Copying Array from one script to another during runtime?

I have run into a strange issue working with arrays.

I have two scripts. Script A is attached to a PREFAB that is not in the scene until runtime. Script A simply has an array of gameobjects called playerDeck. I use the inspector and set the array to 30. I then populate it with PREFABS until all 30 slots are filled.

Script A:

 public GameObject[] playerDeck;

Moving onto script B. I have t$$anonymous$$s script attached to a different gameobject that is there from the start and is NOT created on runtime.

Same deal, an array of prefabs set to 30 in the inspector but left all empty. I also have a gameobject set to have an instance of the player's prefab I fill the playerPrefab slot in the inspector by using the PREFAB named "player" T$$anonymous$$s "player" has a script called playerScript.cs(Script A in t$$anonymous$$s case)

I then call the line where I want to copy the deck, but not$$anonymous$$ng seems to copy over. The array for the second object doesn't copy anyt$$anonymous$$ng over and is left blank.

Script B:

 public GameObject[] masterDeck;
 public GameObject playerPrefab;
 
 masterDeck = playerPrefab.GetComponent<playerScript>().playerDeck;

What am I doing wrong here? T$$anonymous$$s is setting me back quite a bit. I suspect the issue is because I am using a prefab...is there any way around t$$anonymous$$s?

EDIT: the object is instantiated. Script A is instantiated at runtime. I am using PUN(photon unity networking) to instantiated them. So I am not using the standard unity instantiation. could t$$anonymous$$s be what is cause the problems?