Date: Sun, 04 Oct 1998 17:03:01 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 3/episode 1/"Inertia"/Act 1 To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 ACT ONE OPEN ON EXTERIOR, UEO HQ There is a flurry of activity as people, both uniformed and in civilian clothing, quickly pass back and forth across the headquarters campus. CUT TO SECURE SITUATION ROOM Secretary General Katherine Hitchcock and her Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Wallace Robinson are seated among their aides, at the briefing table, listening intently to the discussion among their staff and a panel of civilian experts. Section Seven’s General Alan Reede is also present. GENERAL REEDE ...Such reports as we _are_ getting, Ma'am, are fragmentary at best. Our spysats are unaffected, thank God, but random damage to the groundside communications network is making it extremely difficult to pull together a coherent picture. What we do know is...grim. (beat) Central Paris devastated, floods in the Yangtse, Amazon and Yellow River basins. Mount Shasta is an _active_ volcano again, and Fujiyama has shown increased volcanic activity, God help us. (beat, drawing a long breath) Several undersea colonies were breached or destroyed; 8000 deaths in Nexus Colony alone. Several monster icebergs calved off the Ross Ice Shelf. Rio and Philadelphia were hit badly... including our naval shipyards there, which may be the worst news of all. (beat, shaking head) Confirmed deaths from the strike are at well over 50,000 worldwide. And there's sure to be more. HITCHCOCK (shaken) Jesus. ROBINSON So what happened to our communications networks? Another senior UEO officer, the captain in charge of Signals and Communications for the CNO, speaks up. SIGNALS CHIEF The "Readers' Digest" version, Sir? The Earth's magnetosphere has developed _impossibly_ intense fluctuations. Somehow, nodes of intense electromagnetic pulses are surging around the world. Any region that gets hit by one of these nodes loses its computers and electronics, just as if it had been hit by an EM pulse from a nuclear weapon. (beat) That's why communications are a random hash; as the nodes ebb and flow, radio and telecom signals get chopped up in the alternating fields of flux. An older, earnest-looking professorial type speaks from the end of the table. PROFESSOR We believe, Madame Secretary General, that the Carolinan weapon's intense gravity pulses must have interacted with the magnetosphere to produce the situation. We don't know how, though Doctor Schall believes it might have been some kind of direct effect, as an Unified Field Theory would call for. (beat; excited, forgetting himself) If he's right, we have a truly _unparalleled_ opportunity here! We can observe the fluctuations, model how this might have occurred, finally solve the problem that baffled Einstein and Hawking... HITCHCOCK (biting) At the cost of thousands of lives, Doctor. You might try to remember that. Abashed, the professor falls silent. After a moment, Hitchcock resumes. HITCHCOCK (nods) Very well then. (looks at her staff) Jenny, dust off the old civil defense plans for an electromagnetic pulse strike, and set them in place. Advise the InterNex Governance Group of our findings, and suggest they do the same. (beat, to Robinson) Admiral, put the word out to the Fleet and the Forces; use runners and shuttles if necessary. We'll need to repair such damage as we've sustained quickly, before the Carolinans start to move. (beat) Speaking of them, we need better intelligence on the Carolinans' status. (beat, to General Reede) General, time to get your people moving. (beat) Keep me briefed on our relief efforts; we can't lose sight of the people we _can_ help. (beat, to another aide) Taniqua, send diplomatic couriers to the embassies; I am convening an emergency meeting of the UEO Council, to discuss this catastrophe... (beat, grim) And what we're going to do to settle this problem, once and for all. CUT TO BRIDGE Wolenczak and Matthews are hovering over Percell's station, while Trueman is intently working at her own console. Trueman speaks as she works, never looking up from her console. TRUEMAN It's like someone has been pulling the plug, one socket at a time. First we lost the long-range comms, then the GPS, the short-range stuff-- PERCELL Damn! (beat, explaining) We just lost a WSKR. At that, Wolenczak goes pale, steps over to the command chair, and hits the intercom. WOLENCZAK (sharply) Engineering, emergency stop, shut down the reactor. Lieutenant Commander Ed Taylor’s slightly quizzical voice replies. TAYLOR (over com) Sir? WOLENCZAK _Now_! The Bridge crew exchange quiet looks at the captain’s urgency before Taylor’s voice is heard over com again. TAYLOR (over com) Sir, the reactor’s idling safely. (beat) May I ask-- Taylor’s voice cuts off as various exclamations are head in the background, over com. Taylor barks out a few orders, unintelligible to the Bridge crew, then speaks again. TAYLOR (over com, agitated) Sir! Several systems just lost power. (beat) Including magnetic containment on the reactor. (beat, wryly) You saved us all from terminal sunburn. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Understood. As Wolenczak sits slowly in the command chair, Matthews looks over at him. MATTHEWS How'd you guess? WOLENCZAK (thoughtful) The pattern of failures behaved like EM interference, and whatever it is, it was headed straight for us. (beat, subdued) And now we’re blind and running on reserves. (beat) No communications, no sensors, and if we try to use the fusion reactor in this zone, we’re toast. He thinks a moment more, then shakes his head. WOLENCZAK Trueman, alert the senior staff. I want them all in the Wardroom in twenty minutes. Trueman gets to work, and Wolenczak strides off the Bridge. CUT TO CAROLINAN CAPITAL BUILDING--EXTERIOR This site matches UEO HQ for hyperactivity. CUT TO ROSS' OFFICE President Eileen Ross has convened her executive staff, ostensibly for a briefing. It looks rather more like a dressing down, though, as Ross shouts at them in frustration, her demeanor in stark contrast with her perfectly turned out appearance. ROSS (looking very stessed and fearful) Damn, damn, _damn_! Why the _hell_ did Weiss fire the _damn_ graser off? The staffers merely exchange quick, frightened glances. She continues. ROSS (continuing) We were out of position, unready to exploit any openings; our forces are in no position to strike anywhere decisively, and Hitchcock's propaganda machine will have a _field day_! Some of the underlings blanch at Ross' anger. Chief of Staff Gary DeLano, on the other hand, is cool, unruffled, almost bored-looking. DELANO (dry sarcasm) Well, with a UEO Force Recon team shooting up the place, _I_ might make a hasty decision, too. (beat) My guess is he thought he was about to get overrun, maybe even nuked... and figured it was "use it or lose it". ROSS (angry) Funny, _very_ funny. And it doesn't help us a damn bit. (beat, narrow-eyed) Now, convince me you're good for more than comic relief, won't you? (beat) What's our strategic position like? DELANO (shrugs diffidently) Nobody knows much for _certain_. But we're pretty sure, from the news coverage we saw before everything went to hell, that Rio and Philadelphia got hit hard. Based on the footage from Philadelphia alone, intelligence extrapolates major losses to UEO naval strength. (beat, thoughtful) That helps us, certainly. Also, we are getting relatively little damage to our domestic communications network; and we have the advantage of interior lines of communication. (beat, smiling a bit) All in all, Ma'am, if Hitchcock wants to start something with us, we could be a lot worse off. Ross is unconvinced. She is still angry and somewhat scared. ROSS None of which helps us if she builds a united coalition against us. (beat) Damn it, she can rally the whole _world_ against us right now. _All_ the neutral factions and nonaligned regions plan to be at the UEO Council meeting tomorrow. (beat) I'd _kill_ for a propaganda opportunity like this. How are we going to respond tomorrow, when we get pilloried in Hitchcock's meeting? DeLano smiles, rather like a shark. There is no warmth at all in his eyes. DELANO We _blame_ it all on Hitchcock, of course. Ross stares at him. ROSS (cold) You can't be serious. DELANO They'll never expect us to go on the offensive. It'll catch Hitchcock flat-footed; she doesn't think well on her feet, and she hasn't the stomach for this kind of fight. (beat) We feed our ambassador a plausible cover story... (beat, making it up as he goes) New technologies for tapping geothermal energy sources, exotic gravimetric scanners to direct our drills. Tragic, really, that the paranoid Section Seven types briefed Hitchcock so badly. DeLano is enjoying this. DELANO We characterize the recon attack as a foolish, ill-conceived act of sabotage on an innocent scientific facility. (beat, shaking his head sadly) All that damage, all those deaths... (firmly) ...We lay it all on the UEO's doorstep. ROSS (slowly, dubious, but wanting a way out) Do you really think they'll buy it? DELANO Some of them will. Langson, for example... he hates Hitchcock's guts; he'll believe it because he wants to. And that will spread dissension just where we want it, just when we need it. (beat) Besides... we have to do something. We are in good strategic shape because we got lucky, and the graser didn't hit us. But it really does make it look as if we planned this. If we _don't_ spread some doubt and confusion, even the Azanians and the Macronesians will join the alliance against us. We can't afford that. (beat; smiles evilly) And it will hit Hitchcock like a kick in the belly. Ross mulls this over. The thought of scoring on Hitchcock clearly appeals to her. ROSS All right. (beat) Get word to our ambassador. Make sure he knows his lines. (beat) Let's make Hitchcock's little gathering... (beat; malevolent) Interesting. The camera lingers on Ross' anticipation as we... FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT ONE Date: Sun, 04 Oct 1998 17:03:03 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 3/episode 1/"Inertia"/Act 2 To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 ACT TWO OPEN ON _SEAQUEST_-- PASSAGEWAY Lieutenant (j.g.) Tom Reede and Trueman are walking together toward the Wardroom. The passageway is filled with shadows, as the lights are only at about a third of their usual intensity. TRUEMAN ...No, it’s still all down. We get brief bursts, but there’s no consistent signal from _anything_. REEDE And I can’t navigate this boat blind. (beat) Anything could come at us and we wouldn’t know it until we were already dead. (beat, musing) And then there’s the whole problem... Trueman stops, a troubled expression on her face. TRUEMAN Tom... (beat, swallowing hard as it really sinks in) Some of us _are_ dead. (beat) And I think the scariest thing is the Force Recon team...I didn’t think people that tough could grieve like that. Reede is still absorbed in his own set of worries. REEDE (offhand) I know. (beat, preoccupied) Apart from that one time when he first came here, Goodwin never did let me fly the Outrider. Now I’ll have to learn it on my own. The least he could’ve done was leave an instruction manual... Trueman is absolutely aghast at Reede’s comment. TRUEMAN How can you be so..._callous_ about the death of your friend? REEDE (shrugging) Friend? (beat) Look Becca, he was a number of things to me, including a pain in the butt... and yeah, now that he's gone, I miss him. (beat) But a _friend_? He was never really _anyone's_ friend. Still shocked, Trueman turns her back on Reede and begins walking again. TRUEMAN (coolly) Well, _Lieutenant_ Reede, maybe I was right about you all along. (beat, even colder) Or maybe I’ve just been wrong about you recently. Reede looks after her, stunned, then rushes after Trueman. REEDE (protesting) Becca...right now there’s not _time_ to think about anything but surviving... She continues to ignore him, as he follows. CUT TO WARDROOM The rest of the senior staff has gathered. Lieutenant Commander Ed Taylor, Doctor Meridith Burke, Lieutenant Justin Riller, Lieutenant (j.g.) Ken Bear, Percell, and Morgan are already seated as Trueman and Reede enter. Reede sits, and Trueman hesitates. She looks at the empty seat next to Morgan and heads for it. Trueman notices Goodwin’s nameplate, still on the table, and stops, flustered. Finally, she sits next to Reede, but obviously not pleased to be there. Wolenczak enters and quickly sits. WOLENCZAK (briskly) Percell? Bring us up to date on what you know. Percell stands, looking down occasionally at a SEAPOC as she speaks. PERCELL Well...I’ve put together everything I could from what little information the sensors are giving us, and what Trueman’s been able to pick up on the E-band transmissions. Morgan took some time out from securing her lab to monitor the ‘Nex, and was able to glean a little info for us. (beat) The EM fluctuations are a worldwide phenomenon. But we’re in an area of particularly intense fluctuations, and although the bands moving at least _somewhat_ predictably, they’re likely to persist for days. TAYLOR With massive EM swings like these, there’s no way in hell we can restart the fusion reactor--the safety interlocks won't allow it. (beat) We’re on battery power right now, but, even with everyone on emergency restrictions, we’ve only got 36 hours left. After that, we’re dead in the water. Percell reaches over to the control console at the center of the table and presses a few keys. A map appears on the room’s viewscreen. It shows the local underwater topography, but is banded with red, orange and yellow areas. PERCELL (explaining) This shows the various field strengths. She walks over to the viewscreen and points to one area of the map. PERCELL (continuing) If you look right here, there _is_ a passage through the fluctuating fields to some relatively unaffected areas. From what I can tell, if we get there, we could safely restart the reactors. Reede whistles. REEDE (musing) It'd be like threading a needle. (beat) Blind. (beat) Wearing mittens. (beat) If we blundered into a field that’s too intense, we might lose all ship's systems. He ponders the map silently for a moment. REEDE (continuing) I’m a damn good driver, but without good sensor data... (beat, shaking his head) It’s too risky, even for _me_. No one else has any suggestions, and after a silent moment, Wolenczak speaks. WOLENCZAK All right then. You’ve got four hours to figure something out. (beat, slight despair) Get together and brainstorm. Meditate. Pray. (beat, back in control) But do whatever it takes and be back here in four hours with ideas. I don’t care how crazy they are, as long as we don't smear ourselves on a canyon wall... The assembled crew nod, murmuring in agreement with his order. Wolenczak looks around the table, his gaze stopping at Goodwin’s empty chair, then continuing on, to Bear’s silent, stoic countenance. WOLENCZAK (softly) I know this is difficult right now. We’ve lost a valued crewmember, and I know the Force Recon team is hurting too. But we can't bring them back. Right now, we have to get out of this crisis. The best way to pay tribute to the people we’ve lost is to get safely to port. Once we’ve done that, we can have a proper service for them. His words seem to bring some relief to his crew. Percell can be seen wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. Only Morgan appears unmoved. Wolenczak casts her a worried glance, but is unable to say anything right now. WOLENCZAK Dismissed. As they file out of the room, we... CUT TO UEO HQ--EXTERIOR It is nighttime in Portland. The UEO Headquarters building is well lit from within, however, as crisis management goes on apace. CUT TO HITCHCOCK'S OFFICE Hitchcock is standing in her office, looking out pensively at the reflecting pool, with its fountain of peace. Robinson enters the office and waits for her to turn. Hitchcock still stares out into the night. After a moment, Robinson speaks. ROBINSON Ma'am... (beat) Ma'am, Signals reports that military communications are at 70% reliability, with most of the force now receiving at least brief messages. Our contingency networks are picking up the load; the shielded fiberoptic landlines are performing as planned. (beat) Civil communications is recovering as well; the InterNex Group reports that repairs are well in hand. (beat) We have confirmation from all our confederations, and from the neutral, non-aligned groups as well. Security arrangements are in hand, and the meeting can go on tomorrow as scheduled. (beat) Both Carolinan and Azanian representatives have also asked to attend. Hitchcock doesn't respond. She just looks down at the fountain. ROBINSON (gentle) Katherine...when did you last see your husband? The change in subject catches Hitchcock's attention. She starts, and looks at Robinson. HITCHCOCK (rueful) Three days ago, I think. Robinson looks at her in dismay. ROBINSON Katherine... get out of here. (beat) I'll mind the store; you need to go home, be with your family tonight. Hitchcock shakes her head. HITCHCOCK (softly) I've been...ashamed to. ROBINSON (aghast) What...? HITCHCOCK Ben believed in me, Wallace. You believed in me. (beat) So did the people of the UEO. (beat) _Jonathan_ trusted me... God help me. (beat) _Everyone_ trusted me to preserve Jonathan Ford's vision of a peaceful, united planet. To make his dream come true. (anguished) And I've _failed_ them all. Hitchcock turns back to the window, eyes wet with tears. HITCHCOCK I squandered our best chance at world peace in a generation, a chance to learn from the lessons of the last war... (beat) I rushed too hard, pushed too many people. Robinson comes over and puts a hand on her shoulder. ROBINSON (firmly) That's a load of crap. Hitchcock turns and looks at him, her mood broken for a moment. ROBINSON (wry) There, that got your attention. Despite herself, Hitchcock smiles. ROBINSON Look. You took this job in hand during a full-blown crisis, and the crises kept coming. One after another, eating away at the foundation of Ford's dream. (beat) You didn't make the crises. And you did a damn fine job of working to solve them. (beat) Maybe he was wrong. Maybe it was doomed to be a dream, more smoke than substance, an ideal for a world not yet ready for it. (beat) But the world failed Jonathan. _You_ didn't. Hitchcock looks back at him. HITCHCOCK I never wanted this to end in war. ROBINSON (sympathetic) No warrior ever does. (beat) Come to think of it, no _sane_ person ever does, either. Robinson gently guides her to the door. ROBINSON Look, go get some sleep, Katherine. (beat; rueful) All this will still be here tomorrow. Hitchcock nods gratefully and leaves. Robinson shuts off the lights...and turns, and looks, himself, out the window for a moment, pensively, as we... FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT TWO Date: Sun, 04 Oct 1998 17:03:08 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 3/episode 1/"Inertia"/Act 4 To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 ACT FOUR OPEN ON WARDROOM The senior staff are assembled, as are Force Recon team members Bear and Svetlovana. Taylor is standing, addressing the group. TAYLOR (animatedly) ...To put it simply, we’re blind. And we need to get out of our blind spot. (beat) So we’re going to do what any blind person would do... (beat) We’re going to get a guide dog. Various staffers exchange puzzled glances, but Wolenczak looks as if a glimmer of understanding is setting in. TAYLOR (grinning) It’s simple. Our problem is that the EM interference is playing hell with our sensors. _But_... (beat) We have other equipment on board that can handle the extra electromagnetism. (beat) So what we’ll do is load Ensign Morgan’s geological survey equipment into the Outrider. It can not only measure the EM, it can map out the terrain. The light is beginning to dawn on everyone now, as they nod their heads, varying degrees of understanding and excitement written on their faces. MORGAN (joining in) Reede will pilot the Outrider out of the EM field, slowly trailing a length of fiber optic cable. As soon as we map an area, we can feed the information back to _seaQuest_ and guide her through. (beat) Operation Guide Dog. MATTHEWS (thoughtfully) I can’t see why it wouldn’t work. TAYLOR Of course it’ll work! (beat) Of course, we’ll have to be slow and careful...you can only map a small area before the information has to be dumped to a larger computer. Taylor’s triumphant manner is a stark contrast to Morgan’s cool, unruffled one. REEDE I haven’t flown the Outrider since about a year ago...but I think I can handle it just fine. (beat) Course, you’ll need someone pretty damn good back here to pilot _seaQuest_. (beat, grinning at Svetlovana) Think you’re up to the task? SVETLOVANA (softly, a bit hesitant) I’ve never handled anything so big-- RILLER (concerned) We’ll be going pretty damn slow. (beat) What if someone’s waiting out there to attack us? It’ll be like shooting fish in a barrel. Before anyone can respond, the intercom beeps. Wolenczak reaches over and activates it. WOLENCZAK Wolenczak here. VOICE (over com) Sir, we have a flash priority message from headquarters. It’s been repeating for a while, I think; the electromagnetic disturbance died down just long enough for us to catch it. WOLENCZAK Route it in here, please. VOICE (over com) Yes, Sir. The vidlink screen activates, and all in the room turn expectantly to it as the UEO symbol is replaced by Robinson’s grave countenance. ROBINSON (on screen) It is my unfortunate duty to inform you that, fifteen minutes ago, the Carolinan Confederation declared war on the United Earth Oceans. All UEO Navy vessels have full authorization to return fire if fired upon by Carolinan vessels. (beat) Further orders will be issued to individual ships as soon as possible. Static bursts across the screen, then it goes blank. The blank screen is nearly matched by the blank expressions on several faces in the room. Others show worry, some fear. Wolenczak activates the intercom again. WOLENCZAK Bridge, this is the captain. Sound General Quarters, and put us at Condition Two. VOICE (over com) Aye, Sir. In the background, the general quarters call is heard as Wolenczak addresses his staff. WOLENCZAK (seriously) You heard it...it’s a shooting match now. (beat) Get to your stations. (beat) Taylor, you and Morgan help Reede get the leash on the dog. The three of them nod and rise to leave, as do the others. WOLENCZAK Oh, Ensign Morgan-- MORGAN (turning to him) Sir? WOLENCZAK I want you in the Outrider with Reede. MORGAN (coolly) I’d already planned on it. Wolenczak looks at her appraisingly for a moment, then nods once and turns to the rest of the staff. WOLENCZAK Dismissed. They all disperse to their various duties. CUT TO EXTERIOR, MCKENSI INSTITUTE--CGI The deep-sea research station appears peaceful, as a school of fish slowly swims by. CUT TO CALLANS’ LIVING QUARTERS. Lieutenant Commander Greg Callan is pacing his living room. He moves easily, and the fact that one of his legs is a prosthesis is completely unnoticeable. Kelly is sitting on the sofa. Her pregnancy is well advanced now, and she doesn’t appear to be particularly comfortable. The television is on, and a logo on the screen reads: "CNN--Countdown to War." KELLY Greg, would you _please_ relax? (beat) It’s a good thing I’m not morning sick any more, because watching you go back and forth like that makes me queasy. CALLAN I can’t help it, Kel. We’re barely two hundred kilometers away from the Carrots. KELLY This is a civilian institution. The research we do is neutral; it’s just as beneficial to the Carolinans as it is to the UEO. CALLAN (wry) What do you want to bet the Carolinans don’t agree? KELLY (teasing) I’ve never known you, the Great Greg Callan, to run from danger before. Callan turns, flopping down on the sofa next to his wife. CALLAN I haven’t been stuck in an underwater tin can before, unable to shoot back. (beat, softly) And now I have a little more to care for than my own hide. He reaches out to take Kelly’s hand and, just as he does, a voice is heard over the PA system. VOICE (over PA) Flooding stations, flooding stations. This is a drill. All personnel, please report to your designated stations. Callan sighs deeply and rises from the sofa, still holding Kelly’s hand. He turns and helps pull her to her feet. CALLAN _Now_ are you worried? KELLY (grinning) Not a bit. You’re here to watch out for me. (beat) And it’s just a drill. They make their way to the door as we... CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT Reede is sitting in the pilot's seat, and one of his monitors shows Morgan buckling in at the sensor station. Reede tries to settle in as he runs the pre-launch checklist, but he just can't quite seem to get comfortable. REEDE (under his breath) Geez... (beat) Goodwin, if you can hear me...keep an eye on us, so I don't screw this up, okay? Morgan hears this on her headset. On the screen, she simply nods, her face utterly composed. REEDE (bracing himself) Okay, no sense putting this off any longer... He starts to throttle up power, slowly, smoothly. CUT EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The Outrider exits the Docking Bay and slowly heads towards the larger sub's bow. A thin, glimmering strand is just barely visible, running back into the larger sub. CUT TO OUTRIDER SENSOR STATION The camera is tight on Morgan as she works her controls. MORGAN (studying readings intently) Cable deployment nominal. (beat) EM sensors on line; data acquisition is clean; transmission is five by five outgoing. _seaQuest_, do you confirm? CUT TO BRIDGE The usual staff are in their places, with the exception of the helm station, where Svetlovana sits, a trace of anxiety on her face. PERCELL (at her console) We confirm, Outrider, signal is clean. We're modeling the EMF zones now. She looks back at Wolenczak, standing near Svetlovana; he nods. PERCELL Continue Guide Dog, Outrider. We'll be behind you, all the way. On the main viewscreen, and those Bridge consoles still functioning, a ghostly pattern of red "clouds" builds up in front of the small icon of the Outrider. Svetlovana frowns, and starts entering commands at her console. A bright green line forms, showing a path through the interference zones, wide enough for _seaQuest_. She studies it, shakes her head, and looks at Wolenczak. SVETLOVANA I hope he is as nimble as you say, Captain. The best projected path is still tight. WOLENCZAK (smiles) _seaQuest_ will put herself wherever you point her, Pilot-Officer. She's got a good heart... (beat) And right now, a pilot to match the challenge. (beat) Helm, set course along the clear corridor. Best speed you can make. SVETLOVANA (perhaps a touch of color in her cheeks) Aye aye, Cap'n. CUT TO OUTRIDER SENSOR STATION Morgan is intent on her controls, hands moving rapidly as she works her various equipment. QUICK CUT TO EXTERIOR OUTRIDER--CGI The Outrider continues to navigate the undersea terrain, the fiber optic filament slowly trailing behind. QUICK CUT TO BRIDGE Svetlovana’s face glistens slightly with perspiration as she continues controlling the progress of the huge submarine. TIGHT ON MAIN VIEWSCREEN As the _seaQuest_ icon moves slowly along its glowing green path. QUICK CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT Reede is settling into his seat, looking a little more relaxed as the feel of the Outrider’s controls comes back to him. CUT TO BRIDGE The main screen shows _seaQuest_ easing past the last of the red areas. Ahead of her, the screen shows clear sailing. As the icon moves into the clear zone, the camera pans around the Bridge, as black displays suddenly light up and reboot. Yellow warning lights turn green; and Percell chants happily at her station. PERCELL Flux at 120% normal. (beat) Flux at 105% normal. (beat) Normal flux, Captain. Ship's systems are coming back on line across the board. (beat, jubilant) We did it! The Bridge erupts in cheers. People slap each other on the back, shake hands, give "thumbs up" signs...until they are interrupted suddenly by a wailing alarm. WOLENCZAK Percell, status report! Percell, upset, motions to the big screen. PERCELL (shaken) Captain, our timing... stinks. The screen shows three sizable yellow blips and a swarm of smaller ones. They rapidly change color, now glowing an ominous red. Vector arrows show them all coming about, towards the Outrider... and behind her, _seaQuest_. Wolenczak leans over Trueman’s shoulder, punching a button on her console and shouting into his headset. WOLENCZAK Outrider, this is Wolenczak. There was a Carolinan hunter-killer group on patrol, looking for trouble, and we just blundered into them. TIGHT ON WOLENCZAK His face shows extreme stress, anger and worry. WOLENCZAK Get the hell _out of there_! _NOW_! Off his face, we... FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT FOUR Date: Sun, 04 Oct 1998 17:03:11 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 3/episode 1/"Inertia"/Act 5 (end) To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 ACT FIVE OPEN ON OUTRIDER COCKPIT Reede looks down at his monitor, aghast, as red lights flash all over the console. WOLENCZAK (over com) Get the hell _out of there_! _NOW_! Reede pauses for a moment. REEDE (into headset) Anne, cut the cable. And hold on! He rams the throttle home. CUT TO EXTERIOR OUTRIDER--CGI The Outrider pivots neatly, and races off... towards the Carolinans. WOLENCZAK (V.O., outraged) Outrider, what the _hell_-- REEDE (V.O.) Captain, there are two _Alabama_ hunter killers out here, a sub carrier, and a whole swarm of Carolinan stingfighters. You need time to bring the mains on line, or we're _all_ dead. There is a pause. WOLENCZAK (V.O., resigned) Understood. (beat) Do your best out there. The Outrider continues its race toward the Carolinan fighters. CUT TO SENSOR STATION Morgan shifts in her seat. MORGAN (sharply) Reede. CUT TO COCKPIT REEDE Not now, Anne, I'm trying to figure out-- The view of Morgan on Reede’s monitor shows an expression of hard determination. MORGAN (icy) _Reede_. Unlock my weapons board. _Now_. Reede shakes his head. REEDE You were never trained on them, you don't know what to-- CUT TO SENSOR STATION Morgan shakes her head angrily. MORGAN If you feel that way, let _me_ pilot, and _you_ fire the torpedoes. (sharply) Otherwise all you can do is play dodgeball out here, get in their way...and get us killed uselessly. CUT TO COCKPIT Reede is still intent on piloting the Outrider, and more red lights activate on his control panel. REEDE (under his breath) Goodwin, if anyone up there owes you... (beat, swallowing hard) Now would be good. (beat, resigned) Okay, Morgan, listen up. He flicks switches. CUT TO SENSOR STATION The console in front of Morgan now glows green in several locations. Reede, looking slightly preoccupied, is visible on one of the monitors. REEDE (on screen) You don’t have time to deal with the stealth array, but your attack board is hot. Acquisition scope is in the middle, designation with touchpad or voice, you can fire when-- They are interrupted by a sudden shock wave, as the Outrider is thrown to and fro. CUT TO EXTERIOR OUTRIDER--CGI The Outrider passes one explosion to stern. Two torpedoes slide by her, narrowly missing, as the Outrider jinks and slides. CUT TO COCKPIT Reede’s expression takes on a new note of urgency...as does his voice. REEDE Damn, those stingfighters are rude. (beat) Okay, Anne, you can-- Morgan's voice is distant, almost eerily calm, slightly singsong over his monitor MORGAN (on screen) Sequence is Acquire, Lock, Fire. (beat) Scanning for targets. (beat) Tracking... Reede is surprised. REEDE (muttering) I don’t recall getting to that part yet... But another concussion wave forces him to keep focused on the helm. CUT TO SENSOR STATION Morgan starts stabbing her finger at the board, movements quick and precise. MORGAN (icily) I have had enough of just taking it from others. This is for Vince. (the console beeps softly at her touch) And for David. (beep) And for John. (beep) And for Will. (beep) And for _me_. REEDE (on screen, strained) Just take your best shots, Anne; even good shooters generally score only 60% of the time. MORGAN (commanding) Reede, pull up 50 meters and break hard to port. Do it _now_! Startled, Reede complies without asking why. Morgan stares intently at her screen, then smiles coldly. Her hands slam down on the console. MORGAN _Yes_! CUT EXTERIOR OUTRIDER--CGI A spread of torpedoes fan out from the Outrider, streaking towards the wave of stingfighters. Three fighters die almost at once, as the torpedoes strike home. Two torpedoes pass high over the Carolinan fighter group. CUT TO COCKPIT A look of pleased surprise passes over Reede’s face, and he whistles. REEDE Nice shooting, Anne. Don't fret about the misses, like I said, 60%. MORGAN (on screen, soft) Oh yeah...? Quizzically, Reede looks at his forward view. CUT TO EXTERIOR OUTRIDER--CGI The two torpedoes keep going... and slash straight into the midsection of one of the Carolinan hunter killers. Twin explosions shatter her hull, followed by a huge steam explosion as the reactor breaches under the stress. CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT Reede looks at his viewscreen, unbelieving. The Carolinans also have paused, shocked at the sudden turn of events. REEDE Anne...you couldn't have... Morgan ignores him, staring at her boards. REEDE (under his breath, slightly scared) Goodwin, old buddy...you have an _odd_ sense of humor. MORGAN (on screen, cold) Let's go hunting, Reede. REEDE Ummm... (beat; studying scanners) Anne, look at the scope. The big fish are bugging out, and we don't have the legs. (beat) The fighters are going, too. (beat) We could _maybe_ get a few more, but it's over. (beat) Let ‘em go. CUT TO SENSOR STATION It is quite obvious that Morgan disagrees with Reede’s idea. MORGAN (angry) But we can still get at least three more, I know it-- REEDE (on screen, an order) Ensign Morgan, I said stand down! (beat) _Enough_! (beat, shaking head) What's gotten _into_ you? Morgan pauses slightly as she regains her compuser, then slumps in her seat. MORGAN (neutrally) Nothing, Reede. I'm fine now. Reede looks...unconvinced. But any further comments are forestalled, as Matthews' voice is heard. MATTHEWS (over com) Okay, Reede, help is here.... CUT TO EXTERIOR OUTRIDER--CGI Four Marauders pull up around the Outrider. SVETLOVANA (V.O.) Although you left us very few to play with. RILLER (V.O.) Nice shooting, Reede, damn nice. How'd you set em up? CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT Reede sits back in his seat and shrugs, even though the others can’t see him. REEDE Wasn't me. Morgan called the ball, and took the shot. There is a long, incredulous pause. MATTHEWS (over com) Anne...? (beat, decisive) We'll hear about it in debrief. (beat) All right, people, let's head for the barn. CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI The flotilla of subs turns and heads for _seaQuest_ as we... CUT TO UEO HQ--SECURE SITUATION ROOM The room is relatively quiet. Only a few aides move to and fro, updating information on their terminals. Robinson sits at the conference table, alone, staring moodily at the main screen. It displays positions of UEO and Carolinan assets around the globe. Green for UEO, red for Carolinan...and an ominous orange for southern Africa and the Cape. He drinks from a battered old coffee mug, blazoned with "UNV Harrington", and sighs. He looks up when the armed Marine guard at the door snaps to attention and admits the Secretary General. HITCHCOCK (smiling slightly) _Now_ who won't go home and give it a rest? Robinson nods, accepting the rebuke, and smiles wryly. He moves to Hitchcock's side, as they stare at the Forces Display. HITCHCOCK (musing) So... for all our patience, all our maneuvering and attempted containment, all the moderation Langson's people counselled... it starts. Robinson nods, sadly. ROBINSON Katherine...there's nothing you could have done. Ross wanted power, at any cost. Her presence on the chessboard made this inevitable. HITCHCOCK (resigned) Doesn't matter. We're stuck with what we have. (beat) So...what does the situation look like? ROBINSON (gesturing at screen) The Macronesians have become the Hermit Kingdom. They "invited" a large Carolinan task force to leave their waters... and just head west, thank you, out of Mac waters ASAP. (beat, grinning) Maybe they're angry at Ross. Hitchcock looks at him quizzically. ROBINSON (sardonic) Copyright violation...ecological devastation, using one of their leftover weapons without permission? (beat; becomes sober again) The neutrals and the trust territories are cordial enough, but we don't know if they'll _fight_ yet. (beat, sighing) And the Azanians... All traffic has been cut off around the Cape. They've declared a 500 mile exclusion zone, and are threatening to destroy anything that isn't Azanian. Not even their neighbors are being let off the hook. (beat) Intelligence reports that they've rebuffed three different Carolinan overtures. They're mad as hell, apparently, and are ready to declare jihad on us all. Fortunately, they only have a Naval Air arm and a brown-water coastal force. No real power projection... Hitchcock nods thoughtfully. HITCHCOCK How about _our_ power projection? ROBINSON (rueful) Dicey. (beat, indicating the screen) We lost more ships than we could afford in Rio and Philadelphia. We have more advanced ships, like _seaQuest_ and the new_Havasu_-class subs, but the Carolinans have an edge in numbers and interior lines of communication. (beat) I... strongly recommend... that the Carolinan task force leaving Macronesian waters be destroyed before it can get to the Gulf of Mexico. (beat) Or, for that matter, the Florida coast. Carolinan troops are massing near Kennedy Space Center. They've cut the KSC beachhead off completely. If they invade, that's half our heavy-launch capacity gone. As well as control of the laser satellites and the anti-missile systems. Hitchcock shakes her head. HITCHCOCK Not good. I refuse to concede the high ground on this. ROBINSON Staff agrees. We're working on contingency options now and should have some ready for the next briefing. There is a long pause, as they both stare at the screen. HITCHCOCK (wry) I'd like a little _good_ news, if there's any to be had. ROBINSON (smiles ruefully) Well, the MesoAmericans have contained that Carolinan expeditionary force. They're no longer moving toward the Nicaraguan Sub Tunnel. (beat) Not that I expect _that_ to last, mind you. The two share a smile. Hitchcock then looks carefully at the waters off the MesoAmerican coast. HITCHCOCK (concerned) When did _seaQuest_ report back in? ROBINSON Just within the hour. (beat) Wolenczak wants port time for repair and resupply. He says his people have worked miracles, repairing the damage done by EM interference, but his repair lockers are empty. Hitchcock stares at the display for a moment. Then she turns. HITCHCOCK (decisive) No. (points to another UEO ship) Have them head north, make for this fleet supply ship-- ROBINSON (curious) _UNV Wichita_? HITCHCOCK Right... once they've met, both are to make best possible speed towards Florida to anchor the line. ROBINSON (digesting this) So... a blockade, then. HITCHCOCK (nodding) For now. We don't know what else the Carolinans have up their sleeve, and we don't have the military might, yet, to simply invade, overrun, and subdue. (softly) And... just maybe... there's still a chance of stopping this before more cities are destroyed. She shudders slightly. Then she straightens. Her voice is all business. HITCHCOCK (determined) Two lines, Wallace. One from Baltimore, south to the MesoAmericans. A second to close off the Mexican West Coast. (beat) I may not have wanted this war. But if Eileen Ross thinks I am going to cave in now... she has it all wrong. The camera moves tight in on Hitchcock. HITCHCOCK (grimly) I plan to finish this... (beat) Once and for all. Off her stern expression, we... CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S OFFICE Wolenczak is at his desk, surrounded by SEAPOCs and hard-copy reports. He isn’t working though; he has his feet up and is leaning back in his chair, staring at the overhead. The intercom beeps, and, without looking, he activates it. TRUEMAN (over com) Sir, you have a priority transmisson from Admiral Robinson. Wolenczak sits up quickly, all attention. WOLENCZAK (into com) Put him through. The screen activates. Robinson looks as if he still hasn’t managed to get any rest. ROBINSON (on screen) We’re glad to have you back among the living, Captain. WOLENCZAK (drily) It’s good to be here. (beat) I think. ROBINSON Well, you may change your mind after you hear what I’ve got to say. (beat) We’re denying your request for yard time. Wolenczak begins to protest, but Robinson forges on. ROBINSON You’ll rendezvous with a supply ship on your way to the blockade off the Florida coast. Details are being transmitted to your Bridge as we speak. Wolenczak is crestfallen at the news, but manages not to argue. WOLENCZAK Sir...I’ve got a shipful of grieving people, and noncombatants who’ve seen a helluva lot more action than they should ever have to... ROBINSON (sternly) Don’t second guess yourself. You couldn’t have protected any of them--or the rest of the world--any better than you have already done. (beat, more gently) Think how much worse it would be if your team hadn’t destroyed the graser. Wolenczak nods slowly. WOLENCZAK But I still can’t help feeling like there must have been something in the past two years--something we could have done differently--to stop Ross. ROBINSON (shaking his head) I don’t think so. At best, we’d have had a bad peace. And in many ways, that’s even worse than war. WOLENCZAK (resigned) I suppose you’re right, Sir. ROBINSON (firmly) I am. (beat) Now, get to that rendezvous and on to your next task. (beat) And Godspeed. He severs the connection, leaving Wolenczak thoughtfully regarding the UEO logo on his screen. There is a knock at the hatch. WOLENCZAK Come in. Morgan enters, closing the hatch behind her. WOLENCZAK Anne...amazing work this afternoon. Morgan is obviously not in the mood for pleasantries. MORGAN (bluntly) I want to talk to you about my status on this ship. Wolenczak indicates a chair for her, but Morgan remains standing, not quite at attention, but all business. WOLENCZAK (carefully) You have no status on this ship. Soon as we meet up with the supply ship, you’ll be on your way to your next assignment. MORGAN (flatly) I want to stay. WOLENCZAK (aghast) _What_?! MORGAN I want to stay. (beat) I want to change my specialty from science to command and take over the sensor seat on the Outrider. WOLENCZAK No way. Morgan isn’t surprised by his refusal. She also isn’t put off by it. MORGAN I don’t think you have the power to refuse my request. (beat, the shell cracking a bit) Sir...I’m tired of being the one waiting and reacting. I want...I _need_...to _do_ something. WOLENCZAK But reacting is exactly what you’re doing right now, Anne. (beat) Do you think no one’s noticed that you lost _two_ people you were close to? You’ re grieving, and you want to get back at the Carolinans. (beat) But this is _not_ the way. (beat, appealing to her common sense) You’d be giving up your research, your passion. (beat, somberly) And you’d be taking a very good chance of leaving John an orphan. At this, Morgan’s icy demeanor vanishes, and her voice is passionate as she speaks. MORGAN Don’t you think I _know_ that? (beat) If I go home and work in a lab, I am just as much a victim as John is. (beat) But out here, on the lines...I can _do_ something to make this war end, to protect my child, and my parents, and my friends. Wolenczak stares at her for a moment, considering. WOLENCZAK Anne...are you _sure_? Once it’s done...you can’t change your mind. MORGAN (definite) I’m as sure as you were when Hudson told you to either enlist or leave. (beat, pointing out the obvious) You’re still in the Navy. WOLENCZAK (nodding) I’ll submit the paperwork. MORGAN (cooler again) Thank you, Sir. She salutes him; he returns her salute. WOLENCZAK (softly) Anne...for what it’s worth...I’m glad you’re staying. Morgan once more lets her defenses down--just for a moment--as she flashes him a brief smile. MORGAN So am I. She turns and leaves. Off the closed hatch we... FADE TO BLACK THE END Copyright 1998, 2047 staff. This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. Date: Sun, 04 Oct 1998 17:03:06 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 3/episode 1/"Inertia"/Act3 To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 ACT THREE OPEN ON GOODWIN’S QUARTERS Matthews is slowly going through Goodwin's personal effects, boxing them up for shipment, lingering over odd items before placing them in the carton. There is a knock on the hatch. MATTHEWS (calling out) It’s open. Chief Warrant Officer Tatiana Svetlovana enters. Her manner is not exactly friendly, but she is not cold, either. SVETLOVANA (calmly) I have heard that you and Goodwin knew each other well? MATTHEWS We were in fighter training together. (beat, softly) Though I guess I didn’t know him as well as I thought I did. Svetlovana nods her understanding. SVETLOVANA Our team is having a wake later today. Would you come? MATTHEWS (puzzled) Why me? SVETLOVANA He died with Force Recon, on a Force Recon mission. (beat) Whatever else he was, he became one of us...and we never forget our own. (beat) And you were his friend. Matthews moves over to the desk, still packing as she talks. She picks up a photograph, of her and Goodwin together at flight school. Both are in civvies and he is putting an oversized Stetson hat on her head. MATTHEWS (softly) Thank you. I’ll be there. She packs the photo and a couple of others into a box. As she turns, she sees a disk in the computer console. She pushes it into the drive and hits a couple of keys. The directory has only one entry: "ANNE." Matthews ejects the disk and turns it over in her hands silently, then holds it out to Svetlovana. MATTHEWS Would you take this to Ensign Morgan for me? (beat) She and Will... (beat, swallowing hard) They were good friends. I think, perhaps, you should invite her to the wake, too. Svetlovana takes the disk, nodding, as she leaves. CUT TO SCIENCE LAB The lab is bare; what little equipment cannot be packed is in dustproof covers. Several shipping crates are stacked in the center of the compartment. Morgan is placing a last few items in a box. Her face is pale, but expressionless. Her eyes, though, are deeply shadowed and give full evidence of her anguish. The final item she picks up is a framed photograph of herself, her son John, and Vince Matson, all wearing Seattle Mariners jerseys, laughing and happy. Morgan traces Matson’s face slowly with a finger, then holds the picture tightly to her chest, closing her eyes. MATSON’S VOICE Anne...I’m sorry... Morgan’s eyes open quickly, hope dawning on her face. MORGAN Vince?! SVETLOVANA (O.C.) I’m sorry...did I interrupt you? Morgan’s face once again goes blank, as she places the picture in her box. MORGAN Not at all. (beat) Is there something I can do for you? Svetlovana looks around her at the practically empty compartment. SVETLOVANA (holding out the disk) Commander Matthews asked me to bring you this. It was in Goodwin’s computer. Morgan takes the disk and lays it on the desk. SVETLOVANA (hesitant) We’re having a wake for him, and for Lieutenant Covarrubias, this evening. (beat) Matthews thought you would like to be there. MORGAN (flatly) No. (beat) I’m sorry, I’ve still got a lot to do. I’ve got to make sure all my computer files are backed up. Svetlovana looks long and hard at Morgan, then slowly nods. SVETLOVANA I understand. (beat) I’m sorry that you have to leave here. I think we might have been friends. (beat, changing the subject) It’s too bad this boat isn’t a tank. MORGAN Pardon me? SVETLOVANA In tanks, when it's foggy, they send out a point person to check the way, and then follow. (beat, shrugging) Ah, well. We are stuck in a different kind of fog. I am sure we will find a way out. She turns and leaves. Morgan turns to seal up her shipping container, and catches sight of the disk on the desk. She picks it up, almost puts it into the box, then decides not to. Sitting down, Morgan turns on the computer and inserts the disk. She types a few commands, and Goodwin’s image appears on the screen. GOODWIN (on screen) Look, Anne...I’ve tried to start this three times, and it keeps coming out wrong. But I have a bad feeling about this mission... (beat) There are some things you should know. He pauses and takes a deep breath, and as he does so, Morgan sits, eyes riveted on the screen. GOODWIN (continuing) I’m...uh...not what you think. My mom doesn’t choreograph Broadway shows. In fact, I don’t have a mother at all. (beat) I’m what they call an Artificially Created Person, an ACP. I’m part of a...batch...that was genetically engineered to be assassins. Andrea Berger was in my batch. So was the woman who was helping her. (beat, grinning a bit) You may have noticed, I’m kinda the black sheep...just not as mean as the rest of ‘em. (beat, serious again) There’s three left, a brother and two sisters. But we weren’t raised together, so I don’t know their names. At his revelation, Morgan’s eyes go wide; she shakes her head in denial, but, of course, Goodwin’s message continues on. GOODWIN You’re probably wondering about those calls I got from my "Mother." That was actually my boss. I’ve been with Section Seven for a long time. If I’m lucky, this will be my last mission for them, and you won’t be seeing this. (beat) If I’m not lucky...well, this’ll still be my last Section Seven job. (beat) Which brings me to another thing. What happened to you at Delta 5. Morgan reaches out and quickly presses a button on her console, freezing Goodwin ’s image on the screen. She breathes deeply for a moment, then, visibly gathering courage, resumes the playback. GOODWIN Ant, I’m not telling you this. Got it? Morgan nods, even though he can’t see her. GOODWIN (continues) But, I figure, you have a right to know. (beat) Section Seven was researching an anti-Talent weapon. Only Talents would have the delusions. And that, Anne, means you’re Talented. MORGAN (to herself) But I _can’t_ be... GOODWIN (chuckling) If I know you half as well as I think I do, you’re probably denying it right now. But it’s true. (beat) I was supposed to kill everyone who knew about it. Everyone it affected. But there we were, and you...well, dammit Anne, you _needed_ me. And, God help me, I couldn’t do it. (beat, slowly) Which brings me to the last thing I wanted to say. Morgan is crying quietly now as she watches the screen, her attention never wavering. GOODWIN (diffidently) I...care a lot about you. You’ve been a friend, and a sister, and...maybe...a little bit more. I know you love Vince, and I hope you two have a great life together, but...I thought you should know. (beat) No one knows whether us ACPs have souls. But if I do, I’ll be waiting to be with you again someday. (beat) I’ve got to go now, Ant. Take care. I’ll see you around. The screen goes black. Morgan removes the disk from the drive, stares at it for a long moment, then slips it into her shirt pocket. She has progressed from silent tears to sobs, and mixed with her grief is rage. She cries out wordlessly and shoves over a stack of shipping crates in her anger. MORGAN (yelling) It’s not true...none of this is true...God, it’s too _unfair_! She slumps down against the bulkhead beside her overturned boxes, and gradually her sobs subside. Wiping her eyes, she looks around her. MORGAN (to herself) Great, Anne...now you can just pick up after your little tantrum. She rises and begins to restack the boxes. Suddenly, she stops, and we pull in tight on the one she is lifting. It is labelled "Geologic Survey Instruments." She stares at it...and then begins rummaging inside, extracting various items and setting them aside. MORGAN (mumbling to herself) No...this one’s no good....no...no... (beat, a little more intense) This is perfect! She stands up, thinks for a moment, then quickly pulls out her PAL and punches in a code. MORGAN (into PAL) Commander Taylor? It’s Anne Morgan. TAYLOR (over PAL) Right here. What do you need? MORGAN How much spare fiber optic cable do we have? TAYLOR (over PAL) A couple of miles. (beat, curious) Why? MORGAN (urgently) I’ve got a plan...I’ll be there in a couple of minutes. She leaves the lab quickly, returning her PAL to her pocket as she goes. CUT TO UEO HQ--COUNCIL CHAMBERS The camera pans down from the ceiling of this large chamber, over the observers' galleries, onto the curved dais at the head of the room. The secretary general sits at the head of the dais; to either side are seats for the representatives of the various confederations of the UEO. None are vacant. Just to one side, a separate table seats several delegates from neutral and non-aligned factions, including the Azanians and the Carolinans. The room is awash in confusion, with speakers shouting at each other, as Hitchcock keeps banging her gavel for order. HITCHCOCK (shouting) Order, _order_! The roaring subsides for a moment. Hitchcock points, gavel in hand, at a large viewsceen. On it is a freeze-frame of Lieutenant Miguel Covarrubias, Lieutenant Commander William Goodwin, and Doctor Lawrence Petersen, stopped in the midst of their briefing before the raid. HITCHCOCK (angry) Some of you have asked what was being done to stop this... (her voice goes icy) ...Horrific attempt by the Carolinans...to impose their will on us with weapons of ecological destruction. (slow, deliberate) Brave men gave their lives to destroy this weapon. And if they could not stop its first use in time, their sacrifice insured it would not be used again... (voice rises in righteous fury) ...By the same criminally irresponsible regime that authorized this murderous strike against innocent civilians in the first place! The Carolinan representative is, by now, livid. He leans forward, shouting into his voice pickup. CAROLINAN AMBASSADOR We are not the criminals here, Madame. _Your_ incompetent intelligence service misidentified peaceful scientific research into geo-gravitic sensor technology, viewing it through your paranoid fantasies about Carolinan "ambitions"! (beat) _Your_ reckless attack upon a peaceful scientific research outpost caused all this-- He is interrupted by the Mesoamerican Confederation representative. MESOAMERICAN DELEGATE (sarcastically) "Peaceful scientific research" senor? Perhaps English is different in Atlanta. (beat) In my country, we would call a division of heavy infantry crossing a border and holding territory... (beat) _Still_ holding it, senor... an invasion. (beat, hotly) You damnable _liar_... The chamber erupts in chaos, as the Carolinan tries, desperately, to respond. Hitchcock hammers away with her gavel, bringing the delegates to order. HITCHCOCK (glaring at the assembled delegates) I will have _order_ here, ladies and gentlemen. She looks around and then points to the Azanian ambassador. HITCHCOCK Sir, I believe you desired to address this council. The Azanian rises in place. AZANIAN AMBASSADOR I, too, have questions, Madame Secretary General. (beat) Why has Azania had had to pay, yet again, for the mistakes of others? (beat) You squabble over power, over wealth, over the very _body_ of our Mother, and you’ve unleashed Hell on poor, bruised, crippled Earth. And once again, your feuds, your arrogant twisting of the very stuff of nature, has brought death and suffering to _us_. (enraged) You have no _right_ to do this to us! No _right_ to risk the very Earth! (beat) Azania has had enough. As of _now_, Madame, a state of war exists between Azania and _all_ those responsible for this latest abomination against the Goddess. (beat) All UEO and civilian assistance groups are being ejected immediately from Azanian jurisdiction. (beat) And this I promise: Azania will not rest until those who were _truly_ responsible for this sin have been brought to justice. (beat, heavily) _Our_ justice. The Azanian ambassador then strides from the hall. In the stunned silence, the Carolinan Ambassador sees an opportunity. He stands up, smiling coldly, and points at Hitchcock. CAROLINAN AMBASSADOR Get used to that, Madame Secretary General. (beat; deliberate) Your reckless behavior caused global catastrophe. (beat) Your lies now fall on deaf ears. (beat) Your people around the globe will pay, and pay, and pay. (beat, impassioned and self-righteous) The free people of the Carolinan Confederation will _not_ give up their rights to liars and criminals like you. He too strides out. Hitchcock stares after him, utterly at a loss for words. The delegates mumble among themselves, as the camera pulls into a tight shot of Hitchcock's shock and dismay. FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT THREE Date: Sun, 04 Oct 1998 17:02:54 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 3/episode 1/"Inertia"/Teaser To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 seaQuest 2047 "Inertia" Story by Don Speirs & Bill Ernoehazy Script by Bill Ernoehazy & Victoria Morgan Hyde Publication Draft Sunday, October 4, 1998 Based on "seaQuest DSV" and "seaQuest 2032". TEASER OPEN ON EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The boat is at station keeping, WSKRS slowly circling. CUT TO CREW'S MESS All is as it was at the end of Gravity, as the crew watches the first news reports covering the Carolinan gravity weapon's terrible damage to the planet. All video screens in the room are tuned to news stations. Commander Jessie Matthews is seated with Chief Petty Officer Sara Percell, Ensign Rebecca Trueman, and Ensign Anne Morgan. All four have their attention glued to CNN. ANCHOR (on screen) ...UEO sources claim the cause of these catastrophes is the Carolinan Confederation's use of an environmental super-weapon. (beat) Political analysts speculate that the UEO will soon declare war on the Carolinans for their actions. (beat) Now, with more of our continuing coverage on the scope of these disasters, we have a live report by telephone from the Azanian capitol. The screen cuts to a "Live coverage" logo, while we hear a female voice speak. The women at Matthews' table listen anxiously. VOICE Damage assessments are still coming in, but... The report fades into the background as we pull in on Matthews, Trueman, Percell, and Morgan. MORGAN (worried) I wonder why Vince isn't reporting? He was in Azania already when all this happened. PERCELL (comforting) He was probably already out in the village, and all this mess has kept him from getting to the capitol yet. Morgan nods, and they all listen intently to the reporter once more. VOICE While the waters have receded, there is a great deal of devastation, and recovery has only just begun. (beat) The Azanians blame both the UEO and the Carolinans for this tragedy, because, although the earthquake was well offshore, the resulting tsunami brought in radioactive water from the RadZone as it engulfed the city. At least 50,000 are dead. (beat, solemnly) One of those confirmed dead is CNN reporter Vince Matson, who was in Azania working on a story. (beat) This is Trista MacAllen, reporting live. Morgan stands, rigid, staring at the screen. Her shipmates are aghast, watching Morgan stare at the screen as the CNN anchor starts to recite Matson's obituary. Captain Lucas Wolenczak walks over to the table. WOLENCZAK (softly) Somebody turn that damn thing off... Matthews gets up and changes the channel; we see the WNN logo briefly before the screen starts to break up into bands of static. Matthews flips through a few more channels, only to find _all_ incoming traffic scrambled as well. Matthews continues to fuss with the terminal, which allows her not to have to look at Morgan. Trueman and Burke look at Morgan, unsure of what to say. They approach her tentatively. TRUEMAN (softly) Anne... I'm so sorry... Morgan's face is cold, pale, utterly without movement. After a moment, her shoulders sag slightly. Then she straightens, completely military in her bearing. MORGAN (as if not even hearing Trueman) I need to secure the gear in the lab. We'll be moving out now, after... For an awful moment, it looks as if she might break. Then she reasserts rigid control. MORGAN (flat, emotionless) ...After that. She exits at a brisk clip, passing Wolenczak and Matthews as though they didn't exist. Wolenczak is upset and makes as if to follow her. He is interrupted by the ship's intercom. VOICE (over com) Captain to the Bridge. I say again, Captain to the Bridge. Wolenczak activates his PAL. WOLENCZAK (into PAL) This is the captain, go ahead. VOICE (over com) Sir, communications indicates widespread loss of civil and military transmissions. We have tried to contact headquarters, but Fleet secure channels are also down. WOLENCZAK (worried) I'm on my way. He looks at Matthews and Percell. WOLENCZAK Matthews, Percell, let's get up there and figure out what's going on. (beat) Someone... go check on Morgan, please. He pauses, only for a moment, then heads to the Bridge. The others go about their duties, shaken, as the camera pans back to the viewscreen. It shows only a blank display now, with the words "TRANSMISSION FAILURE" flashing ominously in the middle as we... FADE TO OPENING CREDITS END TEASER