BotP Close-up 037

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Bobkat
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BotP Close-up 037

Post: # 469Post Bobkat »

This week the team gets extra help from Orion, Wonder Dog of Space! I love this episode as we not only sneak a peek into the inner workings of the team but the logistical whole - the other scientists working within the G-Force program. Plus, who cannot like a dog like Orion! :) Enjoy!

The Other Jason's write-up is here: https://www.battleoftheplanets.info/ep37.html

E37: Orion Wonder Dog of Space

Act One

7-Zark-7 says they're in the middle of a full-scale emergency due to Spectra launching an ecological attack against Earth. Zark flies to his monitors to track down a Super-Thermal Dynamo threatening the climate and global temperature – creating a critical biosphere crisis. There is a worldwide drought underway. 1-Rover-1 yips at Zark, who tells him dogs are working in G-Force now. This includes Orion in Science and Research and he actually goes out on dangerous missions. Rover does some tricks to prove he's worthy of going out on missions. While Zark acknowledges Rover's cleverness, he explains Orion is an actual Saint Bernard and good in the mountains and snow. Rover keeps pestering Zark who tells Rover to go get his "din-din" of "nuts and bolts." Zark turns to his monitors and says sarcastically that the nuts and bolts are just the way Rover likes them, "Good and crunchy."

Zark gets back on task to contact their top solar scientist, Dr. Baxter. Orion has accompanied Dr. Baxter into the field. Dr. Baxter has invented a solar reflector in order to melt part of the northern ice cap to alleviate the drought. Zark calls 'Explorer 1,' the call sign for Dr. Baxter's helicopter. Dr. Baxter reports that he's been exploring the Danielson Pass region and he's found "a natural ice lake" that can be used as a reservoir for melted snow. The terrain is suitable for runoff and if the lake is deep enough they can use the Solar Magna Reflector to pipe out two million gallons a day. He also reports it appears to be a fresh water lake and perfect for their project. Just as Dr. Baxter signs off, Orion barks at some nearby movement.

Dr. Baxter flies along discovering Spectra is there. Several mini-copters give Dr. Baxter chase and jam his communications. Spectra breaks in on his radio and order him to land. He knows he has little choice. He has taken some photos and gives Orion the camera. Dr. Baxter tells Orion to get them to G-Force. Orion then jumps out of the helicopter!

After sliding several hundred feet down the mountain, Orion gains his feet and makes a run for it. Of course, the Spectran goons can see him. As Orion tries to make a jump, he doesn't quite make it and falls into a deep crevasse. Dr. Baxter is heartbroken believing that Orion is dead. However, Orion has landed on his feet and the camera is still with him.

G-Force is hanging out at Center Neptune and Keyop is goofing around with his bolos when he hears Orion bark. Chief Anderson enters the room with Orion beside him. The team recognizes even though Keyop jumps into Princess' lap. Mark asks where Dr. Baxter is and the chief tells them "enemy aliens" have captured Dr. Baxter. Chief Anderson explains Arctic Patrol found Orion and the camera. The chief shows them various shots from Danielson Pass and tells them the last anyone has heard from Dr. Baxter is that he was checking out a lake. Chief Anderson says he believes Dr. Baxter stumbled upon a secret Spectran base. Tiny remarks, "Or the abominable snowman." The chief tells the team that if Dr. Baxter's invention lands in Spectra's hands it could spell disaster. Princess says it's not a weapon but the chief counters it can focus the sun rays to equal "a ten million kilo nuclear charge." Chief Anderson says Spectra could melt the entire ice cap and create environmental havoc on Earth. He tells the team their mission is to find Dr. Baxter and "stop Zoltar." Mark says they'll take Orion. Chief Anderson reminds them that Orion has the same cerebonic implants they do and they'll discover he's a "special" dog. Keyop chirps, "Bites too." Princess asks when do they leave and Mark answers they're just about ready.

At the Spectran base, on the bottom of the lake, Zoltar interrogates Dr. Baxter. Zoltar wants to know the secret of the Solar Reflector so they can add it to their giant vulture. The vulture mech attacks a village that Spectra warned so they could evacuate. Several structures are turned to rubble and it causes various avalanches. Zoltar threatens to melt the entire North Pole if Dr. Baxter doesn't cooperate to which Dr. Baxter calls Zoltar "mad."

At Center Neptune, Zark says no telling what damage Zoltar could do if he obtained Dr. Baxter's invention. He clears the team for takeoff as Rover calls Orion a "super dog." Meantime, the team transmutes and boards the Phoenix. They take off for Danielson Pass to find Dr. Baxter. They approach the lake that Dr. Baxter scouted. Tiny takes the Phoenix closer and they find a Spectran "battle chopper." Mark surmises the base is close by. Jason cracks, "With all that snow, it's going to be like finding a meteorite in a galaxy." Mark orders Tiny to land behind a ridge and to "hang loose." He then talks to Orion and asks the dog to lead the way.

Orion runs in the snow with four G-Forcers following. Mark is on a snowmachine, Jason in his car, Princess on her bike with a ski, and Keyop in his buggy. Several Spectran choppers launch trying to find the team but they hide in the snow. Orion and the team sneak into the Spectran base while Dr. Baxter continues to refuse to cooperate. Zoltar tells him he'll change his mind if he values the life of his dog and his friends. The team follows Orion to a place where Orion has found Dr. Baxter but the doctor is encased in glass inside a large room. What's worse, the team is now trapped between two glass doors with no escape. Zoltar then evilly fills the room that Orion is in with a bunch of water. Orion is thrown into the lake. Mark says, "He'll make it."

Act Two

Zark is in the vacuum tube relieved that Orion has managed to escape. Zark is confident that Orion will come out on top because he's better than "those evil Spectra minds." He takes a ten second oil break while the team is still held captive! Rover pesters him again for food and Zark gives him a wrench. He wishes he would hear something so that he would know what G-Force is doing to escape.

An explosion occurs where G-Force is held but to no effect on the "invisible barrier." Princess and Keyop keep trying while Mark and Jason sit. Mark points out that Orion is out there somewhere and that he can help. Keyop says Mark is asking for a miracle while the commander pulls out a communications device. Jason agrees with Keyop that it's "wishful thinking." Mark tries calling Orion anyway. He reminds his teammates that Orion has cerebonic implants like they do.

Outside, Orion has washed up on the shore of the lake. In his head, Orion's implant jolts to life putting the dog back on his way to the base. Orion gets in easily and jumps the guard at the barrier controls. Princess is thrilled to see Orion. Mark tells the guard, "His bite is meaner than his bark!" and to open the barrier. The guard says Zoltar will never forgive him but Orion isn't playing around. The guard relents and opens the shield allowing the team to escape.

The space vulture is airborne and on its way to one of the major cities. Zoltar still demands Dr. Baxter's invention. The vulture is about to attack when the team and Orion jump Zoltar and his men. They then escape with Dr. Baxter. Zoltar is not amused ordering the robot snow units out to pursue G-Force and the chase is on!

The team drives through the snow as Dr. Baxter thanks Mark for rescuing him. Mark says they're not done yet and orders Princess and the others to cover Orion if they can. Jason drives his car into one of the Spectran sleds, "One robot … disconnected." Keyop adds, "Lights out." Some choppers show up and try to net Princess but she pulls out a blade to cut the net. Mark drives on with Dr. Baxter in a sidecar but they wind up separated! The robots close in with one jumping onto Dr. Baxter's sidecar but Orion jumps onto it and a fight ensues. Meantime, Mark's sled is in trouble and Princess has to throw her yo-yo to pull him off prior to it exploding. Mark is able to drop onto Dr. Baxter and lift him out. However, the sidecar keeps sliding down the mountain! It flies into a large crevasse with Orion and the robot falling out. Dr. Baxter is beside himself.

Mark calls Tiny for a pick up on the north ridge of the lake. Tiny flies to their location. Meanwhile, Zoltar orders the vulture at full power to go after the Phoenix because Zoltar still wants Dr. Baxter. On board the Phoenix, Dr. Baxter explains Spectra's latest weapon that is capable of destroying whole cities. He says the way to destroy it is to overload their Radio Projectors. The vulture not only melts snow, but turns rocks to lava. When Zoltar orders it to attack the Phoenix, the vulture is out of control with the crew already abandoned ship! Dr. Baxter explains that the circuits are overloaded aboard the vulture and "it's gonna blow." Mark orders the Servo Circuits engaged but they're caught in the vulture's Projector Beam! It attacks its own headquarters with the Phoenix in the middle. The Phoenix is hitting heat tolerance, in the Arctic! Mark orders the Thermo-static Regulators to be used. The base and the vulture soon explode and the Phoenix escapes!

Dr. Baxter is knocked out by the "jolt" the Phoenix took. Tiny reports that there's nothing but a bunch of junk at the bottom of the lake. Mark also says Zoltar failed to get Dr. Baxter's Solar Magna Reflector. Princess sadly recalls Orion but both Mark and Dr. Baxter are confident he made it. Keyop calls Orion a "dog hero." Zark says his Long-Range Sensors are picking up something above the lake. There are paw prints in the snow and Orion climbs upon a peak. Zark notifies Security to send out an Arctic Patrol to pick him up. Rover wants to join them but he hasn't had his antifreeze shots yet! Zark is proud to be a part of the human, and dog, team of G-Force. Both he and Rover give the G-Force salute.

This plot summary Copyright Bobbi Baker ©2021. No reproduction of any kind without permission.
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