Emerald Flight: "Rules of Engagement" (continued)

Devereux looks toward the main bridge displays.

DEVEREUX

Chief, we’re still not receiving a clear signal from two of the cameras.

RUSTY’S COMM VOICE

That’d be Lizzie and Hope.

DEVEREUX
(concerned)

They’re not with you?

RUSTY’S COMM VOICE

They stayed in the Command Center while we fixed this up.

DEVEREUX

I see.

RUSTY’S COMM VOICE

We’re putting the signal relay in place now, Cap’n. (beat) You’ll be able to talk them both in a couple of minutes. (beat) Assuming you want to.

CUT TO:

92. INT. BRIDGE

Reaction shot of Devereux. Devereux scowls slightly.

DEVEREUX

Just get on with it, Chief. (with slight humor) We can discuss your disregard for my orders later.

RUSTY’S COMM VOICE
(with mock protest)

She’s the one who pulled rank!

DEVEREUX

Right. (beat) Keep me informed. Devereux out.

CUT TO:

93. INT. ALIEN VESSEL – CORRIDOR - COMMAND CENTER

Rusty grins at Aruna and Tsu-Tao.

RUSTY

Commanding officers. You just have to know how to handle ‘em.

Aruna and Tsu-Tao exchanged worried glances.

CUT TO:

94. INT. ALIEN VESSEL - COMMAND CENTER

Elizabeth is examining one of the consoles. She touches it tentatively, as if she expects that it might suddenly activate.

Hope sits on the deck next to one of the dead Aerian bodies. She is staring at it, occasionally cocking her head slightly as she studies it.

RUSTY’S COMM VOICE
(loudly)

Get off my ship!

Elizabeth starts. She takes a deep breath and then mumbles something that cannot be understood.

ELIZABETH
(warningly)

Chief . . .

RUSTY
(chuckles)

Just making sure you hadn’t dozed off or something.

ELIZABETH

You’d better hope there’s nothing alive in here that wants to eat you. I’ll let it!

RUSTY

That’s cruel.

ELIZABETH

I mean it.

RUSTY

To the hungry creature, I mean.

Elizabeth mutters something under her breath again.

RUSTY (CONT’D)
(chuckles)

We’re on our way back. (beat) That’ll give you two time to finish your girl-talk.

Elizabeth glances toward Hope and rolls her eyes slightly.

DISSOLVE TO:

95. INT. BRIDGE

The images on all of the main bridge displays resolve into better clarity.

HAWKES

Captain, we have full communications again with all members of Chief Rayna’s survey team.

DEVEREUX

Good. (beat) What’s the status of the survey team we sent to help them?

HAWKES
(checks his console)

They’re still two decks away. (beat) At least ten minutes before they reach the Command Center.

Devereux studies a map of the explored sections of the alien vessel.

DEVEREUX

Divert them here instead. (highlights a location aft) We still need to locate the main Engineering sections.

HAWKES

Yes, Captain.

DISSOLVE TO:

96. INT. ALIEN VESSEL - COMMAND CENTER

Rusty, Aruna, and Tsu-Tao enter.

The three engineers approach Elizabeth and stop. They all look at Hope.

RUSTY

What’s she doing?

ELIZABETH
(shrugs)

I don’t know. I came over to check out this station and when I looked back, she was like that. (beat) She’s been doing that ever since.

RUSTY

Did she say anything?

Elizabeth shakes her head.