Ghost Signals, Episode 8: Part 1.2

RAIVEN And the point of this dip into the Alliance's hiscript...?

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI We have no idea whether or not these huminns are more civilized than their predecessors. I mean, we saw the loading bay coming in- quite regimented for a supposedly peaceful society.

RAIVEN That's--an excellent point, Dez. But part of me still feels guilty leaving without at least stitching up their power grid. Not to mention the dearth of information still to piece from this place...

CAPTAIN RIGGS (V.O., to Raiven) You want proof of our noble intent?

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Briefly a shot of Captain Riggs stoically standing right in front of our heroines' table, dressed in the same military uniform that we saw her in earlier.

We then see the other three snap into shocked attention at Ms. Riggs' presence.

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (salutes, to Captain Riggs) Captain...

RAIVEN (surprised, to Captain Riggs) We were just having a chat. Your Mayor itchy for an answer?

CAPTAIN RIGGS (shakes her head,

to Raiven) They was merely curious to see where your head was at. That's why Jaryd suggested a tour of the town shortly after you left- to assist in the decision making.

RAIVEN A tour?

CAPTAIN RIGGS

You said that you were curious about what our world was like. It also has the duel benefit of alleviating any doubts you or your friends may have with us.

STEGGY (suspicious, to Captain Riggs) How exactly do you know of our doubts?

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (immediately knowing, to Steggy) She's the town's Security Chief. It's part of her job to catch all the details most would miss. (to Captain Riggs) Isn't that right?

Captain Riggs nods.

CAPTAIN RIGGS (slight correcting) It's not as ominous as the fellow soldier paints it. But this level of peace requires a steady hand and good eyes to keep it.

RAIVEN

Will Jaryd be joining us on this "tour," Captain?

CAPTAIN RIGGS Indeed, in about 15 minutes time. They'll be bringing the transport. So, I suggest finishing your meals... (sniffs, looking at Dez-Lei) Or begin bathing.

The Captain walks off a moment later, leaving the three of them in a silent glare over what will come next.

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (grumbling over Capt. Riggs) Wouldn't know a truly pleasant smell if it bit you in the...

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INT. HALLWAY, COMMUNAL CENTER- Minutes Later

An action shot of the three heroines going through a hallway on their way to the building's entrance. The AC Second Class is at the end of the line as they pass a small sparsely attended chapel in the middle of Islamic services.

Dez-Lei stops and listens to the rest of the service as the Imam goes into a recitation from the Kor'an. Though the language is considerably foreign, you can see the soldier being affected by the beauty of what's being said

right to its end.

A few moments later, as the eyes just begin to get reddened, a voice calls out from off-screen right.

STEGGY Dez...you coming?

She glances over at the CGAI's position, wiping her eye with her left hand.

AC SECOND CLASS DEZ-LEI (to Steggy) I'll be there in a bit.

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A shot from the sky of the Mayor's car going down the road to the northeast for a few moments. Then it shifts to ground level as it stops in front of a building a short time later.

The doors open and they slowly come out of the car (Jaryd 1st, Raiven 2nd, AC Second Class 3rd, Steggy 4th) to spy the building in question- a two-story school with cleaning bots walking inside.

JARYD We call this place a secondary school. The youth congregate here to learn the basics before the more intensive curriculum in...

RAIVEN (interjecting) I'm familiar with the schooling concept, Mayor. When you say "basics," what do you mean precisely?

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