==========================================================================
                           DELIVER US FROM EVIL
                       Matt a.k.a. Michelle Vincenti
==========================================================================
   Timeline: SeaQuest 2047
   Author's E-Mail: schiller@mgl.ca
==========================================================================

=========================  PART 0 - TEASER ===============================

seaQuest 2047
"Deliver Us From Evil"
Story by Rachel Brody, Victoria Morgan Hyde & Don Speirs
Script by Don Speirs & Victoria Morgan Hyde
Publication Draft
Monday, June 16, 1997

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

Special thanks to Andrew Hyde for development and advice on the Outrider
technology.

TEASER

OPEN ON EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

Standard traveling shot of _seaQuest_ cruising through the water,
trailed by three WSKRs.

OPEN ON BRIDGE

In the normal hustle and bustle that comes with the end of a VIP tour,
Captain Lucas Wolenczak is giving Doctor Brian Alexander a tour of the
Bridge. Alexander is about forty-eight years old, on the tall side, and
thin but well built. He looks pleased with whatever it is that's going
on.

ALEXANDER
(to Wolenczak, finishing a sentence)
...Because I'd have hated to be forced into giving the Outrider contract
to EWS Global.

Wolenczak looks at him for a moment.

WOLENCZAK
(polite interest)
EWS was bidding on the Outrider?
(beat)
I hadn't realized they were a serious contender for the contract.

Alexander nods, looking somewhat preoccupied as he checks the readout on
the WSKR display. The extra who's watching steps aside to let him at the
console.

ALEXANDER
(as he hits keys, quite serious)
EWS is a serious contender in _anything_ that involves money, Captain.
(beat)
And the Outrider could make or break quite a few people out there.

Wolenczak nods absently. From his expression, it's obvious that
Alexander has been droning on and on...and on...about the Outrider.

ALEXANDER
(continuing, not noticing Wolenczak's expression)
After all, the Outrider is going to be the biggest thing since the
Lysander class subfighters--and look at what production of those did for
Deon International.
(beat)
Or the Hydrogear Single-Seat Submersible.
(beat, almost admiringly)
When Tucker Technologies won that contract, they earned a higher payoff
than anyone had ever thought possible.
(beat, remembering something)
Say, didn't you have something to do with one of the prototypes that
Tucker beat? Let's see...it was called...
(beat, snapping his fingers)
The Buzzer, right? Or maybe it was the Gazelle...

Wolenczak opens his mouth to correct Alexander, but Alexander rambles on
without noticing.

ALEXANDER
(dismissively)
Anyway, that doesn't matter. What mattered was the payoff Tucker saw
from their submersible. And the Outrider's going to be bigger than that
ever was.
(beat)
EWS would have _loved_ this contract.

As though he's afraid someone might overhear, Alexander lowers his voice
slightly.

ALEXANDER
And quite frankly, Captain Wolenczak, if the UEO hadn't been willing to
pay the R&D costs...I would have had to sell it to EWS.

Wolenczak doesn't appear to like this at all. But he doesn't say
anything at the moment. Ensign Rebecca Trueman looks up from the
communications station.

TRUEMAN
(calling)
Captain?

Wolenczak looks over to Trueman, grateful for the interruption.

WOLENCZAK
Yes?

TRUEMAN
UEO Shuttle 273 reports ready to dock.
(beat)
They've got the Outrider pilot aboard, too.

WOLENCZAK
(nods)
Right. We'll meet them in Docking Bay Three.
(beat, looks at Alexander)
Doctor, if you'll follow me.

ALEXANDER
(looking up)
What? Oh, certainly, Captain.
(beat, muttering)
About time he showed up, anyway.

Wolenczak gives Alexander another quizzical glance as they leave the
Bridge.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

Standard shuttle approach and docking sequence shot.

CUT TO DOCKING BAY

Wolenczak, Alexander, Lieutenant Commander Jessie Matthews, and
Lieutenant J.G. Justin Riller are present. The airlock hatch to the
docking ring opens, dripping water. We see a number of passengers
disembark, carrying duffels and gear as they start their arrival
procedures. Matthews looks at one of the new arrivals with a growing
expression of surprise. She moves quickly to his side.

MATTHEWS
(incredulous)
Mad Dog?!
(beat)
My God! I can't believe it's you!

Wolenczak and Riller glance at each other, unsure about how to take this
reaction from Matthews. They look again at the object of Matthews'
attention: a caucasian male, about 30, sandy blond hair, about six feet,
four inches tall. He's well built, with the air of confidence that all
successful fighter pilots have. The name tag on his uniform jumpsuit
says "William Goodwin, Project Outrider." Oblivious to the others around
them, Matthews and Goodwin are talking up a storm. Alexander looks
annoyed, as Wolenczak turns to him.

WOLENCZAK
(shrugging)
I guess we're not needed here.

ALEXANDER
(near anger)
Just like him to ignore us like that.

Wolenczak merely shrugs off Alexander's comment, and waves at Matthews
to attract her attention. She looks up at him, pausing in mid-sentence.

WOLENCZAK
Commander, I'll just let you show Mister...
(beat, reading Goodwin's name)
...Goodwin to his quarters.

MATTHEWS
Yes, Sir.

She and Goodwin turn and, without missing a beat, continue talking a
mile a minute as they leave the Docking Bay. Riller looks after them,
grinning at this new facet of Matthews' personality. The camera pans
past him as we see a distinguished-looking black man in his early
thirties disembark and approach the yeoman checking in the shuttle's
passengers. His name patch reads "LtCdr E. Taylor." The Yeoman reads
Taylor's patch, then checks him off on a SEAPOC.

YEOMAN
Taylor, huh?
(beat)
We've got a Doctor Taylor here. Any relation?

TAYLOR
(nodding)
She's my wife.

The Yeoman is obviously taken aback by this.

YEOMAN
Then how the hell did you get assigned here?
(beat)
Sir.

TAYLOR
(amused)
SNAFU, Yeoman. You can always count on the paper pushers to mess
something up.
(beat)
Not that I mind.
(beat, a second thought)
No offense to you, of course. You're just doing your job.

The Yeoman hands Taylor a SEAPOC.

YEOMAN
Your check-in procedure is detailed on here. You need to complete the
entire procedure within the next twenty-four hours.
(beat)
Shall I notify Doctor Taylor of your arrival, Sir?

TAYLOR
(shaking his head)
No thanks. I'd rather do it myself.

The Yeoman nods, still a bit unsettled, as Taylor walks away.

CUT TO PASSAGEWAY

Matthews and Goodwin come toward us, continuing their conversation. They
stop before a door with no nameplate attached.

MATTHEWS
...And do you still have those godawful cowboy boots and that black
Stetson?

Goodwin just laughs.

MATTHEWS
(continuing)
Here we are...guest quarters. Not exactly the Ritz...
(beat, opening the hatch)
...But not bad, as submarines go.

CUT TO GOODWIN'S QUARTERS

These are standard quarters, unadorned. Matthews holds open the hatch
while Goodwin steps in and stops. He looks around the space, not very
impressed by the accommodations. He measures everything with his eyes,
then turns to face Matthews.

GOODWIN
(disappointed)
Shame they're so small.
(beat)
But, I guess they'll do.

MATTHEWS
(stepping in)
Don't be so picky, Mad Dog. These are better than most.

Goodwin tosses his duffel onto the bed and sighs as he looks back at
her.

GOODWIN
Oh, I know that.
(beat)
But when a place is gonna be your home for the next three years, you
find yourself wishing for it to be...
(beat)
...Something more.

Matthews stiffens as she hears this.

MATTHEWS
(carefully)
I thought you were only here for the initial sea-trials--

GOODWIN
Oh, I _was_.
(beat)
Admiral Robinson issued the change of orders while we were en route.
(beat)
He believes the _seaQuest_ will be greatly enhanced by the addition of
the Outrider to its EVA assets. So he's ordered the second prototype
delivered here, and cut me orders to the boat.
(beat, smiling)
It looks like you and I are going to be working together for a long
time, Bright Eyes.

Goodwin's mention of the XO's callsign is the last straw. Her discomfort
about Goodwin's permanent assignment becomes anger.

MATTHEWS
(angrily)
I don't ever want to hear you call me that on _this_ boat, Lieutenant
Commander.
(beat)
And you had better stow that attitude with your gear as well. I _am_
your superior, and I expect to be treated with all the respect that
deserves.

Goodwin throws up his hands, fending off Matthews' verbal assault.

GOODWIN
(surrendering)
Whoa! Hang on a second, _Commander._
(beat)
I understand we've switched roles now. And I'm fine with that.
(beat)
But let's face it, your boat needs the best to pilot these new
vessels...
(beat, smiling)
...And I'm the best.

Matthews nods, relaxing a little. Goodwin sees this and turns the charm
up a notch.

GOODWIN
Besides, if you ask nice, maybe I'll see about getting you checked out
and qualified on this new baby.
(beat)
Riding shotgun, of course.

Matthews looks at Goodwin, her face in shock at his suggestion. She
slips into the easy camaraderie that pilots share.

MATTHEWS
Shotgun? Hah!
(beat, boasting)
Just remember who took the wrong turn on that last training course run.
(beat)
As I remember it, it took you an hour to _find_ the course again.

Matthews turns and walks out, glancing back sassily as she closes the
hatch behind herself.

CUT TO PASSAGEWAY

Matthews walks a little way up the passageway, then stops and looks
back, shaking her head. As she does, Chief Petty Officer Sara Percell
comes around the corner. She sees Matthews and makes a beeline for her,
the questions already visible on her face.

PERCELL
(quickly)
Riller tells me you know this new pilot.
(beat, a gleam in her eye)
So what's the story? How _well_ do you know him?

Matthews looks at Percell for a moment, considering her response. She
takes a deep breath and exhales slowly.

MATTHEWS
Oh, I _know_ him all right.
(beat)
Will Goodwin is the-- he's the most gung-ho, hell-for-leather,
risk-taking pilot I've ever known.
(beat)
He taught me everything I know about piloting a Marauder, and I know for
a fact he's still got some tricks he never taught me.
(beat)
And he always comes out on top. The gods must love him.
(beat, shaking her head)
I just hope he's good for this boat.

Matthews and Percell turn and walk away from the camera and turn the
corner as other crewmembers go about their business.

FADE TO OPENING CREDITS

END TEASER


===========================  PART 1  =====================================


ACT ONE

OPEN ON EXTERIOR--KRIEG'S BUNGALOW

This is Ben Krieg's home, not the Executive Mansion. It's a modest
two-bedroom in a nice neighborhood, undistinguishable from the rest of
the homes--with the possible exception of the security guards standing
on the porch, the security teams patrolling the yard and the
neighborhood, and the executive limousine in front of the house.

CUT TO KRIEG'S DINING ROOM

Again, the modest interior of a home, done in light pastels and
whitewashed pine. Krieg and Secretary General Katherine Hitchcock are
sitting across from each other, eating. As the camera pulls back, we see
that just outside the dining room are two security men in the obligatory
dark suits, sunglasses and earpieces. The security duo look completely
out of place in the relaxed atmosphere of the bungalow. The meal is
accompanied by a mostly uncomfortable silence, as Hitchcock tries to
avoid talking about her job. Krieg occasionally glances at the two
silent guards and sighs. His expression indicates this wasn't what he
envisioned for a romantic dinner for the two of them.

HITCHCOCK
(picks at a morsel of food)
So...
(beat)
How was your day?

KRIEG
(shrugs)
Fine... Not much happened, you know, same old same old...you?

HITCHCOCK
(takes a bite, shakes her head)
Langson, Wallace, and I had a meeting. Andrew thinks he has some ideas
on how to get President Ross back to the negotiating table.

Krieg looks up from his meal, his expression slightly incredulous.
However, Hitchcock is rather excited about the prospects of ideas raised
earlier, and it shows in the way she carries herself.

HITCHCOCK
(smiling)
He said if we can convince her to give in on a few key points, we should
be able to integrate the Confederation back into the--

KRIEG
(cuts her off)
Katie.

Hitchcock realizes she's going on about work, and shakes her head, with
a weak smile.

HITCHCOCK
Yeah?

KRIEG
Stop it.

Hitchcock looks at him, confused.

HITCHCOCK
Stop what?

KRIEG
(gestures at her)
This.
(beat)
This constant...
(shakes his head)
I don't know, Katie. You just...
(sighs)
You get so damned excited about these possibilities, and they _never_
pan out.

Hitchcock looks at him for a moment.

HITCHCOCK
Ben, is something wrong?

Krieg shakes his head, then nods.

KRIEG
Yes. You're going to drive yourself insane.
(beat)
You're _not_ going to get the Carolinans to rejoin the UEO.

HITCHCOCK
(gives him a look)
I didn't say I was.

KRIEG
No, but that's how you're acting.

Hitchcock opens her mouth to object.

KRIEG
(before she can say anything)
Katie, dammit, you _know_ I'm right.

Hitchcock looks at him for a moment, putting her fork down.

HITCHCOCK
(her tone is somewhat cooler)
Ben, don't be silly.
(beat)
I'm not delusional; I'm just trying to work toward what Jonathan
always--

KRIEG
(cuts her off again)
Ford?!
(beat, he can't believe this)
Katie, he's _dead_!

She's silent in response to this. Krieg gets a little peeved.

KRIEG
Is that what the past ten months have been about? You trying to realize
Ford's vision of A Unified World?!

Hitchcock doesn't respond immediately, she only looks away. But that's
enough for Krieg.

KRIEG
The UEO is a _fantasy_ now, Katie.

HITCHCOCK
(getting pretty annoyed herself)
Ford didn't think so. Neither did Bridger.
(beat)
Once upon a time, neither did you.

Krieg just looks at her for a moment. Then he speaks.

KRIEG
(slowly)
People change, Katie. Things, too.
(beat, he sounds almost resigned)
The UEO is Humpty Dumpty, Katie, and nobody is ever gonna be able to put
it back together again. Not me, not you, not a bunch of diplomats.
(beat)
 _Maybe_ Ross could have, if she had an intelligent bone in her body.
(beat)
But I'm not even sure about that any more.

Hitchcock looks at him coolly.

HITCHCOCK
Can I assume you have a point in there, somewhere?

KRIEG
(sighs, nods)
Yeah... Katie... The point is that...
(gathers his thoughts for a moment, then speaks)
This insanity has been going on for months now. We've been _on the brink
of war_ for nearly a year. She pushes, you give in, and the whole world
stands by, watching.
(beat)
None of Langson's ideas are going to change that.

Hitchcock doesn't say anything. Krieg doesn't like saying this, but he
has to go on now that he's begun.

KRIEG
You've got the power to stop this, though, Katie. Get the jump on Ross,
do something before she has the chance to screw us over again.
(beat)
You've got a chance to put her in her place, for good.
(beat)
All you have to do is take it.

Hitchcock looks at Krieg, then puts down her fork and pushes the plate
away, sighing as she does so. When she looks up at Krieg again, her
disappointment is evident.

HITCHCOCK
Ben, I'd like nothing better than to do that.
(beat)
But if I don't take the moral high road in this...
(beat, morosely)
...Then everything Jonathan and I worked for over the years will
disappear like so much smoke.
(beat, firmly)
No, I won't sink to Ross's level...not even to beat her.

KRIEG
(getting up, very coldly)
Then, if you'll excuse me, _Madame Secretary_, I'll just clear the
dishes.
(beat)
It's getting a little crowded in here, with these two goons _and_ Ford's
ghost hovering over us.

Krieg grabs his dishes and heads off for the kitchen. In stunned
silence, Hitchcock watches him leave.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

_seaQuest_ is at station keeping, her WSKRS spread out around her.

CUT TO WARDROOM

We join a briefing in progress. Alexander and Goodwin are standing in
front of the vid screen. Wolenczak, Matthews, Lieutenant Commander Greg
Callan, Percell, and Riller are seated around the table, watching the
presentation. As Alexander speaks, Goodwin is pointing out the various
systems on a scale model of the Outrider.

ALEXANDER
(continuing)
...The decreased weight from the Outrider's structure allows increased
maneuverability with less thrust. However, as a trade-off, she has a
lower crush threshold, so her maximum depth is about ten percent less
than a Marauder.

RILLER
What's the weapons loadout?

ALEXANDER
She's got two weapons pods on the dive planes, each with a maximum of
five torpedoes. Fore and aft lasers. The electronics tech is responsible
for monitoring the weapons systems, and for aim and trigger on the aft
laser.
(beat)
The forward laser is targeted through the pilot's heads-up display.

MATTHEWS
What about defensive systems? Being as light as she is, this fish is
going to be a one-shot special.

Goodwin bristles at her words, and starts to reply.

GOODWIN
Oh, she's got a few surprises, Commander. In fact, her stealth--

ALEXANDER
(cutting in hastily)
_That's_ what this sea trial is to determine, Commander. Captain
Wolenczak, shall we move on and discuss the exercise?

Alexander backs up as Wolenczak stands and moves to the vid screen. He
presses a control and a map of the test area appears on the screen.

WOLENCZAK
The Outrider will deploy with Doctor Alexander and Lieutenant Commander
Goodwin aboard, and then we turn off the WSKR inputs for thirty minutes
to allow them to hide.
(beat)
Then we play hide and seek.
(beat)
Commander Matthews, you and Ensign Reede will take your Marauders out on
point. Lieutenant Riller, you'll have the conn. Our objective is simple:
Find the Outrider and disable it. We'll use dummy load torpedoes and
lasers at...
(beat, looking at readout)
...Five percent to simulate weapons hits. I'll be referee for the
exercise, and judge if anyone is put out of action.
(beat)
Any questions?

Riller gets up and approaches the model.

RILLER
(cockily)
Yes, I have one, Sir.
(beat)
This fish doesn't have the firepower or maneuverability of our
Marauders. To me, it looks like we're just taking a big step backward.
(beat)
So why are we even bothering with this?

ALEXANDER
(smugly)
Trust me, Lieutenant Riller, we have some surprises up our sleeves.

Riller opens his mouth, but before he can reply, Wolenczak interrupts.
It's obvious from Riller's expression he doesn't think much either of
Alexander or of Goodwin's toy.

WOLENCZAK
(wrapping it up)
All right, if there aren't any further questions, I suggest you brief
your departments. The exercise is scheduled for 0900 tomorrow.
Dismissed.

The _seaQuest_ crew members all get up and file out, while Goodwin,
Alexander and Wolenczak remain behind. Alexander is starting to put away
his notes and the Outrider model as Goodwin wheels on him angrily.

GOODWIN
(exploding)
What was _that_ all about?

Alexander tries to remain calm, but his hands gripping the model are
turning white from the strength of his grip.

ALEXANDER
If this is going to be a fair test, we need to have the stealth systems
be a surprise to them. The surprise factor just won't be as great if
they know what's coming.

GOODWIN
But that's not fair to them.
(beat)
Or maybe _that_ was the point. Maybe you don't want this to be a fair
test.

Alexander stops working with the model and looks at Goodwin.

ALEXANDER
This is a weapons system, Goodwin. There is no such thing as fair.
(beat)
You may have this _noble warrior_ concept of yourself, the knight on the
white horse.
(beat)
But the Outrider is a revolution in subfighters. It doesn't work through
punch and counter-punch. Stealth and deception are its trademarks. You
knew that when you joined the program.
(beat)
Just remember who's in charge onboard the Outrider. The weapons tech
keeps her fighting and hidden. You're nothing more than a...
(beat, arrogant)
...Glorified chauffeur.

Angry, Alexander moves out of the Wardroom and heads down the
passageway, presumably to the Docking Bay. Wolenczak has watched all
this very quietly. Goodwin glances over at him and finally breaks the
silence.

GOODWIN
Well, that was stimulating.

WOLENCZAK
(moving in)
No. "Disturbing" is a better word.
(beat)
How is he going to react if the Outrider doesn't live up to his
expectations?

Goodwin pauses, running a hand through his hair as he mulls the
question. He sighs and looks at Wolenczak.

GOODWIN
It's already happened once, on the initial trials at the Aberdeen
Grounds. The stealth system didn't quite work the way he wanted, and
the Outrider was visible for twenty seconds.
(beat)
That's almost nothing these days, but he wants perfection. So he pushes
himself...
(beat, looking at the hatch)
...Maybe a little too hard sometimes.

WOLENCZAK
(seriously)
Is he likely to sell this to someone else?

GOODWIN
(laughs a bit)
Alexander? Not a chance. He knows what would happen if EWS got its hands
on this technology. They'd push him into lab somewhere and make him
disappear. Same with the Carolinans.
(beat)
No, he knows the only way he can theorize it, build it, _and_ run it
is with UEO. And his ego wouldn't let him do anything else.

Wolenczak nods, but his expression shows he's not totally convinced.

WOLENCZAK
Well, let's wait and see what happens tomorrow.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--EWS HEADQUARTERS

The ubiquitous shot of EWS headquarters. It's an edifice worthy of a
multinational conglomerate.

CUT TO WALKER'S OFFICE

Ted Walker and Phil Saquido, partners and owners of EWS, are in the
midst of one of their legendary arguments. Walker is sitting at his
desk; Saquido paces in front of it.

WALKER
...I still think we can get the Outrider for ourselves. All we have to
do is make the developer a better offer.

SAQUIDO
(shaking his head)
Ted, there's a point at which that "better offer" costs far more than
doing our own R&D.
(beat)
And Alexander's ethics would cost far too much...even for you.
(beat)
He's made a deal with the UEO; he'll stick with it.

WALKER
(angrily)
Dammit, Phil, we're losing this race.
(beat)
Hell, we aren't even _in_ this race. And you've gotta be in it to win
it.

Saquido whirls and puts his hands on the desk, leaning over Walker.

SAQUIDO
(icily calm)
We'll just design something better, Ted. We will _not_ steal, subvert,
or otherwise damage something that may make the difference between war
and peace.
(beat, vaguely threatening)
I've put up with a lot of your less-than-ethical deals. This time,
you'll leave it alone.
(beat)
Is that clear?

Walker nods his head.

WALKER
(attempting humor)
If it's that important to you, Phil...

SAQUIDO
(flatly)
It is.

And Saquido leaves the room.

CUT TO MALIBU BEACH

Andrea Berger lies on a chaise lounge, clad in a scarlet bikini and
wearing black mirrored sunglasses. To her right is a tall glass filled
with a tan liquid and a small red paper umbrella. Berger is reading a
copy of the Wall Street Journal as she sips her drink. A conservatively
dressed young man, obviously a hotel employee, approaches her with a
portable vidlink unit.

MAN
I'm sorry to disturb you, Ma'am, but the gentleman insists that it's
urgent.

Berger nods at him and he sets the vidlink unit on the table beside her
and leaves. She activates it, revealing an impatient Walker.

BERGER
(slighty annoyed and pouting)
Doesn't the word "vacation" mean anything to you, Teddy?

Walker doesn't dignify her remark with a response--he gets straight to
the point.

WALKER
You're going after the Outrider, Andrea.

BERGER
(raising an eyebrow)
I presume this means you know where it is?

WALKER
(smiling evilly)
On _seaQuest_.

Berger pulls off the sunglasses and sits up a little straighter.

BERGER
(with a pleased smile)
Well, Teddy...in that case...I suppose I'll just have to cut my vacation
a bit short.
(beat)
Mm... It's so good of you to give me an excuse to get back aboard that
ship.
(her tone gets a bit annoyed)
After that damnable security officer--

WALKER
(hastily)
Keep the personal stuff out if it. Just get in there. If you can, steal
the damned thing.
(beat)
If not, destroy it. Take it out of commission. If we can't have it, the
UEO won't either.

BERGER
(mock disappointment)
Teddy...honey...you're losing your edge.
(sighs, smiles)
But I suppose you're the boss. So...I'll let you know when it's
finished. Okay?

WALKER
(nods)
Of course.

Berger moves to cut the connection.

WALKER
Oh, and Andie?

Berger stops.

BERGER
Yes?

WALKER
(smiles)
I'm in the midst of getting some seats at the Pulitzers this
fall...think you'll be free?

BERGER
(flirtatiously)
I'm always available for you, Teddy...

She cuts the line before he can say anything else.

BERGER
(makes a face)
Idiot men...

Not dwelling on this thought, she sits and thinks for a moment before
dialing a new number. A UEO logo appears in the screen, followed by an
image of Defense Minister Andrew Langson.

BERGER
Good news. I have the first chance to work on your offer.
(beat)
But the price has gone up, Minister.

Langson looks hesitant.

LANGSON
I won't ask for the details.
(beat)
I can offer another twenty percent.

BERGER
(nodding)
That will be satisfactory. I'll get to work on it right away.

LANGSON
(cautiously)
Remember, you're just to make Wolenczak's crew look bad. I don't want
them hurt...they're still my responsibility.

BERGER
(smiling)
Andrew...I don't tell you how to do your job.
(beat, viciously)
Don't _ever_ presume to tell me how to do mine...or I'll take you down
for sport.

Before Langson can react, Berger cuts the connection. She then lies back
on her lounge and sips her drink, looking _very_ pleased with herself.

CUT TO DOCKING BAY

The lights are low; we hear voices speaking in hushed tones. All we can
see, however, is a covered mound in an indoor launching pool. Two
shadowy forms come into camera view from behind the mound--Reede and
Trueman.

TRUEMAN
(rather impatiently)
Tell me again why you dragged me down here in the middle of the night?

REEDE
(suppressing excitement)
Because this is the only time we'll be able to get anywhere _near_ the
Outrider before tomorrow's tests.

TRUEMAN
(rolling her eyes)
It's a speeder, Tom. That's all. Nothing to get so excited about.

Reede looks at her as if she's just spoken sacrilege.

REEDE
It's not _just_ a speeder.

He goes over and removes the cover, revealing the Outrider.

REEDE
(continues, awed)
This baby is _the_ next generation in subfighters.

He passes Trueman a flashlight. With exaggerated patience, she holds it
while he runs his hand over the hull, almost as though he were admiring
a car.

REEDE
(from memory)
Ten torpedoes, fore and aft lasers...
(beat)
..._Major_ maneuverability...
(beat)
And a bunch of stuff they're probably not even telling us yet...

TRUEMAN
(teasing)
Is that a hint of adoration I hear?

She shoots a glance back toward the airlock that leads to his own
subfighter.

TRUEMAN
(continues)
Better be careful. Your Marauder--what did you name her again?
Mona?--might get jealous.

As Reede gives Trueman a nasty look, the hatch opens. He quickly pulls
her down. Camera follows them as they duck around the end of the
Outrider--hopefully out of view.

REEDE
(hissing)
Hide!

GOODWIN
(O.C)
Thanks for indulging me in this, Lieutenant.
(beat)
I just like to check on her before I call it a night.

RILLER
(O.C.)
It's all right, Sir.
(beat, admiring)
She really is a beauty...

TRUEMAN
(whispering)
It's okay, it's--

Reede clamps his hand over her mouth to quiet her. Trueman bites him.

REEDE
(startled)
Ow!

RILLER
(O.C)
What the...?!

The lights go on as the camera pulls back to show Riller and Goodwin
standing just inside the hatch.

RILLER
(all business)
All right, whoever's in here, show yourself.

Reede and Trueman slowly rise, Reede nursing his hand. Riller's eyes
narrow.

RILLER
(surprised and a little angry)
What the hell are you two doing in here?
(beat)
Can't you read? The signs say "off-limits". And that includes both of
_you_!

Goodwin appears amused, and looks from Riller to Reede, then finally to
Trueman.

RILLER
(continues)
Both of you, out of here.
(beat, sternly)
Becca, I want to talk to you. Later.

Reede looks very guilty and very pale as he leaves. Trueman looks
defiant, and tosses her head as she stalks past Riller and Goodwin on
her way out. Goodwin turns to watch her go.

GOODWIN
(still watching Trueman go down the passageway)
Very nice.
(beat, to Riller)
Her name's Becca, huh?
(beat)
Very nice indeed.

Riller just glares at him.

CUT TO PASSAGEWAY

Trueman and Reede round a corner into camera view as Trueman breaks
down, laughing hysterically.

TRUEMAN
You should've seen the look on your face when Justin walked in! You
looked like you were about to have a heart attack!

REEDE
("hurt")
Well, if you hadn't bitten my hand they'd never have known we were
there.

TRUEMAN
And if you hadn't put it over my mouth I wouldn't have bitten it!

REEDE
You wouldn't be quiet--

He stops in front of the door to his quarters.

REEDE
(continues)
Look, Becca, don't let Riller boss you around. He'll give you hell for
being there, especially with me.

Trueman misinterprets his concern.

TRUEMAN
(bristling)
I've never let Justin Riller boss me around.

Reede looks like he wants to explain what he meant, but thinks better of
it, opening the hatch to his quarters.

REEDE
(wearily)
Yeah, okay. Whatever.
(beat)
Good night.

He enters and closes the door behind him. Trueman shakes her head and
walks away, just as Taylor comes around the corner toward her. She nods
politely, then stops as she reads his name patch.

TRUEMAN
Taylor, huh?
(beat)
Any relation to Doctor Taylor?

Taylor just smiles; it looks like he's answered this question several
times already.

TAYLOR
You could say so.

Trueman doesn't pursue the question, and the two proceed in their
opposite directions.

CUT TO MEDBAY

The lights are low, except where Doctor Laura Taylor sits at a desk. The
desk light illuminates the several medical charts she's updating. She's
completely engrossed in her work. The camera is tight on her, and we see
someone in uniform walk up and stop beside Doctor Taylor. She doesn't
look up.

DR. TAYLOR
May I help you?

TAYLOR
(O.C.)
Yes, Ma'am.
(beat, sighing)
I think I've got a broken heart.

The camera pulls back as Doctor Taylor looks up, surprised, to see her
husband standing there, holding a SEAPOC. She jumps from the chair and
they embrace. Then she steps back, looking at him and shaking her head.

DR. TAYLOR
Good God, Ed, what are you _doing_ here? I thought you were headed for
the _Argus_.

TAYLOR
(shrugging)
My orders were changed at the last minute.
(beat, grinning)
Remember Scott Johnson?

DR. TAYLOR
(nodding)
The guy you bailed out when he got pulled in on a drunk and disorderly?

TAYLOR
Yeah, well, he works in Personnel now...

He pauses for a moment, as Doctor Taylor takes in the significance of
his words. Then they burst out laughing and hug again.

DR. TAYLOR
So how long have you been aboard?

TAYLOR
Got in this morning.

DR. TAYLOR
(mock angrily)
And why did it take you so long to let me know you're here?

TAYLOR
(running a hand through his hair)
The check-in procedure around here is nuts. I've been jumping through
hoops all day.
(beat, grinning slyly and indicating the SEAPOC)
Besides, I wanted to be sure you'd be on duty when I came in here. This
says I have to have a full medical exam.
(beat)
Care to administer it?

Doctor Taylor smiles and leads him off into an exam room.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CAROLINAN CONFEDERATION HEADQUARTERS

It's morning in Raleigh. The sun is reflecting off the sleek glass and
metal exterior of the high rise.

CUT TO HALLWAY

The walls in this hall are nicely papered. We approach a door and hold
the shot on a nameplate: Gary DeLano, Chief of Staff. Obviously, DeLano
is moving up in the world.

CUT TO DELANO'S OFFICE

The office is decorated as befits DeLano's new position. A nice oak desk
features all the necessary electronic bells and whistles. Framed artwork
hangs on the wall. Lush draperies frame a good-sized window.
Leather-upholstered chairs face the desk. DeLano is standing in the
center of the room, practicing his putting. Abruptly, and without so
much as knocking, Jason Hunter enters the room.

DELANO
(exaggerated politeness)
Can I help you, Mister Hunter?

Just to show Hunter how little his appearance means, DeLano putts the
ball perfectly into the cup.

HUNTER
(upset)
I can't even get in to talk to her any more.
(beat)
She doesn't include me in briefings.
(beat, venomous)
And a little brown-noser like you gets promoted to chief of staff.
(beat)
I should tell her just how loyal I think you _really_ are...

DeLano doesn't look at Hunter as he retrieves his golf ball and places
it for another putt. Then DeLano speaks as he points to the golf ball
with his putter.

DELANO
(deadly calm, indicating the ball)
Hunter, this is you.

DeLano suddenly pulls back and takes a wicked swing at the ball, sending
it careening into a corner, causing a potted plant and its dirt to
tumble onto the carpet. The ball rests buried in the dirt. DeLano walks
over to it and points to the ball again.

DELANO
This is your career if you even _think_ of trying to cross me.
(beat, menacingly)
Any questions?

Very carefully, DeLano bends and picks up his golf ball. He places it on
the desk, and rests his putter in a corner. Then, slowly, he turns to
Hunter. Hunter tries to stare DeLano down, but loses the battle. He
stalks out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

DELANO
(off the door)
Stupid, egotistical idiot.
(beat)
Been a liability ever since he got here.
(beat)
The sooner he's gone, the better.

The intercom on his desk buzzes. DeLano walks over and pushes the
button.

ROSS
(over com)
Gary? Get in here. We need to talk.

CUT TO ROSS' OFFICE

Outwardly, President Eileen Ross is her usual self--elegant suit,
perfectly done hair. But the perfect exterior covers a very turbulent
interior. She is pacing the floor as there is a single knock at the door
and DeLano enters.

ROSS
They sold the Outrider contract to the UEO, Gary.
(beat)
I will _not_ let them get away with it.

DELANO
(carefully)
Do you mean Alexander, or the UEO?

Ross gives him an agitated look.

ROSS
The UEO. I can't allow them to get the jump on us technologically.

DELANO
We can't let them appear superior in _any_ respect...
(beat, thinking)
I've heard EWS isn't any too pleased at losing the contract.
(beat)
My guess is that they'll be sending someone in to mess up the deal as
much as possible.
(beat, seeing his perfect opportunity)
If we could send someone of our own...
(beat, "inspired")
Hunter!

ROSS
Send Hunter back to _seaQuest_?

DELANO
("excited")
Of course. He's a soldier, he knows how they operate...so he knows how
to do it undetected.
(beat)
No problem.
(beat, meaningful)
Poor Mister Hunter hasn't had much to do lately. And if he fails,
well...

ROSS
(catching on)
And if he fails, we're rid of him.
(beat, smiling)
Without attracting any undue attention to ourselves.

They smile at each other as we...

FADE TO COMMERCIAL

END ACT ONE


===========================  PART 2  =====================================


ACT TWO

OPEN ON DOCKING BAY

Reede is examining his Marauder, holding a SEAPOC, obviously going over
a checklist in preparation for the Outrider tests. We can see the entire
Marauder, including the name "Mona" painted on her nose and a pair of
fuzzy dice hanging from an eyelet near the front viewport. As Reede
continues his "pre-flight", we see the Outrider through an open
access hatch in the next bay over. Riller walks around the Outrider, on
security rounds. He spots Reede and walks over, his expression dark.

RILLER
(abruptly)
What the hell did you think you were doing in here last night?

Reede looks surprised--he thought that was obvious.

REEDE
We were just looking at the Outrider.

RILLER
Why was Becca with you?

REEDE
(shrugging, matter-of-factly)
I needed someone to hold the flashlight.

Riller doesn't look like he believes a word of it. He leans in close to
Reede, grabbing a fistful of his shirt.

RILLER
(threateningly)
You'd better not be lying.

Voices are heard from the next bay over. Riller draws a deep breath and
releases Reede's shirt.

RILLER
(a slight bit calmer)
Much as I'd like to...discuss...this with you further, I've got things
to do right now.

Riller stomps off. Reede pulls his shirt straight, watching Riller
depart. He looks down and we follow his gaze to see Reede's fists
clenched and shaking from the tension. Reede releases the fists, takes a
deep breath and wipes his hands on his uniform as he goes back to
checking his Marauder.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

We see the _seaQuest_ at station keeping, with her three WSKRs in
position. We pan around her to the right, so we are now looking at her
port side. One of the EVA hatches opens and the Outrider emerges,
quickly moving down and aft of the _seaQuest_.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Wolenczak is standing toward the rear of the Bridge. Percell is at the
sensor station, Trueman at communications, Riller is monitoring the
conn. Extras are manning the other stations. Riller is looking supremely
confident, as the others settle in to their jobs. Riller looks back at
Wolenczak, who nods at him. Riller turns to Percell.

RILLER
(business-like)
Chief, shut down all WSKRs. Internal sensors only.

Over Percell's shoulder, we see her touch a few keys on her console. The
WSKR status display shows the three WSKRs switch from active
transmission to standby. Back to Riller's POV, we see Percell turn back
to him and acknowledge the command.

PERCELL
WSKRs off line, Sir.

RILLER
Thank you, Chief. Stand by.
(to Trueman)
Ensign, open a channel to the Outrider. Audio only.

Trueman leans into her console and touches a control. She speaks into
her headset.

TRUEMAN
_seaQuest_ to Outrider. Do you copy?

CUT TO OUTRIDER WEAPONS STATION

We see Alexander, strapped in at the weapons tech station, surrounded by
numerous consoles and readouts. Four separate video readout monitors
display color test bars as Alexander powers up the Outrider's weapons
and defensive systems. He touches a control and adjusts his headset mike
as he speaks.

ALEXANDER
Outrider here. In position and ready to commence test.

One of the video monitors comes online, showing us Goodwin in his
pilot's seat, helmet on. He smiles as he talks into his mike. We see him
on the monitor and hear him over the com circuit.

GOODWIN
Catch us if you can, _seaQuest_.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Riller reacts to Goodwin's words, arching an eyebrow. He looks back at
Wolenczak, who just nods. Riller turns back and looks at his screen.

RILLER
(confident)
As you wish, Commander.
(beat, keying in a command)
Percell, all WSKRs on full alert. Marauders, the word is "tally ho". I
repeat, "tally ho". Immediate launch.
(beat, to helm)
Helm, make our heading 240, ten degree down bubble. Ahead, one third.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_ --CGI

The two Marauders launch, one from each side of _seaQuest_. As they
criss-cross in front of _seaQuest_, starting their search,  _seaQuest_
moves down and to the left. The WSKRS move past as well, lights
searching.

CUT TO OUTRIDER WEAPONS STATION

All of Alexander's displays are up and functioning. He is monitoring the
movements of the _seaQuest's_  WSKRs.

GOODWIN
(over com)
Well, Doc, they must have good bloodhounds. I think they've picked up
our scent.
(beat)
I show two Marauders heading our way.

ALEXANDER
(calmly)
Maintain our position on the bottom. The spectral skin fields should
hide us for a couple of passes.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

A Marauder passes by over a rock formation. As the camera pans to follow
the passing Marauder, we see the rock formation change color slightly,
keeping its appearance aligned with the Marauder's POV so it blends in
with the surrounding rocks.

CUT TO MARAUDER TWO

Reede is piloting, and is obviously frustrated. He mutters to himself.

REEDE
Come on, you have to be out here somewhere.

CUT TO OUTRIDER WEAPONS STATION

Alexander is entering commands on a keyboard. Over his shoulder, we see
a video display showing a schematic of three WSKRs. Next to each WSKR
icon, a set of frequency numbers rolls by. On each line, the digits lock
in one by one until the first WSKR gets locked in. As it does, the
background turns green on that line and the words "lock achieved" appear
next to the frequency. WSKRs one and three are locked in quickly, but
WSKR two takes a few more seconds. As seconds go by, Alexander becomes
more agitated.

ALEXANDER
Come on...pin that sucker down.

He presses a few more controls and the second WSKR icon turns green.
Alexander smiles.

ALEXANDER
(relieved)
Finally.
(beat, to Goodwin)
Okay, let's make them look foolish.

GOODWIN
(over com)
Gladly.

Alexander reaches up for a large handle. We see a close up of the
handle, labeled "Stealth Mode," inset in the panel. Alexander pulls it
up, rotates it 90 degrees, and pushes it back in. A light above the
handle activates. It says "Engaged."

CUT TO BRIDGE

Percell is at her console monitoring the WSKR data. She is paying
attention to a screen on her left. As we watch her from behind, we see
the WSKR status panel on the right. One by one, each WSKR switches from
on-line to off-line status, then each one blinks back to on-line status
a couple of seconds later. Percell misses the switchover completely. But
something else catches her attention.

PERCELL
(smiling)
I've got 'em!
(beat)
Contact, bearing 290, range 15 kilometers.
(beat, typing in a few commands)
Readings indicate a small, two man subfighter. It has to be them.

Riller nods, and punches up the WSKR data on his own console. He
examines it for a second, and then smiles predatorily.

RILLER
(to Trueman)
Contact the Marauders and vector them in. Scissored approach.
(beat)
Let's crack this nut once and for all.

Trueman leans over and starts transmitting the information.

CUT TO MARAUDER ONE

Matthews replies into her headset.

MATTHEWS
Acknowledged. M-Two, take the starboard approach, I'll take port.
(beat)
And keep it simple, Reede. No need to show off.

REEDE
(over com)
You're no fun, Commander. M-Two, acknowledged.

Matthews cuts off her microphone and goes back to piloting her craft. As
she does so, she shakes her head.

MATTHEWS
(to herself)
This is too easy. What are you up to, Mad Dog?

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

A Marauder passes by again, this time from left to right. As it does, we
see the "rock formation" drop its camouflage and start to pursue. It's
the Outrider, and it pops up right on the tail of the Marauder. The
Outrider's forward laser lights up, a beam reaching out and playing
across the tail of the Marauder.

CUT TO MARAUDER TWO

All of the alarms are going off at once as the Marauder's computers
register the hits. Reede looks up in alarm, trying to figure out what
happened.

REEDE
No!
(beat, fighting the controls)
Come on, fight it, Mona. Don't quit on me.

As he says this, suddenly all of his controls go dark, as does his
interior lighting. Emergency lighting comes on as Reede groans, and
reaches for a com control.

REEDE
(resigned)
_seaQuest_, M-Two. Scratch one Marauder. I'm dead.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Riller is incredulous. He looks over at Percell, who has gone pale.

RILLER
(carefully)
Acknowledged, M-Two. Hang tight, Mister Reede. We'll send the unlock
codes shortly so you can return to _seaQuest_.

Riller cuts off the com channel and gets up, heading over to Percell.
He's already upset.

RILLER
Chief, any explanation?

Percell is decidedly unhappy. She's already checking every reading for
some answer, any answer. Her readouts don't help.

PERCELL
I'm sorry, Sir. But what happened was impossible.
(beat)
See for yourself. The readings on the Outrider have been steady. And the
telemetry readings from Tom's Marauder showed nothing until he was hit.
(beat)
If I had to take a guess, I'd say he was hit by a ghost.

RILLER
A ghost?

PERCELL
Well, what else would you call something that isn't there...

As she says it, realization hits her. Percell quickly scrambles and
starts examining her sensor logs.

PERCELL
I'll be... She's a _stealthed_ subfighter.
(beat, excited)
Call M-One back! She's heading into a trap, Sir!

RILLER
(to Trueman)
Do it.

TRUEMAN
(into headset)
M-One, M-One. Break off, break off. It's a trap.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

Marauder One is moving through the water.

MATTHEWS
(V.O.)
Acknowledged.
(beat)
Talk to me, _seaQuest_. What's going on?

PERCELL
(V.O.)
M-One, this is Percell. We have indications that the Outrider is a
stealthed subfighter. Somehow, she's spoofed us into thinking she's
where she isn't.

CUT TO MARAUDER ONE

MATTHEWS
(under her breath)
Mad Dog, you sneaky...
(beat, all business)
All right. But the Outrider's still out here. Get me something to work
with. I'll patrol out here and see what I can find.

RILLER
(over com)
Negative, Commander. You don't have anyone covering your back. Get back
to the _seaQuest_ and let us at least keep your butt from being shot
off.

MATTHEWS
(teasing)
Why, Justin, I never knew you noticed.
(seriously)
Acknowledged. My ETA is four minutes.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

Marauder One makes a tight turn to the right and reverses course. As she
comes out of the turn, we see the Outrider pull into firing position
behind her.

CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT

Goodwin smiles as his crosshairs close in on the Marauders.

GOODWIN
Another fish in a barrel.
(beat)
Time to take a nap, Bright Eyes.

Goodwin presses the trigger.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The fore laser lances out at the Marauder. As it does so, the Marauder
hits some turbulence and jerks to the left, throwing off the shot. The
laser hits a glancing blow on the starboard dive planes.

CUT TO MARAUDER ONE

Alarms are sounding, indicating an attack. Matthews glares at them, then
grits her teeth as she concentrates on maneuvering.

MATTHEWS
Not this time, Mad Dog.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The two subs are engaged in a chase, the Marauder being pursued by the
Outrider. The Marauder is slightly faster, the Outrider more
maneuverable. As they move through the rock formations on the ocean
floor, the Outrider makes various shots at the Marauder. Matthews
continues to evade the fire, sometimes just barely.

CUT TO MARAUDER ONE

MATTHEWS
Come on, cut me a break here.
(beat, seeing something on her display)
That'll do!

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The Marauder and Outrider continue their chase. Suddenly, the Marauder
dips down into an underwater crevasse. The Outrider starts to follow
them in.

CUT TO OUTRIDER WEAPONS STATION

Alexander is watching his readouts as he hangs on during the
maneuvering. Suddenly, he reacts in alarm.

ALEXANDER
Too narrow! We'll lose the stealth pods! Pull us out!

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The Outrider pulls out of the narrowing crevasse. The Marauder maneuvers
sideways through the gap and continues on toward the _seaQuest_.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Percell is working feverishly at her station. Above her on the monitor
screen, a schematic shows the location of the WSKRs and the Marauder,
moving back to base at a steady pace. Percell notes the Marauder's
position.

PERCELL
_seaQuest_ to M-One. You should be in visual range. Can you see us?

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The Marauder is in the middle of the crevasse, moving at a steady rate
toward an opening visible in the distance.

MATTHEWS
(puzzled)
Uh, that's negative, _seaQuest_. I'm in a crevasse about three
kilometers from your present position.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Percell and Riller share a glance when they hear Matthews' position.
Percell punches in a few commands and a second Marauder symbol appears
on the tactical display. This one is in the crevasse, moving toward the
_seaQuest_. As she sees it, Percell realizes what has happened.

PERCELL
Target the first Marauder! Quickly!

RILLER
(to extra at tactical station)
Target the first Marauder, and fire lasers.

The extra hits a few controls and presses the red fire button.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The _seaQuest_ fires two shots from her forward lasers. Both pass
harmlessly through the  water, about 400 meters from the Outrider.

CUT TO OUTRIDER WEAPONS STATION

Alexander smiles as he sees the shot.

ALEXANDER
They're taking the bait. Let's see if we can shake them up some more.

GOODWIN
(over com)
Just be careful. That's still an awfully big boat.

ALEXANDER
Oh, I'll be careful.
(beat)
I just plan to keep them busy.

Alexander starts punching in a command series, chuckling as he does so.

ALEXANDER
(smugly, as he enters the final command)
All right, Riller. _Now_ tell me who's a step behind.

CUT TO BRIDGE

The tactical display starts to flash red as other icons start to appear.

RILLER
What now, Chief?

Percell looks at the icons and the readouts below.

PERCELL
(incredulous)
It's the Carolinans. They've sent a dozen warsubs into the area, flank
speed.
(beat)
They're targeting the _seaQuest_.

RILLER
And we're sitting ducks.

Wolenczak, standing in the background, just smiles. He knows the truth,
and is waiting to see what his staff's reaction will be.

TRUEMAN
(thinking aloud)
These Carolinan subs just _appeared_?

Percell and Riller both stop and look at her. She continues.

TRUEMAN
Doesn't that strike you as just a bit _too_ coincidental? It has to be
another spoof.

RILLER
If that's true...
(beat)
...How are they doing that, Chief?

PERCELL
(frustrated)
I don't _know_!
(beat)
Unless...

Percell makes a decision and opens her console, examining the wiring
patches there.

PERCELL
(continuing)
Becca, raise Commander Matthews for me.

Trueman nods and opens a channel. Percell makes a decision and grabs
three bundles of connectors, pulling them apart. The tactical display
freezes and the WSKR status panel goes dark.

RILLER
Chief, what are you _doing_?

Percell continues to work as she explains.

PERCELL
Somehow, the Outrider is overriding our tactical inputs from the WSKRs.
So I'm cutting them off and patching in the Marauder's tactical sensors
into our own.
(beat)
Hopefully, it's a more secure channel.
(beat, impatient)
Becca, where's that com channel?

TRUEMAN
Got it.
(into headset)
Commander, this is _seaQuest_.

MATTHEWS
(over com)
What is it, Ensign? I'm a little busy here, trying not to become a smear
on this rock wall.

RILLER
Commander, we need you to hold your position for a few moments. Percell
thinks she's got the stealth problem solved, but she needs your help.

MATTHEWS
(over com)
Acknowledged. Standing by.

Riller looks over at Percell. He's ready to accept any possibilities at
this point.

RILLER
Chief, it's your show. Just get me some reliable data.

PERCELL
(nodding)
I'll do my best.
(beat, into headset)
Commander, I need you to open up your telemetry uplink panel. Here's
what we're going to do...

CUT TO OUTRIDER WEAPONS STATION

Alexander looks at his readouts, looking decidedly unhappy.

ALEXANDER
Goodwin, here's your chance to prove how good you are.
(beat)
We just lost stealth mode. The WSKRs all went off line at once.
(beat)
And we can't fire on that Marauder. The crevasse has too many overhangs
to ensure a good shot.

GOODWIN
(dryly)
So what's the bad news, Doc?

ALEXANDER
Well, my readings show the _seaQuest_ is blind right now. Can you get us
in there for a kill shot before she can come up with a solution?

GOODWIN
How long do we have?

ALEXANDER
Best guess? Three minutes.

CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT

Goodwin thinks a minute, then nods.

GOODWIN
Doable. All right, let's end this fight.
(beat)
Arm torpedoes one through six.
(beat)
And watch our rear!

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The Outrider starts to move toward the _seaQuest_ at a rapid pace.

CUT TO BRIDGE

MATTHEWS
(over com)
Making the last connection now--

The tactical display goes dark for a second and then starts to replot.
This time, it indicates only two vessels: _seaQuest_ and the Marauder.

MATTHEWS
(continuing)
How's that?

RILLER
Well, we can see ourselves and you...
(beat)
...But no Outrider.

Riller looks around, frustrated by his helplessness. Percell smiles and
starts to laugh.

RILLER
What's so funny, Chief?

PERCELL
We forgot the one sensor we haven't been using right--our own eyes.
(beat, to Matthews)
Commander, how soon can you get back to the _seaQuest_?

MATTHEWS
One minute.

RILLER
Bring her home, Commander. I'm sure the chief will have an answer for us
by then.

MATTHEWS
On my way.

TRUEMAN
(it dawns on her)
Of course.
(beat)
"Seeing is believing."

Riller looks at her, confused. Percell starts to explain it to him.

PERCELL
The Outrider is an electronic spoofer. If we see her, we can hit her.
(beat)
Right now, she's undoubtedly closing in on _seaQuest_ to fire the kill
shot. I just hope Commander Matthews can get back here in time.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The Outrider crests a ridge and comes into view of the _seaQuest_. She
is looking right at the propulsion plant.

CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT

GOODWIN
I've got you now.
(beat)
Doc, open up a channel to _seaQuest_ for me.

ALEXANDER
(over com)
This is _no_ time to show off, Goodwin.

GOODWIN
It's okay, Doc. Open me that channel and prepare to fire on my mark.

Alexander sighs over the com. We hear a couple of tones and then
Alexander's voice.

ALEXANDER
Channel open.

GOODWIN
Doc, one last thing...
(beat, grinning)
...Fire.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

Six torpedoes streak away from the Outrider, homing straight in on the
_seaQuest_.

CUT TO BRIDGE

The tactical screen goes berserk as the torpedoes light up on it.

RILLER
(all business)
Helm, hard right rudder, 20 degree up bubble.
(beat)
Tactical, launch counter measures.

The extra at tactical shakes his head.

TACTICAL
Inside minimum range for counter measures.
(beat)
Torpedoes have a positive lock on us. Impact in twenty seconds.

TRUEMAN
Justin, we have an incoming message,
(beat)
It's Goodwin.

Riller looks at her, defeated.

RILLER
On screen.

The vidlink screen opens and shows Goodwin grinning in triumph.

GOODWIN
Tally ho, _seaQuest_
(beat)
Nice try, but next time don't be so sure who's a step back--

The screen flickers as systems on the Outrider start to go dark. The
vidlink connection is broken.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

A series of laser shots dance across the aft end of the Outrider,
shutting down her systems. The aft laser gets off a series of reply
shots, but they fail to hit their target--a UEO Marauder that races by.
As she passes the Outrider, the Marauder does a full barrel roll.

CUT TO BRIDGE

RILLER
What happened?

PERCELL
(grinning)
Commander Matthews happened.

The Bridge crew cheers, except for the technician at tactical.

TACTICAL
Impact in three...two...one...

A series of dull thuds are heard as the dummy torpedoes contact the
hull. Suddenly, all Bridge systems go dark. In the dark, Wolenczak can
be heard.

WOLENCZAK
(dryly)
Congratulations, Lieutenant. You just managed to get _seaQuest_ killed.
(beat)
Computer, end simulation.
(beat, admiring)
Well, Alexander wasn't lying. That's one impressive little boat he's got
there.
(beat)
Chief, get your WSKRs back on line. We'll debrief in the morning. You
have the conn, Lieutenant.

As Wolenczak leaves, the computer finishes resetting the power systems
and lights come up full. Riller just stands there staring after
Wolenczak, not sure about how he stands now with the captain.

CUT TO OUTRIDER WEAPONS STATION

Alexander is staring at his shut down systems, still in shock.

ALEXANDER
I don't understand what went wrong...We had her dead.
(beat)
The odds against Matthews making a shot like that from within the
crevasse are...
(beat)
...Impossible.

GOODWIN
(over com)
Oh, I don't know, Doc.
(beat)
Seems to me she did real good. Of course, we accomplished our objective
as well. I'd say you're to be congratulated. Anyway, let's get back to
the barn and sort out what really did happen.

ALEXANDER
(resigned)
All right.

CUT TO CREW'S MESS

It's now evening, ship's time. The crew is finishing off their evening
meal, talking about the excitement of the day. Reede, Callan and Percell
are laughing--hard--about something as Ensign Anne Morgan approaches
them.

MORGAN
What's so funny?

PERCELL
(through giggles)
You haven't seen it?

Morgan shakes her head.

MORGAN
But I'm beginning to think I'm _definitely_ missing out on something.

REEDE
(smiling broadly)
It's Curcio's service jacket.

He hands her a printout and she begins to read aloud. As she does so, a
huge grin spreads across her face.

MORGAN
(reading it aloud)
"Doctor Mark Curcio's parents were killed by marauding bands of Daggers
during the dark ages of genetics, and he was then raised by a highly
intelligent and fastidious pair of weasels. This would explain his
dislike for human contact and his preference for close quarters."
(beat, trying hard not to laugh)
"Upon the completion of his residency at Port Charles Island General
Hospital, Curcio entered the Navy, at the urging of fellow staff members
who suggested that he 'go take a flying leap into the ocean.' He quickly
rose through the UEO ranks (they not having put enough cement in his
shoes to make him sink)."
(beat, tears of mirth starting as she tries to finish)
"Doctor Curcio's hobbies include experimenting on small helpless
laboratory animals and collecting beanie-baby miniatures of the world's
greatest dictators."

She stops, wiping her eyes, and puts the paper back on the table as she
sits down. Then, _very_ innocently, she speaks.

MORGAN
Gee. I wonder who would _ever_ write such a thing about Jack?
(beat, even more innocently)
Or allow anyone else to see it?

As Callan and Reede erupt into guffaws, Goodwin walks in, Matthews
beside him. They are obviously rehashing their little dogfight and her
escape. Reede looks over at Goodwin, his good mood instantly evaporated.

REEDE
(bitter)
Well, if it isn't _Casper_ himself.

GOODWIN
Hmmm. Aren't you dead?
(beat, heartily)
It's all right, kid. You made a _rookie_ mistake. Next time, you'll
remember to always keep an eye on your six.

Reede starts to get upset at that. He puts down his fork and looks over
at Goodwin

REEDE
Yeah, I guess I'd better learn _that_ well.
(beat)
After all, guys like you can only make their kills by sneaking up on
folks.
(beat)
Face it, Mad Dog. You don't have the guts for a head-to-head fight any
more. That's why you have to hide behind your fancy toys.

Goodwin looks at Reede, as if he's ready to start something, but decides
not to. He looks over at Matthews.

GOODWIN
I think I've lost my appetite.
(beat)
I'll see you later, Bright Eyes.

Goodwin walks away, his food uneaten. Matthews watches him, so perplexed
by Goodwin's behavior that she doesn't even call him to task for using
her old call sign. Reede is scowling. Percell notices.

PERCELL
(to Reede)
Whatsa matter, Tom?

Reede pays her no attention, and turns his glare on the pile of...mess
hall mush...that's sitting on his plate. Matthews, on the other hand,
knows _exactly_ what's wrong.

MATTHEWS
(smiling faintly)
He's jealous.

This gets Reede's attention.

REEDE
(looking up, slightly incredulous)
Jealous? Of who?

MATTHEWS
(simply)
Mad Dog.

The entire table is silent for a few moments, then Reede forces a
chuckle.

REEDE
(jerks a thumb toward the door)
Of _Goodwin_?
("yeah, sure")
'Course I am, Commander. I'm jealous of every two-bit daredevil that
walks in those doors.
(beat, mutters)
Self-satisfied jerk couldn't pilot his way out of a wet paper bag.

Matthews looks at Reede for a moment over her mug of tea, then slowly
lowers it. Her manner has become slightly defensive.

MATTHEWS
(carefully)
Ensign Reede...that "two bit daredevil" has piloted a _Marauder_ out of
a _full scale assault_ while on his previous assignment.
(beat, taking a shot)
Something _you_ have _failed_ to do on at least one occasion.

Slamming her cup (not too harshly) down on the tabletop, Matthews stands
and stalks out of the room. Reede's trying not to show it...but that
last comment hurt his feelings. More than Matthews can know. Callan,
Morgan, and Percell watch Matthews leave, then Morgan notices Reede's
expression.

MORGAN
(gently)
Tom, I'm sure she didn't mean--

REEDE
Like hell she didn't.
(beat)
And you know what?
(beat)
She's right.

He looks toward the door, picking up his dishes.

REEDE
But hell, who cares, right? Just 'cause Tom Reede's afraid he's gonna
get outdone by some test pilot, no cause for concern.

He stands.

REEDE
Now, if you'll all excuse me...

He also stalks out.

CUT TO PASSAGEWAY

Matthews runs to catch up to Goodwin.

MATTHEWS
Will, wait!

Goodwin hears her and slows down, letting her catch up. He just looks at
her, and they both wait for someone to say something. When nobody does,
Goodwin shrugs and starts down the passageway.

MATTHEWS
(sighing)
Will, he doesn't know what he's saying.
(beat)
Reede's just upset that you took him out of the game so quickly, and
without him firing a shot. _That_ hurt his ego.
(beat, wryly)
And if anyone should know about a pilot's ego...

Goodwin chuckles and looks over at her as they walk toward the Docking
Bay.

GOODWIN
Yeah, I guess my ego's just about the right size.
(beat)
But you know something? The kid's right.
(beat)
I'm losing it a little, Jessie. Actually, more than a little.
(beat)
I should have had you out there. I should have been able to compensate
for that turbulence--

MATTHEWS
(cutting him off)
Woulda, coulda, shoulda. That does _not_ sound like the Mad Dog I know.
(beat)
This is the guy who placed second in a class of fifty?

Matthews stops and puts a hand on Goodwin's shoulder. She looks him
straight in the eye, all business.

MATTHEWS
You're a helluva pilot, Mad Dog...don't forget that.
(beat)
And if you hadn't taken that left out there today, you woulda beat _me_.

Goodwin gives her a _look_. She smiles and starts again toward the
Docking Bay.

MATTHEWS
Come on, you promised to show me all the tricks your new toy has.
(beat, waving him on)
Come on.

Goodwin stares at her for a second, then shakes his head and smiles as
he starts down the passageway after her.

GOODWIN
All right, keep your britches on, Bright Eyes.

MATTHEWS
(a smile in her voice)
Oh, I know _all_ about keeping my britches on around you.
(beat)
And _stop_ calling me Bright Eyes!

FADE TO COMMERCIAL

END ACT TWO


===========================  PART 3  =====================================


ACT THREE

OPEN ON EXTERIOR, CAROLINAN CONFEDERATION HEADQUARTERS

Armed forces patrol the grounds of this large, ultra-modern high-rise in
Raleigh.

CUT TO ROSS' OFFICE

Ross, DeLano and Hunter are there. Hunter is reading from a red file,
containing the intelligence briefing on the Outrider, as Ross and DeLano
wait. He finishes and shakes his head.

HUNTER
(whistles once)
You're right, this will change the balance of power dramatically.
(beat)
And you're convinced EWS is going to send someone after her?

DELANO
(certain)
Oh, that's a given. Ted Walker wants this...
(beat)
...And he seems to have an almost magical way of acquiring those things
he wants.

ROSS
(smiling)
Which is where you come in.

HUNTER
(a little surprised)
Me?

ROSS
(nodding)
Walker's going to try to steal the Outrider. What we want you to do is
simple.
(beat)
Watch the attempt, see how it's done, and then take the Outrider
yourself from Walker's goons.

HUNTER
(still not buying it)
Just steal it from EWS? Why?

DELANO
("duh")
Think about it, Hunter
(beat)
EWS steals it from UEO, and starts to take it to their facility. You
then steal it from EWS. UEO will think EWS has their toy and will chase
down the wrong path to find it. Meanwhile, we take the Outrider apart,
and then sell it back to EWS one piece at a time.
(beat)
We get the Outrider technology.
(beat)
We get EWS on a leash for a while.
(beat)
And we get to beat UEO one more time.

Hunter thinks it over, and nods.

HUNTER
It sounds plausible, reasonable...
(beat, looking at DeLano)
...And like you're not telling me the whole story.

ROSS
(to DeLano)
I _told_ you he'd figure it out.
(beat, very smoothly to Hunter)
Jason, there _is_ something else. We also need you to kidnap the
inventor, Doctor Alexander. He's the key to understanding the secrets of
the Outrider.

HUNTER
I see.
(beat, unconvinced)
So now you want me to add kidnapping to my resume?

DELANO
(sarcastic)
Oh, why worry about that. I mean, after treason, kidnapping is a step
down for you, isn't it?

Hunter looks like he's about to pummel DeLano. He takes a deep breath
and forces his hands to relax. Hunter then looks at Ross and ignores
DeLano completely

HUNTER
(still smoldering)
You still haven't explained why you want me for this job.

ROSS
(smoothly)
Well, no one knows UEO Navy procedures as well as you do. And there is a
small matter of the location of the sea trials.
(beat)
It seems they are testing the Outrider aboard the _seaQuest_.
(beat)
That makes you the perfect man for the job.

HUNTER
(shaking his head)
No, it makes me the _only_ man for the job.
(beat)
All right. I'll do it. I'll need supplies for this.

ROSS
Gary will authorize you carte blanche. Anything you need.
(beat)
But Jason, if you fail...
(beat, coldly)
...Don't bother coming back.

Hunter locks eyes with Ross, then nods in agreement as he walks out.
DeLano closes the door behind Hunter and looks back at Ross, smiling.

DELANO
(crowing)
The fool fell for it!
(beat)
He really thinks he's coming back with the Outrider.

ROSS
(resignedly)
Don't gloat, Gary. It's very unattractive.
(beat)
Well, I hate to lose the Outrider, but we can always contract with EWS
to recreate the technology. We just have to ensure UEO never gets it.

CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ WARDROOM

It's a standard military exercise post mortem, and it's concluding.
Wolenczak, Matthews, Riller, Callan, Percell, Reede, Trueman, Goodwin
and Alexander are all seated around the table. Wolenczak sits at the
head of the table and looks over everyone's faces.

WOLENCZAK
All right, let's review.
(beat)
Based on what I saw, the Outrider is a qualified success. The stealth
system's ability to fool standard naval sensor systems is impressive.
She completed the parameters of this exercise in minimal time.
(beat)
However, she was taken out by only a couple of shots from a Marauder.
You need to work on improving her survivability in combat, Doctor.

ALEXANDER
(nodding)
I agree. I already have some ideas about that, using the visual
camouflaging system.

WOLENCZAK
Good.
(beat)
It's a good fighter, and I'll recommend that we take the two prototypes
aboard for continued sea trials.

ALEXANDER
That's agreeable, but on one condition.
(beat)
I'd like to take some of your personnel back to my labs to work on a
couple of the systems.

WOLENCZAK
Oh? Who?

ALEXANDER
Well, I need Commander Callan to finalize the docking ring modifications
on the Outrider and _seaQuest_--

CALLAN
(interrupting)
Hold on a second. The ideas for that weren't all mine.
(beat)
Ensign Morgan was the one who thought to apply the adhesion principles
of her seaweed to our problem. She's the expert on this system.

ALEXANDER
(surprised)
Really? Well, then, by all means, we need her along as well.
(beat)
You know, that docking adhesion has all sorts of other possibilities--

WOLENCZAK
(interrupting)
Anyone else, Doctor?

ALEXANDER
(confused)
What? Oh, you mean who else to go back to the labs. Yes.
(beat)
Chief Percell, of course.

Percell looks up, surprised at the mention of her name.

PERCELL
Me?

Alexander gets up and walks around the table to Percell, talking as he
does.

ALEXANDER
Yes, you, Chief.
(beat)
Think about it. You beat the stealth systems. I'd like you to get
together with my design team and change the system to prevent anyone
else from doing _that_ again.

Wolenczak looks at Percell, who is already running the problems through
her mind.

WOLENCZAK
What do you say, Chief?

PERCELL
(shyly)
Well, I'd love to, Sir.
(beat)
That is, if you can spare me.

Wolenczak looks over at Matthews, chuckling a bit. Matthews smiles as
well at the utter sincerity with which Percell said that.

MATTHEWS
I think we can spare you for a _little_ while, Chief.
(beat, to Goodwin)
But we _will_ need another officer onboard to cover the watches. Maybe
Commander Goodwin would like to stay behind.

GOODWIN
I already am.
(beat)
I'm the Outrider's pilot. And until I can get one of you qualified on
it, I'm all you've got. So I stay.

WOLENCZAK
All right, that's settled.
(beat, looking at wall chronometer)
Ensign Trueman, contact UEO HQ and have them send a shuttle for
departure in eight hours.
(beat)
Good work, people. Dismissed.

CUT TO PERCELL'S QUARTERS

Percell is packing her belongings when there is a knock on the hatch.
She calls out.

PERCELL
Come on in, it's open.

The hatch swings back and Callan looks in. He's trying to be nonchalant,
but it's obvious he's checking up on her.

CALLAN
Mind if I come in?

PERCELL
Sure. Pull up a chair, stranger.
(beat, teasing)
Want to help me pack? You can fold my skivvies.

Callan looks at the pile she points to and chuckles.

CALLAN
I think I'll pass.
(beat)
How are you doing? You going to be okay?

PERCELL
(purposely missing the meaning)
Why shouldn't I be? It's an honor to be asked to work on a project like
this--

CALLAN
(cutting her off)
That's _not_ what I mean, and you know it.
(beat)
Sara, this is gonna be a pretty long ride. Are you going to be okay in
that small a space for that long?

Percell looks over at Callan for a second, and then turns back to her
clothes, folding them and putting them away.

PERCELL
(not making eye contact)
I think so. I did okay taking McCarthy back to the Confederation. And
that was just a launch. A shuttle's a _lot_ bigger.
(beat, determined)
And even if I'm not okay, I can't let this stupid phobia stop me.
(beat, lighter)
Besides, what could go wrong? I'll have you sitting next to me, holding
my hand the whole way.

She packs the last item and closes her duffel, then tosses it to Callan.

PERCELL
You really want to help? Carry that for me.

CALLAN
(smiling)
Why is it that every pretty woman sees me as a pack mule? First Kelly,
now you...

They head out, closing the hatch behind them.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

Standard shot of a shuttle leaving the _seaQuest_. We hear a male
shuttle pilot's voice as it departs.

SHUTTLE PILOT
(V.O.)
_seaQuest_, we have cleared your airlock and are under way.

TRUEMAN
(V.O.)
Acknowledged, Shuttle 1138. Have a good trip.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Trueman is cutting off the com channel to the shuttle after saying
goodbye. As she does so, she looks over at Reede, currently standing
next to the helm control station. He grins sheepishly back at Trueman,
as if sharing some private joke, then turns his attention back to the
helm station. As we pull back, we see Goodwin seated at the station. A
further pull back shot shows Riller in the comand chaair, while Taylor
is seated at the sensor station, with an extra standing by him,
watching.

REEDE
(to Goodwin)
All right, let's try a slow banking turn to the right.

GOODWIN
(sighing)
As you wish.
(beat)
I still don't understand why I have to do this.

REEDE
Which "this"? Qualifying at the helm of _seaQuest_, or taking orders
from me?

GOODWIN
(sardonically)
Either one. Take your pick; neither one's an appealing choice.

REEDE
(slightly angry)
Look, _seaQuest_ isn't some subfighter. She's a thousand meters long,
so she handles differently. You need to learn that. As for learning the
watch, when you got yourself assigned here, you fell under the captain's
philosophy: everybody knows everything.
(beat, explaining)
In a crisis, who knows what you'll be doing? So, you cross-train on
every station.
(beat, smiling)
And since I'm the chief helmsman on this boat, you learn from me.

GOODWIN
(muttering)
Wonderful.

REEDE
All right. Before we begin our turn, we need to check if there's
anything out there we should know about.
(beat)
UEO takes a dim view of putting a dent in one of their subs.
(beat, to Taylor)
Any activity on the sensors?

TAYLOR
(checking over the boards)
Not a peep.

Reede just looks at Taylor, as if expecting something. Taylor looks
back, unknowing at first, then realizing he's committed a breach of
protocol. He corrects his mistake.

TAYLOR
(sheepishly)
Ensign.

REEDE
(grinning)
Very good.
(beat, to Goodwin)
Helm, keep her steady as she goes.

Goodwin looks over at Reede and shakes his head, as if to say "you'll
get yours."

GOODWIN
Aye-aye, _Sir_.

Taylor chuckles at the way Goodwin said that.

TAYLOR
I just can't believe you're actually taking orders from an ensign.

GOODWIN
(sighs)
Rules are rules. He's the qualified watchstander.

Taylor looks at Reede, and then at Trueman, and a light dawns within as
he realizes something.

TAYLOR
(slyly)
Say, Mad Dog...Is what I heard true?

Goodwin looks over at Taylor. After a slow moment, he grins and
responds.

GOODWIN
(overly loud and drawled)
And what _exactly_ did you hear, Ed?

TAYLOR
(playing the part with gusto)
That a certain pair of ensigns were going at it hot and heavy...
(beat, feigning shock)
...Under your subfighter.

Reede turns pale as he hears this, and fixes his eyes on the monitor
screens ahead of him, while Trueman turns a very bright red and tries to
sink down in her chair...perhaps with a goal of hiding under her
console. Riller watches this, waiting, his grip on the arm of the
command chair tightening to the point where he may leave permanent
indentations. Goodwin decides to twist the knife a little more.

GOODWIN
(drawled)
Well...
(beat)
...I can't be sure what they were doing, but they definitely were
_under_ my sub, and their clothes _sure_ were mussed up.
(beat)
You can draw your own conclusions from that, partner.

Goodwin looks at Taylor and winks. Reede and Trueman are looking like
they want to crawl under the deckplates. Riller decides he's had enough
and gts up from the command chair. He immediately heads over to Reede,
fighting for control over his emotions.

RILLER
(spitting out the words)
What's the matter, Ensign? Can't keep control of your own watch?

REEDE
(playing it innocently)
Excuse me, Lieutenant?

RILLER
(pressing the point)
You're supposed to be training someone, not providing a laugh track. If
you can't keep control of a training watch, maybe we need to relieve you
from duty here and send _you_ back for additional training, _Ensign_.

REEDE
(protesting)
That's not fair, Sir. I don't have problem with the others having a
little fun at my expense, as long as we get the job done well.

Riller crosses over to the tactical station, seemingly checking the
stats of the watchstander there. His attitude shows that he hasn't
dismissed the conversation with Reede.

RILLER
(insulting)
Oh, really, _Ensign_? Don't you realize if they have fun at your expense
while you are training , it sets a bad--

MATTHEWS
(O.S., angrily)
Belay that, Lieutenant!

Matthews walks onto the Bridge as Riller turns and looks at her.
Matthews bears down on him and stands nose to nose with him.

MATTHEWS
(fuming)
How dare you interfere with a training watch!
(beat)
That is not only unprofessional, it is a punishable offense.

Riller opens his mouth to speak, but Matthews cuts him off.

MATTHEWS
(angrily)
Not a word, Lieutenant. Don't compound your problems any more.
(beat)
Get off this Bridge, and down into my office. Wait for me there; I'll be
there in ten minutes.
(beat)
Dismissed.

Riller is now thoroughly embarrassed, his face a bright red. He looks
like he is about to say something, but instead turns and walks sharply
off the Bridge. Reede and Trueman both breathe big sighs, as they
realize they had been holding their breaths during that dressing down.
Matthews hears this and turns on them as well.

MATTHEWS
Mister Reede, you will conduct your watch in a military manner, or I
will see to your _additional_ training. Personally.
(beat)
Do you understand?

REEDE
(pale)
Yes, Ma'am.

MATTHEWS
(to both Reede and Trueman)
And if I hear of either of you stepping out of line again for any
reason, you'll regret the day you ever set eyes on each other.
(beat)
Have I made myself clear?

TRUEMAN
(meekly)
As crystal, Sir.

REEDE
Yes, Sir.

Matthews turns to exit and walks to the hatch. As she gets there, she
stops and turns.

MATTHEWS
(as an afterthought)
Oh, and Commanders Taylor and Goodwin, if anyone in the crew hears
anything about this from either of you...
(beat)
...Well, let's just say a boat this big has a lot of bilges to clean.
(beat, an afterthought)
Ensign Reede, you have the conn. When Lieutenant Riller returns, tell
him I want him to stand the Tactical watch under you.
(beat, to herself)
Let's see if he'll learn how to listen.

Matthews turns and walks out. Reede stares at her for a mement, then
walks up and sits in the command chair. He just looks at Goodwin and
Taylor, as if daring them to make a comment. Goodwin and Taylor look at
each other and shrug. Goodwin smiles and starts to chat again.

GOODWIN
(quietly, to Taylor)
Did I ever tell you about the time the commander and I were in a
wrestling match together?
(beat)
It was during our flight school days...

CUT TO MATTHEWS' OFFICE

Matthews' office is little more than a closet, filled by a desk and two
chairs. Matthews is continuing to dress down Riller, who is standing at
attention.

MATTHEWS
(continuing)
...Yes, I've heard all the stories about them. Lord knows we have some
imaginative people on this boat.
(beat, calming down)
Look, I know you care very deeply for Ensign Trueman.
(beat)
And I know _how_. She's like a little sister to you. She willingly
accepts you for who you are. And that's great, because she brings out
some really good qualities in you, Riller.
(beat)
But you _have_ to start learning to separate your private life from your
professional one. Let her make mistakes and learn from them.

She reaches back onto her desk and pulls over a printout, examining it.

MATTHEWS
(continuing)
I really expect you to shape up from now on. Especially since you are
going to have a lot more responsibilities around here.

RILLER
(perplexed)
More responsibilities? I don't understand.

MATTHEWS
(looking heavenward)
How quickly they forget.
(beat)
Do you remember what time of year this is?

He stares at her, trying to figure it out. He can't, so Matthews decides
to let him off the hook.

MATTHEWS
The message traffic came through an hour ago. The selection lists were
just released.
(beat)
You were on the list.

The news penetrates to Riller's brain, and a big smile forms on his
face.

RILLER
You mean...

MATTHEWS
(smiling)
Yes. You've been promoted to a full lieutenant.

Riller yells once, then grabs Matthews and hugs her once.

MATTHEWS
(with a smile, but firmly)
Lieutenant, control yourself!

Riller realizes what he's done and backs off, looking sheepish.

MATTHEWS
(kindly)
You deserve the promotion, Riller. You've earned it, with all you've
been through in the past year.
(beat)
Now get out there and shape up, or you'll louse up all those good
recommendations from the captain and myself.
(beat)
Dismissed.

Riller gets up and leaves, looking a lot happier than when he came in.

CUT TO UEO SHUTTLE

Standard shuttle interior. Up ahead through an open hatch are the pilot
and co-pilot. The passenger compartment, which seats about thirty, only
holds four this time. Alexander and Morgan are the front row, discussing
the docking ring and other possible applications for the bioluminescent
plant life. Callan and Percell are seated a row behind them. Percell is
slightly pale, but appears to be handling things well overall. Callan is
watching her.

CALLAN
(encouraging)
You're doing great, Sara. We're more than halfway there.

PERCELL
(easily)
I told you it would be okay.
(beat, teasing)
But no, you had to worry. I think you just like having things to worry
about.

CALLAN
(smiling)
Have you been talking to Kelly again?
(beat)
But I'll be glad to get there. I hate just sitting for this long.

PERCELL
(idly)
I wonder how much longer it'll be.

CALLAN
I don't know.
(beat)
But I know who does.

Callan leans over into the aisle and calls forward to the pilot.

CALLAN
Uh, sorry to bother you two, but do you know how much longer this is
going to take?

The shuttle pilot chuckles a bit at that as he looks at his readouts.

PILOT
Heh, you sound just like my daughter.
(checking readout)
It looks like about another ninety minutes to port, Sir.

CO-PILOT
(definitely)
No, I _don't_ think so.

PILOT
(surprised)
What do you me--

Before he can finish his words, the co-pilot takes out a small pulse
laser and fires once at the pilot, hitting him in the chest. As we watch
from the passenger compartment, the co-pilot then presses a control
which shuts the transparent hatch between the cockpit and passenger
compartment. Callan and Morgan immediately rush forward and start
banging on the hatch, trying to break in. The co-pilot ignores this,
looking coolly over their frantic reaction. Morgan sees her and freezes,
obviously trying to figure out why this woman looks familiar. It's
Berger.

BERGER
(looks at her, all innocence)
Ensign Morgan? That you?
(beat, still sweetly)
Well, Annie dear, I've got news for you.
(beat)
Try to touch me again, and I'll slit your throat. Understood?

Morgan stares.

BERGER
(smiles)
Good. Glad we understand each other.
(beat, flight attendant style)
Ladies and gentlemen, I must apologize, there has been a slight detour.
But that's all right, you'll hardly notice what's happening.

Berger hits a button on the control panel and the passenger compartment
fills with a tranquilizer gas. As it fills the air, we see the
passengers succumb, with Callan beating on the hatch more and more
weakly until he slumps to the floor, unconscious.

FADE TO COMMERCIAL

END ACT THREE


===========================  PART 4  =====================================


ACT FOUR

OPEN ON EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

The _seaQuest_ is cruising by our POV from upper left to lower right,
traveling rapidly.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Reede is still sitting in the command chair, Riller is now at tactical,
Taylor on sensors, Goodwin on helm, Trueman on communications. Wolenczak
and Matthews come charging onto the bridge, obviously in a hurry. They
move over to Trueman at the communication station.

WOLENCZAK
(all business)
Report.

TRUEMAN
We've just received a distress call.
(beat)
It's Shuttle 1138. It sounds like they've been attacked.

WOLENCZAK
What?

MATTHEWS
Can you play it back for us?

Trueman hits a control and the distress call fills the Bridge. It's
Berger's voice, and she's doing a pretty convincing acting job.

BERGER
(on speaker)
Mayday. Mayday. This is UEO Shuttle 1138. We're under attack by--
(static)
--known assailant. No warning, they just attacked. Pressure hull
breached--
(static)
--on water. My god, help us plea--

The sound of static fills the Bridge. Trueman reaches up and touches a
control, cutting off the sound. The Bridge is now completely silent as
Wolenczak and Matthews share a look.

MATTHEWS
I don't suppose that last message had any coordinates on it?

TRUEMAN
(softly)
No, Sir.

Matthews shakes her head, then looks over at Wolenczak.

MATTHEWS
Alexander?

WOLENCZAK
(nodding)
He's the likeliest explanation.
(beat, to Reede)
Did you have a location fix on the shuttle?

Reede rises from the command chair and looks over Trueman's shoulder,
checking the readouts on her console.

REEDE
No, Sir. She passed out of sensor range about thirty minutes
before the distress call came in.
(beat)
I ordered us to follow her last known course, flank speed.

WOLENCZAK
Very good, Ensign.
(he turns to Taylor)
Get the WSKRS out to maximum range. I want to see what we're up against
here...and what pieces are left to pick up.

He looks at Matthews, decidedly unhappy.

MATTHEWS
Do you want to go to battle stations, Sir?

WOLENCZAK
Not yet.
(to Goodwin)
ETA to the last known position of the shuttle?

GOODWIN
About sixty minutes, Sir.

WOLENCZAK
Make it faster, if you can.

He sits in the command chair.

CUT TO MINING RIG

It's an underwater mining rig, long abandoned. It's dimly lit, damp,
dank and uncomfortable. Leftover equipment and rubbish litter the area.
To one side there's an empty equipment enclosure created by chain-link
and a lockable door, in which Percell, Alexander, and Callan lie. Beyond
is a smallish open elevator-type contraption, suspended by cables over a
shaft--obviously used to bring miners in and out of the shaft. Within
this, we see Morgan's huddled form. As her prisoners begin to wake up,
Berger steps from the shadows. When she speaks, it's with a tone that is
mockingly cheery, but with an implied threat.

BERGER
Wake up, you sleepy heads. Good morning!

The four hostages wake up slowly and start to take in their
surroundings. As they do so, they each spot Berger and stare at her,
recognizing her from the cockpit. Morgan, in particular, gives her a
long and careful stare. Finally, she breaks the silence.

MORGAN
(aghast)
It really _is_ you.

BERGER
Yes, it is.
(mock polite)
I've especially looked forward to seeing _you_ again, Ensign Morgan.

CALLAN
(to Morgan)
You _know_ her?

MORGAN
Oh, you could say that. I stopped her from killing the secretary
general, the day I arrived on _seaQuest_.
(beat)
This is Erica DeSmitt.
(beat, ironically)
I guess. Her real name was never confirmed.

Berger looks up at Morgan.

BERGER
(condescendingly)
Some things you just weren't meant to know, Ensign.
(turning to the others)
I suppose you're wondering why you're here. Too bad I don't feel like
chatting.
(beat)
_seaQuest_ has something I want.

ALEXANDER
(blustering)
Outrider!

Berger walks over to the enclosure and peers through the chain link at
him.

BERGER
(sarcastically)
And how many advanced degrees did you have to get before you learned how
to state the obvious, Doctor?
(beat)
I've modified an elector magnetic pulse device, made it into a bottom
influence mine. It's tuned to the specs for the Outrider's engines, so
when Outrider appears...

CALLAN
(finishing for her)
When the Outrider appears the device is activated and will disable its
systems.

The prisoners in the enclosure become gradually more active as the
effects of the knockout gas begin to fade. They all sit upright now, and
Callan gets unsteadily to his feet.

BERGER
(nodding)
And I get my big fish.

ALEXANDER
(vehemently)
But that's _my_ subfighter!

BERGER
(shrugging)
Let's just say I'll be taking over the contract.
(beat, back to business)
As for getting rid of the chum, well, I'll let the sea do that for me.

Her prisoners look perplexed.

BERGER
I've introduced an acid compound into the dome's heat exchange system
It's eating away at the outer dome surface. In about...
(checking watch)
...Six hours, this mine will experience a catastrophic failure.
(beat, smiling nastily)
I won't be here, of course, because I have another appointment. You know
how it is today...Stay in one place too long and you just may find
yourself...
(searching for the right word)
...Out of luck.
(beat)
But I do hope you'll let me know what it's like.

Alexander and Percell are now on their feet too, though Morgan sits
quite still in the elevator. Callan rushes to the door of their
enclosure and reaches for the handle.

BERGER
(warning)
I wouldn't, Commander.

Callan stops and scrutinizes Berger. Alexander shoulders him aside. As
he gets to the door, Berger whirls and shoots one of the cables holding
Morgan's elevator aloft. Morgan yells as the elevator tilts. Berger
turns back to the little group standing aghast in the enclosure.

BERGER
("an afterthought")
Oh, and just in case you were planning on leaving...

She reaches in her pocket and removes a small electronic device. She
presses a button; three lights go on. She places it on door, crossing
the crack between it and the frame.

BERGER
(seriously)
If you open it, the second cable will be severed.
(beat)
And Ensign Morgan can experience the thrill of flying...for about five
seconds.

Berger looks coolly at their shocked faces.

BERGER
And now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go fishing.

She leaves.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

Three WSKRs move by the camera from left to right in a rapid fashion.
One of them makes a close pass-by, strobe flashing, sonar pulsing.
Immediately behind them, the _seaQuest_ follows, also moving at a rapid
pace. This pass-by is from a close angle POV, pointed aft, so we see
the entire length of seaQuest rush by.

CUT TO BRIDGE

The atmosphere is tense and silent. Reede has taken over at helm
control, while Goodwin and Riller are at tactical together. Matthews is
filling in at sensors, with Wolenczak behind her. They are monitoring
the WSKR readings, their faces tightly controlled.

REEDE
Approaching last known position of the shuttle, Captain.

WOLENCZAK
Thank you, Ensign.
(beat, quietly)
All right, where the hell are you?

Matthews runs her fingers over the console, as the displays change to
show various different scans from the WKSR: Magnetic Anomaly, Active
Sonar, Infrared, Ultraviolet, Low Level Radiation, Current Temperature
Flows, Visual. They are all negative.

MATTHEWS
(puzzled)
They couldn't have just...disappeared.

WOLENCZAK
(one hand on the back of his neck)
No...we're missing something

He walks away for a second, thinking. As he does, he glances over at the
communication panel.

WOLENCZAK
(realizing the missing factor)
Of course...
(beat, rapidly to Trueman)
Trueman, did you get a directional fix on the distress call when it came
in?

TRUEMAN
(nodding)
Yes, Sir.
(beat, touching a few controls)
The distress call was too short to get an exact distance and location
fix, but it came from within a fifteen-degree wedge...between bearings
225 and 240.

WOLENCZAK
All right, that's a start.
(beat, turns to Matthews)
We came in on a heading of 235, right?

He reaches over her and causes a navigational chart to appear on the
readouts. He presses a couple of controls and we see an icon of the
_seaQuest_ appear, followed by a red wedge shape in the approximate
direction stated by Trueman.

WOLENCZAK
Now, we eliminate some factors, like--

MATTHEWS
(typing on her own console)
--Like maximum distance the shuttle could have traveled before the
distress call.

The pie-shaped wedge shortens considerably.

WOLENCZAK
Good. Now _seaQuest_ has already moved on heading 235 to...
(beat, typing in a few more commands)
...Here.

The _seaQuest_ icon again moves, this time deeper into the wedge. In a
second, the wedge is decreased in size by about 75 percent. Wolenczak
and Matthews look at the wedge, then back at each other.

MATTHEWS
All right, that's still a hundred square miles of ocean floor, and we
haven't picked up anything yet.

WOLENCZAK
But we forgot one last factor.
(beat)
Cross reference the geological survey of this region, and add in any
heavy iron or manganese deposits.

Matthews does, and two green blotches appear in the remaining wedge.
Wolenczak smiles.

WOLENCZAK
The shuttle has to be in one of those places.

Matthews enlarges the navigational chart display and examines the
terrain display.

MATTHEWS
The top one is an abandoned mine complex about 200 kilometers from here.
(beat)
The other...is a series of crevasses and canyons.

RILLER
Commander, the transmission said the shuttle was attacked. That southern
location is the only area that would have given enough cover for an
attack like that.

MATTHEWS
(nodding)
He's right.

Wolenczak thinks for a minute, and nods, then turns to Reede.

WOLENCZAK
Set course for that southern anomaly, ahead one third.
(beat, to Matthews)
Whoever did this may still be in the area.

Matthews nods, turns to Goodwin.

MATTHEWS
Mad Dog, do you think the Outrider is up to some point defense?

GOODWIN
(thinking it over)
Without a qualified second seater onboard, we lose the stealth
capabilities.
(beat, nodding)
But she's got enough bite to do the job.
(beat)
You need more than one to do this job right, though.

WOLENCZAK
All right.
(turns)
Mister Reede, report to the Docking Bay. You and Mona are going to be
wingman for Commander Goodwin.

Reede looks over, his expression mixed. He's happy about getting to
pilot again, but to be stuck with Goodwin isn't the way he wanted to do
it. He disengages the helm controls and stands up as an extra moves in
to replace him. Reede looks once at Goodwin, his eyes narrowing, then
moves off without a word. Goodwin looks back at Wolenczak and Matthews,
shrugs and smiles, a big grin, as he heads off the Bridge as well.

WOLENCZAK
Right. Let's find that shuttle.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

The _seaQuest_ pulls over a series of craggy rock formations. A WSKR
passes by. The camera POV follows the WSKR as it moves around various
formations, its lights forming circles on the rocks around it. We move
down a canyon until we reach a rear wall, and start to rise above it. As
we crest the top, our view extends down into another crevasse. The UEO
shuttle is there, and the view isn't pretty. The shuttle is crumpled and
battered.

CUT TO BRIDGE

The WSKR view of the shuttle is displayed on the sensor console, while
Trueman tries to establish communication with it.

TRUEMAN
Shuttle 1138, this is _seaQuest_. We have you in sight. Do you copy?
(beat, burst of static from speaker)
Shuttle 1138, this is _seaQuest_. We have you in sight. Do you copy?
(beat, defeated, to Wolenczak)
No response, Captain.

WOLENCZAK
(nodding)
What have we got?

Taylor walks over from the engineering station and looks at the display,
shaking his head.

TAYLOR
It's not good news. They've had hull breaches--
(pointing with his pen at the screen)
--Here, here...and here.
(beat)
The telemetry link is down, so we can't tell what her systems are like,
and that's bad too. She's probably breached her power compartment.
(beat)
It looks like they had a choice...drown, suffocate, or be toasted by the
radiation from a breached cold fusion system.

Taylor's words hang over the Bridge. Trueman and Riller look shocked,
Wolenczak just closes his eyes for a moment, and Matthews is biting her
lip for control. She finally voices what they are all thinking.

MATTHEWS
My god. Who did this?

As she says that we see two laser bolts strike the shuttle on screen,
followed by the loss of the WSKR view as it dissolves into static. The
noise shocks the entire Bridge crew into action. Matthews switches the
screen to an area overview while Riller turns to his readouts.

RILLER
(all business)
We've got three-- No, _four_ contacts. Old style Spectre Mark Threes. No
identification signals...
(beat)
...They're approaching fast and show no signs of slowing down.

WOLENCZAK
Launch the subfighters.

TRUEMAN
(into headset)
Docking Bay, launch subfighters.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

We see the Outrider and Marauder Two launch and form up ahead of
_seaQuest_.

CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT

Goodwin is all smiles as he pilots his craft into battle.

GOODWIN
(into headset, condescendingly)
Tally ho! Just watch and learn, Reede, as I show you how it's done.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The Outrider cuts immediately to its left in a snap turn. Reede's
Marauder follows suit, staying in formation. As the camera swings around
to follow them, a third shape passes by. It's a Spectre.

CUT TO MARAUDER TWO COCKPIT

Reede is all business in the cockpit, keeping right on Goodwin's tail. A
proximity warning bell sounds, followed by a threat alert indicator.
Reede glances down at it.

REEDE
We've got company, six o'clock. Weapons armed.

GOODWIN
(over com)
Scissors time...on my mark.
(beat)
_Mark_!

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The Outrider does a snap turn to the right just as it reaches a rock
wall. Marauder Two does a snap to the left at the same time. The
resultant turbulent zone from their crossed wakes forces the Spectre out
of control and it crashes into the wall.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

Three Spectres are making an attack run on the _seaQuest_, coming
straight at her. They each fire a spread of four torpedoes, then two
peel off (one left and one right) while the third continues on toward
_seaQuest_.

CUT TO BRIDGE

All is as before.

RILLER
Torpedoes in the water. Twelve fish, bearing 600 meters and closing.

WOLENCZAK
Countermeasures.

Riller nods and hits a control.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

The _seaQuest_ fires a spread of countermeasure projectiles, which
intercept all but two of the incoming torpedoes. As they are
intercepted, the remaining Spectre fires three more torpedoes.

CUT TO BRIDGE

The scene is still tense, still unchanged.

RILLER
We missed two torpedoes, Sir...
(beat)
And that Spectre fired three more.
(beat)
They're inside countermeasure range.

WOLENCZAK
Sound collision alarm. All hands brace for impact.

Trueman hits a control on her console and the collision alarm klaxon
sounds.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

The torpedoes streak in and impact around the _seaQuest's_ torpedo
tubes.

CUT TO BRIDGE

We hear a series of impacts that throw the Bridge crew around some. The
communications console erupts into sparks for a moment, then goes dark.
Ship's lighting flickers, then switches over to red emergency lighting.

WOLENCZAK
Damage report

MATTHEWS
(checking her readouts)
Hull breach in forward weapons storage and launch control. Torpedo tubes
one through six. Main communications. Main electrical power distribution
forward of frame 59.
(beat, evenly, but with an edge)
Captain, there are still two more Spectres out there.

TAYLOR
(incredulous)
How the hell are they _getting_ to us like that?

It's a question no one has time to speculate on.

WOLENCZAK
We'll worry about that later, Taylor.
(beat)
Helm, back us out of here carefully. Lasers, full counter battery fire.
(beat)
Riller, if we have any additional incoming torpedoes, call out a course
change to bring the lasers in range of them. Maybe we can burn them out
before they hit us.

RILLER
Aye, Sir
(beat)
The Spectre's coming around...he's in range.
(beat)
But...
(beat, puzzled)
...He's not firing...increasing speed...

Riller looks up at Wolenczak, a horrified look on his face.

WOLENCZAK
(Quickly)
Helm, evasive starboard!
(beat)
All hands, brace for impact!

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST__--CGI

Laser defenses from the _seaQuest_ flare out at this Spectre as it
barrels in toward her. The Spectre continues on, until, at the last
second, a laser burst hits it, causing it to explode. Debris continues
to impact the hull on the starboard side, including a large chunk that
moves into an engine intake. Immediately, a small explosion occurs
inside, and _seaQuest_ starts to list to starboard.

CUT TO BRIDGE

Those crew not strapped into their chairs have been thrown to the deck
from the impact. As they get up, alarm klaxons are blaring.

WOLENCZAK
(yelling)
Shut off those alarms!
(beat)
Damage report!

TAYLOR
We have hull breaches in Engineering and Mag Lev Two...flooding is under
control, but it'll be a while before we're dry.
(beat)
We lost the turbine on number one and three engines when the remains of
that Spectre got sucked into the intakes.. A complete loss. Our top
speed is gonna be around 40 knots until I can get those intakes sealed.

WOLENCZAK
Get on it.
(beat)
We'll need that speed later.
(beat, turning to Trueman)
Communications status?

TRUEMAN
External coms are down. Looks like the power surge burnt out about a
third of my relays. I should be able to reroute coms through the
remaining circuit relays, but it'll take about an hour.

Wolenczak thinks about this for a moment, then nods as he turns to
Matthews.

WOLENCZAK
(to Matthews)
Get your Marauder launched and stay close by us. Keep your PAL open at
all times, and we'll use you to relay communications with the
subfighters.

Matthews nods and gets up, sprinting for the hatch.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The remaining two Spectres are chasing Marauder Two through a series of
switchbacks on the ocean floor. They keep firing laser bursts, but the
Marauder makes quick movements left and right to avoid being hit.

CUT TO MARAUDER TWO

Reede is fighting the control yoke, sweat beading on his forehead. His
movements on the controls are jerky and unpredictable.

REEDE
(to himself, sarcastic)
Just watch him show how it's done, he says.

Reede jerks the stick to the left

CUT TO EXTERIOR--MARAUDER TWO--CGI

Th camera POV is directly on the tail of Marauder Two. It suddenly slips
to the left and up slightly as a laser bolt passes by it just barely to
the right.

CUT TO MARAUDER TWO COCKPIT

REEDE
(muttering)
Stay on my wing, he says.

Reede jerks the stick to the right.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--MARAUDER TWO--CGI

Marauder Two suddenly dips down and right as two bolts pass where the
subfighter had just vacated. They pass close enough to light up the side
of the cockpit.

CUT TO MARAUDER TWO COCKPIT

Reede winces from the light as the bolts pass by and explode against the
rock wall outside. His look says he has had enough of this.

REEDE
(angrily into headset)
All right, Mad Dog. Where are you?

GOODWIN
(over com)
You're doing fine, Reede. I'll be there in a second. Just take the left
fork ahead.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

Marauder Two moves by through a canyon below our POV, from left to
right. As it does, the two Spectres follow it through the canyon and
down a left fork. From the right fork, the Outrider emerges and gives
chase. As we pan over to follow it, we see another vessel activate
running lights and follow.

CUT TO BERGER'S SHIP

Berger is seated at a horseshoe shaped console, with a number of video
monitors inset into the console. Each has a designation above it: Drone
1, Drone 2, Drone 3 and Drone 4. Drones 1 and 3 are showing camera view
of them trailing the Marauder, while Drones 2 and 4 are showing static.
Berger is splitting her attention between the controls for the drones
and a large tactical display of the region. The large display shows the
four subfighters moving through the trench. Further along the trench on
the display is a red zone labeled "EMP."

BERGER
(smiling at the display, quoting)
"Step into my parlor..."

Berger presses a couple of controls under the Drone 1's monitor. On
screen, we see laser pulses streaking toward Marauder Two.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

Two laser bursts cut past Marauder Two.

CUT TO MARAUDER TWO COCKPIT

The interior is lit up as the laser pulses impact nearby.

REEDE
(calmly)
Goodwin, if you're planning on doing something
(an edge creeps into his voice)
_Now_ would be a good time to do it.

GOODWIN
(over comm circuit)
Just hang on, kid. The cavalry is here.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The Outrider lines up behind the trailing Spectre and fires a pulse from
its laser cannon. The laser pulse hits the Spectre's trailing control
surfaces, causing it to veer suddenly left into the canyon wall. The
Spectre explodes, provoking a landslide that the Outrider just barely
avoids.

CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT

GOODWIN
(excited)
Yee-haw! That's one for the good guys.
(beat, laying on the Texan accent)
All right, pardner. Time for this posse to cut you off at the pass.

CUT TO MARAUDER TWO

Reede has heard this and a look of confusion crosses his features.

REEDE
(confused)
"Cut you off at the pass"?
(beat, muttering)
Nobody _talks_ like that.

Reede is shaking his head when the panel behind him explodes in a shower
of sparks. Alarms are sounding, and the ride suddenly gets bumpy.

REEDE
(beginning to panic)
I'm hit. Starboard side.
(beat)
Mad Dog, I'm losing maneuverability.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

Marauder Two is leaving an oily trail off its left side and skewing to
that side as it moves through the canyon. The remaining Spectre lines up
behind it for the kill shot, as the Outrider speeds in from the rear.

CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT

Goodwin is watching the targeting display.

GOODWIN
(yelling)
Reede, pull up! Get out of the canyon, you're just in the way now!

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

Marauder Two suddenly pulls up vertically at the same time Outrider
fires. The Spectre is hit, but it's minor. However, the hunter has
become the hunted. The Spectre now speeds away down the canyon.

CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT

Goodwin watches the Spectre start to pull away.

GOODWIN
(determined)
Oh _no_ you don't.

Goodwin hits a control, and the Outrider increases speed.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The Outrider is now chasing the Spectre, firing shots. The Spectre
slides left and right, avoiding the shots, as it moves further into the
canyon.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--MARAUDER TWO POV--CGI

The Marauder, above the scene, watches as the two subfighters round a
curve to the right and then a switchback to the left. As they pull out
of the last curve, the canyon walls hide both subfighters from view.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

POV is now on the bottom of the canyon. The EMP mine sits there,
blinking. The Spectre goes by, and two rows of lights on the device go
on. As the Spectre goes by, the mine aims and fires a spike upward into
the Outrider. When the spike makes contact, we see a series of
coruscating electrical charges move down the wire and into the Outrider

CUT TO OUTRIDER COCKPIT

Controls are going crazy for a second, then everything shuts down.
Goodwin is thrown violently forward by the sudden halt and hits his head
on the console in front of him. He's not unconscious, but he's in a
daze.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

As the Outrider comes to a halt, the Spectre does a half loop and starts
back toward the Outrider. As it passes, a small spider-like device is
ejected. As the probe detaches from the EMP device, it skims closely
past the camera. We see on it some markings: The EWS corporate logo,
and the words "MK-973 VR Probe." Three seconds later, the Spectre
explodes over the EMP mine. This starts an avalanche, burying the EMP
device.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--MARAUDER TWO POV--CGI

The explosion and avalanche cut off any view of the canyon. Reede
watches in horror, not sure what to do. As he looks, the com circuit
clears, and we hear Matthews.

MATTHEWS
(over com)
--ome in, Marauder Two. This is Marauder One. Do you copy?

REEDE
(numbly)
Marauder Two here.

MATTHEWS
Reede. Thank God you're all right. What's your status?

REEDE
I'm hit, power down to 20 percent. I've lost all control surfaces on the
right side.
(beat, hollowly)
Looks like I'll need the auto club to come give me a tow.
(beat, reluctantly)
Um, Commander, I think we just lost Outrider.

There is silence over the radio for a moment, then Matthews replies. Her
voice sounds heavy.

MATTHEWS
Hang on, I'm on my way to your position.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

The spider-like probe the Spectre ejected is now moving along the
fuselage of the Outrider, toward the cockpit. As it reaches it, one
digit extends toward a ridged panel on the hull. A light from the digit
shines on its label, which we can now read: "Emergency Pod Release." The
digit pulls off the panel, and then stabs at a red button underneath.
When it does, we hear a couple of dull thumps, like distant explosions,
followed by the cockpit being thrown upward out of the canyon, into the
debris floating from the explosion of the last Spectre. As the cockpit
sails away, we see the probe move inside the space left vacant by it.
The spider probe extends its digits into the control sockets left vacant
by the cockpit. The Outrider stirs back to life, and starts to slowly
sail down the canyon.

CUT TO BERGER'S SHIP

Berger slowly takes off the VR Probe headgear and smiles as she turns
off the drone monitors. Then, she turns to her helm station and punches
in a rendezvous course with the Outrider, smiling.

FADE TO COMMERICAL

END ACT FOUR


===========================  PART 5  =====================================


ACT FIVE

OPEN ON MINING RIG

All is as we last saw it. Callan is examining the chainlink, while
Percell studies the opposite wall, both looking for avenues of escape.
Not making any effort to assist, Alexander is looking at the ceiling.
Morgan is sitting squarely in the center of the elevator, hugging her
knees. Her breathing's a little too fast and a little too labored.
Callan looks over at her.

CALLAN
(concerned)
Anne? Are you okay?

MORGAN
(dryly)
Not particularly, no.

PERCELL
(worried)
What's wrong?

MORGAN
(tightly)
I'm acrophobic.

Percell and Callan exchange a glance.

PERCELL
(sympathetically)
Oh, God, Anne...and medical cleared you?

MORGAN
(ironically)
They put me on a _submarine_. It didn't exactly come up.

CALLAN
Look, just sit tight, I'm sure we'll come up with something here.

MORGAN
(still trying to maintain a sense of humor)
Trust me, Commander, I don't plan on going anywhere.

CALLAN
(chuckling a bit)
Good.
(beat)
There's got to be some way to spoof that little gizmo--

ALEXANDER
(cutting in impatiently)
Why are we wasting our time trying to figure it out? The three of us can
at least get out of here and work on getting help...

PERCELL
(shocked)
And kill Morgan?

Alexander looks like he's trying to convince himself, as well as them,
that what he's proposing is acceptable.

ALEXANDER
(self-righteous)
She's a soldier. She knows that sometimes one life has to be sacrificed
for the rest of the group.

Alexander lunges for the door. Callan jumps to prevent him, but is too
late, and Alexander opens it.

ALEXANDER
(gloating)
It's not even locked!

Callan and Percell are rooted in place, eyes fixed on Morgan. Nothing
happens. Callan walks to the door and detaches the device. He and
Percell look it over.

PERCELL
(stunned)
There's no transmitter...

CALLAN
(drawing the conclusion)
It's a phony. She bluffed us.

ALEXANDER
(affronted)
She was probably lying about the acid in the heat exchange system, too.

Callan runs for the control panel and pushes buttons, bringing Morgan's
elevator to ground level. Percell reaches in and pulls Morgan to her
feet. Morgan is shaky, but steps off the elevator, taking deep breaths.

MORGAN
(_very_ gratefully)
Thanks.
(beat, looking around)
Now, let's get out of here.

CALLAN
There's got to be a control room on this rig. We can get a message to
_seaQuest_...

The four move toward a doorway. Before they can cross the expanse,
though, a creaking sound is heard. It grows louder. Then we hear a loud
crack. Water begins to cascade in. The group runs for the watertight
door.

CUT TO HALLWAY

The four emerge in a rush. Callan pulls the door closed and seals it
behind them. They begin to run.

CUT TO ANOTHER HALLWAY

Camera shot is at floor level. We're still in the mining rig, judging
from the amount of dust and debris scattered around. A red beam crosses
the hall, about six inches from the ground. Four sets of legs come
running up the hallway--three in uniform, plus Alexander's. Unknowing,
they run through the beam.

CUT TO EXTERIOR BERGER'S SHIP--CGI

Berger's sub moves steadily with the Outrider in tow.

CUT TO BERGER'S SHIP

Berger is going through a karate "kata", staying limber as the autopilot
sails the vessel. A small indicator goes off on the control panel,
accompanied by a beep. Berger stops her workout and grabs a towel as she
heads to the console. Looking at the light, she taps out a couple of
commands on the keyboard and reads the information displayed as she
towels herself off. She sighs to herself.

BERGER
No, no no...I knew you four were resourceful, but now you're being too
clever for your own good...or mine.
(beat, punching in a series of commands)
Looks like I'll have to make sure you stay put.
(beat)
Permanently.

CUT TO EXTERIOR BERGER'S SHIP--CGI

The tow line detaches. As it does, the VR probe in the cockpit area
comes to life again and the Outrider sails off. Berger's ship then peels
off to the right and picks up speed.

CUT TO HALLWAY

A plate on an ordinary looking door reads "Control Room". Berger's four
prisoners stop in front of the door.

CALLAN
(out of breath)
Finally!

He tries to open the door. The handle turns easily, but the door can
only be pushed in a few inches. Callan leans hard on it, but it only
budges a bit more. Alexander adds his weight, too, but with very little
effect.

MORGAN
Here, let me...

ALEXANDER
(disbelieving)
What can _you_ do?

MORGAN
(easily)
There's a reason God made me so small...

She starts squeezing sideways through the opening.

CUT TO CONTROL ROOM

In the light available from the hallway, we see Morgan slip into the
room. She palms the light switch. When the lights come on, we see that
the equipment in the room is pretty thoroughly destroyed. Even desks and
chairs are in pieces, and the debris is what blocked the door. Morgan
heaves the larger pieces aside, and her three companions enter and look
around. As they enter, Callan and Alexander immediately head for the
remains of the communications console. Percell stops next to Morgan,
who's standing stock still and looking around her.

PERCELL
(curious)
Anne? You all right?

MORGAN
(nodding)
Yeah. This just isn't quite what I expected.

They join the others in examining the communications console. It's not
encouraging. Alexander steps back, disgusted.

ALEXANDER
(bitterly)
Just great. It's a wreck.
(beat)
You led us on another wild goose chase, Callan.

CALLAN
(whirling on him)
Look, I've just about had it with your whining. If you don't have
anything to add that's going to help us, then shut up. I don't need the
distraction right now!

Alexander looks shocked for a moment, then turns and walks away. Morgan
comes over to Callan, concern on her face.

MORGAN
What can I do to help?

Callan jerks a thumb in Alexander's direction.

CALLAN
Keep _him_ quiet. And you and Sara look around and see if there's
anything we can use as a transmitter.
(beat, pointing inside console)
The antenna leads are still in here, so if we can get a signal out, the
system will amplify it enough for _seaQuest_ to find us...
(beat, looking around)
...Wherever we are.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

We see a Marauder-type subfighter cruising, in some sort of search
pattern.

CUT TO INTERIOR--HUNTER'S SUB

Hunter is seated at a console. He's tapped in to the UEO data
transmission frequency, and is monitoring broadcasts concerning the loss
of signal from _seaQuest_. As he does, the Magnetic Anomaly Detector
(MAD) starts flashing. Hunter sees this, and punches up the readings.

HUNTER
(thinking aloud)
Hello, what do we have here?
(beat)
Well, you're bigger than a breadbox...and under your own power, too.
(beat)
Let's take a closer look at you.

He moves over to the helm controls and steers his vessel onto the
heading indicated by the MAD readings.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

Hunter's ship moves across screen from left to right. As we pan to
follow it, we see it approaching the Outrider.

CUT TO INTERIOR, HUNTER'S SUB

Hunter looks at his screen and smiles. Someone has already done his
dirty work for him.

HUNTER
(chuckling)
Oh, this is much too easy.
(beat, examining displays)
Hmm. An EWS Smart VR Probe...that should be easy enough.

He touches a control, and screen shows a laser slice into the VR Probe.
Its indicators go dark, and the Outrider shuts down, settling to the
bottom.

HUNTER
(rubbing his hands in anticipation)
Wait'll DeLano gets a load of this baby.

He manipulates the controls and brings his vessel in to collect the
Outrider.

CUT TO MINING RIG CONTROL ROOM

Percell and Callan are working over a couple of radio handsets. Callan
has used a pocket knife to perform surgery on them, so their innards are
available. Percell is running some wire between the handsets and the
communications console.

CALLAN
Well, this will transmit a signal for us, but the audio input is shot on
both of these.
(turns to Morgan)
Anything over there we can use for a microphone?

Morgan starts to look, but Alexander puts a hand on her arm and stops
her.

ALEXANDER
Don't bother. I already looked. All I found was this.

He holds up a small keying switch array, with two red switches on it.
Callan looks at it derisively.

CALLAN
A fat lot of good a couple of on and off switches are going to be.

As he says that, Percell remembers something, but she isn't sure what.
She looks at Callan.

PERCELL
(thinking)
Maybe they will be...maybe.

ALEXANDER
(off Percell)
Yes. Morse code. On and off pulses. You don't need a microphone, just an
on-off key.
(beat, contemptuous)
And someone with enough _brains_ to recognize it.

Shooting him a dirty look, Percell grabs the switches and strips the
insulation off the wires. She twists the exposed wire around some
components to complete a circuit. Seconds later, she presses down one of
the keys, and is rewarded by a beep sounding from the handset speaker.

PERCELL
Greg, this'll work. I just hope my Morse isn't so rusty that nobody can
understand us.
(beat)
Do we know where we are?

Morgan looks around in the debris, and finds what she wants. It's a
piece of letterhead, showing the words "Perseus Three Mine." It looks
like a memo of some sort.

MORGAN
Perseus Three Mine. That should help them find us. From the looks of
this, EWS got it in the Deon Industries buyout--

As she speaks, we hear some creaking and the sounds of water rushing
in. Another bulkhead has failed somewhere in the station. All four stare
at the hatch behind them and Percell starts tapping out her message.

CUT TO _SEAQUEST_ BRIDGE

The emergency lighting is still on, and technicians are still fixing
various pieces of equipment. Amid the confusion, Wolenczak is moving
about, seeing that things progress. He sees Riller at the tactical
station, replaying the attack.

WOLENCZAK
(beat, crossing to Riller)
Have you got any ID on who attacked us?

RILLER
(shaking his head)
No, Sir. There was never even any normal communication traffic between
the Spectres. But whoever they were, they knew _us_ pretty well.
(beat, pointing at tactical display)
That Spectre dropped those torpedoes exactly in the right spot to slip
through. It used the explosion of the first wave of torpedoes to mask
its approach, and made the launch perfectly.

WOLENCZAK
It just doesn't make any sense. Were they trying to cover their tracks
after kidnapping Alexander?
(beat)
What's the status on the subfighters?

RILLER
(business like)
Commander Matthews is towing in Ensign Reede, and we've got a recovery
team out retrieving the Outrider cockpit.
(beat)
Telemetry from it shows it's holding an atmosphere, but we haven't been
able to raise Commander Goodwin yet.
(beat)
Commander Burke is with the recovery team, and she'll report in as soon
as she knows something.

Trueman is underneath her console, working to repair the damage. She
makes a connection, and the power is restored to her console. As it
comes on, the console speaker emits a beeping sound, not monotonous, but
in a regular code. Trueman emerges from under the console and hears the
beeping. She stands slowly, listening to it. Wolenczak notices her and
walks over.

WOLENCZAK
What is it, En--

TRUEMAN
(cutting him off)
Shhh!!!
(listening, softly mouthing the translation)
...E...O...1...1...3...8...
(excited)
Oh my God! Sir, it's Sara!

Dropping into her seat, Trueman hastily begins typing in what she hears.
Wolenczak reads over her shoulder as she does so.

WOLENCZAK
"UEO 1138. Perseus 3 Mine. Hijacked. DeSmitt holding Callan, Percell,
Morgan, Alexander hostage."
(to Riller, urgently)
I need the location of the Perseus Three Mine.
(to Trueman)
Can we get a fix on the signal?

Trueman indicates the console, which is still heavily damaged.

TRUEMAN
Sorry, Sir, I was lucky to get the power back.
(beat)
But it's not a hard signal to track. Standard Morse Code...anybody could
pick it up.

Matthews, Reede, Doctor Meridith Burke and Goodwin make their way onto
the Bridge. Goodwin has a bandage on the front of his head, and Burke is
standing close to him.

WOLENCZAK
(seeing them)
Commander, you look like you've seen better days. What happened out
there?

GOODWIN
It was a trap, Sir.
(beat)
They lured me in the Outrider, and then used an EMP device to knock out
my propulsion. Before I could do anything, some sort of VR probe hit the
eject button and there I went, cockpit and all.
(beat)
I sort of hit my head, and don't remember much else.

BURKE
As if you should.
(beat)
He's got a concussion, Captain. He should be resting.

WOLENCZAK
(impatiently)
In a minute, Doctor.
(beat, to Reede)
Did you see anything?

REEDE
(shaking his head, glumly)
Not much, Sir.
(beat)
But that trench was open on the east end. If they took the Outrider,
they had to come out there.

Riller walks over to Wolenczak and the others.

RILLER
The Perseus Mine complex is about 250 kilometers north of here. It was
abandoned five years ago, but EWS still holds the claim on it.

All of them react to that, most especially Goodwin. They all look at
Wolenczak, who is weighing both his options and responsibilities.

WOLENCZAK
(exhaling)
Our priority _has_ to be the Outrider.
(beat)
Helm, set course for the end of that trench, best possible speed.

RILLER
(aghast)
But...Sir, the hostages--

WOLENCZAK
(cutting him off hard)
--Are safe at this point.
(beat)
They'll just have to fend for themselves for a while.

Riller is about to say something, but he just shakes his head and heads
over to the tactical console. Matthews isn't taking this answer.

MATTHEWS
(pointedly)
Captain, can I speak to you alone for a second?

WOLENCZAK
All right, Commander.

The two of them move to one side of the bridge, away from the others,
who just watch them. Matthews and Wolenczak keep their voices down, but
their conversation is intense.

MATTHEWS
Permission to speak freely, Sir?

Wolenczak nods, but doesn't reply. Matthews looks straight into his eyes
as she continues. He doesn't meet her gaze; it's obvious that he's no
more comfortable with his choice than she is, but feels that it's the
best choice.

MATTHEWS
You're making a mistake, Sir. Those are our people out there. We _have_
to try to rescue them.

WOLENCZAK
That's not the point. We've just lost a major new weapons system, and
that has to come first.

MATTHEWS
It does? Since when does a _thing_ come before _people_ for you?
(beat)
Or is it because you're trying not to show concern for one particular
person?

Wolenczak looks sharply up at Matthews, trying to see what she knows.
She nods at him.

MATTHEWS
(confirming)
Yes, Captain. Morgan told me.
(beat)
I understand you don't want to show favoritism, Sir.
(beat)
But you're bending over so far backward, trying so hard to be
_fair_...you're putting them all in jeopardy.

Wolenczak runs a hand though his hair, thinking about it. She's
put the decision in a different perspective for him, he's just got to
decide how he feels about it. Finally Wolenczak exhales, and nods at
her.

WOLENCZAK
(to the Bridge in general)
All right. I'll take _seaQuest_ and continue to chase the Outrider. You
take two teams and rescue our people.
(beat)
Go get them, Commander.

Matthews nods, and heads over to Riller's console. She motions for
Riller, Reede, Goodwin and Burke to join her.

MATTHEWS
(all business)
What assets do we have available?

RILLER
(punching up the info)
Marauder Two is down. Marauder One is big enough...
(beat)
As for cover...
(beat, checking the readouts)
Ahhh, the techs have the wraps off of the other prototype Outrider.
(beat, reluctantly admitting something...)
It would be good to have along, for its tactical capabilities.

Matthews looks over at Goodwin, who nods. Burke catches this and starts
to object.

BURKE
No! He's in no condition to pilot the Outrider.

MATTHEWS
I'm not sending anyone out there alone, Doctor.

REEDE
You don't have to.
(beat)
The Outrider's a two seat fighter. Let me take her out, and have him sit
in the Weapons Tech seat.

Goodwin starts to object, but Burke cuts him off.

BURKE
It's either that, or you stay in MedBay, Commander.
(beat)
I'd think seriously about your next choice of words.

Goodwin looks at Burke, and sighs, defeated. Then he smiles and puts his
hand out to Reede.

GOODWIN
All right, Reede, you win.
(beat)
But we better get one thing straight...I know more about her than you
do. If I say something, you listen.

Reede just meets his gaze evenly.

REEDE
Don't worry, I'll listen. Besides, the sooner we make this rescue and
get back, the sooner we can end this partnership.
(beat, heading for exit)
Come on, Mad Dog. You wouldn't want to miss the boat.

Goodwin stares after Reede for a second, then looks back at Matthews,
smiles and shrugs before he follows. Matthews looks at Burke.

MATTHEWS
Doctor, you're with me.
(to Wolenczak)
We'll be back soon, Sir.
(beat, quietly to Wolenczak alone)
And I promise, they'll be okay.
(beat)
_All_ of them.

Wolenczak just nods as Matthews and Burke exit. He turns to Riller and
Taylor.

WOLENCZAK
I want damage control teams working on the engines immediately. We need
all the speed we can get.
(beat)
Helm, get us moving.
(beat, determined)
We've got a thief to catch.

CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI

We see the remaining Outrider and Marauder One exit the docking areas,
and then pass by in formation. They move off to the right, while the
_seaQuest_ heads left.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--HUNTER'S SUB

He has the Outrider in tow, with the remains of the VR probe on the
ocean floor behind it. They cruise away from our POV.

CUT TO HUNTER'S SUB

Hunter is continuing to monitor his tap into the UEO comm channels when
the Morse code signal starts to come across. He ignores it for a moment,
while his computer decodes it. However, when the message is displayed on
his screen, he looks at it carefully, sitting back in his chair.

HUNTER
Damn. Sara.

He looks at his monitors and punches in some information. A second icon
appears on his national map, labeled "Perseus Three." The icon is very
close to his current location. Hunter swears softly again, obviously
torn. He makes a decision and starts to punch in a number of commands on
his console.

CUT TO EXTERIOR--CGI

Hunter's sub detaches the tow line, and moves away as the Outrider
settles to the bottom. Hunter's sub then settles in next to the
Outrider, and starts to blow silt over the Outrider. In moments, it's
buried and hidden. Last, a marker beacon is placed on the site, sitting
silently over the buried subfighter. A moment later, Hunter's sub moves
away.

CUT TO MINING RIG

It's obvious they've been there a while. Morgan is sitting quietly,
Alexander is pacing nervously, Percell is continuing to send the message
repeatedly and Callan is inventorying the available equipment, looking
for items he can use. Percell and Callan make eye contact, and he shakes
his head slightly, but continues to work. There is a sudden cracking
sound from above. All four look upward cautiously. Callan grabs an
emergency lamp off the wall and presses the on-off switch. To his
amazement, it actually works. He points it up at the overhead, and
swears softly. The camera follows the light beam into the overhead,
where it plays across the ceiling, illuminating a hairline crack in the
dome. Water starts seeping through it and dripping downward.

ALEXANDER
(as if stating an obvious fact)
We're going to die here.

CALLAN
(firmly)
Not if I have anything to say about it.

He pauses and considers his options. Not coming up with any, he turns to
Morgan.

CALLAN
These places have shelters installed in case of failure. Where would
they be?

MORGAN
(considering)
Don't know. Probably below the seafloor.
(beat)
We need to find a map.

CALLAN
Agreed.
(to Percell)
Sara, Doctor Alexander, come on. We're going to find someplace to hole
up in case the dome fails before _seaQuest_ gets here.

ALEXANDER
(not moving)
What good will that do? We're all going to die anyway.

His attitude has finally overcome Percell's good nature.

PERCELL
(lashing out)
Look, you, I am tired of your attitude. You want to die, fine. Stay
here. But _we're_ going to find a way out of this.

Percell stalks out, followed by Morgan. Callan just looks at Alexander,
who is standing there, staring after her.

CALLAN
(coolly)
It's your choice, Doc, but I'd suggest you come along.
(beat)
That way, there's still some hope.

Callan turns and leaves. Alexander waits a moment, then rises and
follows him out.

CUT TO HALLWAY

Signs painted on the wall indicate this is "Level 3" of the mine. We see
the four hostages come down a ladder--Morgan a bit shakily. At the
bottom, a second sign indicates the docking bay is to the left, tool
storage is to the right. They look at the signs, and at Callan. He
points to the right.

CALLAN
Let's check out this way. Maybe there's something among the tools we can
use.

HUNTER
(O.S.)
I doubt that, Commander.

The four hostages whirl and look. As the camera pulls back, we see
emerge from the shadows a hand laser, held by Hunter. He aims it toward
them for a moment, and smiles as he looks them over.

HUNTER
(shaking his head)
My, my, look at what the cat dragged in.
(smugly)
You four look like you could use a lift.

Percell seems frozen, Morgan's staring, and Callan can barely believe
his eyes. Alexander's unfazed, but taking his cue from the other three.
Finally, Percell finds her voice. It's low and dangerous, unlike
anything we've ever heard out of her.

PERCELL
(the fury shows through)
No way in hell.

Hunter looks at her for a moment, then shrugs.

HUNTER
(smiles faintly)
Sara, come on.
(beat)
It's a little bigger than the last Carolinan vessel you were in. A sub,
not a life pod. No big deal.

Percell continues glowering at him. He takes a step toward her.

HUNTER
(offering a hand)
No hard feelings, come on. I told you. It had to be done.

Callan, Morgan, and Alexander are staying quiet, but watching the
interplay intently.

PERCELL
(barely neutral, still glaring)
You let them--

Hunter puts his laser in its holster, points back over his shoulder.

HUNTER
(cuts her off)
I didn't have a choice. Come on.

He moves to take her by the arm, and that sets her off. She twists away
and almost gets in a square punch before Callan grabs her and holds her
back.

PERCELL
(yelling, at Hunter)
You bastard! You let them leave me out there to die!

She moves to attempt another attack, but Callan maintains his grip on
her. He pushes Percell against a wall and goes face to face with her to
get her attention. Hunter looks on, almost amused.

CALLAN
(intensely)
Chief! Knock it off!
(beat, calmer)
We don't have a lot of choice. This place is going to be flooded in the
next thirty minutes, and we're all gonna drown if we don't get out of
here.
(beat)
I know it's tough, Sara, but we've got no choice. We'll deal with him
later.
(beat)
I promise you.

Percell looks angrily at Callan, then at Hunter. She looks down at her
feet, takes a deep breath, and then nods at Callan.

PERCELL
(resigned)
All right, let's go. But I want him where I can see him
(beat)
_All_ the time.

HUNTER
(all bravado)
No problem, Chief. Your wish is my command.
(turns around)
My boat's this way. But let's get a move on, I think thirty minutes was
overly optimistic.

The group of five start moving down toward the docking bay. As they turn
a corner into another corridor, a hatch they are passing opens up. Berger
pops out into the middle of the group, grabs the nearest warm
body--Percell, and shoots at Alexander, hitting him in the arm. When he
is hit, Alexander crumples. Morgan moves quickly to his side, while
Hunter charges back, firing. A small firefight ensues while Callan and
Morgan move Alexander to safety behind some equipment. Berger ducks back
down the corridor, using Percell as a shield, as Hunter moves over to
Callan and Morgan, still firing occasionally at Berger.

HUNTER
Is he hurt?

MORGAN
He'll survive.
(beat, hotly)
You led us into a trap!

HUNTER
(not looking at her but returning occasional shots to Berger)
Sorry to disappoint you, Ensign, but the only time I've ever seen her is
when she came aboard to kill Hitchcock. I know as much about her as you do.
(beat, ducking a very close shot)
But I'll say this. She's a _damn_ good shot.

BERGER
(calling out)
Commander Hunter, I don't recall inviting you to join this group.
(beat)
But since you're here, you can die with the rest of them.

Berger hits Percell once on the back of the head, knocking her
unconscious.

BERGER
(to Percell's unconscious form)
You're my insurance policy...
(beat)
But the rest of you are excess baggage now. Have a nice trip.

Berger pulls a grenade from her jacket, activates the timer, and throws it
expertly. As soon as the grenade leaves her hand, she pulls Percell's body
through the hatch behind her and seals it shut. Camera tightens in on the
four hostages; the grenade sails in and lands among them. It clatters for
a moment, then stops up against a 55 gallon drum, timer side up.

OFF TIMER

Five lights are lit.

OFF CALLAN

Close-up on his face; he's obviously trying to think fast.

OFF TIMER

Four lights are lit.

OFF ALEXANDER

Close-up on his face, an expression of total disbelief.

OFF TIMER

Three lights are lit.

OFF HUNTER

Close-up on his face. He looks like he's adopted an air of almost
fatalistic calm.

OFF TIMER

Two lights are lit.

OFF MORGAN

Close-up on her face--an expression of fear and determination.

OFF TIMER

One light is lit.

CUT TO CORRIDOR

CALLAN
(yelling)
Get _down_!

He shoves Morgan to the floor, then jumps at the grenade as...

OFF TIMER

The last light goes out.

CUT TO WHITE SCREEN

Complete silence.

CUT TO BLACK SCREEN

Caption fades in to the middle of the screen. It reads: "To be
continued."

FADE TO BLACK

THE END

Copyright 1997, 2047 staff.