ACT I

Scene 1

The stage opens on two scenes. On the right side of the stage; a young girl is playing in a sandbox; in an community park. She is building an intricate sandcastle. She is dressed in jeans and a t-shirt; her brown hair is pulled into two short braids. She is laughing and quite content; playing in a park sandbox.

The other side of the stage is an older woman, kneeling; working on the side of a military starfighter. She has short-cut, ragged hair that looks like she just got up. Her back is to the audience. She has a toolbox right at hand on the floor. The military uniform she wears is slightly stained and slightly too big. The green flight jacket she wears has been patched and is covered in badges; but the rank insignia and unit crests have been removed -- the fabric underneath is not as worn. There is a scar across her right cheek.

The girl finishes building her sandcastle; and heads over to the swings. She climbs on and pushes off. She just gets some good height on the swings when her mother calls.

SHASTA (O.S)

Elanna! Come on, it's time for dinner!

The woman on the left looks up at the call, confused; then shakes her head and goes back to her work repairing the fighter.

Elanna

Awww. . . mother. . .

(she reluctantly stops the swing)

But I'm not hungry!

Shasta (o.s.)

Hmph.

Shasta enters. She is an older woman dressed in a shirt and jeans. Her hair is pulled into a short ponytail.

Shasta (Con't)

You won't be saying that once you actually sit down to the table.

(she chuckles and comes over to Elanna, ruffling her hair)

Elanna

Mom!!

SHASTa

Yes?

ELANNA

Not fair. . .

(she reluctantly gets off the swing)

During this sequence, the woman on the left has been paying more and more attention to the mother and daughter.

Elanna (Con't)

Mom, can't I play for a few hours longer? I finished all my homework, honest!!

SHASTA

Sorry Elanna. I have to go into work tonight, so we've got to have dinner; ok?

ELANNA

(sighs)

Ok. . .

The mother and daughter exit. The woman on the left , Moran, shakes her head and sighs, turning back to her work.

Mechanic (O.S.)

Hey, Moran! Got that fighter fixed yet!

Moran

(sighs, calls back)

Not yet. . . the thruster intake's fried.

Mechanic enters; wiping his hands on the knees of his pants.

Mechanic

Well, get to it, Moran. We need these things fixed ASAP.

Moran

(without enthusiasm)

Yes sir.

Mechanic leaves. She sighs and goes back to work.

After a few moments, CASSIO comes on stage. He is a broad-shouldered man in partial body armour. His hair is a little longer then strict military regulations. Across his back is slung an energy rifle. He smiles a little at the sight of Moran, and begins to creep up on her. He is not that quiet, but she is lost in thought and in her work. He comes up behind her and puts a hand on her shoulder.

She starts, drawing a blade from her toolbelt with one hand and grabbing his hand with her free hand. She flips him over her shoulder and pins him to the floor.

MORAN

Shit!! Cassio! Don't do that!

(she is obviously still quite rattled.)

Cassio

I . . . Sorry, Elanna! I wanted to surprise you!

MORAN

(she sighs, and lets him up, quite embarassed)

S-sorry, Cassio.

Cassio tentatively hugs her, moving slowly so as not to startle her.

Moran (Con't)

I. . . shit, I didn't mean --

CASSIO

No, it's ok. I should have known better.

(he keeps her in the embrace, she makes no move to get out.)