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210. First Mission
Written by: Peter Mohan & Jim Henshaw
Directed by: Guy Magar
Guest Cast: Janet Kidder, Diego Chambers, Peter Mensah, Neno Vojionovic
Transcribed by Jean
[Note: Transcript dialogue only until updated.]
SYSTEMS
OPERATIONS: We're stretched as thin as it is, George. Use the Agency. I know, but they'll have to do.
MALE OPERATIVE: The Premier's on line three.
OPERATIONS: George, I'll get back to you.
MALE OPERATIVE: White House on Line Two.
OPERATIONS: Yes sir.
BIRKOFF: Are you sure? Michael, Norwood says we've lost the entire South African team.
MICHAEL: I want a full report before midnight.
BIRKOFF: Full report, on Michael's desk: midnight.
OPERATIONS: We need a team leader for the Stark Operation.
MICHAEL: We're tapped out.
OPERATIONS: Dual request, highest levels. We'll reassign Kolcheck.
MICHAEL: We're still short.
OPERATIONS: Grecko, when he returns from South Africa.
MICHAEL: Grecko's not coming back.
OPERATIONS: Check contingency.
MICHAEL'S OFFICE
OPERATIONS: You'll be leading a mission. Assess, plan, prep, field command. It's three years ahead of the usual curve, but it can't be helped. You'll learn as you go. We'll give you what help we can, but in the end you'll be judged by the same standards as everyone else.
MICHAEL: You understand this is a level of responsibility beyond anything you've experienced before?
NIKITA: I can handle it.
OPERATIONS: It's no secret you tend to take your own approach to things. On some occasions it may even work. But this is not one of them! Do things by the book, they're for a reason. A man named Peter Stark has been buying spent fuel rods from reactors in Eastern Europe. We want to know his methods and sources, so take him alive. I need a mission profile by 7:00 tomorrow morning. Staffing, logistics, probabilities, contingencies.
NIKITA: You'll have it.
OPERATIONS: That's all.
MICHAEL: She has no idea what's she getting into. I'm not sure she's ready.
OPERATIONS: She'll have to be.
COMM
BIRKOFF: This is Stark's compound in the Ukraine. Cameras, motion detectors, pressure sensors built in the wall.
NIKITA: A direct assault may not be the answer. Check his movements over the next 48 hours.
MICHAEL: How are you holding up?
NIKITA: There's a lot to do.
MICHAEL: Need help?
NIKITA: No, thanks. I'll…I'll manage.
MICHAEL: Have you picked your team yet?
NIKITA: I was just about to. Taylor, Mentz, Vizcano. Wasn't that Vizcano you were just talking to a minute ago?
MICHAEL: Yes.
NIKITA: She assigned to your team?
MICHAEL: No, she's available.
NIKITA: Good. She's got experience; I'll take her.
BIRKOFF: I have a first cut at Stark's itinerary. I'll refine it later.
NIKITA: Great. Here, assemble the team. Um, have them meet me outside Systems in an hour.
BIRKOFF: Got it.
MICHAEL: Why?
NIKITA: Why what?
MICHAEL: Why assemble the team?
NIKITA: It'll give them a chance to meet, understand what is going on.
MICHAEL: That's a mistake. Tell them only what they need to know. Establish dominance.
NIKITA: In other words, treat them like animals.
MICHAEL: Animals with guns.
CORRIDOR
NIKITA: The plan hasn't been finalized, but we expect heavy action so arm accordingly. Briefing's in thirty minutes. Problem, Vizcano?
VIZCANO: The briefing's in thirty minutes, and the plan's not finalized?
NIKITA: The time frame's very tight. It can't be helped. The point is, if we all do our jobs, we can accomplish the mission and come back alive. But we must work together. Okay?
VIZCANO: That was beautiful. Excuse me while I go find a handkerchief.
OPERATIONS' OFFICE
OPERATIONS: Nikita's Mission plan?
MICHAEL: Yes, I thought you should see it before the briefing.
OPERATIONS: How's she doing?
MICHAEL: She doesn't take advice. It's risky promoting her early.
OPERATIONS: You were promoted early.
MICHAEL: That was different.
OPERATIONS: Yes, there aren't many like you. Vizcano's on the Team?
MICHAEL: That's right.
OPERATIONS: How much does Nikita know about her?
MICHAEL: Not much.
BRIEFING TABLE
OPERATIONS: Peter Stark. A minor player in the arms trade but with a rapidly increasing profile. He's moving a shipment from storage to a sale point. You'll intercept and acquire him alive.
VIZCANO: Ah, excuse me. We don't have a point of sale?
OPERATIONS: Not a precise one.
VIZCANO: Is that an intel failure?
OPERATIONS: Given the time constraints, no.
VIZCANO: Making an acquisition in transit is obviously a mistake.
NIKITA: You don't know what you're talking about.
OPERATIONS: Quiet, both of you! The mission is set. It will be carried out as profiled.
VAN ACCESS
MICHAEL: All set?
NIKITA: All set. Michael, did you happen to have a chance to look over the mission profile?
MICHAEL: Yes.
NIKITA: What did you think?
MICHAEL: It doesn't matter what I think.
NIKITA: We hit the target site in 75 minutes. You've all seen the topo maps. I need the Red Team ... Vizcano, pay attention. Vizcano! You'll cover the southern egress and then take out the driver. Mentz, Taylor, delay engage on command.
DESERTED ROAD
VIZCANO: Target's in sight.
NIKITA: Take out the driver.
VIZCANO: There's a second truck.
NIKITA: Proceed as planned.
VIZCANO: This is outside mission parameters, we should abort.
NIKITA: Take out the driver -- now.
VIZCANO: Target out of range.
NIKITA: Okay. Taylor and Mentz, it’s up to you. Go now. Birkoff, Target's heading east. We need fallbacks.
BIRKOFF: I'm on it.
OPERATIONS' OFFICE
OPERATIONS: The hostile force was eliminated, but the target escaped. Reason for the failure?
NIKITA: The assault was poorly coordinated.
OPERATIONS: Obviously. I'm asking why!
NIKITA: I take full responsibility. It won't happen again.
OPERATIONS: According to the mission tapes, Vizcano disobeyed a direct order.
NIKITA: She substituted her judgment for the mission profile.
OPERATIONS: Do you recommend abeyance?
NIKITA: No.
OPERATIONS: Why not?
NIKITA: Because I don't think an operative should be cancelled for one mistake.
OPERATIONS: If you’ve read her jacket you know it's not the first time. You say you take responsibility, but the truth is, you're avoiding it. A bad operative is worse than none.
NIKITA: It is possible that the profile was flawed. You questioned it yourself.
OPERATIONS: Once a profile is activated, there are no unauthorized deviations.
NIKITA: I won't order a cold-blooded murder.
OPERATIONS: Even if she'd be happy ordering yours?
NIKITA: That's right.
OPERATIONS: This is not a scout troop, Nikita. There are no merit badges for fair play.
NIKITA: Like I said, I'll take responsibility: whatever it is.
OPERATIONS: Yes, you will. That'll be all.
SYSTEMS
BIRKOFF: Since the attack, Stark has burrowed under pretty deep. There's no sign of him.
NIKITA: Associates?
BIRKOFF: This is the most promising; Rolf Prager. He's got at least three deals in progress with Stark. He's bound to know where he is.
NIKITA: So we just grab Prager and, hopefully, he can help us find Stark. This is getting complicated.
BIRKOFF: That's what happens when the prime mission fails.
NIKITA: What do you have on Prager?
BIRKOFF: He's based here. It looks like an office building. Security is tight.
NIKITA: Technology or personnel?
BIRKOFF: Both. They have an integral alarm system that can't be deactivated. It'll go off the moment you breach the parameters.
NIKITA: Okay. Pull it up, Birkoff.
BIRKOFF: Nikita...you can't afford another failure.
NIKITA: I know.
BIRKOFF: ...And if Vizcano is the problem, maybe you should get rid of her.
NIKITA: Did Operations put you up to this?
BIRKOFF: He didn't have to. I saw Vizcano's file.
NIKITA: I've seen it too.
BIRKOFF: Not the personnel file; the psych file.
NIKITA: Well, what about it?
BIRKOFF: She's in love with Michael. She's fixated on him. She tried to kill herself last year.
MICHAEL'S OFFICE
NIKITA: You could have told me.
MICHAEL: About what?
NIKITA: You know what! Vizcano. Why didn't you tell me?
MICHAEL: I didn't think it was important.
NIKITA: Not important?
MICHAEL: Suppose you'd known. What would you have done?
NIKITA: I'd have picked someone else.
MICHAEL: That's why I didn't tell you.
NIKITA: What?
MICHAEL: The best thing that could happen to a team leader is to have a rebellious operative.
NIKITA: Why?
MICHAEL: Because if you control that operative, you control the team. That's why I chose you for so many missions early on.
NIKITA: Because if you kept me in line, the others would follow.
MICHAEL: That's right. Can I give you a piece of advice?
NIKITA: Go ahead.
MICHAEL: It's best to be ruthless. But, if you're not, its essential to appear that way.
NIKITA: Is that your secret, Michael? You just appear to be ruthless?
MUNITIONS
NIKITA: Hi, Walter. Are the new scopes ready?
WALTER: Just about. How you holding up?
NIKITA: All right. The last mission didn't go too well.
WALTER: Well, all that matters is the final score. You get the fuel rods -- all is forgiven.
NIKITA: And if I don't get the fuel rods?
WALTER: All won't be forgiven.
NIKITA: What do you think they'll do to me?
WALTER: They'll think of something.
NIKITA: Walter, what do you know about Vizcano?
WALTER: Vizcano, or Vizcano and Michael? She tried to kill herself. Some people say it was over him.
NIKITA: You don't think so?
WALTER: I guess if someone wants to die, one reason is as good as another. ... Personally, being in love always made me want to live.
NIKITA: Even in the end you knew you couldn't have the one you loved?
WALTER: I guess that all depends on what you value more: the journey...or the destination.
NIKITA: Walter, sometimes I don't know if you are incredibly wise or just really full of crap!
WALTER: Yeah. I have the same problem myself. Get out of here! Back to work!
VAN ACCESS
NIKITA: We'll be on site in ninety minutes. You've seen the schematics. The alarm will go off ... Vizcano.
VIZCANO: What ....?
NIKITA: The mission was planned for four but if you'd rather stay here, we'll get by with three. You coming or not?
VIZCANO: I'm coming.
NIKITA: Are you sure?
VIZCANO: Yes, I'm sure.
NIKITA: When I talk, everyone shuts up and listens. No one questions the plan or any modifications I may make during the course of the mission. Understood? Good. Let's roll.
PRAGER'S OFFICE BUILDING
VIZCANO: Okay, we're going in.
MENTZ: Get out of here!
NIKITA: Prager!
OPERATIVE: Is he alive?
NIKITA: He better be. Get him out of here, gently.
COMM
OPERATIONS: He'll live, but he's still unconscious.
NIKITA: He hit his head. It couldn't be helped.
OPERATIONS: The mission tapes indicate otherwise. He was stopped, your attention was diverted. The lives of operatives are secondary to the success of the mission.
NIKITA: There was no need to choose.
OPERATIONS: You still don't understand what you're dealing with, do you? You think you're a lonely beacon of decency in an insane world or something like that. Isn't that true? Section isn't me or Madeline or Michael. It's bigger, deeper, smarter than any of us.
NIKITA: You make it sound like its alive.
OPERATIONS: Oh, yes. And we all walk the narrow path to keep it that way.
NIKITA: A path without feeling, compassion, or hope.
OPERATIONS: Yes.
NIKITA: We die so the Section can live.
OPERATIONS: Yes.
NIKITA: I can't accept that.
OPERATIONS: You have no choice, Nikita. No one does. Especially me. Do you understand?
NIKITA: I understand that you're talking to me for once.
COMM
VIZCANO: You shouldn't have done that for me today.
NIKITA: So I've been told.
VIZCANO: So, why did you do it?
NIKITA: Because you're one of us. You're on the team, whichever way you want to put it.
VIZCANO: You're crazy.
NIKITA: Well, if that's your way of thanking me, you're welcome. .Now, I've got a lot of work to do, so...
VIZCANO: What's it like to be loved by Michael? I know I shouldn't ask. I...just can't help it.
NIKITA: I don't know.
VIZCANO: I was alone, confused, scared. Well, you know what it's like when you first enter the Section. Michael seemed like a god. Not afraid of anything. He knew me better than I knew myself.
NIKITA: Yeah.
VIZCANO: And even then, he I knew it was just part of the drill. Section wants you to imprint someone like a...like an animal.
NIKITA: You fell in love.
VIZCANO: Sometimes, I really thought that he showed signs of caring. Then, other times it was obvious that he didn't. And just when I thought I was making some progress you came along and that's when I lost it. If you're smart, you will stay just out of reach. Michael doesn't need a companion. He needs a quest.
NIKITA: Well, why don't you become his quest?
VIZCANO: No, I had my chance. It's too late. Although I think I'll always love him. May the best woman win.
NIKITA: Vizcano, there's no contest. I'm not playing.
WHITE ROOM
NIKITA: Where's Peter Stark?
PRAGER: I don't know anybody named Peter Stark. You've got the wrong guy. I'm just a businessman.
NIKITA: Well, think of me as an executive with a career crisis. And I need your help. So, I'm going to break a bone, a minute. In three hours, you'll be a rag doll, except rag dolls don't feel pain: you will.
Nikita breaks his finger.
PRAGER: All right! All right! I do know Stark!
OPERATIONS: She's come a long way.
MICHAEL'S OFFICE
MICHAEL: She's learning to stay focused.
OPERATIONS: I must admit, I had my doubts about her original Mission Plan.
MICHAEL: It would have worked, except for Vizcano.
OPERATIONS: But it must be said. Nikita still has one basic flaw.
MICHAEL: Compassion.
OPERATIONS: Compassion, sympathy, a tendency to care. Call it whatever you like: it's holding her back.
MICHAEL: I know.
OPERATIONS: With most operatives, self-preservation takes over. Compassion is the first thing to go.
MICHAEL: She's different.
OPERATIONS: Have you tried, Michael, really tried, to crush out her feelings? Hmm?
MICHAEL: Of course.
OPERATIONS: You've succeeded with so many others, why not her?
MICHAEL: She's strong.
OPERATIONS: Is that the only reason?
MICHAEL: Yes.
OPERATIONS: Well, you'll have to keep trying until you succeed.
MICHAEL: I understand.
OPERATIONS: As for Vizcano, install the appropriate personnel configuration.
MICHAEL: I have a meeting with Nikita in a few minutes.
OPERATIONS: She'll fight it.
MICHAEL: She'll accept it in the end. She'll have to.
COMM
NIKITA: Stark has a base on the southern border of Belarus. He's there now. These are the coordinates. Punch up the satellite Intel.
MICHAEL: Operations wants me to help you with the mission profile. It's critical that Stark be taken alive.
NIKITA: I’m aware of that. I don't need any help.
BIRKOFF: Got it. Level-Two Security.
MICHAEL: Someone has to backstop.
NIKITA: That's a deathtrap in this setup.
MICHAEL: Maybe, but it's necessary.
NIKITA: Well then, I'll do it.
MICHAEL: You'll be running the mission. Taylor and Mentz are the flush team. It'll have to be Vizcano.
BIRKOFF: He's right again, Nikita. I'll assemble the packets.
NIKITA: Came here to kill her.
MICHAEL: I came here to make sure the mission profile is correct.
NIKITA: I took your advice. You know, about pretending to be ruthless. You don't pretend. You like it.
MICHAEL: She's a marginal performer. She's lucky she's not in abeyance.
VIZCANO: So, Birkoff says we're going live.
NIKITA: Yes, in an hour.
VIZCANO: Maybe, after the mission, we could go out for a drink. What do you say?
MICHAEL: Why not.
VIZCANO: Good.
NIKITA: Michael. You'll make that date. She won't die; not on my mission.
STARK STRONGHOLD
The Section operatives invade the building.
TAYLOR: We're in position.
NIKITA: Go.
NIKITA: Vizcano, you all right?
VIZCANO: Yeah, I'm fine.
NIKITA: Vizcano, coming your way.
NIKITA: Taylor, I need cover!
TAYLOR: Mentz is hit! We're pinned!
Stark catches and shoots Vizcano.
STARK: Where are you? Come on. I've, uh, got your friend. Stay back. I'll kill her. Stay back.
NIKITA: Okay. No problem. It's over, Stark.
STARK: Call your people off. I want a chopper that can land on the roof.
NIKITA: They don't bargain.
STARK: You want me to pull the trigger?
NIKITA: Just let her go. They'll take it easy on you -- they just want to talk. If they had wanted you to be dead, you'd be dead by now.
STARK: Oh, you've got to take me alive. Oh, okay! Ah, you know what that tells me?
NIKITA: Nobody needs to get hurt.
STARK: Uh, no. What that tells me is I can do anything I want to, I want to, I want to anything I want to…
NIKITA: Stark!
STARK: Boom! Oh, sorry.
Stark throws Vizcano off the catwalk to her death.
NIKITA: Nooo! Nooo! Noo!
STARK: You've got to take me alive, remember?
NIKITA: I've changed my mind.
STARK: You can't kill me!
NIKITA: Watch me!
STARK: Wait , the fuel rods, I can find them.
NIKITA: Shut up!
STARK: That's what this is about, isn't it? It has to be. I can bring you to them, 'cause I know where they are. And all those innocent people who are gonna die, that's what this is about, isn't it? Isn't it?
NIKITA: You're going to go back to Section and give us what we need...but after that, you're mine! You're mine!
OPERATIONS' OFFICE
OPERATIONS: Why didn't you interrogate Stark?
NIKITA: I had Taylor do it instead. Ah...
OPERATIONS: Why?
NIKITA: I didn't think I'd be able to stay objective.
OPERATIONS: Then you made the right call.
NIKITA: I have a request. After the interrogation's completed I'd like to spend a few moments with Stark alone, before he's canceled.
OPERATIONS: The interrogation is concluded.
NIKITA: Where is he?
OPERATIONS: He's been released.
NIKITA: R-released?
OPERATIONS: He has a number of contacts which will
prove useful to us, especially in Eastern Europe. Your desire to exact
some form of retribution for Vizcano's death is natural. We all regret
what happened.... but we can't be allowed to love our friends or hate our
enemies. Some day you'll understand that.
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