CRUSADE
REPERCUSSIONS
Written by Martin A. Stihec TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD
SUPERIMPOSE: "Markab Homeworld. One Thousand Years Ago."
We SEE a Minbari Heavy Fighter move into frame, followed by two pursuing Shadow vessels. They exchange fire, moving closer to the planet.
INT. MINBARI HEAVY FIGHTER - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Captain in his command chair and a dozen other officers at various other posts. The place looks pretty beat up.
CAPTAIN (in Minbari) Distance to the fleet.
FIRST OFFICER (in Minbari) Five hours.
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CONTINUOUS
We SEE one of the Shadow vessels stop pursuing the Minbari Heavy Fighter and launches a dozen small Shadow-pods, which release a gas substance into the planet's atmosphere - a procedure similar to the one seen in "Racing the Night."
INT. MINBARI HEAVY FIGHTER - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
The bridge is rocked violently be Shadow fire.
FIRST OFFICER (in Minbari) Captain, one of the Shadow vessels is releasing some a bio-contaminant into the atmosphere of the planet bellow us.
CAPTAIN (in Minbari) Turn back; we will make our stand here. Download our computer files into a probe and launch it towards the fleet's last know coordinates; the intelligence information we've gathered out here should not die with us.
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Minbari Heavy Fighter launch its probe and turn back to face the Shadow vessel pursuing it.
INT. MINBARI HEAVY FIGHTER - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Everything is as it was before.
CAPTAIN (in Minbari) Fire all weapons.
FIRST OFFICER (in Minbari) Yes, Captain. Firing weapons.
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Minbari ship fire it's weapons on the Shadow vessel - causing little to no damage. The Shadow vessel returns fire - destroying them.
ANGLE - THE SHADOW VESSEL
As it makes a sharp turn and moves swiftly towards CAMERA. 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
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CREATED BY J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
REPERCUSSIONS
Written by
Martin A. Stihec
Guest Starring
JAY LAGA'AIA as Nerval ALAN SCARFE as Second Brakiri Captain DON FRANKLIN as Lethewake MICHAEL G. HAGERTY as Greyhorse
Co-Starring Barry Jenner as Brakiri Captain Dennis Cockrum as Navigation Casey Biggs as Minbari Captain Jason Waters as Minbari First Officer Elizabeth Magness as Crewman Clay Wilcox as Marine #1 Hank Harris as IPX Agent #1 Joseph Will as Gerrold Greg Ellis as IPX Agent #2 Brandon Kerrer as Dr. Lewis Timothy Whittington as Tough Brakiri Robert Pickering as Dr. Harvey
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ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson standing next to an empty command chair looking down at something we can't see because the Navigation console is in the way.
MATHESON Sir, I don't see how -
GIDEON (OS) I've found it!
CAMERA PANS past the Navigation console to find Gideon lying on the floor pointing to joint connecting the command chair to the floor. Matheson kneels down.
MATHESON Where?
GIDEON Right here.
Matheson looks at the joint Gideon is pointing at.
CLOSE UP ON THE JOINT
It looks like it's covered in rust.
GIDEON (OS) (triumphantly) Rust. Just like I said.
GIDEON AND MATHESON
MATHESON Sir, it can't be rust; organic tech doesn't rust. It's impossible.
GIDEON Then what's this, Lieutenant?
MATHESON I don't know. But it's not rust.
NAVIGATION Captain.
Gideon and Matheson stand up.
GIDEON What is it?
NAVIGATION A Minbari warship is approaching our position.
GIDEON Identification.
NAVIGATION It's the Kas'Valen, sir. One of their fleet's most accomplished ships.
GIDEON (thinking) Valen. isn't that the name of their god?
MATHESON (correcting) One of their most respected leaders. He basically built the Minbari culture as we know it.
GIDEON (sarcastically) Great job too; an entire race of priests and warriors.
MATHESON I believe "Kas'Valen" translates as... "Child of Valen." (beat, hears something) Sir, they're hailing.
GIDEON Put 'em through.
An image of Nerval appears on the main viewer. Nerval is a Minbari of the warrior caste and captain of the Kas'Valen.
NERVAL Captain Matthew Gideion.
GIDEON Yes.
NERVAL I am Alyt Nerval of the Minbari warrior clan, Alkya. We have spoken before during your world's civil war seven years ago.
GIDEON (remembering) Yes. I remember. (beat) What brings you here?
NERVAL I have in my possession some information that may interest you.
GIDEON What information?
NERVAL That I would prefer to discuss in private. May I come aboard your ship?
A beat. Gideon nods, "yes." Nerval nods in respect and his image disappears from the screen.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR AND KAS'VALEN - MINUTES LATER
We SEE a small one-man pod launch from the Kas'Valen towards the Excalibur.
NERVAL (V.O.) Two days ago it was revealed to me by one of my clan's elders.
INT. EXCALIBUR - CONFERENCE ROOM - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon, Matheson, Chambers, Eilerson, Dureena, and Nerval seated. Nerval is addressing them all.
NERVAL (CONT'D) (mid-sentence) That a thousand years ago, during the Shadow war, the Markab Homeworld was infected by the Shadows with a viral contaminant - a viral contaminant believed to be the same one used by the Drakh on your own world. (beat) This could mean several things; since the Markab survived the Shadow war of that era, either they found a cure, which, given their state of evolution at the time, is highly unlikely. Or. something on that planet made them immune to the virus.
EILERSON Could the Markab themselves be naturally immune to the plague? If so, we can extract the cure from DNA samples taken of their race before they were wiped-outed.
NERVAL No, I'm afraid not. I have already looked into that possibility.
CHAMBERS Besides, the Markab immune system wasn't very strong. That's partly why the disease that remanifested itself nine years ago spread so quickly throughout the population.
MATHESON Are your sure this information is accurate?
NERVAL Quite certain.
GIDEON Why are we hearing this form you, not the Rangers?
NERVAL The Captain of the ship that witnessed these events was a member of my clan, a direct relation to me. In Earther terms, he was my twelfth father's father. The clan elder who gave me this information was my father's first father, and he gave it to me on his death bed. It is a warrior caste tradition to pass on your knowledge and wisdom to your oldest living descendant when death is near. (beat) The reason the Rangers are unaware of this is that, frankly, a majority of the warrior caste still hold. unpleasant feelings towards Earthers, and are quite contempt to sit back and watch them fade away into oblivion. including my own clan. My father's first chose not to reveal what he knew to the authorities when the plague hit your world.
DUREENA Why have you?
NERVAL I haven't. I have chosen not to make this information public because of my clan's strong stance against Earth. If they knew I was here aiding you in your mission, I would more than likely be disbanded from the Kas'Valen and recalled back to Minbar for a much less. respected position.
GIDEON If that's true. why are you helping us?
NERVAL There were members of other races besides your own on Earth when the Drakh attacked. My wife and first child were at the Minbari embassy, waiting for me to arrive from the Kas'Valen for my new assignment as the Minbari representative to Earth. My transport was only hours away when the Drakh hit Earth. Once I was told what had happened, I swore that I would do whatever I could to ensure a cure was found. Even if it meant going against my own people.
EILERSON And all this time I thought Earth and Minbar were on the same side. Silly me. (beat) Since the Markab were annihilated their homeworld has been raided and looted so many times -
DUREENA By IPX no doubt.
Eilerson ignores her.
EILERSON (CONT'D) That anything of any value left would have been taken years ago.
GIDEON Still. It's worth a look. (to Matheson) ETA to the Markab homeworld.
MATHESON At best speed. ten hours.
NERVAL (standing up) I must be going; if I stay here too long my crew will begin to suspect something. I would trust them with my life, but there's no reason to take the risk.
Nerval begins to walk out.
GIDEON Nerval.
Nerval turns back to Gideon.
GIDEON (CONT'D) Thank you. We're all in your debt.
NERVAL We will speak again, Captain.
Nerval continues out. Off Gideon's perplexed expression, we DISSOLVE TO.
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD - LATER
We SEE the same planet from the TEASER, only darker, giving the illusion of a dead world. We SEE a jump-point open and the Excalibur exit it into normal space.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon, Matheson, and Eilerson standing over the holographic display table. An image of the Markab Homeworld is displayed on the table. Dureena is also on the bridge, staring out of the main viewer at the Markab Homeworld.
MATHESON We've run every scan we can think of on the planet itself and came up blank. So if there is a cure here its something somewhere on the surface.
EILERSON When IPX made its first expedition here they made -
ANGLE - DUREENA
We SEE her staring out the viewer, consumed by her thoughts. She's looking at a world that once supported millions of people; a people whose race is now a dead race. just like hers. In the background we can still hear the others talking
EILERSON (CONT'D) a point of charting the area out precisely in case it became profitable to fund more expeditions in the future. With a comm. transmission I can have them downloaded into the Excalibur's database.
GIDEON Good. Make the call; we'll probably need them.
ANGLE - GIDEON, MATHESON AND EILERSON
Gideon turns off the holographic display and Eilerson walks towards Dureena.
MATHESON Sir, I'm not familiar with the Markab incident. What happened to them?
GIDEON Well. about nine years ago a powerful plague from the Markab's past resurfaced and started spreading throughout Markab space. Within days every Markab on this section of the Rim was wiped-out, just hours before a cure was found. There were rumours that some of the Markab may have escaped beyond the plague's reach before they were infected. But I've never seen one again. (beat) Scary isn't it; in four, five years someone could say the same thing about humanity.
NAVIGATION (OS) Sir.
Gideon and Matheson move into the center of the bridge.
GIDEON Yes.
NAVIGATION I'm picking up two more ships just above the planet's atmosphere.
GIDEON Type.
NAVIGATION They look like old Brakiri cargo ships.
EILERSON (re: ships) Looters.
DUREENA (correcting) Grave robbers.
MATHESON They're hailing us.
GIDEON Put 'em on.
The image of a rather gruff looking Brakiri appears on the main viewer.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN (territorial) Unidentified vessel, this is our planet, leave us - (notices their faces and uniforms) You're human. Is this an EarthAlliance ship?
GIDEON The Excalibur is a prototype starship for the Interstellar Alliance, who've leant it to Earth for use in our search for a cure to the Drakh plague.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Our claim to this planet still stands.
EILERSON To hell it does. IPX was here a hell of a lot sooner than you were, and, if I'm not mistaken, currently has an unopposed claim of ownership to the planet.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN (loathing) IPX; Interplanetary thugs and thieves.
EILERSON As opposed to Brakiri merchants; too slow and dim-witted to find their own source of commerce so they steal other races'.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Dim-witted?!
GIDEON (before either Eilerson or the Brakiri Captain could talk again) Captain, we have reason to believe the cure we're searching for could be on that planet. I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist you allow us to inspect your cargo before you take it out of the solar system.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN No.
GIDEON Captain, this is not a debate, it's -
The Brakiri Captain cuts their comm. link.
GIDEON Damn. We need what they've taken too much to let them go. (to Matheson) Ready weapons.
MATHESON Aye, sir. Weapons ready.
GIDEON Fire a warning shot just shy of their engines.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR AND TWO BRAKIRI SHIPS - CONTINUOUS
Two shots are fired by the Excalibur, almost hitting the two Brakiri ships. One of the Brakiri ships turns towards the Excalibur.
ANGLE - THE TWO BRAKIRI SHIPS
As the moving ship's weapons chamber activates.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Everything is as it was before.
MATHESON Sir, Brakiri ship is activating their weapons chamber.
GIDEON They're bluffing. They wouldn't fire an EarthAlliance starship.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR AND TWO BRAKIRI SHIPS - CONTINUOUS
The moving Brakiri ship fires an energy blast towards the Excalibur.
MATHESON They're firing at us.
GIDEON What??
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Brakiri's energy blast hit the aft side of the ship.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
The room shakes slightly.
GIDEON What the hell are they doing?! They know they can't take us on! (beat) Knock out their weapons; show them we're not kidding around.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR AND TWO BRAKIRI SHIPS - CONTINUOUS
The Excalibur fires on the moving Brakiri ship - destroying it!
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Off reactions, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - RESUME
We start just where we left off.
GIDEON (furious) Lieutenant, I want to know what the hell just happened.
EILERSON You and your trigger-happy gunnery officer may have blown up hundreds of priceless artefacts - that's what just happened.
GIDEON (turning to Eilerson) Now just wait a min-
MATHESON (overlapping) Sir, the second ship is hailing us.
DUREENA (sarcastically) Gee, I wonder what they want to talk about.
GIDEON Put them on, Lieutenant.
The image of a second Brakiri Captain appears on the main viewer.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN (furious, demanding) I demand to know why have you destroyed one of my ships?!
GIDEON Your ship was attacking us. We were only defending -
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN They were no match for you! They were only protecting their cargo!
GIDEON It wasn't our intention to destroy your ship. Our weapons must have -
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Unlike you, Captain, I will not resort to violence. (beat) You may search my cargo.
GIDEON (apologizing) I assure you, any -
The Second Brakiri Captain cuts their comm. link.
GIDEON (beat) Lieutenant, assign a search team to the cargo ship, and I still want to know what happened to that other ship.
MATHESON Aye, sir.
GIDEON Dureena, tell Doctor Chambers to meet us down at the flight deck in twenty minutes. (as Dureena nods and exits the bridge, to Eilerson) Mr. Eilerson, get your team ready to go planetside.
Eilerson nods and exits the bridge.
MATHESON Sir, shall I assign a security team as well?
GIDEON I don't think that'll be necessary, John. Anything hostile down there has been dead for nearly a decade.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE ten Brakiri merchants moving a variety of objects and equipment - most of which is practically junk. We PAN to the left to find the Second Brakiri Captain talking to one of the workers over a metal containment box with a glass top about two meters across, half a meter wide, and almost a meter high. From this angle we can't SEE what is in the box.
BRAKIRI WORKER I don't like it. If they search the place too thoroughly it won't matter how well we hide them, they'll eventually find what they're looking for.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN I'm afraid we don't have a choice. Just do your best to keep them outta sight.
BRAKIRI WORKER What if they start asking too many questions?
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Then. kill them. We'll say they drew their weapons on us or something; it was self-defence.
During the Second Brakiri's Next line CAMERA will raise itself up so we can eventually SEE what is inside the containment box.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN (re: box) Whatever it takes to protect these; the discovery of a life time.
We SEE two large snake-like creatures with half their bodies covered with technology, almost as if they were melding together with computers. On this, we DISSOLVE TO.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - STREET - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a lone deer-like animal standing in the middle of the street. Seemingly out of nowhere, a large snake creature like the two on the Brakiri ship only twice as big, jumps out and bits the deer on its side, knocking it down. On the sight of this creature devouring its prey, we CUT TO.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - LATER
We SEE two shuttles exit the flight deck and move towards CAMERA. As they pass over us, CAMERA turns and follows them as they pass through the planet's atmosphere and head for the capital city on the largest continent.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - NIGHT - LATER
We SEE the one of the shuttles land on a large strip of yellow road (a landing port). The area has rows and rows of brilliantly designed buildings - not two of which are of the same shape or size. The shuttle's door opens and Gideon, Eilerson, Dureena, Doctor Chambers and two IPX agents exit it. Each turn on small torches attached to their wrists.
EILERSON (while the second shuttle lands) The next time we come across an abandoned city it would be nice if we could conduct a search during the day so we can actually see what we're doing. If that's not too much trouble of course.
GIDEON The planet only has four hours of daylight in any given day. If we waited for daybreak we'd be have to postpone coming down for eight hours; eight hours we can't afford to waste.
EILERSON Still, if we wanted to conduct a more thorough search of all the major cities we should call in extra IPX teams.
DUREENA You just want a chance take whatever you left behind the first time your people ransacked this place.
GIDEON There's no way the twelve of us are going to be able to search the whole planet, so we'll search all the major buildings in the capital city first. If we don't find any leads we'll notify the Rangers and EarthGov; they'll finish the rest.
CHAMBERS (while six IPX agents exit the second shuttle and turn on their wrist torches) I'll make my way to the medical center. Maybe I can find something the looters left behind.
Gideon nods his approval and Chambers walks out into the city.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND EILERSON
GIDEON (turns to Eilerson) Mr. Eilerson, You and your men take care of the rest of the major building sites.
Eilerson and the two IPX agents walk away - towards the second shuttle and the rest of their team.
GIDEON Dureena, you.
Gideon turns back to where Dureena was, as does CAMERA. She's gone.
GIDEON Dureena.
EXT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - CONTINUOUS
We SEE an EA shuttle dock with the cargo ship.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE DOCKING PORT - MOMENTS LATER
We SEE five EA marines, two Doctors - Lewis and McCollum, and Mike Greyhorse (from "And So It Begins.") exit the docking bay to find three Brakiri merchants - the Captain, the worker from before, and a tough guard- like Brakiri.
GREYHORSE I'm Lieutenant Greyhorse. The Captain sent us here to search your cargo.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Of course he did. If you would follow my chief worker, Lethewake, he will take you to our storage facilities.
The Brakiri worker - Lethewake, steps forward and gestures down the corridor.
LETHEWAKE This way.
Lethewake walks down the corridor. Greyhorse and the others from the Excalibur follow him, as does the other 'tough' Brakiri.
CLOSE ON THE SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN
As he watches the others leave, silently praying they don't find anything.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - STREET - NIGHT - LATER
We SEE Gideon walking out of a small building.
GIDEON (Into Link) Gideon to Eilerson.
EILERSON (On Link) Here.
GIDEON (Into Link) No luck on my end. How about yours?
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - BUILDING - RECORDS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We find ourselves in a large rectangular room with folders and files scattered across the place. We SEE Eilerson and three other IPX agents using their wrist torches to search through the remaining files.
EILERSON (Into Link) We've found what appears to be an official record keeping room. There're all kinds of historical and informational titbits lying around. Most are totally worthless though, which explains why these particular files were left behind.
GIDEON (On Link) Anything about a cure?
EILERSON (Into Link) No. (re: a hand drawn map in his hand - which we can't see) We have, however, found something that might be of some use.
GIDEON (On Link) I'm listening.
EILERSON (Into Link) Apparently IPX missed something while constructing their charts. (beat) I'm holding a hand drawn map of the capital city right now. This one shows a small structure about half a kilometre to the north and into the forest.
GIDEON (On Link) Could it be blimp? A misprint?
EILERSON (Into Link) Possibly, but I don't think so.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - STREET - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon standing outside of the building he had just exited, talking into his link. From this point on whenever Gideon or Eilerson talk, we intercut to their location.
GIDEON Alright. I'll check it out.
EILERSON I'd recommend against going there alone, Captain.
GIDEON Why's that?
We PAN AROUND Eilerson until we can SEE the structure Eilerson is talking about. Under the structure is a series of Markab skulls.
EILERSON Just call it a hunch.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - TALLEST BUILDING - ROOFTOP - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Dureena standing on the edge of the rooftop, taking a moment to absorb the sight of the beautiful Markab capital city from so high above. The rooftop itself has a flat section - the part Dureena is on, and a section at a tight angle sloping down.
Dureena turns around and walks away from the ledge. She notices something. Dureena walks towards the inclined section of the roof. At the end of the incline is a shinny object. Dureena begins to carefully make her way down to the slant. At about the half-way point she slips and starts sliding off the roof. She just manages to stop herself before she reaches the edge. She balances herself and reaches for the shinny object - which we can now SEE is a skeleton of one of the snake creatures on the planet. She picks it up and inspects it.
CLOSE UP ON CREATURE'S SKELETON
Half the bones are metal, half normal bones, and where each meet the metal and bone have melded perfectly together.
ANGLE - DUREENA
As she grabs a grapple like device out of her boot and swings it up the steep roof. The grapple attaches itself to a piece of rock. Dureena tests its sturdiness before beginning to climb back up.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - STREET - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE one of Eilerson's IPX agents walking down the street, looking around for a familiar sight - he's lost.
IPX AGENT #1 Hello. Mr. Eilerson.
ANGLE - P.O.V.
We SEE the IPX agent walking towards CAMERA, but looking in a different direction. We can also HEAR an irregular breathing in the background - coming from whoever's eyes we're looking through.
IPX AGENT (CONT'D) Anybody.
ANGLE - IPX AGENT
After the IPX agent continues walking down the street for a few long beats, we SEE one of the metallic snakes jump out from a nearby corner and attack the IPX agent. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - NIGHT
Just to establish.
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - MEDICAL BUILDING - LAB - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Chambers at one of the lab desks sorting through medical files and trying to get one of the remaining computers to work.
ANGLE - P.O.V.
We SEE Chambers' back as she sifts through files. We can also HEAR breathing in the background - coming from whoever's eyes we're looking through. CAMERA begins to slowly move closer and closer to Chambers.
A hand is placed on Chambers' shoulder.
GIDEON (OS) Hey.
Chambers turns quickly - startled, to find.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND CHAMBERS
CHAMBERS (relieved) Oh. It's just you.
GIDEON Sorry if I startled you Doctor.
CHAMBERS Oh no, it's alright. After searching through old medical reports in the dark I'd welcome the company.
GIDEON Anything in those reports about the Drakh Plague?
CHAMBERS Nope. Mostly just autopsies and death certificates.
GIDEON Mr. Eilerson has found a map of city. According to the map there's supposed to be some sort of structure a half kilometre into the forest. Care to join me in a nature walk?
CHAMBERS What the hell; I'm not finding anything here.
Gideon and Chambers start to walk out of the lab.
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - BUILDING - RECORDS ROOM - LATER
We SEE Eilerson and two other IPX agents using their wrist torches to search through the files they can find.
EILERSON Alright, I think we're just about done here. Let's move on.
IPX AGENT #2 But Delby hasn't gotten back yet.
EILERSON Well where the frag is he? He should have made it back from the shuttle an hour ago. (Into Link) Eilerson to Delby. (beat) Delby, are you there? (beat) Delby. (turns off link) I've got a bad feeling about this. (Into Link) Eilerson to Gerrold.
GERROLD (On Link) Gerrold here.
EILERSON (Into Link) We've lost Delby. He's not answering his link. Have any of your team seen him?
GERROLD (On Link) No. Do you think something's happened to him?
EILERSON (Into Link) (beat) I'm not sure. It's probably nothing. (beat) Contact me if you see him.
GERROLD (On Link) Will do. Gerrold out.
Eilerson pauses for a moment, considering the possibilities. Eilerson's link beeps.
EILERSON Delby, is that you?
DUREENA Guess again.
EILERSON And what do you want?
DUREENA I've found something you might find interesting.
EILERSON What?
DUREENA Meet me back at the shuttle and I'll show you. And. bring your PPG.
EILERSON My -?
DUREENA Just do it, Max.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE ten Brakiri merchants moving a variety of objects and equipment - most of which is practically junk. We PAN to the left to find Lethewake entering the storage room, followed by Greyhorse and the others from the Excalibur, as well as the 'tough' Brakiri.
LETHEWAKE This is our last storage room.
Greyhorse and the others start inspecting the contents. Lethewake and the 'tough' Brakiri exchange a look of caution before following them.
ANGLE - GREYHORSE
We SEE him look over the last of the cargo.
GREYHORSE Well, everything seems to be in - (trips backwards into boxes)
Lethewake and the others go over to Greyhorse, who has accidentally revealed a concealed containment box - the same one with the creatures inside. Greyhorse gets up with the assistance of one of the marines.
DR. LEWIS (re: containment box) What is this?
LETHEWAKE (firmly) Nothing.
GREYHORSE (turning to containment box) Doesn't look like nothing to me. It looks like -
Lethewake pulls a weapon.
LETHEWAKE Now!
The 'tough' Brakiri and the rest of the workers pull out their energy weapons. The marines react by pulling their PPGs. The 'tough' Brakiri fires at one of the marines - killing him. In retaliation one of the marines shoots the 'tough' Brakiri. Lethewake dives out of the way as a fire fight ensues between the marines and the Brakiri merchants. On this, we CUT TO.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - NIGHT - LATER
We SEE Gideon and Chambers walking through the forest.
CHAMBERS (waves arms in the air) No matter how dissimilar a planet is from Earth, it always has its own version of the mosquito; miniscule factories of bacteria and disease that fly through the air and survive by draining the blood out of others.
GIDEON I thought Doctors were taught to respect and preserve all forms of life.
CHAMBERS All forms of life - except mosquitos.
GIDEON I suppose everyone has a phobia of something or other.
CHAMBERS I never said I was afraid of them. They're just. very annoying. Where I grew up it seemed like the mosquitos bred by the thousands.
GIDEON For me it's snakes. Which is really quite ironic since I spent a majority of my childhood on farms, where you saw at least one snake every time you left the house.
CHAMBERS I've had a few firsthand experiences with snakes myself.
GIDEON Really? What kind of experiences?
CHAMBERS My sister and I had a couple of snakes for pets; Cobras.
GIDEONS Cobras?
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the two shuttles the arrived in parked on the large strip of yellow road (a landing port). Eilerson approaches their shuttle but can't SEE Dureena. Eilerson's link beeps
DUREENA (On Link) I'm in the shuttle.
Eilerson walks up to the shuttle and the door opens, revealing Dureena sitting in one of the shuttle's back seats.
DUREENA What took you so long?
EILERSON (getting into the shuttle) What was so important you had to make me walk from one side of the city to the other?
INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS
Eilerson moves up to Dureena, who pulls up the skeleton she found on the rooftop, and hands it to Eilerson. Eilerson notices the skeleton's unique composition.
DUREENA I don't have to be a scientist to know there's something wrong with that.
EILERSON (studying it more closely) Where did you find this?
DUREENA Someplace very high above the ground.
EILERSON (concerned) We've got to back the ship.
DUREENA Why? What is it?
EILERSON I don't know. And that scares me.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson one side of the bridge to the other - CAMERA follows him.
MATHESON Anything from our team on the Brakiri ship?
CREWMAN (OS) Negative, sir.
MATHESON They were supposed to check-in twenty minutes ago. (beat, considering) Hail them.
CREWMAN They're responding.
The image of the Second Brakiri Captain appears on the main viewer.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Lieutenant, is there anything we can do for you?
MATHESON Our team were supposed to contact us twenty minutes ago. Is anything wrong?
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN No, of course not. Your Lieutenant Greyhorse has asked me to convey a message to you on his behalf. He says that it'll take longer than expected to search the all that we've taken from the surface. And that they haven't found anything useful yet.
MATHESON (suspects something's up) I'd like to hear this from the Lieutenant himself.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Certainly.
The Captain steps aside - off of the main viewer. We SEE Greyhorse step into the main viewer - he has a small cut across the top of his left eye- brow.
MATHESON Lieutenant. (re: cut) What happened to your face?
GREYHORSE (lying) I fell and hit my head, sir. All is well over here.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Lieutenant Greyhorse standing in front of the main viewer with the Brakiri Captain and two Brakiri guards aiming energy weapons at him.
GREYHORSE (CONT'D) We're still looking for something that could be a cure.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - RESUME
MATHESON (beat, not buying it) I understand. Excalibur out.
Greyhorse's image disappears from the main viewer.
MATHESON Open a comm. link with the Captain.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon and Chambers walking through the forest.
GIDEON (re: the structure) We should be getting close now.
CHAMBERS Good. It seems the further we go into the forest the more mosquitos there are.
Gideon's link beeps. He answers it.
GIDEON Gideon here.
MATHESON (On Link) Captain, I think we have a problem.
At hearing this Gideon stops walking, as does Chambers.
GIDEON What sort of problem, Lieutenant?
MATESON (On Link) I'm reasonably sure Greyhorse and the rest of the search team have been apprehended by the Brakiri. For what reason I'm not certain.
GIDEON (beat, sighs) You have permission to use whatever force you deem necessary to get them back. We're currently over an hour away from the shuttle, but as soon as we've finished exploring our only lead we'll come back to the Excalibur. Gideon out.
CHAMBERS Hope everything's alright.
GIDEON Me too.
INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson analysing the creature's skeleton with some of his equipment. Dureena is standing over him.
EILERSON The tests are conclusive; half of the exoskeleton is composed of solid titanium. And the way the bone has been so precisely fused with titanium composites. I've never seen anything like it before. If this isn't an actual skeleton - a forgery, which I very much doubt, it's a damned good one.
DUREENA (doubtfully) Are you saying it's a natural born animal?
EILERSON As a general rule, living creatures aren't born out of metal. However, in this case I have no other feasible hypothesis. (beat) Going by its features, this thing was one hell of a predator too.
DUREENA What features?
EILERSON (pointing to each as he states them) Full set of two inch fangs. thick bone structure. fully mobile joints - probably used to climb vertical surfaces. and a small metal pouch just inside its jaw; a venom sack. (beat) If there are more of these - living ones, still on the planet. hell, we already have a man missing. God knows how many more they've attacked.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon and Chambers walking through the forest. Gideon's link beeps. He sighs - frustrated by the amount of times his link's gone off. He stops, as does Chambers, and answers it.
GIDEON (Into Link) Yeah, what is it?
EILERSON (On Link) (urgently) Captain, it's me.
GIDEON (Into Link) Mr. Eilerson. We're almost half a kilometre into the -
EILERSON (On Link) (urgently) Forget about that. Captain, you've got to get back to the shuttle. Now.
GIDEON (Into Link) Why?
EILERSON (On Link) We've found the skeletal remains of some kind of reptile - a very dangerous one.
ANGLE - P.O.V.
We SEE Gideon and Chambers facing away from CAMERA. We can also HEAR an irregular breathing in the background - coming from whoever's eyes we're looking through.
EILERSON (On Link) (CONT'D) I've lost contact with four of my men. I can only hope the others get back here in time.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND CHAMBERS
EILERSON (On Link) (CONT'D) You and Doctor Chambers need to get back here right now.
Gideon and Chambers exchange looks before splitting back the way they came. One of the snake creatures jumps out of the trees in front of them, causing Gideon and Chambers to come to a halt. The creature opens its mouth - revealing its fangs, and shrieks. Off Gideon and Chambers' reactions, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
As before. Gideon pulls out his PPG and shoots at the creature. The creature simply allows the energy bursts to hit him - causing very little damage. Gideon keeps firing until the creature starts moving towards them.
GIDEON God I hate snakes.
They start running back into the woods - away from the pursuing snake-like creature.
CHAMBERS I think we're going the wrong way.
GIDEON You saying you wanna go back??
CHAMBERS Good point.
After a long chase, Gideon sees something ahead.
GIDEON Look, up ahead.
Chambers looks up.
ANGLE - GIDEON'S P.O.V.
We SEE a clearing up ahead and a small tin building with a high roof.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND CHAMBERS APPROACHING BUILDING
They're still being followed by the large snake creature. They enter the clearing and approach what looks like a door into the tin building.
INT/EXT. TIN BUILDING ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS
Gideon and Chambers get in and close the door before the snake creature can reach them. They turn around to SEE.
INT. TIN BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE an old piece of Markab machinery in the middle of the building - a production device. There are numerous other things inside as well; desks, benches, etc.
GIDEON (breathing heavily) This should keep those things away from us. And there's enough of a clearing outside for Eilerson to land the shuttle down and pick us up.
CHAMBERS (breathing heavily, studying the interior) Looks like this was some kind of production facility.
Chambers walks off, towards the Markab machinery in the middle of the building - CAMERA follows her.
GIDEON (Into Link) Gideon to Eilerson.
EILERSON (On Link) Here.
GIDEON (Into Link) Doctor Chambers and I were forced to take shelter in the building we were headed for when we first entered to forest. There could still be more creatures outside, once the rest of the team are back we need you pick us up. There's a clearing outside the building where you can land.
EILERSON (On Link) Be there as soon as we can. Eilerson out.
CHAMBERS (sees something) Matthew.
GIDEON (walking to Chambers) What is it? (notices what Chambers is looking at)
ANGLE - GIDEON'S P.O.V.
We SEE two decaying skeletons bundled up on the floor wearing IPX uniforms.
GIDEON (OS) Well that explains why IPX charts didn't show this building here; these guys didn't come back to add to the map.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND CHAMBERS
GIDEON (CONT'D) (beat) Wonder why no one came looking for these men before the expedition left.
CHAMBERS Have you ever heard of the IPX ant analogy? "If you see a line of ants on the ground, all working around the clock to get food back for the queen. would anyone notice if you squashed a few?"
GIDEON We'll take them back with us. Give them a proper burial.
Gideon kneels down and searches their pockets. He pulls something out - a data-crystal.
GIDEON See if you can find something to play this in.
Gideon and Chambers move off in different directions, searching. Chambers finds a dusty computer desktop on a bench.
CHAMBERS Over here.
Gideon moves over to the computer. Chambers wipes the dust off of it. Gideon puts the data-crystal inside it.
GIDEON Let's just hope it still works.
After a beat, the image of an IPX agent - Samuels, appears on the Computer desktop. He's a balding man in his late fifties - grey hair. The background setting is in his quarters.
SAMUELS (On Screen) Upon reaching the Markab homeworld, which was no easy matter given that the jump-gate leading there was recently destroyed by a vessel of unknown origin, we've officially staked a claim for IPX. Although we're not the first ones here, we are the first to make a legitimate claim. (beat) How we proceed here in the coming weeks and months will have to be considered carefully; I have no intension of dishonouring the Markab by tarnishing their property and land. Yes, we'll have to proceed very carefully indeed.
The screen turns blank, then reactivates - showing Samuel's face, which seems more distraught.
SAMUELS (On Screen) Another IPX transport arrived today. They started shipping the remaining dead Markab into their cargo drums. I assumed they were taking them somewhere for a burial, maybe keeping a few for medical research. Apparently they were selling them to a Pak'Ma'Ra cruiser as 'food supplies'. It made me sick to my stomach. Suddenly scavenging around dead worlds doesn't seem as. acceptable as it used to.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson sitting in the command chair.
MATHESON Are the marines ready?
CREWMAN Yes sir.
MATHESON Open a channel to the Brakiri Cargo Ship.
CREWMAN Channel open.
MATHESON Brakiri vessel, I demand you return our crewmen now.
The Second Brakiri Captain's image appears on the main viewer.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN What are you talking about? Your crewmen are still inspecting our cargo.
MATHESON I'm not buying it, Captain. Either you release our men this instant. or we'll get them back ourselves. Excalibur out.
The Second Brakiri Captain's image disappears from the main viewer. Four long beats pass.
MATHESON Launch marines.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE many fighters and shuttles exit the flight deck.
EXT. SPACE - BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the fighters surround the ship and the shuttles head for their docking ports.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE DOCKING PORT - MOMENTS LATER
We SEE a squadron of marines exit through the door and turn down the corridor. A group of armed Brakiri turn a corner and start firing at the marines - who take cover and fire back.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Greyhorse, Dr. Lewis, and two marines tied up against boxes guarded by Lethewake, and a dozen Brakiri merchants. Laid out on the floor are the bodies of the marines and the Doctor that died in the fire-fight. We can HEAR PPGs firing in the background.
LETHEWAKE They're getting closer. Aim for their faces; their bodies are shielded.
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - TIN BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon and Chambers in front of the computer desktop - still watching the IPX officer's recordings.
SAMUELS (On Screen) After an incident with our expedition's chief archaeologist, I've become even more dissatisfied with the corporation's handling of the Markab situation and intend to hand in my resignation as soon as this expedition is over.
The screen turns blank, then reactivates again - showing Samuel's face.
SAMUELS (On Screen) IPX finally finished its expedition today. All that's left is to finish composing charts of the planet for future expeditions. A fellow agent - a supporter of my fight against the corporation's handling of this expedition, and I have been assigned to chart the woods just outside the city. We've both agreed that future exploitation of the Markab homeworld is unacceptable. So we're going to gather a dozen or so eel-like reptiles we've found in the planet's ocean and, using a device I'd recently found on an alien world but for various reasons haven't informed the corporation of its existence, to genetically alter them to serve as guardians for the planet and to stop others from taking advantage of it like we have. With any luck we'll be able to pull it off without the corporation's knowledge.
Samuels' face disappears from the screen. A message appears: "End of Recorded Logs." Before Gideon or Chambers could say something, we HEAR a stretching of metal. They turn to where it's coming from - the door, and SEE three parts of the door with circular dents coming through - being caused by three creatures pushing against the it.
GIDEON (Into Link) Gideon to Eilerson. You'd better hurry, we're about to have visitors anytime now.
EILERSON (On Link) We're on our way. Just try and hold them off a little longer.
The three dents expand.
GIDEON (Into Link) Easier said than done.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE everything as it was before. The PPG noises in the background are getting louder. After a few beats a squadron of marines barge through the door. Some are shot down instantly by the Brakiri. The marines soon take cover and continue firing at the Brakiri - knocking them down one at a time until they're all down. Three marines move to untie Greyhorse and the others while the remaining marines guard the entrance.
MARINE #1 What happened?
GREYHORSE They were hiding some kinda animals in their containment boxes. Pretty weird looking ones; half made of some kinda metal.
MARINE #1 We'll have to come back for them later. Right now we have to get you outta here.
The marines finish untying them and they move over to the other marines. They start to file out of the storage room.
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - TIN BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon and Chambers standing in front of three large dents in the building door. Gideon draws his PPG. Just as the metal around one of the dents begins to split. we HEAR the sound of multiple PPGs and the dying shrieks of three snake creatures. Gideon and Chambers exchange looks, then the door opens and Eilerson and Dureena enter the building.
EILERSON Sorry for the delay; there was a little miscommunication about your location coordinates.
DUREENA That's his way of saying he was lost.
Gideon and Chambers let out sighs of relief. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
TAG
FADE IN:
EXT. HYPERSPACE - EXCALIBUR - LATER
We SEE the Excalibur moving towards CAMERA.
GIDEON (V.O.) Captain's personal journal, March 4th 2268; after a brief struggle, the Brakiri have allowed us to confiscate the genetically engineered creatures they took from the Markab homeworld. Their ship and crew are currently in EarthForce custody, awaiting trial for their crimes.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - TIME CUT
We SEE Gideon talking to Eilerson - AUDIO MUTE.
GIDEON (V.O.) (CONT'D) I wish I had a camera to capture Mr. Eilerson's face when I told him where those creatures on the surface came from.
Eilerson's expression turns to one of shock and disbelief.
INT. EXCALIBUR - GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon enter his quarters and take off his uniform top.
GIDEON (V.O.) (CONT'D) As for the reason the Markab survived the plague while other, more advanced races haven't. it's a still a mystery to us. Maybe they really did find a cure - a cure that died with their race nine years ago. Maybe the plague was never actually exposed to them; maybe Nerval's information was wrong. (beat) Our next stop is a planet inside Centauri space, where one of the First Ones were rumoured to have had a colony before they passed beyond the Rim. It's a long shot. but at least it's something. It's Hope.
Gideon's door beeps.
GIDEON Come.
Chambers enters Gideon's quarters.
GIDEON Is there something I can do for you, Doctor?
CHAMBERS I noticed something in the report you filed after the Cerberus was destroyed; you described the ship that you saw as almost. snake-like in appearance.
GIDEON (knows what she's getting at) I know. A lot of things changed in me that day. I still can't bring myself to go into space wearing an EVA suit without great trepidation.
CHAMBERS If you ever wanted to talk about it. (I'm here for you)
GIDEON Thank you, Sarah. but I'd rather fight my own battles, alone.
CHAMBERS It's strange that that one aspect of your experience hasn't lured you away, but rather more towards it; you were left alone in space, left alone to die. yet you welcome loneliness in almost everything you do.
GIDEON (two beats, deep in thought) If that's all, Doctor.
Chambers nods - concerned about Gideon, and exits his quarters. On the weight of this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF SHOW
REPERCUSSIONS
Written by Martin A. Stihec TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD
SUPERIMPOSE: "Markab Homeworld. One Thousand Years Ago."
We SEE a Minbari Heavy Fighter move into frame, followed by two pursuing Shadow vessels. They exchange fire, moving closer to the planet.
INT. MINBARI HEAVY FIGHTER - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Captain in his command chair and a dozen other officers at various other posts. The place looks pretty beat up.
CAPTAIN (in Minbari) Distance to the fleet.
FIRST OFFICER (in Minbari) Five hours.
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CONTINUOUS
We SEE one of the Shadow vessels stop pursuing the Minbari Heavy Fighter and launches a dozen small Shadow-pods, which release a gas substance into the planet's atmosphere - a procedure similar to the one seen in "Racing the Night."
INT. MINBARI HEAVY FIGHTER - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
The bridge is rocked violently be Shadow fire.
FIRST OFFICER (in Minbari) Captain, one of the Shadow vessels is releasing some a bio-contaminant into the atmosphere of the planet bellow us.
CAPTAIN (in Minbari) Turn back; we will make our stand here. Download our computer files into a probe and launch it towards the fleet's last know coordinates; the intelligence information we've gathered out here should not die with us.
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Minbari Heavy Fighter launch its probe and turn back to face the Shadow vessel pursuing it.
INT. MINBARI HEAVY FIGHTER - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Everything is as it was before.
CAPTAIN (in Minbari) Fire all weapons.
FIRST OFFICER (in Minbari) Yes, Captain. Firing weapons.
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Minbari ship fire it's weapons on the Shadow vessel - causing little to no damage. The Shadow vessel returns fire - destroying them.
ANGLE - THE SHADOW VESSEL
As it makes a sharp turn and moves swiftly towards CAMERA. 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
REPERCUSSIONS
Written by
Martin A. Stihec
Guest Starring
JAY LAGA'AIA as Nerval ALAN SCARFE as Second Brakiri Captain DON FRANKLIN as Lethewake MICHAEL G. HAGERTY as Greyhorse
Co-Starring Barry Jenner as Brakiri Captain Dennis Cockrum as Navigation Casey Biggs as Minbari Captain Jason Waters as Minbari First Officer Elizabeth Magness as Crewman Clay Wilcox as Marine #1 Hank Harris as IPX Agent #1 Joseph Will as Gerrold Greg Ellis as IPX Agent #2 Brandon Kerrer as Dr. Lewis Timothy Whittington as Tough Brakiri Robert Pickering as Dr. Harvey
[pic]
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson standing next to an empty command chair looking down at something we can't see because the Navigation console is in the way.
MATHESON Sir, I don't see how -
GIDEON (OS) I've found it!
CAMERA PANS past the Navigation console to find Gideon lying on the floor pointing to joint connecting the command chair to the floor. Matheson kneels down.
MATHESON Where?
GIDEON Right here.
Matheson looks at the joint Gideon is pointing at.
CLOSE UP ON THE JOINT
It looks like it's covered in rust.
GIDEON (OS) (triumphantly) Rust. Just like I said.
GIDEON AND MATHESON
MATHESON Sir, it can't be rust; organic tech doesn't rust. It's impossible.
GIDEON Then what's this, Lieutenant?
MATHESON I don't know. But it's not rust.
NAVIGATION Captain.
Gideon and Matheson stand up.
GIDEON What is it?
NAVIGATION A Minbari warship is approaching our position.
GIDEON Identification.
NAVIGATION It's the Kas'Valen, sir. One of their fleet's most accomplished ships.
GIDEON (thinking) Valen. isn't that the name of their god?
MATHESON (correcting) One of their most respected leaders. He basically built the Minbari culture as we know it.
GIDEON (sarcastically) Great job too; an entire race of priests and warriors.
MATHESON I believe "Kas'Valen" translates as... "Child of Valen." (beat, hears something) Sir, they're hailing.
GIDEON Put 'em through.
An image of Nerval appears on the main viewer. Nerval is a Minbari of the warrior caste and captain of the Kas'Valen.
NERVAL Captain Matthew Gideion.
GIDEON Yes.
NERVAL I am Alyt Nerval of the Minbari warrior clan, Alkya. We have spoken before during your world's civil war seven years ago.
GIDEON (remembering) Yes. I remember. (beat) What brings you here?
NERVAL I have in my possession some information that may interest you.
GIDEON What information?
NERVAL That I would prefer to discuss in private. May I come aboard your ship?
A beat. Gideon nods, "yes." Nerval nods in respect and his image disappears from the screen.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR AND KAS'VALEN - MINUTES LATER
We SEE a small one-man pod launch from the Kas'Valen towards the Excalibur.
NERVAL (V.O.) Two days ago it was revealed to me by one of my clan's elders.
INT. EXCALIBUR - CONFERENCE ROOM - MINUTES LATER
We SEE Gideon, Matheson, Chambers, Eilerson, Dureena, and Nerval seated. Nerval is addressing them all.
NERVAL (CONT'D) (mid-sentence) That a thousand years ago, during the Shadow war, the Markab Homeworld was infected by the Shadows with a viral contaminant - a viral contaminant believed to be the same one used by the Drakh on your own world. (beat) This could mean several things; since the Markab survived the Shadow war of that era, either they found a cure, which, given their state of evolution at the time, is highly unlikely. Or. something on that planet made them immune to the virus.
EILERSON Could the Markab themselves be naturally immune to the plague? If so, we can extract the cure from DNA samples taken of their race before they were wiped-outed.
NERVAL No, I'm afraid not. I have already looked into that possibility.
CHAMBERS Besides, the Markab immune system wasn't very strong. That's partly why the disease that remanifested itself nine years ago spread so quickly throughout the population.
MATHESON Are your sure this information is accurate?
NERVAL Quite certain.
GIDEON Why are we hearing this form you, not the Rangers?
NERVAL The Captain of the ship that witnessed these events was a member of my clan, a direct relation to me. In Earther terms, he was my twelfth father's father. The clan elder who gave me this information was my father's first father, and he gave it to me on his death bed. It is a warrior caste tradition to pass on your knowledge and wisdom to your oldest living descendant when death is near. (beat) The reason the Rangers are unaware of this is that, frankly, a majority of the warrior caste still hold. unpleasant feelings towards Earthers, and are quite contempt to sit back and watch them fade away into oblivion. including my own clan. My father's first chose not to reveal what he knew to the authorities when the plague hit your world.
DUREENA Why have you?
NERVAL I haven't. I have chosen not to make this information public because of my clan's strong stance against Earth. If they knew I was here aiding you in your mission, I would more than likely be disbanded from the Kas'Valen and recalled back to Minbar for a much less. respected position.
GIDEON If that's true. why are you helping us?
NERVAL There were members of other races besides your own on Earth when the Drakh attacked. My wife and first child were at the Minbari embassy, waiting for me to arrive from the Kas'Valen for my new assignment as the Minbari representative to Earth. My transport was only hours away when the Drakh hit Earth. Once I was told what had happened, I swore that I would do whatever I could to ensure a cure was found. Even if it meant going against my own people.
EILERSON And all this time I thought Earth and Minbar were on the same side. Silly me. (beat) Since the Markab were annihilated their homeworld has been raided and looted so many times -
DUREENA By IPX no doubt.
Eilerson ignores her.
EILERSON (CONT'D) That anything of any value left would have been taken years ago.
GIDEON Still. It's worth a look. (to Matheson) ETA to the Markab homeworld.
MATHESON At best speed. ten hours.
NERVAL (standing up) I must be going; if I stay here too long my crew will begin to suspect something. I would trust them with my life, but there's no reason to take the risk.
Nerval begins to walk out.
GIDEON Nerval.
Nerval turns back to Gideon.
GIDEON (CONT'D) Thank you. We're all in your debt.
NERVAL We will speak again, Captain.
Nerval continues out. Off Gideon's perplexed expression, we DISSOLVE TO.
EXT. SPACE - MARKAB HOMEWORLD - LATER
We SEE the same planet from the TEASER, only darker, giving the illusion of a dead world. We SEE a jump-point open and the Excalibur exit it into normal space.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon, Matheson, and Eilerson standing over the holographic display table. An image of the Markab Homeworld is displayed on the table. Dureena is also on the bridge, staring out of the main viewer at the Markab Homeworld.
MATHESON We've run every scan we can think of on the planet itself and came up blank. So if there is a cure here its something somewhere on the surface.
EILERSON When IPX made its first expedition here they made -
ANGLE - DUREENA
We SEE her staring out the viewer, consumed by her thoughts. She's looking at a world that once supported millions of people; a people whose race is now a dead race. just like hers. In the background we can still hear the others talking
EILERSON (CONT'D) a point of charting the area out precisely in case it became profitable to fund more expeditions in the future. With a comm. transmission I can have them downloaded into the Excalibur's database.
GIDEON Good. Make the call; we'll probably need them.
ANGLE - GIDEON, MATHESON AND EILERSON
Gideon turns off the holographic display and Eilerson walks towards Dureena.
MATHESON Sir, I'm not familiar with the Markab incident. What happened to them?
GIDEON Well. about nine years ago a powerful plague from the Markab's past resurfaced and started spreading throughout Markab space. Within days every Markab on this section of the Rim was wiped-out, just hours before a cure was found. There were rumours that some of the Markab may have escaped beyond the plague's reach before they were infected. But I've never seen one again. (beat) Scary isn't it; in four, five years someone could say the same thing about humanity.
NAVIGATION (OS) Sir.
Gideon and Matheson move into the center of the bridge.
GIDEON Yes.
NAVIGATION I'm picking up two more ships just above the planet's atmosphere.
GIDEON Type.
NAVIGATION They look like old Brakiri cargo ships.
EILERSON (re: ships) Looters.
DUREENA (correcting) Grave robbers.
MATHESON They're hailing us.
GIDEON Put 'em on.
The image of a rather gruff looking Brakiri appears on the main viewer.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN (territorial) Unidentified vessel, this is our planet, leave us - (notices their faces and uniforms) You're human. Is this an EarthAlliance ship?
GIDEON The Excalibur is a prototype starship for the Interstellar Alliance, who've leant it to Earth for use in our search for a cure to the Drakh plague.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Our claim to this planet still stands.
EILERSON To hell it does. IPX was here a hell of a lot sooner than you were, and, if I'm not mistaken, currently has an unopposed claim of ownership to the planet.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN (loathing) IPX; Interplanetary thugs and thieves.
EILERSON As opposed to Brakiri merchants; too slow and dim-witted to find their own source of commerce so they steal other races'.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Dim-witted?!
GIDEON (before either Eilerson or the Brakiri Captain could talk again) Captain, we have reason to believe the cure we're searching for could be on that planet. I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist you allow us to inspect your cargo before you take it out of the solar system.
BRAKIRI CAPTAIN No.
GIDEON Captain, this is not a debate, it's -
The Brakiri Captain cuts their comm. link.
GIDEON Damn. We need what they've taken too much to let them go. (to Matheson) Ready weapons.
MATHESON Aye, sir. Weapons ready.
GIDEON Fire a warning shot just shy of their engines.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR AND TWO BRAKIRI SHIPS - CONTINUOUS
Two shots are fired by the Excalibur, almost hitting the two Brakiri ships. One of the Brakiri ships turns towards the Excalibur.
ANGLE - THE TWO BRAKIRI SHIPS
As the moving ship's weapons chamber activates.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Everything is as it was before.
MATHESON Sir, Brakiri ship is activating their weapons chamber.
GIDEON They're bluffing. They wouldn't fire an EarthAlliance starship.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR AND TWO BRAKIRI SHIPS - CONTINUOUS
The moving Brakiri ship fires an energy blast towards the Excalibur.
MATHESON They're firing at us.
GIDEON What??
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the Brakiri's energy blast hit the aft side of the ship.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
The room shakes slightly.
GIDEON What the hell are they doing?! They know they can't take us on! (beat) Knock out their weapons; show them we're not kidding around.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR AND TWO BRAKIRI SHIPS - CONTINUOUS
The Excalibur fires on the moving Brakiri ship - destroying it!
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
Off reactions, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - RESUME
We start just where we left off.
GIDEON (furious) Lieutenant, I want to know what the hell just happened.
EILERSON You and your trigger-happy gunnery officer may have blown up hundreds of priceless artefacts - that's what just happened.
GIDEON (turning to Eilerson) Now just wait a min-
MATHESON (overlapping) Sir, the second ship is hailing us.
DUREENA (sarcastically) Gee, I wonder what they want to talk about.
GIDEON Put them on, Lieutenant.
The image of a second Brakiri Captain appears on the main viewer.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN (furious, demanding) I demand to know why have you destroyed one of my ships?!
GIDEON Your ship was attacking us. We were only defending -
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN They were no match for you! They were only protecting their cargo!
GIDEON It wasn't our intention to destroy your ship. Our weapons must have -
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Unlike you, Captain, I will not resort to violence. (beat) You may search my cargo.
GIDEON (apologizing) I assure you, any -
The Second Brakiri Captain cuts their comm. link.
GIDEON (beat) Lieutenant, assign a search team to the cargo ship, and I still want to know what happened to that other ship.
MATHESON Aye, sir.
GIDEON Dureena, tell Doctor Chambers to meet us down at the flight deck in twenty minutes. (as Dureena nods and exits the bridge, to Eilerson) Mr. Eilerson, get your team ready to go planetside.
Eilerson nods and exits the bridge.
MATHESON Sir, shall I assign a security team as well?
GIDEON I don't think that'll be necessary, John. Anything hostile down there has been dead for nearly a decade.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE ten Brakiri merchants moving a variety of objects and equipment - most of which is practically junk. We PAN to the left to find the Second Brakiri Captain talking to one of the workers over a metal containment box with a glass top about two meters across, half a meter wide, and almost a meter high. From this angle we can't SEE what is in the box.
BRAKIRI WORKER I don't like it. If they search the place too thoroughly it won't matter how well we hide them, they'll eventually find what they're looking for.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN I'm afraid we don't have a choice. Just do your best to keep them outta sight.
BRAKIRI WORKER What if they start asking too many questions?
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Then. kill them. We'll say they drew their weapons on us or something; it was self-defence.
During the Second Brakiri's Next line CAMERA will raise itself up so we can eventually SEE what is inside the containment box.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN (re: box) Whatever it takes to protect these; the discovery of a life time.
We SEE two large snake-like creatures with half their bodies covered with technology, almost as if they were melding together with computers. On this, we DISSOLVE TO.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - STREET - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE a lone deer-like animal standing in the middle of the street. Seemingly out of nowhere, a large snake creature like the two on the Brakiri ship only twice as big, jumps out and bits the deer on its side, knocking it down. On the sight of this creature devouring its prey, we CUT TO.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - LATER
We SEE two shuttles exit the flight deck and move towards CAMERA. As they pass over us, CAMERA turns and follows them as they pass through the planet's atmosphere and head for the capital city on the largest continent.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - NIGHT - LATER
We SEE the one of the shuttles land on a large strip of yellow road (a landing port). The area has rows and rows of brilliantly designed buildings - not two of which are of the same shape or size. The shuttle's door opens and Gideon, Eilerson, Dureena, Doctor Chambers and two IPX agents exit it. Each turn on small torches attached to their wrists.
EILERSON (while the second shuttle lands) The next time we come across an abandoned city it would be nice if we could conduct a search during the day so we can actually see what we're doing. If that's not too much trouble of course.
GIDEON The planet only has four hours of daylight in any given day. If we waited for daybreak we'd be have to postpone coming down for eight hours; eight hours we can't afford to waste.
EILERSON Still, if we wanted to conduct a more thorough search of all the major cities we should call in extra IPX teams.
DUREENA You just want a chance take whatever you left behind the first time your people ransacked this place.
GIDEON There's no way the twelve of us are going to be able to search the whole planet, so we'll search all the major buildings in the capital city first. If we don't find any leads we'll notify the Rangers and EarthGov; they'll finish the rest.
CHAMBERS (while six IPX agents exit the second shuttle and turn on their wrist torches) I'll make my way to the medical center. Maybe I can find something the looters left behind.
Gideon nods his approval and Chambers walks out into the city.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND EILERSON
GIDEON (turns to Eilerson) Mr. Eilerson, You and your men take care of the rest of the major building sites.
Eilerson and the two IPX agents walk away - towards the second shuttle and the rest of their team.
GIDEON Dureena, you.
Gideon turns back to where Dureena was, as does CAMERA. She's gone.
GIDEON Dureena.
EXT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - CONTINUOUS
We SEE an EA shuttle dock with the cargo ship.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE DOCKING PORT - MOMENTS LATER
We SEE five EA marines, two Doctors - Lewis and McCollum, and Mike Greyhorse (from "And So It Begins.") exit the docking bay to find three Brakiri merchants - the Captain, the worker from before, and a tough guard- like Brakiri.
GREYHORSE I'm Lieutenant Greyhorse. The Captain sent us here to search your cargo.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Of course he did. If you would follow my chief worker, Lethewake, he will take you to our storage facilities.
The Brakiri worker - Lethewake, steps forward and gestures down the corridor.
LETHEWAKE This way.
Lethewake walks down the corridor. Greyhorse and the others from the Excalibur follow him, as does the other 'tough' Brakiri.
CLOSE ON THE SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN
As he watches the others leave, silently praying they don't find anything.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - STREET - NIGHT - LATER
We SEE Gideon walking out of a small building.
GIDEON (Into Link) Gideon to Eilerson.
EILERSON (On Link) Here.
GIDEON (Into Link) No luck on my end. How about yours?
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - BUILDING - RECORDS ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We find ourselves in a large rectangular room with folders and files scattered across the place. We SEE Eilerson and three other IPX agents using their wrist torches to search through the remaining files.
EILERSON (Into Link) We've found what appears to be an official record keeping room. There're all kinds of historical and informational titbits lying around. Most are totally worthless though, which explains why these particular files were left behind.
GIDEON (On Link) Anything about a cure?
EILERSON (Into Link) No. (re: a hand drawn map in his hand - which we can't see) We have, however, found something that might be of some use.
GIDEON (On Link) I'm listening.
EILERSON (Into Link) Apparently IPX missed something while constructing their charts. (beat) I'm holding a hand drawn map of the capital city right now. This one shows a small structure about half a kilometre to the north and into the forest.
GIDEON (On Link) Could it be blimp? A misprint?
EILERSON (Into Link) Possibly, but I don't think so.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - STREET - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon standing outside of the building he had just exited, talking into his link. From this point on whenever Gideon or Eilerson talk, we intercut to their location.
GIDEON Alright. I'll check it out.
EILERSON I'd recommend against going there alone, Captain.
GIDEON Why's that?
We PAN AROUND Eilerson until we can SEE the structure Eilerson is talking about. Under the structure is a series of Markab skulls.
EILERSON Just call it a hunch.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - TALLEST BUILDING - ROOFTOP - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Dureena standing on the edge of the rooftop, taking a moment to absorb the sight of the beautiful Markab capital city from so high above. The rooftop itself has a flat section - the part Dureena is on, and a section at a tight angle sloping down.
Dureena turns around and walks away from the ledge. She notices something. Dureena walks towards the inclined section of the roof. At the end of the incline is a shinny object. Dureena begins to carefully make her way down to the slant. At about the half-way point she slips and starts sliding off the roof. She just manages to stop herself before she reaches the edge. She balances herself and reaches for the shinny object - which we can now SEE is a skeleton of one of the snake creatures on the planet. She picks it up and inspects it.
CLOSE UP ON CREATURE'S SKELETON
Half the bones are metal, half normal bones, and where each meet the metal and bone have melded perfectly together.
ANGLE - DUREENA
As she grabs a grapple like device out of her boot and swings it up the steep roof. The grapple attaches itself to a piece of rock. Dureena tests its sturdiness before beginning to climb back up.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - STREET - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE one of Eilerson's IPX agents walking down the street, looking around for a familiar sight - he's lost.
IPX AGENT #1 Hello. Mr. Eilerson.
ANGLE - P.O.V.
We SEE the IPX agent walking towards CAMERA, but looking in a different direction. We can also HEAR an irregular breathing in the background - coming from whoever's eyes we're looking through.
IPX AGENT (CONT'D) Anybody.
ANGLE - IPX AGENT
After the IPX agent continues walking down the street for a few long beats, we SEE one of the metallic snakes jump out from a nearby corner and attack the IPX agent. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
FADE IN:
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - NIGHT
Just to establish.
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - MEDICAL BUILDING - LAB - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Chambers at one of the lab desks sorting through medical files and trying to get one of the remaining computers to work.
ANGLE - P.O.V.
We SEE Chambers' back as she sifts through files. We can also HEAR breathing in the background - coming from whoever's eyes we're looking through. CAMERA begins to slowly move closer and closer to Chambers.
A hand is placed on Chambers' shoulder.
GIDEON (OS) Hey.
Chambers turns quickly - startled, to find.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND CHAMBERS
CHAMBERS (relieved) Oh. It's just you.
GIDEON Sorry if I startled you Doctor.
CHAMBERS Oh no, it's alright. After searching through old medical reports in the dark I'd welcome the company.
GIDEON Anything in those reports about the Drakh Plague?
CHAMBERS Nope. Mostly just autopsies and death certificates.
GIDEON Mr. Eilerson has found a map of city. According to the map there's supposed to be some sort of structure a half kilometre into the forest. Care to join me in a nature walk?
CHAMBERS What the hell; I'm not finding anything here.
Gideon and Chambers start to walk out of the lab.
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - BUILDING - RECORDS ROOM - LATER
We SEE Eilerson and two other IPX agents using their wrist torches to search through the files they can find.
EILERSON Alright, I think we're just about done here. Let's move on.
IPX AGENT #2 But Delby hasn't gotten back yet.
EILERSON Well where the frag is he? He should have made it back from the shuttle an hour ago. (Into Link) Eilerson to Delby. (beat) Delby, are you there? (beat) Delby. (turns off link) I've got a bad feeling about this. (Into Link) Eilerson to Gerrold.
GERROLD (On Link) Gerrold here.
EILERSON (Into Link) We've lost Delby. He's not answering his link. Have any of your team seen him?
GERROLD (On Link) No. Do you think something's happened to him?
EILERSON (Into Link) (beat) I'm not sure. It's probably nothing. (beat) Contact me if you see him.
GERROLD (On Link) Will do. Gerrold out.
Eilerson pauses for a moment, considering the possibilities. Eilerson's link beeps.
EILERSON Delby, is that you?
DUREENA Guess again.
EILERSON And what do you want?
DUREENA I've found something you might find interesting.
EILERSON What?
DUREENA Meet me back at the shuttle and I'll show you. And. bring your PPG.
EILERSON My -?
DUREENA Just do it, Max.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE ten Brakiri merchants moving a variety of objects and equipment - most of which is practically junk. We PAN to the left to find Lethewake entering the storage room, followed by Greyhorse and the others from the Excalibur, as well as the 'tough' Brakiri.
LETHEWAKE This is our last storage room.
Greyhorse and the others start inspecting the contents. Lethewake and the 'tough' Brakiri exchange a look of caution before following them.
ANGLE - GREYHORSE
We SEE him look over the last of the cargo.
GREYHORSE Well, everything seems to be in - (trips backwards into boxes)
Lethewake and the others go over to Greyhorse, who has accidentally revealed a concealed containment box - the same one with the creatures inside. Greyhorse gets up with the assistance of one of the marines.
DR. LEWIS (re: containment box) What is this?
LETHEWAKE (firmly) Nothing.
GREYHORSE (turning to containment box) Doesn't look like nothing to me. It looks like -
Lethewake pulls a weapon.
LETHEWAKE Now!
The 'tough' Brakiri and the rest of the workers pull out their energy weapons. The marines react by pulling their PPGs. The 'tough' Brakiri fires at one of the marines - killing him. In retaliation one of the marines shoots the 'tough' Brakiri. Lethewake dives out of the way as a fire fight ensues between the marines and the Brakiri merchants. On this, we CUT TO.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - NIGHT - LATER
We SEE Gideon and Chambers walking through the forest.
CHAMBERS (waves arms in the air) No matter how dissimilar a planet is from Earth, it always has its own version of the mosquito; miniscule factories of bacteria and disease that fly through the air and survive by draining the blood out of others.
GIDEON I thought Doctors were taught to respect and preserve all forms of life.
CHAMBERS All forms of life - except mosquitos.
GIDEON I suppose everyone has a phobia of something or other.
CHAMBERS I never said I was afraid of them. They're just. very annoying. Where I grew up it seemed like the mosquitos bred by the thousands.
GIDEON For me it's snakes. Which is really quite ironic since I spent a majority of my childhood on farms, where you saw at least one snake every time you left the house.
CHAMBERS I've had a few firsthand experiences with snakes myself.
GIDEON Really? What kind of experiences?
CHAMBERS My sister and I had a couple of snakes for pets; Cobras.
GIDEONS Cobras?
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - CAPITAL CITY - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the two shuttles the arrived in parked on the large strip of yellow road (a landing port). Eilerson approaches their shuttle but can't SEE Dureena. Eilerson's link beeps
DUREENA (On Link) I'm in the shuttle.
Eilerson walks up to the shuttle and the door opens, revealing Dureena sitting in one of the shuttle's back seats.
DUREENA What took you so long?
EILERSON (getting into the shuttle) What was so important you had to make me walk from one side of the city to the other?
INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS
Eilerson moves up to Dureena, who pulls up the skeleton she found on the rooftop, and hands it to Eilerson. Eilerson notices the skeleton's unique composition.
DUREENA I don't have to be a scientist to know there's something wrong with that.
EILERSON (studying it more closely) Where did you find this?
DUREENA Someplace very high above the ground.
EILERSON (concerned) We've got to back the ship.
DUREENA Why? What is it?
EILERSON I don't know. And that scares me.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
Just to establish.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson one side of the bridge to the other - CAMERA follows him.
MATHESON Anything from our team on the Brakiri ship?
CREWMAN (OS) Negative, sir.
MATHESON They were supposed to check-in twenty minutes ago. (beat, considering) Hail them.
CREWMAN They're responding.
The image of the Second Brakiri Captain appears on the main viewer.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Lieutenant, is there anything we can do for you?
MATHESON Our team were supposed to contact us twenty minutes ago. Is anything wrong?
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN No, of course not. Your Lieutenant Greyhorse has asked me to convey a message to you on his behalf. He says that it'll take longer than expected to search the all that we've taken from the surface. And that they haven't found anything useful yet.
MATHESON (suspects something's up) I'd like to hear this from the Lieutenant himself.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN Certainly.
The Captain steps aside - off of the main viewer. We SEE Greyhorse step into the main viewer - he has a small cut across the top of his left eye- brow.
MATHESON Lieutenant. (re: cut) What happened to your face?
GREYHORSE (lying) I fell and hit my head, sir. All is well over here.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Lieutenant Greyhorse standing in front of the main viewer with the Brakiri Captain and two Brakiri guards aiming energy weapons at him.
GREYHORSE (CONT'D) We're still looking for something that could be a cure.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - RESUME
MATHESON (beat, not buying it) I understand. Excalibur out.
Greyhorse's image disappears from the main viewer.
MATHESON Open a comm. link with the Captain.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon and Chambers walking through the forest.
GIDEON (re: the structure) We should be getting close now.
CHAMBERS Good. It seems the further we go into the forest the more mosquitos there are.
Gideon's link beeps. He answers it.
GIDEON Gideon here.
MATHESON (On Link) Captain, I think we have a problem.
At hearing this Gideon stops walking, as does Chambers.
GIDEON What sort of problem, Lieutenant?
MATESON (On Link) I'm reasonably sure Greyhorse and the rest of the search team have been apprehended by the Brakiri. For what reason I'm not certain.
GIDEON (beat, sighs) You have permission to use whatever force you deem necessary to get them back. We're currently over an hour away from the shuttle, but as soon as we've finished exploring our only lead we'll come back to the Excalibur. Gideon out.
CHAMBERS Hope everything's alright.
GIDEON Me too.
INT. SHUTTLE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Eilerson analysing the creature's skeleton with some of his equipment. Dureena is standing over him.
EILERSON The tests are conclusive; half of the exoskeleton is composed of solid titanium. And the way the bone has been so precisely fused with titanium composites. I've never seen anything like it before. If this isn't an actual skeleton - a forgery, which I very much doubt, it's a damned good one.
DUREENA (doubtfully) Are you saying it's a natural born animal?
EILERSON As a general rule, living creatures aren't born out of metal. However, in this case I have no other feasible hypothesis. (beat) Going by its features, this thing was one hell of a predator too.
DUREENA What features?
EILERSON (pointing to each as he states them) Full set of two inch fangs. thick bone structure. fully mobile joints - probably used to climb vertical surfaces. and a small metal pouch just inside its jaw; a venom sack. (beat) If there are more of these - living ones, still on the planet. hell, we already have a man missing. God knows how many more they've attacked.
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon and Chambers walking through the forest. Gideon's link beeps. He sighs - frustrated by the amount of times his link's gone off. He stops, as does Chambers, and answers it.
GIDEON (Into Link) Yeah, what is it?
EILERSON (On Link) (urgently) Captain, it's me.
GIDEON (Into Link) Mr. Eilerson. We're almost half a kilometre into the -
EILERSON (On Link) (urgently) Forget about that. Captain, you've got to get back to the shuttle. Now.
GIDEON (Into Link) Why?
EILERSON (On Link) We've found the skeletal remains of some kind of reptile - a very dangerous one.
ANGLE - P.O.V.
We SEE Gideon and Chambers facing away from CAMERA. We can also HEAR an irregular breathing in the background - coming from whoever's eyes we're looking through.
EILERSON (On Link) (CONT'D) I've lost contact with four of my men. I can only hope the others get back here in time.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND CHAMBERS
EILERSON (On Link) (CONT'D) You and Doctor Chambers need to get back here right now.
Gideon and Chambers exchange looks before splitting back the way they came. One of the snake creatures jumps out of the trees in front of them, causing Gideon and Chambers to come to a halt. The creature opens its mouth - revealing its fangs, and shrieks. Off Gideon and Chambers' reactions, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
FADE IN:
EXT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - NIGHT - CONTINUOUS
As before. Gideon pulls out his PPG and shoots at the creature. The creature simply allows the energy bursts to hit him - causing very little damage. Gideon keeps firing until the creature starts moving towards them.
GIDEON God I hate snakes.
They start running back into the woods - away from the pursuing snake-like creature.
CHAMBERS I think we're going the wrong way.
GIDEON You saying you wanna go back??
CHAMBERS Good point.
After a long chase, Gideon sees something ahead.
GIDEON Look, up ahead.
Chambers looks up.
ANGLE - GIDEON'S P.O.V.
We SEE a clearing up ahead and a small tin building with a high roof.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND CHAMBERS APPROACHING BUILDING
They're still being followed by the large snake creature. They enter the clearing and approach what looks like a door into the tin building.
INT/EXT. TIN BUILDING ENTRANCE - CONTINUOUS
Gideon and Chambers get in and close the door before the snake creature can reach them. They turn around to SEE.
INT. TIN BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE an old piece of Markab machinery in the middle of the building - a production device. There are numerous other things inside as well; desks, benches, etc.
GIDEON (breathing heavily) This should keep those things away from us. And there's enough of a clearing outside for Eilerson to land the shuttle down and pick us up.
CHAMBERS (breathing heavily, studying the interior) Looks like this was some kind of production facility.
Chambers walks off, towards the Markab machinery in the middle of the building - CAMERA follows her.
GIDEON (Into Link) Gideon to Eilerson.
EILERSON (On Link) Here.
GIDEON (Into Link) Doctor Chambers and I were forced to take shelter in the building we were headed for when we first entered to forest. There could still be more creatures outside, once the rest of the team are back we need you pick us up. There's a clearing outside the building where you can land.
EILERSON (On Link) Be there as soon as we can. Eilerson out.
CHAMBERS (sees something) Matthew.
GIDEON (walking to Chambers) What is it? (notices what Chambers is looking at)
ANGLE - GIDEON'S P.O.V.
We SEE two decaying skeletons bundled up on the floor wearing IPX uniforms.
GIDEON (OS) Well that explains why IPX charts didn't show this building here; these guys didn't come back to add to the map.
ANGLE - GIDEON AND CHAMBERS
GIDEON (CONT'D) (beat) Wonder why no one came looking for these men before the expedition left.
CHAMBERS Have you ever heard of the IPX ant analogy? "If you see a line of ants on the ground, all working around the clock to get food back for the queen. would anyone notice if you squashed a few?"
GIDEON We'll take them back with us. Give them a proper burial.
Gideon kneels down and searches their pockets. He pulls something out - a data-crystal.
GIDEON See if you can find something to play this in.
Gideon and Chambers move off in different directions, searching. Chambers finds a dusty computer desktop on a bench.
CHAMBERS Over here.
Gideon moves over to the computer. Chambers wipes the dust off of it. Gideon puts the data-crystal inside it.
GIDEON Let's just hope it still works.
After a beat, the image of an IPX agent - Samuels, appears on the Computer desktop. He's a balding man in his late fifties - grey hair. The background setting is in his quarters.
SAMUELS (On Screen) Upon reaching the Markab homeworld, which was no easy matter given that the jump-gate leading there was recently destroyed by a vessel of unknown origin, we've officially staked a claim for IPX. Although we're not the first ones here, we are the first to make a legitimate claim. (beat) How we proceed here in the coming weeks and months will have to be considered carefully; I have no intension of dishonouring the Markab by tarnishing their property and land. Yes, we'll have to proceed very carefully indeed.
The screen turns blank, then reactivates - showing Samuel's face, which seems more distraught.
SAMUELS (On Screen) Another IPX transport arrived today. They started shipping the remaining dead Markab into their cargo drums. I assumed they were taking them somewhere for a burial, maybe keeping a few for medical research. Apparently they were selling them to a Pak'Ma'Ra cruiser as 'food supplies'. It made me sick to my stomach. Suddenly scavenging around dead worlds doesn't seem as. acceptable as it used to.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Matheson sitting in the command chair.
MATHESON Are the marines ready?
CREWMAN Yes sir.
MATHESON Open a channel to the Brakiri Cargo Ship.
CREWMAN Channel open.
MATHESON Brakiri vessel, I demand you return our crewmen now.
The Second Brakiri Captain's image appears on the main viewer.
SECOND BRAKIRI CAPTAIN What are you talking about? Your crewmen are still inspecting our cargo.
MATHESON I'm not buying it, Captain. Either you release our men this instant. or we'll get them back ourselves. Excalibur out.
The Second Brakiri Captain's image disappears from the main viewer. Four long beats pass.
MATHESON Launch marines.
EXT. SPACE - EXCALIBUR - CONTINUOUS
We SEE many fighters and shuttles exit the flight deck.
EXT. SPACE - BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - CONTINUOUS
We SEE the fighters surround the ship and the shuttles head for their docking ports.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - CORRIDOR OUTSIDE THE DOCKING PORT - MOMENTS LATER
We SEE a squadron of marines exit through the door and turn down the corridor. A group of armed Brakiri turn a corner and start firing at the marines - who take cover and fire back.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Greyhorse, Dr. Lewis, and two marines tied up against boxes guarded by Lethewake, and a dozen Brakiri merchants. Laid out on the floor are the bodies of the marines and the Doctor that died in the fire-fight. We can HEAR PPGs firing in the background.
LETHEWAKE They're getting closer. Aim for their faces; their bodies are shielded.
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - TIN BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon and Chambers in front of the computer desktop - still watching the IPX officer's recordings.
SAMUELS (On Screen) After an incident with our expedition's chief archaeologist, I've become even more dissatisfied with the corporation's handling of the Markab situation and intend to hand in my resignation as soon as this expedition is over.
The screen turns blank, then reactivates again - showing Samuel's face.
SAMUELS (On Screen) IPX finally finished its expedition today. All that's left is to finish composing charts of the planet for future expeditions. A fellow agent - a supporter of my fight against the corporation's handling of this expedition, and I have been assigned to chart the woods just outside the city. We've both agreed that future exploitation of the Markab homeworld is unacceptable. So we're going to gather a dozen or so eel-like reptiles we've found in the planet's ocean and, using a device I'd recently found on an alien world but for various reasons haven't informed the corporation of its existence, to genetically alter them to serve as guardians for the planet and to stop others from taking advantage of it like we have. With any luck we'll be able to pull it off without the corporation's knowledge.
Samuels' face disappears from the screen. A message appears: "End of Recorded Logs." Before Gideon or Chambers could say something, we HEAR a stretching of metal. They turn to where it's coming from - the door, and SEE three parts of the door with circular dents coming through - being caused by three creatures pushing against the it.
GIDEON (Into Link) Gideon to Eilerson. You'd better hurry, we're about to have visitors anytime now.
EILERSON (On Link) We're on our way. Just try and hold them off a little longer.
The three dents expand.
GIDEON (Into Link) Easier said than done.
INT. BRAKIRI CARGO SHIP - STORAGE ROOM - CONTINUOUS
We SEE everything as it was before. The PPG noises in the background are getting louder. After a few beats a squadron of marines barge through the door. Some are shot down instantly by the Brakiri. The marines soon take cover and continue firing at the Brakiri - knocking them down one at a time until they're all down. Three marines move to untie Greyhorse and the others while the remaining marines guard the entrance.
MARINE #1 What happened?
GREYHORSE They were hiding some kinda animals in their containment boxes. Pretty weird looking ones; half made of some kinda metal.
MARINE #1 We'll have to come back for them later. Right now we have to get you outta here.
The marines finish untying them and they move over to the other marines. They start to file out of the storage room.
INT. MARKAB HOMEWORLD - FOREST - TIN BUILDING - CONTINUOUS
We SEE Gideon and Chambers standing in front of three large dents in the building door. Gideon draws his PPG. Just as the metal around one of the dents begins to split. we HEAR the sound of multiple PPGs and the dying shrieks of three snake creatures. Gideon and Chambers exchange looks, then the door opens and Eilerson and Dureena enter the building.
EILERSON Sorry for the delay; there was a little miscommunication about your location coordinates.
DUREENA That's his way of saying he was lost.
Gideon and Chambers let out sighs of relief. On this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT FOUR
TAG
FADE IN:
EXT. HYPERSPACE - EXCALIBUR - LATER
We SEE the Excalibur moving towards CAMERA.
GIDEON (V.O.) Captain's personal journal, March 4th 2268; after a brief struggle, the Brakiri have allowed us to confiscate the genetically engineered creatures they took from the Markab homeworld. Their ship and crew are currently in EarthForce custody, awaiting trial for their crimes.
INT. EXCALIBUR - BRIDGE - TIME CUT
We SEE Gideon talking to Eilerson - AUDIO MUTE.
GIDEON (V.O.) (CONT'D) I wish I had a camera to capture Mr. Eilerson's face when I told him where those creatures on the surface came from.
Eilerson's expression turns to one of shock and disbelief.
INT. EXCALIBUR - GIDEON'S QUARTERS - LATER
We SEE Gideon enter his quarters and take off his uniform top.
GIDEON (V.O.) (CONT'D) As for the reason the Markab survived the plague while other, more advanced races haven't. it's a still a mystery to us. Maybe they really did find a cure - a cure that died with their race nine years ago. Maybe the plague was never actually exposed to them; maybe Nerval's information was wrong. (beat) Our next stop is a planet inside Centauri space, where one of the First Ones were rumoured to have had a colony before they passed beyond the Rim. It's a long shot. but at least it's something. It's Hope.
Gideon's door beeps.
GIDEON Come.
Chambers enters Gideon's quarters.
GIDEON Is there something I can do for you, Doctor?
CHAMBERS I noticed something in the report you filed after the Cerberus was destroyed; you described the ship that you saw as almost. snake-like in appearance.
GIDEON (knows what she's getting at) I know. A lot of things changed in me that day. I still can't bring myself to go into space wearing an EVA suit without great trepidation.
CHAMBERS If you ever wanted to talk about it. (I'm here for you)
GIDEON Thank you, Sarah. but I'd rather fight my own battles, alone.
CHAMBERS It's strange that that one aspect of your experience hasn't lured you away, but rather more towards it; you were left alone in space, left alone to die. yet you welcome loneliness in almost everything you do.
GIDEON (two beats, deep in thought) If that's all, Doctor.
Chambers nods - concerned about Gideon, and exits his quarters. On the weight of this, we
FADE OUT:
END OF SHOW