Chapter 4, Part 3

*the scene opens with the Danube exiting hyperspace above a planet. It begins its descent to the surface, and the scene cuts to the interior cabin. Gonick is piloting the vessel, Sparc is eating some kind of pudding, Saganami is sitting stoically, and Emma and Zero seem to be having a "sit and stare sullenly" contest. Gonick finally breaks the silence.*

Gonick: We'll be landing in a few minutes.

Saganami, nostalgically: Bellerophon. It's been a while.

Gonick: Yeah, thank God...

Saganami: What, you didn't enjoy school?

Gonick: Let's just say that school and I tolerated each other for exactly as long as necessary.

*the scene shifts to the Danube exterior, as it makes a landing on a roof-mounted landing pad. Cut to: Landing pad- exterior. Our party disembarks from their little ship, somewhat restless from their little trip. A man stands near the lift, and greets them as they walk up.*

Faculty: Hello there! Welcome to Bellerophon Academy! My name is Shimato, I'm the Dean of Students here.

Gonick: Hi there. I'm Gonick, this is Emma, Saganami, Sparc, and Zero Time.

Shimato: Pleased to meet you all. If you'll come this way, we can get down to business right away.

*Shimato leads Gonick and Company into the lift, and it descends.*

Gonick: Same old elevator...

Shimato: I was actually wondering about that. Are any of you Academy graduates?

Emma: Yeah, everyone but Rental Boy here...

Shimato: "Rental Boy"...?

Saganami: Don't ask, trust me on that. But yes. For four years, I dwelt, studied, fought, and slept within these walls. Ah, those were the days...

Gonick, annoyedly: Can the nostalgia, Saggy. We're not here to reminisce.

Saganami: Don't call me Saggy.

Elevator: Fifteenth floor. Faculty reception and Briefing Rooms.

Shimato, somewhat relieved for the interruption: This is our stop! Follow me.

*Shimato leads them out of the elevator and down a hall. They go through a door into a conference room, and take seats around the long table. Shimato sits at the head.*

Shimato: According to the transmission Marcus sent, you all gained Force powers, but can't yet harness them properly?

Sparc: Yes sir.

Shimato: Remarkable. There hasn't been a Force-sensitive born in milennia!

Sparc: Well, actually-

Emma, cutting him off: Yeah, it's dang spiffy. What's the plan?

Shimato: We've set up some of the sub-basement levels for your training,a s well as an outdoor course. You will have individual quarters in the Alumni Suites as well as access to the faculty mess.

Sparc: Faculty grub? And here I was just missing the Macaroni & Glue...

Gonick, with a hint of amusement: Cafeteria abominations aside, we really should get started.

Shimato: Of course. I'll show you to your rooms so you can stow your gear, then we'll go to the training facility. I think you'll be impressed.

*they get up, and leave the room.*

*scene ends*

*the next scene opens in a well-lit, yet windowless room. It is about a week or so later. Sparc is reading from a padd that he's levitating, Emma is practicing backflips, Gonick is stacking spheroids, and Saganami is shooting electric bolts at a target on the wall*

Emma: Ninety nine... one hundred! Hah! Not even sweating!

Sparc: We must be becoming accustomed to our Force attunement. It's increasing our agility, speed, mental acuity...

Saganami. hitting the bull's eye yet again: Accuracy...

Gonick, telekinetically placing the spheroids back in their box: Yeah, cool, isn't it? Here, watch this. I've been working on this...

*He stands in the middle of the room, his face a mask of concentration. Slowly, but surely, his feet begin to distance themselves from the floor. He gets to about a foot off the ground, but then loses his concentration. He then falls to the ground in an ungraceful heap.*

Gonick: Owww... my tuchus...

Emma, amused: So that's the source of all those late-night thumps from your room.

Saganami: Still, it's cool. Well done!

Sparc, helping Gonick back to his feet: Have any of you seen Zero lately?

Gonick: No. Last I heard, he was planning on helping train some of the more advanced students.

Emma: *harrumphs*

Saganami, changing the subject: Well, I don't know about any of you, but I'm famished. Anyone for food?

Gonick, rubbing his sore bottom: Sure. I hear they have Cream of Tomato soup today.

Sparc: As long as it's not student-feed.

Emma: Sure, why not?

*they exit the room, enter an elevator, and the scene ends.*

Chapter 4, Part 2

*the scene opens with the Danube docking at Timberwolf HQ. Cut to: HQ Interior, Common Room. Sparc is just finishing his report.*

Sparc: So as you can see, we have learned what we need to use the Force, and should be able to use the MacGuffin Stone.

Mick: MacGuffin Stone?

Emma: Gonick's name for the Rakatan artifact we need.

Dagobah: *chuckle*

Marcus: Didn't you mention something about a need to learn how to control these Force powers?

Sparc: Yes, we thought we should do that before going to get the Stone.

Marcus: I'm inclined to agree. There's a training facility for recruits on Bellerophon, you should go there.

Emma: We thought we should do it here.

Marcus: And you'd be right, if I hadn't heard of Gonick's encounter with a boulder back on Ossus. You're going to practice in a place very far from HQ.

Gonick, shuddering slightly: Good idea, boss.

Marcus: Yes, quite. Also, I'd like Zero Time to accompany you, he's a mercenary who happens to dislike Mr. Guido just about as much as we do, so he's working pro bono. He'll meet you at the ship.


Go to Bellerophon now, no time to waste. Chop chop!

*they disperse*

*scene ends*

*new scene opens in the hangar bay, the foursome approaching the runabout, with Zero leaning against the hull*

Zero Time: About time. I thought I'd have to go by myself.

Emma: Yeah, well, we had stuff to do, Rental Boy. We can't all be on our own schedules.

Saganami, aside to Gonick: "Rental Boy"?

Gonick, aside to Saganami: He's a merc. Emma dislikes mercs.

Saganami: Yeah, but "Rental Boy"? And why does she dislike mercs?

Gonick: I don't know. Go ask her.

Emma, loudly: You shrubs coming, or what?

Gonick and Saganami, in chorus: Yes, ma'am!

*they board the ship, and as it jumps into hyperspace, the scene ends*

Chapter 4, Part 1

*the scene opens in a dimly lit chamber, with a large window on one wall. Outside the window, a planet can be seen, but a star field dominates the view. In front of the window, there is a chair, though it resembles a throne more than anything. A black-clad figure approaches the chair.*

Gilgamesh, kneeling: I have returned, my Lord.

Seated Figure: Yes. But you have returned in failure.

Gilgamesh: Yes. I was unable to prevent their learning of the ways of the Force. They escaped.

Seated Figure: An unfortunate wrinkle in our plans. See to the troops, then check the droids.

Gilgamesh: But that is work for grunts!

Seated Figure: Then go do it before I give you work for slaves.

Gilgamesh, biting her tongue: Yes, my Lord.

*she leaves, and the view moves around to the front of the chair. The seated figure wears a hooded robe, and we see only enough of his face to see that it is Mr. Guido.*

*scene ends*