ELITE FORCE: Season 2 Episode 11

"The Alliance"

Roman and Riker have gotten wind of Chase's little power predicament, and are eager to use it to their advantage. When he vanishes, the Elite Force rush to rescue him, but so many things stand in their way. Including, Skylar and Oliver realise, a strange tension building between Kaz and Bree.

FADE IN.

SCENE ONE.
INT. PENTHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - DAY.
(BREE and CHASE are sitting on the couch. BREE has a phone to her ear, listening to the person on the other end of the line. CHASE is sitting opposite her on the couch, his legs crossed, his eyes wide expectantly as he watches BREE. He seems nervous, bashful. But when BREE opens her mouth to speak, we realise she is using her vocal manipulation to mimic CHASE's voice).

BREE (CHASE)
Yes, uh-huh, okay, uh… (She looks at CHASE, talking into the phone, but for his benefit) Thursday at 3pm you say?

(CHASE nods and gives her a thumbs up, so she confirms into the phone. She speaks with a pleasant tone, but looks fed up).

BREE (CHASE)
Thursday at 3pm works. … My name is Chase Davenport. … Yep, date of birth is August 5th 1997. Okay, thank you very much.

(BREE hands up the phone and tosses it back at CHASE, now using her own voice).

BREE
(Sighs)
I'm sick of doing this for you. Next time you can book your own dentist appointment.

CHASE
(Whines)
But you're so good at it, and I hate talking on the phone, and I don't have my bionics anymore!

BREE
I'm the one with vocal manipulation, what do your bionics have to do with anything?

CHASE
(Hopefully)
… Pity?

BREE
(Rolls her eyes)
Whatever, you big baby.

CHASE
I'm not a baby! I just don't like talking on the phone.

(BREE gets up off the couch and starts walking towards the kitchen, getting a drink out of the fridge).

BREE
(Smirking)
Whatever! You need me, it's adorable.

CHASE
Shut up.

(BREE makes over-the-top fussing noises at him as if she's cooing over an adorable baby. CHASE shoots her a glare and then uses an invisible TV remote to furiously mute her. She laughs triumphantly, having successfully wound him up. Interrupting this, KAZ, SKYLAR and OLIVER walk in from the front door. They are in their mission gear).

BREE
Hey! How'd it go?

SKYLAR
No sign of them yet. Whatever Roman and Riker are planning, they're quiet.

KAZ
Too quiet. I don't like it, this feels like the calm before the storm.

OLIVER
Yeah, and ever since my Mom broke out of Mighty Max just to warn us, it feels like we're living on constant alert.

CHASE
I still think it's a ridiculous idea to do these shifts. I know I'm -

KAZ
Weak?

BREE
Useless?

SKYLAR
Void of purpose?

CHASE
(Furiously correcting)
- Currently between chips! But that doesn't mean I can't hold my own. I'm still a skilled martial artist, I have plenty of access to weapons, and Skylar went on missions whilst she had no powers! I don't need to stay home with a babysitter.

BREE
We're not trying to babysit you, Chase. We know you can hold your own, that isn't what this is about. It's just a precaution whilst we figure out what they're planning, you know that.

(BREE, getting lunch started, reaches into the cupboard for some plates. KAZ, behind her, opens the fridge door).

OLIVER
Yeah, and besides, when Skylar didn't have powers and she went on missions, she got kidnapped. Remember? I mean, she was pretty - (He sees SKYLAR's glare) - pretty. She's so, so pretty.

SKYLAR
Smooth.

KAZ
Hey Bree, can you grab me a glass whilst you're down there?

BREE
Sure.

(BREE stands up with plates and a glass. She turns around, at the same time KAZ does, and they are accidentally standing a little too close. BREE blinks and awkwardly hands KAZ the glass. Their fingers brush).

BREE
(Quietly)
Here you go.

KAZ
(Smiling)
Thanks. You're, uh… good at getting glasses out of cabinets.

BREE
(Tries to lean coolly on the counter, but slips)
It's a gift.

(BREE and KAZ turn away from each other, both looking horrified at themselves for whatever the Hell that was).

BREE
(Clearing her throat)
I gotta, um -

KAZ
Yeah, me too -

BREE
Cool.

(BREE superspeeds away upstairs. KAZ hurries onto the terrace. Cutting back to CHASE, OLIVER and SKYLAR. OLIVER and SKYLAR share a look, knowingly, and fist bump, splitting off to their respective best friends. CHASE looks mildly disgusted).

CHASE
(Cringing)
Okay, well I'm going to get out of the house before whatever that was sticks to my retinas forever.

(CHASE heads towards the front door).

SCENE TWO.
EXT. CENTIUM CITY - STREET - DAY.
(CHASE, holding a bright red smoothie, walks down the street. He drinks from the straw, then dramatically winces at his tooth).

CHASE
Ow! (Grimaces) Roll on Thursday at 3. (Remembers something, then gets his phone out) Oh that reminds me… (He scrolls on his phone) Huh, I haven't texted Bree in forever… (sighs) ugh, I miss my bionics. I could be thinking this to her right now. (He types a text, reading it aloud as he types) Can you also call the gym, I want to cancel my membership. (He sends it, goes to put his phone away, but then rethinks, and pulls his phone out again). Just to be clear, I still don't need you. (He puts his phone away, nodding, satisfied).

(As he is nodding, two shadowy figures suddenly appear behind him, none other than ROMAN and RIKER. CHASE sips his smoothie, and grimaces again, unbeknownst to the villains smiling evilly behind his back).

ROMAN
(To RIKER)
This is going to be easy… he's completely powerless.

ROLL TITLES

SCENE THREE.
EXT. PENTHOUSE - TERRACE - DAY.
(KAZ is on the terrace with his glass of water, and OLIVER enters from the living room, having followed him outside after his interaction with BREE. KAZ looks relatively deep in thought; OLIVER has a smirk on his face).

OLIVER
What was that?

KAZ
(Innocently)
What was what?

OLIVER
Are you kidding? You and Bree making eyes at each other over the breakfast cereal.

(There is a pause; KAZ looks like he might deny it. But then, his heart ever on his sleeve, he lets a shy smile slip. He rubs the back of his neck).

KAZ
That obvious, huh?

OLIVER
(Smiling supportively)
Dude, you like her?

KAZ
(Shrugs, genuinely, confused, overwhelmed)
I don't know. Maybe? I think she's awesome, and unstoppable, and… really cool.

OLIVER
Am I sensing a "but"?

KAZ
(Sighs)
We work together, and we live together. It's a lot more complicated than just thinking she's cute.

OLIVER
Skylar and I worked together for years before we got together.

KAZ
Yeah, years. We've only known each other for a few months. And you weren't exactly subtle, Skylar's a saint for putting up with you. The work we're doing, to avenge Mighty Med, that's a lot more important than a crush. Logistically…

OLIVER
Kaz, love isn't about logistics. It's about spontaneity, and feelings, and chasing what you want. You don't need to be logical. (Pause) Wow, I can't believe I'm telling you not to be logical.

KAZ
Still… I don't even know if she likes me back. And even if she does, Bree is one of the most dedicated, focused, incredible people I know. She's almost certainly thinking the same thing, right? I don't want to risk the team.

OLIVER
Come on! If you and Bree get together, then you, Bree, me and Skylar can go on double dates. (Excited) Oh! We can get houses next door, with a gate in the shared fence and do barbeques!

KAZ
Slow down before you start grilling. (Pause) It's just a crush. She saved my life, we've spent a lot of time together, she's a great friend, and I don't want to wreck that. (He takes a breath) She's a colleague.

OLIVER
Well, I think that's really cool of you, thinking about the team over yourself.

KAZ
We have more important things to worry about, like whatever Roman and Riker are planning. If we survive that, then maybe I'll ask her out.

OLIVER
(Pause, hopeful)
And… then we can have the gate in the shared fence?

KAZ
Yes, Oliver, and the four-seater porch swing. We've had this planned since we were 14. (Pause, sighs again) Roman and Riker come first. This will pass, and in the meantime, I just have to try really hard to get over her. There's just no way she likes me back, so I can't. If I ignore it for long enough, it'll just go away on its own, right?

OLIVER
(Thinks about correcting, then just placatingly pats his back)
Sure.

SCENE FOUR.
INT. MISSION COMMAND - DAY.
(BREE is focused on her phone, a frown on her face. SKYLAR enters the hyperlift with a smirk, clearly attempting a similar conversation to the one OLIVER just had with KAZ).

SKYLAR
Bree…

BREE
(Snaps her head round)
Hey! Good, can you call my phone, I think it's broken.

(SKYLAR sees BREE's concern and drops her smirk, walking over).

SKYLAR
Sure, what's wrong?

BREE
Well, Chase texted me, and I messaged him back almost immediately, but it says the message wasn't sent properly, like his phone immediately went offline. But Chase hasn't gone off the grid since, like, ever, so it must be my phone.

(SKYLAR gets her phone out, and presses BREE's contact).

SKYLAR
There.

(Sure enough, BREE's phone lights up with the call. BREE ignores it).

BREE
Well then it must be his phone - ugh, see this is exactly why I miss "pineapple, barnyard, kangaroo". What's the point in having an emergency signal if I don't have anyone to annoy with it?

SKYLAR
(Suggestively)
You could annoy… Kaz?

BREE
(Not picking up what she's putting down)
Kaz isn't bionic.

SKYLAR
Well, can we talk about -

(BREE's phone rings; she looks down).

BREE
Oh! It's Chase. One sec - (She grins, answering her phone and using her vocal manipulation to mimic CHASE's voice, speaking bitterly) Chase Davenport's personal secretary? What do you want now?

(SKYLAR and BREE exchange a smirk, but there isn't a response at the other end of the line, just a crackle. BREE stiffens, her smirk fading and worry replacing it. She switches back to her own voice).

BREE
(Putting the phone on speaker)
Chase? You okay?

CHASE (V/O)
(Whispering)
Bree, I'm - (Crackling) Come - (Crackling).

BREE
Chase? Chase, what's going on?

SKYLAR
The line is terrible. Can you move somewhere with better service?

CHASE (V/O)
Roman and Ri - (Crackling) Don't know where I - (Crackling).

BREE
What? Chase, say that again?

(The line beeps, disconnecting).

BREE
Chase? Chase!

SKYLAR
Did he say Roman and Riker?

(BREE groans in frustration and moves to the cyberdesk, habitually pulling up a GPS signal).

BREE
(Gravely)
I think so. It's alright, I can track his chip on the… (She stops herself, swipes away the GPS in frustration) No, I can't. Ugh! This can't be happening.

SKYLAR
We'll find him. Come on, with our superspeed, we'll cover the whole city in seconds.

BREE
Alright. I'll take East, you take West.

SCENE FIVE.
EXT. CENTIUM CITY - STREET - DAY.
(SKYLAR comes to a halt, looking around, in the place where CHASE disappeared. A few seconds later, BREE comes to a halt from the opposite direction, standing next to her. Both have since changed into their mission suits).

BREE
Anything?

SKYLAR
No. This is literally the last place in the City he could have possibly disappeared from.

BREE
(A little frantic)
He'll be fine, right? Like, without his bionics, he'll be alright? I know he can fight but he's… (slightly breathless in building panic) he's my little brother, and he's like, what, twelve? And he's out in the world on his own… without any tech… without bionics…

SKYLAR
Bree, he's a superhero, not a golden retriever, he'll be fine.

BREE
I'm going to be in so much trouble with Mr Davenport if he comes to visit from Mission Creek and Chase is dead. I can't go back in the basement, Skylar, I…

(SKYLAR is staring wide-eyed at something, not responding; BREE pants, resting her hands on her knees as she loses her mind).

BREE
Skylar, I am spiralling and I need you to tell me it's going to be alright.

SKYLAR
(Points)
You don't think that big red puddle on the floor would be blood… do you?

(She points, and we see the remnants of CHASE's red smoothie, in a puddle on the ground. It does look quite suspicious, and the girls immediately misunderstand it).

BREE
(Muttering)
Oh my gosh… (Takes a breath) Alright, let's not panic, there are a lot of criminals in this city, and a lot of people with a lot of enemies. It could be anyone's.

SKYLAR
Oh, found his phone and his wallet. (She bends down, picks them up and reads from the ID) Yep, right here, Chase Davenport.

BREE
(Throws her hands in the air)
My father's going to kill me.

SKYLAR
Bree, Bree, hey. (She grabs BREE's shoulders, mimicking a deep breath) We will find Chase, you're not going to end up back in the basement. (Soothing) Above-ground thoughts, above-ground thoughts. (BREE takes a comically deep breath, calming). Let's go get the others, and we'll make a plan. I'm sure Chase is fine.

BREE
Of course he isn't, Skylar, you know how annoying he is.

SKYLAR
Well then… maybe they've let him go 'cause they didn't want him?

BREE
(Nods, coming round)
It is a really strong possibility.

SKYLAR
Come on, let's go.

(BREE stares at the red puddle on the ground and then, worried, takes off in a blur, SKYLAR following her. Focus on the red puddle).

SCENE SIX.
INT. UNDERGROUND - ABANDONED SUBWAY STATION - DAY.
(CHASE is behind bars in a make-shift cell underground, the same place SKYLAR was once held by ROMAN and RIKER early on in their adventures. He, completely unscathed, sighs. ROMAN and RIKER are stood threateningly outside the cell, arms folded, staring at their prisoner).

CHASE
Did you have to grab me so hard? You made me drop my smoothie.

ROMAN
Well, we might have managed it if you didn't struggle so much.

RIKER
Yeah, what gives? Why did you struggle?

CHASE
(Irritated)
Do you want that list alphabetically, or what? (Pause, darkens his expression). You made a huge mistake. You won't get away with this.

ROMAN
(Smirking)
What are you going to do about it? You're completely powerless. Just like our father is… funny how karma comes around, isn't it, Chase?

CHASE
Funny isn't the word I'd use. What do you want with me?

RIKER
We want you to join our side.

(Final shot of CHASE's forced calm, his eyes frantic in the panic of the realisation that he has absolutely no way out of this).

SCENE SEVEN.
INT. MISSION COMMAND - DAY.
(SKYLAR, OLIVER, KAZ and BREE are all in their mission suits, crowded around the cyberdesk. BREE is quite frantic).

BREE
Okay guys, Operation: Keep Bree Out Of The Basement is a-go. We know Chase is with Roman and Riker, we can't track his chip, obviously, and his phone is dead. So what do we do?

OLIVER
We know that shapeshifters dwell in dark, cavernous spaces. That's where they held Skylar when she got kidnapped.

SKYLAR
Right. Their previous hideouts have been in an abandoned subway tunnel, and an old warehouse. But they wouldn't be there, because they know we'd expect it.

KAZ
Wait a second… how did Chase tell you he'd been captured? I thought you said he called you.

BREE
He did.

KAZ
But you have his phone, that doesn't make any sense. How would he have called you if he left it behind?

(A moment as everyone thinks; SKYLAR widens her eyes).

SKYLAR
Wait, doesn't Chase have that ridiculous smart-watch?

OLIVER
Yes! He's always bragging about how good the coverage is.

BREE
Oh yeah, that's right! He probably placed the call on that! If we track it then we can…

(KAZ reaches across the cyberdesk, his arm stretching across BREE as he types in a code. BREE, caught off guard by the proximity, turns to KAZ, blinking a little as he catches her eye. They exchange an awkward smile, and BREE tries to gather her thoughts, swallowing).

BREE
(Softly)
Then we can… um… rescue, um… uh…

SKYLAR
(Prompting)
Chase?

BREE
(Distantly, her eyes on KAZ)
Sure, whatever.

(SKYLAR and OLIVER share a knowing look. Suddenly KAZ clears his throat, stepping back, rounding the cyberdesk so he is stood away from BREE and beside OLIVER).

KAZ
I can track it if I… (thinks, realises he has no idea what he's looking at) Okay, I don't know how to track things.

SKYLAR
I'll do it, step aside. (SKYLAR presses some buttons) Here.

(A map with a GPS locator labelled "C. DAVENPORT WATCH" flashes on the screen).

OLIVER
That's got to be him, right?

BREE
But it says it's in the old subway tunnel on 128th Street where we found Skylar, the day she was kidnapped when we all moved in. Why would they go back?

KAZ
It means they want us to find him. It means he's bait.

MIDWAY BREAK

SCENE EIGHT.
INT. UNDERGROUND - ABANDONED SUBWAY STATION - DAY.
(CHASE is behind the bars, watching ROMAN and RIKER, calculating their next move the best he can, standing wary).

ROMAN
You can relax, you know. We're not going to hurt you.

CHASE
You're not?

RIKER
(Almost genuine, friendly)
You're here for a reason, Chase. And look, we're sorry about -

ROMAN
Riker! Shut up.

RIKER
But -

ROMAN
(Threateningly)
I said shut up.

CHASE
What's he saying? Let him speak. Why is he apologising to me? You said you wanted me to join your side, why?

ROMAN
There's an attack coming.

CHASE
Yeah. We've been warned about your big plans to take over the world. You're not going to win, we'll defeat you, just like we have countless times before.

RIKER
(Desperately)
We're counting on that.

(CHASE stares at RIKER, confused).

CHASE
What are you talking about?

(RIKER looks at ROMAN, begging in his eyes, and ROMAN steps forwards, speaking).

ROMAN
The attack, it's not us. After our father went to Mighty Max, there were a lot of people fighting for the top spot in our family, and with your Elite Force picking us off one by one, not everyone liked how we were running things.

RIKER
Roman and I are the oldest, but our brother River, and our sister, Raven, they didn't like it.

CHASE
That's what Raine told us, when we sent them packing to a brand new life far away from you. You brought this on yourself, ruling over your family like this.

(ROMAN flies at the bars, making CHASE leap back in surprise).

ROMAN
You have no idea what you're talking about!

RIKER
Roman! (Pauses) We need his help, calm down.

(ROMAN retreats).

ROMAN
You don't get it, do you? Riker and I, we're the good ones.

CHASE
(Scoffing)
Good? You blew up a Hospital! You turned my sister into a marionette puppet.

RIKER
And if River and Raven had got their hands on her, she'd be dead. (CHASE quietens). Mighty Med was never meant to be destroyed.

CHASE
What?

ROMAN
Riker!

RIKER
He has to know! (He takes a deep breath) The plan was to take away everyone's powers, just like they had taken away our father's. If anyone was going to be killed, it was going to be Horace Diaz, but even then, Roman and I didn't want to do it. But River and Roman, the night we went, they saw where we were going and they… they got there first. They used their swarm and flew there, before we knew where they'd gone. The next thing we knew, they'd destroyed everyone in that hospital for revenge.

CHASE
(In disbelief)
This whole time…

RIKER
That's all we ever wanted with the superhero list. We wanted to destroy the superheroes, destroy the powers, not kill them. But River and Raven, they do. And now they have the list, and they… they have our family.

CHASE
What do you mean?

RIKER
River and Raven have disappeared, and they've taken everyone else in our family with them. We have five more younger siblings, they're all kids, and they're missing. River and Raven have built a new family, a new goal, and they're going to destroy the world.

ROMAN
(Ashamed)
We tried to keep a handle on them, but they got too powerful. Father got wind of it when they visited him, he encouraged them, and now we don't know where they are, or when they'll attack. Only that it's going to be big.

CHASE
(Realising)
So you don't need us on your side… you need our…

RIKER
(Sincerely)
Help. We need your help. River and Raven are our enemy, and we need our youngest siblings back. We don't know where they are.

CHASE
So that's why I'm here? To bait the others into coming too?

RIKER
We knew that if we found you in the street, River or Raven would see and know we're asking you for help, our you'd think we're attacking you -

CHASE
(Comically correcting)
Uh, you did attack me. You kidnapped me and dragged me into an underground subway tunnel. I am literally being restrained.

ROMAN
You're powerless right now. We knew your team would come running if they thought you were in danger.

CHASE
And how do I know this isn't some huge trick? That this isn't just another ploy to get us all killed?

(RIKER and ROMAN share a look, it's almost sad).

RIKER
You don't. But you're a good man, Chase. When you and your team rescued your sister, you could have destroyed Reece. You had her right there and you could have ended her, but you didn't. You let her go, even though she tormented you, hurt you, you let her come home to us, because you didn't want to separate a family. And right now, we're begging you for that mercy.

ROMAN
(After a moment)
I'm not begging. He's begging. I'm just… asking nicely. (Pause) Your Elite Force is powerful. I know we've made mistakes, but we had no choice. Our father, our siblings, if we say no to them, then… (He cuts himself off). You've beat us countless times, that we'll admit. But now, we need your power. We need your team, to save ours.

RIKER
Please, Chase.

(There is a pause; CHASE contemplates this).

CHASE
How about you let me out from behind these bars? Then, when my team gets here, we'll all talk.

SCENE NINE.
INT. UNDERGROUND - ABANDONED SUBWAY STATION - DAY.
(SKYLAR, BREE, OLIVER and KAZ, all in mission suits, run through the tunnel; SKYLAR is following a tracker).

SKYLAR
Okay, he's this way.

OLIVER
Wait, do we have a plan?

BREE
Of course we have a plan!

OLIVER
Which is?

BREE
(Shrugs)
I don't know, run fast and throw stuff.

KAZ
Sounds like a plan to me.

BREE
See? Kaz is on board with my plan!

SKYLAR
(Rolling her eyes)
Yeah, no kidding.

KAZ & BREE
What's that supposed to mean?

SKYLAR
Do I seriously have to get into this right now with you two?

BREE
Get into what? Look, can we stop messing around? Chase is like… (she measures her waist height with her hand) this tall, and completely defenseless. Let's go!

(BREE runs off into the tunnels, followed quickly by KAZ, who looks at OLIVER with wide eyes. OLIVER and SKYLAR share a look, and take off after them).

SCENE TEN.
INT. UNDERGROUND - ABANDONED SUBWAY STATION - DAY.
(CHASE, now out of the cell, is lounging casually on a chair. ROMAN and RIKER are standing nearby. Suddenly, KAZ, BREE, OLIVER and SKYLAR run in, furious, ready to fight).

BREE
Back off from my brother, you freaks!

CHASE
Wait, Bree -

(BREE fires her proton ring. It boomerangs around the room, hitting ROMAN and RIKER in frightful slow motion as they fly back into the wall and crash to the floor. She catches the proton ring in her hand as SKYLAR, OLIVER and KAZ rush to fight ROMAN and RIKER).

CHASE
Wait -

(ROMAN and RIKER rush to their feet, SKYLAR fires her electroblast. BREE, frantic, flustered, reaches CHASE and grabs both of his shoulders, checking him for injuries).

BREE
Oh my gosh, you're alright. What did they do to you? Are you hurt? Don't panic, we're here now -

CHASE
(Batting her away)
Stop it, get off me. Listen -

KAZ
Oliver, use your cryoblast!

OLIVER
On it!

ROMAN
No!

(ROMAN and RIKER grasp hands and all at once, form their swarm. It grows ominously, knocking OLIVER back).

BREE
I got you, Oliver! (She activates her flashlight hands, and turns to CHASE) Stay here, where you're safe, okay?

(BREE combines her flashlight hands to create a purple electric swarm. She aims to fire it at ROMAN and RIKER).

CHASE
No!

(Without hesitating, CHASE launches at BREE, tackling her to the ground. BREE's flashlight hands break apart and disappear as she lies pinned beneath CHASE's tackle).

CHASE
Stop fighting them! Everyone stop!

SKYLAR
But their swarm -

CHASE
It's self defense because you're going to kill them! Everyone stop!

(Everyone stills at CHASE's yell. ROMAN and RIKER's swarm fades, and as it calms, ROMAN and RIKER appear back in the flesh. KAZ, OLIVER and SKYLAR lower into fighting stances as BREE struggles and wriggles out from her brother's grasp).

CHASE
(Breathless)
Everyone just hold on for a second.

KAZ
What are you talking about? Is this Stockholm Syndrome or have they hacked your chip?

(CHASE stands up, pulling BREE to her feet. He breathes).

CHASE
Definitely not Stockholm Syndrome, and I don't have a chip to hack, remember? (Glares at BREE) Which someone keeps reminding me of every five seconds.

BREE
Is wanting to keep my little brother safe such a crime? They're supervillains! They'll kill you!

CHASE
For the last time, I am a foot taller than you, and I do not need saving!

SKYLAR
Chase, we saw blood on the sidewalk next to your things.

CHASE
That wasn't blood, I spilled a strawberry smoothie.

OLIVER
What about the phone call?

CHASE
I thought initially I was in trouble, but…

RIKER
We just want to talk.

OLIVER
Talk? What about?

(CHASE looks at ROMAN and RIKER, who look at him for help as the rest of the Elite Force stares at them, sceptically).

SCENE ELEVEN.
INT. UNDERGROUND - ABANDONED SUBWAY STATION - DAY.
(A continuation of the scene. CHASE has explained everything, and SKYLAR, KAZ, BREE and OLIVER stand completely stunned).

KAZ
Nope. No way. Absolutely not. Terrible idea, horrible, nada, zilch, nothing -

SKYLAR
Are you done?

KAZ
(To SKYLAR)
Almost. (He turns back to CHASE). No! (To SKYAR) Now I'm done.

CHASE
(To ROMAN and RIKER)
Guys, could you give us a minute?

ROMAN
(Narrows his eyes)
Don't try anything clever whilst we're gone.

(ROMAN storms off; RIKER awkwardly smiles at the Elite Force).

RIKER
He means, please.

(RIKER scurries after his brother and they both leave the room. Once the door is closed, BREE steps forwards).

BREE
(Nervously laughing)
Okay, you can speak freely now. They were making you say that, right? Because… (rising in snark and anger) I know that you didn't just look me in the eye and tell me the people who tried to kill us are good!

SKYLAR
Yeah. They've kidnapped me, they've kidnapped Bree, they've kidnapped you! They're three out of five, are we sure they're not just going for bingo?

CHASE
I didn't say they were good, I said they were desperate. They want an alliance. They want their family back, surely you can understand that? Bree, I know you do.

BREE
(Sighs, torn)
Chase, I think you're being manipulated.

OLIVER
Maybe not. Raine did tell us they're tearing each other apart. It would make sense.

CHASE
I'm not being manipulated.

SKYLAR
That's what you said with Reece…

CHASE
I know… and I messed up. But, guys, I really think they're being honest this time.

KAZ
I don't trust them. They have the superhero list, our one leverage. What about Crossbow? They were willing to kill her for it.

CHASE
They explained that. Rodissius was putting pressure on them, and we had them backed into a corner. They didn't mean to kill her, and we saved her in the end. They just wanted to drain her powers.

KAZ
(Sarcastically)
Well, as long as they didn't mean to. And besides, If, and only if, Roman and Riker are telling the truth, it could be just so they could get the superhero list back from their siblings.

CHASE
But if they're telling the truth, then it's not about them, it's about the missing kids. If River and Raven are as evil as they're saying they are, we need to get the younger ones back.

KAZ
And what if they're not? What if Roman and RIker are just using us to do the dirty work.

SKYLAR
Then we figure it out. (Everyone turns to SKYLAR, surprised). Maybe Chase is right. If we make this alliance, that doesn't mean we can't still be wary of Roman and Riker, but it will mean we have an open connection with them. If they're evil, we'll figure it out, and we'll stay a step ahead of them, and if they're not…

OLIVER
…Then we're doing the right thing anyway.

CHASE
(Nodding)
Exactly.

KAZ
This is risky. I don't like it… we'd need some way of figuring out where River and Raven are, or if the younger siblings are even with them. If we can do that, I'm on board.

BREE
Yeah, I -

SKYLAR, OLIVER
(Expectantly)
Agree with Kaz?

(BREE and KAZ look at them, confused).

BREE
(Defensively)
Maybe.

(ROMAN and RIKER slowly enter back in).

ROMAN
You want proof?

OLIVER
Were you listening in on our conversation?

RIKER
No! (Awkwardly) We were eavesdropping.

KAZ
How do we know you're not setting us up?

ROMAN
You can search our database, we don't have the superhero list anymore.

SKYLAR
Chase, is that true? Can you do that?

CHASE
Yeah. I'd even be able to see when it was wiped, and who wiped it.

RIKER
Our brothers and sisters, their beds are empty. Their stuff is gone.

BREE
(To RIKER, suddenly)
Give me your phone.

KAZ
(Raising an eyebrow)
Why?

BREE
You want us on your team? (Slows down, a little threatening) Give me your phone.

(RIKER, slowly, cautiously, takes his phone out of his pocket and unlocks it, handing it to BREE. Wordlessly, BREE scrolls the contacts until she finds the person she's looking for)

BREE
Man, there's a lot of R-names in here, huh?

ROMAN
Try being at the family reunions.

BREE
Ah, there we go. River. (She presses dial, and the phone begins to ring).

ROMAN
(Leaping forwards)
What are you doing?!

(SKYLAR readies a sparking electric blast, letting it sit warningly in her hands as she steps between ROMAN and BREE).

SKYLAR
(Threatening)
You want our help, let her do it.

(The call connects, and BREE takes a breath).

RIVER (V/O)
(Through the phone)
Riker. What do you want, brother? Calling to admit defeat?

(The Elite Force share a look with each other and ROMAN and RIKER. RIKER goes to speak, but BREE puts a finger to her lips to shush him).

BREE (RIKER)
(Using her vocal manipulation)
I'm just calling to talk, River. (ROMAN and RIKER share a surprised look). Where are our brothers and sisters?

RIVER (V/O)
They're safe, Riker, they're just… training. You and Roman have gone soft. Father, Reece, they're in prison, but they still understand what we're doing here. And I'll make sure that no more of our siblings go down the wrong path. They'll help us take over the world.

ROMAN
(Yelling)
They're little kids!

RIVER (V/O)
(Laughing)
Aw, is big scary Roman there too?

(OLIVER covers the receiver of the phone, whispering).

OLIVER
How do we know they really have the kids?

KAZ
I've got it - Roman, Riker, who's your youngest sibling?

RIKER
(Swallowing emotion)
Remy. He's five.

(BREE nods, understanding, and pulls the phone back to her).

RIVER (V/O)
Are you calling for a reason, or just to waste my time?

BREE (RIKER)
I want to speak to Remy.

(There is a pause on the other end of the phone).

RIVER (V/O)
(Calling out away from the phone, softer)
Remy, buddy? There's someone on the phone for you.

(Another pause, child's voice).

REMY (V/O)
Hello?

(ROMAN and RIKER soften).

BREE (RIKER)
Hi Remy, it's Riker. How are you?

REMY (V/O)
Riker! I'm good! River and Raven are playing hide and seek with you. Are we winning?

BREE (RIKER)
(Takes a calming breath)
Yeah, they are right now. But we're going to find you, Remy.

REMY (V/O)
Can we have candy when you find me?

OLIVER
That's not a good idea before dinner.

(SKYLAR slaps OLIVER's arm to get him to shush).

ROMAN
(Emotionally)
Of course we can have candy. You be good for River and Raven, okay?

REMY (V/O)
I'm always good!

(ROMAN and RIKER chuckle, despite themselves, and then there's a crackle on the line).

RIVER (V/O)
Enough. You're going to regret going soft. This family is more than petty revenge, we do what we have to do.

(The line goes dead, and ROMAN and RIKER fight for their composure. BREE clears her throat and turns back to her own voice).

RIKER
Well? Will you help us?

ROMAN
Please. You heard that voice. That's our little brother, and we don't know where he is.

(BREE flickers her gaze briefly at CHASE sympathetically. CHASE isn't looking at her, but knows. The interaction is quick).

CHASE
(Gritting teeth, muttering)
Stop looking at me.

BREE
(Defensive, snapping to look away)
I wasn't!

RIKER
What do you say? (Pause, he takes a breath. And he puts his hand in the centre of the group) Alliance?

(ROMAN puts his hand over RIKER's, and there is a tense moment as the Elite Force share a quick glance. They nod, their faces stoic).

KAZ
(Hand in)
I'm in.

OLIVER
(Following KAZ)
If there's good in the world, you know we're going to find it.

CHASE
(Atop OLIVER's)
Agreed.

SKYLAR
(Her hand following)
We're going to get your siblings back.

BREE
(Nodding, completing the pile)
Alliance. Don't make us regret this.

(There is silence as they share a look, the Elite Force wary of their enemy standing so openly in front of them. ROMAN and RIKER look genuine, almost frightened, and ROMAN locks his free hand supportively on RIKER's shoulder).

SCENE TWELVE.
EXT. CENTIUM CITY - STREET - EVENING.
(Returning home from their mission, SKYLAR, KAZ, BREE, CHASE, and OLIVER make their way through the city).

CHASE
We'll strategise at home, tell Douglas and Davenport what happened.

OLIVER
Chase, you and I could probably work the encrypted location on the phone. We could definitely trace where that call to River came from, right?

CHASE
Definitely.

(KAZ and BREE walk slightly behind the rest of the group, gripped in a conversation. KAZ sees something on the ground and widens his eyes).

KAZ
You're right, that does look like blood!

BREE
(Triumphant)
I knew it!

SKYLAR
Hey, you know what? I need to talk to Bree before we get home. You guys run ahead, we'll catch up.

CHASE
(Brow furrowing)
Is that a good idea?

OLIVER
Yeah, with River and Raven on the loose, we should probably stick together -

SKYLAR
(Smug smile)
I was going to ask her for a tampon.

KAZ
(Awkwardly)
See you at home!

(CHASE, OLIVER and KAZ, the second SKYLAR said the word "tampon", turn and practically scarper in the opposite direction. BREE, completely innocently, digs in her pocket).

BREE
Here, I always keep a spare in my mission suit -

SKYLAR
I don't need your tampon.

BREE
(Confused)
Huh? But -

SKYLAR
I need your honesty. I lied to make the boys run away, because I've been trying to get you alone all day.

BREE
(Innocently)
Why?

SKYLAR
(Softening)
I'm your best friend. Why didn't you tell me you like Kaz?

BREE
(Stammering)
I… I don't, I…

SKYLAR
(Smiling)
Yes, you do. And that's okay.

BREE
I don't like him, I'm just… glitching!

SKYLAR
(Raises an eyebrow, smirking)
Glitching?

BREE
(Genuinely believing what she's saying)
Yeah! Glitching. My bionics' fault, probably because of the museum fire. I lose my breath all the time, like the other day when he... (swallows) he came back from flying around the city and landed on the terrace, and it… caught me off guard, and made my chest go all, like, tingly. Tingly, like, I'm nervous. Which is impossible, Skylar, because why would I feel nervous around Kaz? It's Kaz.

(She begins pacing, SKYLAR watching her with folded arms and a little smile as BREE begins to ramble, a hint of irritation in her tony slipping through).

BREE
I mean, come on. Kaz is just… a goofball. He's ridiculous and… funny… and so annoying, and quick, and tall and… (scratches the back of her neck) and has this smile, like when he's said something funny that he knows is going to make everyone else roll their eyes. And his laugh is just, I don't know, it's light. And it's fun. And… (she makes a wide-eyed face of realisation) Oh my gosh, do I like Kaz?

SKYLAR
Congratulations, you're officially the last to know.

BREE
Oh. (BREE sinks onto the sidewalk to sit on the curb) Uh-oh.

(SKYLAR sits next to her).

SKYLAR
What are you going to do about it?

(BREE thinks for a second, and then she turns to SKYLAR, chewing her bottom lip).

BREE
I should talk to him, right?

SKYLAR
That's not my decision to make, but I'm your best friend. I've known Kaz a long time, I think you two would be great together.

BREE
(Nods, standing)
I'm going to talk to him. Tonight. What's the point in waiting, right? (Pause) I mean, it's nearly his turn to get kidnapped, he could be gone tomorrow!

SKYLAR
(Smiles proudly, chuckling)
You do make an excellent point.

BREE
(Breathless, nodding)
Okay, then. (Pause, thinking) I can't believe I like Kaz.

SKYLAR
I can't believe you didn't notice. (Pause, she smiles) Come on, Juliet, let's go home.

SCENE THIRTEEN.
INT. PENTHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING.
(BREE and SKYLAR enter. OLIVER is on his own, having changed out of his mission suit).

BREE
Hey Oliver, have you seen Kaz?

OLIVER
Oh yeah, he flew to the store to get cheesecake. He'll be back in a bit. I think Chase went to Mission Command to strategise or something. I don't know, Kaz said cheesecake and I stopped listening to anything else.

SKYLAR
I'm going to change.

(SKYLAR goes upstairs. OLIVER, still believing the lie, stands up, following).

OLIVER
Can I get you anything, Skylar? Chocolate? Water? A pad? I can say it without blushing, you just have to avoid eye contact with me whilst I'm talking!

(OLIVER disappears up the stairs. BREE watches him go and laughs, her hand covering her mouth as she plops down on the sofa. Her face is a picture of overwhelmed, adrenaline, excitement. She nods to herself, knowing it's now or never, waiting impatiently as she fidgets. Then, OLIVER's phone starts to ring from the couch where he was previously sitting).

BREE
Oliver! Kaz is calling you!

(She peers up the stairs, but OLIVER is long gone. The phone keeps ringing, so BREE picks it up, quickly sweeping into her vocal manipulation).

BREE (OLIVER)
Oliver's phone, totally not Bree speaking.

SCENE FOURTEEN.
INT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT.
(KAZ is standing in front of a fridge of baked goods, on the phone. It's loud in the grocery store, and the signal on the phone crackles).

KAZ
Huh? Oliver, what did you say? Sorry, it's really loud in here.

BREE (OLIVER) (V/O)
I said -

KAZ
It's okay, it doesn't matter - my battery's about to die. Now what flavour should I get? I'm always a sucker for chocolate, but they have an offer on lemon and I don't know how zesty we're collectively feeling as a group?

SCENE FIFTEEN.
INT. PENTHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING.
(Cut back to BREE, on the couch, grinning and rolling her eyes).

BREE (OLIVER)
Well, Bree probably wants chocolate. But that's just a guess.

SCENE SIXTEEN.
INT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT.
(Cut back to KAZ, who vastly misunderstands what is coming from OLIVER's voice).

KAZ
You're right, Oliver. I shouldn't be thinking about what Bree wants.

BREE (OLIVER) (V/O)
Huh?

KAZ
And whilst it's in my head, thank you for earlier. Bree and I would never, ever work. She's my friend, my teammate, and nothing more.

SCENE SEVENTEEN.
INT. PENTHOUSE - LIVING ROOM - EVENING.
(Cut back to BREE, whose mouth sinks open a little in her devastation).

BREE (OLIVER)
(Attempting composure)
Really?

KAZ (V/O)
I gotta be sure, right? Just like I said, we wouldn't work. We could never be together. (Pause, as BREE sits, her eyes glassy) Oliver, you still there?

BREE (OLIVER)
Uh… I gotta go.

SCENE EIGHTEEN.
INT. GROCERY STORE - NIGHT.
(Cut back to KAZ, who, confused that OLIVER has ended the call so abruptly, sighs to himself).

KAZ
Just got to keep saying it until it's true. (He closes his eyes, thinking) Pull yourself together, Kaz. Come on, don't feel bad. It's not like she knows you just said that.

(KAZ selects the chocolate cheesecake, turning to make his way home).

SCENE NINETEEN.
INT. MISSION COMMAND - NIGHT.
(CHASE stands in front of the big whiteboard, updating the list of RODISSIUS' kids. As before, 1 is labelled "Roman", 2 with "Riker", 3 "Reece", and 4 "Raine". CHASE is writing with a whiteboard pen. He has already updated "5 - Rory", "6 - River", "7 - Raven". At the bottom of the board, "12 - Rosie", and he finishes "13 - Remy". 8 - 11 are left blank, and there are only four blank numbers left now. On the cyberdesk next to CHASE, a half-eaten slice of chocolate cheesecake sits on a plate).

(The hyperlift door opens, and BREE walks into Mission Command. She has changed out of mission gear and is now in her sweatpants and a baggy hoodie. Her arms are folded in on herself, and she looks like she has been crying).

CHASE
(Briefly glancing her way, but focusing on the whiteboard).
Hey, just updating the list. Good cheesecake, right?

BREE
(Mumbling)
I don't know, I'm not really hungry.

CHASE
Yeah, I don't really blame you, we've had a rough - (CHASE stops as BREE leans into him sadly, wrapping her arms around his torso. CHASE's arms stick out a little in shock). …day. (He raises an eyebrow) Hey, what's going on?

(Softly, BREE begins to cry. And once she starts, she can't stop. CHASE, concerned, confused, lowers his arms to hug her back).

CHASE
Bree, what's wrong?

BREE
(Muffled into his shoulder)
I don't want to say, it's so stupid. You'll think I'm stupid.

CHASE
(Gently)
Is this about Roman and Riker? Bree, you know I'm fine.

BREE
No, it's not about that.

CHASE
Then, what is it? (BREE stays silent, crying quietly into him. CHASE's mind races).

BREE
(Sadly sighing)
You ever wish we were back in the basement?

CHASE
(Incredulous, he widens his eyes, knowing it must be bad)
Oh my gosh, did someone die?

BREE
(Mumbled)
No.

CHASE
Did you commit a felony?

BREE
No.

CHASE
Touch the Arcturion again?

BREE
No.

CHASE
(Hesitates, winces preemptively, afraid of the answer)
You're not… pregnant, are you?

BREE
(Pulling herself back, whining crossly)
Stop guessing, Chase!

CHASE
(Holding his hands up in surrender)
Okay, sorry!

(BREE leans back against him, folding her arms as she rests the side of her head on his shoulder, looking at the cheesecake. CHASE hugs her again).

BREE
(Quietly)
I'm sorry I teased you for needing me earlier, okay? (Pause, her eyes well up again) Turns out I need you too. So just... be my brother right now. Please.

(CHASE squeezes her, attempting to lighten the mood and smirking).

CHASE
Well, (He looks around at Mission Command) it's a good thing there's always a basement and a brother around for when you need it… (Pauses, shrugs) I mean, you know, when I'm not getting kidnapped… or when you're not getting kidnapped. We've really got to stop getting kidnapped.

(BREE, despite herself, laughs against him. CHASE, although he doesn't know what's wrong, sees her smile and stands as long as she needs, holding her).

CHASE
I got you.

BREE
(Sniffs)
I know.

FADE OUT.

END OF EPISODE