Ghost Signals, Episode 3: Part 2.2
INT. COMMAND CENTER, ATHENA-5
The good Doctor suddenly breaks out in a jolt of anxiety, pacing around the room after Steggy initiates the pause of the image on the big screen.
STEGGY (encouragingly) You've done well, dudo. We're close to passing through. What's the worry?
RAIVEN What if he cross-refs my ID through the Consortium database? He'll know about the Shocla, and [probably soon] the base break-in and the whole... (takes a deep breath, reigning in the anxiety; itch of truth) Much as I want to be famous, I also don't want to be iced in a votbett'n prison satellite till I'm infirmed.
STEGGY Doc, Border brownies aren't that bright. They're posted to a lil' outpost in the middle of nowhere for a reason. Keep chill and you will be fine.
RAIVEN I know all that, logically speaking. It's just...hard for me to fib. After awhile, it axes around my stomach and makes me wanna blow chunks.
STEGGY (chuckles) You fleshbags are fascinating and disgusting buckets of weird.
RAIVEN (slight smile, reaching into her coat) You're noticing this now? Unpause...
CUT TO:
The same scene layout that we saw earlier in the scene- Raiven featured prominently on the screen that the Guard is observing from. We see a sense of confidence in the overall plan for the first time.
RAIVEN (performatively apologetic, to Guard) My aplohge there. I left it in my quarters, which is way on the other side of the ship. (shows her ID) I'm still getting used to the layout here, so...
GUARD (interjecting, not worried as he types; to Raiven) Completely understood. I was the same way when I was tasked here. Took me monats before I could...
He stops typing a second later, glancing back to Raiven at the screen.
GUARD (Cont., suddenly curious) Is your #2 onboard?
RAIVEN No, ser. We-- (clears her throat) We don't have a "proper" crew tasked. We're mostly A.I. run.
GUARD (surprised) Really?
RAIVEN (nods her head) It's a new Consortium policy for expeditions. Helps to minimize the risk of someone selling off tech to our enemies for ched.
GUARD (remembers something) Like that dudo who dealt intel secrets and Porcahns a few rohltas back for 20 million Ched?
RAIVEN Exactly...basically just a big precaution on their part.
GUARD Understood. (signals to Raiven) You can pocket your ID. I got it scanned.
The Guard finishes typing and waits as the results are slowly but surely totted up. After what seems like an extremely long time, the screen flickers about as a result of some type of software bug.
GUARD (annoyed, banging on the side of the console) Argh! Stupid bett'n tech...
On the third bang, the computer hums and returns to normal function. A second later, we see them appear in the form of a pop-up window tinted in gold. Inside the box is a checkmark, and the word "Approved For Exploration."
GUARD (pleasant smile) Everything checks out, Dr. O'Ozahl. Now, to go up to the BetBox for repairs and you can head out for that very important mission of yours.
RAIVEN (V.O.) Thank you...
GUARD (to BCST) Activate the BetBox for the Class- S cruiser, please Beastie.
BCST (from the speaker, to Guard) Yes, ser.
CUT TO:
An exterior shot of the Athena-5 a few moments later. We see a pair of discs shot out of the base of the border beacon, stopping on both sides of the craft. A second later, the discs release a pair of electric beams that connect to form a box, disappearing the ship from the view of the camera.
RAIVEN (V.O., to Steggy) How long do these BetBoxes usually take to finish repairing?
STEGGY (V.O., to Raiven) Varies, depending on the job. Sometimes a few minuyat, other times a few horuts. With our damage...
CUT TO:
INT. COMMAND CENTER, ATHENA-5
The good Doctor standing in the center of the room, looking up with a ponderous look on her face. You can see Steggy standing by her in the background, leaning against the railing and listening to her think on her feet as she explains.
STEGGY (Cont.) What's up, another anxiety spike?