THE END OF THE SWAT KATS!
A script by Kooshmeister (Bill Hiers)
Based on characters created by Hanna-Barbera and Christian and Yvon Tremblay (and hated by Ted Turner).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
SCENE 1
EXT. BANK - DAY
A large, prestegious-looking building with turn-of-the-century style architecture. The sign above the entrance reads "First Bank of Megakat City."
INT. BANK - MAIN LOBBY
Various customers opening bank accounts or withdrawing money. Lots of lines. It's a busy day. The fussy-looking middle-aged BANK MANAGER descends a flight of steps from an upper floor and addresses his young ASSISTANT MANAGER.
BANK MANAGER
I'm heading to lunch, Carl. Hold the fort while I'm gone.
ASSISTANT MANAGER
Yes, Mr. Stuffington.
The manager marches towards the exit, briefcase in hand. The lone BANK GUARD tipping his hat to him as he goes. As he opens the door, he walks right into the arms of five ROBBERS, all of whom are carrying heavy laser rifles. ROBBER #1 and ROBBER #2 sweep the manager up by the arms, making him drop his briefcase. ROBBER #3 and ROBBER #4 are carrying a large black case between themselves. Their obvious LEADER is a painfully handsome younger kat with blonde hair. He addresses the bank manager curtly.
THE LEADER
Good afternoon.
The manager is dragged back inside the bank. The guard at the door turns to assist him, but is pistol-whipped by the leader. The leader closes the door and turns the sign to say "Closed" as they come through. The customers and employees still inside look shocked as the robbers' leader addresses them.
THE LEADER
Ladies and gentlemen, this is a robbery. Cooperate and you will not be hurt.
(turning mean suddenly)
Get down!
Everyone screams and drops. At one point the leader pauses to dial a number on his 90's-style mobile phone.
THE LEADER
(over the phone)
Pickup in two minutes, and step on it.
The manager and assistant manager are made to get down on the floor with everyone else. One brave-looking TELLER eyes a nearby alarm, but stays where she is. They're being held at gunpoint by Robber #1 while Robber #2 raids the register drawers, stuffing bills and coins into sacks. Carrying their black case, Robbers #3 and #4 run downstairs followed by the leader.
INT. BANK - UNDERGROUND VAULT
The leader and the other two robbers rush into a room with a massive metal vault door at the opposite end. A small desk for a guard, currently unoccupied, is the only thing in the room. Robber #3 and Robber #4 set their case down. They open it, removing and assembling a massive drill. As the leader watches, they begin drilling through the door.
THE LEADER
(impatient)
Hurry!
After a few moments, the drill bores completely through the vault, and, stuffing some plastic explosive into the hole, the robbers dive behind the guard's desk. The plastic goes off, annihilating the lock with a muted explosion. The now opened door slowly creaks open, revealing stacks upon stacks of crisp money. Peeking out from behind the desk, the leader grins.
THE LEADER
It's like taking candy from a baby! Start gathering up everything you can carry!
His subordinates begin filling duffel bags.
INT. BANK - MAIN LOBBY
Robber #1 watches his comrade raid the registers and is not paying attention to the prisoners. Making her move, the brave teller lunges for the alarm. Robber #1 turns and shoots her, killing her, but it's too late. Alarms ring.
The thieves hear approaching sirens and look at one another worriedly. They're unsure of what to do when suddenly the leader and the other two robbers come rushing up from downstairs laden with bags of loot. Carl the assistant manager makes a lunge at Robber #2 and tries to get his gun. The leader calmly draws his gun and shoots him dead.
THE LEADER
(to Robber #1)
You let one of them hit the alarm, you imbecile!
(sighing)
Nevermind, let's go! Our ride should be hear any moment!
The five of them turn and hurry off as the sobbing and terrified customers and employees tend to the shot female teller, but she's dead. The manager checks on the unconscious guard over by the door while someone else covers Carl with his jacket. Everyone is scared and crying.
EXT. BANK - DAY
Several Enforcer sedans drive up, screeching to a halt. Last to arrive is Feral's, from which emerges COMMANDER FERAL, baton in hand. He and several ENFORCER COMMANDOS stand at the ready.
FERAL
(to a commando)
Report.
COMMANDO
We detected an alarm, Commander, but we aren't certain of the situation just yet.
Feral scans the skies.
FERAL
And no sign of the SWAT Kats. They must be busy somewhere else. Not surprising. It's been a hectic week.
He gestures with his baton.
FERAL
Well, we can handle this situation!
The commando salutes. Suddenly they hear the noise of approaching rotor blades and turn as a sleek black helicopter appears overhead and flies over the top of the bank.
EXT. BANK - ROOF
The helicopter touches down on the roof. The bank robber leader and the other four robbers emerge onto the rooftop and pile aboard. The leader sits up front with the mean-looking PILOT, two duffels of loot in his lap; his four sidekicks are squeezed in back with all their bags of money.
EXT. BANK - DAY
Feral and the commando he was talking to watch as the chopper lifts up and flies off. Feral pulls out a walkie-talkie.
FERAL
(into walkie-talkie)
This is Commander Feral, requesting immediate chopper intercept at the First Bank of Megakat City!
The Enforcers fire after it, but it climbs rapidly in altitude and speed and is soon up and away between the skyscrapers. In the escaping chopper, the criminals are laughing joyously at their heist.
THE LEADER
Sit back, gentlemen, and enjoy the ride!
ROBBER PILOT
(cheers)
Yeah! We're home free!
THE LEADER
(laughs)
I told you this was going to be easy! The Enforcers can't catch us, and the SWAT Kats are too busy fighting supervillains to catch a bunch of little old bank robbers!
The roar of powerful jet engines fills the air.
THE LEADER
What the heck...?
He's cut off midsentence as suddenly a Bola Missile comes flying out of nowhere and wraps around the rotor blades, stopping them short. They grind to a stop and the copter hangs in midair for a couple of seconds, then drops. The thieves all scream.
THE LEADER
Pull up!
ROBBER PILOT
I can't! The rotor blades are stuck!
The chopper is seconds from smashing into the street when it jerks to a sudden halt and swings nose down so that it is dangling by the tail. The leader and pilot are smushed up against the windshield as, behind them, the other four robbers babble and yelp as they're jostled up against the front seats.
Suddenly, the chopper lifts up as if being raised by a crane. The leader, gritting his teeth, manages to turn in his seat and look up over his shoulder, and notices that the helicopter's tail is held by the Sky Claw. He blinks and his eyes follow the line up to the hovering black and red fighter jet several feet above. The Turbokat!
THE LEADER
The SWAT Kats!
In the cockpit sit T-BONE and RAZOR. They look down at the captured chopper.
T-BONE
Your new alarm detection system works great, Razor!
RAZOR
Yeah, we were on these guys before we knew what hit 'em! What I wouldn't give to see the looks on their faces!
T-BONE
Or Feral's when we deliver our catch!
RAZOR
Better set 'em down. I think all the blood's rushing to their heads by now.
The jet turns and sets the helicopter down safely down in front of the approaching Enforcer sedans which screech to a halt. The Enforcers pile out and aim their weapons at the robbers in the helicopter who all immediately surrender. T-Bone hmms and checks a stopwatch.
T-BONE
Mission accomplished, bad guys apprehended, and justice meted out, all in less than a minute.
Feral emerges from his car and walks over. He watches as the robbers are being pulled out of the helicopter and cuffed, then glowers at the SWAT Kats who grin and wave at him cheesily. Razor pops the canopy so they can talk to Feral.
FERAL
(indignant)
Who invited you two jerks? The Enforcers could've handled this situation without you!
T-BONE
Gimme a break, Feral! By the time your precious chopper backup got here, those guys would've been halfway to Anakata Island! Face it, sometimes speed and timing is everything.
Feral crosses his arms.
FERAL
(still indignant)
Maybe, but--
He's cut off as SERGEANT TALON comes running up, holding a walkie-talkie.
TALON
Commander, we've got a Code 406 at the main power grid!
Feral whirls to him, blinking. T-Bone and Razor look at one another and already seem worn out.
T-BONE
(sounding exasperated)
Hard Drive.
RAZOR
Again. Don't worry, Feral, we'll take care of that creep for you.
Feral turns back to them.
FERAL
Not this time, SWAT Kats! The Enforcers are going to take down Hard Drive!
T-BONE
(teasing)
Not if we get there first!
Hurriedly Razor closes the canopy, and Feral and his men backpedal from the engine wash, Feral's coat billowing. The jet turns and soars off. Feral watches the Turbokat leave, then throws his baton down on the pavement.
SCENE 2
INT. SALVAGE YARD - OFFICE
MURRAY is half-asleep slouched in a shabby office chair. A mini-TV is in his lap, rocking gently as he snores. On the screen, the bank robbers are being led away in handcuffs. It cuts to a black-haired NEWSCASTER behind a desk.
NEWSCASTER
(on TV)
That was the scene just minutes ago at the First Bank of Megakat City. An attempted robbery that left assistant manager Carl Stenbrook and teller Jenny Merrell dead ended when the thieves were stopped short by the city's own heroic SWAT Kats.
Now the TV switches from the newscaster to showing a news report at the power grid.
NEWSCASTER
(on TV)
But there's never a dull moment here in Megakat City. We join Ann Gora live at the city's main power grid.
ANN GORA is visible holding her microphone. Behind Ann we can see Enforcer sedans and tanks.
ANN
(on TV)
This is Ann Gora, Kat's Eye News, coming to you live from the site of the Megakat City Main Power Grid! The notorious techno-crook known as Hard Drive has taken the building hostage, having overwhelmed all of the security guards. The Enforcers under the command of Lieutenant Felina Feral are attempting to contain the situation.
Murray takes a swig of milk and belches loudly. Suddenly a figure appears on the roof of the building on the TV and launches a volley of electrical bolts down on the Enforcer vehicles. They explode in showers of sparks and molten metal, the gathered Enforcer commandos ducking and running. A few manage to leap from their tanks before they explode. Ann ducks down and the view becomes wobbly as Jonny does the same.
ANN
(on TV)
Hard drive is attacking the Enforcers!
MURRAY
Duh.
He lets loose another belch and takes another swig.
ANN
(on TV)
Things are not looking good for the Enforcers! If only...
She trails off and looks up, offscreen. The sound of jet engines approaching can be heard faintly.
ANN
(on TV)
It's the SWAT Kats!
Murray's eyes light up.
MURRAY
Yeah, now we're talkin'!
ANN
(on TV)
Yes, the SWAT Kats, fresh from their heroic triumph over the bank robbers only a few minutes ago, are on the scene and engaging Hard Drive!
Just as the Turbokat flies into view however, a voice from outside interrupts Murray's TV time.
BURKE
(from outside)
Murray! Hey, Murray! Where are ya?
MURRAY
(shouting back)
In here, Burke!
BURKE
(from outside)
Come out here, I wanna talk to ya!
MURRAY
(growls)
I'm watchin' TV!
BURKE
(from outside)
It's important!
Sighing, Murray turns off the TV just as a big explosion occurs.
EXT. SALVAGE YARD - DAY
Murray steps out of the the small, two-room building that is the main salvage yard office. It sits near the entrance, out of sight of the garage. BURKE is standing outside. Murray yawns and stretches.
MURRAY
What is it? It had better be important! I was watchin' the SWAT Kats fight that electric guy on the news!
BURKE
I can't find those two hotshots Furlong and Clawson.
MURRAY
So what?
BURKE
So, they got a customer who's expectin' to get her car fixed. And she means business!
Murray follows his brother as they walk around one of the yard's many piles of junk.
EXT. JAKE N CHANCE'S GARAGE - DAY
They approach the modest two-story brick building that is Jake N Chance's Garage. A BLUE FOUR-DOOR CAR is parked out in front, and standing next to it is the little OLD LADY Chance and Jake often tow. Murray blinks.
OLD LADY
Well, it's about time! Where are those two young mechanics? I'm gonna complain to the Megakat Auto Club!
BURKE
(aside, to Murray)
See?
The old lady focuses her hate-filled gaze on the two brothers.
OLD LADY
Can you two fix my car?
MURRAY
Do we look like we fix cars, toots?
The obviously cranky old lady doesn't like this answer. With a growl, she brings her large purse down on the shorter kat's head.
MURRAY
Ow!
OLD LADY
Don't call me toots!
BURKE
Hey, you old battle axe! Don't hit my brother like that!
Before he can move to assist Murray, the handbag comes into contact with Burke's left knee. Yelping, Burke clutches his leg and hops up and down on his other foot. The old lady then whacks Murray on the head again, his green baseball cap flying off. Ducking to avoid another blow, Murray retreats into the open garage. Burke opens his mouth speak again, but this time he takes a hit in his large stomach. He bends over, groaning.
Murray peeks out from his hiding place behind the TOW TRUCK.
MURRAY
Jeez, lady! Calm down!
OLD LADY
Calm down? Calm down?
She whacks Burke a third time as he, too, runs for cover.
OLD LADY
I'll calm down when I get some service!
BURKE
(in between wheezes)
Well that ain't gonna happen until Furlong and Clawson get back!
OLD LADY
(not knowing their names)
Who?
BURKE
(recovering)
Uh, the mechanics, ma'am.
OLD LADY
(realizing)
Oh.
Curtly, she goes and gets into her car.
OLD LADY
I'll be back later this evening, and those two had better be here!
She steps on the gas and speeds right out of the salvage yard like a professional race car driver, leaving them in the dust, gasping and dumbfounded.
MURRAY
Holy kats, what was her malfunction?
BURKE
I dunno, but when I find those two slackers I'm gonna beat their faces in!
MURRAY
Yeah!
He goes over to pick up his baseball cap, then stops, blinking.
MURRAY
Hey, wait a second! The tow truck's still here!
Burke looks to the tow truck.
BURKE
Hey, you're right. Maybe they took the other car?
After picking up his hat and replacing it on his head, Murray goes with Burke and they walk around to the back of the building. To their surprise, however, the GREEN FOUR-DOOR SEDAN is still sitting untouched underneath a tarp.
BURKE
That certainly is strange. I'll bet you anything they're inside watchin' TV or somethin'.
MURRAY
Yeah, 'cause otherwise I can't see where they'd go by walkin', the only thing within walkin' distance is that oil refinery.
Balling up their fists, the two brothers walk into the garage and go inside the living quarters through a side door.
INT. JAKE N CHANCE'S GARAGE - LIVING ROOM
This can only charitably be called a living room. There's a couch fashioned from the backseat of a car, a fridge and a TV. It's on but muted. We can see the battle between the SWAT Kats and Hard Drive as covered from from the Kat's Eye News chopper. There is of course no sign of Chance or Jake. Burke and Murray split up and search the place. Murray heads upstairs.
INT. JAKE N CHANCE'S GARAGE - UPSTAIRS HALLWAY
Murray is walking down the hallway towards the bedrooms, when he hears Burke calling him back.
BURKE'S VOICE
Hey, Murray!
MURRAY
Yeah?
BURKE'S VOICE
Get down here!
Murray hurries back downstairs.
INT. JAKE N CHANCE'S GARAGE - LIVING ROOM
He finds Burke standing there.
MURRAY
Ya find 'em?
Burke smacks him on top of the head.
BURKE
You chowderhead! Does it look like I found 'em?
MURRAY
(rubbing his head)
Well then why were you yellin'?
BURKE
'Cause I found this.
He kneels down and pulls back a ratty-looking rug, revealing what appears to be either a manhole cover or a hatch of some kind. Murray stares down at it and blinks.
MURRAY
It looks like a hatch.
BURKE
I know. What I don't know is what it's doin' in the middle of the floor here in their pad.
Murray scratches his head under his cap, thinking. He snuddely snaps his fingers.
MURRAY
I know what it is!
BURKE
What?
MURRAY
This place used to be a base or something like that back in Mega War II, and it had a big underground bunker and stuff like that.
Burke's eyebrows furrow under his cap.
MURRAY
I used to ta' have the skematics of the place from the city hall of records, but I lost 'em.
BURKE
(in wonder)
So you're sayin' there's a whole underground complex under our feet that nobody's been down to in over fifty years?
MURRAY
Yup. And I'll bet ya two cans of tuna that that's where those jerks Clawson and Furlong are hidin'!
BURKE
Yeah!
Burke opens the hatch, revealing darkness below. The brothers sniff.
BURKE
The air smells sweet. I expected it to smell musty. They must go down there alot.
Murray nods and leans over, peering down into the blackness.
MURRAY
There's a ladder. I'm goin' down.
He starts down backwards, then pauses to look up at Burke.
MURRAY
You stay here. You're too fat to fit!
Burke growls. Murray continues down, laughing.
INT. SWAT KATS' HANGAR
Murray's feet come into contact with a concrete floor a few feet down and he stands there in the circle of light provided by the open hatchway above him, squinting in the darkness. To his right, he spots a light switch.
MURRAY
(calling up)
I found a light switch!
BURKE
(shouting down)
So turn it on, you idiot!
Grumbling, Murray does so. The fluorescent lights flash alive, revealing to Murray the entirity of the SWAT Kats' secret underground base. His eyes pop wide open and his jaw drops. He stands this way for several moments until Burke calls down.
BURKE
(shouting down)
Hey, Murray, you okay?
MURRAY
Yeah, Burke. You make yourself fit down here 'cause you have to see this to believe it.
Burke compromises, leaning over and sticking his head in through the hole upside-down. His reaction mirrors Murray's.
BURKE
Wow!
SCENE 3
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - COMMANDER'S OFFICE
Commander Feral grumbles to himself as he enters his office, shutting the door behind him, removing his overcoat and throwing it at the coat rack, missing. The coat falls to the floor as he goes to his desk, slumping into his office chair. Someone knocks at the door.
FERAL
Come in.
The door opens and Sergeant Talon comes in.
TALON
Sir? Are you all right?
FERAL
(snapping)
No, I'm not all right!
The Sergeant raises an eyebrow.
FERAL
Those annoying SWAT Kats do everything I can't! Sometimes I wonder if the city really even needs the Enforcers!
(calms down)
Sorry about that, Sergeant. The SWAT Kats have an uncanny knack for bringing out the worst in me.
TALON
It's perfectly all right, sir. Anyway, I have an update on the situation involving Hard Drive.
(uncertain)
That is, if you're in the mood for it.
Feral sighs, rubbing his temples.
FERAL
Fine.
TALON
The SWAT Kats were unable to capture Hard Drive just yet, and he is currently leading them on a chase through the entire city, with a few of our chopper units in pursuit.
FERAL
Sounds like the usual scenario. Watch them pull some magic trick out of their hats and beat that annoying techno-weasel.
He leans back in his chair, then looks at the Sergeant.
FERAL
I'll say this for them, they come through. Though of course you'd never catch me saying that to their faces. I have my pride to think about. And someday, I'll catch them, and into prison they'll go! I know I've said that hundreds of times in the past, but I will do it someday!
Talon nods absently and waits for him to finish his rant.
TALON
Shall I get the aspirin, sir?
FERAL
(managing a smile)
Yes, please.
Talon leaves the office and then returns with a bottle of aspirin and a glass of water. Feral nods his thanks and pops two of the pills, wallowing them down with a quick gulp of the water.
FERAL
One of these days I need to take a vacation.
(holding up the aspirin bottle)
I pop these things like Tic-Tacs, for crying out loud. If I don't get some rest and relaxation soon the stress is going to kill me.
TALON
Well, your niece is capable of keeping Lieutenant Commander Steel under control in your absence.
Feral nods and drains the rest of the water, setting the empty glass on his desk along with the bottle of aspirin.
FERAL
All right, that sounds like a plan, Sergeant. But not just yet. I still have a week's worth of paperwork to do, not to mention detaining Hard Drive when the SWAT Kats finally catch him.
He leans back in his chair once more, folding his hands across his lap.
FERAL
Well, I'm hungry. Why don't you run out and get us some sub sandwiches?
TALON
(smiling)
Yes, sir.
As Talon turns and leaves the room again, Feral massages his temples one last time. Mere moments later, Talon returns.
TALON
Commander.
FERAL
(joking)
That was quick.
(serious)
What is it, Sergeant?
TALON
Those two junkyard kats are here to see you.
FERAL
(arching a brow)
Burke and Murray?
TALON
Yes, sir. They say it's urgent.
FERAL
Very well. Send them in.
Talon stands aside, allowing the gruesome twosome that is Burke and Murray to enter the office. They have sly smiles on their faces and are very excited.
MURRAY
(grinning toothily)
Hiya, Commander!
SCENE 4
EXT. FREEWAY - DAY
HARD DRIVE has chosen to situate himself in the middle of the Megakat Freeway. He's brought traffic to a standstill as citizens have abandoned their cars and run away. The Kat's Eye News Chopper circles overheard, but Hard Drive is ignoring it. The Turbokat is sitting several yards away in a field with the canopy opened. Hard Drive cackles as he flings a bolt of electricity at the SWAT Kats who - after having landed and gotten out of their jet - are attempting to reach him by working their way through the maze of empty cars on foot.
HARD DRIVE
You'll never stop me now, SWAT Kats!
T-Bone dives out of the way as the electricity hits the ground near his feet, landing on his shoulder and somersaulting behind a concrete divider. Razor is already hunkered down behind an abandoned car to his right.
HARD DRIVE
With the power I absorbed from the main electrical grid, I'm badder than ever! Take your best shot!
T-BONE
Razor! Got any ideas?
RAZOR
You've asked me that five times already! And no! I still can't think of anything. This guy's reached a whole new level of dangerousness.
Giggling evilly, Hard Drive advances towards his foes' hiding places, electricity sizzling all around his Surge Coat-clad form.
HARD DRIVE
Come out, come out, where-ever you are, SWAT Kats! Hard Drive wants to play zap-the-heroes!
T-BONE
Nah, we're too shy, besides we're already playing a game. It's hide-and-seek.
HARD DRIVE
(snarls)
Aww, well then, let's play!
He lifts his arm, launching bolts of electricity at the car Razor is behind. The bolts hit the vehicle, shattering the glass and melting the metal. Razor jumps out from hiding and dashes over to where T-Bone is. Hard Drive notices, but isn't fast enough. His next volley of electrical bolts scorch the ground seconds after Razor is behind the divider with his partner.
HARD DRIVE
You're fast, SWAT Kat, but sooner or later you're both going to slip up, and that's when you die!
He fires on the divider sending chunks of concrete in all directions and blowing both SWAT Kats backwards several feet. Razor lands flat on his back, but T-Bone manages to land with his palms touching the ground and flips back over right-side up and land on his feet. He looks at Razor, who doesn't get up, and then back at Hard Drive, gritting his teeth in anger.
T-BONE
Why, you...!
Amused, Hard Drive crosses his arms.
HARD DRIVE
Impressive acrobatics, SWAT Kat. But I think that the game, as well as your pointless and annoying life, is over!
Once more Hard Drive lifts his arms, electricity sizzling from his fingertips, and T-Bone has nowhere to run. Struck in the chest, he staggers back and falls down, groaning.
T-BONE
(pained)
Son of a...!
HARD DRIVE
(chuckles)
Now to finish you off!
A barrage of laser fire hits the pavement near Hard Drive's feet and he leaps aside, yelping in surprise. T-Bone looks up to see a trio of Enforcer choppers hovering in the sky above the freeway, their side-mounted laser cannons blasting away at Hard Drive. The villain dances aside again and lets fly another of his deadly bolts.
The electricity strikes the lead chopper and instantly it explodes in a huge fireball. The other two choppers veer left to avoid both the explosion and Hard Drive's electrical bolts, as flaming helicopter parts shower down onto the freeway. Hard Drive composes himself and shakes his fist at the retreating aircraft.
HARD DRIVE
Puny Enforcers! You never learn, do you? Oh well, if the beating I gave you at the main power grid wasn't enough, then by all means let me give you some more!
He prepares another attack, intending to shoot them down as they try to flee. Suddenly, Razor sits bolt upright and aims his Glovatrix at him.
RAZOR
Mini-Turboblades, deploy!
HARD DRIVE
(surprised)
Huh?
He spins around.
HARD DRIVE
What the...?
The Mini-Turboblades fly from Razor's Glovatrix straight at Hard Drive, who tries to dodge, but they hit their intended target. He yells as his Surge Coat is slashed, cutting wires and rupturing the main battery cel. Almost immediately, the suit begins to power down, the blue electrical aura around him vanishing, his mohawk sagging and becoming a shaggy mop once more. He looks disbelieving at Razor as pupils appear in his eyes again.
HARD DRIVE
No! I was careless!
RAZOR
(snarling)
And this time it's gonna cost you!
Hard Drive raises his arms to zap Razor as the SWAT Kat approaches him, but can only get the tiniest of little sizzles from his fingers. Devoid of his powers, Hard Drive screams and runs from the angry SWAT Kat. Before he gets very far, the two remaining Enforcer choppers touch down in front of him, and FELINA FERAL, flanked by a pair of brutish Enforcer commandos, hops out, guns at the ready. Hard Drive skids to a halt.
HARD DRIVE
(squeals)
Got to get away!
FELINA
Not this time, Hard Drive!
She levels her gun at him. Eyes wide with fear, Hard Drive throws up his arms.
HARD DRIVE
I give up!
FELINA
(to her commandos)
Cuff him.
The two Enforcer commandos come forward and slap the cuffs onto Hard Drive. Glowering, he is led off across the car-littered freeway to a waiting Enforcer sedan. Razor, meanwhile, goes back to T-Bone and kneels beside his prone partner. After watching Hard Drive get loaded into the back of the car, Felina runs over to T-Bone's side, holstering her gun. Razor is checking T-Bone's pulse.
FELINA
Is he okay?
RAZOR
Yeah, he's just unconscious. That blast from Hard Drive messed him up good.
He gently slaps T-Bone's cheeks and the bigger SWAT Kat blinks awake slowly, and sits up, coughing. Razor smiles and pats his shoulder before helping him stand up.
T-BONE
(groggy)
What happened?
RAZOR
Well, I'd say you got knocked out by a blast of electricity and I took down the bad guy, but I don't wanna bruise your ego, buddy.
The Kat's Eye News chopper circles around and lands on the side of the road opposite the Turbokat. Ann Gora gets out, followed by JONNY K. and his trusty camera. By now a slew of reporters from various other news agencies are arriving. Both they and Ann are being held back by the Enforcers. Cleanup crews are also on hand to begin clearing the wrecks off of the freeway. The SWAT Kats seem a little uncomfortable with all the commotion.
T-BONE
(to Felina)
Well, Lieutenant, we'd better be headin' home before they start asking us for autographs.
FELINA
(laughs)
Thanks for another job well done. Hard Drive's going away for a long time after this little stunt.
Laughing, Razor and a still somewhat groggy T-Bone slip away between the cars and head back to the field where they had left the Turbokat. Felina watches them get in and a few moments later the jet is all powered up, rising into the sky and taking off. Returning to her duties, she walks back over to her helicopter. A commando approaches and salutes.
COMMANDO
Everything's under control, Lieutenant. All that's left now is to clean up all this mess for those anxious motorists to use it again.
FELINA
All right, I'll go and report back to headquarters.
The commando salutes again and hurries off, while Felina climbs into the pilot's seat of her copter. Flicking on the band, she brings the radio to her mouth.
FELINA
(into the radio)
Lieutenant Felina Feral to headquarters.
DISPATCHER
(over the radio)
Yes, Lieutenant, we read you.
FELINA
(into the radio)
Patch me through to my uncle's office.
There's a pause.
DISPATCHER
(over the radio)
I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but Commander Feral is not in at the moment.
Felina blinks.
FELINA
(into the radio)
Where is he?
DISPATCHER
(over the radio)
I don't know where he is, but he left here in quite a hurry about ten minutes ago with Burke and Murray from the salvage yard. Standing orders for you are to return to headquarters, ASAP.
Felina looks confused.
FELINA
(into the radio)
All right, thanks, dispatch.
DISPATCHER
(over the radio)
Any time, Lieutenant.
He hangs up. Felina does the same, and then leans back in her seat, thinking.
FELINA
(to herself)
Where has Uncle Ulysses gone in such a hurry, and with Burke and Murray of all people?
SCENE 5
EXT. MEGAKAT MOUNTAINS - DAY
The remote volcanic mountains to the east of Megakat City. The largest of them has a blasted top from which rises a steady stream of smoke.
EXT. BASE CAMP - DAY
At the base of the mountain, there is a small encampment. Five green tents sit in a clearing where the thickly-wooded hills give in to the foothills of the giant mountain. A campfire is smouldering. A large helicopter sits off to one side. It has a symbol of a large geode with the initials "M.G.S." underneath it. DR. ENITA IGNIMBRITE comes out of the largest tent, used as a field lab, and approaches a seismograph, stooping down to examine it. She's an older but still pretty she-kat wearing a hunting vest and khaki shorts, her brown hair tied back in a ponytail. An ASSISTANT comes over.
ASSISTANT
Still the same?
ENITA
There's definitely seismic activity of some sort. But I'm still not sure whether it's going to erupt or not. We both know that this volcano is supposed to be dormant.
She stands and dusts off her hands. The assistant turns and looks up at the smoking volcano looming above them.
ASSISTANT
Got any idea about what's making it become active again, Doctor?
ENITA
Well, at the moment, I can't say for certain until we've properly examined the crater from the air.
The group's HELICOPTER PILOT, doing a systems check, gets out of the chopper and comes over.
HELICOPTER PILOT
We can't do that without an Enforcer escort. Standing orders from the administrator. I took the liberty of putting in a request to Commander Feral, but you know how busy they are. It'll probably be a few hours before we're able to get airborne.
Enita nods. They turn to look up at the mountain.
ENITA
I wish I knew what was happening up there.
SCENE 6
INT. FEAR SHIP - CONTROL ROOM
A dimly-lit, massive chamber that is a nightmarish mixture of industrial factory and hollowed-out volcano. Everywhere there are chittering CREEPLINGS manning various computer stations, and across from where they're working there is a giant obsidian throne. It's empty at the moment.
Three technicians wearing purple uniforms with "D" insignia on the shoulders stand watching the base camp on a huge viewscreen suspended from the ceiling. GEOFFREY BLIM is a smug, overweight kat with shoulder-length red hair. NICHOLAS MARLOW is a handsome young kat with blonde hair. MORTIMER ZECKIS is a thin, nervous kat with already-thinning gray hair.
BLIM
It seems we have visitors.
Zeckis points at the helicopter on the screen.
ZECKIS
See that symbol on the chopper? That's the Megakat Geological Society.
BLIM
Obviously they're here to investigate the "volcanic disturbance."
(he chuckles)
But they're no threat. Look at them. I wouldn't trust them to find their own noses to pick them.
They hear footsteps and turn. Emerging from an adjacent stairwell is DARK KAT, walking with a cane and accompanied by several more Creeplings. He takes note of Dr. Enita Ignimbrite's expedition on the viewscreen, but just goes over to the massive ebony throne and seats himself in it.
DARK KAT
Status report, Mr. Blim.
BLIM
(inspects a gauge)
Power at forty percent, Dark Kat.
DARK KAT
I must begin begin conquest of Megakat City as soon as the Fear Ship has finished becoming fully charged by the lava's geothermal power. How long?
BLIM
(nervous)
I am sorry, Dark Kat. But the superheated magma takes time to collect.
Dark Kat pounds his fist on the arm of his throne in frustration. He points his cane at Blim, who looks suddenly worried.
DARK KAT
How long?
BLIM
Three days, at least. Just wait, and--
DARK KAT
(cutting him off)
Wait for what? More incompetence?
A beam of energy fires from Dark Kat's cane and hits the technician in the chest. He screams as he's consumed by purple energy and burned to a skeleton and crumbles into ashes. Dark Kat then points the cane at Marlow and Zeckis.
DARK KAT
You're in charge now, Mr. Marlow. How long?
MARLOW
Not sharing our friend Blim's pessimistic outlook, I predict I can do it in a day.
Pleased, Dark Kat lowers his cane.
DARK KAT
(darkly)
Excellent. But I warn you, do not disappoint me.
Marlow grins confidently at his newfound position. Sitting down again Dark Kat regards the Megakat Geological Society camp on the screen once more.
ZECKIS
What about those people down there?
DARK KAT
If they do decide to fly up here for a look, we'll be sure to give them a warm welcome, won't we? After all, I don't want Megakat City to know that I'm up here. Not yet.
He chuckles darkly.
SCENE 7
EXT. JAKE N CHANCE'S GARAGE - DAY
Feral's Enforcer sedan follows Burke and Murray's dump truck into the salvage yard and both vehicles come to a halt out front. Commander Feral gets out of the driver's side, adjusting his overcoat. Sergeant Talon gets out of the passenger side of the car. They watch as the huge, noisy truck ahead of them shuts off its engine, Burke and Murray hopping out gesturing excitedly. The two Enforcers cross the yard to where they stand.
FERAL
This had better be good. There's more important things that merit my attention right now.
MURRAY
Don't worry, Commander. Trust me. This is worth your time. C'mon.
He leads the way, Feral, Sergeant Talon and the hulking Burke plodding after. The small group approaches the front of the garage. Feral looks up at the sign and scoffs.
TALON
(reading the sign)
Aren't they...?
FERAL
(cutting him off)
Yes. The two hotshots who caused all that damage to headquarters years ago. I fired them and sent them to work off their debt here.
He looks around.
FERAL
And it looks like they've certainly been doing fair, opening their own business and all as opposed to just hauling junk like our guides here.
Talon nods as he and his superior officer follow Burke and Murray in through the garage, past the parked orange tow truck and into the living area through a side door.
INT. JAKE N CHANCE'S GARAGE - LIVING ROOM
Once inside, Feral grimaces at the state of the place, kicking aside an empty milk can.
FERAL
If you brought me here to show me just what poor housekeepers Clawson and Furlong are, Murray, then I think I've seen enough.
MURRAY
Ooh, they're slobs, all right. But pretty slick at keeping some big secrets.
FERAL
(arching a brow)
What kind of secrets?
BURKE
Clawson and Furlong are, uh...well it's hard to explain. You'd better look for yourself, Commander.
He kneels down near the ratty-looking rug on the floor. He pulls it back, revealing the hatch to Feral. Burke turns the handle and pops the hatch open. Feral steps up to the hole and stares down into the darkness, then turns back to Sergeant Talon.
FERAL
Sergeant, get some flashlights.
MURRAY
(matter-of-factly)
No need. There's a lightswitch down there.
Feral nods and hands Murray his baton. Turning, he goes into the hole and down the ladder backwards, feeling his boots scrape against the concrete a little ways down. He steps away from the ladder as Talon climbs down after him, and waits until his subordinate has joined him before he locates the light switch to his right. He flicks it on and they both gasp out loud.
Recovering from his initial shock, Feral turns and slowly goes down the short stairs to his left. He sees that the wall next to him is covered in little skull and crossbones which have been stamped onto it. The SWAT Kats' "kill marks." He examines the stamp pad and inker on the small shelf nearby.
FERAL
Looks like some kind of scorekeeping display.
Talon starts down the stairs after him, hand resting on his holstered laser pistol. Feral approaches one of the tables, frowning as he picks up a Glovatrix. Talon steps up behind him and clears his throat.
TALON
Uh, sir, is this place what I think it is?
FERAL
(absently)
It's an old military bunker, of that I can be certain. Built in Mega War II as a refueling depot for ships. It's right on the river, practically.
He turns the Glovatrix over in his hands, examining it, deep in thought.
FERAL
And I'd stake my job.... no, I'd stake my whole reputation that this is the hideout of the SWAT Kats.
Putting the Glovatrix back where he got it from, Feral turns to him.
FERAL
Sergeant, get up to the car and get on the horn to headquarters. I want a squad here on the double.
TALON
Yes, sir.
He turns and hurries back to the ladder, climbing up. Feral licks his lips and turns, spotting the SWAT Kats' lockers against the far wall with their names etched onto the doors. Feral grins.
FERAL
(to himself)
Finally. Those vigilante scum are going down.
INT. JAKE N CHANCE'S GARAGE - LIVING ROOM
Sergeant Talon emerges from the hatch. Burke and Murray are waiting eagerly.
BURKE
Didja see it?
TALON
Yeah.
He takes Feral's baton from Murray and walks quickly across the room and out through the garage. After standing there for a moment wondering why Feral doesn't come up, Burke and Murray follow Talon.
EXT. JAKE N CHANCE'S GARAGE - DAY
Talon heads for Feral's parked car. He opens the door and climbs into the driver's seat, setting the baton aside, getting the radio going as Burke and Murray walk over.
MURRAY
(hopeful)
So, uh, this is big, right?
TALON
(not really paying attention)
Very.
Burke and Murray look at one another, grinning.
BURKE
(eager)
So, uh, what are you gonna do?
Talon sighs.
TALON
We're going to detain the SWAT Kats.
MURRAY
(gushing)
Oh boy! So, we'll go down in history as the guys who found the SWAT Kats' secret lair, huh?
TALON
(annoyed)
You'll get mentioned. Now, beat it. The Enforcers will handle it from here. Your five minutes of fame are up.
Growling, the brothers turn and stalk towards their truck as the Sergeant contacts Enforcer Headquarters and requests immediate backup. Starting their truck up, Burke and Murray depart, the large truck trundling noisily past Feral's car and out of the salvage yard.
Meanwhile, the Turbokat is flying across the bay towards the peninsula where the salvage yard is. In the pilot's seat, T-Bone yawns.
T-BONE
I didn't get much sleep last night. When we get home, I'm going straight to bed, buddy.
RAZOR
I told you not to eat spicy foods right before you go to sleep.
T-BONE
(grumbling)
Yeah, yeah.
He flies the Turbokat over the salvage yard. He doesn't see the Enforcer sedan due to one of the taller junk piles blocking it from his vision. Reaching inside the pocket of his flight suit, T-Bone removes the little remote that operates the hangar's tunnel door. He clicks the button, opening the tunnel door, flying the jet down towards it as it slides open.
INT. SWAT KATS' HANGAR
Feral is inspecting the SWAT Kats' lockers, a spare red and blue helmet in his hands, when he hears the sound of enormous gears turning nearby. In an unusual state of panic, he quickly puts the helmet back into the locker and looks around for a hiding place. He finds one behind a console, and none too soon.
Even as he's ducking behind it, the Turbokat rises up through the gigantic circular hole in the middle of the cavernous room on its hydraulic platform. Feral peers around the corner and watches as the jet's engines power down. The canopy slides back, revealing T-Bone and Razor. The duo get out and hop down. Razor removes his helmet.
T-BONE
Pretty swell action today, huh, buddy? We stopped a bank robbery and put Hard Drive away again.
T-Bone also removes his helmet, sticking it underneath one arm. He grins and gives his partner a thumbs-up.
RAZOR
Yeah, Hard Drive was my favorite part. I never get tired of putting that techno-freak in his place.
The two walk towards their lockers to change. T-Bone reaches his locker first, putting his helmet inside, then removes his Glovatrix and puts it inside as well, flexing his knuckles and fingers. He's in the middle of reaching for the rubber stamp to add some more "kill marks" to their "wall of fame," when Feral leaps out at them from his hiding spot, laser pistol up.
FERAL
Freeze!
Both vigilantes stop dead as Feral approaches them. T-Bone, jerking back as if struck, drops the stamp to the floor. Razor's jaw falls open and his helmet joins the stamp in hitting the floor. The helmet rolls over to Feral's feet and he kicks it away. A huge grin comes over his face.
FERAL
(triumphant)
I should've known! You two screwups! You were the SWAT Kats all along! The same two irresponsible hotshots I kicked out of the Enforcers years ago!
RAZOR
(trying to bluff)
We, uh, we don't know what you're talkin' about, Feral!
FERAL
(not buying it)
Against the wall!
He turns and yells over his shoulder.
FERAL
Sergeant, come down here, I need your assistance in arresting two criminals!
T-Bone suddenly acts on instinct, without even thinking. His helmet is in his hands suddenly, seized from his locker. Just as quickly it leaves his hands, flying across the room, hitting Feral's arm. Feral fires reflexively, the laser blast punching a hole in Razor's open locker door. The gun clatters to the floor. Even as Feral is staggering back, T-Bone grabs a surprised Razor by the sleeve and drags him over to the ladder. Suddenly, he sees the feet of the descending Sergeant Talon.
T-BONE
Can't go that way!
He whirls back towards the Turbokat, pulling Razor along with him.
RAZOR
(yelps)
Whoa!
Between them and the jet, though, is Feral, who grabs up his pistol and fires a couple of warning shots into the ceiling above their heads. T-Bone again whirls and again poor Razor is jerked around with a small cry.
T-BONE
Can't go that way, either!
FERAL
Stop!
He points the pistol at them but holds his fire. The SWAT Kats rush back to the ladder where T-Bone grabs Sergeant Talon's belt as he's halfway down and yanks, sending the husky Enforcer sergeant tumbling head over heels harmlessly to the floor. Talon rolls into Feral, knocking him both down even as the SWAT Kats climb up and into the garage above.
EXT. JAKE N CHANCE'S GARAGE - DAY
The SWAT Kats rush out and start to open the tow truck's doors before seeing that it is blocked by Feral's sedan. They rush over to it. The driver's side door is still open from when the Sergeant used the radio. Finding no keys, T-Bone's claws come out and he shreds the plastic underneath the steering column and pulls out a fistful of wires. During all of this, Razor is struggling to protest, but can't get a word in edgewise. Past a certain point he opts not to say anything and just opens the passenger door.
In a couple of moments, T-Bone has Feral's cruiser hotwired and jumps in, slamming the door and revving the engine with a roar. Razor hesitates until he hears the noise of Feral and the Sergeant emerging from the garage, and then he jumps in. T-Bone throws the car into reverse, fishtailing the vehicle around as Feral and the Sergeant fire at it. T-Bone spins the wheel and guns it, the Enforcer car roaring out of the salvage yard.
As they emerge onto the road running alongside the bay, they almost collide head-on with the little old lady in her blue car as she is returning. She yelps and turns her wheel, and ends up in a ditch, stunned but unhurt. She shakes ger fist at the retreating Enforcer cruiser.
EXT. ROAD BY THE OCEAN - DAY
In the cruiser, Razor relaxes a little now that they're on a level blacktop and takes a moment to buckle his seatbelt. T-Bone neglects to buckle his own, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles pop.
RAZOR
(incredulous)
T-Bone, may I ask what exactly we're doing?
T-BONE
(angry)
Running, what's it look like?
RAZOR
And then what? Feral knows who we really are and it's not like we can exactly go back and deep-six both him and the Sarge!
T-BONE
Says who?
Razor glares at him and T-Bone looks at him and instantly banishes that particular thought from his mind. He relaxes a little and then looks back at the road. He smirks.
T-BONE
Anyway, we don't need to. We got a good head start on 'em and we got their car, too.
His smirk is wiped from his face as a laser blast flies by, and, in the sideview mirrors, they see the most unwelcome sight of their own tow truck following them. Sergeant Talon is driving while Feral leans out the passenger window, firing after the SWAT Kats with his pistol. Razor shoots T-Bone an annoyed look.
RAZOR
You left the keys in the ignition again, didn't you...?
T-Bone can only offer a sheepish grin.
T-BONE
Uh, well, it's not like that thing can catch up to us in this baby. I mean, these Enforcer cruisers may be rolling dynamite factories but they sure can move. So unless Feral finds the you-know-what in the tow truck I doubt he's gonna catch us anytime soon.
Ahead a ways, another Enforcer sedan sits parked by the roadside. In the driver's seat, JABLONSKY aims a radar gun at Burke and Murray's passing dump truck. To his annoyance, the junked-out truck is well below the speed limit. Beside him, his partner LYMAN fidgets.
LYMAN
Shouldn't we be going to the salvage yard?
JABLONSKY
Eh, there's more units on the way. We'll follow 'em. Besides, Feral can take care of himself.
Lyman suddenly grins in a perverted fashion.
LYMAN
What kind of underwear do you think Lieutenant Feral wears?
JABLONSKY
What?
LYMAN
(leering)
Bet it's a thong.
Jablonsky frowns and eyes him.
LYMAN
Come on, man! Tough she-kat like that's got to wear black lace and be into leather and stuff!
JABLONSKY
That's the Commander's niece you're talking about. If he ever heard you talking about Lieutenant Feral that way, he'd strangle you. And besides, anything he did to you would be merciful compared to what she would do if she found out.
LYMAN
(confident)
I'm tellin' ya, man, she digs me!
Suddenly they hear the roar of an approaching motor and turn and see Feral's sedan with the SWAT Kats inside go flying past. Jablonsky's radar gun beeps wildly giving a readout of 200.
JABLONSKY
Yikes!
Next the tow truck flies past, not going as fast but still moving, with the radar gun clocking it at 146. Both officers clearly see Feral and Talon inside.
LYMAN
That was the Commander's car! But that was the Commander! What's going on?
Dropping the radar gun, Jablonsky starts their cruiser up and pulls onto the road, heading off after the other two vehicles.
T-Bone has the pedal to the floor and the siren on, coming up behind Burke and Murray's truck and swinging around it. Burke honks his horn and curses at them. In the tow truck, Feral fires off a couple more shots at his own car and slides back inside as they too whiz past Burke and Murray.
FERAL
Can't this hunk of junk go any faster? They're already pulling away from us! And in our own car!
TALON
Sorry, sir! This is the vehicle's maximum speed!
FERAL
Blast it!
He angrily pounds the dashboard with his fist. Suddenly the control panel for the truck's booster engines pops up into view, previously hidden. Feral and Talon examine this for a moment before Talon pushes a button at random. The two Enforcers are thrown backwards into their seat cushions as the tow truck flies forwards, propelled by the powerful rocket boosters.
This does not go unobserved by the SWAT Kats up ahead, who brace themselves as the rocket-propelled tow truck flies up and rear-ends the Enforcer sedan, crumpling the back end and knocking the already speeding car forward a ways. T-Bone visibly struggles to keep them from swerving off the road.
T-BONE
What the heck? Is Feral reading my mind or somethin'?
RAZOR
(sighs)
T-Bone, may I suggest we think this whole "escape" thing through a little further...?
They near the bridge which connects the little peninsula to Megakat City. The loud roar of rotor blades fills the air as three Enforcer choppers appear overhead and begin closing in. Razor looks up at them forlornly. Glancing back he sees Jablonsky and Lyman's cruiser closing on the wildly speeding tow truck.
Whipping his head back around, he sees that at the bridge up ahead to see that the Enforcers summoned as backup have set up a roadblock consisting of two cruisers parked nose to nose across the road. Numerous Enforcer commandos take aim at the approaching SWAT Kats with their laser rifles over the hoods and tops of their cars. Behind them, three Enforcer tanks rumble up to a halt and a troop carrier drives up behind those, disgorging even more commandos as still another Enforcer helicopter lowers down to hover over this small army.
Razor sighs and leans over to T-Bone who appears ready to try and run the blockade. Razor puts a calming hand on his partner's arm.
RAZOR
(gently)
T-Bone, we had a good run, but for the moment, we have to give ourselves up! There's nowhere to go!
T-Bone glares over at him as though he's just been betrayed, his teeth gritted in fury. He looks from Razor to the formidable little army massing at the bridge, then back and forth between them, as if trying to come to a decision. Finally, he squeezes his eyes shut and hits the brakes while spinning the wheel left. Feral's car swings around sideways and skids to a sudden stop.
Neither SWAT Kat resists as the commandos come out from behind the blockade and surround the stopped cruiser with laser rifles up. A commando opens each door.
COMMANDO #1
(sternly)
Get out of the vehicle! Now!
They obey. They get out and are immediately seized and thrown against the side of the car and frisked. A commando removes and confiscates Razor's Glovatrix. As the two SWAT Kats are being placed under arrest and put in handcuffs, the tow truck comes flying up the road.
Everyone turns and yells in surprise. Sergeant Talon swings the wheel and the truck narrowly avoids hitting the group gathered around Feral's car, then flies off the road, ramping off a small hill and finally splashing down noisily into the bay. It sinks rapidly. A moment later, both Feral and the Sergeant break the surface.
Jablonsky and Lyman's cruiser speeds up and screeches to a halt, and the two get out. Two commandos each are left to hold T-Bone and Razor as the others, along with Jablonsky and Lyman, run and wade into the water to assist their floundering Commander. Two commandos get Feral, Jablonsky and Lyman help Talon. Both are soaking wet but unharmed.
COMMANDO #2
Are you all right, sir?
Dripping wet, but nonetheless grinning, Feral walks up to the two handcuffed SWAT Kats.
FERAL
(to the commando)
I'm fine.
(at the SWAT Kats)
In fact... I don't think I've ever been better!
SCENE 8
INT. FEAR SHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Marlow boredly watches the ship's geothermal power gauge rise. He shoos away some Creeplings that are crawling all over everything. Hearing footsteps, he turns and sees Zeckis come running up.
ZECKIS
(excited)
Marlow! Turn on the main screen! Channel fourteen!
MARLOW
(grumbles)
Why?
ZECKIS
Just do it!
MARLOW
(snarls)
Don't order me around!
Nevertheless, he turns on the main viewscreen. We see Ann Gora standing outside Enforcer Headquarters. Enforcer officers are seen holding back huge crowds of kats in varying emotional states; some are excited, others angry and a few are even crying.
ANN
(on the viewscreen)
This is Ann Gora, Kat's Eye News, with a late-breaking special report! The legendary SWAT Kats have been arrested! That's right, you heard it here first, on Kat's Eye News!
MARLOW
Go and get Dark Kat!
Zeckis turns and scampers away. On the screen, a helmetless T-Bone and Razor are shown being led up the steps to Enforcer Headquarters. A moment later, Dark Kat comes in, Zeckis trailing behind.
DARK KAT
What's so important it needs my personal attention?
He stops and looks up at the screen.
ANN
(on the viewscreen)
Their arrest follows their heroic thwarting of a gang of bank of robbers and the cyber criminal Hard Drive earlier today. As yet, no charges have yet been filed.
DARK KAT
What in the world? Can it truly be?
EXT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - DAY
As T-Bone and Razor are ben led up the steps by their captors amidst the whoops and shouts and protests of the crowd, Jonny attempts to get in close but his camera is shoved away by a glowering Commander Feral, who is bringing up the rear of the little procession consisting of himself, the captured SWAT Kats and the Enforcer commandos holding them.
JONNY
Hey...!
ANN
(protesting)
Commander Feral, please, the press has a right to...
FERAL
(cutting her off)
All right, fine. I suppose you and everyone else in Megakat City deserves to know the truth!
Feral motions for his men to halt and approaches the cuffed vigilantes. Jonny follows him closely, getting a good shot over the Commander's left bicep. One of Feral's large hands reaches for T-Bone's head. The yellow-furred kat flinches away and is held in place by the escorting commandos as Feral seizes the top of his black mask.
Everyone waits with bated breath as with a tug Feral tears off the mask revealing the handsome but unremarkable face of CHANCE FURLONG. The crowd gasps. Feral throws the mask aside and then repeats this motion with Razor, who struggles fiercely. Finally though it comes off and the face of JAKE CLAWSON is laid bare for the world.
FERAL
Citizens of Megakat City I give you the SWAT Kats! Chance Furlong and Jake Clawson, formerly of the Enforcers!
INT. FEAR SHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Dark Kat, Marlow and Zeckis stand there looking shocked. Rage boils in Dark Kat. He clenches his fists.
DARK KAT
How dare that nobody Enforcer commander be the one to unmask my lifelong enemies? That right is mine and mine alone!
Marlow and Zeckis exchange worried looks. The Creeplings scrambling to get out of his way, Dark Kat goes over to his throne and leans against it. Finally, he calms down a little.
DARK KAT
No matter. There will be time to punish Feral for his impudence later. No sense getting worked up over it now.
Ann Gora's news report continues as Dark Kat settles himself into the throne.
ANN
(on the viewscreen)
There is pandemonium here at Enforcer Headquarters as this stunning revelation is shown to the world! We go now to the city courthouse with Tab Mouser. Tab?
The screen suddenly cuts to a different reporter with a soulless plastic surgery smile standing outside of the Megakat City Courthouse. TAB MOUSER addresses the camera.
TAB
(on the viewscreen)
Thanks, Ann. I'm here with District Attorney Mills.
Beside him is DISTRICT ATTORNEY MILLS, a polished-looking middle-aged kat in a business suit. Tab thrusts his microphone into Mills' face.
TAB
(on the viewscreen)
District Attorney Mills, what charges are being filed against the SWAT Kats at this time?
Mills speaks with a pinched voice.
MILLS
(on the viewscreen)
Just for starters? Reckless endangerment of citizens, willful destruction of public property a hundred times over, willful flaunting of the law, and theft and destruction of Enforcer property! Excuse me.
He moves away and heads inside. Dark Kat presses a button and the screen goes blank. Marlow and Zeckis turn to face him.
DARK KAT
(musing)
This presents me with a singular opportunity. Mr. Marlow, so kind as to arrange for a little... accident to happen to my old friends the SWAT Kats would you? I do believe we ought to save the taxpayers of Megakat City the cost of a trial!
MARLOW
Yes, Dark Kat.
DARK KAT
In the meantime, continue powering up. I want my Fear Ship at maximum capacity before I reduce Megakat City to rubble. Do not fail me. In the meantime, I shall be below.
Marlow and Zeckis bow as Dark Kat stalks from the control room.
SCENE 9
EXT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - DAY
Felina Feral stands at the top of the steps, watching in disgust at the display her usually sensible uncle is putting on. She gives the unmasked SWAT Kats a sympathetic look as the commandos lead them up the steps, past her and into the building. Chance scowls, while Jake manages a weak smile.
Hearing her uncle's bootsteps coming up, Felina whirls and glares at him with a ferocity that makes Commander Feral step back and almost fall down the steps. He looks startled but not unsurprised as his niece's anger.
FERAL
(grumbling)
Not here, Felina.
FELINA
Why?
He doesn't answer. He simply storms past her and shoves open the front doors with both hands.
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - LOBBY
Feral enters. Felina follows, matching his pace. The doors swing shut, drowning out the noise of crowds outside to a dull muffle. Still ignoring his niece, Feral heads for an elevator, but Felina gets in front of him, blocking his path.
FERAL
Felina, get out of my way!
FELINA
Why? Why, when you didn't give T-Bone and Razor the same courtesy?
FERAL
(correcting her)
Furlong and Clawson. They're not the SWAT Kats anymore. The media may still call them that, but now that I know who they really are, they're just two screwup ex-Enforcers that I...
FELINA
(cutting him off angrily)
That doesn't give you the right to humiliate them the way you did!
Feral blinks and looks hurt. He recovers quickly, though, straightening his shoulders and jutting his large chin forward, looking authorative.
FERAL
(smartly)
I don't like your attitude, Lieutenant.
(changing the subject)
I want you to go out to the Megakat Mountain range and assist Dr. Ignimbrite from the Geological Society in investigating a volcanic disturbance there. In the meantime I have to I assist District Attorney Mills in presenting an airtight case against Clawson and Furlong.
FELINA
I won't help you bring down the SWAT Kats!
Feral holds up a hand to silence her.
FERAL
Which is why I'm assigning you this routine escort mission. I know you too well. I can't bring myself to make you choose between your loyalty to the Enforcers and your loyalty to your friends.
Felina steps back, surprised but still fiercely angry. After a moment of silence, Feral continues past her and gets on the elevator.
FERAL
I'll see you on the runway in ten minutes, Lieutenant.
EXT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - RUNWAY
The Turbokat sits on the runway, guarded by several stone-faced commandos. A few technicians are examining it. Nearby, Felina Feral is finishing the pre-flight check of her helicopter. It is one of two prepped for flying. She turns to two Enforcer pilots, BURGE and KING.
FELINA
All right, everything check out?
KING
Yes, Lieutenant. We're ready.
FELINA
Then let's go.
Felina climbs into her chopper. Her men get into the second one. Commander Feral emerges from inside the main building and walks over. He passes the Turbokat, allowing his hand to slide along its smooth, black hull. He then approaches Felina's chopper and leans in the open side door, getting her attention.
FERAL
Felina.
Felina blinks and looks back over her shoulder at her uncle. Some of her anger from before remains.
FELINA
(coldly)
Yes, Commander?
Feral manages the tiniest of smiles.
FERAL
Good luck, Lieutenant.
Feral stands back. The chopper's rotor blades start up, and Feral steps back out of harm's way as both helicopters lift off and head off over the city skyline. As Feral watches them go, Sergeant Talon walks up.
TALON
Sir, District Attorney Mills has arrived.
FERAL
Tell him to meet me in my office.
SCENE 10
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - HOLDING CELLS
Still handcuffed, Chance and Jake are taken to a reinforced door opening into a narrow hallway with two cells. It's a maximum-security detention block reserved only for the most dangerous of criminals. On the other side of the door stand a grim-looking Jablonsky and a sneering Lyman. Lyman and Chance eye one another through the bars.
LYMAN
Welcome to your new accomodations, Furlong.
Chance doesn't reply. With a buzzing noise, the door slides open. Jablonsky and Lyman take Chance and Jake from the escorting commandos here, and lug them into the hallway. The door buzzes again and slams shut.
LYMAN
Been wantin' to put you two in one of these for a long time, Furlong.
Chance still doesn't rise to the bait. The unmasked SWAT Kats are then walked to a cell with another occupant sitting on the bench with his head down, and Jablonsky opens the door with his key as a couple of commandos unlock their handcuffs and remove them.
With a shove, Lyman sends Chance stumbling forward so hard he ends up sprawling on his stomach. Jablonsky just shoves Jake in without any real malice and then slides the door shut with a metallic clang. Jake helps Chance up, but Chance shoves him away angrily. Jake steps back wordlessly, looking sheepish.
LYMAN
(cackles)
Enjoy your stay, fellas! And feel free to socialize with yer cellmate! You might say he's eager for some payback!
Laughing, Lyman turns and walks off. Jablonsky follows, twirling the keyring on his finger. The two stand guard at the end of the hall, chatting. Jake and Chance then turn and look at their cellmate, who very slowly lifts his moppy-haired head and blinks in surprise at them. Then a cruel, evil smirk spreads across his lips.
HARD DRIVE
Well, well, well! If it isn't my two favorite vigilantes!
CHANCE
(grumbling)
Aw, great...
SCENE 11
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - COMMANDER'S OFFICE
Feral stands at the window, looking out over the runway. The door suddenly swings open with a bang. Feral actually jumps back, wide-eyed, as CALLIE BRIGGS stands framed in the doorway, eyes narrowed to slits and her mouth twisted into a hateful scowl.
CALLIE
(hissing)
Commander Feral! How dare you arrest the SWAT Kats?
Composing himself, Feral clears his throat, overcoming his shock.
FERAL
Very easily, Deputy Mayor. I'm well aware that it doesn't quite gel with your whitewashed opinion of those two, but vigilantism happens to be against the law.
Callie storms up to the much taller kat and stares up at him. Sergeant Talon enters after her, looking apologetically at Feral. Feral waves him aside.
CALLIE
But how could you do this after everything they've done for Megakat City?
FERAL
I'm quite certain the judge will take their many services to the city into consideration when sentencing them. Anyway, their heroism isn't on trial, Deputy Mayor, but their flagrant disregard for the law is!
A voice interrupts them.
MILLS
(timidly)
Am I interrupting something?
They turn to see District Attorney Mills standing there.
FERAL
(to Mills)
No. Deputy Mayor Briggs was just leaving.
(to Callie)
Now, Miss Briggs, I suggest you do so of your own free will. Because I don't care if you are Manx's mouthpiece, I'll have you thrown out of here if I have to.
CALLIE
(spits)
You backstabbing snake! They've saved your worthless carcass dozens of times, and this is how you repay them?
She turns in a huff and shoves past the confused-looking Mills, leaving the office. Feral sighs.
TALON
She wants to see the SWAT Kats. Uh, I mean, Furlong and Clawson. Should I have her thrown out?
Feral gives it a moment's thought.
FERAL
(quietly)
No, let her see them.
TALON
Yes, sir.
He salutes and walks off after Callie.
SCENE 12
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - HOLDING CELLS
Chance angrily grips the bars and scowls. Hard Drive still sits on the bench, not moving. Ignoring him for the time being, Jake walks over and places his hand on Chance's shoulder, earning a glare over the shoulder from his partner.
JAKE
Chance, relax. Staying pissed off isn't going to solve anything.
CHANCE
(grumbles)
It's theraputic.
(turns away)
Look, if you want me to say sorry for panicking and trying to run earlier... I... well, what else was I supposed to do? Surrender without a fight, when we had a chance at getting away?
JAKE
(frowns)
Did we have a chance? I mean, really, with all those Enforcers? And where would we have gone anyway?
Chance doesn't answer. He merely continues standing there, still as a statue, holding the bars. Jake takes his hand off of his clearly troubled friend's shoulder, but resumes talking.
JAKE
I think you and I both knew this was going to happen eventually. Nothing lasts forever. Despite all our precautions there was always the chance somebody, somehow, would find out who we really were.
(suddenly depressed)
That somebody just happened to wind up being the two dumbest guys in Megakat City...
Chance looks at him.
CHANCE
If you're trying to make me feel better, Jake, cut it out.
HARD DRIVE
(piping up angrily)
Oh, would you two cut it out with the touchy-feely nonsense!
Chance whirls to him. It's clear that Hard Drive is intending to pick a fight with him. And it's working.
CHANCE
If you don't like us talkin' why don't you come over and make us quit?
Jake palms his face in despair. Suddenly, Hard Drive jumps to his feet.
HARD DRIVE
I may not have my surge suit but I can still tackle you one on one, T-Bone, or should I say Furlong?
He charges at them and swings his fist, hitting Chance in the jaw. Chance staggers back, growls, then jumps onto Hard Drive, knocking the villain flat on his back. Anger overcomes him as begins pummeling Hard Drive's face mercilessly. Jake tries to pull him off of his opponent, and then the cell door flies open as Enforcers - Jablonsky, Lyman and a commando - rush in to break up the fight. Jake is made to step aside by the commando as it takes both Jablonsky and Lyman to pull Chance off of Hard Drive.
The big kat wrestles with the pair but Lyman manages to cuff his hands behind his back, and still he puts up a fight so violent they have to hang on for dear life and struggle to make him sit down on the bench. The commando stoops down to examine Hard Drive, who is bloodied and bruised from Chance's punches.
HARD DRIVE
(yelps)
Keep that lunatic away from me!
LYMAN
(to the commando)
How is he?
COMMANDO
He's okay, just some bumps and cuts, is all, but, wow, did Furlong ever give him a pounding!
LYMAN
Well, get him out of here! Put him in a different cell! No, in a different cell block!
The commando gingerly helps Hard Drive limp from the cell. A moment or so later, a female voice wafts into the room.
CALLIE
Picking fights, huh, Chance...?
Chance looks up.
CHANCE
Callie!
Deputy Mayor Callie Briggs stands at the door, Sergeant Talon behind her. As she enters, Jablonsky and Lyman try to stop her, but Talon makes them back off.
TALON
She can see them. Commander Feral's orders.
Lyman looks annoyed. He and Jablonsky walk out, and the Sergeant eyes Callie a little sternly.
TALON
Five minutes.
He turns and leaves as well.
JAKE
Hi, Miss Briggs. A pleasure, as always, although I wish it were under better circumstances.
CHANCE
(grumbles)
To say the least.
Callie comes and sits down on the bench next to him. Jake remains standing and shuffles his feet awkwardly.
CALLIE
I'm doing everything I can to help you guys out. I have a few friends at the D.A.'s office who owe me a few favors from way back when. I think I can try and get you guys a good defense attorney.
Warm sympathy pours from every word she speaks.
JAKE
Thanks, Miss Briggs.
CALLIE
It's mostly an airtight case, I'm afraid. You and T-Bone, er, Chance, are essentially guilty of exactly what Feral says you are.
JAKE
What we need to do is get a smart lawyer who can argue that us breaking the law was needed for the greater good. Well, that and get a really sympathetic judge.
Chance sits sullenly, not even cheered by Callie's presence, his initial surprise at seeing her having worn off. Jake continues to fidget, and finally steps up to Callie, reaching up and rubbing at the back of his head, trying to speak his mind.
JAKE
(a little nervously)
Um, Miss Briggs, I was wondering... now that you know your beloved SWAT Kats are really your friendly neighborhood grease monkeys, I, uh...
CALLIE
(smiles)
I still think the world of you two, if that's what you mean.
JAKE
(mirrors her smile)
Thanks Callie, I mean, Miss Briggs, that means a lot, but that isn't what I meant. It's just that it took so long for anyone to figure out who we really were that, well, I was curious if...
CHANCE
(piping up suddenly)
What he's trying to say, is if you ever suspected the truth.
He smirks a bit at Jake. Callie stifles a giggle, covering her mouth.
CALLIE
The truth?
Both of them nod.
CALLIE
Then, yes, I did. And more than that, I think I always knew.
Chance and Jake reel at this, blinking.
CALLIE
Oh, don't look so shocked. I'm not as dense as everyone else in this city. Besides, those disguises weren't really intended to work on people who saw you both in and out of them on a regular basis. I just never said anything because I didn't wanna bruise your egos.
She smirks and ruffles Chance's hair as Jake laughs. The good humor dissipates quickly as Jablonsky appears and motions with his hand for Callie to come with him. Time's up.
Callie is in the middle of standing with a deep sigh when suddenly the lights dim a bit. Everyone starts and looks surprised. The ground underneath Callie's feet cracks and three pairs of pink hands shoot up through the floor and grab her ankles. She screams as she begins to be pulled down into the gradually widening hole.
Everyone acts all at once. Chance stands, then realizes his hands are still cuffed behind his back, watching helplessly as Jake, assisted by Jablonsky, grabs Callie and begins a furious tug-o-war against the unseen menace. Chance strains but can't wrench his wrists free, and yells over to Jablonsky, desperate to assist.
CHANCE
Unlock my cuffs!
JABLONSKY
I can't, Lyman's got the keys!
Suddenly Lyman comes running up the hallway in response to the noise. Finally the combined might of Jake and Jablonsky pulls Callie free. Jablonsky lets go and stumbles backwards out into the hall where he crashes into the approaching Lyman, knocking both of them to the floor. Jake likewise flies backwards onto the cell floor at Chance's feet, and the unbalanced Callie lands on top of him.
From the hole emerge three STEALTH CREEPLINGS, chittering excitedly. These aren't like the usual Creeplings however. Two of them are armed with small Creepling-sized laser rifles and all three are wearing small tactical goggles with red lenses and chest-straps with red beacons.
CHANCE
What the--? What are these? Stealth Creeplings?
One of them turns and points its laser gun at him and fires. It singes his cheek fur and he dives aside, loses his balance and falls to the floor a few feet away from Jake and Callie. His attacker - CREEPLING #1 - leaps onto the bench, ignoring the other two targets, and fires at him a second time. Chance rolls to the side and the laser blast strikes the floor inches from a startled Jake's head.
One of the other two Creeplings - CREEPLING #2, the unarmed one - lunges at Jake but he kicks it, sending it flying out of the cells. It lands on Jablonsky and begins savagely attacking him, clawing and biting his face as he screams and thrashes. Lyman stands, looking shocked, and stares down at CREEPLING #3, who whirls and aims its gun up at him.
LYMAN
(surprised)
A Creepling with a gun?
Creepling #3 fires, hitting Lyman in the shoulder. The Enforcer spins and hits the wall, then slides down with a groan. Jablonsky thrashes and pulls Creepling #2 off of himself and throws it away, then reels as Creepling #3 fires several laser blasts through his torso. He drops. Both Creeplings then run back inside the cell and resume their attack against their original targets.
Creepling #2 leaps onto Jake's chest but he grabs it and yanks it off, holding it at arm's length as it squirms and snarls. Creepling #3 fires and Jake tosses Creepling #2 aside and ducks. Creepling #2 smacks into the wall and falls down onto the bench, its goggles coming off and clattering to the floor.
CHANCE
Jake, get the keys!
Chance yells as he dodges another blast from the first Creepling, who turns and takes aim at Jake. While it's distracted, Chance manages to kick its laser gun away. Snarling, it begins fighting him hand-to-hand. Cuffed as he is, Chance finds himself outmatched physically. He screams as the Creepling bites and slashes at him, shredding the front of his flight suit. The third Creepling keeps shooting at Jake.
JAKE
(to Callie)
Stay down!
He leaps into the air, flipping over Creepling #3. It aims up, fires and misses, putting a hole in the ceiling, as Jake lands behind it and swings his leg, kicking it. Its spine snaps. Its goggles fly off and it goes flying forwards to land in a twitching heap beside Callie. Jake then runs to the unmoving form of Lyman out in the hall, gets the handcuff keys, and throws them to Chance, only for Creepling #2 to grab them.
CALLIE
I don't think so!
Jumping to her feet, Callie grabs the unprepared Creepling #2's neck.
CALLIE
Chance, catch!
She takes the keys from the Creepling and tosses them to Chance, then violently throws the little creature down and brings her high heel down upon it. Creepling #2 screams shrilly as she grinds it underfoot.
The keys hit the floor and Chance rolls over on them, grabbing them with his hands, struggling to unlock them even as the last remaining Creepling leaps onto his chest. He glares at it. Seconds before it's about to attack, he uncuffs himself and seizes the little monster and lifts it until he's staring into the red lenses of its goggles.
CHANCE
(snarls)
You ugly little creep!
He grabs its head and twists. He winces at the sharp crack, then throws the lifeless little body aside in disgust and goes to check on Jake and Callie and see if they're okay.
JAKE
We're all right.
(points to Jablonsky and Lyman)
Let's check on them.
They go and check on the two Enforcers. Lyman is only stunned, and although badly hurt, Jablonsky is alive.
JAKE
Lyman's gonna make it, unfortunately.
(Lyman groans)
I wasn't being serious, relax.
(to Chance)
Jablonsky needs a doctor, though.
The door to the cell block opens suddenly and a small army of Enforcer commandos charges in and surrounds them, laser rifles aimed at them. Commander Feral himself strides in and pushes his way through his men to stand there glowering down at Chance and Jake as they're kneeling over the bodies of Jablonsky and Lyman.
FERAL
What in the world?
CALLIE
Here's your answer, Commander.
Callie kicks Creepling #2, the one she stepped on, his way. The barely living, squirming thing rolls against Feral's foot with a wet slap and Feral cringes away.
CALLIE
Creeplings! Sent to kill the SWAT Kats, no doubt!
JAKE
Yeah.
Two other Enforcers go and begin giving medical attention to Jablonsky and Lyman. Suddenly Feral whips out his blaster and aims it, seemingly, at Chance, who leaps back.
FERAL
Move.
Chance jumps aside, revealing Creepling #3, its spine broken by Jake's kick, crawling for its dropped weapon. Feral fires, reducing the creature's body to ash. Then he aims down and repeats this gesture for the twitching Creepling #2 at his feet. The commandos swarm into the cell and aim their rifles down into the hole the Creeplings emerged from. Nothing happens.
COMMANDO #1
(to Feral)
Clear.
FERAL
Put the rest of the building on full alert. There may be more of them.
COMMANDO #2
Yes, sir.
Most of the commandos run off to begin searching. Feral motions for COMMANDO #1 and COMMANDO #3 to remain, though.
FERAL
You two stay. I want Furlong and Clawson in protective custody until the all-clear has been given.
They salute.
JAKE
Yeah, looks like somebody doesn't want us to make it to court.
CHANCE
Yeah, somebody who's name begins with "Dark" and ends with "Kat."
Stroking his chin, a suddenly interested Jake kneels down and pulls the goggles off of the dead Creepling #1. The other Creeplings' discarded goggles lay nearby on the floor.
JAKE
Wow, this is some pretty high-tech gear.
(to Feral)
Mind if I take a look at it?
Feral looks suddenly surprised.
FERAL
Of course I mind! You two are supposed to be under arrest!
Jake stands, holding the goggles.
JAKE
I understand that, Feral, and I'm not asking for us to be let go. I just want access to your labs so I can examine these things and hopefully get to the bottom of this.
(smirks)
We'll still technically be under arrest, after all.
FERAL
(grumbles)
Fine!
(smirks)
But I'm guarding you two personally, just in case you try and pull anything! Besides, you are in my protective custody.
SCENE 13
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - WORKSHOP
A large work area in the Enforcers' electronic crimes divison, dedicated to tinkering with and taking apart various computers, gadgets and machines. Jake sits on a high stool at one of the worktables, wearing a magnifying glass on a flexible arm attached to a headband. He's currently examining one of the pairs of goggles, squinting through the mangifying glass.
Chance hunkers beside him, frowning in concentration, interested and yet clearly impatient. Callie and Commander Feral hover nearby. Feral couldn't look any more annoyed if he tried. Commando #1 and Commando #3 stand at the door, rifles ready.
There's a knock. The commandos start and turn, guns up. They relax, however, as Sergeant Talon enters. He goes up to Feral as he and Callie turn to face him. They whisper so as not to disturb Jake.
TALON
(whispering)
Sir, a full sweep has been done of the building. There are no more Creeplings present that we can find.
FERAL
(whispering)
Good work, Sergeant. Dismissed.
(to the commandos)
You're relieved. Except you. Stay by the door.
Commando #3 salutes. Talon and Commando #1 depart, shutting the door. Feral turns and rejoins Callie in watching Jake's work. Jake hmms and sets the goggles he's been examining aside and tilts the magnifying glass up.
JAKE
These goggles are pretty standard tactical gear. Scoped infra-red lenses with night vision.
Using a small screwdriver, he points to a tiny red circle located in-between the large lenses on the goggles.
JAKE
And I think this little lens here in the center is a camera that records everything the Creepling sees onto microfilm.
CHANCE
(frowns)
Dark Kat sure is getting serious if he's outfitting his Creeplings with this high grade stuff.
He picks up one of the straps the little creatures had worn across their chests. The only one still in one piece, in fact.
CHANCE
What's this little thing here in the middle?
JAKE
(puzzled)
I'm not sure.
He takes the strap and flips the magnifying glass back down over his eye and has a close look at the device in the center, which is fitted with an LED. Getting a pair of tweezers, he gently pries it off, revealing a microchip underneath. Grinning suddenly, he snaps his fingers.
JAKE
I've got it! It's a homing beacon! I guess whenever the Creeplings finish their mission or Dark Kat wants to call them back to his hideout, this thing emits a blinking light from the LED and lets the Creeplings know it's time to vamoose.
CALLIE
But how does that help us find Dark Kat?
Jake turns in his seat, flipping the magnifying glass up again.
JAKE
Easy. To activate the beacon, Dark Kat needs to send a signal. If I can reverse the signal we can trace it back to its origin, and find his base!
FERAL
(raising an eyebrow)
As easy as that?
JAKE
(grinning)
As easy as that.
Chance frowns and then picks up one of the goggles and examines it for himself.
CHANCE
Buddy, you said that these things record everything the Creeplings see and hear?
JAKE
Right. Why?
CHANCE
I was thinking... wouldn't Dark Kat already know they screwed up? Y'know, and send s'more to do the job right this time? 'Cause I got an idea to cover our tails and prevent 'im from doing that. It probably won't work but it's worth a try...
SCENE 14
INT. FEAR SHIP - ALCHEMY LABORATORY
Dark Kat stands within his alchemy laboratory. It looks similar to the one from Darkhaven Manor, and with good reason: it is the exact same lab, ripped right from the house itself and rebuilt piece by piece.
The main difference between this room and the one at its original location in Darkhaven is that in place of the conjuring pit is a giant glass cylinder that rises from floor to ceiling. Identical cylinders line the walls. Bubbling liquids fill each. And something else. An indistinct but visibly large FORM moving slightly amidst the bubbles. Dark Kat stares into the cylinder and gives the glass a gentle, paternal pat.
DARK KAT
(coos)
Soon, my young one. Soon you and your brothers will be born unto a brave new world and you will lead my Creeplings, your cousins, to victory against the Enforcers, just as soon as the SWAT Kats are taken care of.
MARLOW
(from offscreen)
Dark Kat!
Dark Kat turns and sees Marlow at the top of the stone steps leading up into the control room.
MARLOW
We have a situation! The Enforcers are tracking the Fear Ship!
DARK KAT
(growls)
Impossible!
He grabs his cane and comes up the steps.
DARK KAT
They cannot track what they don't even know exists!
MARLOW
Maybe they can't, but they are anyway!
INT. FEAR SHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Zeckis is working at a console as Dark Kat enters, Marlow hurrying after. Dark Kat makes Zeckis get up and examines the instruments himself.
DARK KAT
(stroking his chin)
It seems the Enforcers have detected the signal channel intended for the Stealth Creeplings' homing beacons and are piggybacking on it to try and determine our location. Quite clever. But easily stopped.
MARLOW
(to Zeckis)
Bounce it back and increase the signal. Intensify it. Destroy the homing beacons. And do the same for the goggles.
Zeckis nods and sits back down. He prepares to push a green button, but Dark Kat grabs his wrist and stops him. He gulps.
DARK KAT
Not yet. First let us see if they completed their mission. Type up the transmitting code for the goggles' cameras to begin sending the images of what the Creeplings are seeing.
(annoyed)
You should have thought of that, Marlow.
Marlow scowls angrily. Zeckis types up the code for the goggles and the big viewscreen flickers to life, showing a red-tinted image of Chance and Jake laying immobile on the floor of their prison cell. Dark Kat clenches his fist in evil glee, then freezes a bit.
DARK KAT
Something seems off.
MARLOW
Well, the point of view is correct. The lenses are only a couple of feet off the ground judging by this angle. Clearly, the Creeplings are still wearing them.
DARK KAT
Something just seems wrong, and I can't quite put my finger on it.
He studies the screen more intently.
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - HOLDING CELLS
Feral, Callie and a confused-looking District Attorney Mills are standing stooped over holding the red-lensed goggles, holding the eyepieces close to the ground at "eye level" for a Creepling.
MILLS
(whispering)
How long do we have to keep doing this?
FERAL
(whispering)
As long as we have to.
CALLIE
(whispering)
Wiggle them more. Creeplings are always jittering around like they've had too much caffeine.
Feral and Mills obey, shaking their goggles to simulate the excited jitteriness of the little pink creatures. Chance and Jake, meanwhile, are lying sprawled on the floor of their cell, trying not to move. Chance is having a difficult time of it. His face is turned away from the prying goggles, so Dark Kat hasn't seen him speak. Nevertheless he speaks softly and slowly, moving his mouth as little as possible.
CHANCE
(whispering)
My nose itches!
When Jake speaks, it's out of the corner of his mouth.
JAKE
(whispering)
Just keep still.
INT. FEAR SHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Dark Kat is finished looking at the screen and steps back.
DARK KAT
I've seen enough to satisfy myself that this is genuine.
(to Zeckis)
Destroy the beacons quickly. And the goggles, as well, before the Enforcers think to piggyback on this signal as well.
Zeckis nods and pushes his little green button.
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - HOLDING CELLS
The goggles in Mills' hands begin vibrating wildly.
MILLS
Uh-oh. I think something's wrong with mine.
Instinctively, the District Attorney flings them aside. Callie gasps.
CALLIE
Hey, you're ruining the illu--
She is stopped midsentence as the goggles explode in midair before they even hit the ground. The explosion is miniscule, but enough that it would've killed the Creepling who'd been wearing it. Quickly realizing what's happeniong, she throws hers down as well. Commander Feral follows suit. Their goggles blow up just as Mills' had.
With the coast clear, Chance and Jake sit up. The first thing Chance does is furiously scratch his nose. He sighs in relief.
CHANCE
Whew, well, that's a relief!
SCENE 15
EXT. BASE CAMP - DAY
Two Enforcer choppers fly over the trees and land outside of the geological society camp. As the rotors power down, Felina, Burge and King get out and approach the waiting Enita Ignimbrite and her assistant. Felina's annoyance with her uncle vanishes as she puts on her best smile and adopts a professional attitude for her meeting with the scientists.
FELINA
I'm Lieutenant Feral of the Enforcers.
(to Enita)
Dr. Ignimbrite, I assume?
ENITA
(smiles)
Call me Enita.
They shake hands. Felina turns and looks up at the mountain looming over them.
FELINA
So what are we looking at here? Is the volcano going to erupt?
ENITA
I can't say for certain, Lieutenant. We need to have a look down inside the crater, but your uncle, uh, I mean the Commander has forbidden anyone to go near it without an Enforcer escort.
FELINA
Which would be us.
She smiles and spreads her arms to indicate Burge and King behind her.
ENITA
I'm grateful. When can we take to the air?
FELINA
In a few minutes, if you like.
SCENE 16
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - COMMANDER'S OFFICE
Commander Feral is at his desk, hands folded in front of him, thinking. A relieved Callie and District Attorney Mills are sitting in the two comfortable chairs provided for visitors, while Chance and Jake stand nearby. They're not handcuffed, but the presence of an armed commando looming behind them signifies that they're still very much in Enforcer custody. Chance scratches his nose again.
CHANCE
Do you think Dark Crud bought it?
JAKE
Only time will tell.
(crosses his arms)
For now, we just have to hope he thinks his little assassins succeeded. Luckily for us, he opted to eliminate his own Creeplings. Would've sucked big time if they'd reported back to him that he was still alive.
District Attorney Mills gets up from his seat.
MILLS
I still don't understand what that was supposed to have accomplished. If you two think you're lulling Dark Kat into a false sense of security so you can attempt some kind of sneak attack against him, wherever he is, you're sorely mistaken. You're not going anywhere. The charges against you are still pending.
JAKE
(sighs)
We realize that! This was just to prevent him from sending any more of those lousy little things to kill us. We'd prefer to sit out our trial peacefully, without constant assassination attempts.
MILLS
(embarrassed)
Oh.
He sits back down.
CALLIE
Now all we have to do is actually locate Dark Kat.
JAKE
Well, even though we can't trace the signal anymore, we should at least be able to figure out its point of origin based on which direction it came from.
Feral rises from his desk.
FERAL
We're already working on that. And no, we don't need your help anymore.
(to the commando)
Escort them downstairs and put them in a side office. The cells are too risky right now.
He picks up his telephone and dials a number as Chance and Jake scowl at him.
CHANCE
You guys couldn't handle a convenience store robber, let alone Dark Kat! Let us handle Dark Kat, Feral!
The commando grabs Chance and tries to restrain him. Mills looks on worriedly from his seat as Callie jumps up from hers, hands clenched at her sides.
CALLIE
Commander, I protest!
FERAL
Protest all you want, Briggs, if they get unruly, they go back in the can.
(to the commando)
Now get them out of here!
He pushes a button on his desk, summoning more commandos who quickly overwhelm the two SWAT Kats and begin to drag them out of the room struggling. Callie shoots Feral an angry look, but he ignores her and resumes his phone call.
FERAL
(into the phone)
This is Feral, I want that signal's origin traced!
ENFORCER'S VOICE
(over the phone)
We've already got a good idea of where the signal originated from Commander.
FERAL
(into the phone)
You have?
He waves his hand, motioning for the commandos escorting Chance and Jake to stop for a second. They wait with bated breath, all eyes on Feral. He looks at them uncertainly before returning his attention to the call.
ENFORCER'S VOICE
(over the phone)
It came from the Megakat Mountains, east of the city.
FERAL
(into the phone)
What?
Realization hits him and the phone falls from his hand.
FERAL
Felina! Felina is there!
SCENE 17
EXT. BASE CAMP - DAY
The Megakat Geological Society helicopter starts up and lifts up from the camp, accompanied by the two Enforcer choppers.
INT. FEAR SHIP - CONTROL ROOM
An alarm sounds. Dark Kat looks at the radar which shows three blips fast approaching their position. Pushing a button, he brings up a remote image of the impending intruders. Marlow and Zeckis are with him.
DARK KAT
It seems our friends from down below have finally decided to fly up and investigate what they think is just an ordinary volcanic disturbance. And with the Enforcers for backup, I see.
ZECKIS
(nervous)
Did they trace the signal already?
DARK KAT
No. The presence of that Megakat Geological Society chopper tells me this is just a routine flyover to satisfy their curiosity.
MARLOW
I'll activate the targetting program.
DARK KAT
Don't be too hasty, Mr. Marlow. What have I told you about acting before thinking? A large blast will reveal our presence to Megakat City before I'm ready to invade it. We shall invite them inside.
(smirks)
Activate the tractor beam.
INT. VOLCANO CRATER - DAY
The helicopters now swoop up over the rim of the crater. In the first Enforcer chopper sits Burge. King is in the second. Inside the Geological Society chopper, Felina sits with Enita and her assistant in back surrounded by high-tech sensor equipment. Up front, a GRAD STUDENT with a video camera rides with the pilot. Enita sets to work.
ENITA
Activating the gas analysis computer.
She flips a switch and studies the readouts on the screen. Felina observes intently.
ENITA
Hmm, well, the smoke is certainly volcanic. Nothing in its composition is at all unusual.
FELINA
(to the pilot)
Take us in. Stay high above the crater. The thermal imaging scope should do the rest.
HELICOPTER PILOT
Right.
(into his headset mic)
Follow my lead.
BURGE
(over the radio)
Roger. Right behind you.
The Geological Society chopper banks into the crater with the two Enforcer choppers following at a safe distance. In the lead copter, Enita consults her thermal imaging scope. Suddenly the device begins beeping loudly. Something - hot and absoluely gigantic, yet smaller than the volcano itself - registers ahead.
ENITA
There's something up ahead!
ASSISTANT
(terrified)
It's huge! It's absolutely gigantic!
The computer starts beeping wildly, flashing the message "Collision Alert!" Realization dawns on Felina and she grabs at the pilot's shoulder.
FELINA
Pull away! We're going to hit it!
HELICOPTER PILOT
Hit what?
He squints ahead and still sees nothing. Neither does the grad student seated beside him. Just the smoke.
GRAD STUDENT
There's nothing!
FELINA
(hollering)
Get us out of here anyway!
The pilot begins to obey and pull back on the stick when the smoke suddenly clears revealing the FEAR SHIP, a gigantic stone and metal airship that resembles a huge flying volcanic island and is bristling with weaponry all over. At the top is the command center, crested with demonic-looking skulls holding metallic shields emblazoned with a stylized letter "D." Huge segmented tubes run from the bottom of the ship down into the molten lava far below. It appears to be sucking the lava up into itself.
The pilot slows to avoid hitting it and the helicopter hovers there as the kats inside it stare in awe at the massive aerial fortress suspended over the lava. Behind them, the two Enforcer choppers halt and hover to either side of the Geological Society copter. King is the first to react.
KING
Holy kats! Look at that!
FELINA
(seeing the "D" symbol)
It's Dark Kat! Take evasive action!
Before they can however a sparkling greenish beam fireds forth from the front of the Fear Ship and strikes the Megakat Geological Society chopper, enveloping both it and the two Enforcer helicopters to either side of it. They're jostled and suddenly frozen in place. Then, with a surprising swiftness, the craft are pulled towards the ship, their rotors spinning fruitlessly.
FELINA
A tractor beam! Get off a distress call!
HELICOPTER PILOT
(panicky)
I can't! The radio is jammed! The tractor beam must be doing it!
Felina grits her teeth.
INT. FEAR SHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Marlow and Zeckis watch as the three choppers are drawn towards them by the tractor beam. Dark Kat stands behind them with his arms folded behind his back.
DARK KAT
Make yourselves presentable, you two. We have guests.
They turn and look at him as he leaves the room, his Creeplings following.
INT. FEAR SHIP - HANGAR
Like the control room, this "hangar" is essentially just a huge cave. The tractor beam deposits the choppers, their engines winding down, neatly onto the stone floor as Dark Kat and the Creeplings enter. With a simple wave of his hand, Dark Kat has his Creeplings surround the craft and aim their little guns up at them, ready to fire if his prisoners attempt to try anything.
After its rotors have stopped spinning, the side door of the Geological Society chopper slides open and Felina leans out, blaster in hand. Behind her, Enita Ignimbrite and her assistant sit looking on worriedly. Felina glowers down at Dark Kat. He looks surprised to see her and mostly ignores everyone else.
DARK KAT
Why, Lieutenant Feral, what a pleasant surprise! I do apologize for the inconvenience of being brought aboard my Fear Ship so forcibly, but it was unfortunately necessary. I couldn't have you and your companions running back to Megakat City and spoiling the big surprise.
FELINA
You slime!
Dark Kat holds up one hand in a placating gesture.
DARK KAT
In case you haven't noticed, you're quite surrounded. You can shoot me, but then you yourself would be killed just as quickly. My Creeplings may not be the best marksmen in the world, but with so many of them aiming their weapons at you, one of them is bound to get lucky, wouldn't you say?
Felina hesitates, looking down at the assembled Creeplings, around ten or eleven in all. The jittery little creatures look quite trigger-happy.
DARK KAT
Surrender or die, it makes no difference to me. The only reason I didn't blast you out of the sky outright is because the explosions would've attracted too much attention. I'm perfectly prepared to kill you now, though.
FELINA
(relenting)
All right.
DARK KAT
Good decision. Throw me your weapon, and instruct your Enforcers to do the same.
Felina throws her blaster out. It clatters noisily at Dark Kat's big purple feet. Nearby, Burge and King get out of their choppers and hesitantly turn their sidearms over.
DARK KAT
(crooning)
Now, please, come out from there and accept my hospitality. I don't offer it to just anyone.
SCENE 18
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - CENTRAL OPERATIONS ROOM
A large control center with a spotlessly polished metal floor and rows upon rows of computers. A line of consoles sit facing the biggest floor-to-ceiling screen showing a map of Megakat City. Various Enforcers work tirelessly at desks and workstations. Feral and Sergeant Talon enter, followed by Callie. Feral looks determined, and Callie looks anxious.
FERAL
I want a whole squadron sent to that location, on the double, Sergeant! Put our finest pilots on it!
TALON
Yes sir.
He goes over to one of the workstations and puts on a microphone.
TALON
Attention, Squadron Six! Scramble immediately for the Megakat Mountains! Locate and retrieve Lieutenant Felina Feral and her escort! Engage and destroy any hostile targets!
EXT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - RUNWAY
Enforcer pilots rush to their waiting JETS and climb in. Their engines thunder to life and they take off in groups of three, totalling nine jets in all.
INT. ENFORCER HEADQUARTERS - CENTRAL OPERATIONS ROOM
Feral watches on a big screen as the jets take off. Callie walks up to him and tugs on his sleeve.
CALLIE
Commander, might I advise that you let the SWAT Kats handle Dark Kat? Just this one last time?
Feral scowls at her.
FERAL
Never! Like I said before, the Enforcers are handling this!
She throws up her hands and trots out in a huff.
SCENE 19
INT. FEAR SHIP - LAVA TUNNEL
Dark Kat walks out from a narrow corridor and onto a sturdy metal bridge spanning a river of molten lava. Behind him, the Creeplings herd Felina, Enita and the other prisoners along with their tiny laser rifles. Enita is fascinated despite their predicament. She looks over the railing at the lava as the group crosses the bridge. Felina joins her.
FELINA
(under her breath)
His entire ship is filled with molten lava.
ENITA
(under her breath)
Fascinating! That explains why the volcano became active again! He's been triggering the volcanic activity so he can harness its geothermal energy to power this flying volcano.
Dark Kat chuckles as he overhears her.
DARK KAT
Very astute, Doctor. I see the Geological Society was wise to send their very finest. Indeed I am harnessing the lava's geothermal power to run my Fear Ship.
ENITA
But how do you keep it stabilized?
DARK KAT
A highly specialized heating system keeps the lava molten, while a coolant system keeps it cooled enough to safely flow through the ship.
The group crosses the bridge fully and goes through another corridor at the opposite end.
INT. FEAR SHIP - ANTECHAMBER
Dark Kat leads the way into an antechamber adorned with demonic-looking kat-monster statues to either side, flanked by enormous, ornate banners bearing his huge stylized "D." His seven prisoners are herded in by the Creeplings. Dark Kat singles Felina out and points dismissively at Enita and the others.
DARK KAT
Take Dr. Ignimbrite and the others away.
(smirks at Felina)
The Lieutenant is staying with me for the time being.
Felina looks worriedly at Enita. She, her assistant, the helicopter pilot, the grad student, Burge and King are led away by the Creeplings, leaving Felina alone in the room with Dark Kat except for CREEPLING #1 and CREEPLING #2 to guard her.
FELINA
Where are you taking them?
DARK KAT
Someplace where they won't be a nuisance.
He walks across the chamber to a pair of enormous carved stone doors.
FELINA
What are you going to do with them?
Dark Kat pauses and glances back at her.
DARK KAT
(amused)
My, aren't we full of questions?
FELINA
(glares at him)
I said what are you going to do with them?
DARK KAT
Nothing for the moment. But I think you ought to be more concerned about yourself.
He throws open the doors.
INT. FEAR SHIP - CONTROL ROOM
Marlow and Zeckis are so engrossed in their work they don't look up as Dark Kat enters, followed by Felina and the Creeplings.
DARK KAT
Welcome to the nerve center of the entire Fear Ship! From here, I can run the entire ship, and coordinate my armies.
FELINA
Your armies?
She glances at Creepling #1 and kicks it, sending it flying with a scream. Marlow and Zeckis glance up and Dark Kat chuckles.
FELINA
Forgive me, Dark Kat, but you may have armed your Creeplings with lasers and equipped them with the finest tactical gear in the world but they're still Creeplings. Stupid, useless Creeplings.
DARK KAT
(grins broadly)
Quite right, my dear. Come with me.
INT. FEAR SHIP - ALCHEMY LABORATORY
Dark Kat walks down the stone steps into the transplanted Darkhaven lab. Felina follows, prodded along by the Creeplings. Felina looks at the glass cylinders and approaches the one in the middle. Dark Kat looks over but makes no move to stop her.
DARK KAT
By all means, have a look, Lieutenant.
She squints, putting her face up against the glass and peering inside. The vague form seen floating inside it before is revealed to be a creature somewhat similar in appearance to a Creepling but larger, evidently the size of a full-grown kat.
DARK KAT
Look upon my new, improved Stalkers. Twice the size of a normal Creepling, with triple the strengh! And more intelligent, as well.
The STALKER in the tank twitches, making Felina wince and pull away in disgust as the assembled Creeplings giggle and point at her.
DARK KAT
My Creeplings have indeed long since outlived their usefulness, and even with the advanced weaponry I've given them, the foolish little beasts can barely even deduce how to use them.
One Creepling, giggling, fires off a shot from its weapon because it squeezes the trigger too tightly. The laser blast whizzes past Dark Kat and strikes the wall. Growling, comes over and grabs the Creepling up, making it drop its weapon. He lifts up one foot and stomps on the gun, crushing it.
DARK KAT
It is for this reason that I am working on this new breed of creature which will replace my Creeplings.
He tosses the Creepling down on a large wooden worktable nearby, where it sits dazed, and then grabs a large pair of tongs. He uses them to pick up the Creepling and holds it over a large beaker containing a bubbling greenish acid. The Creepling cries out.
DARK KAT
Soon my army will awaken and with the help of my Fear Ship they will overrun Megakat City!
He lowers the squirming and whimpering Creepling inside the beaker. Immersed in the acid, it begins to slowly dissolve alive. The other Creeplings laugh at it. Felina shudders. As the doomed Creepling finishes dissolving, she notices a large, arcane-looking knife sitting on the table. Dark Kat's back is to her.
FELINA
(probing)
When will these "Stalker" things wake up?
DARK KAT
In less than an hour.
She lunges, grabbing the knife, and charges at Dark Kat. He sees her in the reflection of one of the various ornate flasks which litter the table. Turning, he bats her away one-handed. She flies over and thuds against the wall, sliding down. Walking over, Dark Kat stands over her.
DARK KAT
Such an unfortunate lack of vision you have, Lieutenant.
Bending down, he picks her up by one arm and hauls her to her feet as she struggles weakly.
DARK KAT
Now then, you're probably wondering why I invited you here instead of imprisoning you with the others. I assure you it wasn't simply to show off my latest experiment.
He sets her down on her feet.
DARK KAT
Instead, I have some questions I'd like to ask you about Enforcer Headquarters.
FELINA
(scowls)
Never!
DARK KAT
Oh, you'll talk... once I hook you up to a special machine I've created.
As he moves towards her and seizes her by the arm, Marlow romes running in.
MARLOW
Dark Kat, we have multiple enemy craft approaching!
DARK KAT
What?
Letting go of Felina, he runs up the stairs, seizing Marlow by the front of his uniform, throwing him out the door, back into the control room. There's a muffled thud. Dark Kat looks back down at Felina. She tries to get up, but can't manage. She is pounced on and seized by the Creeplings.
DARK KAT
(to the Creeplings)
Bring her! Let her come and see the destruction of her precious Enforcers!
TO BE CONTINUED...!
