[Cut to command deck. Ephram leaves, Amy enters to find Andy talking with Delia.]
DELIA: There's a perfect possible future out there. I just haven't found it yet. [Pouts.]
ANDY: That's OK … we just gotta keep looking. [Puts hand on her shoulder.]
DELIA: I'm scared. I've guarded this secret for so long, and now I don't know what to do.
ANDY: Do what you have to, kiddo.
***
[Cut to cargo bay on lower deck of starship. Bright faces Nietzschean raiders, most looking anonymous in full space suits, led by woman in conveniently semi-revealing catsuit. Metal-clad coffin lies on floor between them. Bright lifts lid, sees mummified bones, closes lid.]
KAYLA (smiling smugly): Out with the new, in with the old. The operation couldn't have gone better.
BRIGHT (smiling sarcastically): Thanks. [Lifts raygun and blasts Kayla, knocking her to floor before looking at other raiders.] Take the bones to the ronda- … the roda- … where we're supposed to meet, OK? And no talking!
***
[Cut to inner section of Maru, on hangar deck of starship. Delia gazes at bonsai tree, glowing greenish light, then jumps as door opens behind her.
BRIGHT: Delia! What are you doing here?
DELIA: I have to protect the bonsai! It guards the future! Once Gary the Hamster bit off a branch, and a whole star system -
BRIGHT (softly): Look, we don't have time for that. You gotta get outta here, now.
DELIA: I'm scared, Bright. I'm scared you're gonna do the wrong thing. [Pauses, puzzled.] What kind of name is Bright for a Nietzschean anyway?
BRIGHT (smiling): It's short for Bright Dawn of Conquest. You know, the sun rising on the day of my enemies' doom?
DELIA (shakes head): Boys.
***
[Cut to command deck. Andy faces view screen, showing Rose on right half and Ephram on left half.]
ANDY (brow furrowed): How're comm fixes coming?
EPHRAM: I'm running diagnostics, but I can't seem to isolate the -
[Hologram appears in front of Andy: robed figure with claws and reeeally bad hair.]
ANDY (puzzled): Rev Keys? But you left us more than a year -
HOLOGRAM (on continuous loop): My pain belongs to the Divine. It-tis like air. It-tis like wa-ter. [Jerks as if returning to start of loop.] My pain belongs to the Divine. It-tis like air. …
ANDY: Ephram!
EPHRAM: I'm working on it, OK?! You think I want to be reminded of him and those eggs that almost ate me?
ANDY: Look, just -
ROSE: I'm detecting a slip fighter leaving. It's Bright. [Scowls.] I don't know how many times I've told him not to take a fighter out without telling us where he's going!
ANDY(shaking head): I'm way too gullible when it comes to certain Nietzscheans. [Turns to Nina.] Follow him!
NINA: Entering slip stream. [Flashing lights, weaving, psychedelic colors. You know the drill. Bumpy ride, grab ass. Your own, I mean. Oh shut up.]
ROSE: We're approaching the Koma-Kastoff home world. The slip fighter is approaching Bucks Rock, a moon orbiting that world.
ANDY: That's the home of Bright's former pride.
AMY: The one the Koma-Kastoffs wiped out before stealing Colin's bones?
ANDY (nodding): It's a trap. Get us out of here!
[More lights and pyschedelia, but ship doesn't move, just wobbles.]
ANDY: Abort! Full stop! [Lights and effects stop.]
AMY: Captain, there's a problem. If we go to slip steam again, we'll eject the slip core, and the resulting exotic matter explosion will destroy the Koma-Kastoff home world.
EPHRAM (smiling that dry half-smile of his as he enters command room): Miss Honors Science.
ANDY (ignoring Ephram): Won't it destroy Bucks Rock?
AMY: No. Or the ship.
EPHRAM: Then I say we waste the boneheads and get the hell out of here. They'd do the same to us.
ANDY (turning to Ephram): We can't do that. There are thousands of slaves from other species on their home world. [Turns to screen showing Rose.] This has something to do with those bones. I'm going after Bright. [To Nina:] You're in command. [Turns to exit.]
NINA (rolls eyes, mumbles): Mr. Fix-It to the rescue.
ANDY (without looking back at her): I heard that! [Exits.]
***
[Cut to slip fighter flown by Bright. View screen shows Nietzschean commander.]
CARL: But we weren't told of any changes of plan!
BRIGHT: Dude! You'll give us both away! I need total silence! Now!
CARL: But –
BRIGHT: Shut up, Carl!
[Slip fighter enters dock on moon.]
[Cut to commercial.]
***