M I L L E N N I U M IT... HAS... BEGUN... NOTHING IS FORSAKEN... Virtual Season Episode #422. "Revelation" written by: Dan Owen and Matt Asendorf TEASER BLACK. FRANK (V.O.) Previously on Millennium. There follows a one-minute recap of the events in "The Swords Of Armageddon", concluding with: INT. LIVING ROOM - BLACK RESIDENCE - NIGHT The dark screen of the television is switched on and soon a picture appears: it's a 24-hour news channel. Frank reclines in an armchair and closes his eyes. On the screen an ASIAN REPORTER is standing outside a subway station building, talking into camera. ASIAN REPORTER The incident occurred on the capital's Metro system at approximately 1 p.m. this afternoon. Frank's eyes open wide at the mention of this stations. A legend at the foot of the screen reads: 'SUSPECTED SUBWAY GAS ATTACK ON WASHINGTON METRO" Frank sits up. ASIAN REPORTER Given the fatalities - almost twenty bodies, we're told - authorities are understandably investigating the very real possibility of a terrorist nerve gas attack on the capital. The Asian Reporter's words fade into the background as Frank's expression is overcome with awe and shock. The sound of HISSING breaks his expression, and he glances up to see that the TV picture is breaking up. As the Reporter speaks, wavy lines flutter across the screen and momentary bursts of snowy static HISS into the room. Frank stands up and crosses to the television set. Not being technically minded, he just taps it on the side a few times. This seems to do the trick, and the picture returns to normal... but as Frank steps back a SQUEALING wails from the TV and the picture vanishes. The dark screen envelops the room with silence. Frank SIGHS and is about to try something else when -- TSSSSSHHHHH! -- the screen turns completely snowy. TSSSSSHHHHH! Frank senses something to his left and turns towards the curtained window. INT. STAIRS - BLACK RESIDENCE - NIGHT Jordan is slowly descending the stairs, her feet making no noise on the soft carpet. As she walks downward, she passes a large photo-frame with three circular shapes displaying photos of Tom, Helen and Charlie. Each circular photograph descends in size (largest to smallest). Jordan reaches the foot of the stairs and stands in silence - just staring at the door frame to the living room; which resembles a large rectangle due to the light shining through the gaps in the frame. INT. LIVING ROOM - BLACK RESIDENCE - NIGHT Frank rushes over to the window and pulls the curtains open! He stares outside, his hands cupped to the window to limit reflection. In the distance, beyond the houses, a sudden and terrible BLAST of bright light flits across the sky - illuminating *everything* ten times brighter than a lightning bolt! Frank jerks back from the window, grabbing his eyes and MOANING in intense pain! He stumbles backwards and falls onto the floor. Through a crack in the curtains... we see an odd reflection of a nuclear mushroom cloud rising in the distance! A surreal tension and prickling sensation occurs, and we notice some candle-sticks are beginning to melt around the room. Suddenly, small fires start erupting around the room as flammable objects begin to cook! Frank's eyes are half-open and his head drooped to the left. He seems to be having spasms, as his shoulders and arms twitch against his sides. A THUNDEROUS sound of unstoppable devastation is heard outside - as the approach of a raging shockwave approaches! INT. HALLWAY - BLACK RESIDENCE - NIGHT Jordan licks her dry lips, as her slight body stares at the lit rectangle of the doorway ahead of her. The light around the doorframe turns a strange red/yellow as the sound of CRASHING is heard outside! INT. LIVING ROOM - BLACK RESIDENCE - NIGHT Frank's body isn't twitching as much now... and his flickering eyes stare down at his cell phone - which is resting on the floor. Through the din, it audibly begins to RING. But nothing matters now... The room's windows EXPLODE, showering glass everywhere as the entire room explodes into an inferno of fire before Frank's dying eyes. FADE TO BLACK. FADE IN: EXT. DESERT LANDSCAPE - DAY A desolate vista of sand sprawling for miles in every direction, disappearing into a distant horizon. A light wind kicks up sand, which throws itself across this nightmarish apocalyptic sight. CAMERA PANS right slowly and finds an assortment of building, totally unscathed and eerily silent. These two homesteads are situated parallel to a water tank and some telegraph poles (its wires cut). Loose fragments of litter are caught in the breeze and join a few tumbleweeds in rolling across the scene. Suddenly, SNORTING breaks the silence! HARD CUT TO: A PIG PEN Which contains six large pigs, SNORTING and rubbing their tusks against the pen's fencing. The view changes - becoming more grainy (as if being filmed by a camera). The swine begin SQUEALING for no apparent reason, kicking at their fencing and bucking their tusks in futile escape. A crescendo of SNORTING is heard as-- FFPPHHWOOOM! The entire pig pen is obliterated as a tremendous shock-wave simply blasts them away in an instant! HARD CUT TO: THE HOMESTEAD Again, viewed with a grainy picture, the homestead sits in earnest. Waiting. It's time comes too, as the same shockwave CRASHES into the wooden buildings and SMASHES them to the floor! The telegraph poles bend in the blast, and the water tank is driven away by the impact! In seconds, the homestead has been leveled to a flat pile of broken wood. CAMERA TRACKS amongst the debris and find what appears to be a DEAD BODY in amongst a pile of corrugated steel. As we grow closer, the legs and torso of the body become clearer... until we arrive at the face... and find it's features are merely melted plastic! A mannequin. WIDER ANGLE The destroyed buildings lay wasted on the desert floor, as a CRACKLING noise grows - like a Geiger's counter's output CLICKS. The sound grows louder and louder, as a Legend INDICATES: Trinity Test Site, Alamagordo July 16, 1945 5:29:45 AM, Mountain War Time JORDAN (V.O.) (whispering) Dad? Dad? Da-ad...? DISSOLVE TO: INT. WARD 10 - HOSPITAL - DAY FRANK BLACK is lying upright in bed, a pillow placed behind his head. He has some cuts around his temple and some slight bruising on his jaw. Legend INDICATES: December 26, 10:32 AM 6 days remaining... Frank's eyes are closed. Jordan, sitting at his bedside, has her head resting on his chest. JORDAN (whispering) Time to wake up... Frank's eyes slowly begin opening, and he slowly regains consciousness. Immediately, he notices Jordan and makes an attempt to sit up. A firm adult hand presses him back down - it's TOM BLACK. TOM Whoa, whoa, whoa, steady there, Frank. Frank focuses on his brother's concerned face. Jordan is sitting upright now, beaming wide. Frank smiles weakly at her, and holds her close, kissing the top of her head. FRANK I had a... strange dream. Tom raises his eyebrows. TOM Nightmare? Frank merely raises his eyebrows, nodding slightly. TOM (CONT'D) I'm no expert, but I'd say that's natural given the circumstances. Frank's eyes look down at his daughter, and he holds her tighter. FRANK (to Jordan, low) I'm so sorry for all this. TOM Have you heard the results of the MRI scan yet? Frank EXHALES audibly, closing his eyes - just grateful to be alive. FRANK Not yet. DR. ELIZABETH LUNDER (30s) walks up to Frank's bed behind Tom. She smiles down at him. DR LUNDER Good morning, Mr Black. Frank nods his acknowledgment. FRANK Have the results come back yet, Doctor? DR LUNDER Please. It's better if we leave all that till you've eaten. One step at a time. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV Frank remembers-- LE SAUX (V.O.) One step at a time, Monsieur Black, and all will be revealed. Then a visually violent sequence of images rock Frank's mind - each one flashing by at incredible speed and re-ordering themselves into different sequences-- -- A nuclear MUSHROOM CLOUD rising from a desert landscape! -- A LARGE EXPLOSION! -- A sequence of letters; "G", "O", "M", "I", "S", "O" -- The sound of BUZZING flies! Frank looks stunned by the sensory overload, but from outward appearance looks simply dazed and disorientated. Dr Lunder moves in and checks his pupil dilation with a light-pen. Everything seems fine. DR LUNDER You need to rest now. JORDAN One step at a time, dad. Lunder smiles at Jordan, while Frank can only wrinkle his brow slightly at the intensity in Jordan's eyes as she speaks. FADE OUT. ACT ONE BLACK. "To make an End, is to make a Beginning." -- T.S. Elliot FADE IN: INT. SUBWAY TRAIN - DAY White outlines mark where dead bodies were sprawled down the carriage gangway. The windows are all closed, some smeared with blood. The interior lights are on, causing reflections of the carriage to appear along the dark windows. THREE HAZMAT-SUITED MEN are walking down the gangway, their faces hidden behind dark visors. One man approaches a seat and bends down underneath it. A small packet filled with white powder is seen on the floor. HAZMAT MAN #1 Hey, over here, I found something. His colleague approach quickly as he shuffles out onto the gangway with the packer between some metal tweezers. HAZMAT MAN #2 Drugs? HAZMAT MAN #3 Probably. We should take it with us. Anything else? Hazmat Man #2 shakes his head. HAZMAT MAN #2 Nothing. Doesn't make sense. HAZMAT MAN #1 Come on, let's get going. Hazmat Man #2 places the drug packet into a larger plastic bag and ties the end with clips. All three men begin walking back up the gangway, stepping past dried puddles of red/brown blood. As their booted feet pass, we notice a remaining fly - hunched over one of the blood spills... and drinking. INT. FBI BRIEFING ROOM - DAY EMMA HOLLIS is standing with a clipboard, addressing a team of ten FBI AGENTS, including JANE LESKY. EMMA Okay, as you know, yesterday's gas attack on the Washington Metro is our main priority. Twenty people were taken to the George Washington Hospital... they're now all dead. A low MURMUR of amazement fills the room, as Emma pauses. EMMA (CONT'D) Due to the lack of incriminating evidence at the crime scene, and no first-hand witnesses, we have to surmise that all twenty victims had somehow been infected with a chemical agent *prior* to boarding that train. LESKY What have the CDC said? EMMA Nothing yet. They're doing tests on the dead as we speak. They should have a definite ID on the toxin within hours. Lesky nods, then digs out a file. LESKY Oh, and... the Hazmat team mentioned something about a "buzzing noise"? Like flies or wasps? EMMA Yes. There was some mention about an insect problem, or something. I doubt that's pertinent to the situation. We're not even sure if these two things occurred at the same time. LESKY I thought flies hibernated in Winter. EMMA (frowns) Is something bothering you, Agent Lesky? LESKY No, ma'am. I'm just finding this whole thing... bizarre. EMMA (a beat) That's because it is. Lesky and Emma share a wistful expression across the room. INT. DR GLENDALE'S STUDY - DAY The body of the murdered Dr Glendale has been removed, leaving just a pool of dried blood on his desk. Legend INDICATES: Glendale Residence 12:02 PM INVESTIGATORS are still searching around the room. DETECTIVE ARMSTRONG sighs as he stares around the room, frustrated by this case. RYAN (O.C.) Hey, Armstrong! Armstrong turns and walks out of the room to see RYAN FROST pulling down an attic ladder from the corridor's ceiling. ARMSTRONG What are you expecting to find up there? RYAN I don't know. Ryan begins clambering up into the attic. Armstrong tuts at Ryan's strong-headedness, but goes after him. INT. GLENDALE ATTIC - DAY Darkness. A square of light from the attic hatch illuminates the rafters, as Ryan clambers up and stands. His hand finds a chain, which he pulls. The large attic is filled with dim light from a sequence of light-bulbs. RYAN Welcome to the Bat Cave... Armstrong appears in the hatch and is helped up by Frost. He stands and dusts himself down. ARMSTRONG (cynically) Hmm, looks like an attic to me. Let's go. RYAN Hang on... Ryan walks carefully over to a large pile of old cardboard boxes. He takes out a pen-knife and slices open the tape holding one of the boxes closed. He pulls the boxes lid open and stares inside. RYAN (CONT'D) (to himself) Jackpot. (louder) Hey, take a look at this. Armstrong walks over quickly, and stares inside. ARMSTRONG What are they? RYAN Secrets. Inside the boxes are dozens of file-folders, video cassettes, binders, forms, audio-cassettes, books and blueprints. EXT. BLACK RESIDENCE - DAY The White Van is still parked outside Tom and Helen's house. The neighborhood is quiet. INT. WHITE VAN - DAY Nielsen is asleep, slightly reclined in his seat with a map over his chest. His wrist-watch begins to BEEP and he slowly wakes up. Looking at the clock on his dashboard the time is found to be 9:00 AM precisely. He shifts round in his seat we see he has stacks of equipment in the back: wires, screens, consoles and a few keyboards. He hits a button and ejects a CD from a panel. An inscription in fine ink reads "BF #101" on its top. KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK! - someone raps on Nielsen's window. Nielsen twists round in his seat to see HELEN BLACK outside his window with CHARLIE in her arms. She smiles as Nielsen winds his window down. HELEN Good morning. NIELSEN Hi. HELEN Lost? NIELSEN No, no everything's fine now. HELEN (frowns) Weren't you parked here all of yesterday? NIELSEN Uh, yeah. I had some mechanical problems with the van. Sorry if I'm spoiling your view. HELEN (smiles) No, that's okay. I just wanted to make sure, y'know, that everything was all right. I'm on the Neighborhood Watch committee. NIELSEN (smiles) Right. Sorry, I fell asleep last night. I'll be out of your way in a few minutes. HELEN There's no rush. Well, nice meeting you. NIELSEN You too. Um, hope you don't mind me asking but... I noticed an ambulance outside late last night. I hope everything's okay. HELEN Yes. Um, my brother-in-law had some kind of seizure we think. He's fine now. NIELSEN Oh. Well, so long as it's nothing serious. HELEN I hope not. Thanks. Bye then. NIELSEN Goodbye. Helen smiles again and walks back to her house. Nielsen's smiling face twists back to a stony stare as he watches her cross the street. INT. DR LUNDER'S ROOM - DAY Dr Lunder is seated across a table from Frank, who is now dressed in the same clothes he had on last night. He looks a little pale, his hair's messy and the bruising on his face is more visible. DR LUNDER I'm afraid our test results aren't good, Mr Black. But there's good news along with the bad. FRANK Tell me the bad news first. DR LUNDER We can now say you definitely had a seizure brought about by epilepsy. Frank's face cracks and he stares down for a second. As he does so, Dr Lunder continues: DR LUNDER (CONT'D) I'm sorry. FRANK What, uh, what exactly is epilepsy. Does it mean I have a-a tumor? DR LUNDER It can do, yes. But not in your case, don't worry. (a beat) Um, brains consist of millions of nerve cells, called neurones. Each one receives electrical signals from fellow neurones, and pass them on to others. Touch, sight, thinking, movement... all depend on this communication. The brain is constantly generating electrical rhythms in an orderly fashion, even in sleep. Frank looks up. FRANK But not mine. DR LUNDER In epilepsy this order is occasionally disrupted by some neurones discharging their signals incorrectly. There may be a kind of brief electrical "storm" arising from neurones which cause these seizures. FRANK And... it's only ever happened *now*? DR LUNDER It's rare for someone to have a problem manifest late in life. Only 4% of epilepsy sufferers have their first seizure after forty. FRANK How did I get it? You said it wasn't a tumor. DR LUNDER Right. We can already rule that out thanks to the MRI. But there are three other ways people contract epilepsy. Injury is one. Have you had a bad fall recently? Frank shakes his head. DR LUNDER Uh, do you drink often? FRANK No. DR LUNDER Good. We've also tested you for a low blood glucose level, but everything seems fine. Which only leaves... an inherited defect. Does your family have a history of epilepsy? Frank stares at Dr Lunder, his mind racing and finding bad news. FRANK My... I think my grandfather had it. I'm pretty sure. I'll have to check with my brother, but... yeah, I think so. DR LUNDER If you can confirm that, then that's the reason for your seizure. FRANK I-I can't even believe this is... it's so hard to take in... Frank SIGHS, and rubs his face in his hands. Dr Lesky waits patiently. INT. EMMA'S OFFICE - DAY Emma is pouring over some files and reports. She stops and holds her head in her arms, exhausted. Someone KNOCKS at the door. EMMA Come in. Finley enters and quickly closes the door. FINLEY (courteously) Assistant Director. EMMA What do you want? FINLEY You've had a day to think. I'm here for an answer. The last initiations take place on New Year's Eve, and we need to prepare. EMMA Does this initiation involve accepting scrolls and making speeches? Finley sits, SIGHING. FINLEY It's a little early for wise-cracks, Emma, and frankly I don't have the time. EMMA (exhales) I'm sorry. I'm just exhausted dealing with this gas attack on the Metro. Finley nods. FINLEY So your answer is..? EMMA (frowns) Why the sudden pushiness? FINLEY You've had six months to see we're not the "monsters" Frank Black had you believe. Will one extra day of thought *really* make any difference now? EMMA I guess not. FINLEY Well then...? Emma glances down, then up. She smacks her lips, then turns firm and outstretches her hand. EMMA Yes, okay. I'm in. Finley can't hide a smile as she shakes Emma's hand firmly. But then she turns cool again. FINLEY Excellent. You've made the right choice. I'll let you know more about the initiation later. Finley leaves Emma is alone to ponder. INT. DR LUNDER'S OFFICE - DAY Dr Lunder brings out some paperwork and slides them across to Frank. DR LUNDER I've prepared some leaflets and booklets for you to read, which I suggest you do. You actually had what's known as a Tonic-clonic seizure. It starts with a sinking or rising feeling in the pit of the stomach, then you may groan before losing consciousness. Frank nods, remembering, his eyes blink slowly. DR LUNDER Your limbs became stiff and rigid, and breathing stopped, causing your lips to turn blue. Your eyes rolled upward upward, and your jaws clenched. This "tonic phase" is followed, about a minute later, by what we call the "clonic phase"; whereby your body shook with a series of rhythmic jerking of the limbs. These ceased after a couple of minutes. You then recovered consciousness, and were confused for several minutes, then slept for a few hours. Do you have a headache and soreness of any muscles right now? FRANK Uh, a slight headache, yeah. There's some soreness in my left arm, too. DR LUNDER They may persist for a few days. FRANK (laughs low) I really need that good news now, Doctor. Lunder smiles. DR LUNDER Yes. There *are* many treatments and drugs you can take. All have a good success rate. People *can* live with their epilepsy, Mr Black, and seizures can be rare occurrences. Give your age, this *could* be put down to a one-off. Just your genetic past exacting itself on you for some reason. We still don't have all the answers, I'm afraid. Epilepsy is a mysterious realm. But it's not the end of the world by any means. FRANK You said it was hereditary. DR LUNDER That's right. FRANK My daughter Jordan... could she have it too? DR LUNDER It's possible. But unlikely, actually. By all accounts it seems the epilepsy totally skipped your father's generation, and has only affected in later life. How old is Jordan now? FRANK Eleven. DR LUNDER (nodding) Almost half of epileptic patients have their first seizure by the age of nine. That's a very good sign for Jordan. It's more than likely she'll have no problems, and once she hits 19 you can practically wave goodbye to any anxiety on the matter. Mind you, being the father of a teenager brings a whole new world of anxieties. Dr Lunder smiles. Frank smiles thinly. FRANK Thank you, Dr Lunder. DR LUNDER Please read the leaflets, and do contact someone for any advise and guidance. I've written plenty of help line numbers for you to call, as well as support groups. It's all confidential and very professional. Dr Lunder passes over some leaflets and booklets. Frank takes them as he stands. FRANK I can just go? DR LUNDER There's no reason not to. Your MRI and EEG scans showed your in no immediate danger. Frank nods slightly. FRANK Thank you. Frank slowly leaves the room with his booklets, pausing at the door to confront his family beyond it. INT. FBI CRIME LAB - DAY PROFESSOR DEAN MYERS (a toxicologist) is talking with Emma Hollis, who has had to dress in some protective clothing (apron, gloves, hairnet). He has the powder the Hazmat team found in the subway carriage contained in a glass box. EMMA Any luck, Doctor? MYERS Indeed. What you're looking at is, essentially, tainted drugs, and definitely the cause of all the subway fatalities. It looks like normal cocaine to the naked eye, but... EMMA It's not. MYERS No, no, no. No, this stuff ranks on the "FBI's Top 10 Most Dangerous Toxins" list. Placed behind plutonium and botulism, at number 3. EMMA What's in it? MYERS Lethal amounts of something called Ricin. A protein toxin which acts as a poison, readily produced from castor beans. When inhaled or absorbed through the skin, the victim would suffer fever, cough, dyspnea, nausea, and chest tightness, together with profuse sweating - all within eight hours. EMMA That matches some reports from what the paramedics saw when they arrived at the scene. MYERS (nods) What follows are the development of pulmonary edema, cyanosis, hypo tension, and finally respiratory failure and circulatory collapse. Death usually occurs between 36 and 72 hours, depending on the dose received. EMMA 36 *hours*? That can't be right - they were all dead within 18. Were they exposed to an extreme amount? MYERS No. In fact, the drugs had just a 4% trace element of Ricin in them. Those people should have lasted... oh, easily 50 hours, I'd say. EMMA Fifty? Then what happened? MYERS This isn't your typical Ricin. This is... well, I don't know *what* this is. It's Ricin... but it's not. It's been altered on a molecular level. Professionally. Obviously to increase the speed of its effects. (a beat) I'd say our toxin chart has a new number 2. EMMA But there's an antidote... MYERS There's no cure for being exposed to *normal* Ricin, let alone this "new breed." EMMA (a beat, sighs) So we're dealing with organized people. Educated men... with the money, resources, and time, to produce something like this in a laboratory. Myers nods gravely. Emma just stares in awe at the small mound of white powder in the containment box. EXT. COASTAL BEACH - DAY An overcast day. A high wind whips sand into the air and churns waves onto the shores of the beach. Legend INDICATES: Newport, Oregon Coastline 8:13 AM PST The sound of rotor blades become audible over the noise of the crashing surf, and a helicopter begins to lower from the sky. INT. HELICOPTER - DAY The same men from Russia in "The Swords Of Armageddon" are seated around the lead cases they stole from the Black Train. Amongst them is Mabius. He leaps down onto the sandy beach, to see three FBI vans and six squad cars racing towards the helicopter. EXT. COASTAL BEACH - DAY Mabius's expression shows no concern as the approaching vehicles slow down and brake to a stop. A QUARTET OF AGENTS spill out of a blue van marked "FBI" and run up to him. The AGENT-IN-CHARGE speaks: AGENT-IN-CHARGE Daniel Mabius? MABIUS Yes. AGENT-IN-CHARGE We have orders to make sure your cargo arrives at Portland International Airport. You have a private jet waiting. Uh, just where exactly are you taking this stuff? MABIUS The capital. The side of Mabius's mouth raises in a half-hearted smile. The A-I-C just nods and feigns a low LAUGH politely, not fully understanding. Mabius is deadly serious. FADE OUT. ACT TWO FADE IN: INT. MEDIA ROOM - BALTIMORE PD - DAY The contents of Dr Glendale's attic are piled up on a large table. Five DETECTIVES are going through the evidence; watching videos on TV's, clicking through slides, reading journals and blueprints, etc. Legend INDICATES: Baltimore PD Media Room 4:12 PM Ryan is with Armstrong, both watching color images of a remote bridge. The bridge is serene and spans across a green valley. The amateur video jerks slightly as MUFFLED WORDS are spoken, and -- FFPPHHWOOOM! -- the bridge is destroyed, the shockwave rocking the camera. ARMSTRONG Yow. RYAN There's more on every one of these tapes; bridges, dams, underground detonations - you name it, it'll be blown up on one of these tapes. ARMSTRONG Dr Glendale *was* a weapons analyst for a time. RYAN D'you know what weapon destroyed that bridge? Armstrong looks blank. RYAN (CONT'D) Something called a Special Atomic Demolition Munitions - or S.A.D.M. ARMSTRONG Atomic? RYAN (nods) Weighing 80-100 pounds, small enough to fit in a bag, and used for sabotage missions by Navy SEALS. Airfields, bridges, dams, you name it. It's got an explosive charge of 1000 tons of TNT. (a beat) The film on that tape was declassified in '97. It's *not* some wild conspiracy theory. This type of portable destruction is a fact... and Dr Glendale was practically the brains behind it all. ARMSTRONG Okay... uh, we already know Glendale was suspected of passing nuke secrets to the Russian Mafia and KGB... so what are you saying? RYAN I'm saying that Glendale was killed by someone who never forgot the near-hysteria the Glendale court case would have brought. Someone actively against nuclear energy. ARMSTRONG An anti-nuke campaigner? RYAN Why not? The threat of nuclear war's loomed over everyone for decades now. We've just become accustomed to it... while others haven't. Maybe someone who was affected by one of Glendale's projects... ARMSTRONG (thinks deeply) Well, it kinda makes sense, I guess. Pretty extreme way to make a point, though. Murder. RYAN It's just a theory. Armstrong EXHALES deeply and rubs his weary eyes. ARMSTRONG Okay, okay, we'll snoop around for radical extremist with heavy agendas. Won't be the first time. RYAN Thanks. And in the meantime we should start getting collating feedback from the Glendale's neighbors. Armstrong nods - he's already ahead of Ryan on that score. Ryan brushes past to examine another table filled with stolen Government materials. EXT. BLACK RESIDENCE - DAY The White Van has vanished. Tom Black's car swings into the driveway and parks. INT. HALLWAY - BLACK RESIDENCE - DAY The door is opened to reveal Frank and Tom on the doorstep. Helen is there to greet them, with Charlie in her arms. She flashes a broad smile and widens the door. HELEN Good to see you, Frank. I had a feeling they'd let you out soon. FRANK You can't get rid of me that easy. Helen LAUGHS to herself as Tom and Frank step inside, followed by Jordan - who's holding on to the back of Frank's jacket. Helen closes the door. INT. LIVING ROOM - BLACK RESIDENCE - DAY Frank cautiously enters the living room - his face betraying a wavering thought that total desolation may greet him. Of course, the room is totally normal and festooned with Christmas decorations. Tom and Helen hover near the door as Frank gently sits in an armchair, with Jordan settling on his knee. HELEN I'll make us some drinks. TOM Uh, yeah, I'll help. They both leave. Frank smiles, even after they've gone. He takes a deep BREATH as he stares round the living room. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV Another frighteningly fast sequence of images pound through Frank's mind: -- The entire room ablaze! -- The cushions exploding into flames! -- Window glass SMASHING! -- Christmas decorations melting! Frank's breath hitches from the shock. Jordan also shifts and stares up at her father. Frank meets her gaze. JORDAN It won't happen, you know. You won't let it happen. FRANK Let what happen? JORDAN I saw it, too. The fires. Frank's face registers bewilderment as he sits up and holds Jordan firmly. FRANK How did you see that? Jordan shrugs. Frank holds her tightly. FRANK I'm so sorry, Jordan. You shouldn't be seeing those things. Jordan's face is buried in Frank's arm as he rocks her gently - his eyes closed. INT. THE ELDER'S STUDY - DAY The Elder is seated across from Ms Finley, listening closely. FINLEY You gave a good speech yesterday, sir. THE ELDER Thank you, but I doubt that's why you made an urgent appointment to see me, Carol. FINLEY No, sir. You'll be pleased to know that Emma Hollis has agreed to become a member. THE ELDER Hmm. I thought as much. FINLEY You did? THE ELDER It was only a matter of time. Curiosity is a strong emotion, especially in someone so naturally inquisitive like Miss Hollis. Tell me, do you think she's joining for the right reasons? FINLEY I think so. She's only seen the tip of the iceberg, of course. THE ELDER She wouldn't be the first Assistant Director of the FBI to become a member... or the last. She's nothing special, Carol. FINLEY I believe all members are special. They may not all be blessed with "gifts", but all are unique. THE ELDER The last initiation ceremony takes place on New Year's Eve. Ten o'clock, followed by a three hour vigil by candlelight. FINLEY She'll be there. I don't think she had any plans for the millennium. Not after her father's death. THE ELDER Hm. Good. Is that everything? FINLEY Uh, no, actually. The Elder sits back, his eyes intense. FINLEY Somebody contacted me yesterday. THE ELDER Who? FINLEY I don't know. Someone who seemed to know a lot about the Group. Maybe an ex-member, I'm not sure. He... made me curious. THE ELDER There's that word again. A smile flickers across Finley's face, but her seriousness subdues it quickly. FINLEY He mentioned a ritual known as "The Walk"? THE ELDER The what? FINLEY I know it sounds stupid, but he said the Millennium Group practiced it. Actually, he said it's only been performed once before. A thousand years ago. THE ELDER Sorry, it doesn't ring any bells. FINLEY Why would someone give me misinformation like that? The Elder shrugs. THE ELDER I wouldn't let it bother you. Probably just a crank caller. FINLEY He spoke with a French accent. The Elder's eyes narrow slightly and he bites the corner of his lip. THE ELDER I see. (a beat) Well, I'll look into it if you want. But remember, Carol, there are many people out there with misconstrued grudges against us. Their inability to understand our complexities leads to fear. People *always* fear what they don't understand. I'd take any mysterious phone calls with a very large pinch of salt. Finley nods and smiles thinly as she stands and leaves the room. The Elder's features darken as the door closes. INT. LIVING ROOM - BLACK RESIDENCE - DAY Frank is holding a newspaper with a main headline which reads: "20 DEAD IN METRO GAS ATTACK" The headline is accompanied by a photograph of the subway station, which has been cordoned off with yellow tape. Frank massages the bridge of his nose. TOM (O.C.) Another headache? Frank looks up to see Tom passing him a cup of coffee. He takes it, smiling meekly. FRANK Just some bad news. Tom notices the headline. TOM Oh. Yeah, the Metro attack. Possible terrorist act, I heard. FRANK I was on that train, Tom. TOM What?? When? FRANK Yesterday. Someone called me and made me get on that train. I got off just in time; according to this twenty people died after being exposed to some kind of toxin at one p.m. That's *minutes* after I got off, I'm sure. TOM Why did you get on the Metro? Who told you to? FRANK Someone I know. TOM And how well do you know him? FRANK Not very well. But... just thinking about it now, in hindsight... it's almost as if he *knew* those people would all die. Tom can't fathom the complexity of Frank's thoughts clearly, and instead just sits back in his sofa and SIGHS. FRANK Something's happening, Tom. Events are being set in motion. The gas attack on the Metro... my epilepsy... TOM Hey, hey now just stop right there, Frank. It's, uh, it's madness to think there's a connection here. You're just being paranoid. FRANK I haven't told you everything. Tom waits. FRANK (CONT'D) The case Ryan was involved with was the apparent murder of a retired nuclear physicist, who was likely associated with the Millennium Group. And last night I *saw* a... a disaster. Tom shakes his head jerkily, wanting more clarity. Frank wrestles with his words. FRANK (CONT'D) A nuclear explosion. It looked like it'd hit somewhere in Washington D.C. - in the distance. (looking round) This whole room just... exploded into flames and heat. TOM (slow, firmly) You had an epileptic fit, Frank. I'm *certain* this must be part of the symptoms. An hallucination. All those neurones misfiring in your brain just... tricked you into a... living nightmare. Your subconscious mind just picked up on murder case's nuclear connection and... filled in the rest. FRANK No. No, you don't understand. TOM Who can then? Tell me, and I'll call them. What, a therapist, or something? FRANK Jordan understands - as best she can. Lara Means understood. (a beat) For years now I've accepted something in my life which would send most people to suicide or a straight-jacket. An ability. For whatever reason - spiritual or scientific - I have a gift. And I've chosen to use it. It's brought swift ends to dozens of crime cases... and misery to my family life. But it's been there for me. I could almost depend on it to help me... to guide me. I can't ignore what I've seen so clearly. My gift's never failed me. TOM And you don't think it's even a slight coincidence that you had this "vision" seconds before you had an electrical storm buzzing through your head? Spirituality's one thing, Frank, but facts are another. I have more faith in what qualified doctors say. FRANK I can't ignore it, Tom. I'm sorry, but I can't. TOM So now what? FRANK I need to have answers. I'm tired of stumbling around in the dark - making small progress, which tends to be snatched away. I thought the Bureau could help me a year ago... but it turned out the Group have them under their thumb. I have to take the next step. TOM (sighs) Do what you want, Frank. It's obvious your mind's made up, and I won't force you to change it. I just ask you to remember you have Jordan to think about. Now more than ever. I hope to God this epilepsy somehow... vanishes. But if it doesn't, you have to take care of yourself. Low stress. It may even be a good idea for you to... permanently quit your work as a consultant. Frank jerks his head up to stare at Tom. They both share a silent gaze which communicates compassion and sympathy more than any words. EXT. FINCH RESIDENCE - NIGHT Ryan and Armstrong are standing in the porch of the large home. At the door stands ERIC FINCH, mid-30's. The three men are talking. FINCH Well, y'know, it was dark and almost a week ago now. I can't remember exactly what he was wearing. But I got a good look at his face. Kind of average-looking. RYAN And this was a Sunday night. FINCH Yeah, almost ten at night. I was standing out on the street changing a flat when I saw him. ARMSTRONG How was he acting? FINCH Completely normal. Just walked up to the Glendale's front door. RYAN Did you see him enter? FINCH I don't make a habit of watching peoples' every move like a hawk. He was just someone I noticed, that's all. May not even be the guy you're looking for. ARMSTRONG Could you describe the man to a police sketch artist? FINCH Uh, yeah, I guess. May not be totally accurate, but-- RYAN Anything you can give us could prove vital. Mrs Glendale's announced a $10,000 reward which you may be eligible for should your sketch lead to a convicted arrest. Mr Finch's eyes widen a little, obviously finding this an attractive offer. EXT. PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT - DAY Mabius's team of men are boarding their private jet. As they walk up the boarding stairs we see the lead crates being loaded into the cargo hold. Two FBI VANS are parked close by, with some AGENTS observing. Mabius stops as he reaches the hatch and takes a final glance down at the lead crates, before boarding the jet. INT. BALTIMORE PD - NIGHT A computer screen is spooling through dozens of photo-fits of male faces. A hand is holding a sketch pad which has a suspect's face penciled on it. To us, it's obvious the suspect is Mr Nielsen (the White Van driver). RYAN (O.C.) Nothing. The computer screen signals: "NO MATCHES FOUND." Armstrong is revealed to be holding the pad, with Ryan at the computer terminal. ARMSTRONG Like Mr Finch said, this may not even be the guy. RYAN That face looks familiar to me. I've seen him somewhere before. ARMSTRONG His face's going to be all over the capital by morning, don't worry. If he's in the area, someone's bound to rat on him for a ten grand Christmas bonus. RYAN Any luck with the anti-nuke campaigners? ARMSTRONG Nothing. We've checked four campaign HQ's in the past few hours - nobody has anything useful to say. Ryan GROANS. He checks his watch. RYAN God, it's almost six. Where the hell's Frank? ARMSTRONG We don't need him. RYAN If there's a connection to the Group - we do. Armstrong turns away, totally unconvinced. He gruffly walks away. Ryan watches him go, before taking out his cell phone and beginning to dial. FRANK (O.C.) Ryan. Ryan stops and puts his phone away. He twists round to see Frank approaching. RYAN Frank? What's kept you? (notices Frank's bruises) What happened to your face? FRANK I've been in hospital all night. RYAN What??! What the hell happened - you okay? FRANK Later. First I need to be brought up to speed on this case... then we're going to Quantico. RYAN Quantico? FRANK I think we're going to need the Bureau's help on this one. And there's only one person there I trust. INT. BUCKSNORT FOREST - NIGHT The thick, dark trunks of the forest obscure our view. All around the sounds of SNAPPING, HOWLING and BARKING dogs drift in the Winter air. Suddenly, a DOG rushes past and joins three more in a rush up a well-trodden lane. The animals filter in to a pack of thirteen and sit on their haunches in front of The Old Man's Shack. The familiar circle of small obelisks (each stamped with an ouroboros) stick out of the ground, keeping the dogs at bay somehow. The animals sit perfectly still, smacking their lips and staring at the shack door. INT. OLD MAN'S SHACK - NIGHT An ancient manuscript it being read. Light from a gas lamp on a table illuminates the rough paper. The wrinkled hands of the OLD MAN turns the page and an illustration greets us. It's an old ink drawing of a wizened old man walking down a forest lane - a gas lamp dangling from a Shepherd's crook. The man wears a fedora hat and has a long beard. All around him, dark trees with frightening faces cut into the trunks leer at him. A caption handwritten below the image reads: Wait for the Sign, then Walk before Time The Old Man looks sharply up as a particular loud HOWLING snaps his concentration. EXT. OLD MAN'S SHACK - NIGHT A low GROWLING is heard O.C., as the Old Man's shack door opens. The Old Man himself steps outside, carrying his Shepherd's crook in one hand. He closes the door and walks out toward the circle of obelisks. The pack of dogs, bare meters away from him, do not attack. Instead, they sit up in an fearsome posture and bare their teeth - SNARLING, GROWLING and drooling. The Old Man shows no fear, and stands before the leader of the pack. OLD MAN I haven't got time for this. Do you hear me? The dog simply stares and SNARLS. The Old Man looks up at the starry sky overhead. OLD MAN (CONT'D) Do you hear me!!?? His voice echoes into the forest canopy and the night sky. Silence. The Old Man's tired face turns away from the GROWLING dog and heads back to his shack. FADE OUT. ACT THREE FADE IN: INT. EMMA'S OFFICE - NIGHT Emma is typing at her desk computer, leafing through some toxicology reports on the Ricin/cocaine concoction. She's obviously tired and reclines in her chair, stretching her arms. A KNOCKING on the door makes her sit up. EMMA It's open. Agent Lesky enters, holding a bundle of files. She closes the door. EMMA (CONT'D) Agent Lesky, how can I help you? LESKY More a case of me helping you. EMMA Oh? Lesky holds out her folders. Emma takes them. EMMA (CONT'D) What are these? LESKY Information on all twenty victims of the Metro attack yesterday. EMMA We already have all the information we need. LESKY No you don't. Take a look at each victims' CV. Emma begins glancing through them, but can't find anything. Lesky takes a seat and opens a folder. She indicates the relevant page on a file. LESKY (CONT'D) Here; Abraham Donner, 58. Between '70 and '74 he was on the Board of Directors for the Rotarin Corporation. EMMA Ri-ight. Lesky tuts, and grabs another file. She opens it at a similar page. LESKY Joseph Becker, 42. Between '65 and 73 he was on the Rotarin executives Board, too. Emma's mouth opens, slightly in awe. She snatches another folder and reads. EMMA Carl Bremner. Worked for Rotarin - 1976 to '89. Emma looks at Lesky, who raises her eyebrows. EMMA (CONT'D) My God. *All* twenty were ex-employees for this Rotarin Corporation? LESKY 12 were executive members, 8 were research scientists. EMMA What were they all doing on the same subway train? Did they all know each other? LESKY I doubt it. Most worked for the company at different times, or in different departments. They wouldn't have known each other. But they all had Rotarin in common. And they were all coerced into being on that train. EMMA What d'you mean? LESKY We've searched four of the victims' houses. We found anonymously typed letters at all four locations. I'm betting that's a trend for the remaining sixteen. Lesky passes Emma an example letter - it's been screwed up, but it still readable. One segments reads: Urgently requested presence at the Stratton Lecture Hall, 1:20 PM. Important: attendees are to travel by subway due to lack of proper facilities. Emma frowns. The headed paper is from "The Rotarin Corporation." EMMA What is Rotarin? LESKY A Government nuclear research facility. EMMA Nuclear? Lesky nods. LESKY We rang them. Apparently the Stratton Lecture Theater wasn't being used by them. They admit the headed paper is their own stationery, but anyone could steal that. (a beat) So it looks like someone duped them all into boarding that train. EMMA If that's true, it doesn't explain how Ricin was exposed to them all. LESKY I talked to the CDC people, they said Ricin can penetrate the skin. Like with, say, an aerosol... EMMA What're you getting at? LESKY We're checking all home products that may have been infected with the toxin: colognes, deodorants, stuff like that. EMMA Anything yet? LESKY Not yet. EMMA (nodding slowly) Good work, Agent Lesky. *Very* good work. LESKY (with pride) Thank you. EMMA I'll keep these for now. Keep me informed. (smiles) Any more successes like this, and I don't think it'll take me long to pick my Agent-In-Charge. Lesky gives a broad smile, which she clamps down with professional reserve. She nods once in acknowledgment. INT. RYAN'S CAR - NIGHT Ryan is driving with a stunned expression, while Frank sits quietly in the passenger seat. RYAN Epilepsy? Frank just lets out a small breath, turning to watch the traffic outside. RYAN (CONT'D) And they can't do anything? FRANK There are treatments. Medications. Drugs to keep it under control. RYAN I know, but I mean... damn it. How's your daughter taking it? FRANK I don't think she really understands. (thinks) Maybe that's not true, I don't know. Ryan's shaking his head, totally stunned. RYAN Life just isn't fair. This sentiment strikes a chord in Frank, but he hides it well. FRANK I'm thinking of retiring from consultancy. Completely. Ryan takes his eyes off the road. Frank is facing away from him. FRANK (CONT'D) To try and make the most of however much time I've got left. RYAN You're talking like it's the end of the world. Frank can't suppress a snort at the double-meaning in Ryan's words. His cell phone begins to RING and Frank jumps to it, grabbing the phone from his jacket pocket. Ryan watches the sudden rush of movement from the corner of his eye. Frank answers the phone: FRANK Frank Black. LE SAUX (V.O.) Good evening, Monsieur Black. FRANK I'm ready. LE SAUX (V.O.) For what? FRANK Step two, or whatever you want to call it. I just want this over with. Once and for all. Where can I meet you? LE SAUX (V.O.) I'm a difficult man to reach. Especially now. I have to keep a low profile now Millennium have a price on on my head. FRANK You know we have to meet. The attack on the Metro, all those people killed. Why didn't you stop that? You knew about it, but why didn't you *do something*? LE SAUX (V.O.) Because they were dead men walking. They were beyond my help. Their presence on that subway was planned with military precision. There was nothing I could do. It was merely an opportunity to give you a first hand example of the callous and cold acts the Group have become capable of. FRANK What about Dr Glendale? Where does he fit into all this? LE SAUX (V.O.) To tell you the truth... I don't know. I only learned of his death in the evening news. He was a Group member, you know. FRANK I know. He worked for Rotarin - one of the Groups endeavors. LE SAUX (V.O.) Since the days of the first nuclear detonation at the Trinity test range, Rotarin have helped inadvertently shape the entire future. Their ideas, their innovations, their knowledge, and their mistakes have affected every nation on Earth. FRANK Then they have to be stopped. LE SAUX (V.O.) No. What's done is done. Nuclear technology is here to stay. Mankind progresses, it doesn't backtrack - no matter what perils lie ahead. We just have to make sure good hands are in control. I'll make every effort to ensure we meet - soon. Auvoir. Le Saux hangs up. INT. EMMA'S OFFICE - NIGHT Emma is leaving for the night. She turns off her computer terminal and tidies away some files. The phone RINGS and she answers. EMMA Assistant Director Hollis. LESKY (V.O.) It's Lesky. EMMA What's up? LESKY (V.O.) I got some results back from the CDC lab scientists - about the deodorants and-- EMMA What did they say? INT. CDC LABORATORY - NIGHT Agent Lesky is wearing protective clothing, looking through a protective screen at CDC SCIENTISTS. On a table inside the room are an assortment of deodorants, aerosol cans, colognes, etc. LESKY Trace elements of Ricin was found in one product per person. What's more, each product was an early Christmas present - supposedly from Rotarin. INTERCUT BETWEEN SCENES: EMMA So someone arrange for them to become infected... then for them to all die together in a subway carriage. LESKY (O.C.) Looks like it. EMMA That's not the work of people bothered about efficiency - they could have left each man to die at home. They wanted to make a point - a statement, maybe. LESKY (O.C.) Could be. I'm heading home now. I'll get back to you tomorrow. EMMA See you tomorrow. Lesky hangs up, and so does Emma. She then grabs a stray file and stands to put it away in a drawer. She places the file toward the back of a drawer, before noticing something. She bends down slightly and cranes for a better view. A metal panel with a combination lock is at the rear of the drawer. It has a lock on it. Emma frowns, confused. She tugs at the compartment, but it doesn't open. Emma takes a a step back and thinks. She suddenly turns and goes over to a stack of unwanted files in the corner. She searches down the pile, then pulls out one labeled: 'McGREEVEY, Kenneth James" Emma opens it and the front page lists the details of McGreevey: date of birth, staff number, etc. Emma takes the folder and heads back to the lock. She twists in the number: 3, 2, 6, 5, 7 Which equals March 26th 1957. She tugs at the compartment, but it doesn't budge. She groans and twists in the number: 1, 0, 2, 2, 1, 3, Which was McGreevey's staff number. She tugs at the compartment, and is a little surprised when it opens! Inside the secret compartment is a small audio cassette (the one McGreevey hid in "The Third Eye"). Emma takes it out and notices it has blank labels. INT. FBI ACADEMY CAR PARK - NIGHT Emma is walking briskly to her car, her handbag rhythmically slapping against her waist. INT. EMMA'S CAR - NIGHT Emma clambers inside and inserts her car keys. She turns the electric on, and inserts one of the audio cassettes into her car radio. She presses 'PLAY': TITUS (V.O.) (filtered) It's me. Have arrangements been made regarding the Russian shipments? BLAYLOCK (V.O.) (filtered) Yes they have. TITUS (V.O.) (filtered) And if there are problems with coastal patrols? BLAYLOCK (V.O.) (filtered) Our position in the FBI will be secure by then. They can provide adequate cover. TITUS (V.O.) (filtered) Understood. The tape HISSES, just as someone RAPS on her window! Emma jumps round to see Finley standing outside. She winds down her window. EMMA You scared me. FINLEY Sorry. What were you doing? EMMA Nothing. Problem with the radio, that's all. Finley doesn't look totally convinced, but continues: FINLEY Initiation takes place at Crooked Creek, Tennessee. New Year's Eve at 10 o'clock. EMMA Tennessee? FINLEY Travel expenses will be paid for. It's best to go by train. EMMA Is all this really necessary? Can't I just sign on a dotted line somewhere? FINLEY (laughs quickly) No. No, there's tradition involved. The Millennium Group we know is just a modern incarnation of something much, much older. Don't worry - as your Patron, I'll be your escort. EMMA Right. FINLEY Good night, Emma. Emma nods, as Finley stands straight and leaves. EXT. FBI ACADEMY PARKING LOT - NIGHT Finley is walking away as Emma's car ROARS into life and reverses. Finley's cell phone rings and she answers it. FINLEY Finley. LE SAUX (V.O.) Have you spoken with your superiors since we last spoke? Finley's face turns serious and concerned, as Emma's car passes her. All turns silent and ominous. FINLEY Who are you? LE SAUX (V.O.) Avoiding a question won't deter me. FINLEY I've spoken to someone, yes. Nobody knows what you're talking about. The Walk isn't anything the Group knows about. ANGLE - A CONCRETE PILLAR ALEXANDER LE SAUX is standing up against the pillar, a few hundred meters away from Finley in the distance. He has a cell phone pressed to his ear, and takes occasional glances to Ms Finley. INTERCUT BETWEEN LOCATIONS: LE SAUX (scoffs) Hmm, easily put off the scent, aren't you. I'd have thought someone with 24 years in the Bureau would be more persistent. I'm telling the truth, you know. I knew The Elder's predecessor. Do you remember him? FINLEY What of him? LE SAUX Exactly what I was wondering. Where has he got too...? His promotion seems to have afforded him less privileges. *He* should be the one giving the orders. Especially now that the time is so close. FINLEY The Old Man is only disturbed in exceptional circumstances. LE SAUX Don't be so blind, Madame Finley. If you're seriously suggesting *now* is not an exceptional time... you're deluding yourself to an extreme I find embarrassing. FINLEY I don't have to listen to this. Finley hangs up with frustration. She takes a moment to collect her thoughts, then continues her walk. ANGLE - THE CONCRETE PILLAR Le Saux raises his eyebrows, then hangs up. He skulks away from the pillar carefully. EXT. FINLEY'S CAR - NIGHT Finley approaches her car and disengages the security alarm with her keys. She opens the door and gets inside. INT. FINLEY'S CAR - NIGHT Finley takes a deep breath and then notices something in her rear-view mirror: some reversed writing on the back window. She frowns. EXT. FINLEY'S CAR - NIGHT Finley walks round to her back window and inspects it closely. Easily visible in a thin layer of grime is the word: O G M I O S She turns round to stare up and down the empty parking lot. Nobody can be seen. She reaches out and wipes away the written word. FADE OUT. ACT FOUR FADE IN: INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Emma is sitting on her sofa wearing a walkman. She is listening to McGreevey's tape again - we hear the muffled words through her ear-phones: TITUS (V.O.) (filtered) It's me. Have arrangements been made regarding the Russian shipments? She clicks 'STOP' and stands up. Taking off her walkman, she approaches her computer screen which already shows the familiar golden ouroboros symbol and the words: "GOOD EVENING, EMMA. THERE ARE 6 DAYS REMAINING." She hits a button on her keyboard and speaks aloud: EMMA "We all go a little mad sometimes." A voice-recognition box proclaims a 97% accuracy result and a Group intranet search site appears. Emma types in: Russian news A message appears saying: 12,879 matches found. Then a long list of websites appear, most internet versions of Russian newspapers, or news-stories relating to Russia in some way. Emma sighs in frustration of such a mass of possibilities. INT. MAIN DESK - FBI ACADEMY BUILDING - NIGHT Frank is standing at the reception counter, waiting for a RECEPTIONIST who's on the phone. Some SECURITY GUARDS are on night watch in the room. Frank leans forward as the Receptionist finishes her call. RECEPTIONIST (into phone) Okay, thanks, bye. She hangs up and turns to Frank. RECEPTIONIST (CONT'D) I'm afraid Assistant Director Hollis left the building about an hour ago, sir. FRANK Thank you. A little annoyed, Frank turns and leaves through the main doors. EXT. PARKING LOT - FBI ACADEMY BUILDING - NIGHT Frank is walking across the dark parking lot, moving between parked cars. Some distance away, a pair of feet are seen moving - visible from a low angle. Frank hears the sound of FOOTSTEPS approaching behind him, and quickly spins round to see Le Saux, half-obscured in shadow. The Frenchman takes a step forward. LE SAUX Monsieur Black. Frank reacts without surprise, simply readying himself. FRANK So much for keeping a low profile. The Group have a stronghold over the Bureau, y'know. LE SAUX There was no other way. I was in the neighborhood and I thought you'd come here - to speak with Emma Hollis. FRANK I trust her. LE SAUX She's accepted an offer to join them. On the eve of the millennium she'll become a member. FRANK She thinks she can learn more from the inside. LE SAUX She's right. But at a cost greater than she can imagine. I myself was a member for fifteen years. Frank looks stunned, his mouth opens slightly. LE SAUX (CONT'D) That's right. I'm one of very few people to have successfully *left* the Group after being initiated. It gives me a certain notoriety. FRANK Why did you leave? LE SAUX Same reason you did: because the Group *I* trusted and respected had changed. They ceased to aspire to good ideals and instead participated in corrupt endeavors - using their history and reputation as a cover. Some of us realized the change in attitude and parted company with them. Much to Mr Swanson's annoyance. FRANK Mr Swanson? LE SAUX The Group Elder. The man who handles the daily running of Millennium. You've met him once, I'm told - he chaired the committee that approved your application for membership. Frank's expression shows recall of the event. LE SAUX (CONT'D) Those of us that left the Group in protest formed a kind of underground resistance to their schemes - calling ourselves Ogmios. FRANK Ogmios? LE SAUX (nods) As you've suspected for a few years now, the Group were not always the power-crazed fanatics they've become. And we believe they're not beyond redemption. Yet. FRANK Where do I fit into all this? LE SAUX (smiles) Not so fast. This is merely the second step. FRANK (sighs) Why can't I get straight answers?! LE SAUX Because *finding* answers instead of being *told* answers makes them more believable. Frank chews his lip. FRANK Tell me one thing. Honestly. Le Saux nods. FRANK (CONT'D) I've been diagnosed with epilepsy... was that because of you? Or the Group? LE SAUX I'm sorry for your predicament. The Lord works in mysterious ways, doesn't he... (a beat) Rest assured your epilepsy is a purely natural turn of events. FRANK What about what I saw? My vision of the nuclear disaster. LE SAUX Unfortunately, that was our doing. We stole a technology that subliminally manifests images in people's minds. A kind of hallucinogenic. However, *what* people see is mostly up to them. The Group began to use such techniques for advancing the stages of remote viewing and for trying to recreate Biblical visionary experiences in gifted Group members. Lara Means was one of their first guinea pigs. The signal was delivered to her laptop computer. But it was her own instability that led to her insanity... and tragic death. Frank looks away, holding his head in sheer bewilderment. LE SAUX (CONT'D) We sent a similar transmission to *you* via your television... I'm afraid there's a possibility we triggered your seizure by accident. By confusing genetically deficient neurones in your brain. But your epilepsy would have manifested itself at a later stage, regardless of our intervention. We did not intend to harm you, and I promise we won't use the same technique again. FRANK (angry) How can you stand there and say that?? You've been *beaming* images into my mind??! LE SAUX Believe me, Monsieur Black, it's *not* as a bad as it sounds. Think of it as an artificial recreation of your own natural ability to see the non-linear. The Owls have been perfecting the process for some time now. Do you remember the white noise audio cassettes you encountered last year? FRANK People were committing suicide due to hallucinations triggered by them. LE SAUX Same technology. But used in a much more dangerous manner by the Roosters. A picture is worth a thousand words and so, having effectively "lived through" a nuclear attack... I'm sure you now have an insight on things that should only increase your persistence to help us stop your *vision* of a possible future... from becoming a very real event. FRANK'S INTERNAL POV Another distressingly power and almost incoherent series of images: -- A nuclear mushroom cloud! -- A blast front bending back a row of palm trees! -- Clouds being thrown aside in the air! -- A Homestead being obliterated! -- An LCD number display reading '20:00' Frank closes his eyes and holds his head. He takes a moment: FRANK The Group are planning to start a nuclear war? LE SAUX It's a possibility. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. Here - if you need to contact me - this is my personal number. Le Saux passes Frank a business card. Frank takes it, eyeing Le Saux - his heart trusting the Frenchman, but with enough experience to still keep a suspicious mind. INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Emma's computer screen downloads an online Russian newspaper, with three black-and-white images: -- A stationery Black Train on a snowy track -- A line of dead bodies lying in bloody snow -- An overhead shot of the train and dead crew The text is in Russian. Emma presses an icon on her web-browser marked "TRANSLATE." After a few seconds the newspaper is translated into English. The headline reads: TRAIN CREW MASSACRE COMPUTER COMPONENTS STOLEN Emma scrolls down and reads a line of text in the accompanying article: rumors persist amongst local villagers that the train was carrying dangerous shipments to the East, which would be sold to Alaskan Black Market traders. Emma looks intrigued. INT. THE ELDER'S STUDY - NIGHT BLAYLOCK is seated across from The Elder, his face intense. The Elder reclines in his seat. THE ELDER Our FBI contingent successfully made sure the Oregon coastal patrols evaded Mr Mabius's helicopter. BLAYLOCK They boarded your private jet a few hours ago. Which means they should arrive with the shipments by noon. THE ELDER Just make sure Customs don't ruin everything. Things are delicate enough as it is. What about Dr Glendale's murderer? BLAYLOCK The Baltimore PD suspect an anti-nuclear campaigner. They've issued this artist's impression. Blaylock hands The Elder the sketch drawing of Mr Nielsen that Mr Finch helped draw up. The Elder instantly recognizes the face. THE ELDER Andrew Nielsen. A face I haven't seen in a long, long time. Blaylock nods gravely. BLAYLOCK It appears that "Ogmios" have changed tactics. Less the saboteurs and more the vigilantes. THE ELDER They've never killed before. Killing Glendale was hardly a logical decision. It makes no sense... Le Saux doesn't work this way. He sabotages covertly. Like he did the First Prophet Gallery. BLAYLOCK Maybe they wanted to make a point this time. THE ELDER Maybe. But with or without Glendale, it doesn't change anything. His creation in the 60's will usher in a clean slate for the world. A Baptism by fire. With us fanning the flames. The Elder gently folds the sketch of Nielsen into a neat package. INT. JORDAN'S BEDROOM - NIGHT Jordan is lying on her bed, wearing her pajamas. She has her drawing book open and is drawing something: first a large circle, then a medium circle, followed by a small circle. She stares down at the finished circles, her teeth gritted. EXT. SKY - NIGHT The private jet is soaring through the inky black clouds, its lights flashing and engine DRONING. INT. PRIVATE JET - NIGHT Mabius is seated in a window seat, staring straight ahead. The rest of his team are seated in other seats, not speaking. Mabius slowly turns to look out the window at the dark clouds racing past... and we notice a perfectly round birth-mark on the back of his neck. No bigger than a penny. The BUZZING of a fly is heard faintly - then stops abruptly. Mabius faces forward in his seat, then raises his hand to watch a black fly crawl across his palm. He stares at the insect with fascination. INT. CARGO HOLD - PRIVATE JET - NIGHT The DRONING of the plane is louder here. The lead crates rattle around slightly, draped in plastic netting. CAMERA CREEPS CLOSER to one lead box in particular and sees a very familiar symbol... ... three circles in descending size. FADE OUT. ACT FIVE FADE IN: EXT. ITALIAN ALPS - NIGHT CAMERA PANS across a mountain incline, covered with light snow, which gently slopes down to the ground. A HIGH WIND spits snow-flakes up the rock face, with the HOWLING of wolves all around. The CAMERA FINDS some human foot-prints on the ground. Legend INDICATES: Italian Alps December 31, 999 A.D. A few hundred meters in the distance the cause of the prints is visible; the frail silhouette of a man holding a Shepherd's crook. CLOSER This ITALIAN OLD MAN is bracing himself against the sharp winds, trekking down the last slope of the mountain. A gas lamp hangs from his crook - the light almost dying. The wind blasts his long beard across his left shoulder as he stops, hearing the sound of wolves HOWLING behind him. He continues to stare down at a large town below (Verona); the light from dozens of fires flickering alluringly. EXT. VERONA OUTSKIRTS - NIGHT Many townsfolk have gathered with lanterns, similarly bracing themselves from the high winds. The Italian Old Man approaches, and the crowd rush forward to greet him - all CHATTERING in Latin. The Italian Old Man is met by dozens of people, all fussing over him. Warm furs are thrown across his back, and he is hugged and led forward. The Italian Old Man is walked toward one man - the ITALIAN ELDER. The Elder makes the sign of the cross on his chest, then kneels before him. ITALIAN OLD MAN (in Latin, subtitled) The time is near, my friend. We must await the new day. Together. (a beat) Stand. The Italian Elder stands, head still bowed. The Italian Old Man turns to address the townsfolk. ITALIAN OLD MAN (in Latin, subtitled) And the new day *will* come! We have prepared well... and the high winds of Evil could not extinguish my Light. He holds up his flickering gas lamp, hanging from his crook. The gatherers MUTTER joyously in Latin, as the Italian Old Man smiles reassuringly. INT. JORDAN'S BEDROOM - BLACK RESIDENCE - NIGHT Jordan's face is squinting, before she opens her eyes wide. She swallows hard, blinking. WIDER Her bedroom is dark, with moonlight causing her curtains to almost glow a hazy blue tone. Jordan sits up in bed and drags out her drawing book from underneath her pillow. She opens the book at a clean page. Using the ample moonlight to see, she takes out a pencil and begins drawing. INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT Emma is asleep on her sofa, curled up beside the photo of her father. A KNOCKING on her door causes Emma to awakens. She slowly stands up and crosses to her door. It KNOCKS again. EMMA I'm coming... hang on. She unlocks the door and pulls it open to reveal Frank and Ryan in the hallway outside. FRANK Can we come in? EMMA Frank, what are you doing here so late? FRANK What we have to say can't wait. Emma looks intrigued. INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - A SHORT TIME LATER Frank and Ryan are seated on the sofa, waiting. Ryan has notices Emma's ouroboros on her computer screen. He nods toward it to Frank. RYAN Haven't seen that in a long time. Emma returns with four coffees on a tray. She places it down on her table and takes one herself. EMMA So, what's up? RYAN Frank thinks the Group are planning something. Something big. EMMA (confused) Like what? FRANK I've been in contact with someone. Someone who believes the Group may be plotting a nuclear incident. EMMA Does his have something to do with Rotarin? Ryan sits forward, intensely interested. RYAN You've heard of them? EMMA It was brought to me attention, yeah. I presume you know about the Metro attack? Ryan and Frank nod. EMMA (CONT'D) Well, all the victims were retired Rotarin workers. Most were even on the Board of Directors. They wouldn't have known each other, but they were all employed for the same company at some stage. RYAN 'Board of Directors', you say? Emma nods, puzzled. Ryan looks to Frank. RYAN "The Board", Frank. The people we investigated that have some kind of vendetta against the Group. EMMA You're saying the Group killed a rival company's retired executives. FRANK Probably the most prominent Rotarin staff during the 60's and 70's. RYAN Y'see, the Group were investors in their company - Rotarin. Helping to pay for research into atomic energy. Nothing illegal in that, but by the late-70's they practically owned Rotarin, having bought out the other investors. Once they had a majority share-hold, they most likely sacked the original Board of Directors in the process. FRANK But the fired Rotarin staff didn't just disappear... they moved into different areas. Their political presence is felt strongly throughout the capital. It's taken twenty-odd years, but they've become a threat to the Group. And there's a lot of bad blood between them. EMMA I don't see how the Group managed to get all twenty businessmen on the same subway train, at the same time. On Christmas Day! Frank and Ryan are at a loss. Emma SIGHS... then Frank speaks in a low tone. FRANK I was on that train, Emma. I got off moments before the attack took place. Emma's mind wrestles with the information, before clearing her thoughts. EMMA Why were you on the Metro? RYAN (interrupting) Does the word 'Ogmios' mean anything to you? Emma looks sharply to Ryan, desperate to keep ahead of the questioning. EMMA No. Should it? FRANK The man I'm in contact with - Alexander Le Saux - is the leader of Ogmios - an underground resistance to the Group. EMMA And this Le Saux knew for sure the Group would kill the Board of Directors on the Metro. RYAN How did they die - exactly? News reports were pretty vague. EMMA We found a real nasty toxin blended with a packet of cocaine aboard the carriage. Something called Ricin. Only this stuff's... well, it was *much* more lethal. Genetically altered we think. RYAN Then the Board of Directors were all junkies? EMMA No, most were infected through aerosols delivered to them as Christmas gifts. RYAN There's someone else. Another retired Rotarin employee named Dr Glendale. He was found murdered a few days ago in his home. Executed. EMMA And it's connected? FRANK Somehow. RYAN Glendale was a... difficult character. By all accounts brilliant - a pioneer - but hardly loyal. FRANK He was once suspected of smuggling nuclear secrets to the Russians during the Cold War. EMMA (quickly) Wait... did you say *Russians*? FRANK Yeah - why? Emma's head droops in reserved amazement as she SIGHS. INT. EMMA'S APARTMENT - NIGHT - A SHORT TIME LATER Emma's walkman is on her table, amongst some empty coffee mugs. Frank, Ryan and Emma all listen to the tape which is playing: BLAYLOCK (V.O.) (filtered) Our position in the FBI will be secure by then. They can provide adequate cover. TITUS (V.O.) (filtered) Understood. Emma stops the tape. Frank sits back in his seat. FRANK That's it. This is proof. RYAN Where did you get this tape? EMMA I found it in a secret compartment in my office. I think Ken must have hidden it there before he died. FRANK Died? EMMA (a beat, correcting) Was murdered. Frank looks heartened to have Emma totally on his side at last. FRANK We can use this. RYAN (scoffs) It's interesting listening, but hardly proof the Group are plotting to kick start World War III. EMMA (to Frank) He's right. RYAN (to Emma, slightly sarcastic) Thank you. FRANK Maybe not. But they talk about Russian shipments on this tape. I'm willing to believe the robbery of that Russian train of computer components was their target. It certainly fits the time-frame. RYAN I've read about these Russian trains before. They're illegal carriers of ICBM's and other nasties, operated by the Russian Mafia - sometimes without the train crew even realizing. EMMA So what could have been stolen? Frank thinks. FRANK There's no way a train of that size could be carrying a nuclear warhead... but, maybe the components o make one? RYAN Or portable nukes... Frank and Emma look at Ryan. RYAN Like the S.A.D.M. good ol' Uncle Sam came up with. Nowhere near as deadly as a full-on warhead, but... a few of those babies and you could cause some serious problems. EMMA If the Group did steal some kind of doomsday technology from that Russian train... I don't see why. Aren't *we* supposed to be the worldwide leaders in atomic weapons? Why not steal from the best? FRANK American security's unbelievably tight. I doubt even the Group have enough sway to get their hands on atomic weapons. But Russia's a fractured nation, still struggling to reaffirm itself. In recent years it's become a breeding ground for murder and crime. The perfect chaotic society to buy or steal nuclear weapons. Emma is shaking her head slowly, astounded by the conversation's grim overtones. INT. JORDAN'S BEDROOM - DAY Frank is standing in the doorway, watching Jordan shift position in her bed. Legend INDICATES: December 27, 9:15 AM 5 days remaining... Frank smiles as Jordan turns to face him - her eyes closed. As he turns to leave, Jordan opens her eyes. JORDAN Dad? Frank stops and turns back to face Jordan. FRANK Morning. JORDAN Where've you been? Frank walks forward and sits on the edge of her bed. Jordan begins sitting up. FRANK Nowhere special. Frank notices a corner of paper under Jordan's pillow. He squints and reaches for it. Jordan shifts to allowing him to take her drawing book out. FRANK (CONT'D) What's this? Jordan swallow as Frank opens the book. The first page shows a childish, yet competent drawing of a faint yellow beach house. Frank smiles. FRANK (CONT'D) Hey, this is good. Very good. Did you really draw this? Jordan nods, smiling and proud. FRANK (CONT'D) You imagined this house all yourself? JORDAN It's where we should live. FRANK (laughs) Well... I'd like that, too, but there aren't many beaches in Baltimore. Jordan nods, a little disappointed now. Frank notices, but hands back the book. He kisses her quickly on the forehead. FRANK (CONT'D) Come on, time to get up. JORDAN 'Kay. Jordan begins getting out of bed. EXT. HARBOR - WASHINGTON D.C. - DAY Across the river we see the skyline of the East-side of the capital. In the b.g. a barge CHUGS its way down the river, while in the f.g. the White Van seen outside the Black's Residence pulls to a stop beside a Black Mercedes. The White Van's side door SLIDES open and Mr Nielsen steps out and crosses quickly to the Mercedes' rear window. He TAPS on it twice. A beat, before the door is opened. Mr Nielsen glances round before getting inside. INT. BLACK MERCEDES - DAY Le Saux is seated on the right, with Nielsen now sitting on his left. The leather interior is very luxurious and comfortable. LE SAUX The signal you sent to Monsieur Black triggered an epileptic fit. NIELSEN I told you that yesterday. How were were we to know? He still experienced something, didn't he? LE SAUX Yes. He foresaw a nuclear disaster. As I'd feared. NIELSEN But the future is ours to shape into whatever we want. What he saw doesn't mean anything necessarily. Vague prophecies and accounts of visions can always be made to fit events... but visions of clarity are *extremely* unlikely to come true. LE SAUX I'm glad you feel that way. I share your opinion, obviously, but it doesn't make it any easier. At least we've got his attention. (a beat) I can almost feel the New Year approaching... can't you? Nielsen doesn't reply, not honestly "feeling" anything. LE SAUX (CONT'D) The Group disposed of twenty enemies on the Metro. An attack based purely on vengeance, and serving to highlight the depths to which they've... plunged in recent times. Le Saux says the last sentence with distaste. He looks out of his Mercedes window at the harbor. LE SAUX The New World... it gets harder each day to understand what the first Group settlers saw in this place. The highest murder rate in the world, easy access to guns, laws that contradict each other... Nielsen waits patiently as Le Saux turns back to face him. LE SAUX (CONT'D) Any news on Mabius? NIELSEN Nothing. Just some Russian reports on the train robbery. Computer components they're saying. Le Saux snorts slightly, turning back to look out the window. LE SAUX Never forget who he is. It's vital his increasing corruption of the Group and its members be stopped. Whatever the cost. It's taken us years to trace it all back to him. NIELSEN Yes, sir. LE SAUX You can go. Nielsen nods, opens the door and leaves. He SLAMS the door shut, rocking the Mercedes. LE SAUX (CONT'D) Drive. EXT. HARBOR - DAY Le Saux's Mercedes starts and drives away, being watched by Nielsen at the side of his White Van. Nielsen's closes his eyes and brings his hands up in prayer - he begins MUTTERING something under his breath. INT. MILLENNIUM GROUP COMPUTER ROOM - DAY Rows and rows of identical computer terminals, all displaying a revolving Ouroboros symbol. CAMERA PANS ACROSS to find Finley is seated at one. Alone. CLOSER Finley glances around as she taps a key. The familiar MG search-engine appears. Finley types in 'The Walk' and hits Return. The search finds nothing that matches directly. Finley doesn't look surprised. Instead, she into her jacket pocket and takes out a CD. She inserts it into the hard-drive. INT. MONITORING ROOM - DAY A Group member - DARIUS SPENCER - is in an isolated observation floor, also filled with computers. A long one-way mirror in front of him overlooks the Millennium Group Computer Room below - where he can see the top of Finley's head. Spencer is alone, and drinking a hot Styrofoam cup of coffee. On his computer is a screen which displays every workstation in the facility. Finley's station is colored green (in use). The rest are red. INT. MILLENNIUM GROUP COMPUTER ROOM - DAY Finley glances up at the one-way mirror where Spencer is stationed - only able to see a reflection of the room she's in. She swallows hard, and takes out a small hand-held device. She makes sure it's pointing to her left, and presses a button-- -- FZZZTTT! A computer monitor on her far left CACKLES with static and pops inside! INT. MONITORING ROOM - DAY A CHIME sounds and a workstation on Spencer's screen begins flashing yellow. Spencer puts down his drink and stands, peering down at the HISSING workstation. Finley stands up, looking across at it. INT. MILLENNIUM GROUP COMPUTER ROOM - DAY Finley watches as a metal door flies open and Spencer rushes in, flustered, heading straight for the smoking computer. SPENCER What the hell happened here? FINLEY I was just over here, and it suddenly just... blew up. SPENCER Damn it... Spencer kneels down under the workstation's desk to disconnect the power. Finley turns quietly back to her monitor and sees a window appear, saying: COMMAND/LEVEL/SECURITY CLEARANCE CODES --DISABLED-- She quickly types in 'The Walk' on the search-engine and finds just 1 match. She opens the document, which downloads at high-speed. Finley takes out a floppy disk from her jacket and inserts it. She hits 'SAVE ALL to A:/', then ejects the floppy and her CD. Putting them away, she walks over to Spencer. FINLEY Anything I can do? SPENCER Uh, no, that's not necessary. I can't understand it... FINLEY Maybe Y2K came early. Spencer CHUCKLES as Finley leaves him scratching his head in confusion. INT. KITCHEN - BLACK RESIDENCE - DAY Frank is standing looking out the kitchen window at the back garden. His head is thrown back and his swallows a pill with some water. Tom enters, reflected in the window glass. Frank turns to face him. TOM Taking your medication? FRANK (nods) Epilim. It should help, but I may feel nauseas for a few days. TOM (nodding) Are there any other side-effects? FRANK Nothing serious. Months from now I may notice slight hand tremors... possible weight fluctuations, too. A, uh, rare chance of liver disease - nothing to worry about, though. TOM Right. Well, that's not so bad. When things are put into perspective. FRANK Yeah. TOM I just wanted to ask something. Frank raises his eyebrows. TOM (CONT'D) Got anything planned for the millennium? Frank CHUCKLES quickly, then rubs his face in quiet amusement. TOM (CONT'D) There's going to be a huge street parade in downtown D.C. Thousands of people will be there. It would be a great experience for Jordan. Something for her to remember when she gets older. FRANK To be honest, Tom, I'm not keen on Jordan being in the city over New Year. TOM (frowns) Why not? FRANK (a beat) You hear about a lot of scary stuff in my line of work. The police are on full standby for all kinds of possibilities; none of them good. TOM Well... it's up to you; but the police are paid to be overcautious, remember. FRANK I'll give it some thought. Tom nods, not entirely happy with Frank's non-commitment. EXT. THE ELDER'S RESIDENCE - DAY A different house to the one seen in "Rapture", this one much smaller and less expensive, yet still has an old-fashioned air of class and sophistication. Finley's car is parked in the driveway. INT. HALLWAY - THE ELDER'S RESIDENCE - DAY Ms Finley is being led down the hall by Blaylock. Blaylock stops and KNOCKS three times on a door. THE ELDER (O.C.) Come in. Blaylock opens the door, stepping back to allow Finley inside. She pushes past, as he follows behind her. INT. LIVING ROOM - THE ELDER'S RESIDENCE - DAY A very large room, effectively a dining room and living room joined together. Amongst the array of ancient artifacts are examples of modern luxuries; wide screen TV, a grand piano, a hi-fi system, etc. The Elder stands from an armchair to greet Finley. They shake hands. FINLEY Sir. Finley turns silent, looking uncomfortable. Blaylock lingers behind her, and is noticed by The Elder. THE ELDER Thank you, Mr Blaylock. That will be all. Blaylock obediently turns and leaves quickly. The door shuts. Finley speaks almost immediately. FINLEY You lied to me. THE ELDER Excuse me? FINLEY Why did you lie? THE ELDER I don't follow you. FINLEY "The Walk." It's a ritual the Group should be performing. The Elder's expression fluctuates between shock, subdued outrage and annoyance. THE ELDER What did you discover? FINLEY The Italian Alps; 999 A.D. Seven days before the turn of the century, a wise old man trekked from his mountain lodge to the town of Verona. Finley unrolls a computer print-out of a sketch drawing. She passes it to The Elder, who takes it. The drawing is identical to the one the Old Man was looking at; depicting a wizened old man in a dark forest, with a gas lamp dangling from a Shepherd's crook. FINLEY (CONT'D) It was a journey he took on foot, through treacherous surroundings. He did it as a symbol of his courage and Faith in the eyes of a possible doomsday. At the end of his walk he was greeted in Verona by a crowd of three hundred followers. Together they watched the sun rise over a new day, secure in the knowledge that an apocalypse would not occur. (a beat) The Walk was a tradition intended to be re-enacted the next millennium. 1999. Only it's been forgotten. THE ELDER (a beat) I... I don't know what to say... thank you for bringing this to my att-- FINLEY No more lies! Please. Information on this ritual had been password protected in *your* name. You've kept it secret - intentionally. (shaking her head in disbelief) This is part of our heritage! How dare you keep it from us! THE ELDER There's good reason, Miss Finley. FINLEY This should be good... THE ELDER (ignoring her) The... Old Man is unavailable. FINLEY Unavailable? He's been "unavailable" all year. Surely you're in contact with him. THE ELDER When I say "unavailable", I mean "unattainable." FINLEY (eyes narrow) What do you mean? THE ELDER The Balance has been upset in recent months. It's now unlikely the Old Man would survive The Walk. Therefore, we mutually decided it would be best to... ignore tradition. Finley goes silent, thinking. THE ELDER (O.C.) It's better this way, believe me. EXT. THE ELDER'S RESIDENCE - DAY Finley is leaving the house, striding across to her parked car, a solemn expression on her face. She gets insider her car. INT. FINLEY'S CAR - DAY Sitting inside, Finley runs her hand through her hair, unsure what to think. She catches sight of herself in her rear-view mirror; seeing the seeds of insurrection in her eyes. THE ELDER (V.O.) I think she believed me. Just about. But the more time she has to think about it, the more against us she'll grow... INT. LIVING ROOM - THE ELDER'S RESIDENCE - DAY The Elder is speaking to Blaylock. THE ELDER (CONT'D) ... take care of her. Blaylock nods once, slowly. The Elder looks almost ashamed at giving the order. EXT. ABANDONED AIRSTRIP - DAY A flat wasteland of overgrown grass and barely level tarmac. Five black Sedans are parked to one side, with a dozen men waiting beside them - Titus amongst them. Legend INDICATES: 3:13 PM The ROAR of a plane's engines breaks the silence as Mabius's private jet SCREAMS down to land - its wheels SCREECH on the tarmac. INT. CARGO HOLD - PRIVATE JET - DAY Darkness. Then the interior lights flicker on, just as the cargo door is opened, unfolding some steps down to the tarmac. Mabius, followed by Titus, walk up into the belly of the plane. Mabius strides over to one of the lead cases - marked with 3 circles - and undoes the latches. He slowly lifts the lid to reveal the inside to Titus. Titus can't repress an overwhelming sense of excitement and fear. He glances at Mabius. TITUS How many? MABIUS Ten. All in perfect working order. Titus takes a DEEP BREATH, nodding slowly. We finally see what he's looking at: Inside the case, resting in a thick mould of lead, is a portable nuclear device (or backpack nuke). It's small enough to fit inside the trunk of a car, or inside a rucksack. The device itself is black/gray and consists of 3 cylindrical chambers (decreasing in size). MABIUS (CONT'D) Agreement upheld. Typically, Mabius sneers a smile up at Titus... but Titus's eyes haven't moved from the case... fascinated. FADE OUT. ACT SIX FADE IN: INT. CITY LIBRARY - DAY Frank is walking back to an empty table, carrying a large pile of books in his arms. He places them down and sits. Delving into his top pocket, he takes out his reading glasses and puts them on. Legend INDICATES: December 28, 9:58 AM 4 days remaining... Then Frank opens the first book to the Index and looks under the 'O' column. SIGHING he puts the book to one side and does the same with the next tome. This time he stops under: Ogmios.......... Pages 2, 3 Frank quickly turns to Page 2 and scans the page for 'Ogmios'. He finds the passage: Ogmios drew behind him a band of men, attached to him by thin gold chains linking their ears to the tip of his tongue Frank considers this, then begins skimming the text to Page 3, where another passage reads: FRANK (V.O.) (quietly) Ogmios is the counterforce to the Antichrist and will help tear down tyranny and balance the universe in a way that is harmonious to man's central spiritual source. He will arise from an underground movement. In one of the countries conquered by the Antichrist the underground will be tightly organized. Ogmios will arise from it, and confront he who perverts Good. Frank stops, looking up and swallowing. He returns to the passage: FRANK (V.O.) Ogmios is prepared spiritually for the task, because his opponent is very powerful - with a strong aura of negative powers. (a beat) Ogmios will be "of the people." He will have worked up through the ranks from a simple background, attaining his accomplishments through honest work. He will have technical training but will rely mainly on his practicality. He has his priorities straight and can see the root of matters. He is one who will help pave the way for the "Great Genius." (a beat) Ogmios realizes he is not the one to lead the world to ultimate peace, but he is the one to help bring down "the one who would destroy the world" - the Antichrist - to open the way for the one who will guide the world to ultimate peace. Frank tails off, totally enthralled and awestruck... yet showing concern for the time ahead. INT. ELEVATOR - DAY Finley is standing inside, waiting. The door HISSES open and she steps out into her apartment block's hallway. INT. HALLWAY - DAY She walks up the hall, delving into her handbag for her keys. She retrieves them, stops at apartment '10' and opens the lock. Finley steps inside, and her door closes. CAMERA TWISTS to the left - looking back up the hallway. The elevator's doors open again. This time Blaylock and his accomplice, TRENT, step out into the hallway. The elevator HISSES closed behind them. INT. FINLEY'S APARTMENT - DAY Finley is pacing the room, thinking desperately. She finally sits down heavily in an chair - which spins her to face her computer screen. The ouroboros symbol declares: "GOOD MORNING, CAROL. THERE ARE 4 DAYS REMAINING." Anger grips her, and she grabs a coffee mug from a table and hurls it at the screen! The monitor FLASHES as glass implodes. Finley takes a few seconds to calm down, then hears three KNOCKS at her door. Concerned about the broken monitor, she nevertheless stands and strides over to the door. As she is about to answer, she has second thoughts and peers through her peep-hole. ANGLE - TROUGH THE PEEP-HOLE Finley sees Blaylock and Trent waiting outside. SIGHING she opens the door, and is stunned when it's BURST open. Blaylock marches inside, pushing her over. Finley falls on the floor, looking up in horror as Blaylock and Trent stand over her. FINLEY What do you think you're doing?! GET OUT - NOW!! Blaylock calmly takes out a silencer, and slowly twists it onto the muzzle of a handgun. Finley is rooted to the spot in fear, swallowing in a dry throat. BLAYLOCK Just relax. It'll all be over in an instant... Blaylock's silencer is attached and he bears his weapon down on Finley, aiming straight for her forehead. PFFSSTT! The sound of a silenced gunshot rings out! Finley YELPS... as Blaylock collapses to the floor. Finley watches as Blaylock's head-wound begins leaking across her carpet... then up at Trent, who is holding his discharged handgun. FINLEY Oh my God... Trent holsters his weapon and holds out his hand. Finley cautiously takes it and is pulled to her feet. TRENT Are you okay? Finley attempts to clear her head. She eyes Trent suspiciously. FINLEY Who are you? TRENT Trent. Michael Trent. I'm with Ogmios. FINLEY (confused) You don't sound like the man who called me. TRENT (smiles) No, that was our leader - Alexander Le Saux. FINLEY Le Saux...? I know that name from somewhere... TRENT He used to be a member of Millennium. But not anymore. FINLEY I don't understand - why? Just because I found out about The Walk... they try and *kill* me? TRENT You were a threat. (a beat) But don't blame yourself for not knowing how impulsively they would act. Your knowledge of the Group only goes so far. There's a hidden depth to them few people - even members - see.