Fireball XL5: The Incredible Space Adventure Of Fireball XL5

Scene 25 - The Time Wheel

We open back up to Planet 46. The camera shows the windowed view of the planet's surface before we slowly reveal back the control centre of the Subterrains. Three Subterrains run the control room.

Subterrain 1:

Time Wheel primed and activated. Opening exterior hatch.

We see the surface of the planet opening, revealing a gigantic chute pointing up into space.

Subterrain 2:

Course programmed. 8-9-0, 5-6-Blue.

Subterrain 3:

Stealth Detector activated inside. It is ready to launch.

The chute extends upwards.

Subterrain 1:

Excellent. Steady... Fire!

KABOOM! A powerful object burning with smoke and flames launches. It zooms up from the planet, rocketing up and up. We see this on the monitor inside the Subterrains' lair.

Subterrain 2:

Time Wheel leaving our orbit and on course.

Subterrain 3:

Power increasing... Still increasing. Emitting energy dispersing from Time Wheel.

We see the Time Wheel in better view. It is a gigantic wheel spinning endlessly through space, emitting fire from it. It shoots out smoke and steam, making the Time Wheel a dangerously powerful weapon.

Subterrain 1:

Good. Good.

We continue to see the spinning Time Wheel pass from left to right of the camera. This then cuts to the planet Slumpa. The two Slumpas, Skarva and Wrafgh, remain tied up, as the Subterrains continue to do their evil bidding. The Savox Miner keeps guarding the Slumpas with his weapon, and the first Subterrain contacts the fourth Subterrain on the large radio communicator he holds.

Subterrain 1:

The Time Wheel is on its way. And soon, it will be on its way to its destination.

Subterrain 4:

Splendid. Keep tracking its progress. Ensure nothing goes wrong on its path.

Subterrain 5:

All fabrications and instruments that are in the Slumpas and Rimpas' hands now belong to us. We now know how their electronics work. And will use their missiles and war heads to our advantage.

Subterrain 4:

They, like the Time Wheel, have all been targeted to their course I instructed?

Subterrain 5:

Absolutely.

Skarva:

Something will go wrong. You won't succeed.

Subterrain 4:

Nothing can go wrong.

This then immediately cuts to the two Rimpas on their home world. Like their old enemies, Kasak and Josiah remain tied up with a hypnotised Savox miner aiming his weapon at them. Two more Subterrains tell the Rimpas of their plans.

Subterrain 6:

Now that your weapons and your precious E7 are all in our hands, combined with the Time Wheel on its way, all is going according to plan.

Kasak:

W-what do you intend to do now?

Subterrain 6:

Nothing that concerns you, for the moment.

The two Subterrains leave the Rimpas for a moment to discuss plans. The Savox miner tires and begins to get distracted.

All we require is the formula to produce more E7. Which Steve Zodiac will bring to us.

Subterrain 7:

Are our security arrangements still secure?

Subterrain 6:

Of course. But now, we should begin the final phase. The Subterrain Space Rescue Service have one more destination to arrive at.

Whilst the Subterrains scheme their plot, and with the guard tiring, the two Rimpas begin whispering. Both Kasak and Josiah try to break free from their ropes.

Kasak:

Josiah. The guard. He is distracted. Can we try to break free and take his gun?

Josiah:

We can. But we must be subtle. Not to suspect we are trying to break free from either the guard or the Subterrains.

Kasak:

We will strike with an element of surprise. Take his gun unexpectedly off the mule, then stun the Subterrains over there. And then, we shall attack and defend from there.

Josiah:

These ropes, we cannot... we cannot... try... no. It's no good. These ropes are too tight.

Kasak:

Come on. Keep trying.

Josiah:

They will destroy us if we see that we are free.

Kasak:

We shall have to chance that.

Josiah:

Look out!

The Subterrains turn around. The Rimpas act as if nothing ever happened and look directly at the Subterrains. The Savox Miner looks tired, arching his back over to show he is exhausted. The Subterrains act suspicious at the Rimpas but approach the miner.

Subterrain 6:

Guard! Watch their every move!

He replies with a mumbled response, too difficult to hear what he was saying.

What was that?

Savox Miner 1:

I'm tired.

Subterrain 6:

You're tired? You're tired!

Kasak:

All you are making him do is stand here watching us. He needs rest. Time for him not to guard us anymore.

Josiah:

You're making him work too hard. Too hard and endlessly. Can't you see? They might not be very intelligent beings, but need lots of consumption of basic minerals such as wheats and water for all their hard labour they do.

Kasak:

Most of that was destroyed back on Savox. I hope you can provide them with the same minerals where you come from.

Subterrain 6:

They will work. They will work!

Kasak:

Your powers of hypnotics aren't fully effective as they turn out to be.

Subterrain 6 nudges the Savox miner. He snorts and wakes up, alerted.

Subterrain 6:

Guard them! Do not let them out of your sight. Or you will be out of ours.

Savox Miner 1:

SNORK! Erm, erm, err, yes, Master! Guard them! Do not let them out of your... I mean... my sight.

The Rimpas turn to each other. This then transitions to show the Time Wheels continuing to float through space, on its so far unnamed destination. It floats through space, burning powerful flames and smoke as it hisses with the power running through, from left to right of the camera again...