INT. view of large briefing room. All wing fighters, except white and yellow wings, are listening to Admiral Taric, in the fore front, Rogue, Bishop, Astro, Zenith and Akyras.

I know we all mourn the loss of Black Wing and Captain Sharr Kristol. But we can't dwell on that now. If we survive, we'll have a proper memorial for those brave pilots. If we don't survive, nothing will matter. The plan is to get aboard that mammoth and blow it up. All wings will engage the enemy fighters as a decoy for Captain Conner and his wingmate. They will get on board and plant a very large explosive.

GUNNER How are they going to accomplish that?

TARIC Astro found a narrow flight tunnel on the back side of the ship. It goes deeper than any of the other flight decks and I believe they could reach very near the CCS.

Zenith leans over to Astro and whispers.

ZENITH CCS?

ASTRO Central Control System. It's the brain of the ship.

TARIC If they destroy the CCS, the entire ship will go into a meltdown which could possibly explode the ship. If not, it will at least damage them enough to make them retreat.

GUNNER Admiral, why haven't they attacked before now?

TARIC As you all know by now, the Chaloquins have come up with a radar cloaking device. I'm sure they thought they could get here and take over with no problem. But thanks to Sector 2, we now know about this ability and can do it also. The Chaloquins knew we would be extra wary and even as outnumbered as we are, they aren't stupid. They don't take risks.

VIXEN But how could they know we have the cloaking, too?

TARIC Because...we have had a spy among us.

DUNCAN Who?

TARIC I think it's safe to assume that Lord High Garuss and Neros were working for the Chaloquins and since they were on the High council, they knew everything we knew. People, this is our darkest hour. We must defend this Gateway. If we don't succeed, the Nine Sisters and their inhabitants are lost. Comdr. Lightowner, I leave you in charge of Command Control.

LIGHTOWNER Sir?

TARIC Since Captain Conner has a special mission, I shall command all wings as leader of Black Wing. Captain Conner, are you and your wingmate ready to go?

ROGUE As soon as I choose one.

Astro stands and faces Rogue.

ASTRO Captain, I request that position. I know that mammoth better than anyone else here. I've studied the infrex photos in detail. I can be a great asset to you.

ROGUE Then I guess I'm ready to go.

TARIC All wings ready to launch in 15 minutes. Good luck...to all of us.

They all start to exit.

INT. view of corridor in mammoth. Chaloquin guards are leading Garuss and Neros to Chaloquin leader.

INT. view of chamber as Chaloquins guards lead Garuss and Neros in. Sherőd Qui, with his council, sits at one end of the room. The guards bring the two prisoners before the Sherőd Qui. Sherőd Qui stares at them.

GARUSS Sherőd Qui, I'm here on a mission of peace.

SHERŐD QUI Peace is not an option.

GARUSS But there is no need for all the death and destruction of not only our race, but yours as well.

SHERŐD QUI There can be only one race.

GARUSS Why?

SHERŐD QUI To preserve our heritage. To continue far in the future without risk of annihilation.

GARUSS But that's what you're planning to do to us.

SHERŐD QUI There can be only one race.

GARUSS Sherőd Qui, I offer my people as slaves to you in return for their lives. We can work for you and provide you with many things.

SHERŐD QUI We are self-sufficient. There is nothing you can provide that is not attainable by ourselves.

GARUSS But surely, you are open to some sort of compromise. I stand before you, alive, and that is not usually the Chaloquin way.

SHERŐD QUI We shall correct that assumption.

Sherőd Qui looks at Neros. Neros pulls out a laser he's been hiding and points it at Garuss.

GARUSS Neros, what are you doing

Neros smiles and SHOOTS him. The guards take away the body. Sherőd Qui turns to Neros.

SHERŐD QUI All is ready?

NEROS Yes Sherőd Qui.

SHERŐD QUI It is time.

INT. view of different mammoth corridor. Chaloquin guards are escorting Stealth to a prison cell.

INT. view of guards taking her into the cell, she fights to get free of Them, the guards subdue her and chain her wrists to the wall.

CHALOQUIN GUARD Do not try to escape again. It will mean immediate termination.

STEALTH I'm surprised you haven't already killed me. Why am I still alive?

CHALOQUIN GUARD You alone are to be saved from annihilation for the pleasure of the One.

STEALTH The One? Who is it?

They start to leave.

STEALTH Tell me who it is!

The Chaloquins leave her and close the door.

EXT. view of all wings lifting off into space.

EXT. view of ships flying towards Outpost.

INT. view of Taric's cockpit.

TARIC Every pilot be on the look-out for enemy ships. Remember, they won't show on radar, so watch closely. Outpost, this is Admiral Taric requesting Gateway to open.

OUT POST (over comm.) Gateway is opening.

TARIC Captain Conner, once we reach Outpost, head for the far side of the mammoth. We'll keep them busy on this side.

ROGUE (over comm.) Yes sir.

EXT. view of ships flying through Gateway.

INT. view of Admiral Taric's cockpit. His radar shows the last few pilots going through Gateway.

OUT POST (over comm.) Closing Gateway.

EXT. view of ships nearing Outpost.

INT. view of Gunner's cockpit. He is watching for Chaloquin fighters.

GUNNER No sign of enemy fighters here.

INT. view of Duncan's cockpit. He is watching for Chaloquin fighters.

DUNCAN None here either.

TARIC (over comm.) Alert as soon as spotted.

EXT. view of ships passing Outpost.

INT. view of Rogue's cockpit.

OUT POST (over comm.) All wings have cleared Outpost.

ROGUE Well, Admiral, this is it. Good luck sir.

INT. view of Admiral Taric's cockpit.

TARIC Same to you, Captain.

EXT. view of Rogue and Astro heading off to the right.

INT. view of Bishop's cockpit. He looks left and spots Chaloquin fighters.

BISHOP Admiral, enemy fighters off left!

INT. view of Admiral Taric's cockpit.

TARIC I see them.

INT. view of Laser's cockpit.

LASER How many can you see?

INT. view of Bishop's cockpit.

BISHOP I would guess over a hundred.

INT. view of Gunner's cockpit.

GUNNER Saving the rest of their fighters for moon surface combat, I bet.

INT. view of Admiral Taric's cockpit.

TARIC All wings attack run A on my mark ....execute!

EXT. view of long line of fighters 3 ships deep going to meet the enemy. As soon as ships are in range of each other, they start FIRING. Different battles ensue.

EXT. view of Rogue and Astro's ships very near the mammoth.

INT. view of Rogue's cockpit.

ROGUE All right Astro, where's the backdoor?

INT. view of Astro's cockpit.

ASTRO Follow me.

EXT. view of ships flying around and down to a dark opening.

INT. view of Rogue's cockpit.

ROGUE I don't like this.

ASTRO (over comm.) What's wrong?

ROGUE They should have sent some fighters out to meet us.

INT. view of Astro's cockpit.

ASTRO But they can't see us on the radar.

INT. view of Rogue's cockpit.

ROGUE They can physically though.

INT. view of Astro's cockpit. He looks concerned.

INT. view of tunnel. They fly by dozens of Chaloquin fighter ships.

ASTRO (over comm.) This is creepy.....

ROGUE (over comm.) You're telling me.

INT. view of flight deck as they land. The hatches pop up and they get out. They climb down and look around. It is silent.

ROGUE Let's plant that bomb and get out of here.

EXT. view of battles still on-going. More Chaloquins and wing pilots die.

INT. view of Admiral Taric's cockpit. He looks down at radar which shows his ship moving away from the battle zone and towards the mammoth.

INT. view of Bishop's cockpit. He notices what Taric is doing.

BISHOP Admiral Taric, what are you doing?

INT. view of Admiral Taric's cockpit.

TARIC I have an idea.

BISHOP (over comm.) Do you need help?

TARIC Negative. Stay and fight because this might not work. I leave you in command.

EXT. view of his ship racing up to mammoth. Mammoth tractor beam gets a hold of his ship and starts to bring it in.

INT. view of Admiral Taric's cockpit. He tries to regain control of his ship but relaxes once he realizes he can't.

INT. view of corridor on mammoth. Rogue and Astro walk quietly looking for a good place to set the bomb. Chaloquin guards enter and start SHOOTING. Rogue and Astro set the bomb down and draw their lazers. They are forced back away from the bomb.

ASTRO We can't leave the bomb!

ROGUE It won't do us any good to get ourselves killed! Come on!

Rogue and Astro SHOOT as they run for cover, down a few corridors and stop.

ROGUE Wait. Listen.

ASTRO I don't hear anything.

ROGUE Exactly. They stopped following.

ASTRO Why?

ROGUE I don't know. Let's sneak back and see if we can get the bomb.

They exit back the way they came.

INT. view as they look around the corner to see why the guards haven't chased them. They see guards standing around the bomb. Neros and some more guards enter.

ASTRO Neros is working for them!

ROGUE I knew she should have dumped him.

After securing the bomb, Neros signals for some guards to go find Rogue and Astro.

ROGUE It's time to go again!

They take off running. The guards chase them.

INT. view of corridor as Rogue and Astro lose the guards. They stop for a breath.

ASTRO Now what?

ROGUE No use going back to the bomb. Do you know approximately where we are?

ASTRO I think we're a couple of levels under the CCS.

ROGUE Let's get to it and figure out some way to destroy it.

They hear guards coming down the hall. Rogue and Astro duck into a room. When the Chaloquins walk past, Rogue and Astro open the door and look out to notice Neros is with them but not the bomb. Rogue speaks quietly to Astro.

ROGUE They don't have the bomb with them.

ASTRO I wonder where it is?

ROGUE Let's follow them and see if they'll lead us to it.

INT. view of corridor. Neros and entourage stop outside prison cell. The door opens, they enter.

INT. view inside prison cell of them coming in. Stealth's eyes go wide in amazement.

STEALTH Neros?

NEROS Hi honey. Are you surprised?...Shocked? A bit angry?

STEALTH Try all of the above.

INT. view of corridor outside prison cell. Rogue and Astro sneak around in the shadows. They can hear Stealth and Neros talking.

NEROS (off) Don't be too upset. Better to work with an enemy than be dead.

INT. view of cell.

STEALTH You never did like confrontation.

INT. view of Rogue and Astro hiding. They look at each other as they recognize Stealth's voice.

ROGUE She's alive!

INT. view of cell.

STEALTH What....how were you able to contact the Chaloquins?

NEROS That Chaloquin fighter you caught a year ago provided many useful items including a transmitter. It took me a while but I finally figured out how to communicate with them.

STEALTH You and Garuss worked out this plan of surrender?

NEROS Garuss was tired of fighting. He thought surrender was the best course of action.

STEALTH So Garuss is the one they saved me for?

Taric stands in doorway.

TARIC No. I am.

Stealth looks at him in disbelief.

TARIC Yes, it's true. I am the real traitor, the spy. Although, Garuss did have his own agenda with the Chaloquins.

STEALTH You? Why would any of you want deal with the Chaloquins?

TARIC Garuss really believed he could persuade them into living a life of peace. The old fool. He wouldn't join me and I needed someone with access to lots of information. Neros had the best of both worlds as Gaross' right-hand man and lover...to you. Well, up until the last few months, anyway.

Stealth is silent. Neros looks at her and shrugs.

NEROS Sorry.

STEALTH Not half as sorry as I am.

TARIC He kept me informed of what the pilots were doing when you wouldn't.

STEALTH So...what happens now?

TARIC Now, to finish this war once and for all. It's been a long fight, and I'm tired of fighting.

STEALTH But why? Why turn on your own people?

TARIC We are weak and worthless compared to other races. I didn't understand this fully until the war of the Uhldatch. We have no right to be alive.

STEALTH You sold us out.

TARIC I had to.

STEALTH And yet you want to live. Where does that fit in with your logic of only the strong survive?

TARIC It's called self-preservation. I want to live. And I want to live with you by my side. You're strong, a fighter.

STEALTH You're a very sick man. What could you ever gain from our annihilation, besides your worthless life?

TARIC Peace, finally, from the ghosts that have haunted me for fifteen years. I won't have to witness any more destruction or death. It will be over with all at once. No more failure to protect. The Chaloquins are strong, too strong for us. We can't win this time.

STEALTH You're wrong. Black Wing will come through. Captain Conner...

TARIC Captain Conner and Astro have delivered a bomb on board this ship, which we allowed. They are most likely dead by now. They don't matter though. All that matters is the bomb. You see, it isn't really a bomb, just an empty shell. But inside is all the technical data of the Gateway and with that, we shall find a way to destroy it.

INT. view of Rogue and Astro hiding. They look at each other.

INT. view of cell.

TARIC Right now, all of the wings are being eliminated one by one in a great battle in the sky, because I led them there. After that, we shall move this mammoth to the Outpost and destroy both it and the Gateway. Then it is merely a matter of time as we slowly terminate the inhabitants of the Nine Sisters.

STEALTH Why?

TARIC So the Chaloquins can have a new planet as a base to reach further parts of the galaxy. They will be able to destroy the Olipidees, then build a world for themselves using all the rich resources of the planet. We shall not live to see it of course, because that's decades away.

STEALTH The Chaloquins won't let you live at all. Once you help them destroy Gateway, they'll kill you.

TARIC I don't think so. In return for all I've done for them, they'll allow me and the companion of my choice to live. The Chaloquins will keep us as sort of an experiment, letting us breed, keeping us contained for the remainder of our lives. Perhaps they will give our little city back to us to inhabit with our offspring.

STEALTH You expect me to live and breed with the two of you?

TARIC No, just me.

He takes out his laser and aims at Neros. Neros is surprised and before he can cry out, Taric SHOOTS him. The guards take the body away. Taric steps up close to Stealth.

TARIC Neros had you long enough. It's my turn now. I tried to tell you earlier....

INT. view of Rogue and Astro hiding. Rogue has a look of disgust on his face, Astro is purely shocked.

INT. view of cell.

STEALTH Never! I will never be yours. I'd rather die! And if I ever get my hands free, I'll rip you into tiny little pieces!

He considers her for a moment. Then he speaks.

TARIC The Chaloquins have this wonderful drug which has quite a tranquil effect on humans. It makes things seem bearable, even, desirable, and as you are a bit too excited right now, I think we need to use it.

He puts a hand on her cheek, she tries to turn away, he holds her face towards him and caresses her lips with his thumb.

TARIC I have been waiting for this for a long time. I promise you, you won't feel pain, only pleasure.

He removes his hand and steps back. He signals to Chaloquin guards who bring over a needle-like object full of green fluid.

INT. view of Rogue and Astro hiding.

ASTRO We have to do something!

ROGUE Right. Umm.....

He looks around and finds a small round container and quietly rolls it down the corridor. He then takes his laser and aims at it.

INT. view of cell. Taric watches with anticipation in his eyes as one guard holds Stealth's head. Another guard is about to inject the needle into her jugular vein when they hear an EXPLOSION.

TARIC What...?

He and all the guards go running to see what happened.

INT. view of Rogue and Astro hiding. Taric and the guards run down the hall towards the explosion.

ROGUE I'll get Stealth. You head for the CCS.

ASTRO Gotcha.

Astro starts to leave.

ROGUE Wait....where is it?

INT. view of cell. Stealth's head is hanging down in defeat. She doesn't see or hear Rogue who is tiptoeing in. He gets to her and touches her head. She snaps her head up and is about to speak out loud when Rogue puts his hand over her mouth. He whispers.

ROGUE Hi doll, did you miss me?

He takes his hand away.

STEALTH Captain Conner....

ROGUE Please, call me Drake.

STEALTH How did you....

ROGUE I'd love to stay and chat with you, actually I'd love to do more than chat with you, especially since you're chained to the wall, but we're in a bit of a time crunch. So let's get you out of these lovely bracelets and get off this ship.

He is able to release her wrists.

ROGUE Astro's waiting for us. Let's go.

They exit.

INT. view of them running down one corridor. It comes to a 'T', they stop, Rogue gets his bearings and heads right.

EXT. view of space battle. Half of the wings are dead and most of the Chaloquins are dead.

INT. view of Laser's cockpit.

LASER Nothing like cleaning up the town.

INT. view of Bishop's cockpit.

BISHOP Don't get too cocky, Laser. We may have won this battle but if Rogue and Astro don't get that mammoth destroyed, we're still lost.

He gets a lock on a Chaloquin and FIRES. It EXPLODES.

INT. view of Laser's cockpit.

LASER Hey, where are they going?

EXT. view of Chaloquin fighters heading back to mammoth.

INT. view of Gunner's cockpit.

GUNNER Shall we follow them?

INT. view of Bishop's cockpit.

BISHOP Negative. All wings form up. There's nothing more we can do now. We're going home.

EXT. view of wings going back to Command Control.

INT. view of Stealth and Rogue running down corridor. It comes to a "T", they stop, Rogue gets his bearings again and they head right.

INT. view of corridor as Stealth and Rogue run down it when an alarm sounds. They stop.

STEALTH Guess who found out I'm missing?

ROGUE Come on, I think we're almost there.

INT. view of CCS room looking towards the open doorway. Stealth and Rogue run by, back-up and enter. They cross to Astro who is seated at console.

ROGUE How's it going?

ASTRO I'm reconfiguring the system to overload itself. Twenty minutes after I push this button, every single system will go to maximum overload and the central core will meltdown.

ROGUE Why twenty minutes?

ASTRO I auto programmed a delay for us to get out.

STEALTH Then push it and let's get out of here.

ASTRO Just one more system to override....

Guards enter and start SHOOTING. Laser blasts EXPLODE into CCS and all around as Stealth, Rogue and Astro duck. They FIRE back. One guard FIRES above their heads and debris falls down on them. Stealth and Rogue crawl out and SHOOT the rest of the guards. They turn and see Astro buried under debris. They clear it out and find Astro badly wounded .

STEALTH Astro! Can you hear me?

ASTRO Yes.

STEALTH Do you think you can move?

ASTRO I don't know.

Rogue checks Astro over.

ROGUE He's badly hurt.

STEALTH Help me get him to his feet.

They help him up but it's difficult for him. They go to the console. Rogue holds Astro up.

STEALTH What do we do?

ASTRO Press the button.

Stealth tries but it won't work.

STEALTH It's not working.

Rogue helps Astro sit in chair. He tries. It still won't work.

ASTRO The Chaloquins must have hit it with a laser blast. It's melted in place. We can't overload the system unless we do it manually.

STEALTH Okay, how do we do that?

Astro looks at her.

ASTRO Someone has to stay here and do it one by one.

ROGUE After the last one, we still have time to leave, right?

ASTRO No. By the time the last one is overloaded, there will be an instantaneous chain reaction starting in this room.

They look at each other.

STEALTH I'll stay.

ASTRO No I'll stay.

STEALTH As captain of Black Wing......

ASTRO Captain, I'm not going to make it. I can feel it. Please. Let me make my death count for something.

Stealth looks at Rogue.

ROGUE He's right.

ASTRO Now, go. You'll only have about ten minutes.

ROGUE Ten?

ASTRO Doing this manually, I can't give you any delay. As soon as I input the overloads, they take effect. Go.

Rogue starts to leave as Astro turns and starts overloading. Stealth doesn't move. Rogue comes back.

ROGUE Sharr....we have to go.

STEALTH ....Astro....

ROGUE C'mon!

He grabs her arm and drags her out.

INT. view of bridge of mammoth. Sherőd Qui is there. Admiral Taric enters.

TARIC The prisoner has escaped.

SHERŐD QUI I know. You can find her later. Right now, we destroy the Gateway.

CHALOQ 2 The fighter pilots have retreated.

TARIC Then send out more.

SHERŐD QUI No. First we will move the ship to Outpost and destroy it.

TARIC Destroying Outpost won't do anything to the Gateway.

SHERŐD QUI According to the plans, it will weaken the Gateway at this point. Then, all it will take is a concentrated beam to break apart a section of it.

Taric looks at the plans, then looks up at Sherőd Qui.

TARIC This beam would need to be as strong as 1000 ship's lasers!

SHERŐD QUI This ship has the capability to accomplish this.

TARIC But not without severely draining every other system on board! And for a long period of time! This ship would just drift in space!

SHERŐD QUI That is the chance we are willing to take.

TARIC It's insane!

SHERŐD QUI Perhaps you would like to join your former companions.

Taric regards him for a moment.

TARIC No, I'll stay here.

Sherőd Qui turns to Chaloquin Control 1.

SHERŐD QUI Bring us within firing range of Outpost.

INT. view of Stealth and Rogue running down corridor. Guards see them and chase them, SHOOTING as they go.

INT. view of flight deck. Stealth and Rogue run to their ships. They start to get in. The Chaloquin guards bring out a ground-laser cannon and prepare to fire.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. She puts on her helmet, starts to FIRE up her ship, looks up and sees what the guards are doing.

INT. view of Rogue's cockpit. He has his helmet on, starts to FIRE up ship.

STEALTH (over comm.) Rogue get out of there! They have a ground cannon!

He looks up to see them. He opens the hatch and jumps out.

INT. view of flight deck. Stealth jumps down and they both run for cover just as the Chaloquins LASER their ships. They EXPLODE. Stealth and Rogue start SHOOTING. Finally they get them all. They walk over and look at the wreckage of their ships.

ROGUE Any ideas Ace?

Stealth looks at Chaloquin fighter ships. She drags him over to one.

STEALTH Come on.

ROGUE You're joking! I'm not riding in one of those smelly things.

STEALTH Can you think of anything better?

She climbs in. Rogue follows her.

ROGUE Okay, but I drive.

STEALTH I'm flying this thing.

ROGUE Since when do you know how to fly a Chaloquin fighter?

STEALTH Sector 2 isn't the only one who caught a fighter ship. You are navigator and communications.

ROGUE Oh, gee, what fun.

Stealth FIRES up the ship and starts to take off down the tunnel.

INT. view of the bridge. Taric and Sherőd Qui watch out front window. Chaloquin control 1 sees on his screen that a fighter ship is leaving.

CHALOQ 1 Sherőd Qui, there is a single fighter leaving the tunnel.

SHERŐD QUI Inquire who is within.

CHALOQ 1 Bridge to fighter, respond.

No reply.

INT. view of fighter.

CHALOQ 1 (over comm.) Bridge to fighter, respond.

ROGUE Should we respond?

STEALTH Are you kidding?

INT. view of bridge.

CHALOQ 1 No response.

TARIC It's Kristol! She's trying to escape! Use the tractor beam to bring her back.

SHERŐD QUI No. Send out a single squad to terminate her.

TARIC Wait...

SHERŐD QUI I have waited long enough. No more waiting. She will be destroyed.

Taric says nothing. He turns to look out window.

INT. view of Command Control. Communications 1 notices on his radar Chaloquin mammoth heading towards Outpost.

COMMUNICATIONS 1 Commander, the mammoth is moving towards Outpost.

COMMUNICATIONS 2 Can it do any harm?

LIGHTOWNER We're not going to wait and find out.

He goes to comm.

LIGHTOWNER Outpost, this is Commander Lightowner. The Chaloquin ship is heading your way.

OUT POST (over comm.) We see it.

LIGHTOWNER I want you to move Outpost as far as you can without disrupting the Gateway.

OUT POST (over comm.) But it will just follow us sir.

LIGHTOWNER We have to give Rogue and Astro a little more time. If you keep moving, it might just buy us the time we need.

OUT POST (over comm.) Yes sir. Over and out.

LIGHTOWNER Lieutenant, any word on Rogue and Astro?

COMMUNICATIONS 2 No sir.

Lightowner and Akyras look at each other.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. Rogue looks out window behind them and sees fighters following.

ROGUE I hate to spoil the honeymoon, but we're being followed.

STEALTH How many can you make out?

ROGUE I would guess about a dozen. So, do we try to outrun them or turn and fight?

An ALARM sounds. They both look down and the missile "lock" button is glowing.

STEALTH I guess we fight.

She depresses a button.

EXT. view of Stealth's ship. Decoys come out the back. The missile EXPLODES on the decoys.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

STEALTH Hang on to your lunch.

EXT. view as her ship makes a u-turn into the path of the Chaloquin fighters. She starts FIRING lasers and missiles at them. They clear a path. A laser BLAST hits a Chaloquin fighter which makes it spin into another one. They both EXPLODE. Three launched MISSILES take out three more of the enemy.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit.

ROGUE Good shootin' there, little lady.

STEALTH Oh please....

ROGUE To your left, to your left!

EXT. view of ship veering left to chase down two Chaloquin fighters. Three others line up behind her.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. Rogue looks towards rear.

ROGUE This is not good. Okay, Ace, whatever you do, make it spectacular.

She FIRES two missile at the front fighters. Just as they hit their targets, she pulls up, back and around behind the other three. She LASERS them one by one.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. Rogue lets out a WHOOP.

ROGUE You did it!

Suddenly, their ship gets NICKED. Sparks and smoke fill the cockpit.

STEALTH I've lost missile-tracking system and the afterburners.

Rogue looks down at his controls.

ROGUE That's not all.

He presses a switch back and forth.

ROGUE I think we've lost communications.

Stealth looks at him. Then she looks back and sees the last two fighters behind her.

STEALTH Buckle-up tight.

ROGUE What are you going to do?

STEALTH I'm going to drop a couple of proximity mines.

ROGUE Ummm.....

She presses a button.

EXT. view of her ship dropping two proximity mines. The two enemies following her try avoid but they are too close and trip the bombs. Their ships EXPLODE and it sends a shock wave crashing into Stealth's ship.

INT. view of Stealth's cockpit. They are jostled around and she looses control of the ship for a moment. She gets it under control. He looks at her.

ROGUE You're a little hard on these ships.

She smiles.

STEALTH All right. Time to go home. And you'd better hot-wire the comm unit before we get to Outpost or they'll blow us up.

He looks at her, then down to control. He starts to tear it apart.

INT. view of mammoth CCS room. Astro is still overloading the systems. His life is slowly ebbing out of him which makes it more difficult for him as the seconds go by.

INT. view of Outpost. Station officers are getting ready to move it as far as it can go.

CONTROL 1 Disengage thruster clamps.

Control 2 presses a series of buttons.

CONTROL 2 Disengaged.

CONTROL 1 Extend outboard thrusters.

Control 2 presses another series of buttons.

EXT. view of Outpost as the thrusters slide out of their housing slots.

INT. view of Outpost.

CONTROL 1 Engage thrusters on course 20.7...execute.

Control 2 presses more buttons.

EXT. view of THRUSTERS starting up. Outpost starts moving.

INT. view of fighter ship. Rogue is still working on comm. Stealth looks at Outpost and sees it is moving.

STEALTH They're moving Outpost.

ROGUE Why?

STEALTH I don't know. Is that thing fixed yet?

He connects a wire. It sparks. He grimaces.

ROGUE Not yet.

EXT. view of fighter ship flying towards Outpost.

INT. view of Outpost. Control 3 looks up on his vid-screen and notices something. He enhances the view. It is an enemy fighter ship.

CONTROL 3 Chaloquin fighter dead ahead!

Control 1 goes over and looks at vid-screen.

CONTROL 1 Prepare to fire on my mark.

Control 3 pushes some buttons.

CONTROL 1 Fire!

EXT. view of Outpost FIRING on enemy ship. It dodges FIRE.

INT. view of enemy ship.

STEALTH Hurry up and fix that thing!

ROGUE I am, I am! It's almost ready, I think.

STEALTH I'm gonna have to pull up and come around again.

EXT. view as her ship circles and goes back the way it came.

INT. view of fighter ship. Stealth sees the mammoth in front of her.

STEALTH Whoops! Can't go this way!

EXT. view of her ship turning back towards Outpost. Mammoth starts FIRING on her as does Outpost. Stealth desperately guides the ship through all of the gun FIRE.

INT. view of fighter ship.

STEALTH Rogue....

ROGUE It's done!

He presses comm link.

ROGUE Outpost, don't shoot. This is Captain Conner and Captain Kristol.

INT. view of Outpost as they listen to comm.

ROGUE (over comm.) I repeat, do not shoot!

Control 1 goes to comm. link.

CONTROL 1 This is Control 1. What are you doing in an enemy ship?

ROGUE (over comm.) What does it look like we're doing? We're trying to escape! Request Gateway to open, quickly!

Control 2 looks at Control 1.

CONTROL 2 This could be a trick sir.

Control 1 speaks into the comm.

CONTROL 1 Please state security code for verification.

INT. view of enemy ship. Rogue looks baffled.

ROGUE Security code?

STEALTH Code Alpha Seven, Three Five Zero Zero, Omega.

INT. view of Outpost. Control 1 smiles.

CONTROL 1 Security code verified. Gateway is opening. Welcome back from the dead, Captain Kristol.

EXT. view of ship going by Outpost.

STEALTH (over comm.) Don't congratulate me yet. The mammoth is following. And tell Comdr. Lightowner that Taric is working for the Chaloquins. He is the true enemy.

EXT. view of mammoth getting marginally closer.

INT. view of Mammoth bridge.

SHERŐD QUI All systems prepare to fire maximum output.

Different controllers pushing buttons, getting ready for battle.

INT. view of CCS room. Astro is overloading the last system. Every movement is extreme pain and effort.

INT. view of bridge.

CHALOQ 4 All systems ready.

CHALOQ 3 Target locked.

Taric looks from control station to Sherőd Qui.

TARIC We're extremely close to Gateway.

SHERŐD QUI It will be down in a very short while.

INT. view of CCS room. With immense determination, Astro encodes the last few digits. He then relaxes, exhales and dies. Five seconds later the control panel in front of him EXPLODES as does the whole room.

INT. view of bridge.

SHERŐD QUI Fire.

Chaloquin 1 presses a button and nothing happens. Suddenly one by one their systems go down.

SHERŐD QUI Restore power!

CHALOQ 2 Not responding!

SHERŐD QUI Reserve thrusters engage!

CHALOQ 5 Not responding!

SHERŐD QUI Emergency power!

CHALOQ 6 Not responding!

TARIC We're drifting--we're going to drift right into Gateway!

EXT. view of mammoth as it's drifting. Small EXPLOSIONS are happening everywhere on the ship.

INT. view of bridge. Chaos everywhere except Taric. He walks over to window and calmly awaits fate.

EXT. view of mammoth. It drifts into Gateway. When it touches, Gateway glows blue and the mammoth EXPLODES sending debris and shock waves.

INT. view of Outpost.

CONTROL 2 Incoming debris!

CONTROL 1 Shift all deflectors towards the shock wave!

EXT. view of debris hitting Outpost shields.

INT. view of Outpost. They get jostled a lot as the debris and the shock wave hit.

INT. view of Command Control.

LIGHTOWNER Outpost, status report.

Static is heard at first, then it clears. Outpost comes on over comm.

CONTROL 1 (over comm.) We're okay. Gateway is intact and operative.

INT. view of flight dock. All pilots are listening over the main speakers.

OUT POST (over comm.) The Chaloquin mammoth is destroyed.

Everyone is cheering and hugging. Enemy ship glides in and lands. The hatch opens and Rogue gets out. Everyone cheers for him. He climbs down. Stealth descends. Thunderous cheering. Everyone surrounds her. Bishop gives her a big hug. Zenith and Dalles walk forward to Stealth.

ZENITH Astro....he didn't make it, did he.

STEALTH Zenith, I'm so sorry.

STEALTH I know this sounds trite but if it weren't for him, the Chaloquins would have destroyed us all. You should be very proud of him. I know I am.

ZENITH I am proud of him.

STEALTH I hope that Dalles will understand someday.

ZENITH Maybe....someday.

Zenith picks up Dalles and walks away. Comdr. Lightowner and Akyras enters as pilots are disbursing except for Bishop. Lightowner salutes Stealth then shakes both hers and Rogue's hand.

LIGHTOWNER Captain Conner, excellent job.

ROGUE Thank you sir.

LIGHTOWNER Captain Kristol, as always, you amaze me.

STEALTH Thank you sir.

Akyras extends his hand to Stealth. She accepts it, then they hug.

AKYRAS You have come back to me from the dead and are safe.

STEALTH We are all safe now.

AKYRAS Thanks to you and Black Wing. I owe you and my brother both and apology. Fear of the future blinded me to all I once knew.

STEALTH What conquered your fear?

AKYRAS Oh it is still there. But to come face to face and live through it, is a great battle to win. Sometimes, it takes a war to remove blinders.

STEALTH What now?

BISHOP Now, he can be an instructor of Black Wing.

STEALTH You're going to be one of us again?

AKYRAS Yes. Who knows what else is out there waiting to attack?

BISHOP Come brother, let's go greet the civilians.

AKYRAS I will see you later?

STEALTH Tonight...at home.

Akyras smiles. He speaks to Bishop as Bishop is dragging him away.

AKYRAS That's my daughter.

BISHOP And that's my niece, now let's go.

They exit. Lightowner, Stealth and Rogue start walking towards the outside of flight dock.

LIGHTOWNER I've recalled the High Council and informed them of the fate of Lord Garuss, Neros and Admiral Taric.

STEALTH What happens now?

LIGHTOWNER They have asked me to be Admiral of the Nine Sisters.

ROGUE Admiral? Congratulations! But then who's going to be first Commander?

LIGHTOWNER The council told me to appoint someone with excellent leadership capabilities, an outstanding pilot, a hero.

ROGUE Who?

Comdr. Lightowner smiles.

LIGHTOWNER Captain Sharr Kristol, would you accept the title of First Commander of the Nine Sisters?

STEALTH It would be an honor. I accept.

Lightowner salutes her, Stealth salutes him.

STEALTH Well, I guess my first order as Commander is to recall the citizens.

LIGHTOWNER I have already done so. Your orders from the new Admiral are to take a much needed rest.

STEALTH But...

LIGHTOWNER No arguing. Captain Conner, I shall enlist your aide to make sure she obeys.

ROGUE My pleasure, Admiral.

He salutes them both, smiles and exits. Stealth and Rogue continue to walk.

EXT. view as they are outside of flight dock. Other pilots are walking by them.

ROGUE See? I knew you were ambitious. The next step up from Commander is Admiral. I figure you'll get that before too long.

STEALTH Not as long as you're Black Wing captain of Sector 1. Someone's going to have to keep you in line.

Rogue looks at her to make sure he heard her correctly. She smiles, he smiles back.

ROGUE I accept. But every once in a while, do you think we could do that "chain you to the wall so I can rescue you" bit?

STEALTH All right, but this time, you get chained to the wall.

Expecting a rebuttal, he looks at her skeptically.

ROGUE And you'd really rescue me?

STEALTH You'll have to take a chance and find out.

She kisses him.

ROGUE See? I told you....I always win.

STEALTH No.

ROGUE Oh no?

STEALTH There was never any contest in the first place.

Rogue smiles, takes her in his arms and they kiss. Civilians are returning as pilots run out to greet them. Everyone hugging and cheering for a few seconds, as the sun starts to set in the sky.

THE END BACK/HOME/