Ghost Signals, Episode 1: Part 1.2
RAIVEN (steadily irked with each word) I'll be happy if the bett'n audio doesn't go to bits, or that the images don't lose all form and become brightly colored bett'n blobs.
CUT TO:
A side shot of the two of them at the lab's front entrance a few seconds later; the door sliding open as she speaks.
RAIVEN (sighs, dejected) I--We have to do a hells of a lot better in terms of sustainability if the Three's gonna approve my Shocla in five datums.
BOLTAS (suggestive, but cautious in fear of her response) Or you could just leave it be, shift gears to that Sol Shield you've put off for your Shocla. I mean, with all due respect, maybe these delays are a sign of-- (Raiven sighs in frustration off- screen)
TRANSITION TO:
INT. HALLWAY- Continuous
A shot of the two of them heading out of the laboratory as she speaks, walking down the hallway for a time; the door to Raiven's lab sliding shut the moment that the two of them leave.
RAIVEN (interjecting, determined) I'm not changing tack now! I'm so close to something big here, Boltas! This device can revolutionize the science of planetary archaeology for lifetimes. I've gone through the Shocla six Eyebett'n times already. I'm not gonna give up just because of some technical hiccups. One that I know you can--
BOLTAS (increasingly incensed, talking over Raiven) "Technical hiccups?" Test #4 nearly charred my hands off. Number 6 nearly incinerated all sentient life, including us, in a half metro radius. And the less we say about Tests 9-13, the better.
RAIVEN You conveniently leave off the last three tests, which have neither exploded or threatened to explode. Thus- progress! Dubthus- (if the goddess is kind) a finished device in the next few datums that'll wow the Three and--
The good Doctor stops talking and glances over at her assistant who seems to have clocked out of the rest of the conversation. It takes her a few moments for her mood to change to one of concern for Boltas.
RAIVEN (Cont.) Oh, I see what's going on here. You don't want to follow me to the source. Do you? (Boltas shakes his head)
BOLTAS (apprehensive explanation) It's nothing against you. It's just I...I have doubts whether or not this source exists.
Raiven pauses for a few moments, digesting what exactly Boltas had told her.
RAIVEN You--You've been my assistant since the beginning.
BOLTAS (quick nod) I know...
RAIVEN You were there when I first came up with the idea for the Jahukagonis. When I first ran the theoretical experimentation on the Ya'ahala energy's practical uses.
BOLTAS (louder interjection at the end of R's line) I know!
RAIVEN (gets to the point) Why the flark would you wait over three rohtlas to say this? It's not like I'm some type of evil sheabist who'd tear your head off if you disagree with them.
BOLTAS (defensively) It's not that, Dr. O'Ozahl! It's just...I didn't want to anger you somehow and lose my position in the Consortium. I remember what happened to Gerras over in Bio Tech.
Raiven starts to reply to the worry at first, but stops herself a second later. She then chuckles and pats Boltas on the shoulder a couple of times.
RAIVEN You remember when we first met at the Enjoinment?
BOLTAS (scoffs, with annoyance) Remember? I spent a weatt getting the taste of embarrassment from that datum out of my brain. Top 15 in my class, and I was the last one there to tab my own Eybett'n assignment!
RAIVEN (empathizes) I'm no stranger to that feeling. It was actually one of the reasons why I chose you as my assistant.
BOLTAS What was the other?
RAIVEN Your..."lively tongue, blunter than a Titanian troo'Sah."
BOLTAS (surprised) Is that what it really said on my file? (Raiven nods; pause) Huh. Joke's on them, I take that as a compliment!