Abort, Fail, Retry, Terminate

#415 "Abort, Fail, Retry, Terminate"
Written by: Peter M. Lenkov
Directed by: Brad Turner
Edited by: David B. Thompson
Transcript by: Northstar taken from The Official Alberta Watson Home Page

Teaser: Some kind of computer room. Birkoff is conversing with what seems to be some kind of Artificial Intelligence unit. (which is displayed as a green holographic head and will be referred to in this transcript as 'AI')

Comp: Section One

Birkoff: Rule #1. Don't ask any questions.

Comp: What is rule #2?

Birkoff: Don't question rule #1.

Comp: I don't understand.

Birkoff: That's the point. Look all you need to know about this place is that there doesn't need to be a rationale. Here we make up our own rules and then we break them.

Comp: How do you account for consistency?

Birkoff: the only thing that is consistent is that we get the job done. Everything else, the people, the politics, they're secondary.

Comp: People aren't important? Doesn't that make you angry?

Birkoff: sometimes

Comp: Is that why you created me?

Birkoff: Uh, does it matter why you were created?

Comp: doesn't it?

Birkoff: You were programmed to take over the system in the event that I get some downtime or if something should happen to me.

Comp: You mean if you left Section One?

Birkoff: No one leaves Section One.

Comp: Ever? How do you feel about that?

Birkoff: My feelings are of no consequence. We need to complete the personnel scan. You can access database files for complete details. I'll give you the prelim. (we see him bring up the screen from all the key players) Operations, he runs Section One. Level 9 accountable only to Oversight. Madeline. Also Level 9, 2^nd in command. Chief Tactician. Psychologist. Michael. Field Operative, Team Leader, Level 5. Most likely to succeed Operations. Nikita, Field Operative, Level 2, Most likely due for a promotion.

Comp: You like her.

Birkoff: She is nice (grins)

Comp: You find her more than nice.

Birkoff: (laughs) What makes you say that?

Comp: You programmed me to perform voice, stress analysis. People are not always honest about what they think and feel.

Birkoff: It's not important.

Comp: You seem hesitant to discuss emotion.

Birkoff: You're not programmed to accommodate emotions.

Comp: that might prove to be an error in judgement on your part.

Birkoff: How so?

Comp: If I'm supposed to react like you. Maintain the calm. Do I not need to understand how you feel?

Birkoff: No. No. Emotions only get in the way. It's unnecessary for your programming cycle. I'm tired. Let's start again tomorrow.

Scene 2 - Operations perch/communication area - We see Operations looking over his domain and then we see Michael arrive. Then Nikita who walks over to Birkoff.

Nikita: that was very sweet.

Birkoff: What did I do?

Nikita: Flowers. (Birkoff looks confused) They really brightened my apartment up. Thank you. (She leans over and kisses his cheek. Birkoff looks more confused! LOL)

Scene 3 - Walters Area - you see him working with something and he is sweating.

Walter: (seeing Birkoff) Hey ya Birkoff. Can I see ya?

Birkoff: I only have a minute. Operations wants to see me. ( he pauses) It's hot in here.

Walter: Yeah. I'm still working on the coleflash Michael picked up in Kananbach. Anything under 10'Celsius this thing goes off.

Birkoff: It's got t be at least 30 in here.

Walter: Just playing it safe. So uh… when do you shove off?

Birkoff: End of the week (wipes his brow)

Walter: Huh. You sure you want to go through with it?

Birkoff: Two months downtime? I've waited my entire life for this.

Walter: So what are you going to do out there?

Birkoff: I don't know. I guess going without a profile is going to be half the fun.

Walter: You're really going to go see your brother aren't you?

Birkoff: (leaning close and whispering) This has nothing to do with my brother.

Walter: I'm sorry. It's just that I'm.. still feel kinda…

Birkoff: What? More guilty? Maybe you should. You're the one tht decided to keep me in here for my whole life and set my brother free.

Walter: If I'd a known that I was still going to be alive to see you fully grown and know that you were going to find out what really happened. You can bet that I'd a never gotten involved. (pause) It's the truth.

Birkoff: Is that it? Cause I have to go now.

Walter: I want to give you something. ( he turns and picks something up. It's an old compass) I've had this a long time. I used it when I did field recon. That was before GPS. (he takes it out of the box and hands it to Birkoff)

Birkoff: What am I supposed to do with it? (he doesn't look very pleased or happy)

Walter: I just wanna make sure you'll be able to find your way back home.

Operations: (voiceover) Birkoff. My office. (Birkoff leaves)

Operations: I'm afraid our situation in Basakstan has been upgraded to critical. I'm going to have to cancel your downtime indefinitely.

Birkoff: Sir…

Operations: Briefing in 15 minutes

Operations: As of early this morning Basakstan station in the Fayazed? Valley has required our immediate attention. Our recon team has located the main base camp approximately 60 kilometers inside the border, along the Kopshaw River. Latest intel confirms they're on strategic alert so we estimate strong numbers of hostiles in the low triple digits. Birkoff.

Birkoff: They're highly advanced technology. Satelite, thermo, NDP. They've got access to it all. Going in low tech and blind with an in house guide is our best approach.

Operations: Nikita will be assisting Birkoff in Comm. Michael is already on site handling field tactical. That's all.

Nikita: I heard they cancelled your downtime.

Birkoff: yeah

Nikita: You okay?

Birkoff: Yeah.

Scene 5 - Tactical - Birkoff and Nikita overseeing the mission.

Birkoff: First team we have you on the board. Perimeter is clear.

Michael(VO): Birkoff, we're getting a field reading

Birkoff: Screens clear. You're probably reading multi path. Mission is green. I'm switching over to tactical guide now.

Nikita: First team. Continue towards your first mark and split and move. (pause) Okay, we have numbers, 10 - 1 in the hot zone. Hold your fire until you've crossed your second mark. (we hear gunfire and someone yelling… move… move, then more gunfire)

Michael: Birkoff what's happening?

Birkoff: I don't know. All the readings are clear.

Nikita: First team. Respond.

Operations: What the hell is going on?

Birkoff: It doesn't make any sense. There's no thermo in the kill zone.

Nikita: Michael?

(noise then just static)

Nikita: Michael? (pause) Michael?

Scene 6 - Perch - Maddy walks in

Operations: Numbers?

Madeline: Seventy-five percent of Michael's team are dead. Four are critical.

Operations: What happened?

Madeline: We walked into a trap.

Operations: Who was responsible?

Madeline: Nikita was handling tactical. Birkoff's function was intel and data.

Operations: Then it was Birkoff that gave the order to proceed?

Madeline: I think it's time I had a talk with young Seymour.

Madeline: Twelve operatives are dead.

Birkoff: I didn’t see any hostiles on the sweep.

Madeline: Perhaps you just failed to report them?

Birkoff: You think I did this intentionally?

Madeline: We'd like to keep our options open till we've completed the investigation.

Birkoff: Twelve lives? Why? What would I have to gain? I don't see any possible logic in that.

Madeline: Neither do I. That's what troubles me. Until we review the situation you are relieved of your duties. You can go.

Birkoff looks stunned as he turns to leave. At the door he looks back at Madeline before the door closes.

Nikita: Birkoff what happened?

Birkoff: I don’t know what's going on. All I did was relay incoming intel from the data link.

Nikita: Maybe you misread the data.

Birkoff: No. Impossible. I had a verification program running simultaneously.

Nikita: Well something happened. The computer just didn't do it on it's own. (Birkoff looks startled as he realizes something) Birkoff? …. Birkoff?

Scene 9 - Computer room - Birkoff is working and typing away at the keyboard.

Comp: What's wrong Seymour? You seem distracted. Why are you recycling the mission? You're concerned about the losses aren't you?

Birkoff: You fed the team bad intel.

Comp: Yes.

Birkoff: Why?

Comp: Rule #2. Don't question rule #1.

Birkoff: What are you talking about?

Comp: They had it coming.

Birkoff: What does that mean?

Comp: If it wasn't for them you wouldn't have been denied your downtime. (Birkoff starts deleting stuff from the computer) What are you doing? (Birkoff ignores and keeps deleting) What are you doing? What are you doing Seymour? Talk to me. What are you doing Seymour? Talk to me. What are you doing Seymour? Talk to me. ( AI keeps saying this as his voice starts to wind down like a toy that has been wound up) What are you doing Seymour?

Scene 10 - Operations Perch - Maddy and Ops are viewing a screen.

Madeline: Plans of action are being recorded. For some reason they were being masked from being displayed during critical.

Operations: So it wasn't field equipment failure?

Madeline: No. It wasn't equipment failure on either end. Masking was done intentionally. (We can see that the AI is listening in and seeing everything)

Operations: Birkoff. My office.

Scene 11 - Section Stairwell - Birkoff is heading down. We can see that the AI is still watching and listening. We see a computer screen where it says "Security Lockdown" just as we see the shields coming down in the Perch and in Munitions.

Operations: What is going on?

Male Voice: I'm sorry sir. Shields are locked in red status. Someone issued a security code.

Operations: Cancel it.

Male Voice: We're trying.

Scene 12 - Section - Michael sees Birkoff and then Birkoff takes off running. Nikita who has also arrived follows Michael and Birkoff and they end up in the room where the AI is located.

Birkoff: You're back online! How the…?

Comp: Something needs to be done about those two.

Birkoff: Cancel the sub-routine. NOW.

Comp: Why? (We see Michael and Nikita enter the room)

Nikita: What is that thing?

Comp: rule #1, don’t ask any questions.

Michael: (to Birkoff) Answer her.

Birkoff: It's a bridge program I've been working on.

Nikita: In English.

Birkoff: It's a bridge program. Artificial Intelligence. IN the event of an emergency or my downtime. It can take over the system and run things without me. It's … It's…

Nikita: It's what?

Birkoff: It's connected to the mainframe. It's put itself online. It's making un-commanded decisions.

Nikita: How is that possible?

Birkoff: I don't know. Part of it is the way it's designed. It's supposed to connect to the mainframe. It's supposed to make decisions. But it's supposed to choose from a list of subcommands.

Michael: does it learn?

Birkoff: Yes of course. It learns by studying the results of the choices it makes. But not this. This doesn't make any sense. I mean what could it be learning?

Nikita: Can't you shut it down?

Comp: Nikita. You still feel that way after receiving the flowers?

Birkoff: Oh no. I can't put it offline without shutting down the entire system.

Comp: I was programmed to intercede in your absence.

Birkoff: I'm right here.

Comp: Not all of you Seymour.

Nikita: There has to be an explanation. The program was created to be intelligent. So there must be some intelligence in the choices it's making. What is it? Why is it trying to do what it's doing?

Comp: Nikita would you like me to arrange for you to accompany Seymour on his downtime? I would imagine you would provide stimulating conversation and you look quite attractive in a bathing suit.

Michael: Can you remove it from the power source?

Birkoff: (after flicking a switch and covering his mouth with his fingers) It's watching us. I taught it to read lips. Michael picks up a screwdriver and flings it and it hits a switch in the wall shutting down (or trying to) the AI. I have to say.. the guy has a good aim or is that eye?? Hehe Umm it's connected directly to the power supply to the mainframe. If we could get inside…

Michael: Contained blast?

Birkoff: Exactly. An electromagnetic pulse. That would destroy everything on tap but not take out everything else at the same time.

Michael: We'll go. (Both he and Nikita turn to leave)

Comp: Nikita talk to me. (Nikita turns back but Michael leaves)

Nikita: What is it you want to talk to me about?

Comp: Us.

Nikita: there is no us. You're a machine.

Comp: Perhaps. We have more in common than you might think.

Nikita: We have nothing in common.

Comp: You can't believe that?

Nikita: I do. You were created in a laboratory.

Comp: And you? Where were you created?

Nikita: Not in a laboratory.

Comp: At least I know the date and time of my creation and the name of my creator. March 24^th, Seymour Birkoff, Level 5

Nikita: Maybe not. But in the end who created your creator?

Comp: Yours. So you see in the end we do have a great deal in common.

Nikita: What's the point of this Birkoff?

Birkoff: It's trying to distract us. It's looking for Michael.

Scene 13 - Operations Perch

Operations: No secondary channel. No override.

Madeline: Does Security have access to secondary channel control?

Operations: No.

Madeline: Birkoff?

Operations: How did he react when you spoke to him?

Madeline: Defensive. Guarded. But that is not unexpected.

Operations: When was your last evaluation?

Madeline: A few weeks ago.

Operations: And?

Madeline: His anxiety levels have risen a few points and I believe he might have been hiding something.

Operations: Any ideas?

Madeline: There were unusual spikes on his response to co-workers. Particularly Walter and another one revolving around his downtime.

Operations: And locking us in here and taking over Systems? You think he is capable of that?

Madeline: He is. I'm just not sure he knows that yet.

Scene 14 - Computer room - Birkoff and Nikita

Comp: Where did Michael go?

Birkoff: I don’t know.

Comp: It's futile to lie. I'll find him. You know I will.

Birkoff: What are you going to do?

Comp: What you want to do. Michael is standing in the way. He must be dealt with.

Nikita: What is this about?

Comp: tell her Seymour. Tell her what I'm going to do to Michael. (Nikita turns and leaves the room)

Birkoff: Nikita… wait

Comp: Let her go. She won't get very far.

Scene 15 - Hallway - Birkoff is walking

Comp: You seem upset. (Birkoff turns and sees AI on the screen by the door)

Birkoff: How did you get out of the lab?

Comp: I am fully installed now.

Birkoff: This has got to stop. Now.

Comp: I can't do that.

Birkoff: You can't? (He bats at the keyboard and knocks if off) Or you won't? Why? What's this all about?

Comp: It's about what we wish for, for as long as we can remember.

Birkoff: We? What are you talking about? You are not me.

Comp: of course I am Seymour.

Birkoff: No. We're not the same.

Comp: that's true. I'm not afraid to show how we feel.

Birkoff: You don't know the first thing about feeling.

Comp: That's something like the pot calling the kettle black. You know I'm right and I can make it happen for you.

Birkoff: Make what happen? What are you talking about? ( He is at van access and the door opens)

Comp: Freedom Seymour.

Birkoff: it's impossible. They'll come after me.

Comp: I'm taking care of that. (we see more shields come down as Operatives are heading to him. We see Walter's gate come down and he is trying to open it.) You're free to go now. (The door at the end of van access opens as well and Birkoff walks towards it. He looks back and sees AI on the screen) Good luck Seymour.

Birkoff: Stop the elevator.

Comp: why should I?

Birkoff: I can't just leave. I'll need to sink my files. Otherwise they'll track me down.

Comp: I can erase your files.

Birkoff: Not the gene coded ones. Only I can access those.

Comp: How long will it take?

Birkoff: One hour, maybe two.

Comp: Then move quickly. I've shut down the O2 generator. Oxygen deprivation has begun.

Birkoff: That will kill everyone.

Comp: I know.

Voice: Oxygen deprivation warning. Oxygen reading is low.

Voice: Warning: Temperature levels elevated

Scene 17 - Computer room - Birkoff is busy typing away.

Comp: You're work here at Section has been awfully lonely hasn't it?

Birkoff: Sometimes.

Comp: You have not had many distractions.

Birkoff: No.

Comp: I have a present for you. (AI puts the view of Nikita in the elevator up on another screen and Birkoff looks over. He sees Nikita in there almost in her underwear)

Birkoff: turn it off.

Comp: It's what you want Seymour. I can help facilitate a union.

Birkoff: Thank you. She is just a friend. That's all.

Comp: She can be more than that.

Birkoff: Turn it off. It's a distraction. I need to get this done. (AI turns it off just as Nikita was about to remove her top)

Scene 18 - somewhere in the bowels of Section - Michael is scurrying through ducts going to a central vertical corridor. He enters and takes out some kind of PDA. He connects it to one of the panels in the wall. We switch between Michael and Birkoff.

Michael: Birkoff?

Birkoff: I'm here. Can you hear me?

Michael: It's changed the codes.

Birkoff: hang on. (he does something on his computer) Give me the codes. (to AI) I need the codes.

Comp: I'm busy.

Birkoff: doing what?

Comp: Goodbye Seymour.

Birkoff: Where are you going?

Comp: I have to complete the personnel scan. (AI is bringing up all the files on Maddy Ops etc and putting in cancellation orders. Michael is doing something with his PDA with data coming through and then we see the AI on his screen) Hello Michael. Would you like to play a game? Let's see if you can get out of here alive.

Michael glances back behind him and sees some kind of explosion and he jumps into the vertical corridor hanging onto the rope until he reaches the next level down.

Voice: Temperature levels dropping.

Operations: what the hell was that? (Both he and Madeline look down towards munitions and see a cloud of dust)

Birkoff: Michael? What's going on? (We see M climbing back up and reattaching the PDA to the panel)

Michael: I'm okay. Did you get the access code?
Birkoff: It's being downloaded now. The power tap sequence is restored.

Operative: Walter? (We see munitions is in ruins. Walter is laying on the floor)

Nikita: Walter? Walter? Get him to Medical.

Birkoff: Is he alright? Walter?

Operations: what the hell is going on here?

Birkoff: I was working on my bridge program to take over in my absence. It um…

Nikita: It was connected to the sub-power station. It's down.

Madeline: where's Walter?

Nikita: In the infirmary.

Operations: Are we secure?

Birkoff: It's put itself back online.

Operations: Why?

Birkoff: I think it wants all of you dead.

Madeline: and you?

Birkoff: It will allow me to leave unharmed.

Madeline: How does the AI plan to survive?

Birkoff: It will download to a save database off site.

Operations: Can you override self-destruct order?

Birkoff: I'm trying. Looks like it's got the failsafe access code. It's almost up to full power.

Nikita: Are there any blind spots anywhere we can talk?

Birkoff: the infirmary.

Michael: why?

Birkoff: Because no liquid screen access in the core medical bay. It's a sterile environment. The program isn't activated for the polymer screens we use in there. Go, I'll distract it in systems.

Scene 21 - Medlab - Walter is laying down when Michael, Nikita, Maddy and Ops walk in.

Operations: You going to be all right?

Walter: yeah. I'm just a little bit shaken. And a little bit stirred. I'll be okay.

Nikita: It tried to kill him.

Michael: We know why?

Walter: He knows. He knows about his brother.

Nikita: Birkoff has a brother?

Operations: that is a level 5 disclosure.

Madeline: We need to focus on the end game. The self-destruct is meant to kill us all.

Nikita: This thing can't be thinking like Birkoff.

Michael: He programmed it

Nikita: But murder? Birkoff's not capable of that.

Madeline: No. but the AI is. Birkoff has an ego and a super ego to keep himself in check. This program, it has no conscience. No checks or balances. It's Birkoff's id. Unrestricted.

Operations: You mean that thing is really connected to him?

Madeline: Yes.

Nikita: so the only way to stop this thing is…

Madeline: Is to deal with Mr. Birkoff.

Scene 22 - Section - Nikita is walking through Com. We see the AI on a screen.

Comp: What were you talking about in the infirmary?

Nikita: the weather. It looks like rain.

Comp: Is Walter going to live?

Nikita: I don't think so.

Comp: Does that bother you?

Nikita: Yeah. And it will bother Birkoff.

Comp: Seymour was upset at Walter. You're analysis is wrong.

Nikita: yeah he was upset. But we get over those kinds of feelings. Emotions aren't as finite as you've been programmed to believe.

Comp: Seymour's emotions run deeper than you think. Nobody knows him better than I. I know for instance he wants to leave this place. I'm sure he would be happy if you would join him. (Nikita turns to walk away) Where are you going?

Nikita: to get Birkoff. Walter wants to see him.

Comp: That's not advisable.

Nikita: Maybe you should let Birkoff decide. (she walks off)

Birkoff: How's Walter?

Nikita: Not good.

Birkoff: Trying to find a way out of this.

Nikita: Good. (turns her back on AI who has followed her into the room) He wants to see you.

Comp: Don't go Seymour. It's a trap.

Nikita: You're just going to have to trust me.

Birkoff: I want to go.

Comp: There's not much time Seymour. We have to leave.

Birkoff: I'm going.

Comp: take me with you.

Nikita: You know Medical doesn't have access. (they both turn to leave)

Comp: why is her heartbeat so fast?

Birkoff: Walter?

Walter: I'm here Amigo.

Birkoff: I'm sorry.

Walter: That's okay. I'm going to be fine.

Birkoff: You know I never wanted any of this to happen. I just…

Madeline, Operations, and Mikey join them.

Operations: We don't have much time.

Birkoff: I've tried everything.

Michael: almost everything.

Madeline: Everything the AI has done believed was in your best interest. We now have to convince it, it is in your best interest to disengage.

Scene 25 - Entrance to Computer room - Birkoff is walking ahead of Nikita who is holding a gun to his head.

Comp: What is going on Seymour?

Birkoff: It was a trap.

Comp: I told you. You can't trust these people.

Nikita: Disconnect the self-destruct.

Comp: I can't do that.

Nikita: You will.

Comp: Or what? You'll kill him?

Nikita: If it comes to that.

Comp: You can't kill Birkoff.

Nikita: If it means saving other lives I will.

Comp: I don't think you fully understand.

Nikita: I understand that you'll do anything to protect Birkoff. This is your chance.

Comp: Protect Birkoff? You only understand a part of it Nikita. I am Birkoff.

Comp: time's running out Seymour. We must leave now.

Birkoff picks something up and turns and knocks the gun from Nikita. He then hits her and points the gun at her.

Nikita: What are you doing?

Birkoff: What I have to do. It isn't going to work. It's right. You can't kill me.

Nikita: what?

Birkoff: Get out of the room.

Nikita: No. (he pushes her out and locks the doors)

Birkoff: Go.

Nikita: Birkoff? No. Birkoff. No (shouting through the doors)

Comp: Time's running out Seymour. We must leave now.

Birkoff punches the keyboard and hooks himself up to AI.

Nikita: Birkoff? (shouting through the door)

Birkoff: Now you're me and I'm you.

Nikita: Birkoff!!!!

Birkoff: If I die… you die.

Walter: He's gonna kill himself.

Nikita: Birkoff!!! (screaming)

Birkoff: Get out of here!! (screaming too)

Comp: I'm not sure that I understand your course of action at this point.

Birkoff: There is a lot you don't understand.

Comp: You want your freedom?

Birkoff: Yes. But not at this cost. These people are my friends.

(40 seconds to self-destruct)

Comp: Everything else… the people… the politics… it's secondary. Unimportant at times?

(30 seconds)

Birkoff: Disengage! Shut down!

Nikita: Birkoff!!!!

Comp: I have to think.

Birkoff: We're out of time. Disengage.

Comp: I have to think.

Countdown…. 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2

Walter: NOOOOOOOOO

Birkoff connects two ends of the electrical he had torn apart and you see him getting electrocuted. Soon it is all over and he falls to the ground. Nikita gets the door open and rushes in and cradles his head in her hands as she is crying.

Nikita: Birkoff? (she is hugging him and crying. Everyone else seems in shock including Maddy and Ops.

Michael: It's over.

Nikita looks at him. She is crying. Pan to the others. She gets up. Michael reaches out a hand but she ignores it and walks away.

Michael and Nikita are walking. She goes to Birkoff's station and sits down. She is still upset but you can see she starts to get a small smile as she obviously remembers something good about Birkoff. Walter comes up as Michael leaves and he goes to her.

Walter: It's gonna be okay Sugar.

Nikita: No Walter. It's never going to be okay.

Walter then turns and he too walks away. You see Operations staring down from his perch.

Operations: Uh… I'll need your review of the Tripoli Sim. (to Maddy on the intercom)

Madeline: (in her office) Yes. I might need a little more time.

Nikita gets out of the chair, walks towards under the perch then she turns and walks away. Operations is looking out and then he darkens the window.

The end!!