Sleeping With The Enemy
Transcript by Northstar
OUTDOORS - DAYTIME
A snow covered field with a building in the distance which explodes. Cut to Comm
where Quinn is at the keyboard, taking over Birkoff's job.
Quinn: Substation 3 is down.
Operations: How is that possible?
Quinn: The self-destruct has been activated from an outside source.
Operations: And you didn't foresee this? (an alarm
sounds) Now what? (a screen showing Self Destruct Activated)
Quinn: Our self-destruct mechanism has been activated.
Operations: Shut it down.
Madeline: There's a chance that might not happen. Whoever did this issued a
chain directive. They want to destroy the sections like a stack of dominoes.
Operations: Activate the failsafe.
Quinn: I did. It won't engage.
Operations: We need to evacuate.
Everyone in Section can be seen hurrying about and packing things up. Quinn is
frantically trying to key in codes but none of them seem to be working.
(2 minutes to self destruct)
Madeline and Operations make their way out but they stop for a moment.
Operations: Quinn, I've ordered you to leave your post. We're 50 seconds to critical.
Quinn: I can stop this.
Madeline: You've nothing to prove.
Quinn: Except that I can do my job. (she and Operations trade looks)
Operations: Get to work.
(30 seconds to self destruct)
The countdown begins... 10 - 9 - 8 - down to 1 second when Quinn
finally manages to shut it down.
MUNITIONS
Quinn comes walking in looking for Walter who she finds
around the corner with a flask in his hand.
Quinn: Walter? I got a message that you wanted to see me?
Walter: Way to go little sister. You got your feet wet.
Quinn: Excuse me?
Walter: Your first day on the job. You saved our bacon. Welcome to the big
leagues.
Quinn: Is your bandanna on too tight. Operations thinks I dropped the ball.
Walter: Forget about Operations. Substation 3 is beyond our security zone. You
couldn't have known. You done good. Birkoff would have been proud.
Quinn: Yeah well I hear he's dead. Stiffs do nothing for my ego. So what are we
drinking?
Walter: Very old scotch for special occasions.
Quinn: You know this isn't going to get you lucky.
Walter: (shaking his head) Like I said, I was just welcoming you to the
neighborhood.
Quinn: Hmmm, well neighbor, just keep it zipped and out of my way and everything
will be just peachy. (she leaves)
Walter: (whispering) Birkoff. (as he takes another drink from the flask)
PRIVATE DINING ROOM
Madeline and Operations are having breakfast.
Operations: I just got off the phone with Mr. Jones.
Madeline: What did he want?
Operations: Birkoff in his office first of next month.
Madeline: A transfer?
Operations: Yes. He can never find out what happened here. I can't afford the anomaly
on my record.
Madeline: I'll get Jason ready.
Operations: Can you do it?
Madeline: When I’m done neither Mr. Jones or anyone else will ever know the
difference.
Cut to Jason doing sit-ups.
BRIEFING TABLE
Walter, Nikita, Michael, Quinn and a few others.
Operations: As you know Sub Section 3 was taken out of play yesterday morning. The
strike was massive. The final damages report... 100% causalities. As best we can
determine the self destruct code came from an outside source. Now Quinn's trace
was incomplete but her calculations showed a definitive link to Red Cell.. Now
since they were able to penetrate our system, for security measures, only the
red line and satellite links will be operational. (a holographic image appears)
This is Colin Starnes. He's currently chief tactical advisor for Red Cell.
Quinn.
Quinn: We've been using satellite tags to get an exact location for him. We
believe we have him contained within a 6 hour window.
Operations: We're going to use that window to extract Starnes. Michael your team will
handle field tactical. The target will be taken alive. Details are on your
panels.
MISSION
The song Dragula by Rob Zombie is playing in the background
as the mission proceeds. The operatives are inside a building. Shots are fired
and then cut to Starnes being led into the white room and
strapped into the chair.
Starnes: Charming (as he looks around. We then see Madeline walk into the room)
Madeline: This entire process can be painless. The choice is yours.
Starnes: For some pain is a pleasure.
Madeline: Good. Then you should enjoy yours (she turns and leaves)
Enter the Torture twins with their cases. Female TT smiles
wickedly as she turns to Starnes.
THE PERCH
Madeline: Starnes claims that Red Cell isn't culpable for the hit.
Operations: You believe him?
Madeline: After this morning's chat, I don't think he has the strength to lie.
Operations: Then what do you know?
Madeline: Our intel confirms that 2 of Red Cell's locations were hit within
hours of the hit on Sub Station 3.
Operations: so we're dealing with a 3rd party?
Madeline: that's not what Red Cell believes.
(the intercom beeps)
Operations: What is it Quinn?
Quinn: I've got Red Cell field operatives being withdrawn and moving into a
unified tactical position.
Operations: They think it's us.
Madeline: And they're getting ready to strike.
Operations: Not unless we attack first.
WHITE ROOM
Operations enters.
Starnes: Come on in. Welcome. I'd offer you a drink but alas my hands are tied.
(he is released from his restraints) I would have thought you would have killed
me by now. Losing your edge?
Operations: Perfecting it. I have a proposition for you.
Somewhere in Red Cell's station. We see operatives and the head guy of RC who is
known as the Director.
Red Cell Op1: I have a coded transmission for you from Section One. You'll need this
key to unlock it.
Director: (a hologram of Starnes is
showing) How is it that you're still breathing?
Section One protocol is to terminate all captured operatives.
Starnes: Operations wanted something only I could deliver. A meeting with you.
Director: Intriguing. But you don't actually think I'd consider it do you?
Starnes: Since tactical strategy falls under my purview I expect you to agree to
it.
Director: You no longer work for me.
Starnes: Then consider this a consultation. We're in a stand off. You either
agree to work together or you annihilate each other. I highly suggest you accept
the offer. Section knows your next move. You don't really have a choice.
Back at Section
Quinn: Ten seconds until the channel is clear. Incoming cyber text. Secure on
the line.
Operations: You understand why I call this meeting?
Director: You believe that someone is trying to play us against each other. What
are you proposing?
Operations: Mutual truce for 48 hours.
Director: that's not going to happen.
Operations: consider it. We both sustained significant losses. If we pool our resources
together we might be able to expedite the enemies termination.
Director: And if we don't?
Operations: Further causalities on either side could result in corporal impact.
Director: If I were to agree to a moratorium on Red Cell activities what
guarantee would I have that you'd do the same?
Operations: We can exchange key operatives to ensure the truce.
Director: You already have one of my people.
Operations: You mean Starnes? He's dead. Besides I want someone a little further up the
food chain, a key operative that isn't expendable. One of ours for one of yours.
BRIEFING TABLE
Nikita, Michael, Quinn, Operations, Madeline.
Operations: The Director has agreed to the truce. To secure it we'll exchange an upper
level team member. Quinn? (hologram comes up) Satin Tate. An expert profiler
graduated Georgetown University at 16. She applied to the CIA and was hired due
to her exemplary academic record. At 19 she became a free agent the joined Red
Cell a year later. In less than 3 years she worked her way to 2nd in command.
She'll be with us for 48 hours.
Nikita: You want us to work with the enemy?
Operations: Satin is going to lend us her expertise and assist in finding who is
responsible for the attack. (we see some looks between Michael and Nikita. He as
usual seems expressionless)
Michael: Whom will we be sending in exchange? (Madeline steps forward)
Madeline: I'll get ready.
STADIUM
Inside a large Stadium there are
3 black Section vehicles and one limo from Red Cell that enter driving onto
the field.
Operations: Play by their rules but remember your secondary objective, (to Madeline in the
car) Get as much intel as possible and locate a window for transmitting.
Madeline: Transmitting could jeopardize the truce.
Operations: That's not your concern. Just send everything you find to Quinn, but
remember whatever you find out I want to know first.
The vehicles stop and you see a woman get out of the limo as Madeline also steps
out of the vehicle. Cool music is playing throughout the scene as the women walk
towards each other. They pass by one another looking, checking each
other out, and then proceed to the other side. They are both blindfolded before
they enter and then they all leave the stadium.
RED CELL STATION
Madeline has arrived and they are walking down the
stairs.
Director: Not what you expected is it?
Madeline: It seems adequate.
Director: Section One's exposure of our main base and the capture of the
Cardinal were significant set-backs but we're rebuilding. What we lack in
resources we more than make up with our tenacity.
Madeline: You've always been a formidable adversary.
Director: We've downloaded the necessary data on the substations that were hit.
This will be your workstation. Please. (Madeline sits down at the computer) If
there's anything I can get you?
Madeline: A glass of water please.
SYSTEMS
Satin is working on the computer. She
is watching Michael out of the corner of her eye. He then goes over to her.
Satin: Our shared Intel shows there is a definite pattern to the attacks. The
methodology was identical. This task was simple comparative. Any rookie could
have done it. That's not the case with the profile you requested. I'll need
security clearance to access data like that.
Michael: That's not possible.
Satin: How do you expect me to do my job?
Michael: Quinn will run the data for you.
Walter is watching Satin as Nikita walks up to him.
Nikita: And what did you expect? Horns and cloven hooves?
Walter: That's exactly what I see. All wrapped up in a pretty little package.
We're going to have to keep our eye on her.
Nikita: Not under this roof. Her hands are tied.
Walter: Don't believe that for a second Sugar. Adrian once said, Poison one
flower and eventually the whole garden dies.
He leaves and Nikita watches as Satin walks up to where Michael is working.
Satin: Truce remember? We're supposed to be helping each other.
Michael: I expect your report in 3 hours.
Satin: You'll have it in 2.
She goes back to her computer and continues to try to access secure data but
isn't having any luck.
SYSTEMS
Quinn is walking with another Section Operative and
berating him.
Quinn: You relayed a command code without a security seal?
Operative: Sorry.
Quinn: Sorry? Sorry gets you a one way ticket to containment. Look... look why
don't you go to van? Boy and ask him to issue you a brain. Then go back to your
little data-crunching cubicle and drop in a security seal. Now go!
She sends him away and then runs into Jason.
Jason: Hi.
Quinn: Back up. You're messing with my...
Jason: You must be Quinn.
Quinn: And you are?
Jason: I am your new second. Madeline's orders. I’m to observe and lend a hand
when needed. My name is Jason.
Quinn: So you're the twin?
Jason: Yeah. Well not everything is the same. Maybe you should take a test drive
and see for yourself? (he winks at her)
Quinn: I'll pass.
Jason: That's cool. There's plenty of time darling. I’m sure you'll change your
mind.
MICHAEL'S OFFICE
Satin walks in.
Satin: The report. (she hands it to him) You're much better looking in person.
Michael: You can go now.
Satin: Older yes. Your face filled in with so much character. I'm not surprised
considering things you must have gone through since being here.
Michael: What is your point?
She takes out a piece of paper and it is a picture of Michael during his Paris
days. Long hair and scruffy looking and shows it to him placing on his desk.
Satin: I've carried this for years. You were my inspiration Michael Samuelle. A
fighter, total dedication and passion for your cause. You fought with sticks and
stones yet managed to make them see things your way. Where is this man? What
happened to him? You once believed in something you thought was worth fighting
for. How long are you going to let them use you?
Michael: There's a meeting in Systems in 20 minutes (she shoves the paper
towards him and leaves the office)
Michael looks at the picture and as he does he remembers back to when he and
Rene Dian had met up again. Flashback to "Half Life" to the scene where they first met up and
Rene asks if it is really him, and then the one where Rene gets shot by Nikita.
SYSTEMS
Operations: What have we got?
Satin: Well there are several possibilities. We're still looking for a
definitive.
Operations: don't be evasive. You're here to assist in a search. Take a position and
tell me what you think.
Satin: Well after reviewing all the hard data I believe that a random must have
attacked the substations.
Nikita: Is that possible?
Satin: Think about it. Red Cell and Section One are both protected to a degree
from each other. But, not from a guy with a grenade and a cause.
Michael: I don't accept that.
Satin: Cause you think I’m wrong or because you didn't think of it first?
Looks are being exchanged between Satin and Michael and Nikita and Operations both
seem to be aware of them.
Operations: Quinn's transmit Satin's analysis to Red Cell and see if they've come to a
similar conclusion. In the meantime I want the rest of you running profiles of
possible freelance candidates. That's all.
Satin: Michael wait. Why is it so difficult for you to accept my theory? For
once we're fighting for the same goal.
Michael: I know.
Satin: Think about it. You used to be a random yourself. You even once believed
that one man could make a difference. You were special Michael. This place has
changed you.
Nikita is watching all this take place.
RED CELL STATION
Madeline is working away on the computer at her station.
She takes something out from underneath her fingernail and drops it into
the glass of water. It's a transmitter that used water to amplify the signal. She starts talking to Operations.
Madeline: I've narrowed a possible location on the random. Tell Quinn to focus
on the NE quadrant.
Operations: Good. And the Director?
Madeline: As you requested he knows nothing.
Operations: Keep it that way.
Madeline: For how long?
Operations: at least 12 hours. Whatever it takes, stall him. I don't want him finding
this person before I do. (Madeline doesn't look to happy about this)
MICHAEL'S OFFICE
Nikita walks into Michael's office but he isn't there. She
walks over to his desk and sees the picture of Michael on the desk and picks it
up. Michael arrives.
Nikita: There's a briefing in 10 minutes.
Michael: I'll get Satin.
Nikita: Operations wants her excluded. I'm supposed to keep her busy running a
Sim on level 4. (she leaves and then Michael picks up the paper and folds it up)
SYSTEMS
Satin is working away still trying to get into things she
shouldn't be. She gets up and walks over to where Michael is working.
Satin: I assume our deal still holds? Sure I'm not being kept out of the loop?
Your briefing had nothing to do with our current status?
Michael: No.
Satin: (she walks up closer) Ok, how long are you going to play this out? There's
no secret that there's tension between you and Section One. (she places her hand
on his back) Everyone's expendable Michael... even you. You know how they work,
you won't even see it coming. Don't you remember what it's like to fight with
friends? People you can trust? It's time for you to make a choice.
Michael: I have to go.
SYSTEMS
Quinn: I've locked on the co-ordinates that Madeline sent regarding the random
and located the nucleus of their headquarters.
Operations: How big is their operation?
Quinn: Small
Michael: How small?
Quinn: I haven't had any luck using thermal to scan for a concise head count.
Operations: They may be mobile.
Quinn: Nothing I've seen indicates that.
Operations: Our time is critical. We'll proceed without total data. We don't have any
other choice but to go in blind. There are only hours left for this truce. I
expect your team ready within the hour.
MISSION - NIGHTTIME
Michael: First team is mobile.
Quinn: Ok Michael, we've got movement on site. Top floor.
Michael and his team make their way through the building and go
upstairs. Cut to a room with all kind of monitors and someone is mumbling away in the back.
Holland: I move this way, I am so getting ahead of you. This is so easy. (he
notices Michael) But I'm still 3 substations ahead of you. But I guess it's your
move.
Cut to
Van Access where they bring Holland in.
Operations: He thought he was playing a game?
Quinn: A war game.
Operations: How could he get into our system without detection?
Quinn: The guy is a genius. Right off the charts.
Operations: It's never been done.
Quinn: That's because we've never encountered a guy like this. Best of hacking
all leave traces. He circumvented all security by loading an R45 footprint.
Operations: So once he had access to our mainframe he had total control.
Quinn: Exactly. He disabled the defense system, then detonated the
self-destruct. Even rigged it to look as if the players were attacking each
other.
Operations: That would explain how you got a partial trace to Red Cell.
Quinn: Right. Like I said the guys' a genius. (she moves away)
Operations: This R45 footprint… can we use that to access Red Cell?
Quinn: If we wanted to break the truce. The R45 footprint would set permanent
damage into motion.
WHITE ROOM
The Torture Twins are with Holland and they are
preparing to use a device. Holland is whimpering as Operations walks into the
room.
Operations: Wait. (he looks to the TT's) You can go now. (They pack up and leave the
room)
Holland: I'm sorry.
Operations: That doesn't matter.
Holland: What is it?
Operations: I'm willing to wipe the slate clean. Give you a fresh new start. And all I
ask in return is your cooperation.
Holland: Sure, fine, that sounds like a plan.
Operations: (smiling) You've made the right choice Mr. Holland.
Holland: What do you want me to do?
Operations: I want you to pretend this is still a game and help us wipe out the other
side.
Holland: Okay.
Operations: (laughs) Good.
RED CELL STATION
Madeline: Any news on the random?
Operations: Not yet.
Madeline: I would have thought Quinn could have narrowed it down by now.
Operations: Apparently it is more challenging than you anticipated. I'll keep you
posted.
Madeline: I'll look forward to the results.
Operations: You'll be the first to see them. (Madeline doesn't look to happy about things)
COMM CENTER
Jason: I have Madeline on B channel.
Quinn: Madeline?
Madeline: I have a short window.
Quinn: I'll get Operations.
Madeline: No. There's no time. I just want to know… has the random given you any
useful information?
Quinn: So far he's admitted to the hits and setting off the self-destruct.
Madeline: anything else?
Quinn: Just that he thought he was playing a war game.
Madeline: How did he gain access?
Quinn: He said he used an R45 footprint.
Madeline: Have you located it?
Quinn: Not yet.
Madeline: Just one more thing Quinn, I'd like to see the most recent data.
Quinn: That's been frozen.
Madeline: On whose authority?
Quinn: Operations.
Madeline: He doesn't want ME to see it?
Quinn: Madeline I have a cipher channel coming in. I have to go. (she
disconnects Madeline)
Jason: You lied to her. There's no cipher channel coming in.
Quinn: And your point is?
Jason: It's obvious something is going on.
Quinn: Yes. Operations is using Holland to destroy Red Cell.
Jason: Madeline's going to get caught in the cross-fire.
Quinn: I have a feeling she won't be missed.
Jason: And if she survives? She'll go to war with Operations. Trust me darlin'
I've seen this kind of boardroom backstabbing first hand and it gets messy. This
place will be looking at some major corporate restructuring. You and I will be
forced to choose sides.
Quinn: No that won't happen. Madeline is as good as dead. She's in the dark.
Operations isn't telling her anything. Get back to work.
SYSTEMS
Satin is working on the computer still trying to access
files. Nikita is watching and so is Michael. He walks over and keys in the
password.
Michael: For Rene.
Satin: Thank you Michael.
He walks out and Nikita is there waiting.
Nikita: What did you just do?
Michael moves a little closer and they just eye each other. I think Nikita
realizes that something is up.
RED CELL STATION
An operative comes in to where the Director is.
Red Cell Operative: Sir, we just received this from Satin. (he shows a disk)
Director: (pointing to Madeline) Escort her to her quarters. (the door closes)
Let's see what we've got. (they put the disk in and the data comes up on the
screen) that's Section One's directory.
Red Cell Operative: Sir, there's more.
Director: Well put it up.
Red Cell Operative: It looks like we may have the co-ordinates for Section One.
Director: Give it to me.
Red Cell Operative: They're encrypted Sir. I'll start the decoding process.
SECTION ONE
Quinn arrives in the room where Michael and Operations are waiting.
Operations: Quinn I need you to trace a cyber plant.
Quinn: Urgency?
Michael: A communiqué between Section and Red Cell.
Quinn: I'll get right on it. (she goes to leave)
Michael: No. Do it here.
Operations: This is eyes only. (she move to the console)
RED CELL STATION
Director: With Section One's directory and co-ordinates we could wipe them off
the face of the earth. How long until we have the exact co-ordinates? (pause)
How long?
Red Cell Operative: 20 minutes.
Cut to
Section.
Quinn: They're running a program she sent them.
Operations: Good. There was a self-destruct signal laid into the text. Satin believed
Michael was helping her. She'll be responsible for destroying Red Cell. I want
you to activate it.
Cut to the
Red Cell Station. One of their operatives opens a door using a key card. Once
he enters he is taken down by a chop to the neck by Madeline but when he tries
to get up again she gives him a good kick. She takes the key card from him and
makes her way through the hallways and to the door.
Back at Section One Quinn pushes the button for the self-destruct at Red
Cell. Both Michael and Operations are watching her.
At the
Red Cell Station, a monitor shows that the Self Destruct has been
activated. Alarms go off.
Director: What's going on?
Red Cell Operative: Self Destruct mechanism has been activated.
Director: Well over ride it. Quickly!
Red Cell Operative: I am locked out of the system.
Meanwhile Madeline arrives at the egress door. She puts in the card to open it
and she glances around before going through.
Red Cell Operative: There is nothing I can do.
The Director and the operative look at each other and then the place explodes.
MICHAEL'S OFFICE
Nikita enters.
Nikita: Is Madeline dead?
Michael: There were no survivors.
Nikita: I don’t know how I feel.
Michael: We destroyed Red Cell's base of operations.
Nikita: I know what the trade off was. I can't help but wonder whether it was
worth sacrificing one of our own.
SYSTEMS
Michael and Operations walking through.
Operations: working with the enemy has had some residual effects on morale. Can you
handle it?
Michael: Of course.
Operations: All things considered, the operation went well.
Michael: I've instructed Quinn to revamp our system security.
Satin is walked in by 2 operatives. She glares at Michael.
Satin: You deceived me.
Michael: I did what I believed in. (they take her away and Michael leaves)
Operations is standing in the middle of Systems when he hears footsteps. He
slowly turns to see Madeline walking in, in slow motion. He smiles a little
awkward. She has her gloves in her hands and almost looks like she's going to
slap him with them.
Operations: Congratulations.
Madeline: Thank you.
She walks away but Operations doesn't look very happy to see her.
THE END
Edited by Dana