Ghost Signals, Episode 1: Part 2.3
RAIVEN (excited, to Steggy) Steggy! Just the schmo I was hoping to see. You finish weaving in the new Sig batch?
STEGGY (nods, to Raiven) Aye aye, Doc. Just a few minuyats ago.
RAIVEN (eagerly awaiting the answer) So- what's the outcome? How close did this get us to the Source?
Steggy pauses and looks away from the good Doctor in a moment of apprehension and unease. The display from her A.I. compatriot doesn't sit well in Raiven's stomach.
RAIVEN (Cont., annoyed sigh grasping for positivity) Tell me we got at least a little closer. Shite, I'll take even a halb Memeck closer at this--
STEGGY (interjecting) It's good- really good actually!
RAIVEN What the hells were you being so coy about then?!
STEGGY (apologetic) Apologies, Doc. Had a bit of a-- buffer thing. (clears her throat, then back to business) Anyway, this new batch put us the closest to the source since we first started crafting.
RAIVEN How close are we talking?
STEGGY About... (pause) 85 Metros.
RAIVEN By the flarking Fworp! (senses a catch) Yet, judging by that look on your face Cap, there appears to be more to this news of yours.
STEGGY Well, it--the new signal totally changed the path on the fly.
RAIVEN (taken aback, not controlling the tone of her voice) ...Changed how?
Before she can get her answer, an energy prison emerges from the ceiling down on Raiven, trapping her. She's puzzled for the briefest of moments over what happened until she hears the voice of the perpetrator behind the attack.
BEEBL'O (librarian-like, to Raiven) Shhhhhh....!
RAIVEN (defensive, to Beebl'o) I was talking to my colleague about an extremely important development in my research. Also, don't know if you've noticed, but... (moving her hands around to show off the whole area) No one else here cares, you flarking--
Just as she's about to finish off the rest of her insult, an electric shock appears from the lower part of the energy prison, hitting Raiven squarely in her side.
RAIVEN (pained) GAAHHGH! Unholwn mohta...
BEEBL'O This is your 2nd violation of the rules. A 3rd violation will result in a loss of QR privileges for the next two...
RAIVEN (quick nod, knowing the rest of the command; fake conicliatory) I'm well aware of this, Beebl'o. I promise I won't break 'em, okay?
A couple of seconds later, the beam zips back up to the roof, leaving Dr. O'Ozahl free to move once more; the noise of the rest of the room returning to the scene at the same time. Steggy returns to view after his brief hiatus.
RAIVEN (forceful, but in a quieter tone; to Steggy) Where the hells were you, Steggy?!
STEGGY (defensive, to Raiven) The ES kept me from interacting while you were in binds.
RAIVEN (takes her first steps forward from the scene) Still, could've at least made that bett'n jolt less of a hellish pain on my side.
STEGGY (nervous/scared) Honestly? That Beebl'o scares the coda outta me.
Raiven goes as if about to respond, but stops herself just before doing so. It's followed a short time after by a chuckle that briefly pops out of her like a burp.
STEGGY (Cont., before she can get a word out) You haven't seen her in full form, Doc- like one of those titanic Danos they have patrolling the PC's estate. But more frightening...and armed with lasers and metal blades in their wrists.
RAIVEN I'll take your word for it... (getting the chat back on track) Anyway, you were saying about the path suddenly changing.
STEGGY Aye, I was. (deep breath, calming back down) I'd be happy to tell ya the full biz. But I think it's better if I just show it to you.