Ghost Signals, Episode 6: Part 1.2

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RAIVEN (unfazed, to Steggy) I already did prior to landing, Cap. The czarz levels are too low. Any type of prolonged exposure, even for a few segundos, and we'd be offed.

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STEGGY I'm aware of that. But I wanna double check with a ground level scan, see if the readings are in sync. Might also come in handy if the suits go south soon. Which, given our luck- is pretty close to probable I think. BACK TO:

Mz. de Caar as she, along with Raiven, are a few steps away from the rear of the ship. She grins and nods approvingly at the rationale used.

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (approvingly, to Steggy) Solid thinking, Mz. Steggy. Buzz us with the results when you're finished.

STEGGY Sure...

We move to a shot of the two of them slowly walking around and through various chunks of rubble for a time before hitting a mostly flat piece of sidewalk.

The soldier takes a few more steps forward to the road, while Raiven is suddenly frozen in place back on the sidewalk. It takes a couple of seconds, however, for Dez-Lei to notice.

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (turns to Raiven) What's wrong?

RAIVEN Nothing's wrong. It's just... the whole weight of what's just happened's hit me. Just now.

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A close-up of the good Doctor's face from within the confines of the helmet. You can see the blend of anxiety, fear, and happiness on her face; her eyes a slightly darker tint of pink with a few trickles of tears going down them.

RAIVEN (Cont.) I've been striving for a moment like this for as long as I can remember. A find of incredible historic significance to cement my place in the HistoriTA. Now that it's here, if it goes to all hells, I...

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The soldier who gives her a sympathetic nod toward her anxiety, walking the five steps back to Raiven.

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI Fear is an understandable emotion, Doctor. Especially when journeying to areas beyond the scope of known time and space.

RAIVEN This isn't going to be an "All Seeing Eye" preaching, is it?

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (shakes his head, chuckles) Just a verse from the Book of Tahserrvo I recite when I feel lost- "What seems black at first/Hard to scope/With the right movings/Can become a beacon of hope."

Raiven tilts her head to the side, unsure about the hidden meaning to be found in it.

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (in brief) Essentially, it means (I think) trusting the decisions that guide you to a particular moment in the belief it'll end well.

RAIVEN (understands) Ah. Li'Freyanism has a similar sentiment. (the two of them set off forward once again) "Geronimoooo!"

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (confused) I fail to see the similarities.

RAIVEN Few do. It takes a little bit of time to find it.

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EXT. HILLCREST COUNTRY CLUB- Half Hour Later

A sky based shot of the two of them walking through a patch of dead brown and black that stretches to all sides as far as can be seen. They appear like tiny ants amongst the desert-like scene; the only sign of its previous life as a golf course in the divots made for sand traps as well as, near the top corner of the screen, the clubhouse which has been heavily damaged and is near total destruction.

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A ground-level shot of the two of them moments later continuing to examine the area around them. At least Raiven is- Dez-Lei, meanwhile, is looking at things with a little more apprehension and a sense of coming danger somewhere on the horizon.

RAIVEN Still no sign of life yet. Though some of the compositions and layouts on the ground are quite fascinating I must say.

She stops walking and bends down, scooping up a chunk of the soil into her palm. A few beats later, the soil blends into the glove of the suit as she speaks.

RAIVEN (Cont.) I'm starting to think we've landed on this planet's version of a muermoss. I'd love to see a chunk of organic material nearby that I can pop back to the lab for analysis. (to Steggy) It arrive yet, Steggy?

STEGGY (from the speakers) They're coming through- kinda cool these suits are capable of that.

RAIVEN (chuckles) I know, right? Once we're back in Alliance territory, I really need to get my mitts on this kinda tech.

Dez-Lei glares back at Dr. O'Ozahl with a flare of annoyance in her eyes.

RAIVEN (Cont., immediately correcting; to AC Second Class Dez- Lei) Once I've paid my appropriate legal penalties, of course.