Defiant

Episode 104
“Race the Past”
Written By Eric Sipple

TEASER

OPEN ON SCHOOL OF FISH

In the deep ocean, a school of multicolored fish swims placidly through

the water. As they move across the screen, another fish moves up from
the bottom of the screen. This fish is not swimming, though, but
floating sideways. It is quite obviously dead. As the fish floats
past the school, a handful of the swimming fish first slow and then
stop moving entirely before joining the dead fish’s ascent through the
water. The camera changes its focus, following the dead fish as they
rise slowly. Their rise is suddenly halted, though, when they hit the
underside of something massive: a submarine.

The camera pulls, back, giving us a view of the entire sub; it’s the
Defiant.

INT. BRIDGE – DEFIANT DSV

All of the usual suspects are present and at their stations. The
atmosphere on the bridge of the Defiant is tense. Captain James
Wilmette, in particular, looks displeased.

WILMETTE
Can we tell what it is?

Ensign Brittney Bauer taps some controls on the sensors station.

BAUER
I’m not sure. Something is definitely leaking from the Valhalla.

WILMMETE
(annoyed)
Obviously.

Alridge appears thoughtful, carefully considering the situation. An

idea comes to her.

ALRIDGE
Sir, perhaps we should try the infrared.

WILMETTE
(nodding)
You heard her, Ensign.

Bauer goes to work at her station.

OFF SENSOR DISPLAY

At this depth there’s not much heat, and only the Valhalla’s quickly
cooling form gives off a glow. However, from near the center of the
Valhalla a mass of warmth can be seen, slowly spreading away from the
vessel.
OFF BAUER

BAUER
(nervous)
Sir, I think you should see this.

INT. BRIDGE – DEFIANT DSV

WILMETTE
Put it on the main viewer.

The image from the infrared scan appears at the front of the bridge,
visible to all. The image causes a disturbed ripple to move through
the bridge.

PECK
What the hell...?

WILMETTE
Ensign, what is that?

BAUER
I’m not sure yet, Sir.

Alridge’s mood is different than the rest of the crew’s, though.

Rather than a mild concern, Alridge looks afraid.

ALRIDGE
Sir, we need to quarantine this trench right now.

Wilmette looks at Alridge inquisitively.

WILMETTE
Go on.

ALRIDGE
What’s leaking out of that Valhalla...
(frowning)
Sir, I think it might be biological. A weapon.

OFF WILMETTE

Wilmette’s eyes narrow, his face now displaying the same worry that
Alridge’s does.

FADE TO OPENING CREDITS

END TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN

INT COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE

Doctor Rance Kindel, attempting to make himself comfortable in the

cramped seat provided on the airplane, leans back a bit. The move
doesn’t do much good, but it does give his legs an extra inch or two of
space. The person sitting next to him, a young woman of about 20 named
ANDREA, notices his squirming and smirks.

ANDREA
They make them uncomfortable on purpose, you know.

Kindel looks up and sighs.

KINDEL
Why would they do that?

ANDREA
If those fat businessmen up in first class...
(she motions to the front of the plane)
...could be comfortable back here, do you think they’d pay three times
as much for those seats?

KINDEL
(frowning)
In my experience, people will pay whatever they can afford for a little
bit of extra status. Those seats could be worse and people would pay
for them, just to say they’re traveling first class.

Andrea chuckles and takes a sip from the glass of water sitting on the
tray in front of her.

ANDREA
You have a point.

Kindel grunts as if to say “Of course, why else would I have spoken?”

KINDEL
Anyway, I live on a submarine. This isn’t much different.

ANDREA
Submarine? Military or commercial?

Kindel doesn’t look to pleased to have to admit that his sub is...

KINDEL
Military. I’m on leave.

ANDREA
Good for you. Always good to get a vacation.

KINDEL
This isn’t exactly...

He trails off, not really feeling like delving into his personal life.
Andrea won’t have any of this though.

ANDREA
Hmm, sounds like this leave is more business than pleasure.

KINDEL
You could say that.

Andrea looks over Kindel for a moment before speaking.

ANDREA
Ok, I think you could use someone to talk to for the next...
(glancing at her watch)
...hour or so.

KINDEL
I really don’t want to trouble you.

ANDREA
(smiling)
Hey, I’m done with my book. Consider it keeping me entertained.

Kindel can’t help it; he really could use someone to talk to.

KINDEL
Well, it’s my son...he’s getting married this week.

ANDREA
That’s fantastic.

KINDEL
(nodding)
For him.
(beat)
For me...we’re...not on the best of terms.

Andrea nods, sips her water again and prepares to hear what Kindel has
to say.

EXT. DEFIANT DSV

Defiant is stationary above a narrow but deep trench. At the bottom of

the trench, obscured by some sort of dark cloud, is a crippled Valhalla.

INT. MAIN CONFERENCE ROOM – DEFIANT DSV

The senior staff is gathered in the conference room, with Wilmette

standing at the head of the table. He’s motioning to the viewscreen,
which is presently showing a topographical map of the region they’re in.

WILMETTE
It looks like we got lucky that the Valhalla fell into the trench. The
features of it, as you can see, are keeping whatever is leaking out of
it contained.

PECK
What if it wasn’t luck?

WILMETTE
Go on.

PECK
Well, whatever it is, the captain of the Valhalla knew what onboard.
When she was going down, they might have intentionally steered into the
trench.

Wilmette appears thoughtful for a moment before nodding.

WILMETTE
That’s a possibility I considered as well. If that’s true, then we
were lucky their captain was environmentally conscious.

LANDERS
Have we had any luck contacting their ship?

WILMETTE
No. I’ve got Ms. Martin trying right now, but to no avail.
(beat, Landers looks ready to speak, but Wilmette cuts in)
Before you say it, I don’t want to send a team in through something
that might be dangerous. Besides, we can’t get an accurate infrared
image of the Valhalla to see if anyone is alive in there with
that...cloud.

LANDERS
Good point, Sir.

WILMETTE
I contacted Admiral Easton for further instructions. Here’s our
mission for now.
(he sits)
We’re to stay in the area and make sure this contamination doesn’t
spread from the trench. It shouldn’t, so that means we’ll mostly be
maintaining quarantine on the area. seaQuest is en route to determine
what this is, and how to deal with it. Their ETA is two days.

PECK
We’re stuck here for the next two days?

WILMETTE
I’m not any happier about it than you are. On the bright side, though,
this gives us a chance to do some minor repairs and run a few drills.

Alridge is only half listening to the conversation; there’s definitely

something on her mind.

PIPER
That’ll help. I’ve had some things I needed to get done for the past
couple of weeks. PMR won’t give me a chance though.

WILMETTE
Add that to the list of reasons we’re going to hurt them when we find
them.
(beat)
You’ll all receive orders as to your duties for the next two days.
Dismissed.

INT. COMMERCIAL AIRPLANE

Andrea listens intently as Kindel speaks.

KINDEL
He’s got a lot of the same views as me. Just...stronger. Neither of
us believe in violence, and his mother doesn’t either.

ANDREA
And he’s not happy about you being in the UEO?

KINDEL
(nodding vigorously)
Exactly. He doesn’t see that I’m trying to be a positive force
_inside_ the UEO. He looks at me like I’m some sort of butcher,
because I work for an organization that has a standing army. Even if I
don’t kill, I’m supporting them.

ANDREA
When was the last time you two spoke?

KINDEL
Two years ago. Well, a little less. I came back for his birthday and
we went out to dinner.
(beat)
Neither of us much wanted to see the other after the evening was over.
My ex-wife stormed out halfway through the meal.

ANDREA
What happened?

KINDEL
What always happens. A fight.

The fasten seatbelt light comes on, accompanied by a _ding_.

ANDREA
Looks like we’re landing.

KINDEL
(sighing)
Great.

ANDREA
Don’t look at it that way.
(the plane begins to shake a bit as it descends)
Just try to enjoy the wedding for him. That’s all you can do.

Kindel nods, but her words don’t help much. The plane shudders as it
touches down on the ground, and the brakes kick in to slow it down.
Andrea turns to Kindel.

ANDREA
Either way, good luck.

Kindel is consumed by his own worries, though and responds quietly.

KINDEL
Thanks.

Shaking her head, Andrea turns to the window.

INT. WILMETTE’S OFFICE – DEFIANT DSV

Wilmette sits in his office, shuffling through some papers, making

notes on them occasionally. He’s interrupted by the door chime, which
causes him to look up sharply.

WILMETTE
Yes?

Lieutenant Commander Lauren Alridge’s voice comes through the intercom.

ALRIDGE
(filtered)
Sir, may I come in?

WILMETTE
Please do.

The door swings open, and Alridge enters.

WILMETTE
What’s on your mind?

Alridge moves to the chair and takes a seat. There’s an odd nervous
energy she’s giving off, very unlike her.

ALRIDGE
I have a request, actually. I wanted to lead an investigation into the
leak. To see if we can find out what it is.

WILMETTE
That’s what seaQuest will be doing when she gets here.

ALRIDGE
I understand that, but I thought we could find out before then.

Wilmette studies Alridge intently.

WILMETTE
What’s the rush? This isn’t our job. We’re a warship, not a science
vessel. Whatever’s onboard that Valhalla is probably some sort of
weapon, meaning it’s going to take experts to figure it out. Science
experts aren’t onboard Defiant, so it’s out of our league. It’s out of
your league too - you’re not qualified for this type of investigation.

Alridge is beginning to get annoyed.

ALRIDGE
What can it hurt, though? The worst that would happen is that we don’t
figure it out.

Leaning back in his chair, Wilmette does his best to cool Alridge down.

WILMETTE
What it can hurt is that we waste this reprieve we’ve been given. Two
days is plenty of time to get what isn’t working, fixed. If you’re
heading up a fruitless investigation, then you aren’t helping us get
things in order. I don’t want to waste the time we’ve been given.

ALRIDGE
It wouldn’t be a waste, Sir! This is probably a _weapon_ and if they
use it before we can figure out what it is, it would be _our fault_.

Wilmette isn’t being convinced. In fact, he’s starting to become

annoyed himself, and he rises out of his chair to emphasize his
argument, his voice raised to just below a yell.

WILMETTE
How is banging our head against a problem we can’t solve going to
alleviate any guilt we might feel if the PMR unleashes something like
this? It won’t.
(beat, pointing to his papers)
I’ve got reports of attacks all over this area, and if we’re not in
perfect form, it’s going to continue. The only way we can stay in
perfect form is by taking the opportunities we get, like we’ve got
right now. If we squander it by playing scientists, how are we going
to feel when we’re not able to protect the next colony they attack?

When Wilmette finishes, a silence descends on the room. Something

beyond anger is stirring inside Alridge, though; something more like
desperation. Without even looking up at him, she speaks quietly.

ALRIDGE
Do you know what I was going to be before my sister died? I only
enlisted after that happened.
(beat)
I was studying for marine biology. I was going to be a scientist.
(looking up at Wilmette)
It might have been me coming on the next ship to figure this out. But
since Alison died, I’m here arguing with you instead.

The words hit Wilmette with force. Part of him knows he shouldn’t take
this attitude from Alridge, but another part - the greater part - is
consumed by guilt.

WILMETTE
seaQuest arrives in 46 hours. Find out what you can find out by then.
When seaQuest arrives, we’re leaving. Leave the science to her.

Alridge reacts with surprise; she didn’t expect him to give in at this
point.

ALRIDGE
Thank you...Sir.

WILMETTE
I’ll need you for other things as well, though, so if I ask you to do
something, I expect it done as a top priority.
(Alridge nods)
You can take three people for your team, as long as no one else needs
them. Keep me updated.

Alridge rises and nods again. She doesn’t say another word, but
instead just walks to the door. Once she’s gone, Wilmette sits back
down with a deep exhale before diving back into reading the papers on
his desk.

INT. TAXICAB

Kindel rides in silence in the back of a taxi. While Kindel is silent.

the radio in the taxi is not; it seems insistent on playing an
obnoxious accordion tune as loudly as possible. The driver is enjoying
it, at least. Out the window, a small army base can be seen.

TAXI DRIVER
Is this yours?

KINDEL
Yeah.

The taxi stops at the gate, and the driver turns back with a smile.

TAXI DRIVER
Thirty-five dollars.

EXT. UEO BASE

Kindel shuts the door to the cab and it quickly drives away. The guard
at the gate looks inquisitively at Kindel as he approaches.

KINDEL
Doctor Rance Kindel, I’m staying on the base for the next three days.

Identification is produced before the guard can ask for it. Looking it
over carefully, the guard begins to smile.

GUARD
You’re onboard Defiant?

KINDEL
Yeah, I’m her CMO.

GUARD
Must be something. I applied for a posting there, but got turned down.

Kindel is starting to get sick of the conversation.

KINDEL
Want to trade places?

The guard, completely oblivious to Kindel’s displeasure, laughs.

GUARD
Wish I could, wish I could. I’m no doctor though. I’m more the type
to bash heads than to bandage them.

KINDEL
Uh huh.
(beat)
I’d better get going. I’ve got somewhere to be soon.

GUARD
In this little town?

KINDEL
It’s my son’s wedding. So, yeah, I’ve got somewhere to be.

GUARD
Oooooh. Well, have fun Doc.

KINDEL
I’ll do my best.

The guard, still utterly oblivious, opens the gate up with a smile.
Kindel walks in, his discomfort over this whole situation rising all
the time.
FADE TO COMMERCIAL

END ACT ONE

ACT TWO

OPEN ON:

INT. ALRIDGE’S CABIN – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge lies on her bed, reading a report. Her face shows a bit of
frustration, like she’s having trouble grasping everything she’s
reading. She looks happy for the interruption of her com.

ALRIDGE
(punching the button)
Yes?

The voice of Ensign Jena Frell, one of the members of Alridge’s team,
comes through the com.

FRELL
(filtered)
Sir, the Dragonfly has been fitted for sample collection. We’re ready
to go when you are.

ALRIDGE
Thank you. I’ll meet you there.

The com clicks off and Alridge takes a deep breath before setting the
report on the bed next to her. She rolls over on her side, coming face
to face with a picture of her sister, Alison.

OFF ALRIDGE

Alridge stares at the picture with a mix of emotions: sadness, fear and
anger. She speaks quietly, to herself.

ALRIDGE
I’m not you. I’m not trying to be you. I swear.

With another calming breath, Alridge pushes herself off the bed and out
of the frame.

EXT. DEFIANT DSV – DOCKING BAY

A Dragonfly begins to move away from one of Defiant’s docking bays as

the doors iris shut behind it. The shuttle immediately moves deeper
into the water, towards the slowly spreading cloud around the Valhalla.

INT. DRAGONFLY – CONTROL CABIN

Alridge pilots the Dragonfly calmly. Also in the shuttle are Frell,
who occupies the seat next to Alridge, and Doctor Laurence Bishop and
Ensign Carrie Espy, who are seated in the rear area of the Dragonfly.

ALRIDGE
Ensign Frell, get the collector ready.
FRELL
Yes, Sir.

Bishop looks out the window with a frown. The water in the trench,
seen out the window, is nearly opaque.

BISHOP
This water is severely contaminated. How much is that Valhalla
carrying?

ALRIDGE
Who knows? It’s a good thing it’s all collecting in here.
Decontaminating this is going to be a problem.

BISHOP
I imagine seaQuest will come equipped for the task.

ALRIDGE
I’d hope so.

FRELL
We’re ready to get a sample, Sir.

ALRIDGE
Good, taking us down another five meters.

EXT. DRAGONFLY

The Dragonfly is only partially visible amidst the murky water. Near
the bottom of the shuttle, a small cylinder is attached. One side of
the cylinder opens, and some of the water rushes in to fill it, forcing
air bubbles out that float up and away.

INT. DRAGONFLY – CONTROL CABIN

All is as it was.

FRELL
We’ve got it.

Alridge nods, not looking pleased exactly but definitely approving.

ALRIDGE
Back to Defiant then, and twenty minutes of quarantine and
decontamination.

EXT. THE FEZ - RECEPTION HALL

The Fez is, like the town around it, an extremely uninteresting
building. On the sign in front of the building, in the type of stick
on lettering one sees at fast food places, are the words “CONGRA
ULATIONS JASO AND J MIE!” The phrase would properly read
“Congratulations Jason and Jamie” had a nasty wind storm not blown off
some of the letters.

Kindel walks into the frame, his hands in his pockets. He moves
towards the main door of the reception hall and pauses. He reaches out
twice for the handle before pulling his hand back quickly. Eventually
he works up the nerve to enter, and steps inside.
INT. THE FEZ

Kindel, from his vantage point in the small lobby, can see into the
room where the wedding reception will be. A small grouping of people
are talking around a table which has large stacks of plates and
flatware. One of the people in the crowd, Tanya Stephenson, looks up
and notices Kindel standing out in the lobby. With a smile, she
excuses herself from the group and walks towards him. The site of
Tanya seems to relax Kindel a bit.

TANYA
Rance! I had this worry that you were going to find some way of not
being here.

KINDEL
(looking hurt)
Tanya, it’s our son’s wedding.

TANYA
I know. It’s just that last time we all saw each other...

She trails off, and Kindel just nods in understanding.

KINDEL
I’m here, anyway.
(beat, quietly)
You look great, you know.

TANYA
Thank you.
(smirking)
Just don’t say that around Chris. He might feel threatened.

Kindel can’t stop himself from smiling a bit.

KINDEL
I’ll be careful.

TANYA
Well, come here and give me a hug already.

Without waiting for his consent, she reaches out and pulls him into a
comforting embrace.

INT. THE FEZ - MAIN RECEPTION HALL

Kindel follows Tanya’s lead into the room.

KINDEL
(very nervous)
Is Jason here?

TANYA
No, you just missed him. He’ll be making an appearance at the hotel,
I’m sure, so you can talk to him then.

Kindel stops short of the main group of people, causing Tanya to do the
same.
KINDEL
I’m not staying at the hotel.

TANYA
(smiling)
You’re kidding.
(losing the smile)
You’re not. Where are you staying then? On the street?

KINDEL
No, of course not. Being aboard Defiant...I pulled some strings and
they let me stay in an empty room on the base.

TANYA
(frowning)
Oh that will go a long way to making things good between you and Jason.
Just rub in the fact that you’re an army man.

Kindel, noticing they’re close enough to the main group of people to be

heard, he offers a quick, placating smile to them and motions to Tanya
to move farther away.

KINDEL
That hurt.

TANYA
I’m sorry. It’s just...why are you making this so hard, Rance? I know
you’re afraid--

KINDEL
It’s far more than fear.

TANYA
I know.

KINDEL
No, you don’t. He won’t talk to me without arguing with me. I’m
trying to avoid putting myself into a situation where that becomes
necessary.

TANYA
Well at least you’re consistent. You still hate fights, even ones
without bloodshed.

KINDEL
Tanya...

Tanya waves him off.

TANYA
Forget it. We need to plan things for tomorrow. Why don’t you let me
introduce you to everyone, and then you can come to the hotel tonight
for dinner with everyone? I won’t have you hiding out at that base all
weekend.

Kindel isn’t about to argue with his ex-wife, not when she’s being this
forceful. He nods, and the two put on their best cheered faces and
approach the rest of the people.
INT MEDICAL BAY – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge sits next to Doctor Bishop, who is looking at a magnified

culture of the contaminate. She’s impatient, waiting for some word one
way or the other.

BISHOP
Damn.

ALRIDGE
What?

BISHOP
I’m not entirely sure what this is.

ALRIDGE
We expected that, though.

BISHOP
To a degree. But being that it was onboard a submarine, and the way
the PMR works, I thought it would be something based in the sea. It
isn’t. Look.

Alridge leans over Bishop’s shoulder to look at the magnification. The

screen shows a cluster of cell-sized things, each with a nucleus and
other typical features of a cell.

ALRIDGE
What am I looking for exactly?

BISHOP
This isn’t an oceanic native. It’s surviving, but...well look at the
cell wall. I think this is aerial.

ALRIDGE
(frowning)
Aerial? God...what are they planning to do with this?

BISHOP
That’s the question.

Alridge steps back from the screen and thinks for a moment.

ALRIDGE
This is more critical than we thought. What’re your suggestions?

BISHOP
(considering)
Not much that we can do here. Normally, I’d say we need to run some
tests...but the only specimens available to us are aquatic life.
Considering this isn’t meant to affect them, the results might not be
that useful.

ALRIDGE
(disturbed)
So my knowledge isn’t going to apply here.
(beat)
What else can we do, then?
BISHOP
(shrugging)
I could observe growth rate, and determine any particular weaknesses it
has to antibiotics and such.

ALRIDGE
Set up cultures and get started. I think I should report this to
Captain Wilmette.

Bishop nods and turns back to his work while Alridge, perturbed, leaves
the room.

INT MESS HALL – DEFIANT DSV

Commander John Peck and Lieutenant Carolyn Rusch sit at a table in the
crew’s mess. Peck is in the midst of telling a story, which has Rusch
chuckling.

PECK
So this guy, he’s pretty upset by now, and he takes a swing at me. I
was in the middle of trying to calm him down, though, so I don’t see
the punch until it’s caught me in the chin.

RUSCH
Oh, real nice.

PECK
Yeah, well he caught me off guard. So I get up, ready to put the guy
down, when suddenly Captain Matthews is in front of me, still in her
tank top and these goofy shorts she always slept in.

RUSCH
How did you know what she slept in?

PECK
Err...trust me, not for any reason that you’d think. Leave it at that.
(beat)
Anyway, the guy who hit me doesn’t realize that she’s just stepped in
front of me and takes another swing and misses her face by about a
quarter of an inch. Next thing anyone knew, she’s got the guy’s arm
and is twisting it around behind his back.

RUSCH
(laughing)
Nice!

PECK
Then she says--

Peck stops suddenly when he notices that Wilmette is watching the two
of them from about five feet away and doesn’t look very happy at all.
Peck, taking one look at Wilmette’s mood, loses the smile and speaks
very seriously.

PECK
What can I do for you Captain?

WILMETTE
Something’s come up. We need to talk.

Peck gives Rusch a shrug and gets out of the chair.

PECK
To be continued.

He then turns to Wilmette and the two walk away from any occupied
tables to speak.

WILMETTE
We’ve got a bit of a problem.

PECK
How bad?

WILMETTE
Alridge has just found evidence that the PMR have developed a
biological weapon that’s aerial in nature.

PECK
Oh...damn.

WILMETTE
Exactly.

PECK
Was there something you needed me to do?

WILMETTE
I wanted to ask for your advice.

That catches Peck by surprise, and he looks quite confused.

INT. WILMETTE’S OFFICE – DEFIANT DSV

Wilmette and Peck sit at Wilmette’s desk.

PECK
You think she’s going to cause a problem?

WILMETTE
No, I think she’s about to put herself under a lot of pressure and
cause a problem for herself. When she talked to me she seemed almost
timid.

PECK
About what?

WILMETTE
That’s just it. I don’t know. She practically bulldozed over me to
get this assignment, but now it seems like she’s almost afraid.

PECK
And it’s not like you can exactly just ask her.

WILMETTE
(chuckling coldly)
I doubt that would do anything but set her off.
PECK
Would you like me to talk to her?

WILMETTE
It might be worth a try.

INT ALRIDGE’S CABIN – DEFIANT DSV

Wilmette and Peck continue to speak, in voice over, while we watch

Alridge storm into her room.

PECK
(VO)
It can’t hurt, really.

Alridge sees at the picture of her sister and turns away from it
quickly.

WILMETTE
(VO)
Not more than I’m afraid she’s hurting herself.

She kicks the bed once in frustration, before turning back and walking
out of her room.

FADE TO COMMERCIAL

END ACT TWO

ACT THREE

OPEN ON:

EXT BLUE ROSE HOTEL

Much like the rest of the town, the Blue Rose Hotel seems constructed
out of the most mundane of materials and painted in Monochrome Style.
People can be seen entering the hotel through the main door, wearing
rather nice clothes.

INT BLUE ROSE HOTEL - DINING ROOM

The dining room, having been reserved for this pre-wedding dinner, is
much more nicely decorated than one would normally expect. Tanya moves
through the crowd, smiling and greeting newcomers. If she’s feeling
any pressure over hr son’s wedding, she isn’t showing it. She spies
Kindel, who upon entering the dining room, quickly found a table near
the back to sit at. Shaking her head in frustration, Tanya makes her
way to him.

TANYA
Rance, nice of you to hide so quickly after arriving.

KINDEL
I’m not hiding. I’m just gathering myself.
(beat)
I want to congratulate him tonight.
TANYA
(nodding in understanding)
Fair enough. Anything I can do to help? Double bourbon, straight up
maybe?

Kindel chuckles despite himself.

KINDEL
That would be a great way to do this. Drunk.

TANYA
Well, it couldn’t go any worse than last ti--
(noticing something)
You’d better prepare quickly.

KINDEL
Why?

TANYA
Because Jason is on his way over.

Tanya waves to her son with a smile. Jason, who looks much more like
his father than his mother, is approaching quickly. He’s obviously
noticed Kindel and doesn’t look to be in the best of moods about it.

TANYA
Hi honey.

JASON
Hi mom.
(beat, more coldly)
Hi dad.

Kindel rises from his chair and extends his hand.

KINDEL
Nice to see you again Jason. Congratulations.

Jason, while not happy to see Kindel, isn’t being rude and shakes his
hand.

JASON
Thanks.

TANYA
Why don’t you two talk a bit. I just saw my brother come in, and I
should say hello.

Before anyone can protest, Tanya slips away.

KINDEL
There’s a bar in the next room. How about a drink?

JASON
(nodding)
Let’s do that.

INT MEDICAL BAY – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge paces angrily around the medical bay, while her team sits at
the table with reports in front of them.

ALRIDGE
What we’ve got here is no idea what it’s meant to affect, whether it’s
deadly or not, and no idea on how to fight it if they release it
tomorrow into some colony’s atmosphere.

FRELL
We don’t really have the resources to figure a lot of this out, Sir.

ALRIDGE
Would you like to explain that to whoever ends up catching this thing?

Frell frowns and looks down at her feet. Bishop speaks up.

BISHOP
seaQuest will be here in a day, Sir, it’s not like we’re the only
people who are going to take a look at this.

Alrdige turns her eyes onto Bishop.

ALRIDGE
I don’t expect us to crack this thing in a day, nor do I think it’s
necessary. But I don’t want seaQuest to show up and for us to have
_nothing_ to tell her.

The door into Medbay opens and Peck enters. He keeps quiet, though, so
that no one notices him and watches the proceedings.

BISHOP
That perhaps we need to focus our efforts more, Sir?

ALRIDGE
That’s fair. Here’s what I want to know in a day: What is it that this
is meant to affect, and is it deadly or not. We _need_ to know that,
because if this is a new weapon, they could be planning to use it
before seaQuest can even get here. I will _not_ tell Captain Wilmette
that we failed to save people because of a lack of resources. Get to
work.

Disgruntled, her team breaks up and begins to do their work. Peck,

with a little wave, gets Alridge’s attention.

ALRIDGE
Commander?

PECK
(concerned)
Let’s talk.

INT. HOTEL BAR

Kindel and Jason, both with a drink in front of them, sit at the poor
excuse this hotel has for a bar. Neither talk for a long moment, until
Kindel finally breaks the silence.

KINDEL
So, what’s she like?
JASON
Great. A lot like me.

KINDEL
That’s good to hear.
(trying to joke)
I guess she doesn’t think much of me either, then.

JASON
Well, what do you expect? When you betray ideals like--

KINDEL
Jason...please...

JASON
No! Every time we talk, you refuse to listen to me.

KINDEL
That’s not true! I’ve always listened to you. I just don’t really
agree.

JASON
Then you’re being a hypocrite.

KINDEL
How? Because I save people who can’t find anything better to do than
kill each other? That’s called compassion, Jason. You should learn a
little bit of it.

JASON
People like you make it possible for them to fight better. You’re
there, ready to get them back on their feet with a gun in their hands,
as long as they’ll listen to your anger at their actions.

KINDEL
It’s not like the UEO goes around picking fights arbitrarily. Where
would the world be if we hadn’t fought the Macronesians?

JASON
Not much different, I bet. The UEO used to mean something, before the
wars. It was about exploring and helping people. Once Macronesia came
along, it was like an excuse for all of the generals and admirals to
militarize the whole thing.

KINDEL
Oh what, it’s some sort of conspiracy of violence then? Bourne was
just a convenient excuse to kill someone?

JASON
No! But look at the Carolinians! They had every right to leave the
UEO if they didn’t like it, but we just had to beat them back into our
government. And you _help them do it_.

A long silence descends over the table, which again Kindel breaks

KINDEL
(quietly)
It’s a necessary evil. We have to be here to stop the problems that
would threaten our safety. Sometimes people in charge make bad
decisions, but it’s still the best thing there is going.

JASON
Obviously it’s a lot better than staying with your family and being a
civilian doctor. God forbid that murderer James Wilmette have to live
with the consequences of his barbaric decisions.

KINDEL
(sighing and looking down)
Is this ever going to change, Jason?

JASON
Huh?

KINDEL
Are we ever going to be father and son, and not the sum of our ideals?

Jason rises, having not touched his drink at all.

JASON
I should go back. Mom is probably wanting me to meet with more family
members I’ve seen almost as little as you.

And then he’s gone, leaving Kindel alone with his drink. Soon the
drink is gone too, having been downed in one gulp.

INT. CENTRAL CORRIDOR – DEFIANT DSV

Peck and Alridge are outside the door to Medbay, talking.

PECK
Care to tell me what’s going on?

ALRIDGE
What do you mean?

PECK
In there. Yelling at them for something they can’t help.

ALRIDGE
What would you do, tell them they’re doing a great job? They aren’t!

PECK
Maybe this just isn’t their job, and they’d be better off doing
something else on the ship.

ALRIDGE
(narrowing her eyes)
Did Wilmette send you to get me to stop this investigation?

PECK
Oh come on--

ALRIDGE
Did he?

PECK
No! He was worried about you, I can tell you that much. He sent me to
just make sure you were doing all right.

ALRIDGE
Well I’m doing fine. Can I get back to work?

PECK
(sighing)
What’s the big deal with this, anyway? I think it’s great that you’re
trying to solve this, since we’re stuck here anyway, but...why stress
over it? This isn’t our mission, so if we find nothing out then we
find nothing out. Let the scientists deal with this.

ALRIDGE
Because...
(beat, frowning)
I _need_ to do this. For myself.

PECK
Why? You’re not a scientist, Lauren, not even close. You’re an
officer, though, and a great one when you’re not acting like this.
What are you trying to prove?

ALRIDGE
Let me tell you something about being a great officer. Alison was
doing this way before I went into the UEO, and she was superb. One of
the reasons I went to college and not into the UEO was because I didn’t
want to have to compete with that. I couldn’t offer a damn thing that
she hadn’t already.
(beat)
I was...taking my own path. Then she...I don’t think I need to say
it...after that I couldn’t take college anymore. So I came to the UEO
and low and behold, I’m walking in Alison’s footsteps.

PECK
Lauren, you’re your own person. And you’re great at your job.

ALRIDGE
But not as good as _her_. I’m different than her, and I know that.
And this...
(she motions at the Medbay)
This is my chance to prove that to myself. I’m _not Alison_.

PECK
Maybe this isn’t the time--

Alridge cuts him off in anger.

ALRIDGE
How would you know? If I can’t do this, then it just proves that her
death was the most important thing that’s happened in my life. _Losing
her_ was more affecting than anything I’ve ever done. And if that’s
true...
(shaking her head)
I won’t let Wilmette be the biggest influence I’ve ever had in my life.
Damn him if he thinks he can hold me back on this.
f(looking back at Peck)
I’m going to have something to show seaQuest and Captain Wilmette by
tomorrow. Please don’t interrupt me for chit chat, _Sir_.
She turns and storms off down the corridor, leaving a very befuddled
Peck standing outside of the Medical Bay.

EXT BLUE ROSE HOTEL

Kindel stands outside of the hotel, looking up at the cloudy night sky.
The hint of a moon pokes through the clouds; more of a fuzzy spot of
illumination than anything. From behind him, Tanya walks out through
the doors of the hotel.

TANYA
Same old conversations, huh?

Kindel looks over his shoulder and nods.

KINDEL
Just like always.

TANYA
I’m sorry, Rance.

She walks forward and puts hurt arm around him.

KINDEL
Don’t worry about it. There’s nothing you can do about it.

TANYA
I know. It’s just...
(sighing)
We separated for him. I had met Chris, and that played a part but we
really wanted him to have a father he could see all the time.

KINDEL
You were never comfortable with my being away, anyway.

TANYA
I know. What I’m getting at though is that you, Rance, you were
willing to give up your ties to land - to home - for your son. All
when that decision made it easier for him to become distant with the
man who was actually his father.

KINDEL
(frowning)
How noble.

TANYA
(sincerely)
It was. It still is.

Kindel looks up and wipes a single tear out off of his face.

KINDEL
If you look at it that way. The way I’m looking at it, I chose the
military over him.

Tanya has nothing to say to that, and can only put her arms around him
in a comforting embrace.

FADE TO COMMERCIAL
END ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

OPEN ON:

INT ALRIDGE’S CABIN – DEFIANT DSV

All of the lights are off in Alridge’s room, but she’s unable to sleep.
Instead, she’s lying on her back, staring upwards. Rolling over onto
her side, Alridge turns the nightstand lamp on. This position puts her
into face to face position with Alison’s picture. With a grimace,
Alridge quickly reaches out and knocks the picture over so it rests
face down. Then, resigning herself to not being able to sleep, she
pushes herself out of bed.

INT MEDICAL BAY – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge sits at a workstation in Medbay, staring up at the viewscreen

in front of her. The screen is divided into two frames, one labeled
“Unknown Sample” and the other labeled “Known Contagions.” The frame
on the right, for known contagions, changes rapidly, each time
displaying what percentage similarity the two organisms have to each
other. None of the numbers go above 20%.

OFF ALRIDGE

She watches the screen intently, even though the images are moving far
too fast for her eyes to do any good. The computer is doing all the
work, and isn’t telling her at all what she wants to hear. She still
watches though, hoping to see something...anything. She’s so intent
that she doesn’t hear the door open behind her.

INT MEDICAL BAY – DEFIANT DSV

Rusch stands at the opened door, looking at her friend with concern.
In her hands are two mugs. She opens her mouth to say something, then
shuts it; instead opting to walk up to her. Alridge still doesn’t
notice, even when Rusch is right next to her.

RUSCH
Um...Lauren?

Alridge doesn’t so much look startled as just annoyed.

ALRIDGE
Huh?

RUSCH
What’s up? I brought us some hot cocoa.

ALRIDGE
(distant)
Oh...thanks.

She turns back to the screen, continuing her work. Rusch puts on a
smile and tries to get Alridge’s attention back.
RUSCH
Remember our sleepovers? We used to drink a whole container of the
stuff, and we’d end up not sleeping at all.

Giggling a bit, Rusch sets the mug next to Alridge’s hand, and pulls up
a chair for herself. Alridge actually turns back to Rusch and smiles,
just a bit, back.

ALRIDGE
Yeah, those were a blast.

Alridge then turns back to her work. Rusch pushes on, though, trying
to get and keep her friend’s attention.

RUSCH
You know what we haven’t done in a while? Had lunch together. Seems
like we’ve both been so busy that we keep missing each other.

ALRIDGE
Uh-huh.

OFF VIEWSCREEN

The images cycle maniacally, still not finding a match.

OFF RUSCH

She’s losing her smile now, and a seriousness is descending over her.

RUSCH
There’s been some things...well...I could really use someone to talk to.

OFF VIEWSCREEN

The images are moving so fast they’re a near flicker.

OFF ALRIDGE

She’s hearing Rusch, but isn’t understanding a word that’s being said.
Or rather, she doesn’t seem to care to understand.

ALRIDGE
Sure.

OFF RUSCH

Rusch’s hands clench around themselves as she says the next words.

RUSCH
I think...I like Commander Peck a lot. More than I feel comfortable
with.
(beat)
It scares me, Lauren.

OFF VIEWSCREEN

The images come to rest on one in particular, with the words “60%
MATCH. SEARCH LIKE CONTAGIONS?” written underneath.
OFF ALRIDGE

She smiles excitedly, not having really heard anything that Rusch said
to her. She quickly hits “Y” on her keyboard.

OFF RUSCH

Rusch looks down at her feet, realizing that Alridge isn’t going to
listen to anything she says right now.

RUSCH
I can see...you’re hard at work right now. We’ll talk later, ok Lauren?

WIDE SHOT - RUSCH AND ALRIDGE

Alridge looks up with a smile and nods to Rusch.

ALRIDGE
Sure, just let me know when.

She then turns back to her work. Rusch pushes herself out of her chair
and sadly leaves the room, not even remembering to bring her cocoa with
her. Alridge doesn’t seem to remember that her own mug is there,
either; at least, she has yet to take a sip.

EXT OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH

Like all relatively modern Catholic churches, this one fuses bizarre
architecture and boring design all in one. The shape could only be
described as a polygon of sorts, with a tall spire jutting out from the
middle. Cars currently move into the parking lot while people file
themselves into the church itself.

Kindel isn’t entering the church, though. He’s sitting, in his nicest
suit (which really isn’t all that nice), on the sidewalk curb just in
front of the church’s doors. Occasionally he glances over his shoulder
at the church, working up the nerve to go inside of it. Finally, he
rises and walks in.

INT CHURCH LOBBY

People mill about the in lobby, and Kindel moves through the crowd
slowly without any particular destination. Someone notices him,
though. Someone in a white bride’s gown. It is Jamie Parilla, Jason’s
soon to be wife. She starts to walk towards him, managing to say hello
to people who try to stop her and yet keep moving. When she gets close
enough, she speaks up...

JAMIE
Dr. Kindel!

Kindel spins around, and looks completely surprised for two good
reasons: that he’s being addressed formally by someone he’s never met,
and that the person addressing him is someone he wouldn’t expect to
address him at all.

INT CHURCH OFFICE

Inside of a small administrative office of the church, Jamie and Kindel

find seats. Jamie herself, upon closer inspection, is quite beautiful
and for someone on her wedding day, looks very relaxed. Kindel, on the
other hand, looks ready to bolt at the first opportunity.

JAMIE
I’m glad I saw you before the wedding.

KINDEL
(unsure of what to say)
Oh?

JAMIE
Mm hmm. Jason talked to me about your argument last night and...
(laughing a bit)
...you know this is really hard to do.
(composing herself)
I just wanted to meet you for myself, without Jason being around. You
are his father, after all.

KINDEL
Much to his chagrin, I’m sure.

JAMIE
(seriously)
Not at all. He’s always considered you more of a father to him than
Chris, even though he barely sees you. Which is the problem, probably.

KINDEL
I’m not sure I understand.

JAMIE
Do you think he’d be able to draw up some much passion to his arguments
if he didn’t feel strongly about you? Whenever he’s talking about
problems in the UEO or...anything like that at all...the conversation
always makes it back to you.

KINDEL
(frowning)
He must hate me more than I thought.

Jamie shakes her head with a smile.

JAMIE
You two are frighteningly alike. Neither of you like to listen.
(leaning forward)
Do you really think a son would has his father over something like...an
ideal? Over pacifism, or anything like that?

KINDEL
I don’t know. Jason seems to.

JAMIE
Dr. Kindel...

KINDEL
Call me Rance.

JAMIE
If I call you anything, it should probably be dad.
That causes a shock for Kindel, and he doesn’t do anything to cover it
up.

KINDEL
Well...

JAMIE
Look, I need to get ready. I’m sure they’re wondering where I am
already. Just listen to this.
(she leans closer to him)
To me, only sometimes, Jason talks about you. Not in anger. He talks
about how he wishes he had known you better.
(beat)
He talks about how he doesn’t understand why the UEO meant more to you
than him, when you hate what the military stands for. Just like he
does.
(she rises from her seat)
Think about that, and ask yourself if it’s really pacifism that’s
caused all of this. It’s probably something a lot simpler.

She smiles once more to Kindel, compassionately, and then walks towards
the door. Before she reaches it, Kindel fights through his surprise
enough to talk.

KINDEL
Jamie.
(turning to her)
I’m glad Jason found you. Congratulations.

JAMIE
(blushing)
Thank you. Dad.

She turns back to the door and leaves Kindel to compose himself alone.

INT. MEDICAL BAY – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge still sits at the workstation, staring at the viewscreen. A

good deal of time has passed, evidenced by the cold and congealing mugs
of cocoa that sit next to her. Bishop, carrying a report, walks
carefully towards Alridge.

BISHOP
Sir.

Alridge looks up from the work. She looks tired, and quite frustrated.

ALRIDGE
Yes?

BISHOP
I did some tests of my own, based on the similarity the computer found
between the two contagions.

ALRIDGE
(perking up a bit)
And?
BISHOP
And...it’s a dead end.

ALRIDGE
What?

BISHOP
They have some key dissimilarities, and I’m fairly certain they’re not
related.

ALRIDGE
But this was our only lead!

BISHOP
(frowning)
This is what research entails. When it comes to science, there’s
usually only one right answer, and you usually have to go through a
hundred wrong ones to find it.

ALRIDGE
Well we don’t have time for a hundred wrong answers.

Bishop only shrugs. If words accompanied the shrug, Bishop would have
said something like “Take it up with God.”

BISHOP
What would you like me to do now?

ALRIDGE
I--

She doesn’t get to say any more before the com at the workstation beeps.

MARTIN
(filtered)
Commander Alridge?

ALRIDGE
Go ahead.

MARTIN
A priority message just arrived for you from seaQuest. Would you like
me to put it through to your current position?

Alridge freezes up for a second. She’s not ready for seaQuest yet.

ALRIDGE
No...no. Put it through to my quarters. I’ll get it there.
(looking up to Bishop)
I’ve got to take this.

BISHOP
Understood, Sir. Is there something else you want me to do?

ALRIDGE
I don’t know. Nothing. Take a break for now.

Bishop nods; he doesn’t seem to care one way or the other what he’s
doing on this job. Alridge rises quickly from her chair to leave.
INT ALRIDGE’S CABIN – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge enters her room and moves straight for the terminal. She types
a few keys quickly and the message from seaQuest appears. It reads:

“We should arrive at your position in under an hour, and wanted to give
you time to prepare a report. We appreciate your effort in performing
a preliminary investigation into this matter. Cap. Jessie Matthews”

As Alridge reads the message her fists clench together, her rising
anger obvious. She rises from her chair and kicks the desk.

ALRIDGE
Preliminary investigation. Like they expected me not to find anything.

She spins around and notices the picture of Alison, face down on her
desk. She storms over to it and picks it up. Her frustration is
giving away to something more primal, a kind of raging desperation.
Tears form in her eyes as she glares at the picture.

ALRIDGE
If you were still alive, I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t be a damn
faded copy of you.

She throws the picture against the wall, causing the glass to shatter.
The frame and picture falls face down on the ground. Alridge stands
there for a long moment, staring at the broken frame, still on the
verge of tears.

ALRIDGE
Oh God...

Alridge walks quickly to the frame and falls to her knees next to it.
She picks it up tenderly, brushing away the shards of glass. Alridge
pulls away the picture, which she cradles in her hands. The tears come
full force.

ALRIDGE
I’m sorry, Alison.

FADE TO BLACK

ALRIDGE
(VO)
I’m sorry.

FADE TO COMMERCIALS

END ACT FOUR

ACT FIVE

OPEN ON:

INT. THE FEZ - MAIN RECEPTION HALL

Dinner is being cleared from the tables while people begin to mingle
and socialize with the other guests. Kindel still sits at his table and
is closely watching Jason, who is presently talking with his
stepfather, Chris. Chris himself seems a bit...sedate. His looks
could be described as common, but that would just be a nice way of
saying “boring.” The only distinguishing feature on him is that he’s
short. He’s placidly chatting with Jason, who doesn’t seem all that
interested in what’s being said.

CHRIS
You’ll have to be careful tomorrow when you fly out.

JASON
I know.

CHRIS
I’m serious.

JASON
Yeah, Chris, I know.

Chris frowns and looks up at Tanya, possibly for assistance.

TANYA
He’s giving good advice, Jason.

Jason is getting annoyed now, as only someone can when he’s getting
nagged by parental figures.

JASON
Yeah, ok!

Just then, Jamie arrives to save him from dealing with further nagging.

JAMIE
Hey there.

Jason leans over and gives Jamie a quick kiss.

OFF KINDEL

Kindel, seeing how happy his son is with his new wife, can’t help but
smile.

INT ALRIDGE’S CABIN – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge stands in front of her mirror, fixing her hair. Her eyes show
the slightest bit of redness from her recent tears. Behind her, on the
bed, the photograph of Alison can be seen. She sets the brush on the
table and straightens her uniform. As satisfied as she’s going to be,
Alridge walks to the door.

INT MEDICAL BAY – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge’s entire team is gathered. They’re sitting and waiting, none

of them even so much as chatting. They all look up when Alridge enters
the room. Apprehension is obvious on their faces; they don’t know what
to expect from her.

ALRIDGE
I just got a message from seaQuest. They’re about to arrive here, and
we’re to put together a report before they do.

ESPY
The investigation’s over, Sir?

ALRIDGE
(nodding)
What we found...and I know it isn’t much...is to be handed over to
seaQuest for further work. I’ll be writing the report, so you three
are ready to go back to your regular duties.

BISHOP
You don’t need anything else from us?

ALRIDGE
No. Thank you though.
(beat)
I just want to apologize if the past two days have been rough. You all
did your best work for me, and if we didn’t manage to find anything
it’s only because...
(quieter)
...I may have overreached. Good work everyone. Dismissed.

The subtle apology catches everyone by surprise, and none can manage
speech before Alridge turns to go. None of them see the look of
guarded pain that comes across Alridge’s face when she turns away from
them.

INT THE FEZ - MAIN RECEPTION HALL

Kindel walks away from the bar with a drink in his hand, when suddenly
Tanya is in front of him. She appears so quickly that Kindel nearly
runs into her.

KINDEL
Ah!

TANYA
Oh! Rance, I’m sorry.

KINDEL
Don’t worry about it, I didn’t spill anything.
(Tanya points to a spot on his shirt)
Didn’t spill anything much, then.

TANYA
I’ll get it cleaned for you, if you’d like.

KINDEL
Don’t worry about it. I haven’t work this shirt in years, and I doubt
I’ll have much reason to again. Defiant doesn’t exactly host parties.

TANYA
I can imagine.

KINDEL
It looks like the party is about to start breaking up.

Kindel points to a cluster of people getting their jackets on.

TANYA
Oh, they always leave early. There’s still some fun left in us.
(smiling)
How about you? Have any fun left?

KINDEL
Did I have some to begin with?

TANYA
I seem to remember a little.

Kindel looks over Tanya’s shoulder and notices Jason and Jamie dancing.

KINDEL
They look, I don’t know, well matched.

Tanya looks at them herself and nods.

TANYA
They are, I think. You can never tell this early, though.

Kindel is looking at Tanya sadly when he responds. She’s looking the

other way, though, and doesn’t notice.

KINDEL
Yeah, that’s for sure.

Tanya turns, but Kindel’s already collected himself.

TANYA
That reminds me, I’ve got something for you.

KINDEL
Oh?

Tanya reaches into her small handbag and comes out with a piece of
folded up paper.

TANYA
Jamie asked me to give this to you.

Kindel reaches out and takes the piece of paper.

KINDEL
That’s interesting.

Kindel begins to unfold the paper.

TANYA
She said she got to meet you. I think you made an impression.

KINDEL
Huh.

He’s not really listening, but reading the handwritten words on the
page. It reads: “Consider this an open invitation to our home. Maybe
a talk between you two with me there to calm things down will help. Or
maybe it will just take time. Either way, I hope you’ll come to see
us. Jason, I’m sure, agrees. Love, Jamie.” Kindel smiles a little as
he reads it.

TANYA
Good news?

Kindel looks up, at Jason and Jamie, and then to Tanya.

KINDEL
Yeah. Better than I was expecting.

INT BRIDGE – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge sits at her usual station at the Command Plex. Her eyes are
focused on Wilmette, who is standing over Bauer’s shoulder as she works
on something. Alridge’s gaze is cold, much more so than usual. She
never takes her eyes off of him as he works. Martin’s voice breaks the
relative silence on the bridge.

MARTIN
We’re getting a message from seaQuest, Sir.

Wilmette looks up from his station. Alridge’s head, though, doesn’t

turn. Her eyes are still trained on Wilmette.

WILMETTE
What’s it say?

MARTIN
Captain Matthews is requesting to speak with you personally.

WILMETTE
Put it through to my office.
(to Peck)
You have the bridge, Commander.

Wilmette then walks off of the bridge to his office. As soon as

Wilmette is gone, Peck turns to Alridge.

PECK
(quietly)
How are you doing?

ALRIDGE
Fine.

PECK
Are you sure, Lauren? You look--

ALRIDGE
I’m fine, Commander.

PECK
Ok, you’re fine.

Peck turns away from Alridge, going back to surveying the bridge.
Sighing, Alridge does the same. Wilmette steps back onto the bridge,
then, and looks at Alridge.
WILMETTE
Commander Alridge, Captain Matthews would like a word with you. You
can use my office.

Alridge can only manage a nod to Wilmette, not trusting herself enough
right now to speak.

INT WILMETTE’S OFFICE – DEFIANT DSV

Alridge sits down, very uncomfortably, in Wilmette’s chair. She then

hits a key and the viewscreen comes to life, Captain Jessie Matthews’
face filling it.

ALRIDGE
Captain.

MATTHEWS
(smiling)
Commander Alridge, nice to talk to you face to face.

ALRIDGE
The same to you, Sir. I’ve got a lot of respect for your actions in
the Carolinian War. You’re...a hero.

It’s obvious that Alridge means it. Matthews waves off the compliment.

MATTHEWS
No more than anyone else who fought with me. Less than the people who
didn’t make.
(beat)
Anyway, I didn’t call to talk about old wars.

ALRIDGE
If I might ask, what did you call about, Sir?

MATTHEWS
I just wanted to thank you personally for the work you did. It’ll give
us a nice head start on cracking it. Your Captain told me that you
pushed for the assignment.

At the mention of Wilmette, Alridge’s eyes narrow a bit.

ALRIDGE
I’m surprised he said anything positive about it. He didn’t want me to
take the assignment.

Matthews nods once and considers Alridge’s words before speaking again.

MATTHEWS
You don’t like your Captain much, do you Commander? Is it because of
your sister?

The sheer bluntness of Matthews’ words catch Alridge off guard.

ALRIDGE
I’m...hardly the only person to have a problem over his...past.

MATTHEWS
Indeed.
ALRIDGE
And yes, my sister has a part in my feelings over him.

MATTHEWS
The greatest sadness a captain feels is when he loses people under his
command. James Wilmette carries around a lot of pain, I imagine.

Alridge is regaining her footing, her anger towards Wilmette taking

control.

ALRIDGE
Frankly Sir, he earned it.

MATTHEWS
The fact that he made a mistake, you mean?

ALRIDGE
Yes.

MATTHEWS
Hmm. Let me tell you something, about my last captain. I imagine
you’ve heard of Lucas Wolenczak?
(Alridge nods)
Well at the end of the Carolinian War, Wolenczak put his ship, his crew
and his own life on the line over an ideal. A very personal ideal that
a lot of people didn’t share or care about. Just like your Captain
did. Both of them risked everything for something personal to them.
(beat)
Do you know why the world hates one and not the other?

Alridge doesn’t like where this is going at all, but can’t do anything
to stop it.

ALRIDGE
Why?

MATTHEWS
Because Lucas Wolenczak succeeded, and James Wilmette didn’t.
(beat)
Have a nice day, Commander. Matthews out.

The screen goes blank, leaving Alridge in stunned silence. Hold for a
moment until we

FADE OUT

THE END

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