mission SHEENA: Will do, Captain, Sheena out! BRUNO: Captain, Dr Abdullah is calling PERSIA: On speakers! ABDULLAH: Captain, I wish not to give you disturbing news, but at present, I know of no way of returning Bob to normal PERSIA: Explain. ABDULLAH: My Captain, the transdogmafier have changed his genetic code, in ways I cannot explain. Flash and Whitey are also here, and they also have no solutions. PERSIA: Doctor, keep me advised on your progress, Persia out! Now, old man, let's get some rest! ALEXANDER: Aye, Captain! The next morning, Bruno walks into the engineering section holding two cups of coffee. Molly, his wife, is asleep, slumped over in a chair, holding a laser wrench in her hand. BRUNO: (shaking her) Molly! Wake up! MOLLY: Er... what the? Oh, hi honey! What are you doing here? BRUNO: You fell asleep on the job, I brought you some strong coffee! MOLLY: Thank you, darling! We're very close to finishing the repairs on the engines! Where's the others? Molly and Bruno look around and find Marie, Francis and Daisy all asleep on the floor. BRUNO: Looks like you're not the only one who worked through the night MOLLY: (smiling) I must admit, these folks sure work hard! And, although I'd NEVER admit it to their faces, I really admire Daisy and Flash, their knowledge of engineering and .... DAISY: (springing up to her feet) Wow! That's great, Molly! I knew you really liked us all along, I just knew it! Molly growled loudly, turns and walks away MOLLY: Alright, everyone wake up! We have work to do! The scene shifts to the sick bay. Bob is still sleeping in a hospital bed, Sheena, Abdullah, Whitey and Flash are all standing around him. ABDULLAH: I've racked my brain, and I can not pinpoint a solution to this problem. WHITEY: If my powers could work on living matter, I could change him back myself! FLASH: I can't even think of a way to rewire a transdogmafier to change him back. SHEENA: Wait a mintue, gents, I think our patient is waking up! You blokes stay here, I have to go see Saundra! ABDULLAH: Yes, by all means, do that, Sheena! BOB: (yawning) Hi guys! Well, can you change me back? WHITEY: We haven't found an answer yet, Bob. FLASH: But don't y'all worry none, we're still working on it! BOB: Well, if I must stay like this for a while, I may as well get used to this new body of mine. ABDULLAH: Well, we have given you every type of examination we can give you, perhaps it would be good for you to go to the ship's lounge area and relax. WHITEY: I have to report to the bridge, Flash, will you please escort our guest to the lounge? FLASH: It'll be my pleasure, y'all! BOB: Ok, let's go! ABDULLAH: I will continue to study your DNA, Bob, don't worry, we'll do all we can do for you! BOB: Thanks, Doctor! Flash and Bob enter the lounge area, Jake is on the stage with his guitar, singing. JAKE: (singing) Well I can't get a long little dogie, I can't even get one that's small, I can't get a long little dogie, I can't get a dogie at all! BOB: (shouting) That's wonderful singing, sir! JAKE: (stops singing and puts down his guitar) Why, thank you, hey, you're Bob, aren't you? BOB: (sadly) yeah, and I guess you heard about my accident.... JAKE: Hey, cheer up, pal! Being a little bit human ain't so bad. In fact, every one of us on this ship used to be four legged dogs! Now, look at us! Each has a special talent to contribute to the group! BOB: (smiling) You mean, the transdogmafier gives you all special abilities? JAKE: Well, most of us it does! FLASH: (sadly) Yeah, like me and my sister didn't get any special powers! JAKE: (removing his cowboy hat) How can y'all say that? You and Daisy are the most brilliant scientific minds on this ship! FLASH: (looking up at Jake) Really? You mean that? JAKE: Of course I do, ma'am! Now, Bob..... hey, where is he? Bob was looking out of the window into space, fascinated by the view. BOB: WOW!!! This is deep space! I've dreamed long and hard of seeing this. It's beautiful! FLASH: Yes, it is indeed! JAKE: Now Bob, what do you think of this spacecraft of ours? BOB: This is totally awesome! FLASH: Jake, I have to return to engineering,. would you be so kind as to show Bob around the rest of the ship? JAKE: Sure, ma'am, I'd be more than happy to! Come along, Bob! I'll bet your hungry! Let's go to the galley! BOB: If a galley is where the food is, let's go! The scene shifts back to the bridge, the Canius Minor is now close to the source of the distress signal. The journey has taken them to a strange orange planet. PERSIA: Bruno, can you make any scene out of the distress call? BRUNO: Nyet, Captain. The message just repeats itself, old standard Morse code for S O S PERSIA: Open a channel BRUNO: Channel open, Captain! PERSIA: This is Captain Persia of the Canius Minor, we had heard your distress signal, are you in need of assistance? BRUNO: I am getting a reply, but it's audio only. PERSIA: On speakers! MARK DEPAUL: (on speakers) Greetings, Captain Persia! I am Mark Depaul, assistance director of the governing body of the Planet Kios. We are not in distress, ma'am, nor are we aware of anyone in danger on this world. PERSIA: Tell me then, Mark Depaul, what is the signal that you have been transmitting? MARK DEPAUL: Signal? Oh, you mean our location beacon! We have started to continueously transmit this signal so that our new fleet of space ships can find home again! PERSIA: I see! Are your ships equipped with computers, or directional scanning devices? MARK DEPAUL: What are those things, Captain? PERSIA: We'd be happy to send down a landing party and help you with your space technology! MARK DEPAUL: Well, alright! Let me tell our leaders that you'll be coming. We need all the help we can get with our quest for new help! PERSIA: Alright, Mark Depaul, let us know where we can land, we await further instructions, Persia out. ALEXANDER: Who will lead the away team this time? PERSIA: This time, old man, I want you to lead the landing party! ALEXANDER: (happy) Yes, ma'am! PERSIA: This will be a purely diplomatic mission, and a chance to assist the Kiosians in their interplanetary travel plans. Take Rasputin, Whitey and Boomer with you on this one. ALEXANDER: Aye, Captain! SAUNDRA: Captain, may I go too? PERSIA: Are you sure you feel up to it, Saundra? SAUNDRA: Yes, ma'am, I feel up to it! PERSIA: Very well, Saundra, you're in! Old man, assemble your landing party on shuttlebay one. ALEXANDER: Aye, Persia, and I thank you again! Alexander, Rasputin, Boomer, Saundra and Whitey all gather in the shuttle bay. Mark Depaul had just given them the landing instructions. As the landing party departed in their shuttlecraft. Bruno had a troubling message for Persia. BRUNO: Captain Persia, I've been monitoring the radio transmissions from Kios, and I think you better hear this for yourself. PERSIA: Hear what, Bruno? BRUNO: Captain, there are advertisements for slaves being broadcast. PERSIA: Slavery? How can humans be so cruel as to enslave their own kind? BRUNO: Captain, you don't understand. These are humanoid creatures on this planet, this is true, but from the messages that I've been receiving, they're not enslaving each other, they're enslaving..... DOGS! PERSIA: Dogs? Bruno, contact the shuttlecraft, order them to turn around! BRUNO: Too late, Captain, the shuttlecraft has already landed. PERSIA: What have we gotten ourselves into this time? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ......... to be continued