Galaxy Girls The Diabolical Hand S1E1ch5

Scientists, and an IRC Agent, kidnapped by a diabolical hand that reached out of the skies of Hypatia, and the possibility of a spy in the IRC working for a hostile alien force summons Captain Debris Jetsam and

Major Scrumptious Sky to the Stonehenge Intergalactic Spacefort from their shore leave in the Carousel Corona.

 

CDJ: (seated at a conference table with Scrummy & Plush) Plush, I haven't been able to get anything out of Scrummy about this Plicare experiment, but I can tell she knows something. Can you explain it to me?

 

PT: Sorry, Pips, it's above your security clearance.

 

CDJ: But not Scrummy's? How is that possible?

 

PT: You know Aquarians, Pips. They don't keep secrets from each other, and there are Aquarians working on the experiment.

 

MSS: What one knows, all know, in the "fluid mind." (just then, the door slides open and Director Steadfast enters)

 

CDJ: (to MSS) He just saved you from being tickled into spilling some of that fluid mind information. (grins as MSS' eyebrows shoot up in alarm) Good to see you, Director.

 

DS: You too, Debris, Scrumptious, Plush.

 

MSS: Very good to see you, Director. (fairly purrs) Love the new look.

 

DS: (sits near Plush, clearing his throat) Plush, were they briefed about the kidnapping?

 

PT: Yes, sir.

 

DS: First, note in the Stonehenge log that I am upgrading Captain Jetsam's security clearance to Factor Six-Nine.

 

CDJ: Nice. (gets a glance from DS) I mean, nice, sir.

 

PT: Logged.

 

DS: A team of scientists were sent to Hypatia to work on increasing the capacity of the vermisforamen currently in use.

 

PT: Being able to vee more than 7 tons at a time would be a boon to the shipping industry.

 

CDJ: And planetary defense.

 

DS: An accidental discovery, code named, Plicare, would surpass the perfection of the tachyon field.

 

(CDJ and PT stare at each other, thunderstruck by this statement.)

 

MSS: (smiles at DS) Our people had beards, in our distant past. Not anymore. It gives you such a -- primal aspect. I like it.

 

CDJ: (saving DS from MSS' flirtations) How would increasing the vee's capacity do that?

 

DS: Plicare wouldn't increase the vee's capacity, it would increase travel velocity.

 

MSS: Actually, it would decrease velocity, but increase distance and lower time.

 

PT/CDJ: What?

 

DS: Scrumptious is right. Plicare isn't a speed, it's about using wormholes to fold space. If the Plicare experiment succeeds, travel between planets could take as little time as it takes to step across a line drawn in the sand.

 

CDJ: Plush, I'm going to ask you to pick up the pieces of my mind, that were just blown all over the spacefort.

 

PT: Right there, with you.

 

DS: Naturally, we scattered the scientists, and had each working on specific aspects of the experiment. Their locations have been under strict secrecy and security. This was the first time they'd been brought together, on Hypatia, to talk about assembling a prototype.

 

PT: How many people knew where they were meeting, and why?

 

DS: You're looking at him.

 

PT: That's not good.

 

CDJ: Well, you, and every Aquarian. No offense, Scrummy.

 

MSS: None taken, since we didn't know.

 

DS: She's right. We didn't tell any of the scientists where they were going, just that they were being relocated to more secure locations.

 

CDJ: But they found out eventually. When did they realize where they were, and why?

 

DS: The definitely knew once they reached landfall on Hypatia, but it's possible they knew when they were in orbit. Either way, it was less than a day before their abduction.

 

PT: I hate to say it, but everyone must be looking at you, sir. (to DS)

 

DS: Of course, they are. So would I, if the roles were reversed.

 

CDJ: How many Aquarians were kidnapped?

 

DS: Only one. Once the hand grabbed him, the others instantly knew the danger, and concealed themselves.

 

MSS: (when CDJ eyes her) They had no defenses. Hiding made the most sense. They pulled others into hiding, as well.

 

CDJ: So, why don't you communicate with the Aquarian scientist? Ask him where they are?

 

MSS: Turgis Infigo is sleeping. He has slept since the hand lifted him from Hypatia.

 

DS: We don't know if that's because the kidnappers know about the "fluid mind" or if all of their victims are sleeping.

 

PT: Guarding sleeping prisoners is certainly easier than guarding conscious ones.

 

CDJ: What are our orders?

 

DS: Get to Hypatia. Talk to the scientists, Agent Rhoda, anybody you can think of. Search for a connection to the scientists' arrival and abduction. Whatever you find, do NOT report to me, or anyone else.

 

PT: Why?

 

DS: We probably have a spy in our midst, and I know my name is at the top of a very short list. You'll have to work on your own, and tell no one about Plicare.

 

CDJ: Except the scientist?

 

DS: Not even the scientists. I want them to think you're just looking into the abduction, that you have no idea what the special significance of these particular scientists is. (looks at MSS) Obviously, the Aquarians will know, we'll need them to pass along any information they come up with, to you, Scrumptious.

 

MSS: Yes, sir.

 

(Theme music)

freemusicarchive.org/music/hot-dope/background-epic-music...

 

Chief Plush Tusch: Mist

Director Steadfast: Erebus

Major Scrumptious Sky: Bailey

Captain Debris Jetsam: Teddi

Done