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, Deborah, Orchid, Dot, Hans and Flash are all Robert Baer Jr's creations, copyright pending, 1999. The Space Rovers -- "Ambush on Fliios 3 -- Part 1" The scene opens with Captain Persia, siitting alone in her office, having a cup of herbal tea and making another log entry. PERSIA: (into the recording device) Captain's Log, entry 451, it's been five solar days since we departed from Graum 7, we are surveying an unexplored region of space. Our search was made more meaningful when Ensign Bob told you all about a mineral called 'Barium' a glowing, orange element that, in concerntrated form, be an almost unexhaustable source of power. Bob told us how nearly all of the planets in the Jurrassian Alliance use it to provide energy for their worlds. So far, our search for Barium has come up empty. Speaking of Ensign Bob, he has shown a remarkable level of intellegence! Yesterday, Calypso gave him an IQ exam, and he nearly scored perfect on it! Cadet Fydo reports that Bob also possesses a photographic memory, having read the ship's entire library of books and computer educational records in a matter of four hours! Dr Adbullah, Dr Sheena and Whitey have concluded that this was yet another 'side effect' from Bob's transdogmafier accident. Even with the data gathered from their experiments on Graum, neither the medical staff nor my science officers have come up with a way to change Bob back to normal. Speaking of Graum, I hereby recommend a commendation for Cadet Fydo for his bravery and quick thinking in the line of duty. He is still recovering from the numerous alien bee stings, but Dr Sheena says he'll be released from sick bay later today. I also recommend repromands to be placed in the permanent files of Cadets Dot, Deborah and Orchid for their unruly behavior on Graum 7. Further repromands for Cadets Dot and Orchid for disobedience and lying to a superior officer. The three cadets are finishing their temporary assignments in the medical unit today. Dr Sheena reports that Cadet Deborah has been a pleasant surprise in sick bay! Dot and Orchid have been grumbling and growling during their 'stay', but Cadet Deborah has really 'gotten into' her work, even spending part of her off duty hours in sick bay with patients and studying medical texts. It's hard to believe that someone with this sort of natural nursing 'skills' could've ever been assigned to the Security forces. Hmmmmmmmmmm...... The scene shifts to sick bay, Deborah is at Fydo's bedside, fluffing up his pillow and filling his water bowl. Dot and Orchid are in the laundry room, cleaning specimen flaks and washing soiled linens. Calypso enters the sick bay with all of the ship's 'children' following her to Fydo's room. CALYPSO: (shouting through a closed door) HEY, FYDO MON? YOU BE DESENT? DEBORAH (shouting back at Calypso): YES, HE IS, PLEASE COME IN! Calyspo opens the door and all of the children rush and surround Fydo's bed, each are holding homemade get well cards and shouting happily at their 'hero'. Fydo is so moved that he starts crying. CALYPSO: (talking to Deborah) See, Deborah, look how happy they be to see him! DEBORAH: (looking sadly at Calypso) Yes, it seems that Fydo has found his true calling CALYPSO: Hey, what be the matter, Deborah? I can see sadness in those brown eyes of yours, tell it to Calypso! DEBORAH: (sitting down in a chair) Well, today I'm being transferred back to security...... CALYPSO: And I take it you are not pleased at this, are you? DEBORAH: (sadly) no. I know the Captain was punishing me for what I did on shore leave, but being assigned here was no punishment to me, I have really enjoyed it more than I have ever thought I would! It was like in the old days ........ Deborah began to sob, Calyspo held her hand gently. DEBORAH: You don't understand, ma'am. Before I became a Space Rover, I was a guide dog for my blind master, a young lady named Sarah. For over a year, I went with her everywhere, helping her cross the street, go to her office, walks in the park. Helping Sarah made me feel so wonderful, I was so happy until the day .... until the day her family falsely accused me of biting her! It wasn't me, another dog had bitten her in the park that day, not me! Sarah tried to tell them, but since she was blind, no one believed her. I was send to a shelter and almost put to sleep for ..... CALYPSO: (patting her hand) And now, your brief tour of duty working with Sheena and Adbullah has made you feel that same, warm way again, hasn't it? DEBORAH (surprised) Yes!!! But how did you know? CALYSPO: (smiling) I tell you missy, when you be on the earth as long as I had, you can see the obvious when others overlook it. I could see the happiness on your face the day you cared for my kid's bee stings on Graum! DEBORAH: YES!! That's when it happened! I love working here in sick bay, I don't want to return to Security..... The children came over to where Deborah was sitting. YURI: Miss Deborah, thank you for taking good care of Uncle Fydo for us! FELIPE: We, we, madam! You are a great nurse! GRETA: We all made you a card, too! Deborah looked at the small handmade thank-you card and began to cry. JOSEPHINE: Miss Deborah, why are you so sad? DEBORAH (weeping) This is the best gift I have ever received in my whole life, thank you all! All of the children hug Deborah, but especially Greta, (Hans daughter, the German Shepard). FYDO: (sitting up in bed) Hey, Deborah, the doc said I could leave now, right? DEBORAH (quickly wiping away her tears as she stood up) Yes, Dr Abdullah has released you, you may get dressed and leave immediately! CALYSPO (motioning to the children) Ok, now we be leaving so Uncle Fydo can get dressed. Fydo! Meet us in the classroom in an hour, it's your turn for story time! The children cheer as they, Deborah and Calyspo leave Fydo's room. As the children leave with Calypso, Dot and Orchid emerge from the laundry room and walk up to Deborah. Unknown to the three cadets, Sheena is walking down a nearby hallway. When she begins to hear the conversation, Sheena stops and quietly listens. DOT (happily) I'm SO glad our turn here is over! Working here really bites! ORCHID (smiling) Yes, I agree Dot! The quicker we're out of here the better DOT: Hey, Deborah, you can stop the act now! DEBORAH: (surprised) Act? What act? ORCHID: Oh, c'mon! You've been sucking up to Sheena the whole time! That's why you got all the easy work! DOT: (angry) and me and Orchid got stuck with laundry detail! DEBORAH: That's not true, you two refused to work with patients, so Sheena had to give you something else to do! DOT: (angry) That Sheena is a real space case! ORCHID (angry) And a slavedriver to boot! DEBORAH (annoyed) No, she's a warm, dedicated doctor who cares about her work passionately DOT: You sound like you like it here! DEBORAH: Well...... I do!!!! ORCHID: (shouting) I don't believe this! You should be happy to leave here, I am! I'd rather return to Security than stay one more minute in this crumbly place! DOT: (angry) Yeah, and I'm returning to Damage Control, as least Francis and Marie are a lot easier to work for than that witch doctor Sheena! DEBORAH (growling) STOP CALLING HER NAMES!!! DOT (sarcasticly) Well, if you feel THAT way about her, why don't you put in for a transfer here, permenantly! DEBORAH (sadly) I wish I could! But with that repromand in my file .... DOT (shouting) Hello? We all got repromands, live with it, Debbie! ORCHID: (taking off her plastic gloves) I'm not waitng, I'm out of here! DOT (removing her gloves) Me too, only fifteen minutes left, cover for us, Ok Debbie? DEBORAH (confused) but... but..... DOT (smiling) I knew we could count on you! Toodles!!! ORCHID: Chow, baby!!! Dot and Orchid run out of the sick bay, Deborah lowers her head, grabs a pair of gloves, and walks to the laundry room to finish the wash. SHEENA (talking to herself) So she wants to stay here? Time for me to talk to Persia about this! Meanwhile in the ship's lounge area, Cactus Jake is relaxing by playing his guitar and singing. Dot and Orchid enters the lounge and sit down at a table near the stage area. When he finishes, the other Space Rovers in attendance applaud. Jake sets his guitar down and walks towards Dot and Orchid's table. They each sink down sadly into their chairs when Jake passes by them and sits with Flash, who was eagerly waiting for him. DOT: (angry) I STILL can't believe that handsome hunk of dog flesh wants to be with HER!! ORCHID (angry) I can't think of anything worse than that! Except Deborah dating Hans! As Dot and Orchid continue to grumble, they watch in amazement as Deborah and Hans enter the room, holding hands and laughing together. They sit at a table in the far side of the lounge. Dot and Orchid walk over to their table, and asks to speak to Deborah alone, Deborah excuses herself and walks over to the middle of the room. DEBORAH (a little distrubed) Ok, girlfriends, what is so important that you ... DOT: (grabbing Deborah by the arm) Why are you dating Hans? ORCHID: Yeah, are you crazy, Debbie? DEBORAH: Hans and I are just good friends having a quiet time together -- till you two showed up! DOT: (disbelieving) Oh, c'mon on! We've seen you and him together a lot lately! ORCHID: He's a real hunk! But he has a KID, stupid!!! DEBORAH: So? DOT: So? Are you nuts? Girls don't date guys with kids! Who wants to be with a guy whose more worried about his rugrats than you? ORCHID: Yeah, really, what's the matter with you? Afraid to date a REAL guy? DEBORAH (growling) That's ENOUGH you two! Hans is a warm, wonderful male, and I LOVE his daughter Greta! It's not HIS fault that his wife Helga died in that transdogmafier accident six months ago..... DOT: (grimising) True, but still, the fact is he has a kid, and kids are nothing but braty, whiny, smelly ..... Deborah gets furious and walks away, returning to her table with Hans. ORCHID: What's wrong with her? The scene shifts to the engine room, where Molly, Francis, Marie, Daisy and Bob are working on a large, square metal machine. It has a glass panel in front, and has many wires sticking out of the back of it. Molly is at a control panel while the others are using laser wrenches on various parts of the machine's connections MOLLY: Hey, have you guys finished with that ting yet? You're all slower than Russian winter! BOB: (apologetic) Sorry, ma'am, but this Barium chamber has to be prepared to precise specifications for it to operate properly. MOLLY: Comrade Bob, how could you possibly know so much about quantum physics and electronics? BOB: By reading the Canius Minor operating manual as well as Daisy and Flash's lab notes and ... MOLLY: (doubting) I don't believe you! You're just a kid, even for a Jurrassian, how can you possibly understand and comprehend all of these things? DAISY: Bob is a fast learner, and highly intellegent! MOLLY (angry) I didn't ask you, Southern Belle! By the way, where's that sister of yours? DAISY (laughing) You miss her, don't you? MOLLY (grumbling) No! I don't! She needs to be here helping us! DAISY (smiling) She's off duty, on a date with Cactus Jake! MOLLY (whispering to herself) He must be weirder than she is! BOB: I heard that, Molly, ma'am, and that wasn't very nice! MOLLY (surprised) You must have super hearing, too, Comrade Bob! FRANCIS: Looks like we're ready to test this thing, all we need is some Barium to put into the center chamber. BOB: We'll need only a small quantity of it to power this vessel for years, maybe even decades! MOLLY (angry) New power source that gives off no radiation and works better than our nuclear reactor? I'll believe it when I see it! MARIE: Yes, it's true! Hadn't you read Bob's report? MOLLY: Well..... I have it on my desk in my office DAISY: Bob's mathematical calculations are correct, Flash and I stayed up last night confirming his findings. FRANCIS: We, we! This machine will harrass all of that Barium power! MOLLY: Let's hope that Whitey is having luck finding some of this stuff! The scene switches to the bridge, Alexander is in the Captain's chair, Saundra and Boomer are seated at the helm, Grunt is at the weapons console, Whitey is at the science console and Bruno is at the communications station. ALEXANDER: Whitey, have you found any Barium yet? WHITEY: So far, no sir. SAUNDRA: We've been scanning this part of space for five days now, shall I send out another deep space probe? ALEXANDER: No, Saundra, we are running low on probes. Boomer, what is our current course heading? BOOMER: We are heading due north at a rate of one-half light speed. BRUNO: We've been crawling in space for days, I'll bet my wife isn't happy about that! ALEXANDER: We have to move slowly to scan for Barium, Molly will just have to live with it! BRUNO: Commander, message from Lt Molly! ALEXANDER: On Speakers MOLLY (through speakers) Alex, how much longer is this ship going to be impersonating a snail with a charlie horse in space! ALEXANDER: Molly, be patient, we just need time to search for Barium! WHITEY (interruptiing) Commander! Barium detected! Located in a star system appoximately seven point four light years from our present position! MOLLY: (on speakers) I heard that! I can give you Warp eight and we'll be there in a matter of minutes! ALEXANDER: (smiling) Well, I know better than to agrue with you, Molly! Saundra, plot the course. SAUNDRA: Aye-aye, Alex! ALEXANDER: Boomer, engage! Bruno, call Captain Persia to the bridge! The scene shifts back to Persia's office, where she's called for Cadet Deborah. DEBORAH: You sent for me, Captain? PERSIA: Yes, Cadet, please have a seat. Deborah sits down, and looks very nervously towards Persia PERSIA: Cadet Deborah, I assigned you temporarly to the Medical Unit of this ship, you're assignment is over, you may report to Grunt and return to Security. DEBORAH: (sadly) Yes, ma'am.... but. but PERSIA: Yes Deborah? You may speak freely here DEBORAH: With all due respect, Captain, I'd like to remain in the Medical Unit! PERSIA: I see, are you certain that this is what you want, Cadet? DEBORAH: Yes ma'am! More than anything! PERSIA: I believe you, Cadet, and so does Dr Sheena! DEBORAH: (surprised) ma'am? PERSIA: Sheena spoke to me a few minutes ago, she begged me to let her train you as a field nurse! DEBORAH: (happy) Really? PERSIA: Yes, Cadet, why are you so surprised? These past few days, even Dr Abdullah has noticed that you've been spending some off-duty time in sick bay. If you're that interested in medicine, I'll go with Sheena's recommedation. DEBORAH: But, what about my record? I thought that .... PERSIA (interrupting) You thought I wouldn't let you transfer because of what happened on Graum, right? DEBORAH: Yes, ma'am PERSIA (smiling) Two things I believe in, Cadet. One is utilizing the skills that my crew possesses and the other is giving folks another chance when I feel that they truly deserve one. You're the only one of the three on Graum who went to Ensign Biob and Flash and apologized for their actions! That tells me a lot about your character, Cadet DEBORAH (suprised) But how did you know that I .... PERSIA (smiling) Don't forget, Cadet, I read minds! You were also the only one who told me the truth that day. Cadet Deborah, you are hereby assigned to the Medical Unit, permanently! DEBORAH: (smiling as she stands up) Thank you, Captain! PERSIA: And don't worry, Cadet, I will explain your transfer to Lt. Grunt, the truth is we could use a fully trained nurse on this vessel more than we need additional security personnel. Dismissed, Cadet! Deborah leaves Persia's office, shouting for joy in the hallway. BRUNO (on speakers) Captain Persia, please come to the bridge! Captain Persia to the bridge! PERSIA: Time to go to work! The scene returns to the bridge, Persia arrives and takes the Captain's chair. PERSIA: Alexander, status report! ALEXANDER: Persia, we are currently orbiting a planet called Filios 3. Our sensors indicate that there is Barium here, it's all concentrated in one area on the southern hemisphere of the planet. PERSIA: Are you are it's Barium? Whitey, tell me. WHITEY: I've examined the data and so has Ensign Bob, we both agree that it's Barium we're detecting! PERSIA: Whitey, what else can you tell me about Filios 3? WHITEY: Captain, it has a breathable atmosphere, various forms of vegetation, but no other life forms have been detected on the surface. PERSIA: Well, this should be an easy mission then, we simply pick up the Barium and leave, right? ALEXANDER: Sounds a little TOO easy, if you ask me, Persia. PERSIA: You think there's danger waiting for us, old man? ALEXANDER: Just call it a hutch, Captain. PERSIA: I respect your judgment, old man, but we need that Barium. We'll send a small landing party down to the surface with a few more security personnel accompanying them, OK? ALEXANDER: (frowning) Yes, Captain. PERSIA: I'll lead the landing party, we'll add Whitey, Cactus Jake, and we'll definately need Bob, he's the only one on board who's ever seen Barium before. GRUNT: GRRRRRRRR GROWL!!!!!!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRR! PERSIA: Good idea, Grunt! We'll add you, Rasputin and Orchid. We'll also take Dr Abdullah along. ALEXANDER: Captain, I want to go down there with you this time. PERSIA: Well, alright, Old Man, you're in. Boomer, you're in charge until we return, call Marie to the bridge to handle navigation, call Francis up to man the science station. Bruno, call all the landing party members, we'll assemble at shuttlecraft bay five in ten minutes. BRUNO: Yes, Captain! The away team assembled at the shuttle bay entrance, Daisy and Flash ran towards them, waving their arms frantically. DAISY (panting) Wait... we ... want ... do .....come... FLASH: (panting) Yes....please....Captain? PERSIA: No way, you two are civilians, I'm responsible for your safety. Maybe next time..... DAISY: But we want to go NOW! FLASH: This will be an easy mission, I heard you said that yourself! Persia was stunned, she'd been 'hit' by her own words. PERSIA: Well, ladies, you're right. I did indeed say that, you're in! The eleven Space Rovers entered the shuttle and took off for the surface. They landed at the coordinates where the strong Barium reading were coming from. The trees and other foilage in the landing area were all blue, and the sky was a light shade of green. It took several minutes for the landing party to unload all of their equipment and digging tools. PERSIA: Ok, according to these reading, there are three strong Barium readings in this area, one to the north, one due souith, and the third to the southeast. We'll separate into three teams: Alexander, Rasputin and Daisy will go south. Jake, Flash, Abdullah and Orchid will go south. Whitey, Bob, Grunt will accompany me traveling north. We'll stay in constant communication. ALEXANDER: And at the first sign of trouble, return to the shuttle. PERSIA: You're concern is noted, old man, but our portable scanners confirm the fact that there are no other life forms on this planet. WHITEY: Except for all of this unusually colored plant life. PERSIA: I stand corrected, Whitey. Now, let's move out! The three teams departed. Alexander's team headed toward a small hill that was lilttered with many large and oddly shaped boulders. Jake's team desended into a forest area while Persia's team walked into a area best described as a desert, only the "sand' was colored purple with very little growing in it. The scene shifts to Alexander, Rasputin and Daisy. ALEXANDER: (holding a sensor device) The readings are getting stronger, we must be nearing a Barium deposit, Daisy, what do you think? DAISY: (Staring lovingly at Rasputin) Things are looking good from here! ALEXANDER: (turning around) DAISY!!! You're not here to have illusions of romance, pay attention to our mission! DAISY (embarrassed) Sorry, Alexander, sir! Bob described Barium as glowing and orange, so far, I can't see none! RASPUTIN: I cannot see any either, Commander! A loud whistling noise cut through the still air. All three turn in the direction of the sound. RASPUTIN: (drawing his laser pistol) what was that? DAISY (hugs Rasputin) I don't know, but I don't like it, y'all! ALEXANDER: Relax you two, it's only the wind! They all hear the same noise again, only louder. ALEXANDER (waving his hand) Steady, lads, it's still only the wind. The scene shifts to Jake, Flash, Orchid and Abdullah. JAKE: (holding a sensor device) Getting a strong reading very close by! FLASH: I think I see something glowing up ahead, honey! ORCHID (mumbles to herself) Honey? I think I'm gonna hurl! ABDULLAH (pointing) I see it too, Flash, over there beside that huge tree! The four run towards the large tree, and find a small glowing stone. FLASH: (picks it up) This must be Barium! JAKE: My sensor confirms it, this is Barium! ORCHID: Are there any more of these around? JAKE: (holding up his sensor device) Yes, another strong reading due north of here. The still air instantly fills with a loud whistling noise. FLASH (grabs Jake) What's that noise, snuckums? ORCHID (mocking) Yeah, tell us, snuckums! ABDULLAH: Must be just the wind, nothing to fear! JAKE: But there's no wind! My sensors aren't detecting any wind at all. FLASH (still holding Jake) But we all heard that noise! ABDULLAH: Strange happening indeed! The scene now shifts to Persia's team. PERSIA: Whitey, how are our current readings? WHITEY (holding a sensor device) We are very close to a large deposit of Barium! BOB: (excitedly) Oh boy! This is SO COOL!!! GRUNT: Grrrrrrrrrr GROWL!!!! Grrrrrrrrrrrrr! BOB: (frowning) You're right, Grunt, this is serious work! WHITEY: (pointing down) We are right on top of it, Captain! PERSIA: You mean, the Barium is buried under all of this sand? WHITEY: Apparently, that's where it's at! PERSIA: Well, what are we waiting for? Break out the shovels and let's DIG! BOB: Captain, I have a better idea! If you three will give me some room, I'll.... WHITEY: No Bob, it may not be wise to transform here. We don't know exactly what we're dealing with here, so perhaps we should use shovels for the moment. PERSIA: I agree, Whitey. Sorry, Bob, not this time. BOB: (sadly) Well, OK. PERSIA: You three begin digging, I'll join you after I contact the other teams! (Activates wrist communicator) Persia to Alexander, Come in, old man! ALEXANDER (on speaker) Alex here! Nothing to report, still haven't found any Barium. PERSIA: (into speaker) What's that strange sound I'm hearing through your communicator? ALEXANDER (on speaker) It's only the wind, Alex out. PERSIA (resets communicator) Persia to Jake, come in! JAKE (on speaker) Jake reporting, Captain. We have found one small nugget of Barium! Still looking for more! PERSIA (into speaker) Good work, Jake! I hear a loud whistling noise there, what is it? JAKE (on speaker) we're not sure, Captain, it doesn't register as wind, so ...... PERSIA (into speaker) Jake, JAKE! Come in Jake! A loud scream is heard through the speaker before Jake's transmission terminates. PERSIA (excitedly) Everyone! Back to the shuttle! Grunt, Whitey and Bob drop their shovels and run, Persia is lagging behind, trying to raise Alexander on her communicator, but with no success. Soon, the four are standing in front of the shuttle, in time to witness a scary sight. Jake, Flash and Orchid came running towards them but Captain Persia gasped in amazement as she saw them, all three were in their true canine forms! PERSIA: (shocked) Oh NO! How did this happen, where is Abdullah? As Jake, Flash and Orchid barked wildly, the Canius Minor called the Captain. BRUNO: (on speaker) Bruno to Captain Persia, come in! PERSIA: (into speaker) Persia here, we have a small problem here! BOOMER (on speaker) Captain, this is Boomer, we'll send down another landing party to assist you! PERSIA: (into speaker) negative, Boomer, do not -- I repeat -- do not send another team down here! Something on this planet is changing Space Rovers back into dogs, until we figure out what's going on, it's not safe for us to return to the ship, or for anyone up there to come here, understand me? BOOMER (sighs) Understood, Boomer out. PERSIA (turning to Whitey) Like it or not, we're on our own now. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- to be continued............