Chain of Command
Chain of Command is the sixth episode of Wing Commander Academy aired and the seventh produced.
| Lords of the Sky | |
|---|---|
| |
| Episode Number | 1x06 |
| Production Code | 74707 |
| Story | Mark Edens |
| Writer(s) | Brooks Wachtel |
| Air Date | November 2, 1996 |
| Run Time | 20m56s |
| Animation Studio | Madhouse |
| Theme | Version 1 |
| Previous | Lords of the Sky |
| Next | Expendable |
Summary
Act One
| Terran Confederation | Empire of Kilrah | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ||
| 3 CF-105 Scimitar medium fighters | 34 Dioscuri Dralthi medium fighters | |
| Losses | ||
| 1 Scimitar destroyed | 8 Dralthi destroyed | |
Act Two
Act Three
| Terran Confederation | Empire of Kilrah | |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | ||
| 4 CF-105 Scimitar medium fighters 1 Shuttle |
12 Dioscuri Dralthi medium fighters | |
| Losses | ||
| command and control installation destroyed | ||
Characters
Speaking
Commodore Geoffrey Tolwyn
2nd Lt. Christopher "Maverick" Blair
2nd Lt. Gwen "Archer" Bowman
2nd Lt. Todd "Maniac" Marshall
2nd Lt. Hector "Grunt" Paz
Dioscuri Chieftan
Kilrathi Commander
Kilrathi Sensor Operator
Kilrathi Soldier
Kilrathi Soldier
Nonspeaking
Tiger's Claw Bridge Crew (5)
2nd Lt. Lindsay "Payback" Price & 2nd Lt. Yulan "Hyena" Chang
Guards (3) and Medic
Medics
Dioscuri Child
Dioscuri Pilot
Dioscuri Priest (left)
Dioscuri Raiding Party
Dioscuri Raiding Party (3)
Dioscuri Raiding Party
Dioscuri Raiding Party (2)
Dioscuri Temple Guard
Dioscuri Search Party
Dioscuri Search Party (5)
Dioscuri Torch Bearers (2)
Dioscuri Ceremony Attendees (3)
Dioscuri Musicians (2)
Prince Thrakhath nar Kiranka
Kilrathi Soldier
Kilrathi Soldier (right)
Kilrathi Soldier
Kilrathi Soldier
Kilrathi Soldier (3, right)
Kilrathi Soldier
Kilrathi Soldier
Kilrathi Soldier (center)
Kilrathi Soldiers (2)
Alien Skulls (3)
Alien Skulls (3)
Alien Skulls (2)
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Locations
Tiger's Claw
Briefing Room
Hangar
Bridge
Observation Deck
Dioscuri 2
Environs
Sky
Canyon
Crash Site
City
Temple
Mountain Path
Kilrathi Base
Dralthi Crash Site
Cockpits
Scimitar
Fauna
Discurian Ovizard
Ships
Terran Confederation
Fighters
Capital Ships
Empire of Kilrah
Fighters
Vehicles
Terran Confederation
Scimitar Ejection Pod
Small Arms
Terran Confederation
Pistol
Shotgun
Empire of Kilrah
Rifle
Dioscuri
Axe
Ceremonial Axe
Bolas
Club
Spear
Trivia
Animation Errors
Credits
| Role | Name |
|---|---|
| Story by | Mark Edens |
| Written by | Brooks Wachtel |
| 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) | |
| Malcolm McDowell (Tolwyn) | |
| Dana Delany (Archer) | |
| Also Starring | Jessica Walters (Bergstrom) |
| Kevin Schoen (Thrakhath) | |
| Pat Fraley (Grunt, Gharal) | |
| 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 | Ian Freedman |
| Sean Bishop | |
| Bob Smith | |
| Storyboard Cleanup | Judy Nielson |
| Timing Directors | John Cataldi |
| Donna Mouliot | |
| Max Becraft | |
| Carole Beers | |
| 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 | Koko Entertainment Co., Ltd. |
| Produced in Association with | USA Network |
Transcript
Act One
SCENE - Briefing Room
Tolwyn: The Dioscuri System, gentlemen. Seven planets orbiting a G-type star. Dioscuri-2 is inhabited, a primitive humanoid civilization. Too primitive to comprehend space travel or the existence of other inhabited worlds. Avoid all contaminating contact. That's what the textbook says. Now here's what I say: I want a close recon of that planet. There's already been more Kilrathi activity in this star sector than anyone expected. If the Kilrathi have set foot there, I want to see a picture of the paw print.
Maverick: Sir, I thought Archer... uh, I mean Cadet Bowman was supposed to be a part of this flight.
Tolwyn: At her request, Bowman is on reserve status, temporarily excused duty. Dismissed.
Maverick, Grunt and Maniac: Yes, sir!
SCENE - Dioscuri 2 Environs
Maniac: Okay boys, you heard the old man, let's dip down near the surface and do a atmospheric flyover. If we split up we can make a wide sweep.
Maverick: Uh, are you sure you want to do that? We're already short one pilot without Archer. If the Kilrathi are down there we'll each be caught without a wingman.
Maniac: (laughs) Ooh, scary. What's the matter, Maverick, you afraid of the big cats? Don't worry, if you can't handle it I'll come save you.
Maverick: Hey, recommended procedure when approaching an unsecured planet...
Maniac: Uh, uh (fake static) Uh, come again Maverick (fake static) didn't copy. Uh (fake static) Your transmission's breaking up
Maverick: Suit yourself, Maniac.
Maniac: Heh, yeah.
SCENE - Dioscuri 2
Maverick: Atmospheric hydrocarbon normal. No electromag radiation. (laughs) Nothing big on infrared excet some volcanic activity. Woah! Whoever it is, they don't mess around. Maniac, Grunt, I'm under attack, fighters coming up from the planet's surface, dozens of them. Missile launch! (groans) Way too close. Some primitive planet! Come on, baby! Get out of here! (screams) Come on! Bucket of bolts, respond! Respond! Oh Maniac, I told you so. Maverick to Maniac, I have abandoned ship. Activating pod tracking transmitter. You got me into this man, now get me out of here.
Maniac: Alright sit tight Maverick, we've linked up and are on our way. Cavalry's coming.
Maverick: Watch your back. One on one these guys are no match for a Scimitar but there's a lot of them.
Maniac: Well, you just sit back and watch a real pilot work. Woah, man, Maverick wasn't kidding. We're going to have to punch our way through.
Grunt: Understood.
Maniac: Grunt! See if you can draw some of these guys off.
Grunt: Roger, on my way.
Maniac: (grunts) Just a little more. Woo hoo! Not bad, hot shot... but I'm the best.
SCENE - Space
Grunt: So long, losers.
SCENE - Crash Site
Maniac: Maverick! Maverick? You aren't Maverick! Oh man, I hate it on the ground.
Dioscuri: (yelling)
Maniac: Ugh! Okay. Uncle.
SCENE - Dioscuri Camp
Maniac: You might have warned me.
Maverick: Hey, I never had a chance, they pulled me out as soon as the pod touched down.
Maniac: if you were half the pilot I am you wouldn't have gotten us in this mess.
Maverick: (groans) Well if you hadn't split us up I would've had a wingman back there.
Maniac: Oh, it's a poor workman who blames his tools.
Maverick: Oh, I hate it when you say that.
SCENE - Dioscuri City
Maverick: I don't know about you, Maniac, but this place gives me the creeps.
Maniac: You know, we could be in real trouble when we get out of here. The Confederation probably considers getting captured to be a cultural contamination.
Maverick: I think they've already been contaminated. Take a look at that statue. That's Prince Thrakhath.
Act Two
SCENE - Space
Grunt: I've lost the ships and I've lost all contact with both Maverick and Maniac.
Tolwyn: Understood. Hold your position. We'll vectoring a flight of Scimitars to Dioscuri 2 to help with the rescue, but it'll be a few hours before they can get there. Do not, repeat, do not attempt a solo rescue.
Grunt: Yes sir, Grunt out. The Marines had one rule when I was with them at Repleetah: nobody gets left behind.
SCENE - Crash Site
Grunt: (groans) And I thought I was through with all that behind enemy lines crud when I transferred out of the marines.
Dioscuri: (yelling)
Grunt: (cheering) Don't mess with the marines.
SCENE - Dioscuri City
Maniac: They could at least let us stand up. I think my feet are getting numb.
Maverick: Yeah, like your head.
Maniac: Oh hah hah. Ow.
Maverick: I've still got the personal transponder from the ejection pod. The rescue flight will be able to hone in on it.
Maniac: Well turn it on, Grunt can track it, he'll get us out of here.
Maverick: Oh, it's in my pocket.
Maniac: (groans) If I wasn't tied up.
Maverick: quiet! Look! It's okay, we won't hurt you.
Maniac: How can we, tied up like this?
Maverick: Oh, now look what you did! What, is that your goal, to get this whole planet ticked off at us?
Maniac: Oh hey, what did I do? I was just, you know...
Chieftain: Do you hear the drums? It mourns for the riders of the chariots that fly. Many will not return.
Maniac: (laughs) Hey, you bite, we bite back.
Maverick: We were only defending ourselves. We didn't expect you to have fighters like that.
Chieftain: The lords of the sky gave us the flying chariots to protect ourselves from the lords of darkness.
Maniac: Look, we're the lords of the sky. Those things are the lords of darkness.
Maverick: No, we're not lords of anything. We're beings like you, only from other worlds. The ones that gave you the fighters, or chariots, we're at war with them. They said they were the lords of the sky to trick you. That's the difference between us and the Kilrathi, they lie to you, we tell the truth.
Chieftain: The mouths of the dark lords... are a well of lies! You will be sacrificed to the Llords of the sky
Maniac: Great job, Maverick, you sure convinced him.
SCENE - Dioscuri Temple
Grunt: (groans) Now I remember why I left the infantry. (grunts)
Chieftan: Oh lords of the sky, accept these offerings, your sworn enemies. Feast on their spirits and grow strong.
Maverick: Maniac, I want to apologize. You know, for getting you killed.
Maniac: Ah, it's my fault, Maverick. You were my wingman, we should've stuck together.
Maniac: Pretty high tech ceremony these guys put on.
Maverick: Yeah, Kilrathi high tech!
Act Three
SCENE - Dioscuri Temple
Commander: Great Shaman, the lords of the sky are pleased with these noble offerings. Yes, very pleased. Now go, leave us to accept your offerings.
Maniac: Uh, pardon my curiosity but what are you going to do with us?
Commander: The Dioscurians believe we are going to devour you. The reality will not be that present.
Maverick: The Kilrathi mock Sivar by pretending to be lords of the sky.
Commander: Sivar is exalted when the Kilrathi trick their enemies.
Maverick: (grunts)
Commander: Look what we have done with this planet. With a mere handful of warriors we control it. We've armed the primitives with our discarded weapons and turned this planet against the Confederation.
Maverick: What if they turn those fighters against you?
Commander: This mountain is taboo, forbidden. The primitives are afraid to fly near it. And if they do fight us, the ships won't fly without enabling codes which we transmit. (laughs) You see, we are truly lords of the sky. If you would be so kind as to carry the offerings. The food is simple here, but sufficient.
Maniac: Hah, carry it yourself. And I hope you hock up a furball when you eat it.
Maverick: Uh, Maniac, this isn't the time.
Maniac: Sure, heh, why not. Maybe I got a future in food services.
Commander: Hmm. For the moment you seemed to have the heart of a Kilrathi.
SCENE - Mountain Path
Maniac: (groans) Remind me never to fly with you again. Ow!
Soldier: On your feet, Terran.
Grunt: Stay down!
Soldier #1: (grunts)
Soldier #2: (screams)
Grunt: (grunts) Come on, move it!
Commander: I want them alive.
Maverick: We won't be able to outrun them, the Kilrathi are born hunters.
Grunt: Yeah, well I'm no bunny rabbit.
Soldier #1: (scream)
Commander: Fall back to the mountain top. The hunting karrigle has more than one talon in which to catch its prey.
Grunt: Looks like they're pulling back. Maybe we can reach the fighters. Mine's in the canyon not too far from Maniac's.
Maverick: No, that's no good. We've got to knock out the transmitter that sends the enabling code to the Dioscurians or the rescue team will fly right into an ambush. There's not much time.
Maniac: Well I say we join the marines.
SCENE - Kilrathi Base
Commander: The Terrans must have reached their ships by now. Shoot them down as soon as they left off.
Sensor Operator: Three contacts coming in from space.
Commander: More Terrans. Transmit the enabling codes. Our Dioscurian friends can handle them.
SCENE - Dioscuri 2
Archer: Grunt, do you copy? Come on Grunt, answer me. Look sharp, we've got company. Lock on targets and prepare to fire on my signal. Proximity bursts only. No casualties unless we have to.
SCENE - Kilrathi Base
Commander: We're under attack, reinforce the perimeter.
Grunt: Man, we could use some air support.
Maverick: Wait, my transponder! (grunts)
SCENE - Dioscuri 2
Archer: A transponder signal, yes! Way to go Maverick! Payback, Hyena, hold off those fighters. I'm going down for a closer look.
SCENE - Kilrathi Base
Sensor Operator: One of the Terran fighters is approaching. Target lock confirmed.
Archer: Woah, too close. Can't evade.
Grunt: One... shot.
Archer: I have to do it. I have to.
Maniac: Hey Grunt! How'd it feel to be a ground pounder again?
Grunt: I think I'll stick to flying. But for a couple of pampered fighter jocks, you two made pretty good marines. Uh but don't ever call me a ground pounder again okay.
Maverick: (laughs) You rest up, the wing needs you.
SCENE - Dioscuri City
Maverick: Forget the lords of the sky and the chariots that fly. Return to your old ways. The Confederation will watch over your planet. If the Kilrathi return, so will we. Uh, anything else I should say, Maniac?
Maniac: Tell 'em... (laughs) the real lords of the sky have spoken! (laughs)
