The Lost World (1999) s03e10 Episode Script
Brothers in Arms
Why do I always feel like I'm looking in the wrong direction? The wind is gone.
That's it for today.
I'm beginning to think Veronica will return to us on foot.
She helped me construct that balloon.
Although it will be difficult to fly without hydrogen gas, I'm sure she'll find a way to convert it to hot air.
Attention Harrod shoppers.
There's a sale on new shirts today.
Yes, and ore samples galore from that new Zanga copper mine.
- Challenger! - Malone! They left a note.
Hope the trading trip went well.
Don't tell me.
Gone to the eastern clearing.
Can you blame Malone? All he does these days is watch the skies for Veronica.
Well, surely we owe her that much, Without Veronica's tree house and her parents' supplies, why we'd we'd be wearing raptor skins, living in caves, and conversing with grunts.
What makes you think that's not how you boys communicate now? You know, flying observation balloons in the world was a lot like this.
Waiting and watching for hours, days, followed by 5 minutes of sheer terror when the bombardments began.
Well that's war for you, whether it's by land, sea, or air.
You know, that's something we've never talked about.
What did you do during the Great War? I tried to join the Navy.
But the Admiralty felt I'd be more valuable pursuing scientific advancements.
Bound as I am by the Official Secrets Act, I can't tell you any more.
What about Roxton? Did he ever tell you what he did in the war? In fairness to Roxton, I think that's a question for him, don't you? I get the feeling he doesn't want to talk about it at least not to me.
Well, I think even you may have had experiences during the war that you don't want to talk about.
It's a blow dart! Where did that come from? There! Malone! - Gunshot! - Someone is in trouble! - Take cover! - Good idea.
that must be the poison.
Keep down! Keep down! Whatever you say, Sergeant.
Get up, Malone! Make for the trees.
Whatever you say, Sergeant.
Got to get to the trench! Trench? Come on you two, move! move! No! no! Get over there.
Go, go, go! No! NO! At the dawn of the last century A band of explorers searched for a prehistoric world Driven by ambition Secret desires A thirst for adventure And seeking the ultimate story They are befriended by an untamed beauty Stranded in a strange and savage land Each day is a desperate search for a way out of the Lost World Snap out of it, lad! lad? - Are you with us? - Sergeant.
- That's better.
- What happens now? It's too soon to tell, lad.
Morning, sergeant Haskell! lovely day for a picnic! That's enough out of you.
what did you see? Enemy patrol, broken through the line, maybe 20 to 25 in all.
Should be a walk in the park! we're not here as soldiers today we're here as nannies for the journalists.
We'll pull back and let the artillery take care of the patrol.
Did you hear that, lad? we're pulling back to command.
Up you get, lad! What about this man? we can't just leave him! You wanted to see some action, so welcome to it.
The burial teams will take care of the private.
let's go.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
The sergeant says I've got to go.
- Come on! - Malone? What is it, John? - Something moving in those trees.
- Raptors? No, raptors would make more noise.
- Ah, gotcha! - What? Who? Do you think that's who Challenger and Malone ran into? I certainly hope not, I don't like the looks of those blow pipes! Sergeant Haskell! I didn't hear you! I didn't hear you! Sounds like some of our lads have run into that enemy patrol - Shouldn't we help them? - There's no turning back now, lad.
You're in it now, up to your neck, just like you wanted.
Just keep telling yourself, it's a lovely day for a picnic.
Eventually you'll believe it.
- Challenger! - Malone! Keep walking, eyes front.
I thought we scared off whoever was watching us.
We are not so lucky.
At least two to the right, one to the left.
Likely more.
What are they waiting for? An invitation to tea? I wish! We'll just have to work out a way to discourage our new found friends.
My thoughts exactly.
I'll go ahead, you fall back, Whoever is watching us will have to split their attack and we'll set up a crossfire.
Why, Marguerite! I am impressed.
Two years on the plateau have certainly honed your tactical skills! The plateau has got nothing to do with it.
When I was a child running off in two directions was how my friends and I evaded the gendarmes in Paris.
Why, may I ask, were you running from the police in Paris? Because I didn't want them to catch me.
Three to the right, one to the left? Likely more, I said.
So much for establishing a crossfire.
Oh, this isn't good.
Alkaloid concentrate.
First it knocks you out and then it kills you.
Maybe we can make them sit on their own darts.
Poetic justice.
Unfortunately, that wouldn't do any good.
Killers that hunt with this kind of poison carry an antidote in case of accidental exposure.
So much for my wishful thinking.
So, what other tactics did you use to avoid the Parisian police? Bribes were effective.
What? Outrunning the police, offering bribes! What on earth were you doing in Paris! I was trying to survive.
Which is what we should be doing right now.
In case you hadn't noticed, they're surrounding us.
All right.
I'll hold them here.
You go through the jungle.
I'm not leaving you behind.
Staged withdrawal, Marguerite.
I'll cover you and you cover me.
If we both make a run for it we'll end up with darts in our backs.
- I'll see you in the clearing? - Of course.
Move, move! Let's down.
Stay low! Wouldn't we be safer in the trenches? We'd be safer back in Brighton beach Just for that, private, you take the advance.
See ya around, yank.
Remember to spell my name right.
There's a sniper out there! How's the weather, Rutherford? Should have brought my brolly, sergeant! Brolly.
That's an umbrella to you, yank.
I know.
Private Jones, give Rutherford a hand, would ya? But there's a sniper out there! Who will surely kill us, unless we kill him first.
Here's your brolly, Rutherford! Clear! Come on, lad, now it's safer in the trench.
Come on, go.
- You could have been killed! - Isn't that what you're here for? Think of the stories you could have written, the newspapers you could have sold.
And we spoiled it for you, by not having our heads shot off.
- I believe we owe you an apology.
- That's enough.
We've still got a few miles to go before we reach command.
Now are you sure you're going to bear up? I'll be fine.
None of us is fine, lad, pay attention.
Now we need to find a place to rest.
Jones, it's your turn to scout about.
check it out like a good lad.
If you see any frauleins, tell them not to settle for you.
Cause I'm worth waiting for! Get stuff I'm not doing this to sell newspapers.
Then why are you here? You slippery little devils have finally come to your senses! Only one winner when blow darts go up against my Webley 45s.
That's close enough! John! I gave you fair warning.
Well, come on! I'm ready for you! NO! Come back here! I haven't finished with you yet! Oh, thank God! You'd better be right about them always carrying the antidote.
All right? - Looks clear! - Good! Not the day you had in mind, is it? What do you mean? As I recall we were to give you a tour of these old trenches where the front used to be.
I was given strict orders to keep you away from the front.
but the front came to you! I guess war never turns out the way it is supposed to.
Nothing does, lad.
The sooner we realize that, the more bearable life is.
Mortar! That's all right, lad.
We're all afraid.
Accept it.
- Use it.
- I'm not afraid just startled.
I'll take over for a while.
The sergeant giving you a hard time, is he, yank? - Not really.
- Pity.
He's been giving me a hard time the last two years.
Thanks to him, I'm still alive.
You want a good story, yank, write about the sergeant.
Sergeant, the trench cuts close to the forest about a thousand yards along.
The trees should be safer cover.
Oh, good, of this sun is ruining my complexion.
Rutherford! your turn! Unless you'd rather to give it a try? on the spot research for whatever you're writing? I've never fired a gun.
Lucky you, yank.
Private Rutherford! Right you are, sergeant.
Let me just Down! Rutherford! Lad! He took my place! The enemy knows we're here.
Their mortars have our range.
We must move on.
We must move on.
Lad! Please let this be all right, That's it, my love! What did you just say, Marguerite? Nothing, Nothing.
You must have been dreaming.
- Blow darts? - Two.
Definitely poisonous.
Well, you must have been paying attention when I told you about the antidote.
Well, occasionally you do say something worth listening to.
I could say the same thing about you.
John, what if Challenger and Malone were hit by those darts? Then we don't have much time.
Here.
Artillery has stopped, that's a good sign.
Unless it means the place is crawling with enemy soldiers, and they don't want to hit their own.
You go to school to become a journalist? Columbia.
New York.
So what would your finely educated mind suggest we do? Should we take our chances in the trenches? or would that forest be a safer bet? Well, in the trenches we can't see who's coming for us.
At least with the trees for cover, we can see all directions.
Exactly.
Right.
Good to have you on the team, lad! I'll take the advance! What was Rutherford's first name? Don't know, don't know your name either, yank.
Don't intend to find out.
Makes it easier to forget when you're gone.
Maybe that's why I'm here, so people won't forget.
People always forget war, that's why we have so many of them.
I won't let them forget this one.
Who are you to tell people what to remember? You've never even fired a gun! Never looked a man in the eye after he's just killed your best friend in the foxhole right beside you.
All this war is to you is research for some book you're going to write someday.
I don't need to know your name, yank, because I already know exactly who you are! I finally got one.
Get out of here, yank! my knee's shot, this is as far as I go.
So leave! now! If you're so keen to die, yank, I can save the enemy the trouble! My name is Ned Malone! You're my job, yank.
This whole bloody war is my job! So go! Tell Haskell to send the medics for me when you get to command.
Jones? Enemy soldier in the trench, he made me leave! You did the right thing.
But he died.
For what? So that you could live! Now you're going to pull yourself together and you're going to give these soldiers the respect that they are due! How? By living your life as if it means something! Now we are going deep into that forest.
We're going to find a safe place to wait until our lads drive off that enemy patrol.
Step lively! And take the safety off! Watch your step, lad, seems we've got company.
Looks like a courier! His plane must have been shot down and his parachute failed bad luck for him good news for us.
I can't make out much of it, but these are troop movement orders dated for three days from now! They are planning a new offensive and these orders tell us when and where.
Looks like we won't be finding a place to wait after all.
These documents could save hundreds of lives, possibly thousands.
Well, Rutherford and Jones would like that.
- Did you hear something? - No.
Let's go.
Get down man.
Get down, get in the cavern man.
What do I do? What do I do? Sharpshooter? And he's moving closer, Never fired a gun before, have you? - How's your arm? - A mills bomb? Wait for him to reload again, pull the igniter pin.
Four seconds.
Four seconds.
Outstanding pitch! England could have made a damn fine cricket player out of you.
The U.
S.
beat you to it.
I'm already a damn fine baseball player.
You can circle past them.
I'm not leaving you here for them to find! You're only endangering yourself! But I'm saving you, get up! It's all right, sergeant.
We'll be safe in here.
Roxton! Challenger and Malone made it this far.
Or at least Challenger did Marguerite! He's still breathing.
Careful, careful! Two darts Same as yours.
We're in time.
He should be all right.
Come on, old boy! Ipso facto, Summerlee.
You.
Summerlee? Summerlee's not here, George.
Do you know where you are? - The plateau.
- Where all roads lead, I was having this most vivid dream.
I I was debating the existence of dinosaurs with Summerlee at a London Zoological Society.
Ignorant buggers! - It wasn't a pleasant experience! - That debate was years ago, my friend.
This morning you were with Malone.
Do you remember that? Yes! We were looking for Veronica.
On our way back to the tree house, we were attacked! There were poison darts.
So join the club.
Fortunately, Florence Nightingale here mixed up the antidote.
So quickly? - Courtesy of our attackers.
- Oh, yes, of course.
Those who hunt with poison would have an antidote.
Have you administered some to Malone? Malone was hit? Oh yes! In the chest very close to the heart.
Well, without the antidote, even the smallest amount of poison will surely kill him by sunset! You won't stop the bleeding, man.
You need a doctor.
Too few, too far.
Those soldiers you saw in the woods? They'll find this bunker sooner than you think.
What you need to do is take these papers back to command so our lads are ready for the enemy advance.
We'll take them back to command together! I gave you an order, soldier! I'm a civilian.
Remember? That's right.
I was supposed to protect you and you're the one who nullified that sharpshooter.
I didn't nullify anything, I killed another human being.
That wasn't human, lad.
That was the enemy.
Don't confuse the two.
Maybe if we kept reminding ourselves that the enemy are people just as we are, there would be no more war! That's a fine and noble sentiment, and the only reason you can think that is because Jones and Rutherford and thousands of young men just like them died to give you that freedom! I appreciate their sacrifice.
I know they did what they had to do.
But this is the twentieth century! the time for war has passed! Not for you it seems.
You took that grenade and deliberately killed that sniper before he could kill you! No! That's different! You killed to save yourself and me, that's war, lad.
That's not different at all! Malone has definitely passed through this way.
Any idea who's been attacking us, Challenger? They're nomadic raiders, who steal from one tribe to trade with another.
The Keeran I believe they are called.
Veronica mentioned them once, but I don't remember any details.
Veronica would more than likely know everything about them.
Yes.
Quite revealing how we've come to rely on her for information about this place.
I miss her too.
Someone's there! Listen, listen carefully! if it's the enemy, they'll come at us from all sides, forming lines of oblique fire from there and over there.
Take a look.
It is the enemy! where do we hide? We don't.
We're on the front lines now.
You cover that side.
We'll form a crossfire.
This will be our killing ground.
Not the terms you're used to, is it? You'll be fine.
Whatever happens, this has to get to command.
Tell me you understand.
I understand.
Tell me you'll leave me behind.
How can I be worth your life? the lives of Rutherford and Jones? That's up to you Malone.
We've done our job.
Now you do yours.
You called me Malone.
I don't plan on forgetting you.
Malone! The roof! The roof! Damnit! Odd how Malone's trail is weaving all over the damn place, The poison in the dart is clearly taking its toll.
That's what I don't understand.
Those two darts knocked me right out.
You too, George.
Malone's exposure to it was briefer.
If the poison made you dream about an old debate in London.
What if it's had the same effect on Malone? Dreaming about the past, and yet capable of moving about in the present.
What you're proposing is that he's in the throes of a hypnotic hallucination, one that place between a state of wakefulness and sleep.
By all reports, such hypnotic drug reactions are indistinguishable from reality.
It's a very unique theory you're proposing, Marguerite.
What's Malone going to relieve, I wonder? A racy Christmas party in Chicago? Or the thrill of a college fraternity scavenger hunt perhaps? As a matter of fact, he and I were talking about our experiences during the Great War this morning.
Come on, George.
From what I understand, he's a wet-behind-the-ears reporter.
Or green as.
Who rode around in observation balloons, well out of harm's way.
No.
From what he said, something else happened to him.
Oh yes.
I'm sure of it.
- Was that a - A gunshot.
And not a long way off, From over there! Malone! I won't forget you either any of you, It's time to do my job.
Now, you're going to help me.
- Where's that coming from? - Over there.
We'd better hurry.
Malone can't last much longer without the antidote.
I didn't start this war, but I swear, I'm going to finish it! - Malone! - Malone! Where are you? Only one of us gets out of here, and it's not going to be you! - Malone! - Malone! I hear something in those rocks.
- Malone? - Or more raiders.
Where's there's one, there's always more maybe a whole enemy patrol.
but this time, I'm ready for you! We found you in time.
You led us on a merry old chase indeed.
I'll bet you could use a drink about now.
You lousy murderers! I'll make you pay! I'll make you all pay! They were only trying to help me! You were right, He is hallucinating.
- Malone.
- Roxton, be careful! He doesn't know where he is or what he's doing.
I'll kill you too! Where are you, Malone? Do you know where you are, Ned? Where are you right now? I don't know! I'm lost, I have to get back to command.
I am with command.
I'm Major Lord John Roxton.
Do you know me? No no, I'm just a correspondent.
But I have to report! The enemy is planning a major offensive in three days! I found these papers! And then Rutherford died.
And then Jones.
Sergeant Haskell, he died too.
Everybody died, Major! They all died for me! Do you know what that feels like? Yes! Too well.
But I'm not worth it.
Those brave men thought you were And let no man say you're not! Marguerite! It all seemed so real.
The poison on those darts did have a very powerful effect.
As did those events you went through six long years ago.
So powerful I tried to suppress them.
When I think about it now, that's why I started reporting for the Balloon Observer Corps, to rise above the war.
Above the bullets and the stink, the terrible useless waste of it all.
That war is over.
And the documents you found did help the British to stop an offensive.
A single battle averted, in a war that continued for two more years, costing hundreds of thousands more lives and I survived.
We all played a part in that war, Malone.
We all survived.
Well, you're just sitting there like a lump.
What's your story? Ah, Malone may we have a word please, on the balcony? I think we should talk.
I'd like to tell you what I did in a war to end all wars.
It's long past the time those two had this talk, I believe they have a lot more in common, than they think.
So you've been there too.
They're not the only ones.
Malone! How about some coffee! I ground the beans myself, especially for you.
Malone! He's probably sleeping off the effects of that dart.
Or the port, Ned! A note.
I knew this was coming.
What was coming? What does it say? - He's left us, hasn't he? - What? Left us? To go where?! Why? To find what he's looking for, A way home? That's all any of us have been looking for, for the past two and a half years.
Not Malone.
I swear! If this exodus doesn't stop, I'll be the only one here! Marguerite, this isn't going to last forever, When the time is right, he'll come back.
My friends, I don't want to upset you.
Get to the point, Malone! I treasure your friendship blah, blah, blah Veronica.
Here we go.
All my life I've looked for answers in other people's stories, their experiences, their thoughts, what they learned Somehow, I never looked for those answers in myself.
But the soldiers I met in the war, they knew what I didn't, that we can only face death if we know what it means to be alive.
The strangest thing is, I think the plateau is like our lives.
We've been spending all our time trying to get home, without realizing that no matter where we find ourselves, the point of our lives might just be the journey, not the destination.
Whatever the answers that await me, today is the day my journey, my story, truly begins.
*
That's it for today.
I'm beginning to think Veronica will return to us on foot.
She helped me construct that balloon.
Although it will be difficult to fly without hydrogen gas, I'm sure she'll find a way to convert it to hot air.
Attention Harrod shoppers.
There's a sale on new shirts today.
Yes, and ore samples galore from that new Zanga copper mine.
- Challenger! - Malone! They left a note.
Hope the trading trip went well.
Don't tell me.
Gone to the eastern clearing.
Can you blame Malone? All he does these days is watch the skies for Veronica.
Well, surely we owe her that much, Without Veronica's tree house and her parents' supplies, why we'd we'd be wearing raptor skins, living in caves, and conversing with grunts.
What makes you think that's not how you boys communicate now? You know, flying observation balloons in the world was a lot like this.
Waiting and watching for hours, days, followed by 5 minutes of sheer terror when the bombardments began.
Well that's war for you, whether it's by land, sea, or air.
You know, that's something we've never talked about.
What did you do during the Great War? I tried to join the Navy.
But the Admiralty felt I'd be more valuable pursuing scientific advancements.
Bound as I am by the Official Secrets Act, I can't tell you any more.
What about Roxton? Did he ever tell you what he did in the war? In fairness to Roxton, I think that's a question for him, don't you? I get the feeling he doesn't want to talk about it at least not to me.
Well, I think even you may have had experiences during the war that you don't want to talk about.
It's a blow dart! Where did that come from? There! Malone! - Gunshot! - Someone is in trouble! - Take cover! - Good idea.
that must be the poison.
Keep down! Keep down! Whatever you say, Sergeant.
Get up, Malone! Make for the trees.
Whatever you say, Sergeant.
Got to get to the trench! Trench? Come on you two, move! move! No! no! Get over there.
Go, go, go! No! NO! At the dawn of the last century A band of explorers searched for a prehistoric world Driven by ambition Secret desires A thirst for adventure And seeking the ultimate story They are befriended by an untamed beauty Stranded in a strange and savage land Each day is a desperate search for a way out of the Lost World Snap out of it, lad! lad? - Are you with us? - Sergeant.
- That's better.
- What happens now? It's too soon to tell, lad.
Morning, sergeant Haskell! lovely day for a picnic! That's enough out of you.
what did you see? Enemy patrol, broken through the line, maybe 20 to 25 in all.
Should be a walk in the park! we're not here as soldiers today we're here as nannies for the journalists.
We'll pull back and let the artillery take care of the patrol.
Did you hear that, lad? we're pulling back to command.
Up you get, lad! What about this man? we can't just leave him! You wanted to see some action, so welcome to it.
The burial teams will take care of the private.
let's go.
I'm sorry.
Sorry.
The sergeant says I've got to go.
- Come on! - Malone? What is it, John? - Something moving in those trees.
- Raptors? No, raptors would make more noise.
- Ah, gotcha! - What? Who? Do you think that's who Challenger and Malone ran into? I certainly hope not, I don't like the looks of those blow pipes! Sergeant Haskell! I didn't hear you! I didn't hear you! Sounds like some of our lads have run into that enemy patrol - Shouldn't we help them? - There's no turning back now, lad.
You're in it now, up to your neck, just like you wanted.
Just keep telling yourself, it's a lovely day for a picnic.
Eventually you'll believe it.
- Challenger! - Malone! Keep walking, eyes front.
I thought we scared off whoever was watching us.
We are not so lucky.
At least two to the right, one to the left.
Likely more.
What are they waiting for? An invitation to tea? I wish! We'll just have to work out a way to discourage our new found friends.
My thoughts exactly.
I'll go ahead, you fall back, Whoever is watching us will have to split their attack and we'll set up a crossfire.
Why, Marguerite! I am impressed.
Two years on the plateau have certainly honed your tactical skills! The plateau has got nothing to do with it.
When I was a child running off in two directions was how my friends and I evaded the gendarmes in Paris.
Why, may I ask, were you running from the police in Paris? Because I didn't want them to catch me.
Three to the right, one to the left? Likely more, I said.
So much for establishing a crossfire.
Oh, this isn't good.
Alkaloid concentrate.
First it knocks you out and then it kills you.
Maybe we can make them sit on their own darts.
Poetic justice.
Unfortunately, that wouldn't do any good.
Killers that hunt with this kind of poison carry an antidote in case of accidental exposure.
So much for my wishful thinking.
So, what other tactics did you use to avoid the Parisian police? Bribes were effective.
What? Outrunning the police, offering bribes! What on earth were you doing in Paris! I was trying to survive.
Which is what we should be doing right now.
In case you hadn't noticed, they're surrounding us.
All right.
I'll hold them here.
You go through the jungle.
I'm not leaving you behind.
Staged withdrawal, Marguerite.
I'll cover you and you cover me.
If we both make a run for it we'll end up with darts in our backs.
- I'll see you in the clearing? - Of course.
Move, move! Let's down.
Stay low! Wouldn't we be safer in the trenches? We'd be safer back in Brighton beach Just for that, private, you take the advance.
See ya around, yank.
Remember to spell my name right.
There's a sniper out there! How's the weather, Rutherford? Should have brought my brolly, sergeant! Brolly.
That's an umbrella to you, yank.
I know.
Private Jones, give Rutherford a hand, would ya? But there's a sniper out there! Who will surely kill us, unless we kill him first.
Here's your brolly, Rutherford! Clear! Come on, lad, now it's safer in the trench.
Come on, go.
- You could have been killed! - Isn't that what you're here for? Think of the stories you could have written, the newspapers you could have sold.
And we spoiled it for you, by not having our heads shot off.
- I believe we owe you an apology.
- That's enough.
We've still got a few miles to go before we reach command.
Now are you sure you're going to bear up? I'll be fine.
None of us is fine, lad, pay attention.
Now we need to find a place to rest.
Jones, it's your turn to scout about.
check it out like a good lad.
If you see any frauleins, tell them not to settle for you.
Cause I'm worth waiting for! Get stuff I'm not doing this to sell newspapers.
Then why are you here? You slippery little devils have finally come to your senses! Only one winner when blow darts go up against my Webley 45s.
That's close enough! John! I gave you fair warning.
Well, come on! I'm ready for you! NO! Come back here! I haven't finished with you yet! Oh, thank God! You'd better be right about them always carrying the antidote.
All right? - Looks clear! - Good! Not the day you had in mind, is it? What do you mean? As I recall we were to give you a tour of these old trenches where the front used to be.
I was given strict orders to keep you away from the front.
but the front came to you! I guess war never turns out the way it is supposed to.
Nothing does, lad.
The sooner we realize that, the more bearable life is.
Mortar! That's all right, lad.
We're all afraid.
Accept it.
- Use it.
- I'm not afraid just startled.
I'll take over for a while.
The sergeant giving you a hard time, is he, yank? - Not really.
- Pity.
He's been giving me a hard time the last two years.
Thanks to him, I'm still alive.
You want a good story, yank, write about the sergeant.
Sergeant, the trench cuts close to the forest about a thousand yards along.
The trees should be safer cover.
Oh, good, of this sun is ruining my complexion.
Rutherford! your turn! Unless you'd rather to give it a try? on the spot research for whatever you're writing? I've never fired a gun.
Lucky you, yank.
Private Rutherford! Right you are, sergeant.
Let me just Down! Rutherford! Lad! He took my place! The enemy knows we're here.
Their mortars have our range.
We must move on.
We must move on.
Lad! Please let this be all right, That's it, my love! What did you just say, Marguerite? Nothing, Nothing.
You must have been dreaming.
- Blow darts? - Two.
Definitely poisonous.
Well, you must have been paying attention when I told you about the antidote.
Well, occasionally you do say something worth listening to.
I could say the same thing about you.
John, what if Challenger and Malone were hit by those darts? Then we don't have much time.
Here.
Artillery has stopped, that's a good sign.
Unless it means the place is crawling with enemy soldiers, and they don't want to hit their own.
You go to school to become a journalist? Columbia.
New York.
So what would your finely educated mind suggest we do? Should we take our chances in the trenches? or would that forest be a safer bet? Well, in the trenches we can't see who's coming for us.
At least with the trees for cover, we can see all directions.
Exactly.
Right.
Good to have you on the team, lad! I'll take the advance! What was Rutherford's first name? Don't know, don't know your name either, yank.
Don't intend to find out.
Makes it easier to forget when you're gone.
Maybe that's why I'm here, so people won't forget.
People always forget war, that's why we have so many of them.
I won't let them forget this one.
Who are you to tell people what to remember? You've never even fired a gun! Never looked a man in the eye after he's just killed your best friend in the foxhole right beside you.
All this war is to you is research for some book you're going to write someday.
I don't need to know your name, yank, because I already know exactly who you are! I finally got one.
Get out of here, yank! my knee's shot, this is as far as I go.
So leave! now! If you're so keen to die, yank, I can save the enemy the trouble! My name is Ned Malone! You're my job, yank.
This whole bloody war is my job! So go! Tell Haskell to send the medics for me when you get to command.
Jones? Enemy soldier in the trench, he made me leave! You did the right thing.
But he died.
For what? So that you could live! Now you're going to pull yourself together and you're going to give these soldiers the respect that they are due! How? By living your life as if it means something! Now we are going deep into that forest.
We're going to find a safe place to wait until our lads drive off that enemy patrol.
Step lively! And take the safety off! Watch your step, lad, seems we've got company.
Looks like a courier! His plane must have been shot down and his parachute failed bad luck for him good news for us.
I can't make out much of it, but these are troop movement orders dated for three days from now! They are planning a new offensive and these orders tell us when and where.
Looks like we won't be finding a place to wait after all.
These documents could save hundreds of lives, possibly thousands.
Well, Rutherford and Jones would like that.
- Did you hear something? - No.
Let's go.
Get down man.
Get down, get in the cavern man.
What do I do? What do I do? Sharpshooter? And he's moving closer, Never fired a gun before, have you? - How's your arm? - A mills bomb? Wait for him to reload again, pull the igniter pin.
Four seconds.
Four seconds.
Outstanding pitch! England could have made a damn fine cricket player out of you.
The U.
S.
beat you to it.
I'm already a damn fine baseball player.
You can circle past them.
I'm not leaving you here for them to find! You're only endangering yourself! But I'm saving you, get up! It's all right, sergeant.
We'll be safe in here.
Roxton! Challenger and Malone made it this far.
Or at least Challenger did Marguerite! He's still breathing.
Careful, careful! Two darts Same as yours.
We're in time.
He should be all right.
Come on, old boy! Ipso facto, Summerlee.
You.
Summerlee? Summerlee's not here, George.
Do you know where you are? - The plateau.
- Where all roads lead, I was having this most vivid dream.
I I was debating the existence of dinosaurs with Summerlee at a London Zoological Society.
Ignorant buggers! - It wasn't a pleasant experience! - That debate was years ago, my friend.
This morning you were with Malone.
Do you remember that? Yes! We were looking for Veronica.
On our way back to the tree house, we were attacked! There were poison darts.
So join the club.
Fortunately, Florence Nightingale here mixed up the antidote.
So quickly? - Courtesy of our attackers.
- Oh, yes, of course.
Those who hunt with poison would have an antidote.
Have you administered some to Malone? Malone was hit? Oh yes! In the chest very close to the heart.
Well, without the antidote, even the smallest amount of poison will surely kill him by sunset! You won't stop the bleeding, man.
You need a doctor.
Too few, too far.
Those soldiers you saw in the woods? They'll find this bunker sooner than you think.
What you need to do is take these papers back to command so our lads are ready for the enemy advance.
We'll take them back to command together! I gave you an order, soldier! I'm a civilian.
Remember? That's right.
I was supposed to protect you and you're the one who nullified that sharpshooter.
I didn't nullify anything, I killed another human being.
That wasn't human, lad.
That was the enemy.
Don't confuse the two.
Maybe if we kept reminding ourselves that the enemy are people just as we are, there would be no more war! That's a fine and noble sentiment, and the only reason you can think that is because Jones and Rutherford and thousands of young men just like them died to give you that freedom! I appreciate their sacrifice.
I know they did what they had to do.
But this is the twentieth century! the time for war has passed! Not for you it seems.
You took that grenade and deliberately killed that sniper before he could kill you! No! That's different! You killed to save yourself and me, that's war, lad.
That's not different at all! Malone has definitely passed through this way.
Any idea who's been attacking us, Challenger? They're nomadic raiders, who steal from one tribe to trade with another.
The Keeran I believe they are called.
Veronica mentioned them once, but I don't remember any details.
Veronica would more than likely know everything about them.
Yes.
Quite revealing how we've come to rely on her for information about this place.
I miss her too.
Someone's there! Listen, listen carefully! if it's the enemy, they'll come at us from all sides, forming lines of oblique fire from there and over there.
Take a look.
It is the enemy! where do we hide? We don't.
We're on the front lines now.
You cover that side.
We'll form a crossfire.
This will be our killing ground.
Not the terms you're used to, is it? You'll be fine.
Whatever happens, this has to get to command.
Tell me you understand.
I understand.
Tell me you'll leave me behind.
How can I be worth your life? the lives of Rutherford and Jones? That's up to you Malone.
We've done our job.
Now you do yours.
You called me Malone.
I don't plan on forgetting you.
Malone! The roof! The roof! Damnit! Odd how Malone's trail is weaving all over the damn place, The poison in the dart is clearly taking its toll.
That's what I don't understand.
Those two darts knocked me right out.
You too, George.
Malone's exposure to it was briefer.
If the poison made you dream about an old debate in London.
What if it's had the same effect on Malone? Dreaming about the past, and yet capable of moving about in the present.
What you're proposing is that he's in the throes of a hypnotic hallucination, one that place between a state of wakefulness and sleep.
By all reports, such hypnotic drug reactions are indistinguishable from reality.
It's a very unique theory you're proposing, Marguerite.
What's Malone going to relieve, I wonder? A racy Christmas party in Chicago? Or the thrill of a college fraternity scavenger hunt perhaps? As a matter of fact, he and I were talking about our experiences during the Great War this morning.
Come on, George.
From what I understand, he's a wet-behind-the-ears reporter.
Or green as.
Who rode around in observation balloons, well out of harm's way.
No.
From what he said, something else happened to him.
Oh yes.
I'm sure of it.
- Was that a - A gunshot.
And not a long way off, From over there! Malone! I won't forget you either any of you, It's time to do my job.
Now, you're going to help me.
- Where's that coming from? - Over there.
We'd better hurry.
Malone can't last much longer without the antidote.
I didn't start this war, but I swear, I'm going to finish it! - Malone! - Malone! Where are you? Only one of us gets out of here, and it's not going to be you! - Malone! - Malone! I hear something in those rocks.
- Malone? - Or more raiders.
Where's there's one, there's always more maybe a whole enemy patrol.
but this time, I'm ready for you! We found you in time.
You led us on a merry old chase indeed.
I'll bet you could use a drink about now.
You lousy murderers! I'll make you pay! I'll make you all pay! They were only trying to help me! You were right, He is hallucinating.
- Malone.
- Roxton, be careful! He doesn't know where he is or what he's doing.
I'll kill you too! Where are you, Malone? Do you know where you are, Ned? Where are you right now? I don't know! I'm lost, I have to get back to command.
I am with command.
I'm Major Lord John Roxton.
Do you know me? No no, I'm just a correspondent.
But I have to report! The enemy is planning a major offensive in three days! I found these papers! And then Rutherford died.
And then Jones.
Sergeant Haskell, he died too.
Everybody died, Major! They all died for me! Do you know what that feels like? Yes! Too well.
But I'm not worth it.
Those brave men thought you were And let no man say you're not! Marguerite! It all seemed so real.
The poison on those darts did have a very powerful effect.
As did those events you went through six long years ago.
So powerful I tried to suppress them.
When I think about it now, that's why I started reporting for the Balloon Observer Corps, to rise above the war.
Above the bullets and the stink, the terrible useless waste of it all.
That war is over.
And the documents you found did help the British to stop an offensive.
A single battle averted, in a war that continued for two more years, costing hundreds of thousands more lives and I survived.
We all played a part in that war, Malone.
We all survived.
Well, you're just sitting there like a lump.
What's your story? Ah, Malone may we have a word please, on the balcony? I think we should talk.
I'd like to tell you what I did in a war to end all wars.
It's long past the time those two had this talk, I believe they have a lot more in common, than they think.
So you've been there too.
They're not the only ones.
Malone! How about some coffee! I ground the beans myself, especially for you.
Malone! He's probably sleeping off the effects of that dart.
Or the port, Ned! A note.
I knew this was coming.
What was coming? What does it say? - He's left us, hasn't he? - What? Left us? To go where?! Why? To find what he's looking for, A way home? That's all any of us have been looking for, for the past two and a half years.
Not Malone.
I swear! If this exodus doesn't stop, I'll be the only one here! Marguerite, this isn't going to last forever, When the time is right, he'll come back.
My friends, I don't want to upset you.
Get to the point, Malone! I treasure your friendship blah, blah, blah Veronica.
Here we go.
All my life I've looked for answers in other people's stories, their experiences, their thoughts, what they learned Somehow, I never looked for those answers in myself.
But the soldiers I met in the war, they knew what I didn't, that we can only face death if we know what it means to be alive.
The strangest thing is, I think the plateau is like our lives.
We've been spending all our time trying to get home, without realizing that no matter where we find ourselves, the point of our lives might just be the journey, not the destination.
Whatever the answers that await me, today is the day my journey, my story, truly begins.
*