Copyright 2000 -- Robert Baer Jr. The Space Rovers -- "Bandits in the Baja" 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 not 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 Numbia and Poncho are all Robert Baer Jr's creations, copyright pending, 1999 - 2000. The Space Rovers -- "Bandits in the Baja" The scene is a lonely stretch of the Baja Desert in Mexico. This is where we find Space Rovers Numbia and Poncho riding a large dune buggy. They are enjoying their 'shore leave' on Earth by doing some traveling across the sands of Baja California. It's noon, so they stop by a shady rock formation for lunch. NUMBIA (smiles as she unwraps a sandwich): Ah! Now this reminds me of the desert sands of my homeland! PONCHO (opening a thermos): Si, senorita! That's why I begged you to come here! Look all around! Nothing but barren desert! Perfect for ATV riding! NUMBIA (bites sandwich): Hey! This is peanut butter and jelly! I thought you packed some burritos! PONCHO (nods): Si! Have plenty of those, too! Remember, we have five more days before we have to report back to Alpha Base! NUMBIA (smiles): You're right, Poncho! (hesitates): You know, you and I have been through a lot of dangerous situations together... PONCHO (sips from thermos cup): Si Numbia! Like the time aboard the Pronate ship and there was the time we helped battle Milex and when the Lost Pack came to earth and .... NUMBIA (interrupts): Yes, Poncho, I know. We've faced danger more times than I care to remember. You and I have done a lot together haven't we? PONCHO (nods): Si, we make a great team! NUMBIA (looks into Poncho's eyes): I couldn't agree more! PONCHO (confused): Numbia, what are you trying to say? NUMBIA (broad smile): Poncho, will you be my boyfriend? PONCHO (chokes on his sandwich): Boyfriend? NUMBIA (nods): Yes! You are a very warm and charming person! (lowers head): How do you feel about me? PONCHO (wide smile): Senorita! You are very beautiful! NUMBIA (looks into Poncho's eyes): Really? PONCHO (nods) Si, si! In fact, you are so beautiful, I am surprised you want to be seen with a short, puny runt like me... NUMBIA (raises voice): Puny runt! Poncho, I've never thought of you like that, EVER!! PONCHO (lowers head): Others on the ship make fun of me, they call me 'shorty' and 'Taco Bell dog' and keep telling me to 'drop the chalupa' in the galley. NUMBIA (angry): And when they say things like that, I want to give them a face full of sand! (smiles): Poncho, I've always had a crush on you.... I was afraid you didn't feel the same way about me... PONCHO (bright smile): Are you kidding? You're my best friend! I've loved you from afar, because I didn't think someone like me had a chance of .... NUMBIA (smiles): Poncho, please stop putting yourself down! I want to be with you! We are already more than just friends! I really care about you and I know you feel the same way towards me! PONCHO (nods): Si, I do! Well, what do we do next? NUMBIA (smiles): I'll show you! Numbia embraces Poncho and gives him a log passionate kiss. They don't notice that in the distance several dune buggies are heading in their direction. By the time they do notice, they are surrounded by a dozen, tough looking burly men in biker clothes. Immediately three of the men grab Poncho and start beating him. Numbia screams and is immediately tackled and held up against the rockface by the other men. Their leader stares at her, and runs his hand across her muzzle. LEADER (gruffy, thick Spanish accent): So, you're a dog, huh? Ha Ha! Out here, a female is a female! After we leave your boyfriend for the buzzards, you're coming with us! You show us a GOOD time! NUMBIA (growls): No way, Jose! Numbia immediately morphs into a huge black grizzley bear and beats the gang members with her paws. Scared of the huge, growling bear, all of the gang jump into their vehicles and speed away. Two of them steal Numbia and Poncho's dune buggy in the confusion. Numbia returns to her cano-sapien form and runs to Poncho's side. NUMBIA (stooping over Poncho): PONCHO!!! PONCHO!!! Are you alright? PONCHO (slowly nods): Just bruised up, the only thing that really hurts is my pride! NUMBIA (stands up and points): Those hoods stole our dune buggy! We have to go after them! PONCHO (slowly stands to his feet): But how? We can't catch them! Look how fast they're moving! NUMBIA (smiles): We'll move FASTER! Numbia instantly morphs into a cheetah. NUMBIA (motions with front paw): C'mon Poncho! Shrink yourself to half size so you can ride on my back! PONCHO (giggles): With a look like that, you could date that cartoon cheetah on TV! You like cheese puffs and ... NUMBIA (sternly): Enough wise cracks, Poncho. Hurry up! I want to catch those crooks! As Poncho climbs on Numbia's back, he reduces his size and holds fast to her collar with both hands. Instantly, she's off and running, soon she is running close behind the bandits. Numbia and Poncho 'drop back' when they see the bandits slow and turn into an grassy oasis. PONCHO (looks down at Numbia, smiles): What's our next move, oh queen of the jungle? NUMBIA: We can't just rush in there, they'll run away again! I have a better idea! Get ready for some high flying action! Numbia now morphs into the form of a sparrow. Poncho nods and shrinks himself down to size so he can ride on her back. Numbia flys high, going unnoticed as she circles the bandits below. NUMBIA (shouts): I see our dune buggy! I'll fly down to it and let you off. Then you drive away fast! PONCHO (shouts): Hey, what about you? NUMBIA (shouts): Don't worry about me! I'll make sure those losers don't bother us anymore! Numbia soon flys downward and lands on the driver's seat in the dune buggy. One of the bandits throws a rock at her as she takes off again. Poncho waits until no one is looking his way, he then restores himself to full size and starts the engine on the dune buggy. The bandits hear him and run towards the dune buggy. Before they reach it, a huge roaring lion leaps out in front of them. The bandits are petrified with fear as they hear the huge lion roar loudly once more. The lion turns it's head and winks at Poncho. Poncho, who now realizes that the lion is Numbia, laughs as he speeds away. Another roar from 'Numbia the Lion' causes the frightened bandits to run for their lives, leaving everything behind. Numbia takes her huge front claws and slashes all of their tires. She then morphs back into a cheetah and runs after Poncho. She catches up with the speedy dune buggy and leaps into the back seat, where she morphs back into her cano-sapien form. PONCHO (steering the dune buggy): You sure showed those banditos a thing or two, didn't you? NUMBIA (climbs into the front seat): Yes, that sure was a lot of fun! PONCHO (sadly): I know what those humans wanted to do to you and .... NUMBIA (interrupts): Poncho, don't think about that! The important thing is we escaped! We worked as a team and we got away from them! PONCHO (sadly): While they were beating me up, all I could think about was you...... NUMBIA (nods): Oh Poncho.... PONCHO (looks up at Numbia): We really do have deep feelings for each other, don't we? NUMBIA (nods): Yes, we do! (smiles): I have an idea! Why don't we spend the rest of our shore leave in Tijuana? I hear they have great souveniors there! PONCHO (nods): Si! I have had enough of the desert for a while! The two dogs share a quick kiss as they drive away towards the horizon. ------------------------------------------------------------------------