Date: Sun, 7 Sep 1997 17:04:10 -0700 From: "Vicky & Bob" To: Cc: Subject: (SQFF) 2047/"A Time to Every Purpose" (teaser) Message-Id: <199709080006.TAA10322@smtp.gte.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit seaQuest 2047 "A Time to Every Purpose" By Victoria Morgan Hyde Publication Draft Monday, August 25, 1997 Based on _seaQuest DSV_ and _seaQuest 2032_. Special thanks to Leah Fredrickson, R.N., for keeping me well-grounded in medical fact; and to someone who wants to be anonymous...you know who you are and what you did.—VMH TEASER OPEN ON MARAUDER ONE Lieutenant Commander Jessie Matthews is piloting. Doctor Meridith Burke is strapped in next to her. They are fairly relaxed as Lieutenant Commander William Goodwin's voice comes over com. GOODWIN (over com) ...So there she was, this green little junior grade lieutenant, thrown into fighter school because she was the last one left on her boat with any qualifications--or any desire--to be there. I _had_ to take pity on her and make sure she learned the ropes. Burke looks sideways at Matthews, chuckling. BURKE _You_? Green? MATTHEWS (shrugging) Everybody has to start somewhere. (beat, into com) But why don't you tell them the whole story, _Lost Dog_? There is a pause for a second, followed by the voice of Ensign Tom Reede over the com. He sounds a bit incredulous. REEDE (over com) Lost Dog?! GOODWIN (coughing for a moment, over com) Umm, never mind that, Ensign. (beat, muttering) Never going to let me live that down, are ya. Matthews looks pleased with herself as she continues to pilot the Marauder. Burke just raises an eyebrow and watches her. CUT TO MINING RIG PASSAGEWAY Signs painted on the wall indicate this is "Level 3" of the mine. Lieutenant Commander Greg Callan, Chief Petty Officer Sara Percell, Ensign Anne Morgan, Doctor Brian Alexander, and Jason Hunter start moving down toward the docking bay. As they turn a corner into another corridor, a hatch they are passing opens up. Andrea Berger pops out into the middle of the group, grabs the nearest warm body--Percell, and shoots at Alexander, hitting him in the arm. When he is hit, Alexander crumples. Morgan moves quickly to his side, while Hunter charges back, firing. A small firefight ensues while Callan and Morgan move Alexander to safety behind some equipment. Berger ducks back down the corridor, using Percell as a shield, as Hunter moves over to Callan and Morgan, still firing occasionally at Berger. CUT TO OUTRIDER TWO WEAPONS TECH STATION Goodwin is talking with Ensign Tom Reede. We see Reede on one of the monitors at the station. GOODWIN I know the doc, and Callan. I met Percell at that post-mortem of the Outrider test. But who the hell's Morgan? REEDE (over com) She's the science officer. About five feet tall, auburn hair--she wears it up... GOODWIN (dismissively) Oh, her. I saw her at mess. Looks like she wouldn't say "boo" to a goose. I'll bet she's freaking out over all this. REEDE Don't be so sure. Goodwin shakes his head. GOODWIN Yeah, whatever. (beat, back to business) Hang on a second. There she is, Perseus Three Mine. Hmmm, the readings show no emissions, but-- (shocked) _Sweet mother of..._! CUT TO EXTERIOR MINING RIG--CGI The shot is from above and behind the Outrider, looking at the mine complex. In the upper left corner of the screen, an exterior bulkhead seems to melt, releasing a stream of bubbles and debris upward. CUT TO OUTRIDER TWO WEAPONS TECH STATION Goodwin is staring at his screen, watching the collapse. Matthews' voice comes over the com, sounding a bit shakier. MATTHEWS (over com) I'm showing that was the north shaft dome that just collapsed. The main docking ring was to the south... (beat) ...And it's still showing as intact. (beat) We'd better get this over with as quickly as possible. GOODWIN (nodding agreement) Right. (beat, to Reede's image) Okay, Reede, begin docking...and take her in easy. Or I won't let you borrow the keys again. CUT TO EXTERIOR MINING RIG--CGI Marauder One and Outrider Two begin docking with the rig. CUT TO MINING RIG HALLWAY Berger and Hunter are still trading shots. BERGER (calling out) Commander Hunter, I don't recall inviting you to join this group. (beat) But since you're here, you can die with the rest of them. Berger hits Percell once on the back of the head, knocking her unconscious. BERGER (to Percell's unconscious form) You're my insurance policy... (beat) But the rest of you are excess baggage now. Have a nice trip. Berger pulls a grenade from her jacket, activates the timer, and throws it expertly. As soon as the grenade leaves her hand, she pulls Percell's body through the hatch behind her and seals it shut. Camera tightens in on the four hostages; the grenade sails in and lands among them. It clatters for a moment, then stops up against a 55-gallon drum, timer side up. CUT TO MINING RIG DOCKING BAY As Matthews, Burke, Goodwin and Reede emerge. MATTHEWS (looking around) What a mess. This place looks like the warranty expired a _long_ time ago. REEDE So...which way do you want to go? MATTHEWS (pointing to the right) Let's split up...Mad Dog, you and Reede go that way... (pointing left) ...And the doctor and I will check this way. REEDE I'd rather-- He is cut off by the sound of Berger's grenade exploding. The four look at each other in horror. FADE TO OPENING CREDITS END TEASER ----- "Among those whom I like or admire, I can find no common denominator, but among those whom I love, I can: all of them make me laugh." (W.H. Auden) -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Date: Mon, 8 Sep 1997 07:17:48 -0700 From: "Vicky & Bob" To: Cc: Subject: (SQFF) 2047/"A Time to Every Purpose" (Act One) Message-Id: <199709081414.JAA10798@smtp.gte.net> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit ACT ONE OPEN ON MINING RIG DOCKING BAY All is as before. The next few lines are spoken quickly. GOODWIN What the?! MATTHEWS (pointing) That way! She and Goodwin start running. BURKE Grab that medkit! Reede turns and picks up the medkit, which he hands to Burke as they also run off in the direction of the explosion. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB Berger drags Percell, still unconscious, to a seat, straps her in, and starts a rush startup of her sub. CUT TO EXTERIOR MINING RIG--CGI We see Berger's sub detach from the rig...its external skin field camouflaging hid the fact that it was docked very near the Marauder. Outrider Two, however, is not visible due to the curve of the docking ring. CUT TO MINING RIG HALLWAY As the smoke clears, we see Alexander and Callan lying inert on the ground, both partially buried under wreckage. Morgan pushes some debris off herself and gets up, dabbing at blood seeping from a deep scrape on her forehead. Hunter also begins to rise. Other than being dirty, he seems to have come through all right. As Hunter approaches Alexander, Morgan sees Callan and rushes over to him. She stops short, horror on her face. MORGAN (shocked) God... Hunter is bent down, checking Alexander's pulse. He shakes his head once and looks over at Morgan. HUNTER (bluntly) Alexander's dead. How's Callan? MORGAN Doesn't look good. There's a lot of blood. Help me get this stuff off him. Hunter joins her and they move the debris that partially covers Callan's body. Once he's clear, they both stop, aghast. Morgan's shock only lasts a second, as she quickly bends and checks for heartbeat and breathing. Hunter shakes his head. HUNTER (flatly) There's no way he'll still be alive. MORGAN (sharply) Shut up and get down here and help me. HUNTER Morgan, his left arm and leg are _gone_! Morgan is quickly stripping off her uniform shirt, leaving just the white T-shirt beneath. She begins to tie it tightly around Callan's left leg, just below the knee joint. Just below that is...nothing. MORGAN Dammit, Hunter, he's alive. And we can save him. (beat, commanding) Give me your bootlaces. HUNTER (demanding) Do you even _know_ what you're doing? MORGAN (sharply) _Now!_ Despite his skepticism, he begins rapidly pulling the laces from his boots. MORGAN (less edgy, but without stopping working) I cross-trained as an emergency medical technician. (beat) His heartbeat's pretty slow, but that's good. With injuries like this, he loses a unit of blood every time it beats. We've got to stop the bleeding as best we can. Hunter hands her his laces, which she then ties around the shirt on Callan's leg. Morgan's hands and arms are by now covered with blood, and there's a lot of Callan's blood on her clothing as well. MORGAN Okay, can you get the laces out of my boots while I check for head injuries? She sits by Callan's head as Hunter yanks the laces from her boots. She carefully checks his head, then nods as Hunter hands her the laces. Morgan hurriedly ties off Callan's arm. As she does, various creaks and groans emit from the superstructure of the mining rig. HUNTER That explosion must have done more than just throw things around in here... MORGAN I think he's unconscious from shock, but not from any kind of head trauma. HUNTER You think he'll make it? MORGAN (very quietly) He has to. As she says the words, Callan's shallow breathing stops. Morgan checks his pulse again, and her face falls. MORGAN Don't do this, Greg! She begins chest compressions for CPR. MORGAN (to Hunter) Can you do the breathing? Hunter nods, then takes his place at Callan's head. They continue CPR, as Morgan keeps up a steady monologue directed at Callan. MORGAN Come on, Greg, don't give in...you've got to be strong. (beat) You made a promise to Kelly that you'd come back to her at the end of this tour. (beat, fiercely determined) I am _not_ going to let you break it. I am _not_. (beat, near tears) Your wife is _not_ going to stand in a field of headstones and tell you how much she misses you. (beat) It happened to me...I refuse to let that happen to Kelly... She stops to check his vital signs again. Hunter merely watches. It's not that he doesn't care, but he accepts that there's little or nothing he can do. Morgan, however, is not so resigned. MORGAN (yelling) Dammit, Gregory Scott Callan, you _will not_ die! As she says this, the rescue party comes upon them. Burke needs only one look at the situation to start jerking open her medical kit as she kneels at Morgan's side. Camera pulls away from them as Reede's and Matthews' faces register their sudden comprehension: that's _Hunter_ standing there. They quickly draw their weapons. Goodwin doesn't quite recognize Hunter, but he draws his weapon too. MATTHEWS (venomously) Hunter! I should have figured you'd be involved. Goodwin now knows who he's looking at. A slow smile spreads across his face. GOODWIN Hunter, huh? I always wanted to meet you. (smile fading, deadly serious) You know what Texans do to traitors? Matthews gives Goodwin a withering glance and opens her mouth to speak, but Morgan speaks sharply from behind him. MORGAN No! This isn't the wild west, you idiot. He's on _our_ side this time. Goodwin gives Morgan a _look_ over his shoulder, but lowers his weapon...slightly. REEDE Our side, huh? HUNTER (weakly) Look, I was just...out patrolling...when I picked up Percell's signal. REEDE (demanding) Where _is_ Percell? HUNTER That woman took her before she tossed the grenade. Find her, you'll find Percell. Matthews looks at him skeptically as we... CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The boat moves very slowly through the water...obviously, repair work is not yet complete and the engines are nowhere near full capacity. CUT TO BRIDGE Captain Lucas Wolenczak is standing behind the communications console, where Ensign Rebecca Trueman is seated. Lieutenant Justin Riller is visible in the background, monitoring the tactical station. Other positions are staffed by extras. We see a variety of facial expressions, from relief to shock. Matthews' voice is heard over com, broken up and filled with static due to the damage to the systems. The general effect is that the bridge is being held together with chewing gum and baling wire, but is still functioning. MATTHEWS (over com, audio only) ...So DeSmitt took Percell with her. She must have got away pretty fast, because we saw no sign of her, but Hunter says he has an idea of where they might be headed. (beat) The doctor says Callan's stable enough to move, but she needs to get him back to the boat as fast as possible. WOLENCZAK Do you trust Hunter on this one? MATTHEWS (over com) Not on his own, no. (beat) But he _did_ try to rescue our folks. That has to count for something. Wolenczak thinks over his options. WOLENCZAK We won't be able to send you another Marauder for at least six hours. MATTHEWS (over com) We don't really have a choice, Captain. Wolenczak slowly blows out a breath, unhappy. WOLENCZAK No, we don't. But I don't have to be happy about it either. (decisively) Okay, you go along with Hunter. (beat) Is Goodwin recovered enough to pilot Outrider Two on his own? CUT TO MINING RIG DOCKING BAY Alexander's body is now wrapped in a blanket, face covered. Callan, too, is wrapped in blankets. Morgan is holding an IV bag as Burke prepares Callan for transit. Goodwin is standing beside Matthews, who is holding a PAL. Hunter is leaning against the wall, off to one side. GOODWIN Sure am, Captain. BURKE (calling out) No, Sir, he's not. WOLENCZAK (over PAL) Doctor, can he pilot you and Callan, and Morgan, back in Marauder One? BURKE (thoughtfully) Well, Sir, I... MORGAN (cutting her off) I can do it. Matthews turns and looks at her. MATTHEWS Are you sure? MORGAN (definitely) I've piloted the launches enough. And I was out with Riller once, remember? (beat) You need Goodwin with the Outrider. Let me do this. CUT TO BRIDGE Wolenczak is thinking over what he's heard. WOLENCZAK All right. Do it. Matthews, you and Hunter take point. Outrider Two will cover you. (beat) I don't need to tell you how important this is. MATTHEWS (over com) Understood, Sir. Matthews out. Wolenczak heaves a big sigh as he looks around the bridge. WOLENCZAK Trueman, tell MedBay what to expect. (beat) The rest of you, keep on working on getting these systems back online. (beat) Riller, you have the conn. He exits the bridge. CUT TO MINING RIG DOCKING BAY The noises from the rig are getting louder as Hunter and Reede start carrying Callan to Marauder One. Alexander's body has already been taken aboard. Matthews pulls Burke aside as Morgan gets rather shakily to her feet. MATTHEWS (quietly) Look, I think she can handle this, but I want you to keep a com line open just in case. If she shows any signs of...not being able to do it...we'll get to you as soon as we can. Burke nods. Goodwin enters from the Marauder's hatch and approaches them. GOODWIN (matter-of-factly) Callan is secured in the passenger compartment, and we've stowed Alexander's remains in the hold for you. Everything's secure. Reede's already got Outrider warmed up. There is a loud groan and a creak, followed by the sound of rushing water close by. Goodwin, Burke and Matthews all look carefully at the bulkhead and hatch leading into the station. It slowly starts to bend inward under pressure of the water. GOODWIN (staying calm) I hate to break up this party, but if we don't leave now, we won't be leaving at all. MATTHEWS (nodding) Right. Let's go. GOODWIN You got it. He starts to leave, the turns back to Morgan. GOODWIN (friendly) Hey, short stuff. Good job back there. Burke leaves. Morgan starts to follow, but turns back and addresses Goodwin. MORGAN Reede's piloting, huh? (beat, wryly) If Tom's the Lone Ranger, does that make you Tonto? She then turns and exits, leaving Goodwin gaping after her. Matthews chuckles for a second, then heads down the passageway to Hunter's vessel. MATTHEWS (calling out as she exits) Come on, Mad Dog, get moving! CUT TO EXTERIOR MINING RIG--CGI As the Marauder, Outrider, and Hunter's sub detach from the rig, it begins to collapse. GOODWIN (V.O.) She's spirited...just like a green-broke filly. I like that in a woman. CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB Matthews is laughing, shaking her head. MATTHEWS Oh, she's no filly, Mad Dog. And definitely _not_ your speed. GOODWIN (over com) Huh? CUT TO OUTRIDER WEAPONS TECH STATION MATTHEWS (over com) Will, she's got a kid. Lost her husband in the war. And trust me, she's _not_ for you. Goodwin gets a sly grin on his face...he seems to like a challenge. GOODWIN I'll be the judge of that, Bright Eyes. CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB Matthews' face reads, "When will he ever learn?" Hunter looks totally lost by the conversation. MATTHEWS (fondly) Mad Dog...shut up. CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S OFFICE Wolenczak is on vidlink with UEO Headquarters. On the other end of the vidlink, we see Secretary General Katherine Hitchcock, Defense Minister Andrew Langson and Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Wallace Robinson. WOLENCZAK (continuing, his manner professional) ...The explosion killed Doctor Alexander and severely injured Lieutenant Commander Callan. DeSmitt escaped in the confusion afterward, and still has one of my crew with her. Robinson is nodding as he hears this, making notes on a pad. Hitchcock looks defeated, while Langson looks shaken by the turn of events. ROBINSON Do you have any speculation about where DeSmitt took your crewperson? LANGSON (interrupting) The _hell_ with DeSmitt. The priority here has to be the Outrider. (to Wolenczak) The loss of this weapons system to Carolinan forces could shift the balance of power even more. You _have_ to make finding and recovering it the highest priority. ROBINSON (calmly) Minister, calm down. These events are all tied together. Hitchcock hears this and darts a quick look at Robinson. HITCHCOCK (trying to see the connection) Related? (beat, the connection starts to become clearer) The first group was kidnapped... ROBINSON (nodding, finishing the sentence for her) ...To use as bait for the _seaQuest_ and the Outrider. WOLENCZAK That's the theory we're working from. (beat) The other part of this is who's been paying the bills. We've checked with Fleet Intelligence to see who bailed DeSmitt out of jail when she made the attempt on you, Katie. (beat) Intel files show the money came from an offshore account held by EWS. Hitchcock and Langson share a look at that news. Langson gets up and starts to pace, while Robinson just watches him for a while. Wolenczak looks at the three of them on the vidlink and decides it's appropriate to break the other news to them. He hesitates for a second, then plunges on. WOLENCZAK (continuing) We have two teams out there now, searching the most likely headings. With a little bit of luck, we should be able to find DeSmitt and recover the Outrider. ROBINSON Two teams? (beat, frowning) I thought after the attack you were short on Marauders. You didn't send a launch on this mission, did you? WOLENCZAK (slightly annoyed) No, Admiral. Give me a little credit. (beat, taking a deep breath) We sent the second Outrider prototype out with Marauder One to rescue the hostages. But the Marauder is on its way in with Callan and Burke. (beat) OR-2 is still searching, with Goodwin and Reede onboard. Commander Matthews is also involved in the search, from Commander Hunter's vessel. She-- HITCHCOCK (explosively) _What_? LANGSON (angrily) Hunter's involved? How did _that_ happen? ROBINSON (coldly) _Captain_, would you care explaining how a quisling like Hunter is involved in the search for a stolen prototype? Wolenczak runs one hand through his hair, looking down for a moment. WOLENCZAK I don't know all the details yet, Admiral. According to Commander Matthews' report, Hunter was patrolling and picked up the hostages' distress call. (beat) He was in the process of rescuing the hostages when DeSmitt set off the grenade. (beat) Look, I'm not an idiot. I _know_ he was in the area because the Carolinans wanted him to get his hands on the Outrider. But Hunter's got a personal connection of some sort with Percell, and I trust Commander Matthews' ability to stay in control of the situation. The console on Wolenczak's desk emits a signal tone. Wolenczak turns and answers it. WOLENCZAK Yes, Ensign? TRUEMAN (over com) Sir, we've picked up a signal from Marauder One. She's cleared the Perseus Three mine, and is en route to us. Her ETA is one hour, Sir. (beat) Sir, Commander Burke said to tell you Callan's still hanging on. Wolenczak closes his eyes for a moment, and bows his head, pinching the bridge of his nose. WOLENCZAK (to himself) Too damned long. (beat, into com) Acknowledged. (beat) Contact MedBay and have a full medical team standing by when Marauder One docks. And contact engineering and security, have them ensure there is a clear, unobstructed path from the docking bay to MedBay. TRUEMAN (over com) Aye, Sir. Bridge out. Wolenczak cuts the connection, and turns back to the vidlink screen. Hitchcock comes close to the pickup. HITCHCOCK (concerned) Lucas... Wolenczak just shakes his head. WOLENCZAK I'm all right, Katie. (beat) I need to get back to work. You know what they say, after all. ROBINSON "Idle hands are the devil's workshop." WOLENCZAK (shaking his head) Actually, Admiral, I was always more fond of "Loose lips sink ships." (beat) If you catch my meaning. (beat, moving on) I'd like to be the one to call Kelly Callan, if I have your permission. Robinson nods, pondering Wolenczak's words. LANGSON (cutting in) Whatever happens, Captain, remember your first priority. Recover the Outrider, or ensure no one else gets her. Is that understood? WOLENCZAK (nodding) Perfectly, Minister. (beat) _seaQuest_ out. Wolenczak stabs at the disconnect, cutting the vidlink transmission. He stares at the screen for a second. WOLENCZAK (coldly) Perfectly. CUT TO EXTERIOR BERGER'S SUB--CGI The sub leisurely moves across the screen from right to left, slowing as it approaches a section of the sea floor. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB Berger is at her control console, piloting her sub. In a small alcove, to her right, over her shoulder, we see Percell. She is shackled, her arms attached in front of her to a pipe in the overhead. She slowly stirs, waking up. PERCELL (groggily) Where...where am I? BERGER (not looking at her) Good morning, Chief. I apologize for your accommodations, but I didn't really plan on having guests. PERCELL (quickly figuring things out) Well, you need to brighten things up. A few curtains, maybe an iron maiden, a cauldron for boiling oil. (beat, sarcastically) All the little touches to make it feel like home... BERGER (chuckling) I'll check with the interior decorator next time I get to port. (beat) But you woke up in time to see me retrieve my prize. PERCELL (baffled) If you already had the Outrider, why did you come after us? BERGER (shrugging) I had to clean up some loose ends. (beat) And you'll come in handy if any of your friends show up before I get my prize home. (beat, threateningly) Now, Chief, I need to concentrate for a moment, so keep it down, please? Berger turns back to her console, her hands playing over the controls as she pilots the sub to her destination. On the screen in front of her, we see a CGI shot of the scenery in front of her sub. The sub moves up over a ridge and looks down onto a sandy underwater plain. BERGER (pressing a control, murmuring) All right, time to come back to the nest... Nothing happens. Berger frowns for a second, and rechecks her control panel settings, then presses the control again. Still nothing. BERGER What the...? (beat, starting to check other readouts) You can't just have vanished. Percell starts to laugh. Berger turns toward her, icy frustration on her face. PERCELL You lost it, didn't you, DeSmitt. (laughing) You _had_ to tie up some loose ends...and in the process you lost the Outrider? (shaking her head) I don't know whether to laugh at you, or feel sorry for how inept you are. Berger's eyes light up with anger when Percell says this. She gets up and crosses over to Percell. BERGER (deadly cold) Nobody calls me inept. Berger reaches up and presses a control on the bulkhead. Electricity arcs along the pipes and through the shackles into Percell, who screams once and then collapses, unconscious. Berger cuts off the electricity. BERGER When I tell you to be quiet, Chief, I mean it. (beat, pleased with herself) Oh, and I do hope that didn't come as too much of a...shock to you. Berger walks back to the controls and starts to configure the sensors. BERGER (to herself) So where _did_ you wander off to? She continues working on the problem as we... CUT TO EXTERIOR BERGER'S SUB--CGI A number of external lights come on, lighting up the seafloor. They start to move back and forth, searching the seafloor as the sub moves away from the camera POV. CUT TO COMMERCIAL END ACT ONE Return-path: Resent-date: Tue, 09 Sep 1997 09:28:03 -0500 (CDT) Date: Tue, 09 Sep 1997 07:28:15 -0700 Resent-from: seaquest-ff-request@escapenet.org From: Vicky & Bob Subject: (SQFF) 2047/"A Time to Every Purpose" (Act Two) Resent-sender: seaquest-ff-request@escapenet.org To: seaquest-ff Cc: seaquest_2047 Reply-to: bvashyde Resent-message-id: <"3m1os.A.GHF.zzVF0"@stgenesis.org> X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailing-List: archive/latest/468 X-Loop: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org X-Proc-type: 3 ACT TWO OPEN ON MARAUDER ONE Burke is tending Callan. As she finishes, she looks up at Morgan in the pilot seat. Morgan is getting the job done, but is clearly nervous, staring intently at the screen, pushing buttons sharply, and gripping the joystick so tightly that her knuckles are white. BURKE (cautiously) You doing okay? MORGAN (still staring fixedly at the screen) Fine. (beat, sighing) This is just a lot different from taking a launch out on a research trip. Blood is trickling from the wound on her forehead again. She drags the back of her hand across it impatiently. BURKE Want me to patch that up for you? MORGAN (tightly) Not now. I'm covered in blood anyway. A little more's not going to make any difference. Burke sighs. She can see how tense Morgan is, and needs to calm her down. She also needs to gauge Morgan's physical state...could she have a concussion? So Burke tries to keep Morgan talking. BURKE (carefully) I assume you were taken off the shuttle before it went down? Morgan looks over at her, surprised. MORGAN The shuttle went down? BURKE Yeah. It's a wreck. MORGAN Oh. (beat, explaining) We were unconscious. She must have done it after she dumped us on that mining rig. (beat, angrily) Dammit! BURKE What? MORGAN (still angry) I suppose my duffel's history. I had my _Les Miserables_ shirt in there. It's irreplaceable. BURKE (smiling) _Les Mis_ is your favorite, isn't it? MORGAN (relaxing a bit) Yeah. How did you know? BURKE (shrugging) Well, it might have something to do with the fact that I've heard you play it at least sixty times since you were assigned to _seaQuest_. Morgan manages a small laugh. MORGAN I suppose you're pretty sick of it, huh? BURKE Sick of it? I love it...even if I do hear it in my sleep. Burke's tactic appears to be helping. Morgan sits back in the pilot's seat and grips the joystick a bit less intensely. MORGAN I think I've got the whole thing memorized. If you gave me a line, I could probably give you the next three. At least. BURKE Oh yeah? (beat, thinking) How about..."There's a hunger in the land"? Morgan thinks it over for a second or two, her lips moving as she silently sings the line to herself. MORGAN "There's a reckoning still to be reckoned, and there's gonna be hell to pay, at the end of the day!" BURKE (admiringly) You're _good_. A light flashes on the instrument panel, capturing Morgan's full attention. MORGAN (greatly relieved) Thank God..._seaQuest_ is within sensor range. We're nearly there. The relief in her voice is also written on both their faces. Burke sits next to Morgan and opens a line to _seaQuest_. BURKE (into com) _seaQuest_, this is Marauder One, we've got you on our sensors now. Put me through to MedBay. They sit, waiting for the heartbeats it takes for the MedBay to come online. As each heartbeat passes, Burke looks back at Callan, trying to will him to make it to the next one. Finally, a voice emits from the speaker. DR. TAYLOR (over com) MedBay here, Doctor Taylor speaking. BURKE (looking relieved) Laura? Good, it's Burke. I'm transporting in a major trauma case. Double traumatic amputation. We'll be arriving shortly. Have the trauma team standing by, and make sure you've got plenty of units of Callan's blood type on hand. We'll need to move fast. DR. TAYLOR (over com) Yes, Ma'am. We've already been advised of your situation and we'll be waiting for you. (beat) I heard what you and Morgan did out there, Doctor. Good work. BURKE Thanks. Marauder One out. She looks back over her shoulder at the unconscious Callan. BURKE (desperately) Come on, Greg, just a little longer... CUT TO EXTERIOR UEO HQ It's evening, and the lights are on. CUT TO HITCHCOCK'S OFFICE Hitchcock is seated at one end of the sofa, with Robinson at the other end. Langson is pacing back and forth, stopping every couple of trips to check the data monitor on Hitchcock's desk for any word from _seaQuest_. HITCHCOCK (to Robinson) Bottom line, gentlemen. ROBINSON (nodding) _seaQuest_ is going to need some major repairs after this. We'll set up an emergency yard period for her in Philadelphia. (beat, checking his notes) While she's in the yard, we're going to have to step up patrols along the Carolinan border. Ross is sure to try to take advantage of this. LANGSON (stopping, looking at Robinson) The Carolinans attacking now is the least of our worries. We have to get back that Outrider technology. In the hands of EWS...who knows who could end up with it. HITCHCOCK (quietly) Andrew, I know you were counting on the Outrider to force Ross to sue for peace. (beat) But we have to deal with the situation as it develops. Doctor Alexander's death makes the use of Outrider technology....remote at best in the near future. So let's stay focused on the immediate crisis. Langson just stares at Hitchcock for a moment. LANGSON Your inability to look at things long term is why the UEO is so vulnerable now, _Madame_ Secretary. Someone has to have the long-term interests of UEO at heart. Langson stalks out of the office and slams the door behind him. Hitchcock watches him, and sighs. HITCHCOCK If he wasn't so good at his job... ROBINSON He is right about one thing, Katherine. The loss of Outrider is going to hurt us, long term. HITCHCOCK I know. But I'm not going to give _him_ the satisfaction of saying "I told you so." (beat, walks over to Robinson) So how did they know? Robinson sighs, and walks over to the window for a moment. ROBINSON We have another traitor. (beat) Wolenczak knows. You heard what he said. That "loose lips" line was his way of telling me where to look. (beat) But you aren't going to like it. HITCHCOCK Why won't I? Robinson looks at her, and gulps down the last of his drink. ROBINSON Because if we're right, it'll look like you did this for the wrong reason. HITCHCOCK (getting frustrated) Dammit, Wallace. Stop playing word games. I am too tired and cranky for that. ROBINSON Well, about a dozen people knew about this test on _seaQuest_. But only two have been in a position to let word about it get out. HITCHCOCK Who? ROBINSON Minister Langson-- Hitchcock stops him cold. HITCHCOCK What?! (beat) Do you realize what you're saying? ROBINSON (hands up, stepping back from her for a moment) I'm not _saying_ anything. It might just have been an innocent slip during a conversation somewhere. (beat) But we _have_ to investigate. I'd like your permission to start investigations on this and any other leads. HITCHCOCK (nodding slowly) You have it. But no action on whatever you may find until you tell me, understood? Robinson nods, and starts to exit. Hitchcock calls out after him. HITCHCOCK Wallace, who was the other person who was in a position to leak word about the tests? Robinson smiles wryly for a moment, then looks at the carpet for a second. ROBINSON (quietly) Me. He turns and exits as Hitchcock stares after him. CUT TO MEDBAY As Burke, Morgan and a couple of medical technicians wheel Callan in, Doctor Laura Taylor and several other medical staff converge on them. Callan is lifted onto a table. Burke is hurriedly donning gloves as others set up new IV lines, heart monitor, etc. Morgan is basically elbowed out of the way. Wolenczak enters, and seeing that she is the only person in the room not actively involved in saving Callan's life at the moment, approaches her. WOLENCZAK Report, Ensign. Morgan nods, and walks over to the side of the room. There's a sink there...an ion one, not water. She turns it on and tries to wash her hands as she tells Wolenczak what happened. As they talk, the activity around Callan is in the background, but is still rapid and unceasing. MORGAN (tightly, strictly reporting) DeSmitt was copiloting the shuttle we were in. She killed the pilot, gassed us, and took us to the mining rig. (beat) We escaped the room where we were being held and managed to rig a Morse code transmitter. The rig was taking on water; we were looking for a safe place, when Hunter arrived. She pauses for a moment, looking up from the sink, then turns back to her ablutions. MORGAN (continuing) Hunter told us he'd heard our signal. We headed for his sub and DeSmitt ambushed us. She knocked Percell out and threw a grenade at the rest of us, then took off dragging Percell. Wolenczak looks at her carefully. She's still scrubbing at her hands and arms, which are cleaner, but by no means free of blood. Morgan's clothes are covered in dried blood, and the scrape on her forehead is still slowly bleeding. Shadows around her left eye indicate that it's going to turn into a black eye, but otherwise, she's very pale. WOLENCZAK Well, that'll do for now... (beat, growing concerned) Has anyone looked after that scrape on your forehead yet? MORGAN (slowly shaking her head) No, Sir. There hasn't been time. We've all been concentrating on keeping Callan alive. (beat, swallowing hard) Lucas...I was scared. I've never seen anyone hurt so badly before... WOLENCZAK (nodding) I know...I've never gotten used to it, either. (beat, glancing at the activity surrounding Callan) No matter how many times I see it. MORGAN (shakily) I mean, I took the EMT training, I had all the theory, but...I've never seen so much blood-- She stops suddenly and merely stands, staring at nothing at all. Wolenczak, worried, steps closer and puts a hand on her arm. WOLENCZAK (hesitantly) Anne... Morgan's knees buckle momentarily, and she struggles to regain control of herself. Wolenczak goes from offering comfort to actively holding her up. Putting an arm around Morgan's shoulders, Wolenczak guides her to a chair and makes her sit in it. WOLENCZAK (a gentle command) Don't move. Wolenczak looks over to where the medical staff is working on Callan. The activity level has lessened a bit now. A medical technician is clearing up empty supply packages, etc., in the area. Wolenczak pulls him aside. WOLENCZAK Ensign Morgan needs your attention. The technician picks up some supplies and moves over to where Morgan is sitting. As he begins to examine Morgan, we... CUT TO CREW'S MESS Trueman and Riller are eating dinner. They are the only ones at their table; the tables nearest them are empty. They speak in low but intense voices; their overall behavior is very subdued. RILLER What's the latest on Callan? TRUEMAN (shrugging) He's still critical, but Burke says he's stable. Hasn't regained consciousness yet. RILLER Heard anything from Matthews? TRUEMAN Still searching. (beat, quietly) Justin, what if Greg dies? RILLER (shaking his head) I don't know, Becca. I mean, we've known people who've been killed, but not as well as we've known Greg. TRUEMAN And Tom's still out there somewhere, trying to find Sara. Riller looks as if he wants to say something at her mention of Reede, but he refrains. TRUEMAN (continues) Justin...we're the last ones left. We're the only ones of our group of friends who haven't been touched by this. (beat) I mean, I saw Anne for a minute on her way to the showers. She's all banged up and has some cracked ribs. She's the _science_ officer. She shouldn't be in the middle of things like that. (beat, getting more intense) I can't believe this is happening...it's like something out of one of Sara's old movies. (beat) I mean, conspiracies, secret weapons...everything's going nuts! It just makes me wonder what the hell will happen next. Riller can only shake his head. CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S OFFICE Wolenczak is pacing, looking rather unhappy and talking to himself. WOLENCZAK ...I'm sorry to have to tell you this, Kelly, but... (beat, shaking his head) No. Sounds like he's dead. (beat, trying again) Kelly, Greg's been injured, but he's going to be okay. (shaking head) No. We still don't know that, either. Wolenczak slams his hand on the desk in frustration. There is a knock at the hatch. WOLENCZAK Yeah, come in. Morgan enters. She is wearing a clean uniform. Her hair is down, and looks like it's damp. The black eye is in full bloom now, otherwise, she's still pale, but looks better than she did in MedBay. WOLENCZAK Quite a shiner you've got there. Wolenczak sits down at his desk, and indicates the chair opposite for Morgan. She sits, a bit carefully. MORGAN (smiling a bit) The warm water in the shower really brought it out. (beat, sighing) I used an entire month's water ration, but that hot water sure felt good. WOLENCZAK So they're not making you stay in MedBay, then? MORGAN (shaking her head) No. Cracked ribs aren't enough for them to keep me. Not when they need to concentrate on Greg. (beat, taking a deep breath) Have you told his wife yet? WOLENCZAK (a little sheepish) No. I've been practicing what to say. I can't seem to make it come out right. MORGAN (hesitant) Would you be willing to let me do it? Wolenczak stares. Despite a bit of relief at her offer, he's amazed by it. WOLENCZAK Anne... (beat, carefully) You've been through hell. This isn't going to be easy, you know. MORGAN (levelly) I know. (beat) I know exactly how it will be. (beat, determined) But Lucas, at least I can tell Kelly that _her_ husband is still alive. Morgan sits silently, hands clasped tightly in her lap. Finally, Wolenczak nods. WOLENCZAK Okay. But we're going to make this call together. He pushes a button on his console. WOLENCZAK (into com) I need a vidlink transmission to Doctor Kelly Callan at the McKensi Institute. VOICE (over com) Yes, Sir. Wolenczak indicates for Morgan to come around to his side of the desk. They stand there together as the McKensi Institute logo comes up on his screen. CUT TO COMMERCIAL END ACT TWO -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The seaQuest Fan Fiction Mailing List is a service provided by the Stgenesis.org domain. To remove yourself from the list email with the subject Unsubscribe to seaQuest-ff-request@stgenesis.org Further Questions should be directed towards your list administrator: listadmin@stgenesis.org Return-path: Resent-date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 11:21:17 -0500 (CDT) Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 09:21:03 -0700 Resent-from: seaquest-ff-request@escapenet.org From: Vicky & Bob Subject: (SQFF) 2047/"A Time to Every Purpose" (Act Three) Resent-sender: seaquest-ff-request@escapenet.org To: seaquest-ff Cc: seaquest_2047 Reply-to: bvashyde Resent-message-id: <"GmVjYD.A.poC.9jsF0"@stgenesis.org> X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailing-List: archive/latest/483 X-Loop: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org X-Proc-type: 3 ACT THREE OPEN ON MCKENSI INSTITUTE Kelly Callan is working on an experiment when her intercom beeps. Kelly drags her mind away from her work and answers it. KELLY Yeah? VOICE (over com) You've got a call, Doctor Callan. It's from _seaQuest_. KELLY (looking back down at her work) Put it through. She turns her back to the vidlink screen, concentrating on some calculations. After a moment, she speaks. KELLY Greg, you must have the world's worst timing. Seems like you only call when I'm in the middle of some major mathematics. There is only silence from the vidlink. KELLY Greg? What's wrong? She turns and looks at the screen as the camera pulls back to show Morgan and Wolenczak there. Kelly lets this sink in for a moment. KELLY (very concerned) What's happened to him? CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S OFFICE Wolenczak and Morgan exchange a quick glance, then Morgan takes a deep breath and speaks. MORGAN Greg told you we were going to the development labs for some new technology, right? On the screen, Kelly nods. Morgan decides on her approach: plainly. MORGAN (continuing) The shuttle we were on was hijacked. We were taken hostage and were in the process of trying to escape an abandoned mining rig when the hijacker threw a grenade at us. Greg dived on the grenade just as it went off. KELLY (stunned) Is he...is he...? MORGAN (trying to give comfort) He's in critical condition in MedBay right now. He's lost part of his left arm and his left leg, and there's some internal injuries. But Doctor Burke says the prognosis is hopeful. Kelly silently looks Morgan over as she takes in what Morgan has said. Anger begins to register on her face. KELLY (demanding) And you were there? Morgan nods. KELLY You don't look like you came out too badly. MORGAN (quietly) What Greg did no doubt saved my life. (beat) Kelly, you can be proud of him, he's a hero. CUT TO MCKENSI INSTITUTE Kelly's face registers a mix of anger, shock, and disbelief. KELLY (coldly) Nothing personal, Ensign, but I think Greg and I got the short end of that deal. MORGAN (patiently) Look, Kelly, I've been in your shoes. I know exactly what you're feeling right now-- KELLY (cutting her off, coldly) Your husband was dead before you even knew something was wrong. I may have to watch mine die. Don't tell me you know how I feel. It is Morgan's turn to be stunned, to the point of speechlessness. She merely stares out of the screen at Kelly, dumbfounded. She clenches and unclenches her hands at her sides, then sits abruptly in Wolenczak's chair, looking away from the screen. WOLENCZAK (firmly) Your husband did what he's been trained, as an officer and as a leader, to do. There's no point second-guessing now. (beat, glancing at Morgan) And for what it's worth, if it hadn't been for Ensign Morgan, he would have died on the spot. Kelly stands and paces. Wolenczak's words are little comfort. WOLENCZAK (continuing) Doctor Burke is one of the best physicians in UEO Medical. We're doing all we can for Greg. And we'll do all we can for you. KELLY (still skeptical, but with some hope) How soon can I see him? CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S OFFICE Wolenczak looks uneasily at Kelly's image on the screen. Hope appears to have replaced her anger, but Wolenczak knows she's not going to like what he has to say. WOLENCZAK (slowly) We're still involved in classified operations. (beat) Until we're through with the mission, we can't bring you here or take Greg to a mainland hospital. A loud slamming sound comes from the monitor, indicating that Kelly didn't take this well. We pull in slightly on the monitor to see Kelly's face, very close to the vidlink pickup. KELLY (_very_ angry) So my husband is lying in your MedBay and I can't even be there with him? (beat, furious) The UEO kept us apart when my family was dying around me and now they're keeping us apart as my husband may be dying. (beat) Are you _trying_ to find ways to ruin my life? Wolenczak simply lets her vent. WOLENCZAK (without emotion, simply stating a fact) We'll keep you informed of his condition. MedBay will call you with hourly updates. (beat) As soon as we possibly can, we'll have a priority launch bring you to _seaQuest_. KELLY (with icy anger) You'd better hope I get to see my husband alive, or UEO will have another problem to deal with. (beat, intensely) Me. She angrily presses the button to disconnect the transmission. Wolenczak turns to Morgan, who has been sitting quietly in his chair through the remainder of the discussion. WOLENCZAK Anne? Are you okay? She nods. WOLENCAK (sighing) I didn't think she'd take it so badly. I shouldn't have brought you into this. MORGAN I brought myself into this, Lucas. She rises. MORGAN (continuing) Don't judge her too harshly. She loves him. (beat, very subdued) I probably would have reacted the same way if there was a chance I could say goodbye to David, and it was being withheld from me. (beat, wearily) Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd better go get some sleep. It's been rather a long day. Without waiting for a response, Morgan exits. Wolenczak is left staring at the hatch. CUT TO EXTERIOR BERGER'S SUB -- CGI The camera's POV is on the ocean floor. Berger's sub passes over us and moves on, searching the ocean floor. We pan to follow it, watching as its searchbeams cut back and forth across the silt. CUT TO EXTERIOR OCEAN FLOOR -- CGI We follow a single searchbeam across the silt until it illuminates a single black mechanical digit lying curled on the ocean floor. Slowly, a second VR probe pulls into the shot, and picks up the mechanical appendage, turning it over and over as if examining it. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB Berger has on her VR gear, and is manipulating the probe to examine her find. On the screen before her is the image. She glances upward, and the cursor on the screen follows her glance, Pulling down a menu. It shows a series of icons, one of which is highlighted. The screen suddenly shifts to red, as at the bottom the words "spectral compositing in progress" appear, as well as a bar indicating progress. As the bar moves, the screen slowly shifts to black from top to bottom, except for the broken appendage. It appears as a cobalt blue image. As the spectral compositing shows the point of the break, the area of the break is instead painted with a brilliant green. When she sees that, Berger swears violently for a second, then takes off her VR gear. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and takes on a calmer demeanor, but her eyes are still flashing. She takes a look at Percell for a moment, and is satisfied that she is still unconscious. Then Berger opens a vidlink channel to EWS. Ted Walker's face fills the screen. WALKER (unsure) Umm....Andrea, this is a sur-- BERGER (angrily) Cut the small talk, Teddy. When you sent me on this job, why didn't you tell me it was on contract for the Carolinans. Walker looks at her for a moment, stunned. WALKER (carefully picking his way through the minefield) Andrea, the Carolinan Confederation knew nothing of your mission. We had hoped to sell them the technology after we had learned all of its secrets...for a price, of course. BERGER You had better be sure of that, Teddy. Because the Outrider was stolen from me, by someone using a Carolinan laser weapon. WALKER Are you sure? Berger gets visibly more angry at this. BERGER (coldly) Are you questioning my ability? Here, look at this for yourself. She touches a control, sending the spectral composite readout to Walker. He examines it for a second, and then looks back at her. WALKER So the appendage was cut off by a laser. I still don't see-- BERGER (cutting him off angrily) Every laser is tuned to different frequencies, Teddy. You should know that, you sell enough of them. (beat, patronizing him) When a laser cuts through a substance, the wavelength causes a resonance frequency to work through the edge of the cut, changing the spectral response of the material. The difference is subtle, but can be detected. Berger pauses a moment, waiting for Walker to complete the thought. It's obvious from his expression that Berger's explanation just went over his head. Her tone gets exasperated with his ignorance. BERGER Carolinan lasers _always_ show up green on analysis... (beat, calmer) ...So the Carolinans, or someone with one of their lasers, have the Outrider. Walker nods, then looks back at her. WALKER So what do need from me, Andrea? BERGER Use your connections, and find out who the Carolinans sent on this job. (beat) Get me any information you can on this person. I want to meet the person who thinks they can steal from me and live to tell about it. She cuts the vidlink transmission. CUT TO EXTERIOR CAROLINAN CONFEDERATION HQ It's evening, but the late hour doesn't deter Ross...many windows show light. CUT TO ROSS' OFFICE Carolinan President Eileen Ross is at her desk, looking as fresh as if the day has just begun, when Chief of Staff Gary DeLano walks in, looking rumpled. Ross shakes her head at his state. DELANO I got here as fast as I could. What is it? ROSS A call from Ted Walker at EWS. Concerning a piece of missing UEO technology. (beat, smiling) Time to turn the table again. (beat, pressing a control on her desk) Cecile, put the call through from Mister Walker. A screen on the wall displaying Van Gogh's "Sunflowers" changes to an image of Ted Walker. He looks unhappy. ROSS (oozing Southern charm) Why Mister Walker, this is a pleasant surprise! To what do we owe the pleasure of the call? WALKER Let's dispense with the veneer for now, Madame President. Your people are chasing the same thing we are right now, Project Outrider. In fact, your operative stole this right out from under our noses. And if you ever want another piece of EWS technology sold to your fledgling nation, you'll return it. Now. ROSS (innocent and charming) Why, Mister Walker, you wound us with your accusations. The Carolinan Confederation did know of the upcoming UEO tests for the Outrider, but that was all. We don't have the resources to...acquire...a piece of technology the way you suggest. Walker is listening, and something doesn't add up. WALKER Yes, you do, Madame President. We sold you three Mark Nine Marauders four months ago, any of which could do the job-- DELANO (interrupting) You did, but one is patrolling the southern border region, and the other is being upgraded with the new instrumentation packages you just supplied us with. WALKER I know we sold you three. DeLano looks over at boss, his back to the vidscreen. He nods once, and she smiles in agreement. ROSS (feigning embarrassment) Ahh, well. There's a bit of an embarrassing problem for us, I'm afraid. (beat, as if reluctant to talk) The third Marauder was hijacked two days ago, by someone we trusted as a hero of the Confederation. If word of his apparent defection and theft of this equipment gets out, well, it will cause us no end of discomfort and concern... (beat) Of course, if I could count on your discretion... Walker, seeing the true deal here, nods. WALKER Your dirty laundry is safe, Ross. What happened? Ross looks over at DeLano. He turns to the vidlink screen. DELANO Yesterday, a letter was delivered to us from Commander Jason Hunter, resigning his commission. Two days ago, he overpowered three guards and stole the Marauder from the Charleston shipyards. A review of his office showed that he also had taken the intelligence files on the Outrider. ROSS Our best guess is he went fishing for the Outrider, hoping to sell it to the highest bidder. (beat) And from the sounds of it, he may have just succeeded. WALKER So what are you doing to catch him? DELANO (shrugging) There isn't much we can do. All our assets are patrolling the borders with the UEO; we don't have anyone we can spare to search for Hunter. (beat, snapping fingers) But I'll bet _you_ do, Mister Walker. (beat) You know, we could make it easier for someone on your end to find Hunter and get the Outrider. WALKER How so? DELANO We'll give you Hunter's psych profile, and the command and control codes for the Marauder he stole, in exchange for five years exclusive rights to purchase Outriders from EWS. Walker thinks it over for a second. WALKER Two years. DELANO Three years and free replacements of any destroyed during that time. WALKER Three years, but a minimum purchase of fifty Outriders. DeLano looks over at Ross, who nods. DELANO Deal. We'll send over the information on Hunter and the Marauder as soon as we receive a copy of the contract for the Outrider technology. Walker doesn't look too happy, but he nods. WALKER All right. Expect the contracts within the hour. Walker reaches for the cutoff, but is interrupted by Ross. ROSS Oh, and Mister Walker? It's been a pleasure doing business with you. He starts to react angrily, but Ross cuts off the vidlink transmission, and then turns to DeLano, smiling wickedly. CUT TO EXTERIOR BERGER'S SUB--CGI It is at rest, motionless, above the site where the remnant of the probe had been found. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB Berger is doing exercises, running through her karate kata to both stay calm and stay limber. As she moves through the sequence, Percell watches groggily from her cell. She moans once. Berger hears this and stops for a moment, looking at Percell. BERGER You really should watch what you say, Chief. Words have consequences. Percell is still in pain, and it's apparent in her voice. Her arms are tired from being over her head so long, and any movement sends pain through her shoulders. Still, she puts up a front of defiance. PERCELL Yeah, well, that may be true, but so do actions. (beat) Come on, DeSmitt. Even _you_ can't think you're going to get away with this. Berger starts to work her through her kata sequence again, not looking at Percell. Her breathing is slow and measured, as are her movements. BERGER On the contrary, Chief. (beat, breathing and moving) I know that my goal is not only possible... (beat, breathing and moving) ...But within my grasp. (beat, changing positions) Besides, you had better hope my luck changes soon. (beat, changing positions) Or your usefulness to me is over... (beat, switching to final position) ...And we get to find out how fast you grow gills. Berger stops and bows toward Percell, mockingly. As she straightens up, the vidlink console chimes, indicating an incoming transmission. Berger grabs her towel from the chair and starts to wipe her face she drops into the chair. The vidlink transmission starts, showing Walker smiling as he looks at her. WALKER Hello, Andie. BERGER (not pleased) Teddy, I told you not to use my name when company's home. (beat, bluntly) What have you learned? WALKER The Carolinans know who stole the Outrider from you. Seems like Jason Hunter decided he'd had enough, stole one of their newer subs and took off in pursuit of it. The Carolinans gave us his com signature and control codes, as well as his psych profile. (beat) I'm uploading everything to you. I won't tell you what this cost us, but make sure we get our money's worth. BERGER (a feral smile) Don't I always, Teddy? Before he can reply, she cuts the vidlink, then pulls up the information Walker sent her on the screen. Percell is straining to see from her cell. PERCELL I _knew_ Hunter had to be involved. What was he doing, working with you? (beat) And what a surprise; your name isn't "Erica", it's "Andie." When I get that word back to _seaQuest_, you can bet-- Percell suddenly cries out in anguish and slumps unconscious as the electrical field activates. After a second it turns off, as Berger turns away and back to the information on the screen. BERGER (quietly to herself) Sometimes, Chief, you just don't know when to be quiet. Berger reads over the information, and then focuses in on one passage. BERGER (reading aloud) "...Still is obsessive in his desire to maintain connections with certain UEO personnel, mainly one Chief Petty Officer..." (beat, looking up) Oh, this is too good to be true. (beat, chuckling) Well, Chief, looks like you're in for a change of scenery. Berger gets up and releases the bars to Percell's cell. CUT TO EXTERIOR HUNTER'S SUB--CGI The sub sails by from left to right, in formation with the Outrider. CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB It's similar in size and layout to the interior of the Marauders we've seen Matthews and Reede pilot. Hunter is seated at the controls, while Matthews is behind him in a passenger seat. There is an uncomfortable silence between them, Hunter going about his job and Matthews just watching him. Matthews tries again to open a conversation. MATTHEWS So, what have you been doing with your free time? HUNTER What free time? The Confederation doesn't give you a lot of time to yourself. MATTHEWS I see. But I seem to remember you played a lot of poker before... The pause grows awkward. Hunter finally steps in to fill it. HUNTER (wryly) Before I changed jobs? Yes, but nobody wants to play with me now...or ever again, I think. (beat) Besides, that's really not the question you want to ask, Commander. MATTHEWS (looking at him for a moment, then admitting it) You're right. (beat, taking the plunge) I guess the question is-- HUNTER Why? (beat, shrugging) They offered me season tickets to the Panthers. (beat, bitterly) It's the only promise they actually kept. MATTHEWS (disgusted) Seems like a pretty stupid reason to throw everything away. (beat) I mean, you had a promising career, and you would have soon had your own command... HUNTER (chuckling bitterly) How quickly they forget... (beat) The Carolinans gave me more than that, Matthews. They gave me a direct line to political power. I was helping _my_ people, people I knew well, to get out from under the UEO's misguided control. (beat, bitterly) And the UEO made it easy for them. Matthews doesn't understand his implications. HUNTER (continues) I _had_ my own command. I built her from scratch, was about to launch her and test her, when she was ripped from me, and handed to a...a...freak. MATTHEWS (defensively) Captain Wolenczak is no freak! Hunter turns to look at her, his eyes blazing. HUNTER I know the stories. In stasis for ten years, some secret government project that's still classified... (beat) ...Followed by a special career where he was kept under Hudson's and Robinson's wing the whole time. (beat) Wolenczak never _earned_ his way onto a bridge. _I_ did! And _seaQuest_ should have be-- He is interrupted by a beeping on his control panel. He looks at it quizzically. HUNTER That's odd. That's an emergency Carolinan frequency, and the header packet is addressed to me directly. But the priority coding is all wrong. MATTHEWS What does that mean? HUNTER I'm not sure. There's only one sure way to find out...but just to keep things safe, stay out of the range of the vidlink pickup. Matthews nods and moves up against the bulkhead, into the blind spot for the vidlink pickup. Hunter then accepts the transmission, and the monitor clears, showing a vidlink image from Berger. BERGER (on vidlink) Well, well, Commander Hunter. We seem to keep running into each other. Something I wanted to avoid, but you've made it impossible. HUNTER What are you talking about, DeSmitt? BERGER (with exaggerated patience) I'm talking about Outrider. (beat) Oh, and tell your...companion...to stop trying to hide out of the pickup's range. I know she's there; I can hear her breathing. Matthews shrugs and moves into the range of the camera. Berger smiles. HUNTER What's an Outrider? BERGER Commander Hunter, please stop trying to insult my intelligence. I know you have Outrider, and I want it back, so I'm willing to make a trade. You give me the Outrider... (beat) ...And I let her live. With that Berger cuts the vidlink image to show a monitor of her sub's dive lock. Percell is in there, secured to the ladder. It's a small, cramped tube, and Percell is obviously nervous. Suddenly, water starts to pour in, filling the lock rapidly. BERGER (V.O.) You've got about two minutes before we find out how long the chief here can hold her breath. Hunter just stares at the screen, looking at what is happening. He closes his eyes and utters one word. HUNTER Sara. CUT TO COMMERCIAL END ACT THREE -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The seaQuest Fan Fiction Mailing List is a service provided by the Stgenesis.org domain. To remove yourself from the list email with the subject Unsubscribe to seaQuest-ff-request@stgenesis.org Further Questions should be directed towards your list administrator: listadmin@stgenesis.org Return-path: Resent-date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 12:53:29 -0500 (CDT) Date: Thu, 11 Sep 1997 10:53:18 -0700 Resent-from: seaquest-ff-request@escapenet.org From: Vicky & Bob Subject: (SQFF) 2047/"A Time to Every Purpose" (Act 4) Resent-sender: seaquest-ff-request@escapenet.org To: seaquest-ff Cc: seaquest_2047 Reply-to: bvashyde Resent-message-id: <"74stLC.A.oTD.ZADG0"@stgenesis.org> X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailing-List: archive/latest/498 X-Loop: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org X-Proc-type: 3 ACT FOUR FADE IN ON EXTERIOR BERGER'S SUB--CGI It is still stationary. CUT TO DIVE CHAMBER, BERGER'S SUB The water is pouring in, cold, as the panic is rising on Percell's face. She is straining at her restraints, trying to find a way out. All of the fears, all of the nightmares from the escape pod are returning full force, as the water rises. PERCELL (crying) Don't let me die. (beat) Please, help me! (beat, increasing panic) Somebody help me! CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB The sounds of Percell's panic are audible over the speakers as we see her flail on the vidlink screen. Suddenly the sound is cut off, replaced by Berger's voice. BERGER (V.O., "sympathetic") It's a shame, watching someone react like that, knowing their salvation is so close at hand, yet so far away. (beat) The water will fill that dive chamber in about a minute, Commander Hunter. It is now your choice. Does she live or die? Hunter cuts the audio on the vidlink for a moment and turns to Matthews, who is livid. MATTHEWS (demanding) You know where the Outrider is? Hunter just nods, staring at the screen, his mind racing for a solution. Matthews grabs the back of his chair and turns him toward her. MATTHEWS (outraged) You knew where it was all along? How do I know you aren't going to betray Sara as well? HUNTER I could never let anything happen to her. (beat, cutting in the audio) All right, DeSmitt. I'll tell you where the Outrider is. Just don't kill Percell. BERGER (over com, smoothly) I'm glad you came to your senses, Commander. On the screen, we see the water stop pouring into the dive chamber, as the water level is just about even with Percell's shoulders. She trembles as much from the fear and anxiety as she does from the chill of the water. The screen image changes to show Berger sitting at her command seat. BERGER Now, if you'll transmit the coordinates, Commander, I'll-- HUNTER (quickly) Not so fast, DeSmitt. This isn't a surrender, it's a trade. You have something I want as well. BERGER (smiling slightly) Chief Percell? (beat as Hunter nods) Well, you always were sentimental, Hunter. All right, an even trade. The Outrider prototype for Percell, alive. HUNTER Agreed. I'm transmitting coordinates for a rendezvous point. We'll meet in .. (checking his navigation computer) ...Ninety minutes. BERGER That sounds fine. (beat) But Hunter, if I detect even a hint of another vessel within fifty miles of the rendezvous point, Chief Percell here will get to learn to breathe water. DeSmitt out. As the connection gets cut off, Matthews turns on Hunter immediately. Her hands are balled into fists, as if she wants to hit him. MATTHEWS First she steals it, now you give it to her? Are you nuts? (beat, slamming her hand on the console) Why did I ever tell Wolenczak that we could trust you! (beat, waiting for Hunter to react) Well, aren't you at least going to defend yourself? Hunter smiles at Matthews as he stands up and stretches. HUNTER Nope. Because I still hold most of the cards, Commander. He types in a couple of commands into the keyboard, and displays the area's navigational chart onscreen. HUNTER I told her to rendezvous... (points to a spot) ...There. But the Outrider isn't there. I moved it before I came to rescue you, and only I know where it is. I'll lead her there. MATTHEWS What does that accomplish? HUNTER (still smiling) It gives us time. (beat) You heard her...she wants the Outrider prototype; she doesn't know there's another one. If she doesn't want to detect another ship in the area, then that's exactly what will happen. (beat, grinning) And where I hid the thing...she won't think anything of it. Matthews nods, and reaches to open a com channel. HUNTER (quickly) If she had the command codes, she can tap any of my communications...but not _yours_. Hunter motions toward Matthews' PAL. She looks at him for a second, then hands it to him, comprehension dawning. HUNTER (activating PAL) Goodwin, you still there? GOODWIN (over PAL) As if I'd be anywhere else? So where are you holding this hootenanny? Matthews looks at Hunter, as she puts the pieces of his plan together in her mind, and nods. Hunter's smile gets wider as he sees this, and then he turns away from her for a moment, looking at the navigational chart on the display as he talks to Goodwin. HUNTER I'll get to that in a minute. First, I need you to do something for me... As Matthews listens to him describing his plan, we... CUT TO EXTERIOR OUTRIDER TWO--CGI The vessel is hanging there, motionless, in formation with Hunter's sub. CUT TO OUTRIDER TWO COCKPIT Reede is listening in as Hunter is finishing his instructions, just shaking his head. HUNTER (over com) Do you understand all that, Commander? One screwup and Percell ends up dead. GOODWIN (over com, serious) Don't worry, we'll handle our end of it. Now you better get moving to that rendezvous. HUNTER (over com) Relax, Goodwin. This will all work out, if you'll just _trust_ me. Hunter out. Reede just shakes his head. REEDE "Trust him," he says. (beat) I don't know, Mad Dog. Something just doesn't feel right. GOODWIN (over com) Well, I can understand that. This guy is too good at playing all the angles. (beat) Still, you have to admire the beauty of his plan...if it works. He's right, we really are holding all the cards. REEDE (a sour look on his face) Yeah, but Hunter's the joker...he can foul up the whole deck. CUT TO EXTERIOR OUTRIDER TWO--CGI Outrider Two moves off, turning to its left as it goes off-screen. CUT TO EXTERIOR SEAQUEST--CGI There is a large amount of activity off to the left, around the engine intakes. We see small repair vessels move away from the engine intakes, showing a large metal construct covering the intakes, sealing them shut. CUT TO MEDBAY, INTENSIVE CARE UNIT We see Callan lying in a bed, heavily bandaged. IV tubes and monitors constantly track his vital signs. The camera slowly pans down the length of his body and to the right, at the foot of the bed, where we see a window. Outside the window is Wolenczak, watching his friend. CUT TO MEDBAY Wolenczak continues to watch Callan. His arms are crossed, as if almost hugging himself. He says nothing, stands perfectly still, but his eyes dart around, taking in every detail of Callan's treatment room. Lieutenant Commander Edward Taylor enters MedBay, and, seeing Wolenczak, makes his way toward him. TAYLOR Sorry to disturb you, Sir. WOLENCZAK (not looking at him) That's all right, Commander. Report. TAYLOR Yes, Sir. (beat) We've managed to cover the starboard engine intakes. She'll rattle like an old pick-up truck, but we can make 80 knots safely. (beat) We've also managed to shore up the hull in the weapons control section, so we're not toothless anymore. Lieutenant Riller seemed especially pleased about that. WOLENCZAK (nodding) He would. Thank you, Commander. (beat, turning to look at Taylor) I guess that only leaves me with one question mark...you. Taylor looks surprised. This wasn't a direction he expected the conversation to turn, and he is caught flatfooted for a moment. TAYLOR (puzzled) Sir? WOLENCZAK (solemn, looking at Taylor) Greg Callan was..._is_ as good as they come. He's a crack engineer, he knew this boat from stem to stern, and he was both very effective and very popular as a department head. (beat, looking back at Callan) No matter what happens, Greg isn't going to be a part of this crew again for a very long time... (beat, quietly) ...If _ever_ again. (beat) Some of his people are already in shock over what happened, and the rest are all acting on autopilot. When that wears off, and they realize you're in charge of the department now, they may resent you for taking his place. Are you ready for that? TAYLOR (nodding) I understand, and I'll try to be accommodating to the engineering staff, Sir. But _my_ first priority is, and always will be, _seaQuest_. So I'll make it-- Taylor's response is interrupted by an alarm going off at Callan's bedside. CUT TO MEDBAY, INTENSIVE CARE UNIT A violent seizure wracks Callan's body. As he convulses, we see the monitors going wild. Medical personnel charge into the treatment room, led by Doctors Burke and Taylor. They start to work on Callan, trying to stabilize his condition. They are reflected in the window as, through the window, we see Taylor and Wolenczak watching, helpless. CUT TO MEDBAY Wolenczak's PAL beeps. He reaches for it, angry at the intrusion. WOLENZAK (into PAL) What is it? TRUEMAN (over PAL) Sorry, Sir. It's Commander Goodwin. He's reported in from Outrider Two. They've got information about the missing Outrider, and they need to talk to you. He said it's urgent, Sir. Wolenczak closes his eyes for a moment, torn between supporting his friend and his duty. The struggle is brief, and he starts toward the exit. WOLENCZAK I'm on my way. He stops at the hatch, and turns back to Taylor. WOLENCZAK Let me know how he's doing. (beat) And Commander? (beat) Good job getting us back in the game. Wolenczak exits. CUT TO EXTERIOR HUNTER'S SUB--CGI We see the vessel move across the screen above us. As the camera pans to follow it, we see Berger's sub move into view on an intercept course. The two subs slow as they approach each other, then come to a halt about two hundred meters apart. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB Berger is seated at the command console, her hands flying across the controls. A series of readouts show scans of the surrounding area. Nothing unusual is on the scans. Berger cuts in a vidlink connection to Hunter's vessel. BERGER Nice to see you're punctual, Hunter. HUNTER (over vidlink) I could say the same for you, DeSmitt. BERGER Thank you. And you follow directions as well. (beat) Now, where is the Outrider? HUNTER (smiling) Not so fast, DeSmitt. When I hid the Outrider, I attached a proximity charge to it. If I had sent you directly to it, and it had detected your approach... Hunter trails off as Berger's eyes open a little bit wider in respect. She has obviously underestimated Hunter again. BERGER (mock admiration) You clever man. How intriguing. (beat) So, how do we solve the problem of the proximity charges? HUNTER Simple. I escort you to the location of the Outrider, send the disarming codes when I'm within the charge's proximity field, and remove them. You then put Chief Percell into an escape pod and let her go, retrieve your prize, and sail away free as a bird. (beat) By the time we retrieve Percell, you should be long gone. BERGER (thinking it over, then nodding) Agreed. So where _is_ the Outrider? HUNTER I'm sending you the coordinates now, as well as the specs on the proximity charge. Would you like to lead the way? Berger chuckles as she examines the coordinates on her navigational chart. BERGER Oh you _were_ clever, hiding the Outrider in that sensor interference zone. (beat) I think I'll let you lead, Commander Hunter. I just feel safer knowing you are right in my sights. HUNTER (shrugging) Your choice. Follow me. Hunter touches a series of controls on his panel CUT TO EXTERIOR HUNTER'S SUB--CGI It starts to pull away to the right, and Berger's sub comes in directly behind it. As it starts to shrink in the distance, we see the shape of an Outrider move slowly past the camera, following the other two subs. CUT TO OUTRIDER TWO WEAPONS TECH STATION Goodwin is monitoring readouts as Outrider Two trails behind Berger's sub. An outline of Berger's sub appears on one screen, with weapons and sensors identified. A second screen shows the sensor masking mode engaged and targeted. Goodwin checks the readings, making sure again he has gotten it right, then opens a com channel to _seaQuest_. GOODWIN (quietly) _seaQuest_, this is Outrider Two. Target has taken the bait. Proceeding to target zone. ETA, ten minutes. Goodwin cuts off the com channel and watches the displays. CUT TO EXTERIOR CREVASSE FIELD--CGI We follow Berger's sub, seeing Hunter's sub in the distance, as they maneuver through the series of crevasses and canyons. After a few moments they turn and come out upon a large bowl-shaped depression. Hunter's sub slows, as it approaches a small red indicator light on the seafloor below. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB Berger is still seated in the command chair, watching the displays. Scans are painting an outline of the Outrider, underneath the silt. She brings up a vidlink to Hunter. BERGER Well, I'll say this, Commander Hunter. You are a man of your word. Now, if you'll disarm the proximity charge... HUNTER (over vidlink) Let's see Percell's escape pod, and I'll disarm it. BERGER Well, I've decided to change the stakes a little, Commander. Berger hits a control on her console. CUT TO DIVE CHAMBER The water is still up to Percell's shoulders. She is suffering from hypothermia, her lips blue. Suddenly, the water starts to rush in again. CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB Hunter and Matthews watch in horror as the vidlink shows the water creeping up Percell's neck. BERGER (V.O.) You have about fifteen seconds to disarm the proximity charge, Commander. HUNTER All right! Just stop flooding the dive chamber. The vidlink image shows the water level stop just before it reaches Percell's chin. Percell is trying to hold her face up. Hunter reaches over and touches a series of controls, which turn from red to green. HUNTER The charge is disabled. Now give me Percell, damn you. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB BERGER I think not. But I _will_ let Percell outlive you, Commander. Good bye. Berger touches a control and the vidlink is cut off, replaced by a targeting screen. She pushes two more buttons, and two torpedoes leave Berger's sub, racing toward their target. CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI The camera follows the torpedoes as they speed through the water and impact against the cliff face on the side of the bowl. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB The display shows Hunter's sub destroyed by the two torpedo hits. Berger smiles, then turns to the dive chamber. BERGER I promised him you'd live longer. (beat, casually) Time's up. Just as Berger is about to press the controls to fully flood the dive chamber, her com console beeps. She sighs, and turns toward it, opening the channel. BERGER (annoyed) Look, Teddy, your sense of timing-- HUNTER (on vidlink) --Could use some improving. Yeah, I've been told. Berger hears the voice and looks up at the vidlink to see Hunter smiling at her. HUNTER Neat thing, that Outrider. Here's another thing it can do... Hunter nods at Matthews in the background, who speaks briefly into her PAL. Suddenly proximity alarms start to go off on Berger's sensor panel. She checks the display there, and is in shock. Intead of just one vessel, there are three, including... CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI We see Berger's sub surrounded, with Hunter's sub in front of her. Outrider Two suddenly becomes visible behind her, and closing in fast from above, _seaQuest_ appears over a rise. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB We see Berger's reaction, a mix of anger at being tricked and admiration for someone being able to best her, again. BERGER (angrily) _seaQuest_. CUT TO COMMERCIAL END ACT FOUR -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The seaQuest Fan Fiction Mailing List is a service provided by the Stgenesis.org domain. To remove yourself from the list email with the subject Unsubscribe to seaQuest-ff-request@stgenesis.org Further Questions should be directed towards your list administrator: listadmin@stgenesis.org Return-path: Resent-date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 08:53:51 -0500 (CDT) Date: Fri, 12 Sep 1997 06:53:32 -0700 Resent-from: seaquest-ff-request@escapenet.org From: Vicky & Bob Subject: (SQFF) 2047/"A Time to Every Purpose" (Act 5-End) Resent-sender: seaquest-ff-request@escapenet.org To: seaquest-ff Cc: seaquest_2047 Reply-to: bvashyde Resent-message-id: <"M_y5XC.A.jsB.vlUG0"@stgenesis.org> X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailing-List: archive/latest/504 X-Loop: seaquest-ff@stgenesis.org X-Proc-type: 3 ACT FIVE FADE IN ON EXTERIOR BERGER'S SUB--CGI All is as before. Berger's sub is still surrounded. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB She is looking at the external pickups, incredulous at the sight of both _seaQuest_ and a fully functional Outrider where there was none before. Her audio channel crackles for a moment before a priority override signal comes through. GOODWIN (voice only, drawling) Well, Miss DeSmitt, or whoever the hell you _really_ are, we have us here one of them Mexican standoffs. The way I see it, you have two choices. You can surrender now... (beat) ...Or we can do this the hard way. Berger looks, and sighs. She's willing to admit, this time, she's beaten. She presses three controls on her panel, then steps over to a side hatch of her bridge. BERGER Well, then, _Tex_, I guess this is a good place to for me to fold. She calmly hits a button on a panel next to the hatch, which slides open. She takes one last look around, then steps in. The hatch closes behind her. CUT TO EXTERIOR BERGER'S SUB--CGI Berger's sub ejects a small minisub, extremely fast, which powers away from the other three subs. CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE Wolenczak is standing next to Riller at the tactical station, while Taylor is at the engineering station. Riller reacts immediately to the mini-sub's departure. RILLER Fire grapnel torpedoes. WEAPONS TECH Grapnel torpedoes damaged and inoperable, Sir. Riller swears at that, but Wolenczak takes charge. He looks over to Trueman. WOLENCZAK Put this on all frequencies...I want her to hear what's going on. Trueman complies with the order, then nods at Wolenczak. WOLENCZAK Outrider Two, come in. Reede, can you catch her in that tub? REEDE (over com) Not a problem, Sir. Just give me a few moments to get her in my sights-- BERGER (over com) You don't have the time, Sailor. CUT TO BERGER'S MINI-SUB Berger is crammed into the tight confines. BERGER (smiling) I gave my sub an order to self-destruct in about, oh, I'd say three minutes. If you catch me, you ensure your precious little chief is dead. (beat) Simply put, if you want your sailor back, I suggest you get her now. CUT TO BRIDGE Wolenczak and Riller look at each other. WOLENCZAK Helm, bring us in, we're going to do this rescue ourselves. TAYLOR Captain, don't do it! Wolenczak looks over at Taylor, not used to having his orders countermanded. Taylor ignores his angry glance and continues. TAYLOR Sir, we're still structurally unsound. The concussion from the self-destruct will very likely send us to the bottom for good. Wolenczak looks around at _seaQuest_, frustrated that she has failed him at his hour of need. He looks over at Riller, and shakes his head. WOLENCZAK Helm, belay that order. Put as much distance between us and DeSmitt's sub as possible. (beat) Reede, get Percell. REEDE (over com) I'm on it. CUT TO BERGER'S MINI-SUB BERGER Smart choice, Wolenczak. Until next time. (beat) Oh, and Commander Hunter? (beat, coldly) Trust me, there _will_ be a next time. She cuts off the com circuit. CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI The mini-sub escapes down one of the crevasses, then we pan over to follow Outrider Two as it docks with Berger's sub. It extends a flexible docking tube over the dive chamber outer hatch. CUT TO BERGER'S SUB, DIVE CHAMBER The overhead hatch opens, and Goodwin drops in on a rope, lowered quickly by pulley through the airlock. Percell is virtually catatonic from the fear and hypothermia as Goodwin is lowered down next to her. He quickly cuts the links on her arm restraints and then hangs on as she slips under the water's surface. As she does, Percell starts to fight in a panic reaction. Goodwin fends her off, then holds her close to him. She holds on for dear life, sobbing incoherently. Goodwin looks up at hatch and hits the remote for the winch. As it passes through the dive chamber airlock, he yells into the audio pickups. GOODWIN (yelling) Get us the hell out of here! CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI Outrider Two pulls away from Berger's Sub, as Hunter's sub still waits in the distance. CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB Hunter is sitting at his console, monitoring the rescue. A timer on the console is counting down the time left until self-destruct of Berger's sub. As Outrider Two detaches, Hunter glances at it and is relieved to see that a minute is still left. Taking a deep breath, he looks at Matthews. HUNTER So...you think Sara's going to be okay? MATTHEWS (shrugging) Why would it matter to you? HUNTER (with an edge) Look, it _does_ matter, okay? (beat) So do you think she'll be all right? MATTHEWS I think it'll take some time. (beat, crossing over to him) Why don't you come see her? Hunter looks at her incredulously. HUNTER What, aboard _seaQuest_? MATTHEWS Commander, you're going to have to answer for what you've done eventually. But your actions in the last couple of days... (beat) ...And the word I'll put in...well, I'm sure the court martial will be very lenient on you. Hunter just stares at the timer for a moment: thirty seconds left. He turns to Matthews and chuckles. HUNTER If you believe that, Commander, then you are way _too_ naive. I made my choices, and I'll live with them. (beat, decisively) No, I came here to do a job. It's time I finished it. Hunter pulls a small laser pistol and fires it quickly, hitting Matthews in the shoulder before she can react. As she recoils from the injury, he clubs her once with the butt of the pistol. HUNTER (almost regretfully) Sorry, Matthews. (beat, shaking his head) But this is all I have left. Hunter glances at the timer and sees it has ten seconds left. He quickly stuffs Matthews into one of the emergency pods and ejects it, then starts a crash dive. CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE All is as before. TRUEMAN (into headset) Commander Hunter, come in. Commander Hunter, you have to pull back. (beat, to Wolenczak) No response, Sir. Wolenczak considers this a moment. WOLENCZAK Give me a WSKR view. The screen image shifts to a CGI view of Hunter's sub from a distance. We see the emergency pod jettisoned, followed by the start of a crash dive by Hunter's sub. Just as it passes underneath, Berger's sub explodes. As it does, the WSKRs all go offline. CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI We see the emergency pod with Matthews in it get tossed around by the shock wave from the explosion. Hunter's sub slowly leaves the bottom of the debris cloud, the stolen Outrider in tow. CUT TO BRIDGE The shock wave from the explosion passes, causing some equipment failures. The bridge lights flicker from white to emergency red, then return to normal lighting as they ride out the shock wave. As the lights flicker one last time, then come back strongly, Wolenczak looks at the sensor tech. WOLENCZAK Get a WSKR back online. We need to find that emergency pod. TRUEMAN (listening to her headset, then repeating) Sir, Reede says they are on the lifepod, but they are already at capacity. Any help they could get... WOLENCZAK Right. (beat, to Riller) Get out there in a Marauder and help Outrider Two pick up that lifepod. As he turns to go, the WSKR view comes up on the main view screen. Taylor sees it first. TAYLOR Sweet mother, how did he do _that_! Wolenczak and Riller turn to see the screen, which shows a perfect view of Hunter's sub with the stolen Outrider in tow, slipping by _seaQuest_ and into a crevasse. Riller looks for a second as his tactical board. RILLER (frustrated) Already out of range. (beat, explosively) Dammit, _not_ this time. He sprints for the hatch, heading for his Marauder. CUT TO DOCKING BAY Riller sprints in and climbs into his own Marauder (Marauder Three). The bay doors shut around his subfighter. CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI Riller's Marauder exits _seaQuest_, in hot pursuit. As the camera pans to follow, it stops on the lifepod being grapnelled to Outrider Two. CUT TO EXTERIOR MARAUDER THREE--CGI Riller is giving chase. We see him rolling wildly through the crevasse, trying to make up lost ground. We finally get a glimpse of Hunter's sub up ahead, passing around a corner. RILLER (V.O.) Hunter, give it up. You can't get away. HUNTER (V.O.) Face it, Lieutenant. I _am_ getting away. CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB Hunter is working his controls feverishly, trying to shake Riller's pursuit. He spares a quick glance for his sensor readings, and smiles for a moment. HUNTER Besides, _Lieutenant_, how are you going to shoot me down? You only have one torpedo loaded. CUT TO MARAUDER THREE Riller looks, and confirms that what Hunter says is true. In frustration, he fires a laser shot that glances wide of the mark. RILLER (voice heavy with frustration) _seaQuest_, this is Marauder Three. CUT TO BRIDGE Wolenczak is in his command chair. WOLENCZAK Go ahead, Marauder Three. Do you have him in sight? RILLER (over com) Affirmative. (beat, uncomfortable) But, Sir, I can't get a clear shot for the lasers... (beat) ...And I only have one torpedo. Wolenczak looks over at the communications station. WOLENCZAK One torpedo?! How did that happen? RILLER (over com, grimly) Not sure, Sir. She should have been fully loaded. You can be sure the deck officer'll hear about it when I get back. Wolenczak looks at the screen for a moment, then lowers his head. He then sighs and looks up at the screen WOLENCZAK (firmly) Lieutenant, you are to destroy Hunter's Marauder. Do you understand? CUT TO MARAUDER THREE Riller smiles, coldly. RILLER Yes, Sir. He concentrates on his piloting, closing the gap. CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI Marauder Three closes in on Hunter's sub, the gap narrowing. Finally, they reach a relatively straight section of crevasse. CUT TO MARAUDER THREE Riller smiles as he lines up the shot. RILLER Payback's a bitch, Hunter. He touches a control on the stick, causing the torpedo to streak away from him and toward Hunter. CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB An alarm goes off, indicating an incoming torpedo. Hunter silently mouths counting to three, and then jerks the controls downward. CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI Hunter's sub jukes downward, but the towed Outrider doesn't follow. The torpedo plows into it and explodes, destroying the Outrider. Hunters sub is pushed by the explosion, while Riller's Marauder hits the shock wave and is tossed like a leaf in a storm until it piles against one of the crevasse walls and sinks to the bottom. CUT TO MARAUDER THREE As he tumbles out of control, Riller hits the emergency signal on his control panel. CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI Marauder Three hits bottom hard, followed by all the debris from the side of the crevasse, which almost totally buries it. CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB As he fights for control of his sub, Hunter swears angrily. Slowly, the buffeting stops, and he's survived the worst. He activates an aft view and looks at the remains of Marauder Three, crushed under the debris. HUNTER Well, at least that will keep _seaQuest_ busy for a while. He turns to his controls. HUNTER (subdued, to himself) Now what? Ross is _not_ going to like this... He stares thoughtfully at his screen as we... CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI Hunter sails away, a man without a country. CUT TO BRIDGE Trueman looks like she's in shock, but she's managing to remain businesslike. Wolenczak just closes his eyes after watching all this unfold on WSKR view. He turns to Taylor. WOLENCZAK Get a rescue party out there to retrieve Riller. (beat) Do we have anything that can catch Hunter? Taylor just shakes his head. Wolenczak sighs, for the first time looking truly defeated. He has just realized that every injury, every death, every price paid, everything they have all been through has come to nothing at all. He looks at Taylor. WOLENCZAK (sighing) Commander, you have the conn. I'll be in my quarters. Wolenczak turns and wearily trudges off the bridge. CUT TO MEDBAY It is downright crowded in here. Matthews and Percell are in beds, Percell heavily sedated, while Callan is still in the ICU area, under constant monitoring. Matthews has one arm in a sling. Trueman is talking with her, obviously disturbed. MATTHEWS There's still no word? TRUEMAN (shaking her head) Last I heard they were excavating the Marauder, but they hadn't gotten to the crew compartment yet. The emergency beacon is still sounding, but that's it. MATTHEWS Give it a chance, Ensign. Riller's too tough to let this stop him. She reaches over with her good arm and squeezes Trueman's hand. As she does, Reede walks in and stops looking around for a moment. The enormity of recent events is starting to hit him. Trueman sees him and gets up, crossing to him. REEDE (quiet, a little shaken) I hadn't realized... TRUEMAN (nodding) I know. It takes a little getting used to. (beat) And Justin is still missing, but I haven't given up hope yet. Reede looks at her for a moment, letting down his guard. REEDE Look, Becca, I know this may not be the time to bring this up, but I learned something out there. (beat, uncomfortable) Everything I've worked for...being a pilot, trying to get promoted... it's all...minor stuff. Does that make any sense? He pauses, waiting for her to make fun of him. Trueman is just watching him, listening closely, an expression of understanding on her face. He reaches over and takes her hands. REEDE (continuing) I guess what I'm trying to say is I know what's important now... and I'd like the chance to make-- Goodwin pokes his head in the hatch of the MedBay and spots Reede. GOODWIN Hey, Rookie! (beat, crossing to Reede) You handled yourself well out there. But don't let it go to your head. (beat, handing Reede an envelope) This came in for you from topside. (beat, drawling) It looked important, so I roped it in and drug it down here for ya. (beat, to Trueman) Ensign, thought you might like to know, they recovered Lieutenant Riller. He's a little beat up, but nothing serious. The rescue team should have him here shortly, if you want to meet him. Trueman looks up at Goodwin, her face lighting up at the good news. She gives Goodwin an enthusiastic hug, forgetting Reede is even there as she races off toward the docking bay. Reede and Goodwin just watch her leave, Reede less happily than Goodwin. GOODWIN (grinning) Yep, that one's mighty friendly, Rookie. Chuckling at the look on Reede's face, Goodwin turns and exits. Reede sighs and looks down at the envelope Goodwin handed him. It has his name and the UEO seal on the front. He opens it and starts to read the contents, then stops and looks over at Callan's intensive care unit. He walks over to the glass and holds the letter against it. REEDE (softly) Look, Commander. I made the promotion list. I'm a Lieutenant Junior Grade now. (beat, his voice getting thick with emotion) You promised to buy me a drink if I got promoted...and you better not go back on that... He trails off as he watches the status monitors around Callan's bed. His arm drops to his side, and the letter falls slowly to the floor. CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S QUARTERS Wolenczak is on the vidlink with Robinson. WOLENCZAK (continuing) ...So we're headed into Philadelphia for repairs. We should arrive in about twelve hours. ROBINSON (on vidlink, nodding) Good. I'll arrange for Kelly Callan to meet the boat there, and then for her to accompany Commander Callan on the air ambulance flight to Bethesda Naval Hospital for treatment. (beat) Of course, I expect you'll have to be the one to talk to her. She's refusing any calls from either the secretary general or myself. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Can't say that I blame her. I mean, put yourself in her place for a second. We kept her from her husband when he could have died at any moment...she's got a right to be angry. (beat) I'll try to talk to her. (beat) And Percell...she's pretty traumatized by all this. We're placing her on leave, on condition she gets some psychiatric help. Robinson nods, understanding, but unable to change what has happened. ROBINSON On another topic, we're going to take advantage of this yard availability to do some upgrades on seaQuest, Captain. (beat) That Science Lab module you wanted, for instance. (beat) And the design folks are working on systems redundancy issues. We don't ever want a single attack like this to cripple you so effectively...next time. WOLENCZAK Sort of like closing the barn door... He trails off, no enthusiasm. ROBINSON Well, we're still working off leads on who this "Erica DeSmitt" really is, and who she worked for. (beat) The office pool in Investigation is leaning toward Walker at EWS. But getting a handle on DeSmitt... (beat, shaking head) This lady seems to have more lives than a cat. And at least that many faces. WOLENCZAK Yeah, but she met her match this time in Hunter. (beat) I wonder what he's going to do? I mean, now that the Carolinans have disowned him? ROBINSON He just better hope _we_ never catch him. Wolenczak nods, but appears not to be sure whether he agrees with Robinson. CUT TO MORGAN'S QUARTERS Morgan's resting on her bunk, listening to Bach's Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 at high volume, when there's a pounding on the hatch. She gets up carefully, obviously stiff from recent events, turns the music down, and opens the hatch. To her surprise, Goodwin is standing there. MORGAN (hesitantly) Oh...hello. GOODWIN (teasing a bit) Pretty classy music you listen to. Only you play it as loud as a jukebox in a honky tonk. MORGAN (shrugging) Some music just has to be played loudly to have the right effect. (beat) Was there something you wanted? GOODWIN Actually, I have something _you_ want. Morgan is puzzled. MORGAN Oh? Goodwin holds out a still-damp duffel bag with her name stenciled on it. Morgan's eyes go wide as she eagerly takes it from him. MORGAN How on _earth_ did you get this? GOODWIN (nonchalantly) Salvage team just got back from the downed shuttle. I asked 'em to keep an eye out for it. MORGAN (gratefully) Thank you. There's some things in here that mean a lot to me. I hope you didn't go to any trouble. GOODWIN No trouble at all. You sounded kind of upset about losing it, when you were bringing the Marauder back here, and I just thought that, after all you'd been through, you deserved some _good_ news. (beat, a little hesitantly) You did a real fine job back there, on the mining rig, and getting Callan back here in time. Goodwin's obviously been serious for as long as he possibly could, because he grins again. GOODWIN (teasing again) You might be the size of an ant, but you've got a heart the size of Texas in that little body. Morgan can't help but smile at his mixed metaphors. MORGAN (shyly) I just did what I had to do. But thanks for the compliment. GOODWIN You earned it. (beat, saluting her) See you later, Ensign Ant. He turns and walks away, leaving a bemused Morgan watching him go. CUT TO MALIBU BEACH Berger is once more in that chaise lounge, in a emerald green bikini this time. A bottle of champagne, opened, is in an ice bucket beside her; she's holding a partially filled champagne glass. She's on vidlink with Langson, wrapping up a report of what happened. BERGER In all, I think you could call this a success...from your point of view, Minister. (beat) No one _you_ specified ended up dead, but the crew is so shaken up, they won't be effective for a long time, if ever again. LANGSON (over vidlink) Success? I wanted them _discredited_. You nearly killed half of them! And you cost _me_ years of work on the Outrider project. Berger sips her champagne carefully and licks her lips. BERGER (off-handedly) Actually, if you want to be technical, it was Hunter who got most of them hurt and the Outrider prototype destroyed. CUT TO ROBINSON'S OFFICE Robinson has tapped into Langson's communication circuits, and is monitoring the conversation between Berger and Langson. LANGSON (from monitor) Yes, Hunter. You could almost say he did your job for you. (beat) Anyway, I'll have the money transferred to your account on Grand Cayman this afternoon. And you'll hear more from me soon. BERGER I'm going to be unavailable for a little while, Minister. I have a...personal...matter to look into. Call it a..._debt_ I need to repay. (beat) But I'll be in touch. Even across the vidlink, it is obvious that Berger's eyes have gone deadly cold. Langson shudders as he breaks the connection. Robinson freezes that last screen of Berger, his face taking on a troubled yet thoughtful expression. CUT TO MALIBU BEACH Berger turns away from the vidlink. Her eyes are very cold and hard as she looks out to sea. FADE TO BLACK THE END Copyright 1997, 2047 staff. -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The seaQuest Fan Fiction Mailing List is a service provided by the Stgenesis.org domain. 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