Strange New Worlds IV Page 18
PROTON
I don’t know of anyone that has that kind of capability, other than the Guardians.
SFX: a beeping signal.
KINCAID
Captain, there’s an incoming message. It’s from one of the ships.
PROTON
Put it on the imagizer.
SFX: a brief fuzzy imagizer noise.
PROTON
Dr. Chaotica!
CHAOTICA
Ah, Proton. I should have realized even you would be foolish enough to follow me this far.
PROTON
I followed you for a reason, Chaotica. You have an orb that belongs to the Bajorans. You also just took Constance yet again. All you have to do is turn those two over to us and we’ll leave you here in your playground with your new friends.
CHAOTICA
Oh, no. You see, that would interfere with my plans. And now that you’re here I need to put you out of our way. Unless you want anything to happen to your precious orb or your lovely secretary, you will follow our ships to our asteroid base, where you will become our prisoners. And I know you will not fire upon any of our ships as you do not know which one has your secretary.
Cue music for scene change.
NARRATOR
Being left with no other choice, Captain Proton followed the three enemy spaceships to their asteroid hideout. Upon disembarkation, Proton and Kincaid were immediately taken prisoner by the same aliens who had kidnapped Constance from Proton’s ship earlier. They now meet face-to-face with Dr. Chaotica!
CHAOTICA
Proton, do allow me the pleasantries of introducing you to my new allies. These are the Jem’Hadar. They are the vanguard of an invading army for the Dominion. You see, when I had the Bajoran orb on my spaceship, my ship suddenly started steering itself off course. I tried to get it back on course, but I couldn’t, and I didn’t know why. I was then pulled into a hole that opened up in space and was pulled through to this side of the galaxy. Then I realized it was the orb that drew me to the hole. I only wanted the orb for its value. I did not realize it had such great power. Then I was captured by the Jem’Hadar. They were about to execute me for intruding in their space. But then I told them of a planetary system I knew of that was ripe for conquering. Now we will use the orb to guide us back to this hole. On the other side we will invade and conquer the Incorporated Planets. They will become an arm in the Dominion’s government. And I will be placed as ruler of the Planets. Guards, take the prisoners to their cell.
PROTON
You won’t succeed, Chaotica! The Incorporated Planets have strong defenses and many allies on their side. You don’t stand a chance!
CHAOTICA
The Incorporated Planets have never had to stand up to the more advanced weaponry and capabilities of the Dominion. Take them away!
SFX: shuffling feet and CONSTANCE’S screams that gradually get softer as the prisoners are dragged away.
JEM’HADAR SOLDIER
The invasion fleet is now prepared, Chancellor Chaotica.
CHAOTICA
Excellent. Have all the pilots and crew members man their ships. And also bring the Bajoran orb. For it is that priceless artifact that will lead us on to the victory!
Cue intense music for scene change.
NARRATOR
Later, two Jem’Hadar soldiers are walking down a corridor toward the spaceship hangar.
SOLDIER 1
What’s that you’re carrying?
SOLDIER 2
Chancellor Chaotica calls it an orb.
SOLDIER 1
It doesn’t look like the shape of an orb.
SOLDIER 2
Maybe not. But our chancellor says it will lead us to the territory that we will soon conquer.
SFX: CONSTANCE’S screams that are low in volume because they are far away.
SOLDIER 1
Will that woman never shut up? I was ready to silence her for good until my commander ordered me to stand down.
SOLDIER 2
So what do we do about her?
SOLDIER 1
You can go and quiet her down.
SOLDIER 2
How do I do that?
SOLDIER 1
(annoyed)
Do whatever you have to. Just stop that infernal screaming!
SOLDIER 2
But Chancellor Chaotica ordered me to bring this orb to him.
SOLDIER 1
I outrank you, soldier. And I just gave you a countering order. Don’t worry. We won’t leave without you and the orb.
SOLDIER 2
(dejectedly)
Aye, aye, sir.
SFX: SOLDIER 2’s footfalls as he walks down the corridor. As he does so, CONSTANCE’S screams gradually get louder as he approaches the cell. When the screams are at a high pitch, the cell door slides open.
SOLDIER 2
Can you never be quiet, woman?
SFX: The screaming stops.
Wait … those other two men that were with you. Where are they?
PROTON
Right behind you!
SFX: a series of punches, kicks, oofs, and ughs that ends with a heavy thud on the ground.
KINCAID
He’s out cold, Captain.
PROTON
For the vanguard of an invading army, they sure don’t fight very well.
KINCAID
Captain, look! The orb! He has it on him!
PROTON
They were going to use it to find their way to the wormhole. If we can get to our spaceship and take off ahead of the fleet, maybe they can’t find their own way there. And we can give this back to the Bajorans. Let’s go!
Cue music for scene change.
NARRATOR
With most of the Jem’Hadar soldiers embarking on their own ships, our heroes were able to dash to their own spaceship unnoticed. Then they managed to escape the asteroid base before anyone in the fleet could stop them. They are now headed away from the base.
KINCAID
(over a humming engine noise in the background)
Captain, with the orb on board our ship, it’s like I don’t have to push any buttons or move any switches. Our ship is practically steering itself.
PROTON
Then I guess we’re on the right course. Stay on course at maximum speed.
SFX: a sudden buzzing sound with a steady rhythm.
KINCAID
Captain, the Dominion fleet’s on our tail! And they’re catching up to us!
PROTON
How long until we reach the wormhole?
KINCAID
Six seconds … five … four … three … two … one!
SFX: a large fan being turned on to make a vacuum-like noise.
KINCAID
We’re entering the wormhole. Activating stabilizers. We’re holding steady.
PROTON
Good. Just get this ship out in one piece!
SFX: objects shaking around that we hear only briefly.
KINCAID
We made it, Captain! We’re out of the wormhole and back in normal space!
PROTON
Charge up the Super-Destructo Beam. Aim and fire at a hundred and eighty degrees aft.
KINCAID
Fire at the wormhole?
PROTON
Do it!
SFX: laser beam shot from a gun followed by a muffled explosion.
KINCAID
The wormhole’s closed, Captain.
PROTON
Good. I think Chaotica’s really mad that he won’t be ruler of the Incorporated Planets for about eighty years. Dock us at Station Number Nine. We have a package to deliver there.
Cue music for scene change.
SISKO
Captain, I have to say I’m quite impressed with this report you’ve given me. First you go off to stop a theft of valuable property. And you prevented an invasion in the process! Not bad for a day’s work. Besides, we had no idea the Celestial Temple was actually a wormhole in space. We’ll upgrade our securit
y and let absolutely no ships anywhere near the wormhole from now on. We can’t risk any Dominion ships coming through it. And as long as it stays closed I think we’ll be okay on our end.
PROTON
And with the Bajorans getting their orb back, I’m glad we’ll have good relations with them again.
SISKO
Captain, didn’t you have a secretary here with you before?
PROTON
We do. But she’s waiting for us on our ship.
SISKO
Oh, good. Well, Captain, on behalf of Bajor, not to mention myself, I thank you for saving the galaxy once again.
PROTON
It’s always a pleasure to do my part for galaxy-wide peace, sir.
Cue music for scene change.
SFX: radio static.
CHAOTICA
(whose voice can barely be heard over the static)
Founder. Founder! Are you in position? Come in, founder. Over.
FOUNDER
(with a low alto feminine voice)
Yes, I am here. And I am still on Captain Proton’s spaceship.
CHAOTICA
Excellent. I knew that exchanging you, one of the shapechanging Founders of the Dominion, for the real Constance Goodheart would be a wise backup ploy.
FOUNDER
But I cannot retain the form of Proton’s secretary much longer. It has almost been sixteen hours and I must revert to my natural state.
CHAOTICA
Very well. When you are again able you will resume the form of Miss Goodheart. Then you will access all information on the strengths and capabilities of the Incorporated Planets. After which you will disable all defenses on that space station and then use the orb to reopen the wormhole as I and the invasion fleet are waiting on the other end. Although the orb was taken from us, Proton was so foolish to lead us here himself. In a mere matter of hours, the Dominion will rule the Incorporated Planets!
Cue intense music that plays through to its coda.
ANNOUNCER
We’ll return to Captain Proton in just a moment.
(beat)
Boys and girls, did you know you can earn purchase points toward buying Captain Proton toys each time your mother buys Alta-Schweitzer tablets? Each box top taken from a box of Alta-Schweitzer tablets is worth one purchase point. And each one will earn you points toward sending away in the mail for a Captain Proton alien language decoder ring, a spaceship glider, or a sparkling ray gun. Then on warm sunny days when you’re not listening to or reading about Captain Proton’s adventures or even thrilling to his escapades at your local movie theater, you can have your own Captain Proton adventures with your friends. And whenever you’re not feeling well, two Alta-Schweitzer tablets taken with a glass of water can make you feel better so that you can play outside with your friends. Remember, whenever you’re feeling headaches, pains, or indigestion, then like Captain Proton, it’s Alta-Schweitzer to the rescue! And now we return to Captain Proton!
NARRATOR
Constance Goodheart is still a captive of Dr. Chaotica and the Dominion. Meanwhile, one of the shapechanging Founders of the Dominion has made herself to resemble Captain Proton’s secretary so that she may infiltrate and disable the defenses of Station Number Nine and then use the orb to reopen the wormhole so that the Dominion fleet can attack and begin conquering the Incorporated Planets. Has Captain Proton failed to stop this invasion after all? What will he do to fight the Dominion when they attack? Tune in next time for the next exciting episode of …
ANOTHER VOICE
(spoken with an echo-like reverberation)
THE ADVENTURES OF CAPTAIN PROTON … DEFENDER OF THE EARTH!
Cue Captain Proton main theme music, which plays for a few bars until it drops slightly in volume so that we may hear …
ANNOUNCER
What you have just heard is based on characters that appear in Captain Proton Magazine now available at local newsstands. This has been a work of fiction. Any similarity to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Cue up volume on theme music to play for another few bars until it drops slightly in volume so that we may hear …
ANNOUNCER
This episode has featured Charles Correll as Captain Ben Sisko, Raymond Hayashi as Buster Kincaid, Evelyn Ankers as both Constance Goodheart and the shapechanging Founder, Boris Karnov as Dr. Chaotica, Chester Lauck and Norris Goff as the Jem’Hadar Soldiers, and as Captain Proton, Peter Collyer! This program was narrated by Conrad Williams, written by Ben Russell, produced by Maxwell Roberts, and directed by John Jacks. And this is your announcer, Ken Stiles! This program was brought to you by the makers of Alta-Schweitzer tablets. Whenever you’re feeling headaches, pains, or indigestion, then like Captain Proton, it’s Alta-Schweitzer to the rescue!
Cue up volume on theme music that plays for another few bars until it drops slightly in volume so that we may hear …
ANNOUNCER
Be sure to join us Sunday evening at eight P.M. Eastern Time when Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater of the Air will present a radio dramatization of H. G. Wells’ classic science-fiction novel The War of the Worlds. It will sound so realistic, you may need to remind yourself it’s only a radio drama. That’s Mercury Theater of the Air Sunday night on BBS!
Cue up volume on theme music that plays for another few bars until it drops slightly in volume so that we may hear …
ANNOUNCER
Stay tuned for Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy coming up next on most of these stations.
Cue up volume on theme music that plays through to its coda.
STATION ID
This is the Barnard Broadcasting System.
[THIRD PRIZE]
Isolation Ward 4
Excerpts from the Journal of Dr. James Wykoff
Kevin G. Summers
December 14, 1953
I met with a new patient this morning; a Negro named Benny Russell. In our initial interview, he seemed vacant and unsure of himself, as if he had been through some serious trauma in the very recent past. I couldn’t get much out of him—he was mainly closed off and said very little. His voice is soft, almost timid. I think he is afraid of me.
In an attempt to better understand Mr. Russell, I have contacted the New York Police Department for any records they might have about my patient. They have promised to get back to me shortly.
December 17, 1953
My luck wasn’t much better with the patient today. Mr. Russell seems to have some serious emotional problems. I asked him if he knew why he was brought here, but he retorted with typical Negroid hostility. He said nothing for long minutes, and then shouted out violently, “I’m a human being, dammit. I exist.”
After this momentary outburst, I had to call in some orderlies to try and calm Mr. Russell down. They took him back to his room, where I am afraid I will have to keep him confined until I can get a better handle on how to control his outbursts.
I did learn some more about my patient, however. Apparently he has been working as a science fiction writer for the magazine Incredible Tales of Scientific Wonder. It was from their offices that he was brought in for psychological evaluation. Apparently he was fired from his job and reacted in a most unruly manner. This is no surprise after witnessing his behavior today.
December 18, 1953
Now we are getting somewhere. I received a copy of the police files on Mr. Russell, and those files confirmed some of my initial thoughts on this patient. Apparently Benny got into some trouble earlier this year when he attacked some police officers while they were trying to apprehend a car thief. The report is not entirely clear, but apparently the thief was killed in the altercation, and Benny was given a severe beating for his interference. The report suggests that he was brandishing some sort of weapon.
I have contacted his former employer, Douglas Pabst, in hopes of gaining some more information on what led Benny to this state of mind. The secretary promised that my call would be returned within a day or two.
/>
The orderlies have informed me that Mr. Russell has asked for some paper and a pencil or a typewriter. I see no harm in this, so I have conceded. Perhaps the science fiction writer is still alive in him somewhere, and this is a sign of new hope in this patient.
December 20, 1953
I spoke with Mr. Russell again today. We seemed to get along a little better. I asked him about the incident with the police and the car thief, and he broke into hysterics. I thought that I was going to have to call the orderlies again, but this time it seemed more like a release from the pain that he had been harboring. He said that the thief was murdered and that when he, Benny, saw the body of his friend, he just lost control of himself. He also claims that he never brandished a weapon, and can’t understand why no one tried to stop the police from beating the crap out of him.
Those are his words, not mine.
We also discussed his request for paper and pencil. He is apparently writing a fictional story. I asked him what it was about, and he seemed to light up when he talked about it.
“The future,” he said. A grin beaming from his face.
“What future?” I asked. “Yours?”
“The future of mankind,” he said. “Where people can live and work together in harmony. Where the advancement of the human race does not have to come at the expense of anyone.”
He told me that his story was set four hundred years in the future, on a space station far out on the edge of the universe. This station, he called it Deep Space Nine, was governed by a black man! Can you believe it? This Captain Sisko of his, he was a great hero, and everybody respected him—even his enemies.
I have asked Benny to leave the story with me so that I might read it. Maybe I can find something in it that will enable me to better reach this troubled man.
December 21, 1953
I got a call from Mr. Russell’s old boss today. He said that he would not have time to speak with me in person, but I could ask him some questions over the phone. I think I got some useful information from him, although he seemed like a very stern individual, and I am glad I don’t have to answer to him.