Int. Corridor between hangar and med. bay of the Home Two.
Edraa on a trolley being rushed along the corridor, Hawkspar following closely with worried expression.
Once in Med bay, Edraa stabilised then put in bacta tank.
Kaz Hawkspar leans back against the wall of the med lab cubicle, arms folded across her chest, expression dark.
Doctor and med driods making adjustments to tank.
Kal’Ten appears in doorway beside Kaz.
Kal’Ten: Kaz?
(Hawkspar jumps slightly and turns round. Expression afraid.)
How is she?
Hawkspar(takes a deep breath): I don’t know... yet.
(They stand in silence watching Edraa in the tank for a moment)
Kal’Ten: (puts her hand compassionately on Hawkspar’s arm) The Admiral wants us in debrief.
Hawkspar: (continuing to watch the med droids) Let him wait.
(Lainy’s eyebrows shoot up in disbelief, Soosaan looks up from datapad.)
Soosaan: You’re achieving nothing by staying here, Commander.
Hawkspar: (Looks round at her) Your point being?
Soosaan (quietly): My point being that your time would be better spent getting out from under my feet, letting me do my job and going to your debrief!
Hawkspar: (almost hysterical) To tell Notrahw what? That the Black Knights have been all but wiped out again?
Kal’Ten: (warning) Kaz. . .
Soosaan: It wasn’t your fault!
Hawkspar: I don’t need psychoanalysed thank you, Doctor.
Soosaan: And if I order you to leave...
Hawkspar: (interrupts) You’ll have to throw me in a cell!
Kal’Ten: (rolling her eyes upwards) That’ll achieve a lot.
(looks at Hawkspar guiltily as Hawkspar slowly rounds on her, then scowls)
Fine Commander, have it your way.
(Storms out of med bay. Doors hiss closed behind her.)
Int. Cell. Martellon behind door. Points at bed and it slides along floor.
Guards come crashing in blasters drawn and Martellon grabs the nearest one breaking his neck. As the dead guard falls
Martellon points at the other one and his neck also snaps.
Martellon sneers and lifts a blaster leaving and closing the door behind him. He heads slowly and quietly along the corridor noticing that the door to the med bay is open. He smiles, looks up and floats up to the ceiling. Lying flat he heads towards the hangar above the level of the door. He rounds a corner and drops to the floor.
Martellon (quietly admonishing): People never look up! Now, where was that A-Wing?
He steps into the repulsor lift, as the doors close he hears a door hiss and footsteps in the corridor.
Int. Corridor outside med bay. Kal’Ten stomping towards Hangar muttering.
Kal’Ten: Not this time, Kaz. I’m not taking the heat for you again.
(Turns towards door and wags finger accusingly at it.)
I’m fed up looking after your butt! (Marches slowly towards door.) Dig yourself out of your own hole this time, Mighty Commander! (Turns back toward hangar)
And if anyone comes looking for Lainy Kal’Ten, well (tosses her hair) I’ll be in my apartment, getting well and truly smashed on a bottle of Sulustan Glid wine!
(Stops suddenly.) But my apartment’s that way! (points the opposite direction)
Damn it, Kaz, you owe me big time for this one!
Gets into Repulsorlift and heads for hangar.
Int. Med Bay. Soosaan gives Hawkspar a couple of minutes to calm down then moves to door, ushering Hawkspar out.
Soosaan: Go to your debrief. Xen will be fine! If there’s any change I’ll let you know.
Kaz nods and leaves the med bay quickening her step to try to catch up to Kal’Ten. Soosaan returns to her patient. Kaz gets into Repulsor lift.
Kaz: Hangar Deck.
(She sighs and speaks quietly to herself with regret plain in her voice.)
Damn the Empire! So many lost lives!
(She leans back against the wall of the lift and frowns, rubbing her temples wearily) Lainy, I’m sorry... Wrong place, wrong time, my friend.
Int. View from Kal’Ten. Person in Black uniform disappears through hangar doors.
Kal’Ten (penny drops): Black Uniform???
She reaches down and grabs her Blaster from holster at her thigh and rushes towards the hangar doors.
Repulsor lift doors swish open and we see Kal’Ten disappear around the corner, blaster in hand. Hawkspar raises an eyebrow with a suspicious smile then hurries to catch up.
Hawkspar: What’s she up to now? (Shouts) Lainy... wait!
Hangar doors slide open and Lainy sees the Imperial crossing the bay towards a lone A-Wing.
(Background, tech crews working on fighters. Closest fighter and crew to hangar door are Hawkspar’s crew. Lots of background noise and astro droids in area. A-Wing near external bay doors.)
Kal’Ten: (Shouts) Stop! Stop where you are!
(Imperial stops immediately)
Turn round! Slowly!
Martellon turns round slowly with a superior smile on his face. He and Kal’Ten see each other with a hint of recognition which freezes Kal’Ten and she lowers her aim.
Kal’Ten: (uncomprehending) Morrit??
Martellon raises a blaster and takes aim at Kal’Ten. Hawkspar’s tech (Drayke) takes a step towards the Imperial from behind him. Kal’Ten’s tech (Lauran) appears from the other side of the X-Wing. Hawkspar comes running out from the corridor and stops beside Kal’Ten as she sees the armed Imperial. Martellon’s grin becomes knowingly wicked and he fires at Kal’Ten. Hawkspar pushes her and takes the shot full in the chest. She is flung backwards and lands heavily against the wall.
Kal’Ten stumbles, regains balance and fires at the Imperial.
The two techs run towards the Imperial and he fires at Drayke, hitting him in the chest. Kal’Ten’s shot goes over the Imperial’s head and hits the far wall. Martellon fires again and singes Lauran’s sleeve.
Martellon snaps his empty hand towards Kal’Ten and makes a throwing motion as he lunges towards Lauran. Kal’Ten’s blaster flies out of her hand and she stares blankly at her now empty hand.
Martellon reaches Lauran and uses him as a shield with Lauran’s arm twisted up his back and a blaster at his neck. Martellon turns to face Kal’Ten.
Martellon: (almost purring) So... a stand off then, Kal’Ten.
(Pulls Lauran’s arm higher and Lauran grunts in pain)
Kal’Ten: Let him go Morrit. There’s no need...
Martellon (interrupts calmly) I know. (he nods) You weaklings always let someone with a hostage go. It’s imprinted into your small minds.
(pushes harder with the blaster for emphasis. Then conversationally) So, what brought you to this pathetic collection of no good weaklings?
Kal’Ten: (anger briefly flashes on her face and is replaced by an artful expression of loathing.) I couldn’t wait to be rid of you! You were always hanging around too much.
What was the deal with you anyway?
Martellon (laughs knowingly): Ah! You try to bait me...
(He begins to back slowly towards the A-Wing)
It won’t work. I am far above that now. I have grown in ways that you will never know. (He smiles) Your little girl mood swings won’t work now.
Kal’Ten: (begins to smile maliciously) What makes you so sure that I can’t grow your way? (She slowly walks towards him.) I could learn to be as cold and cruel as you. I could learn to be twisted and hateful.
Martellon: (cold and calm) I have learned things which you never could, fought things that you could never imagine!
Kal’Ten: (Sighs, shoulders slumping in defeat. She holsters her blaster and holds up her hands.) Just let him go, and get on your way. We don’t want you here any more, you’ve caused enough damage for one day. Just get out of my sight.
Get out of my life!
Martellon’s smile drops suddenly
Martellon: Speaking of damage, you may want to remind yourself of the pilot you’ve left dying behind you. And the man over here bleeding to death.
Not to mention this poor unfortunate...
He throws Lauran towards Kal’Ten. Lauran’s arm is broken and his shoulder dislocated by the force of the push. Martellon fires his blaster and Lauran, hitting him square in the back, jumps into the A-Wing and starts it up. The rest of the techs run towards it and the deck officer stops them. Kal’Ten stands staring after his back.
Deck Officer: Stop! Let him go! (The techs stop and stare at her.) See to the wounded!
Kal’Ten realises that Hawkspar has been shot and rushes over to where Hawkspar is lying against the wall. The Deck Officer and one of the tech crew empty a couple of grav sleds and take them to the two down Rebels.
Hawkspar opens her eyes briefly and tries to speak when Kal’Ten gets to her side. She chokes. The Deck Officer arrives with the sled.
(Out of shot Drayke and Lauran are being put on grav sleds)
Kal’Ten: Shut up! The medics will be here soon.
(Hawkspar tries to speak again, Kal’Ten interrupts.)
For once in your life will you do as you’re told and shut up!
(Hawkspar tries to squeeze Kal’Ten’s hand and fails, her eyes close and her hand drops)
Aw hells! Kaz! Kaz! Come on, stay with me here! Kaz!
(Her eyes open again, fluttering, weak. Kal’Ten grins at her.)
Okay, Revered Leader, let’s stay awake shall we! I’m not ready for a promotion yet!
They put her on the sled and both injured officers are taken to med bay.
Int. Med Bay. Soosaan and the med droids are hurrying professionally around the injured officers. Indicating that they should be moved to various cubicles for treatment.
Soosaan: (Looking at Kal’Ten) Another blast wound! What the hells were you doing.
Kal’Ten stares at Soosaan and opens her mouth to speak.
Enilra (Deck Officer)interrupts.
Enilra: An Imperial escaped. They tried to stop him.
Kal’Ten sees Hawkspar taken away and moves to follow.
Enilra stops her. One of the droids appears to report to Soosaan.
Soosaan: Damage?
Droid: The Commander has a blast wound to the sternum. Second degree blast area confined to the region immediately around the wound. There does not appear to be any damage to the bone however data indicates a possible fracture of the skull.
(Kal’Ten visibly pales and looks very worried)
Chief Lauran has dislocated shoulder and elbow joints in his right arm. There is a hairline fracture of the right humerus and he has fourth degree burns across his upper back.
Chief Drayke has a fourth degree blast area radiating across the left scapula with elongated blast wound open to the bone. Bone density beneath the wound reduced by six percent. Rehydration packs have been applied and fluid levels are rising.
Soosaan goes towards the cubicles and Kal’Ten tries to follow.
Enilra grabs her arm
Enilra: Lainy, leave them!
(Kal’Ten shoots Enilra a look of venom, but she holds on, standing her ground.)
All you’re doing is frightening yourself! Let them do their work! We can wait outside. (She pulls on the pilot’s jacket sleeve.) Come on. . .
Kal’Ten is about to protest but spots the hypodermic being passed to the Doctor and turns to follow Enilra into the corridor. The door closes and Enilra moves to the opposite wall and leans calmly against it, arms folded, eyes closed.
Kal’Ten paces up and down the hall next to the door. Fists clenching and unclenching. She is muttering incoherently then lets out a frustrated groan.
Enilra’s eyes open and she jerks up off the wall to see Kal’Ten sliding slowly down the wall into a tight ball.
She kneels down beside the pilot and puts a hand on her arm.
Enilra: Lainy? You okay?
They hear footsteps and both look up to see the Admiral glaring at them. His Aide slightly behind.
Notrahw: Flight? What the hells is going on here?
Kal’Ten begins to wearily pick herself up off the floor and Enilra jumps up to attention.
Enilra: Sir I...
Kal’Ten: One of the Imperial pilots escaped.
Enilra: Chiefs Lauran and Drayke have been wounded, as has Commander Hawkspar. The Doctor’s with them now, Sir.
Notrahw: (looking them up an down) Are either of you hurt?
Both: No Sir!
Notrahw: (nods) I need both of you in debrief. Now!
Kal’Ten: Sir...
Notrahw: (interrupts, turning to his aide) Maggs, take the Lieutenant Commander and the Flight to my office. Get them some kaffin and something to eat.
Maggs: Yes, Sir!
Kal’Ten: Sir. . .
Notrahw: (looking intently at both) Ladies? Go with Lieutenant Ronnoc here.
(He locks his gaze with Kal’Ten,) That’s an order Lieutenant Commander!
Kal’Ten glares at him and storms past in the direction of his office. Enilra closely following.
Notrahw: Maggs, make sure Knight Two doesn’t do anything stupid.
He turns and goes into the med bay.
Doctor?
Soosaan: Not now, Admiral I don’t have time!
Notrahw: Doctor!
Soosaan: (Glaring) I’m sorry Admiral! I already have one dead and it may be more if you don’t let me do my job!
(She turns back to what she was doing before)
Notrahw stands with his eye wide as he begins to comprehend the Doctor’s statement. Takes a look at the Commander and leaves. Outside in the corridor he stops and turns back to med.
Notrahw: Who? Who died?
~ * ~