"Pilot": 07-23-08

MAIN ENGINEERING DECK – NEAR RUSTY'S OFFICE

The hatch opens and Rusty steps through. Two crewmembers are working nearby and notice him as he enters. One of them, Aruna, nods to the other one and walks over to Rusty. Concern is evident in her expression.

ARUNA
Chief, are you all right?

Rusty manages a friendly smile.

RUSTY
Yeah, fine. Just overslept a bit.

ARUNA
(nods skeptically)
You've been working too much, Chief.

RUSTY
With Lizzie and the Captain gone, someone has to make the real work gets done around here.

Rusty winks at Aruna, chuckling softly.

Aruna still looks mildly skeptical, but gives Rusty a smile.

ARUNA
Sure, Chief.

Rusty grins back at her.

RUSTY
Now get back to work.

ARUNA
(smiles)
Yes, sir.

Aruna exits.

Rusty watches Aruna go for a moment. He turns and enters his office. Once inside, he pauses and leans against the hatchway, sagging slightly.

RUSTY
(quietly)
Some coffee. Definitely some coffee.

Rusty walks over to one of the alcoves in the bulkhead. He picks up a nearby mug, stares inside it for a moment, shrugs and places it inside the small enclosure. He presses a control, sighing contentedly as a thin stream of dark liquid pours into the mug. It finishes after a few moments and Rusty removes the mug, sniffing at it, eyes closed.

RUSTY (CONT'D)
Not quite nectar of the gods, but it'll do.

Rusty takes several careful sips of the coffee and then, appearing somewhat more alert, heads over to the desk.

He places the mugs down on one of the few empty places and starts looking through the clutter for something.

CHOY (V.O.)
Chief?

Rusty is startled, nearly knocking over the coffee mug as he turns.

Choy looks somewhat embarrassed at disturbing Rusty and waits silently for him to respond.

RUSTY
(calmly)
Yes?

CHOY
(hesitantly)
Lieutenant Hawkes was looking for you earlier.

RUSTY
(amused)
Oh? What did the old fossil want?

Choy appears slightly uncomfortable with Rusty's disrespectful reference to the senior officer.

CHOY
He didn't say, sir.

Rusty looks thoughtful.

RUSTY
Where is he?

CHOY
I believe on the bridge, sir.

RUSTY
(nods)
Okay. (beat) I'd better see what he wants.

Rusty notices that Choy is watching him carefully.

RUSTY (CONT'D)
Is there something else?

CHOY
(reluctantly)
Um. No, sir.

RUSTY
(mildly suspicious)
You're sure?

CHOY
(nods)
Yes, sir.

Rusty shakes his head, takes another sip of the coffee, and then exits.

Choy waits until she is sure that Rusty is out of the area and then walks over to the desk. She picks up his mug and sniffs at it carefully. She frowns and then returns the mug to the desk. She turns as she looks around the office, but evidently does not find what she is looking for. With a slight sigh and a shrug, she exits the office.

CUT TO:

INT. BRIDGE

Establishing shot of bridge showing the crew at work. Hawkes is at the Tactical station.

Rusty enters and surveys the area quickly before settling on Hawkes. He squares his shoulders and walks briskly toward the Tactical station.

Hawkes looks up as Rusty approaches. His gaze sweeps Rusty up and down.

RUSTY
I heard you were looking for me, Lieutenant?

HAWKES
(coolly)
Yes.

Rusty looks around the bridge.

RUSTY
Everything looks like it's working.

HAWKES
(studies Rusty)
It is. (beat) I wanted a status report.

RUSTY
Oh. Okay. (beat) We've repaired all of the damage except for the slipstream core. I've reassigned all of my teams back to regular maintenance duties. (shrugs) Not much else they can do until the Captain gets back.

Hawkes nods during Rusty's report, entering something into his console.

A long silence follows.

RUSTY (CONT'D)
Anything else, Lieutenant?

HAWKES
Yes. (beat) Report to the infirmary.

Rusty tries to hide his surprise, but does a poor job of it.

RUSTY
They need something fixed? I'll send someone down.

HAWKES
No. (beat) Do you require an escort?

Rusty stares at Hawkes. His expression is somewhere between a scowl and something slightly more belligerent.

RUSTY
(tightly)
No, sir.

Hawkes continues to stare at Rusty until Rusty turns and leaves the bridge. Hawkes stares at the hatchway for a long moment before turning his attention back to his console.

CUT TO:

INT. CORRIDOR – OUTSIDE THE BRIDGE

Rusty stands outside the closed hatch. He waits for several beats and then looks down at his hands. They appear fairly steady, but there is a slight tremor evident. He flexes his fingers, forming a fist, and then relaxes them. After a moment, the slight tremor returns.

With an expression mixed with both resignation and determination, Rusty heads down the corridor.

FADE TO: