Season 2 BLISS ---------------------------------------------- Lili is at the Flat Planet’s bar, holding a drink and looking slightly gloomy. Augur appears next to her.
Augur: Good drink?
Lili: (smiling) Actually, Augur, even you couldn’t mess up a ginger ale.
Augur: Ginger ALE?
Lili: Yeah.
Augur: So you’re not here drowning your sorrows.
Lili: No, I’m just... trying to unwind a little bit.
Augur: Well you know what you need? Listen to old Augur, you need a vacation.
Lili: Ah.
Augur: Somewhere, you know a couple of days, some sand, me.
Lili laughs at the idea.
Lili: Tell it to the Taelons.
Augur: Don’t tempt me. Listen, do me a favor, perk up, will you Captain, cause brooding is bad for
business.
Lili looks slightly rueful as Augur starts to move away.
Lili: Sorry.
Augur: Take care... SMILE!
Lili smiles as he leaves, and looks back down at her glass. A man with spiky blond hair and a black leather
jacket sidles up next to Lili. He smiles at her.
Rick: Well, hello there. I’m Rick.
Lili stares at him with mild disgust.
Rick: You come here often?
Lili: Yeah, I do. But no, you don’t look familiar, and no I don’t need any more drinks. Thanks.
Rick: I guess a beautiful woman like yourself must hear a lot of lines.
Lili: You know something, I’m really enjoying my privacy so...
She clearly wants him to get away.
Rick: No, no, I hear you. You’ve been there, done that, now you’re looking for something new, right?
Lili: Actually, I was just about to leave.
She starts to get up, and Rick reaches for her arm.
Rick: Hey, wait a second.
As he starts to touch her, she grabs his arm and slams him against the bar, arm locked behind his back.
He is surprised by her strength and reflexes, and she is furious at him.
Rick: Come on, take it easy! I’m not into the rough stuff.
Lili: (pretending) Damn! I was trying so hard to be nice.
She releases him, and he steps away a little.
Rick: Hey, I just wanted to show you something.
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a pale white orb with little Taelon swirls over it. Lili stares at it,
astonished, edging closer as she forgets her revulsion.
Lili: That looks Taelon! Where’d you get this?
She picks up the orb in both hands, and suddenly glowing dots wash over her neck and face. She gasps
and looks dizzy, collapsing against the bar for support. Her vision of a grinning Rick is blurred around the
edges. He steps past her, leering at her confusion.
Rick: I knew you’d like it.
He slips something into her clothes, and she simply stares at him, breathing hard.
Rick: Listen... why don’t you come by some time, and we can get to know each other better?
Rick leaves, and Lili simply sits there, still wavering in her seat. Augur comes over to her and sits next to
her, surveying the way that Rick went.
Augur: (imitating Rick) “Listen, why don’t you come by some time, and we can get to know each other
better.”
Lili places a hand on his shoulder. Augur hasn’t noticed her problem.
Augur: Come on, not that guy. You know that guy hits on everybody in the place! No offense or anything
it’s just I don’t think he’s your type...
Lili starts laughing breathlessly, clinging to Augur’s shoulder and staring at his shirt. Augur laughs along,
not knowing what’s amusing.
Augur: What’s so funny?
In her blurred vision, the colors of his vivid shirt are dazzling.
Lili: The colors... can you taste the colors?
Augur: Lili, are you okay?
She slowly passes out, and Augur struggles to hold her up.
Augur: Lili? Lili? What’s the matter? Lili?
He starts dragging her to the door, leaving the orb sitting on the bar.
Augur: Someone help me here. Come on, stand up, stand up. Lili, Lili? Quick call the paramedics,
someone!
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Lili wakes up in a hospital bed. A man called Doctor Stark is standing next to her bed.
Lili: Who the hell are you?
Dr. Stark: It’s all right. I’m Dr. Stark, you’re in Washington General Hospital.
She tries to sit up. Stark tries to restrain her.
Dr. Stark: Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa! Take it easy. You took a little spill, we’re just checking you out.
Liam comes in, looking concerned, and immediately goes over to Lili’s bed.
Liam: Lili! Are you all right?
Dr. Stark: I’m sorry, you’re not allowed in here.
Liam pulls out his ID and shows it to Stark.
Liam: Liam Kincaid, Companion Protector. This woman is my colleague.
Lili: (irritably) Yeah. Could you do me a really big favor, Liam. and get me the hell out of here before he
sticks me in one of those stupid gowns?
Dr. Stark: Behave, or I’ll make wear one home.
He turns to Liam.
Dr. Stark: Can I have a word with you, outside?
They leave the room. The intercom calls out as Augur runs toward them, a blur of color in the hospital.
Augur: Is she awake?
Liam: Yeah. Just how...?
Dr. Stark: Captain Marquette collapsed at the Flat Planet Cafe.
Augur: Well, she was saying something about colors, and talking to that guy, Rick. You know... the guy
Rick, hangs around the club...
Dr. Stark: Could she have bought something from him? Did you see him give her anything?
Liam: (confused) Excuse me, what?
Dr. Stark: Captain Marquette is suffering the aftereffects of a very powerful psychotropic drug.
Augur: Drug? Lili doesn’t do any drugs, there’s got to be another explanation.
Dr. Stark: No, it’s definitely a foreign substance. First case came in about a month ago, since then we’ve
been seeing it more and more as it makes it’s way through the club scene.
Augur is miffed by the doctor ignoring his statement.
Augur: You haven’t been listening to me. Lili does not do any drugs.
Dr. Stark: Fine, perhaps Captain Marquette can tell us what happened. I’d like to keep her here a while
longer and run some more tests.
Augur: Excuse me.
Augur walks into Lili’s room with a wide smile.
Augur: Lili, hope you like Jell-O…
The bed is empty. He glances up and down the room, at the door at the end of it. Lili is nowhere in sight.
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On the mothership, Da’an is watching a hologram of the orb in a datastream. The others watch him as he
speaks.
Da’an: This orb is indeed Taelon technology. We use a similar device to administer medicines when one
of us suffers an illness, but the substance within is not one I am familiar with.
He waves away the hologram.
Sandoval: They’re calling it Bliss. Hospitals all along the East Coast are beginning to see users. I’ve
received a report from Washington General Hospital. Captain Marquette has been exposed.
Da’an looks alarmed at this news.
Liam: She was drugged without her knowledge. No one seems to know where it’s coming from or how
it’s being distributed.
Zo’or: I fail to see why you have brought this problem before us. This is a human matter.
Da’an: Captain Marquette’s experience shows that Taelon interests are being affected as well.
Liam: If the orbs are Taelon technology, many will believe you’re behind this.
Zo’or now looks slightly disgusted at the idea of being blamed.
Zo’or: The resistance would indeed propagate such a falsehood. Very well, Major Kincaid, you and Agent
Sandoval will discover who has perverted Taelon technology in such a manner.
Liam and Sandoval leave. Da’an walks around slowly, speaking to Zo’or.
Da’an: I cannot help but wonder if this situation might not somehow serve your long-term goals for
humanity.
Zo’or: Humans incapacitated by addiction can serve no purpose to us in our fight against the Jaridians.
Da’an looks inscrutable.
Da’an: You are of course correct, Zo’or.
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Liam walks through the corridors of the mothership, and speaks to Augur on his global.
Liam: Find Lili?
Augur: No, but I’ve found Rick Carp. Maybe she went after him. Here, I’m transmitting his address to you
now.
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Lili creeps into a warehouse. It’s dark, with vases and other ceramic objects stacked on the shelves and
counters. Rick steps out of the shadows.
Rick: I had a feeling you’d stop by.
Lili: Who the hell are you?
Rick: (mocking) I’m the candyman.
He holds out a box tauntingly. Inside are three orbs, like the one that Lili held before. Lili looks at them
with something like hunger.
Rick: Here, on the house.
Lili: I don’t want that!
Rick: Oh, come on, don’t play coy with me. You want this so badly you skipped out of the hospital just to
find me.
She quickly covers her hospital bracelet with her free hand.
Rick: Go ahead. Take two, they’re small.
For a moment, Lili simply stares at it. Then he hear Liam.
Liam: Lili!
He rushes in, and they both look at him.
Liam: Hold it!
Lili: How did you find me?
Liam: Augur.
He doesn’t tear his eyes from Rick.
Liam: You’ve got some explaining to do.
Rick: Like hell I do!
He starts a fight, and Lili draws a gun.
Liam: Stop! We need answers!
They wrestle over the counters and shelves, knocking over vases and pots. Lili suddenly seems dizzy,
staring down at the Bliss orbs on the floor, and leans against the cabinet. She is fighting the craving. Liam
beats Rick and holds him against a table. He looks furious.
Rick: What are you guys, cops?
Liam: No, we work with the Taelons.
Rick: Oh man, no way. Listen, I’ve heard stories... is it true that they throw you in a big vat and mess with
your head?
Lili ties his wrists with plastic ties.
Lili: One sure way to find out.
Liam: How do you get the Bliss?
Rick: I get set by supplying the mail. It’s anonymous, no charge. I put it on the streets, people dig it, I
keep the profits. That’s how it works!
He yanks Rick back to a chair and pulls him into it. Lili comes over.
Liam: (threatening) Oh yeah, well maybe you’ll remember more on the mothership!
Rick: Okay! Okay, the packages come through the Washington ID Portal, they’re labeled as medical
shipments.
Lili: What’s the point of origin?
Rick: Dublin. Dublin, Ireland. But I swear to you guys, I don’t know who’s sending them.
Liam and Lili glance at each other.
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Lili and Liam enter Augur’s place, Liam carrying the box of Bliss. He puts it on the table, and Augur
examines it closely.
Liam: We need your highly self-tatted technical expertise here.
Augur: Ooh, they’re so bright and shiny! Another treat from the Taelon goody bag?
Augur starts to touch one, and Liam grabs his wrist in mid-air.
Liam: I wouldn’t recommend that, not until we know what’s inside.
Augur picks up an orb with a pair of tongs and places it on a tray.
Augur: Okay, one orb sliced and diced, coming up!
Liam goes over to where Lili is standing.
Liam: I need to get back to the Mothership.
Lili: I’m going with you.
Augur hears her.
Augur: Hey, wait a minute! If anything you should go the hospital.
Lili: What are you talking about? They know less about this stuff than we do. Besides, what about
Sandoval?
Liam: He knows you’ve been exposed to Bliss. He won’t let you anywhere near the investigation. Rest
up, see how you feel in a few hours, and let me know what you find.
Liam leaves, and Lili sits down dejectedly.
Lili: Not exactly your tropical beach.
Augur: I’ll get you something to eat.
He leaves the room, and Lili glances at the orbs. A sudden wave of glowing spots runs over her face and
neck, and she stares at the orbs with renewed hunger. She wavers for a moment, then shivers.
Lili: Augur... Augur!
Augur comes in and puts his hands on Lili’s arm.
Lili: I can’t fight this... get them away from me.
Augur: Okay, okay.
He helps her walk out of the room.
Lili: I don’t think I can fight this....
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Augur leads Lili through the hospital, which is full of people screaming in withdrawal. Lili looks horrified and
frightened by it.
Lili: Augur, you’ve got to take me home!
Augur: No Lili, you need professional help.
Lili: No I can handle this on my own.
They pass by a window where a man is shrieking and pounding against it. Lili looks appalled as two
orderlies tie him down.
Augur: Right, and the credit transfers in the system.
They come across a stressed Dr. Stark.
Dr. Stark: You’re back.
Lili: Doctor, are these all Bliss addicts?
Dr. Stark: The drug is sweeping the city. Even one exposure is causing immediate addiction.
Augur: But how long does it take for the effects to wear off?
Dr. Stark: The drug should only remain active for forty-eight hours, but we’re not sure...
Lili: But wait, wait, wait! You mean they just can’t quit? They can’t go cold turkey?
Dr. Stark: No one’s made it through withdrawal yet. If you don’t pump them full of tranquilizers they go
into seizures and die. I’m going to have to re-admit you Captain Marquette.
Lili stalks away, with Augur torn in the middle.
Lili: I’m not going to end up like one of these tranqued-out zombies. I don’t think so!
Dr. Stark: If you don’t, you’re dead in forty-eight hours.
Augur calls over his shoulder as he goes after Lili.
Augur: We’ll get back to you!
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Liam and Sandoval are looking at a large electronic map on the mothership. Points on the map light up,
indicating Bliss outbreaks.
Sandoval: These areas have seen recent outbreaks of Bliss. Could the Resistance be orchestrating this
to discredit us?
Liam: The Resistance? No, it’s more likely a new twist on an old story. Throughout history technologically
advanced cultures have been responsible for the spread of addictive substances to native populations.
Opium in China, alcohol in the Americas.
Sandoval: Except we don’t know that the drug is Taelon in origin.
Liam: But we do know that someone’s distributing Bliss through the portal system.
Sandoval glances at him, startled.
Sandoval: Where’d you get this information? Which portal?
Liam: The informant revealed Dublin as the point of origin. Taelon technology, mysterious drug, all
originating so close to an ancient Taelon tomb. I don’t think it’s a coincidence.
Sandoval: I’ll inform Zo’or of our plans.
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In Ireland, a shuttle lands beside the stone circle, next to an archaeological dig. A red-haired woman is
cataloguing artifacts next to the burial mosaic. She stands to greet them.
Cox: Major Kincaid, Agent Sandoval. Dr. Catherine Cox, chief archaeologist in charge of Ma’el’s tomb.
She shakes hands with the two.
Sandoval: Doctor.
Cox: The Irish Companion’s office told me to expect you.
Liam: Then you’ve been fully briefed.
Cox: Yes I have, but you don’t really believe there’s a connection between Ma’el’s tomb and this drug,
do you?
Liam: That’s what we’re here to find out.
Sandoval: But our investigation must be kept quiet Doctor. No unwarranted suspicions must be cast
upon Ma’el or humanity’s first contact with the Taelons.
Cox: All of the artefacts found when the tomb was excavated have been taken to Washington for
display. I've been over every piece of rock and speck of dirt that was left behind.
Liam picks up a piece of pottery.
Liam: Then what exactly are you working on Doctor?
Cox takes the pottery from his hand and gives him a shy smile.
Cox: Catherine, please... For the past year I’ve been studying the area and the local human community’s
reaction to the discovery of the tomb.
Sandoval: Have you noticed anything out of the ordinary maybe in the last few weeks?
Cox: Well there have been a few more Taelonists hanging around than usual.
Liam: Taelonists?
Cox smiles somewhat cynically.
Cox: Oh, you’re going to love them.
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Cox accompanies Liam and Sandoval as they walk down a hill to a cluster of large white tents on the
grass.
Cox: They arrived shortly after the discovery of Ma’el’s tomb. Now they’re quite the fixture in the local
landscape.
A pleasant-looking man with a shaved head and a white gown comes over with a welcoming smile.
Remi: Catherine... I see you’ve brought guests.
Cox: (uneasy) Remi, these are Companion Protectors, Major Kincaid and Agent Sandoval.
Remi’s eyes go wide with astonishment, and he gives them the Taelon greeting to Liam and Sandoval.
Sandoval is noticeably irritated by Remi.
Remi: My name is Remi. Agents of the Companions here in our humble camp... I have so many questions!
Sandoval: We have a few of our own.
Remi: Yes of course, but let me show you around while we talk.
Cox: I’ve already had the tour, I’ll be back at the tomb.
Remi: Come.
Cox leaves, and Sandoval and Liam follow Remi down the hill to the camp.
Sandoval: I don’t understand your purpose here.
They enter one of the large white tents, where people are eating and talking. On the wall is an array of
Taelon-oriented photographs, arranged on a rack.
Remi: We seek to understand the teachings of the Taelons. This is the final resting place of Ma’el, the
first Taelon to arrive on our planet, so many thousands of years ago. The Taelons have returned to
continue his work, to show mankind the better way of life. We try to practice their philosophies in our
daily lives.
Liam: So you see no downside to the Taelons’ presence on Earth?
Remi: They brought us peace and prosperity. We can feed the hungry and cure the sick...
They leave the tent via the back flap. Some stone tablets are on display on stands, near incense
burners.
Remi: You know how some people had Companion Reaction Syndrome?
Sandoval and Liam nod, not understanding.
Remi: Well, everyone here has anti-Companion Reaction Syndrome...
He draws them to one of the tablets, which has swirly Taelon letters carved into it.
Remi: These are reproductions we created based on Ma’el’s writings. We using them as a central focus
for our meditations. I hope both of you will join us for a session.
Sandoval ignores him.
Sandoval: How does Bliss fit into your plans?
Remi: (confused) Bliss?
Liam: Someone’s sending a very dangerous drug through the Dublin portal.
Remi shakes his head with a smile.
Remi: There are no drugs here, Major. We’re not into that. Just peace and love.
Sandoval: (irritated) This is getting us no where Major, I’m going to go look around on my own.
He stalks away, and Remi looks worried.
Remi: Did I say something wrong?
Liam: (smiling) He’s not really the “peace and love” type.
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Augur comes halfway down a flight of stairs, and watches Lili hammering her fists on the closed door.
Augur: Going somewhere?
Lili turns around, looking miserable.
Lili: Yeah, Augur... I’ve gotta get out of here right now.
Augur: Exactly where would you be going?
Lili: Someplace I can kick this thing, cause... in a couple of hours I’m going to be one of those people we
saw at the hospital. I don’t wanna end up that way, drooling and strapped to the table. Forget it!
Augur: Okay, well, stay here. I can help.
Lili: No, see, I know you better than that. And I know that once I get a little out of control you’re going to
send me to the hospital!
Augur shakes his head.
Augur: No I won’t.
Lili: Come on, Augur. You’re supposed to be my friend.
Augur comes down the stairs.
Augur: Computer, initiate security protocol “Sanctuary.” Also, engage complete internal system lockout. I
want no access to my equipment either.
Computer: Timeframe?
Augur: Forty-eight hours.
All the doors close and seal. Lili stares at him in horror.
Computer: Sanctuary protocols initiated. Internal lockout established.
Lili: What have you done?
Augur: The Sanctuary program completely seals off this entire facility. Whether it’s Taelon, or Jaridian, or
little green men from Mars, when it comes down I’m waiting it out right here, seven hundred feet
underground. No one comes in, no one goes out, no exceptions.
He walks to the table, picks up a Bliss orb in the tongs and drops it into a machine. There is a whirring
noise, and Lili eyes it miserably. Augur looks at her grimly.
Augur: Get comfy. Neither of us is going anywhere.
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At the Taelonists’ camp, Liam is pacing through it and talking to his global.
Liam: Come on, Lili, pick up. Dammit, Lili! Where are you?
Sandoval comes over with a displeased expression on his face as Liam puts the global away.
Sandoval: I ran a scan of the entire encampment, came up with nothing stronger than herbal tea. I’d just
love to tear this place apart, but quite frankly, there’s nothing to tear.
Liam turns to the tablet and eyes it.
Sandoval: What is it?
Liam: Something about these tablets has been bothering me. Remi said these inscriptions were from
Ma’el’s tomb, but I don’t think they’ve ever been on public display.
Sandoval: Maybe the Taelonists discovered them while building their camp.
Liam: I wonder what else they discovered.
Liam pulls out his global and opens it.
Liam: I’m ordering another mapping of the area, from the Mothership.
Sandoval: But this area’s already been thoroughly mapped Major.
Liam: Humor me.
Sandoval watches Liam, confused, as the younger man walks away.
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Liam, Sandoval, and Cox are hiking through the Irish countryside, near a rock face.
Liam: The scan indicates an anomalous energy signature not present in the last survey of the area.
Cox: I’ve been over this countryside a hundred times. How could the Taelonists have found something we
haven’t?
Liam: Well, there’s what? Maybe a hundred of them roaming these fields.
Sandoval stops and crouches down, examining the dirt.
Sandoval: This footpath’s new. The grounds been recently disturbed.
Liam indicates the rock face.
Liam: The energy signature emanates from here.
Cox: I can’t believe I missed this!
Cox moves over and shifts some leaves, revealing more Taelon carvings and a large door in the rock
itself. She touches one of the carvings.
Cox: Incredible... it’s ancient Taelon! Maybe I can decipher it...
Liam: Could it be another tomb?
Sandoval: Ma’el was the only Taelon to visit Earth in ancient times.
Liam: That we know of.
Cox brushes more leaves aside.
Cox: There’s more writing here.
Liam touches a carving, then presses a fist to it. The door slides open, and they step inside. There is a
portal, terminals, shelves, and small alcoves in the wall.
Cox: This isn’t a tomb.
Liam: More like a laboratory of some kind. The Taelons’ technology certainly hasn’t changed much over
the years. This data terminal is very similar to those on the mothership.
Sandoval: Via mimicry, perhaps.
Sandoval touches a small object on a table, and a bluish hologram of Ma’el appears, speaking in whispery
Eunoia.
Liam: Ma’el, I presume...
Sandoval opens his global.
Sandoval: Mainframe Database, I need this translated immediately.
Cox: (thrilled) This recording must be over two thousand years old.
A second voice is heard over Ma’el’s, translating as he speaks.
Ma’el: ... The local population was almost wiped out by their intense craving for the plant they discovered
growing nearby. After nearly one hundred years of study I have developed a counteractive agent and
destroyed all but a single sample of the plant. Unchecked, the human race faces total annihilation.
----------------------------------------------
Da’an is standing by the window as Sandoval and Liam report.
Sandoval: The Taelonists must have discovered the lab before us, and removed Ma’el’s Bliss sample.
Da’an: Or perhaps someone discovered the drug in it’s natural plant form. Ma’el did imply... it was native
to the region.
Liam: “As soon as they tasted that honey-sweet fruit, they chose to stay with the lotus-eating natives
and chew their lotus.”
Zo’or stares at Liam.
Zo’or: (confused) What is the meaning of your words?
Da’an turns around.
Da’an: Liam is quoting from the Greek poet Homer. Odysseus was forced to leave his crew behind,
because they became addicted to the lotus plant.
Sandoval: Could Bliss be that plant?
Liam: The timing would be right.
Da’an: Then the human race is indeed in peril. It took Ma’el over one hundred years to reach a solution.
You must find the antidote now.
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Augur is seated on a chair, while Lili paces restlessly, starting to go through withdrawal. Augur is worried.
Augur: Listen, you haven’t told me what you think of the new place.
Lili: Oh... Yeah, I like it. I like it a lot better than your old place, that’s for sure. Your old place was like a
big maze.
Augur: Yeah, but you always found your way to the center, didn’t you?
Lili: That’s right.
Lili suddenly begins to shake as her skin shimmers with the glowing dots. Augur gets up and goes to her.
Augur: Lili? Lili? Are you okay?
She stares at him, through her blurred eyes.
Augur: Lili? Lili? Listen, remember the first time we met? Remember?
She sits down miserably.
Lili: Yeah... I’m sure glad I passed muster on our first meeting, Augur.
Augur: Well, that was a completely selfish decision on my part.
Lili: (smiling shakily) So tell me something... Seer... what do you see now? Am I going to live or am I going
to die?
He rises and sits down next to her.
Augur: No, listen to me. You can’t give up Lili, okay?
He hugs her close, and she leans against him.
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Liam is standing next to Ma’el’s burial marker, staring at his global.
Liam: Come on Augur, pick up! Damn it!
He slaps it shut, frustrated. Cox walks in toward him.
Cox: Trouble at home?
Liam: No, just trying to contact a friend.
Cox: Look, sorry if I was a little abrupt earlier, it’s just Remi and his friends really get on my nerves.
Liam: Well they seem very knowledgeable about the area. You said more of them have been area.
Anyone who seems out of place?
Cox: They all seem out of place if you ask me.
Liam: Maybe that’s not such a bad thing.
Cox: I’m sorry I can’t be more useful in your investigation.
Liam’s global beeps. He picks it up, and pulls it open, revealing Remi.
Remi: Major Kincaid, I think I found some of the orbs you are looking for, out by the prayer stone.
Cox: I know where that is.
Liam: We’re on our way. Let’s go get Sandoval.
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Lili is lying on the couch. She is having another seizure, and Augur is forced to watch. It is clearly painful
for him.
Lili: God, how much longer? I’m not going to make this. I can’t take this anymore, Augur...
Augur: You’ll be fine Lili. Lili?
Her skin shimmers and she gasps. Augur can’t stand it anymore.
Augur: This is crazy. I’ve got to get you out of here!
He yanks out a global.
Augur: I’m going to override the lookout command.
Lili: No, no. We’re going to finish this here.
She lurches up and grabs his arm, almost crying. Augur looks horribly torn.
Lili: Please, please just..
Augur: I can’t just sit here and watch you die, Lili!
Lili: (sobbing) I’d rather die! I don’t wanna live like this! Please Augur... Don’t!
After a moment of indecision, Augur throws it down and stomps on it, then sits down next to her.
Augur: (quietly) You owe me a new global.
Lili: (soft) Thank you...
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Liam, Sandoval and Cox are walking along a footpath down a hill, toward the prayer stone.
Cox: Just up ahead, beyond those trees.
As Sandoval leads the way, a red laser dot appears on his head.
Liam: Sandoval, get down!
He leaps toward Sandoval, and all three drop to the ground as guns fire. They peek over at the stones,
where a man is firing at them.
Liam: There, that outcropping of rocks.
Liam looks around, and sees a second man.
Liam: Crossfire. Catherine?
Cox: I’m all right.
Sandoval: They’ve got the angles on us.
Liam: Then we’ve got to take that advantage away.
He pulls out his global and taps in some commands. The shuttle activates and flies over over the
outcropping, and the snipers are distracted.
Liam: Now!
Sandoval skrills the man and the prayer stone monument explodes. They run toward it, but the attacker
is dead.
Liam: I don’t recognise him from the Taelonists camp.
Sandoval: Unfortunately dead men don’t tell tales Major.
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Liam stalks over to Remi, furiously. Remi looks completely innocent and bewildered.
Remi: Liam, I waited for you at the prayer stone.
Liam: Why wait around for a dead man, right?
Remi: I found what you were seeking, why are you upset?
Liam: Because I don’t like being shot at! Agent Sandoval doesn’t like being shot at, and I don’t think Dr.
Cox particularly cared for it either!
Remi: Guns are not permitted here. The trafficker of this drug is not a Taelonist, I know nothing about it.
Liam stares straight into Remi’s face.
Liam: Then let’s go over what you do know. I’m really trying to work with you Remi, but from right now it
looks like you and your friends are responsible for this Bliss epidemic! I know you found Ma’el’s lab,
probably months ago. I know that these inscriptions came from there, but what else did you take
out of there?
Remi: Nothing.
Liam: If you have that antidote, you better give it to me. This drug is killing people!
Remi: No, it’s nothing I swear. You must believe that I want to help you.
Liam is not yet convinced by this.
----------------------------------------------
Sandoval is at the dig when Liam storms down, irritated and angry.
Sandoval: The sniper’s body gave us nothing. Did you find Remi?
Liam: He said Taelonists don’t use guns.
Sandoval: Right. Don’t tell me you believe him?
Liam: I don’t know what to believe. None of this makes sense and we’re out of time!
Liam goes over to the mosaic and touches it.
Liam: The inscriptions... that’s the key!
Sandoval smiles a little.
Sandoval: Liam, this is Ma’el’s burial marker, that’s it.
Liam: No, I mean the tablets at the Taelonists’ site!
----------------------------------------------
Lili and Augur are on the couch, Augur supporting Lili’s head in his lap.
Augur: The episodes are subsiding...
Lili: Maybe from out there... but inside here it’s a whole different story.
Augur: This story’s going to have a happy ending.
Lili: There’s no such thing as happy endings, Augur. Somebody always dies and there’s always a funeral
to go to.
She has another seizure, then recovers slightly.
Lili: So, are you going to come to my funeral?
Augur: (smiling) Of course... I’ll even bring a date!
Lili: I’m so glad I went to my Dad’s. I never though I’d miss him.
Augur: You know, sometimes as adults we can be so... Cold, you know, so righteous, but the child will
always--always miss the parent when they’re gone.
Lili: Then who’s going to miss me?
Augur can’t reply, but only looks at her sadly.
----------------------------------------------
Cox is in Ma’el’s lab, puttering around. Liam and Sandoval enter, their faces a mixture of confidence and
grimness. She looks nervous.
Liam: Catherine...
Cox: Liam, what a pleasant surprise.
Sandoval: Perhaps not so pleasant. When exactly did you discover this place, Doctor?
Cox is very worried now, but pretends to be unconcerned.
Cox: What are you talking about? You were with me.
Liam: Oh that’s what you wanted us to believe, but you’d been here before. Found the Bliss, and realised
its potential...
Cox: That’s absurd. Well, if anyone had been here first, it’s the Taelonists. They’re always skulking
about...
Liam: So you let them do your work for you. When you saw the tablets at the camp you knew that they
had uncovered a new site, and they led you here without even knowing it.
He steps toward her aggressively, and for a moment she seems cowed.
Liam: I have a friend who is addicted to this drug, Catherine, someone I care about it. I’m not going to let
your Bliss kill her.
He turns back into the lab.
Liam: Where’s the antidote?
Cox smiles and touches a panel. A forcefield springs up around Sandoval and Liam. Sandoval steps
forward furiously and slams a fist against the forcefield.
Sandoval: Release us immediately!
Cox: And have you ruin all my plans? You know, everyone seems to think archaeology is all Indiana
Jones.... but most of it is shovelling dirt. No glitz, no glory... no money.
Liam: This isn’t about money. You’re GIVING the Bliss away!
Cox stops near the door.
Cox: A drug like Bliss is far to dangerous to sell, but it certainly spreads like wildfire, doesn’t it? In a few
months time, I’ll miraculously discover the antidote, and be hailed as mankind’s saviour. And of course...
the patent will be mine.
She waves open a small alcove in the wall and pulls out a purplish globe. As she starts to leave, she turns
back.
Cox: Oh, and the containment field is impenetrable. See, Ma’el was a very careful scientist, and didn’t
want any nasty microbes being released into the environment. Sorry, Liam, you were kind of cute...
She fires at the ceiling of the tunnel, sending rocks raining down as she leaves.
----------------------------------------------
Augur is sitting on the floor by the couch, where Lili is still lying, with a blanket draped over her. Her eyes
are glassy and her face is sweaty. He reaches out to his shoulder, and he touches her face.
Augur: You’re an ice cube!
Lili: I’m dreaming, Augur... I’m dreaming about my past... I’m dying.
Augur: No!
Lili: I can feel it...
Augur: (desperate) You’re not dying. It’s just the drug leaving your system. When this door unlocks I’m
going to take you for a double espresso, you’ll be good as new!
Lili: I’m not scared.
Augur: Of course you’re not, you’re a soldier. You’ve been through worse, much worse. You’ve cheated
death a hundred times.
Lili: Maybe once too often. I fought my battles, either way I’ve won.
She has another seizure, and Augur snaps to attention.
Augur: Lili?
Lili: (almost hysterical) Don’t leave me, Augur!
Augur: (soothing) I’m right here.
Lili: I don’t want to die alone! I don’t want to die alone! My brother died alone, running from my father....
my father died alone... I’m not going to be like them!
Augur: You’re not going to be alone. You just have to fight a little longer...
Lili appears to be unconscious. Augur gently kisses her hand and looks toward the ceiling.
----------------------------------------------
Liam and Sandoval are pacing through the lab, behind the containment field. Liam has his global open.
They are starting to pant.
Liam: The containment field must be generating some kind of dampening effect. I can’t get a signal
through.
Sandoval: Is it getting hard to breathe?
Liam: Yes...
Sandoval: The containment field is air tight.
Liam: We’ve only got a few minutes of oxygen left!
Behind them, outside the forcefield, we see Remi clamber down a second exit. Liam and Sandoval see him.
Liam: Remi, deactivate the field. The controller’s on the table.
Remi goes to the table and shuts off the field. The two protectors go toward him.
Sandoval: How did you find us?
Remi: Liam asked me to keep an eye on you both. I was wanting to keep the lab a secret. Ma’el was a
prophet here to help all mankind, but thus far my silence has brought nothing but harm.
A newly-respectful Sandoval and Remi give the Taelon gesture to each other, and Sandoval corrects
Remi’s hand placement with a smile.
Sandoval: Catherine’s probably left the island by now.
Liam pulls out his global and calls the mothership.
Liam: Do a saturation scan of the immediate vicinity, scan for any vehicular movement. Lock the results
directly into my global.
----------------------------------------------
Cox and two or three men are standing around a jeep, the grass littered with equipment. Cox seems very
nervous.
Cox: Forget the equipment, we’ve got to get going.
Liam and Sandoval appear.
Liam: Leaving without saying goodbye?
One of the men hits Sandoval with a crate, another begins punching Liam. As the four fight, Cox slips into
the car and sets off across the hills. Liam and Sandoval punch out the two men, and Sandoval raises his
arm toward the jeep.
Liam: Don’t shoot! She’s got the antidote!
Sandoval skrills the area in front of her jeep, and it falls into the hole blasted there. Liam and Sandoval
run over and open the door, and Liam pulls out a bag with the antidote ball in it.
Liam: I’ll take this.
Cox watches dazedly as the two walk away.
----------------------------------------------
At Augur’s home, Lili is still asleep on the couch. Augur is sitting on a nearby chair, head bowed.
Computer: End sanctuary protocols.
Augur hears the voice and slowly rouses, going over to Lili and trying to shake her awake.
Augur: Lili! Lili, you made it! Come on, wake up!
Lili doesn’t move. Augur’s smile turns to an expression of desperation.
Augur: Lili, come on! You made it. Lili!
Liam races in with a syringe. Augur looks up at him in terror.
Augur: She won’t wake up!
Liam: Ma’el had an antidote... this has got to work!
He injects Lili with the antidote. Lili still doesn’t move.
Augur: (whispering) Come on... you got this far...
She slowly opens her eyes. She is weak but alive, and free of Bliss.
Lili: Liam?
Liam smiles at her in relief, and Augur looks as if a huge burden has been lifted.
Liam: Let’s get her to a hospital.
----------------------------------------------
Sandoval and Zo’or are walking through the mothership, talking.
Sandoval: Distribution of the antidote is proceeding smoothly. Catherine Cox has been turned over to the
proper authorities. Human laws regarding drug offenders are quite severe.
Zo’or: You and Major Kincaid are to be commended for resolving this problem so quickly. And Captain
Marquette?
Sandoval: Captain Marquette sequestered herself. The details of her detoxification are unclear, but
somehow she was able to purge herself of the drug.
Zo’or: We are most fortunate to have someone with such strength of will working with us.
Sandoval: Yes, indeed. Captain Marquette is quite formidable. I shall see to the immediate destruction of
the remaining Bliss.
Zo’or: Not ALL of it, Agent Sandoval.
Sandoval gets a strange look on his face.
Zo’or: Do you not think it wise that we retain a sample of the drug? Just in case.
Zo’or walks off with a sly smile, and a stressed-looking Sandoval stays behind.
----------------------------------------------
Lili walks into Augur’s home. She seems to have recovered mostly, if not completely.
Augur: Hi! How are you feeling?
Lili: I’m getting there.
Augur: Hey can I get you something?
He holds up a drink, and Lili refuses.
Lili: No, thanks. I just stopped by to say thank you.
Augur: Oh, Lili, please. You don’t have to thank me.
Lili: Yes I do. I don’t think I would have made it alone. Thanks.
She kisses an impressed Augur on the cheek. He smiles.
Augur: Well, if you put it that way...
----------------------------------------------
At Strandhill, Liam’s shakarava glow. He smiles around with a look of wonder and wanders away.
