Ghost Signals, Episode 5: Part 4.2
She carefully takes the creature on both sides, and lifts it a couple of inches off the soldier's chest; her eyes awkwardly peeled to its two sets of eyes.
RAIVEN Umm.... (long pause, to Kaylar) Hello there. How'd you come by this section of space? (awkward pause) I like your...little legs- reminds me of one of those Vabrashkas I observed while on excavation on Divion. Though you've got much more fur. (awkward pause, observing Kaylar) Dooo....do you have a mouth? Some type of--
Before she could finish the rest of her thought, the Kaylar blinks and the two of them are instantly teleported out of the room and out into the hallway.
The good Doctor looks from side to side for a few moments in great shock before turning her attention back to the adorable creature.
RAIVEN (gagging/excited) I can't decide whether that was awesome or dis...
Her initial thought is interrupted by the sudden rise of her breakfast up her stomach. Raiven lets go of the Kaylar who lands smoothly on the ground and vomits violently; the creature leaving up the hallway for a time before 'porting out of view a few moments later.
It's at this point that the vomiting stops and the good Doctor slowly regains her composure, placing a hand on the wall for balance.
RAIVEN 'Kay. Looks like you're gonna be a little of both. Funnn...!
The camera stays on her for a few more moments before her attention is turned to the right upon hearing the sound of screaming coming from back in her lab.
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INT. DOORWAY, RAIVEN'S LABORATORY
The opened doorway to Raiven's lab a few moments and quick footsteps later. She takes a step through and watches the AC Second Class ranting off-screen.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (Off-Screen) No. No no no no no no...
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Dez-Lei pacing five steps from where Dr. O'Ozahl is standing; her fingers quickly typing away on a wrist communicator, viewing pages of code and files that flash up on the 3-D screen.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (Cont., to herself) The file's gotta be in her somewhere. I remember- I backed it up just yesterdat...
RAIVEN (concerned, to AC Second Class Dez-Lei) I'm sorry about your ship. I know you SkyForcers (or more assume) you guys take a lotta pride in your rides. The soldier nods silently.
RAIVEN (Cont.) I imagine you had a lotta good memories exploding bad guys and upholding....whatever "ideals" the Alliance claim to fight for.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (glances to Raiven, acknowledging) It does hurt. And I do appreciate the attempt at consolement, albeit one that's badly executed... (back to the screen) But I've gone through many ships like this in my career.
RAIVEN (takes a few steps to Dez-Lei) So what's got you on edge?
The soldier stops pacing momentarily and sighs; her right wrist dropping to the side as she turns back to Raiven.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI It's Aru. She's been the one constant since I enlisted. I've been checking to see if she survived the blast, but I--
RAIVEN (interjecting, giving her a consoling pat on the shoulder) Don't worry, Steggy got her out of your guys' databanks beforehand. Once you're up to it, she'll be more than happy to pull her up for ya.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (grateful grin) ...Many thanks, Doctor.
RAIVEN Most welcome...
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI I hope you don't think that this means our little deal is now null and void.
RAIVEN Of course, yeah. Never assumed for a segundo. Just extending a kindness.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI Must've been difficult, given your opinions on my profession.
RAIVEN (nods) A teeny bit, yeah... (playfully) If you're a fan of boozy bevs, the DC makes a rather mean Krakathoom.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (scoffing chuckle) Krakathoom? I know a half- dozheen other drinks better than that!
A chuckle between the two of them. A moment and a half later, the speaker on the ceiling of the lab crackles to life.
STEGGY (from the speaker) Just so ya know, the engines are topped up and we're ready to ride.
The two of them look at one another for a brief moment, silently gauging the answer. Finally, Dez-Lei gives a single affirmative nod.
RAIVEN (to Steggy) Make sure the Path's lined up before we set back off again. We'll be in the Command Center in a quick jiff.
A beat later, as the two of them start to walk off, we hear the sound of skittering from the Kaylar followed by a "SQUAWK!" that sounds a bit like a high-pitched duck.
STEGGY Aww, Kay wanted to say hi.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (curious whispering, to Raiven) Is--Is she talking about that thing from the Engine Room?
RAIVEN (nods) The ship's new pet too, apparently. May also be the reason we die a horrible death in the middle of space.
AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (worried) Grand...
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A shot of the doorway just as the doors slide open, and our two heroines step out alongside one another on their way to the command center. It closes behind them a few moments later once they walk out of view.
CUT TO:
EXT. SHOP, INLAND EMPIRE, EARTH
A doorway belonging to a weathered looking building a far distance away closing very slowly. You can faintly see an Amazon logo on the marquis. The camera pans to the right, showing more online based stores with the same weathered designs as well as bombed out apartment buildings, grocery stores, and restaurants that are all but destroyed or closed to crumbling on their own.
Moments later, the camera stops on a shot of the mountains that line up the Inland Empire. It stays there for a few moments until...
CUT TO:
A sea of sand descending from the mountains moving westward to the ocean, showing in brief sections the devastation and destruction that has overtaken Los Angeles and the surrounding towns. It does this for awhile till it reaches a collection of buildings stretching as far as the eye can see where the sandstorm suddenly stops by a rush of air coming from above off-screen. The only thing you can see of its location is a pair of mouse ears and a red N.
END OF EPISODE 5