TYGER BRIDGE

(CHAOTIC AMBIENT: MONITORS WITH STATIC, ELECTRICITY CRACKLING, ETC.)

REG MACORUM
Enling, are you all right?

ENLING
Ask me again in a minute.

REG MACORUM
I will. Right now, see to Grainne.

ENLING
Oh, no.

AIDAN
Is that blood?

ENLING
Let’s hope it looks worse than it is.

REG MACORUM
Whatever it is, get her out of the pilot’s chair.

SOUND: MOVING THE BODY

ENLING
Come on, and Aidan: watch her head. Don’t let any of those red tips touch your skin. Stingers.

AIDAN
Right.

REG MACORUM
Okay, I have the controls, take her down to sick bay.

SOUND: AIRLOCK OPENS

SOUND: IMPACT ALERT

REG MACORUM
Wait, hold on!

SOUND: EVASIVE ENGINE SOUNDS

(BOTH ENLING AND AIDAN CRY OUT)

REG MACORUM
Okay, now go.

ENLING
Get a good grip Aidan, and hup —

SOUND: MOVING THE BODY

SOUND: AIRLOCK CLOSES

SOUND: HAIL SOUND

TORMAR
(INTERCOM)
Pilot Grainne. Are you all right?

SOUND: SWITCH CLICK

REG MACORUM
This is Reg, Tormar. Grainne’s out. It looks like we have ourselves another friend. I’m trying to shake him now. Whaddya got?

TORMAR
(INTERCOM)
We have all the engine power you need captain. I believe the missile was aimed at the bridge.

REG MACORUM
A kill shot.

TORMAR
(INTERCOM)
Yes captain. Riskier, but if they desire the cargo above all…

REG MACORUM
Riskier, but more rewards. Is the Moran cargo safe?

TORMAR
(INTERCOM)
Yes, captain.

REG MACORUM
How about our special packages?

TORMAR
(INTERCOM)
Not as you would want Captain. Mechanic Vosky was to help me.

SOUND: RAPID CLICKING

REG MACORUM
Damn, the chaff isn’t working.

TORMAR
(INTERCOM)
Probability dictates that is from damage to the bridge controls. I will come to assist.

REG MACORUM
No, I need you taking care of the packages.

TORMAR
(INTERCOM)
That effort would be best if the ship was stationary.

REG MACORUM
I’ll take care of that, you just get started.

SOUND: SWITCH CLICK

SOUND: ALERT SOUND

REG MACORUM
Enling, how’s Grainne?

ENLING
(INTERCOM)
Concussion, some burns and scrapes, but no surgery required, thankfully, ’cause I know you’re not going to keep the ship steady.

REG MACORUM
Can’t promise that with our friend looking to line up another shot.

SOUND: EVASIVE ENGINE SOUNDS

REG MACORUM
Listen Enling, if you don’t need Vosky, send him up here.

ENLING
(INTERCOM)
He’s on his way.

REG MACORUM
Enling, are you all right?

ENLING
(INTERCOM)
I’m fine.

REG MACORUM
And Grainne?

ENLING
(INTERCOM)
I wish I knew more about her species, but her healing power has always been extraordinary. She’ll pull through.
(LIGHTER)
Just no more close calls, okay?

REG MACORUM
This lot isn’t looking for prisoners.

ENLING
(INTERCOM)
Is it Zenocrate?

REG MACORUM
They’d want me to know.

SOUND: AIRLOCK OPENS

AIDAN
Where do you need me Captain?

REG MACORUM
Right where I am, after the next turn.

SOUND: AIRLOCK CLOSES

AIDAN
The pilot’s chair?

REG MACORUM
Don’t worry, I’ve cleared away the debris. See what I’m doing?

AIDAN
Yes, keep at least one asteroid between you and the enemy ship.

REG MACORUM
The problem is, when his friend arrives, the one we thought we lost aerobraking, we’re sunk.

AIDAN
What about chaff?

REG MACORUM
That’s what I’ll be working on. Ready?

AIDAN
Uh, sir?

REG MACORUM
Why am I handing the reins of the ship that I’ve sweat and bled over to you?

AIDAN
Uh, yessir.

REG MACORUM
Because Vosky, I’m betting you’ve tried fancy flying before, but you haven’t done fast repairs in combat before.

AIDAN
Yes, sir.

REG MACORUM
If I’m wrong, we’re all dead in two minutes anyway. Ready?

AIDAN
Ready, sir.

REG MACORUM
Go!

SOUND: BODIES MOVING

AIDAN
Got it.

SOUND: IMPACT ALERT

REG MACORUM
Don’t be shy, the minute there’s a firing solution, he’ll take it.

AIDAN
Geheimlein!

SOUND: EVASIVE ENGINE SOUNDS

SOUND: DISTANT EXPLOSION

REG MACORUM
Keep her speed up!

AIDAN
Yessir.

SOUND: ENGINE THRUST

SOUND: ELECTRICAL ARCING

REG MACORUM
Damn.

AIDAN
Is it a short?

REG MACORUM
Stick with the piloting.

AIDAN
(BEAT)
I think I’m getting the hang of this.

REG MACORUM
Well so is he, don’t fall into a pattern.

SOUND: EVASIVE ENGINE SOUNDS

REG MACORUM
[Grunt.] Good job.

AIDAN
Thanks. You’re right though: he’s getting the hang of this too.

REG MACORUM
Be better.

SOUND: COMPUTER RESTART

REG MACORUM
We’re good.

AIDAN
(RELIEVED)
That’s really good.

REG MACORUM
We still need a little more fancy flying. Have it in you?

AIDAN
How fancy?

REG MACORUM
I hit the chaff and you punch deeper into the field to the bigger rocks.

AIDAN
Like one big enough with a cave?

REG MACORUM
Ha! We should be so lucky. A good depression or outcropping will do. Ready?

AIDAN
(BEAT)
Yes.

REG MACORUM
All right, we’re going to lay a full spread and hit the thrusters on my mark.
(BEAT)
Mark!

SOUND: CHAFF LAYING SFX/TRACKING

SOUND: ENGINE THRUST

SOUND: MUSICAL FLOURISH

AIDAN
Gehem…

REG MACORUM
Good job, Vosky, now part two… there!

AIDAN
The smaller one?

REG MACORUM
It’s big enough and the shape is right.

SOUND: MORE ENGINE SOUNDS

AIDAN
Coming around…

SOUND: THRUSTER ADJUSTMENTS

REG MACORUM
There, that crevasse. That’ll do. Ease her in.

SOUND: THRUSTER ADJUSTMENTS

AIDAN
Matching the angle…

REG MACORUM
Good enough height. Shadows covering…
(BEAT)
Take it slow, Vosky, the hull isn’t invulnerable.

SOUND: THRUSTER ADJUSTMENTS

AIDAN
Almost there.

SOUND: ENGINE LANDING/SHIP LANDING SOUND

AIDAN
We’re down.
(SIGH OF RELIEF)

REG MACORUM
Well done. I’d say you’ve earned your rum ration for the day.

AIDAN
(STILL CATCHING HIS BREATH)
My what?

SOUND: HAIL SOUND

ENLING
(INTERCOM)
Can I assume we’ve landed for a spell?

SOUND: SWITCH CLICK

REG MACORUM
Yes, we have Doctor, but don’t get comfortable.

ENLING
(INTERCOM)
I wasn’t planning on it.

REG MACORUM
Good, before we try and shake our friends again, I want to do a walkaround.

ENLING
(INTERCOM)
I’ll be here with Grainne.

SOUND: SWITCH CLICK

SOUND: ALERT SOUND

REG MACORUM
Tormar, care to join me for a space walk?

TORMAR
(INTERCOM)
I am ready, Captain.

REG MACORUM
Excellent. I’ll be at the airlock in 5.

SOUND: SWITCH CLICK

REG MACORUM
Well, Vosky, you’re free to move about.

AIDAN
Uh, yes sir.

REG MACORUM
Why don’t you see the doctor first?

AIDAN
Sir?

REG MACORUM
Your eyes are about as big as moons. Walk it off. Ask Enling for a belt of kaoliang if you want.

AIDAN
Uh, okay.

REG MACORUM
Just don’t get comfortable either.

AIDAN
No…

SOUND: CONTROLS AND SWITCHES

SOUND: ENGINE POWERING DOWN

REG MACORUM
Now we should be nice and masked for the time being.
(BEAT)
Aidan, I’m serious, take a break. Don’t wait.

AIDAN
Okay, I just —
(BEAT)
Do you need me outside?

REG MACORUM
Tormar and I have that taken care of. I need you to be the backup pilot again.

AIDAN
But aren’t we safe for awhile?

REG MACORUM
Absolutely. We might even have an hour. But those ships won’t stop until they’ve found us.

(CLIFFHANGER MUSIC PLAYS)