Love, Honor, And Cherish
Previously on LFN segment from “Man In The Middle” is shown.
COMM CENTER
Michael walks up to Birkoff, who’s sitting at a
computer.
Birkoff: Hey, Michael
Michael: Is Camsat 12 in position for downstream retrieval?
Birkoff: (Birkoff pulls something up on the computer)
Yes, but it’s a military bird. If I access without priority clearance...
Michael: Put it up.
Birkoff: The coordinates?
Michael: Six degrees south, twenty-two N, forty eight L, on axis. Five point
azimuth. Nikita’s transceiver?
(Birkoff and Michael can now hear what’s going on where Nikita is. She is
getting out of a silver Rolls Royce with Helmut.)
Helmut: …ad with this, he demanded that I attend university or be sent forthwith
to the gallows. You’ll get to know my father and you’ll find that he’s the kind
of man who needs to ensure that his litter is appropriately papered.
Nikita: So you didn’t go?
Helmut: God, no, no, no, no. He had achieved great wealth. He’d already laid the
groundwork for me, and thus his eldest son was spared the rigors of higher
education.
Nikita: What was his reaction to you not going?
Helmut: I believe I discovered a new blood vessel, right about here. Is
everything all right? No doubts? Missing Freddie? Choosing money over the man.
Nikita: Such a choice of words. No, no doubts.
Helmut: Oh, you’re such a lovely liar. Welcome home, Mrs. Volker.
Back at Section.
Birkoff: You sure you want to see this, Michael?
He turns; Michael is gone.
WAR ROOM
Operations: Eric Kalstrom is Red Cell’s leading strategist. We’ve been trying to
extract him unsuccessfully for the last two years.
Birkoff: He’s been code-tagged but they’ve been able to block transmissions by
restricting his exposure.
Operations: As you know, we expect Helmut Volker to become a key player in Red
Cell’s Arsenal. Our intel suggests that Kalstrom might eventually risk exposure
to make contact with him. When he does, I want him.
VOLKER'S MANSION
Nikita is meeting Volker’s father, Wolfgang, who
is in a wheelchair and on oxygen.
Nikita: It’s very nice to meet you sir.
Wolfgang: Very pretty. Enough so that I would expect you could have done better.
Or perhaps whatever damages your insight doesn’t show on the outside.
Helmut: I have a long history of family nurturing and support.
Wolfgang: You’ve taken a great deal more than you’ve given!
Another, younger man enters – dark hair, handsome.
Helmut: The white sheep of the family – my baby brother, Kristof – my new bride,
Anna.
Nikita: Hello, I’ve heard a lot about you.
Kristof: Helmut tends to exaggerate my good points. Welcome aboard the good ship
Volker. I’m sure you’ll find it interesting.
Nikita: I already am, thank you.
(Wolfgang’s oxygen monitor distracts them. Helmut goes to fix it, but his father
waves him away.)
Wolfgang: No, no! Kristof-
Kristof steps over and fixes the problem.
Wolfgang: Helmut cares for no one and nothing. Not a bad quality when it comes
to looking over the business. Whereas Kristof looks over me.
Nikita: Having just spent three weeks with him, I believe there’s more to your
oldest son than meets the eye.
Wolfgang: I’ve had a great deal more time to think about that than you, my dear.
Wolfgang wheels from the room.
Kristof: Father tends to get a bit cranky when his oxygen runs low. Why don’t I
change the canister and then maybe you’ll give me the chance to show you where
some of the bodies are buried around here?
Nikita: I’d like that.
Kristof exits.
Helmut: Well, not exactly the family that inspires holiday greeting cards.
Nikita: Your brother seems very nice.
Helmut: An oft-repeated phrase.
Nikita: You like him. I can see that.
Helmut: Of course. But I don’t envy him. The role of the good son is a far more
difficult one to live up to.
Nikita: And yet your father is leaving the business to you?
Helmut: Old world. Tradition and all that. Besides, this is where you come into
the picture. Our marriage is supposed to legitimize me - turn me into a man of
honor and responsibility.
Nikita: Seems to be working.
Kristof returns.
Kristof: Ready.
Helmut: Good. Well, I have some calls to make. Enjoy the tour. Oh, and brother,
just because I used to share my recordings and trading cards with you, please,
don’t take absolutely everything for granted.
Nikita: (to Helmut) Don’t be long.
They kiss and then she and Kristof leave.
COMM CENTER
Birkoff is working, Operations stands behind him.
Birkoff: I’ve got a number. I’m running location now.
Numbers scroll and then Operations and Birkoff can hear the phone call.
Reinhardt: This is Reinhardt.
Helmut: Yes, it’s me. Are we set for the meeting?
Reinhardt: There are still some issues regarding the Hague conference. We’ll set
it up for later in the week.
Helmut: You’ll let me know?
Reinhardt: I’ll get back to you.
Birkoff: They’re scrambling. I’m having trouble getting a lock.
Operations walks off.
THE PERCH
Michael and Operations are there talking.
Operations: I’ve just reviewed the post-mission statement on Malaguay.
Michael: We had 100% containment.
Operations: Yes. I’m aware of that. Your numbers are extremely high, Michael.
That concerns me.
Michael: Why?
Operations: Given Nikita’s current assignment, we expected a rolloff. At least
during the early part of her mission.
Michael: Perhaps it’s your numbers that should concern you.
Operations: That may be. In the meantime, if you’re harboring any thoughts about
separating Nikita from her assignment, you’d better get them out of your head.
Michael: Is that all?
Operations: I expect it will be.
VOLKER'S ESTATE
Helmut and Nikita are drinking champagne in front of
a roaring fire.
Helmut: To someone far more beautiful than I deserve.
Nikita: To not underestimating yourself. You seem to have gone on a diet lately.
Helmut: How so?
Nikita: Since we left for Argentina, it’s been strictly wine and champagne.
Helmut: I entertain a wide variety of friends. What I do to keep up appearances
when they’re around doesn’t dictate what I do in private.
Nikita: Seeing as how I’m your supplier, that could put me out of business.
Helmut: I’m expecting that it will. Look, Anna, we both know what this marriage
is and isn’t about. But I hope you’ll forgive me if our relationship isn’t
always entirely professional.
Nikita: Meaning what?
Helmut: You have so much now. Selling drugs, and even more so, using them – is
it really necessary?
Nikita: What’s your concern? That it’s the wrong impression?
Helmut: You’re a beautiful woman with a lifetime ahead of you. Perhaps I’m not
the only one given to underestimating myself. It’s getting late. I’ll close up
and then, I’ll see you upstairs.
Helmut walks over and shuts off the lights. Then he bends over and somebody
grabs him from behind, trying to strangle him. There are several men there
trying to take him down. He fights them off efficiently.
Nikita: Helmut?
Helmut: (to Nikita) Stay upstairs!
Nikita watches intently. She realizes there's more to him than she thought.
Nikita: Who are you?
VOLKER'S ESTATE
Bodies are being removed, agents are everywhere.
Man: I’m clearing this out here.
Man #2: We’re trying, sir.
Nikita and Helmut are sitting together.
Nikita: Are you going to tell me what’s going on?
Helmut: Yes. I’m sorry, but I needed clearance first. I’m a special agent. I
work for Interpol.
Nikita: How long have you been doing this?
Helmut: Since the time father expected me to go to University. Interpol knew
that his business had been targeted by a number of terrorist groups, and given
the choices they handed me, I decided to go for them.
Nikita: What choices?
Helmut: Put on the tent and pony show. The rich kid moving in the fast lane. Let
the bad guys move against me, or risk letting them take on my father. Maybe even
kill him.
Nikita: So your father and Kristof know nothing about this?
Helmut: No. Kristof was too young at the time, and besides, one of us had to be
free to make good in my father’s eyes.
Nikita: And these men, do you know who they are?
Helmut: No. But we’ll run prints and forensics and know more in a few days. I
suspect a kidnapping attempt. It wouldn’t be the first time.
Nikita: And me?
Helmut: They told me if I was to maintain my cover, I had to go through with it.
For my superiors you were useful – the right time, the right woman.
Nikita: I see. All in the line of work.
She gets up and starts walking up the staircase, acting hurt.
Helmut: Yeah, well, it might have started that way –
Nikita: And now they trust you to tell me all this?
Helmut: Anna, my unit is Interpol’s top priority. Indeed it would have been
difficult to conceal in the long run. But you don’t know them – you don’t know
how hard they can be on people who don’t play by their rules.
Nikita: And the arms you sold them?
Helmut: There’s a peace conference scheduled for the Hague. As far as we know,
that’s the terrorists’ intended target. They’ll bring out their biggest guns and
when they do – we’ll be there.
Nikita: You know your father despises you for what you pretend to be and still-
Helmut: I love my father. If this is what it takes to protect him, and Kristof,
then this is the price I must pay.
VOLKER'S ESTATE
Nikita is on the phone with Operations.
Nikita: Interpol removed the bodies before I could get anything. I’m sorry, but
a fingerprint’s the best I can do for now. I’ve got some other genetic material,
but to risk contact-
Operations: We’ve already confirmed with Interpol. Everything he told you checks
out.
Nikita: How did we miss it?
Operations: He’s got a level one assist. Not even in their database. We had to
go inside to confirm.
Nikita: So what do we do now? I mean, under the circumstances, there’s really no
need-
Operations: You’ll hold and maintain your current assignment. If there’s still a
chance to apprehend Kalstrom -
Nikita: And Interpol?
Operations: Until I can be sure our interests don’t conflict, nothing has
changed.
Back at Section.
Birkoff: I’ve got a match. If it was a kidnapping attempt, it wasn’t random. The
print belongs to Claude Perrault – Red Cell.
Nikita: Red Cell? That doesn’t track. They’re in business together.
Operations: We’ll handle this on our end. Michael will handle it.
Nikita: But –
Operations has closed the connection.
WHITE ROOM
Michael enters just as the Torture Twins leave.
There is a Red Cell operative in the chair.
Michael: I can call them back. It’s your choice.
Red Cell Op: No. No more.
Michael: Two men from your substation attacked Helmut Volker. Why?
Red Cell Op: Orders.
Michael: From who?
Red Cell Op: Command.
Michael’s annoyed. He puts a finger on the slit under the guy’s eye and he
writhes in pain.
Red Cell Op: We found a new channel to purchase weapons. Higher grade arms at a cheaper
price. Taking out Volker was part of the seller’s demands.
Michael: Who was the seller?
Red Cell Op: Kristof Volker. His brother.
VOLKER'S ESTATE
Helmut is dressing, Nikita enters.
Nikita: Everything all right?
Helmut: Yeah, it’s just the normal business hassles.
Nikita: Seems like more than that.
Helmut: What, three weeks of marriage and you already know when I’m lying to
you?
Nikita: You made me part of this. Talk to me.
Helmut: They want a meeting.
Nikita: You were expecting that.
Helmut: But they want to talk to me first.
Nikita: About what?
Helmut: That’s what concerns me. Why risk a face to face meeting just to set up
another?
Nikita: Well, you’re important to them. Why would they lie to you?
Helmut: It’s in their nature. You’re probably right, it’s nothing. Besides, I
still don’t have a definite date on the Hague plan. Hopefully I’ll know more
after we’ve met.
Nikita: When’s the meeting?
Helmut: Tonight. I’ll be a little late. So, you’re uh – not feeling the urge to
run away then?
Nikita: Run? (they kiss) Maybe. “Away”? No. (She flops on the bed with a
magazine, he leaves and she says to herself) Yes.
VOLKWERKS INDUSTRIES
Kristof exits with a woman.
Kristof: And make sure you get that paperwork on national defense or Helmut will
have my skull. Call me as soon as it’s in . I’ll be back in two hours. (He
slides into the limo and speaks to the driver) Peretti’s.
Davenport is driving.
VOLKER'S ESTATE
Nikita walks into the master bedroom and there’s
Michael. She is startled.
Nikita: Michael. What are you doing here?
Michael: We’ve confirmed that Kristof contracted privately with Red Cell. He was
behind the attack.
Nikita: Kristof. But if –
Michael: It’s been dealt with.
Nikita: Kristof’s been dealt with.
Michael: Yes.
Nikita: But not Red Cell. It’s getting late, I’m going to have to let him know
before this meeting. (Michael approaches as if to kiss her, but she turns her
head away) There’s not – there’s not a lot of time. You should go.
Michael complies.
A PLAZA CENTER - THE MEETING
Helmut’s Rolls Royce drives up and the driver exits to open his door. Helmut
walks into the building. Two men are sitting in a Beemer, waiting. They get out
of their car, follow. Nikita shows up.
Nikita: Excuse me. I’m afraid I’m a little bit lost. Maybe you could help me
find my way?
The one guy pulls a gun but Nikita spins him around. She uses the him to shield
her from the bullets of the other as she shoots. She throws
the gun to the ground, runs off.
Nikita: (into comm set) This is Nikita. We’ll need housekeeping.
VOLKER'S ESTATE
Helmut returns home, slides into bed. Nikita looks like she has been there all
evening.
Helmut: I’ve set up the next meeting, with a man named Eric Kalstrom. My guess
is he’s the brains behind it all. Probably here to give a green light to the
attack. It was so sweet of you to wait up. And at least my suspicions about
tonight were unfounded. It went off without a hitch.
Nikita: I’m so glad.
Helmut: Thank you.
The phone rings and Nikita answers.
Nikita: Hello? Just a moment.
Helmut: Yeah? (His face changes; shock is clearly apparent at what he is
hearing)
Nikita: What is it? What’s the matter?
Helmut: My brother. There’s been a robbery. He’s dead!
The next morning,
Nikita walks into the room, drinking a glass of wine. It’s apparently right
after the funeral of Kristof. Mourners are there, giving Wolfgang their
sympathy.
Wolfgang: Thank you.
Helmut is also being given condolences by several people.
Helmut: Would you excuse me? (he approaches his father) Can you spare a moment?
Wolfgang: What is there to say?
Helmut: That I share your feeling too, and I’m so sorry.
Wolfgang: You’re sorry. For Kristof’s passing? For what it means for a man to
lose his son?
Helmut: You know I loved Kristof too! If only it could have been me.
Wolfgang: Under the circumstances, an easy sentiment.
Helmut: I love you, father.
Wolfgang: You love yourself, Helmut! So much so that I strongly doubt you have
any capacity for anyone else!
Helmut and Nikita exchange a look. She feels sorry for him.
VOLKER'S ESTATE GARDEN
Helmut is outside, smoking a cigarette. Nikita comes out.
Nikita: You all right?
Helmut: They stole money. 30 years of life... for a few dollars. At that price,
mine could be had for pocket change.
Nikita: No, that’s not true. You’re a good man.
Helmut: Yeah, but isn’t goodness in the eyes of the beholder? And who, besides
you, could begin to behold such a thing?
Nikita: You. That’s all you have, Helmut. That’s the best any of us can ever
get. We live with ourselves and we die with ourselves and the choices that we
make. What other people think- (She kisses his cheek)
Helmut: So, what, we live in isolation, alone, without contact, without love?
Could you do such a thing?
Nikita: I have.
Helmut: Always?
Nikita: I don’t know. I think if you live without something long enough…you may
not recognize it if it happens to find you.
Helmut: Freddie loves you. Something in the way he looked at you. And God knows
– maybe in this wretched life I’ve chosen, maybe I do too.
Nikita strokes his face with her hand. He kisses her hand.
HELMUT'S OFFICE
Helmut: Yeah, I’m expecting this call. Put it through. Yeah, it’s me. What time?
Tomorrow morning. I’ll be there.
Elsewhere, Nikita is on her cell phone with Operations.
Nikita: Red Cell’s made contact with Helmut. They’re planning to hit the Hague
tomorrow, right after the morning session’s begun. Should I run a covert backup?
Operations: No. Interpol will have to handle this on their own. There will be no
further contact until you hear from me.
THE PERCH
Operations: I’ve just finished studying Madeline’s report. There’s a high
percentage that Kalstrom will go back into hiding if there’s any sign of
trouble.
Michael: The Hague attack.
Operations: They expect a successful strike. If for any reason that doesn’t
happen - if Interpol shows their hand in this, we lose our chance at him.
Michael: Then they must succeed.
Operations: We have an operative inside Interpol. (He raises his cell phone to
his ear) Get me David Harbert at Interpol now.
VOLKER'S ESTATE
Helmut is on the phone with Interpol.
Helmut: No, I don’t understand, sir. Do I have a choice? Yes, sir. (He
terminates the call, turns to Nikita) They’re going to let it go down. Interpol
is fully prepared to let these people attack the Hague. Do you know how many of
the innocent will die?
Nikita: How? When did they decide.
Helmut: I don’t know. For the greater good, they said! What the hell good could
come from this?
Nikita: Well they must have something in mind if they said they had their
reasons-
Helmut: What? Don’t you think the group that intends to attack this building
also said they have a reason too? Or is it just a matter of whose
rationalization it is? Is that what everything is about? Numbers, calculations?
Risking so many lives to save so many lives. Well, I did not agree to work with
them to take lives. Only to save them.
Nikita: You’re not taking them.
Helmut: I sold them the weapons manufactured by my family. What do you call
that?
Nikita: There’s nothing you can do
Helmut: You mean, there’s nothing they expect me to do. But to follow orders, be
their perfect soldier.
Nikita: I know how you feel.
Helmut: How could you possibly? Great moral issues come up often when you were
selling heroin? (she looks hurt - he shows regret and rushes over to her)
Listen, please. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. You’ve become so precious to me.
You’re all I have in the world. The end... will never justify the means, no matter
what they say. I won’t let this happen.
She hugs him.
VOLKER'S ESTATE
He is loading a gun. Nikita sits in a chair,
watching.
Nikita: Even if you do manage to stop this, they’ll know. There’s no coming
back.
Helmut: I know. One thing I don’t want is to put you at any risk. There’s a
passbook here with some checks and the key to my safety deposit box. And this is
just in case. (He gives her a gun) Now, when I leave here, I want you to pack
some things, and get as far away as possible.
Nikita: Helmut, even if you succeed... it never ends. You can’t fix everything.
Helmut: It’s been my experience I’ve never fixed anything. I have to do this,
Anna. I’m not sure I can make you understand.
Nikita: I understand. It’s just – alone, with no support – Helmut-
Helmut: You said you understand. This is more support than I could have hoped
for. Promise me, you’ll take care of yourself.
Nikita: And you. Take care of yourself.
Helmut: I love you. (He kisses her)
He leaves. Nikita picks up the gun, looks at it.
THE HAGUE
Men are rolling containers down hallways. One is opened and there’s an explosive on
the underside of a tray inside. The man continues to wheel the container with
the explosives. He starts a timer.
Back at Section One, in Comm, Michael walks up to Birkoff.
Michael: Contact Nikita.
Birkoff: Um, we’re not scheduled to.
Michael grabs the back of his chair, turns him to the keyboard.
Michael: Nikita? There is no answer.
Back at The Hague, Helmut enters, in sunglasses and leather.
Back at Volker’s estate, a team of Section operatives enters and runs through
the house, looking for him. Michael is with them.
Michael: The location’s clear.
Operations: Is Nikita there?
Michael: No.
Operations: Activate the Hague team.
Back at The Hague, black-clad operatives run through the hallways. Helmut, a cap, runs down the
hallway. He has a device in his hand, a bomb sensor.
It starts beeping louder, leading him to the detonator. He finds it looks to see
where the bomb is. As he kneels down, the Section Team arrives.
Section Op #1: Birkoff, we’ve acquired the target. We’re moving in.
One operative shoots at Helmut, Helmut shoots back, the operative is down.
Section Op #1: One operative’s down. (to Volker) Move away from the detonator!
Helmut: You hit the detonator, we’re all dead!
Shootout between Helmut and the Section team ensues. Nikita shows up, wearing a
mask, and helps Helmut take out the entire team. She takes off the mask.
Helmut: Who are you?
Nikita: Someone who doesn’t want to die in the basement. Hurry up. Hurry up!
Helmut gets back to work on the detonator.
Helmut: They’ve bypassed the manual override.
Nikita: Do you know what you’re doing?
Helmut: Well, I’ve studied the plans of course. Christ, if I short it out-
Nikita: You know what you’re doing? (Three minutes are left)
Helmut: There’s one. You got me covered? (With a
pair of tweezers, he removes parts of
the bomb.) Success.
Nikita: See? Simple as that.
Helmut: Yeah, right. This detonator was set over an hour ago.
Nikita: The people who tried to stop you today are not the people who planned
the attack. (Nikita is walking back and forth with a gun blowing holes in the
downed Section Operations)
Helmut: Who were they?
Nikita: People who believe that the ends justifies the means.
Helmut: Interpol?
Nikita: Does it matter? You’ve crossed them. They’ll kill you.
Helmut: Well, then we have to leave.
Nikita: You do.
Helmut: What?
Nikita: Everything you need’s here including your safety deposit box key. (She
gives him a packet)
Helmut: Anna-
Nikita: Helmut, there’s no time to talk. The people that are coming after you
are good. More ruthless. More determined than you could ever imagine. Even this
– they’ll see through it soon enough. But if you’re as good as I think you are,
you’ll make it.
Helmut: All right, Anna. But if everything you say is true, then what about you?
Nikita: You got a gun?
Helmut: Yes.
Nikita: Take it out. Just take it out. Shoulder, upper arm. Use it.
Helmut: This is insane.
Nikita: Crazy world, Helmut. Just do it. If you care about my life, you’ll do
it. It’s the only way.
He raises the gun and fires. Nikita screams in pain, falls down clutching her
arm.
Helmut: (kneels by her) You’re risking your life for me. Why?
Nikita: Just go!
Helmut leaves. Seconds later, Michael appears and draws his gun. He prepares to
shoot Helmut.
Nikita: Michael, no! No!
Michael complies, doesn’t shoot. He kneels by Nikita and strokes her face.
MUNITIONS
Walter and Operations are talking.
Walter: This is the bullet that shot Nikita. It’s not Section issue. Though we
don’t have the weapon – the caliber and load do coincide with Interpol issue.
I’d say he shot her.
Walter walks away, Operations looks like he’s thinking about this.
WAR ROOM
Operations: The latest data we’ve had on Eric Kahlstrom is that he hasn’t
resurfaced. Given their failure to succeed at the Hague, it might be some time
before Red Cell will risk bringing him out. Helmut Volker, after killing four of
our operatives and wounding one, has apparently left the country. Intel is
coming in now, it’s only a matter of time. We have determined the location of
the Red Cell substation used to implement the Hague plan. We no longer have any
use for them. Birkoff will upload your panels, you will leave in one hour.
Everyone rises. Nikita walks away with Michael.
Nikita: Thanks. He was a good man.
Michael: Good men are hard to find.
Nikita: Yes, they are.
THE END
Edited by Dana