**Late in the night, all is quiet aboard the Desperado. The kids doze peacefully in their rooms, and somewhere April tinkers with a gigantic metal object. Aurora paces up and down inside her darkened room, staring intently at a photograph half obscured by the gloom. The ship’s autopilot drive hums at a gentle purr, and everything lies with the heavy stillness of nighttime. Until…the earsplitting shriek of shredding metal tears through the air, and the entire ship lurches to the left. Cindy and Libby are flung against the wall, and on the other side the boys are launched from their bunks and careen across the room and land in a heap on the floor**
SHEEN: (still half asleep) Ah! Carl, get off! You’re laying on me again!
CARL: Huh? What? What’s going on? AHHHHH! Everything’s going dark!
SHEEN: You dumb lump! Your head’s buried in my shirt! Lift your head and you’ll be able to see!
**There is a noise like a small explosion, and a deafening crack crawls along the walls**
JIMMY: (shaking them) Guys, get up! We have to get out of here!
SHEEN: Huh? What’s going on?
JIMMY: I think the ship’s been hit.
CARL: (snapping awake) What? We’re being attacked? OH NO WE’RE ALL GONNA DIE!
JIMMY: Keep it together Carl! We need to get to the cockpit and see what’s going on!
**The room sways back and forth as the boys struggle to stand. SNAP! A metal bracket flies off the wall and tumbles through the air, coming to a stop beside Jimmy’s foot. He stares at it for moment, then in a flash of realization, he turns**
JIMMY: Move!
**He pushes Carl and Sheen out of the way, just in time for the bunk bed to come crashing down. It misses them by a few inches**
JIMMY: Let’s get to the door!
**Goddard and the boys plunge forward and fling open the door, then stumble out into the hall. Emergency lights of some kind flash up and down the corridor as they turn to run**
CARL: Wait…what about the girls?
SHEEN: What about them?
JIMMY: Carl’s right! Open the door to the girl’s room and see if they’re still in there!
**Carl pulls on the knob, but the door won’t budge**
CARL: It’s stuck!
SHEEN: (rolling up his sleeves) Step aside Carl! Let me show you how a REAL man gets it done!
**He grabs the doorknob, but just as he goes to pull it, Cindy kicks the door open. Sheen gets conked right in the nose**
SHEEN: (staggering back) Wahhh!
**Cindy practically falls out of the doorway and into the hall. She holds a limp, motionless Libby in her arms**
CINDY: Neutron, what’s going on?
JIMMY: I think the ship might be under attack. Cindy…what’s wrong with Libby?
CINDY: She won’t wake up! I think she hit her head against the wall!
CARL: Oh no, poor Libby! She was so young! So full of life!
JIMMY: Carl, cut it out! Now, let’s approach this in a logical, calm manner.
SHEEN: Oh! Oh! I know how to wake her up! Hold on…
**Sheen licks his finger and holds it out in the air for everyone to see. A wad of spit glistens in the flashing emergency lights, and the kids give him a puzzled look. He cracks an enormous grin, then jabs his drool-coated finger into Libby’s ear. Instantly she snaps awake and sits bolt upright**
LIBBY: (picking at her ear) Whoa! What was that?!
**She examines her finger and discovers a slimy trail of Sheen-slobber**
LIBBY: Sheen, you didn’t just do what I think ya did, did ya?!
SHEEN: Uh…. maybe.
LIBBY: (rubbing her ear like crazy) Ahh, Sheen! That is WAY off the grossness scale!
**The ship jolts again, and the kids smack into the wall**
CINDY: Neutron?
JIMMY: Let’s get to the cockpit!
**They bolt down the hall and across the corridor, then through the double doors into the cockpit**
SHEEN: Sweet Ultralord, look at that!
**Aurora is strapped into the pilot’s seat, punching on various controls and joysticks like a madwoman. Outside the glassy curves of the viewing portal, a large, silver ship is visible against the black velvet of deep space. Embossed on its side is a large, blue atom decal**
JIMMY: Aurora, what’s going on?
AURORA: (glancing behind her) What are you guys doing out of your rooms?
**A stream of blue laser fire rockets out of the other ship, and Aurora yanks on the controls, dodging it expertly**
AURORA: It’s not safe out here! In case you haven’t noticed, we’re under attack. Get back to your rooms!
**She pauses for a moment**
AURORA: Unless of course, you want to stay and join in the fun…it might be good for you to get a little fighting practice.
LIBBY: You call this FUN?
**Aurora pushes a big red button, and the Desperado fires a bolt of green energy at the opposing ship, but it does little damage**
AURORA: (yelling) April, where the heck are you? I think it’s time to try out that new gun of yours!
APRIL: (poking her head in from an adjoining room) Really? YEEESSS! I’ll go and get it!
**She runs off, a gigantic grin stamped on her face**
JIMMY: Why is she so happy?
AURORA: (shrugging) April is a weapons specialist. She really likes guns.
**The opposing ship’s streamlined silver curves cut through the darkness and swing around to face them. A gigantic weapon mounted on the front begins charging to fire**
CINDY: (pointing) Aurora! Pay attention!
AURORA: Huh? Oh, WHOA!
**Aurora rolls the ship to the side, narrowly avoiding the brunt of the blast. The kids are sent crashing into the wall as the Desperado spins wildly out of control. Sparks fall from the ceiling, and the viewing portal shatters and shards fly everywhere**
CARL: Oh no! I think I lost my right shoe!
JIMMY: Carl, we’ve got bigger things to worry about! We’re about to be sucked into space!
AURORA: (jumping up) Not quite, Neutron. We’ve got an atmospheric shield surrounding the portal. As long as it holds, we’ll be fine. Hey APRIL! Get in here!
APRIL: Coming!
**She darts out into the room, panting heavily. Slung across her back is the most enormous blaster weapon that any of them have ever seen. The whole thing is covered in spikes, jagged ridges and strange alien designs, and it is so tall and thick around that it looks like a cannon. She hoists the weapon onto her shoulder and strides forward**
APRIL: Everyone, MOVE.
SHEEN: Whoa. Now that’s what I call a LASER!
**April stands silhouetted against the jagged curves of the broken viewing portal. Beyond, the opposing ship hovers menacingly**
APRIL: (taking aim) I love my job…
**She pulls the trigger. A dazzling beam of energy shoots out of the barrel, and the kids crumple to the floor, blinded by the unearthly light. April is thrown from the force of the blast, and as she tumbles backward the enemy ship bursts into a cascading display of soundless explosions. Fireballs flare out into space and pieces of rubble shoot off in all directions**
CARL: Oooh! Awwww!
SHEEN: Check it out! She just wasted that ship!
**A chunk of rubble flies through the open portal and careens toward Sheen. In a split second, Aurora jumps into the air and kicks it out of the way. It smashes against the right wall**
SHEEN: (wide-eyed) That was just like the flying dragon kick that Ultralord uses in episode 66! You two gotta be the coolest girls ever!
**Aurora and April stand next to each other, smiling widely**
AURORA: You like that? You should see us when we actually get into it.
APRIL: Ha ha, remember the time that those Oglonkons raided the space station? And we pretended to be Slorpnoks?
**They both burst out into laughter, then take turns whacking each other on the back. The fit subsides, and they link their arms in camaraderie as the kids stare at them in confusion**
LIBBY: OK….
JIMMY: I don’t understand what just happened. That ship…it had my atom symbol on it. Was my alternate self aboard?
AURORA: As if! There was nobody aboard that ship. It’s merely a scout vessel…one of hundreds of identical craft sent out by our dear dictator to harass people.
CINDY: Ugh! You mean we’re no closer to defeating evil Jimmy?
APRIL: I’m afraid not.
**Aurora turns to the control panel and begins punching buttons**
AURORA: Actually, we’re farther away than ever. I ran a diagnostic, and by the looks of things, we took some pretty bad damage. We’d better stop for repairs.
JIMMY: Repairs?
AURORA: Sure. As luck would have it, there’s a spaceship service station nearby.
JIMMY: My, how convenient.
AURORA: Exactly! I like to think of them as the Wal-Marts of the future. Well, minus the annoyingly bright lights, fake smiles, and poor quality items. Ours have got EVERYTHING you could ever need.
SHEEN: Do you think they’ll have a limited-edition Ultralord fan club ring engraved with twin shield designs and equipped with a duo button receiver that can transmit messages between rings and encode top secret stuff and play ringtones…and…and…
LIBBY: (laying a hand on his shoulder) Sheen…ya better stop before you hurt yourself.
**Aurora takes her place in the pilot’s chair, and maneuvers the ship past the flaming rubble field and into the expanse beyond**
JIMMY: So, Aurora. How long till we reach the space station?
**Aurora points out the window**
AURORA: Do you see that little grayish brown speck way out there?
JIMMY: (squinting) Ya…
AURORA: Well, that’s it. The whole thing is built right into an asteroid.
JIMMY: Oh.
**The speck seems to grow larger and larger as they approach. Sheen taps his foot impatiently**
SHEEN: Are we there yet?
JIMMY: Sheen, it’s only been 15 and a half seconds.
SHEEN: Ya, so what? Hey, April, can I play with your gun? Wait a minute…what time is it? Please say you guys have a TV on this ship! Or at least some Snickers bars or something! Do you have any idea how low my tolerance level gets when I don’t get my daily cartoon and sugar fix???
**His eye starts twitching**
LIBBY: Sheen, would it make you feel better if I…
SHEEN: (interrupting) Are we there yet?
AURORA: (snapping her fingers) Hey, Captain ADHD! Focus here! MY tolerance level is dangerously low right about now, so could you do us all a favor and try not to say anything stupid? I know it’s hard for you, but please. Hey, I know! While we’re waiting to arrive, why don’t you guys make a list of things you want me to buy for you?
CARL: Oh goody! A shopping list!
**She hands Jimmy a palm-pilot like device, and everyone passes it around. April offers it back to Aurora, who smiles**
AURORA: See? Look at that. We’re there.
**There is a loud click as the Desperado docks on the floating space station. Above the docking bay, the words “Space Depot” can be seen in flashing neon lights. Rows upon rows of shops, boutiques, and superstores wind their way around the asteroid like a spiral staircase. Pulsing lights and glowing designs catch the viewer’s eye from every nook and cranny on the streamlined metal framework**
LIBBY: Wow. Now that’s shoppin’ done right!
AURORA: (getting up) All right everyone, shall we? We’re docked safely at the service station, and I’d like to get all of this done as quickly and painlessly as possible.
**She rises from her seat and leads them out of the cockpit and down the hall. She stops next to a door in the wall, and an automated voice speaks**
VOX: Identify yourself.
AURORA: Ugh! Curse the day I installed voice recognition chips in this stupid thing! It’s me. Now open up!
VOX: Voice match confirmed. Welcome back, Aurora.
**Aurora opens the door a tiny crack, then carefully sidles in**
JIMMY: (peering in) Hey, what’s in there?
AURORA: Butt out! It’s MY room, thank you very much. I’d like some privacy if you don’t mind.
**She disappears into the darkness inside and when she reappears a moment later, her face is concealed behind her silver mask. She nods to April, who takes the lead. They wind their way down another corridor and pass the electric door that zapped Sheen. The front door drops open with a hiss, and they walk single file down the ramp-way and out of the ship**
CINDY: (looking around) Wow…this place is sleaze-ball central.
**The others kids take in their surroundings in silence. The concrete, box shaped building fades into shadow at each of its four corners, where shady looking figures buzz over hulking metal objects half shrouded in gloom. The sound of mechanical drills, creaking metal, and the smell of burnt engines hang in a black cloud, illuminated from time to time by falling sparks**
SHEEN: Hmm. You think they sell chicken wings here?
**April strides forward and gives a shrill, ear splitting cry which instantly turns every head in the workshop**
APRIL: (shouting) Listen up, lowlifes! We’ve got a Gorlock ship here in need of a speedy repair. I will pay double to the mechanic who can fix it the fastest and with no questions asked. Who’s up for the job?
**A wave of murmuring ripples through the shop, until at last a shifty looking green alien scuttles out from one of the other wrecks and steps forward. In back of him loom two enormous brown aliens, one with yellow eyes, and the other with red. He rubs his clawed hands together as he speaks**
FLINT: G-G-Good d-day to you, my esteemed G-G-Gorlock. My name is F-Flint, and these t-two here are Bronk and Lunkus, m-my err…assistant mechanics.
BRONK: Guh.
LUNKUS: Flunk.
**April narrows her eyes at them, and Flint visibly trembles under her purple-eyed stare. Lunkus and Bronk seem not to notice**
APRIL: So, do you think you can manage a simple repair job, or do we need to find someone else?
FLINT: (nervously) I-I assure you, we w-will take e-e-excellent care of y-your esteemed vehicle.
APRIL: Very well, you have got the job. But if I find even one screw out of place, I will report you to the Gorlock High Council, and I DOUBT they will waste any time in delivering a swift punishment.
**Flint seems to shrink backward, and April breaks into a cruel grin. Aurora takes this as a queue to step forward, and this time even Bronk and Lunkus give a little jump**
FLINT: (whispering) O-o-o-oh. It’s t-t-that human with the s-s-silver m-mask!
**Hushed comments wind their way around the room, and the kids stare on in puzzlement as snippets of the conversation reach their ears**
VOICES: Look there! Do you know who that is? …
VOICES: …Aurora’s her name. I’ve heard lots about her…
VOICES: …Heard that she’s the person who’s gotten closest to the dictator and lived to tell about it…
VOICES: …Someone told me that she shoots green fire out of her hands…
VOICES: …no, no, she’s a pilot…single-handedly destroyed 300 of the dictator’s scout ships…
**Aurora’s face is shielded from everyone by the mask, but she seems to be enjoying the attention. At last she turns and speaks to Libby**
AURORA: Hey Libs, what do you say we invest in a little shopping spree while we’re here?
**The aliens relax**
LIBBY: You know it, girl! Mall of the future, here we come!
**Aurora tosses her hair as she turns, and Libby joins her at the exit, every eye in the shop heavy upon them. Without warning, Aurora stops in mid-stride and turns back to the others**
AURORA: Hey Neutron, stay here and make sure these mechanics don’t try any funny business. I don’t trust them as far as I can throw them. And Cindy, keep an eye on Jimmy and make sure he doesn’t complicate the situation by being…well, himself. And April, keep an eye on both of them and make sure their fighting doesn’t get out of hand. Got it?
**April nods, and Cindy and Jimmy glare first at Aurora, then at each other**
SHEEN: Hey, what about me ’n Carl?
AURORA: I don’t care what you do as long as you don’t get in our way. You’re both creative young men…so go find a way to entertain yourselves. I’m sure there’s a shop that sells food somewhere in this place.
SHEEN: All right, alien grub! Let’s hit it!
CARL: I don’t know, Sheen. This seems like a pretty big place and we might get lost and…
SHEEN: Don’t be such a pansy, Carl! Besides…think of all the awesomely freakish foods we could find!
CARL: (eyes lighting up) Ya, maybe they’ll have some of those Plutonian Gut Chunks that I got to eat when we were on that alien game show!
SHEEN: That’s the spirit, man! To the cafeteria, away!
**The two make a mad break for the door and are gone within seconds**
AURORA: (to Libby) See? All you have to
do is mention food, and away they go. Now, let’s get out of here
before any more alien freaks decide to stare at me.
