ACT ONE

FADE IN TO EXTERIOR UEO HEADQUARTERS

Establishing shot shows the normal hustle and bustle surrounding the
headquarters of the world's largest group of confederations. It's a typically
overcast Portland morning.

FADE TO CONFERENCE ROOM

Secretary General Katherine Hitchcock, Defense Minister Andrew Langson, and
Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Wallace Robinson, as well as a few others
are around the conference table. They're watching Captain Lucas Wolenczak's
image on the room's vidlink screen.

WOLENCZAK
(on vidlink, surprised)
You're giving _seaQuest_ an exploration mission?

HITCHCOCK
(dryly)
You had a type of one in Africa.
(beat)
Besides, You'd better not jinx it, Captain, or you'll never get one again.

WOLENCZAK
(grinning)
Yes, Ma'am.

As Hitchcock begins to explain the mission, we...

CUT TO WARDROOM

We're at the exact same moment in time, but now we're on the other side of the
communication. Wolenczak is seated at the table, facing the vidlink screen
with Commander Jessie Matthews, Lieutenant Justin Riller, and Ensign Anne
Morgan.

HITCHCOCK
(on vidlink)
The whole UEO's mystified at this new island, Captain. The previous ones in
the chain all held rich mineral deposits, and a lot of rare ores, which is why
our research team was prospecting for them.
(beat)
There's a possibility this island was formed from an undersea volcano, but the
scientific team on the beach has seen vegetation that's far beyond anything
that should there if this was a newly formed island.
(beat)
We've got people looking everywhere we can think of to try and figure out
where this island really came from.
(beat)
The strange thing is that when we accessed all the backlogs of our satellite
images from the area, this island wasn't on them or they were so blurry we
couldn't tell one way or another.

ROBINSON
(on vidlink, stepping in)
This brings in the possibility of a cover up, possibly by the UEO
(beat, with distaste)
Section Seven, or the Macronesian military, most likely during the war.
(beat)
Whoever did this sure went through a considerable about of trouble. Hiding
something like this means hacked databases, altered satellite images, and
changed files in a myriad of locations.
(beat, explaining)
If this is the case, and the geologic aspect doesn't fit, someone obviously
didn't want this island found. Our main question is what's on this island that
warrants so much cover-up?

HITCHCOCK
(continuing)
While we try and figure out some more exact specifics, we want _seaQuest_ to
get to the site. Your job is to figure out if there's anything on the island
itself that can give us a clue to why it was erased from our maps and/or how
it formed.

WOLENCZAK
Are we supposed to investigate the island surface?

HITCHCOCK
We have the team that made the initial finding on the beach already. Their
reports are basically all we've had to go on.
(beat, shaking her head)
Our satellite imaging is being fuzzy -- inconclusive at best. The sun has
been spitting out solar flares that are really playing hell with our
intelligence-gathering abilities here. So far, the team has reported nothing
out of the ordinary. We've let them explore a little, but they're not to get
more than a hundred feet from the shore.
(beat)
We want these people on a tight leash until _seaQuest_ arrives.

WOLENCZAK
(not getting it)
What exactly is _seaQuest_ supposed to--

HITCHCOCK
(cutting him off)
Admiral Robinson can brief you on the specifics of the mission as soon as we
work them out. But for now you're to set a course, and get there as quickly as
possible.
(beat, with suspicion)
I'm hoping this island doesn't turn out to be an old military base. We don't
want these scientists, or worse yet, somehow the Carolinans stumbling onto a
skeleton in our closet.

The _seaQuest_ crew exchange nervous glances, and Hitchcock notices.

HITCHCOCK
(matter-of-factly)
I'll admit, we still haven't ruled out that possibility. That's why I'm not
taking any chances.
(beat, finalizing)
Bottom line, get _seaQuest_ there ASAP. Hitchcock out.

As the vidlink goes black, Wolenczak turns to his officers.

WOLENCZAK
(pressing a com button)
Wolenczak to Bridge.

TRUEMAN
(over com)
Trueman here, Sir.

WOLENCZAK
Have the helm set heading to 135.
(beat)
Depth to 600 meters, speed to ahead flank.

Wolenczak pauses, realizing something.

WOLENCZAK
(into com)
Hang on a sec, Trueman.

Wolenczak presses another button.

WOLENCZAK
(into com)
Mister Taylor?

TAYLOR
(over com)
I'm here, Sir.

WOLENCZAK
We're going to have some extended high speed run time, Mister. Make sure the
engines are ready for it.

TAYLOR
(over com)
Aye, Sir.

Wolenczak types a few things into the panel in front of him.

WOLENCZAK
(into com)
Trueman?

TRUEMAN
(over com)
Yes, Sir?

WOLENCZAK
(continuing)
I've sent the helm the co-ordinates for our final destination.
(beat)
They're in a secure packet. Make sure the helm receives them.

TRUEMAN
(over com)
Aye, Sir.

As Wolenczak presses the button to end the communication, Matthews pipes up.

MATTHEWS
Something's not right about this whole thing.
(beat)
How could the planet just lose track of an island?

WOLENCZAK
I don't know.

Wolenczak pauses, saying the next line almost to himself. Several other people
at
the table overhear it though.

WOLENCZAK
And I bet the secretary general's scared because she doesn't know what to make
of it, either.

The table sits quiet for a second, Wolenczak explains.

WOLENCZAK
(extrapolating)
As Secretary General she has access to all the data, all the reports. Ever.
(beat)
Everything the UEO _should_ know is there... and she can't find a shred of
data on this island.
(beat)
Personally, I don't blame her for being at least a little scared.

RILLER
But, Sir, it's 2049. People have been at sea for more than five hundred years,
and we've got more satellites in the sky than ever before. We're not supposed
lose track of something like an island in the west Pacific.

WOLENCZAK
Exactly.

MORGAN
(turning to Wolenczak)
So what are we going to do?

WOLENCZAK
(forming a plan in his head)
Morgan, assemble a science party.
(beat, thinking)
Which, sadly, only includes you, Doctor Burke and myself. If this remains a
scientific mission, we'll take this party to the island. I need you to make
sure there's no health or ecological risks involved.
(beat)
We might need some more help with the geologic aspect of this thing-- contact
our
people at Woods Hole and at Boulder.  Oh-- and see if you can get a hold of the
GGS, to see if they've got anything in their records about this place, they've
got
more complete maps of the Earth than anyone, the UEO included.
(beat)
Use any data the WSKRS pick up and anything the UEO sends us.

MORGAN
(nodding)
Yes, Sir.

Wolenczak pauses in thought, consulting a pad in front of him before turning
to Riller.

WOLENCZAK
(continuing)
Riller, work with the engineering and sensor staff to try and decipher some of
this mystery. I want to know how this island could have been hidden for so
long.
(beat)
We'll also need a security detail with the science team. Assemble a few
people, nothing intense, just enough for defense.
(beat, quieter)
However, if the situation warrants it, I want a contingency plan in place for
a full assault landing. Prepare me a list for that team as well.

Riller nods as Matthews attempts to say something, but Wolenczak puts up his
hand. He's not going to be argued out of going on this mission. Riller pauses
before speaking, making quick glances at Wolenczak and Matthews.

RILLER
(cautiously)
Aye, Sir.

WOLENCZAK
(turning to his XO)
Commander Matthews, I need you to stay on the Bridge. If there are people with
a military interest in this island, they're probably going to defend it with
force. Your top priority is to get us to the island as fast as possible. Check
ocean currents and see if there's anything that'll help us out
naturally.
(beat)
Sorry to leave you behind again, Jessie, but my scientific expertise should
come in handy here. Especially due to the fact that we've got no one else,
save Morgan, with a scientific background.

MATTHEWS
(not content)
Understood.

WOLENCZAK
(standing up)
Let's get this show on the road.

They leave the Wardroom, Wolenczak last.

CUT TO UEO HQ CONFERENCE ROOM

The background commotion from before has died down, but the discussions taking
place between Robinson, Langson and Hitchcock are tempered.

LANGSON
We need boats other than _seaQuest_ on site!

ROBINSON
(accusingly)
Are you suggesting _seaQuest_'s not capable of dealing with this situation...
(beat, forced)
Sir.

Hitchcock gives Robinson a _look_. She wasn't pleased with his comment.
However, Langson brushes it off, albeit angrily, with a wave of his hand.

LANGSON
(forcefully)
No.
(beat)
But the point remains, we're sending _seaQuest_ around like our personal
emissary, pointing her in whatever direction we find shady. We intervened in
Africa, and we got told for that one.

HITCHCOCK
(sighing)
Agreed.
(beat)
But _seaQuest_ is equipped to handle any situation.
(beat)
More equipped than any other boat in the fleet.

LANGSON
True. But that could pose a problem.

HITCHCOCK
How?

LANGSON
(mysteriously)
Look, I just think that if a certain group had a military interest in this
island, and had something they wanted to hide, _seaQuest_, just as a presence,
could be enough to provoke attack. Sending _seaQuest_ in there could be our
worst mistake.

ROBINSON
(turning the tables)
Or our best decision. As the secretary general pointed out, _seaQuest_ has the
most sophisticated scanning capabilities in the whole fleet. And one of most
experienced commanders, maybe not age-wise, but definitely in regard to
ability.
(beat)
None of this matters anyway.
(beat)
The Secretary General has assigned _seaQuest_ to this mission, Minister. If you
have a concern about this usage of our flagship, you'll have to lodge a formal
complain of actions at the next UEO council meeting. The decision has been made.

LANGSON
(raising his tone another notch)
Consider the complaint on the agenda, Mister Robinson.

HITCHCOCK
(closing the discussion)
All right.
(beat, to Langson)
Your concern is noted, and I thank you for your time, Minister Langson.
(beat, with emphasis)
Excused.

Langson knows when he's not wanted, and gets up to leave. He's angry because
the meeting is proceeding without him and his anger shows as he walks out.
After Langson closes the door behind him, Hitchcock leans in to Robinson.

HITCHCOCK
(quietly)
He _knows_ there's a military power interested in that island.

Robinson nods silently.

HITCHCOCK
(forming a plan)
Assign a few more of your best computer specialists from UEO Forces Intel.
There's _got_ to be something, somewhere about this island. You know, at least
some rumors about why it disappeared.
(beat, sighing)
And why Andrew Langson is so concerned about us sending _seaQuest_ there.

As Robinson nods again, we...

CUT TO ISLAND SHORE

Majors and Spaljic are paddling a boat from the _Placia_ which we can see in
the distance off shore. The boat reaches shore and the two get out and pull it
in. Attias and Vasquel hop out as Majors and Spaljic secure the boat.

VASQUEL
(smiling)
Thanks, guys.

She pulls her backpack in front of her and rummages through it, pulling out
several small black boxes. She starts handing them out.

VASQUEL
These surface scanners are hooked into the UEO central database. They're
scanning for a variety of things including Carbon Dioxide, Hydrogen Sulphate,
gaseous sulphur, Carbon monoxide, and the ash content of the air.
(beat)
Make sure we have complete, and confirmed readings here, because for now,
we're all info the UEO has to go on.

MAJORS
Are they easy to break?

VASQUEL
Not as easy as the last thing I let you touch.
(beat)
Don't do it, Kendall.

MAJORS
(smiling)
I'll be good.

ATTIAS
(stepping in)
Anita, why don't you lead us where we're going.

VASQUEL
(nodding)
Aye, aye.

Vasquel start walking inland and the others follow her.

CUT TO BRIDGE

We're in the evening shift. Matthews is in command, with Riller at Tactical,
and Morgan carrying on a vidlink conversation from the science station.
Various other officers are manning Helm, Sensors and Communications. Matthews
goes to the helm officer, a sandy-haired young man named Kelly.

MATTHEWS
(putting her hand on his chair)
How much longer, Mister Kelly?

KELLY
(checking displays)
About an hour, Sir.
(beat)
Er... Ma'am.

Matthews smiles.

MATTHEWS
(hiding a smile)
Sir is fine, Sailor.
(beat)
Continue on course.

Matthews moves over to Riller.

MATTHEWS
Status of the landing teams?

RILLER
(without hesitation)
Morgan's talking to the UEO Geologic Survey over there, attempting to get a B.S.
in
the subject in about half an hour.
(beat)
Both teams are planned out, science team with security detail officers
included have been put on standby. We've also got a "forcible entry" team
ready and also on fifteen-minute standby.
(beat)
It's just damn frustrating, not having _any_ intel going into this, you know?

MATTHEWS
(shaking her head)
Tell me about it.

RILLER
(continuing)
The security detail is drawing weapons from the armory.
(beat)
Doctor Burke is preparing surveying equipment, magnetometers, gravimeters and
preliminary scan data maps of the area.

MATTHEWS
(a tinge of resentment showing)
The captain?

RILLER
(shrugging)
He's on the list, just as he ordered.
(beat)
We'll have to notify him of departure when we figure out which team is going.

MATTHEWS
(nodding)
All right.
(beat)
We'll be there in about a hour, and pre-launch orders go out in thirty
minutes.
(beat, to Riller)
For now, I want you here, on tactical. I'm not taking any chances with this
"mystery" island.

Riller nods as Matthews moves to her command chair. She pushes the intercom
button.

MATTHEWS
(into com)
Chief Percell, I need you on the Bridge.

PERCELL
(over com, groggily)
Commander?

MATTHEWS
Sorry about the double-duty, Chief, but I need your expertise on Sensors ASAP.
I'll expect you in ten minutes for a duty shift.

PERCELL
(over com, trying to hide her displeasure)
Aye, Sir.

Matthews closes the communication and goes over to Morgan.

MATTHEWS
Ensign?

MORGAN
(to the screen in front of her)
Hold on a minute, please?

Morgan turns to Matthews.

MORGAN
Commander?

MATTHEWS
(pointing to sensor station)
When you're done, I'd like you work with Chief McDermott on sensors to see
what else we can pick up from the island.
(beat)
His shift is almost over, and Chief Percell will be up momentarily.

Morgan nods, and goes back to her vidlink call.

CUT TO LANGSON

We're on a tight shot of his face, and we can tell he's edgy. He's talking to
someone off camera.

LANGSON
_seaQuest_ is on its way.
(beat)
If they find out these are the people you hired before, lots of people are
going to be asking a lot of questions.
(beat)
Questions we shouldn't have answers for.

VOICE
(off camera)
If these people are as competent as the technology they've been...
(with hidden meaning)
...Provided with, they should do all our work for us.

Langson's face seems to loosen, slightly.

CUT TO ISLAND

As the science team continues exploring, scanners in hand, we pan down to a
patch of moss, and discover a miniature scanning device.

CUT TO SCANNER VIEW

We see Majors pass by, looking around, suspiciously. The camera pans back to
reveal a technology-filled room, with many screens all with different views
from different parts of the island. The person sitting in front of the screen
taps a key at uneven intervals which changes the camera's view. It's obvious
he's "following" the scientists. After a few seconds, he taps a couple more
buttons. Four screens in front of him change their views to something
resembling a biomonitor one would only see in a medical installation. He leans
forward to a microphone that's aimed at his mouth.

EXTRA AT CONSOLE
(emotionlessly)
Four adequate specimens.
(beat)
Sector six.

The camera pans back again, showing another biomonitor behind the man at the
console. From the shape of the body, it is fairly easy to determine that the
console is displaying the status of the man in the chair. The camera pans down
and we see a name, "Orbetti, Joseph L." at the bottom along with another
caption: "Acquired: December 8th, 2046. Regulator Chip Installed in Specimen:
December 9th, 2046. Specimen: Fully Responsive to Commands." The camera pans
back to reveal the emotionless face of Orbetti, only his eyes moving to see
the various screens in front of him.

CUT TO ISLAND

Vasquel is leading the team through some fairly tall grass, beating down a
sort of trail, and all of them have scanners in their hands. Spaljic is
bringing up the rear, looking quizzically at the readings in front of him.

SPALJIC
(shaking his scanner)
I'm picking up less than nothing. I think my scanner's broken.

Vasquel sighs.

VASQUEL
(frustrated)
It's the damn ferromagnetic particles in the air.
(beat)
They're playing hell with our instruments.
(beat)
I don't think the UEO is gonna be able to use _any_ of this.

Majors' scanner beeps.

MAJORS
(stopping on the trail)
Hang on, guys.
(beat, his scanner beeps)
I think I've got something.

Vasquel, Attias and Spaljic turn to face Majors, who's holding up his scanner.
Its beeping is increasing, and a red light flashes on the display. Vasquel
squints to see the screen.

VASQUEL
("horrified")
Oh...my...God...

The three men turn to her in shock.

ATTIAS
What is it, Anita?

VASQUEL
(dryly)
He's set his scanner to detect bugs in the air.

As Attias and Spaljic hold back laughter, Vasquel grabs the scanner from
Majors hand. She turns to keep walking, adjusting the scanner as she goes.

VASQUEL
(shaking her head)
Sometimes you guys are just too much.
(beat, handing the scanner back)
There, now it's actually scanning for technology.

Majors turns the device back on, and immediately it starts beeping again.

MAJORS
What the--?

Vasquel grabs the scanner from him again.

VASQUEL
Damn magnetic particles.
(beat)
If you've gotten them in the casing, I'll--

Two sentry cannons pop out of the ground and begin to track the party with
their barrels.

MAJORS
Ana? We've got more problems than bad scanners!

As the cannons acquire a lock Majors jumps, pushing Vasquel out of the way. The
cannon-fire is still far too close its target. The team turns and runs out of
range, as the camera pulls back to show the whole scene: four frightened
scientists, huddling ten meters from the two large laser cannons, and the
cannons, tracking for another shot.

SPALJIC
Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't the UEO say there wasn't supposed to be
technology on this "uninhabited" island?

Vasquel is visibly shaken from the experience, but she manages to pull a PAL
from her backpack.

MAJORS
Where'd you get that?

ATTIAS
Shut up for once and her get us some help, Ken!

Vasquel turns from the argument and face the PAL.

VASQUEL
Hang on. Just let me--

VOICE
(from PAL)
UEO Security.

VASQUEL
This is the Attias exploration team on the unknown island, and we need
_immediate_ assistance.

VOICE
(from PAL)
The _seaQuest_ has been ordered to your location. ETA twenty minutes.

VASQUEL
There's sentry cannons firing at us.
(beat)
What do you expect us to do until then?

VOICE
(from PAL)
There are several UEO registered weapons on your boat.
(beat)
Use them.

As Vasquel turns, she sees that Attias is already on his feet.

ATTIAS
(nodding)
Let's get back to the _Placia_ and get those weapons, fast.

Vasquel turns off the PAL

VASQUEL
Agreed.

As the scientists retreat back to their boat, we...

FADE TO COMMERCIAL

END ACT ONE


ACT TWO

OPEN ON UEO HEADQUARTERS CONFERENCE ROOM

The room is swarming with people, many of whom are passing files to each other
and to Hitchcock who is at the center of the mayhem. She's sitting beside
Robinson, talking to Lieutenant Tendrament, her personal assistant, and seems
oblivious to the commotion around her. Seated at the same table are Robinson
and Langson, who are both listening to what she has to say.

HITCHCOCK
I want _seaQuest_ to get those people off the island as soon as they can.
(beat)
If it's inhabited, with the defense systems those explorers found, we could be
looking at some sort of military base.
(beat, angrily)
Why the hell didn't we know about this island?

Tendrament nods, making a mental note of what she's saying.

HITCHCOCK
(remembering)
How long until our air surveillance gets us some real-time pictures of the
island?

On Tendrament's shrug, Robinson picks up the ball and calls someone from
across the room. The person who arrives is UEO Chief of Aerospace Operations
four-star Admiral Jonas Kilbeck. He's over fifty, with tightly cropped,
graying blonde hair. His features are rough, but not overly so.
Kilbeck moves with confidence, and places himself in front of Hitchcock.

KILBECK
Jonas Kilbeck, UEO Chief of Aerospace Operations, Sir.
(beat)
Ready for debriefing.

HITCHCOCK
Mister Kilbeck, status of our recon overflight?

KILBECK
(firmly)
We're worried about possible anti-aircraft armaments on the island, Madame
Secretary.
(beat, frustratedly)
And you already know about the satellites.

Kilbeck pauses, but Hitchcock offers no response, yet. She's waiting for more.
He continues.

KILBECK
(quickly)
The planes are on their way, make no mistake. We're carrying out your orders,
but we're still at least thirty minutes away.
(beat)
The delay was caused by the preparation of four aircraft instead of our usual
three.
(beat)
We've added the fourth to have adequate information retrieval should one or
more of the planes get shot down.

There is a still silence following Kilbeck's last remark. Hitchcock pays no
attention to it.

HITCHCOCK
(firmly)
See if they can't get us a closer look at any features of the island.
(beat)
Then give it to the geomorphologists to study, because we still don't have a
damn
clue where this island came from.
(beat)
And there's got to be something you can do to defend your planes against this
island.
(beat)
I know there's limited information, but there has to be something.

KILBECK
(standing up for himself)
We've got our best planes up there, Madame Secretary. But we've also received
some preliminary scan data from the scientists who made the initial find. This
data
suggests a massive technology network on the island. Some of the technology down
there is only undergoing preliminary testing in both the UEO and Carolinan
Confederation. We don't know where these people got the tech, and our planes
have
never handled it in a combat situation before.
(beat, Hitchcock and Robinson are silent)
We think the technology has allowed them to avoid detection in the past, but
apparently when those scientists found their "guards," secrecy didn't matter
anymore.

Hitchcock nods, and sighs. She's not pleased with having such a lack of
information, but there is little they can do about it.

HITCHCOCK
Is there anything else we can get from our satellites?

KILBECK
We're working on them as well, Madame Secretary.
(beat)
We've pulled with all into a lower orbit, to try and keep track of them better.
(beat)
We're pulling them in close so there's a slightly less chance of interference
with the
Earth-satellite link.

HITCHCOCK
(nodding)
Feed any and all data you retrieve directly to the _seaQuest_. They're our first
line of
defense against anything this island decides to throw at us.
(beat)
And Kilbeck?

Kilbeck turns back towards Hitchcock, a blank expression on his face.

HITCHCOCK
Keep me informed.

KILBECK
(with a nod)
Of course.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

The boat is at station keeping, with WSKRS moving at close proximity to the
boat.

CUT TO DOCKING BAY

Morgan is in the bay, unloading things from the launch. She goes into the
hatch and comes out moments later with an armload of equipment. Wolenczak,
Riller and Goodwin enter, all geared up for launch. Wolenczak goes over to
Morgan.

WOLENCZAK
(looking at Morgan)
Sorry you got cut here, Ensign, but this isn't really a science mission
anymore.

MORGAN
(nodding)
Aye, Sir.

The com unit buzzes behind Goodwin and he activates it.

GOODWIN
(into com)
Docking Bay.

MATTHEWS
(over com)
Hey Mad Dog. I need the captain, please.

GOODWIN
(looking over at Wolenczak)
Okay.

Goodwin goes over to Wolenczak, who's started helping Morgan unload the
launch.

GOODWIN
Matthews wants you on the com, Sir.

Wolenczak nods and makes his way over to the com panel, giving Goodwin the
load he was carrying. Morgan comes out of the launch, carrying a very large
amount of equipment.

GOODWIN
(to Morgan)
Damn, you ants can sure carry twice your weight, eh?

Morgan looks a Goodwin, who's got three small pieces of equipment in his
hands.

MORGAN
(smiling)
Least it's a helluva lot more than you can carry.

As Goodwin snickers at Morgan's joke, the camera pans back over to Wolenczak
at the com panel.

WOLENCZAK
What?

MATTHEWS
(over com)
The UEO has sent word that they've discovered a very dense web of technology
on the island. It's got some pretty neat tricks to it too. Whoever these
people are, they're using various current technologies to achieve some pretty
spectacular results.
(beat)
They also said that Morgan is a good choice for the landing party.

WOLENCZAK
(into com)
Why?

CUT TO MATTHEWS

She's in the command chair, talking into the com panel.

MATTHEWS
When Morgan chatted with the UEO Geologic Survey, one of the people she
_somehow_ ended up talking with was Frederik Ocer, the German technology expert.

WOLENCZAK
(over com, surprised)
What?

MATTHEWS
(nodding, continuing)
The UEO has confirmed she's ready for this mission, and with her background as a
medtech, she apparently has all the credentials she needs.

WOLENCZAK
(over com)
But this isn't a science mission anymore.

MATTHEWS
Apparently, next to Chief Percell and Commander Taylor, the UEO thinks Morgan's
the best tech person we've got.

WOLENCZAK
(over com)
So why aren't they sending either of those two?

MATTHEWS
They want them here, analyzing the scanner readings you guys bring back.

CUT TO DOCKING BAY

Wolenczak is still beside the com panel. He glances over in Morgan's
direction.

WOLENCZAK
(unsurely)
All right.
(beat)
Thanks, Matthews.

Wolenczak pushes the com button and goes over to Morgan, who has finished
unloading her equipment.

WOLENCZAK
Ensign, it looks like the UEO wants you on this mission.
(beat)
Personally, I just hope you're as ready as they say you are.
(beat)
But leave the science gear behind. Bring only your medical equipment.
(beat)
You're our EMT on this one.

Morgan nods. She's happy enough just to be going.

MORGAN
Aye, Sir.

As the rest of the team enters the airlock, and Morgan gathers up a few of her
tools to put back on the launch, we...

CUT TO _PLACIA_

The science team is on board their boat, weapons in hand.

MAJORS
Are we just going to sit here until the _seaQuest_ gets here to rescue us?

VASQUEL
You got a better idea?

MAJORS
Actually, no. I was just making sure we were all on the same wavelength here.

As Vasquel and Spaljic sigh, Attias stands, putting his hand to his head
again. He shakes it off, and turns in the direction of the shoreline.

ATTIAS
We're going back on shore.

VASQUEL
(looking up at him)
What?
(beat)
You know there's sentry cannons, and probably a whole slew of other booby
traps.
(beat)
Why would we go back?

Attias pauses for a second.

ATTIAS
We've got weapons.
(beat)
We can defend ourselves.

VASQUEL
But still, Sir. What would be the point?

ATTIAS
("pouncing" on her)
We're a scientific team, we should be doing scientific studies to aid the UEO.
(beat)
And I for one am sick of sitting here.
(beat, toning himself down)
Majors wanted to go too.

Majors holds up his hands in protest.

MAJORS
Hey man, I was just joking when I said that bit about "just sitting here" a
few minutes ago, okay?

ATTIAS
(fiercely)
There's no joking, Kendall!
(beat)
Why must you be constantly, incessantly sarcastic!

Attias pauses again, sighing.

ATTIAS
I'm going ashore.
(beat)
If you people won't come with me, you're all fired.
(beat, almost maliciously)
And if you're fired, I want you all off my boat, anyway.

Attias moves over to one of the boats to row ashore with and starts
unfastening it.

MAJORS
(quietly to Vasquel)
What's up with El Dictatoro?

Vasquel is staring at Attias, her eyes slits.

VASQUEL
I'm not sure, but I'm definitely not letting him go to the island alone.

SPALJIC
(butting in)
Then we're all going.
(beat)
Bring the weapons.

The three explorers stand up and grab their weapons before heading over to
help Attias.

ATTIAS
I see you've all come to your senses.

MAJORS
(sarcastically)
Yeah. That's it.

Attias pulls a gun from his coat and aims it directly at Majors. Vasquel and
Spaljic are shocked, and Majors remains icily still.

ATTIAS
I've had just about enough of you, Kendall.

Vasquel's features turn harder.

VASQUEL
Doctor Attias, I'm asking you to put the gun away.
(beat, firmly)
We're _not_ going to shoot each other here, all right?

ATTIAS
(sighing)
If Kendall shuts the hell up, I won't have a reason to shoot him.

To everyone's relief, Attias puts away the gun. Vasquel take this opportunity
to type a few commands into her scanner.

VASQUEL
(to everyone)
Lets go then.

Vasquel and Attais load into the boat as Majors and Spaljic lower it down.
Then the two jump down into the boat themselves. Majors and Spaljic pick up
ores and start paddling them into shore as the boat remains eerily quiet. As
they quickly approach shore, the _seaQuest_ launch comes up from the depths
and crests, startling the explorers momentarily.

VASQUEL
That's gotta be the launch from _seaQuest_.

SPALJIC
(with relief)
They're finally here.

ATTIAS
(a little too darkly)
Good.

The boat of explorers reaches shore as the _seaQuest_ personnel open the hatch
on the launch and begin to depart. Riller spots the explorers first.

RILLER
(to Wolenczak)
Sir? They're here.

The _seaQuest_ team moves to greet the other team, but Attias merely continues
walking.

ATTIAS
(to his team)
Come on, we're wasting valuable time.

The camera pans from the scene over to Wolenczak, whose gaze is following
Attias. He momentarily cringes, but shakes it off, calling over to the
_seaQuest_ team.

WOLENCZAK
(motioning to Attias)
Who's the guy and why's he wandering off?
(beat, recognizing)
Wait, is that...

Vasquel speaks up.

VASQUEL
(continuing for him)
...Pierce Attias, the Nobel Prize-winning explorer.
(beat)
But he's been acting strangely for a while now... we're not sure why.

WOLENCZAK
(uncaringly)
The fact that he's a Nobel laureate doesn't excuse him for wondering off in a
proven hostile environment.
(beat, turning to Attias)
Doctor Attias?

Attias doesn't respond.

WOLENCZAK
Dammit.
(beat, to his team)
Let's move, we've got to subdue this guy before he sets anything else off.

The _seaQuest_ team moves in, but Attias stops and turns to them.

ATTIAS
I think they're gone.

VASQUEL
(shaking her head)
Sir, the cannons are not gone. They're back in the ground until we trip their
sensors again.

ATTIAS
(defiantly)
The sentries must be gone by now. It's been over an hour.

Attias' behavior is now becoming frantic.

ATTIAS
C'mon!

Attias begins running further inland. Vasquel immediately jumps up and starts
chasing him, followed by Wolenczak and the military team.

VASQUEL
(yelling)
Pierce!
(beat)
Stop! You're delirious or something!
(beat)
Pierce!!!

The other two men from the science team catch up to Vasquel now, as Attias
turns, with a smile on his face.

ATTIAS
See?
(beat)
They're gone!

A different set of sentry cannons come up out of the ground behind Attias, and
begin to narrow in on their target. Vasquel stops in terror.

WOLENCZAK
(shouting)
Hit the dirt!

Wolenczak dives, pulling Vasquel down with him.

VASQUEL
(screaming)
Get out of there!!

Just as the cannons stop their turn, and finally lock on target, they're
destroyed by a
laser blast from behind Vasquel. Everyone turns and sees Riller, a heavy laser
rifle
still pointed in the direction of the cannons. They look around suspiciously,
and
slowly start getting up again. Majors is the first one to talk.

MAJORS
(to Riller)
Hey, good shot there.

We hear a dart whistle quickly through the air, embedding itself in Major's
neck.
Majors falls, as Goodwin turns and realizes what's going on.

GOODWIN
Everyone fan out!

His call comes too late, and the entire _seaQuest_ and science teams are
knocked out quickly and effectively by darts. As they lay on the ground and
their assailants emerge from the surrounding bushes, we...

CUT TO BRIDGE

Percell turns from her station.

PERCELL
(uneasily)
Something's wrong.

Matthews, in the command chair, perks up.

MATTHEWS
More specific, Chief.

PERCELL
(checking her readouts)
The signal from our team's scanners have all gone out, except for Riller's.

MATTHEWS
(questioning)
What the hell could cause that to happen?

PERCELL
Beyond their being attacked?

Matthews just nods slowly.

PERCELL
(sullenly)
I'm not sure.
(beat, looking at her display)
But Riller's scanner is picking up at least twenty life signs in the near
vicinity.

MATTHEWS
(beginning to get worried)
Are they our people?

PERCELL
(sighing)
There's no way to tell.
(beat)
Oh my--

Just as a long beep emanates from Percell's console the boat shakes violently,
and Matthews is thrown to the deck. Lieutenant (j.g.) Tom Reede fights with
his controls a moment, before quickly handing them over to an extra. Reede
runs to Matthews' aid, as the Bridge shakes again. Reede
checks Matthews' pulse.

REEDE
(officially)
Sound General Quarters.
(beat, to the helm)
Helmsman, evasive pattern theta, two, six.
(to himself)
She's out... but at least her pulse is steady.

We can hear Trueman sounding General Quarters in the background as the Bridge
shakes again.

REEDE
(turning to Percell)
What the hell is attacking us?

PERCELL
(frantically checking readings)
Whatever it is, it's small, quick, and _extremely_ hard to track.
(beat)
They seem to have something similar to the Outrider's stealth technology.

TRUEMAN
(jumping in, to Reede)
Sir, do you want a general distress call?

REEDE
(thinking fast)
Not yet. Let's see what we're dealing with.
(beat)
But sound battle stations and get some people up here to take care of the
commander.
(beat, quietly to Matthews' limp form)
Sorry, Commander, but I've got to get us all out of trouble.

Reede moves to the command chair. He speaks to the extra at Tactical.

REEDE
Flood all torpedo tubes.
(beat)
We can at least defend ourselves.
(beat, to Percell)
What're they hitting us with? Plasma Torpedoes?

Percell checks a few readings and nods.

TRUEMAN
(turning again to Reede)
Damage reports are coming in, Sir.

REEDE
(closing his eyes momentarily)
How bad?

TRUEMAN
(listening to her earpiece)
Hull fractures on B Deck, starboard side, frames 7 to 9. C Deck, starboard side,
frames 98 to 102. Bioskin is unstable but holding.
(beat, defeated)
Flooding on E Deck, also starboard side, frames 45 to 50.
(beat, listening)
Contained.

REEDE
(to Percell)
Anything more on our bandit?

PERCELL
(checking readings, shaking her head)
She's vanished again. I've got WSKRS scanning as wide a range as they can, but
I'm only getting fractured readings.
(beat, frustrated)
Dammit! Their stealth tech has got to be exactly like the Outrider's.

REEDE
(sighing)
Great.
(beat)
Keep it up. I seriously doubt they're gone.

Matthews moans quietly and stirs. Reede gets out of the command chair and goes
to her side.

REEDE
(quietly)
Commander?

A medical team, led by Doctor Laura Taylor, arrives on the Bridge, stretcher
in hand. They go to Matthews as she sits up groaning.

MATTHEWS
(holding her head with one hand)
What the hell was that?

REEDE
(uncomfortably)
Something fast and stealth enabled.
(beat)
Something we can't seem to find.

MATTHEWS
(still in obvious pain)
Damage reports?

REEDE
(nodding)
It's contained.
(beat, "confidently")
Sir, you were thrown hard there. I think you should probably get checked out by
the
doctor.

Matthews seems to notice the medical team and stretcher for the first time.
She waves her hand dismissively before returning it to her head with a
grimace.

MATTHEWS
We're in the middle of a battle. There's no way I'm leaving.

Doctor Taylor protests.

DR. TAYLOR
Commander, Lieutenant Reede's correct, you took quite a fall there.
(beat)
You've undoubtedly got a concussion and it's very possible there's much more
wrong right now.

Matthews remains cold-faced, not responding.

TAYLOR
(compassionately)
I can't relieve you of command here, commander, but I sincerely believe you're
not at one hundred percent.

The beeping sounds again on both Percell's and the tactical console.

PERCELL
(shouting)
It's coming again, and fast!

REEDE
(snapping into action)
Everyone hang on!

The boat shakes violently several times. The lights flicker momentarily before
going out completely.

PERCELL
(v.o. from the darkness)
Engine turbine one is out! Bioskin is verging on maximum tolerance. It won't
take many more hits in its present state.
(beat, irritated)
Someone's punching a helluva lotta holes in us!
(beat)
Emergency generators online.

The emergency lights come on, setting a red tone to everything, including the
plume of smoke that's emerging from a fried console.

MATTHEWS
Return fire!

TACTICAL OFFICER
(exasperated)
I don't have a target, Sir.

MATTHEWS
Then give me a wide dispersal, in the most likely vector direction of the
bandit, Mister. At least give _them_ something to dodge.

Matthews slowly and wobbly gets up. The med techs attempt to support her, but
she shrugs them off.

DR. TAYLOR
(firmly)
Commander, please come down to MedBay.

MATTHEWS
(strongly)
No!
(beat, matter-of-factly)
Captain Wolenczak is on that island, and until he returns, I'm in command.

A different beeping sound is heard, and everyone realizes the enemy isn't
attacking again, yet. Trueman speaks up.

TRUEMAN
(quietly)
The enemy boat is signaling us.
(beat)
They wish to discuss terms of our surrender.

Matthews quivers a bit before finding a solid pose.

MATTHEWS
(with eyes of fire)
On screen.

As Trueman turns and activates the screen, we...

PULL IN ON MATTHEWS' FACE

As we hear the sound of the main screen flickering to life, Matthews eyes go
wide.

CUT TO VIEWSCREEN

We see the face of terrorist Kevin Butler.

BUTLER
(evilly)
Hello, Commander.

CLOSE UP ON MATTHEWS

On her cold and hard expression, fuming, we...

FADE TO COMMERCIAL

END ACT TWO




ACT THREE

FADE IN TO BRIDGE

All is as before. We see Matthews, face still hard.

MATTHEWS
(coldly)
_seaQuest_ isn't surrendering, Butler
(beat)
I'll have to be good and dead before I _ever_ let you take this boat.

As Matthews speaks, she is typing something on a console just out of Butler's
view. We can see her hand frantically typing, and one of the med-techs still
kneeling on the ground is reading what she's typing.

BUTLER
(over vidlink, cocky)
Now, is that any way to greet an old acquaintance?
(beat, with turpitude)
Especially an acquaintance who has your boat on the verge of being destroyed?
(beat, mocking)
There's really no terms of surrender. I just want to destroy you.
(beat)
You beat me once, Matthews, but I'm sure as hell not going to let it happen
again. I know how valiant you are as a leader. Let's see what you do this
time. Will you really allow 176 people to die?

Matthews' hand stops typing as the med-tech who has been reading the screen
nods slightly. The med-tech crawls over to the weapons console.

MATTHEWS
(surprised)
You know the correct number, Butler.
(beat, bitingly)
I didn't know you were that good.

BUTLER
(coldly)
It's time to die.
(beat)
Payback's a bitch, Matthews. But remember, the Hantus always win.

MATTHEWS
Who the hell are the Hantus?
(beat, stalling)
I always pictured you as a lone wolf, Butler. You sure you've got the
personality to
be a team player?

BUTLER
What can I say, I like where I am.
(beat)
Especially when it allows me to beat you.

We pan over to the med-tech, who is now seated at an auxiliary console,
pressing controls. We can hear an alarm, but it's not ours; it's coming from
the vidlink. We pull back to show the vidlink again.

BUTLER
Fire.
(beat, there's commotion)
Wha--?

His transmission severs as his ship is hit by a full spread of _seaQuest_'s
torpedoes at point-blank range. Matthews affords herself a little sigh of
relief.

MATTHEWS
(quickly, to the helmsman)
Full reverse, get us out of here.
(beat, thinking)
Try ducking us down the Philippine trench, we've got to stay away from their
torpedo
fire.

PERCELL
(looking up from her console)
Actually, Commander they've taken quite a hit.
(beat)
In their condition, I don't think they could get to the depths _seaQuest_ is
capable of.

MATTHEWS
(matter-of-factly)
If Butler wants his revenge, he'll get it.
(beat)
We need time to regroup and come up with a strategy.
(beat)
Helm, takes us to maximum depth.

Matthews looks directly at the Helm officer.

MATTHEWS
Hide us anywhere you can.
(beat)
Trueman and Reede, assist Commander Taylor and evacuate all sections where the
bioskin's been weakened. Make sure the damage control parties out there are
informed; we may get a hull breach or two.

TRUEMAN
(reluctantly)
What about the shore party?

MATTHEWS
(sighing)
We can't help them in this condition anyway.

Matthews thinks of something else, and turns to Percell.

MATTHEWS
(to Percell)
Chief, I want a full threat analysis of the sub we just fought. Weapons,
stealth capacity, weaknesses, everything we can squeeze from the data we
collected.

PERCELL
Aye, Sir.

As Matthews sighs and attempts to sit in the command chair with some dignity,
she runs her hand across her forehead, noticing the blood. The med-techs again
surround her. She shrugs them off again, but Doctor Taylor makes one final
objection.

DR. TAYLOR
(as a final blow)
Commander, I have every respect for your wanting to stay in command despite
your injury and I'm sure everyone believes it's a very valiant effort. But I
stress
again, I don't think you will be able to carry out your duties if you're not
checked.
Are you willing to risk making an affected decision that could change the fate
of this
boat and every life aboard her?
(beat, pleading)
Please come with us.

Matthews doesn't even look at Doctor Taylor. It's all she can do to get out
one line.

MATTHEWS
(hissing)
Dismissed.

Doctor Taylor shakes her head.

DR. TAYLOR
At least let me clean up your injuries--

MATTHEWS
(a little louder)
Dismissed.

Doctor Taylor sighs, and leaves, obviously unhappy.

CUT TO ISLAND SCENE

We can see a path through some grass that seems to end about ten meters down
the line, and we're "walking" along it. As we move forward, however, a shimmy
in the overall picture appears and from what used to be a field of grass, a
large gray warehouse-like building appears.

CUT TO INTERIOR WAREHOUSE

We're in a room, with no discernible entrance or exit points. No windows.
Essentially like being inside a white cube. In the room is everyone we last
saw, the _seaQuest_ personnel and the science explorers. Most are unconscious,
but Attias and Riller are groggily awake. They speak slowly, and subdued,
afraid of potential eavesdroppers to their conversation. Attias is again
fighting some sort of pain in his temple. He stops and cringes every so often
throughout his speech.

RILLER
What made you think everyone was okay?

ATTIAS
I...I'm not really sure.
(beat)
It was just a flash...a sudden certainty.
(beat)
It felt so hostile... aggressive... adversarial...
(beat, looking up)
Not me at all.
(beat, shaking his head)
Let me tell you how damn frustrating it is for me, being a scientist, not
being able to figure out the facts.

RILLER
(with a slight chuckle)
Yeah, I guess so.
(beat, more serious)
What else did you guys find?

Before Attias can reply we pan back, dissolve through the wall, and into a
sort of monitoring station. There are giant screens all around, each with a
digital medical-type outline of the human body as we've seen before. There are
names under each of them and as we pass the screens we see names like "Riller,
Justin" and "Wolenczak, Lucas." There are a few medical people in this room,
two of whom (Longley and Campbell) are monitoring Riller and Attias' medical
readouts.

CAMPBELL
(looking at the screens)
Hmmmm...impressive neuroendocrine recovery. Less than twenty minutes after
tranquilizer injection, and they're awake.

LONGLEY
Not just awake; talking, forming plans for future action. Complex cognitive
function returned almost as soon as consciousness.

There's a beeping on a console we haven't yet seen, and Campbell turns to a
screen before him. It's displaying a shot of the room we were just in. He
looks for the person in the room to match the readout. The camera follows
Campbell's gaze and lands on Morgan, whose eyes shoot open. She looks almost
frantically around the room, before settling on Riller and Attias.

MORGAN
(looking around)
Someone's watching us.

Riller and Attias are staring quizzically to Morgan, who is not even quite
sure of what she's even saying.

MORGAN
(faltering)
I...was...sure about...
(beat, more to herself)
I was so sure...

RILLER
What are you talking about, Anne?

Morgan attempts to reply, but before she can an intense pain hits in her head.
She drops to the floor, crying out in pain as Riller and Attias try to comfort
her. The camera dissolves back through the wall.

CAMPBELL
She was getting a little too close, there.

LONGLEY
It was your recklessness, attempting to bring out something we don't even know
she has.

CAMPBELL
Never mind.

Campbell turns to the screen before him.

CAMPBELL
(continuing)
We've got other tests to complete.

Campbell smiles almost sadistically as he starts pushing a few buttons on the
panel marked "Riller, Justin." Longley, in turn goes to the console marked
"Wolenczak, Lucas" and starts pressing buttons of his own.

CUT TO BRIDGE

The atmosphere is tense, as everyone stands almost perfectly still. The thick
silence is sliced only by Reede's voice.

REEDE
Depth, 4026 meters and falling.
(beat)
May I remind the commander that this ship is very close to cracking like an
eggshell?

There is a faint creaking sound that seems to answer Reede's warning. A sudden
lurch flickers the lights for a moment, as an alarm sounds. Everyone looks in
Percell's direction, as her console is sounding the alarm.

PERCELL
We've had a hull breach on E Deck, port side, frame 115.
(beat)
Watertight hatches sealed, no personnel in the flooded compartments.

The Bridge crew breathes a small sigh of relief, but the tense atmosphere
continues. The camera moves over to Matthews who has her hand at her head,
attempting to hide a building headache.

MATTHEWS
How much longer before we're out of Butler's range?

PERCELL
(tapping a few keys)
There's really no sure way to tell.
(beat, Matthews doesn't respond)
From what Commander Taylor has told me, I'm guessing their sub can handle
depths down to, oh, 7075 meters. But again, that's just a generalization. I
don't know how much damage we inflicted, but that will come into play as well.
(beat, shaking her head)
There's only so much the sensors can tell from a brief contact.

MATTHEWS
Can their sensors detect us this far down?

PERCELL
It depends on how hard they're looking.
(beat)
I've got the WSKRS tethered in completely.
(beat)
Short answer: I hope not.

Matthews pauses, the grimness of their situation sinking in.

MATTHEWS
(hitting the com button)
Commander Taylor?

TAYLOR
(over com)
I'm here.

MATTHEWS
How much further can we dive?

TAYLOR
(over com)
Not much further. I'm estimating our normal maximum hull tolerance to be
around 8000 meters, Sir.
(beat)
But that was tolerance calculated by an engineer in a lab before this boat was
even constructed. I can assure you our current crippled condition was not
figured into the equation.
(beat)
We've got to start ascending.
(beat)
Soon.

MATTHEWS
(into com)
Acknowledged.

Matthews looks up from the console to the extra at tactical.

MATTHEWS
Weapon status?

TACTICAL OFFICER
Three torpedo tubes are flooded, one's malfunctioning and two were damaged in
the attack.

MATTHEWS
_Any_ way we could out-shoot them?

The tactical officer thinks about responding, but instead resigns himself to
shaking his head. We can tell Matthews is getting more and more frustrated at
the collapse of her boat around her. She's about to speak when the boat
lurches again and this time the lights stay out.

CUT TO PASSAGEWAY

Red lights are flashing and people are scurrying around, attempting to get
wherever they need to be, as the wall explodes, flooding the corridor and
taking all the people with it.

CUT TO BRIDGE

All is as before.

PERCELL
Hull breach on C Deck, frame 29! Massive flooding!

Another alarm sounds on her console.

PERCELL
(shocked)
Another hull breach.
(beat)
D Deck, frames 78 and 79. Emergency bulkheads are responding, but that area
was _not_ evacuated!

The Bridge immediately goes into turmoil as Matthews begins hollering orders.

MATTHEWS
Seal off those areas, get the pumps going!
(beat)
Damage control parties and medical teams to the breach sites, secure those
compartments!
(beat)
Helm, halt descent. Bring us up to specified safety depth. But watch your
ascent and make sure our pressure equalizes. I don't the want the bioskin
blowing out the other way.

The helm officer nods, as Matthews continues.

MATTHEWS
Tactical, prepare for battle.
(beat)
And Trueman?

The Bridge goes almost silent.

MATTHEWS
Set condition Sierra Zulu One, and send everyone to emergency breach-protection
zones in midship.

TRUEMAN
Aye aye, sir.
(to com)
All Hands, Set Condition Sierra Zulu One, make for emergency deep-dive
compartments, prepare for breaches and uncontrolled flooding in outer
compartments.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

The boat is seen rising rapidly, with several large holes in the side.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Things are settling, slightly. There are still small creaking sounds, as
_seaQuest_ ascends. Percell is tensely staring at her console, and the extra
at tactical is even more tensely staring with his fingers on the torpedo
button.

MATTHEWS
Any sign of them?

PERCELL
(shaking her head)
None. But they came out of nowhere bef--

Percell's eyes go wide.

PERCELL
(shouting, almost frantic)
Three boats are coming in from the aft, and damn fast!
(beat, tapping a few keys)
They're similar to the one we faced before.

MATTHEWS
(almost all hope lost)
Launch the UEO emergency beacon.
(beat)
Message: _seaQuest_ under attack, heavy damage, will try and hold on as long
as possible.
(beat)
Jessie Matthews, commanding.

Trueman attempts to say something, but Matthews holds up her hand. She turns
to Reede.

MATTHEWS
I need whoever has had training out in Marauders.
(beat)
And you're taking the Outrider. Take someone who has experience with you to
fly it; you’re the only one who knows enough about the stealth and weaponry.
(beat)
If we can't beat 'em with one sub, we'll beat them with five.

Matthews peers over at Percell who's trying not to look at Matthews. Percell
turns her head slowly and starts shaking it. Matthews nods.

MATTHEWS
(to Reede)
Go.

Reede rushes off the Bridge, as an extra takes over at Helm.

MATTHEWS
(to helm)
Evasive maneuvers pattern Omega one-five-one.
(beat)
We're going to try and let the Marauders and Outrider handle these guys.
(beat, to Tactical)
You'll need to be at your best.

TACTICAL
Aye, Sir.

They all set to work as we...

CUT TO WHITE ROOM

Almost everyone is awake now and those that aren't awake are being tapped on
the face by others and awakened. Wolenczak is visible in the background, still
unconscious. For now, Riller is unofficially leading them, and Morgan is going
around tending to everyone's bumps and bruises.
All can be seen putting their hands to their heads, at different times.
They've each got a headache. After making sure everyone is all right, Riller
pulls Morgan aside.

RILLER
(quietly)
We've got to find a way out of here.
(beat)
I believe what you said before.

Morgan seems mystified.

RILLER
About someone watching us?
(beat)
Someone's _got to_ be monitoring us.

Morgan nods, waiting for Riller's plan of action. Riller looks around before
continuing.

RILLER
This room appears to be sealed up. But there's got to be an exit.

Morgan pauses, thinking for a second.

MORGAN
(sighing)
This has to be polymer sealed entranceways.

RILLER
(nodding)
Exactly what I was thinking.

MORGAN
(thinking out loud)
If they're using liquid polymer to reseal the doors after they are shut
there's not going to be an evident doorway.
(beat)
When the doors need to be opened, they heat up rapidly and then reseal, almost
instantly. It's soundproof and highly securable.

RILLER
(nodding again)
Any ideas on how we get through?
(beat)
I haven't really read up on these things as much as you seem to have.

MORGAN
(explaining)
They were in a medical journal. They use these kinds of rooms to keep really
bad and highly dangerous mental patients in. They're also used in high-
security jail cells. No one's escaped, yet.
(thinking)
But for us to escape, we'd need a heat source.
(beat)
Or some sort of energy that will produce heat.

RILLER
They need electricity around the door to power it, right?

MORGAN
(warning him)
Yeah, but if you punch through those walls you could stick you hand into hot
liquid polymer!

Riller just smiles at her.

RILLER
Watch me.

The mother in Morgan rears her head.

MORGAN
(almost shouting)
Riller! What did I tell just you?
(beat)
We need a capable person here, Riller. Not someone who's had his hand burned
off!
(beat)
Why the hell can't you just listen for once! You're going to get us all killed
some day.

The rest of the group is surprised at Morgan's outburst and curious why she's
shouting. Wolenczak stirs and looks in the direction of the commotion.

WOLENCZAK
(groggily)
Ensign, what's the problem?

Morgan starts to go over to where Wolenczak is sitting, but Riller grabs her
arm. He gives Wolenczak a _look_.

RILLER
(quietly but intensely)
They're watching us, remember.
(beat)
They may have control of him.
(beat)
I think that's what they're doing to us.

With a rapid movement, Morgan frees her arm from Riller's grasp, and continues
towards Wolenczak.

MORGAN
(kneeling)
Lieutenant Riller was just remarking that none of us may get out of here
alive, Sir.
(beat, lying through her teeth)
I was attempting to bring him back into reality by shouting at him.

Wolenczak sits up more, and experiences more pain, before continuing.

WOLENCZAK
(fiercely)
If he gets out of line, you have my permission to terminate him.

Morgan is incredulous at what Wolenczak's just said.

MORGAN
(flustered)
Aye... aye, Sir.

Morgan gets up and goes back to Riller. As she walks, she offers Wolenczak a
silent throwaway glance. He nods, his face a sheet of cold, frigid ice.

END ACT THREE



ACT FOUR

OPEN ON UNDERWATER SCENE

We are seeing only empty seawater when the Outrider shoots past, firing its
torpedoes. The camera quickly pulls back to reveal a battlefield, with the
three Hantus cruisers being attacked by the Marauders and the Outrider.
They're forming a sort of safety perimeter around _seaQuest_, which is firing
its own weapons, but still trying to hide behind the Marauders and Outrider.

CUT TO OUTRIDER SENSOR STATION

The camera turns slightly every so often as an extra pilots the boat around.
Reede types a few things in the panel in front of him, then pulls his mouth
microphone to where he can speak into it.

REEDE
(into his headset)
Coming up on bandit number one.
(beat)
How's the boat holding out, Commander?

MATTHEWS
(over com)
The hull has been stabilized, for now. We're still not sure how much more she
can take.

CUT TO BRIDGE

We're tight on Matthews; her face is fierce.

MATTHEWS
(firmly)
I don't know if we've got time to be stealthy about this one, Reede. I know
the Outrider has less armor then the Marauders, but we've got to get this
over with.
(beat)
Just get those bastards out of the picture, Lieutenant.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

As the Outrider swings around for another pass at the Hantus boat, _seaQuest_
has an opening and fires four torpedoes at the Hantus boat Reede was going
after. As the torpedoes hit, Reede fires. The Hantus sub is blown in half, and
starts the long slide to the bottom of the ocean.

CUT TO BRIDGE

The tactical officer whoops and pumps his fist in the air.

TACTICAL
Yes!

MATTHEWS
(not smiling)
It's not nearly over yet, Chief.

PERCELL
(sighing)
And we've got a problem, Commander.

Matthews looks at Percell, worried.

PERCELL
All three of those ships have different components. There's different torpedo
launchers, different hull configurations, everything.
(beat)
There's even some UEO technology that is extremely recognizable.
(beat)
Not to mention some stuff from the Carolinans, and some stuff that should have
been destroyed with the Macronesian Empire.

MATTHEWS
(angrier)
What?

PERCELL
I've been able to track down most of the technology in the databases, and
preliminary or not, it's stolen. Whoever these guys are, they seem to have
access to a whole lot of different technology. Technology that I'm sure these
people didn't give them.

MATTHEWS
Underwater mercenary pirates.
(beat)
We saw their work when they were on board _seaQuest_ a few months ago.
(beat, shaking her head)
Can we beat--

The boat shakes violently.

PERCELL
More hull breaches!
(beat, typing _very_ quickly)
C Deck, starboard side, frame eighty-nine.
(beat)
B Deck, starboard side, frames five and thirty.
(beat)
Emergency bulkheads, closing.
(beat)
Watertight integrity weak, but holding.

MATTHEWS
Dammit!
(beat, to Trueman)
Dispatch to all Marauders and the Outrider, reminder to keep those torpedoes
away from us!

There's a flash on the viewscreen.

PERCELL
(defeatedly)
Sir, we just lost a Marauder.

MATTHEWS
(staring at the deck)
Sierra Zulu Zero.
(beat)
Flood all outer decks. Give their torpedoes less power to hit vital systems.

PERCELL
We've never actually tried that--

MATTHEWS
(snapping)
Do it. And fast.

Matthews sit in her chair, tapping the com button.

MATTHEWS
(into com)
All hands, prepare for Sierra Zulu Zero, we're flooding all outer decks.

Matthews taps the button again.

MATTHEWS
Weapons, give me a continuous firing solution. We've got at least a hundred
torpedoes left on this boat. Let's see that we use them.
(beat)
Helm--

HELM
I've got three different evasive maneuver patterns ready, Sir.

MATTHEWS
(letting a slight smile through)
Keep it up, Mister. You might just rival Reede for his job.
(beat, instantly serious)
Let's do it.

CUT TO PASSAGEWAY

The passageway is filling up with water, from valves along the sides. There is
no one present or being swept away this time.

CUT TO MARAUDER

The name patch on the pilot's jumpsuit says "Ens. L. Davis." Lesa Davis is 24,
and we see a dark braid hanging below the back of her fighter helmet. Her eyes
are intense as she comes up quickly behind a Hantus boat. Her thumb flicks to
the torpedo control button and presses.

DAVIS
Gotcha.

On her viewscreen, two torpedoes connect to the underbelly of the Hantus boat.
Davis smiles, and then we see her eyes wander to another sight: _seaQuest_, in
the
background, coming up toward the same Hantus boat, which fires two torpedoes at
_seaQuest_.  All the torpedoes explode into _seaQuest_'s midsection. However,
this
time the boat is ready. _seaQuest_ fires three torpedoes, which all hit the
Hantus
vessel at point-blank range. There is a massive explosion, and the Hantus boat
is
seemingly destroyed.

DAVIS
(elated)
Woo-hoo!
(beat)
There's one down.

But as the debris from the explosion clears it's obvious the Hantus boat hasn't
been destroyed. It remains, having blown off an outer hull to reveal another one
inside of that. This has alleviated damages caused by _seaQuest_ and the fighter
boats.

DAVIS
(crossing herself)
Holy Mother of...
(beat, checking readings)
What kind of system is that?
(beat, thinking aloud)
They've got two hulls, one can be destroyed if damage is extensive...
(beat, it dawns on her)
A reactive Hull?

She then fires on the boat, just as it fires two more torpedoes at her
Marauder. Her eyes go wide.

DAVIS
No, no, no, no.

She desperately pilots the vessel in a U-turn, attempting to escape the
torpedoes.
Making quick glances over her shoulder, Davis realizes she's not making any
headway on the torpedoes. Her face becomes resigned, and she makes another U-
turn, this time aiming her fighter at the Hantus vessel. She frantically types
something into her console, and then turns, staring at the viewscreen.

CUT TO EXTERIOR MARAUDER--CGI

With the torpedoes in hot pursuit, the Marauder speeds towards the Hantus
boat, which is trying to get away. A small circular object drops from the
Marauder, and starts flashing a light, just as the Marauder slams into the
Hantus boat, with the torpedoes following milliseconds later.

CUT TO BRIDGE

The remnants of the explosion can be seen on the viewscreen, which the crew
stares at.

MATTHEWS
Bring us around, get us to the other boat.
(beat)
Weapons, flood all tubes.
(beat, resolutely)
We're gonna end this before we lose anyone else.

Everyone on the Bridge starts working intensely at their stations. Matthews is
sitting in the command chair, holding both armrests with a death-grip. Her
knuckles are white.

TRUEMAN
(turning)
Commander?
(beat)
There's a communication from the damaged Hantus vessel.
(beat)
It's Butler.

Matthews takes a deep breath and stands, almost having to pry her hands off
the chair.

MATTHEWS
On screen.

Butler appears on the screen, his face slightly weathered from the battle, but
nothing terribly visible.

MATTHEWS
It seems as if your bid to destroy us hasn't gotten you too far, Butler.

BUTLER
(evilly)
You didn't really think you were the main target, did you, Matthews?
(beat)
Killing you wouldn't be as emotionally scarring as, say...
(beat, bitingly)
Making you responsible for your captain's death.

Matthews isn't going to lose control of this one.

MATTHEWS
I know for a fact that there are at least five UEO helicopters, fully armed,
sitting above your island.
(beat)
There are four boats right here that clearly outmatch your one and _a half_.
(beat)
I'll make you a deal, Butler. You give me _back_ the _seaQuest_ team as well
as the scientists and I'll quell my _amazingly_ huge urge to kill you right
now.

BUTLER
(shaking his head)
No deal, Matthews.
(beat)
I--

Butler cuts himself off as someone is speaking to Butler off screen. We can
hear the voice murmuring, but can't make out any of the words. After a few
seconds, the screen goes blank and the words "Momentary Signal Loss" flash
across the screen. Matthews is furious.

MATTHEWS
Butler has about sixty seconds before we open fire.
(beat)
Mark.

CUT TO HANTUS BRIDGE

Butler is conferring with someone else on the vidlink now. The camera pans
around to reveal Campbell, the Hantus scientist from before.

CAMPBELL
We're letting them go, Butler.
(beat)
We're not going arouse any suspicions this way.

Butler attempts to protest, but he's cut off by Campbell.

CAMPBELL
We have what we need from them right now.
(beat)
Don't worry though. If we need something else from them in the future, we'll
call
you.
(beat)
Then you can have your vengeance.

Butler's fuming, but obviously respects Campbell's authority.

CAMPBELL
Disappear.
(beat, explaining)
Our people are telling the UEO what we want.
(beat)
After your display of force, I expect we've made quite an impression on them.

Campbell cuts the transmission and the screen in front of Butler goes blank.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Matthews is infuriated, she turns to Trueman.

TRUEMAN
(shrugging slightly)
The signal was cut from their end.

Matthews' eyes turn to slits.

MATTHEWS
(to Tactical)
Fire torpedoes.

The tactical officer taps a few keys and then turns in disgust.

TACTICAL
Our targets are gone, Sir.

MATTHEWS
What?!

PERCELL
Confirmed, Sir. Whatever stealth systems they have they sure know how to use
them. I've got possible sonar signatures, possible thermal signatures...
(shaking her head)
Nothing definitive. Those boats are gone.

Matthews is having a hard time maintaining composure.

MATTHEWS
Track their co-ordinates and plot an intercept course. We're going to make sure
Butler doesn't make it out alive this time.

PERCELL
Commander? What about our people on the island?

Matthews is furious, not at Percell, but by having Butler slip from her grasp
again.

MATTHEWS
You heard my order.

The Bridge goes eerily silent, no-one knowing exactly what to do.

MATTHEWS
(snapping)
I'm _not_ incompetent!
(beat)
We're going to destroy Butler and be done with him.

Trueman cuts in.

TRUEMAN
Uh, I'm getting co-ordinates for a pickup of our people and the scientists.
(beat, with relief)
And confirmation from the UEO.
(beat)
We're to pick up everyone from the island. They're all unharmed.

Everyone stares at Matthews for a moment, as she smolders, staring at the
viewscreen displaying empty seawater. She doesn't say a thing for a couple of
seconds.

MATTHEWS
(sighing lightly)
Let's go get our crew.

The Bridge is subdued, but happy.

MATTHEWS
Call the remaining Marauders and Outrider in. We'd better do what the UEO
says.
(beat, somberly)
Have them bring in the remains of Davis' sub as well.
(beat, remembering)
And secure from General Quarters.

Trueman nods, but then listens again.

TRUEMAN
I'm getting another message.
(beat, listening)
After retrieving our people, unharmed, we're to vacate the two hundred mile
limit of
this island. It is now to be considered the territory of the Hantus.

MATTHEWS
These people are _terrorists_. Why in the hell are they getting recognized with
a two
hundred mile limit?

TRUEMAN
(listening to her headset)
Apparently they've got an indigenous tribe on the island.
(beat, shaking her head)
The UEO law states they have to give these people their territory, for now.
(beat, quoting what she's hearing)
The Secretary General will investigate the matter and will revoke the
territorial claim immediately if any foul play is found to be present.

Matthews can only shake her head in disgust.

MATTHEWS
(defeatedly)
More UEO territory swallowed up by an enemy.
(beat, shaking her head)
Just what we need, another bad guy under the sea.

Matthews pauses, and no-one seems to do anything.

MATTHEWS
Time to pickup?

TRUEMAN
We should have everyone aboard and safe within thirty minutes.

Matthews nods, and turns to her com panel.

MATTHEWS
(into com)
Mister Taylor, I want full damage assessment. Also, get repairs underway.
We're going to need to drydock, and I want it to go quickly and smoothly.

TAYLOR
(over com)
Aye, Sir.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

The boat, moderately damaged, is seen passing slowly through the camera's
view.

END ACT FOUR



ACT FIVE

OPEN ON MATTHEWS' QUARTERS

She's sitting in her quarters, alone and with a picture frame in her hand. As
the
camera pans around to the front of the frame, we see it's her UEO Academy
graduation certificate. The glass in the frame is broken, the picture having
fallen off
the wall during the attack. She shakes her head.

MATTHEWS
(to herself)
All I ever wanted to do was get away from my parents.

Matthews raises her head to look at the ceiling. Then she starts tidying up her
quarters. We hear her voice over as she continues.

MATTHEWS
(V.O., determined)
I'm not going to let them ruin my life.
(beat, reassuring herself)
I've proven I can be a good commander. I handled Butler's hijacking of this
ship properly and I've commanded this boat through the RadZone as well as this
latest battle.
(beat)
I've beaten Butler twice now, and next time he won't make it out alive. I'll
make sure of that.

She sighs and flops back down on the bunk.

MATTHEWS
(V.O., continuing)
I guess I got my temper from you, eh Dad?
(beat)
At least I can use it to my advantage.

There's a knock at the hatch. It surprises her somewhat, but she shakes it
off, rubs a few tears from her eyes and sits up.

MATTHEWS
Come in.

Chaplain Jian Lei enters.

LEI
(softly)
Can I offer you anything, Commander?

MATTHEWS
(shaking her head)
Not today, Mister Lei.
(beat)
I think I can handle myself this time.

LEI
(nodding)
As you wish, Commander.

Lei starts to leave, but turns back for a second.

LEI
You really are _very_ good at your job, Commander.

Lei steps out of the hatch and closes it behind him. Matthews sit silently for a
moment, and then, with a slight sniffle, puts her Academy diploma back on the
wall.
She straightens her uniform, and puts a hand to her forehead, feeling the bump.
She
opens the hatch and walks out into the passageway. As she round a corner the
camera pulls up to reveal a sign that reads "MEDBAY," with an arrow pointing in
the
direction Matthews just went.

CUT TO PUGET SOUND NAVAL SHIPYARD

_seaQuest_ is docked, as several technicians work around her exterior,
repairing holes in the hull, and patching the bioskin.

CUT TO WARDROOM

The senior staff are all present, and Wolenczak is heading up the table, with
Hitchcock and Robinson on the vidscreen to his right.

WOLENCZAK
The Hantus are something we're going to have to be careful with.
(beat)
We have definite suspicions about their level of mind-control techniques, as
well as
the ability to bring out fierce underlying emotions, as described in my report.
(beat)
Their level of technology is surprising, and from what we can tell, they've
salvaged
that technology from almost every major and non-major power on the planet. UEO,
Carolinans and most  disturbingly, the Macronesians.

Percell speaks up.

PERCELL
They even have technology that I know is only being beta tested in UEO labs and
has
not been officially released yet.

MATTHEWS
(shaking her head)
I still can't believe they've declared a two-hundred mile limit around their
island.
(beat, she turns to the vidscreen)
Did we ever find out why we lost track of this island?

ROBINSON
(on screen)
It seems the island was an old Macronesian stronghold, and when the Alliance was
defeated, the island was seemingly forgotten. The UEO records had the island in
them, but the Hantus must have hacked them to gain their retreat.
(beat, sighing)
They definitely have the technology for it.

WOLENCZAK
Regardless, the Hantus are going to be something we need to watch out for in the
near future. They almost destroyed my boat and I don't think we need anything
like
this happening again.

HITCHCOCK
Agreed.
(beat)
And speaking of your boat, we'll have it repaired and ready for you within a
week.
(beat)
We'll pull the science team off later this afternoon, after they've had time
to recuperate.

WOLENCZAK
(disconsolately)
And the Force Recon team?

ROBINSON
Well, you got yourselves into a situation where they could have easily helped,
before we even had time to send them out to you. We're working on the
transfers now.

WOLENCZAK
Okay.
(beat)
I think that's all for now.
(beat, looking at his staff)
We've got some cleaning up to do.

ROBINSON
Agreed, Captain.
(beat)
UEO out.

Robinson and Hitchcock disappear from the screen, as Wolenczak stands and
leaves the room, the others following.

CUT TO DOCKING BAY

Spaljic, Attias, Vasquel and Majors are gathering their stuff and making their
way to an airlock. Wolenczak, Riller and Morgan are there to see them off.

ATTIAS
(wryly)
Thank you for the adventure, Captain.

WOLENCZAK
Sorry your expedition had to be cut short, Doctor Attias.
(beat)
Hopefully you won't get shot at during future explorations.

VASQUEL
We'd better not.
(beat)
'Cause frankly having my life threatened and my head played with was not
something I signed up for.

Attias shakes his head at Vasquel, and shakes Wolenczak's hand.

ATTIAS
Goodbye, Captain.

The team of explorers makes their way into the airlock, as Matthews comes up
from behind Wolenczak.

MATTHEWS
(curiously)
So what was it like, wanting to kill Riller?

WOLENCZAK
(sighing)
It's nothing I ever want to feel again.
(beat, quieter)
I'm telling you, Jessie. They brought out the worst in a lot of us. I'm still
not sure how some people resisted the stuff the subjected us to.
(beat)
Maybe they only tested some of us.
(beat, shaking his head)
We have to be careful with these people. We're still not sure what their
agenda is.

Matthews nods.

MATTHEWS
And what the hell Butler's doing with them.
(beat, confiding in him)
I put this in the report, but not to the extent I think I should have.

Wolenczak looks quizzically at her.

MATTHEWS
(continuing)
Butler's a lone gunman. He's not one to take orders and the fact that he left
the battle, definitely shows he had some kind of superior.
(beat)
And if Butler's afraid enough to listen to whoever he listened to, then I'm
terrified.

Wolenczak sighs.

WOLENCZAK
(reading between the lines)
We'll have our day with Butler, Matthews.
(beat)
Don't worry.

Matthews nods, and turns, starting to leave.

MATTHEWS
I'm waiting for that day, Sir.
(beat)
But for now, I've got a sub with lots of holes in her.
(beat)
I've got to make sure she's patched up.

Wolenczak nods as Matthews leaves the docking bay.

CUT TO PUGET SOUND NAVAL SHIPYARD

It's now nighttime, and the boat is still in drydock. There are large banks of
halogen
lights to brighten the repair areas, created many pools of light and dark. There
is
also many puddles on the ground, created by the water used to keep the bioskin
moist. But as the camera pans in closer, we can see a lone figure is strolling
along
the dock, with hands in pockets. We notice several workers, actually on the
_seaQuest_ as well, welding parts of the frame closed. There are sparks shooting
in
several spots. As the camera continues panning, we can recognize the strolling
figure
as Matthews. She pauses for a second, staring at a hole still left in
_seaQuest_'s
bioskin. Her face is grim and she sighs before moving on.

FADE TO BLACK

THE END

Copyright 1998 2047 staff.




seaQuest 2047
"Mystery Island"
Story by: Eric Sipple & Matt Schiller
Script by: Matt Schiller
Publication Draft
Friday, July 10, 1998

Based on "seaQuest DSV" and "seaQuest 2032".

TEASER

FADE IN TO UNDERWATER SCENE

We see ocean life at its fullest, with a pod of dolphins swimming around, a
variety of
marine plant life and schools of fish, glimmering in the sunlight. We pan up and
break the surface of the water to discover a research boat, the _Placia_,
anchored
about a hundred feet off the shore of an island. We pan in further, to a window,
where we see three people in an office.

CUT TO OFFICE

Caption Reads: “West Pacific Ocean Island Chain Z-1398”
New Line: “Scientific Mineral Sampling and Exploration Team”
New Line: “UEO Authorization Code: 99807723-AOP”

Doctor Pierce Attias stands behind Anita Vasquel, a young Mexican scientist,
who's working at a computer screen. Attias is white-haired, in his late 60s,
but quite energetic.

ATTIAS
(squinting slightly at the screen)
Where's the data file?
(beat)
I want to get this island chain done ASAP. CNN is doing a story on Nobel Prize
winners who are still pursuing their goals. I want to be in it.

VASQUEL
(shrugging)
The computer's still searching for the file, Doctor Attias.
(beat)
The satellites in this area are sketchy at best. They're some of the oldest in
orbit and 'cause of the solar flares, we've got a pretty weak connection to the
UEO.
Plus, if this file hasn't been accessed recently, it may take even more time.

Attias sighs and turns around, to the boat's captain, another scientist, Johan
Spaljic, from Switzerland.

ATTIAS
How many more islands are there to explore in this archipelago, Captain
Spaljic?

SPALJIC
(from memory)
Two more, Numa and Elija. They're both to the north, and both are smaller than
we've been seeing so far. It shouldn't take us much longer...
(beat, almost glaring at the island before them)
Once this one is out of the way.

ATTIAS
(thoughtful)
How far away are they?

Spaljic motions for Attias to follow him.

SPALJIC
(smiling)
Somewhere around thirty kilometers I believe.

Spaljic pauses in thought, attempting to recall the information. When he can't
he sighs slightly, shaking his head.

SPALJIC
I should know this... but it's escaping me.
(beat, finding a solution)
We'll let our navigational expert explain. He'll know for sure.

The two start heading for the Bridge.

ATTIAS
(turning to Vasquel)
Let me know when those satellites start giving us _any_ information.

VASQUEL
(as Attias walks away)
Will do.

CUT TO _PLACIA_ BRIDGE

Spaljic and Attias walk into the Bridge and go to the person at the helm,
Kendall Majors, an American who looks like he's 20. He looks up to the two men
and smiles.

MAJORS
(jokingly)
Anyone wanna take over my shift?

ATTIAS
(shaking his head)
Kendall, for a man thirty-five years old, you act and look like an ignorant
child.
(beat)
No one's taking your shift today.
(beat)
Besides, you won't be bored for long. We're getting under way as soon as we
can.

MAJORS
Fine with me.

Spaljic breaks up the smalltalk.

SPALJIC
How far away are Numa and Elija, Kendall?

MAJORS
(checking a course chart)
Numa's about forty kilometers north-north east, and Elija's the last one,
about twenty-eight more past that.

ATTIAS
How long is it going to take us to get through them?

MAJORS
(calculating in his head)
Coupla days each, with a one stop at each one.
(beat, thinking)
We could be done in less then a week.
(beat, curious)
Why the sudden hurry?

ATTIAS
We may leave this one and do the other two.
(beat)
Our satellites are giving us trouble so we're having a problem locating the
information on this island.

SPALJIC
(muttering)
Never trust computers...

VASQUEL
(O.C., calling)
Captain? Doctor Attias! You'd better come and see this.

At Vasquel's call, the three men go to see what's she's talking about.

CUT TO OFFICE

As Spaljic, Attias and Majors approach, she starts explaining.

VASQUEL
Now, I've checked this with the database I found it in twice, and I even
hacked into an old Macronesian Geographic Database to cross-reference the data.
(beat)
There's no mistake.

ATTIAS
(curiously)
What mistake?

VASQUEL
According to these files, this island doesn't exist.

The three men react in surprise.

ATTIAS
(trying to come up with something)
Could it have been an undersea volcano?

VASQUEL
(shaking her head)
Not with the vegetation we've seen over there.
(beat)
Besides, the volcanic activity in this area is on a downtrend.
(beat)
Bottom line, not impossible but highly improbable.

MAJORS
(not believing her)
Humans have touched every corner of the globe, Anita.

Majors motions to the shoreline visible in the distance.

MAJORS
We wouldn't have missed this island.

VASQUEL
I'm only telling you what's in the database.
(beat)
There's no record, official or unofficial, of this island ever existing.

As the four team members look, perplexed, to the shore, we...

FADE TO OPENING CREDITS

END TEASER