Posted: 31 May 2006, 01:06
by Alienprojects
“To Be or Not To Be”
Directed by: Irvin Kershner
Written by: Rockne S. O’Bannon & Tommy Thompson
Summary: Pilot episode. After losing a captain in the Livingston Trench, and
undergoing a refit to carry science personnel, the seaQuest sets sail again.
Admiral William Noyce wants his old friend Nathan Bridger to become the new
captain, but Bridger refuses. Noyce convinces Bridger to visit the seaQuest,
knowing the sub will prove alluring to him. While Bridger is on board the
seaQuest sets sail, and before Bridger can leave, a renegade Delta 4
submarine, commanded by the previous captain of the seaQuest, attacks an
underwater colony and the seaQuest itself. At the same time, a virus begins to
attack the seaQuest’s main computer. Bridger eventually takes command of
the sub, saving the boat, and decides to take the position as commander of the
seaQuest.
Guest Starring:
Richard Herd as Admiral William Noyce
Michael Parks as George Le Chein
Shelley Hack as Captain Marilyn Stark
Scott Coffey as Bobby MacLaine
Eric Dare as Maxwell
W. Morgan Sheppard as Professor Martinson
Rebecca Stanley as Jenny MacLaine
Justine Arlin as Commander Webber
Co-Starring:
Clark Brolly as Renegade Sensor Chief
Mark Fauser as Weapons Officer Matthew Phillips
Dan Hildebrand as Carlton (helmsman)
John Schafer as Pollack
Featuring:
Michelle Holden as EarthCast Anchor
Brad Hunt as Le Chein Guard
Brenda King as Carol Bridger
Bruce Klassen as Ensign Bacher
Buckley Norris as Territorial Governor (Raymond Brenner)
Michelle Sullivan as Crew Member
Michael Zurich as Renegade Sensor #2
The twenty first century ... Mankind has colonized the last unexplored region on Earth
-- the ocean. As Captain of the seaQuest and its crew, we are its guardians; for
beneath the surface, lies the future.
“I really don’t know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I
think it’s because in addition to the fact that the sea changes, and the light changes,
and ships change, it’s because we all came from the sea. And it’s an interesting
biological fact that all of us have in our blood, the same exact percentage of salt that
exists in the ocean, and, therefore, we have salt in our blood, our sweat, and our tears.
We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea — whether to sail or to
watch it — we are going back from whence we came.”
President John F. Kennedy
at the Australian Ambassadors Dinner for the
America’s Cup Crews on September 14, 1962
- the near future, North Atlantic Ocean, Livingston Trench, depth 1700 feet -
Bobby MacLaine: (into radio) Jenny, they fired at me. Jenny, answer me.
hornet #1: (on radio) Say your prayers, reef runner, there’s no escape.
Bobby MacLaine: (into radio) Reef runner to home plate, home plate pick up. Come on,
Jenny, pick up, pick up, Jenny.
Jenny MacLaine: (on radio) Home plate to reef runner, go ahead.
Bobby MacLaine: (into radio) Jenny, it’s Bobby.
Jenny MacLaine: (on radio) Bob, where the hell have you been?
Bobby MacLaine: (into radio) Never mind, just get ready to open up the main air lock,
I’m coming in and I’ve got two Hornets on my tail.
hornet #1: (on radio) Hold your fire. (they pass some things) Lock on target.
hornet #2: (on radio) Locking.
hornet #1: (on radio) Fire. (it misses)
Bobby MacLaine: (into radio) Jenny, start closing the main air lock now.
Jenny MacLaine: (on radio) You’re not through yet.
Bobby MacLaine: (into radio) Just close it. Just start closing it right now. (the deep sea
pick-up just makes it through the closing door)
hornet #1: (on radio) Disengage. Let’s call in the big guns.
- Livingston Trench, Ocean Floor Mining Corporation -
Bobby MacLaine: (entering room) Jenny, I thought those Hornets had me for sure in
their crosshairs.
Jenny MacLaine: You were prospecting over the territorial line again, weren’t you?
Bobby MacLaine: No way, well, maybe a little bit. But everybody does it. I’ve got some
great -- I had some great magnesium samples. Where’s Earl?
Jenny MacLaine: With everyone else, out battening down the perimeters. There was a
skirmish out by the northern marker this morning.
Bobby MacLaine: What happened?
Jenny MacLaine: You know better than to jackrabbit another confederation’s borders.
Those Hornets were just waiting for an excuse to fire on this facility. What
were you thinking?
Bobby MacLaine: I don’t know.
Jenny MacLaine: Wait, wait.
Bobby MacLaine: What is it?
Jenny MacLaine: It’s those two that chased you in. They’re on the satellite link to their
home base. They’re asking for military intervention. Every confederation’s got
attack subs lurking outside these walls.
- Ocean Floor Mining Corporation, a little later -
Reporter: (on screen) Once again, information has reached EarthCast News that
warrior submarines from several economic confederations are converging on
the Livingston Trench in the North Atlantic. Representatives are frantically
meeting, trying to keep the situation from escalating.
Jenny MacLaine: The subs are all trying to reach their upworld bases. They want the
green light to fire.
Bobby MacLaine: What the hell?
Jenny MacLaine: What’s wrong?
Bobby MacLaine: These parameter readings show something down in the trench.
Jenny MacLaine: There’s nothing that big down there … except seaQuest.
- seaQuest Deep Submergence Vehicle (DSV), bridge -
Tim O’Neill: Captain, NORPAC Command is trying to get through. It’s breaking up,
heavy traffic at the surface.
Marilyn Stark: Keep trying, Mr. O’Neill.
Tim O’Neill: Aye, sir.
Marilyn Stark: Deploy WSKRS, Mr. Ortiz. Narrow cone sweep, send directly to fire
control.
Miguel Ortiz: WSKRS out, feeding data now.
Matthew Phillips: Four plasma torpedoes charged and loaded.
Marilyn Stark: Thank you, Mr. Phillips.
Jonathan Ford: Captain Stark, there’s still no message from NORPAC Command.
Marilyn Stark: How many more of these standoffs are we gonna have before someone
makes a decision. Don’t they understand the only clear way to secure peace is
with strength? Cat and mouse games just go on forever. Come around to two
nine zero and hold her steady.
Miguel Ortiz: WSKR data coming in. Five class C shooter subs.
Marilyn Stark: Target status.
Jonathan Ford: Captain, I remind —
Marilyn Stark: Not now, Commander. Mr. Ortiz.
Miguel Ortiz: All targets, seventy-eight percent vulnerability. We’re locked into attack
position.
Marilyn Stark: Target grid.
Miguel Ortiz: Grid’s activated.
Jonathan Ford: Captain, I strongly recommend we wait for clear orders from
NORPAC.
Marilyn Stark: Clear orders? Aren’t you tired of this game? We aim at them, they aim
at us, and the whole world holds its breath. Look at this boat. We have
strength and the advantage. We can end this madness once and for all. We
can do what we were trained to do.
Tim O’Neill: Captain, confirmed orders are coming from NORPAC Command. Do not
fire, repeat, do not fire. The other subs are receiving similar orders.
Marilyn Stark: Mr. Phillips, initiate firing sequence. (Phillips pauses) Mr. Phillips.
Computer: Thermonuclear warhead arming sequence initiated, confirm authorization.
(Stark turns key) Confirmed, thermonuclear launch authorized.
Jonathan Ford: Captain Stark, under Article Twenty, Section Eight of NORPAC
Command regulations, I’m relieving you of command.
-13 months later, United Earth/Oceans Organization Training Base, Malibu, California -
Ensign: Commander Ford. (Ford exits tent)
Jonathan Ford: Admiral Noyce. (salutes)
William Noyce: Commander. (salutes) How’s seaQuest’s refit coming?
Jonathan Ford: Well, we’re a few days ahead of schedule.
William Noyce: Good. I’ll bet you’re looking forward to getting back in the water.
Jonathan Ford: Yes sir. Six months is a long time to be dry, sir.
William Noyce: Ah, well, the brass is under intense pressure from the political powers
to find someone to captain her. Someone who is not thought of as strictly
military. Someone who commands respect outside the ranks. There’s only one
man who meets that qualification but can still shoot if he has to, and he’ll never
take the job. (gives folder to Ford)
Jonathan Ford: (looks in folder) Nathan Bridger. He was one of my heroes. What
makes you think anything will get him back?
William Noyce: I served with him for thirty years. You live Navy that long, it never gets
out of your blood. Oh, I can get him here, that part doesn’t worry me. It’s
keeping him. Events at the Livingston Trench had all of us staring down the
barrel at the same time. It was terrifying. But as bad as it was, I believe you
had the hardest task. Relieving a superior officer of duty is a horrible thing to
do; you handled it with a great deal of courage. However, it’s nothing
compared to the pain I’m about to ask you to suffer. Jonathan, I need you to be
prepared to appear arrogant, incompetent, even cocky; to be everything a
commander shouldn’t. It may be the only way we’ve got to persuade him he’s
got to assume command.
Jonathan Ford: Sir.
William Noyce: It’s all in there. I’ve got to run. I know you can handle it, don’t let me
down Jonathan.
- somewhere in the Caribbean -
Nathan Bridger: (pushing his way through group assembled by door) Excuse me,
pardon me, so sorry.
Ensign: Captain Bridger?
Nathan Bridger: Bridger, I think there’s one on the other side of the island. Course, he
gets up very early to go to work. You may have to hurry. That is a very nice
outfit.
Ensign: Nathan Bridger, we come at the request of UEO Command.
Nathan Bridger: Who?
Ensign: United Earth/Oceans Organization.
Nathan Bridger: Doesn’t ring a bell, but then I’ve been out of touch for a while.
Ensign: Captain, we’ve gone to great lengths to find you —
Nathan Bridger: I don’t really know what you people are selling, but I’m really not
interested. Now, why don’t you do yourself a big favor, and get the hell off my
island.
William Noyce: Hello, Nathan.
Nathan Bridger: Go home, Bill.
William Noyce: Nathan, will you just listen. Damn it, will you just let me explain. She’s
finished. She’s been operational for three years. Nathan, Nathan don’t pretend
you don’t care; I know you do.
Nathan Bridger: All right, come on. Come on, come on. All right, Darwin, m’boy, you
know the routine. (Darwin splashes him) Don’t make cute, I’m in no mood. Go
down, one, two, three, and tag the marker, tag the marker. Go, go.
William Noyce: Hand motion communication.
Nathan Bridger: Well, it’s not perfect, but we understand each other. More than I can
say about you and me.
William Noyce: I remember it was Carol who got you interested in dolphins. I heard
about what happened, I’m sorry. She was a wonderful woman.
Nathan Bridger: Yeah, I hear ya.
William Noyce: You don’t think the Navy’s gonna let one of its most valuable human
resources run off to some desert island and not keep tabs on him.
Nathan Bridger: What happened to privacy? Last time I looked, the Bill of Rights was
still intact.
William Noyce: Everything’s changed Nathan. I’ve come half way around the world to
tell you about it. Once the ocean became a frontier for mining,
pharmaceuticals, farming, the world became a dangerous place. Undersea
borders formed, nations broke into confederations to protect their territorial
claims. They hammered out a treaty. The United Earth/Oceans Organization
was formed to administer it.
Nathan Bridger: Administer? Sounds desperate.
William Noyce: It’s different out there now. Farms, colonies, families; UEO needed a
way to maintain the situation. That’s why NORPAC gave us the seaQuest. Not
as a warship, but as a peacekeeper.
Nathan Bridger: What’s the difference?
William Noyce: She’s being refitted to contain a large science contingent.
Nathan Bridger: What for?
William Noyce: Research, deep sea exploration, the largest deep submergence
research vehicle ever.
Nathan Bridger: No way, that part of my life is over.
William Noyce: Don’t you understand what I’m offering you? (Bridger walks away)
Nathan, you can’t pass this up. For God’s sake, Carol is dead. Let it go.
Nathan Bridger: I won’t. I gave her my word.
William Noyce: I know how much losing Robert hurt you and how you blame yourself for
his joining the service. I have kids. Look around you, you’re totally alone. Don’t
you see how your research, your passion, may be used aboard a ship you
poured your life into. Come see her, let me at least show you what I’m talking
about.
- Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, UEO Headquarters, seaQuest DSV berth -
Nathan Bridger: (on launch) Don’t get too full of yourself. Once this little show and tell
is over, I’m out of here. (exits launch) That’s not too helpful. You think these
people have heard about your peacekeeping program?
William Noyce: They’re career Navy. They’re gonna be a little touchy about having all
these science techs on board, no offense. (walking down hall) Come on,
Nathan, lots to see. You know, the last time you saw her, she was no more
than a keel laid out in a San Francisco shipyard. (goes up stairs) Two complete
decks of science labs, research facilities, everything you could ever want or
need is right here.
Nathan Bridger: Who’s footing the bill?
William Noyce: Grants, free-lance, industry contributions, private donations.
Nathan Bridger: Government?
William Noyce: Only through the UEO.
Computer: (Bridger and Noyce enter Mag-lev) Mag-lev engaged, be seated to avoid
injury.
William Noyce: Nathan. (Noyce sits Bridger down)
Computer: Bridge, thank you for riding Mag-lev. (Bridger and Noyce exit)
William Noyce: After you. (Bridger and Noyce enter bridge)
Tim O’Neill: Admiral on the bridge.
William Noyce: As you were.
- Jamaica, North Coast, Le Chein’s house -
George Le Chein: There was a time when ocean was one of boundless profits.
Petroleum from the deep seas of international waters and vital minerals from
the deep sea trenches. Coral from new found barrier reefs was fantastic,
beautiful. You just take, ja. Well, now we have the UEO, and this is what the
UEO has left me. And now they want more in the name of peace and harmony.
And what does peace and harmony have to do with business? We have to do
something about seaQuest.
Maxwell: There’s no competing with seaQuest.
George Le Chein: No, my son, mein kindern. I’m not talking about competing with the
seaQuest, I’m talking about getting rid of her.
Maxwell: What?
George Le Chein: Ja. The ship has lost its leader, the crew … the crew is full of
dreamers, and eggheads, and wanna-bes. Not one ounce of practical
knowledge in the whole group. That’s a fact. And the result, she’s vulnerable.
Am I right Captain Stark? You have the Delta 4 submarine at your disposal, ya.
Ship is as good as any ship on, above, or around the water. I want you should
take out the seaQuest. What you need, what you want, I buy. And when you are
finished … you will be rich. So, tell me, Captain, how do we beat the seaQuest?
Marilyn Stark: I’ve already beat the seaQuest. What I want is to be there when she
drowns.
George Le Chein: That’s good.
- UEO Headquarters, seaQuest DSV berth, bridge -
Miguel Ortiz: Can I help you?
Nathan Bridger: No, no, no, thanks. WSKRS — Wireless Sea Knowledge Retrieval
Satellites. We used to call them roving periscopes. How many WSKRS are you
operating out of here? We planned three — one forward and two aft.
Miguel Ortiz: That’s right. Sir, this is a highly restricted area.
Manilow Crocker: This tourist bothering you Mr. Ortiz?
Miguel Ortiz: He’s asking for classified information.
Nathan Bridger: Well, they really scraped the bottom of the barrel for the crew this
time, didn’t they?
Manilow Crocker: Yeah, from the looks of it they did a little digging below that old barrel
too, huh?
Nathan Bridger: (seriously) Now what the hell’s that supposed to mean, sailor?
Manilow Crocker: (seriously) I’ll tell you exactly what that’s supposed to mean …
(happily) it means it sure is good to see you again, Cap.
Nathan Bridger: How are you? It’s been about ten years.
Manilow Crocker: Oh, longer than that, it’s been twelve at least. Where the hell you
been? I mean the scuttlebutt had you’d gone bug-eyed, you were makin’ like
Tarzan on some desert island somewhere.
Nathan Bridger: I don’t think I went deep enough into the jungle.
Manilow Crocker: I know what you mean.
Nathan Bridger: So now you’re part of this peacekeeping group, huh?
Manilow Crocker: Oh, you know the military, Cap. You want to play the game, than you
gotta join the team. Tell you the truth, I was more than just a little surprised
though when I got the call.
Nathan Bridger: Call?
Manilow Crocker: Yeah, from Admiral Noyce. I was just about to turn in my discharge
papers when he asked me to come back as security chief. I’m still not sure
what he wants with an old war-horse like me on board with all these academy
pups.
Nathan Bridger: I’m sure he just wanted the best crew he could get.
Katie Hitchcock: Giving tours now, Chief?
Manilow Crocker: Lieutenant Commander.
Katie Hitchcock: I don’t like visitors at my station.
Nathan Bridger: Your station?
Katie Hitchcock: That’s right and it’s off limits. Now if you want to see some sights, why
don’t you try the Arizona memorial. What kind of security clearance you got
anyway? (looks at Bridger’s badge) Indefinite. (looks surprised)
Manilow Crocker: Uh, perhaps a few introductions might be in order here, Lieutenant,
before you swallow your entire leg. Katherine Hitchcock, Chief Engineer; this is
Nathan Bridger, Captain Nathan Bridger.
Nathan Bridger: How do you do.
Katie Hitchcock: Pleasure, sir. (to Crocker) You and I are gonna have a long talk later.
Manilow Crocker: Yes, sir, I’ll be looking forward to that. Cap. (leaves)
Nathan Bridger: (standing up) He’s, uh, some guy, isn’t he.
Katie Hitchcock: (sitting down) Yes, sir. He’s a great guy. Thank you.
Nathan Bridger: You must know this boat pretty well.
Katie Hitchcock: Stem to stern. I’d put my knowledge up against anybody’s.
Nathan Bridger: I’m sure. Hyper-Reality Probe, that wasn’t in my original design.
Katie Hitchcock: With all due respect, sir, there’s probably been hundreds of changes
since you left. I’d be happy to give you a tour.
Nathan Bridger: I’d like that. Perhaps when I’m finished over at the Arizona. (leaves)
Katie Hitchcock: I guess all that talk about him going native was true. You know,
you’d think the brass would’ve at least let us know he was coming.
Jonathan Ford: Well, Noyce was afraid that any kind of show might scare him off.
Katie Hitchcock: Wait a second, you knew he was coming on board and you didn’t say
anything! (Ford walks away) J…Jonathan!
- seaQuest DSV, launch bay -
Manilow Crocker: So, uh, did you get it?
Ben Krieg: I got it.
Manilow Crocker: That’s great. How much?
Ben Krieg: Two ounces.
Manilow Crocker: Two, I thought you said four.
Ben Krieg: Relax, two is plenty. This stuff is potent with a capital P. Oh no, no, no.
There’s a little business transaction to be completed first.
Manilow Crocker: (gives wad of money to Krieg) Aren’t you gonna count it?
Ben Krieg: Lyin’ soldier? (hands a bottle to Crocker)
Manilow Crocker: And you’re sure this is the real stuff, huh.
Ben Krieg: In two weeks, you’re gonna be combin’ your hair with a rake.
- seaQuest DSV, sea deck -
Crewman: Ten hut. (Bridger and Noyce enter)
Nathan Bridger: This was supposed to be the missile prep room.
William Noyce: It was, we pulled them out after the treaty was signed. As you were.
Nathan Bridger: And the forward weapons room?
William Noyce: I’m not going to lie to you, Nathan. This is still a military vessel. Not
everyone was satisfied with the terms of the treaty, there are still pockets of
resistance.
Nathan Bridger: Why all the science?
William Noyce: The world hangs in there and this thing works out, it can eventually
become a full time research vessel.
Nathan Bridger: Why me?
William Noyce: We need a cool head. Someone who hasn’t been sitting with their
finger on the trigger. Besides, you understand these science guys. You speak
their language.
Nathan Bridger: That’s good. I told you back at the island, I am not interested.
William Noyce: Nathan, just listen to me, just listen — (they are sprayed with water)
Nathan Bridger: Hey, very funny.
William Noyce: Hey, you thought of it.
Nathan Bridger: Thought of what?
William Noyce: A sub that could carry a navy trained dolphin on board.
Nathan Bridger: Those tubes I saw?
William Noyce: Yeah. Bridger’s folly.
Nathan Bridger: You mean he has access to the entire ship?
William Noyce: Just the way you designed it.
Nathan Bridger: (to dolphin) Hey boy, come here, come on, come on, come here.
(looks at dolphin) Darwin! This is my dolphin!
William Noyce: Well, I thought you’d enjoy having him on board.
Nathan Bridger: Well you thought wrong. You know, you talk peace, but you act
military. You took him for your own objective, that’s not acceptable. Now you’re
after me, also not acceptable. (to Darwin) Easy fella, we’ll have you outta here in
no time.
Darwin: Darwin play.
Nathan Bridger: What?
Darwin: Darwin play here.
Nathan Bridger: Who wants to play?
William Noyce: I think he wants to play.
Darwin: Smooth rocks.
William Noyce: He means the sides of the tank.
Nathan Bridger: I know what he means. This is some kind of game, huh.
Lucas Wolenczak: Oh, it’s no game. Cutting edge technology. You see, sensors in the
tank pick up the sighs, clicks, and whistles, the ship’s computer then interprets
it, translates it, pumps it back into these speakers, unless it fritzes out on you
or something.
Nathan Bridger: Who are you?
Lucas Wolenczak: Who are you?
William Noyce: Lucas Wolenczak, Nathan Bridger. Lucas designed the system that
allows Darwin to speak.
Nathan Bridger: You’re kidding.
Lucas Wolenczak: You sound surprised, Captain. Or maybe just a little jealous.
Nathan Bridger: Jealous?
Lucas Wolenczak: Well I heard you were working on a similar system and gave up.
Switched to hand signals or something.
Nathan Bridger: So.
Lucas Wolenczak: Nothing.
Nathan Bridger: He can understand me?
Lucas Wolenczak: Don’t ask me. Ask him.
Nathan Bridger: All right, I will. Darwin, how did we meet?
Darwin: Darwin hurt, island, help.
William Noyce: Well?
Nathan Bridger: I found him floating in a lagoon. He was cut up by a fisherman’s net.
Wait a minute, Darwin, what’s the color of my favorite bathing suit?
Darwin: No suit, skin.
Nathan Bridger: He’s right. I don’t wear a suit.
Lucas Wolenczak: Thank you for painting that picture for us. Listen, I hate to break up
this little seminar, but I’ve gotta go. Or should I say … (makes signs with his
hands and leaves)
William Noyce: Impressive, isn’t he?
Nathan Bridger: I could think of a few other words to describe him. What’s he doing
here?
William Noyce: He lives here.
Nathan Bridger: How so?
William Noyce: His father’s in charge of our largest corporate endowment. Well he
pulled a few strings and got Lucas assigned to the seaQuest. Apparently there
was a bit of a disciplinary problem and the father figured what better place to
put him than on a submarine.
Nathan Bridger: So you’re not only a peacekeeper, now you’re a baby-sitter.
William Noyce: Oh, Nathan, the kid’s a genius. I mean, this thing with the dolphin is only
the tip of the iceberg. He needs discipline, he needs guidance …
Nathan Bridger: He needs a haircut.
William Noyce: Ah, Commander, Jonathan. This is the boat’s XO, Commander
Jonathan Ford.
Jonathan Ford: Sir.
Nathan Bridger: Commander.
William Noyce: Now if you two will excuse me, I have to take care of something.
Nathan Bridger: Why don’t I go with you?
William Noyce: No, no, it’s just some paper work. I’m sure the Commander can
entertain you while I’m gone.
Jonathan Ford: Be an honor to show the Captain around.
William Noyce: Seeing you here like this somehow makes the boat feel complete.
(leaves)
Jonathan Ford: The Admiral seems pleased to have you aboard.
Nathan Bridger: Temporary condition. Soon as this little show is over, I’m on the first
jet out of here.
Jonathan Ford: Sir.
Nathan Bridger: So, how many years have you been assigned to the seaQuest,
Commander?
Jonathan Ford: Three years. I was part of a hand picked team brought in to get her
activated. Must be satisfying for you to see you vision realized.
Nathan Bridger: Yeah, I guess it is. But of course I suppose there’ve been hundreds of
changes made since then.
Jonathan Ford: At least.
Nathan Bridger: Ah, fallitic limestone. Traces of pink quartzite. It’s very pretty. (throws
rock at Ford and walks over to hyperbaric chamber) What? Wait a minute.
What is this?
Jonathan Ford: Sir?
Nathan Bridger: This boat is moving. What the hell is going on?
Jonathan Ford: I don’t know, sir. (takes out PAL, punches some buttons)
Tim O’Neill: (on PAL) Bridge.
Jonathan Ford: (into PAL) This is Commander Ford, who gave the order to shove off?
Tim O’Neill: (on PAL) Admiral Noyce did, sir.
Nathan Bridger: He set me up. I want this boat stopped right now.
Jonathan Ford: I’m afraid that’s impossible, sir. Once we break port, we’re committed
to the channel. This isn’t exactly a row boat.
Nathan Bridger: I know what this is, Commander, I designed the damn thing.
Jonathan Ford: If the Captain would like, I can arrange to have a launch craft shuttle
you back to Pearl once we hit open water.
Nathan Bridger: The Captain would like.
Jonathan Ford: Yes, sir.
Nathan Bridger: Never trust the military.
- seaQuest DSV, Bridger’s room -
Nathan Bridger: (enters, looks at uniform on bed) Military. (throws uniform into
adjacent bathroom, looks at paper of desk, pushes a button on remote)
Professor Martinson: Hello, Nathan. Welcome back.
Nathan Bridger: Wait a minute, the Navy refused to install this program. How’d you
get here?
Professor Martinson: Young Mr. Wolenczak. He brought me on line several weeks
ago. He’s really quite remarkable.
Nathan Bridger: So I’ve observed. Wolenczak. What’s your mission?
Professor Martinson: I’m a hologram, here to provide a sounding board in times of
moral or ethical conflict.
Nathan Bridger: Very good.
Professor Martinson: Lucas has given me a wide range of source material to draw
from. You can also change my image, by placing a photograph in the imaging
port of the computer main unit.
Nathan Bridger: Really. What’s the current depth of this ship?
Professor Martinson: One hundred meters.
Nathan Bridger: What’s the speed?
Professor Martinson: Twenty knots.
Nathan Bridger: What’s the meaning of life?
Professor Martinson: Be more specific. (Bridger laughs)
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Maxwell: Captain, the seaQuest has just passed the harbor marker and is
headed for open water.
Marilyn Stark: Lock course and rig for silent running.
Maxwell: Course lock. Activate silent running.
Marilyn Stark: Weapons systems?
Sensor Chief: Armed and ready.
Maxwell: Shall we proceed?
Marilyn Stark: By all means, Mr. Maxwell. By all means.
- seaQuest DSV, ward room -
Nathan Bridger: (angrily) Thirty-five years — (slams door) that’s how long we’ve known
each other. And now, you treat me like a stranger. No, worse than a stranger.
And I wanna tell you that I think it stinks.
William Noyce: (on screen) Nathan, I’m not gonna sit here and deny the fact that I
might have misled you.
Nathan Bridger: Misled? How ‘bout why? Just tell me, why you did it.
William Noyce: (on screen) Because if I hadn’t, you might have died on that island.
Nathan Bridger: What are you talking about?
William Noyce: (on screen) I’m talking about regrets, I’m talking about running away
from yourself. Now look at us, Nathan, we’re not kids anymore. How much
time do you think we have left to make a difference?
Nathan Bridger: Oh, please.
William Noyce: (on screen) Now that’s the truth. You have too much left to offer, too
much left you can share, than to spend the rest of your life hiding in the jungle.
Nathan Bridger: That’s your opinion, and it doesn’t justify kidnapping.
William Noyce: (on screen) Nathan, you’re not a prisoner. I told Commander Ford to
make a launch available for you any time you wanted to leave.
Nathan Bridger: Right, very big of you.
William Noyce: (on screen) I’m sorry. My methods may be flawed, but my intentions
were the best.
Nathan Bridger: Intentions, the road to hell is paved (screen goes blank) with good
intentions.
- Kauai Channel, depth 2100 feet, seaQuest DSV, hallway -
Miguel Ortiz: (over loudspeaker) Current depth, six hundred fifty meters; speed,
thirty-five knots; course, two niner zero, and holding steady.
Jonathan Ford: I just received this message for you, it’s from Admiral Noyce.
Nathan Bridger: (gives Ford a leaf) Rhabarbarum.
Jonathan Ford: What?
Nathan Bridger: Rhubarb. (reads paper) The Admiral’s wondering if while I’m aboard I
might take a look at the main drive propulsion units. Seems there’s some
glitches in the aqua return jets.
Jonathan Ford: This mean the Captain won’t be returning to the mainland as
scheduled?
Nathan Bridger: Can’t wait to get me off this boat, can you?
Jonathan Ford: No, sir.
Nathan Bridger: All right, Commander. I assure you, I understand. I’m not here to
snake your command.
Jonathan Ford: Snake, sir?
Nathan Bridger: Well, are you telling me you don’t deserve the command?
Jonathan Ford: No sir, I’m not saying that at all. But the fact is that those decisions
are out of my control.
Nathan Bridger: I suppose they are. But whatever the Admiral has in mind, it’s not
going to work, ‘cause I’m not interested in the job.
Jonathan Ford: Sir, does that mean the Captain is ready to leave the seaQuest?
Nathan Bridger: Well, I’m here, might as well look around. What the hell.
Kristin Westphalen: (walking up to Ford) Commander Ford, let’s get something clear,
shall we. My people will not be treated as so much cargo. We are scientists,
we are not mindless military drones.
Jonathan Ford: Your point, Doctor?
Kristin Westphalen: Your people have occupied areas clearly marked as science
research labs. I want them removed immediately.
Jonathan Ford: May I remind you, that you are aboard a military vessel.
Kristin Westphalen: This is a research and exploration vessel. Besides, we outnumber
you one hundred twenty-four to eighty-eight.
Jonathan Ford: That sounds like a threat, Doctor.
Kristin Westphalen: At least you have a grasp for the obvious. (Bridger laughs)
Jonathan Ford: Now you understand this —
Kristin Westphalen: Don’t you point your finger at me. (notices Bridger laughing) You
find this amusing?
Nathan Bridger: Yes, as a matter of fact, I do.
Kristin Westphalen: And what are you, some kind of stowaway?
Nathan Bridger: Something like that. The name’s Bridger.
Kristin Westphalen: (surprised) Nathan Bridger?
Nathan Bridger: (looks at his badge) Last time I looked.
Kristin Westphalen: I know your work. Topography, thermal range variances. I tried to
contact you once. They said you were … unreachable. I’m sorry, Kristin
Westphalen, medical doctor, physical oceanographer, and head of the science
team aboard this ship. (shakes hands with Bridger)
Nathan Bridger: Doctor.
Kristin Westphalen: Well, I’m late for a staff meeting, um, it’s nice meeting you. (to
Ford) I’m not finished with this, Commander, not by a long shot. (walks off)
Nathan Bridger: She seems very committed.
Jonathan Ford: She ought to be committed.
- seaQuest DSV, launch bay -
Ben Krieg: (to crewman with box) Hey, be careful with that. Make believe it’s your
mother’s. (to another crewman) What have you got in the box?
Ensign Bacher: Movie discs, sir.
Ben Krieg: Movie discs, open it up. (looks through selection) These are family films.
Ensign Bacher: Yes, sir.
Ben Krieg: I thought I told you to spice things up a little, This is a submarine. Can you
say that?
Ensign Bacher: (unsure) Submarine.
Ben Krieg: Good. This is not a monastery. Forget it, I’ll pull something from my
personal library. Get it in. (notices Bridger and stops someone and hands him
the clipboard) Take over. (walks over to Bridger) You’re Nathan Bridger, aren’t
you?
Nathan Bridger: Yes, I am. Have we met?
Ben Krieg: Oh, no, no, no, not really. I mean, not directly. Uh, I knew your son.
Nathan Bridger: Robert?
Ben Krieg: Yeah, we went through the Academy together. He was my friend. Forgive
me, sir. My name is Krieg, Lieutenant Benjamin Krieg.
Nathan Bridger: Lieutenant.
Ben Krieg: Pleasure, sir. Sir, I thought that you were retired. I didn’t know that you
were back on active duty.
Nathan Bridger: I’m not. The Admiral is just giving me a little tour. I’ll be leaving soon.
Ben Krieg: I see. Gee, it’s kind of funny, isn’t it?
Nathan Bridger: What’s funny?
Ben Krieg: Well, we only just met and yet it feels like I already know you, I guess
because Bobby, Robert, used to talk about you so much.
Nathan Bridger: Anything good?
Ben Krieg: Occasionally.
Nathan Bridger: I do remember him talking about a Ben. Are you the Ben that painted
the Army mule yellow at Homecoming?
Ben Krieg: No … pink. So, if you need anything, I’m your friendly Supply and Morale
Officer.
Nathan Bridger: Supply and Morale?
Ben Krieg: See, it’s very important the crew has activities to keep their minds off the
isolation, because —
Katie Hitchcock: Mr. Krieg, I assume we’re stocked and loaded.
Ben Krieg: Absolutely, Lieutenant Commander. Just finishing up here.
Katie Hitchcock: Good, because I’ve got a schedule to keep. Captain. (walks away)
Ben Krieg: Thank you. What a sweetheart.
Nathan Bridger: The Lieutenant Commander is a sweetheart?
Ben Krieg: Oh, well, sir, we were sort of, uh, married.
Nathan Bridger: Really.
Ben Krieg: Only for a year. Seemed like a good idea at the time. Actually, I think she’s
sorta still hung up on me.
Nathan Bridger: It’s been nice talking to you. (turns to leave)
Ben Krieg: Robert used to say that a son would be lucky to have a father like you.
Nathan Bridger: Thank you.
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Maxwell: We’re approaching the Gedric Power Station, Captain.
Marilyn Stark: Good. Resident personnel?
Maxwell: Fifty-nine workers, families, one hundred twenty-seven men, women, and
children.
Marilyn Stark: Excellent. Fire one and two.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Nathan Bridger: You called?
Jonathan Ford: Yes, there’s been a distress call coming in.
Nathan Bridger: Why you telling me?
Jonathan Ford: The UEO regulations require me to inform the ranking officer on board
of any emergency situation. That would be you, sir.
Nathan Bridger: What’s the source of the call?
Jonathan Ford: Gedric Power Station, it’s under attack, aggressor unknown.
Tim O’Neill: The signal’s getting weaker. The station’s minimal defenses have been
blown to hell and they’re reporting numerous casualties.
Katie Hitchcock: Maybe we should contact UEO.
Jonathan Ford: How far is the nearest communications buoy?
Tim O’Neill: Hundred kilometers, due east.
Jonathan Ford: We’re the only boat within a half day’s sail.
Nathan Bridger: What’s our proximity to the station?
Tim O’Neill: Uh, it’s on the border, the Gedric territory. Distance, forty-eight kilometers,
depth, forty-nine hundred.
Nathan Bridger: Well, at these currents, we should be there in about, uh, twenty
minutes.
Jonathan Ford: Captain, I’m prepared to offer you command of the seaQuest at this
time.
Nathan Bridger: Come again.
Jonathan Ford: Would the Captain care to assume command at this time?
Nathan Bridger: I don’t think you’re the kind of officer who turns his back on a
command decision. Are you? I’m just along for the ride, remember?
Jonathan Ford: Feed spatial coordinates for the power station to navigation. Prepare
for incoming change of course and speed.
Carlton: Course and speed adjusted.
Jonathan Ford: Bring her around to zero nine zero, all ahead full.
Carlton: Gedric Power Station, bearing zero nine zero, one hundred kilometers, all
ahead full.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge, a little later -
Miguel Ortiz: WSKRS are kicking back data. One typhoon class Delta 4.
Tim O’Neill: Power station communication reporting major structural damage, life
support’s nominal. Survivors are gathering in the main complex.
Miguel Ortiz: Delta 4 is on the move, heading two zero seven degrees, thirty knots.
She’s moving away from the station.
Jonathan Ford: Give me eyes, Mr. Ortiz. Helm, bring us around two zero seven,
intercept course.
Carlton: Coming around, intercept course.
Helmsman: Aye, sir.
Jonathan Ford: Sound battle stations.
Computer: All hands battle stations, all hands battle stations.
Crewman #1: Securing the bridge, sir.
Crewman #2: Coming through. (runs in)
Jonathan Ford: Targeting profile up.
Miguel Ortiz: Target grid locked.
Jonathan Ford: All ahead full.
Carlton: All ahead full.
Jonathan Ford: I want this one.
Nathan Bridger: Commander, a moment please.
Jonathan Ford: I’m busy.
Nathan Bridger: Now. There might be a few other things you want to consider here.
Jonathan Ford: Such as?
Nathan Bridger: Such as the lives of the people in that power plant.
Jonathan Ford: I’m aware of that, but if that sub gets loose it’ll be free to attack
somewhere else.
Nathan Bridger: If. You’re talking hypothetical, I’m talking reality. This boat is a
thousand foot long Swiss Army Knife. Use your options: have one of your
WSKRS tag the renegade, you can deal with it later.
Jonathan Ford: No, the manual said —
Nathan Bridger: Forget the manual! Use your instincts, use your guts — that’s what
you’ve got them for.
Manilow Crocker: Say, if anyone’s interested, that boomer’s making a turn.
Miguel Ortiz: She’s moving into an attack posture.
Jonathan Ford: Weapons.
Matthew Phillips: Sir.
Jonathan Ford: Flood forward tubes, prepare E plasma torpedoes, sixty percent
charge.
Matthew Phillips: Loading, sixty percent charge.
Jonathan Ford: Helm, reverse engines one-quarter, six degrees down angle.
Carlton: Reverse, one-quarter, down six degrees.
Nathan Bridger: Eight degrees.
Jonathan Ford: Six degrees.
Miguel Ortiz: Delta 4’s forward tubes are flooded and opening. Preparing to fire.
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Sensor Chief: SeaQuest is coming around. Should we initiate a firing solution?
Marilyn Stark: Negative. Impressive, isn’t she?
Maxwell: Captain, we have the advantage. We should fire before it’s too late.
Marilyn Stark: Not yet. I want them to sweat a little first.
Maxwell: She’ll blow us out of the water.
Marilyn Stark: I don’t think so.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Jonathan Ford: What do you mean, not responding?
Carlton: Helm control is frozen. She won’t let me take the reins.
Jonathan Ford: Lieutenant Commander.
Katie Hitchcock: On it.
Miguel Ortiz: Delta 4 is eight hundred meters and closing.
Jonathan Ford: Open forward torpedo tubes.
Matthew Phillips: Can’t sir. Control isn’t accepting our commands.
Jonathan Ford: Go to redundance.
Katie Hitchcock: They won’t engage.
Jonathan Ford: Great. What else can go wrong?
Miguel Ortiz: Target ship has just fired. One electrostatic torpedo away. Homing …
she’s locked and headed in.
Jonathan Ford: Countermeasures.
Katie Hitchcock: Countermeasures aren’t responding, sir.
Jonathan Ford: Sound collision.
Computer: All hands brace for collision. All hands brace for collision.
Jonathan Ford: Everybody hold tight.
Miguel Ortiz: Torpedo at one hundred meters and closing. Fifty meters. (torpedo hits)
Jonathan Ford: Damage report.
Katie Hitchcock: Port side strike. We’re taking on water.
Jonathan Ford: Damn it, where are my battle systems?
Katie Hitchcock: Inoperative, sir.
Miguel Ortiz: Delta 4 is flooding tubes, preparing to fire a second strike. Your orders,
Commander? (Ford hesitates)
Nathan Bridger: Commander? Flood the ballast tanks fore and aft.
Katie Hitchcock: Sir?
Nathan Bridger: Do it! How deep is that rift?
Miguel Ortiz: Twenty, … twenty two thousand feet.
Katie Hitchcock: (to Ford) Are you OK?
Jonathan Ford: I’m fine.
Katie Hitchcock: Are you sure?
Jonathan Ford: I’m fine.
Nathan Bridger: Helmsman.
Carlton: Sir.
Nathan Bridger: Dive into Pacific Plate rift at (checks over shoulder) six zero four two.
Carlton: Aye, sir.
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Maxwell: Captain, seaQuest is heading down into a canyon.
Marilyn Stark: I don’t care where she goes, stay with her.
Maxwell: We should fire now.
Marilyn Stark: Not yet. Maintain pursuit, get me closer.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Miguel Ortiz: Eight thousand feet and dropping.
Katie Hitchcock: Flood systems crashing.
Nathan Bridger: Delta 4’s position?
Miguel Ortiz: Still pursuing.
Nathan Bridger: Let’s see how bad they want us. Take her to the bottom.
Jonathan Ford: Captain, this ship wasn’t designed for a crash dive.
Nathan Bridger: If you have any better ideas, I’m wide open.
Manilow Crocker: Does this mean you’re captain now?
Nathan Bridger: No, no, no, Chief, just trying to save our necks.
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Maxwell: Ten thousand feet. Captain, we can’t go any deeper.
Marilyn Stark: Maintain pursuit.
Maxwell: We’re approaching collapse depth. If we let ourselves get crushed, seaQuest
wins.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Miguel Ortiz: Fifteen thousand feet. Delta 4 is breaking off, she’s moving away.
Nathan Bridger: Don’t let her out of our sights, we don’t want her to double back on
us. (to Carlton) Level her off; we can’t drop any more.
Jonathan Ford: Captain, we need to talk.
- seaQuest DSV, sea deck -
Nathan Bridger: And Admiral Noyce knew about the rebel sub the whole time.
Jonathan Ford: Well, the Admiral figured you’d never come back if you knew the real
reason
Nathan Bridger: You’re damn right I wouldn’t have. And how long have you known?
Jonathan Ford: Almost two months. We tracked her from up in the Aleutians. Been
making its way along the sea mount chain, raiding outposts for valuables,
supplies. They never took any lives.
Nathan Bridger: Up till now. You knew we were gonna run across her, and then what?
You were going to give up the command, I’d subdue her with the supership, and
then bingo, I’d be back on the team, right?
Jonathan Ford: I’m not in a position to judge the merits of the Admiral’s plan, but he
couldn’t have foreseen our current situation. I recommend you take command
for the duration of the mission.
Nathan Bridger: Mission! Oh, oh, now it’s a mission. Let me tell you, six years ago I
walked away from all this, I erased all of it. And I did it for a reason.
Jonathan Ford: Your son.
Nathan Bridger: What about him?
Jonathan Ford: Well, I know he was in the Navy, that he was killed in action somewhere
in the North Atlantic.
Nathan Bridger: That’s right. And I made a promise to my wife, and myself, that I
would never have anything to do with the military again.
Jonathan Ford: With all due respect, sir, I’ve got hundreds of people aboard this boat
who wouldn’t give a damn about your promise.
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Maxwell: We’re only a few kilometers away. We could go back and wait for her to
come back up.
Marilyn Stark: Come up? She never has to come up, even in her crippled state she
could stay down there for months. No, we’re going to have to draw her out.
There, Westridge Farming Community.
Maxwell: That’s nothing but a bunch of homesteaders.
Marilyn Stark: Exactly.
Maxwell: Yes, mam.
- Pacific Basin, depth 22,000 feet, seaQuest DSV, launch bay -
Nathan Bridger: How’s she doing?
Kristin Westphalen: She’s in shock. She’ll be fine. OK, bed five, let’s go. (leaves with
woman on stretcher)
Nathan Bridger: (walks across launch bay) How’s she holding up?
Jonathan Ford: (coming down ladder) Hull integrity isn’t great; outer pliant skin
re-sealed itself as designed; we still don’t have full engines. Lieutenant
Hitchcock reports eleven other systems have crashed. Among them, weapons
and propulsion.
Nathan Bridger: Source?
Jonathan Ford: Unknown.
Nathan Bridger: Has anyone checked out the warranty on this thing? Well, we should
be glad about these people anyway.
Jonathan Ford: Captain, I have Lieutenant Commander Hitchcock doing a thermal
trace of the power station.
Nathan Bridger: Hyper-reality Probe?
Jonathan Ford: Yes, sir.
Nathan Bridger: Good.
- seaQuest DSV, ward room -
Kristin Westphalen: As you can see from the data Lieutenant Hitchcock got back from
the probe, the power station is built over a volcanic vent.
Jonathan Ford: Why?
Nathan Bridger: Energy. They use the trapped heat to run their turbines.
Kristin Westphalen: Thank you.
Nathan Bridger: You’re welcome.
Kristin Westphalen: According to the probe data, the venting cap, at the base of the
station, is in the process of tearing.
Katie Hitchcock: What happens if it breaks?
Kristin Westphalen: A nightmare. The poisonous gases, which are usually captured
and disposed of, will spill out across the ocean floor.
Jonathan Ford: How big a spread?
Kristin Westphalen: With the thermal currents in this area, it could be hundreds of
miles. Every living organism, plant and animal, will be destroyed.
Nathan Bridger: Could it be fixed?
Kristin Westphalen: Given the proper equipment.
Jonathan Ford: You mean military equipment.
Nathan Bridger: Who cares who’s equipment it is?
Jonathan Ford: Wait a second, Captain. This ship is operating under very unusual and
dangerous circumstances. I’m not sure we should divert our efforts. We still
have an armed rebel sub out there.
Nathan Bridger: If I read your UEO mandate correctly, this boat can not sail away from
an ecological disaster if it can do something about it.
Jonathan Ford: Yes, sir. (leaves)
Scientist: We’re ready to proceed, Doctor Westphalen.
Kristin Westphalen: We’ll need precise specifications of the venting cap assembly.
Nathan Bridger: (taps Westphalen on the shoulder) I think we need a trouble shooter.
Kristin Westphalen: A what?
Nathan Bridger: I don’t think what’s happening on this boat is an accident. I think we
need someone to go down into the guts of the computer and dig around a bit.
Kristin Westphalen: Well, what about Lieutenant Commander Hitchcock?
Nathan Bridger: No, she’s working with the repair team. I was thinking of someone
from your section.
Kristin Westphalen: It’s the wrong technology. Well, there is one person who might be
able to help.
Nathan Bridger: Who?
- seaQuest DSV, Lucas’s room -
Lucas Wolenczak: It’s dying.
Nathan Bridger: What’s dying?
Lucas Wolenczak: The core of the main computer has a virus. That’s what’s been
gnawing away at the systems.
Kristin Westphalen: But if it’s in the core, why isn’t it affecting the whole ship?
Lucas Wolenczak: Oh, it will. It just started with weapons and propulsion.
Kristin Westphalen: But wouldn’t diagnostics have found it in a routine check?
Nathan Bridger: No, artificial Intelligence just makes a quick pass, unless you fixed that
too.
Lucas Wolenczak: Well as a matter of fact, I have some parts on order.
Kristin Westphalen: I still don’t see how it could have been missed.
Lucas Wolenczak: Well, this sucker is buried so deep that the diagnostics sweep
couldn’t even find it. It’s pretty cool, I mean, whoever planted this thing really
knew what they were doing.
Nathan Bridger: Than it’s not organic.
Lucas Wolenczak: No way. No, it’s too specific.
Nathan Bridger: Is there any way we can tell how long it’s been in there?
Lucas Wolenczak: Not until I peel back the layers of data between me and him. (screen
begins to bark and flash) Woah.
Kristin Westphalen: Woah what?
Lucas Wolenczak: It’s got dogs.
Kristin Westphalen: Dogs?
Lucas Wolenczak: Watchdogs. Sub-programs to protect the virus. If I mess with any
of them, the whole ship could crash and burn. Life support, navigation, defense,
the works.
Tim O‘Neill: (over loudspeaker) Captain to the bridge. Captain to the bridge.
Lucas Wolenczak: I think that’s you.
Nathan Bridger: Just keep doing what you’re doing. Hey, kid, good work. (leaves)
Kristin Westphalen: Don’t get cocky. (leaves)
Lucas Wolenczak: (notices Darwin with fish in his mouth) Thank you, Darwin. I’ve
already had lunch.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Jonathan Ford: (Bridger enters) We have a Sat-link video transmission, distress call.
Nathan Bridger: From where?
Jonathan Ford: A small farming outpost.
Katie Hitchcock: It’s a pretty weak signal.
Nathan Bridger: Try it on the main screen.
Katie Hitchcock: Yes, sir.
Raymond Brenner: (on screen) My name is Raymond Brenner. I’m the territorial
governor of the Westridge Farm Community. We’ve been attacked, without
provocation, by a renegade craft. We’re in trouble; we need help. If there’s any
ship out there within the sound of my voice, please help us. We need help.
Jonathan Ford: Why would they attack an unarmed housing community?
Nathan Bridger: They’re baiting us.
Jonathan Ford: But we’ve got to stop them, they’ll slaughter those people.
Nathan Bridger: We can’t do anything until we get this boat running. Don’t worry, this
isn’t over yet.
- seaQuest DSV, Bridger’s room -
Nathan Bridger: Are you familiar with the boat’s mainframe?
Professor Martinson: Nathan, I am the mainframe.
Nathan Bridger: That’s right. So you should be able to detect a virus that’s affecting it.
Professor Martinson: No, my capacities are limited to the data fed into my memory
unit.
Nathan Bridger: Oh … right.
Professor Martinson: This information upsets you?
Nathan Bridger: If you’re a computer, how do you know I’m upset?
Professor Martinson: Your vocal patterns are in severe deviation from the norm. Has
your family come aboard with you?
Nathan Bridger: Your data banks are a little behind, my family’s dead.
Professor Martinson: I see. Is that the reason you left the service before finishing
seaQuest?
Nathan Bridger: Partly. I went to this island, I thought I’d be safe. But I knew coming
back here I’d have to let people in again.
Professor Martinson: And risk losing them.
Nathan Bridger: Yeah.
Professor Martinson: You must have missed your work.
Nathan Bridger: Nah, I had plenty. I missed this, I missed the ocean, I missed what it
does to me. My pulse slows down, my metabolism … why am I telling you this?
Professor Martinson: Perhaps because I’m listening.
Nathan Bridger: There wasn’t a day went by I didn’t think about all this, I can’t seem
to get it out of my mind.
Professor Martinson: Why should you? It’s a part of you, Nathan, the best part.
Nathan Bridger: Ya know, I’m really pleased that you’ve come aboard.
- seaQuest DSV, launch bay -
Nathan Bridger: (as Bridger passes, Crocker laughs) You never saw a uniform before?
(they both laugh as Bridger walks away)
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Maxwell: Captain, long range sonar still shows nothing, they’re not coming after us.
Marilyn Stark: They will.
Maxwell: I don’t mean to question you, but the crew, they don’t understand why you’re
provoking this fight. I understand, but I think you should explain it to them.
Marilyn Stark: (picks up picture) This crew, as you call it, isn’t the first crew to question
me, but it will be the last. (drops picture on desk, cracking the glass)
- seaQuest DSV, near launch bay -
Nathan Bridger: What have you found?
Lucas Wolenczak: Well, I’m still trying to get to the virus, but I was able to nail the time
of entry.
Nathan Bridger: And?
Lucas Wolenczak: Judging by the layers of data between us and him, I’d say it was
planted a little over a year ago. Thirteen months to be exact.
Nathan Bridger: Keep at it.
- launch outside seaQuest -
Crewman #1: (on radio) SeaQuest, this is EVA repair team one, power station vent cap
is in place and sealed.
Crewman #2: (on radio) Roger that, return to base.
- seaQuest DSV, hallway -
Jonathan Ford: (PAL buzzes, into comlink) Ford here.
Crewman: (on PAL) Commander, repair team has just returned. Venting cap is sealed
and locked.
Jonathan Ford: (into PAL) Good job.
Tim O’Neill: (on loudspeaker) Commander Ford to the bridge.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Jonathan Ford: (enters) You wanted to see me, sir.
Nathan Bridger: I think I found it.
Jonathan Ford: The virus?
Nathan Bridger: No, the saboteur.
- seaQuest DSV, ward room -
Nathan Bridger: I went back through the boat’s service logs for the past year, nothing
unusual. Then I checked the personnel manifest for the same time. The
seaQuest was in dock with a minimum crew at the same time too.
Jonathan Ford: So?
Nathan Bridger: So, the log shows there was one senior officer in charge the whole
time. (screen behind him shows bio and picture)
Jonathan Ford: Stark.
Nathan Bridger: And you served under her, right?
Jonathan Ford: I was her XO at Livingston Trench. She was relieved of command.
NORPAC recommended psychiatric evaluation. She refused, she just
disappeared. She’s good.
Nathan Bridger: She should be, I taught her.
Kristin Westphalen: Oh dear.
Nathan Bridger: I sponsored her when she went up for her officer’s bars.
Katie Hitchcock: She’s after you?
Nathan Bridger: No, I’m just the icing on the cake. She’s after the seaQuest.
Jonathan Ford: I can’t believe she’d deliberately destroy her own ship.
Nathan Bridger: Well, if she can’t have it, than no one else can. And if there’s no
seaQuest, rebels run the sea. What she didn’t count on was this old tourist
aboard, whose knowledge of the ship’s systems predates hers. Now listen, we
may be going about this the wrong way. Instead of attacking the virus head on,
what if we just went around it?
Katie Hitchcock: It might work. You probably won’t have full weapons and propulsions.
Nathan Bridger: Anything is better than what we’ve got now.
Kristin Westphalen: (disgusted) Weapons, that’s what this is really about, isn’t it? (gets
up to leave)
Nathan Bridger: Just a minute. (Westphalen stops and turns around with disgusted
look on her face) No, it’s not, Doctor, it’s about saving lives.
Kristin Westphalen: I hope so.
Nathan Bridger: Now let’s get to work.
- seaQuest DSV, hallway -
Tim O’Neill: (over loudspeaker) Captain to the bridge, Captain to the bridge. Westridge
Farming Community is under attack, repeat, Farming Community is under
attack.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Tim O’Neill: Renegade sub is attacking. The colonists are trying to fight it off with their
mini-subs. It doesn’t sound good.
Nathan Bridger: Propulsion?
Katie Hitchcock: One-quarter normal.
Nathan Bridger: Weapons?
Matthew Phillips: Still no weapons or targeting.
Nathan Bridger: Send coordinates to navigation and plot a course. Speak to me Mr.
O’Neill.
Tim O’Neill: The colonists’ munitions have been depleted, Captain. They’re helpless.
Miguel Ortiz: Delta 4 has fired. Four torpedoes away. Two passed, two direct strikes.
- seaQuest DSV, ward room -
Nathan Bridger: (entering) It’s gotten too easy. We fire torpedoes, we shoot missiles,
extinguish lives without even thinking. Well I’m gonna remind her that her
targets are people, living and breathing, with names and faces.
Jonathan Ford: I don’t think she’ll care.
Nathan Bridger: You think it’s possible for someone to change that much?
Tim O’Neill: (over loudspeaker) Captain, the Delta 4’s receiving an outside transmission.
With your permission I’ll piggyback the signal and get us through.
Nathan Bridger: Proceed, Lieutenant.
Marilyn Stark: (on screen) Nathan Bridger, where are you?
Nathan Bridger: I’m disappointed in you, Marilyn. Four torpedoes fired and only two
hits, I thought I taught you better than that.
Marilyn Stark: (on screen) I’ll do better next time. I promise.
Nathan Bridger: There won’t be a next time, we both know that. Too many innocent
people have died already.
Marilyn Stark: (on screen) What world are you living in, Nathan? There are no
innocent people, everybody’s guilty of something.
Nathan Bridger: Maybe, but don’t you think we deserve a second chance? To change,
to live peacefully.
Marilyn Stark: (on screen) I don’t want to change. You didn’t teach change at the
Academy, or peace, you taught war, Nathan, war. And I intend to use what I
learned.
Nathan Bridger: I taught something else … never take on an opponent unless you
expect to win.
Marilyn Stark: (on screen) You’re on the seaQuest.
Nathan Bridger: Give up, Marilyn.
Marilyn Stark: (on screen) I made that mistake once, I won’t make it again. You are as
impotent as your boat, Captain.
Nathan Bridger: I’m warning you right now, if you don’t surrender, I’m going to use
every resource on this boat to bring you down, and I’ll succeed. Oh, we found
your virus, it’s over.
Marilyn Stark: (on screen) You want to kill me, don’t you? The warrior in you wants to
taste a little blood. Isn’t it funny, I kill for power, you kill for peace. We’re just
different sides of the same coin. Each heroes to our own causes. Let’s see
who gets the parade. (screen goes fuzzy)
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Nathan Bridger: Status, Commander.
Jonathan Ford: Minimal weapons control, tube one, manual firing capability only.
Nathan Bridger: Targeting?
Jonathan Ford: Still down.
Nathan Bridger: So, we may be able to fire one torpedo, but we have no way to tell it
where to go. Terrific. (sees Darwin) Do our torpedoes have tracking options?
Jonathan Ford: Sir?
Nathan Bridger: Can they be locked into a designated frequency?
Jonathan Ford: If we need to.
Nathan Bridger: Keep me in the loop. Open the door. (leaves)
- seaQuest DSV, sea deck, by the moon pool -
Darwin: (swims to Bridger) Darwin play.
Nathan Bridger: Yes, play, not like other games. Now, I need your help.
Darwin: Darwin help.
Nathan Bridger: You might hear what it is first.
Darwin: Trust Bridger.
Kristin Westphalen: We’re at six hundred feet, that’s the limit of a dolphin’s tolerance.
Nathan Bridger: But he’s gone deeper than five hundred before. I know his tolerance.
Kristin Westphalen: You’re taking a chance with his life.
Nathan Bridger: You have a better idea?
Kristin Westphalen: What about air?
Darwin: Need air.
Nathan Bridger: With this, (points to Dolphin Rebreather) he won’t have to come to the
surface to breathe.
Darwin: Need air.
Nathan Bridger: Yes, you’ll get air. Just try it, try it. (to crewman) Flood the tube.
Crewman: Aye, sir.
Kristin Westphalen: I don’t like it.
Nathan Bridger: Don’t like what?
Kristin Westphalen: You are going to fire him out of a torpedo tube!
Nathan Bridger: No, he is going to swim out of a torpedo tube.
Kristin Westphalen: I still don’t like it.
Darwin: Darwin breathe.
Nathan Bridger: Now, what you do is swim out and tag the marker.
Darwin: Darwin play.
Nathan Bridger: Just like on the island. You swim down, you tag the marker, tag the
metal boat. Understand?
Darwin: Metal boat.
Kristin Westphalen: Darwin, you don’t have to do this.
Darwin: Swim like Bridger.
Nathan Bridger: Me?
Darwin: No suit, skin. (swims off)
Kristin Westphalen: What was that all about?
Nathan Bridger: Inside joke.
Kristin Westphalen: (dryly) Ha, ha.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Miguel Ortiz: WSKRS are picking up the Delta 4, two thousand yards off our starboard
bow.
Nathan Bridger: Punch up forward screens. Commander, status please.
Jonathan Ford: Tube one locked and loaded, torpedo is fully charged.
Nathan Bridger: Negative, twenty percent. I want to stop them, not destroy them.
Jonathan Ford: You heard the man, twenty percent charge.
Matthew Phillips: Yes, sir.
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Maxwell: Captain, seaQuest is back.
Marilyn Stark: Relax, she’s a shark without teeth. Come to zero six zero and reload all
tubes.
Maxwell: Reload all tubes and prepare to fire.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Miguel Ortiz: Delta 4 is bringing her barrels around.
Nathan Bridger: Heading?
Miguel Ortiz: Zero six zero, she’s moving straight at us.
Nathan Bridger: (sits down) Open the lo-band, all the frequencies. I want everybody out
there to hear me.
Tim O’Neill: Yes, sir. Lo-band open and transmitting.
Nathan Bridger: (into speaker) People of the Westridge Farm, this is Nathan Bridger,
Captain of the seaQuest, representing the United Oce … Uni … (to Crocker)
What the hell is it?
Manilow Crocker: United Earth/Oceans Organization.
Nathan Bridger: (into speaker) We are here to protect you and your facility. Please
move to safe ground immediately, move clear immediately. Attention Delta 4,
we are prepared and willing to accept your immediate and unconditional
surrender. Otherwise, we shall be forced to fire on you. Repeat, we are
prepared to accept your unconditional surrender. (they wait) Weapons control,
open all outer torpedo tube doors.
Matthew Phillips: Yes, sir.
Manilow Crocker: Uh, Captain, only tube one is armed.
Nathan Bridger: I know that, but they don’t.
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Sensor Chief: SeaQuest is opening all torpedo tubes.
Marilyn Stark: Any targeting sweeps detected?
Sensor Chief: None.
Marilyn Stark: Bridger used to drum it into us, first thing you do is targeting sweeps. If
he’s not targeting, he’s bluffing. Mr. Maxwell, initiate firing sequence, open all
six tubes.
Maxwell: All tubes, that’ll take almost a minute to initiate.
Marilyn Stark: I know that, I want to blast her out of the water. It’s time the student
became the teacher.
- seaQuest DSV, bridge -
Jonathan Ford: Delta 4 is settling into an attack position sir.
Nathan Bridger: OK, Mr. Phillips, let him go.
Miguel Ortiz: Delta 4 is targeting.
Jonathan Ford: Sir, our torpedo doors are open and ready to fire.
Miguel Ortiz: Delta 4 is flooding all her torpedo tubes.
Nathan Bridger: All her tubes?
Miguel Ortiz: Yes, sir.
Nathan Bridger: She never did know when to quit. It’s all yours, Darwin.
- Delta 4 Pirate Submarine -
Maxwell: W