A Girl Who Wasn't There
Written by: Lawrence Hertzog
Transcript by Ginger and Dana

TEASER - MUNITIONS

Walter: Hello, Sugar
Nikita: Back in the groove?
Walter: Yeah, getting' there. What's up?
Nikita: I have a question. I want the truth.
Walter: All right. You got it.
Nikita: You know I was framed for a crime I didn't commit and brought into Section. Do you know why?
Walter: No, I don't
Nikita: Do you know a way I can find out?
Walter: So this is why you talked me into coming back here?
Nikita: Of course not. I just didn't know where else to turn.
Walter: If they'd wanted you to know, they'd have told you. Do take it from a friend just forget it and move on from here.
Nikita: I can't.
Walter: But you're in cozy with Mr. Jones now. You've got a little freedom. Why mess around?
Nikita: They brought me back into Section and I can feel the walls closing in on me. I need to find out why; and if you are my friend, you'll help me.
Walter: (retrieves a disc from the heel of his boot) It's a search program. Birkoff wrote it. Gets you into places you're not suppose to go. He gave it to me for emergencies. I guess this qualifies. (He gives her the disc.) Just know, you take it, you may be starting down a road that won't come back.
Nikita: (pockets disc) Thank you.

SECURE DATA LEVEL

Nikita is in the data storage area, using Birkoff's disc. She pushes a button and inserts the disc in.
Nikita: Ok.
The screen shows "Nikita Center Personnel File / Access Level 12". The search comes against a firewall. Nikita punches some keys and the firewall is circumvented. Some intel is printed on the screen, too fuzzy to see.
Nikita: Flavius... (something she reads from the screen).
The intel says "<#NIKITA, FEMALE>" followed by a symbol like a c and a c backwards in subscript, and the letter M. The symbol could mean a sibling. Then the screen shows "LEVEL 12 - 2 CHILDREN - NIKITA - " and a lot of strange symbols on the next line. The name of the second child is apparently encrypted, but it starts with M. An alert sound follows and the screen shows a firewall not circumvented. Nikita activates a backtrace, probably to erase the info on the search she has just done, removes the disc and leaves.

MUNITIONS

Nikita: I used that search program you gave me. Partial access. Fragmented data. I did get as far as Level 12.
Walter: Level 12 ?!? Birkoff really was good.
Nikita: Do you know of a man with a code name Flavius?
Walter: Nope.
Nikita: Could be my father. I saw it very clearly on the screen. Code name Flavius. Two kids - one named Nikita, the other with the initial 'M'. Both names have a symbol in from of them. (she traces the twin C symbol on the table)
Walter: Symbols are a part of the cryptology base. Designed to stop unwanted intrusions. Take a hint.
Nikita: You can find out what it means, can't you?
Walter: No. (pause) I'll try.
Dissolve to Operations, Quinn, O'Brien, and Nikita standing around a small conference table.

Operations: We've gathered enough intel to determine that the conference in Baku was bogus.
Quinn: Some of those who died in the explosion were impostors made convincing by means of plastic surgery or latex masks.
O'Brien: Nonessential personnel were sacrificed.
Nikita: So we can assume the major players were attending a genuine conference elsewhere.
O'Brien: But where?
Quinn: We're working on this. We do know we are up against a new enemy. A coalition of the remains of organizations we've defeated in the past. The coalition calls itself The Collective.
Operations: That's an analysis of what happened. I need a forecast of what will happen.
Quinn: Judging from their skill at setting up the false conference, The Collective has a proficiency level at least as high as any we've ever faced.
Operations: Obviously.
Quinn: Sims indicate an imminent wave of attacks against civilian targets as well as military in the west.
Operations: I don't need sims to tell me that. This is too general. I need specifics. When? Where? Sequence? Priority? Methods?
Quinn: We are working on it.
Operations: I'm getting very tired of that phrase. If Madeline were alive this wouldn't be happening. (pause, Nikita and Operations exchange a glance) That's all.
Everyone leaves except Operations and Quinn.

Quinn: I know this is a difficult time. I just want you to know, if there is something I can do that I'm not doing, you just have to tell me. I'll do anything to help.
Operations: You have a way of bringing back the dead?

WORK AREA

Nikita comes down the stairs into the operative's work area. Jasmine is working at a computer.
Jasmine: Can I ask you a question? Is it true you spied on Section for Center?
Nikita: Yes, it is.
Jasmine: Thank God. I was worried it was just a rumor. So why hasn't Operations had you stuffed and mounted by now?
Nikita: Not for lack of trying. He wouldn't like what I'm about to do right now either.
Jasmine: What are you doing right now?
Nikita: Offering you a life. It's a pilot program I've been thinking about for some time.
Jasmine: And they are letting you do this?
Nikita: A reward for doing Center's dirty work. I want to loosen this place up a little. Less surveillance. More downtime. Monthly limit on Class A Missions.
Jasmine: Why me?
Nikita: Because I think you can handle it.
Jasmine: Handle it?!? Are you joking? It would be fantastic.
Nikita: No, it won't. When you are on duty, you'll be under a microscope. After six months, you'll be a nervous wreck. But if you pull if off….
Jasmine: It will open up things, not just for me, but for everyone in Section.
Nikita: That's right. What do you say?
Jasmine: Thanks.

BRIEFING

Seated around the briefing table are Quinn, O'Brien, Nikita, and Walter. Operations is in his usual position standing at the head of the table.
Operations: This is Vera Mason. Formerly of Glass Curtain, she now handles financial affairs for The Collective. At first we thought she died at the conference, but satellite tags indicate she is alive and well and on the move.
Quinn: She boarded a plane in Argentina at 1400 hours. She arrives in Verdan at midnight local time.
Operations: Mason's our best chance to find out about the real conference. When. Where. And who attended. We need her alive. (pause) We also need a 12 hour window before The Collective realizes she has been taken. If we can manage it.
Quinn: We'll manage it.
Operations: We'll see.

HOTEL IN VERDAN

Mason and two guards are in what looks like a living room. They hear a knock on the door. One of the guards goes to answer it.
Mason: Who is it?
Male Voice: (outside the door) Room service.
Guard opens the door and a man enters with a cart of food. It's O'Brien and Nikita isn't far behind. They take out the two guards, and hold Mason at gunpoint. O'Brien puts a round-shaped device to Mason's neck, right by her vocal cords.
O'Brien: Say something.
Mason: Go to Hell.
O'Brien: That will do.
The device is a voice analyzer. O'Brien gives it to Nikita, who then tranquilizes Mason with a dart. Nikita then calls the lobby, using the device against her vocal cords to impersonate Mason's voice.
Nikita: This is Vera Mason from Room 223. I ordered room service, but I'm feeling very tired and I'd like you to cancel it for me please.
Male Voice: (via phone) Of course Ms. Mason.
Mason: And I don't want to be disturbed for the next 12 hours for any reason what so ever. Is that clear?
Male Voice: (via phone) Yes Ma'am.
Nikita: Good day.
O'Brien and Nikita put Mason on the bottom shelve of the service cart. The tablecloth falls far enough to cover her. They make their exit.

THE PERCH

Operations is there, Quinn enters.
Quinn: O'Brien and Nikita are on their way back in with Mason. They'll be here by three o'clock.
Operations: And the 12 hour window?
Quinn: Acquired.
Operations: What is it?
Quinn: There's someone waiting to see you in Lab 4.
Operations: Who?
Quinn: No name was given, but it seems to be urgent.
Operations: Bring him in.
Quinn: I'm afraid that's impossible. You'll have to go there.
Operations: What is this? A game?
Quinn: It's no game.
Quinn exits. Operations cocks his gun and follows. Dissolve to Operations entering Lab 4. Quinn activates a program and holo-Madeline appears.
Madeline: Hello, Paul.

LAB 4

Quinn: Madeline's psychological and analytical profiles were extensively documented. It was a question of merging them with Birkoff's artificial intelligence program.
Operations: (smiling, amazed) She seems so real.
Quinn: The technology is a step beyond the holographic. It incorporates atmospheric stimulation, which means she has mobility within a limited range.
Operations walks around Madeline, looking her over. (She looks very season 4 Madeline; her hair is up, make-up minimal, the usual dark suit.) He's pleased, to say the least. He crosses one of the projection beams and her image wavers.
Quinn: You crossed one of the beams. I can mount the modules on the ceiling. That won't happen again. And I'll network her program, so she can be present anywhere in Section.
Operations: Madeline, can you... Can you see and hear me?
Madeline: I don't process data the way a human brain does, but for all practical purposes, yes.
Quinn: There's also an element of galvanic resistance, meaning she's tactile, at least to a degree.
Madeline extends her hand and Operations takes it, caressing her fingers.
Operations: (smiling) It's remarkable. (continuing to caress her hand) I assume the program works whether you are here or not.
Quinn: Of course.
Operations: You can leave.
Quinn exits, leaving Operations and Madeline alone.
Operations: Your files. You prepared them yourself, didn't you? In case I ever needed you.
Madeline: There was always the chance that something might happen to me.
Operations: (emotional) I've missed you Madeline.
Madeline: (unaffected) Quinn downloaded the latest status files into my program. It seems we are facing a crisis.
Operations: (trying to get his emotions under control and his mind on the problem with The Collective) Uh, yes…Uhm… A coalition.. uhm.. called The Collective. We've just secured a prisoner, Vera Mason.
Madeline: I've received her file already. She seems very firmly grounded in reality.
Operations: The hardest type to break.
Madeline: Fortunately, we have a new weapon.

NIKITA'S OFFICE

Jasmine enters. Nikita looks her over, admiring her outfit.
Nikita: Sharp.
Jasmine: I just stopped by to check in.
Nikita: There's a tailed mission set in 18 hours. You need to be back and rested.
Jasmine: Yeah, I saw it on my panel.
Nikita: This probably goes without saying, but just because you are not under direct surveillance doesn't mean you're free.
Jasmine: Of course not.
Nikita: If you bolt, they'll find you - sooner or later - probably sooner. Take if from me.
Jasmine: I'm just gonna do a little shopping, walk by the lake, have dinner. That's it. (pause) I'll see you in the briefing in 18 hours. OK?
Nikita: Have fun.
Jasmine exits.

OUTSIDE THE WHITE ROOM

Walter is looking through the portal whatever he sees has him spooked. Nikita approaches.
Nikita: Hey Walter, have you had lunch?
Walter: Huh?
Nikita: Have you had lunch?
Walter: I'm not hungry.
Nikita: Something's wrong?
Walter: The interrogation room, just, just look.
Nikita looks through the portal and sees Madeline interrogating Vera Mason. Off a look, Walter exits still spooked. Nikita looks, not really sure, scared, annoyed. The action moves into the White Room. We pick up the interrogation in progress.
Madeline: We are interested in a conference that was held during the last week. It was sponsored by Red Cell.
Mason: Who's Red Cell? Why not kill me now and save us both a lot of time. You won't get anything out of me.
Madeline: So many people in that chair have said that; yet we have 100,000 hard drives full of data. You expect more pain; you will of course receive it. But it's your mind that we're interested in capturing, not your body.
Mason: My mind belongs to me.
Madeline: Does it? The truth is we already have a good part of your mind now. It won't take long before we get the rest.
Madeline grabs her shoulder. Obviously the feeling is unpleasant. Then all of a sudden she appears on the other side. Vera is terrified.

THE PERCH

The windows are dark. Operations and Madeline are present, discussing Vera Mason.
Operations: You are as brilliant as ever. I never thought we'd break her so quickly.
Madeline: The opportunity to combine physical pain with psychological stress was fortuitous.
Operations: The real conference was in Istanbul five days ago. Not too many surprises among the attendees. Do you think it's worth sending a recon team?
Madeline: Yes, I do.
Operations: So do I. It's been prelimmed. I'll make it a go. (pause) It's so good having you back here. I'm beginning to feel like my old self again. (pause) Let me ask you something. Does your program include memories?
Madeline: Of course. The database was very complete.
Operations: Do you remember the Ukraine, when we first met?
Madeline: Yes.
Operations: And our nights in the Tower?
Madeline: Yes.
Operations: And it's all just... Part of your database?
Madeline: Paul, I'm not flesh and blood.
Operations: Some said you never were, but I knew better.
Madeline: That entity is dead. I do what I'm programmed to do.

COMM

Quinn is working.
Quinn: (into ear piece) Beta team's in the van. We need your preliminary report by 1300.
Operations approaches while she is talking.
Operations: Have a minute?
Quinn: Of course.
Operations: Madeline's program is subject to alterations?
Quinn: Certainly, is there a problem?
Operations: Not at all. Her performance is excellent.
Quinn: But?
Operations: I need to feel comfortable in our personal interactions. Like I did before.
Quinn: Of course.
Operations: See Madeline's always been detached. But now she seems distant, almost cold. Is there anyway you can make her…
Quinn: ... a little more human.
Operations: Yes.
Quinn: And a little more feminine?
Operations: Exactly.
Quinn: I'll try.
Operations: Good. How long will it take?
Quinn: Not long at all.
Operations: Good.
Operations leaves Quinn working.

MUNITIONS

Nikita: So that favor? The symbol?
Walter: I'm working on it, Hon. Nothin' so far.
Nikita: You wouldn't be lying to me for my own good now would you?
Walter: (very emphatic) I am working on it.
Nikita: You know where Operations is?
Walter: Up in the Perch.
Nikita: Uh huh. He should have been in systems an hour ago. Two profiles have been approved.
They look up to the Perch windows. They are dark.
Walter: I'm sure he's aware of that, but that Perch is dark, and I wouldn't go up there if I were you.
Nikita ignores Walter and heads for the Perch. As she gets closer she can hear music playing, it's a love song.

"Wish I knew why I'm so in love with you.
No one else in this world will do.
Darlin' please save your love for me.
Run away.
If I were wise, I'd run away.
But like a fool in love I stay.
And pray you'll save your love for me."

As Nikita looks into the Perch, she sees Operations and Madeline, dancing very close. Madeline's features have been softened. Her hair is down and she looks gorgeous. Operations dances with his eyes closed. He looks like a man who has found his own version of paradise. Nikita watches for a short time, then leaves them alone.

MAIN BRIEFING AREA

O'Brien, Nikita, Walter, and Quinn are seated at the conference table. Operations is pacing behind them. There is an empty seat. Operations is not pleased. Madeline is present as well, standing at the end of the table.
Operations: Isn't Jasmine on this team?
Nikita: She'll be here.
Madeline: Should we wait or proceed with the briefing?
Operations: Nikita, Madeline asked you a question.
Nikita: That's a computer simulation, not Madeline.
Operations: Answer her.
Jasmine arrives and takes her place at the table.
Jasmine: I'm sorry.
Operations: This is an abandoned warehouse located in the outskirts of Istanbul. While the decoy conference was taking place at Dalmatov's estate, The Collective held the real meeting here.
Quinn: There are five points of access. The most tactically secure is underground through the utility corridors. The objective is a complete bio sweep supplemented by a Level 2...
O'Brien: Their conference was held a week ago. The Collective only used this place that one time. What's a bio sweep gonna tell us that we don't already know?
Madeline: Who was there. Who was at the head of the table. Which organization was most heavily represented. Who changed seats during the meeting, suggesting a pattern of shifting alliances.
Nikita: Does The Collective realize that we now know that Dalmatov's summit was a decoy?
Madeline: Are you talking to me?
Nikita: I'm concerned about the possibility of a trap.
Madeline: Indications are that The Collective thinks that we are still deceived. But we have to move quickly.
Nikita: I don't like it.
O'Brien: Neither do I.
Operations: The profile stands. You leave in an hour.
The operatives exit, leaving Madeline and Operations alone.
Madeline:(smiling) Thank you, Paul.
Operations smiles and nods in response.

MUNITIONS

Walter is showing Jasmine something. Nikita approaches.
Nikita: Where were you?
Jasmine: I got caught in traffic.
Nikita: Traffic?!?
Jasmine: Yeah, it happens. I'm only human.
Nikita: No, you're a Section operative. Traffic doesn't cut it.
Jasmine: What was I suppose to do? Hijack the bus?
Nikita: If necessary. (off Jasmine's disbelief) I picked the wrong person. I'm gonna find someone else.
Jasmine: Nikita wait. (pause) I'm sorry. This is new to me too. You gotta cut me some slack.
Nikita: I told you before. There is no slack.
Jasmine: It won't happen again.
Nikita: This mission has to be flawless. Do you understand?
Jasmine: I understand.
Dissolve to mission in progress. Posing as utility workers, Section operatives remove a manhole cover.
Nikita: First team on mark. (pause) Proceeding to B point.
Quinn: (at Comm) Proceed to B mark. (pause) Hold and confirm.
Operations and Madeline are monitoring the mission from the Perch. The team enters the manhole. Dissolve to operatives inside the building.
Nikita: We have access.
The team enters the conference room. There is a table in the center of the room. They begin their scans. Nikita checks the room by using some kind of high tech glasses. O'Brien and Jasmine plus a couple of unknown operatives scan the room with cool looking gadgets. Nikita notices something with her glasses, a laser beam.
Nikita: Jasmine. Halt.
Jasmine's hand is on a chair. Her touch causes the chair to move slightly, breaking the beam. All hell breaks loose. The doors start to slam down. Gas is blown into the room.
Nikita: Abort.
Operatives run for it. O'Brien gets a case under one of the doors, preventing it from closing completely. The operatives exit under the door.
Quinn: Status?
Nikita: We are moving out. Sent the van to egress three.
Nikita sees a man down.
O'Brien: Forget it. (pause) Come on.
Nikita looks back at the operative, but leaves him.

THE PERCH

Operations: What happened?
Quinn: (from comm) It was a trap. The profile was flawed.
Madeline: The profile was perfectly adequate. The execution was flawed.

LAB 4

Operations and Madeline are in Lab 4.
Madeline: I have a double team working forensics.
Operations: Were we in there long enough to collect anything worthwhile?
Nikita enters, watching unseen from the shadows.
Madeline: I think so. We'll have the answer shortly. (pause) Is something troubling you?
Operations: This was simmed as a cold target.
Madeline: With an error factor of 2% as the panels clearly indicated. The teams should have been more alert.
Operations: One operative dead, another inoperable. Was it worth it?
Madeline: I believe it was. These things are all about probabilities, Paul. You know that.
Operations: Where probabilities left off that's where you were at your best.
Madeline: Were?
Operations: I'm sure you still are. With the pressure we're under lately from Center, partial success may not be enough.
Madeline: We'll turn it around. Stay the course.
Operations: All right.
Nikita moves farther into the room, making her presence known.
Nikita: You wanted to see me.
Operations: Yes.
Nikita: Whatever this discussion is, I'd prefer to have it alone.
Madeline: It's alright, Paul. Perhaps it you could route me to forensics, I can help with the analysis.
Operations: All right.
Operations moves to the computer terminal and punches a few keys. Madeline disappears. Operations activates comm.
Male operative: (via comm) Yes sir.
Operations: Get me forensics.
Forensics operative: (via comm) Forensics.
Operations: This is Operations. Is Madeline there?
Madeline: (voice of) I'm here now, Paul.
Operations: Good…. Carry on. (pause) Your performance was unacceptable.
Nikita: So was the profile.
Operations: Your protégé, Jasmine, should be disciplined for setting off the alarm.
Nikita: There wasn't suppose to be an alarm. (pause) We recovered intel and we only lost one operative. In the circumstances, it's above standard.
Operations: She came late to the briefing and under-performed on the mission. Your experiment already failed, and that's exactly what I'm going to tell Mr. Jones.
Nikita: And while you're at it, let's tell him that you are dating an inflatable computer program.
They are interrupted by the beeping of the intercom.
Operations: What is it?
Madeline: (via comm) Paul, I think I found a connection to Calamortz.

GREENHOUSE

Operatives entering a greenhouse.
O'Brien: Everybody down.
Section's operatives have everyone at gunpoint pretty easily.
Owner: What's going...?
O'Brien: Shut up. (pause) Don't move (pause) We're in place. (pause) We're sweeping now.
Operatives scan the area, but find nothing.
O'Brien: You know Calamortz?
Owner: Yeah. I catered his daughter's wedding.
O'Brien: You catered his daughter's wedding? (pause) Get your hands up.
Owner: Please..
O'Brien: Get your hands up.
Owner wets himself. Amusing Jasmine and amazing O'Brien.
O'Brien: Either he's a new brand of terrorist or this really is a greenhouse.
Operations and Madeline monitoring from the Perch.
Operations: Report.
O'Brien: (via comm) Alright. (pause) Thermo. Bioscan. They are all negative.
Operations: What are you saying?
O'Brien: There's nothing here but flowers. Do you want me to bring you some?
Operations: Abort and return.
Madeline: It was a worthwhile experiment, Paul. It failed.
Operations: It was my fault for telling Quinn to adjust the program. I'll have her negate the changes.
Madeline: I don't think it would matter in the long run. You know that. (pause) What you are looking at isn't Madeline. It's stimulated air molecules with a database of her history and experience. But it isn't her. And it never can be. (pause) Do you know why I killed myself? (pause) I was afraid Mr. Jones might listen to Nikita and spare me. If he had I'd have been relocated. We would have been apart forever.
Operations: Yes, that's true.
Madeline: Neither one of us could have functioned satisfactorily alone, knowing the other was alive. It would have been a constant distraction.
Operations: This place was at its best when it was both of us.
Madeline: But you're the leader, the one who makes final decisions, takes final responsibility. (pause) And I can assure you the real Madeline admired you tremendously. (pause) And she, or I, was wrong to take my own life. It robbed you of the chance to make the call. You know the codes to my file. You know what has to be done. (pause) My database has to be annihilated permanently. This time the decision has to be yours.
Operations nods. He knows she is right. He moves to the computer terminal and punches in the codes. Before he punches in the last code, he looks back at her one last time. His eyes are misty with tears.
Madeline: (smiling) Goodbye, Paul.
Operations: Goodbye, Madeline.
Quinn is working, Operations He punches in the last code and she begins to disappear before his eyes. He watches until she is completely gone, his eyes swimming with tears. The last thing that disappears is her eyes, after she closes them. Operations draws a deep shuddering breath and closes his eyes.

SYSTEMS

Operations: I've eliminated Madeline's program.
Quinn: Yes, I saw that on my panel. I'm sorry it didn't work out.
Operations: Are you?
Quinn: What do you mean?
Operations: When you were planning to resurrect Madeline, you must have studied her files very carefully.
Quinn: Of course.
Operations: The log indicates you also studied mine as well.
Quinn: It was important to understand how the two of you worked together.
Operations: Then you must have realized that I would ask for changes.
Quinn: I knew it was a possibility.
Operations: And those changes will lead to more problems, which will lead to other changes and so on, until the whole experiment is stopped. (pause) In other words, this can be seen as an effort on your part to make me forget Madeline.
Quinn: I would never presume...
Operations: Don't patronize me!
Quinn: Her memory was holding you back and blinding you to (pause) other possibilities (herself).
Operations: I'm promoting you to Level 3 effective immediately.
Operations exits, leaving Quinn shocked and pleased.
Quinn: Thank you.

TAG - NIKITA'S OFFICE

Walter enters.
Nikita: You got something?
Walter: Yeah.
Nikita: The symbol?
Walter: It means you were brought into Section.
Nikita: That's not exactly news.
Walter: You're forgetting 'M'.
Nikita: I have a sibling in Section?
Walter: Or had.
Nikita: You don't suppose Madeline was my sister, do you?
Walter: Not too likely.
Nikita: Mick? But he's undercover as Mr. Jones. Unless his first name started with is 'M'.
Walter: Mick didn't change his first name when he went undercover. (pause) You know you might have to face up to the fact that…
Nikita: Michael's my brother
Walter: Uh no, just forget it. Forget it. (pause) I did dig up something though. When I was rooting around, I found an address. Now, it's like an ordinary street address.
Nikita: Who lives there?
Walter: File didn't say. You want it?
Nikita: Yeah, I want it.
Walter goes to her computer and pulls up a street map, showing Nikita the address.
Nikita: (softly, almost to herself)...'M' (pause) Interesting.

Scene dissolves to night. Nikita is walking along a residential street, looking for the address. Finding it, she draws her gun and enters the house. The door is open. She enters, looking around the room. It looks like a normal residence. There are two sets of bronzed baby booties on the mantel. As she continues to look around, she hears a sound behind her; the door slams shut. As she turns gun drawn, she sees a disc on the floor. Picking it up, she hears a motorcycle engine. The motorcycle is making a hasty retreat. Nikita hears another sound and turns to see a bomb on the kitchen table. She run for the door, jumping out the door just before the house explodes. She watches as the house burns.

THE END
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