Emerald Flight: "Rules of Engagement" (continued)

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98. INT. ALIEN VESSEL - COMMAND CENTER

DEVEREUX’S COMM VOICE

Hope, one of the other survey teams found something. I’m having Lieutenant Hawkes bounce the transmission on to you to see if you recognize anything.

HOPE

Acknowledged. (beat) I wait.

Hope stiffens slightly as she receives the transmissions from Hawkes.

RUSTY

Hey, Doc. Everything okay?

There is a long pause before Hope answers.

HOPE

Main Weapons Control. Aft.

ELIZABETH
(puzzled)

You remembered what this station does?

Hope turns to stare at Elizabeth.

HOPE

No.

RUSTY

One of the other teams found another big room. That must be what she’s talking about.

HOPE

Yes.

RUSTY

Well that sounds a lot more interesting than snooping around here collecting feathers from dead guys. (beat) Lizzie, you and Hope can stay here and keep checking out this place. We’ll go see how big the guns are this thing has.

ELIZABETH

The Captain ordered no one is supposed to head out with an armed escort.

RUSTY

Aruna, you carrying her sidearm?

ARUNA

Yes, sir.

RUSTY

You know how to fire it?

ARUNA
(hesitates)

Yes, sir.

RUSTY

Good. (to Elizabeth) Tsu-tao can stay here with you then. (gives Elizabeth a tight grin) I know you know how to handle a weapon.

Elizabeth stares back at Rusty. She is clearly not happy with his decision.

ELIZABETH
(flatly)

I’ll inform the Captain.

RUSTY

Nah. I’ll do it. (beat) Bridge, we’re heading over to check out that Weapons Control section. (half-beat) Well, Lizzie and Hope are staying here. Tsu-tao’ll guard ‘em. Aruna’s with me.

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99. INT. BRIDGE

Reaction shot of Devereux. She is thinking this over.

DEVEREUX

Understood. (beat) Keep your comm line open until you arrive.

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100. INT. ALIEN VESSEL - COMMAND CENTER

Rusty gives Elizabeth a smug look. Elizabeth gives a visible sigh.

RUSTY

Yes, Cap’n. We’ll be good. (to Elizabeth, more seriously) I’ll let you know if we find anything interesting.

ELIZABETH

Be careful, Chief.

RUSTY
(grins)

Aren’t I always?

ELIZABETH

No.

Rusty chuckles.

RUSTY
(to Aruna)

Let’s go. This place is a little short on live bellhops, so you’ll have to carry your own luggage.

ARUNA
(tries not smile)

Yes, sir.

RUSTY
(to the others)

Try not to miss us too much.

ELIZABETH

Keep your line open.

RUSTY
(smiles)

You really do sound like the Cap’n.

Rusty and Aruna exit.

Elizabeth stands, watching them leave. There is a long silence.

TSU-TAO

Orders, sir?

Elizabeth looks over at Tsu-tao.

ELIZABETH

Survey and record the rest of this area, I guess. Maybe we’ll figure out how some of it worked.

TSU-TAO

Yes, sir.

Elizabeth and Tsu-tao gather their equipment.

ELIZABETH

Hope? Are you with us?

HOPE

Yes.

Elizabeth, Tsu-tao, and Hope move further into the darkness of the Command Center.