Emerald Flight: "Rules of Engagement" (continued)

75. INT. DEVEREUX’S QUARTERS

Devereux walks from the personal area of her quarters. She is dressed in her duty uniform, but still drying her hair with a towel.

A chime is heard.

Devereux looks toward the hatch, her expression settling into firm composure.

DEVEREUX

Come in.

Hope enters.

HOPE

Captain.

Devereux stares at Hope without speaking. She waits silently while Hope closes the hatch.

Devereux steps behind her desk, using it to separate herself and Hope.

DEVEREUX

I’d like an explanation.

HOPE

Yes, Captain.

Devereux waits silent for Hope to speak.

DEVEREUX

I’m waiting.

Hope remains silent.

DEVEREUX (CONT’D)
(tightly)

I want to know how you knew your way around that ship. (stares directly at Hope) Have you seen one before?

HOPE

I have not.

DEVEREUX
(quietly, tightly)

Then how did you know?

HOPE

I knew.

It is clear from Devereux’s expression that she is losing patience.

DEVEREUX

How did you know? Something you read once? Information you saw somewhere?

Hope appears to consider the questions for a long moment.

HOPE

No.

DEVEREUX
(sighs irritably)

Then how?

Hope appears to struggle with the answer.

HOPE

It was . . . in me.

DEVEREUX
(puzzled)

Something in your memory?

HOPE

No. (beat) Yes.

DEVEREUX

Which is it?

Hope stands silently for a moment, thinking.

HOPE
(tentatively)

Race memory. (more confidently) Programmed.

Devereux considers Hope’s response.

DEVEREUX

Programmed--stored in your cells? By your Creators?

HOPE
(nods)

Likely.

Devereux looks away from Hope, considering the implications of that explanation.

DEVEREUX
(quietly)

Is it an Aerian vessel?

HOPE
(nods)

Yes. (beat) Very old.

DEVEREUX

How old?

Hope pauses a moment, thinking about her answer.

HOPE

Three thousand.

Reaction shot of Devereux. She is obviously caught off-guard by this realization.

DEVEREUX
(shaken)

Years?

HOPE

Terran. Yes.

DEVEREUX

From the time of the Creation?

HOPE
(quietly)

Yes.

Devereux considers the situation for several moments. She appears to still to be trying to come to grips with the magnitude of their discovery.

DEVEREUX

What kind of ship is it?

HOPE

Carried many troops. Heavily armed.

DEVEREUX

So some kind of transport? Heavy cruiser or capital ship?

HOPE

Yes.

Devereux turns to stares out the window, although the alien vessel is not in view.

DEVEREUX
(whispers)

Three thousand years . . .

Devereux turns back to face Hope.

DEVEREUX (CONT’D)

How much do you know about it?

HOPE

Some.

DEVEREUX

But more than you think you do, I’d bet.

HOPE

Most likely.

Devereux thinks in silence for several moments.

DEVEREUX

Prepare a report with everything that you can remember.

HOPE

Yes, Captain.

DEVEREUX

We’ll present it to the senior staff at a debriefing in one hour. (beat) Dismissed.

HOPE

Yes, Captain.

Hope exits.

Devereux turns and stares out the window again.

DEVEREUX
(softly, barely audible)

Three thousand years . . .

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