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

• 

  Krulan "Vengeance" nar Ragitagha

• 

  Gharal nar Hhallas

Nonspeaking

• 

  Pilot

• 

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

• 

  Marines (2)

• 

  Marines (3)

• 

  Medical Staff & Patients

• 

  Kilrathi Pilots (2)

• 

  Kilrathi Pilot

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 - 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?

The Kilrathi. They're aboard the ship.

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 of Security: 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.