SCENE 1. INT. THE BLUE RANGE. FX: The background thrum of a ship. Beeps and bloops of computer systems. The high-pitched buzz of Rhil''s cam droid, T-9, hovering nearby. RHIL DAIRO: (TAKES A DEEP BREATH, STEADYING HERSELF AND HER NERVES) BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) How are you doing down there, Rhil? RHIL: How do you think? T-9: (DROID WHISTLES) RHIL: (TO THE DROID, A LITTLE ANNOYED) Yes, yes. I know.
BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) What was that? RHIL: Just Tee-Nine reminding me that I was the one who set this up. BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) Well, that''s true enough. RHIL: Back in front of the cam droid . BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) As much part of the war effort as secret broadcasts behind the Stormwall. RHIL: Is it? Really? That felt important. This interview . this person . BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) The chancellor wants the galaxy to know that the Nihil haven''t already won.
RHIL: That people can change. Yes, yes. I remember the meeting. Chancellor Soh was very persuasive. And here we are. BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) So . we can proceed? RHIL: Take us in, Belin. BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) You have spoken.
RHIL: (SPOKEN, BUT WITH AFFECTION) Ha ha. BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) Stand by. FX: A sudden burst of maneuvering thrusters. The creak of the ship''s superstructure as it moves into position. BELIN: (CONT, DISTORT/COMMS) Bringing us alongside. (BEAT) Holding position. FX: The beep of Belin opening a channel over the comm. BELIN: (CONT, DISTORT/COMMS) (TO THE OTHER SHIP) This is the Blue Range, awaiting docking sequence.
FX: The clang of the boarding tube connecting to the ship, followed by the hiss of hydraulics and various clunks as it attaches. BELIN: (CONT, DISTORT/COMMS) (TO RHIL) And we''re locked in. RHIL: (SOTTO) Ain''t that the truth? (STEADIES HERSELF) Okay. Let''s go. BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) Opening air lock. FX: Another clunk and a hiss of rushing air as the hatch slides slowly aside. RHIL: No going back now. FX: Footsteps clang, boots on metal, as Rhil steps into the boarding tube and walks between the ships.
T-9''s buzz pitches up as the droid hovers with her. RHIL: (CONT) Okay, I''m in the docking tube. Let''s make some final checks. Tee-Nine? Data connection secure? T-9: (DROID BLEEPS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE) RHIL: Excellent. Belin? You still there? BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) With you every step of the way. RHIL: Good to know. FX: Her footsteps stop. RHIL: (CONT) Okay, I''m at their air lock.
(BEAT, THEN TO HERSELF) Knock, knock. Let me--[in]. FX: The air lock opens, cutting her off. There is the hum of another droid hovering on the other side, its repulsorlift louder than T-9''s constant buzz. RHIL: (CONT) Ah. Hello. BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS) Rhil? RHIL: Welcoming party. Well, welcoming scout droid.
(TO THE DROID) Hello there. Rhil Dairo, with GoNet News. I believe your . commander is expecting me. SCOUT DROID: Zet-zet-zet! FX: The droid hovers off abruptly. RHIL: And I guess that''s our cue to follow. FX: Footsteps on deck plates as she follows the scout droid hovering just ahead. T-9 buzzes nearby.
BELIN: (COMMS, STATIC, BREAKING UP) Rhil . Rhil, the signal''s-- (STATIC) RHIL: Belin? BELIN: (COMMS, STATIC, WORSE THAN EVER) (STATIC) losing the feed . (STATIC) data stream . (STATIC) FX: Rhil stops walking. Ahead, the scout droid halts, too. SCOUT DROID: (IMPATIENT) Zet-zet-zutt? RHIL: I''ve lost comms with my technician. Some kind of interference. SCOUT DROID: Zut-zet-zut.
RHIL: (RESIGNED, IF A LITTLE ANNOYED) Your captain has installed signal inhibitors. Of course she has. Guess we''re on our own, Tee-Nine. T-9: (EVER SO SLIGHTLY WORRIED BLEEP) SCOUT DROID: (IMPATIENT) Zet-zet! T-9: (AFFRONTED BEEP) FX: The scout droid continues. T-9: (CONT) (DROID EQUIVALENT OF BLOWING A RASPBERRY) FX: Rhil starts following again. RHIL: (VOICE LOW) Keep it professional, Tee. We''re the guests, remember.