FADE IN:
INT. MARS COMPLEX ALPHA - LOUNGE
The CAMERA begins on the Clock, "12.30"
The CAMERA then PANS down and out through the window as we FADE TO,
EXT. MARS COMPLEX ALPHA - SPACEPORT
The Spaceport is a large dome structure on the surface of Mars. The top section of the dome is a double locking system made of metal in an otherwise glass dome. The metal bits are obviously gates that lead to the unliveable atmosphere outside.
The CAMERA PANS from outside to inside through the glass. Inside is a series of Earth Force shuttles, and in the centre is the Liandra.
After the CAMERA stops PANNING and we have a still establishing shot we cut to,
INT. MARS COMPLEX ALPHA - SPACEPORT, LIANDRA
The Liandra's landing hatch is open. Sarah is arguing with an Earth Force Security officer as Martel, Dulann, Tafeek and Hadann approach.
SARAH What the hell do you mean we're impounded!
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE You heard me. Your ship has some vital repairs that need doing and is unfit for travel through Earth Alliance space, if you were a commercial vessel we'd have to charge you for unsafe transport through space.
MARTEL There a problem here?
SARAH (Pushing past Coolidge)
Damn right there's a problem David.
(beat)
This moron says the Liandra can't leave.
MARTEL (Looking puzzled, turns towards Coolidge)
That correct Officer?
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE It is. The Liandra has failed several safety checks.
MARTEL I'm Captain of this vessel. I didn't authorize any safety checks.
SARAH Neither did I.
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE It's standard Earth Force practice. We have several businesses trying to save by running on unsafe ships. A few months back we had an accident because of poorly kept vessels. Since Chief Ocelot has imposed the rule that all ships have mandatory checks.
DULANN And this rule extends to Minbari ships?
TAFEEK More precisely Ranger vessel? I'm afraid you must be in error Officer, Ranger vessels have immunity to such local laws.
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE That's not the orders I've received. I'm afraid you'll have to make the repairs before we can let you leave.
MARTEL What are the repairs?
Sarah passes Martel a piece of paper, presumably with the list of repairs on.
MARTEL (Scanning the list)
Reboot the injection computer?
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE I'm not the mechanic. But yes.
MARTEL The Liandra is a Minbari vessel officer. It doesn't have injection computers, it doesn't even have fuel injectors!
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE As I said I'm not the mechanic.
DULANN Well where is the mechanic?
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE I'm afraid he's moved onto his next job.
TAFEEK Well where can we find him?
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE He's over on Complex Delta.
MARTEL That's a 50 minute journey by Tube car.
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE If you have a problem with the impound I suggest you talk to Chief Ocelot. I have other work to do.
Coolidge turns away and walks down the hatch ramp and begins to head off. As Martel looks at Sarah rather in dismay Tafeek follows Coolidge.
TAFEEK Officer.
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE (Turning)
Yes?
TAFEEK What is your name?
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE Why do you need my name?
TAFEEK I plan to report you to this Chief Ocelot of yours. You have been rude and -
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE (Arrogantly)
Coolidge. Ryan Coolidge. Earth Force Serial Number 561N-B16. Anything else?
Tafeek remains silent and Coolidge moves away. The CAMERA watches from behind Tafeek as Coolidge moves arrogantly off before we cut to,
INT. MARS COMPLEX ALPHA - LOUNGE
The CAMERA begins on the Clock, "1.25"
The CAMERA moves out and FADE TO,
INT. MARS COMPLEX ALPHA - GENERIC CORRIDOR 1
It is a X junction where Martel and Dulann run into Hadann.
HADANN Captain? Dulann?
MARTEL You sound surprised to see us. Are we early?
HADANN Yes... It's just. I thought Tafeek would be here already.
DULANN No. Did he not go with you?
HADANN He did. But after our walk he went on ahead to meet you. I haven't seen him since.
MARTEL He's bound to turn up. He knows where the Liandra is. Come on, we need to sort these damned repairs out back aboard. At least then there's nothing officially wrong with it.
HADANN Na'Feel isn't going to be happy with someone insulting the Liandra.
MARTEL Sometimes I think she's more attached to the vessel than I am.
The CAMERA sits looking down the corridor as Martel, Dulann and Hadann head off away from it before we cut to,
INT. MARS COMPLEX ALPHA - LOUNGE
The CAMERA begins on the Clock, "10.55"
The CAMERA PANS left and we can SEE the Liandra taking off in the distance out of the window as we FADE TO,
INT. MARS COMPLEX ALPHA - SECURITY FACILITY
The CAMERA begins on the door at the end of the Security Facility Cell Corridor. AS the FADE TO ends the door slides open and Ocelot comes through. His uniform is now unbuttoned. As he walks he has his hand in his right pocket.
The CAMERA moves backwards as he walks along. As he walks his is whistling a tune. As Ocelot comes to a stop outside a cell the CAMERA shifts to his other side. Ocelot has turned to face the cell. In the distance at the other end of the corridor we can SEE Security officer #3 looking down the corridor.
SECURITY OFFICER #3 (Making it obvious)
Man I could do with a DRINK. I'll definitely be about 10 minutes.
Ocelot looks up and over down the corridor just as the Officer leaves.
The CAMERA then cuts to behind Ocelot. Coolidge is sat in the cell, he looking directly into Ocelot's eyes and Ocelot is returning the stare.
Ocelot finally brings his hand from his right pocket, with it comes a PPG.
Coolidge, emotionless, rises and comes a few steps forward.
SECURITY OFFICER COOLIDGE Please let Alex go.
OCELOT She's free.
Coolidge closes his eyes as Ocelot raises the PPG to Coolidge's head.
The CAMERA cuts to the empty end of the Facility where Officer #3 should, but ISNT, sat behind the desk as we HEAR the blast.
A BEAT passes and we cut to close on Ocelot's side pocket. Ocelot drops his hand to that level as we SEE the smoke hazing off his PPG. On this we,
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE