INT. LIANDRA - MEDBAY
Dulann is laid out on one of the biobeds. Firell is lent over him running some scans. Martel is looking on leaning against the doorway of the MedBay entrance.
FIRELL This ship seems to have it in for Dulann.
MARTEL Seems that way. This is the second time he's been seriously hurt and in MedBay in the space of a month and a half.
Martel walks into MedBay a little further just as Firell finishes her scans and turns to a computer panel in the wall.
MARTEL (CONT'D)
So what's the diagnosis?
FIRELL Well as far as I can tell... something sparked a very powerful Telepathic surge into his brain.
MARTEL But he was only holding...
Martel's expression changes, it's one of sudden realization.
FIRELL Captain?
MARTEL The artifact... The one the IPX team found on the surface that we believe once too have belonged to the Hand. Dulann was holding this when he had this telepathic attack.
Martel reaches into his pocket and retrieves the relic.
FIRELL (Taking it from Martel)
Seems harmless enough to us.
(beat)
But to a Telepath...
Martel's comlink then goes off,
MARTEL David here.
KITARO (Over Comm)
Captain, I've recalibrated the scanners and am ready to make a planetary sweep.
MARTEL Go ahead Kit. I'll be there in a little while. David out.
Martel turns to Firell,
MARTEL Why didn't your original scans show anything up about the artifact that meant it could've caused this...?
FIRELL Our scanners are limited by our technology Captain. The Hand must have somesort of microscopic level of technology built directly into this metal that we cannot detect.
MARTEL The artifact is dangerous, it must be -
DULANN (Awakening and sitting bolt upright)
They called it a Relic.
Martel and Firell are startled and look to Dulann.
FIRELL Dulann, you're awake -
MARTEL Who called it a Relic?
DULANN The IPX team. One of them... the one who found it. He was a Centauri, a Centauri that had miligdant telepathic abilities.
MARTEL The people that were murdered back at the IPX base...
DULANN He murdered them all David. Because his telepathic abilities were less than a Psi Corps P1 rating this relic drove him to kill others in his team.
MARTEL He killed them all? But where are the rest of the bodies...
DULANN No. Not all. Some escaped into the tunnel, where the relic had originally been found. But the others... they were taken by those machines.
MARTEL
Taken? Taken where?
(beat)
Dulann, do you know where Sarah is?
DULANN
I'm sorry David.
(beat)
I only know what the relic does. And the previous users of the relic.
MARTEL Users?
DULANN This relic. It is one of hundreds crafted by the Hand before they were banished to another realm. They're data storage devices, they encode the thoughts of another.
MARTEL Have you seen into the past Dulann? Seen the Hand?
DULANN No. I cannot control what I see. It allows me to see certain things.
Martel's comlink goes off again,
MARTEL Yes, what is it?
KITARO (Over Comm)
Sorry to interupt Captain... but the scanners have found something.
MARTEL Sarah?
KITARO (Over Comm)
I believe so sir.
MARTEL I'm on my way. David out.
Martel looks to Dulann,
DULANN Go David. I understand, Firell can take care of me. I will join you on the bridge when time allows.
Martel offers a brave smile then heads off out of the MedBay.
INT. LIANDRA - BRIDGE
Martel sweeps into the bridge from the entrance and comes in and sits in his chair.
MARTEL Well Kit?
Kitaro taps the controls at his console and the holographic display comes up with a 3D image of the planet they're orbiting. A dot is in orbit, indicating the Liandra with a serious of yellow lines running from the dot around the planet indicating the scanner's sweeplines. Then there is a red flashing dot on the surface of the planet.
KITARO There Captain.
MARTEL (Standing and leaning over)
Sarah's here?
KITARO Well there's no way to be certain sir. But that's where the largest collection of that metal is. Back at the IPX Site... I believe all the drones from across the planet are collecting there.
MARTEL (Sitting back down)
Why are these drones collecting there? When we saw them all heading away?
KITARO Possibly they were going to group somewhere else first? Before collected back at the dig site?
MARTEL Regardless, Kit take us in.
Kitaro begins to tap the controls,
EXT. LIANDRA - OMEGA DRAGA 5 ORBIT
The Liandra's engines fire up and head down towards the surface.
INT. LIANDRA - BRIDGE
MARTEL (CONT'D)
Set us down about a quarter of a kilometer away. I'll lead a team, and we'll go the rest of foot.
NA'FEEL Is that wise sir? You saw what those drones could do.
MARTEL It's the only course of action. Besides now we're ready for them.
NA'FEEL I take it we'll be taking more than our usual Minbari Fighting Staffs?
MARTEL Correct Na'Feel. You're the Senior Weapons Officer left aboard. You have my permission to raid our Arsenal Storage Bay.
NA'FEEL (Standing)
Understood Captain.
As Na'Feel heads towards the bridge exit we cut,
EXT. LIANDRA - OMEGA DRAGA 5 JUNGLE
It is now nightime.
We have an establishing shot of the Liandra having landed amongst the trees in the jungle. The CAMERA then PANS around and downwards, a set of small hills can be seen in the distance just before the Liandra obsures the view and it's landing hatch opens.
Martel leads out Hadann, Malcolm and Na'Feel. They're all brandishing Minbari looking Plasma Rifles.
MARTEL Ok people. We've got a job to do.
The group heads off around the Liandra and just as Na'Feel disappears into the jungle we cut,
EXT. IPX DIG SITE 1
It is the same as before, but now the scene is dark. A blaze has engulfed the IPX HQ and as the group comes out of the trees the CAMERA follows their gaze as they halt and look to the fire.
MALCOLM What the...
NA'FEEL The machines did this?
MARTEL Machines wouldn't set things on fire. I figure them as somesort of defensive system... they must have a control center.
HADANN What if they were built by an ancient race Captain... a race with more advanced robotic technology than our own. What if -
MALCOLM (interupting) - What if these robots have A.I.?
MARTEL
And what if they do?
(beat)
We can what if all day people. There's two Rangers, two of our crewmates that need rescuing and I intend to do that. Now if you aren't even concerened about them then I'll go in alone and drop you off back on the nearest Ranger Depot.
MALCOLM I didn't mean to -
NA'FEEL Of course we're ready to help Captain.
HADANN Please Captain. Do not take my questioning as a sign of disrespect or unwillingness.
Martel walks forward towards the great hole, the lift equipment is still as damaged as seen last.
MARTEL (Quietly)
We've gotta rescue her.
HADANN Captain?
MARTEL (Turning Back)
What? Oh... we've got to rescue THEM. That's all I was saying.
(beat)
First things first... Hadann?
Hadann drops his backpack to the floor.
HADANN Three ropes coming up.
Hadann looks through his bag and retrives three climbing ropes and a set of appropriate harnesses and pullies.
We then cut,
INT. IPX DIG SITE 1 DESCENT SHAFT
Martel, Na'Feel and Malcolm are all working their way down in a climbing fashion. As the last, Malcolm, shoots down past the CAMERA we cut to,
EXT. IPX DIG SITE 1
The CAMERA is close up on the hole,
Hadann is working the ropes, making sure none of them fall etc.
HADANN (Peering down)
You all alright?
The CAMERA PANS over his head and downwards down the shaft to indicate how far the three have actually climbed.
INT. IPX DIG SITE DESCENT SHAFT
MARTEL (Yelling)Fine Hadann. Just watch out for anymore of those machines up!
NA'FEEL We should reach the bottom in -
Na'Feel is slightly above Martel, and she stops talking when Martel hits the floor and disattaches from the ropes.
NA'FEEL (Opening Comlink)
Ok. We're at the bottom.
INT. IPX DIG SITE 1 - TUNNEL A9
The CAMERA begins on a large sign that is hung from the dirt ceiling next to the side of the hollowed out tunnel by thin metal chains. It says "Tunnel A9". It's a dirty sign and has obviously been there for a while.
The CAMERA PANS outwards and towards the opposite wall. Sarah and Ranger Clarkson are laid on the ground. Nothing else can be seen.
The CAMERA then ZOOMS in on where Sarah is laying just as she begins to stir.
Groaning she holds her head and scrunches her eyes in pain as she sits up. After she opens them again she sees Ranger Clarkson.
SARAH (Nudging Clarkson)
Clarkson?
Clarkson suddenly begins to stir. And he sits up.
CLARKSON
Urgh! My head.
(beat)[Looks around
Where are we?
Sarah looks first to her right and then to her left. The CAMERA follows her as she looks to show the tunnel continuing seemingly to eternity in both directions. Darkness is all she we can SEE in both directions. Sarah then looks up and we can SEE the small light set into the ceiling that is illuminating the area.
After this Sarah makes her way to her feet and brushes herself down for dust. She then offers a hand to Clarkson. Clarkson takes Sarah hand and does the same brush down.
SARAH Pick a direction.
CLARKSON Ma'am?
SARAH Well we seem to be in a tunnel Clarkson. We can either go right or left.
CLARKSON
Ok.
(beat)
Left.
SARAH My left or your left?
CLARKSON Either.
Sarah looks a little frustrated at Clarkson then heads off to her right. The CAMERA stays put and watches Sarah and Clarkson heading off into the darkness as we,
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT THREE
