Devereux studies the image in silence for several moments.
Devereux looks over at Rusty.
DEVEREUX (CONT’D)
Engineering, I want you to find a way to clear the dust off the ship. I don’t need to it to look like new, but I would like to see it.
RUSTY
We’re on it, Cap’n. Economy wash, hold the spit and polish.
Devereux just stares at him for a moment.
DEVEREUX
Our own repairs still take priority, however.
RUSTY
(smiles charmingly)
Of course.
Devereux turns toward Hawkes.
DEVEREUX
Lieutenant, I’d like you to coordinate a rotation of survey teams. I want to know what else there is inside that ship.
HAWKES
Yes, Captain.
DEVEREUX
And I don’t want anyone roaming around in there without an armed escort. Is that clear?
HAWKES
Of course, Captain.
Devereux surveys the faces of the officers seated around the table.
DEVEREUX
Any questions?
RUSTY
(with a faint smile)
Lizzie, I could use your help with the dusting.
Elizabeth looks toward Devereux.
Devereux nods her agreement.
DEVEREUX
Anything else?
No one speaks.
DEVEREUX (CONT’D)
Okay then. We’ll reconvene at oh nine hundred for an update on our status. (beat) Dismissed.
All of the officers except for Devereux rise from their seats, gather their equipment, and exit the conference room.
Devereux remains standing, staring at the holographic image of the alien vessel.
DISSOLVE TO:
78. INT. MAIN ENGINEERING
Establishing shot of the Main Engineering deck.
Crew members are busily working throughout the section. Some enter and exit the deck carrying various pieces of equipment.
Rusty and Elizabeth enter.
ELIZABETH
What do you have in mind, Chief?
Rusty pauses for a brief moment before answering.
RUSTY
Not a clue. (looks thoughtful) I thought we could adapt your idea on a larger scale, but we need to be able to direct where the dust goes.
ELIZABETH
If we just let it blow around, it’ll foul our sensors pretty badly.
RUSTY
And maybe take a few other systems along with it. (muses) That dust’s been collecting there for a while.
ELIZABETH
It was probably attracted by some magnetic property in the alloy of the hull.
RUSTY
(nods slowly in agreement)
The dust specks found it a whole lot more interesting than just floating around out there in space. (beat) We need to make them lose interest.
ELIZABETH
Or give them something else to attach to.
Rusty nods in agreement.
CUT TO:
79. RUSTY’S OFFICE
Rusty and Elizabeth enter.
Rusty activates one of his displays. He works the controls near it and waits.
A series of data readings are displayed on the screen.
Rusty studies the information.
RUSTY
There’s a lot of dust out there.
ELIZABETH
What about the asteroids?
RUSTY
That’s where the dust came from . . . (pauses) What if we could get some of them to take it back?
ELIZABETH
By magnetizing their cores?
RUSTY
Exactly. (studies the display) Most of them are made of iron or some other potentially magnetic ore.
Rusty activates another display and brings up a schematic showing the alien vessel and the positions of the asteroids around it.
RUSTY (CONT’D)
If we can make enough of them swoop by close enough without actually hitting the ship . . .
ELIZABETH
It would take a lot of them.
RUSTY
There’s a lot of them out there.
ELIZABETH
Well, yeah. But—
HAWKES’ COMM VOICE
Bridge to Main Engineering.
Rusty rolls his eyes at the interruption. Elizabeth suppresses a grin at his reaction.
RUSTY
Yeah, Lieutenant. What is it?
HAWKES’ COMM VOICE
It would be beneficial if a few members from Engineering could join the survey teams.
RUSTY
The Captain said that repairs have priority.
There is a brief pause before Hawkes responds.
HAWKES’ COMM VOICE
Yes. (beat) Are they all engaged in that activity?
RUSTY
(reluctantly)
No . . .
HAWKES’ COMM VOICE
Then you have personnel available?
RUSTY
(sighs)
I’ll send three down to the shuttle bay right now.
HAWKES’ COMM VOICE
Acknowledged. (beat) Bridge out.
Rusty makes an irritated face at the now-silent intercom.
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