Copyright 2004 --- Robert Baer Jr. Inspector Zima -- "Zima Goes To Graum" DISCLAIMER Road Rover names, character, situations and the Road Rover universe are the property of Warner Bros. I, nor this script/story have any connection with Warner Bros in any way, shape or form. This document is meant solely for not-for-profit entertainment and may not be reproduced or publized in any way, shape or form. This story in not meant to infringe on any copyrights. This story is written by Robert Baer Jr and the characters unless otherwise noted in this disclaimer are Robert Baer Jr's creations, copyright pending 1999-2004. Goldfire Wolf is a creation of Patrick Wood. Marauder is a creation of Jerimy Bass. Andrew, Keri and the Space Rover Cerberus series are creations of Kristen Coughlan. Inspector Zima -- "Zima Goes To Graum" The scene is the transport vessel Moonlight Destiny, which is nearing the surface of Graum 7, pleasure planet and home world of the Willians. The Willians are a race of smaller, funny bear like creaures with orange fur and black faces. On board with the group are Terrawolf brother and sister Andrew and Keri, who are piloting the ship. Also seated in the cockpit area are Goldfire Wolf, Inspector Zima, Princess, Gila Monster, Linda Maddog and Marauder. KERI (pushing buttons): I'm so glad you folks decided to come with us on this delivery. It isn't everyday that Andrew and I carry passengers along with cargo. GOLDFIRE (happy): Thank you! This is the first time I've ever been in space ZIMA (happy): Me too! (confused): I think.... GOLDFIRE (confused): You think, dear? ZIMA (nods): Yeah. People have told me I'd make a good astronaut GOLDFIRE (surprised): Really? ZIMA (nods): Yeah, they say my head is full of space! MARAUDER (giggles): I'd have to agree with them LINDA (whispers): Marauder! Be nice! MARAUDER (whispers): I'll try. Even though we're heading for a planet of beings who worship that fake hero Fydo... LINDA (upset): Then why did you come on this trip? MARAUDER (smiles): I wouldn't miss this for the world! Zima, on an alien world! PRINCESS (looks out window): We're coming in for a landing! All of those people below look like ants... GILA MONSTER (excited): ANTS!! WHERE??? PRINCESS (upset): GILA! You know I don't like it when you eat bugs! GILA MONSTER (nods): Yous is right, sweetie. I hears the Willians always have a lot of food on hand for visitors! ANDREW (nods): That's right, their hospitality is well know throughout the universe ZIMA (happy): That's good to know! If any of us gets sick, we can go to the hospitality to get well! MARAUDER (shakes head): No no Zima, that's hospital ZIMA (nods): We can go there too! I want to take in all of the tourists spots! LINDA (rolls eyes): Whatever you say..... The scene is a small landing pad on the planet Graum 7, where the Moonlight Destiny, a cargo ship from the Earth Space Rover Station Cerberus, lands. When the hatch opens, a crowd of Willians arrive to greet Andrew, Kira, Linda Maddog, Marauder, Goldfire Wolf, Inspector Zima, Princess and the Gila Monster. COR-EL (smiling): Greetings, Earth dwellers! I am Cor-El, your guide to the many wonders that you will see on our beautiful planet! KERI (nods): Thank you, Cor-El, but my brother and I have a delivery to make ANDREW (smiles): But we will gladly join you later COR-EL (nods): Very good! The rest of you, walk this way! Cor-el walks with a bit of a limp, Zima, taking his words very literally, begins to walk with a limp behind him. MARAUDER (sternly): Zima! Stop that! ZIMA (confused): But he said to walk this way, didn't he? PRINCESS (sighs): This is going to be a long day... COR-EL (points up): Here is our main thoughfare ZIMA (looks all around): Where are all the cars? COR-EL (confused): Cars? ZIMA (nods): Yeah! I love to drive! I get compliments about my driving all the time! The last cop that pulled me over told me he'd never seen driving like mine in all his life! GOLDFIRE (calmly): Darling, I don't think that was... COR-EL (smiles): We have no... cars... here on Graum 7. All of our major buildings and attractions are within easy walking distance GILA MONSTER (looks all around): Yous really keeps this place clean! COR-EL (nods): Thank you, we pride ourselves in cleanliness. MARAUDER (nods): I've seen hospitals that are not as neat and tidy as this! PRINCESS (smiles): All the time I was with the Lost Pack and we never came here before COR-EL (surprised): YOU was with the Lost Pack, miss? PRINCESS (nods): Yes, in the beginning I was with them, but I left Ultra's bunch many years ago LINDA (calmly): She's been a loyal Road Rover agent ever since COR-EL (looks disturbed): I see... (smiles): Over here is our main governmental hall! Take note of the unique architecture and glass windows which change color when the suns shines on them at certain angles... As the group stares at the building, Cor-el reaches for his communication device and quickly presses a few buttons. LINDA (smiles): Isn't this building fantastic? MARAUDER (nods): Ok, I do have to admit it. GILA MONSTER (looks around): This place is so clean.... (mumbles): I can't find any alien bugs to munches on PRINCESS (ears perk up): WHAT DID YOU SAY? GILA MONSTER (big grin, backs up): Oh nothing, nothing at all ZIMA (looks up): WOW! This place has two suns in the sky! GOLDFIRE (smiles): I noticed that ZIMA (happy): That's a good idea. If one sun burns out, they can always use the spare one! COR-EL (confused): You are... quite amusing miss Zima... ZIMA (smiles): I love this place! Full of cute talking teddy bears! COR-EL (confused): Teddy? Bears? MARAUDER (giggles): She always keeps us laughing LINDA (sternly): Marauder! COR-EL (points): Now let's take a walk over to the great Hall of Heroes! It's our planet's pride and joy! As the group walks towards a smaller building with two towering statues beside it, several uniformed Willian police rush towards them. COR-EL (points): Now the smaller statue is of Commander Grunt of the Space Rovers. He bravely risked his life to battle a band of outlaws who had seized a Willian vessel and marooned her crew over four years ago. Hearing this, Princess instantly gets a look of total fear on her face. GILA MONSTER (confused): Princess? What's wrong? PRINCESS (fearful): I was aboard that ship that day. It was the ship we stole to leave the asteroid and .... COR-EL (sternly): So, you confess your crime! PRINCESS (nervous): Crime? No.... not me.... OFFICER #1 (reads a datapad): Princess, you are hereby placed under arrest for crimes against the Willian people... MARAUDER (upset): Now wait just a minute! Princess has been pardoned of her crimes by the Master! OFFICER #2 (sternly): We on Graum 7 do not recognize her Earth pardon. All members of the Lost Pack who took part in the theft of our vessel are wanted criminals! OFFICER #3 (sternly): You will come with us now, miss. GILA MONSTER (hisses): NONE OF YOUS GOOBEROOS IS TAKIN' MY GIRL! PRINCESS (lowers her head): No, don't do it, Gila. I will go with them peacefully LINDA (stunned): WHAT? GOLDFIRE (upset): But this is so unfair! ZIMA (nods): That's right! Teddy bears ain't supposed to carry handcuffs! For a brief moment, everyone turns and looks at Zima. ZIMA (defensive): Well they ain't! MARAUDER (upset): What are you going to do with her? COR-EL (sternly): Do not worry, my friends. Willian justice is swift and fair. Princess will be given the opportunity to defend herself during the trial GILA MONSTER (stunned): TRIAL??? PRINCESS (softly): I must answer for what I did. Tell Kole and Adie that I love them LINDA (sternly): Will Princess be allowed legal representation? COR-EL (nods): A Willian Defendor will be assigned to her LINDA (sternly): I am a licensed attorney! I insist on representing Princess in court! COR-EL (nods): Very well, I must clear this with the Legal Ministry first, but I think they will agree to allow it PRINCESS (sadly): Please, don't interfere with this. I knew sooner or later that my past would catch up with me. Be strong for me, my love Princess gives Gila a quick kiss as she is led away by the Willian police. GILA MONSTER (furious): Gives me one good reason not to drops kicks them furry dingledoofs and rescues my sweetie! GOLDFIRE (holds him): That'll just make more trouble for her! MARAUDER (smiles): Don't worry, Gila! Linda will get the charges dismissed! ZIMA (sadly): If she does that, Princess will go to jail for sure! MARAUDER (shakes head): No no no Zima... LINDA (sternly): I gotta do some research. Cor-el, where is the Ministry of Information? COR-EL (points): It's the small red building over there, I would be happy to give you a tour of... LINDA (running): I have no time for tours, I'm going to get to the bottom of this.. Marauder, Zima, Goldfire and the Gila Monster follow Linda. The scene now shifts to the main Hall of Records inside the Ministry of Information. Linda, Marauder and Goldfire feverishly use data screens for research as Gila Monster and Zima gaze out a nearby window. GILA MONSTER (sad): Princess is the first woman who ever loved me, in spites of the way I looks. I don't knows what I'll does if she's sent to prison ZIMA (sighs): I wish I could help the other guys, but the last time I was in a library, I got thrown out! GILA MONSTER (surprised): How did yous do that? ZIMA (shakes head): All I did was bring my lunch in with me! Can I help it I like Limburger cheese sandwiches? GILA MONSTER (nods): I gots thrown outta a library once too, and all I did was snag a few pesky flies with my tongue! LINDA (points): Look at this! It's the official report on the incident. MARAUDER (points): The Captain of the seized vessel is Gar-Lad, I wonder where she is now? GOLDFIRE (types): Let's see if we can find out... LINDA (looks over at Gila and Zima): Guys, why don't you go visit with Princess? I'm sure they'll allow you to see her and it'll make her feel better too ZIMA (happy): Great idea! GILA MONSTER (brightens): Yous is so smart, Linda! Let's go! The scene now shifts to the Ministry of Security building, in the lower chamber where the jail is. Princess sits by herself in a cell with three other female Willian prisoners. The cell is comfortably furnished with two barred windows and two sets of bunk beds. The three prisoners stare at her for an hour, and then slowly approach her. WILLIAN #1 (smirks): You are Princess, a member of the Lost Pack! PRINCESS (sighs): I quit the group four years ago WILLIAN #2 (angry): My husband was on that ship that you stole! (sad): He died one year ago PRINCESS (sadly): I am sorry WILLIAN #3 (laughs): Don't be! She's the one who killed him! PRINCESS (stunned): I thought all Willians were peaceful WILLIAN #1 (evil grin): Most are, but we won't! WILLIAN #2 (nods): And if don't want to see how unpeaceful we can be, you'll do everything we tell you! WILLIAN #3 (points): Like give me that ring on your finger WILLIAN #1 (points): And that necklace you are wearing WILLIAN #2 (points): And I want your daily food ration! PRINCESS (growls): This ring and my necklace are gifts from my boyfriend! You're not getting them! As for my food ration, the sight of you three is enough to make me lose my appetite! WILLIAN #1 (upset): Time to teach this criminal some manners! As the three ladies leap to pounce on her, Princess 'freezes' time long enough to step out of their way as time 'resumes.' The three ladies bounce off the wall and tumble to the floor. PRINCESS (upset): Maybe it's time you three learned some manners! A door opens and Gila and Zima are led towards Princess's cell by two female Willian guards. PRINCESS (happy): GILA! ZIMA! Gila tries to approach her but is repelled by the cell's force field door. GUARD #1 (sternly): We cannot allow you to enter GILA MONSTER (angry): Why not, yous fuzzball? PRINCESS (hushed tone): Gila, please don't make any trouble, ok? GILA MONSTER (relucant): Well.. I will for yous... ZIMA (smiles): Nice place! Except for the iron bars and this force field GILA MONSTER (points): What happened to them three on the floor behinds yous? PRINCESS (giggles): They're relaxing ZIMA (nods): They're so relaxed they ain't moving GILA MONSTER (whispers): Just says the word, sweetie, and I'll breaks yous outta here! PRINCESS (lowers head): No no, my love. I am willing to face justice ZIMA (confused): I thought you were going on trial GILA MONSTER (nods): Me too! Yous is confusiating me! PRINCESS (solomn): Gila, Zima, I was there when that Willian rescue ship landed on our asteroid. I watched as Ultra gave them a convincing story and won their confidence. I knew it was wrong, I should've done something to stop him. GILA MONSTER (sternly): But yous was jist one person! There were over a hundred of yous stranded and yous wanted to git off of that asteroid and... PRINCESS (sternly): But that was no excuse for what we did... and what I didn't do to stop them from hijacking that ship ZIMA (smiles): Like my police chief used to tell me, you can't change the past but you can shape the future... (confused): of course, he said that and then made some comments about MY shape... GILA MONSTER (smiles): Don't yous worry none, sweetie! Linda Maddog's a great lawyer, I've seen her in court before! GUARD #2 (looks at watch): Time's up, you two must go now ZIMA (smiles): Hey! This looks like a nice place, for a jail. (picks up a cup on a nearby table): Look! Tin cups like they have in those old time movies! I like the way they take those cups and bang them against the bars of the prison door, like this! PRINCESS (shouts): NO! DON'T DO IT! Zima takes the tin cup in her hand and pushes it towards the force field door of Princess's cell. When it strikes it, the cup conducts electricity, giving Zima a powerful shock that knocks her across the hall. GILA MONSTER (rushes over to her): Zima! Is yous alright? ZIMA (dazed): That never happens in the movies.... The scene now shifts to the courtroom of the Ministry of Justice three hours later. A rather large crowd has gathered in the gallery as Linda and Princess are led into the room. They are seated at a table across from the prosecuting attorney, Tall-Fa, brother of Drow-Fa. Keri, Andrew, Marauder, Goldfire, Zima and the Gila Monster sit in the front row. Everyone in the courtroom is stunned when Ki-Alla, matriarch of the Willians, walks in and takes her place behind the 'bench.' TALL-FA (stunned): Matriarch! Are you here to oversee these proceedings? KI-ALLA (sits down): On the contrary, I am here to take the role of judge in this trial! TALL-FA (softly): But Matriarch, with all due respect, I feel that .... KI-ALLA (sternly): My decision has been made, begin your case, Tall-Fa! TALL-FA (stands up): Thank you, Matriarch. We are here today to right a great wrong! Over four years ago, the Willian space vessel Tamboline received a distress call and landed on a then uncharted asteroid. Captain Gar-Lad and her crew were greeted warmly by a group of over one hundred Earth dog people. But it was a trap! The brave crew of the Tamboline was overpowered by these ruffians, tied up and left stranded on the asteroid as their ship was hijacked! That group of galatic criminals are now known as the Lost Pack! (points to her): And she was among them! This Earth poodle was with the Lost Pack during their crime! None of the other members of Ultra's evil band has ever been captured, but we were so lucky that Princess came to us! Kind Matriarch, it is time for justice to be served! KI-ALLA (sternly): That will do, Procesutor. You may sit down. Who speaks in defense of Princess? LINDA (stands up): I do, Matriarch, Linda Maddog for the defense! Gila Monster and Zima stand up, cheering and clapping their hands while everyone in the courtroom stares at them. KI-ALLA (shouts): ORDER! I will have order in this courtroom! GIlA MONSTER (nods): Good! I wants three cheeseburgers and a side of fries! ZIMA (happy): Just a bowl of chili for me, ma'am KI-ALLA (upset): Please be quiet, the two of you, or you will be asked to leave! Marauder grabs Zima and Gila and sits them back in their chairs. LINDA (smiles): Matriarch, the defendant conceeds the fact that she was a member of the Lost Pack at the time in question. However, in the proceeding years..... TALL-FA (stands up): Did you hear that, Matriarch? The defendant ADMITS her guilt! KI-ALLA (angry): Stop interrupting the defense! I want to hear what Linda has to say. LINDA (smiles, nods): Thank you, Matriarch. As I was saying... Suddenly, an eldery female Willian enters the courtroom. All eyes are now on her, dressed in her official Space Corp uniform. All of the Willians in the audience stand up. KI-ALLA (stands up): Admiral Gar-Lad! This is an unexpected pleasure.. GAR-LAD (sternly): I wish to address this trial at once! TALL-FA (upset): I object! This is highly irregular! KI-ALLA (sternly): Objection overruled! The Admiral is well respected on this world, even after her retirment last year. You may approach the bench and speak to us. Tall-Fa looks livid as Gar-Lad makes her way to the front of the room. GAR-LAD (sternly): Matriarch, I do remember well the events of the day that the Tamboline was hijacked, (points) and I do remember that person! She was there that day with the others in the Lost Pack! TALL-FA (stands up): There! An eyewitness to the crime! This case is over! GAR-LAD (angry): Young man, did anyone ever tell you to respect your elders? I have not finished speaking! Sit down and keep your peace! Embarrassed as laughter roars from the gallery, Tall-Fa sits down and sips a glass of water. GAR-LAD (clears throat): As I was saying, I remember Princess from that day. She actually SAVED the lives of me and my crew! TALL-FA (does a spit take): WHAT??? GAR-LAD (sternly): Ultra and his cronies wanted to kill all of us, Princess begged Ultra to spare us. I could tell she was taking her own life into her hands as she spoke, Ultra slapped her twice in the face as she pleaded for our lives! As Gar-Lad speaks, tears fill Princess's eyes. GAR-LAD (sadly): Ultra then picked her up by her collar and reached for his knife when the one called Dizzy shouted that he had found the Canius Minor on the ship's long range scanners. Ultra then laughed and tossed Princess to the ground and said there wasn't time to kill us all, so he left us on the asteroid instead. It is thanks to her that I stand before you alive today! Yes, she was a member of the Lost Pack then, but her record since that time must be considered. The audience breaks into applause, Tall-Fa stands up and yells. TALL-FA (shouts): STOP THIS!! PRINCESS IS GUILTY! I HAVE PROVEN THAT SHE WAS THERE AND A MEMBER OF THE GROUP AT THE TIME!! KI-ALLA (nods): As moving as your testimony is, Admiral, the Prosecutor is right. She was a part of the hijacking, this much is clear As Linda stands up to speak, Ki-Alla's aide rushes towards her and whispers in her ear. KI-ALLA (excited): HE IS CALLING US? NOW? (shouts): PUT HIM ON OUR MAIN VIEWER IMMEDIATELY! The entire audience looks stunned as the live image of Captain Fydo appears on the main viewscreen and then breaks out into spontanious applause and cheering. KI-ALLA (shouts): Great hero of the realm, we are honored with your presence FYDO (on screen): I heard you have put Road Rover Agent Princess on trial KI-ALLA (points): Indeed, Prosecutor Tall-Fa insisted on it FYDO (on screen): She has done much good for the Master since she changed sides. She has been pardoned on Earth for any crimes she participated in and she deserves no less from the Alliance! Hearing this, all of the Willians in the audience leap to their feet and shout "FREE PRINCESS, FREE PRINCESS!" repeatedly. ZIMA (looks all around): Where? Where's the free Princess at? I want one! MARAUDER (shakes head): Oh boy.... KERI (whispers): Is she always like this? MARAUDER (whispers): You get used to it... KI-ALLA (nods): I must concur with the inspiring words of our great Hero! This heroic canine has been pardoned for her crimes by the Earth, and on my authority, I shall also pardon her. This court is adjourned! As the viewscreen fades to black, the audience once more breaks into applause and cheering. TALL-FA (shouts): NO!!! IT'S NOT FAIR!! I HAD THIS CASE WON UNTIL THAT IDIOT FYDO RUINED IT!! I DEMAND JUSTICE RIGHT NOW!! Hearing this, the audience instantly gazes at Tall-Fa and hisses. Soon they are shouting and throwing objects at him. Tall-Fa is struck with several odd looking vegatables and large fruits. ZIMA (shouts): FOOD FIGHT!!! GILA MONSTER (shouts): HEY!! THROWS FOOD AT ME!! I IS STARVIATED! ANDREW (confused): Starviated? GOLDFIRE (smiles): The green one has an odd vocabulary ZIMA (stunned): OH NO! I didn't even know he was sick! KI-ALLA (angry): Tall-Fa! You dare to insult the mighty Fydo! You will report to my office tommorrow morning for a formal repromand! TALL-FA (stunned): ME??? KI-ALLA (furious): Speak one more word to me and I'll have YOU thrown in jail for contempt of court! (turns to Princess): Miss Princess, on behalf of our world, I do apologize for this unfortunate chain of events PRINCESS (smiles): It's alright, Matriarch KI-ALLA (smiles): I insist that you and your group stay for a feast in your honor! GILA MONSTER (happy): YAY!!! I WANTS FOOD!! LINDA (turns to them): It's up to Andrew and Kira, they are our ride home KERI (happy): We'll stay! ANDREW (nods): We sure will! KI-ALLA (happy): Excellent, follow me, I will have a feast prepared for you in minutes! Ki-Alla claps her hands and several servants appear. After giving them instructions, they all rush off. Tall-Fa wipes all of the pulp and broken rinds from his body as Marauder and Linda pass by. TALL-FA (mumbles): My brother was right about Fydo, he's a pain in the driklesnar! MARAUDER (whispers): I have to agree with you on that one, friend The scene shifts to an outdoor park, a half hour later. A picnic buffet has been prepared on several tables and the group has already fixed their plates and are seated together. KERI (happy): Congraduations on winning the case! LINDA (smiles): Thank you, Kira, but we owe our thanks to Fydo MARAUDER (upset): Fydo... LINDA (smiles): C'mon darling, even you must admit that Fydo saved the day again MARAUDER (grumbles): Well... he did.... THIS time GILA MONSTER (happy): I is so glad my woman's not in the clink anymore! PRINCESS (nods): Me too! ZIMA (eating): I love this funny looking stuff! What is it? KERI (smiles): The Willians call it Brewloc ZIMA (happy): What is it? Tastes like chicken to me AMDREW (giggles): You're close, Zima Keri elbows Andrew hard. AMDREW (upset): HEY!! GILA MONSTER (stands up): I don't care what they calls it, it's great and I'm gonna git more! PRINCESS (concerned): But that's the fourth plateful you've had already! Maybe you should go on a diet GILA MONSTER (nods): Maybe yous is gots something there, my love... bugs have a lot less calories than any of this stuff... PRINCESS (points): Go get some more Brewloc! ZIMA (happy): This is a nice place to visit, but I miss home GOLDFIRE (smiles): You do? ZIMA (nods): It's so confusing here! This planet's got three moons! Which one am I supposed to howl at at night? MARAUDER (rolls eyes): The moon on the right ZIMA (confused): My right, or your right? LINDA (shakes head): Oh Zima... ZIMA (smiles): I'll just ask one of these talking teddy bears... GOLDFIRE (stunned): ZIMA! Please don't KERI (turns to him): Andy, are we ready to depart? ANDREW (nods): We're all set, anytime we want to leave KI-ALLA (walks over): I hope our buffer pleases all of you LINDA (smiles): All the food is excellent, thank you! GILA MONSTER (nods): It sure is! Like I always says, when yous is hungry, there ain't nothing like food! KI-ALLA (giggles): Oh Gila, you are quite amusing MARAUDER (concerned): Are you going to punish Tall-Fa for what he said during the trial? KI-ALLA (points): You can ask him yourself, he's over there They all turn and see Tall-Fa, dressed in a white uniform collecting trash in the park. ZIMA (happy): Look! A teddy bear dressed up like an ice cream man! KI-ALLA (confused): Teddy? Bear? MARAUDER (giggles): Don't ask KI-ALLA (turns to her): Princess, I wish your stay on this world would've been more pleasant PRINCESS (smiles): It's ok, Matriarch. It wasn't your fault GILA MONSTER (hisses, points): It was HIS! I'm gonna gives him an attitude adjustment! (picks up his 2 x 4): HEY TALL-FA! I gots something to give yous! A FULL SET OF SPLINTERS!!! Tall-Fa sees the Gila Monster standing up and makes a run for the nearby woods with Gila in hot pursuit. ZIMA (points): I didn't know a teddy bear could run that fast! GOLDFIRE (smiles): You'd be surprised what you can do with the right motivation Everyone at the picnic grounds laugh hysterically as they watch Tall-Fa running away from the Gila. ---------------------------------------------------------------------