Copyright 2000 -- Robert Baer Jr. The Space Rovers -- "Calypso's Secret" 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 Otto, Starlight, Fydo, Boomer, Rasputin, Saundra, Alexander, Grunt, Daisy, Abdullah, Bob, Cactus Jake, Marie, Francis, Calypso, Sheena, Bruno, Molly, Deborah, Orchid, Porta, Dot, Luigi, Sophia, Willfong, Lao Zi, Su Li, Claudia, Sno-wie, Numbia, Hojo, Kenai, Shamansta, Derby, Poncho and the Space Rover Kids are all Robert Baer Jr's creations, copyright pending, 1999 - 2000. Deon is a creation of Mike Browner, Kenai is a creation of Patrick Wood. The Space Rovers -- "Calypso's Secret" The scene is a large hearing room aboard the Canius Minor. The ship's senior officers Alexander, Boomer, Saundra, Whitey, Grunt, Molly, Bob, Fydo, Marie, Abdullah, Francis and Cactus Jake are sitting in one section of the room, all in their dress uniforms. The front of the room looks like a standard courtroom setup. Behind one table sits a very solomn looking Calypso with Shamansta. At the other table sits Lao Zi. Rasputin and Su-Li stand in front of the judge's bench. SU LI (loudly): All rise! This board of inquiry is now in session, Captain Persia residing. Everyone in the room stands as Persia enters the room and sits behind the 'bench', RASPUTIN (loudly): You may all be seated! PERSIA (opening a file): We are here to get to the truth, about the events that took place fifteen hours ago on the surface of Refdell Four. The inquirer will read the charges. LAO-ZI (stands): This inquirer affirms and states that Calypso, civilain member of the crew of the Space Rover ship Canius Minor, did hereby falsify records, threaten the lives of the children in her care and to this moment refuses to answer questions concerning this investigation. It is hereby recommended by this inquirer that Miss Calypso be sentenced to banishment from the Canius Minor and lose her status as a Road Rover. PERSIA (turns to Shamansta & Calypso): What say you, Miss Calypso. SHAMANSTA (stands up): Miss Calypso is not guilty of the charges PERSIA (turns to Lao ZI); Very well, Lao Zi, you may begin your presentation. LAO ZI (stands up, walks around): It is my contention that yesterday on the surface of Refdell Four that person (points), Miss Calypso, did not only put the lives of the children she was in charge of in mortal danger, but that she herself IS a mortal danger to them and every other member of this crew! PERSIA (nods): Proceed... LAO ZI (loudly): I wish to call Commander Whitey to the stand! Whitey moves from the officer's gallery to the witness stand, is sworn in, and sits down. LAO ZI (loudly): Commander Whitey, briefly tell this panel your knowledge of the events of yesterday on the planet's surface. WHITEY (sternly): The Captain had made the decision that we were to be staying in orbit around Refdell Four in order to collect fresh supplies of water, food and allow for limited shore leave. I, Fydo and Calypso took the thirteen Rover children to the surface in a shuttle for a field trip and nature hike. All was proceeding according to our plans until a sudden lightning and hail storm came upon us. I was at the shuttle when the storm broke. LAO ZI (sternly): Then what did you do? WHITEY (sternly): Immediately I stepped back inside the shuttle and called on my wrist comm for Fydo and Calypso. I was unable to contact them LAO ZI (nods): Why was that, Commander? WHITEY (sternly): The sudden storm had temporarily disrupted communications LAO ZI (nods): Then what happened? What did you see? WHITEY (sternly): Naturally I became very concerned. I took a boulder, used my powers to change it into a makeshift umbrella, and then proceeded to find the children and their keepers on foot. LAO ZI (smuggly): Did you find them? WHITEY (nods): I did. I heard screaming and I follow the sound to a cave entrance. It was there that I saw all thirteen Rover children running out of the cave as fast as they could. Moments later, I saw what they were running from. LAO ZI (smiles): Describe in detail what you saw, Commander. WHITEY (sternly); The being that emerged from the cave had firy red eyes, long claws, long fangs. The being had white fur, and was wearing a Space Rover uniform and walking erect, like a human. LAO ZI (smiles): And what was this being doing? WHITEY (sternly): It howled wildly, and then looked in my direction and walked towards me LAO ZI (nods): Then what did you do? WHITEY (sternly): I drew my laser pistol and fired at the beast, at first to no avail. Then I set my weapon to full power and fired again. This managed to knock the beast unconscience. LAO ZI (smiles): You got'm! Good shooting! Then what happened? WHITEY (sternly); The beast began to glow, and to change form. I took no chances, I bound the creature's feet and hands together and continued to observe. When the creature stopped glowing, that's when her true identity was discovered LAO ZI (nods): And what was the creature's true form, Commander WHITEY (points): Miss Calypso LAO ZI (smiles): Thank you, no further questions PERSIA (turns to Shamansta): Cross-examine? SHAMANSTA (stands up): Only one. Commander Whitey, you say that this creature, WALKED toward you, right? WHITEY (nods): That is correct SHAMANSTA (concerned): Then why did you shoot it with your laser pistol? WHITEY (sternly): It is obvious that this creature was chasing the children! SHAMANSTA (turns to Persia): Objection! That has not been established yet.. PERSIA (nods): Sustained, stick to the facts, Commander, leave the analysis to me WHITEY (nods): As you wish, Captain. SHAMANSTA (walks back to her table): Nothing further As Whitey steps down from the witness stand, Lao Zi announces his next witness, Fydo. LAO ZI (looks at Fydo): Lt Commander, where were you during this lightning storm? FYDO (nervously): Calypso had sent me to refill the children's canteens at a nearby stream. While I was there, the lightning storm started LAO ZI (nods): Ok.. then what did you do? FYDO (nervously): Well... I hid under a tree and tried to contact Calypso and Whitey on my wrist comm... LAO ZI (pacing): You were not successful, correct? FYDO (nods): That's right, so I ran through the storm searching for Calypso and the children.. LAO ZI (pacing): So, you braved the fierce weather in an attempt to find the children. Tell us what you saw when you came to the entrance of the cave FYDO (nervously): Well... I .... (looks up at Persia): Captain, do I have to.... PERSIA (nods): Answer the question, Lt Commander. FYDO (sadly): I saw the children running out of the cave screaming. Minutes later, I saw the same creature Commander Whitey described.... but there has to be an explanation! Calypso is a kind, gentle woman and .... LAO ZI (angry): That will be ALL, Fydo! Step down from the bench! FYDO (angry): NO! (points): You're trying to get rid of Calypso! She doesn't deserve this! PERSIA (raps gavel): Fydo, stop this at once! That's an order! FYDO (turns to Persia): But Captain... this isn't fair! PERSIA (shouts): Kenai, Hojo, escort Lt Commander Fydo out of this hearing room.... he is confined to quarters for the remainder of this inquiry! SHAMANSTA (stands up): I object! I want to cross-examine him! PERSIA (raps gavel): Overruled! I will not tolerate outbursts like his during this hearing. LAO ZI (happy): Now I would like to call Chief Medical Officer Abdullah to the witness stand Abdullah is sworn in and sits in the witness chair. LAO ZI (smuggly): Doctor Abdullah, did you give Calypso a medical examination yesterday, after this incident in the cave? ABDULLAH (nods): I did. LAO ZI (pacing): And what were your findings? ABDULLAH (sternly): The DNA of my patient was radically different from previous examinations. So was her blood content. It wasn't until I consulted with Flash, Daisy and the ship's medical files that I could come up with a theory. LAO ZI (pacing): And what was this theory, Doctor. ABDULLAH (sternly): That Miss Calypso is a .... dare I use the term.... a vampire! Sudden shock fills the spectators in the courtroom. Persia has to bang her gavel several times to restore order. LAO ZI (looks at Abdullah): That is a bold statement, Doctor. Tell us, in your professional opinion, did she become a vampire instantly? ABDULLAH (shakes head): Nope. Miss Calypso's DNA was always somewhat different than that of an ordinary cano-sapien. My colleagues and I always dismissed this as a genetic 'fluke', it appears that we were incorrect in our analysis. LAO ZI (pacing): So, you are saying that Miss Calypso has been a vampire for a long time? ABDULLAH (shakes head): Not really. Only with this last examination can we confirm that she has completely changed. However, the basic genitic 'building blocks' have been in her system for a long time. LAO ZI (nods): Very good Doctor, no further questions SHAMANSTA (stands up): I have no questions for the Doctor. PERSIA (nods): I have always been unable to read Calypso's mind, now I understand why. (raps gavel) This hearing is in recess. We will reconvene in fifteen minutes. As the courtroom clears, Shamansta talks to Calypso, who is still under heavy guard. SHAMANSTA (sternly): Calypso, talk to me! Tell me anything, anything I can use to defend you! CALYPSO (sadly); What be dee use? Me secret be out.. now I lose me job... and dee children! (sobs): I dearly love dose children! SHAMANSTA (softly): Calypso, tell me about your past. Tell me your version of what happened in the cave? CALYPSO (crying): No, I will not.... it will be makin' no difference! SHAMANSTA (sternly); Why won't you talk to me? I'm trying to save your job and your... (brightens).. I got me an idea! The court reconvenes. As Persia takes her seat, Shamansta steps forward. PERSIA (sternly); Cadet Shamansta, what are you doing holding that crystal ball in your hands? This is a hearing, not a sideshow circus! SHAMANSTA (calmly): I ask for your indulgence, Captain. I have evidence to display in support of my client! LAO ZI (angry): I object! This is pointless dribble! PERSIA (raps gavel): Overruled! I will hear this evidence of yours, Shamansta. SHAMANSTA (standing): I asked Calypso to tell me about her past, she refused, so I used my crystal ball to probe into her past. LAO ZI (stands up): I object! This is irrelevant! SHAMANSTA (turns to Persia): Captain, I will show that Calypso's past IS relevant to this hearing! PERSIA (nods): Objection overuled, proceed Shamansta. SHAMANSTA (rubs crystal ball): I will project the image of the crystal to that wall over there, so everyone can see. Please dim the lights. Soon, everyone is astonshed as the 'presentation' begins. Shamansta narrates as the various images are displayed. SHAMANSTA (points): As you can see, as a puppy, Calypso's life wasn't an easy one. Notice her master, a very cruel looking man who tended to drink too much and care too little for his dog. PERSIA (points): That was Calypso's first master? He's dressed like a pirate! SHAMANSTA (sadly); The year is 1793. Calypso's master was a tyrant, but he was also a vampire! The image changes to when Calypso was a young adult dog. SHAMANSTA (points): One night after a drunken spree, her cruel master decided to bite her in the neck as she slept... When Calypso sees this image, she lowers her head on the table and cries. SHAMANSTA (points): Unknown to the helpless Calypso at the time, this one vampire bite began to slowly change her physical body. As you can plainly see, the first side effect of the bite was extended life. Slowly other changes took place... but the full manifestation of her condition wasn't realized until yesterday.. in that cave... LAO ZI (angry): I object! This is high drama! Where are the facts? PERSIA (turns to Calypso): Miss Calypso, is all of this true? CALYPSO (nods, sobbing): Yes Captain, dis be all the truth... PERSIA (nods): I see... LAO ZI (shouts): See! Look! Calypso always knew she was a vampire! She failed to disclose this fact to the Master or anyone on this vessel! PERSIA (looks over at Calypso): Is this true, Calypso? CALYPSO (crying): All I wanted to do was forget all of dees! Dat devil of a man beat me, burned my fur and loved to kick me hard! But Calypso be a loyal dog, she just stay dere and take it till dee day he bite me! Den Calypso run away, she run for her life! Calypso breaks down into tears. Even Lao ZI is moved to sadness as he watches her weep. PERSIA (nods): Alright Shamansta, you made your point. But what about the incident with the children in the cave? SHAMANSTA (smiles); I'll let my next thirteen witnesses answer that! The back door opens and all of the Rover children rush in. Greta, Yuri, Tanya, Peng, Deng, Antonie, Felipe, Bernadette, Josephine, Giorgio, Vanni, Carla and Deon all come forward and stand next to Shamansta. LAO ZI (stands up): I object! These are mere children and ... PERSIA (smiles): And I want to hear what they have to say! Proceed, Shamansta! SHAMANSTA (smiles): Ok, who would like to go first? PENG (sternly): If I may, Shamansta, my brother and I can save time by displaying the events of that day with our illusional powers! SHAMANSTA (looks at Persia): Is that alright, Captain? PERSIA (nods): Proceed, Peng! Peng and Deng close their eyes, suddenly before all of the crowd in the room is the image of the inside of the cave, then it 'moves' like a giant movie playing. BERNADETTE (points): Looka at dis! This is where Miss Calypso led us to safety during the storm! GRETA (points): See? We were all safe from the hail and lightning at first.. YURI (points): That's when we all of a sudden heard a loud hissing noise! DEON (points): There was a huge bug-eyed monster in the cave! Look at the size of that blighter! The crowd gasps when they see the image of the beast. It is green with yellow stripes, it resembles a raptor or small T-Rex. CARLA (points): See, Miss Calypso usea her hand laser on it, and it don'ta work.. FELIPE (nods): We we! It was then that Miss Calypso told us to run, that she would hold off the creature so we could escape. VANNI (points): Thatsa when we all see her change! Miss Calypso turned into a beast righta before our eyes! ANTONIE (nods); She turned into that form to fight off the cave creature, NOT to come after us! DENG (nods); We all ran from the cave as Miss Calypso instructed. As you can all see, she was equally surprised that she morphed into this larger, fanged version of herself. She used her newly found abilities to tackle the cave creature. JOSEPHINE (nod): We we! Miss Calypso is a hero! GRETA (tears): And we all love her! Please don't throw her off the ship! The thirteen children crowd around Calypso, hugging her and crying with her. LAO ZI (angry): Peng! Deng! Get away from that vampire lady! PENG (sternly); Father, Miss Calypso is not dangerous! DENG (sternly): Father, I concur with my brother! PERSIA (nods): I think I've heard enough testimony. (turns to Shamansta): Can you give me any medical evidence to prove that Calypso doesn't pose a threat to anyone else? SHAMANSTA (nods): In fact, I can! I call Doctor Sheena and Deborah to the stand! The two take the oath and sit down. SHAMANSTA (smiles); I'll ask one question. In your professional opinion, based on the study of the tests you've recently ran on her, is Miss Calypso a ... SHEENA (interrupting): Certainly not! It seems rather amazing, I don't know if was the slow transformation or the transdogmafier process or her own unique body chemistry, but Miss Calypso shows absolutely none of the traditional vampire craving for blood. DEBORAH (nods): The additional tests we have run further prove that she can complete control over her 'transformation' process, much as I do with my force field abilities and Dr Sheena does with her levitation powers. PERSIA (nods): I see.... I am ready to make my ruling. I find that Miss Calypso is NOT the monster that you, Lao Zi, have portrayed her to be! Therefore, I will allow her to remain on board this vessel on one condition CALYPSO (surprised): Condition? PERSIA (nods): Yes, I want you to become a full fledged member of the Space Rovers! CALYPSO (concerned): But what about me children? Calypso love to be dere teacher! PERSIA (smiles): You will remain in your present job, I couldn't think of anyone else more qualified to be an instructor than you! CALYPSO (nods); I accept! PERSIA (happy): I hereby grant you the field rank of Leiutenant and adjourn this hearing! Persia bangs her gavel, the spectators all cheer. CALYPSO (turns to Shamansta): Shamansta, old Calypso be not able to tank ye enough! SHAMANSTA (hugs her): It was all in the name of justice! Lao Zi walks over and offers his hand to Calypso. LAO ZI (smiles): No hard feelings, Lt Calypso? CALYPSO (shakes hand): No hard feelings at all, mon! The scene now shifts to the lounge, several hours later. Calypso is tending bar while Dot is sweeping the floor. DOT (smiles): I'm so happy that you're staying! CALYPSO (looks over at her): You be tinkin' old Calypso be a monster, Dot? DOT (smiles): Anyone who can't tell you're a kind, warm, wonderful person needs a guide dog! CALYPSO (nods): Dee children fear me not, most of dee crew don't mind either... but I be wondering if.... DOT (nods): Alexander, right? CALYPSO (sighs): Now dat he know me past, he may not want old Calypso... ALEXANDER (standing behind her): Well now, I wouldn't say that! CALYPSO (turns around): Alex? ALEXANDER (nods): Yes, my dear! I agree with your assistant! You are one of the kindest, most wonderful females I've ever met in all my years on this earth! CALYPSO (sadly): Do you mind that I be over two hundred years old? ALEXANDER (looks into her eyes): You don't look a day over fifty! CALYPSO (happy); You say dee nicest tings! Calypso and Alexander embrace. CALYPSO (turns to Dot): Cadet Dot, could you... DOT (nods): I sure can! You and Alex.. er... I mean Commander Alexander have a good time! ALEXANDER (smiles): How about a scroll down the greenhouse corridor? The glass dome has a great view of the stars! CALYPSO (nods): Let's go! Calypso and Alexander leave the lounge area arm in arm ------------------------------------------------------------------------------