414.Line In The Sand
RenTV:
Teaser - Section 1, Comm.
Everything is quiet. Appears to be late at night.
Birkoff is working at his computer. Deep in concentration. Walter approaches.
Hes putting on his jacket. It appears that he is on his way home (wherever that is).
Walter: You still at it?
Birkoff continues working appearing not to notice Walters continued
approach.
Birkoff: Did you say something?
Walter: No. Its all right. What ya workin on?
Birkoff: Pull back from the Islamabud Mission.
Walter: Find anything?
Birkoff continues to watch his computer screen.
Walter: Birkoff, did you ever think about going out for a little walk? You
know, stretch your legs a little bit. Get a few rays on that pasty mug of yours.
Birkoff: Would you hand me that thermo-enhancer there?
Walter: Yeah, sure.
Walter retrieves the gadget that Birkoff has indicated and gives it to Birkoff.
Birkoff puts it into his computer and continues to work.
Walter: Find somebody?
Birkoff: Yeah.
Off Birkoff and Walter staring at his computer we cut to Hillinger at Oversight.
He is monitoring what Birkoff is doing.
Hillinger (speaking to himself): What are you looking for Seymour?
Off Hillinger watching his monitors we cut back to Birkoff and Walter.
They are both staring at Birkoffs computer.
Walter: Now, thats a Red Cell thread. How high does it go?
Birkoff: All the way to the top. I think.
Walter: Well, think again. The head of Red Cell wouldnt be on a relocation
profile.
Birkoff: Its possible.
Walter: All youve got here is a little hunch and a cold cup of coffee. Better
think about that walk outside. It might help you see things a little clearer.
Off that sage advice, Walter exits leaving Birkoff alone working. Finally he sees
something which completely gets his attention. He grabs his ear piece.
Birkoff: Wheres Operations?
Secretary (VO): Hes in the Tower.
Birkoff: Get him.
Secretary (VO): Hes not to be disturbed.
Birkoff frustrated. Takes off his ear piece and exits.
Off his exit the scene switches to a closed door. Operations opens the door.
He is not amused.
Operations: I told you I was not to be disturbed.
From behind Operations we hear the voice of a woman. We dont see her.
(Transcriber in now: Was there any good reason TPTB didnt let this woman be
Madeline?? I know, they hate the TRs.)
Woman (VO): --------------------------------------------
Operations (to the woman): ------------------------------
(then to Birkoff) What is it Birkoff?
Birkoff: I found the Cardinal.
Off Operations nod of acknowledgement we cut to the opening theme and
credits.
ACT 1 - Nikita is in her apartment looking out her balcony doors.
We can hear children playing off in the distance. There is a knock at the door and
Nikita goes to answer it. Its Mick. Shes annoyed. She opens the door and he
enters speaking. He is accompanied by a woman, Monique.
Mick (to the woman with him): Do you see what I mean? I mean look at this
foyer. Sparce, airy, but inviting. (pause, realized he hasnt introduced the
woman) Where are my manners? Nikita, Monique. Monique, Nikita. Kiss,
kiss and all that.
Nikita and Monique exchange looks and hellos. Mick continues speaking.
Mick: Monique is my new interior decorator. I told her you wouldnt mind
me showing her around your flat.
Nikita: Actually, I am right in the middle of something, Mick.
Mick (to Nikita): Oh, we wont be long, doll. Well be gone in a jiff. (to
Monique) See its the flow. A little neuvo-vencilli. Dont you think?
Monique: (to Nikita): You did a really nice job here.
Nikita (to Monique): Thanks. (to Mick): Mick, this isnt the right time.
Mick: Cozy though, very cozy. With this look I can have the best of both
worlds - like a rock and roll, like high energy urban exterior and a relaxed
casual interior. And look at what shes done to the kitchen space. Hey! That
is handsome, very handsome.
Micks actions during this speech are beyond description. He jumps around, he
dances. Its classic Mick. You just have to see it, sorry.
Nikitas phone rings. Mick picks it up.
Mick: Allow me. Hello.
Michael (VO): Josephine.
Mick: Its for you.
Nikita gets up heading for the phone.
Off this we cut to a corridor within Section. Operatives are everywhere.
Walking in a hurry but with purpose.
Something BIG is obviously up. Camera settles on Walter as he makes his way
down the corridor. He passes a junction, just as he passes Nikita appears from
the junction behind him. She sees him and catches up with him. They walk and
talk.
Nikita: Hey.
Walter: Were live, Sugar.
Nikita: Whats going on?
Walter: Birkoff thinks hes found the Cardinal.
Nikita: The head of Red Cell?
Walter: 20 years weve been looking for this guy and he suddenly surfaces?!?
Nikita: What are you saying?
Walter: I dont know. Could be anyone down the Red Cell food chain. Maybe
its a misread. Birkoff hasnt slept in days. Oh hell, what do I know? Im just
the boy with the toys.
Off Walters exit and Nikitas look we cut to Michael in a small briefing area.
Nikita enters.
Nikita: Hows Albania?
Michael: I was called back. I havent seen you for awhile.
Before Nikita can answer, Operations, Madeline, Birkoff, and Walter enter.
Operations begins speaking immediately.
Operations: Youve heard the pre-brief so Ill short the details. The mission
is two-fold. Extract the Cardinal. Eliminate the base camp.
Michael: What do we have on him?
Birkoff: nothing. Hes never been photographed. All we have to go on is a
partial.
An image appears above the briefing table. It is the image off a man in a black
ski mask. Birkoff continues.
Birkoff: This image was taken during his evac of a temporary outpost we
once raided.
Operations: Its the closest we ever got to eliminating the target. He was
alerted. We were ambushed.
Birkoff: I used a pinpoint diagnostic to create the profile.
The image of the man in the ski mask changes. The mask disappears and the
screen now shows what they think he looks like based on Birkoffs pinpoint
diagnostic.
Operations: This is all we have. We are going to layer this 60. Michaels team
will have point. Birkoff.
Birkoff: Because of the target, it is extreme wet wear and hard defense. Each
team will need stealth gear. Triple ID tags. Tactical details will be on your
panels.
Operations: We move in one hour. Thats all.
Off everyone exiting the briefing, we cut to Hillinger at his post in Oversight.
He is surrounded by people and computers. He is monitoring Section 1s
activities.
Hillinger (into ear piece): Get me George.
George appears. He is in his office. The scene switches between Hillinger at his
post and George in his office.
George: What is it Hillinger?
Hillinger: Sir, there has been a convergence at Section 1. They are pulling
back from all active assignments. Tunneling their manpower.
George: Why?
Hillinger: Well, it would seem that Birkoff thinks hes found the Cardinal.
George: Has he?
Hillinger: No sir. He has not.
George: Then what has he found?
Hillinger: Well, Cardinal dropped the tag as a diversion. Red Cell does this
routinely every 6 months or so. I guess nobody told Seymour its nothing to
get excited about.
George: Are you quite sure?
Hillinger: Oh, yes sir, quite sure.
Off Georges look we cut to Operations in the Perch.
He iss tudying his computer display. Madeline is with him.
Operations: Have we assigned the new contingencies?
Madeline: Davenport is handling it.
Operations: The evac points?
Madeline: Birkoff is downloading the new positions.
Secretary (VO): Sir, George is on the line.
Operations punches a button on his remote and the computer screen changes to
reveal George.
Operations: Hello George.
George: Paul. Tell me about this Alpha Team you have going into northern
Europe.
Operations: Im sending a recon team into the new borders.
George: The mission has a Q status attached to it.
Operations: Because of the political situation in the region, we felt Dark
Approach was best.
George: I know about the Cardinal, Paul. Hillinger looked at the data and
came to a different conclusion than Birkoff. Its a trap. I want the mission
scrubbed.
Operations: Weve been after this man for 15 years, George. This is the
closest weve ever come to getting him.
George: The Cardinal Mission is grounded.
The communication is terminated.
Off Ops and Maddy sharing a look we cut to Birkoff working at Comm.
Opeerations enters. We also see Nikita in the background. She overhears
the conversation.
Operations: Hillinger thinks youre wrong.
Birkoff: Im not.
Operations: Hillinger is the best there is at surfacing intel and he didnt find
the Cardinal.
Birkoff: Thats his problem.
Operations: You disagreed with him on Madagascar. It resulted in significant
casualties.
Birkoff: This has nothing to do with Hillinger.
Operations: Good. Then initiate mobilization and bring back the Cardinal.
Operations exits leaving Birkoff a bit shaken. Nikita watches to make sure
Operations has left, then she watches Birkoff. She realizes that he is troubled.
Nikita: We OK?
Birkoff: What happens if Im wrong?
Nikita: You cant think that way.
Birkoff: Ever since Hillinger came to work here, Ive been second guessing
myself.
Nikita: Yeah, hes good. But so are you. You found the Cardinal. Hillinger
didnt.
Birkoff: Yeah and now Im wondering why he didnt. What if I overlooked
something? Im about to deploy on the single most important mission Section
has ever moved on and I cant give the command.
Nikita: Forget Hillinger.
Birkoff: I cant.
Nikita: You have to.
Birkoff: Hes better than me.
Nikita: Yeah, hes brilliant. It takes more than analyzing raw data to do this
job.
Birkoff: Whats that?
Nikita: Instinct. What does your gut tell you, Birkoff? Is it the Cardinal or
not?
Birkoff and Nikita share a look. Birkoffs resolve hardens. He puts in his ear
piece.
Birkoff: Bring all teams in. Were operational.
Off Birkoff we cut to Oversight.
George approaches Hillingers area. Hillinger is still monitoring Section 1.
Hillinger: Operations hasnt recalled the Cardinal Mission.
George: Initiate a Protocol 5 against him. Effective immediately. He has to be
taken out of play.
Hillinger: No, I wouldnt do that if I were you. Operations has already sealed
his fate by sending his men into a trap.
Hillinger continues speaking but the scene switches to Van Acces at Section 1.
Under Hillingers speech we see Michael, Nikita and the rest of the team
heading for Van Acces. As they arrive, we see that Operations is there to see
them off.
Hillinger: He has to proceed or you have nothing. All you have to do now is
sit back and watch him hang himself.
Off Operations watching as Michaels team leaves
ACT II - Mission van enroute.
Michael and Nikita are inside. Michael is watching his computer display.
Nikita: How does it look?
Michael: Empty.
Nikita: Does that make sense? Should we be encountering some form of
defensive recon?
Michael: Why?
Nikita: Birkoff superseded Hillingers assessment. We could be sitting ducks.
Michael and Nikita share a look.
Michael: Thats always a concern.
Off Michaels statement we cut to Section 1 Comm.
Birkoff is monitoring the teams approach.
Birkoff: First Team is approaching entry point.
Hillingers voice comes over Birkoffs comm link.
This scene switches back and forth between Hillinger monitoring at Oversight
and Birkoff at Comm.
Hillinger: And what entry point would that be?
Birkoff: Hillinger, how did you get on this channel?
Hillinger: Hey Seymour.
Birkoff (to Hillinger): Im in the middle of a mission. (into ear piece): First
Team launch tactical.
Off Birkoffs order, we cut to the mission van. We see the mission van park.
They have arrived at their destination.
Birkoff (VO): Go.
The doors open and operatives exit. Guns at the ready.
Scene switches back to Hillinger and Birkoff.
Hillinger: You ignoring me?
Birkoff: Get off this channel.
Hillinger: Relax. Im just here to watch the show.
Birkoff: What show?
Hillinger: Well, you are about to crash and burn.
Birkoff: Thats what you think.
Hillinger: Sorry pal. Its a fact. Going after someone who aint there.
Birkoff: Michael, outer layer is clean.
We cut back to the mission.We see operatives heading out and hear them
calling orders.
Operatives: Go. Go. Move.
We cut back to Hillinger.
Hillinger: You know, when alls been said and done and the bloods been
mopped up, Section will finally see you for the hack Ive always known you to be.
Birkoff: You dont do your homework, Greg. The relocation orders were sent
on a Gapa Signal.
Hillinger: I know that.
Birkoff: Yeah, but did you know Red Cell layers them? You probably didnt
recycle twice before decoding. (Birkoff smiling big, gotcha) Greg?!?
Off Birkoff gloating we cut to Hillinger looking very worried. (Transcriber in:
Hehehe. Go Birky!)
Birkoff: Ah, Greg, are you still there?
Again we see Hillinger.He is checking his computer, doing just what Birkoff
said. Now he has passed worried and moved right on into scared. One of
Hillingers co-workers approaches.
Co-worker: Sir?
Hillinger (yelling at her): Not now! (pauses, then speaks to himself in a
disbelieving tone): He did it.
Once again the scene switches from Oversight to Section 1.
Birkoff: First Team is in play.
George enters Hillingers area.
George: I spoke with Mr. Jones. He agrees with your assessment. After this is
over, I want you to prepare a co-opd order on Section 1. Operations will be
removed. (he pats Hillinger on the back) Well done.
George exits, now Hillinger is really scared.
Hillinger (to himself softly): Oh God.
Off Hillingers terror we cut to the Cardinals base camp.
It is very modern much like Section.
The Cardinal is at his desk. A female co-worker enters. Red Cell operative:
This just came in.
Cardinal: Where did this come from?
We see what the Cardinal sees. It is a message that says "Warning. Evacuate."
Red Cell operative: We are not sure. It was put over one of the open channels
we monitor.
Cardinal: Ah, has it been analyzed for integrity?
Red Cell operative: Its clean. But were trying to back channel it now. We
believe the message to be valid.
The Cardinal doesnt answer immediately. He is pondering the situation.
Red Cell operative: Course of action, sir?
Off her question and the Cardinals silence we cut to Section operatives
entering the compound.
Birkoff: OK, youre clear.
Again we see the operatives as the penetrate deeper into the Red Cell base camp.
The encounter no resistance.
Nikita: Whats your thermo read?
Birkoff: Um, thermals frosty. Could be a structural deflect. Move to your
final mark. (birkoff to himself): Come on. Youre there. I know it.
Operatives continue to advance. Still no resistance.
Cut to Operations monitoring from the Perch.
Operations: Where are we Birkoff?
Birkoff: (to Operations): One minute sir. (to team): Michael proceed.
Michaels team as arrived at the heart of the base camp. Still no resistance.
They are worried. Cut to Comm. Operations has left the Perch and is now at
Comm.
Operations: Whats the problem?
Hillinger (VO): Oh, go on Seymour. Tell him you screwed up.
Birkoff: I have Michael combing the perimeter. Hell find them.
Cut to Michael and Nikita. There is no one there.
Michael: Birkoff, the Cardinal is not here.
Out of nowhere Red Cell operatives appear. Section operatives scramble to
recover and return fire. Not good. Cut back to Section as Birkoff tries to figure
out what is going on.
Birkoff: First Team?
Michael (VO): First Team engaging hostiles.
Birkoff and Operations hear the gunfire over the open channel.
Birkoff: Second Team, in. Advance to your mark and engage. Periphery
Teams move forward and tighten.
Camera to Hillinger who is looking very pleased. (I wonder if he tipped off Red
Cell to save his own butt?) Hillinger removes his ear piece and leaves. Back at
Section Birkoff is not having a good day.
Birkoff (to himself): Where are they coming from? (over his com link) First
Team? Respond. Anyone?
Operative (VO): Second Team engaging hostiles. Under fire.
The Comm link goes dead.
Birkoff: First Team???
Off Birkoffs look of fear, we cut to commercial.
ACT III - White Room.
Birkoff is strapped in the chair. Operations enters and circles the chair as he
questions Birkoff.
Operations: Youve buried us.
Birkoff: No. Someone tipped off Red Cell. They evacuated before we got
there. Im sure of it.
Operations: Sure of it doesnt count anymore.
Birkoff: I can find the Cardinal.
Operations: Its too late.
Birkoff: I satellite tagged the Red Cell base as soon as I detected it. Anyone
going in or out will be marked.
Operations: How many tags?
Birkoff: 206
Operations: Hillinger was right. It was a Red Cell plant meant to cripple us.
Birkoff: No.
Operations: Im sorry. But I have no choice but to make you pay for this.
The door opens and the Torture Twins enter. Birkoff is terrified.
Birkoff: If youd just give me some more time, I can find the Cardinal.
Operations: You dont have anymore time.
Off Operations statement and Birkoffs fear we cut to Van Access. The
wounded are being rought in. Madeline arrives to meet the returning
operatives. Michael and Nikita arrive and go to her to report.
Madeline: What happened?
Michael: Someone sabotaged the mission.
Madeline: How can you be sure?
Michael: We detected residual thermal in the Cardinals war room. He sent a
tactical command minutes before we got there.
Nikita: The embassy bombing in South Africa this morning.
Michael: The order came from the location Birkoff sent us to.
Madeline turns and exits. She is in a hurry. Michael and Nikita exit in the
opposite direction.
We cut to the White Room.
Operations: Goodbye Seymour.
Birkoff: (begging for his life): No. Dont. Sir, you cant do this. Dont. Stop.
Sir, I can find him. I can find him. Dont. Dont.
Operations exits the White Room leaving Birkoff to the mercy of the Torture
Twins. The door closes and Birkoffs pleas can no longer be heard. Madeline
approaches.
Madeline: The Cardinal may have been on site.
Operations: How do we know this?
Madeline: We can trust the command that went out. It had his tactical
signature.
Operations get an oh, shit look and quickly opens the White Room door.
Operations: Stop!
Just in time, the Torture Twins were just about to inject him with that lethal
green stuff.
Operations: I need you to run those thermos and analyze all movements.
We will assemble a small field team. Birkoff, you have one last chance.
Off Operations exit we cut to George at Oversight. He is briefing his team.
Hillinger is by his side.
George: The mission is simple. I want Operations and all sympathizers. A
Type 1 Directive is in effect. Opposition will be dealt with. Any questions?
Good. Secure Section 1.
Off Georges operatives leaving we cut to Operations. He is in an isolated
corridor of Section. He is alone in thought. Madeline enters behind him. He
hears her but does not turn around to face her. He knows this might very well
be End Game.
Madeline: George is on his way.
Operations: Has the team been assembled?
Madeline: Theyre on standby. (pause) We should go.
Operations turns to face her. Moving to stand beside her.
Operations: Youve done the numbers?
Madeline nods affirmative.
Operations: What are our chances of finding the Cardinal?
Madeline: Less than 5%.
Operations: Youve been by my side for the last 17 years. This time I dont
want you coming with me.
Madeline: You are going to need my help.
Operations: Remember this place?
Madeline: The old van access?
Operations: I remember the first time I came through those doors. Things
were so much clearer then.
Madeline: We all came in that way.
Operations: How did we get here?
Madeline smiles at him. Its a sad smile, but a genuine one. There is no
answer for his question. How sad.
Off Madelines look we cut to the Perch. Operations is there. Operatives are
assembled below him.
Operations: In less than one hour, Section 1 will be forcefully relieved of its
authority by Oversight. Do not resist. Effective immediately, I am
relinquishing command. There will be inquiries. There will be a purge.
Anyone closely associated to my leadership will be tainted. Profess your
loyalty to George and you might survive. Thank you for your efforts on my
behalf.
Operations exits the Perch.
Off his exit, we cut to Madeline in her office. She is seated at her desk.Michael
and Nikita are present.
Madeline: You are aware that we are going to need a mobile unit to pursue
the Cardinal. I want you two to lead the cell.
Nikita: Is that an order?
Michael: Its a request.
Nikita (to Michael): She is asking us to do a favor? (to Madeline): When was
the last time you did one for us?
Madeline: If you dont want to do it, just tell me.
Off this tense exchange we cut to Birkoff at Comm. He is getting ready to leave,
packing discs into a case. Walter approaches and gives Birkoff a disc.
Walter: This will keep you off their satellites. (pause) Hows your head?
Birkoff: Im fine.
Walter: Youre not fine. Take a look at yourself. You are one thousand miles
away from here.
Birkoff: I have to find this guy.
Walter: Ive seen the numbers, pal. They dont look good.
Birkoff: I dont care about the numbers. If I dont find them, Hillinger will.
Walter: Oh stop obsessing about Hillinger. Theres always going to be
someone who does something better than you.
Birkoff: If Hillinger wasnt around, Operations would never have strapped
me in that chair.
Walter: Wrong. They dont care anymore about Hillinger than they do about
you. They just want to get the job done.
Birkoff: All these years, Ive seen it happen to so many people. I never
thought Id be marked for cancellation.
Off Birkoff finishing his packing, we cut to Michael and Nikita getting their
weapons from munitions.
Nikita: Why are we doing this?
Michael: We wouldnt survive under George.
Long pause.
Nikita: You need this place, dont you?
Another look and long pause.
Michael: No.
Michael exits.
Off Nikitas look of disbelief we cut to the corridor outside of Van
Access. Michael is present in full mission gear including dark sunglasses.
Nikita dressed similarly. Birkoff is there as well. They are waiting in silence.
Madeline and Operations arrive. The team falls in behind them. The door of
Van Access closes on them. Of this we cut to an exterior of the mission van.
They are enroute. Snow is falling. Cut to interior of the van. Operations is on
his cell phone. The others have ear pieces. They are all in conversations with
others.
Madeline: We need confirmation on that request.
Michael: You have it.
Operations: I have it up now.
Birkoff: Ive jammed the satellite.
Nikita: (something in a foreign language)
Birkoff: Dark Cover initiated.
Nikita: (something else foreign)
Operations: The target is Class 1 priority.
Madeline: May I have the coordinates again please?
Michael: (something in a foreign language)
Operations: We are on our own.
Michael: -----------------------
Nikita: I need clear passage into the northern territory.
Michael: --------------------------
Off this we cut to Section 1. Oversight operatives arrive and take control. T
here is no resistance. George arrives with Hillinger. George takes control of
the Perch. He picks up his cell phone and dials.
George: Section 1 secured.
Off Georges look of triumph, we cut to commercial.
ACT IV - Section 1.
Oversight operatives are everywhere. They are leading the Section 1 operatives
around at gunpoint. Hillinger is at Comm. George is in the Perch.
George: Why havent you found him?
Hillinger: Im narrowing it down, sir. Birkoff just went online, but he knows
Im looking so hes piggybacking on a couple a dozen servers.
George: If the Cardinal is out there, Operations will not find him before we
do. Is that understood?
Hillinger: (to George): Yes, sir. (to himself): Damn it.
Off Hillingers frustration, we cut to the mission van.
Operations: Read it back to me.
Nikita: No. Hold position. No word.
Operations: Yes.
Michael: NT scope clean.
Madeline: So are the regional thermals.
Birkoff: Ive got him.
Operations (to person on phone): Hold. (to Birkoff): Are you sure?
Birkoff: The Cardinal never moves without a cluster shadow.
Birkoffs computer display shows the cluster shadow.
Operations: Location?
Birkoff: East grid. Im downloading to the panels now. We can go to tactical
as soon as you give the word.
Operations: (into phone): Were moving.
Off Operations we cut to Hillinger at Comm. He is working. Still looking for
Birkoff.
Hillinger (to himself, pleased): Hello Seymour.
Hillinger enters Perch. George is there.
Hillinger: Sir.
George: Youve found them?
Hillinger: You bet Ive found them and the Cardinal. Thats where they are headed.
If we move now, we can get them both.
George: Dispatch a team. Oversee it personally.
Hillinger: Yes sir.
Hillinger leaves the Perch. We see George watching below as Hillinger
reappears.
Off this we cut to Hillingers team. They are outside a VERY nice
house. One of the team members is looking at the house through binoculars.
He sees no one.
Operative: Sir, there is no one here.
Hillinger (VO): What do you mean?
Operative: There is no resistance.
Hillinger (VO): Ill be right there.
Operative continues to look at the house through binoculars. Still no movement.
Two cars pull up outside the house. Operatives get out and enter the house.
They find Monique inside. She is calm. She has a comm ear piece in her ear
and she is giving orders.
Monique: We are spread pretty thin in that region.
She watched the operatives unconcerned even though they have her at gunpoint
and she appears to be unarmed and unprotected.
Monique: We dont want to move until the intel is confirmed.
Hillinger: Where is the Cardinal, bitch?
Hillinger points his gun at her head. She is completely unconcerned. She
continues to give orders through her comm link.
Monique: Get back to me when your team is in position.
She smiles at Hillinger. Her men enter and kill all of Hillingers men. Hillinger
drops his gun.
Monique: Thank you boys. That will be all.
Her men exit leaving her alone with Hillinger.
Hillinger: What is this place? Who the hell are you?
Monique: We have been following you and Mr. Birkoffs recent activities. I
must say I am a little surprised that you were so badly outmaneuvered.
Hillinger: What are you talking about?
Monique: The man in the next room is not the Cardinal. He is Mr. Jones,
Georges boss. Welcome to the Center.
Off that revelation we cut to a man playing the piano. Classical music.
Monique enters. The camera revels that Mick is Mr. Jones.
Mick (Mr. Jones): Its rather disappointing that Hillinger didnt turn out to
be the operative we thought him to be.
Monique: Perhaps Mr. Birkoff would better suit our purposes?
Mick (Mr. Jones): Perhaps.
Off this exchange we cut to Van Access Section 1. Operations team is arriving
with the Cardinal in tow. George and two guards meet them. Madeline and
Nikita and Birkoff walk right passed George without saying a word. An
operative has the Cardinal in tow.
Michael: The Cardinal.
George looks at the Cardinal. Then the operative leaves with him. Heading for
the White Room no doubt. That leaves Operations and Michael facing George
and his 2 guards. Their guns are trained on Operations.
George (to Paul): Congratulations. (to the guards): Stand down.
The guards lower their guns. Operations and Michael exit without another
word. Operations has a slight smile on his lips. George is not happy.
Off Georges look we cut to the White Room. The Cardinal is strapped into the
chair. George, Operations, and Madeline are in the observation room.
George: Tell me about Cyrus Norasty.
Cardinal: Hes dead.
George: Before that.
Cardinal: He was born in a small village in Norac. At 17, after witnessing the
murder of his father by death squad soldiers, he formed a small para-
military organization that opposed the hard line government.
George: March 12, 1978. What can you tell me about that date?
Cardinal: He met Kim Man Jing.
George: So Norasty supplied the soldiers, Kim gave them the weapons, and
you gave them?
Cardinal: I gave them direction. Direction. Both men started working for me
in 1981. The new alliance became known throughout the anti-terrorist
community as Red Cell. Red Cell. Red Cell.
Off the Cardinals statement, we cut to later in the interrogation. Madeline is
conduction the interrogation now. She is in the White Room with the Cardinal.
George and Operations are still watching from the observation room.
Madeline: Two days ago, when we attacked your base camp, you were tipped
off. By whom?
Cardinal: Our security team picked up movement.
Madeline: Thats impossible. We were on Dark Approach.
Cardinal: We received a message.
Madeline: What did it say?
Cardinal: It told us to evacuate.
Madeline: Origins?
Cardinal: We traced it to the Oversight branch of the Center.
George: Hes lying.
Operations: He has no reason to now.
Birkoff enters the observation room and hands Operations a panel.
Birkoff: We found this on him. It took us some time to decode it.
George: What is it?
Operations: A communique from his base camp.
They both look at the panels display.
Operations: It came from your office, George.
Off this interesting bit of intel, we cut to commercial.
TAG: - Operations and George are in Committee.
Operations: The communique was back channeled, bumped off two C-Com
satellites. There is no telling who at Oversight leaked the information to Red
Cell.
George: Alright. Keep on it.
Operations: Oh, we will. Center called several times. Mr. Jones wants to
know who is responsible.
Off Operations and Georges looks we cut to the White Room. Birkoff enters
caring a gun. Hillinger is strapped in the chair.
Hillinger: Hello Seymour. (door closes with a thud) You know, Im glad its
you taking care of this instead of one of the others. After all weve been
through, it really couldnt end any other way.
Birkoff points the gun at Hillinger.
Hillinger: Go on, pull the trigger. Bang, bang. Come on Seymour. This is a
big step in your evolution from boy to man. If it was me holding that gun, Id
be eating a sandwich right now.
Birkoff: Did you tip off Red Cell?
Hillinger: Just pull the trigger you coward.
Birkoff cocks the gun, then looks away shutting his eyes.
Off Birkoffs look we cut to the Perch. Birkoff enters gun in hand.
Operations: What is it, Birkoff?
Birkoff: Hillinger was never supposed to be recruited. We broke profile only
because he can do things no one else can. Hes better than Ill ever be. We
need him alive.
Birkoff sets his gun on the ledge.
Operations: Ill take it under advisement.
Birkoff exits.
Off his exit we cut to Nikitas apartment. Mick (aka Mr. Jones)
are seated at Nikitas kitchen table. Samples of material are on the table.
Mick (Mr. Jones): Now, did I show you the fabric for my pillow cases?
Nikita: Purple gabardine.
Mick (Mr. Jones): Monique says thats my fabric. It speaks to who I am. You
know, strong, bold yet traditional. It also matches my new silk bathrobe.
Nikita: It sounds like this Monique is really working our for you.
Mick (Mr. Jones): She is not just a decorator, Nikita. She is a spiritual
modifier. You know, you really should give her a ring for a consultation.
Shell change your life. I promise you.
Nikitas phone rings. She doesnt move right away.
Mick (Mr. Jones): I heard Section jumped through a few hoops last week.
Are things back to normal?
Phone rings again.
Nikita: Yeah.
Nikita rises to answer the phone.
Mick (Mr. Jones): Thats good.
Nikita answers the phone.
Nikita: (into phone) Hello. Yeah. (to Mick): I gotta go.
Mick (Mr. Jones): Oh yeah, me too. I got business to attend to. Things to
arrange. Yeah. By love.
Off this little exchange, we cut to Section. Birkoff is talking to one of his co-
workers. Nikita approaches him.
Birkoff: Whats up?
Nikita: Hillingers dead. He was just cancelled.
Birkoff looks up to the Perch. Operations is working, he looks up and catches
Birkoffs eye. Birkoff looks away.
Birkoff: They didnt have to do that.
Comm co-worker: Davenports team just crossed the border into Korachi.
Birkoff: Tell then to hold their position until I sweep the perimeter.
Birkoff goes to his desk at Comm. He picks up his ear piece and puts in on.
Birkoff: What channel is he on? (pause) Comm command online. Perimeter
looks good. Davenport
The scene fades to black as Nikita watches Birkoff doing his job. Just another
day at the office.
The End
|
