Red and Blue

Red and Blue
Episode Number	1x01
Production Code	unknown
Writer(s)	Mark Edens & Michael Edens
Air Date	September 21, 1996
Run Time	20m53s
Theme	Version 1
Previous	n/a
Next	The Last One Left

Red and Blue is the first episode of Wing Commander Academy.

Characters

Speaking

• 

  Commodore Geoffrey Tolwyn

• 

  2nd Lt. Christopher "Maverick" Blair

• 

  2nd Lt. Gwen "Archer" Bowman

• 

  2nd Lt. Yulan "Hyena" Chang

• 

  2nd Lt. "Jazzman"

• 

  2nd Lt. Todd "Maniac" Marshall

• 

  2nd Lt. Victoria/"Viking"

• 

  Burroughs

• 

  Flight School Guard

• 

  Flight School Instructor

• 

  Flight School Commandant

• 

  Prince Thrakhath nar Kiranka

• 

  Blockade Runner Commander

• 

  Blockade Runner Sensor Operator

Nonspeaking

• 

  2nd Lt. Lindsay "Payback" Price

• 

  Flight School Technician

• 

  Flight School Ground Crew, 8th Pilot

• 

  Flight School Staff (2)

• 

  Blockade Runner Bridge Crewman

Ships

Terran Confederation

Fighters

• 

  F-27 Arrow V

• 

  Hellcat V

• 

  CF-105 Scimitar

Empire of Kilrah

Fighters

• 

  Dralthi

Capital Ships

• 

  Blockade Runner

• 

  Carrier

Trivia

• Red and Blue is the only episode not set aboard the TCS Tiger's Claw.

• Seven out of the eight cadet pilots are identified in the show. The eighth may be Grunt, whose design had not been completed when the episode went into production.

• Mark Hamill uses his Wing Commander III 'inner voice' when Maniac challenges him to the duel.

• Wing Commander Academy was originally intended to be a more direct prequel to Wing Commander III, using more of the same ships and characters. The Hellcats and Arrows seen in this episode (and never again) were designed for that iteration of the show.

• The nebula chart seen in the Academy command center is a map of the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Animation Errors

• In the scene at 16m19s Maniac's fighter is colored red instead of blue.

• Maverick's orange vest appears and disappears from shot to shot in the last scene. It disappears at 19m25s, returns at 19m30s and then disappears for the rest of the show at 19m33s.

• Timing Director Brian Ray is incorrectly credited as "Brain Ray".

Credits

Role	Name
Written by	Mark Edens
	Michael Edens
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, Instructor)
	Tom Wilson (Maniac)
	Malcolm McDowell (Tolwyn)
	Dana Delany (Archer)
Also Starring	Lauri Hendler (Viking)
	Kevin Schoen (Thrakhath, Hyena, Burroughs)
	Earl Boen (Commandant, Commander)
	Dorian Harewood (Jazzman, Sensor Operator)
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	Larry Latham
	Gerard Forton
	Bob Smith
	Sean Bishop
Storyboard Cleanup	Judy Nielson
Timing Directors	Brain Ray
	Carole Beers
	Bill Reed
Character Design	Larry Lathan
	Gerard Forton
Character Cleanup	Todd White
	Joy Kolitsky
Prop Design	Lee Go
	Marco Borregales
	Alexander Van Bubenheim
	John Fisher
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 Canoa
	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 - Flight Simulator

Blair: Bandits at four o'clock. More Kilrathi.

Maniac: Sure Maverick, tell us something we don't know.

Hyena: Hey, these guys are good! Way too good. (laughs) Oh man.

Archer: Ah! I'm hit.

Maniac: You should've stayed with your ship, Archer

Archer. Ah go fly your own ship.

Maverick: Well, we're the only ones left. I'm your wingman, Maniac.

Maniac: (laughs) You think you can keep up with me.

Maverick: Hey, I hope you're not thinking about taking on that carrier.

Maniac: Well, in the words of John Paul Jones, I have not yet begun to dogfight. Hey, what happened! I was going to get that carrier.

Maverick: Yeah? You were about to get your atoms dusted across space. What you did in that simulation was against every flight reg in the books.

Maniac: No book ever destroyed a Kilrathi carrier.

Instructor: All right fall in, cadets. A computer glitch shut down the simulation. Lucky for you Maniac. As soon as the problem's corrected we'll have playback and analysis of the exercise. Get on it Burroughs, I want that computer online ASAP.

Burroughs: Yes sir.

Instructor: Dismissed

Maniac: Try to get it right this time.

SCENE - Flight School

Maverick: It always reminds me of why I came to the Academy, to fly.

Viking: What do you think it's like up there? In a real fight, I mean.

Maverick: I guess we'll find out. But we're being trained by the best. We'll be ready when the time comes.

Viking: I wish I had your confidence.

Maverick: Yeah, well... uh, listen, I was wondering if maybe we coudld get together sometime. Maybe study for our Kilrathi psychology exam.

Viking: Sure, I'd like that.

Maverick: Thanks, Viking.

Viking: I like to be called Victoria, when I'm on my own time.

Maverick: Victoria, eh.

Maniac: Hey Maverick, I was about to prove who the best pilto is when that simulator shut down.

Maverick: Oh yeah? The best pilot is the one who completes his mission and comes back alive.

Maniac: (laughs) Come on, you know you want to be Wing Commander. You're just too busy being a perfect little cadet to admit it.

Maverick: I wouldn't do that if I were you.

Maniac: (laughs) So what are you going to do about it? Huh? Come on, let's just have it out right now, you and me.

Maverick: You know that's against the Academy rules. Hey, I am not going to fight you.

Maniac: Well then I'll fight you. HEY!

Archer: Chill out, Maniac. You want to get bounced out of the Academy?

Maniac: Butt out Archer. This is between Maverick and me.

Archer: (screams)

Maniac: You must be a lot of fun on a date.

Commandant: What's going on here?

Archer: Unarmed combat practice, sir.

Maverick: Uh, that's right, sir. Cadet Bowman was demonstrating a forearm throw.

Maniac: Yeah, uh, thanks for the demonstration.

Commandant: Next time, keep it in the gym. Commodore Tolwyn, I apologize for my cadets'... enthusiasm.

Archer: Commodore Tolwyn? Captain of the Tiger's Claw?

Maniac: The most decorated commander in the fleet?

Maverick: Oh it's a great honor sir.

Tolwyn: I thought I'd have a look at you cadets while the Tiger's Claw is being refitted. I'd like to see you in action in space, not in a simulator.

Commandant: They're ready for combat maneuvers in real fighters. We'll divide into two flights, red wing and blue wing, with weapons set at the lowest level. They'll get knocked around a bit but their shields will protect them.

Tolwyn: I'd like to pick the commanders of the two opposing teams. Hmm. You lead the red wing and you'll lead the blue.

Maniac: Well at least we already know who's going to win.

Maverick: Hey, thanks Maniac, takes a big man to admit when he's second best.

Maniac: Well, I just... well, hey that's not what I meant!

SCENE - Maverick's Quarters

Blair: Dad, I know you and mom disagreed with my decision to come to the Academy but I just wanted to let you know I've been studying hard and well I think I'm doing well here. My callsign is Maverick. (laughs) One of the cadets gave it to me as a joke, I sort of have a reputation for following the rules. Dad, you told me there's no glory in war, and I'm not saying you were wrong. But to willingly take on a hard and dangerous job, to give your best in the company of the best, surely there's some glory in that.

SCENE - Communications Room

Commander: Ready to receive data transmission.

Burroughs: The deals have changed. If you want the Academy's classified files, you'll have to take me back to Kilrah with you. It's only a matter of time until they realized someone's copied the files and trace it to me. I'll rendezvous with you in the nebula then I'll turn over the data.

Commander: Transmit now. Academy fighters will overtake you before you can reach us.

Burroughs: No, they'll be too busy with their own problems to worry about me. I've reprogrammed the fire computers on the fighters to full strength. While they think they're having their mock combat, they'll be blowing each other to bits.

Act Two

SCENE - Flight Line

Maniac: Hey Maverick! You got the nerve for a little one on one? Just you and me. We have our teams hold position while we meet for a private dogfight. With all the interference in that nebula the Aacademy brass weill never know. It's the only way to settle once and for all who's the best pilot.

Maverick: What do you have teo do to get through to this guy? We're not playing games. You're on, Maniac!

Maniac: (laughs) Allright! May the best pilot win. That'd be me.

SCENE - Space

Maverick: Maverick to Viking. Switch communications to tac-two and scramble.

Viking: Roger Maverick. I'm on tac two.

Maverick: Viking, I'm making you second in command of the blue wing. With your help I'm going to each Maniac a lesson he'll never forget. I'm meeting him for a one on one inside the nebula. His approach vector will shjow the location of the red wing. I'll transmit the coordinates to you. I'll keep Maniac while you lead a surprise attack on the red wing.

Viking: Understood. Good luck, Maverick.

SCENE - Blockade Runner

Sensor Operator: Commander, sensors detect a ship approaching. A Terran ship. I cannot determien the class. A second Terran ship.

Commander: Curious. Prince Thrakhath, two Terran ships are approaching the nebula.

Prince Thrakhath: Perhaps our spy isn't as clever as he thought. Monitor the situation. Be prepared for teachery. But whatever the danger to you and your crew I will have those Academy files. That information will render their fighter squadrons useless. We will sweep them from space. Get me those files.

SCENE - Nebula

Maverick: Maniac, where are you? It's just like you to be late.

Maniac: Woo-hoo-hoo!

Maverick: Give me a vector on Maniac's ion trail. Got it. Transmit data to Viking on tac two.

SCENE - Space

Viking: We've got the approach coordinates for the red wing. Let's go.

SCENE - Command Center

Commandant: We'll monitor the exercise from here, tally hits and tell the cadets when they've scored kills. At the moment the blue team is on an intercept course for the red. We've lost contact with the team leaders. Huh. They must have gone on a reconnaissance and flown too close to the nebula.

Tolwyn: Hmm. Unusual choice of tactics.

Instructor: Yeah. Maniac and Maverick were interesting choices for team leaders. They're good pilots but they're very competitive.

Tolwyn: I know, that's why I chose them.

SCENE - Nebula

Maniac: Come on out, Maverick. You can't hide from me forever. WHat are you, afraid to face me? Maybe your callsign should be Chicken instead of Maverick. (clucking)

SCENE - Space

Jazzman: Incoming target. Could be Maniac but there's too much interference to be sure.

Archer: I copy, Jazzman. Woah! That's not Maniac, it's the blue team. Evasive action.

Jazzman: Woah! What, what was that? Oh. Man, this is too real. Jazzman to Archer, these lasers pack quite a punch.

Archer: Check your shields Jazzman.

Jazzman: Showing shields at 100%.

SCENE - Flight Line

Guard: (groans)

SCENE- Space

Archer: She's on my tail, I can't shake her.

Jazzman: Hang on Archer, I'm on my way.

Viking: Gotcha, Jazzman! (gasps) Get outta there, Jazzman!

SCENE - Command Center

Instructor: Sir, message coming in fron red team.

Archer: Fighter has been destroyed. Weapons are at full strenght but shields register no damage.

Tolwyn: This is Commodore Tolwyn. All fighters return to the Academy immediately.

SCENE - Space

Tolwyn: I repeat, return to the Academy immediately.

Archer: You take the others back, Viking. I've got to find Maniac and Maverick. They won't be able to hear the recall message inside the nebula.

SCENE - Nebula

Maverick: Maniac!

Maniac: (laughs) No more computer simulators. You're just lucky my cannons aren't on full strength.

Act Three

SCENE - Nebula

Maniac: Where'd you go, Maverick? (laughs) You're not getting away that easy. Hey! Watch it! You're the one that's supposed to be getting your lumps.

SCENE - Blockade Runner

Commander: Did you bring the data?

Burroughs: (laughs) I'd have to be pretty stupid to show up here without it.

Commander: I have never met a spy before, face to face. How does your honor allow you to betray your own people?

Burroughs: Honor? I want revenge! I was a cadeet at the Academy until they washed me out. Who are they to tell me I'm not good enough to be a pilot? All the work I put in. And then one bad psych evaluation and it's all for nothing. Unstable? Hah, what a laugh!

Commander: Yes, I see.

Burroughs: What are you doing? We had a deal! A deal! (screams)

Commander: A man without honor has no reason to live.

Sensor Operator: Commander, another Terran ship is approaching.

SCENE - Nebula

Archer: There are two ships out there but I can't tell who they are. It's gotta be Maverick and Maniac. Oh my... Kilrathi.

Maverick: Maniac, hold your fire. There's something wrong with my shields.

Maniac: Oh ha ha, boo hoo. Nice try Maverick, but I'm not falling for it. WHo's the best, Maverick? Who's the best?

Archer: Archer to red blue leaders. I have abandoned ship. Need assistance. Repeat, I need assistance.

Maniac: Ah, Maverick, I'm picking up a distress call from Archer.

SCENE - Blockade Runner

Commander: I want the Terran ejection pod found and destroyed.

SCENE - Nebula

Maniac: Sit tight Archer, we're on our way.

Archer: Negative, Maniac, there's Kilrathi everywhere. No matter what your instruments say your weapons are at full strength.

Maniac: (laughs) Oh man, we could've really found out who's the best.

Maverick: Hey, get a grip pal, this isn't a game.

Archer: Maverick's right, One shot from the Kilrathi's cap ship could blow you to bits.

Maniac: Well then we'll just have to get the furballs first. What do you say, Maverick?

Maverick: I'm your wingman.

SCENE - Blockade Runner

Sensor Operator: Commander, two Terran ships approaching on an attack vector.

Commander: Open fire.

SCENE - Nebula

Archer: Gotta buy some time for Maniac and Maverick. Well, here goes nothing.

SCENE - Blockade Runner

Sensor Operator: Commander, we've been rammed!

Commander: Take evasive action, fire main engines and come about to full power.

Thrakhath: Why has the Academy data not been transmitted to me? Begin transmission at once!

SCENE - Nebula

Maniac: Woo hoo! (laughs)

Archer: Yes, you got it! Your first Kilrathi ship.

Maverick: Yeah, right, and our last one. There's no way we can keep the Academy brass from finding out about this now.

SCENE - Commandant's Office

Commandant: You got away with it this time, but next time you go off to fight your own private duel bagging a whole Kilrathi fleet won't keep you in the Academy. (sighs) You're not my problem anymore.

Tolwyn: The brass hats at fleet headquarters decided you cadets need hands on training. You'll be under my command aboard the Tiger's Claw. You'll finish your training and fly patrols in our assigned sector. If you're lucky, you won't even see a Kilrathi ship. You've got one hour to pack your gtear and report to your fighters for transfer to the Tiger's Claw. Dismissed.

Archer: The Tiger's Claw!

Maverick: The best carrier in the fleet.

Commandant: Geoffrey, we've known each other for a long time. Why did fleet command give you this assignment? You should be an Admiral by now instead of babysitting a bunch of cadets on a training patrol.

Tolwyn: Fleet command is trying to teach me a lesson. I won't fight the war their way so they're going to keep me out of combat. Apparently the Kilrathi aren't my only enemies.

Commandant: Don't take it out on the cadets, Geof. It's not their fault.

SCENE - Flight Line

Maniac: Hey Maverick. Oh, it's not over between us. I'm still a better pilot than you and I'm going to prove it.

Maverick: Any time, anywhere, Maniac! Viking?

Viking: It's just Victoria now. I'm leaving the Academy.

Maverick: Why? You're a good pilot.

Viking: I almost killed Jazzman.

Maverick: That wasn't your fault.

Viking: The way I felt, it would've been the same against a Kilrathi pilot. They're the enemy but they're living beings too. I can't take that away from anyone, even the enemy. Are you going to stay?

Maverick: I can't let someone else take my place. I knew the risks when I chose to be here.

Viking: Well... good luck, Maverick.