DS9 Season 10, ep 10x13 - "The Case of the Flamping Flurble"

Discussion in 'Fan Fiction' started by DS9Continuing, Feb 5, 2012.

  1. DS9Continuing

    DS9Continuing Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Location:
    Manchester
    Hello everyone! Hope you all had a good New Year. I'm now back from my brief holiday hiatus with a new episode of my Deep Space Nine Season 10 fan-fic project.

    For those who want to catch up on the first half of the season, here are the links to the previous threads containing the previous stories:

    Original discussion thread, covering Episodes 1 to 7
    Discussion thread for Episode 8
    Discussion thread for Episode 9
    Discussion thread for Episode 10
    Discussion thread for Episode 11
    Discussion thread for Episode 12

    Direct links to the PDFs of episodes 1 to 12:

    10x01 - "Emancipation"
    10x02 - "Brave New World"
    10x03 - "Steppin' Out"
    10x04 - "Easy Come, Easy Go"
    10x05 - "Deep Down"
    10x06 - "The Dream Box"
    10x07 - "Instinct"
    10x08 - "Property Values"
    10x09 - "Blank Slate"
    10x10 - "In Two Minds"
    10x11 - "Harmony" (part 1 of 2)
    10x12 - "Heresy" (part 2 of 2)

    If anyone wants a quick reminder of what's happened in the season thus far, without going back to read every single episode again, here are some quick recaps, spoiler coded so as not to spoil those who haven't yet read the full versions:

    A group of admirals comes to the station to debrief the crew about their recent activities. Taran’atar’s attempts to help the freighter ship Even Odds are met with distrust and hatred.
    A new kai is elected, Sisko celebrates his baby daughter’s birthday and fights with Vaughn, and Taran’atar returns to the Dominion only to discover it is in chaos.
    Vic Fontaine steps out of the holodeck to explore life with his friends on the station. Dax tries to find a way to tell Bashir that she’s transferring.
    Old friends return to the station while others get ready to depart, with both bringing up emotional issues for the crew. Taran’atar returns as the new official Dominion Ambassador.
    Various crew members begin suffering from a series of nightmares, leading to paranoia on the station and Bashir’s desperate search for the cause.
    The discovery of an ancient Hebitian city on Cardassia leads to more political upheaval and bloody consequences for everyone, including “Uncle” Garak.
    The O’Brien family’s escape from Cardassia brings young Yoshi back to the station, where Kira gets attached. Taran’atar’s visions of the Vulcan woman L’Haan grow increasingly powerful.
    Treir’s old slave-master appears, leading Quark to offer her asylum in his bar. But a bitter Orion and three impatient Ferengi warships could spin the whole situation out of control.
    Ro bangs her head and is forced to live through her whole life of memories again – she doesn’t like what she sees. Taran’atar’s problems with the illusory L’Haan come to a head.
    Finally realizing that Taran’atar is possessed by the katra of the Intendant’s dead handmaiden, Vaughn summons her opposite number to help. But certain people have other ideas.
    Kira tries to rally the Federation, the Bajorans, the Eav’oq and the Dominion all together to address the Ascendant situation. Meanwhile Dax returns, leading to more arguments with Bashir.
    Kira’s attempt at peaceful contact with the Ascendants goes disastrously wrong, until a vision from the Prophets tells her of a new direction. Fed up with the entire situation, Bashir resigns his post.

    All episodes are also available at the Ad Astra fan-fic archives, link here.

    .

    With all that out of the way, here at last is episode 10x13 - "The Case of the Flamping Flurble."

    Enjoy!

    .
     
  2. DS9Continuing

    DS9Continuing Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Location:
    Manchester
    .​

    TEASER


    FADE IN:


    1 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE - ESTABLISHING

    Pleasant standard establishing shot, featuring the Defiant at rest and at least one Bajoran shuttle docked.


    2 INT. DS9 – PROMENADE 2

    One of the circular airlocks rolls open, and a small procession of new arrivals emerge from the Bajor shuttle. Bajorans, humans, Starfleet officers, others. Among them is JAKE, holding the hand of RENA. Rena steps over the threshold, looking around in quiet amazement at everything around her.

    As they move further into the Promenade, a random ALIEN passes by on his own business. Rena blinks a little at the sight of him. Jake sees her reaction. She gives a sheepish smile in reply, daunted but excited at the new experiences.


    3 INT. DS9 – QUARK’S BAR 3

    Lunch-time crowd. Customers sat at the bar, at tables all over the place, and a small collection at the dabo tables.

    Jake and Rena enter. Rena is still somewhat nervous - just the sheer crowds are a little overwhelming for a small-town girl like her. A shout of victory goes up from the dabo table, and she’s startled. She looks over to see HETIK is congratulating a new winner.

    NOG and SHAR are sat side-by-side at the bar, both with small plates of food and padds – a working lunch. Jake and Rena approach – Nog turns at the sound of their footfalls.

    NOG
    Jake! ​

    Nog jumps off his stool and hugs Jake in welcome. Then he does the same to Rena. Behind them, Shar also stands with somewhat more decorum, polite but friendly. Under all that:

    JAKE
    Hey, Nog. ​

    NOG
    You guys! It’s great to see
    you. What are you doing here? ​

    JAKE
    It’s Rena’s first trip to the
    station. I wanted to show her
    where I used to live. ​

    RENA
    (bashful)
    First trip off the planet altogether. ​

    Rena looks past Nog to Shar, who is politely waiting to be acknowledged. She gazes a little bemused at his blue skin and antennae. She’s never seen an Andorian before.

    NOG
    Oh! Jake, you remember Shar? ​

    JAKE
    Of course – we met at the
    Federation signing ceremony,
    right? How are you? ​

    SHAR
    I am well, thank you. It is
    a pleasure to see you again,
    Mr Sisko. ​

    JAKE
    Jake, please. And this is Rena,
    my wife. ​

    SHAR
    Thirishar ch’Thane. Welcome to
    Deep Space Nine, Mrs Sisko. ​

    NOG
    How long are you staying? ​

    JAKE
    Oh, we don’t know yet. There’s
    a lot of things I want to show
    her, a lot of people to catch
    up with. ​

    RENA
    (grin)
    It’s all he’s talked about for weeks. ​

    JAKE
    Why, are you in a rush? ​

    NOG
    Kind of, yeah.
    (re padds)
    Shar and I were just finalizing
    our plans for a little mission.
    We’re supposed to leave this
    afternoon. ​

    SHAR
    In fact, if you’ll excuse me,
    there are things I must do
    in Ops before we leave. ​

    Shar turns and picks up his padd from the counter. He’s a little uncomfortable, feeling like the odd one out. But he’s not unpleasant about it.

    NOG
    I’ll catch up with you later. ​

    Jake and Shar nod their acknowledgements. Jake has no reason to dislike Shar, he just doesn’t know quite what to make of him. Shar turns to leave. Rena calls after him.

    RENA
    Nice to meet you.​

    Shar exits. With him gone, Nog returns to his seat and beckons Jake and Rena to join him. He tucks into his food.

    Rena is still looking around, bemused at all the colourful aliens filling the room. At the far end of the bar, TREIR is working. Rena gazes in wonder again – a bright green woman. Closer to them, sat at the bar, is MORN, guzzling his ale as usual. As Rena gazes at his large lumpy form, the barfly BELCHES loudly. Rena jumps in shock.

    RENA
    Ah! ​

    NOG
    (amused)
    You okay? ​

    RENA
    Just never seen so many different
    types of people in one place. It
    takes a little getting used to. ​

    NOG
    You’ve seen aliens before though, right? ​

    RENA
    Well, humans, of course. Although
    they’re barely any different,
    really. The occasional Cardassian
    when I was younger, during the
    Occupation. Although even they
    didn’t really bother with Mylea
    all that much. They pretty much
    left us to ourselves. And I’ve
    seen lots of different faces on
    the Bajoran news nets since we
    joined the Federation. But...​

    JAKE
    But seeing them in the flesh is
    another matter. ​

    RENA
    Yeah... I thought Bajorans came
    in all the colours. But we don’t
    have blue, or green, or orange,
    or purple, or... whatever you
    call that colour. It’s... well,
    it’s wonderful! So much life.​

    Jake smiles, clearly charmed. He leans over and gives Rena a kiss on the cheek, which she receives bashfully. Nog smiles – they’re cute together. Then Morn BELCHES again.

    RENA
    Ah! ​

    Jake chuckles. Rena gives him a playful glare.

    JAKE
    So what’s this mission? ​

    NOG
    Oh, nothing big. Just a quick
    trip through the wormhole to run
    a check on the subspace relay. ​

    JAKE
    That doesn’t sound too compli-
    cated. We might still be here
    when you get back. ​

    RENA
    Why don’t we just come with you? ​

    Nog and Jake are both pleasantly surprised by the idea.

    JAKE
    Would Kira let us? ​

    NOG
    Probably. I’d have to ask. But
    honestly, it’s not all that
    interesting. We’re going through
    the wormhole, do some tech stuff,
    and then straight back. ​

    RENA
    So let’s make it interesting.
    Why don’t we visit a few places
    while we’re out there? ​

    JAKE
    Are you sure you want to do
    that? The Gamma Quadrant seems
    like an awfully big step for
    your first time off-world. ​

    RENA
    If I’m going on an adventure,
    I might as well go all the way. ​

    NOG
    (grin)
    Oh, those are dangerous words. ​

    RENA
    With you two around, it’s almost
    guaranteed. ​

    JAKE
    Okay then. I guess it’s all decided. ​

    Treir drifts over to them.

    TREIR
    How are you pretty young things
    doing over here? Can I get you
    anything? ​

    NOG
    No need, thanks, Treir. We’ve
    got to start packing. We’re
    going on a road trip! ​

    Ending on Nog’s grinning, excited face...


    FADE OUT:


    END OF TEASER

    .​
     
  3. DS9Continuing

    DS9Continuing Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Location:
    Manchester
    .

    ACT ONE


    FADE IN:


    4 ON KIRA

    Looking somewhat confused.

    KIRA
    A road trip?​

    WIDEN to reveal...


    5 INT. DS9 – KIRA’S OFFICE

    KIRA sits behind her desk. Nog stands hopefully in front.

    NOG
    Yes, sir. I’ll make sure the
    subspace relay is good and solid
    first, but once that’s done...
    I thought it might be good
    for morale. ​

    KIRA
    Nog... are you sure this is a
    good time to be wandering around
    the Gamma Quadrant? It’s pretty
    dangerous out there right now. ​

    NOG
    (grin)
    Why do you think I’m taking the
    Rio Grande? The only runabout
    that’s always brought everyone
    home safe. ​

    KIRA
    (dubious)
    Well, okay, I guess. But you’re
    in command, alright? It’s up to
    you to take good care of every-
    one. And the ship.​

    NOG
    I promise. Trust me, nothing’s
    going to go wrong. ​


    6 INT. DS9 – PRYNN’S QUARTERS

    On PRYNN, wearing a fluffy pink robe and drying her hair with a towel, post-shower...

    PRYNN
    (excited)
    A road trip?​

    NOG
    Yep. Chance to stretch your legs,
    grab some fun and excitement.
    Never know what you’ll find. ​

    PRYNN
    Sounds like a great idea. Just
    let me pack my party clothes
    and I’ll meet you there. ​

    NOG
    Great! ​


    7 INT. DS9 – OPS CENTRE

    On Shar, sat at the science console, while Nog leans over it to talk to him. Shar reacts as if to foreign words...

    SHAR
    A road trip?​

    NOG
    (hangs head)
    Don’t tell me I have to convince
    you as well, now. Yes, a road
    trip. We just get in the runabout
    and see where it takes us. ​

    SHAR
    And this was Rena’s idea? ​

    NOG
    Yes, and it’s a good one. Fun,
    Shar! You enjoyed the Defiant’s
    trip through the Gamma Quadrant,
    didn’t you? Just think of the
    new discoveries waiting for you. ​

    Shar allows a small smile. He knows Nog is just telling him what he wants to hear, but it does sound good.

    SHAR
    Very well, Nog. A road trip.​

    NOG
    Excellent! We’ll be like the
    DS-Nine Junior Heroes! Fifteen-
    thirty-hours at the Rio Grande,
    alright? Prynn’s meeting us there. ​

    Shar’s smile drops.

    SHAR
    You invited Prynn? ​

    NOG
    Yeah. We’ll need a professional
    pilot. Why, is it a problem? ​

    Shar’s face reflects his uncertainty on that question...


    8 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT

    Prynn is sat in the pilot’s seat. Behind her, Nog, Jake and Rena enter, all carrying small travelling bags. A few steps behind, Shar enters.

    Prynn turns to greet them all, but her smile freezes a little as she and Shar make eye contact. He nods to her, uncomfortable. Nog is oblivious.

    NOG
    Right, everyone throw your bags
    in the back. There’s a private
    bed area for the happy couple,
    and the rest of us... we’ll
    figure something out. ​

    Jake and Rena bustle into the back, followed by Nog. Shar hesitantly approaches Prynn, not sure how to act.

    SHAR
    Prynn... you may take the second
    bunk if you wish. ​

    PRYNN
    No, that’s fine. Somebody’s got
    to drive.
    (beat; genuinely)
    But thank you. ​

    Shar nods and turns away towards the back.


    9 EXT. DEEP SPACE NINE

    The runabout pad rises up, locking into place. The ship powers up and lifts off. It turns towards the wormhole, swoops around and dives into the opening.


    10 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT

    Prynn piloting, Nog beside her, Shar at a rear console. Jake and Rena stand behind the front seats, gazing out the window at the currents and swirls of the wormhole interior. Jake reaches out to hold Rena’s hand, and she turns to him, happy tears in her eyes.


    11 EXT. SPACE

    The runabout holds position next to an unpowered subspace relay, as seen in 3x15 “Destiny” and 8x23 “Rising Son.”


    12 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT

    Shar and Nog work diligently at various panels, with displays showing schematics of the subspace relay and various other technical stuff. Rena still gazes out of the window at the stars, enchanted.

    RENA
    The stars, they’re all different. ​

    Jake brings her back a drink from the replicator. She takes it with a smile, and he drapes an arm around her shoulder, joining her in looking out of the window. Prynn is sat with her arms folded, bored.

    PRYNN
    I’m bored. When do we get the
    fun and excitement I was so
    faithfully promised? ​

    RENA
    I would think you got plenty
    of excitement, Prynn. Aren’t
    you the Defiant’s pilot? ​

    PRYNN
    Which would be great if the
    Defiant ever went anywhere.
    (beat)
    Okay, that’s not fair. It’s
    actually a pretty sweet gig. I
    mean, the Defiant’s a legend.
    Everything it did during the
    war... how could I not want
    to be a part of that? ​

    Nog stops what he’s doing and turns to look at her.

    NOG
    You do realise it’s not the
    same ship, right? ​

    PRYNN
    Yeah, I know. But there are
    other reasons to be there. ​

    NOG
    (continuing)
    Although I never did understand
    how it ended up with the same
    registry number. ​

    PRYNN
    Ah, well, I asked my dad about
    that. He says it’s actually a
    deliberate ploy to strike fear
    into the hearts of our enemies. ​

    NOG
    (dubious)
    Really? How so? ​

    PRYNN
    The first Defiant was destroyed
    at Chin’toka, right? How much
    propaganda play do you think
    the Dominion got out of that? ​

    Nog allows that it was probably a lot.

    PRYNN (cont)
    So what does Starfleet do? It
    fields an identical ship with
    the same name, same number,
    even the same crew. And it
    carries right on. ​

    NOG
    Which makes the Defiant look
    more indestructible than ever. ​

    PRYNN
    Not only do Starfleet’s officers
    come back from the dead, now so
    do its ships. At the same time,
    it makes the Dominion look
    desperate and pathetic for
    having claimed to destroy it
    in the first place. Pretty
    cool, if you think about it. ​

    Under all this, Shar has been studiously working, keeping out of the conversation. Now he calls out:

    SHAR
    Nog? Your assistance, please?​

    Nog goes back to paying attention to the job.

    RENA
    But somebody will still know
    the truth. ​

    PRYNN
    (shrug)
    Doesn’t matter what the truth
    actually is. Only matters what
    enough people think the truth is.
    That’s another lesson I learned
    from my dad, for good or ill.
    (beat)
    Anyway, my point - before I
    got distracted – was that there
    are other reasons I like being
    at DS-Nine than just the Defiant. ​

    Her eyes flick over to Shar, whose back is turned again, working. She covers quickly.

    PRYNN (cont)
    Reconnecting with my dad has
    been great, once I gave my
    shoulder a thorough chipectomy. ​

    Jake chuckles at the term – no-one else understands it.

    PRYNN (cont)
    But yeah, I still like to get
    out there and burn plasma every
    now and then.
    (pointedly)
    Like somebody promised me. ​

    NOG
    (sing-song)
    The more you complain, the longer
    it’ll take me...​

    PRYNN
    I know, I know. Just busting
    your chops, Captain.​

    NOG
    Well, as it happens... ​

    Nog looks to Shar, who nods back to him. Nog taps one last control, and his various panels light up with readings.


    13 EXT. SPACE (CONTINUOUS)

    Next to the runabout, the subspace relay comes to life, powering up, running lights shining and manoeuvring itself into position.


    14 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT (CONTINUOUS)

    Shar and Nog are closely watching their panels, while the other three politely stay out of their way.

    NOG
    Power readings are steady... ​

    SHAR
    Beginning test signal.​

    One of Shar’s panels changes to show a wave form, with the associated sound. They all wait a little nervously for the return signal...and it comes in with an affirmative beep.

    NOG
    Yes! ​

    Nog and Shar high-five each other with satisfaction. Jake is surprised and amused to see the gesture. Nog and Shar begin to put away their tools.

    JAKE
    Congratulations, you two. I
    remember when my dad set up
    the first relay to the Gamma
    Quadrant – it almost blew up
    the Defiant. ​

    NOG
    Thankfully we’ve ironed out a
    few details since then. We’ve
    done this three times now. ​

    SHAR
    It is becoming something of a tradition. ​

    PRYNN
    Well, good for you. Can we go now? ​

    RENA
    We still have to decide where
    we’re going. You’ve all been
    out here a lot more than me.
    Any ideas?​

    JAKE
    How about Ee? It’s an entire
    planet dedicated to shopping. ​

    NOG
    Nah, too far away.
    (thinks a moment)
    Oh, I’ve got it! Prynn, check
    the navigational charts – the
    Wadi homeworld has to be near
    here somewhere. ​

    RENA
    Wadi? Who are they? ​

    JAKE
    One of the first people to
    visit the station after we
    discovered the wormhole.
    Sorry - the Temple. ​

    Rena pats his arm lovingly – don’t worry about it.

    NOG
    They’re crazy about games and
    gambling. They must know how
    to show tourists a good time. ​

    Prynn spins back to her console and starts hitting buttons.

    PRYNN
    Sounds like a plan. Wadi home
    world, here we come! ​


    15 EXT. SPACE

    The runabout moves away from the subspace relay and, at a suitable distance, ramps up and jumps to warp.


    16 EXT. SPACE – WADI HOMEWORLD

    A blue-green, lightly cloudy world as seen from the night side, the tell-tale lights of well-lit cities and networks of connections between them. Numerous ships and shuttles move in orbit – some freighters, some pleasure cruisers. The Rio Grande hoves into view, joining the procession.


    17 EXT. WADI HOMEWORLD SURFACE – EARLY EVENING

    The runabout’s hatch hisses open, and Nog, Jake, Rena, Prynn and Shar step out. Nog and Jake come first, in nice smart outfits, chattering excitedly together.

    JAKE
    You’ve got a limit, okay? Don’t
    go crazy with the gambling. ​

    NOG
    Stop heckling me. I’m not the
    one who married you. ​

    Followed by Rena and Prynn, wearing slinky party dresses and talking girl talk.

    PRYNN
    Ooh, cute purse! ​

    RENA
    Isn’t it? My friend Halar works
    in a dress shop – she made it
    for me for my ih’tanu ceremony. ​

    And last is Shar, wearing something that resembles the traditional chan party outfit from 9x09 “Paradigm,” but not quite so formal. He looks rather uncomfortable in it, as if ashamed to be wearing something so garish.

    As the hatch closes behind them and they walk off, we PULL BACK and see that the runabout is parked on the ground in a giant parking lot filled with various other small shuttles and personal vehicles.

    NOG
    Everyone remember where we parked! ​

    They walk on through the parking lot. We TILT UP to see what this is the parking lot of: a massive entertainment complex, like a fun fair, Vegas casino and multiplex cinema all combined.

    Strobes and lasers flash, transport tubes rush vacationers back and forth, big neon signs advertise things in various languages, and the sound of happy partiers reaches us.


    DISSOLVE INTO:


    18 EXT. WADI HOMEWORLD SURFACE – LATE NIGHT

    The same shot, but now much later at night. The scene is just that little bit quieter, with fewer shuttles parked in the parking lot and the transport tubes fewer between.

    TILT DOWN. The gang walks back through the parked shuttles towards us. They’re all just slightly tipsy but very happy.

    JAKE
    Nog, you were amazing! You
    cleaned that place out! ​

    NOG
    I’ve got enough pegs here to
    make us all rich! ​

    He jangles the money-filled pockets in the thighs of his trousers for emphasis. Following are Prynn and Rena.

    RENA
    Oh, I’m looking forward to
    getting these heels off. ​

    PRYNN
    I gotta apologise – I really
    did not see this coming... ​

    She turns to look behind her – and there is Shar, well and truly trashed. He’s draped with streamers and leis, wearing huge oversized sunglasses, and holding an enormous tropical drink with fruit and sparklers and more streamers. His antennae have got balls of tinsel stuck onto each end, so that they look like flesh-and-blood beeny-boppers. He’s dancing and singing along to non-existent music, his drink sloshing unnoticed all over the place. But he’s having a whale of a time.

    SHAR
    (in between
    dance moves)
    Why are we leaving? The party’s
    only just started! ​

    Nog pauses to wait for him. He’s happy that Shar’s having fun, but feels responsible for taking care of him.

    NOG
    Come on, Shar. Let’s get you
    back to the runabout and get
    you a nice cup of coffee. ​

    The group walks a few more steps together, and then they stop, all looking the same direction, and all shocked. Except for Shar, who is still in his own world.

    JAKE
    Ummm...​

    We PULL BACK, and now we see what they’re staring at. An empty space in the parking lot.

    PRYNN
    Where’s the runabout? ​

    As they all stare at the empty space...


    BLACK OUT:


    END OF ACT ONE


    .
     
  4. DS9Continuing

    DS9Continuing Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Location:
    Manchester
    .

    ACT TWO


    FADE IN:


    19 EXT. WADI HOMEWORLD SURFACE – LATE NIGHT

    Where we left it. No runabout. Nog is freaking out, pacing back and forth with his head in his hands.

    NOG
    Oh no, oh no, oh no, oh no... ​

    JAKE
    Nog, calm down...​

    NOG
    Calm down?! Kira’s gonna kill me! ​

    JAKE
    We’ll figure it out...​

    NOG
    (continuing)
    You’re in charge, she said.
    Look after the ship, she said. ​

    JAKE
    Are we sure this is even the
    right parking space? ​

    PRYNN
    (sad nod)
    Yeah. Flim twenty-seven pag.​

    NOG
    (continuing)
    All our clothes are in there,
    our uniforms, our phasers,
    vital tactical information...
    (sudden thought)
    My favourite tooth sharpener! ​

    RENA
    How could someone have taken
    the ship? Aren’t there any
    security... things? ​

    PRYNN
    Dozens of them.​

    JAKE
    But apparently somebody can get
    around them. ​

    PRYNN
    (turns to Shar)
    Shar, can you sense anything? ​

    Shar stops and bobs on the spot for a moment, listening.

    RENA
    (sotto)
    What’s he doing? ​

    PRYNN
    Andorians can sense electrical
    fields. Their antennae.​

    Shar shakes his head, unconcerned.

    SHAR
    Nope. Not a thing. ​

    With an amused sigh, Prynn reaches up and removes the balls of tinsel from Shar’s antennae.

    PRYNN
    There. Better? ​

    SHAR
    Nope. Music’s too loud. ​

    JAKE
    (suddenly realizes)
    We’ve still got our combadges. ​

    Jake pulls out his combadge and taps it – it makes a dull squittering noise. No good. Prynn does the same, then Rena. No luck on either of them. Nog is still freaking, pacing back and forth.

    NOG
    No no no no no no...​

    SHAR
    Wait a minute! ​

    The other four all turn to Shar in hope that he has some wonderful magical solution to their problem.

    SHAR
    Where’s the runabout? ​

    Slightly annoyed blank stares.


    CUT TO:


    20 INT. WADI POLICE STATION

    On the Wadi Chief of Police, MUNAD:

    MUNAD
    A road trip?​

    Nog face palms. Deep breath. Stay calm.

    NOG
    Yes, a road trip. We’re from the
    Alpha Quadrant, the Federation.
    We came here just to have some
    fun at the casino for the night.
    When we came out of the casino,
    our ship was missing. ​

    Nog sits in a seat across the desk from Munad, in his office at the police station. The trim, middle-aged, uniformed Wadi male is rather harassed, trying to be nice to these strangers, but really doesn’t have time for this.

    Jake, Rena and Prynn sit elsewhere, all feeling very out of place wearing their party clothes in this stern station. They are also slightly embarrassed that Shar is at the back of the room, still dancing away to the non-existent music.

    MUNAD
    Your ship...
    (checks notes)
    A “runabout,” you called it? ​

    NOG
    (trying to
    stay polite)
    Yes. That’s the type of ship.
    Its name is the Rio Grande. ​

    MUNAD
    I see. And... what exactly do
    you think I can help you with? ​

    NOG
    You’re the Chief of Police,
    aren’t you? When I asked at
    the casino, they sent me to
    you. I assumed you would help
    us find our ship! ​

    MUNAD
    Mister Nog, I am the Chief of
    Police - of the largest and most
    popular gaming complex on Wadek.
    I get about a million people
    from all over the quadrant –
    (re Nog)
    - and beyond, coming through my
    town every hour. Not all of them
    are reputable. Do you have any
    idea how many ships get stolen
    every day around here? ​

    JAKE
    So you’re just going to do nothing? ​

    MUNAD
    (indignant)
    My officers and I work every
    hour of the day and night to
    ensure that this complex’s
    customers even wake up in the
    morning. There are some very
    unsavoury characters lurking in
    this town. In fact, we just got
    a rumour that one of the most
    notorious criminal gangs in the
    sector is on their way here. So
    forgive me, but a little petty
    theft is never going to be my
    highest priority. I’m sorry. ​

    NOG
    So what are we supposed to do? ​

    MUNAD
    I’ll take your report, and I’ll
    do everything I can. But I can’t
    promise much success. My advice
    would be to try and find some-
    where to sleep for the night. ​


    21 EXT. WADI STREETS – LATE NIGHT

    The lights and sounds of the casino complex can still be heard, but far in the distance. The gang is now far from there, literally and figuratively. Run-down building fronts and businesses locked up tight for the night. Hard metal shutters and graffiti imply not the nicest part of town.

    Nog leads the group with a piece of paper in his hand, checking it for directions periodically. Prynn keeps an eye all around, feeling rather vulnerable here. Shar is still in his own world, although starting to sag a bit.

    Jake walks hand-in-hand with Rena, worried for her.

    JAKE
    I’m so sorry about this, Rena... ​

    RENA
    Hey, I knew what I was getting
    into. Not your fault. ​

    JAKE
    Are you okay, though? ​

    RENA
    Well, I am currently stuck on
    the opposite side of the galaxy
    with no way to get home, and no
    belongings except for a skimpy
    party dress and a cute purse.
    But, on the plus side, I don’t
    think I could have any better
    companions in that situation
    than three Starfleet officers
    and the son of the Emissary. ​

    Jake looks forward to Nog, with a sigh.

    JAKE
    We’re all gonna die. ​

    Ahead of them, Nog has stopped.

    NOG
    Guys – I think this is it. ​

    The gang stops with Nog, and together, they all look up at the building before them. It’s like an alien Bates Motel, or the house from Rocky Horror – large and imposing and gothic. It’s distinctly shabby and run down. One can almost imagine the bats swooping between the gargoyles.


    22 EXT. HOTEL – LATE NIGHT

    A nervous finger reaches in tentatively and presses a door bell. It chimes ominously. Nothing happens for a moment. Finally, slowly, the door creaks open on protesting hinges and with a puff of dust. A face emerges in the gap...

    ...and BELCHES right in their faces. Far from being ominous or creepy, LEBIKOW is fat, greasy, tattooed and unwashed. The Wadi equivalent of trailer trash, in a stained vest and
    sweatpants. He stares out of the doorway...

    ...at the five nervous, hopeful faces looking up at him. Alien faces of all colours – blue, orange, brown.

    LEBIKOW
    What is this, some kind of
    circus troupe? Y’expect me to
    pay you to sing, or summin’? ​

    NOG
    Umm... no... sir. I’m sorry,
    are you Farns Lebikow? ​

    LEBIKOW
    Who wants to know? ​

    NOG
    Umm... my name is Nog, sir. My
    friends and I need a room for
    the night, and Inspector Munad
    at the casino complex gave us
    your information. He said you
    might be able to help us. ​

    LEBIKOW
    (suspicious)
    Munad, eh?​

    NOG
    Yes, sir. Do you have a room? ​

    LEBIKOW
    Yeah, I got a room. You got money? ​

    Awkward pause. Jake turns and looks at Nog, expectantly.

    NOG
    (reluctant)
    I have money. ​

    Lebikow thinks it over. Snorts his nose. Is gross.

    LEBIKOW
    Awright. S’pose I could use
    the pegs. But it’s cash up
    front. And I don’t want any
    messin’ about, awright? ​

    NOG
    Absolutely, sir. You’ll barely
    know we’re here. ​

    Unimpressed and muttering, Lebikow turns around (revealing his stained and filthy sweatpants hiked up into his unmentionables) and plods back into the hotel. Making the best of a bad situation, Nog leads the uncertain gang into the hotel. The door creaks shut behind them.


    23 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Lebikow schlubs across the foyer, scratching his ass as he goes. Rena grips tight onto Jake’s hand. He smiles back at her, trying to be encouraging. Prynn has plastered on a big false smile that covers her discomfort. And Shar is just following everyone else, barely aware of where he is.

    Nog looks around the foyer. This was probably once a nice building. There’s a grand and elaborate staircase leading to the upper floors, and magnificent chandeliers. But it’s all fallen into disrepair, scuffed and dusty. Half the lights are broken, leaving the place shadowy and dim.


    24 INT. HOTEL – OFFICE

    Lebikow leads them all into his office, just off the main foyer room. It’s just as messy as you’d expect, with piles of papers and half-eaten food strewn about. A decrepit old comm screen sits on the filthy desk, with a big stein of beer next to it. Lebikow collapses into a creaky old chair, the effort of doing so making him BURP at the same time.

    Then there’s a low and dangerous GROWL...

    Worried, the gang looks into a corner of the room, and sees an ANIMAL, a gigantic alien dog, dark and slavering. It snarls at the strangers, curled up on its pile of filthy rags in the corner. Prynn stretches the big false smile.

    PRYNN
    (voice shaking)
    Well... aren’t you cute? ​

    RENA
    I’d keep your distance if I
    were you, Prynn. ​

    PRYNN
    Oh, I’m sure he’s a lovable,
    harmless furball... right? ​

    She looks at Lebikow, hopeful. He snorts in derision.

    LEBIKOW
    What did you call him? A “flurble”? ​

    PRYNN
    Furball.​

    LEBIKOW
    (chuckling)
    You call him a flurble all you
    want, darlin’. But you get on
    the wrong side of ‘im, and he’ll
    flamp yer good an’ proper. ​

    JAKE
    We’ll keep that in mind, sir.
    Wouldn’t want to get... flamped.​

    LEBIKOW
    So... show me the pegs. ​

    Reluctantly, but knowing he has no choice, Nog reaches into the thigh pockets of his trousers and hauls out a handful of wooden pegs. He places them on the filthy desk. Lebikow looks down at the pegs, then back up at Nog. Waits.

    With a sigh, Nog pulls out more pegs and drops them on the table. Lebikow grunts in acceptance. He gets up, takes a deep belly-full breath, and hawks up a great wad of phlegm. He yanks up his dirty vest to deposit the phlegm into, and then just lets it lie, staining the fabric even further.

    LEBIKOW
    That’s better. Follow me. ​

    Our heroes are simply stunned.


    25 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Lebikow stomps up the stairs, stained trousers right at eye-level for lucky Jake and Rena following right behind. Nog follows, peering at the broken light fittings and decayed woodwork. At the back, Prynn is gently guiding Shar along, since the Andorian is now distinctly unsteady.


    26 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

    A long and creepy corridor, with many doors to rooms on either side, but no signs of other residents. Lebikow leads the gang past the doors, Shar wobbling along at the back.


    27 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

    Lebikow throws the door open. The gang file in one by one, taking in the sight of the room less than enthusiastically. It’s just as run down as the rest of the hotel, with ratty and unhygienic twin beds, and a single moth-eaten armchair.

    PRYNN
    There’s only two beds. There’s
    five of us. ​

    LEBIKOW
    This is the best room I got.
    For that many pegs.​

    Prynn turns and looks pointedly at Nog.

    NOG
    This’ll do fine. ​

    Lebikow points dismissively at an auxiliary door...

    LEBIKOW
    Bathroom’s in there. ​

    ...and leaves, slamming the door behind him. Prynn and Jake turn to look at Nog. He stands his ground.

    NOG
    During the war, I spent a
    week on a Jem’Hadar fighter
    that didn’t even have beds.
    By comparison this is luxury. ​

    PRYNN
    (sigh)
    Fine. I guess we’ll try and get
    some rest. And in the morning,
    assuming we haven’t all been
    devoured by bedbugs, we start
    trying to figure out what
    happened to the runabout. ​

    JAKE
    Who’s going to sleep where? I
    don’t really like the look of
    that carpet. ​

    RENA
    We can squeeze into one bed.
    (bashful smirk)
    We’ve done it before. ​

    JAKE
    If I must. Just try to control yourself. ​

    Rena jokingly slaps Jake on the arm.

    PRYNN
    Okay. So that leaves the three
    of us to figure out who gets
    the other bed. Shar, do you - ​

    Prynn turns to look at Shar... and finds that he’s already passed out, totally unconscious in the armchair. Giant sunglasses skewed on his head, dribbling out of the corner of his mouth.

    PRYNN
    Lovely.​


    BLACK OUT:


    END OF ACT TWO

    .
     
  5. Sandoval

    Sandoval Fleet Captain Fleet Captain

    Joined:
    Jul 21, 2010
    Personally reading scripts isn't my thing, but I'm consistently impressed by the amount of time and effort people are prepared to put into creating a massive body of work like this - I've said the same thing to LnX on several occasions who has also created a vast follow on to Deep Space Nine.
     
  6. DS9Continuing

    DS9Continuing Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Location:
    Manchester
    .

    ACT THREE


    FADE IN:


    28 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

    Nog is curled up, half-asleep on one of the beds, still in his party outfit. Eyes closed and semi-conscious, he rolls over and instinctively cuddles up closer to Prynn, who’s sharing the bed with him, wearing her party dress. Mumbling in her sleep, Prynn cuddles up to Nog too. The two of them nuzzle closer together, enjoying each other’s body warmth in their half-asleep states.

    After a while, they begin to realize something’s wrong. They slowly open their eyes... and see each other.

    NOG / PRYNN
    Aah! ​

    They leap apart from each other. Nog leaps back so far that he tumbles off the side of the bed with a crash. Jake, who had been spooned up with Rena, jerks awake at the noise.

    JAKE
    Wha...? What happened? ​

    Nog’s head appears from behind the bed.

    NOG / PRYNN
    (awkward)
    Nothing.​

    Prynn struggles to consciousness. She sits up in the bed, looks around the room. It looks just as bad in the dreary daylight as it did in darkness. But the armchair is empty.

    PRYNN
    Where’s Shar? ​

    In answer, there comes an almighty RETCH from behind the bathroom door, followed by a SPLAT and a HISS – the sounds of something we really don’t want to know about. The noises repeat, worse than the first time... Prynn’s face contorts in mixed sympathy and revulsion.

    The bathroom door opens, and Shar crawls out on all fours. Wisps of noxious green gas leak out from the bathroom. The sunglasses dangling off one antenna, strewn with streamers, Shar makes it one lurch at a time, back to his armchair.

    JAKE
    Okay, so first thing we gotta
    do is find some food. ​

    RENA
    And some new clothes. ​

    PRYNN
    Nog, how much money do you
    have left? ​

    NOG
    Oh come on! I won that money
    fair and square. ​

    SHAR
    (background,
    half-hearted)
    Please stop shouting...​

    PRYNN
    (stern)
    Nog...​

    NOG
    (pout)
    Fine. Wouldn’t dream of trying to
    make a profit out of our misery. ​

    He digs in his pocket and hands a fistful of pegs to Prynn.

    PRYNN
    You’re too kind. Rena, you
    wanna come with me? Let the
    boys gripe in private? ​

    RENA
    Okay, I guess. Just let me
    freshen up a bit first. ​

    Rena heads to the bathroom, opens the door...

    RENA
    OH! ​

    Rena coughs and chokes as clouds of the bilious green gas billow out of the bathroom. She immediately pulls back and yanks the door to, heaving, horrified at the smell.

    RENA (cont)
    What happened in there? ​

    Shar is curled up in a ball in his armchair, his blue skin looking distinctly grey. He pulls a thin and ratty blanket up over his shivering body and croaks out a response.

    SHAR
    Apparently Wadi food and drink does
    not agree with Andorian physiology. ​

    Prynn is half amused, half sympathetic. She goes to Shar and lays an affectionate hand on his clammy head.

    PRYNN
    Well, your world turned my
    body inside out. I guess now
    the Wadi have returned the
    favour on my behalf.
    (back to Rena)
    Come on. We’ll find somewhere
    else. See you in a few, boys. ​

    The girls leave.


    29 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Prynn and Rena creep gradually down the large staircase, making sure to avoid the patches of rotten wood. The steps creak a little as they go. As they reach the bottom, they overhear a voice talking...

    LEBIKOW (o.s.)
    That’s not what we agreed, and
    yer know it. ​

    Curious, Prynn shushes Rena, and they creep closer to the door to Lebikow’s office. They pause at the edge of the doorway, listening in. Prynn pokes her head around the doorway just a bit...


    30 INT. HOTEL – OFFICE

    Inside the office, Lebikow is sitting at his desk, talking into the grimy old comm screen. His flabby, sweaty back is turned to us, blocking the view of who he’s talking to.

    LEBIKOW
    I need the money, awright? So
    if y’aint gonna pay me what we
    agreed, I s’pose I’ll just go
    to somebody else. ​

    COMM VOICE
    (female, w/ static)
    Calm down, Lebikow. We’re on
    our way. I’m simply pointing
    out that we’re working off
    your say-so here. How do we
    know the merchandise is what
    you say it is? ​

    LEBIKOW
    You callin’ me untrustworthy?​

    COMM VOICE
    If you weren’t, we wouldn’t
    be having this conversation. ​


    31 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Where Prynn and Rena are still eavesdropping, and becoming more and more concerned by the word...

    LEBIKOW (o.s.)
    Look, just get here, awright?
    I’ve gotta get rid of these
    damn kids as it is. I don’t
    need you lot messin’ me about
    on top of it, awright? ​

    Prynn and Rena exchange alarmed looks – he’s talking about them. That can’t be good. And then there’s a GROWL. Scared, breath catching, the girls slowly turn and see... the flurble, looming out of the darkness under the stairs, looking right at them with eyes burning and jaws drooling, like some classic horror movie monster. Prynn and Rena squeak in fear, and back away towards the stairs.

    LEBIKOW
    Who’s there? ​

    Lebikow appears in the doorway, anxious he might have been overheard. He sees the girls cowering from the flurble...

    PRYNN
    (voice shaking)
    Sorry, it’s just us. We were
    heading out to get some food. ​

    RENA
    And some fresh clothes.​

    PRYNN
    Looks like we disturbed your
    friend here. ​

    Lebikow’s chuckle is both relieved and yet sinister.

    LEBIKOW
    I told yer not to upset him. ​

    PRYNN
    Or we’ll get flamped, yes, we
    know. We’ll just be on our way. ​

    Prynn and Rena skitter over to the front door, avoiding the snarling flurble, and get out of there quick as they can. Lebikow watches them go, scowling...


    32 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

    Shar is huddled in the armchair, the blanket pulled up over his head. Nog is moving around the room, tidying the beds, opening the curtains, chatting away cheerily.

    NOG
    I was trying to impress the
    older cadets, convince them I
    could do anything they could.
    So I agreed to go drinking
    with them at the 602 Club.
    Boy, was that a mistake. ​

    SHAR
    Nog...?​

    NOG
    Yes? ​

    SHAR
    I appreciate you trying to
    take my mind off things, but
    please... shut up. ​

    The door opens and Prynn and Rena enter, carrying armfuls of shopping. They also look rather anxious. Jake emerges from the bathroom, having freshened up as best he can.

    RENA
    Prophets, how could you stand
    it in there? ​

    JAKE
    Nog went in first to open the window. ​

    NOG
    When you work for my uncle,
    you get used to bad smells. ​

    Prynn hands packages of clothes to Nog.

    PRYNN
    I think we have a problem.
    Here, put these on. ​

    As they talk, the four of them take the clothes packages and begin to get changed - bland and shapeless sweatsuits like Lebikow wears, only cleaner. They move back and forth to the bathroom as needed. Rena also sets up packages of Wadi fast food and drink on a table, to Nog’s delight.

    NOG
    Ooh, snacks! ​

    PRYNN
    On the way out, we overheard
    Lebikow talking to someone. He
    was trying to sell them some-
    thing over the comm. Something
    that sounded like it was worth
    a lot of money. He definitely
    didn’t want to be overheard. ​

    RENA
    We think it’s the runabout. ​

    JAKE
    Really? That seems a bit far-
    fetched. There must be all
    kinds of shady deals going on
    in a town like this. But we
    just happen to end up in the
    hotel of the guy who stole our
    ship? I don’t know. You only
    need to look at him to see he’s
    hardly a criminal mastermind. ​

    NOG
    (around food)
    Don’t be so sure, Jake. Never
    mistake a soft shell for a soft
    centre. Rule of Acquisition
    number two-oh-seven. ​

    PRYNN
    Exactly. Besides, he said he
    was going to “get rid” of us. ​

    That certainly gets attention. Even Nog stops chewing.

    NOG
    “Get rid”? As in... kill? ​

    PRYNN
    Don’t know. But it sure didn’t
    sound like he was sending us
    off with a basket of puppies. ​

    JAKE
    (realizing)
    We’re in his way. This deal,
    whatever it is... it’s going
    down soon, and we’re a comp-
    lication he doesn’t need. ​

    Prynn and Rena nod anxiously. They agree.

    NOG
    Okay, so if he’s selling the
    runabout, he must be keeping
    it somewhere nearby. Maybe
    even right here at the hotel. ​

    Prynn turns to Shar, buried under his blanket.

    PRYNN
    Shar, can you feel anything?
    Any massive power signatures
    or subspace signals? ​

    SHAR
    Prynn, please... I can barely
    feel my face. ​

    They sag, disappointed. By now, the four of them have got dressed in their grey sweatsuits.

    RENA
    So what do we do? ​

    PRYNN
    We need help. I think we need
    to go back to the police. ​

    NOG
    Okay... Good idea. Let’s go.​

    He shoves in a last mouthful of food...

    SHAR
    (under blanket)
    I’ll just stay here and die. ​

    The other four leave...


    33 INT. WADI POLICE STATION

    On Inspector Munad, sat at his desk again. Prynn, Jake, Rena and Nog are across from him, in their grey sweatsuits.

    MUNAD
    Are you serious? That’s your
    evidence? That you overheard
    a conversation? ​

    PRYNN
    He’s clearly up to something
    illegal, Inspector. ​

    MUNAD
    And you just assume it’s to
    do with your missing ship. ​

    JAKE
    Don’t you think it’s too much
    of a coincidence that he was
    trying to sell something so
    big and expensive just after
    our runabout gets stolen? ​

    MUNAD
    I’ve already told you, things
    get stolen here all the time.
    I also already told you I don’t
    have time for this. ​

    NOG
    You don’t have time to do your
    job? Inspector – ​

    MUNAD
    Listen to me. Farns Lebikow is
    nothing. He’s a greasy lowlife
    who lucked into that hotel on
    a bet, and he’s spent every
    day since running it into the
    ground. He’s not worth my time
    or yours, and he’s certainly
    not involved in any conspiracy
    to steal ships from gullible
    foreigners. So please stay out
    of what doesn’t concern you.
    (beat)
    Now if you’ll kindly get out of
    my office, I have work to do. ​

    He puts his head down and gets back to work, ignoring them. On the gang’s astonished faces...


    34 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

    Shar remains curled up in his armchair, alone, covered over by the ratty blanket. He groans gently, suffering the universe’s worst hangover. But then his antennae perk up, moving about under the blanket. They turn one way and then the other, as if searching for something.

    Concerned, he slowly drags the blanket off his head. And instantly recoils from the not-even-that-bright daylight.

    SHAR
    Ohhhh... by Uzaveh...​

    But he’s definitely sensed something. He frowns trying to concentrate, his antennae still searching. He gradually manoeuvres himself to stand, trying to clarify what he’s sensing. After a moment, his eyes widen in alarm.


    35 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Prynn, Rena, Jake and Nog enter the hotel through the main door. They’re disappointed, frustrated, annoyed.

    PRYNN
    Alright, so that plan’s a bust. ​

    Nog stops, listens.

    NOG
    You guys hear that? ​

    RENA
    I don’t hear anything. ​

    NOG
    Exactly. There’s nobody here.
    Lebikow must be out. I can’t
    even hear that stupid flurble
    monster thing. ​

    JAKE
    This is our chance. ​

    RENA
    Chance to what? ​

    JAKE
    Snoop. ​

    He starts creeping towards the office.

    NOG
    Jake! ​

    But Jake ignores his friend’s warning.


    36 INT. HOTEL – OFFICE

    Jake creeps into the office, which is deserted. There’s a half-drunk beer and a half-eaten alien burger equivalent on the desk. The flurble’s pile of filthy rags is empty.

    JAKE
    Come on, guys. There must be
    something here that’ll give
    us a clue. ​

    He begins hunting through the loose papers. Reluctantly, the others join in.

    RENA
    I don’t like this, Jake. It
    feels wrong. ​

    PRYNN
    Not as wrong as being killed.
    (re paper)
    Hey – here’s something. This
    looks like financial records. ​

    NOG
    Gimme that. ​

    He takes the pages off Prynn and begins to inspect them.

    JAKE
    You can’t possibly know how to
    read Wadi. ​

    NOG
    Financial records are basically
    the same the galaxy over. All I
    need is the grand total... here!
    This shows his account over the
    last year. He’s in huge debt...
    (checks; realizes)
    ...to the casino. ​

    PRYNN
    He’s a gambler. ​

    NOG
    Yup. And not a very good one,
    apparently. ​

    JAKE
    That explains why he needs the
    money so bad. ​

    RENA
    Bad enough to kill for it? ​

    And then the GROWL comes again. They tense, turn to the door... and there’s the flurble, filling the doorway, hackles raised and teeth bared.

    PRYNN
    Ruh-oh. ​


    FADE OUT:


    END OF ACT THREE

    .
     
  7. DS9Continuing

    DS9Continuing Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Location:
    Manchester
    .

    ACT FOUR


    FADE IN:


    37 INT. HOTEL – OFFICE

    The flurble prowls a few slow steps into the room, closing in on them. Dropping the papers, the gang backs away. They hit the desk behind them. Nowhere to go.

    RENA
    What do we do? ​

    JAKE
    I’ve got it. Get ready to run. ​

    Jake moves his hand slowly to the desk, careful not to startle the flurble. He grabs the half-eaten burger, and lobs it across the room towards the flurble’s pile of rags in the corner. The flurble is torn – burger or strangers?

    Eventually, its flaring nostrils get the better of it, and it rushes to its bed to eat the burger. Our gang take their chance and rush out of the room.


    38 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

    Jake, Nog, Prynn and Rena rush into the room and slam the door behind them. Prynn checks the armchair – it’s empty.

    PRYNN
    (worried)
    Shar?​

    Shar emerges from the bathroom, wearing his grey sweatsuit. He’s looking a little better, but still pretty rough.

    NOG
    Hey, you’re up! ​

    SHAR
    Yes, I am. But I still have
    a warp core breach going on
    inside my skull, so please try
    not to shout. Or eat anything. ​

    PRYNN
    Okay, so we know Lebikow’s in
    debt. That gives him motive. ​

    JAKE
    But we still don’t know for
    certain he even stole the ship. ​

    SHAR
    Actually, yes, we do. While you
    were out, my antennae finally
    cleared up enough for me to
    start sensing fields again. ​

    NOG
    And you sensed something? ​

    SHAR
    A very big something. Down in
    the basement. It’s a little
    muddy, but it certainly feels
    big enough to be the runabout. ​

    JAKE
    I don’t doubt your senses, Shar.
    But I still think it’s a pretty
    big coincidence that we end up
    staying at this exact hotel. ​

    RENA
    Maybe it’s not a coincidence. ​

    PRYNN
    Yes!
    (clarifies)
    No!
    (confused)
    What? ​

    RENA
    The Inspector specifically sent
    us to this hotel, right? He gave
    Nog the directions. And he flat
    out refused to help us find the
    ship, or to listen to what we
    overheard about Lebikow. ​

    JAKE
    Are you saying the Inspector’s
    in on it? ​

    NOG
    It makes sense. Somebody had
    to get through the security
    on the runabout. A policeman
    would know how to do that. ​

    PRYNN
    (getting it)
    And then when we started asking
    questions, he sent us here and
    told Lebikow to “get rid” of us. ​

    JAKE
    Oh, hell. Munad’s the brains,
    Lebikow’s the hatchet man. ​

    PRYNN
    Uh-huh. So what do we do? ​

    Jake stops to think it all through in his mind.

    JAKE
    Okay – here’s the plan. ​


    CUT TO:


    39 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

    Shar, Prynn and Nog creep down the corridor, trying not to make any noise, and keeping a wary eye out for the flurble.

    JAKE (v.o.)
    Shar, we need you to pinpoint
    exactly where this sensation
    is that you’re sensing. And
    we need to do it now, before
    Lebikow comes home. ​

    Shar pauses, concentrates on what his antennae are sensing, and then beckons Prynn and Nog to follow him.


    40 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

    A different corridor in this cavernous maze of a hotel. Jake and Rena creep down it, equally quiet and furtive.

    RENA (v.o.)
    But that animal’s still out
    there. The flurble, or what
    ever you call it. ​

    NOG (v.o.)
    Right. He’s probably guarding
    the runabout while his daddy’s
    out of the house. ​

    JAKE (v.o.)
    Exactly. So some of us need to
    distract it, while the others
    find the ship. ​

    PRYNN (v.o.)
    I’ll take that job. ​


    41 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Prynn, Shar and Nog creep down the stairs.

    SHAR (v.o.)
    Prynn, are you sure? You could
    get hurt. ​

    PRYNN (v.o.)
    I faced down a crazy Jem’Hadar
    and I’m still standing. I’ll be fine. ​

    They reach the bottom of the stairs.

    NOG (v.o.)
    So how do we distract it? ​


    42 INT. HOTEL – BEDROOM

    Jake smiles victoriously.

    JAKE
    The same way I did. ​

    Jake goes over to the table and grabs the last remaining burger there. He holds it out. Shar flinches away.

    JAKE
    Shar couldn’t eat his burger.
    He’s still too hung over. But
    the flurble? He loves them. ​

    NOG
    Aww. I was gonna eat that. ​


    43 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Nog holds the burger in front of him, wafting it around. Shar is concentrating on his antennae...

    SHAR
    Definitely the basement. My
    head’s a little clearer now. ​

    PRYNN
    We need to find the demon
    guard dog first. ​

    NOG
    Heeeeere, flurble flurble!
    Come get the tasty... stuff! ​

    But there’s no response. That only makes them more worried. It’s out there somewhere. They turn away from the foyer and head down one of the other corridors leading off it.


    44 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

    Nog, Prynn and Shar skulk down the corridor, dingy and deserted. Nog is ahead, holding out the burger for the flurble. Prynn and Shar hover back, keeping watch.

    SHAR
    Prynn... I want to explain.
    My behaviour last night. ​

    PRYNN
    You sure weren’t the usual
    shy and sheepish Shar. ​

    SHAR
    No, and there is a reason for
    it. You saved my life, Prynn. ​

    PRYNN
    (awkward)
    We don’t need to talk about
    that if you don’t want, Shar.
    Certainly not right now. ​

    SHAR
    No, I want to. I came back to
    the station for you, Prynn. You
    rejected me. That hurt, but I
    understood your reasons. Still,
    the feelings didn’t go away. ​

    PRYNN
    Shar, please... not now. ​

    SHAR
    And then on the Defiant... you
    risked your life to save mine.
    That proved to me that you had
    feelings for me too. But you
    were still right. As much as I
    wanted to be with you, I felt
    I would be betraying Th-​

    Before he can finish the word, there’s a GROWL. All three of them stop, worried. The flurble is somewhere nearby.

    Nog is shaking with fear. He tosses the burger down the corridor. It lands just at the edge of the weak lighting. The GROWL comes again, and the flurble stalks forward out of the darkness. It sniffs at the burger on the ground.

    NOG
    Go on... eat it, you mangy - ​

    The flurble’s head snaps up, and its eyes pinpoint Nog.

    CLOSE-UP

    NOG
    Eep. ​

    The flurble GROWLS louder, ignoring the burger... and then it bursts forwards, running right at them. Prynn garbs hard onto Nog and Shar’s arms...

    PRYNN
    Let’s skedaddle! ​

    She drags them by their arms and they set off running back down the corridor, the snarling flurble hot on their heels.


    45 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Nog, Shar and Prynn dash back into the foyer and sprint up the stairs. The flurble comes pounding after them, taking two or three steps at a time, BARKing furiously. As it passes, Jake and Rena poke their heads around the corner of Lebikow’s office doorway, seeing the flurble chasing their friends.

    JAKE
    Go! ​

    Jake and Rena bolt out from cover and head down the same corridor the others just came from.


    46 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

    Nog, Prynn and Shar pelt down the corridor...

    ALL
    Aaaaaaaaahhhhh! ​

    The flurble comes galloping after them...

    FLURBLE
    Rraaaaarrrrr! ​


    47 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

    Jake and Rena find a set of steps heading downwards, much simpler than the grand staircase in the foyer. Clearly this must be the basement. They head down into the darkness.


    48 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

    Nog has stretched ahead of the others, emitting the ear-piercing Ferengi SQUEAL as he runs...

    NOG
    Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! ​

    Shar is lagging behind a bit, still the worse for wear. Out of breath, looking as grey as his sweatsuit.

    PRYNN
    Shar, come on! ​

    SHAR
    I can’t... I don’t... ​

    The flurble rounds a corner and comes after them again, GROWLing and BARKing, saliva flying from its toothy jaws. Shar puts on an extra burst, against his body’s protests.


    49 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Nog, Prynn and Shar rush down the stairs, the flurble in hot pursuit. At the bottom they turn the other way, away from the basement steps...


    50 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

    Dark stone passages, none of the formerly fancy woodwork or lighting of the upstairs rooms. Jake and Rena rush down the passage, hunting for something...

    JAKE
    Just like when we were stealing
    from the Drang...​

    RENA
    The what? ​


    51 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Nog, Prynn and Shar come back around to the staircase, having circled back on themselves. They quickly head back up the stairs again. Nog is still SQUEALing, Shar still GROANing. The flurble comes galloping after, still barking and slavering...


    52 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

    Jake and Rena stop at a pair of large doors, tied together with a heavy iron chain and a large padlock.

    RENA
    Is this it? ​

    JAKE
    I don’t know. I think so. Why
    else have such a big lock? ​

    RENA
    How do we get in? ​

    Jake takes a deep breath, and starts kicking out hard at the doors, trying to break the chain by sheer force.

    KICK. And KICK. And KICK.


    53 INT. HOTEL – CORRIDOR

    Nog, Prynn and Shar run. The flurble chases.

    They turn a corner. They run. It chases.

    They turn another corner and keep running. The flurble turns the corner too and keeps chasing.

    But as they run, they realize something with horror.

    NOG
    Uh-oh. ​

    PRYNN
    Dead end. ​

    They keep running as far as they can. But the end of the corridor is approaching. Finally, that’s it. They can’t go any further. They stop, and look back.

    The flurble is at the other end of the corridor, waiting, enjoying. It knows they’re trapped.

    Shar is breathing hard, holding his head in one hand and his stomach in the other. Prynn prepares to stand her ground. Nog is terrified of the rabid animal.

    NOG
    Can we fight it? ​

    SHAR
    Nog... I don’t feel...​

    NOG
    We’re completely frinxed. ​

    PRYNN
    We’re not just frinxed.
    (beat)
    We’re flamped. ​

    The flurble launches off and charges straight for them.

    SHAR

    begins to retch, his stomach revolting...

    FLURBLE

    pounds down the corridor towards them...

    PRYNN AND NOG

    tense, scared but preparing to fight...

    FLURBLE

    is nearly on top of them...

    SHAR

    unable to control his stomach any more... and he lurches forwards and VOMITS hard. Streams of foul green material pour out of him, landing with a SPLAT and a HISS on the ground. Noxious green gas billows off the piles of vomit...

    ...and the running flurble screeches to a halt, barely inches away from the pile, its rear legs catching up to its front legs. It instantly turns and pelts down the corridor the other way, mewling and squeaking pathetically.

    FLURBLE
    Meep! Meep! Meep! ​

    The flurble runs and runs until it disappears back around the corner, its horrified squeal audible as it retreats. Prynn and Nog are amazed and thrilled to have been saved.

    NOG
    Shar! You saved us! With vomit! ​

    Yay! Until the smell hits them too. Oh, that’s bad.


    54 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

    Jake KICKS and KICKS at the door...

    ...until the chain finally SNAPS and the doors swing open. And inside, there it is – the runabout. Powered up and lights twinkling. A gorgeous technological marvel. The most beautiful sight in the galaxy right now.

    JAKE
    Yes! ​

    RENA
    Oh, thank the Prophets. ​

    BONK

    Jake and Rena both stop, stunned, and collapse forwards to the ground. Revealing behind them...

    ...Lebikow, holding a metal pipe in each hand, having just knocked them both on the heads. As he glowers down at their unconscious bodies...


    BLACK OUT:


    END OF ACT FOUR

    .
     
  8. DS9Continuing

    DS9Continuing Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Location:
    Manchester
    .


    ACT FIVE


    FADE IN:


    55 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

    Jake and Rena jerk awake, finding themselves sat together on the ground, back to back, four wrists tied with rope between them. The runabout is next to them. Lebikow is looming over them. He seems oddly nervous.

    LEBIKOW
    You damn meddlin’ kids had to
    mess me about, di’nt yer? All
    I was trynna do was make a bit
    o’ money...​

    Jake and Rena struggle against the ropes...

    JAKE
    By stealing our ship? ​

    LEBIKOW
    What yer on about? ​

    RENA
    This is our ship, you idiot! ​

    LEBIKOW
    I don’t know whose ship it is.
    It just looked like a good’n. ​

    JAKE
    So you didn’t even know whose
    ship you’d stolen? And you
    were going to kill us anyway? ​

    LEBIKOW
    (shocked)
    What? No! I ain’t gonna kill
    no-one! I just wanted to sell
    t’ship, awright? And I would’a
    got away wi’ it, too, if you
    damn kids hadn’t insisted on
    messin’ me about. ​

    RENA
    I heard you say you were going
    to “get rid of us.” ​

    LEBIKOW
    (amazed)
    Yeah, by kicking you out o’
    hotel. I don’t kill people! ​

    JAKE
    Oh. Well. Okay then. ​

    LEBIKOW
    But I can’t let you go either.
    At least not until me fence
    gets here. If I don’t sell
    this ship, I’ll lose th’hotel.
    And me baby won’t have a home. ​

    RENA
    Your baby? ​

    LEBIKOW
    Yeah. The flurble, or wh’ever
    you call ‘im. He’s my baby. ​

    Lebikow sniffles with sentiment over his pet. Rena and Jake would almost be touched... if they weren’t tied up.

    CRASH

    The large double doors at the far end of the basement burst open and half a dozen Wadi POLICE rush in, weapons drawn. Leading the way is none other than Munad himself. Lebikow squeaks in shock and drops the metal pipes, his hands flying up. Munad strolls smugly up to him.

    MUNAD
    Farns Lebikow. By the authority
    of the Wadi Inspectorate, I,
    Sherbic Munad, hereby place
    you under arrest, on charges
    of theft, handling of stolen
    goods, and colluding with known
    criminal elements. You have the
    right to argue in your own
    defence, and if you choose not
    to do so, it may be taken as
    an admission of guilt.
    (to officers, re
    Jake & Rena)
    Untie them. ​

    The officers move to do so...

    CRASH

    The first set of doors burst open, and Nog, Prynn and Shar rush in. Jake and Rena are untied and standing now.

    NOG
    Get away from them, “Inspector.”
    We know you were in on this
    whole plot from the start. ​

    LEBIKOW
    What? No he weren’t. ​

    PRYNN
    (confused)
    He wasn’t? ​

    LEBIKOW
    No! Of course not. He’s the
    Inspector, in’t he? You kids
    have some strange ideas. ​

    RENA
    But if you’re not part of the
    plan, then why did you send
    us to this hotel? ​

    MUNAD
    As my spies.​


    55 EXT. WADI HOMEWORLD SURFACE – LATE NIGHT

    The massive car park of the casino complex. Lebikow creeps between the parked shuttles, hiding in their shadows, trying to decide which one to steal. When he gets to the Rio Grande, he likes what he sees. He pulls out a device, furtively holds it up to the hatch. After a while of bleeps and flashing lights, the hatch disengages and begins to slide open.

    Over the above:

    MUNAD (v.o.)
    I knew Lebikow was in debt to
    the casino. I am the Chief of
    Police there. I also knew he
    had friends in the criminal
    underground. Eventually, the
    two were bound to connect.
    And then I got my chance. ​


    56 INT. WADI POLICE STATION

    Our gang’s first meeting with Munad. As the scene plays MOS underneath:

    MUNAD (v.o.)
    You told me you were from the
    Federation. I’ve heard of
    Starfleet. I needed a plant
    inside the hotel, and I knew
    that the best way to get you
    to investigate for me was to
    tell you exactly not to do it.
    And it worked. ​


    57 INT. HOTEL – FOYER

    Prynn and Rena overhear Lebikow on the comm...

    MUNAD (v.o.)
    You told me Lebikow had been
    chasing up his contacts, eager
    to sell the ship. That meant
    the rendezvous was soon. And
    he would lead us right to them. ​


    58 INT. HOTEL – BASEMENT

    Where Munad is explaining the whole plot. Jake realizes...

    JAKE
    Lebikow’s not the one you want.
    He’s just a middle man. It’s
    the gang you’re really after. ​

    MUNAD
    Correct. And now we’ve got them.
    Their ship entered orbit half an
    hour ago. Take him away, boys. ​

    RENA
    Hold on. There’s something I
    want to say to him first. ​

    LEBIKOW
    What’s that, darlin’? ​

    Rena steps towards him, looks him in the face... and then KICKS him square in the unmentionables. He crumples over, gasping and groaning. Our gang look at Rena in amazement.

    RENA
    I hope I made myself clear. ​

    Jake beams at her, completely in love. The Wadi police drag the groaning Lebikow away in handcuffs.

    MUNAD
    I should thank you for your
    help. Your tenacity was very
    useful in my investigation. ​

    PRYNN
    Whatever. The important thing
    is we’ve got the ship back. ​

    They move towards the ship... Munad blocks their way.

    MUNAD
    Not so fast. This ship is a
    key piece of evidence in a
    criminal case. I can’t let
    you just fly it out of here. ​

    RENA
    What is the matter with you?!
    It’s our ship! ​

    MUNAD
    You need some anger management
    classes, young lady. ​

    RENA
    I don’t need anger management
    classes. You need shut-the-
    hell-up classes. ​

    NOG
    Hold on, you guys. I think I
    know what’s going on here.
    He wants us to negotiate. ​

    MUNAD
    (smug smile)
    I said you were smart kids. ​

    They all turn to look at Nog. He grits his teeth.


    59 INT. RUNABOUT – COCKPIT

    Shar and Prynn are in the cockpit of the ship, putting everything straight. There’s kind of an awkward tension between them. Prynn isn’t sure what to say...

    PRYNN
    Shar... if you want to talk
    about things... now that the
    crisis is over...​

    SHAR
    What you said the other day,
    at the subspace relay... Do
    you really believe people can
    come back from the dead? ​

    Prynn stops, realising this is a delicate subject.

    PRYNN
    Do you want me to be honest?
    Or comforting? ​

    SHAR
    I would prefer honesty. Even
    if it is not easy for me. ​

    She approaches him at the rear of the cabin, but keeps a polite distance for now.

    PRYNN
    Honestly, Shar... no I don’t.
    Oh, I know, Starfleet reports
    are full of tales of people
    supposedly coming back from the
    beyond after all hope had been
    lost. Ambassador Spock, Captain
    Scott, even Captain Sisko. But
    in every one of those cases,
    there was some fantastical
    scientific loophole for the
    dead person to escape through.
    Regenerating radiation, trans-
    porter tricks, wormhole aliens.
    They were never really dead. ​

    She takes a gentle step closer. He’s very aware of her. He doesn’t look at her... can’t quite handle it yet.

    PRYNN (cont)
    But if a person has really,
    truly died, no ifs, ands or
    buts... then no. I don’t
    believe they’ll ever come
    back. I’m sorry. ​

    He finally looks up at her. Prynn takes a step closer.

    PRYNN
    That’s part of why I live my
    life the way I do. If you don’t
    grab an opportunity when it’s
    given to you, you may not get
    a second shot. ​

    Shar takes a hesitant step. They are now close, in each other’s personal space. Shar is quietly emotional, not sure whether to go through with this. Prynn wants to comfort him, take care of him.

    SHAR
    Then... you believe in taking chances? ​

    PRYNN
    I do. ​

    Finally they are close enough – they both slowly lean closer... and they kiss. Gently and tentatively at first, getting gradually more intense.

    Then Shar pulls back suddenly with a worried look.

    SHAR
    Urp. ​

    He puts his hand to his mouth, his eyes flare, and he dashes off screen towards the rear cabin. Prynn sighs.


    60 EXT. WADI STREETS – EARLY EVENING

    Nog, Jake and Rena walk along the street. They all have their combadges back on, and Nog is griping from having to give up his money.

    JAKE
    Nog, look at it like this.
    You came with no money, and
    you left with no money. You
    broke even. That’s fine. ​

    NOG
    (harrumph)
    Only a hew-mon would call
    giving away all your profit “fine.” ​

    RENA
    Well, I certainly appreciate
    it, Nog. With the ship back,
    we can finally head home and
    I can never leave again. ​

    JAKE
    (worried)
    Was it really that bad? ​

    RENA
    Oh, I’m only kidding. Mostly.
    I did ask for an adventure,
    and I guess I got one. ​

    The sound of a POLICE SIREN breaks out, echoing somewhere in the distance. They hear it and raise their eyebrows...

    JAKE
    Sounds like Inspector Munad
    is on the trail of another
    dastardly evil-doer. ​

    NOG
    Yeah, with a pocket full of
    my money. ​

    The sound of shouting, hurried VOICES somewhere nearby... Rena frowns. Maybe it’s bigger than they thought.

    RENA
    Maybe it’s this criminal gang
    he was talking about. Do you
    think it’s safe? ​

    NOG
    It’s none of our business, like
    Munad said. Let’s just get back
    to the ship and head home. ​

    They turn a corner into another adjoining street...

    And see three figures running towards them, fast. They’re being chased by something or someone, we don’t see what. The three strangers almost run right into our heroes. And as they screech to a halt, the leader gapes in surprise...

    DEZ
    Jake? ​

    Jake stops in surprise...

    JAKE
    Dez?​

    And it is – it’s DEZ, the captain of the Even Odds. With him are his scantily clad Wadi first officer FACITY, and a human-looking teenage girl of about 14, named MEERA (who we haven’t seen before). Dez is so surprised to see Jake that he pretty much forgets why they were running.

    DEZ
    Jake, what are you doing here? ​

    But before Jake can answer, more figures arrive – the ones chasing after Dez. Wadi police, half a dozen of them, led by none other than Munad. They surround Dez’s group and Jake’s group alike, all armed and ready to use it. The Inspector has his gun out, pointing it right at Dez.

    MUNAD
    Zin Dezovrim, Facity Sleedow...
    You’re under arrest. ​

    Dez and Facity grit their teeth – caught.

    Ending on Jake, Nog and Rena’s shocked faces...


    BLACK OUT:


    END OF SHOW


    .
     
  9. Wally

    Wally Lieutenant Commander Red Shirt

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2009
    Zoiks! It's finally back. :)

    Huh, what a complete tonal shift from the previous episodes, but I guess we were due for something light. I have to admit I've never really been a fan of Scooby Doo (I know, I know- everyone flame me) so the homages to that series aren't a huge deal for me.

    But what is interesting is that once again character interactions are spot on, and unlike many serialized fan fiction stories- this continues having the pattern of each episode having a beginning, middle, and end. They can all function as standalone episodes just like the TV series, but woven through them are continuing and developing plotlines.

    I always liked Shar, and though I know that sometime before 'Paths of Disharmony' that his relationship with Prynn will end; I'm very curious to see how it develops.

    Also I appreciate he fact that no matter how lovable the Even Odds crew is, they still are criminals (the good kind, I suppose) and at a certain, it really is time to pay the piper. Be curious to see how they eek their way out of this mess. Always liked that bunch.

    One last thing...you forgot the best part of the homage. The inn keeper should have had his face ripped off and shown that it was mask- and maybe to have a twist on it, for the mask to cover up that he really is a ghost or some twisted monster. ;)

    In any case. Another enjoyable episode, and I look forward to the next.
     
  10. Enterprise1981

    Enterprise1981 Vice Admiral Admiral

    Joined:
    Oct 23, 2008
    Location:
    Tethered to a large plant
    I never really followed "Scooby Doo", but I instantly recognized the similarities once I realized it. For some the reason, the first clue was the utterance of "Ruh-oh". The gothic inn should have also been a clue.

    I love how someone says that nothing could possibly go wrong before everything does go wrong. And it's about time, they see the Rio Grande as their "lucky runabout".
     
  11. DS9Continuing

    DS9Continuing Rear Admiral Rear Admiral

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2001
    Location:
    Manchester
    I started planning this project almost two years ago, so yeah, it's been quite an investment. I started doing the adaptations of the existing DS9-R books more than five years ago. And I'm not done yet, obviously.


    It occurred to me a while ago that - even though DS9 was known for having the most comedy episodes of all the series - there hadn't been a single comedy "episode" in the entire DS9-R (covering Avatar to The Soul Key). That's two whole "seasons of TV" without a single comedy episode.

    The nearest things we've got are the gentle romantic storylines - Quark and Ro in Twilight by DRG3 (which I adapted as 8x16 "Baby Steps"), and Jake and Rena in Fragments and Omens by J Noah Kym (which I adapted as 9x03 "Waiting for the Mist to Clear"). But neither of those were comedy - just light. Everything else has been drama-horror-scifi-action. So I thought it was high time we had a flat-out comedy episode.

    I'd also always been intrigued by the idea that we now have what I described as a "DS9 Junior Heroes" group in the cast - the teenagers, almost, as opposed to the grown-ups like Sisko, Kira and Vaughn. And I wanted to do something with that. Nog had mentioned the concept in passing to Prynn in the Gamma story of Lesser Evil by Robert Simpson (which I adapted as 8x22 "Greater Good") in the sense of "isn't it interesting how we're all the children of important people." But nothing was really done with it. So I wanted to really play with the idea, and see what the kids could get up to when the grown-ups weren't around.

    And that's when the concept of turning the Rio Grande into the Mystery Machine jumped out at me.


    Well thank you again, and I did put a fair bit of effort into constructing the season exactly as you describe. I don't think any of the DS9 characters match up exactly to the Scooby-Doo characters, but it's close enough to get a chuckle out of it. I actually really enjoyed writing this - there were quite a few comedy lines I came up with that I ended up not using. I may find a place for them later...


    One of the reasons I decided to bring Shar back to the station - even though Paths of Disharmony had established that he never returned - was precisely so that I could have him available for this story. I thought there was more to play with the Prynn situation, and Shar has always been so dour and emo that we never really saw the comic potential in him. Who better to get completely trashed off his face than the emotionally withdrawn and serious teenage nerd character?

    Plus, I just love the gag of putting balls of tinsel on his antenna so that they look like beeny-boppers. I still giggle at that even now. :lol:


    There's definitely more to come from those lovable scamps.


    Oh, I tried! I tried to work out a way to work that in, but I just couldn't seem to make it fit. Being chased up and down corridors by a monster will have to do :lol:


    I think I've even figured out a reason WHY the Rio Grande is always their lucky runabout. :devil:

    .