*****
ACT IV, SCENE 2
INT. MEDLAB: MCNALLY’S OFFICE
MCNALLY is at her desk, slaving over “paperwork” on the computer. TWO enters and MCNALLY looks up.
TWO
Hello, Erin.
MCNALLY
Oh, hi. How are you doing?
TWO
I am fine. Erin, may I speak with you? I’d like to finish the conversation we began in the Botanical Deck.
MCNALLY
Two, I’d like to, but I just can’t. I’m really busy right now. How about if we get together later, when I have some time?
TWO
Erin, I need to speak with you now. It is extremely important, and cannot wait.
MCNALLY sighs and thinks for a moment. Finally, she leans back from the computer terminal.
MCNALLY
Okay. What do you want to talk to me about?
TWO
Erin, when we were in the Botanical Deck, we discussed our mutual love of exploration. You said that you have to accept the limitations of your people’s current level of technology…that your own explorations remain confined to one tiny corner of the cosmos because you have no other choice.
MCNALLY
Yes?
TWO
I told you that you did have another choice…but you were called away before I could present you with that choice. I would now like to finish what I started. Erin… my companion and I would like you to come explore with us.
MCNALLY
You need a guide to take you through our galaxy? I’m afraid that’s not my line of work.
TWO
No, Erin. We will not be exploring your galaxy any further. We are moving on…to other universes…and we want you to accompany us.
MCNALLY is taken aback. She fixes a stunned stare on TWO.
MCNALLY
That’s not possible, is it?
TWO
Yes, it is. We can remove your consciousness from your physical body, leaving your body in a state of stasis. We would take your consciousness with us on our journeys, and you would experience everything as we do…and when you wished to come home, we would return you to your body and you would resume your normal life.
MCNALLY
My body would be unharmed?
TWO
Yes. It would remain dormant, but not dead, until you chose to return to it.
MCNALLY
But why are you inviting me along?
TWO
Because we like you…and we want to share the glory of the cosmos with you. We want to give you at least a glimpse of what lies beyond your universe…so that you may be enlightened, and you may return to enlighten others of your people.
MCNALLY thinks for a moment.
MCNALLY
Two, I am honored by your invitation…I really am…but I must decline. I have many obligations here on the Infinitude, and a serious commitment to the practice of medicine. In addition, I have a son whom I love very much, and I would like to stay in the same universe with him…to see how he turns out…and to be there for him if he needs me.
TWO
(frowning)
I do not understand. Erin, I thought you were a fellow explorer.
MCNALLY
I am…but I must explore in my own way… with my own people. Your offer is very generous…and it is tempting…but I simply can’t accept it.
TWO
You would turn away from the wonders of the cosmos.
MCNALLY
In this case, I’m afraid so.
TWO glowers and stews, clearly peeved. Then, abruptly, her expression smooths into a pleasant, neutral smile.
TWO
Very well, then, Erin. If that is your answer, then so be it. Thank you for considering our invitation, and I wish you all the best in your future explorations.
MCNALLY
Two…you said that you and One are moving on. Does that mean you’ll be leaving soon?
TWO
Yes, soon. There are preparations to be made, and then we will leave.
MCNALLY
Let me know before you go. I’d like to help give you a proper sendoff.
TWO
Thank you. I believe that can be arranged.
TWO exits office, her features clouding over menacingly.
*****
ACT IV, SCENE 3
INT. ONE’S QUARTERS
Classical music is piping from speakers in the room. The door slides open and TWO marches in. She looks around, quickly spots ONE; he is reclining on the bed, listening to the music, smiling blissfully. The door closes and TWO steps closer to her companion.
TWO
It is time to go. Is your friend prepared?
ONE looks at TWO with mild annoyance. He was enjoying the music and does not appreciate the interruption.
ONE
I invited him. He is thinking it over.
TWO
Will he submit willingly?
ONE
I believe that I persuaded him.
Unhappily, troubled, ONE adds, almost to himself…
ONE
Of course, he does not know the truth.
TWO
(ignoring or oblivious to remark)
Erin has rejected the invitation. I misjudged her.
ONE
That is…a shame.
TWO
No, it is not. It does not matter. I will take what I need from her, anyway. Her consent would have made the process a little easier, but that is all. In the end, her consent is irrelevant.
ONE
Consent based on lies is not consent.
TWO
Of course it is. It matters not what we tell these people. If they believe, and they want what we offer, they will open their minds to us.
ONE
(still clearly uncomfortable)
They are a trusting people. We abuse their trust.
TWO
Yes…and so what if we do? It is all for a higher purpose.
ONE
Our purpose, you mean.
TWO
Yes…and our purpose is higher! It is a grand purpose! We are engaged in a cosmic endeavor, the scope of which these people could not even begin to grasp!
ONE
Perhaps they can not comprehend…but does that make their endeavors any less grand than ours?
TWO
(rankled, combative)
These people are nothing! They are utterly insignificant in the vastness of the cosmos!
ONE rises from the bed and squares his shoulders. He is ready to take a stand.
ONE
So are we! They are no less significant than we are! They are no less deserving of life, and purpose…and truth.
TWO
They are nothing, and they deserve nothing!
ONE
That is what you want to believe!
TWO
What is this sudden obsession with these people? Why have you now become their advocate?
ONE
Because…what we intend to do to them… troubles me.
TWO
(disgustedly, sarcastically)
It’s never troubled you before. How many hundreds…thousands of beings have we taken from? How many have we extinguished in our travels…and it has never troubled you.
ONE
I have…changed. There is something in…the difference of these beings that has changed me. I do not find it easy to deceive them…and I do not wish to extinguish them.
TWO
Would you prefer to be trapped here, in this universe?
ONE
I…do not know.
TWO
You want to stay here forever? To surrender infinity? To end the glorious explorations which you have truly only just begun?
ONE looks away, does not answer.
TWO
Do you value these people so much that you would choose them over your own freedom?
Again, ONE does not answer. A moment passes. TWO nods as
if in victory.
TWO
All right, then. As I told you, it is time to go. We will gather Erin and Rudy, and we will leave.
ONE looks up anxiously.
ONE
Rudy…has not given his consent.
That will not matter.
TWO turns and starts for the door. ONE lingers, wrestling with his conscience…and then, he bows his head, grimaces, and sends out a beam of thought energy. The beam strikes TWO in the head; she twists and jolts, tries to fight back, but is finally overcome. She crumples to the floor. ONE runs from the room and into the corridor.
*****
ACT IV, SCENE 4
INT. ENGINEERING
RUDY is working at a console. SYNTH is assisting him. ONE charges into the room, and they both turn at his entrance.
ONE
Rudy! There is something that I must tell you!
RUDY
There’s something I’ve gotta’ tell you, too. I…can’t take you up on that offer. As great an opportunity as it is, I’m afraid that I’m just not ready to leave the Infinitude.
ONE is clearly agitated. He grabs RUDY’s arms.
ONE
That is exactly what I must tell you about! The offer…was not entirely truthful.
RUDY
In what way?
ONE gazes searchingly, regretfully, into RUDY’s eyes. Finally, he releases RUDY’s arms and turns away.
ONE
Rudy…you could never have accompanied us on our journeys. It would be impossible.
RUDY
Then why did you tell me that I could?
ONE
We are incapable of traveling between universes under our own power. In order to escape one universe and enter another, we need to obtain and channel concentrations of thought energy…like that generated by the minds of your people. It is like…fuel to us.
RUDY
You wanted to use my thought energy for fuel?
ONE
Yes…your energy and that of Erin McNally. We would have used it to climb from this universe…to free ourselves.
RUDY
And what would’ve happened to Erin and me?
ONE
Your minds…your essences…would have dissipated. Your bodies would have died.
RUDY is disturbed by this information. He had been fooled by ONE’S con, and had considered the offer. He becomes a bit more aggressive and animated.
RUDY
Why all the lies? Did you need my permission to take my thought energy?
ONE
(ashamed)
No. It would only have simplified the process.
RUDY
Why me? Why Erin?
ONE
Because we were most familiar with the two of you and Commander Harbinger. We had joined with you when we first entered this universe…and so we knew the textures of your minds quite well, and this also would have simplified our work.
RUDY
You approached Commander Harbinger, too?
ONE
No. We knew that he would be far too resistant to our advances. You and Erin…were pliable.
RUDY
So why are you telling me all this now?
ONE
Because…I do not wish to do you harm. Something about you and your people…has touched me. I am troubled…and confused.
RUDY
What about your partner? Does she feel the same way?
ONE
I…
Suddenly, ONE is struck by a fierce bolt of thought energy, the same type that he used against his companion in his quarters. He struggles and twists, but is immobilized in the grip of the bolt…and eh appears to be experiencing excruciating pain.
TWO
(off-screen)
No! I do not feel the same way!
CUT TO TWO, STANDING NEARBY.
TWO’s head is surrounded by a corona of energy. The bolt that is torturing ONE is erupting from the corona, near her forehead.
TWO
I feel no reluctance about killing all of you!
*****
ACT V
FADE IN:
INT. ENGINEERING
SYNTH activates his communi-link as he watches the attack.
SYNTH
Synth to Captain PHILIPPE.
(VO)
PHILIPPE here.
SYNTH
Captain, we have a situation in Main Engineering. One of the visitors has attacked the other with some type of energy emission…though the attacker has expressed hostile intent toward all of us here.
PHILIPPE
(VO)
Lieutenant Tork and a Security team are on their way. Commander Harbinger and Counselor Athena are accompanying them.
SYNTH
Aye, sir. Synth out.
TWO is still blasting ONE, immobilizing him and subjecting him to great pain. RUDY takes a step toward TWO.
RUDY
Two! What’re you doing to him?
TWO
I am trying to bring him back to his senses! His thinking has become corrupted, and I must restore its purity!
RUDY
Stop it! He’s in agony!
TWO
(disgustedly)
If he experiences pain, you have caused it. You and your people led him to this.
RUDY
What are you talking about?
TWO
You caused him to doubt, to question the very basis of our explorations.
RUDY
You mean the way that you kill people and drain their thought energy to use as fuel? The way that you lie to cover up your real intentions, so your victims will open themselves up to you?
TWO
Yes. Those acts are necessary if we are to explore…and exploration is the reason for our existence.
RUDY
So you’re doing this to him just because he doesn’t want to kill anymore?
TWO
His thinking has become faulty. He has lost his perspective.
Suddenly, ONE regains some control and sends out his own energy bolt, which connects with TWO’s head. TWO gasps and staggers, surprised; her beam flickers, and then she restores it. ONE and TWO are now deadlocked, linked by crackling beams of equal power.
ONE
You are the one who has lost perspective! You have experienced so much of the cosmos…seen so many different beings…so many forms of life…that all life seems small and insignificant to you!
TWO
All life is insignificant…in the vastness of the cosmos!
ONE
No! It is all significant! Every lifeform…in every universe…contributes its own uniqueness to the cosmic whole!
TWO
Each lifeform is just an infinitesimal piece of that whole! Removing a few here and there has no real impact on the overall structure!
ONE
But it does! The loss of any lifeform diminishes the glorious complexity of the cosmos!
TWO
Death is part of the natural order!
ONE
Yes…when that death occurs as part of the cycle of life within a universe…but not when that death is enforced by beings from outside a universe…beings using that death for their own selfish purposes, with no regard for the cycle of life or the rights of the lifeform!
TWO
The rights of the lifeform? What rights?
ONE
The right to live their lives as they choose…to control their own destinies…to know the truth!
TWO
You have gone mad!
She turns to RUDY
TWO
And it is all your fault!
TWO fires a quick bolt of energy. It strikes RUDY, then dissipates. RUDY staggers back, gripping his head. SYNTH hastily grabs him to keep him from falling.
SYNTH
Rudy, are you all right?
RUDY
Everything’s muddy. I’ve got a…s
plitting headache…but otherwise, I’m okay.
SYNTH
Clearly, we must find a way to end this conflict before others are hurt. It is even possible that these beings could endanger the entire ship.
RUDY
Something tells me there’s not much we can do about it. If they’re powerful enough to drain human thought energy…and reshape matter on a subatomic level…I don’t know what could stop them.
There is a ruckus as TORK and a team of three Security personnel rush in, ray guns drawn. They are followed by HARBINGER and ATHENA.