Ghost Signals, Episode 2: Part 4.1
STEGGY Ta to that hope!
RAIVEN That's an auto-response, right?
STEGGY Aye. It's auto for a whole bunch of shite that we really don't wanna be anywhere near to once it comes at us.
The first of a series of thumps comes from the front of the landing beacon.
RAIVEN Can you latch on to the ship's Privnet, get us airborn before they lob whatever big boomer's being aimed at us? Or at least something that can counter what's coming.
STEGGY (unsure, with bits of confidence) Uhh...it's doable. I've been fiddling around with different subroutines to get the job done. But I'd only started running sims. I haven't really tested--
Suddenly, the door explodes as a result of the Hrazer from outside; the ship shaking violently as a result.
STEGGY 'Kay then, screw the testing. Never been a big fan of it.
RAIVEN Especially when our arses are on the line!
CUT TO:
The aforementioned piece of military hardware a few minutes later; the ship already barraged with round after round from it. You can see one of the Goonas at the helm, patiently waiting for the next time to fire.
GOONER LEADER (Off-Screen) We've broken the perimeter. Brigade Forward, line up and switch on the flame blockers. Charge in the moment the ship is subdued. I want the would-be robbers taken alive.
GOONERS (collective) Yes, sir!
Zoom in on the soldier a couple of beats later pressing the necessary buttons on the console that release the next blast of the Hrazer upon the Gooner Leader's command.
GOONER LEADER (Cont., with power) FIRE!
A powerful yellow ball of energy shoots out of the top of the device zooming at ultra fast speeds to its target. The camera follows it toward the front of the ship, which is steadily gaining speed as it moves forward to the bombed out entrance.
CUT TO:
The ship's command center where we see Raiven stumbling around with a hold on the rail; her eyes fixed on the screen watching the blast coming straight at her.
RAIVEN (panicked) Faster! Faster! Must go flarking faster! Must go...
STEGGY (from the speakers) I'm going's fast as I can, Doc. Just starting to catch some air on this thing.
RAIVEN That's not quite the worry coming to mind.
STEGGY I know. It'll be close...
We move back outside a tenth of a second later with the Athena-5 floating just above the energy blast; the wall behind it exploding as a result of it.
Back in the A-5's command center, the good Doctor flashes a celebratory fist pump at the action with her free hand. She glances up to the roof briefly to both talk to Steggy and listen to her response.
RAIVEN Nicely done, Cap...
STEGGY Cheers. I was...20% sure that would end terribly for us. Glad to be wrong, for once!
Action shot of the ship quickly taking off skyward through the massive hole moments before another round from the Hrazer suddenly comes into the picture.
The Leader looks on from his prior position with a rush of anger and frustration at the development.
GOONER LEADER Scramble three Attackers at them- full authority to blow 'em outta the sky!
CUT TO:
A tracking shot of the Athena-5 as it flies safely to the left out of screen view away from the realm of danger. A handful of moments later, you can hear three unique roars of engines emanating from the Attacker ships set to fly after him.
CUT TO:
EXT. REAR OF TA SCIENCE CONSORTIUM- Minutes Later
A shot of Boltas and Raiven standing in a rear entrance of the building out of view of other people; the bottom of the ship barely visible in the top of the screen. The two of them take a look at each other for a few beats, share a heartwarming smile, and hug each other.
STEGGY (from Raiven's ear piece) We're picking up a lotta traffic heading our way. Time to tap and bolt.
RAIVEN No worries...
A second later, we see the good Doctor 'port out of view back onto the ship.
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTER, ATHENA-5- Moments Later
Meanwhile, we see Dr. O'Ozahl walking around and taking a seat on a red-black cushioned seat trying to calm down after the long battle; the ship buzzing by into space shortly after leaving the Consortium airspace. You can see a little earpiece on the armrest next to her as she speaks.
BOLTAS (from the speaker, to Raiven) The Jahukagonis has been 'ported in the cargo bay, latched in the F-Cube...best of fortune, boss. Get back in one piece.
RAIVEN (slight smile, to Boltas) I thoroughly intend to, Bolt. No way I'll let whatever evil force is waiting for me...
The message ends with a "CLICK!" that is followed by a moment of pause in the scene. All we hear are the sounds of the A-5's engines vibrating in from the floor.
RAIVEN (to business) Alright then...latch my Path coordinates into the ship's Nav system, and head off to the Borderlands.
STEGGY In a quickie jiff, boss.
After a few moments of genuinely peaceful silence from inside, Raiven gets startled by the blare of warning alarms coming from all sides of the area.
RAIVEN (impressed) Found another realm of speed on this rig. (chuckles) Loving it by the bett'n second...!
STEGGY Before you get too enamored of the ship's rev or of my ship finding skills...
CUT TO:
A shot of the radar screen, placed on the main screen in the command center, showing a set of three blips on the lower-right corner (representing the Attacker ships from the SkyForce base) moving toward the larger dot in the center (representing the Athena-5).
STEGGY (Cont., V.O.) We still got issues to deal with.
We move back to a shot of Raiven at her chair looking on with a mixture of nervousness, fear, and excitement about what's coming soon.
RAIVEN Oh. Yeah...that.
STEGGY No regrets about robbing this, right?
RAIVEN (shakes her head, certain) None. Science is always worth the fight...the risk of life. (sly smile comes across her face) Rev up the Z-Fac, Cap. Full speed to adventure!
STEGGY (chuckles) Gods, that's cheesy!
One last shot of the A-5 shooting forward in one sweet explosive spark coming from the Z-Fac engines. It's followed a little later by the spark of the 3 Attacker ships in the same direction.
END OF EPISODE 2