The Most Delicate Instrument
The Most Delicate Instrument is the third episode of Wing Commander Academy.
| The Most Delicate Instrument | |
|---|---|
| |
| Episode Number | 1x03 |
| Production Code | 74703 |
| Story | Mark Edens |
| Writer(s) | Shari Goodhartz |
| Air Date | October 5, 1996 |
| Run Time | 20m55s |
| Animation Studio | Madhouse |
| Theme | Version 2 |
| Previous | The Last One Left |
| Next | Word of Honor |
Summary
Act One
| Terran Confederation | Empire of Kilrah | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ||
| 4 CF-105 Scimitar medium fighters 1 Bengal strike carrier (TCS Tiger's Claw) |
2 Grikath heavy fighters | |
| Losses | ||
| 1 Scimitar destroyed | 2 Grikath destroyed | |
Act Two
Act Three
| Terran Confederation | Hallucinating Pilots | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ||
| 2 F-54 Epee medium attack fighters 1 Bengal strike carrier (TCS Tiger's Claw) |
2 CF-131 Broadsword bombers | |
| Losses | ||
| 1 Broadsword destroyed, 1 captured | ||
Characters
Speaking
Commodore Geoffrey Tolwyn
2nd Lt. Christopher "Maverick" Blair
2nd Lt. Gwen "Archer" Bowman
2nd Lt. Todd "Maniac" Marshall
2nd Lt. Lindsay "Payback" Price
2nd Lt. Yulan "Hyena" Chang
2nd Lt. Alan "Blizzard" Getz
Tech Specialist Maya McEaddens
Doctor Guthrig Andropolos
Sensor Tech
Communications Tech
Head Security Guard
Kilrathi Warrior
Nonspeaking
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Ground Crews
Tiger's Claw Security Guards (3)
Kilrathi Warrior (3)
Kilrathi Warrior
Kill Board
| Pilot | Sorties | Kills | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maniac | 5 | 3 (1 partial) | Active |
| Maverick | 4 | 1 (partial) | Active |
| Archer | 3 | 1 | Active |
| Blizzard | 2 | 1 | KIA |
| Payback | 4 | 0 | Active |
| Easy | 1 | 0 | Active |
| Grunt | 1 | 0 | Active |
| Hyena | 1 | 0 | Active |
| Jazzman | 1 | 0 | Active |
| Viking | 1 | 0 | Retired |
Locations
Tiger's Claw
Briefing Room
Locker Room
Outside Elevator
Elevator
Hangar
Bridge
Hallway
Sick Bay
Outside Sick Bay
Blizzard's Quarters
Outside Blizzard's Quarters
Guthrig's Office
Maverick's Quarters
Archer's Quarters
Outside Archer's Quarters
Hallway near Elevator
Corridor Junction
Cargo Bay
Observation Deck
Binary Star System
Asteroid Field
Cockpits
Scimitar
Broadsword
Epee
Ships
Terran Confederation
Fighters
Capital Ships
Empire of Kilrah
Fighters
Vehicles
Terran Confederation
Recovery Vehicle
Small Arms
Terran Confederation
Pistol
Rifle
Trivia
Animation Errors
Credits
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Story by | Mark Edens |
| Written by | Shari Goodhartz |
| Producer | Larry Latham |
| Executive Story Editors | Mark Edens |
| Michael Edens | |
| Executive Consultant | Ralph Sanchez |
| Executive Story Consultants | Richard Hilleman |
| Adam Foshko | |
| Starring | Mark Hamill (Maverick, Communications Tech, Security Guard) |
| Tom Wilson (Maniac) | |
| Malcolm McDowell (Tolwyn) | |
| Dana Delany (Archer) | |
| Also Starring | Lauri Hendler (Payback, Maya, Sensor Tech) |
| Kevin Schoen (Hyena, Kilrathi Warrior) | |
| Pat Fraley (Guthrig, Blizzard) | |
| Music by | Alexander Van Bubenheim |
| Voice Direction and Casting | Susan Blu |
| Pre-Production Sound by | Screenmusic Studios, Inc. |
| Pre-Production Sound Mixer | Pete Elia |
| Recording Assistant | Mark Caballero |
| Storyboards | Tim Eldred |
| JC Ponce | |
| Barking Bullfrog Cartoon Co. Inc. | |
| Storyboard Cleanup | Judy Nielson |
| Timing Directors | Zeon Davush |
| Gerard Baldwin | |
| Character Design | Larry Latham |
| Tim Eldred | |
| Prop Design | Lee Go |
| Background Design | Derek Carter |
| Background Color Key | Kathryn Yelsa |
| Computer Color Key | Cynthia McIntosh |
| Studio Production Manager | Alex Johns |
| Production Manager | Patty Jausoro |
| Production Coordinator | Estrella Capin |
| Production Assistants | Aaron Justman |
| Scott Huml | |
| Manuel Cano | |
| Monte Alexander | |
| Junior Gonzalez | |
| Danik Thomas | |
| Executive in Charge of Post Production | Barbara Beck |
| Editors | Jay Bixsen |
| Paul D. Calder | |
| Assistant Editor | Michael Trueba |
| Track Reading | Glenwood Editorial |
| Negative Cutting | Executive Cutting |
| Post Production Video | Unitel Video, Hollywood |
| Post Production Sound | West Productions Inc. |
| Supervising Sound Editor | Rick Hinson |
| Re-Recording Mixers | John Boyd |
| Stuart Calderon | |
| Overseas Animation Studio | Madhouse Animation |
| Overseas Animation Director | Masao Maryuyama |
| Produced in Association with | USA Network |
Transcript
Act One
SCENE - Briefing Room
Tolwyn: Pay special attention to your drift indicators. These binary stars generate a complex gravitational field. There are no planets... the gravity has pulled them apart before they can form. Now your mission is to scout the asteroid belt. You'll divide into two patrols lead by cadets Blair and Getz.
Maverick: Thank you, sir.
Blizzard: Sir.
Tolwyn: You launch in one hour. Watch out for flying rocks. Dismissed.
SCENE - Ready Room
Payback: With all of space to choose from, Tolwyn can really choose some nasty asteroids for his training exercises. 'Watch out for flying rocks.' (grunts) Man, I hate asteroids.
Archer: Ah, the old man's got his reasons. The Kilrathi won't always let you pick where you want to fight. We need to practice.
Payback: So we play hide and seek in the asteroids. I just want one clear shot at a furball capship.
Blizzard: Archer, I want you to fly wing with me.
Archer: Uh, sure Blizzard.
Blizzard: Good.
Payback: That's the most I've heard Blizzard say since he joined the Academy. I think he likes you.
Archer: (sighs) No way. He'd have to have emotions for that. And they'd get in the way of his flying. (laughs)
Payback: (laughs)
Maverick: What's the joke?
Payback: (laughs) Trust me, you don't want to know.
SCENE - Elevator
Guthrig: (clears throat) I'm on my way to the hangar deck to jog. Even a psychiatrist can appreciate the value of exercise.
Maverick: I thought it might be something like that. Well, we've got a training mission to fly.
Guthrig: I see. I believe numerous banter is useful in relieving pre-flight tension.
Blizzard: I'm never tense.
Archer: That's why we call him Blizzard... he's always frosty.
Guthrig: I see.
SCENE - Flight Deck
Maverick: Hey Maniac, that's my ride.
Maniac: I was just looking out for you, hotshot. Asking, uh, McEadance here if there was a way to boost your shields. There's an awful lot of rocks out here.
Maverick: Yeah, I'll prep my own fighter.
Maya: No, you'll watch me do it.
Maverick: Well, sure Maya, that's what I meant. What was that?
Maniac: We were hit by something, genius. Probably an asteroid.
Maya: That was a missile impact. Felt like the n umber six shield to me.
Tolwyn: Condition red. We are under attack. All pilots to your fighters. Repeat, this is not a drill.
Archer: (groans) Hey! Hold it, Maniac!
Maniac: Sorry Archer, no time to talk.
SCENE - Space
Maverick: Break, break! He's not even trying to pull out.
Blizzard: Stay with me, Payback.
Payback: I'm on your wing, Blizzard.
Blizzard: Arming energy guns.
Payback: This furball's not stopping.
Blizzard: Fire.
Payback: His shields held, break right. N ow!
Maniac: Alright, you faced the rest, now face the best. Hey! Uh. Oh no, my missiles weren't prepped (scream)
Maverick: I'm on his six.
Maniac: Get out of there, Maverick.
Maverick: You had your chance, Maniac. This one's mine. Woah!
SCENE - Bridge
Tolwyn: Any more contacts?
Sensor Tech: No sir. Astral flare. It's off the scale! Our shields are holding.
Tolwyn: What about the fighters? Their shields are a lot weaker than ours.
SCENE - Space
Maverick: (screams)
Maniac: (screams)
Payback: (screams)
Blizzard: (screams)
Act Two
SCENE - Space
Blizzard: Control.
SCENE - Tiger's Claw Bridge
Tolwyn: Get those ships aboard, now.
Communications Tech: Hangar deck, landing status code one. Stand by for emergency landing.
SCENE - Tiger's Claw Hangar
Archer: C'mon guys, make it back. Make it back.
SCENE - Space
Flight Control: That's it Blizzard. Pitch down a couple of degrees so you can see the hangar.
Blizzard: I... I can see it.
Flight Control: Good job, line up on the markers.
Blizzard: Got to... take it... in...
Flight Control: You're coming in too fast! Too wide! Too wide! Abort! Abort!
SCENE - Flight Deck
Archer: Blizzard! I got you Blizzard! (grunts)
Blizzard: (groans)
Archer: You're safe now! You're okay.
Blizzard: I knew... it would be you... Gwen...
Archer: Medic! I need a medic here!
SCENE - Sickbay
Tolwyn: It seems the larger star intermittently draws energy from the smaller one, creating an energy surge between them. You four were just unlucky, in the wrong place at teh wrong time. However, you've all been medically cleared for duty. So, on your feet! Everyone but Marshall, dismissed. Look, I understand you were flying Archer's fighter.
Marshall: Whatever she said, it's a lie. She's been jealous of me from the minute we joined the Academy.
Tolwyn: I was going to commend your initiative, Cadet.
Maniac: Ah, sure. Thank you, sir.
Tolwyn: You're dismissed.
SCENE - Hallway
Maniac: Archer's turned Tolwyn against me.
SCENE - Blizzard's Quarters
Blizzard: (grunts) Must regain control. (grunts) Must regain control. (groans)
Archer: Blizzard? What are you doing in the dark?
Blizzard: Uh, nothing. I'm glad you came. Uh, I... I want to thank you for pulling me out of that.
Archer: Forget it, I would've done the same for any pilot in trouble.
Blizzard: Oh. I thought it was because you knew.
Archer: Knew what?
Blizzard: That I... know I... lve you.
Archer: You, what? Oh, did Payback put you up to this? Oh, wait until I get my hands on her.
Blizzard: No, I've loved you since the first minute I saw you, Gwen.
Archer: You, you really mean...?
Blizzard: I want you to have this.
Archer: Blizzard, you know I can't accept that.
SCENE - Hallway
Archer: Did you see which way Blizzard went?
Maniac: Why? You want to rat him out too?
SCENE - Guthrig's Office
Archer: I'm kind of worried something strange is going on with Blizzard. He said he well, he said that he was in love with me.
Guthrig: I see. How did you feel when he said that?
Archer: It was scary. I mean this is a guy who's always in control, like nothing could ever touch him. And suddenly he's all emotional.
Guthrig: Does it frighten you to think someone might be in love with you?
Archer: This isn't about me, it's Blizzard. And there's something weird about Maniac, t oo, the way he's been watching me and...
Guthrig: Do you think Maniac's in love with you too?
Archer: Will you just listen to me?
SCENE - Ready Room
Kilrathi: We've got your family. We'll get yoo, too.
Payback: (gasps)
Kilrathi: (growls)
Hyena: Payback! Stop! Stop! What are you, nuts or something?
Payback: Where's the cat? You know, the Kilrathi? Where, where is he?
Hyena: You are nuts. Look, if this is your idea of a joke, get a sense of humor before you try another one, okay?
SCENE - Maverick's Quarters
Maverick: And the Kilrathi attacked without any thought of their own survival. How can we hope to beat them? They're so willing to sacrifice themselves! What if we're not good enough? What if I'm not brave enough? Come in. What is it, Payback? What's wrong?
Payback: The Kilrathi. They're aboard the ship.
Maverick: What? The Kilrathi? Have you told Commodore Tolwyn?
Payback: I can't. If the Kilrathi found out, they'd get me. Just like they got my family.
SCENE - Bridge
Maverick: Payback was right! And now Tolwyn's gone over to them.
Archer: Sir, this may sound strange but I think that astral flare did something to the four pilots who were outside when we were hit. Affected their minds somehow.
Tolwyn: Really, Cadet Bowman. Maybe this has something to with Cadet Marshall taking your ship.
Archer: Sir, what are you...
Guthrig: Uh, Bowman told me the electrical systems on those fighters were completely scambled. Technical section should've told me. The human mind is the most delicate electrical instrument of all.
Tolwyn: Are you saying their brains have been scrambled.
Hyena: Uh, Payback, I mean Cadet Price, attacked me, sir. Like she thought I was a furball.
Guthrig: Psycho-electrical derangement could cause hallucinations that would explain the Kilrathi's suicidal attack.
Tolwyn: The Kilrathi don't need explanations.
Guthrig: Even the Kilrathi don't throw their lives away. They should've known their attack was futile. If they were in their right mind. Their judgement may have been impaired by exposure to a previous energy flare.
Tolwyn: Order Cadets Blair, Marshall, Price and Getz to the bridge immediately.
Communications Tech: Yes, sir. Cadets Blair, Marshall, Price and Getz report to the bridge immediately.
SCENE - Hallway
Communications Tech: Cadets Blair, Marshall, Price and Getz report to the bridge immediately.
Maverick: They're on to us. Maniac and Blizzard are the only ones we can trust.
Blizzard: Gwen, open the door. You've got to help me.
Communications Tech: Cadets Blair, Marshall, Price and Getz report to the bridge immediately.
Blizzard: Please, they're after me. You've got to help.
SCENE - Archer's Quarters
Blizzard: I, I... don't know what to do, Gwen. I'm scared. I always knew before. It's not me. I'm not me.
Archer: It is you, Alan. It's the real you. The one you've tried to hide all your life. You're afraid of yourself, of your feelings. Of the things that make you real. How could I ever care for someone that wasn't real?
Head Security Guard: Hold it right there. Even a rookie like you should know the crew's quarters are wired for security. Say, you're one of those cadets they're looking for. Crew level D, Security to bridge;
Maniac: Move it, we gotta get out of here.
SCENE - Hallway
Maverick: Maniac, Blizzard! They're after us. We've got to find a safe place to hide.
Communications Tech: Cadets Blair, Marshall, Price and Getz report to the bridge immediately.
Maniac: I know a place.
SCENE - Cargo Bay
Tolwyn: This is a direct order. Cadets Blair, Marshall, Price and Getz contact the bridge immediately.
Payback: The Kilrathi have got the whole ship.
Maverick: Even Tolwyn's gone over to them. I saw three Kilrathi on the bridge.
Maniac: Archer's in on it, too. I've been watching her. She sabotaged my weapons systems so they wouldn't fire.
Blizzard: No, not Archer.
Maverick: We're the only ones left.
Blizzard: What are we going to do?
Maverick: We take the Broadsword bombers, they're jump capable. We can escape to another system.
Payback: No, Broadswords are too slow. Tolwyn'll scramble fighters. They'll get us before we can even reach the jump node.
Maniac: Not if we destroy the Tiger's Claw. The Broadswords have enough firepower.
Blizzard: It's our only chance.
Maverick: Let's do it.
Act Three
SCENE - Bridge
Tolwyn: Arrest Blair, price, Marshall and Getz. they may be dangerous. USe any force that's necessary. You know these people. Where would they go? What would they do?
Archer: They're pilots, sir. THey'd want to be in a ship.
Tolwyn: The hangar deck, now!
SCENE - Hangar Deck
Maya: Hey! If you want to know something about my birds you ask me.
Maverick: Are these two weapons prepped?
Maya: Yeah, they're ready to go. We've been on standby alert since we tangled with those Kilrathi.
Maverick: Sure, I'll bet you have.
Head Security Guard: Stay where you are, Blair.
Payback: Let me go you stinking furballs.
Maya: Hey, wait a minute!
Maniac: The Broadsword, come on!
Head Security Guard: Stun force only.
Archer: We gotta go after them.
SCENE - Space
Maverick: Arming torpedoes.
Archer: Maverick, listen. You gotta listen to me. That astral flare did something to your brain. I'm not a Kilrathi. You're hallucinating, it's all in your head.
Hyena: Like that brain scrambling couldn't have affected his aim, too.
Archer: Blizzard, this isn't you! You can fight it! I know you can!
Maverick: (scream) What? What am I doing? That's the Tiger's Claw.
SCENE - Bridge
Sensor Tech: One Broadsword's turned away. But the other's got a torpedo lock. The target's the bridge, sir.
Tolwyn: Divert all power to the shields. If just one torpedo gets through...
SCENE - Space
Archer: Alan, you said you loved me. If that's just a little bit true, you've got to believe me.
Blizzard: Gwen, I... Kilrathi liar!
Tolwyn: Fire, Bowman! Fire!
Archer: Eject, Alan, eject! Eject.
SCENE - Sickbay
Guthrig: You need more psychological tests before I can return you to duty, but this bio-electric stimulation seems to have returned your brain functions to normal.
Maniac: How come you didn't zap Maniac, too?
Maverick: Don't worry, I got mine when Hyena's laser shorted out my cockpit circuits.
PaybacK: Too bad the treatment came too late for Blizzard.
SCENE - Observation Deck
Archer: There's something I've got to ask you, about Blizzard.
Guthrig: Depression and self-doubt are normal reactions to losing a comrade.
Archer: It's not about that. I did what I had to do to save the ship. It's about the hallucinations. Did they come out of nowhere or did they really mean something?
Guthrig: The delusions seem to have been exagerrations of surpressed emotions. Self doubt, jealous rivalry, fear of the Kilrathi.
Archer: Then Blizzard really did...
Guthrig: Blizzard really did what?
Archer: Nothing, Doctor. It doesn't matter now.
