Getting Out Of Reverse
Previously on LFN segment is shown with clips from "Playing With
Fire" and "On Borrowed Time" including Michael and
Nikita sneaking away during the mission, and Nikita's brainwashing.
COMMONS AREA
Nikita walks into Section. She is wearing a black shirt with a
collar. Operations and Madeline are up in the perch, watching.
Madeline: It's time to put Nikita
to the test.
Operations: Do you think it's
premature?
Madeline: No, enough time has passed.
Operations: What about her
interactions?
Madeline: She will no longer be
capable of forming an emotional bond with anyone.
Operations: What about previous ties?
Madeline: Michael means nothing to
her. Not anymore. She's a perfect robot.
Beneath them, on the sparring floor, Nikita and Michael approach each
other and begin to fight. Michael seems to get the best of her for a
minute.
Michael: You committed too soon.
Nikita: Why do you say that?
Michael: You already had turned
left when -
Nikita kicks him in the jaw.
Nikita: I'm sorry. What, did you
think we were taking a break?
They fight some more.
Michael: Changed your style?
Nikita: Improved my technique.
Michael: Only your moves.
Nikita: What else is there?
Michael knocks her down, she rolls, stands.
Michael: Comes from inside.
They fight more, he floors her.
Michael: You alright?
She takes the opportunity to pin him.
Nikita: (
whispering)
They're watching us.
Michael: I know.
NIKITA'S APARTMENT
Nikita is in her apartment, hanging by her feet doing curls holding
weights in each hand. Her cell phone rings and she answers, still
upside down.
Michael: ( voice-over)
Josephine.
She drops the cell phone. There is a man in her apartment. She draws a
gun, swings, catches his neck between her feet and drops him. It's
Mick who is now on the floor, pinned with his head between her knees
and her gun pressing into his cheekbone.
Mick: Hello.
Nikita: What are you doing here?
Mick: I think I just soiled a new
pair of skivvies.
Nikita: What are you doing here?
( slower, coldly)
Mick: Came by for a cup of sugar?
Nikita: How did you get the key to
my apartment?
Mick: Aw, why do we have to do
this, cupcake? We're mates, way past the third degree. All right. You
gave me one, when you went to Africa, remember? You asked me to water
your plants? I made a copy. You've got such - you've got such
scrumptious munchies in your fridge.
Nikita: Give me the key. (
she is still holding the gun to his cheek. He gives
her the key and she lets him up. He rises.)
Mick: Oh lovely, look at
this. ( goes over to Nikita's dead plants) I treat them like
they're my own little seedlings, you turn this place into a
horticultural cemetery. This is bad karma.
Nikita: Get what you need and
leave. ( she points the gun at him, then walks upstairs, leaving
Mick staring in shock)
MUNITIONS
Walter is working, Michael approaches.
Walter: Hey, Michael, what do you
need?
Michael: Have you talked to Nikita
lately?
Walter: No, I saw her come in. She
didn't stop by. You know she always does, for greetings and
salutations. Don't mean to make you jealous.
Michael: Talk to her.
Walter: About what?
Michael: Listen to her voice, look
in her eyes.
Walter: I don't get you, Michael.
Michael: Just talk to her.
Scene Four - Section One - War Room
Operations is conducting a briefing.
Operations: We've just been
informed that one of our remote cell teams in Latvia was targeted by
nationalists. The team was wiped out except for Irina Kerensky, a
level four operative. ( He pulls Irina's face up on the
holoscreen)
Birkoff: She's being held
hostage. She was at a high level briefing just hours before the
grab. If she's still alive, what she knows could cause a lot of
damage.
Operations: She's been trained to
resist interrogation but we don't know how long she can hold out. We
have coordinates. Birkoff will finish your prep in Systems. Go get
her.
KAZAKHSTAN EMBASSY - DUSHANBE, TAJIKISTAN
A gold Mercedes taxi pulls up outside the Kazakhstan Embassy. It
pauses by a guard. Nikita drops from the underside of the Mercedes and
goes down a manhole cover conveniently located in the driveway. The
guard is speaking in Russian. Then he switches to English.
Guard: Pull over there, we have to
check it out.
Nikita: ( On comm set) I'm
in. ( drops to ground, runs down a hallway)
Michael: ( Back at Section)
Proceed east through the central tunnel. Main access is fifty meters
ahead. Sub basement vent unmonitored; no hostiles. ( pause) OK,
Nikita, you should see the vent after you turn.
Nikita: Got it.
There is a metal grate there. Nikita takes out a blowtorch, cuts
through metal.
Nikita: I'm at second
mark. Estimate two minutes to target.
Flash to Madeline and Operations up in the perch, monitoring Nikita's
performance. Operations is pacing, Madeline is leaning against the
ledge.
Michael: Perimeter teams, hold
your positions. Nikita, hostiles still in place.
Nikita finishes cutting, removes the metal grate.
Michael: Nikita, you're clear to
target.
Nikita climbs up and removes clothes, she's left in an army green
military uniform with a skirt, black shoes, tie. She enters a room
where several soldiers are talking in Russian. She takes out a long
narrow scope that allows her to see around the corner and then enters
calmly, and knocks them out. She steps over the bodies and proceeds
into another room where the captured operative is restrained in a
glass cell.
Nikita: ( into comm set)
Michael, she's here.
Michael: What about hostiles?
Nikita: I took out three, I didn't
see anybody else.
Michael: And Kerensky?
Nikita: Still alive. Looks like a
remote interrogation.
Nikita shoots at the glass, trying to free Kerensky. They have a
dialog in sign language.
Nikita: She's behind bulletproof
glass.
Operations: Nikita, how does it
look?
Nikita: She claims she hasn't
given information yet.
Operations: What's your
recommendation?
Nikita: ( Staring at the
sweating, gasping Kerensky, apparently unmoved.) If we incinerate,
we'll have 100 percent containment.
Madeline: Destroying an embassy is
severe. There will be fallout for months.
Operations: Taking Section
operatives is severe. I want our enemies to know that. You think
she'll do it?
Madeline: There's only one way to
find out.
Operations: Okay, Nikita, your
request for incineration approved. Set the sequence for thirty
seconds.
Birkoff: All teams evacuate.
Michael: Nikita stand by - I'm
working on a contingency.
Nikita places the explosive on the glass in front of the terrified
Kerensky.
Nikita: Thirty seconds.
Michael: Nikita, can you hear me?
There are children on the premises.
Nikita: I hear you Michael. 25
seconds.
Kerensky screams soundlessly behind the glass. Michael scans through
the schematic quickly, activates the fire alarm sending the children
running for safety before the building explodes. Nikita walks calmly
away as it bursts into flames in the background. Up in the perch,
Madeline turns to Operations.
Madeline: Now we know.
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Michael walks down the hallway into an isolated area, pulls up
information on the computer on the wall about Nikita.
Michael types: Status?
Computer: Information Not
Available.
Michael types: What were her
activities over the last two months?
Computer: Information Not
Available.
Michael types: Behavior
modification programs?
Computer: Information Not
Available.
CITY STREET - NIGHT
Nikita walks alone. Michael approaches from
her right.
Nikita: What are you doing here? (
coldly)
Michael: I want some answers.
Nikita walks away in response, then stops. Michael comes to stand
beside her.
Michael: (Pulls out a device,
punches buttons) We have two minutes. 16 people died in the
embassy explosion. What's going on?
Nikita: They're watching me,
Michael. I had to do it.
Michael: Kill people?
Nikita: I knew you'd activate the
alarm. I reduced the impact charge in the device. Tried to place it
somewhere there'd be minimal damage. I had no choice.
Michael: Why?
Nikita: They tried to reprogram
me. I had to let them think they'd succeeded.
Michael: When did it start?
Nikita: Genefex Mission.
Michael: You weren't at the
rendezvous point.
Nikita: Birkoff sent me upstairs
and Madeline was waiting. I was tranq'ed. (Nikita is flashing back
during this sequence to her brainwashing) I don't know what they
did but when I awoke, I knew they'd been messing with my mind. They
tried to strip me of my humanity. No feelings. No connection with
anyone.
Michael touches her shoulder.
Michael: Why didn't you let me
help you?
Nikita: (shakes her head
slowly) There was too much surveillance. ( she kisses him)
Believe me... believe me. I have to go.
She separates from him -
quickly walks away. He stares after her, then walks away himself and
gets back into his car. He was taping her when they were together and
now he plays the tape and watches her again.
( Tape playing)
Nikita: No feelings. No connection
with anyone.
Michael: Why didn't you let me
help you?
Nikita: There was too much
surveillance
( He rewinds again)
Nikita: No feelings. No connection
with anyone.
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Birkoff meets furtively with Michael.
Birkoff: I'm running
redundancies. I've got to get back.
Michael: I want you to run an eye
analysis for me, please.
Birkoff: That's a monolux disk. I
can't open it without being detected.
Michael: Run it during the
redundancy check, when the system segregates.
Birkoff: If it doesn't complete by
the time I'm done, I get caught with my hand in the cookie jar. Isn't
there some other way?
Michael: No, it's for Nikita.
Birkoff: I'll see what I can
do.
COMMITTEE
Operations is on the phone with George, pacing. Madeline is seated, watching
him.
Operations: Quite frankly, it
doesn't make sense to me, George. We got to Kerensky before there was
exposure. Yes. All right, fine.
Madeline: There's a problem?
Operations: He thinks the embassy
was being used - that there was no alliance with the target group.
Madeline: Who cares - the mission
was successful.
Operations: He won't listen. I
could do so much more if he were out of the picture.
Madeline: We tried. For the time
being, we have to comply.
(
There's a beep)
Operations: Yes?
Voice: Nikita's waiting.
Operations: Send her in. (
Nikita enters)
Nikita: Yes, sir?
Operations: We were pleased with
your clarity in yesterday's mission.
Nikita: Thank you.
Madeline: How does it feel to be
back in Section?
Nikita: I feel good. Ready. (
Her affect is very flat here)
Madeline: And your interaction
with others?
Nikita: They seem to expect more
than I care to give.
Madeline: And what do you think
that might be?
Nikita: The emotional
component. Like we talked about, with Michael.
Madeline: Yes. It's unnecessary
for us, but they need it.
Nikita: Hmmm. Well, I could smile
more.
Operations smiles.
Madeline: Begin with Walter.
Nikita leaves. Operations looks at Madeline, smiles and kind of
surprised.
MUNITIONS
Walter is working, Nikita approaches, he
doesn't see her at first and jumps.
Walter: Oh, jeez, (
laughs)
you scared the devil out of me.
Nikita: I'm sorry. ( big
smile) I just came by to say hello.
Walter: You did?
Nikita: I wanted to apologize for
yesterday, after the briefing - I didn't have time to talk.
Walter: Yeah, well what was all
that about?
Nikita: Well, you know I haven't
been out for a while and they're watching me pretty closely. I don't
want to mess up.
Walter: If you ask me, you're
going a little too far out of your way to please them.
Nikita: What do you mean?
Walter: Yesterday, you took out
half an embassy.
Nikita: I know. It was horrible.
Walter: Oh, no, it was a tough call.
Nikita: I know.
Walter: Hey, hey, hey… (
he hugs her)
Come here. It's okay, Sugar… it's okay.
Nikita: Thanks, Walter.
Walter: Any time.
Nikita: Everything okay with you?
Walter: Me? I can't
complain. Building bombs, chasing girls. You know me.
Nikita: (
strangely distant)
Yeah. I know you.
SECTION ONE - WALKWAY
Birkoff leaves a panel for Michael,
Michael picks it up, walks down the hallway.
CITY STREET - NIGHT
Michael is driving along in a nice black
Mercedes listening to Birkoff's report.
Birkoff: Michael, you were
right. The irregularities in Nikita's eye movement suggested neural
engineering. Four years ago, Operations approved a research proposal
based on the work of a neuro-biologist called Ross Gelman. I don't
know if Gelman's methods were used on Nikita. If they were, I'd look
for someone who's been close to her. Not just at Section, but at
home. The process requires maintenance.
Michael does a U-turn and speeds up.
NIKITA'S APARTMENT
Michael shows up; Mick opens the door.
Mick: Michael, what a pleasant
surprise.
Michael decks him, Mick goes down.
Mick: Michael, lovely to see
you. Would you like to go to my place for a drink?
Mick gets up; Michael shoves him again.
Mick: You know I've got a problem
with guns. Do you mind?
Michael: What are you doing to
Nikita?
Mick: Me? To Nikita? Do you think
I've been rogering her? Michael, Michael! Absolutely not, no, no,
you've got it all wrong. Not that I didn't try of course. Before I
found out about the two of you.
Mick: I'm watering her
plants. They do look a bit thirsty. Maybe I was slacking off.
Michael puts the gun to the underside of Mick's jaw.
Michael: Bye, Mick.
Mick: Wait, wait - I'll show you!
Slowly, very slowly. ( He pulls out a vial)
Don't ask me what it is.
Michael: What do you do with it?
Mick: I just splash a few drops on
the floor.
Michael: Why?
Mick: You know the old saw,
Michael. You tell me, we'll both know.
Michael: Who at Section asked you
to do this?
Mick: I haven't a clue. It was
done anonymously. Look mate, I like Nikita. This hasn't exactly been
my favorite detail. She's changed. It's got something to do with
that. But you know they didn't exactly give me a choice. ( Michael,
vial in hand, starts to leave) Michael, if you take that, they
will find out and blame me.
Michael: That's possible.
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Michael: Did you find Gelman?
Birkoff: He hasn't surfaced since
he went rogue. Four missions have already gone out for his
retrieval.
Michael: Why?
Birkoff: I think he took some
technology with him. He's monitoring our channels, that's how he sees
us coming every time.
Michael: What's our estimated
return on this mission?
Birkoff: Tomorrow, three P.M.
Michael: Make it six. He owes me
for St. Petersburg, if I can find him.
Birkoff: What do I say?
Michael: I'll let you know on site.
COMMONS AREA
Operations: Birkoff! I've been
looking all over for you, you're supposed to be on five.
Birkoff: I was, but I had to come
back here to run a diagnostic.
Operations: Stockholm just gave us
a positive on the group responsible for the kidnapping. We'll go
tomorrow as planned. Tell Michael to assemble his team.
Birkoff: Yes, sir.
MUNITIONS
Michael strides up to Walter.
Walter: Michael.
Michael: A multi-channel
transmitted with a confidential broadcast band.
Walter: I didn't see that in the
profile.
Michael: It wasn't.
Walter: (Hands it to him)
Here you go. Reach out and touch someone.
SECTION ONE - TRAINING AREA
Nikita is sparring with a male op. Operations walks in, watches for a
while. Nikita gets the better of the other man, they bow to each other
and conclude the "match". Operations walks away, seemingly
pleased.
SYSTEMS
Operations enters; Madeline is working on a computer.
Operations: Birkoff's working on a
location.
Madeline: Good. We need to take
care of this soon. Have you heard from George?
Operations: Indirectly. They're
still monitoring this one closer than I'd like.
Madeline: At least it keeps his
attention away from other things.
Operations: Yes. I just saw
Nikita. ( They start walking together) I have to say, she show
no sign of weakness. Your methods continue to amaze me.
Madeline: I wish I were as
optimistic.
Operations: What do you mean?
Madeline: We had success with our
original subject, but remember, that was a controlled situation. For
someone on the outside, there are variables beyond our control.
Operations: That's true. But so
far, she seems to be behaving exactly as planned.
Madeline: Nikita is an excellent
actor. We can't forget that.
Operations: A few days ago, I
might have shared your concern. But now I don't think even Michael can
touch her.
Madeline tilts her head and nods like she thinks he might be right.
COMMONS AREA
Nikita walks in with a slinky black skirt and
sleeveless top. She goes up to Walter.
Walter: Hey! My sugar.
Nikita: One of these days, I'm
going to figure out how someone so sweet can be so... smart.
Walter: Don't kid yourself. I'm
not that sweet.
Michael comes up behind; Nikita walks away.
Walter: Seems fine. Same old
Nikita.
THE MISSION - CITY STREET
Michael and several operatives converging on one side, Nikita and
several operatives on the other, everybody in black. A car door opens
and a man steps out of a black Lincoln. The shootout begins. Michael
dives for cover behind a VW Rabbit as a man exits the car with an
automatic weapon and starts blasting.
Michael: Nikita, hold.
Nikita: I can get him.
Michael: Hold. Wait for instructions.
The original target runs down the street, runs into a building, with
Michael in hot pursuit. They run down a hallway, with the bad guy
throwing obstacles in Michael's way that don't impede him a
bit. Michael knocks him down and then picks him up and throws him in a
closet.
Michael: Birkoff, target
escaped. I'm pursuing.
Birkoff: All right. I'll
monitor. ( pause, speaking only to Michael) Michael, you have
one hour to get to Gelman.
Nikita's watching though - she saw what really happened.
OUTDOOR COURTYARD
Michael meets up with Gelman.
Gelman: Sorry I'm late. I was just
making sure the perimeter was clean.
Michael: I told you I was coming
alone.
Gelman: And you're a man of your
word. It's just that I've been doing this for quite a while. It's
become a habit. ( Flash to a sniper assembling a gun) I
wouldn't do this for anyone else. I owe you for St. Petersburg. So
tell me, what's this about.
Michael: You did research on mind
control. Segregating certain parts of the brain.
Gelman: What about it?
Michael: Does it work?
Gelman: I don't know. They never
tested it outside the lab.
Michael: Yes they did.
Gelman: On who?
Michael: Three months ago they
subjected someone on my team. Is it reversible?
Gelman: Yes. ( The sniper gets
Gelman in his sights)
Michael: Do you have the process?
Gelman: No.
Michael: Who does?
Gelman: It's in Section.
Michael: Where?
Gelman: There's only one copy of
the program. It's in the computer, in the lab with the original test
subject.
Michael: Who was the original test
subject?
Gelman: If I tell you that, you
are a dead man.
Michael: I want to know.
Gelman leans over, whispers to Michael.
Michael: That's why you left.
Gelman: Wouldn't you?
Gelman is shot, drops soundlessly. Michael sits him down on a bench as
if he has nodded off.
VAN ACCESS
The team is coming back in. Michael stops to talk to Operations;
Nikita watches from a distance.
Operations: What was the
problem?
Michael: No problem. He ran away
and I tracked him down.
Operations: He should have been
contained in the first place.
Nikita turns, walks past Michael without looking at him.
COMMITTEE
Nikita: Michael's
lying. There was no escape. He created a scenario to give himself
time.
Madeline: Yes.
Nikita: He's trying to find out
what's been done to me.
Madeline: Is he making progress?
Nikita: I think so.
Madeline: Why do you think he's
doing this?
Nikita: Because he loves me.
Madeline: Yes, he does.
Operations: That'll be all
Nikita. ( Nikita leaves)
Madeline: With Nikita's
corroboration, we can convince Oversight that Michael's gone too
far.
Operations: (
picks up the phone)
Get me George.
COMMONS AREA
Three operatives of which Davenport is in the lead, head purposefully
through Section.
Birkoff: Hey Walter ... what's
going on?
Walter: I don't know, but it looks
bad, amigo.
Birkoff: They're going after
Michael.
Davenport: ( pausing outside of
Michael's office) Sir, we're here, requesting final
confirmation.
Operations: ( pauses for a
moment, as if thinking it over one last time) Kill him.
They walk into Michael's office and shoot. It's not Michael. It's a
hologram.
Davenport: Sir, we have a problem.
CITY STREET - NIGHT
Nikita walks alone, down the street. Nikita continues to walk down the
sidewalk. Michael watches from a distance.
THE END
Edited by Dana