Title:  "Black Wing"(c) June 23, 1996

Author:   Lisa Duvall

Rating:   PG

Copyright:  All characters are copyright and belong to the author.

Comments:  The author is open to comments. Please send your comments to the site owner.

FADE IN:

EXT. Deep Space.

View of 13 fighter ships in foreground heading towards moon- various chatter between pilots on comm.

You guys just keep your eyes on me. I'm gonna wipe 'em all out before your very eyes.

VIXEN (female, over comm.) Laser, you're not the only fighter pilot out here. We all know how to shoot the enemy.

LASER (over comm.) Yeah, but I'm the best.

NO-WAY (female, over comm.) No-way Laser. Next to the Captain, I've got you beat.

LASER (over comm.) We'll see about that.

INT. view of SHARR "STEALTH" KRISTOL's cockpit. On her and all of the fighter's helmets, is her callsign. She is captain of the Black Wing, age 35, with a calm and collected presence as she gives commands.

STEALTH Cut the small talk. We're almost within enemy range. Black Wing go to battle systems and check in.

INT. view of CANAH "BISHOP" KRISTOL, Stealth's uncle's cockpit. He is finishing pressing a series of buttons.

BISHOP Bishop standing by.

INT. view of Hi-Jack's cockpit.

HI-JACK (male) Hi-Jack standing by.

INT. view of Laser's cockpit.

LASER Laser standing by.

INT. view of No-Way's cockpit.

NO-WAY No-Way standing by.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She is doing system check as the others check-in. Over comm. "Vixen standing by", "Gunner standing by", "Thor standing by", etc.

EXT. View of fighters going towards moon.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She looks down at radar which shows the distance between Black Wing and enemy.

STEALTH All right everyone. Attack run A on my mark.

She looks down at her radar, then looks back out to space.

STEALTH Execute!

EXT. view of ships going into different positions.

EXT. view of enemy ships within firing range.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Engage enemy!

EXT. view of LASER BLASTS as all pilots start FIRING at each other. After first volley, they split off in groups of two to follow enemy ships.

INT. view of No-way's cockpit.

NO-WAY Think you're gonna take me out? Ha, no way!

INT. View looking out front window as he follows an enemy ship. He gets a lock on it and FIRES.

NO-WAY Gotcha!

INT. view of Duncan's cockpit.

DUNCAN (male) Zenith, you've got one on your tail!

INT. view of Zenith's cockpit.

ZENITH (female) I can't shake him loose!

EXT. view of Zenith's ship followed by an enemy ship. Gunner is heard over comm.

GUNNER (male, over comm.) I've got you covered little one.

Gunner's ship comes up behind the enemy and BLASTS it to pieces.

INT. view of Duncan's cockpit. We hear Zenith over comm.

ZENITH (over comm.) Thanks Gunner!

When Duncan hears this he is visibly relieved. He re-acts to the next conversation.

STEALTH (over comm.) Hi-Jack, move it out of there!

HI-JACK (over comm.) I can't. There's too many!

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Laser, form up with your wingmate now.

LASER (over comm.) Wait, I've almost got this one....There!

INT. view of Hi-Jack's cockpit.

HI-JACK He's got a lock on me!

STEALTH (over comm.) Eject, Eject, Eject!

INT. view of Bishop's ship.

BISHOP Hold on Hi-Jack, I'm on my way!

EXT. view of Bishop flying towards HI-Jack.

INT. view of Hi-Jack's cockpit.

HI-JACK It's too late!

EXT. view of his ship EXPLODING.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Laser, where are you?....Bishop, you've got two on your back!

INT. view of Bishop's cockpit.

BISHOP They're too close!

EXT. view of Bishop trying to out-maneuver them. The enemy gets him, his ship EXPLODES.

INT. view of Vixen's cockpit. She looks down on her radar to see two enemy ships following her with a lock on her.

VIXEN Oh Shards!

EXT. view of Vixen's ship EXPLODING.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH All ships retreat on my command. That means you too, Laser.

EXT. view of Laser chasing an enemy. Suddenly two other enemy ships come up behind Laser. He is oblivious to them.

INT. view of Laser's cockpit.

LASER Wait..........almost got this one.

EXT. view of the enemy ships FIRING on Laser's ship. It EXPLODES.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Shards! Full retreat now!

EXT. view of ships forming up and going "home".

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She takes off her helmet.

STEALTH Program BWT4 cease.

Her cockpit hatch opens and Stealth climbs out. Other pilots get out of their "ships". This is a flight simulator. Mock cockpits line along a wall. Stealth walks over to Bishop.

STEALTH Have them meet back in the classroom.

BISHOP Yes, Captain.

Stealth walks out. Bishop walks over to Laser who is still sitting in the simulator. Bishop looks down at Laser.

LASER I failed, didn't I?

BISHOP It's not for me to decide, but you did manage to kill not only your wingmate, but the Captain's right-hand man....me. All right everyone, back to class.

Everyone starts to head down the corridor. Laser shakes his head at himself, climbs out and follows the others.

INT. view of corridor and at the end is the classroom door. Thor and Astro are ahead of Laser. They walk through the door.

INT. view of classroom. Thor and Astro find their seats. Everyone else is seated. Stealth is at the podium, Bishop stands off to the side of the classroom. Laser walks in and goes to his seat.

STEALTH Would someone like to tell me what happened?

Uncomfortable silence as some look at Laser. Zenith tentatively raises her hand.

ZENITH We didn't shoot well enough?

STEALTH Didn't shoot well enough? No, what happened is you didn't follow orders which means I lost 4 pilots! All of you were acting like first-year cadets, trying to out-do each other. You never considered your wingmate. Hi-Jack, you're dead! Vixen, you're dead! Laser....you're dead. People, this can't happen in battle. You have to work together as a team. It's no good being a hero if you're dead. And the Chaloquins don't differentiate between heros and non-heros. Cadets to captains, they kill all who cross their path. But being a hero isn't what Black Wing is about. Black Wing is the ultimate protection of the Nine Sisters, to keep their inhabitants safe and to protect the Gateway. If you've any other thoughts to what Black Wing should be, then I suggest you leave right now.

VOICE (over comm.) Captain Kristol, report to Command Control, Captain Kristol report to Command Control.

STEALTH You're the top pilots of the Blue, Brown and Green Wings. The underlings and the cadets look up to you. Set them a good example, not only by how well you shoot, but by your attitude and teamwork. Remember, all of you have the potential of making Black Wing. That's why you were chosen for training. For the rest of the morning I want you to study maneuvers and patterns in Black Wing manual. You'll re-test in the flight simulator in 2 days. Bishop, they're all yours.

BISHOP Yes Captain.

The class stands and salutes Stealth as does Bishop. Stealth returns their salute then exits. Bishop steps up to the podium.

BISHOP Once again, will someone please explain the call back procedure after Wing captain calls 'battle systems and check-in'.

Laser puts his chin on his hand and sighs.

INT. view of corridor. Stealth walks through. As pilots pass her they salute. She goes through a door at the end of the corridor.

INT. view of Stealth coming into Command Control. This is the central command center of the Nine Sisters. People monitoring screens, one showing the ninth moon's defenses, one showing the planet and it's nine moons with the gateway completely encircling. ADMIRAL TARIC and COMDR. LIGHTOWNER looking at the radar. Stealth walks over to them.

STEALTH Admiral Taric, you wish to see me?

TARIC Captain Kristol, our long-range sensors are indicating two squadrons of Chaloquin fighters well beyond Outpost but closing.

Radar showing distance of fighters to Outpost. Outpost is beyond the Gateway. The Gateway completely encompasses the Nine Sisters.

TARIC I was hoping the last time we beat them would have ended this war, but it looks like it was not to be.

STEALTH Your orders, sir?

TARIC I want Black Wing to go out and take care of them.

STEALTH Yes sir, but where did they come from? I don't see one of their destroyers and even though those are long range fighters, they still have to come from somewhere.

TARIC Well, therein lies the problem. We don't know where they came from. So keep your eyes open and if you spot anything out of the ordinary, no matter how trivial, I want you to inform us.

STEALTH Yes sir.

TARIC I also want the scout ships out there with you--do you think you can keep the enemy busy while they take a look around out there?

STEALTH Yes sir.

TARIC Good. There are only 24 enemy ships, so they shouldn't be a problem. I want Black Wing and Orange Wing ready and launched in 10 minutes. Your orders are to help Outpost defend the Gateway. Good luck.

STEALTH Thank you sir.

Stealth salutes Taric and leaves. Taric turns Comdr Lightowner.

TARIC Give the order.

Comdr. Lightowner grabs the comm.

LIGHTOWNER Black Wing and Orange Wing to be ready and launched in 10 minutes.

INT. view of classroom. Bishop is talking to the class when he is interrupted.

BISHOP And so which strategy do you think....

LIGHTOWNER (over comm.) Black Wing and Orange Wing ready and launched in 10 minutes. This is not a drill.

BISHOP Class is done for the morning but I want you to finish reading this chapter for a test tomorrow. You're excused. Astro come with me.

They all stand and salute Bishop.

LASER Good luck sir, from all of us.

BISHOP Thank you.

He rushes out with Astro following.

INT. view of flight dock. Each wing consists of thirteen pilots and each pilot's uniform echoes their wing colour. Stealth comes striding in towards her ship. She climbs in her cockpit. Bishop walks in and over to his ship. He climbs in and puts on his helmet.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit as she FIRES UP her ship.

INT. view of hangar as her ship slowly floats to launch pad. Others follow behind her.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She presses a few buttons.

Comm 1 (over comm.) Black Wing you are clear to launch.

Stealth looks out window and her ship begins to rise upward.

EXT. view of Black Wing rising into air slowly, then their TURBO JETS come on and they take off into space. Orange wing starts to rise upwards and their TURBOS come on and they take off into space.

INT. view of Astro walking into Command Control. He walks over to monitor the long-range sensor. He sits, presses a few buttons and watches his screen.

EXT. view of Black Wing in space flying towards the Gateway.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Outpost, this is Black Wing requesting Gateway to open.

INT. view of Outpost. CONTROL 1 is standing behind CONTROL 2 looking at radar.

CONTROL 2 Gateway is opening.

Radar shows a small section of it disappearing.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She looks at her radar.

INT. view of Outpost watch the last of the wings going through.

CONTROL 1 Close Gateway.

Control 2 pushes a button and the section reappears on radar.

EXT. view of Black Wing and Orange Wing nearing Outpost.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Orange leader, split up into two groups, one left and one right, but hold back until we engage the enemy. When we do, skirt around behind them and do your job.

ORANGE (over comm.) Confirm.

EXT. view of Orange Wing splitting into two groups going left and right. Black Wing flies on ahead.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She checks her radar and sees they're almost in range. The Chaloquins outnumber Black Wing 24 to 13.

STEALTH Black Wing go to battle systems and check in.

She starts her own systems check as she listens for her wing to call in. Over the comm. we hear "Bishop standing by", "SPEED standing by", etc.

EXT. view of fighters going on to meet the enemy.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She looks down at radar.

STEALTH Black Wing, attack run C2 on my mark...

She looks down at radar.

STEALTH Execute!

EXT. view of Black Wing splitting up into a formation of 4 groups of 3 ships with Stealth at the very front of the groups.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Engage enemy!

EXT. view of all fighters FIRING. All Black Wing fighters hit an enemy ship. After first volley, the 4 groups go on separate chase missions. Stealth weaves in and out helping the groups destroy the enemy. One gets on her tail and she does some fancy flying to shake him which eventually gets her positioned behind the enemy.

INT. view of Command Control as Astro monitors the long-range radar as the enemy is destroyed.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She gets a lock on the enemy and FIRES.

EXT. view of Chaloquin ship EXPLODING. Stealth's ship flies on to get a few more enemy ships.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She looks down at radar and sees the Chaloquins are almost gone.

STEALTH Black Wing, finish up so we can go home.

EXT. view of the last two Chaloquin ships EXPLODING.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She has a puzzled look on her face as she looks our in space.

STEALTH Orange Wing, this is Black Wing, check in.

ORANGE (over comm.) Black Wing, we haven't found anything so far.

STEALTH No mother ship, no asteroid it could be hiding behind?

ORANGE (over comm.) No captain. We have one more area to investigate, then we're heading back.

STEALTH Chaloquin fighters are terminated. You'll have a clear path home. Out.

EXT. view of Black Wing flying back towards Outpost.

INT. view of Command Control. Astro sits back while the radar shows both wings returning. As Orange Wing leaves the sensor vacinity, a mass of Chaloquin fighters appear for an instant then fade. Astro looks around to see if anyone else's radar shows anything. No one else seems concerned, so he sits back down and contemplates his radar.

INT. view of flight dock. Stealth climbs out of her ship as does Bishop. He walks over to her. She looks concerned.

STEALTH I don't like this.

BISHOP What?

STEALTH No destroyer, only two squadrons of fighters....for what purpose? Why did they show up knowing they couldn't win?

BISHOP Maybe they were too far away from the destroyer and knew they couldn't make it.

STEALTH A suicide mission? I don't think so.

BISHOP Then what?

STEALTH I don't know.

Bishop watches her exit.

INT. view of corridor. Stealth is walking through and contemplating. Astro enters, sees her and comes up to her.

ASTRO Captain, I was in Command Control monitoring the long range sensor and I.....well...I umm.......

STEALTH Astro, what's up?

ASTRO I thought I caught a glimpse of something on the radar but I'm not sure.

STEALTH Explain.

Astro looks around to make sure no one is listening. Stealth regards this action.

ASTRO Well, I was watching Orange Wing and nothing was out there. They turned around and started home and as they were heading away from the sensor, for a brief moment, I thought I saw....well, it looked like....just for a second....

STEALTH Astro, what?

ASTRO It looked like Chaloquin fighters. Masses of them.

STEALTH They were on the radar?

ASTRO No, they were there, then they disappeared.

STEALTH Are you sure it wasn't a malfunction?

ASTRO I did a system analysis and it checked out.

STEALTH Have you told anyone this?

ASTRO No.

STEALTH Why not?

ASTRO Nobody else saw it. Or if they did they didn't seem too concerned so I thought I'd tell you first.

STEALTH Who else was monitoring radar?

ASTRO Admiral Taric, Lt. Gauran and Lt. Quince.

STEALTH Taric was on radar?

ASTRO Comdr. Lightowner had to step away for a moment so Admiral Taric stepped up.

STEALTH And none of them saw what you saw?

ASTRO As far as I could tell....no. Captain, I saw them. They were there.

Stealth looks at him. Admiral Taric enters. He walks up to them.

TARIC Captain Kristol, my compliments to you and to Black Wing.

STEALTH Thank you sir.

He looks at them, they are silent.

TARIC Did I interrupt something?

ASTRO I was just telling the captain that I found....

STEALTH Yes, that he thinks he found a new way to convert the massive turbo engines into a micro component engine.

Astro looks at her. Stealth smiles. Taric notices something's not quite right.

TARIC Yes, well, that sounds like a good invention as long as the power output remains the same. We don't want our pilots to get caught in enemy fire, do we?

ASTRO Ah..no, sir.

Moments of silence as the three look at each other.

TARIC Well, carry on.

He exits. Astro looks questioningly at Stealth.

STEALTH Keep this between us until you get some solid evidence. Something weird is going on and until we find out what, the less people that know, the better.

ASTRO I have evidence.

STEALTH You made a copy?

ASTRO Yes.

STEALTH Good. I'll meet you at your place in half an hour.

He salutes her and they exit in opposite directions.

EXT. view of a beautiful garden behind the High Council building and on a hill which over-looks the city. Flowers, trees, and bushes surround a lush lawn with white benches in various areas. A dramatic contrast to the desert-like appearance of the city. This is where the High Council relaxes and converses together. Some civilians are tending the garden while the council are in various clusters talking to each other. LORD HIGH GARUSS (male) and NEROS (male) wander among them.

GARUSS How are you feeling now that you've been to the planet?

NEROS Relieved, obviously, to be back and....lucky.

GARUSS Hm..yes..sorry you had to lose your crew.

NEROS We knew the risk when we agreed to go. I'm just sorry we didn't get the correct archive.

GARUSS I don't necessarily agree with the council that this is the wisest course of action but I am only one of the collective us.

NEROS My Lord High, I volunteered to lead the expedition. No blame is attached to anyone. This is completely my choice and remember, it was all my idea in the first place.

LORD BOLST (male) wanders over to them.

BOLST Choice or not, one of the High Council has to go. We can't let the archive fall into the wrong hands.

GARUSS Whom else would be crazy enough to go down there? We're taking a great risk in re-creating the Olipidees. Look at what happened to the Ancient Ones.

BOLST True. They failed to control the Outer Limits Protection Devices.

As they walk by, LORD DAEYOU (female) and LORD GRIEG (male) stop them.

DAEYOU We have learned from the past, so we won't make the same mistakes as they did.

GARUSS That is an arrogant supposition.

GRIEG I tend to agree with Lord High. There has to be a better way to defend ourselves against the Chaloquins.

LORD SEFFENCHIA (female) joins them.

BOLST The Olipidees are our greatest defense weapon. The problem in the past was the Ancient Ones made too many and did not care for the creatures as they should. That's why the Olipidees turned on their makers.

GREIG To make such a death-machine is too dangerous! This moon is small. We don't have the land we need to keep these creatures contained!

SEFFENCHIA And there lies our downfall.

DAEYOU How do you mean?

SEFFENCHIA Do you really think we can be creators and not suffer any kind of backlash? All this talk about creating an ultimate weapon of defense when we already have all we need.

BOLST You mean Black Wing.

SEFFENCHIA Of course.

DAEYOU They can't protect us against the Chaloquins.

GRIEG They've been protecting us for over a century against all manner of enemies and have always been victorious. This time is no different.

DAEYOU The Chaloquins, I'm sorry to say, are vastly different from any other enemy we've encountered. It's not that they're against us, but against all life forms. They are driven to consume and are without emotions to care about anything.

SEFFENCHIA I think we need to let Black Wing try.

DAEYOU And waste their lives in the attempt? That is foolish!

GARUSS Lord Daeyou , there's no need to get angry. As High Council, we've already agreed to what our plan of action will be-to let Black Wing continue to defend us until we can re-create the Outer Limits Protection Devices. Let's put this topic of conversation to rest now, but please remember, no one outside the council is to know about the Olipidees plan. Ah, look...they are serving refreshments. Let us now enjoy the peaceful tranquillity this garden brings. Shall we?

They all start to wander over to where the refreshments are.

EXT. view of the town. EN DENOH is a large military capital. The city reflects desert colours and the dryness of the land. There is much air traffic, coming and going, of supply transports, medical transports, etc. There are vendors out in the street as well selling to the people wandering about their daily tasks.

EXT. view of Stealth walking through the streets among the people. Military personnel salute her, some citizens just stare. She walks up to a door and knocks. The door opens and Bishop is standing there.

BISHOP Captain....

STEALTH Bishop, Astro found something quite interesting which may tie in with today's battle. I want you to come with me to his place.

BISHOP Of course. Just a moment.....

He goes back in side. As Stealth waits for him, she can hear someone raise his voice down the street.

VOICE(male, in distance) How long will this war go on?

Bishop comes out of his house and closes his door.

VOICE ( in distance) How many more loved ones do we have to lose?

BISHOP What's going on?

STEALTH I'm not sure.

EXT. view of Stealth and Bishop walking through the street. They walk by a gathering of people surrounding AKYRAS, 65, who is speaking to the people. He is opposed to Black Wing.

AKYRAS Staying on this moon is dangerous.

WOMAN 1 But this is our home-we've been here hundreds of years.

Crowd murmurs in agreement. Stealth and Bishop look at each other.

AKYRAS Have you forgotten the battle of fifteen years ago? I haven't..Just as the Uhldatch got through Gateway then, the Chaloquins will find a way through now. Are you prepared for this?

MAN 1 Black Wing will protect us.

AKYRAS Will they?

MAN 2 They always have before.

AKYRAS And sometimes just barely. When will they see we're no longer safe? When we're all dead?

BISHOP What would you suggest we do Akyras?

Akyras turns and sees them.

AKYRAS What should have been done fifteen years ago. Start up life again on the planet--like the ancient ones before us.

BISHOP Running away? That's your solution?

AKYRAS It's the safest and wisest plan.

WOMAN 2 How can you think that going back to the planet is safe? What about the Olipidees?

Crowd murmurs in agreement.

AKYRAS We don't know that they exist anymore. I find it hard to believe that something created three hundred and fifty years ago would still be alive today.

BISHOP Akyras, why don't you go to the planet and find out?

AKYRAS Why don't you? I think Black Wing should go there first and destroy everything left over from the ancient ones, if there is truly anything left to be destroyed. Then we could move back to the safety of the planet. But of course Black Wing would be against such a plan for then how would you become heroes if there's no one to fight? All you care about is glory... for yourselves.

Bishop starts to move toward him. Stealth puts a restraining hand on his arm.

STEALTH Bishop, let it go.

Bishop looks to Stealth and back to Akyras.

STEALTH Come on. Astro's waiting for us.

They walk away as Akyras continues his campaign to the crowd.

AKYRAS Ah, there go two of our finest fighter pilots. But if we didn't have an enemy to fight, their skills wouldn't be needed, would they? They would cease to be important to us and that's why they refuse to listen to reason. The time is now to press the High Council into action before the Chaloquins strike again. The choice is up to you, the people.

Some of the crowd agrees with this and cheer. Others don't agree and walk away.

MAN 3 Akyras, you should be on the High Council.

WOMAN 2 Akyras speaks for the people.

MAN 3 We support you, Akyras.

What's left of the crowd begins to chant "Akyras, Akyras".... Akyras smiles and walks down the street to where Stealth and Bishop are, who have stopped. He walks up to them.

AKYRAS Me...on the High Council. What do you think of that, my brother?

BISHOP If that's what the people truly want, let it happen. There's nothing I can do to stop it.

AKYRAS If you won't go to Lord High Garuss then I will. With the people on my side, perhaps the council will see the light.

BISHOP This city was almost in total ruins once. We have built it back up and made it more prosperous than ever. How could you have forgotten?

AKYRAS I have forgotten nothing...the war against the Uhldatch, the destruction they caused, the death..... It took many years to get over my own personal losses. And now it will happen all over again.

BISHOP You don't know that. We're stronger now than we have ever been.

AKYRAS The past five years have been a constant battle with the Chaloquins. They won't stop until we are destroyed. But you are too blinded by the power and glory of Black Wing to see the reality.

He steps up to Stealth.

AKYRAS And you, the best pilot of the Nine Sisters, are leading them to their doom.

He turns and walks away. They watch him for a moment then continue on to Astro's place.

BISHOP Incredible. He disappears for years and when he returns, he stirs up trouble. One of these days I'm gonna knock some sense into him.

STEALTH What would that accomplish?

BISHOP Nothing. But it might make me feel better.

STEALTH Bishop....!

BISHOP You know, it's strange he should be so high and mighty about Black Wing. How could he forget his own glorious past?

STEALTH He has some anger to get through.

BISHOP How can you defend him? He has as much hostility towards you as he does to me.

STEALTH Maybe even more.

BISHOP So why do you stand there and take it?

STEALTH I have no choice. I'm captain of Black Wing. I can't afford to become emotional over everyone's opinions about the future or me personally.

They arrive at Astro's home. Stealth knocks. Zenith answers.

ZENITH Hello Captain, Bishop. Astro is expecting you.

They enter.

INT. view of Astro's place. Zenith brings them over to Astro who is busy at his data station.

STEALTH Astro.

ASTRO Captain, Bishop. Are we expecting anyone else?

STEALTH No, just us three.

DALLES, age 4, comes running in to Astro.

DALLES Daddy! Come see the ship I built!

ASTRO Not right now buddy.

ZENITH Come on Dalles...daddy has important work to do.

ASTRO I'll see it in a little while, okay?

DALLES Okay.

Zenith and Dalles exit.

STEALTH Is he going to be a pilot or a techie?

ASTRO A pilot of course! Like me!

STEALTH Of course.

She smiles.

STEALTH So show us what you saw earlier today.

Astro sits down at his vid-screen and pushes some buttons. What he saw earlier appears on the screen. They watch in silence as Astro plays it a few times.

ASTRO What do you think?

STEALTH I think we're in deep trouble if that thing's correct.

BISHOP Are they moving towards us?

ASTRO No. As far as I can tell they're just sitting there.

BISHOP How did they disappear?

STEALTH More importantly, how did they show up?

ASTRO It's like there was a barrier up between them and us and it dropped for a split second, then came up again.

BISHOP There are no natural barriers in that sector.

STEALTH Then it must be man-made or in this case, alien-made.

ASTRO A possibility might be they were somehow able to disrupt their signal from the sensor. With such a drain on their ships, it would be unsteady enough to slip once or twice.

BISHOP New technology? But then why didn't they strike?

ASTRO Their weapons might have been too drained to attack. Besides, we still haven't found their destroyer and Chaloquins never fight without it.

BISHOP But they did today.

STEALTH It has to be somewhere relatively close by but out of our sensor range. They might have been testing this new technology and sent the first squadron as a decoy.

BISHOP Maybe the mother ship sends a signal to disrupt our sensors and if that's the case, it could be very close.

ASTRO But Orange Wing didn't find anything and they would at least have seen some physical object.

STEALTH Perhaps Orange Wing didn't go far enough past the long-range sensors to see them. Astro I want you to keep working on this...

A signal sounds on Astro's personal vid-screen. Taric comes on.

ASTRO Admiral Taric...

TARIC (on vid-screen) I'm looking for Captain Kristol, have you seen her?

STEALTH I'm right here.

TARIC (on vid-screen) We've picked-up something on our long range scanners. Report to Command Control at once.

STEALTH Yes sir.

TARIC (on vid-screen) I also want to see Bishop and Astro.

BISHOP Right away.

The screen goes blank and they all start to leave.

INT. view of a local tavern. There is a bar along one wall and tables with flower bouquets on them. At one table sits some of the Black Wing crew-Speed (male). ALLANA (female), RAZOR(male), and SHADOW (male). At the bar stand AJAX (male), ZAIR (female) and FARGO (male) also on Black Wing. There are some citizens at other tables- at one in particular sit PRENEDIN, WEYR, ISHANZA and LIST (all male). Both groups of Black Wing are discussing the recent skirmish.

AJAX Did you see me nail that Chaloquin on Fargo's tail? I came up from behind, faster than lightning...he never even saw what hit him.

ZAIR Oh, come on, you talk like you were the only one up there doing anything.

FARGO Yeah, we were all up there taking them out.

AJAX But I'm one of the best.

Speed shouts from his table.

SPEED Ajax, are you congratulating yourself again?

ALLANA He has to 'cause no one else will!

Laughter as Laser, Vixen, No-way, Hi-jack and Duncan walk in. There is friendly banter among the two groups.

RAZOR Hey look who just walked in-the the Junior bird squad.

SPEED More like Junior bird leavings. Caw, Caw!

More laughter as the others walk up and join them.

LASER Ha, ha, very funny. Just wait until we beat you out of Black Wing.

SPEED Impossible.

SHADOW Unthinkable.

Ajax wanders over to them.

AJAX What's this I'm hearing? The Junior squad is writing us off already? Didn't you hear, we just whipped a Chaloquin squadron...left them to be an eternal part of the galaxy!

LASER I was watching-good shooting.

AJAX Good, he says? Not great, just good?

LASER Well...

ALLANA Oh, get off your flightstick Ajax.

She gives him a friendly punch.

RAZOR So how was your sim test today? Did you pass?

NO-WAY No-way. Hot pants over here decided to take on everyone by himself.

DUNCAN Which ended up getting some of us "killed".

SHADOW That's okay. No one has ever passed the first time.

LASER Except for Captain Kristol I'll bet.

AJAX Not even her.

LASER Really?

AJAX Really.

HI-JACK But she's so good.

LASER Good?.....She's fantastic!

AJAX Oh great! She's fantastic, while I'm merely "good".

SPEED I guess that's why you're not Captain of Black Wing.

ALLANA Come on Ajax, let me buy you a drink.

Ajax and Allana walk up to the bar.

SHADOW Don't worry about that test. All of you just need to work together as a team and you'll pass.

Laser smiles at Shadow. They go on talking as Akyras comes in and goes up to the bar to order a drink. At the table of civilians, Prenedin notices him.

PRENEDIN Akyras!

WEYR Come join us!

Agreement from the other civilians. Smiling, Akyras goes over to them. He sits down at their table.

PRENEDIN Akyras, we want you to know that we're all with you. We believe as you do.

WEYR Yes! Why don't you challenge the High Council? We'll back you up.

AKYRAS The five of us against the council and the military?

PRENEDIN We know many more that would support your cause.

ISHANZA With the Chaloquins keeping them busy, it wouldn't take much to over throw the council.

LIST Once we are in power, we can disband the military and do what needs to be done.

AKYRAS You are talking treason!

PRENEDIN Some would call it that. Others would call it freedom.

AKYRAS If the High Council and the military treated us cruelly or were unjust, then you might have a case to make war against them. All I'm asking is safety for all of us by moving back to the planet, not to overthrow the High Council!

PRENEDIN They obviously don't care about our welfare if they don't listen to you.

LIST The time to strike is now!

ISHANZA We can get a couple hundred followers to help.

WEYR It will be over with quickly, with little bloodshed as possible.

AKYRAS There have been too many wars already without having one among our own people. I have seen enough blood shed to last three lifetimes. If you really want to follow me, you'll let me handle this my own way. Peacefully.

PRENEDIN I'll make a deal with you. We'll give you a few days to pursuade the council and if you haven't succeeded, then we do it my way.

AKYRAS I'll not take part of any of your plans. Now, if you'll excuse me...

PRENEDIN Mark me Akyras, if you haven't changed their plans in three days, you'll have to decide whose side you're on. We hope you will join us. But if you don't, I won't be held responsible for what might happen to you.

Akyras looks at them coldly.

AKYRAS You don't frighten me. It's the Chaloquins whom I fear, for all the people. You, I can handle.

Akyras walks out. Prenedin is steaming with anger in his chair. He grabs the flowers out of the vase and rips them to pieces.

PRENEDIN Flowers!

INT. view of Command Control. Taric, Lightowner and Gunner are looking at a vid-screen as Stealth, Astro and Bishop enter. They cross over to Taric and Gunner.

STEALTH What's happened?

TARIC We found the Mother ship.

BISHOP The destroyer?

TARIC It's no destroyer.

He looks at vid-screen. The others follow his gaze. There is a small blip on the vid-screen.

TARIC We're getting this image from Outpost.

STEALTH From Outpost? That means this ship is well beyond the long-range sensors. It's a mammoth.

TARIC Yes. Obviously this is where the other ships came from. As yet we can't tell how many it holds.

STEALTH We could fly a recon mission. The infrex cameras could get data of the mammoth from quite a distance.

BISHOP Is it moving closer to us?

TARIC Yes.

ASTRO Even if they figured out how to open Gateway, it's too big--it would never get through.

GUNNER Sir, I think we should send the four fighting wings up to destroy it before it gets any closer.

STEALTH No. This thing is huge. I'm not sure our fighters could even make a dent in it. The best thing to do is let you and Astro do the recon so we can find out what we're dealing with.

TARIC Excellent suggestion.

He turns to Astro and Gunner.

TARIC I want you two to take your wings up there and get as many pictures as you can. If this mammoth starts moving towards you or sends its fighters out, head back to Outpost immediately. Understood?

ASTRO & GUNNER Yes sir.

STEALTH Sir, shouldn't we wait until Sector 2 Black Wing gets here?

TARIC No. I want both wings ready and launched in 10 minutes. You're excused.

They salute him and exit.

TARIC In a way, I'm relieved that mammoth ship showed up. It at least explains where the earlier squadron came from.

Stealth and Bishop glance at each other. Taric notices this.

TARIC Captain Kristol, what is going on? First that business with Astro and now this.

STEALTH Nothing.

TARIC Don't tell me nothing. If you have any ideas or speculations, please share them.

STEALTH Sir, I do have some....speculations, but I don't want to spread rumors. I would like to wait until I have some hard evidence

Taric regards her for a moment.

TARIC Of course. You remind me so much of your father. He, too, would get all the facts before presenting his ideas. You may go.

STEALTH Thank you sir.

They salute him and exit. Taric watches them leave.

INT. view of corridor. Stealth and Bishop walk through.

BISHOP Stealth, what's going on? Why won't you tell him?

STEALTH Don't you find it kind of strange how all of a sudden that mammoth ship appeared?

BISHOP What do you mean?

STEALTH Orange Wing didn't find anything out there and a few hours later it shows up?

BISHOP So our timing was off. We just missed finding it.

STEALTH Maybe. But those fighters...it was almost like a giant cloak was thrown over them and lifted off for a brief moment.....

BISHOP Ships that turns invisible? That would be hard to accept.

STEALTH I know. I'm just thinking out loud.

BISHOP Let's go see Astro and Gunner off.

They exit towards flight dock.

INT. view of flight dock. Various pilots get into their ships and slowly glide out to launch pad. Stealth and Bishop enter in time to see Zenith kissing Astro good bye. Astro climbs up in his ship, FIRES it up and glides towards launch pad. Zenith watches him for a moment then walks over to Stealth. They all turn to watch the last ships launch.

EXT. view of the fighters going into outer atmosphere.

INT. view of Command Control. Taric watches the two wings on radar as they near the Gateway. He turns to Comdr. Lightowner.

TARIC Comdr., I'll be in conference for the rest of the afternoon. Inform me of any new developments.

LIGHTOWNER Yes sir.

Taric exits.

INT. view of mammoth ship command bridge. SHEROD QUI is sitting in his captains chair with his minions all around him doing various work. One Chaloquin walks up to him.

SHEROD QUI Report.

CHALOQ 1 We are on the edge of their long-range sensors. They have most likely been alerted to our presence.

SHEROD QUI That is of no consequence to us. They would be foolish to attempt an attack this far from the Gateway.

CHALOQ 1 Should we move closer to the Nine Sisters?

SHEROD QUI Bring us barely within range of Outpost. There we shall wait for the signal.

CHALOQ 1 As you command.

EXT. view of sun going down behind the city.

EXT. view of balcony outside of the building where High Council meets. Stealth and Bishop are watching the sun go down while talking.

BISHOP Do you think Astro and Gunner will run into any problems?

STEALTH I hope not.

BISHOP I wish they'd hurry up and get back. It makes me nervous, their being gone so long.

STEALTH It's going to take them some time to go all the way around it from a distance.

BISHOP True. You know, I remember during the war of the Uhldatch thinking, how can we ever win?

STEALTH But we did.

BISHOP Hmm. Now we fight the Chaloquins..... a new and improved enemy. What do you think the outcome will be?

STEALTH Let's take this one day at a time and not second-guess the future. We have enough to deal with from hour to hour.

BISHOP Well, I guess there's nothing more that can be done tonight, so I'm going home.

STEALTH Have a good evening.

BISHOP I will.

Bishop exits. Stealth watches as two of the moons come into view. She is deep in thought. Lord High Garuss and Admiral Taric come up behind her.

GARUSS Captain Kristol.

STEALTH Lord High Garuss, Admiral Taric.

She puts her closed right fist over her heart and inclines her head for salute. All Council members are saluted this way.

GARUSS Enjoying this evening's rising?

He looks out at the moons.

STEALTH Um...yes.

GARUSS Did I disturb you? You looked deep in thought.

STEALTH I was just thinking...

GARUSS About what?

STEALTH Will this war ever end?

GARUSS One day. Everything must run its course and come to its conclusion.

STEALTH I wonder. Will we be around to see it?

GARUSS The end of the war? I hope so. That's what we're working toward.

TARIC Captain, how was Black Wing training today? With everything else going on we haven't had a chance to discuss it.

STEALTH I have a couple of hotshots that I need to get under control, but other than that, they're going to be an excellent group.

TARIC I have no doubt of that. You're one of the best Black Wing captains this era has ever seen. Your students are very lucky to have you training them.

STEALTH I myself was taught by the best.

GARUSS Yes...your father. He was the best at one time but that time ended with Uhldatch war. You succeeded him and surpassed our wildest hopes, to find a strong leader of Black Wing. As you know, most of the pilots descend from the ancient ones and each generation has contributed to all of the wings. The Kristol family included. The only difference is the Kristol's have always brought forth a leader and in you I see our history's greatest.

STEALTH I'm honored by your faith in me. I hope I can live up to that.

GARUSS I'm sure you will.

They all look out for a moment then Garuss breaks the silence.

GARUSS Don't worry about the future my friend. Not tonight. It's too peaceful an evening for that and peaceful moments are so few. Go on home. The High Council is done for the day. Neros should be there soon.

TARIC Indeed, it's the lucky man who gets to come home to you.

STEALTH Thank you, Admiral. Lord Garuss

She salutes Garuss and leaves. Garuss turns back to look at the rising. Taric watches Stealth leave with speculation in his eyes.

GARUSS Is everything going well?

Taric turns to Garuss.

TARIC Yes. Everything is fine. The Blue and Green wings have left for their mission.

GARUSS How long will it take them?

TARIC The leader of Blue wing, Astro, wants to get some technical data from the new Chaloquin mammoth, so it could take until tomorrow morning.

GARUSS I want you to go to Command Control and monitor their progress. Inform me when they return.

TARIC Yes, Lord High.

Taric salutes him and exits. Garuss smiles to himself.

EXT. view of Stealth walking into her domicile.

INT. view of Stealth coming in, checking messages on vid-screen. She listens to them as she starts to unwind. Neros enters from outside. There is a strained silence between them. Neros speaks.

NEROS Well. You're home before me for once.

STEALTH It's been a busy day.

NEROS I know. I'm glad you're safe. How did Black Wing sim test go this morning?

STEALTH Not very well.

NEROS So they'll have to take it again. Big deal. I seem to remember you yourself had to take it a few times.

STEALTH True.

NEROS So what's really troubling you?

STEALTH Nothing.

NEROS Come on, what's going on up there?

He tousles her head. Stealth pulls away.

STEALTH Sometimes I question the wisdom of Admiral Taric.

NEROS Meaning....

STEALTH Well, we all want Astro to get a closer look at the new mammoth, and I'm sure he'll get a lot of valuable information but to let two of our fighting wings go before Sector 2 Black Wing gets here? We're not fully protected and if the Chaloquins attack now...

NEROS They're not going to attack.

STEALTH How do you know?

NEROS They stopped at the outer edge of Outpost. The sensors haven't picked up any activity from them, and if they did it would still give plenty of time for the wings to get airborne. C'mon, relax.

STEALTH I'm also worried about the missing Black Wing from Sector 2. We've had no contact from them since this morning's rising.

NEROS I'm sure they're fine. Who's the captain?

STEALTH Drake Conner, callsign, The Rogue.

NEROS The Rogue?

STEALTH From what I've read in his file, he's a bit of a renegade, but he's a great pilot.

NEROS Of course. He'd have to be in order to become Black Wing captain. Just watch out for him.

STEALTH Why?

NEROS He's a rogue, and rogues are known for getting all the ladies.

STEALTH I think I can handle it.

NEROS By the way...

STEALTH Yes?

NEROS Tomorrow I'll be going back to the planet.

Stealth stares at him.

STEALTH What? Why?

NEROS The Council found a lot of valuable information in that old archive I brought back. They want another team to search for the rest of them and bring them back.

STEALTH Has everyone lost their minds or is it just me...don't you remember what happened last time you went? You barely returned with your life, not to mention the fact that the rest of your team died!

NEROS You mean the Olipidees.

STEALTH Of course that's what I mean! I don't think the archives of the ancient ones are so valuable that people need to die for them.

NEROS The council doesn't agree.

STEALTH Well the council is wrong.

NEROS Sharr, there are things in these archives that have been forgotten over the centuries--we could learn much from them.

STEALTH Like recovering the lost formula of creation. That's it, isn't it? Someone on the High Council wants to re-discover the creation formula.

NEROS I knew it wouldn't take long for you to figure it out.

STEALTH Haven't we learned enough from the past? Look what happened with the ancient ones. They created a nightmare--a monster so horrible and deadly that they couldn't control it. That's why we now live, spread out as we are, on the Nine Sisters.

NEROS But the Olipidees were created to protect their creators...

STEALTH But it didn't turn out that way, did it?

NEROS No, but should we stop trying because we failed the first time?

STEALTH You're not making sense.

NEROS I'm not making sense? Let me put it to you this way. Would the Captain of Sector 1 Black Wing stop defending the Nine Sisters because she lost some wingmates?

STEALTH That's entirely different.

NEROS Think of it! We could create something to protect us from the Chaloquins. No more lives would be lost. Wouldn't you like to see that?

STEALTH But engineering a creature as if we were a god is not the answer. Please, show the council how wrong they are...don't go back to the planet.

NEROS I have to. Look, I know things have been strange between us lately....

STEALTH Strange? Strange isn't the word for it. I feel like I don't even know you anymore. The past few months have been ridiculous. You're hiding something from me. I can feel it.

NEROS What? What could I be hiding?

STEALTH I don't know.

NEROS I don't want to talk about it anymore. I'm going back to the planet tomorrow morning. Will you be here when I get back?

STEALTH I don't know. Maybe we aren't as compatible as we once thought we were.

NEROS Fine.

Neros turns and walks away. Stealth is left standing in the room, frustrated.

EXT. view of the two moons fading into dawn.

EXT. view of control tower silhouetted against dawn. A solitary figure emerges onto balcony, holds up a transmitter and sends a signal. Hypnotic effect of the transmitter's blinking red light fades into a flashing red light in command control.

INT. view of Command Control-Admiral Taric is younger, Comdr. Lightowner is a Lieutenant monitoring the radar. Chaos as people are giving orders to different sectors. Radar shows the Uhldatch fighters coming through Gateway heading for the city. It is the attack from 15 years ago.

LIEUTENANT 1 They're through the Gateway!

LIGHTOWNER ETA to city, 10 minutes!

TARIC Launch all wings!

LIEUTENANT 2 Code red, code red, all wings to launch pad.

INT. view of hangar as pilots are running to their ships.

LIEUTENANT 2 (over comm) I repeat, code red, code red, all wings to launch pad.

A younger Stealth in a yellow uniform gets into her ship. The Black Wing captain comes striding in over to his ship-it is a younger Akyras. He climbs into his ship, puts on his helmet and starts up his ship.

EXT. view of wings systematically taking off into the atmosphere. They don't get far when they encounter the Uhldatch.

INT. view of Akyras cockpit.

AKYRAS All wings take the closest enemy ship to you and run them down!

EXT. view of different battles going on-so far it is a fairly even battle.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit as she follows an enemy ship and destroys it.

Good shot Stealth. Keep it up.

STEALTH Yes sir.

INT. view of Akyras' ship as he follows enemy fighters and destroys them.

EXT. views of different battles going on. The Uldatch pursue one Brown Wing pilot, FLASH.

INT. view of Akyras' cockpit.

AKYRAS Flash, you've got two on your tail-shake them!

INT. view of Flash's cockpit.

FLASH I'm trying!

EXT. view as Flash tries to out-maneuver them but the Uhldatch stay right with him.

INT. view of Akyras' cockpit.

AKYRAS Hold on, I'm on my way!

INT. view of Flash's cockpit.

FLASH Hurry, they're gaining on me!

EXT. view of Akyras dodging enemy FIRE to catch up.

EXT. view of two Uhldatch ships FIRING very close to Flash's ship.

INT. view of Flash's cockpit. Missile lock button glows.

FLASH They've got missile lock on me!

INT. view of Akyras' cockpit.

AKYRAS Eject now!

INT. view of Flash's cockpit.

FLASH Father!

EXT. view of Uhldatch firing. Flash's ship EXPLODES.

INT. view of Akyras' cockpit.

AKYRAS No!

He closes his eyes in grief for a moment, opens them and with a determined look, starts destroying Uhldatch ships all around him.

EXT. view of his ship FIRING on Uhldatch ships. A large group of Uhldatch come together and head for the city.

INT. view of Akyras' cockpit. His expression of rage turns to horror as he realizes what they're going to do.

AKYRAS Admiral, the Uhldatch are heading for the city!

INT. view of Command Control. Taric, Lightowner and others are watching the radar and see the Uhldatch at the edge of the city.

LIGHTOWNER Oh shards!

Taric grabs the comm link.

TARIC Black Wing, protect the city!

EXT. view of Uhldatch FIRING on the city. Buildings are destroyed, people die, fire and smoke everywhere, as everything is LASERED. Massive destruction.

INT. view of Akyras' cockpit.

AKYRAS Black Wing form up!

EXT. view of Black Wing ships forming up.

INT. view of Akyras' cockpit.

AKYRAS Protect the city!

EXT. view of Black Wing zooming towards the city with all other wings following. Black Wing FIRES, all ships break off to pursue individual enemy ships. Different battles happen along with Akyras, and eventually the wings are victorious, but not without some loss of its own.

INT. view of Akyras' cockpit.

AKYRAS Command Control, the enemy is destroyed.

He is met with silence.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit as she is listening.

AKYRAS (over comm) Command control, please acknowledge.

Static is still heard.

EXT. view of ships landing carefully around what used to be the hangars. The ships land and pilots get out and survey what's left of Command Control. Akyras, Stealth and several others go through command control. People are dead or dying all around. Stealth finds Taric still alive.

STEALTH Captain, over here!

Akyras goes over to Stealth.

AKYRAS Help me lift this off of him.

They lift a section of wall and pull him out. He is coherent but bleeding from a head wound.

TARIC Too fast...they came in too fast...

AKYRAS It's all right now sir. They have been destroyed.

Lightowner comes up holding his arm.

LIGHTOWNER The Uhldatch may be destroyed, but what about us? How much of this city survived?

Akyras looks at him, turns around and runs out. Stealth follows. EXT. view as they run through the city, Akyras in the foreground, Stealth behind.

EXT. view of Akyras running down a street. He turns a corner.

EXT. view of Akyras as he stops to glance at the destruction of his street. He runs to his house, climbing over fallen walls, clawing past broken furniture.

AKYRAS Shelayne! Shelayne, can you hear me? Where are you?

He looks around trying to find his family. He moves a piece of debris and stops. There underneath are his twin sons, dead. He moves another piece of debris and finds his wife holding his young daughter, both dead. He kneels down and cradles her head in his lap, silently crying. Stealth comes running up and stops short in horror when she sees what's happened.

AKYRAS No!

INT. view of Akyras, asleep in his house having this dream. He tosses and turns. Suddenly there is an ALARM sounding from the outside. Akyras cries out, awakens and sits straight up, disoriented.

EXT. view of deserted streets as the ALARM sounds.

INT. view of Stealth and Neros asleep on opposite sides of the bed. Sound of ALARM permeates the city and is audible from within. Stealth and Neros awake. A personal vid-screen by the bed lights up. Lord High Garuss comes on screen.

GARUSS (on screen) Captain Kristol, the Chaloquins sent their fighters out and are on their way to the Outpost. All fighting wings are to go up now.

STEALTH Yes, Lord High, I'm on my way.

GARUSS (on screen) Lord Bolune, High Council meeting at once.

NEROS Yes, Lord High.

They get out of bed and prepare to leave.

INT. view of hangar as people frantically working, fighter pilots getting into ships, some ships taxiing out to launch pad. Stealth comes striding in, suiting up as she goes. She speaks to Admiral Taric as they walk to her ship.

TARIC So far we've counted six squadrons of Chaloquins.

STEALTH So far? We'd better hope that's all. I'm down two wings.

TARIC I know.

STEALTH Any sign of Captain Conner's Black Wing?

TARIC Not yet.

STEALTH Shards, Admiral, this is not good.

TARIC I realize that. Your orders are, as always, help Outpost defend the Gateway.

STEALTH Yes sir.

TARIC Good luck out there.

STEALTH Thanks. We're gonna need it.

Stealth gets in her ship.

EXT. view outside hangar of Stealth's ship taxiing to launch pad. INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. Control comes on over comm.

Comm. 1 (over comm.) All wings, you are clear to launch.

Stealth presses buttons and begins lift off.

EXT. view of ships going off into space.

EXT. view of Akyras home as he walks outside. He looks up to see Black Wing taking off into the early morning.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Wing captains check in.

INT. view of Duncan's cockpit.

DUNCAN Brown Wing, standing by.

INT. view of Check-outs cockpit.

CHECK-OUT Brown Wing, standing by.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH All wings make speed to Outpost.

EXT. view of ships in space, speeding towards the Outpost.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Outpost, this is Black Wing. Give me a status report.

OUTPOST (over comm.) Chaloquin fighters approximately 1000 out.

STEALTH We're 3000 out. They'll be there before us, so hold on as best you can.

OUTPOST (over comm.) Will do.

STEALTH Duncan, when we reach Outpost, take your wing left and come in at a lateral attack position. Check-out, take your wing right and come in at a lateral attack position. Let's round them up and push them back.

INT. view of Duncan's cockpit.

DUNCAN Brown Wing confirm.

INT. view of Check-out's cockpit.

CHECK-OUT Brown Wing confirm.

EXT. view of Outpost. Outpost is a military defense post that keeps the Gateway shield in place.

INT. view of Outpost control center. People working at posts. Stealth is heard over their comm.

STEALTH (over comm.) Outpost, this is Black Wing requesting Gateway to open.

INT. view of Outpost control center.

CONTROL 2 Negative. The Chaloquins are attacking. If we open Gateway they'll get through.

Outpost gets hit by multiple enemy FIRE.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She listens to the comm.

CONTROL 3 (o.c.) Outpost shields down to 70%.

INT. view of Outpost control center.

CONTOL 1 Return fire as needed.

CONTROL 2 Sir, the Gateway is opening!

CONTROL 1 What?

Radar shows Gateway section disappearing.

CONTROL 1 Close it quick!

CONTROL 2 Not responding!

CONTROL 1 Manual override!

CONTROL 3 Not responding!

INT. view of mammoth ship.

CHALOQ 1 Gateway is open.

SHEROD QUI Send one squadron of fighters through to start attack run on the city.

CHALOQ 1 As you command.

EXT. view of Chaloquins ships FIRING on Outpost. Outpost FIRING back. One squad of Chaloquins race toward the Gateway opening.

INT. view of Outpost as they get HIT again.

CONTROL 2 Shields down to 50%.

CONTROL 3 One squad of Chaloquin fighters are through the Gateway.

CONTROL 1 Come on Black Wing, hurry.

Radar shows Black Wing almost to Outpost and Chaloquins through and heading toward surface.

EXT. view of the three wings. They change position as the Brown Wings go left and right.

EXT. view of Outpost still being HIT by Chaloquins.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

DUNCAN (over comm.) Brown Wing in position.

CHECK-OUT (over comm.) Brown Wing in position.

STEALTH Brown Wings execute. Black Wing, follow me back to the moon. We have to get the Chaloquins before they reach the city.

EXT. view of Black Wing pulling up and going back the way they came.

EXT. view of Brown wings FIRING on Chaloquins in different formations. After first volley, they split off into groups of two and chase Chaloquin ships.

INT. view of Outpost people watching out the main window as Chaloquin ships start to EXPLODE. They cheer.

EXT. view of city with people milling about their morning work. Chaloquin fighters appear and start FIRING on the people. Everyone runs for cover. Some people are LASERED as well as a few buildings.

EXT. view of Black Wing arriving.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH All right Black Wing, engage enemy!

EXT. view of Black Wing FIRING on Chaloquins.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. View out her front window as she is chasing a ship and FIRING on it. It EXPLODES.

EXT. view of other ships destroying the Chaloquins.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

BISHOP That's all of them Captain.

STEALTH Black Wing form up. We're heading back to Outpost.

EXT. view of space and Outpost. There are battles going on everywhere. Some Chaloquins ships regroup and bear down on some of Brown Wing ships. Brown Wing tries to evade them but two ships are FIRED on at once and EXPLODE.

INT. view of Check-Out's cockpit.

CHECK-OUT No!

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Check-out, what happened?

INT. view of Check-out's cockpit.

CHECK-OUT I've lost two pilots.....Decker, Silo, evasive maneuvers now!

EXT. view of Decker and Silo trying to get back to Brown Wing but the Chaloquins get them.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She is listening to comm.

CHECK-OUT (over comm.) I just lost two more.

DUNCAN (over comm.) Captain, I've lost seven of my wing. There's just too many of them.

STEALTH All wings form up with Black Wing now. We'll try to clear a path for you.

EXT. view of Black Wing BLASTING any Chaloquin ships in front of them.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She looks down on her radar to see that what's left of both Brown Wings have joined up with her. She looks out and sees the Chaloquins slowly surrounding them. They are heavily outnumbered.

BISHOP (over comm) Captain, we've lost too many pilots....

STEALTH I know! I know! Shards, we need a miracle.....!

ROGUE (over comm.) Here's your miracle! Compliments of Sector 2.

Stealth looks down at her radar which shows nothing then looks left.

EXT. view of sector 2 Black Wing coming up behind them. His wing starts BLASTING the Chaloquins.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Alright everyone, it's all or nothing..take the Chaloquin fighter nearest you and run them down!

EXT. view of different battles as the Chaloquins are BLOWN UP. When it's obvious they have lost, the Chaloquins retreat.

INT. view of Outpost. Everyone is cheering.

CONTROL 1 Black Wing the Chaloquins have retreated.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Confirmed. What is your status?

CONTROL 1 (over comm.) We're a bit shaken, but we're okay.

EXT. view of all ships heading back to moon.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Thank you Captain Conner for the timely arrival of your Black Wing.

ROGUE (over comm.) You're welcome, oh famous one.

STEALTH Excuse me?

ROGUE (over comm.) I'm merely alluding to the fact that you're well known throughout the fleet, in a positive manner.

STEALTH Thank you again.....I think. Command Control, this is Black Wing. Gateway has been defended and Sector 2 Black Wing has been found.

INT. view of Command Control room. Admiral Taric, Lord High Garuss and Neros are there.

TARIC Well done Captain Kristol. Captain Conner, it's good to see your wing made it here. When you land I want to see both of you in the briefing room.

STEALTH (over comm.) We'll be there sir.

GARUSS Excellent job Admiral. Once again we are safe...for the moment. Lord Bolune, you and your team are now cleared to leave for the planet. And try not to lose any more people.

NEROS Yes Lord High.

Neros salutes Lord High Garuss and walks out.

INT. view of ships gliding into hangar. Hatches release and pilots get out. Stealth goes down ladder on her ship. When she gets to the bottom, Rogue and some of his pilots come up to her.

ROGUE Captain Kristol.

Stealth turns around and looks at him. There is an instant chemistry between them as they size each other up.

STEALTH Captain Conner I presume.

ROGUE My wing and I are at your service. And may I just take a moment to say you look prettier in person than you do on the vid-screen. It will be a pleasure flying under you.

The way he says the last lines, Stealth has a feeling that flying isn't really what he'd like to do.

STEALTH Captain Conner, you may dismiss your wingmates to go to the barracks and settle in. But you follow me.

ROGUE All right people, you heard the lady. Go find your bunks. I'll be back in a couple of hours....maybe.

The pilots exit. Stealth waits a couple of beats for them to get out of earshot.

STEALTH Captain Conner, this is no time for fun and games. I just lost several of my wingmates and you act like it was a picnic in the Gardens. Do you fully understand what's going on here?

ROGUE Forgive me Captain Kristol. I don't mean to make light of a serious situation. It's just my way of dealing with things.

STEALTH Find another way to deal with things and keep your bedroom talk for the bedroom.

ROGUE Yes sir.

STEALTH This way captain.

INT. view of corridor. Rogue tries to make small talk.

ROGUE So this is Sector 1. Not much different than ours.

STEALTH The only difference is the amount of action and believe me, we get a lot of it.

ROGUE Good. I was beginning to think my talents were being wasted.

STEALTH And what might those talents be?

ROGUE I'm one of the best pilots around.

STEALTH You definitely have the ego to go with it.

ROGUE Thank you. And I'm also a favorite with the ladies. I think that should be considered a talent.

STEALTH Is that supposed to impress me?

ROGUE Aren't you?

STEALTH No. But the fact is, you won't have time to carouse with women here. I run a very tight schedule.

ROGUE I'll bet.

STEALTH Do you have a problem with that?

ROGUE No. But remember back to our cadet training days..."There's a time for work and a time for play. This makes a well-rounded pilot".

STEALTH Your point?

ROGUE You need to loosen up a bit. I think I'll make you my mission.

STEALTH I don't need you to loosen me up.

ROGUE Yes you do. And it'll take someone like me to tame the Captain of Sector 1 Black Wing.

STEALTH Tame?

ROGUE ...Someone who's feisty and loaded with ambition.

STEALTH It wasn't ambition that got me here. It was skill and timing.

ROGUE You can argue that with yourself all you want but there's ambition in every pilot. Getting to Black Wing is what it's all about.

STEALTH Really? And what's your ambition?

ROGUE To become Black Wing Captain of Sector 1.

STEALTH Wel, you'll have a long wait because I don't plan on retiring for quite a while.

They reach the briefing room door and stop.

ROGUE I won't have to wait long. Soon you'll be promoted to Admiral or Lord High.

STEALTH I told you, I'm .....

ROGUE ....You--are everything I imagined you'd be.

STEALTH Hmm. I'm afraid to ask if that's good or bad?

ROGUE Good, so far. But please, go on. I told you I like them feisty.

STEALTH I'm not feisty!

ROGUE Then why are you arguing with me?

Stealth looks at him and walks into briefing room. Rogue smiles and follows her.

web hosting • domain names
web design • online games

HOME/PAGE 2