========================================================================== 03 - FAMILY TIES 2047 Team ========================================================================== Timeline: SeaQuest 2047 Author's E-Mail: schiller@mgl.ca (E-Mail contact) ========================================================================== seaQuest 2047 "Family Ties" Script By Matt Schiller Final Draft Copy, Saturday, October 19, 1996 Based on "seaQuest DSV" and "seaQuest 2032" ========================= PART 0 - TEASER =============================== TEASER OPEN ON EXT seaQuest. -- CGI The seaQuest is going by, at a steady clip. CUT TO SEAQUEST BRIDGE All is as it should be. Everyone is at their stations. Chief Petty Officer Sara Percell at Sensors, Tactical Officer Justin Riller at Tactical, but Lieutenant Commander Jessie Matthews is in command. MATTHEWS Any readings yet, Percell? PERCELL Nothing, Sir. If there is any kind of ship hiding in the ridge, we're not seeing it. MATTHEWS Keep on it. We don't want to be ambushed by the Carolinans. PERCELL Aye, Sir. CUT TO MED BAY Wolenczak is talking to Burke. They're trying to keep it down. WOLENCZAK (almost hissing at her) How come you never picked it up!? BURKE (not amused by Wolenczak's outburst) There are ways he could have avoided it in the med scans you know! (off the medical equipment) These machines can only do so much. WOLENCZAK (with conviction) I find it _completely_ intolerable that one of my officers was using a banned drug and I didn't know about it. BURKE (suddenly a bit surprised) Wait... Wait a minute! Is this about the medical scans missing it? Or _you_ not picking it up? WOLENCZAK (breaking off) Don't analyze me doctor. Too many people have tried to get into the head of Lucas Wolenczak. (matter of factly) I don't let anyone else in. He turns abruptly, and walks out of the room, leaving Burke alone. BURKE (turning back into MedBay, with a sigh) Great. My commanding officer is a head case. CUT TO BRIDGE Something on Percell's console beeps. MATTHEWS (Hearing the beep -- turning) Ensign? PERCELL WSKRS are picking up some activity inside the valley. It seems to be a ship of some sort. MATTHEWS Hostile? PERCELL I.... I don't know. It's still too far down there. We can't get a clear reading. MATTHEWS Send a WSKR down the valley. I wanna know what that is. (turning to Trueman) Get the captain. TRUEMAN (looking to Riller first, then pushing the comm button) Captain Wolenczak to the bridge. CUT TO CORRIDOR Wolenczak is walking down the corridor and he stops at the nearest comm panel. WOLENCZAK (nodding) On my way. He picks up his pace and boards MagLev. CUT TO "VALLEY" -- CGI We see a WSKR in the valley scanning. CUT TO SEAQUEST BRIDGE Wolenczak is just walking on. WOLENCZAK What's the problem Mr. Riller? He's trying to be very professional, Riller is trying to be the same. They both know they have unfinished business but this is not the time to discuss it. RILLER I believe Commander Matthews had a question, Sir. WOLENCZAK (Off Riller, turning to Matthews) Have we got something, Commander? MATTHEWS Sensors show an unidentified vessel in the valley. It's not answering and I've got a WSKR in there taking a peek. WOLENCZAK (turning to the forward screen, to noncom) Louis, give me the WSKR view. Screens light up with CGI of the valley. We see a sub that looks to be very new. WOLENCZAK (squinting a bit in curiosity) What kind of ship _is_ that? PERCELL (looking at displays) WSKRS can't ID it sir, but there's some kind of -- TRUEMAN They're trying to contact us sir. WOLENCZAK (looking at Trueman) What? RILLER (With a tinge of contempt) Confirmed, Sir. The ship is trying to contact us. I think we should be answering. WOLENCZAK (shooting Riller a dirty look) On screen. The screen fades in and we see the face of a man in his late thirties. He appears very well off and very fit, as if he's been living in paradise. Lucas looks at him as if he knows him but just can't place it. ROBERT seaQuest? Is my father there? WOLENCZAK Your father? ROBERT Yes. Nathan Bridger. Didn't he design seaQuest? WOLENCZAK (It's just coming to him) Robert? FADE TO OPENING. =========================== PART 1 ===================================== ACT ONE FADE IN TO EXT. _SEAQUEST_ --CGI _seaQuest_ is with the sub that came up from the Valley. (Hereon named the "Alpha") CUT TO BRIDGE All is as before. WOLENCZAK (astonished) But-- Captain Bridger never found you. Only your son. You're--You're dead! ROBERT (smiling) I'm here. (suddenly curious, as he realizes what Lucas has said) My son? WOLENCZAK (passively) Yeah. Michael. But what are you doing here? Where have you been all these years? ROBERT (amazed) Michael? He's alive?! They both are asking way too many questions and aren't really answering any of them. RILLER (cutting in) Sir? WOLENCZAK (turning quickly as he's snapped out of it.) What? RILLER (giving him a weird look-- then deciding on his presentation. Plainly.) Wouldn't it be better if Mr. Bridger was brought on board? Then you could both answer all of your questions. (beat, making sure of himself) In--In a better environment sir. WOLENCZAK (off deciding, finally turning) Good idea Mr. Riller. (turning to Robert) Will you accept an invitation to visit the _seaQuest_? ROBERT (smiling) Certainly. I'm sure we'll have _lots_ to talk about. CUT TO EXT _SEAQUEST_ -- CGI A launch is seen leaving the _Alpha_; it enters _seaQuest_'s launch bay. The new launch bay, loads with the water from outside and then pumps it all out. When pressurizing is finished the inner door opens to allow people inside and allows the launch's outer doors to open. CUT TO INNER LAUNCH BAY We see Robert and his wife getting out of the shuttle. WOLENCZAK (walking up to Robert, addressing him and his wife) Welcome to the _seaQuest_ DSV 4600III. It's slightly different than you father's design and we've tried to-- ROBERT (cutting him off) Sorry to stop you there Captain, I'm sure that we'll get to that later. But you said something about my son. (looking to wife [who smiles]) _Our_ son. WOLENCZAK (knowing that he should have addressed the son thing first) Oh my. Yeah. (shaking his head) I'm sorry. ROBERT (taking it all in) It's okay. We're just astounded. We thought he was dead. The officials produced a body and everything. He was so young... (off in the blue) We were devastated. WOLENCZAK (smypathetically) It must have been hard. (they start to walk down the hall [or out into the hall]) But Michael showed up at the Brussels Embassy, where your father found him. They went and stayed on his island after that. ROBERT (shaking his head with a smile) My dad still has that damn island huh? WOLENCZAK (with a little bit of reservation) Well, to tell you the truth, when the war started both your son and Captain Bridger dropped off the face of the earth. They haven't been heard from since. The UEO has no idea where-- MANDY BRIDGER (cutting him off) But there's gotta be some place that we can look, right? WOLENCZAK (more compassionately) I know you really want to see them right now, but where have you two been for all these years? ROBERT (smiles) That's a _really_ long story. CUT TO CALLAN'S QUARTERS CALLAN (staring at screen which flashes: Waiting for Response) Come on... Come on! He slams his hand down on the counter in frustration. MATTHEWS (hearing the slam from the hallway--peeking her head into Callan's Room) Is everything okay in here, Commander? CALLAN (not really wanting to talk about it) It's kind of personal, Commander. (thinking of the polite thing to say) But thank you for your concern. MATTHEWS (persisting) No. Talk to me Greg. I know something's been bothering you. (smiling) If we're gonna be on this boat for ten months, then we've got to at least talk to each other. CALLAN (becoming softer) It's really nothing big. It's just my wife. MATTHEWS Wife? CALLAN (nodding proudly) Yeah. She's off at a science conference and because I've been calling her every day for the last few days she didn't tell me where she was. MATTHEWS She doesn't want you bugging her, huh? CALLAN (like a child who's been scolded) Kind of. MATTHEWS (smiling) Well you can come and watch a movie with Percell and me. (beat) To get your mind off of your wife? CALLAN (thinking) Percell? MATTHEWS Yeah, she kind of collects those movie discs. You know, The better ones. Disney, Paramount, just the high caliber movie companies. CALLAN (deciding) Sure. It sounds like fun. MATTHEWS (smiling) Great. (beat, they both kind of stand there) Well come on! We've got movies to watch! They leave. CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S OFFICE Robert and his wife are seated. Wolenczak is looking at a display monitor in front of him. WOLENCZAK (reading) ...Robert: Whereabouts unknown. (looks up--then back at the screen) ...Captain Nathan Bridger: Whereabouts unknown. (sighs--continues) ...Michael Whereabouts unknown. (looks up at them) Pretty impressive track record huh? ROBERT (not smiling) Captain... (pausing, to think) ...Lucas. I don't mean to be rude, but we'd like to find our son. He was our only one before we found out that Mandy here was not able to have another. He was taken from us in a Macronesian raid of our colony. WOLENCZAK Taken? MANDY BRIDGER (on the verge of crying) Yes, Captain. Our infant son was ripped from our home and we thought he was dead. When _we_ finally escaped, they showed us a video of his death. I was frankly flabbergasted when Robert told me you said he was alive. WOLENCZAK (trying to be compassionate) Mrs. Bridger, the last time I saw your son was in 2039 just before the war broke out. I was visiting Captain Brid--your father, Robert, and Michael and I played baseball. He seemed very full of life. Your father loved that child, Robert. He left this boat to go and find you. (to Mandy) And you. ROBERT I'm really looking forward to finding my son, Lucas. WOLENCZAK (turning screen) That's why I asked for this. Secretary General Hitchcock appears on the screen. HITCHCOCK Greetings Robert, Mandy. I am Secretary General Katherine Hitchcock and I also served on _seaQuest_ under Captain Bridger. I have authorized the _seaQuest_ to proceed on a search for your son. I wish you good luck. You have two weeks but after that, I'm sorry, but _seaQuest_ will be needed for other things. WOLENCZAK Thank you, Madame Secretary. ROBERT And we thank you too, Ms. Hitchcock. HITCHCOCK You've got the best boat in our fleet, Mr. Bridger. I hope you find what you want. As Hitchcock's face disappears from the screen, we Cut to: BRIDGE (Hunter is in command. Riller is at tactical, Reede is at the helm, Percell is at sensors.) PERCELL (humming, keeps looking at Hunter, because she's scared that he'll yell at her again. Pushes a few buttons, hums another note, then starts.) "You know that I love you! Love you every day!" (a few more humming notes) "Ohhhhhhhhh yeah! You gotta know that I love ya ev-er-y day......." HUNTER (starting to walk off the bridge) Is your shift over, Percell? PERCELL Yes, Sir. Percell realizes that she made a mistake. She shuts up quickly, and stands at near-attention. Hunter doesn't apppear amused by what she's just done. HUNTER Then follow me, Chief. You have the bridge, Mr. Riller. Percell glances at Riller with the slightest tinge of fear. Slightly amused, he nods her on. Percell exits the bridge and enters MagLev with Hunter. As the doors close, noncoms replace Percell and Riller as Riller moves to the command chair. CUT TO INNER MAGLEV HUNTER (off ceiling) Deck 6 (turning to Percell) This isn't about your singing. Percell stares for a moment-- huh? She was _sure_ she'd get her head ripped off for this one! PERCELL (curiously) Sir? HUNTER (smiling) I'm not really evil, Ensign. I try to convey a commanding aura, to keep people listening to me. If you look beneath the surface, I'm a pretty nice guy. Percell gives Hunter a strange look as MagLev stops. MAGLEV VOICE Thank you for riding MagLev. PERCELL (getting up quickly) Um, thank you, Sir. I've gotta go. (thinking up excuse, turning and smiling) I got three new movies today! (trots off smiling) MagLev closes. As we cut to: PERCELL'S QUARTERS As she enters, Callan and Matthews are waiting for her. PERCELL (surprised) What the...? MATTHEWS (almost scolding) You were supposed to be here ten minutes ago. You said we were gonna watch the new movies you were getting. (off Callan, who's just taking all of this in) I even brought a guest to watch. PERCELL (slapping her head.) Oh! I totally forgot! She rummages around, grabs a box and begins to open it. PERCELL (continuing) I was too busy being _stalked_ by the psycho commander. CALLAN (turning) What!? Percell sits on her bed and begins to tell her story. PERCELL I started to sing at the end of my shift, and the commander took me off the bridge. I figured no big deal right? My shift was over. I thought Hunter was gonna yell at me again, but... (with a surprised, incredulous face) instead he started trying to be my friend! MATTHEWS (raising an eyebrow) Hunter tried to be your friend? PERCELL Yeah! It was like _totally_ weird. He told me that he wasn't really such a mean guy and he just wants to project his (in Hunter imitation) "command aura" MATTHEWS (getting suspicious) Weird. Did he--? PERCELL (revolted at the very thought) No way! (becoming quieter) Naw, he was just kinda lonely, I guess. He doesn't seem to make friends very easily... (breaking off that thought) But now we've got three new movies. That's 3,947 that I have now. (smiling) On my way to 5000 movies! MATTHEWS So what did you get today? (and to Callan) And why are you so quiet? CALLAN ("snapping out of it") What? (beat) Oh. Just thinking. MATTHEWS About her? CALLAN Of course about her. PERCELL (still unwrappingher movies, not looking at the other two) About who? MATTHEWS Greg, you're obsessing. You've got to stop this. Have confidence in her. She'll call you when she gets time. Don't worry. PERCELL (looking up, not liking being ignored) Who? Who'll call? CALLAN I know. I just feel kinda like dirty laundry. She's been to these conferences before, and I usually just stay with a friend or something. It's just different that she's not going to come home to me. PERCELL (finally giving up) WHO?! MATTHEWS (short and quick) His wife. PERCELL Oh. Percell returns to opening her movies. It works this time. MATTHEWS (back to Callan) I'm sorry Greg, but you _are_ staying with friends. (smile) We're here for you. Now let's watch these movies. PERCELL Yeah! I've got... (looking at the disks.) _Dumbo_, a Disney favorite. _Jurassic Park_. This movie is really cool, even if it does have limited graphics. And... (looking at last disk) Yes! _SpaceBalls_. This is hilarious. It's from the '80s. It's corny and fun! MATTHEWS (enthusiastically) Put that one in! CALLAN I'm in the mood for something fun. Percell puts on the movie and presses "play." On the changing screen we CUT TO BRIDGE Riller is sitting there reading his reports, and looking very distracted. He's extremely agitated and very fidgety. OFFICER ONE (walking over to Riller) Are you okay, sir? RILLER I...think so. OFFICER ONE (looking concered) You look like you should go to MedBay. RILLER Maybe I should. (getting up in pain and grasping his stomach.) Uhhhhhhh... OFFICER ONE (concerned) Do you need some help there, Sir? RILLER (sighing.) No thanks officer. I'll be fine. (beat) Riller's face contort's in pain. RILLER You have the bridge. (staggers off bridge into Maglev) FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT ONE =========================== PART 2 ===================================== ACT TWO FADE IN TO BRIDGE Wolenczak and Robert walk on the bridge to a bunch of non-coms. Wolenczak looks around and sees Trueman. WOLENCZAK What's going on, Ensign? Where's Riller? His shift doesn't end for at least half an hour. TRUEMAN I... (trying quickly to think of cover, but realizing that it's futile) I don't know, Sir. WOLENCZAK (sighing, walking over to comm panel) Lieutenant Riller to the bridge please. (looks at Robert) This doesn't usually happen on my boat. Wolenczak turns, looking at the screen, pointing something out. ROBERT So what's our plan Captain? How are we going to find my son? WOLENCZAK (turning) It's not that easy, Robert. I'm frankly not too optimistic about it. Michael has been contacted... (beat, checking display) ...five times by the UEO, and he has not responded once. (frankly) I don't think he wants to be found. ROBERT (losing his smile) Listen to me Wolenczak, I _am_ going to find my son. I don't care what it takes. This is my father's boat, and if necessary, I'll commandeer it and leave you stranded on a desolate island. WOLENCZAK (surprised at Robert's outburst) And how the _hell_ do you expect to do that? (sighs, more calm) Robert, I have all the sympathy in the world for your situation. I know that if my parents wanted to find me I'd love to be found too. But make no mistake, this boat has other priorities. Finding your son is just a side mission that I have pulled strings to get. (beat--in closer) And this is not your father's boat. It's _mine_ and don't ever threaten me again. (turns to crew, smiling) Mr. Reede, set course to 219 degrees by 45 degrees. Cruising speed. Continue to put out our all call for Michael. (off Robert, to Trueman) Ensign? TRUEMAN (looking up) Sir? WOLENCZAK Please assist Mr. Bridger in whatever ways necessary. TRUEMAN (thinking this is weird, but ignoring it) Aye, Sir. Wolenczak starts to leave the bridge, Robert taps him on the shoulder. Wolenczak turns. ROBERT Listen, Lucas. I'm (beat) Sorry. I haven't seen my son in many, many years. I thought he was dead. I (beat) just got carried away. WOLENCZAK (straight faced) As I said Robert, I understand your situation. Ensign Trueman will attend to anything you need. (smiles) I've got to go find out where the hell Riller is. Wolenczak walks off the bridge. On a sigh from Trueman, we: CUT TO MED BAY Burke is examining Riller. Riller is lying on the table and Burke is scanning him with a light device. BURKE The drug seems to be clearing out of your system Mr. Riller. Your prognosis is getting a lot better. (beat) This was just one of the physical dependency things, but it shouldn't happen again. RILLER (under his breath) You should tell _Wolenczak_ that. BURKE (catching him) What? RILLER (looking up) It's nothing... BURKE If it was nothing you wouldn't have said anything. (decides to go with the Superior Officer approach) If there's something on your mind _Lieutenant_ you should tell me. RILLER It's just Wolenczak. BURKE The Captain? RILLER He hasn't spoken to me since I told him about the drugs. Nothing! I mean if he came to me and said that I was being kicked out of the navy or something, then I'd still understand. But I hate this damn silent treatment! BURKE (staring into nothingness) Wolenczak... WOLENCZAK (walking in) Yes, Doctor? BURKE (caught off guard) Captain? Sir, um Lieutenant Riller and I were just talking about something. WOLENCZAK (to Riller) Why are you here anyways? RILLER I had a physical side effect of my dropping the drug. I almost passed out before I made it here. WOLENCZAK Side effect? BURKE It's his body, which has become used to the drug, rejecting its normal operations. WOLENCZAK Do you need some time off to recuperate? RILLER I don't think so sir. (to Burke) Doc? BURKE He should be okay, but none of those VR Games tonight Riller. RILLER Yes, Sir. (walks off) WOLENCZAK Doctor. (follows Riller to MagLev) CUT TO INTERIOR MAGLEV Riller is sitting on one end of the bench, Wolenczak is one the other. WOLENCZAK Why didn't you tell anyone where you were going? RILLER The ensign knew I was hurt, she should have known I would go to MedBay. WOLENCZAK (sighing) On this boat Mr. Riller you let people know when you just leave the bridge. _Especially_ if you're in command at the time. What if the Carolinans had attacked? What if the UEO had called and there would have been no ranking officer on the bridge! RILLER (straightening up) Sorry, Sir. I'll try to do better. MagLev stops and they both stand up. Riller gets out. Wolenczak thinks, then follows. CUT TO CALLAN'S QUARTERS Callan is looking at a screen that's flashing [ON HOLD]. He sighs. CALLAN Come on Kelly. I'm dying here. The screen flickers, Callan's face lights up. Kelly appears. KELLY Hello, Greg. CALLAN (smiles) Kelly. KELLY My secretary says you've called me, what, about fourteen times? CALLAN I just wanted to see how you were doing. So how's the conference? KELLY (smiling) You are so pathetic that I just have to love you. (beat) But I don't have a _lot_ of time here, Greg. I'm supposed to be eating dinner. CALLAN Okay, then you grab your food and call me back. I'll grab something at the mess hall and we can eat together. KELLY Sure, Greg. I'll call you back in a couple minutes. They both put their hands on the screen like they're touching. CALLAN Love you. KELLY You too. Bye for now. as the Kelly disappears we... CUT TO RILLER'S QUARTERS Riller is lying on his bed, with one leg folded. He's looking aimlessly up at the ceiling, deep in thought. There's a knock at his door. He sighs. RILLER Come in. Wolenczak opens the door and Riller's face goes to a scowl. RILLER Didn't you mean what you said on the Maglev? Or are you here to kick me out of the Navy? WOLENCZAK (sighs) As much as you'd probably like that, Lieutenant, so that you could blame me for all your problems, I'm not going to do that. I believe in second chances. (beat) I've done enough things in my time that I shouldn't even be in the Navy, but I got several second chances and I think you should get them too. RILLER (a bit surprised) So... what? I'm getting off scot-free? WOLENCZAK No. I know you've started a rehab program with Dr. Burke and I think that was a very good move. I'm going to assign you some extra tasks that I hope can keep your mind on work for awhile. RILLER (taking all this in) And? WOLENCZAK That's it for now. But make no mistake. There's no _third_ chances, Riller. If I ever find out you've started taking the drugs again, I _will_ kick you off this boat and out of the Navy. RILLER Aye, Sir. WOLENCZAK Good luck Mr. Riller. I know you're strong enough to beat this. RILLER (as Wolenczak leaves, under his breath) Thank you, Sir. CUT TO PERCELL'S QUARTERS The screen in front of Percell and Matthews clears and they both sigh. MATTHEWS I can't believe that they didn't have holomation in the '90s! PERCELL I know. It's kind of neat to see how they "used" to do it though. MATTHEWS Thanks for the great movies, Sara. PERCELL You're welcome, but where'd Greg take off to? MATTHEWS (sighs) He went to try and call his wife again. PERCELL They're pretty close aren't they? MATTHEWS (smiling) Yeah. They seem to be. CUT TO CALLAN'S QUARTERS Greg is sitting at his desk, with a mess hall tray in front of him. There are assorted food items on it and he is pecking at it, waiting for Kelly to call back. The screen flashes and Kelly appears. She also has a food tray in front of her, but her stuff is more nutritious. KELLY Hey Greg. Eating well again I see? CALLAN (smiles) Sorry "Mom". KELLY (shakes her head) Greg, Greg, Greg. You don't know how much I've missed you. CALLAN I've missed you too Kelly. But it's nice to have dinner with you, even though it's over the vid-link. KELLY (smiles) It is nice, isn't it? CALLAN I might have some shore leave coming up, do you want me to take it? I'll come and visit you at the Institute. KELLY That's sweet Greg. But I don't know... (conflicted look) Sure. I think I can arrange some time in my schedule. It'll be great to see you in person again. Callan smiles. CUT TO BRIDGE Hunter is in command. Trueman is assisting Robert Bridger at a computer station. TRUEMAN I think that we may have something here, Mr. Bridger. ROBERT (face lighting up) Ensign? TRUEMAN There is a ship out there that is not answering our hails. They've got a signature comparable to older subs. (beat) This could be something to take a look at. HUNTER (taking interest. Walking over) Ensign? Do we have another possible? TRUEMAN Yes, Sir. At two, one, six mark three. HUNTER (nodding) Helm bring us to two, one, six mark three. Make sure that sub doesn't get away from us. (to Robert) I hope we find what you're looking for. ROBERT (smiling, but off in a bit of delusion) Thanks. HUNTER (walking over to the comm panel) Hunter to Wolenczak. CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S QUARTERS Wolenczak is seated at his computer, working. He looks up. WOLENCZAK Wolenczak here. What is it Commander? CUT TO BRIDGE HUNTER (talking into comm again) We have another possible sir. This time it looks _very_ possible. I thought you'd like to know. WOLENCZAK (voice through comm) Thank you, Commander. I'll be right up. ROBERT Can I call my wife up here? Hunter cringes slightly. Not from any dislike of Many Bridger, but just at the mention of a "wife." HUNTER Sure. As Hunter moves away from the comms pane, we see Robert talking to his wife over the com, in the background, Hunter moves over to the communications officer. HUNTER Hail the ship, Ensign. TRUEMAN Aye, Sir. Wolenczak comes onto the bridge. WOLENCZAK Do we know what's up with this ship yet? HUNTER Not yet sir. We're hailing them. Mandy Bridger comes onto the Bridge. The screen in front of them all comes alive. NATHAN BRIDGER _SeaQuest_, this is Nathan Bridger. I believe you've been looking for this man. Michael, a tall 20 year old with sandy blonde hair, steps forward. On the seaQuest bridge faces looking astonished we fade out. END ACT TWO =========================== PART 3 ===================================== ACT THREE FADE IN TO EXT. _SEAQUEST_ _seaQuest_ is right beside another sub. An older sub, but not a "Hunt for Red October" old kind of sub. They are both at full stop. CUT TO BRIDGE Wolenczak is there with Hunter, Trueman and the Bridgers. Nathan Bridger and Michael are on the screen. The entire bridge is staring at them. NATHAN BRIDGER (hereon just "BRIDGER") It seems we have a captive audience. WOLENCZAK (smiling) Captain Bridger. It's been a long time. Bridger and Wolenczak are looking at each other like a re-united father and son would. BRIDGER Fifteen years, Lucas. (looking around at bridge) It seems you're not doing too badly. He smiles. ROBERT Michael...is it really you? MICHAEL (thoughtfully, knowing this day would eventually come) It is, Dad. We did look for you, but then the wars started and we didn't know if we could get around without being detected anymore. It is nice to see you after all these years. WOLENCZAK (cutting in) Hate to break up the family reunion, (addressing the screen) but I'd like for you all to come to the _seaQuest_. It seems we've got a lot of catching up to do. BRIDGER (from the screen) Agreed. CUT TO EXT. SEAQUEST A shuttle exits from Bridger's sub and moves toward the _seaQuest_. Before it can get there a Carolinan attack sub comes up from the silt on the bottom and shoots it down. The shuttle sinks, but does not explode. CUT TO BRIDGE Matthews enters the bridge as alarms start to blare. She hurries to get to her spot. ENSIGN (turning quickly from WSKR panel) The shuttle's been hit, sir! WOLENCZAK (incredulous) _What?!_ ENSIGN (checking his display) A Carolinan attack sub just came out of nowhere! The shuttle's down; I can't tell if there's anyone alive on it. WOLENCZAK (realizing what's happened, then spinning into action) Riller, get a lock on that ship. Trueman, hail the Carolinans. Tell them they've just committed an act of war. (sigh) Go to General Quarters. The siren for General Quarters is heard and the crew hurry to their posts. People begin to run every which way, and the bridge becomes darker with red lights flashing. RILLER I've got a target lock, Sir. TRUEMAN They're not answering the hail. They seem to be-- The ship rocks violently, as it is hit by a barrage of torpedoes. WOLENCZAK (into com) Callan, get skin tolerance to maximum. Keep us afloat! CALLAN (over com) Aye, Sir. HUNTER (looking up from over Ensign's shoulder) Sir? WOLENCZAK What? HUNTER (matter of factly) They're coming around for another hit. WOLENCZAK (anger growing in his face) Mr. Riller, fire lasers across their bow. Make sure they know we're not playing around here. RILLER (in the background) Aye, Sir. ROBERT (desperate, coming up to Wolenczak) What about my son? And my father?! You can't just leave them out there. They may still be alive! Robert looks to the background, where Mandy Bridger is sobbing quietly. WOLENCZAK (off Mandy Bridger, in a more hushed, sympathetic tone than used for his crew) Robert, I have as much love for your father as you do, and I know how much your son means to both of you, but I have to save this boat before I can save them. MATTHEWS (she's been listening to this conversation and she approaches) Sir, if I could offer a solution? WOLENCZAK What would that be, Commander? MATTHEWS As you know, I'm a fully-trained in Marauder pilot, Sir. I'd like to volunteer to take the Marauder Mark IV out and rescue the survivors. Mr. Bridger here is right, they may not have much time. WOLENCZAK (thinking, then looking up at Robert just as much as Matthews) Okay. We'll cover you. But don't hesitate to use the sea-to-air if you have to. It'll be safer for you to escape up there then back here to _seaQuest_. MATTHEWS (nodding) Yes, Sir. (to Robert and Mandy Bridger) Don't worry. I'll bring your son back. Mandy Bridger nods. Matthews runs off bridge as it shakes again. WOLENCZAK (walking up to Riller) It seems they didn't get our message. Fire torpedoes, Alpha one through five. RILLER (pushes buttons on control panel) Torpedoes away, sir. CUT TO EXT. SEAQUEST The _seaQuest_ fires five torpedoes. Three of them hit the Carolinan ship which is moving fast to dodge them. CUT TO SEAQUEST BRIDGE All is as before. RILLER Damn! Only three of them hit sir. ENSIGN (manning the Sensor Station) They're coming around again! WOLENCZAK Helm, take us slowly away. We've still got to be able to give Matthews some cover. (pushing the comm button) Launch Bay, is Matthews still there? MATTHEWS (over comm) I'm heading out now, Captain. WOLENCZAK Good luck Commander, and be careful. MATTHEWS (O.S.) Will do. Launch Bay out. CUT TO EXT. SEAQUEST The Marauder that Matthews is piloting is seen exiting the _seaQuest_. The Carolinan ship seems interested in it, breaking away from its pursuit of the _seaQuest_. The Marauder drops to the bottom of the sea floor to avoid detection. CUT TO BRIDGE Percell enters, checks with Trueman about what's happening. PERCELL What's up? TRUEMAN We've got a Carolinan sub out there firing at us. PERCELL Holy... Percell moves to take over her station from the ensign, who leaves the bridge. PERCELL (checking the panel for information) The Carolinans seem to be on the Marauder now, and they're leaving us alone. WOLENCZAK (nodding at Percell) Give her cover. Helm, take us in, put us between the Carolinans and Matthews. REEDE Coming about to one-five-three-point-six. TRUEMAN We're getting a hail, sir. It's from the Carro-- (beat, she catches herself) _linans_, sir. WOLENCZAK On screen. CAROLINAN COMMANDER We demand that you hand over the renegade Robert Bridger. He is charged with aiding and abetting known defectors from the Carolinan cause. WOLENCZAK (off Robert) What? Robert moves forward. WOLENCZAK On what grounds? CAROLINAN COMMANDER We demand that he be handed over or else we will destroy your ship. Out. He disappears from the screen. WOLENCZAK (turning to Robert) What the hell is that about? ROBERT I have no idea, Lucas. I've never seen that person before in my whole life. WOLENCZAK Well he doesn't seem to be bluffing, because-- PERCELL Sir! They've launched a barrier mine! Impact in five seconds. WOLENCZAK (turning, with look of horror on his face) Hard to port! HUNTER Too late. WOLENCZAK Everybody hang on!! CUT TO EXT. SEAQUEST The huge mine is seen flying for the _seaQuest_'s underbelly. It makes a startling impact as we CUT TO BRIDGE The lights go out. Everyone is hurled around as _seaQuest_ is dealt a devastating blow. CUT TO EXT. SEAQUEST _seaQuest_ rocks in the mine's aftermath. The Carolinan ship goes back after the Marauder, which we see is already docked with the Bridger shuttle. CUT TO INSIDE MARAUDER Matthews is standing at the docking port and hits the switch to open it. It slides open and reveals Nathan Bridger standing with Michael Bridger beside him and Kristin Westphalen in his arms. MATTHEWS I'm Lieutenant Commander Jessie Matthews of the _seaQuest_. I'm here to help. MICHAEL (stepping forward) We've got to get off this shuttle. The pressure is crushing it. MATTHEWS (looking around their shuttle) Agreed. Let's get you into the Marauder; we don't have a lot of time. The Bridgers enter the Marauder Mark IV and Matthews seals the hatch. Matthews and Michael go to the front of the Marauder after making sure Bridger and Westphalen are safely strapped in. The Marauder Mark IV is much bigger than the Marauder Mark II inside, and can hold up to eight people. It is meant mostly for dangerous rescue operations, where there is a need for passenger space and stealth capabilities. MICHAEL Are my parents really on the _seaQuest_? MATTHEWS Yes, but just before I got here they were attacked by the same people who attacked you. We're going to try and get back to _seaQuest_. But if we can't, we've got to escape and get backup. (she pushes a few buttons and the Marauder begins to dislodge from the airlock) CUT TO EXT. MARAUDER The Marauder break away from the shuttle, and the Carolinan ship is right on it. MATTHEWS Damn! They're right on top of us! MICHAEL Who? Matthews looks up at the huge Carolinan ship through the front window of the Marauder MATTHEWS (sarcastically) The Bad Guys. CUT TO EXT. SEAQUEST The _seaQuest_ has collapsed to the bottom on the sea floor and is obviously taking on water from the bubbles that are rising up from it. CUT TO ENGINEERING Callan is working frantically with an engineering team to stop the water from coming in. During this scene there is a huge amount of water pouring into the ship from outside and everyone is shouting over the roar of the water. CALLAN Try and stabilize the pressure! Get a VacPatch from the emergency compartment! _Now_! We've _got_ to seal this hole! Engineer One opens and looks through the compartment before producing the VacPatch. The VacPatch is a circular object which has a large handle. When it is stuffed in a hole, it immediately expands to fill the hole. ENGINEER ONE Here it is sir! CALLAN (grabbing it from him) Good, now increase the pressure! ENGINEER TWO Increasing pressure to three hundred percent! Callan steps forward a little as the flow of water slows down lightly. CALLAN Increase it to four-twenty! ENGINEER TWO (stunned, four hundred and twenty percent pressure is more than humans can normally tolerate without the aid of an aquatic support suit) Sir, the oxygen toxicity could kill us! CALLAN (yelling almost in desperation) Do it! Or we'll never get this hole patched! (beat) And you both get the hell out of here! ENGINEER TWO (reluctantly) Increasing internal pressure to one hundred and fifty percent! Both Engineer One and Two leave quickly. Callan's face shows great amounts of pain as he struggles to stop the convulsions that are racking his body. He moves forward, step by step, and shoves the apparatus into the hole, where it expands and fills the hole. The water stops and Callan collapses, seemingly dead. CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE The camera is above the crew and it pans around showing them all unconscious. There are some stations that are out; most are just flickering sporadically. CUT TO INTERIOR MARAUDER Matthews is piloting; Michael is in the co-pilot seat. MATTHEWS (annoyed) Damn! (then suddenly more sad) _seaQuest_ is down. We can see the _seaQuest_ through the front screen of the Marauder. It still has a few bubbles coming from it, sitting on the bottom looking rather defeated. MATTHEWS I can't believe those Carrot bastards! Where do they get off pulling a stunt like this! (Matthews is fuming) I'll get them for this. They can't sink the _seaQuest_ and not expect something to happen to them. MICHAEL But we've got to get away! That Carolinan ship is still out there! MATTHEWS Yes it is. But Marauder is _the_ most maneuverable stealth vessel under the ocean. Those Carrots don't stand a chance. Matthews' dark side begins to show through in her unhappiness with the situation. MICHAEL What are you talking about? You're not going to face them are you? Kristin is hurt. We need to get back to _seaQuest_! MATTHEWS (losing her temper) _seaQuest_ is dead in the water! (pointing to the Carolinan vessel) _They_ were the ones that did that to her. We destroy _them_, then we get back to _seaQuest_. (regaining a bit of her composure, with a slight sigh) I'll get us back as soon as possible. For now you'll just have to use the emergency med kit that's back in the passenger compartment. You go and look after Captain Bridger and Dr. Westphalen and I'll get us out of this situation. Okay? MICHAEL (reluctantly) All right. He leaves the cockpit as we: FADE OUT END ACT THREE =========================== PART 4 ===================================== ACT FOUR FADE IN TO BRIDGE The camera starts from the main viewscreen, which shows the Carolinan ship, in the distance, hovering above the Marauder. The bridge crew begins to stir. HUNTER (waking groggily, groaning as he rises) What the...? Chief? (he goes straight to Percell) Chief, are you all right? As Percell revives, others on the bridge begin to stir in the background. PERCELL (groggily) Commander? HUNTER (gently) You've been hit hard. Are you sure you're okay? PERCELL Um, I think so. (beat) What happened? HUNTER I think it was the barrier mine. It must have knocked us to the bottom. (beat) You're sure you're all right? PERCELL (getting awkwardly to her feet) Yes, Sir. Should I get us a damage report? HUNTER (smiling) Sure. Hunter finally leaves Percell and goes to the main screen. HUNTER (in a but of shock) Oh my... (beat, turning to Trueman who has also gotten to her station) Ensign, try and raise the Marauder. TRUEMAN (groggily) Sure. Hunter continues around the bridge, checking everybody to make sure they're okay. Riller, some non-coms, then finally Wolenczak. He is lying on the floor, not moving. HUNTER (shaking his head) Damn. RILLER (walking over) What's happened to the captain? HUNTER He's out cold. RILLER Damn! (beat, turning) Don't those Carrot bastards stop at anything? HUNTER (snapping around) I'll trust for you not to use those derogatory terms _Lieutenant_. (beat, softening) Well, seeing as the captain's out cold, I guess you can. Hunter smiles. RILLER (uneasy) Yes... Sir. HUNTER (into com) Bridge to MedBay. Are you people okay down there, Doctor? BURKE (over com) We seem to be fine, Commander. HUNTER We're not. Wolenczak is out cold. I need a med team up here right away. BURKE (over PAL, concerned) Understood. HUNTER (turning outward to bridge) I hope everyone is okay. If you need medical attention I suggest that you go with the medical team that is on its way to assist (off the unconscious Wolenczak) the captain. But for now I need status reports. (beat, turning to Percell) WSKSR readout? PERCELL (off screen) We're sitting on the bottom and there's a patched hole in Engineering. We are not taking on any water. Our outer skin is weak, but regenerating. HUNTER (nodding, punching com) Repair teams to Engineering. (thinking about skin, again into com) Science Officer to the Bridge. (turning, seeing Trueman working on his previous order, skipping her and going on to Riller) Weapons? RILLER (checking display) We've got five tubes ready to go. The others have some minor damage. Forward laser one is gone, but laser two is functioning. HUNTER Good. (turning to Reede) Helm? REEDE (punching some buttons) We have enough lift to get us off the bottom, and we have twenty percent propulsion. It _should_ be enough to get us to a repair station. (beat) If we can get away from the Carolinans, _sir_. TRUEMAN (cutting in strong, but a little cautiously) Commander? I've got our Marauder. HUNTER (turning toward main screen) On screen, Ensign. The Main Screen Flickers and Matthews appears. MATTHEWS _seaQuest_, this is Marauder 7, do you read? HUNTER We read you Commander. What's your status? MATTHEWS We've got a Carolinan ship hovering above us. They're going to attack us; it's just a matter of when. HUNTER (nodding, thinking) Commander, get out of there. Your priority must be to keep Captain Bridger and the others safe. This comment draws a bit of a relieved sigh from Mandy Bridger in the background. MATTHEWS (not sure what to say) Are you sure, Sir? Because _seaQuest_ is not really in a position to hold its own. HUNTER We will be launching two more Marauders to cover you. We'll be fine, Commander, just get those people out of danger. _seaQuest_ will hold its own, because it was designed to do so. MATTHEWS Aye, Sir. I'll wait for the other Marauders. HUNTER (flicking off the com channel) Percell, Reede to the Launch Bay. Suit up for immediate departure. Percell rises and starts to leave. Reede approaches Hunter. HUNTER Is there something wrong, Ensign? REEDE (shyly) Uh, no Sir. (beat) But I haven't had the training in the Marauders that the Chief or the Commander has had. HUNTER Are you suggesting you're incompetent Ensign? REEDE (straightening) No, Sir. Reede takes off, quickly following Percell. The Science Officer, Ensign Anne Morgan enters the bridge. MORGAN (walking up to Hunter) You called me, Sir? HUNTER Yeah. I need you to test the bio-skin. Make sure there's no rips, or small tears that could cause us some problems. MORGAN Yes, Sir. She walks up to her science station. Hunter sighs and turns to his own display as we. CUT TO EXT. _SEAQUEST_ Two Marauders are seen leaving the _seaQuest_. They move off toward the one that contain Matthews and the Bridger group. CUT TO BRIDGE Three non-coms are leaving with Burke and her med team. They are carrying Wolenczak in a stretcher. ENSIGN (manning the Sensor Panel) The Marauders have left the ship sir. HUNTER (with a final glance at what he's been working at on the display) Okay. I've figured out that we should have enough power to get off the bottom, fire a few shots at the other ship to get it to back off and get our Marauders back. (beat, no one objects) Let's do it. The Bridge bustles to activity as everyone prepares for this task. The ship is heard to groan a bit as it begins to lift off the bottom. CUT TO SECOND MARAUDER Percell is piloting this one, with Reede following close behind. Her panel beeps. PERCELL (over helmet com to Reede) That's our signal. Let's make our move. REEDE (O.C.) I'll follow you in. CUT TO EXT. MARAUDERS The Marauders move toward the one containing Matthews and the others. The Carolinan ship begins to move toward the group of Marauders. CUT TO BRIDGE ENSIGN (again from sensor station) The Carolinan ship is making its move! Bearing down on the Marauders. HUNTER (tight, turning to non-com at helm) Bring us up. As much thrust as we can get. (to Riller) Are the torpedoes ready? RILLER Yes, Sir. HUNTER (looking at screen again) Good. (now turning to Trueman) Hail the Marauders. TRUEMAN (pushes a few buttons) On screen now, Sir. The screen is split into three faces-- those of Matthews, Percell and Reede. HUNTER Get out of there. Now. All of you. Matthews starts to object. HUNTER (cutting her off) The _seaQuest_ can handle the problem. We have enough power to start this fight and I don't think that the Carolinans will want to finish it. (beat) Now I want all of you to go to the air. Stay up there until the Carolinan ship is gone. If you have to, go to Millstone. That's our closest UEO Landing site. MATTHEWS (with a slight bit of anger) Aye, Sir. Marauders out. CUT TO EXT. MARAUDERS MATTHEWS (O.C.) Preparing for sea-to-air engagement. The hydraulic gears shift and the ship blows its ballast. With a slight sound of hydraulics, the ships become ready for sea-to-air maneuvers. MATTHEWS (O.C.) Air mode engaged. Let's go! The Marauders all head out of the ocean. At a very slight angle they begin to penetrate the surface. The Carolinan ship moves up from the bottom and fires its lasers. Reede's Marauder is hit. CUT TO INTERIOR MARAUDER The Marauder is spinning and falling to the ocean floor. REEDE (scared but not wanting to show it) Wonderful. Hunter forces me into a Marauder, and now I'm plummeting to my death. (beat) This has turned out to be a great day. CUT TO EXT. MARAUDER It continues its rapid tumble toward the bottom. CUT TO EXT. _SEAQUEST_ The _seaQuest_ rises up off the bottom to meet the Carolinan ship. CUT TO BRIDGE ENSIGN (turning from the sensor panel, eyes wide in horror) Oh my god. Sir! Reede's been hit by the Carolinans! HUNTER (sighing) Great. Just great. (beat, to noncom at helm) Helm, get us to him, ASAP. (beat) Mr. Riller. Prepare grapnels. CUT TO EXT. _SEAQUEST_ The _seaQuest_ approaches the Marauder, its grapnels fire and attach themselves. CUT TO REEDE'S MARAUDER The marauder is jerked to a stop as the grapnel latches onto it. Reede is shaken, getting what could turn into a severe case of whiplash. He recovers after a few seconds, looks around, realizes that no, he is _not_ going to die, and sighs in relief. CUT TO BRIDGE The bridge crew is anxiously awaiting what Hunter is going to do. HUNTER (staring at the screen, pushing com button) Carolinan Vessel, this is Commander Jason Hunter of the _seaQuest_. (beat, allows that to sink in) We do not take you shooting at our Marauders lightly. Beat. There is no reply, Hunter sits patiently. The screen comes to life with the image of the Carolinan captain. CAPTAIN (with contempt) You do not take it lightly? We do not take you harboring a criminal from us lightly. If you turn over Robert now, we will leave you alone. If not, we will destroy you. HUNTER (not missing a beat) I seem to think that you are in UEO jurisdiction, and therefore we are not subject to any of your "laws". We will study Mr. Bridger's background and if it is found that he has done something illegal against the _UEO_ charter then he will be put into custody. CAPTAIN (cutting him off) That's not good enough. He is charged under our laws and will be tried under _our_ laws. Hunter is just about to start arguing when Wolenczak comes onto the Bridge. WOLENCZAK That's not an option Captain. _seaQuest_ out. HUNTER (with slight annoyance for having been interrupted) I could have handled it, Sir. WOLENCZAK I don't doubt it, Commander. But it _is_ my boat. I think I've gotten it in enough trouble already. ENSIGN (cutting in quietly) Uh, Sir? WOLENCZAK (breaking Hunter's glare) Yes, Chief? ENSIGN We've got Ensign Reede's Marauder aboard. He's in MedBay right now. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Good. (beat) Are the Carolinans still sitting there? PERCELL Yes, Sir. They are. WOLENCZAK (turning to Trueman) Get me the Carolinan captain. TRUEMAN (pushing buttons again) On screen, Sir. The Carolinan Captain appears again. CAPTAIN (with annoyance) Unless you're telling me that you're handing over the renegade, I don't believe we have anything to say. WOLENCZAK (smiling) I think we do. Your confederation may be strong, and you may have stockpiled many smuggled weapons; But do you really think your fleet can defeat the UEO? (beat, not really expecting a response) Because I don't. I would suggest that you leave this area and return to your own waters right now. Before I legally and according to UEO laws am allowed to blast you out of the water. The Carolinan captain realizes he has no leverage. CAPTAIN This is not over, Captain. There will come a day where _seaQuest_ will be a shattered hulk on the sea floor. And I will be there. You can count on it. The Carolinan Captain disappears from the screen. WOLENCZAK (with a sigh) I'll never understand the unbridled hate that those kind of men must have for peace. (shaking his head and walking off) You have the bridge, Mr. Hunter. As Wolenczak attempts to leave, Robert enters from the MagLev. ROBERT (entering the bridge) Lucas, I need to speak with you. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Agreed. Let's go to my office. They walk down the hall silently and enter Wolenczak's office. As Wolenczak enters, he goes to his desk and sits. He motions for Robert to do the same. WOLENCZAK (not playing nice) I assume this is about the accusations the Carolinans have made against you? ROBERT (nodding) Yeah. I just wanted to tell you they are completely-- WOLENCZAK (smiling) Untrue. ROBERT What? How did you...? WOLENCZAK I didn't get to be the captain of the UEO flagship without resources Robert. I had your case checked out and found you were not guilty of any crimes under UEO jurisdiction. It was just the damn Carolinans stirring up trouble again. ROBERT (smiling, getting up) Thanks Lucas. I owe you one. WOLENCZAK (rising as well) Forget about it. You're a family friend. They both exit the office and enter the MagLev. END ACT FOUR =========================== PART 5 ===================================== ACT FIVE FADE IN TO _SEAQUEST_ BERTH Caption Reads: Docked at San Diego Three days later CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S QUARTERS Wolenczak is sitting on his bed, looking at pictures of him and his father, him and Captain Bridger, him and Julianna, etc. There is a knock at the door. WOLENCZAK (looking up from pictures) Come in. Westphalen enters the room. WESTPHALEN Hello, Lucas. WOLENCZAK (a bit surprised) Uh, Doctor. It's nice to see you again. I had thought you were injured? WESTPHALEN (smiling) I was. But your gracious doctor fixed me up again. She reminds me a bit of what I was like here on _seaQuest_. WOLENCZAK (starting to catch Westphalen's smile) Yeah, she's a feisty one. WESTPHALEN I'm here on behalf of everyone. We'd all like to thank you for helping us. (beat) I know this must be hard; Nathan and I just showing up at the same time as Robert and his wife. Plus with Jonathan having been in that accident. (shaking her head) And the countless other things that have happened since we last spoke. WOLENCZAK (quietly) It's been tough. But I've gotten through it all and I'm trying to help the world here on _seaQuest_. Because it's the only real home that I've known. WESTPHALEN (sitting down on his bed) Have you ever just talked to anyone? Ever gotten any of those enclosed feelings out? WOLENCZAK (still quiet, sitting at his desk) I...Not really. I've been able to beat it so far. (beat) I like being the captain, but I also hate it. I don't want to have to order these kids to their deaths. A few of them are just like me when we got back. I don't want to ruin their lives. WESTPHALEN (sympathetic) Oh, Lucas. You won't let them down. Think about how you used to adore Captain Bridger, and how much you trusted him. Nothing he did could have made you dislike him in the slightest! (beat) That's the way your crew looks at you too Lucas. Wolenczak doesn't look very convinced. WESTPHALEN (continuing) You've taken the best of both worlds. The humanity and compassion for all life that Nathan taught and the hard edged military decision making that Hudson preached. You are their legacy, Lucas. Live your life to the fullest and never regret the past. The present is too precious to spend on regrets of the past. WOLENCZAK (with a smile and a few tears) I've missed both you and the Captain so much. (beat) I'm sorry I didn't come to visit you more often. I had so many things happen in my life, I didn't think to come and see you again. Then the war, and... (cutting himself off) You get the picture. WESTPHALEN (smiling) It's good to see you again Lucas. As Westphalen and Wolenczak hug we: CUT TO BRIDGE Matthews, now returned from the Marauder is giving Michael Bridger a tour of the Bridge. MATTHEWS (in mid-sentence) ...we can control it all. It's really amazing when you think that the whole ship can be controlled by one little console. (beat) Now we move on to-- MICHAEL (cutting her off, whispering) Can we go for dinner or something? I've been on the old _seaQuest_ before and I'd much rather be eating dinner with such a beautiful woman than being told about your boat. MATTHEWS (unsure, he is a _lot_ younger than her) Well... (beat) okay. The two go off to the MagLev. Riller and Trueman exchange glances across the bridge. Trueman holds up four fingers. RILLER (pushing a button on his control panel, talking through his headset) You there Becca? TRUEMAN (smiling, talking into her headset as well) Of course! Can you believe the commander? She just folded to that guy! He's gotta be like what (exaggerating) _thirty_ years younger then her? I thought that she was stronger than that! RILLER But he had a great line. (beat, jokingly) I gotta remember that one. TRUEMAN Oh Puh-_leese_! (mockingly) "I'd much rather be having dinner with a beautiful woman..." That's the most pathetic thing I've ever heard! If a guy used that on me I'd laugh in his face! RILLER Well, not every girl would like that line. You gotta choose your lines based on how much you know the girl and-- PERCELL (Cutting into the channel) Is this the dating tips line? Do you guys have any tips for me? TRUEMAN (surprised) Percell!? PERCELL Well, you guys can't have _all_ the fun. So who are you talking about anyways? Matthews? RILLER (smiling) We _were_. Why? PERCELL I dunno. I think she and Bridger's kid would make a good couple! TRUEMAN Bridger's kid? There's the sound of a throat clearing over the channel. Percell, Trueman and Riller all turn to look in the direction of the sound. It's Hunter. They all turn away hurriedly and switch off their headsets. Mysteriously, three or four other crew members shut off their headsets as well. CUT TO MESS HALL Wolenczak enters, and is greeted by a crew member. CREWMAN Hello, sir. Wolenczak nods in response, then shifts his gaze to the room, scanning it quickly. He spots Bridger and Westphalen sitting at a table with Robert and Mandy. He heads toward them. WOLENCZAK (addressing the table) Hello. Mind if I join you? All look up. Michael and Robert appear hesitant, but Westphalen and Bridger scoot over a bit. Bridger pats the seat next to him. WOLENCZAK I don't want to intrude, but I just saw you all here and-- It dawns on Robert that Wolenczak is like another son to his father. Robert realizes that Bridger would like he and Wolenczak to be friends. ROBERT You're not intruding, Lucas. We were just kind of talking about you anyways. WOLENCZAK (a bit defensive) About me? MANDY BRIDGER Nothing bad! We were just saying how great it was of you to get us all together for this time, even though it is short. Wolenczak realizes what Mandy Bridger has just said. WOLENCZAK Short? BRIDGER (a bit more solemnly) We're going to have to leave soon, Lucas. Robert is needed back at his colony and the Doctor and I have decided to take him and his wife up on their offer. We're going to go live at their colony. It's peaceful and it's a place to rest. WESTPHALEN (adding) After all the running around we've been doing lately, it's going to be a welcome change. WOLENCZAK (lightening up) I'm sure it's going to be great having the Bridger family back together again. As laughing, smiles and stories erupt from around the table, we: CUT TO MEDBAY Burke is attending to various patients who are lying in beds. None are very seriously injured. She approaches Callan. BURKE (looking at his body readouts) You're doing better, Mister Callan. (smiles) Are you _feeling_ better? CALLAN (groaning) Aside from the incredible pain that I have every time I breathe, I think that I'm okay. BURKE (shaking her head with slight concern) That's your lungs reacting to the oxygen toxicity. (sigh) You almost died. (beat) You're just lucky those engineers pulled you out post haste or there would have been permanent damage. The com panel beside Callan's bed beeps. It's Trueman. Burke nods and begins to attend to other patients. TRUEMAN Uh, Commander? CALLAN (trying to sit up) Yes, Lieutenant, what is it? TRUEMAN It's your wife. She's requesting to talk to you. (beat) Are you up to it, Sir? CALLAN (nodding, mostly to himself) Yeah. Sure. Put her through, Lieutenant. Thanks. TRUEMAN No problem. Here you go. The vidlink panel on the wall lights up with Kelly's face. KELLY (shocked and concerned) Greg! Honey, are you all right? CALLAN (smiling) Yeah. (faltering a little bit from his pain) Um, yeah. KELLY (shaking her head) Greg, I don't know why you love being an engineer so much. What did you do this time? CALLAN (acting noble) I fixed a hole in the side of the ship! KELLY (not amused) Don't you have some kind of officer with a red shirt on to do those kind of risky things? Or do they not have those things in the (mockingly) UEO. CALLAN Kelly. I think you've been watching too much old TV. (beat, realizing something) Hey! I thought that you swore off those television shows, saying they were too primitive or something, right? KELLY (smiling seductively) We both have our faults, Greg. That's one of the things that helps us keep a lighter perspective on things. CALLAN (quietly) _Very_ light. KELLY (just hearing it) Greg! CALLAN (snickering) I'm sorry. That was bad. But I do feel better now, thanks Kel. Callan smiles evilly. KELLY You are a little devil, do you know that? Burke clears her throat audibly in the background. BURKE Commander? (beat) Not in my MedBay please. CALLAN Uh, sorry, Doctor. (to the screen) Sorry Kel. Gotta go. I'll call you again later from my quarters. KELLY Sure. CALLAN You are back at the Institute now? KELLY Yeah. Talk to you later. (beat, with a devious grin) Love you Gregie-Poo! Kelly disappears from the screen. Callan just stares at the blank screen for awhile shaking his head. He doesn't turn for fear of Burke's evil gaze. CUT TO HALLWAY This can be any hallway on the boat. Wolenczak is waking with Bridger as they talk. We enter in the middle of their conversation. WOLENCZAK I'm happy you've finally found Robert, Captain. BRIDGER (sighing) You're how old Lucas? And you're still calling me Captain? (beat, smiling, almost chuckling) I guess some things _never_ change. WOLENCZAK (smiling inwardly) I never got used to the notion that you and I were the same rank. I guess that's sort of ignorant of me, but to me you'll always be Captain Bridger. BRIDGER "Captain Bridger" huh? (smiling) I haven't been called that in a long time. (beat) I'd still prefer it if you called me Nathan. WOLENCZAK (laughing) Just let me call you captain Bridger for now, maybe on your next visit I'll get to "Nathan". (beat, the moment passes) So you're gonna go and live on a secluded colony to get away from it all? BRIDGER (nodding) Something like that. But I do check in with UEO Science every so often, Lucas. I can certainly call you on the vidlink to see what you're doing with this boat. (beat, looks around the hall) This boat. (shakes head) How'd you convince the UEO to redesign it so much? WOLENCZAK I actually wasn't that big of a part in it. I gave them some ideas, including the new tougher, more resistant bio-skin. But I was stationed on the _Pegasus_ while this boat was being designed. (in tight, quieter) To tell you the truth, I had no idea that this boat was even done until I was assigned it. And Katie kind of forced me into the job. BRIDGER (nodding) That does sound like Katie. How is she by the way? WOLENCZAK Katie? She's...Katie. She did granted your son use of the _seaQuest_ though. BRIDGER (sighing, in total retrospect) I once said that I never pictured you as career navy Lucas, but I can see that it's worked out just fine. I hope you're enjoying _seaQuest_ as much as I think you are. WOLENCZAK I am, Captain. Actually I (cuts himself off) Oh! I just remembered! When we docked, I had a surprise for you brought on board. Wolenczak begins to pick up pace as they near his quarters. Bridger smiles again and follows. CUT TO MICHAEL'S QUARTERS Michael and Matthews are just finishing dinner. MATTHEWS Thank you so much. That was really sweet. I haven't had real food in awhile. (beat) When you're on ten-month sub rotation you can only get real food when one of two thigns happen. You get shore leave or you rescue a gratefull colony from some deadly sea creature. Michael ponders the "deadly sea creature" line with a curious lok then dismisses it. MICHAEL (reaching out to touch Jessie's hand) I can understand. (beat, smiling) At our colony we have real food. MATTHEWS (a bit surprised) What are you saying? MICHAEL (sigh) I know it's only been a short while, but I think that maybe we're clicking here. I'm asking you to come back to the colony with my family and me. MATTHEWS This... This is too quick Michael. I have duties here on _seaQuest_ and I'm a lot older then you. I have a career to consider and you have a lot of life left to live. (trying to make him feel better) I'd only slow you down, and that's not what you need right now. (beat, with a sad face) I'm sorry Michael. But I just can't do that. (beat) This was a lovely dinner and I have to be going. I'm _really_ sorry. Matthews leaves Michael sitting completely still as we: CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S QUARTERS Wolenczak is holding something in his hand, hiding it from Bridger. WOLENCZAK (turning) I present to you (revealing the object in his hand) A real, 100% beef, with cheese, and all the other toppings, pure juicy American hamburger. Wolenczak smiles and sits the burger down in front of Bridger. BRIDGER (starting to laugh, off burger) Wanna share a court martial with me? Bridger's laughing gets louder and Wolenczak, who was at first confused, joins in. They are near tears as we: CUT TO EXT. _SEAQUEST_ Caption Reads-- _seaQuest DSV 4600III_ Docked at San Diego The next day. CUT TO LAUNCH BAY Many crew members are present, including most of the bridge crew, save Hunter, Riller and Trueman. The Bridgers are all saying good-bye. Each of the Bridgers are shaking hands in turn. From Percell, to Callan, to Reede, to Matthews, to Wolenczak. Michael gets to Matthews. MICHAEL I'm... (beat) ...sorry for what happened. I don't know what I was thinking, and I'm asking you to forgive me. MATTHEWS (smiles) It's fine! And if you were a few years older, and if I wasn't an officer, I might have considered it. But I have too much to do here right now. (beat) But hey, (slaps Michael playfully across the shoulder) keep in touch right? MICHAEL (smiling) Of course. As Robert and Michael and Mandy pass Wolenczak they all thank him for re-uniting them. Westphalen gets to Wolenczak WESTPHALEN It's so sad to have to leave so quickly, Lucas. I wish we could stay. WOLENCZAK (smiling) I wish you _were_ staying. But I know you have to get to the colony. (beat, getting more official) We've asked two Marauders from the San Diego base to escort you as far as you want so you can be assured a smooth ride. We would have escorted you ourselves, but there's more tensions building over on the other side of the continent that _seaQuest_ has to be there for. WESTPHALEN Thanks for everything. (she moves forward and hugs Wolenczak) Take care, Lucas. Don't let the world take you over. WOLENCZAK (whispering into her ear) I won't. And thank you, too. Westphalen moves to enter the Bridger sub as Bridger gets to Lucas. BRIDGER You're the best, Lucas. I don't think that I've told you that enough. I never want to say good-bye to you, so I won't. Just keep up the good work and I'll stay in touch. WOLENCZAK (smiling) Thank you. I wish you and your family the best. Bridger nods, and goes to enter sub. He turns before climbing in and offers one last wave. Wolenczak returns the wave as the Bridger starts to climb in. WOLENCZAK (smiling) Good luck and take care of that family. (beat) Nathan. Bridger's smile gets wider as he descends into the sub and it begins to leave the ship. CUT TO EXT. _SEAQUEST_--CGI Bridger's sub exits the _seaQuest_ and is joined by two Marauders. We see them shoot away and the camera pans back to a _seaQuest_ window where Wolenczak watches them go. There is a big smile on his face. FADE OUT THE END. ==========================================================================