CRUSADE
REALIZATION
Written by Martin A. Stihec TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY - DARK
(mysterious and eerie MUSIC should be playing in the background) we SEE a CLOSE UP on Gideon strapped down lying sideways on a metallic operating bed with tubes coming out of his covered body. Gideon is conscious but looks like he's in a trance.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
As he realizes where he is. He LOOKS AROUND as far as he can without turning his head.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE a masked man move in front of CAMERA.
GIDEON (OS) (in a wavy voice) Who are you? What do you want?
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (in a wavy voice) Ssssqquuuiiillllaaammmbbrrrraaa ooooxxxiiiiittttaaa.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON - SIDE VIEW
Gideon LOOKS CONFUSED.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Rrroookkkk tttooonnn ffaaaarrrrrr iiiissssvvv-nnoooccc vvvaaarreeeuuyy.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Ffffoooiiihhhhhjjjjooooollll vvvvoooorrrcchhaasssiii uuuunnnttaaaiii.
We HEAR a mechanical CLUNK and a deafening WHINE .
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
We SEE him react to the deafening whine.
On this, we FADE OUT and FADE IN - symbolizing the passage of time.
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY - LATER
We SEE Gideon lying here - barely CONSCIOUS, and Unknown Man #1. Unknown Man #2 is currently OS.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Qqqquuuiicckly, they'll realize he's missing sssoooonnn.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Iiiii kknnooow what I'm doing.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Yyyoouu'rree bbeing damn sloppy!
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Iii ddon't like yyoouurr attitude, dddooocctttoorr. (beat) Jjjjuuuusst. mmmaake it happen.
Gideon opens his eyes.
ANGLE - UNKNOWN MAN #1 AND GIDEON
Unknown Man #1 SEES that Gideon is conscious and isn't too happy about it.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (in wavy voice) Ddddhheee iiisss aawake, activate. NOW!
The deafening whine begins again.
GIDEON (screaming) Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - BED
We SEE Gideon sit up suddenly from his bed (as if waking from a nightmare) - sweat on his face and shirt.
GIDEON (CONT'D) Ahhh!
Gideon breathes heavily for a few beats, then gets up out of bed and moves OS. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
[pic] Matthew Gideon. Captain. Attached to the
Earth Alliance Starship Excalibur.
[pic]
To find a cure to the Drakh plague before
it wipes out all life on Earth.
[pic]
Anywhere I have to.
[pic]
No One
CRUSADE
Starring
[pic]
[pic]
[pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic]
CREATED BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
REALIZATION
Written by
Martin A. Stihec
Guest Starring
WAYNE PYGRAM as Drazi
Co-Starring STEVE BACIC as Drazi Guard KENT MC'CORD as Drazi Merchant GRANT BOWLER as Unknown Man #1 NORD LEAHCIM as Unknown Man #2 ARMIN SHIMMERMIN as Bridge Crewman GARY COLE as Apocalypse Box
[pic]
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon straightening his uniform in front of his MIRROR.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (in a wavy voice) ssqquuuiiillllaaammmbbrrrraaa ooooxxxiiiiittttaaa.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON - SIDE VIEW
Gideon LOOKS CONFUSED.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Rroookkkk tttooonnn ffaaaarrrrrr iiiissssvvv-nnoooccc vvvaaarreeeuuyy.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Ffffoooiiihhhhhjjjjooooollll vvvvoooorrrcchhaasssiii uuuunnnttaaaiii.
We HEAR a mechanical CLUNK and a deafening WHINE.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Gideon LOOKS CONCERNED as he walks away from the mirror.
INT. BULLET CAR - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon sitting here alone as the car moves through the ship.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
He LOOKS DISTANT.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon ENTER the bridge.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
As he reacts to something coming towards him.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE Matheson in front of CAMERA.
MATHESON (in wavy voice) Aaarrreee yyyooouuu oookkkaaayyy, ssssiiiirrrr? (beat, in wavy voice) Ssssiiiirrrr?
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
He still has a distant look on him.
GIDEON (confused) What did you say?
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON'S FACE
MATHESON (concerned) I asked if you were okay, sir.
GIDEON AND MATHESON
Gideon seems to shake himself out of it.
GIDEON Oh, I'm fine Lieutenant. just fine.
MATHESON The senior staff's waiting for you in the conference room, sir.
GIDEON (beat, distant)
Okay. lets go.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - ONE MINUTE LATER
We SEE Gideon, Matheson, Eilerson, Dureena and Chambers all here in their usual seats. Although the others are talking, we keep the CAMERA'S focus on the rather distant Gideon.
DUREENA What about the Drazi colonists?
EILERSON What about them?
DUREENA It's their land; we can't just go in and ransack the place!
EILERSON
They signed the Excalibur's "free movement" charter just like all the other races.
DUREENA That doesn't give us the right -
MATHESON I agree with Dureena. It's not our place to decide that they must let us search their land.
EILERSON (to Chambers, irritated) And I guess your vote is "no" too.
CHAMBERS That's right. (beat) Although I think the Drazi have no legal right to deny us our request - since they did sign the charter, I think we should wait til we get the okay from the Drazi government.
EILERSON Oh, I can't believe this! You're all willing to let a few stubborn Drazi stop us from -
MATHESON Captain, what do you think? (beat) Captain.
Gideon finally pulls himself back to the here-and-now.
GIDEON What was that, Lieutenant?
MATHESON What do you think we should do about the Drazi colonists?
GIDEON
Oh. (beat) I agree with Doctor Chambers, we should wait for the Drazi government to confirm. But it couldn't hurt to try to get the colonists to change their minds while we wait. (to Matheson) Take a small team down to talk to them ASAP. We'll have to move on soon.
Gideon STANDS UP.
GIDEON (CONT'D) If you'll excuse me, I have. things to do.
Gideon leaves the room.
EILERSON What's the matter with him?
CHAMBERS Maybe he caught something on the planet's surface - God knows, it wasn't exactly the most hygienic place in the universe. I should probably call him in for his physical -
MATHESON (defending Gideon) I don't think its any of our business. If the captain wanted to tell us, he would. (beat) Meeting adjourned.
Everybody GETS UP and starts to walk out.
EILERSON Well, I think he's finally gone nuts.
DUREENA (smiles) Huh, that's rich coming from you Max.
Dureena moves OS.
EILERSON (under his breath)
At least I don't smell like a sewer rat.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY (CGI) - LATER
Just to establish. We can SEE it is a very primitive colony; concrete structures, huts made of wood and stones, etc.
EXT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE several Drazi walk past CAMERA. The concrete building has several floors but looks rather small.
EILERSON (V.O.) Now that's preposterous!
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson, Dureena and Eilerson on one side of a stone table, and four Drazi on the other side. Eilerson and one of the Drazi are leaning over the table at each other - in the middle of an argument.
EILERSON (CONT'D) We're supposed to pay you that much so that we can search just one corner of your disease infested land!
DRAZI (insulted, mockingly) If you cannot afford it, then why don't you just say so?
EILERSON Oh, we can afford it all right, hell we could buy this whole damn planet with all the credits EarthGov's giving us, but this is robbery.
MATHESON Besides, our scans show the north side to be the highest concentration of the plant life we're looking for. Our research suggests it could contain a cure to the Drakh plague.
DRAZI (to Matheson) Then I suggest you go dig-up weeds elsewhere, Earther.
EILERSON I don't believe this.
Eilerson moves away from the table and looks at the wall.
DRAZI I suppose there could be a way to grant your people access to the north-east side.
DUREENA How?
DRAZI (to Matheson) Our community's population has dropped significantly over the last few years. To be blunt, we're running out of females. I believe at last count there were only fifty in the entire colony - nearly half of which are either too old or too young to bear young. (looking at Dureena but talking to Matheson) Now, if we were permitted to keep some of your female workers long enough to bear our children, we might consider your request more seriously.
The vibe around the room coming from Matheson and Dureena is not a very pleasant one. Eilerson LOOKS at Dureena briefly (as if considering her worth), and then TURNS back around and walks up to the Drazi.
EILERSON Deal.
MATHESON Max!
EILERSON Just kidding. (under his breath) Not.
Eilerson and Dureena exchange a harsh glare.
MATHESON (to Drazi) The answer is no.
DRAZI Then I'm afraid we must reject your request.
MATHESON (beat) I guess we'll be leaving then.
Matheson and Eilerson leave the building. Dureena walks up to the Drazi.
DUREENA That's too bad. I know where all your.
Dureena places her arm under his left arm (a reproductive organ). The Drazi seems aroused.
DUREENA (CONT'D) . Pleasure points are.
Dureena removes her arm and walks out the building. We can SEE the Drazi is about to protest.
EXT. OUTSIDE CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Dureena leaves the building and joins Matheson and Eilerson standing just outside the entrance. Eilerson still looks angry.
EILERSON What now?
MATHESON Nothing. We wait for the Drazi government to contact us.
EILERSON (a demand) I'm ready to go back to the Excalibur.
Eilerson moves OS towards their shuttle.
DUREENA We'd better go too - "The Great Maker" has spoken.
Matheson and Dureena move OS after Eilerson.
INT. DRAZI COLONY MARKET PLACE - ONE MINUTE LATER
We SEE Eilerson walk towards CAMERA, and then turn suddenly - seeing something that interests him at one of the stands. CAMERA follows Eilerson as he moves towards an old wooden stand. On the stand we can SEE a collection of emeralds and trinkets - most of them Drazi, and behind the stand is an old Drazi Merchant. Eilerson gestures towards a small black bracelet on the stand.
EILERSON How much?
The Drazi Merchant looks into this stranger's eyes for a beat before responding.
DRAZI MERCHANT Five hundred {DRAZI CURRENCY}.
EILERSON (laughs) Five hundred {DRAZI CURRENCY}?! No way. It's not even worth half that!
DRAZI MERCHANT If it weren't then you wouldn't waste your time trying to buy it, would you.
EILERSON (more seriously, an offer) Three hundred.
The Drazi Merchant shakes his head.
EILERSON Three fifty.
DRAZI MERCHANT You're wasting my time.
The Drazi Merchant reaches across the stand and places his hand on the bracelet - about to move it away. Eilerson places his hand firmly on the Drazi Merchant's hand.
EILERSON All right, five hundred.
The Drazi Merchant NODS his head and Eilerson lets go of his hand. Eilerson gives him the credits and the Drazi Merchant hands Eilerson the bracelet.
MATHESON (OS) Come on, Max.
Eilerson TURNS to Matheson - as does CAMERA.
EILERSON Just a second.
Eilerson turns back to the stand and the Drazi Merchant is gone. Eilerson is CONFUSED at first, but then starts walking back to the shuttle - holding the bracelet he had just purchased. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
INT. MESS HALL - MIDDAY
We SEE Gideon sitting alone at a table eating scrambled eggs. Being lunch time, the mess hall is pretty crowded and full of NOISE. But as the CAMERA ZOOMS IN on Gideon we HEAR the noise slowly fade away until we can only HEAR Gideon eating.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Ffffoooiiihhhhhjjjjooooollll vvvvoooorrrcchhaasssiii uuuunnnttaaaiii.
Gideon quickly TURNS AROUND to find the source of this mysterious voice - then we instantly CUT TO.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY - DARK
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
Gideon opens his eyes.
ANGLE - UNKNOWN MAN #1 AND GIDEON
Unknown Man #1 SEES that Gideon is conscious and isn't too happy about it.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (starting in wavy voice) Ddddhheee iiisss aawake, activate. NOW!
The deafening whine begins again.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. MESS HALL - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon jump up suddenly and accidentally knock his plate of scrambled eggs on the floor. Everybody looks at Gideon for a beat. Gideon has the expression of a man who had just seen the devil. CAMERA PANS AROUND Gideon for a beat, then Gideon moves OS.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon lying on his bed holding a picture of his old crew on the Cerebus (the same one from "To the Ends of the Earth.") Gideon is staring at the picture when his wrist-link beeps.
GIDEON (IN LINK) Gideon here.
MATHESON (ON LINK) Sir, we've just returned from the Drazi colony.
GIDEON (IN LINK) Let me guess; they said no.
MATHESON (ON LINK) Right. But not before trying to get us to trade-in Dureena for a search of the north side.
GIDEON (IN LINK) (joking) What's the matter? Don't they have enough women of their own species?
MATHESON (ON LINK) Actually. no, they don't. (explaining) They're desperately running out of potential mates, the Drazi representative said there were only fifty in the whole colony. And half of those are either too old or too young to reproduce.
GIDEON (IN LINK) (beat, inspiration) Lieutenant, I think we've found our way in.
MATHESON (ON LINK) What do you mean?
GIDEON (IN LINK) We can't offer them any of our female crewmen, but what if Sarah could re-set the biological clock for some of the Drazi women. If we could make enough of their females fertile, then they'd have to let us search their land.
MATHESON (ON LINK) Yeah, but do you think She'll do it? It doesn't sound like something she would usually endorse.
GIDEON (IN LINK) Relax, Lieutenant. I'm pretty sure I can convince her.
INT. MEDLAB - MINUTES LATER
We SEE a CLOSE UP on Chambers. CAMERA slowly ZOOMS OUT.
CHAMBERS No.
CAMERA has ZOOMS OUT enough for us to SEE Gideon standing next to her.
GIDEON Why not?
CHAMBERS Why not? Because, besides breaking the laws of nature, a procedure like that could cause serious harm to the older females' body organs. I know more about Drazi anatomy than most EarthForce medics, but to tell the truth, I don't know enough about them to even attempt to prolong their reproductive period much further than a few months.
GIDEON Sarah, these people will want to have the operation. If I wanted you to perform an operation on me that could cause damage, are you saying that you wouldn't do it?
CHAMBERS Yes. (beat) If this is a real problem for them, then why haven't they called for a Drazi physician?
GIDEON Because if they do that then won't let us on their land. (off Chambers' look) Besides, the reason they chose to colonize a planet so far away from Drazi space was because they wanted to build their own independent community.
CHAMBERS Then what makes you think they'll accept my help?
GIDEON Because they're desperate. And because we're not likely to tell the Drazi government that they needed help.
CHAMBERS Why should I -
GIDEON Sarah, I'm not asking you anymore. I'm ordering you. (beat) Make it happen.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE. His eyes are closed but he is still conscious.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (in wavy voice) Jjjjuuuusst. mmmaake it happen.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. MEDLAB - RESUME
We SEE Gideon and Chambers in the exact same positions they were in before. Gideon has a DISTANT LOOK on his face. again.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE Chambers in front of CAMERA.
CHAMBERS (in wavy voice) Araarree yyou all right?
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
He seems to snap out of it.
GIDEON Yeah. I'm okay. (beat) I'll let you know when to start expecting Drazi patients.
Gideon walks out of MedLab.
We can SEE Chambers looks both ANNOYED at and CONCERNED about Gideon.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Matheson standing alongside the command chair as Gideon ENTERS and walks over to Matheson.
GIDEON All right, Lieutenant, here comes the fun part.
MATHESON Sir?
GIDEON You get to see the look on the Drazis' faces when you tell them we can double their existing birth-rate. for a small fee of course.
MATHESON (smiles) Yes sir.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY (CGI) - LATER
Just to establish.
EXT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE several Drazi walk past CAMERA.
DRAZI (V.O.) What are you saying?
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson, Dureena and two other crewmen; Ross and Daniels, standing on one side of a long stone table, and the same four Drazi on the other side. The Drazi representative is the same one as before.
MATHESON Our chief medical officer can alter the reproductive cycle for most of your colony's female population, almost doubling your current birth- rate.
DRAZI (astonished) I didn't know such a thing were possible. You would do this for us?
Matheson NODS.
MATHESON In exchange for complete access to your land.
The Drazi representative LOOKS WORRIED about this.
DRAZI (reluctantly) I am afraid that is still not possible.
DUREENA Why not?
We can SEE the Drazi representative wasn't prepared to answer that question. The tension in the room rises. The Drazi looks very WORRIED.
CLOSE UP ON DRAZI
DRAZI (bullshit) Um, the economical factors of the, ah, planet have -
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON
As we SEE his head twitch (as he normally wound when hearing something through his earpiece on the Excalibur). Matheson gets a strange look on his face.
MATHESON (realization) You're hiding something from us.
ANGLE - THE FOUR DRAZI
As they react to this.
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON
MATHESON (realization) You don't want us going to the north side. why?
CLOSE UP ON DRAZI
He moves closer to Matheson. Dureena moves in to protect Matheson if things get out of control.
DRAZI (furious) Get out of my mind!
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON
MATHESON What are you hiding from us?
CLOSE UP ON DRAZI
DRAZI (furious) Leave! NOW!
ANGLE - ALL OF THEM
DUREENA Not until you answer his question.
DRAZI (furious) LEAVE! I will not ask you again!
The other three Drazi walk up to the Excalibur crewmen in a confrontational manner. It looks like they are about to start a full-on fight. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
INT. EXCALIBUR GYM - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon and a few other crewmen working out. Gideon is playing basketball by himself.
ANGLE - FAVOURING GIDEON
He takes a shot at the hoop. The ball goes in and bounces on the floor a few times before Gideon retrieves it and moves back to his original position. Gideon starts dribbling the ball again. Gideon takes another shot at the hoop, just as we CUT TO.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY
We SEE Gideon lying here - barely CONSCIOUS, and Unknown Man #1. Unknown Man #2 is currently OS.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Qqqquuuiicckly, they'll realize he's missing sssoooonnn.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Iiiii kknnooow what I'm doing.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Yyyoouu'rree bbeing damn sloppy!
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Iii ddon't like yyoouurr attitude, dddooocctttoorr.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. EXCALIBUR GYM - RESUME
We SEE the basketball miss the hoop and bounce OS.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
We can SEE Gideon LOOKS CONCERNED. Off Gideon's look, we CUT TO.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - HOURS LATER
We SEE Gideon sitting still in a chair with a blank look on his face.
*VOICEOVER FLASHBACK*
GIDEON (V.O.) Who are you? What do you want?
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (V.O.) Ddddhheee iiisss aawake, activate. NOW!
GIDEON (V.O.) Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..
*END OF VOICEOVER FLASHBACK*
Gideon starts tapping his fingers on his knee.
*FLASHBACK*
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S KNEE.
As he taps it we CUT TO.
INT. UNKNOWN LABORITORY - DARK
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
He HEARS a tapping NOISE. He starts to focus his eyes.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE Unknown Man #1 turned away from Gideon, sitting and tapping his knee.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Gideon stops tapping his knee.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
We SEE a blank expression on his face.
EXT. BULLET CAR - LATER
As we SEE it moves past CAMERA and OS.
INT. BULLET CAR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon sitting here alone, holding a fold-up chair.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
We hold on this for a few beats, then
EXT. BULLET CAR - CONTINUOUS
As it passes CAMERA and moves OS.
INT. GIDEON'S "WIND" SPOT FROM "Visitors from Down the Street" - LATER
We SEE Gideon setting up his fold-up chair. Once it's set up he sits in it and leans back.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
We can SEE that he is trying to forget the events that have haunted him today.
GALEN (OS) Problem, Matthew?
Gideon LOOKS UP to SEE Galen standing before him.
GIDEON AND GALEN
GIDEON (shocked, a little angry) Galen! How did you get here?
GALEN (looking around) Don't ask me. You were the one who called me back to this place.
GIDEON
Me??
GALEN Yes. I was the one you always used to call for when you needed help. Remember?
GIDEON Those days are long-gone Galen.
GALEN True. But there is still a part of you that wants to ask for my advice. isn't there? After all, who else can you ask?
GIDEON (reluctantly) I see your point.
GALEN So.
Galen sits down on the floor next to Gideon.
GALEN (CONT'D) What's the problem?
GIDEON (sighs) I don't know. It's like I've been having a bad dream all day.
GALEN (smiling) Well, in my professional opinion as a technomage; I think you're overworked. I recommend that you; take all your vitamins, drink lots of fluids, sleep for more than your standard two hours a night, and take a six month paid vacation. And as for your bad dreams, I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. After all, life is but a dream.
Gideon HEARS a beep and TURNS his head to see where it is coming from.
INT. GIDEON'S "WIND" SPOT FROM "Visitors from Down the Street" - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon WAKE UP in his fold-up chair and LOOK AROUND, searching for Galen. Just as Gideon realizes it was *probably* just a dream, he HEARS his wrist-link beeping. Gideon taps his link.
GIDEON (IN LINK) Gideon here.
BRIDGE CREWMAN (ON LINK) Sir, we're receiving a signal from Lieutenant Matheson.
GIDEON (IN LINK) I'm on my way.
Gideon gets out of his chair and moves OS.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon walk in and walk to his command chair.
GIDEON Put Matheson's signal on the main viewer.
Gideon sits in his chair.
BRIDGE CREWMAN Aye, sir.
We SEE Matheson's face appear on the viewer.
GIDEON Lieutenant, did the Drazi accept -
MATHESON (we can tell the Drazi are forcing him to say this) Captain Gideon. I, Crewmen Ross and Daniels, and the female Dureena are being held against our will by Drazi officials. They have agreed to let us go if the Excalibur leaves this system and returns to the nearest EarthAlliance outpost.
GIDEON (to himself) Shit.
MATHESON (CONT'D) Please do as they say and nobody will get hurt. I repeat, cooperate and nobody will be hurt. You have two hours to make a decision. Matheson out.
GIDEON
(angry, to Bridge Crewman) Prepare an extraction team, we launch in one hour.
BRIDGE CREWMAN (OS) Yes sir.
Gideon gets out of his chair and walks off the bridge.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY (CGI) - LATER
(Dramatic MUSIC should be playing in the background during these next few scenes). We SEE seven transport shuttles and three defence shuttles fly IN FRONT of CAMERA and heading towards the surface.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY LANDING ZONE (CGI)
We SEE the ten shuttles land on the concrete landing zone one by one. We then SEE marines EMERGE from each shuttle - all wearing Armour and a whole lot of weaponry.
EXT. OUTSIDE A DEFENCE SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon EXIT the shuttle wearing armour and holding a PPG.
EXT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish. We SEE over a dozen Drazi protecting the area - all armed with small-hand Drazi style weapons and no armour.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson tied up with Daniels and Ross sitting on the floor. Several Drazi guards are here - all armed.
MATHESON You're making a big mistake. The Captain doesn't like people telling him what to do.
DRAZI GUARD Quiet. I know you're a telepath, so don't try fooling me with your mind-games.
MATHESON Where have you taken Dureena?
DRAZI GUARD (laughs) Her company was. requested elsewhere.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY STREET - CONTINUOUS
We SEE dozens of Marines and Gideon walk down the street - causing the Drazi civilians to run and hide in fear. Then we DISSOLVE TO.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING SECOND FLOOR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a large bed in the middle of the room - Dureena is sitting on the bed. Her arms are tied behind her back and she is struggling to get them untied. We SEE the Drazi representative move in front of CAMERA.
DRAZI You have me at a disadvantage. Dureena.
DUREENA (demanding) Untie me!
DRAZI (aroused) You know all my. pleasure points, yet I know none of yours. Will you tell me? Or must I find out for myself.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY STREET - LATER
We can SEE the concrete building where Matheson is being held. When the guarding Drazi SEE the marines coming they take cover and get ready to fire their weapons.
CLOSE UP ON DRAZI GUARD
As he fires his weapon nervously.
ANGLE - ALL OF THEM
At the sound of a weapon going off, we SEE everyone with a weapon start taking cover and firing at the enemy. Over a period of thirty seconds we SEE seven Drazi get shot and several marines get shot. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
EXT. DRAZI COLONY STREET - CONTINUOUS
We start right where we left off at the end of ACT THREE.
ANGLE - ALL OF THEM
Still firing their weapons.
GIDEON (yelling) Hold your fire!
The marines stop firing and the few remaining Drazi eventually do too. We SEE Gideon walk out from the crowd of crouching marines - with two marines as an escort, and stop ten meters away from the building.
GIDEON (to a Drazi Guard) I think it's clear you can't this fight. So let's stop the bloodshed now.
The Drazi Guards exchange a quick look before NODDING in agreement.
GIDEON Now. where are my crewmen.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We can SEE Matheson, Daniels and Ross tied up and the Drazi Guard pacing the floor.
DRAZI GUARD (to himself) Why have they stoped firing?
MATHESON (mockingly)
Are you all right? You look a little on edge.
DRAZI GUARD Quiet!
We SEE the door suddenly being knocked down and Gideon ENTER with a handful of marines. We SEE some of the Guards reaching for their weapons; they are shot by the marines. The remaining Drazi don't make a move for their weapons. A marine sees Matheson and the crewmen tied up and he unties them. Matheson walks over to Gideon.
GIDEON You all right, John?
MATHESON Yeah. They're holding Dureena somewhere else.
Gideon turns to the Drazi Guard.
GIDEON Where is she?
DRAZI GUARD (reluctantly) Up the stairs.
MATHESON (to Drazi Guard) I told you, you were making a big mistake.
Gideon, Matheson and two marines start to walk up the stairs.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon, Matheson and the two marines walk up the stairs and into the first room along the hallway (There are only three rooms). Once one of the marines opens the door.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING SECOND FLOOR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a large bed in the middle of the room - Dureena is sitting on it in her underwear. When they all ENTER the room, CAMERA PANS AROUND until we can SEE the Drazi representative cowering in the corner of the room with cuts and bruises all over.
DRAZI (fearful) Help me, she's crazy!
GIDEON I wouldn't be complaining if I were you; your head's where it's supposed to be. She must have been taking it easy on you.
DRAZI (fearful, reluctantly) All right; I'll show you what's on the north side. Just keep that. thing away from me.
Gideon LOOKS CONFUSED.
GIDEON (to Matheson) Lieutenant?
MATHESON There's something they're hiding from us on the north side, that's why they weren't letting us search that area.
GIDEON (beat, to Drazi) Take us there.
EXT. DRAZI LAND, NORTH SIDE - LATER
We SEE Gideon, Matheson, Dureena, the Drazi representative and a dozen Marines walk towards CAMERA and are stoped dead in their tracks by what they SEE (OS).
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE a large detainment area filled with hundreds of Narns - half of which look very sick. We take a few beats on this.
GIDEON, MATHESON, DUREENA AND DRAZI REPRESENTATIVE
Gideon, Matheson and Dureena are horrified by what they can see in front of them. During their dialogue we switch angles to the detainment camp, and then back to them.
DRAZI We use the ionic fluctuaters from our old ships to mask their life- signs. Unfortunately they also cause disease. (beat) You must think of us as monsters. But it is imparitive that nobody learns that they are here. And we do try to care for them.
MATHESON (disgusted) Why are you holding these people?
DRAZI We were left with no choice. They were the forgotten victims of war. Four years ago the Narn regime authorized an unprovoked attack on a Drazi outpost near the edge of our space. When the outpost repelled the attacking ships, the Narns denied ever authorizing the attack. they said the group who attacked the outpost did not do so under their orders. Of course, the Narn survivors would not be accepted back into the regime - their government had turned their backs on them and claimed they never existed. So, when we decided to build our own independent colony light-years away from either Drazi or Narn space, we chose to take the survivors with us - without the Shadak (Drazi's governing body)'s knowledge.
DUREENA Then why are they locked away like this, treated like slaves and animals.
DRAZI They resisted us. When they were let out of their cages they rebelled against us, starting killing us off. We had no choice. We destroyed all the ships we had come here with the moment we arrived.
GIDEON So you keep them locked up here, out of your way, so they're made the forgotten victims once more.
DRAZI Do not judge us. What would you have done in our place?
Gideon stays silent not because he's ignoring the Drazi's excuse, but because he doesn't know what he would have done if it had happened to him. (NOTE: in "Racing the Night" Gideon also didn't answer Eilerson's question; "wouldn't you gladly sacrifice a hundred Narns to save Earth?")
INT. EXCALIBUR FLIGHT DECK (CGI) - LATE NIGHT
We SEE Gideon standing over the BALCONY, staring deeply at absolutely nothing. We SEE Matheson come up alongside Gideon.
MATHESON
You did the right thing, agreeing to take the Narns to another uninhabited planet.
GIDEON I know. (beat) Did you find anything in the plant's vegetation?
MATHESON Doctor Chambers is analysing a sample right now. She doesn't seem too optimistic about finding a cure though.
GIDEON
Or maybe she's just frustrated; between the Narn survivors and Drazi females she's had over four hundred patients to work with.
MATHESON Why did you still agree to help the Drazi colonists after what they'd done?
GIDEON They didn't really do anything wrong. They were just trying to save them.
MATHESON Yeah, by slowly killing them with radiation.
GIDEON They had to. They couldn't let their government, or anyone else find out they were there. (beat) When the Drazi asked me what I would have done in his position. couldn't think of a single thing I could have done differently. Something that we would consider cruel and unjust.
MATHESON It still seems wrong to me.
GIDEON
I think 'Murphy's Law' applies to this situation.
MATHESON (quoting) "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong."
GIDEON
Put in situations like that; you don't what you're capable of. Personally, I'd like to think that there's always a choice, but. (beat) I've got an early shift in the morning so I'd better turn-in. Goodnight, John.
Gideon starts walking out of the flight deck.
MATHESON Goodnight, Matt.
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON
As he stares out at nothing.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
Gideon walks in and takes out his Apocalypse box. He places it on his desk and opens it.
GIDEON (a little on edge) What's happening to me?
APOCALYPSE BOX Explain.
GIDEON I've been. dreaming - well, they're more like nightmares. They're very vivid. What's causing them? Can you stop it?
APOCALYPSE BOX Touch my shell. describe.
Gideon does as the Apocalypse Box asked and touches it's "shell" (yellow part).
(mysterious and eerie MUSIC should be playing in the background)
GIDEON I'm in a dark room.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY
We SEE extracts of what we saw in the TEASER.
GIDEON (V.O.) There are. things coming out of my body. tubes.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
GIDEON (V.O.) I'm cold. it's so cold.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE Unknown Man #1.
GIDEON (V.O.) I'm not alone. they're watching me. observing me. (beat) My chest hurts. I try to move but my legs are restrained.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Gideon is still holding the Apocalypse Box.
APOCALYPSE BOX No. Not dreams. memories of things that were.
GIDEON What?!
APOCALYPSE BOX Continue.
*FLASHBACK*
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
We HEAR the whining start.
GIDEON (V.O.) I hear a noise. a deafening noise.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
We HEAR the Apocalypse box SCREAM. a terrible scream, and SEE it somehow throw Gideon across the room and OS (telekinetically??).
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
As he looks at the Apocalypse box (OS) in amazement.
The box's scream slowly fades.
APOCALYPSE BOX There is darkness in you. I cannot break through it.
Gideon is in too much shock to say anything. The Apocalypse box's light slowly fades down. We hold on Gideon lying on the floor for a beat, and then we DISSOLVE TO.
INT. MEDLAB - LATER
We SEE Gideon sitting on a biobed with his top off.
CHAMBERS (OS) What did you say happened?
GIDEON I fell in my quarters.
Chambers moves over to Gideon and in front of CAMERA.
CHAMBERS You weren't crawling on the ceiling by any chance were you?
GIDEON That bad?
CHAMBERS Any worse and I'd have to perform surgery. again. (beat) You should be fine. Just keep off your feet for a couple of days. If the pain gets too bad come back and I'll prescribe some Versodium.
Gideon struggles to his feet.
GIDEON Thanks. (beat, uncomfortably) Sarah, how would someone erase a memory?
CHAMBERS You mean all of a person's memory or just one specific memory?
GIDEON
A specific memory.
CHAMBERS Well, that would be pretty hard. Not impossible, but hard. Even with all the medical and technological advances we've made over the last five centuries, the human brain is still a relatively uncharted organ. Older races such as the Minbari have developed their science more than ours and would be able to complete an operation like that more effectively than I could. A strong, well trained telepath would have no trouble removing memories with a high success rate.
GIDEON So, theoretically, you could erase a specific memory from a person's brain.
CHAMBERS Yes, with a sixty percent chance of getting rid of something I shouldn't have, or not getting rid of enough.
GIDEON What if either of those happened?
CHAMBERS If I got rid of something I shouldn't have then you'd probably be dead - depending on what it is I got rid off. If I didn't get rid of enough then you'd be experiencing memory-recurrences.
GIDEON And what are they?
CHAMBERS Basically, you'd re-live the parts of the memory that weren't erased.
A look of REALIZATION comes across Gideon's face.
GIDEON Thank you, doctor. You've been a great help.
Gideon walks out MedLab.
CHAMBERS You're welcome.
On Chambers look, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
TAG
INT. EILERSON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Eilerson sitting at his desk, examining the bracelet with a magnification device.
EILERSON'S POV
We can SEE a magnified version of the bracelet. We can SEE how smooth the firm substance it's made of is (impossibly smooth).
CLOSE UP ON EILERSON
He LOOKS DISTURBED by the bracelet. We hold on this for a few long beats, and then we DISSOLVE TO.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon lying on his bed.
*VOICEOVER FLASHBACK*
APOCALYPSE BOX'S PREVIOUS OWNER It gives you an edge.
JACK Did you know that there's less then a dozen of these... boxes scattered across the known universe.
APOCALYPSE BOX'S PREVIOUS OWNER It's old. Older than mankind even. (beat) It lies you know. Not all the time, just enough.
*END OF VOICEOVER FLASHBACK*
Gideon decides to ask the Apocalypse box a question. so he gets it out and opens it on his desk.
GIDEON Who are you? ... What do you want?
The Apocalypse box starts to glow. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF SHOW
REALIZATION
Written by Martin A. Stihec TEASER
FADE IN:
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY - DARK
(mysterious and eerie MUSIC should be playing in the background) we SEE a CLOSE UP on Gideon strapped down lying sideways on a metallic operating bed with tubes coming out of his covered body. Gideon is conscious but looks like he's in a trance.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
As he realizes where he is. He LOOKS AROUND as far as he can without turning his head.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE a masked man move in front of CAMERA.
GIDEON (OS) (in a wavy voice) Who are you? What do you want?
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (in a wavy voice) Ssssqquuuiiillllaaammmbbrrrraaa ooooxxxiiiiittttaaa.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON - SIDE VIEW
Gideon LOOKS CONFUSED.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Rrroookkkk tttooonnn ffaaaarrrrrr iiiissssvvv-nnoooccc vvvaaarreeeuuyy.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Ffffoooiiihhhhhjjjjooooollll vvvvoooorrrcchhaasssiii uuuunnnttaaaiii.
We HEAR a mechanical CLUNK and a deafening WHINE .
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
We SEE him react to the deafening whine.
On this, we FADE OUT and FADE IN - symbolizing the passage of time.
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY - LATER
We SEE Gideon lying here - barely CONSCIOUS, and Unknown Man #1. Unknown Man #2 is currently OS.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Qqqquuuiicckly, they'll realize he's missing sssoooonnn.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Iiiii kknnooow what I'm doing.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Yyyoouu'rree bbeing damn sloppy!
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Iii ddon't like yyoouurr attitude, dddooocctttoorr. (beat) Jjjjuuuusst. mmmaake it happen.
Gideon opens his eyes.
ANGLE - UNKNOWN MAN #1 AND GIDEON
Unknown Man #1 SEES that Gideon is conscious and isn't too happy about it.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (in wavy voice) Ddddhheee iiisss aawake, activate. NOW!
The deafening whine begins again.
GIDEON (screaming) Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - BED
We SEE Gideon sit up suddenly from his bed (as if waking from a nightmare) - sweat on his face and shirt.
GIDEON (CONT'D) Ahhh!
Gideon breathes heavily for a few beats, then gets up out of bed and moves OS. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF TEASER
[pic] Matthew Gideon. Captain. Attached to the
Earth Alliance Starship Excalibur.
[pic]
To find a cure to the Drakh plague before
it wipes out all life on Earth.
[pic]
Anywhere I have to.
[pic]
No One
CRUSADE
Starring
[pic]
[pic]
[pic] [pic] [pic] [pic] [pic]
CREATED BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
REALIZATION
Written by
Martin A. Stihec
Guest Starring
WAYNE PYGRAM as Drazi
Co-Starring STEVE BACIC as Drazi Guard KENT MC'CORD as Drazi Merchant GRANT BOWLER as Unknown Man #1 NORD LEAHCIM as Unknown Man #2 ARMIN SHIMMERMIN as Bridge Crewman GARY COLE as Apocalypse Box
[pic]
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon straightening his uniform in front of his MIRROR.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (in a wavy voice) ssqquuuiiillllaaammmbbrrrraaa ooooxxxiiiiittttaaa.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON - SIDE VIEW
Gideon LOOKS CONFUSED.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Rroookkkk tttooonnn ffaaaarrrrrr iiiissssvvv-nnoooccc vvvaaarreeeuuyy.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Ffffoooiiihhhhhjjjjooooollll vvvvoooorrrcchhaasssiii uuuunnnttaaaiii.
We HEAR a mechanical CLUNK and a deafening WHINE.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Gideon LOOKS CONCERNED as he walks away from the mirror.
INT. BULLET CAR - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon sitting here alone as the car moves through the ship.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
He LOOKS DISTANT.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon ENTER the bridge.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
As he reacts to something coming towards him.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE Matheson in front of CAMERA.
MATHESON (in wavy voice) Aaarrreee yyyooouuu oookkkaaayyy, ssssiiiirrrr? (beat, in wavy voice) Ssssiiiirrrr?
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
He still has a distant look on him.
GIDEON (confused) What did you say?
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON'S FACE
MATHESON (concerned) I asked if you were okay, sir.
GIDEON AND MATHESON
Gideon seems to shake himself out of it.
GIDEON Oh, I'm fine Lieutenant. just fine.
MATHESON The senior staff's waiting for you in the conference room, sir.
GIDEON (beat, distant)
Okay. lets go.
INT. CONFERENCE ROOM - ONE MINUTE LATER
We SEE Gideon, Matheson, Eilerson, Dureena and Chambers all here in their usual seats. Although the others are talking, we keep the CAMERA'S focus on the rather distant Gideon.
DUREENA What about the Drazi colonists?
EILERSON What about them?
DUREENA It's their land; we can't just go in and ransack the place!
EILERSON
They signed the Excalibur's "free movement" charter just like all the other races.
DUREENA That doesn't give us the right -
MATHESON I agree with Dureena. It's not our place to decide that they must let us search their land.
EILERSON (to Chambers, irritated) And I guess your vote is "no" too.
CHAMBERS That's right. (beat) Although I think the Drazi have no legal right to deny us our request - since they did sign the charter, I think we should wait til we get the okay from the Drazi government.
EILERSON Oh, I can't believe this! You're all willing to let a few stubborn Drazi stop us from -
MATHESON Captain, what do you think? (beat) Captain.
Gideon finally pulls himself back to the here-and-now.
GIDEON What was that, Lieutenant?
MATHESON What do you think we should do about the Drazi colonists?
GIDEON
Oh. (beat) I agree with Doctor Chambers, we should wait for the Drazi government to confirm. But it couldn't hurt to try to get the colonists to change their minds while we wait. (to Matheson) Take a small team down to talk to them ASAP. We'll have to move on soon.
Gideon STANDS UP.
GIDEON (CONT'D) If you'll excuse me, I have. things to do.
Gideon leaves the room.
EILERSON What's the matter with him?
CHAMBERS Maybe he caught something on the planet's surface - God knows, it wasn't exactly the most hygienic place in the universe. I should probably call him in for his physical -
MATHESON (defending Gideon) I don't think its any of our business. If the captain wanted to tell us, he would. (beat) Meeting adjourned.
Everybody GETS UP and starts to walk out.
EILERSON Well, I think he's finally gone nuts.
DUREENA (smiles) Huh, that's rich coming from you Max.
Dureena moves OS.
EILERSON (under his breath)
At least I don't smell like a sewer rat.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY (CGI) - LATER
Just to establish. We can SEE it is a very primitive colony; concrete structures, huts made of wood and stones, etc.
EXT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE several Drazi walk past CAMERA. The concrete building has several floors but looks rather small.
EILERSON (V.O.) Now that's preposterous!
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson, Dureena and Eilerson on one side of a stone table, and four Drazi on the other side. Eilerson and one of the Drazi are leaning over the table at each other - in the middle of an argument.
EILERSON (CONT'D) We're supposed to pay you that much so that we can search just one corner of your disease infested land!
DRAZI (insulted, mockingly) If you cannot afford it, then why don't you just say so?
EILERSON Oh, we can afford it all right, hell we could buy this whole damn planet with all the credits EarthGov's giving us, but this is robbery.
MATHESON Besides, our scans show the north side to be the highest concentration of the plant life we're looking for. Our research suggests it could contain a cure to the Drakh plague.
DRAZI (to Matheson) Then I suggest you go dig-up weeds elsewhere, Earther.
EILERSON I don't believe this.
Eilerson moves away from the table and looks at the wall.
DRAZI I suppose there could be a way to grant your people access to the north-east side.
DUREENA How?
DRAZI (to Matheson) Our community's population has dropped significantly over the last few years. To be blunt, we're running out of females. I believe at last count there were only fifty in the entire colony - nearly half of which are either too old or too young to bear young. (looking at Dureena but talking to Matheson) Now, if we were permitted to keep some of your female workers long enough to bear our children, we might consider your request more seriously.
The vibe around the room coming from Matheson and Dureena is not a very pleasant one. Eilerson LOOKS at Dureena briefly (as if considering her worth), and then TURNS back around and walks up to the Drazi.
EILERSON Deal.
MATHESON Max!
EILERSON Just kidding. (under his breath) Not.
Eilerson and Dureena exchange a harsh glare.
MATHESON (to Drazi) The answer is no.
DRAZI Then I'm afraid we must reject your request.
MATHESON (beat) I guess we'll be leaving then.
Matheson and Eilerson leave the building. Dureena walks up to the Drazi.
DUREENA That's too bad. I know where all your.
Dureena places her arm under his left arm (a reproductive organ). The Drazi seems aroused.
DUREENA (CONT'D) . Pleasure points are.
Dureena removes her arm and walks out the building. We can SEE the Drazi is about to protest.
EXT. OUTSIDE CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Dureena leaves the building and joins Matheson and Eilerson standing just outside the entrance. Eilerson still looks angry.
EILERSON What now?
MATHESON Nothing. We wait for the Drazi government to contact us.
EILERSON (a demand) I'm ready to go back to the Excalibur.
Eilerson moves OS towards their shuttle.
DUREENA We'd better go too - "The Great Maker" has spoken.
Matheson and Dureena move OS after Eilerson.
INT. DRAZI COLONY MARKET PLACE - ONE MINUTE LATER
We SEE Eilerson walk towards CAMERA, and then turn suddenly - seeing something that interests him at one of the stands. CAMERA follows Eilerson as he moves towards an old wooden stand. On the stand we can SEE a collection of emeralds and trinkets - most of them Drazi, and behind the stand is an old Drazi Merchant. Eilerson gestures towards a small black bracelet on the stand.
EILERSON How much?
The Drazi Merchant looks into this stranger's eyes for a beat before responding.
DRAZI MERCHANT Five hundred {DRAZI CURRENCY}.
EILERSON (laughs) Five hundred {DRAZI CURRENCY}?! No way. It's not even worth half that!
DRAZI MERCHANT If it weren't then you wouldn't waste your time trying to buy it, would you.
EILERSON (more seriously, an offer) Three hundred.
The Drazi Merchant shakes his head.
EILERSON Three fifty.
DRAZI MERCHANT You're wasting my time.
The Drazi Merchant reaches across the stand and places his hand on the bracelet - about to move it away. Eilerson places his hand firmly on the Drazi Merchant's hand.
EILERSON All right, five hundred.
The Drazi Merchant NODS his head and Eilerson lets go of his hand. Eilerson gives him the credits and the Drazi Merchant hands Eilerson the bracelet.
MATHESON (OS) Come on, Max.
Eilerson TURNS to Matheson - as does CAMERA.
EILERSON Just a second.
Eilerson turns back to the stand and the Drazi Merchant is gone. Eilerson is CONFUSED at first, but then starts walking back to the shuttle - holding the bracelet he had just purchased. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
INT. MESS HALL - MIDDAY
We SEE Gideon sitting alone at a table eating scrambled eggs. Being lunch time, the mess hall is pretty crowded and full of NOISE. But as the CAMERA ZOOMS IN on Gideon we HEAR the noise slowly fade away until we can only HEAR Gideon eating.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Ffffoooiiihhhhhjjjjooooollll vvvvoooorrrcchhaasssiii uuuunnnttaaaiii.
Gideon quickly TURNS AROUND to find the source of this mysterious voice - then we instantly CUT TO.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY - DARK
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
Gideon opens his eyes.
ANGLE - UNKNOWN MAN #1 AND GIDEON
Unknown Man #1 SEES that Gideon is conscious and isn't too happy about it.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (starting in wavy voice) Ddddhheee iiisss aawake, activate. NOW!
The deafening whine begins again.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. MESS HALL - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon jump up suddenly and accidentally knock his plate of scrambled eggs on the floor. Everybody looks at Gideon for a beat. Gideon has the expression of a man who had just seen the devil. CAMERA PANS AROUND Gideon for a beat, then Gideon moves OS.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon lying on his bed holding a picture of his old crew on the Cerebus (the same one from "To the Ends of the Earth.") Gideon is staring at the picture when his wrist-link beeps.
GIDEON (IN LINK) Gideon here.
MATHESON (ON LINK) Sir, we've just returned from the Drazi colony.
GIDEON (IN LINK) Let me guess; they said no.
MATHESON (ON LINK) Right. But not before trying to get us to trade-in Dureena for a search of the north side.
GIDEON (IN LINK) (joking) What's the matter? Don't they have enough women of their own species?
MATHESON (ON LINK) Actually. no, they don't. (explaining) They're desperately running out of potential mates, the Drazi representative said there were only fifty in the whole colony. And half of those are either too old or too young to reproduce.
GIDEON (IN LINK) (beat, inspiration) Lieutenant, I think we've found our way in.
MATHESON (ON LINK) What do you mean?
GIDEON (IN LINK) We can't offer them any of our female crewmen, but what if Sarah could re-set the biological clock for some of the Drazi women. If we could make enough of their females fertile, then they'd have to let us search their land.
MATHESON (ON LINK) Yeah, but do you think She'll do it? It doesn't sound like something she would usually endorse.
GIDEON (IN LINK) Relax, Lieutenant. I'm pretty sure I can convince her.
INT. MEDLAB - MINUTES LATER
We SEE a CLOSE UP on Chambers. CAMERA slowly ZOOMS OUT.
CHAMBERS No.
CAMERA has ZOOMS OUT enough for us to SEE Gideon standing next to her.
GIDEON Why not?
CHAMBERS Why not? Because, besides breaking the laws of nature, a procedure like that could cause serious harm to the older females' body organs. I know more about Drazi anatomy than most EarthForce medics, but to tell the truth, I don't know enough about them to even attempt to prolong their reproductive period much further than a few months.
GIDEON Sarah, these people will want to have the operation. If I wanted you to perform an operation on me that could cause damage, are you saying that you wouldn't do it?
CHAMBERS Yes. (beat) If this is a real problem for them, then why haven't they called for a Drazi physician?
GIDEON Because if they do that then won't let us on their land. (off Chambers' look) Besides, the reason they chose to colonize a planet so far away from Drazi space was because they wanted to build their own independent community.
CHAMBERS Then what makes you think they'll accept my help?
GIDEON Because they're desperate. And because we're not likely to tell the Drazi government that they needed help.
CHAMBERS Why should I -
GIDEON Sarah, I'm not asking you anymore. I'm ordering you. (beat) Make it happen.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE. His eyes are closed but he is still conscious.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (in wavy voice) Jjjjuuuusst. mmmaake it happen.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. MEDLAB - RESUME
We SEE Gideon and Chambers in the exact same positions they were in before. Gideon has a DISTANT LOOK on his face. again.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE Chambers in front of CAMERA.
CHAMBERS (in wavy voice) Araarree yyou all right?
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
He seems to snap out of it.
GIDEON Yeah. I'm okay. (beat) I'll let you know when to start expecting Drazi patients.
Gideon walks out of MedLab.
We can SEE Chambers looks both ANNOYED at and CONCERNED about Gideon.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Matheson standing alongside the command chair as Gideon ENTERS and walks over to Matheson.
GIDEON All right, Lieutenant, here comes the fun part.
MATHESON Sir?
GIDEON You get to see the look on the Drazis' faces when you tell them we can double their existing birth-rate. for a small fee of course.
MATHESON (smiles) Yes sir.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY (CGI) - LATER
Just to establish.
EXT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE several Drazi walk past CAMERA.
DRAZI (V.O.) What are you saying?
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson, Dureena and two other crewmen; Ross and Daniels, standing on one side of a long stone table, and the same four Drazi on the other side. The Drazi representative is the same one as before.
MATHESON Our chief medical officer can alter the reproductive cycle for most of your colony's female population, almost doubling your current birth- rate.
DRAZI (astonished) I didn't know such a thing were possible. You would do this for us?
Matheson NODS.
MATHESON In exchange for complete access to your land.
The Drazi representative LOOKS WORRIED about this.
DRAZI (reluctantly) I am afraid that is still not possible.
DUREENA Why not?
We can SEE the Drazi representative wasn't prepared to answer that question. The tension in the room rises. The Drazi looks very WORRIED.
CLOSE UP ON DRAZI
DRAZI (bullshit) Um, the economical factors of the, ah, planet have -
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON
As we SEE his head twitch (as he normally wound when hearing something through his earpiece on the Excalibur). Matheson gets a strange look on his face.
MATHESON (realization) You're hiding something from us.
ANGLE - THE FOUR DRAZI
As they react to this.
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON
MATHESON (realization) You don't want us going to the north side. why?
CLOSE UP ON DRAZI
He moves closer to Matheson. Dureena moves in to protect Matheson if things get out of control.
DRAZI (furious) Get out of my mind!
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON
MATHESON What are you hiding from us?
CLOSE UP ON DRAZI
DRAZI (furious) Leave! NOW!
ANGLE - ALL OF THEM
DUREENA Not until you answer his question.
DRAZI (furious) LEAVE! I will not ask you again!
The other three Drazi walk up to the Excalibur crewmen in a confrontational manner. It looks like they are about to start a full-on fight. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
INT. EXCALIBUR GYM - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon and a few other crewmen working out. Gideon is playing basketball by himself.
ANGLE - FAVOURING GIDEON
He takes a shot at the hoop. The ball goes in and bounces on the floor a few times before Gideon retrieves it and moves back to his original position. Gideon starts dribbling the ball again. Gideon takes another shot at the hoop, just as we CUT TO.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY
We SEE Gideon lying here - barely CONSCIOUS, and Unknown Man #1. Unknown Man #2 is currently OS.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Qqqquuuiicckly, they'll realize he's missing sssoooonnn.
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Iiiii kknnooow what I'm doing.
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (OS) (in wavy voice) Yyyoouu'rree bbeing damn sloppy!
UNKNOWN MAN #2 (OS) (in wavy voice) Iii ddon't like yyoouurr attitude, dddooocctttoorr.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. EXCALIBUR GYM - RESUME
We SEE the basketball miss the hoop and bounce OS.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
We can SEE Gideon LOOKS CONCERNED. Off Gideon's look, we CUT TO.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - HOURS LATER
We SEE Gideon sitting still in a chair with a blank look on his face.
*VOICEOVER FLASHBACK*
GIDEON (V.O.) Who are you? What do you want?
UNKNOWN MAN #1 (V.O.) Ddddhheee iiisss aawake, activate. NOW!
GIDEON (V.O.) Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..
*END OF VOICEOVER FLASHBACK*
Gideon starts tapping his fingers on his knee.
*FLASHBACK*
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S KNEE.
As he taps it we CUT TO.
INT. UNKNOWN LABORITORY - DARK
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
He HEARS a tapping NOISE. He starts to focus his eyes.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE Unknown Man #1 turned away from Gideon, sitting and tapping his knee.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Gideon stops tapping his knee.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
We SEE a blank expression on his face.
EXT. BULLET CAR - LATER
As we SEE it moves past CAMERA and OS.
INT. BULLET CAR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon sitting here alone, holding a fold-up chair.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
We hold on this for a few beats, then
EXT. BULLET CAR - CONTINUOUS
As it passes CAMERA and moves OS.
INT. GIDEON'S "WIND" SPOT FROM "Visitors from Down the Street" - LATER
We SEE Gideon setting up his fold-up chair. Once it's set up he sits in it and leans back.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
We can SEE that he is trying to forget the events that have haunted him today.
GALEN (OS) Problem, Matthew?
Gideon LOOKS UP to SEE Galen standing before him.
GIDEON AND GALEN
GIDEON (shocked, a little angry) Galen! How did you get here?
GALEN (looking around) Don't ask me. You were the one who called me back to this place.
GIDEON
Me??
GALEN Yes. I was the one you always used to call for when you needed help. Remember?
GIDEON Those days are long-gone Galen.
GALEN True. But there is still a part of you that wants to ask for my advice. isn't there? After all, who else can you ask?
GIDEON (reluctantly) I see your point.
GALEN So.
Galen sits down on the floor next to Gideon.
GALEN (CONT'D) What's the problem?
GIDEON (sighs) I don't know. It's like I've been having a bad dream all day.
GALEN (smiling) Well, in my professional opinion as a technomage; I think you're overworked. I recommend that you; take all your vitamins, drink lots of fluids, sleep for more than your standard two hours a night, and take a six month paid vacation. And as for your bad dreams, I wouldn't worry too much if I were you. After all, life is but a dream.
Gideon HEARS a beep and TURNS his head to see where it is coming from.
INT. GIDEON'S "WIND" SPOT FROM "Visitors from Down the Street" - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon WAKE UP in his fold-up chair and LOOK AROUND, searching for Galen. Just as Gideon realizes it was *probably* just a dream, he HEARS his wrist-link beeping. Gideon taps his link.
GIDEON (IN LINK) Gideon here.
BRIDGE CREWMAN (ON LINK) Sir, we're receiving a signal from Lieutenant Matheson.
GIDEON (IN LINK) I'm on my way.
Gideon gets out of his chair and moves OS.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon walk in and walk to his command chair.
GIDEON Put Matheson's signal on the main viewer.
Gideon sits in his chair.
BRIDGE CREWMAN Aye, sir.
We SEE Matheson's face appear on the viewer.
GIDEON Lieutenant, did the Drazi accept -
MATHESON (we can tell the Drazi are forcing him to say this) Captain Gideon. I, Crewmen Ross and Daniels, and the female Dureena are being held against our will by Drazi officials. They have agreed to let us go if the Excalibur leaves this system and returns to the nearest EarthAlliance outpost.
GIDEON (to himself) Shit.
MATHESON (CONT'D) Please do as they say and nobody will get hurt. I repeat, cooperate and nobody will be hurt. You have two hours to make a decision. Matheson out.
GIDEON
(angry, to Bridge Crewman) Prepare an extraction team, we launch in one hour.
BRIDGE CREWMAN (OS) Yes sir.
Gideon gets out of his chair and walks off the bridge.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY (CGI) - LATER
(Dramatic MUSIC should be playing in the background during these next few scenes). We SEE seven transport shuttles and three defence shuttles fly IN FRONT of CAMERA and heading towards the surface.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY LANDING ZONE (CGI)
We SEE the ten shuttles land on the concrete landing zone one by one. We then SEE marines EMERGE from each shuttle - all wearing Armour and a whole lot of weaponry.
EXT. OUTSIDE A DEFENCE SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon EXIT the shuttle wearing armour and holding a PPG.
EXT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish. We SEE over a dozen Drazi protecting the area - all armed with small-hand Drazi style weapons and no armour.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson tied up with Daniels and Ross sitting on the floor. Several Drazi guards are here - all armed.
MATHESON You're making a big mistake. The Captain doesn't like people telling him what to do.
DRAZI GUARD Quiet. I know you're a telepath, so don't try fooling me with your mind-games.
MATHESON Where have you taken Dureena?
DRAZI GUARD (laughs) Her company was. requested elsewhere.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY STREET - CONTINUOUS
We SEE dozens of Marines and Gideon walk down the street - causing the Drazi civilians to run and hide in fear. Then we DISSOLVE TO.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING SECOND FLOOR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a large bed in the middle of the room - Dureena is sitting on the bed. Her arms are tied behind her back and she is struggling to get them untied. We SEE the Drazi representative move in front of CAMERA.
DRAZI You have me at a disadvantage. Dureena.
DUREENA (demanding) Untie me!
DRAZI (aroused) You know all my. pleasure points, yet I know none of yours. Will you tell me? Or must I find out for myself.
EXT. DRAZI COLONY STREET - LATER
We can SEE the concrete building where Matheson is being held. When the guarding Drazi SEE the marines coming they take cover and get ready to fire their weapons.
CLOSE UP ON DRAZI GUARD
As he fires his weapon nervously.
ANGLE - ALL OF THEM
At the sound of a weapon going off, we SEE everyone with a weapon start taking cover and firing at the enemy. Over a period of thirty seconds we SEE seven Drazi get shot and several marines get shot. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
EXT. DRAZI COLONY STREET - CONTINUOUS
We start right where we left off at the end of ACT THREE.
ANGLE - ALL OF THEM
Still firing their weapons.
GIDEON (yelling) Hold your fire!
The marines stop firing and the few remaining Drazi eventually do too. We SEE Gideon walk out from the crowd of crouching marines - with two marines as an escort, and stop ten meters away from the building.
GIDEON (to a Drazi Guard) I think it's clear you can't this fight. So let's stop the bloodshed now.
The Drazi Guards exchange a quick look before NODDING in agreement.
GIDEON Now. where are my crewmen.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We can SEE Matheson, Daniels and Ross tied up and the Drazi Guard pacing the floor.
DRAZI GUARD (to himself) Why have they stoped firing?
MATHESON (mockingly)
Are you all right? You look a little on edge.
DRAZI GUARD Quiet!
We SEE the door suddenly being knocked down and Gideon ENTER with a handful of marines. We SEE some of the Guards reaching for their weapons; they are shot by the marines. The remaining Drazi don't make a move for their weapons. A marine sees Matheson and the crewmen tied up and he unties them. Matheson walks over to Gideon.
GIDEON You all right, John?
MATHESON Yeah. They're holding Dureena somewhere else.
Gideon turns to the Drazi Guard.
GIDEON Where is she?
DRAZI GUARD (reluctantly) Up the stairs.
MATHESON (to Drazi Guard) I told you, you were making a big mistake.
Gideon, Matheson and two marines start to walk up the stairs.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING UPSTAIRS HALLWAY - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon, Matheson and the two marines walk up the stairs and into the first room along the hallway (There are only three rooms). Once one of the marines opens the door.
INT. CONCRETE BUILDING SECOND FLOOR ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a large bed in the middle of the room - Dureena is sitting on it in her underwear. When they all ENTER the room, CAMERA PANS AROUND until we can SEE the Drazi representative cowering in the corner of the room with cuts and bruises all over.
DRAZI (fearful) Help me, she's crazy!
GIDEON I wouldn't be complaining if I were you; your head's where it's supposed to be. She must have been taking it easy on you.
DRAZI (fearful, reluctantly) All right; I'll show you what's on the north side. Just keep that. thing away from me.
Gideon LOOKS CONFUSED.
GIDEON (to Matheson) Lieutenant?
MATHESON There's something they're hiding from us on the north side, that's why they weren't letting us search that area.
GIDEON (beat, to Drazi) Take us there.
EXT. DRAZI LAND, NORTH SIDE - LATER
We SEE Gideon, Matheson, Dureena, the Drazi representative and a dozen Marines walk towards CAMERA and are stoped dead in their tracks by what they SEE (OS).
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE a large detainment area filled with hundreds of Narns - half of which look very sick. We take a few beats on this.
GIDEON, MATHESON, DUREENA AND DRAZI REPRESENTATIVE
Gideon, Matheson and Dureena are horrified by what they can see in front of them. During their dialogue we switch angles to the detainment camp, and then back to them.
DRAZI We use the ionic fluctuaters from our old ships to mask their life- signs. Unfortunately they also cause disease. (beat) You must think of us as monsters. But it is imparitive that nobody learns that they are here. And we do try to care for them.
MATHESON (disgusted) Why are you holding these people?
DRAZI We were left with no choice. They were the forgotten victims of war. Four years ago the Narn regime authorized an unprovoked attack on a Drazi outpost near the edge of our space. When the outpost repelled the attacking ships, the Narns denied ever authorizing the attack. they said the group who attacked the outpost did not do so under their orders. Of course, the Narn survivors would not be accepted back into the regime - their government had turned their backs on them and claimed they never existed. So, when we decided to build our own independent colony light-years away from either Drazi or Narn space, we chose to take the survivors with us - without the Shadak (Drazi's governing body)'s knowledge.
DUREENA Then why are they locked away like this, treated like slaves and animals.
DRAZI They resisted us. When they were let out of their cages they rebelled against us, starting killing us off. We had no choice. We destroyed all the ships we had come here with the moment we arrived.
GIDEON So you keep them locked up here, out of your way, so they're made the forgotten victims once more.
DRAZI Do not judge us. What would you have done in our place?
Gideon stays silent not because he's ignoring the Drazi's excuse, but because he doesn't know what he would have done if it had happened to him. (NOTE: in "Racing the Night" Gideon also didn't answer Eilerson's question; "wouldn't you gladly sacrifice a hundred Narns to save Earth?")
INT. EXCALIBUR FLIGHT DECK (CGI) - LATE NIGHT
We SEE Gideon standing over the BALCONY, staring deeply at absolutely nothing. We SEE Matheson come up alongside Gideon.
MATHESON
You did the right thing, agreeing to take the Narns to another uninhabited planet.
GIDEON I know. (beat) Did you find anything in the plant's vegetation?
MATHESON Doctor Chambers is analysing a sample right now. She doesn't seem too optimistic about finding a cure though.
GIDEON
Or maybe she's just frustrated; between the Narn survivors and Drazi females she's had over four hundred patients to work with.
MATHESON Why did you still agree to help the Drazi colonists after what they'd done?
GIDEON They didn't really do anything wrong. They were just trying to save them.
MATHESON Yeah, by slowly killing them with radiation.
GIDEON They had to. They couldn't let their government, or anyone else find out they were there. (beat) When the Drazi asked me what I would have done in his position. couldn't think of a single thing I could have done differently. Something that we would consider cruel and unjust.
MATHESON It still seems wrong to me.
GIDEON
I think 'Murphy's Law' applies to this situation.
MATHESON (quoting) "Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong."
GIDEON
Put in situations like that; you don't what you're capable of. Personally, I'd like to think that there's always a choice, but. (beat) I've got an early shift in the morning so I'd better turn-in. Goodnight, John.
Gideon starts walking out of the flight deck.
MATHESON Goodnight, Matt.
CLOSE UP ON MATHESON
As he stares out at nothing.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
Gideon walks in and takes out his Apocalypse box. He places it on his desk and opens it.
GIDEON (a little on edge) What's happening to me?
APOCALYPSE BOX Explain.
GIDEON I've been. dreaming - well, they're more like nightmares. They're very vivid. What's causing them? Can you stop it?
APOCALYPSE BOX Touch my shell. describe.
Gideon does as the Apocalypse Box asked and touches it's "shell" (yellow part).
(mysterious and eerie MUSIC should be playing in the background)
GIDEON I'm in a dark room.
*FLASHBACK*
INT. UNKNOWN LABORATORY
We SEE extracts of what we saw in the TEASER.
GIDEON (V.O.) There are. things coming out of my body. tubes.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
GIDEON (V.O.) I'm cold. it's so cold.
GIDEON'S POV
We SEE Unknown Man #1.
GIDEON (V.O.) I'm not alone. they're watching me. observing me. (beat) My chest hurts. I try to move but my legs are restrained.
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
Gideon is still holding the Apocalypse Box.
APOCALYPSE BOX No. Not dreams. memories of things that were.
GIDEON What?!
APOCALYPSE BOX Continue.
*FLASHBACK*
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON'S FACE
We HEAR the whining start.
GIDEON (V.O.) I hear a noise. a deafening noise.
*END OF FLASHBACK*
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - CONTINUOUS
We HEAR the Apocalypse box SCREAM. a terrible scream, and SEE it somehow throw Gideon across the room and OS (telekinetically??).
CLOSE UP ON GIDEON
As he looks at the Apocalypse box (OS) in amazement.
The box's scream slowly fades.
APOCALYPSE BOX There is darkness in you. I cannot break through it.
Gideon is in too much shock to say anything. The Apocalypse box's light slowly fades down. We hold on Gideon lying on the floor for a beat, and then we DISSOLVE TO.
INT. MEDLAB - LATER
We SEE Gideon sitting on a biobed with his top off.
CHAMBERS (OS) What did you say happened?
GIDEON I fell in my quarters.
Chambers moves over to Gideon and in front of CAMERA.
CHAMBERS You weren't crawling on the ceiling by any chance were you?
GIDEON That bad?
CHAMBERS Any worse and I'd have to perform surgery. again. (beat) You should be fine. Just keep off your feet for a couple of days. If the pain gets too bad come back and I'll prescribe some Versodium.
Gideon struggles to his feet.
GIDEON Thanks. (beat, uncomfortably) Sarah, how would someone erase a memory?
CHAMBERS You mean all of a person's memory or just one specific memory?
GIDEON
A specific memory.
CHAMBERS Well, that would be pretty hard. Not impossible, but hard. Even with all the medical and technological advances we've made over the last five centuries, the human brain is still a relatively uncharted organ. Older races such as the Minbari have developed their science more than ours and would be able to complete an operation like that more effectively than I could. A strong, well trained telepath would have no trouble removing memories with a high success rate.
GIDEON So, theoretically, you could erase a specific memory from a person's brain.
CHAMBERS Yes, with a sixty percent chance of getting rid of something I shouldn't have, or not getting rid of enough.
GIDEON What if either of those happened?
CHAMBERS If I got rid of something I shouldn't have then you'd probably be dead - depending on what it is I got rid off. If I didn't get rid of enough then you'd be experiencing memory-recurrences.
GIDEON And what are they?
CHAMBERS Basically, you'd re-live the parts of the memory that weren't erased.
A look of REALIZATION comes across Gideon's face.
GIDEON Thank you, doctor. You've been a great help.
Gideon walks out MedLab.
CHAMBERS You're welcome.
On Chambers look, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
TAG
INT. EILERSON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Eilerson sitting at his desk, examining the bracelet with a magnification device.
EILERSON'S POV
We can SEE a magnified version of the bracelet. We can SEE how smooth the firm substance it's made of is (impossibly smooth).
CLOSE UP ON EILERSON
He LOOKS DISTURBED by the bracelet. We hold on this for a few long beats, and then we DISSOLVE TO.
INT. GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon lying on his bed.
*VOICEOVER FLASHBACK*
APOCALYPSE BOX'S PREVIOUS OWNER It gives you an edge.
JACK Did you know that there's less then a dozen of these... boxes scattered across the known universe.
APOCALYPSE BOX'S PREVIOUS OWNER It's old. Older than mankind even. (beat) It lies you know. Not all the time, just enough.
*END OF VOICEOVER FLASHBACK*
Gideon decides to ask the Apocalypse box a question. so he gets it out and opens it on his desk.
GIDEON Who are you? ... What do you want?
The Apocalypse box starts to glow. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF SHOW