The Connors Chronicles: F05E02 - Duality

7/30/2019 The Connors Chronicles: F05E02 - Duality

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Terminator:The Connors Chronicles

"Duality"F05E02

Written by

Lumir G Janku

This document is fan-produced fiction based on the television series,

Terminator - The Sarah Connor Chronicles, and two seasons worth of fan-

fiction, F03 and F04, written by CJ Carter. This is done in spirit of fan

fiction, to have fun and enrich the total fan experience beyond the

limitation of the original story vehicle.

In that spirit, and holding to the long tradition of free promotion and

support that fanfic brings to the fictional verse , this story is being made

available to the show fans for entertainment purposes.

Copyright 2011 Lumir G Janku


2/45

2. ACT ONE

FADE IN:

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CATHERINE'S OFFICE -- DAY

CATHERINE WEAVER and MIA are sitting at a coffee table.

CATHERINEAny success with Mr. Danilorevealing information about thefacility?

MIANo. His lips are sealed. Prying asI may--

CATHERINEThere may be some circumstances

that may unseal lips. I want to besure.

MIAI can't imagine what those may be.

CATHERINEHow so?

MIAWe're intimate.

CATHERINEMia, I didn't mean by any meansnecessary to go this extra mile!

MIAThat's not... I like him!

CATHERINEI see. The boots... I was puzzledwhy you want to get boots that are4 sizes larger than your foot size.

Mia is getting a little bit rouge in her face.

CATHERINE (CONT'D)Any plans for starting up afamily? You may have to wait withtying the knot until the facilityis moved to L.A.

MIAI know, that's about 6 monthsaway. Les said that the move maybe possible sooner, though.


3/45

3.

CATHERINEReally?

MIAHe's making a list and says thatit all depends on the availabilityof the items on it. And a new

place to be ready to accept the... load.

CATHERINEThat's good to hear. Wonderingwhat the load is?

MIAA little.

CATHERINEI think it may be in our bestinterest if you know the purpose

of the facility, your input mayhelp with some logistics issues.You've a good grasp of the Zeiraconditions. Let's wait for MrDanilo's brief and I'll plug youin, by then.

CATHERINEBy the way, congratulations!

MIAFor?

CATHERINEI saw your test results whentalking to Lauren this morning.It's positive.

INT. ZEIRA CLONING FACILITY, OREGON -- DAY

LES is making some notes on sheets of paper. Crumbledsheets fill the basket beside his desk.

Sound of the gate BUZZER.

LESWho is it?

CATHERINEWeaver.

LESOK, thought you'd arrive 2 hourlater!


4/45

4.

Les waits at the carport door. CATHERINE gets out of hercar. She has a white hat and a matching set of gloves. Sheshakes hands with Les and he prompts her to come in.

They enter the control room and Les pulls a chair forCatherine to sit on.

CATHERINEThank you. Please, give me abriefing about where we are as themove is concerned.

LESStill trying to finalize somedetails.

Les is POINTING AT the basket with crumbled sheets of paper.

CATHERINEI understand. I didn't expect that

you'll have the planning phasefinished yet.

LESI think I've got it all worked outfor my end and the transport, butI'm a bit blank about thedestination.

CATHERINEI'll brief Mia and she'd handlethat end with you. Nothing toworry about.

LESOh! So you decided to clear hersecurity!

CATHERINEYes. It'll speed things up, and Idon't know of anyone morecompetent for the task than her.Besides, you guys better hurry up.

LESHurry up? Why?

CATHERINEMia may be at that time still inher second trimester and you'dprobably want to settle down.

LESWhat...? Trimester? What on earthare you talking about?


5/45

5.

CATHERINEI'm sorry, I've forgotten that Miacouldn't tell you, yet. She'll behere tomorrow.

LESI don't understand.

CATHERINEWhat part? She's pregnant.

LESHow's that possible?

CATHERINE(with a hint of ironic smile)

Mia told me that you two wereintimate, I suppose that mayexplain it.

LESHow can a cyborg be pregnant?

CATHERINEA cyborg? Cyborgs can't. At leastnot at this time. What led you tobelieve she's a cyborg?

LESShe isn't?That's... I am glad!

CATHERINENo, she isn't a cyborg. Why didyou think she is?

LESI'm not sure. Never saw hereating. She seems to be quitestrong, physically.

CATHERINETrue, she has a habit of eatingalone, not sure why. I supposethat will change. She exercisesregularly. Was there somebehavioral pattern that wouldindicate she's not human?

LESNo, but I've heard from Warrenthat K series are just like humans.


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6.

CATHERINEI see. That may've been thefactor. K's are very close intheir behavioral patterns tohumans, but not entirely. They'vetheir own... quirks that one canspot, that differentiate them.

LESThanks! I love Mia, but the newsthat she's human makes my day!

CATHERINEYes, I can understand why. Pleasedon't tell her that I told youabout her pregnancy. She may wantto tell you on her own.

LESI won't. I really appreciate that

you've told me, you saved me froman awfully awkward moment!

CATHERINEYou're welcome. Let's get back tothe move plans, shall we?

LESYes! Here's the list of items thatare needed on my end and for thetransport. Here's the list ofitems that would be required onthe destination's end. It's notcomplete yet and I'll need toreview the settings... a blueprintwould help.

CATHERINEI'll take your lists with me andget Mia the blueprint and otherrelevant information so you canwork on that end with her.

LESGive me 20 minutes, I don't havecopies of everything on thecartridge.

CATHERINEThat's fine. I'd like to gethooked up to talk to our subjectsin the meanwhile, if you don'tmind.


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7.

LESThere's a small microphone in thebox on the desk, just attach it toyour jacket about 5 inches fromyour mouth. I'll turn the switchon from here, please go ahead.

CATHERINEWouldn't they be surprised to heara different voice?

LESNo. They aren't in the state ofawareness that could distinguish,or rather care about it.

Catherine seems to be waiting for something.

LES (CONT'D)It's more like a dream state,

where you take things for granted,as they come.

CATHERINEOh, yes. I saw references to thisstate on the program cartridges,but your explanation is whatclinches the understanding of theprocess.

END OF ACT ONE


8/45

8. ACT TWO

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CONFERENCE ROOM -- MORNING

CATHERINE and MOSS sit beside each other at a large desk,with plans in front of them.

CATHERINEWe may need to slow down on themain building and shift tofinishing Annex G as soon aspossible. Unless you can manage itall at the same time.

MOSSI could hire more people for the Cwing. I want to keep the crew forthe G annex contained, these'repeople I can trust.

CATHERINEA good point. Whom do you have inmind for the transport? I'd likeMr. Fergano to supervise it.What's your opinion?

MOSSWe sorted our differences. He'sthe best choice, I think.

CATHERINEGlad you did. So, we need 2 truckdrivers, possibly 4 movers, a forklift operator... do we haveanything that can handle the tankswithout damage?

MOSSIn repairs, but it'll be ready forthe transport.

CATHERINEPeople, staff?

MOSSI've got the people on standby,with compartmentalized scripts.Danilo would handle all thetransitions, right?

CATHERINEAnd Mia.


9/45

9.

CATHERINEYou need to go with her over theblueprints and logistics ofreconnection later today, I'llbrief her when she gets here,about lunch time.

MOSSNo problem... though we may needmore than one afternoon to coverall the details.

CATHERINEIn your most conservativeestimate, when we'll be ready?

MOSSHow're things on Danilo's end?

CATHERINE

All the essentials in place,there's a short list of items heneeds, some of it is ready toship. I have the list for you, tocheck what you can supply.

Catherine hands over to Moss several sheets of paper.

Moss looks it over, briefly.

MOSSThe supplies, about 3 to 4 weeks.Finishing the construction, 4weeks. The installations, about aweek. The transport, includingpreparations, another week. Plus afew days to test after transport.About 3 months, altogether, withsome buffer.

CATHERINEThat's better than I thought! Yousure that is the most conservativeestimate?

MOSSI don't have a clear idea aboutthe electronics exceptinstallations. Is Toshiro handlingit?

CATHERINENo, I have someone else forelectronics, a K that is trainedfor this specific task. Toshi hasa plenty to do as it is.


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10.

MOSSYour K should go over the plansafter I and Mia get our endsfinalized.

CATHERINEI'll set up a meeting with you,

Mia and Mr. Tuck after he goesover your schedules and materialrequirements.

MOSSTuck is your K? Who was he, theoriginal?

CATHERINEYou wouldn't believe me if I toldyou.

Moss NODS accepting it as a possibly true statement.

MOSSAre we done?

CATHERINEYes. Mia should be here shortly,I'll send her to you when we'rethrough with briefing.

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CATHERINE'S OFFICE -- AFTERNOON

CATHERINE and MIA sit at a conference table.

MIAWho are they?

CATHERINEJust clones. It's probably notthat important that they're clonesof particular individuals, wedon't know yet whether there'ssignificance or not.

MIAWhy would Skynet make clones? Theyhad terminators and K's. FromSkynet's viewpoint, they weresuperior to humans.

CATHERINEYes, and hence the conundrum.There was undoubtedly a reason whythe clones do exist and thatreason eludes me.I want to know why.


11/45

11.

MIANothing about the program in theSkynet database?

CATHERINENot a word. Which makes it evenmore curious. Skynet records were

rather thorough, meticulous. Yet,nothing about the cloning. WarrenToscanini is mentioned as a chiefof interfaces research in therecords, but that's all. Thiswhole operation needed someresources allocation, and in myopinion, more than two people tomaintain. Based on what I've seenon the cartridges that we'vecracked so far, there must've beena whole staff of experts involved.

MIASkynet's black op.

CATHERINEAn apt description. But Skynethiding the existence of theprogram from whom? From itself? Itdoes not make much sense and myimpression is that there's more toit than what appears on thesurface.

MIAYou mean a possible infiltratorprogram?

CATHERINEThought about it, but it seemsinefficient. Why spend yearsnurturing a human infiltrator ortwo when a K could have done thejob. Just make enough of them,with needed redundancy, custommade for the task. This seems likea blind track.

MIAAny educated guesses?

CATHERINENot at this point. But what'sapparent is that the project,beside being a black op, was alsoa long term endeavor.


12/45

12.

CATHERINEPerhaps we get a better insightinto the purpose when we decryptall the programming cartridges.

MIAHow far that progressed?

CATHERINENearly two thirds, but nothingindicates anything else besidetrying to produce normal humanindividuals. That's the mainthrust of the programming, toassure it.

MIAMaybe that was just it?

CATHERINE

No. Skynet was always doing thingsthat were in a strict adherence toits prerogatives. The apparentordinarity of the programming is,in my opinion, just a cover,though a very good one. We need tokeep at it to get to the reasonfor the program's existence.

MIASkynet probably had all sorts ofcontingencies.

CATHERINEYes. That's my opinion as well.Please go to Annex G to meet Mr.Moss and go with him over Mr.Danilo's specifications, to planlogistics of the transfer on ourside. It'll probably take morethan one day to sort it all out.

MIAWhat about electronics?

CATHERINEI'll schedule a meeting with myexpert once you and Mr. Mosscomplete the logistics andtransfer planning.


13/45

13.

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, ANNEX G -- NIGHT

MOSS and MIA are at a large desk in a conference area. Onthe desk there are blueprints and a lot of sheets of paperwith notes on it.

MIA

Why Annex G? There are wings A, B,C at the main building. Where'reD, E, F?

MOSSWhat goes on in minds of Weaverand women is a complete mystery tome.

MIA(laughs)

Interesting that Weaver has herown category.

MOSS(slightly mocking tone)

Yeah, she's special.

MIANow, now! Be nice!

MOSSMeant no disrespect. There oughtto be a separate category just forher.

Mia NODS.

MIAThe overall design of theCenter... yours?

MOSSYes. I thought that three-pointedstar's the best expression ofWeaver's concept how Zeira'sstructured. The Annex G came intothe picture after the foundationswere set. Weaver said, 'I need youto build an annex G'. She did notexplain the G.

MIA.You studied architecture?

MOSSIf you mean before JD, no. I justgot into it in the last few years.


14/45

14.

MOSSMy circumstances were, uhm...conductive to study, so I decidedthat's my field. A self made man.

MIAA lot of people are these days.

Reminds me of Wild West times. Ilike it. It seems to bring out thebest in the people.

MOSSNot always. Sometimes it's theopposite.

MIAFortunately that's just a smallminority, methinks.

Mia is POINTING at the blueprint on the remote side of thedesk.

MIA (CONT'D)What about the levels under B2?

MOSSUnrelated to the project, but Iguess no harm to give you thegeneral outline. It's supposed tobe a manufacturing area. Anotherannex, in a way. B5 serves as apower station. Weaver wanted Zeirato have power supply that isindependent on the grid.

MIAI've noticed these large slabs onemeter thick that separate it fromthe upper levels. What are they?

MOSSLeaden slabs.

MIA(raising eyebrows)

You expect a nuclear attack? Orwas it Weaver?

MOSSI expect the unexpected. Mysuggestion and Weaver's seal ofapproval.

MIAWhere do you get that much lead?


15/45

15.

MOSSFrom a former Skynet warehouse,near Mono Lake. There's a lot ofit. See here--another layer thatwraps around the power station.

MIA

Pellet based?MOSS

Self made woman, I see. Yes.

MIAI'm a generalist. I were alwaysbetter at overall pictures, but Ican go into a depth when needed.

MOSSBeing a generalist has itsadvantages. Back to the project...

We should go again over the checklist and see if we missed anything.

MIAI'd suggest we do that tomorrow. Ineed to sort it out in my head.

MOSSRight, we've been at it for eightstraight hours now. So, at noonhere?

MIAI don't need that much sleep. NineAM would be okay.

MOSSAll right, nine AM it is. Goodnight, Mia.

MIAGood night, Al.

END OF ACT TWO


16/45

16. ACT THREE

EXT. SIERRAS, 15 KM SE FROM BEAR CREEK -- AFTERNOON

A man is standing beside his buggy on a junction of CoRoute 107 and a dirt road leading in eastern direction. Thebuggy has a stuffed bag on the small home made pickup area

in the back. The man (FRED MIESSE, 44) is staring blanklyat the dirt road, leaning on his buggy frame. His breathcondenses inro a misty cloud. He decides to move a bit, ashe does so every 15 minutes, to fight the bitter cold thatis getting to him. He jumps up and down and moves hisstretched arms, then he does about 20 sit ups.

A faint sound of a MOTORBIKE is getting louder as itapproaches ECHOING through the forest corridors. The bikepops into a view and soon it stops a few meters from thebuggy. BRANDI SUMMERTON (late-30s) dismounts and approachesthe man.

BRANDIHello, Fred! Waited for long?

MIESSEHello! No just for a couple ofhours, I did hit the road a bitearly, wasn't sure what theconditions are.

BRANDISupplies?

Miesse POINTS casually towards the bag.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Any news?

MIESSEZeira is rebuilding. The youngerWeaver is now a president.

BRANDIInteresting, but I mean news aboutJohnny and his cyborg pet.

MIESSEAsking around a lot, all the time,but no one seems to know theirwhereabouts. You sure they did notget blown up at Excelsior?

BRANDI(irritated tone)

No, I'm not sure.


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17.

BRANDI (CONT'D)But since Weaver got out, I've gotto presume that she pulled themout too, before the core went off.

MIESSEI'd hear something already. It's

been almost a year. Maybe you'rechasing ghosts.

BRANDII've a feeling that they're outthere, somewhere.

Miesse's face expression matches his opinion.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Somebody knows.

Miesse does not argue. He starts to TAP with his feet,

using his heels like a pivot, to get some warmth intoextremities.

BRANDI (CONT'D)In any case, 20 5oz gold bars arewaiting for you when you findthem. Here's my pay for thesupplies.

Brandi hands 2 1oz gold bars to Miesse.

MIESSEAlways a pleasure. Same stuff,nothing extra?

Brandi NODS.

MIESSE (CONT'D)See you in two months.

Brandi DOES NOT RESPOND, grabs the bag and fastens it tothe bike frame and heads off toward east.

MIESSE (CONT'D)(muttering under his breath)

She's becoming more charming withpassing time.

Miesse watches the bike disappear from the view and thenjumps up and down vigorously, does another 20 sit ups andthen heads toward the bush at the road side, despite no onebeing nearby for many kilometers. He returns and gets intohis buggy and then he takes off towards north, in slowspeed--no need to exacerbate the wind chill factor.


18/45

18.

There is nothing to indicate anyone was ever here, excepttire and boots tracks that are slowly being covered byfresh, falling snow.

EXT. SIERRAS, NEAR BEAR CREEK, 1KM NW FROM CONNORS' LOGHOUSE -- MORNING

ALEJANDRA CRUZ ("ALEX"), sitting in her buggy, is lookingthrough her binoculars at a log house a kilometer away. Shesees no presence, although the front clearing rimmed bygray piles of shoveled melting snow looks too freshlymaintained, indicating some human presence. The carport ishidden from her view. She decides to drive a bit along thedirt road that runs parallel to the cabin. She stops againafter a few hundred meters and looks again. She sees thebuggy, just as Catherine described it. She drives for aminute and turns on a dirt road that ends at the house.About half way, she sees a wolf standing by the road andlooking at her as she drives by.

INT. SIERRAS, NEAR BEAR CREEK, CONNORS' LOG HOUSE -- MIDDAY

JOHN and CAMERON sit at their table. Cameron gets up topickup plates, when she suddenly freezes.

CAMERONJohn, someone's coming! I hear amotor!

John immediately goes to the closet and pulls two pumpaction guns and then hands one to Cameron.

They wait by the window, with their guns trained towardsthe approaching buggy. Cameron saw Alex first and loweredher gun.

JOHNWhat? Who is it?"

CAMERON(surprised)

Alex!

They put guns in a corner and run out to welcome theirguest. Alex stops and gets off her seat.

ALEXIt was pretty hard to find you! Iguess you were serious aboutprivacy. Don't worry, won't tellanyone!

Alex hugs Cameron and then John.


19/45

19.

JOHNSomething told me that you'll findus one day.

ALEXYou guys have a company, you knowthat?

JOHNLars?The wolf?

ALEXLars? So you are on a first namebasis?

JOHNHe had a broken leg, we fixed it.

ALEXYou guys now run an animal clinic.

Both John and Cameron look at each other and laugh.

ALEX (CONT'D)What ... did I say something funny?

JOHNInsider joke.Alex, hungry?Cameron made some... what's thename.. yummy stuff.

ALEX(turning to Cameron)

A cook?

JOHNShe does really well. She made aweek ago those wonderful burritoshells.

ALEXTaco shells.

JOHNNo, burrito shells!

CAMERON(laughing)

He is lying! They were supposed tobe for chips!


20/45

20.

CAMERON (CONT'D)(serious face, as if

explaining)He is lying.

JOHNCameron's an excellent chef,

really, compared to me she's atowering giant!

ALEXCameron, I have never seen youlaugh like today.

CAMERONWhy, am I supposed to be Cameron"Stoneface" Connor?

ALEXWow! So you guys got married? And

no word to anyone. Not to one ofus--

JOHN CAMERONPrivate ceremony. Private ceremony.

ALEX(laughs)

I have a hard time to tell youguys apart.A priest?

John NODS.

CAMERONHe's a hermit, lives nearby, 8klicks south. A nice man... atleast now. He seems to have someskeletons in his closet, and Imean real ones. Virtual closet.

ALEXDid he know about you--

Cameron shakes her head NO.

JOHNEnough about us. Tell us, Alex,what's new. We really don't haveany idea what has happened sincewe left right after the war.

ALEXAlmost one year's worth... Nowwhere to start?


21/45

21.

ALEX (CONT'D)(2 seconds in thoughts)

Three weeks after the EM battle,the Skynet armies folded and sentdelegates to sign a treaty. Forthe most part, the treaty waswritten by Savannah, Skynet

delegates did not have much inputbeside territorial requests thatfroze the status quo. In sixmonths, they started asking forhuman or K managers. Guess withoutSkynet dirigism, they did not havemuch purpose or direction.Catherine rebuilt Zeira and stilladding to it, with Moss' help--

JOHNMoss?

ALEXYeah, wonder of wonders, he's nowa citizen in good standing. I'mnot sure how Catherine pulled thatoff, but he's tamed. Lauren headsthe biomedical research at Zeira,Toshi heads the cyber wing.Allison teaches 4 to 8-graders ata local school and works part timewith Toshi on some projects, onand off. Jason established a smallsoftware telecom company and isnow cloning it all over place,traveling a lot. Savannah waselected a president. There was ahandful of other candidates, butshe got almost all the votes. Shewasn't that happy about it, hadher plans for a family. Well,she's getting married despite. Noone knows the guy, except that hisname's Jon Sedwiak, and I thinkthat presidency or not, she'll tryto race against her biologicalclock.

Alex notices two guitars on the wall and gets closer tocheck them out.

ALEX (CONT'D)Acevedo! Santa Maria! Do you knowwhat you have here? They must beworth a fortune!Do you guys play?


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22.

JOHNNot me.

CAMERONI do sometimes.

ALEX

Classical?CAMERON

Yes, but I'm not even half decentat it.

JOHNNot true, she's lying!

Cameron gives John an ironic look.

JOHN(laughs)

It's true, she's lying!

ALEX(slightly sarcastic tone)That seems to be in the family...OK, here's the deal, Cameron grabone and play and let me be a judgeof that! Or I won't leave untilyou do!

CAMERONNo choice, huh?

John and Alex, both shaking heads NO.

JOHNNope!

ALEXNone whatsoever!

CAMERONBut don't blame me after!

Cameron plays, she is not following the tune too closely,she plays chord theme and the solos at the same time. Thesong fills the room, with deep, rich sound of an instrumentthat matured for nearly 80 years.

Alex sits and listens, then closes her eyes. Cameron doesnot notice it, she concentrates on the frets, the song isdifficult on its own, but her arrangement is a fingertwister and a wrist breaker.

She ends and Alex has still her eyes closed. Cameron looksat her.

CAMERONI'm sorry, I warned you!


23/45

23.

ALEXWhat... Cameron, that was the mostbeautiful thing I've ever heard!

CAMERONYou don't want to be rude.

ALEXYou're here, dug in the mountains,and instead you should be givingconcerts!

CAMERONThanks, but you don't have toresort to compliments, I'm agrownup, I can take it.

ALEXCameron, no. Don't say a word andlisten. You should be giving

concerts. I've seen a similartechnique long time ago, beforeJD. You play if not better, thenat least as good as that musician.If there's a classical guitar godnow, it's you!

Cameron is RAISING her hand.

ALEX (CONT'D)What?

CAMERON(smile)

Am I allowed to speak now?

ALEXYeah, but I don't want to hear anyself deprecating remarks.

CAMERONI think I need a couple ofyears... to get better at itand... and more than half a dozentunes. Then I think about it.

ALEXThank you! I think that you've gotthe mojo working already, but it'syour call. As long as you climbdown from your Olympos one day andmanifest your presence amongst usmere mortals, I'm happy with the'maybe', for now.


24/45

24.

ALEX (CONT'D)Now wait a sec, how do you gettabs for more than you can playnow?

CAMERON(knocks with her knuckle on

the chip area)From here.

ALEXOh! I know, libraries, right?

CAMERONYes. I have an excellentphotographic memory!

John looks like he is suppressing a chuckle.

ALEX

Besides, we all miss you. Allison,Jason, Catherine, Savannah, Tawny,John Henry... well he's selfabsorbed most of the time, butwhen he's not, he does miss you.

JOHNMaybe we should. Maybe we will.

ALEXDon't take too long. Please. Iunderstand. You needed your ownprivate space, but somehow, thatgot translated into a complete cutoff. A bit extreme. Next year?

JOHNI think so.

JOHN (CONT'D)(turning to Cameron)

What do you think?

CAMERONI think it may be good to connectwith our family.

ALEX(laughs)

My, that was like pulling teeth!No, I am not complaining! Perfect!Perfect.


25/45

25.

ALEXI should be on my way, I havesomething scheduled for tonight.Tell you what, I'll be here in thefall and remind you. Tell me nowif you need something, so I cantake it with me the next time.

Alex walking to her buggy and she takes off 4 canisters ofgasoline from her 5.

CAMERONWood screws. K-plex foodsupplement.

ALEXWood screws?

CAMERONYes, there seems to be never

enough of them. Anesthetics andanatoxin, maybe some rabies shots.

ALEXRight, the animal clinic!

JOHNWe don't drive much, but that maychange, so probably a good betwith gasoline.

Alex is seating herself in her buggy.

ALEXI'll be on my way. I'm damn glad Ifound you, I do worry sometimes,you know?

JOHNWe know, Alex.

CAMERONJust plan your trip here beforethe end of October, it startssnowing here earlier... Say hi toours, and that we'll come to visitthe next spring.

ALEXSure. Bye and take care ofyourselves!

Alex starts her buggy and John and Cameron watch herdisappear around the road bent.

END OF ACT THREE


26/45

26. ACT FOUR

EXT. SIERRAS, BRANDI'S CABIN AREA -- DAY

BRANDI dismounts her bike, and leads it towards a cave onthe side of the dirt road. She then arranges sprucebranches around the entrance to obscure it, takes the bag

and walks in the noth-eastern direction. She crosses asmall creek and climbs up the steep slope towards a smallcabin. While climbing, she mutters somethingunintelligible, almost all the time, and then shedisappears inside the cabin.

The door opens and Brandi exits the cabin and walks downtowards the creek and then heads in western directiontowards her cave.

BRANDIIt was not running smooth. I needto clean up the carburetor.

BRANDI (CONT'D)You need more fresh gas you dummy,it starts to break down.

BRANDI (CONT'D)OK, you're right, I'll ask Frednext time to bring some with him.

Brandi reaches her cave, but then stops just 10 metersshort and continues in a western direction toward Co Route107.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Where you think you're going?"

BRANDI (CONT'D)I've got time, I don't have to doit until 3 weeks from now. I wantto look around. Maybe there's somepeople nearby and I can trade gasfor something they may need.

BRANDI (CONT'D)It's silly, there's probably noone around.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Maybe more west or northwestaround Camp Nelson.


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27.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Who in their right mind would moveto wilderness so soon after thewar?

BRANDI (CONT'D)Some of ours, with government

starting to function, it maybecome too hot to be within theL.A. area.

BRANDI (CONT'D)You have a point, but people wouldmove more likely around thewestern foot of Sierras. There'smore of empty houses and access toroads further west.

BRANDI (CONT'D)How can we tell if we don't check

our turf?

BRANDI (CONT'D)All right, but there may besomeone out there... of the othersand recognize you.

BRANDI (CONT'D)I'll be careful. I am alwaysCAREFUL.

Brandi crosses Co Route 107 and picks the highest ridge tohave a better view of the surrounding area and startsclimbing the steep rocky path. She reaches to the top and asizable portion of the Bear Creek Valley opens up in frontof her. There is a noticeable haze hanging above the valleyfloor further west.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Smoke.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Maybe a fog.

BRANDI (CONT'D)No, not this late afternoon and atthis temperature.

BRANDI (CONT'D)People?

BRANDI (CONT'D)Not the forest fires' seasonyet... yeah, people. I'll movealong the ridge further to west,to get a better view.


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28.

INT. ZEIRA FACILITY, OREGON -- DAY

LES is turning off the lights in the control room and headstoward his bathroom. Sound of the carport BUZZER stops himin his tracks and he heads fast back to the control room,trips over the door sill and hits the chair back spine withhis head. He turns the lights on. He does not notice the

cut on his temple and turns on the intercom.LES

I'll be right out!

He runs back toward the small closet in a hallway and pullsout a hunting rifle and grabs a few boxes of ammo. Thencontinues toward the carport door.

EXT. ZEIRA FACILITY, OREGON -- DAY

LES goes around the back of Mia's van toward the passengerside.

LES (CONT'D)Hi!

MIAHey you! What's that rifle for?

LESWe go hunting. Time to spice upour menu with some game.

MIA(pointing at the right side

of his head)And what about that ketchup? Isthat a part of hunting preps?

Les sweeps the side with his hand and it's all bloody.

LESWhat the...?Must have hit it when I tripped."

Mia opens her bag and brings out a cloth.

MIALet me clean it up... need to seehow bad it is.

Mia cleans up a bit and looks at the cut. Then she kissesLes on the cheek.


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29.

MIA (CONT'D)Superficial, head cuts bleed alot. It's already clotting, you'llbe like new in no time.

LESOK, I'll wash it, I'll be right

back.Les leaves the van and disappears back into the building.He's back in a minute, shirt changed and face cleaned up,with a band covering the cut.

LES (CONT'D)How'bout now?

MIAYou've lost a tad of your priorcaveman look, but still keepenough for me.

LESStill a charmer?

MIAYou're a natural. So, the meals onwheels got boring, huh?

LESNo, not really. Whoever does itmakes it yummy and exciting. Justthought you may need some varietyin your diet.

MIAI... for me?

Mia looks at Les with a piercing gaze.

MIA (CONT'D)Catherine told you! I wanted totell you myself.

LESShe didn't mean... It kind of cameup accidentally when we weretalking about transfer scheduling.

Mia is QUIET for the rest of the trek to her cabin. Shestops in her usual spot.

LES (CONT'D)You can still tell me.


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30.

MIAWhat... uh... I'm pregnant.

Les tilts toward her and gives her a kiss.

MIA (CONT'D)You're supposed to ask.

LESAsk what? Enlighten the uncouthcaveman!

MIAIf I'll marry you.

LESI won't. It would be a categoricalimperative. You'll marry me!

MIA

(laughs)You know all my buttons!

Les grins like a Cheshire cat. He can do no wrong.

MIA (CONT'D)I have to change into moresuitable wear and put on boots.Hope you've a plan when I'm ready.What we are after?

LESNot discriminating, deer, elk,even a wild turkey or half a dozenwould do.

MIAGive me a couple of minutes.

Mia enters her cabin, Les is standing at the back of thevan, putting rounds into his pockets, and sheating a knifeon his belt.

Mia exits the cabin, in camo wear and boots, carrying afolded large backpack.

Les is POINTING AT the backpack.

LESGood thinking.Unadulterated country girl... youcould wear a burlap bag.

Mia gets some rouge in her face.


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31.

MIA(laughing)

Quit compliments!So what's the plan?

LES

The terrain past the back clearingis ideal for larger game, let's gothere and see if we can find sometracks.

They aren't a kilometer away from the cabin when Mia ispointing out something.

MIA(whispering)

Look, an elk!

LES

You go, you need to earn yourstripes.

Les loads the rifle and hands it to Mia.

MIANever shot an elk.

LESEver shot a deer?

Mia NODS.

LES (CONT'D)Aim closer to the front legs thanyou would if it was a deer.

BANG!

END OF ACT FOUR


32/45

32. ACT FIVE

EXT. SIERRAS, RIDGE ABOVE THE BEAR CREEK VALLEY -- DAY

BRANDI is suddenly jolted by a sound of a SHOT that ECHOESin the area.

BRANDIDown! Get down!

BRANDI (CONT'D)Shush, it's about 5 klicks.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Still, be careful!

Brandi waves her hand in a dismissal and puts her binoculartoward eyes and quickly scans the valley below and suddenlystops. In view is a felled elk. After 3 seconds, sheelevates her sight and notices a movement in between the

trees. She locates again the elk and waits. Two figures popinto a view.

BRANDI (CONT'D)If I had a heart, I'd say my heartstay still! Johnny and his pet!

She grabs her rifle and loads a round.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Wait! You're out of range!

Brandi lays down the rifle.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Right. So what we do?Amazing! So they were in ourbackyard all the time. There's asaying--under a lamp post there'sa shade. How true!

BRANDI (CONT'D)Think!

BRANDI (CONT'D)We stalk. Scout their place first,must be nearby... then set a trap.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Just follow them from a distanceso we can keep them in sight, butfar enough that they don't noticeus.


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33.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Fair enough.

Brandi starts her climb down from the ridge and checks withher binoculars, on occasion, to get her bearings.

INT. ZEIRA CLONING FACILITY, OREGON

LES, MIA and TUCK stand in the control room.

MIAIt be better to make opening inthe tank room wall. Thisfacility's life ends, so weshouldn't worry about thestructural damage. We need to pullout the tanks without the narrowmargin the halfway and carportdoor allows. That would minimizethe damage potential.

LESI need to get blueprints. I don'tthink there are any power lines inthe wall, but we don't want torisk interruption, so we need tobe double sure. One problem--howdo we make opening in the wall?

TUCKI thought this has been alreadyplanned. The trucks will be herein two days. We don't have muchtime to play around.

LESMia, you came up with the idea...suggestions.

MIALes, bring me the blueprints, Ineed to see what we're dealingwith, exactly.

LESOkay, give me a minute.

Les goes to the storage room.

TUCKEven if it was possible to makethe opening, we need to protectthe room from elements and debris.How we do that?


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34.

MIAI've got a large roll of plasticsheet in my van. It's a foldeddouble ply, 2 meters wide, whichgives us 4 meters wide sheet. Thetanks are 1.6 meters wide, and Ithink we'd need about half a meter

on each side, so that's 2.6 meterswide opening. There's more thanenough.

Les is back with the folded blueprint. He sweeps some papersheets aside to make a room and spreads the blueprint.

LESMia, not my turf, can you get fromit what you need?

Mia NODS and shift the correct blueprint a bit downdropping the bottom part over the desk edge.

MIA(POINTING her finger)Here! The electric installation isjust to the right side, about ameter in. There's nothing in themiddle, it's just a clean wall.

TUCKMaterial?

MIA8 inch wide cinder blocks.

TUCKOh! That's easy.I can't use my hands, theelectronics are delicate and Ineed my hands for dismantlingthem, but I can use my legs. Ijust wish we brought in aforklift. That comes with trucks.

LESWait! I think I've got somethingin the storage for that. It'smanual elevating platform, but maydo the trick. Tuck, you come withme. Mia please stay here, not muchroom to maneuver.

Mia is looking at the blueprint again and making notes onher clipboard. In a minute, she sees Les and Tuck hauling aplatform to the tank room and positioning it close to thewall. She joins them.


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35.

TUCKMia, the sheet, how long it is?

MIA30 meters.

TUCK

Ok, here's what we do... We sealthe area about 2 meters from thewall, 3 meters wide. The sheetswould hang from the ceiling.Stapled?

Both Mia and Les NOD. Les goes back to storage and bringsback an extensible ladder.

MIAI'll go get the roll.

TUCKIsn't it heavy? Maybe I should goget it.

MIAI got that into the van, I can getit out. It's not too heavy.

LESI'll get the stapler and a nailgun. Tuck, can you mark theceiling in the meanwhile?

Tuck NODS, looks at the ceiling and positions the ladderright under one corner of the sheet seal.

INT. SIERRAS, BRANDI'S CABIN -- DAY

BRANDIWe need a cover.

BRANDI (CONT'D)What kind?

BRANDI (CONT'D)Rain.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Rain?

BRANDI (CONT'D)Yeah, rain.


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36.

BRANDI (CONT'D)It would obscure our signature,we'll be virtually invisible toher.

BRANDI (CONT'D)But how'd we lure her out? And

what then?

BRANDI (CONT'D)Brilliant! And the wolf... why isit guarding the place?

BRANDI (CONT'D)I don't know. But it doesn't reactto us. I think it sees us as anobject, not something alive orthreatening. It was just watching,

remember, I think we didn't makeany sense to it.

BRANDI (CONT'D)You're probably right. But maybesome sort of bait... we can killsomething on the way and let himsmell the blood.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Let's use the initial offering toits fullest. The rain... No, thewolf should still smell it.

Brandi goes outside the cabin and looks at the sky. Thenshe point toward a distant cloud formation.

BRANDI (CONT'D)See, we may be lucky, based onwind speed, we'd have a rainy daythree days from now!

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, CATHERINE'S OFFICE -- DAY

CATHERINE is sitting behind her desk and her clock shows11:08 AM. She hears a sound of truck motor and she halfwayturns and watches the truck disappear in the unloadingroofed area, adjacent to the Annex G.

The clock comes back in view, it shows now 4.15 PM.Catherine again watches another truck backing up in theAnnex G unloading area.

The clock shows 8:20 PM. Catherine's phone RINGS. She picksup the phone.


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37.

TUCK (V.O.)Tuck here. All set.

CATHERINEThank you. I'll be down in 10minutes.

ZEIRA CENTER, ANNEX G, CONTROL ROOM.CATHERINE walks in. Tuck, Les, Mia and Fergano stand in asemi-circle.

CATHERINEStatus?

TUCKEverything went as planned.

CATHERINEExcellent!

Excellent job you all!

Catherine stretches her hand holding two plastic cardstoward Mia.

CATHERINE (CONT'D)Here are card keys to a room inOasis. They are also your payrollaccount cards. We have a meetingat 10 in the morning. I'll keep avigil here with Mr Tuck.

LESMs Weaver--

CATHERINECatherine. I consider Mia the sameas my daughter. And you are, barea ceremony, a part of my familynow.

LESCatherine, thank you.

CATHERINENow go, you two, and get yourrest!

MIAThanks, and goodnight.

LESGood night!

Les and Mia leave the room and pass through a corridor tothe unloading area toward her van, parked beside twotrucks, and they drive out.


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38.

Mia uses her gate key and they leave Zeira Center compoundand drive three kilometers to the Zeira Oasis hotel.

The rain drops start to SPLAT on the van roof andwindshield before they arrive. When they get there, it ispouring cats and dogs. The 15 meters distance from theparking lot to the entrance leaves them soaked wet.

MIA(laughing)

We may not even need a shower!

INT. ZEIRA CENTER, ANNEX G, CONTROL ROOM -- LATER

CATHERINE and TUCK sit at the control room desk.

CATHERINEThe clearance list beside you andme... Moss, Mia, Les and two of

your technicians.

TUCKMr. Fergano?

CATHERINENo. I have another assignment forhim in mind. His involvement hereis completed. Have you picked yourtechnicians?

TUCKMartin and Savedge.

CATHERINEYou think Savedge is a goodchoice? She had some problems, Iremember.

TUCKAll fixed. I have run diagnosticsand her coordination's nowexcellent. She's a bit unsure ofherself, but I think that's afactor that increases hermotivation to excel.

Catherine is thinking for a few seconds.

CATHERINEYou may be right. Never thoughtthat psychological profiles wouldbe a serious factor with Ks. Gladyou have that worked out and undercontrol.


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39.

CATHERINE (CONT'D)And Martin?

TUCKA straightforward personality.What you see is what you get.

CATHERINEVery well, then. Please make slotsfor our selected staff in yourcontroller database. I'll get thescans at the meeting tomorrow.Also, please make two other slotsfor Lauren Fields and Toshiro. Ithink we may need to plug them inat some point.

TUCKWill do. By the way, I'll get your

monitoring console connected inthe next half an hour, so if youneed to be in your office--

CATHERINEWhat does it cover?

TUCKVitals and a wide angle ceilingcamera.

CATHERINEVery good! Mr. Tuck, this projectwouldn't have been possiblewithout you. I appreciate yourdedication. Please lock down andgood night.

TUCKThank you and good night, Ms.Weaver.

END OF ACT FIVE


40/45

40. ACT SIX

INT. SIERRAS, NEAR BEAR CREEK, CONNORS' LOG HOUSE -- NIGHT

CAMERON serves a dinner, her plate has a small piece ofsteak, John has a normal portion with a side of potatoes.John starts his meal with a healthy appetite, and then he

notices that Cameron is taking small bites and pausing,looking intently into her plate. John observes for a while,and Cameron seems to be lost in herself.

JOHNEarth to Cameron...

Cameron looks up and a faint smile appears on her face.

JOHN (CONT'D)Cameron, you've been unusuallyquiet. Something's bothering you.

CAMERONIt's nothing.

JOHNI don't buy it. What's up?

CAMERONJohn, I was wondering...

JOHNThat's how you exactly looked like.

CAMERONIt would probably sound like aweird question.

JOHNOdd, usually you don't beat aroundthe bushes.

CAMERONYes, I don't. It's just ...anunusual subject, so I really don'tknow how to... jump into it.

JOHNMy curiosity is now set to alltime high!

CAMERON(smile)

Maybe I should leave it at that,but then you'd call me Cruella fora whole week!


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41.

JOHNWell, we won't want that tohappen, get it out, then. I won'tbite.

CAMERON(bringing in more levity)

You wouldn't dare!JOHN

I have well hidden reserves ofatavistic tendencies.

(switching to a serious tone)Don't worry, whatever it is, justget on with it.

CAMERONIt's really awkward. Not reallyfor me, but I think it may be for

you.

JOHNTry me.

CAMERONA can of worms.

JOHNWhere I've got that can opener?

CAMERON(hesitantly)

When Alex was here talking aboutSavannah's race against biologicalclock, I realized that while shemay miss it, I don't have any.

JOHNThe bushes...

CAMERONYes, you're right. I... John,would you like to have children?

John is QUIET for 5 seconds, uncertain how to respond, andhis face looks a bit older in that moment.

JOHNI don't think this is applicablein our situation.

CAMERONI could think of ways how thatcould be possible.


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42.

JOHNHonestly, I don't know.Because of that not applicablething, it did not cross my mind.

Both John and Cameron are QUIET for a moment

CAMERONWhen we go down to L.A. next year,remind me to talk to Toshi, I havesome ideas... I want to check withhim if there's any degree offeasibility.

JOHNYou're full of surprises tonight!

CAMERONI did warn you.

JOHNWhen you put it that way and ifthere's any chance it may workout, then I've got to say yes.

CAMERONYes to--?

JOHNTo children.

CAMERONI didn't want to raise your hopeshigh.

JOHNWe have a year to figure it out,right?

CAMERONI don't know if it'll work, and ifthat be the case, I think it wouldbe possible only once.

JOHNYou don't mean that you'd--

CAMERONDie? No. I'm just aware ofpossible limitations.

Both are again QUIET and then rain drops start DRUMMING onthe roof in an increasing crescendo, interrupting theircontemplation.


43/45

43.

INT. SIERRAS, BRANDI'S CABIN -- MOMENTS LATER

BRANDI is listening. She reminds of a wound spring. Thesound of individual rain drops on the cabin roof changesinto an indistinct DEAFENING NOISE.

BRANDI

Our prayers have been heard!BRANDI (CONT'D)

Now?

BRANDI (CONT'D)

Now!

Brandi jumps on her feet and starts placing the items thatlie on small table in the cabin's corner into a backpack.

She fastens the top flap's leather straps. She attaches a

cross bow to the backpack's outer side. Then she slides herarms under the backpack's shoulder straps, and grabs a highpower rifle and goggles that look like ordinary sunglassescontrolled by a small pocket sized remote. She leaves thecabin, her outline fading in the dark of the night.

P.O.V. BRANDI -- LATER

Brandi FLIPS through the visual modes. She settles on theIR, and starts running. After a while, she stops. The fullIR mode is a bit distractive with all the heat signatures.She FLIPS the modes again and picks the IR/NV mode thatseems to work better and gives her more depth of vision.

She reaches Co Route 107 and turns north.

BRANDIDon't miss the turn off!

BRANDI (CONT'D)No worries, I've got it all mappedout to a centimeter.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Just check often, OK?

BRANDI (CONT'D)OK.

Brandi turns on the distance meter display. She is on theroad, so it does not distract her and she uses theunobstructed terrain to gain some time by running faster.The butt of her rifle SLAPS her rhythmically into the sideof her thigh, but that does not bother her. It is like ametronome clocking her movement and rhythm.


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44.

Brandi reaches a turnoff to a dirt road that leads justunder Camp Nelson's abandoned settlement, in asouth-western direction. She runs at a slower speed, as themud adhesion is holding her boots for a fraction of asecond, and she does not want to slip.

She stops again. She carefully pans around her

surroundings, trying to find her identification marks. Shepulls an image from her memory bank and sets it as a masterfor a pattern recognition. She slowly turns around, butdoes not find a match in the surroundings.

BRANDI (CONT'D)What's wrong?

BRANDI (CONT'D)I may have miscalibrated thedistance. This segment was clockedby my stride.

BRANDI (CONT'D)What now?

BRANDI (CONT'D)Backup about 50 meters to accountfor the margin of error and thengo in 5 meter increments.

BRANDI (CONT'D)You didn't have to do this. Therewas no one around, and likelynever will for years.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Shut up! You've suggested it! 'Becareful', you said.

BRANDI (CONT'D)If I did not remind you, you'll bein trouble all the time.

BRANDI (CONT'D)If you didn't constantly annoy me,we'd be better off! I gained sometime on the road. No need to panicor get nervous.

BRANDI (CONT'D)All right, do it!

Brandi backs up 50 meters and every 5 meters she stops andturns 360 degrees. At the 11th stop she turns twice.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Must be near. I'm 5 meters pastthe first stop.


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45.

BRANDI (CONT'D)You've got to be sure.

Brandi walks another 5 meters to the 12th stop. She turnsagain. The patterns match!

BRANDI (CONT'D)

Here we go! See, I was off by only10 meters!

BRANDI (CONT'D)And lost 15 minutes.

BRANDI (CONT'D)I still have a 7-minute gain. Andbased on my watch, I probably havea 15-minute buffer, still. Soshove it!

Brandi FLIPS the vision modes until she settles on IR. Then

she leaves the forest road on her left and walks about 200meters. She sees a big red spot just where it is supposedto be. She FLIPS back to NV mode. The red blob changes intoa mountain sheep.

Brandi locates the knot of a rope that is attached to atree.

BRANDI (CONT'D)(talking to the sheep)We've got a trek ahead of us. Nostops.

BRANDI (CONT'D)(laughs)

The sweet irony! What goes around,comes around!

Brandi unties the sheep leash from the tree and pulls. Thesheep follows without resistance, limping slightly on itsright back leg. The rain eases somewhat.

BRANDI (CONT'D)Oh please, don't stop now!

Brandi is back on the dirt road, with the sheep in a tow.She turns on the distance meter display. She has 2415meters to go.

END OF ACT SIX

Documents

The Connors Chronicles: F05E02 - Duality