Buck Rogers in the 26th Century Episode 102x "Dogs" Written by: Erin Weinstock I don't hold any of the copyrights in this story, and this story was made without profit. Teaser: ext: Space: Three Z-87s are around a large cargo ship. Wilma's is in the lead, while Buck's and Fox's are on either side. The cargo ship is large, and long-wise going down. There are many lights running down its front. V.O. Fox: "What was the first alien race to come in contact with the Alarrs?" V.O. Buck: "The Ked. In what year was the moon landing?" V.O. Fox: "2207." V.O. Buck: "No, not when the first ambuquads landed and started building Galileo City. When did the first human set foot on the moon?" V.O. Fox: "1969. When did Fasp Colo become president of Henasvern?" V.O. Buck: "2179?" V.O. Fox: "Correct." V.O. Buck: "Who won the 1996 United States presidential election?" V.O. Fox: "Martin Sheen." V.O. Buck: "Oh dear god, I've got to set the history files straight on this one." The ships are coming up on a star-port. This looks like three giant and I mean giant, memory modules that are twelve-pinned each. They're spread out very far apart from each other in a "V" shape. There's a space station at the top of this, above the "V." Each pin looks to be the height of a two story building. All of the star-port is in shades of gray. V.O. Wilma: "This is Colonel Wilma Deering requesting go, do you copy?" V.O. male voice: "Go is granted for you and all Z-87s in your company. Cargo ship Ocean-class, how much weight are you bearing at this present time?" V.O. Teddy: "This is the cargo ship Sunfall, I am free of extra pounds at the moment star-port 4. Like you've given my escorts, may I hav my go now?" V.O. Male: "Go is granted Sunfall." V.O. Buck: "What is that?" He says in awe. V.O. Wilma: "It's a star-port, they jump us all over the galaxy. This one, star-port 4, will take us to Miahgo in just moments, instead of years." V.O. Buck: "Wow, so that's how we can move across the big black so fast." V.O. Wilma: "Heading in, star-port 4." V.O. Male: "Bring back oranges." V.O. Wilma: "I'll see what I can do", she says laughing. The massive pieces of the star-port that look like memory modules, begin to admit an energy with a prism of color look. Quickly this energy becomes beams which streak into the center. Of the "V", these three speaks of energy stay beaming into the center of the "V." All the ships start moving towards the center where the energy is going. As they move forward, the Z-87s start folding up like a Japanese fan moving upwards instead of inwards. The Sunfall starts folding sideways. The more the ships move into the star-port, the more compact they get. Finally when they all look like thin hairs they move into the star-port. Note this is all going at a nice fast speed when it's happening. Cut to: Another star-port ext: Space: All the ships are coming out this other side now. In reverse they're taking back their original forms, from what we just saw happen before. Once back to normal, V.O. Buck: "Houston, what the heck just happened?" V.O. Wilma: "The star-ports act like black holes but obviously they're safer. When matter moves through it, it has to compacted down in order to move through it, the micro-par stream." V.O. Buck: "Why did the space-port need to know the weight Sunfall is carrying?" V.O. Wilma: "The star-port needs to know the weight of the ships that move through it because if the administrator doesn't know the weight to put into the port's computer LAN system, the micro-par steam could rip a ship to shreds." V.O. Buck: "Why didn't he need to know our weight?" V.O. Wilma: "The Z-87s were built to move through star-ports without trouble. They can only hold one person, and the ship's rigid design lets it fold in faster than normal ships." Change camera view to behind the ships, as a planet comes into a closer view. V.O. Fox: "Coming up on Miahgo." V.O. Buck: "The Hubble never sent back pictures like this. What are these people like, are they like the Draconians, the Saurians, the Winjanas?" V.O. Wilma: "First of all Buck you've only met a few of each of their species. You know you can't just judge a people by the acts of one man. Second there are two species down there. The Humdos and the Candos." Pre-Credits: End of teaser: Beginning of Act one: int: Cargo-shed: This place has ample room to hold many things. It's loaded with all sizes of boxes, and equipment to haul it. The ships have been parked on the floor in the order we saw them flying. We can also see Humdos and Candos moving about, but mainly Candos. These are Hauler-Candoses wearing bland jump-suits. They have matted long hair that's in peaks of black mixed in with grays and tans. They have yellow eyes, and a thin coating of gray fur, and they have long fingers with short claws on the ends. They can be seen about, pushing and moving things around the cargo-shed, doing grunt work. The Humdos are tall while we see the Candos at human height. They wear robes that are very colorful. Their skin is smooth and amphibian-like, and their heads are large. They have their eyes widely set apart from each other and have no nose. Wilma and Teddy are standing near the Sunfall with a Humdos in front of them. Note anyone that's not a Humdos has to look up to speak to them. Teddy: "So how long will this loading take?" Humdos one: "It will take only a few hours; not all the parts have been sent here from the west. In the mean time is there anything I can get you fellows?" Teddy: "You got a game of 10 and 11 going on that needs another player?" Humdos one: "No, but I believe there is a game of Stringer that's going to be played soon in a pub that's close by to here. I'm told by the ones who play this, they're always looking for new competition to enter. Deering, is there anything I can get for you in your wait?" Wilma: "Nothing; I'm just going to browse the market place. There's a man at star-port 4 I owe and I want to see if I can get him what he wants." Humdos one: "Very well Ms. Deering, but I must warn you be careful. I've heard there's been trouble with some of the local Hauler-Candoses." Wilma: "I'll warn the others; you don't have to worry about us." Wilma and Teddy start moving off in their own directions. Change camera view, two of the Hauler-Candoses that are staring at the Sunfall. Cut to: ext: Market place: It's a busy, crowded place with many shops set up to the open air, but some enclosed in good looking walls. Buck is sitting on a stool with another Candos, sitting across from him. There is a canopy overhead, and wares are set forth on a counter to their side set into the shop. This Candos looks different from the ones we saw earlier. It's another breed, and female. The hair is still matted but with yellow and pink peaking through shades of tans, and the fur is light tan. (A note on all kinds of breeds of Candos: their teeth are pointed.) The two of them are smiling away while having their talk. El-Key: "So tell me more," she says looking at him with wishful eyes. Buck: "We made it through the storm. It was a tough ship, so what of we didn't have gas, the Rockyshark was best of the fleet." El-Key: "But if the ship had no fuel, how did it ever make it back to port?" Buck: "Well when -", a Humdos hand comes down on one of Buck's shoulders. Humdos two: "She's mine, if you want a Tomidi-Candos of your own. There's a shop a couple blocks from here, where you can buy one." Buck: "Buy one?! You can't buy another sentient being!" Humdos two: "Human, the Candos are simple creatures. They are nothing more than servants and pets. "El-Key" here is my pet, and a prize winner in her breed. Now leave her alone, I don't want you muss up her training or pelt!" Buck: "El-Key, do you want me to go?" She doesn't respond; she's not sure how to. She looks back and forth between the Humdos and Buck before putting her head down in submission to Humdos two. Humdos two: "Leave here human." At this Buck gets up from where he was sitting. Looking at Humdos two with an odd eye, turning his back he heads off. Cut to: ext: Street of the market place: Buck is running up to Fox. Buck: "Fox, what do you know about this planet?!" Fox: "What do you mean, "What do I know about this planet"?" Buck: "Back there, I was talking with this alien lady and -!" He points backwards in the street, but he's still facing Fox. Fox: "We're the aliens here Buck." Buck: "Anyway this giant salamander -!" Fox: "A Humdos." Buck: "Said he owned this woman, and she was some prize pet of his!" Fox: "She was Candos, right?" Buck: "The Candos are pets?!" Fox: "That and most of Miahgo's work force." Buck: "Why? Why are they treated differently?! She was a smart lady, nobody can own another person!" Fox: "But she wasn't a person." Buck is silent for a beat staring at Fox. Buck: "And you say you know history, all that is of relevance in our species past." Fox: "What did I say?" Buck is angry, but sees Fox doesn't seem to know why. He waves one of his hands, closing his eyes for a beat. Buck: "When we get back to Earth, I'll help your dad with the history files. I can see very well now they need some work." Buck moves on past Fox in the street. Now it's Fox's turn to stare at Buck moving off. After a few moments he follows. Fox: "Tell me what I'm missing." Not turning back to look at Fox while moving, Buck: "Haven't you ever wondered what the faces on Mount Rushmore meant?" Fox: "I don't wonder; they were great men who long ago shaped the United States." Buck: "Do you know how they shaped the United States?" Fox: "They did great deeds? I guess you're right, knowledge has been lost?" Buck has stopped walking and turns now to Fox. Buck: "The Candos are being treated as property. Long ago we, our people, humans did this to other humans." Fox: "One of those men stopped this, didn't he?" Buck: "Lincoln." Fox: "Were we bred like them?" Buck: "No, thank goodness. However we did do that another species." Fox: "Which one?" Buck: "You know, you know what dogs are right?" Fox: "Ya." Buck: "We made them." Something catches Fox's eye off to the side, and he turns his head to see what it is. Wilma is in a shop, getting fitted. A Candos with white fur, and orange-cream colored hair is doing the fitting. The eyes of the Candos have silver dishes covering them. Fox: "Check this out." He points to where Wilma is. Buck turns to look. Cut to: int: Clothing store: Fox: "What's all this about?" The fitter leaves Wilma. Wilma: "I tried to break up a fight some Hauler-Candos were having with a couple of Humdos. The Candos ripped my sleeve." She points to this on her arm. Fox: "I wonder what started the fight?" Buck: "I bet I know," he says growling to himself. Wilma: "The Humdos I helped said he'd pay for my new outfit; isn't that nice." Fox: "So what are you getting?" Wilma: "The latest in Masrex fashion. Oh, here it comes now." The fitter is coming back, along with another Candos. The other Candos looks like the first, but its fingers are very odd. They look custom-made for different kinds of acts like an Aye-aye lemur's. The fingers have been designed to act like a sewing machine: one needle-like one, another blunt and huff-like to act as a thimble.They look so on like this on all of them. The fitter holds up the one piece outfit for Wilma to see. The outfit looks like something straight out of a Golden-age space comic book. Wilma: "I love it." Beat turning to Buck and Fox. Cont: "What do you guys think?" Fox: "It looks lovely." Buck is trying not to laugh but is having a hard time. Wilma: "Buck!" Buck: "Hello Katie Comet." Wilma: "What?" Buck: "It was a comic book space hero that was a theater serial series during the 1930's. That outfit looks straight out one of those shows." Wilma: "Well that's what you think. It's the latest in Masrex fashion, and I plan to wear it for special events." Buck: "Halloween?" Cut to: ext: Space: The three Z-87s are back in the same formation we saw them in earlier, with the Sunfall nested in the same place. The camera is pointed towards them moving forward. Then the camera does a swing around all the ships, to be behind them where we can see that they're moving towards a star-port. V.O. Wilma: "So you're saying it's wrong to have a pet?" V.O. Buck: "I'm saying it's wrong to own a being that can think well past its own natural instincts." V.O. Fox: "Did you ever have a pet, Buck?" V.O. Buck: "When I was a kid, my family had a cocker-spaniel named Tramp." V.O. Fox: "Was Tramp smart?" V.O. Buck: "Tramp was a loyal, great dog, but he ate bees for the fun of it. So I wouldn't call him a pup with much brains." V.O. Wilma: "Star-port 11, I have request for go, do you copy?" V.O. Female: "All Z-87s you have clearance. Ocean-class, how much weight are you bearing?" V.O. Teddy: "Just my pick-up, 20 tons of the mechanics, and tin shells. Needed for making these fine ships you see about me." V.O. Female: "Ocean-class cargo ship, you have clearance." POV: Star-port: We see it powering up, and letting loose its energy beams into its center. Move camera downwards from this to seeing the ships heading head long into the star-port. Folding up and flattening the same Way we saw earlier. int: Star-port micro-par stream. It looks like thousands of sun beams, all headed sideways against a white background, with pale colors wisping about fast. We see the ships from above, but they've been compacted down so much that they look like fast moving small bricks. One brick is larger than the others; this one is the Sunfall. Move camera down towards the Sunfall. It moves steadily like the others but then all of a sudden, it starts shaking. End of Act One: Beginning of Act Two: We begin were we left off at the end of Act One. Move camera away now to up and behind the ships. They're heading out of the micro-par stream, out of the star-port. The atmosphere we had in the micro-par stream quickly gives way to normal looking space. Camera in front of the ships, we see them reforming. The Z-87s reform correctly, but the Sunfall reforms dented. The lights on the Sunfall flicker in and out. V.O. Wilma: "Teddy, are you OK?" We can barely hear Teddy as his voice transmission fades in and out. V.O. Teddy: "Don't sssssss Can't tell ssssssss emergency power sssssssssss Something's gone sssss." V.O. Wilma: "Star-port 4, we have an emergency situation with the Sunfall, can you assist?" V.O. Male: "Sending help right now." At this a small ship detaches itself from the underside of the space station that's at the top of the star-port. The small ship has a ring-like appearance, with four rocket-jets: one on the top of it, one on the bottom, and one on each side. The little ship heads over to the Sunfall. When it reaches the Sunfall its rocket-jets turn off and reverse themselves in how they're positioned. From the sides of the ship inwards, it starts closing in like a door. Once closed, V.O. Male: "I've made a porthole on the Sunfall's side for docking. Anyone who cares to help me with repair may come now. But while I'm here, be advised the star-port is closed." V.O. Wilma: "Understood. Cont: "Buck, Fox I'm going in." V.O. Buck: "Is there anything I can do?" V.O. Wilma: "Just stay where you are." V.O. Fox: "But there could be danger, the ship isn't in proper form." V.O. Male: "Your comrades are right. I'll send for another driller-ship by remote." V.O. Wilma: "Buck, you're with me. Fox, you keep an eye out for other ships, and alert them of the situation if needed." Another driller-ship detaches itself from the underside of the space station. It does the same act as the first one did, only this one latches itself on to another area of the Sunfall's hull. Almost in sync with each other Buck and Wilma, move to the driller-ships and the newly made portholes. Close on Wilma's Z-87, it turns nose-up and backs into the driller-ship. Close on Buck's Z-87 which does the same at a different driller-ship. Next we see one of the Z-87s lock itself, nesting into the driller-ship. Cut to: int: Sunfall: It's dimly lit and once more the lights are flickering. There's a metal-mesh walkway, and below it a long drop to the mechanics of the ship. It's a tight and tall room. The man we've heard from star-port 4 is standing on the walkway. He holds up a hand to Wilma who's above him. Note at this moment in time we're looking down to the man, from Wilma's POV. Man: "I didn't know where the walkway was when I was drilling. Here, let me give you a hand down." She takes his hand and she gets down. Normal POV. now. Wilma: "Thanks." Man: "You're Colonel Deering, aren't you?" Wilma: "I am." Man: "Where are my oranges?" This is an amusing moment for both of them. Wilma: "I gave it a try getting them on Maihgo, but there was a fight in the market place I was at." She gives a quick point to where her outfit has been ripped. Man: "I hope you got something to replace that." Wilma: "I did, but I've been told by one of my pilots I shouldn't wear it. Speaking of that pilot, he's somewhere else in this ship." Man: "First things first; we must find the man who pilots this craft and find out what happened. Second we find your pilot." Wilma: "I'm sure he means to do the same thing we're doing." They're now walking towards a door. Cont: "It's not a Phasoft-door." Man: "Most cargo ships don't use those. When people are moving around the ship's haul, they tend to need both hands in their work. Only the loading door is a Phasoft." Wilma: "So the doors open for them, so they won't have to drop their work." Man: "Precisely." Wilma begins trying to force the door open, then quickly the other one with her starts trying to help her. Cut to: int: Elsewhere in the Sunfall: Buck's in a room like we saw the man from the star-port in and Wilma. Only this room is much smaller, and doesn't have the same drop in it. Buck: Hello, can anybody hear me?" Noises can be heard elsewhere. Buck moves forward on the path that he's on towards where he believes the noise is coming from. He's at a door now and after a quick beat he pulls it open. Teddy is staring straight out at Buck. Teddy: "You're one of the Z-87 pilots." Buck: "The name's Buck, I'm here to help." beat Cont: "What happened?" Teddy: "There must be more weight in the cargo hold than I was told of. That's the only thing I can think of that could hav done this." Buck: "Any idea where the extra weight is coming from?" Teddy: "No but I'd sure like to get down to the hold to check that out." Teddy moves out of the cockpit and goes past Buck. Buck follows. Buck: "I thought I heard those noises coming from your cabin but I can still hear them. I'd like to think they were coming from my comrades trying to find you. But I don't think they'd go about it this noisily." Teddy: "Someone must be on board that's unaccounted for. That must have been the extra weight." Buck: "How could they have gotten on board?" Teddy: "It must hav been when the loadin' was takin' place." Buck: "They should have used a thumb and let you know ahead of time. Would have been safer travel." Teddy: "A thumb, how would that hav done a thing?" Buck: "Never mind, let's find your stowaways. I'm sure you want to have a word or two with them." Teddy: "You bet straight I do." Cut to: ext: Space: We see a front view of the Sunfall with Fox's Z-87 to its side. Turn camera around so we see the ships from behind. A beat. We see the massive Phasoft-door for the Sunfall's loading and unloading go from white, to gray, to disappearing all together. A Hauler-Candos floats out into space, followed by the ship's cargo. Then a Z-87 comes out slowly. Cut to: int: Just outside a door inside the Sunfall: Close up on the door; it's being pulled inwards. Move back camera, we can see Wilma and the star-port man to either side of the door. Man: "It must have depressurized in there somehow!" Wilma: "Is there anything we can do." Man: "No." Beat, the door stops its creaking inward. Cont: "That was the Phasoft-loading and unloading door I bet. It just sealed itself back up." Wilma: "That means someone had to put their hand on it to open it! But that's an insane thing to do! We're in the middle of outer space!" Cut to: ext: Space The new Z-87 is heading away from the Sunfall. Fox's Z-87 can be seen heading after it. V.O. Fox: "Guys I know you said stay with the ship, but this doesn't seem right. I'm going after this unknown eagle." Cut to: int: Sunfall: The power blinks about for a moment before fully coming back on. We're back with Buck and Teddy. Teddy: "Nice to see the girl still likes me. I'm gonna head back up to the captain's seat. Ol' Sunfall's computer will tell me in a jiff what's occurred here." Buck: "Do you need me for anything?" Teddy: "No, you just go back to your ship. Give this girl a-fly-around, tell me what the computer don't know about what needs fixing." Buck: "You got it." And with that Buck heads off. Cut to: ext: Space: We see Buck's Z-87 departing from the docking with the driller-ship. Once safely away from the driller-ship and the Sunfall, the Z-87 turns down its nose to normal flying level. The camera moves along with the Z-87 in this scene. Buck moves around the Sunfall and sees that Fox is missing. Then, moving further around, he sees the trail of cargo floating away. int: Buck's Z-87 Buck: "Fox, this is Buck. Could you tell me just where in the big black you've gone off to?" Note his ship has started to move. V.O. Fox: "I'm following an unknown eagle that came from the Sunfall." Buck: "I thought all the Sunfall had in it was just the parts and hulls. Not a whole ship." V.O. Fox: "Well there was one, and in a sad note to top it a Candos." ext: Space: V.O. Buck: "How do you know that?" V.O. Fox: "It came floating out along with the cargo and the ship." V.O. Buck: "What a way to gain freedom, the poor bastard. So much for wondering who the stowaways are. You told me they made up most of the work force. Bet they knew how to make your unknown eagle." V.O. Fox: "Are you going to help me get back our bird?" V.O. Buck: "I'll help you get back our bird, I just won't take the dog back to its pound. Wilma, are you there?" Cut to: ext: Space: Wilma's Z-87 is departing the Sunfall in the same way we saw Buck's. Wilma: "I heard you loud and clear. Coming to head up the rear of the chase." The nose of her Z-87 falls down to normal flying level, and with that she heads off. End of Act Two: Beginning of Act Three: ext: Outside the Defense Directorate building: Cut to: int: A holding cell: We see a Hauler-candos sitting in it glaring; waves of violet-blue energy pass over his image. V.O Jade: "I say we return him to Miahgo, tell them of what he's done. Let their government deal with him." ext: The holding cell: Buck and Jade are standing in a hallway lined with many of these holding cells. The violet-blue energy we saw earlier on can be seen passing over the doors to these. Buck: "And I say we don't return him. I have a feeling his government won't give him a fair trial." Jade: "Oh and why do you say that?" Buck: "He's a Candos. They aren't treated as equals to the Humdos on that planet." Now Buck turns to the cell. Cont: "Please tell, why did you make / steal the Z-87?" int: The holding cell: After a beat, De-Pas: "To be heard." V.O. Buck: ""To be heard", did you plan on taking that ship all the way back to Miahgo?" De-Pas: "Yes." V.O. Buck: "The star-port was closed down when you where flying. Unless you found another star-port to fly through, it with have taken you years to reach Miahgo." De-Pas: "Then I would have been too late." V.O. Buck: "Too late for what?" De-Pas: "The new breed." V.O. Buck: "What new breed?" De-Pas: "You don't know? You're like the Humdos, you should know of the new breed." V.O. Buck: "What makes me like a Humdos? Tell me, I'd like to know." De-Pas: "I am your captive, under your rule." V.O. Buck: "Well you may be captive at the moment, but that's only because you stole a Directorate ship." De-Pas: "I am under your rule." V.O. Buck: "You are not under my rule. You are equal with us here. You may be being held captive for what you did, but you have rights!" De-Pas: "But I am Candos." V.O. Buck: "That doesn't matter here. Here you're a being, a "person" with the right to live in whatever way you choose - " beat Cont: "- after the computer council has had their say about what you did with the Sunfall." ext: Holding cell: Jade: "Why is there a new breed of Candos? What is the purpose of it?" V.O. De-Pas: "We want better, we want what is to be had here. Freedom, we speak and they do not hear. We put lack in our work, and that's, that's why the Humdos want a new breed." Buck talking to Jade, Buck: "If the old horses won't pull the plow, just get new ones." Turning back to the cell, Cont: "They're making a new breed of Candos to replace you, the Haulers?" V.O. De-Pas: "They want a new, more loyal breed to serve them." Buck: "Well I can see now why you have some mighty reason to want one of our ships." beat Cont: "You know now that you have a voice here; maybe you can talk to someone who will bear good weight with the Humdos. Because in my opinion using that Z-87 to speak for you would have only helped the Humdos gain more weight with others who support them on breeding a new breed of Candos." A man is walking towards Buck and Jade. Chris: "Dr. Huer would like the Candos in his office now." Buck: "He has a name." Chris: "Fine; whatever the Candos's name is, he's wanted in Dr. Huer's office." int: Holding cell: De-Pas: "My name is De-Pas." V.O. Chris: "Well Mr. De-Pas, it's time you answered for what you've done." Holding on De-Pas, we cut to... int: Huer's office: Nik-Yuk: "You won't have to worry about acts of terrorism from this mongrel anymore, Doctor. When he is taken back to Miahgo, he will no longer be a threat to anyone. I'll see to that myself." Buck: "And just how do you plan to see to that, Sally." Huer: "Buck!" Cont: "I'm sorry for how he is acting, he's had little experience with cultures outside of Earth." Nik-Yuk: "You find something wrong with my people, Rogers?" Buck: "Only that you treat the Candos like a lower life from. Something to keep underfoot at all times." Nik-Yuk: "But they are a lower life from. Why just look at them those teeth, those claws, and their fur! If we, the Humdos, hadn't taken them in to our hold and bred them into what they are today, then they'd be nothing but a species of savage animals, roaming the lands, and eating only the lower animals that crawl beneath them." Buck: "So you see yourselves as genetic perfection?" Nik-Yuk: "We are genetic perfection, ape." Buck: "Oh I can see that, no nose." Huer: "Buck, will you please leave here!" Buck: "No, I'm not going to leave. Doctor, do you know how De-Pas is treated on his home planet?" Huer: "I know what I've been told by the Humdos. De-Pas, is there anything I haven't been told of, of your people?" De-Pas: "They cut out our eyes." Nik-Yuk: "Lies, look at him! He has eyes!" De-Pas: "You cut out the eyes of the Sho-Candos, and put in plants in their place." Buck: "The Candoses with the silver disks where their eyes are?" De-Pas: "They are the ones." beat Cont: "The Humdos cut out their eyes because they don't like to see they're yellow." Huer: "Is this true, Nik-Yuk?" Nik-Yuk: "We don't want to see them. The Sho-Candos work in the shops; if the customers saw their true eyes they'd never want to return." Buck: "You hear that!" Huer: "Nik-Yuk, what do you plan on doing with De-Pas when you two return to Miahgo?" Nik-Yuk: "Public execution. The Candos need to know where they stand in society, were they will always stand." De-Pas: "Not for long." Huer: "What do you mean?" De-Pas: "The Humdos are creating a new breed of Candos artificially." Huer: "Creating a new breed artificially?" Nik-Yuk: "The Candos we selected to breed together to create the new breed have refused to do their job, so their genetic information has been taken from them to be used in artificial wombs." Buck: "The new breed won't ever have had parents to bring them up. They'll only have the Humdos to tell them who they are." beat Cont: "Doctor, this is a control game, with the Humdos making themselves the winner without resistance. You know if the Humdos find the eyes of the new breed as offensive as those of the Sho-Candos, you know what they'll do with them." Huer: "Rogers, leave now!" De-Pas: "I don't want him to leave." Huer: "Why?" De-Pas: "He is for my people, he tells me I have rights. I want him to stay." Huer: "Fine then." Nik-Yuk: "But he has no rights." to De-Pas Cont: "You have been told lies." Huer: "Not on this planet, De-Pas. You have rights here, and I'll see to that!" Nik-Yuk: "What!" Huer: "He might have stolen a Directorate ship, a very punishable crime, but I can't allow you to take him back to Miahgo. There will be no public execution!" Nik-Yuk: "Then what will you have of this mongrel?" Huer: "He will live here on Earth, but under house arrest under constant observation till we at the Directorate feel he is no longer a threat." Buck: "What about the new breed?" End of Act three: Beginning of Act Four: ext: Space with Miahgo before us: Cut to: int: Nursery: There are lines of what look like very large metal pills with rope size lines coming from them and going into the floor. A Humdos is walking over to De-Pas, Dr. Huer, and Buck. It's holding a cloth wrapped bundle in its arms. The Humdos hands the bundle over to De-Pas, who takes it carefully. De-Pas'es POV: We see it's a calico Candos baby. Back to normal view. Huer: "The new breed will have parents, De-Pas. And when they are mature, it will be up to them whether or not they want to be under the rule of the Humdos." Buck: "How did you get a government controlled by Humdos to let that happen?" Huer: "This planet has had very good trade with Earth for many years. I told them if they wanted to continue that good trade, they'd have to make changes like this in how they treat their laborers." Not taking his eyes off the baby, De-Pas: "Can I keep her?" Huer: "Yes, but you'll have to take her back to Earth because of your being under arrest and confinement at the Defense Directorate. She'll need a mother; are there any females you know you wish to join you in your stay?" De-Pas looks up from the infant smiling. Cut to: ext: Space with Earth before us: Cut to: int: Buck's living room: A female Tomidi-Candos is sitting on Buck's couch with the baby in front of her. It's giggling and making all sorts of playful infant sounds. The woman entertains the child, as a human mother would. Buck is near De-Pas who is crouched down eyeing Twiki. Huer is also in the room. De-Pas: "We will have a place of our own here?" Huer: "The preparations for that are being made as we speak." Buck: "So you know everything there is know about the Z-87s?" De-Pas: "I put one together with the help of my friend." Buck: "But you understand how to work with the mechanics of them." De-Pas: "Inside and outside, top to bottom." Huer: "How would you like to work for us as a mechanic while you stay here?" De-Pas looks up from Twiki. De-Pas: "I thought I had the right to do as I wish within the confines of here?" Huer: "You do, but while you're here, if you would like to do something of use?" De-Pas: "I don't have to do this if I don't want to?" Huer: "We won't force you." De-Pas: "I'll think about it." He turns back to Twiki. Buck: "De-Pas, I have to ask you. What IS your great interest with Twiki?" De-Pas: "What is Twiki?" Buck: "Is an ambuquad, a robot." De-Pas: "And what do they do? There aren't any ambuquads or robots on Miahgo." Twiki: "I serve." De-Pas looks at Twiki in shock. To Twiki, De-Pas: "Do you want to do that?" Twiki: "Do you want a wedgie?" De-Pas: "What?" Buck: "Twiki has free will; I gave it to him." De-Pas: "So it's "free" to do as it chooses." Twiki: "And I choose to leave here now." With that Twiki heads toward and goes out the door to Buck's living quarters. De-Pas: "Ge-Ja and, we haven't named her yet, they'll be free to move about?" Huer: "So long as their activities aren't criminal, yes." De-Pas: "This may be my jail on this alien world, but I've never felt so free in my whole life." End of Act Four: The End: Roll credits. This is done in the same way we saw in the last episode: in space with the stars moving backwards. It's going to happen this way for the ending credits of each episode.