========================================================================== PARALLAX Rachel Brody & Melissa Beattie ========================================================================== Timeline: SeaQuest 2032 Author's E-Mail: bi185@freenet.buffalo.edu ========================================================================== SeaQuest 2032 "Parallax" By Rachel Brody and Melissa Beattie Monday, June 10, 1996 Fourth Draft ========================= PART 0 - TEASER =============================== TEASER CUT TO ENGINE ROOM Lucas is in the engine room, along with three physicists: Drs. Carter Russell, Kate Morris, and Bill Fein. The four of them are performing an experiment to recreate the black hole that formed in the episode "Second Chance". There is no one else present. Morris, the head scientist, is looking at results of a test. LUCAS (to Morris) Well, Dr. Morris? Can you do it? MORRIS (eyeing the results, approvingly) We should be able to, thanks to this. LUCAS ("oh-gosh-t'weren't-nothin'" type of expression) Thanks, doctor. FEIN (to Morris) Careful, Kate. Don't want the kid to get a swelled head. Morris smiles, Lucas blushes. Russell comes up to Morris, shoving a printout at her. He's in his mid 30's, and pretty excited. RUSSELL (urgently) Kate! Bill! Look what I found! All crowd around him. After a moment, they all look up in confusion. FEIN Carter... (indicates printout) ...What's this? RUSSELL (excited) The black hole could be rendered multi-dimensional if we bombard the fusing molecules with ions! LUCAS But wouldn't that be against the intent of the experiment? Russell looks at Lucas as one might look at a petty annoyance. RUSSELL (acidly) No, it wouldn't. (to Morris, enthusiastically) Can I try it? MORRIS (apologetic) Sorry, Carter. Fein goes back to his work, ignoring the argument that ensues between Russell and Morris. RUSSELL But-- MORRIS (firmly) No. I want to try to recreate this first. Then, if it's successful, we'll try your idea. RUSSELL But-- MORRIS (shakes head, cutting him off) We don't have time right now. RUSSELL (stilted and mock-respectful) Yes, Doctor. Whatever you _say_, Doctor. MORRIS (ignoring his insubordination) Good. (to Fein) Bill, are you through calibrating that probe? FEIN (nods) Sure am. MORRIS All right then. (to Lucas) You can tell Captain Hudson that we'll be ready to test tomorrow morning. FEIN (wryly) And be off his boat by tomorrow evening. LUCAS Yes, Doctor. Lucas exits. FEIN (looking after him) Nice kid, but a little too... MORRIS (finishing sentence) ...Willing to help? FEIN (deadpan) Actually, I was going to say modest. Morris chuckles to herself. She and Fein exit. Russell is left alone. He begins manipulating equipment. RUSSELL (to thin air, as he works) I'm right. They know it, too. (mad scientist style, accent and all) Zey _laughed_! But zee last laugh vill be on _zem_! He chuckles to himself as he continues working. CUT TO CORRIDOR NEAR ENGINEERING Lucas and Piccolo are walking down the hall normally. They have no idea of what is going on in Engineering. Piccolo is in the middle of enthusiastically telling a story. PICCOLO (with great enthusiasm) ...So then, the informant tells the other guy, uh, I forget his name, that he shouldn't trust anybody. Then, he dies. Lucas is unimpressed. LUCAS (uncomprehending) So? Piccolo blanches-- how can Lucas not think this is impressive? During Lucas' next line, his PAL beeps. PICCOLO So?!? It was a great program! Even if it _was_ 2-D! Lucas isn't buying this one... LUCAS I'll take my chances... (into PAL) Wolenczak. O'NEILL (over PAL) Lucas, we're getting some odd readings from Engineering. Are you down there? LUCAS (mildly worried) No. I'll go check it out. (turns off PAL, to Piccolo) You wanna come? We probably just left something on. PICCOLO (shrugs) Sure. CUT TO ENGINE ROOM All is as before. Then Lucas and Piccolo enter. Russell ducks behind a console. Lucas and Piccolo don't notice. LUCAS (indicates equipment) This is what we've been working on. (beat, looks around) Do you see anything on that's not supposed to be on? PICCOLO I dunno... What's s'posed to be on? Lucas smiles and begins examining the various equipment. Piccolo follows. After a moment, they come to the machine that Russell had been working on. He has moved behind another machine. LUCAS (confused, off board) What the-- He cuts himself off, and examines the board. PICCOLO What? What's wrong? LUCAS (slowly) This machine...It's set to send a stream of ions at the-- (cuts self off, louder) Dr. Russell? Where are you? RUSSELL (still concealed) I'm...around somewhere. LUCAS Where? RUSSELL (evading) Around. Lucas and Piccolo exchange glances. LUCAS I know what you're trying. It won't work. RUSSELL ("correcting") But it will! You'll see! You'll all see! Russell emerges, and runs over to the activator. He flips it, and stands back. Lucas goes to the engines and tries to shut it down. Piccolo quickly pulls on his glasses, and goes over to help. The black hole forms in the engine, just as they manage to cut the flow of fuel. The hole fluctuates. Russell runs out of the room, the camera follows. Tendrils of energy follow him. CUT TO BRIDGE Hudson is in command. Henderson is at the Engineering console, trying to shut down the engines from there. O'Neill is contacting Drs. Morris and Fein in the background. Henderson looks at Hudson. HENDERSON (to Hudson) Sir, the engines are off-line. HUDSON That was fast. What happened? HENDERSON I don't know. The engines were cut off from Engineering. (beat, puzzled) Also, the electrical systems-- no, make that all the electronic equipment-- has gone haywire. (beat) However, for what it's worth, we did recreate the black hole. HUDSON At the moment, it's not worth much. (to O'Neill) Mr. O'Neill, when you've finished informing the other physicist, get me Wolenczak. O'NEILL Aye sir. (beat, into intercom) Lucas? (beat, no response) Lucas, come in. (beat, to Hudson) He's not responding. HUDSON (puzzled) Where is he? FADE TO BLACK END TEASER =========================== PART 1 ===================================== ACT ONE FADE IN TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST DAV_ The alternate universe. Caption scrawls across the screen: _seaQuest: Deep Assault Vessel_, in the mid-Pacific. SMITH (V.O., neutrally) Lucas, you logged onto the Internex yesterday. CUT TO SMITH'S OFFICE In the mirror universe. Lucas is sitting on one side of the desk. Smith is on the other side. Krieg, armed, is standing by the doorway, glaring at both. Smith is almost nonchalant. Lucas is shaky, but not caring what happens. Smith's attitude towards him is one of superiority. As we cut in, Lucas' breath quickens, almost unnoticeably. Krieg grins faintly at his discomfort. Smith remains calmly neutral. SMITH You realize, of course, what that could lead me to believe... Lucas doesn't respond. Smith's voice gains an edge. SMITH (incompassionate) You know there's no point in holding out, Lucas. (beat) Why were you on-line? Lucas glances towards the door, then shifts uncomfortably. Smith frowns. SMITH (hard) I'm going to find out. You know that. (beat) And whether you tell me or I rip it out of your psyche-- LUCAS ("giving in") I was chatting with Nick. And-- SMITH (interrupting) Did you have authorization? Smith already kmnows the answer to this-- it's obvious that she's in Lucas' mind, to a large degree, already. But she's making him sweat it out. Lucas opens his mouth, then shuts it and shakes his head, biting his lip. SMITH (casually) So, you disobeyed my orders... Lucas nods, scared. Smith smiles, almost warmly, and stands. She walks around the desk, stopping behind Lucas and putting her hands on his shoulders. SMITH (to Krieg, off Lucas, mock indignation) He _disobeyed_ an order... (beat, to Lucas, mock loving parental reproach) I'm disappointed, Lucas. She leans over, speaking into his ear. SMITH (a touch of Marquis deSade) _Very_ disappointed... She straightens and crosses the room, looking perturbed. She stops halfway across the room. Her eyebrows knit, and she walks back to Lucas, a disturbed expression on her face. She crouches down to eye level. SMITH Why do you do this? (beat) Why do you have to make this so difficult? (beat) Lucas, do you think I _enjoy_ these meetings? Krieg stifles a chuckle. Smith ignores it. SMITH (continuing) I only want what's best for you, Lucas. Her expression hardens. SMITH (reining in fury) But you make it so hard. Get clearance before you do these things. That's not too much to ask, is it? (beat) Or is it? (beat, to self) Why do I bother trying to do this the nice way? She shuts her eyes and draws a deep breath, calming herself. SMITH (thinly) I thought we had made progress. I thought you had finally decided to stop fighting me. (beat) There's no reason to do it, you know. (beat) You could save yourself these meetings if you'd just stop fighting me. Lucas looks up, a flicker of hostility in his eyes. It's the first "real" show of emotion he's made. Smith and Krieg exchange glances. Krieg leaves the doorway, walking towards Lucas, who pales. LUCAS (low, pained, to Smith) Please... I'm sorry... (beat) I won't-- Krieg pulls out his gun and puts it to Lucas' head. Lucas shuts up. KRIEG (grinning malevolently) Stop whining. It's annoying me. Lucas nods. Krieg puts the gun away. KRIEG (to Smith) Doctor, go on. Smith nods towards him courteously. Lucas regains some of his color as Krieg moves away, but not much. SMITH (to Lucas) As it is, I suppose I should have known. (beat, admonishing) You're lucky you're so good at what you do. (beat, malevolently) And you're lucky that _I_ follow _my_ orders. Lucas swallows hard as Smith focuses on him intently. He realizes that she's about preform what we like to refer to as "mindfuck" on him. The idea scares the living hell out of him. LUCAS (whispering) No... He shrinks back from Smith, pressing himself into his chair. Suddenly, Smith's PAL beeps. She stops, looking angry. Lucas is relieved. Smith pulls out her PAL and turns it on, glaring at Lucas as she speaks. SMITH (thinly) Who is it? STILWELL (over PAL) Lieutenant Stilwell, sir. There's been a breach of security on-- SMITH (cutting him off) Why are you telling me? (to Krieg) Krieg, go. Krieg glares at her. STILWELL (over PAL, insistent) Actually, doctor, I think you should come. Smith sighs and nods, resigned. SMITH Fine. She turns off the PAL and reattaches it to her belt. She looks at Lucas, then at Krieg. SMITH (off Lucas, mock questioning) What will we do with him? Krieg grins malevolently. KRIEG (off Lucas, to Smith) Don't worry about a thing. (malevolently) We'll be _fine_. Smith and Krieg exchange glances. Smith leaves. The door slams shut. For a moment, the room is dead silent. Then Lucas stands. Apparently, he doesn't consider Krieg as much of a threat as he does Smith. LUCAS If you don't mind, I-- Krieg slams him back into his chair. Lucas is rattled by this. KRIEG (dangerously) I mind. He chuckles. KRIEG (musing) Ironic, isn't it. One of the best minds in NORPAC, and you can't do a damn thing to stop me. (beat) You screwed up. Badly. You're lucky I don't rip you in half right here. (beat) You're lucky I don't have the same abilities as the doctor. (beat, dangerously) Because I don't give half a damn about the orders she's under. (beat) Keep that in mind. Lucas nods. KRIEG (threatening) And I swear, if you don't keep your mouth shut, (beat) I'll shut it for you. He grabs Lucas by the arm and wrenches him out of the chair, shoving him towards the door. Lucas catches himself against the wall, and turns back to Krieg, who is fingering his gun. LUCAS (desperately) Krieg, I'm not gonna say anything... But you promised to make sure she wouldn't-- Krieg shakes his head, a malevolent grin on his face. KRIEG (shaking his head) You're the one who got caught. You're the one who's gonna take the heat. (beat) You got that? Lucas nods stiffly. Krieg senses his reluctance and lashes out, grabbing him by the collar and yanking him up. KRIEG (furious) I asked you a question. Lucas tries to nod, but he can't. Krieg drops him, and he slumps against the wall, sliding to the floor rapidly. Without waiting for an answer, Krieg stalks out. Lucas shuts his eyes and tries to compose himself. CUT TO CORRIDOR OUTSIDE LUCAS' QUARTERS Lucas is walking to his quarters. He is still shaken by what happened. He arrives at the door and opens it. He enters. CUT TO LUCAS' QUARTERS Throughout this and subsequent scenes, Lucas 1 denotes the "real" Lucas, while Lucas 2 denotes the Lucas from the alternate dimension. Lucas 2 enters and shuts the door. He takes a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He turns to face the room. Piccolo smashes something over his head. He crumples to the floor. Lucas 1 rushes forward. He and Piccolo have found out what happened, and have determined how to deal with it. PICCOLO (at a loss) Where do we put `im? Lucas 1 looks down at his double, not liking what he sees. LUCAS 1 (unsurely, looks around) Uh... (spies the closet) The closet'll have to do. Piccolo nods. Lucas 1 opens the closet and Piccolo lifts his double up, then puts him in. Lucas 1 shuts the door on his double. PICCOLO Okaaay... Now what? Lucas 1 walks past him as he speaks, to the computer. He notes a gun lying on the floor. LUCAS 1 (off gun) Nice... He sits at the computer and begins typing. LUCAS 1 (as he types) Good... It doesn't look like their computer systems are much different than ours... CUT TO CORRIDOR OUTSIDE O'NEILL'S QUARTERS. It is not obviously O'Neill's quarters. Hitchcock exits just as Krieg walks by. She ignores him, but he grabs her by the arm, stopping her. Throughout the scene, they are very adversarial. KRIEG So. I'm chopped liver, am I? (beat, mock injury) You sure know how to hurt a guy. HITCHCOCK (pulling away) I have nothing to say to you. Except goodbye. She walks away, he follows. KRIEG (almost teasing) Aw, come on. Don't be like that. What's the matter? (beat, more maliciously) Have a fight with your new boyfriend? Hitchcock stops suddenly, turns, and glares at him. Krieg meets her glare with a calm gaze. HITCHCOCK (angrily, exasperated) Look, Krieg, this is the _last_ time. What we do is none of your business! (beat, more controlled, but still angry) So back off. KRIEG (challenging) Or what? HITCHCOCK (smiling cruelly) Remember what happened to Henderson? Krieg reacts. It is obvious that the memory is not a pleasant one. She walks away. Krieg turns back and knocks on O'Neill's door. O'NEILL (O.S.) Who is it? KRIEG Security. The door opens, Krieg enters. CUT TO O'NEILL'S QUARTERS Krieg finishes entering. O'Neill's quarters are spare and cramped. O'Neill himself is sitting on his bed. Both in this scene are extremely adversarial. O'NEILL What do you want, Lieutenant? Krieg goes over to O'Neill, and stands over him, glaring. O'Neill remains seated. KRIEG What was Commander Hitchcock doing here? O'NEILL (smiling) What do you think? Krieg picks O'Neill up by the shirtfront, and gets in his face. KRIEG (threateningly) I _think_ that you should keep your hands off her. (beat) Or you might find yourself in trouble. (beat) _Big_ trouble. O'NEILL (contemptuously) Oh, really? (beat, confidently) In case you haven't noticed, Katie chose _me_ first. (beat, threateningly) You get rid of me, _she_ gets rid of _you_. Krieg lets O'Neill go. O'Neill sits, Krieg moves toward the door, walking backward to keep an eye on O'Neill. Krieg leaves, O'Neill lays down on the bed. O'NEILL (to self) Or maybe I'll get rid of you myself. CUT TO BRIDGE Ford is in command. Hitchcock enters. Ortiz is at sensors. Hitchcock and Ford are very adversarial. FORD (glancing at watch) You're late. HITCHCOCK I was held up. FORD Really. (beat) Late night last night? HITCHCOCK (icily) No. I had a run-in with Krieg, if it's any of your business. FORD ("knowingly", trying to goad a rise out of her) Burning both ends, eh, Katie? (mock reproachful) You should know better. HITCHCOCK (angrily) You're one to talk. FORD (dangerously) What's _that_ supposed to mean? HITCHCOCK You know what it means. At this point, Ford moves menacingly closer to Hitchcock, who stands her ground. ORTIZ (to Ford) Sir! WSKRS are picking up three subfighters off our starboard bow! Ford moves away from Hitchcock, becoming "all business". FORD (to comm officer) Call combat alert. Comm officer does this in the background. FORD (to Ortiz) Where are they? ORTIZ Fifty kilometers, closing fast. At this point, Krieg, and O'Neill arrive. They go to stations, O'Neill to communications/navigation, Krieg to tactical. FORD (to Krieg) Arm weapons. KRIEG Aye, sir. (pushes buttons) Weapons armed. FORD (to Ortiz) Are they in range? ORTIZ In range... (beat) ...Now! FORD (to Krieg) Fire! CUT TO EXT. SEAQUEST Lasers are seen hitting the fighters. They scatter, and attack. CUT TO BRIDGE The ship is rocking from the attack. FORD (to O'Neill) Damage report. O'NEILL Minor damage to aft hull. FORD (to Krieg) Fire at will, Lieutenant. KRIEG Aye, sir. Krieg pushes buttons, lasers are heard discharging. ORTIZ Direct hit on one fighter. The pilot's ejected, one of the other two is moving to pick it up. FORD (to Krieg) Aim at their engines, Lieutenant. This confuses Krieg-- why can't he blow them out of the water?!? KRIEG Sir? FORD You heard me. (beat) If this is who I think, then I want him _alive_. KRIEG Yes, sir. CUT TO EXT SEAQUEST The two subfighters have their engines destroyed. They eject. CUT TO BRIDGE All is as before. ORTIZ They've ejected, sir. FORD (to Krieg) Fire grappling torpedo. KRIEG Aye, sir. (pushes buttons) Got 'em, sir. (looking significantly at Hitchcock) _No one_ gets away from Ben Krieg. FORD (ignoring his comment) Reel them in. CUT TO EXT SEAQUEST The three cockpits are seen being reeled into the shuttle bay. FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT ONE =========================== PART 2 ===================================== ACT TWO FADE IN TO LUCAS 2's QUARTERS Piccolo is holding a printout, several pages long. Lucas 1 is still working at the computer. Piccolo has pulled out his glasses and is wearing them. PICCOLO (reading from the page) `Cordin' ta this, Commander Ford's been in command ever since the ship returned from Hyperion. In this dimension, the crew mutinied an' Doctor Smith declared Captain Bridger unfit for duty. (beat, looks up) Bridger didn't make it back. Lucas 1 looks up at this, unnerved. He gets a grip and looks back at the monitor. LUCAS 1 (typing) Well, that would explain why Captain Bridger's not in the roster...but not why come of original crew is still aboard. Piccolo looks up, eyebrow raised. PICCOLO Huh? LUCAS 1 (reading, in mild awe) Hitchcock's XO... Ben's an L.C., and second officer... And Tim's a full lieutenant. PICCOLO (joking) So... What am I? Admiral? Lucas 1 checks the computer. LUCAS 1 (troubled) You're not here. (beat, more so) In fact, officially, at least, neither am I. He glances towards the closet. LUCAS 1 (regretfully) Too bad we had to lock him up. I'd like to know what the hell is going on aboard this ship. He turns back to the computer, ready to continue his search. LUCAS 1 ("to self") I guess I'll just have to dig a little deep-- He cuts himself off and a troubled expression appears on his face. LUCAS 1 ("God-I'm-an-idiot") Oh, _damn_. Piccolo looks up and puts the paper down, joining Lucas 1 at the computer. PICCOLO What happened? Lucas 1 shakes his head and stands, grabbing the gun off the floor. He looks at Piccolo. LUCAS 1 (rushed) Sorry, but you're not supposed to be here. If they see an unidentified intruder that's armed, they might shoot to kill. Piccolo holds up his hands in "surrender". He's just in time, because the door bursts open and Smith enters, with Krieg and a security detail trailing behind. Lucas 1 is completely thrown off-guard by their presence, and Smith is thrown off momentarily by his mental state. She quickly recovers. Lucas 1 doesn't. Smith's gaze drifts to the activated computer monitor, which is displaying sensitive data. SMITH (off computer, to Lucas 1) Chatting with Nick again? Lucas 1 looks from Smith to Piccolo. Then his gaze shifts to Krieg, as though he expects some sort of help. Krieg is glaring at him icily. LUCAS 1 (stuttering, unsure of himself) No. I-- I was in here. (indicating Piccolo) He came in and-- SMITH (icily) Did I ask you for an excuse? She looks at Piccolo, then turns to Krieg, indicating that he's got control of the situation. He takes a deep breath-- one gets the impression that he's almost relieved-- and nods to the security detail. KRIEG (tersely) Take him to the brig. Lucas 1 lowers the gun. The lead guard nods. Piccolo is handcuffed and escorted from the room by two guards. Smith leaves after them, and the door shuts. Krieg walks forward and takes the gun from Lucas 1. He holds it up, inspecting it. KRIEG (thinly) You're not cleared for this weapon. Lucas 1 looks at him unsurely. LUCAS 1 (stunned) Ben? Krieg's gaze jerks up abruptly. KRIEG (dangerously) Excuse me? Lucas 1 realizes his slip. He takes a deep breath and stands at near-attention. LUCAS 1 I'm sorry. Lieu-- KRIEG (cutting him off) Don't give me that smart-aleck attitude of yours, Wolenczak. There is a strained beat. Krieg moves away, toward the door. He puts a hand on the knob and turns it, opening the door. KRIEG (before he exits) So. That guy forced his way in here and made you hack the computer? Lucas 1 nods shakily. Krieg snorts and shakes his head, disgusted. Then he leaves. Lucas 1 watches him go. CUT TO O'NEILL'S QUARTERS O'Neill and Hitchcock are lying in bed. O'Neill is wearing his cross. HITCHCOCK (satisfied) That was nice, Tim. Very nice. O'NEILL We'll have to do it again sometime. Beat, Hitchcock fingers his cross for a moment, then lets it go. HITCHCOCK (indicating cross) I still don't know how you can wear that... O'NEILL Never managed to kick the habit. Hitchcock raises an eyebrow. HITCHCOCK You're not a believer? O'NEILL I want to believe. (beat) But look around. (beat) Nietzsche is right. God is dead. (beat) Killed by the hands of man. (beat, changing the subject) So, Katie, you seemed a little preoccupied. Something wrong? Hitchcock shrugs. HITCHCOCK I was thinking about what you told me. O'NEILL (not a question) About Krieg. Hitchcock nods. HITCHCOCK He was never the type to make idle threats. O'NEILL (unconcerned) Don't worry. I can handle him. HITCHCOCK (concerned, serious) He's got powerful friends, Tim-- O'NEILL (cutting her off) So do I. HITCHCOCK (surprised) Who? O'Neill smiles, Hitchcock looks at him, annoyed. O'NEILL (mildly teasing) Sorry, Katie. Can't tell you. HITCHCOCK (angry, offended) You don't trust me? O'NEILL (trying to explain) The less you know, the safer I am. You know that. Hitchcock moves away from O'Neill. He follows her, and puts his arm around her. O'NEILL (sincere) Katie, you know I love you. Isn't that enough? Hitchcock smiles and pulls him close. HITCHCOCK (whispering) It might be... But maybe you should try a little harder to convince me... O'Neill smiles. O'NEILL Maybe I should. CUT TO MESS HALL Lucas 1 is sitting, trying to eat. A shadow falls across his table. It's O'Neill. Lucas 1 looks a bit surprised. Ortiz sits down next to him. Before Lucas 1 can react, Hitchcock and O'Neill sit down directly across him: he's surrounded. He opens his mouth to speak. O'NEILL (before he can say anything) I'm not interested in what you have to say, kid. (beat) I've got an offer for you. Lucas 1 is a bit stunned. LUCAS 1 An offer? O'NEILL Don't play dumb. Hitchcock leans forward conspiratorially. HITCHCOCK We have a mutual problem, Wolenczak. (beat) Krieg. Lucas 1 blanches. O'Neill rolls his eyes. O'NEILL We know. Lucas 1 looks confused. LUCAS 1 Know what? Ortiz leans in closer. ORTIZ The Internex, the hacking, and the _seaQuest_ specs. Lucas 1 has stumbled onto something here, and he knows it, but he doesn't know what it is. LUCAS 1 ("fishing") Could you be a little more specific? HITCHCOCK Are you on anyone else's payroll? Lucas 1 is absolutely shocked. LUCAS 1 Payroll? O'NEILL Let me put it this way: pretty soon, unless someone intervenes, Smith is going to get carried away. She's on a short fuse already. Krieg's not gonna be willing to help. (beat) I, on the other hand, might be. (beat) The choice is yours. He and the others are focused on Lucas 1, and no one notices as Krieg walks up behind O'Neill. Krieg clears his throat. Lucas 1 goes dead white. Ortiz stands, hand moving toward his gun. Hitchcock and O'Neill exchange glances, then stand and turn to face Krieg. All but Lucas 1 have very confrontational manners. Lucas 1 is watching intently, scared out of his mind. KRIEG (off Lucas 1) What's going on? HITCHCOCK You'd like to know, wouldn't you. Krieg rolls his eyes. KRIEG (skeptical) Restricted? (off Lucas 1) Then why are you telling a traitor? Lucas 1 reacts to this. HITCHCOCK Classified. KRIEG You never kept anything from me before. O'Neill reacts to this. HITCHCOCK Are you questioning me, _Lieutenant_? KRIEG (smirking) Actually, Katie, it's Lieutenant _Commander_. HITCHCOCK If it weren't for shore leave in Acapulco, you never would have gotten that extra stripe. Krieg ignores the comment and looks at Lucas 1. KRIEG New blood? Already? (to O'Neill) She'll suck you dry. O'Neill bristles and gestures to Hitchcock and Ortiz. O'NEILL (to Lucas 1) Just think about it. He makes no attempt to say this on the sly. They leave, and Lucas 1 is alone with Krieg, who is suddenly suspicious. KRIEG (suspiciously) "Just think about it?" (beat, angrily) What does he want you to think about? For a moment, Lucas 1 appears almost willing to talk. Then he remembers that this isn't "his" Ben Krieg. He takes a deep breath. Krieg shoots a gaze toward the door, then walks around the table and grabs Lucas 1 by the wrist. Before Lucas 1 knows what's happened, Krieg has literally thrown him against the bulkhead. Lucas 1 falls to the floor. No one else in the Mess Hall pays any attention. Before Lucas 1 has the chance to recover, Krieg hauls him to his feet and holds him against the wall, face to the wall, arms pinned behind his back with one hand, putting his hand on the back of Lucas 1's neck to keep it from moving. KRIEG (conversationally) I'm sorry. I must have misheard you. I thought I heard you try to brush me off. Now, you know how much that bugs me. Are you trying to get on my nerves? Lucas 1 thinks this is a rhetorical question. It isn't. KRIEG (harder) Well? Were you planning on answering that question, or are you going to brush me off _again_? LUCAS 1 (muffled) Yes, sir. I mean, no sir. I mean-- KRIEG (cutting him off) You're on thin ice, Wolenczak. (beat) You wouldn't want it to fall out from under you? Lucas 1 tries to shake his head, but can't. LUCAS 1 No sir. Krieg lets go of Lucas 1's neck, but keeps his arms pinned and him against the bulkhead. Lucas 1 slowly rotates his neck. KRIEG (conversationally again) Oh. Would you like me to let you go? LUCAS 1 (strained) Yes sir. KRIEG (sighs) And you'll behave yourself? Lucas 1 is a bit thrown off by this. He quickly recovers. LUCAS 1 Yes sir. Krieg lets him go with a jerk. Lucas 1 slowly brings his arms around to his front, slowly rotating his shoulders and rubbing his wrists. Krieg is amused by this, and not trying to hide it. KRIEG (unsympathetically) Aw, poor kid... He grabs Lucas 1 by the shoulder and shoves him out of the room. Lucas 1 doesn't put up a fight. CUT TO SHUTTLE BAY Krieg enters, shoving Lucas 1 along in front of him. Security forces are getting Hudson, Fredricks, and Brody off their ship. The security people are being mildly abusive to Hudson and his crew. Lucas 1 sees them and takes a step toward them. Krieg grabs him by the shoulder and jerks him back. KRIEG (patronizingly, with an edge) Where do you think you're going? Lucas 1 is silent as Ford enters and approaches Hudson and his people. He stops in front of them, pauses for a moment, then pulls back and slugs Hudson, who is being held by a noncom. Hudson staggers, but doesn't fall. Ford steps back, satisfied. FORD (to Hudson) Good thing your ugly face showed up alive again. Hudson glares at him. FORD (menacingly) I should have killed you a long time ago. (beat) Good thing I didn't. Dr. Smith's been a little bored lately. With this, he sends a pointed glare towards Lucas 1. Then he looks back to Hudson and his people, who Lucas 1 is staring at in shock. FORD (to security people) Take them to the brig. They are "escorted" out. Ford turns to go, but stops in front of Lucas 1 and Krieg. FORD (to Krieg, off Lucas 1) Keep an eye on him. Krieg nods. Ford leaves. Krieg shoves Lucas 1 towards Hudson's ships. CUT TO SHUTTLE BAY A short while later. Lucas 1 is in the cockpit of Hudson's fighter, working on his computer. Krieg is standing "guard" at the entrance to the shuttlebay. Ortiz walks in and Krieg steps in his way. They talk quietly, but it's an argument. Lucas 1 tries not to strain to hear them-- it's hard to do, because he knows they're most likely talking about him, since they keep shooting glances his way. Finally, Ortiz pushes past Krieg. ORTIZ If you want to tick off Hitchcock, Krieg, that's your problem. But I'm gonna obey my orders whether you like it or not. He drops to a crouch by Lucas 1, who is typing quickly on a SEAPOC while trying to act nonchalant. Ortiz is very quiet, very reserved, and almost friendly. It's hard to tell if it's an act or not. ORTIZ (quietly) Wolenczak...O'Neill needs an answer. Lucas 1 looks up at him, then back at his SEAPOC as he continues typing. ORTIZ (quietly) Come on. Besides letting Smith rip your brain to shreds to cover his ass, what's Krieg ever done for you? Lucas 1 looks up. He doesn't want to slip up, but doesn't know enough about his alternate self to make a judgement on what to do. He glances back toward Krieg, who is glaring in their general direction. LUCAS 1 (near whispering) Look, Ortiz... I'm already in it deep. I don't need any more trouble. (beat, off computer components) So if you don't mind, I'd like to get this over with. Ortiz nods thoughtfully. ORTIZ (quietly, baiting him) So... That guy... With the gills. Lucas 1 looks up abruptly, forgetting the act because of his concern for Piccolo. LUCAS 1 (hushed, concerned) What about him? ORTIZ (quietly) I've got a friend in Security who says he's in for it as soon as Smith gets bored. (beat) You know... If you'd help us out, Tim'd be in a position to do you a favor. Lucas 1 nods slowly. LUCAS 1 (quietly, "oh.") I see. (beat) You'd get him out? Ortiz glances at Krieg, who is now involved in a conversation with a crew member-- a _female_ crew member. He looks back at Lucas 1 and nods. Lucas 1 thinks for a moment, then nods. LUCAS 1 (quietly, giving in) Okay. Ortiz is pleased with this news. He stands. With a sideways glance at Krieg, whose "friend" has moved away, he gives Lucas 1 a brief smile, and gives him a pat on the shoulder. ORTIZ (almost imperceivably soft) Hang in there, kid. He stands and walks out. Krieg glares at him as he leaves, then looks at Lucas 1 suspiciously, debating whether or not to go and "ask" Lucas 1 what he and Ortiz talked about. Lucas 1 is aware that he's being scrutinized, and tries not to "notice". FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT TWO =========================== PART 3 ===================================== ACT THREE FADE IN TO LUCAS 2'S QUARTERS Lucas 1 enters. He has just returned from hacking the computers on Hudson's ship. Krieg is behind him, and shoves him into the room, a little less-than-gently. KRIEG (sarcastically, insincerely) Thanks. With that, he shuts the door. Lucas 1 looks around ruefully, brushing himself off. He backs away from the door, almost as if he's afraid that Krieg might come back. Before he realizes it, Lucas 2 jumps him, and wrestles him to the floor. A brief struggle ensues, and Lucas 1 winds up pinning his double to the floor. As soon as he realizes who it is, he stands and backs away. Lucas 2 is horrified, but suspicious. LUCAS 2 (disbelieving) Who the hell are you? Lucas 1 waits patiently as his double walks around him, surveying the similarities. He looks very uncomfortable with the situation. LUCAS 1 (apologetically) Look, I'm sorry that Tony and I knocked you out before, but-- LUCAS 2 (suspiciously) Tony? Lucas 1 realizes that he probably shouldn't tell this Lucas that Piccolo's not on the side of the rest of the crew. He clears his throat and looks at the computer. LUCAS 1 (indicating computer) If you don't mind... I've got some work to do. His double stares on in horror as he moves to the computer and sits down. He begins typing. The power on the monitor goes out. He looks at his double, who has shut off the power outlet. He stands and walks to the outlet, and begins trying to reactivate the power. LUCAS 2 (horrified) What the hell do you think you're doing? Lucas 1 ignores him and keeps working. LUCAS 2 You're gonna get me killed! LUCAS 1 Don't be ridiculous. He continues working. Lucas 2 watches for a moment, then reaches over and pulls Lucas 1's hand off the panel. LUCAS 2 (incredulous) What do you mean, ridiculous?!? She'll _kill_ me! Do you think she's gonna believe me if I tell her that some idiot that looked like me just walked in here and started messing around with my computer?! LUCAS 1 Who? Lucas 2 looks incredulous. LUCAS 2 (as if it's obvious) _Smith_! Lucas 1 doesn't "get" it. LUCAS 1 (blank) Wendy? What's she gonna do to you? Lucas 2 looks at him for a moment, not believing that anyone could be quite that stupid. LUCAS 2 (almost angrily, sarcastically) What do you think? (beat, exasperated) Okay, why don't you go down to her office and explain exactly what you've been doing. Then she can give you a firsthand demonstration. And if she won't... (beat, shudders) ...Krieg will. Lucas 1 gets it as Lucas 2 begins pacing. LUCAS 2 (not noticing, continuing, panicking) He's gonna kill me...what am I gonna do...what am I s'posed to tell him...how am I s'posed to explain this... He turns on Lucas 1. LUCAS 2 (exploding) How could you do this to me?!? Lucas 1 is blank. LUCAS 1 Huh? LUCAS 2 Krieg's been _waiting_ for an excuse to-- Lucas 1 raises an eyebrow, as though a thought is just dawning on him. LUCAS 1 (confused) I don't get it... You've gotta know he can't do anything to you. (beat) They're empty threats. Lucas 2 nods. LUCAS 2 But I can't go back on a promise. (beat) I told Krieg I'd help him, and I've gotta keep my end of the bargain. LUCAS 1 Even if he doesn't? This makes Lucas 2 explode with anger. LUCAS 2 (angrily, almost shouting) You don't get it! You _couldn't_! (beat) I committed _treason_! That's a crime punishable by _death_! LUCAS 1 (confused) But-- LUCAS 2 (cutting him off) Krieg got them to drop the charges! The room is silent. Lucas 1's eyes widen. LUCAS 1 (whispering) _Treason_...? LUCAS 2 (continuing, impassioned) I'm lucky they didn't send me into _rehab_! Lucas 1 is a bit overwhelmed by this revelation. LUCAS 1 But...threaten your _life_?... LUCAS 2 This is the _system_, okay? This is how it works! You mess up, you pay the price. Cozying up to the wrong people is enough to get you seriously screwed. LUCAS 1 What did you do? Lucas 2 stops, not having expected this question. LUCAS 2 (blank) What? LUCAS 1 (slowly, "piecing it together") You said you committed treason. What, specifically did you do? They couldn't-- LUCAS 2 (cutting him off) They _could_. (beat) But you're right. I screwed up. (beat) I sent specs of the _seaQuest_ to Stassi's people. And the design plans for the super-pesticide. LUCAS 1 Super-pesticide? LUCAS 2 (explaining) It musta been while we were on Hyperion... I think around 2026. The French Confederation decided to join the Alliance. (beat) It was a risk that NORPAC wasn't willing to take. (beat) NORPAC command issued a series of ultimatums. Your basic "surrender or die" stuff. They assumed it meant that NORPAC was going to invade. They weren't worried. (beat) They should have been. NORPAC was on the verge of a breakthrough in genetic engineering. A virus, or a poison, or something. I'm not sure of the specifics. One that could be introduced into the water supply of a given area, and stay around for decades. (beat) But they pushed it too fast to meet impossible deadlines. Once it was released in strategic locations around Europe, it experienced a series of runaway mutations. (beat, looks up) At present, it's turned all of Europe, most of the Middle East, and parts of Asia into uninhabitable wastelands. LUCAS 1 But how does that have anything to do with Macronesia? LUCAS 2 Well, after it happened, they decided that nonaggression was no longer a possibility. NORPAC had to be stopped, and if that meant destroying it, well, that's what'd hafta happen. Lucas 1 nods. LUCAS 1 That sounds like the Macronesians I'm used to... LUCAS 2 (continuing) They also decided that, if they were going to have any sort of chance to avoid contamination, they had to start cleaning up. As he continues, his expression and voice gain a tinge of admiration. LUCAS 2 Practically singlehandedly, Stassi started enforcing all the old bans... Stuff nobody'd paid anything more than lip service to for years. (beat) He did a hell of a job. LUCAS 1 (to himself) _Stassi_?!? LUCAS 2 ("exampling") He saved the Great Barrier Reef. And the Giant Panda, and the mountain gorilla, and-- LUCAS 1 (cutting him off) I get the picture. CUT TO BRIG Piccolo is in a cell. A guard enters, "escorting" (i.e. shoving) Hudson and his crew, Fredricks and Brody. They are shoved into the same cell as Piccolo. Piccolo reacts to the presence of Brody and Fredricks with shock and surprise. He stares, open-mouthed. PICCOLO (whispering to himself) Brody? Fredricks? Hudson, Fredricks and Brody eye Piccolo warily. HUDSON (to Fredricks and Brody) You okay? They nod. HUDSON We've got to get out of here. Piccolo finally gets over his shock-- sort of. PICCOLO (breaking in) You can't. I already tried. All turn to him. BRODY (adversarial) Who the hell are you? PICCOLO Tony Piccolo. Nice to meet ya. (beat, no one responds) So, uh, what're ya in for? BRODY What do you think? (beat, no response) For trying to take the ship! Where've you been? PICCOLO (excuse) Alternate universe. All react. HUDSON (confused) A _what_? BRODY (disbelieving their bad luck) Great. Not only are we captured, but we're stuck in the brig with a raving lunatic! PICCOLO (offended) I ain't no lunatic! BRODY (skeptical) Right. PICCOLO (challenging) If I _ain't_ from an alternate universe, then how would I know that BRODY (amazed, suspicious) How do you know that? HUDSON (wryly, almost accepting of Piccolo's explanation) Alternate universe. BRODY (to Fredricks) Janet, you don't believe this, do you? FREDRICKS (uncertain) I don't know...It _could_ be... BRODY (disbelieving, to Universe at large) I don't believe this! (beat) Even my girlfriend's buying-- FREDRICKS (standing, almost shouting) Cool it, Jim! Brody calms. He sighs and moves over to her. They sit. BRODY (repentant) Sorry, Janet. It's just... (beat) It's just a lot to handle at once. (beat) I mean, you know how I am about jails. (shudders) Especially after... He shudders again, more violently, and Fredricks embraces him. He looks up at her. BRODY (almost a whisper) I don't want you to have to go through what I had to. (beat) I don't want anyone to. Just as Brody finishes, Smith enters. As they see her, all in the cell tense. BRODY (horrified whisper) No... Smith smiles at his discomfiture. She turns to Hudson. SMITH ("conversational") So, Mr. Hudson, I hope you and your people are comfortable. HUDSON (acidly) Hardly. SMITH (dropping the conversational facade) I need information, Hudson. You're going to give it to me. Hudson doesn't respond. SMITH What is Macronesia's plan? Piccolo reacts to the mention of Macronesia. Smith repeats the question in the background. PICCOLO (quietly, to Brody) _You_ work for Macronesia? BRODY (confused, still on edge) Yeah. Who doesn't? PICCOLO In my universe, they're the bad guys. BRODY (warily eyeing Smith) Not here. Smith gestures to one of the guards to lower the forcefield around the brig. He does so. She draws her gun, aiming at the interior of the cell. SMITH (simply) Either tell me what I want to know... (beat, waves gun slightly) ...Or one of them dies. Hudson glances at Brody and Fredricks, they both nod slightly. Hudson turns back to Smith. HUDSON Forget it. Smith shrugs, and fires, catching Brody in the stomach. He collapses, Fredricks and Piccolo go to him. Hudson tries, but the guards grab him. Fredricks sees this. FREDRICKS Oliver! HUDSON (as he's being shoved out of the room) Take care of him, Janet! Hudson, Smith, and the guards leave. Fredricks turns her attention back to Brody. He is bleeding profusely. FREDRICKS (to Brody, shaken) Jim? BRODY (difficultly) She's taken him, hasn't she. Fredricks nods. Brody closes his eyes. Piccolo looks at both in confusion and dread. PICCOLO (confused) What's she gonna do? BRODY (difficultly) Whatever she wants... (beat) That's what they did to me... (beat) I guess I'm getting off easy. This time... (beat, to Fredricks) Good luck, Janet... (gasping for air) I...love...you... He trails off, and exhales one last time. He then dies. Tears start to flow down Fredricks' face. Unseen by her a tear slips down Piccolo's cheek. FREDRICKS (whispered, to Brody) I love you too. CUT TO SMITH'S OFFICE Smith and Hudson are alone. He is handcuffed, scared out of his wits and trying desperately not to let her see it. Smith leans toward him. SMITH We can do this the easy way, Hudson, or the hard way. It's your choice. Hudson is silent. SMITH (sighs) Hard it is. Smith closes her eyes. Hudson's eyes widen in terror. CUT TO BRIG While other events have happened, Piccolo and Fredricks have placed Brody's body on the bed. They are sitting on the deck. Then Hudson is dragged in. Piccolo and Fredricks stand. Hudson is shoved into the cell. He is disoriented, and obviously in a great deal of pain. Fredricks and Piccolo help him to a sitting position. FREDRICKS (concerned) Are you okay? Hudson nods. PICCOLO What happened? HUDSON (difficultly) She probed me. (beat, looking at Brody) Dead? Fredricks nods. Hudson closes his eyes in pain. HUDSON It's probably better this way. I don't think he'd have been able to take it again. PICCOLO (attempting delicacy) Take what? Both look at him. HUDSON (incredulous) You don't-- (cuts self off, remembering) Right. Alternate universe. He was captured about five years ago by NORPAC. They never liked CIA. PICCOLO (surprised) CIA? HUDSON (dismissively) He was an operative. They placed a lot of them in the Navy. Too bad. (sighs) He could've made a hell of an officer. (shrugs) In any case, they caught him. He'd been leaking information from the ship he was assigned to, the _Starhawk_. They accused him of espionage. (chuckles bitterly) Didn't even get a trial. They just sent him to prison. He would've been executed, except...NORPAC had been doing some parapsychological experimentation. (beat) He was one of their test subjects. (ironically) One of the lucky ones. Piccolo reacts. PICCOLO (horrified) What did they do to him? HUDSON (shrugs) No one knows for certain, but most of the subjects' either died or went insane. If he hadn't escaped... (sighs) I guess it's a moot point now. FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT THREE =========================== PART 4 ===================================== ACT FOUR FADE IN TO SMITH'S OFFICE Smith, Piccolo and two guards enter, Piccolo is manacled. Smith dismisses the guards. They leave. Then, Smith turns to Piccolo. SMITH Report. PICCOLO (confused) What? SMITH (angry, not noticing his lack of comprehension) I order you to keep me informed, and you disappear. (beat) I list you as dead, and you come back. She moves toward him, he flinches. She closes her eyes for a moment, lightly probing Piccolo. When her eyes open, she is suspicious. SMITH You don't know anything about what I'm talking about. (beat, circles him) In fact... (beat) ...You don't know anything about anything. Piccolo doesn't respond. SMITH Who are you? (beat, no response, more insistent) Tell me. (beat, no response) Fine. (sighs) I'll find out myself. Smith closes her eyes again, after a beat, Piccolo cries out in pain. Smith's eyes open. SMITH That's certainly an interesting tale, Mr. Piccolo-- interesting, but ridiculous. (beat) In fact, I'd say it sounded insane. (smiles cruelly) I think you're in need of some extensive therapy. CUT TO BRIDGE O'Neill and Ortiz are on duty. Ford is in command. Krieg and Hitchcock aren't on duty. Ortiz and O'Neill have their headsets open on a secured channel, talking back and forth to each other, trying to make sure that Ford doesn't hear them. The camera is on O'Neill, although Ortiz is only a few meters away at his station anyway. Their voices are hushed, but audible. ORTIZ He agreed. O'NEILL (a bit surprised) Really? I'd been convinced that-- ORTIZ There were a couple of conditions. He wants us to get that gilled freak loose. O'NEILL (stunned) Let him go? ORTIZ Tim, we need him. He's phenomenal with the computers. O'NEILL I know that. It just seems a little strange that he'd want... (beat) Do it. ORTIZ Are you sure? O'NEILL (with finality) I'm sure. CUT TO BRIG The door opens. Piccolo is tossed into the cell, unconscious. Fredricks and Hudson look wary, not ready to go forward and help him. However, both of them know what he must have gone through. Fredricks takes a step toward him. He moans and shifts, regaining consciousness. She goes to his side. FREDRICKS Piccolo? (beat) You okay? Piccolo's eyes open, slowly, and he squints at the light. PICCOLO (roughly) I dunno... He "shakes it off", and starts to stand. PICCOLO Talk about your migraines... FREDRICKS You should be okay in a couple hours. HUDSON ("breaking the bad news") We don't have that long. Fredricks and Piccolo look up. FREDRICKS What? HUDSON (seriously) If his story's true, then she knows. They "get it". PICCOLO Oh boy. Hudson nods. HUDSON Exactly. The door opens and Ortiz enters. He walks to the forcefield control panel and shuts it off. He holds his gun out to Piccolo. PICCOLO (shocked) Ortiz? Ortiz does a "take the damn gun" kind of gesture. Piccolo takes it, unsurely. PICCOLO (blank) Uh... Why? ORTIZ Wolenczak just got called to Smith's office. (beat, off gun) You'll need that. Piccolo nods, somewhat blank. ORTIZ You'd better get going if you're going to save him. (beat) I'm expected. I can't be late. (beat) Good luck. He leaves. Piccolo stares at the gun. PICCOLO (to Hudson) You comin'? Hudson and Fredricks exchange glances. HUDSON We can't. We've got to get a launch and get the hell out of here. Piccolo is astonished by this. PICCOLO "Get the hell out of here"? You're gonna leave him? HUDSON (resolved) One of him, two of us. You do the math. Piccolo shakes his head. PICCOLO (incredulous) He's only nineteen! He gestures to Brody's blood, still staining the deck. PICCOLO You want what happened to Brody to happen to Lucas? (beat, neither respond, disgusted) Fine. I don't need you. He leaves. FREDRICKS We'd better get going. Hudson nods. They leave. CUT TO SMITH'S OFFICE Smith and Krieg are waiting for Lucas 1. Smith is sitting, Krieg is standing by the door. There's a knock. Smith and Krieg exchange malevolent glances. SMITH (to door) Come in. The door opens. Lucas 1 enters. He's not quite sure what they wanted to see him about. LUCAS 1 (edgily) Doctor? Lieuten-- He doesn't get to finish. Krieg grabs him by the shoulders and slams him into the chair. Smith walks toward him, circling him like a shark circles it's prey. SMITH Your "friend" told us everything. Lucas 1 looks at her, badly attempting to cover his apprehension. LUCAS 1 What? SMITH ("hinting") For someone with such an intricate personality, he's got one of the simplest minds I've ever dealt with. Lucas 1 pales. Smith smiles malevolently. SMITH I'd be interested in knowing exactly how you managed to cross over. Perhaps you'd be willing to educate me. Lucas 1 doesn't respond. Smith shakes her head. SMITH Then again, perhaps not. (beat) Have you met our Lucas yet? (beat) The two of you have a great deal in common. (beat) For example, he wouldn't answer my questions either. LUCAS 1 (angrily) What did you do to him? SMITH Let me show you. CUT TO LUCAS 2's QUARTERS Lucas 2 is sitting on his bed, staring blankly at the wall. He is trying to sort out everything that's happened. There's a knock at the door. Lucas 2 looks up. LUCAS 2 Yeah? PICCOLO (from hall) It's me. LUCAS 2 (confused) Who? The door opens. Piccolo enters. PICCOLO C'mon. Lucas 2 looks at him skeptically. LUCAS 2 "C'mon"? Who the hell are you? PICCOLO (sincerely) A friend. These words affect Lucas 2 deeply-- especially since it's obvious that Piccolo's sincere. He stands. LUCAS 2 What do you want from me? PICCOLO Help. Lucas 2 looks at him warily. LUCAS 2 What kind of help? PICCOLO She's got him. I'll explain on the way. CUT TO SMITH'S OFFICE Lucas 1's mind is being slowly picked apart by Smith. Krieg is watching, enjoying every moment. Lucas 1 is in a hell of a lot of pain. SMITH (mock reprisal) Now, Ensign, that's an unflattering thought... (beat, a thin smile) That one's even worse. Although it would certainly be an interesting test of my gymnastic abilities. She pulls back for a moment, then, muscles tensing, continues. SMITH Your memory is blocked... Interesting... Lucas 1 tenses. SMITH I wonder what's behind them... Lucas 1 cries out as she makes another foray into his mind, slicing through the blocks at random intervals, releasing his repressed memories, one at a time. SMITH Ariel... She seems like an interesting person... (several beats) What's this? The next step in intelligent life? (beat) That's ridiculous... (beat) KrayTax... (beat) They're professionals, if nothing else. (beat, mildly surprised) ...Bridger left part of his crew behind for _you_? (beat) I suppose there's something to be said for loyalty... Not much, but certainly something... There is a knock at the door. Smith's concentration is broken. She looks up, and her eyes widen as she realizes who it is. SMITH (to Krieg) Open it. Krieg unlocks the door. Piccolo shoves it open, sending him into the wall, somewhat dazed. He slides to the deck. Lucas 2 enters, also armed. Smith pulls a gun and puts it to Lucas 1's head. SMITH (warning, to Lucas 2 and Piccolo) Drop them. Lucas 2 immediately drops his weapon. Piccolo sighs in disgust. Smith smiles, knowing she's found the "weak link". SMITH (to Lucas 2) Don't do this. (beat) You know you don't want to make me hurt you again, Lucas. Because you know I can. Lucas 2 looks at Piccolo. As soon as his attention is distracted, Smith lashes out psychically. He staggers, flattening himself against the wall. Krieg has recovered, and stands. SMITH (to Piccolo) Put down your gun, or both of them die. Piccolo looks from one Lucas to the other, then slowly nods and places his gun on the deck. SMITH Kick it to Krieg. Piccolo does so. Krieg takes it and holds it on him. Without taking her gun away from Lucas 1's head, Smith looks at Lucas 2. SMITH (to Lucas 2) Is there's something you'd like to say? An odd expression crosses Krieg's face. Smith doesn't notice. LUCAS 2 (stuttering) No-- I-- (looks at Krieg, panicking) He made me do it! Krieg's expression turns to one of shock and betrayal. Piccolo watches, confused. Smith wasn't expecting this. SMITH (thrown off, to Lucas 2) What? LUCAS 2 (off Krieg, terrified, "last ditch effort") He said he'd kill me! He said if I didn't-- He is silenced when Krieg fires his gun. The charge hits Lucas 2 in the stomach. Lucas 2 cries out in pain as he sinks to the deck. Piccolo rushes to his side as Smith turns on Krieg. SMITH (dangerously) What was he talking about? KRIEG (covering nervousness, quickly) Nothing. SMITH (suspiciously, "probing") Nothing? (beat) Somehow, I don't quite believe you. She moves in, ready to dig the secret out of Krieg's mind. Piccolo sees that Lucas 2 is dead. Smith walks up to Krieg, who she's restraining, psychically, from shooting her. As she does this, Piccolo silently moves to Lucas 1, who is regaining consciousness rapidly. The camera shot doesn't include Piccolo and Lucas 1. SMITH (to Krieg, probing) The Macronesians? (beat) Krieg, you sold us out. KRIEG (falsely angered) Me? Sell out NORPAC? (beat) You've got your wires crossed. The only one who sold us out is Wolenczak. Smith shakes her head, slowly comprehending. SMITH No... (beat) He was telling the truth. He was too scared, too unguarded to have lied like that. (beat) You-- She finally breaks through. An evil smile crosses her face as she realizes that she's got the damning evidence. As this happens, she's distracted for a moment. She doesn't realize that Krieg has pulled a gun from behind his back. SMITH (coldly) I see. Krieg brings the gun around in front, and points it at her. KRIEG (grinning) No, Wendy. You don't. A look of horror crosses Smith's face: it's too late. Krieg fires. She crumples to the floor. He whirls around to finish off Piccolo and Lucas 1. They're gone. KRIEG (angrily) Damn! FADE TO COMMERCIAL END ACT FOUR =========================== PART 5 ===================================== ACT FIVE FADE IN TO SHUTTLE BAY From this point on, "Lucas" refers to the Lucas from the "real" dimension. Piccolo enters, helping Lucas, who is recovering rapidly. Piccolo and Lucas go to a control panel. Lucas begins punching buttons. LUCAS This should just take a few seconds... An officer across the bay notices them. OFFICER Hey! PICCOLO (under his breath, to Lucas) Hurry up... We may not _have_ a few seconds... He turns around to the guard and assumes an "I'm-supposed-to-be-here" attitude. PICCOLO You want somethin'? The officer looks at Lucas. OFFICER (off Lucas, to Piccolo) Is he-- As Piccolo speaks, it's obvious that he hasn't the foggiest as to what he's talking about. PICCOLO He's s'posed to be here. He's...checkin' the programmin'. On the...ROM access ports...an' the-- The officer raises an eyebrow. Piccolo realizes he's not fooling anybody. He gestures across the shuttle bay, abruptly. PICCOLO (loudly) Hey! Look at the baby seals! The officer swivels his head, reflexively, not realizing until Piccolo slugs him that he's been "psyched". He falls, unconscious. Piccolo picks up his gun and turns to Lucas, who has just finished. LUCAS Nice going. Come on. They board the launch. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_ The launch is seen leaving the ship. CUT TO INTERIOR LAUNCH Lucas is in the pilot's seat. Piccolo is in the copilot's seat. PICCOLO (off boards) I think Hudson's hailin' us. Lucas looks up, surprised. LUCAS Hudson? PICCOLO (regretfully) He and Fredricks had to get out. (beat) They had to get back to Macronesia. Lucas nods, pretending that's okay, when it's obvious that it's not and he's very disturbed by it. LUCAS Put him through. Piccolo toggles his boards. Hudson appears on the screen. HUDSON (mildly surprised) Wolenczak. (beat) Glad to know you made it out. (beat) Just thought I'd let the two of you know that you're in for a hell of a ride. Ford's turned the ship around, and our sensors read that they're powering up their weapons. FREDRICKS (from background) Oliver, they're hailing us. PICCOLO (aside, to Lucas) Us too. Lucas and Hudson stare at each other for a moment. Then Hudson gestures to Fredricks. HUDSON Put him through. Lucas turns to Piccolo and nods. Hudson's face is replaced by Ford's. CUT TO BRIDGE Ford is in command. Hitchcock is at the engineering console. Krieg is at weapons. There's a split screen between Hudson and Lucas. Both Fredricks and Piccolo are visible in the backgrounds, respectively. HUDSON Before you ask, we're not surrendering. FORD I wasn't going to ask. (to Krieg) Fire. Krieg fires. So does Hitchcock. She pulls out her plasma pistol, aims at Ford, and fires, shooting him in the center of the back. Her manner is very dispassionate, cold, efficient, etc. He falls to the deck, dead, without seeing who shot him. Lucas and Piccolo react with shock and horror. Hudson and Fredricks react with kind of a "what-did-you-expect-from-NORPAC" type of reaction. At this point, O'Neill, Ortiz, and five to ten of their "people" storm the bridge, armed, covering everyone. Hitchcock shuts off the visual feed to the launches, but not the audio. Krieg pulls a gun and tosses it to the deck in front of O'Neill, raising his hands in a "don't-shoot-me-I'm-not-armed" type of gesture. O'Neill regards him with suspicion, as does the rest of the crew. O'Neill has his gun trained on Krieg. O'NEILL Hold it. The camera angle changes to one to a close-up of Krieg's hand reaching slowly behind him as he speaks, to a nasty-looking laser weapon. O'Neill and company can still be seen in front of him, and don't notice exactly what he's doing. KRIEG (as a distraction) O'Neill, I know we've had our differences, but-- He grabs onto the handgrip of the pistol. The shot changes to one from over O'Neill's shoulder as Krieg whips out the gun. Before Krieg has the chance to fire, a shot hits him in the arm-- Hitchcock his fired from the engineering console. He drops the gun, stifling a pained cry and holding his arm. Ortiz and an extra converge on him, forcing him to his knees, on the deck, as Hitchcock walks toward them. She is fingering her gun. The cold efficiency is gone, replaced by near-sadism. HITCHCOCK (scornfully) You thought..._that_...would work. (beat) You're more of an idiot than I'd thought. Krieg opens his mouth to speak, and Ortiz knees him in the small of his back. He gasps in pain. Hitchcock crouches in front of him and runs her fingers through his hair. HITCHCOCK (quietly, stating a fact) Wolenczak's dead. (beat) You killed him. KRIEG (covering panic) So what if I did? What'd that kid ever do for you? HITCHCOCK (smiling malevolently) More than you. (Beat) KRIEG ("false security") Katie, you're not gonna kill me. You can't. I love-- He doesn't finish. Hitchcock pulls out her gun and puts it between Krieg's eyes. His eyes widen in terror. The angle switches to a shot of O'Neill. As Hitchcock pulls the trigger, he flinches, almost unnoticeably, as he realizes what she's capable of. Ortiz and the extra let Krieg fall to the deck. O'Neill and Ortiz exchange glances. Ortiz nods. O'Neill takes several steps toward Hitchcock. He aims his gun at her torso. HITCHCOCK (seeing the gun, shocked) Tim? What are you-- She doesn't finish. Two shot ring out, from O'Neill's gun. He drops it to the deck as Hitchcock falls, hit in the stomach and chest. She is barely conscious. O'Neill crouches at her side, taking her hand. He looks sad, but resigned. O'NEILL (sincerely) Katie, I'm sorry. (beat) I can't trust you. He lets go of her hand, letting it fall to the deck, then stands and moves away. By now, Hitchcock is dead. O'NEILL (to his people, off bodies, dispassionately) Get them off my bridge. Several people move forward, taking Ford and Krieg. They are hesitant when it comes to Hitchcock, but O'Neill shoots one of them a glare, and the guy takes her off. Ortiz approaches O'Neill. O'NEILL (to bridge in general, loudly) Does anyone else have a problem? There is no response. O'NEILL Good. He sits in the command chair. Ortiz walks toward him, taking up a first-officer-type position. ORTIZ (hushed) You did the right thing. O'Neill nods, not agreeing, but not disagreeing, either. O'NEILL (changing the subject) Put Hudson back on. Ortiz nods and looks to the communications post. ORTIZ (to officer) You heard him. The officer toggles her boards. Hudson appears on screen. The attitude between him and O'Neill is as far from that between him and Ford as possible, without being friendly. It's clear that O'Neill has some sort of respect for Hudson, and vice versa. HUDSON (carefully) I take it there's been a change in command? O'Neill nods. O'NEILL (carefully) Your heading suggests a course to Macronesia. Hudson nods. HUDSON (carefully) I suppose it does. O'Neill looks away from the screen for the barest of seconds, then back at Hudson. O'NEILL (half smiling) Tell Armand I said hello. He gestures to the communications board. The officer cuts the channel. CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE This is the "real" _seaQuest_ bridge. Hudson is in command. All, minus Ford, Lucas, and Piccolo, are at appropriate stations. Shanahan is at Lucas' station, and Stilwell is at Tactical. Ford enters from rear of bridge, looking concerned. He approaches Hudson. HUDSON Has Security determined their whereabouts? FORD No sir. They haven't found anything. They're still questioning the scientists. As far as we can tell, there was some sort of error in procedure, and-- He is cut off when a sensor goes off. Shanahan toggles her boards. She looks up. SHANAHAN (to Hudson) Captain, WSKRS are picking up a launch... (confused) It appears to be one of ours... (checks readouts) ...but they're all accounted for. Hudson looks confused. HUDSON (to O'Neill) Hail them. O'NEILL (toggling boards) They're not responding, sir. SHANAHAN Sensors are picking up two lifesigns, sir. O'NEILL They look like they've suffered major damage... SHANAHAN Life support, propulsion, and communications appear to be out. Hudson turns to Stilwell. HUDSON (concerned) Fire grappling torpedo. Stilwell toggles his boards. STILWELL Torpedo away. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_ The torpedo grabs the launch, which is reeled into the bay. CUT TO INTERIOR LAUNCH Ford, O'Neill, and Dagwood enter the launch. The lights are flickering, as are displays, etc. Cables are loose, hanging down. Dagwood pushes a few out of the way and steps into the cockpit. Piccolo is in the copilot's seat, unconscious and bleeding from a shallow head wound. He moans and stirs. O'Neill rushes to his side. Lucas has been thrown out of the pilot's seat by an exploding panel, and is slumped against the wall, also unconscious, with broken ribs. A large panel has fallen on top of him. FORD (to Dagwood) Help me with this. They pull the panel off. Ford checks for a pulse, breathing, etc. DAGWOOD (concerned) He is alive? Ford nods. FORD Barely. Ford pulls out his PAL. FORD Captain, it's them. Get a medteam down here. HUDSON (concerned, over PAL) Medteam? His voice makes it clear that he expects the worst. FORD I think they'll be okay. He shuts off his PAL and puts it away. O'Neill is checking Piccolo's breathing, pulse, etc., who abruptly regains consciousness. O'Neill looks concerned, trying to hold him still in case he's injured. O'NEILL Tony, stay still. The doctor's on her way, with a medteam. They're going to take you and Lucas to the-- Piccolo recognizes O'Neill's voice, and is in a semi-delirious state. PICCOLO (delirious) Keep away from him. Don't let her-- O'NEILL (cutting him off) Shh. Everything's going to be fine. Just-- Try not to move around too much. The medteam arrives. They sedate Piccolo, who's close to freaking out, and load both him and Lucas onto stretchers. CUT TO MESS HALL It is late. Lucas is sitting at a table, in a far corner, with his back facing the wall so he can see everything that's going on in the room. He's got a glass of water in front of him. Piccolo enters the room and looks around, finally spotting him. PICCOLO (calling) Hey! Lucas! Lucas looks up. His manner is a bit off, as though he's still assimilating everything that's happened. Piccolo approaches him. He lingers for a moment, then sits across from Lucas. PICCOLO (concerned) You okay? Lucas nods and takes a sip of water, then frowns at the glass. LUCAS (unconvincingly) Yeah. I'm fine. Piccolo isn't fooled. PICCOLO You sure? Lucas' response to this is electric. He glares up at Piccolo. LUCAS (angrily) Yes! I'm _fine_! Okay? He looks back down at his glass. PICCOLO (semi-offended) Okay, okay... (beat) 'Cause I know, if I'd just seen-- Lucas looks up and glares, then sighs deeply. LUCAS (cutting him off, bitterly, angrily) Fine, Tony. You've got me. I'm falling apart because I just saw my best friend fire a charge at my alternate-dimension double, who he apparently coerced into committing treason, and now I don't know who to trust. (beat) Okay? Piccolo nods soberly. PICCOLO For what it's worth, that-- LUCAS (cutting him off) It wasn't the same Ben Krieg. I know. (beat) So what. (beat) The point is, he did it. And now that other Lucas is dead. All because some damned idiot couldn't keep his hands off my science equipment. Piccolo nods. PICCOLO ("understanding") Oh. Lucas picks up the glass and takes another sip of water. He shakes his head, disgusted with his thoughts, and stands. LUCAS Tony, I'm going. I've gotta sort this out. (beat) There's too much going on upstairs for me to sit here and pretend nothing ever happened. Piccolo nods and stands with him. PICCOLO 'Kay. (beat) See you later. Lucas leaves. Piccolo watches him go. FADE TO BLACK THE END ========================================================================== Copyright 1996 Rachel Brody & Melissa Beattie Please send all comments to bi185@freenet.buffalo.edu.