Word of Honor

Word of Honor is the fourth episode of Wing Commander Academy aired and the fifth produced.

Word of Honor
Episode Number	1x04
Production Code	74705
Story	Mark Edens
Writer(s)	Richard Mueller
Air Date	October 12, 1996
Run Time	20m54s
Animation Studio	Madhouse
Theme	Version 2
Previous	The Most Delicate Instrument
Next	Lords of the Sky

Summary

Act One

Terran Confederation	Empire of Kilrah
Strength
2 CF-105 Scimitar medium fighters	3 Dralthi medium fighters
Losses
2 Scimitars destroyed	3 Dralthi destroyed

Act Three

Terran Confederation	Empire of Kilrah
Strength
4 F-57 Sabre heavy attack fighters 1 F/A-76 Longbow bomber	5 Jalkehi heavy fighters
Losses
	4 Jalkehi destroyed

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. Hector "Grunt" Paz

• 

  Sarge

• 

  Nurse

• 

  Computer Voice

• 

  Krulan "Vengeance" nar Ragitagha

• 

  Kilrathi Pilot (left)

• 

  Gharal nar Hhallas

• 

  Kilrathi Pilot

Nonspeaking

• 

  Pilot

• 

  Pilots (2) & 2nd Lt. Yulan "Hyena" Chang

• 

  Marines (2)

• 

  Marines (3)

• 

  Medical Staff & Patients

• 

  Kilrathi Pilot (right)

Kill Board

Pilot	Sorties	Kills	Status
Maniac	6	5 (1 partial)	Active
Maverick	5	3 (1 partial)	Active
Payback	5	2	Active
Archer	4	1	Active
Blizzard	2	1	KIA
Easy	1	0	Active
Grunt	2	1	Active
Hyena	2	0	Active
Jazzman	1	0	Active
Viking	1	0	Retired

Locations

Tiger's Claw

• 

  Briefing Room

Repleetah

• 

  Trenches

• 

  Field Hospital

Pisces

• 

  Environs

• 

  Volcanic Island

• 

  Crash Site

• 

  Beach

• 

  Woods

• 

  Base of Volcano

• 

  Path up Volcano

• 

  Landing Site

• 

  Clifftop

Cockpits

• 

  Scimitar Cockpit

• 

  Sabre Cockpit

• 

  Dralthi Cockpit

• 

  Jalkehi Cockpit

Fauna

• 

  Piscean Bugs

• 

  Piscean Arthrosquid

Ships

Terran Confederation

Fighters

• 

  CF-105 Scimitar

• 

  F-57 Sabre

• 

  F/A-76 Longbow

Capital Ships

• 

  Bengal

Empire of Kilrah

Fighters

• 

  Dralthi

• 

  Jalkehi

Vehicles

Terran Confederation

• 

  Scimitar Ejection Pod

Empire of Kilrah

• 

  Drill Tank

• 

  Dralthi Ejection Pod

Small Arms

Terran Confederation

• 

  Pistol

• 

  Pistol

• 

  Pistol

• 

  Laser Rifle

• 

  Rocket Launcher

• 

  Explosive Pack

Empire of Kilrah

• 

  Pistol

Credits

Role	Name
Story by	Mark Edens
Written by	Richard Mueller
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)
	Tom Wilson (Maniac, Sarge)
	Malcolm McDowell (Tolwyn)
	Dana Delany (Archer)
Also Starring	Lauri Hendler (Payback, Nurse)
	Pat Fraley (Grunt, Gharal)
	Ron Perlman (Krulan)
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	Del Barras
	Gerald Forton
	Judy Nielson
	Tim Eldred
Storyboard Cleanup	Judy Nielson
Timing Directors	Zeon Davush
	Gerard Baldwin
	Brian Ray
Character Design	Larry Lathan
	Tim Eldred
	Joy Kolitsky
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 - Repleetah Trench

Sarge: Incoming! In the trench now, take cover. The first dumbg runt who gets his head blown off is going to have to answer to me.

Grunt: How long are those furballs going to keep us waiting.

Sarge: Ah, get ready, Paz, they'll be coming soon. The guns have stopped.

Grunt: Eh, I've got ears. And something else for those gatos.

Grunt: Feel it? The ground's shaking. They're coming through the snow!

Sarge: Alright, out of the trench. Go! Move, move, move it, move it. Go, go, go go go. Go! Move it, move it!

Sarge: There's too many of them. Fall back to the next ridge. (screams)

Grunt: Sarge!

Grunt: Hey Gato, sorry it's not gift-wrapped!

Sarge: Paz! Get off there! No! Paz! Paz!

SCENE - Briefing Room

Tolwyn: Cadet Paz. If you'd care to join the rest of us, we'd like to continue.

Grunt: Oh, uh, sorry, sir. (whistles) I was on autoglide there for a second.

Maniac: Hey, if you don't want to go on the mission I'd be happy to take your place. Even if it does mean flying wingman for Maverick.

Maverick: (groans)

Archer: Don't you ever get tired of being a hot dog?

Maniac: Hey, you are what you eat.

Tolwyn: You have something to add to this discussion, cadets?

Archer: No, sir.

Maniac: Not, not a thing.

Tolwyn: Good, then perhaps Mr. Paz could summarize this mission.

Grunt: Sir, with the Tiger's Claw at picket at the jump mode, designated alpha flight will sortie looking for the presence of Kilrathi and make a routine sweep of the planetary system, sir.

Tolwyn: Correct, with one provizo. Never call a mission routine until it's over. Dismissed.

SCENE - Space

Maverick: Activating autopilot

Grunt: Roger, Maverick, autopilot on.

Maverick: You know why I volunteered for the Academy? I thought flying a fighter would be the most exciting job in the galaxy. (laughs) I didn't know I'd be spending most of my time just going from one place to another. Hey, what about you, why'd you leave the marines to join the Academy?

Grunt: A warm bunk at night and three hot meals a day. Besides, I can singe the fur off more Kilrathi flying one of these then I ever could pounding the ground. Maybe someday I'll take out a Kilrathi troop transport. A thousand furballs with one torpedo.

Maverick: Hmm. Better to take out Prince Thrakhath's flagship. Get him and maybe the Kilrathi will make peace.

Grunt: You don't make peace with rabid animals. You hunt them down and destroy them. Every last one. Ah, I'm gonna grab 40. Wake me if the fur starts to fly.

SCENE - Repleetah Hospital

Grunt: Madre! I, I can't move!

Nurse: It's okay. Take it easy, Paz. The paralysis is temporary. That hard head of yours took quite a hit. It should go away, but any kind of trauma could bring it back. What you've got is a million credit wound. You're going home, Paz. Medical discharge.

Grunt: But the marines are my home.

Nurse: Not anymore. For you, this war is over.

Grunt: I'm not going to sit back and watch the Kilrathi take over the galaxy. What if I transfer out to another branch of the service, can you keep the paralysis off my record?

Nurse: They'll find out sooner or later.

Grunt: Let me worry about that.

SCENE - Pisces Environs

Computer Voice: Warning, autopilot disengaging.

Grunt: Looks like we've got a water planet.

Maverick: Coming up on sunrise.

Grunt: Bandits, but I'm not getting a sensor lock. Where are they?

Maverick: Something's masking our sensors. The sun, they're coming out of the sun! Break right, break right. Stay with me, Grunt. Can't lose them this way.

Grunt: Pull up! (laughs) Yes! He's on you, use your decoys.

Krulan: (growls)

Grunt: Maverick, I can't lose him.

Maverick: Hang on, Grunt, I'm on my way. I don't think so!

Krulan: (growls)

Maverick: Grunt, can you stabilize your pod?

Grunt: i can't move. I can't reach the controls. That last Dralthi...

Maverick: Ease down. I got it. Just hang on. No sign of fighters, I got a heat trail on that last pod. He's going down.

Grunt: That's good. Cats hate water. Can you get me home, Maverick?

Maverick: Don't worry, I haven't dropped anyone yet. Ah, flame out! Total power failure. No good, can't restart. Have to try to glide in, dead stick.

Grunt: The Scimitar glides like a brick.

Maverick: Yeah, it floats like one, too.

Act Two

SCENE - Pisces

Maverick: I see something. Smoke! That could mean an island. If we can just... make it...

Grunt: If I could I'd get out and push.

Maverick: This could be rough, Grunt. Hang on!

Grunt: I got a choice?

SCENE - Crash Site

Maverick: Whew! Well, any landing you can walk away from... Are you alright?

Grunt: Yeah, I'm fine. I can't move, but I'm fine.

Maverick: Come on, I'll find us a dry spot.

Grunt: You know, I think this room has bugs.

Maverick: (laughs) I'll speak to the management. Look (grunts) even if I can't get us in the air again, once we get home the medics will get you on your feet again.

Grunt: This is only... temporary.

Maverick: It's... happened before?

Grunt: There, uh, there was a marine on Repleetah who got hit, neuroparalysis like this.

Maverick: Yeah? Well, I'd better get to work and see if I can get that bird to fly again.

Maverick: (sighs) This doesn't look like it did in class. Hey, how are you doing?

Grunt: I got one arm back, you hoo.

Maverick: (laughs) I hope it's not as clumsy as mine. That Kilrathi pilot that ejected must have made it here!

Grunt: My laser rifle's in my pod, souvenir of the corps.

Krulan: Surrender Terran, there is no need to throw your life away.

Maverick: He doesn't know that there's two of us. Keep him talking.

Krulan: All I want is your fighter, Terran.

Grunt: Well is that all, hey, the piece of junk doesn't even work. It's, you know, um, busted. Come on out and let's talk about it. Hey what's the matter, furball? Cat got your tongue? Maybe you're waiting for some nice warm milk or something. (meows)

Maverick: Drop it.

Krulan: (screams)

Maverick: (grunts)

Krulan: You forgot, Terran, we Kilrathi are physically superior. (screams) Why?

Maverick: Ah, forget it. I wouldn't feed my worst enemy to one of those things.

Grunt: Maverick!

Maverick: Move it, quick! What's your name, pilot?

Krulan: My name is Krulan nar Ragitagha. My callsign is Vengeance.

Maverick: I'm Chris Blair, they call me Maverick. Huh. My ship will be sending a rescue party. When they get here, you can hide in the rocks, we won't tell them you're here.

Grunt: Wait a minute, this furball is the enemy. We can't just let him go.

Maverick: If we're going to survive we have to trust each other. I can't fight those things and guard a prisoner at the same time.

Grunt: The Kilrathi didn't take prisoners on Repleetah.

Maverick: Hey, we're not Kilrathi

Krulan: If Kilrathi ships come first, I will not tell them you are here. I give you my word of honor.

Grunt: You're word of honor.

Maverick: Oh come on, Grunt, what do you say?

Grunt: I say you're making a mistake. But I'm your wingman, I'll back you up.

Maverick: Now all we've got to do is stay alive until somebody's rescue party gets here. Look, the top of the volcano is bare rock. We'll have a better chance up there. At least we'll be able to see what's coming at us. Why don't you carry him, show us some of that Kilrathi physical superiority.

SCENE - Woods

Grunt: (screams) No thing cheats me out of what I want.

Krulan: Good shot, Terran.

Grunt: I always hit what I aim at.

Quiet! Listen.

Krulan: They're all around us.

Act Three

SCENE - Base of Volcano

Grunt: Move it, I thought cats could climb.

Krulan: Perhaps you would rather carry me.

Maverick: (grunts) Oh, I didn't think we'd make it.

Krulan: You were correct, Terran, they do not like the rocks.

Maverick: Yeah, we're safe. But for how long? It looks like those things are... are massing for an attack.

Krulan: Give me back my laser. If this must be my end, let me face it like a Kilrathi. A weapon in my hand, roaring my last breath in the face of my enemy.

Grunt: Don't do it, Maverick. You can't trust a Kilrathi.

Krulan: I gave my my word of honor.

Maverick: Here, when the time comes, use it well.

Krulan: Oh, I will.

Grunt: No, you can't do it, Maverick!

Maverick: You stop it, Grunt. For once, we're on the same side. Maybe it's a start. And it's got to start somewhere if this war's ever going to end. We can't just keep fighting until there's no one left. Look, fighters! But are they Terran or Kilrathi?

Grunt: Where are they?

Maverick: (groans)

Krulan: You dishonored my clan three tiems, Terran. Once when you defeated me in battle, once when you saved my life and once again when you offered me kindness. I spit on your weakness.

Maverick: You gave your word.

Krulan: The Kilrathi do not make deals with their enemies. We destroy them.

Grunt: You should've let me use this on him when I had the chance.

Maverick: We've got to find a place to hide. He'll be back, and he won't be alone.

SCENE - Landing Site

Gharal: Flight Leader Gharal nar Hhallas. I am glad you are well, commander.

Krulan: There are two Terran pilots on the island. We must hunt them down.

Gharal: But there is no time, commander. Terran rescuqers will be coming. Our mission was to scout for enemy ships. We must warn Prince Thrakhath that a Terran carrier is in this system.

Krulan: You are Prince Thrakhath's pet but you have not been promoted above me yet, Gharal. I am in command and I will avenge the honor of my clan.

Gharal: The mission comes first, that is the honor of a soldier.

Krulan: Go and warn your master if you must. But the rest of us stay here until the Terrans are exterminated.

Gharal: Very well, commander.

Krulan: Summon the other fighters.

SCENE - Pisces Environs

Archer: I'm picking up Maverick's locator signal.

Maniac: And I'm getting a Kilrathi fighter leaving the planet. Looks like he just lit his afterburners but I can catch him.

Archer: Negative, Maniac. This is a rescue mission, not a cat hunt.

Maniac: (groans) Why did Tolwyn have to put you in charge?

Archer: Because he wanted the job done. Hyena you stay with the rescue ship. Payback, you're with Maniac and me, we'll check out the situation.

Payback: Understood Archer. All weapons systems operational, just in case.

SCENE - Volcano Path

Maverick: Come on, we have to keep m oving.

Kilrathi Pilot #1: I saw them.

Krulan: Stand up, Terran and I will show you the greatest mercy the Kilrathi give. A quick end to your miserable lives.

Kilrathi Pilot #2: Look, Terran fighters!

Krulan: Wait cowards, finish the Terrans.

Maverick: You're alone now, Krulan. Drop your laser.

Krulan: The Kilrathi do not surrender. (groans)

SCENE - Pisces

Archer: Hold your fire, they're evacuating.

Maniac: They got a funny way of saying goodbye? Woo hoo!

Archer: (sighs)

Payback: Got him!

Archer: I couldn't do it. Couldn't do it.

Payback: What happened? That furball almost got away.

Archer: Yeah, he almost got away.

SCENE - Clifftop

Maverick: It's all over, Krulan. Don't throw your life away.

Krulan: You will not dishonor me again, Terran. A Kilrathi is never afraid. You hear me? We are never afraid.

Grunt: How can we ever make peace with someone like that? If you'd been on Repleetah with the marines you'd know, the furballs are all the same.

Maverick: Humans aren't all alike. Maybe the Kilrathi aren't all like that one.

Grunt: (laughs) There aint no such thing as a good Kilrathi.