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417. Sleeping With the Enemy
Written by: Erika Byrne
Directed by: Jon Cassar
Edited by: David B. Thompson
Guest starring: Emily Hampshire and Conrad Dunn
US airdate: July 30, 2000
Transcribed by Athena4 and Jean
SECTION ONE: COMM
A distant building resides quietly in a wind-swept, snow-covered field. With a roar, it explodes. Cut to Section One, in Comm. A dark-haired woman manages; she has taken the place of hapless Corman (from CAFS), Birkoff’s short-lived replacement. She is attractive, with wide-set intense eyes and a well-conformed face, saved from being usual by a strong nose and a sort of no-nonsense air that emanates freely from her.
QUINN: Substation three is down.
OPERATIONS: How is that possible?
QUINN: The self-destruct has been activated from an outside source.
OPERATIONS: And you didn't foresee this? (an alarm hoots) Now what?
QUINN: Our self-destruct mechanism has been activated.
OPERATIONS: Shut it down!
MADELINE: There's a chance that might not happen. Whoever did this issued a chain directive. They want to destroy the Sections like a stack of dominoes.
OPERATIONS: Activate the failsafe.
QUINN: I did. It won't engage.
OPERATIONS: We need to evacuate.
Section personnel begin to scurry, packing equipment. Quinn frantically tries everything she knows to halt the process.
MAN 1: Okay, let’s go!
MAN 2: Let’s get those weapons down!
MAN 3: Let’s go. Move, move, move!
COMPUTER: Two minutes to self-destruct.
Quinn continues her battle with the computer, trying disk after disk, software routine after software routine, while all around her, the rush for the exits continue.
COMPUTER: One minute to self-destruct.
MAN: OK. We’re gone. Gotta get out of here now.
Madeline and Operations hurry to the exit but pause by Quinn.
OPERATIONS: Quinn, I've ordered you to leave your post. We're fifty seconds to critical.
QUINN: (still working) I can stop this.
MADELINE: You've nothing to prove.
QUINN: Except that I can do my job.
Madeline turns and leaves. Quinn looks up at Operations, telegraphing her determination as their gazes lock.
OPERATIONS: (nods) Get to work. (leaves)
COMPUTER: Thirty seconds to self-destruct.
QUINN: (to herself) Think, Kate. Focus! (works furiously)
The computer begins the final countdown: Ten… nine… eight…
QUINN: Come on!
As the numbers draw inexorably to one, Quinn’s efforts pay off and the software cycles through as the computer recites the final sequence: Four…three…two…one. The alarms cease; Section One still exists. Quinn sobs, taking a quavering breath, and runs her hands through her hair, relieved.
MUNITIONS
Quinn penetrates Munitions, looking for Walter.
QUINN: Walter?
She finds him behind a rack. He raises his finger, a silent ‘Here I am’ gesture.
QUINN: I got a message that you wanted to see me?
WALTER: (nods) Way to go little sister. You got your feet wet.
QUINN: (frowns, puzzled) Excuse me?
WALTER: Your first day on the job. You saved our bacon. Welcome to the big leagues.
QUINN: (shakes head, annoyed) Is your bandanna on too tight? Operations thinks I dropped the ball.
WALTER: Forget about Operations. Substation Three is beyond our security zone. You couldn't have known. You done good. (he takes a small silver flask from his back pocket) Birkoff would have been proud.
QUINN: Yeah, well, I hear he's dead. Stiffs do nothing for my ego. (looks at the flask in Walter’s hand) So what are we drinking?
Walter looks momentarily disturbed at her description of Birkoff, then gamely recovers.
WALTER: Very old scotch for special occasions.
He offers it to Quinn. She reaches out, but hesitates.
QUINN: You know this isn't going to get you lucky.
WALTER: (shakes his head) Like I said, I was just welcoming you to the neighborhood.
QUINN: Hmm, well neighbor, just keep it zipped and out of my way and everything will be just peachy.
She takes a quick swig of liquor, then promptly leaves. Walter raises his flask, toasting a memory.
WALTER: (whispers) Birkoff.
He takes a drink, his eyes seemingly focused on something that isn’t there.
MADELINE’S OFFICE
Madeline sits behind her desk as Operations enters.
OPERATIONS: I just got off the phone with Mr. Jones.
MADELINE: What did he want?
OPERATIONS: Birkoff, in his office, first of next month.
MADELINE: A transfer?
OPERATIONS: Yes. He can never find out what happened here. I can't afford the anomaly on my record.
MADELINE: I'll get Jason ready.
OPERATIONS: Can you do it?
Flash briefly to Jason’s room. It is gray, sterile; the bed has a foam mattress and no covers. Jason is on the floor, doing sit-ups.
MADELINE: When I’m done, neither Mr. Jones or anyone else will ever know the difference.
BRIEFING
OPERATIONS: As you know sub section three was taken out of play yesterday morning. The strike was massive. The final damages report 100% causalities. As best we can determine the self-destruct code came from an outside source. Now Quinn's trace was incomplete but her calculations showed a definitive link to Red Cell. Now since they were able to penetrate our system, for security measures, only the red line and satellite links will be operational. (a holographic image appears) This is Colin Starnes. He's currently chief tactical advisor for Red Cell. Quinn.
QUINN: We've been using satellite tags to get an exact location for him. We believe we have him contained within a six-hour window.
OPERATIONS: We're going to use that window to extract Starnes. Michael, your team will handle field tactical. The target will be taken alive. Details are on your panels.
MISSION
The mission van rushes through the night and stops in front of a chain link fence. Armed operatives jump out. As the operatives approach the building, the scene changes to Michael. He remains inside the van, running information on a computer and issuing orders. The Section team penetrates the target, dashing down stairs in an industrial-looking setting. They engage the enemy; shots are fired. The scene shifts again, combining three images: Michael in the mission van, the operatives in the building along with an explosion within, and a view of the white room from the top, the chair in its prominent position in the middle. After the explosion, the scene clears to reveal only the white room. The door squeaks open and two operatives bring Starnes to the chair. He is masked. The mask is removed; the door to the white room remains open.
STARNES: (looks around) Charming.
Madeline walks through the open door.
MADELINE: This entire process can be painless. The choice is yours.
STARNES: For some pain is a pleasure.
MADELINE: Good. (smiles) Then you should enjoy yours.
Madeline’s assistants, the ‘Torture Twins’, enter, cases in hand. The male holds up a case while the female opens it, looks over to Starnes, and smiles.
OPERATIONS’ PERCH
MADELINE: Starnes claims that Red Cell isn't culpable for the hit.
OPERATIONS: You believe him?
MADELINE: After this morning's chat, I don't think he has the strength to lie.
OPERATIONS: Then what do you know?
MADELINE: Our intel confirms that two of Red Cell's locations were hit within hours of the hit on substation three.
OPERATIONS: So we're dealing with a third party?
MADELINE: That's not what Red Cell believes.
The intercom bleats.
OPERATIONS: What is it Quinn?
QUINN: I've got Red Cell field operatives being withdrawn and moving into a unified tactical position.
OPERATIONS: They think it's us.
MADELINE: And they're getting ready to strike.
OPERATIONS: Not unless we attack first.
He stands and walks to the door.
WHITE ROOM
STARNES: Come on in. Welcome. I'd offer you a drink but alas, (he shrugs) my hands are tied.
Operations nods; the manacles clink forward, freeing Starnes, who stands. He’s taller than Operations.
STARNES: I would have thought you would have killed me by now. Losing your edge?
OPERATIONS: (smiles tightly) Perfecting it. I have a proposition for you.
RED CELL HEADQUARTERS
People move with purpose around elaborate equipment.
OPERATIVE 1: I have a coded transmission for you from Section One. You'll need this key to unlock it.
The key is activated; a hologram of Starnes coalesces.
DIRECTOR: How is it that you're still breathing? Section One protocol is to terminate all captured operatives.
STARNES: Operations wanted something only I could deliver: a meeting with you.
DIRECTOR: Intriguing. But you don't actually think I'd consider it do you?
STARNES: Since tactical strategy falls under my purview I expect you to agree to it.
DIRECTOR: (scoffs) You no longer work for me.
STARNES: Then consider this a consultation. We're in a stand off. You either agree to work together or you annihilate each other. I highly suggest you accept the offer. Section knows your next move. You don't really have a choice.
Flash to Section.
QUINN: Ten seconds until the channel is clear. Incoming cyber text. Secure on the line.
OPERATIONS: You understand why I call this meeting?
DIRECTOR: You believe that someone is trying to play us against each other. What are you proposing?
OPERATIONS: Mutual truce for forty-eight hours.
DIRECTOR: That's not going to happen.
OPERATIONS: Consider it. We both sustained significant losses. If we pool our resources together, we might be able to expedite the enemy’s termination.
DIRECTOR: And if we don't?
OPERATIONS: Further causalities on either side could result in global impact.
DIRECTOR: If I were to agree to a moratorium on Red Cell activities what guarantee would I have that you'd do the same?
OPERATIONS: We can exchange key operatives to ensure the truce.
DIRECTOR: You already have one of my people.
OPERATIONS: You mean Starnes? He's dead. Besides, I want someone a little further up the food chain, a key operative that isn't expendable. One of ours for one of yours.
BRIEFING AREA
All are standing. Nikita, Michael, and Madeline stand around the table. Quinn is seated. Operations paces on the far side.
OPERATIONS: The Director has agreed to the truce. To secure it we'll exchange an upper level team member. Quinn? (Quinn activates the hologram showing various shots of an attractive young woman with dark hair and eyes) Satin Tate. An expert profiler graduated Georgetown University at sixteen. She applied to the CIA and was hired due to her exemplary academic record. At nineteen, she became a free agent the joined Red Cell a year later. In less than three years, she worked her way to second in command. She'll be with us for forty-eight hours.
NIKITA: You want us to work with the enemy?
OPERATIONS: Satin is going to lend us her expertise and assist in finding who is responsible for the attack.
MICHAEL: Who will we be sending in exchange?
Madeline steps forward.
MADELINE: I'll get ready.
Operations nods at her; she leaves.
SPORTS STADIUM
A limousine approaches the center of the grassy field, while three black vehicles approach from the opposite direction. Madeline, dressed in a long jacket and a scarf wrapped around her head, takes last minute direction from Operations through a hand-held panel.
OPERATIONS: Play by their rules but remember your secondary objective; get as much intel as possible and locate a window for transmitting.
MADELINE: Transmitting could jeopardize the truce.
OPERATIONS: That's not your concern. Just send everything you find to Quinn, but remember whatever you find out I want to know first.
All the various transports stop, warily far away from each other. A young woman emerges from the limousine, while Madeline climbs from her vehicle. They both have escorts as they draw close. At some (pre-determined?) point, their guardians’ stop, and only the women continue, each sizing up the other as she walks past. Madeline goes into the care of Red Cell, while Satin accepts Section’s presence. With hood and blindfold, both women are blinded before they are seated in the enemy’s transport. The entire fleet of cars and trucks turn and scatter in opposite directions.
RED CELL HEADQUARTERS
The Director walks with Madeline down some stairs.
DIRECTOR: Not what you expected is it?
MADELINE: It seems adequate.
DIRECTOR: Section One's exposure of our main base and the capture of the Cardinal were significant setbacks but we're rebuilding. What we lack in resources we more than make up with our tenacity.
As they traverse the area, Madeline looks around carefully.
MADELINE: You've always been a formidable adversary.
They stop at an area just outside of the central command area, where a workstation has been set up.
DIRECTOR: We've downloaded the necessary data on the substations that were hit. This will be your workstation. Please. (Madeline sits) If there's anything I can get you…?
MADELINE: A glass of water, please.
The Director ducks his head and goes to fetch the water.
SECTION: SYSTEMS
Satin works on a computer in the midst of her enemy. She has almost almond shaped, rich brown eyes and thick sable hair. She watches Michael surreptitiously as she toils. He approaches her.
SATIN: Our shared intel shows there is a definite pattern to the attacks. The methodology was identical. This task was simple comparative. Any rookie could have done it. That's not the case with the profile you requested. I'll need security clearance to access data like that.
MICHAEL: That's not possible.
SATIN: How do you expect me to do my job?
MICHAEL: Quinn will run the data for you.
From across the way, Walter watches Satin work. Nikita walks up and lingers by Walter, noticing his horrified fascination.
NIKITA: And what did you expect? Horns and cloven hooves?
WALTER: That's exactly what I see. All wrapped up in a pretty little package. We're going to have to keep our eye on her.
NIKITA: Not under this roof. Her hands are tied.
WALTER: Don't believe that for a second, sugar. Adrian once said, poison one flower and eventually the whole garden dies.
Walter leaves. Nikita lingers, watching Satin. Satin stands up and approaches Michael. She places her hand on his shoulder.
SATIN: Truce, remember? We're supposed to be helping each other.
MICHAEL: (looks down at her) I expect your report in three hours.
SATIN: You'll have it in two.
Satin returns to her task, and resumes her vain attempt to access secured data.
COMM
QUINN: You layered a command code without a security seal?
COMM TECH: Sorry.
QUINN: (berating) “Sorry”? Look… look why don't you go to see Bandanna-boy and ask him to issue you a brain. Then go back to your little data-crunching cubicle and drop in a security seal. Now go!!!
Quinn sends the operative away, and almost immediately runs into Jason.
JASON: Hi.
QUINN: Back up. You're messing with my Feng Shui.
JASON: You must be Quinn.
QUINN: And you are…?
She sits and then slides towards another terminal.
JASON: I am your new second. Madeline's orders. I’m to observe and lend a hand when needed. My name is Jason.
He puts out a hand to shake Quinn’s. She takes it and pumps it quickly before releasing it and turning back to her work.
QUINN: So you're the twin?
She settles at a computer.
JASON: Yeah. Well not everything is the same. Maybe you should take a test drive and see for yourself?
Quinn turns and looks at Jason, sizing him up from the feet, skeptically drawing her eye upwards until she meets his gaze…and he winks at her.
QUINN: (turns away) I'll pass.
JASON: (nonplussed) That's cool. There's plenty of time, darlin’. I’m sure you'll change your mind.
He leans over her shoulder familiarly.
MICHAEL’S OFFICE
SATIN: The report.
She hands it to him, then stares boldly at him.
SATIN: You're much better looking in person.
MICHAEL: (glances up) You can go now.
SATIN: (ignores him) Older yes. Your face filled in with so much character. I'm not surprised considering things you must have gone through since being here.
MICHAEL: What is your point?
She takes a wrinkled and much folded piece of paper from an inner pocket of her suit coat, near her heart. She opens it and places it on Michael’s desk. Taken years ago, the photocopy shows a much younger Michael, with long hair and the scruff of unshaven days.
SATIN: I've carried this for years. You were my inspiration Michael Samuelle. A fighter; total dedication and passion for your cause. You fought with sticks and stones yet managed to make them see things your way.
Until this point, Michael looks at Satin. Now he turns away.
SATIN: Where is this man? What happened to him? You once believed in something you thought was worth fighting for. How long are you going to let them use you?
MICHAEL: (looks at her once more) There's a meeting in Systems in twenty minutes.
Satin pushes the picture closer to him before she leaves. Michael looks at the crumpled picture. The image evokes memories of his compatriot Rene Dion, how he mocked Michael’s choices -- and how he died. In his mind’s eye, he sees the last moments they shared.
Is it you? asked Rene.
It is, Michael answered.
You once said a person defines themselves by what they are willing to die for. I will die for a belief. And you will die because you have none.
Rene is pointing a gun at Michael, Michael closes his eyes, waiting for the shot to end his life – Rene grunts and falls to the floor. Nikita stands behind Michael; she has shot Rene.
SYSTEMS
OPERATIONS: What have we got?
SATIN: Well, there are several possibilities. We're still looking for a definitive.
OPERATIONS: (angry) Don’t be evasive. You're here to assist in a search. Take a position and tell me what you think.
SATIN: Well, after reviewing all the hard data I believe that a random must have attacked the substations.
NIKITA: Is that possible?
SATIN: Think about it. Red Cell and Section One are both protected to a degree from each other…but not from a guy with a grenade and a cause.
MICHAEL: I don't accept that.
SATIN: (walks up to him) ‘Cause you think I’m wrong or because you didn't think of it first?
As Satin speaks she walks closer to Michael until they’re nearly face-to-face. They stare at each other as Operations gives his orders.
OPERATIONS: Quinn, transmit Satin's analysis to Red Cell and see if they've come to a similar conclusion. In the meantime, I want the rest of you running profiles of possible freelance candidates. That's all.
The people disperse.
SATIN: Michael wait. (he stops) Why is it so difficult for you to accept my theory? For once, we're fighting for the same goal.
MICHAEL: I know.
SATIN: Think about it; you used to be a random yourself. You even once believed that one man could make a difference. You were special Michael. This place has changed you.
Nikita watches the exchange thoughtfully from behind a display.
RED CELL HEADQUARTERS
Madeline works at her remote station, typing. She carefully extracts a radial bit of metal, smaller than a dime, from under a fingernail. She casually drops it into her glass of water, and begins speaking.
MADELINE: I've narrowed a possible location on the random. Tell Quinn to focus on the northeast quadrant.
OPERATIONS: Good. And the Director?
MADELINE: As you requested he knows nothing.
OPERATIONS: Keep it that way.
MADELINE: For how long?
OPERATIONS: At least twelve hours. Whatever it takes, stall him. I don't want him finding this person before I do.
SECTION
Nikita walks into Michael's empty office. She approaches the desk and picks up the old photocopy picture of Michael. Michael shows up in the flesh moments later. Nikita sets the photo down.
NIKITA: There's a briefing in ten minutes.
MICHAEL: I'll get Satin.
NIKITA: Operations wants her excluded. I'm supposed to keep her busy running a sim on Level Four.
Nikita leaves and Michael picks up the picture off his desk, folding it carefully.
SYSTEMS
Satin works hard to break into Section’s secured databases but has no success. She approaches Michael.
SATIN: I assume our deal still holds? Sure I'm not being kept out of the loop? Your briefing had nothing to do with our current status?
MICHAEL: No.
SATIN: (she moves closer) Okay, how long are you going to play this out? There's no secret that there's tension between you and Section One.
She places a hand on his chest, and as she talks, slides it up to his shoulder.
SATIN: Everyone's expendable Michael -- even you. You know how they work; you won't even see it coming.
Taking her hand from his shoulder, Satin uses it to turn Michael’s face towards hers as she continues, running a hand along his chin before she returns it to his shoulder.
SATIN: Don't you remember what it's like to fight with friends? People you can trust? It's time for you to make a choice.
He turns towards her, and there is a long pause before he speaks.
MICHAEL: I have to go.
SYSTEMS
Quinn sits at a workstation, surrounded by Michael and other operatives as Operation paces nearby.
QUINN: I've locked on the co-ordinates that Madeline sent regarding the random and located the nucleus of their headquarters.
OPERATIONS: How big is their operation?
QUINN: Small.
MICHAEL: How small?
QUINN: I haven't had any luck using thermal to scan for a concise head count.
OPERATIONS: They may be mobile.
QUINN: Nothing I've seen indicates that.
OPERATIONS: Our time is critical. We'll proceed without total data. We don't have any other choice but to go in blind. There are only hours left for this truce. I expect your team ready within the hour.
MISSION
It’s night. Michael and the other operatives run down a corridor. The scene flicks from Quinn in Comm and Michael in the field.
MICHAEL: First team is mobile.
QUINN: Okay, Michael: we've got movement on site. Top floor.
The team scours the building, searching for hostiles, working their way up. They enter a room filled with racks of computers, monitors and controllers. The Section operatives move stealthily, and can hear the low murmur of voices deeper in. Tucked in a back room, a man sits in front of his computer. Large, baby-faced and bespeckled, he is absorbed in the movement on his monitor.
HOLLAND: I move this way; I am so getting ahead of you. This is so easy.
He turns, mildly surprised but not alarmed by the presence of several black-clad operatives.
HOLLAND: But, I'm still three substations ahead of you. But I guess it's your move.
Cut to van access. In Systems, Quinn and Operations watch via monitor as operatives bring in Holland.
OPERATIONS: He thought he was playing a game?
QUINN: A war game.
OPERATIONS: How could he get into our system without detection?
QUINN: (sits at a computer) The guy is a genius. Right off the charts.
OPERATIONS: It's never been done.
QUINN: That's because we've never encountered a guy like this. Best of hacking all leave traces. He circumvented all security by loading an R45 footprint.
OPERATIONS: So once he had access to our mainframe, he had total control.
QUINN: Exactly. He disabled the defense system, then detonated the self-destruct. Even rigged it to look as if the players were attacking each other.
OPERATIONS: That would explain how you got a partial trace to Red Cell.
QUINN: Right. Like I said the guys' a genius. (she stands)
OPERATIONS: This R45 footprint…can we use that to access Red Cell?
QUINN: If we wanted to break the truce. The R45 footprint would set permanent damage into motion.
WHITE ROOM
The ‘Torture Twins’ work their arcane art on Holland. Holland blubbers, melted with fear as the male aims a pen-like device at his eyeball and spindly wire arms pop out, ready to latch onto the vulnerable globe.
Operations enters, watches for a moment, then speaks.
OPERATIONS: Wait.
They stop, awaiting further instructions.
OPERATIONS: You can go now.
The two pain merchants pack up. Before they leave the room, one returns Holland’s glasses to his face at a sideways slant before leaving.
HOLLAND: (sniveling) I'm sorry. Whatever I’ve done…!
OPERATIONS: That doesn't matter.
HOLLAND: I wouldn’t have…
OPERATIONS: I'm willing to wipe the slate clean. Give you a fresh new start. And all I ask in return is your cooperation.
HOLLAND: Sure, fine, that sounds like a plan.
OPERATIONS: (smiling) You've made the right choice Mr. Holland.
HOLLAND: What do you want me to do?
OPERATIONS: I want you to pretend this is still a game and help us wipe out the other side.
HOLLAND: Okay.
OPERATIONS: (laughs) Good.
RED CELL HEADQUARTERS
Madeline sits at her workstation, the glass of water still by her side.
MADELINE: (through her covert transmitter) Any news on the random?
OPERATIONS: Not yet.
MADELINE: I would have thought Quinn could have narrowed it down by now.
OPERATIONS: Apparently it is more challenging than you anticipated. I'll keep you posted.
MADELINE: I'll look forward to the results.
OPERATIONS: You'll be the first to see them.
COMM
JASON: I have Madeline on B channel.
QUINN: Madeline?
We see Madeline at Red Cell headquarters. She has managed to get a signal through to Section. The scene flips between both parties.
MADELINE: I have a short window.
QUINN: I'll get Operations.
MADELINE: No. There's no time. I just want to know…has the random given you any useful information?
QUINN: So far he's admitted to the hits and setting off the self-destruct.
MADELINE: Anything else?
QUINN: Just that he thought he was playing a war game.
MADELINE: How did he gain access?
QUINN: He said he used an R45 footprint.
MADELINE: Have you located it?
QUINN: Not yet.
MADELINE: Just one more thing Quinn, I'd like to see the most recent data.
QUINN: (hesitates slightly) That's been frozen.
MADELINE: On whose authority?
QUINN: Operations.
MADELINE: He doesn't want me to see it?
QUINN: (clearly, she’s run out of stalling tactics) Madeline, I have a cipher channel coming in. I have to go.
With a jab, she terminates the connection.
JASON: You lied to her. There's no cipher channel coming in.
QUINN: And your point is?
JASON: It's obvious something is going on.
QUINN: Yes. Operations is using Holland to destroy Red Cell.
JASON: Madeline's going to get caught in the cross-fire.
QUINN: I have a feeling she won't be missed.
JASON: And if she survives? She'll go to war with Operations. Trust me darlin', I've seen this kind of boardroom backstabbing first hand -- and it gets messy. This place will be looking at some major corporate restructuring. You and I will be forced to choose sides.
QUINN: No, that won't happen. Madeline is as good as dead. She's in the dark, junior. Operations isn't telling her anything.
She pauses. Jason leans forward towards Quinn.
QUINN: Get back to work.
SYSTEMS
Satin works, still vainly attempting access of forbidden files. Nikita watches from the throughway as Michael approaches Satin and casually taps out a combination on her keyboard. The screen clears: access is granted.
MICHAEL: (quietly) For Rene.
SATIN: Thank you Michael.
As he retreats, he passes Nikita. She stops him.
NIKITA: What did you just do?
They lock gazes for several beats, and Nikita’s expression alters from accusation to realization.
RED CELL HEADQUARTERS
OPERATIVE: Sir, we just received this from Satin. (he holds a disk)
DIRECTOR: (indicates Madeline) Escort her to her quarters. (once she leaves) Let's see what we've got. (the data loads, the Director leans forward, delighted) That's Section One's directory.
OPERATIVE: Sir, there's more.
DIRECTOR: Well, put it up.
OPERATIVE: It looks like we may have the co-ordinates for Section One.
DIRECTOR: (eager) Give it to me.
OPERATIVE: They're encrypted, sir. I'll start the decoding process.
SECTION ONE
OPERATIONS: Quinn, I need you to trace a cyber plant.
QUINN: Urgence?
MICHAEL: A communiqué between Section and Red Cell.
QUINN: I'll get right on it. (she turns on her heel to leave)
MICHAEL: No. Do it here.
OPERATIONS: This is eyes-only.
Quinn nods and positions herself at the console, ready to work.
RED CELL
DIRECTOR: With Section One's directory and co-ordinates, we could wipe them off the face of the earth. How long until we have the exact co-ordinates? (pause) How long?
OPERATIVE: Twenty minutes.
SECTION
QUINN: They're running a program she sent them.
OPERATIONS: Good. There was a self-destruct signal laid into the text. Satin believed Michael was helping her. She'll be responsible for destroying Red Cell. I want you to activate it.
RED CELL HEADQUARTERS
An anonymous Red Cell operative swipes a locked door with his key-card and passes through. As he clears the doorway, a blur of motion strikes him on the neck, stunning him. He tries to rise, but a vicious swing of leg puts him down again; he doesn’t rise. Madeline, his attacker, takes the key-card and moves quickly away, down the hall to another locked door door.
Meanwhile, in Section, Michael and Operations bear mute witness, Quinn enters the final keystroke, activating Red Cell’s self-destruct mechanism.
In Red Cell’s heart, klaxons and alarms blare. A monitor shows the self-destruct device is now active.
DIRECTOR: What's going on?
OPERATIVE: Self-destruct mechanism has been activated.
DIRECTOR: Well, over ride it. Quickly!
OPERATIVE: I am locked out of the system.
While the furor of panic boils in Red Cell, Madeline worms her way out. She finds herself at a door, and takes the time to look back.
OPERATIVE: (hopelessly) There is nothing I can do.
The operative and Director share their last moments, filled with the horror of helplessness, and then the room explodes in a sudden conflagration of flames and energy.
SECTION ONE: MICHAEL’S OFFICE
NIKITA: Is Madeline dead?
MICHAEL: There were no survivors.
NIKITA: (turns away) I don’t know how I feel.
MICHAEL: We destroyed Red Cell's base of operations.
NIKITA: I know what the trade off was. I can't help but wonder whether it was worth sacrificing one of our own.
SYSTEMS
OPERATIONS: Working with the enemy has had some residual effects on morale. Can you handle it?
MICHAEL: Of course.
OPERATIONS: All things considered, the operation went well.
MICHAEL: I've instructed Quinn to revamp our system security.
Two operatives escort Satin away, passing Michael and Operations. They pause.
SATIN: (hatefully) You deceived me.
MICHAEL: I did what I believed in.
Satin is taken away. Michael leaves. Operations pauses, standing on the floor of Section’s own secret heart. Footsteps resound from a hallway, and he slowly turns. Madeline returns to Section, carrying her long gloves in one hand, slightly disheveled but unbowed and ready. Operations smiles as she strides up, her face unyielding and almost angry.
OPERATIONS: Congratulations.
MADELINE: (breaks out into a smile) Thank you.
She walks on. Operations turns and watches her go.
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