(Over loudspeaker)
Major Bradbury to communication
bridge. Major Bradbury to
communication bridge.
The two troopers arrive at their destination and
exit. Major Bradbury appears and approaches the
lift, walking down the long, narrow corridor past
the two troopers. He enters the lift and selects
his destination. The lift rotates clockwise about
90 degrees.
INTERCOM VOICE
( Over loudspeaker)
Nuclear comm force to main
engine room. Nuclear comm
force to main engine room.
Major Bradbury to
communications bridge. Major
Bradbury to communcations
bridge.
Major Bradbury exits the lift and proceeds down a
short corridor to a door. He raises his hand to
the sensor panel and the door whisks aside.
Bradbury enters and proceeds up a flight of lighted
stairs.
EXT. IMPERIAL BATTLESHIP IN SPACE
The Imperial Battleship has arrived in orbit around
a planet. The planet gives a reflected purple glow
from its day side.
2.
INT. IMPERIAL BATTLESHIP – BRIDGE
A senior officer looks out the forward viewport at
the planet they are approaching. Two
crewmen/junior officers operate control panels on
the bridge.
SENIOR OFFICER
What is it like, the planet we
are approaching?
JUNIOR OFFICER #1
Nothing but ice and snow. A
barren desert of whiteness.
SENIOR OFFICER
Scan it with our computer
waves. The enemy’s weapons may
be hidden below the surface.
EXT. IMPERIAL BATTLESHIP IN SPACE
The ship settles into orbit around the planet,
which is now giving off a luminous blue-white glow.
As it continues on its orbit it begins to be
enveloped by a more eerie red glow. Red balls of
light swirl through the space around the planet,
completely surrounding and enveloping the
unsuspecting Imperial Battleship.
INT. IMPERIAL BATTLESHIP – BRIDGE
The swirling red balls of light have penetrated the
ship. We see them swirling about, practically
filling the atmosphere. The crewmen on the bridge
grip their heads in agony as the red lights
penetrate their heads and bodies. They stagger
about in pain and eventually crumple to the floor,
succumbing to the attack.
INT. IMPERIAL BATTLESHIP
The scene is repeated throughout the ship as
crewmen writhe on the decks and cry out in pain.
3.
EXT. IMPERIAL BATTLESHIP IN SPACE
As the hull glows bright red, three small launches
lift off and leave the Imperial Battleship behind
in a vain attempt by a few crewmen to save their
own lives. The launches streak off into space. In
the confusion they are separated and all head off
in different directions.
INT. IMPERIAL BATTLESHIP – BRIDGE
The bridge crew writhe in pain and fall victim to
the attack.
EXT. IMPERIAL BATTLESHIP IN SPACE
The great ship slowly spins out of control and
falls towards the white, luminous planet. As it
enters the atmosphere it glows red-hot and explodes
in a spectacular fireball.
ROLL OPENING CREDITS
END OPENING CREDITS
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP IN SPACE
A wedge-shaped smuggling ship streaks across a
sparse backdrop of stars.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
The smuggling vessel is piloted by the beautiful,
irrepressible Stella Star and her mysterious
companion Akton, an alien with unusual powers.
Stella and Akton check instruments and adjust
controls in preparation to assume orbit around an
unknown planet.
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP IN SPACE
The ship appears to level off and reduce speed as
it approaches a bright brownish-yellowish-white
planet.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
Stella and Akton gaze wordlessly out the forward
viewport at the starfield ahead of them. Stella
reaches down and adjusts a few minor controls.
4.
EXT. PATROL SHIPS IN SPACE
Hot on the trail of Stella’s ship, two Imperial
police vessels skim past the brown/white planet.
The smaller ship is streamlined, with the look of a
real hunter-killer. The larger ship, a cruiser of
some sort, has a flat, diamond-shaped forward hull
and a massive drive section made up of three
vertical diamond-shaped fins.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
Akton gazes out the viewport, strangely detached
and serene. An alarm buzzer sounds and he looks
down to check an instrument panel. Stella looks on
as he checks a small sensor viewscreen, which shows
the two Imperial patrol ships closing on them
AKTON
Aha, looks like the cops.
EXT. PATROL SHIPS IN SPACE
The two ships speed along against a backdrop of
multicolored stars and random planets in pursuit of
Stella and Akton.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
A bald-headed stocky man with pale blue skin
appears on the viewscreen.
THOR
As Thor, Chief of the Imperial
Police, I order you to
surrender at once.
Akton glances at Stella with a knowing half-smile.
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP IN SPACE
The wedge-shaped vessel turns and prepares for
evasive maneuvers.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
The face of a robot appears on the viewscreen. His
optical sensors form semi-threatening slits on
either side of his domed black head.
5.
L
Stella, you cheap smuggler! I
am Police Robot L. You have
the right to remain silent…
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP AND PATROL SHIPS IN SPACE
The two police vessels continue to chase Stella’s
ship, gaining on the two smugglers.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
Go for hyperspace!
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP IN SPACE
The ship makes a wide swing as though to find the
right course, and launches into the red blur that
is hyperspace.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
Stella and Akton work the control panel as the blur
of hyperspace streaks past their forward viewport.
STELLA
Let’s hope this star-buggy
stays together! What’s our
chances?
Akton continues to gaze forward with the same
serenely detached yet confident and strangely
energetic look.
AKTON
Forty percent total
disintegration, thirty percent
molecular ignition, twenty
percent gamma contamination.
STELLA
You’re very reassuring. I
assume that means we have a ten
percent chance of making it.
AKTON
Not really. Three percent
structural collapse, two
percent…
6.
STELLA
All right, all right. Just get
ready to re-enter normal space.
Stella and Akton continue to deftly operate the
ship’s controls.
AKTON
Ready when you are!
EXT. SPACE
The red blur of hyperspace fades away.
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP IN SPACE
The ship sails clear, into normal space and it’s
panorama of multicolored stars.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
We’ve done it, we’ve done it!
AKTON
Not quite. Look! A neutron
star!
EXT. SPACE
A neutron star looms ahead, its luminous greenish
form beginning to fill the view.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
If it gets a hold on us it will
crush us!
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP IN SPACE
The ship careens toward the green bulk of the
neutron star.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
Akton and Stella work the controls furiously as
rippling energy discharges from the neutron star
blur the forward view.
7.
STELLA
Prepare to release aft power
stage.
AKTON
Eject! Eject!
Stella frowns and grimaces in an oddly sensual
expression as she activates the release mechanism.
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP IN SPACE
The forward one-third of the triangular craft
shoots forward and slides free of the aft power
stage.
EXT. SPACE – NEUTRON STAR
The aft power stage, now a truncated triangle,
falls uncontrollably toward the surface of the
neutron star.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
Ha ha! We made it!
AKTON
Ha ha! All right! We
made it!
EXT. SPACE AROUND NEUTRON STAR
The now smaller, more compact, and faster craft
hurtles triumphantly away from the glowing green
orb that is the neutron star.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
Plot us a new course so that
cop can’t find us.
AKTON
Even as you speak, it’s been
taken care of.
Akton pushes a switch on the command console. He
and Stella look out the forward viewport.
8.
AKTON
There’s the border of the
Haunted Stars. If we traveled
one second further we would
have wound up right beside
them.
STELLA
What in the universe is that?
The image of a drifting craft appears on one of the
sensor scopes.
STELLA
Oh! It’s a spaceship!
AKTON
No, it’s a launch!
STELLA
Their power’s totally down.
Maybe they’re wounded, too weak
to send a signal. I’m going to
have a look.
She turns and leaves the cockpit area.
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP AND LAUNCH IN SPACE
The now-familiar form of the smuggling ship hangs
in space next to the derelict launch.
INT, SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
Akton looks on with concern as Stella, now clad in
a transparent space suit, attempts a spacewalk over
to the derelict launch. He monitors her progress
visually and on the sensor scope.
EXT. DERELICT LAUNCH IN SPACE
AKTON
( Over intercom)
What’s the radiation level?
STELLA
( Over intercom)
Normal. The hull isn’t
damaged. I’m going inside.
9.
INT. DERELICT LAUNCH – HALLWAY
Stella walks down the hallway in her spacesuit,
working her way slowly through the launch. It
appears to be deserted. The interior remains welllit,
with a red alert alarm continuing to sound
faintly in the background accompanied by red
flashes from the launch’s emergency lighting
system.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
AKTON
Is everything all right?
He monitors her progress on the scanner screen,
which is relaying the image from the launch as
Stella continues exploring.
STELLA
( Over intercom)
Yes. Wait a minute, there’s
someone here!
INT. DERELICT LAUNCH – HALLWAY
As Stella reaches the end of the corridor it opens
into a larger chamber. Lying on the floor is what
appears to be the body of an Imperial crewman. The
entire room is bathed in the red glow of emergency
lighting.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
Akton continues to monitor Stella’s progress.
INT. DERELICT LAUNCH – CONTROL ROOM
Stella carefully steps into the room and around the
body, kneeling to check for signs of life. The man
on the floor is in his early thirties, a mid-level
officer from the Imperial Battleship. Stella lifts
his head. His face is covered with several days’
growth of whiskers. As she lifts his head his eyes
open and look at her without actually focusing.
STELLA
He looks like he’s hurt pretty
bad, but he’s alive. I’ll try
to get him back to the ship.
10.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – COCKPIT
AKTON
I’ll help you bring him aboard.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – SICKBAY AREA
Stella and Akton stand over their patient, who lies
on a table/bed muttering “Terrible, horrible” over
and over.
AKTON
He’s dehydrated, suffering from
exhaustion.
STELLA
But the launch was full of
supplies, everything he could
have needed.
AKTON
He’s also in shock. He keeps
talking about monsters – red
monsters.
As Akton speaks, the rescued crewman turns his head
to look up at Stella and Akton.
AKTON
He wants us to alert someone,
urgently.
STELLA
Who?
AKTON
The Emperor of the First Circle
of the Universe.
Stella and Akton both look down at their patient
curiously. Akton notices an insignia on the man’s
cuff, and lifts his arm to show Stella.
AKTON
It’s the emblem of the chief
officers of the Imperial Navy.
I’d say red-hot potatoes for
small-time smugglers on the run
like us.
Stella nods her agreement.
STELLA
Well, what do we do?
11.
L
( Over comm speaker)
You go to prison, Stella Star!
Your leap through hyperspace
didn’t fool us. Your friction
trail was easy to follow.
L chuckles with glee at finally capturing Stella.
Thor’s face replaces L’s on the viewscreen.
THOR
You are completely surrounded
by fighterships.
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP IN SPACE
Three small fighters move into position around
Stella’s ship, appearing to cut off any escape
route.
INT. SMUGGLING SHIP – SICKBAY AREA
STELLA
( Defiantly)
This time you’ve won. We
surrender.
THOR
( Over viewscreen)
There won’t be a next time,
Stella Star.
EXT. SMUGGLING SHIP
Stella and Akton are visible through the front
viewports of the ship. They are still in their
seats in the cockpit.
AKTON
Don’t worry. We’ll get out of
this.
12.
EXT. SPACE
Alone in the immense starfield is the secret space
fortress of the evil Count Zarth Arn. The bulk of
the station is a rectangular monolith of steel.
Five oddly shaped towers extend upward. One of the
towers is along the short end of the rectangle, and
the other four form a row down one of the long
sides. The towers are thin and appear to be
jointed, and are pointed at the end. The fortress
has been built to resemble a giant hand in space.
INT. SPACE FORTRESS – CONTROL AREA
Elric, one of Count Zarth Arn’s loyal officers,
makes his way down a flight of metal steps and
across the crowded control room. The control room
is bustling with activity as Elric makes his way
past the control stations to a small observation
platform.
INT. SPACE FORTRESS – OBSERVATION PLATFORM
Count Zarth Arn stands contemplating the stars
through a series of magnificent windows. His back
is turned, but he turns to meet Elric as he
approaches. Zarth Arn is a thoroughly evil-looking
presence, dressed in a shiny black uniform and red
cape.
ELRIC
My lord!
ZARTH ARN
Yes, what is it Elric?
ELRIC
They found one damn survivor!
Right now the Imperial shuttleship
is taking him to their
medical center, but his brain
appears to be thoroughly
damaged. He will be no help to
them to find the ship.
The Count nods. Elric turns and leaves his
master’s presence. Zarth Arn takes a few steps
down off the observation platform towards the
control room area.
ZARTH ARN
Come to me, golems!
13.
A command chair rotates to one side, and two
silvery mechanical beings rise up out of the floor.
They are armed with swords and make a metallic
chittering sound, like the chirping of a colony of
insects.
ZARTH ARN
I have a simple task for you.
You must not fail me.
The golems nod and chirp their acknowledgement.
EXT. SPACE AROUND IMPERIAL PLANET
A space station of some sort hangs in orbit above a
pearly white planet. This is where Stella and
Akton have been taken following their arrest by the
police.
INT. IMPERIAL JUSTICE COURT
The face of the judge fills a viewscreen that
dominates one end of the courtroom. The judge
appears as an oddly-shaped disembodied head
suspended in some sort of liquid. It has bizarre
tentacle-like appendages that it gestures with as
it pronounces the sentences.
JUDGE
( Over viewscreen)
…therefore, the great machines
of the Central Operating System
of Imperial Justice sentence
you, Akton of Ninth Vega to 220
years hard labor in the prison
planet of Sekhon the Third. As
for you, Stella Star, having
considered all the arguments,
studied all the videotapes, the
accusations, we condemn you to
forced labor for life in the
penal colony of Nocturne the
Second. This session is hereby
adjourned.
EXT. NOCTURNE THE SECOND – OUTSIDE OF PRISON – DAY
The Imperial prison on Nocturne the Second rises
like an imposing pyramid set against a dark, cloudy
sky.
14.
INT. PRISON
Stella and a group of prisoners work transferring
spheres of radium into a furnace. Groups of four
prisoners each carry great glowing whitish spheres
on stretcher-like assemblies across a raised
walkway and drop the spheres into a glowing,
smoking circular hole in a platform.
WARDEN
Throw the radium in the
furnace! Careful now! Move
faster! Move! Let’s go! Will
you step it up? Here, you can
move faster than that! Careful
with that radium! When you
move, move down those stairs!
Throw it in the furnace! I
tell you! Where do you think
you are? WE haven’t got all
day!
GUARD
All right! Five minutes of
rest. Move quickly now!
Prisoners get back to their
posts! Let’s go!
WARDEN
Come on, quickly now! Let’s
go!
Stella and two of her fellow prisoners retreat to
their designated corner. One of Stella’s
companions is a man, the other is a woman. Both
are approximately middle-aged and show the wear of
years of this kind of heavy labor.
STELLA
I’ve been at this for twelve
straight hours! The radiation
will burn my skin off! We’re
not slaves!
MALE PRISONER
You’s better work if you don’t
want a taste of the burning of
their energy whips too.
STELLA
But there must be a way to
escape!
15.
WOMAN PRISONER
There will be a way. You know,
blowups happen. If we could
only succeed in over-feeding
the furnace…
STELLA
But overfeed it with what?
MALE PRISONER
Energy.
STELLA
Then a gun ray could be enough…
A guard overhears their conversation and
approaches, threatening Stella.
GUARD
Planning an escape? This is
what you’re going to get, lady!
The guard swings his shock club at Stella. They
grapple and she eventually knocks the club out of
his hand. He is sent staggering into the woman
prisoner, who grabs the laser pistol hanging from
his belt. She hesitates, flinches, and fires the
pistol, scoring a direct hit on the guard and
killing him instantly. A guard on a catwalk
overlooking the scene fires his laser rifle,
killing the woman prisoner. The entire prison yard
is now in chaos, with extra guards running in to
re-establish control. The male prisoner grabs the
laser pistol that the woman prisoner dropped when
she was killed. He kills the guard who killed the
woman prisoner. A firefight ensues, with some of
the other prisoners overpowering guards and taking
weapons. Stella sees a discarded laser rifle lying
on the ground. She grabs it and sneaks away in the
chaos. A guard gets a bead on the male prisoner
and shoots him. As the male prisoner dies he
squeezes off one more shot which hits the main
furnace. The furnace glows bright red. A
brilliant flash fills the prison area.
EXT. – NOCTURNE THE SECOND – OUTSIDE OF PRISON – DAY
The entire prison explodes from within as the blast
from the radium furnace destroys the entire
structure.
16.
EXT. – NOCTURNE THE SECOND – DAY
Stella runs through a field of tall grass-like
plants, the explosion of the prison still clearly
audible in the background. She comes to an opening
in the grass which proves to be a wide sandy beach
leading to an ocean in the background. A ship
descends from a clear blue sky. It is vaguely
insect-like in appearance. It sets down on the
sand on three legs and lowers a boarding ramp.
Stella approaches warily and slowly makes her way
up the ramp.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CORRIDOR
Stella, rifle at the ready, makes her way down a
glistening white corridor with eerie pink lighting.
She slowly makes her way forward to the control
room
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
Stella enters cautiously, inspecting her
surroundings as she goes. She takes note of the
various instruments and controls as she walks by.
She goes forward of the pilots’ chairs to
investigate a control panel when she is stopped
cold by a voice from one of the pilots’ chairs she
has just passed. A hand rises up holding a laser
pistol pointed directly at Stella’s back.
THOR
You can drop the rifle ray.
Stella places the rifle in a crew chair
THOR
Now, turn around…
Stella does so, coming face to face with her old
adversary Thor.
STELLA
You!
THOR
I bet you never expected to see
me here.
L enters the control room to stand behind Thor’s
chair.
STELLA
And you too!
17.
L
Poor Stella, your escape
efforts have been wasted.
STELLA
OK, I’ve lost again.
L
We were sent to free you! Your
sentence has been cancelled.
STELLA
Have you both gone mad?
L
I only have logic and emotion
circuits. No room for
craziness. We all have been
assigned to a top-secret
Imperial mission. We must now
leave and set Akton free!
INT. PRISON ON SEKHON THE THIRD – RECEIVING AREA
Akton comes up through the floor on an elevator
platform as Stella looks on, under the watchful eye
of several guards. The warden is seated in a
control chair.
WARDEN
There – he is yours. My gift
to you.
Akton crosses over to where his friend awaits.
AKTON
Would I lie to you?
Stella shakes her head, but cannot hold back a
grin.
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The vaguely insectoid form of the scoutship rushes
by.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
Stella and Thor sit at the pilot stations while
Akton and L stand behind them. Stars rush by the
forward viewports.
18.
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The small ship continues to rush along on its
journey.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
L
( Pointing)
Look! It is the Imperial
Flagship!
Stella looks on in surprise and awe.
EXT. IMPERIAL FLAGSHIP IN SPACE
As the scoutship approaches, the Imperial Flagship
fills the view. Some of its lines seem to echo
sailing ships of a bygone era, like the great
galleons. It is a gleaming gold in color. It has
high, majestic looking control towers. The two
ships continue to close on each other, eventually
matching speed and course.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
Stella looks on in wonder, then looks over he
shoulder to check Akton’s reaction. Thor sits in
the seat next to her with an expression that seems
to reflect quiet pride.
EXT. IMPERIAL FLAGSHIP IN SPACE
The sheer mass and grace of the Imperial Flagship
fills the view.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
L
Akton, you are going to meet
some real royalty.
EXT. SHIPS IN SPACE
The two ships come to a halt relative to each
other.
19.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
As Stella, Akton, L, and Thor continue to look
forward, a semi-transparent form begins to take
shape behind them. It is a man in late middle age
who wears fine robes and a gold breastplate. L is
the first to turn and notice the hologram.
L
He’s here! There is his
holographic image!
The others turn to join him, facing the hologram.
THOR
His Highness, the Emperor of
the First Circle of the
Universe!
EMPEROR
I’ve come to you because my
faithful robot, L, has told me
that you are the only one who
can save us. You know, you
must be the best pilot in the
galaxy and you, Akton, the best
navigator. Stella, our galaxy
is split into two warring
factions: our own, and the one
ruled by the evil Count Zarth
Arn, from the League of the
Dark Worlds. Recently we have
begun to receive troublesome
reports from our spies among
the League. They have informed
us that the Count has created a
weapon, a new, limitless
weapon, a weapon so vast, so
huge, that it would take a
whole planet to conceal it.
That is why we sent the mission
ship.
STELLA
Did they find the planet?
20.
EMPEROR
The ship came so close, so
close to discovering the
Count’s secret, when it was
suddenly attacked by a horde of
unknown monsters. We had
assumed it was destroyed, we
had lost all hope, until you
found the launch from that
ship. And now, with the utmost
secrecy, you must sail through
the Haunted Stars. You must
find that ship, find the
Count’s secret planet, and
destroy it.
The Emperor turns as if to go, and then turns back
to face the group.
EMPEROR
There’s something else. When
you complete the mission,
search for the commander of
that missing ship. He was my
only son.
The hologram fades out as the group looks on.
EXT. IMPERIAL FLAGSHIP IN SPACE
The majestic Imperial ship slowly recedes as the
scoutship pulls away to start the mission.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
Akton, using the mysterious electromagnetic powers
of his race, creates a series of light waves and
designs above the palm of his hand as he talks.
AKTON
The first possibility is the
Origa system, also known as the
Worlds of Sleep. But this
system is still within our
galaxy, and we should have
found it by now. The same also
applies to the white sun of
Ozen. So only the third
possibility remains. The heart
of the Haunted Stars – an
unknown planet named Uranus.
21.
L
Well, shall we begin our
search?
THOR
Let’s go!
They all move to their departure stations.
STELLA
The distance we must travel is
enormous. By using hyperspace,
what would normally take to
months to reach, we should do
in two hours. Everything
ready?
THOR
Ready.
STELLA
Right.
EXT. SPACE – HYPERSPACE EFFECT
A blur or stars flashes by as the ship enters
hyperspace.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
L
( To Akton)
Every time I go into hyperspace
I get nervous.
The flash of hyperspace rushes by the two forward
viewports. Stella watches with a look of
determination on her face.
EXT. SPACE – HYPERSPACE EFFECT
The blur of stars continues to rush by.
STELLA (V.O.)
Prepare for re-entry to normal
space.
22.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
Thor looks on as the ship prepares to exit
hyperspace. The blur of hyperspace fades from the
forward viewports and is replaced with the familiar
multicolored stars of normal space.
STELLA
We’ve arrived.
Akton strides forward to look out the viewports.
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The ship races along amongst the stars.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
Akton continues to look out the forward viewports.
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The ship approaches a yellow-white planet.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – CONTROL ROOM
Akton turns back to face his comrades.
AKTON
It’s not very far from here.
You can reach it by using the
space shuttle.
He gestures to an image of the planet on a monitor.
AKTON
Thor and I will wait for you
there, hidden in that canyon so
that we’re ready in case of
another attack of the Count.
THOR
That sounds fine with me.
STELLA
Is there air out there?
AKTON
Yeah. Yeah, you can breathe…
STELLA
All right, let’s go.
23.
L
Follow me.
Stella and L head for the entrance to the shuttle
pod.
L
I’m sure you can operate the
shuttleship, the controls are
easy. Watch your step right
here.
L and Stella enter the shuttle pod. Stella waves
over her shoulder to Akton and Thor.
STELLA
Take care!
The pod moves forward into launch position.
AKTON
You all right?
STELLA
( Over intercom)
You bet. Let’s go.
The blast door closes behind the pod and L and
Stella depart for the planet’s surface.
EXT. AMAZON PLANET – OCEAN – DAY
Stella and L race along in the shuttle pod as it
skims the surface of the water.
L
Don’t you think we’re a little
low? I haven’t been programmed
to walk on water. Oh, me.
Water makes me so nervous.
STELLA
Everything makes you nervous!
Look! It’s the launch. Let’s
land.
L
OK, take it in easy. Shuttle
to starship, we are landing
now.
AKTON
( Over intercom)
Roger, out.
24.
EXT. AMAZON PLANET – BEACH – DAY
The pod comes in for a landing on the shore. There
is a narrow strip of sandy beach backed by high
rocky cliffs.
L
My seatbelt’s stuck.
STELLA
( Impatiently)
Oh L, come on.
L
Take it easy, I’m coming.
Stella and L exit the pod and begin to investigate.
L
Would you look at that!
STELLA
Amazing! It’s almost buried.
Stella and L are approaching the crashed launch.
Only the massive engine ports are visible sticking
out of the sand.
L
The impact was tremendous. I
doubt if anyone could have
survived. The nuclear exhaust
ports have been gutted by fire.
STELLA
We’d better look around.
What’s that?
L
I don’t know!
The pair approach a strange metal rod lying on a
rock outcropping. It is bent and broken from heavy
use.
STELLA
Seems to be a planetary
artifact.
L
Well, it certainly is an
antique.
STELLA
Looks like some sort of laser
spear.
25.
L
This planet is inhabited! We
must be very careful. We are
in the evil Count’s domain.
STELLA
These stars are extremely far
and remote, even for him.
Probably they’ve set up a fully
independent kind of
civilization.
L
We’re wasting time. We better
start looking for the missing
crew.
STELLA
Come on, let’s go this way.
L
Look!
A group of figures mounted on horseback comes out
from behind a bend in the shoreline.
L
I hope they’re friendly.
STELLA
We’ll soon find out.
L and Stella stand and wait patiently as the riders
approach. They are a squad of three Amazon
warriors. Their horses are bedecked with strange
orange drapings. The women wear short
tunic/dresses trimmed with leather straps.
INT. AMAZON FORTRESS – QUEEN’S CHAMBER
The Queen of the Amazons watches on a viewscreen as
Stella and L approach her warriors. She is dressed
in a gold breastpiece and loin covering, with a
royal robe in red draped over her shoulder. Her
hair is dark brown and shoulder length. Fire
flashes in her brown eyes.
QUEEN CORELIA
Take my revenge. Kill them.
She smiles with pleasure at this thought.
26.
INT. AMAZON FORTRESS – CORRIDOR
Stella and L are escorted into the Amazon lair by
four warriors. They pass by a wall with two tiers
of high windows. Suddenly another Amazon bursts
through the doorway in front of them and opens
fire.
AMAZON WARRIOR
Die, robot!
L is hit by a brilliant bolt of blue light. He
groans loudly and sinks to the floor, surrounded by
a cloud of smoke.
STELLA
L!
AMAZON WARRIOR
We want her alive!
STELLA
You’ll pay for this! All of
you!
A melee ensues. Stella appears to be getting the
best of her attackers when four more Amazons run
in. They are heavily armed. Two enter the room
from the doorway in front of Stella, and two enter
from behind. They all carry laser weapons which aim
directly at Stella.
AMAZON SQUAD LEADER
Stop! There is no escape!
Stella turns to flee and sees the Amazons behind
her, armed with laser spears like the one L and
Stella found on the beach. Stella struggles a bit
as two Amazons grab her and shove her towards the
Queen’s chamber.
STELLA
Take your hands off of me! Let
me go!
As Stella and the other women leave, L is left
behind, lying motionless on the ground. A laser
pistol lies not far from his outstretched hand.
Suddenly his fingers start to twitch.
27.
INT. AMAZON FORTRESS – QUEEN’S CHAMBER
Stella is dragged into the Queen’s audience
chamber. The room is roughly round in shape, with
high ceilings and walls with two tiers of large
windows. A ring of the fiercest Amazon warriors
surrounds the throne and the open floor in the
center of the room.
STELLA
No! Get your hands off me!
Let me go!
The warriors drag Stella into the center of the
circle. They hold her and force her to stand and
face the Queen.
AMAZON SQUAD LEADER
Queen Corelia, this is the spy
we captured. She came through
the Forbidden Sea.
QUEEN CORELIA
You’re a spy? As the men in
the launch were too. But
nothing is going to stop the
Count anymore. Even if you had
passed by this world you’d
never be able to discover the
Count’s planet. Two packs of
murdering guardians are there
to watch and protect it from
intruders. And now, put her
into the mind-probe.
STELLA
No! No!
Stella struggles with the Amazon warriors holding
her arms. Suddenly, L bursts through the door
armed with a laser pistol.
L
Hold it right there!
Stella beams at the sight of her compatriot.
STELLA
L!
L grabs Queen Corelia and holds her by an arm, his
laser pistol pointed at her at very close range.
L
Release her or I’ll blast your
queen. I mean it!
28.
The Amazons immediately release Stella and she
joyfully runs over to join L.
L
Come on now. Don’t you people
move or you’re dead!
L and Stella back toward the main doors. L
continues to pull Queen Corelia along by one arm.
L
Give me any trouble and I’m
going to clean out your sinuses
real good, lady! Now, you
stand there!
L and Stella have backed out completely through the
door. L releases his grip on the Queen but keeps
his gun trained on her.
L
( To Stella)
Quick, close the door!
( To Queen Corelia)
Don’t you follow us, now!
Stella hits a control and the metal doors close
automatically. As soon as they are completely
closed the Queen jumps back into action.
QUEEN CORELIA
Stop them! Stop them!
A number of Amazon warriors run to obey the Queen’s
command.
INT. AMAZON FORTRESS – CORRIDOR
An eerie red glow lights the hallway as Stella and
L run to make their exit. Two Amazons block their
path but L blasts them both before they or Stella
have time to react. They vanish into thin air
after being hit with the white bolts of L’s
disintegrator pistol.
STELLA
Behind you!
A lone Amazon is behind them. She gets off one
shot which harmlessly impacts on a wall before L
blasts her out of existence.
L
Come on, let’s go!
29.
STELLA
L, you’re terrific! I didn’t
know you had it in you!
They round a corner and continue down another
corridor until they reach a set of heavy double
doors. The doors do not open as they approach.
Stella and L search for a means to open the doors.
STELLA
Where’s the release mechanism?
L
It’s jammed! Take cover!
Stella runs back to hide behind the corner they
just turned. L follows her and braces himself,
pointing his gun at the stubborn doors.
L
Here goes the last shot – full
power!
He fires, and the doors explode in a shower of
sparks and flames, revealing sunlight beyond.
L
Come on, let’s go! Hurry!
Hurry!
Stella and L pick their way through the rubble and
make their escape.
INT. AMAZON FORTRESS – QUEEN’S CHAMBER
Queen Corelia has turned her attention back to her
viewscreen/comm screen. It shows a giant metallic
robot awaiting her command. The robot is quite
unmistakably built in the image of a female. It is
armed with a huge sword.
QUEEN CORELIA
Guardian! Take my revenge!
Blue bolts of light shoot from her eyes to the
image of the Guardian.
QUEEN CORELIA
Kill them!
30.
EXT. AMAZON PLANET – BEACH – DAY
Stella and L run along the sandy beach with high,
rocky cliffs in the background. Looming behind
them, seemingly with one foot on the beach and one
foot in the ocean, is the Guardian. The Guardian
slowly comes to life, moving its arms a bit to
loosen up before starting in pursuit of Stella and
L. When it starts to move its footsteps are
thunderous. Stella hears the footsteps and turns
back to look.
STELLA
Look!
L
Whoa! Run for your life!
There! That narrow passage in
the rocks!
L and Stella take off running towards the rocks.
L
Come on, Stella! Run!
The Amazon Guardian lumbers along in pursuit. As
they near the rocks, L is getting ahead of Stella.
STELLA
Hurry!
The Guardian hurls its massive sword at the two. L
makes it safely into the passage, but the sword
blocks the opening like a blast door slamming into
place, cutting Stella off before she can get there.
She turns to face the Guardian, trying to figure
out which way to dodge or run. She commits to a
course and almost immediately trips in the sand and
falls to the ground. The Guardian bends down as
though to try to grab Stella in its massive hand.
STELLA
No! Oh, L!
Back at the rock passage, L manages to push the
massive sword over so that he can escape and come
to Stella’s aid. He runs over to where she has
fallen in the sand.
STELLA
Oh, L!
31.
The two look up at the Guardian, trying to discern
their fate. As they look up they see the familiar
form of the scoutship come into view behind the
Guardian. A few well-placed laser blasts from the
ship and the Guardian begins to stagger and fall.
L
We better move! The Amazon air
fighters will be here soon!
L helps Stella to her feet and they watch as the
Guardian goes through its death throes.
L
Quick! To the ship!
EXT. SPACE ABOVE SURFACE OF AMAZON PLANET
The scoutship races away from the planet. Two
flight groups of three fighters each follow in hot
pursuit. The fighters are small and stubby with
low-slung, swept-back wings.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
They’re attacking!
She slides smoothly into the pilot’s seat.
L
I’ll man the laser cannon!
Akton climbs into a seat behind a large console.
AKTON
Spectra seven – fire!
The enemy fighters rush past on the viewscreen.
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The scoutship streaks across the starfield followed
by Amazon fighters.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
OK. Get ready. Here they
come.
32.
A viewscreen shows the enemy fighters in formation,
closing fast. Red laser bolts hurtle towards the
scoutship.
THOR
Power is up to full battle
speed.
EXT. SHIPS IN SPACE
STELLA (VO)
Hard lateral right!
The scoutship makes an evasive maneuver as a flight
of three fighters makes an attack run firing their
lasers. Another flight of two fighters makes a
pass from a different angle.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
Akton watches a monitor intently. Five ships
flying in formation are closing on the scoutship.
Stella hits a control, keeping her eyes on the
forward viewports.
STELLA
( To enemy fighters)
You. Why don’t you come back
now?
A fighter hurtles past the forward viewport, firing
as it passes.
AKTON
Here they come. Spectra 3.
EXT. SHIPS IN SPACE
Multiple fighters streak across the stars. The
scoutship charges into the fray and destroys two
enemy fighters with well-aimed blasts from the
laser cannons.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
All right, we’ve got them!
33.
EXT. SHIPS IN SPACE
Another fighter zooms by on an attack run. The
scoutship maneuvers for position.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
AKTON
Fire! Fire!
The explosion of an enemy fighter fills the
viewport.
AKTON
Yeah!
STELLA
One more! There’s one more!
EXT. FIGHTERS IN SPACE
Three Amazon fighters fly by in battle formation
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
THOR
We’ve got ‘em. Watch out on
the right.
EXT. SPACE
A single fighter hurtles past.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
More to the left!
A single fighter flies past the viewport, firing a
storm of laser bolts.
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The scoutship hurtles by, firing laser bolts from
the main cannon in its nose. The laser bolts fly
harmlessly past the onrushing fighters.
34.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
THOR
Steady, then, fire five! Then
six!
AKTON
Fire the laser cannon, robot!
Fire!
EXT. AMAZON FIGHTER IN SPACE
The onrushing enemy fighter is hit by a series of
laser bolts and explodes in a shower of sparks.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
AKTON
Yeah! Ha ha!
STELLA
We got it!
A single enemy fighter makes a sharp dive across
the viewscreen. It fires its laser cannons as it
makes its attack run.
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The scoutship hurtles along. Two laser bolts appear
to hit it but have no apparent effect.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
THOR
We’re holding…
EXT. SPACE
The scoutship and the remaining enemy fighter
charge back and forth across a backdrop of
multicolored stars, exchanging laser bolts and
jockeying for position.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
STELLA
Now!
35.
AKTON
Three ships, approaching from
the right! Fire!
EXT.SPACE
The lone remaining enemy fighter continues to
engage the scoutship. Finally it is hit by a laser
blast and explodes.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
THOR
All right. We’ve won. We did
it.
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The scoutship continues on, heading into the
distance.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COMMAND AREA AFT OF COCKPIT
Akton and Stella walk forward along a lighted
bulkhead. They reach a computer station where they
are joined by L and Thor.
AKTON
I found the positions to both
the third launch and the mother
ship. The mother ship is
closest, so we’ll check it out
first.
He touches a control, and a star map appears. On a
monitor
AKTON
It’s here. On the third planet
of the next solar system.
STELLA
I’ve never been there. What’s
it like?
36.
AKTON
Red fogs, high winds, low
gravity. The air is breathable
and the atmospheric conditions
are stable. However, the
entire planet is covered with
ice and snow. And you must be
extremely careful when the sun
sets. The temperature drops
thousands of degrees, and in an
instant everything freezes
over.
EXT. ICE PLANET – DAY
The forbidding frozen landscape of the ice planet
stretches out as far as the eye can see. The small
figures of Stella and L make their way across the
ice and snow as they approach the wreckage of the
Imperial Battleship. The two adventurers look over
the scene, including several bodies in the snow.
L
What a terrible crash. No one
could have survived
Stella shakes her head in disbelief and sadness.
STELLA
Do you see any sign of the
Emperor’s son?
L
If he’s in the middle of all
this I don’t even know if his
own mother would recognize him.
STELLA
Then it’s all over. There’s no
hope of ever finding the
Count’s secret fortress.
L
( Hopefully)
There’s still the third launch.
Stella shakes her head.
37.
STELLA
It’s probably lost out in the
stars – who knows. Anyway,
it’s useless to raise false
hopes. It’s been too long and
this galaxy is wild and
hostile. Come on, L, let’s get
back to the ship.
L
We’d better hurry. We’ve run
out of time, and our power pack
reserves are nearly finished.
STELLA
Let’s get rid of them. It’s
going to be a long walk back.
They drop the spent power packs to the ground.
STELLA
My feet are already cold.
EXT. ICE PLANET – LATER
Stella and l continue across the landscape,
trudging along a ridge of ice and snow. The wind
whips about them.
L
It’s times like these that I’m
glad to be a robot.
They continue on.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
Akton lounges in a command chair, amusing himself
by projecting multicolored energy beams and fields
in different patterns from the palm of his hand.
SHIP’S COMPUTER (OS)
What’s the matter with you,
Akton?
Akton stops his playing and turns to look. He
smiles, gets up from his seat, and goes over to
address the computer. The computer is a glowing
mass six feet in diameter in the center of the
forward area of the cockpit, shaped like a human
brain.
38.
AKTON
Well, I’m just refining my
powers.
He begins to “pet” the “brain,” and speaks to it in
a condescending manner.
AKTON
And what’s your problem, ship’s
computer, huh?
SHIP’S COMPUTER
Is everything all right with
Stella and L?
AKTON
( Laughs)
I’m not worried about them.
I’m just waiting.
Suddenly, a metal rod smacks Akton across the back
of the head and neck. Thor swings again, and Akton
crumples to the floor.
THOR
Your waiting’s over.
Thor turns and walks to a communications console.
He touches a few controls, and the face of Count
Zarth Arn appears on the viewscreen.
ZARTH ARN
( Over viewscreen)
Hmmm. At last, Thor, you have
some good news for me?
THOR
Yes, Excellency. I’ve killed
the alien Pathfinder and taken
over the ship.
ZARTH ARN
( Over viewscreen)
What of Stella Star and that
tin policeman?
THOR
This planet will take care of
them, Excellency.
ZARTH ARN
( Over viewscreen)
Good. And I await your
immediate arrival.
39.
EXT. ICE PLANET – DAY
Stella and L continue their trek across the barren
wasteland.
STELLA
L, how much farther?
L
We should be close – just a few
more radians.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
Thor is seated at the pilot’s console, operating
controls. He slowly rises from his seat, a
perplexed look on his face.
THOR
Ship’s computer, why aren’t the
main engines firing?
SHIP’S COMPUTER
There is a malfunction.
THOR
A malfunction? Where?
SHIP’S COMPUTER
I am not programmed for this
malfunction.
EXT. ICE PLANET – DAY
Stella and L continue to walk across the frozen
landscape.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
Thor frantically tests electronic components and
circuits in an attempt to find and fix the
malfunction.
EXT. ICE PLANET – SCOUTSHIP – DAY
Stella and L finally reach their destination. They
wave their arms and Stella yells to attract
attention.
STELLA
Akton! We’re here!
40.
INT. SCOUTSHIP
Thor hears Stella’s cries and turns to look. He
walks over to the communications console. L and
Stella appear on the screen.
L
( Over viewscreen)
Akton! Thor! Let us in! The
sun is setting!
THOR
That is exactly why I’m not
letting you in. Soon you’ll be
dead, and I’ll be gone from
this planet.
STELLA
( Over viewscreen)
Have you gone crazy? Open this
hatch!
THOR
No!
STELLA
( Over viewscreen)
Where’s Akton?
THOR
Akton is dead. And I am
leaving to join Count Zarth Arn
as the Prince of the League of
Darkness!
He terminates the connection and goes back to
preparing the ship for departure.
EXT. ICE PLANET – SCOUTSHIP – LATE AFTERNOON
Shadows are lengthening as Stella and L mill about,
trying to keep warm.
L
Thor a traitor! I cannot
believe it. I can not trust my
own logic circuits anymore!
STELLA
He fooled me too. It’s no use,
we’re going to freeze!
41.
L
Maybe not. Maybe I can save
you. Let’s stop here. Now you
lie down in the snow, face up.
STELLA
( Unsure)
OK.
Stella eases to the ground and sits in the snow. L
does the same beside her. Stella lies on her back.
L
Now give me your hand so I can
monitor your temperature.
Stella reaches across to L.
L
I can use my energy to keep
your heart working. You will
be in a state of suspended
animation.
STELLA
L, as an opponent I always knew
you were programmed to never
give up, which was infuriating.
But now that quality must
be…best. You’re the most
faithful companion a woman ever
had.
L
And I too respect you, Stella.
You are the nicest human being
I have known. Now, maybe, is a
good time to use your ancient
system of prayer – and hope it
works for robots as well.
STELLA
( Drifting off)
Good bye, my friend.
L
Good bye for now, Stella.
They both fade off into unconsciousness. They lie
there throughout the night, as the snow accumulates
around their bodies.
42.
INT. SCOUTSHIP
Thor stands before the communications console. The
viewscreen shows the face of Count Zarth Arn. He
is not happy.
ZARTH ARN
( Over viewscreen)
You were expected here hours
ago!
THOR
I’ve been delayed by a
malfunction.
ZARTH ARN
( Over viewscreen)
I don’t tolerate malfunctions
or inefficiency in my realm!
How long will the delay be?
Akton appears out of nowhere behind Thor. He
reaches over and terminates the transmission.
AKTON
I think a very long time. You
shouldn’t try taking off
without asking me first.
THOR
This time I’ll make sure you’re
dead!
Thor takes a massive swing at Akton’s head. Akton
reels, staggers back, and then regains his footing.
With a boot to the stomach and two quick blows
Akton knocks Thor to the deck. As Akton moves in,
Thor reaches up and gives a smashing kick. He
jumps to his feet and bull rushes Akton. Akton
spins and wrestles Thor to the ground. Akton gives
Thor a kick to the head. Thor trips Akton who
falls back on a medi-bed which is partly extended
from its cocoon-like structure. Thor charges over
and tries to crush Akton by slamming the bed into
its cocoon.
They struggle for a few seconds and then a strange
light flashes in Akton’s eyes. He appears to gain
greatly boosted strength and pushes Thor away.
Akton jumps up with the look of a man possessed.
He catches Thor’s next blow and squeezes his fist
in a vice-like grip. Fear flashes on Thor’s face
as he realizes Akton’s increased strength. Akton
attacks Thor with a rapid series of martial artsstyle
blows which lay Thor back over the ship’s
control console.
43.
Thor grabs a laser pistol from the console and
points it at Akton.
THOR
I’ll fix you! All right,
Akton, this is it! Say
goodbye!
Thor begins firing at Akton. Akton calmly walks
forward, seeming to take no notice of the laser
blasts hitting him.
THOR
What?!
Akton continues to advance; Thor continues to fire.
THOR
Stop!
AKTON
( Calmly)
Put down the gun.
Akton continues to advance. Thor backs off,
continuing to fire as he does.
THOR
Stop! No one can survive these
deadly rays!
Akton stops, and brings his hands up to about
shoulder height, palms out.
AKTON
These deadly rays will be your
death.
Akton brings his hands together in the path of
Thor’s shots. The shots bounce harmlessly off
Akton’s hands, hitting Thor in the midsection.
Thor is shocked and keep firing, causing his own
death. He falls to the floor. Akton casually
steps over the body and walks over to the
communications console. He pushes a control and
the viewscreen comes to life, showing the snowscape
outside.
AKTON
( To viewscreen)
L? L, do you read me?
44.
EXT. ICE PLANET – SCOUTSHIP – DAY
AKTON
( Over loudspeaker)
This is Akton. I’ve taken over
the ship. Do you read me?
EXT. ICE PLANET – SNOWBANK – DAY
A seemingly endless wall of snow. Then, a crack
appears. Finally a hand breaks through to the
surface, stretches, makes a fist.
L
Aahhhh.
INT. SCOUTSHIP
Akton and L carry the frosty-white frozen body of
Stella down the stairs. She is completely rigid.
L
Her pulse rate is 16. She amy
survive if you use your powers
to bring her back slowly.
Akton and L gently lay Stella’s body on the medibed.
AKTON
Close the hatch.
The bed slides into the protective observation
“cocoon.” Akton raises his hand, and strange beams
of red light emanate from his palm. Soon a
rippling blue glow surrounds Stella. After a few
moments of this Akton closes his hands and stops
the energy flow. Slowly, Stella starts to thaw
out. The frost begins to leave her hair and
eyelashes.
L
Look! it is working! She is
going to make it!
Stella continues to thaw, and soon all traces of
ice and frost are gone.
L
Come on, Stella!
45.
Stella’s mouth moves slightly, and her eyes open
part way, very slowly. Akton looks on with a blank
expression. Stella moves her hand, stretches her
fingers. Akton finally breaks into a broad grin as
Stella fully comes to, smiles, and sits up.
INT. SCOUTSHIP - COCKPIT
Stella, Akton, and L are gathered around a console.
L is attempting to determine what is wrong with the
ship.
L
What is wrong? The main
engines will not fire. Thor
must have tried everything.
What are we going to do now?
STELLA
So, we get out of one mess just
to find ourselves in another.
AKTON
Not necessarily.
L
What do you mean? We are
stuck! Even the transmitter is
out of order.
Akton smiles knowlingly.
AKTON
We can take off immediately.
L
Take off? How?
AKTON
The ship is not operating
simply because I borrowed this
reactor.
Akton produces a small device from a pocket. He
walks over to the main engineering console and
prepares to put the “reactor” in place.
STELLA
Then you knew about Thor.
AKTON
Yes, I did.
46.
STELLA
So you see into the future.
All these years you never told
me. Think of all the trouble I
might have avoided.
AKTON
You would have tried to change
the future, which is against
the law. So therefore, I can
tell you nothing. Let’s find
the third launch.
L
Akton, you are something else.
STELLA
Yes. Time is running out.
L
Let’s go!
Akton sits at the pilot’s console and begins
working various controls.
EXT. SPACE – ICE PLANET
The scoutship hurtles along above the ice planet,
heading for its next destination.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
The stafield fills the forward viewports.
EXT. SPACE – ICE PLANET
The curve of the ice planet fills the view as the
scoutship passes by and heads off into space.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
A planet looms large in one of the forward
viewports. Akton rises from the
engineering/communications console and walks around
in front of the command console where Stella and L
are seated.
AKTON
We’re arriving. That’s the
planet Demondia. There in
barren land and vast emptiness
we will find the third launch.
47.
As he finishes speaking, the lights on board the
scoutship dim and begin to flicker. The
adventurers look around, trying to determine what
is happening.
L
Something is wrong. Everything
has stopped.
STELLA
What’s happening?
AKTON
Power failure!
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
As the ship nears the planet Demondia, the planet
and the surrounding space are filled with an eerie
red glow. The same swirling balls of red light
that earlier attacked the Imperial Battleship
attack the scoutship.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
L
My circuits! My circuits are
failing!
AKTON
We’ve been hit! By an energy
beam!
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The red lights continue to swirl around and attack
the scoutship.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
L
I am out of control!
L’s extremeties jerk spastically.
STELLA
Look!
Red balls of light are entering the ship through
one of the aft viewports.
48.
STELLA
What is it?
L
It must be the Count’s weapon.
Stella clutches her hands to her head and starts
moaning and writhing in agony.
STELLA
Oh, my head! Oh!
AKTON
Fight it!
EXT. SPACE – PLANET DEMONDIA
The whole surface of the planet seems to glow with
energy discharge.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COCKPIT
L staggers and falls to the ground.
AKTON
Fight it, you stupid robot!
Fight it!
Stella continues to writhe in pain and stagger
about the ship moaning.
STELLA
What’s happening?
She shrieks and falls to the floor.
EXT. SCOUTSHIP IN SPACE
The scoutship continues to pass through the
maelstrom and finally, miraculously, passes through
the red cloud into open space.
INT. SCOUTSHIP – COMMAND AREA
Akton smiles and then bursts into relieved
laughter. He gets up from the command chair and
goes to where Stella has fallen. He gently wakes
her and begins to help her to her feet.
49.
AKTON
Here, let me help you. The
attack’s over. You’ll be
alright.
STELLA
I thought I was going to go
insane.
AKTON
We’ve just survived an attack
of the most powerful weapon in
the galaxy!
At this, Stella breaks into a wide grin. Akton
goes to check on L while Stella assumes the pilot’s
position. Akton begins making adjustments to L’s
circuitry.
EXT. SPACE – PLANET DEMONDIA
The scoutship approaches the forbidding planet.
EXT. PLANET DEMONDIA – DAY
Stella wears a clear plastic enviro-suit over her
normal clothing. She and L cautiously walk down
the scoutship’s gangway.
L
If Akton’s calculations are
correct we should find the
launch this way. In a crater,
just over...there!
L points to a high rocky ridge. Stella and L make
their way carefully over the barren, rocky surface
of Demondia. They pass over a hill and come upon a
huge, steaming crater.
L
Oh, me.
STELLA
Don’t say it, don’t say it. I
know, steam makes you nervous.
L
( Nervously)
No, not really. Heh heh. Why
should I be nervous? There is
nothing to be afraid of around
here.
50.
As they continue on, a human figure slowly rises
from behind a rock ledge. It is dressed all in
black and wears an odd-looking gold helmet/mask
that completely covers the head and face. The mask
appears to be in the form of a lion’s head. Stella
and L do not see this figure, and continue on their
way. They soon see the launch, lying in the bottom
of the crater.
STELLA
It looks totally wrecked, but
it’s definitely the third
launch. I’d better go down.
L
No, I insist. Time for a
little robot chauvinism. You
stay here.
L begins to pick his way down the rocky slope.
STELLA
Be careful, L.
L
You do not have to worry about
me!
Stella watches from above as L nears the wrecked
fuselage of the launch. L makes his way to a hole
in the hull and steps inside. Suddenly, a gang of
cavemen attacks Stella. She fumbles as she tries
to draw her laser pistol. The sounds of the
struggle draw L out of the wrecked launch.
L
Release her!
STELLA
L!
L is quickly surrounded by even more of the
cavemen. He draws his twin laser pistols and
begins blasting away. Then, a caveman makes a
flying leap from the wreckage of the launch,
landing behind L. He swings a club which connects
hard with L’s head, knocking the outer housing
loose. Another solid blow, and L’s head erupts in
a shower of fire and sparks. The cavemen laugh and
cheer at this sight. As the cavemen at the rim of
the crater hold Stella down the ones at the bottom
of the hill continue to smash what is left of L
into tiny pieces using clubs made from bones and
pieces of metal salvaged from the wrecked launch.
They then carry Stella away bound to a beam
salvaged from the wreckage.
51.
EXT. PLANET DEMONDIA – CAVEMEN’S HOME CRATER – NIGHT
Stella hangs by her feet from_____________.
Cavemen huddle in various corners around campfires,
or do strange ritual dances in the background.
Their grunting and chanting drowns out Stella’s
repeated cries of “Help!” and “Let me down!”
Unseen by the cavemen, the black-clad figure with
the lion mask appears at the rim of the crater.
A caveman approaches Stella armed with a crude
knife.
STELLA
No! Don’t!
A laser blast knocks the caveman back. The figure
in the a the top of the crater fires laser bolts
from the eyes of his mask. The cavemen turn to
charge him and he proceeds to blast them with
abandon. The cavemen soon flee the scene, and the
mysterious figure makes his way down the rocky
slope to Stella.
MASKED FIGURE
Relax! Take it easy. I’ll cut
you down.
The masked figure picks up a knife left behind by
the cavemen and goes to work on Stella’s bindings.
Stella moves her arms to try to restore feeling.
The Masked Figure helps Stella to the ground.
MASKED FIGURE
There. You’re free.
Stella leans against a rock outcrop, tired and
bewildered.
MASKED FIGURE
That was a little too close for
comfort. Come on.
Stella hesitates.
MASKED FIGURE
Come on!
EXT. PLANET DEMONDIA – ROCK CREVICE
Stella follows the Masked Figure. They race
through an irregular maze of rock crevices with
strangely smooth and obstruction-free floors. The
crevice widens into a small chamber of sorts.
52.
MASKED FIGURE
We’ll rest here. This is safe.
He turns and sits on a rock.
STELLA
( Amazed)
Who are you?
The masked figure pulls off his mask to reveal
Simon, a human male in his late twenties. He is
tall and fairly good-looking.
SIMON
This is an energy shield mask,
and the energy is limited.
Stella smiles and sits next to him.
SIMON
My name is Simon. I’m tho only
survivor from the wreck of an
Imperial mission.
STELLA
Are you really? We’ve been
searching for you all through
these damned Haunted Stars.
SIMON
Why?
STELLA
The Emperor’s orders were to
find the Count’s phantom planet
and destroy it.
SIMON
So you know about the monsters.
STELLA
Yes, I do.
SIMON
Well, it’s useless. We did not
succeed in finding the planet
either. And now there’s no
time left. The cavemen will be
waiting for us.
EXT. PLANET DEMONDIA – ANOTHER ROCK CREVICE
Simon and Stella proceed hand in hand through the
crevices. They come to a corner, and Simon peers
around it.
53.
SIMON
All right. Stick very close
and very quiet.
They begin to pick their way up a rock-strewn
slope.
STELLA
Oh, this way looks safe.
At that moment they are ambushed by cavemen. They
fight, and in the process Simon loses his energy
shield mask. Stella and Simon are forced back into
the tunnels/crevices. A major brawl ensues, with
Stella and Simon holding their own against the
cavemen. Stella engages them with many skillful
kicks, while Simon uses a rough club snatched from
one of the cavemen. Eventually the numbers of
cavemen are too much and Simon is forced back into
a corner.
STELLA
Simon!
Stella picks up a club and continues to fight.
Simon is overpowered by cavemen who grab him and
attempt to wrestle him to the ground. Then, a
mysterious figure appears at the top of the ravine,
silhouetted against the light of the moon and
stars. Stella is overpowered by the cavemen. The
figure at the top of the ravine ignites a laser
sword and charges down the slope to attack the
cavemen. As he gets closer it becomes obvious that
this mysterious figure is none other than Akton.
Akton slays a great number of cavemen with his
laser sword and the rest flee. As they run off he
extinguishes his blade and laughs. He turns to
Stella and Simon
AKTON
You all right?
STELLA
Akton, thank God you got here
in time. You must have known
all along. By the way, this is
Simon, the only survivor from
the Imperial mission.
SIMON
We owe you our lives. Now
maybe with your help we can
still find the Count’s phantom
planet. Let’s go aboard your
ship and continue on at once.
54.
AKTON
There is no need to continue.
STELLA
Have you gone crazy? That’s
our primary mission – to find
the planet and destroy it.
AKTON
I know. But we’ve already
found it. Think about it, and
then you’ll understand that
this is the Count’s planet.
Remember what the Amazon queen
said – a planet defended by two
packs of evil defenders. Well,
the first we met while in
space, the red monsters, and
the second right here – the
troglodytes. And there’s no
question about it, this is the
planet.
SIMON
This? That’s incredible. I
was here and I didn’t even
realize it.
AKTON
Well, there’s no way you could
have. Anyway, we must proceed
at once and destroy all that
machinery. Right?
STELLA
Right.
EXT. PLANET DEMONDIA – ROCK RAVINE
Stella, Akton, and Simon follow the winding rock
passages to their end. They enter a
CAVE
where they encounter a huge steel door.
AKTON
This is the door that will take
us to the machinery.
The three adventurers proceed through the door.
55.
INT. SECRET BASE – ENTRANCE TUNNELS
The trio proceeds down an eerie, green-lit floor
surrounded by imposing walls of metal machinery.
AKTON
This is the Count’s secret
domain, the very heart of the
phantom planet. From here he
planned to control the entire
universe.
STELLA
This is incredible. Where is
everyone?
AKTON
Everything is set in our
destiny. Soon you will know
all the answers.
Stella, Akton, and Simon proceed through an
automatic door into a lift.
INT. SECRET BASE – LIFT
AKTON
This will take us to operation
headquarters.
The lift speeds downward into the core of the
planet itself.
INT. SECRET BASE – OPERATION HEADQUARTERS
Stella, Akton, and Simon emerge from the lift into
a room full of strange electronic machinery.
AKTON
After you, my dear. Here’s the
nerve center of the entire
operation.
STELLA
This is unbelievable!
Fantastic! Pre-programmed
computers – they could run
forever!
SIMON
All these power modules – what
are they for?
56.
AKTON
That’s the force that projected
the red monsters into space.
STELLA
This is the way they produced
real monsters?
AKTON
No, not real. The monsters
never existed. These machines
discharged mental projections
of monsters in our brains.
There’s the control panel.
SIMON
Incredible. Images of monsters
designed to drive men insane
with fear. With this kind of
weapon Count Zarth Arn can take
over the entire galaxy.
AKTON
Now, destiny must take its
course.
STELLA
No! We can’t allow this to
happen!
SIMON
We must destroy it at once!
The Count’s two silvery, chittering golems come
from behind the trio of adventurers. They hold
their swords at the ready, threatening Stella and
the others. The golems are followed by a squad of
the Count’s black-helmeted troopers who burst out
of the lift. Following them is the Count himself,
in all his glorious evilness. The troops quickly
move into position covering Akton, Simon, and
Stella with their batwinged laser rifles. Count
Zarth Arn strides up between his men to confront
the trio. As he does, Akton shifts his laser sword
from one hand to the other, attempting to hide it
behind his back.
ZARTH ARN
You’ve been very lucky – and
clever. You survived every
trap that I’ve laid for you.
Then I realized that your
success would become my
triumph.
57.
( To the nearest
trooper)
How much time is left, Captain?
TROOPER
Half a quadrant to go, my lord.
Zarth Arn lets out an evil laugh.
ZARTH ARN
You hear? In less than an
hour’s time all that will be
left of this planet will be
ashes and cosmic dust forever.
Then you will be among the
dead.
SIMON
The Emperor will make you pay
for this.
ZARTH ARN
( Chuckling evilly)
The Emperor? I forgot to
inform you that the Emperor
will be blown to pieces along
with the rest of you. Yes, I
told the Emperor that we had
found you on this planet. He’s
on his way here now at top
speed. He’ll get here just in
time to join in the fireworks.
I’m sorry your highness, you’ve
lost.
STELLA
( Shocked)
Highness??
SIMON
Forgive me Stella, but in the
beginning I didn’t know whose
side you were on, and
afterwards I didn’t know ho to
tell you.
AKTON
Yes, he is Simon, son of the
Emperor and heir to the throne.
Count Zarth Arn laughs evilly and turns to his
golems.
58.
ZARTH ARN
You two are to prevent them
from leaving this room at all
cost. You will stay with them
until the end. Kill them, if
you have to.
He continues to laugh as he and his men turn to
leave.
ZARTH ARN
Now it will be just a matter of
waiting. An hour goes by
quickly.
The lift doors close on the Count and his men.
EXT. SPACE – PLANET DEMONDIA
The Count’s ship breaks orbit and speeds out of the
star system.
INT. SECRET BASE – OPERATION HEADQUARTERS
The trio of adventurers is faced off against the
two golems.
SIMON
We’ve got to get past those
golems!
STELLA
Yes, but how?
AKTON
Have faith, and never give up
hope.
Akton slowly approaches the golems, and then whips
out his laser sword. He waves it at them almost
tauntingly. A flash of red light illuminates their
swords, and they advance on Akton. A sword battle
ensues. Akton manages to score a direct hit on one
of the golems, and it vanishes into thin air. The
remaining golem wounds him and he falls to the
ground and drops his sword. Simon rushes forward,
grabs Akton’s sword off the ground, and renews the
battle with the remaining golem. He is clearly an
accomplished swordsman. However, in the course of
the battle the relentless golem drives him back
against the main control panel. Simon stumbles and
falls to the ground.
59.
STELLA
Look out!
As the golem raises his blade to finish Simon,
Akton rushes it from behind and knocks him into the
control panel. There is an explosion, and Stella
and Simon shield their eyes.
EXT. SPACE – PLANET DEMONDIA
The massive Imperial Flagship approaches the
phantom planet.
INTERCOM VOICE (V.O.)
( Over loudspeaker)
We are now approaching
Demondia. All crewmen to
landing stations. All crewmen
to landing stations.
INT. IMPERIAL FLAGSHIP – THRONE ROOM
The Emperor looks on anxiously as his flagship
approaches the planet Demondia. He watches their
progress on a huge monitor screen set high in the
front wall of the throne room.
INT. SECRET BASE – OPERATION HEADQUARTERS
Stella and Simon huddle over Akton’s fallen form.
AKTON
Don’t worry, don’t worry. You
and the prince will live.
STELLA
Akton, you’ve got to get up.
We must get away from here.
AKTON
I shall remain here.
STELLA
Please get up. Please.
AKTON
I’m no longer useful at this
time.
STELLA
You’re talking nonsense. You
can heal yourself in no time at
all.
60.
AKTON
No, I must obey destiny.
SIMON
Akton, we’ll carry you.
AKTON
Go, it is your duty. You must
live!
STELLA
I can’t. I can’t leave you.
You’re the only human-like
friend I’ve ever had. I don’t
understand – you never die.
AKTON
Stella, Stella. I’ve
accomplished the mission.
STELLA
Yes, but I…
AKTON
Others are coming. Even as I
speak they’ll rescue you.
Don’t worry – I’ll live
forever. Now go. Go.
Stella and Simon get up and walk away from Akton.
They turn to look back just in time to see him
flicker, turn blue, and fade out of existence.
Immediately after he disappears a squad of ten
Imperial troops charges out of the lift. They are
followed by the Emperor of the First Circle of the
Universe.
SIMON
Father!
Simon and Stella rush over to greet the Emperor.
SIMON
We must leave at once.
STELLA
Forty-eight seconds left till
the explosion. We’ve got to
get out of here!
SIMON
It’s true, Father. The Count
has mined the planet with
nuclear charges – we are all
about to die!
61.
EMPEROR
( Calmly)
You know, my boy, I wouldn’t be
Emperor if I didn’t have some
powers at my command.
The Emperor takes a step forward, and directs his
attention skyward.
EMPEROR
( Grandly)
Imperial Battleship! Halt the
flow of time!
EXT. SPACE – PLANET DEMONDIA
The Imperial Flagship projects a green energy field
towards the planet.
INT. SECRET BASE – OPERATION HEADQUARTERS
EMPEROR
In the space of three minutes
every molecule on this planet
will be immobilized. But after
the third minute the green ray
loses its power, time will flow
once again, and everything will
explode.
SIMON
Three minutes are enough,
Father.
They turn and enter the lift, followed by the
Imperial troops.
EXT. SPACE – PLANET DEMONDIA
The green ray fades and dies. The Imperial
Flagship pulls away from Demondia. The planet
explodes behind the ship as it escapes.
INT. IMPERIAL FLAGSHIP – THRONE ROOM
Stella and Simon stand with the Emperor.
62.
EMPEROR
Now, the Count believes we are
dead, that our armies have
dispersed, and we have no
leader. He is supremely
confident that he can overcome
us with the greatest of ease.
Well then, now is the time to
surprise him. We will attack
his headquarters before his
fleets can join him. If we
succeed in this we could save
billions of lives. Gather
together all our legions!
IMPERIAL OFFICER (O.S.)
Sir!
EMPEROR
And order the attack.
INT. IMPERIAL FLAGSHIP – LAUNCH BAYS
Various types of small fightercraft blast out into
space to begin the assault.
EXT. SPACE
The fleet of Imperial fighters rushes across the
backdrop of multicolored stars.
INT. IMPERIAL FLAGSHIP – THRONE ROOM
Stella, Simon, and the Emperor watch the fighters
race by on the monitor screen.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS IN SPACE
The Count’s fortress hangs in space, evidently
unaware of the coming attack.
INT. SPACE FORTRESS – OBSERVATION PLATFORM
ZARTH ARN
By sunset I’ll be the new
Emperor, and I’ll be master fo
the whole universe!
63.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS IN SPACE
The fortress goes to battlestations. The “fingers”
of the “hand” close to make a fist.
EXT. SPACE
Imperial fighters close in on the Count’s Space
Fortress.
EXT. IMPERIAL FIGHTER IN SPACE
A fighter homes in on the Space Fortress, firing
brilliant green bursts of laser energy.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS – SURFACE
Turrets on the surface of the station return fire
with red laser bolts.
EXT. SPACE
Red laser bolts connect with an Imperial fighter on
its attack run. The fighter explodes in a
brilliant white flare.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS – SURFACE
Surface gun emplacements fire wildly at Imperial
fighters as they pass overhead.
EXT. SPACE
Another Imperial fighter races in to join the fray.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS – SURFACE
A hail of laser bolts fly up to meet an incoming
Imperial fighter on its attack run.
EXT. SPACE
A fighter flies away from the station after
completing a strafing run.
64.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS IN SPACE
The surface emplacements keep up their murderous
fire.
EXT. IMPERIAL FIGHTER IN SPACE
Another fighter makes a strafing run, meeting with
heavy fire from the Count’s gunners.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS – SURFACE
The Imperial fighter makes a low-level pass. The
dizzying complexity of the surface rushes past,
along with a hail of red laser fire.
EXT. SPACE
The Imperial fighter completes its strafing run and
flies away to open space under heavy fire.
EXT. IMPERIAL FIGHTERS IN SPACE
A two fighter element closes in on the station,
facing heavy red laser fire, firing a barrage of
green laser bolts.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS – SURFACE
More and more Imperial fighters of various shapes
make strafing runs overhead, facing heavy defensive
fire from the station’s laser batteries.
INT. SPACE FORTRESS – WALKWAY
Explosions erupt all around and Count Zarth Arn
stumbles for a moment. Several of his men slide
down a fireman’s pole to get to their battle
stations.
EXT. SPACE SURROUNDING SPACE FORTRESS
Three Imperial fighters make an attack run under
heavy fire. The first two complete their run but
the third is hit and explodes in a brilliant
fireball.
65.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS IN SPACE
Heavy fire from the surface emplacements continues.
EXT. IMPERIAL FIGHTER IN SPACE
Another Imperial fighter sets up for its attack
run.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS – SURFACE
An Imperial fighter makes a strafing run over the
surface of the fortress, passing directly under the
“knuckles” of the station’s “fingers.” Green laser
bolts impact on the surface, causing numerous small
explosions.
EXT. SPACE SURROUNDING SPACE FORTRESS
Another Imperial fighter comes in on an attack
vector.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS – SURFACE
The surface guns keep up their hail of red fire.
INT. SPACE FORTRESS – WALKWAY
Count Zarth Arn directs more of his men down the
pole.
ZARTH ARN
Down there!
EXT. SPACE SURROUNDING SPACE FORTRESS
A lone Imperial fighter swings around for another
attack, firing on the station as it closes in.
INT. SPACE FORTRESS
A console explodes in a shower of sparks and smoke.
EXT. IMPERIAL FIGHTER IN SPACE
A fighter comes in hot, making another attack run.
66.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS – SURFACE
More heavy fire from the guns.
EXT. SPACE SURROUNDING SPACE FORTRESS
Two more fighters are coming in hot.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS IN SPACE
Imperial fighters closing in on a blindingly fast
attack run.
EXT. SPACE FORTRESS – SURFACE
An Imperial fighter makes a prolonged strafing run
very close to the surface with several shots
impacting and causing explosions.
EXT. IMPERIAL FIGHTER IN SPACE
An Imperial fighter takes a hit from the red laser
fire and explodes.
