INT. ISHNU - ALIEN CITY - CHAMBER
As before. Chenei and Downey draw closer - if that's possible - to Daly. A flicker of real fear crosses Chenei's face. Downey's hand inches down his leg slower than the sweat that's streaming down his face. Daly stands, stoic, his eyes shooting once more to the gun laying on the ground near him.
CHENEI (hisses)
CAPTAIN -
DALY
We - just want to go. Let us take our crew and go. We were here for samples of the plant - zialle mehnbe - nothing more -
With a move that's almost quicker than human, the Old Man advances. The gun is to Daly's head less than a second later - he flinches with the suddenness of it all, but doesn't crack.
OLD MAN
I don't think you want to lie again.
DALY
You won't kill me yet.
The Old Man tilts his head to one side. Shadows in the back begin to advance. Chenei's beginning to look positively frightened; Downey keeps his composure as best he can, but the nervousness is showing at the corners of his mouth.
OLD MAN
Your usefulness runs out in precisely fifteen seconds, Captain.
There's a pause filled with the unspoken. Chenei bursts in upon it, her words so hurried they almost trip over one another. She's desultory, derogatory.
CHENEI
We were - defending ourselves. Nothing more.
OLD MAN
Progress.
He keeps the gun to Daly's head. Nods. One of the shadows is behind Chenei - it begins to swirl around her ankles, touch her neck. Chenei breathes in quickly - it's done something to her breath. Shortened it. Suffocated it slightly.
OLD MAN
Seeing as you're still at least genetically my countrymen, I'll allow you to leave the building alive, Captain, if you hand over the Destroyer to me. Now.
Something occurs to Daly.
DALY
Why don't you just walk up and take her?
OLD MAN
Hand her over. Now. I'm done with -
DALY
You can't just take her, can you? Is that why we got in so easily? Because you can't get near? If you could have taken her, you would have by now. The Vai don't need human theatrics.
Chenei gulps. She's very nervous now. She knows Daly's walking a tightrope, playing a deadly game. If he's wrong -
OLD MAN
I'll shoot her -
DALY
You won't shoot her. No, there are procedures for this sort of thing. You can't shoot her.
Daly has a trump card.
DALY
We're going to walk out of here, Doctor. Just walk out. Downey, flank.
He grabs her forearm. Downey, dry-throated, does the same with her other forearm - and they drag Chenei backward as if they were benevolent bank robbers being gentle with a hostage.
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