Mis-drop

[first lines]

[the Accountant logs on to the computer to investigate the case of the mis-drop]

Forensic Accountant:
Computer on.

Computer:
Welcome, Benjamin. Logging on.

Forensic Accountant:
Voice off.

[Several windows come up:
Forensic Accounting 9. Black Rock Industries. Forensic Accountant Access Level 5. Sgt. Nataniel Rouge]

Forensic Accountant:
Next case file.

[a window shows:
Pvt. Jason Patrick Glen... 5 Dec. 2317... Status: MIA]

Forensic Accountant:
Down. Down. Down.

[With each command, the computer screen scrolls down]

Computer:
...liability exposure.

Forensic Accountant:
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Down. Select Top and Open.

[His computer opens the filmed file of Private Glen]

[Private Glen is in the transfer pod that will drop him from the ship. The Old-timer seals him in securely]

Old-timer:
Now, you do know how to get out of this.

[Glen nods]

Old-timer:
And the straps.

[Glen gazes at him]

Old-timer:
My, you're a chatty one, aren't you?

[the Old-timer trots over to some read-outs]

Old-timer:
Okay, picture looks good. Let's see, your respiration, temperature, pulse... This is your first drop, son?

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
Yes.

Old-timer:
Okay. Your heartbeat's a little rapid, but that's all right. Just remember to breathe... You'll be on ship hour until you launch, then this will get you down.

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
Okay.

Old-timer:
On your first drop, the others are gonna give you a lot of stick. Don't listen to them. They'll sh*t-talk you all day. Ha. Just remember, when you're planet-side, and in a real fire-fight, they're gonna be there. All right?

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
Right.

Old-timer:
Just remember your training, and keep your head down. You'll go on to make a pretty penny!

[Jason Glen hears the others talking through his headphones]

Sugahara:
Morning, boys and girls.

[Glen reacts to her voice]

Sugahara:
I hope you're all tucked in nice and tight.

Pvt. Cleo:
Hey, sweetie.

Sugahara:
Cap-com says we are go for insertion.

Pvt. Cleo:
I got an insertion for you right here, baby.

Sugahara:
[laughs] Oh. Like I haven't heard that a million times from you pumped-up monkeys.

[Glen is listening with interest and a slightly unhappy expression]

Pvt. Cleo:
Well, this ain't bad. Want some sugar! Sugar, come on, baby, pour some on me. Come on.

Sugahara:
[amused] You keep saying sugar, Cleo, and I'll drop your ass over the south pole on our way in.

[Glen relaxes and grins]

Pvt. Cleo:
Aww, don't tease me, don't.

Sugahara:
[crisply] Launching.

[Glen shudders as they launch, and he hears the other soldiers whooping it up]

[Glen is listening to increasingly hysterical shouts from the other soldiers; it seems that one of them is in crisis mode, and the Sergeant yells to Glen that he must eject]

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
Sugahara, eject me!

[Sugahara's face appears as a reflection on his helmet shield]

Sugahara:
Hi there, Soldier, you hanging in there?

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
[terrified] Eject me! You gotta eject me!

Sugahara:
[as calm as always] It's just a trick, Jason.

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
What? They're, they're all gone!

Sugahara:
No, they're just screwing with the new guy. They just unplugged their comms.

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
Oh, Jesus.

Sugahara:
I'm looking at their vitals right now. Don't worry. They rattle all the new fish. No doubt, you'll be doing it on your next drop.

[Sugahara warns the soldiers that she is about to drop them into the planetary atmosphere]

Sugahara:
Launching. Firing.

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
F*** it.

Sugahara:
Private?

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
Listen, Yuca - I mean, Lieutenant Sugahara.

Sugahara:
What is it, Private?

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
Look. I gotta know. I mean, last night, was I just...

Sugahara:
Last night was last night, Soldier. Today you've got to focus on the mission. - Launch, 7 and 8.

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
I know.

Sugahara:
You picked a hell of a time to bring this up.

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
It's just - After the mission, can I see you? I mean...

Sugahara:
Check your timing... - Can we talk about this when you get back?

Soldier Pvt. Jason Glen:
No! I mean, sure. I'm sorry.

Sugahara:
Don't be sorry, Jason. Just, just come back. Okay?

[last lines]

[the Accountant, studying his computer, watches the end of Glen's film of the battle into which he landed, planet-side]

Forensic Accountant:
Holy sh*t! Uh, compile.

[the computer produces the financial numbers that Glen had earned. The Accountant records his decree:
]

Forensic Accountant:
Notes: Possible penalty for pilot distraction. Withhold severance payment to next of kin. Further research required. Log: Play his next file.