seaWolf ASV | Episode 108 - "Statements and Declarations"

seaWolf ASV

Episode #108

“Statements and Declarations”

Written By Michael M.Warren

June 16th, 2003

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:

EXT. UNKNOWN
We see blue sky, and white clouds. There are no structures around for us to establish where we are. We can hear the wind whistling.

We slowly pan down to see Warren standing, his hair rustling in the wind. We pull back to see he’s on the Excalibur Tower, looking ahead. We slowly see Pearl City nearby, and the Excalibur is pulling into dock.

Barratt walks out of the elevator, and goes over to Warren. We see Warren is preoccupied with something… unpleasant.

BARRATT

Captain?

Warren turns.

BARRATT

We’ve been cleared for dock. Secretary General McGath wants to see you at Deep Fire ASAP.

WARREN

Did he say why?

Barratt shakes his head.

BARRATT

No, sir.

Warren looks over at UEO Headquarters in the near distance.

WARREN
And the seaFire?

BARRATT

Safely docked back at the complex.

(beat, sighs)

This is going to get nasty, sir.

We slowly pull back from them, out to the ship in general.

WARREN
I know. The question is… for whom?

Off the receding sub...

FADE OUT:

END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. EXCALIBUR - WARREN’S QUARTERS

Warren walks in, closes the door behind him, and goes to his desk. He sits down, and activates the computer.

WARREN

Computer, personal log entry.

A beep, then:

COMPUTER
Log entry ready.

Warren sighs.

WARREN

Personal log, May 24^th, 2040.

(beat)

I’m… not quite sure where to start. I’ve tried to recount what happened over at the Reef half a dozen times in the last three days, but each time… I find myself at a loss for words.

Another beat. Warren looks out of his window, to see Pearl City stretched before him.

WARREN

I don’t know how I’m going to explain this to McGath. The events keep… getting confused in my head: what went wrong first?

(beat)

Well, allowing Section 7 on the ‘Fire was probably the first mistake. But, how do you say that the Secretary General is wrong, to his face?

(beat)

Maybe Nathan was right. S7 must be putting pressure on him.

(beat)

It’s hard to explain, but… the man’s changed. OK, so has the world in the past five years, but even so… something’s not right. He was more interested in compromise with the Macronesians, trying to maintain the status quo. Not that that was the best option, but it was one of the few we had. This more militaristic stance is… not like him.

There’s a knock on the door.

WARREN

Save entry, and hold.

(beat)

Come in.

Reyes walks in.

REYES
Captain, we’ve docked. There’s a Humvee waiting for you at the dockside.

WARREN
Thank you, Ensign.

Warren walks out of the room, leaving Reyes behind.

Off this…

CUT TO:

EXT. EXCALIBUR DOCK
Warren walks out into the brilliant sunshine, and over to the Humvee.

UEO SERGEANT

Captain Warren?

Warren lifts his sunglasses.

WARREN

That’s me.

UEO SERGEANT
Inside, please, sir.

Warren climbs into the Humvee, which sets off down the dock. We pull around, to see Stamp and Taylor watching him go.

TAYLOR
Do you think he’ll be OK?

Stamp looks at her, and smiles.

STAMP
He’ll be fine. Don’t worry.

Taylor smiles as well, but quickly turns her attention back to the departing Humvee.

TAYLOR
Can’t help it.

We pull back up from them, into the blue sky.

CUT TO:

EXT. PEARL CITY

Bustling with activity. It’s early morning, the rush hour.

EXT. STREET
We see Richard Parker and Jackie Macey, walking down the street. Macey wears a bandage over her right leg and Parker one in a sling over his right arm. Macey has a trace of a limp.

PARKER
…so, as he walked away, he turned, and shot at me.

MACEY
And he was a sleeper agent?

PARKER
Apparently. That’s what the Captain told me afterward.

MACEY
But… he said that they weren’t the ones who ran me down…

Parker shakes his head.

PARKER
No, which worries me…

Macey smiles.

MACEY
Worried about me?

Parker returns the smile, but with a hint of sadness about it.

PARKER
No, not just that…

Macey beams at this, as Parker continues.

PARKER
…but, we’ve only been at sea for three months proper, and already we’ve got two groups of people pissed off at us.

The Humvee carrying Warren suddenly passes by. He looks out at them, waves briefly, before passing out of sight. Macey turns to Parker.

MACEY
Was that…?

PARKER

(nodding)
The Captain.

They start to walk more quickly down the road, in the other direction, towards the harbour.

PARKER
Did you know the Ex was back in dock?

MACEY
No. I guess they finished whatever mission they went on.

PARKER
(worried)

Yeah…

We pull back up from them…

FADE CUT TO:

EXT. UEO HEADQUARTERS
We pull down to see the Humvee pull up, and Warren step out.

INT. UEO HEADQUARTERS – LOBBY

Warren walks into the lobby, and over to the elevator he used in Archangel, Part One. It opens and he steps inside.

MARKOV
(O.S.)

Hold the door!

Warren does so, and Markov hurries in.

WARREN

Stefan.

MARKOV

I’m not looking forward to this.

WARREN

Tell me about it.

The lift doors close.

CUT TO:

EXT. EXCALIBUR DOCK

Establishing.

INT. MESS HALL

Barratt sits at a table in the corner, stirring a cup of coffee, and staring at it. He seems oblivious to everything around him.

STAMP

(O.S.)

Mind if I join you?

Barratt doesn’t notice.

STAMP

Commander?

Barratt looks up, to see Stamp standing by the table, holding a tray of food.

BARRATT
Sorry, Dave. Sure.

Stamp sits down, and Barratt returns his attention to the rapidly cooling coffee. Stamp starts to eat. After a moment, he puts down his sandwich, and looks at Barratt.

STAMP
Something on your mind, Commander?

BARRATT
(not looking up)

A hell of a lot on my mind, Dave.

STAMP

(sympathetically)

Josh?

Barratt looks up, and nods once.

BARRATT
I keep going over those last few moments in my head, trying to see if there was any way I could have got him out.

(beat)

There were hints, you know… that he was going to do something like this. When he volunteered to go outside, I could see in his eyes he wasn’t expecting to come back.

STAMP
You know his history, how hard he’s pushed himself since his brother… well…

BARRATT

I know.

(beat)
His brother was the same.

STAMP
That’s how it goes with identical twins.

(beat)
I was friends with John back at the Academy, the Captain too. After what happened aboard the old Excalibur… he wasn’t the same. Then he got the posting to the seaHawk, and… he was almost like his old self, you know. As if he’d suddenly remembered how to live.

(beat)
It hit Josh pretty hard when he died… especially how he died. We were there, at the funeral, and… it was the same look that we’d seen in John. The light had gone from his eyes.

There’s a short silence, as both men consider.

BARRATT

And you think he would have done this anyway?

STAMP
(beat, sighs)

Sooner or later… yeah. He was that sort of a person. Impulsive, driven.

BARRATT
(after another silence)
Who’s telling his mother?

Stamp looks away for a moment.

STAMP

An old friend of John’s, and of Josh’s too. Commander Becky Rushton, seaHawk’s first officer. She was close to both of them: she got to know the family pretty well after John died.

BARRATT

Yeah. It’s best coming from someone you know, rather than a complete stranger.

(beat)
I know I’d prefer it.

Stamp looks out of the window, then back at Barratt, and raises his glass.

STAMP
To Josh.

Barratt raises his cup.

BARRATT
(sotto)

To Josh…

We pull slowly back from the two of them…

EXT. UEO HEADQUARTERS
Establishing.

INT. DEEP FIRE – CONFERENCE ROOM

Warren and Markov are seated at the end of the table, facing McGath, Potter, Grove and Bridger. Monroe is not present.

MCGATH

Well, Captains… do you want to take it from the beginning?

Warren and Markov share a look, and as Warren draws breath to begin speaking…

CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – LAUNCH BAY #2

We see a group of people working on the Masada shuttle seen in the last few episodes. The damage is extensive: one of the engine pods is shattered, and the hull has suffered several hits, blackened and pitted.

MASADA – COCKPIT

As Clark steps on board the damaged shuttle, we see Hargrove poke her head out from a wrecked console.

CLARK

There you are!

Hargrove turns, and smiles.

HARGROVE
Mike!

Clark walks over to her, and kneels beside her.

CLARK

Fixing your pride and joy, huh?

Hargrove pulls herself up, checks the console, sees it’s still offline.

HARGROVE

Trying to, anyway.

(beat, sighs)

It’s a mess. We took at least a dozen laser hits getting to the Excalibur.

She checks another display.

HARGROVE
Six outer hull breaches, two inner hull breaches, three power conduits totalled. The spoofing system is toast,… and the paint’s scratched.

CLARK

You got it back in one piece, that’s what counts.

HARGROVE

(unsure)

I guess…

Clark looks at her.

CLARK

What?

Hargrove sighs.

HARGROVE
I don’t know. After all we did over there… what did we get out of it? We lost three good people, had the ship falling apart around us…

CLARK
We did what we had to do.

HARGROVE
That’s what everyone keeps saying. Except the Captain.

Clark looks up.

CLARK
Huh?

HARGROVE

He’s locked himself away ever since he got back from seaQuest three days ago, not talked to anyone, save Trish and Commander Stamp.

(beat)

He’s thinking what I’m thinking; I know it.

They sit and think for a moment. Finally, Clark turns to Hargrove.

CLARK

(trying to lighten the mood)
I’ve got a free shift tomorrow. We finished the repairs on the nav system early. Dinner?

Hargrove smiles.

HARGROVE
Sure. Where?

Clark grins.

CLARK

Why don’t we leave that as a surprise?

HARGROVE

(smiling)
I hate surprises.

CLARK
I know.

He kisses her on the forehead, and leaves. Hargrove watches him go, then sighs.

HARGROVE

(turning back to her work)

But I love you.

EXCALIBUR – LAUNCH BAY #2

Clark hears that last, and walks away, smiling.

CUT TO:

DEEP FIRE – CONFERENCE ROOM

McGath sighs, and stands.

MCGATH

OK, Captains, let’s… take a break.

They stand as McGath leaves. Once he’s gone, Warren and Markov slump back into their chairs, exhausted. They share a worried look.

Off this…

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:

INT. DEEP FIRE – CONFERENCE ROOM

Warren is sipping a glass of water, while Markov walks around the room.

WARREN

What do you think?

Markov turns to look at him, then sighs.

MARKOV

I’m not sure. They’ll either believe us… or we’ll be facing a court-martial by the end of the week.

CUT TO:

UNKNOWN LOCATION

We see the scene being played out on a video screen. The room we’re in is in total darkness, but, from the glow of the screen, we can see the face of someone watching the images.

WARREN

(on the screen)
I know. I just hope it won’t come to that.

Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door. Quickly, the person switches off the screen, and switches on the light. We don’t see who it is, only their back as they open the door.

CUT TO:

EXT. EXCALIBUR

Establishing, in dock. We can see repair crews around the aft section, working on the hull damage.

INT. EXCALIBUR – ROOT CORRIDOR
Barratt and Parker are walking down a heavily damaged root corridor (ie, a main thoroughfare across a deck, usually in the centre of the deck), which is undergoing extensive repair.

PARKER
(looking around at the devastation)

I believe the last thing I told the Captain was to bring the ship back in one piece.

BARRATT
We did… more or less.

PARKER
Less, I think…

(beat)

So, how much downtime are we looking at?

Barratt looks around.

BARRATT
Dave reckons only a few days. We need to nail down this computer problem, though.

Parker looks at him.

PARKER

Computer problem?

BARRATT

Yeah. Ever since that virus hit us, the system’s been on the fritz.

PARKER

Want me to give you a hand?

Barratt nods.

BARRATT
Sure.

They begin to move off down the corridor.

PARKER
So… any ideas yet on who planted it?

BARRATT
(voice fading into b/g)

No, not yet…

As they walk down the corridor, away from camera, Taylor and Reyes walk into shot around the corner, heading in the other direction. We pull back as they walk towards camera.

TAYLOR
Thanks for offering to lend a hand with this, Ensign.

REYES
No problem. My tour here may have been cut short, but I’m always willing to help a fellow officer.

TAYLOR
What do you mean, your tour’s been cut short?

Reyes looks at her.

REYES
You didn’t know?

She shakes her head.

REYES
Fleet Command’s reassigned me to the Harlequin. Sensor Chief. Effective immediately.

Reyes’ words puzzle Taylor for a second, but she shakes it off.

TAYLOR
Well, good for you.

Reyes smiles.

REYES

Thanks.

As they turn down another corridor, and out of view, we get another glimpse of Reyes’ tattoo. We hear a gasp O.C, and pull quickly back to see Macey standing where the camera was a few seconds earlier.

FLASH CUT TO:

FLASHBACK – “R&R” – PEARL CITY – STREET

We see the butterfly tattoo on the arm of Macey’s hit-and-run driver.

FLASH CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR
The same tattoo on Reyes’ arm as he passes.

We pan around to Macey’s shocked face.

MACEY

No…

She looks around for a moment, and then quickly hobbles down the corridor, towards where Barratt and Parker went.

As she departs…

CUT TO:

EXT. UEO HEADQUARTERS

Establishing.

INT. UEO HEADQUARTERS – SECRETARY GENERAL’S OFFICE

McGath can be seen, sitting at his desk, reading a series of reports, most labelled with either the Excalibur sword or the seaFire logo. One has the Section 7 crosshair seal on it.

A beep from the intercom rouses him from his reverie. McGath activates the com.

MCGATH
Yes?

KATHY

Sir, you have an incoming call. It’s President Bourne.

McGath sighs. He’s been expecting this ever since Excalibur and seaFire arrived back at Pearl. The deep furrows in his brow get deeper, and the bags under his eyes seem even more prominent.

MCGATH
Put him through.

KATHY

Yes, sir.

McGath rises, and goes over to the vidscreen on the wall nearby. After the Macronesian emblem appears on the screen, Alexander BOURNE’s face fades into view.

BOURNE
Mr. Secretary.

MCGATH

President Bourne.

Bourne leans into the pick-up, his hands steepled.

BOURNE
I’ll come straight to the point, Mr. Secretary. Two of your vessels penetrated Macronesian sovereign territory, and attacked what was a peaceful research facility. Several dozen personnel were killed, and hundreds injured. Your actions caused years of ocean research to be lost. And the Macronesian people are demanding an explanation from me.

(beat)

So, I am demanding an explanation from you.

MCGATH
Mr. President, your so-called “research facility” had enough armament to wipe out a fleet of ships, and docked to it was a submarine that has been positively identified as a vessel that has destroyed at least eight colonies along our mutual border, with the loss of thousands of lives!

We see here the true difference between these two leaders. McGath’s anger is strongly contrasted by Bourne’s unflappable cool. Bourne is cold, calculating; whereas with McGath we get a sense of a man way over his head, and suffering as a result. Here is a man under intense scrutiny and intense pressure, and he’s being ground down by it.

BOURNE
(after a moment of calm consideration)

Well, Mr. Secretary, I have not heard of this submarine you refer to, but rest assured, if such a vessel is operating within my sphere of influence, you have my assurance that it will be dealt with accordingly.

MCGATH
(a little surprised at Bourne’s change in tack)

Well… thank you, President Bourne.

Bourne smiles, seemingly benevolently.

BOURNE

(the smile turning cold)
And, in return, let me have your assurance that no further incursions into Macronesian territorial waters will take place by UEO forces. Any such… navigational errors will be treated with extreme prejudice.

A shiver runs down McGath’s spine.

MCGATH
I understand, Mr. President. I will investigate your claims, and get back to you.

BOURNE
I’m sure you will. After all, neither of us wants a war over what I’m sure is a simple misunderstanding.

McGath’s expression becomes slightly worried over Bourne’s mention of war.

MCGATH
Of course not.

BOURNE
Good. Thank you, Mr. Secretary.

MCGATH
President Bourne.

The screen shuts off. McGath exhales deeply, and almost collapses into his chair. He pours himself a large whisky from the bottle that seems to adorn his desk. We see the tension in the way he sits, and the lines of his face. He looks around for a moment, then sits back up. He puts a hand to his head, closes his eyes for a moment. He then reaches for the intercom again. His secretary, KATHY, from earlier, enters.

KATHY

Yes, sir?

McGath takes a steadying breath.

MCGATH
Have Captains Warren and Markov report to my office in twenty minutes. Then, inform Admiral Bridger I would like to see him as well.

KATHY

Yes, sir.

Kathy goes to leave, then hesitates.

KATHY

Sir?

McGath looks up.

KATHY

Is everything OK?

McGath looks at her.

MCGATH
Everything’s fine, Kathy. Just… get me the Admiral and the Captains.

KATHY

Yes, sir.

Kathy leaves, and McGath swivels his chair to look out of the window. A deep sigh emanates from the chair, as we see only its back, and the top of McGath’s head.

We cut to see McGath staring at something, and we swivel around to see the UEO logo mounted on the Excalibur dock facility.

MATCH CUT TO:

INT. DEEP FIRE – seaFire DOCK
We pan down and right from the UEO logo on the wall, to see Warren and Markov stand looking up at the impressive battlecruiser.

WARREN
How much damage did S7do?

MARKOV
The seaFire’s auto-repair system took care of most of the external damage. There’re a few… internal repairs to be done… but I don’t expect McGath to be sending us back out any time soon.

WARREN

(looking over at Markov)

Why not?

Markov turns to Warren, his expression fairly serious.

MARKOV
We weren’t ready, Michael. Not for active duty. Certainly not for combat.

WARREN
We knew this mission was a gamble to begin with.

MARKOV

Well, it may have blown up in our faces. Archangel’s still out there, and Bourne just got a hell of a PR boost.

He pauses, considering something.

MARKOV
You think we did the right thing?

Warren replies immediately.

WARREN
Absolutely.

(beat)

Something’s going on with Section 7. I don’t know exactly what, but they seem to have their own agenda. We need an ace in the hole.

Warren looks around.

WARREN
There’s something… deeper than all this.

MARKOV
You’re not going all X-Files on me, are you?

WARREN
X-Files?

MARKOV
Old 90s sci-fi show. Big on conspiracy theories. There was this one episode where…

(beat, seeing Warren’s face)

Forget it.

Warren walks over to a MagLev access.

WARREN

OK.

Markov’s PAL beeps. He pulls it off his belt.

MARKOV

(into PAL)

Markov here. Go ahead.

KATHY

(over com)

Captain, is Captain Warren with you?

Markov and Warren exchange looks.

MARKOV
Yes, he is.

KATHY

(over com)

The Secretary General wants to see you in twenty minutes.

MARKOV
His office?

KATHY

(over com)

Yes, sir.

MARKOV
Understood. Thank you.

He clicks the PAL off.

WARREN
(flippantly, but with a serious edge)

Maybe that court-martial’s closer than we think.

Markov smiles wanly, and the two men enter the MagLev.

EXT. MAGLEV TRACK
A MagLev carriage sweeps across shot.

INT. EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR

A MagLev access door slides open, and Barratt and Parker exit. They walk a short way down the corridor, the camera following them. They turn into a double door, and enter a large room. The camera passes a sign reading “PRIMARY COMPUTER CORE. CAUTION: HIGH VOLTAGE.”

EXCALIBUR – PRIMARY COMPUTER CORE

About the size of the bridge, and containing what looks like a modern mainframe set-up, only double the size. Technicians work on several access panels across the room. Over the far side, we see Smith working at the main console, a large station that covers half the bulkhead.

Barratt and Parker approach Smith, who turns to see them.

SMITH

(to Barratt)

Sir.

(to Parker)

Rick, it’s good to have you back.

PARKER

Thank you, sir.

BARRATT

(down to business)

How’re we doing?

Smith swivels his chair back around to the console.

SMITH

The mainframe is almost repaired. I’m just transferring personnel records and non-essential data from the UEO central server.

Barratt walks over to check what one of the technicians is doing. The technician hands him an ExPOC. He checks the readings on it, nods, then turns back to Smith.

BARRATT

How many did we lose?

SMITH

About 47% of the files were irretrievable. Most of the rest suffered some damage. I’m replacing them all, just to be safe.

BARRATT

Mission records? Personal logs?

SMITH

Almost all of those were copied to the CS during the drydock overhaul. We only lost a few.

There’s a sudden beeping. Smith and the others react.

SMITH

(hitting buttons)

That’s odd.

Parker walks up to the console.

PARKER
What is it?

Smith looks up.

SMITH

I’m getting a file mismatch. One of the files in the CS doesn’t match what we have on file.

BARRATT
Well, wouldn’t that make sense, if the file’s been damaged?

SMITH
Well… that’s the odd thing, Commander. The computer shows this file wasn’t damaged.

Barratt comes over as well, checks the console, and studies the readings.

BARRATT

(quoting off the screen)

“File architecture does not match. Alterations visible.”

(to Smith)

The file’s been altered?

SMITH

(nodding)

And subtly, by the looks of it. The alterations wouldn’t even be visible if we hadn’t upgraded the mainframe software in drydock.

PARKER
What file is it?

Smith hits a few controls. Reyes’ personnel record appears on the screen.

BARRATT

Reyes?

Smith nods.

SMITH
Let’s see… what’s on that other file.

After a moment, the file on screen fritzes in and out with another, similar, file. Finally, the image stabilises, and what we now see looks like the earlier file, but (by the officers’ reactions) clearly isn’t. (NOTE: we shouldn’t be able to see what the file actually says.)

There’s a moment’s stunned silence, then:

PARKER

Uh-oh.

MACEY

(O.S.)

Commander!

They turn to see Macey hurrying in, as fast as is possible for her.

MACEY
I think we have a problem.

She sees the file on Reyes.

MACEY

Well… I see we’re on the same page.

Barratt, Smith and Parker exchange looks.

SMITH

What do we do with this?

BARRATT

I don’t know.

We cut between the four of them for reaction shots.

Off the four worried faces…

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT TWO

ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. EXCALIBUR – COMPUTER CORE

Seconds after the last scene. Macey has come over to the console, and is checking the data brought up on Reyes. Barratt, Smith and Parker are over by the side.

BARRATT

Where is he now?

SMITH

Weapons Bay. He’s helping Trish to re-install some of the Threat routines.

Barratt turns to Parker.

BARRATT

Rick, go over there. Keep an eye on him. Make it discreet. We don’t want him to know we’re on to him.

PARKER
Aye, sir.

Parker heads out. Smith turns to Barratt

SMITH
Do we tell the captain?

Barratt shakes his head.

BARRATT

He left a message on my PAL. He’s in conference with the Secretary General. Not to be disturbed.

SMITH

Don’t you think we should? This is important.

BARRATT
Not until we’re sure.

(beat)

Get a hold of Dave for me.

SMITH
Aye, sir.

He hurries off.

CUT TO:

UEO HEADQUARTERS – SECRETARY GENERAL’S OFFICE – OUTER OFFICE

The door opens into the office, and Markov and Warren walk in. McGath is there with Bridger.

MCGATH

Gentlemen, please…

Warren and Markov sit down.

The door closes.

CUT TO:

SECRETARY GENERAL’S OFFICE

We switch to inside the office. McGath is studying the reports on his desk from earlier. After a moment, he looks up.

MCGATH
(sighs, then, to Warren)

Well, Captain, two missions, two… interesting reports.

WARREN

Yes, sir.

MCGATH

Putting aside…

He moves the Section 7 report to the side.

MCGATH

…Section 7’s questionable actions for the moment...

He looks back at the two captains.

MCGATH

We have a potential PR disaster on our hands. Two UEO submarines firing on a Macronesian outpost, one that the Macronesians claim is a scientific outpost…

Warren starts to interrupt, but McGath raises a hand to stop him.

MCGATH

…isn’t good at the best of times. But, when one of those subs is under scrutiny already…

He looks pointedly at Warren.

MCGATH

…and the other…

McGath now turns his focus to Markov.

MCGATH

…isn’t supposed to exist yet… it adds a new dimension to everything.

McGath stands, and looks out of the window.

MCGATH
Captain Warren.

WARREN
Sir.

McGath turns to look at him.

MCGATH

Although your systems failure was unfortunate, you did your best to rescue your men, and try to salvage the mission.

Markov and Bridger exchange looks at the words “systems failure”.

WARREN
Thank you, sir.

MCGATH

However…

He steps forward.

MCGATH

…we will be keeping a very close eye on your actions. Even closer than we already are.

(beat)

Another mistake… and you will be facing an inquiry.

Warren swallows.

WARREN
Understood, sir.

McGath now turns his attention to Markov.

MCGATH

Captain Markov.

(beat)

This mission proved that the seaFire is in no way ready for active duty.

MARKOV
(interjecting)

With all due respect, Mr. Secretary…

MCGATH

(speaking over him)

I don’t want to hear about Section 7, Captain. General Monroe has already assured me that his actions were done with the best interests of the UEO in mind.

Warren rolls his eyes, out of McGath’s sight.

MCGATH

The seaFire will remain at Deep Fire until next year at the earliest, unless an emergency situation demands it.

WARREN

(darkly)
You mean, if we go to war, sir.

McGath looks at him.

MCGATH

The priority of this administration is to prevent war, at all costs.

(beat)

I have an election in July, gentlemen. I don’t need this kind of press right now. Hilliard is breathing down my neck in the polls, and there are a lot of people who would love to see him in this office.

(beat)

You may have done the right thing, gentlemen, but, politically, it was not the smartest move to make.

He sits back down at his desk.

MCGATH
Dismissed.

The three men stand, and walk out.

OUTER OFFICE

Bridger, Markov and Warren leave the office. We see Kathy sitting at her desk in the outer office.

WARREN

The ‘Fire?

The others nod, and walk out.

FADE CUT TO:

EXT. DEEP FIRE – seaFire DOCK

Establishing.

INT. seaFire – WARDROOM

Our first look at this room. Again, like the rest of the ship, the designer seems to have been a Star Trek fan, and the room resembles the Ent-E’s conference room. Bridger, Warren and Markov sit at the head of the table.

BRIDGER
I think you did the right thing, Michael. Holding back some of what happened.

WARREN
I don’t think he needs it right now. Plus, it’s something to hold against Monroe.

A silence.

MARKOV
Another thing to worry about.

They look at him.

MARKOV

McGath didn’t order Monroe to take over the ‘Fire if the mission was going badly, and I doubt he’d do it of his own initiative.

(beat)

So… who gave the order?

WARREN
Now who’s seeing conspiracy theories?

Markov smiles briefly, then goes on.

MARKOV
Maybe you’re right.

(beat)

What now?

BRIDGER
(sighs)

That is the question.

He turns to Warren.

BRIDGER
Michael, how long before you have to leave on patrol?

WARREN

A few days. We’ll finish the repairs and make sure all the computer systems are working to spec.

(beat, sighs)

To tell you the truth, I’m looking forward to getting back to some sort of normal routine.

MARKOV
I know.

BRIDGER
Alright. Just… keep your nose clean for a while, Michael.

WARREN
I will, don’t worry. It should be a quiet patrol.

BRIDGER
How long do they reckon Archangel will be out of action?

Warren shrugs.

WARREN
Your guess is as good as mine. A few days, a few weeks?

MARKOV
The seaQuest and the welcoming committee we had at New Ganges Colony did some damage, but nothing serious. UEO Intelligence estimates 10-15 days, maximum.

BRIDGER
…and then she’ll be back menacing colonies?

Warren looks down at the table, then back up.

WARREN
I don’t think so. They could only do that as long as they did because we had nothing to detect her. Now we have all her specs, they’ll change their tactics. They’ll hold her back for a little while, like the seaFire, until they know exactly what to do.

MARKOV
Which is…?

Warren leans forward, hands clasped on the table in front of him, and sighs.

WARREN
I don’t know.

Off Warren’s face…

CUT TO:

EXT. EXCALIBUR DOCK

Establishing.

INT. EXCALIBUR – WEAPONS BAY

We pull back from a pair of crewmen loading a torpedo, to see Taylor and Reyes sitting at a console, checking some information on the screen.

REYES
(pointing to something on the screen)

There. Those are the corrupted routines.

Taylor looks, then turns to him.

TAYLOR
How do we replace them?

REYES
The files themselves shouldn’t be a problem. Reintegrating them into the command linkages will take a little longer, though.

TAYLOR
Right, because we need all of them to be connected for the routine to be executed correctly.

Quietly, behind them, Parker enters the bay. As their discussion fades into the background, we close on Parker, watching the pair of them.

CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR

Barratt and Smith turn into the corridor, and the camera tracks back in front of them.

BARRATT

(to Smith)

I want you and Dave to go over every inch of that computer system again. Make sure it really is clear.

SMITH
No problem.

Stamp suddenly emerges from a side corridor, and walks alongside the other two. He hands Barratt a piece of paper.

STAMP
Got something. Just before the virus hit our systems, Reyes was logged into the computer system in the security office. Trish told me that he was running a diagnostic program on the targeting scanner software. Now, according to Reyes, the reason it wasn’t done in drydock was because the right program hadn’t been available. I just checked with Captain Hawkins, and the program had been available during the drydock period.

BARRATT
Why hadn’t it been used?

STAMP
We’re not sure. We’re checking the personnel records to find who was in charge of looking after the tactical system repairs.

BARRATT

(after a moment)

Damn.

They turn into a room.

EXCALIBUR – WARDROOM (CONTINUOUS)

Barratt, Stamp and Smith walk in. Barratt sets the report down on the desk, and goes to the small console at the head of the table, facing the vidscreen.

BARRATT

Who’s on the bridge?

STAMP
Mike Clark’s in command. Gamma Shift’s on the rotation.

Barratt operates the console, and Clark’s face appears on the vidscreen. He’s at the command console on the bridge.

CLARK

Yes, sir?

BARRATT

Mike, can you patch me through to the Secretary General’s Office. Use a secure link, and… keep it discreet, yeah?

CLARK
Understood, sir. Give me a second.

The screen goes blank, then a UEO logo pops up, before the vid window appears, and we see Kathy checking something on her computer screen.

KATHY

Secretary General’s Office, can I help?

Barratt leans forward on the table.

BARRATT

Kathy, it’s John Barratt.

Kathy looks down into the pickup. She smiles.

KATHY

Hello, Commander. What can I do for you?

BARRATT
Is the Captain still there?

KATHY
Captain Warren? No, he left about ten minutes ago.

Barratt reacts.

KATHY
Is there a problem, Commander?

BARRATT
No, not really.

(beat)

Listen, can you get a hold of him for me? He asked me not to contact him via his PAL, and I need to speak with him.

KATHY
Sure. I’ll have someone track him down personally.

Barratt smiles, briefly.

BARRATT

Thanks, Kathy. Excalibur out.

Kathy nods, and goes back to her work as the screen blinks out, replaced with the usual End Transmission slide.

CUT TO:

seaFire – BRIDGE

Warren stands, surveying the damage done to the room during the recent mission. Technicians and seaFire personnel work on damaged consoles and shattered displays.

Markov walks through the starboard door, and comes to stand beside Warren.

MARKOV
Some of my people got a little… overexcited with their weapons.

Warren spins quickly around.

WARREN
So I can see.

Markov walks around Warren, and turns to face him.

MARKOV

Listen, Michael. Don’t worry about us. You have your own ship to worry about.

A seaFire crewman walks up to Markov, and hands him a piece of paper.

MARKOV

Looks like you need to worry about it now.

Warren looks up, and Markov hands him the piece of paper.

MARKOV
John Barratt wants to speak to you. Says it’s urgent.

Warren looks up again from the piece of paper, then looks around.

WARREN
Can you get me a secure channel to the Excalibur wardroom?

Markov nods, and moves to the communications console. He hits a few controls.

MARKOV
Here you go.

Warren walks up to the console, and Markov moves away.

CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – WEAPONS ROOM

Reyes’ PAL suddenly beeps. He looks at it, then at Taylor.

REYES
Excuse me, Lieutenant.

Taylor looks up from a display.

TAYLOR
Sure.

Reyes walks slowly out of the room, Parker surreptitiously watching him go.

EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR

Reyes closes the door to the weapons room, and heads a short way down the corridor. He ducks down a dead-end side corridor, and gets out his PAL. Activating it, we SWITCH TO his POV looking at the screen.

In split-screen, we see Warren and Barratt over the com channel.

WARREN
Go ahead, John.

BARRATT
Sir, we have a problem.

(beat)

We’ve found the mole.

Reyes hurriedly shuts off the PAL, and looks around, worried.

Off his face…

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

(NB – no FADE IN:)

EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR

Warren, Stamp, Smith and Barratt hurry along the corridor.

WARREN
I want a full Tac squad, pulse rifles, ready to go right now.

SMITH

Aye, sir.

Smith gets on his PAL, but Warren grabs his arm.

WARREN

Not over the comms. Do it in person.

Smith nods, and hurries off down a side corridor.

WARREN

(angry)
Why the hell didn’t I see this?

STAMP

We all missed it, Cap. I should have picked it up from the start.

Warren looks at him.

WARREN
What do you mean?

STAMP

It was just a little thing.

(beat, sighs)

Just before we left Pearl for the Archangel facility, we met in the mess hall. I mentioned Captain Hidoshi.

BARRATT

Off the Gettysburg?

STAMP

Yeah. I asked Reyes how he was, you know, ‘cause he’d just served there. And… I don’t know… he hesitated for a moment, then said he was “still grumpy as hell”.

WARREN
Hidoshi? I met him at Pearl Point last year. Nicest guy you could meet.

Stamp nodded.

STAMP
I know. Then, when I mentioned I’d served under him, Reyes got… worried.

(beat)

I figured it was just nervousness. But, when this came up, I contacted Captain Hidoshi. Reyes was there alright. They dropped him off in Pearl six days before we left, to transfer to the Solent.

WARREN
The Solent? That’s an ELINT boat based at Midway, isn’t it?

STAMP

Yeah.

WARREN
We need to sort this out once and for all. Dave, go back through Reyes’s file, make sure of what we found.

(to Barratt)

John, you’re with me.

BARRATT
Aye, sir.

STAMP
Aye, sir.

Stamp peels off into a MagLev access, while Warren and Barratt turn the corner.

CUT TO:

EXT. EXCALIBUR
We follow the contours of the hull forward, until we reach the bow, and pull right, through a porthole, into the weapons room.

INT. EXCALIBUR – WEAPONS ROOM

We see Reyes and Taylor working. Parker seems to be helping another crewman with something, but all the while watching Reyes. Every so often, Reyes looks around cautiously but discreetly.

CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR

Warren, Barratt and Smith, along with a security team, in full body armour and armed with pulse rifles, walk down the corridor. The expression on each man’s face is sharp, determined.

EXCALIBUR – WEAPONS ROOM

Reyes and Taylor still working.

TAYLOR
Cross-connect those two terminals.

REYES
OK.

EXCALIBUR - CORRIDOR
Warren and the others still coming. They turn a corner…

EXCALIBUR – WEAPONS ROOM

Suddenly, behind Taylor and Reyes, Warren, Barratt and the others burst into the room. All aim their weapons at Reyes.

WARREN
Don’t move, Mr. Reyes.

Taylor and Reyes spin around, Taylor surprised, Reyes less so.

WARREN
(with cold hatred in his voice)

Step away from him, Lieutenant.

TAYLOR
Mike…?

WARREN
Do it.

Taylor goes to stand behind Warren and the others. Parker gets the crewman out, then returns. Warren raises his pulse pistol.

WARREN
Take him to the brig. Maximum security.

Two of the security men grab Reyes by the arms. The Ensign offers little resistance as they haul him up, and take him out, the other security men following close behind.

TAYLOR
I don’t get it. What the hell is going on?

Warren looks at her.

WARREN
It was Reyes, Trish. The person who sabotaged the ship at the Reef… was Reyes.

Taylor’s eyes go wide in shock.

TAYLOR
No…

Warren turns to Parker.

WARREN
Rick, you and Trish go over those Threat routines Reyes just installed. Run every anti-virus program we have, then check the individual files themselves.

PARKER
That’s going to take a while.

WARREN
Then get started.

Parker nods. Taylor, still slightly disorientated by recent events, numbly crouches back down to access the conduits she was previously working on. Warren looks at Barratt and Smith.

WARREN
Wardroom.

Barratt and Smith nod, and the three men walk out of the room.

EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR

Reyes is half-carried, half-dragged past stunned crewmembers. As he passes the camera, he makes a subtle motion with his hand, touching the UEO patch on his arm.

EXCALIBUR – REYES’ QUARTERS

(redress of Junior Officers’ Quarters)

As we move amidst a mess of A-WSKR parts and circuit boards, a small red light on top of an ExPOC begins to blink. Suddenly, the vidscreen comes to life, and we see the words “ESTABLISHING CONNECTION” blink on and off.

CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – WARDROOM

Warren, Barratt and Smith walk in. Stamp is already there, working on an ExPOC.

STAMP

I’ve completed a scan of the computer systems. They’re clean. No residual programs or viruses.

(beat)

I also went through Reyes’ file like you asked. Most of the service record matches what we had, but there are one or two major inconsistencies. For one, he told us he was being transferred to the Harlequin, as sensor chief. But, according to Captain Hidoshi, he was being sent to the Solent.

BARRATT
That part makes sense, though, if he was pulled off that rotation to come with us.

Stamp nods.

STAMP

Right, but…

He points at the file.

STAMP

These files are specifically tailored to make him the right person for the job. A few position changes, chronology adjustments. All to get him where he’s wanted.

WARREN

Or where someone else wants him.

(beat)

And who’s going to notice a few little changes in a personnel file? Only someone going over them with a fine tooth comb. Half the time, captains don’t look that closely.

SMITH
I guess that’s what they’re counting on.

BARRATT
I still don’t like it, Captain. If Reyes really was Section 7, would they make such a blatant error in doing this?

WARREN
Everyone slips up, once in a while. But, we’ll find out soon enough who he’s working for.

(beat)

I want some firm proof we can take to McGath.

Stamp nods.

STAMP

I’ll do some more poking around. See if I can peel back the layers of file architecture.

WARREN

Do it. John, Dan, you’re with me. Let’s have a word with our mysterious Ensign.

They walk out of the wardroom, leaving Stamp to punch commands into his ExPOC.

CUT TO:

EXT. PEARL HARBOUR SOUND

In the murky waters, we see a mysterious craft slide across shot, barely visible.

INT. EXCALIBUR – BRIG – INTERROGATION ROOM

We see Reyes, sitting in a chair in the middle of the room, which largely resembles a police interview room (one-way mirror, three chairs and a table). He is handcuffed to one of the arms of the chair.

The door swings open, and Warren, Barratt and Smith enter. Reyes looks around.

REYES
Captain, I don’t understand. What’s going on?

WARREN

You can save the dazed and confused, Mr. Reyes. It doesn’t suit you. Just tell us what we want to know. Who are you working for, and what is your mission?

REYES
Sir, I…

WARREN

(getting agitated)

Save it, Reyes! We have enough evidence here to charge you for treason. And that’s the only charge in the UEO Military Code that carries the death penalty. I suggest you start talking.

Off Reyes’ face…

CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – BRIDGE

Mike Clark is sitting in the command chair, looking around at readouts. Macey has arrived on the bridge, and is busy refamiliarising herself with her station. The rest are NDs. One Ensign, JONES, hands Clark a small PDA.

JONES
Latest status reports, sir.

CLARK
Thanks.

A sudden beeping at Macey’s console attracts his attention. She’s checking readouts.

CLARK
What’s up?

Macey looks up from her console.

MACEY
I’m not sure. I’ve just lost all sensors below the waterline. All ventral hypersonar arrays are down, the A-WSKRs don’t respond…

Clark gets up and goes over to the console.

CLARK
How did that happen?

MACEY
Unknown.

EXCALIBUR – BRIG – INTERROGATION ROOM

Reyes is being shown the altered service record found earlier.

BARRATT

I’m sure you have an explanation for this…

REYES

Sir, I… I have no idea what’s…

WARREN
Mr. Reyes, you endangered the lives of everyone onboard this ship in sabotaging the main computer core during our last mission. This allowed Section 7 to seize control of the seaFire, and almost caused the loss of this vessel. So, I’ll ask you again. Who are you working for?

REYES

Captain…

Warren’s PAL beeps. He looks up, a little surprised. He takes out the PAL, and opens the channel.

WARREN

Mike, I thought I left strict instructions. No comms.

INTERCUT WITH:

EXCALIBUR – BRIDGE

Clark is standing behind Macey, as they check the consoles.

CLARK
I know, sir, but we figured you needed to know. We just lost all external sensors below the waterline. We don’t have any idea what caused it.

WARREN
Running diagnostics?

CLARK

Have been for the last five minutes. Everything checks out.

WARREN

Any ideas?

Reyes is watching this exchange.

CLARK
Not really, sir…

His voice starts to distort, and static appears on the channel.

CLARK

(interference)

…we’re still trying to… someho…. ock down…

And the channel goes to static.

WARREN
Mike? Bridge? Warren to Bridge, respond!

Barratt looks over.

BARRATT

Sir?

He turns.

WARREN
Comms are down. Mike just said the sensors have gone out.

Smith walks over to him.

SMITH

All of them?

WARREN
Just below the waterline.

SMITH
That’s impossible.

Just then, the lights cut out. The room is enshrouded in darkness. The emergency lights, weak and feeble, kick in. We can barely see anything.

BARRATT
Electrical’s just gone.

He looks up at the ceiling.

BARRATT

Backup’s aren’t responding.

WARREN
What the hell is going on?

We push past them, to focus on Reyes. He’s smiling.

CUT TO:

EXT. EXCALIBUR

We see the mysterious craft from a little earlier close on the lower half of the Excalibur’s bow. It swings around, and connects with the hull.

INT. EXCALIBUR – BRIDGE

The emergency lights are on here, too. Some of the consoles still function (primary ones, like helm, command, sensors and the Ops Table), and flashlights give the room an odd illumination. The room shakes. Clark looks around.

CLARK

What the hell…?

EXT. EXCALIBUR

Tight focus on the hull. We see what looks like a laser docking seal cutting in.

INT. EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR

The corridor wall glows brightly, then explodes outward, into the corridor itself.

EXCALIBUR – BRIDGE

Alarms go off. Macey slides her chair across her console. A crewman runs to her side, with a flashlight to help illuminate the console.

MACEY
We’ve got a hull breach!

Clark spins from where he’s standing, by the Ops Table.

CLARK
Where?

MACEY

I Deck, Section 5-Forward!

CLARK
(after a beat)

That’s where the Captain is…

He turns to the other bank of consoles.

CLARK
Do we have communications back yet?

CREWMAN #1

Not yet, sir.

CLARK
Dammit.

He turns to one of the crewmen standing by him with a flashlight.

CLARK
Get to Security. Have them dispatch a team to I Deck, Section 5, near the Brig.

CREWMAN #2

Aye, sir.

The crewman runs out.

MACEY
Internal sensors just went down!

Clark looks around.

CLARK
What on Earth is going on?

CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – BRIG – INTERROGATION ROOM

The emergency lights continue to flicker and flare. The boat groans. Warren, Barratt and Smith continue to look around.

WARREN
(re: Reyes)

Get him up. We’ll head up to the bridge.

SMITH
You think they’re coming to retrieve him?

WARREN

I don’t know. Best to be safe.

They head over to the chair where Reyes is sitting, calmly.

Suddenly, there is a huge flash, and explosion. The door is kicked in. We see, from Warren’s POV, blurry afterimages and white dots. Our whole field of vision is filled with men in black stealth gear, carrying weapons, blurred and unclear. Warren puts a hand in front of his face, rubbing his eyes.

OPERATIVE #1

Get him up!

WARREN
What the hell?

OPERATIVE #2

Get him secured!

They pull Reyes out of the chair, and literally manhandle him out of the room. Warren, Barratt and Smith go to stop them.

WARREN
Hey! Who the hell…

They grab at the trailing operatives. There is a brief struggle. Warren takes a rifle butt to the head, and falls to the ground. He catches the operative’s shoulder as he falls, and there is a small tearing sound heard. We see Warren has a scrap of cloth in his hand. Barratt and Smith, both still disoriented by the flashbang detonation, are also quickly subdued.

CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR

The mysterious assailants move down the corridor, taking Reyes with them. As they approach their transport, a three-man Excalibur security team walks into shot, sees them, and takes out their weapons.

SECURITY #1

Hold it!

The mysterious operatives open fire, taking down the security people easily. They head onto the transport. As the last man heads in, a hatch seals on the docking tunnel. Water begins to seep in around the seal. Quickly, the transverse bulkhead between the security team and the breach slides to the floor.

EXT. EXCALIBUR

The assault vessel breaks away from the Excalibur, and slides away into the depths.

Off the escaping ship…

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FOUR

ACT FIVE

FADE IN:

EXT. EXCALIBUR

Reestablishing, docked.

INT. EXCALIBUR – MEDBAY

Tight focus on someone sticking butterfly stitches on a forehead.

WARREN

Ow.

We pull back to see it’s Stratton, closing up the cut on Warren’s forehead.

STRATTON
You know, most of my patients are much quieter with minor injuries.

Warren smiles, wanly. Stratton attaches the last stitch, and Warren slides off the bed.

WARREN
Thanks, Doc.

Stratton nods, and moves to check on one of the security officers from the end of the last act. Warren goes over by the door, where Barratt is waiting.

WARREN

(re: security officers)

They be OK?

Barratt nods.

BARRATT
Doc says their weapons were only set at a low level. Stunned them, more than anything.

WARREN
Still no ID on that sub?

They walk out into the corridor.

EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR – CONTINUOUS

Barratt shakes his head.

BARRATT

The sensors stayed down until about an hour ago. We still don’t know how they managed it, but we’re assuming it had something to do with Reyes. Dave’s got some of his people working on the equipment and computers he left behind.

Warren nods. They reach the MagLev, and enter the carriage.

ANNOUNCER

MagLev engaged. Be seated to avoid injury. Next stop – D Deck, forward.

EXCALIBUR – MAGLEV

The carriage swoops past shot.

EXCALIBUR – CORRIDOR/STAIR SET (C DECK/D DECK/E DECK)

Warren and Barratt emerge from the MagLev.

ANNOUNCER
Thank you for riding MagLev.

BARRATT

What did Secretary McGath say?

Warren looks at him, sighs.

WARREN
I haven’t told him yet.

BARRATT
Should be an interesting conversation.

They reach the end of the corridor, and climb the stairs.

CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – CLARK’S QUARTERS

We pull back from a flickering flame, to see a table in the middle of Clark’s quarters. It looks a little out of place, but…

Candlelit dinner. All the trimmings.

There is a knock at the door.

CLARK

(O.S.)
Come in.

Hargrove walks in.

HARGROVE

(not looking around the room)

I tell ya, today has been one hell of a…

She sees the table prepared, and blinks in surprise.

Clark steps out from the other room.

CLARK
Surprise.

Hargrove smiles.

HARGROVE
Surprise is right.

Clark walks over to her.

CLARK
Would Milady care to sit down?

She grins at him.

CLARK
I figured that, with the day we’ve each had, why would we want to go anywhere?

HARGROVE
Hmm… bright idea, Lieutenant.

CLARK
Thank you.

Clark pulls the chair out for her, and she sits.

HARGROVE

So, what are we eating?

Clark walks into the other room. He says nothing, just smiles.

HARGROVE

Mike?

No answer.

HARGROVE

(a little worried)

Mike?

Clark pops his head round the threshold.

CLARK
Huh?
(beat)

Sorry.

HARGROVE
You scared the crap out of me.

Clark smiles.

CLARK
Well, maybe this will help.

He carries out two plates, with a steaming chicken breast, potatoes, vegetables. A sublime meal. Hargrove looks in amazement.

HARGROVE

(amazed)
You cooked this?

CLARK

Of course.

Hargrove looks at him, eyes narrowing.

CLARK

(grinning)

No! Of course not! I don’t cook.

They laugh. Clark sets the plates down

CLARK
I had Alexei whip it up in a spare moment he had.

HARGROVE
It’s… incredible.

CLARK
Thank you. I’ll be sure to let him know.

She smiles, and they start eating.

FADE CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – TOWER

Early evening. The last hint of sun is slipping below the horizon behind the Excalibur, the sky a brilliant crimson. We pull up to the Tower, to see Warren standing there, looking out at the Pacific.

FADE CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – COMPUTER CORE

Parker, Smith and Stamp are going over the diagnostic systems. They stand around a console on the edge of the room.

FADE CUT TO:

EXCALIBUR – BRIDGE

Barratt sitting at the command console. Clark hands him a report. We pan up to Macey, who is checking her console. She looks up, and out at the viewscreen.

EXCALIBUR – TOWER

Back to Warren. We hear the lift reach the top, but stay on Warren’s face.

TAYLOR

(O.S.)

Hey.

Taylor walks into shot. Warren turns to her.

WARREN

Hey.

He looks back out at the view. They don’t speak for a moment.

TAYLOR
You shouldn’t blame yourself.

He looks at her.

WARREN
And why shouldn’t I? I was the one who welcomed him aboard, trusted him with this mission.

TAYLOR
You did that with the rest of us, too. You weren’t to know.

WARREN
I should have guessed. Macias told me someone else had taken out Macey, that I had two enemies. I should’ve had a feeling.

(beat, looks back out)

Maybe that’s the problem. I’m too trusting.

Taylor turns to him.

TAYLOR
I don’t think that’s true.

Warren sighs, and turns, elbows resting on the hull.

TAYLOR
What did McGath have to say?

WARREN

He didn’t believe me. Asked to see proof. When I told him someone or something had sabotaged the sensors, he just… looked at me. I know, it’s a hard thing to believe and trust in, but… dammit, he didn’t even want to entertain the idea.

He sighs.

WARREN
I just wish we knew who took Reyes, and where. If it’s Section 7, then we have to confront the very real possibility that they’re no longer acting in the best interests of the UEO, but for their own interests. If it was the Macronesians, then… we have a serious security breach.

(beat)

Either way… it doesn’t bode well.

Taylor nods. She shivers slightly.

TAYLOR
It’s getting cold out here. I’m going to head back in. You coming?

Warren stands straight.

WARREN

In a little bit.

Taylor looks at him, then heads for the lift. Warren turns again, and looks back out at the ocean.

WARREN

You son of a bitch. You managed to pull it off, didn’t you? Well, I hope it was worth it.

(beat)

Whatever you’ve got planned, we’ll be ready for you.

He turns, and looks at the city, twinkling lights shining out before him.

WARREN
We’ll be ready for you.

We start to pull slowly back from Warren, back from the Tower, back from the Excalibur, into Pearl City. Buildings pass us by, as the camera swings around, and we come down to focus on one particular, fairly non-descript, building.

FADE CUT TO:

SECTION SEVEN HEADQUARTERS

We enter an office, where Monroe is sitting at a desk, looking fairly pleased with himself. He’s reading a report. The buzzer on his intercom goes, and he answers it.

MONROE

Yes?

S7 OPERATIVE

Sir, they’re here.

Monroe smiles.

MONROE
Send them in.

We hear the door open, but stay on Monroe as whoever it is enters.

MONROE

Well, congratulations, gentlemen. You both performed a first class operation all the way.

(beat)

And, welcome back…

The camera spins around to reveal Reyes, in a S7 jumpsuit.

MONROE
…Major Reyes.

Reyes smiles.

REYES
Thank you, sir.

Off the moment…

FADE OUT:

END OF ACT FIVE.

seaWolf ASV-“Statements and Declarations”

Episode #108

Commenced 11th March 2002

Completed 16th June 2003 (jeez, I had that bad a writer’s block?)

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.

Special thanks to DG Williams, James Ward and James Maxwell among others...

Thanks to all the guys on the NCQ msg board (you know who you are!), and all seaQuest fans everywhere...

Read the continuing adventures of the UEO Excalibur at www.geocities.com/seawolfasv

Part of the ASV webring (www.geocities.com/asvwebring)