Ghost Signals, Episode 3: Part 2.3
STEGGY (Cont.) What's up, another anxiety spike?
RAIVEN (shakes her head) Just--thinking on my feet. In case that SkyCruiser or one of the Attackers pops up while it's repairing. I'd rather not be caught without some type of plan.
STEGGY (agreeing nod) Good call...
RAIVEN (pause, then looks to Steggy for inspiration) You happen to know the Cons of any pirates in the area, do you?
Steggy chuckles and flashes a curious eyebrow at the Doctor's request.
STEGGY You honestly think I'd have set us to rob a SkyForce base alone if I did?
RAIVEN (shrugs) Good point. Thought it was worth asking. We could've used their distractive prowess in any type of hypothetical battle.
STEGGY About that- observing military history, I've never gotten why Cruisers don't charge at the enemy once they pass the border.
RAIVEN (explanatory) I read about that a few rohtlas back- most soldiers are devout members of the Church of the Eye. One of its chief beliefs is that all of existence is gathered on a perfectly cylindrical eye. Any soul or ship seeking to cross it without good reason would be swallowed up by the endless void.
STEGGY Fascinating. A bit strange, too, given that pirates pop in and out all the time from there.
RAIVEN Aye, I know. But what is religion without a few bits of that kind of thing.
STEGGY A dull arsed tale...?
The two chuckle for a few brief moments, sharing a nice moment of friendship. It dies down a second later. It's followed by a crackle from the speakers.
GUARD (from the speakers) Repairs have been finished...you are now free to cross. Blessed fortune on your expedition!
RAIVEN (to the Guard) ...Thanks! Blessed fortune to you.
Dr. O'Ozahl pauses for a brief moment, letting out a sigh before moving back to the captain's chair.
RAIVEN (to Steggy) Imprin my flight path into the guidance system, and- let's book it on Z-2.
STEGGY (enthusiastically) Aye aye, Doc. To fame!
RAIVEN (grins) ...To scientific immortality!
Steggy's holographic appearance disappears a second later.
CUT TO:
EXT. TA SKYCRUISER SAMON- Shortly after the Athena-5 escaped
An exterior shot of the TA SkyCruiser Samon making a slow turn toward the same Z-Factor inspired portal that helped the Athena-5 escape. After making a turn, lined up to where they escaped, the massive battle-ready military vehicle soon hits Z after them.
We move to a shot of the cruiser for a handful of moments going through the blur of the portal before coming out of Z into another section of space.
GENREAL MARSH (V.O.) Many thanks for taking this mission on, AC Second Class. 'Tis a sign of great bravery...
CUT TO:
INT. LAUNCH BAY, SKYCRUISER SAMON
The cruiser's Launch Bay where Genreal Marsh is walking alongside AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI, a diminuitive pilot in a red-black standard uniform with glowing yellow skin and long fuschia hair. She's holding a similarly colored helmet in her left arm as she speaks.
GENREAL MARSH (Cont., to AC Second Class Dez-Lei) Not that many of your colleagues would take on such a dangerous assignment.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (stoic, to Genreal Marsh) It's for the good of the Alliance, ser. I'd gladly place my life in great peril if it meant the glory of the Prime Chancellor would continue to shine in the cosmos.
GENREAL MARSH (slight chuckle, to AC Second Class Dez-Lei) Your loyalty has been well noted. You have your orders from Capitol- follow through on them.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (nods) Yes, Genreal...
She punctuates the statement with a salute to her superior [Three fingers to the heart, then fist/arm extended out to side]; Genreal reciprocates, and the two split apart.
CUT TO:
A slight close-up on the Airman, sliding on the helmet as she approaches the side of her smaller pill-shaped ship; the side door opening at the same moment. You can see the same yellow glow of her skin permeate past her uniform forming an aura as she walks inside.
A few moments later, amidst the chatter and roar of the others in the loading bay, we see the ship's rear levitational engines raise it off the metal ground and head out to the front gate.
The camera follows the ship on this path for a couple of long beats. When it gets close enough, the ship takes off with a bang and a long silver streak in the night sky.
CUT TO:
INT. DEZ-LEI'S SHIP- Moments Later
Dez-Lei in the pilot's seat, gripping the steering wheel as the ship goes out of Z. Her gaze is split between the screen in front of her and the radar display on her console to her left.