Emerald Flight: "Rules of Engagement" (continued)

Devereux adjusts the controls and zooms in on the location of the Command Center.

DEVEREUX (CONT’D)

We have learned that the Command Center is locked down tight. (zooms on that section) All of our efforts to get inside have failed, short of trying to cut through the bulkheads around the hatches.

RUSTY

Why haven’t you done that?

HAWKES

Security protocols.

RUSTY

Gesundheit.

Hawkes stares flatly at Rusty.

Elizabeth tries with some success to stifle a snicker.

DEVEREUX
(stares evenly at Rusty)

Exactly.

HAWKES

Critical areas of our ship are secured with automated defense systems. It is very likely that the Aerian warship was designed with similar protocols.

RUSTY

After three thousand years? That’s a bit paranoid, even for you . . . Lieutenant.

HAWKES
(coolly)

You’re welcome to test my theory.

Rusty meets Hawkes’ gaze.

RUSTY
(mutters)

I just might.

DEVEREUX
(with mild annoyance)

That’s enough . . . gentlemen.

Hawkes appears calmly undisturbed by Devereux’s mild reprimand. Rusty looks away from Hawkes with overly dramatic petulance.

There is a long moment of awkward silence.

Rusty studies the floating schematic of the Aerian vessel.

RUSTY

So we’ve decided she’s a warship.

HOPE

Yes.

DEVEREUX

Hope’s claims aside, no other explanation seems to make sense. (adjusts the image) Its configuration doesn’t seem to be designed as a cargo carrier or colony ship--at least not like any we’ve ever seen.

RUSTY

Then where are the weapons batteries? The defensive systems? (beat) Hell, where are the engines?

HAWKES

They’ve simply not be located yet. (beat) The vessel is considerably larger than even our largest dreadnought.

HOPE

Aft. Level (says something unintelligible, pauses) Eight.

RUSTY
(stares, confused)

What?

HOPE
(stares back)

Engine Control.

RUSTY

Uh huh. (beat) And I suppose you know where the main weapons are?

HOPE

Yes.

Rusty watches Hope for several moments.

RUSTY (CONT’D)
(irritably)

Well?

HOPE

Multiple locations.

RUSTY

Can you name a few?

HOPE

Yes.

Reaction shot of Rusty. He is clearly losing his patience. Before he can speak, though, Hope continues.

HOPE (CONT’D)

Names . . . not known.

RUSTY

What?

DEVEREUX
(calmly)

Do you mean you don’t know? Or you don’t know what they do?

HOPE

Yes.