Scene 1: Munitions. Walter stands at his worktable, examining a black
box of some type. Birkoff walks up, leaning an elbow on the table.
Birkoff: Want to grab some lunch?
Walter: Yeah. Just want to finish looking at this.
Birkoff: Is that a Grunen 412?
Walter: Yeah. I always wanted to see one of these things close up.
Birkoff: I heard the detonators are pitch and roll sensitive.
An arming signal beep emits from the black box, and a red light begins to
flash. Walter is taken aback.
Birkoff: Better get it to disposal.
Walter: Maybe you're right.
He moves quickly to a nearby door, with a wheel-type handle, and ties to
turn it, but it's stuck.
Walter: It's jammed!
He begins running through Section, clutching the box carefully, racing
down a hallway. A group of operatives come toward him from the opposite
direction.
Walter: STAY AWAY FROM ME! STAY AWAY FROM ME! Look out!
I've got a bomb: out of my way!
The operatives immediately press themselves against the walls, allowing
Walter clear access.
Walter: Get away from me! All right stay back!
He comes to another hatch, opens it, and throws the box in. It explodes no
sooner than he slams the door on it. Breathing a sigh of relief combined
with disbelief, he adjusts his collar as he tries to calm his adrenaline.
Birkoff joins up with him, and they move off together.
Walter: So: where'd you like to have lunch?
Scene 2: Briefing table. At the briefing table sit Michael, Nikita, and two
operatives named Angela and Mark.
Operations: This is the work of a recently formed group calling itself
"Black March". They freelance for various terrorist organizations. They
appear to be motivated by money and the sheer joy of causing pain and
destruction. These are the leaders of Black March:
The holograph screen shows the images of a man and woman appearing
in their thirties.
Operations: Simon Crachek and his partner, Caroline. Some sources say
they're brother and sister, others that they're lovers. In fact, they're
probably both. In twenty-four hours, Black March will be meeting in the
suburbs of Bukhara. Our job is to terminate them. You leave in one hour.
Scene 3: Munitions. Walter hands Angela a rifle, as Nikita sits nearby
at the worktable preparing her own gear. In the foreground, Mark waits
for Angela.
Walter: These new sites read a trifle high. Don't let them throw you.
Angela: Okay. Thanks Walter.
Angela moves off, joining Mark. They smile sweetly at each other, leaving
side by side. Walter watches from his workroom.
Walter: Real love birds, huh?
Nikita: You think it's not real?
Walter: Oh, it's real.
Nikita: What? So, you don't approve?
Walter: I approve. It's just that it will: it will end badly sooner or later. It
always does in this place.
Nikita: They know that. Miracle is, they make it work anyway. And they
make it seem so simple.
She is ready to join the mission team, and stands, rifle in hand.
Walter: Good luck, sugar, and don't forget about those sites.
Nikita: Yeah, I got it.
Walter smiles as she walks off.
Scene 4: Mission. It is dark out. The mission van is parked in an alley
surrounded by tall, warehouse type buildings. Michael is inside the van,
running the mission.
Michael: Go.
On a lower roof of one of the buildings, Nikita and Mark lie flat. Nikita
uses her rifle site for a visual. She sees a man in the distance.
Nikita: I've got a clear visual.
Flash to Section
Birkoff: All operatives point delta in one minute.
Back to Mission
Angela with rifle drawn makes her way stealthily through the alley.
Nikita voice: Birkoff, do you have the hostile?
Birkoff voice: Got him.
Nikita and Mark take aim at the man below, who also has a gun in his
hand.
Flash to Section
Birkoff: You're clear.
Flash to Mission Van
Michael watches his monitor keeping track of their positions. Outside
Angela sprints over to a building and pauses against a door, before
carefully making her way up a flight of exterior stairs. About halfway up
the stairs, she brushes up against something that dislodges and clatters
noisily down the stairs.
Flash to Birkoff and Michael who both hear the noise.
A man appears on the street near the stairwell, and begins shooting at
Angela. She falls helplessly down the stairs, coming to a stop in a prone
position, her head pointed toward the bottom of the stairs.
From their rooftop position, Nikita and Mark witness Angela's shooting.
Mark shouts out for her, then begins firing at the man, killing him. Mark
jumps up to run for Angela.
Mark: I'm going to get her.
Too late, Nikita reaches out to stop him.
Nikita: Mark, you can't go!
Flash to Michael and Birkoff as they follow the events.
Mark reaches Angela and bends to help her up.
Mark: You're fine. I'm getting you out of here.
Flash to Section
Birkoff: We need to extract.
Back to Mission
Nikita climbs down from the roof, racing toward Mark and Angela.
Gunfire erupts, and Nikita exchanges rounds. A door behind Mark opens,
as he is still bent over Angela. A man steps out and clubs him over the
head, rendering him unconscious. In the alley, a car races up so swiftly
that Nikita has no time to react. It slams head on into her with such force
that she lands on top of the hood, before rolling off unconscious. Men pick
up Mark, Nikita, and Angela, and load them into the car, then speed off.
Flash to Mission Van
Michael watches his monitor following the car until it moves past their
surveillance perimeters.
Michael: Where are they, Birkoff?
Flash to Section
Birkoff: We lost them.
Flash to Mission Van
Michael: What do you mean?
Flash to Section
Birkoff: They were taken in some kind of vehicle. I'm downloading
satellite intel right now. Standard protocol dictates an abort.
Flash to Mission Van
Michael: Standard procedure is suspended. Find them!
Scene 5: Crachek's sanctuary We see the exterior of a large, appears to
be abandoned, building. Inside, Angela is tied, her wrists spread at her
sides, to a ceiling high cyclone barrier. Blood trickles from her nose. At
a right angle, Mark is also tied up by the wrists at either side of his head.
He is reclining uncomfortably and completely entrapped by the cyclone
entanglement, so tightly that the cyclone wires press into his face.
Crachek approaches and looks back and forth at them.
Crachek: Now, which one shall we start with first?
He turns to a black case and opens it. It is completely outfitted with
various torture tools and devices.
Crachek: Caroline, wouldn't hesitate, she'd know immediately, but then
she's an artist. By comparison, I'm something of a butcher.
Mark watches as Crachek selects a knife and walks toward Angela.
Crachek: This will do. Now your equipment and tactics suggest a Section
One, am I right?
Angela turns her face away. Crachek touches the knife to her collarbone
and as he speaks, begins dragging it down, past her breast to her stomach.
Crachek: You have a substation called S6. It's been very active lately. I
have a number of colleagues who would pay very dearly for its precise
location. Give it to me.
He plunges the knife into her stomach, and Angela grimaces and gasps
with pain, as Mark watches helplessly.
In another room in the building, Nikita is prone on a raised board, tied at
the hands and feet. She is unconscious. Caroline stands at her feet, facing
away as she begins talking to Nikita.
Caroline: What's your name?
Nikita doesn't respond. Caroline walks to her side, carrying a device in
each hand. She jumps atop the board and straddles Nikita, squatting so
she sits on Nikita's upper thighs.
Caroline: My name is Caroline.
She places a device on either side on Nikita's neck and suddenly shocks
her, so powerfully that Nikita's body lunges upright before it slams back
down, as Caroline throws back her head and laughs with exhilaration.
She tosses the shock devices aside, and bends over Nikita to look into her
face, placing a hand on either side of Nikita's face, while Nikita gasps in
pain.
Caroline: We're going to be very well acquainted in the next few hours. Let
me tell you how it's going to be. You're going to be my confidante, my
sister, my lover.
Caroline lowers her face to Nikita's and kisses her lips. Nikita gasps and
turns her head away. Caroline takes her by the hair, grabbing a fistful of
her hair, as she holds her head in place, so Nikita has to look at her.
Caroline: You will tell me everything I want to know, and much that I
don't care about. I will ask, and you will leap. That's it!
Caroline watches Nikita with an evil smirk on her face. Nikita, though in
pain, returns her look unblinkingly.
Back to the room where Crachek holds Mark and Angela.
Crachek stands before Angela, taunting her.
Crachek: What's it like to feel pain? I'm incapable of it myself. I can be an
advantage, but it can be very lonely. Don't you think it's sad that I'm so
lonely?
He again plunges the knife viciously into her abdomen. She cries out, as
Mark growls with frustration, struggling against his restraints. Crachek
looks over to him, recognizing Mark's reaction. He licks his lips and twists
the knife in Angela's stomach, waiting for Mark's reaction.
Mark: Stop!
Crachek: You're lovers. When you work with bodies as much as I do, you
learn to watch every move, every twitch, and you two are lovers.
Mark: (grits out) No, we're not.
Crachek: So I can do anything I want with her, and it won't bother you at
all, right?
We hear the knife plunge into Angela again, and her screaming with pain.
Mark can do nothing but watch and shake at his restraints. Crachek now
grabs Angela by the face and positions the knife up at her hairlife, as if
he was going to peel an apple. We don't see it, but he peels back her
forehead. Angela screams horrifically. And Mark can take no more.
Mark: No! Don't!
Crachek: Why not? You barely know her.
He continues cutting her.
Mark: All right, all right: I'll tell you.
Crachek: Tell me what?
Mark: Anything, anything you want.
Crachek: Substation 6?
Mark: Yes.
Crachek steps away from Angela, and speaks into a hand radio.
Crachek: Caroline, time's up!
Scene 6: Section, Comm
Birkoff: I've got a vehicle to the south about 12 minutes ago. It has to be
them:
Flash to Mission Van
Birkoff voice: I'm sending the coordinates now.
Michael: How far?
Flash to Section
Birkoff: 15 minutes, maybe less.
Flash to Mission Van
Michael: Move.
Scene 7: Crachak's'. Caroline slides open a large, heavy door, dragging
Nikita with her. As they pass through the door, Caroline throws Nikita to
the ground. Caroline steps around the cyclone barriers, sauntering to
Crachek.
Caroline: Well, well.
Crachek: I can't believe I beat you!
Caroline: Her pain threshold is very high.
Nikita opens her eyes momentarily, but she is clearly hurt.
Caroline: I'd have broken her eventually, but (she leans and kisses him)
you win. This time.
Crachek: Oh, I just got lucky. They're lovers.
Caroline: Mmmmm.
Crachek: (turning to Mark) And now as they say talk.
Mark begins to haltingly disclose the information, as Caroline watches
with a satisfied smirk.
Mark: Eight kilometers due east. Eleven field operatives. Six over seven
security package.
Crachek: Thank you. That's very helpful.
In the background, shots are being fired.
Crachek: They traced us already! I thought it would take longer.
Caroline: Let's go!
She moves off immediately. Crachek steps to follow her, suddenly changes
his mind, then swiftly whips around with the knife and slices it across
Angela's throat. Her neck sags, lifeless.
Mark: Noooo!
Simon throws a final look at Mark, smiling with enjoyment at Mark's
sorrow, as he whimpers and cries pitifully.
Michael and his team advance down a hall. The operatives spread out;
Michael steps over to Nikita's fallen form. He bends and touches her arm,
looking for a sign she is alive. Seeing she is alive, he leaves her and moves
to the next room, going first to Angela. He places a hand on the back of
her neck and finds no pulse, as Mark watches, waiting for any indication
she is still alive. Michael withdraws his hand and looks at Mark.
Michael: I'm sorry.
Mark breaks down, crying out and sobbing loudly.
Scene 8: Section, Main Area. Mark stands in the main area looking up at
Operations' loft, clearly mulling over what he has to do. He moves off,
running into Nikita.
Nikita: Where are you going?
Mark: To tell Operations what happened.
Nikita begins walking so nobody will overhear them. He falls into step
with her.
Nikita: You can't.
Mark: I have to. I gave up a substation.
Nikita: (quiet, but intense) Shut up! They'll cancel you.
Mark: If the substation is hit, they're going to figure out what happened
and cancel me anyway. Look, at least this way, I'll save lives.
Nikita: All right. You can save the substation without giving yourself up.
Mark: What are you talking about?
Nikita: I'll tell you later. But, right now, we've got to debrief in about five
minutes. Listen to me, we were captured, we were tortured, we were
rescued. That's all that happened.
She moves in close to him, talking in his face.
Nikita: We were captured, we were tortured, we were rescued. Say it!
Scene 9: Madeline's Office
Mark: We were captured, we were tortured, and we were rescued. That's
about it. The details are fuzzy.
Madeline: Does that include Angela's death?
Mark: I didn't actually see that.
Madeline: Why not?
Mark: I was unconscious.
Madeline: From torture?
Mark: I was knocked out when I was captured, and after that, I was in and
out.
Madeline: You and Angela were close.
Mark: Yes.
Madeline: I'm sorry.
Mark: We knew the risks.
Madeline: Do you have anything to add?
Nikita: No. I was pretty much in the same condition.
Madeline: So you didn't see Angela die either?
Nikita: No. (shakes her head)
Madeline: That's all for now.
Mark and Nikita get up and head for the door.
Madeline: One more question. Why do you suppose they killed her? You
both were barely conscious, what did they gain by it?
Mark: Maybe they wanted us to see her dead body before we came around.
An example to us if we didn't cooperate.
Madeline: Our intel indicates they're usually more direct than that.
Nikita: I got the impression they inflict pain and death for the sheer fun of
it.
Madeline: You can go, but stand by. There's going to be a follow-up
mission.
As they exit the office, Madeline watches their departure with an
expression that says she doesn't believe them.
Scene 10: Section, Hallway. Mark and Nikita wall along a hall having just
left Madeline's office.
Mark: She didn't buy it.
Nikita: Probably not, but I doubt she suspects the truth either. Not yet,
anyway.
Mark takes hold of Nikita's arm and spins around.
Mark: Why, huh? Why did he kill her?
Nikita: I can't explain that, Mark. He's insane.
Mark: He wanted to see the expression on my face. He actually seemed
curious.
Nikita: We can't think about that right now. We just have to face the
future. Crachek said that there was more than one group interested in
buying this intel. That means it's going to take time for a deal. If we can
get to him and Caroline before this goes down:
Mark: The intel dies with them.
Nikita: Exactly.
Mark: How do we find them?
Nikita: I'll handle it.
Mark: Madeline said there's going to be a follow-up mission.
Nikita: That can be delayed.
Mark: How?
Nikita: I'll handle it. I want you to rest and stay close.
Scene 11: Munitions. Walter sits, typing at a keyboard, facing the wall.
His demeanor is one of edginess. From behind, Michael approaches.
Michael: Walter. I need you to take a look at this timer..
Walter doesn't even acknowledge that anyone is there.
Michael: (inquiringly) Walter?
Walter: It was my fault.
Michael: What?
Walter turns in his chair to face Michael.
Walter: The Black March mission. The sites read high. I warned the team.
I should have made the adjustment.
As Walter talks, Michael listens intently.
Michael: Why didn't you?
Walter: Wasn't time:, but I should have made time.
Walter stands and moves to the worktable. Michael watches him, seeing
something is wrong, and tries to ease his mind. He tilts his head, as if he
is really trying to convey something to Walter.
Michael: A lot of things went wrong on that mission. The sites had nothing
to do with it.
Walter: You don't know that. Rounds flying, split seconds decisions, the
smallest glitch could ruin everything. What's happening to me? First, I
almost blow everybody up, and now this.
Walter paces away, completely agitated. Michael watches him a moment
with genuine concern, but he understands that Walter has to work this out
on his own.
Michael: I need this timer calibrated.
Walter: Yeah, just leave it right there, Michael. I'll: I'll get to it.
Walter's demeanor is preoccupied and troubled. Michael watches him
thoughtfully before departing.
Scene 12: Comm. Nikita enters Birkoff's area with clear intent.
Nikita: Hey! What's the status on the follow-up mission?
Birkoff: I got probable location. I'm just waiting to confirm.
Nikita: Anywhere near Kiev?
Birkoff: (frowns) No. Bucharest. Why?
Nikita: When I was being held, I see to remember Crachek saying to
Caroline something about a meeting in Kiev.
Birkoff: Why didn't you mention this at the debrief?
Nikita: It just came back to me a little while ago. I don't know. I keep
remembering things in bits and pieces.
Birkoff: I'll check it out. It might delay things for awhile.
Nikita: Well, if you think it's worth it, then.
Birkoff: Yeah.
Scene 13: Munitions. Having successfully delayed the mission, Nikita now
moves onto her next plan. She enters Walter's back area, looking around
and calling for him.
Nikita: Walter?
Walter looks down from a upper level.
Walter: Yeah, sugar.
Nikita: I need a Beretta 92F and a Baby Glock.
He comes down the stairs, bringing the weapons she's asked for, and
hands them to her.
Walter: Guess I owe you that much.
Nikita: Owe me?
Walter: The mission went south because of the sites. Partly at least.
Nikita doesn't blame him at all. She is busy stashing the guns in her
clothes.
Walter: Are you in some kind of trouble?
Nikita: (candidly) Yeah.
Walter: Well, be cool.
Nikita: Yeah, thanks.
Scene 14: Nikita's Apartment. Nikita walks up to her door, pauses, then
crosses to Mick's door. She knocks twice, puts her ear to the door a
moment, then turns away. Mick cracks open the door.
Mick: You wanted to see me?
She walks back to his door.
Nikita: Yeah, I need a favor, Mick. You know about Black March?
Mick: New players, lots of splinter groups out of control. Good lot to stay
clear of, and uh, I plan to stay clear of them.
Nikita: They're led by two psychotics named Crachek and Caroline. I mean,
you got the connections, Mick. I need to know where they are.
Mick: Do you?
Nikita: Yeah, and quickly.
Mick: And what is in it: for me?
He moves his face ever closer to her. She shoves it away.
Nikita: I won't break every bone in your body.
She crosses back to her door.
Mick: I never could resist a woman in distress. My one weakness, really.
She looks back at him, pointing.
Nikita: Quickly.
Scene 15: Nightclub. Nikita and Mark are in a nightclub. They walk down
a short set of steps into the bar area. The place is crowded, and busy, with
people talking, and dancing, and having a good time. Nikita is dresses in
a sleek, lavender dress, and wearing a chestnut colored wig with long side
bangs. She looks like Jessica Rabbit. Mark is dressed casually, wearing a
black leather jacket. As they make their way to the bar, they glance about
in search of Crachek and Caroline. They stop at the bar, standing close
as a couple would, while the survey the interior. Nikita spies Caroline
and Crachek across the floor, dancing close together. Caroline moves off,
grabs a drink, and then continues on to the bathroom. Nikita follows.
Entering the bathroom, Caroline is in a stall, so Nikita moves further in
to a back area were a set of vanity tables are. She bends to look into a
mirror, applying lipstick. Caroline comes out of the stall and sees Nikita
from behind, liking what she sees. She saunters closer, smiling.
Caroline: Are you as bored as I am?
Nikita: I've seen it livelier.
Nikita walks toward Caroline, who opens her mouth as she checks out
Nikita. When Nikita goes to pass by, Caroline sticks out her arm, blocking
the way.
Caroline: Maybe we should leave?
Nikita looks at her, then presses a quick peck at the arm that blocks her
way.
Nikita: Just ask. And I shall leap.
Caroline has a split-second of recognition as Nikita fires twice at her.
Caroline falls back gasping with surprise. Nikita wipes her mouth with
the back of her hand, nonchalantly exiting the bathroom.
In the club, Crachek is sitting with a group having drinks. Mark sees him
and takes out his, which Crachek sees. Crachek immediately stands and
starts firing, dropping anyone in the way. As mayhem ensues, Crachek
heads for a back door, using people as human shields as he goes, with
Mark on his tail. Crachek makes it out the back door, and by the time
Mark gets outside, Crachek is peeling away in his car. Nikita runs out
and sees Crachek has gotten away. She and Mark exchange worried looks.
Scene 16: Section
Nikita: We've still got a couple of more hours. I'm going to call Mick to see
if he could try
Mark: (cuts her off) Even if we found Crachek again, we couldn't make
another hit in time. I blew it, it's that simple.
Nikita: Yeah, but:
Mark: I have to tell Operations the substation's vulnerable.
Nikita: (resigned, but offering support) Do you want me to go with you?
Mark: (shakes his head) Nope. No. I'll go alone. Thanks: for everything.
Nikita: Sorry.
Mark: Yeah.
She watches sadly as he heads for Operation's Loft.
Scene 17: Operations' Loft. Mark enters the loft, though Operations has
his back to him. He is working on something, but knows Mark is there.
Operations: What is it?
Mark: I need to talk to you.
Operations: It'll have to wait. I'm busy.
Mark: A substation has been compromised.
Operations: (turns now, removing his glasses) Which one?
Mark: S6.
Operations: Degree?
Mark: Location, security, everything. It happened during the Black March
Mission.
Operations: Who was responsible?
Mark: (hesitates) Nikita.
Operations looks down and sees Nikita, who watches in turn. Mark now
stands beside Operations looking down at her also. Nikita looks at them
uncertainly and glances about uncomfortably.
Operations: You should have come forward at once.
Mark: Nikita begged me to wait. She had a plan to set things right, but it
didn't work out. Now it's a question of saving the substation, so here I am.
She was only trying to help Angela. I hope you can take that into account.
Operations: (angry) You'd do better to worry about yourself. You'll be
sanctioned for not informing me earlier.
Mark: I understand.
Operations presses a button.
Operations: Bring Nikita to Abeyance.
Two operatives (Mentz is one of them) come up behind Nikita. She turns
and sees them.
Operative: You have to come with us.
Nikita: (surprised) Why?
Operative: You're in abeyance.
Nikita is shocked. She looks up and see Operations and Mark standing in
the loft. As she realizes what has happened, her mouth opens with
understanding. Mark cannot look at her. She shakes her head, and the
operatives lead her away.
Scene 18: White Room. Nikita sits in chair that monitors whether or not
someone is lying or telling the truth. Madeline stands at the side,
questioning her.
Nikita: He was trying to keep Angela from suffering at the hands of that
butcher. I don't blame him. So, he gave up the substation.
Madeline: Mark says you did.
Nikita: He's lying to protect himself.
Madeline: At the debriefing, you said that neither one of you broke.
Nikita: That's right.
Madeline: You lied.
Nikita: Yes, I did.
Madeline: Then, why should I believe you now?
Nikita: Because I was trying to protect him.
Madeline: Why?
Nikita: Because I had just seen him go through hell, and I wanted to make
things right.
Madeline: Out of the goodness of your heart.
Nikita: (irritably) Out of a thing called friendship. You should look it up
sometime.
Madeline looks past her, reading the results of the interrogation.
Madeline: Congratulations. You passed with flying colors.
Nikita: So what's the problem?
Madeline: So did Mark.
Nikita: Well, then he has found some way to beat the machine.
Madeline: Or you have.
Nikita: If you are good at reading people as you say you are, then you
should be able to tell me that I'm innocent from looking in my eyes.
Madeline: Exactly what Mark said.
Madeline exits the room. Nikita knows she is in trouble.
Scene 19: White Room. Birkoff now sits in the same chair, being tested
for the truth, as Operations questions him from behind a blacked out
window. Birkoff taps his foot nervously.
Birkoff: She said she heard them mention Kiev. I had to delay the mission
to check it out.
Operations: And?
Birkoff: It was false. Not even close.
Operations: Do you think she deliberately misled you?
Birkoff: Well, she was dazed, in pain, who knows what she:?
Operations: Birkoff! Do you think she deliberately misled you?
Birkoff hesitates, looking away, his expression worried as he tries to think
of a way to protect Nikita.
Birkoff: I don't have an opinion that.
The buzzer sounds indicating he's lying. He knows he can't beat it.
Birkoff: Yes, I think she did.
Scene 20: White Room. It is Walter's turn to be questioned, but he is no
mood to give up Nikita. And he resists saying anything that will hurt
Nikita.
Operations: The guns used in the unauthorized mission have been
identified. They came from your arsenal.
Walter: Mine is the only arsenal in Section.
Operations: How did Nikita get them?
Walter: (challenging) I can't keep my eye on everything, every second of
the day! Anybody could have taken them. How do we know it was Nikita?
Operations: Her prints were found on the guns. So were yours.
Walter: I handle all the weapons.
Operations: The prints overlap. Analysis indicates that they were handled
simultaneously.
Walter: (unconcerned)Labs make mistakes.
Operations: Did you give them to her?
Walter: (stalling) What kinds of guns were those again?
Operations: Did you give the guns to Nikita!
Walter: No.
The buzzer sounds.
Walter: (not backing down) No machines are perfect. I've had this cold
lately.
Operations: You handed the guns to Nikita, do you deny it?
Walter: Yes, I deny it.
The buzzer sounds.
Walter: (unbending) I deny it!
The buzzer sounds again.
Scene 21: Madeline's Office
Madeline: The substation's been secured. We'll incur no damage there.
Operations: Good. Now it's only a matter of internal security.
Madeline: I tend to believe Nikita.
Operations: But you have doubts?
Madeline: Her flaw is compassion. Angela's suffering may have affected
her even more than it did Mark.
Operations: And she planned an unauthorized mission. That suggests she
had the most at stake.
Madeline: Unless her compassion was allowing her to protect Mark.
Operations: You're arguing against yourself.
Madeline: (smiles) It's not an easy call.
Operations: We've spent enough time on it. I want closure by morning.
He heads for the door.
Madeline: I'd like to talk to you about Walter.
Operations turns back to her.
Operations: Yes, he behaved strangely in the interrogation. He practically
asked to be sanctioned.
Madeline: He blames himself for the Black March mission. He thinks it was
partially an equipment failure.
Operations: Is there any evidence that he is right?
Madeline: Not really.
Operations: Then, he'll have to snap out of it.
Madeline: You might be able to help.
Operations: How?
Madeline: By giving him a pat on the back.
Operations: (astonished) A pat on the back?
Madeline: A few words of praise or appreciation.
Operations: (disbelieving) Are you serious?
Madeline: Walter is older than most. Works alone, eighteen hours a day,
and has very few outlets. An exception to our usual approach might be
appropriate.
He rolls his eyes as if he cannot believe what he is about to do.
Operations: All right, I'll stop by: and pat him on the back.
As he leaves, Madeline turns to mist her flowers.
Scene 22: Detention. Nikita stands in a small, round room, pacing. The
door opens and Michael enters. He looks to her.
Nikita: So who do they believe?
Michael: They don't know.
Nikita: Well thanks for coming, but I don't see how you can help.
She turns her back to him dismissively. He walks slowly toward her.
Michael: They located Black March. They're sending a team. I'll have
Crachek brought here alive. Just tell me what you want him to say.
As he waits for her instruction, his eyes are intense, almost pained.
Nikita: I want him to tell the truth. That Mark gave up the substation.
Michael: (softly) Fine.
He head for door slowly, his demeanor is somber.
Nikita: You don't believe me, do you?
He stops, his composure bothered as he looks down. When he speaks his
voice holds conviction.
Michael: I DO believe you.
He turns and looks at her, holding her gaze a moment before exiting.
Nikita backs up to the wall behind her.
Scene 23: Comm. Having just left Nikita, Michael heads to Comm to
insert a change to the mission. He comes up behind Birkoff, who is
directing the team already on site.
Birkoff: Hold positions. We go active in three minutes.
Michael: Birkoff: I'm inserting a mission parameter.
Birkoff: This late?
Michael: Yes.
Michael's eyes are focused directly ahead as he speaks, not looking at
Birkoff, as if he is thinking what he has to do to save Nikita.
Michael: I want Crachek alive.
Birkoff: That's not consistent with the profile.
Michael: Then alter the profile.
Birkoff: Does Operations know about this?
Michael: Just do it, Birkoff!
Michael looks down at Birkoff, his expression showing he means business.
Birkoff sees this.
Birkoff: All units listen up. We have a new parameter.
Michael stays, making sure that his alteration is obeyed.
Birkoff: We need Crachek alive. Re-station alpha team 100 meters to the
north.
Female op voice: Birkoff, we can't change the profile now! It's too late.
Birkoff: Well, we're just going to have to deal with it.
Michael: Good.
Scene 24: Munitions. Walter sits at his worktable, absently rolling a metal
cylinder back and forth. Operations approaches, hands in pockets, and
a smile on his face.
Operations: Hello, Walter. How's everything?
Walter: Fine.
Operations: I want to let you know how much we, Madeline and I,
appreciate your hard work. And so does Oversight. We've commended you
to them many times.
Walter: (looks up suspiciously) What's this about?
Operations: I just wanted to say thank you for the good work.
Walter: (irritably) Don't patronize me! All of sudden, out of the clear blue
sky, you come down here to say thanks for the good work. What do want
me to do? Wag my tail? If you want something from me, just come out and
say it!
Operations: (testy) Look, I just stopped by to give you… give you a pat on
the back.
Walter: (taking exception) I don't need a pat on the back! I've been doing
this job since before you came to Section, and I can probably do your job
too!
Operations: Really.
Walter: Really.
Operations: One of these days, you're going to carry this cranky old man act
a little too far.
Walter: (mocking) Oh, what then? You won't recommend me to Oversight?
Operations: (ticked) Why did I bother?
Walter: That's a good question!
Operations stalks off, running into Madeline.
Operations: Pat on the back… Brilliant!
Madeline continues on to Walter's area, watching from beyond as he is
bent over his table, back to work with purpose. She smiles, knowing that
the exchange benefited him after all.
Scene 25: Comm. Birkoff is in Systems. Mark comes up to him, following
him back to Comm.
Mark: Birkoff, what this about Crachek being taken alive?
Birkoff: Yeah, they just brought him into the White Room.
Mark: The profile calls for elimination.
Birkoff: The profile got changed.
Mark: Who's authority?
Birkoff: Michael's.
Mark: Okay. Thanks.
Scene 26: White Room. Crachek is strapped to the chair. Michael stands
at a wall unit, pressing buttons.
Crachek: You're here to turn the screws? If you only knew what a complete
waste of time that is for both of us.
Michael begins pacing slowly around Crachek, coming to a stop before,
his hands folded before him.
Michael: You held two operatives. One of them told you the location of a
substation. Who was it, the man or the woman?
Crachek: Who would you like it to be?
Michael: Let's start with the truth.
Crachek: You look like a man with a vested interest. Who would you be
trying to protect? Bet it's the woman. Sorry, she was the one who broke.
Michael walks behind the chair.
Michael: You're lying.
Crachek: Prove it.
From behind, Michael grabs Crachek's neck and presses a device into his
neck, shocking him. Crachek jerks and gasps and chokes, then turns his
head and kisses the device.
Crachek: Thank you!
Michael steps back, going to the door. It opens, allowing the Torture Twins
in, while Michael exits.
Scene 27: Outside The White Room. As Michael exits the room, he steps
a short set of stairs. His expression is morose, knowing he is running out
of time and options to save Nikita. Elevator doors open and Operations
steps out, joining Michael.
Operations: Well?
Michael: We'll know soon.
Operations: We've spent too much time on this as it is. We can't spend
anymore.
The White Room door opens and the TT's steps out. The female TT looks
to them and shakes her head "no", indicating they could not break Crachek.
Michael turns to Operations.
Michael: Let me try once more.
Operations nods his assent. Michael heads for the White Room.
Scene 28: White Room. Crachek now bears the tale-tell slits beneath his
eyes, when Michael enters the room, again pacing.
Michael: Do you want to live?
Crachek: Not especially.
Michael: We could use you.
Crachek: My expertise in torture?
Michael: Yes.
Crachek: I might be interested, if I thought I could trust you.
Michael: What do you have to lose?
Crachek: How will they know I'm telling the truth?
Michael: Give them details. Tell them everything that happened. They'll
know.
Crachek: You really want the woman to live, don't you? Too bad. She was
the one who broke.
They hold a look before Michael breaks away to leave the room.
Scene 29: Area Outside The White Room. Operations and Michael stand
together, as the elevator doors open and Nikita steps out, led by two
operatives. As she passes by Operations and Michael, she stops and looks
to each of them, before continuing on to the room where she is to be
cancelled. As she passes the White Room door, Crachek is led out. He and
Nikita hold a look, before Nikita enters the cancellation room. Crachek
steps down the short set of stairs, when a shot rings out in the cancellation
room. Crachek stops and looks back at the door when the shot came from.
Crachek: (smirking)No wait!
Operations and Michael watch him carefully.
Crachek: It's all coming back to me now. It wasn't the woman who broke. It
was the man. Yes, you want the details? The other woman was strapped to
the fence. I took a scalpel and began to peel back her face. It's above the left
eye, I think. She was in so much agony, she couldn't even scream, just made
this gurgling sound. That's when he begged me to stop. Convincing?
Michael's expression is intense as his listens and watches Crachek.
Michael: Yes.
Crachek: Shame it's too late.
The door opens behind him and Nikita walks out unharmed, giving him a
deadly look.
Crachek: I suppose this means the deal is off.
Operations: Not necessarily. Take him to evaluation.
As the operatives lead Crachek away, Nikita turns to Operations,
incredulously.
Nikita: You can't be serious!
Operations: We have to utilize every resource we can.
He departs, leaving Michael and Nikita alone. Nikita walks up to him,
standing close, as she looks into his face. Their gazes are concentrated.
Nikita: Thank you.
Michael tips his head slightly, as if to say "you're welcome". They continue
to gaze at each other.
Scene 30: White Room. Marks sits hunched in a chair, as Nikita enters
the room, and leans against the door. Mark looks to her and begins to
explain.
Mark: (penitently) I didn't plan it, but when I walked into Operations'
office, I wanted to live.
Nikita: I just want to know one thing. Did you love Angela?
Mark: (crying) God, yes.
She moves to stand before him. He begins to sob hard. He is truly sorry,
and when Nikita reaches out to comfort him, he grabs her hand and holds
it to his face, as if he is begging her forgiveness.
The door opens and Nikita has to leave, when the operative who must
cancel Mark steps in. She looks back at Mark, and is truly heart-broken
for him. The door closes behind her and the operative aims his gun at
Mark.
Scene 31: Main Area. Nikita walks into the Main Area,
and is intersected by Madeline.
Madeline: Anything wrong?
Nikita: No. pauses) Yes, there is. I think it's wrong that Mark's dead and
Crachek's alive.
Madeline: Crachek's not alive.
Nikita: Operations said you might find him useful.
Madeline: It didn't take long to realize we couldn't work with him. The man
was a complete monster.
As Madeline walks off, Nikita's face register complete shock, as if she
cannot believe that Section has met someone too repulsive for even them.
The End
