Earth: Final Conflict s02e16 Episode Script

Volunteers

We can't go forward with the raid on the factory.
It's too risky.
But it's the only place in the country that manufactures Taelon weapons.
I mean, if we're gonna stand a chance against the Taelons, then we have to arm ourselves with their technology.
I realized that, Julia, but we have to weigh the benefits against the cost.
Oh, listen to yourself, Mitch, you sound like an accountant.
Now, I thought we were freedom fighters.
- Hey, there's someone moving out there.
- Where? Two, at the northwest corner.
No, three.
Get down! We're outgunned, retreat! Cover me! Everybody out, now! Keep moving! Seal off the perimeter! Check for booby traps.
You, come with me.
Scatter! At least some of us can get away.
Go ahead, shoot! Violence really is the only thing you Resistance people understand, isn't it? You got that right.
Get up.
You're coming with me.
We've got to keep moving! Wait, wait.
Maybe she can be useful.
Someone's at the elevator.
I don't recognize her.
Yeah? Well, she's got a valid ID code from the North Carolina Resistance cell.
Let her in.
You in charge here? That's right, but I don't think we've been introduced.
Julia.
Charmed, I'm sure.
Alright, boss.
What do we do with her? They are the Companions.
Aliens come to Earth on a mission of peace.
Their true mission, the secrets they hide, forever alter humanity.
Caught in the struggle between these Taelon Companions and the Human Resistance is Liam Kincaid.
A man who is more than human.
The mysteries of his past hold the key to Earth's future and the fate of mankind.
On Earth Final Conflict.
There is still no sign of the missing volunteer, Zo'or.
My team has been over the scene of her last mission.
They did find some blood, but it wasn't hers.
Then she must have been captured.
It is also possible that she deserted.
No, it is not.
I have seen to it that the volunteers are completely loyal to our cause.
Of course.
Then I would conjecture that she's being held captive by the Resistance.
In that case, retrieve her if possible.
But silence her at all costs.
I understand.
Did you ever stop to think that bringing this woman here could be a serious breach of security? Look, I may be new to this Resistance stuff, but I'm not stupid, okay? She was sedated the whole time.
She isn't transmitting any signals that I can detect.
It should be safe.
What's that thing on her face anyway? It's a Taelon implant.
They give it to some of the humans who work with the mother ship.
So the one question is what's this one doing on Earth? Whenever I asked about the volunteers, I've been told that they were low level workers, supplementing the Taelon crew.
I'm wondering if this raid was an isolated incident.
We have lost contact with a couple of the local Resistance cells in the past month.
Well, if the volunteers are responsible, here's our opportunity to find out.
So, uh, how far are you guys willing to go? This woman looks like she's hardly more than a teenager.
If you're expecting me to force a confession out of her, then you came to the wrong place.
That's fine.
So what would you like to do? Just send her back to the mother ship? Liam, I'm sure she's not suggesting that we torture this poor girl.
But it is a wonderful opportunity for us to study what the Taelons' hidden agenda is.
So we hold her captive for the rest of her life, and then maybe just kill her when she outlived her usefulness? - No.
- Wait, wait, wait.
Before this comes to blows, let me make a suggestion.
This woman's implant probably acts like a CVI ensuring loyalty to the Taelons, right? Well, if we remove it, then maybe she'll be willing to cooperate.
I'm severing the neurological interface now.
This implant is very different from a CVI.
It doesn't affect higher reasoning powers of the brains, so No motivational imperative, no mind control.
You mean the volunteers are acting under their own free will? So much for Augur's theory.
This implant has been designed to enhance the senses and reflexes of the subject.
The problem is that human body can't withstand this kind of hyper-stimulation for very long.
- How long? - A few years at most.
She's already showing the signs of damage to her nervous system.
I wanna check her DNA against the personnel files on the mother ship.
If she works for Taelons, there should be some record of it.
Well, I'll get you a tissue sample then.
Humans sometimes do not appreciate their children as much they should.
Coming from a race which no longer bears children, I find this particularly sad.
Noble sentiments, Da'an.
Is that why you take kids away from their parents? No.
I began the program to help young people who have not received the attention and guidance they need to reach their full potential.
We provide them discipline and a sense of purpose.
And training in weapons? Humans must be capable of defending this planet if necessary.
And that's the only reason? Your concern is understandable.
You have witnessed Zo'or's bioengineering experiments on humans.
Let me assure you, that is not the case with the volunteers.
This is my program, and it is intended to benefit the participants.
And you give them Taelon implants? Only with their consent.
And only if they have demonstrated the ability to handle the sensory enhancement.
I approved the design of the implant myself.
It is completely safe.
But why are you asking me this? Do you have some reason to question the nature of the program? No, I'm just curious.
If you'll excuse me.
Amanda Haynes.
All the recruits are between 17 and 22.
I couldn't get much more about them from the Taelon files.
It's all highly restricted.
We have to get somebody inside that volunteer program.
We could try and recruit one of them to our side, which may take some time.
Or, you know, we could just send in one of our guys.
Someone the Taelons didn't know.
Let me guess.
You.
Well, do you have anyone else in your mind? We couldn't just put you on the mother ship and send you to work.
We have to find out how the volunteers are recruited.
We'll have to ask Amanda.
Or her family.
Amanda, stop! No closer! You must be confused and frightened right now.
Let me explain what's happened.
Let me go! I'm sorry, but I can't do that.
We removes your Taelon implant.
Your nervous system will need some time to adjust.
You had no right to do that! It was killing you.
You're lying! No.
I can show you I can show you the results of our analysis if you let me.
Hey.
My name is Liam.
You have my word that I'm telling the truth, and I promise that no one will hurt you.
Please.
Put the scalpel down.
Thank you.
Mrs.
Haynes? You need a room? Actually we need to talk to you about your daughter, Amanda.
If you've came to arrest her, I can't help you.
The last I heard, she was working for those alien freaks.
Last you heard? When was that? You don't remember? She was always a problem kid, out of control.
She was glad to leave, I was glad to see her go.
Look, I'm at work here.
- Are we just about done? - Yeah, just about.
Could you just tell us how she was recruited for the volunteer program? Oh! She's dropped out, hasn't she? That's why you're looking for her.
You know it figures.
That kid could never stick to anything.
Could you just answer the question, ma'am? Don't you have this on file? Her school counselor sent her over to the Taelon friendship center.
He thought maybe they could her head screwed on straight.
Oh, it was either that, or ship her out to the Marines, right? Yeah, right.
Thanks for your time.
At least we solved one mystery.
We know why Amanda left home.
We wanna make you a prized candidate for the volunteers, so We fixed up a school transcript with good tests scores and bad grades along with a few disciplinary problems.
So, I'm an underachiever with bad attitude.
Oh, but good potential.
The ideal volunteer.
Now see, when you're in, we'll need a way of keeping in contact with you, so, you'll need to use this.
It's a transmitter.
Oh, gee, and it's not even my birthday.
Listen, I don't mind providing the odd goods and services for the Resistance, but I draw the line at taking in roommates.
Well, maybe I can do something about that.
You must be hungry.
I thought I'd recognized you.
You're Da'an's protector.
- That's right.
- And you're betraying him.
No, I serve Da'an faithfully.
And I'd give my own life to protect his, if necessary.
He has a genuine respect for humanity unlike the other Taelons.
The Taelons are an enlightened and compassionate race.
They're gonna help us all reach a higher state of being if people like you would stop making trouble.
No, that's what they want you to believe.
But I've seen Zo'or and the Synod using human beings as guinea pigs.
You're lying! The Resistance it's nothing but a paranoid and violent group of radicals who would say or do anything to discredit the Taelons.
- Violent? - Yes! You're the one who attacked first, right? You have doubts about what you're being asked to do sometimes, don't you? Look, if you're going to interrogate me, why don't we get it over with, alright? There won't be any interrogation.
I said no one would hurt you and I meant it.
Then what do you want from me? I just want to talk.
Talk? About what? I'd actually like to know more about you, what you've gone through in your life that makes you see other people as your enemies.
Or We could just sit here and eat.
It's up to you.
I invite you, the young people of Earth, to work side by side with us.
Let us share our knowledge and culture with you.
And learn more about yours.
Together we can build a brighter future for both our races.
Hello there.
Are you Julia? - Who wants to know? - Roger Capton.
Volunteer liaison, sort of.
The counselor said you were stopping by.
Yeah, well, I figured working for the Taelons is gonna be more interesting than a job at the mall, you know? Yes.
Well, you know, Julia, looking at your file, I'd say you're perfect candidate for the volunteer program.
You'll learn skills which will put you in demand in the future job market.
Oh my God, it sounds like school.
It's much more than that, the volunteer program is an adventure beyond your wildest imagination.
I guarantee, it'll change your life.
Well Let's just say I was interested.
- When would we ship out? - Immediately.
Fall in! Adventure, huh? So this is it? By joining the volunteers, you're taking a step into the future.
By embracing Taelon philosophy and technology, you will become the leaders of the new human race.
All these remnants of your past will be taken away and burned.
Who you were before, this doesn't matter.
Now you're one of us.
Oh, come on, man, my grandmother gave me that.
As of now I'm your grandmother.
And your mother, father, sister and brother.
You got that? Yes, sir.
Recruits! Move out! This is it! Are you alright? Yeah, I'm fine.
It's just that without the implant everything seems different, somehow.
Colors seem duller.
Sounds muffled.
With the implant I had total control of my mind and body.
I was the best a human being could be.
Now I'm just me again.
Oh, is that so bad? I've spoken to your mother and I know you two drifted apart.
It's a shame.
No, it isn't.
You sure? I didn't have much of a chance to know my own mother, and now that she's gone I wish I'd been able to make an effort.
Sometimes it doesn't help.
I don't know why I'm telling you this, of all people.
Maybe it's been a while since anyone listened.
You're not what I expected, boy! I thought the leader of the Resistance would be angry, hateful, but you're A regular person? A good person.
So, how did we end up on opposite sides? Come on, Ryan.
Let's go! Come on, Ryan! Just leave him, we're falling behind.
Delta Squad! Fall in! Right now! You should never, ever even consider leaving a man behind! Is making the best time in the training exercise more important to you than your own teammates? No, sir.
Is anything more important to you than your own teammates? No, sir! We have be able to count on each other at all times, no matter what! I don't need to remind you that sometimes the people we thought we could depend on, weren't there! Like parents, teachers even our best friends! But here things are different.
When you're a volunteer, loyalty means everything! You give your commitment to the Taelons, they give you back even more.
You're part of a real family now! The family that will stand together against all enemies.
Are you prepared to do whatever it takes to protect that family? Yes, sir.
Are you ready to die for them? Yes, sir! Are you ready to kill for them? Yes, sir! Agent Sandoval.
Yes, Da'an.
Can you explain to me why my access to the volunteer program's data stream has been denied? No, I cannot.
I thought you might know.
Since the computer log shows you still have access, and have reviewed the data many times in past 24 hours.
I really can't discuss that, Da'an.
When did you first began keeping secrets from me? While you were still my protector, or only since you have allied yourself with Zo'or? I'm only fulfilling my duty to the Synod.
No.
Even now you do not serve the Synod, or even Zo'or, as much as you serve your own ambition.
Tread carefully or some day they may see that as clearly as I do.
But loyalty is everything.
Isn't that what it should be? It depends if that loyalty has been earned.
The volunteers took me in when I had no place to go.
They're my family! Then why did they give you an implant designed to kill you? - Maybe they didn't know.
- Somebody knew.
Somebody adjusted those implants after Da'an approved them.
And I have a few guesses who that might be.
You mean he was betrayed by one of the other Taelons? But They're supposed to be peaceful! They can afford to be, if they use humans to do their fighting.
So What are you telling me? That I've put my complete, unquestioning trust in the wrong people? That everything I believed for the past year is a lie? Just look at this data and see what that implant was doing to you.
I thought I'd found somewhere to belong.
I guess I should've known that a screw-up like me doesn't belong anywhere.
That's not true, you have friends here.
We can help you.
I don't deserve your help.
You deserve a chance to change your life.
Everyone does.
Why couldn't I have met you before? Liam.
I got some news.
Meet me at these coordinates during night maneuvers.
I can get a few minutes off without being missed.
I gotta go, I gotta get this global back.
Relax, it's me.
Okay.
I'm gonna get straight to the punch.
You remember that raid on my Resistance cell? Turns out that was just a warm-up.
The volunteers are mobilizing for a massive assault.
A full-scale strike against the Resistance? Well, they haven't told us anything, but that's what I'm guessing.
We have to move out of here at 0600 tomorrow.
We better get you out of here.
No.
I can do more good if I stay in the ranks.
And don't tell me it's too dangerous, you know I'm right.
Volunteers, ready! Fire! Fire! Fire! Move out! Next phase! If this is a sample of what's coming after us, the Resistance is in serious trouble.
Okay, I've alerted warned the Resistance cells around the country as best I can.
They're relaying the warning worldwide.
I should've noticed some kind of unusual activity aboard the mother ship if they were planning something this big.
Either you and I are already under suspicion, or this is one of Zo'or's secret missions.
No, no, no, the shuttles are all on normal schedule.
It sure doesn't seem like they're mobilizing for an attack.
Maybe they're not using the shuttles at all.
Wait, they could be planning to send the volunteers through the portals instead.
Notify all the Resistance cells to keep watch on their local portals.
- I'll cover the one downtown.
- Wait! I know more about the volunteers and their tactics than anyone.
I could help.
We're in position.
No sign of trouble yet.
2 minutes left.
Liam, I want to thank you.
- For what? - For believing in me.
Squad to portals! Faster! Move, move, move! That was my squad! There's something weird going on, a group of volunteers just went into the portal.
Going where? I don't know, but there's one way to find out.
You should stay here, I don't know what I'll be walking into.
All the more reason to have backup.
Report to department room Delta.
On the double! What is this? Interdimensional Grand Central station? According to this, we're back at the volunteer training camp.
It can't be.
I've never seen this place before.
Maybe you weren't supposed to.
I wanna take a look around.
Stay sharp.
Look out for each other.
Make me proud.
Omega Squad! Five minutes to prep.
You're up next.
- Yes, sir! - Alright! Julia's here, she hasn't been sent through yet.
Packing an awful lot of firepower.
Target must be pretty formidable.
We just got to find out where it is.
Might give us an idea how to spring her.
Up for another trip through ID space? Detained around here.
This must be a relay station.
The second portal is a booster, to send the troops to even greater distance.
It doesn't make any sense.
Any Resistance target would be in easy reach of regular portal system.
I don't think the Resistance is their target.
What? Look.
We are not on Earth anymore.
What does that mean? The volunteers are being sent to a different planet? From that star field I'd say it could even be another galaxy.
Check your weapons carefully.
Bad circuit trigger could cost you your lives.
These are not the same kind of weapons we trained with.
We'll get plenty of practice on the battlefield.
But we don't know who we're fighting.
We do know who we're fighting for.
If there's anything else we need to know, I'm sure the Taelons will tell us.
We are not ready.
The commander says we are.
That's good enough for me.
As it should be for you.
Right.
Lili, tell the Resistance to stand down, the volunteers aren't coming after you.
They're being sent off-world.
Off-world? Where? I can't tell, but I bet Da'an can.
I'm sending you data from the other side of the portal.
Show it to Da'an, but stonewall him on how we got it.
Volunteers, fall in! - Amanda! - They're my squad! Today, we band together to fight for a greater cause.
No less than the future of this planet.
I betrayed them.
They were there when I needed them and now I've abandoned them when they need me most.
No.
The Taelons are the ones who betrayed them.
First they trained your friends to fight other humans.
Now they're sending them off-world to fight in a war they've never even heard of.
Listen.
We all wanna believe in the perfect, enlightened life the Taelons are promising.
It's just an illusion to hide their manipulations.
The truth I've told you is more difficult, and more complicated, but it's real.
This is still your decision, Amanda.
If you wanna go back to the volunteers, I won't stop you.
Just give me enough time to save Julia.
Move out! I'm not going back.
They trusted me, but I trust you.
Intruders! You two, guard the hall! Hey, you guys looking for me? Oh, I'm impressed! First in my class in hand-to-hand combat! Let's go! We have intruders in the base.
The security is taking care of it.
Do not let yourself get distracted.
Stay focused on the mission.
You have an itchy trigger finger, volunteer? You should know better, trying to charge you weapon without a power cell can damage it.
I'm sorry, sir, I guess I was just caught up in the anticipation.
Yes, well, try to contain yourself.
Power cells will be distributed on the other side.
Yes, sir.
This volunteer, we trained together.
These injuries were caused by energy weapons.
More powerful than any I've seen.
Casualties of war.
So many of them.
They're sending barely trained recruits like Julia to battle.
The Taelons can't be winning.
Her squad will be going through the portal any minute.
So will your friend.
Not if I can help it.
We're gonna find a way to shut down that portal.
- Delta Squad, be ready to move out! - Come on! That's what we were training for, come on! Hold up.
There will be a short delay.
Unfortunately, I was last in my class in hacking.
Here's a tip: you beat up a security guard, always check his pockets.
I'll remember that.
I'm going to initiate a power overload in the portal.
It'll close this end of the ID tunnel.
Hurry! Just another minute.
The portal controls are completely fried.
The overload reaction will continue, right? No, it won't.
The portal's intact.
This way or another, we're getting in there.
Stand back! No, sir! What do you think you're doing? The Taelons don't really care about you, you know that! And this is not your family! This mission that they are sending you out on is not your fight! Look, if you're scared, that's one thing, but none of us wants to hear that kind of talk about the Taelons.
I can explain everything if you just come with me! You've been a traitor all along, haven't you? How could you lie to us like that? We trusted you with our lives! Yeah, and I'm trying to save your lives right now! You have got to get out of here! Go after her! There's a way to shut down the portal.
I can use the power conduits to overload it manually.
That'll kill you! It might, but it's the only way.
No! You can't! The Resistance needs you.
There's no time to debate this.
Look out! No! Don't! I was dying already.
Implant had done its damage.
I can feel it.
- You have to leave.
- Not without you.
If it weren't for you, I would've died a meaningless death in an alien war.
Saving you and my squad, makes my life worth something after all.
You have to go now.
Go! Amanda.
You could not overlook a single opportunity to exploit innocent humans, could you? I know where you're sending the volunteers.
I have no involvement in the volunteer program.
You know that.
Do not lie to me! This program was intended to reach out to young people who need a helping hand.
But you have corrupted it by using them as expendable foot soldiers in our wars.
What did you think you were training them for? Defending this planet against an invasion is very different from staging a preemptive strike on an alien world.
The human soldiers are outmatched and you know it.
I cannot help it if they have not lived up to the potential you were so convinced they had.
You have been sending the volunteers to be slaughtered.
And because I created this program and publicly endorsed it you have made me equally responsible for their deaths.
You will stop your interference with the volunteers immediately! If you wish to lodge a complaint with the Synod, that is your right.
I will not waste time going to the Synod.
I will expose your secret manipulations directly to the human public.
You would destroy the Taelon/Human alliance with such an act.
Then do not force me to take it.
Very well.
The development has been delayed in any case.
You may recall the troops if you wish.
But, Da'an, I will remember this.
Liam! Get down! Take cover! Go! Which one? It doesn't matter.
They'll have no way to know.
Sir, I need more men to send through each one of these portals in pursuit of the fugitives.
No, the operation's over.
Recall your troops from the front.
Use emergency power, whatever it takes to get them back.
What? Da'an's orders.
Do it.
Let me ask you something.
Have you ever been responsible for someone's death? I signed up for the Marines when I was 19.
And before long, I was sending other people out into battle.
This has to stop.
These wars, all these needless needless deaths.
We have to find a way.
I'm with you on that.
I'm so sorry about Amanda.
You were right about her.
Yeah.
But that doesn't bring her back, does it? Only in our memories.

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