Star Fall: Mira’s Journey — Chapter 2: Before Dawn

Narrator: Mira wanted a name to put beside the answer.

In the scene: On Ember Harbor’s survey deck, Mira writes in the open signal log beside Tavi. The instrument rests on the table among their charts.

Mira: I almost wrote ‘someone’.
Tavi: Leave room.

In the scene: Mira pauses over the empty space for the sender’s name. Tavi leans toward her across the table.

Mira: Maybe the older records can tell us more.
Mira: These three still match.

In the scene: Mira compares two older sky records with a current sheet. Three surrounding points match; the older sheets contain a fourth point.

Mira: This one’s missing.
Tavi: A copying error?
Mira: It’s on both older records.

In the scene: Mira points to the light recorded on both older sheets but absent from the current one. Tavi studies the comparison.

Tavi: Let’s check the sky.

In the scene: Tavi turns a lamp toward the records as Mira prepares to compare them with the sky.

Silent panel.

In the scene: At the harbor rail, Mira holds the sheet against the night sky. Three lights match its three points; the space between them is dark.

Mira: Where did the light go?

In the scene: Mira draws a hollow circle where the missing light should be, between the three filled reference points.

Mira: Someone out there might see what we can’t.

In the scene: Mira looks out across the harbor, holding the sheet with its new hollow circle.

Mira: Can we talk to them? Ask what they can see?

In the scene: Mira turns from the sky toward Tavi, still holding the comparison sheet.

Tavi: We can try the field set. You can speak into this.

In the scene: Tavi brings out a portable radio with a wired hand microphone, brass trim and a shoulder strap.

Narrator: Before they could try, Rook came up from the hardstand.

In the scene: Rook arrives from the hardstand with his flight case and route records. The harbor glows behind him.

Tavi: The repair transport’s due through Glass Reach. How was the approach?
Rook: Western beacon’s out. The watch has warned them.

In the scene: Tavi offers Rook a cup while he studies the route chart and marks the failed beacon.

Mira: This star’s on the old sheets. We can’t see it now.
Rook: And this?
Mira: We got an answer. Twice.

In the scene: Mira shows Rook the hollow circle on her sky comparison and the separate log of their two signal exchanges.

Mira: Could I compare readings farther out?

In the scene: Mira gestures across the navigation chart toward the area beyond the plotted route. Rook listens.

Rook: From a ship, yes. But this is as far as I’ve checked.

In the scene: Rook points to the route’s last checked square. Beyond it, a lightly marked grid has no confirmed continuation.

Mira: Is it charged?
Tavi: Not much. It runs on its own cell.

In the scene: Tavi checks the portable radio’s charge gauge. Its needle rests in the low range.

Tavi: One short call, then we listen. Sending uses more.
Mira: All right.

In the scene: Tavi passes the wired microphone to Mira across the radio.

Tavi: Same setting as their answer. Go ahead.

In the scene: Tavi adjusts a tuning knob while Mira raises the microphone.

Mira: This is Mira at Ember Harbor, Earth. We received your signal. Can you hear me?

In the scene: Mira presses the talk control and speaks into the microphone. The screen shows TX.

SFX: kshhhh

In the scene: Mira lowers the microphone. She, Tavi and Rook wait beside the radio as faint static comes from its speaker; the screen shows RX.

Mira: Anything?
Tavi: Just static. I can’t tell if they heard us.

In the scene: Mira looks toward Tavi for an answer. Tavi listens to the static.

Mira: Then we listen.

In the scene: Mira rests beside the radio with its microphone clipped at the side. The set remains in listening mode.

Mira: What are you working on?
Tavi: I want to compare a violet ember with an ordinary one.
Tavi: See how much longer it can power the same lamp.

In the scene: Tavi opens her notebook to sketches comparing an ordinary ember and a violet one powering the same lamp. Mira looks over her work.

Mira: Pip saw one in the far lane. We left it—the way was blocked.
Tavi: I’ll check whether there’s a safe way in.

In the scene: Mira indicates the far lane in the notebook. Tavi studies the blocked approach, pencil in hand.

Narrator: The harbor watch called Rook down.
Transport · radio: Repair transport, Glass Reach. Main drive’s out. We’re on reserve.

In the scene: At the harbor watch, an operator turns the traffic-radio speaker toward Rook, Mira and Tavi as the repair transport calls.

Rook: Can you hold position? Send your last known position.

In the scene: Rook takes the watch microphone and questions the stranded transport.

Transport radio: For now. Crew’s aboard. Sending our position.

In the scene: The watch operator records the transport’s reply while Rook listens.

Silent panel.

In the scene: Rook marks the transport’s last reported position on a flight chart.

Tavi: How can we help them?
Rook: Help me get the shuttle ready.

In the scene: Tavi turns to Rook. He gestures toward the shuttle as he answers her.

Rook: Stay on the transport’s channel. We’re going up.

In the scene: Rook gives the position record to the watch operator beside the traffic radio.

Mira: I want to help, but my chart isn’t finished.

In the scene: Outside beside the patched shuttle, Mira holds her unfinished chart and portable radio. Tavi stands behind her with the records.

Rook: Show me the part you’ve checked.
Mira: These approach marks. Not this outer stretch.

In the scene: Mira and Rook spread the chart on an outdoor service trolley. Mira indicates the checked approach marks and the uncharted outer stretch.

Rook: With that beacon out, I need fresh readings. Can you take them while I fly?

In the scene: Rook gestures through the open hatch toward the empty observer seat inside the shuttle.

Mira: I can do that.
Rook: Call out anything that’s changed.

In the scene: Beside the shuttle, Mira accepts the task while she and Rook study the checked marks on the chart.

Mira: I’ll leave Tavi her copy.

In the scene: Mira turns toward Tavi with the portable radio and records. Rook heads toward the shuttle steps.

Mira: Your copy. The old sky records are in there, too.
Tavi: I’ll take the next listening watch.

In the scene: On the hardstand, Mira hands Tavi the home copy of their records. Tavi holds it with her notebook.

Tavi: I didn’t think you’d be leaving tonight.
Mira: Neither did I.

In the scene: Tavi adjusts Mira’s radio strap and looks up at her. The shuttle waits behind them.

Silent panel.

In the scene: Mira and Tavi exchange a small smile outside the shuttle. Tavi holds the home records close.

Tavi: I get the new observations when you come back.
Mira: Even the ones that don’t fit?

In the scene: Tavi releases the strap as Mira stands ready to board with her equipment.

Tavi: Especially those.

In the scene: Mira climbs the shuttle steps with her radio and working records, looking back. Tavi stays below with the home copy.

Mira: Where can I secure this?
Rook: Below your window.

In the scene: Inside the shuttle, Rook points below Mira’s window. She secures the portable radio in its wall cradle.

Narrator: Tavi kept the harbor copy. Mira carried the question beyond it.

In the scene: The shuttle lifts above Ember Harbor. Tavi remains below with the records and her trial notebook.

Rook: Ready, Mira?

In the scene: Earth fills Mira’s view through the window. Rook glances toward her as she pauses with her pencil above the chart.

Mira: Taking a bearing.

In the scene: With Earth beyond the window and the portable radio secured beside her, Mira steadies her chart and begins a new observation.