Adrian's Garden

#221 "Adrian's Garden"
Written by: Michael Loceff
Directed by: Brad Turner
Edited by: David B. Thompson
Transcript by: Karen H

co-starring:
Adrian: Siân Phillips
Carla: Anais Granofsky
Ray Leeds: Ted Atherton
Steven: Geoff Murrin
Steven's Twin: Jim Murrin
Henri Sauvage: Martin David Peters


A = Adrian     B = Birkoff     C = Carla     M = Michael
MA = Madeline     N = Nikita     O = Operations
OL = Olen     RL = Ray Leeds     S = Steven
HS = Henri Sauvage     TO = Team Operative     W = Walter


TEASER
INTERIOR - NIKITA's APARTMENT  -  NIGHT

The camera show hands chambering a clip of ammunition into a gun, then
pulls back to reveal Carla slipping it in her pants behind her back.
She walks over to the kitchen counter where an opened bottle of red
wine and two glasses have been left out.  She pours herself a glass
and leans against the counter sipping it.  She appears antsy, as if
waiting for something to happen.  A key turns in the lock and a
sunglassed Nikita enters.  She appears tired, but still smiles when
she sees her friend.

       [N]     Hey.

       [C]     (SMILES)  Hey. ...  Where you been the past couple of
days?

Nikita doesn't answer at first, just drops her keys and purse on the
counter and starts to remove her coat.

       [N]     It's a long story ...

       [C]     I forgot.  I'm not supposed to ask that.

       [N]     Don't worry about it.

Nikita removes her sunglasses which reveals how tired she is.

       [C]     How about a glass of wine?

Nikita finishes taking off her coat and throws it over the kitchen
counter.

       [N]     Sure.

Carla pours Nikita a glass and hands it to her.

       [N]     So, how are you holding up?

Carla's expression turns reflective.

       [C]     (SMILES)  Okay. ...  I guess ..., sort of ...

She stops a moment to stare down at her glass of wine, before looking
back up at Nikita.

       [C]     It's all so sudden, you know.  It was like, when he hit
me, the person I loved ..., died.

       [N]     Well, Carla ..., (TAKES A BREATH)  I'm sorry that I
haven't been able to be here for you. ...

Nikita places her hand on Carla's shoulder.

       [N]     ... But I'm here now, and you can stay as long as you
like.

       [C]     (SMILES)  Thanks. ...  You're a good friend.

As they click their glasses together, Nikita's phone rings.  A wary
expression appears on Carla's face.

       [C]     Do you have to get that?

Nikita doesn't answer, just walks over to answer the phone.  She sits
down next to the table as she picks it up.

       [N]     Yup? ...  Hello.

All Nikita hears is a dial tone.  She listens for a second, then hangs
up.

       [C]     Who was that?

       [N]     (REFLECTIVE TONE)  They hung up.

Carla shrugs it off and changes the subject.

       [C]     So, um ..., you still seeing that guy who used to come
around here ..., what's his name?

This takes Nikita's mind off the hang up, and she looks over at Carla.

       [N]     Michael?

       [C]     (SMILES)  Yeah.  What's going on with him?

       [N]     (SHAKES HEAD) ...  Nothing.

Nikita says nothing more, just takes a sip of her wine.

       [C]     Hmmm.  (SMILES)  It's too bad.  He was cute.

Someone knocks on the door.  Nikita tenses - first the hang up, now
this.  She walks over and turns on the security view of her front
door.  It shows Steven at her front door.  Nikita turns and looks at
Carla.

       [N]     It's Steven.

       [C]     (UNCERTAIN TONE)  Steven?

       [N]     Should I send him away?

       [C]     Yeah..

Nikita opens the door just wide enough to talk to Steven.

       [S]     Hi.  Is Carla here?

       [N]     She doesn't want to see you.

Nikita immediately starts to shut the door, but Steven puts his hand
out and stops her.

       [S]     I bet she does.

Behind her, Nikita hears a gun's safety being released at the same
time Carla speaks.

       [C]     (VOICE)  It's okay, Nikita.

Nikita turns and looks at Carla who now has her gun pointed at Nikita.

       [C]     ... I've changed my mind.

As the two women stare at each other over the gun, Carla's eyes show
regret.

       [C]     Sorry, Nik.

While Nikita concentrates on Carla, Steven reaches out and pricks her
arm with a pin treated with a drug [exactly the same way Michael
drugged Lisa Fanning in "Double Date"].  Nikita slaps it away, but the
damage has been done.  The drug works so fast she is unable to keep on
her feet and falls to the floor.  As she lays there loosing
consciousness, she watches in a blur as the one friend she thought she
had in the world pulls a cell phone out of her pocket and speed dials
someone.

       [C]     (ON PHONE)  (VOICE THAT SOUNDS FAR AWAY)  We're on our
way.

It is the last thing Nikita hears as the dark enfolds her.


INTERIOR - SECTION / BREAKFAST NOOK  -  DAY

Operations and Madeline are discussing business, then personal,
matters over breakfast.

       [O]     I see Birkoff's Intel on Central Africa is nearly
saturated.

       [M]     Yes.  I've scheduled a Pre-Op for later this morning.

       [O]     That soon?

       [M]     I want to make this window. ...  Kaddafi's people won't
be exposed again for several weeks.

       [O]     It would be nice to put this ... to rest, once and for
all.  Who should we give it to?

       [M]     Michael.

       [O]     Fine. ...  Is there a chance we could have dinner
tonight?

       [M]     What for?

Operations looks genuinely puzzled at Madeline's response.

       [O]     (SMALL LAUGH)  You confuse me Madeline. ...  If you
don't want to enjoy my company ..., why did you agree ... to open
things up again?

       [M]     I didn't open anything up.  I slept with you. ...
There's a difference.

       [O]     Okay. ...  Then why did you sleep with me?

       [M]     Because you wanted it.

       [O]     And you didn't?

Operations takes a sip of coffee, but seems to have trouble swallowing
after hearing Madeline's next sentence.

       [M]     That's irrelevant.  (TAKES DEEP BREATH)  The foreplay
... was becoming a distraction ..., to both of us.  It was affecting
your work and your decisions. ...  And, in turn, it was affecting
mine.

Operations studies Madeline a moment, a slightly stunned expression in
his eyes, before responding.

       [O]     That's especially cold, Madeline, even for you.

Operations had been holding his cup while he listened to Madeline.  He
now carefully places it back on its saucer.

       [O]     I was wondering ... if this has something to do with
Charles.

Madeline is sitting at the table, elbows on the table, hands
interlaced, as if waiting for this question to be asked.

       [M]     What?  (WITHOUT SARCASM)  That you allowed me to believe
that my husband had been dead for the past nine years?

       [O]     Yes.  You could bear some ill will over that.

       [M]     Not at all.

       [O]     You didn't have to kill him, you know.

       [M]     Yes, I did.

Operations studies Madeline's face for another minute, then gets to
his feet.

       [O]     I'll see you at the briefing.

As Operations turns, Madeline makes sure he is 'crystal' clear on
their relationship.

       [M]     (SLIGHTLY RAISED VOICE)  What we had ... has been over
for years. ...  The other night doesn't change a thing. ...  I think
you need to face that.

Operations gets the message loud and clear.  His face appears slightly
dazed at Madeline's coldness.  Then, he gathers himself, nods to
Madeline indicating she's reached him - and exits the room, leaving
the victor of this 'fracas' sitting at the table.


SECTION / MICHAEL's OFFICE

Michael is trying to ring Nikita at home.  All he gets is the phone
ringing unendingly.  No one answers; no answering machine picks up.
[Good question:  does Nikita have an answering machine?  Can you
imagine her taped message:  "Hi, you reached 555-NIKI.  I'm out right
now generating legalized murder and mayhem for the good of mankind.
At the sound of the beep, leave your name, terrorist affiliation, and
threat."]


INTERIOR - NIKITA's APARTMENT

The room is empty.  The ringing phone is lying on the floor, next to a
spilt glass of wine.  Nikita's coat is still hanging across her
kitchen counter.


INTERIOR - UNKNOWN ROOM  -  DAY

Nikita is lying on a bed - unconscious.  All you see are her face and
hands.  Her nerve synapses begin discharging (making her face and arm
muscles twitch) as she starts to come out of the drugged sleep.


NIKITA's APARTMENT / VIEW FROM SECURITY MONITOR

The monitor shows Michael outside Nikita's apartment.  He checks the
door, then draws his gun and slowly enters.


INTERIOR - UNKNOWN ROOM  -  DAY

Nikita awakens, disoriented and rolls so she is lying half out of bed.
For a moment she just lies there groaning.  It is apparent she is
suffering from the drug's side effects.


INTERIOR - NIKITA's APARTMENT

Michael looks around the room, notices at once the small signs of a
struggle, and realizes Nikita has probably been taken.


UNKNOWN ROOM

When Nikita tries to stand she realizes her ankles are bound by
high-tech shackles.  Nikita looks down and sees she is now dressed in
white undergarments [think Hanes or Fruit of the Loom apparel.]


NIKITA's APARTMENT

Michael quickly climbs the stairs to Nikita's bedroom and, not seeing
any other clues, checks her bathroom.


UNKNOWN ROOM

She looks around and notices that it has a definite 'guest room' feel
to it.  She gets up and hobbles to a nearby window.  The room looks
out to a type of small courtyard.  She sees a woman, face hidden by a
garden hat, pruning a nearby bush.


NIKITA's APARTMENT

Finding no trace of Nikita, Michael leaves for Section to use its
facilities to find her.


UNKNOWN ROOM

Nikita has just wandered over to the window on the other side of the
room when the double doors open - and Carla appears.


INTEROR - SECTION / COMM

Michael enters Comm, looking up to make sure Operations is
concentrating elsewhere, before approaching Birkoff.  Birkoff hears
footsteps, turns and gives Michael a message before turning back to
the keyboard.

       [B]     Madeline's waiting for you in Systems.

Michael stands behind Birkoff.

       [M]     I need the password for the clock frequencies.

Birkoff continues his work, scarcely listening to Michael.

       [B]     Why?

       [O]     We've lost an Operative.

This gets Birkoff's attention.

       [B]     Lost an Operative?  Who?

       [M]     Nikita.

Alarmed, Birkoff immediately looks up at Michael.


UNKNOWN ROOM

Her friend's look is radically different.  Gone are the jeans and pig
tails.  In their place is a light executive-type pants suit, and hair
pulled back in a matching bun.  Her demeanor is also much different
from the other Carla - all business.  She stands just inside the room.
When Nikita sees who it is, her face immediately shuts down - but not
before you see a hint of hurt betrayal.  Nikita also notices the
change in attire.

       [N]     Who are you?

       [C]     It's not important.  I'm here to get you ready.

       [N]     Ready?  ...

Nikita moves away from the window.

       [N]     Ready for what?

       [C]     You're going to meet someone.  We need to make sure
you're coherent.

Nikita sits on the bed as she thinks this over.

       [N]     So, what are you?  Terrorist?

       [C]     No.

Nikita starts thinking back over their relationship.

       [N]     You pretended to be my friend for two years. ...  Very
good.

Carla shakes this off and starts to back out of the room.

       [C]     You seem to be clearheaded.  I'll send someone up in
five minutes.  Freshen up.

Carla leaves, closing the doors behind her.  Nikita looks around the
room, then puts her head in her hands as she collapses back on the
bed.

       [N]     (DISBELIEVING TONE)  Freshen up!


SECTION / COMM

Both Michael and Birkoff are periodically keeping an eye on Operations
as they try to find Nikita.  Birkoff pulls up a program on his
monitor.

       [B]     Okay, here you go.

Michael stands so he is looking over Birkoff's shoulder at the screen.
The monitor shows a map of the world.  A small box outline drifts
across the map, before settling on Spain, where a small dot appears.

       [M]     (UNDERTONE)  Southern Spain ...

       [B]     Torremolinos.  Looks like a couple kilometers outside
the city.

       [M]     Do we have anyone in that area?

Birkoff keys something in, and reads the result.

       [B]     I've got two Panda Teams in Valencia.

       [M]     Patch me in.

Birkoff swivels his chair over to another computer and calls up one of
the Teams.  While he waits for the Team Leader to respond, he hands
Michael a Comm unit.

       [B]     Olen.

       [OL]    (VOICE)  Yeah, Birkoff.  I'm here.

       [B]     Stand by.

       [M]     Olen, your priority's been downgraded.

       [OL]    (VOICE)  You want me to come in?

       [M]     No.  I'm attaching an address.  We'll give you
instructions on the way.

Before Michael can go further, Birkoff notices something wrong with
Nikita's locator and brings it to his attention.

       [B]     Michael, something happening.  Now it's telling me she's
not in Spain.

       [M]     What do you mean?

       [B]     Her clock's now reading ... Korea ..., Inchon.  (NOTES
ANOTHER CHANGE)  Wait a minute. ...

The map is now full of glowing dots - all stating Nikita is at that
location.

       [B]     Forget it.  Signal's all over the place.  ...  She must
have tampered with her clock.

Michael removes the Comm Link as he thinks this over.  [Just as a side
note:  I hope they didn't leave poor Olen on hold.]

       [M]     How?  She doesn't even know she has one.


INTERIOR - ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

Nikita has pulled up her shirt to inspect the stitches she now has
under her armpit.  She is twisting to look at the area reflected in a
raised silver cigarette lid, and doesn't notice a older woman enter
the room.  Nikita turns at the sound of her voice.

       [A]     Nothing to be alarmed about, dear.

Nikita immediately drops her shirt and twirls around to face the
woman.  Nikita is standing next to a dining room table.  Adrian is
standing in the doorway still wearing gardening gloves, hat in one
hand, cut flowers in the other.

       [A]     The Section placed a cesium crystal inside of you for
tracking.  It's probably because you were outside the rim for those
six months.  (SMALL GRIMACE)  It's astonishing, isn't it?  How much
they can do without your knowledge.

Adrian enters the room while quoting one of Section's directives.

       [A]     "The Operative is to assume that any information
revealed under interrogation, no matter how insignificant, will result
in the loss of innocent life."  ...  Is it still worded that way?

Nikita says nothing, not knowing what to think.  Adrian stops next to
the table.

       [A]     That's fine, dear.  A response .. isn't necessary. ...
I do need something from you .., but I need your compliance ..., and
at this point, no doubt ..., you would no doubt .. inveigh against any
request.

Nikita breaks in with a question of her own.

       [N]     (DEMANDING TONE)  Why am I here?

       [A]     It's an orientation.  My name is Adrian.

Adrian looks down at her hands and makes a face, realizing she is
still wearing her gardening gloves.  She continues to speak while
laying her hat and flowers on the desk, and removing her gloves.

       [A]     Hmmm.  I've just been planting a tree peony.  It
probably won't survive these winds, but the flowers are so ..
beautiful, I thought it worthwhile challenging the odds.

       [N]     Good luck.

Nikita turns to look out a nearby window.

       [A]     What are your hobbies, Nikita?  We've been watching you
for some time, and haven't been able to detect much of an inner life.

[I don't suppose 'Michael watching' counts.]  Nikita thinks things are
starting to get a little 'personal' and starts demanding answers.

       [N]     (VEXED TONE)  I'm sorry. ...  Who are you?

       [A]     Someone unlike anyone you've ever met.

Nikita just holds Adrian's look, waiting for her to continue.  While
Adrian talks, she takes the cut flowers and starts arranging them in a
pewter jug.

       [A]     I gather Madeline ... has acquired my fascination with
horticulture.

This seems to strike Adrian as funny, because she gives a small
cynical chuckle.  [It seems very apparent here that Adrian knows how
Madeline feels about her.]  She then gets back to the matter at hand.

       [A]     When you go back, Section won't even know you've been
gone.  Michael will see to that.

[I think for a brief moment, Nikita feared Michael was working with
Adrian.]

       [N]     Why would he do that?

       [A]     He loves you ..., of course.  But you will need to give
him .. a plausible scenario.  So ..., two members of L'heure Sanguine,
former colleagues of Michael's, sought revenge for the death of Rene
Dion.  They grabbed you inside your apartment and took you to Vienna,
where you overcame them.

       [N]     What is this all about?

       [A]     What it's always been about ..., the small matter of
saving the world.

Adrian hands Nikita a small silver box [looks somewhat like an antique
snuff box].

       [A]     On your next Mission, something will happen that will
convince you of the gravity of all this.

Adrian starts to turn away, then thinks of something else.

       [A]     Oh ..., one last thing.  Anything you might want to say
to Michael, apart from the story I've just given you ..., would
endanger his life.

The two women study each other for a moment, before Adrian turns and
leaves the room.  Nikita briefly watches her leave before quickly
scanning the room.  She then opens the silver box and looks inside.
The box contains a gold bullet.  Nikita removes and holds the bullet
up to the light, studying it.  She thinks a minute, then puts it in
her pocket.


INTERIOR - SECTION / OBSCURE CORRIDOR AREA

Nikita gets off the elevator and looks around.  [As usual, Nikita is
wearing tinted glasses, trying to keep Michael from reading anything
in her eyes.  She knows that if she wears dark sunglasses, Michael
will simply take them off.]  The corridor is deserted.  You get the
impression this corridor is located far below the usual Section
levels.  When she looks to her left, Nikita sees Michael standing at
the end, waiting for her.  [I have to say this.  This view of Michael
makes him look like a dark angel guarding the gate to Hell.  And, at
this point, I'm not quite sure which side he's guarding.]  Michael
says nothing, just waits for Nikita to join him.

       [N]     Michael, why are we meeting here?

As Nikita nears Michael, he slowly moves to join her.  While they
talk, Nikita leans against the wall, trying to reveal nothing more
than Adrian's explanation for her disappearance.  Michael obviously
doesn't 'buy it,' and is using the isolated spot and his nearness to
try to get at the truth.

       [M]     Tell me again what happened.

       [N]     Well, I told you everything I remembered.  ...  They
wanted to get to you and they mentioned Rene Dion's death. ...  Sounds
like revenge.

       [M]     Are you sure there's nothing more?

       [N]     I'm sure.

At the same time Nikita tells Michael she's sure, she shakes her head
slightly, as if to say she doesn't have anything else to tell him.
Michael, however, knows she is holding something back and tries to
trip her into saying more.

       [M]     It's hard to believe that Rene had friends who could
have tracked either of us down.

Nikita once more leans back against the slanted wall.

       [N]     (REFLECTIVE)  Yeah. ...  Obviously, he did.  ...
(QUESTIONING TONE)  So ..., did you tell anyone?

       [M]     No one needs to know.

Nikita straightens back up.

       [N]     That's fine with me. ...

Now Nikita is studying Michael, trying to find out why he's
questioning her and how she can get him to stop.

       [N]     Is everything alright?

       [M]     (ALMOST IN UNDERTONE)  Yes. ...

Like Nikita, Michael gives nothing away.  But he realizes he will get
nothing else from her and ends the conversation.

       [M]     Get upstairs.  We have to ready the Mission.

Michael leaves, while Nikita stays for a moment half sitting against
the wall, wondering how much she did, or not did not, reveal.


SECTION / MADELINE's OFFICE

Madeline looks up as the door opens.  Operations enters with another
man, and performs introductions.

       [O]     You know Ray Leeds, from Oversight?

Madeline briefly rises to shake Leeds' hand.

       [MA]    (SMILES)  Of course.  Ray, how are things at the
Department?

       [RL]    Actually, I've left.

While Leeds takes a seat, Operations continues to stand as he informs
Madeline the reason for their visit.

       [O]     As of today, he's going to be working with us.

Madeline continues to smile, but you can tell she is mentally readying
herself for what she expects is bad news.

       [MA]    Really?  Doing what?

[Talk about one word saying much, that 'really' of Madeline's dripped
icicles!]

       [RL]    Executive strategist.

Ray's tone seems to indicate he thought Madeline had already been
informed.

       [O]     He's not here to take your job.  He's here to learn it.

Madeline stares down at her desk as she digests this, then looks back
up at Operations.  [You can tell Madeline has her own opinion of 'why
Ray Leeds is there.']

       [MA]    Why?

       [O]     George has been pressuring me for months now to have
back-ups in place.  In practical terms ..., it'll help all of us
lighten our workloads.

Madeline decides to take Operations' decision at face value.

       [MA]    Good.  (TO LEEDS)  Then I suggest you get started.  Five
recruits have just been brought in, they need to be evaluated.
There's a debrief in progress on Level Three and there's two Missions
going out today that need to be profiled.  I'll handle Central Africa.
I'm already up to speed on it.

Leeds appears slightly stunned at the willingness with which Madeline
turns part of her workload over to him, while Operations stands off to
the side with a slight smile on his face.  [No surprises here for
Operations.  In 'this' instance he knew exactly how Madeline would
react.]

       [O]     (TO MADELINE)  I was going to take him up to Systems
today, get oriented.

       [MA]    Fine.  If you'd rather have him to that ...

Leeds realizes 'something' else is going on between Madeline and
Operations, and tries to remove himself from the line of fire.

       [RL]    Look, I don't want to get in the middle of any politics
here.

All this earns Leeds is Madeline focusing her acerbic retorts on him.

       [MA]    All we do here is politics.  If you don't want to get in
the middle of 'that,' then I suggest you return to the Department.

> Leeds now shows his ability to stay alive in 'Section infested waters'
by keeping his mouth shut.  Operations lets Madeline win this round by
withdrawing his suggestion.

       [O]     Okay.  We can do Systems later this week.

Operations exits, leaving Madeline and Leeds sitting on opposite sides
of Madeline's desk studying each other.


SECTION / BRIEFING AREA

Operations is briefing everyone on Central Africa.  While Leeds is
present, both Nikita and Madeline are noticeably absent.  [Matter of
fact, I've noticed that where Nikita used to be a part of all Mission
Briefings, the last four or five episodes has her missing quite a few.
As to Madeline, thought it curious that, even though she made of point
of saying she would man this Mission during her small conference with
Leeds and Operations, she is nowhere to be seen.]

       [O]     Since the beginning of this century ..., Central Africa
has been the theater .. of several covert wars engaged in by various
Western interests.  Currently, secret cells .. inside one of the
French Ministries are planning retaliations .. in areas where they
have recently lost influence.  This man here ...

Operations pulls up a Blue Screen on Henri Sauvage.

       [O]     ... Henri Sauvage, is leading the raids.  We have been
asked to take him and his encampment out.

       [M]     This looks like a straight military operation.  Why are
we involved?

       [O]     He's not static, and the government hasn't been able to
tag him.

       [B]     (TO OPERATIVES)  An advance team is standing by in
Rwanda, collecting data for the profile, which should be completed by
this afternoon.

       [O]     We're on Standby until we go out.

Operations disengages the Blue Screen and leaves, followed by the
others, each to attend to their part of the Mission.


RWANDA LOCATION
EXTERIOR - NEAR SAUVAGE POST  -  NIGHT

A large military-type truck pulls up near, but out of sight of,
Sauvage's post.  The back canvas flap opens and Operatives spill out.
Michael and Nikita are the last to exit.  Before Michael can move
away, Nikita stops him, nervous over possible tampering by Adrian.

       [N]     Wait.

Michael turns back and notices Nikita is carefully looking around the
area.

       [M]     What is it?

       [N]     Are we sure there's no other variables?

       [M]     Why?

Nikita can't tell him any more without giving away the whole show.

       [N]     No reason.  I'm just - just being careful.

       [M]     Everything's covered.  Get to your position.

Michael moves to join the other Operatives who have taken positions
around a brick building.  Nikita climbs onto the top of the truck
holding a sniper rifle equipped with a high-powered scope.  Once on
top of the truck, she positions herself so she has a clear shot of
anyone exiting the building.


INTEROR - SECTION / COMM

Birkoff is manning the Mission from Comm.

       [B]     Tell me your time.

       [M]     (VOICE)  Two minutes ten seconds.

Birkoff studies an infrared scan of the building.

       [B]     Looks like there are six bodies in there. ...  I can't
tell which one's Sauvage.


EXTERIOR - SAUVAGE BUILDING

       [B]     (VOICE)  Better flush them all.

       [M]     Going to second mark.


SAUVAGE POST / MAIN BUILDING

Michael and two other Operatives use drainpipes to climb onto the
building's roof.  Once there, the other Operatives position themselves
next to ventilation ducts, while Michael watches for signs of
Sauvage's men.


OUTSIDE SAUVAGE POST

While the other Team members are going to their second mark, Nikita
arms her rifle with a tranq dart and takes aim at the front exit.


SAUVAGE POST / ROOF OF BUILDING

Michael looks back at the ground to make sure none of Sauvage's men
have appeared to surprise them, then gives the go-ahead.

       [M]     Flush him.

The other Team members that accompanied Michael to the roof drop smoke
bombs into the vents.


OUTSIDE SAUVAGE POST

Nikita watches through her scope as men begin to pour out of the
building.


SAUVAGE POST / MAIN BUILDING

Sauvage is heard giving orders to his men before he appears.

       [HS]    Get out!


OUTSIDE SAUVAGE POST

As soon as Sauvage leaves the cover of the building, Nikita shoots him
with a dart, dropping him.  Michael sees Sauvage is down and sets the
next part of the Mission in motion.

       [M]     Sauvage is down with a tranq.  Clean the area.

Operatives immediately begin firing from their covered positions,
killing all of Sauvage's men.  Michael also fires as he rappels down
the side wall with a rope.  Once on the ground, he stands and moves
over to Sauvage.  He picks the mercenary up, fireman style, and starts
to carry him back to the truck while issuing orders to the other Team
members.

       [M]     Go back to first mark.


SAUVAGE POST / NIKITA'S POSITION

Nikita has not left her position, but is covering everyone's retreat,
when she hears the sound of a plane engine.


OUTSIDE SAUVAGE'S POST / PERIMETER FENCE

Meanwhile, the other Operatives have started initiating Michael's last
order.

       [TO]    (VOICE)  Moving to first mark.

As the Operatives pass the perimeter fence, bullets start raining down
on the Team.  All Operatives are killed - except Michael.  He is still
carrying Sauvage and, at the sound of the bullets, stops running and
kneels on the ground.  [Intrigued how he uses Sauvage as a shield.]
Dirt flies up as bullets cut a close circle around him.


SECTION / COMM

Operations hears the sound of gunfire and joins Birkoff in Comm.

       [O]     What's going on?

       [B]     Someone's shooting at us.

       [O]     Sauvage's people?

       [B]     No.  They've been contained.


OUTSIDE SAUVAGE'S POST / PERIMETOR FENCE

The firing stops and the plane moves off.  As soon as Michael realizes
they are no longer being targeted, he rises and quickly returns to the
truck with Sauvage.  Nikita can only scan the skies in disbelief at
what has just happened.


INTERIOR - SECTION / VAN ACCESS

Nikita and Michael enter half carrying a still groggy Sauvage.  They
are met at the Portal by two other Operatives.  Michael and Nikita are
the only Team members returning ..., alive.

       [M]     Take him to Containment.

As they continue down the corridor, Operations calls to them from the
catwalk above.

       [O]     Where's our losses?

They both stop and look up at Operations.

       [M]     In the van.

       [O]     What happened?

       [M]     The shots came from above.

       [O]     Building?

       [N]     A plane.

       [O]     Did you see it?

       [N]     I heard it.

       [O]     We're lucky the entire Team wasn't lost.

       [M]     It wasn't luck. ...  Rounds were grounded within
centimeters of me.  Whoever did this could have killed me if they
wanted to.

Nikita eyes grow wide as she starts to realize that Michael could, and
should, have been shot.  He had been saved for a reason.

       [O]     Alright, begin with Sauvage ..., then let's start
putting this thing together.


SECTION / WALTER'S AREA

Nikita, still wearing her Mission fatigues, stands for a minute
watching Walter work, before joining him.

       [N]     Hey, Walter.

       [W]     Hi, Sugar.  ...  I really hate it when we lose Ops.

Nikita stands and stares through the closed gate into Walter's
storeroom.

       [N]     Yeah ..., pretty scary.

       [W]     Mmmm.

Walter briefly looks up to check on Nikita.

       [W]     You okay?

       [N]     Yeah.  (SIGHS)  ...  I don't think Sauvage did this.

       [W]     Yeah. ...  Analysis shows it doesn't have his signature.

       [N]     What did it show?

       [W]     Firstly, the ammo's way off.  Also .., we pulled audio
on the aircraft ..., and it doesn't match anything Sauvage could put
his hands on.

Nikita turns to look at Walter.

       [N]     Tell me about the ammo.

Walter holds up large tweezers holding a spent bullet and shows it to
Nikita.

       [W]     A very strange thing.

Nikita takes the tweezers and studies the bullet inside it's prongs.

       [W]     I haven't seen rounds like that in years.  We used to
use it here.  Used mostly for distance.

When he sees how closely Nikita is studying it, he adds one more
tidbit.

       [W]     ... It's gold.

While studying the bullet, Nikita has been sneaking glances at
Walter's face.  What she sees there has her asking him a entirely
different question.

       [N]     Tell me about Adrian.

Walter immediately looks up at Nikita, his face stunned.

       [W]     What?

Nikita tries to convey that she asking just because she heard
something and is curious.

       [N]     You know.  Adrian .., English, mid-sixties. ...

[I think Nikita made a big mistake here.  If Walter had really been
listening, he would have realized that Nikita has obviously recently
been in touch with Adrian.  Adrian is mid-sixties now, but she wasn't
when she left Section.  It could have raised more alarm flags then
just bringing up the woman's name.  And we know that when Walter
thinks Nikita is getting in over her head, he goes straight to -
Michael.]

       [W]     Who told you about her?

       [N]     Is she in the Community?

       [W]     Adrian founded this place.  She's the mother of Section
One.

Nikita thinks this new piece of her 'Adrian puzzle' over for a moment.

       [N]     Is she alive?

       [W]     I don't know.  If she is, she's invisible.

Walter stares off into the distance.

       [W]     Adrian's the only one who ever ... got away from here.

       [N]     What was she like?

A small smile cracks Walter's face, as he thinks back.

       [W]     Let's just say that .. Adrian ... is the only person
Madeline has ever been afraid of.

       [N]     Mmmmm.  ...  So she choose Operations.

Walter was rising when Nikita makes this statement, but her
supposition momentarily stops him cold.  He corrects Nikita as he
moves over to his supply room gate.

       [W]     Choose him?  Huh!  No, Operations took control himself.
And it was a bitter struggle.  Left Operations with ... a whole of
enemies ... and a whole lot of power.

Walter raises the gate, walks into the room, then drops the gate back
down.  But Nikita hasn't finished picking his brain and asks one last
question.

       [N]     (RAISED VOICE)  And her?

       [W]     (SHRUGS)  She got what we all want ..., freedom.

Walter ends Nikita's cross-examination by disappearing into his supply
room.  Nikita stands there a moment, staring after Walter as she
digests this new information.


INTERIOR - NIKITA'S APARTMENT

Nikita shuts the door, leaning against it a moment, thinking.  She
then slowly moves over to her hall closet.  As she starts to remove
her coat a voice from the other side of the living room stops her.
[Another CPD:  why didn't Nikita see the 'Where's Waldo' twins when
she entered her apartment?  What were they doing, hiding behind her
chairs?  How about behind her refrigerator?]

       [S]     (VOICE)  Keep your coat on.  Let's go.

Steven, and his twin brother, have come to escort Nikita back to
Adrian.  She says nothing, merely picks her keys back up from where
she dropped them on the kitchen counter and walks out the door.  The
view from her security camera shows the three of them leaving.  [I
wonder if Nikita had seen Steven's twin before?  She had in the
script, but the aired version doesn't indicate.  Also ..., I wonder if
the camera is just a viewing device ..., or if it is loaded with film?
Have Adrian or anyone in her group thought about the fact that, if
that camera has film, they really shouldn't keep it available for
anyone (i.e., Michael) to find?  Yeah, I know, another CPD.]


INTERIOR - ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

Adrian is sitting at her desk puffing on a pipe when Nikita enters.
She motions with her hand a chair across from her.

       [A]     Sit down, please.

Nikita doesn't 'sit,' but gets right down to business.

       [N]     (ANNOYED TONE)  Why don't you just quit with the English
gentility and tell me what you want from me?!

The two women briefly study each other, then Adrian drops her bomb.

       [A]     Together, my dear, you and I are going to destroy
Section One.

Nikita can only stare at the woman, stunned, as Adrian calls one of
her assistants on the phone.

       [A]     (INTO PHONE)  Malcolm, will you bring us in some tea and
scones, please?

As Nikita listens to Adrian, she leans her hands on the desk, almost
too stunned to stand.


EXTERIOR - ADRIAN'S HOUSE / GARDEN/POOL AREA

Adrian is showing Nikita around her back garden and pool area.  As
they descend stairs leading from her back porch to the pool, she gives
the young Operative a short history lesson on Section birth.

       [A]     It started almost by accident.  After the engagement in
Korea, in the early fifties, there were several factions in the West
who were frustrated by the failures of Communism in Asia.  They
conspired to take down the Capitalist Regimes they saw as impeding
their .. ideology. ...  They targeted .. civilian populations in many
metropolitan areas.  It was the aborted birth of modern terrorism.
CIA, MI6, Mossad, NATO and a handful of other worked together to
prevent the calamity.

A blossoming tree Adrian is passing draws her attention for a moment.

       [A]     This is flowering so late this year.

As Adrian continues to study the tree's blossoms, she proceeds with
the lesson.

       [A]     It was this federation that gave me the idea to start
the Sections.

       [N]     Sections?

       [A]     The others don't matter.  Section One is where the power
resides.

       [N]     What did you do exactly?

       [A]     I analyzed intelligence ..., utilized game theory,
produced scenarios.  I performed the function that would today be
served by a Cray supercomputer.

[The mere fact that it took a Cray supercomputer to replace Adrian
would scare the heck out of me.]

       [N]     How did you ....?

Before Nikita can finish her question, Adrian holds a finger up to
stop her, hearing a plane's engines in the distance.  She immediately
calls Steven.

       [A]     Steven, why do I hear aircraft?

       [S]     (VOICE)  It's a commercial airliner.  They've been
rerouted for weather.

       [A]     Is this confirmed?

       [S]     (VOICE)  Yes, ma'am.

Adrian closes the phone back up and turns back to Nikita, even through
a part of her attention is still focused on the plane, as if she were
still listening to make sure it leaves the area.

       [A]     You can't be too careful.

Adrian begins to slowly walk away from Nikita, seemingly focused on
the past.  Nikita brings her back to the present by completing the
question she started to ask before.

       [N]     You said you wanted to destroy Section.  Why?

       [A]     I'm certain you've heard .. many times .. the rhetoric
of sacrifice for the greater good.  It's may have even assuaged your
guilt over killing all those people.

Nikita briefly looks down at the ground, almost as if she feels
guilty, and makes a confession to Adrian.

       [N]     Actually, it hasn't.

       [A]     Of course, my dear.  You're different, aren't you?
(SMILES)  That's one of the reasons you were chosen.

       [N]     Chosen?  To do what?

Adrian doesn't answer for a moment, but continues to walk deeper into
her garden.  Nikita follows, studying Adrian as she waits for the
woman to speak.

       [A]     Know your history, my dear.  It's important. ...  When
.. Operations .. took over ..., the original ideals of the Section
were being preserved.  Then, gradually, almost imperceptibly, things
changed. ...  Section began to serve itself.

Nikita is puzzled by this last statement.

       [N]     I don't understand.  What is there to serve?

       [A]     When you have the kind of capability, the kind of power,
that Section wields ..., you're not content to do the bidding of
faceless bureaucrats.  At least, Operations isn't.

       [N]     What would he gain?

Adrian pulls out a linen handkerchief and wipes her hands.

       [A]     He wants to draw the map of the world in his own image.
He already owns the heads of state of many Eastern and Middle-Eastern
countries.  What he doesn't have is critical mass.  And when he has
that ..., he can do what he wants.

       [N]     What would he do?

       [A]     It doesn't matter.  No one man should be allowed to
wield that kind of influence.

[What I noticed here is that Adrian never states that Operations wants
to 'rule the world' or anything.  She just doesn't want him to have
the power.  I think Adrian has seen too many times how total power
corrupts totally - no matter how good the initial intentions were.]
Nikita thinks what Adrian has told her over for a moment.

       [N]     What do you want me to do?

Adrian seems to take a deep breath, before telling Nikita why she's
been selected.  [I think it took a lot for Adrian to admit there is
something she couldn't accomplish without help.  It shows the strength
of this woman to recognize this and put her pride aside to find
someone who could get the job done.  Makes me wonder if her fall from
power started as we saw start to happen with Operations in "New
Regime."  In that episode he admitted to Petrozian that he was "over
extended."  It sounds that's how he wrestled power from Adrian.]

       [A]     I need someone on the inside. ...  Someone to help me
stop Operations.

The camera pulls back to show both women are standing in what looks
like some type of kitchen garden.  The women just stand and stare are
each other - each taking the measure of the other.


INTERIOR - SECTION / 'GAMBIT' ROOM

Ray Leeds is interrogating Sauvage.  He's taken a page from Michael's
and Madeline's technique by circling Sauvage as he questions him.


SECTION / 'Gambit's OBSERVATION ROOM

Madeline carefully watches Leeds perform the interrogation.


SECTION / 'GAMBIT' ROOM

Sauvage makes the first move, throwing the 'interrogation' gauntlet
down.

       [HS]    I'm not afraid to die.

Leeds is standing behind Sauvage.  He leans down and speaks in the
man's right ear.

       [RL]    You're not going to die. ...

Leeds moves to stand in front of Sauvage, his back to the Observation
Room's window.

       [RL]    I want every detail of your supply lines:


SECTION / GAMBIT's OBSERVATION ROOM

Operations joins Madeline, and also studies Leeds' technique.

       [RL]    (VOICE)  ... country of origin ..., names of purveyors
..., destinations.

       [HS]    (VOICE)  I have no idea what you are talking about.


SECTION / 'GAMBIT' ROOM

Ray Leeds stands studying Sauvage, hands laced in front of him.
[Reminds me of an undertaker mentally sizing someone up for the right
size of coffin.]

       [RL]    You're a very handsome man. ...  You take pride in your
appearance. ...  Fresh manicure .., well-groomed .., you're ... trim
.., well-appointed.

Sauvage almost looks bored as he listens to Leeds.

       [HS]    Is that why I'm here?  To give you fashion tips?

While Leeds speaks, he turns and picks something up on a table next to
the Observation Room's window.  His back hides what he is holding from
Sauvage's view.


SECTION / GAMBIT'S OBSERVATION ROOM

Operations, however, can see what it is ..., and it peaks his
interest.  He watches as Leeds opens a smallish case [size and shape
of a foundation makeup compact] and removes an object from it.
Madeline, too, sees it, but keeps her face blank as she watches what
Leeds' next move will be.


SECTION / GAMBIT ROOM

Before Sauvage can prepare himself, Leeds swiftly turns and cuts the
man's face with a small scalpel.

       [HS]    (YELLS)  OW!

Sauvage is almost in shock at the suddenness of the attack.


SECTION / GAMBIT'S OBSERVATION ROOM

Operations glances over, curious how Madeline is taking Leeds'
approach.  Madeline, however, gives nothing away.


SECTION / GAMBIT ROOM

Leeds removes a handkerchief from his pocket and places it in
Sauvage's left hand.  He then releases the chair's shackle so Sauvage
can put the handkerchief up to staunch the blood trickling down his
face.  Leeds then leans down and gently pulls the corner of the
handkerchief up to inspect the wound.  Sauvage is mute, tensing up as
if he expects Leeds to attack again as soon as his guard is down.

       [RL]    We have someone here who can close that up without
leaving much of a scar. ...

Leeds meets Sauvage's gaze as he gives the man one last chance to talk
to him.

       [RL]    That is the last warning .. you will get. ...  You will
give me the information I have requested ... or I will disfigure your
face beyond the repair of the most skilled plastic surgeon.


SECTION / GAMBIT'S OBSERVATION ROOM

Operations once more turns and looks at Madeline as Sauvage begins to
tell Leeds everything he knows.  [I got the impression that if Sauvage
hadn't known anything, he would have made it up!]

       [HS]    (VOICE)  They have a group from Turkey ...

       [O]     He's good.

       [HS]    (VOICE)  I've never met them. ...

Leeds has once more turned his back on Sauvage.  As he listens to the
Intel the mercenary is spilling, he very carefully replaces the
scalpel back in its case.  [This really creeped me out!  He put the
scalpel away the same a child would with a favorite toy!]

       [RL]    (VOICE)  From Turkey ..., hmmm.  Please ..., continue.

Operations leaves as Leeds continues to pull information from Sauvage.


SECTION / COMM

Nikita enters the Common Area and wanders over to Birkoff in Comm.

       [N]     Hey, Birkoff.

Birkoff doesn't bother to look up, just brusquely tries to brush
Nikita off.

       [B]     Busy.

Nikita is not fazed.  She leans her arms on the back of his chair as
she tells him why she's there.

       [N]     I need the access code to Level Two.

       [B]     You're not cleared for that.


INTERIOR - ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

Adrian has Nikita wired so she can listen to everything going on
around the young woman.  She now prompts Nikita with the answer that
will get the needed clearance.

       [A]     Tell him to check the Vickers log file.


SECTION / COMM

       [N]     Check the Vickers log file.

Birkoff stares up at Nikita a moment, momentarily surprised she knows
about such a file, before accessing it.  The data takes Birkoff by
surprise.


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

       [B]     (VOICE)  When did that happen?

       [A]     Shane and Elston are tied up in South ....


SECTION / COMM

       [N]     ... America.  Madeline upgraded me this morning.

Nikita hands her panel to Birkoff, who attaches some kind of gadget to
it and downloads the needed security codes.  That done, he hands it
back to Nikita.

       [N]     Thanks, Birkoff.

Nikita leaves Birkoff, who gets back to his work, unsuspecting.


SECTION / CORRIDOR OUTSIDE ELEVATOR

Nikita walks down several corridors until she is standing in front of
elevator doors.  As she waits for the elevator to arrive, she looks
around to make sure no one is watching her.  When the elevator arrives
she enters and checks in with Adrian.

       [N]     (TO ADRIAN)  I'm in the elevator.


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

       [A]     Enter this code ...,  two-two-one-seven-one.


SECTION / ELEVATOR

Nikita punches the code into the elevator keypad, and it begins to
descend.  It continues down several levels, then stops.  Nikita tries
punching in the code several more times, but nothing happens.

       [N]     It stopped on seven.


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

       [A]     Use your pad.  There's a port on the right.


SECTION / ELEVATOR

Nikita finds the port and plugs her pad into it, which immediately
lights up.

       [A]     (VOICE)  Try it now.

Nikita tries keying in the code once more.  This time the elevator
continues its descent.


SECTION / LEVEL TWO

The elevator comes to a halt, and the doors open to a deserted small
antechamber.

       [N]     I'm here.

Nikita steps out of the elevator and carefully looks around as the
doors shut behind her.

       [A]     (VOICE)  You're in an undocumented area.  There
shouldn't be anyone there.

       [N]     There isn't.


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

       [A]     Turn right and start walking.


SECTION / LEVEL TWO

Nikita turns and begins walking down a tight corridor partially lit
with eerie green and pink lights.  As she walks, she studies the
various panels lining both sides.

       [N]     What's stored here?

       [A]     (VOICE)  Each segment is a Mission.  When you see one
that's lit, that means it's active.


SECTION / COMM

Michael crosses the Common Area, enters Comm and stands behind
Birkoff.  Like with Nikita, Birkoff ignores Michael and keeps working.

       [M]     I just saw you talking to Nikita. ...  Why is she here?

       [B]     She needed something on Level Two.

       [M]     Level Two?

       [N]     Yeah.  She had clearance.


SECTION / LEVEL TWO

       [A]     (VOICE)  Can you see the end yet?

       [N]     Yes.  It's about fifty meters away.

       [A]     (VOICE)  Then start looking for lit panels.  Find K314.

Nikita searches until she finds the panel.

       [N]     Got it.

       [A]     (VOICE)  Good.  Open it.

       [N]     How?


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

       [A]     There's a handle at the bottom.  It rolls up.


SECTION / LEVEL TWO

Nikita finds the handle and presses it.  The shield immediately rolls
up to reveal a screen and port opening.

       [A]     (VOICE)  There should be a docking port for your panel
somewhere about waist high.  Can you see it?

       [N]     Yes.

       [A]     (VOICE)  Plug in your panel.

Nikita takes her panel and plugs it into the port.

       [N]     Now what?

       [A]     (VOICE)  Nothing.  Just wait.


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

Adrian reaches over to the laptop sitting on her desk and taps in
instructions.  Several windows appear, the last one showing:

               DOWNLOADING DIRECTORY

Under this command a bars shows the information being downloaded onto
her computer.  While this is happening, Nikita nervously paces in
front of the panel and looks around to make sure no one is watching.

       [A]     (UNDERTONE)  Excellent.  (TO NIKITA)  Alright, dear.
You're done.  Fold it up and go.

Nikita pulls her panel out of the port, lowers the shield and returns
to the elevator.  She nervously punches the elevator button several
times, in a hurry to leave before she's discovered.  Unfortunately,
when the elevator arrives, its already occupied.  Michael is standing
at the door with it opens.  Nikita can't think of anything to say,
just stares at him.

       [M]     Hi.

       [N]     Hi.

       [M]     What are you doing here?


SECTION / ELEVATOR

As they both ride up in the elevator, Michael grills Nikita.

       [M]     How did you get access to this level?

       [N]     I had clearance.

       [M]     From whom?


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

Adrian has been listening to Michael questions, and starts prompting
Nikita.

       [A]     You can't tell him that.  Just say it.


SECTION / ELEVATOR

       [N]     I can't tell you that.

       [M]     Why not?


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

       [A]     Tell him you're tracing ...


SECTION / ELEVATOR

       [N]     ... a linkage factor.

       [M]     For whom?

       [N]     Section Four, Northern Europe.

       [M]     Why would they use you?

Nikita looks at Michael and tries to blank her expression out.  [i.e.,
do a "Michael."]

       [N]     That's all I can tell you.

The elevator opens and they both get out.


SECTION / CORRIDOR

When she gets off the elevator, Nikita turns to face Michael and
throws down a gauntlet of her own.

       [N]     If you want to know more, you could ask Operations.  ...
If you do, he'll want to know what you were doing down there.

       [M]     Which Bureau Op?


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

       [A]     Don't answer him, Nikita.  He knows you can't tell him
that.


SECTION / CORRIDOR

As per Adrian's directive, Nikita says nothing more, just walks away
leaving Michael staring after her.


ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

Adrian almost wearily removes the Comm Link she has been using to
listen in, studies it a moment, then lays it on top of her closed
laptop.


SECTION / BRIEFING TABLE

Operations is briefing for another Mission.  Michael, Birkoff and
Leeds are present.  Once again, Madeline and Nikita are nowhere to be
seen.

       [O]     One of South America's most powerful leaders, President
Ricardo Arou, is stepping down next month. ...

Operations pulls up a Blue Screen of a Renzo Marin.

       [O]     This man here, Renzo Marin, is to succeed him.  The
opposing parties see Marin as a puppet of the West. ... They want to
stop his succession.

       [RL]    We've uncovered an assassination plot.  Marin will be
making his first public appearance at the palace tomorrow.

       [O]     Birkoff has the appropriate .. Intel to configure a
counter .. against the attempt on Marin's life.  Leeds will be
managing the operation in place of Madeline, and will supply tactical
.. oversight.  He's taking full responsibility for this Mission.
Michael, you'll be taking four Teams in.  Any questions?

No one has any.  Operations disengages the Blue Screen.

       [O]     Let's get started.


INTERIOR - SALARIUM

When Nikita enters, the first person she sees is Carla, but she has
nothing to say to her.  The two ex-friends simply trade looks as
Nikita walks by, and Carla leaves the room.  [Have to note that this
is the first time I've ever seen Carla dressed completely in black.]
In the background you hear the sounds of various birds among the
plants and trees.  Adrian is sitting on a garden bench under a large
palm.  This time it is Adrian wearing the sunglasses.  Once again,
Nikita remains standing.

       [A]     (CONGRATULATORY TONE)  I commend you.  We've got off to
an excellent start.

       [N]     No. ... I can't do this anymore.

Nikita steps up to Adrian and lays the equipment given her on the
bench.  Adrian immediately removes her sunglasses as she tries to talk
Nikita out of withdrawing her help.

       [A]     (INSISTENT TONE)  But you must!

Nikita steps away from Adrian before turning and meeting her gaze, her
own showing how torn she has been helping Adrian.

       [N]     Look, I got you what you wanted so that you wouldn't
hurt Michael.  Now leave me out of the rest ..., please.

       [A]     The Mission you've just been called in for ..., the
protection of Renzo Marin ..., will fail.  Marin .. will die.

       [N]     Why?  Are you going to kill him?

       [A]     No.  Section will.  The Mission is a cover.  Operations
couldn't buy Marin's allegiance, so he's having him killed.

       [N]     Why would he bother going through the motions of
pretending to intervene?

       [A]     Oversight ordered the intervention.  Operations will
take some of the flak .. for the failure, but it won't matter.  He'll
get what he wants.

       [N]     Which is what?

       [A]     The next in line to succeed the President is owned .. by
Operations.  The country is an important part of the puzzle for him.

Nikita refuses to meet Adrian's eyes, refusing to believe what she's
just heard.

       [N]     I don't believe you.

Adrian's tone now seems almost tired or resigned to the inevitable.

       [A]     No, I don't suppose you would.  After all, the only
coping mechanism you have intact is your belief that Section protects
the innocent.  If you didn't believe that, you'd have been gone long
ago .., one way .. or another.

Nikita's tone turns impatient.  It is obvious she just wants to forget
she ever met Adrian - and everything the older woman has been telling
her.

       [N]     Fine. ...  whatever.  You got what you want.  Bring the
whole thing down, I really don't care.

Nikita turns to leave, but Adrian's next sentence stops her.

       [A]     I can't.  Only you can.

Nikita turns back, ready to argue this point.

       [N]     This is you show, not mine.

       [A]     On the contrary.  From this point on, nothing can happen
without you.

Adrian rises to stand next to Nikita.  She meets the younger woman's
troubled gaze as she tries to reason with her.

       [A]     I know you have grave doubts about all this, and
obviously I can't force you to do something you don't want to do. ...
We'll speak after the Mission.  You tell me then what you've decided.

Adrian departs, leaving Nikita torn, conflicted and now burdened with
the knowledge of a possible additional innocent death.


SOUTH AMERICAN CITY
EXTERIOR - STREET IN FRONT OF PALACE  -  DAY

It is a bright and sunny day as Marin's limo, accompanied a security
sedan in front, slowly moves down a main street.  [A LFNer informed me
that the flags being waved are Argentinean.]  The street is lined with
police, and a large group of supporters are standing along the
thoroughfare and in front of the palace waving small replicas of their
country's flag.  The procession turns and pulls into the palace's
courtyard, which also is packed with security personnel.


INTERIOR - SECTION / COMM

Birkoff is seated at his computer, with Nikita standing behind him.

       [B]     Okay, Teams One and Three, move to your next mark.


PALACE / COURTYARD

As the procession passes under the gatekeeper's residence, an outline
of a man is seen through a second floor window.  The window is raised,
to show Michael positioning himself to oversee Section's protection of
Marin.


INTERIOR - SECTION / COMM

[N]   Limo's pulling up to the Palace.

One of the overhead monitors shows the limo pulling up next to the
palace's front staircase, which is covered with a red carpet.

       [B]     On approach.  Open up the east-west.

       [N]     Shouldn't we keep those sides protected?

       [B]     Our Intel says nothing's coming in that way.

       [N]     Our Intel's over two hours old, Birkoff.

Nikita sits at the computer next to Birkoff and initiates an update of
the Intel.


PALACE / GATEKEEPER'S WINDOW

Michael is still waiting for the okay to send up Marin.

       [W]     We're waiting, Birkoff.  What's going on?


SECTION / COMM

       [B]     Hold, Michael.  We need to check something out.

Leeds appears behind Birkoff.  [You know, this guy stands just like
Homer's boss in "The Simpsons"!]

       [RL]    What's the problem?

       [B]     Nothing.  Nikita's refreshing the exposure map.

Nikita has finished the update and pulls it up for Birkoff to view.

       [N]     Birkoff!

Birkoff notices the Intel has changed, just like Nikita had feared.

       [B]     Good catch.  Okay, West Team, pull back.  Hold your
previous position.


PALACE - COURTYARD

       [N]     (VOICE)  He's pulling in front.  We just need to get him
up the steps and we're secure.

The Limo comes to a stop in front of the staircase.  But Marin isn't
allowed to exit, waiting for Michael to check for possible snipers.

       [B]     (VOICE)  Michael, status?

Michael is checking for snipers with binoculars.

       [M]     One-fifty to two-twenty is clean.  Still scanning. ...

Michael is checking all windows facing the courtyard.  He finds one
that shows an outline of a man who seems to be wearing black
camouflage.  [Okay, I'm a sniper and I need to blend in.  What should
I wear.  Gee, why not my all back ensemble with the matching hood?]

       [M]     I've got something.


SECTION / COMM

       [B]     Where?

       [M]     (VOICE)  Building D, Third Floor.

Birkoff switches the cams to search the area Michael has isolated.

       [B]     You're right, Michael.  He's hot.

Nikita warns the other Teams not to let Marin exit the limo.

       [N]     We're not cleared.  Keep him sealed.


PALACE / COURTYARD

Michael raises a sniper rifle.  He aims at the window in question and
shoots, killing the sniper.


SECTION / COMM

       [B]     That's it.  Send him up.


PALACE / COURTYARD

The security personnel exit the sedan in front of the Limo and
approach to help escort Marin up the stairs.


SECTION / COMM

Nikita is remembering Adrian's warning and isn't ready to give the
okay, certain they might have missed something.

       [N]     Sure we covered everything?

Birkoff is scanning the various cams of the courtyard, trying to find
out what is making Nikita so jumpy.

       [B]     What do you mean?

Nikita continues to study the various monitors, trying to find another
possible trap.

       [N]     I don't know.  I've just got a feeling that we're
missing something.

However, Leeds is sure everything has been covered and is impatient to
get on with the Mission.

       [RL]    (CUTTING TONE)  We don't operate on hunches.  Stick to
the Profile.

Operations appears at his office window, watching them as he demands a
status report.

       [O]     (VOICE)  What's going on down there?

Leeds looks up at Operations as he responds.

       [RL]    We .. took out a shooter.  Marin's ready to go up.

       [O]     (VOICE)  Good.  Get it done.

Leeds turns back to Nikita and gives her a direct order.

       [RL]    Send .. him .. up.

Nikita is still reluctant, but is given no choice but to give the okay
for Marin to leave the Limo.

       [N]     Team One, go.


PALACE / COURTYARD

Security arrives at the Limo, opens the door and Marin exits.
However, before he can move away, the Limo and security sedan blow up,
killing or maiming everyone within 50 feet of the explosion.


SECTION / COMM

Chaos erupts in Comm when the monitor shows the explosion.  Leeds'
expression shows he doesn't believe what he's just seen.

       [RL]    What happened?

       [B]     I don't know.  (TO MICHAEL)  Is Marin clear?


PALACE / COURTYARD

Michael looks down at the destroyed cars and dead bodies.  His face
remains blank [how surprising] as he answers Birkoff.

       [M]     No.


SECTION / COMM

Birkoff is the only Operative who leaps into action.  Nikita remains
seated.  She and Leeds can only watch the monitor in disbelief.

       [B]     Send Containment in now.

Birkoff pushes Leeds out of the way as he starts issuing commands to
his Techs.

       [B]     Lock up the perimeter. ...  Make sure every circuit is
recording.


PALACE / COURTYARD

The few remaining alive are trying to find the living among bodies
strewn around the courtyard from the blast.


SECTION / COMM

Leeds can't seem to look away, and slumps into Birkoff's chair as he
continues to watch.  Up in his office, you see Operations watch the
chaos in Comm, then walk away - strangely quiet about the Mission's
failure.


SECTION / MADELINE's OFFICE

Madeline is sitting at her desk doing nothing, just staring off into
space.  The door opens and Operations enters.  She watches as he walks
over and stands in front of her desk.

       [MA]    How did it go?

       [O]     Not well.  Oversight's not going to let this one go.
Marin was important to them. ... They're going to make us pay.

       [MA]    How?

       [O]     They're rescinding Leeds.

       [MA]    Are they going to take him back?

       [O]     No.

Madeline looks down a moment, then meets Operations' glance.  You
realize she knew what Operations was going to say.

       [MA]    If you hadn't brought in Leeds ..., I'd be the one
facing cancellation now.  Instead, its him.

       [O]     Yes, that true.

       [MA]    I thought you did it out of hurt feelings.  But it had
nothing to do with that, did it?

And, now, Operations is the one who has the upper hand.  He uses it to
put his 'take' on their relationship back on kneel.

       [O]     You were right when you said not to dwell on the past.

Operations leaves, with a "he who laughs last" air about him ..., and
Madeline with nothing to say.


INTERIOR - NIKITA's APARTMENT

Nikita slowly enters her apartment, drops her purse and keys on the
kitchen counter, and walks over to the chair next to her telephone.
In the foreground, unnoticed by Nikita, you see a small cellular
phone.  Nikita has just taken off her jacket and is pulling her hair
down from its top knot, when the cell phone starts ringing.  She
slowly walks toward it as it continues to ring.  She finally reaches
out and picks it up.

       [N]     Hello?


INTERIOR - ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

Adrian is sitting with her back to a roaring fire.

       [A]     I need to know, dear. ..  Can I count on your support?


NIKITA's APARTMENT

       [A]     (VOICE)  I can't promise it's going to be easy, there's
a lot at stake.  You know that now, don't you? ...  Nikita?

It takes a few tries for Nikita to respond.  It's almost as if she is
unconsciously fighting from saying the words.  But, they finally come out.
 
      [N]     Okay.

 ADRIAN'S HOUSE / SITTING ROOM

You see Adrian breath a sigh of relief at Nikita's answer.>
 
NIKITA's APARTMENT

      [N]     What do I do next?
 
END OF EPISODE