INT. Waiting room adjoining Notrahw’s office. Kal’Ten and Lori sitting opposite door to office. Kal’Ten’s legs crossed at knees, swinging top leg nervously. Maggs is standing by the kaffin machine, mug in hand.
Kal’Ten: Oh, this is ridiculous!
(Kal’Ten slaps the chair arms and stands up. Begins to pace again Lori shakes her head)
Maggs: I’m sure he won’t be much longer.
(Turns to fill the mug again)
Look, have another cup of...
Kal’Ten (interrupts, stops pacing, glares at Maggs): I don’t want another cup of!
(Bears down on Maggs, waving arms furiously in air)
I want to be down in sickbay with my Commanding Officer instead of cooling my heels here, waiting for some jumped up Vice-Admiral to...
Notrahw: This jumped up Vice-Admiral (Kal’Ten cringes and freezes) happens to be your commanding officer! And you will do whatever the hells it is I order you to do, Lieutenant Commander! (Kal’Ten goes pale, but he ignores it.) My office! Now!
Kal’Ten marches into the office
I’ll be with you when I can, Flight.
Lori: Yes, Sir.
Maggs: Sir? (He turns to face her)
Security confirm that the other four TIE pilots are still secure. The pilot who escaped was apparently comatose when he was brought in. He had been taken to the med bays. The guards there have been found dead.
Notrahw: Find out who looked at him when he arrived.
Maggs nods and Notrahw heads into his office to see Kal’Ten standing to attention in front of his desk.
The door hisses closed behind him and he moves round behind his desk.
Kal’Ten: Sir? Commander Hawkspar, is she...?
Notrahw: Receiving medical attention.
(Sits down and wearily passes a hand over his face)
Why is it always you Lieutenant Commander?
Kal’Ten: Sir?
Notrahw: I have often shared a late night drink and a talk with Commander Hawkspar. You
seem to have a chronic foot-in-mouth disease.(Kal’Ten looks embarrassed and slightly confused)
Wookiees, Kal’Ten?
Kal’Ten (faltering): Sir, I... that wasn’t my fault... (comprehension dawns)
She told you about that?
Notrahw (sighs): Yes, and more besides. (he smiles) Next time she brings it up, just ask her
about her run-in with the local Militia the time that she was supposed to be flying yours truly
back from a deal with a Corellian armaments dealer. I guarantee it will get a reaction.(He pushes himself to his feet)
Sit down, Lieutenant Commander, before you fall down.
She stares blankly at him, not moving. He looks straight at her and shakes is head.
In private - I very much understand and forgive that little outburst out there. In company,
however I have to be seen to be a Vice-Admiral. As far as Maggs, Enilra and everyone else is
concerned, you are in here getting the bollocking to end all bollockings. And that is what I will
be telling Kaz Hawkspar. But between you and I - right here, right now - you’re a damned fine
officer who just happened to open her mouth at the wrong time.And personally I’d rather be drinking a glass of Corellian Blue than ripping you to shreds. (He
flashes her a grin) And I hate drinking alone... Care to join me?Lainy swallows, then, slowly, she lowers herself into the seat.
Kal’Ten: Um… Yes. Thank you. Sir.
He pours two glasses and hands her one. She nods her thanks and takes a sip.
Notrahw: Okay Lieutenant Commander. Tell me what happened with the Imperial.
Int. Med bay. Soosaan looking over some charts at the foot of Hawkspar’s bed. She puts them down and goes to check on Drayke. She looks at the chart, nodding contentedly and moves on the Lauran's cubicle. He is lying still, eyes closed. She picks up the chart and signs it.
Soosaan: (looks up from the chart and moves round beside Lauran)
May the Goddess embrace you, Iayn Lauran.
(she covers his face with the sheet and moves away to one of the droids.)
I’m going to speak with the Admiral. I will be back soon, let me know if there are any changes.
Droid: Yes Ma’am.
Soosaan exits the Med bay and the doors hiss closed. The droid turns to Edraa’s Bacta tank.
Int. Hangar bay. Pilot in green A-Wing uniform walks across hangar, she is spotted by the Deck officer who comes running over.
D.O.: Lieutenant Redav?
Shei turns, eyes changing colour to violet as she senses the officer’s nervousness.
Lieutenant, I’m sorry, but... There was an... incident... earlier. One of the Imperial pilots
escaped and... he took your A-wing.Redav: (Blinks) I see.
D.O: There was nothing we could do. We had wounded...
Redav: Wounded?
D.O: (nods) Two Chiefs and Commander Hawkspar... I’m sorry, Lieutenant. We couldn’t
have stopped him anyway...Redav: You would have done everything you could. No apology is necessary. Can I offer any
assistance?D.O.: No, we’ve got it mostly under control... I think.
Redav: Then I shall leave you to it.
Redav turns, walks out of the hanger.
Redav (mutters): I suppose I’d better find myself an orange uniform, for the time being.
Int. Notrahw’s waiting room. Maggs and Lori in quiet discussion, office door opens and Kal’Ten walks out looking dazed. Kal’Ten heads out the door and bumps into Soosaan who stops and apologises. Soosaan heads into the waiting area and Kal’Ten stops by the door.
Notrahw: What news, Doctor?
Soosaan: Commander Hawkspar and Chief Drayke are going to be fine.
(She pauses, then continues)
But Chief Lauran didn’t make it... I’m sorry. There was nothing we could do.
All are dismayed by the news and Kal’Ten turns away, tears in eyes. She heads for the lift.
Kal’Ten: Medical Section.
Lift doors close as Kal’Ten forms a looks of determination.
Int. Notrahw’s office. Soosaan leaving, doors closing. Notrahw sitting at desk, head in hands. Door chime sounds. He looks up, takes a breath.
Notrahw: Come.
Maggs enters.
Maggs: The channel you requested is open. Mon Mothma is waiting for your report.
Notrahw (sighing): Thank you Maggs.
Door closes and he turns to the view screen.
Int. Med Bay. Cubicle shared by Edraa and Hawkspar. Both have eyes closed, asleep. Kal’Ten is sitting against the wall beside Kaz’s bed, knees drawn up, head on arms, fast asleep. Soosaan busying herself by Edraa’s bed. Edraa opens her eyes.
Soosaan (smiling): Welcome back Lieutenant. You gave us all quite a scare you know.
(Edraa tries to sit up and speak but begins to cough. Soosaan lays a hand on her shoulder to stop her)
Don’t try to speak, you inhaled a lot of smoke. I’ll get you some medication to ease the
dryness. You’ll be fine.(Edraa nods)
Soosaan steps around the bed, heading for Kaz. She tries not to disturb Kal’Ten as she passes. Kaz makes a small sound as Soosaan touches her and she opens her eyes.
Good evening, Commander.
Hawkspar smiles, it fades and is replaced by fear and worry.
Kawkspar: The Imperial?
Soosaan: I don’t know. And I don’t want you worrying about it until tomorrow! Your body
needs to heal! Have no misconceptions, Commander, I can and will pull you off duty and
confine you here until I think you’re physically fit!Hawkspar (grinning): Yes, Ma’am.
Soosaan: Just so you know, Xen has come out of the Bacta and is awake and recovering.
Hawkspar: Lainy?
Soosaan: Fine. Sleeping right there on the floor. I don’t know how we’re supposed to do any
work around here with pilots littering the corridors?Go back to sleep Commander.
Kaz closes her eyes and Soosaan leaves muttering and shaking her head.
Int. A-Wing cockpit. Martellon rouses himself from his semi-trance. He approaches the contact point, starts to transmit.
Martellon: Mulig Nine, Mulig Nine, this is Fleet Commander Martellon, ident code
Exan Four Rocc Tanra Nine Fiern Zeta Qillen. Confirm.
There’s static for a short time
Mulig: Checking ident Fleet Commander.
Martellon: Mulig Control, be advised I am travelling in a Rebel A-wing.
Confirm Mulig Control.
Mulig: Confirmed.
Martellon breathes a sigh of relief. He sets a course to dock with the base.
~ * ~