"Invasion of the Giant Bacteria"
LOGLINE: The evil Dr. Viper attacks Megakat Biochemical Labs with a multitude of giant bacteria monsters, which divide themselves each time they're hit.
© 2016 Kooshmeister
Written by:
Bill Hiers
1/23/16
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. BAYSIDE OIL REFINERY
Early evening. We open on an oil refinery located on the shores of Megakat Bay, across from the city which is visible in the distance. A sign reads: "KatCo Crude." The peaceful setting is disrupted when the refinery tanks suddenly explode one by one until the entire place is in flames. A two-engined purple fighter jet zooms through the smoke, a trio of Enforcer jets in pursuit.
ENFORCER PILOT (VO)
(filtered through radio)
There goes KatCo! That's the fifth one!
EXT. OVER THE OCEAN
The enemy fighter zooms across the bay, the Enforcers right on its tail, firing their lasers.
ENFORCER PILOT #2 (VO)
(through radio)
He's goin' for the Megakat Refinery next! We've gotta stop 'im!
The villain's jet turns around and flies back at them. It fires two missiles. One hits the Enforcer jet on the right, the second finds a target in the middle one. They crash smoking into the water.
ENFORCERS (VO)
(garbled screams)
The third Enforcer pilot turns in an effort to evade, but the purple jet zooms off in pursuit. Whoosh! A third missile is launched, hitting and destroying the Enforcer craft before it can escape. Its back end explodes and it spirals wildly out of control down into the water with a splash. Showing off, he does a barrel roll before turning and resuming his original course out across the bay.
EXT. OIL REFINERY
The Turbokat swings around the huge column of smoke. It zooms off across the open water to join the chase. In the cockpit are T-BONE and RAZOR. They don't look happy.
T-BONE
Does this wacko think he can he blow up every refinery in Megakat City?
Razor casts a glance back at the ruined refinery behind them.
RAZOR
(grim)
Well, I'd say he's doing a pretty good job so far.
EXT. OVER THE OCEAN
They pass over what's left of the Enforcer jets. Smoke still rises from the floating debris.
RAZOR
(getting mad)
And he shredded the Enforcers like an old scratchin' post! I don't see any survivors...
T-BONE
Guess it's up to us to kick this guy's tail!
Ahead, the enemy jet leaves the bay area and is now flying over the city. Gritting his teeth, T-Bone pushes the throttle forwards so he can gain on the other pilot.
EXT. SKIES OVER THE CITY
The Turbokat has three engines versus the other jet's two, so catching up to the other jet as they arrive over the city at the other end of the bay is no difficulty. The other pilot gives no indication of noticing or caring, however. His craft continues in a straight line, making no effort to evade them. The tops of tall buildings whizz by. In the Turbokat, T-Bone glances back at Razor.
T-BONE
Can you get a lock on him?
RAZOR
Working on it...
He bends forward over his targeting scope. There is a "beep" as he locks in on the enemy jet.
RAZOR
(to himself)
Gotcha!
(aloud)
Locked and loaded, T-Bone! One Octopus Missile, on its way!
He launches an Octopus Missile. It whizzes through the air towards the other jet, which continues on its present course as before.
T-BONE
I don't believe it. The sucker doesn't even see comin'!
Suddenly, just as the Octopus Missile is mere feet away, the purple fighter veers left hard, allowing the missile to zoom past its underside and zoom ahead of it, hitting the side of a building. It explodes, leaving a big hole.
SWAT KATS
(shocked)
Whoa!
T-BONE
He suckered us!
RAZOR
This guy must have eyes in the back of his head!
T-BONE
(angry)
No way, nobody's a better pilot than I am!
He punches the throttle, the faster Turbokat gaining on the other jet easily. He flips the Turbokat upside-down.
In the purple jet's cockpit, the pilot, MORBULUS, reacts without turning his head. He's a stocky, broad-shouldered kat with a neatly-trimmed beard, incongruously wearing a suit and tie. He's also wearing a pilot's helmet and flight goggles with red lenses in the front - and the back because he has a second pair of eyes in the back of his head, which is why he doesn't turn his head.
The upside-down Turbokat moves over him so they're canopy to canopy. T-Bone and Razor look down at him, and Morbulus looks up at them with his rear eyes.
T-BONE
(shocked)
Wow, look at that! He does have eyes in the back of his head!
MORBULUS
(evil laughter)
You'll have to do better than that, SWAT Kats, to take Morbulus by surprise!
He suddenly pilots his jet downward, into the city. T-Bone grins at the challenge.
T-BONE
Four-eyes wants to play a little canyon tag, huh? Well, let's play.
He maneuvers the Turbokat, zooming down after Morbulus' jet.
EXT. ZOOMING BETWEEN THE BUILDINGS
The SWAT Kats are right on Morbulus' tail as both jets zoom through the skyscrapers, dangerously close to the traffic and citizens, who run for cover as the jets fly over. The sides of the buildings fly by.
RAZOR
(concerned)
This is a little dangerous...
T-BONE
(through gritted teeth)
No way this is guy is as good as me! I'm gonna chase him down if it's the last thing I do! Just get another volley of missiles ready!
Razor shakes his head, but consults his scope and targets Morbulus' jet once again.
RAZOR
This time I'll get ya!
Morbulus smirks over his shoulder at his pursuers, then dodges by turning sideways so his wings are vertical, letting the missile hit and destroy a parked semi truck.
Razor pounds his controls with his fist, beginning to share T-Bone's disdain and anger.
RAZOR
Crud! There's just no way to hit this guy!
He angrily begins loading up every single Octopus Missile in the Turbokat's compliment, intent on firing so many at once not even Morbulus can dodge them all. He's so fixated on looking at his screen that he isn't paying attention as Morbulus pilots his jet upwards, going higher above the buildings. T-Bone follows.
EXT. SKIES OVER THE CITY
City Hall is visible in the distance. The two jets are flying in its general direction, but not exactly at it. T-Bone frowns. Behind him, Razor is still absorbed in his work.
T-BONE
(uneasy)
Uh, Razor...
RAZOR
(distracted)
In a second!
(muttering)
Third time's the charm...
He fires a barrage of about twelve Octopus Missiles, which all fly at the enemy fighter ahead.
RAZOR
(finally looking up)
Dodge that!
Only upon glancing up does Razor see the forest for the trees and see his mistake. Morbulus' rear set of eyes widen in fear as he sees so many missiles flying towards him and he banks left wildly... and the Octopus Missiles overshoot him completely and continue on towards City Hall.
RAZOR
Uh-oh....
INT. CITY HALL - MANX'S OFFICE
MAYOR MANX is on the phone. He looks very worried and his toupee is crooked as he paces back and forth in front of his desk, his expensive shoes threatening to wear a hole in his even more expensive carpet. In one hand, he holds a fountain pen.
MANX
Oh, Callie, it's just so awful. Our entire oil supply is going up in smoke thanks to that maniac.
CALLIE
(through phone)
Relax, Mayor, the SWAT Kats are handling him even as we speak.
Manx looks at a haphazardly strewn collection of papers covered in ink spatters and barely legible writing.
MANX
I can't concentrate on writing my speech for tomorrow's park dedication.
He shakes the pen in his hand, annoyed.
MANX
And this blasted pen isn't--
He's cut off as the entire building shakes from an unseen impact (the missiles hitting). An enormous jointed metal claw pierces through the wall of the office, startling him. He drops the phone as the pen spasms, spewing black ink everywhere, staining his suit. Dropping, it he grabs the phone and wails into it.
MANX:
--and I'm being attacked! Callie! Save me!
EXT. CITY HALL
City Hall now has a full compliment of Octopus Missiles bristling imbedded into its sides, looking like some kind of angry inverted porcupine with a clock.
EXT. SKIES OVER THE SKY
Morbulus' jet zips in and out of the city before turning and heading back out over the bay again.
EXT. OVER THE OCEAN
The villain's jet heads towards the Megakat Refinery, the only one he hasn't blown up yet. The SWAT Kats are still pursuing him, but at a more respectful distance.
RAZOR
(grumbling)
Great! He's headed right for another refinery!
(suddenly weary)
I'm out of ideas, buddy. How 'bout you?
T-Bone smirks.
T-BONE
I got a plan that might work.
He flies the Turbokat down into a cloud bank.
Morbulus watches them go with his rear eyes from his own cockpit.
MORBULUS
Ha! Those SWAT Wimps gave up.
He narrows his front eyes as he sights the refinery ahead.
MORBULUS
Now to give the Megakat Refinery a taste of my Morbulus Missiles!
The refinery grows ever nearer. He grins.
MORBULUS
The city will regret not paying me that ransom!
He flicks a switch and his targeting computer locks in on the facility, his thumb hovering menacingly over the firing button.
Underneath him, the Turbokat emerges from the clouds. It moves under his jet as it ever nearer to the refinery. He cannot see them. T-Bone glares up at the bottom of the other jet.
T-BONE
Let's see if you've got eyes under your head, punk.
(over his shoulder)
Okay, Razor. Now!
RAZOR:
A Cookie-Cutter should do the trick.
He launches a Cookie-Cutter Missile. Like the Octopus Missile, it resembles an ordinary missile until the sides fall away and a razor-edged metal circle unfolds and magnetically attaches itself to the underside of the other jet. The circle then begins rotating rapidly until it's spinning fast enough to bite through metal, and begins to cut through up into the cockpit
Morbulus' finger remains poised over the trigger but he hesitates, confused.
MORBULUS
Huh? What the--?!
Suddenly he drops down, through the bottom of the cockpit and right out of the aircraft, still sitting strapped into his seat and holding the steering stick.
RAZOR
Bingo!
All four eyes widened in uncomprehending surprise, Morbulus screams as he begins falling towards the water far below, discarding the steering stick and fumbling for the button that will activate his parachute.
The Sky Claw - big metal claw on the end of a very long cable - shoots out from beneath the Turbokat and grabbed the back of his seat with him still strapped into it, halting his descent suddenly. The Cookie-Cutter Missile and the circular section of metal it'd cut free land in the water with a distant splash.
T-Bone puts the Turbokat into VTOL mode and hovers there with Morbulus swnging beneath them.
T-BONE
Looks like we hooked a big one.
RAZOR
Yeah! He's a keeper!
Suddenly, Razor looks ahead and his eyes widen. He points offscreen.
RAZOR
Oh, no! T-Bone, look!
T-Bone turns and reacts to:
EXT. MEGAKAT REFINERY - DAY
A large-scale oil refinery like the KatCo one earlier. Morbulus' pilotless jet dives towards it. A group of Enforcer sedans (police cruisers used by the Enforcers) are driving towards it followed by Callie Briggs' own dark green sedan. They all skid to a halt as the jet hits nose-first and the refinery goes up in a monumental explosion that can be seen for miles. Debris rains in all directions.
The Turbokat approaches with Morbulus still hanging beneath.
T-BONE
(stunned)
Oops...
Below them, Morbulus, still strapped into his seat, cheers.
MORBULUS
(laughs)
Yeah! Burn, baby, burn!
Still laughing, he unbuckles himself and falls from his seat and into the water below. Unsuspecting, the two SWAT Kats are more worried about the consequences of today's adventure as T-Bone pilots the Turbokat towards the shore. Nobody onshore noticed Morbulus' dive, either, because they were too busy watching the explosion. Underwater, Morbulus starts taking his clothes off...
T-Bone flies the Turbokat towards the shore, still in hover mode. He opens the canopy so he and Razor can converse with CALLIE BRIGGS, who approaches with COMMANDER FERAL and several ENFORCER COMMANDOS. The refinery blazes spectacularly behind them.
FERAL
(yelling)
You hotshot jerks!
He turns and points at the burning destruction that used to be the Megakat Refinery.
FERAL:
You've destroyed the last refinery in the city!
T-BONE
Calm down, Feral. We got your guy.
He releases the Sky Claw, and Morbulus' empty seat thuds into the sand at Feral and Callie's feet.
FERAL
(snarls)
So where is he?
T-Bone is annoyed.
T-BONE
What are you talkin' about?
T-Bone leans over and looks down, as does Razor. T-Bone's annoyance quickly turns to confusion.
T-BONE
Uh...
RAZOR
(realizing)
Crud! He must've unbuckled himself!
FERAL:
You two are going to pay dearly for this!
T-Bone is suddenly overcome with the understandable desire to bug out of there as fast as he can. He starts talking very fast.
T-BONE:
Sorry, Feral, but I think Razor left something on the stove. Gotta run.
(waves)
Seeya, Ms. Briggs, sorry we didn't have time to chat!
He closes the canopy.
FERAL
Come back here!
The Turbokat rises up, the backwash blowing Callie's hair around and causing Feral's greatcoat to billow about his large frame. It rises up, then rockets off into the distance.
FERAL
One of these days I'm going to get those two.
Callie attempts to mediate.
CALLIE
At least they stopped Morbulus, Commander. The refineries can be rebuilt.
Feral glares at her.
FERAL
At what cost? With the Megakat Refinery destroyed, Manx may as well have paid this maniac for all the money this is going to cost Megakat City!
One of the commandos suddenly points offscreen.
COMMANDO #1
Commander Feral, look out there!
They look over, following his finger. What appears to be a body (Morbulus) is floating face-down in the water. Two of the commandos wade into the water, grab it and haul it ashore as Feral and Callie hurry over.
CALLIE
Be careful! He could still be dangerous!
COMMANDO #2
(sullen)
Yeah, if he was still here...
Callie gawks down at what they've pulled ashore: empty clothes put together to make it look like someone is still in them! Commando #2 holds up Morbulus' empty helmet.
COMMANDO #2
It's just his clothes, sir.
FERAL
I can see that!
COMMANDO #1
(stupefied)
He's naked somwhere!
Feral whirls to Callie, clenching his fists and gritting his teeth.
FERAL
If they'd held Morbulus until we arrived, that four-eyed freak would be in cuffs right now!
They hear the sound of approaching sirens and vehicle engines, turning. Fire engines along with some news vans drive up. Kat's Eye News' star field reporter ANN GORA gets out along with her cameraman, JONNY K., and several other REPORTERS. They stampede down the beach towards them. FIREMEN pile out of their trucks and begin unspooling their hoses to begin the unenviable task of attempting to douse the flames of the refinery.
FERAL
(pointing to himself)
I'll handle the press, Briggs.
He walks to meet the gaggle of microphones, camera lenses and flashing lights thrust into his face. The commandos follow him and flank him like bodyguards.
ANN
(eager)
Commander Feral, is this the end of the "refinery reign of terror?"
FERAL
In a manner of speaking...
Jonny and other cameramen turn their video cameras towards the burning refinery, then back to Feral. The reporters continue eagerly pressing. A very short ORANGE-HAIRED REPORTER wearing a polka-dotted tie stands on his tip toes to ensure his microphone reaches Feral's face.
ORANGE-HAIRED REPORTER
What about Morbulus? Do you have him in custody?
A taller BLACK-HAIRED REPORTER is next.
BLACK-HAIRED REPORTER
Yeah, Commander, do you have this wacko or what?
FERAL
(clears his throat)
Ahem, well, due to the valiant efforts of my Enforcers... and some minor assistance from the SWAT Kats... the evildoer known as Morbulus won't be destroying any more refineries any time soon.
A WHITE-HAIRED REPORTER wearing purple-tinted glasses shoves through the crowd suddenly.
WHITE-HAIRED REPORTER
You mean because this was the last one!
FERAL
(enraged)
Who said that?!
He scans the crowd. The reporter makes a sound and vanishes back into the anonymity of the group.
ORANGE-HAIRED REPORTER
What about Morbulus?
BLACK-HAIRED REPORTER
Yeah, where is he? And what about the SWAT Kats? Where were they in all this?
We pull back as the talking and arguing goes on as Feral is bombarded with questions. Callie is left alone. She loosens her tie a bit and sighs, staring down at Morbulus' empty clothing.
CALLIE
I just hope that's the last we'll see of Morbulus.
We pull back further and pan right to:
EXT. SEWER DRAIN PIPE
The sewer empties into the bay via a large drain pipe. Morbulus surfaces from the water. Far from naked, he swims ashore in a sleeveless undershirt and a pair of boxer shorts. He climbs inside the pipe. He looks at the burning refinery in the distance and the lights of all the Enforcer vehicles and fire trucks.
MORBULUS
(laughs)
I guess you could say I gave them the strip! No way I'm gonna see the inside of a prison cell!
He thumps his chest triumphantly. He suddenly hears a hiss echoing in the pipe behind him. Using his rear eyes, he sees a pair of glowing yellow eyes in the darkness. A rasping voice issues forth.
VOICE
I'll put you to much better ussse than that!
WIPE TO:
EXT. SALVAGE YARD - DAY
The Turbokat flies overhead, the secret panel in the ground opening to allow the jet to enter the secret SWAT Kats' secret hangar located underneath the salvage yard.
INT. HANGAR - DAY
After the Turbokat rises up into the main area of the hangar on its hydraulic platform. T-Bone pops the canopy, and both SWAT Kats hop out, taking off their helmets. Neither is in a particularly celebratory mood.
RAZOR
That didn't go too well...
T-BONE
Understatement of the year, right there.
They walk to their lockers, tossing their helmets inside. They remove their black masks and change clothes from their flight suits to mechanics' coveralls. T-Bone is now CHANCE FURLONG, and Razor is now JAKE CLAWSON.
JAKE
We destroyed half the city trying to catch this guy and he still gets away from us.
CHANCE
C'mon, let's head back up to the greasepit and get a couple cans of milk
They walk towards a ladder that leads upwards, and begin to climb.
INT. GARAGE - LIVING ROOM
They enter what can charitably be called the living room. Jake picks up the remote control for the TV but doesn't turn it on yet. Chance gets a couple of milk cans from the fridge, tossing one to Jake as he walks over. Jake catches it in his free hand.
JAKE
Gonna see what they have to say about it on the news.
(morose)
Nothing good, probably. Personally, I'd give us a three outta ten...
CHANCE
Are you gonna mope like this all night?
Chance's confidence is returning.
CHANCE
So that guy got away. Big deal. We at least kicked his tail and gave 'im somethin' to think about before he crawled off to hide under whatever rock he crawled out of!
He puts a beefy army around Jake's shoulders, hugging his buddy close.
CHANCE
He'll think twice before he tries tanglin' with the SWAT Kats again, huh?
JAKE
I guess you're right. Anyway, let's see what Kat's Eye News has to say about it.
He turns on an older model TV with the seemingly obligatory clothes hanger antenna. He flips through the channels until he catches sight of Commander Feral. It's currently muted. The Kat's Eye News logo is superimposed in the lower corner of the screen. In the background, the firefighting crews can be seen attempting to douse the flames of the still-burning refinery. Flashing intermittently is "Recorded Earlier."
CHANCE
Hey, there's Feral. And he looks like he hasn't hit the litterbox in a week!
Chance guffaws. Jake shakes his head and turns the volume up. The reporter with orange hair is the one interviewing Feral. He faces the camera while Feral looms behind him, looking impatient.
ORANGE-HAIRED REPORTER
(on TV)
I'm here with Commander Feral, who says that the so-called "refinery reign of terror" is over at last.
Turning, he holds his microphone out to Feral, who has to bend down slightly to talk into it.
FERAL
(on TV)
The villain known as Morbulus was defeated by the SWAT Kats, but at great cost. They destroyed the Megakat Refinery and even caused damage to City Hall!
ORANGE-HAIRED REPORTER
(on TV)
And what about Morbulus? The question on everyone's mind is do you have him in custody?
FERAL
(on TV)
Ha! Due to the interference of the SWAT Kats, this is all we have of Morbulus at the moment!
He holds up Morbulus' empty clothes for emphasis.
Chance growls, squeezing his unopened milk can. Beside him, Jake looks afraid that his friend will give himself an aneurysm or something.
CHANCE
Why, that lousy...
JAKE
Chance, calm down.
Feral's rant continues unabated.
FERAL
(on TV)
No one asked for their help, and they allowed a dangerous criminal to escape! Even if they mean well, surely they could be more careful! But they're aren't! They're reckless and irresponsible, and--
He's cut off as Chance hurls his can at the TV screen. The force of the impact shatters it. Jake, shocked, covers his eyes as sparks and little bits of glass fly everywhere. When Jake uncovers his eyes, the TV has a big hole where the screen used to be. Thin tendrils of smoke snake up out of it.
JAKE
Chance! What in the heck did you do that for?
CHANCE:
(chastened)
Sorry about that, Jake. I... just lost it there for a second. That jerk Feral really ticks me off sometimes.
JAKE
Well, the feeling's mutual I'm sure.
Jake sighs, tossing the now useless remote aside.
JAKE
Well, Morbulus is gone, and so's the TV.
CHANCE
Aw, can't you fix it, buddy?
JAKE
I can try. But it'll take a while.
A smirk comes over Jake's features. He takes on an air of casual, feigned sadness.
JAKE
Too bad. There was gonna be an all-night Scaredy-Kat marathon on tonight. Darn shame.
Chance looks stunned and disappointed.
FADE TO:
EXT. THE DEAD FOREST
Located deep in the heart of Megakat Swamp, the Dead Forest is a nasty, muddy, slimy, revolting place. Alligators, snakes, rats and other unpleasant creatures slither around in the fog-enshrouded wasteland. Close in on a gigantic, twisted tree, with windows through which light can be seen shining.
INT. DR. VIPER'S LAB
Morbulus (still in his underwear) is with DR. VIPER. He's short, thin and hunched-over with green and bluish green striped fur and crazy black spiked hair, naked save for a white lab coat that is at least three sizes too large for his thin frame. A long reptilian tail moves restlessly behind him. They're watching the same news report that Chance and Jake were, on a TV set suspended above Viper's worktable. Onscreen, Commander Feral is wringing his swagger stick as he talks.
FERAL
(on TV)
..and then when I finally get my hands on those two, I'm gonna--
The reporter is suddenly desperate to end the Commander's rant as quickly as possible.
ORANGE-HAIRED REPORTER
(on TV)
Uh, sorry, Commander, but we've run out of time. This is Kat's Eye News, live from the Megakat Refinery.
The camera view wobbles a bit, and Feral pushes past the reporter and takes a few threatening steps towards who whoever is filming.
FERAL
(on TV)
Hey! Come back here, I'm not done yet...!
The image of Feral's enormous hand reaching for the camera freezes and pulls back to occupy the upper righthand corner of a news studio where a handsome male NEWSCASTER sits behind a desk.
NEWSCASTER
(on TV)
That was recorded earlier at the scene of the Megakat Refinery. The rest of our own Commander Feral's rant against the SWAT Kats was... unfit for broadcast.
Dr. Viper clicks off the TV using a remote control. He cackles and sets it aside.
VIPER
It ssseems we agree with Commander Feral on one thing, don't we, Morbulusss? Thossse SWAT Katsss are quite a bother, aren't they?
MORBULUS
Yeah. They made me a laughingstock today. I'd sure like to pound their smug faces in!
He punches his fist into his open palm to illustrate. Viper doesn't reply. After a short pause, Morbulus looks over the worktable. It is covered with a variety of beakers, flasks and retorts, all filled with various insidious concoctions bubbling over bunsen burners. He picks up a flask from the table, examining it.
MORBULUS
Pretty impressive setup ya got here, Doc. Looks like you've got everything a mad scientist could ever need right here.
VIPER
Everything except for... Katalyssst 99!
MORBULUS
Katalyst 99? What's that?
VIPER
A rare biochemical compound I require. It can only be found in Megakat Biochemical Labsss.
MORBULUS
Good luck. That place is supposed to be impenetrable.
Viper walks over and grabs the flask from Morbulus' hands, making him jump.
VIPER
Ah, we sssee "eye to eye," Morbulusss.
Morbulus scowls, not appreciating the pun, as Viper walks back to his worktable.
MORBULUS
What? You've got a plan for gettin' in?
VIPER
You might sssay that.
Setting the flask down, Viper picks up a small glass dish containing a purple liquid. Using an eyedropper, Viper sucks all of the liquid up, then, smirking, he turns and walked back over to Morbulus. Morbulus frowns and backs up a bit. He raises an arm as though to shove him away.
VIPER
And you're going to help me!
Morbulus blinks and watches, first in agitation and then in shock as the drop of liquid fizzes up and his whole arm instantly starts to change, softening and becoming thick, purple and gooey. He backs up as the bubbling purple goo spreads over his frame like a disease.
MORBULUS
Noooooo!
VIPER
(in sick pleasure)
Yesss!
Morbulus' ghastly transformation continues. In seconds everything but his head has changed, transformed into the purple vileness Viper put on him.
MORBULUS
(agonized)
What did you do to me?!
VIPER
I'm sssimply turning you into my new mutant bacteria monssster!
We cut away from Morbulus as his transformation continues offscreen. We see the frightening and ever-changing shadows being cast over Dr. Viper and the wall behind him. It grows bigger and bigger as Viper rubs his hands together fiendishly. He points.
VIPER
Yesss, my friend! You're hungry, aren't you? I can tell!
From offscreen, Morbulus' voice deepens and his words devolve into inarticulate roaring.
VIPER
Well, don't worry, I'll feed you! Sssoon, yesss... very sssoon!
Another roar bellows forth.
VIPER
With your help, I'll sssoon have Katalyssst 99 in my coilsss, and the power to permanently change thisss foul city into sssomething truly beautiful... my Megassswamp City!
EXT. THE DEAD FOREST
Dr. Viper's high-pitched, wicked laughter carries out over the swamp.
FADE OUT
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. SALVAGE YARD
It's the next day. Late morning, just getting on noon. Callie Briggs drives up to the garage in her car. It's making an unusual pinging and clonking sound.
EXT. GARAGE
Callie slows outside of the garage. The green sedan's front end looks more than a little beaten up: scorched, missing its bumper, one headlight broken and the hood slightly crumpled. Stopped, Callie honks the horn. Chance comes outside, looking a little grumpy, although his expression brightens considerably when he sees who their customer is. Cutting the motor off, Callie gets out.
CALLIE
Hi, Chance.
CHANCE
Hi...
His enthusiasm is dampened slightly when he sees the state her car is in. He stares at it and looks up at her.
CHANCE
What happened to your car?!
CALLIE
Oh, I was over at the Megakat Refinery when it exploded. A piece of debris hit it.
Chance winces, remembering, but regains his composure. He offers a flirtatious smile, sitting against the front fender of the vehicle, arms crossed.
CHANCE
What were you doing way out there, Callie?
Callie smiles brightly.
CALLIE
Didn't you guys hear? The SWAT Kats defeated Morbulus! You know, the one who was bombing all the refineries?
CHANCE
(mock surprise)
Ah...
Jake comes out, wiping his hands with an old rag.
JAKE
Yeah, we heard...
Turning, he wads the rag up and tosses it into the open driver's side door of their tow truck, which is parked half in and half out of the garage.
JAKE
...when we had a TV.
He fixes Chance with an annoyed, narrow-eyed glare. Chance ignores him.
CALLIE
Anyway, I wanted you guys take a look at the engine and maybe fix it up for me. I don't care about it looks so much as whether it drives, and the engine started making this funny kind of pinging noise all the way back from Megakat Bay. And this morning the "ping" turned into a "clonk," and, well, I wanna nip this in the bud so I'm not caught on the side of the road somewhere having to call you guys to come tow me.
CHANCE
Sure thing.
Callie hands him her car keys.
CHANCE
We'll probably have it ready in just a couple of days.
As Jake busies himself stooping to examine the damage to the car, Chance smirks, easing himself off of the fender and walks over to the tow truck.
CHANCE
Want me to give you a ride back into town in the tow truck?
He gives the truck's hood an affectionate pat. No sooner are those words out of his mouth then we hear a horn honking offscreen. A long white limousine (Mayor Manx's, to be precise) pulls in and slides to a halt. A uniformed CHAUFFEUR gets out. He's thin, with beady eyes and a slightly upturned muzzle, giving him a snooty appearance. He goes and and opens the back door for Callie. Manx isn't inside. Callie smiles apologetically at Chance.
CALLIE
(touched)
No need. I am the Deputy Mayor, after all. But thanks anyway, Chance.
She turns and walks towards the limo. Sauntering back to the garage, he smirks at Jake.
CHANCE
(confident)
Heh, she's crazy about me.
Jake shakes his head. Overhearing, Callie grinned and stopped, turning to glance back at the two. She gives a sultry wave - not to Chance, but to Jake.
CALLIE
(sexy)
Bye, Jaaaaake!
She gets into the limo. Chance stands there, eyes wide and mouth agape, as the chauffeur shuts the door, then goes and gets in and drives off. He balls up a fist as if to playfully punch Jake in the shoulder, but holds back, sighing. Jake just chuckles. The two of then turn and go into the garage.
INT. GARAGE
Chance and Jake go over to where the broken TV has been dismantled by Jake, the shattered screen removed and discarded, the wires and various inner workings of the appliance strewn here and there.
CHANCE
(hopeful)
So, how 'bout the TV...?
JAKE
Nada.
He picks up and examines some random bit of the appliance's innards.
JAKE
The thing's history.
So saying, he throws the doo-dad he's holding with a flick of his wrist to clatter noisily among the other TV parts.
CHANCE
What?!
JAKE
Yeah, it's amazing how much damage one can of milk can do!
CHANCE
Crud.
He shoves the gutted TV over impotently. Jake winces.
CHANCE
Well, we'll just have to get a new one!
JAKE
With what money...?
Chance struggles to calm down.
CHANCE
Well...
Suddenly a raspy, high-pitched and frankly whiny voice cuts in from offscreen:
MURRAY
Hey, looooooovebirds!
Chance cringes. Chance and Jake turn to find BURKE and MURRAY standing there laughing at them, having walked in through the open garage door offscreen a moment ago.
CHANCE
What do you guys want? We're busy.
BURKE
(sneers)
Yeah, we saw. Flirtin' with da Deputy Mayor!
He clasps his hands together and pretends to swoon, affecting a feminine high pitch to his voice as Murray folds his arms behind his head, eyes closed, and starts shaking his rear end from side to side in a parody of a seductive little dance.
BURKE
(mocking)
"Oooooh, Chaaaance! You're so big and manly, marry me now and give me a tongue-bath, baby!"
He does a very poor imitation of Callie Briggs indeed. Murray joins in, pretending to be Chance in this romantic scenario he and his brother have envisioned for their friend, making kissing sounds and hugging Burke's considerable belly.
MURRAY
(mocking)
"Mwah-mwah-mwah-mwah! Yeah, baby, give the Chance-inator a big ol' smooch, babycakes!"
All things considered, he does a better imitation of Chance than his brother does of Callie. Annoyed, Burke breaks character and attempts to shove Murray off.
BURKE
Get off! Stop it!
He shoves Murray off. The smaller kat rolls around on the floor laughing like a dying hyena.
CHANCE
(not amused)
I said, what do you guys want? Don't you have some house to go haunt?
After he finally stops laughing, Murray picks himself up off of the floor and dusts himself off.
MURRAY
We just wanted to let you two sweethearts know we was headin' off to get some scrap and we was gonna be in town. We might grab a pizza.
CHANCE
A pizza for breakfast?
Murray throws his hands up.
MURRAY
Donuts, then! Look, that's not the point! Ya want anythin'? Besides a scrap heap sandwich, I mean?
Burke snorts with laughter.
JAKE
No thanks.
CHANCE
Yeah, but you guys get whatever, y'know...
MURRAY
(annoyed)
Eh, fine! Just a waste of good donuts anyway. C'mon, Burke.
The two wave goodbye and go outside. We hear a motor roar to life and drive away.
JAKE
Those two... I just don't get them.
CHANCE
Me neither. So...
He walks outside.
EXT. GARAGE
Chance goes over to Callie's car, Jake following. He pops the hood.
CHANCE
Whaddaya say we give this baby a looksee?
He has a gleam in his eyes, which Jake notices. He is immediately on guard.
JAKE
(gently warning)
Chance, remember, she just wants the engine runnin' smooth again...
Chance shuts the hood.
CHANCE
Yeah, but who said it couldn't run twice as good as before?
JAKE
(exasperated)
What did you have in mind?
CHANCE
Help me get this baby into the garage and I'll show ya!
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. FARM
A farm on the edge of the swamp. The FARMER is in a field on the far side of his barn, tossing hay into the back of his pickup truck with a pitchfork. He stops and wipes his forehead.
FARMER
Whew, this job's bigger than I thought.
He resumes his work after a moment.
In front of the barn, a lone cow is grazing out of her owner's line of sight. Suddenly, a shadow falls over her. She looks up and lets out a moo of fear.
The farmer hears the sounds of a frantic struggle and slimy slurping sounds. Pitchfork in hand, he runs over. The mooing ceases abruptly and the slurping noises get louder.
FARMER
(concerned)
What's goin' over here?
He comes around the side of the barn and stops in his tracks, gasping. Standing where the cow used to be is a huge, hulking purple BACTERIA MONSTER. Formerly Morbulus, this creature stands some ten feet tall at the moment, with a vaguely humanoid body shape with arms, legs and something that could charitably be called a head, with four yellow eyes lined up in front just above something that passes for a nose and a great, gaping black maw with thick strands of purple goo connecting its upper and lower lips. Its mouth is curled into a wide, evil smile. The cow's tail currently hangs out of it, and the creature slurps it up like a noodle.
The farmer backs away, raising his pitchfork threateningly.
FARMER
(terrified)
Stay back! G--Get away!
The monster steps toward him. He jabs at it with his pitchfork to no effect. Suddenly, Dr. Viper's tail whips in from offscreen and wraps around his waist, lifting him up off his feet.
VIPER
I'll teach you not to meddle with my creation!
Entering from offscreen, Dr. Viper beckons with a finger towards the purple bacteria monster, and uses his tail to hold the struggling farmer up to it. The creature opens wide.
FARMER
Nooo...!
With a flick of his tail, Viper tosses the farmer screaming into the hideous, grining maw which closes over him and eats him in one gulp.
VIPER
Now that you've had your breakfassst, it's time we went into Megakat City!
The creature stares down at him, uncomprehending. He starts backing up, motioning towards himself with "Come to me" gestures.
VIPER
Follow me! Forward! Lotsss to eat!
The bacteria monster, now noticeably several feet taller, lingers as if unsure or unwilling to follow, before moving forward with a lurching motion. Viper grins.
VIPER
Good! Yesss! Ssso much to eat! Now, let'sss go!
Continuing to issue simple directions, he holds up a finger and turns and walks towards a drain pipe just across the road from the farm. A crude-looking sign on the side of the road reads: "Welcome to Megakat City." The skyline of the city is visible several miles away.
CUT TO:
INT. GARAGE
Jake stands holding a "turboplug," which is what appears to be a slightly modified sparkplug, up to the light. Callie's car, looked a little bit better but still mighty dinged up, sits with the hood up. Chance is under the hood, doing something underneath to the engine.
JAKE
I'm noting my objection for the record here, Chance, I'm not sure this is a good idea.
CHANCE
(from under the hood)
Objection noted.
He slips out from under the hood, having finished installing the turboplugs into the engine.
CHANCE
(trying to be reassuring)
Relax, Jake.
He walks around and opens the door. He slides into the driver's seat, but leaves the door open so he can talk to Jake.
CHANCE
Callie should have extra horsepower, y'know, in case of an emergency.
JAKE
(warning)
I'm not disagreeing, but, Chance, these things are designed to go in jet engines! Who knows what they'll do to an ordinary car engine like this!
CHANCE
(smooth, seductive)
Jaaaaake, I'm a professional. I know what an engine can handle.
JAKE
I'm tellin' ya, you're gonna blow it...
He pockets the spare plug he's been examining.
JAKE
(sighing)
Well, with the car already busted from the other day, there isn't much else we can do to the poor thing when your idea inevitably fails...
Chance makes wordless mimicking movements with his mouth in mockery, inserting the key into the ignition and firing it up. The vehicle roars to life deafeningly.
CHANCE
(feeling vindicated)
See? Purrs like a kitten!
He steps on the accelerator, revving the engine powerfully.
CHANCE
Grrrooooowls like a tiger!
Something in the noise the engine is making doesn't sound quite right to jake. Frantic to avert utter disaster, Jake grabs a toolbox and gets underneath the hood. Suddenly--
BLAM!!!
Smoke pours in thick, noxious waves from the now completely blown out engine. Chance bites his lower lip sheepishly and after a second turns the ignition off. Getting out, he walks over to Jake who slides out from under the hood, his face blackened and his fur slightly (cartoonishly) singed. The one turboplug he'd managed to remove he holds smoking in his hand. It's partially melted.
JAKE
(smoke coming out of his mouth)
Blows like a volcano...
Chance doesn't reply, waving smoke away.
JAKE
(coughing)
Great idea, Chance. Now what'll we tell Callie?
(he stops coughing)
"Sorry, Ms. Briggs, we know you brought your car in to get fixed but we broke it even more?"
Chance waves smoke away and coughs a bit.
CHANCE
(coughing)
Eh, I dunno, I'll thinking of somethin'...
Just then, they hear the blaring of a truck horn.
JAKE
Just what we need.
He wipes his face off.
JAKE
Burke and Murray are back.
They go outside to the "beep-beep-beep" sound of heavy machinery backing up.
EXT. SALVAGE YARD - DAY.
Burke and Murray's filthy, noisy dump truck sits idling with its back end pointed at the garagem filled to overflowing with the junk and garbage the two have collected. Murray leans out the driver's side door, a half-eaten donut in his hand.
MURRAY
Got a special delivery for ya!
(turns to the inside)
Hit it!
The tipper portion of the truck then tilts back and unceremoniously dumps the gigantic pile of scrap all over the ground. In the cab, Burke and Murray laugh as Chance and Jake walk up to stand beside the vehicle.
MURRAY
Man, nothin' brightens up my day better than a little lawn decoratin'!
He crams the rest of his donut into his mouth. Burke is visible over his brother's shoulder. It's amazing he can cram himself into the cab.
BURKE
If you can call that patch a' filthy dirty a lawn!
MURRAY
(talking with his mouth full)
Yeah!
Murray laughs, swallows and then suddenly makes a horrible "hwark" noise, eyes bulging. He lurches back and forth in the seat. He's choking. Burke looks concerned but seems slow in realizing his sibling is in need of assistance, grabbing Murray's shoulder.
BURKE
Hey, you okay, Murray? You're makin' some pretty weird faces, man...
(increasingly worried)
You're scarin' me!
Murray opens the door, struggles to exit, but is caught by his seatbelt. He fumbles with it, but panics and gives up, and just resorts to grabbing the wheel and laying on the horn as his face balloons up. HONK!, HONK!, HOOOONKKKK!!! A wide-eyed Chance, all action, leaps up on pure instict after a moment of uncomprehending hesitation and stands on the running board, grabbing the little jerk around the middle giving him the Heimlich. Once. Twice. A third time. Glargh! The shorter kat, flailing, spits up the throat-clogging mass of chewed-up donut. It splatters on the dashboard.
BURKE
Ick...
Chance, panting and sweaty, climbs down, and stands back.
MURRAY
(panting, wheezing)
Thanks Chance...
He shoves Burke away angrily.
MURRAY
I'm fine, I'm fine!
He coughs a few more times, and, then, his moment of vulnerability passing, he goes back to laughing. He buckles himself in and shuts the door, then hands Chance a clipboard with a delivery form on it and a pencil that looks like it could really use sharpening.
MURRAY
Sign here.
Chance does so, handing the clipboard back.
MURRAY
Keep the pencil.
A few moments later, he hands a piece of paper out to them. Their copy of the delivery form. Chance folds it up and puts it into his pocket.
MURRAY
Well, boys, it's been a blast, but we gotta be gettin' back out on the road.
BURKE
(jeering)
Gotta report in to Commander Feral about his favorite Enforcer washouts! We'll tell him you sent your loooove!
Murray thwacks him.
MURRAY
(at his brother)
Give it a rest, lard-head!
(to Chance and Jake)
Adios, amigos!
He floors it, the truck speeding off. It kicks up a huge amount of dust. As it clears, Chance and Jake are left standing there amid the pile of junk their "friends" left for them. Chance shakes his head.
CHANCE
Jerks. Those two dipsticks. That donut almost did us a favor.
Jake smirks.
JAKE
Says the guy who saved 'im. And got a thank-you out of it.
He crosses his arms.
JAKE
Fess up, Chance. You're nothin' but a big ol' softie. Even for Murray.
Chance just shakes his head.
CHANCE
(half-serious)
I did it so we wouldn't have to deal with a grieving Burke.
JAKE
I gotta admit, the thought of that big guy crying doesn't exactly fill me with joy, either...
Turning towards the junk, Chance hitches his belt over his stomach and kicks a bent piece of metal, sending it whizzing through the air to clang off of an automobile engine. He walks over and stoops down, examining it. It isn't new, but appears othrtwise in working order. He grins hugely.
CHANCE
Hey, Jake. Take a look at this.
He grabs it and grunts with the effort of lifting it from among the junk where it lies nestled, his biceps bulging through his shirt sleeves as though they'll spring the seams. He sets it down at Jake's feet as the other kat walks over.
CHANCE
We could put this baby under Callie's hood.
JAKE
(not letting it drop)
Yeah, to replace the one you just exploded.
Chance's smile turns into a frown.
JAKE
(conceding)
But you're right...
He gets down on his hands and knees to examine the engine more closely.
JAKE
It looks like it's in pretty good shape.
CHANCE
Why do you think someone threw it out...?
Jake rises to kne knee.
JAKE
Dunno. Probably just got replaced with a newer model.
CHANCE
And they just pitched it? What a waste!
JAKE
Or it was the good karma fairy...
CHANCE
Huh?
JAKE
Nothin'...
Chance kneels down beside his friend and gives the engine an affectionate pat.
CHANCE
Don't worry, we got a good hood to put you under.
JAKE
(warning)
Without any modifications beyond basic repair.
Chance just grins sheepishly. Jake rises and returns to the junk pile, where he finds what looks like a perfectly good TV set. It's an older model tha the one Chance busted the other day, but otherwise in decent condition. He turns and lifts it above his head like the one foretold in the old legends of Megalith City holding the Dragon Sword aloft in triumph after removing it from the stone. Chance glances up from where he's kneeling a blinks, shielding his eyes with one hand as the afternoon sun shines brilliantly behind the appliance his friend his holding up.
JAKE
(triumphant)
I found our new TV!
CHANCE
(to himself)
Thank you, good karma fairy!
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MANX MUNICIPAL PARK - DAY
A large expanse of green grass, trees and several stone walkways, the park is full of activity, as Mayor Manx stands on a raised wooden platform at a podium with a microphone. Behind him is a large... something, covered with a white sheet held on by a red ribbon. As Manx gives his speech, Callie Briggs stands off to the side, holding some gold scissors.
Also present are Ann Gora and her cameraman, Jonny, as well as the other reporters and news crews seen at the refinery earlier. Manx's limo sits parked nearby, the chauffeur visible through the windshield, looking bored.
Callie grins and suffers through Manx's murder of the speech she wrote for him, and he's mercifully bringing it to a close as we push in on them.
MANX
...and so, as Mayor of Megakat City, I am proud open to the public the brand-new park that bears my name.
(turning to Callie)
Ms. Briggs?
This is Callie's cue, and she hands Manx the gold scissors. Grinning, he walks over to the big thing covered by the sheet and posea for one of the reporters, the short, orange-haired one who interviewed Feral on TV, to snap a photograph of him poised to cut the ribbon. Flash!
The moment immortalized for posterity, Manx snips the ribbon and the sheet falls away to reveal a huge marble statue of the Mayor himself some fifteen feet tall. It's posed with him looking a lot slimmer than he really is, giving a thumbs-up with one hand and winking.
There's halfhearted applause from the crowd. Ann Gora in particular looks less than impressed with this crime against art.
ANN
(quietly so she can't be heard)
Well, now, isn't he modest...
She then turns toward her cameraman, Jonny, who is aiming the camera at her.
ANN
(raising her voice)
So far, the opening ceremony for the new Manx Municipal Park has gone well.
We pan down along her body to the concrete, but we don't stop at her high-heeled shoes.
We go deeper, descending into...
INT. SEWER
...a sewer tunnel with a high ceiling and fluorescent lights affixed to the walls. Dr. Viper and the grinning bacteria bonster walk along. Because it ate the farmer and his cow, the monster is bigger than it was at the farm now, and can barely fit in the tunnel. It casts a shadow over Viper.
VIPER
(impatient)
Not long now! It'sss just up around--
He stops as he realizes he isn't in the monster's shadow anymore. He turns and sees the creature turning its four eyes towards the manhole cover above them. We can hear the muffled sounds of the crowd attending the park dedication.
VIPER
Don't ssstop now!
The bacteria monster doesn't listen and heads for the hole. Viper is furious.
VIPER
Come back here!
(furious)
Lisssten to me when I'm talking to you!
INT. GARAGE
Chance and Jake are under the hood of Callie's car putting the finishing touches on the refurbished engine they'd just installed. Their "new" TV, which Jake had gotten working with a minimum of fuss, sat on the worktable nearby, showing the park dedication. Ann's report continues.
ANN
(on TV)
Behind me, you can see Mayor Manx and Deputy Mayor Briggs next to the new, uh, centerpiece of the park, a large statue of His Honor designed and built by a local sculptor.
Behind her, the orange-haired reporter is being directed from the raised platform by Manx to snap different angles of him next to the statue as the black-haired reporter watches. The cameraman's view switches first to see the statue, then over to favor Manx and Callie on the platform. Pausing in his work, Chance lays his cheek against one palm and props his elbow against the car.
CHANCE
(dreamy)
That Callie sure is pretty...
Jake glances up.
JAKE
(annoyed)
Yeah, well, she'll be pretty mad if we don't get this thing running.
Getting the idea, Chance sighs and resumes work as Ann Gora continues her report.
ANN
(on TV)
The festivities are a big success...
EXT. MANX MUNICIPAL PARK - DAY
Ann continues speaking.
ANN
...helping the citizens take their minds off yesterday's bombings, and also--
She's cut off by a deep, rumbling guttural sound from beneath the earth, but only those in the vicinity of the manhole - Ann, her cameraman and the other, black-haired reporter - hear it. They stop what they're doing and look around.
BLACK-HAIRED REPORTER
(turning around)
What was that...?
The reporter photographing Manx and Callie, who didn't hear the noise, hears his colleague and stops taking pictures, turning around also.
ORANGE-HAIRED REPORTER
(to the other reporter)
Huh? What was what?
Callie frowns, while Manx is livid. He shakes his fist impatiently down at the reporter with the camera.
MANX
(annoyed)
Hey, you, why'd you stop taking--
Suddenly, a nearby manhole cover is lifted aside by a huge, gooey purple hand, and the bacteria monster rises up like rancid purple sewage with four blazing yellow eyes and a serial killer's grin. Everyone takes a step back.
BLACK-HAIRED REPORTER
Holy kats!
ANN
Jonny, get a shot of that!!!!
Jonny swings his camera around to point at the monster.
MANX
(horrified)
Godfrey! It's a big purple sticky thing...!
BLACK-HAIRED REPORTER
Run for your lives!
Screams fill the air. The other reporters and assembled spectactors all begin turning and running off as the beast hoists its pliant purple bulk entirely out of the manhole and looses a roar.
INT. GARAGE
Chance and Jake jump up at the sudden change in tone of the news report, watching as enormous, lumpy purple creature with four eyes comes towards the camera.
CITIZENS
(on TV)
Holy kats! Run for your lives!
The camera view begins retreating as the wobbly image of the monster comes closer. Someone, it sounds like Callie, screams.
JAKE
(surprised)
What in the heck is that?!
CHANCE
It's ugly, that's what!
They look at one another. Duty calls.
CHANCE/JAKE
(together)
Let's hit it!
They drop their tools and rush from the room.
EXT. MANX MUNICIPAL PARK - DAY
Tight on Jonny with his camera up. We see the bacteria monster reflected in the lens. He lowers it, revealing the creature now reflected in the mirrored purple sunglasses he's wearing. He turns and runs, revealing a cowering Ann Gora behind him. She shrieks, turns and hurries after him, revealing the orange-haired reporter who stands his ground, continuing to snap photo after photo.
Up on the platform, Manx trembles in terror as Callie fumbles for her purse, taking out her SWAT Kat communicator. As she gets it out and is about to press the button, the terrified Manx backs into her, and his elbow sends the little device flying from her hand. He is unaware that he's done so. He leaps off the platform, tumbling in the grass as he holds onto his toupee. Callie jumps down after him.
CALLIE:
Mayor, wait!
They run off towards the limo. The chauffeur, already in the process of getting out of the limo, squeals at the sight of the monster, and turns and runs away, leaving the door hanging open. Callie grabs Manx by his suit and shoves him into the front seat, climbing in after him and getting behind the wheel and closing the door. Manx wails.
MANX
Callie! Get me out of here!
CALLIE
I'm working on it, Mayor!
The orange-haired reporter keeps taking pictures as he backs up, the monster advancing towards him, annoyed by the flashbulb on his camera. Flash! Flash!! Click-click-click! The camera clicks impotently and makes a whirring noise as the film rewinds. The reporter lowers it in fear, then suddenly the creature hears the sound of an automobile engine turning over. It turns towards the limo, Callie and Manx visible inside.
The bacteria monster walks towards the limo. As it turns, it knocks the statue of Manx over. The statue crushes the wooden platform Manx and Callie had been standing on earlier. Taking this opportunity, the reporter turns and runs, escaping with his camera.
In the limo, Manx screams all manner of terrified gibberish. The engine roars to life and Callie floors it. She hits the curb, sideswiping a fire hydrant, and loses control of the limo, the car careening right towards the monster! She regains control, but not in time to avoid hitting the monster. She slams on the brakes, the front end hitting the bacteria monster in its middle, the front end of the car partially pushing its body in. The monster staggers back with a near-perfect imprint of the front of the limo in its torso, but it quickly fills back in.
Through the windshield, Callie and Manx watch as the grinning black maw opens wider... and wider... and wider...! It's going to swallow the entire car!
CALLIE
Come on, Mayor, hurry!
Turning, she tries to open the driver's door, but it's forced shut; the front end of the car is in the monster's mouth. She grabs the screaming Manx and together they climb through the partition separating the front seat from the much larger and more luxurious back seat, feeling the entire car lurching, as, behind them, the glass, metal and upholstery begins rapidly dissolving into a hideous goo the deeper down the bacteria monster's throat it goes.
Throwing open the rear passenger door, Callie leaps out, followed by Manx, as the monster has already eaten its way along the length of the car's long body in only two quick bites. Worse, it's getting larger the more it eats, more than doubling in size, increasing to at least thirty feet tall. They race around the bulk of the monster, headed back the way they came. Manx pauses to fret over his toppled statue.
MANX
Oh, no, no, noooo...!
CALLIE
No time for that, Mayor!
The bacteria monster's mouth closes around the rear bumper of the limo after a third gulp and it belches up a tire, and then the bacteria monster turns and sees them. It lurches towards them.
Suddenly, the Turbokat roars into view and begins to circle the park. T-Bone and Razor look down at the creature.
T-BONE
Eew, that thing looks nasty!
RAZOR
Yeah, and it's closing in on Callie and the Mayor!
T-Bone looks where Razor points, to see the tiny figures of Manx and Callie running away from the bacteria monster across the green grass of the park.
RAZOR
But that's easily taken care of!
Hearing the approaching jet, the bacteria monster turns away from Callie and the Mayor. It growls at the Turbokat, its four eyes all lined up in a row following the aircraft's zooming progress with evil intelligence and mindless rage and hunger. The corners of its gaping pit of a maw turn up in even further in evil delight. The bacteria monster is also now much bigger than before, having eaten so much in the past few minutes.
RAZOR
Eat this, slimeball!
He targets the monster right between its two innermost eyes and launches a missile. The missile flies and hits it dead center! There is an enormous explosion and a cloud of smoke obscures the creature's body. We hear a bellow of pain.
RAZOR
(cheering)
Yes!
T-BONE
Radical shot, buddy!
Suddenly Razor narrows his eyes and leans forward peering through his scope.
RAZOR
Uh-oh...
T-Bone turns to look down. The smoke clears, revealing the monster has not been destroyed by the explosion, but split, divided nearly perfectly down the center of its body. Strands of purple goo connect the two halves, and after a vain effort to pull itself back together, the two pieces split apart completely. The one on the right slowly regrows its missing left side, including an arm and leg. The one on the left follows suit, just with its right side. Where once stood a bacteria monster with four eyes some thirty feet in height, now stand two bacteria monsters of smaller size (roughly the same size as the monster was originally) with two eyes each.
T-BONE
Well that's something you don't see everyday...
Down below, the two-eyed bacteria monster on the left turns and resumes the original four-eyed creature's pursuit of Callie and Manx. Suddenly, they hear helicopter rotors and a rope ladder drops down. They look up to see an Enforcer chopper hovering above them. Manx grabs the ladder first, climbing frantically as the monster advances towards them. Callie hurries after them, and the chopper lifts higher into the air with them clinging to the ladder. The bacteria monster reaches for her, and misses - barely! Its slimy purple hand whooses through the air close enough to touch.
They scurry up the ladder, climbing in through the open side door. Up front, Commander Feral is seated in the pilot's seat, flying the helicopter. A grim-faced ENFORCER PILOT is in the other seat. Feral turns to their two passengers as Callie pulls the rope ladder up.
FERAL
Don't worry, Mr. Mayor, the Enforcers are here!
With Feral are two more Enforcer choppers. They move as one towards the two bacteria monsters.
FERAL
(into his headset microphone)
On my order, fire on those things!
ENFORCER PILOT (VO)
(filtered through radio)
Yes, sir!
T-Bone's voice suddenly comes over the radio. Feral is less than pleased.
T-BONE (VO)
(filtered through radio)
I don't think that's a good idea, Feral.
CALLIE
(from the back)
He's right!
T-BONE (VO)
(filtered through radio)
Listen--
FERAL
(cutting him off)
Get off this frequency, you vigilantes! The Enforcers are handling this!
T-BONE (VO)
(filtered through radio)
But--
FERAL
(into the radio)
I said shut up!
(to his pilot)
Get ready!
Feral's pilot looks at him uncertainly, but then turns and targets the foremost of the two bacteria monsters, the one they'd rescued Callie and Manx from.
FERAL
Fire!
The pilot launches a missile. It hits the monster dead center in the face, exploding, but we get the same results as before. The resulting explosion causes the two-eyed bacteria monster to split apart into two new, smaller monsters, dividing its eyes between themselves to create two cyclopean monsters. Feral gawks.
T-BONE (VO)
(filtered through radio)
I tried to tell you...
RAZOR (VO)
(filtered through radio)
These things divide like... like giant amoebas every time they're hit with sufficient explosive force!
Feral angrily pounds his fist against the controls.
FERAL
(into his microphone)
All units, return to Headquarters. Normal weapons don't work against these things.
MANX
(from behind him)
You've made that very clear, Feral!
Feral pointedly ignores him.
FERAL
(into his microphone)
I repeat, normal weapons don't work. Return to Headquarters.
The other two choppers fly away, while Feral's continues to hover around the monsters. Turning, all three (two with one eye and one with two eyes) lumber out of the park. Feral's chopper follows them. Dr. Viper emerges from the open manhole, giggling evilly.
VIPER
What an unexpected development! I never intended for the creaturesss to divide like real bacteria cellsss! Now thossse foolsss have given me three waysss to get what I want! Hahahaha!
He vanishes back down the sewer with a hiss.
EXT. CITY STREET A - DAY
Two of the monsters (1-eye and 2-eye) lumber down the street. They randomly pick up parked, empty cars and wolf them down, growing larger and larger the more they consume. Commander Feral and his pilot, with Callie peering over their shoulders from the back, observe from the Enforcer chopper as it flies along behind them at a respectful distance.
FERAL
(offhand)
The SWAT Kats can keep an eye on the third, I imagine.
Ahead, Callie sees where the two monsters are going: a large, fortress-like building in the distance. She points.
CALLIE
They seem to be headed in the direction of Megakat Biochemical Labs!
Feral follows her finger.
FERAL:
Then that's where we're going. If anyone knows how to stop these things, they will!
He pushes the throttle forwards and the helicopter zooms ahead past the slowly lumbering purple behemoths towards the building.
EXT. CITY STREET B - DAY
The SWAT Kats are indeed tailing the second one-eyed bacteria monster monster. It lumbers around a building, and when the SWAT Kats round the corner, too, the monster's gone!
T-BONE
Where'd he go? How can a giant walking pile of purple slop just vanish?!
Razor sees an entrance into the subway nearby.
RAZOR
(dawning fear)
He went into the subway!
INT. KATALINA STATION - DAY
A single BUSINESSMAN waits on the platform holding a briefcase. He checks his watch. Suddenly, the bacteria monster squeezes its pliant bulk through the small opening. It then meanders over to the boarding platform. The businessman waiting for the train sees it and runs, dropping his briefcase. The creature ignores him in favor of heading into the subway tunnel.
INT. KATALINA STATION - SUBWAY TUNNEL - DAY
A three-car subway train shoots through the tunnel.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN CAR #1
On board are various PASSENGERS on their early morning commute. The first car is packed to full capacity. People read magazines, chat amicably or ignore one another outright. The train is being driven by a bored-looking MOTORMAN.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN CAR #2
More of the same. Another packed car. A CONDUCTOR is heading through, checking things. He opens the door leading to the third and final car.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN CAR #3
The conductor looks in. This car hasn't picked up as many passenger. There's only about four kats, including a LITTLE BOY with gray fur and prematurely white hair wearing a baseball cap and a striped shirt. With him is his FATHER.
LITTLE BOY
Can we go to the toy store, dad?
FATHER
(annoyed)
After I pick up some things at the office, son.
A CURLY-HAIRED HOUSEWIFE sits with most of her groceries taking up the empty seats beside her. A BUSINESSMAN in a fedora and bowtie reads the morning paper. Satisfied that there's no monkey business, the conductor returns to the second car.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN CAR #1
Through the windshield, the motorman sees the bacteria monster suddenly appear around a bend in the tunnel, blocking the way.
MOTORMAN:
What in the-- Holy Kats!
He slams on the breaks.
EXT. SUBWAY TUNNEL
The train's wheels leave a shower of sparks as the speeding vehicle struggles to come to a stop, squealing loudly.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN CAR #2
The conductor and passengers are thrown forward violently at the sudden stop.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN CAR #3
Everyone here, including the boy and his father, go flying towards the front of the car. The housewife's groceries fly everywhere.
EXT. SUBWAY TUNNEL
The train, its wheels sparking as it grinds to a halt, slams into the bacteria monster, knocking it back a ways before finally stopping. This doesn't seem to affect the creature. Without wasting time, the bacteria monster sets to work, yawning its mouth wide and eating the first car of the train, the motorman and the passengers inside screaming audibly, but muffledly, as the train car disappears into the mouth. In three quick bites the entire first car and all of its occupants are totally devoured.
INT. SUBWAY TRAIN #2
Picking themselves up, the startled conductor and the passengers get knocked about again as suddenly the lights go out and the entire car interior is plunged into total darkness. We hears screams and rending metal. A brief flash of illumination reveals the terrible sight of the roof and walls bending inwards towards the terrified conductor and passengers as they press themselves against the floor in a vain attempt to escape, and then, mercifully, the lights go out again. The screams abruptly stop and we just hear more rending metal and smashing glass.
EXT. CITY STREET B - DAY
T-Bone swings the Turbokat around to get enough momentum, flying at the entrance, and when they're close enough, Razor shoots out on the Cyclotron, driving along the bumpy stairs that lead down.
INT. KATALINA STATION
Razor rides the Cyclotron across the boarding platform and flies off the edge, landing on the track, and zooming off down the tunnel.
INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL
He rounds the bend in time to see the second car vanish into the monster's mouth as it swells in size before his eyes. His eyes widen in sudden terror.
RAZOR
Oh, no....!
INT. SUBWAY CAR #3
The little boy screams as his father holds him and the other two remaining passengers gibber and stammer as they're jostled. The car is being lifted up.
INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL
The bacteria monster has picked up the last remaining car from the train and is opening wide to eat it. Razor revs his engine and goes flying at it. He drives past it, getting its attention, its single eye narrowing in annoyance at this distraction. It releases the train car, dropping it back onto the track where it sits tilted at an awkward angle, nearly tipped onto its side.
INT. SUBWAY CAR #3
The four passengers lay terrified and unmoving but alive against the nearly sideways seats as the car lurches and sways and slowly halts, then tilts back onto its wheels, righting itself, but off of the track. They go to the windows and watch.
LITTLE BOY
Look, Daddy, it's one of the SWAT Kats!
INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL
Razor zooms back the way he came, past the creature, which is still too close to the train car for his liking. The monster makes a lazy grab for him and misses, but makes no attempt to pursue. Stopping, Razor pops a wheelie and spins, gritting his teeth in white-hot fury. He revs his engine in rage.
RAZOR
Come and get me, you giant zit!
After a moment, it takes the bait, moving towards him, its huge, grinning maw open wide to devour him whole!
FADE OUT
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
INT. SUBWAY TUNNEL
The one-eyed bacteria monster looms menacingly over Razor. The last remaining subway train car sits awkwardly tilted off of the tracks a few feet behind the monster. The four passengers inside (the boy, his father, the housewife and the businessman) visible looking out of the windows. Razor revs the Cyclotron's engine. Vroom, vroom! He's beyond enraged.
RAZOR
Come and get me!
The monster snarls, a nasty, phlegmy sound from deep in its throat. It clenches and unclenches its huge slimy purple hands as though in indecision, but if it's actually thinking anything, it isn't immediately apparent to us; its single eye simply glares evilly, its gaping maw curled into the same stupid open-mouthed smile as always. Razor pops a wheelie, turning in place, trying to do his best to look appetizing to the beast. The front tire slams back down onto the ground as the motorcycle completes its turn. More engine revving. Vroom!
RAZOR
(angry)
You're hungry aren't you?
(angrier)
Some dessert after a sub sandwich, you big pile of crud?!
That does it. Whether directly provoked or just simply deciding out of nowhere to attack, the bacteria monster looses a hideous bellow and lunges forwards with arms outstretched to grab Razor, who hunches his shoulders down in preparation to spin and zoom off... when suddenly the bacteria monster's eyebrow flies up, eye going wide and bulging outwards, mouth opening wider in a pained roar as electricity shoots through its body.
Razor jerks back in his seat in surprise, then realizes what has happened. In taking a step forward to attack him, the monster has stepped on the electrified third rail of the track. The bacteria monster convulses wildly, roaring. Blinding bright flashes of light play over Razor, who shields his face with his forearm. In the train car, the passengers duck down, screaming.
The monster squeezes its eye shut in agony as the sparking arcs of bluish electricity crackling over its form turn it an unsightly brownish color, and after a moment, the electrical discharges fizzle out, and the brown bacteria monster stands "frozen" in mid-contortion, eye shut, mouth open in a silent but smiling scream. It's been burned to nothing more than a dried-up husk.
The unmoving form twitches and then slowly crumbles into dust before Razor's eyes.
RAZOR
What the--?
He stares uncomprehending at the shapeless pile of dust that used to be the monstrous germ creature, stroking his chin in thought. In the remaining car, the passengers slowly poke their heads up into view one by one, in varying states of fear, confusion and relief. After a moment, they all begin cheering.
BUSINESSMAN
W--we're alive!!!
HOUSEWIFE
I've never been so scared in all my life!!!
LITTLE BOY
Thank you, SWAT Kat!!!
Razor looks over at them.
RAZOR
Is everyone okay in there?
There are various shouts of response in the affirmative. Razor smiles, revving the engine again and launching himself back onto the boarding platform. As he zooms away, the passengers cheer him.
EXT. CITY STREET B
Razor flies out of the subway entrance on thee Cyclotron, skidding to a stop in the street. Reaching up, he activates his helmet's comlink.
RAZOR
T-Bone? Are you there?
Above him, the Turbokat descends with T-Bone at the controls.
T-BONE:
Yeah.
Back to Razor on the bike.
T-BONE
(filtered through the radio)
What happened? Where's the big pile of crud?
Razor grins.
RAZOR
French-fried to a crisp!
He frowns.
RAZOR
But not before it ate an entire subway train.
In the Turbokat grimaces in disgust, gritting his teeth.
T-BONE
Ugh, those poor sons a'...
RAZOR
(filtered through the radio)
Well... almost. I managed to save one car...
Razor glances back at the entrance to the subway.
RAZOR
I saved a grand total of four people.
Brightening a little, he turns and looks back up at the jet.
RAZOR
But on the bright side, I think I found a way to destroy these things!
T-Bone, in the Turbokat, nods.
RAZOR
(filtered through the radio)
Come pick me up, we gotta make a quick stop back at the hangar. And fast!
T-BONE
Roger.
EXT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - DAY
Megakat Biochemical Labs is a large, solidly-built facility, standing some fifteen stories tall, modernistic in appearance with enormous windows and surrounded by a chain link and barbed wire fence and a perimeter of large artillery cannons mounted on swivel bases.
FERAL (VO)
There's no time for idle chit-chat, Dr. Zyme!
INT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - MAIN LAB
The main lab is an enormous room filled with all manner of futuristic-looking scientific equipment and machines. Callie Briggs, Commander Feral, his pilot and Mayor Manx are speaking with chief biochemist DR. N. ZYME. He's middle-aged with wavy orange hair and wearing an old-fashioned style lab coat. Manx shivers in terror.
FERAL
We've got serious trouble!
ZYME
What sort of trouble?
Feral opens his mouth to explain when Manx walks up to Zyme suddenly, waving his arms wildly.
MANX
There's these huge purple things and they're headed right this way!
He shoots an angry look at Feral.
MANX
I don't even know what we're doing here!
Zyme just looks confused and tired.
ZYME
Purple things? What on Earth are you talking about?
FERAL
(ignoring Manx)
We don't know what they are. But they're big and getting bigger every minute. And worse, whenever we shoot them they split apart into more!
(scowls)
I found out that out the hard way.
(changing the subject)
Doctor, we need your help to figure out what they are and how to kill them.
Suddenly, Manx grabs Zyme by the front of his lab coat and shakes him roughly.
MANX
(yelling)
You've got to do something, Dr. Zyme! Before those big purple globs destroy my beautiful city!
Feral grabs the Mayor's shoulders and makes him release the scientist. Wrenching free from him, Manx is shooed from the room.
FERAL
Why don't you go out and wait in the hall, Mayor? And try to stay calm.
MANX
(terrified)
Calm?
(voice rising)
At a time like this?! You're crazy!
Gibbering in fear, he turns and runs from the lab, leaving the other four alone.
Zyme sighs and rubs his temple.
ZYME
How soon until they get here?
FERAL
About a minute-and-a-half. Look!
Zyme turns and walks to the enormous front windows, which run from floor to ceiling, and watches as the two remaining bacteria monsters (one with two eyes and one with one eye) approach, walking in lockstep, grabbing up cars and eating them, growing bigger and bigger. He then turns back to Callie, Feral and the Enforcer pilot.
ZYME
They appear to be giant bacteria!
FERAL
(impatient)
Okay, now we know what they are. But is there a way to stop them?
ZYME
Hmm. Perhaps...
He goes over to a table and selects a stoppered flask of some orange liquid, holding it up for the others to see. Feral in particular looks very interested, leaning in to eye the flask's contents.
ZYME
On such notice, this is the best I can do. This soloution contains the most powerful antibiotics known to katkind. We have enough of it here to kill both those things.
Zyme hands the flask to Feral, who looks at it, frowning.
FERAL
How do we deliver it?
He turns and gives the flask to the Enforcer pilot, who frowns, unsure of what to do with it. The three turn and watch as Zyme goes and gets what looks like a giant hypodermic needle off of a shelf in the back of the room.
ZYME:
I can fill this with the formula. It's normally used to tranquilize large animals, but it should be able to inject the antibodies into the bacteria's system.
He places it into Feral's open hands. Feral looks down at it a moment.
FERAL
Excellent.
He turns to his pilot.
FERAL
Prepare my chopper at once!
PILOT
Yes sir!
He salutes and runs off. A moment later he runs back, setting the flask back down on the table, then he runs off again.
Callie, standing near the windows, sees the two remaining bacteria monsters approaching.
CALLIE
I sure hope it works, because those things are headed right for us!
Dr. Zyme walks over and places a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
ZYME:
Don't worry, Ms. Briggs. No one can get inside Megakat Biochemical! As you can see...
(points)
...we're well-protected against any attack.
EXT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - DAY
The lab's defenses (which are automated and unmanned) swivel around on their turrets to face the threat and open fire. In addition, a cordon of uniformed SECURITY GUARDS armed with laser rifles take up positions at the fences. The bacteria monster with two eyes is knocked back, as the single-eyed one stands there as the shells rip right through its gooey body. Angrily, it swings its fist and destroys the cannon. The two-eyed bacteria one follows suit, and the guns are gone, smashed beyond use.
The monsters trample the fence underfoot. The guards back up, firing up with their laser rifles, but these don't do a bit of good. The bacteria monsters don't even notice them, continuing to move inexorably forward, shrugging off the laser fire from the guards and the continued bombardment from the cannons, which are their primary targets; the two-eyed bacteria monster goes to the right and attacks the third cannon there, while its single-eyed brother goes to the left and attacks a fourth cannon there. The air is filled with explosions and booming. With one mighty swipe, the one-eyed bacteria monster destroys the third cannon. The guards stop firing their lasers, looking around at one another, before turning and fleeing en masse in complete surrender.
INT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - MAIN LAB
Callie and Zyme watch from the window, turning to look at one another in dismay. We hear (but not see) the fourth cannon being destroyed.
ZYME
(a little nervous)
Well, almost any attack...
He turns and hurries away offscreen to attend to something as a fifth explosion signals another cannon's destruction. Callie, watching him go, doesn't notice that a manhole pops open down on the street outside.
EXT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - DAY
Out climbs none other than Dr. Viper, cackling evilly. He addresses both creatures.
VIPER
You two will keep dessstroying their defenssesss!
Turning, he approaches the front door unmolested.
VIPER
And I will raid the labsss!
EXT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - ROOF
Feral's helicopter sits on a rooftop helipad as Dr. Zyme loads the giant syringe containing the antibody formula, which has been modified into an ad-hoc missile, onto the side of the aircraft. Commander Feral looks on from the open side door. Finishing, Zyme stands back.
ZYME
It's all loaded, Commander!
FERAL
Good!
(to his pilot)
Let's go.
MANX (VO)
(from offscreen)
Wait! I'm coming too!
Mayor Manx comes rushing up and jumps into the side of the chopper as it lifts off. He doesn't quite make it. He hangs there, half in and half out of the chopper, legs kicking frantically as he tries, without success, to pull himself up as the helicopter lifts into the air.
MANX:
I don't want to be around if this stuff doesn't work!
A disgusted Feral pulls him in the rest of the way.
FERAL
You're a coward, Manx.
MANX
(out of breath)
Maybe so.
(grinning)
But I didn't get to be mayor for ten terms without being a wee bit cautious.
Feral grunts and pulls the door closed. As the helicopter turns and flies off, Zyme turns and goes back inside.
EXT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - DAY
The Turbokat comes tearing out of the clouds. Flying between the buildings, it heads right for Megakat Biochemical Labs and the two bacteria monsters, which, due to everything they've eaten, have grown humungously, nearly as tall as the buildings around them. The one with two eyes is the far larger of the two, although the one-eyed creature is no shrimp, either.
T-Bone makes an exploratory pass, whooshing between the creatures. He glances back over his shoulder at Razor.
T-BONE
Okay, buddy, I'll get you in close enough for a good shot! Get the one with two eyes! It can still split and make three again!
RAZOR
(nodding)
Affirmative.
T-Bone circles around and heads back toward the biochemical labs. Razor sights the two-eyed bacteria monster through his scope, aiming for that yawning, perpetually smiling maw.
RAZOR:
Open wide, big guy! Say "ahhh!"
He fires, sending a Megavolt Missile flying at the monster. This resembles an ordinary missile, but then the casing pops off, revealing a segmented conductor mechanism. Electricity sizzles over it. The bacteria monster catches the treat in its mouth, gulping it down. The Turbokat flies past it, the SWAT Kats looking back at the huge beast over their shoulders. Nothing seems to be happening.
T-BONE
(frowning)
Razor, I thought you said this would work!
Just then, the bacteria monster begins to undergo a sudden change. Its eyes widen and its smile vanishes. A few seconds later, bluish electrical bolts surge all over its body as it convulses hideously and finally it blows up. The explosion however is muted, more like a "poof" than anything, as the creature disappears into a cloud of crumbling, ashen dust. Razor smirks.
RAZOR
I, uh, neglected to mention the five-second countdown.
In the Enforcer chopper hovering nearby, Feral and Mayor Manx look down at the smoking remains of the bacteria monster.
MANX
The SWAT Kats got that one, Feral!
FERAL
(matter-of-factly)
And I'll get the other one!
The remaining bacteria monster, the one with only one eye, walks over to the front of the building and looks in through the window.
INT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - MAIN LAB - DAY
Callie and Dr. Zyme shrink back as the monster peers in at them through the window with its huge yellow eye. The eye looks back and forth between them. Callie looks uneasy, but Zyme smiles reassuringly.
ZYME
Don't worry, Ms. Briggs, these windows are made from reinforced armored glass. He can't get us.
So saying, he raps his knuckles against the glass for emphasis confidently. Thunk-thunk! Suddenly, the monster lifts one of its hands and smashes it against the window. The glass cracks. Zyme's smile vanishes. Another hit, a tap, really, and the glass explodes inwards, raining down over Callie and Zyme as they shield their faces. They look up and scream as the monster reaches one gooey purple hand in through the window to get at them. It descends down towards them. They scream and throw their arms up in an effort to shield themselves, ready for the end.
Suddenly, the creature is distracted from its task. We hear the whup-whup-whup! of approaching rotor blades and the enormous hand withdraws. Flinching, Callie and Zyme uncover their faces, blinking, and watch as the bacteria monster turns to face Commander Feral's approaching chopper.
EXT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - DAY
The Enforcer chopper hovers in place as the bacteria monster approaches it.
FERAL
Open wide, slime bucket.
He targets and fires, the projectile sailing straight and true, the needle on the end piercing the amorphous lumpy purple skin. A plunger inside the syringe pushes down, injecting the entire dose of orange liquid into the monster's body.
FERAL
Got him!
But nothing happens. The monster simply stands there. Feral blinks, confused.
INT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - MAIN LAB - DAY
Callie and Dr. Zyme stand beside the broken window, looking out at the unchanging bacteria monster.
ZYME
(distressed)
I don't understand! It's not working!
They suddenly hear a hiss behind them and whirl around to find Dr. Viper standing there, grinning hideously, tail lashing behind him wildly, eyes aglow.
VIPER
You were alwaysss a fool, Zyme! My giant bacteria are immune to antibioticsss!
CALLIE
(realizing)
Dr. Viper! I knew you'd be behind something like this!
EXT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL
Roaring angrily, the monster lifts one huge hand and swipes at Feral's chopper. Feral tries to pull up, but a hit from the monster's hand sends the aircraft spinning out of control!
It crashes upright onto the street, and skids a ways, leaving a trail of sparks, until it comes to a more or less gentle stop bumping against a parked car. Inside, Feral, Manx and the Enforcer pilot are okay, but really shaken up. The bacteria monster stomps towards the downed chopper, but then the Turbokat zooms past its face, getting its full attention. T-Bone swings back around, flying at the monster.
T-BONE
Whatever Feral tried to do, it didn't work, buddy!
RAZOR
At least he saved Callie and that doctor guy!
T-BONE
Now it's up to us to take this thing out!
He readies his finger on the trigger.
RAZOR
One more Megavolt Missile, comin' up!
He targets the monster, and squeezes the trigger. Nothing happens. Suddenly, a little red warning light flashes on the control panel. Razor pounds it angrily.
T-BONE
What's wrong?
RAZOR
(angry)
It's jammed! There's some kind of systems malfunction!
T-BONE
You gotta be kiddin' me!
They swoop past the bacteria monster a second time, the monster trying unsuccessfully to grab the jet.
INT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - MAIN LAB
Dr. Viper is busy gathering up loads of Katalyst 99, which we see is an orange-colored bubbly chemical in futuristic-looking containers. He has an armload of them and keeps greedily grabbing more. Callie steps forward and confronts him.
CALLIE:
So that's what all this is about? A robbery?! What kind of sick, twisted--
VIPER:
(angrily)
Sssilence! How dare you quessstion my plansss?
He turns back to gathering up the canisters. Furious, Callie grabs a pencil jar off a nearby desk and throws it at him. It smacks into the back of his head, sending pencils flying everywhere.
CALLIE:
(disgusted)
You won't get away with this, Viper. The SWAT Kats will see to that!
Viper's eyes glow with fury.
VIPER:
No, Ms. Brigsss...
His snakelike tail lashes out, encircling Callie, and Zyme behind her, coiling around them and squeezing them together, dragging them over to himself.
VIPER
...it's you who won't get away!
He cackles evilly.
EXT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - DAY
The Turbokat flies past, the SWAT Kats casting a glance inside the labs through the broken window as they pass, and they see Dr. Viper with his prisoners.
T-BONE
Callie!
RAZOR
And Dr. Viper! So he's behind all this!
INT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - MAIN LAB - DAY
Viper goes to the window and yells at the remaining bacteria monster.
VIPER
Get them! Desssstroy the SWAT Katsss!
EXT. CITY STREET C - DAY
The Turbokat zooms down the street with the final bacteria monster plodding along behind it, pushing buildings over, slowly but steadily gaining on the jet. Razor looks back to see the wide, smiling mouth opened wide, rushing up to the devour them.
RAZOR
Step on it, T-Bone!
T-BONE
I am!
He pushes the power to the max, and successfully puts some distance between them and the monster. The creatures roars with pain as it gets a faceful of the jet's flaming jet exhaust.
T-BONE
Yeah, eat, afterburner!
Razor glances over to see some huge powerlines leading towards a power sub-station.
RAZOR
I've got an idea!
T-Bone glances over, following Razor's pointing finger, and nods, getting the idea. He banks right and flies down another side street towards the sub-station.
EXT. POWER SUB-STATION - DAY
A mid-sized, nearly featureless building surrounded by huge metal transformer towers. Low-hanging powerlines snake out from the towers to feed the hungry buildings of downtown Megakat City. A sign on the front reads "Megakat Power Sub-Station: Restricted!"
Deftly avoiding the powerlines, T-Bone swoops under them, up, and around in a wide U-turn as the bacteria monster emerges from between the buildings from the side street and heads towards the power station. Gritting his teeth, T-Bone flies down towards the monster as it lumbers underneath the powerlines.
T-BONE
You're gonna get a charge outta this, big guy!
He flips the Turbokat around to fly sideways; one wing aimed down at the street, the other pointing towards the sky. He skillfully pilots the jet under the lines mere inches from the monster's body right as it's passing underneath them, and he uses the wing to cut the wires, which fall right onto the bacteria monster. It is electrocuted, convulsing hideously, and like its brothers it hardens into a dried husk before crumbling away.
T-BONE
Yeah!
Razor gives him a thumbs-up.
RAZOR
That was great, T-Bone!
T-BONE
It was great 'cause it was your idea, buddy!
RAZOR
Now, let's double back and head back to Megakat Biochemical Labs! We've got a snake to catch!
The jet swoops down the street.
INT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - MAIN LAB - DAY
Viper snickers evilly as he holds his armfuls of Katalyst 99, Callie and Zyme still struggling in the grip of his tail.
VIPER
Time to make my exit!
Suddenly, there is the familiar roar of jet engines, growing steadily louder and louder. Viper turns to look out the remaining unbroken window of the room...
VIPER
Huh?!
...to see the Turbokat flying right at him! He screams.
VIPER
Aahhhhh!!!
The Turbokat smashes through the armored glass, knocking Viper back and making him drop his hostages, who are dropped harmlessly aside and out of the jet's path, the evil biochemist flying back and smacking into the wall. He's buried under debris. The jet comes to an abrupt halt right there in the huge laboratory, which is large to contain it. The canopy pops open, and T-Bone leaps out. He goes over to where Callie and Zyme sit, stunned but okay.
T-BONE
Are you okay, Ms. Briggs?
CALLIE:
Yeah, I'll live. But where's--
She's cut off as Dr. Viper pops up from under the debris a few feet away, quite angry, some of the canisters of Katalyst 99 still in his arms.
VIPER
Curssse you, you meddling SWAT Katsss!
Razor hops down to stand next to T-Bone, both of them readying their Glovatrixes.
RAZOR
Game over, Viper!
VIPER
(evil laughter)
Hardly!
He holds up two canisters of Katalyst 99, and grins as he begins to violently shake them. The SWAT Kats look puzzled, but then--
ZYME
Nooooooo! Those chemicals are highly flammable! You'll destroy the whole building!
Laughing insanely now, Viper hurls the shaken canisters at the floor between himself and the SWAT Kats, where they explode! A blazing fire is started that quickly begins to engulf the lab, moving towards some shelves of chemicals.
RAZOR:
T-Bone! We've gotta get out of here before the flames hit those chemicals!
EXT. MEGAKAT BIOCHEMICAL - DAY
The entire front of the building explodes, raining glass and debris onto the street and ruined cannons, as Feral and Mayor Manx look on, standing beside the crashed Enforcer chopper.
The Turbokat emerges triumphantly from the flames, just a bit singed, and flies down the street a ways, before landing. In the cockpit we can see Callie in T-Bone's lap and Dr. Zyme in Razor's. Feral runs over as the canopy pops open, the SWAT Kats getting out and helping Callie and Zyme down.
FERAL
Miss Briggs! Are you all right?
CALLIE
Yes.
She smiles at T-Bone.
CALLIE
Thanks to the SWAT Kats.
FERAL
Pheh! Thanks to them, half of Megakat City is without power! And Megakat Biochemical Labs is totally destroyed!
ZYME
Actually, Commander, that was Dr. Viper's doing.
FERAL
Viper, huh? Makes sense that he'd be behind something like this. Where is he?
T-Bone jerks a thumb back at the burning lab.
T-BONE
In there. You're welcome to go looking for him.
FERAL
(managing to crack a smile)
Thanks, I'll pass.
(smile fades)
All right, I won't charge you for the damage to the labs, but I still hold you responsible for the loss of power!
Both SWAT Kats hop back into the cockpit.
T-BONE
When you find a better way to deep-fry a hundred tons of purple glop, Feral, you let us know.
FERAL
And don't forget the Megakat Refinery! And the damage to City Hall!
T-BONE
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Feral grits his teeth angrily, and everyone steps back as the Turbokat's engines start up again, the jet taking off from the street, T-Bone and Razor giving a thumbs-up to Callie and Feral.
T-BONE
Y'know, I think it's gonna turn out to be a beautiful evening, eh Razor?
RAZOR
Affirmitive. Let's go home.
EXT. POWER SUB-STATION - DAY
As the Turbokat flies over, T-Bone glances down to see Burke and Murray using a bulldozer to clean up the smouldering remains of the last bacteria monster by the powerlines.
T-BONE
Hey, check it out.
RAZOR
Yeah, looks like Burke and Murray have one long day ahead of them.
T-BONE
Remind me to get 'em some anchovy pizza when they get back. They'll have earned it.
The Turbokat flies off into the horizon.
FADE OUT
THE END
