"Pilot": 12-23-08

EXT. OCEAN – DAY

Establishing shot of ocean. The storm has broken, leaving the sky mostly sunny with only the occasional cloud.

A powered boat comes into scene. The camera follows it and moves in close so we see that Scott, Thad, Devereux, Elizabeth, and Hope are on board.

Thad is driving; Scott is in the co-pilot seat. Devereux is seated behind Scott, with Elizabeth and Hope in the other rear seats. Hope looks noticeably uncomfortable.

Devereux leans forward toward Scott.

DEVEREUX
(shouting over the noise of the boat)
He is qualified to pilot this vessel, right?

SCOTT
(nods)
Yeah. We used to do it all the time on the lake by our family cabin.

The boat makes an abrupt surge.

SCOTT (CONT'D)
(laughing)
I didn't say he was good at it!

Devereux glares at him mildly and leans back.

Thad turns toward Scott and grins, clearly enjoying himself.

Elizabeth reaches forward and taps Scott's shoulder, pointing to a device in her hand.

Scott looks, nods, and then gestures to Thad to change direction slightly.

Thad overcompensates deliberately, causing a spray of water in one direction and then another as he finally heads in the direction indicated.

Devereux leans forward again, pointing toward something.

Shot from Scott's POV of a small object bobbing in the water.

The boat moves toward it. It quickly becomes clear that it is the escape pod.

Thad slows the boat carefully until they are alongside the escape pod.

SCOTT
It looks intact.

Devereux nods. She pulls out her communications unit.

DEVEREUX
Chief? Are okay? We're in position alongside you.

Everyone waits in silence. Devereux frowns, raises the communications unit and stops as the top hatch opens.

Rusty's head appears. He blinks in the sunlight. He climbs up and stares down at them.

RUSTY
About time, Captain. The sharks were just here discussing can openers . . .

THAD
(laughs)
I like him.

RUSTY
I could use some help getting the equipment out. (smiles at the others) Don't mind the mess. I wasn't expecting company.

ELIZABETH
(eagerly)
I'll give you a hand, Chief.

Thad gives Elizabeth an odd look.

RUSTY
Thanks, Lizzie. (to Devereux) This should only take a moment, Captain. (looks at Hope) You don't look so good, Doc.

Rusty responds with an exaggerated expression and a mock gasp.

RUSTY (CONT'D)
Don't tell me Aerians can't handle the water.

Devereux quickly turns toward Hope. Hope looks back evenly, but her expression does betray some level of discomfort.

HOPE
I can perform my duties.

THAD
(with a faint air of snideness)
Just make sure you perform them over the edge, not inside the boat.

Scott gives Thad a sharp glare. Thad only shrugs in return, chuckling.

Devereux helps Elizabeth climb onto the escape pod while Scott secures it to the boat with a rope. He stands next to Devereux, waiting while Elizabeth makes her way to the hatch.

The boat rocks suddenly. Not hard, but just enough to throw Devereux off-balance and into Scott's arms. They wait a moment to see if the boat jolts again, but it seems to remain steady.

Devereux gets back to her feet, but not before she and Scott exchange a quick smile.

Medium reaction shot of Thad scowling.

SCOTT
(to Thad)
Keep her steady, bro. I'll open the hold.

THAD
(nods, quietly)
I'll bet you want to open her hold . . .

Thad turns away with a dark expression.

Scott busies himself with opening the cargo hold. He moves a few items aside and then studies the available space.

SCOTT
(frowns)
Christine, how much weight are we bringing on?

Devereux considers for a moment and then calls toward the escape pod.

DEVEREUX
Chief?

RUSTY'S VOICE
(mildly irritated)
What, Captain?

DEVEREUX
How much do you think all your equipment weighs?

RUSTY'S VOICE
With or without the Scotch?

We catch a glimpse of Thad smirking.

DEVEREUX
(mildly, but sharply)
Chief.

RUSTY
(audible chuckle)
About eighty kilos or so.

Devereux looks toward Scott. Scott considers that for a moment, and then nods.

Elizabeth reappears in the hatchway, carrying a small crate.

SCOTT
(to Devereux)
Do those float?

DEVEREUX
(thoughtful)
I don't know . . .

SCOTT
(chuckles quietly)
Then we'd better make sure we don't drop any . . .

Devereux smiles at him and then reaches to take the case from Elizabeth. She hands it to Scott. He places in into the cargo hold and waits for the next one.

Elizabeth climbs back and reaches in for another one. She turns and starts to hand it to Devereux.

THAD
(overtones of concern)
Uh, guys . . .

SCOTT
What's up, bro?

THAD
You might want to hurry . . .

Shot from Scott's POV over Thad's shoulder.

Thad points toward the horizon.

THAD (CONT'D)
I think we're about to have company.

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