Copyright 2001 -- Robert Baer Jr. The Space Rovers -- "Fydo's Choice" DISCLAIMER Road Rovers characters, names, situations and the Road Rovers universe are the property of Warner Bros. I, nor this script/story are connected with Warner Bros. in any way, shape or form. This document may not be publicized or reproduced in any way, shape or form. It must remain fully intact and may not be altered in anyway. It is strictly used for not-for-profit entertainment purposes only, and is not intended to infringe on any Copyrights. This story is written by Robert Baer Jr and the characters Fydo, Boomer, Rasputin, Saundra, Alexander, Grunt, Daisy, Abdullah, Bob, Cactus Jake, Marie, Francis, Calypso, Sheena, Bruno, Molly, Deborah, Orchid, Porta, Dot, Luigi, Sophia, Willfong, Lao Zi, Su Li, Claudia, Sno-wie, Numbia, Hojo, Shamansta, Derby and Poncho are all Robert Baer Jr's creations, copyright pending, 1999 - 2000. Kenai is a creation of Patrick Wood. The Space Rovers -- "Fydo's Choice" The scene is the bridge of the Canius Minor. The entire bridge crew are bubbling over with happiness, excited about their latest announced destination. BOOMER (seated in the captain's chair): Did you hear that? SAUNDRA (nods, at the navigation console): Yes! CACTUS JAKE (jumps up): We're goin' to Graum again! YYYEEEEEEHHHHHAAAAAAAAAAWWWWW!! Suddenly, all the jubilation stops when Persia, Grunt and Alexander walk onto the bridge. As Persia and the others are seated, her last log entry plays through her mind. PERSIA (recorded voice, background): Captain's Log, entry 10201. I must admit, the timing of Ki-alla's latest invitation couldn't be better. This crew has worked hard and has been in space a long time, some good old R & R will do wonders. I feel somewhat uneasy this time, however. Ki-alla said she had to speak with Fydo on an urgent matter. The entire planet practically worships Fydo as a galatic hero, I could sense that this was to be no ordinary meeting. WHITEY (looks at monitor); We are within visual contact of Graum 7. BRUNO (turns to Persia): We are being hailed! PERSIA (nods): On screen. Appearing on the screen is the familiar brown and orange face of the mighty Ki-alla, leader of the Willians. KI-ALLA (On screen, happy): Captain Persia! You are here! PERSIA (nods): Yes, and I thank you and your wonderful subjects for... KI-ALLA (on screen, interrupts): Captain! It is our sincerest desire to serve the needs of you and your noble crew! Your ship is cleared to land on landing port forty one. I will forward the coordinates to your navigator! PERSIA (nods): Thank you, Ki-alla! KI-ALLA (on screen, smiles): And do not forget, when you land, I want to speak with you, Alexander, Bob, Fydo and Claudia personally on a most urgent matter. BRUNO (looks at Whitey): Commander Whitey, news from the sick bay, your wife is now going into labor! WHITEY (stands up): Permission to leave the bridge, Captain? PERSIA (nods): Of course! Cactus Jake, take over at the science station.. KI-ALLA (on screen): What's going on? A birth? PERSIA (nods): Ensign Sno-wie has been two weeks overdue and ... KI-ALLA (on screen, excited): A BIRTH!! ON GRAUM 7!!!! This will be a special visit indeed! Leave everything to us! Ki-alla out. The screen goes black. SAUNDRA (turns to Persia): What did she mean by that? PERSIA (smiles): I'm not sure, but I'm certain it'll be something good. Saundra, lower landing struts. Boomer, one quarter impulse power... let's land the ship! Soon, the Canius Minor lands. As the crew departs, a huge crowd of Willians gather around, cheering and applauding the Space Rovers, but especially Fydo. The scene now switches to a huge hanger-like building many miles from the main city complex. This is where Ki-alla has brought Persia, Alexander, Grunt, Fydo and Claudia to talk to them. KI-ALLA (pointing): This is the Ji-Lorga shipyard, one of our many construction sites to built interplanetary space vessels. Come, I have something to show you all! Leading them inside of a huge dome-like section of the building, they all see a large spaceship. It looks very similar to the Canius Minor, except it is (like all Willian ships) colored orange. KI-ALLA (points): This is our latest addition to the space fleet. We call it, the Zelus. PERSIA (smiles): Reminds me a lot of my ship! ALEXANDER (looking all around): Amazing! GRUNT (nods); GRRRRRRRRRRRRR GROWL! GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR KI-ALLA (giggles): I thought you'd ask me that, Commander Grunt! It has four forward laser banks, eight torpedo tubes, hi-res force fields as well as one of our powerful beam cannons. CLAUDIA (happy): That's a lot of firepower! KI-ALLA (nods): More than any over Willian vessel. You see, Captain Persia, you and your crew have inspired us. We too wish to go exploring in this universe! We wish to find good races of beings, such as yourselves, to share and trade our technology and culture! PERSIA (nods): This is certainly one impressive ship! KI-ALLA (smiles): Wait until you look inside! We've added many different features, including our own wormhole generators and hyperspace jump technology! PERSIA (happy): I'll bet Daisy and Flash could help you with this! Ki-ALLA (happy): By all means, Captain, have them join us! I would value their opinions! Ki-alla takes the group on a complete tour of the ship, Daisy and Flash are so excited, they're waging their tails in glee. DAISY (excited): That's a new version of hyperspace drive! FLASH (excited): Much improved over our design! DAISY (excited): This is some spaceship! FLASH (excited): Your people are geniuses, Ki-alla! KI-ALLA (happy): Coming from you, that is high praise indeed! FYDO (nods): What a ship! Have you trained a crew for her yet? KI-ALLA (big grin): As a matter of fact, we'll have a crew of one hundred Willians, and hopefully, two Space Rovers! PERSIA & ALEXANDER (shocked): Huh? KI-ALLA (turns to Fydo): Lt Commander Fydo, hero of our realm, keeper of our peace, we offer you the command of the Zeles! FYDO (shocked): ME? KI-ALLA (nods): That's right! Your experience would be valuable to this crew! CLAUDIA (shocked): You want Fydo to... KI-ALLA (nods): Yes, in our fleet, he would be Captain of this ship! And you, Claudia, are invited to be his first mate! CLAUDIA (shocked): Me??? Second in command?? KI-ALLA (happy): Of course! You are Fydo's wife, and an experienced Space Rover at that! ALEXANDER (surprised): Fydo and Claudia? Leaders of a Willian crew? KI-ALLA (shakes head): Not entirely, Commander. This has been a co-operative effort of many of the smaller races of the Jurrassian Alliance. There will be some Pronate crew members, some Quillianos, some Hendar, a few Terrawolves also and one Mataxian that I think you've met before. Her name is Ghand! PERSIA (nods): Yes, we rescued her from a group of attacking Mataxians. ALEXANDER (nods): And she was present with the Jurrissian science team we resuced from Inzoman control a few months ago! KI-ALLA (nods): She will be your science officer, Fydo, if you decide to accept this assignment. FYDO (confused): Well.... gee.... I don't know..... KI_ALLA (nods): I understand, this is a big decision for you and your wife. Think about it, sleep on it, and then we will talk again. FYDO (nods): Yes, ma'am! KI-ALLA (walking away); Go ahead, join your shipmates and have fun! I'll return later... The scene switches to the Canius Minor's sick bay, where a very nervous Whitey paces back and forth in the wating room. WHITEY (pacing, mumbles): What can be taking so long? Could there be complications? After all, she is from a parallel universe... Oh dear.... DEBORAH (sitting behind a desk): Commander, won't you relax? Dr Abdullah and Dr Sheena are professionals! I'm sure that everything is going well... WHITEY (nervous): Easy for you to say, Nurse! It's not your wife that's having puppies! DEBORAH (shocked): I beg your pardon! WHITEY (embarrassed): Well... you know what I mean... SHEENA (on speaker): Commander Whitey, would you please come to the maternity ward... Whitey takes off like a bolt of lightning towards the birthing room. He walks in to see Sno-wie relaxing in a hospital bed, holding her two newborns in her arms. SNO-WIE (calmly): Honey! Come over and meet our children! WHITEY (walks over): A boy and a girl, like our scans had detected? SNO -WIE (nods): Yes! (points): she is Sno-ball and he is Blizzard! WHITEY (sits on corner of bed): Let me hold Blizzard first! Sheena takes the wrapped baby Blizzard and gently hands him to Whitey. SHEENA (happy): The birth was a complete success! No hangups whatsoever! PERSIA (on comm system): Persia to sick bay... come in... SHEENA (turns on monitor): Doctor Sheena reporting! PERSIA (on screen): Well, how is ... SHEENA (excited): The birth went well! One boy, one girl! Newborns and mother are all doing fine! PERSIA (nods): Excellent! I commend you and your staff! I'll be returning to the ship soon, Captain out. The scene now moves outdoors. The Space Rovers are having a great time. Some are taking quiet walks in the woods, some are playing volleyball and softball, a few are even canoing in the middle of the large lake. Fydo sits at a picnic table with Claudia, pondering Ki-alla's offer. FYDO (sadly): Oh Claudia, I don't know what to do! I do love being a part of this crew, and those wonderful children. But, being in command of my own ship! With you by my side! CLAUDIA (smiles): Fydo, you are my husband and I love you with all of my heart. Either way you decide, I will stand with you! FYDO (smiles, looks up): Really? CLAUDIA (nods); Yes, I have always known you as a man of decision. I believe in you! Saying this, Claudia kisses Fydo on the lips. CLAUDIA (smiles): I have to go check in with Boomer now, I'll be right back! As Claudia walks away, Persia walks over and sits next to Fydo. PERSIA (sternly): You are very troubled, aren't you? FYDO (nods): I'll bet you know why too PERSIA (smiles): Lt Commander Fydo, I will be the first to admit that you got a lot of lucky breaks during your tour of duty here. I am probably the only member of this crew that knows that. FYDO (sadly): So, you think I'm a fraud? A phony? PERSIA (shakes head): No, I never said that. It's true you defeated Milex and the Inzomans with a lot of luck, but think of your other accomplishments. Remember when the ship was being attacked by the Lost Pack? You ran into that closing bulkhead to save two children. That wasn't luck, that was sheer guts! Remember how you defended Graum during the first Inzoman attack? You alone had the guts to fly a shuttlecraft and take on five Inzoman battle cruisers. And remember your first nightshift duty in command of the Canius Minor? Don't sell yourself short, Fydo. I knew from the day we found you in the cargo hold that you were destined for greatness. FYDO (nervous): But what if I'm a failure? What if all my luck has run out? PERSIA (smiles): Fydo, I'm not much of a believer in luck or fate. I believe all of us make our own luck. You have shown that you are a good dog with a kind heart. Whatever you decide to do in life, I know you won't fail! FYDO (smiles): Thank you, Captain, it means a lot hearing that from you! PERSIA (smiles): You're welcome! Now, why not enjoy the festivities! An hour passes by when suddenly everyone's attention on a baby buggy being pushed around by Whitey and Sno-wie. All of the Space Rovers drop whatever they're doing to rush over and get a good look at Sno-ball and Blizzard. Soon, Ki-alla makes her way over to the carriage. KI-ALLA (happy): So, here are the newest members of the Space Rover family! Born right here, on our world! You two certainly look like proud parents! SNO-WIE (smiles): Yes ma'am! WHITEY (nods): Indeed, we are! KI-ALLA (turns around): As the first Space Rovers born on our humble planet, we have many gifts to give you! From my people to you, Whitey and Sno-wie! (motions with hands): BEGIN!!! Soon, a long line of Willians form, each bearing a wrapped gift, some of the gifts are huge, some are very small, but as the line moves, the gifts are placed on a nearby picnic table. Soon, two more tables are required as the gifts continue to be delivered. PERSIA (stunned): Ki-alla, you really didn't have to do all this... KI-ALLA (smiles): Oh yes we did! When my people heard of the birth, they all wanted to reward the happy couple! It is Willian tradition Captain, please allow us to show our gratitude! PERSIA (nods): You and your people are very kind, thank you! The scene is now Captain Persia's office, two hours later. Persia is about to leave when Fydo and Claudia walk in. PERSIA (smiles): Fydo! Claudia! Are you two going to be coming to the opera performance tonight? Ki-alla invited all of us to hear the very best... FYDO (interrupts): Please, Captain, I have something to tell us... that is.... WE have something to tell you... PERSIA (nods): Go on... CLAUDIA (smiles): Fydo and I have decided to accept the Willian's offer. FYDO (nods): Although I will miss all of the crew on the Canius Minor, I feel that my destiny lies on board the Zeles. PERSIA (sternly): Are you certain that this is what you want? CLAUDIA & FYDO (nodding): Yes! PERSIA (smiles): Ok, allow us to throw you a going away party tommorrow! Give the crew one last time to say goodbye. FYDO (nods): Ok, Captain, we're on our way to see Ki-alla and tell her. PERSIA (nods): Very well. I'll report this to the Master, and I will contact your brother Rocky on the Galatea as well. CLAUDIA (smiles): Thank you Captain! As Fydo and Claudia walk away, Persia smiles. PERSIA (to herself): Fydo will do just fine. In fact, I have to believe there are more heroic days for him in the future. The scene is now the gangplank of the Canius Minor, one day later. The ship is getting ready to depart, and the crew is saying goodbye one last time to Fydo and Claudia, who are both now dressed in Willian space uniforms. As Persia slowly walks over to bid them farewell, her last log entry plays in her head. PERSIA (recorded voice, voiceover): Captain's log, supplemental. Once again my crew has enjoyed an excellent shore leave on Graum 7. Last night, we had a farewell party for Lt Commander Fydo and Ensign Claudia. The crew is sad to see them go, but understands that the command of a starship is something one usually doesn't turn down. The saddest to see them go are the Rover children, whom Fydo has gotten very close to in the past year. Ensign Kenai has volunteered to take Fydo's place with the children, but all of them will still miss their 'Uncle Fydo'. We leave for deep space later today. Although they will no longer be serving aboard the Canius Minor, I will always consider Claudia and Fydo as members of MY crew! End entry. PERSIA (hugging Claudia): Take care of yourself, Commander Claudia! (hugging Fydo): Captain Fydo! CLAUDIA (tearfully): We will, Captain! FYDO (in tears): Captain, I won't forget what you'd taught me about being a leader PERSIA (nods): I know you two will do the Space Rovers proud! Goodbye.... Persia is the last one to walk up the gangplank, she waves at Fydo, Claudia and all of the cheering Willians who came out to see them off. Soon, the gangplank doors close, and the ship takes off into the sky. With a sudden 'flash' of light, the Canius Minor disappers from view. -------------------------------------------------------------