Date: Mon, 08 Jun 1998 18:16:39 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 2/episode 13/"Innocence Lost"/Teaser To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 Yes, we've made a few very minor changes...mostly proofreading stuff...so we're sending this again. seaQuest 2047 “Innocence Lost” By Matt Schiller, Victoria Morgan Hyde & Bill Ernoehazy Publication Draft Wednesday, June 3, 1998 Based on “seaQuest DSV” and “seaQuest 2032”. TEASER OPEN ON EXTERIOR COASTLINE We're on a very wide shot, showing a long piece of coastline, all barren, except for what looks like a few remnants of what used to be a resort area. We pan in closer, showing explosion "shadows" from where people used to be standing and where buildings used to be. Caption reads: "West Coast of Africa" New line: "Former Tashi Resort Complex" New line: "Radiation Hazard. No Human Landing Permitted" We then turn to the ocean, and begin to shoot out from the coastline, zooming across water, before going below the surface, and to a trench, as we see lights, followed quickly by _seaQuest_, which emerges from deep in the trench. The boat streams by. Caption reads: "_seaQuest DSV 4600-III_" New line: "200 miles off the west coast of Africa". CUT TO BRIDGE We're on a wide shot, and the Bridge is busy, but not overly so. The crew is busy taking scientific readings, all the display screens are on and show various pictures. Of the people we know, only Ensign Anne Morgan and Commander Jessie Matthews are present and they are both standing looking at one screen in particular. We pan over to them, as Matthews points to one of the main dense red blotches on the map in front of them. MATTHEWS So, the densest radiation is centered here, here and here, correct? MORGAN (nodding) Most of the really intense stuff seems to have clustered around the anti-rad walls that were installed almost six years ago. (beat, shaking her head) They're still doing their job, and the radiation escaping from here has been minimal. (beat, surprised) That's amazing. MATTHEWS (smiling) The wonders of science. MORGAN (letting a small smile escape) How long are we going to be here? (beat) 'Cause I've got a lot of samples I want to collect. We need to try to quantify just how the radiation’s affecting the area. (beat) Trouble is, the radiation makes it that much slower and more time consuming. MATTHEWS (shrugging) I'm not sure. (beat) I don't think they'll be kicking us out anytime soon, seeing as the Azanian Confederation invited us in here. (beat) We're the first UEO boat that's been allowed to get this close to the residue. (beat, raising an eyebrow) Actually, Anne, I was told that _seaQuest_ was specifically requested to be the one to do these studies, because of our science staff. MORGAN You mean the UEO's never done any studies here before? MATTHEWS (shaking her head) The confederations on the African continent aren’t aligned with the UEO anymore, so they haven't felt the need to let us in here. (beat, thoughtful) Can’t blame them, really. (beat, back on track) Apparently Hitchcock had to work a helluva deal just to get _us_ in here, so we'd better make the most of it. MORGAN (sighing) Now I've got about a hundred more samples I need to collect. Morgan begins to get worried about finishing this and getting the study done properly. She starts a little tangent, listing the things she's yet to complete. MORGAN (getting faster as she speaks) Now I've got to analyze everything before we decontaminate it, so we can check residual radiation levels. (beat) I'll need to send a surface team up to check the sand on the beaches, and take me some samples there. (beat) Then the WSKRS will need to be outfitted with radiation shielding so that they can scan the water for rad currents and patterns without frying all their delicate little circuits. MATTHEWS Whoa. (beat) Calm down, Ensign. You've got the boat at your disposal for at least a week. You'll have time to do this stuff. MORGAN That's what you think. Morgan starts to leave, still worried about getting everything done, but Captain Lucas Wolenczak stops her. WOLENCZAK (raising an eyebrow) Ensign? (beat) You're supposed to be on the Bridge scanning, and getting the preliminary data ready to send to the UEO. (beat) Where were you headed? Morgan's flustered exterior disappears, as she remembers that she should be staying on the Bridge. She realizes that she's let herself go off on a worry tangent again, and runs her hand nervously through her hair. MORGAN (sighing) Uh... nowhere, Sir. WOLENCZAK (smiling) Good. Wolenczak pauses and looks at both Matthews and Morgan, then at the screen in front of them. WOLENCZAK Report. MORGAN (going to the screen) Rad levels are still pretty high, Captain. (beat) It seems we're finding out just what kind of an impression a hugely messy nuclear explosion can leave. WOLENCZAK ("not again") The UEO did what it had to do, Anne. (beat) We can talk about this later. (beat, sighing) Continue. MATTHEWS (speaking up) I'll be coordinating with Commander Taylor, and... (indicating Morgan) ...You, Ensign. (beat) We're going to try and come up with some shielding for the bioskin, so that we can get in as close as possible to the core of the leftover radiation. WOLENCZAK (nodding) How soon can the modifications be ready? MATTHEWS (wry grin) Good question. We’re not even sure yet that it _can_ be done...the bioskin’s genetically inert, and it’s a bit tricky figuring out how it’ll react to radiation, to shielding, or to both. WOLENCZAK Understood. Keep at it. (beat, to Morgan, teasing) Are you going to stay on the Bridge now? MORGAN (sheepishly) Yes, Sir. He grins as we... CUT TO DR. TAYLOR'S QUARTERS We pan in and hear classical music playing softly in the background. The camera pans past an elegantly decorated table, set for a dinner for two. We past it to see the Lieutenant Commander Ed Taylor and Doctor Laura Taylor seated on the bunk, talking. TAYLOR Where'd you get this stuff, Laura? (beat) I thought this was a warship? DR. TAYLOR (smiling) I borrowed the table from the Crew’s Mess, and promised a week’s worth of water showers to the mess chief in exchange. (beat) But enough about how I got this stuff. I got it so we could have a night alone. (beat) A night together. TAYLOR (kissing her) It _has_ been a long time... Taylor kisses his wife again, and as they continue, we pan back past the dinner table, still set, as the classical music comes to an end. FADE TO OPENING CREDITS END TEASER Date: Mon, 08 Jun 1998 18:17:05 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 2/episode 13/"Innocence Lost"/Act 1 To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 ACT ONE OPEN ON WOLENCZAK’S OFFICE Wolenczak is speaking over vidlink with UEO Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Wallace Robinson. He is obviously not pleased. WOLENCZAK ...I realize that we’re the people with the science team. (beat) But I’d’ve spared Morgan and Burke for a couple of weeks to come out here with some scientists from McKensi if you’d asked. (beat, growing frustration) We should be nearer the Carolinans, for God’s sake, Wallace. There is a long silence. ROBINSON (on vidlink, sighs) Lucas, we both know this isn't about the Carolinans, or the strategic situation in the Caribbean. (beat) It's about _you_...and your memories. (beat) I wouldn't send you there if I had a good alternative; I know how you feel. But those science labs on _seaQuest_ that you and Ensign Morgan lobbied for make it the perfect fit for the job. For once, it's the kind of mission Nathan Bridger envisioned. (beat) Besides, Lucas..._it wasn’t your fault_. And it's time you come to terms with that. More silence as Robinson straightens slightly and his voice becomes more formal. ROBINSON (continuing) Captain, your orders stand. CENTCOM out. The screen reverts to the UEO logo. Off it, we... CUT TO CREW’S MESS The Mess is about half full, and we pan past Ed Taylor setting up a table with the mess chief. The camera finishes with Chief Petty Officer Sara Percell, who's sitting at a table with Lieutenant Justin Riller, Lieutenant J.G. Tom Reede, Matthews and Petty Officer Joe Brush, a male friend of hers who also covers the sensor station on the Bridge. Percell is talking, and is obviously agitated. PERCELL (explaining) Well, you all know that I was in the Azanian Union over here during my leave, and I went on this photo safari. MATTHEWS (putting down her sandwich) Oh, I'd love to do that. PERCELL (nodding) Well, yeah. (beat) That's why I did it, because I hadn't ever done it before. (beat) I also met some great people there. (beat, quieter) And a lot who...weren’t so great. RILLER (concern showing on his face) What? PERCELL (sighing) They have this cultural practice over there, which I discovered, purely by accident. (beat) Everyone thinks it's long dead, but it has been undergoing a kind of "revival" in some of the more traditional cultures, and since the bomb, even some of the more highly educated and wealthier people have started doing it again. (beat, having trouble getting this out) I guess they just lost so much, that there was little left but tradition for them to believe in. A lot of people have gone back to the neo-animist beliefs. REEDE (quietly) What's "it," Sara? Percell closes her eyes for a long moment before replying. She's close to tears, some of guilt, and some of sadness. PERCELL (forcing herself forward) It's called "female circumcision", and it used to be done as a custom all over Africa. (beat, explaining) Young girls are taken and circumcised, when there's absolutely no reason they should be. MATTHEWS (aghast) Oh my...Sara. Matthews tries to comfort Percell, but Percell brushes her off. PERCELL No. (beat) Let me get this out. (beat) I've been keeping it in for too long already. Her friends sit silently, listening. PERCELL There are so many reasons this shouldn't be happening, the first and most important being the fact that it's a human rights violation. (beat, the tears start to flow) I went to a ceremony. REEDE (shocked) But-- PERCELL (quickly, shaking her head) I didn't realize what it was, and I had to watch it done. (beat) I’d become good friends with a woman from the village. She told me later that she _wanted_ me to be shocked... (beat, explaining some more) She’s about 50 years old; it was done to her when she was a child. She told me she wanted me to do something to help stop it now. Percell becomes more and more subdued, and as her memories return, she stares off into nothingness, just recalling what she's seen. PERCELL I...I couldn't do anything to help that poor girl... Percell's head goes down, but she quickly raises it. PERCELL (resolute) Since we're here under the auspices of the UEO, I'm going to do something about it. Before anyone can do anything, Percell quickly gets up and walks out, leaving everyone in various states of horrified discomfort. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The boat is at station keeping, as a launch exits the docking bay. CUT TO WARDROOM Percell and Chief Medical Officer Doctor Meridith Burke are present, talking to Wolenczak. He's listening intently. Burke is fairly steamed, while Percell is more distant, still very upset over her memories. BURKE (firmly) The fact of the matter is, there's no medically supportable reasons to do this. PERCELL (interjecting) They say that a woman who hasn't had it done is "unclean". (beat) It's very hard for them to find a husband in some areas, and if they refuse to have the circumcision done, they're treated like outcasts. BURKE (coming back) Okay, but a lot of places that do this are unsanitary. (beat, with heavy irony) The... “procedure”...can cause terrible infections and crippling scars. (beat) Not to mention that international law has had a mandate against it ever since the United Nations passed a resolution prohibiting it. PERCELL (sighing) If we don't stop them, the law isn't going to do a damn thing. (beat, sighing) People here just accept it. Wolenczak waits a moment, before replying. He's not overly bothered by what they're saying, but he can understand their concern. WOLENCZAK (attempting to be diplomatic) It’s their lives...if they feel morally obligated to do this, who are we to interfere? BURKE (snapping back at him) It’s illegal and serves no medical purpose. None. (beat) You men would be a lot more against it if there weren’t at least some medical reason for _you_ to be circumcised. Both Wolenczak and Percell are initially taken aback by Burke's outburst. After a tense moment, Wolenczak responds. WOLENCZAK (hard faced) Okay. I’ll see what I can do. On nods of approval from Percell and Burke, we... CUT TO AFRICAN VILLAGE This village is in reasonable condition...simple but sturdy houses, a quonset-hut style medical facility left over from previous humanitarian efforts in the area. Caption Reads: “Mbele Township, Azanian Union” New Line: “Bordering the Yellow Zone, Continental RadZone perimeter.” As we pan through the village, we can see that preparations are under way for something big, as large groups of people move in and out of the infirmary carrying parcels. We move to the front of the infirmary, where a group of girls, ranging in age from about eight to thirteen, sit in a circle nearby. The group appears to be receiving some kind of instruction from an older woman. CUT TO WOLENCZAK’S OFFICE Wolenczak is at his desk, and on the vidlink with Hitchcock. From the looks on both their faces, we can tell they've been having a heated discussion. WOLENCZAK (frustrated) Look, Katie, I’m not trying to take in an invasion. But a trusted crewmember is reporting a human rights violation. (beat, as a low blow) It's bad enough that I have to go through all that UEO rigamarole each time I want to talk to you. (beat, making his point) Don’t you think it’s our duty at _least_ to send in a team of observers? HITCHCOCK (on vidlink, sighing) The "rigamarole" is called a chain of command, Captain. (beat, pointedly) Most UEO officers obey it. WOLENCZAK (sheepish) I deserved that. HITCHCOCK You're damn right you did. (beat) Your mission in African waters is supposed to be purely scientific, Lucas. (beat) Should I call up the Azanian consulate here at the UEO and tell them that we don't approve of their culture, and would they like to please junk their beliefs, and take up our values instead? WOLENCZAK That's not what I'm askin-- HITCHCOCK (cutting him off) I'm approving a small surface landing. (beat) This will not be an official UEO-sanctioned mission. You can go ashore tomorrow, for a couple of days, to continue your _real_ mission, but if you happen to find out about a little about this problem, no one here’s going to mind. (beat) You're only gathering facts, Captain. _No_ action will be taken. (beat) Clear? WOLENCZAK (sighing) As day, Madame Secretary. (beat) Thank you. She nods in response. CUT TO ENGINEERING We follow the legs of a female, in uniform, down a corridor, and then into the main engineering area. We pan up to see Dr. Taylor. She looks around the compartment, then addresses the crewmembers there. DR. TAYLOR Excuse me. (beat) But does anyone know where the chief engineer is? TAYLOR (climbing down a ladder) He's right here. (beat) What're you doing here, Laura? She smiles evilly, pulling him off to the side. DR. TAYLOR Well... TAYLOR I know that look, baby. (beat) But I'm on duty here. This isn't 2032, we've got some more regulations, and a lot of people that are ready to throw us out of the UEO if we're caught being indecent while on duty. DR. TAYLOR (“innocent”) I only came down here to thank you, and to let you know that I'm available tonight, if my husband dearest would like to have another wonderful night. TAYLOR I'm off duty at 2100. Dr. Taylor begins to walk away, rather seductively. DR. TAYLOR I'll be in your quarters. As Dr. Taylor turns the corner, we hear the other officers on duty being “typical” males: "Ooooh, Commander's in the Mile Deep Club!" "I wish I had a girl like that..." etc. Dr. Taylor just snickers and gets into the MagLev. END ACT ONE Date: Mon, 08 Jun 1998 18:17:46 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 2/episode 13/"Innocence Lost"/Act 2 To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 ACT TWO OPEN ON VILLAGE As the moon rises in the background, various outdoor lights illuminate the continuing preparations. As we pan down closer to the various people moving things around, there is an air of suppressed excitement. TOWNSPERSON ONE What time is it? TOWNSPERSON TWO It's about eight o'clock. TOWNSPERSON ONE (quietly) Less than two days, now. CUT TO BUNKHOUSE We pan over to the same group of girls we saw before. As we do, we pass brand new dresses, hung on pegs. The girls are now sitting in beds, and on the floor in the same general area. Cyrah, the obvious leader of the group, is about 13 and is very pretty. Shanelle, age 8, is the youngest. The others include Hasana, the only one with a dirty face, and Anika, a 10-year-old who is sitting alone, reading. CYRAH (calling to Hasana) You'd better get that face cleaned up, Hasana, honey. HASANA The celebration's still two days away! CYRAH (going over to her) Hasana, don't argue. (beat) You're going to be cleansed. You don't want to show up dirty for that. As Hasana goes off to another room, Shanelle comes over to Cyrah. SHANELLE (meekly) Is it gonna hurt, Cyrah? CYRAH (comforting) Just a little Shanelle, just a little. (beat) But then everything is going to be so much better. ANIKA (speaking up) How can you say that? Anika puts down her book, to glare at Cyrah. Cyrah is surprised by Anika’s outburst, but is more than ready to debate the issue. CYRAH Because it’s true! ANIKA There's nothing good about what's going to happen to us! Shanelle begins to sniffle. CYRAH (pompously) Okay, then Anika. (beat) If you don't want to have it done, then you can just leave. Cyrah hands Shanelle over to another girl for comfort, and she goes to the door and opens it. CYRAH (continuing) Because one thing I don't need in here is a troublemaker. (beat, pointing) Look at how you've upset Shanelle. (beat) We don't need that here. Just leave. ANIKA (thinking) But then what would my mother say? (beat, quieter, torn) I don’t know what my family would do if I... Anika trails off and just looks at the ground. Cyrah stares at her with fire in her eyes, as the older woman from before, Shanesia, enters through the open door. SHANESIA (scolding) Don't leave that door open, Cyrah! (beat) It can still get cold here at night. CYRAH (shrugging) Don't blame me. Anika wanted to leave. Shanesia looks immediately at Anika, who's still just staring at the ground. She goes over to Anika. SHANESIA (hugging her) No, Anika. You don't want to leave. Come on, you just need some sleep. We've all been busy, and I'm sure you're just tired. As Shanesia tries to take Anika to her bed, Anika gives little protest. In the background, Cyrah is seen picking up Anika's book, and throwing it into a box in the corner. Other girls start making their way to their beds. SHANESIA (addressing the whole group) Now is the time for meditation and preparation. (beat) Cyrah is here to help you all, and make sure you have everything you need in preparation for the celebration. (beat, indicating) I've left you some water and if you are thirsty in the night, you may drink it. But remember, tomorrow is the day of fasting, so no more food. (beat, going to the door) Goodnight, children. As Shanesia closes the door, we... CUT TO DOCKING BAY There's people preparing here too, but for something totally different. The "observation" team has gathered, and consists of Riller, Lieutenant Commander William Goodwin, Morgan, Burke and Wolenczak. The team is all dressed in civvies, with some basic scientific gear attached to them. The captain is briefing the group. WOLENCZAK Since _seaQuest_ is here on a scientific mission, I've composed this team of science officers, to avoid raising suspicion. (beat) Goodwin and Riller are here to pilot and be our security. (beat) Percell will be here momentarily, and she will be our guide. (beat) We’ll skirt the edge of the RadZone and come ashore at the edge of the Yellow Zone. (beat) Any questions? No one says anything, so Wolenczak dismisses them. As they each start getting gear ready and into the launch, Matthews enters the Docking Bay and goes directly to Wolenczak. Her crewmates exchange interested glances...they’ve seen her this way before, and are ready for fireworks. MATTHEWS Permission to speak candidly, Sir? WOLENCZAK (curiously) Granted. MATTHEWS Why the hell am I being left behind _again_? (beat) I think I've proven myself before, especially when Butler had this boat, and you were out of commission. (beat) Sir. WOLENCZAK (coldly) There was never any need to prove yourself, Commander. (beat) Granted, I don’t focus on science any more, but the fact remains that I do have a...science background. MATTHEWS But you’re taking Riller and-- WOLENCZAK (over her line) Plus, because of your invaluable skills on the Bridge, I need you here to make sure _seaQuest_ stays out of trouble, and you're there if and when we need a rescue. MATTHEWS (concerned) Rescue? WOLENCZAK (changing the subject) Have the bioskin modifications been tested yet? Matthews decides to let the "rescue" comment slide. MATTHEWS We've been running some tests, and I've got more extensive ones scheduled for 2300. (beat) It’s all so experimental...who knows how it’ll actually perform. WOLENCZAK Well, keep it up and keep _seaQuest_ as safe as possible. (beat) I'm leaving. Wolenczak leaves a stunned Matthews behind as he enters the airlock. CUT TO INTERIOR LAUNCH Wolenczak enters and the hatch closes. He goes over to Goodwin in the pilot's seat. GOODWIN (grinning) Still wearing all your skin, Sir? WOLENCZAK (laughs) I got out before she could flay me alive. (beat, to business) Even though this launch doesn’t have a bioskin to decontaminate, it sure isn’t _healthy_ here. (beat) Let’s get around the RadZone as quickly as possible. GOODWIN (nodding) Agreed. Goodwin returns to his pre-launch checks as Wolenczak buckles in. CUT TO BRIDGE The Bridge is quiet, with Taylor in command, and Reede and Trueman at their respective stations. Brush is at the sensor station gathering data via the WSKRS. REEDE (reporting) Still on the edge of the RadZone, sir. Maintaining course along the edge. TAYLOR (nodding) Keep it up, Lieutenant. Reede turns on his headset, and begins talking to Trueman. REEDE How come we're stuck here while Goodwin and Riller get to go camping? TRUEMAN (over headset) It could be worse, Tom. (beat, slyly) I could be out there with them. Reede shoots her a “look of death,” only to be rewarded with a sly smile. CUT TO EXTERIOR LAUNCH--CGI It zooms by. CUT TO INTERIOR LAUNCH Morgan is handing out blue badges to the people in the launch. MORGAN (explaining) We're going to be pretty close to the Yellow Zone, and reports from the Medicine Sans Frontieurs teams that work in the region indicate they have radiation scares all the time around here, when the winds shift. (points to the face of a badge) These will turn red if they come in contact with dangerous levels of radiation. (beat) We can't be too careful, this close to the Yellow Zone. Wolenczak stands to add to her speech. WOLENCZAK We'll be ashore for a few days, running tests. As invited guests, our presence in Azanian territory shouldn't pose a problem. The _one_ thing we have to remember is that we were invited to study the RadZone... (pause for emphasis) ..._Not_ to investigate a human rights claim. (beat) As long as we remain inconspicuous, and do the job we were asked here to do, we should be fine. Goodwin looks up from his controls GOODWIN Captain , we're coming up on landfall. WOLENCZAK Acknowledged, Lieutenant. Wolenczak goes to a communication panel. WOLENCZAK _seaQuest_, this is the captain. Please acknowledge. CUT TO BRIDGE Trueman is receiving Wolenczak's communication. TRUEMAN (into headset) I read you, Captain. TAYLOR (overhearing) On speakers. WOLENCZAK (over speakers) We're about five kilometers out from the shore. We'll be landing in about ten minutes, and we'll check in once we set up our base camp. TAYLOR Acknowledged, Captain. Matthews comes onto the Bridge, as Trueman shuts off the speakers. MATTHEWS You're relieved, Mister Taylor. TAYLOR Thank you, Commander. (beat) We just heard from the captain; they’ll be landing in about ten minutes. Matthews nods. MATTHEWS Thank you. Taylor leaves the Bridge with a little spring to his step. CUT TO BEACH We see the launch on the shore in the background. Morgan is fiddling with a bulky, handheld monitoring device, as Burke, Goodwin and Riller make camp well up the beach. Wolenczak and Percell walk a little way up the beach, discussing a map Percell holds. PERCELL I've planned our route over to the village. If we start now, we can be there in about an hour. WOLENCZAK (a little perturbed) Whoa, slow down, Chief. (beat) We’ve still got the science aspect of this mission to take care of. We’ll take readings here today, and hike over to the village tomorrow. PERCELL But, Sir-- WOLENCZAK (firmly) We’re lucky to have been allowed to pursue this at all. (beat) With _this one_, Chief... (beat) We play by the rules. Percell nods glumly, turns, and heads over to the camp. Wolenczak pulls a PAL from his pocket and activates it. WOLENCZAK (into PAL) _seaQuest_, this is Wolencak. VOICE (over PAL) Go ahead, Sir. WOLENCZAK We’ve made camp and will be staying here tonight. We’ll make our way to the village in the morning. MATTHEWS (over PAL) Acknowledged. (beat) Good luck, Sir. (beat, an afterthought) Oh, and Sir? WOLENCZAK What is it, Commander? MATTHEWS (over PAL, dryly) Tell Mad Dog he’s dog _meat_ for stealing my marshmallows. WOLENCZAK (laughing) Understood, Matthews. (beat) Guess I’d better find some sticks... (beat, grinning) Wolenczak out. He deactivates the PAL and stuffs it back in his pocket as he makes his way up the beach. CUT TO TAYLOR'S QUARTERS The Taylors are in the middle of another candlelit dinner. DR. TAYLOR Well, I'm sure glad you helped the mess chief put his table back, so he would let us have it again tonight. (beat, slyly) We didn't exactly eat that much last night. TAYLOR Or the night before. (raising his glass) To us. (beat) The best new couple on the boat. With a small laugh, Dr. Taylor joins her glass up with her husband’s. CUT TO CAMPSITE It is now nightfall, and there's a whole camp set up, with tents, and even an honest-to-goodness campfire. Goodwin is manning the 2047 equivalent of a Coleman stove, and is right at home on the job. We pan over to Riller, walking the perimeter of their camp, then Morgan, who's sitting cross-legged on a sleeping bag off to the side, hunched over a laptop computer. Wolenczak breaks from his group at the campfire, and plunks himself down beside Morgan. WOLENCZAK (reading off the screen) A paper on the negative effects of the nuclear strike against the Macronesians? MORGAN You said you wanted to talk about this later, so let's talk. (beat, straight to the point) Why the hell did the UEO think that pounding several hundred miles of Africa into slag would make the world a better place? (beat, gathering steam) And what pisses me off more, is that you guys and the Macronesians both took advantage of the Azanians, who were _trying_ to remain neutral! Wolenczak sighs and looks out toward the heart of the RadZone. WOLENCZAK The Macronesians came here first. MORGAN (ironic) Well, that's a childish explanation if I've ever heard one. Wolenczak turns on her with a cold, angry stare. WOLENCZAK Just let me finish, Anne. MORGAN (taken aback) I'm listening. Wolenczak pauses for a moment and composes himself. His voice, when he resumes, is distant, remote. WOLENCZAK Anne, what was the UEO strike aimed at? MORGAN (confused) Why, umm, the Macronesian supply depots and staging bases for the push into the Atlantic...some weapons research bases, trying to enhance the effect of the subduction weapons system... Wolenczak laughs bitterly. WOLENCZAK Enhance the subduction weapon? Oh, not exactly... Riller and Percell walk over and listen. Wolenczak, staring off into the distance, barely seems to notice. WOLENCZAK (continues) The Macronesians were using things they learned from the...effects...of their ship-mounted subduction torpedoes, and mating it to advances in gravity wave research out of the University of Djakarta. They were looking for a site to build a singularity weapon...something which could tear apart a continent, without subduction zones. A weapon that would have ended the war, in our defeat... (beat) Or our utter annihilation. (beat) We--the intel groups, who cracked the databases and looked at the recon satellite images--didn't believe it, at first. Even for the Macs, it seemed horrific, out of control. (beat) But Bourne wanted his Macronesian Empire...and pushed ahead. (beat) It seems the Macs weren't _sure_ their generators wouldn't just obliterate several hundred square miles of Macronesia...so, they put pressure on the Azanian Union to host their bases, in a "technology exchange program.” (bitter laugh) For what it's worth, the Azanians were told the stations were experimental gravitic power plants, for producing clean, cheap energy. Of _course_ they wanted a share. (beat) And they were close, _so close_ , to going online... more than most people ever heard about. (beat) The UEO had to stop them, or the Macronesians would have churned the North American continent into rubble. MORGAN (shaken) So the messiest nuclear bombs we could throw were the answer? WOLENCZAK Not the messiest...not even close. Morgan jerks her arm angrily toward the heart of the RadZone. MORGAN Then what the _hell_ happened out there, Lucas? How can you justify-- Wolenczak cuts her off with an angry wave. WOLENCZAK (near to fury) You have _no goddamn idea_ what it was like that day! The others are shocked. WOLENCZAK (tightly controlled) Everything we--the UEO--could ferret out pointed to laser and kinetic-kill defenses, small fusion plants, hardened silos, nothing that would have made for a catastrophe. (beat) Unless we'd let the Macs finish their work, and wipe out much of the Amazon Basin to "teach us a lesson." (beat) All our data came from indirect intelligence, satellites and hacking. No assets on the ground; the Macs were always too damn good at spyhunting...still, we thought our intel was reliable. So...one big EMP nuke to take out communications, a couple of small, clean airbursts to kill the defenses, then we could take everything out with lasers and our orbiting kinetic weapons. Fairly clean, right? (beat) Except for a few details...like the Mac nuclear-tipped interceptor missiles, some of which knocked our first salvoes way the _hell_ up the coast into civilian areas. Which necessitated _more_ nuclear suppression strikes, to finish off the defenses we didn't know were there. (beat) And then... the Macs were using _fission plants_ for power... the irresponsible bastards. Wolenczak becomes more intense, angrier as he continues. The others listen in rapt, horrified silence. WOLENCZAK (continues) "Cheap power," all right. Except when the orbital penetration-rods slammed into the containment vessels at several thousand kph...and spewed plutonium for miles. (beat) When the satellite images came in, and it was clear what had happened... (beat) The captain in charge of the strike planning group went into his office, locked the door, and blew his brains all over the wall. Wolenczak looks drained. WOLENCZAK (continues) Everyone I know who was...involved...with the strike...has nightmares, remembering what the first pictures showed, knowing it was already too late to halt the rest of the salvoes, seeing what had happened... (beat) What we unleashed. Wolenczak stops and looks back, into the heart of the Zone. WOLENCZAK But in the end, there wasn't a single Mac grav weapons site in existence. (beat) _That_ much good, if nothing else, came out of the whole ugly horror. RILLER (looking around) Yeah...the strike took out the whole of the Mac weapons installations, all right... PERCELL (unconvinced) Effectively rendering this area of the planet uninhabitable for at least several hundred years. WOLENCZAK (increasingly impasssioned, as if he needs to believe this himself) But it stopped the Macs cold... (beat) Saved the _rest_ of the planet... (beat) And gave us the chance to regroup, and stop Bourne's megalomaniac dreams of empire. PERCELL (shaking her head) But at what cost to the planet? WOLENCZAK (angry now) Bottom line? The other three nod. WOLENCZAK (all but snarling) The planet would have been a _damn sight_ worse off if the Macs had finished their system. Their idea of a "demonstration" might have involved...oh, all the Mississippi valley? Maybe the Canadian shield? Just try to imagine the ecological damage from _that_. (beat) If we hadn't dropped those bombs… (beat, with impact) We'd all be Macronesians now. Or dead. As all the implications sink in, faces turn pale, and we... CUT TO COMMERCIAL END ACT TWO Date: Mon, 08 Jun 1998 18:19:02 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 2/episode 13/"Innocence Lost"/Act 4 To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 ACT FOUR OPEN ON VILLAGE SQUARE The festivities are in full swing, as a group of women dances in the “town square.” The group of girls we’ve seen before, all wearing their new dresses, stands together at one side of the square, clapping and laughing. We watch them for a few minutes, then the dance ends amid cheers and claps from the audience. The applause breaks off suddenly, as Wolenczak and the others from _seaQueast_ approach. A flash of recognition crosses the face of one dancer, Nyota, in her late 40s, and she rushes up to Percell and gives her a hug. NYOTA Sara! You really _did_ mean it when you said you’d come back and visit again! How did you manage it? PERCELL Well, we’re here on business, actually. (beat) We’re studying the radiation effects in the area, and the captain and our science officer thought it would be a good idea to find out the effects on land as well as underwater. People around them nod. Nyota moves in close to Percell and speaks in a low voice. NYOTA Did you tell them about our ceremonies? Percell nods. NYOTA (continuing) You have incredible timing…the festival is today. The ceremony will begin soon. As she speaks, Shanesia leads the dozen or so girls to the center of the square. SHANESIA We have been fortunate in the past year. The winds from the RadZone have not come our way. We have been able to do much building and our families have prospered. (beat) This is a good and righteous community. I am sure that our forefathers would be pleased that we have followed in their ways. We continue to do so today as another group of our young women, the future mothers and leaders in our village, take an important step toward becoming responsible adults. Morgan is fidgeting with her equipment, and appears to be taking readings with a small, handheld device. Shanesia looks over to Nyota, Percell, and the others, and a slight edge creeps into her voice. SHANESIA (continues) We have unexpected guests here. They have come to study what the radiation has d one to us. Let them instead see what we have accomplished in spite of the radiation. She looks at the girls and they begin to sing an old, traditional folk song. GIRLS (singing) Sikuyo indlla yelizwi lobomi. {We are on the path of the voice of righteousness.} Ikhaya labantu behleli ngendweba. {Home to people who live with peace.} Nina ke nehluka kuthixo ngo kona. {Some of you are different in the eyes of God because of your sins.} Nithini. Noyana, noyano phezulu. {What do you say? Are you going? Are you going to heaven?} There is a moment of silence, then, heads held high, the girls follow Shanesia into the infirmary building, as the UEO observers exchange uncomfortable glances. DISSOLVE TO OUTSIDE INFIRMARY As we see townspeople milling around outside the infirmary. Caption reads: “Two hours later”. Percell, Nyota, and Burke are talking together, as Morgan still wanders around, taking readings. Goodwin is with her, holding equipment. The hum of conversation in the square dies down as the infirmary door opens and Shanesia comes out, leading Shanelle by the hand, followed by the rest of the girls. The girls move off to join their families. All are a bit ashen, and move somewhat stiffly, but each girl looks proud. The UEO team watches quietly as families fuss over their daughters. Nyota takes them over to one of the families. NYOTA This is my sister, Anah, and her daughter Hasana. They exchange greetings. Hasana smiles, though it is obviously an effort for her. HASANA Mama, I want to go home and sleep. ANAH (a little embarrassed) The celebration isn’t over yet. You’ve got to wait until after the meal. HASANA (quietly) But I feel dizzy, and— Before she can say more, Hasana collapses, blood pouring down her legs. ANAH (frantic) Shanesia! Help her! Shanesia hurries over, assesses the situation, and shakes her head. SHANESIA (bluntly) There is nothing I can do. Sometimes it is the will of God that— Nyota cuts her off, turning to Burke. NYOTA You’re a doctor. Isn’t there _something_ that can be done? ANAH (near hysteria, to Burke) You’re a doctor? You can save her? BURKE I— Shanesia jumps in, angry. SHANESIA We don’t need help from outsiders. Especially not from the UEO. It is _their_ fault we must live as we do. Not caring about Shanesia’s opinion, Anah keeps her gaze fixed on Burke. ANAH (pleading) Please, Doctor…help her. Burke looks to Wolenczak, who nods. Then she begins barking out orders. BURKE (all business) Riller, carry her into that infirmary. Goodwin, get the medkit from my gear. Anne, I’ll need your help. They all spring into action as we… CUT TO INFIRMARY Some time has passed. Burke is sitting at the Hasana’s bedside. Anah sits watching at the other side of the bed. The child is very still, with whole blood being transfused into one arm, and an IV in the other arm. Shanesia enters and looks at Burke—not a bit friendly. Burke sighs, and stands. BURKE (to Anah) Call me if you need anything. Burke turns, and she and Shanesia leave the room. CUT TO VILLAGE SQUARE Shanesia leads Burke to a group of benches that has been placed at one side of the square. The rest of the _seaQuest_ team is there, as are a few villagers, including Hasana’s father, and a very distinguished looking older man. Morgan is still fiddling with equipment and taking notes as Burke sits down. SHANESIA (indicating the older man) This is my husband, Lebo. He is the head of our town council. Burke nods in acknowledgement of the introduction, but says nothing. Lebo speaks, mainly addressing Wolenczak and Burke. LEBO I must protest your interference in our celebration. You had no right to act without our permission. BURKE (hotly) I saved that child’s life. SHANESIA (flatly) But perhaps it should not have been saved. People die. It is the way the world works. BURKE (stunned disbelief) You mean you would have watched that child hemorrhage and die, because “it’s the way the world works”?! What you’d already done to her was bad enough, but to simply _watch her die_-- WOLENCZAK (warningly) Doctor… He might as well have remained silent for all the attention Burke pays him. BURKE You’re violating human rights mandates that have been on the books for over fifty years! SHANESIA (with equal temper) And the UEO violated our rights when it bombed our land! Percell is no longer able to stay silent. PERCELL So your answer to that is to mutilate young women? SHANESIA The return to our old beliefs is what has made our people strong in the wake of the disasters of the war. Lebo stands. LEBO Shanesia. We will get nowhere arguing with these people. They refuse to understand that our God is higher than their mandates. He walks away, but Shanesia remains. We see her continuing to argue with the others, drawing the interest of other villagers, as we… CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI We see _seaQuest_ at station keeping in the foreground, the WSKRS moving around her, taking readings. The camera is aft, looking forward along the keel, and in the distance we see a glowing barrier, flaring occasionally with yellow scintillations. CUT TO BRIDGE Matthews and Taylor are at the science console, looking over the data on one screen. On the other, one of the WSKRS views of the barrier shield is shown. The yellow scintillations ripple across the view from left to right. TAYLOR (whistles) That is not good… MATTHEWS What do you mean? TAYLOR (pointing at the WSKRS view) Part of the original shield’s construction was to make it operate similar to an old-fashioned scintillation device. MATTHEWS (lost) Scintillation device? TAYLOR (“lecturing”) Yeah, it was an old-fashioned detector for determining radiation exposure. As gamma particles impact the crystal, they change its energy state. But the crystal sheds the excess energy as light when it is quickly heated and cooled. The ripples are the waves heating and cooling the crystals…and each of the yellow scintillations are the crystals releasing their energy. MATTHEWS (“okay...”) Why is that bad? TAYLOR Well, this is just a guess, since I only got a glimpse of the shield when we pulled into position, but it seems to me the rate of discharges has increased. You’d have to check it against the sensor logs, but I think you’ll find that’s true. Matthews presses some controls, and telemetry data from the WSKRS comes on the screen, overlaying the video feed. MATTHEWS Well, levels are still below maximum tolerance… TAYLOR (shaking his head) Yeah, but not by much… Taylor touches some controls on the console. The science data screen plots radiation levels for gamma, beta and alpha particles against time. All threes show slight upward levels, until the last hour. There, gamma levels start climbing quickly. TAYLOR (eyes wide) Sweet mother! MATTHEWS (nodding slowly) You said it…if that trend continues, _seaQuest_ will start glowing in about 12 hours. She turns to Trueman. MATTHEWS Raise the research team. (back to Taylor) We’ll need to pull them back before the rad levels get too high. TRUEMAN Commander, I have the captain on the line. MATTHEWS On speaker. Immediately the bridge is filled with a static squeal, mixed with the sounds of an angry voices and background noises from other _seaQuest_ crew members trying to keep things calm. MATTHEWS Captain, this is Matthews. We’re reading increased radiation readings from the rad zone. There may be a storm blowing across the zone. At the rate things are moving, we’ll need you to head back to _seaQuest_ within the hour. WOLENCZAK (over com, cautiously) That’s could be a problem, Commander. (beat) We’ve, uh, developed a situation here. Matthews, Taylor and Trueman all share a look. MATTHEWS (carefully) What kind of situation, Sir? WOLENCZAK (over com) It’s related to the other matter we were looking into, Commander. Doctor Burke was needed to help someone. She has a patient, but some of the locals aren’t exactly thrilled about her assistance. (beat) We’ll make contact in-- There is a very loud high-pitched whine, and the Bridge crew cover their ears. Trueman scrambles to turn off the speakers. MATTHEWS Captain? (beat, more urgently) Captain Wolenczak, do you read me? Trueman is checking over her console. TRUEMAN We’ve lost the signal, Commander. MATTHEWS Get them back. TRUEMAN I can’t. TAYLOR (interjecting) There was a huge spike in the ionization levels…that must be what did it. MATTHEWS (softly) Damn. She looks at the screen, watching the rippling scintillation from the barrier. She takes a deep breath, and then turns to Trueman MATTHEWS Monitor all frequencies, and try to raise the team. Notify me if interference from the ionization levels gets too high to get through. (to Taylor) Give me some best and worst case scenarios on how much time we have. Standard deviation. Taylor and Trueman acknowledge, and turn to their tasks. Matthews walks over to the command chair and sets her hands on it. Her knuckles turn white under her grip. CUT TO VILLAGE SQUARE Tempers appear to have simmered down somewhat, and Morgan is once again attempting to carry on with the business of research. She is still shadowed by Goodwin, who is still toting equipment for her. They stop near a group of villagers. MORGAN Excuse me…but may I ask you some questions? They don’t appear to be hostile at her approach, and a young man nods at her. MORGAN (diffident) Well, you know we’re here to research the RadZone…and as part of that, I’m trying to find out how it affects the people who live along the Yellow Zone. Can you tell me what happens here when the dust storms hit? MAN Well…when the breezes come in off the zone, like they are right now, we access the satellite photos to see whether there’s a serious storm coming in— He is interrupted as another man steps up behind Morgan and Goodwin. He is wearing a sidearm. CONSTABLE I am sorry…but I must ask you to come with me. Morgan and Goodwin exchange a look…she looks a bit frightened, but he smiles at her reassuringly and shrugs. GOODWIN Yessir…lead on. I’ll be glad to put some of these gizmos down for a while. We follow them as the constable takes them over to the rest of their group, seated on the benches and guarded by two more constables. Goodwin and Morgan sit, as Lebo approaches, grim-faced. LEBO I called my cousin…the deputy governor of the Azanian Confederation. He pauses for a moment to let this sink in. LEBO (continues, harshly) He tells me you should not be here. You were only invited to investigate the oceanic RadZone, not the land. (beat) My constables will be…detaining…you until he can talk to your superiors. (beat) Of course, that might take a while…it is the middle of the night at your headquarters. (beat) Since Nyota seems to know one of you, you will be kept under guard at her house. The constable team moves in to “herd” the team away…Riller jumps up, his hand moving to his sidearm, but Wolenczak stops him. WOLENCZAK (commanding) No…No trouble, Riller. We’ll trust to headquarters to give us a _peaceful_ resolution to this problem. The constables take the research team away as we… CUT TO COMMERCIAL END ACT FOUR Date: Mon, 08 Jun 1998 18:19:19 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: seaQuest 2047/season 2/episode 13/"Innocence Lost"/Act 5 (end) To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 ACT FIVE OPEN ON VILLAGE Our group sits, guarded but relaxed, on the ground outside a small house. The breeze has picked up some, blowing people’s hair into their faces, blowing bits of debris around, etc. Nyota approaches and sits down next to Percell and Burke. NYOTA Sara, I’m sorry. (beat) I had no idea that asking for your help would lead to this. (beat, sighing) I had hoped that having outsiders around might bring a bit of reason, but now I despair of ever making change. PERCELL (trying to be encouraging) Nyota, we can still report on what we’ve seen here. Don’t give up yet. Nyota merely stares off into the distance. When she speaks again, it is as if she’s speaking to herself. NYOTA My husband and I always wanted children. We were married several years before I went to a doctor in the city to find out why we weren’t having any luck. (beat) Scarring from my circumcision had left me sterile. (beat, fondly, to Burke) Hasana’s my favorite neice; she’s like a daughter to me. I can never thank you enough for saving her life. Burke just gives Nyota’s arm a squeeze. We pan over to where Morgan sits near one of the constables. The two are talking. MORGAN You don’t seem terribly concerned about this wind coming off the RadZone. CONSTABLE (shrugging) It’s life. Lebo will let us know if it’s bad enough for us to have to leave. Morgan sighs, a bit dismayed by his fatalistic attitude. Just then, a strong gust of wind comes along, blowing the shutters on the house back and forth with several loud bangs. MORGAN (nervously) You’re sure they’ll tell us soon enough if we have to evacuate? CONSTABLE I’m sure Lebo will take good care of us. Morgan doesn’t seem so sure. She glances down at her radiation badge…although it ’s still blue at the middle, the blue is becoming greenish, and the edges are definitely yellow. Off the badge, we… CUT TO EXTERIOR--UEO HQ It’s late night. We see the HQ complex illuminated by floodlights in the background, a lit fountain in the foreground. CUT TO HITCHCOCK’S OFFICE Hitchock is standing behind her desk, looking out the windows down at the fountain below. The vidlink on the wall to her left shows a distinguished gentleman in formal dress looking out at her. He is Romni Atkwande, deputy governor of the Azanian Confederation, and he’s not very happy. ATKWANDE Katherine, you gave me your word that this was a scientific mission. HITCHCOCK And it _was_. Captain Wolenczak is a brilliant researcher, and has published in numerous scientific journals-- ATKWANDE (cutting her off, angrily.) Madame Secretary, don’t make me call you a liar. We know Captain Wolenczak was a member of the UEO intelligence team that’s responsible for the mess we have to live with out here. And the others of his team, going armed onto our sovereign soil-- HITCHCOCK (trying to placate) The other members of the team were chosen for their skills. Ensign Morgan is a fine scientist, Chief Percell handles the data recording and communications back to _seaQuest_, Lieutenant Commander Goodwin is their pilot, and Lieutenant Riller was along for security. ATKWANDE (incredulous) Security? HITCHCOCK (quickly) UEO Regulations require all scientific teams in potentially difficult environments to have a UEO security officer along for their protection. ATKWANDE (angrily) It is _we_ who need to be protected from the misguided parental attitudes of the UEO! (beat, calmer) If they had stayed on the beach, we could have allowed them to stay. But their contact with the villagers, and their interference with the ceremony there… (beat, shakes his head) It is all we can do to keep some of the villagers there from lynching them. We’ re going to detain your people a while longer, for their own protection. HITCHCOCK (surprised) Is that really necessary, Minister? ATKWANDE (coldly) We feel it is. (beat, formally) As soon as things calm down, we’ll send your people on their way. Your permission to study the results on land in the Azanian Confederation is revoked. (beat, cold and angry) Next time, I will not guarantee their safety. HITCHCOCK (looking at Atkwande’s image in the screen) Is there anything we can do to make up for this, Minister? You know we of UEO treasure our relationship with you, and hope to strengthen it in the future. ATKWANDE When the UEO is able to see the Azanians as equals and partners, rather than children to be ordered, then we can talk. Until then, there is nothing to discuss. (beat) Now if you will excuse me, there is another dust storm brewing off of Madagascar. We need to evacuate some towns. Atkwande reaches over and presses a control on his desk, turning disconnecting the vidlink. The UEO seal appears on the screen. Moments later there is a knock on Hitchcock’s door. Before she says anything, the door opens, and Robinson strides into the room. HITCHCOCK You saw? Robinson crosses to her desk and takes a seat. ROBINSON (nodding) On the duplicate feed in my office. (beat, smiling) It could have gone worse. Hitchcock looks at him askance HITCHCOCK (mildly incredulous) Worse? Robinson is nonchalantly going over three thin printouts he’s carried in with him. ROBINSON He could have declared war. Hitchcock frowns at that statement, then crosses and sits heavily in her chair. HITCHCOCK Thank God for small favors. (beat, leaning forward) So what assets do we have on the ground out there? Robinson passes her one of the folders across the desk. She opens it and reads. ROBINSON Precious little. That was an intelligence blind spot from before the war, and sentiments there are pretty inflamed about UEO. They see us as an intrusive influence, trying to destroy the hold they have on their own society. HITCHCOCK (scanning the document) Can we extract our people there? ROBINSON Not without a full scale military rescue. No covert ops personnel anywhere nearby. It would take hours just to stage them for a rescue, and we wouldn’t be able to do that quietly. He trails off, and Hitchcock watches him for a moment. HITCHCOCK (sighing) Go ahead, Wallace, spit it out. ROBINSON This really isn’t my place to say. It’s a foreign policy mater, not a naval affair. HITCHCOCK (firmly) Oh, no, you don’t. (beat) Wallace, I trust you more than anyone else here. If you’ve got something on your mind, I want to hear it. (beat) Is that understood, Admiral? ROBINSON Perfectly, Madame Secretary. (beat) We need to let the Azanians play out their hand, and do nothing. HITCHCOCK Nothing? ROBINSON (nodding) Minister Atkwande was angry at what you did, but he didn’t order any additional crackdowns. That’s tantamount to letting our people go. Give him a few hours, let him expel our people as he promised, to gain some positive influence inside the confederation. Then let things simmer down. In a few weeks, we can renegotiate for the study rights. Hitchcock gets up and looks back down at the fountain. HITCHCOCK (quietly) What about the human rights matter? ROBINSON (shaking his head) We don’t touch it. It’s too sensitive in their land for us to impose our own world view. (beat) I know you’re not happy. Honestly, the practice sickens me as well. But these people aren’t westerners. They have their own values, their own society, and we need to honor it, if we are going to uphold the UEO charter. Otherwise, may as well dig up Bourne and give him the place on a silver platter. Hitchcock thinks a moment, then nods. HITCHCOCK Okay, implement it. (beat) But get me some assets in the area, to prevent us from being over this barrel again. ROBINSON Right. (beat, trying not to smile) By the way, Madame President… (beat) Fuzzy slippers? Hitchcock looks down at her feet. Sure enough, below her skirt, we see pink fuzzy slippers. HITCHCOCK (shrugging) Well…when you get an urgent call to your office at 2 a.m., you don’t worry about footwear. After all, it doesn’t show on vidlink. They share a smile as we… CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI Again we see _seaQuest_ from the aft, facing the barrier. The rippling scintillations of light are much brighter now, bathing the region in an eerie yellowish haze. CUT TO BRIDGE The atmosphere is tense. The main viewsceen has a constant large readout of current radiation levels, in both numerical and bar-graph formats. A large red warning line crosses the bar graph, indicating maximum safe exposure. The bar on the graph is creeping slowly toward that line. Matthews is walking back and forth between Taylor at the engineering station, Trueman at the communications console, and the vacant science console. MATTHEWS (to Trueman) Anything yet? Trueman just shakes her head. Matthews swears once under her breath, then crosses back to Taylor. MATTHEWS How are we holding up? TAYLOR Well, if the radiation levels hold steady, we can stay here two more hours. Another spike, though, and all bets are off. (beat, pointing to a display on his console) The meteorological data isn’t much better. They’re in for one heck of a blow up there, and a lot of this junk is going to be in the air. When the shuttle comes back, we’re going to have decontamination problems with it, and we’ll probably lose use of it until we can pull back into a safe port. MATTHEWS (unconsciously rubbing her left shoulder) How about the bio-skin? TAYLOR The good news is that it’s holding up remarkably well. (beat) The bad news? We’re already seeing some signs of degradation due to radiation poisoning. If we leave now, we’ll be all right. (beat, watching her frown) But that’s not likely. (beat, energetically) So, when we do leave, we’re going to have speed and depth restrictions again until we can run a regeneration sequence and shore up the “bald” spots, so to speak. MATTHEWS (under her breath) Just once, I’d like one of these things to go the way it’s supposed to. No terrorists, no crazed hit persons, no conflicts, just a simple mission. TAYLOR (smiles at her) Where’d be the fun in that? The communications console emits two beeps, signaling an incoming message. Matthews hurries quickly over to it, as Trueman acknowledges the signal. TRUEMAN Incoming vidlink transmission, Sir. It’s Admiral Robinson, UEO Headquarters. MATTHEWS (closes her eyes for a minute, calming herself) Put him on-screen. The main viewscreen switches to display the incoming vidlink transmission. Robinson is in his shirt sleeves, obviously tired, but still alert. MATTHEWS Admiral, this is the _seaQuest_. Commander Matthews reporting, Sir. What may I do for you? ROBINSON (on-screen) Give me a status report, Commander. MATTHEWS Yes, Sir. (beat) We’re at station keeping approximately 60 nautical miles off the Azanian coastline. We’re monitoring what appears to be a major windstorm developing in the Rad Zone. The fallout from the radioactive dust is increasing radiation to an unhealthy level. (beat) We’ve lost contact with the survey team, for unknown reasons. We’re unable to raise them by PAL, and, per orders, we’ve sent no additional personnel to recover them. (beat, tentatively) Permission to speak freely, Sir? ROBINSON In a minute, Commander. (beat) I’ve had reports that your team was detained for their own protection. Seems they interfered in a local religious ceremony. They’ll be released shortly, and returned to their launch. When they report on board, your orders are to get _seaQuest_ out of that area, and put at least 200 miles between yourselves and the nearest Azanian landfall. MATTHEWS Aye, Sir. ROBINSON Now, what was it you wanted to say? MATTHEWS (beat) I know I may be out of place here, Admiral, because I know Captain Wolenczak is opposed to the idea. But we need some sort of...asset on board for situations like this. Our people are some of the best, but we’re just not trained for shore-based rescue and intelligence ops. ROBINSON (nodding thoughfully) I see. What would you suggest, Commander? MATTHEWS An old-style marine recon force would be nice-- ROBINSON (flatly) Done. Matthews is taken aback by this. MATTHEWS (shaken) Excuse me, Sir? ROBINSON (wryly) I don’t remember ever being tough to understand, _Commander_. (beat) The secretary general has already tasked me to get more intelligence and operations assets into the area. Your suggestion fits nicely with that, and gives you some more muscle for anything that may come along. MATTHEWS But...the captain’s wishes... ROBINSON It’s already going to happen. Captain Wolenczak will just have to accept that his boat is military first, and scientific second. (beat) That was an excellent analysis of the situation, Commander. I’m impressed. (beat) I have an opening coming up soon for a tactical analysis specialist on my staff. Interested in the job? Matthews can’t believe her ears. MATTHEWS (swallowing hard) HQ staff? ROBINSON I don’t need an answer now...but keep it in mind. (beat) Inform HQ when Captain Wolenczak and the rest of the survey team are aboard, and you’re under way. Robinson out. Robinson terminates the connection, and Matthews just stares at the screen. Taylor walks over to her, and pats her on the shoulder. TAYLOR Nice to have friends in high place. Good job, Jessie. Matthews looks over at him. Her eyes are troubled. MATTHEWS Yeah, thanks. (beat) But what is the captain going to think when he hears this? She plops down in the command chair, lost in her thoughts. CUT TO VILLAGE SQUARE Apparently, Lebo has found out how bad the situation is, because people are packing up belongings, getting ready to evacuate. We see Hasana on a stretcher, as Burke is preparing her for transport. The rest of the UEO team is gathering up equipment when Lebo approaches them. LEBO My constables tell me you were interviewing them about living so near the RadZone. And that you have been taking readings and soil samples. (beat) So it would appear that your mission in this area was genuine. (beat) I will allow Nyota to take you back to the beach in one of our Humvees. WOLENCZAK (neutral) Thank you. LEBO (sternly) Do _not_ thank me. If the UEO hadn’t been so hasty with its bombs a few years ago, you would have had no mission here. Our land wouldn’t be constantly affected by the fallout—both physical and social—of those actions. Wolenczak is struggling to maintain control of himself. Finally, he speaks. WOLENCZAK (tightly) The Azanians allowed the Macronesians to build horrible, cataclysmic weapons on their soil. If that had not been allowed, we wouldn’t be standing here like this right now. LEBO Propaganda. They were building power plants. Wolenczak takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. When he speaks, his voice is icy cold, but there is fury underlying that control. WOLENCZAK No. (beat) No, that is not propaganda. I was on the intelligence team. I _saw_. (beat) I saw the satellite images. Those “power plants” were fission reactors. And that ’s where the worst of the radiation came from. _Not_ from UEO missiles. Lebo is very quiet for several moments, chewing this over. Then he nods once and gets back to business. LEBO I must continue supervising the evacuation. It has been a while since one has been necessary. WOLENCZAK (curious) Why don’t you just permanently relocate? LEBO (simply) We know the risks. We will return when the storm is over and the dust has died down, because this is our home. (beat) Despite it all, this is our home. It is Wolenczak’s turn to look thoughtful as we… CUT TO EXTERIOR LAUNCH--CGI We see the launch cutting through the water, moving away from us. CUT TO INTERIOR LAUNCH Goodwin is at the controls, humming quietly to himself, with Riller in the second seat. Percell, Wolenczak, Morgan and Burke are all seated quietly, their faces drawn and tired. Morgan stretches for a moment, then reaches down into her gear and pulls out a small video device. Wolenczak looks over at her, and sees Morgan open the device, pulling out a small data cartridge. WOLENCZAK (quietly) Ensign, what have you got there? MORGAN (nonchalant) Evidence. (beat) They may have thrown us out of there, but the rest of the world is going to know the atrocities that happened there. PERCELL (looking over the back of Morgan’s seat) You did it? (beat, as Morgan nods) Great! All we have to do now is get that tape to Vince Matson and this story will-- WOLENCZAK (firmly) No. PERCELL (brought up short) No? WOLENCZAK (ironic) It’s only two letters long , Chief. It should be easy enough to figure out. (beat) No leaks, no stories, nothing. (beat, looking at Morgan) Why do you think we’re on our way back home? A deal was made. Otherwise, we might still be in a jail back there. (beat) Or worse. Burke looks across at him. BURKE Captain, with all due respect, someone has to let the world know about these practices-- WOLENCZAK (beat) Doctor, I agree. But not us, and not now. (beat) I’ll discuss the matter with Admiral Robinson when we return. Wolenczak leans back in his seat and closes his eyes, trying to doze off. Morgan watches him for a moment, then starts to slip the data cartridge into a pocket of her shorts. WOLENCZAK (eyes still closed) Ensign. He holds out one hand. Morgan hesitates a moment, the drops the cartridge into his hand. He places it in the breast pocket of his shirt and settles back to rest. Percell, Burke and Morgan all stare at him, seething slightly. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI _seaQuest_ is in front of the rad walls, which are even more active than before. She starts to bank to the right, executes a slow 180 degree turn, and then speeds up, the camera panning to the right to follow her movement. CU T TO WOLENCZAK’S OFFICE The vidlink is active, showing a conference call between Wolenczak, Hitchcock and Robinson. Wolenczak does not look happy. WOLENCZAK You did what? ROBINSON (onscreen) You heard me. A Force Recon team is being assigned to _seaQuest_. They’ll rendezvous with you as soon as you’re done with your research there. WOLENCZAK (stunned) Admiral, why? HITCHCOCK (onscreen) Lucas, stop right there. (beat, angrily) You have a lot of nerve questioning our orders after your actions turned what should have been a simple scientific mission into a diplomatic incident. (beat) In another time, you’d be beached…and if you say another word, I’ll make sure that becomes your reality. (beat) Do I make myself clear? Wolenczak stiffens in anger for a moment, then looks down at his desk to gather his composure. When he looks up, the anger is still in his eyes, but his shoulders are slumped, defeated. WOLENCZAK Yes, Ma’am. Absolutely. ROBINSON (softening the blow) Look, Captain, you did some good work out there. The data on the rad zone will help some of our science people see if we can improve that rad wall technology. (beat) And we’ve clamped a news blackout on the incident with the Azanians, since neither government wants the incident to turn into something bigger. WOLENCZAK (smoldering) What about the injured girl? HITCHCOCK She’s being cared for by the Azanian medical folks. The governor himself assured me she would be well cared for. Don’t worry about her. (beat) Look, I know you wanted more attention on the practice. In time, we may be able to affect a change in their society. But for now, we don’t have the leverage. We need to keep open the dialogue, and hope, someday, we can make that difference. But now _isn’t_ that time. WOLENCZAK (nods) I understand, Katie. (beat) But those young women who looked to us for help…will they? Hitchcock shakes her head. ROBINSON (all business) It’s late. Get some rest, and tomorrow you and Matthews can start arranging quarters for your recon team. They are part of your contingent now, Captain. Use them wisely. Robinson out. Robinson’s image fades from the screen, while Hitchcock’s remains. WOLENCZAK Katie, before you go… (beat, tightly) Jonathan wouldn’t have approved. You know that. Hitchcock stares at him for a moment, her face a mask of stone. HITCHCOCK You’re probably right, Lucas. But he’s not here. I am. (beat) Good night. She terminates the vidlink signal, and the UEO logo appears on the screen. Wolenczak stares at it for a moment, then turns back to his desk and begins dealing with reports. He moves a sheet of paper and there in front of him is the data cartridge he confiscated from Morgan. WOLENCZAK (staring at the cartridge.) “If I had a lever long enough…” CUT TO SCIENCE LAB The hatch opens and in walks Morgan, still dejected over the mission. She puts on a lab coat and walks over to her terminal, and stops, puzzled. It is already logged on, and connected to the ‘Nex. After a moment, her eyes go wide as she sees the web site: Amnesty International. It is their data uplink page, where human rights abuses can be reported. Resting on the keyboard is a small square wrapped in a single sheet of paper. She unwraps it, and finds a data cartridge. Eyeing it carefully, she turns to the piece of paper. It has one line written on it. MORGAN (reading) “If you have a lever long enough, you can move the world.” She looks again at the cartridge, and makes a decision. Sitting at the terminal, she plugs in the data cartridge, and presses a few keys on her keyboard. On screen, over her shoulder, we see the words “Upload commencing…do you wish to monitor transmission?” Morgan clicks on the “yes” icon, and a video window opens ion the screen…showing the ceremony at the village. As she watches, children’s voices fill the science lab. Morgan closes her eyes, and listens. GIRLS’ VOICES (V.O., singing) Sikuyo indlela yelizwi lobomi. Ikhaya labantu behleli ngendweba. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The ship sails slowly away, as the voices continue to echo into the darkness, fading away as the ship moves away from the camera. GIRLS’ VOICES (V.O) Nina ke nehluka kuthixo ngo kona. Nithini. Noyana, noyano phezulu. FADE TO BLACK THE END Copyright 1998, 2047 staff Date: Mon, 08 Jun 1998 18:24:36 -0700 From: Vicky & Bob Subject: REPOST seaQuest 2047/season 2/episode 13/"Innocence Lost"/Act 3 To: seaquest_2047@midnight.postino.com X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 4.72.2106.4 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 I don't know why it didn't paste properly before... ACT THREE OPEN ON CAMPSITE All of the “research team” are sitting around the campfire, which is mostly embers now, and, sure enough, they’re roasting marshmallows on sticks. Burke pulls hers from the heat, inspects it, and returns it to the fire. BURKE Not done enough yet. Goodwin glances at Burke’s marshmallow. GOODWIN Doc, it’s almost _black_. Burke shrugs. BURKE They’re no good unless they’re cindery on the outside and completely melted on the inside. She inspects her marshmallow again and is apparently satisfied with it this time, as she blows on it and pops it into her mouth, sighing contentedly. BURKE Will, I have to admit, you’re a genius...I’d never have thought of marshmallows. (beat) Let alone known where to find them. Goodwin shrugs. GOODWIN I just remembered that Jessie is addicted to sugar as close to its pure form as possible. She always had some stashed in her quarters at fighter school. Percell is staring off at the brush, in the direction of the village. Goodwin notices this, takes his marshmallow out of the fire and waves his stick toward her. GOODWIN This one looks about right for you, Chief. Percell looks back, disgusted. PERCELL How can you relax when that…that _abomination_ is going on. GOODWIN (nonchalantly) I’ll take that as a “no” on the marshmallow. (beat) Look, I know you’re all worked up about this. (beat) But even if we do find evidence, there’s nothing we can _do_ about it. Except report our findings back to HQ, and I somehow get the feelin’ that’s not gonna light up your life. PERCELL (shaking her head) You just don’t understand-- WOLENCZAK (speaking up) That’s enough, Chief. (beat, firmly) We’ve got a long day ahead of us, and a lot of ground to cover. I suggest we all get some rest. Wolenczak stands up, and stretches, then looks around the fire for a moment. WOLENCZAK Goodwin, take first watch. Riller, relieve him in three hours, then wake me for last watch. The rest of you, lights out. Wolenczak turns and walks off, quickly entering his tent. Burke and Morgan watch him go. MORGAN He’s not happy. Something about being here…. Burke stands up. BURKE Well, we all heard the captain. Time to hit the sack. (beat, with some distaste) And I _do_ mean sack...God, I hate camping. Burke starts for her tent, and the others disperse, leaving Morgan and Goodwin at the fire. GOODWIN Go on, Ant. I’ve got the watch. Morgan is still looking at Wolenczak’s tent. Goodwin follows her gaze for a moment, then shakes his head. GOODWIN Anne, you’re not going to get any answers standing there. Either go to him… (beat) ...Or go to your tent and let it go. Morgan nods, and then turns to Goodwin and smiles. MORGAN Thanks, Will. She starts to walk over to Wolenczak’s tent. Goodwin watches her for a moment, then banks down the fire. GOODWIN (to himself) Glad to help, Ma’am. Goodwin pours the remains of a pot of coffee on the fire, causing red-tinged clouds of steam to boil upward. The camera follows them for a moment. CUT TO WOLENCZAK’S TENT A small, two-man tent, with a bedroll and a laptop computer. Wolenczak is sitting on the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. There is a rustle at the entrance, and we see Morgan’s silhouette. MORGAN (O.C.) Captain, may I come in? Wolenczak looks over at the shadow WOLENCZAK Sure. Morgan enters, and stands just inside the entrance. Wolenczak waves her over to a camp stool in what little space isn’t already taken. WOLENCZAK So what’s up, Anne? MORGAN That was my question to you, Lucas. You still haven’t told me everything. (beat, overriding Wolenczak’s protest before he can start) I know you. I can see it in your eyes. Whatever it is-- (beat) Well, I’m here for you. WOLENCZAK (nodding) I appreciate that, Anne. But look at your own reactions to what happened here. And try to imagine how _I_ feel… (beat, dejected) Knowing I helped, in my own small way, to cause all this… He gets up and stares out the tent flap at the horizon. Morgan gets up and goes to him, laying a hand on his shoulder. He reaches up and holds her hand for a second, then pulls it from his shoulder and releases it. WOLENCZAK (all business) Well, we’ve got a long day ahead of us. (beat, turning to Morgan) Good night, Ensign. Go get some sleep. He holds open the tent flap for her. She looks at him for a moment, then sighs and walks out, looking back at him over her shoulder as she goes. The camera follows her out, then shifts POV to show Wolenczak. He sighs, then zips closed the tent flap. In a moment, we see the light turn off inside his tent. DISSOLVE TO EARLY MORNING We still see Wolenczak’s tent, but the angle of the light suggests early morning. The tent flap hangs open, and the camera pulls back to show Wolenczak firing up the cookstove. He’s wearing a flannel shirt, open, over T-shirt and jeans, much as in his early days aboard _seaQuest_. The sound of a tent being zipped open is heard, and Morgan speaks. MORGAN (O.C.) I’ll get some water. I’m sure I can’t be the only one dying for something hot to drink. WOLENCZAK (without turning) Thanks, Anne. Morgan returns with the coffeepot and places it on the cookstove. She’s in her usual off-duty attire of T-shirt (“Jekyll and Hyde”) and shorts, this time with hiking boots. Throughout the conversation, the two speak softly, to avoid disturbing the rest of their group. MORGAN (wryly) Anne, huh? Last night it was “Ensign.” WOLENCZAK I’m sorry. This place just…gets to me. MORGAN (sighs) I understand. We’ve all got things, memories, that we have to do battle with. (beat) And God knows you’ve got more than your share. (beat, softly) But if you ever _do_ want to talk about it, Lucas, I’ll listen. Wolenczak nods. WOLENCZAK I know, Anne. And thanks. (beat) But you have enough to worry about without me dumping my troubles on you. MORGAN Lucas, that’s what friends _do_. (beat, laughing a bit shakily) And listening to your troubles makes me feel like I’m doing something, instead of brooding over mine. He looks at her sharply, concern on his face. WOLENCZAK Maybe _I_ should be the one listening to _you_-- (beat) Are you okay? MORGAN (quickly, trying to be casual) Sure. I mean, I miss John, of course, and I don’t talk to Vince quite so often any more… (beat, firmly) But I’m fine. WOLENCZAK (bluntly, not buying her act) Why do I get the impression you’re trying to convince yourself of that? (beat) Maybe I’m the last person to be giving advice, but you should talk to someone. It doesn’t have to be me, but, trust me, if you bottle it up, it’ll just hurt you more. MORGAN (reassuring) I do. I talk to Chaplain Lei a lot, ever since… (long pause) Well, the thing with Hunter—you know… This time, Wolenczak’s the one placing a comforting hand on _her_ shoulder. WOLENCZAK (nodding) I know. (beat) But if you ever need someone else— GOODWIN (O.C.) Damn, that coffee smells good. Nothin’ like camping to build up an appetite. Wolenczak drops his hand quickly and turns to tend to the coffee. Goodwin approaches the fire and begins preparations for breakfast, as Morgan looks on. CUT TO EXTERIOR _SEAQUEST_--CGI The vessel is at station keeping as a WSKRS moves by from left to right in front, filling the screen for a moment. CUT TO TAYLOR’S QUARTERS The lights are dimmed down, as the camera pans slowly along the deck, showing various items of clothing lying here and there. The clothes are both men’s and women’s. As we reach the bunk, we pan up to see the Taylors, asleep under the blankets, spooned together. After a few moments, the overhead speaker blares with the sound of a bugle call. “Reveille” sounds, and the lights come up in the cabin. The Taylors spring up, instantly awake. Both are wearing _seaQuest_ T-shirts. DR. TAYLOR (icily) _Ed--_ Taylor looks over at his wife, grins innocently, and calls out. TAYLOR (yelling) Cancel alarm! The music cuts off mid-note. TAYLOR (continues, sheepishly) Sorry, hon, I forgot to turn the alarm off before we…well, I just forgot. DR. TAYLOR (shaking her head) I knew you were a hard sleeper, but this-- TAYLOR (cutting her off) _That_ gets me into work on time. Taylor looks at his wrist chrono and smiles. TAYLOR Still plenty of time to get to watch by 0800. Dr. Taylor looks at him, creeping realization and dread crossing her face. DR .TAYLOR (trying to stay calm) 0800? Ed, what time is it? TAYLOR (leaning in to kiss her) 0645, why? Taylor leans in to finish the kiss, but misses, as Dr. Taylor has jumped out of the bunk and is scurrying around, picking up clothes and fumbling as she puts them on. DR TAYLOR (panic creeping into her voice) Because _my_ duty starts at 0700, you idiot! He thinks about this a moment, and then jumps up and starts to help her get dressed, apologizing. TAYLOR (trying not to laugh) I’m sorry, hon. I honestly forgot about that… (stifiling a giggle) …But we were a little…preoccupied. She throws a shirt at him, hitting him in the face. DR. TAYLOR Laugh away, Mister. You don’t have sick call to attend to. And I still need to get to my quarters for a clean uniform. She heads for the door, still trying to rearrange her uniform presentably. It still looks like it was on the deck all evening. Turning back to him, she blows him a kiss. DR TAYLOR I’ll see you later, Sailor. TAYLOR Laura… (beat, as she looks back at him) I love you. DR TAYLOR (smiling) You don’t get off _that_ easy. We’ll talk later. And she makes her exit. CUT TO PASSAGEWAY Still early, there is no traffic. Dr. Taylor sticks her head out of Taylor’s hatch, looks both ways, and decides the coast is clear. She closes the hatch quietly behind her, then starts to walk down the passageway, away from the camera. As she does, Matthews walks around the far corner and starts to walk down the passageway toward the doctor. As Matthews passes her, Dr. Taylor is staring straight ahead, trying not to make eye contact. MATTHEWS (nonchalant) Good morning, Doctor. Rough night? Matthews continues on her way, while Dr. Taylor stumbles a bit but manages to keep going. Hearing the stumble, Matthews smiles slightly but doesn’t look back. CUT TO VILLAGE SQUARE The open space in front of the infirmary is being hung with garlands as villagers set up tables. The camera pans around, showing people cooking, tidying up in front of houses, etc. The overall impression is that this is a very big day for the town. CUT TO BRIDGE Matthews is seated in the command chair; the other Bridge stations are occupied by relief watches. A tone sounds on the com console. The watch presses a control, then listens to her headset for a second. COM WATCH (into headset) _seaQuest_ here. (beat) Yes, Sir, please stand by. (beat, turning to Matthews) Commander, it’s the captain. MATTHEWS (nodding) On screen. The watchstander acknowledges and presses a couple of controls. The display screen above her shows Wolenczak, barely, his picture badly distorted. Matthews looks at the screen and frowns. MATTHEWS (to Com) Can’t you clean that up? COM WATCH (apologetic) Sorry, Sir. That _is_ cleaned up. There’s just too much interference from the zone. (beat, shaking head) These portable vidlinks aren’t that great to begin with, but now… Matthews chews her bottom lip for a moment, thinking, then nods. MATTHEWS Audio only, then. (to Wolenczak) Captain, can you read us? WOLENCZAK (over com, voice distorted slightly) Yes, _seaQuest_, I read you. Percell informs me we’re getting a lot more ionization interference today, so we’ll have to live with this. MATTHEWS Acknowledged. What’s your status, Captain? WOLENCZAK (over com) We’re breaking down camp now, and should be on our way shortly. We’re sending the data we’ve collected so far in a burst transmission, and we’ll send hourly readings. There’s a village a few kilometers inland that we want to get to. This close to the zone, they’ve had to endure a lot. We want some human observation data to go with these readings. MATTHEWS Yes, Sir. (beat) About your other…objective… WOLENCZAK (over com) No news yet, but we’ll find out more in the village, I’m sure. MATTHEWS Just be careful, Sir. (beat) If the ionization level is rising, there may be something brewing in the zone. We’ll let you know if you have to get out of there. WOLENCZAK (over com) Good idea. Put Ed Taylor on it, he’s had some experience in radiation studies. (beat) We’ll maintain the same check-in schedule…but if there’s a flare up, get _seaQuest_ to safety. Do you understand? MATTHEWS (reluctantly) Aye-aye, Sir. WOLENCZAK (over com, softer) Jessie, you aren’t missing much here. Trust me on this. MATTHEWS (resigned) If you say so, Sir. (beat) _seaQuest_ out. Matthews stares at nothing for a moment, her hands unknowingly clenched into fists. She notices, forces herself to relax, then turns to the Com Watchstander. MATTHEWS Call Commander Taylor to the Bridge. (beat) Let’s see if he still has any ability to concentrate… (beat,smiling, to herself) …After last night. CUT TO CAMPSITE The research team is packing up their gear. It all stows down into remarkably small units. Morgan is already toting a backpack as she slings other equipment over one shoulder. Goodwin, near her, also loaded down, laughs. GOODWIN I gotta hand it to you…you can even carry fifty times your own weight, just like a _real_ ant! Morgan sticks her tongue out at him and tosses him a caseful of equipment. MORGAN Here you go, Hotshot…since you’re not a scientist, we’ll just have to make you into a pack mule. Near as I can figure, that shouldn’t be a big stretch, personality-wise. The two share a good laugh as they continue loading up. We pan over to Percell, also loaded up with gear, pacing back and forth at the edge of the campsite. Wolenczak approaches her. WOLENCZAK Calm down, Chief. PERCELL (shaking her head) I can’t, Sir. Not until you see just _how_ serious this is. WOLENCZAK (carefully) Chief…when we get there…you _have_ to remember we’re here on a science mission. We’ll report on anything we observe, but we _can not_ take any action. PERCELL (tightly) I understand. Wolenczak nods, as we… CUT TO COMMERCIAL END ACT THREE