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LIMBThe Beginning, Part 1
BLACK SCREEN. SILENCE.
VOICE OVERIn the beginning of the age ofhyperspace journey, a massive transportship was sent out to colonize a planetin Betelgeuse sector. The ship calledAshtar carried thousands of colonizers.When the ship engaged hyperdrive, theship disappeared and was never heard ofagain.
Beat.
VOICE OVER (CONT’D)Not until almost 800 years later, whenhuman race had spanned to cover almostquarter of the galaxy the contact withthe Ashtar people was regained. Thepeople from Ashtar had evolved, spannedacross the other side of the galaxy.They had passed humans in scientificprogress and changed physically in theprocess. It was they who contactedhumans.
EXT. SPACE
Close on a space station. The design of the station inoverall is quite round to make the station rotate more easilyto create its artificial gravity.
Ships are fading in and out as they are coming and going fromhyperdrive. Several ships are also heading into the largedocking hangar of the station.
VOICE OVER (CONT’D)A space station was build in the middleof the two empires to make ordinaryhyperdrive journeys possible between thetwo empires located on opposite sides ofthe galaxy. The station was named Limb.
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FADE OUT.
BLACK SCREEN. SILENCE.
VOICE OVER (CONT’D)This is not the story of that station.
Beat.
White title fades in:
PROLOGUE100 years later.
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE
In the background we can see Jupiter. The foreground isfilled with Ganymede, the largest moon of Jupiter.
A shuttle fades in from hyperdrive and starts the landing onthe moon.
INT. GANYMEDE BASE - CORRIDOR
CAPTAIN PERTUL BAXTER marches in a corridor of the Ganymedebase. He is in his early 40’s, but tries desperately to lookyounger. From his general posture we can see that heconsiders himself to be very important.
The base is clearly still being built. Engineers work on andunder several panels in the walls as robots haul heavyequipment and pieces of walls around. It’s an organizedmayhem.
Baxter has troubles with his important march as he has tododge engineers and cables going around in the floor.
Finally he comes to a door and pushes a computer panel besideit. Nothing happens. Baxter looks at the panel in confusionand tries again. Again, nothing happens. He looks around forhelp when an engineer comes behind him.
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ENGINEER(casually)
You must be new here?
Baxter turns around to face the engineer. The engineer ismildly alarmed when he sees Baxter’s rank insignias. Heimmediately straightens his posture.
BAXTERI don’t think I like your tone
ENGINEERI’m sorry, Captain. Didn’t see theinsignias from here.
BAXTERThen, for all your knowledge, I could’vebeen an admiral.
ENGINEERThat’s right. I’m sorry, Captain.
BAXTERNow, could you tell me why the paneldoesn’t work?
ENGINEERYes, sir. I’m afraid that those panelshaven’t been connected yet. You’ll haveto knock.
Baxter can’t believe his ears.
BAXTERKnock?
ENGINEERYes, sir. There will be an engineer tomake a security id on the other side ofthe door.
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BAXTER(to himself)
What kind of a medieval complex is thissupposed to be?
(beat, to engineer)You are dismissed.
The engineer lets out a breath of relief and he quicklyleaves to resume his duties.
Baxter turns back to the door and pounds his fist to the doora bit more forcefully than it would’ve really needed.
After a while the door slides open and another engineer comesout with a handheld sensor device.
ENGINEERPlease place your hand to the scanner toa security id, Captain.
Baxter is about to do so, but gets interrupted.
OLD VOICE (O.S.)Oh, never mind all that! Let him in!
The engineer stops for a moment and doesn’t know what to do.He turns to the voice coming from inside.
ENGINEERAdmiral, the regulations clearlyindicate that…
OLD VOICE (O. S.)I know the regulations! I wrote most ofthem myself, so I’ll get to say when wedon’t go by them. You can let CaptainBaxter in.
The engineer is about to protest again, but then thinksbetter of himself and indicates Baxter to enter. Baxter doesso with a satisfied look.
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INT. BASE - ADMIRAL’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
Baxter enters the office of Admiral Baxter. The office isvery impressive with a lot of room. The admiral sits behindhis table. In front of the table are two couches. In thebackground opens a panoramic view to Jupiter. The office isvery clean and it has been completed clearly some time ago.
Baxter moves to shake hands with the old Admiral. The Admiralis in his 80’s, but still in good physical strength.
ADMIRALIt’s good to see you again, son. Eightyears is a long time.
BAXTERVery long. Especially if you’re trappedis some boring scientific deep spacemission.
ADMIRALYou know you had to move out of thespotlight for awhile while they weredoing the investigation.
BAXTERI know. I hope the dust has settled.
ADMIRALMore or less. I’m not underinvestigation.
BAXTERThat’s good. But things have changed, Isee. I was quite surprised to hear thatthe headquarters had been moved fromEarth. Why isn’t the base evencompleted? I think it’s a disgrace,thinking of the headquarters on Earth.
Admiral rises from his chair and leads his son to one of thecouches. The Admiral himself sits to the other one.
ADMIRALA lot has happened since you left.Mostly concerning Ashtar.
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BAXTERI’ve never learned to trust them.
Admiral chuckles.
ADMIRALNeither have I, as you know. However,the current situation could prove out tobe extremely favorable to us.
BAXTERHow so?
The Admiral moves to his own chair again as he speaks,ignoring the question purposely.
ADMIRALI’ve arranged you out from those stupidscience ships. You’ll get a commandthat’s far more important.
BAXTERWhat command would that be?
ADMIRALPatience. Since you’ve been away for solong, I’ll have to fill you in on a lotof things. Thirteen years ago arebellious group in Ashtar started awave of violence in central planet ofAshtar. This rebellion was soondefeated, but not for long. For over twoyears the same group searched forsupport and people across the AshtarEmpire until the empire practically wasdivided into two factions. The outcomewas a massive rebellion started abouttwo years ago that took the empire tocivil war.
Admiral works some commands to the computer in his desk andthe window behind him turns into a screen. It displays thegalaxy which shows the Earth and Ashtar empires on differentsides of the galaxy with large inhabited sections betweenthem.
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ADMIRAL (CONT’D)The problem with the government ofAshtar was that this had never happenedbefore and so ruling the empire was onlypossible from the senate building in thecentral planet. This naturally was aclear target to the rebels and soon allthe fighting was concentrated to thecentral planet where the governmentdefended themselves with everything theyhad. However, it was clear to them thatthey couldn’t last forever and anofficial plea for help was sent toEarth. The Earth president decided tosupport the ruling council and decidedthat the parliament had to be evacuatedas soon as possible. To make thispossible, it was decided that theCaptain of the space station Limb, MarkStinson, was to be sent with the shuttlethe station had. He left with two otherofficers from Limb. Once they got there,Stinson found himself from the middle ofa pandemonium since the rebels hadmanaged to break the defense lines ofthe government. He managed to get theparliament members into the shuttle, butwas trapped in a tractor beam once hetried to leave the planet. He found noother alternative than to try and engagethe hyperdrive while in atmosphere.
Baxter’s jaw drops open in surprise.
BAXTERThat’s suicide!
ADMIRALWell, the thing is that we can’t knowfor sure since nobody has tried it forobvious reasons.
BAXTERWhat happened?
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ADMIRALWhat the simulations has said all along.There was a massive explosion. The onlysurprising part was how big theexplosion actually was. In minutes, itcovered almost a quarter of the entireplanet surface and that naturally madethe entire planet inhabitable. Scientisthasn’t been able to calculate theactual power of the explosion to date.We haven’t heard from the shuttle eversince. Whether it was destroyed or didit really do an uncontrolled hyperjump,we haven’t been able to determine. Wecan only speculate.
Admiral inputs more commands into the computer and the screenimage zooms to Ashtar Empire. However, the colour whichencompassed the entire region now disappears and is replacedwith a mind-boggling collection of small regions.
ADMIRAL (CONT’D)Since the only place where the ruling ofthe Empire was possible was nowdestroyed, the planets and smallcoalitions of planet raced to declaretheir independence for almost year and ahalf. Lots of smaller wars have beenfought and the overall situation reallygot out of hands for a while. Thesituation is starting to stabilize now,but it’s far from over. But to reallyput it all in a nutshell, the AshtarEmpire is no more. Most of the planetsthat declared their independence duringthe madness have merged to biggercoalitions, but some of them remain.This means that the former Empire is nowthousands of states and coalitions ofvarious sizes. This brings us to you.
BAXTERHave you finally been able to promote meto a warship Captain?
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Admiral smiles faintly and puts in more commands to thecomputer. The map of Ashtar space is replaced with an imageof a complex space station. It looks like modules andextensions have been gathered from all over the place andfrom incompatible systems. It’s not at all round in designanymore since new sections have been added just about wherethere is room and to places where there aren’t as well. It’salso a lot bigger with a massive docking corridor where shipsenter to dock to. Needless to say, it doesn’t rotate anymore.
ADMIRALNot quite. When Captain Stinson leftfrom Limb to Ashtar, the station wasgiven in command of an experimentalrobot WND-38. It has been under itscommand ever since.
Baxter doesn’t like what he’s hearing at all.
BAXTERA machine?
ADMIRALIt’s no ordinary robot if you think ofthat. It’s an experimental android,capable of independent though-imagingand decision making. But I opposed it aswell. The cold reality was that it wasthe only way to compensate the missingof three key officers when they left.After the incident, the border hasstayed close ever since so that thestation has been of no use and thestation was left to its own. Now thecommand is open and I’ve arranged you totake it.
Baxter rises from his chair in disbelief.
BAXTERA civilian station?! You’re giving me acommand of a meaningless civilianstation in a time when I could influencethe future of the Earth from a bridge ofa warship!
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Admiral won’t have any of this right now and he replies witha stern tone.
ADMIRALI know that this isn’t your firstchoice, but you’re simply not qualifiedenough to be placed in a warshipcommand.
BAXTERThat hasn’t stopped us before.
ADMIRALI know. And that’s why you spent thelast fifteen years in deep space while Iwas under investigation. If I’d promoteyou to a warship Captain immediatelyafter you come back, the whole showwould start again.
BAXTERYou know I’ve been waiting for eightyears to get an assignment where I’d hadreal power.
ADMIRALI know! Sit down and listen!
Baxter sits down, still upset.
ADMIRALThis post is more valuable to us thanyou can imagine. The Ashtar border isopening again in just a few weeks. Thestation has been under heavy maintenanceand refitting as a collaborative effortby both Earth and some of the majorAshtar states. It’s practically a newstation. I’ve been pulling everypossible string to keep that chairvacant for your return. You’ll be veryclose to the new Ashtar region and Ihave some major plans concerning thefuture of it.
Baxter still doesn’t like it.
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BAXTERThis assignment had better be short! Bewhere it may, it’s still a civilianstation.
ADMIRAL(strongly)
It’s as long as I say it will be!(beat, then more softly)
You’ll get your promotion in time. It’snot just going to happen right now.
Baxter considers this for a moment and then calms down.
BAXTERTell me about these plans you mentioned.
Admiral puts out a slight smile and turns to his computer. Tothis we…
FADE OUT.
BLACK SCREEN. SILENCE.
A white label appears as before:THE BEGINNING4 weeks later.
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - LIMB
We see the station as it were in Admiral Baxter’s screen.Ships move in and out of the station.
INT. LIMB - RECEPTION AREA
This is a large busy area where all the passengers coming andgoing goes through the usual formalities. It’s fairly calmconsidering the volume of people. There are Humans andAshtars mixed. It’s clear to see that people are excitedabout the border opening again.
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Note: Ashtars look like humans in general except that theyall have skin color in different shades of silver. Their hairis only a very thin white remembrance of human hair. MostAshtars shave their heads from it.
This busy but calm scene is interrupted when a loud shoutrises above everything else.
MAN (O. S.)What!
We close to one of the reception desks where the cause ofthis shout is giving a full load of rage to a helplessreception officer.
The one with the practiced vocal cords is a tall man in hismid 30’s and he has a long hair. He pounds his fist to acomputer console with text in it.
MAN (CONT’D)You’re telling me, that thetransportation company ruins my luggage,and then I have to pay the damage itcauses!
The official attempts to get a hurried comment in placeswhere the man takes a breath, but the man is fast at what hedoes.
OFFICIALWell, the ticket says that…
MAN(interrupts)
This is robbery! Plain, simple robbery!How do you think I can cope in herewithout my luggage, and then you havethe nerve to try to make me pay for it!I’d have you all sued if it wasn’t soexpensive and time consuming!
During the last exciting monologue, a woman in her early 40’shas appeared behind the man with her bag.
WOMANIs there a problem?
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MANI come all the way here and then find astation load of rascals…
WOMAN(interrupts, morestrongly)
Excuse me, what is the trouble?It takes a moment for the man to realize that someone hasmanaged to cut his vein of outrage. He turns to the woman.
MAN(unpleasantly)
Now who on earth are you? Can’t you seethat I’m in the middle of something?
The woman doesn’t react to his unpleasant tone and continuesin a normal voice.
WOMANMy name is Tanith Yannbulytshev and Iwas wondering if I could check in sinceI don’t expect to have any difficultiesat it.
MANCan’t you see that this is important?
TANITHWell, actually I can’t since I just gothere.
Without waiting another word, she passes the man and takeshis place at the reception desk.
TANITH (CONT’D)Tanith Yannbulytshev, 8649-D.
The official takes a beat to recover from what happened, butis happy to turn her attention to this more pleasant arrival.
OFFICIALPlace your hand to the sensor for id,please.
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Tanith complies. The official takes another double take atwhat she sees on screen.
OFFICIAL (CONT’D)I’m sorry. Is this true? It says thatfrom this moment on, you are the FirstOfficer of the station.
TANITHAs well as communications and weaponsofficer, that’s correct.
OFFICIALWelcome aboard. I have to say that I’msurprised. Usually officers use thestaff docking.
TANITHI know, but I like it this way. You getso lonely in those personal transportships. Now, if you could arrange someoneto take my bags to my quarters, maybe Ican help this gentleman in hissituation. Oh, and could you put someoneto take my cat to my quarters as well.But make sure whoever does that canhandle animals. My cat has what I call astrong personality.
OFFICIALI’m sure that can be arranged, sir.
She turns to the man who is knocked silent by this turn ofevents.
TANITH (CONT’D)Isn’t that right?
MAN(not at all loud)
Right.
TANITHRight.
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OFFICIALI’m sure the bags can be arranged.Welcome aboard once again, Commander.
TANITH(not turning)
Sure. So, maybe we should start againwith you. First of all, what is yourname?
MANHenrik Anttonen.
TANITHExcellent. We’re progressing already.Now I want to know what the reason forall of this shouting is. And if youdon’t mind, I’d like to hear her versionof it first.
Tanith turns back to the Official, who is even more relieved.She starts to read from the computer console.
OFFICIALWell, apparently Mr. Anttonen had alarge container as a part of his luggagethat went into the cargo bay. At somepoint of the journey, the containerbroke down and it released largequantities of some sort of fluid thatquickly spread to the entire cargo bay.Now the company wants payment from himsince they are obliged to refund all ofthe ruined luggages.
HENRIKExcept mine, I notice!
Tanith turns back to Henrik.
TANITHNow, calm down. First of all, what wasin that container?
Henrik takes a beat. Suddenly he starts to look a bituncomfortable.
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HENRIKPromise you won’t laugh.
TANITHI laugh a lot. I can’t see any harm inthat. But if it’s important to you, Ipromise I won’t laugh.
HENRIKOrange juice.
Tanith doesn’t laugh, but is very surprised.
TANITHOrange juice? Why on earth would youbring that amount of orange juice withyou?
HENRIKWell, I’m writing this script, you see.And I have these rituals that goes alongwith my writing and one of them happensto be that I can’t write if I can’tdrink orange juice while I’m at it.
TANITHYou can get orange juice from thestation.
HENRIKYes, of course, but there are differentkinds of orange juices. A whole varietyof them!
TANITH(mildly amused)
Is that so?
HENRIKYes. A lot of people don’t realize it,but it’s very important for me to havethe right kind of orange juice when Iwrite. And I happen to have a liking onthis particular sort. I couldn’t makesure if they have it in the station, sonaturally I brought my own supply.
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Tanith takes a beat to take all this in and turns back to theofficial.
TANITHWhy is the company keeping Mr. Anttonenresponsible?
OFFICIALWell, it appears that his ticketindicates that he can only take limitedamounts of liquids as luggage. It’s anold regulation regarding intoxicatingsubstances. I’m just a middle hand here.I can’t make any decisions regarding thematter. I tried to tell him.
Tanith turns to Henrik again.
TANITHDid you know about this regulation?
HENRIKYes. But the travel agency said it onlymeant intoxicating liquids and it wouldbe okay for me to take as much of orangejuice I liked.
TANITHThe travel agency said that?
HENRIKYes.
TANITHDid you make them understand that youwouldn’t buy a ticket unless you couldtake the juice with you?
HENRIKSort of.
TANITHAnd that’s exactly why they told youthat.
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Henrik pauses for a moment to think about this.
HENRIKOh.
TANITHExactly.
Tanith turns to the official again.
TANITHI’d say it’s pretty obvious that wecan’t settle the matter right now. Isthere any reason to prevent him fromboarding the station if he promises notto leave until this matter has beensettled?
The official jumps to the opportunity get rid of him.
OFFICIALNo! No, definitely not.
TANITHThen, if you’d just sign him on board…
Official taps in a few commands in a hurry.
OFFICIALDone. Welcome to the station, Mr.Anttonen.
Henrik is a bit confused at the turn of events and doesn’tsay anything. Tanith turns to him again.
TANITHNow, if you’ll follow me, maybe we canget some ease to your orange juicesituation.
She starts to walk away to the crowd and after a moment ofhesitation, Henrik follows her.
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INT. LIMB - MARKETPLACE
The marketplace is a huge open area in the middle of thestation where various vendors are selling their all kinds ofmerchandise in booths they’ve set up in the marketplace.Bigger shops and boutiques are located on the sides of thearea. There are practically no walls, just shop windows andentrances to them. There are also doors to lifts here andthere. We can see Tanith and Henrik emerge from one of them.
We arrive at mid-conversation. Tanith seems to know whereshe’s going and Henrik just tries to keep up with her.
TANITH…the lifts are not just plain elevators.They’re actually connected to a largenetwork of shafts so that’s how you cango just about anywhere with any one ofthem.
HENRIKDidn’t know about that.
TANITHThis is your first time in a spacestation then?
HENRIKYes. I hate flying.
TANITH(amused)
Then why did you come here? When you’reon a space station you’re practicallyflying all the time.
HENRIKI thought that it might be good to myscript to get out in the middle of thepeople. And since the border justopened, I thought that this might be anexcellent place to get in the feeling ofthings.
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Tanith smiles at this and then stops in front of a cafeteriathat says ‘Steve’s’ in the window. Tanith looks at it inconfusion for a moment.
HENRIKIs this the right place?
TANITHThat’s what the computer said, but I dofind it hard to believe.
HENRIKWhy?
TANITHIt’s under regulation that because ofhealth control, all food supplies are togo through official station supplier whothen sells it to the habitants of thestation. Usually the retail centers arejust depressing warehouses with someuninterested guy taking the orders.
HENRIKBut I can see restaurants and other caféshops around here.
TANITHYes, but all of them has to buy theirsupplies from the official supplier.
Tanith enters the cafeteria. Henrik follows her.
INT. LIMB - STEVE’S
Steve’s cafeteria is a smallish old fashioned cafeteria withabout a dozen tables or so. Behind the counter sits an oldman, STEVE PETER.
There are only two or three other persons in the cafeteria,but the large windows that cover two sides of the cafeteriagives a direct view to the marketplace so the actualcafeteria feels to be just an extension to it.
Tanith goes to the old man, who turns to Tanith with a slightsmile.
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TANITHIs this the food retail center?
STEVETo everything legal, it sure is.
TANITHI have to say I am surprised. I’m notused to retail centers like this.
STEVEWell, you know how it is. Crew membersoften buy just small rations and theneat them quickly between shifts. Thisused to be a busy station and sometimesthe people would really pile up and Iused to say that I might as well run acafeteria while at it. After going onabout it for a few years, one securityofficer said to me that yes, why don’tyou. And here it is.
HENRIKSo this is quite new of an idea?
STEVEPretty much. I’ve been keeping this foronly about…
(thinks)…about 20 years.
TANITHWell, I sure am delighted.
STEVEGlad you like it. I find it quiterelaxing to play the bartender thesedays. My wife used to say that I reallychanged after this.
HENRIKUsed to say? Does that mean she’s passedaway?
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STEVEDied? Of course not. She just doesn’tfeel it to be necessary to repeat thesame things over and over again.
HENRIKOh, right.
Tanith picks up a data disk for her pocket and gives it toSteve.
TANITHI have a small list of things I’d needduring my stay. Could you arrange these?
Steve pops the disk to the counter computer and looks thelist trough.
STEVEThis is quite a list. You staying long?
TANITHPermanently I guess. I’m the new firstofficer doing communications and weaponsas well.
STEVEOh, you’re part of the new crew. Nice tosee new faces. Welcome aboard then,ma’am. My name is Steve Peter.
Steve offers Tanith a hand and she gladly accepts it.
TANITHTanith Yannbulytshev. Glad to meet you,but please don’t call me ma’am.
STEVEWhat do you want to be called then?
TANITHTanith will do just fine. I’m not toomuch into the formalities when they justget in the way of things.
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STEVEI think I can live with that.
Tanith looks around the surroundings once more.
TANITHSo does the crew spend their time here?
STEVESome of them do. There hasn’t been toomuch crew after the former Captain leftfor Ashtar and never cared to come back.
TANITHIt wasn’t a pretty case. They stilldon’t know whether the shuttle explodedor hurled to an unknown sector of theuniverse.
STEVEAnd since border has been closed, therehasn’t been any chance to go and take alook around. I think the situation isstill so delicate that they won’t careto make an investigation for a whileeven though the border is open again.
TANITHYou’re probably right. But going back tothe supplies, do you think you canarrange all of that?
STEVEShouldn’t be a problem. I can have itdelivered to your quarters if you’dlike.
TANITHGood. I’ll have to prepare the receptionof the new Captain, but I believe Mr.Anttonen here has a problem you canhopefully solve.
STEVEOh, the captain is coming today, is he?
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TANITHYeah. A heck of a way to start the firstday, but this one absolutely insists onhaving a formal reception upon hisarrival.
STEVEOh, he’s one of those.
Tanith nods and rolls her eyes. She then turns to Henrik.
TANITHI think you’re grown enough to explainyour situation yourself. I really haveto go now. See you later.
HENRIKOk.
Tanith leaves. Steve waits for a word from Henrik.
STEVESo, what would be this problem you’rehaving?
Again some of the confidence leaves from Henrik’s expression.
HENRIKPromise you won’t laugh.
INT. LIMB - STAFF DOCKING ENTRANCE
The staff docking section is isolated from the publicsection. The long aisle has five entrances from differentdocking points.
The important part of the crew is standing in attention atthe other side of the aisle facing the entrances. Among themare the new bridge crew we get to know and some techniciansand doctors.
Tanith comes running from a lift. She looks at her watch andis painfully aware that she is late. She sighs in relief asshe notices that the Captain hasn’t arrived yet.
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TANITHThank god. I have a feeling that the newCaptain isn’t anybody who’s bad sideyou’d want to get in on your first day.
Immediately after that a CLICK can be heard and one of theentrances begins to slide slowly open.
Tanith snaps into attention beside the entrance.When the entrance is completely open, Pertul Baxter steps in.From his posture and expression he tries immediately to givethe crew a feeling of absolute authority.
Tanith salutes.
TANITHWelcome aboard, Captain Baxter. I am youfirst officer Tanith Yannbulytshev. Ialso handle the communications andweapons in the bridge.
Baxter looks at Tanith.
BAXTERA woman? I’ve never been too keen onhaving women on my bridge.
Tanith doesn’t like the comment but decides to let it go.
TANITHMay I introduce you to the bridge crew?
Tanith steps to the first person in the long line of peoplestanding in attention.
The first one in the line is WND-38, or WENDY. The robotreally does look a lot like a human. Her skin looksrealistic, but her hair and eyes give away her artificialfoundations. The hair looks too polished and her eyes shinequite brightly. Her body is mildly shaped to include femalelineaments, but she is not by any means a mannequin.
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TANITH (CONT’D)This is WND-38. As you may know, shecommanded the station during the timewhen the border was closed. Now she ispositioned as the head of security.
Wendy salutes.
WENDYFor your convenience, I am also oftenreferred as Wendy.
Her voice has an unmistakable metallic clang to it.
Baxter just looks at the android gleefully and doesn’t sayanything. Tanith waits for a moment and then leads Baxter tothe next person in the line.
TANITHThis is Kri Smith. Our new scienceofficer.
Baxter looks at Kri. He is an Ashtar in his middle age,whatever that is in Ashtar life. He constantly has a sourexpression since he’s not too happy to be here. And here ismeaning the entire Earth Republic area.
BAXTERAshtar.
Baxter manages to put so much disrespect to the word thatTanith can’t believe her ears. Kri on the other hand doesn’thave too much respect for this arrogant Captain.
KRIVery perceptive, Captain.
BAXTERKri Smith? I thought Ashtars didn’t havesurnames.
KRIThey don’t. It was given to me to helpthe bureaucracy when I enlisted. And weall know how much humans adore that.
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BAXTERI have heard of Ashtars who had to stayin this side of the border when it wasclosed, and I have heard of the few whohas chosen to enlist to the space force.But what I can’t understand is whythey’re given such high positions in mybeloved space core.
KRII am fully qualified for this job. Andthis is a civilian station.
Without knowing, Kri has touched a nerve. Baxter immediatelystiffens and his tone grows tenser.
BAXTERI’ll be frank with you. I’ve never likednor trusted Ashtars. Even if you were abit more advanced in technologicaldevelopment, I still find you to beprimitive and war faring species that,as far as I’m concerned, has no place inspace force.
KRIThat’s your opinion. We all do know howpeaceful and civilized your history hasbeen. It’s also a strange coincidencethat the problems in Ashtar started tomanifest only after we’d made contact.
Baxter stiffens even more, but manages to keep his composure.Behind him, Tanith bites her finger to stop herself forgrinning. She raises her other hand to warn Kri to not tocontinue. Baxter fortunately is oblivious to all of this.
BAXTERDismissed.
Everybody except Baxter and Tanith leave the aisle to variouscorridors and lifts. Several sighs of relief can be heard.
Baxter turns back to Tanith and she manages to keep her facesteady without biting her finger. She clears her throat.
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TANITHMay I show you around the bridge now?
She leads Baxter to the nearest lift. Before the door closeshe sees Kri watching from the dismantling crowd at them andshaking his head.
INT. LIMB - LIFT
Baxter never loosens his posture even when the doors closeand he and Tanith are alone.
TANITHBridge.
The lift comes to life.
BAXTERI noticed that heads of engineering andmedical did not attend the reception.Why is that?
TANITHChief of Engineering Larry Play is atthe main engineering. He’s one of thoseengineers who don’t like to leaveengineering once they get their hands tothe job. There has been and still is ahuge amount of work because of therefitting. He has a passion for hiswork.
BAXTERThat is not an excuse to not to attendofficial station functions. I willdiscuss the matter with him as soon aspossible.
TANITHI’ve always liked the type. At least wecan be sure that he has a motivation tokeep the station intact.
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BAXTERI did not ask your opinion. When I dorequire it, I will let you know.Although I can’t see that happening inthe near future.
Tanith is obviously hurt by this remark.
BAXTER (CONT’D)What about the chief medical officer?
TANITHWell, officially we don’t have one.After the stations previous chiefmedical officer was relieved from duty,his second, Desi Rumfoord has been theacting chief. You’re supposed to promoteher to the full title later today.
BAXTERI don’t like to take orders regarding mycrew. I want a full report of thisRumfoord before I promote anybody.
TANITHYes, sir.
The lift slows down and the doors open to reveal the bridge.They exit.
INT. LIMB - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
The bridge is shaped round except for the forward facing partwith the viewscreen which is an ordinary wall. At this timethe viewscreen is filled with a forward view.
In the middle of the bridge is a luxurious captain’s chair.Behind it is a railing that separates the middle area fromthe work consoles in the back wall where lower crew membersdo their various duties. The railing has a hole just behindthe captain’s chair so that the captain can easily go to hisoffice. The door to it is just in the back of the bridge.
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Both sides in the front of the captain’s chair havesemicircular control panels. Another one is a science stationand the other is for communications and weapons. Kri issitting at his science station.
At both sides of the bridge are located two lifts. Fromanother one of them, Tanith and Baxter exits.
TANITHThis is the bridge. The back wall hastwelve security, science and engineeringconsoles. The bigger consoles in thefront are main science where Kri issitting and the other one is mycommunications and weapons console. Theviewscreen can be divided into nineindividual images and is used forcommunications as well as tactics.
BAXTERCan the weapons control be diverted intoanother console?
TANITHFor security reasons they can’t. May Iask why do you ask this?
BAXTERIt really is not your business, but Iwould feel more comfortable to have aweapons officer I can completely trust.
Tanith is starting to get tired of Baxter’s attitude, buthides most of it.
TANITHI will try to perform to the best of myability.
BAXTERI have no doubt about that. Is thatenough remains to be seen.
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TANITHWould I be completely mistaken if I’dsay you’d prefer male officer in thatposition?
Baxter takes a long hard look on Tanith. He doesn’t like theaccusation, but since she is right he won’t dig into itfurther.
BAXTERTake your station, Miss Yannbulytshev.
Tanith looks back at Baxter for a moment but goes to herconsole.
Baxter sits at his chair and then pauses as if he’s waitingfor applause. None comes.
BAXTER (CONT’D)Miss Yannbulytshev, open a station widechannel. I want to make an announcement.
TANITHYes, sir.
Tanith taps in a few commands to her console.TANITH (CONT’D)
Channel open.
Baxter rises from his chair to give an effect. He speaks witha loud voice to make sure nobody misses what he has to say.
BAXTERMay I have your attention for a secondplease?
His voice booms trough the announcement systems throughoutthe station, including the bridge. Everybody from the rearconsoles turns to watch the Captain.
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BAXTER (CONT’D)My name is Pertul Baxter and from thismoment on I am the Captain of thisstation. While I am filling thisposition, I expect this station tofunction at its full potential at everymoment of the day. I will not stand anykind of inefficiency from anybody partof this crew. From visitors andpassengers I expect nothing short ofabiding every single rule and law set tothis station. The crew will also followthe formalities set to station functionsand dealings with superior officers sothat the station will run as it issupposed to. I want you to remember thatwhat comes to authority, first comes Godand then there is me, right above him.Good day. Close channel.
Tanith closes the channel and nods to Baxter.
BAXTER (CONT’D)I will now go to my office. I wish thatI’m not to be disturbed.
TANITHYes, sir.
Baxter exits to his office.
After a moment Tanith turns to Kri who is doing somethingscientific on his console. She offers Kri her hand.
TANITH (CONT’D)I don’t think we’ve actually beenintroduced yet. I’m TanithYannbulytshev.
Kri watches her hand for a moment, not knowing how to reactto the gesture, but decides then to shake her hand.
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KRIKri. I really wish you’d ignore thatSmith part. It’s made up by people whowished to make their world a little morelike they like it.
(nods towards captainsoffice)
So, what do you think of him?
TANITHHe’s starting to get on my nerves. Andthat’s an accomplishment. Every singlemoment spent on this station he hasquestioned the crew and gave chauvinistremarks towards me. Acts like a spoiltkid.
KRIWhich he is, I’ve heard. Money is noproblem and either he or his father hasbought him a career in the space force.We got plenty of those back in Ashtar aswell.
TANITHWhere from Ashtar were you from?
Kri pauses before answering. His expression turns evenglummer.
KRICentral planet.
TANITHOh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring upany painful memories.
KRIYeah. Well, the memories are the onesthat are good. The reality is thepainful one.
(beat, MORE)
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KRI (CONT'D)I was in a business trip in the Earthside of the border in an excavation inDren III. Then all of the madnesshappened and the border stayed close forso long that I had to start looking fora job. I have to say that you humansweren’t too welcoming and I got no helpwhatsoever. Finally I realized that onlyplace where I could find a permanent jobwas on space force that swore to be morethan a military organization.Fortunately I managed to make my wayinto science, and here I am.
TANITHDid you lost much in the explosion?
KRIWhat kind question is that? I losteverything! My home town was only sixtykilometers from the explosion site. Idoubt there aren’t even ashes of whatused to be my family, friends and home.You see, we were proud of the fact thatwe were a family that never left theplanet even to take a vacation. When Ihad to take the trip, I just waited toget back home.
(beat)But it just isn’t there. So I decided tostay here even now when the border’sback open. I don’t think I could faceseeing the remains of the planet. I’mdying to get back to Ashtar world, butnot until it’s more peaceful again.
TANITHIt must feel so bitter. You don’t haveto talk about it if you don’t want to.
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KRII’ve been thinking about it a lot as youcan probably imagine. I do believe thateveryone acted in the moment as they sawis the best. But…
The feeling starts to overwhelm Kri as so many times before.Tanith looks at him with sympathy, but he ignores it.
KRI (CONT’D)One cannot think what it would be likeif it was different… I don’t approvewhat Captain Stinson did. He shouldn’thave tried the hyperdrive in atmosphere…And I can’t forgive him.
Kri gathers himself for a moment and then returns to hisnormal expression of bored glumness. He turns back to hiswork.
KRI (CONT’D)But what’s happened has happened. Nopoint in going about it again and again.It’s easier when I concentrate on work.
Tanith shifts uneasily in her chair. What was supposed to bea nice introduction had turned into an uncomfortable sceneand she’s feeling bad about raising it without being able togive enough sympathy. She isn’t sure if anybody could.
INT. LIMB - MEDICAL WARD
The medical ward is a huge space with about 200 beds. Eachbed is in its own alcove that can be completely closed andlocked.
Near the entrance are doors to surgery, quarantine and chiefmedical officer’s office.
The entrance is its own larger open area where is a smallcounter behind which a nurse is taking admissions.
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Acting chief of medical DESI RUMFOORD takes a look at newincomes. They are mostly minor injuries.
Desi has a hardened face showing clear signs of aging eventhough they originate more from hard life than actual ageeven though there is plenty of that as well. She is sort ofshort but nothing phenomenal. Her hair is short andchronically messed up.
Tanith and Baxter enter. Baxter walks in his usual pompousposture and Tanith little behind trying to look as far frompompous as humanly possible.
Baxter goes to Desi and waits for a salute. No such thingcomes. Instead that he gets a cold stare in the eyes fromDesi. He doesn’t like that.
BAXTERYou probably know who I am and why am Ihere.
DESII suppose so.
Her tone is at least as cold as Baxter’s. He starts to feelvery uncomfortable under Desi’s stare and starts pace backand forth.
BAXTERI took a long look at your record and Ihave to say that I’m not at all pleased.I read that you were present when theformer medical chief made malpracticethat forced him to be relieved of duty.
DESIThat’s correct.
BAXTERI’d say that that undermines yourcredibility to function in thisposition.
DESIThe investigation board found my actionsin the matter to be correct.
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BAXTERIsn’t it true that you in fact didnothing?
DESIAbsolutely. And that was the appropriatecourse of action for me. Doctor Scottwas in charge of the procedure and I wasjust an assistant. I was following thechain of command. Isn’t that what youappreciate in your crew?
Baxter stops for a beat in his pacing as Desi hit home withher remark. He tries to hide this best as he can andcontinues his pacing.
BAXTERNevertheless, your job as an assistantwas also to review doctor’s decisionsand point out possible errors.
DESII did not see an error. Doctor Scottmade a choice that was either to savethe patience life or kill him. It was along shot and he lost. But it was thepatience’s only hope. I was notresponsible.
BAXTERBut wasn’t it so, that the patientcould’ve been saved certainly had DoctorScott chosen to take that course ofaction.
DESIYes, but it would’ve cost most ofpatient’s brains. He would’ve remainedas vegetable for the rest of his life.
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BAXTERBe that as it may, I would’ve liked tosee you gone with Doctor Scott. Undernormal circumstances I wouldn’t evengive you a chance, but I have my ordersto promote you to the head to medical,so that’s what I’m hereby doing.
Baxter marches out. Tanith gives Desi a reassuring smile, butDesi ignores it. Tanith follows Baxter.
INT. LIMB - LIFT
Tanith and Baxter enter the lift. The doors close.
BAXTERI want to see that chief engineer rightaway.
TANITHVery well. Main Engineering.
A moment passes in silence.
BAXTERI took the time to check out that Ashtarof us as well. I have to say that Idon’t trust him too much.
What a surprise, Tanith thinks and rolls her eyes but iscareful to hide it from Baxter.
BAXTER (CONT’D)He has openly admitted that he thinksCaptain Stinson did a mistake in Ashtarhomeworld. I hardly think that it’sofficer’s business to question hissuperior officer like that. He couldprove out to be an unstable element inthis environment.
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TANITHKri has undergone extensivepsychological screenings when he joinedthe space force. And he had to undergoeven further tests when he made it tobecome an officer. In addition to that,he was observed closely during thebeginning of his service. I honestlythink that we can trust him.
BAXTERI trust no Ashtar.
Fortunately the doors open at this moment and Tanith can drawher attention to something else than hitting her Captain.
INT. LIMB - MAIN ENGINEERING
The main engineering section is basically a long corridorover hundred meters long and fifteen meters wide. The otherside of the corridor is basically a wall of consoles attachedto the power core and main computer that physically is amonstrous machine.
Dozens of engineers work constantly on the consoles, butstill most of them have to use and check several of them.It’s very active place in where a lot of people areconstantly running around and talking with raised voices sothey can hear each other above the engine noise.
The other side of the corridor is filled with tool cabinets,doors to offices and holes in the wall that function asaccesses to the actual engine room and into the enginesthemselves for maintenance and repairs.
Tanith and Baxter enter to this sea of activity. Baxter triesto locate the chief, but it’s hopeless.
Tanith notices this and presses a button in a wall console.
TANITHLarry Play to port lifts.
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Her voice echoes throughout the engineering and it doesn’ttake long until LARRY PLAY comes trough the crowd.
Larry is a usual looking fellow in his mid-30’s. He likes tokeep the old fashioned working engineer look, but doesn’toverdo it. He smiles as he sees the new captain and Tanith.
LARRYSorry it took me awhile. I have a powerdistributor down and it needs my lovingcare.
BAXTERWhy weren’t you in the reception as youwere supposed to, Mr. Play?
LARRYWell excuse me, but I had a completepower failure in the lower sectors atthe time. That needed to be done fastbefore the complaints started to comeflooding in. You can believe me, it’snot nice.
BAXTERWhy didn’t you put one of yoursubordinates or a robot to do the workwhen you had more important things todo?
LARRYCouldn’t have done that, I’m afraid. Allof my team is pretty tied up because ofthe refits. The group who came toinstall them did what they were to doand then left it up to us to make it allactually to work with each other. Humanand Ashtar designs aren’t toocompatible, you know. And robots? Idon’t trust them one single bit.Everything that runs with electricitybreaks for sure. And it usually does soright now. I wouldn’t want one of thosethings breaking up to me while doingsomething critical and with that blowthe place up.
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BAXTERDon’t you like your work, Mr. Play? Ibet there would be plenty of people whowould like to take it from your hands.People who would find the time to attendimportant station activities.
LARRY(smiles)
Oh, now don’t get me wrong. I curse theday I decided to take on to this line ofwork, but it’s the only thing I couldimagine doing. What I’m just saying isthat I don’t respect machines. At all.
BAXTERI think you should, Mr. Play. I thinkyou, as the rest of the people shouldappreciate the achievements that ourgreat republic has made to better thelives of everyone living in it.
Larry can’t believe what he’s hearing. He thought these kindsof fellows only existed in recruit posters. He looks atTanith to see if Baxter’s for real and she shrugs.
Larry turns back to Baxter.
LARRYVery well, Captain. But I would ask youto not to call me Mr. Play. I’m not toofond of my name, as you may imagine.I’ve suffered for it throughout mychildhood.
BAXTERSo you don’t even like your name, Mr.Play. I think everyone should be proudof their name and their family. That’sone of the most profound values I’vebeen raised to.
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LARRYI don’t doubt it. If that’s all, I’dreally need to get to work on thatdistributor. Did you know that withoutpower the only way to operate doors isusing hands and the people won’t takethat very easily?
BAXTERThat is all, Mr. Play. I presume thatfrom now on you’ll be where you’reexpected to be.
LARRYYes, Captain.
Baxter turns to leave, but turns back to Larry suddenly.
BAXTERAnd, Mr. Play.
Larry has already directed his attention to other matters andis surprised to hear that voice and that name again. Henevertheless turns back to Baxter.
LARRYYes?
BAXTERI presume that you will assign someoneto take that warning sign off. It doesnot belong here.
Baxter points to an old warning sign warning people of lowgravity.
LARRYWell, we’ve left it there as a kind ofmemory of the original station. This isthe very center of the old station sothe gravity was lower here when thestation still made the artificialgravity using centrifugal force.
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BAXTER(coldly)
Mr. Play, if you want memories, then goto a museum. This station represents thelatest technology and discipline thespace force has to offer and that oldsign doesn’t fit to that image. I willreturn tomorrow to make sure it has beenremoved.
Larry is about to argue, but thinks the better of it. Heknows that it wouldn’t have any effect anyway.
LARRYYes, sir.
BAXTERExcellent.
Baxter enters a lift and Tanith follows. Tanith turns towardsthe doors before Baxter does and Larry rolls his eyes toTanith. Tanith smiles back and signs him to stop it beforeBaxter sees it.
The lift doors close. Larry sighs of relief. He shakes hishead and takes some tools and a rope from a nearby cabinet.
He looks around to see any idle engineers and spots one.
LARRYHitoshama!
KAIYA HITOSHAMA is a young engineer. She has just come to thestation and is a bit baffled from the sheer size and volumeof the machinery. She comes to Larry.
HITOSHAMAYes, sir?
LARRYYou’re new, right?
HITOSHAMAThat’s correct. I graduated a couple ofmonths ago and this is my firstassignment.
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LARRYGood. You’re with me. We have to checkout power distributor C7.
HITOSHAMAWouldn’t a robot do the job a lotfaster?
LARRY(smiles)
No. And besides, you so called engineersthese days don’t even know what this jobis all about. Come with me and you seewhat it’s like to actually repairsomething and not just stare at acomputer screen.
Larry takes off. Hitoshama looks behind him feeling a bitbaffled, but takes a toolkit and goes after him.
LARRY (CONT’D)C7 is in a really nasty place, so we’llsee if you’re really up for the job.
They go to one of the access tunnels to the engine room.
INT. LIMB - ENGINE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
The engine room is huge machinery crammed in as tight as theypossibly can. Between the monstrous machines are dimly lightcorridors just wide enough for a person to walk on them.Ladders and various crossroads make the corridors a huge mazebetween the machines of various sizes.
In some points there are control panels for general use orfor maintenance of a specific machine. Because the technologycomes from many different sources there are sometimes largecaverns between machines when they’re not possible to get anycloser. In those places the corridors have railings toprevent engineers from dropping down or get electrocuted orfried from touching the wrong machine.
Larry smiles as he gets back to the maze. He really likes theplace. He checks that Hitoshama following him and starts tolead her to the maze.
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Hitoshama watches around her in amazement. She hasn’t seenanything of this magnitude ever before. She looks up and downand sees how the same kinds of corridors are going below andabove her in many levels.
LARRYBeen here before?
HITOSHAMANo, sir.
LARRYWell, these are the famous engineeringcorridors. They speak a lot about themin the academy, but you won’t even get aslightest idea on what it’s really likebefore you’ve experienced yourself. Theengine room contains over 600 kilometersof these corridors on 25 levels. Tofamiliarize all this is virtuallyimpossible so you’ll have to have yourhand console with the map with you atall times. I expect you brought one?
Hitoshama gets a horrible feeling when she realizes that shedidn’t bring one.
HITOSHAMA(embarrassed)
No, sir.
Larry throws one to her over his shoulder. Hitoshama catchesit.
LARRYNever, ever come to the corridorswithout one. I can’t stress the issueenough. Don’t even consider coming herewithout your hand console. It can tellyou to where you should be heading andalways points you to the nearest exit.
Larry points to an orange touch button on the ceiling of thecorridor.
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LARRYYou see these buttons?
HITOSHAMAYes.
LARRYThey’re scattered all over thecorridors. It’s an emergency signal. Ifyou push one you’ll immediately cause analarm in the main engineering and we canimmediately see where you are and send arescue party immediately.
Hitoshama looks at her console and is still is a bit ashamedfor not taking it herself.
HITOSHAMAI’m sorry about the console, sir. I justdidn’t think about it when you called meso suddenly.
She sees something strange in her console and stops.
HITOSHAMA (CONT’D)Wait a minute! This is odd.
Larry stops as well and looks at Hitoshama.
HITOSHAMA (CONT’D)I’m picking up an unusual signal.
Larry comes to look at her console also and scans the areawith his own console as well.
LARRYThat’s strange. What do you make of it?
HITOSHAMAI don’t know. I’ve never seen a signallike that. What is it?
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LARRYI’m not entirely sure, but I have ahunch that this is something I’d expectto find from a history book. It lookslike radio waves.
HITOSHAMARadio?
LARRYAn old communication method involvingelectrical signals broadcasted in highfrequencies. But it hasn’t been used inages. We’d better check it out. I’m surethat whatever it is, it shouldn’t behere.
HITOSHAMAIt’s coming from that way.
Larry takes off to the direction that Hitoshama indicates andshe follows.
After a moment they come to a massive cavern where there isnothing but empty space in all directions. They can’t see howbig it actually is because only the corridor is lighted.
HITOSHAMA (CONT’D)Why there is so much wasted space inhere?
Their voices echo eerily in the cavern.
LARRYIt’s because of the Ashtar machinery.Human machines are designed so that theycan be packed pretty tightly together sothey won’t waste space. And so is theAshtar machinery. Unfortunately thedesigns aren’t a 100% compatible, sothere are few caverns like this. I hateto say that this is one of the largestthough.
They come to the middle of the bridge corridor when Hitoshamastops.
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HITOSHAMAIt’s right beneath us.
Larry peeks over the railing, but can’t see to the bottom ofthe cavern because of the darkness.
LARRYGive me a flashlight.
HITOSHAMAI didn’t bring a flashlight. Don’t youhave one?
LARRYI didn’t bring one either. Are you sureyou don’t have one?
Hitoshama takes a quick look at her toolkit, but she knows italready.
HITOSHAMANo, sir.
LARRYNever come to the corridors without aflashlight.
HITOSHAMASays you.
Larry takes another peek down the cavern, but it’s hopelessto see anything.
HITOSHAMA (CONT’D)So what do we do now?
LARRYI want to know what’s down there and Iwant to know it now. It doesn’t belonghere, that’s for sure. I’d really likeit away from my engines whatever it is.
HITOSHAMAHow? It’s impossible to see down there.
Larry ponders the problem for a moment and makes a decision.
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LARRYI’ll go down there.
Larry takes the rope that was hanging from his belt andstarts to attach it to the railing.
HITOSHAMAOh? So you have got a rope and thetools, but you couldn’t bring yourselfaround to taking a flashlight.
Larry glares at her, but she smiles at it.
HITOSHAMA (CONT’D)But seriously, it could be dangerousdown there. If you touch the wrongmachine, you could get fried in aheartbeat.
LARRYWhatever is down there hasn’t, so Ipresume that there’s nothing lethalthere.
Hitoshama takes a worried look down the cavern. Larryfinishes attaching the rope and tries his weight on it. Heclimbs to the railing.
LARRY (CONT’D)When I shout, pull me up again. If Ishout horribly, don’t bother.
HITOSHAMAWhat if I’d go? I’m lighter.
LARRYAre you making remarks about my weight?
HITOSHAMANo, I just…
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LARRY(interrupts)
I’m sure you are right, but don’t youthink that I have a little bit moreexperience to face whatever’s downthere?
HITOSHAMAThat depends on what the whatever is.
LARRYThat’s true, but I think I at least havebetter chances at getting it out ofthere safely. I won’t let a rookie to godown to the engine core.
HITOSHAMAI don’t know about that safe bit. Youforgot to take the flashlight.
Larry sighs and goes to the other side of the railing andprepares for the decent.
LARRYAre you going to remind me of thatflashlight for the rest of my life?
HITOSHAMA(smiles)
Yes.
LARRYBrilliant. Just remember to pull me outwhen I shout.
HITOSHAMAWait! How are you going to see downthere without the flashlight?
Larry thinks for a moment.
LARRYGive me your hand console.
Hitoshama complies.
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HITOSHAMAWhat’re you going to do with it?
LARRYI’m going to set the screen brightnessto maximum for both of the consoles.That should give me at least somethingto work with.
HITOSHAMAThat’s quite clever. How did you figurethat out?
LARRY(grins)
Experience.
Before Hitoshama has anything to reply, Larry starts thedecent downwards. Hitoshama watches him go and safeguards therope.
The rope is made of a material that you can get an easy graspof, so Larry is able to decent fast but safely.
After a moment he reaches the bottom. He feels the groundwith his foot and notices that its plane and that he cansafely walk there.
He takes the consoles and sets the brightness to maximum andgets some visibility, but not too much.
He looks around and after a moment he notices a package inthe ground with an antenna sticking out from the side of it.
He kneels beside it but makes sure that he doesn’t touch ityet. He scans it. He looks up and sees that Hitoshama iswatching from the corridor.
LARRYIs there a computer console anywherenear you?
Hitoshama looks around and notices one just where the cavernends.
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HITOSHAMAYes.
LARRYGo there and make a cross reference tothe databanks. I found a package thathas some sort of powdery substance init.
Hitoshama runs to the console. She taps in a few commands.
HITOSHAMAI’m ready.
Larry makes some further scans.
LARRYOk, the stuff is comprised of about 76%of potassium nitrate, 13% of carbon and11% of sulfur.
Hitoshama taps in the numbers and waits for a result. Theconsole BEEPS.
HITOSHAMAI have a match.
(beat)That’s odd. this one is from thehistorical database as well.
LARRYWhat’s the prognosis?
HITOSHAMAIt’s apparently an old substance knownas black powder.
LARRYWell, that’s nice. What does it do?
Hitoshama reads the computer screen further and suddenly hereyes widen.
HITOSHAMAExplodes.
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Larry jumps back, loses his balance and falls on his back.
He gets up and scans the package further. He sighs. He iseven more careful. He doesn’t care to fall down on it.
LARRYTell me more. How powerful is it? Doesit combust easily? Anything!
HITOSHAMAIt’s not too powerful. It was used inlow-powered weapons. It doesn’t detonatetoo easily. It was mainly used inexcavations of soft alloy.
LARRYCheck what the nearest machines are andhow well they are protected. I want toknow if this can cause any damage.
Hitoshama taps more commands to the computer and reads.
HITOSHAMAIt’s one of the major air vents. Verywell protected. I need to know how muchof the stuff you’ve got there to knowwhether it can cause damage.
LARRYAbout a kilo.
Hitoshama taps in a few calculations.
HITOSHAMACouldn’t even scratch the paint. Onlydanger could be the smoke that couldcause something in the equipment. And itcould cause a fire alarm which causesthe immediate shutdown of this part ofthe engine room. It could cripple thestation for hours. But if it explodeswith you in there, there wouldn’t bemuch from you to be buried.
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LARRYHow soothing to know. Have you any ideaas to what the radio device does inthis?
HITOSHAMAI was just reading about ancient bombsand it was usual that radio devices wereused as remote detonators.
LARRYGreat. What if we’d just block thesignal?
HITOSHAMAThat could be the exact thing thatsignals the thing to explode.
Larry sighs and ponders the situation again.
LARRYHitoshama.
HITOSHAMAYes, sir?
LARRYCome a bit closer so we can talk easier.
Hitoshama goes back to about the middle of the bridgecorridor and peeks down to Larry.
LARRY (CONT’D)I’m going to stay here and try to get asmuch information about this thing as Ican. In the meanwhile, you go back tothe main engineering and gather a groupto analyze the signal and buildsomething to simulate it. Then bring ithere. And take something we can carrythis thing with. Even if it doesn’t helpif it explodes, I don’t still want tocarry it around with my bare hands.
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HITOSHAMAYes, sir. What are you planning?
LARRYI want to take this thing to mainengineering where we can blow it up in acontrolled environment. Oh and remember:When you complete the transmitter, donot turn it on! It could detonate thebomb!
HITOSHAMAYes, sir. Um, how am I going to get tomain engineering when you have both ofthe hand consoles?
LARRYJust follow the plates on the floor. Thesmaller the number, the closer you areto an exit.
HITOSHAMAOkay. What if the bomb explodes whileI’m gone?
Larry watches her and shrugs. The question doesn’t require ananswer. Hitoshama understands and starts to leave.
LARRYHitoshama!
Hitoshama looks at him once again over the railing.
Larry doesn’t like the idea, but realizes that there is nochoice.
LARRYYou’d probably better inform theCaptain.
Hitoshama nods and is off. Larry looks at the bomb and sighs.He sits beside it.
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INT. LIMB - MAIN ENGINEERING
Baxter enters from a lift in fury.
Larry is just coming from an access tunnel on his back. Hecarefully moves a bag with the bomb over him and a techniciantakes the bag. The technician quickly takes the bomb to anearby table.
Larry climbs out of the tunnel and helps Hitoshama out aswell. Baxter charges to Larry immediately.
BAXTERWhat is the meaning of all this, Mr.Play? How is it possible that you’veallowed a bomb to be placed in mystation?
LARRYMaybe we should discuss that later. Myfirst priority right now is to make itharmless.
BAXTERHow is it possible that our sensorshaven’t detected it?
LARRYThe bomb is made of antique technologyand materials that we don’t scan foranymore.
BAXTERHow is it possible that anyone could getto the engine room to do this? I suspectinside help.
LARRYLook around you. This place is in aconstant state coordinated chaos. Nobodycan look at all of the people who comeand go. And the engine room maze iseasier to hide in than to keep visible.
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Another technician comes to Larry and gives him some kind ofcomplex container. Larry takes it to the table with the bomb.Baxter is close behind.
LARRY (CONT’D)This container should block all radiosignals and dampen the explosion. I’veleft a transmitter to the exact placewhere the bomb was found so even ifsomeone is tracking the signal it’simpossible to tell that the bomb hasbeen moved and doesn’t blow it upbecause of that. That of course isn’tmuch help if he’s decided to blow it upright now anyway.
BAXTERYou mean that you do not know when it issupposed to explode?
LARRYThat’s right.
BAXTERWhat if the time is now?
LARRYAt least we won’t miss it.
Baxter takes a nervous glimpse at the bomb and then turns toleave.
BAXTERI am too valuable person to stay inpotential danger. I will monitor thesituation from the bridge and I expectto be advised of your progress at alltimes.
LARRY(sarcastically)
Of course you are.
Baxter doesn’t catch the tone as he’s too busy to leave. Heenters a lift quickly and is gone.
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LARRY (CONT’D)Well thank you very much for help.
Hitoshama comes to Larry worriedly.
HITOSHAMAShouldn’t we cover the bomb already?
Larry thinks for a moment.
LARRYI think I have an idea that might payoff.
He goes to a wall communication panel and presses a button.
WENDY’S COMM VOICESecurity.
LARRYI presume that you’re aware of oursituation.
WENDY’S COMM VOICECompletely.
LARRYI think I could isolate the frequency sothat you could make a station wide scanto reveal the receiver.
WENDY’S COMM VOICECould that reveal that we’ve found thebomb?
LARRYIt’s impossible to say. For all we know,he/she/they might already know about it,but determining from the fact that we’rehaving this conversation I’d say thatthey don’t know. However, I can’t sayhow long this goes on like this. I don’teven know if there is a person to makethe decision.
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WENDY’S COMM VOICEDo you assume that we should take thechance?
LARRYI don’t know, but I’ll assume that weall want to catch the guy who did thisinstead of just standing and waiting forthis thing to blow.
WENDY’S COMM VOICEAgreed. Please resume. I will notify thebridge.
Larry lets the button go and the channel closes. He turns toHitoshama and signs her to help him with the bomb.
LARRYWe need to do this quick. We can’t keepthe bomb in the container if we’re goingto isolate the signal, but we need toget it inside the container as soon aspossible when the scan is done in casethe detonator notices that something’swrong and decides to blow this thing.
Hitoshama nods and Larry takes the bomb. He keeps it justover the container and Hitoshama prepares to seal thecontainer as soon as Larry drops it.
A third ENGINEER comes with a scanner and works furiouslywith it. He is definitely not happy about having to be insuch a close proximity with the bomb.
ENGINEERGot it. The frequency is 103.7 megahertzFM band.
LARRYOpen a channel to security.
The engineer goes to the communications panel.
WENDY’S COMM VOICESecurity.
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LARRYThe frequency is 103.7 megahertz FMband. Are you ready to do the scan?
WENDY’S COMM VOICEWe are prepared.
LARRYOk. Let me count down for you so we knowwhen to panic. How long does the scantake?
WENDY’S COMM VOICEAbout three seconds.
Larry looks at Hitoshama. He doesn’t like it.
LARRYGuess we have to live with that. Or dieif it goes to that.
(beat)Counting down. Three. Two. One.
INT. LIMB - BRIDGE
Tanith, Kri and Baxter are in their positions. Several n.d.crewmembers work in the rear consoles.
Kri works his console.
KRII have located the destination of thesignal. It is in transport ship Groshfrom the former Ashtar Empire.
TANITHIt’s in docking port 42.
Baxter opens a communications channel from the panel in hischair.
BAXTERSecurity!
WENDY’S COMM VOICEWe’re on our way, Captain.
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Tanith’s console BEEPS.
LARRY’S COMM VOICEEngineering to bridge.
Tanith opens the channel.
TANITHSpeak.
LARRY’S COMM VOICEI was just informed that the signal hasceased. Apparently whoever handled thematter tried to blow up the bomb.
TANITHIs everything alright down there?
LARRY’S COMM VOICEYeah. It was a close call, but wemanaged to seal the bomb before ithappened. It’s sitting in a containernow with no intentions to blow up innear future.
Tanith turns to Baxter. He is furious. He rises from hischair.
BAXTERGet rid of the bomb right away!
LARRY’S COMM VOICEGladly, sir. Engineering out.
As the channel closes, Tanith’s console lets out an alarm andshe turns quickly back to her console.
TANITHGrosh is trying to break free from thedocking clamps! We should let them gobefore they rip the station apart.
BAXTERNo! Hold it with everything you’ve got!Under no circumstances we’ll let thebastards go.
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Tanith can’t believe this.
TANITHCaptain?
BAXTERDo not let them go!
WENDY’S COMM VOICEBridge, this is security.
Baxter goes to his chair to open the channel.
BAXTERThis is the bridge.
WENDY’S COMM VOICEWe’re at port 42 now, but the computerhas sealed it off because they areapparently trying to separate by force.
The bridge takes a mighty jolt that nearly throws Baxter offhis feet. Master alarm starts to yell.
BAXTERCan’t you bypass?
WENDY’S COMM VOICEThere is a personnel airlock foremergencies, but by the time my peoplewill get to the spacesuits it will mostlikely be too late.
BAXTERYou don’t need air.
WENDY’S COMM VOICEThat is correct.
BAXTERThen you will go on your own.
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WENDY’S COMM VOICEI would advise against that, Captain. Iam just a one individual and we have noinformation as to how many people theship contains.
BAXTERGo! Now!
WENDY’S COMM VOICEYes, Captain.
Baxter closes the channel in frustration. The station starts to shake and rumble. Tanith and Kriexchange a worried look. Tanith turns to Baxter.
TANITHCaptain, we need to release the ship.It’s a big transport vessel withpowerful engines. It could rip thedocking claws and possibly half of themodule right off the station!
BAXTERI am getting tired of your attitude,Miss Yannbulytshev! We will not let thebastards go!
Another jolt shakes the station and more alarms start toflash and yell.
LARRY’S COMM VOICEBridge? What the hell is happening overthere?! The station is falling apart! Ifyou don’t let go of that ship right now,it will probably ruin half of thestation and I will not feel likerepairing it all.
Tanith looks at her console that is practically a flashingred light by now. Kri’s is the same. She looks at Baxter oncemore. He has a determinate face. He is not going to give up.
The shaking increases and her console sends out a mightywhine. In a flash she makes up her mind and taps in a fewcommands.
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Immediately most of the warning lights die out and the masteralarm silences. The station doesn’t even shake anymore.
After a moment Baxter watches in fury and horror as the Groshtakes distance to the station. He turns to Tanith.
BAXTERWhat happened?
Tanith replies without hesitating.
TANITHThe docking clamps failed. There wasnothing I could do.
BAXTERFire!
Tanith works for a moment. They see from the viewscreen howshe manages to take a shot, but before the torpedo reachesit, the massive ship phases out of normal space and goes tohyperdrive. The torpedo vanishes with the transport.
Baxter kicks his chair in frustration.
BAXTERShit!
Tanith watches her console in bewilderment. She thought shehad a clear shot. Kri works with his console.
KRICaptain, I believe we did manage todamage the ship. It has materializedagain and seems to be unable to reenterhyperdrive.
BAXTERWhere is it?
KRIJust a few thousand kilometers fromhere, but taking distance as fast as shecan.
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BAXTERMiss Yannbulytshev, prepare the shuttle.We’re going to pursuit.
Tanith turns to Baxter in surprise.
TANITHMe? But I’m not a pilot!
BAXTERWhat? Who is then?
INT. LIMB - DOCKING PORTS
Wendy comes in from the personnel airlock. A group of worriedsecurity officers waits for her.
OFFICER 1I can’t believe it. It just took off.It’s amazing that you managed to keep inthe docking bay without being suckedout!
WENDYIt is not anything we should divide ourattention to.
OFFICER 2Are you alright?
WENDYIt was just a bit of wind. Hardlyanything capable of damaging my systems.
Wendy goes to the nearest commpanel and opens a channel.
WENDY (CONT’D)Bridge, this is security. The ship brokefree. I was unable to board it.
BAXTER’S COMM VOICEWe know. Fortunately Miss Yannbulytshevwas able to damage its hyperdrive. It isescaping with normal drive only, so weare going to pursue it with a shuttleand you will join us.
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WENDYAs you wish.
BAXTER’S COMM VOICEAnd one more thing, lieutenant.
WENDYYes, Captain?
BAXTER’S COMM VOICEHow fast you can learn to drive ashuttle?
WENDYCaptain?
INT. LIMB - SHUTTLE BAY
Tanith is waiting outside the airlock to a shuttle when Wendyjoins her from a lift.
TANITHYou mean you really learned to pilot ashuttle in ten minutes?
WENDYSort of.
TANITHSort of? I don’t think I like thedirection this is going.
WENDYI was able to familiarize and memorizeall the basic functions needed to pilota shuttle. However, because of the lackof allocated time I was not able toacquire any kind of experience on howthese functions work in practicalsituations.
TANITHPerfect…
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WENDYWhere is Captain? I thought he wasattending this flight.
TANITHYes, he is. He insisted it, but told meto go ahead and then castled into hisoffice. I just can’t understand whatgoes in his mind. I mean…
Tanith is interrupted by the arrival of Baxter from the samelift Wendy used. He doesn’t regard the waiting officers butmarches directly into the shuttle. Tanith and Wendy follow.
INT. SHUTTLE
Baxter is already sat to the captain’s chair when Tanith andWendy come into the control cabinet.
Baxter turns to Wendy.
BAXTERMiss Yannbulytshev informs me that thepilots for this shuttle have not arrivedyet, but that you are capable ofpiloting this shuttle.
WENDYTechnically that is correct. However, Imust warn you that…
BAXTER(interrupts)
Take your seat and do your duty! TheGrosh isn’t coming any closer.
Wendy takes the pilot position. Tanith sits to the co-pilotchair.
WENDYInitiating the launch procedures.
Wendy works for a moment and the shuttle comes to life with asoft hum.
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She takes her time, though. She makes all the procedures verycarefully and even Tanith grows a little impatient.
WENDY (CONT’D)Separation.
EXT. LIMB - DOCKING BAY
The shuttle separates from the docking clamps and slowly goesforward in the docking tunnel where several other ships andvessels are docked as well.
So very slowly.
INT. SHUTTLE
Baxter nearly rips the armrest of his chair when he noticesthat Wendy has no intention of increasing speed.
BAXTERWhat in world is this?! We’re in ahurry!
Wendy doesn’t react to Baxter’s growing frustration.
WENDYI am aware of that. This is just what Itried to warn you about. I havefamiliarized myself only with theexample flight found from the end of theappendix of the first chapter of theShuttle Pilot’s Handbook, Volume 1.These are not the circumstancespresented in the book.
BAXTERJust step on it! You know how to dothat, do you?
WENDYIf you refer to utilizing full speed, Ido. But I do not recommend that.
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BAXTERNow!
(to Tanith)You and your brilliant idea.
At that moment a lot of thoughts race into Tanith’s mind, butevery one of them would result a court marshal, so instead ofkilling Baxter, she turns to Wendy. Wendy hesitates for amoment, but her programming only allows one thing.
WENDYAs you command, Captain.
Baxter looks pleased of himself when Wendy taps in thecommand and in a blink of a eye the long docking tunnel justdisappears and stars begin to move slowly on the screen.
BAXTERHow much lead do they have?
Tanith reads her console.
TANITHOnly about two million kilometers. Theirspeed matches ours.
BAXTERWeapons?
TANITHIt is a transport ship. No weaponry.
BAXTERCould we fire from here?
TANITHThis is a shuttle, not a warship,Captain.
Baxter falls deeper into his chair. He is not happy.
BAXTERCould we outrun them with hyperdrive?
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WENDYThat is not a plausible scenario. Eventhe shortest jump would take us severalmillion kilometers in front of them.They would alter their course before wecould get to them.
BAXTERThat is not a problem. We just need toget them to slow down for long enough.
Tanith is surprised to hear this.
TANITHCaptain?
Baxter ignores this and keeps his focus on Wendy.
BAXTERCan you do it, lieutenant?
WENDYIn theory, but…
BAXTER(interrupts)
Then do it! Shortest possible hyperjump.Then a full turn and best possible speedtowards the Grosh!
Wendy looks at Tanith. Tanith smiles reassuringly to Wendy.She’s been there. Finally Wendy turns back to her controls.
WENDY(quietly)
This scenario was not presented in theexample flight found from the end of theappendix of the first chapter of theShuttle Pilot’s Handbook, Volume 1.
Tanith looks at Baxter, but he doesn’t react. He has adeterminate look in his face and maybe even a trace of smile.This is what he has the hunger to do. He can almost imaginehimself in the command of a warship.
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WENDYI must warn you that this jump will besomewhat different from what you’veexperienced. Because of the small massof the vessel and the shortness of thejump, it will have unpleasant sideeffects.
Tanith doesn’t like the sound of this. She is about to askmore details from Wendy, but is too late.
WENDY (CONT’D)Energizing.
Tanith immediately drops to a limp body and everything aroundher just turn into a chaotic blur. She is horrified by theexperience and is about to scream when it all ends asabruptly as it began.
She quickly tries to get herself around to the real world,but her head is still blurry. She looks at Wendy and isn’ttoo surprised to see that Wendy is not affected. Then sheturns to look at Baxter and her spirits rise immeasurablywhen she sees that Baxter is crawling back to his chair fromwhich he obviously has fallen from.
Baxter manages to get himself to his chair.
BAXTERReport.
Tanith has cleared her head to the most part and examines herconsole.
TANITHGrosh is slowing down. It has detectedour jump.
WENDYWe are approaching at full speed.
Tanith leans to Wendy so that she can speak to her withoutBaxter hearing them.
TANITHNot bad from a rookie.
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WENDYAs a matter of fact, because of myinexperience, there was a five seconddelay in the turn after the jump.
TANITHI think we can skip the court marshal.
Tanith goes back to her console. Baxter looks at them anddoesn’t like this sort of distraction.
Tanith’s eyes widen with surprise.
TANITH (CONT’D)Two warships have materialized tointercept the Grosh!
She turns to Baxter, who smiles. He stands up from his chair.
Tanith looks at her panel again.
TANITH (CONT’D)The Groth has stopped. I think we gotthem without bloodshed.
Baxter ignores the comment.
BAXTERMaintain course and speed. Magnify tothe main viewer and open a channel toboth warships.
TANITHChannel open.
BAXTERThis is Captain Baxter to warships. Fireat will!
Tanith shoots up from her chair.
TANITHWhat!?
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We can see in the screen how the massive warships begin tobombard the transporter. It doesn’t take it very long and thetransporter is destroyed in a matter of seconds.
This time Tanith really has it and she turns to Baxter infury. She simply can’t control her rage anymore, but screamsfrom the top of her voice.
TANITH (CONT’D)What was the idea in that! What?! Theyhad stopped already! We could’ve madeinterrogations and find out what all ofthis was about! We don’t even know ifthere were innocent bystanders aboardthat ship! We have nothing at all!
Baxter is not about to stand that kind of talk for a second,but turns as about as red as a lobster being boiled.
BAXTERListen to me, Commander! I am a superiorofficer and you have no right toquestion my orders! I have no intentionof explaining my orders, not now and notin the future! Sit down, man your postand shut up or I’ll relieve you fromduty before we reach the station!
Tanith is about to sit down, but Baxter goes to anotherround.
BAXTER (CONT’D)If I see a stunt like this from youagain, you won’t even get a chance to bea passenger in a space vehicle withoutan armed guard! If I’d get the chance,I’d demote you where you stand, butunfortunately those decisions have to berun through admiralty! I’ve neverwitnessed such a behavior in my life!
Baxter’s another volley of accusations really heat up Tanithagain and she is about to respond.
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WENDYExcuse me.
BAXTERWhat?!
WENDYI am sorry to interrupt yourconversation, but may I direct yourattention to an escape pod that waslaunched from the Grosh.
Baxter looks once again at Tanith, but has calmed down forthe most part.
BAXTERNow sit down!
Tanith sits down and Baxter returns to his chair. She taps ina few commands to her console.
TANITHI read one faint life sign on board.
BAXTERSet an intercept course.
WENDYYes, Captain.
TANITH(quietly)
Should we blow that up too?
BAXTERI heard that, Commander.
Tanith slams his hand to her console to sooth her nerves andcalms down a bit.
EXT. SPACE
We see the shuttle closing on the small escape pod.
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INT. SHUTTLE
As before.
TANITHThere is one Ashtar on board. He seemsto be unconscious, but otherwise inrelatively good shape. What should wedo?
Tanith waits for a reply. None comes. She turns to Baxter whowatches her blankly. Apparently he doesn’t have a clue. Heturns to Wendy.
BAXTERLieutenant, initiate the usual rescueprocedures.
Wendy turns to Baxter.
WENDYCaptain? May I remind you that…
BAXTER(interrupts)
Yes, yes, I know, I know. The firstappendix of the first chapter of theShuttle Pilot’s Manual, Volume 1.
TANITHYou are a Captain. I thought knowingthese sort of things were a part of therank.
BAXTERShut up.
INT. LIMB - STEVE’S
Tanith is drowning her frustration to a drink by the counter.Larry, Wendy and Desi are there with her. Steve sits in hischair behind the counter.
She takes a long drink from her glass and puts it back to thecounter.
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TANITHI mean, that bomb wasn’t even sodangerous!
Larry is a bit uncomfortable, because he was one of the fewwho were threatened by the bomb, but he decides not to raisethe issue.
TANITH (CONT’D)But no sir! Mr. Big Shot has to blow upeverything in the name of peace andintegrity! If he really enjoys thosesorts of things then be my guest. Youshould’ve seen his face when they didthat, he was so full of himself. Butthere's no point in coming to me tocomplaint if the investigations don’t gotoo smoothly.
DESII know the sort a bit too well. Thehappiest they are when they get a biggun and a moving target.
Larry empties his pint and stands to leave.
LARRYI don’t even bother to say anything. Imean, everything’s been said about thatkind of people and there still isn’tanything you can do about it.
(beat)He wasn’t too keen on letting that shipgo, then. A few seconds more and itwould’ve left with the clamps and a halfof the module with them.
TANITHOh yeah, I forgot about that. They didfail. It takes two weeks to repair them,remember?
Larry is a bit confused at first, but gets the drift.
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LARRY(dry)
I see. By the way, the port dockingtunnel is closed for a few weeks and theshuttle is docked to port 12.
TANITHWhy’s that?
LARRYThe ingenious idea from our belovedCaptain to use full speed in the dockingtunnel has fried pretty much everysingle system in the sector. And guesswho’s got to make it all work again?
Larry takes off. Tanith watches him go before returning herconcentration to her drink.
TANITHWe don’t even know how many people wereon that ship, but she wasn’t a one manship, I can tell you that.
Desi hears this, but doesn’t bother to answer. Tanith’sfrustration just grows within her.
TANITH (CONT’D)I mean, it didn’t have weapons, thatship. We didn’t even try to make acontact!
The frustration turns to grief. She is about to leave when avery drunk voice can be heard from behind her.
MANI know that bastard! I know all abouthim and the likes of him!
Tanith turns to look the causer of the voice. It is a man inhis late 50’s that is dressed in ragged clothes and is quiteliterally filthy from head to toes.
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MAN (CONT’D)Bought a career with his father’s money!Even I’d be more qualified to commandthe station! He and the bastard fatherof his have been under investigationdozens of times. But somehow theinvestigators and judges have all beenfired before the process has gonetrough. You should stuff ‘em all to thenearest airlock and put them to take aspacewalk without suits. I’d have ‘emall shot before they are born.
The man suddenly lost his confidence when he sees that Tanithjust stares at the entrance in horror. The man turns to watchand it is nobody else than Baxter watching him with amurdering glare.
The man quiets down and Baxter walks to him. He says nothingand the silence brings around an unbearable tension.
BAXTER(calmly)
Security chief. I’d appreciate if you’ddo your duties and escort this gentlemanto the nearest brig.
Wendy activates immediately and takes the man gently butfirmly and escorts him out of there. The man doesn’t put up afight.When Wendy and the man have left, Baxter takes a one longcold look around the place and then walks out without anotherword.
Only after Baxter has disappeared to a lift, Tanith can relaxagain. She turns back to her drink.
TANITHBaxter never comes here. How on earthdid he manage to come in right thismoment?
DESIThose kinds of people have the kinds ofradars that tell them every time someonementiones their name.
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Tanith chuckles softly, but Desi didn’t meant that as ahumorous remark. Desi empties her drink and leaves.
Tanith takes a long look at her drink and then empties it aswell. Steve takes the glass.
STEVEWant another?
Tanith thinks for a beat.
TANITHWhy not.
Steve takes a bottle under the counter and fills the glassagain.
STEVEIt’s sad to see what state he’s in thesedays.
TANITHWhat? You mean the Captain? I think hehas everything just as he wants them tobe.
STEVEI didn’t mean him. I meant the drunk.Don’t tell me you don’t know who he is.
TANITHI have to say that I don’t.
STEVEHe is Malcolm Scott. The former chief ofmedical.
Tanith is surprised to hear this.
TANITHReally? Poor man. I thought this wouldbe the last place he wants to be afterwhat happened.
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STEVEWell, he did spent most of his life inthis station. Couldn’t see himselfleaving even after what happened.
TANITHHow does he make a living?
STEVEHe doesn’t. He gets something from thespace force because of his serviceyears, but he has to live in thecheapest decks. Especially now that theborder is open again and the rents wenttrough the roof.
TANITHThat’s terrible to hear. What I’ve heardthey made an unnecessary example out ofhim.
STEVEDon’t know about that.
(beat)But all we’ve been talking about corruptCaptains and poor fates. Perhaps weshould think about something else forawhile before you get too drunk.
TANITHI’m not drunk.
She takes a sip from her drink to prove the case.
STEVEMaybe not, but you’re getting there.
TANITHPerhaps. I’d like to think somethingelse, but for some reason I can’t bringmyself around to it.
STEVEMaybe I can help you in that. My newassistant is coming to make his firstshift.
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TANITHWhat? An assistant? I thought you neverleft this place.
STEVEThat was true. But I’m not what I usedto be sixty years ago. I need some timeoff once and awhile. This is the firsttime I try it though. We’ll see whichone cracks up first. Me or my wife.
TANITHWho is this new assistant then?
STEVEI believe you get to meet him soonenough.
And soon enough, Henrik walks in from the back of the place.He smiles although he is terrified of what’s going to becomeof this.
HENRIKWell, good evening, Commander. Nice tosee you again.
Tanith is pleased to see a familiar face that isn’t relatedto her work. She smiles faintly.
TANITHI’m surprised to see you at that side ofthe counter, Mr. Anttonen.
HENRIKPlease do call me Henrik, Commander.
TANITHOnly if you stop calling me Commander.
HENRIKSounds fair.
Steve rises from his chair.
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STEVEI’m sorry to interrupt, but I think I’llbe going then. It terrifies me becausethis really is the first time. Are yousure you can manage it?
HENRIKYes, I think so. Seeing as we did gotrough it about six times. And I won’thandle the stock. Just run the bar.
STEVECoffee shop.
HENRIKRight.
STEVENow remember that all you have toremember is to take drinks from theright bottles and ask for fingerprintsigning before handing out anything. Andpress that…
HENRIK(interrupts)
…that big red button over there ifsomething goes wrong and you’ll be herein a heartbeat. I remember.
Steve looks around to see if anything else is to bementioned. He takes a couple of steps to the exit and looksthoroughly lost.
HENRIK (CONT’D)Just go and have a fun evening. I’ll seethat everything goes smoothly aroundhere.
STEVERight, right. I’ll be… off, then.
Steve goes to the door and takes a final look at all of thisbefore going out. Henrik smiles to this and turns back toTanith.
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HENRIKSo, where were we?
TANITHI believe I asked you to not to call mecommander.
HENRIKRight. So what should I call you?Sylvia?
TANITHWhy would you want to do that?
HENRIKIt’s as good of a guess as any, I guess.I don’t have a clue as to what is reallyis.
TANITHShould I be offended? I did tell it toyou.
HENRIKPlease don’t. I have a terrible memoryfor names. I never learned the names ofeverybody from my classes in school.That’s why I called you Commander. Itcan be read from your collar, so Ithought it was fairly safe.
TANITHJust call me Tanith.
HENRIKTanith. Right. I’ll try and rememberthat.
TANITHI really am surprised to see you at thatside of the counter.
HENRIKYou should be surprised to see me at anyside around here. I usually never go tobars.
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TANITHWhy’s that?
HENRIKEverybody I know just comes around theseplaces to get drunk. I myself find thetaste of alcohol quite horrible and theprospect of poisoning my brains touncontrollable state is quiteterrifying. I can’t see how people caninsist that it’s relaxing.
TANITHMaybe you just don’t know the rightpeople.
HENRIKI’d like to think not. Seeing whatyou’re drinking.
Tanith takes a look at her drink.
TANITHThis is not common for me. It’s been ahell of a day.
She takes a sip.
TANITH (CONT’D)But let’s not talk about that. I juststarted to get rid of the feeling. Tellme, are you coming to do this everynight now?
HENRIKNo way. I think Steve gets a nervousbreakdown if he stays away too long. Itwas quite a task to make him realizethat this was a good idea. Once or twicea year is a more plausible hypothesis.
TANITH(chuckles)
I can believe that.
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HENRIKBut I might come around more often togive him a hand. As he says, he’s notwhat he used to be sixty years ago.
TANITHWhy do you do it?
HENRIKI thought it’d be good for the scriptI’m working on. You know, seeing andmeeting people. Getting away from thekeyboard now and then. Just the stuff myparents used to try to get me to do.
TANITHThat’s nice.
HENRIKAnd I need the money.
TANITH(smiles)
Naturally.
HENRIKBut I’ll tell you that I’m scared stiff.I’m not a people person, so I’m kind ofworried how’s this going to work. I meanI’m unsocial beyond words, but as Isaid, I have to see and meet people so Ican write.
TANITHYou don’t seem unsocial. Actually youappear quite the opposite to me.
HENRIKThat’s what people tell me. I do needand enjoy company sometimes. Like now.But usually, I think I just fake itwell.
Tanith empties her glass.
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TANITHSo tell me, how the script is comingalong?
HENRIKSurprisingly well. If people get pastthe enormous info dump in the beginning,they should be home free. It’s not thebest way to start a story, but this iskind of a follow-up to a series of shortstories I was working on years and yearsago, so I had a lot of back story that Ineeded to hand out before I could writeanything new. I hope it’s not too much.
TANITHHard to say. Have you found relief toyour orange juice situation?
HENRIK(smiles)
Actually, I have. Steve has a nicesupply of it.
TANITHAnd is it as good as the one you hadfound before?
HENRIKIt’s better.
TANITH(smiles)
Glad to hear that. I have to say that Ihaven’t ever thought that there weredifferent kinds of orange juices.
Henrik shrugs.
HENRIKWell, I’ve never understood how peoplecan find so many differences from wines.I think they all taste just as horribleas the other.
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TANITHNever thought about it that way. But I’mafraid I’ll have to get to bed now. Itlooks like I’m going to have a terribleday tomorrow.
HENRIKDo you want to talk about it?
TANITHNo. And even if I’d want, I couldn’t. Ijust look forward to the few hours ofunconsciousness where I simply don’tremember the whole thing.
HENRIKFamiliar feeling. Well, sleep well.
Tanith goes to the door.
TANITHI hope so too. I’ll scream if I don’t.
EXT. SPACE - LIMB
A large passenger vessel is coming for docking.
INT. LIMB - BAXTER’S OFFICE
Baxter’s office is quite a big of a space capable of holdingreceptions and other official functions. What makes it lookbigger is the fact that Baxter hasn’t decorated the officewith anything. He hasn’t even brought a chair for guests. Theback wall of the office opens up to a panoramic view tospace.
Baxter is reading something from the screen in his desk.Whatever it is, it doesn’t make him too happy.
His door chimes, but if he hears it, he ignores it.
After a moment, the door chimes again and again Baxterignores it. Finally the door just opens and Tanith enters,but doesn’t advance from the door.
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Baxter just quickly looks who it was who entered and thenquickly turns the screen off. He turns to Tanith seeming veryannoyed.
BAXTERYou should know that it’s notappropriate to barge into my office likethat.
TANITHI’m sorry, Captain, but I rang. It seemsthat the chime is not functional.
BAXTERThat is not of your business. Come in ifyou must so we can get this over with.I’m busy.
Tanith comes to Baxter’s desk. She doesn’t feel verycomfortable in this office.
TANITHPermission to interrogate the prisoner.
BAXTERWho?
TANITHThe man who we picked up from the escapepod.
For some reason Baxter seems very uncomfortable and evenalarmed about this prospect.
BAXTER(urgently)
Is he awake?
Tanith is surprised from Baxter’s reaction.
TANITHNot yet. But Doctor Rumfoord says thathe could wake up any time now and shouldbe strong enough for interrogation.
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BAXTERUnacceptable. Inform the Doctor that theprisoner must be kept constantly underartificial unconsciousness.
TANITHCaptain?
BAXTERI’ve arranged a transport to theheadquarters for him. The escorts shouldbe here in about a week. Before that,the prisoner will be kept unconscious atall times for security reasons. He mustnot be awake even once during his stay.
Tanith can’t believe what she’s hearing. Once again.
TANITHCaptain, I must object. It would beabsurd to waste all this time and leavesuch a good opportunity to know what’sgoing on around here. I urge you toreconsid…
Baxter slaps his hand on his desk in fury.
BAXTER(interrupts)
Commander, that was an order!
He calms himself for a moment when he sees that Tanith issilent. He continues so calmly that it’s almost menacing.
BAXTER (CONT’D)You already have disobeyed my ordersonce this week. I’d really urge you toconsider before you question me again. Ican assure you that the consequenceswould be drastic. I believe I have shownimmeasurable patience over yourbehavior, but I recommend that youreturn to your station and forward myorders to sickbay. Immediately.
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Tanith has to count to ten and clamp her fists as tight asshe can to control her temper.
TANITHYes, sir.
She leaves as fast as she can walk. Baxter turns the screenback on and starts to read it once again.
EXT. SPACE - LIMB
Most of the lights are out and external activity on thestation in minimal. The station has entered the night shift.
INT. LIMB - MARKETPLACE
The last vendors are packing their stuff as most of them haveleft already. In the background we can see Steve turning offthe lights in his establishment.
INT. LIMB - CORRIDOR
Kri enters from a lift to a dimly light corridor. Thecorridor is a part of a resident sector, so that there aredoors to apartments along both sides of the corridor.
Kri goes to one door and presses the chime. He waits a momentbefore Tanith opens the door. She looks both ways of thecorridor.
TANITHHi. Were you followed?
KRIWhy would’ve I been?
TANITHNever mind that. Come in.
Tanith lets Kri inside to her quarters.
INT. LIMB - TANITH’S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Tanith’s apartment is far from Spartan. She has filled theplace with furniture’s of eastern design and hanged colorfuldrapes to cover every inch of the apartment.
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A black cat lies in a large divan and seems relatively happyabout her life.
TANITHI don’t like the idea that Captain wouldknow that we’ve having this meeting.
She notices that Kri takes in the colors.
TANITH (CONT’D)So how do you like my world?
Kri takes looks around.
KRIIt’s… different to what I’ve used to.
Kri looks at Tanith. He notices that she expects some furthercomments. He isn’t good at this.
KRI (CONT’D)It’s very nice.
Tanith smiles to him.
TANITHGlad you like it. It took some time tomake it like this.
Kri notices the cat on the divan.
KRII see you have a cat.
Tanith sits to the divan beside it. The cat doesn’t react.
TANITHYes. I’ve had her for about seven yearsnow. I simply can’t imagine myselfliving without one. Her name’s Eight.
KRIEight?
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TANITHI’m terrible at coming up with names, soI decided to give her a number instead.I’ve always liked number eight for somereason.
Kri doesn’t see the logic.
KRII see the logic. I’m more of a dogperson myself.
TANITHDo take a seat.
Kri sits to a nearby wicker chair covered with anothercolorful drape. It doesn’t feel too comfortable, but he hidesit to the best of his ability.
Tanith has turned serious.
TANITH (CONT’D)Did you get it?
KRIYou have to understand that I was only acommon scientist back in Ashtar. I don’thave any contacts to high places.
TANITHI understand that.
KRISo I had to do it the hard way. You knowthe theory on how everybody is connectedto anybody by six points.
TANITHYes.
KRIIt just happened that one of mycolleagues was promoted to agovernmental job in one of the majorpowers in Ashtar. So I asked her, andshe asked her boss.
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Tanith is getting eager to hear the outcome.
TANITHYes?
KRIAnd her boss asked from his relative,who had a friend in a high place.
TANITHYes?
KRISee, this is why it took me a few days.
TANITHYes, yes. But did you get it?
Kri takes a data disc from his pocket and hands it to Tanith.
KRIYes, I did.
TANITHFantastic. Thank you.
She takes the disc and goes to a wall. She moves one of thedrapes and it reveals a wall console behind it. She ties thedrape so that she doesn’t have to hold it while she operatesthe console.
She puts the disc to the allocated slot. Kri joins her at theconsole.
A lot of data and a cross section of a transport ship ofAshtar design appear on screen.
TANITHHave you gone trough this data yet?
KRINo. I came as soon as I got it.
TANITHAnd the captain didn’t see you receivingthis.
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KRII used the console in my quarters. Ithink you’re being a bit paranoid aboutthe Captain. I agree that he’s an ass,but you’re acting like he’s a criminal.
TANITHThat’s just what I’m trying to find out.
KRINot everybody you don’t like have to becriminals.
TANITHI know. I just need to get this matter abit clearer. I think the fact thatCaptain doesn’t allow anybody to see theprisoner is suspicious.
KRIHe is just concerned about security.
TANITHYou know, I’m really surprised. Ithought you'd be the last persondefending the Captain.
KRII am. I’m just urging you to rememberthat you just might be overreacting.
TANITHI know. I just really, really need toshed some light on this.
KRII understand that. And I did get youthat disc.
TANITHAnd you have my gratitude.
KRILet’s see what it says, then.
She starts to go trough the information.
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TANITHThe Grosh. Number 01938-2388. Built bythe Sherton Corporation.
(beat as she readsfurther)
Yes, yes, yes, yes. But where is itstationed? Who owns it?
Kri can do nothing but try to read as Tanith goes trough thetext as fast as she can.
TANITH (CONT’D)There it is! Owned and stationed inKl’tor. Do you know anything about it?
KRINo. I presume it’s one of those oneplanet autonomies.
Tanith starts to hit commands to the computer.
KRI (CONT’D)What are you doing?
TANITHI want to know more about that planet.It might give us another lead.
Another screen full of information comes to the screen.
TANITH (CONT’D)Not too much.
KRICan’t say I’m surprised. It’s probablyone of the minor border planets.
Tanith taps in a few more commands. Something attracts herattention.
TANITHThat’s strange.
KRIWhat?
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TANITHThere’s an awful lot of export from theplanet for a minor border world. Andthere’s more. All that cargo seems tohave the same destination.
KRIWhere is that?
TANITHRight here.
KRIMeaning what?
TANITHMeaning this station.
Kri’s attention has been wakened now as well.
KRIYou mean it stays here?
TANITHNo. I’ll try to see from the logs wheretheir final destination is.
Kri watches as Tanith tries to access the logs.
KRIIt could be just normal trading.
TANITHI don’t think so. And probably you don’teither. What’s strange about is that theshipments began immediately when theborder was opened. There has beenunusually heavy traffic from there. Weknow that Ashtars aren’t too keen ontrading with humans.
KRIAnd humans not too keen to trade withAshtars.
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TANITHPrecisely.
KRIBut this might be an exception to therule.
TANITHIt could. But why does all of thetransports are headed to human space? Tohave business deals with humans isunusual. To not have any with otherAshtar worlds is…
Kri finishes the sentence for her.
KRI…unheard of.
TANITHI was thinking more in the lines ofimpossible, but the idea’s the same.
Tanith is having problems in accessing the logs. She gets thesame error message again and again.
TANITH (CONT’D)What’s this?
KRIWhat?
TANITHI can’t access the logs.
KRIThat’s unusual. Maybe the problem is inthis console. Try accessing somethingelse.
TANITHRight.
She opens a random cargo log and it opens as it should. Shetries the Grosh logs again, but to no avail. She tries a fewmore.
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TANITH (CONT’D)It’s as if all the cargo logs concerningthe ships coming from Kl’tor arecrypted.
She decides it’s no use and turns the console off. She turnsto Kri. Kri doesn’t know how to take all of this.
KRII admit that the situation seemssomewhat curious, but there’s not enoughevidence to back up any conclusions.
TANITHThat’s right. And that’s precisely why Iwant to go there.
KRIGo where?
TANITHTo Kl’tor. And I want you to come withme.
Kri is surprised at this.
KRIMe? Why?
TANITHIt’s an Ashtar world. I don’t know whatto do there even if I’d get there. Ineed someone to guide me.
KRII don’t know. I’m still not convinced.And besides, it’s not our problem.
Tanith becomes heated about the subject.
TANITHIt becomes my problem, when I see acivilian ship destroyed right in frontof my face because of it!
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KRIBecause of what?
TANITHI don’t know!
KRIWell, that’s just it. You are creating aproblem that might not exist. I don’thave enough information to make anopinion, but it just might be thatyou’re creating this because of yourhatred towards the Captain.
TANITHThis has nothing to do with the Captain!
KRIHow could it not have? Who else could’veblocked the logs?
This sinks to Tanith. It’s like the whole thing would’vecleared on her mind. Kri is also surprised when he realizeshe has brought another thought to the discussion by accident.
TANITHThat’s it! That’s why the captaindoesn’t want the prisoner to beconscious. He must be involved to all ofthis! Probably his father too.
KRIYou’re being paranoid.
But the edge from Kri’s tone has died as his mind works tothe same direction as Tanith’s.
TANITHOk, come on. What’s there to lose,anyway? If I’m right, we can reveal thewhole thing and hopefully will getBaxter off the chair. And if it turnsout I’m just being paranoid, we’ll get anice vacation and you get visit Ashtaragain and we come back.
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Kri turns silent. He goes back to the chair he was sitting inearlier. He sits heavily to it and starts to look at theopposite wall with somber expression.
KRII’m not sure I wish to visit Ashtar. Itmight be too… painful.
Tanith realises that she hadn't even thought of that.
TANITHOh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… I’mafraid this is becoming a recurringtheme.
KRIThat’s alright. I can’t expect everyoneto watch out their tongues just becauseof my past. It’s just that the thoughtof visiting there is… Well, I don’t knowwhat to think about it.
Tanith kneels beside him. She looks him in the eyes.
TANITHI understand. And I’m sorry. But this isimportant. I just have to go there. Ihave to know. I can’t sleep in peacebefore I do.
Kri looks back at her. He considers for a moment and thenlets out a heavy sigh.
KRIAll right. I will join you.
Tanith smiles at him.
TANITHThank you. This means a lot to me. And Ican only guess what this means to you,but you help me and I’ll try to help youas best as I can.
Kri nods at her.
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KRII’ll contact the officials of Kl’tor andtry to arrange things for our visit. Ipresume I know the procedures betterthan you do and know how to get thingsdone. I had to do it all the time when Itried to get something done in thedepartment of sciences back in thecentral planet. But how do you intend toget a permission to go there? If CaptainBaxter really is involved, I don’texpect him to give permission.
Tanith thinks about this.
TANITHYou’re right. But I think I just mighthave a friend of a friend of a friendwho could help us on this one.
She goes back to the wall console.
INT. LIMB - SHUTTLE BAY
Baxter comes out from a lift steaming with rage.
Tanith is waiting for this just outside the shuttle airlock.Kri is carrying a container with supplies and quicklydisappears to the shuttle when he sees the state in whichBaxter is.
Baxter is carrying a hand console that he nearly throws atTanith’s face.
BAXTERWhat in the world is going on aroundhere!?
This time Tanith keeps her voice perfectly calm as she knowsthat she has the upper hand.
TANITHWe’re going to pay a little visit toKl’tor and do some investigationsregarding the incident with the bomb andthe destroyed transport.
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BAXTERIt is out of the question! I order youto stay in the station! An investigationwill be commenced by space forcecommand!
TANITHI just feel like popping out on a trip.And wouldn’t you agree that it’s betterto start when the trails are stillfresh.
BAXTERI would not! You don’t even have apilot!
TANITHOf course we have a pilot. Sub-lieutenant Demidov arrived three daysago and has been itching to get hishands on the shuttle.
BAXTERI’m giving you a direct order to not togo!
TANITHI’m afraid I can’t do that.
Baxter’s rage escalades to a stage where he is in danger ofbreaching an artery.
BAXTERYou dare to disobey a direct orderagain? I will throw you out of herepersonally. You will never serve in mybeloved fleet again.
The more enraged Baxter gets, more relaxed Tanith appears.
TANITHI wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing.It just so happens that I have otherorders that contradict yours and I’mafraid they’re from a higher rankingofficer that you.
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BAXTERWhat?!
TANITHYou see, I have direct orders fromAdmiral Gersten to investigate thismatter and leave for Kl’tor immediately.
Tanith gives a hand console that she had been hiding behindher back for the entire time. Baxter takes it from her andhis rage turns into frustration.
When he finishes the document he looks directly into Tanith’seyes with murdering glare.
BAXTERI will have your head for this.
He turns around as goes to the lift. Only after he’s goneTanith can breathe freely.
Kri comes back from the shuttle.
KRIThat was quite a scene. I admire you forthe performance.
TANITHI enjoyed it. But we should better geton our way before he finds a way to stopus.
KRIAgreed.
They both enter the shuttle.
INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS
Tanith takes the co-pilot seat as before and Kri sits to oneof the back seats.
In the pilot seat sits sub-lieutenant UDAY DEMIDOV. He is inhis late thirties and seems quite enthusiastic at getting ago in the shuttle. He’s making some last minute checkups.
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TANITHAll set?
DEMIDOVPretty much. We’re ready in just a fewminutes.
TANITHTake us out as soon as possible.
DEMIDOVNo problem, Commander.
TANITHI presume you’ve had more thoroughtraining than the first appendix of thefirst chapter in the manual?
DEMIDOVLieutenant?
TANITHNever mind.
Tanith looks at Kri who looks outside. He seems to be in histhoughts. Tanith is a bit worried about this.
COMM VOICEYou are cleared for departure.
DEMIDOVRoger that. Separation sequence.
Tanith turns back to her console.
INT. LIMB - DOCKING CORRIDOR
The shuttle separates from the docking clamps and starts togo forward along the massive corridor. It doesn’t go fullspeed, but a lot faster than it did when Wendy was driving atfirst.
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INT. LIMB - BAXTER’S OFFICE
Baxter watches grimily outside trough the panoramic windowand sees the shuttle emerge from the docking corridor. Ittakes speed and after taking some distance, it fades out tohyperdrive.
Baxter watches still for a moment and then turns to his deskand starts to hit in some commands.
EXT. SPACE
We see a calm planet that for some reason is covered in grey.But the color is not smooth, but coarse, revealinggeometrical shapes on the surface. Only few small cloudsappear above the surface.
The shuttle fades in from hyperspace and takes orbit.
INT. SHUTTLE
Tanith joins Kri in the back section of the shuttle where Kriis working on a console.
TANITHSo, what have you been able to arrange?
KRIKl’tor is an aspiring democracy, so itis ruled by a government headed by whatyou would call a president. I have beenable to arrange a meeting with him.
TANITHWith the president himself?
KRIYes. I was surprised by it as well, butit seems that you can go far in thisplanet if you’re a Commander, Commander.
TANITHIs that usual?
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KRIFar from it. But as we know, thisplanet’s government seems to have warmrelations with humans.
TANITHInteresting. When is the appointment?
KRIThey said we could pay a visit as soonas we arrive.
TANITHNow that is odd. You’d think that apresident would be pretty busy.
Kri just shrugs.
TANITH (CONT’D)What else can you tell me?
KRIThe planet is a one big metropolis. Theentire surface is covered withbuildings. There is heavy miningunderground which is the only source ofincome for the planet has. All otherresources are exported from otherworlds.
Tanith nods.
TANITH (CONT’D)Keep digging up more information.
Kri nods. Tanith goes back to the co-pilot seat.
TANITH (CONT’D)How soon do we land?
DEMIDOVI just got the go-ahead. I’m taking thisdown.
TANITHGood.
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EXT. Kl’tor - day
The shuttle glides trough the skies as it enters theatmosphere.
EXT. KL’TOR - SPACEPORT - CONTINUOUS
The public spaceport is a busy place with ships of all shapesand sizes going in and out. There are people everywhere andall the pilots need to be very careful so they don’t do anydamage when landing and taking off.The shuttle hovers above the port for awhile until attendantsmanage to get an opening for them to land.
The hatch opens and Tanith and Kri come out. Two Ashtarofficials are there to meet them.
OFFICIAL 1Are you coming from outside of thisplanet?
KRIYes.
OFFICIAL 1Please follow us.
The officials lead Tanith and Kri towards a huge receptionbuilding. Tanith is a bit worried.
TANITHWhat’s all this about?
KRIJust routine custom procedures.Everybody must go trough them.
Tanith is relieved.
TANITHOh, good. You know, maybe I am getting abit paranoid.
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INT. SPACEPORT RECEPTION AREA
Tanith comes trough a door to the very crowded reception areawhere Kri is waiting for her. Tanith looks like the routinecustom procedures were lengthy and unpleasant.
TANITHI can’t believe it took all that time. Ican’t imagine a thing about myself or mybody they didn’t inspect and record.
KRIThis you first time in Ashtar side ofthe border?
TANITHYes.
KRIThat means they don’t have anythingabout you in the central data banks andtherefore they had to record everything.
TANITHIt wasn’t pleasant, I’ll tell you that.
KRIYou do the same things to first timearrivals from Ashtar.
TANITHWe do? That’s terrible. What did youhave to go trough?
KRII was born in Ashtar, remember? I onlyhad to show them my ID.
TANITHGreat.
They start to advance trough the crowds. Tanith sees thatthey are going towards a section where an entire wall islined up with some sort of one person pods that shoot away atincredible speeds trough tubes they’re in. Most of the peoplethere are heading to the tubes as well.
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TANITH (CONT’D)What are those pods?
KRIThey are our primary transportationsystem in planets like this that aremade up of just one city. They are a lotlike your lifts except that the networkis a lot more complex.
TANITHI can believe that. The proportions area bit bigger than in a station.
She watches as a couple of pods shoot off at incrediblespeeds.
TANITH (CONT’D)The speeds they use seem to be a bituncomfortable. Is it dangerous?
KRINot at all. Of course the speeds wouldbe too much for a person to handle, sothe passengers are induced to anunconscious state for the journey. Itfeels like it all happenes in a blink ofan eye.
TANITHI don’t know if I like the idea. What ifsomething goes wrong?
KRIWhat do you mean?
TANITHI mean, if I don’t wake up.
KRIThose kinds of accidents are very rare.And I haven’t heard of a single casewhere a Doctor wouldn’t have been ableto revive the passenger. You’ll get usedto it.
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TANITHHow fast do they go?
KRIAbout mach 30.
TANITHBut doesn’t that mean that it stillcould take some time to go from place toplace? Doesn’t it corrupt your sense oftime if you’re unconscious for the wholetime?
KRIIt’s a side effect we’ve accepted. Andyou’ll get used to it.
Tanith isn’t so sure if she likes this system at all.
TANITHRight.
They have advanced in the crowd so that they come to the podsand it’s their turn to take a ride.
KRIJust dial the address to thepresidential reception area and you’llbe there before you know it. The addressis 394-48932.
TANITH394-48932, right. What if I dial thewrong address?
KRIThat is virtually impossible. Theaddresses differ so much from each otherthat you’d have to make a really luckymistake to end up in a wrong place.
Tanith goes to the pod. It seals itself immediately andTanith notices that it’s uncomfortably small in the inside. Asmall dialing keyboard is places just under her hand. Shedials.
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INT. PRESIDENTIAL RECEPTION AREA
The reception area is a huge room designed to comfortablyhouse large amounts of people, but there is nobody thereexcept Kri and a RECEPTIONIST behind a desk.
There are pictures of former presidents on the walls, butotherwise the interior is very functionally designed. A tableis beside one wall. A can of water and a couple of mugs areon it.
A pod arrives to the tube in one wall of the area and Tanithsteps out from it. She looks a bit baffled at being there.Kri takes her hand and helps her from the pod.
She takes in her surroundings.
TANITHIncredible. It was just like a blink ofan eye. How long did it take?
KRIJust a little over half an hour. We arepractically on the other side of theplanet.
TANITHAmazing. I’m surprised that I don’t feellike I’ve been unconscious for all thattime. Shouldn’t I at least feel groggy?
KRII could explain you the technology, butI suspect that you’re not really thatinterested. And besides, we should bemeeting the president.
TANITHYou’re right.
They go to the receptionist who smiles politely to them.
RECEPTIONISTMay I help you?
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KRIYes. This is Commander TanithYannbulytshev and I am Lieutenant Krifrom space force. We set an appointmentwith president Artesh.
Receptionist checks something from her computer and smilesagain.
RECEPTIONISTThat’s correct. Mr. President isexpecting you. You can go right in. It’sthat door.
Receptionist points to the door beside her desk.
KRIThank you.
Receptionist just smiles as Kri and Tanith go to the door. Atthe door Tanith turns once again to look at the Receptionistand notices that she has not moved a muscle. This for somereason freaks her out and she grabs Kri’s arm.
Kri turns and Tanith points the Receptionist.
KRI (CONT’D)What?
TANITHLook. She hasn’t moved.
KRISo? Certainly you can see that she is arobot.
Tanith lets Kri’s arm go in embarrassment.
TANITHOh, I… Um…
KRILet’s just go in.
TANITHRight. Let’s.
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They enter the president’s office.
INT. PRESIDENT’S OFFICE - CONTINUOUS
President Artesh’s office is surprisingly small but tidyoffice with a desk and two chairs in front of it. There aresome more personal items on the desk, but otherwise thedecoration in the office represents the same functionalismthat the reception area.
PRESIDENT ARTESH himself is an aging Ashtar. He smilesbroadly to the arriving Kri and Tanith and he has come to thedoor to meet them.Everybody shakes hands with each other.
ARTESHWelcome, welcome.
TANITHThank you, Mr. President. And we want tothank you for seeing us in such a shortnotice. I know you must be terriblybusy.
ARTESHNonsense. It’s rare that we get suchextinguished visitors from the Earthside. It’s only a pleasure. Please dosit down.
Artesh leads Kri and Tanith to the chairs in front of hisdesk and takes a seat behind it himself.
TANITHYou’re flattering me. I’m just anotherCommander.
ARTESHDo not undermine yourself, Commander.I’d call that an achievement. Would youlike anything to drink perhaps?
TANITHNo, thank you.
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KRII could accept a cup of Ashtarian tea ifit’s possible. It’s been a while.
ARTESHOf course, of course.
President Artesh presses a button on his desk.
ARTESHBring a cup of our best tea and a glassof brandy for myself, please.
RECEPTIONIST’S COMM VOICECertainly, Mr. President. Is that all?
Artesh looks at Tanith again.
ARTESHYou are sure that you don’t wantanything, Commander?
TANITHNo, thank you.
ARTESHAs you wish.
(to COMM)That is all.
RECEPTIONIST’S COMM VOICEI’ll bring it in a minute.
Artesh closes the channel.
ARTESHNow that we’ve got that settled, maybeyou did have something to discuss.
TANITHThat is correct. I expect you have heardof the incident in our border stationLimb, Mr. President.
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ARTESHIndeed. Such a terrible incident. It’sfortunate that nobody got hurt.
TANITHI’m surprised to hear you say that. Oneof your transports was completelydestroyed and the crew perished entirelysave the one we picked up from an escapepod.
There is a quick crack in the President’s smile, but heimmediately covers that up. The Receptionist comes incarrying the tea and brandy. She gives the mug to Kri andputs the glass on Artesh’s desk. Artesh doesn’t touch it.
ARTESHThank you.
Artesh turns back to Tanith. The Receptionist leaves.
ARTESH (CONT’D)Of course I meant that nobody on thestation got hurt. I assure you that Iwas shocked to hear that the terroristswere from our transport. We havecommenced extensive investigations.
TANITHMay I inquire your progress? Have youfound out anything?
ARTESHYou have to understand that we’ve justbegan. But at this point all evidenceseems to indicate towards a terroristorganization we’ve had troubles withbefore.
TANITHOh? What is that?
President seems uncomfortable of the direction this is going.
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ARTESHIt’s just a local organization that’smade occasional strikes in here. This isthe first time they’ve operatedelsewhere, though. We’ve been after themfor quite a while with some success.
TANITHDo you know what the goals of thisorganization are?
President grows more uncomfortable by the minute and hastroubles hiding it.
ARTESHWe don’t know exactly, but I’d expectit’s about independence, honor, religionand the other usual excuses.
TANITHYou mean you’ve had no contact withthem?
President can’t hide it anymore.
ARTESHMay I ask you a question, Commander?
TANITHOf course.
ARTESHWhat is it that you’re doing hereanyway? I hope you don’t think this tobe a rude question, but I was under theimpression that an investigation teamunder the command of Admiral Baxter wasappointed to arrive here in about amonth.
This draws Tanith’s interest.
TANITHAdmiral Baxter?
ARTESH
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Yes.
TANITHWell, we’re doing a kind of preliminaryinquiries. This is all unofficial ofcourse.
ARTESHI see. I am of course at your disposal.
TANITHI appreciate it. I do still havesomething else to ask.
Artesh moves uncomfortably in his chair, but manages to smileagain.
ARTESHOf course.
TANITHWe’ve examined your trade shipments andfound out that all of your trade isdirected to Earth space. This is notnormal, I believe.
ARTESHIt’s not normal, but I can’t seeanything wrong with it. Quite theopposite. We are a border world and it’sfavorable for us to direct our trade tothe other side of it.
TANITHWhat I was wondering was that theshipments in and out of Kl’tor beganimmediately when the border opened. Howwere you able to achieve relations soquickly?
ARTESHWell, even if the border was closed, thenormal communication channels werefunctional. Now, if you don’t mind, I dohave other meetings to attend to.
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Tanith and Kri rise from their seats. President does the sameand smiles again.
TANITHOf course. I thank you for your time.
ARTESHNot at all. Are you staying in Kl’tor?
TANITHYes. I would like to investigate a bitfurther now that I’ve come this far.
Artesh starts to lead them to the door.ARTESH
Then I presume you have arrangedaccommodations?
Tanith looks at Kri. Kri realizes that he hasn’t.
KRIWell, actually…
ARTESHThen let my secretary take care of it.I’ll make sure that she arranges thebest we can offer for you.
Artesh opens the door for them.
TANITHI thank you.
ARTESHMy pleasure. You can call me any time ifyou need further assistance.
KRIThanks for the tea.
ARTESHGood afternoon.
Artesh closes the door behind them. As soon as he’s alone,the smile disappears from his face.
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INT. HOTEL CORRIDOR
Tanith and Kri emerge from a regular elevator to a luxuriouscorridor as you’d expect from a five star hotel.
They look at the room numbers and start to advance in thecorridor.
TANITHI wonder why they only gave us one key.You don’t expect that it’ll work on twodoors?
KRIYou never know.
TANITHAnd it has only one number in it.
KRIPerhaps the suite is divided into twoseparate apartments.
TANITHThat’s got to be it. I think we’re here.
They stop to a door and Kri makes sure the number is the sameas the one in the key. He puts the key to the slot beside thedoor.
KRIWe’ll soon find out.
COMPUTER VOICEWelcome Mr. & Mrs. Yannbulytshev.
Kri and Tanith look at each other in horror as they realizewhat the computer just said. The door opens.
They turn to look inside the suite. It’s a large luxuriousroom, perfect for a married couple. And in the middle of theroom is a large double bed. They watch this without words andafter a moment Kri turns to Tanith.
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KRIYou’re sleeping on the floor.
INT. SUITE - LATER
Kri comes from another room of the suite looking veryrefreshed.
KRIIt’s been a while since I’ve had aproper shower.
Tanith looks to him from a wall console she’s working on.
TANITHReally? You didn’t smell like it.
KRII meant a proper Ashtar shower. It tookme quite awhile to get used to those youuse.
Tanith can’t imagine. And decides she doesn’t even want to.She makes a mental note to not to use the shower.
Kri goes to a comfortable armchair and starts to read a book.Tanith looks at him.
TANITHSo, how are you managing?
It takes Kri a moment to realize that she had to speak tohim. He looks at her over the book.
KRIWhat do you mean?
TANITHI mean being back in Ashtar.
KRIOh that. Pretty well. It’s been nice toget a taste of the tea after all thistime.
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TANITHI could talk to Steve about it. I’m surehe could arrange some to the station.
KRINo, that’s ok. I’m sure it wouldn’t bethe same anyway.
TANITHYou’re sure?
KRIYes.
At this point Kri notices how worriedly Tanith watches him.He puts the book down.
KRI (CONT’D)I’m not cracking up, if that’s whatyou’re concerned about.
TANITHGood. I just feel that I’d feelresponsible for it if it’d overwhelmyou.
KRIIt does not. I don’t even think about itthat way. We’re here to do a job andthat’s my primary concern.
TANITHOk. Speaking about a job, I think I’vefound something.
Tanith turns back to the console.
KRIDo tell me.
TANITHThe logs of departing transports areblocked in here as well, but I’vemanaged to gather some more informationfrom other sources.
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KRILike where?
TANITHFlight controller reports, fuel vendoraccounts and non critical sources likethat that people haven’t bothered tocover up.
KRIHow is it possible that you have a kindof security clearance to access thoselogs?
TANITHWell, as you said, being a space forcecommander does count for somethingaround here. And I’ve straightened a fewcorners here and there.
KRISo you don’t have a security clearancehigh enough.
TANITHNo, but that’s not the point now. Thepoint is that I’ve found that all of thetransports are not only directed towardsEarth space, but to Sol.
KRIWhat does Sol have that’s sointeresting?
TANITHEarth.
Kri thinks about this.
KRIIt is true that humans have a deeppassion towards their planet of origins.
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TANITHAnd that means that a major part of oureconomical and political power is stilllocated in Earth.
KRIThis is an interesting detail, but Ican’t see what this means to ourinvestigation.
TANITHIt means that I want to speak with thepresident again.
Tanith starts to work with console.
KRIWhat, now?
TANITHNow.
KRII don’t think that’s appropriate. It’skind of late.
TANITHSo? He said we could call any time.
KRIYes, but you know what that means.
TANITHYes, I do. But I don’t like him.
Tanith grins evilly to Kri and then turns back to theconsole.
After a moment a quite baffled and annoyed President Arteshappears to the screen.
TANITHI am sorry if I’m bothering you Mr.President, but you said I could call anytime.
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It takes a few seconds for Artesh to get to his presidentialposture and after he does, he starts to smile again.
ARTESHNot at all, Commander. How can I helpyou?
TANITHI’d like to speak a bit more about theterrorists.
ARTESHI really thought we had covered thatsubject already.
TANITHWell, we did a part of it. But I wasthinking about what we discussed earlierand I wondered why the attack wastargeted towards us.
ARTESHCommander, you should be experiencedenough to know that there is littlelogic to terrorist activities ingeneral.
TANITHI disagree. Usually a terrorist is aperson who believes in something sobadly that he or she is willing to givehis or hers life for it. A person,terrorist or no, doesn’t do that forlight reasons.
Once again Artesh’s politeness starts to wear down as heunderstands the direction the conversation is going.
ARTESHThat is your opinion, Commander.
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TANITHYes, it is. Now, I’ve been going troughsome of the data I could find aboutdeparting transports. It wasn’t easyconsidering how most of them are blockedfor some reason, but I did findinteresting details.
ARTESHAnd what would they be?
TANITHI already knew, was the fact that alltrade from your world is directedtowards Earth space. What I find reallysuspicious is that all of the cargo goestrough Limb and to Sol. And moreprecisely earth.
This time Artesh’s smile disappears altogether.
ARTESHMay I ask how did you gather thisinformation, Commander?
TANITHNo. It was relatively easy to track thetrails to Limb. Probably that’s why theterrorists chose it as a target. Afterthat it was quite a work to actually geta certainty that every single cargo boxcontinues to planet Earth.
ARTESHCommander, I try to be as cooperative asI can, but I’m afraid these matters arenone of your business.
As much to her own surprise as to the surprise of thepresident Tanith raises her voice quite a bit. She isdetermined to get on with the investigation.
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TANITHThey are if they concern the safety ofmy station! I want to know more aboutthese terrorist. I want to know aboutpast targets and everything that hasbeen ascertained about the organization.I want to know if there are anyconsistencies giving us leads to thetheir true aims.
Artesh becomes quite heated about the subject as well.
ARTESHI cannot give you that information offhand.
TANITHThen tell me why all the cargo areheaded to a single destination. It issimply impossible that that could be aplausible way of conducting trades.Everybody knows that!
ARTESHThe way we sell our own naturalresources are not any of your business!It just happens that the InterplanetaryCorporation offers the best prizes!
This hits on Tanith. She suddenly understands everything.
TANITH(to herself)
Interplanetary Corporation. Of course.
Artesh is very angry and upset because he knows he made a badslip.
ARTESHIf you really must talk to somebodyabout the terrorists, I suggest you turnto General Kroshtam. He’s the defenseminister. I’ll arrange him to meet withyou. Now, if you don’t have anythingelse. Good night.
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Artesh closes the line before Tanith can answer. She turnsaway from the console deep in thought.
Kri looks at her blankly.
KRIWhat’s Interplanetary Corporation?
TANITHIt’s a company that refines naturalresources into usable forms. Likejewelries, ornaments, fuel and otherusable forms. And it also sells themforward to factories and other companieswho wish to do the same.
KRISo how is this so crucial to this case?
TANITHInterplanetary Corporation was foundedand still headed by Tetsuzo Baxter. Heis the father of Admiral Baxter.
KRIAnd the grandfather of Captain Baxter. Isee where you’re going.
TANITHThis explains a lot of things. Forexample why Captain Baxter was stationedto Limb in the first place. He’s notsuitable or even competent to command acivilian station. But he is verysuitable at making sure that everythinggoes well with the transports in thestation and to keep an eye of theoverall situation near the border.
KRII thought that people in high places inthe space force aren’t allowed to haveconnections to private companies justbecause of this.
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TANITHThey aren’t. But that’s one of thethings that father and son Baxter hasbeen under investigation. And we have toremember that grandfather is in the topof Interplanetary.
KRIBut still, don’t the Kl’tor people havethe right to make trade with whoeverthey want to.
TANITHYes, but when every single cargocontainer is going to the same address,it can’t be good for the people. Wheredo they get supplies? Where is theprivate business? This will be veryprofitable to the people, yes. But onlyto a very small, selected part of them.And the Baxter family definitely hastheir spoon in this soup.
Kri thinks about this.
KRIPerhaps you’re right. And we definitelyhave grounds to investigate further.What do you suggest?
TANITHWell, we can be sure that when theinvestigators under Admiral Baxter’scommand come here, they’ll more likelyhide every bit of evidence than comeforward with it.
KRISo what do you suggest?
TANITHFirst of all, I need to make anothercall. How do you dial to Limb from here?I want to talk to Wendy.
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INT. LIMB - SICKBAY
Baxter, Wendy and Desi are beside the unconscious Ashtar.There are screens around the Ashtar that indicate hissomewhat inactive state.
BAXTERIs everything as it should be?
DESIYes. There has been nothing out of theordinary. It should be safe to keep himunconscious for the time being.
BAXTERGood. The escorts will pick him uptomorrow. I want you to keep himunconscious until that. They will thendecide when to wake him up. Probably notbefore they reach headquarters.
DESIYes, sir.
WENDYHas there been any success indetermining his identity?
BAXTERNo. And I don’t think that’s our concernanyway. There will be a formalinvestigation in headquarters.
DESIThat is led by Admiral Baxter?
BAXTERYes. I for once couldn’t think of anyonemore suitable for the job.
WENDYYes, Captain.
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BAXTERWell, I think this is all. If you’llexcuse me, I have other duties to attendto.
Baxter leaves. Desi and Wendy turn to look the Ashtar.
WENDYHow do you suggest we should proceed?
DESII don’t know. If all that what theCommander told you is true, we should dosomething before we let the bastard takethis person.
WENDYBut do we have enough grounds formutiny? It is a serious offence.
DESII don’t know. At least it’s very close.
(smiles)But I know I’d enjoy giving a littlefear of god to the bastard.
WENDYSo you think we should proceed asplanned?
DESIIt could be fun. But we need someone tohelp us.
WENDYI am sure we can count on chiefengineer’s assistance.
DESINo, we need someone who doesn’t bringtoo many suspicions to Captain. Someonewho could get very close withouttriggering a volley of sarcastic remarksfrom him.
Wendy computes the information.
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WENDYI believe I know such a person.
INT. LIMB - STEVE’S
Doctor Malcolm Scott is drooping in a table holding an emptydrink. He is oblivious to his surroundings.
Then he senses that someone has approached him.
WENDY (O.S.)I require your assistance.
Malcolm turns to Wendy in surprise.
INT. KROSHTAM’S OFFICE
Defense minister Kroshtam’s office is pretty similar indesign as President Artesh’s. The room is bigger however andthere are more seats around the room and the walls aredecorated with diplomas and medals.
MINISTER KROSHTAM herself is tall in stature and is quite animpressive sight in her uniform. She appears to be in hersixties but has taken the age with dignity and pride. Herimpatient nature is reflected from her every gesture. Shedoesn’t like to waste time.
An assistant lets Kri and Tanith in. Kroshtam stands to greetthem.
Tanith and Kri shake hands with the minister.
TANITHI appreciate for meeting with us,Minister.
Kroshtam doesn’t smile and doesn’t seem too pleased abouthaving to meet them.
KROSHTAMOf course. Now could we get this overwith as soon as possible? I have a warto prepare.
Tanith is sitting down, but stops midway of the move and just
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stops to stare at the minister who has already sat down.Minister doesn’t smile or give any other indication of herthoughts.
KROSHTAM (CONT’D)I was joking. Now please sit down.
Tanith and Kri sit down.
KROSHTAM (CONT’D)I believe you wished to discuss aboutthe terrorists?
Tanith is still surprised about the joke and doesn’t knowwhether to take it seriously.
TANITHThat’s correct. First of all I waswondering if we are dealing with asingle movement or are there several ofthem.
KROSHTAMThat is still under investigation. Youknow how it is with terrorists. You cannever know what’s going on.
TANITHI find that a bit surprising. EveryoneI’ve discussed about this has said thesame. But they’ve also said that theyhave been around for quite a while. Whyaren’t the investigations goinganywhere?
KROSHTAMAre you making accusations?
TANITHNo, but I’m just wondering if theinvestigations are really going soslowly, or is it just that you don’twant to give information about them?
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KROSHTAMCommander, this is a delicate situation.There have been terrorist activities,yes. But we haven’t simply found anyconsistencies or similarities with theindividual attacks.
TANITHHow they are usually conducted?
KROSHTAMVery similarly to the strike in yourstation. They use unusual materials forexplosive devices that we don't includein regular scans. We’ve updated ourdatabases as much as we can, but theyalways seem to be one step ahead of us.
TANITHHas there been any logic in the targets?
KROSHTAMAs I said earlier, we have found none.We have no idea as to what their aimsmight be.
TANITHThat’s what I’ve been told. Could yougive me any examples?
KROSHTAMI don’t remember them all, but therehave been strikes at fuel deposits,spaceports and mines to name a few.
TANITHBut don’t those targets would indicateto the economical targets? Mines,spaceports and the sorts.
Kroshtam is growing increasingly impatient to the situation.
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KROSHTAMI said that these were just a fewtargets. There have been strikes atother places as well. And besides, thisis Kl’tor. If you put bomb to any givenplace in this planet, it will affecteconomy.
TANITHHave there been a lot of deaths in thesestrikes?
KROSHTAMThankfully, no. The targets are usuallymore material ones. But there has beencases of people going into the wrongplace at the wrong time.
TANITHHow have the police and military forcesresponded?
KROSHTAMWe have made raids and strikes, butthere has been little success. Now, ifyou don’t mind, I do have otherresponsibilities.
Kroshtam stands up without waiting for a reply. Tanith is abit surprised, but stands up as well. Kri does the same.
TANITHWell, I thank you for your time. Thereis one more request, though. Do you havea database on the terrorist attacks?
KROSHTAMNaturally.
TANITHWould it be possible to get a copy ofit?
Kroshtam starts to lead them to the door.
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KROSHTAMThat might be difficult. You mustunderstand that they are informationconcerning national security and aretherefore of a confidential nature.
TANITHI understand that, but I was thinkingthat…
KROSHTAM(interrupts)
I’ll see what I can do. Goodbye.
TANITHWell, it was nice to…
Kroshtam closes the door between them and cuts Tanith’ssentence.
She goes back to her desk and starts going trough somepaperwork. Soon she starts to tap her fingers to the desk asif she was waiting for something. She looks at her deskconsole every now and then.
After about a minute the console lets out a sound. Sheimmediately pushes a button and reads something from thescreen. For the first time, we see her smile.
She turns to another console in the wall behind her. She tapsin a few commands.
President Artesh appears to the screen.
KROSHTAMWe got them.
President smiles.
ARTESHGood. I’ll inform the othersimmediately.
The screen goes off. Minister Kroshtam turns back to her deskwith a look of relief.
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INT. LABORATORY
We see a huge laboratory with hundreds of scientists. We PANaround the room watching the various duties the scientistsdo. There is no indication as to what the purpose of thisfacility is.
After a moment we see too travel pods leaning against theback wall. The camera starts to go closer.
When we get really close to the pods we can see two figuresinside the pods.
The figures are Kri and Tanith, both unconscious for thetravel. The pods have been snatched from the tube while enroute.
We PAN closely to their unconscious faces.
THE END
TO BE CONTINUED...
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