The Tempus Solution

Created Sep 30, 2003 | Updated Sep 30, 2003

INTRO.

A speaker acknowledges the reader, a room that was once quiet is now filled with hisses and moans.

The Judge- a woman speaks with authority, her voice carrying far into the reaches of the courtroom.

Judge: Will the last defendant approach the bar before I deliver the sentence upon his head, if however you make your confession to the court, to nobles of the land present here then your sentence may be considered light.

The defendant shuffles slowly into the light, his head cast down to the floor.

Judge: So your silence condemns you further, so be it. You of all persons sentenced here should be aware of the depth of your crime. The horror that you have perpetrated is unspeakable even in here, the sensitivity of such an assault is without question extreme to the situation we have faced! Your companions, your fellow traitors involved in this act have fallen, their punishment was minimal but you as the project leader will suffer more so!
You are guilty of high treason; you will be imprisoned for life within the Imperial Tower, here you will conduct yourself in tasks of community service to the Kingdom. Have you anything to say before you are taken from this court?

Defendant(WEAKLY): Indeed I do, I wish to express that this trial is a charade! The charges are ridiculous, I am no traitor to the Kingdom I have only served the Boards, I have not sought to betray them ever!

The people present start to cry and shout abuse, there are angry yells and hisses towards him but then this starts to shift and change into applause and cheers and then the tapping of a glass accompanied by the quickly voiced chorus of "Speech" flows around the room.

The same figure as the defendant speaks but his voice though slightly nervous is louder and clearer as it passes over the room.

Figure: Thank you all, I am not so good at speeches but I shall endeavour to find a way. Thank you esteemed delegates, nobles of every clan, Lord and Ladies, King and Queens I thank you all for this support through these troubled times, you look on me and my team as saviours to the nation, that we shall rid you of these monsters. I am not a warrior, I am not a leader or a strong man, my ideals are not aimed at destruction or at conflict, I wish only to educate. To teach these people, these creatures of a better world or a better existence so that we might walk freely in noon-light hours unafraid of such perils as though it were sunny day in the hot summer.
We can succeed in this, I and my team, my friends promise this to you- freedom, paradise and a safe future for everyone!

Woman: Three cheers for the saviours- Hip-hip!

People: Huzzah!

Woman: Hip-hip!

People: Huzzah!

Woman: Hip-hip!

People: Huzzah!

Cheers go up from all around him followed by applause and the chinking of glasses as the party explodes in life forever becoming louder and louder until finally it blurs away into the background.
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INT. THE IMPERIAL TOWER.

A huge circular room stands there, stacked around all sides there stands vast shelves reaching up to the ceiling: Volumes of books, audio records on CD-ROM while a step-ladder on wheel sits before the bottom while a powerful looking projector sits on a desk while a powerful arch-shaped door sits there quiet. But then footsteps come closer, slow, tired and weary coming forever closer to the room.

Then slowly the door handle squeaks as it's pulled open and as it slides open a silhouette of a figure stands on the threshold panting as its hands move around the edges before a switch is located and a central light overhead blinks on- the figure is Lady Marian!

Marian: So many steps, so much time wasted. I hope it was worth the climb, all those steps, why on earth can't they fit a lift instead of those constant twisting, winding steps I don't understand? Oh well Marian they do say that climbing steps is terrific exercise- thank goodness this is only a day visit I'd hate to take up the place as leading researcher, five or six trips up those stairs each day- there'd be nothing left of me in about a week.

She glances around her at the room at the many archives set everywhere noting the research desk and chairs, one of which proves to be a padded chair turned away.

Marian: Wow! This is what I call archives, not those few miserable books in the libraries but real work. Real things to study, if I want to know as much as Lord Mike I have to study his actions, his motivations. I have to know his character inside and out and to do that I have to know his origins. Now then... where to begin? Where do I start to best know him? At the beginning perhaps but where is that- top or bottom?

Figure: I would suggest the bottom rank to best understand his character.

Marian whirls around in shock looking in all directions but can see no sign of the mysterious speaker?

Marian: Hello? Who's there?

Figure: Just someone like yourself, an eager reader looking for some spare time to indulge some reading, the greatest works of fiction the Kingdom has ever written, the right kind of material to read to children at night but scarcely no more worth then that!

Marian: I beg your pardon whoever you are but you are greatly mistaken! These are the official archives cataloguing all triumphant events of Lord Mike's crusades, either you are very foolish or very ignorant of the facts.

Figure: Either those or you Lady Marian are quite mistaken of the affairs surrounding you- you who were not present during these "adventures"- it is quite a simple mistake to make for I unlike you have unique clarity on the situation. What these records are fiction, the viewpoint of one person can be very biased towards the full outcome especially if they are being influenced by other sources.

Marian: You know me by my name, who are you and what are you doing here?

The figure rises from 'his' padded chair and turns towards her, he is dressed in a dark suit bereft of colour, he smiles pleasantly towards Marian, who simply stares at first in amazement before she acts quickly pulling free a tube from her coat pocket. It extends into a pole, unfolding out to form a 'parasol'?

Marian: Tempus! I should have known!

Tempus: Good day Lady Marian and how eyes sparkle like the night stars.

Marian: Flattery will get you no where Tempus, keep your distance or I'll use my parasol on you!

Tempus: That I will Lady Marian, I do not wish to cause you harm, merely enjoying a last minute read before I leave this place.

Marian: You're certainly going to do that- with me! You'll accompany me to the throne room where you will be tried for your crimes against the Kingdom!

Tempus: No I won't, not until I've fined reading such great fiction as this.

He holds up the volume before her it reads in gold leafed writing in bold across its red leather bound cover: LORD MIKE MILLS: ADVENTURE XXXIX- The fall of Rat-a-tat-ania.

Marian: Fiction? That is the part of this archive, it is a part of established history in this Kingdom!

Tempus: No, the story it tells is a factual event but how it is told, of a certain Lord's involvement in the proceedings is greatly exaggerated, making this volume as believable as "and they lived happily ever after..." it is all of it-fiction!

Marian: You seem so sure but your blind to what real culture is, what really matters in this world. You want simply to conquer, destroy and control that is what motivates you- that is who you are and you'll never be anything else!

Tempus: Fascinating, these words you speak are designed to hurt me, to inflict severe emotional discomfort- they are hollow and without meaning because they are as untrue as that man that you so follow, his every word, his every gasp is important to you and not to me.

Marian: That's because you're evil and is good, he is right and you are wrong- like dark and light!

Tempus: What an interesting monochrome perspective you possess Lady Marian, you judge me because someone you feel you can trust has told you these things and you naturally assume them to be truth- you are very wrong!
Just like these books surrounding us- they are wrong, it's a difference of perspective- you have seen Mr Propaganda at work- all witty comebacks, top hats and self-proclaimed goodness-PAH! You believe this- why?

Marian: Lord Mike is truthful, he's a romantic and outstanding a man that you'll never be!

Tempus: That is very true but aside from the propaganda that you have heard out there on the streets- how much do you really know about him- the same way you claim to know about me! Ask a madman who is insane and he will point to everyone else! Though everyone knows that he IS mad- it's a difference of perspective!

Marian: Then tell me Tempus, what is your motivation, your reason to exist aside from conquering the Kingdom?

Tempus: Ah... now that Lady Marian is a tale of woe, I am not a monster by choice, my reasons and agenda have always been seen as harsh and cold and towards a dark nature- how wrong they all are. I was was once weak and nervous, a scientific genius among the lower aspects of life, productive and able. I loved my work, my projects, I stood in the Kingdom, in the realms as a beacon amongst many, my light shining forth- lighting the darkness.

Marian: Pull the other one- you've always been evil- admit it! You would like nothing better than destroy various realms to show your power, to usurp the power from Queen Pamela's hands! You even dress in dark, never any colour of any kind!

Then slowly Tempus walks forward into the light, his dark suit is in fact dark green, a tie pin of red rose pokes free from his black tie.

Tempus: No you don't see it Marian, if you want to know the truth behind me you must understand the past for in many ways fate was always ironic to my creation in this world...

Marian: How exactly ironic? You're going to tell me next that you stood by Queen Pamela's side.

Tempus: Oh but I did Marian. I did.
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INT. THE IMPERIAL PALACE.

Queen Pamela and King Lindsay sit in their thrones, both looking very bored out of their skulls while surrounding them in the glitzy, beautiful throne room surrounded by statues and arranged on a series of Corrinthe pillars, each one of them marble and waist height there sat within its centre a red phone with a number in place of the dial.
While high above them there flapped in the wind huge tapestry-banners remarking to all those who would pass through those vast oak doors of twelve foot high or more to what proud rood they stood within.
Each banner was embroided with gold edging and at each centre coloured with blazing light there stood names: AUDIO, BOOKS, DVD & VIDEO, Q&A, EBOOKS, GENERAL, CURIOUSER & CURIOUSER, TIME & SPACE.

Lindsay: It is quiet today, don't you think Pamela?

Pamela: Eh? Well yeah I suppose it is James.

Lindsay: Oh, fancy a game?

Pamela: No not right now I have a headache from all this boredom.

Lindsay: Oh... but I'll be very quick and you'll enjoy every bit of it.

Pamela: No James it's not the kind of thing I'm into.

Lindsay: Well one more go at it and I'm sure you'll enjoy it, I have.

Pamela: That's only because you have hold of it, I have to try and grab it but you keep jumping away.

Lindsay: But isn't that the whole point of the game, hold on a moment while I get it out....

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Marian: Hold on! You're making this up aren't you? You are I can see you're grinning at me.

Tempus: Merely trying to keep a straight face while telling you this story, believe me that it happened this way. The Kingdom was once like this, devoid of witty jokes and innuendo aplenty, Queen Pamela and the Prince consort James had banned it from transpiring from any foreign mouth other then their own.

Marian: But that's not possible, history was never like that, I've seen the board archives. I've read everything that I need to know in order to battle you and the forces of evil.

Tempus: No Marian, you read some archives, not the official ones. As the Scientific Master and leading Researcher it was my job to ensure that the truth of this dark time be masked from the knowledge of everyone, for if it ever emerged into the light of my involvement in the proceedings then the regime would crumble. Do you wish me to continue?

Marian: No, no I don't I don't want to hear any more of your lies Tempus, you are evil, why should I trust someone as despicably evil as you?

Tempus: Evil? Two syllables simultaneously linked to form an impression, to create a category to classify me. In rebelling reality rogue issues of faith are placed in perspective, Lord meddling Mike is my opponent, he is my evil. For you see Marian despite my reputation for falling short of the mark, of appearing 'evil' I held noble, original origins.
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INT. PALACE.

James is pacing up and down before Pamela, one hand is concealed before him while the other is out at the side waggling about through the air. Pamela yawns as she rests her head on an arm watching with slurring attention as this wobbling jester parades in front of her.

Lindsay: Come on Pamela, come on and see if you can grab it? I bet you will one day?

Pamela: James, you might find this fun but I don't. I think I'll have the inventor of this game catapulted from the Kingdoms.

Lindsay: Please? Please, touch the nana and you get a prize.

Pamela: Oh and what's that?

Lindsay: That's my nana.

Pamela: No James, what's the prize?

Lindsay: Another go at touch my nana.

Pamela sighs heavily and as her eyes start to slump down James continues his amusing little dance before her as she soon starts to snore heavily away while behind them there is the heavy pattering of feet, getting forever louder and louder, the trumpeting of horns is muffled and suddenly it stops short at the door. Silence sets in except for the heavy pattering of James' feet on the floor.

Suddenly there a: KNOCK! KNOCK!

Simultaneously James whirls around, in his left hand he is holding a banana as he stares towards the door.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

Lindsay: Who is it? I mean, I mean who goes there?

There is silence before a muffled voice of an announcer:

Announcer: To see your graces a contingent from the frontline composing of Sir Lancelot Hercules Bonaparte Bayliss, Lord Michael Kenneth Mills, Science Master Richard and General Steven Ford.

Quickly James looks down to see the banana and quickly hurries back to his throne before looking back at them all.

Lindsay: Just a moment.

Sitting down he straightens his gown and crown and spotting the banana quickly casts it aside, clearing his throat he calls in his loudest 'butch' voice.

Lindsay: You may enter the Royal throne room!

At this sign the vast doors open up by two dark blue clad figures bearing the royal ensignia of the Boards, the hinges squeak loudly, growing ever stronger and sharper as a phalanx of trumpet carrying figures walk through along the edges of the long red carpet, each one of them pausing, the trumpets raise as James tries to wake Pamela.

Lindsay: Come on Pamela, precious? We have guests present, we need you awake.

Just then the trumpeteers start to blow their horns, the room is filled with the klaxon of their irritating sounds swallowing up every space within that room and as James prods Pamela she suddenly awakes and by stretching, her hands connect sharply with James knocking him back into his chair, as he rubs his nose in obvious pain, the esteemed guests stride down the room.

Sir Lancelot tall and with a touch of Colin Baker about him dressed in heavy glistening armour that shines with light, he has a commanding presence as he stops before them both, his right arm thrust across his chest as he bows.

Sir Lance: My Sovereigns I have just returned from the frontline to bring you some very astounding news.

Pamela: Eh James, look who it is, stop rubbing your nose when I'm talking to you. One moment it's his nose, the next it's his nana, so What do you we owe from your arrival except to smile at you all?

Sir Lance: My Queen, whose beauty is just as strong and powerful as the light of day itself. I bring you bad news from the front lines of battle.

Pamela: Battle? Eh? What's happened now while we've been here? Why doesn't anyone ever tell us these things?

Lord Mike steps forward, tall and enigmatic to each one of them and promptly he kneels before them.

Lord Mike: Your majesties, the Kingdom of the boards is becoming besieged by vicious monstrosities that have attacked randomly, their work is evil and unjustified.

Pamela: Eh?

Sir Lance: I led my advance through them, charging each one of them on my mighty steed. I had thought that perhaps they would fear someone as brave as myself to confront them in full armour and my lance but alas they drove on, pulling me from my horse- Nibbles, they fought savagely, battering mine armour. They weren't human I tell you!

Pamela: Aww come here chuck and let old Queenie give you a hug?

Lindsay: You never offer me a hug.

Pamela: That's because Lance is a brave knight whilst you're... you're you!

Lord Mike: My Queen, the danger is extreme, my fighting companion, Matt Painter was abducted, we were ambushed when our meeting with General Ford was discovered. It was as if they knew of our secret alliance with King Hurricane of Ebookus already, it is in my mind that there is a traitor to the Boards within your Kingdom.

Pamela: Oh and how are you going to find him?

Just then two figures, one dressed in a Royal blue uniform whose clothing was spotless and three gold stars shone triumphantly on each one of his shoulders, he held a cap beneath left arm while his right hand saluted her.

General Ford: Well your Majesty, that is when your science wizard comes to play, he's got a new system I want tried out that can beat these things... These...

At this point the last figure who stood tall and thin dressed in a cliched white labcoat, while his features were shadowy though his face looked quite pleasant, he stepped forward and bowed his head once.

Richard: Trolls. Through the various reports I have examined from the front determined by eye-witness accounts, I have deduced that these barely human creatures are trolls.

Lindsay: You mean like in the fairy-tales?

Richard: Quite possibly your Majesty. These creatures though present in daylight as well as in the evening may be slow but they're slighgtly vicious towards anyone they find but it is my belief that they are fiercely nocturnal and during this time they can seem quite mad, possibly rabid, though for though mauled by them, I have yet to hear any further reports.

James starts to noticeably quiver in his chair as the General step forward once again and saluts them once again.

General Ford: With respect to you both, we must do something to stop these creatures before they advance further into our Kingdom, we must stop these creatures!

Pamela: Where are these evil blighters coming from?

Richard: Unfortunately that has yet to be discovered, trolls aren't very sociable creatures so whoever is guiding them must have the knack for...

Sir Lance: Rubbish man! These creatures fight well together in groups of five at any one time, you see these scars upon my face, all of these three mad creatures everyone!

Lindsay: Oh dear, oh dear!

Lord Mike: I hate to say this but I think it might be from the Stainless Steel Rat.

There is a sudden silence that falls across the room, everyone either stares in amazement or else gasps in awe as Lord Mike rises from the ground to look upon Queen Pamela within her throne.

General Ford: That's.. that's not possible! We blew up that swamp rat's hole good and proper! Nothing could have survived that explosion.

Lord Mike: Nothing human no, but you're forgetting General, there were many tunnels down there in those caverns, all of them I thought were cul-de-sacs but just supposing that one of them was an escape tunnel?

Sir Lance: No, that's impossible Lord Mike, I saw you strike the ruffian to the ground, you used by sword to strike through his evil heart! He was dead.

Lord Mike: No, I'm sure it's him, Steel covered giant anthropomorphic rodents are very hard to kill particularly when they have a human brain.

Pamela: Then why have you come to me? Aside from telling us and breaking this infernal boredom.

General Ford: I want your permission implement the emergency strategy code-named SUPER.

Lord Mike: I'd strongly advise against that action your majesty, simply give me what I need, unlimited resources and I'll stop this peril. I'll bring you the head of Stainless Steel Rat!

General Ford: Your Majesty, with SUPER we can protect your Kingdom with powerful forces and with the resources aplenty we'll invade their domain and drive this rodent in to the sea of data where he belongs!

Lindsay: Might I say something?

Pamela: No, you'll just start playing your nana again.

Lindsay: Oh.

Pamela: There's no point talking about this Super thing when I don't know ther foggiest about it, what is it?

Richard steps forward and bows down to her and before exchanging a stare of contempt down on Lord Mike he addresses Pamela.

Richard: Your Majesty, the project code-named SUPER is a process I have adapted for my teaching process. We need people who can think on their feet, therefore I have designed a unique process of increasing the learning capabilities of all of your subjects, no more will there be fleeing citizens hurrying from the ravages of troll kind. Each one of them will possess the know how to counter these monsters without any flaws!

General Ford: What you would call, your majesty- SUPER soldiers! They can fight for their lives!

Lord Mike: Nonsense! We need the Boards to be at peace not turn them over into some kind of deranged rabble. Think what harm will come from this work? How many loyal citizens may fall. I need only myself and my trusty cane!

Richard: But they won't fall! My process is painless and can only create a stronger system, do we want a weak Kingdom where the fate of existence is supported by only one man? The force of these trolls is too strong to bear by only one man! With this process we might be able to stop any threat, correct every flaw in this Kingdom!

Lord Mike: And turn ourselves into a race of automatons? We're not moderators yet!

Suddenly he shoves Richard back but Richard simply side-steps him and as Lord Mike falls forward he lashes with his cane. As they set about wrestling each other Pamela raises her hand.

Pamela: Hey you two! Stop it. Lord Michael, you have served the Kingdom before and I am grateful for this action, your friend lies in trouble. How long will it take for this rescue and defeat of our enemy?

Lord Mike looks towards Pamela and shoving Richard to crumple on the floor she raises her hand again.

Pamela: That will do! How long will it take?

Lord Mike: Forgive me your Majesty but it will take perhaps two days but they will be well spent.

Pamela nods briefly and then shakes her head as General Ford steps forward.

General Ford: Two days! By that time the crown could fall from your head and yourself placed in chains!

Lindsay: Hmm, sounds interesting?

Sir Lance: Not as they start to torture you, they are merciless monsters turning on the weakest of them, they are cannibals of their own kind!

Lindsay: Oh.

Pamela: Science Master Richard, Oh I do like a man at my feet, this process of yours. How long will it take?

Richard slowly rubs his head as he slowly climbs to his feet before bowing to her.

Richard: By my approximation your majesty, about one minute per subject.

General Ford: Brilliant isn't it? In an hour we have Sixty Super soldiers and counting!

Pamela: Hmm, sorry Lord Mike but I'll say yes to Richard. You may proceed with my wishes.

Just then Sir Lance arises from his place.

Sir Lance: One moment Science Master, your Majesty. These Super soldiers of yours will need someone to command them, someone who knows how to fight them. I would like to volunteer to lead these armies to victory in your name!

Pamela: Yes, so be it! We shall await good news from you all.

They all bow respectfully though Lord Mike is reluctant, visibly muttering something as he does. All is still as they straighten up and then there is silence.

Pamela: Well off you go then or do you want a game of charades?
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Tempus: And with that decision, Queen Pamela changed the face of the Boards forever. What's the matter Lady Marian you seem quite puzzled?

Marian: I am. It was really like that? Sir Lance was a brave fighter, Lord Mike was more cautious and... and why did Steven behave like a stock footage unreasoning American General stereotype?

Tempus: He liked to think of himself as a commanding figure, no one took notice of him before but when he started acting like that immediately everyone took notice of him. Sir Lance was a knight of the realm, powerful and used to drink his victories under the table. If only it had all lasted?

Marian: But it's made up isn't it? Lance wears a suit and a bower hat not riding a horse into battle and he's an idiot, mind you they're all a bit whacky in their own world except for myself.

Tempus: If only it was story, that children could believe in instead of this mockery. They could put it down and pick it up when they wanted to but alas it's all true, every word of it! I was the same Scientific genius, the weak link in all of this that you failed to mention, how I went from the unscrupulous scientist to how I am now.

Marian: How did it happen? These events, if from what you say then a major change must have affected everyone simultaneously?

Tempus: That it did Lady Marian, thankfully you yourself were excused from such a torment.

Marian: Torment? What did you do? What happened all that time ago?

Tempus: So many questions Lady Marian. The question is the greatest thing in existence; a statement used to test the knowledge of anyone but knowledge is also powerful when used correctly but when it is abused only then do worse things become born....
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INT. CENTRAL LABORATORY.

A vast long room sits with highly complicated technology, the pulse of electronic equipment echoes throughout this place while a series od desks, black and white stand at regular intervals, behind which several scientists dressed in long white coats work silently, the lights above them hum with power.

This is Scientific division; an elite of the top brains: Professor Phileus Watt, Doctor Warren D. Chiild, Scientist Lissa , Researcher Wye.

Dominating the centre of the room sat a highly complex and elaborate looking set of dentist-like chairs but these were highly augmented with superior engineering technology. Around various intersections there lay a complex nest of coiled wires and cables linked to side consoles.
Just then the arched high oak doors click and whirr and immediately a large green bulb fixed to the wall starts to pulse in unison with the whirr, immediately the scientists noting this stand from their desks and wait on silent attention.
The door eventually widens to allow for Science Master Richard to enter the room.

Richard: My fellow comrades in science. You are the best of the best that this Kingdom can muster, our time has finally come to show these good people of the boards our triumph.

Watt: You have good news? I have been compiling further reports from the frontlines, the news contains so-far answers to these troll-like creatures, they might even point out a potential weakness in them.

Richard: Excellent Watt, you have done the Kingdom and our Queen proud.

Scientist Lissa steps forward to confront him, a short woman with long blonde hair holding a clipboard.

Lissa: We have finished our work on the last test subject sir, results were greater than we considered in the preliminaries, here I have the results.

She passes him the clipboard and as he looks over it carefully he nods approvingly.

Richard: Well done Lissa, you too have done brilliantly in your course of action, though before you great people interrupt me further, it has been decided, by the official confirmation of Queen Pamela; Project: SUPER has been selected for use. We are to make preparations to accept subjects immediately.

Chiild: What? But Sir, we have barely scratched the surface on this area.

Richard: Doctor Chiild, how long have we been crafting this process? True we have had to modify the income of increased instinct and knowledge but even if it is not a teaching instrument we have all agreed here that the process is completely safe upon any human subject.

Chiild: Yes sir, that is true but we need more time. There is a possibility of backflash.

Lissa: Now as you Doctor that hasn't been proved, it only exists as a possibility. There's a high chance of ninety-eight percent of it not occurring.

Chiild: Ja but what is two percent to us? It would have to be one hundred percent to be deemed absolutely safe!

Richard: Would some explain to me this term "backflash"? Why have I not heard its mention before?

Watt: Backflash is Doctor Chiild's theory that increased intelligence is merely one possibility old fruit, if the polarity was reversed then the results would become catastrophic for the subject, instead of a superior mind within a human's body you would have directly the opposite.

Chiild: Ja, a simpleton. And unless we sort out that two percent then there is a risk that it could happen.

Wye: Now look here Doctor, I don't care what you think about this but I've lost friends to those creatures out there. If this process works then we can kiss goodbye to those freaks once and for all.

Richard: There is no buts with this, it will work! There will be no problems, consider this action, every one of you here. When the first subject is processed it will mark the end the end of the terror and the beginning of utopia. No longer will we have to cower in the shadows, those things out there burn the homes of our people, they salt the earth and leave all in shreds.
Now is our turn, our beginning. We can show Queen Pamela, King James and Lord Mike that peace can be achieved through our way, no one need be harmed again.

Lord Mike: Interesting discussion people, though I find it hard to believe.

Whirling around Richard turns, like the others to see Lord Mike standing there by the doorway, his arms crossed across his chest as his grins smugly.

Lissa: Lord Mike, this is a private discussion for Scientific division only.

Lord Mike: That I am aware of, though I did not simply come to eavesdrop on you. Where are my manners before such esteemed people?

Richard: Where indeed, was there something you wanted to discuss with us?

Lord Mike: Not me but I believe that you all have been summoned for a royal appointment, a toast if you will to inaugurate this triumph of yours.

Watt: A toast by Queen Pamela, such an honour we are truly not worthy.

Chiild: Ja, we cannot leave here, we need to have everything checked over before the process is made.

Lord Mike: Well the urgency was made to you all, strange as it is, it was originally suggested by King James Lindsay.

Richard: Then that would explain it, why are you not present at this toast?

Lord Mike: Well I needed a walk, get some exercise and I thought that I might kill two birds, so I came down here to deliver the message in person and to take a look around your laboratory.

Wye: Wow! In all my time working here I never knew that I'd get seen by the Queen.

Lord Mike: Well you do know how she hates to be kept waiting, I would come too but strangely enough this toast does not extend to me, not the humble scientist like you. So if you would please step this way?

Richard: Of course, do you hear this? This is the beginning my friends, the recognition of our hard work, we best not her majesty waiting.

Richard crossed over towards the door, his meet briefly with Lord Mike's, they seem to burn back at him.

Richard: Is there something wrong your Lordship?

Lord Mike: No, no I was just thinking about something else less trivial, of you all go now.

Richard pulls open the heavy door as the whirring of motors begins, the light pulses. Lissa lowering a clipboard towards her desk marked with her name upon a stand walks swiftly towards the door, Lord Mike doffs his hat but Lissa simply carries on through, second to follow is Wye who swaggers almost in a drunken stupor, the excitement over obvious in him. Doctor Chiild and Professor Watt come next both of them fight over who leaves the room first but eventually Watt succeeds and soon only Lord Mike and Richard remain.

Richard: After you Lord Mike.

Lord Mike: No I insist, brains before wit.

Richard: You don't like my work do you?

Lord Mike: Nonsense Richard, where did you get that idea from?

Richard: Never mind and it's Science Master to you!

Richard walks silently from the room exchanging a last gaze at the laboratory before he turns back to Lord Mike who steps out into the corridor.

Lord Mike: I hope you enjoy the toast, the Chateau number seventy-nine is an excellent year.

Richard: Why thank you Lord Mike and I hope you enjoy the rest of your walk?

Lord Mike: That I will until later, good day.

Richard: Good day.

As Richard turns away Lord Mike stands before the door as if resting himself before continuing with his walk but in reality his foot his holding the door closed to... slowly and silently he pushed the door open and uncharacteristically slithers into the room....
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INT. THRONE-ROOM.

The room so vast and so bright is full of esteemed guests, men and women dressed elegantly, a glass of wine or more than likely champagne sits in each of their hands, there is much chatting amongst every one of them. James twiddles with an orange in his hands, he seems to be disappointed?

Lindsay: This orange isn't very exciting.

Pamela: Less exciting than your banana?

Lindsay: Yes.

Pamela: Good. I doubt you'll try and wiggle that around before me before this day is out.

Lindsay: I liked that banana. It was all long and thin and squishy and yellow with black tips. I liked that banana I did.

Pamela (SIGHS): James, you're the King of these boards, God knows why?

Lindsay: He does?

Pamela: God this party is so boring, why are we here, no one's talking to me, I'm not legless yet and there's no gorgeous hunk here.

Lindsay: I'm sitting beside you.

Pamela: Unfortunately yes I can see you.

Lindsay: Then would you like me to make you legless, my fictional brother's a butcher you know.

Pamela: James that joke is very unfunny and what do you mean...

Lindsay (INTERRUPTING): Joke? I was talking about...

Pamela: A fictional brother?

Lindsay: Well I wish I had a brother, though you're the nearest thing I have to a...

Pamela: I'm what?

Lindsay: I know you're teasing me it's what brothers do, all those play-fights we had; you wrestle me to the ground or bury me in mud or push me off the battlements but I knew you were just being that lost brother to me!

Pamela: James you delusional!

Lindsay: No, Church of Mike actually.

Pamela: And stupid, why is this party so boring? When do we get to eat?

Lindsay: Not until the guests arrive.

Pamela: Guests? What do you call these people here?

Lindsay: These aren't the special guests, Lord Mike suggested it to me, can't think why, perhaps he's just thinking generous?

Pamela: Speaking of which where is he and who are these guests?

Lindsay: Science Master Richard and his team, remember from earlier?

Pamela: Oh yes, the answer to our problems though what's a party without our Lord, he should be here. If I'd have my way he'd be here beside me.

Lindsay: Well thankfully I happened to be in the right place at the right time, not many people round here who can organise a quick wedding like me. Now you Pamela, light of my life are beside me now and though Mike is a Lord he is still well-off, now with our future in these people's hands Mike can at last retire, funny that. He doesn't seem ready to turn up at this retirement party?

Pamela: Retirement party?

Lindsay: My revenge, he took away the fruit bowl and gave me this orange instead. Told me I needed more vitamin C in my diet, kept saying something about me going hyper when I eat my bananas. Besides Lord Mike needs a break from his fighting, I've seen the inside of his study ready for him to sit by the fire and read something long drawn out and boring.

Pamela: It's not the only thing round here that's boring. Can we have some music playing?

Lindsay: Can we have the hokey-kokey?

Pamela: No we can't!

Lindsay: Oh.

EXT. THE THRONE ROOM.

Wye: I can't believe it guys, we're here! We're at an audience with the Queen!

Lissa: Look, Wye just calm down. We don't want to get over-excited.

Wye: I know but I can't believe it? I'm actually here and I'm going to see the Queen!

Watt: Well here's a word of advice for the pair of you, remain calm, breathe deep, never slouch, back straight, head raised with confidence. If she asks you something, reply to her your answer with: your Majesty, remember she is always right!

Chiild: Aside from marrying that Lindsay fool that is.

Wye: Yeah, how did she wind up with that looser?

Chiild: He was in the wrong place and at the wrong time, he overheard that someone high up loved him and he naturally turned up, collided with Lord Mike took the ring, gave it her instead of a banana and they didn't need a small lad going by to see them.

Lissa: How do you know all this?

Chiild: He told me, always kept talking to me in the bars and pubs, it was like he tracked me or was tracking me, having to put up with those jokes, those stories... well at least he got someone to look after him.

Watt: But Queen Pamela hates him, she complains more times than it rains in a year.

Chiild: True, but he doesn't know that!

Lissa: Are you alright Science Master? Richard?

Richard: What?

Lissa: Are you alright? You seem a little wobbly.

Richard: It's nothing, just nerves. That after this action we will be creating a paradise, re-building a world from within outwards, it's too big a concept to dream of.

Watt: Well old fruit, it is no dream, I doubt we would not have got this far without you, you're a credit to science!

Richard: I am?

Wye: Sure you are!

Chiild: The driving force.

Lissa: Without you, we wouldn't be here now.

Richard: Why thank you, all of you. Yes without each of your talent, yourselves this dream would never have been realised.

Watt: Should we go through then?

Richard: After you.

They boldly approach the doors and slowly they open inward, there comes the steady trumpeting and immediately an announcer steps forward.

Announcer: Honoured guests of the Nine realms of the Kingdom, the saviours to our peril, may I present to you all the Royal Scientific Division; Scientist Lissa, Researcher Wye, Doctor Chiild, Professor Watt and Science Master Richard!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Marian: That doesn't answer my question.

Tempus: It doesn't? I thought I was being very subtle.

Marian: Hardly, all you've told me is your team was going to convert soldiers into super-soldiers. That hardly covers what happened in the past, there are hundreds, thousands of records in here.

Tempus: Then take one, pick it up and you'll find a dull record, no colour or life- just information but not the right kind of information you are looking for.

Marian: Tempus, the records surrounding us. They are the official ones, despite your claims that they are false- they tell a very different story, each one telling the story from the beginning when Lord Mike aided by Captain Painter defeated the evil Stainless Steel Rat.

Tempus: And all the nice happy endings included? Part of my sentence to falsify the events, to wipe my part from the proceedings in its entirety.

Marian: Your part? I thought it was going to be minor, we all know that Stainless Steel Rat was defeated by Lord Mike, it was a heroic battle- well despite being filled through wit-filled dialogue and jokes so corny they could fill a hundred acres of maize a thousand times over.

Tempus: No Lady Marian. as I said before about perspective- there's Lord Mike's legends that stun and amaze the minds of the young and then there is the truth.

Marian: Truth? What do you know about truth? Everything you said to me in the past has been lies.

Tempus: They were? Who says they're lies?

Marian: Lord Mike of course, he knows best!

Tempus: Does he indeed?

Marian: He does and stop playing these word games with me, either you have something to tell me or I'm going straight to Lord Mike to yell him of your evil plans.

Tempus: Ah, another illusion set about my your great protector- Evil is relative to me you and your friends are menaces, threats to my ultimate agenda.

Marian: I should hope so too- you deserve nothing in this world!

Tempus: Oh dear, I see his influence runs deep in you like blood.

Marian: And what is that supposed to mean?

Tempus: That the truth like all of these "adventures" has been falsified, though I don't blame you he probably doesn't remember it but I do.

Marian: What? Why do hate Lord Mike so much?

Tempus: The truth, you want to hear the biting truth, are you sure?

Marian: I am Tempus, speak on and no tricks I have my parasol of of power at the ready.

Tempus: Never would I attempt anything, very well I shall show you with this:

Marian: What is it?

Tempus: A security recording recovered from the safe of Lord Mike's study, this machine before us is a projector, I simply slide the tape into place and press the control or would you prefer to do it?

Marian: Very well but this better answer my question!

The screen before them comes alive with static before slowly an image forms:

Tempus: Here you will see footage of the process, the catalyst for my dark path but look not to me for the blame but for the other- the least believable.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. LABORATORY.

The laboratory is busy with activity `as everything is becoming fully prepared for the process, armed guards dressed in black shining armour holding formidable looking swords, even sleeker looking side-arms remain at their sides.
The powerful looking black looking bulky chair-like frame sits vacant as Researcher Wye checks the cables' connections to a control console.
Scientist Lissa is sitting at a desk making quick calculations, as she finishes she climbs from her seat and crosses over the left control console where Doctor Chiild sits, as he receives the paper she walks to the opposite console and immediately starts keying in the correct information.

Suddenly through the end doors to the laboratory walks the portly tall Colin Bakerish figure of Sir Lancelot dressed in his finest, mud-stained and battered armour while beside him dressed in his while labcoat walks Science Master Richard, he gestures before him and immediately Sir Lance looks about him in awe.

Sir Lance: So this is the mighty division of scientific genius, I had not expected it to be so small?

Richard: We pride ourselves on being capable to think on our feet Sir Lancelot, we are mobile like this.

Sir Lance: Lancelot is such a mouthful, when you're riding through the droves of monsters, the axe, the blade cleaving through the air and into troll flesh! When your life or someone else's life depends upon my name the last thing you need is a long name- call me Sir Lance.

Richard: But we are not on the battlefield and I would feel happier to remain on the rightful rank, yours is the superior to me.

Sir Lance: Both those might be true but I feel happier if you'd call me Sir lance, we're all friends here- aren't we?

Watt: Of course we are old fruit, now then Sir Lancelot are you prepared for what you are going to undertake?

Sir Lance: Of course I do, I will be leading the armies of the Boards into war, for victory and together we will wipe them from the face of existence!

Richard: So we hope.

Sir Lance: Are you certain that this process will take place without problems? I don't want that thing to blow my brains out if you get a power surge!

Watt: Relax yourself Sir Lancelot, ever eventuality has been calculated there is a ninety-eig.....

Richard: One hundred percent chance of success.

Sir Lance: But he just said ninety-eight, is there a possibility that something could go wrong?

Watt: A very small, tiny possibility that something could wrong.

Richard: Don't get worried Sir Lance, ninety-eight percent is scientific jargon that everything is okay, you have my personal assurances that nothing can happen- ever! When the final tests are complete we can proceed, the process will take one minute and within that time you will arise to become a genius!

Sir Lance: Genius? I don't honestly care for the increased intelligence but to gain an added bonus, enhanced fighting skills, powerful athletic physique- the perfect skills to halt this conflict once and for all.

Watt: Exactly! But with the population with this improved conditioning then everyone can easily become a fighter and defender- you Sir Lancelot, dashing and brave, hero of the fall Rat-a-tat-ania, a leader charging into battle to crush these trolls once and for all!

Sir Lance: Yes, brilliant, yes people will sing songs of my victory. My name will live in history as will you all!

Just then Lissa comes towards the group and immediately she almost swoons.

Lissa: Everything is almost ready to begin for you, full calibrations have been made and... and...

Richard: Yes, is something wrong Lissa?

Lissa: No, no Science Master it's to be in the presence of such a great man as this... Sir Lance you are champion amongst men, your victories are of true genius.

Sir Lance: Beautiful damsel, whose face is like that of a goddess, with hair as so golden as corn fields stretching far waving in the breeze of the Summer light.

Lissa: It is such an honour to be in your presence, victor of twelve battles, the stories of your conflict are legendary.

Sir Lance: Every one of them not not mislead, all true to form like you my dear.

Richard: Perhaps you Scientist Lissa should show Sir Lance to his place?

Sir Lance: One moment SM, how many lambs have fallen for you to come this far in research?

Richard: I'm sorry?

Watt: I believe our noble volunteer is asking after how many test subjects we have used?

Lissa: Would you please follow me and I will show you them.

Sir Lance: To the ends of the world and beyond.

She escorts him past the machine and across to a small section of cages, here they stand open while a blackboard propped up against the ground is littered with chalk diagrams and carving while six or seven animals- mammals are carving things.

Lissa: Here are our test subjects; as you can see for them the experiment proved successful.

Sir Lance: Water voles, squirrels and an Otter? I thought you scientists used mice?

Lissa: We do but they were casualties of the trolls, we only discover this when a crate marked: Nibbles held an Otter though it does not distract from the fact that these creatures are super intelligent, they understand the human language and though we cannot understand them, they can understand us.

Sir Lance: Incredible but these are vermin, no offence but I am a human, what is stop the machine from frying my mind?

Lissa: Us, we have spent months, some even into years to perfect this process- it is safe. Will you take my word at that?

Sir Lance: Yes... yes I'm sorry just a little nervous. Reminds me of the dentist chair that's all.

Lissa: The dentists? You, Sir Lancelot the brave are frightened of such a thing as a dentist?

Sir Lance: I have good reason to be, when you lack weapons to fight the enemy to bite their rancid skin, when your teeth are chipped and pain grows stronger and under the hail of artillery fire, as arrows come piercing down through the air under the bottle of the strongest brew you sup before some deranged soldier pulls free your teeth with his pliers- then and only then do you have something to fear.

Lissa: That he will hurt you?

Sir Lance: Ha! Ha! No, that while I lie there that I will be at their mercy, I must always be alert against such things! It's silly, I know but I am a warrior at heart!

Lissa: Not at all, you are right to be cautious but I think you're just acting over cautious now.

Sir Lance: As do I, my lady. Perhaps I should take my place?

Lissa guides him over towards the machine and gesturing for him to sit, he climbs on, mounting his arms on the rests provided.

Richard: Feeling fine now? No more troubles?

Sir Lance: Nothing at all SM, lets get this over with so I can get back to slaying some troll! Fight them on the fields, club them in the hills, leave none standing- roar your anger they never stand such things- they flee- the savages!

The process machinery slides into place, a myriad of light sparkles before his eyes as both Chiild and Wye take up their positions at the control consoles.

Wye: Control console A standing by and ready.

Chiild: Control console B also standing by. We await your signal Richard.

Richard: Then, pray begin!

The two of them simultaneously start to input the combination and immediately twin bio-projectors descend to either sound of Sir Lance's head, the ends of these start to glow bright.

Watt: How are old fruit, not too bad I hope?

Sir Lance: Bad? Not a bit of it, takes more than a few flashing lights to crush my soul, though I do confess to a slight headache but I know it will pass, I do not fear such small things, they can cost you dearly on the field of war!

Wye: Headaches are perfectly normal, other side effects you might experience are alliteration, dizzy-spells, slight confusion- nothing-serious mind.

Sir Lance: Alliteration?

Richard: Your mind is being filled with vocabulary, most people have only a few thousand but you're will own its peak in knowledge, experience and instinct, it should be normal that your mind will find many words to describe the same object or experience.

Chiild: Control Console B shows bio-projector targeted and awaiting the order.

Watt: What of you Researcher Wye? Is that console ready yet?

Wye: One moment, receiving a strange frequency interference, I'll adopt another and hopefully that will rectify the situation?

Lissa: No, don't touch that dial. You could cause a serious blockage of power, everything is set on that frequency by adjusting it the machine will project the information back into the powergrid, you could cause a serious meltdown!

Sir Lance: My lady, am I in danger of something?

Lissa: No Sir Lance, a minor technical problem that Researcher Wye will not bypass, the problem will sort itself out.

Wye: It's done exactly that, CCA is now ready too.

Richard: CCA?

Wye: Control console A- I was trying to save time.

Richard: Oh, good. Sir Lancelot, this is it when I give the signal you feel a moment of slight discomfort but that will clear as your new faculties take hold of you. Are you prepared?

Sir Lance: Of course I am, my horse is ready in its stable, I need only to acquire this greatness in order to return into battle, to stop these accursed monsters!

Watt: We are all ready for your signal Science Master.

Richard: On a countdown of three then.... One....

Watt: Two.

Chiild/ Wye: Three.

Richard: Activate!

As the two operators activate the systems, the bio-projectors hum into action and as Sir Lance lies there from the tips of these devices blue light pours into his head; at first he is still then his body starts to twitch gently.

Wye: His brain is taking in the new information, its storing very quickly.

Watt: Brilliant, you Science Master are a credit, the advanced learning spectrum is working! I simply can't believe that it's working?

Richard: Then let me assure you Professor that it is no dream, this is a reality.

Lissa: Science Master, Richard might I ask you a question?

Richard: Of course you may Lissa, what do you want to know?

Lissa: Now that we are making the first step to paradise, I have wondered how they- The Prime Minister will cope with the lay-offs of palace guards?

Richard: I don't think it will come to that, the armies ranks might drop but in their place new trade, new businesses can continue without fear. I'm sure Lord Mills can take care of the situation?

Watt: But what of Lord Mike? He too will be taken off the list, he won't be very happy.

Richard: But he has already given so much for the Kingdom, he deserves a rest for his hard work. He can retire in style, defending people is no longer a reason, the welfare and economic structures of this world need to be looked after, he can heroically help people that way.

Wye: Chiild? Warren? Are you receiving an advance boost of power in your section?

Chiild: No no things are going well in this section, is there something wrong with you?

Wye: Watt, Lissa, Rich I need your help here!

The three of them look towards him then quickly Lissa walks to his side and looks down across his console, she taps a few controls and then looks up.

Lissa: Chiild, turn down your console's power.

Richard: What is it? What's wrong?

Lissa: There's a vast build up of power developing in Wye's console, we have to power down to drain the system.

Watt: What is that, look at the right projector!

He points towards the right bio-projector, its head is glowing irregularly- energy sparks are crackling over its surface.

Richard: Too much power, Wye cancel the link! Power down, both of you power down the processor!

Chiild is having trouble, he jabs at the controls but instead a warning alarm rings out from his console.

Chiild: I can't disconnect, the system's not responding!

Richard: What?

Watt: Activate the cut off! Press that blue button now!

Instead the right projector's ray glows purple and then a fiery red and as it does Sir Lance starts to convulse on the machine.

Richard: Turn the machine off!- The main power switch on the wall- press it!

Lissa: But it's dangerous Sir!

Richard: And its dangerous as it is for Sir Lance- turn it off!

Without a further word looking over towards Sir Lance's pain-wracked body and then at Chiild and Wye struggling at the consoles, Richard standing there in shock as his dream suddenly froze, Watt trying to help Wye and then realising that she was the only one free she quickly runs to the far wall, the switch in red waiting there silently. Reaching it panting, she pulls the switch; the room goes dark the hum of power, the crackle of energy, the alarm warning all falls silent!
Then as Lissa presses it back the lights slowly blink back on.

Watt: Analyse the trouble in your consoles, try to affect immediate repairs when you can? Science Master are you alright? Richard!

Richard: What? Oh it's you Professor... what happened?

Watt: I'm nonethewiser as you, come on we have to see what's gone wrong.

Richard: What? Yes, yes we have to run a systems check work out what's gone wrong and... and... Sir Lance!

He quickly hurries over to the machine almost tripping over the cables as he goes and and as he reaches up to the bio-projectors and quickly retracts his hands- the metal is burning hot! Looking around him he takes up a clip board from a close by desk and bats the projector away, his actions seem nervous, wracked with desperation as Sir Lance's form is revealed.

Hurriedly he pulls free a hand and feels for a pulse on his arm and then sighs with relief before glancing up to see Wye looking over at him.

Richard: Wye could the process have taken full effect in the time before the malfunction?

Wye scratches his head before shaking it slowly.

Wye: Perhaps? I've never considered this situation.

Looking back to Sir Lance's form he reaches out at shakes Sir Lance gently until slowly the eyes start to flicker open.

Richard: He's regained consciousness, Sir Lance, you're alright- how do you feel?

Sir Lance: With my hands.

Suddenly everyone emits a nervous chuckle of some sort before Richard shakes his head.

Richard: You've lost none of your charms.

Sir Lance: Ooh lucky charms like the leprechauns have, as they jumps around the grass going boingy, boingy, boingy!

Richard's relaxed grin slips into a look of concern as he notices the almost child-like grin across his face then Richard looks over his shoulder towards Chiild and then to Lissa.

Richard: Lissa, Chiild can you please come here and ask this man a question, something we know Sir Lance will reply easily to.

Lissa: Sir Lance, do you remember me?

Sir Lance: Ooh a beautiful lady.

Chiild: Sir Lance...

Sir Lance (INTERRUPTING): Ugh ugly-faced man!

Chiild: I beg your pardon? I ought to punch you right in the aspara...!

Richard: Chiild- just ask him the question.

Chiild: Sir Lance, if you were riding into battle would you carry a broadsword or an axe?

Sir Lance: Um... ride, oh are we going to the fairground, so many rides- can we go on the Dodgems? The way they go wheeee and BANG! And then on the roller-coasters stat go whoosh and loop the loop the loop that go all the way around! Can we go, can we go can we go- Please?

Chiild: Um... excuse me a moment.

Lissa and Chiild walk over to Richard who has promptly shaken his head, rubbing his eyes in disbelief. As if to nudge him of their presence Chiild coughs gently, Richard slowly turns to look at them.

Lissa: Sir, we have a problem.

Chiild: Oh really? Never considered that! What are we going to do Science Master?

Richard: Researcher Wye- you said confusion could be a side-effect- perhaps this is such an event. Sir Lance will recover, yes that is it. He will recover from this, he will!

Chiild: But what if he doesn't- have you considered that action Science Master?

Richard: The process is infallible, we all know that! Time we have worked to perfect it and now this... it must be a temporary fault, the projectors got overheated that is all that happened.

Wye: Hey guys, I don't want to burst your bubble but it looks like backflash to me!

Sit Lance: Bubbles popping in the air. Pop Pop pop! Wheeee they're floating in the air!

Lissa: Researcher Wye may well be be correct Sir, Sir Lance has had his intellect dissolved.

Richard: But we can repair the damage, if it is a simple mistake of the equipment then we can repair it and restore his mind!

Chiild: Richard, what if it isn't as simple as that, if it's a serious error then this machine is dangerous! We might never be able to use this machine again!

Richard: No! NO! We can repair this! I know we can!

Lissa: We might be able to Richard but it will take time.

Richard: How much time?

Lissa: Too much, it might be weeks or months before we'll have an answer.

Suddenly there is a loud rapping on the door and as they all turn- there standing in the door way is General Ford, grinning in his best uniform as he strides quietly into the room before stopping before them.

General Ford: So then, this is the glorified machine, how goes the work?

Watt: It's going slowly General, really your presence isn't needed here.

General Ford: That's quite alright guys, I'm just here on a flying visit. Come to see our brave saviours at work and soon our super-soldiers will rise up to stop those monsters once and for all!

Watt: That may be true General but were are going through a sensitive patch currently, perhaps if you come back later we can all talk then?

General Ford: Sensitive patch? But hey look at this- Sir Lancelot already in the gizmo, already to run the gauntlet into battle- ain't you?

Watt: Sir Lance is unwell currently, if you return I promise you great things!

General Ford: Actually I've got pretty much nothing else on my schedule today so if you don't mind I'll just stand here and watch.

Richard annoyed and frustrated by all of this approaches the grinning General, his face declaring anger and frustration.

Richard: No General, we are having difficulties as it is and we won't be able to concentrate with you looking over our work. We know what we're doing here.

General Ford: No look here Science Master I got you looked at by her Majesty- you owe me big time! I have a right to be here!

Just then from the direction of the door stands a silhouette of a young woman, she knocks politely upon the door attracting both their attention.

Woman: I bring a message to Science Master Richard from Queen Pamela concerning an urgent issue.

Richard looks back to the others and then lastly to Sir Lance lying there in a daze, his eyes wandering around the room.

Richard: That is me, Professor Watt I'm leaving you in charge while I deal with this problem, excuse me General Ford.

General Ford: Of course Science man, you go off for your talk.

Richard turn and walks free of the room, the door sliding closed behind him, the moment it does this the angle of the image changes reflecting outside the laboratory with Richard talking with the messenger and immediately the image is paused...
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marian: What happened there?

Tempus: A security jump- ironically enough caused by the same source that required my attention.

Marian: And what exactly happened there? How come you were talking in hushed voices, have you something to conceal?

Tempus: Hardly, I was informed by the messenger to cease the work immediately, I had been informed that there was talk of traitors' actions within our walls, I argued proclaiming rubbish but Lord Mike and Queen Pamela had been talking... The Security team favoured me as the most likely suspect since I was not entirely known- therefore I could not be trusted.

Marian: Hardly I can trust you, they were right to suspect you!

Tempus: Will you exercise some intelligence Lady Marian? I was and still am innocent of that crime but society had a different opinion yet as things went, I recently learnt that a security team was dispatched to the laboratory section around this time as if they knew what further horror was to happen next.

Marian: There was more... but you crippled Lance, who else did you harm in your evil ways?

Tempus: I DIDN'T HARM ANYONE! I am sorry for my outburst Lady Marian but the blame for this action, this horrifying action was not by my hand but by someone more devious than anyone you have faced before! No one evil anyway.

Marian presses the button and the image resumes of the two figures talking in hushed voices, Richard appears to be getting angry at this one figure, allegations being made, he raises his hand then as the Messenger stares him down the lights above them flicker. Only Richard seems to know what is going on as he looks to the ceiling and then to the door, gesturing for the messenger to remain and walking to the door, he inputs a code into the doorlock and slowly the doors hum open...
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INT. LABORATORY.

General Ford is lying within the machine, sparks are flying from the bio-projectors as their red laser rays strike at his body while Wye and Chiild are trying to hold back Sir Lance, whose expression is one of wonder and awe while Watt and Lissa are trying to frantically cancel the system.

Richard: What on Earth is going on here?

Only Lissa answers him, shouting just above the screams of alarms, crackle of energy and hums of power.

Lissa: It wasn't our fault sir. We're trying to turn the power off now!

Richard: That doesn't answer my question.

Since no one is answering him he quickly turns and hurries back to the mains switch and without a further though clicks it off and then immediately the room slips into silence.

Sir Lance: Aaaaaah it's gone all dark in here! Hello, is anybody there? Hello? I don't like the dark it scares me!

Suddenly as if answering Sir Lance's wish the light flicks back on and the rest of the team visibly sigh, Richard crosses over to them standing before the machine looking this way and that before focussing on Professor Watt, his face angry.

Richard: Watt! I demand an explanation immediately!

Watt slowly turns look at him seemingly quite foolish and a little guilty.

Watt: We couldn't help it, one moment he was looking and the next he was in the process...

Richard: Watt, Professor- I left you in charge; what made you acknowledge him to get into the machine particularly with it being very dangerous!

Lissa: It wasn't his fault Richard, it was Sir Lance.

Richard turns a slightly stricken look towards her and then towards the innocent almost "angelic" Sir Lance being held back and then towards the unconscious looking form of General Ford.

Richard: Would one of you please explain to me what the hell happened while I was away?

Wye: It was General Ford, he wanted a closer look at the machine. He said the chair looked comfy.

Richard: So you let him sit down it? Are you mad?

Chiild: No Sir, he was talking to us, asking us about what we were going to do after the war- general chat and we just let him try it out, he wanted to use the machine perhaps in the future. We helped Sir Lance from the machine and the General took his place.

Richard: Then what happened?

Lissa: It was Sir Lance, he was too quick for us. We were talking and he was suddenly pressing buttons on one of the consoles, the machine triggered, we were trying to shut it down when you came back in.

Richard points at first to Sir Lance and then to the General's form.

Richard: Him, he did it but...? The General, how long was in the process for?

Watt: Well not that long, we acted almost immediately to lower the power.

Richard: HOW LONG?

Lissa: Barely twenty seconds, we believe that the damage was minimal.

Richard sighs, turning away to run a hand through his dark brown carefully combed hair before turning walking quickly towards the General's still form. Stopping before him, he pulls the General forward trying to rouse him.

Richard: General? General Ford, can you hear me? General Ford?

General Ford: What are you doing shouting in my ear for?

Richard: You can hear me?

General Ford: Of course I can hear you, no need to shout.

Richard: I wasn't shouting, tell me- how do you feel?

Genera Ford: Right as rain- why do you ask?

Richard sighs before looking over everyone else.

Richard: No reason, just making sure that you're okay.

Watt: General Ford, might I ask you a question?

General Ford: Sure, go for it after all the difference between a warthog and a toilet is only a few seconds.

Richard's expression of relief plummets as does every one else's and immediately he starts to shuffle backwards almost tripping back over the cables.

Watt: General Ford if you had two armies and someone was coming straight for something you had to protect- what would you do?

General Ford's eyes widen almost in shock.

General Ford: Someone's coming here! We're doomed that's what I'd tell you! Doomed we're all going to die!

He pulls himself off the machine and hurries into a shadowy corner and immediately he starts cringing and sobbing following this Sir Lance starts to blub before covering is face with his hands.

Sir Lance: They can't see me- oh no, every one's vanished, I'm all alone! Oh no come back! Come back, they're going to get me on my own!

Everyone around him shakes their head, particularly Richard who turns away, his head tucked under, his eyes closed as he tries to break free of this nightmare.

Watt: The answer was a pincer movement, one of the General's finer moments.

Wye: Not anymore, it's like his mind has gone but it hasn't?

Lissa: No, his experiences have vanished, did you notice his accent had vanished, he was more nervous too but not as great as Sir Lance's.

Richard: This is not happening, this cannot be happening! My dream.... my vision has cracked!

Lissa: Don't worry Richard, we can repair this damage, we can...

Richard: CAN WE? Our work, our dream has pitched into a nightmare! A NIGHTMARE! We're finished, don't you see?

Chiild: It wasn't our fault, the machinery in my opinion was working perfectly except for....

Richard: What? WHAT?

Chiild: Sabotage.

Richard: Then that's it! In the eyes of authority we're guilty!

Lissa: No we're not Rich! We didn't sabotage the machine, we couldn't know that Sir Lance would end up like this and General Ford's degeneration- it wasn't our fault either!

Richard: Yes, yes you're right. I'm sorry... I'm...

CRASH! The doors SMASH open! Everyone turns as hundreds of armed guards dressed in dark blue armour storming into the room levelling cross-bows and swords at all of them and when this room is secure in strides Lord Mike.
His expression is cold and determined as it sweeps around the room.

Lord Mike: Remain still! Under the reported actions of a messenger for your failure to report to the throne room, this room and everyone within it will answer to the Provisional Investigation Team. A PIT for all who cross the Kingdom of the Boards will betrayal!

Watt: What is this madness Lord Mike?

Lord Mike: Silence! Your turn to talk will come in time but here you are all suspects in an inquiry concerning treason!

Richard: Treason? But that's insane, we're here to improve things... we're here to....

Suddenly a guard knocks him hard to the ground and as Richard cries out the same guard points his sword at his jugular.

Lissa: Leave him alone!

A Guard raises his fist but then Lord Mike shakes his head.

Lord Mike: I believe my order was: SILENCE! What you have been doing in here goes against every bond of trust that we made! The Messenger informed us of your act- torturing The General Steven Ford! Where is he? WHERE IS HE?

A few guards fan out while the scientists are pushed into a tighter circle and as each corner is taken up suddenly one of the guards makes an exclamation.

Guard: He's over here my Lord.

Lord Mike crosses over towards the corner staring down with contempt at General Ford's cowering form and then back at the scientists.

Guard 2: There's another too.

Lord Mike retreats his steps and wanders across to see the guard shoving forward a crawling "innocent" acting man- SIR LANCE!

Sir Lance: I'm a donkey on the beach.

Lord Mike then raises his hand and clicks his fingers.

Lord Mike: You vile monsters! How dare you betray the Kingdom of the Nine realms to the slaving scum of the Stainless Steel Rat! Take them to the dungeon, I will now go and inform Queen Pamela of the situation, you there inform the medical wing to expect two casualties- the only people we can truly trust!

Guard 2: Yes my Lord.

Suddenly the guards grab hold of each of of the scientists, crossbows digging in and shove their struggling/ protesting forms from the room.

Watt: Get your hands off me!

Lissa: This is just a mistake.

Guards: Move Rat scum!

As Richard is hauled to his feet he is spat upon, blood drips from a cut upon his forehead as he meets Lord Mike's stare, he pleads with this man of stone who casually indicates for him to go with the others.

Richard: No... no... I... no....

As he is shoved viciously from the room under a storm of insults from the other Guards Lord Mike continues to glance around the room before his gaze falls on the camera, dark looming shadows around his eyes before he raises something quickly and suddenly the screen explodes into static!
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Tempus: No do you begin to understand why?

Marian: Lord Mike! You're suggesting that he had something to do with it? Are you mad?- Wait yeah you're mad alright and so am I to believe this crock of lies and cheats! That I simply cannot believe, that Lord Mike would actually plot against anyone. Come on Tempus that is definitely a lie!

Tempus: Is it Marian? What in your opinion is Lord Mike, what makes your crusader so perfect, what do you actually know of him?

Marian: He's a defender of justice, the Kingdom's protector against such monsters like you. He brave, charming, witty, cool, calm, clever and true! He's the Prime Minister and the help on the scene- a true hero!

Tempus: Ah, the biased remnants of propaganda raise their heads blotting out the truth. He appears to you, to all as a hero and I appear to be a villain, don't I?

Marian: But you are a villain! You try to take of the Boards, you create fiendish schemes of bewilderment to disrupt the goodness of the boards.

Tempus: Do I?

Marian: Yes you do and stop answering a question with a question. You know exactly what I mean Tempus so give it up- the game's over! Why are you grinning? What's so funny?

Tempus: How much you do believe that nonsense?

Marian: It's not nonsense, it's the truth!

Tempus: But what is the truth; the perspective of someone's opinion upon a subject. The same can be said with what makes a hero? In your opinion Lady Marian what makes a hero, the key factors involved?

Marian: This is a trick question isn't it? Someone brave, resourceful and clever; an opposition as dark as night itself, - a man whose ambition is as twisted as his perspective of the world around him.

Tempus: You are forgetting one important factor Lady Marian, the victims involved. Consider for a moment the state of the boards, disruptive, weak, small and yet into the chaos that emerges steps Lord Mike a beacon of light to draw away the darkness- in a sense without him present then the entire system, the citizens of this Kingdom are helpless, they are dependant upon him are they not?

Marian: Of course, he is the hero and you're the villain or are you getting a identity cris after all these pathetic shenanigans?

Tempus: Not at all Lady Marian, but consider for a moment my view.

Marian: Your view? Your view? You seek only to destroy, to corrupt and kill everything that Lord Mike stand for, you're Evil Tempus! EVIL!

Tempus: No Lady Marian that is you opinion I do not want to rule the Boards, my schemes have never meant to harm anyone other than my evil opposition personified as Lord Mike. Think about Lady Marian, a villain is always a villain but a hero with any helpless victims is nothing. A hero is mainly someone at the right place and the right time but I always wanted to educate rather than annihilate!
With an entire Kingdom of superly-enhanced denizens there is no need for a hero, Lord would be out of a job. He was a hero- true but he was forever playing the fame game, he took credit for his triumphs. And good thinking person would allow for a haven, an utopia of peace far from the schemes of trollish servants and megalomaniacs!
I wanted to do that! And so I did!

Marian: But... that means you're suggesting Lord Mike betrayed you? The experiment, You mean Lord Mike sabotaged it!

Tempus: We had always quarrelled in the past, he disagreed with my theories about a United Kingdom, if ever a threat were to occur to us all Then we could all stop it, a new highly independent Kingdom but alas a certain person broke that dream. I was scorned Lady Marian, I had turned Sir Lance into an imbecile and General Ford into a fool, while I was imprisoned within my laboratory I worked on. Lord Mike took his Quest to fight the Stainless Steel Rat!

Marian: What you're suggesting, it's unbelievable but you were a scientist your theories could have revolutionised everything in this Kingdom.

Tempus: The theories died with my reputation Lady Marian. Lord Mike sought to that, returning to the palace under a wave of celebration, the people were eating out of his hands, even now cast your mind to what things are like now! I exacted what might have been called revenge but I am not a monster!

Marian: This thing to effect everyone, you created that? You were a teacher, a great scientist. I'm going to have words with Lord Mike after this, demand to know if it's true or not.

Tempus: It would do you no good Lady Marian, the process that he corrupted that realised everything that you see now wiped his ideals from the tablet of his mind though thank fully enough this video record taken from General Ford's security systems, still works. Listen on to your 'hero', hear how he talks and plots and schemes!

Marian: How do I know this isn't a trick?

Tempus: How indeed, trust can be bought but betrayal comes natural to some people but not from me Marian, take it, it won't bite but what you see might well do exactly that!

Marian takes the strange CD-shaped blue disc from his gloved hand and crossing towards the the archive projector, she slides it securely into the slot, there is a whirr and a click and then as she stands back the screen starts to flicker into being.
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The Picture comes alive with a snowstorm of static, the images upon it are blurry, forming and reforming back into the senseless matter of the static. As Marian stares deep into the screen, her eyes wandering over everything she shakes her head as the constant fluctuations catch at her eyes she stumbles back dizzy.

As she is about to cry out Tempus raises his hand and points to the screen, his eyes narrow as his brow slants sharply!
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Lord Mike is pacing up and down within his study, a powerful looking chamber of a Victorian/ Edwardian design; a rich Persian rug lies beneath his feet, oak panelling surrounds the half wall while golden Fleurs de Lis wallpaper surmounts the top. Candelabra of gas lamps hand at various intersections of the room while antique looking furniture; a dresser, an oak desk whose surface is shiny and upon it papers sit neatly. Beside him there lies a fireplace, the wood upon the fire crackles heavily.

Lord Mike: No, no no! He can't do it! If he wins favour with the Queen. He is the advisor, I am merely the protector and defender. Yes and without me those Boards would fall into disrepute. Without me there would be no order! I hold the Boards together! Then must I condone this action? To step beyond my place as good and commit an unjustified act! No, no this is not right!
Yet I can hardly allow this man to go ahead with such action, if he were to succeed then I, I Lord Mike would be secondary. Remembered but soon forgotten dwelling in the shadowy back past of fairy tales and myths. I would be forced from my place as the Supreme guardian of all that is safe, rotting in some god awful home where my place should be leading them! Giving them all hope!
Richard's system is flawed, without a hero they are nothing! They would call themselves free but if something were to go wrong, then I would win the favour of the Queen and thus there would be no such folly in the future! I could have Richard exiled for his failings, cast out as an ally of Stainless Steel Rat, yes, yes if something went wrong then Richard would get the blame!
I'm playing a dangerous game but the people need a strong hero, so powerful guardian to condone this madness I might well hand it over to the Rat's minions. No, if it has to be done then let it be done here! I will not submit to withering away in some rest home somewhere, evil has to be fought and those simpletons could never cope even with his 'so-called supreme intelligence' I know that his work, his ambitions are worth nothing- exactly so! I am Lord Mike, I know best for them all, with Pamela supreme intelligence, even Lindsay holding supreme power, what horror would he unleash upon us all?
Yes, for the good of the Boards the SUPER project must fail! It must!
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As the screen fades away to darkness Marian look on still in a frozen expression of shock and the slowly she turns to face Tempus.

Tempus: Now what do you think of your hero, Marian?

Marian: It's not possible that can't be him, he... he wouldn't. He can't... He it was him, he set you up to take the fall.

Tempus: And down I fell..... SPLAT!

Marian: But Mike's not like that. He strong, powerful, cunning and clever and I just can't take it in that that's him. That he would even consider such an act, it's just not him.

Tempus: I can imagine it must be a considerable shock for you Marian to discover that your friend is a backstabbing, deceitful, conceited monstrosity obsessed with his own public image than he is with other people! I wanted to make a haven, a true paradise, no longer cowering but prepared and he destroyed that concept, he left Sir Lancelot- the bravest of the brave the chattering imbecile that he is now! General Ford, the military mind the Kingdom possessed, years of great strategic thinking wiped out in an instant, thus severely crippling the state.

Marian: And Mike did it? He was that desperate to keep in the eye of public opinion?

Tempus: Ever word I have spoken is the truth Lady Marian. Every recording you have seen speaks for itself, the others in this accursed place were falsified, my community service to write up the annals of Lord Mike's triumph, five years I toiled writing under supervision until finally I escaped this cancerous den of lies. I became an outcast, a crook, a cheat, a false traitor! Then I learned that I had a price on my head, for dead or alive, can you imagine why HE ordered it?

Marian: Because you knew the truth... Tempus... I'm so sorry for you. I didn't know.

Tempus: I don't want your pity Marian, I simply want justice.

Marian: What do you want done? I assume it's not to destroy this place?

Tempus shakes his head as he walks to the centre of the room and gestures with one hand pointing all around him.

Tempus: On the contrary Lady Marian I would, these archives are a sham to everything that this place stands for, I would then replace them with the truth, that I was always innocent and Lord Mike, the travesty of existence is nothing more than deceitful, conniving Rat! The trouble he caused me Marian, there I was once the man who stood by the queen's side and nothing but a wreck. Gone was any recognition of my face as noble and clean and good, living in shadows. The fevered attempts I made to disfigure myself, yes I had to in order to survive, who would give a second thought to a mouldy, deformed beggar lying in the gutter.

Marian: But you aren't disfigured now, you became as you are now. Although the times we have fought you have proven yourself to be a worthy villain, a brilliant mind behind the madness you have.

Tempus: Madness? No, no you don't understand me do you Marian? I don't want to rule the Kingdom, I don't want power, I want the attention of everyone present in the Kingdom for one moment, to tell them the truth, my schemes to drop Lord Mike only end in turmoil. I had planned my Waterloo to the letter, between hunting for food, I had seen things. Posters on walls concerning the ever rising amount on my head, as five years had passed so too did I witness this independent effect on these citizens. A single wrong word among them, the pride they felt they would gladly drive this menace to the darkness.

Marian: Lord Mike is and has always been a force of good. He reflects this through his actions, people have a right to their beliefs.

Tempus: But at the expense of everything else? The armies were disbanded, no police to enforce the laws, huge great propaganda posters with his grinning face on all of them! "PRAISE YOUR LORD" on them, advertisements on top hats and canes.

Marian: I agree that it's getting a little out of hand now with his spy clubs and merchandise lists but what he's done, he's done for the best.

Tempus: Has he? I was branded a criminal by him, he gets all the credit and I get nothing! I take the huge fall, shoved by his 'noble' hand off the cliff. These people have become influenced and enticed by this maniac, no utopia, lawlessness, petty crimes, slums on the street. He wasn't going to do anything, he had triumphed over The Stainless Steel Rat, The Solid Titanium Cat, Emperor Martin, Absoluta Rubbish, the list goes on... I had to do something.

Marian: You went bad, became seduced by darkness to exact a terrible revenge?

Tempus: No, no of course not, that came later. I despite by outlaw existence demanded to go to the top, to approach the Palace and beseech Queen Pamela for the restoration of the Kingdom, let the madness end!

Marian: But it didn't work, did it? I can tell from your face. Your attempt failed.

Tempus: Yes, I walked through the dull, dreary streets lit by colourful posters here there and everywhere. People shunned me, knocked into me deliberately, unrest, prejudices flowing to the hilt, insults so disgusting that they would be ommitted from even most coarsest of speakers, alas my arrival was seen, some few recognised my words, my voice. There was outcry to take the reward but first there would argument, there would be fights and I ran, ran so fast. The rabble behind me brandishing clubs and torches and screaming blood, their vented anger fuelled by their pride for the once great forms of Sir Lancelot and General Ford. Their demonstrations created by that fool on the throne.

Marian: I can't believe that. For all you've said so far Tempus, for the pain and the humiliation I can understand but for Lord Mike's actions, he wouldn't have been so callous, Lord Mike looks out for the people, he helps them all by ridding evil from them.

Tempus: And was I ever evil? He dubs me that because he wants to remain the hero! He doesn't care about anyone else, power corrupts, he wants the fame, the glory, the attention!

Marian: You can talk, with a name like that.

Tempus: Yes, Tempus Corruptus, how melodramatic of me; Corruptus- the corruption of something and tempus- the time that I was branded a criminal, seems an ironic term to dub myself but in truth the Time that I seek was to be remembered. So I was, chased like a scared animal as hoards of angry predators screaming for my blood, "traitor", "monster" I ran on through every dark street, my heart pulsing, fear taking possession of me, every street looking the same. Where was my utopia? My paradise I was offering the world? As ran on, like the Pied Piper more of the monstrous rabble chased me, approaching the palace I had no choice but to leap to the moat.

Marian: The moat?

Tempus: Thankfully I sank without further sign, gaining access via the main aquaducts, I swam and climbed through those catacombs, I didn't have long to wait until I heard overhead the vast steel doors creaking open and heavy clattering like thunder overhead as the rabble crashed through into the palace.

Marian: How horrible for you, to be scared like that.

Tempus: I was terrified for my life, not long for the end. Soon they would find me and do what damage they wanted before dragging my garbled remains to the throne room and demanding their reward. No, no if I was going to go, my mind would be absent, I had an idea, one that presented itself as the only course of action.

Marian: You used the machine on yourself.

Tempus: Yes, I had to be quick... they would find me soon had I not decided to stick to the shadows, thankfully enough a distraction was already transpiring....
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GATEHOUSE. CASTLE RAESKULL.

Two armour clad Guards stand on guard by either side while a vast wooden door stands behind them.

People: Lets us in! Let us in! Let us in! Let us in!

These voices are muffled, accompanied by heavy banging on the door but this goes somewhat unnoticed by them.

1st Guard: No we won't. So where were we?

2nd Guard: Well I heard that Lord Mike favours the hand of Lady Jenny.

1st Guard: Get away! Lady May is bound to King Hurricane like that!

2nd Guard: I'm telling you that's what I've heard. He bribes the night watchman to open the gates while he sneaks out but is always back before the cock crows.

1st Guard: Well I can definitely see what he sees in her, Cor! But her husband, he'd go mad if he knew what his Lordship was up to.

2nd Guard: He has, many times.

1st Guard: Oh, wait a moment how do you know that?

2nd Guard: Well... when the Sergeant comes along here to relieve us, I... I remain here, can't help it, get cramp in my legs and spine it's that time when I get mistaken for the new guard. Anyhow it's amazing who walks by here, King Lindsay talking to himself, says the strangest things he does...

1st Guard (INTERRUPTING): Hang on! You do extra time?

2nd Guard: Yeah, well I don't get paid for it.

1st Guard: Exactly, here we are guarding this gatepost all day until our shift's over and someone's doing absolutely nothing and getting paid for it too! Who is he anyway?

2nd Guard: Umm... Smith I think, though I got one over him!

1st Guard: Oh?

2nd Guard: Blackmail! He likes to watch birds all day.

1st Guard: Who doesn't.

2nd Guard: No, birds with wings.

1st Guard: He likes to watch angels? Funny sort of man good thing you're blackmailing him, so do you get his pay, which in my book spell danger since you're getting more than me!

2nd Guard: No, no. Nothing like that. I donate it to charity.

1st Guard: Charity?

2nd Guard: Yeah, charity to keep King gormless on the throne. If the poll goes through tomorrow with Lord Mike becoming King Mike, then we'll have to pull our socks up.

1st Guard: God could you imagine that? King Mike- no more napping, no more privileged drinking, no late nights, no snogging chambermaids. Though we might get promoted!

2nd Guard: Yeah... but it won't be the same will it?

1st Guard: Not really no, so what was King Gormless chattering on about?

2nd Guard: Something about King Hurricane getting angry about Lord Mike getting 'friendly' with his wife, if you want my opinion methinks Lord Mike's going to try and force King Hurricane to invade so in the confusion he can seize ebookus.

1st Guard: About bloody time too and all, flaming separate state. Madness that's what it is.

2nd Man: What's that banging?

1st Guard: The door behind us, I'll just go see what's up.

He turns and walks towards the door, pulling open the shutter and immediately the cries and roars of the crowd fill the air.

People: Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor! Traitor!

1st Guard: What seems to be the commotion?

Man: There's been a traitor in the Kingdom we chased him up here!

1st Guard: A traitor? And who might this be, we've had so many?

Woman: It was the one who done in Sir Lancelot and General Ford!

Man: Yeah he betrayed us to the Rat!

People: Hunt the Traitor! Hunt the Traitor! Kill the Traitor! Find him! Kill him!

1st Guard: So where's this traitor now?

Woman: He fell in the moat, you have to drain it!

Man: Yeah, drain the moat! Do you hear that everyone? We have to drain the moat!

People: Drain the moat! Find the Traitor and kill him! Drain the moat! Find the Traitor and kill him! Drain the moat! Find the Traitor and kill him! Drain the moat! Find the Traitor and kill him! Drain the moat! Find the Traitor and kill him! Drain the moat! Find the Traitor and kill him! Drain the moat! Find the Traitor and kill him!

1st Guard: One moment.

He closes the shutter before walking towards the other guard.

2nd Guard: Any trouble?

1st Guard: Not really just a lot of huff about a traitor to the Kingdom who's drowned himself in the moat, so where we e?

2nd Guard: Hang on! We might not have drowned, there are passages beneath the vaults, some that lead out into the moat. If he knows the layout of Castle Raeskull then we'd best warn someone.

1st Guard: But after our tea break.

2nd Guard: Yeah I think we earned that. So did they say who this traitor might be?

1st Guard: I have no idea, something about someone killing Sir Lancelot and General Ford.

2nd Guard: They must be mad, putting on a good show, King Lindsay's last go in office, well the people must be mourning his passing with sillyness.

1st Guard: Oh yeah, never thought of that?

OUTSIDE THE GATEHOUSE:

Man: They're not coming back! We have to do something!

Woman: Yes, break down the doors. We can stop him ourselves.

Man: Send word, we need a battering ram!

Woman: No you fol, the doors are weak, if we all push together!

People: Heave! Heave! Heave!

Woman: Together, with your clubs and spikes, torches and things break down the door!

2nd Guard: That lot out there aren't getting half anxious aren't they?

1st Guard: Now that you mention it, perhaps I should put the bar across? If they're acting mad they might do mad things?

2nd Guard: Like what? Break down the door? Ha! Ha! Ha!

CRASH! The doors smashes inwards, bits of wood shred far in to the air as the courtyard suddenly fills up with angry marauding citizens, the guards are completely swamped by the crows, screams and cries of rage, of anger echo hard.

Man: Now we are in we must find this monster!

Woman: No we must protect the Queen from him!

People: All praise the Queen!

Man: Then I shall take half of our number and besiege this castle in search for him.

Woman: Yes and we shall protect our Queen from his reach, bring him to her, hunt him down break him and bring him to the Queen!

People: All praise the Queen! Death to the traitor!

Man: Come forward you all and let us kill this monster!

People: YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!!

The crowds part company splitting off into separate groups each taking a new doorway, filing throw screaming war-cries to the air! The Two guards climb to their feet, dusting themselves down.

1st Guard: We must alert the General Guard, they'll have to deal with this disaster!

2nd Guard: But we were in charge, they're never going to believe it was us who let this happen.

1st Guard: That other guard- Smith who watches angels, we'll say that he told us to let them in, that's more believable. Yes, he went mad and forced us by sword point to open the doors!

2nd Guard: Will they believe us?

1st Guard: You can still blackmail Smith can't you? By this time tomorrow he'll be worming his way into Ebookus, you mark my words.

2nd Guard: Shouldn't we inform the General Guard then?

1st Guard: Not just yet, we'll wait a moment until those people, those hounds get the scent then we'll make our move. So we'll some time, so how's it going with your Absoluta?

INT. PALACE CORRIDOR.

Richard: No, no these corridors, they've re-worked them, this should be the way to Scientific division? They must have re-modelled it but since there's no alarm yet it means I can use this... they are hunting me, wanting to kill me... but I did not harm anyone! It was not me, no not me!

Suddenly in the distant he can hear what sounds like dog howls, baying of hound-like yowls.

Richard: They have broken through... too late for me! I cannot go like this.. not like this.. no! I should not be here! I am not the monster they call me! Chiild, Wye all to the chamber, all punished for crimes we did not commit... their faces getting at me now! I did not do this... No I must concentrate on my task! I must find the scientific division, I must!

((As he moves, there upon his mind the memories of his trial echo hard.

Clark: Ladies and Gentlemen, the course of this case is so cruel, so harsh that in your mind he, the defendant is already guilty, this action is shown in our decision already. Will you all rise for the Judge of the Kingdom, her mightyness Queen Pamela.

There is the clapping of a thousand hundred hands and cheers.

Pamela: That will do. The fate of Scientific Division lies in our hands... In my mind, my opinion each one of these cruel monsters deserves the fate they unleashed upon our greatest champions! Both Sir Lancelot Hercules Bonaparte Bayliss and General Steven Ford. One one side we have the Prosecutor, his Lordship Michael Kenneth Mills.

Further cheers echo throughout the courtroom.

Pamela: But there will be no such defence for traitors as evil as these people, either you decide to represent yourself or you will take the full brunt of your penalty!

There is dead silence.

Lord Mike: Thank you your Majesty and your honour, bold Gentle-Sirs and Lady-folk I intend to convince each one of you here that these people are as guilty as those foes that have threatened our society many times, that I have so loyally defended.))

Richard: Silence! I have to think, they will find me, they will tear me apart! This corridor, there's a door here? This should be a through way, a passageway to the Scientific division. That animal!

He tries the door but it's locked!

Richard: No! No! I have to get in, I have to! Wooden door bolted from behind, ah a key-panel beside the door- authorisation code needed to enter.
Now will it still hold my clearance code in its databanks or will it have been deleted?
Nine, three, seven, seven, one.

He keys in the code, each of them producing a 'bleep' however instead there is a strange hum?

Doorlock: Authorisation code unrecognised. Please key in the correct code, failure to comply within ten seconds will result in a security alarm will raised. To cancel the alarm, key in the correct code and contact your nearest security station mounted within each room.
Re-enter time countdown beginning in two seconds.

Richard: No, No! You fools! How can I get in? You've logged me out! I do not exist, I hate you for this Lord Mike, I hate you!

Doorlock: Time to re-enter authorisation code commencing. One... Two...

Richard: Come on Richard, think! I have to gain entry, the others, their codes I imagine will be cancelled too so what of... his code, that meddler's code! What was it?

Doorlock: Six... Seven..

Richard: One, four, five...? No it's a three, two...

Doorlock: Nine... Ten. Authorisation code re-entry has failed, security alarm!

Suddenly a huge ringing howling klaxon echoes throughout the corridor, above him along speakers, black and small scratch voices through static.

Speaker: Security patrols, All Security Patrols! There has been a breach in internal security, initiate immediate shutdown of all systems! All Security patrols seek out unauthorised intruder to be apprehended and detained for questioning!

Richard: Oh no! Come on mind, think! Was it a six or a ten?

Suddenly he whirls hearing the sound of squabbling cries in the distance and there turning a corner is a consuming force of club, axe, knife wielding maniacs!

Maniacs: There he is! There he is!

Richard: Six or ten? Six or ten? Damn you Mike! Of course, ten!

He presses the control, the panel bleeps as each of the numbers light up and then with a hiss the door clicks open before him, hurrying inside he quickly applies pressure to the door trying top close it. The sounds of tearing feet, war-cries out for blood getting nearer and nearer!
Slowly the door slides shut, the gears hiss and click, the numbers on the panel fade away. Suddenly the door comes under repetitive attacks, heavy impacts, battering, muffles cries!

((His memory wanders back to the courtroom:

Lord Mike: Lady-Folk and Gentle-Sirs on the grim day in question our Kingdom was under attack by a hostile, lethal force. We needed a quick and highly effective force to counter them! I suggested that I should rescue the noble Captain Painter and destroy the master of those trolls!
Though this man, this cold-monster whose motives to cripple our society from within- his machinery crippled and mentally scarred both our valiant nobles. This man and his team sought to destroy us!

Lissa: That isn't true! We are loyal to the Boards and to no other!

Chiild: Yes, it was a mistake, sabotage from within our ranks by a spy, a real agent of the Stainless Steel Rat!

There is uproar from all around the room.

Lord Mike: You expect us to believe these lies? You and your leader, your so-called Master of science mentally scarred brave Sir Lancelot, General Ford the most forefront of military intelligence has lost that but thankfully his mind remains intact, any attempt to re-learn such things has resulted in failure!

Lissa: It worked in the laboratory on the test subjects, we took simple aquatic mammals, hamsters were all eaten by the Trolls. The Otters and Voles acquired superior intelligence.

Lord Mike: But Sir Lancelot and General Ford were not simple rodents!

Watt: Very true Lord Mike but we took correct calculations, we made every examination using theories, using our knowledge to help, to benefit the Kingdom! While working on this project I never, ever felt evil, our work was important!

Lord Mike: But of course it was, your master expected results- you needed to have the task done- your Master wanted to swarm all over this Kingdom! To do this he needed the chief principles removed Sir Lancelot fell as did General Ford but who next? Myself, Queen Pamela? Yourselves? Can you not see that they are guilty!

Wye: Why should we do this? Why, what's our motive? We want to help everyone here!

Lord Mike: Why? Because you are Evil! You wanted respect from your master, a reason to be spared, power to control others!

Richard: Objection!

Pamela: Objection denied.

Lord Mike: Quite right, well done your honour!

Richard: No, your honour. I must speak, I AM NOT A SPY! Neither are my fellow members of my team, be merciful on them. Take your action, your anger out on me!
My work, my dream was to teach, was to educate everyone here! These esteemed geniuses here, we who built many of the machines used in this age, Scientist Lissa designed your mighty Cane! Researcher Wye created security systems. Chiild is known throughout three States as a genius of the audio-visual Matrix!
Watt, the Professor is an academic- we are all good people! If we are evil then what are you Lord Mike?

Lord Mike: I am good, I save people's lives while you harmed Sir Lancelot, morale fell from the troops on the battlefields, strategies fell through without a brilliant General. You and your kind- in my mind are the most cruel hearted monsters and deserve to be incarcerated for your discourse!

Richard: Shut up you stupid idealist! Your honour I beseech you, I do not, have not wanted to risk harm upon anyone. The equipment was sabotaged by someone else, it was working perfectly when...

Lord Mike (INTERRUPTING): When you tampered with it! Yes I'll say that you Science Master am in control, in communication with the Master himself!

Richard: That is a lie! We have never been in the company of....

Pamela's hammer comes down WHACK!))

Richard shakes his head as he looks about him, the corridor before him is dark, straining to look through the darkness he reaches out to the side, something catches at his hand, sticky and strange. He touches a blocky object.
Flicking its surface, lamps above the corridor flicker on and a long line of chalk-white walls and floor blinker into existence. Though the corridor is filled with thick blurring cobwebs, dust covers his hands.
Sighing deeply he runs a hand through his hair.

Richard: The time is now, so long- five years from this place. He hasn't gone anywhere near it! Good, all they'll find when they break in will be a chattering imbecile, I will be gone! So much pain... so much insult!

Lurching slowly through the cobwebs not caring as cobwebs stick to his ragged clothing until he turns towards the now silent, still doors, dust-covered and dead.

Richard: The door, will it be sealed or will it be open? Please, I want a break, I need a break...

He reaches out to touch the door, to feel the texture as he glances across its surface.

Richard: The end... so close yet so far away.

Then without a reason the doors slide open silently, the room is dark but as a grin starts to expand across his face as he strides into the darkness....

INT. LORD MIKE'S STUDY.

Lord Mike sits at his desk, reading the Dailyness, the lamp shines its light across the page, the grandfather clock beside the door ticks slowly.

Lord Mike: Ha! Ha! Very good, in destroying a great strategist I have given life to a greater writer, yes General Ford, you are a master! No, wait I did not destroy him Science Master Richard did, well the act took place within his laboratory. And they were all present, a good thing I arrived in the nick of time!
A shame about Lancelot though, a great man, a fighter but all know that two's a crowd!

Just then there comes a ring from the telephone next to the lamp, he lowers the paper and pulls free the receiver.

Lord Mike: Mike Mills.

The receiver starts to chatter with activity.

Lord Mike: Eh? Sorry but could you please repeat that? When? Are you sure? Yes... thank you. Yes, thank you I will deal with it. Of course, try and contain them, I don't care how you feel about it just do it. Thank you, I'll be down directly.

He slowly puts the phone down, sighing slowly. He sits there in silence.

Lord Mike: So you have finally reared you head. Evil stalks again once more, fitting that should return that place of all things. If Steven possessed all his wits he might think it ironic, a great shame that it will come to this.
A great shame indeed but evil must be stopped and besides I am Lord Mike, I have a duty- to uphold all good in the face of evil.

He rises from the desk, the paper falling slowly across the desk as his face, the shadows playing deep pits around his eyes, the fire's glow catching at his face.

Lord Mike: The endgame Richard, so be it, time for me to triumph once again! Evil must be destroyed and good will succeed!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marian: It's unbelievable! This story that you're telling me it happened to you didn't it? Every word you've told me, the pain, the agony you went through. Lord Mike must be stopped, I only believed that you were evil because he said but now.... He has to be stopped!

Tempus: He was stopped, in a way his coldness was warmed but still as you know I am still an outcast but no longer weak.

Marian: Tempus... Richard if there is anything I can do, any consolation?

Tempus: There is nothing anyone can commit against him, we are all prisoners of his perspective...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. LABORATORY.

As Tempus flicks on another light switch the once proud, superior block of inventions, science at its strongest regions was put to shame like corridor outside it was thick with vast canopies of spider-webs, surfaces of the floor, of the desks were heaped in dust.

Richard: So long has it been, five years breathes a long time, so much work, so much business; desks with pillars of papers- projects awaiting the green-signal of confirmation. So many times, many years we have worked throughout this room, this place.

As he walks around the laboratory looking at each of the dust enshrouded projects; his memory thinks back to the courtroom sentence.

((Pamela: Enough, I have heard enough from both sides. The evidence is clear, the facts remain that the Scientific division are traitors to the Kingdom, though those involved will suffer different threats- this is Lord Michael's suggestion: If left together they could attempt to break free using thir intellect.
Scientist Lissa; you have been found guilty of treason- though your origin is of a nobler rank, I confer upon you the sentence of Exile!
Is there anything you want to say?

Lissa steps forward.

Lissa: No, please your Majesty I like it here, you cannot do this to me, please?

Pamela: Enough! Next!

Lissa is led away as Dr Chiild is led forward to face Pamela.

Pamela: Doctor Chiild; you too like Lissa have been found guilty of treason- the sentence is imprisonment, while you remain within this state you will work under supervision a state of added community service. Sentence to be carried out immediately!

Before Chiild can say anything he is led away and Researcher Wye is shoved forward.

Wye: Hey! Take it easy back there!

Guard: Silence traitor!

The Guard knocks him hard, he half slumps across the bar but quickly he is yanked up.

Pamela: Researcher Wye, your section of this foul project is minimal, you will be taken to the city square on General, there you will suffer open humiliation involving a pineapple! Next!

Wye: Pineapple? No, no you can't! You can't- I have allergies!

He dragged away kicking and screaming as Watt is escorted forward.

Watt: This trial your Majesty, this is a farce! Contempt might be added to my sentence but I don't care because we were working for the benefit of the boards!

Lord Mike: A likely story!

Pamela: Professor Watt, your slurs on ourself might be harsh but your academic work is necessary, you too like Doctor Chiild will be imprisoned but for no less six months, they you will await on parole, if no developments then you will repeat the sentence again and again until necessary!))

Richard stops before him in the half shadows, there lies the machine, the processor.

Richard: So it has come to this, five years of agony, five years of torture, biting torture of being led through the streets, crowds hurling rotten fruit and stones at my form as they led me to the tower... how the dust caught at my eyes, how they screamed out my name, cursing it high!
I suppose that this must poetic justice, this discourse- caught between a rock and another. I am trapped, fate wants me to suffer and suffer I shall. Such a device as noble as this, I wanted only to educate, to teach people.
How did all go wrong? The device was set and ready for use, the calibrations made, the setting perfected and yet... something went wrong... sabotage!
And now- I the once humble leader of science now reduced to this- a cowering worm in his burrow, the moles digging down closer... In moments all they will find will be a husk, like those two unfortunate I too will become a wreck let them break me as they seem fit!

He walks towards the device, examining it with clarity of the air; it seems to be functioning perfectly?

Richard: We built you to last, where is my utopia, my paradise now, gone swept under by the cloak of drudgery... So perhaps it is fitting that I a lowly genius be knocked back many years to adolescence or even more than that. My educator becomes my final torturer, to think that something went wrong to cause all of this- sabotage but where would you begin?
Wait! Wait-the settings, even during the investigations they never checked them, where are they, the inspection plate?

He quickly starts to crouch down crawling around the vast machine over the tick cables and wires still connected to to the control consoles, looking about its form up and down before finally he comes to a sturdy looking panel.

Richard: The setting inspection panel but wait, that gap, that slight gap just along release guard, that gap should not be there? It's almost as if someone has forced something inside it and levered the thing open?
The settings!

He pulls open the panel, it comes away quickly and within it, his eyes widen in a mixture of pain and shock!

Richard: The central control junction point was turned off... no wonder the power couldn't go anywhere, this was direct sabotage by someone who knew the machine but my team; Lissa, Wye, Chiild, Watt- all of them trustworthy!
Now then if this is fate's irony would the process still work?

He reaches into the opening and pushes the necessary switch in motion before climbing to his feet and crossing towards a control console. He looks over its surface before a weak grin appears on his face.

Richard: Yes, perfect!

BANG! BANG! BANG!

The door is coming under a constant hammering, he knows that he can't have too long...

Richard: The machinery still works, it can still work which means that I can cure Sir Lancelot and General Ford but how will that rabble out there listen to me? I am a traitor in their eyes but if I were to use the process myself then I would be stronger then them! No longer cringing in this God-awful nightmare! I would become the first- the indication that the process works!
Here is the trouble I face; either I become a helpless gibbering imbecile or I ascend.

Reaching down towards the 'On' switch there is nothing, silence. But just then power- flowing power starts to light up the instrument panel, crossing over to the other console to repeat the process, joint hums of energy resonate throughout the chamber.
He then climbs into the chair-like centre, his head relaxes as he stares up into the rapidly glowing spectrum of light.

Richard: There is no operator so I will rely upon the cut-off, thirty seconds after the full process. This action is not the end, my future is in fate's hands.... this is not the end, this my ascension!

The spectrum begins to pulse then suddenly it increases getting brighter and brighter, he convulses on the chair, images, words hurtling into his mind going faster and faster and faster!

INT. SECURITY CORRIDOR.

A group of screaming citizens have fashioned a battering ram together and are ramming the door quickly. Faster and faster!

Lord Mike: Clear the way! Clear the way, good people?

Instead they continue onwards with their work.

Man: Come on! Charge! Come on, we must get in there! We must get in!

People: Yes! Charge!

CRASH!

People: Charge!

CRASH!

Lord Mike: Listen to me! Get back!

Man: Wait, that man's voice. Can it be...? Clear a path, come on- clear a path for him!

Immediately the crowd reluctantly moan and grunt as they part to the narrow space but as they do they look back to see who stands there in top hat and cane. There come astonished gasps!

People: Lord Mike, Lord Mike.

Man: My Lord, forgive me. Forgive us.

Lord Mike: I should think so too, why are you here in these chambers?

Man: We've come for the traitor, we're here to stop him from harming anyone else!

Lord Mike: There is no further need for your presence, I will deal with him. Respect my wishes and do as I say!

Just then the lights flicker above them, People start to moan and groan in fear but Lord Mike simply whistles catching all their attention.

Lord Mike: Good people of the Boards, return to your homes now! I, Lord Mike, champion of justice, protector of the boards will deal with this fiend!

Man: Did you hear that? Lord Mike is going to stop evil, three cheers for Lord Mike! Hip-hip....

People: Huzzah!

Man: Hip-hip

People: Huzzah!

Man: Hip-hip

People: Huzzah!

Lord Mike: Thank you my people, too kind your words are to me, now get yee selves inside, we don't further harm to occur to you all.

Man: Wow! Lord Mike to the rescue! Wow! Your Lordship before I go, can you just sign this, it's for my son, he'll be thrilled to own your autograph.

The man pulls free a pad from his rags.

Lord Mike: Well it is stretching into my time but yes, why not?

Lord Mike pulls free a pen from his pockets, Tartan in colour and monogrammed in Gold- Lord Michael K. Mills. He takes the foul smelling pad, his nose wrinkling as he signs his name and returns the pad back to the man.

Man: Oh thank you sir, you don't know how happy you've made a man as I, my son will be so happy! Thank you.

Lord Mike: No, thank you and please try to get your friends, family, acquaintances out of here as quickly as possible, we don't want any accidents now?

Man: No, of course not. Come on everyone, let's all go for a drink at the Brimstone club, my treat!

People: Yeah!

As they wander back they way they've come, the man calls back to Lord Mike.

Man: Good luck in the election tomorrow! You have my vote!

Lord Mike: Thank you, thank you! They've gone, silly fools every one of them!

The lights above him stop flickering.

Lord Mike: So fitting an end that you should return here, Science Master Richard perished at my hands, he was dangerous, unstable. He wanted to destroy the castle by setting off an ancient doomsday device but I valiantly saved the day, my crusade against evil succeeded once again! Yes that speech will do very and after this perhaps I can finalise my sponsorship deal McCow's coffee?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Marian: Just answer me this Tempus, what truly happened to everyone here, why are they nothing like they were then? Lance and Steven are spoken for but everyone else, what happened?

Tempus: Ha! Ha! That Lady Marian is piece de resistance, something that the great Lord Michael Mills orchestrated- my revenge if you will but as you have seen this is not the sane, friendly form you know, if you will look towards the screen then I'm pretty sure you'll be in for a surprise...

Marian turns slowly towards the screen and as if my magic itself Tempus raises his hand and clicks his fingers, immediately the projector roars into life and casting before them appears an image....
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INT. SECURITY CORRIDOR.

Lord Mike: And now to deal with this problem, an ant that should have been crushed underfoot ages ago and now it's time for me to salt the earth!

He keys in the correct code into the doorlock, the circuit hums with power and then slowly the door hisses and clicks open before him. Then he notes the presence of the light amongst the cobwebs, the doors to the laboratory section stand ajar.

Lord Mike: How fitting, come into the parlour said the spider to the fly- eh? No, I'm no fly, you've flown into my lair now, my trouble, my problem!

He walks slowly down the corridor, his cane batting aside the hanging web and as he approaches the door he taps his cane on the door- KNOCKETY-KNOCK KNOCK!

Lord Mike: Come on Science Master, show yourself!

He pushes open the doors, they squeak on ancient hinges casting light from the corridor light catching at all areas of the dust covered laboratory.

Lord Mike: Where are you? Show yourself you evil Cur! Coward!

Then he walk towards the machine, the lights from the consoles playing through the shadows, the hum of power emanating from the machinery.

Lord Mike: Ah, well you've done me an injustice by destroying yourself and here we have, left of you nothing but ashes- a pity, no doubt I can still use this? Yes if I set this machine to overload I can say he perished in the explosion!

Richard: Immensely inventive of you Lord Mike!

Lord Mike turns around to see Science Master Richard stepping from the shadows.

Lord Mike: Ah of course, evil lies in shadows?

Richard: No you Bored Spike, sharp and stabbing, cutting into everyone surrounding you. So weak they must seem to you? You pathetic, poor poltroon!

Lord Mike: You aren't dead or stupid like...

Richard (INTERRUPTING): Sir Lancelot the brave? You considered me to be a weak, frail fool, some scapegoat to be toyed with, to become an incompetent imbecile? Why is that? Because you corrupted my creation, you usurped my utopia!

Lord Mike: Don't try and play the good game with me! You are evil!

Richard: Am I? Mine is now the superior intellect, supreme success starts with me, I have become the first of the super soldiers that the great General Ford wanted! You expected me to degenerate into the dismal depressants of those two brave innocents- why is that- because you tampered with my creation!

Lord Mike: So it took you all this time, this increasing of yours to realise it- I had to do it, don't you see Richard? I had to do it.

Richard: I understand alright, perfectly that you are a deceitful, diabolical despot! You wanted to the fame, the funds, you claim that I am categorised with those insane imbeciles who have tried to steal away your thunder! I offered them, those people: freedom, paradise and you scalded their hands!

Lord Mike: The country is weak, the whole Kingdom would crumble without me, I hold the Boards together and without my order, my will there would be chaos!

Richard: There would be free will, unified as a supreme innovation- free from threats! But no- where would a hero, a figure of morale- a fictional hope to these people- non-existence! Retirement- you? No not someone who lives for adventure! You couldn't bear that!

Lord Mike: Correct- if this Super Soldier lark turns you into a chatterbox- then no thank you- all good things come to an end.

Richard: Indeed they will, you removed the opposition, the trouble I will have to gain escape, temporarily from the Palace.

Lord Mike: You are going no where Richard! And how did you know that about no trouble? Are you psychic?

Richard: No you simple savage! The amount of batterings on the door has ceased, they are not present nor are they outside or in here, you called them off because you regard them as dogs, weak creatures that you did not want to see. You don't like to see them- do you?

Lord Mike: Well done, I defend the Boards but it doesn't mean that I have to like them! By tomorrow's dawn I shall be the joint ruler of these Kingdoms, Lindsay will be cast off, these Kingdoms need a strong leader and with me as a King, a defeater of evil think of the money, the merchandise, the praise!

Richard: "Unease sits the head that wears the crown" Was it worth it? To secure your position as a candidate to seize power? You crushed myself, condemned and exiled my friends, annihilated such a concept as freewill and now this insane action? Who is EVIL?

Lord Mike: You are- the people will believe what I tell them to believe! Now it's the end for you but for me the beginning of greater things!

Richard: For once you are correct but for one slight mistake, you want to kill me, to crush me from existence? I am unarmed, the destruct switch upon the machine, it is there on the right control console protected by glass cover!
By pressing that it will give you two minutes to knock me unconscious before it goes off and thus there will be nothing but ashes to bury, to cast upon the wind!

Lord Mike: What's the catch?

Richard: Nothing, detonate my life's work, destroy me, seek your fame and make your name!

Lord Mike walks slowly, carefully towards the right console and noting the switch, he flicks it up before looking over to see Richard still standing there.

Richard: End this time...

Lord Mike: That I will, the end of your blight upon my mind!

He presses the switch, there is a low hum, a pulsing whine that is getting deeper and deeper and slowly its pitch rises. Richard claps his hand three times before grins.

Richard: Bravo Lord Mike, the future is assured!

Lord Mike: What have you done? What is this?

Richard: Oh no, you pressed the button. It was your choice, time for you to take some responsibility for your own actions! You needed to still hold the title of Lord, a hero! You effectively sacrificed Sir Lancelot and General Ford and made me take the blame and made the offence stick!

Lord Mike suddenly grabs him by the lapels and shoves him hard against the wall.

Lord Mike: What have you done? Turn it off!

Richard: That I cannot- That machine, that tool in your treachery will become your unmaking it is ironically enough named: A Smart-bomb! When it detonates, a non-lethal charge will be unleashed, it will increase the mental faculties within everyone in the Kingdom, I have calibrated it completely, this time there will be no hitches!

Lord Mike throws Richard against the machine and levels his cane at him.

Lord Mike: Turn it off!

Richard: You really are a simpleton- well not for much longer, in two minutes time everyone will become ascended like me, free will, free perspectives! You have a choice, a conundrum- does the hero pursue me or try to save his reputation?

Lord Mike: You're not going anywhere!

Richard: Am I not? Will you shoot me dead, thus the last vestige of goodness leaks from your form leaving nothing but darkness?

Suddenly he charges the machine, Richard side-steps him walking patiently to the doors.

Lord Mike: I am Lord Mike and I order you to stop immediately!

Richard: By tampering with the bomb you'll do more harm than good and if I'm not around then they'll be no one to place the blame on!

Lord Mike triggers the machine-pistol attachment in his cane!

Lord Mike: I will shoot you dead, I will stop you!

Richard: And you will be finished, the bomb or villain- you decide!

Richard promptly walks away as Lord Mike appears behind him.

Lord Mike: Stop right there Richard! I'm warning you!

Richard: I would prefer Master Richard, I have already proved myself superior to you, I have defeated you- choke on that fact! One minute and counting...

Lord Mike looks strained, frustrated between both problems before tearing back into the the room.

Lord Mike: How to stop it? I am Lord Mike! I should know this, those fools need my guidance, they need me! The power from the consoles, if I cut the power then it will power down! Yes And I'll get that misfit once and for all!

Triggering the AXE attachment he raised the cane high and hacks through the mass of cables but the blade seems to bounce off them!

Lord Mike: No! I won't let you win! I am Lord Mike! I am good!

He tries again and again and again then he kicks the machine hard as the pitch rises to a deafening sound and screaming his fury his whacks the control console hard with the axe, the blade sinks hard into the circuitry.
There is a ringing sound like a telephone!

Outside on the battlements Master Richard can hear the strange sound.

Master Richard: No! The fool!

INT. LABORATORY.

Lord Mike: No, this can't be the end of me! No I won't go!

Blue sparks catch from the ruined control console and as Lord Mike grabs at it, shocks scratch through him before he falls back.
The pitch finally reaches its climax.

Lord Mike sits there, anger covering his face, pain, insult washing into one, anger blazing from those once noble eyes.

Lord Mike(BRIEF): No!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The screen suddenly glows brighter and brighter before the image fades into static and immediately Marian presses the off button.

Marian: Then the bomb went off, you won- didn't you?

Tempus: No.

Marian: No, but you stopped Mike! You had your revenge against him!

Tempus: Examine the facts and you'll find the answer Lady Marian.

Marian: I don't see what you... Sir Lance and Steven they're both still... And Lord Mike is still Lord Mike, protector of the Boards but what happened? You were so close to succeeding?

Tempus: It was a kind of victory but not as large as I had hoped, that fool interfered with the inner workings, the power relays controlling the cut off were broken, the blast occurred but instead of a focussed increase in intelligence the wave of energy surged through everyone but its effect was countered by the fool's meddling! The great powerful intellect of Lord Mike was erased like that of General Ford- he became "normalified" as did a great many others, I survived the blast with all my faculties intact!
Despite this I have never been able to repair the damage, now you know the truth.

Marian: Lord Mike was still in favour, the legacy of his predecessor that the public still revered. He had no great qualities except for his past reputation, he's still in favour now.

Tempus: Because anyone else who had not become processed like myself was subject to side-effects, he developed those awful witty banter, Steven Ford became an accomplished writer, Sir Lance drinks tea and is a complete coward! Even Lord Ike became a fool, Stainless Steel Rat lost most of his marbles, I was still dubbed a criminal!

Marian: But these video-tapes, you could expose him now. I'd support you.

Tempus: Would you? No, you won't but you can help me destroy this fiction!

Tempus crosses over towards the great shelves looking over them all.

Tempus: So many lies, so many!

Suddenly the door to the archivist's chamber opens with a squeak and there stands Lord Mike!

Lord Mike: Ah ha! Up to your old tricks eh Tempus? Marian! You are here, fear not for I have come to save you.

Marian: Get away from me!

Lord Mike: Marian, I see that you are in shock, no doubt from this vengeful villain's thrall?

Marian: I said get away from me, you evil heartless monster! How can you stand there like that?

Lord Mike: I see what he has done, mes... messo... taken control of your mind, fear not for I am here to defend you!

Tempus: Always the over-dramatic, go on then make a witty gesture, if you can call it that?

Lord Mike: Indeed I can Tempus Corruptus, buy order of Queen Pamela you are to be taken away to be tortured with a large pineapple!

Tempus: No Lord Mike, your mask is slipping.

Lord Mike: My what? Oh dear.

Quickly he reaches up to his face.

Marian: Oh I see, he's gullible as well.

Tempus: Take care now Marian and here take these video records, I fear that you will have better use for them. Fare thee well!

Taking to his feet Tempus suddenly hurries down the tower corridor and the seemingly he leaps free of the window.... Coming to, Lord Mike tears after him but as he looks out of the window he sees nothing but the vast height that the tower stands at.

Lord Mike: Gone but he will return! Yes I lord Mike has vanquished the villainous villain once and for all!

Then noticing Lady Marian.

Marian: Get your hands away from me! How can you stand there and say that?

Lord Mike: Because I am good and he is evil, that's a fact you know- protector and defender of the Boards!

Marian: You don't remember it do you? What you did- it's all a blank to you! Tempus was... he isn't evil- you of all people should know that!

Lord Mike: Ha! Ha! Ha! You jest very well Lady Marian, how about we pop off home to the MillsManor where we have a cup of tea, so buttered scones and some nice hot purple iguanas.

Marian: Get away from me! I didn't need your help, no one needed your help!

Lady Marian unable to contain her anger anymore storms off down the wind circular stairs of the tower leaving Lord Mike at the top, standing there, a little confused, cold air from the window blows hard as he stands at the top and calls down:

Lord Mike: I think you're forgetting yourself Lady Marian, I hold the Boards together, without me they would fall apart, where would you all be without me?

Further down the stairs the words catch at Marian, the wind more colder should have caused a chill but it was the words... his words!

THE END.

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