Earth: Final Conflict s03e04 Episode Script
Emancipation
Previously on Gene Roddenberry's Earth Final Conflict: The real work will be in the capable hands of my new division head, Renee Palmer.
It's time my company got back to what we started 4 years ago, using the best of Taelon technology in everyday earthly applications.
Your stock portfolio evaporated in the post-emergency correction.
That was no correction, that was a crash.
I bought into the romance of the Resistance, and ignored Augur Inc.
And now I'm paying for it.
Liam Kincaid, Capt.
William Boone's Lieutenant during the SI War.
Kincaid participated in the invasion of Taiwan, where faulty intelligence landed his unit smack in the middle of a very nasty ambush.
Fall back! Come on! Come on! Move it! Let's go! Go! Go! Go! Lieut.
McKee, Keller's hit! Hang in there, Keller! Cover fire! Keller! Cover me! Axarion They have come to Earth with the promise of peace.
An alien race called the Taelons.
But, there are those who resist these Alien Companions.
For the Taelons' true mission, the secrets they hide will forever alter our world.
The fate of humanity now relies on those who dare challenge the future of Earth.
Meet Darren Vorhees.
Predominantly Caucasian.
Genetically man, 28 years old.
Lose your cigarettes? Yeah, in 1998.
ILEIN flagged him.
Correlates to 4 other DBs that have turned up in the last 6 weeks.
Seattle, Dallas, Manhattan, one just outlined in Fairfax County.
Same cause of death? Wish I knew.
Coroner has no idea what killed them.
Killed any of them.
Adrenaline, dopamine, acetylcholine.
Blood chromatography is off the charts.
It's like he got mashed in a train wreck.
- But there isn't a scratch on him.
- Bingo.
Coroner calls this the long-term potentiation center, LTP.
This one is saturated with neurotransmitters I can't even pronounce.
Bottom line, Vorhees' synapses were fried, over easy with the side of grits.
- And the other 4 victims? - Same deal.
Tripped over a lot of corpses in my time, this is a new one to me.
So, why tell me, Detective? Because you're a Companion Protector, and you have access to Taelon medical research.
Run my resources into the ground, Major Kincaid.
I'm tossing this case into your lap.
Before I run on and buy a pack of menthols.
Dr.
Suriyama? - Dr.
Suriyama? - Oh, great.
Please, no doctors today.
Don't want people to think this is some dreary science experiment.
But isn't the MNEME an adaptation of highly advanced Taelon technology? How does an ID portal work? People don't know the physics behind interdimensional travel.
They just like getting from New York to Bangkok in 8 minutes.
MNEME lets us relive our most treasured memories with all the taste, smell, touch, passion of the event itself.
MNEME makes it the first time every time.
What do they care how it works? And you say the reception has been positive? Gratifyingly so.
Then I recommend we move up the schedule.
As of today I will be supervising the project.
I have already made long range projections for Too long.
Time is a finite resource, Da'an.
You squander it.
You are right.
Advancement of the time table works in our favor.
I will make the arrangements.
It's a rare pleasure to see my Taelon friends in such a perfect agreement.
Indeed.
Please, increase your surveillance of my friend Da'an.
So that I may know the reason for it.
Giselle? Yes.
I'm sorry to hear about your boyfriend.
Thank you.
Darren was special.
Are you Are you investigating his death? Assisting.
What can you tell me about him? Not much, I'm afraid.
We were at a party, the Chesapeake, and Josh, that's Darren's friend since the grad school, well, his stock declared We were celebrating.
And that's it really, I guess Darren had, uh one double Cosmo too many and he went into the men's room.
And I guess, after 15 or 20 minutes we sent Josh in after him.
I thought he ditched me for another girl.
And then And then the detectives called.
Do you recognize any of these names? No, I don't think so.
Why? Reminder.
You have a 2 o'clock manicure.
They died under similar circumstances.
How awful.
You have a 2 o'clock manicure.
I'm really sorry.
I wanna help.
If there's anything I can do.
Really, don't hesitate.
Would you like my schedule sent directly to your office? Zo'or's particularly interested in these co-ventures with Doors International.
He wishes he would be here himself.
Why should he when he has such an effective alter ego? Ladies and gentlemen, Ms.
Renee Palmer.
When Jonathan Doors chose me to head this division, there were several wonderful projects in development.
But I knew exactly which one I wanted launch first.
Have you ever dreamed of reliving the greatest moment of your life? Well, it's no longer just a dream.
With MNEME, you can now experience once again your most cherished memories.
We've tested MNEME in 4 major markets and the verdict is in.
It's a hit.
Now, I think you all know this gentleman.
It is an honor to have Mayor Carter Dubois, and his lovely wife here with us today.
Thank you so much.
Now, all of you know me.
I'm hardly a cheerleader for the Taelons.
But I never could resist a new toy.
Just ask Mrs.
Dubois.
- Are you ready, Mayor? - For anything, Ms.
Palmer.
Very simple, Mr.
Mayor.
Just think of a specific memory from your past, and the machine will do the rest.
Oh, yes, this is good.
Yes, this is nice.
This is good, this is nice, this is nice, this is nice Wow.
That a memory.
Metro League Championship, 1979.
We're losing, 3 nothing, bottom of the ninth.
Two of our bases are loaded.
I nailed it! Over the fence.
It felt as amazing this time around as it did back then when I was 13! So, how does this thing work? The human brain stores memory chemically in the long-term potentiation center.
So, you're saying MNEME stimulates the long-term potentiation center? Yes.
Thought.
Memory.
Emotion.
Simple functions of brain electro-chemistry.
So, what neurotransmitters would be produced by this stimulation? I believe the main effect would be on acetylcholine and dopamine.
What about adrenaline? If the memories were or the fighting, or fighting variety.
Da'an, they're ready for you.
Major Kincaid.
Detective Sherman, don't give up on the Darren Vorhees case just yet.
I have an idea what might have killed him.
Giselle! Liam Kincaid.
- How can I forget you, Major? - Can we talk? It'll only take a minute.
I had a talk with some of Darren friends.
He didn't disappear in the men's room.
Both of you left the party early.
Why the lie, Giselle? I didn't have anything to do with Darren's death.
I didn't say that.
- Well, I don't have to talk to you.
- Ever heard of MNEME? MNEME? Some sort of new Taelon thing, right? Something to do with memory? Yeah, I have a hunch that Darren tried one, but Something went wrong.
Badly wrong.
Am I getting warm? - Maybe I should talk to my attorney.
- Giselle, this isn't about you.
You saw the list of those names of those victims.
Some of them had girlfriends who actually cared about them.
Okay.
Okay.
But there was no MNEME.
Darren was gonna turn me on to this new rush.
Said it was really hot.
"It's like your first time," he said.
I didn't know it was illegal.
Yeah, he didn't know it was fatal.
His name was Gavin.
Said his rig was in the back alley.
Darren went first and I waited and waited, but Darren never came back.
Damn.
Damn! Damn.
Dr.
Belman, what part of "silent partner" don't you understand? And what part of "broke" don't you understand? And, you, not sitting, working! And have that mole looked at, too.
It could be melanoma.
Divest it or lose it.
Divest it or lose it - I like what you've done to the place.
- Very funny.
You know, I blame you for this, both of you.
So, is this your way of telling me you don't like my taste of office decor? I didn't think you'd wanna talk about a black market MNEME at your office.
A what? I was looking for people who took bad trips on MNEME.
That's not exactly what I've found.
Someone's got a bootleg machine.
You're delusional, Kincaid.
Bootleg MNEME? Do you have any idea how tight my security is? The operator is a small-time glow dealer named Gavin Frost.
Oh, my God.
How much? How mush are they undercutting me? No, I don't think this is a cheap knock-off.
I think this is a whole other high.
Liam's right, Renee.
There's talk on the street of this new kick that people are paying really big bucks for.
It's big with baby moguls.
Bloody Taelo-trash.
Not like the pure of heart who don't profit at all from our Taelon oppressors.
Low blow, Augur.
I call 'em like I see 'em.
I'm not working at Doors International for Taelon money.
Because you're already rich.
Hey, play CEO by day and guerilla by night.
Fine with me, but don't be a hypocrite in the afternoon Relax, Augur.
Take your allies where you can find them, okay? The issue is why this thing is killing people.
- What? - This guy's dead? No, but others are.
It can't be.
Can't We tested MNEME in vitro, in vivo and virtual.
It's so safe the FDA fast tracked it.
I've got 5 corpses who say differently.
Dubois, it's nice to see you again.
Miss Palmer, this is a temporary restraining order.
I'm closing you down.
No offense, Mayor, but who are you to file a TRO in Washington, D.
C.
? An American citizen is who.
An American citizen who is sick and tired of seeing Taelon profiteers bypass every safeguard instituted by the Federal Government.
We have FDA approval.
We were fast tracked.
And we filed an appeal.
You tried the MNEME yourself.
You liked it.
Never ban a book you haven't read.
This isn't about likes or dislikes, this is about the rule of law.
And the law is the law, even for Taelons.
I'm sorry, he brought the cameras, there was no time to call.
Not your fault, Ray.
We'll just have to postpone the opening, that's all.
But we have a double-track ad in the post, we have a 6 weeks waiting list.
We have bigger problems than that.
Like security.
Oh, come on, who's gonna stop him? He's a celebrity.
Not the Mayor, the MNEMEs.
Are they all accounted for? Yeah, of course.
What about test market stores? The design labs? I want to know the whereabouts of every chair, every prototype.
Harrison, Ray Suriyama.
- Anything? - Nada, you? Something.
You know where a private club called the Chesapeake is? Actually, I think the address is embossed on my lifetime membership card.
Meet me there in 10.
Wear blue.
- So? - So We are on a date.
Play nice.
- You're insane.
People know me here.
- I promise not to embarrass you.
Oh, you got any cash? I warn you, I'm armed.
The guy who's selling rides in your stolen MNEME doesn't take debit cards.
- I didn't think he would.
- And I don't have cash.
I didn't think you would.
Well, stop thinking, because there he is.
Giselle says you're always the man with the best chem.
I've known Giselle for and 4 bust lines.
She's real people.
Ah, ah, one at a time.
So what's it going to be? First time? First time with the blonde out there? That isnt getting anywhere.
I heard you could do better.
- What does another thou buy me? - Best shoes.
I want the E ticket ride.
Now we are speaking the same dialect.
- Have a sit.
- Don't mind if I do.
This guy's working for Sandoval.
Renee, can you drive this thing? With my eyes closed.
Hang on.
Hey! So, you're telling me that the connection's connection is Sandoval? Well, I don't think they're dating.
So, Sandoval is an electronic dope dealer? I don't put it pass them.
He could also be a murderer if this chair is as dangerous as I think it is.
Well, it's glorious.
Seamless interface of Taelon and human technology.
Any idea why its killing people? No, not a clue.
Liam, this thing was skrilled.
Whatever is was in there is toast.
Augur, keep at it.
Only because it intrigues me on an intellectual level.
Gavin! How many have you lost, Gavin? What do you mean how many? You were right there! Lay off! Christ! Not trucks, you Brit boy son of a Ever heard of ILEIN? Is she the redhead, that likes black leather stuff? ILEIN, the cop data network, it says you're sitting on 5 bodies.
No way.
One.
One crocked on me.
Weak heart.
Maybe two.
This other guy didn't look so good when he left.
And that's it, I swear.
Talked to your franchise holders lately? Maybe someone had an unfortunate experience in, say, Dallas.
Come on, Sandoval.
Thrill junkies don't file law suits.
So, you got a couple non-repeat customers.
You make a good coin here.
Call it am amortize loss.
Is that what you call it? I call it a clue.
- The cons were shut down.
- Yeah, don't remind me.
Though we'd do a full diagnostic.
Human-Taelon interfaces Thanks.
Hey, Augur, the MNEME is totally modular.
Somebody's floating parts out of the warehouse one at a time.
That's how they built your bootleg.
Listen, I need you to give me the serial numbers on every part of that chair.
- The numbers are embedded? - Yeah.
Then remember to bring a scanner when you come.
You missed one.
It's like an international conspiracy, This part's from Singapore.
Las Vegas, New Cape Town And there's this.
It has nothing to do with MNEME.
The dealer had this disc.
Can you get this ride started? Liam, you can't.
That disk could be what's killing people.
Well, here's how I see it.
Your black marketeers are somehow enhancing the memory recall.
So, it's like people are overdosing on sensations.
And you're gonna test this theory in your own brain? You're nuts.
Just get me out in time.
Get you out I don't even know if I can get you in.
I got you, Keller! My legs! No! Not my legs! No! Turn it off! Now! - I have to get Keller.
- Keller? - He was hit.
- What are you talking about? I must have stepped on a mine.
Liam.
My legs.
When did this happen? SI War.
Battle of Kashmir.
Liam, you were never in the SI War.
Don't you see? Those were someone else's memories.
I was reliving someone else's life.
- That's not possible.
- Why not? So, you think they're selling people's memories on the black market? That there's a real-life war movie recorded on this? There is.
I was in it.
Sandoval's got to be stopped.
Well, good luck pinning it on him.
He's an FBI agent and a Companion Protector, he's fireproof.
Maybe we can get to him through his candy man, Gavin Frost.
Get me Liam Kincaid.
Run this manifests, will you? Something has to connect all these requisitions for parts.
The correlation appears to be in the authorization code.
The shipments are from different warehouses and the parties went to different salons.
But each was requisitioned by a clerk named Sanchez.
Then I think I'll have a little chat with Sanchez.
Talk to me about MNEME, Da'an.
It is Zo'or's project now, the opening has been postponed.
Not that, the technology.
You conceived it, you had to know.
Know what, Liam? People are using the MNEME to experience other people's memories.
I suppose it would be possible.
The interface Possible? It's obscene.
I do not understand.
Living inside someone else's mind, eavesdropping on their most painful, most personal experiences? You can't just share a memory.
It's sacred.
Your passion in this area surprises me.
I thought humans desired a deep understanding of their fellows.
To evolve towards unity.
The Commonality We don't want your Commonality.
We want our individuality.
You are ashamed of the manner in which you have lived your life? Of course not.
Then why would you fear sharing your experiences? It's like saying only criminals should fear a police state.
Privacy is privacy.
It's absolute.
When you have lived as long as I have, Liam, you will understand, that there are no absolutes.
If I may speak plainly, Your intransigence is disconcerting.
Intransigence is my stocking trait, Zo'or.
My only desire is to make you a friend, Mayor Dubois.
For instance, you told a national viewing audience that you were reliving a baseball game.
As your friend, I know what you were really reliving.
Publicly, you embrace family values.
Privately you embrace teenage prostitutes.
I find the contrast fascinating.
You set me up! I was right about you sexless freaks the whole time.
You're gonna blackmail the Senate, and the U.
N.
, too? My intention was only to understand your kind.
That you are species of liars and cheats.
It's convenient.
So, what do I have to do to make that recording go away? No doubt Zo'or has some suggestions.
So, this is what you have done with my project.
Very impressive.
- Ray, I handpicked you for this job.
- I heard.
Outbid MicroDisney, outbid TCIBM.
Why to screw me? What are you talking about? I'm talking about a MNEME machine that's been adapted to replay other people's memories.
Theoretically, that could be done, but Oh, this isn't theory, Ray, it's fact.
I've seen it.
Black market machines dispensing stolen memories.
And you think I'm involved? Renee, I would never compromise this project.
I talked to your friend in shipping.
Sanchez? She gave you up in a minute and a half.
Dummy corporations are a great dodge, but You should pay your flunkeys better.
Oh, well, I guess that big promotion is out of the question.
That's very funny, Ray.
They'll love you in prison.
You're gonna have me arrested? A few electronic scribbles, the words of an illegal immigrant from Bolivia? Please.
Personally, I doubt you can even have me terminated.
I have a contract.
Didn't you just say you outbid MicroDisney? I don't give a damn about your contract.
You're out of here.
Remember when you played guinea pig for the MNEME? We got great coverage on it as I recall.
And it's all right here.
Fire me? You can't even stop me.
Augur, get that, will you? I can't, you'll have to get it.
You look like hell.
Nice to see you, too.
How long Suriyama have been there? About 20 minutes, he's gotta be gathering his stash of memory disks.
Or destroying them.
Let's go.
Sensory overloaded fried his brain.
Dramatic way to die.
I'm afraid your Mr.
Suriyama had his own agenda for the MNEME, Ms.
Palmer.
I've had him under surveillance for some time.
I wonder what was powerful enough to kill him.
Major.
Take care of Ms.
Palmer.
He killed him.
Prove it.
We'll never connect Sandoval to the bootlegs, Renee.
So, he just gets away with it.
At least, he's shut down.
No one else gets their brain fried, no one else gets their memories stolen.
Well, that's something.
- But not enough.
- No, not enough.
Well, I'll take care of things here.
Good, there's something I need to do.
Da'an has been unusually tractable lately.
And his concept is proving more useful than he realized.
Yes, it's always good to know where the bodies are buried.
On a simplistic level that is correct.
We can coerce you to our will, but it's time-consuming and graceless.
We can bioengineer you, but that's only partially effective.
The only way to enforce humanity's subjugation to the Taelon agenda is to win your hearts and minds.
I cannot win the hearts and minds of your race until I know them.
Renee Palmer.
Show me your fears.
Lieutenant McKee? Do I know you? No, sir.
Major Liam Kincaid, sir.
I think I have that backwards, sir.
No.
I, uh Heard about what you did in the war.
I'll never know what that must have felt like.
I was wondering did the kid make it okay? Private Keller? Yeah, they got him out alright.
No thanks to me, I say, but he says different.
He has named his firstborn after me.
I like that.
She doesn't.
My name's Hamish.
So, what brings you by, Major? I wanted to give you this.
What is this, some kind of new medal? Sort of.
It belongs to you.
Axarion
It's time my company got back to what we started 4 years ago, using the best of Taelon technology in everyday earthly applications.
Your stock portfolio evaporated in the post-emergency correction.
That was no correction, that was a crash.
I bought into the romance of the Resistance, and ignored Augur Inc.
And now I'm paying for it.
Liam Kincaid, Capt.
William Boone's Lieutenant during the SI War.
Kincaid participated in the invasion of Taiwan, where faulty intelligence landed his unit smack in the middle of a very nasty ambush.
Fall back! Come on! Come on! Move it! Let's go! Go! Go! Go! Lieut.
McKee, Keller's hit! Hang in there, Keller! Cover fire! Keller! Cover me! Axarion They have come to Earth with the promise of peace.
An alien race called the Taelons.
But, there are those who resist these Alien Companions.
For the Taelons' true mission, the secrets they hide will forever alter our world.
The fate of humanity now relies on those who dare challenge the future of Earth.
Meet Darren Vorhees.
Predominantly Caucasian.
Genetically man, 28 years old.
Lose your cigarettes? Yeah, in 1998.
ILEIN flagged him.
Correlates to 4 other DBs that have turned up in the last 6 weeks.
Seattle, Dallas, Manhattan, one just outlined in Fairfax County.
Same cause of death? Wish I knew.
Coroner has no idea what killed them.
Killed any of them.
Adrenaline, dopamine, acetylcholine.
Blood chromatography is off the charts.
It's like he got mashed in a train wreck.
- But there isn't a scratch on him.
- Bingo.
Coroner calls this the long-term potentiation center, LTP.
This one is saturated with neurotransmitters I can't even pronounce.
Bottom line, Vorhees' synapses were fried, over easy with the side of grits.
- And the other 4 victims? - Same deal.
Tripped over a lot of corpses in my time, this is a new one to me.
So, why tell me, Detective? Because you're a Companion Protector, and you have access to Taelon medical research.
Run my resources into the ground, Major Kincaid.
I'm tossing this case into your lap.
Before I run on and buy a pack of menthols.
Dr.
Suriyama? - Dr.
Suriyama? - Oh, great.
Please, no doctors today.
Don't want people to think this is some dreary science experiment.
But isn't the MNEME an adaptation of highly advanced Taelon technology? How does an ID portal work? People don't know the physics behind interdimensional travel.
They just like getting from New York to Bangkok in 8 minutes.
MNEME lets us relive our most treasured memories with all the taste, smell, touch, passion of the event itself.
MNEME makes it the first time every time.
What do they care how it works? And you say the reception has been positive? Gratifyingly so.
Then I recommend we move up the schedule.
As of today I will be supervising the project.
I have already made long range projections for Too long.
Time is a finite resource, Da'an.
You squander it.
You are right.
Advancement of the time table works in our favor.
I will make the arrangements.
It's a rare pleasure to see my Taelon friends in such a perfect agreement.
Indeed.
Please, increase your surveillance of my friend Da'an.
So that I may know the reason for it.
Giselle? Yes.
I'm sorry to hear about your boyfriend.
Thank you.
Darren was special.
Are you Are you investigating his death? Assisting.
What can you tell me about him? Not much, I'm afraid.
We were at a party, the Chesapeake, and Josh, that's Darren's friend since the grad school, well, his stock declared We were celebrating.
And that's it really, I guess Darren had, uh one double Cosmo too many and he went into the men's room.
And I guess, after 15 or 20 minutes we sent Josh in after him.
I thought he ditched me for another girl.
And then And then the detectives called.
Do you recognize any of these names? No, I don't think so.
Why? Reminder.
You have a 2 o'clock manicure.
They died under similar circumstances.
How awful.
You have a 2 o'clock manicure.
I'm really sorry.
I wanna help.
If there's anything I can do.
Really, don't hesitate.
Would you like my schedule sent directly to your office? Zo'or's particularly interested in these co-ventures with Doors International.
He wishes he would be here himself.
Why should he when he has such an effective alter ego? Ladies and gentlemen, Ms.
Renee Palmer.
When Jonathan Doors chose me to head this division, there were several wonderful projects in development.
But I knew exactly which one I wanted launch first.
Have you ever dreamed of reliving the greatest moment of your life? Well, it's no longer just a dream.
With MNEME, you can now experience once again your most cherished memories.
We've tested MNEME in 4 major markets and the verdict is in.
It's a hit.
Now, I think you all know this gentleman.
It is an honor to have Mayor Carter Dubois, and his lovely wife here with us today.
Thank you so much.
Now, all of you know me.
I'm hardly a cheerleader for the Taelons.
But I never could resist a new toy.
Just ask Mrs.
Dubois.
- Are you ready, Mayor? - For anything, Ms.
Palmer.
Very simple, Mr.
Mayor.
Just think of a specific memory from your past, and the machine will do the rest.
Oh, yes, this is good.
Yes, this is nice.
This is good, this is nice, this is nice, this is nice Wow.
That a memory.
Metro League Championship, 1979.
We're losing, 3 nothing, bottom of the ninth.
Two of our bases are loaded.
I nailed it! Over the fence.
It felt as amazing this time around as it did back then when I was 13! So, how does this thing work? The human brain stores memory chemically in the long-term potentiation center.
So, you're saying MNEME stimulates the long-term potentiation center? Yes.
Thought.
Memory.
Emotion.
Simple functions of brain electro-chemistry.
So, what neurotransmitters would be produced by this stimulation? I believe the main effect would be on acetylcholine and dopamine.
What about adrenaline? If the memories were or the fighting, or fighting variety.
Da'an, they're ready for you.
Major Kincaid.
Detective Sherman, don't give up on the Darren Vorhees case just yet.
I have an idea what might have killed him.
Giselle! Liam Kincaid.
- How can I forget you, Major? - Can we talk? It'll only take a minute.
I had a talk with some of Darren friends.
He didn't disappear in the men's room.
Both of you left the party early.
Why the lie, Giselle? I didn't have anything to do with Darren's death.
I didn't say that.
- Well, I don't have to talk to you.
- Ever heard of MNEME? MNEME? Some sort of new Taelon thing, right? Something to do with memory? Yeah, I have a hunch that Darren tried one, but Something went wrong.
Badly wrong.
Am I getting warm? - Maybe I should talk to my attorney.
- Giselle, this isn't about you.
You saw the list of those names of those victims.
Some of them had girlfriends who actually cared about them.
Okay.
Okay.
But there was no MNEME.
Darren was gonna turn me on to this new rush.
Said it was really hot.
"It's like your first time," he said.
I didn't know it was illegal.
Yeah, he didn't know it was fatal.
His name was Gavin.
Said his rig was in the back alley.
Darren went first and I waited and waited, but Darren never came back.
Damn.
Damn! Damn.
Dr.
Belman, what part of "silent partner" don't you understand? And what part of "broke" don't you understand? And, you, not sitting, working! And have that mole looked at, too.
It could be melanoma.
Divest it or lose it.
Divest it or lose it - I like what you've done to the place.
- Very funny.
You know, I blame you for this, both of you.
So, is this your way of telling me you don't like my taste of office decor? I didn't think you'd wanna talk about a black market MNEME at your office.
A what? I was looking for people who took bad trips on MNEME.
That's not exactly what I've found.
Someone's got a bootleg machine.
You're delusional, Kincaid.
Bootleg MNEME? Do you have any idea how tight my security is? The operator is a small-time glow dealer named Gavin Frost.
Oh, my God.
How much? How mush are they undercutting me? No, I don't think this is a cheap knock-off.
I think this is a whole other high.
Liam's right, Renee.
There's talk on the street of this new kick that people are paying really big bucks for.
It's big with baby moguls.
Bloody Taelo-trash.
Not like the pure of heart who don't profit at all from our Taelon oppressors.
Low blow, Augur.
I call 'em like I see 'em.
I'm not working at Doors International for Taelon money.
Because you're already rich.
Hey, play CEO by day and guerilla by night.
Fine with me, but don't be a hypocrite in the afternoon Relax, Augur.
Take your allies where you can find them, okay? The issue is why this thing is killing people.
- What? - This guy's dead? No, but others are.
It can't be.
Can't We tested MNEME in vitro, in vivo and virtual.
It's so safe the FDA fast tracked it.
I've got 5 corpses who say differently.
Dubois, it's nice to see you again.
Miss Palmer, this is a temporary restraining order.
I'm closing you down.
No offense, Mayor, but who are you to file a TRO in Washington, D.
C.
? An American citizen is who.
An American citizen who is sick and tired of seeing Taelon profiteers bypass every safeguard instituted by the Federal Government.
We have FDA approval.
We were fast tracked.
And we filed an appeal.
You tried the MNEME yourself.
You liked it.
Never ban a book you haven't read.
This isn't about likes or dislikes, this is about the rule of law.
And the law is the law, even for Taelons.
I'm sorry, he brought the cameras, there was no time to call.
Not your fault, Ray.
We'll just have to postpone the opening, that's all.
But we have a double-track ad in the post, we have a 6 weeks waiting list.
We have bigger problems than that.
Like security.
Oh, come on, who's gonna stop him? He's a celebrity.
Not the Mayor, the MNEMEs.
Are they all accounted for? Yeah, of course.
What about test market stores? The design labs? I want to know the whereabouts of every chair, every prototype.
Harrison, Ray Suriyama.
- Anything? - Nada, you? Something.
You know where a private club called the Chesapeake is? Actually, I think the address is embossed on my lifetime membership card.
Meet me there in 10.
Wear blue.
- So? - So We are on a date.
Play nice.
- You're insane.
People know me here.
- I promise not to embarrass you.
Oh, you got any cash? I warn you, I'm armed.
The guy who's selling rides in your stolen MNEME doesn't take debit cards.
- I didn't think he would.
- And I don't have cash.
I didn't think you would.
Well, stop thinking, because there he is.
Giselle says you're always the man with the best chem.
I've known Giselle for and 4 bust lines.
She's real people.
Ah, ah, one at a time.
So what's it going to be? First time? First time with the blonde out there? That isnt getting anywhere.
I heard you could do better.
- What does another thou buy me? - Best shoes.
I want the E ticket ride.
Now we are speaking the same dialect.
- Have a sit.
- Don't mind if I do.
This guy's working for Sandoval.
Renee, can you drive this thing? With my eyes closed.
Hang on.
Hey! So, you're telling me that the connection's connection is Sandoval? Well, I don't think they're dating.
So, Sandoval is an electronic dope dealer? I don't put it pass them.
He could also be a murderer if this chair is as dangerous as I think it is.
Well, it's glorious.
Seamless interface of Taelon and human technology.
Any idea why its killing people? No, not a clue.
Liam, this thing was skrilled.
Whatever is was in there is toast.
Augur, keep at it.
Only because it intrigues me on an intellectual level.
Gavin! How many have you lost, Gavin? What do you mean how many? You were right there! Lay off! Christ! Not trucks, you Brit boy son of a Ever heard of ILEIN? Is she the redhead, that likes black leather stuff? ILEIN, the cop data network, it says you're sitting on 5 bodies.
No way.
One.
One crocked on me.
Weak heart.
Maybe two.
This other guy didn't look so good when he left.
And that's it, I swear.
Talked to your franchise holders lately? Maybe someone had an unfortunate experience in, say, Dallas.
Come on, Sandoval.
Thrill junkies don't file law suits.
So, you got a couple non-repeat customers.
You make a good coin here.
Call it am amortize loss.
Is that what you call it? I call it a clue.
- The cons were shut down.
- Yeah, don't remind me.
Though we'd do a full diagnostic.
Human-Taelon interfaces Thanks.
Hey, Augur, the MNEME is totally modular.
Somebody's floating parts out of the warehouse one at a time.
That's how they built your bootleg.
Listen, I need you to give me the serial numbers on every part of that chair.
- The numbers are embedded? - Yeah.
Then remember to bring a scanner when you come.
You missed one.
It's like an international conspiracy, This part's from Singapore.
Las Vegas, New Cape Town And there's this.
It has nothing to do with MNEME.
The dealer had this disc.
Can you get this ride started? Liam, you can't.
That disk could be what's killing people.
Well, here's how I see it.
Your black marketeers are somehow enhancing the memory recall.
So, it's like people are overdosing on sensations.
And you're gonna test this theory in your own brain? You're nuts.
Just get me out in time.
Get you out I don't even know if I can get you in.
I got you, Keller! My legs! No! Not my legs! No! Turn it off! Now! - I have to get Keller.
- Keller? - He was hit.
- What are you talking about? I must have stepped on a mine.
Liam.
My legs.
When did this happen? SI War.
Battle of Kashmir.
Liam, you were never in the SI War.
Don't you see? Those were someone else's memories.
I was reliving someone else's life.
- That's not possible.
- Why not? So, you think they're selling people's memories on the black market? That there's a real-life war movie recorded on this? There is.
I was in it.
Sandoval's got to be stopped.
Well, good luck pinning it on him.
He's an FBI agent and a Companion Protector, he's fireproof.
Maybe we can get to him through his candy man, Gavin Frost.
Get me Liam Kincaid.
Run this manifests, will you? Something has to connect all these requisitions for parts.
The correlation appears to be in the authorization code.
The shipments are from different warehouses and the parties went to different salons.
But each was requisitioned by a clerk named Sanchez.
Then I think I'll have a little chat with Sanchez.
Talk to me about MNEME, Da'an.
It is Zo'or's project now, the opening has been postponed.
Not that, the technology.
You conceived it, you had to know.
Know what, Liam? People are using the MNEME to experience other people's memories.
I suppose it would be possible.
The interface Possible? It's obscene.
I do not understand.
Living inside someone else's mind, eavesdropping on their most painful, most personal experiences? You can't just share a memory.
It's sacred.
Your passion in this area surprises me.
I thought humans desired a deep understanding of their fellows.
To evolve towards unity.
The Commonality We don't want your Commonality.
We want our individuality.
You are ashamed of the manner in which you have lived your life? Of course not.
Then why would you fear sharing your experiences? It's like saying only criminals should fear a police state.
Privacy is privacy.
It's absolute.
When you have lived as long as I have, Liam, you will understand, that there are no absolutes.
If I may speak plainly, Your intransigence is disconcerting.
Intransigence is my stocking trait, Zo'or.
My only desire is to make you a friend, Mayor Dubois.
For instance, you told a national viewing audience that you were reliving a baseball game.
As your friend, I know what you were really reliving.
Publicly, you embrace family values.
Privately you embrace teenage prostitutes.
I find the contrast fascinating.
You set me up! I was right about you sexless freaks the whole time.
You're gonna blackmail the Senate, and the U.
N.
, too? My intention was only to understand your kind.
That you are species of liars and cheats.
It's convenient.
So, what do I have to do to make that recording go away? No doubt Zo'or has some suggestions.
So, this is what you have done with my project.
Very impressive.
- Ray, I handpicked you for this job.
- I heard.
Outbid MicroDisney, outbid TCIBM.
Why to screw me? What are you talking about? I'm talking about a MNEME machine that's been adapted to replay other people's memories.
Theoretically, that could be done, but Oh, this isn't theory, Ray, it's fact.
I've seen it.
Black market machines dispensing stolen memories.
And you think I'm involved? Renee, I would never compromise this project.
I talked to your friend in shipping.
Sanchez? She gave you up in a minute and a half.
Dummy corporations are a great dodge, but You should pay your flunkeys better.
Oh, well, I guess that big promotion is out of the question.
That's very funny, Ray.
They'll love you in prison.
You're gonna have me arrested? A few electronic scribbles, the words of an illegal immigrant from Bolivia? Please.
Personally, I doubt you can even have me terminated.
I have a contract.
Didn't you just say you outbid MicroDisney? I don't give a damn about your contract.
You're out of here.
Remember when you played guinea pig for the MNEME? We got great coverage on it as I recall.
And it's all right here.
Fire me? You can't even stop me.
Augur, get that, will you? I can't, you'll have to get it.
You look like hell.
Nice to see you, too.
How long Suriyama have been there? About 20 minutes, he's gotta be gathering his stash of memory disks.
Or destroying them.
Let's go.
Sensory overloaded fried his brain.
Dramatic way to die.
I'm afraid your Mr.
Suriyama had his own agenda for the MNEME, Ms.
Palmer.
I've had him under surveillance for some time.
I wonder what was powerful enough to kill him.
Major.
Take care of Ms.
Palmer.
He killed him.
Prove it.
We'll never connect Sandoval to the bootlegs, Renee.
So, he just gets away with it.
At least, he's shut down.
No one else gets their brain fried, no one else gets their memories stolen.
Well, that's something.
- But not enough.
- No, not enough.
Well, I'll take care of things here.
Good, there's something I need to do.
Da'an has been unusually tractable lately.
And his concept is proving more useful than he realized.
Yes, it's always good to know where the bodies are buried.
On a simplistic level that is correct.
We can coerce you to our will, but it's time-consuming and graceless.
We can bioengineer you, but that's only partially effective.
The only way to enforce humanity's subjugation to the Taelon agenda is to win your hearts and minds.
I cannot win the hearts and minds of your race until I know them.
Renee Palmer.
Show me your fears.
Lieutenant McKee? Do I know you? No, sir.
Major Liam Kincaid, sir.
I think I have that backwards, sir.
No.
I, uh Heard about what you did in the war.
I'll never know what that must have felt like.
I was wondering did the kid make it okay? Private Keller? Yeah, they got him out alright.
No thanks to me, I say, but he says different.
He has named his firstborn after me.
I like that.
She doesn't.
My name's Hamish.
So, what brings you by, Major? I wanted to give you this.
What is this, some kind of new medal? Sort of.
It belongs to you.
Axarion