seaWolf ASV | Episode 102-Neptune

seaWolf ASV

"Neptune"

Episode 102

Written by Michael M.Warren

December 9th, 2001

Web Text Draft

Special Guest Star: Michael Clarke Duncan

Based on "seaQuest DSV" Created by Rockne S. O'Bannon and

"seaQuest 2032" Created by Rockne S. O'Bannon and Clifton Campbell.

TEASER

FADE IN:

RECAP OF “DAWNING”

A series of short, silent, extracts from the episode.

WARREN

Captain’s Log, April 12th, 2040.

After a vicious and desperate battle with a Macronesian assault fleet targeting Pearl Harbour, Excalibur was critically damaged, and seaQuest, assigned as support, was lost.

Stripped of primary power, we came across an abandoned US Navy base…

CUT TO EXT. BAJA CALIFORNIA

We look out over the peninsula, in a perfect blue sky.

An A-WSKR shoots across shot, and dives towards the peninsula.

We follow it, as the A-WSKR enters the water.

It enters a tunnel (from Act 5 of “Dawning”) and eventually emerges into a dock, where the Excalibur rests.

WARREN (Continuous from the previous scene)

…where we hope to make repairs, and return to Pearl.

CUT TO INT. EXCALIBUR-WARREN’S QUARTERS

Warren sits at his desk, completing his log entry.

WARREN

We still do not have full propulsion, or weapons systems. Long-range communications are off-line, and most primary systems are down.

A knock at the door. Warren looks up, hits a control.

WARREN

Come in.

TAYLOR walks in, an EXPOC in her hand. Warren smiles.

WARREN

What have you got for me, Trish?

TAYLOR

Full damage reports from all sections.

She hands the EXPOC over. Warren looks over it, and sighs.

TAYLOR

Dave says that it’ll take around two weeks of round-the-clock repairs to get everything back to nominal.

WARREN

Double shifts?

Taylor nods.

WARREN

(sighing)

Have Cmdr.Barratt draw up a preliminary schedule by 0800. I’ll tell the department heads myself.

SMITH

(V.O)

Captain to the Bridge. Captain to the Bridge.

Warren picks up his PAL.

WARREN

I’m on my way, Commander.

He turns the PAL, and his log computer, off, and heads to the door. He looks back at Taylor.

WARREN

Are you coming, Trish?

Taylor looks around at him, smiles. The two walk out of the room, Warren shutting the door behind him.

CUT TO EXT. NEPTUNE-DOCK

From a viewpoint high above the dock, we see the Excalibur slowly moving towards the small docking complex at one side of the dock.

The camera pans down slightly, to reveal a dark figure standing on a catwalk high above the dock.

VOICE

Finally…

Off this…

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. EXCALIBUR

Now soft-docked to the complex (simply a flexible tunnel extended from the Excalibur’s hydrosphere), we zoom in to the passageway connecting the hydrosphere to the dock to see a group of people leaving the Excalibur carrying weapons.

INT. NEPTUNE DOCKING COMPLEX

Warren, Taylor, Barratt and Stamp walk onto the base from the docking tunnel. All four carry weapons, and a small security group, armed with pulse rifles, follow close by, as they move off down a corridor.

WARREN

(looking around)

My God,…this is…incredible!

He turns to Barratt.

WARREN

How did we not know about this?

BARRATT

The UEO classification meant it was forgotten about, I guess.

They reach a crossroads. They come to a halt as the security team move forward, checking the corridors.

SECURITY #1

Clear!

SECURITY #2

Clear!

SECURITY #3

Clear!

Taylor goes forward.

TAYLOR

Okay, Trumann, Lockhart, take the left passage. Alexander, Grossman, the right. The rest of us will carry on. If you find the control room, use your PALs and give us your coordinates. Understood?

The four security personnel nod, and move off. The others continue forward. A sudden settling of debris on the ceiling causes all of them to draw and aim their weapons.

SECURITY #4

It’s OK, just settling.

WARREN

This place is a mess. Any idea in the files about what happened?

BARRATT

Nothing. The US government just lost contact with her in 2006. Of course, this was at the start of World War Three, so everyone just assumed one of the warring confederations took it out, and left it alone.

As he speaks, we focus on Warren, who sees a sign on the wall, and his eyes narrow.

WARREN

(shocked)

My God…

Barratt and Stamp look back at Warren, who sighs, and lowers his pulse rifle.

BARRATT

What is it?

WARREN

(softly)

I should have remembered…

Warren goes over to a sign on the wall, covered in dust. He wipes it off, to reveal:

SECURITY OFFICE

LT.CMDR CHRIS WARREN

WARREN

(turning to the others)

My grandfather was stationed here.

TAYLOR

You never said…

Warren looks away. Before Taylor can say more, her PAL goes off.

TAYLOR

Taylor, go.

SECURITY #1 (ALEXANDER)

Lieutenant, we’ve reached the command centre.

Warren looks up.

TAYLOR

Understood. See if you can bring up the base’s databanks. We’ll scout a bit further ahead, then meet up with you. Download the coordinates into my EXPOC.

SECURITY #1

Aye, sir. Downloading now.

As the PAL beeps off, a tone signals on Taylor’s EXPOC, hanging on her belt. She picks it up, and nods.

TAYLOR

Got it.

Warren adjusts his pulse rifle, and steps forward again.

WARREN

Alright, let’s keep moving. We’ve got two square kilometres of base to cover, and investigate.

He starts to walk off. As he does so, Taylor goes over to Stamp.

TAYLOR

(sotto)

Is he OK?

Stamp shrugs.

STAMP

(sotto)

I guess so. You know what he’s like sometimes.

Taylor nods, smiles.

TAYLOR

Yeah.

They split off from the main group on a signal from Warren. The two security men also split off, leaving Warren and Barratt to carry on forward.

STAMP

So…have you told him yet?

Taylor looks at him.

TAYLOR

Told who what?

Stamp grins.

STAMP

Mike. Have you told him…how you feel?

Taylor bows her head.

TAYLOR

It’s that obvious?

STAMP

On both sides.

Taylor sighs.

TAYLOR

I can’t tell him. He’s a captain, for one thing, and I’m a lieutenant.

STAMP

So? You talked to Captain Ford or Commander Henderson recently?

Taylor nods.

TAYLOR

Yeah, I know that’s almost the same thing…but…

CUT TO NEPTUNE-CORRIDOR

Warren and Barratt are walking down the other corridor. They also seem to be having a conversation.

WARREN

…I don’t know. There’s something holding me back.

BARRATT

And that would be…?

Warren sighs, looks over at him.

WARREN

If I do tell her…what then?

BARRATT

You mean, how would she react?

Warren nods.

WARREN

(defeatist)

Well, she could laugh in my face. That would be one reaction.

BARRATT

(slightly humorous)

Well, that’s a healthy attitude to have.

Warren looks over at him. We can see the pain just the thought has caused him.

WARREN

Then, how would we be able to work together? How could she take orders from me?

She’d most likely transfer… and we can’t afford that.

(beat)

She’s the best we have.

BARRATT

I know. And yet… how would you feel not telling her?

Warren turns his head back the way they came, as if searching for Taylor.

WARREN

Probably just as bad.

BARRATT

It’s a Catch-22.

Warren nods, more resolved.

WARREN

Yes, it is. But...

He lifts the pulse rifle.

WARREN

…it’ll have to wait for now. Until we get back to Pearl.

Barratt nods, and the two men continue on.

CUT TO INT. NEPTUNE-CORRIDOR

The two security officers [we’ll call them DAVIS and JACKSON (since those are their names!)] who split off from the command crew, head cautiously down the corridor, pulse rifles shifting nervously in their hands.

DAVIS

This place freaks me out, man…

Jackson is much more level-headed, however.

JACKSON

Take it easy, Joe. The base is deserted.

A sudden noise, and a moving shadow around a corner, and Davis freaks. He turns around it, firing his pulse rifle blindly.

JACKSON

Joe! Joe!

(beat, more commanding)

Stand down, Crewman!

Davis stops, then, more sheepishly, lowers the rifle, as we see that a rat was the source of the shadow and sound. Jackson’s PAL beeps.

JACKSON

Oh, shi…

He activates it, carefully lifts it to his mouth.

JACKSON

Jackson here.

WARREN

(angry)

What the hell just happened, Ensign? We got reports of weapons fire in your area.

JACKSON

Sorry, sir. Davis got a little… anxious.

WARREN

(more understanding)

Alright, but make sure it doesn’t happen again. We’re all on the edge here.

JACKSON

Understood, sir. Jackson out.

He cuts the channel, and turns to Davis.

JACKSON

Consider yourself lucky, Joe. The captain could have taken that differently.

Davis snorts, contemptuously.

DAVIS

The Captain. Huh! He’s not a day older than 27. I’m older than him, for Christ’s sake!

Jackson nods.

JACKSON

Yes, but you’re not one of the ten cleverest people alive, are you, Joe?

(beat)

I’ve had my share of captains, and I can tell you… this guy knows what he’s doing.

(beat)

He’s got the skills, the knowledge, and the command presence of the best. Hell, he’s learned from the best: Bridger, Hudson, and Markov.

(beat)

Out of those four, I’d follow Captain Warren to hell and back if he gave me the order.

The two men are silent as they round a corner, pulse rifles out. Suddenly, they are stopped by a massive shadow.

They look up, horror-struck.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-CENTRAL CORRIDOR

Warren and Barratt are now walking along the base’s Central Corridor, a massive walkway, over 50m in width, and stretching on for hundreds of metres. They are sweeping the place with their pulse rifles, checking rooms and crossing corridors.

Warren’s PAL beeps. He removes it from its “pouch” on his belt, and activates it, one hand still holding the rifle. The two men stop.

WARREN

Warren, go.

CUT TO EXCALIBUR-BRIDGE

Smith looks up from the command console, checking readouts.

SMITH

Captain, we’re initiating hard dock now. Mooring and umbilical connections standing by.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-CENTRAL CORRIDOR

Warren and Barratt exchange looks.

WARREN

Understood, Commander. We’re heading to the base’s command centre to oversee things from our end. Talk to you in a few. Warren out.

He switches the PAL off. Barratt looks back down the corridor, then at Warren.

BARRATT

Call them in?

Warren looks back as well.

WARREN

Best had.

Barratt gets out his PAL.

BARRATT

Barratt to Taylor.

TAYLOR

(over PAL)

Go ahead.

BARRATT

Rendezvous at the command centre. Excalibur hard dock in 3 minutes.

TAYLOR

(over PAL)

Understood. On way.

Barratt changes channels (or something similar)

BARRATT

Barratt to Jackson.

Nothing. Not even static clouds the channel. Warren looks up at the unexpected lack of reply.

BARRATT

Jackson, report!

He looks over at Warren.

BARRATT

(worried)

Lieutenant Jackson, come in!

Warren gets out his own PAL again. Barratt continues trying to raise Jackson or Davis.

WARREN

Warren to Lockhart.

LOCKHART

Receiving, sir.

WARREN

Keep a look out for Lieutenant Jackson and Crewman Davis. We can’t raise them on PALs. Their last known location was in corridor Beta-49.

LOCKHART

Understood. We’re just a few junctions from that corridor now. Will check. Over.

WARREN

Watch yourself, Lieutenant.

LOCKHART

Aye, sir. Lockhart out.

The PAL beeps off, as Barratt lowers his PAL.

BARRATT

There’s no response, sir.

Warren brings his pulse rifle back up, more apprehensive now.

WARREN

Alright. Let’s make our way back towards the command centre.

The two men cautiously make their way back down the corridor.

CUT TO EXT. NEPTUNE DOCK

The Excalibur pulls slightly away from the dock, and extends a series of umbilicals from its side.

CUT TO INT. NEPTUNE-COMMAND CENTRE

Warren and Barratt enter the vast room, confronted by two pulse rifles. The two instinctively hold up their arms.

WARREN

Whoa, hold it!

The two security officers (ALEXANDER and GROSSMAN) lower their pulse rifles.

WARREN

(looking around)

Trish? Dave?

Taylor and Stamp poke their heads out from behind a console. Warren breathes a sigh of relief.

WARREN

Glad to see you made it OK.

Taylor nods, smiles.

TAYLOR

You too.

Stamp and Barratt look at each other, and smile briefly. Warren heads over to the main ops table, a vast piece dominating the centre of the command centre.

WARREN

Report.

Stamp brings up a screen on the wall. It shows the Excalibur closing on the dock.

STAMP

Hard dock minus 30 seconds.

CUT TO EXT. DOCK

(Tight on the Excalibur’s docking side)

The Excalibur approaches the dockside.

CUT TO EXT. DOCKING COMPLEX

The camera closes on a series of docking connections, and one large docking tunnel hatch.

CUT TO EXT. EXCALIBUR

The Excalibur connections reach the linkages, and lock into place.

CUT TO INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

The bridge rocks, sparks flying from a damaged console.

Smith checks the console, then turns back to the command station, flips down his headset.

SMITH

Excalibur to Warren. Hard dock complete. Moorings secure.

CUT TO INT. NEPTUNE-COMMAND CENTRE

Warren nods, his PAL in his hand, the pulse rifle resting on the table. Barratt, Taylor and Stamp are bringing various consoles on-line.

WARREN

Understood. Good job, Dan. Warren out.

The PAL beeps off, but before Warren can put it away, it beeps again. Curiously, he activates it.

WARREN

Warren, go.

Lockhart’s voice, slightly faint, emerges from the speaker.

LOCKHART

Captain…

CUT TO NEPTUNE-CORRIDOR

As before. The camera is tight on Lockhart and Trumann’s horrified faces.

LOCKHART

…we’ve found Davis and Jackson.

WARREN

(over PAL, worried)

Are they OK?

Lockhart swallows. The camera begins to zoom out, to reveal a bloodstained wall.

LOCKHART

I think you’d better get down here, sir.

We zoom out further, to see Davis and Jackson’s bloodied, lifeless bodies, lying on the deck. There is blood everywhere. It’s a slaughterhouse.

Off the horror…

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

EXT. DOCK

The Excalibur is now hard-docked, and, with the overhead lighting gantry now illuminating the sub, we can see the full extent of the damage from “Dawning”.

The hull is blackened, the bioskin torn and shredded. A massive torpedo impact crater is visible, as the sub floats. Small figures can be seen moving over the dorsal hull.

CUT TO INT. NEPTUNE-CORRIDOR

A body is zipped into a body bag by a medtech, as the camera pulls up, to reveal Stratton checking the other body, Warren, Barratt, Stamp and Taylor nearby. There are four more security personnel present, in addition to Lockhart and Trumann, now over to the side.

Stratton finishes his examination of the dead security man, and heads over to the officers.

STRATTON

Cause of death, multiple blunt-force traumas. They were bludgeoned to death.

WARREN

(grave, serious)

Can you give an exact time of death?

STRATTON

Maybe 15 minutes. Rigor obviously hasn’t set in, and we haven’t been here long enough for it to start.

BARRATT

That would put it right after the weapons fire, and our PAL call to them.

Warren nods.

WARREN

(matter-of-fact)

Autopsies?

STRATTON

(nodding)

I’ll get started on them right away.

WARREN

I want to know who and what killed my crewmen, Doctor.

STRATTON

I’ll get you those answers, Captain.

The two bodies are taken away by medtechs, Stratton following right behind. The security team begins scanning the corridor, talking amongst themselves. Warren looks at Taylor, and the two of them go over to Lockhart and Trumann.

WARREN

(soft, concerned)

You two OK?

Lockhart looks up, nods slowly. The shock and pain in her eyes is evident.

WARREN

Head back to the Excalibur, try to get some rest. You’ve had a bad shock. Take it easy.

LOCKHART

(mumbling)

Aye, sir.

Lockhart and Trumann head off. Warren and Taylor start toward Barratt and Stamp.

TAYLOR

(re: Lockhart and Trumann)

Will they be OK?

WARREN

I don’t know.

(beat)

Have someone check in on them in a little while. Maybe Dr.Strauss.

Taylor nods. They reach Barratt and Stamp.

WARREN

Anything?

Stamp shakes his head.

STAMP

Apart from…

He gestures at the bloodstained walls.

STAMP

The place is clean.

Warren looks around.

WARREN

Alright.

(To Taylor)

I want double the security teams over here. Whatever did this is still here, and we’re going to find it.

Taylor nods.

TAYLOR

I’ll get right on it.

WARREN

(relieved at something going right)

Thanks, Trish.

Taylor smiles slightly. She heads off down the corridor.

WARREN

Dave, go with her.

(To everyone)

New order: No-one enters this base alone, or unarmed.

The crewmen around nod.

STAMP

No problem.

Stamp heads after Taylor. Warren turns back to Barratt.

WARREN

Let’s head back to the command centre.

Barratt nods, and the two men, accompanied by a security detachment, head the other way to Taylor and Stamp.

CUT TO EXT. EXCALIBUR

The sub rests, peaceful.

CUT TO INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE

Under repair. Technicians are at almost every console, opening them up, repairing circuits, etc. Several are fixing conduits on the wall and ceiling. Smith walks in with Parker and Scaros, carrying an EXPOC in his hand.

SMITH

(checking the EXPOC)

…and they don’t know what attacked them?

Scaros shakes his head.

SCAROS

No, sir. Dr. Stratton just arrived with the…

He pauses, struggling to say the word. Smith looks up.

SMITH

(sympathetically)

It’s OK, Josh. The bodies.

Scaros nods, swallowing.

SCAROS

Yeah. He’s started the autopsies, trying to find some sort of evidence as to what killed them.

An alarm beeps on Macey’s console. The three men look up as Macey checks it.

MACEY

I’m reading an intermittent power signature within the base.

She looks up.

MACEY

Not from any of our people, or the reactor.

Smith goes over.

SMITH

Could it be as a result of our powering the place back up?

Macey shakes her head.

SMITH

Track it down, Chief, and send the data to the Captain.

MACEY

Aye, sir.

Taylor and Stamp walk onto the Bridge, both armed. Smith turns, and sees them.

SMITH

You two OK?

They nod.

TAYLOR

The Captain wants us to send out more security teams.

She turns to Scaros.

TAYLOR

Josh.

Scaros turns to look at her.

TAYLOR

Get your squad assembled in the hydrosphere in full TAC gear in five minutes.

SCAROS

Aye, Lieutenant.

He hurries out.

CUT TO INT. NEPTUNE-CORRIDOR

Barratt, Warren and two security men head down a narrow corridor, sweeping the area with their pulse rifles.

A noise attracts their attention, and they aim their pulse rifles at Clark and Lt. Kate HARGROVE.

WARREN

Hold it! They’re ours!

The security officers lift up their rifles. Warren and Barratt go over to the pair.

WARREN

Lieutenant Hargrove, quite a change from the hydrosphere.

HARGROVE

Well, you need all the help you can get, sir.

Warren snaps a glance at Clark, and smiles.

WARREN

(humorous)

Did you invite her?

Warren’s PAL goes off. He activates it.

WARREN

Warren, go.

TAYLOR

Captain…

CUT TO EXCALIBUR-HYDROSPHERE

Taylor, Stamp and Scaros, with a dozen heavily armed Tac troops, charge their weapons.

Taylor is holding a PAL to her mouth.

TAYLOR

We’re moving out now.

WARREN

(over PAL)

Understood. Maintain an open comlink, Trish. I don’t want to lose anyone else here.

TAYLOR

You won’t, sir.

She turns to the Tac troops.

TAYLOR

Alright, move out!

They hurry down a ramp towards the docking tunnel, the three officers at their rear. The Tac troop on point carries what looks like a heavy machine gun, but on closer inspection, it turns out to be a heavy pulse rifle.

The troops enter the docking tunnel, and emerge onto the Neptune dock.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-CORRIDOR

Warren puts the PAL back in its pouch (not deactivating it), and connects a headset to it.

We hear Taylor’s voice emerging from the earphone.

TAYLOR

Heading right, in the opposite direction to you, sir. We’ll strike out from Jackson and Davis’s last position, try to find some sort of clue.

WARREN

Alright. We’ll work our way towards there too.

Warren consults a PalmPC he is holding.

WARREN

The area around you is labelled “Incomplete”, so the structure is likely to be unstable. Don’t take unnecessary risks.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-CENTRAL CORRIDOR

Taylor and the team are moving stealthily down the vast corridor.

TAYLOR

I’ll try my best, but you know me.

NEPTUNE-CORRIDOR

Warren grins, broadly, as they, too, head out.

WARREN

Yes, I do.

NEPTUNE-INCOMPLETE CORRIDOR

Much more in disarray. The area has a sense of being left in mid-construction; beams and conduits are exposed, and tools and debris are strewn everywhere. Taylor and the TAC squad enter, the flashlights on their pulse rifles throwing the corridor into sharp relief.

As they pass an intersection, a dark shadow “walks” onto the wall opposite. It is huge, and definitely not one of the Excalibur crew.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-CORRIDOR

Back in the main base, Warren, Barratt, Clark, Hargrove and the security men head down another corridor. Warren is still listening on the open comlink.

TAYLOR

Passing another power junction box. Labelled… “33-A, Section 41A”

A red dot appears on Warren’s PalmPC, marking the team’s location.

WARREN

Got you.

TAYLOR

We’re… oh, my…

WARREN

(concerned)

Trish?

Weapons fire and confused shouting can be heard over the comlink. The others hear it too, over their headsets.

TAYLOR

(garbled, panicked)

…eturn fire! Mason, fall bac…

WARREN

(anxious)

Trish?

More shooting, shouting and a sound of fighting. Then, a scream, and the link goes dead.

WARREN

(shouting, desperate)

Trish!

We stay on Warren’s grief-stricken face, as we

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

EXT. EXCALIBUR

Establishing shot.

NEPTUNE-CORRIDOR

Warren is racing at full tilt down the corridor, Barratt and the others lagging behind.

Warren has his hand pressed to the earpiece of his headset, his voice worried, almost panic-stricken.

WARREN

Trish! Trish, come in!

He switches channels.

WARREN

Warren to Stamp! Dave, do you read!

(to himself)

Come on, come on…

The PalmPC in Warren’s hand shows them approaching the incomplete area, and Taylor’s last known position. Warren takes the corner flat out, scarcely clearing an abandoned toolkit left there.

BARRATT

Captain! Captain!

But Barratt’s words are lost in Warren’s desperation. He hurtles down the corridor, and runs past a junction box, which reads “”33-A, Section 41”.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-INCOMPLETE CORRIDOR

Warren skids to a halt, as we see the bodies of the TAC squad, some injured, some not moving at all. Scaros is barely able to stand, blood dripping from a gash on his temple, while Stamp is lying against the wall, his arm bent at an impossible angle. Warren hurries over to him.

WARREN

Dave!

Stamp’s eyes open, unfocused. He’s slipping into shock, and his face is pale.

BARRATT

(in b/g, into headset)

Medteams, priority one. Neptune Base, Section 41A. Multiple casualties.

WARREN

(overlapping)

What happened?

STAMP

(slurred)

Not sure… came out of nowhere… couldn’t stop…

He looks around at the team.

STAMP

Took Trish… ran…

(incredulous)

…couldn’t faze it…

WARREN

(desperate)

Took Trish where? Couldn’t faze what?

But Stamp is sliding into unconsciousness again, and his head droops. Warren lifts it up with his hands.

WARREN

What was it?

There is no reply. Stamp’s head lolls onto his shoulder. Warren quickly checks his pulse, and recovers slightly. He stands and looks at the TAC squad, heading for Scaros, who, too, is now resting against the wall.

WARREN

Josh, what happened?

SCAROS

It was… I can’t describe it… like a GELF, but…not. It ploughed right through us, tore us apart. The Lieutenant tried to fight it off, but it… I don’t know… it heard something, and tore off, with the Lieutenant.

Warren looks at the many escape routes (gangways, corridor intersections, etc.)

WARREN

Which way?

But Stratton has arrived with the medteams, and a medtech is helping Scaros onto a gurney.

WARREN

Which way did it take her?

Scaros shakes his head, unable to speak as the medtech puts an oxygen mask over Scaros’ nose and mouth. Suddenly, inspiration hits. Warren gets back out the PAL and the PalmPC, and connects the two. He inputs a code into the PAL, and a location beeps onto the PalmPC.

A look of determination crosses the Captain’s face.

We CUT TO Barratt and Clark, helping Stratton and Hargrove with some of the TAC squad, carrying them over to the forest of medtechs nearby. A portable triage facility has been set up, under guard by dozens of security teams.

As Barratt and Clark set a TAC officer down, Barratt looks up.

BARRATT

(puzzled)

Where did the Captain go?

Clark, too, looks up, then the two men share a look of shock and horror.

CLARK

He wouldn’t…

Barratt gets up, taking his pulse rifle from his shoulder.

BARRATT

Yes, he would.

He speaks to a security officer, who summons two more, and the five head off down the corridor.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-INCOMPLETE CORRIDOR

Warren, pulse rifle out, is hurrying down another corridor, his eyes flicking between the PAL-PalmPC combo and the route ahead. The PAL suddenly beeps. Warren activates it.

WARREN

I know what you’re going to say, John.

BARRATT

Michael,…

CUT TO NEPTUNE-INCOMPLETE CORRIDOR

In another corridor, Barratt, Clark and the security men are hurrying after the Captain.

BARRATT

…what the hell are you doing? No, wait, WHY the hell are you doing it?

WARREN

(over PAL)

If you were listening before, John, you know why.

There is a pause.

NEPTUNE-INCOMPLETE CORRIDOR

Warren is entering a less constructed area, filled with catwalks and corridors less than partially completed. The PalmPC and the pulse rifle provide his only light.

WARREN

I have to do this. I’d never forgive myself if I didn’t.

He cuts the link, then enters a code into the PAL.

NEPTUNE-INCOMPLETE CORRIDOR

Barratt tries the PAL, but all he gets is a buzz, then nothing.

BARRATT

Damn! He encoded his locator signal.

He looks back at the others.

BARRATT

We’ll have to follow.

He sighs.

BARRATT

Anyone who wants to turn back, can do so now.

The four exchange glances. Clark turns to Barratt.

CLARK

Let’s go.

Barratt nods, and the five set off again at pace.

EXCALIBUR-BRIDGE

Smith is at the command console, engrossed in what he is reading off the screen. The console suddenly beeps.

SMITH

Yes!

He activates the comlink.

SMITH

Excalibur to Commander Barratt.

Barratt’s voice emerges from the speakers.

BARRATT

Right here.

SMITH

Sir, I’ve managed to hack into the classified data files we got from the base. The algorithm you gave me opened them right up.

BARRATT

(pleased, but cautious)

OK, what do they say?

Smith scans the readout.

SMITH

There’s some sort of reference to a… genetic experiment.

NEPTUNE-INCOMPLETE CORRIDOR (INTERCUT WITH BRIDGE AS NECESSARY)

Clark looks over at Barratt, as they continue along.

CLARK

The GELF Commander Stamp mentioned…

Barratt nods, turns his attention back to the PAL.

BARRATT

Any idea of where this thing might be found?

SMITH

It’s sketchy. It looks like the GELF escaped, and attacked station personnel. There’s report of an evacuation… the Neptune DSV exploding… possible sabotage…

There’s a beat. A tense one.

SMITH

Then the reports just… stop. No indication as to why or when, but I’d guess somewhere around October 2006. The station was still incomplete at the time.

Smith brings up a map of the base.

SMITH

The area you’re in has few internal sensor relays, and it’s where you’d go to hide something… or someone.

Barratt grimaces.

BARRATT

Great.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-GANGWAY

Warren is traversing a treacherous gap over a subfighter bay, his pulse rifle out and ready, his eyes fixed on the PalmPC and its steady red dot.

Suddenly, the structure shifts, and Warren falls to one side, gasping. The gangway tilts slightly, and Warren pulls himself back off the railing, cautiously heading to the other side.

WARREN

(to himself, desperate)

Hold on, Trish… not far now…

Warren jumps down from the gangway, and back onto a corridor.

NEPTUNE-CONSTRUCTION COMMAND CENTRE

Dark, dank and grimy. This vast construction area is filled with machinery and materials.

Warren enters from the far side, his pulse rifle swinging across the expanse of space.

We lose sight of him as he ducks behind a pile of girders on the floor, and reappears at the edge of the pile.

From Warren’s POV, we can see another corridor leading from the far side, and light is shining from a doorway in the corridor.

WARREN

(sotto)

Finally…

NEPTUNE-GANGWAY

Barratt, Clark and the security men are now only moments behind Warren, traversing the same gangway we just saw. The metal gangway creaks and moans worryingly as the men’s footfalls hit it.

Clark and one of the security men sweep the water below with their rifles, while Barratt and the others check the gangway. Clark checks his PalmPC.

CLARK

This structure is extremely unstable, Commander. Recommend extreme caution.

Barratt looks back at him.

BARRATT

Understood.

As they reach the tilted section, Barratt, Clark and two of the security men make it across.

The third begins his crossing, but, as he reaches the other side, the tilt shifts dramatically, and the security man is left clasping onto Barratt’s wrist, and the railing of the gangway.

BARRATT

(teeth clenched)

Hang on!

The other security men reach down, and pull the third man up. They stop there a moment, catching their breath.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-TEMPORARY COMMAND CENTRE

A room much like the main control room of the base, but smaller and in a greater state of disrepair. The room is bathed in light, a stark contrast to the gloomy corridors and rooms we’ve been seeing prior to this.

Warren edges around the corner, his pulse rifle up and charged.

He sees Taylor, lying against a console, apparently alone. He lowers the rifle, and hurries over to her side.

WARREN

(relieved)

Trish…

Taylor reacts to his presence, and has barely enough strength to shout…

TAYLOR

Behind you!

Warren turns.

The GELF towers over our POV, then strikes with his right fist.

BLACKOUT:

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

INT-NEPTUNE-TEMPORARY COMMAND CENTRE

We open to blackness, then a blurry image appears, of Taylor looking into the camera, with a look of deep concern on her face.

TAYLOR

Mike…?

We hear a groan, then the POV shifts to show Warren picking himself up off the floor, with Taylor next to him. She is bruised, and her lip is cut, but otherwise, she’s unhurt. Warren has a gash on his head and a large bruise.

TAYLOR

Are you OK?

Warren looks around, slightly dazed.

WARREN

I think so… what happened?

The GELF walks into view.

GELF

My revenge…

It walks off again. Warren tries to pull himself up straighter, fails.

WARREN

(strained)

What the hell does it mean, its “revenge”?

Taylor shakes her head.

TAYLOR

I don’t know, but… I think it has something to do with… you.

Warren’s head whirls around.

TAYLOR

That’s the only reason I can think of.

WARREN

But, why did it take you?

Taylor shrugs.

TAYLOR

It must have heard you when you were talking to me on the comlink.

The GELF comes back over from where he was working on a console.

GELF

Enough! You, Warren… I have waited thirty-six years for this…

He brings out a primitive stungun, much less advanced than those in the Excalibur’s armoury.

GELF

…you imprisoned me… tortured me… now, I will have my revenge.

Warren’s eyes widen, as he realises how this is going to end, and how wrong the GELF is…

But, a strange smile goes over the GELF’s face, and he points the stungun away from Warren… straight at Taylor.

GELF

But first… I will make you suffer… as you watch this one die.

Taylor’s eyes also widen. She looks at Warren, who tries to move, but is powerless to prevent it.

TAYLOR

(an edge of panic)

Mike…?

WARREN

(calm, but terrified)

It’s OK, Trish. It’ll be OK.

Off the GELF, holding the stungun…

CUT TO NEPTUNE-CONSTRUCTION COMMAND CENTRE

Barratt, Clark and the security men are entering this vast complex. Barratt sends one off to one side, and another to the opposite side. He, Clark and the remaining security man head down the centre.

CLARK

What do we do if we find them?

Barratt turns to Clark.

BARRATT

Help them.

There is the sudden report of a stungun going off. The five react in horror.

BARRATT

(standing)

Move it!

They hurry to the corridor at the far side.

CUT TO NEPTUNE-TEMPORARY COMMAND CENTRE

Warren and the GELF are grappling over the gun, as Taylor tries to get to the abandoned pulse rifles.

GELF

No… I will not be stopped by you, Chris Warren…

Warren, his face contorted in pain and anger.

WARREN

That’s…not…my…name…

This throws the GELF off balance slightly, and Warren almost gains the upper hand.

GELF

(stunned)

You… are not… he?

The two break off, and skirt each other.

WARREN

Chris Warren… was my grandfather. He died just after this base was abandoned.

The fight seems to go out of the GELF, and he steps back, out of the fight.

GELF

(shocked, almost distraught)

Then… there is no one left… to accept the blame of what they did to me.

Taylor suddenly stands, pulse rifle in hand, pointing directly at the GELF. She seethes with barely suppressed anger.

TAYLOR

(furious)

How about yourself.

The GELF sees the pulse rifle raised, but makes no effort to get out of its way.

GELF

You are welcome to take my life.

He sighs.

GELF

I have no need of it any more.

Suddenly, behind them all, Barratt, Clark and the security team burst in, weapons charged and at the ready. Warren turns to see them, and holds out his hand.

WARREN

Hold your fire! He’s not a threat!

The others do so, but Taylor keeps her rifle up. Warren walks over to her, puts his hand of the rifle.

WARREN

Trish… put it down.

She does not. There is a fire burning in her eyes.

TAYLOR

(full of anger and hatred)

No. This… monster killed four of my people, and tried to kill me!

Warren pushes the gun down. Taylor’s eyes fill with tears.

WARREN

Don’t. Let it end here.

Taylor drops the gun. We focus on the floor, as it falls to the ground. In the silence, we hear only Taylor’s sobs. We pull back to see her in Warren’s arms, crying.

The LeAnn Rimes song “Please Remember” fades up.

CUT TO EXT-EXCALIBUR

Now under repair.

INT-EXCALIBUR-WARREN’S QUARTERS

Warren is polishing off a log entry.

WARREN

…and the GELF, who calls himself Alex, is currently assisting with repairs to the Excalibur.

A beat.

EXT-EXCALIBUR

The GELF (hereafter known as ALEX) carries large amounts of materials along the hull of the ship, to where Stamp and an engineering team are working on the damaged bioskin.

WARREN

(V.O.)

Although he knows he can never bring back the lives he took, I think his road to redemption may have already begun.

Alex sets the materials down, and Stamp gives him a quick nod of thanks.

INT-EXCALIBUR-WARREN’S QUARTERS

We focus on Warren’s desk, where four envelopes, hand-written, lie. We can see the words “Mr & Mrs Jackson” and “Commander Davis” on two of them, the other two we cannot see.

A hand reaches down to pick up the envelope to Crewman Davis’ father, and we pan up with it to see Warren putting a letter inside.

WARREN

(V.O.)

Trish, on the other hand, is a different story.

EXCALIBUR-TAYLOR’S QUARTERS

Much like Warren’s, but smaller, less elaborate.

Taylor, like Warren, is putting a letter into an envelope. Unlike Warren’s, however, it reads simply “Michael”.

She looks around for a moment, then walks out.

EXCALIBUR-WARREN’S QUARTERS

Warren is sitting on his couch, reading a well-worn hardback book.

(We see on it the title “Star Trek: Dark Horizon-Trial By Fire”)

There is a soft knock on the door. Warren looks up from his reading, puts down the book, and goes over to open the door. It’s Taylor.

WARREN

Trish? Come on in.

Warren stands back, and Taylor enters, not really looking at Warren. She seems extremely tense.

WARREN

What’s wrong?

She hands him the letter we saw in the previous scene. Warren looks at it, cautiously.

WARREN

(good-humoured)

Is it going to blow up in my face?

He smiles. Taylor, however, does not, and Warren’s smile fades rapidly. We see Taylor is taking a deep breath, steeling herself to speak.

TAYLOR

(in a rush, wanting to say it quickly)

It’s quite long, but I’ll spare you the details.

A beat.

TAYLOR

I’m tending my resignation as Security Chief.

Warren stares at her, then at the letter.

WARREN

(stunned)

You’re what?

Taylor takes another deep breath.

TAYLOR

(sighing)

I’m resigning. As soon as we get back to Pearl.

Warren looks around, walks over to the couch, and sits down. He looks back at Taylor.

WARREN

Why?

Taylor begins to pace.

TAYLOR

It’s just been… everything. Especially what happened this afternoon.

WARREN

You were scared, you were upset. You… thought you were going to die.

TAYLOR

(shaking her head)

No, no… it was… it was more than that.

She looks at him.

TAYLOR

I wanted to kill him. Not for revenge, not because he tried to kill me… just because… I wanted to kill him.

Warren stands up again, goes over to Taylor and puts his hands around her shoulders.

WARREN

I know.

They hug. As they pull apart, a thought strikes Taylor.

TAYLOR

(suddenly)

Why?

The question surprises Warren.

WARREN

Why…what?

TAYLOR

Why did you go after him when he tried to shoot me?

Uh oh.

WARREN

(unsure)

I… don’t know.

TAYLOR

You could have died. If he had got me…

WARREN

(turning away)

Don’t. Don’t even say it.

TAYLOR

(continuing, persistent)

IF he had got me, John and the others would have been there in time to save you. Why did you go after him?

Warren sighs. There is silence for a moment, broken only by the pendulum clock on Warren’s wall. Eventually, Warren turns, and looks right at Taylor.

WARREN

Because… in my life… I have only loved three things: my mother, my ship… and you.

Taylor looks up at him, amazed, and yet afraid. Warren steps forward, sure of himself for the first time in a while.

WARREN

I love you, Trish.

She smiles, and starts crying.

TAYLOR

(quietly)

I love you too.

Warren goes over to her, and the two kiss. The music swells as we…

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR

seaWolf ASV-“Neptune”

Episode #102

Commenced 24th September 2001

Completed 9th December 2001

The characters and events in this script are works of fiction.

Any similarities to people, living, or dead; places, events or institutions of any kind is entirely coincidental and unintentional.

With thanks to Adam Holmberg and DGWilliams, and all the guys on the sQ 2047 msg board (you know who you are!) for pressuring me into completing this episode.

Episode 103 "The Higher Cause" coming soon...

M Warren

9/12/2001