STRAYERS: "Touch of the Reaper" Story by Steven Today 1ST ROUGH DRAFT July 1, 2003 2ND ROUGH DRAFT October 12, 2003 Road Rovers characters, names, situations and the Road Rovers universe are the property of Warner Bros. Neither this script nor I are connected with Warner Bros. In any way, shape or form. Story contents, characters, names, situations and anything else associated with Strayers are Copyright 1996-2003 by Steven Today (bearstrayer@yahoo.com) All Rights Reserved. Dixie, Prowler and Nitro appear courtesy of Amanda Stephenson. The presentation of the Crusades in this story, especially the fictious Lost Crusade, are my renditions and are not based in fact what so ever. This document may not be publicized or reproduced in any way, shape or form. It must remain fully intact and may not be altered in any way. It is strictly used for not-for- profit entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe on any Copyrights. "Touch of the Reaper" FADE IN EXTERIOR: DESERT - HIGHWAY It is early morning in a vast open area in the southwest region of the United States. Sand goes off in all directions, Cacti and tumbleweed speckle the landscape. Off far in the distance are some mountains. A two-lane highway, which has seen much use but little repair, stretches forever in both directions. BEAR (VOICE OVER, DEEP RASPY VOICE) The highway. Unforgiving. Endless. Forgotten. We use to have a lot in common. But things change. For example, I use to be Malamuit Eskimo. I dwelt on the dark side of the law. I wasn't really bad but I was nothing to write home to mother either. When the lawless came around I pretend they weren't there. When they did injustice to the people I loved I closed my eyes. When the authorities looked for witnesses I became mute. I took my dumb act to such an extreme that I allowed the evils to pollute my people's sacred lands with nuclear waste. The act ended when I suffered an accident. I was transformed from a human to a mutant, a freak, and an outcast. A Cano-Sapien (having a human body with a canine head, tail, fur, claws, etc.) appears, this male is of an Alaskan malamute breed. His entire body is covered with black fur but the area around his muzzle is white, with two white dots above his eyes. His left is blue and his right is green. This is Bear. He has Black Fingerless gloves, blue jeans, tan kaki shirt and a leather WWII bomber jacket (His name is on the front and the Strayer's symbol is on the back - red horse with glowing yellow eyes galloping down a highway. On his sleeve is his team insignia - Mean looking grizzly bear on a motorcycle) Covering his head is a helmet that also bares the Strayer's symbol, a smoke glass visor covers his eyes. BEAR (VOICE OVER) But don't pity me. I'm the leader of a Strayer unit called the Grizzlies. We're deputized by the United States government to uphold the law and bring those dark elements to justice. By any means necessary. We patrol the highways and byways of the United States of America looking for trouble. Nitro, Amani, Puffball and Cyclborg appear next to Bear. Nitro is an adult timber Wolf-Sapien. She has gray fur, white paws and a white stripe from her neck, down her belly and to her tail. She has blue-green eyes. And a thick black mane down runs the back of her head, it has a white strip down the middle of it and the ends are also white. She wears blue jeans, a black T-shirt and black boots. Around her wrist is a small dog collar studded with jewels and has the words "Bear" in gold. He has the same collar on his wrist but it says "Nitro" on it. He also loses the helmet. Amani is a young Native American female with long black hair. She is wearing a black jumpsuit, leather boots and gloves. All bare the Strayer's symbol. She is also wearing a headband, bracelet and belt of Indian design. Puffball is a female Burmese cat in Felo-Mutant form with bright yellow eyes and stands at 7'4". The Cyclborg is a sleek and high tech chrome motorcycle. It has several closed compartments for storage. On the fuel tank and the handlebars are several buttons, switches and dials. There is also a video screen. On the side of it is a large symbol of the Strayers. The license plate reads: "BEAR" BEAR (VOICE OVER) We are not perfect and some of us have lost our way at one time or another. But we're back on track teaching a new generation on how to protect this fragile world. So if you are on the wrong side of the law you had just better look out for the. FADE OUT: The words "Strayers" appears along with the Strayer symbol then disappears. FADE IN: EXTERIOR: DARK FOREST This is a thick forest somewhere in the English countryside, it is evening. There is a collection of rough looking Cano- Sapien and Cano-Mutants gathered here, each has what appears to be written in blood "Dreadnoughts" on their backs. Parked around them are a variety of motorcycles, this is a motorcycle gang. The second in command is halfway up a tree addressing the group, this is Talon. He is Irish Setter Cano- Mutant dressed in Denim, he has studded leather wristbands and a matching collar. In the crowd Nitro is dressed like the others, she is working undercover. They all listen intensely. TALON (IRISH ACCENT, EXPLAINING) I know it is hard to believe but it is true, there has been a security compromise. The crowd calls out "How" and "Where" Even Nitro joins in. TALON (EXPLAINING) From within! There is a spy among us! Everyone is in awe, all except Nitro who lays low and tries not to show her concern. The others call out "Whom?" TALON (HONEST) I have to admit, that is still a mystery. Just all the indications direct to this. The crowd is very concerned and looks at one another. Breathing easier, Nitro does the same. TALON (REASSURING) Scepter, our leader, will be with us in a few days. He will sniff out this traitor! But rather than being reassured they murmur to each other with the occasional comments of "A lot can happen in a few days" and "By then the cops could close down or thief ring!" There is much uneasiness, this pleases Nitro. VOICE (HIDDEN IN THE CROWD, STERN) I can show you who the traitor is! It all goes dead silent as a figure steps out into the open, it is Dixie. She is a female cocker spaniel Cano-Sapien who stands at 5 feet high. She is white and extremely beautiful, she wears clothes that make her fit in with the gang. Really short shorts, a tight vest that barely covers what needs to be covered, knee high spiked heel boots, a thick wide studded belt and a matching choker. All made of black leather. The sight of her makes Nitro's blood run cold. Nitro tries to slip back into the crowd but Dixie steps right up to her. DIXIE (SMUG) I know exactly who the traitor is. Nitro shakes her head slightly but Dixie just smiles. The crowd, caught up in the moment, demands to know whom this traitor is. Dixie just lifts her hand and points to Nitro, everyone gasps. Instantly, Nitro tries to act innocent. NITRO (DEFENSIVE) Have you been sniff exhaust fumes or are you just plan crazy? DIXIE (SMUG) You aren't going to weasel out of it this time. You're the one! NITRO (DEFENSIVE) Says you! For all we know you could be pointing the finger just to throw off the fact that you're the traitor! For the first time the gang does not look too kindly at Dixie, she notices this. DIXIE (DEFENSIVE) Come on! She is new to the group! Coincidence? Talon jumps down from the tree. TALON (STERN) She has a point. Everyone turns and looks to Talon, he walks over to Dixie and Nitro. TALON (STERN) Then again, you are new to the group as well. For all we know you both could be spies! DIXIE (ANNOYED) I tell you she is the traitor! NITRO (ANNOYED) No! You are! Nitro and Dixie glare coldly at one another. TALON (STERN) The Dreadnoughts may be a gang that lives for lawlessness, but we still maintain our own law. We just don't react because someone points a finger. There has to be proof! DIXIE (ANNOYED) I'm just telling it as it is! TALON (STERN) Just by accusing her, with no proof, you are breaking the law! Now the crowd is really against Dixie, calling her names and even giving her a couple of shoves. Nitro just stands there with a big smile on her face, she is enjoying every moment of it. Dixie notices this. Suddenly, her eyes bug out of her head and she points to behind Nitro. DIXIE (EXCITED) You want proof! There is your proof! Her backup coming to save her tail! Everyone turns to look to where Dixie is pointing, but there is nothing there. In the distraction she reaches into Nitro's bra and starts digging around. Nitro looks back and gasps at her. NITRO (ANGRY) What are you doing you weirdo? Everyone looks back in time to see Dixie pull her hand out grasping a badge, she smiles. DIXIE (SMUG) You want proof? Here is your proof! Nitro tries to grab the badge back but it is too late, Dixie has handed it to Talon. He looks it over. It is her Strayer identification, it has a picture of her and all her stats. TALON (CONCERNED) According to this, you're a Strayer. NITRO (DEFENSIVE) Me? A Strayer? No way! I hate those guys! She planted it on me! She is framing me! Talon looks up to Nitro and glares. TALON (STERN) If that is the case then you won't mind if we search you. NITRO (DEFENSIVE) I just had one gang member paw at me, I'm in no mood to have anymore tonight! TALON (STERN) She's the traitor! Nitro quickly reaches behind her under her jacket and pulls out her petrie pistol, but before she can level it at anyone gang members next to her grab her. She puts on a valiant fight but there are just too many of them, they wrestle the gun from her. She continues to struggle but it is all in vain, the weapon is handed to Talon. He looks it over. TALON (PLEASED) Standard Strayer issue. Talon drops the gun to the grad and steps on it snapping it in two. TALON (STERN) Looks like we have our traitor. DIXIE (SMUG) I told you this wolf is a weasel! Nitro fights with more vigor, glaring at Dixie using any means to get her hands on her. NITRO (ANGRY) I swear! You're dead! I will kill you myself! DIXIE (SMUG) The only one dead here will be you. Talon nods. TALON (HONEST) She is correct. Reality sets in for Nitro, she stops fighting and despair comes over her. Talon slaps Dixie on the back. TALON (PLEASED) Good work. How did you know she was a traitor? DIXIE (SMUG) I've run into this one before. Her name is Nitro, she tried to destroy my life so now I can return the favor. We're old friends. NITRO (ANGRY) We are not friends! We were never friends! I could never befriend a selfish rat like you! DIXIE (SMUG) Don't let her fool you. We were close, real close. We were like sisters! That's what makes this even sweeter. TALON (CONFUSED) You were really that close? DIXIE (SMUG) Like this! Dixie holds up her first and second fingers together to illustrate a point. TALON (UNEASY) I'm sorry to hear that. Dixie looks to Talon. DIXIE (CONFUSED) Why? TALON (UNEASY) Because if you are willing to turn in someone you have know for years what is preventing you from turning in this gang who you hardly know? DIXIE (DEFENSIVE) I would never turn any of you in. TALON (BLUNT) We can't take that chance. SEIZE HER!!! More gang members grab Dixie, she hardly puts up a fight. DIXIE (EXCITED) Look! We weren't that close! Really! Tell them Nitro! NITRO (SMUG) Oh, we were that close. I mean, she stood up at my wedding. DIXIE (EXCITED) That is a lie! TALON (STERN) It doesn't matter! What does is that you are willing to turn anyone in! For that you must share the same fate as the traitor. Dixie glares at Nitro. DIXIE (ANNOYED) First you steal Bear from me now you are going to take my life! I hate you! Nitro just smiles. TALON (STERN) When Scepter joins us her will decide their fate. But the gang is not pleased, they have been worked up into a frenzy and want justice now. They chant "gang law!" Talon looks to him. TALON (STERN) There is only one punishment by our law for a Traitor but it can only be authorized by Scepter! The Gang continues to chant, Talon holds his hands up. TALON (STERN) Enough! This discussion is closed! The gang keeps chanting louder and louder but also a few shout of "Coward!" Talon seems to be upset about this. TALON (DEFIANT) So be it! Talon looks to Dixie and Nitro. TALON (STERN) Because of your treachery you will die by The Tow! The crowd cheers. Dixie looks to Nitro. DIXIE (CONFUSED) They are going to cut off our toes? Nitro just shrugs her shoulders. Two sets of motorcycles are brought up, Nitro and Dixie are force to the ground between them. Their wrists and ankles are handcuffed to the rears of the motorcycles, one set of bikes is for Nitro and the other is for Dixie. Talon glares down to them. TALON (STERN) For being traitors you are condemned to The Tow! On my signal the bikes will go in opposite directions, you will literally be ripped limb from limb! But it won't be quick, I assure you! Long and painful as your joints are ripped apart. A fitting end to traitors! DIXIE (PLEADING) Please spare me! I have seen the error of my ways! If you let me live I will be your slave! To be used as you will! Please don't kill me! Nitro groans. NITRO (ANNOYED) Can we just get this over with so I don't have to listen to her whining? TALON (STERN) So be it! The engines on the motorcycle rev up, this is it! Nitro is apprehensive as she whispers a prayer and Dixie begins to cry. Talon looks to the drivers. TALON (STERN) On three. All the drivers nod. TALON (STERN) One. Two. Thr- But Talon is called off by a loud howl. The engines back down as everyone looks towards the noise, they all see Bear standing there. He is dressed like the other, no indication he is a Strayer. Everyone is shocked to see him. TALON (CONFUSED) Who are you? BEAR (BLUNT) A messenger from Scepter. Everyone gets excited but Talon calms them down with a simple hand gesture. TALON (STERN) If that is so you would know the countersign of the day. The parka of the north rises to. BEAR (BLUNT) The west of the lake of despair. TALON (SURPRISED) Correct. But do you know the visual countersign? Talon points to his right eye and Bear comes back with slapping the back of his neck. TALON (HONEST) Okay, you pass but your timing is still questionable. Talon looks to Nitro and Dixie. TALON (STERN) Do you know him? NITRO (BLUNT) Never seen him before. Talon looks to Dixie but she takes her time answering. This makes Nitro and Bear uneasy. DIXIE (SMUG) I can't say that I have. Talon grunts and turns back to Bear. TALON (BLUNT) Very well. What message do you bring us? BEAR (EXPLAINING) Scepter says security has been broken within the ranks, he orders you to move the entire gang to a place of safety. Talon smiles, Bear is not sure if it is because he is happy or he has seen through his cover. TALON (PROUD) The security breach is about to be fixed. Talon indicates to Nitro and Dixie. BEAR (BLUNT) You have no right! Only the leader can give out a death sentence! TALON (SMUG) Why do you care so much for traitors? Are you with them? BEAR (DEFENSIVE) I could careless if they live or die. I am more concerned about the law, the same law you have seemed to have forgotten. Talon steps up to Bear. TALON (ANNOYED) It sounds like you are challenging my authority! Bear smiles. BEAR (SMUG) I guess I am. Talon takes another step to Bear. TALON (ANNOYED) I accept your challenge unless you wish to withdraw it now! Now Bear steps up to Talon and gets in his face. BEAR (STERN) Bring it on! TALON (ANNOYED) So be it! Bear and Talon back away, some of the gang members search both of them. They find a lot of weapons on Talon and take them from him, all he is left with is a knife. Searching Bear all they find is a knife, he gets to keep it. They both draw their knives. TALON (STERN) You know the rules? BEAR (HONEST) There are no rules. TALON (STERN) All accept the last one left alive wins. BEAR (BLUNT) Acceptable but with one alternation. TALON (ANNOYED) There can be no alterations! BEAR (STERN) I request that the prisoners be unchained from the bikes. TALON (ANNOYED) Why? Why do you care for them? BEAR (STERN) I don't. It is just if that in all the excitement I would hate for one of the bikes to go into gear. If that were to happen this challenge would be pointless. Talon pauses to think, then he nods. TALON (HONEST) Very well. Nitro and Dixie are unlocked from the bikes, but since they are still traitors their hands are handcuffed behind their backs to each other so they can't run away. Bear and Talon start to circle each other, their knives at the ready. The gang cheers them on. Nitro looks on with concerned where Dixie smiles. DIXIE (WHISPERS, PLEASED) This is great. NITRO (WHISPERS, CONCERNED) Great? How can you be enjoying this? DIXIE (WHISPERS, SMUG) Because my dog is fighting for me, not you. Nitro rolls her eyes and goes back to watching the battle. Talon is the first to attack but Bear deflects it with his blade. Then he attacks the gang member but he too deflects the attack as well. They exchange similar attacks all failing. Finally, Talon does a fading move and is able to trick Bear and cut his arm, though it is a superficial cut he is pleased with his attack. TALON (SMUG) Mark one for me! BEAR (ANNOYED) You hardly cut me! TALON (SMUG) Yes but the one who draws first blood usually wins! BEAR (ANNOYED) And also provides a lot of lip service! Talon laughs and performs the move again with success, this time he cuts Bear's other arm. He is more frustrated than hurt. TALON (SMUG) So my suspicions are correct, you are the law. BEAR (CONFUSED) Why do you say that? TALON (SMUG) Your moves, your defenses, they are logical and one- dimensional. These are caused by strict training, they make you very predicable. Where I was trained on the streets, I'm wild and unpredictable. BEAR (BLUNT) More like a loon! TALON (SMUG) Say what you may but one fact remains, you're the law! Your tactics and concerned for those traitors proves it! BEAR (BLUNT) More like you are trying to place uncertainty into the gang members so you will get your way after I kill you! TALON (SMUG) I assure you, you will be the only one to die in this fight. As I will demonstrate now! Talon lunges at Bear but he is ready, he rolls to the side and in the process cuts his leg. He ends back on his feet behind him, Talon spins around. BEAR (SMUG) I suppose you predicted that move as well. Talon growls at Bear and attacks, driven more by anger than instinct. Bear plays on this, he uses the same move and manages to cut his other leg. Talon screams with both pain and frustration. Without hesitation he attacks again, Bear tries his little trick again. Talon expects this and is ready! Fortunately, it was a fake. Instead of rolling Bear jumps to the other side and slices his back. Talon loses all control, he rushes him with the knife held high and he is ready. With his free hand he grabs the knife-welding wrist and falls on his back, pulling the attacker down with him. As he does he digs his feet into his gut and flips him over him, Talon smacks the ground hard. Bear ends up on top of him. While he is stunned Bear uses his blade to cut the wrist for the knife, he screams in pain and drops his knife. Finally he places his knife to Talon's throat, he instantly freezes. BEAR (SMUG) I think we can call this contest over. Talon glares at Bear. TALON (ANNOYED) Fine! You win! Get it over with! BEAR (SMUG) Actually, depending on your cooperation, we don't have to take it that far. Talon studies Bear. TALON (BLUNT) To win you have to kill me. BEAR (SMUG) We're both adults, I think we can come to some sort of agreement. Talon smiles. TALON (PLEASED) I knew it! You are the law! That is why you can't kill me! BEAR (BLUNT) I just don't have a desire to lead. TALON (SMUG) Either you kill me right now or I'll kill you! Bear stares at Talon, he is dead serious. Bear pauses and pulls the knife away. TALON (SMUG) I knew it! Talon goes for his knife, Bear sees this. BEAR (STERN) Don't push it! TALON (SMUG) Give it up! You are a wimp through and through! Talon grabs his knife. BEAR (BEGGING) Please don't do this. Talon lifts up the knife and gives a battle cry, Bear does the same. But before he can use his knife Bear plunges his knife into his chest, there is blood everywhere. Talon gasps once, drops the knife and dies. Everyone is in shock. Bear staggers to his feet and drops the knife, he looks to the gang bewildered. BEAR (SHOCKED) I didn't want to kill him. He made me. Bear holds his blood soaked hand out to the gang but they back off. One of the members bends down and feels Talon's neck for a pulse, he quickly pulls his hand away and declares "He is dead!" The gang goes into a frenzy screaming "We were a part of this! We demanded this! Scepter is going to kill us all!" In sheer terror, all the gang members jump on their bikes and race away. Only Bear, Nitro, Dixie and Talon's lifeless body is left. He looks down at it in shock. Nitro looks equally shocked at him but Dixie is smiling. DIXIE (PLEASED) I'm so proud of you. Nitro looks over her shoulder at Dixie. NITRO (SHOCKED) How can you be proud? He killed in cold blood! DIXIE (SMUG) He fought for my honor and he will be awarded accordingly. NITRO (SHOCKED) Even you have to see he is a murderer! Nitro glares at Bear. NITRO (ANNOYED) A cold-blooded killer! Bear steps up to Nitro. BEAR (DEFENSIVE) But it was the only way to save you both or we would have all died. NITRO (ANNOYED) You should have never challenged him! BEAR (DEFENSIVE) Then you both would be dead right now. NITRO (ANNOYED) I would rather be dead than be responsible for someone's death! Dixie laughs. DIXIE (LAUGHING) How stupid can one wolf be? The only life that counts is your own! Bear did good even if it was to save your smelly hide too. Nitro looks over her shoulder to Dixie. NITRO (STERN) Regardless what the justification is, murder is murder. It is wrong. Dixie just laughs. BEAR (CONFUSED) How can I make you understand? Bear reaches out to Nitro with his blood soaked hand, she reels back the best she can while chained to Dixie. NITRO (ANNOYED) Don't touch me! You are both sick dogs! Bear retracts his hand. BEAR (CONFUSED) What would you have me do? NITRO (ANNOYED) I just want out of these handcuffs so I can get as far away from both of you as possible! Bear tries to think of something to say but can't so he just sighs. BEAR (FRUSTRATED) I'll see if I can't find the keys. VOICE (OFF SCREEN, SMUG) Here they are. Everyone looks over towards the voice, it has come from Talon. He is sitting up and, despite being covered in his own blood, he seems to be quite fine. Nitro is shocked, so is Dixie. NITRO (SHOCKED) How can this be? DIXIE (FRANTIC) He is a ghost! Save me! Bear glares at Talon. BEAR (STERN) You're suppose to be playing dead! What if someone sees you? This will be all for nothing! Talon laughs. TALON (LAUGHING) Oh please, the gang is so scared of Scepter they are at least ten kilometers from here by now. Your plan worked perfectly. Nitro and Dixie snap out of it. She smiles at Bear but Nitro is not too pleased. DIXIE (SLY) You manipulative, conniving, trickster. There is hope for you yes my love. NITRO (ANNOYED) This was all planned? Bear nods. BEAR (EXPLAINING) Yeah, Talon is really a special undercover agent who has been working inside the gang for the past year. Anyone who betrays the gang, as you almost found out, doesn't live very long. We figured that the only way to find out what he knows to take down Specter and his gang and keep him alive was to fake his own death. Though, the fight was suppose to be over some other altercation, Dixie just speeded things up. The knives are just movie props. Talon picks up his knife and pushes against the blade, it slips into the handle as fake blood spurts out. When he lets go it snaps back out. TALON (SMUG) The blade isn't even sharp. DIXIE (SMUG) I knew it all along. Bear rolls his eyes, Nitro takes this all in. TALON (EXPLAINING) So we can keep tabs on the gang until we can take them down, the one who took my pulse is my replacement. NITRO (CONFUSED) I don't know what makes me angrier? That I thought you were actually a murderer or you left me out of your little plan and nearly gave me a heart attack. Bear smiles. BEAR (REASSURING) Had you reacted any other way I would be worried. Somehow this doesn't comfort Nitro, Bear places his clean hand on her shoulder. BEAR (EXPLAINING) Sorry about that honey but it was for the best. Had the gang got suspicious and tortured their prisoners Talon may have been exposed and then we would all be dead. Nitro looks to Bear, really hurt. NITRO (HURT) You know I'm tougher than that, I would have died before that happened. BEAR (SMUG) I never said you were the prisoner who would have cracked. Nitro pauses to think, she smiles and looks to Dixie. NITRO (SMUG) You're right, her idea of pain is when they don't have shoes in her color on sale. It takes a moment for Dixie to realize they are talking about her. DIXIE (ANNOYED) Oh yeah? Like you would share anything with me! NITRO (SMUG) I would have had to tell you in the battle to keep your spirits up, I hate getting teardrops on me. Dixie growls. DIXIE (ANGRY) Get me out of these handcuffs so I can strangle her! NITRO (SMUG) I'd like to see you try. Dixie tugs on her handcuffs and Nitro does the same, they try to fight each other. BEAR (HONEST) I think we better separate them Talon before they kill each other. Talon nods and gets to his feet. He pulls out a set of handcuff keys and gives them to Bear. He uses them to unlock the cuffs for Nitro but he leaves Dixie's cuffs on. He looks to her. BEAR (BLUNT) Yours is going to stay on a bit longer. Dixie looks to Bear and smiles. DIXIE (SLY) Ooo kinky, you really surprise me Bear sometimes. In a good way. BEAR (BLUNT) Not as much as you surprised me. I knew you like toying on the edge of lawlessness but I never thought you would go all the way over. Dixie looks to Bear, confused. Nitro picks up on this. NITRO (STERN) I think what he means is how you were obstructing justice and accessory in the murder attempted on me. DIXIE (SHOCKED) How did you know I betrayed Nitro? NITRO (STERN) I was wearing a wire. That is how he knew I was in trouble and why I couldn't allow them to search me. BEAR (BLUNT) Yes. Dixie, you are under arrest. DIXIE (CONFUSED) You can't be serious. BEAR (STERN) I'm dead serious! DIXIE (DEFENSIVE) But it was just a game! I was just having fun! BEAR (STERN) The time for fun and games are over, Dixie. It is time to face up to all the pain and agony you have caused! You are going to jail! Dixie looks over to Nitro, she seems quite pleased. DIXIE (ANNOYED) I hope you are happy with yourself! You have drained all the fun and life out of my Bear! You have destroyed him! I just hope you are happy! Nitro just smiles, Dixie pouts. With what had needed to be said done Nitro takes a hold of Dixie and escorts her away, Bear and Talon follow. They all disappear into the forest. EXTERIOR: SOCORRO NEW MEXICO - ALLEY This is the seedier part of town, in this section there are mostly bars. It is late at night and no one is on the street. The door for one of the bars flies open and Tad comes flying out. He is a cross between a Cano-Sapien and a Wolf-Sapien. His fur is a very dark gray, almost black. He has white highlights on his paws, the tip of his tail and muzzle. He is wearing pants, shirt and light jacket all jeans material. Also gym shoes. He lands on the sidewalk, at the doorway in the huge bouncer who had tossed him out, he glares at him. BOUNCER (ANGRY) And don't come back! Tad struggles to his feet. When he gets up he finds it hard to stand, he has to use a light post to steady himself. He is obviously drunk, he looks over to the Bouncer. TAD (DRUNK, ANNOYED) Oh yeah. Well you will be sorry. Do you know who my dad is? The Bouncer just laughs, shakes his head and goes back inside. Tad tries to go after him but as soon as he lets go of the post he starts to fall. He grabs it again and steadies himself again, still glaring at the closed door. TAD (DRUNK, ANNOYED) My dad could beat your dad! There is no response, he continues to glare at the door. Suddenly, a spot light flashes in his eyes. The bright light blinds him, so he covers his eyes. Once he lets go of the post he falls on his tail. The light is shut off, he throws a fit. TAD (DRUNK, ANGRY) You're in trouble now! Do you know who my dad is? VOICE (OFF SCREEN, ANNOYED) Yes, he's our dad too. Tad removes his hands from his face and looks into the darkness where Carmi, Sirius and Kyla step into the light. Carmi is a Pharaoh Hound Cano-Sapien that is 5'3" with gray eyes. She is fairly beautiful with a fine brown coat and a white chest. She likes wearing a bright orange hunter's vest, kaki shorts, hiking boots and a locket around her neck that has a picture of her parents. Kyla is a wolf/malamute- Sapien. She is basically gray in color with white on her face and paws, above each paw is a black patch. The inside of her ears is also white and the outside is black, on the back of them are two white spots. She has a black mane with a white streak running down the center of it. The top of her tail is black but has a white streak running down it. Her back is black and her eyes are dark blue. She is dressed in jeans, a T-shirt which says "Tell it to the paw!" and sneakers. Sirius is a wolf/malamute-Sapien. He is basically gray with white on his toes/fingers and on the bottoms of them. He has a white chest, which runs down the front of him, the bottom of his tail is white as well. He has two white dots above his eyes. The insides of his ears are pink and his eyes are golden. He wears jeans, a T-shirt and sneakers. TAD (DRUNK, SHOCKED) What are you all doing out here? CARMI (STERN) Looking for you. We have been searching all over! Tad grabs the post and pulls himself up. SIRIUS (CONFUSED) Yeah. You have been acting weird for weeks. What is going on? Tad leans over to the group and smiles. TAD (DRUNK, SMUG) Buy me a drink and I'll tell you all about it. Kyla waves her hand in front of her face and turns her head away. KYLA (DISGUSTED) Hew! I think you have already had enough. Tad lets go of the post and for the first time stands on his own, he straights up his raggedy cloths. TAD (DRUNK, ANNOYED) Screw you guys. I'll go drink alone! Tad turns and rushes away. Unfortunately, he was facing the post. He hits it and falls to the ground, he is out cold. Kyla checks him out. CARMI (CONCERNED) How is he? KYLA (SMUG) He'll be fine, he just needs to sleep it off. The others are relived. They all grab a hold of Tad and pick him up, they carry him over to their vehicle. EXTERIOR: KOLLBERRY PLAINS - KPSH This is sloping plains of grass that leads up to a hill. On the top is a large medieval castle. Next to it is a small private airport with a long winding road leading up to it. There are patrols, watchtowers and electronic monitoring devices everywhere. A sign at the front reads "Kollberry Plains Strayer Headquarters" INTERIOR: KPSH - COURT ROOM This is a traditional courtroom with tables/chairs for the prosecution and defensive, a large elevated desk for the judge and a gallery for the jury. Dixie, with her hands locked in front of her with handcuffs, stands before the judge. Standing next to her is her laywer, standing at the prosecution table is Group Captain Tyke. He is an English Bulldog. Big, muscular and mean. There is also a stenographer seated in the corner taking everything down. Everyone, but Dixie, is dressed in traditional regal banister clothing including powdered wigs. Tyke is finishing up his argument, when he does the Judge looks to him with a scowl. JUDGE (BRITISH ACCENT, STERN) I see I must remind you once again Mr. Tyke. Creatures are judged not on race or nationality but by their actions. So it is irrelevant that the defendant is from America. With that said do you have anything relevant to add here? TYKE (THICK BRITISH ACCENT, SMUG) Actually, I do your honor. JUDGE (STERN) From past experience I will ask you again, is it REALLY relevant to this case? Tyke pauses and shakes his head. JUDGE (STERN) I thought so. Okay, the matter here is bail for the defendant. What are you suggesting? TYKE (EXPLAINING) Due to the deplorability of the crime we suggest that there be no bailed offered. After all, she's a cold-blooded murderer. DEFENSE CONSOLE (BRITISH ACCENT, BLUNT) I object your honor! First of all, there was no murder. Second of all, this is not the trail so I ask console refer to my client as innocent. Tyke looks to the Defense. TYKE (ANNOYED) She's guilty! You know! I know it! Even the judge knows it! The Defense looks to Tyke. DEFENSE CONSOLE (SMUG) You can't put words into the honor's mouth! TYKE (ANNOYED) Neither can you! The judge picks up the gavel and smacks it down on his bench. JUDGE (STERN) Enough! Everyone looks to the Judge. JUDGE (STERN) First off, the defense is correct on both counts. There was only attempted murder and the defendant has not been tried or convicted. The Defense smiles widely. JUDGE (STERN) Second off, I will remind the defense what can and can't be done in my court! The smile fades from the defense. JUDGE (STERN) With that said what are the arguments for or against bail? TYKE (EXPLAINING) The defendant has been accused of attempted murder. As I will prove in the trail that she did this because she was jealous of her intended victim. A highly decorated, notable Strayer and close friend. If she could do this toward this victim what would stop her from doing that same to a total strange out in the world if she was released on bail. DEFENSE CONSOLE (BLUNT) This would be true if she was a harden criminal, but she has no history of violence. She is not a threat to society especially on these trump up charges. The Judge pauses to think, then nods. JUDGE (HONEST) I have to agree with the defense. Currently I'm thinking a one million euro bond. TYKE (EXPLAINING) There are other factors to consider. She does not have a permeate residence here in England, she has United States citizenship. What is preventing her from fleeing the country once she steps outside? DEFENSE CONSOLE (BLUNT) First and foremost, the defendant wants this trial. She is innocent and wants a chance to prove it. She has not desire to flee. Secondly, she is not that well off. The down payment on the bound would drain all her assets. She would be left with no means to finance leaving the country let alone a prolonged hide and seek game with any authorities. She will not flee. The Judge thinks things over for a moment and then looks at Dixie directly. JUDGE (STERN) Miss Dixie, what do you have to say on the matter? Can I trust to see you again if I give you bail? DIXIE (HONEST) It is all as my lawyer has said, your honor. I have no need or means to flee. I want to see this to the end so I can clear my name. I didn't do anything wrong, I swear. The Judge pauses to think again. He nods. JUDGE (STERN) Very well, I will grant bail but on conditions. The defendant is not to leave the grounds her without written permission by me and me alone. So she will not become a vagrant, she will be employed by this facility and given an honest wage deemed by facilities management in which room and board will be deduced from her pay. Lastly, she will be fitted with a monitoring collar so her where abouts can be monitored at all time. Does the defendant accept this? DIXIE (PLEASED) Yes, thank you your honor. TYKE (WHINING) But your honor- Tyke is interrupted by the banging of the Judge's gavel. JUDGE (STERN) Matter closed! Tyke grumbles and Dixie smiles, the Defense looks to her. DEFENSE CONSOLE (PLEASED) I'll go arrange everything. Dixie just nods, the Defense turns and walks away. The smile from Dixie's face fades. DIXIE (WHISPERS TO HERSELF, ANGRY) You're crossed the line this time Nitro, you will pay once and for all with your life. A guard comes up and grabs Dixie by the arm, she escorts her towards the exit. They both leave the room to leave a very frustrated Tyke behind. EXTERIOR: LAKE - HILL TOP Somewhere in the United States is a large lake, it is night and the moon is full. A bumpy dirt road leads up from a dock to the top of a hill, it is a long gradual incline. At the top a customized van with no windows is parked. Stationed around it are some human thugs, one of them is peering inside the windshield towards the back. Near by is a parked limo, the engine is running and all the doors are closed. The smoked glass prevents from seeing who is inside. An empty paneled van is parked here too. The thug looking in turns and walks over to the car, he taps on the window. It rolls down but we can't see who is inside, the thug looks in. THUG (BLUNT) It is time. The window rolls back up and the Thug opens the door, Lauren Trent steps out. She is an older but elegant human female who is defiantly rich. She wears an evening gown spun out of solid gold, her high heel shoes are made of real silver, she wears bracelets and a necklace carved out of rare stones, she has large diamond rings on her fingers and matching earring. Her hair is perfect, her clothes are perfect, her makeup is perfect, she is perfect. The Thug closes the door and escorts her over to the side of the van. LAUREN (SLIGHT NEW ENGLAND ACCENT, STERN) Open it up. The Thug nods to her and opens the sliding door to the van, inside are Monique and Barb. Monique is a young adult Pekingese Cano-Sapien has the same color fur as Dixie. She is wearing business attire that consists of a skirt, blouse, blazer and high heel shoes while he hair is up. Barb is a Husky/Cocker Spaniel mix. She has a swirl of black and white fur and the body of a Cocker Spaniel but the ears and tail of a Husky. She wears cutoff jeans, a tube top and high heels. They are both on their knees facing one another, their wrists are handcuffed to chains welded to the ceiling. They are both slumped forward and have seemed to have been roughed up, they are just regaining consciousness. Lauren is pleased so she smiles. LAUREN (SMUG) Welcomes back to the living my two Lois Lanes. Monique and Barb regain their senses and look over to her trying to focus their eyes. LAUREN (SMUG) And seeing your current predicament, I must emphasis the word MY. Monique and Bard look up to their restraints, they both test them. Seeing they are not going anywhere they look back to Lauren. BARB (BLUNT) But you are mistaken. She's the Lois Lane, I work the camera so I'm Jimmy Olsen. LAUREN (SMUG) I'll have to keep that in mind. MONIQUE (CONFUSED) To be quite honest, after our last talk I'm surprised that we are still alive. LAUREN (SMUG) Not to fret my dears, there is plenty of time to correct that. Monique and Barb look around, confused. BARB (CONFUSED) Where are we? What is going on? LAUREN (SMUG) Like you mentioned, I just wanted to continue our little chat and give you another chance to change things. So if you would be so kind to tell me where the tape is. Monique and Barb look back to Lauren. MONIQUE (ACTING CONFUSED) What tape? LAUREN (ANNOYED) You know exactly what tape I'm talking about! MONIQUE (SMUG) If I did would I be asking? Barb chuckles. LAUREN (ANNOYED) The tape you secretly recorded of me killing my partner! The same one you were bragging to my employees about! MONIQUE (ACTING CONFUSED) Nope, sorry. I don't know what you are talking about. The anger can be seen building up in Lauren, she is about to explode. Monique and Barb find this amusing. THUG (BLUNT) Forgive me Mistress. Lauren turns to the thug and explodes. LAUREN (ANGRY) Can't you see I'm busy here! The Thug jumps back and quickly nods. THUG (QUICKLY) Yes, of course Mistress. I just want to inform you all has been set to your specifications. Suddenly, the anger drains from Lauren. She even smiles, this worries Monique and Barb. She turns back to them. LAUREN (SMUG) Maybe my little experiment will refresh your memory. BARB (CONCERNED) What experiment? Lauren looks around inside the van. LAUREN (SMUG) I often wondered how long it would take for the brake fluid in a van, just like this one, to drained out. It would be very vital to know especially if the van was in neutral and pointed down a hill towards a rather deep lake just like this one. I mean, some one could drown. On purpose. Lauren smiles at Monique and Barb. First realization comes them then followed by fear, but Monique does a better job of covering her feelings. BARB (EXCITED) You can't just kill us! LAUREN (SMUG) And why not? I killed my partner. You witnessed that yourself. MONIQUE (CURIOUS) Why did you kill your partner? LAUREN (STERN) I think you should be more worried about your own lives than some dead man's my dear. BARB (EXCITED) You won't get away with it! Lauren busts out laughing. LAUREN (LAUGHING) Of course I will, I have everything in my favor. I'm rich but more importantly is that I have killed many times before and gotten away with it. Anything that stands in my way dies, currently you are in my direct path. MONIQUE (DEFIANT) And that is the whole point! There is no incentive for us to give you what you want. We know too much, we witness the killing plus you kidnapped us. The only way you are going to stay out of jail is to kill us! Lauren stops laughing and becomes more serious. LAUREN (EXPLAINING) That is not entirely true, I only kill when I need to. If I can get my hands on that tape then it would be my word against yours. Being as rich as I am I can hire the best lawyers and buy all the witnesses I want. Give me the tape and they'll but go free, I promise. MONIQUE (SMUG) A promise from a murder, how rich. Barb looks over to Monique, unsure. BARB (UNEASY) Well, she does have a point Mon. She holds all the cards. LAUREN (PLEASED) You should listen to your camera dog Miss Lane. Monique glares at Barb scowling her with her eyes, after several long moments she is forced to look away. Finally, Monique looks back to Lauren. MONIQUE (DEFIANT) Well, it is a moot point. Torture, threats and just plain talk won't get the tape back. Nothing can, you might as free us now because our editor has the tape as we speak. He is going to air it and expose you! In fact, your only hope of any plea bargain is to let us go. Free us and we will put in a good word for you. The news disturbs Lauren. LAUREN (UPSET) You don't know how much that disturbs me. It is quite a shame. If you don't have the tape then you have nothing to bargain with. Your lives are forfeit. MONIQUE (CONFUSED) Didn't you just hear me? It is in your best interest to keep us alive! Lauren shakes her head. LAUREN (STERN) By the time the tape airs you will both be dead and I will be safely in a country where the government can easily be paid off and there is no extradition. Lauren looks to the Thug. LAUREN (STERN) Let's go. The Thug closes the sliding door and they both turn towards the vehicles. The van lurches once forward, there is not much brake fluid left. As they walk away a cry comes from inside the van. BARB (INSIDE THE VAN, MUFFLED, PLEADING) The truth is that we didn't give it to our editor! We did not have time! Shortly after the murder you caught us! Please! Let's talk! Lauren stops, pauses and looks to the van. She smiles. Then she walks back to the sliding door with the Thug. He reaches for the handle but she raises her hand and he stops, the plea becomes more desperate. Then she lowers her hand and he opens the door. Barb is frantic but Monique looks like she could care less, Lauren looks to the Reporter. LAUREN (BLUNT) Is this true Miss Lane? Monique does not respond, Barb begs to her. BARBED (PLEADING) Please Mon! Tell her the truth! It is our only chance! Monique pauses for a moment then sighs. MONIQUE (FRUSTRATED) She's right, we hid the tape right before your goons caught us. LAUREN (PLEASED) Where did you hide it? MONIQUE (SMUG) In the hands of someone special, we had a courier standing by. If anything happens to us the tape will be aired, that is a fact. Your only choice is to free us. LAUREN (BLUNT) So let me get this straight. If I let you go it airs, if I kill you it airs. I'm screwed either way. So why not get some satisfaction by killing you both and obtain a little revenge. Looks like you get to see if there is really a heaven and hell. Lauren looks back to the Thug, but before she can give a command Barb jumps in. BARB (EXCITED) She's lying! There was no courier! There was no one waiting for us! We are the only two that know about the murder! The tape was hidden right before we were captured! Monique growls at Barb but Lauren looks to Barb and smiles. LAUREN (PLEASED) If that is the case then tell me where you hid it. Barb balks at the offer. BARB (HONEST) I can't tell you that. LAUREN (CROSS) I have been more than patient but even someone as dignified as myself has their limits! As you stated, dealing with me is your only hope! Tell me where the tape is hidden or you die! BARB (HONEST) Look, I wish I could. Really do, but I can't. Monique is the one that hid it. Lauren glares at Monique. LAUREN (STERN) Looks like the ball is in your court my dear. What do you have to say? Monique pauses then smiles. MONIQUE (SMUG) You want to know what I have to say? This is what I have to say! Monique then proceeds to start screaming for help, Barb joins in. This makes Lauren laugh. LAUREN (LAUGHING) Oh you lower classes can be so droll! You can scream all you want. It may sound like a clich‚ but this is the truth. We are miles from the nearest road and the closest house or civilization for that matter is even further. No one can hear you. After a few more cries they stop and listen, all they hear is the sounds of the night, Lauren has calmed down. There is no hope. Their spirits are dashed. LAUREN (SMUG) Shall we proceed on with the game? Monique and Barb think for a moment and then nod. MONIQUE (BLUNT) Let's look at this rationally. If you dump this van into the lake surely gas and oil from it will surface. Someone will investigate and find our bodies, they will put two and two together. You'll still get nailed. Lauren smiles. LAUREN (SMUG) I love dashing your hopes, I really do. I own this land that is all marked private property so no one is going to just wonder in and find you. By the time your bodies are discovered I will be long dead. Even if they were to find you before then I'm sure you reporters have a lot of enemies, have exposed a lot of nasty people who would jump at the chance to kill either of you. Any one of them could have done it. MONIQUE (DEFIANT) You are forgetting one small fact, our editor knows we were sent here to expose you as a murderer. Our dead bodies will be all the evidence he needs. LAUREN (SMUG) Just like most reporters you are exaggerating. You yourself told me he sent you sniffing around me to investigate corruption in my organization, not murder. It will take a lot more than what you have to even taint my image. I still hold all the cards. Monique searches for another avenue of attack while Barb just looks plain nervous. As they do the van lurches a bit, the brake fluid is almost gone. LAUREN (SMUG) Last chance my dears. Do you live or die? You make the call. BARB (PLEADING) For heavens sake Mon! Tell her! Tell her what she wants to know! MONIQUE (DEFIANT) A good reporter never caves in! Never gives up! LAUREN (SMUG) True but you'll notice there aren't a lot of good reporters around since most of them are dead. The van slowly starts to roll forward, all the fluid is gone. LAUREN (SMUG) Times up. Lauren looks to Monique for one last chance, she just stares back defiantly. LAUREN (PLEASED) Have it your way. As the van continues to roll the Thug slams the sliding door shut, Barb can be heard screaming "NNNOOO!!!" They watch the van roll faster and faster as it heads down the road towards the dock! INTERIOR: VAN It is as it was before except Barb is freaking out, she tugs and twists her wrists frantically trying to escape death. When she realizes it is hopeless she looks over to Monique who is cool and calm. She is messing around with her hair, Barb's mouth drops open. BARB (FRANTIC) How could you be worrying about your looks when we are about to die? MONIQUE (SMUG) Priorities, you really need to learn priorities. But before Barb can respond Monique pulls out a handcuff key from her hair, Barb is floored. BARB (SHOCKED) Where did that come from? MONIQUE (SMUG) A little trick my mother taught me. An investigative reporter worth their salt will find herself in a position like this at least once in her career. So always be prepared. BARB (BLUNT) Once? It seems like a weekly thing for us. Monique smiles. MONIQUE (REASSURING) I'll have you out in a jiff. But as Monique tries to use the key on her cuffs the van hits a big bump and the key flies from her fingers and lands on the carpeted floor next to her, well out of reach. Barb freaks out again. BARB (FRANTIC) My life is one big tease! Just when everything looks great. WHAM!!! Reality kicks in! Monique ignores Barb, she is too busy. She has kicked off her shoes and is now sitting are her tail. She is trying to use her toes like fingers to pick up the key, Barb is unimpressed. BARB (FRANTIC) Give me a break! You would have to have the dexterity of a chimp and a lot of practice to pull this off! As if on cue Monique picks up the key with her toes and holds the key up for Barb to see, her eyes bug out of her head. BARB (SHOCKED) Where on earth did you learn to do that? Monique smiles. MONIQUE (SMUG) My last boyfriend. Barb looks at Monique, confused. She sighs. MONIQUE (FRUSTRATED) It is a long story and time is something we don't have! Monique holds the key up by Barb's hands. MONIQUE (BLUNT) I can't reach my hands so you will have to be the heroine here. Barb snatches the key from Monique. BARB (PLEASED) My pleasure. Barb quickly uses the key to unlock her cuffs and free herself, she looks over to Monique. BARB (PLEASED) I'll have you free in a second. Barb moves over to Monique while the van sounds like it is going over a wooden bridge now. EXTERIOR: LAKE - DOCK The van races over the dock and flies off the end at very high speed. The vehicle sails through the air and nosedives into the water, there is a huge splash. The van stops instantly. INTERIOR: VAN The crash with the water sends Barb sliding into the back of the seats, the force is so great she drops the key. Unfortunately, she has not had time to use it to free Monique. Instantly water begins to rush in, for the first time Monique shows real fear. Barb looks to her. BARB (CONCERNED) Are you okay? MONIQUE (FRANTIC) Forget that! Find that key before I drown! Bard nods and starts searching under the seats of the van, feeling with her hands for the key. The water quickly reaches Monique's neck. BARB (CONCERNED) I can't find it! MONIQUE (FRANTIC) For heavens sake! Search in front! Barb nods, takes a deep breath and dives under the water to begin her search. As Monique begins to float towards the ceiling she looks upward. MONIQUE (PLEADING) Please God, don't let me die. Not here, not now. Please. Monique begins to pray. By the time the van is three quarters filled with water and still sinking Barb surfaces, she gasps for breath. BARB (REASSURING) I still haven't found it but I will keep looking. But surprisingly, when Barb looks to Monique a sense of calm has come over her. MONIQUE (CALM) Don't bother. Barb looks confused, this can be seen. MONIQUE (EXPLAINING) It is hopeless, I have made my peace. Get out while you still can, there is no need for both of us to die. Barb glares at Monique. BARB (ANGRY) Do me a favor and shut up! Now it is Monique's confused gaze that is noticed. BARB (ANGRY) If you think I'm going to go around the rest of my life wondering why I was spared and you are not then think again! We are either both going to get out of this or we both are going to die! There is no third choice! Monique opens her mouth to reply but Barb has already dived under the water to continue her search. The water keeps pouring in. Quickly the entire van is submerged, no air pockets are left. At the last possible second Monique takes a deep breath and holds it though her face doesn't reflect much hope. That changes when Barb swims up to her with the key, she quickly uses it to open the cuffs and free her. The two don't waste any time opening the sliding door and swim towards the surface. EXTERIOR: LAKE - SURFACE Monique and Barb surface and gasps for air, as they do they can hear voices way up on the hill. THUG (CONFUSED) It sounded like someone surfacing. LAUREN (EXCITED) Quick! Get some light down there! Monique and Barb hear this, they take a deep breath and slip back under the water. There they look up to see a bright spotlight zipping across it, searching for any sighs of life. They hold their breath as long as they can, then are forced to slowly rise to the surface. They tilt their heads back and keep a low profile in the water as the breath through their muzzles, they try to be as still and quiet as they can be. By now the spotlight is off. They listen anxiously. THUG (HONEST) I think you are right mistress, it must just have been an air bubble escaping from the van. LAUREN (SMUG) They are long out of air, they are truly dead. Let's leave them to rest in peace. The Thug escorts Lauren back into her limo where he joins her, the rest jump into the other vehicle. Everyone drives away. Only then do Monique and Barb completely surface and feel at easy, they swim to the shore. BARB (HONEST) That was close. Really close. A lot closer than it has been in a long time. MONIQUE (ANNOYED) Not as close as Miss Trent is going to feel. Monique and Barb climb onto the shore, she looks to the Reporter. BARB (RELIEVED) Now what? Monique is already on the move walking at a quick pace up the hill, Barb follows. MONIQUE (STERN) We hike it to the nearest road and hitch a ride. BARB (CONFUSED) Then what? MONIQUE (STERN) We go back for the tape and nail that other name for a female dog! BARB (CONCERNED) You think that is wise? I mean, we just tapped the hornet's nest and it nearly killed us. What is going to happen when we knock if off the tree? MONIQUE (STERN) We won't be safe until we take her down. Once she learns we survived she will just try to kill us again. It is either her or us! BARB (CONFUSED) Yeah but. Monique is not listening, she just picks up the pace. Barb sighs and tries to keep up with her, the time for reasoning is over. EXTERIOR: BRITON NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY - MAIN ENTRANCE It is evening in the heart of London. In front of an old gothic museum with marble steps leading up to it Cyc and Sylvia, carrying the Collies, pulls up. Sylvia is an ordinary looking full sized pickup truck with a winch on the front and large fog lamps on the roof and bumper, there is a roll bar behind the cab. The license plate reads: "Buoy 1" Painted on one side is a female native American warrior racing across the plains grasping a spear, on the other side is a squaw planting a tree. On the hood is the symbol of Amani's tribe. Puffball and Amani are in her. Nitro is driving Cyc and Bear is riding behind her. He looks a bit confused. BEAR (CONFUSED) What are we doing here? Nitro takes over her helmet as she slips off the cycle, she hangs it on one of the handlebars. NITRO (BLUNT) Doing what we agreed upon. BEAR (CONFUSED) I didn't know we agreed to confuse my tail off. Now Bear is really confused. He takes his helmet off and hangs in on the other bar, he too gets off the bike. NITRO (BLUNT) Cyc, if you would be so kind to open compartment 7A. CYC (ELECTRONIC VOICE, PLEASED) As you wish, Nitro. One of the compartments on the side of Cyc opens up and Nitro reaches inside. BEAR (CONFUSED) What's this all about? Nitro pulls out an old large photo of John Wayne as a cowboy that is signed by him, she places it on the seat of Cyc. NITRO (EXPLAINING) We agreed to donate this to the museum for their charity auction. BEAR (ANNOYED) No, YOU agreed on that I never did! Nitro glares at Bear. NITRO (BLUNT) Same difference! Let's be realistic about this. All it does is just collects dust there on the shelf. BEAR (ANNOYED) Do you know how much I had to pay for that thing on Zbay? NITRO (BLUNT) The museum will probably only get a fraction of that for it. BEAR (ANNOYED) No way! That is a classic! NITRO (BLUNT) If that is the case then you are just being selfish if you just keep it yourself. Bear pauses and rubs his chin. BEAR (UNEASY) I don't know. That has a lot of mileage to it. NITRO (BLUNT) So do we! BEAR (SMUG) Maybe I should put you up for auction instead. Nitro explodes at the comment and they begin to argue. By now Amani and Puffball have stepped out of their vehicle and are standing near by, they have looks of disgust on their faces. PUFFBALL (HONEST) You realize we are going to be stuck her all night. AMANI (SMUG) Not if I can help it. Amani steps up behind them and snatches the photo from the seat, neither Bear nor Nitro notice this. She steps back to Puffball. PUFFBALL (CONFUSED) What are you going to do? AMANI (EXPLAINING) I'm going into the museum, find an employee and give them this so we can go home. Puffball smiles. Amani walks up the steps with the photo to the huge front doors that are closed, a sign hanging in the window reads "CLOSED" This makes her frown. Also on the door is a sign that posts the hours of operation, she checks her watch. Now she is surprised. AMANI (CONFUSED) Weird, they should still be open. Amani tries the door and it is unlocked, she opens it and steps inside. She closes the mighty door behind her. Bear and Nitro continue to argue. INTERIOR: BRITON NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY - STORAGE ROOM This is a small room with various ancient and rare objects, the prevalent objects here are American Indian pottery. All items are uncrated here and cataloged before they go the main storage. Up against a wall is an old desk. In the center of the room stands Penelope Pinkston. She is a human female with long blonde hair who is quite attractive and is of Chinese persuasion in her thirties. She wears a knee length skirts, a tee shirt and gym shoes. She is facing female twin Cano-Mutants, Belswee and Relswee. They are both of the Chinese Crested breed. Belswee is a blonde who wears a short dress, short boots and short gloves that are all made from real leopard skins. Relswee is a redhead who wears the same type of clothes but hers are made from tiger skins. Both wear black arm and headbands embroidered with Chinese symbols. Two more cano-mutants flank them, these are known as Nomads. They are all female Tazis in breed and wear fur of skinned animals such as bears that make up their pants, shirt and boots. On their belts are large curved sabers. Two other Nomads hold Penelope by her arms, the Chinese leaders are interrogating the prisoner. From behind one of the creates near the door Amani peers around it unnoticed, she quietly observes. As she does we can hear her thoughts. AMANI (THINKING, CONCERNED) This doesn't look good. Relswee slaps Penelope across the face hard, the loud crack makes Amani flinch. AMANI (THINKING, CONCERNED) Not good at all. Where are the museum guards? Amani notices some dead guards lying on the floor to the side, their bodies are covered with blood. AMANI (THINKING, CONCERNED) I was hoping that trail I followed here wasn't blood but sometimes hoping isn't enough. Relswee slaps Penelope again even harder, she moans with pain. AMANI (THINKING, ANNOYED) I'd better intervene before things get real ugly. Amani reaches inside her clothes but comes out empty handed. AMANI (THINKING, FRUSTRATED) Carp! I left my phone in Sylvia along with my gun. I'm just going to have to see how this plays out. Hopefully the others will notice I'm missing and come looking for me. If not I may have to improvise. Amani watches helplessly as Penelope is slapped again. BELSWEE (THICK CHINESE ACCENT, STERN) Now are you going to tell us where it is? Penelope just stares coldly at them, Relswee raises her hand again. PENELOPE (SLIGHT CHINESE ACCENT, DEFIANT) That isn't going to get you what you want! RELSWEE (THICK CHINESE ACCENT, SMUG) We'll see about that. But as Relswee tries to slap her Belswee grabs her wrist and stops her, she looks confused to her. RELSWEE (CONFUSED) Why are you protecting her? BELSWEE (BLUNT) Sometimes there are better paths than violence. RELSWEE (ANNOYED) Violence is always the only way! BELSWEE (SMUG) Give me a chance to fail before you condemn me. Relswee pauses and nods, Belswee releases her hand and she lowers it. Then she glares at Penelope. BELSWEE (STERN) I highly suggest you tell me where The Book is before you feel the full wrath of my sister. PENELOPE (HONEST) It is like I keep telling you, I don't know where this stupid book you keep talking about is! Trust me! I would tell you where it is if I knew! Belswee stares at Penelope, no emotion, no indication of what she is thinking. This unnerves the prisoner. This makes Belswee smile. BELSWEE (SMUG) Perhaps your way IS better, my sister. Belswee draws the sword from one of the Nomads flanking her, she holds the tip to Penelope's throat. She does not dare move! Amani watches helplessly. BELSWEE (STERN) You would be advised to tell us what we want to know while you still have a voice box! Penelope looks at Belswee, she looks very determined. Relswee is just smiling enjoying it all. The prisoner studies them, she sees no other way. PENELOPE (FRUSTRATED) Okay, you win. I know exactly where The Book is but you might as well kill me now. For what is in that book could change the face of the world and history itself! RELSWEE (SMUG) Why do you think we seek it? Now it is Belswee who studies Penelope, she looks even more determined than her. She hesitates then pulls the sword away. BELSWEE (ANNOYED) Unfortunately, our prisoner has more intelligence than we imagined. She knows we can't kill or we will never find The Book. RELSWEE (STERN) Yes, death is right out but pain and torture is not! Angered, Relswee picks up some of the ancient Indian pottery and prepares to throw it at Penelope! Her defiance quickly fades. PENELOPE (FRANTIC) No! Not that! Anything but that! RELSWEE (SMUG) So you DO fear pain. PENELOPE (FRANTIC) Pain nothing! That is rare Native American potter well over 500 year old! It is irreplaceable! BELSWEE (SMUG) That is a pleasure to know. What do you say to exchange the intactness of this pottery for The Book? Penelope pauses and thinks. RELSWEE (SMUG) As a bonus, you will not have to feel any more pain. Penelope studies Belswee and Relswee, trying to figure out if they are serious. With no options she finally nods. PENELOPE (FRUSTRATED) Okay, fine, just put that down carefully! Relswee looks over to Belswee, she sees her nod. She places the pottery back down, Penelope is relieved. BELSWEE (STERN) Now where is it? Penelope points over to the desk. PENELOPE (DEFEATED) In there, top drawer. Relswee quickly rushes over to the desk, pulls open the top drawer and digs around inside. Belswee watches anxiously, all she finds is junk. Relswee pulls the drawer completely out and dumps the contents on the floor, it is still only junk. She screams and throws the drawer to the ground, she glares at Belswee. RELSWEE (ANNOYED) She lied! Belswee turns and looks at Penelope, she looks very crossed at her. BELSWEE (ANGRY) I should have warned you about trying to deceive us! PENELOPE (REASSURING) It is there, feel inside the desk on the top. Relswee quickly reaches inside the hole left by the missing drawer and feels around, Belswee again watches anxiously. After a few seconds Relswee stops and smiles. RELSWEE (PLEASED) I think I have found it. This makes Belswee smile. As Relswee tries to remove the object there is a loud snap, she yipes in pain. She quickly removes her hand, clamped on her fingers is a very large rattrap. This makes Penelope giggle. Relswee quickly unlatches the trap from her hand and drops it to the floor, she massages her fingers. She is still giggling, Belswee notices this. She again places the end of her sword to the neck of the prisoner, she instantly stops laughing. BELSWEE (ANGRY) So you find the pain of my sister funny? Maybe we should find some amusement by slicing you open! PENELOPE (PLEADING) I'm sorry, I forgot that I laid that trap in there. Honestly! The Book is in there! BELSWEE (ANGRY) No more tricks? PENELOPE (PLEADING) No more tricks! No more traps! I swear! Belswee pauses then lowers the sword, she looks over to Relswee and nods. Very cautiously her sister reaches inside and feels around, carefully she pulls out something. It is an ancient book a thousand years old, it has foreign writing the cover. Relswee reads the title and cannot help but smile. RELSWEE (EXCITED) This it! The Book! At long last we have it! BELSWEE (STERN) Do not judge a cover by its book. Relswee looks to Belswee confused. She does not explain herself but instead hands the sword back to the Nomad, she takes it. Then she holds her hand out to her sister, Relswee hands the book to her. She opens it up and scans the pages, joys fills her face. BELSWEE (PLEASED) Your deduction was correct, our search is now over! Belswee bows to Penelope. BELSWEE (THANKFUL) And we have you to thank. Penelope is not sure if she should be happy, sad or angry. Belswee stands erect again, Relswee joins her. RELSWEE (SMUG) Let us honor her properly. Relswee picks up the pottery again and tosses it into the air, Penelope gasps but being held by the guards there is nothing she can do! Amani freaks out. She races from behind the box and slides across the floor, she catches it just in time! She slides to a stop before the twins, everyone looks down to her in shock. AMANI (ANNOYED) Fools! This could belong to one of my ancestors! RELSWEE (SMUG) Why don't you ask them in person. KILL HER!!! Relswee points at Amani and the two free guards draw their swords! The Strayer quickly reacts by kicking the legs out of their leaders and then jumps to her feet. While the two Nomads are preoccupied with concerns of their leaders Amani tosses the pottery to one of the Nomads holding Penelope, out of instinct she lets go of her and catches it. In the meantime the Strayer dropkicks the other guard, she lets go and falls to the ground freeing the prisoner. Amani decks the guard with the pottery, as they fall she grabs the pottery. Amani looks to Penelope who just stands their bewildered. AMANI (STERN) Just don't stand there! Get out of here! Go for help! Penelope nods, turns and heads for the door. As she does Amani places the pottery safely on a table. But by now Relswee and Belswee have recovered and gotten to their feet, they grab her and hold her. No escape for Penelope, they and the prisoner watch the fight. By now the guards have recovered and attack Amani with their swords. She grabs an old spear and uses it to defend herself. She thrusts the blunt end into the gut of the first Nomad to step forward, she doubles over but the Strayer is not done yet. She swings the spear up and catches the baddie in the jaw, she stumbles back and hits her head on the table. It is so hard that she is knockout cold and falls to the floor. Amani smiles. AMANI (SMUG) Score one for my ancestors! But the table was struck with such force that the pottery on it wobbles, fall over and rolls towards the edge! Worse yet the other Nomads step forward with their weapons ready. Amani quickly turns the spear around and races at them. She jams the point of the spear into the floor and vaults over the baddies, landing on the other side. But by now the pottery has reached the edge of the table and is too far away to grab, it falls towards the floor! Quickly she uses the end out the spear to poke into the opening in the pottery and catches it preventing it from falling. She then carefully pulls the spear in and grabs the pottery, she places it back on the table. She sighs with relief. AMANI (HONEST) My parents would have never forgave me. By now the Nomads have caught up with Amani, one body slams her into the wall. The attack is so hard and so sudden it catches her completely off guard, she drops the spear in the process. Before the Strayer can recover the same Nomad gets behind her and locks her in a terrific bear hug, she struggles to free herself but it is useless. AMANI (ANNOYED) I hate to tell you this but you are invading my personal space! The Nomad ignores Amani, instead she looks to the others and speaks in a foreign language. The Strayer doesn't have a clue what is being said until the two Nomads stand before her, one prepares to plunge her sword into Amani's gut while the other laughs. As the swords thrusts towards her Amani swings her feet up, places them on the laughing Nomad and runs up her body. This allows her to bend so the Nomad's gut is exposed, the sword penetrates it and goes all the way through! She lets go of Amani and falls to the ground, before she hits she is already dead. Amani lands on her feet and quickly picks up her spear, distracted by their comrades death Amani goes into action! She runs and slides between them, as she goes she drags the spear behind her. AMANI (EXCITED) Coming through! The weapons catches the feet of both baddies, they lose their balance and fall over. One falls onto the dead Nomad and lands on the sword, she is also killed instantly. The Strayer jumps to her feet but so does the remaining Nomad, her sword at the ready. She quickly attacks and Amani points her spear at her, unfortunately the blunt end is pointing at the baddie. Using what she has she deflects the sword away from her with the spear and before the baddie can strike attack she attacks! She raises the spear high and thrusts the blunt end down on the Nomad, the force is great enough to knock her out. She falls backwards and into a crate, the battle is over. Amani raises her spear in victory. AMANI (PROUD) I have won! But her cheers are cut short when she hears a wobbling noise, she looks to the crate and horror fills her face. The crate has a bunch of the Indian pottery on it and they are all wobbling, worse yet one by one they topple over and roll off the edge of it! She drops the spear and dives for them. Quickly, one after the other, she grabs the pottery and as fast as she can she places it on the ground. As soon as she saves one another is about to be shattered! With great effort and speed she manages to save them all. Finally, she can rest. RELSWEE (CONFUSED) What are we going to do now? Amani remembers she is not alone, she picks up her spear and steps towards the remaining baddies and hostage. BELSWEE (WHISPERS) Leave everything to me. Amani stops before them and points her spear at the baddies, they flinch. AMANI (STERN) Now are you going to force me to use this on you two? BELSWEE (QUICKLY) Surely, someone as honorable and noble as an American Indian would never harm two defenseless unharmed sisters as us. Amani sneers at Belswee and Relswee. AMANI (STERN) Somehow I don't think you two are THAT defenseless. The sisters try to look as helpless as possible, Amani stares at them. But after a few moments she softens and rises the spear and places the blunt end on the floor. AMANI (BLUNT) Very well, if you let her go no harm will come to you. BELSWEE (SMUG) She means a lot to you, doesn't she. AMANI (BLUNT) Of course. I'm the heroine and she is the victim, it is my job to ensure she is rescued. Belswee smiles. BELSWEE (SMUG) That is all we needed to know. Belswee gets behind Penelope and holds her like a shield, seeing this Relswee follows suit. BELSWEE (DEFIANT) Now we are going to walk out of her otherwise your precious victim fulfills her title! Amani rolls her eyes. Suddenly she thrusts the blunt end of the spear at Belswee foot striking it, she yelps and starts hopping around holding her injured foot. In the process she drops The Book. Amani doesn't hesitate and attacks Relswee, she used the blunt end of the spear between her feet and twists it tripping the baddie. The prisoner is now free, the Strayer glares at Penelope. AMANI (EXCITED) This time at least try to make it out the door! RUN!!! Penelope does as she is told, as she escapes she scoops The Book up and runs out the door. By now the baddies have recovered. BELSWEE (FRANTIC) She took The Book! We have to go after her! RELSWEE (ANNOYED) That is going to be kind of hard with spear lady here! They look to Amani, she is pointing the sharp end of the spear at Belswee and Relswee. AMANI (SMUG) That's right, neither of you is going anywhere until she returns with help! But as Amani smiles there is a loud battle cry! She spins around to see one of the Nomads has come to, she is charging her with her sword! The Strayer has just enough time to deflect the attack with her weapon, the two begin to circle one another with their weapons ready. The Baddie leaders take the opportunity to race after Penelope. INTERIOR: BRITON NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY - MAIN GALLERY This is a large display room fill with a lot of stuff from the times of knights and kings in England's history. Penelope has a good lead on Belswee and Relswee who are chasing her. But Relswee pulls out a bolero, a cord with two metal balls on the ends. As they run she twirls it over her head. When she has enough spin on it she stop and lets it fly towards Penelope, it hits its mark. The device wraps around the victims legs, when all the cord is used up the balls twist around each other to ensure the tight grip holds. This causes her to trip and fall on her face, in the process she drops the book. Quickly she reaches down and tries to free her legs but it is pointless, the capture tool is wrapped around her legs too tightly. Her pursuers easily run up, kneel down and recapture her. Belswee grabs the book while Relswee draws a knife and points it at Penelope. RELSWEE (ANGRY) I will teach you what it means to defy The Nomadic! Penelope is frozen with fear. BELSWEE (STERN) We have other priorities that need attending. Relswee glares at Belswee. RELSWEE (ANGRY) How can this be so? Her defiance mocks us! Can you not see that my sister? BELSWEE (REASSURING) I can assure you, she will pay, in a long painful matter. But for now our concern is that The Book does not fall into the wrong hands again. Relswee looks to the book and back to Penelope, she growls at her. It looks like the prisoner would prefer to get the knife now. After a long tense moment the knife is used instead to free Penelope's legs. The sisters then grab her, pick her up and drag her out of the museum still in too shocked to resist. EXTERIOR: BRITON NATIONAL MUSEUM OF HISTORY - MAIN ENTRANCE Back outside Bear and Nitro are still arguing, Puffball is sitting on the curb just plain bored. Belswee and Relswee drag Penelope down the steps while Amani appears at one of the windows in the building. AMANI (EXCITED) Stop arguing and start doing your duty! There is an innocent in danger! Nitro and Bear stop yelling at each other, they and Puffball looks to Amani. She in turn is pointing to the helpless Penelope who in turn is looking to them. She seems more shocked then scared now. PENELOPE (SHOCKED) Bear? Is that really you? You must save me! Bear and Puffball are confused, Nitro is just plain annoyed. PUFFBALL (CONFUSED) How does she know your name? Nitro crosses her arms and taps her foot. NITRO (JEALOUS) That is what I would like to know! BEAR (HONEST) I have no idea, I have never seen her before. An English double decker bus, driven by a Nomad filled with a bunch of other Nomads, appears and stops by Belswee and Relswee. They drag Penelope onto it kicking and screaming. It speeds forward. NITRO (ANNOYED) Whoever she is Amani is right, she is a bystander and needs saving! Nitro jumps on Cyc. The driver of the bus sees this and turns into a parked car next to her. The car is crashes into Cyc and knocks her to the ground, Cyc ends up pinned between a light post and the car. The bus drives on. The cycle tries to free itself but the tires just spin and don't have enough traction, it is stuck. Bear doesn't care about this, he is at Nitro's side. In all of this Puffball has jumped into Sylvia and pulled up next to Bear, she tell him to get in. He ignores her and still tends to Nitro. BEAR (CONCERNED) Are you all right honey? NITRO (ANNOYED) Of course I am. But when Nitro tries to get up she falls back down. NITRO (HONEST) Maybe not. Bear is really worried now, Puffball honks the horn but all his attention is on Nitro. NITRO (BLUNT) Looks like I'm out of this one, you'd better go with Puffball. BEAR (SHOCKED) You're nuts if you think I'm going to leave you like this! NITRO (ANNOYED) Then I'm nuts! Nitro glares at Bear but when she sees he means well she softens. NITRO (REASSURING) Look, I'm just a little shock up. I don't think anything is busted. But if you don't get your tail in that truck your girlfriend on that bus won't be able to say the same thing. BEAR (HONEST) She's not my girlfriend. I don't even know who she is. NITRO (ANNOYED) Whatever! But if you keep sitting on your tail you will never know who she is or was because she will be dead! Right now your duty is not to your wife but her, go save her darling! Bear is unsure, Puffball honks the horn again. He looks up to Amani in the window. BEAR (STERN) Take care of her Amani, I have to go save the day. AMANI (REASSURING) Don't worry about her! I'm on it! Amani disappears inside. Bear takes one last look at Nitro, she smiles back to him. He nods, gets up and races over to Sylvia. He jumps into the back and the truck races away in hot pursuit of the bus and the baddies. The chase is on! INTERIOR: DOUBLE DECKER BUS - PASSENGER COMPARTMENT This is a typical bus English like found in London. There are several Nomads sitting around here, one of them is driving. Seated here as well are Belswee and Relswee. Penelope is standing by them, one of her wrists are handcuffed to a pole in the aisle. The twins seem pretty proud of themselves. BELSWEE (SMUG) I do hope you appreciate the nice bracelet we got you. RELSWEE (SMUG) Yeah, we figured that guard would no longer need it. Belswee and Relswee laugh, Penelope spins around the pole and glares down at them. PENELOPE (DEFIANT) Laugh while you can mutts but I can grantee right at this never moment Bear is organizing my rescue. When he catches up with you you'll be laughing out the back of your head! Relswee and Belswee stop laughing, but they seem more curious than intimidated. BELSWEE (CURIOUS) Yes, you seem to know that pathetic malamute. How do you know him? Penelope smiles. PENELOPE (SLY) Let's just say he has gotten into the habit of pulling my tail out of the fire. Belswee doesn't know how to take the comment but it infuriates Relswee. RELSWEE (ANGRY) You will answer my sister's question in a less vague matter! But before Penelope can respond a Nomad rushes down the stairs from the top level and up to the twins. She blurts something out in her native language but it is obvious she is very concerned, Relswee jumps to her feet in shock. RELSWEE (ANNOYED) This is not part of the plan! BELSWEE (BLUNT) And the spear lady was? PENELOPE (SMUG) Its Bear, isn't. Belswee and Relswee ignore Penelope. BELSWEE (ANNOYED) Deal with it! Relswee Barks commands to the Nomad in a language she can understand. When that is done she quickly bows, turns and races up the stairs. The twins start to bicker in the same language with each other. Penelope looks towards the back of the bus, she can see Sylvia in hot pursuit and quickly gaining. She makes a sly smile. EXTERIOR: DOUBLE DECKER BUS - PASSENGER COMPARTMENT This is a typical English bus, there are seating for passengers up here and stairs leading into the interior. From the top of the bus four Nomads have gathered in the back. The Nomad from below races up and barks orders, again in a foreign tongue. The Nomads quickly disrupts and appear to take guarding positions all around the top of the bus, their swords at the ready. Meanwhile, Puffball drives Sylvia behind the bus as Bear swings around the cab into the open window on the passenger's side. He opens the glove compartment to reveals so controls, he starts to work them. BEAR (BLUNT) First order of business, use Sylvia's weapons system to disable the bus. But to his surprise they are not responding. BEAR (CONFUSED) What's wrong with this thing? PUFFBALL (EXPLAINING) Apparently you weren't informed, they were deactivated when Amani and I had a run in with The Admiral. Bear looks to Puffball in total shock. BEAR (SHOCKED) What is The Admiral doing in England? PUFFBALL (SMUG) You know how he hates to let revenge go to waste. BEAR (ANNOYED) Why am I the last to know? PUFFBALL (SMUG) Because you are the team leader. BEAR (ANNOYED) That is my point! I should be the first! PUFFBALL (DEFENSIVE) Chill hotdog. It happened while you were undercover with the Dreadnoughts. That is why we didn't join you until it was all over. BEAR (ANNOYED) Fine! We will just have to go to plan B. Bear reaches under the seat and pulls out a Pretri pistol, he smiles. BEAR (SMUG) This will do a number on their engine. PUFFBALL (HONEST) I'm afraid you would do more damage throwing it at that bus. Bear turns to Puffball, confused. She sees this. PUFFBALL (EXPLAINING) It was disabled in the same attack, any weapons found in or on this vehicle are useless. Bear shakes his head and drops the gun to the floor. BEAR (ANNOYED) How do they expect us to save the day without the proper tools? Bear collects his thoughts. BEAR (BLUNT) Then that only leaves us with plan C. Pull up along side of the bus so I can jump on it. PUFFBALL (EXPLAINING) No can do. BEAR (ANNOYED) Don't tell me the steering was broken in the attack as well! PUFFBALL (EXPLAINING) It has nothing to do with mechanics but all to do with the Director. Bear looks at Puffball and raises an eyebrow. BEAR (CONFUSED) I see. Because I'm the star of the show and they can't risk me getting hurt. PUFFBALL (EXPLAINING) I said it dealt with the Director, not your ego! The reasoning is that you already had your action scene so now it is my turn. Bear grumbles "stupid network" as he and Puffball change places, now he is driving. He speeds up and pulls up along side of the bus. As he does the same Nomad from before pops up on the top, points a laser gun at Bear and opens fire! He filches but the lasers bounce harmlessly off the truck. Annoyed but not defeated, the Nomad then tries to shoot out the tires but it has the same effect. Finally, out of pure frustration she tosses it at the truck and it just bounces off. Bear is relieved. BEAR (THANKFUL) Glad the defensive systems are still working. As the bus passes Big Ben Bear drives the truck up along side the bus. Puffball quickly climbs out the window, onto the hood and then onto the top of the cab. Bear edges the vehicle as close to the bus as he can, she then jumps up and grabs the side railing. But before she can pull herself up one of the Nomads, armed with her sword, appears. She gives a battle cry and takes a swing at the Strayer! But she lets go of the rail with one hand and swings back, the weapon just misses her. She then grabs the baddie's arm and gives it a yank, the great force pulls the Nomad over the railing and down below. Bear just barely avoids hitting her with the truck. Puffball takes a moment to look back to her. PUFFBALL (SMUG) Thanks for lending a paw! Puffball then quickly climbs up and onto the top. Instantly she is attacked by another Nomad who swings her sword at her! The feline has just enough time to grab the railing, use her super strength to rip it free and use it as a weapon to defend herself. Before the Nomad can launch another take attack she used her makeshift weapon to catch her on the side of the face, the baddie flies over the rail just like the first. Yet another Nomad attacks with her sword, she uses her weapon successfully to deflect it. Then she uses it to jam into her attacker's gut, she doubles over. Then she swings the railing up and catches her in the face, she springs back into a standing position. Finally, she clubs the baddie like the other and she flies over the railing, the only difference is that she drops her weapon before she goes over. PUFFBALL (SMUG) Thanks for the gift! But before Puffball a pick it up yet another Nomad attacks. Just like before she deflects the attack with the railing but her counterattack is deflected. The two exchange blows, testing each other, but all are deflected away. The baddie attacks again and is deflected off, but this time the blow is not away but down the makeshift weapon. The sword comes in contact with Puffball's hand and cuts her, it does no real damage other than to draw a little blood. The move forces the Strayer to drop her weapon, now she is completely defenseless! Worse yet another Nomad has joined her, they both laugh at her as they point their weapons at her. The feline instinctively backs away but quickly finds her self at the very end of the bus with nowhere else to run! PUFFBALL (UNEASY) Uh oh. Seeing this the two Nomads give a battle cry and change! Puffball grabs the nearest seat and with her massive strength rips it from its place. She has just enough time to use it as a shield, the swords stick it instead of her. The baddies try to pull their swords out but they are stuck fast. Seeing she has the advantage for the moment she pushes against the seat and uses it to ram them backwards. They stagers back but she keeps pushing until the two go sailing over the railing, she lets go of the seat and it follows them on down. PUFFBALL (SMUG) You should have took your seat while you could. But as Puffball smiles there are another battle cry, she has just enough time to see the last remaining Nomad come after her with her sword! Puffball ducks, tumble once and ends up on her feet. In the process she manages to pick up the discarded sword. The determined attacker lunges forward, their swords lock in combat. But the momentum of the attack forces the Strayer back and up against the railing, it is such a great force she nearly goes over the edge! Only grabbing onto the railing with her free hand keeps her on the bus. The attack throws all her weight and might against the sword, Puffball barely manages to hang on. Because of the awkward position the baddie has the advantage and she uses it to her full extent. She twists her wrist so the point of her sword is mere inches from the Strayer's face, it is slowly moving closer towards her eyes! Seeing she can't over power her Puffball out thinks her and does the last think expected. She allows herself to fall over the railing! With nothing to hold the pressure back the Nomad flies over the railing as well. But at the last moment the feline grabs onto the railing and uses her momentum to swing back and onto the bus, in the process she loses her weapon. After she lands she raises her hands over her head. PUFFBALL (SMUG) Ta da! Puffball bows to a nonexistent audience. Surprisingly she hears clapping. VOICE (OFF SCREEN, SMUG) Bravo. Puffball stands up to see Belswee and Relswee standing by the stairs, Belswee is clapping. But what really gets her attention are the four Nomads behind her all with their swords at the ready. RELSWEE (SMUG) But now it our turn. We will perform a little magic by cutting you into two! Belswee points at Puffball and barks a command, all the Nomads scream a battle cry and race by them and towards her! The battle is rejoined! As they approach she drops to the deck and trips the first one, she falls and slides to a stop. Then the Strayer raises a leg and catches the next one in the gut, she flips her over her and onto the downed baddie. Seeing this trickery the remaining two stop, she looks up and smiles. She quickly gets back onto her feet and jumps onto a seat in the far back, she raises her firsts as if she is going to box them. PUFFBALL (DEFIANT) Come on, I'll take you both on! Not really sure how to take this the Nomads hesitate, but Belswee and Relswee urge them on. The Nomads rush forward and jump on the seat in front of her, they point their weapons at her and growl. But to their surprise the Strayer lowers her fists and waves to them as if she is seeing them off, now they are really confused. Suddenly, she ducks and the out hanging of a light post catches them both in the back of their heads. They fly over the feline and off the back of the bus, she gets up and continues to wave at them. PUFFBALL (SMUG) Ta ta, please forget to write! But the victorious moment is interrupted by a battle cry, Puffball sees a Nomad coming after her! She takes a swipe at her with her sword, as she does she leaps off the chair and tumbles towards the front of the bus passing Belswee and Relswee. The Strayer quickly gets to her feet but sees that the same Nomad is still coming at her, but instead of showing fear she shows calm. As the baddie reaches her she side steps her and grabs the arm welding the weapon, they fight over control of the sword. At the same time there is another battle cry, it comes from the remaining Nomad, she is charging them with her own sword. The feline quickly grabs her first attacker, lifts her over her head and hisses. By now the second Nomad is on her, she toss the one she is holding at her. The baddies collide and both fall over the railing and are gone, only the twins are left now. She extends her claws and glares at them. PUFFBALL (ANGRY) Time to end this once and for all! Puffball marches towards Belswee and Relswee, at equal speed they back away from her. Eventually they run out of room, Relswee quickly picks up a discarded sword and prepares to use it! RELSWEE (BLUNT) Looks like we will have to fight our way out of this one. Belswee looks to Relswee. BELSWEE (STERN) Like I informed you before my sister, there are better paths to follow than violence. Relswee looks to Belswee confused, all she gets in response is her indicating to the front of the bus with her head. She looks to where her sister is pointing. RELSWEE (HONEST) True but this vile feline has desecrated our honor, she must be dealt with. BELSWEE (STERN) Need I remind you of our mission? To recover the book and to make sure it does not fall into the wrong paws. Pride must be kept in check over this. Relswee ponders for a moment then sighs, she throws the sword to the ground. Both her and Belswee jump onto the last seat of the bus. Puffball is bewildered but then realization comes over her. She quickly rushes forward and slashes at the baddies! But it is too late, by then they have passed under another light post and have grabbed hold of it. They are pulled from the bus and out of harms way. Puffball rushes to the very back and glares at them. PUFFBALL (ANNOYED) No! It can't end this way or we will have to do it all over again! Bear must go after them! Puffball looks down to Bear who is still following them in Sylvia, she tries to warn him. But her cries are cut off from screaming, female screaming of a human. Penelope! The Strayer quickly spins around, races to the front of the bus and down the stairs. INTERIOR: DOUBLE DECKER BUS - PASSENGER COMPARTMENT The scene is as it was before except a Nomad is holding her sword to Penelope's throat as she screams in terror. PENELOPE (FRANTIC) I don't care what your leaders last orders were! Please don't kill me! The Nomad ignores Penelope's pleads and proceeds! VOICE (OFF SCREEN, STERN) Leave her alone! The Nomad quickly removes the sword and turns towards the stairs, Puffball is racing down them. Before she knows it the Strayer charges her and slams her into the front of the bus, the blow makes her drop her sword and it falls out the front boarding door that is open. The attack has stunned the baddie but not taken her out, she grabs her attacker and drives her to the side. They both fly towards the open door! But at the last minute the feline grabs the edge and prevents them from falling out but the baddie keeps pushing trying to force her out! PUFFBALL (ANNOYED) You're really starting to piss me off! The Nomad pushes even harder, she is so determined that she succeeds! Both her and Puffball fall out the door! But the Strayer was still hanging onto the bus, so where the baddie falls free she dangles just outside the door. She then quickly pulls herself back in and rushes up to Penelope who is surprised to see her. PENELOPE (SHOCKED) I thought you were a goner there! Puffball smiles. PUFFBALL (SMUG) You weren't the only one. Penelope smiles back but not for long. Puffball is tackled by the driver, the only remaining Nomad left on the bus, and begins to wrestle with her. The captive can feel the bus swerving back and forth, she looks forward in horror as the steering wheel spins freely! She tries to get to the wheel but the handcuffs that chain her wrist to the pole keeps her just out of reach. They are going to crash! EXTERIOR: DOUBLE DECKER BUS Bear is still pursing the bus which is now completely out of control! As they begin to cross over Tower Bridge it heads swerves into a guardrail, the force is so great the bus tips up on two wheels! As is balances precariously sparks fly from the metal on metal contact of the railing! Penelope can be heard screaming as Puffball and the Nomad continue to fight. It looks really bad! BEAR (EXCITED) Dang it! I have to act and fast! Bear drives Sylvia next to the bus and taps the raised edge, the move busts the window on the door. But it is just enough to ease the all the tires back on the road, Bear backs off. They are safe for the moment. That moment doesn't last long. As soon as the bus is back on the ground it begins to swerve again, the turns are wider than before. Finally the bus races towards the railing of the bridge again, at this speed it will surely tip over the railing and fall into the river! Bear is forced to take action. Before the bus reaches the railing he drives the truck between it and the bus, and turns against it crushing the side of the truck. It is just enough to get the bus going straight again but now the truck is pinned between it and the railing! Sparks fly from the metal contact with the truck and this time it is Bear who is screaming. This is enough to get Puffball to notice what is going on, she pushes the Nomad off of her and takes the wheel of the bus. She eases it away from the truck and the light show stops. The bus finally leaves the bridge and continues on down the road, Sylvia continues to follow it. INTERIOR: DOUBLE DECKER BUS - PASSENGER COMPARTMENT Back inside the danger is far from over, as Puffball drives the bus the Nomad rushes up to her and puts a chokehold on her. As she gags she curses the Strayer in her native tongue, but to her surprise she returns the curses in the same language of the baddie. She continues to choke. She quickly realizes she can't fight and drive at the same time. PUFFBALL (CHOKING) Who ever you are back there hold on tight! This is going to get rough! Penelope is confused, that is until she sees Puffball deliberately aims the bus towards an old run down brick building. The Nomad notices this too and is confused, but all is clear when the Strayer puts on her seatbelt. The prisoner braces herself for the crash! The Nomad lets go of Puffball and grabs the wheel, she tries to turn it away from the building but the driver has too much strength. The baddie starts to beat on her as she pleads with her, it is pointless. Soon the entire side of the building fills the windshield, all three scream at the top of their lungs! EXTERIOR: DOUBLE DECKER BUS The bus crashes head on into the side of the brick building, it instantly stops just inside the building collapses on the bus! All that can be seen is the very rear end of the bus. Bear stops Sylvia and jumps out, he waits anxiously for any sign of life but there is none. They are all dead! Just then there is a stir of life from the shattered back window, Puffball lowers Penelope, who still had her handcuff on but no pole, to the ground. Then the feline joins her on the street, Bear rushes up to them. BEAR (EXCITED) Thank goodness you are both all right! What happened? PENELOPE (ANGRY) This lunatic drove the bus deliberately into that building! Bear scratches his head, Puffball sees this. PUFFBALL (EXPLAINING) It was all well calculated I assure you. I knew I couldn't fight and drive at the same. I noticed that the building was abandoned with a condemned sign on it. Since this was an A47M model bus I knew it had a J27 air bag deployment system, quite sufficient to protect me from the initial impact as you can see. I can't say for that poor Nomad back in there. Anyway, by my calculations I knew the bus' superstructure would hold the entire weight of the building for at least .62 hours, more than enough time for our rescue. As if on cue the bus implodes from the massive weight of the building, everyone looks at it in shock. Puffball ponders. PUFFBALL (CONFUSED) Perhaps I carried the decimal too far. Penelope punches Puffball in the arm in anger, the cat ignores her and begins to do calculations in her head. The human turns to Bear, the sight of him drains any anger she has. In fact, she gives a sly smile. PENELOPE (PLAYFUL) I see you still run with a strange crowd, Bear. Bear raises an eyebrow. BEAR (CONFUSED) How do you know me? I have never met a blonde like you before. Penelope looks up and notices her hair, she grabs the top of it. PENELOPE (SLY) This is how. Penelope pulls off her blonde wig to reveal her short black hair. She is Sue-Lynn, Bear's old fianc‚e. He is first shocked to see her but that turns to joy. She grabs him and hugs him, he hugs her back. They are both very happy. The moment is ruined by a loud piecing cry, they all turn towards it. They see Amani hugging the roof of her damaged truck as she weeps. Nearby is Nitro with Cyc, she does not look at all happy. BEAR (FEARFUL) I'm dead. PUFFBALL (REASSURING) Yes, Amani does love her truck but I'm sure when she learns how you saved us she will forgive you. BEAR (FEARFUL) I wasn't talking about Amani. Puffball looks to Nitro, she glares at Bear with pure anger. PUFFBALL (UNDERSTANDING) I see. Puffball goes over to Amani and tries to comfort her, Nitro marches up to Bear. If looks could kill he would die a thousand deaths in just this moment. NITRO (ANGRY) You left me back there just so you could snuggle? BEAR (UNEASY) Need I remind you my love, I wanted to stay back there but you urged me to come here. Nitro groans. NITRO (ANNOYED) Geeez Bear, you have a honey in every port! BEAR (UNEASY) Look, I can explain everything. NITRO (ANGRY) You'd better! Sue-Lynn steps up. SUE-LYNN (EXPLAINING) This is all my fault. I was just so happy that your husband saved my life, I'm sorry. NITRO (ANNOYED) And who in the heck are you anyway? How do you know Bear? SUE-LYNN (EXPLAINING) Don't you remember me? I'm Sue-Lynn, we first met back at Bear's parents house when he talked down that bully of a husband I had. I even delivered your first baby. Realization comes over Nitro, she quickly rushes up to Sue- Lynn and hugs her. Bear folds his arm and smiles. BEAR (JOKING) Oh, now who is the one who has one in every port? Nitro ignores Bear as she lets go of Sue-Lynn, she is so happy to see her. NITRO (EXCITED) Sue-Lynn! What are you doing here? Last time we saw you were helping deliver Kyla, after that you just disappeared. SUE-LYNN (EXPLAINING) After that I went back home with my mother. With her EX, Duncan McCube, in jail for life thanks to my testimony and evidence I supplied I had nothing to fear. Or at least that is what I thought. But even from jail he was able to harm me, real bad. He put a contract out me and a bomb destroyed my house. The explosion was meant for me and but instead killed my mother. Sue-Lynn fights to keep the tears back, Nitro puts a comforting hand on her shoulder. NITRO (COMFORTING) I'm so sorry to hear that. Nitro is genuinely sorry but Bear seems to be hit harder at the news, Sue-Lynn recovers. SUE-LYNN (EXPLAINING) With my life in danger I was placed in the witness protection program. NITRO (CONFUSED) That makes sense but why were you set to London? Sue-Lynn opens her mouth to explain but Cyc cuts her off. CYC (APOLOGETIC) Please forgive my interruption but I must point out something. The Nomads could be lurking in the shadows ready to strike again. Nitro nods. NITRO (HONEST) Yes, we must get her to a place of safety. Bear nods in agreement and rallies the troops. They all jump into Sylvia and board Cyc and quickly drive away towards safety. EXTERIOR: ROAD ROVER MISSION CONTROL - SURFACE This is the surface of the earth above Road Rover Mission Control. It is a desert like area of the southwest, there is sand and cactuses all around and a large crater. EXTERIOR: ROAD ROVER MISSION CONTROL - GROUNDS Deep in a large cavern in the earth is a lighted complex of buildings (shaped like fire hydrants) and clear tubing (that connect the buildings together) Sunlight shines through a hole from above. This is where the Road Rover's base all their operations. INTERIOR: ROAD ROVER MISSION CONTROL - KITCHEN The kitchen looks like an oversized restaurant, with a cooking space, a refrigerator/freezer, 3 dining tables, and more. Tad is seated at one of the tables as he sips on some coffee. He looks bad, real bad, it is obvious that he is suffering from a hangover. Carmi and The Master are standing here. He is a male human in form but has long white hair and glowing white eyes and wears a white lab coat. It is very hard to make him out. He does not look at all pleased. MASTER (ANGRY) How much longer is this going to go on? The screaming makes Tad cringe, it is doing a number on his hangover. TAD (IN PAIN, WHISPERS) Could you please keep your voice down? My head feels like it is about to explode. The Master tones down his voice but not by much. MASTER (ANNOYED) Sorry but I like to yell when he get mad! CARMI (CONFUSED) Why are you mad? The Master looks to Carmi. MASTER (ANNOYED) Because of Tad's condition I had to rotate in a Strayer unit that was suppose to be on vacation! TAD (BLUNT, WHISPERING) Like my team hasn't had to do that before. The Master turns back to Tad. MASTER (ANNOYED) That was because the worse happen, injury or sickness or even death! Not because someone decided that partying was more important that their duty! Tad rolls his eye and The Master sees this, he points at Tad. MATER (ANGRY) Listen up mister! If you keep this up I will toss you out of here ending your career as a Strayer! TAD (DEFIANT) Fine. I don't care. I don't belong here anyway. The Master is about to explode but Carmi steps in. CARMI (REASSURING) It won't happen again, I promise. The Master looks to Tad, he sees he isn't getting anywhere with him so he glares at Carmi. MASTER (ANGRY) It better not! The Master turns and storms out, Carmi sits down across to Tad and looks to him. CARMI (STERN) He's serious, Tad. You better cut out this crap. TAD (BLUNT, WHISPERS) And what crap would that be? I have so much in my life. CARMI (ANNOYED) You know what I'm talking about! You have duty and responsibilities your family, to The Master and the Strayer organization! TAD (STERN, WHISPERS) How can you expect me when the pain that I feel in my heart is a million times worse than the one in his head? CARMI (CONFUSED) Pain? What pain? Tad sighs. TAD (FRUSTRATED, WHISPERS) You wouldn't understand. CARMI (SMUG) You won't know until you try. TAD (ANNOYED, WHISPERS) Just keep your muzzle out of my affairs! CARMI (SMUG) When I found out you were my brother your affairs became mine! Tad groans, gets up and storms out of the room. Carmi just sits there and looks at the doorway he exited out of. She ponders with concern on her face. INTERIOR: HOME - LIVING ROOM This is a quaint and modest English home. On one wall are pictures of Bear and his family, one another wall are pictures of Nitro and her family. On yet another wall are pictures of their friends. Bear and Nitro sit on the couch, an arm around one another while Sue-Lynn is sitting in a chair. They are just candidly talking. BEAR (HONEST) I think I better check up on my health benefits. Nitro looks to Bear. NITRO (CONCERNED) After you feeling okay honey? BEAR (HONEST) I'm fine now but I'm afraid the next time I see Amani I might not be. Nitro giggles. NITRO (REASSURING) Relax, Puffball is with her now comforting her over Sylvia's damage. Plus she will be distracted, they have to fix Cyc as well. Besides, on the outside she is crying but on the inside she loves it. You know how she loves to tinker around. BEAR (UNEASY) Yeah but I think I would rather face her wraith than having to explain to Tyke why I'm off budget again. There is no line item for tinkering. Nitro giggles again, even Sue-Lynn chuckles. There is a brief moment of silence then Nitro looks to their guest. NITRO (CONFUSED) So were the Nomads hired by Duncan to kill you? Sue-Lynn shakes her head. SUE-LYNN (HONEST) No, I don't think so. If they were assassins they would have just killed me on the spot. They seemed more interested in The Book. BEAR (CONFUSED) The Book? What Book? SUE-LYNN (EXPLAINING) To answer that I would have to start at the beginning. NITRO (CONFUSED) I thought you already explain that about returning home to your mother? SUE-LYNN (EXPLAINING) No, it goes much further back than that. Over a thousand years! Bear and Nitro look really confused now, Sue-Lynn sees this. She begins to retell of a great tale to them and a flashback begins. Somewhere in the Mediterranean are some sweeping fields leading to a great mountain. In the foothills is a tribe of hill people, tending to their herds and forging. They are at peace. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) Nearly a thousand years ago there was peace and harmony in the Mediterranean. But thousands of miles away it was not. Here, in England, it was in constant war with itself and its neighbors. In order to break this cycle a plan was hatched. The holy lands of the Middle East, where Christ himself had dwelled, needed to be open to the people of Europe. In order to do this all the holy sites had to taken over by Europeans by conquest. Every knight, noble, mercenaries and adventurer was called forward in the name of God! But the honor and loyalty of most of them was to greed and power! Just than a band of knights on horseback attack the defenseless tribe, cutting them down where they stand even the women and children. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) This was not a holy Crusade, it was a slaughter! The Vikings showed more chivalry! The strong were turned into slaves, all others were killed. Homes were burned, animals were killed, nothing lay safe from the greedy and murderous hands of these unholy warriors. All was declared in the name of God. It was all a lie! Needless to say it was a very dark time of Christianity when the teachings of the Bible were thrown out the window! NITRO (VOICEOVER, CONFUSED) Wait a minute, there were no crusades to the Mediterranean. The scene instantly freezes. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) True, the crusades were in the Middle East but those were not as successful as the leaders back in Europe had hoped. They wanted something to just their cause yet be tied to Christianity. As you know the ark, the boat built by Noah under God's orders, carried the remains of human and animal kingdoms after God flooded the earth to wash the evils of the world away. Legend says that this holy lifeboat came to rest on Mount Ararat as the floodwaters reseeded which is in present day Turkey. A new yet virtually unknown Crusade was ordered, to secure this famous boat. It would be known as The Lost Crusade! Unfortunately, the mountain is nearly 17,000 feet high. That is over three miles! The poor knights who were sent were doomed from the start. After all, mountain climbing was unheard of then. Because knights base their lives on honor and duty, they could not return to England empty handed so they turned to the hill people around Mount Ararat. They did not know of Christ or God, they declared these people would become Christians or die! Like I said, a very dark time. The scene continues. Once the Knights have killed enough people to get their message across they turn and leave, the survivors tend to the wounded. The scene changes to a small village of tents, it is apparent by the carnage that the Crusaders had been through here. The villagers are gathered around their Chief, before him is a villager who looks seedier than the rest whose hands are bound in front of him as two guards hold him. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) In one of the villages their leader was Chief Faros. Just that morning the knights of the crusade had attacked them. While the citizens were defending their city Bilwoma used the distraction to ransack the tents of his own people. As the charges were read to him he proclaimed his innocence. But that quickly changed when the stolen items were found in his tent. In an act of desperation he confessed his guilt and threw his himself at the mercy of the Chief. He declared him a thief and would receive the extreme punishment: Slicing off his hands! Bilwoma protested, that is not to be given for a first offense. The Chief agrees but he also agrees that this was a hideous crime since he thought of greed rather than protecting his village, he must be made an example of! A guard steps forward with his sword ready to be used on the thief but the chief stops him. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) But at the last moment the Chief had a change of heart. Enough blood had been spilled that day, the thief would keep his hands. Needless to say he was relieved but the crowd was outraged. The Chief had a better way, a bloodless way yet a more painful way to teach this thief a lesson. One of the Chief's personal servants steps forward, in his hands is a jar filled with murky water with something is swimming inside. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) A jar was presented containing the Larifa Fish, which is now extinct. It was a carnivorous fish that loved to eat only the skin, any skin, its destruction was so permanent that the skin could never grow back. It left the flesh intact, the poor victim would forever have the open wound and be in constant pain. The Chief ordered the thief's hands into the jar. He pleaded and begged but it is no use, the deed was done. The guards force the hands of the thief into the water of the jar, there is a lot of thrashing. The prisoner screams with extreme pain. After a few moments it is over, when the hands are pulled from the jar not an ounce of skin was left and the flesh was raw but not bleeding. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) With the sentence carried out the thief was freed, both Chief and villagers were satisfied. Feeling the pain of his sentence he lashed out at the Chief. He swore then and there he would get even with him, even if took a lifetime. For such insolence the Chief ordered him banished from the village never to return! The orders were carried out and the thief was left to his own misery. The thief is tossed out and the villagers seemed to be pleased, even the Chief. He wanders the burnt fields of the countryside. A band of Crusaders come upon him and seize him, they prepare to kill him! SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) Shortly the Crusaders came upon him. At first they want to kill him, he was from the village and a pagan. But then they notice his hands and the pain in his eyes, he had suffered enough. They then want to kill him out of mercy but he pleaded for his life, they spoke two different languages but he got his point across. In the end they spared him and befriended him. The Crusaders release him and give him some leather gloves, he puts them on as they all set out. The scene changes to a throne room back in England, there is a full court here. The Crusaders present the thief to the King, he seems very pleased. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) When they return to England with the Thief the king, Stephen The III, welcomed him. In exchange for teaching the Crusaders how to defeat his countrymen he requested some of the booty from the crusade. But instead of gold or riches, he took exotic spices and herbs used in alchemy. The scene changes to a medieval lab, the Thief is working with all sorts of odd and weird herbs and roots. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) For years the Thief toiled and tested with concoctions and potions. His years of diligence paid off, at last he made the ultimate weapon of revenge! The Thief stands in his lab, his leather gloves now glow with power! Standing before him is his servant with a dog on a leash. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) Using his chemicals he made his simple leather gloves to glow with power! Then he ordered his assistant to bring him a dog. When asked why he laid the gloves on the dog. The Thief touches the dog and the entire canine is sucked into the gloves! The assistant is horrified but the Thief is quite pleased. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) Just with a simple touch from the gloves the body and very soul of the dog were sucked into them! Trapped inside time stands still, there is no aging or death. Those inside are trapped alive forever! Now he can use the gloves to do the same to Chief Faros and exact his revenge. But before he could the assistant informed the king! The scene changes to the Thief's bedroom, he slips off the gloves and places them on the nightstand. As he falls asleep guards burst in and grab him, they drag him away. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) That night when he went to sleep he removed the gloves and placed them in a safe place, so he doesn't accidentally touch himself. It was then the guards rush in and capture him, he was brought before the king for judgment! The scene is back in the throne room but now it is just the king, the guards and the Thief in chains. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) The king told the Thief what he knew, he confessed it is all true and what his plans were. This is sorcery to the king! It is science to the Thief! Maybe but the crusades are part of the past, the war with his people is over. No need to stir things up. It is not over until the chief is trapped in his gloves! The Thief threatens the king, if he tries to stop him he will use the gloves on him. The King made sure that would never be possible. The king barks a command and the Thief is stabbed by many swords and dies. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) The thief was killed on the spot for treason! But the legend did not die there, a thought was put to the king. Couldn't the gloves be used on his enemies? Perhaps, but this is something he must ask God. The battle tomorrow with the French will decide the fate of the Gauntlets of the Reaper! The scene changes as various crates and the gloves themselves, carried using wooden sticks so no one touches them, are locked in one of the towers of the castle where the guards stay to watch over them. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) For now the gloves, all the alchemy supplies and all of the notes associated with them will be locked up and guarded so they don't fall in the wrong hands. The next day the king was killed in battle. His son, Stephen the IV, comes to power. He upholds the king's request and forgets about the gloves, he has a war to fight. The same scene but the guards have changed, the one that stands out is a strong and handsome knight. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) Twenty-five years go by and the gloves are still being guarded, the one in charge of this is Sedgwick The Brave. The strongest, most honest and noblest of all the knights. The scene changes to his living quarters, a lovely and beautiful woman comes calling. Once the door is closed they kiss. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) Sedgwick had a girlfriend, Delrina. They were madly in love. One day she brought up the gloves, the gloves that he had been guarding for so long. The knight is surprised, he never knew what he was guarding he was just told never to enter. She explains the history of the gloves and their power, he thought it is just folklore. She agrees but all she would like to do is see them, she is just curious. It doesn't matter, he has his orders from the king himself no one may enter that room. She calls him a coward, he is afraid of the gloves. Because of this she thinks she should see someone else. He can take losing her but not being called a coward, he is knight after all. But then his loyalty is to his king. She throws her trump card and says she will expose THEIR little secret. Reluctantly, he agrees. But no one must know of this. The scene returns to the tower, he calls the guards away and once gone they both sneak into the locked room and find the gloves laying there, they are still glowing. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) He tricked the guards and they both sneaked inside. There they found the gloves still glowing after all these years. Now that she has seen them they can leave but she had other ideas. She picks up the gloves and puts them on, he is shocked. SUE-LYNN (VOICEOVER, EXPLAINING) She put the gloves on, she could feel the power surging through her! He demanded to know what was going on. She confessed that she had used him. She is the daughter of the Thief, born of an English mother. On her mother's deathbed she was told everything about the gloves, she had not known their existence or who her father was until recently. Chief Faros was still alive, she was ordered to use the gloves on him and avenge her father! But the knight cannot allow her to leave with the gloves! But as h