ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT. PLANET ORBIT
Pick up right where we left off. The Sukann is now taking hits, she is firing back, but can only target a single fighter at a time.
Two fighters break off and get ahead of the Sukann, using aft weapons to pummel the Sukann's front defences. Two more pull inline behind her, firing at her engines.
INT. SUKANN – BRIDGE
The bridge rocks, as the raider figure pummels the small ship.
Lyta is being thrown back and forth in her seat.
LYTA
Oh hell! Suggestions anyone?
RAIDER PILOT #1 (Over Comm.)
This is Raider ships to unidentified Minbari vessel. We've got you outnumbered, surrounded, and nearly disabled. Surrender before we're forced to hit your life support controls.
Lyta doesn't respond. She closes her eyes, she's come to far to quit now.
RAIDER PILOT #1 (CONT'D)
Hello? Is anyone there? Or are we firing at a ghost ship?
(beat)
Last chance!
EXT. PLANET ORBIT
The fighters aren't firing on the Liandra, they're holding steady as Raider Pilot #1 negotiates.
RAIDER PILOT #1 (To his comrades)
Forget it! She's not listening.
(beat)
I didn't want to do this. We've been following her since she left that Drazi midway colony.
(beat)
Nevermind. She was headed to this planet. So whatever she was after is down there somewhere. So anything she can find, we can find too.
(beat)
Open fire! I repeat all fighters, blow it apart!
INT. RAIDER FIGHTER
The CAMERA is looking out of the cramped cockpit into space. There's a loud bleeping noise, indicating something bad is imminent.
RAIDER PILOT #1
What the hell. . .
EXT. PLANET ORBIT
A jump point forms. A Warlock class destroyer exits hyperspace, surrounded by it's own compliment of thunderbolt starfuries.
RAIDER PILOT #1 Earth Force! Damnit! What are they doing out here! Get us the hell out of here. Head back to base!
The CAMERA has a close-up as the vessel exits, showing the name plate "EAS TITANS". The CAMERA lingers for a moment, for a close-up of a thunderbolt as it crosses right in front of the CAMERA.
We then cut to a wide shot, showing all the ships in play. The dozen raiders and the Sukann are now joined by the Titans and many thunderbolts.
IVANOVA is the EAS Titans. And yes your scans aren't deceiving you, this IS a Warlock Class destroyer. And yes, it is capable of blowing you all to hell. So I'm offering you an alternative – surrender now and enjoy a nice few months in my brig before we head back to Earth space.
We could use internal shot here, a Excalibur laid out bridge, using sets from Babylon 5, to create Earth Force look, could be created cost-effectively. But an internal shot isn't necessary.
If we do not use an internal scene we can remain on the wide shot, having the Sukann and raiders continue to fly around.
IVANOVA (CONT'D)
What will it be?
TITANS TECH (V. Only)
They're moving to engage Captain.
IVANOVA
Someone must have told them we're still holding those Pak'Ma'Ra in the brig. I know I wouldn't want to share a living space with one of those things.
(beat)
Tell Alpha Wing to engage, and inform Beta wing to be on standby in case more raiders appear.
TITANS TECH
Are you anticipating trouble?
IVANOVA
Where there's one raider, there's always more. It's a lesson I learnt in an old assignment.
EXT. PLANET ORBIT
A full wing of thunderbolts head out on an attack pattern away from the Titans. The raider fighters move to engage.
We have a few back and forth blasts between the fighters. We can use a few frantic internal shots from the starfuries and the raiders.
The Titans takes a few hits, but nothing major. We have a few nice explosions and glory shots of the thunderbolts destroying the raiders.
Eventually only two raider fighters are left and they head back to their mothership.
RAIDER PILOT #1 (V.O.)
We're done for! Head back to the ship!
THUNDERBOLT PILOT
Captain they're retreating. Shall we pursue?
IVANOVA
Negative. Let them go.
THUNDERBOLT PILOT
What if they return with reinforcements?
IVANOVA
I don't expect my orders questioned pilot. But we'll be gone soon. Even if they do return they won't be able to track us. If the top-of-the-line Centauri warship can't track us then a twenty year old Earth liner won't be able to.
THUNDERBOLT PILOT
Understood Captain. Returning to the Titans.
CGI the thunderbolts heading back to the Titans.
IVANOVA
Hail the Minbari vessel.
INT. SUKANN – BRIDGE
The place is looking a little worse for where now. The surrounds are further hidden now by the smoke coming from some broken conduit or another. Lyta has a scratch down her forehead, but is happy to have survived.
The CAMERA faces Lyta, situated just behind the holographic display. A face appears on the holographic display, but we can't make out who it is because of the CAMERA's location. The holographic display is not opaque, but translucent and we can SEE Lyta through it.
IVANOVA (On Comm.)
This is the Earth Force vessel Titans to Minbari vessel. Please identify yourselves. We are happy to provide medical assistance and any mechanical aid we can.
LYTA (Smiling)
Well Captain. I'd like to have had this reunion under better circumstances, but I'm glad you turned up when you did.
The CAMERA Pans around to show Lyta's POV, Ivanova on the holographic display.
IVANOVA
LYTA?! Lyta Alexander?
LYTA
The one and only. I wasn't exactly expecting a rescue, let alone one from Earth Force! I didn't realize Earth had a presence this far out on the rim.
IVANOVA
We don't. Officially. Lyta, you're someone I trust. But an open communication I don't. So I won't be discussion my mission now. We I will discuss is – what the hell are you doing here?
LYTA
Here as in. . . ?
IVANOVA
This place! Vorlon space! What are you doing in Vorlon space?
WE FADE TO:
EXT. SUKANN – IN ORBIT
The Sukann and the Titans are lined up, side-by-side, to emphasize the Sukann miniature size. Both vessels are moving ever so slightly. The dark green planet can be seen in BG. We hold for a BEAT to establish, then,
INT. SUKANN – BRIDGE
Several Earth Force techs are in BG working on the Sukann's systems. The central controls are still the focal point. Lyta and Ivanova are sat around it.
LYTA
Thank you so much Captain.
IVANOVA
It's no problem Ms. Alexander. It has always been part of Earth Force regs to render aid to any force they are not directly involved in hostilities with at any opportunity.
(beat)
It's just a good job our scanners picked you up when they did. Your vessel is hard to detect. I'm presuming it's not the same stealth shielding the Minbari vessels had during the war?
LYTA
Yes. The same I think your vessel is using now? The Sukann and her sister ship's production line was short lived. From what records that were left aboard I've pieced together it was built sometime shortly before the Earth-Minbari war, for short range missions amongst the Minbari core worlds.
IVANOVA
Our scanners picked up the presence of jump engines. I didn't think any vessels smaller than the Whitestar was capable of having independent jump engines.
LYTA
Miniaturization of jump technology is a very well kept Minbari secret Captain. I was sworn to secrecy when Delenn arranged for me and –
(beat)(She's uncomfortable mentioning him)
For me and G'Kar to have this vessel for our great journey.
(beat)
But I'm sure Delenn would trust you, just as much as she trusts me.
IVANOVA
You never did answer my question.
LYTA
I can't really tell you much more about the stealth capabilities of the vessel Captain, I'm no expert. . .
IVANOVA
Not that question Lyta.
LYTA
Oh. The other question?
Lyta looks around. Making us aware she is weary of the fact she and Ivanova are not alone.
IVANOVA
Give us some privacy!
The techs look at each other and then at their Captain, "Have we heard her right?"
IVANOVA (CONT'D)
Now!
The techs file out, leaving the bridge quiet.
LYTA
If you tell me what you're doing out here.
IVANOVA
I –
LYTA
You said you didn't want to discuss it over an open
communication. Well, we're aboard a 20 year old Minbari ship Captain. One that has never seen Earth space, or another Human for that matter besides myself, you and your crew. So if you aren't free of listening devices here, where can you be?
IVANOVA
You're right. I guess I've just – gotten a little paranoid in the last few months. We're out here not just on the authority of EarthGov, although they're mostly responsible for the funding. It has President Sheridan's backing as well.
Ivanova is slightly self-conscious about her mission. As if she doesn't totally agree with it's terms and conditions, it's possible outcome, or whoever else was involved in sending her on it.
IVANOVA (CONT'D)
And trust me, if John hadn't talked ME into it I wouldn't even be out here.
(beat)
Earth's new technologies division is being contracted by the ISA to develop a new breed of cruiser. With Whitestar production having ceased two years ago, and the borders of the Alliance ever expanding, the job of policing the new territories is getting ever greater.
LYTA
You're out here to pick the bones of Vorlon worlds.
IVANOVA (Slightly offended)
Did you read my mind to find that out?
LYTA (Shaking her head)
No. Please don't take it as an offence Captain. But I can't be the first to tell you that your mission isn't the first to try and get technology from the Vorlons. None have been successful.
IVANOVA
True. The high I.Q. boys back home have read thousands of reports from all the different races of people who have sent ships into Vorlon space and never returned over the years.
(beat)
But, none has ever gone into Vorlon space since the end of the Shadow War. Since Sheridan confronted both the Vorlons and the Shadows, and with the help of Lorien banished them both beyond the galactic rim.
Ivanova changes the subject quickly, the purpose of her mission isn't prominent in the current story, but it's threads need to be laid for possible future stories: and to trace the lineage of the technologies used in the Valen Class (Seen in LOTR) and the Excalibur.
IVANOVA (CONT'D)
You still haven't explained what you're doing out here Lyta.
It is Lyta's turn to be a little awkward. She was hoping her mission would not be questioned by anyone. Was she acting in the interests of herself? Her people? Or the health of the entire Human race?
LYTA
I'm here to visit the planet below.
IVANOVA
The planet below? Our scanners show there's nothing down there. Nothing of any note anyway. It's a gas giant, a planet with no bodily form that we can get to. Our scanners show it's atmosphere is harsher than Jupiter's.
Lyta pauses for a moment, the CAMERA focuses on her eyes. The weight of what she's about to say is visible in them.
LYTA
She's down there Captain. She's really down there.
IVANOVA
Who? Who's down there? Emilia Earheart? Mrs. Santa Claus? The Easter Bunny?
LYTA
Talia. Talia Winters.
Camera zooms on Ivanova's face of wonder and realization before we,
FADE TO BLACK:
END OF ACT TWO