We can assume that from what we found in there, that a red circle designates an armory.  Now
how many rooms have a red circle?

[All stare in horror, as nearly half of all the visible rooms are marked with a red circle]

Polly:  [leaning on a wall] Umm...I don't feel so good...

Speedy:  [same] Oh man, what have we gotten ourselves into?

GB:  If each of those rooms has roughly the same amount of weaponry as this one...

Jonas:  You can forget about Little Tokyo...there's enough ordinance here to level a small
country!

Francine:  You don't think the Big Cheese is stupid enough to try and take over the world, do
you?

Speedy:  I don't know what to think anymore...let's just go on ahead...

[The group slowly walks through the dark hallway, even more nervous than before]

Jonas:  [doing some quick mental math] Incredible...the explosion from this place will be visible
for miles around...the sound will be heard from much farther away...

Polly:  If it's that big, won't the fleet be in danger?

Jonas:  I can't remember my physics classes...the main danger will be debris, because the
shockwave will only emanate horizontally from the explosion...[glances at Polly] Right?

Polly:  Um...uh...

Guido:  I don't get it...why didn't Seymour just attack us with THIS thing?  I mean, it would take
a while to reach the city, but there's no way we would have been able to defend against it.

Speedy:  Because he's an idiot, Guido.  He told us where he was so he could toy with us.  If he
had the common sense to take us out when he had the chance, we wouldn't be here right now.

Jonas:  Yeah, most supervillains have that prob-hello!

[The group has come to a fork in the hallway, splitting into two paths, left and right]

GB:  Which way?

Speedy:  Hmm...Miles, you go left.  The rest of us will go right.

Polly:  Speedy, are you sure he should go alone?  There's no telling who or what he might run
into!

Speedy:  I'm sure he'll be able to handle it.  Besides, something tells me that's exactly what he
wants anyway.

Jonas:  As a matter of fact, that IS what I want.  You're learning, Cerviche.

Francine:  Are you sure, Jonas?  We haven't been in here that long, and it's already been pretty
rough.

Jonas:  [chuckles] Trust me, Francine.  I'll be fine.  I've gone solo before, I can do it again.  [taps
his hood] I'll keep my comlink open, just in case.  [With that, Jonas disappears down the left path]

Guido:  Man, he's quick.

Speedy:  No kidding.  Let's go.

[The group of five, now, continues down the hallway, moving slowly and cautiously, not knowing
what to expect.  Suddenly, they all come to a halt]

Polly:  Did anyone else just hear that?

GB:  If you mean a metallic scraping sound...then yes.

[All listen closely as a faint whirring sound can be heard, accompanied by an occasional scratching
sound]

Speedy:  It's getting louder...something's coming this way.

[Everyone draws their weapons in preparation for battle]

Francine:  I've had enough nervousness today, I don't need this!

Guido:  You don't know the half of it, Fran.

[Down the hallway, five pairs of glowing red eyes appear, growing larger as they approach]

Speedy:  This...could be a problem.

[As the eyes slowly approach the light, their sources are revealed:  Five robots, approximately the
Cats' height, with square bodies, crane-like arms, and rectangular heads, sitting on tank tread-style
feet. {If you bought a Nintendo Entertainment System when it was first released, you may
remember R.O.B., a robotic accessory that worked in conjunction with games such as Gyromite.
These robots closely resemble R.O.B., although they are three and a half feet tall.}  They move in
a V-type formation, although the two on the ends wobble slightly, bumping into the walls, causing
the scraping sound.  They'd almost look threatening if they weren't so funny-looking]

 GB:  [laughing] Look everyone, it's R2-D2!

Guido:  [same] No, it's a few of those automated trash bins!

[The lead robot fires two energy beams from it's eyes, which streak toward Guido.  He ducks just
in time, as the beams scorch the wall behind the area where he was just standing]

Guido:  Oh, I get it!  They make Pop Tarts!

[The Cats do their best to mount an offensive, but the intense laser fire keeps them occupied]

GB:  [leaps into the air while charging a fist with energy] Up here, ya walkin' erector set!  [the
robot looks up just as the energy blast hits it, turning it to melted slag]  I got one!

Speedy:  <Hey, almost forgot we could do that.>  [turns to the robot nearest him, whistles]
Yoo-hoo, tin man!  Over here!

[The robot turns to Speedy]

Speedy:  You wanna take me on?  I'm right here!  Gimme your best shot!

[The robot fires at Speedy, but he holds his sword at a flat angle, deflecting both beams back, and
blowing the robot to smithereens]

Speedy:  [cocky grin] And they thought the scarecrow was brainless.

[Unfortunately for Speedy, another robot blasts him in the back, knocking him to the floor]

Polly:  SPEEDY!  [grabs the robot that's attacking Speedy, holds it over her head, and hurls it
against a wall, shattering it,  She runs over to Speedy] Speedy, are you all right?

[Speedy was hit pretty hard, but the red, circular piece of armor on his back took most of the
brunt.  It now has a large hole in it]

Speedy:  [sitting up, groans] Ungh...that was nothing.  Taken worse hits...from you...

Polly:  [smiles] Yeah, you're fine.  Come on, we're not done yet.  [helps Speedy up]

[Francine attempts to wrap her whip around the arm of another robot, but it manages to catch her
whip, and begins pulling her forward.  She releases her whip, but before she can take any action,
the robot is almost upon her, and she begins grappling with it]

Jonas:  [over the comlink in Francine's helmet] What's all that noise?  What's going on?

Francine:  (shouting) I'M BUSY, HERE!

Jonas:  Can you give me a brief summary or something!?

Francine:  I'M IN A FISTFIGHT WITH A BERSERK MR. COFFEE!

Jonas:  ...?  <Oh, now THAT sounds promising.>

[As the robot's claws inch closer to Francine's face, Guido walks up behind it, grabs its
rectangular head, and gives it a hard twist, snapping it off.  Sparks fly from the severed head as
the robot lets out a static-filled squawk]

Guido:  Maybe THAT will teach you to disrespect a lady.

Francine:  [pointing behind Guido] (screaming) GUIDO!!  WATCH OUT!!

[Guido turns to face the final remaining robot as it snaps its claws around his arms, sending
electricity coursing through his body.  Guido screams as the countless volts assault his body, but
with remarkable determination, he still stands]

Guido:  [gritting his teeth, glowing a bright blue] LET...ME...GO!!!  [a blue flash of light, and the
robot's torso flies away from Guido at incredible speed, smashing into a nearby wall.  Spent from
the effort, Guido collapses to one knee]

Francine:  [having fallen down, slowly crawls over to Guido] (in shock, stammering) G-G-Guido?

Guido:  [a faint puff of smoke comes out of his mouth, and he manages a weak smile as he turns
to face Francine] I think I've been electrocuted enough times for one week.

Francine:  [pointing at Guido] G-G-Guido...l-l-look...

Guido: ...?

[Guido looks down at himself to see that the robot's arms are still clamped to his own]

Guido:  [winces] Oh...sorry.  [removes the robot's arms, helps Francine up] Are you okay?

Francine:  [trembling slightly] I'm a little shaken, but I'll be okay.  What about you?

Guido:  Nothing a shower won't fix.

[Francine nods.  Suddenly, her eyes fill with tears, and she buries her head in Guido's shoulder,
sobbing loudly]

Guido:  (alarmed) Francine?  Are you all right?

Francine:  (sobbing) I thought you might be...I was sure you were...*SOB*

Guido:  (consoling) Easy, Francine.  I'm a little crisp around the edges, but I'm okay.

Francine:  [smiles, through tears] Yeah, I know, but...but...

Guido:  But what?

Francine:  [shakes her head] Never mind.  It's nothing.

Speedy:  You all right, Guido?

Guido:  [nods] Second time I've been electrocuted this week, but I'm okay.

Jonas:  [over comlink] ELECTROCUTED?  What happened over there!?

Polly:  We ran into some robots, Miles.  Speedy took a hit, and Guido...well...Guido took an
electric shock, but it's nothing serious.

Guido:  [leaning against a wall] Now, Polly...[cough] I wouldn't go THAT far...

GB:  You well enough to go on, Guido?

Guido:  Yeah, just...gimme a second to...catch my breath here...

Speedy:  How's it going on your end, Miles?  Something's going on.

Jonas:  [faint laser fire can be heard in the background] I'm in the engine room...or one of them.
Ran into some turrets mounted on the ceiling, and they're determined to take me out.

Speedy:  Can you handle them alone?

Jonas:  There are a lot of them, but I'm taking cover behind a large metal container.

Hunter:  Sir, I believe you should reassess your situation.

Jonas:  What?  What are you talking ab-(stops himself, quietly) Oh, no!

[In the next moment, the Cats are thrown off their feet as a massive explosion rocks the entire
complex.  A tortured scream emits from the comlink, as the entire scene seems to tilt on its side.
Switch to an outside view of the fortress, as it shudders violently, and the sound of the explosion
reaches the Imperial Fleet]

Jackson:  Did we fire on that thing!?

Crewman:  No sir!  No ships report firing!

Jackson:  Look at that thing!  It's beginning to lose altitude!

[Onboard the fortress, alarm klaxons blare loudly, as red warning lights flash rapidly]

Computer voice:  Warning!  Warning!  Damage sustained to engines!  Switching to emergency
turbines!

[An outside view once again, as the fortress slowly stops its descent, and then slowly begins to
rise into the air]

Jackson:  It stopped.  What happened to it?

Crewman:  Unknown, sir.  None of our craft have fired.

Jackson:  <Those cats must be doing their work.>

Crewman:  Sir, the object has passed its previous point of altitude!

Jackson:  WHAT!?  Are we still within weapons range?

Crewman:  Yes sir, but at the current rate of ascension, object will leave our maximum weapons
range in...less than thirty minutes.

[Back to the Cats.  The scene has stabilized, and everyone struggles to get to their feet.  They all
rise slowly, having been slammed hard against the steel walls]

Speedy:  You there, Miles?

[No response]

Speedy:  Come in, Jonas.  Do you read?

Jonas:  (weakly, as Super Dave Osborne) New pain!

Speedy:  What happened?  Are you all right?

Jonas:  I'm...I'm...[silent for a moment] I'm alive, Cerviche.  Let's leave it at that.

Speedy:  <From the way he screamed, I imagine that must've hurt!>

Jonas:  This room, it's just...gone.  That blast ripped through a huge section of this area.  If it had
managed to hit one of the armories...we'd all be playing harps right now.

Speedy:  Do you know what caused it?

Jonas:  I'm not sure...so fast...everything went white...[cough]

Speedy:  Do you need help?

Jonas:  No...don't go anywhere.  I've got a fix on your position, and should be there in a few
minutes.

Guido:  [rubbing his head] Ouch...

Polly:  [coughs] I hear ya, Guido.

GB:  [dusts himself off] Anyone hurt?

Speedy:  I think Jonas was very near whatever blew up.  I wasn't entirely sure he felt pain, but that
was NOT a pleasant experience for him.

Polly:  I'm not hurt.  Not badly.  How about you guys?

Speedy, Guido, and GB:  (in unison) Fine.

[Francine is oddly silent]

Guido:  (concerned) Francine?  Are you okay?

Francine:  [teary-eyed, voice-breaking] No Guido, I'm not! [she hugs Guido loosely, sobbing
uncontrollably]

Guido:  <Jeez.  Usually, Francine is hard as a rock when it comes to her feelings.  I've never seen
her like this.>  What's wrong?

Francine:  [sobbing] It's like before...I was always worried that you, Speedy, and Polly wouldn't
be coming back when you went into a fight, and I didn't even know what it was like.  And now
that I do...[she looks up at Guido, tears in her eyes] How can I ever be a Pizza Cat if all I ever do
is worry about you?

Guido:  (consoling) Francine, you know as well as I do that this job has risks.  It's dangerous, but
if we don't do it, who will?

Francine:  [nods] I know, but...when I saw that robot get you...and all the other things we've been
through in the last HOUR...I...I just don't know if I can take it anymore!  *SOB*

Guido:  <She's having a nervous breakdown!>  [grabs Francine by her shoulders] (firmly)
FRANCINE!  GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF!

[Francine stares at Guido in shock]

Guido:  I know you're scared!  I am too!  But you are NOT alone!  All of us are behind you, all
the way!  This hasn't exactly been a typical day for us, either.  Just because you worry about us
doesn't make you any lesser of a person!  It just means that you care about us!  We care about
you, too!  [looks over to Speedy, Polly, and GB] Right?

[All nod]

Guido:  (softly) That's what makes us so strong.  We care about each other, and support one
another.  You worry about us because you care, and we care for you too...(under his breath)
some of us more than others. (normally) But if we don't all hold together, then it doesn't work.
The reason that we're so strong is because we work together, as a unit, and stay together through
thick and thin.  (softly) We NEED you, Francine.

Francine:  [silent for a moment] You...you're right, Guido.  Thank you.

Guido:  [takes Francine's hands in his own] Francine...what's happened today has made me realize
a few things, and...there's something I've been meaning to tell you for a while, now.

 Speedy:  <NOW!?  He picks NOW to do this!?  Mr. Anchovy and I need to have a little talk
about TIMING!>

Francine:  (curious) Tell me what?

Guido:  [gulp] Francine...I...I...

[Before Guido can finish, the wall on the left-hand side suddenly explodes, once again knocking
the Cats off their feet.  As the smoke clears, a tall, dark figure can be seen, eyes glowing a bright
yellow in the darkness]

Speedy:  [coughing] Think you could be more SUBTLE, Miles?  All this getting thrown around is
starting to HURT!

Figure:  (curious) Miles?  Who is Miles?

Speedy:  (puzzled) Huh...?

[As the last of the smoke drifts away, the figure is revealed to be a Ninja Crow, standing about an
inch taller than GB.  His physical features are almost an exact match for GB's, but he is obviously
older.  His armor consists of a simple breastplate, with no arm attachments, revealing toned,
muscular arms.  He wears no helmet, and he has that trademarked Ninja Crow glint-in-the-eye.
He is also accompanied by four normal Ninja Crows]

Polly:  Who are you?

Hunter:  Accessing...

Polly:  [glances down at her armor] Wha...Hunter!?

Hunter:  Yes, Mrs. Esther?

Polly:  (confused) How can you be here?  Aren't you with Jonas?
 
Hunter:  To increase efficiency, I have a direct link to all of your armors.  I am responding to your
query.  Attempting identification...

Jonas:  [over comlink, coughs] Patch the image through to me, Hunter.

Hunter:  Working...

[Switch to Polly's view, as her visor automatically flips down over her face.  A photograph of the
crow leader appears, accompanied by the message "SCANNING RECORDS".  A few moments
pass before a new message appears:  "NO EXACT MATCHES FOUND.  MOST PROBABLE
MATCH IS DESIGNATE:  JERRY ATRICK."  An image of Jerry Atrick appears next to the
leader's photo]

Cats and Jonas:  (shocked) WHAAAAAAAT!?!?

Polly:  Hunter, do you have a screw loose!?  Atrick had to be 300 years old!  This guy must
be...thirty-five, tops!

Hunter:  Based on skeletal structure, dental records, and available scans, there is a 97.26 percent
chance that the person in front of you is indeed Jerry Atrick.

Leader:  [chuckling] Observant...for a machine.

Speedy:  (shocked)  But...you can't be!

Guido:  (same) H-...how?

Jerry:  Much to my surprise, Seymour has actually been using our newly acquired financial assets
wisely.  He has set up an academy for my Ninja Crows, and researched many new technologies,
including...[flexes an arm] age reversal.

GB:  (angrily) How could you let him do that!?  How could you let him kill all those people!?

Jerry:  [chuckling] Silence, traitor!  Seymour left behind that insignia at MY request.  Just a little
reminder that neither you, or any of your feline friends will EVER be rid of us!

GB:  [trembling with rage] Grr....RRGH...

Speedy:  [takes a step back] Uh-oh...

[With blinding speed, GB unsheathes his sword, and charges Jerry.  Jerry barely manages to draw
his own sword in time to block the attack]

GB:  (yelling) The rest of you take out those flunkies!  Atrick is MINE!

[Forces on both sides become a blur as the Cats engage the four crows in combat, and GB
continues his ferocious battle with Jerry Atrick]

Guido:  (PSI to Speedy) I don't know how much more of this I can take, Speedy!  Every muscle
in my body is screaming for mercy!

Speedy:  (PSI to Guido) Hang in there, buddy!  We've come too far to stop now!

[Polly and a crow begin circling each other, preparing to attack]

Polly:  Bye-bye, birdie!  [takes a swing at the crow with her sword]

Crow:  [dodges, and kicks Polly in the stomach, causing her to double over in pain.  He then
clasps his hands together, and smashes her over the back, forcing her down on all fours]

Polly:  [grunts in pain] <Boy, he's quick!>  Is that any way to treat a lady?

Crow:  [laughing] Pathetic!  How could Speedy Cerviche ever love a loser like YOU?

[Everyone else suddenly stops fighting, and turns in shock to the speaking crow]

Guido:  UH-OH.

Speedy:  You can say that again!

Francine:  (yelling to the crow) Now would be a good time to RUN!

Crow:  [smirks] Oh yeah?  What's she gonna do?  HIT ME?

Jerry:  <Obviously, this one has never met Polly Esther!>  Don't just stand there, you fool!

[The warning comes too little, too late, as Polly slowly stands, her entire body shaking with anger.
A red aura forms around her body, as she grabs the crow by the arm, lifts him up over her head,
and hurls him with incredible force against a wall.  The crow makes a large dent, then slumps
limply to the ground]

Polly:  [breathing heavily] That one...was for Speedy!

[All of the battles quickly resume as Polly leans against a wall, spent from that sudden burst of
energy]

[Another crow leaps high into the air, throwing four shuriken at Guido]

Guido:  Batter up!  [takes out his umbrella, opens it, and begins spinning it rapidly.  The shuriken
deflect back at the crow, pinning him to the wall by his arms and legs]

Crow:  [looks around, a worried expression on his face] BAWK!

Guido:  [tsk tsk tsk] Please, hang around awhile!

 Speedy:  [makes a face] "Hang around awhile"?  UGH!  Guido, you wouldn't know a good pun if
it jumped up and bit you on the- [before Speedy can finish, a crow seems to come out of nowhere,
knocking his sword from his hands]

Crow:  [has his sword at Speedy's throat, smirks] Whatcha gonna do now, Pizza Cat?

Speedy:  [thinks] How about...THIS?  [Speedy's clenched fists begin to glow.  He opens them for
a moment, and there is a blinding flash of white light.  The crow staggers back, dazed, giving
Speedy enough time to pick up his sword and knock the crow's own sword away]
 
Crow:  (stammering) M-m-mercy!

Speedy:  [blinks] (puzzled) Mercy?  [getting angry] MERCY!?  [picks the crow up by the neck of
his armor, and slams him against the wall] (ballistic) I'LL SHOW YOU MERCY!  THE SAME
MERCY YOU SHOWED MY FRIENDS BACK HOME!  THE SAME MERCY YOU GAVE
TO ALL THOSE INNOCENT PEOPLE!  [his free hand begins glowing] HERE'S YOUR
MERCY!!!

[Before Speedy can deliver what would have surely been a fatal blow, Guido and Polly grab him
from behind, attempting to restrain him]

Polly:  Don't do it, Speedy!  Don't sink down to his level!

Guido:  Let him go, man!  He's not worth it!

Speedy:  [glowing brightly now] (livid with rage) LET ME GO!!! SOMEONE HAS TO PAY!!!

[While Polly and Guido attempt to calm Speedy down, the crow in question gets up, and begins
to run away]

Speedy:  NOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!  [he temporarily manages to break free from Polly and Guido's
grasp.  He raises a glowing fist at the fleeing crow, and a blast of energy surges forth, striking the
crow in the back, and knocking him down.  Speedy's muscles relax, signifying him calming down]

[The crow engaging Francine glances at Speedy, and beads of sweat begin to form on his
forehead]
 
Polly:  (to Guido) Check that crow.  [Guido nods, and walks over to the prone crow] (to Speedy)
Feel better now?

Speedy:  [nods, trembling slightly] Honey...[looks down at his hands, which are shaking] What
have I done?

Polly:  [puts an arm around Speedy] (consoling) Easy, Speedy.  You were venting, that's all.
<Although next time, we might not be around to calm you down...!>

[Guido walks over]

Polly:  How is he?

Guido:  He's alive, but he's out cold.  Speedy really hit him hard.

Speedy:  [still trembling] I...I...

Guido:  You got angry, Speedy.  I know how that feels.  If I were you, I would have done the
same thing.

Polly:  Hey...[looks around] Where's Francine?

[Francine is busy with the final Ninja Crow.  She reaches for her whip, but is shocked to find that
it isn't where it should be]

Francine:  (confused) What?  Where...?  [spots her whip lying near the remains of the robot she
was grappling earlier.  It lies several feet away] Oh, NO!

Crow:  Oh, YES!  [slowly approaches, his sword drawn, his face showing a sinister grin]

Jonas:  [over comlink] What is it?  What's wrong?

Francine:  My whip...I can't get to it!

Jonas:  What do you mean, "I can't get to it"?

Francine:  I MEAN, it's lying about twenty feet away, and I'm standing TEN feet away from an
armed Ninja Crow!

Jonas:  Quickly, open the main compartment on your left gauntlet!

Francine:  Why?  What-

Jonas:  (interrupting) Just DO IT!

[Francine does so.  Inside the compartment are several bells, resembling the one she wears around
her neck, only reduced to about the size of marbles]

Francine:  [slightly panicking as the crow comes closer] What am I gonna do, impersonate a
Christmas tree!?

Jonas:  (with a hint of annoyance) Those devices are equipped with short-range, high-pitched
sonic disruption fields.  The frequency will destabilize your opponent's equilibrium, causing a state
of disorientation.  Utilities in your helmet will filter the effect out.

Francine:  IN ENGLISH!!

Jonas:  <That WAS English.>  He'll get a migraine, lose his balance, and fall over!  Just give one a
good shake, and toss it at him!

Francine:  I hope you're right, Jonas!  [Grabs one of the bells, begins shaking it furiously] (to the
crow) Here, CATCH!  [tosses it]

[The crow catches the bell with his free hand.  The bell begins vibrating rapidly, emitting a
high-pitched squeal as it shakes.  The crow falls down on his hands and knees, with his hands over
his ears, attempting to shut out the sound.  It is to no avail, however, and he passes out from the
pain.  Slowly, the sound dies down, and the bell slowly ceases vibrating]

Francine:  [winces] Is he...

Jonas:  I make my tools non-lethal if I can, Francine.  When he wakes up, he's gonna have one hell
of a headache.  Are you all right?

Francine:  Yeah, I'm all right, but...I feel so tired...where are you?

Jonas:  I'm on my way, but that last hit I took is slowing me down.  Can you hold your own until I
get there?

Francine:  [retrieves her whip] No one's left, except Atrick, and it looks like GB is handling him
pretty well.

[Both GB and Jerry have sustained multiple cuts and bruises, but are still slashing at each other
with incredible speed]

Jerry:  [panting] Good...but not good enough!  [With one lightning quick motion, kicks GB's legs
out from under him, knocking him onto his back.  In the next instant, Jerry's sword is at GB's
throat]

GB:  [scowling] Come a little closer, so I can spit in your face!

Jerry:  [smirking] I'll ignore that, and give you one last chance to make amends for your betrayal,
and join me once again.

Speedy:  Are you NUTS!?  He'll never join you!  Not after what you did to the city!  To US!

[GB is silent]

Jerry:  (ignoring Speedy) THINK about it!  The two of us combined would be unstoppable!  We
could easily overthrow Seymour, and rule Little Tokyo together!

GB:  <So, plotting against Seymour, are we?  Shows how much I'd be able to trust YOU!>
[extends his hand to Atrick]

Polly:  Don't do it, GB!

Jerry:  [evil grin] I knew you'd see it my way!  Now, I shall rule Little Tokyo, with you as my
Second in command!  [reaches down to help GB up]

GB:  [extended hand begins to glow] Rule THIS!  [Energy surges forth from GB's hand, searing
Atrick's face.  He yells in pain, and falls to the ground, clutching his face]

Guido:  [helps GB up] You had us worried for a second there.

GB:  [grins] You don't honestly think I'd join THAT slime, do you?

Speedy:  You're convincing when you need to be, my friend.

GB:  [picks Jerry up by the collar] All right, "Master", I want to know WHY!  Why did you
attack the city?  Why did you kill all those people?

Jerry:  [Moderately burned, but not seriously] (weakly) No matter...how cruel you may believe me
to be...I am still a Ninja Crow...and I still have my honor...I would never murder innocents...

GB:  If not you, then WHO?  Who's behind this?  Seymour?

Jerry:  [nods weakly] He said...he wanted you all...to suffer...

GB:  (angrily) Where is he?  WHERE!?

[Jerry raises a claw, pointing down the remainder of the dark hallway.  His hand then falls to the
ground as he slips into unconsciousness]

GB:  [lets go of Atrick] Well...I'm glad that's clear...

[Jonas steps through the hole in the wall that Jerry and his crows made, examining it as he does
so.  His cloak sports several tears, one of his gauntlets appears to be chipped, and his eyes dimly
glow yellow]

Jonas:  [low whistle] Jeez, what came through HERE?  [turns to face the Cats]  <Good
Lord...they all look like they've aged a decade since I last saw them.>

[That would be an accurate statement.  Almost everyone sports several bruises and cuts.  Guido's
armor is charred in many places.  Speedy's is in relatively the same condition, with heavy damage
to the back.  Polly's bears several large dents.  Deep cuts marr GB's armor.  Francine is the only
one with almost no visible damage, and everyone's faces show signs of fatigue]

Jonas:  I'll be honest, people...you look like crap.

Speedy:  You don't look so hot, yourself.

Jonas:  I assure you, I didn't look this good ten minutes ago.

Francine:  What happened to you?  There was an explosion, and-

Jonas:  (interrupting) YEAH.  I know.  I was there.  Remember that container I was behind?

[All nod]

Jonas:  Well, at about the time you contacted me, Hunter informed me that the particular
container I was behind was filled with a very volatile fuel.  Not even completely liquid, more of an
early venture into using energy for fuel.  Anyway, the turrets firing at me had NO regard for that
fact, and when one of the shots punctured the container...it blew up in my face.

[Everyone winces]

Speedy:  Ouch.

Jonas:  Tell me about it.  That set off a chain reaction throughout the room.  Blew up other
containers, all the engine turbines...everything.  Don't think I've ever been hit that hard before.
Still...something doesn't make sense...

Speedy:  Like what?  Last time I was that close to something that exploded, it HURT!

Jonas:  Maybe so, but that's the only the second hit I've taken today.  Starting at full
strength...that shouldn't have hurt as much as it did...[shakes his head] I'll figure it out later.  How
did things go on your end?

Speedy:  Well, after we split up, we ran into a few robots...[motions to the strewn debris] Then
after you said to stay put, Atrick and his goons showed up...[glances at the unconscious Jerry
Atrick] and then you got here.

Jonas:  Did you get anything out of Atrick?

Speedy:  [nods] He told us where the Big Cheese is...[points down the hallway] IF we can believe
a word he said.

Jonas:  [nods] Then this is it.  We're almost through here.  Can all of you make it?

Guido:  [leaning on a wall for support] (weakly) Sure...just gimme a second to rest...

Polly:  (same) Yeah...we can handle it...maybe...

Jonas:  [sigh] I was afraid of this.  You've been battling nonstop for over an hour.  That would
drain ANYONE!  Unfortunately, I don't have anything to give you a boost.  That formula I gave
Guido and GB earlier should have lasted longer, but I forgot to take into account how much
energy you'd be expending here.

Speedy:  You're not the only one with an ace up his sleeve, Miles.  What do you say we tap the
emergency reserves, guys?

Francine:  Once we use it, Speedy, that'll be it.  We won't have it for later.

Speedy:  If we DON'T use it, there might not BE a later.

[The Cats all open small latches on their left gauntlets, and press a few buttons.  Their headpieces
blink rapidly, then glow softly]

Speedy:  (strengthened) Ahh...better.

Jonas:  Not bad, Cerviche.  How long will it last?

Speedy:  Roughly twenty to twenty-five minutes.  If we're not finished by then...

Jonas:  (turns to GB) What about you?  You don't have any reserves.

GB:  [grins] I never said I NEEDED a boost, did I?

Jonas:  [chuckles] Indeed, you didn't.

Guido:  What about YOU, Jonas?  Can YOU make it until the end?

Jonas:  I've waited too long for this day to be stopped now, Guido.  I'll see it through...no matter
what.

Speedy:  [nods] Then this really is it.  Are we ready?

[Everyone nods]

Speedy:  Let's do it.

[The exhausted group once again treks down the dimly lit hallway.  Broken panels spark and
sputter.  Debris from smashed robots and fallen grates litters the floor.  However, one fine feline
heroine has something on her mind...]

Francine:  (whispering to Guido) Guido?

Guido:  (whispering to Francine) Yes?

Francine:  What exactly was it you were going to tell me?

Guido:  <Every time she asks me, I'm too nervous to tell her!>  [sighs] It was nothing, Francine.
Just...nothing.

Francine:  You know something, Guido?  I don't believe you.

Guido:  [blinks] You don't?

Francine:  I know something's bothering you, and I know you want to tell me, but for some
reason, you just can't seem to get it out.

Guido:  (embarrassed) Um...well...that's because...uh...

Francine:  Let me finish.  However, I also know that eventually, when you're ready, you WILL tell
me.  That's what matters.

Guido:  But...I...I...

Francine:  [smiles, grasps Guido's hand tightly] Just take your time, Guido.  I'm in no rush.

Guido:  [smiles] You're right, Fran.  When we get out of here, and we WILL get out of here, I'm
going to take a little time to think about this.  When I'm ready...I'll tell you.

Francine:  [gives Guido a gentle kiss on the cheek] I know.  I'm looking forward to it.

[Finally, the group comes to a large steel door at the end of the hallway.  There is no visible
handle, nor is there an access pad]

Speedy:  [examining the door] Probably opened from the other side...[turns to Polly] Sweetheart,
if you would, please?

Polly:  My pleasure, dear.  [Bares her claws, sinks them into the door, and rips it right off the
frame, tossing it aside]

 GB:  (imitating TV salesperson) Not available in any store!  Get your very own Polly Esther,
available in three easy payments of more than you've got!  Our operators are standing by!

Polly:  [giggles]

[The room behind the door is extremely large, roughly the size of an auditorium, and is dimly lit.
It is completely bare, with no furniture or equipment at all.  One side of the room is completely
dark, with nothing visible.  The Cats cautiously enter]

Speedy:  [looking around] Well...where is he?

Jonas:  [same] I don't know...let me check.  [taps a few buttons on his right gauntlet] Eh?  Let's
try that again...[presses the same buttons] This isn't good...

Polly:  What's wrong?

Jonas:  Night vision display won't come up.

Hunter:  Auto-repair is still working on that particular system, sir.

Jonas:  Hmmph...must've been hit harder than I thought...

Speedy:  Not a problem.  [Reaches up and flips a switch on the side of his helmet, activating the
helmet light]

[While the added light does reveal a little more of the room, nothing new is seen, and one side is
still dark]

Guido:  Atrick said he would be here...I guess he was lying.

Voice:  Quite the contrary, hairball!

[Everyone quickly turns to face the general direction of the voice.  It seems to be coming from the
unlit portion of the room]

Speedy:  (bitterly) I know that voice...

Francine:  We all do...

[A large spotlight illuminates the dark portion of the room.  A large red robot is revealed,
standing approximately twenty-five feet tall, with cone-shaped legs connecting to a triangular
body with a domed head.  One arm is a vise-like claw, while the other resembles a large piston.
Seated in the dome is none other than Seymour "Big" Cheese]

BC:  You remembered me, you worthless sacks of fur?  [evil grin] I'm touched.

Guido:  Yeah, touched in the head!

Speedy:  What are you up to, cheese breath?  What is this all about?

BC:  Come, come, is that any way to greet an old friend?

Polly:  You're no friend of ours, you raunchy rapscallion of a rodent!

Jonas:  (whispering) Nice one, Polly.

Polly:  (same) I thought so too.

BC:  [evil grin] Well, since I'm going to destroy you anyway, I might as well tell you.  You pesky
furballs were the only thing preventing me from taking Little Tokyo as my own.  Every plot
foiled, every plan ruined!  However, I've rethought my strategy since the acquisition of my new
wealth.  I thought about how much easier it would be to conquer the city if I could just get rid of
YOU!

Francine:  What's your point, banana-nose?

BC:  [chuckles] That attack on the city was payback for all the years that you've been meddling in
my plans!  All those people, all those dead...they're on YOUR conscience now!

GB:  Get real!  We're not going to feel guilty for just doing our jobs!

BC:  Ah, but the Ninja Crows who assembled this robot-and this very fortress-are the real reason
for success.  I couldn't have done it without them.

GB:  [clenches his fists]

Speedy:  Calm down.  He's just trying to get to you.

Jonas:  Hey...wait a minute...Hunter, compare the dimensions of that robot's feet to the tracks we
found in the city.

Hunter:  Working...exact match found.