There Are No Missions
A "previously on LFN" part shows clips from "Getting Out of
Reverse".
SYSTEMS
Nikita sits at a desk in Systems, working on a computer. She leans
forward, concentrating. Up in the perch, Madeline and Operations are
discussing things.
Operations: You think she's
ready?
Madeline: I do.
Operations: What's the status on
our retrieval teams?
Madeline: Michael has covered his
tracks very well. So far we haven't been able to pick up anything.
Operations: I'm not surprised. All
right, let's bring her in.
Nikita flashing back to her brainwashing again. There's a beep.
Madeline: Nikita, report to
Operations.
THE PERCH
Operations: Three days ago,
Michael went rogue when he learned of our decision to have him
cancelled. Because of who he is, it's not likely we're going to be
able to find him anytime soon.
Nikita: You think he'll contact
me?
Madeline: He will contact you,
somewhere on the outside.
Nikita: I'll report as soon as he
does.
Madeline: That won't be
necessary.
Operations: We'd like you to
handle this matter personally.
Nikita: You want me to kill
Michael?
Madeline: Is that a problem?
Nikita: No.
She leaves. Madeline looks at Operations, who nods, apparently pleased
at her obedience.
COMM CENTER
Birkoff and Walter are talking. Walter sees Madeline heading their way
and takes off.
Walter: Later, amigo.
Madeline approaches Birkoff with a new recruit.
Madeline: Birkoff, this is
Dori. Collateral from the Burn mission. Her brother was the target;
Dori was exposed; we had to bring her in. She's been briefed on
procedure.
Birkoff: What are her
credentials?
Madeline: She has a formidable
knowledge of operating systems. We thought you might be able to use
her.
Birkoff: Oh. (less than
thrilled)
Madeline: (to Dori) Good
luck. (leaves)
Dori: (under her breath)
Bitch.
Birkoff: Have a seat.
Dori: You the resident geek?
Birkoff: Why don't we see if you
have the skill set to do this job?
Dori: Why? (flippant) I
don't plan to be here very long.
Birkoff: Madeline has talked to
you?
Dori: You mean the no escape chat?
Was that supposed to scare me?
Birkoff: I think we should get
started.
Dori: Whatever.
CLOTHING STORE
Michael enters, walks around, catches Nikita in the dressing room
changing clothes. She turns, expecting to see the salesgirl but it's
Michael.
Nikita: Michael.
He types into a device.
Michael: How much do they
know?
Nikita: Not much. But they're
looking for you.
Michael: Is someone watching
you?
Nikita: No. (puts her arms up
around his neck) But they knew you'd make contact.
Michael: And when I did?
Nikita: I'm supposed to ring
in. They want you dead.
Michael: I know.
Salesgirl: How does that size six
look on you?
Nikita: Much better,
thanks. (Nikita is trying to get her gun out of her bag which is
hanging on the dressing room wall behind Michael's back) (to
Michael) I've been worried about you. (kisses him)
Michael: Not now.
Nikita: Where are you hiding?
Michael: I'm moving around. I need
you to get something for me.
Nikita: Anything. What is it?
Michael: A formatted capture
card.
Nikita: Where do I bring it to
you?
Michael: We can't meet again, it's
too risky. (She starts kissing him again and trying to reach for
her gun but he holds her off) Use the old data dump. I have to
go.
As soon as he leaves, Nikita quickly throws her coat on over her bra
and rushes out, gun drawn.
Salesgirl: Wait - Is everything
all right? Ma'am?
Michael is hiding, saw her come out with the gun... he knows she was
trying to kill him.
MADELINE'S OFFICE
Madeline: A capture card? Are you
certain that's what he asked for?
Nikita: Yes.
Madeline: That's interesting.
Nikita: Interesting why?
Operations: It's useless without
the additional hardware.
Madeline: He's testing you,
Nikita.
Nikita: What would you like me to
do?
Madeline: Give him what he
wants.
Operations: Get a capture card
from Walter. Make sure he installs thermal identification coding.
Madeline: Rebuild his confidence
in you. Then complete your cancellation orders.
Nikita: Very well.
CITY STREET
Nikita places the device underneath a park bench, looks to make sure
nobody's around, then moves on.
MADELINE'S OFFICE
Madeline sees something on the computer she doesn't like at all. She
calls Birkoff on the intercom.
Madeline: Birkoff, mirror this
with me.
Birkoff: I got it.
Madeline: You see anything unusual
here?
Birkoff: Someone's trying to
access the Gelman file. Are we conferenced with somebody else?
Madeline: Michael's
on. (angry)
Birkoff: Do you want me to shut
down?
Madeline: Can you trace it?
Birkoff: Actually, yes. He's
mobile. I have coordinates.
Madeline: Keep it open as long as
you can. I want six teams out. Nikita on point. Birkoff has
location. Put another six teams on standby in case the perimeter
widens.
CITY STREET
Nikita is driving a black Suburban, following Michael's black
Mercedes.
Nikita: He's in front of us.
Birkoff: Nikita has a thermal
confirm.
Operations: Take him out. (when
Birkoff hesitates, more strongly) Take him out.
Birkoff: Nikita, it's a go.
Nikita: All teams move in. I'll
handle the final assault.
The Mercedes starts to take evasive action.
Nikita: We've been made. All
teams, move in.
Back in Comm, Operations and Madeline watch.
Nikita blocks the road with the Suburban, jumps out and shoots at the
black Mercedes. It rams into the Suburban. Nikita rolls off the hood
but she's okay.
Nikita: Target neutralized.
Birkoff: Thermo's still hot.
Operations: Nikita, Michael's
alive. Finish the job.
Nikita approaches the Mercedes, pulls the door open - it's empty.
Nikita: It's a ruse. Vehicle's on
remote.
Michael, watching, operates the remote. Back at Section, Operations is
not amused.
Operations: Where the Hell is
he?
Birkoff: A second vehicle, most
likely. Out of our thermal satellite range.
Madeline: Michael was distracting
us in order to get to Gelman's files. Birkoff, bring up anything on
Gelman. Rake it backwards and forwards, see if he got in.
Birkoff: What about the team?
Madeline: Call them back. He's
gone.
Michael slides under the Section suburban and hangs under it as it
drives off.
VAN ACCESS
Team comes back in. A few moments later, Michael drops from a ceiling
panel. He is inside Section.
THE PERCH
Operations: You said Michael was
testing Nikita. You were wrong. And now he has the advantage.
Madeline: Even if he's tapped in,
I've made sure Gelman's program can't be accessed. Not from the
outside.
Operations: We can take all the
precautions in the world, but this is Michael we are dealing with.
Michael, meanwhile is rappelling down some wall inside Section.
COMM CENTER
Birkoff: Dori, I want you to take
a look at what I'm doing here. (he sees what she's doing)
Disconnect.
Dori: Not 'til I find out what's
on level twenty.
Birkoff: You won't. It's clearance
one. Only two people have access.
Dori: It's an exit, isn't it?
Birkoff: Doesn't matter.
Dori: Look, it has to be. The
building perimeter ends here. I found a way out, Birkoff.
Birkoff: Even if you did, the
elevator is voice activated. You won't get anywhere.
Dori: Why? Because you
couldn't?
Birkoff: Okay. Most recruits give
up after their first talk with Madeline. But if you have any illusions
about getting out of here, I'm going to introduce you to Walter.
Dori: Who's Walter?
Birkoff: He's the guy who's going
to issue you a gun and a single bullet. Because taking your own life
is the only way you're ever going to get out.
For the first time, Dori looks scared.
SYSTEMS
Nikita is working on a computer, seems sleepy, zoning out.
Voice: Nikita, you're wanted in
tactical.
Nikita: Who?
Voice: Nikita, you're wanted in
tactical now.
Nikita: I'm on my way.
Michael is there. He attacks her, gets her gun away from her.
Nikita: Michael. Hi. You
frightened me.
Michael: Are you wondering why I
disarmed you?
Nikita: No. You're protecting
me. If you were caught, I wouldn't be blamed.
Michael: Do you know who you
are?
Nikita: Do I know who I am? I'm
me. (steps closer, touches his face) And I love you.
Michael: Do you? Or do you want to
kill me?
Nikita: Why are you talking like
this?
Michael: If I hand you this gun,
are you going to shoot me? You won't have any reason to hesitate. The
order has been given.
He hands her the gun, walks away.
Nikita: Michael.
She shoots at him - it clicks, he took out the bullets. He turns. She
tosses the gun back to him.
Nikita: You don't belong here
anymore, Michael.
Michael: Why are you saying
that?
Nikita: 'Cause you don't have what
it takes. If you did, I'd be dead.
Michael slams her up against the wall.
Nikita: What are you doing?
Michael: Taking your access
card.
Nikita: I can't let you do
that.
Michael tasers her, she goes down. He takes the access card and
leaves.
SECTION ONE - CRYOGENICS LAB
Voice: Cryo temperature, minus 197
degrees Celsius. Glycerol level, stable. Cryostasis normal.
There's a cylinder inside a room with a few operatives walking around
with total protective gear on. There is another operative outside that
chamber, monitoring things. The door behind him opens and shuts a few
times, mysteriously. He gets up to investigate and Michael takes him
down and then seats himself at the guy's console. He taps keys and the
cylinder slides out to reveal that the frozen patient is Adrian.
Flashbacks from "Adrian's Garden" and "End Game" are shown.
Michael: Adrian.
COMM CENTER
Birkoff watches Dori suspiciously.
Dori: Relax. I'm just filtering
the program you gave me.
Birkoff: Any bugs?
Dori: Clean. Don't be so paranoid,
Birkoff. I got the message.
Operations comes up to Birkoff.
Operations: Birkoff, I want you to
recycle this communique.
Birkoff: What's the problem with
it?
Operations: I'm picking up
static. I want you to look for a second channel.
Birkoff: I'll get on it right
away.
Dori punches keys - she recorded Operations' voice and stored it to
disk. She pockets the disk.
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Walter comes downstairs, sees Birkoff.
Walter: Hey, amigo, what's up?
Birkoff: I'm getting some random
signals again.
Walter: From where?
Birkoff: Bin backup.
Walter: Backup?
Birkoff walks upstairs. Suddenly Michael puts a hand over his
mouth.
Birkoff: Oh, you scared the hell
out of me, Michael. What are you doing here? Everyone's looking for
you.
Michael: I need you to get control
of the grid on seventeen.
Birkoff: The lab?
Michael: Yes.
Birkoff: I don't know what your
plan is, but you've got to get out of here. How did you even get
in?
Michael: Adrian is alive.
Birkoff: What?
Michael: She's in the lab.
Birkoff: Does this have anything
to do with the information on the Gelman mind control project?
Michael: She was the first
subject.
Birkoff: The process was a
failure. They shut it down.
Michael: Adrian is alive.
Birkoff: I don't want to know
this. I've got to get back. I'm not going to report you, but you're on
your own.
He tries to leave, Michael stops him.
Michael: If the process is
successful, they'll use it on all of us. Nikita was just the
beginning.
SECTION ONE - HALLWAY
Davenport: Everyone should have
them by this evening. Run them on two-inch.
Female op: Okay.
Davenport: (to comm set)
This is Davenport. Who's in 5A?
Voice: 5A is clear.
Davenport: Get a light unit up
here now.
Voice: Yes, sir.
Davenport punches buttons, enters, finds Nikita just regaining
consciousness, she's tied up.
Nikita: Call Madeline, Michael's
on the inside. Go!
SECTION ONE - CRYOGENICS LAB
Voice: Subject neuroactivity
zero. Cryostasis normal. Cellular activity is normal.
There is a beeping.
Cryo-op: The Perch. Why don't you
see what he wants?
The other operative walks over to the door, disconnects himself and
walks through.
Cryo-op #2: This is 17. Hello?
He's taken down by Michael.
THE PERCH
Operations: Why do you think he
came back?
Nikita: For me. He thinks you
brainwashed me and that I have no free will.
Madeline: How did you respond?
Nikita: I told him he was
wrong.
Madeline: Was that the truth?
Nikita: What do you mean?
Madeline: Do you think you've been
brainwashed?
Nikita: It doesn't really matter
to me.
Operations: You should never let
yourself be taken by surprise-
Madeline: (interrupts) But
it's good that you told us right away. That'll be all. (Nikita
leaves) You need to be careful with any criticism. The program is
based upon positive reinforcement.
Operations: Whatever. Michael
knows Nikita is no longer of any use to him. He's talked to
Gelman. There's only one reason he would risk coming back.
Madeline: Adrian.
Operations: She's his trump
card. Michael knows what would happen to us if Oversight were to find
out we had her. (he clicks on the intercom) Birkoff. Check
level 17 now.
Birkoff: Level 17. No hot
spots. All clear.
Birkoff and Walter trade a look. They are up to something, helping
Michael.
SECTION ONE - CRYOGENICS LAB
Voice: Dimathic unit on
standby. Cellular activity is normal.
Michael enters the lab in protective suit. The operative who's already
there thinks he's the operative he sent out to call Operations.
Voice: Glycerol levels,
stable.
Cryo-Op #1: Everything okay?
Increase her saline - blood count's reading a bit low. Hey, what are
you doing? She's going to wake up!
Michael and the operative fight, Michael disconnects him and he
freezes to death instantly.
Birkoff: (to Michael) Okay,
we're running out of time.
Michael: I need two minutes.
Operations: (to Birkoff)
What's taking so long? It shouldn't be that hard.
Birkoff: Michael knows Section as
well as we do.
Operations: Use it against
him. Change parameters.
Birkoff: Yes, sir.
Voice: Cryostasis breach. Liquid
nitrogen level dropping.
A team pauses outside the chamber. Michael opens the door and freezes
them. He wheels Adrian, on a covered stretcher, out.
Voice: Hazard warning. Exposure to
cryo-temperature is unsafe.
Operations: (In comm with
Birkoff) What is that?
Birkoff: The membrane's been
breached.
Operations: Someone's got out?
Birkoff: Yes.
Operations: Michael?
Birkoff: All remaining teams, go
to the north portal.
Operations: Get me the lab on
seventeen!
Voice: Seventeen is not
responding.
Operations: Has there been any
unauthorized entry?
Voice: Yes, sir.
Operations: And the subject?
Voice: Gone, sir.
Operations: Repeat that.
Voice: The subject is gone,
sir.
WAR ROOM
Operations: As far as I'm
concerned, you all have failed. You have let down this Section. You
have let me down personally. One man, one operative! You've got the
best technology and reasoning at your disposal and still you can't
perform. You're all a disgrace.
He storms off, meets Madeline who has been standing off to the
side.
Madeline: The advantage hasn't
changed. Adrian is still comatose and Michael will eventually contact
Nikita. That's what all this is about.
Operations: The only advantage I
care about is having Michael and Adrian contained or dead. Keeping her
alive was a big mistake.
MOTEL
A gray Volvo drives up with Michael and Adrian. Mick is in the room
waiting as Michael carries Adrian in.
Mick: Finally! I thought you'd
never show up. I can understand your need for discretion, Michael, but
this - no cable, no central air, no room service - there's no room
service, Michael. And the clientele? Bridge and tunnel crowd, I
think.
Michael: Did you bring what I
asked for?
Michael moves around the room, closing the curtains.
Mick: Yes, and then some. The
weapons you requested. Very exotic. Little harder to find than I first
suspected. I did have to go out of pocket but no matter. Anything for
a friend, anything. Who's the bird?
Michael: What's the band pass on
these optics?
Mick: 150, 170. You said you might
be working at night. I spared no expense. All right, you're busy. I'll
just let you do what you're doing. Mum's the word, needless to
say.
Michael: Mick. One more thing.
Mick: Michael, there are
limits.
Michael: Go to Nikita's
apartment. She has a tracking module. Should be in her bathroom.
Mick: All right, fine, fine. But
I'd like to know what's going on.
Michael: This is Adrian.
Mick: Adrian? You mean the woman
who started Section? The mother hen, so to speak?
Michael: I need the tracking
module by tonight.
Mick: Excellent.
Mick leaves.
Michael: (whispers) Adrian?
Adrian, can you hear me?
He gets no response.
NIKITA'S APARTMENT
There is a knocking at the door. She turns up her music, ignores. It's
Mick.
Mick: What are you doing love? I
know you're in there. Darling?
Frustrated, Nikita points a remote at the door and it opens.
Mick: Didn't you hear me
knocking?
Nikita: Go away.
Mick: You look lovely! As
always.
Nikita: What do you want,
Mick?
Mick: Oh, so now I need a reason
to be sociable? Can't we just chill? Over some chilled Chianti
perhaps?
He pops the wine cork.
Nikita: I'm not interested.
Mick: I've noticed that about you
lately. You don't seem to be interested in much. Is it that time of
the month? They've got these marvelous blue pills. You take them -
fabulous.
Nikita: What is it you need,
Mick?
Mick: I just want to have a
chat. I've had a bit of a rough week.
Nikita: I'm not interested in your
rough week.
Mick: (tries to look at her
laptop screen) Now that's interesting. Do you understand all
that?
Nikita slams the laptop shut.
Mick: All right, all right. (He
turns from her, spills wine on himself) Oh, stupid! Look at me, my
crotch is soaked.
Nikita: Where are you going?
Mick: (heading for the
bathroom) Just gotta wash this off and I'll be right back. I heard
you have to act very rapidly with these miscues. Very embarrassing,
this. But as you know even a light red wine will produce a serious
stain if you don't soak it.
Nikita walks in, finds him with the toilet cover off.
Nikita: What are you doing?
Mick: I lost a contact lens and
it's very hard to find with all of this rigmarole.
Nikita: You're working with
Michael.
Michael: (laughs) What
could have put that into your head?
Nikita: (points a gun at
him) Take me to him.
SECTION ONE - ELEVATOR
Dori walks up to the elevator, types some keys. The door opens, she
steps inside and pulls out her tape recorder. She speaks into it.
Dori: I'm picking up static.
Operations voice: I want you to
look for a second channel.
Dori: (speaking with
Operations' voice) Level Twenty.
Elevator: Voice print,
recognized.
THE PERCH
Operations: I know where these
teams are. I want them recalled. Until this matter is resolved, there
are no missions.
Voice: Yes, sir.
Madeline enters.
Operations: What have you got?
Madeline: Michael acted
alone. Adrian was his target all along. Everything else was a
feint.
Operations: This is
inconceivable. If Oversight gets a whiff of any of this - if Michael
were to go to George-
Madeline: He can't.
Operations: How can you be
sure?
Madeline: Adrian is a
vegetable. She can't corroborate anything.
Operations: It won't
matter. George will know we've had her.
Madeline: How? Michael's word? How
would George know that Michael didn't have Adrian all along? I've
already begun to backfill the files to accommodate the scenario.
Voice: Sir, Oversight for you.
Operations: Thank
you. (Deliberately cheery voice) Yes, George. No, it was
intentional. I downgraded Tangier. New intel suggested a different
location. I know, it's important to all of us. No, nothing's
wrong. Just a bit busy. Of course. (He ends the call.) We're
certain Michael didn't take anything else?
Madeline: Birkoff's checking
now.
SECTION ONE - LEVEL 20
Dori steps out into the daylight.
Dori: I knew it.
She appears to be on a rooftop. Suddenly everything changes, like a
movie screen, and there is a white light. She retreats and sees
Madeline who walks slowly forward, says nothing. Dori looks
terrified.
MOTEL
Mick and Nikita drive up and get out of the car.
Mick: It's me, old
man.
Mick knocks at the door, no response. Nikita pulls him away, tests the
door and then kicks it in. Inside, Adrian is sitting up on the
bed.
Adrian: Hello, Nikita.
Michael puts a gun to Nikita's head.
Nikita: He won't kill me.
Adrian: He might not. But I
will. (She raises a gun)
Mick: The whole thing - absolutely
unnecessary. There never was a tracking module, was there Michael?
Very clever. I would have preferred you used a different bait. But
very clever, nevertheless.
Michael: Go back to Madeline and
Operations. Tell them what you've seen. Adrian is alive and
aware. Take this to them. (hands her a disk) It's over,
Nikita.
Nikita: Yes it is. It's over for
the two of you.
She leaves.
COMM CENTER
Dori comes slowly back into Comm. She looks zoned. Sits back down.
Dori: What do you need me to
do?
Birkoff: Run a defrag.
Dori: Right away.
MADELINE'S OFFICE
Madeline puts the disk in.
Adrian: Hello, Madeline. I'm sorry
that things didn't turn out the way you planned. I'm sure Operations
must regret the decision to keep me alive. I imagine the next few days
will be trying for you both, as you try to anticipate our next
move.
Flash to Michael and Adrian, driving along.
Adrian: And what is our next
move?
Michael: By now they've seen you
and we have to find someplace safe.
Adrian: And can you tell me now
who these people are? Who is Operations and Madeline and Nikita?
THE END
Edited by Dana