Star Wars: Tempest Breaker (The High Republic)

SCENE 1. INT. THE BLUE RANGE.

FX: The background thrum of a ship. Beeps and bloops of computer systems. The high-pitched buzz of Rhil’s cam droid, T-9, hovering nearby.

RHIL DAIRO:
(TAKES A DEEP BREATH, STEADYING HERSELF AND HER NERVES)

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
How are you doing down there, Rhil?

RHIL:
How do you think?

T-9:
(DROID WHISTLES)

RHIL:
(TO THE DROID, A LITTLE ANNOYED) Yes, yes. I know.

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
What was that?

RHIL:
Just Tee-Nine reminding me that I was the one who set this up.

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
Well, that’s true enough.

RHIL:
Back in front of the cam droid . . .

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
As much part of the war effort as secret broadcasts behind the Stormwall.

RHIL:
Is it? Really? That felt important. This interview . . . this person . . .

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
The chancellor wants the galaxy to know that the Nihil haven’t already won.

RHIL:
That people can change. Yes, yes. I remember the meeting. Chancellor Soh was very persuasive. And here we are.

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
So . . . we can proceed?

RHIL:
Take us in, Belin.

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
You have spoken.

RHIL:
(SPOKEN, BUT WITH AFFECTION) Ha ha.

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
Stand by.

FX: A sudden burst of maneuvering thrusters. The creak of the ship’s superstructure as it moves into position.

BELIN: (CONT, DISTORT/COMMS)
Bringing us alongside. (BEAT) Holding position.

FX: The beep of Belin opening a channel over the comm.

BELIN: (CONT, DISTORT/COMMS)
(TO THE OTHER SHIP) This is the Blue Range, awaiting docking sequence.

FX: The clang of the boarding tube connecting to the ship, followed by the hiss of hydraulics and various clunks as it attaches.

BELIN: (CONT, DISTORT/COMMS)
(TO RHIL) And we’re locked in.

RHIL:
(SOTTO) Ain’t that the truth? (STEADIES HERSELF) Okay. Let’s go.

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
Opening air lock.

FX: Another clunk and a hiss of rushing air as the hatch slides slowly aside.

RHIL:
No going back now.

FX: Footsteps clang, boots on metal, as Rhil steps into the boarding tube and walks between the ships. T-9’s buzz pitches up as the droid hovers with her.

RHIL: (CONT)
Okay, I’m in the docking tube. Let’s make some final checks. Tee-Nine? Data connection secure?

T-9:
(DROID BLEEPS IN THE AFFIRMATIVE)

RHIL:
Excellent. Belin? You still there?

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
With you every step of the way.

RHIL:
Good to know.

FX: Her footsteps stop.

RHIL: (CONT)
Okay, I’m at their air lock. (BEAT, THEN TO HERSELF) Knock, knock. Let me—[in].

FX: The air lock opens, cutting her off. There is the hum of another droid hovering on the other side, its repulsorlift louder than T-9’s constant buzz.

RHIL: (CONT)
Ah. Hello.

BELIN: (DISTORT/COMMS)
Rhil?

RHIL:
Welcoming party. Well, welcoming scout droid. (TO THE DROID) Hello there. Rhil Dairo, with GoNet News. I believe your . . . commander is expecting me.

SCOUT DROID:
Zet-zet-zet!

FX: The droid hovers off abruptly.

RHIL:
And I guess that’s our cue to follow.

FX: Footsteps on deck plates as she follows the scout droid hovering just ahead. T-9 buzzes nearby.

BELIN: (COMMS, STATIC, BREAKING UP)
Rhil . . . Rhil, the signal’s— (STATIC)

RHIL:
Belin?

BELIN: (COMMS, STATIC, WORSE THAN EVER)
(STATIC) losing the feed . . . (STATIC) data stream . . . (STATIC)

FX: Rhil stops walking. Ahead, the scout droid halts, too.

SCOUT DROID:
(IMPATIENT) Zet-zet-zutt?

RHIL:
I’ve lost comms with my technician. Some kind of interference.

SCOUT DROID:
Zut-zet-zut.

RHIL:
(RESIGNED, IF A LITTLE ANNOYED) Your captain has installed signal inhibitors. Of course she has. Guess we’re on our own, Tee-Nine.

T-9:
(EVER SO SLIGHTLY WORRIED BLEEP)

SCOUT DROID:
(IMPATIENT) Zet-zet!

T-9:
(AFFRONTED BEEP)

FX: The scout droid continues.

T-9: (CONT)
(DROID EQUIVALENT OF BLOWING A RASPBERRY)

FX: Rhil starts following again.

RHIL:
(VOICE LOW) Keep it professional, Tee. We’re the guests, remember.