========================================================================== 09 - WHISPERS 2047 Team ========================================================================== Timeline: SeaQuest 2047 Author's E-Mail: schiller@mgl.ca (E-Mail contact) ========================================================================== seaQuest 2047 "Whispers" Story By: Matt Schiller Script By: Matt Schiller and Rachel Brody Special Thanks to: Lauri Beglin Saturday, February 22nd, 1997 Publication Draft ========================= PART 0 - TEASER =============================== TEASER FADE IN TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE Captain reads: "Time: 1600 hours" Everyone is at their appropriate station, save Chief Petty Officer Sara Percell, who is making her way around the Bridge. Lieutenant Commander Jessie Matthews is in command. Percell approaches her. PERCELL (quietly) Psst! Hey, Jess! MATTHEWS (quiet as well) Percell, you can't call me Jess right now. It's Commander until we get off duty okay? PERCELL (mock officially) Yes _Commander_. (shaking her head) I'm planning a little get-together at my quarters tonight to watch a few movies as a kind of late Valentine's Day party. MATTHEWS (a little uneasy) Uh, sure Percell. What time? PERCELL Around seven. (turning to leave) And bring a date. Percell smiles and moves off toward Ensign Rebecca Trueman. Matthews watches as Percell strolls around the Bridge, clipboard in hand, obviously inviting everyone to her evening get-together. Matthews shakes her head with a smile. MATTHEWS (to herself) Good thing this is a small shift. I don't know how Percell could fit any more people into her quarters. She sits back, thinking about who on earth she can invite as a "date" to Percell's party. CUT TO MESS HALL Caption reads: "Time: 1705" Several crewmembers are seated around a table discussing the party. Ensign Tom Reede is among them. FEMALE CREWMEMBER ONE So Tom, who are you bringing to the party tonight? REEDE (shrugging) I dunno. Maybe Trueman. MALE CREWMEMBER ONE (laughing) Yeah right! Like she'll go to this with _you_! She'll probably have her "older brother" with her. Reede looks at him for a moment. REEDE (a little confused) "Older Brother"? M.C.O. (nods) Yeah-- Riller. Remember? The guy who gives you dirty looks whenever you try anything with her? Reede nods, getting it. He doesn't notice Lieutenant j.g. Justin Riller enter and go to the ordering counter. REEDE (getting it) Oh. (nods, agreeing) He couldn't be worse if he were her _father_. Riller takes interest in what Reede's saying. Reede is about to continue when Riller cuts in from behind him. RILLER (almost with a smile) _Ensign_ Reede...mind if I sit down? Reede jumpsa little, but quickly gets himself back under control. REEDE (flustered) No-- no, go ahead. Riller sits. RILLER ("conversationally") So...who are you talking about? The other people at the table exchange knowing glances. Reede flushes. REEDE (eyes wide, trying quickly to come up with an excuse) It's...It's this girl I met in a Singles Chat on the Internex. She's got this guy who tries to be her brother all the time and won't let me go near her. RILLER (leading him on) Go near her? Reede becomes more comfortable with his excuse. REEDE (explaining) Yeah, we can do virtual dating in the chat room so that we can practice for real life encounters. Reede finally turns to face Riller. REEDE (smiling, acting innocent) Got anything like that in your VR Games? RILLER (matter-of-factly) No. In my VR Games, if someone doesn't want you to go near another person, you don't. (beat, with undertones of menace) Because if you do, the guy who likes to act like a brother will do something. (beat, driving it home) Something that might get him kicked out of the chat room. Riller walks quickly away, leaving Reede trying to understand what has just happened. The camera follows Riller as he goes to sit down at a table across the room with Ensign Anne Morgan. RILLER Hey. MORGAN (without looking up) Hi. As Morgan and Riller continue eating in silence, Reede's table explodes into laughter and his friends begin to say things like "shot down". Then, once Reede gets up and leaves, embarrassed we... CUT TO REC HALL Caption Reads: "Time: 1730" About 20 crewmembers are present, all still talking about the party at Percell's. We've never seen any of these people before, giving the impression that the news of the party has spread a _lot_ farther than the Bridge. DAWSON (looking up at a clock) Oh no! I gotta go! KENT (surprised) What? What are you talking about? DAWSON It's the party! KENT (he doesn't get it) Party? DAWSON (sighs) Aren't you in tune with _anything_ that's going on? It's tonight. The party at Percell's. 1900. (beat) Bring a date. (beat, jokingly) If you can get one. Kent bops Dawson in a teasing manner, as Dawson leaves the room. Kent cleans up quickly and then takes off down the hall to his quarters. CUT TO BRIDGE Caption Reads: "Time: 1745" Percell is rushing around trying to get everything finished, since she's off duty in about fifteen minutes. Riller enters the bridge and Percell immediately goes over to him. PERCELL (to Riller) So all weaponry systems are fine? Did the upgrade produce about six million glitches in them, too? RILLER (shakes his head) Nope. The weaponry system software upgrade went off without a hitch. Why? What else went wrong? PERCELL (with a big sigh; ticking the problems off on her fingers) Well first of all, the food processors started making only a weird, purple, gooey mush, which I had to go through about eight million lines of prelim coding to fix. (beat) Then the communications terminals wouldn't link up. Then the helm controls wouldn't link in with the main core and therefore we had to get out old sea charts to plot our courses. Percell is getting increasingly exasperated as she goes on. Riller notices. PERCELL (continuing) Plus the fact that Wolenczak isn't happy with some of the more minor errors and he's trying to fix what he can, which is usually undermining my efforts in a big way because he does things completely different from how I do them. (she sighs again, and continues in a lower tone) Not to mention the people that I'm having over at my quarters in... (she checks her watch) ...just over an hour. RILLER (looks at Percell intently) Sara. Listen to me. You've got to calm down. You've got a whole support staff of at least ten people. Let them do something. I know you like to do everything by yourself and I admire that. But you _have_ the staff so that you can _use_ it! Percell tries to interrupt, but Riller continues. RILLER Just yesterday even, I saw Kassie over in the crew mess reprogramming the food processor to produce chocolate pudding! If there's a bunch of major computer glitches let him help you! I've worked with him when we started on this ship, and he can do some good stuff. (smiles) But don't wear yourself out. PERCELL (surprised at Riller's sensitive reaction) Well, um, thanks Lieutenant. I'll try that. (she looks at her watch again) Yes! (she returns her SEAPOC to its place and starts to leave) Thanks Riller! See you in about an hour! Riller smiles as Percell enters MagLev. CUT TO TRUEMAN'S QUARTERS Caption Reads: "Time: 1835" Trueman is getting ready for the party. She's had her shower, indulging herself with real water. She's wearing one towel, and has another wraped around her hair. TRUEMAN (muttering to herself) Date? Yeah right. How can I find a date when I can't even find an outfit to wear? (she rummages through her closet some more) I know that I brought that red thing aboard. I just know it. Trueman finds something and pulls it out. It's a red dress, cut fairly short and it looks dressy. TRUEMAN My red dress! Great! Her door chime sounds. TRUEMAN (muttering) 'Bout time you got here, Justin. (beat) I was beginning to think you we're gonna bring that girl from engineering... (she stops her thought) Come in. Reede enters in a white collared dress shirt with front pockets, and jeans. He's surprised to see Trueman only in her towels. Trueman is equally surprised. REEDE (appreciating the view) Um, hi Becca. TRUEMAN (shocked) Tom! (she quickly grabs a robe that offers more coverage) What are you doing here? REEDE Uh, well I didn't think that you'd be... (beat; awkwardly) Sorry...I just figured since we're supposed to bring a date to this thing tonight, you might want to go with me. TRUEMAN (answering out of reflex, as she starts to look busy) With you? She looks around for something that she can use as an excuse not to go with him. She could turn him down flat, but then what if she had to go alone? TRUEMAN (under her breath) Where the hell are you when I need you, Justin?! Trueman realizes that Reede's not leaving until she says that she'll go with him. TRUEMAN (with a sigh) I'll meet you there. REEDE (surprised) Meet me there? It's Percell's quarters! It's not like a restaurant or anything. Reede thinks fast. REEDE (with a flashy smile, jokingly) Okay Becca, I'd love to meet you there, but you see, people on the boat (beat) Well, they expect dates to show up _together_. So how 'bout I pick you up at six fourty-five? TRUEMAN (mildly amused by his explanation) Okay. (beat, exasperated) Now stop staring at me and _get out_! REEDE (his smile getting bigger) Great. I'll be back to pick you up. Reede leaves. CUT TO PERCELL'S QUARTERS Caption Reads: "Time: 1855" Percell is running around her quarters trying to get everything ready. Matthews is present, but is not doing half as much as Percell. PERCELL I've got to get this stuff done! I've got people coming over! PERCELL (as she races around) I am _never_ gonna get all this stuff done in time! Percell turns and almost falls over a table in front of her. MATTHEWS (slightly amused) It's okay, Sara. beat, trying to calm her down) Nobody's gonna run this place over with a white glove. PERCELL (sighing and dropping down onto her bed) I know. I guess that I should just calm down and get my movies ready. (looks up) Right? MATTHEWS (smiling) Yeah. Percell looks around the room, her eyes finally landing on the emty spot beside Matthews. PERCELL (somewhat perplexed) Waitasec... (to Matthews) Where's _your_ date? MATTHEWS (teasing) Date? (shrugs) Nobody important. Percell can see she's being teased, and she immediately tries to figure out what she's missing. PERCELL Come on! Matthews shakes her head in a "my lips are sealed" kind of way. PERCELL Tell me if I guess? Matthews shrugs. MATTHEWS Maybe. PERCELL (thinks for a few seconds) Okay... Harris. MATTHEWS Nope. PERCELL (thinks more) Evans? Matthews shakes her head. PERCELL (thinks then smiles) I got it! It's Venture, right? Matthews smiles smugly. MATTHEWS (with a curt smile) I'm going to get Greg at seven. _He's_ my date. PERCELL (with a squeak) _Greg_?! (beat, slowly recovering) Jess, he's _married_! MATTHEWS (giving her a "You're not my mother" look) Greg is a fine date. I'm the First Officer of the UEO's flagship. I don't really have time to commit to a relationship right now. (beat, explaining more) Besides, we both know that if I didn't come with Greg he would come by himself and mope about how much he misses Kelly. (beat, thinkis for a moment) Which he'll probably do anyway, come to think of it. PERCELL (smiling) Can't argue with you there. Percell laughs as she walks over to the table with the movies she chose on it. PERCELL I've got _Born Free II_, _Independence Day_, and just for a Valentine, _Casablanca_, in black and white! (she sighs) You know, I don't really have many movies from after 2010. (beat, she explains) After Paramount went VR and Universal went into TV production, movies started to suck big-time. (shaking her head) They just can't match the qualities of these twentieth century movies. MATTHEWS I know. Paramount had a gold mine on its hands and let it go to waste. They stopped their_Star Treks_ and went VR. I still think _Star Trek VR II_ was the best, but after another twenty-five VRs, it's _really_ going downhill. (off topic) I think Riller has a few Star Trek VRs... (grins deviously) Bet we could play some really nasty tricks on Reede if we could get ahold of 'em... PERCELL (grins) And from what I hear, Reede and Riller aren't getting along too well... Before either can say anything else, there is a chime at the door. PERCELL (shocked) Oh my God! They're here! Percell opens the door. It's Riller with a pretty, young ensign. She's got black hair and is wearing a black dress that compliments her. RILLER (smiling) Hey, Percell. You remember Trudy. (beat) From engineering. PERCELL (nods; remembering) Oh yeah! (beat) Come on in. We're just getting the movies ready. Riller and Trudy move to greet Matthews as more people arrive. Percell greets them accordingly, and they soon begin to fill the room. It is soon evident that there's nowhere near enough space in the room for all these people. PERCELL (to Matthews) What am I going to do? I didn't even invite most of these people! MATTHEWS (looking around) I have no idea. Matthews sighs and begins to help Percell fit more people into the room. MATTHEWS (with slight remorse) I hope that Greg doesn't think I've stood him up. Percell's quarters begin to pile up with people, and space soon runs out. CUT TO CORRIDOR OUTSIDE PERCELL'S QUARTERS Caption Reads: "Time: 1903" The line-up of people is stretching pretty far. People are talking in line, saying things like: "How'd you hear about this?" and "How many people _did_ she invite?" Wolenczak arrives, trying to get to his own quarters. The crew gets very silent and moves over into one line on each side of the corridor. WOLENCZAK (asking someone in line) What's going on, Roberts? ROBERTS (a bit nervously) Uh, well, Percell's supposed to be having a movie party, Sir. It appears that most of the crew has found out about it (beat) And we're all here trying to get in. WOLENCZAK (covering an amused grin) Ah. Wolenczak pushes his way lightly through the line of people, and gets into Percell's room. The crew moves easily and quickly out of his way. He finds Percell trying to squeeze in even more people. WOLENCZAK (sternly) Having a tough time, Chief? PERCELL (mortified) Ugh, yes, sir. I'm trying to get things together... Sorry. (in closer, with a whisper) I'm not even sure how most of these people found out, Sir! It's crazy. I invited a few people on the Bridge to watch some movies. Not the whole ship! WOLENCZAK (whispering as well) Things travel fast on this ship Chief. We've only got a crew of 150. (smiling) I think the Mess Hall is free, Chief. Why don't you take all these people there and show them their movies? PERCELL (wondering why she didn't think of that) Of course! Thank you, Sir! Percell is about to herd everyone over to the Mess Hall when she turns back to Wolenczak. PERCELL (somewhat nervous, but more courteous) Would you like to come and watch the movies, Sir? I mean, you _are_ welcome. WOLENCZAK (letting loose a bit) Thanks, Percell. But not tonight. Besides, (reading the labels on the movie discs) I didn't really think _Born Free_ was a particularly good movie. As Wolenczak makes his way out of the room and Percell begins to get everyone out of there, we... FADE TO OPENING END TEASER =========================== PART 1 ===================================== ACT ONE FADE INTO CANADA CONTROL CENTER Captions Reads: Canadian Control Center Location: Classified Skyla Helmsly, a career navy woman in her thirties, is watching a display. Captain Bob Justka, of the Canadian Navy, is standing over her. HELMSLY (reading from her display) I've got more activity down there, Sir. It looks like the Carolinans are making some more moves in international waters. JUSTKA (sighing) Those Carrot bastards are using the mid-Atlantic ridge as their own private shooting zone. We've lost three subs in the past two weeks. (beat, thinking) I don't think I can wait anymore. Helms, get me 24 Sussex. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI _seaQuest_ is streaming through the water. CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S QUARTERS Wolenczak is lying on his bed, obviously on an off shift. He's in civilian attire and he's reading a novel. His vidlink beeps, and he gets up, with a slight groan. WOLENCZAK (pressing vidlink button) Wolenczak. TRUEMAN (on screen) Secretary General Hitchcock is holding for you, Sir. Shall I put her through to your quarters? WOLENCZAK (nodding) Yeah. Thanks, Trueman. The UEO logo on the vidlink screen is replaced by Hitchock's face. Throughout the conversation, she seems oddly perturbed. HITCHCOCK (bluntly) Lucas, I've got some bad news. WOLENCZAK (sighing) What else is new? Hitchcock is mildly thrown off by the remark. WOLENCZAK (with a bit of a smile) What have the Carolinans done this time? HITCHCOCK (brushing it off; this is important) Well, it's not so much what they're doing, as the reaction they've provoked. Wolenczak nods, becoming more serious. WOLENCZAK (troubled) What happened? HITCHCOCK (with distaste) It appears Ross has a bunch of attack ships positioned on the mid-Atlantic ridge. She's been capitalizing on the fact that except for the Vortex incident, _seaQuest's_ only been in the south Atlantic, never the north. (reading something on her desk) She's amassed what must be at least eight warships on the ridge and they're beginning to disrupt other factions within the UEO. WOLENCZAK (raising an eyebrow) Like who? HITCHCOCK (continuing) Well, so far it's been mainly the Canadians. They were one of the more outspoken groups when the Gulf states seceded, and they've been pressuring the UEO to take a more militant stand against the Carolinans. (beat) I think the Canadians are going to do something that's going to get them _and_ the UEO into a lot of trouble. Since the latter half of the war, Canada's not officially part of the UEO, but I want _seaQuest_ over there to stop them from doing anything stupid. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Okay. (beat) What about the Carolinans? HITCHCOCK (sighing) My hope is that with _seaQuest's_ presence, they'll stop what they've been doing and we can get most of those ships out of there. I've been talking to some of my inside sources, and they say Ross is merely seeing how hard she can push. (beat) That once we push back, the ships will clear out. WOLENCZAK (just noticing the uneasy look in Hitchcock's face) Katie, how long has this been going on? Hitchcock looks at him for a moment. HITCHCOCK Just over a month. WOLENCZAK (incredulous) And we're just pushing back now? (beat) _seaQuest's_ been busy, I know, but what about the _Discovery_ and the _Wentworth_? They're both similar in design to the DSV-class ships. Their armaments are comparable to ours, too. What have they been doing all this time? HITCHCOCK (sighing, this just isn't her day) That's something I didn't want to get into, Lucas. Wolenczak gives Hitchcock a hard look. Why wouldn't she want to get into talking about the UEO's ships? HITCHCOCK (almost reading Wolenczak's thoughts) Both the _Wentworth_ and the _Discovery_ have been plagued by malfunction and general structural problems. The UEO built them with second-rate parts and in a huge hurry once the _seaQuest II_ was destroyed. (beat) They didn't build them to last. The _Wentworth_ is being prepared for decommissioning and the _Discovery's_ getting a refit. (beat) They're in no position to help the UEO. WOLENCZAK (nodding, but not happy with the situation) I understand. (beat) We'll get underway. Wolenczak cuts the communication and leaves his quarters. CUT TO PRIME MINISTER'S HOME Caption reads: Canadian Prime Minister's home 24 Sussex Drive Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The Prime Minister, a male in his early sixties, is walking around his desk. He's in a wood room, with a bookcase behind him and some chairs on the other side of the desk. It's his home office, and he's talking to Captain Justka over the vidlink. JUSTKA (on vidlink) Mr. Prime Minister, we can't sit by and let the Carolinans keep taking out our ships. (beat) No matter what the UEO does. (correcting himself, disgusted) Or doesn't do. The Prime Minister turns to the vidlink, putting his hand up to stop Justka. PRIME MINISTER (shaking his head) Captain, let's not get into another UEO Debate. The Caucus was already in uproar when I pushed through the bill to give you guys more funding! (beat, he begins walking again, talking with his hands) And I can't very well send our military on a Carolinan witch hunt. The UEO would have ships on us before we could get outside the 200 mile limit! Justka sighs. He's not happy with where this is going. PRIME MINISTER (continuing) Justka, you know they'll do anything to avoid war with the Carolinans. (beat) I even support Secretary General Hitchcock in her decision to keep war-like actions to a minimum. We've got to stand by the UEO's decisions for now. If anything else happens I'll have to start making some calls. JUSTKA (not happy with his decision) Yes, Mister Prime Minister. I'll be here waiting for your call. And John? PRIME MINISTER (looking at him again) Yes? JUSTKA (firmly) Can I get our subs ready? Some of them have been on science studies for quite a while now. I'd like to get them prepped. The Prime Minister finally sits down at his desk. PRIME MINISTER (nodding) I think that would be a very suitable precaution. (in closer, quieter and more dangerously) Captain, make no mistake. I will _not_ let these Carolinans keep destroying our fleet. The second they make an attempt, I'll make simultaneous calls to you and to Secretary General Hitchcock. JUSTKA (nods) Thank you, Mister Prime Minister. CUT TO BRIDGE Caption Reads: seaQuest DSV 4600III Time: 1700 hours Wolenczak enters the Bridge and goes straight for Reede. WOLENCZAK (as he walks up to Reede) Mr. Reede, we're changing course. REEDE (a bit surprised) Sir? WOLENCZAK (relaying his orders) The Secretary General needs us to be at the north mid-Atlantic ridge. Get us there as fast as possible. REEDE (in an official tone) Yes, Sir! CUT TO MESS HALL Caption reads: Mess Hall Time: 1730 Several crew, all new faces, are seated around a table: Ensign Jennifer Vickery, a pretty brunette; Crewman Jones, who looks like a linebacker; Seaman Mano, and Ensign DeVries, from engineering. VICKERY (leaning in toward the group) Have you guys heard what's going on? JONES (shaking his head) I haven't. (beat, slightly put off) Nothing ever happens there. VICKERY (continuing) We just made a major course change. MANO (getting interested) To where? VICKERY (significantly) To the Atlantic. DEVRIES (looking uninterested) So? The Atlantic's boring. The rest of the group all scowl at DeVries. MANO (optimistically) Lighten up, man. We're over halfway done with this tour! (beat, stressing the point) We'll be free in, like, four months! (beat, more so) _Free_! To do _whatever we want_! (shakes head) You should be happy! DEVRIES (mumbling) Great. Four more months of hell. The rest of the group realizes Mano's efforts are in vain and Vickery continues. VICKERY (dramatically) So anyway, we all know what's been happening in the Atlantic right? JONES (with a sigh) Once again, I don't. VICKERY (whispering) The Carrots are sinking _Canuck_ subs! And the Canadians are less than thrilled. (beat) We must be going to stop a big battle. DeVRIES (sarcastically) Or start one. Off a few short chuckles from the table we... CUT TO CALLAN'S QUARTERS Callan is surfing the internex. His panel beeps. CALLAN (activating his vidlink) Hello? KELLY (smiling weakly) Hello, Greg. CALLAN (forever nervous since the GELF incident) Kelly! (beat; leaning forward) Is something wrong? KELLY (sighing, more somber) Well, Greg, things _have_ been better. CALLAN (nodding) I know, hon. It's been tough. And we'll never forget it. KELLY (with a weak smile) Thanks Greg. (beat, obviously perturbed) Actually, that's not what I called about. Callan looks more directly at her. Shes piqued his curiosity. CALLAN What? Kelly leans toward the screen, as if she doesn't want anyone to hear her. KELLY (in hushed tones) Is this channel secure? CALLAN (uneasily) Well, yeah Kel. Sure, but you never ask if the channel's secure. (beat) What's up? KELLY (seriously) Greg, I think I'm pregnant. Off Callan's shocked response, we... CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_ --CGI Caption: _seaQuest DSV 4600III_ Passing through the Caribbean Islands. We begin with an aerial view of the islands, then descend rapidly into the ocean, where _seaQuest_ is making fast progress through the water. CUT TO BRIDGE Wolenczak is standing beside Percell, who's got the WSKRS out looking for Carolinan vessels. WOLENCZAK (looking at the screen) Anything out there, Percell? PERCELL (shaking her head) Nothing yet, Sir. But I've only got limited range. We're not close enough to the part of the ridge where the Carolinans are hiding. WOLENCZAK (nodding) That's what I thought. (beat) But even if we do get close enough, they can still hide on the other side of the ridge. (beat) Is there any way we'd be able to detect them there? PERCELL (gravely) No, Sir. (beat, explaining) The composition of the ridge is preventing our WSKRS from moving freely and its jumbling our readings as well. WOLENCZAK Damn. He casts a look around the bridge, trying to decide if there's anything else he's really needed for. Then he decides he can't do much other than keep pestering Percell, so... WOLENCZAK (going off topic) Anyway...Percell, what's up with the software upgrade? Are there still lots of glitches? PERCELL (nodding) Loads_ of them, Sir. (beat, reassuring) But I've been working on them and I hope they'll be fixed by the time we get into any kind of battle situation. (beat) The weaponry hasn't experienced any glitches, so we should be okay. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Good. Wolenczak leaves Percell still scanning, and he goes over to Morgan at the science station. WOLENCZAK (curiously) What are you looking for out there, Ensign? MORGAN (a bit startled by Wolenczak's appearance) Uh, well, it's something I've read about in one of the science journals. Morgan stops, then realize that Wolenczak expects something more. She pulls up a screen that looks like a "fact file" showing a picture of coral and a bunch of text. MORGAN (explaining) It's a new form of coral that seems to be growing on the east side of the ridge, from the background radiation that comes from the Indian Ocean. WOLENCZAK (remembering) The Indian Ocean. (beat; regretfully) That was a major disaster. The worst of the entire war. (shaking himself back to reality) But what's so special about this coral? MORGAN (showing him another picture on the screen, explaining) It's known to have some healing properties, because it is somehow resisting the radiation. The science community believes that it may be able to help people suffering from radiation sickness. WOLENCZAK ("neat", smiling) That's great, Morgan. (slightly teasing) You sure know your stuff. (beat, offering) If we don't get too tied up with the Carolinans and the Canadians, I think we could stop and get some samples, okay? MORGAN (nods, holding back glee) Sure. I'd like that, Sir. As Wolenczak flashes a smile and leaves Morgan to continue we... CUT TO EXTERIOR CANADIAN PATROL SUB --CGI Caption Reads: Canadian Patrol Sub _Pearson_ Location: West side of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge CUT TO SUB BRIDGE The crew is silent and anxious. There are about ten people in all. Along with Captain Marleen Lamontagne. She's about 45, a Francophone (a member of the distinctly different French culture of Canada.) She has slightly graying brown hair. Her all-business manner suggests she takes no bull from anyone. LAMONTAGNE Sensors? SENSOR OFFICER Nothing, Sir. Lamontagne thinks, then turns to her helmsman. LAMONTAGNE Raise us up. About thirty meters. I want to clear the ridge so we can see over it. CUT TO EXTERIOR CANADIAN SUB--CGI The sub ascends and begins to clear the top of the ridge. CUT TO BRIDGE All is as before. A beep emanates from the sensor panel. LAMONTAGNE (turning) What is it? SENSOR OFFICER (getting louder as he speaks) A Carolinan attack sub, bearing two, six, eight mark five! LAMONTAGNE (pushing communication button) Carolinan attack sub, please state your intentions or we will have to go to alert one. (beat, there is no response) Carolinan sub, I repeat: state your intentions or else. There is still no response from the Carolinan sub. SENSOR OFFICER (worried) They are advancing, Sir. (beat) They'll have a pretty good shot at us by now. Lamontagne's XO Scott Bohr, a male in his late thirties approaches. He looks concerned. BOHR Sir, I strongly recommend that we at least move off. We know what the Carolinans have done to our subs before. LAMONTAGNE (nodding) Agreed. (to helmsman) Full reverse thrust. Keep us away from that sub. SENSOR OFFICER (reading display) Uh, Captain? (hesitantly) We have a major problem. LAMONTAGNE ("spit it out!") _What is it?_ SENSOR OFFICER (plainly, with a tinge of fear) The Carolinans have opened their torpedo doors. As we see some tense reactions from the bridge crew, Lamontagne steps forward. LAMONTAGNE (taking everything in stride) Helm, back us off. I don't want the Carolinans sinking this sub too. Lamontagne turns to the communications officer. LAMONTAGNE Get me the Prime Minister. He's got to know about this. COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (pushing a few buttons) Yes, Sir! The sensor officer suddenly spins around in his chair, to face Lamontagne. SENSOR OFFICER (loudly) They've fired, Sir! (reading display) Six seltar-torpedoes in the water! LAMONTAGNE (shaking her head at the forward screen) You guy picked the wrong captain to mess with. (to weapons officer) Launch counter-measures. Prepare a counter attack. The communications officer flags Lamontagne down with his hand. COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (cutting in) I've got the Prime Minister. LAMONTAGNE (almost as a reflex) On the main screen. PRIME MINISTER (looking up as he appears on the screen) Captain Lamontagne, I have been briefed on your situation. You are hereby authorized to take any action you see fit. We'll back you up. (beat) Good luck, Captain. Out. He disappears from the screen. LAMONTAGNE (to weapons officer) Counter attack? WEAPONS OFFICER (nodding) Ready, Sir. LAMONTAGNE (with a small sigh) Fire. As we see the torpedoes launch from the _Pearson_ on their screen we... CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE Percell now gets a beep on her console. PERCELL (turning to Wolenczak) Captain? WOLENCZAK (coming over to her) Have you got something? PERCELL Not "something," Sir. This. She puts her display on the main screen and the whole Bridge sees the Carolinan and Canadian subs firing torpedoes at each other. WOLENCZAK Damn! (jumping into action) Reede, get us in there. _Now_. (to Trueman) Trueman, hail the Canadian vessel. I have a hunch it wasn't their choice to be in this fight. (to Riller) Ready all weapons. RILLER Aye, Sir. WOLENCZAK (turning back to Trueman) Sound General Quarters. TRUEMAN (pushing intercom button) General Quarters! General Quarters! All hands to battle stations! Off quick preparation movements from the bridge crew, we... FADE TO BLACK END ACT ONE =========================== PART 2 ===================================== ACT TWO FADE INTO CANADIAN BRIDGE Each time a new person speaks in this scene, the camera cuts to him or her. It is a close cut to give us tension. SENSOR OFFICER (almost yelling) They've fired again! SHARP CUT TO: LAMONTAGNE (stiffly) Counter-measures. SHARP CUT TO: WEAPONS OFFICER (nodding) Away. QUICK PAN TO: Countermeasures, streaking away on the Canadian vidlink screen. There is an explosion as they detonate the Carolinan torpedoes. COMMANDER (shakes his head) Damn, that was close. LAMONTAGNE (with anger) Not as close as I'm going to get to them. COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (turning to Lamontagne) Captain, we're being hailed. (beat, significantly) It's _seaQuest_. The crew exchange glances at the mention of _seaQuest_. LAMONTAGNE (sarcastically) So the UEO's finally noticed the Carolinans? (beat, to communications officer) On screen. Wolenczak's face appears on the Canadian viewscreen. WOLENCZAK (acknowledging a familiar face) Captain Lamontagne. (beat) Haven't seen you since-- LAMONTAGNE (with a slight nod) The _Pegasus_. I know I wanted it that way, (beat) Is the UEO going to play mediator here or what? (beat) Are you going to get these Carolinans out of our back yard? WOLENCZAK That _is_ our intention, Captain. If you'll move your sub out of the area we will deal with the Carolinans. LAMONTAGNE (abruptly) And while you deal with _this_ Carolinan ship, another will destroy a Canadian ship elsewhere. (beat) We don't need the UEO Navy policing our water for us. (beat) We don't want it to. Wolenczak keeps his cool. Having dealt with her before, he knows how to deal with her now. WOLENCZAK While that may be true, Captain, I think you have the intelligence to realize they're just egging you on. They want a conflict. If they drive a wedge between the UEO and Canada their mission will be accomplished. (beat, sighing) The UEO _is_ assigning more vessels to this area. Lamontagne doesn't seem very interested in Wolenczak's speech. WOLENCZAK (in closer; softly) Marleen, please. I need some jurisdiction here. With _seaQuest's _ appearance, all sources say that the Carolinans will just back off. (beat) They're only here to create trouble. Lanmontagne looks at him for a long moment, then nods. LAMONTAGNE Fine. (beat) You keep the Carolinans off our backs, we'll keep off yours. (beat) But remember, Captain Wolenczak. Canada has put up with enough of the UEO's shirking it's duty in the past. Neither me nor my superiors are going to put off with your people slacking off while the Carolinans play pirate in our water. We will _not_ tolerate any more "accidents". (beat) And the Carolinans had better pay attention, because next time, we _will_ fight back. And we want the Carolinans to know that. A long silence passes before Wolenczak gives in. WOLENCZAK I respect your position, Captain. (beat) And I thank you for handing jurisdiction over to us. I'll get back to you momentarily. Wolenczak's face disappears from the screen. LAMONTAGNE (to herself) The UEO has no idea what it's getting into. CUT TO CALLAN'S QUARTERS Callan is still trying to understand the situation. CALLAN (pulling himself together) How did this happen? KELLY Do you remember last time we were together? CALLAN (remembering) Yeah, it was just over three weeks ago. _seaQuest_ docked to repair from the Vortex damage, and I came to see you. KELLY Well? (beat) Come on Greg! You know just as well as I do what happened while you were here. And, now... (beat) I'm late. CALLAN Are you certain? KELLY I've been afraid to find out for sure, so I haven't done a test yet. But I wanted you to be prepared, just in case. CALLAN (trying to explain his position) This is kind of a big thing to drop on me Kelly! We're here in the midst of a battle between some major world players and I'm expected to keep this ship running! I can't be thinking "what the heck am I going to do if we have a baby?" the whole time! KELLY (getting mad) Fine then Greg. You go back to _seaQuest_. You've always gone back to _seaQuest_. I'll just raise this baby by _myself_! Kelly's face disappears from the screen. Callan slams his fist down on the console. CALLAN (yelling) Dammit! The klaxon cycle repeats itself and draws Callan's attention. He wants to call her back and fix things, but he's been away from Engineering for too long already. With a slight growl of frustration, he charges out of his quarters. CUT TO BRIDGE Everyone is staring at the viewscreen. We see the _Pearson_ moving off and the _seaQuest_ is moving closer to the Carolinan ship. REEDE (as he finishes maneuvering the boat) We are now between the other two subs, Sir. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Good. (to Trueman) Get me the Carolinan commander. Trueman attends to her console and the Carolinan commander, Westlake, appears on the screen. The man's expression instantly turns, and it's clear he recognizes Wolenczak. WESTLAKE (with distaste) What is it, _Wolenczak_? WOLENCZAK (matter of factly) I don't believe you have _any_ right to be here. And I advise you to leave before the UEO allows the Canadian government to make good on its threats toward your vessels. CAROLINAN COMMANDER (dismissing him) Get out of here Wolenczak! The UEO has no business intervening in this matter. Wolenczak doesn't like this guy much, and it's starting to show. WOLENCZAK (close to the screen) Listen to me. I'm trying to _help_ you people. If I hadn't show up just now, the Canadians would have destroyed you. There is a strained moment of silence. CAROLINAN COMMANDER (not believing him) What are you talking about? Several of their vessels have been destroyed and they've done nothing. WOLENCZAK (reining in his temper) Either you get your vessel out of Canadian waters, or I'm going to open fire with the full backing of the Canadian government. (beat) _seaQuest_ out. The Carolinan commander disappears from the screen, and Matthews comes up behind Wolenczak. MATTHEWS (whispering) Are you okay, Sir? WOLENCZAK (clenching his fists in anger) That guy was _really_ getting to me. MATTHEWS (with irony) Sir, you just finished telling Captain Lamontagne that the Carolinans were bullies looking for a reaction. (beat) Now I'm telling you the same thing. WOLENCZAK Was not. MATTHEWS (nods) You were so. Wolenczak debates arguing for a moment, then decides she's right. PERCELL (cautiously) Captain, the Carolinans are moving off. WOLENCZAK That's good. (beat) But that won't be the last of them. Keep WSKRS scanning. (to Reede) And Reede, maintain our position. (beat) I'm sure there're plenty more ships out there. CUT TO CANADIAN BRIDGE Lamontagne is pacing around the Bridge. LAMONTAGNE (to herself) I thought Wolenczak was going to get back to me. (beat, getting ticked) I move my sub off and now he won't tell me anything. Damn! She pivots and ends up behind the sensor officer. LAMONTAGNE (uneasy) What's the status of the Carolinan ship? The sensor officer checks his console before responding. SENSOR OFFICER It's moving off, Sir. LAMONTAGNE (nodding) Good. (to communications officer) Now, get me Wolenczak. The communications officer punches a few buttons and Lamontagne turns back toward her main screen as we... CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ ENGINEERING Callan is working on something. His head is low and all the engineering officers around him are stealing glances. They've never seen him like this before. Ensign Rudie, a tall thin brunette, approaches Callan cautiously with a SEAPOC. RUDIE (tapping him on the shoulder) Sir? Callan jumps about three feet in the air, hits his head on a bulkhead, and gives an exclamation of pain. CALLAN (snapping) What!?! Rudie steps back. She's a bit surprised by his outburst. RUDIE (questioning) Is something the matter, Sir? Callan is taking deep breaths. He's trying not to explode here, but it's very evident that he was not happy that the klaxons took him away from Kelly. RUDIE (explaining) It's just that you've been acting strange since you got here. Throughout these next lines, Callan's voice gets louder and louder. CALLAN Really? (Beat) Well if your wife called and told you she was pregnant, think maybe you'd be a little upset? Huh? And then the klaxon had to go off and then she got mad at you because she thinks you're always putting your job on _seaQuest_ before your family. (beat; at full intensity) Would that be enough to get you mad? Callan is yelling at the ensign, and she seems frightened. He pauses, then storms off. Rudie is left standing there with a perplexed, semi-scared look on her face. Other engineering officers come in to comfort her as we... CUT TO BRIDGE The crew is milling around. Percell is scanning for more ships, Riller is doing weapons tests, and Wolenczak is sitting in his chair, brooding. The camera ends its pan on Trueman as her console beeps. WOLENCZAK (looking up) It's her again, isn't it. TRUEMAN (nodding) Yes, Sir. (beat) Should I tell her you're still working things out with the Carolinans? WOLENCZAK (thinking that over) No. Marleen won't buy that again. (he sighs) I've got nothing to tell her. He sighs deeply. MATTHEWS (piping in) You could tell her we know nothing and we'll stay here and patrol for a few days. WOLENCZAK (smiling at Matthews) You don't know Marleen. I served with her in my first month on the _Pegasus_. Then the UEO decided it didn't need two commanders on one low-priority ship so Marleen left and got a command of her own here with Canada. (nostalgically) She's always been very demanding. (beat) And very good at command. TRUEMAN (nods, but isn't too happy about this) Well you'd better tell her something. (beat, almost sarcastically) Because she's _demanding_ to talk with you. Wolenczak stands and walks toward the viewscreen. WOLENCZAK (with slight reluctance) Put her on. Lamontagne's face appears on the screen again and Wolenczak doesn't even let her get started. WOLENCZAK (strongly) Captain Lamontagne, listen. I've got a plan to fish out some of these leftover Carolinans. As Lamontagne pauses with slight interest, we... CUT TO MESS HALL It's now supper. Vickery, Jones, and DeVries are present. Mano is absent. Once again, Vickery is leading the discussion. VICKERY --And now my people say the UEO is letting Canada do whatever they want! DEVRIES (shaking his head) That's bull. The UEO ordered Canada to leave the area. (Beat) _We're_ gonna deal with the Carrots. JONES (agreeing) Yeah. I'm with DeVries. (beat, with a grin) And who exactly are "Your People"? VICKERY (trying to avoid answering) They're... just some people... (beat) From various parts of the ship... She trails off. The others look amused, and interested. JONES (leading her on) And...? VICKERY (finishing her excuse, sarcastically) And they give me reports on what's going on aboard this wonderful boat. DEVRIES (almost snickering) Right... VICKERY (insistent) I'm not kidding you here, guys! My people tell me lots of news and you two are just lucky I send it your way. (beat, getting the attention off herself) Oh, and by the way, where's your buddy Mano? DEVRIES He's on shift right now. He gets off at (checks his watch) 1900. (beat) We'll see what he tells us then. He's on the bridge. CUT TO BRIDGE The camera starts on Mano's face, watching what's going on and pretending to work. Wolenczak is explaining his plan to Lamontagne. LAMONTAGNE (repeating) So you're telling me that you want us to send out a helpless ship and then when the Carolinans try to attack, _seaQuest_ will rise off the bottom and catch the Carolinans red-handed? WOLENCZAK (nodding) That's the gist of it, yeah. LAMONTAGNE (with a semi-smile) You've always been one with a flare for the dramatic, Wolenczak. I'll give you that. But my government won't put up with losing another ship. If your plan fails-- WOLENCZAK (cutting her off; firmly) It's not going to fail. LAMONTAGNE (not happy at being cut off) If your plan fails, Canada is going to be (holding up her fingers positioned closely together) this close to declaring war on the Carolinans. And it is _not_ going to be pretty. There is no response from Wolenczak. LAMONTAGNE (finishing) _Pearson_ out. As Lamontagne's face disappears from the screen, Wolenczak turns to Reede. WOLENCZAK (quietly) Sink us down to the bottom. Make it quiet and quick. Wolenczak turns and notices Mano's been watching everything. Mano quickly turns away. WOLENCZAK (walking toward Mano) Ensign? MANO (reluctantly) Uh, yes, Sir? WOLENCZAK What are you supposed to be doing this shift, Ensign... (reads off name tag) Mano. MANO (reciting from memory) Check the main hook-up to the seaNet and make sure the software upgrade hasn't affected it, too. WOLENCZAK (questioningly) Shouldn't you be over (pointing to the other side of the bridge) there then? MANO (following Wolenczak's pointed finger) Uh, yes. I guess I should be, Sir. Mano is about to trot over to the other side of the bridge, when Wolenczak stops him. WOLENCZAK (quietly and firmly) And you're not to breathe a word of this to your friends. As Mano continues over to the other side of the bridge with a worried face, we... CUT TO CALLAN'S QUARTERS Callan is sitting at his communications terminal. The screen in front of him is flashing: "HOLDING". CALLAN (tapping his fingers) Come on, Kelly. I don't think it was that bad. We've got to work something out. (beat; the red lights flash again) And I shoudn't really be here. A secretary's face replaces the "HOLDING". SECRETARY I'm sorry, Mister Callan. Your wife isn't accepting any calls at the moment. I can leave a message for her, though. Callan sighs. CALLAN (firmly) I _hate_ leaving messages and she knows it. (beat, the secretary is silent. To himself) But I guess I'll have to play it her way. (beat, to the secretary) Tell her that I'm here. (beat) And I'm going to try my hardest to get some time off. (beat) And that I will _not_ let her do this alone. (beat, he thinks) That's it. Callan out. Callan cuts the communication. CALLAN (quietly, to the screen) I need you, Kelly. He again leaves his quarters. CUT TO BRIDGE Percell is reporting _seaQuest's_ current depths as they descend. Wolenczak has Lamontagne on the line to finalize their plans. PERCELL (working with controls) Now at 3300 feet. WOLENCZAK (turning from the main screen) Good work, Percell. (to Reede) Keep us at this depth. I don't think we can go much deeper without pressurizing the waterways. (turning back to the screen) We're in position, Captain. LAMONTAGNE (checking with her side) And we've got a ship setting course for the ridge right now. (beat) They'll be in your area in about fifteen minutes. Be ready, Wolenczak. WOLENCZAK (smiles briefly) I will. (firmly) _seaQuest_ out. After Lamontagne's face is gone from the screen, Wolenczak addresses the ship. WOLENCZAK (pushing com button) Attention crew, this is the captain. We are now at a depth of three thousand feet and rigged for silent running. No one is to make _any_ communications until I give the authorization. (beat) I don't need to tell you how important this is going to be. (beat) All hands, General Quarters. Matthews walks up to Wolenczak. MATTHEWS (whispering) ETA of the Canadian vessel is now ten minutes. WOLENCZAK Thank you, Commander. Wolenczak walks over to Percell. PERCELL (before he gets to her) I know that you're going to ask. Wolenczak pauses, waiting for a response. PERCELL The system checked out last time I ran the Syscan. (beat) Now, I think I've got the bugs out of all primary systems. (beat) Some of the secondary systems are clear too. WOLENCZAK (nodding) And you're sure the weapons systems are fine? PERCELL I've been over them with Riller at least five times and nothing's come up. So, they should be fine. WOLENCZAK (letting a little smile slip) Thanks, Chief. That's one less thing to worry about. PERCELL (smiling back) Glad to help, Sir. (beat, checking her sensors) ETA on Canadian ship is now eight minutes. WOLENCZAK (the smile vanishes) Any sign of Carolinan vessels? PERCELL None at present, Sir, but I'm still scanning. REEDE (from across the bridge) Don't be so sure, Percell. Those devils can pop out of anywhere. (Off his console as he looks back at it) This ridge is famous for the cover it can give. WOLENCZAK (nodding) I'm sure we all appreciate that. Wolenczak looks around the bridge and sees all his officers working at top efficiency. He gives the bridge a proud look, and then notices Morgan, staring into thin air. He walks over to her. WOLENCZAK (quietly) Ensign? She's still lost in her thoughts. WOLENCZAK (a bit louder) Ensign Morgan? Morgan "snaps out of it," startled. MORGAN (looking at Wolenczak) Oh, sorry, Sir. (beat, embarrassed) It's just that I hate the waiting game. I get nervous enough as it is, and-- WOLENCZAK (cutting in) --The wait just makes it worse. I understand. But it's perfectly fine to be nervous. (beat, trying to calm her) What do you tell your son when he's scared or nervous about something? MORGAN (thinking) I usually tell him there's nothing to be afraid of. (A weak smile) Then I look under the bed for monsters. (beat; remembering fondly with a hint of sadness) But that was ages ago. WOLENCZAK (off the viewscreen) Well, Ensign, the only monsters here are out there. And we're going to stop them. (Beat, grins) After that, we can get some of those samples you've been wanting. Morgan opens her mouth to thank him, but is cut off. PERCELL (almost shouting) Captain! Whirling, Wolenczak leaves Morgan to ride out her anxiety while he takes care of the bigger problem. WOLENCZAK (whirling around) The Carolinans? PERCELL (nodding) Yes, Sir. They just rose up off the bottom, bearing one, six, eight; moving fast. WOLENCZAK Riller, get a firing solution. RILLER (already working) Yessir. WOLECNZAK (continuing through Riller's line) Reede, maneuver us in. REEDE (complying) Aye, Sir. Reede pushes a few buttons on his control panel. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The _seaQuest_ can be seen through a dense cloud of silt as it rises up off the sea floor. CUT TO BRIDGE Reede finishes pushing some buttons. As the final one is pushed, the bridge goes dark. REEDE (from out of the pitch blackness, confused and edgy) What'd I do? FADE TO BLACK END ACT TWO =========================== PART 3 ===================================== ACT THREE FADE IN TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_ -- CGI The camera shows us the darkened _seaQuest_, now sitting directly on the ocean floor. It pans from the _seaQuest_ to the _Pearson_, which is hiding in a valley on the ridge. CUT TO _PEARSON_ BRIDGE Lamontagne is pacing around, obviously very anxious. LAMONTAGNE (to sensor officer) Status of the Carolinan vessels? SENSOR OFFICER (reading off display) They'll be in weapons range in (beat, as he realizes the severity) one minute, Sir. Lamontagne looks out at the dark sea on the viewscreen. LAMONTAGNE (under her breath) Where the hell are you, Wolenczak? CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE Everything is still dark. WOLENCZAK (looking around, to anyone) Power? PERCELL (timidly) Uh, it's out, Sir. Our whole computer core has short-circuited. (beat) I'll be able to get us emergency power in a few minutes. WOLENCZAK (to Percell) The upgrade? PERCELL (nodding, gravely) Yes, Sir. It's caused a major short in the main systems. (beat) I'll get right on it. WOLENCZAK Good. (turning to others) Matthews and Reede, I need you here. The rest of you I need to assist Percell in any ways you can. (beat, back to Percell) Whatever you need. (beat) Just get this fixed. (beat) I know how you like to do things yourself. You have authority, but this time, use your resources. I need a solution. Fast. Percell nods. She begins issuing orders to various members of the bridge staff including Riller and Trueman. Wolenczak turns to Matthews and Reede. WOLENCZAK (off Percell telling people what to do) While they're working on getting power back, I want us to work on getting _seaQuest_ up into the battle. Wolenczak calls up a picture on the monitor in front of him and uses it as he explains. WOLENCZAK (explaining) We're going to blow out the ballast and allow _seaQuest_ to rise up enough for the Carolinans to see we're here. I hope that will scare them into leaving the Canadians alone. (beat) Without the aid of the computer, we're also going to need some expert and dual helmsmanship. (to Matthews, explaining) Although the Marauders are different from _seaQuest_, I was thinking that since you've had some experience in piloting Marauders, you'd be able to assist Reede. Matthews nods. WOLENCZAK Each of you will take a helm control station, to keep tight reins on the boat. I don't want the Carolinans knowing that we've got minimal power. REEDE (cutting in) Captain, if we get power back, we're not going to need both of us working the helm. Most of the controls are automated. WOLENCZAK True, but whatever power we can get is going straight to weapons. MATTHEWS But sir-- WOLENCZAK (holds up a hand) The Vortex nearly shut us down, and the system still can't take full power. Deal with it. Wolenczak pauses and looks at Matthews and Reede. WOLENCZAK (doing a final check) We know what has to happen right? Matthews and Reede nod. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Good. (beat) When we're done, we end up _here_. Wolenczak points to a computer screen showing the Carolinan vessel, the Canadian vessel and the _seaQuest_. Matthews and Reede look at the screen, then at each other. They move to the helm stations. CUT TO UEO HEADQUARTERS Hitchcock and UEO Joint Chief Nickolas Volan are watching the same picture of the three vessels we just saw on the screen aboard _seaQuest_. VOLAN (anxiously) The Carolinans are in weapons range. Why is _seaQuest_ just sitting there? HITCHCOCK (she sighs) I don't know, Mister Volan. (beat, trying to be positive) I'm sure Captain Wolenczak has a plan. (beat, to herself) He'd better, or we'll get caught in another war. CUT TO _PEARSON_ BRIDGE Captain Lamontagne is pacing. She doesn't like what's going on, but there's nothing she can do about it. LAMONTAGNE (to herself) I can't just burst onto the scene, that'd scare the Carolinans into firing at us both. And I'm not going to wait until the _seaQuest_ finally decides to show up. (beat; angrily) What the hell's with Wolenczak anyway? He tells me to back off and then lets the Carolinans destroy our ships. (beat, ironically) I thought he was a _good_ commander. She turns to her communications officer. LAMONTAGNE (hopefully) Any response from _seaQuest_? COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (shaking his head) No, Sir. I've tried several frequencies, but no response. It's almost as if they can't receive; the signals just bounce back to me. (beat, he realizes what he just implied) Could _seaQuest_ have gone down? Lamontagne considers the possibility. LAMONTAGNE (shaking her head) No. (beat, explaining) _seaQuest's_ the strongest, most versatile ship under the ocean. She wouldn't just hit a reef and go down. The bioskin of the boat is too strong. Almost nothing can puncture it. (beat, to communications officer) What else could produce the "bounce" effect you're getting? COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (thinking) It could be mineral deposits, but there's not enough here to cause that effect. LAMONTAGNE (thinking as well) Any attempts to block from the Carolinans? COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (shaking his head) No, Sir. None that I've seen. LAMONTAGNE (suddenly inspired) Could it be some kind of malfunction? COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER (thinking) That _would_ produce a bounce effect. (beat) Actually, Sir, that fits what we know. (beat) But what can we do about that? LAMONTAGNE (suddenly inspired) We'll have to help _seaQuest_ out. Off the surprised reactions of "What?" "How?" "We're not supposed to do that!" we... CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The _seaQuest_ can be seen sitting on the bottom. Dark. CUT TO BRIDGE Wolenczak is looking at the Matthews and Reede at the helm. WOLENCZAK Status? MATTHEWS (checking display) Ready and awaiting your orders, Sir. WOLENCZAK (with a quick glance to the forward screen) Pump ballast now! CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI There is the sound sort of like a low, long "pop", as _seaQuest's_ ballasts are blown out. More "pops" follow in rapid succession. _seaQuest_ begins to rise up off of the bottom. CUT TO CAROLINAN BRIDGE The Carolinan captain, a male in his forties, is looking very tense. His sensor officer, an older man turns quickly towards him. SENSOR OFFICER A huge sound just came across the water, Sir! CAPTAIN (surprised) What was it? SENSOR OFFICER (listening again to his headset) Sounds like...the blowing of ballast tanks. (he puts the sound over the speakers of the bridge) But what's in the water that's big enough to produce that much ballast noise? CAPTAIN (going wide-eyed) _seaQuest_! The camera pans to the Carolinan viewscreen and we see the _seaQuest_ rising from a trench in front of the Carolinan vessel. SENSOR OFFICER (perplexed) But she's dark? (to captain) Why wouldn't she be running with lights? CAPTAIN ("you idiot!") Because the lights would have shown up and we would have seen them! (beat, to the helm officer) Now get us out of here before they destroy us for for intruding on Canadian territory! The helm officer complies with a few quick helm controls. The captain sits down in his chair and thinks for a second. CAPTAIN (slyly) Turn us around. (beat) I want to see what Wolenczak's up to. CUT TO EXTERIOR CAROLINAN VESSEL--CGI We see the Carolinan vessel and the _seaQuest_; the camera follows as as the gap between the two ships closes. CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE Riller is looking at the main viewscreen, which is showing an "actual view" of the sea before them. The Bridge is still dark, except for a few battery-operated lanterns that cast just enough light to see by. Riller squints at the screen, and then turns toward Wolenczak, who's perched over Percell. Riller's not happy about what he's seeing. RILLER (matter-of-factly) Sir, the Carolinans are moving toward us. WOLENCZAK (looking up) The Carolinans? RILLER (motioning to the screen) Come and see, Sir. WOLENCZAK (rising; to Percell) Keep at it, Chief. Wolenczak walks over to the screen, which Riller is again staring at. RILLER Yeah. There's the movement... (points to screen) There's definitely something moving toward us, and the shape suggests a Carolinan sub. WOLENCZAK (squinting as well) Yeah. (he nods) I think you're right, Mister Riller. (with a hopeful look at Percell) Have you got anything for us, Percell? PERCELL (rising from underneath the panel, with a slight groan) Sorry, Sir. The circuits are still pretty fried. I can't do much for you. WOLENZCAK (looking around the bridge) Then we're going to have to do something that'll change their minds. Wolenczak continues to think, and then sees Matthews and Reede still at the helm. It dawns on him. WOLENCZAK (thinking out loud) The Marauders. RILLER (turning) What? WOLENCZAK (forming his plan) We'll use the Marauders. They're fast enough, and hard enough to detect. They'll be able to deflect the Carolinans for more than enough time. He turns to Percell, checking one last thing. WOLENCZAK (importantly) Can you get me enough power to launch countermeasures if the Carolinans fire? Percell looks at a SEAPOC display, at the frayed wires in her hand and finally back to Wolenczak. PERCELL (calculating) I'll need a good fifteen minutes of Marauder activity first, but yes, Sir. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Good. (turning to Riller) Take Matthews and go to the Marauders. I want you out there and I need fifteen minutes of good cover from you both. (beat) You'll have to open the outer bay doors manually, but with each of you on one lever, it'll look smooth for the Carolinans. RILLER (confused) But...sir, Reede and Percell have more experience. WOLENCZAK (nods curtly) You're qualified, and I need them here. Go. Riller leaves the bridge, and Matthews follows. WOLENCZAK (to Reede, staring out at the viewscreen) Keep her steady, Mister Reede. We've got to make them believe that we're not powerless. CUT TO INTERIOR MARAUDER Morgan is quickly rigging a Marauder for her science experiment. She looks at a sheet of directions, then hurridly punches commands into the computer. MORGAN (to herself) Can't believe they're actually letting me use a Marauder for this! But why Wolenczak sent me down here in the middle of a crisis is beyond me. (beat, looking worried) Maybe he doesn't think I'm needed. (beat, shaking her head) That's it Anne, lower your self esteem even more. She goes to the rear of the Marauder to check on her sample containers CUT TO LAUNCH BAY The Launch bay is set up so that the crew can enter the Marauders, from above. This is set up so that the Marauders are fully submerged in water the whole time, in a pool where the outer docking ports connect to the hull of _seaQuest_. There are two levers, one on each side of the bay, that can be pumped to open the docking doors manually. Riller and Matthews enter. They both move to respective levers and Riller starts their countdown. RILLER (looking across to Matthews) On three. (beat) One. (beat) Two. (beat) Three. They both push their levers up and there is the sound of a deep rumble. Matthews and Riller climb down into the Marauders. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The bay doors are seen opening and the two Marauders exit the ship. CUT TO INTERIOR MARAUDER Riller is talking to Matthews over headset. RILLER (checking on their plan) We're going to do what we said on the boat, right? MATTHEWS (over com) That's the plan, Riller. (beat) Now, switching to secure channel. RILLER (adjusts his headset) We're pretty much alone out here, aren't we Jessie? MATTHEWS (over com) What do you mean? CUT TO SECOND MARAUDER MATTHEWS (picking up in the middle of a sentance, into com) Yeah, a little isolated. (beat) But stay sharp. (grins) Don't let yourself get lulled into thinking-- Matthews is cut off by Riller. RILLER (over com) Who the hell!? Matthews looks concerned at his outburst. MATTHEWS (grabbing mouthpiece and holding it to her mouth) Riller? (beat, no response) _Riller_!? RILLER (over com, sarcastically) Someone wants to say "hi" to you, Matthews. Matthews still has a puzzled look on her face. MORGAN (over com) Uh, hello, Commander. MATTHEWS Morgan?! CUT TO BRIDGE All is as before, except Wolenczak is standing by the viewscreen, watching it intently. He sighs before turning to Percell. WOLENCZAK (impatiently) I really hate to keep asking you Percell, but are we getting the auxiliary power back any time soon? Percell comes out from under the main power console and pushes a few buttons. The bridge lights up slightly. PERCELL (smiling proudly) How's that, Sir? (beat) I'm even _ahead_ of schedule. WOLENCZAK (almost smiling) That's fine. Now let's-- TRUEMAN (cutting him off) Sorry to interrupt, Sir, but you probably want to hear this. WOLENCZAK (turning, curiously) What is it, Ensign? TRUEMAN (off her com) Sir...you'd better hear this. (pushes a button) Now. Matthews' voice comes over the bridge speakers. MATTHEWS (over com) What are you _doing_ in that Marauder, Morgan? MORGAN (over com; trying to explain) I... I was just prepping a Marauder to take out to the ridge once things settled down. I didn't think I'd be in anyone's way. Wolenczak is showing obvious concern at all this. WOLENCZAK (quietly, to himself) It's my fault. Suddenly, the _seaQuest_ shakes. An alarm sounds. WOLENCZAK (surprised) What was that? PERCELL (checking sensors) Torpedo hit. Port side aft. Minimal damage. (beat) The Carolinans are bearing down on us, Sir. WOLENCZAK (to noncom at tactical) Get me a firing solution, and prepare countermeasures. (to Trueman) Tell Riller he's responsible for Morgan. She shouldn't be out there; but since she is, maybe they can use her knowledge of the ridge to find more Carolinan vessels that may be hiding in crevices or cracks. Trueman nods and begins to relay as we... CUT TO EXTERIOR CAROLINAN VESSEL -- CGI Three more torpedoes are launched and the camera follows their trajectory right toward the _seaQuest_. CUT TO BRIDGE All is as before. PERCELL (turning) Three more torpedoes in the water. WOLENCZAK (not moving) Countermeasures. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_ -- CGI The _seaQuest_ launches countermeasures and they destroy the Carolinan torpedoes. CUT TO BRIDGE Again, as before. PERCELL (with a sigh of relief) Countermeasures were successful, Sir. Wolenczak looks out at the ridge as displayed on the main viewscreen, thinking. WOLENCZAK (mysteriously) I'm not sure they were. PERCELL What do you mean they weren-- WOLENCZAK (eyes going wide, to Trueman) Tell the Marauders to get out of there -- NOW! Trueman begins to comply, just as the camera returns to the main viewscreen. We see lights flooding out of the mid-Atlantic ridge. REEDE (from helm) Holy S-- CUT TO MID-ATLANTIC RIDGE -- CGI We now see that the flood of lights are twenty-five one-man fighter subs. All have been hiding among crevices in the ridge, waiting for the moment to strike. They begin to attack both Canadian ships, the _seaQuest_ and the two surprised Marauders. CUT TO UEO HQ Hitchcock and Volan are both staring worriedly at the same screen as before. HITCHCOCK (bringing her hand to her mouth) Oh my... She doesn't finish her sentence. Her screen has just lit up with fifty little dots, all showing the satellite-recorded position of the Carolinan attack forces. HITCHCOCK (picking up phone) Captain Fewster, you have a direct order from Secretary General Hitchcock. I want the _Eramosa_, the _Lexington_ and the _Atlantica_ to change course to two-four-two mark three, immediately. Their assignment is to assist the _seaQuest_ in any means necessary. (beat, listening to the voice on the other end) Yes. And I want them there as soon as possible. I _won't_ let the Carolinans tear up the ridge and _seaQuest_ along with it. She puts down the phone again. VOLAN (questioning) Do you think that was wise, Madame Secretary? HITCHCOCK (still in her "command" mode) Mister Volan, the Carolinans are attacking Canadian ships well inside the Canadian borders, and now they've amassed at _least_ forty fighters that are all popping out of the ridge at once. I'm not going to tolerate this from Ross anymore. She's already taken the Gulf. She's not going to have the Atlantic. CUT TO INTERIOR MARAUDER Matthews is caught off-guard and narrowly misses a torpedo, which flies perilously close past her main viewer. MATTHEWS (fighting to stay away from the torpedoes) Where did these guys _come_ from!? As she swerves to escape another oncoming torpedo, we... CUT TO SECOND MARAUDER Riller is moving his Marauder very erratically to stay away from torpedo shots. Morgan is strapped in to the seat beside him and they are both swaying from side to side as Riller makes his hard turns. RILLER (loudly) Scan to aft. Anyone tailing us? MORGAN (frightened, fumbling with controls) Uh... no. Aft scanners come out clear. But... Morgan pauses. Riller begins making quick darting glances to her; he doesn't want to take his eyes off what he's doing, but he can tell something's wrong. MORGAN We've got two bandits coming at us at two-four-eight degrees and closing. (beat, astonished) They're coming in _really_ fast. RILLER (eyes back on the viewscreen at front) They're gonna try and sandwich us. Morgan doesn't get it. RILLER (explaining, but giving most of his attention to his controls) One of the things that the Marauder is famous for is the fact that it can go from sea to air, right? (beat) So they made the frame of the boat lighter than most frames so it could get airborne, without much difficulty. (beat, making his point) Those Carolinan fighters can crush us like a bug without suffering any critical damage. MORGAN (realizing what Riller said) Oh no... RILLER (trying to be reassuring) But don't worry. I can get us out of this. (still fighting with controls to make sharp turns) Just hang on. CUT TO EXTERIOR RILLER'S MARAUDER--CGI The two Carolinan fighters are making their sandwich attempt and just as they come in together, Riller pulls hard on the stick and the Marauder shoots upwards. The Carolinan vessels collide with each other, but not before one of them launches a trailing torpedo. CUT TO INTERIOR MARAUDER RILLER (proudly) Yeah! That'll teach 'em a thing or two about-- RILLER (to Morgan) What's that? MORGAN (looking at display worriedly) I think it's some kind of torpedo one of them launched before they collided. (beat) And it's heading straight for us. RILLER (almost frightened) Oh no. CUT TO EXTERIOR MARAUDER--CGI The torpedo steadily gains on the Marauder. The Marauder looks like it's pulling away, but the torpedo strikes it with a large explosion. As the explosion fades we... FADE TO BLACK END ACT THREE =========================== PART 4 ===================================== ACT FOUR OPEN ON _PEARSON_ BRIDGE Captain Lamontagne is standing in front of her command chair giving orders. The _Pearson_ is being attacked as well. The entire bridge sees the explosion of Riller's Marauder. LAMONTAGNE (surprised, to sensor officer) Whose was that? SENSOR OFFICER (checking readings) The signature of the boat matches that of a UEO Marauder-class vessel. (beat, sadly) It's breaking up rapidly, Sir. I'm not sure if anyone could have survived. Lamontagne looks at the _seaQuest_ on her screen. She's upset by what's happened. LAMONTAGNE (softly, to herself) Why wouldn't you just let us help you Wolenczak? Now we're _all_ caught in this mess. (she sighs) Launch counter-attack. Use our torpedoes as a shield for a rescue craft. I want to make sure the UEO doesn't loose any of it's people in this battle. She looks at her commander and the security officer. LAMONTAGNE (firmly) I want that Marauder found and the occupants saved, if possible. (beat) Go. The commander and security officer both nod and leave the bridge as we... CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE Wolenczak watches the vidlink screen, horrified. WOLENCZAK (to Percell, already knowing the answer) Tell me that's not one of ours. PERCELL (gravely) I'm sorry, Sir. (beat, sadly) It's Riller's Marauder. Trueman has been watching the screen carefully, shaking her head, not allowing herself to believe what's happened. When Percell says this, Trueman tries to respond. But her voice catches in her throat. As tears begin to glisten in her eyes, she bites her lip to try and keep from crying. Noticing this, Reede slowly reaches across his console to her. He takes her hand in his, and squeezes it reassuringly. REEDE (whispers) I'm sorry, Becca. Trueman shows no sign of having heard him. Wolenczak looks at the floor, thinking for a moment. Then he looks up. WOLENCZAK (quietly) Any chance of a rescue? PERCELL (quiet as well) She's taking on a lot of water. The pressure at these depths doesn't give us enough time. A sharp breath catches in Trueman's throat. A close up on her hand as she squeezes Reede's hand tightly. He winces slightly, but tries not to give an outward indication of how hard her grip is. In the silent moment, Wolenczak comes to a descision. WOLENCZAK (with a hint of anger, to weapons officer) Launch counter-attack. The bridge is silent as the non-com relays Wolenczak's orders. Torpedoes streak from the _seaQuest_ on the viewscreen in the background. WOLENCZAK (still not moving, to Reede) And give Matthews some cover. Reede nods silently. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_ -- CGI The _seaQuest_ moves into the battle at the same time as the _Pearson_. There are a few less fighters around, and both boats take out a few more as they enter. The camera pans to the boat that was originally used to bait the Carolinans and we see it being pummeled by three Carolinan fighters. Matthews' Marauder comes onto the scene, firing its weapons at the Carolinans. CUT TO INTERIOR MARAUDER Matthews is visibly upset as well, and is taking her frustrations out on the Carolinan vessels. Her actions suggest that she's not letting herself think about what she's doing or the consequences, and she's not about to go back to _seaQuest_ without making the Carolinan subfighter pilots pay for what's happened to Morgan and Riller. Angrily, she punches the torpedo firing key. Two torpedoes destroy a fighter that was attacking the bait ship. She fires several more torpedoes at the Carolinan ships and the other two are destroyed. Matthews notices several more fighters break off and attempt to engage her. MATTHEWS (under her breath) Don't even think it. She punches in some more commands. CUT TO EXTERIOR MARAUDER --CGI We see the Marauder turn around and two white lasers shoot from its tip. The lasers slice through the four Carolinan fighters, sending them all to the bottom. CUT TO INTERIOR MARAUDER Matthews takes her hand off a red key, the one she's just used to fire the lasers. She looks at the debris, and takes a deep breath, slowly convincing herself that yes, she is done, and she doesn't have to keep killing like this. MATTHEWS (under her breath) Damn. She moves her Marauder toward the damaged Canadian boat. MATTHEWS (to the boat on her screen) Hang on. I'll be right there. CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE All is as before. The ship is rocked by another torpedo hit. Wolenczak turns to Percell. PERCELL (reporting) Hull fracture on the starboard side. Emergency systems are responding. WOLENCZAK (curiously) How many ships are left out there? Percell checks her displays. PERCELL Looks like twenty fighters left. Twenty-four have been destroyed and five are incapacitated. (beat, continuing) Matthews is looking after the Canadian vessel we used as bait and the _Pearson_ is in the middle of everything. The lights flicker as the ship is once again rocked by a torpedo blast. PERCELL Just like we are. WOLENCZAK (thinking, to Trueman) Contact the _Pearson_. We need to give the Carolinans an ultimatum. (beat) This fight is getting us nowhere. CUT TO _PEARSON_ BRIDGE The communications officer flags down Captain Lamontagne. LAMONTAGNE (walking over) What is it? COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Wolenczak is hailing us. (beat) He wants to give the Carolinans an ultimatum to stop this fighting. LAMONTAGNE (nodding) Good. (beat) Put him through. Right here. The communications officer vacates the seat and Captain Lamontagne sits down as Wolenczak appears on the screen. Relying on their past experiences together, he starts right in. WOLENCZAK Does ten minutes sound fair to you? For a moment, Lamontagne looks confused. Then, she realizes what he's talking about. Her expression hardens. LAMONTAGNE More than fair. (beat) Tell them if they don't back off, we'll destroy them all. (beat) I'm sorry about your officers, Wolenczak. I've sent out a rescue craft, but I haven't heard back yet. I'll let you know. (beat, trying to offer comfort) Don't give up hope. WOLENCZAK (nodding, with a meek smile) Thanks. I'll let you know what the Carolinans say. Wolenczak disappears from the screen and Lamontagne sighs. LAMONTAGNE (to herself) Don't beat yourself up over this, Lucas. (beat) It wasn't your fault. She begins to walk back to her command chair as we... CUT TO KELLY CALLAN'S OFFICE In sharp contrast to the battle we were just witness to, Kelly Callan's office is quiet, calm, and well- ordered. The vidlink on her desk has "Messages: 1" flashing on it. The door opens, and Kelly walks in. She's not in the best of moods. She looks around, then sees the flashing screen. She sighs and walks to the screen. KELLY (somewhat annoyed) Play message. The vidlink cycles through, getting ready, then plays the message. ON THE VIDLINK SCREEN Callan is in Engineering, and around him, sirens are going off, etc. Kelly almost turns off the recording immediately. But something stops her. CALLAN (on the screen) You wouldn't respond to my messages, so I'm sending this. (beat, continuing) You _know_ that you come first. But I have a responsibility to _seaQuest_ too. And I wouldn't mind being a captain myself someday. (beat) Damn! How do I compare that with settling down to be with my you? And now we've got a _baby_ to consider... He pauses and shakes his head. OFF KELLY She's less upset now...almost smiling. ON THE VIDLINK SCREEN CALLAN (sighing, calmer) Who am I kidding? I love you, Kelly. (beat) Too much to ever lose you over some _job_. As much as I hate the idea of a "regular life", I'd rather spend an eternity _with_ you than without you. (beat, ending his message) I really want to work this out, Kelly. Behind him, there is a crash. He turns to see what happened, then looks back at the screen. CALLAN And Kelly...if anything happens, I love you. Another crash. CALLAN (rushed) I've gotta go. And with that, the screen clicks off. Kelly watches it for a few moments, then presses the quick-dial feature to the _seaQuest_. But the only message on her screen now is "All Lines Restricted, Try Again At A Later Time". CUT TO BRIDGE Wolenczak is talking with the Carolinan commander on-screen. All is as before. WOLENCZAK ...And if you do not vacate the area within the next ten minutes, all your ships will be destroyed. He waits a moment, then senses that perhaps he went a bit too far. He softens somewhat. WOLENCZAK Listen. Your forces destroyed the freighter, but we got the people off first. Both you and I know that with less then twenty fighters left, your chances of doing any further damage to the _seaQuest_ or the _Pearson_ are slim to none, and getting worse. CAROLINAN COMMANDER (with anger in his voice) The _UEO_ should not be involved in this matter. This is between the Carolinan Confederation and the Canadians. _seaQuest_'s actions could be taken as unlawful intervention. WOLENCZAK ("right back at ya") _seaQuest_ was asked to assist in this situation by the Canadian government. (beat) And believe me, commander, if the UEO had not intervened, your ships would have been destroyed long before now. The Carolinan Commander looks down in thought and pauses. He then looks back at the screen. Then, he hits a few keys on a console off-screen, and nods slowly. CAROLINAN COMMANDER (reluctantly and spitefully) We will accept your proposal, Captain. Our ships are leaving the area as we speak. WOLENCZAK (nodding) Thank you, Commander. CAROLINAN COMMANDER (tersely) Out. The Carolinan Commander disappears from the screen, and Wolenczak turns to Percell. Anticipating his question, she checks WSKRS readout. PERCELL (nods) He was telling the truth, sir. Both the fighters and the Carolinan vessel are moving off. WOLENCZAK (with relief) Good. (beat) Where's Matthews? PERCELL On her way back to the boat, Sir. She's got the passengers from the freighter with her. WOLENCZAK (wondering) How many? PERCELL A really tight four, but she's going slowly and they should be fine. WOLENCZAK (nods) Okay, thanks. CUT TO MESS HALL The Mess Hall is full. Mano enters and looks for his table. He spots it. The camera follows him walking to his table and pans over people at several other tables, all of whom are talking about the battle. We hear a few "We kicked their butts" and a few "What about Morgan and Riller?" The camera ends its trip on our usual rumor group. As Mano takes a seat, Vickery starts talking. VICKERY (excitedly) I have got some _juicy_ stuff now. MANO (incredulously) Jenn, we just lost two crew members in a major battle! (beat, a little surprised) How can you be thinking of _gossip_?! VICKERY (almost sadly) I know...Morgan and Riller were good people. And now that she's finished her pitiful attempt at mourning... VICKERY But I do have something we can talk about to get our minds off it. Now listen... The guys lean in, interested in what she has to say despite what they told her a few moments ago. VICKERY (continuing) The thing is about Callan, who's been weird through this whole skirmish. He even freaked on a girl in engineering! (beat, thinking) Rudie's her name. She's requesting a transfer now. Apparently his wife is pregnant or something. (beat) He's overreacting. (beat, grins) And I can't _wait_ to find out how much trouble he gets in. Skeptical looks from around the table. DEVRIES (surprised) Callan? He's the calmest guy I know. (beat, thinks a moment) Come to think of it, he doesn't yell. (beat) Gets real sarcastic sometimes...but I've never seen him yell. VICKERY (matter-of-factly) Considering what's happened to him and his family in the last few months, I'm not surprised. JONES (shaking his head, sadly) Tell me about it. It's one thing to lose your folks. (beat) But to lose an entire _generation_? MANO (adding his views) Plus all the repairs that he's had to do since the Vortex incident. I'd be yelling at everyone. (beat, he pauses) Speaking of yelling... VICKERY (raising an eyebrow) Do you have something to tell us, Mano? MANO Yes. He's silent. The others grin for a moment, then their expressions fall as they realize he's not talking. VICKERY What? Mano smiles at this-- he's got the gossipmonger herself on the edge of her seat. MANO I overheard a few things while I was on-shift. VICKERY (leaning forward, interested) And...? MANO (shakes his head, a bit embarrassed) Wolenczak caught me. The other three start to chuckle a bit. MANO (sticking up for himself) Hey! It wasn't my fault! And I did hear some stuff! VICKERY (skeptically) Such as...? MANO (sheepishly) He ordered me not to talk. JONES (still doesn't believe him) "Not to talk"? MANO To my friends. (indicates them) You guys. The laughter stops. VICKERY (surprised) Us, specifically?! MANO (shrugs) I guess... JONES (looks around the table) Why would he say us, specifically? DEVRIES (shrugs) I have no idea... They continue to ponder, then we... CUT TO TRUEMAN'S QUARTERS Trueman is sitting on her bed, with some wetness around the eyes. She's staring at a picture of herself with Riller, hanging out at some kind of dance club. Each of them is with a date-- Trueman with a good- looking guy about her age, Riller with a brunette a year or two younger than he is. As she looks at the picture, Trueman's hand touches Riller's face in he picture and she chokes back a sob. TRUEMAN (quietly) Why you, Justin? You were so good here on _seaQuest_. You're the only one I could open up to on the boat, and the only one that knew better than to take my crap. As Trueman wipes a couple of tears from her face, there's a knock at the door. Before Trueman can respond, the door opens. It's Reede. She glares at him. TRUEMAN (angrily) Tom, I'm not in the mood to put up with you right now. Reede looks at her for a moment, and he doesn't look at all convinced. REEDE (looking at the picture in her hand) I thought you could use a friend. Trueman looks up at him...and realizes that he's not here to hit on her, he's not here to give her a hard time. He really means it. And if she knows what's best for her...she'll swallow her pride and let him help. TRUEMAN (cautiously) I... (shakes her head) What the hell was he thinking? REEDE (confused) "He"? TRUEMAN (off the picture, with a hint of anger) Justin. (beat) Going off and _dying_. (beat) And leaving me here... (beat) Alone. Reede knows better than to say anything just yet. TRUEMAN (getting a little angrier) Dammit, he was just getting his life in gear, too! He'd been off the Kytes for months, he just met that girl from...wherever... (beat, more so) You'd think if there was a higher power, they'd know not to butt in right _now_! Once he's sure she's finished, Reede sits down beside her on the bed. REEDE (carefully) I think that for whatever reasons, Riller and Morgan had filled their obligations in this life and whoever controls these things decided it was time for them to move on. Reede hugs Trueman in support, as some more tears fall. She doesn't mind the hug this time. CUT TO UEO HQ Hitchcock and Volan watch the satellite image as the blips of the Carolinan Fighters proceed off the screen. HITCHCOCK (into phone) No. Cancel my previous order. _seaQuest_ handled it. She puts the phone down and turns to Volan. HITCHCOCK We're going to have to do something with the Carolinans. Ever since the headquarters in San Diego was destroyed and Secretary General Ford killed, the Carolinans have been a large thorn in our side. (beat) Mister Volan, you're our minister of external affairs, and I want you to patch as much of the external element as you can. VOLAN ("okay...") What are you going to do? HITCHCOCK (firmly) I'm going to deal with _seaQuest_. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The _seaQuest_ is sitting still in the water above the ridge. The _Pearson_ is nearby, also still. CUT TO BRIDGE Wolenczak is talking to Lamontagne on vidlink. WOLENCZAK ...And now they're gone. LAMONTAGNE (almost smiling) I suppose I should be thanking you. WOLENCZAK (solemnly) I'm actually not in much of a mood for thank yous right now. LAMONTAGNE I think I may have something that will change your mind. Lamontagne steps back. Morgan enters the screen's view. A moment later, a nurse pushes Riller into view in a wheelchair. WOLENCZAK (eyes wide, mouth gaping) Morgan? Riller? MORGAN (nodding) In the flesh, Sir. WOLENCZAK (trying to comprehend) But how...why...I thought-- RILLER (explaining) The torpedo hit started the ship breaking up, but luckily Morgan knew enough about Marauders to jettison the cockpit at the last minute. MORGAN (continuing) I was strapped in, which saved me from the leg injuries I would have had. RILLER (ironically) Which I _got_. LAMONTAGNE (stepping forward) They've had quite an experience, Captain. But my doctor assures me they'll both be just fine. I've got a shuttle prepped to take them home, and with your permission... WOLENCZAK (eagerly) By all means, Captain. And thank you. LAMONTAGNE (smiling) You're welcome. As Lamontagne, Morgan and Riller disappear from the screen Wolenczak sighs in happiness. He turns and pushes a com button. He speaks into the speaker on the panel. CUT TO TRUEMAN'S QUARTERS Reede is still here, but now he's watching Trueman carefully as she walks around the room, trying to get a sense of order in among the chaos of her emotions. REEDE (carefully) Becca, you know, if you want someone to talk to-- He's interrupted with an announcement. WOLENCZAK (over com) This is the captain. It is my pleasure to inform you that Ensign Morgan and Lieutenant Riller are both alive and well and will be returning to _seaQuest_ shortly. There's a silent moment as Trueman and Reede both stare at the com speaker in disbelief. TRUEMAN (can barely believe it) Justin? Reede's the first one to realize they're not dreaming. REEDE (adding in) And Morgan. Trueman's expression breaks into a grin as she grabs Reede by the arm. TRUEMAN They're alive! Caught up in the moment, she throws her arms around him. He reacts with surprise, then responds to her embrace. This is something he's been _waiting_ for. And still, he can't resist the impulse to comment... REEDE Becca, I hadn't realized you cared. Like that, the mood is broken. As Trueman realizes what she just did, she pulls away, flustered. TRUEMAN (teasing) I don't. There's another silent moment. Both are itching to get to the launch bay, but neither wants to be the first to go. TRUEMAN (awkwardly) Thanks, Tom. (beat) Now, if you'll excuse me... She splits, he follows. FADE TO BLACK END ACT FOUR =========================== PART 5 ===================================== ACT FIVE FADE IN TO WOLENCZAK'S OFFICE Callan is seated in front of Wolenczak's desk. Wolenczak has a file pulled up on the console screen, and is reading over it. As the camera pans around, we realize that this is _Callan's_ file. WOLENCZAK (reading) ...And finally, Mister Callan is a superb officer and a great asset to the UEO Navy. (beat, looking at Callan) Pretty nice comments you've got from other captains, Mister Callan. Callan knows he's in trouble, and he's keeping quiet because of it. CALLAN (seriously) I try my best, Sir. Wolecznak nods silently for a few seconds, then takes a deep breath. He looks at Callan closely. WOLENCZAK Your recent outbursts in engineering. Callan knew this was coming. CALLAN (nods) What about it, Sir? WOLENCZAK I can't tolerate that kind of behavior from a member of my senior staff. (beat) And my second officer. Callan gulps quickly. CALLAN Sir, I was out of line and I-- Wolenczak holds up a hand to silence him. WOLENCZAK (beat, thoughtfully) Now I know that you've been having some family problems. (beat) And I'm sure it's hard to maintain a long-distance marriage. (beat) But I _cannot_ excuse your behavior toward Ensign Rudie. Callan realizes he's in deeper trouble than he'd thought, or so it appears. CALLAN (trying to speak in his defense) Sir, I was just over-- Wolenczak isn't about to let Callan say anything. Not yet. WOLENCZAK (cutting him off, angrily) What would you like me to put in your record? (without giving him a chance to answer) What do you want me to tell the Secretary General? (beat) She's not going to be happy that people are asking for transfers from my boat. (beat) I'm not happy, either. Callan sighs. CALLAN I can't really say much in my defense, can I? (beat, with difficulty) It's just been really hard lately, and now Kelly thinks she's pregnant. (beat) And we have no idea what that's going to mean twenty years from now. (beat, frustrated) I don't know _what_ to do. I was going to apologize to Ensign Rudie and hope she'd understand. (beat, ironically) I guess that's not going to work now, is it? Wolenczak looks at this man: overworked, exhausted, and worried. He knows Callan probably couldn't have helped what happened. WOLENCZAK (shaking his head) I don't think so. (beat) I need some time to think about this. (beat) Dismissed. Callan leaves silently, and Wolenczak begins to look at the file again. CUT TO MESS HALL The usual gossip group is together again, but this time Vickery's oddly silent. MANO (questioningly) What's up, Jenn? No more rumors left on this boat? VICKERY (pouting) Everything's getting "wrapped up nicely" after this incident. Only things left are Callan's baby and his punishment. They're both being kept hush-hush. (beat, she sighs) I can't find out _anything_ about either one. DeVries smiles, ready for any opening to tease her. DEVRIES Losing your knack, Jenn? VICKERY (surprised he'd even think it) Absolutely not! Their expressions read "yeah, right." VICKERY (getting defensive) Give me two hours. They nod indulgently. Annoyed with them now, Vickery gets up and storms off. JONES (regretfully) Maybe we pushed too far, guys. MANO (smiling) Never. It's impossible to push Jennifer Vickery too far. (beat) Besides, she's always like this when info's runnin' thin. (grins) For some people, gossiping is a fun passtime. (off the door where Vickery walked out) To Jenn...it's an addiction. The other two stifle chuckles as we... CUT TO CALLAN'S QUARTERS Callan is writing at his desk. He looks up when the vidlink beeps. He doesn't dare hope it might be Kelly. But as he turns on the screen... CALLAN (with immense relief) Kelly! Kelly is relieved to see him, too. KELLY (breathing a sigh of relief) Greg...when I got your message-- In the middle of her line, her thoughts switch track. KELLY (almost panicking) What the hell was going on?! The news is talking about war being averted, and I'm sitting here wondering _why my husband was in the middle of it all_! (beat) Why didn't you _tell_ me you were-- Callan's too glad she's speaking to him again to worry about her reaming him out. CALLAN (cutting in) Listen, Kel, I'm really, really, sorry. Did you get my message? Immediately, Kelly stops criticizing him, and responds warmly. All trace of her previous annoyance is gone. KELLY (nodding) Yes, Greg (beat) And don't apologize, it wasn't entirely your fault. (beat) Besides, I've got more news for you. Callan leans forward in anticipation as we... CUT TO REEDE'S QUARTERS Reede is typing out a letter to his brother on the screen in front of him. He read it aloud as he types. REEDE ...and thanks again for that vid. Percell let me use her player to watch it, and we both loved it. (beat) Before you ask, no, she's not the girl I told you about before. (beat) That's Trueman, and she's... He trails off, and shakes his head. REEDE (snapping out of it) ...she's incredible. (beat) A little earlier, there was something of a crisis-- anyway, I know you probably don't care about this, so I'll- - Reede is cut off by a knock on his door. He turns off the "record" switch. REEDE C'mon in! This time it's Trueman calling on him. Immediately, he switches off the monitor. Trueman walks in and looks at him oddly for a moment. REEDE Can I help you? TRUEMAN (smiles) Tom. (beat) I appreciate your coming to talk to me earlier. (beat) And I want to say thanks. Reede takes a deep breath and smiles. REEDE Any time, really. He stops talking. Then he comes to a realization. He's _nervous_. He doesn't like the feeling. Trueman is, oddly enough, completely oblivious to his state of mind. TRUEMAN Anyway, I was on my way down to the MedBay to check on Justin, and I figured I might as well stop in and tell you thanks. Reede nods. REEDE (almost disappointed) Oh. (beat) Yeah...you're welcome. Like I said, any time. TRUEMAN (smiles) I know. Without giving him any kind of warning, she leans over and gives him a kiss on the cheek. Before he has the chance to get cocky, she turns and leaves. Reede watches the door shut behind her, and sighs. Then he turns back to his monitor, and flips it on. REEDE (to the monitor) Where was I? (beat, remembers) Oh yeah. (sighs) Did I mention she's also a horrible tease? CUT TO CALLAN'S QUARTERS Callan is still staring at the screen in front of him, but his expression is now one of disbelief and disappointment. CALLAN (astonished) Not...having a baby? KELLY (nodding) That's right, Greg. It was a false alarm. (smiles sheepishly) I'm sorry I've put you through all this trouble. There's a moment of silence as they stare lovingly at each other. CALLAN (smiling) Things were a little...hectic...fore a while there. (beat) But everything worked out. He looks at her for another moment, then think of something he should probably ask. CALLAN (a little uncomfortable) Kelly...are you okay? (beat) Because I know you've been wanting to-- KELLY (smiling, gently interrupting) Yeah, I'm okay. (beat) I'm just glad I still have you. Callan opens his mouth to speak, but his PAL chirps. He sighs, and Kelly looks minorly exasperated. CALLAN Look, hon, this'll just be a min-- KELLY I'll hold. Callan smiles thankfully, then turns his PAL on. CALLAN (into PAL) Yes? WOLENCZAK (over PAL) Mister Callan, please report to my office. Callan realizes he might be out of hot water with Kelly...but not with the captain. CALLAN (nods, business-like, into PAL) Yes, Sir. He shuts off the com line and hits the "resume" key on his computer monitor. He takes a deep breath and begins speaking before Kelly has the chance. CALLAN I'm really sorry, Kel, but-- KELLY (finishing for him) Duty calls. (Smiles briefly) I know... (beat, sighs) I suppose it's just something I'm going to have to get used to. Callan nods, but he's not happy with this at all. CALLAN I promise, I'll call you back as soon as I get the chance. Kelly nods. KELLY Okay. (Beat) Talk to you later, then. Callan and Kelly both place their hands on the screen in their usual gesture. This time it seems to mean something more. Callan hints at a smile as he disconnects, then looks at his PAL ruefully. CALLAN For all she knows, she might just get her wish... With a final look at a picture of himself and Kelly for reassurance, Callan leaves his quarters. CUT TO WOLENCZAK'S OFFICE Rudie is seated beside Wolenczak's desk as Callan arrives. Wolenczak motions for Callan to sit, too. WOLENCZAK (once Callan is seated) I've put some thought into this situation, and as much as it pains me to do so Ensign Rudie, I'm going to allow you to transfer. (beat) And you, Mister Callan, will have a notation in your service jacket regarding this incident, your explanation, and my conclusions. I understand your situation, and the ensign has withdrawn her complaint. He looks to Callan, then Rudie, then back. WOLENCZAK Any questions? RUDIE (murmurs) No, Sir. CALLAN (shaking his head) No, Sir. (beat) But I would like to say thank you, Sir. Callan looks to Rudie. CALLAN And Ensign...I was completely out of line when I shouted at you. I'm truly sorry. Rudie nods, but it's clear she's still upset. RUDIE (doesn't mean it) Apology accepted, Sir. As Callan nods and shakes her hand, we... CUT TO MESS HALL Caption Reads: Mess Hall Later that Day. The rumor group is together again, and Vickery's chatting up a storm. VICKERY (excitedly) So much has happened in the past little while! JONES (more upbeat then usual) We even heard about it in mid-ship! (beat, "awed") It's a miracle! Mid-ship is actually in communication with the outside world! VICKERY Hey! Listen to _me_. (she grins) First there's the Carolinans, who I hear made the upgrade that's been giving us the trouble! (beat, explaining) Secretary General Hitchcock found out that EWS bought out the corperation that made the upgrade, just before they gave it to the UEO. She knows the Carolinans were involved. (grins) Hitchcock's dealing with them, to make sure they don't mourn their losses by shooting any more torpedoes. (beat) And Callan, who's not really having a baby, is just getting a short notation in his record because of his outburst. Apparently that Ensign Rudie talked with Wolenczak and now she says that she's got "other reasons" for requesting her transfer, which Wolenczak's granted. (beat, remembering) Oh! and speaking of Wolenczak, he was in hot water for not calling Captain Lamontagne after this whole fiasco was over. She called him up and apparently chewed him out for leaving her in the dark. He patched things up with her as well, and we're leaving Canadian waters ASAP. (beat) I think that's all that I've got for now. The three guys at the table exchange knowing glances. MANO (grins) You're forgetting something, Jenn. Vickery stares at him for a moment, a little confused. VICKERY Forget? Mano nods. Vickery looks around the table, frantically trying to remember what she's left out. VICKERY (concerned) What did I forget? None of them answer. They exchange knowing glances, instead. VICKERY (more insistent) What!? Another tension-filled moment, then the table breaks out in chuckles as Mano explains. MANO (between laughs) Nothing. (beat, more laughter) I just had to see your reaction. The camera moves up to an overhead shot of the table as they all start giggling, all save Vickery, who's trying desperately not to catch the laughing bug. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_ --CGI The _seaQuest_ streams by as we... FADE TO BLACK THE END ==========================================================================