JP - Lt. Robin Hopper & Lt. JG Nathan Richards: World Beyond Zero (Part 6)
tas9303
((1.5 Hours Later – “STARLITE Drive In Cinema” – Holodeck C))
Robin had sunk down in her seat by now – lulled into a secure and comfortable doziness by the heavy food, dark night time atmosphere, and the familiarity of the movie. She glanced over at Nathan with sleepy eyes, wondering how he was doing. His arm was draped across the back of the seat, hand lightly resting on her shoulder as he too felt drowsy and relaxed.
The movie was just about to reach the climactic scene – where Terrora, having followed Mason to Earth in a bid to enslave humanity – had nearly been defeated with a little help from Mason’s new friend, Uncle Sam. A handful of robot servants lay around her, burning, while she gloated from within her ‘impenetrable’ machine fortress.
Hopper: ::Sleepy:: Is the candy all gone?
Nathan looked down at the seat between them, seeing all of the wrappers and empty receptacles.
Richards: Looks like it. I can go grab some more if you want.
Hopper: Mmm… That’s okay. The movie’s almost over… ::Yawn:: I don’t want it to end though.
Nathan smiled warmly at Robin. He felt the same exact way. Spending time with Robin had turned into his favorite thing to do. Even with his feelings that kept attempting to make themselves known.
Richards: Me neither.
Hopper: I’m having a nice time. ::Glancing up at him:: You know, I didn’t get to thank you properly. For New Years. You really took care of me… You didn’t have to do that.
Richards: I know I didn’t have to. ::Looking at her:: I wanted to.
Hopper: ::Heartfelt:: You’re the best, Nathan Richards. I mean that. You – ::sitting up a little straighter:: – are a really special person. Rare. Quality. ::Chuckling, shaking her head:: Sorry, I’m sleepy and I’m just hurling adjectives at you… I think I might be a little high on nacho cheese… Pretty sure what I’m trying to say is that I feel lucky to know you, to have you in my life.
Richards: Keep the adjectives coming. It’s doing wonders for my ego. ::Smiling:: I feel the same. I feel like I can really be myself with you, and it doesn’t seem to bother you.
Hopper: ::Smirk:: Not yet, anyways.
((On Screen, World Beyond Zero))
A moody afternoon, the sun just beginning to touch the distant mountains, in the “entirely average” American town of Springdale. Executor Terrora stands in the field of the local army base, surrounded by GI troops – her robot minions laying in ruin around her, small flames still licking up from some of them. From within her “steel fortress”, she cackles maniacally.
Terrora: IDIOTS! ::she screams::
General: I’ll give you to the count of ten to turn tail and go back to whatever despot hell-hole you call home, lady, or by gum I’ll show you everything Uncle Sam’s got up his sleeves.
Mason: ::Shaking his head:: It’ll be no use, General. The Robitkron troops are a dime-a-dozen, but they come in wave after wave. Terrora’s a different kind, Sir, and her armour is impenetrable with your simple Earth weapons.
Terrora: Listen to your MINION, General! ::aggressively slaps her metallic bosom:: Know that you cannot defeat I, Terrora. FAMED warrior, celebrated fighter of the stars, powerful and beautiful SLAYER OF WORLDS. ::showing off her muscles::
The starpilot steps forward, bravely, holding up a hand in momentary truce. Terrora looks on in curiosity.
Mason: General, tell your men to stand back. Leave her to me.
General: ::To Mason:: I may not understand how you got here, son, or where you come from – but there’s one thing I do know. You’re a goddamned hero in my book. ::Shouting:: Fall back!
Mason steps forward, raising his hands in what appears to be a surrender. As he approaches, he gets down on both knees in a gesture of supplication.
Terrora: Oh, look. ::she laughs loudly:: Ready to accept your fate, puny MAN? Ready to bend the knee and SURRENDER, like you did once before!?
Mason: No… I’m not going to surrender. And neither will Earth. These people – the ones I’ve come to know – have a spirit that can never be crushed under the bootheel of any Empire. But I will give you something you’ve always wanted.
Terrora’s maniacal smile fades into confusion and disconcerted curiosity.
Terrora: Really? ::she scoffs:: and what, might I ask, is THAT!?
Mason: Executor Terrora, I know that deep within that hard cold shell, there’s still some remnant of the woman I loved – and if she can hear me, know this. I forgive you.
Terrora: What…you loved… you LOVED me… ::breathing heavily:: I…I…
The scene cuts back to the General, standing beside the President, both of them watching from a distance in rapt attention.
President: My god, she’s actually listening to him.
General: I told you, Mr. President. If anyone could do it, John Mason – the all-American hero from space – could do it.
Back to the film’s protagonist and antagonist.
Mason: You may have enslaved my world, tried to disintegrate my only friend, and even tried to kill me… But I can still find it in my heart to forget all that. If you’ll just leave this World Beyond Zero be. Come back with me. Through the rift. Change your ways. Repair what you’ve done… There’s still time.
He drops to one knee, presenting a traditional Klaahthun Engagement Tiara to Terrora.
Terrora: Oh… Oh MASON… I… I… ::teary-eyed, wobbly-lipped::
Terrora wipes a tear from her cheekbone and presses a huge red button inside her steel fortress, causing all of her new robotikrons to stop their attack. A crazed smile appears on her beautiful, mascara-drenched face.
Terrora: That is all I EVER wanted!
The crowd of army men cheer in celebration.
Back to the General and President.
President: By gum… He’s done it.
((Back in the car))
The outdoor lights of the theater faded up, illuminating the entire area. Robin stretched her neck, then looked around at the mess they’d made of the car, now brightly lit.
Hopper: ::Laughing:: Wow. We’re pigs.
Nathan brushed some of the garbage onto the floor of the Camaro, snorting like a pig.
Richards: Worth it.
Hopper: Computer, clean up the… Camaro?
The garbage and crumbs disappeared, returning the car to a pristine state.
Hopper: As much fun as the 20th century seems, it’s got nothing on the here and now.
Richards: ::Chuckling:: I couldn’t agree more.
Hopper: ::Glancing at the clock on the desk:: We’ve still got a couple hours… A full tank of gas… Want to just go for a drive?
Richards: ::Raising an eyebrow:: Go for a drive in the Arizona desert in one of my favorite cars with one of my favorite people? ::Smiling:: Sure, why not.
Hopper: ::Smirking:: Computer – extrapolate a highway system branching off from this location. Make it drivable – minimal traffic, lots of straightaways… and give us some scenery. ::Thinking:: Let’s have an early sunrise today, too, shall we?
There was an audible chime as the computer worked on the request. The slightest hint of morning light began to creep over the Eastern rocks. Robin turned to look at Nathan as the dawn light shone through the windshield, illuminating his smiling face. oO Yeah… Oo she thought. oO This is good. Oo
Hopper: ::Looking at Nathan, patting the dash:: Time to kick the tires and light the fires…
She smiled back at him.
Hopper: Let’s see what this baby can do.
Nathan felt the flutter again. He turned his attention to the windshield, and gripped the steering wheel.
Richards: ::Smiling:: With pleasure.
Nathan pulled the Camaro out of the drive-in, and took off down the highway. The windows were rolled down, filling the car with rushing air and the sound of the engine and the road. He couldn’t think of a better way to end this experience. He looked over at Robin one last time before he kept his focus on the road. This woman was quite possibly the best thing to ever happen to him. The best friend he could ever ask for.
END
Lt. Robin Hopper
Chief Science Officer,
Amity Outpost
V239806K11
Lt. JG Nathan Richards
Engineering Officer
Amity Outpost
A239905NR1
Ensign Doz Finch
Special Guest Star (Rusty & Terrora),
World Beyond Zero
C239809SH3