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320. Playing With Fire
Written by Peter Lenkov
Transcribed by Christine
VAN ACCESS/HALLWAY
Michael leads a team of Section medical personnel, who wheel a gurney from Van Access into the hallway. A seriously injured man lies atop the gurney; the medics tend to him busily.
MEDIC#1: He’s going into shock. Stabilize. Push. Get him into one. Let’s go, let’s go, let go! Let’s move!
They continue to wheel him away. Operations approaches purposefully, stopping before Michael at the Van Access door.
OPERATIONS: His condition?
MICHAEL: Barely alive.
OPERATIONS: This man cannot die.
MICHAEL: Of course.
Michael moves down the hall in the direction the medics took; Operations heads the opposite way.
MEDICAL
The medics are working frantically to save the man. There is a lot of blood.
MEDIC#1: We better stabilize him quickly.
MEDIC#2: Pressure? Pressure?
MEDIC#2: Coming up.
MEDIC#1: Blood pressure’s dropping, 30/50. Watch the head. Watch it.
They continue working the man, sopping up the blood and trying to stabilize him.
MADELINE'S OFFICE
Madeline sits at her desk, typing at her computer.
FEMALE: (via intercom) Madeline?
MADELINE: Yes?
FEMALE: The target has been preserved.
MADELINE: I’m on my way.
She rises and leaves her office.
MEDICAL
Madeline enters Medical and takes a stand beside the bedside. The medics have saved the man; he is awake and coherent. He is hooked up to a life support machine, being fed oxygen through a mask. Madeline takes it off his face, as his eyes watch her carefully.
MADELINE: Mr. Terik. We almost lost you.
TERIK: Where am I?
MADELINE: Section One.
TERIK: Section One?
His voice indicates that he knows he is in enemy hands.
TERIK: Why am I alive?
MADELINE: We saved your life, and now I would like something in return. The group you belong to, Crimson Storm; we’d like to know where their base camp is.
TERIK: Antakya.
MADELINE: Thank you.
She reaches across him and pushes the Stand-by Button on the life support machine. He keeps his eyes on her, then momentarily begins to choke as the air is shut off. The machine flatlines. Madeline calmly walks away.
NIKITA’S APARTMENT
Nikita stands at her counter making tea. A knock sounds at her door. She takes her teacup and looks in the security monitor beside her door. She sees Mick, who is waving at her and blowing kisses.
NIKITA: You just never quit.
She opens the door.
NIKITA: Yes, Mick?
MICK: Picture this. Venice, it’s five in the morning, and I’m just walking back to my hotel, from where, you don’t need to know, and I see this in the window.
He holds up a silver pin with an unusual design.
MICK: And I said to myself “Nikita”. Here, it’s fun. I mean, look at it. It’s nice.
NIKITA: I can’t take gifts from you, Mick.
She starts to close the door on him.
MICK: Pity. Still, I do need a favor.
He pushes into the apartment. Nikita remains by the door, leaning against the wall. Mick goes and leans against the counter.
NIKITA: What would that be?
MICK: Me mum. She’s coming to town next week for a quick visit.
NIKITA: What’s the favor?
He can’t even look at her as he speaks.
MICK: Well, she has a certain, uh… how could I say… impression of who I am.
NIKITA: What does she think you do?
MICK: She thinks I’m a dentist.
He glances over at her to gauge her reaction.
NIKITA: A dentist?
MICK: An oral surgeon, actually.
NIKITA: Who’s married to…
MICK: Ohhhh, a gorgeous, leggy, blue-eyed, blonde chippie. That would be you.
NIKITA: No way, Mick. No. I can’t do it.
MICK: Oh, come on! One night, dinner, I’ll cook. She’s old.
Nikita opens the door, indicating he should leave.
MICK: I might never see her again. It would mean the world to her.
Nikita rolls her eyes.
NIKITA: If I say yes, will you leave?
Mick knows she has just caved in. He shakes his two fists in victory.
MICK: Yes!
He starts heading to the door.
MICK: And could you take that one down. (Points to a picture on the wall) Cause it’s a bit much, isn’t it? And, mum’s a bit conservative when it comes to art.
NIKITA: Mick, don’t push.
She hurries him out and closes the door.
MAIN AREA
Nikita strides into the main area, and is intercepted by Michael. She glances at him, but keeps on walking, as does he. They speak coolly as they pass by each other.
NIKITA: I hear it went well in Monrovia.
MICHAEL: We got what we wanted.
NIKITA: Congratulations.
They never break stride and continue on their original paths.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
Operations and Madeline stand before the large window looking down into the main area. They have just witnessed the cool exchange between Michael and Nikita.
MADELINE: It looks like the directive is holding.
OPERATIONS: Michael and Nikita seem to have made a clean break.
MADELINE: Unless they’re putting on a show for us.
OPERATIONS: What are their levels?
MADELINE: Nikita is 98%. Michael is essentially 100%. As good as ever.
OPERATIONS: We’ll see.
He leans over the table to peer down into the Main Area, as he and Madeline watch Michael below.
CONFERENCE TABLE
Operations clicks his remote, and activates the holo-screen. At the table are Michael, Nikita, Birkoff, Walter, and two other operatives.
OPERATIONS: Yesterday, Gunter Terik provided us with a location of his primary base camp. Birkoff.
BIRKOFF: It’s heavily fortified. Wetwear is triple digits. Shadow approach is the best way in.
OPERATIONS: Make no mistake, Crimson Storm is a paramilitary liberation cell, but their kamikaze behavior makes them unpredictable. They hit hard and fast. Their message of freedom is delivered in bold public displays. They consider their fight more noble than political, which makes them a Class “A” threat. We’re estimating a high degree of resistance. 20% casualty rate.
MICHAEL: What about their arsenal?
OPERATIONS: All we need are the detonation chips. Nikita will be handling retrieval. Operatives all are on standby.
He click off the screen, then walks off. The operatives stand and disperse.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
Operations is standing, viewing one of his wall monitors, when Madeline enters.
OPERATIONS: I’ve given some more thought about our earlier conversation.
MADELINE: About Michael and Nikita?
OPERATIONS: I suggest planting an observer.
MADELINE: Already done.
OPERATIONS: Who?
MAIN AREA
One of Michael’s team operatives, Snow, walks through the Main Area en route to prepare for the mission. Davenport sees him.
DAVENPORT: Snow!
Snow stops and glances back.
DAVENPORT: You’re on the bench for this one.
Snow immediately turns to confirm with Michael, who has overhead Davenport and approaches.
MICHAEL: What are you doing?
DAVENPORT: Snow’s out; I’m in.
MICHAEL: Under whose authority?
DAVENPORT: Operations.
Michael looks at Snow, indicating that he is not on the mission, and Davenport is taking his place. Snow walks off. Michael and Davenport head out.
MUNITIONS
Walter is handing out equipment to the operatives. Nikita picks up her gun, then reaches for her panel. Walter reaches out and grabs her wrist.
WALTER: No, not that one. This is yours.
He hands her a different panel.
NIKITA: Thanks.
WALTER: It’s a pleasure.
Nikita turns and heads off.
WALTER: Take of yourself.
Hearing the oddity in his tone, Nikita turns back and gives him a strange look, then walks off again.
MADELINE'S OFFICE
Birkoff enters Madeline’s office and goes to stand before her desk, where she sits.
BIRKOFF: You wanted to see me?
MADELINE: When Michael’s team returns, I want you to sweep their panels.
BIRKOFF: Why?
MADELINE: That’s no concern of yours.
BIRKOFF: Uh, what am I looking for?
MADELINE: Anything under the wire. Most likely, it will be encrypted.
BIRKOFF: (makes the mental leap instantly) You’re looking for subcontact between operatives?
MADELINE: Exactly.
BIRKOFF: I’ll get on it as soon as they get back.
MADELINE: Good.
He exits; she stares after him.
MISSION
It is night out. Michael drives a Chevy Blazer, Nikita on the passenger side. In the back seat sit Davenport sitting behind Nikita, and three other operatives. Davenport has his eyes glued to Michael, watching him carefully, but Michael is concentrating on driving. Davenport then swings his gaze to Nikita, but she staring out her window quietly.
At the mission site is a large concrete building. Michael stands in the shadows directing his team.
MICHAEL: Nikita, move to your first position.
Nikita is on the roof of the building. She runs across it.
Flash to Section, where Birkoff is monitoring the mission.
BIRKOFF: First team is in the target zone.
MICHAEL: Okay, Nikita, go.
She climbs down a fire escape stairwell. Michael motions for the other operatives to go take their positions, and they run off. Davenport walks up and stands by Michael.
BIRKOFF: (at Section) Nikita, you’re clear. Move to your second position.
We see the inside of a large hangar, and several men working and guarding the perimeters. From overhead, Nikita drops down a rope almost right next to them, but they don’t notice her. She yanks down the rope and runs to a door. She enters, moving carefully forward and shooting two guards. She goes to a row of large computerized panels (they sorta look like large electrical panels). She keys in a code, but nothing happens.
NIKITA: Birkoff, they changed the entry code.
BIRKOFF: (at Section) Okay. Jack me in.
She does this, and we see Birkoff’s computer scrolling through access codes.
BIRKOFF: Try it now.
She keys in the code again, and it works. A drawer slides out, containing the detonation chips, which she begins loading into her bag.
NIKITA: Got it.
BIRKOFF: (at Section) Nikita has possession.
OPERATIONS: Evacuate and eliminate.
BIRKOFF: Okay, we’re out of here.
Suddenly he hears heavy gunfire.
BIRKOFF: Retrieval?
NIKITA: (voice) Birkoff, I’m surrounded. I need immediate egress.
BIRKOFF: Michael, Retrieval’s under fire.
Michael, followed by Davenport, immediately runs toward the building. He shoots guards down as he encounters them, and continues to the building. He enters with gun drawn, seeing the guards Nikita shot. He passes behind the large panels looking for Nikita. She is gone. Davenport enters.
DAVENPORT: Where’s Nikita?
Michael hands what looks like a Section panel to Davenport.
MICHAEL: They’ve got her. Retrieval’s gone grey.
Michael exits.
BIRKOFF: (at Section) We’ve got a hostage situation.
OPERATIONS: Tell Michael to proceed with a contingency plan. Davenport has flank. The rest of the team is on return.
Outside, Michael runs toward an approaching motorcycle and shoots the driver. The man falls off, but the motorcycle is still running and remains upright. Michael catches the handlebars as it passes by him and deftly swings up on it. Davenport has just caught up to him.
MICHAEL: We’ll stagger approach. Stay close.
Michael then rides off, leaving Davenport in a predicament since he’s supposed to be trailing Michael closely. Davenport runs for the Blazer, needing to catch up to Michael.
Michael rides swiftly down a dark, paved road. Davenport is now in the Blazer gaining on Michael.
MICHAEL: Birkoff, take us off follow-up.
BIRKOFF: (at Section) Michael wants to go dark.
OPERATIONS: Is that prudent?
BIRKOFF: Makes sense. The entire perimeter’s a hot zone, and Crimson Storm has satellite-tracking capabilities.
OPERATIONS: Drop him.
BIRKOFF: Dark approach granted.
Michael continues down the road, with Davenport in hot pursuit. They come to a roadblock of triangular concrete barriers across the width of the road. Michael’s motorcycle easily passes between the barriers. Davenport’s Blazer cannot fit. He has lost Michael.
DAVENPORT: Damn it!
Michael speeds on, entering a harbor area. A large boat, which looks awfully similar to the boat in Hard Landing, sits dockside. Michael kickstands the motorcycle and approaches the boat. He opens a door and enters. Nikita sits inside, waiting for him.
Michael moves to stand before her.
MICHAEL: We have one hour.
He caresses the side of her face; she gazes at him. He leans in and they begin kissing. She stands, but he takes her wrists and gently pushes her back down. She tries again to stand up, this time leaning forward to kiss him on the lips; still he pushes her back down by the shoulders. She looks at him a little confused. He slips her jacket off her shoulders, and takes her wrists in his hands again. She watches as he moves in to kiss her…
VAN ACCESS
Michael supports Nikita, who has her arm wrapped around his neck, as they head out of Van Access, where Operations is waiting for them.
OPERATIONS: What happened?
Michael and Nikita stop, though Michael continues to support her. Nikita is acting bizarre and looks like she’s been roughed up.
NIKITA: I…um, um… they grabbed me. Everything just went black… I …
She’s kinda hanging onto him, out of it, her hand lolling back.
MICHAEL: She was drugged.
OPERATIONS: Was she interrogated?
MICHAEL: No. I got there before they started.
OPERATIONS: How many?
MICHAEL: Three, but they had contingency.
OPERATIONS: They escaped?
MICHAEL: Birkoff’s tracing the location.
OPERATIONS: Okay.
Michael, supporting Nikita, moves off, Operations watches them with a suspicious look.
MEDICAL
Birkoff enters Medical. Nikita lies on an examining table, being ministered to by a medic. Birkoff stands at her side.
BIRKOFF: Nikita. Nikita?
He takes her hand in his. She opens her eyes and smiles. She still looks woozy.
NIKITA: Hey.
BIRKOFF: They didn’t hurt you, did they?
NIKITA: No. Didn’t get a chance to do any real damage.
BIRKOFF: Good. Could I get your panel?
This gets her attention.
NIKITA: Why?
BIRKOFF: I can’t say.
Stalling for time, and trying to come up with an excuse.
NIKITA: Well, I usually hand it in to Walter.
BIRKOFF: I know, but this is coming straight from Madeline.
He turns and sees the panel, but she keeps a hold of his hand so he can’t leave.
NIKITA: What’s she looking for, Birkoff?
He won’t answer. He turns and takes the panel out of her bag, then walks off.
NIKITA: Birkoff?
He glances back, but walks out of Medical. Nikita is worried. She sits up, frowning worriedly. Walter comes in to check up on her.
WALTER: Are you okay, sugar?
NIKITA: Oh, I’ll live. There’s a problem.
The medic is still tending to her. He tries to clean her face injuries, but she pushes him away.
NIKITA: That’s fine. Thanks.
The medic walks off.
WALTER: What is it?
NIKITA: Birkoff picked up my panel.
WALTER: What? But, I hadn’t sanitized it.
NIKITA: I know. You think he’ll find it.
WALTER: Are you kidding? Birkoff? He’ll find it all right. You just take it easy, okay?
She looks down sullenly and nods, as if to say, ‘Yeah, right’.
COMM/MUNITIONS
From Medical, Birkoff goes to his station and inserts Nikita’s panel into his drive. He begins typing and calling up the information.
BIRKOFF: (to himself) What is this? Whoa!
He looks over and sees Walter in Munitions, removes the panel, and heads over to him. Birkoff holds the panel up for Walter to see. Walter points at it.
WALTER: That’s what I’m looking for.
BIRKOFF: Madeline asked me to do a sweep for debrief.
WALTER: Any particular reason?
BIRKOFF: Mm-hmm. She’s looking for intercommunications between Section ops, anything under the wire. (accusing) What are you thinking?
WALTER: I was helping two friends.
BIRKOFF: Being a messenger for Nikita and Michael is not helping them. It’s digging their graves, and yours.
WALTER: (angry) You weren’t supposed to even see that panel!
BIRKOFF: But, I did. Now I have to turn it in.
WALTER: You can’t be serious.
BIRKOFF: If Madeline sent this down to Crypto-Analysis, they’d spot it in a second. I have to.
WALTER: When’s she expecting your report?
BIRKOFF: Three o’clock.
WALTER: Okay, give me ‘til then.
BIRKOFF: To do what?
WALTER: I don’t know. I’ll think of something. ( irritated) Look, we are talking about Michael and Nikita, remember?
BIRKOFF: And you. (he is plainly concerned for Walter's well-being in this mess)
WALTER: Oh, come on, Birkoff!
BIRKOFF: (insistent) No. I’m not going down with you guys.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
Michael enters the loft; Operations sits on the ledge.
OPERATIONS: I read your debrief. I see everything went according to contingency.
MICHAEL: Not everything.
OPERATIONS: Is there something you want to tell me?
MICHAEL: I’ve detected a second layer.
OPERATIONS: You think there’s another base camp?
MICHAEL: Yes.
OPERATIONS: Our intel says no.
MICHAEL: I’d like to take a small recon team into the field to be certain.
OPERATIONS: Who do you recommend?
MICHAEL: Sinclair; Mignola; Nikita.
OPERATIONS: I’ll consider it.
Michael exits.
OBSCURE HALL
Nikita is waiting in a hallway, when Michael approaches. She is clearly upset.
NIKITA: Have you spoken to Walter?
MICHAEL: Yes.
NIKITA: What are we going to do?
MICHAEL: Nothing.
NIKITA: And, if Birkoff tells Madeline?
MICHAEL: Deny everything.
NIKITA: Michael, we’re playing with fire.
Michael takes her hand and draws it to his lips, kissing it. She likes it, but is still afraid.
MICHAEL: I know.
He releases her hand, and she looks at him with uncertainty.
MUNITIONS
Walter is at his desk working on a device, when Birkoff approaches.
BIRKOFF: It’s three o’clock.
Walter looks up.
WALTER: Do what you’ve got to do.
They exchange a look. Walter is very unhappy with Birkoff. He looks down and returns to his work, dismissing Birkoff. Birkoff sees this and walks off. Walter looks up and watches Birkoff’s retreat. He glares at the young man’s back, clearly irritated that Birkoff will not cover for Michael and Nikita.
MADELINE’S OFFICE
Birkoff enters the office, panel in hand.
MADELINE: Find anything?
BIRKOFF: Yes.
MADELINE: What is it?
He places the panel on her desk. She picks it up.
BIRKOFF: It’s a communiqué between Nikita and Michael.
MADELINE: What does it say?
BIRKOFF: Off profile information.
MADELINE: Personal?
BIRKOFF: Yes. It details a rendezvous point and time.
MADELINE: Was this the Antakya mission?
BIRKOFF: Yes.
MADELINE: Who planted it?
BIRKOFF: A third party.
He doesn’t want to name the party, but Madeline gives him a look that says he’d better tell her.
BIRKOFF: Walter.
MADELINE: Thank you, Birkoff. You can leave now.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
Madeline enters the loft, the panel in hand.
MADELINE: Michael and Nikita are having outside contact.
OPERATIONS: How?
She hands him the panel. He looks at it.
MADELINE: They’ve been able to avoid surveillance by invoking dark approach.
OPERATIONS: Who’s the facilitator?
MADELINE: Walter.
OPERATIONS: Take care of it.
He hands the panel back to her, and she leaves.
MUNITIONS:
Walter is working in his area. The intercom sounds.
MADELINE: Walter? I would like to see you in my office.
He turns toward the sound of the intercom, and looks worried. He sighs heavily.
WALTER: I’ll be right there.
While Walter is in Madeline’s office, Birkoff enters the Munitions Inventory Room looking for him.
BIRKOFF: Walter? Walter, are you here?
He glances about, but doesn’t see Walter. A shadow approaches from behind, then a hand touches Birkoff’s shoulder. Startled, Birkoff turns around. It is Operations.
OPERATIONS: Madeline told me about your discovery. We’re both pleased you made the right decision.
BIRKOFF: Is Walter going to die?
OPERATIONS: (smiles) Not if he cooperates. Walter’s a friend. I understand. Friendship is inevitable under these conditions. It’s something we tolerate… to an extent.
BIRKOFF: I don’t see how a relationship between two operatives can be dangerous.
OPERATIONS: (impatiently) It’s not just two operatives, is it? Walter facilitates the liaisons. There’s no telling how many other operatives Michael and Nikita used to conceal their relationship.
He turns from Birkoff as if he intends to leave. Birkoff stands there, looking worried, then Operations looks back at him.
OPERATIONS: My mother was ill most of the time I knew her. She hardly left the house except for doctor’s appointments and spending time with her flowers. She found solace in her gardening. One day her favorite plant got sick and started to affect all the other plants. In no time, the entire garden was dying.
BIRKOFF: What did she do?
OPERATIONS: She went to the source. She found some of the roots were decaying, so she plucked the dead ones. Didn’t take long for the garden to start growing again.
He watches Birkoff a moment.
OPERATIONS: Stop by Data. There’s a problem with a delta file.
BIRKOFF: Sure.
Birkoff moves out of Munitions with a slumping gait; Operations remains.
MADELINE’S OFFICE
Madeline sits at her desk with her arms crossed before her. Walter paces. He is unrepentant for helping Michael and Nikita.
MADELINE: Did you really think you could get away with this?
WALTER: (smiling) It doesn’t matter. It’s what they wanted. It’s called living.
MADELINE: Living.
WALTER: Look it up. It’s in the dictionary.
MADELINE: Walter, you’re a sixty year-old teenager.
Walter smiles and leans forward, as if bowing at a compliment.
MADELINE: By helping them, you’re only jeopardizing their future.
This riles him up. He had been looking at her plants, but now he turns to her and takes a seat before her. He is challenging.
WALTER: And what future might that be?
MADELINE: We have bigger plans for Michael and Nikita.
WALTER: All they wanted was to be together. That’s all.
MADELINE: You and I aren’t privy to what goes on when they’re together, are we?
Walter seems to contemplate this for a moment. He can’t do anything to help them now.
WALTER: What are you going to do to me?
MADELINE: Depends on your level of cooperation.
WALTER: What do you want to know?
MADELINE: Everything.
Leaving Madeline’s office, Walter later moves across the Main Area of Section. Birkoff watches from Comm and sees that Walter seems to shuffle along, seemingly preoccupied and sad. Birkoff’s expression is concerned.
OBSCURE HALL
Michael and Nikita stand facing each other, each one’s back to a wall. Nikita is becoming more and more worried about their situation, and is stressed out.
NIKITA: Walter’s gone?
MICHAEL: He took some downtime.
NIKITA: Is that what they told you, or are you sure?
Michael walks up to her. She won’t look at him.
MICHAEL: Where’s Birkoff?
NIKITA: Operations has him troubleshooting in Data.
MICHAEL: Walter won’t talk.
NIKITA: We should never have brought him into this.
MICHAEL: He offered to help.
NIKITA: I don’t know what I’ll do if they hurt him.
She is upset. Michael takes a step closer and reaches out to caress her shoulder. He wants to comfort her.
MICHAEL: Go home, Nikita. You’re supposed to be on downtime. I’ll see what I can find out.
She immediately walks off. He stares after her.
NIKITA'S APARTMENT
Mick is adding special touches to Nikita’s apartment in preparation for his mother’s visit. Nikita sits on the landing to her bedroom, drinking a glass of wine. She is preoccupied with her Section troubles. Mick is talking to her, trying to synchronize their stories for when his mother meets Nikita.
MICK: All right, where did I go to dental school?
NIKITA: Oh, I give up. Where’d you go?
MICK: You’re not listening. Bristol College. Pay attention! This is not a game.
NIKITA: I’m listening.
MICK: If mum suspects the slightest dissemblence, even for an instant…
NIKITA: I’m listening.
He stands at her counter putting fresh flowers in a vase.
MICK: …well, I won’t get my inheritance, will I?
NIKITA: Oh… so, that’s what this is really about.
MICK: No, absolutely not. I want her to know that she’s produced at least one worthwhile member of society.
NIKITA: (sarcastic) I didn’t know you had a brother, Mick.
MICK: Don’t go there, all right? Bristol College.
He picks up a blue throw pillow and smacks it as if to get the dust out.
MICK: We met at the St. James Club. You come from a wealthy family of New Zealand sheepherders. If she asks for details, tell her that they were tragically killed in an avalanche. Whoosh.
NIKITA: (disbelief) Avalanche?
MICK: Yes, and…
He picks up the fresh flowers from the counter, then quickly moves to Nikita and takes the wineglass out her hand.
MICK: … you don’t drink.
Nikita stares at him a moment as if he’s lost his mind, then goes and lies on her bed. Mick sees she is not paying attention.
MICK: Oh, come on, Popsicle, stay with me. This is important. Mom arrives tomorrow.
He moves so he can see her on her bed and gestures his point earnestly. Nikita rolls to her stomach. She is stressed..
NIKITA: A lot can happen between today and tomorrow.
MICK: (confused) Such as?
NIKITA: Never you mind, Mick.
Mick walks up to the landing, and leans forward, ready to lend her an ear.
MICK: All right. Let’s have it. Come on, all of it.
Nikita looks over to him glumly.
NIKITA: I just don’t fit into Section One, and I think they finally figured that out.
MADELINE’S OFFICE
Operations enters the office, hands in his pockets. Madeline sits at her desk.
OPERATIONS: How did it go with Walter?
MADELINE: There was no resistance.
OPERATIONS: Did he tell you how he did it?
MADELINE: He’s been layering their panels with encryption.
OPERATIONS: Why do you think he helped them?
MADELINE: He thinks it’s harmless. It could be what they’re telling him.
OPERATIONS: Do you think they’re just using Walter? Making him think that it’s something to do with their relationship when it’s really about something else?
MADELINE: Maybe. Michael was comfortable running Section while you were at Center.
OPERATIONS: Will Walter cooperate with us?
MADELINE: Yes.
OPERATIONS: Good. Have him prepare their panels. We’ll send them back into the field.
MADELINE: I think that’s wise. We should find out exactly what they’re doing before determining a course of action.
As Operations exits the office, Madeline stares after him thoughtfully.
STAIRWELL
Leaving Madeline’s office, Operations walks down a hallway, moving to a flight of stairs which Michael is about to descend.
OPERATIONS: Michael.
Michael stops and turns to Operations, who begins walking down the stairs, Michael following.
OPERATIONS: I’ve approved your request for field recon.
MICHAEL: I’ll inform my team.
OPERATIONS: Isn’t necessary. This is intelligence gathering only. I was thinking a two-man team. It’ll reduce our exposure.
MICHAEL: Who else did you have in mind?
OPERATIONS: Nikita.
MICHAEL: She’ll work.
OPERATIONS: (smugly) I think so.
He walks off, while Michael pauses a moment to watch him with a mistrustful look, before moving off in the opposite direction.
MUNITIONS
Walter rolls up his inventory room gate and stows equipment on the shelf. Michael approaches.
MICHAEL: How was your downtime?
WALTER: It was very relaxing.
MICHAEL: Good.
WALTER: Word has it you’re going out?
MICHAEL: Recon.
WALTER: (nods) Nikita, too?
MICHAEL: Yes.
Michael hands Walter his panel. As Walter takes it, he glances past Michael to see who might be watching.
WALTER: It’ll be on your panel and Nikita’s.
MICHAEL: Thank you.
They regard each other, as if conveying something without speaking. Michael walks off.
SYSTEMS
Birkoff sits at a computer. Nikita and Michael stand on opposite sides of the desk facing each, with Operations standing at the end.
OPERATIONS: A secondary layer was detected during the Antakya mission. A substation manned by Crimson Storm’s head strategist, Viles Navaro.
He activates the holo-screen. We see images of a structure, then Navaro.
BIRKOFF: We’re going to need a broad sweep with a hard target search. Full air support is on standby, in case of a confirm.
OPERATIONS: Further details are on your panels. That’s all.
He moves off. Nikita turns and sits on the desk’s edge.
NIKITA: Birkoff…
OPERATIONS: Birkoff, come with me.
Birkoff looks at Nikita uncertainly a moment, then gets up and follows Operations. Nikita watches them, knowing Operations is deliberating keeping Birkoff away.
MUNITIONS
Nikita enters Munitions, dressed for her mission. At the worktable, Walter packs a case.
NIKITA: Hey.
She moves to a table where a case filed with mission panels sets, and pulls one out slightly.
NIKITA: So, which one’s mine?
Walter turns from his table and opens a built-in wall drawer, removing a panel.
WALTER: Here.
Nikita reaches for it, but does not quite take it from him. She senses something is wrong with him.
NIKITA: You all right?
WALTER: Yeah, fine.
He seems very edgy, and goes back to what he was doing. Nikita packs a bag with supplies, all the while watching him with puzzlement.
NIKITA: You want to talk about it?
WALTER: Nothing much to say, sugar. Just… take care of yourself, okay?
He doesn’t look at her, only glancing hesitantly to her once, then quickly back down. Nikita pauses. When she walks off, Walter looks up and sighs.
VAN ACCESS
Michael and Nikita approach Van Access side by side. Operations waits there. They go through the tunnel and into the elevator. When the door closes behind them, Operations nods for the second team led by Davenport to approach.
Davenport goes to Operations. They say nothing, waiting for the other operatives to file past them and into the access tunnel.
OPERATIONS: Walter gave us the rendezvous point. The location’s been prepped. Stay one layer out until we give you the signal.
DAVENPORT: Sir, Nikita and Michael will resist capture.
OPERATIONS: You’re cleared for extreme force.
DAVENPORT: I’m sorry, sir. I’ll need you to be more explicit.
OPERATIONS: They are not to escape. Kill them if necessary.
Davenport is distressed by the possible outcome and grimly moves to the access tunnel. Operations is unconcerned by his order.
MUNITIONS
Birkoff approaches Walter, who’s checking out a device.
BIRKOFF: (whispering) What do you know about this shadow team attached to recon?
WALTER: Operations is setting a trap for Michael and Nikita.
BIRKOFF: (earnestly) Walter, I’m sorry…
Suddenly Operations appears from behind.
OPERATIONS: Birkoff, what are you doing here!
BIRKOFF: Uh, I was just…
Quick on his feet, Walter grabs two panels lying on the table, and shoves them toward Birkoff.
WALTER: These are the two I want you to sweep, right here.
Birkoff takes them.
BIRKOFF: Thank you.
WALTER: Welcome.
OPERATIONS: I need you in Comm. Recon team’s about to hit their first mark.
BIRKOFF: Yes, sir.
Birkoff takes off. Walter and Operations nod at each other, both suspicious of the other.
RECON MISSION
We see Michael striding quickly through the darkened interior of what appears to be a large, abandoned warehouse or storage place. There are various items strewn all around.
BIRKOFF: First team, report.
MICHAEL: I’m detecting a kappa signal.
BIRKOFF: I’m not picking up anything.
Michael continues striding through the area quickly.
MICHAEL: It’ here. We have to disconnect.
BIRKOFF: (discouraging) I don’t think that’s a good idea, Michael.
MICHAEL: Just do it, Birkoff.
Flash to Section and Operations’ Loft
OPERATIONS: Do as he says. Take them off the board. We don’t want to take a chance on Navaro tunneling into the system.
Birkoff slides between two computers, types, and the monitor goes dark.
BIRKOFF: All right, First team, you’re on your own.
OPERATIONS: It’s just a matter of time.
Madeline walks up to his side.
MADELINE: It’s a pity it had to come to this.
Back to the Mission
Michael stands in the dark interior of the building, waiting. We see Nikita slowly approaching him. As she nears, we see several close-ups of Michael and Nikita’s faces, alternating from one to the other as they look at each other intensely.
Outside, Davenport and his team scurry in the high grass toward a large docked boat, and take their various marks. We see them watch the boat with binoculars. Obviously, this they think Michael and Nikita are inside.
Flash to Section
Operations and Madeline stand side by side, watching Comm below.
OPERATIONS: Proceed to your first mark, Team Two.
Operatives take positions closer to the boat, but they are on edge, not looking forward to their assignment.
Back at Section everyone is on edge. Operations can’t stay still, pacing his loft restlessly, Birkoff and Walter exchange nervous glances. Only Madeline remains rooted and calm.
In the field, Davenport checks his watch.
DAVENPORT: Sir? How long do you want us to wait?
Operations voice: As long as it takes!
Back in Section, Operation continues to pace.
BIRKOFF (via com): Sir?
OPERATIONS: What is it, Birkoff?
BIRKOFF (via com): First team has returned. They brought back Viles Navaro.
Operations freezes, looking pointedly from his window at Birkoff in Comm below.
OPERATIONS: What!
BIRKOFF: Michael was right. Navaro had a Kappa transmitter.
Operations and Madeline exchange discomfited looks. Operations blinks several times with disbelief.
Below, two operatives lead Navaro into the Main Area, followed by Michael and Nikita. As they stride below Operations’ Loft, Michael and Nikita break off, each going in opposite directions.
In Comm, Birkoff looks across the Main Area to Walter, with a relieved expression, mirrored by Walter. As Walter looks away from Birkoff, he skirts a baleful glance at Operations’ Loft, before retreating into his Munitions area.
NIKITA'S APARTMENT
Nikita’s Dining Room is alit with candles, the table dressed with dinnerware. Nikita sits on a chair, dressed conservatively in a pale pink dress, while Mick sits across the room in another chair. Mick is on the phone.
MICK: Yeah, yeah, I understand. But, you’re absolutely sure she was on that flight? And it landed at six? Yeah. Right. Yeah. Thanks.
NIKITA: Well?
MICK: I don’t know what could have happened to her. Maybe I should check the hospitals. I knew I should have gone to pick her up myself, I knew it.
His phone rings.
MICK: Hello? (Relieved) Mom! Hello, mom? Yeah, where are you? I thought they’d… Yeah, right. Yeah… yeah-yeah… yeah… Yeah, all right then. Yeah, thanks for calling.
He hangs up. Nikita looks to him. She is putting on an earring.
NIKITA: Well, where is she?
He doesn’t look at her, and looks so disappointed.
MICK: Um… she’s not going to be able to make it.
NIKITA: Why?
MICK: She ran into somebody at the airport.
NIKITA: Who?
MICK: Felix. He’s an old flame. He’s a bit of a cad, actually. Use to make her pay for her own dinners when they went out. She’s going to spend a couple of hours with him, instead of with me.
Nikita can see how disappointed he is.
NIKITA: Well… come on, Mick.
She stands up and goes to him. He stands.
NIKITA: Let’s have some dinner.
MICK: No. You know what, it’s fine. You go ahead. It’s cool.
NIKITA: Are you sure? It’s ready.
He looks at her all dressed up, willing to help him impress his mother.
MICK: You look really great, you know that?
He is fidgety, tapping his phone in his palm absently.
MICK: It’s a nice thing you were going to do for me.
She doesn’t say anything. There’s nothing to say. He is sad. He leaves for his own apartment. Nikita watches him go wistfully.
MUNITIONS
Birkoff walks into Munitions, going to the closed gate. Walter stands before some shelves on the other side of the gate.
BIRKOFF: Walter.
Walter glances over to him.
WALTER: Hmm?
BIRKOFF: I, uh…
WALTER: Hey.
He shakes his finger at Birkoff.
WALTER: Don’t sweat it. You didn’t have a choice.
BIRKOFF: I should have done something.
WALTER: What? And risk your neck? I don’t think so!
BIRKOFF: (chagrined) You did. For Nikita and Michael.
WALTER: Well, what can I say? I’m a sucker for seeing people happy.
He rolls up his gate and moves out to his worktable, taking a chair at the end.
BIRKOFF: So, how did they know about the trap?
WALTER: Well, there’s a few tricks I haven’t told you about. Now first, you take…
BIRKOFF: (interrupts) No, no. That’s okay. I don’t want to know.
Birkoff walks away quickly; Walter smiles broadly.
OPERATIONS’ LOFT
Michael stands in the Main Area below Operations’ Loft speaking with two operatives. Nikita approaches, walking closely past them, but Michael and Nikita give no indication that they’ve seen each other. Nikita keeps walking, Michael continues speaking with operatives a moment more, before moving in a direction opposite the way Nikita went.
We see that from the loft, Operations and Madeline were watching them.
OPERATIONS: I think we should proceed with our original plan.
MADELINE: It’s dangerous.
OPERATIONS: Then, proceed with caution.
He has a reckless gleam in his eye and walks off. Madeline remains at the window. Her shoulders lift then lower, and her lips purse slightly with a silent sigh.
The End
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