dargon: the shadow guardian screenplay by eldon thompson story by

8/14/2019 DARGON: The SHADOW GUARDIAN Screenplay by Eldon Thompson Story By

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spills from his lip and doesn't heal.Odin strides forward.DARGON (V.O.) (cont'd)It's a haze at that point. Rage,destruction, autonomic synaptic

responses. You're no longer human,but a machine, an animal. Drivenby instinct rather than reason.Dargon's own bloodshot eyes begin to whiten. He scootsaside, but Odin is already on top of him, hefting himoverhead and then slamming him to the floor.Dargon crawls vainly away. His blood stains the laboratorytiles. Odin looms over him.DARGON (V.O.) (cont'd)Of course, this isn't my talealone. Like the story of

Frankenstein, to truly understandthe monster, you first have to meetthe good doctor...INT. VALKYRIE INNOVATIONS, SECURITY CHECKPOINT - DAYA sterile, white-paneled corridor ends at a reinforced steeldoor, warded by a pair of CHIRON SENTRIES, who wieldautomatic rifles.PROFESSOR THOMAS STONE, 50, marches toward them, dressed in alab coat bearing the Valkyrie company insignia. He carries alocked briefcase chained to his wrist.CHIRON SENTRY #1

Morning, Professor. A mite earlytoday, aren't we?PROFESSOR STONED-Day, gentlemen, or so I hope.May I?The sentries part, granting him access to a console besidethe door. Stone punches in a numeric code. A hand padslides forth beneath a monitor. Fingerprint mapping isfollowed by a needle that pierces Stone's thumb. Stone holdssteady while his pulse is measured and his DNA is tested.After a moment, the monitor flashes green, with the terms:

"DNA match" and "Access Granted". A silky computer voiceresponds.COMPUTER VOICEWelcome, Thomas Stone.The door BUZZES. Locks click in release. A spark of blueelectricity dances across the handle.COMPUTER VOICE (cont'd)Electric shock field disengaged.


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Have a nice day.Stone nods to the sentries, then opens the door.CHIRON SENTRY #2Ever gonna tell us what horribledisease you're curing in there?

AIDS? Cancer?2.PROFESSOR STONEInquisitiveness.Security systems re-engage as the door slams shut behind him.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S OFFICE, PROJECT CHIRON - MOMENTS LATERStone works the dial on his safe. Once opened, he unlocksthe briefcase from his wrist, and deposits it within.INT. MEDICAL LAB, PROJECT CHIRON - MOMENTS LATERStone enters through a pair of double doors into a cleanroomenvironment. He works his way through a maze of tables and

bays, past computers and shelving and medical test equipment.CINDY, 25, a pretty lab assistant, rushes to greet him.CINDYProfessor Stone! You have to seethese numbers.She thrusts a clipboard in his face.PROFESSOR STONEGood morning, Cindy.(looks at the data)These cell counts, they aresustained?

CINDYCome see for yourself.At the heart of the lab lies a fishbowl containment cell madeof plastisteel. Inside, a baboon sleeps.A bank of monitors rings the base of the cell. At post isWARREN TARLEY, 45, Stone's chief assistant. Tarley glancesup at Stone's approach, then quickly back to his monitor.PROFESSOR STONEI'm told we have some good news.Tarley shifts aside as Stone bends close. The monitorsdisplay a high-tech array of the baboon's vitals: heart rate,

body temp, brain activity, synaptic relays, etc.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)The alterations have healed?TARLEYNo sign of trauma--post-injectionor legacy.CINDYWait until you see the tapes of him


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dancing around in there all night.3.Stone observes the baboon, spies a crack in the cell. Heinspects it in disbelief. Cindy's enthusiasm fades.PROFESSOR STONE

The augmentations?CINDYStronger than ever. Both muscularand neurological, as noted in thereport.PROFESSOR STONEHow can that be? I thought we hadisolated--An alarm flashes on the computer console.TARLEYShow time.

The baboon twitches, stirs.PROFESSOR STONEHow long before--The spasms become violent. Suddenly, the baboon is on itsfeet, lurching, convulsing.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)Load the sedative. I don't wantthis subject getting out of hand.The baboon SHRIEKS. It hugs, then claws itself. It runsback and forth, slamming its body against the cell'splastisteel walls.

Cindy taps a vial, loads it into a cannister arm just outsidethe cell.CINDYReady!Tarley taps the controls. A syringe-tipped robotic armenters the cell. Loaded with sedative, it takes aim at thebaboon.But the creature is berserk, a whirling mass of hair andmuscle and fangs. It seizes the syringe arm, smashing it onthe cell floor so that the needle breaks off.Tarley withdraws the arm while Cindy prepares a fresh vial.

Lacerations appear inexplicably on the baboon's back. One ofits arms fractures.CINDY (cont'd)Legacy trauma manifesting--PROFESSOR STONEI can see that! Hurry!4.The baboon's rage is uncontrollable. It digs its nails into


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its own face, scraping furrows in its flesh.The monitors flash with activity... until the baboon claws awireless transmitter from its chest and flings it across thecell. Immediately, the monitors flatline.Facing Stone, the animal ROARS. Muscles ripple and flex

involuntarily. Its eyes bulge, then roll back as blood spewsfrom its nose and ears, painting the cell walls.The baboon collapses. The flatline tone WHINES as spatteredblood trickles. At last, Stone kills the alarm.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)Upload the data to the network.I'll be in my office.Resigned, he turns away.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S OFFICE, PROJECT CHIRON - MOMENTS LATERStone's office safe is open, his precious briefcase removed.Stone sits at his desk, copying data to a flash drive. The

progress bar reads "Updating Data Files: Project Chiron".When the copy finishes, he removes the flash drive and placesit in his open briefcase. He snaps it shut as Tarley enters.PROFESSOR STONECause of death?TARLEYThe usual. But if you consider--PROFESSOR STONEConsider what, Warren? We've notmade any measurable progress inover six months--and the equations

just aren't adding up. How wouldyou explain this to Oversight?TARLEYThe results speak for themselves.The potential still outweighs--PROFESSOR STONEI've been milking that argument forlonger than I believed possible.My gut tells me this time, it'sgoing to take something more.He cuffs his briefcase to his wrist and heads toward the

exit. Tarley catches his arm.5.TARLEYSo give them what they need. Tellthem we've gone as far as we canwith baboons. The human genome isstrong enough to suppress--PROFESSOR STONE


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Humans? Have you not seen enoughtest subjects turned inside out toknow how radical it would be totest the elixir on human beings?TARLEY

The data suggests--PROFESSOR STONETheories, Warren. Mathematicallysound, but you'd have to becriminally insane to test them atthis stage. Oversight would neversanction it. They might lock me upfor merely suggesting it.Stone tries to break away, but Tarley's grip tightens.TARLEYWe can't let ourselves be bridled

by fear of the unknown.PROFESSOR STONEI'm going to be late, Warren.Tarley lets go. Stone heads for the door.TARLEYWe're at the edge of anevolutionary event, Thomas.PROFESSOR STONEEvolution takes time.TARLEYAnd will. Don't let them forget

that. And don't forget yours.Stone glares, then exits.EXT. VALKYRIE INNOVATIONS INC. - DAYThe high-rise building that houses Stone's project is anarchitectural marvel of glass and steel and granite, frontedby fountains and a giant sculpture of the Valkyrie logo.INT. VALKYRIE INNOVATIONS, CONFERENCE ROOM - SAMEThe spacious conference room reflects the tower's grandeur,with panoramic city views and exquisite furnishings.6.Professor Stone stands at the foot of a burnished table, in

the midst of his report. The company logo is etched into apair of double glass doors behind him.Around the table, the OVERSIGHT MEMBERS for Project Chironhave assembled--a dozen men and women, all sharply dressed,with crisp, lawyer looks. Grimfaced, they watch Stone'spresentation on individual screens mounted within the table.At the table head sits none other than RYLAND SPENCER, 60,founder, president, and CEO of Valkyrie Innovations, Inc. To


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his right sits GRADY ELWITT, 45, CFO and chief advisor.PROFESSOR STONEAs you can see, recent test resultsbreed continued hope for a positiveoutcome. Our ongoing challenge is

to isolate and suppress theancillary results associated withthe elixir's use.The committee members turn from their monitors to stare athim in stony silence.ELWITTAnd these findings represent thelatest data produced in our labs?PROFESSOR STONEIncluding last night's testsubject, yes, where we noticed an

encouraging rise in the sustainablelevels of--ELWITTAnd what is the current status ofthis test subject?PROFESSOR STONE(hesitates)Deceased.A few of the committee members MURMUR or shake their heads.Elwitt thumbs through a printed report in front of him, thenlooks at Spencer. Spencer nods glumly.

ELWITTWe were earnestly hoping,Professor, for some sign ofprogress that would justify ourcontinued investment in thisendeavor. Regrettably, that doesnot appear to be the case.PROFESSOR STONEProgress has stalled, I admit. Butif you look at the overall arc, andwhere we are headed--

7.ELWITTProject Chiron is hereby defunct.All data is to be frozen anddevelopment to cease.PROFESSOR STONELike that? You can't be serious.ELWITT


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Business is business, Professor.Any sustained action is dictated bymeasurable results. In this case,the results simply do not meritfurther study at this time.

Stone fixes his gaze on Spencer.PROFESSOR STONEIs that it, then? Is this purely afinancial decision? I won'tbelieve that, Ryland. Not unlessyou can look me in the eye and tellme yourself.ELWITTMr. Spencer does not have toexplain...Spencer's raised hand silences the outburst.

SPENCERTell me true, Thomas. Have you noconcern over this continued spateof side effects? And I'm notreferring to the fatalities, butthese "ancillary results," as youcall them. Our aim is to healchildren, not turn them intomonsters.PROFESSOR STONEAnd heal them we can. Don't pull

the plug on us now. Not when weare this close.SPENCERI appreciate your passion, myfriend. But the purpose ofcommittees such as this is to keepeven my passions in check. I'vealready dragged this out far longerthan any of my advisors arecomfortable with. Without somekind of positive breakthrough...

PROFESSOR STONEYou'll get it. Grant me time, andI'll give you your breakthrough.I'll give you a revolution.8.ELWITTEvery scientist of your standingbelieves just as strongly that he


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or she is on the verge of--SPENCER(to Stone)You have until the end of thefiscal quarter.

ELWITTSir, we spoke of this. If we areto acknowledge losses before theabrupt hit on earnings impacts ournext stock offering, we must--SPENCERThe quarter's end, Grady. Whateverpenalties that entails, I will pay.PROFESSOR STONEThe fiscal quarter ends in just twoweeks.

SPENCERAnd by that reckoning, I stronglysuggest you get to work.INT. DOCTOR TARLEY'S OFFICE, PROJECT CHIRON - LATERTarley taps away at his keyboard in a cluttered office,manipulating a computer-generated DNA model onscreen.Stone enters, closes the door.TARLEYHow'd it go?PROFESSOR STONEI need your theory calculations on

the suppression capabilities of thehuman genome.TARLEYYou mean Oversight actuallyapproved... They're shutting usdown, aren't they.PROFESSOR STONEWe have two weeks to deliver ascientific miracle. Translation:two weeks to find ourselves anotherinvestor to help carry the load.

TARLEYThat's proprietary data you'retalking about. I find it hard tobelieve Mr. Spencer would allow--9.PROFESSOR STONEDamn it, Warren. I won't bestopped by a bunch of craven beancounters.


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I need a way to makeRyland listen to reason.TARLEYAnd if he won't?PROFESSOR STONE

Then I'll find someone who will.TARLEYIn that case, I have something toshow you.INT. TARLEY'S VEHICLE - DAYStone rides along in Tarley's car, perusing data sheets in amanila folder.PROFESSOR STONEImpossible, that Ryland would allowthis.TARLEY

Mr. Spencer knows nothing.PROFESSOR STONEThen how--TARLEYAuxiliary sponsorship. Funds anddirectives issued from an outsidesource.PROFESSOR STONEWhat source?TARLEYGovernment, would be my guess.

PROFESSOR STONEYour guess?TARLEYGiven their operation methods--PROFESSOR STONEHow could you--TARLEYIf you haven't the stomach, perhapswe should turn around. You can geta start on packing up your office.PROFESSOR STONE

Just drive.10.EXT. EINHERJAR LAB - DAYTarley's vehicle pulls up to an old riverside warehouse.Stone and Tarley exit the car, take in the derelict sights.PROFESSOR STONEA bit low-rent for a governmentoperation, wouldn't you say?


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EXT. EINHERJAR LAB, BACK ENTRANCE - MOMENTS LATERTarley leads Stone down a trash-ridden alley. A pair ofEINHERJAR SENTRIES step from the shadows, disguised asvagrants.TARLEY

Fellas.One Sentry gestures at Stone. Beneath their rags, bothSentries are armed with automatic pistols.EINHERJAR SENTRY #1Who's he?TARLEYA guest. By authorization of thePatriarch. Were you not notified?A muffled command crackles in Sentry #2's hidden earpiece.EINHERJAR SENTRY #2Let 'em through. Colonel's orders.

Tarley passes with a nod. Stone follows, trading cold stareswith the Sentries.PROFESSOR STONEThe "Patriarch"?TARLEYOur project benefactor.PROFESSOR STONEWho is he?TARLEYA ghost. If anyone here tells youthey've met the man, they're lying.

PROFESSOR STONEHow very trustworthy.TARLEYYou know these cloak-and-daggertypes. They so enjoy their littlegames. Makes me wonder whenmothers stopped breastfeeding.11.Ahead, a nondescript side door opens. A third EINHERJARSENTRY steps out to usher the scientists inside.INT. EINHERJAR LAB, CORRIDOR - CONTINUOUS

Einherjar Sentry #3 leads Tarley and Stone down a dimly litcorridor. Stone marks a number of hidden cameras.TARLEYWe call it Project Einherjar.PROFESSOR STONE"Einherjar"?TARLEYHeroes of Norse mythology--chosen


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warriors destined to fight in thebattle of Ragnarok.PROFESSOR STONENorse. Like Valkyrie. It's notenough to plagiarize Mr. Spencer's

work, you have to plagiarize histhemes as well?TARLEYConsider it an homage.Their guide halts beside another door, this one with apeephole. He raps twice. The door opens.INT. EINHERJAR LAB, TESTING FLOOR - CONTINUOUSInside, the equipment array is a reasonable facsimile of thatseen in Professor Stone's lab. Before Stone can look around,however, he is met by VICTOR "THE COLONEL" JACKSON, 40, chiefof military operations for project Einherjar.

THE COLONELProfessor Stone. Come for thetour, I've been told.PROFESSOR STONE"The Colonel," is it? So far, itall looks very familiar. By-thebookblack ops, straight out of theSPECTOR handbook.THE COLONELThis facility--and your presencewithin--is not a joke, Professor.

PROFESSOR STONENor am I laughing.(to Tarley)12.(MORE)Am I to meet your alleged testsubject? Or is this strictly anintimidation tour?TARLEY(to the Colonel)You really should relax, Victor.

You and your men. You're going tomake yourselves sterile.(to Stone)This way.They proceed through the lab, Tarley leading, the Colonelfollowing. A smattering of TECHNICIANS and SCIENTISTS busythemselves at various test stations.TARLEY (cont'd)


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They're still compiling the datafrom last night's trial. Takes abit longer with humans, you see,than with baboons.PROFESSOR STONE

The formula is the same?A distant CLANGOR becomes audible.TARLEYAs used in the Chiron labs? Yes.PROFESSOR STONEConcentration?The CLANGOR grows louder. A human voice ROARS.TARLEYIdentical. Chiron is still thetrue birthing ground. Our lab ismerely an alternative testing

station.Tarley stops beside a metal door. The CLANGOR continueswithin, punctuated by an unseen man's HOWLING rage.TARLEY (cont'd)Professor, meet Odin.Stone peers through a plastisteel viewing slat. His eyes gowide.PROFESSOR STONEThis is post-augmentation?TARLEYYes. Your baboon would be dead by

now. As you can see, Odin here isvery much alive.PROFESSOR STONEHe has survived injections before?13.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)TARLEYMore than a dozen.Stone gives him an incredulous look.PROFESSOR STONEWhat's with the engine block?

TARLEYSomething for him to hammer on, instress release. Seems to mitigatethe propensity for self-mutilation.PROFESSOR STONEHave you diagnosed the cause?TARLEYDeferred synaptic recognition, as


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you yourself hypothesized.PROFESSOR STONEWhy don't you sedate him?TARLEYFor the same reason we don't sedate

the baboons. Better observation.Stone continues to watch, both fascinated and horrorstruck.PROFESSOR STONEAre there others?TARLEYOdin is the first to survive, sowe're focusing on him for now.PROFESSOR STONEPlagiarism is too kind a word.This is a perversion of everythingValkyrie and Chiron is about.

TARLEYCall it what you wish. The elixirworks, and is non-lethal to atleast some humans. The effects,however, remain temporary. If youcan help us to focus--PROFESSOR STONEYou're after the augmentations.TARLEYJust as virility drugs were born ofresearch into heart medication, it

may be that Project Chiron's truebenefit--financially speaking--liesin what we have deemed thus far asancillary results.14.PROFESSOR STONEAnd you expect me to become a partof this. To ditch Chiron in favorof Einherjar.TARLEYIf that were so, why would I care

about Chiron's continuation? ThePatriarch prefers to piggyback offValkyrie's efforts. Cheaper thatway. He can't exactly claim awrite-off here, now can he?PROFESSOR STONEYou're working for a madman.TARLEY


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Madman, visionary--these thingsdon't come in black-and-white.What we want--what all of us want--is for you to continue this work.PROFESSOR STONE

What's the matter, Warren? Brewyourself an equation you can'tsolve on your own?TARLEYEssentially, yes.(beat)Find a way to convince Chiron'soversight committee as to the thenecessity, of human trials.PROFESSOR STONEWithout any measurable data, of

course, since I can't exactly tellthem of Einherjar's existence.TARLEYI've shown you how close you trulyare. And your friend Spencer hasalready demonstrated how badly hewants to believe in you. Convincehim of our "theories," win thecommittee's approval, and we can beback in business, full swing.(beat)

For Isabella.Stone glares at Tarley, then looks to the Colonel.PROFESSOR STONEFor Isabella.POV PROFESSOR STONEThrough the plastisteel window, a glimpse of Odin and hisbald, blood-streaked head.15.EXT. PROFESSOR STONE'S COMMUNITY - EVENINGAn ornate gatehouse marks the entrance of a wealthycommunity, decorated with fountains, flowered trellises, and

cobblestone drive. The sign reads: Emerald Glade Estates.Stone drives past the gatehouse, barely acknowledging theGATE ATTENDANT on duty.EXT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE - MOMENTS LATERStone's home is a palatial, Italian-style structure nestledin a cul-de-sac at the top of a hill. He pulls into thecobblestone driveway and into the garage.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, GARAGE ENTRY - MOMENTS LATER


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Surely you didn't tell them--PROFESSOR STONEOf course not. If I had resisted,do you think I would be sittinghere now? But I can't go along

with it. Not like this. I have totell someone, everyone... But Idon't know who I can trust.SARAHWhat about the media? If this is agovernment operation, you'll haveto blow the lid on the whole thing.Otherwise, you risk a cover-up.PROFESSOR STONEIf the Colonel or Tarley caughtwind of some investigative

journalist sniffing around...(shakes his head)It has to be someone with authorityenough to carry out a raid on theirlab, before they can go to ground.SARAHAnd if that authority is the truesponsor of this mess?Stone mulls silently.17.SARAH (cont'd)

How about Gabriel?PROFESSOR STONEThis is too big for Gabriel.SARAHBut you know you can trust him.And he may still have connectionsthat you left behind. Let oneshadow prey on another, I say.PROFESSOR STONEYou may be right.SARAH

They'll be watching us, if theyaren't already. Isn't that whywe're sitting out here, like this?PROFESSOR STONEI'm sorry, Sarah. Perhaps youshould take Isabella and go--SARAHGo where? Someplace where they'll


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never find us? Don't patronize me,Thomas.Stone hangs his head.SARAH (cont'd)Christ, it's the same old story.

Instead of bringing hope and healthto the suffering, it's all aboutfurthering some financial orreligious or ideological agenda.PROFESSOR STONESeems to be the way of the world.SARAHWell it sucks, Thomas. The way ofthe world sucks.CLOSE ON: a speaker embedded in the patio ceiling above.EXT. NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE - SAME

PAN from the front of Stone's house to the neighbor's housenext door. Slow ZOOM toward basement level, on the sidenearest Stone's house.INT. NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE, SURVEILLANCE ROOM - SAMEIn the neighbor's basement is a high-tech surveillanceoperation.18.ANDREA, 40, the surveillance lead, eavesdrops through a pairof headphones. NATHAN, 40, her technical assistant, sitsnearby.SARAH (O.S.)

Well it sucks, Thomas. The way ofthe world sucks.Silence. Then the sound of a sliding glass patio door.ANDREAOn the move. Go to Zone 4.NATHAN(turns a dial)Surrendering Zone 5.Patio music, electronically dampened before, slowly fillsAndrea's headphones.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - CONTINUOUS

Stone follows his wife from the patio, back into the house,where additional speakers are mounted in the ceiling.INT. NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE, SURVEILLANCE ROOM - SAMENathan adjusts a slider.NATHANZone 4 ready.PROFESSOR STONE (O.S.)Keep an eye on Bella, will you?


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SARAH (O.S.)I suppose dinner with the McKeehansis out.PROFESSOR STONE (O.S.)I have work to do.

SARAH (O.S.)Yes, I suppose you do.Andrea waits for more.ANDREACut. Prepare for relay.She switches to a phone signal on her headset, punches a onetouchdial tone.VOICE (O.S.)Yes?ANDREAGet me the Colonel.

19.INT. EINHERJAR LAB, CONFERENCE ROOM - NIGHTTarley sits with the Colonel in a windowless conference room.Soundproof walls and dim lights give it a vault-like feel.They stare at a speakerphone in the middle of the table, as arecording plays.PROFESSOR STONE (O.S.)(recorded)It has to be someone with authorityenough to carry out a raid on theirlab, before they can go to ground.

SARAH (O.S.)(recorded)And if that authority is the truesponsor of this mess?Pause.SARAH (O.S.) (cont'd)(recorded)How about Gabriel?PROFESSOR STONE (O.S.)(recorded)This is too big for Gabriel.

SARAH (O.S.)(recorded)But you know you can trust him.And he may still have connectionsthat you left behind. Let oneshadow prey on another, I say.A voice from the speakerphone interrupts the recording.THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)


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Enough.The Colonel nods at Tarley.PROFESSOR STONE (O.S.)(recorded)You may be right.

Tarley hits a button. The playback stops.THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)Mr. Tarley, you had me believe thatProfessor Stone would be willing tocooperate.TARLEYAnd he will. For him, it's allabout his daughter. If we were tokidnap--20.THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)

I'll not risk any such games. Theprofessor has made his choice, andit was the wrong one. Colonel, isyour team in place?THE COLONELStanding by, sir.THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)A clean sweep, understood?THE COLONELThey'll leave no stone unturned.TARLEY

Puns aside, I would still suggest--THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)You have had your say, Mr. Tarley.Now I shall have mine.EXT. PROFESSOR STONE'S COMMUNITY - NIGHTTwo vans with gas company logos and commercial platesapproach the gatehouse of Emerald Glade Estates.INT. GATEHOUSE, PROFESSOR STONE'S COMMUNITY - SAMEThe Gate Attendant sees the vans approach. He hurriedlyworks his computer. His bank of monitors go blank as thegate surveillance cameras turn off.

He raises the visitor gate, nods at the vans as they pass.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, OFFICE - NIGHTStone sits at his desk, copying data from his flash drive tohis desktop PC. A message box reads: "Copy Complete." Stonetaps the keys. A new progress bar reads "Preparing Package"then "Encrypting Data Files: Project Chiron".EXT. NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE - SAMEThe gas company vans pull up along the street outside the


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Sarah freezes, looks up, as the power goes out.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, ISABELLA'S STUDY - SAMEIsabella stops drawing as darkness lays claim.ISABELLAHey!

INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, OFFICE - CONTINUOUSStone's PC monitor is still active with an uninterruptiblepower supply. He glances at a green-lit LED on the BEEPINGunit, then back to the monitor, which reads: "Scan Finished"then "Sending Email". The accompanying progress bar reads:"1% complete".Stone rises from his chair, glancing about in alarm.PROFESSOR STONESarah?A sniper's bullet rips through the window pane. Stonepitches forward, then slumps behind his desk.

His monitor reads: "2% complete".INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - CONTINUOUSSarah snatches up a butcher's knife. Isabella calls from herstudy.ISABELLA (O.S.)Mom, what's wrong with the lights?SARAHBella? Bella, don't move, honey!She races toward the study.23.SARAH (cont'd)

Tom!Automatic gunfire rips through a kitchen window. Sarah,struck, CRIES OUT as she crumples to the floor.Her bloody knife skitters against the wall.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, ISABELLA'S STUDY - CONTINUOUSIsabella wheels herself toward the exit. Behind her, gunfireshreds her canvas and easel. She ducks and SQUEALS.A bullet hits one of the rear handles on her wheelchair. Shedives forward, hitting the ground. She cringes as windowshards rain around her, then crawls toward the hallway.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, OFFICE - CONTINUOUS

Grimacing, Stone checks his monitor: "5% complete". Hereaches up, into a desk drawer, searching for his handgun.Bullets flood the room, tearing the monitor apart. Stonerecoils, leaving the gun behind.PROFESSOR STONESarah!He coughs. Blood spills from his mouth.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)


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Call the police!INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - CONTINUOUSIsabella crawls from the hallway into the kitchen. She spiesSarah, eyes wide, bloody and motionless. She SCREAMS.The patio door shatters. Masked Gunmen enter.

Crouched behind the island counter, Isabella snatches thebloody knife, then crawls back to theHALLWAYand into a shoe closet.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, OFFICE - CONTINUOUSA Gunman enters, crashing through the floor-length officewindow.Stone, crawling toward the doorway, turns to face him.24.PROFESSOR STONEMy little girl. Please. Whatever

they're paying you--The Gunman fires.MASKED GUNMAN #1(into headset)Target Alpha, down.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, KITCHEN - CONTINUOUSA Gunman checks Sarah's body.MASKED GUNMAN #2(into headset)Target Bravo, down.He signals to his partner to proceed toward the study.

FROM THE STUDYAnother Gunman has already entered. The pair heads down theHALLWAYwhere one stops, signaling at the closet. As one covers, theother opens the door.Isabella lunges with the knife, but the Gunman dodges herstrike. As she lays there, sprawled facedown on the floor,both Gunmen fire.INT. NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE, SURVEILLANCE ROOM - CONTINUOUSAndrea listens in, watching her monitors.MASKED GUNMAN #3 (O.S.)

Target Charlie, down.ANDREATeam B, this is the eye in the sky.Perimeter secured. Please confirm.TEAM B CAPTAIN (O.S.)Affirmative, eye in the sky.Explosives set.ANDREA


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Team A, execute phase two.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, OFFICE - CONTINUOUSThe office Gunman opens the closet door, not far from Stone'smotionless form. A 5-foot tall gun safe is revealed.25.

MASKED GUNMAN #3Order confirmed. Going for safe.Request combination.ANDREA (O.S.)Combination 7-9-0-0-1-7.The Gunman punches in the code on the numeric keypad. An LEDflashes green. The Gunman turns the handle. The safe opens.MASKED GUNMAN #3Confirmed. We're in.The Gunman quickly empties disks and file folders from thesafe and onto the floor. Another Gunman enters. This one

gathers papers from Stone's desk and open briefcase, thensweeps all into the same floor pile.MASKED GUNMAN #1 (O.S.)Device number one, set.MASKED GUNMAN #2 (O.S.)Device number two, set.MASKED GUNMAN #3(into headset)Give us five seconds.As he finishes emptying the safe, he hears a BEEP from thegreen-lit UPS powering Stone's desktop. He quickly rips the

cables from between the two, severing the power lights.The other Gunman looks over.MASKED GUNMAN #3 (cont'd)Set it.His partner places an explosive device on the front ofStone's desk, near the pile of data on the floor.MASKED GUNMAN #3 (cont'd)(into headset)Device number three, set.ANDREA (O.S.)All units, fall out. Detonation in

T minus 60... 59... 58...EXT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE - CONTINUOUSMasked Gunmen fall back, loading up into their vans.INT. NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE, SURVEILLANCE ROOM - CONTINUOUSAndrea watches her cul-de-sac monitors as the first van pullsaway, followed by the second.26.INT. EINHERJAR LAB, CONFERENCE ROOM - SAME


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Tarley, frowning, listens in alongside the Colonel.ANDREA (O.S.)T minus 30. Fine work, gentlemen.EXT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE - SAMEA neighbor's dog BARKS. Otherwise, the cul-de-sac and its

homes are quiet.A series of massive explosions level Stone's house, flingingdebris into the night.EXT. MARTIAL ARTS DOJO - NIGHTA "Kempo" sign hangs over the storefront. Through glasswalls, STUDENTS are seen training within.INT. MARTIAL ARTS DOJO - SAMEDETECTIVE GABRIEL FLYNN, 33, spars in the center of the flooragainst JASON, 30. With the speed and physique of a comicbook superhero, Gabriel is clearly the master. He continuesto block or duck a flurry of strikes until suddenly, a leg

sweep throws Jason to the mat.GABRIELYour focus is still too onedimensional.By concentratingsolely on my inside line, you'reallowing me to anticipate yourmoves. Use your counters and entrytechniques to guide my strikes awayfrom your center line. This willgive you the option of attackingeither inside or outside.

JASON(breathless)With respect, sifu, what differencewould it make? You're too fast.And you blocks hurt worse than someof my strikes.Many of the Students nod or chuckle their agreement.GABRIELSpeed and strength provide a clearadvantage. But there is alwayssomeone faster, someone stronger.

(to the class)27.(MORE)Technique is the great equalizer--the key that allows us to adapt to,and overcome, any opponent.Jason gets up, gingerly rubbing his forearms.JASON


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Yes, sifu. Although, that's easierto say when you're the one with allthe physical advantages.The Students MURMUR at his disrespect. Gabriel merelysmiles. He looks over at the GRANDMASTER, who nods.

GABRIELCole, a pair of Kali sticks forJason here, please.COLE, 35, another student, fetches a pair of Kali sticks andhands them to Jason.GABRIEL (cont'd)Rhett, Tyler, grab your Kali sticksand join Jason.RHETT, 30, and TYLER, 25, move to comply.As they do so, DETECTIVE ERIC JONES, 36, enters the frontdoor of the dojo and signals to Gabriel. Gabriel, surprised,

raises a finger, asking a moment's patience. Eric checks hiswatch, then finds a spot from which to observe.GABRIEL (cont'd)(to Jason)There are now three of you, armed.Would you still say I hold all ofthe physical advantages?JASONNo, sifu.Jason eyes his weapons, as well as those of Rhett and Tyler.Despite some uncertainty, his anticipation is palpable.

JASON (cont'd)I didn't mean to challenge you.GABRIEL(smiles)Too late.Jason lowers his head, considering. Gabriel lunges, forcingJason to respond. Rhett and Tyler attack Gabriel's flanks.There is much more whirling and ducking this time, as Gabrielfends off all three opponents, making sure to avoid the mostdirect Kali strikes. Still, he appears in complete control,an eye in the center of a hurricane.

28.GABRIEL (cont'd)Within moments, he has disarmed both Rhett and Tyler. But ashe kicks Tyler to the mat, Rhett manages to take hold ofGabriel's right arm, and Jason lands a solid Kali strike tothe shoulder joint.Observing from the side, Eric cringes as Gabriel's shoulderpops out of socket.


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Gabriel growls. He spins and hacks his way out of the hold.Seconds later, all three opponents lie sprawled on the floor.Gabriel, somewhat winded, clutches his dislocated arm.JASONSifu... Are you okay?

GABRIELThe price of hubris. This lessonwas for me, it seems.(to the Grandmaster)Grandmaster?Gabriel and the Grandmaster bow to one another before Gabrieltakes his leave. As the Grandmaster reorganizes thestudents, Gabriel walks over to Eric.ERICStill learning to turn the othercheek, I see. What the hell are

you training for, Armageddon?GABRIELFunny.ERICSeriously. I wasn't planning aside-trip to the hospital.GABRIEL(mocking)Hospital?Gabriel braces, then uses his left hand to twist and wrenchthe dislocated shoulder back into socket.

GABRIEL (cont'd)(grimacing)Ah! Good as new.ERICHow very Mad Max.GABRIELI think you mean Lethal Weapon.ERICWhatever. That Gibson's a nut.GABRIELReally? I love the guy.

29.ERICI'm not surprised.GABRIELWhat brings you down here, anyway?Thought we had the night off.ERICBlessed are the peacemakers.


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Captain called us in to investigatea 10-80.GABRIELIndustrial?ERIC

Residential.GABRIELCooke and Lancer can't handle it?ERICEn route. But I knew you'd want inon this one.GABRIELYeah? And why's that?ERICBecause the house in questionbelonged to a Dr. Thomas Stone.

GABRIELProfessor Stone?ERIC(nods)Should I grab your coat?EXT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, RUINS - NIGHTGabriel and Eric exit their vehicle for a closeup look at thesmoking ruin of Stone's house. All the usual firstresponders are there: fire, police, ambulance--along withcoroner and bomb squad trucks. Awestruck NEIGHBORS standoutside their homes as POLICEMEN take statements and

EMERGENCY CREWS comb through the rubble.Gabriel and Eric cross the police line, displaying theirbadges for a LINE COP.GABRIELDetectives Flynn and Jones,homicide.LINE COPCouple of your boys are alreadyhere.30.Gabriel follows the Line Cop's nod. DETECTIVE COOKE, 50, and

DETECTIVE LANCER, 40, stand with a CORONER, 45, where thekitchen used to be, over the bright shroud marking Sarah'sremains.Gabriel and Eric pick their way toward the gathering. As henears their position, Gabriel sees a second coroner's shroudnot far from the first.CORONER(to Cooke)


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Ain't much left. Could take weeksto pin down a positive ID.GABRIELHow many fatalities?CORONER

Two. I was just telling thedetectives here--GABRIELWas one a child?CORONERHard to tell from what fragmentswe've found.Gabriel freezes. Eric places a hand on his shoulder.DETECTIVE COOKEYou knew them?Eric glares at the stupidity of the question. Gabriel's gaze

is locked on Isabella's melted wheelchair.A nearby FIREMAN draws their attention.FIREMANEMT! EMT! 10-52! We've got alive one!Gabriel is the last to look up, but the first to reach theFireman's position beside an uprightGUN SAFEin which Professor Stone slumps, bleeding.GABRIELChrist! Professor? Professor, can

you hear me?Gabriel leans in, checking Stone's vitals.FIREMANI tried the door, found it open.31.Stone fights for breath, clutches Gabriel's arm with a bloodyhand.GABRIELI'm here, Professor.(turns)Medics!

INT. AMBULANCE - LATERGabriel rides with two EMTs in the bed of an ambulance.Stone lies strapped to the gurney, gauze patches covering hiswounds, connected to oxygen, blood, and I.V.PROFESSOR STONE(incoherent)Belle... Belle...EMT


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Save your strength, pal.Gabriel grips Stone's hand.GABRIELHang on, doc. Quiet now.Stone sees Gabriel, focuses momentarily. Again, he tries

speaking through the oxygen mask. Gabriel leans close,pulling back the mask.EMTUh, sir...PROFESSOR STONEIsabella... Sarah...GABRIELWho did this, Professor?EMTDetective, do you mind?PROFESSOR STONE

Chiron.GABRIELWhat?EMTDetective! I'm afraid I have toinsist.The EMT pushes Gabriel's hand away, putting the oxygen maskback in place.Gabriel looks on as Stone's momentary strength fades.32.INT. HOSPITAL, E.R. CHECK-IN - LATER

Gabriel stands at the front desk, in conversation with anE.R. CHECK-IN NURSE, 45.GABRIELJohn Doe. He's to be registered asa John Doe.E.R. CHECK-IN NURSEThe EMTs reported a residentialaddress belonging to--GABRIELNo, no address. No personalinformation whatsoever.

E.R. CHECK-IN NURSE(scowls)Anything else I can do for you,sugar?The EMTs wheel Stone down the hall, leaving Gabriel behind.GABRIELI'm calling in a police securitydetail. Make sure they're directed


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to the right room, if you would.E.R. CHECK-IN NURSEWitness against the mob?GABRIELJust see to it that he's kept safe,

would you please?E.R. CHECK-IN NURSEThat's what we do. Or didn't yousee the big red sign on your wayin?Gabriel walks away, dialing his phone.EXT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, RUINS - SAMEEric is still sifting through the remains of Stone's house.He answers his ringing phone.ERICTalk to me, brother. How is he?

INTERCUT HOSPITAL, E.R. / PROFESSOR STONE'S HOUSE, RUINSGABRIELToo early to know.33.ERICThen it could be worse. Try toremember, brother, "all things worktogether for the good, for--"GABRIELSave the sermon, Jones. How arethings out there? Any leads?

ERICNeighbors saw shit. And let's justsay that C.S.I. has it's work cutout. I put a call in to communitysurveillance, but haven't had achance yet to review their tapes.GABRIELCopy that. I'm going to wait itout here tonight... in case whoeverdid this discovers their loose end.ERIC

Why not just call in a sec detail?GABRIELAs soon as I hang up. But I'd feelbetter overseeing this personally.ERICYou think this is related to the"Wraiths"?GABRIEL


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I hope not. But let me be the oneto pursue that line.ERICAs if I'd let myself get mixed upwith those cretins. Just be

careful, brother. "Be anxious fornothing, but in everything byprayer." Let it sit for tonight,see what the daylight brings.GABRIEL(nearly hangs up)Oh, one last thing. The term"Chiron". Mean anything to you?ERICWhat, like a sports ticker?GABRIEL

I doubt it. Have research lookinto it, would you?ERICDone. Stay safe. I'll be prayingfor you and the professor tonight.34.GABRIELLet me know if you hear anything.INT. GABRIEL'S CONDO - DAYGabriel enters his darkened condominium, located in a highrisestructure. He flicks on a light, tosses his keys, and

heads down the hall.INT. GABRIEL'S CONDO, OFFICE - CONTINUOUSThe office, like the rest of his home, is sparsely furnished.A flick of the mouse awakens his PC from power-saving mode.He opens his email application, browses the list of newmessages. He sees the one from Stone, reads the body, thendownloads the attachment.He unzips the compressed attachment, then tries to open it.A password prompt appears. He hesitates only for a momentbefore entering a six-digit string. The folder opens.Inside are lab report documents, data spreadsheets, images of

molecular compounds, and other genetic science material.GABRIELJust what the hell is all of this?He scowls and browses a bit more, then looks back to theoriginal email. He focuses on the street address.He grabs his phone and dials.GABRIEL (cont'd)Eric. You up?


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(beat)Stabilized, but unconscious.(beat)Yeah, forget it. I have somethinghere. Feel like taking a drive?

EXT. EINHERJAR LAB, MAIN ENTRANCE - DAYGabriel and Eric approach the front entrance of the derelictbuilding housing Tarley's secret lab. Several vans marked"Aegis Industrial Engineering" are parked outside.INT. EINHERJAR LAB, LOBBY - CONTINUOUSGabriel and Eric enter the warehouse lobby. The room isdraped in plastic sheets and filled with drywall debris.Construction noises echo from deeper within.35.INT. EINHERJAR LAB, TESTING FLOOR - CONTINUOUSGabriel and Eric exit a corridor and enter through an open

set of double doors. Inside, the lab is stripped clean ofequipment. CONSTRUCTION CREWMEN are hard at work--painting,prepping walls, clearing trash, etc.A FOREMAN sees the detectives, makes his way toward them.FOREMANYou boys look a little lost.ERIC(flashes his badge)Detective Jones. My partner hereis Detective Flynn. You the man incharge?

FOREMANI'm the foreman--Ron. Is there aproblem?ERICI hope not. What's all the messabout?FOREMANJust clearing the cobwebs.Readying the place for tenancy.ERICYeah? Who's the tenant?

FOREMANGDI something-or-other. Techcompany of some kind.GABRIELAnd what was here before?FOREMANHow should I know? Place has stoodvacant for months.


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ERICReally? You sure?GABRIELHow long you been at this?FOREMAN

'Bout a week now. Why?GABRIELYou got permits attesting to that?Contracts?36.FOREMANOf course. Look, if there's somekind of complaint, perhaps youshould speak to my project manager.ERICIs he here?

FOREMANShe. Back at the office. I cangive you her number, if you'd like.Gabriel steps away, investigating.ERICIn the meantime, you don't mind ustaking a look around, do you?FOREMANYou get hurt, it ain't coming outof my insurance.ERIC

We'll watch our step.EXT. EINHERJAR LAB, MAIN ENTRANCE- LATERGabriel and Eric emerge from the front lobby. The Foreman iswith them.FOREMANGive Sharon a call. She'll fax youeverything you need.ERICI'll do that. Hope we weren't toomuch bother.FOREMAN

Nothing a little overtime won'tmake up for.Gabriel and Eric walk back to their vehicle, parked nearby.ERICThat guy seem a bit surly to you?GABRIELHe was definitely lying to us. I'mjust not sure about what.


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ERICYou wanna make the call to Sharon,or should I?A loud BEEP. Gabriel checks his phone for a text message.37.

GABRIELThe hospital. Stone's awake.The detectives load into their car and speed off.Seconds later, an unmarked van follows. Van Driver A, fromthe hit on Stone's house, waves at the Foreman as he passes.The Foreman makes a cell phone call.FOREMANYeah. We may have a problem.EXT. HOSPITAL - DAYGabriel and Eric pull up outside the E.R. Gabriel dashestoward the building while Eric drives off to park the car.

The pursuing van pulls into the hospital parking lot.INSIDE THE VANIn the passenger seat, Einherjar Sentry #1 touches hisbluetooth headset.EINHERJAR SENTRY #1We have them.INT. HOSPITAL, ICU ENTRANCE - LATERGabriel shows his badge to a pair of POLICE SENTRIES wardingthe main entrance to the ICU. They nod him through.INT. HOSPITAL, ICU LOBBY - CONTINUOUSGabriel walks through the ICU lobby to the main desk. NURSE

BECCA, 30, working the check-in desk, smiles.NURSE BECCABack already?GABRIELNurse Patricia sent me a text aboutmy John Doe. Can I see him?NURSE PATRICIA, 45, head of the ICU, approaches.NURSE PATRICIAHe's expecting you, Detective.Room 412.Gabriel starts to move. Nurse Patricia clears her throat.

NURSE PATRICIA (cont'd)Sign in, please.38.INT. HOSPITAL, ICU, STONE'S ROOM - MOMENTS LATERThe room's viewing wall is floor-length glass, but an innercurtain is drawn. A ROOM SENTRY in police uniform standsguard at the doorway marked 412.INSIDE


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Stone lies abed, hooked to various monitors. He looks up asGabriel enters.PROFESSOR STONEGabriel.GABRIEL

Professor. How are you feeling?Stone frowns, miserable.GABRIEL (cont'd)Stupid question. But I'm glad tosee you awake.PROFESSOR STONEAnd here I've been praying thatthis all proves a nightmare.GABRIELI can't tell you how sorry I--PROFESSOR STONE

Then don't.(eyes tearing)Sorry won't bring them back, willit?Gabriel can only shake his head.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)You never were equipped forcommiserating. I suppose it's oneof the first things they beat outof you.GABRIEL

I received your email. Checked theplace out this morning.PROFESSOR STONEAnd?GABRIELOverrun with construction crews.Whatever you hoped I would find, itwasn't there.Stone looks glumly away.39.GABRIEL (cont'd)

Might have helped if I'd knownbetter what I was looking for.PROFESSOR STONEYou opened the data packet, didn'tyou?GABRIELHalf of which looked to be writtenin hieroglyphics. Care to


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translate?Stone looks to the doorway as Eric enters, re-closes the doorbehind him.ERICWhat'd I miss?

GABRIELThe professor is about to explainwhat he's gotten us into.PROFESSOR STONE(to Gabriel)Not to him, I'm not.GABRIEL(scowls)His name is Eric. If I'm involved,he's involved.ERIC

Gabe, hey, I ain't about to arguewith a man who just took four slugsand is here to tell of it.(nods to Professor Stone)Professor.Eric heads out. Gabriel calls after him.GABRIELI'll fill you in later.(to Professor Stone)All right then. What's this about?Stone hesitates.

GABRIEL (cont'd)I can't help you if you won't--PROFESSOR STONERemember the treatments I used toprepare--for you and the otheroperatives?GABRIELThought you turned your back on allof that.40.PROFESSOR STONE

So did I. Our little episode,there at the end, suggested to methat I wasn't meant to play God.GABRIELI remember.PROFESSOR STONEI took my skills to the commercialsector. R&D in recombinant


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technology, gene therapy, vaccines--similar to what I'd done for thegovernment, but on a much lessradical scale.GABRIEL

Professor, what's this got to dowith--PROFESSOR STONEFor the past three years, I've beendeveloping a blood-based geneticelixir which vastly augments abody's natural healing functions.Project Chiron, they called it,named for the centaur in Greekmythology who was master of thehealing arts.

GABRIELI've heard of no such... elixir inthe media. Does it work?PROFESSOR STONEFrom the beginning, Chiron has beenshrouded in absolute secrecy. Irefused the project initially,mistrustful of the company's aims.But when Bella...(chokes up)When Bella was crippled in that hitand-

run, I took it as another sign,a sign as to my true, predeterminedpurpose.GABRIELAnd now someone else wants whatevertechnology you've cooked up.PROFESSOR STONESomeone else was doing the cookingall along--tampering with myformulas, at the very least. Thatbastard, Tarley. I can't prove it,

but it's the surest way to explain--Stone is interrupted by a coughing fit. Gabriel checks themonitors with a wary eye.41.GABRIELEasy, Professor. Settle down.He relaxes as Stone's fit passes and the monitors calm.GABRIEL (cont'd)


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What does it explain?PROFESSOR STONEThe elixir not only repairstraumatized body tissue, butaugments the subject's strength,

agility, instincts--the entirebiomechanical and physiologicalspectrum--to a superhuman capacity.GABRIEL(doubtful)What, like some kind of ultrasteroid?PROFESSOR STONEI suppose. In the same way that ahurricane could be called "rain".GABRIELJust trying to keep up.

PROFESSOR STONESteroids and growth hormones areblood-based. With the elixir, thebloodstream serves primarily as atransport system. The augmentationoccurs at a genetic level.GABRIELSo it's permanent?PROFESSOR STONENo. That was Tarley's problem.Within 12 hours, the elixir wears

off. New trauma--suffered postinjection--remains healed. Butlegacy trauma--scars and injuriescarried by the subject prior toinjection--return. Worse, animaltest subjects suffer fatality dueto massive internal hemorrhaging.GABRIELNot a single subject has survived?PROFESSOR STONEOne. A human nicknamed Odin.

Tarley's pet, whom you might havemet in that lab this morning, hadhis people not stripped the placeclean.42.INT. EINHERJAR LAB (RELOCATED), TESTING FLOOR - SAMEOdin sits in a dental chair. The room bears many of the samefurnishings and equipment from the previous lab, though they


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are still being unpacked and set up.Tarley removes a spring-loaded syringe from a transportablefreezer chest. He looks to the Colonel.TARLEYAre you sure about this?

THE COLONELHe understands the objectiveparameters.(to Odin)Don't you.TARLEYShould something go wrong, we--THE COLONELToday, Dr. Tarley.Tarley places the syringe against Odin's inner forearm. Withthe push of a button, the needle punches into Odin's flesh.

INT. HOSPITAL, ICU, STONE'S ROOM - DAYGabriel considers everything that Stone has told him.GABRIELSo Tarley and his "Patriarch" triedto recruit you outright, learned ofyour refusal, and...PROFESSOR STONEAnd the elixir is in their hands.It won't take them long, I fear, toput it to use.GABRIEL

This is some wild stuff, doc. I'mnot sure who to go to who wouldeven believe it.PROFESSOR STONEWe're alone in this, Gabriel.Sarah knew it. People like theseanswer to no authority. Only therule of power applies.Gabriel reflects upon what Stone is suggesting.GABRIELThis isn't the Nightwraiths,

Professor.43.(MORE)I'm a detective now, sworn touphold the law. I can no longerignore it as a matter ofconvenience.Stone is slow to respond.


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PROFESSOR STONEHow's your shoulder? Did it everfully heal?Gabriel reflexively tests his recently dislocated shoulder.GABRIEL

My strength training helps hold ittogether. Why?PROFESSOR STONEYou miss it, don't you--the man youused to be. Back before some suitdecided--GABRIELWhat's your point, Professor?PROFESSOR STONEI've spent years wondering how Icould ever repay you. And now,

perhaps I can. I can give you backeverything you sacrificed. I canremake that young soldier, so fullof potential. I can make you thatand so much more.GABRIELIn exchange for a massivehemorrhaging of my insides?PROFESSOR STONEThe elixir is not lethal to allhumans. Odin proves that.

GABRIELI'm no lab rat. Even if I hadevidence to support everythingyou've told me, I wouldn't--PROFESSOR STONEI want them dead, Gabriel. ForSarah. For Isabella. For all theinnocents they'll destroy if leftunchecked.GABRIELThen why not use this elixir

yourself? Why don't you heal thesewounds of yours and become your ownsuper-powered vigilante?44.GABRIEL (cont'd)PROFESSOR STONE(hesitates)I lack your skills, your training,


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your athleticism. What would I be,but a super-powered nerd?GABRIELLook, Professor, I know you'rehurting, but--

PROFESSOR STONEDo you? Do you know what it's liketo lie here and ask yourself: Whydid I survive? Why, when my wifeand child did not?Gabriel is has no response.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)The only acceptable answer: becauseI'm the one with the power to eventhe score. But I can't do italone, Gabriel. I need your help.

Gabriel stands.GABRIELAnd you'll get it. You know that,or you wouldn't have come to me. Itook a bullet for you once. Ifneed be, I'll do it again.PROFESSOR STONEYou may just have to, and soonerthan you'd like, if you intend toleave me staked out in the openlike this.

GABRIELYou're as safe as I can make you.No one knows you're here.PROFESSOR STONEFor how long? They will discoverI'm alive. And when they do,they'll try again to silence me.GABRIELWhich gives me an idea. Sit tight,doc. I'll be back in a bit.Gabriel squeezes Stone's hand, then exits.

INT. HOSPITAL, ICU LOBBY - CONTINUOUSGabriel finds Eric chatting up the pretty Nurse Becca. Ericwithdraws as Gabriel approaches.45.ERICLeft a message for our friendSharon. In the meantime, Captainwants a report.


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GABRIELWhich I'd best deliver personally.This is even more of a hornets'nest than I'd imagined. Can you dome a favor, though, and sit vigil

with the professor while I'm away?ERICHe ain't got enough guards as is?GABRIELGot me a little game in mind.Nurse Patricia approaches.NURSE PATRICIAGame?GABRIELIt's a police matter, ma'am.Nothing to worry about.

NURSE PATRICIANu-huh. Not here. Not without mypermission.Gabriel looks at Eric, who shrugs.GABRIELWell, then, sounds like you're justthe woman I'm looking for.EXT. HOSPITAL - DAYGabriel leaves the hospital, heads toward the parking lot.A moment later, a van pulls up. Nathan exits the passengerseat, dressed in scrubs and a doctor's overcoat. He enters

the hospital, carrying a small satchel.INT. EINHERJAR LAB (RELOCATED), OPERATIONS ROOM - SAMEThe Colonel is on his phone, standing over Andrea, who ishunched over a PC. Tarley is also present.THE COLONEL(on the phone)Copy.(to Andrea)He's in. Do we have a heading yet?46.ANDREA

We have a John Doe in ICU, southwing, 5th floor. No room listing.THE COLONEL(on the phone)Did you register that?(beat)Affirmative. Fifth floor.TARLEY


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No way that's Stone. I saw whatyour people did. And the coroner'sreport said--THE COLONELThen why are our curious detectives

wasting time at the hospital?(on the phone)Order confirmed. Move in.(switches channels)Omega Team...EXT. HOSPITAL OVERLOOK - SAMEOdin perches atop a building, touches a headset in his ear.THE COLONEL (O.S.)... stand by.Odin stares down at the adjacent hospital with bloodred eyes.INT. HOSPITAL, ELEVATOR - SAME

Nathan steps into an elevator, presses the button for thefifth floor.INT. EINHERJAR LAB (RELOCATED), OPERATIONS ROOM - SAMEThe Colonel leans over Andrea's shoulder.THE COLONELHave we secured clearance?Andrea punches keys on her PC, scrolling through names underthe heading "Hospital Personnel". An image of Nathan'smedical ID badge is also onscreen.ANDREAWatch the magic.

INT. HOSPITAL, ICU ENTRANCE - LATERNathan shows his ID badge to the pair of Police Sentriesposted outside the ICU. One of them checks a printed list.47.ICU SENTRY #1Dr. Sours, is it? I'm afraid yourname isn't on our list.NATHANPrivate physician. My officesubmitted my approval request justthis morning. Perhaps you could

double-check the computer?ICU SENTRY #1(to ICU Sentry #2)Go on. Check it.Sentry #2 picks up his hospital two-way radio.ICU SENTRY #2(into radio)Yeah, I've got a personnel check,


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requesting ICU clearance.HOSPITAL RADIO VOICE (O.S.)Go ahead.ICU SENTRY #2A Dr. Sours. Says he submitted his

approval this morning.HOSPITAL RADIO VOICE (O.S.)One moment.Nathan waits, smiling calmly.HOSPITAL RADIO VOICE (O.S.) (cont'd)Yeah, here it is. Dr. NathanSours. ICU-approved.ICU SENTRY #1Very well. There you have it,Doctor. Have a nice day.He returns Nathan's ID badge. Nathan nods in passing.

INT. HOSPITAL, ICU LOBBY - CONTINUOUSNathan peers around. He quickly notes the Room Sentrystanding guard outside number 412. The cop is eyeing NurseBecca, who is gathering items from a supply cabinet nearby.Nathan picks up a clipboard at the check-in desk. Severalfeet away, Nurse Patricia has her back to him. She turns toeye him, but says nothing.Nathan approaches Nurse Becca as she closes the cabinet andgrabs her supply cart. Pretending to study his clipboard,Nathan knocks into her, spilling her supplies to the floor.48.

NATHANI'm terribly sorry.He stoops to help her clean up, but only makes a furthermess, knocking supplies about clumsily. The Room Sentryquickly comes to the rescue.ROOM SENTRY(to Nathan)Son, you've got the grace of athree-legged platypus, don't you?(to Nurse Becca)Allow me.

The cop grins at Nurse Becca. Nathan stands.NATHANI'm terribly sorry. I wasn'tpaying attention.ROOM SENTRY(to Nurse Becca)Book smarts don't always amount tocommon sense, do they?


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Nurse Becca smiles shyly. Nathan backs away, all butforgotten as the cop stares down Becca's shirt. While theyare distracted, Nathan slips into Stone's room.At the check-in desk, Nurse Patricia scowls at the exchange,then picks up the phone.

INT. GABRIEL'S CAR - SAMEGabriel is just pulling out of the hospital parking lot whenhis phone's text alarm rings. He reaches to answer.EXT. HOSPITAL PARKING LOT - CONTINUOUSGabriel's tires screech as he pulls a U-turn through themiddle of the street and back into the hospital parking lot.INT. HOSPITAL, ICU, STONE'S ROOM - SAMENathan sets down his clipboard and closes the vertical blindscovering the room's viewing wall. He opens his satchel. Hewithdraws a syringe and fills it with a clear liquid.He steps around the room's dividing curtain... only to find

that Stone's bed is empty.NURSE PATRICIASomething I can help you with?Nathan whirls. Patricia stands in the doorway.49.NATHANMy patient. Where is he?NURSE PATRICIAYour patient, is he? Well, let'ssee, I don't recall any transfers.Perhaps we can double-check.

Nathan freezes as Patricia approaches, letting the door closebehind her.NURSE PATRICIA (cont'd)Say, how come I haven't seen you inmy ward before?Nathan puts away his syringe.NATHANI'm the patient's private practicephysician.NURSE PATRICIAReally? For a John Doe?

Nathan eyes the doorway. Through tiny gaps in the blinds, hesees POLICE moving into position.NURSE PATRICIA (cont'd)That's right, hon, got more badgesout there than cotton swabs--andthey can't all be as dimwitted asthe one in charge of this room. Sohow 'bout you leave my ICU without


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leaving the cop to twitch as severed arteries spray.Of the remaining officers, some scamper in retreat, othersfire rounds that prove useless--or else miss the targetaltogether. With stoic efficiency, Odin kills them brutally,one by one.

Off to one side, ICU Sentry #2 yells into his radio.ICU SENTRY #2Ten-double zero! Repeat! Tendoublezero!INT. HOSPITAL, STONE'S ROOM (RELOCATED) - SAMEEric stands at the door. Stone lies abed behind him. Hisradio crackles. GUNSHOTS can be heard in the background.51.ICU SENTRY #2 (O.S.)ICU! Shots fired! Officers down!All units--

His transmission ends in a garbled SHRIEK.PROFESSOR STONEIt's them. Shit, they're alreadyhere.ERICI'm going to check.PROFESSOR STONEYou're going to stay here like youpromised Gabriel. One more gunwon't make a difference.ERIC

(grins)You ain't seen my gun.(beat)Gabe's on his way. Sit tight.IN THE HALL OUTSIDEEric closes the door behind him. Room number is 1231.INT. HOSPITAL, 1ST FLOOR HALLWAY - SAMEGabriel sprints through a hallway. HOSPITAL STAFF andPATIENTS dodge as he passes.GABRIELEric! 10-84! What's your status?

INT. HOSPITAL, 12TH FLOOR HALLWAY - SAMEEric navigates a crowded hall, nears an elevator.ERIC10-76, my man. ICU.INTERCUT HOSPITAL, 1ST FLOOR / 12TH FLOORGABRIELI thought I asked you to sit tight.ERIC


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No can do, partner. Fighting thisfire before it gets out of hand.GABRIEL10-20, specify. Wait, scratchthat. They could be listening.

Gabriel opens a door to52.AN EMERGENCY STAIRWELLand starts climbing stairs two at a time.GABRIEL (cont'd)Just stay where you are, Jones.INT. HOSPITAL, ICU LOBBY - SAMENathan listens to a police radio on one of Odin's victims.GABRIEL (O.S.)Copy? Kill the elevators and staywhere you are. Don't move until I

get there.ERIC (O.S.)You're the boss.Nathan lowers the radio. Odin stalks toward the check-indesk. Carnage fills the room, evidence of his rampage. Hegathers a pair of guns as he goes, stuffing them in hiswaistband. Nathan follows.Nurse Becca, on her knees beneath the desk, weeps at theirapproach.NATHANJohn Doe. Where is he?

NURSE BECCA(crying)I'm not... I don't...Odin seizes a fistful of her hair, drags her around the desk.He shoves her face close to Nurse Patricia's, with its spiderweblacerations and sightless eyes.NURSE BECCA (cont'd)Twelve! They put him up on twelve.NATHANRoom number?NURSE BECCA

I don't know.(as Odin's grip tightens)Ow! They wouldn't say! Oh, God,please! They wouldn't say!Odin holds her a moment, then flings her aside. He heads forthe exit, leaving her to SOB amid a sea of broken bodies.INT. EINHERJAR LAB (RELOCATED), OPERATIONS ROOM - SAMEThe Colonel shakes his head.


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53.THE COLONELAlpha Team, abort. It's Omega'sshow, now.INT. HOSPITAL, ICU LOBBY - SAME

Nathan exits, pausing only to watch Odin turn a corner.NATHANAcknowledged. On my way.(to himself)Happy hunting, big fella.INT. HOSPITAL, 12TH FLOOR HALLWAY - SAMEEric pulls a fire alarm, freezing the elevators. He startstoward Stone's room, then eyes one of the stairwell entries,marked "East" on a blue placard.He positions himself around a corner for a shot on thestairwell door, while maintaining a visual line with room

1231.ERIC"Behold, I send you out as sheepamidst the wolves."INT. HOSPITAL, EAST STAIRWELL - SAMEGabriel runs past a blue placard: "Floor 3 - East".INT. HOSPITAL, WEST STAIRWELL - SAMEOdin reads a red placard: "Floor 5 - West". He leaps to thenext landing--twelve steps away--in a single bound.INTERCUT EAST STAIRWELL (GABRIEL) / WEST STAIRWELL (ODIN)Gabriel reaches another blue placard: "Floor 4 - East".

Odin encounters traffic on "Floor 7 - West". He barrelsthrough them, tossing one STAIRWELL VICTIM over the rail.Gabriel reaches "Floor 6 - East". His breath is slowlybecoming labored.Odin reaches "Floor 12 - East". He smashes through the door,tearing it from its metal hinges.INT. HOSPITAL, 12TH FLOOR HALLWAY - CONTINUOUSA MALE NURSE, pushing a WHEELCHAIR PATIENT down the hall,SHOUTS as Odin emerges from the stairwell.54.Odin fires a bullet through the Patient's chest, then yanks

the victim's head back for a look at his face. Odin SNARLS,flings the dying Patient aside. The Male Nurse scrambles,but Odin brings him down with a throw of the wheelchair.IN THE EAST WINGEric listens to the ECHO of gunfire. SCREAMS swiftly follow.ERIC"And he gathered them together intoa place called Armageddon."


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He eyes the stairwell door, then glances down the hall towardroom 1231. More SCREAMS in the distance.ERIC (cont'd)(into his radio)Gabe. What's your 20?

INT. HOSPITAL, EAST STAIRWELL - SAMEGabriel pauses for breath.GABRIELTenth floor... East.ERIC (O.S.)Spread those wings, my man.GABRIELEric?He hears only GUNFIRE and SCREAMS through the radio.GABRIEL (cont'd)Eric?

Grabbing the rail, Gabriel leaps onward and upward.INT. HOSPITAL, 12TH FLOOR HALLWAY - SAMEOdin is on the loose, ripping through rooms in search ofStone, slaughtering Staff and Patients indiscriminately. Hedoesn't just use the hallway; he actually punches holes inthe walls between rooms, a human wrecking ball.He reaches the northwest corner of the building and turnseast, emerging into the hall, tossing an empty gun aside.Eric is waiting. He fires two rounds into Odin's chest.Odin staggers, looks at the wounds, then glares at Eric.ERIC

What the...?55.Odin dives into the next room: 1221. Eric hears a startledSHOUT, the SHATTER of glass, and the CRY of someone falling.Walls shake as Odin punches into room 1222.Eric glances back at 1231--Stone's room. Just then, Gabrielarrives from the east stairwell door, pushing through with alabored gasp.ERIC (cont'd)Gabe! The professor!INSIDE ROOM 1222

Odin pauses in the empty room, cocking his head at the soundof Eric's voice.ERIC (O.S.) (cont'd)This beast ain't slowing down!IN THE HALLWAYGabe hesitates. Odin emerges, waiting for either man to makea move on Stone's position.Eric fires again on Odin. This time, Odin charges. Eric


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empties his clip. Odin stumbles now and then as bulletsstrike his chest, legs, knees... but manages to stay upright.ERIC (cont'd)Lord, give me str--Odin delivers a forearm check. Eric sails down the hall,

landing almost directly across from 1231.INSIDE ROOM 1231Professor Stone lies in bed, listening to the battle din. Hetries to sit up, but falls back in obvious pain.IN THE HALLWAYGabriel closes ground to check on Eric. He keeps one waryeye on Odin, who has paused to let his wounds heal. And theydo, in a matter of seconds.GABRIELHoly Mother of God...ERIC

Get off me, brother. This crackheadson of perdition is goingdown.Refreshed, Odin stalks toward them, pausing to bust throughroom 1227 and peer inside.Gabriel whips out his sidearm, fires at Odin. Again, Odintakes the hit with barely a GRUNT, then enters room 1228.This time, he doesn't immediately emerge.56.UNSEEN VICTIM (O.S.)(from within the room)

What... what do you...? Hey!A meaty THWACK ends the Unseen Victim's confusion. Odinemerges, wiping a blood-soaked fist across his chin.Gabriel shoots. Eric reloads, joins him. Odin snatches afire extinguisher from its glass case on the wall and flingsit at them. As both detectives duck, Odin enters 1229.Gabriel chases after Odin.ERICGabe! Wait!INSIDE ROOM 1229An ELDERLY WOMAN in a hospital gown crouches in the far

corner, glaring at Odin.ELDERLY WOMANYou keep away now, you hear?A pair of exit wounds erupt from Odin's chest. Odin spins,catches Gabriel by the hand, rips his gun away, and flings itacross the room.Wide-eyed, Gabriel ducks a windmill strike from Odin. Hethen traps a jab, works to break the elbow. But Odin yanks


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out of the hold, throwing Gabriel into a far wall.Eric enters; more bullets fly. Odin picks up a dresser,hurls it at Eric, who backs out the doorway.Gabriel, back on his feet, tries a takedown. Unbudged, Odinclinches. Gabriel slips free, hammers Odin with a flurry of

kicks and strikes. He traps both of Odin's arms andheadbutts the giant.Again, Odin rips free. This time, Gabriel's shoulderdislocates.Eric puts a bullet in the back of Odin's head. Blood andbrains spatter on the Elderly Woman in the corner. Odindrops Gabriel and falls to his knees.ERIC"No weapon formed against us shallprosper."Eric bends to check on Gabriel.

ERIC (cont'd)C'mon, man. Shake it off. OldSally back in the hood hit harderthan this prick.Gabriel sits up, dazed. Suddenly, his eyes widen in alarm.57.GABRIELEric--Odin, the exit wound in his forehead knitting closed, seizesEric by the back of the neck and rams his face into thedrywall. Gabriel tries to floor-sweep Odin, to no avail. He

tries to push to his feet, but his shoulder is still out ofsocket, and fails beneath him.Odin rams Eric into the wall a second time, a third...Odin's earpiece crackles.THE COLONEL (O.S.)Abort. Abort!Odin pauses. Eric's body hangs limply in his hands. SIRENSWAIL from outside.THE COLONEL (O.S.) (cont'd)Return to base.The sirens grow louder. Police lights flash in the window.

THE COLONEL (O.S.) (cont'd)Abort!Odin heaves Eric's body into a far corner, where it crumples.He glares down at Gabriel, then turns.A single bound takes him to the window. His next takes himright through. The Elderly Woman SHRIEKS, looks after.ON THE STREET BELOWOdin lands atop a parked police car, which smashes beneath


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the weight of his twelve-story fall. A second later, he isup and running, bounding impossible distances, while a fleetof awestruck POLICE struggle to respond.INSIDE ROOM 1229The Elderly Woman gives a startled GASP to find Gabriel

beside her at the window, clutching his dislocated arm. AsOdin disappears from view, Gabriel turns quickly to Eric.In the background, police sirens WAIL.INT. HOSPITAL, 12TH FLOOR HALLWAY - LATERGabriel stands in the hallway amid a swarm of EmergencyResponders. EMTs wheel Eric off on a gurney.INT. HOSPITAL, STONE'S ROOM (RELOCATED) - CONTINUOUSA haunted Gabriel re-enters Stone's hospital room.58.PROFESSOR STONEHow is he?

GABRIELAlive, but unresponsive.Gabriel stares out the window, distracted.GABRIEL (cont'd)Christ almighty, I've never seenanything like that.PROFESSOR STONEI'm sorry, Gabriel. I tried totell you--GABRIELSo tell me now, Professor. How

long before we're facing teams ofmercenaries like that freak?PROFESSOR STONEI can't say for certain--though wedo have some hope.GABRIELAnd why is that?(off Stone's hesitation)Whatever secrets you're hiding,they nearly died with you--twice.Do you want my help or not?

Stone considers, then faces Gabriel squarely.PROFESSOR STONEI told you how wary I was of doingthis research. I knew right awayhow easy it would be to abuse suchtechnology.Gabriel folds his arms across his chest, clearly impatient.INT. EINHERJAR LAB (RELOCATED) - SAME


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Tarley withdraws a spring-loaded syringe vial from a glassfreezer full of them. He approaches a HUMAN TEST SUBJECT,strapped to the table. The subject appears nervous as Tarleyinjects him with the elixir.PROFESSOR STONE (V.O.)

Early in my studies, I discoveredthat something about the presenceof the Duffy antigen caused theelixir to break down in thebloodstream, rendering it's healingproperties ineffectual and servingonly to poison the test subject.59.Tarley waits. The subject bucks and convulses.PROFESSOR STONE (V.O.) (cont'd)I kept this information to myself--

a built-in safeguard. Unbeknownstto my team, I began filtering Duffypositivetest subjects out of ourtrials. Until all complicationshad been resolved, it made no senseto neutralize the antigen for thesake of--GABRIEL (V.O.)Get to the meat, Professor.Tarley's test subject loses strength.PROFESSOR STONE (V.O.)

The elixir is only effective insubjects of Duffy-negative bloodtype, which is rare--for humans,found mostly in those of Africandescent. Tarley doesn't know this.It will take him awhile to make thecorrelation, which should give us ahead start on tracking him downbefore entire armies of "Odins" areset loose.Tarley takes a pulse, drops the subject's arm in disgust. He

picks up a list of names crossed out in red. He crosses outanother.GABRIEL (V.O.)If Tarley knows nothing about thisDuffy antigen, then how--PROFESSOR STONE (V.O.)They got lucky with Odin. Lordknows how many test subjects were


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poisoned before they found one onwhom it worked. Lord knows howmany more are dying as we speak.Tarley presses a button on an intercom.TARLEY

Bring me another.INT. HOSPITAL, STONE'S ROOM (RELOCATED) - SAMEGabriel eyes Stone with sudden understanding.GABRIELAnd this is the real reason youwon't use it yourself. You don'thave the correct blood type.60.PROFESSOR STONEBut you do.(off Gabriel's frown)

Yesterday, when I awoke in the ICU,tied to those machines and full ofpatched bullet holes, I thought ofyou, laid out in that infirmary inTurkey, while the medics scrambledto find blood for the infusion thatwould save your life--a lifeoffered in defense of mine.GABRIELDuty, Professor. Nothing more.PROFESSOR STONE

My wife's final advice to me was toseek your help. Remembering uponwaking that you hold the requiredblood type, I knew then and there,in my spirit, how exactly, your aidmust be rendered.GABRIELYou still want to inject me withthis venom of yours.PROFESSOR STONEWould you confront Odin again with

anything less? Without the speed,strength, and regenerative powersof the elixir, you don't stand achance of avenging your partner.GABRIELDo you have samples stashedsomewhere, or a place to mix them?PROFESSOR STONE


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It wouldn't take much. If you canfind some out-of-the-way facility,I can manage the rest.GABRIELFirst thing we do is get out of

here. I'll decide later what comesnext. After we officiallypronounce you dead, of course.INT. EINHERJAR LAB (RELOCATED) - SAMETarley pulls a shroud over the face of yet another POISONEDTEST SUBJECT. He can hear the Colonel's MUFFLED YELLINGoutside his lab.Tarley crosses out another name on his list, then preps asyringe and walks toward a pair of double doors.61.INT. EINHERJAR LAB (RELOCATED), DEBRIEFING ROOM - CONTINUOUS

Tarley emerges from the injection room. The Colonel hoversover Odin, who is warded by LIEUTENANTS on either side. Thewhites of Odin's eyes are now normal.THE COLONEL--the subtlety of an elephantstampede! It's a miracle the copsdidn't track you here.TARLEYYou did say the target was to beneutralized--at any cost.THE COLONEL

(to Tarley)Except that of his capture.(to Odin)Do you not remember? I can't haveyou falling into the wrong hands.I thought we'd made that clear.Odin is sweating, gritting his teeth in pain. Tarley movesforward with his syringe, but the Colonel stops him.THE COLONEL (cont'd)Had you in fact neutralized thetarget, that would be one thing.

But you didn't.TARLEYHe may have.THE COLONEL(to Tarley)He may have?(to Odin)May have?


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Odin shivers, convulses. Again Tarley steps forward. Againthe Colonel stops him.TARLEYHe needs at least a mild sedative,or else--

THE COLONELHe needs to remember his orders.TARLEYUntil we're sure he's replaceable--THE COLONELHaving troubles in there, are you?Tarley backs down.62.THE COLONEL (cont'd)Perhaps you'd do better to attendto your business, and let me attend

to mine.He looks up as Nathan enters, carrying a printout.NATHANThe preliminary police report,listing victims of the attack.Stone's name is on it.The Colonel snatches the paper from him, reads it personally.Nathan glances warily at Odin before returning his attentionto the Colonel.THE COLONELDouble-check this. Then triplecheck

it. If I tell the PatriarchStone is dead, and it turns outthis is wrong...He lets the threat hang while Odin coughs and spasms.NATHANYes, sir.Nathan snatches the paper and hurries out. Odin suffers.THE COLONEL(to Tarley)Give him his medicine.Tarley administers the sedative, trying to mask his concern.

As Odin calms, the Colonel heads for the exit.EXT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HIDEAWAY - DAYA sprawling cabin sits at the edge of a woodland lake. AnSUV drives along the dirt road leading up to it, and pulls toa stop. Gabriel and Stone get out. Stone moves gingerly.PROFESSOR STONEI don't see any vehicles. Are yousure this is the place?


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GABRIELBased on the directions she gaveme. Maybe you should wait herewhile I have a look around.The front door opens. MELISSA, 28, a stunningly beautiful

member of the Nightwraiths' support staff, emerges.MELISSAYou boys coming in, or what?Without waiting for an answer, she disappears back inside.63.PROFESSOR STONEShe always was a strange girl.Gabriel shrugs.INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HIDEAWAY - MOMENTS LATERMelissa shows Gabriel and Stone the great room, with itsgiant hearth, angled ceiling, and window view of the lake.

MELISSAWhat do you think?PROFESSOR STONEA bit overkill, wouldn't you say?GABRIELWhat the professor means to say is,it's perfect. I can't thank youenough, Melissa.MELISSADon't thank me. Thank Steve.GABRIEL

Steve. Your man?MELISSA(smiles teasingly)A friend. Works for WitnessProtection. Honestly, angel, I'msurprised you didn't end up in thator some other sector. Never peggedyou for a flat-foot.GABRIELMy partner's fault. His argumentsmade sense at the time. Besides,

being hung out by the governmentonce was pretty much enough for me.MELISSAYou know, the Nightwraiths have anew director. And the squad is insore need of qualified operatives.Might be I could put in a word foryou, get you reinstated. If you'll


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PROFESSOR STONEI'll try.She winks at Gabriel, then heads out a side door. Through awindow, they see her run down a flight of exterior steps andinto the backyard, where a black helicopter picks her up and

flies off.Stone notices Gabriel staring after her.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)Come. We've got work to do.65.INT. EINHERJAR LAB (RELOCATED), CORRIDOR - DAYTarley, escorted by Einherjar Sentry #1 and Einherjar Sentry#2, appears nervous as he heads down a hall and entersA CONFERENCE ROOMalmost identical to the one abandoned at the old lab site.The Colonel waits within, standing near the speakerphone in

the center of the table. He waits for the sentries to exitand for the door to close.THE COLONELHe's here.THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)Good of you to join us, Dr. Tarley.Tarley glares at the Colonel.TARLEYMy apologies. I was in the lab.THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)Making terrific strides in this

little endeavor of ours, I trust.TARLEYAs the Colonel must have told you,I am having some difficulty infinding additional test subjects inwhom the elixir--THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)Should I be concerned by this?TARLEYI'm beginning to suspect that Stonehid something in his formulas. In

the Chiron lab, our efficacy rate--THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)The Chiron lab is no longeravailable to us. Professor Stoneis no longer available to us. Itwas you who urged me to turn up theheat--you who assured me that ifthe professor declined to cooperate


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fully, then he was expendable. Isthis not so?TARLEYActually, sir, I suggested--THE PATRIARCH (O.S.)

You wanted the reins to thisproject; they are now yours.66.(MORE)Whatever deceptions Stone mighthave woven, I suggest you unravel.My customers' patience is notboundless, and neither is mine.Understood?TARLEYYes, sir.

INT. PROFESSOR STONE'S HIDEAWAY, BASEMENT - NIGHTA workbench in the unfinished basement is covered with labequipment used to mix chemical compounds. Stone focusesintently as he prepares a liquid solution.In a nearby corner, Gabriel exercises on a Wing Chun dummy.PROFESSOR STONEYou know, you ought to beconserving your strength.Gabriel continues to pound away on the dummy.GABRIELAccording to you, I'll have no

shortage.PROFESSOR STONEYou will if I don't get this mixedcorrectly. For the love of God,Gabriel, I can't concentrate.Gabriel executes a final, furious strike combination, thenturns to face Stone.GABRIELIs there anything else you can tellme? Any clue as to where Tarleymight have relocated?

PROFESSOR STONE(shakes his head)That'll have to be up to yourpeople. But not now. This is atrial run, remember?GABRIELAnd what did you have in mind? Aswim around the lake? A midnight


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run through the woods? If I'm toget a proper feel for the elixir'seffects--PROFESSOR STONEWe're only an hour's drive from the

city. How would you feel about anight on the town?67.THE PATRIARCH (O.S.) (cont'd)GABRIELYou're in no condition to take medancing.PROFESSOR STONEI'm thinking more along the linesof a one-man police patrol. Youstill have your scanner. Take it

with you and see what comes up.GABRIEL(scowls)Settling matters with Odin, Tarley,the Patriarch... That doesn't meanI'm interested in becoming a fulltimevigilante.PROFESSOR STONENo? "Justice by any means." Wasthat not your personal mantra?GABRIEL

I was a different person then,Professor.PROFESSOR STONEIf you say so.He turns, a loaded syringe in hand.GABRIEL(suddenly nervous)Is it ready, then?PROFESSOR STONEThe compound destabilizes somewhatrapidly outside of the bloodstream.

Wait more than a couple hours, andit will lose all efficacy.Gabriel still appears hesitant. Stone checks his watch.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)We can do this now, or once wereach the city. Your call.EXT. CITY OVERLOOK - NIGHTThe SUV in which Stone and Gabriel arrived at the retreat


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sits on a deserted, woodland quarry overlooking the city. Alight rain pours.INSIDE THE VEHICLEGabriel stares through the windshield, hands on the wheel.68.

PROFESSOR STONEStaring out that window won't bringEric out of his coma.GABRIELNeither will that concoction ofyours, now--will it.Stone remains silent. Gabriel looks away again.GABRIEL (cont'd)He and I grew up together, youknow. After leaving the Wraiths...He may be the only reason I didn't

swallow a bullet. He preached thatif I didn't learn to let go thepast and what might have been, I'dend up losing my future as well.PROFESSOR STONEPerhaps he's right. But somedemons can't simply be swept into acloset.GABRIELI know now what you meant: Why me?Why am I sitting here, while he's

back there, trapped somewherebetween life and death?PROFESSOR STONEAnd the only acceptable answer?GABRIELBecause I'm the one with the powerto even the score.He faces Stone, reaches forth his arm.Stone produces the syringe.GABRIEL (cont'd)I'll do it.

He accepts the syringe from Stone, studies it for a moment.He then injects it into his arm.GABRIEL (cont'd)How long?PROFESSOR STONEJust wait.Gabriel sits back, closes his eyes.The BEAT of rain drops begins to increase in volume...


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70.Gabriel turns. Stone holds up a ski mask.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)I suggest you wear this. We don'twant your face all over the five

o'clock.Gabriel considers, then accepts the mask. He puts it on partway, wearing it as a hat.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)And remember, the effects aretemporary. Be back by dawn, nolater.GABRIELWith both of my glass slippers.See you later, fairy godmother.PROFESSOR STONE

(hesitant)Do be careful out there. Justbecause you can take a bullet...Gabriel jogs two steps, then vaults over the cliff edge,heading toward the distant cityscape.PROFESSOR STONE (cont'd)... doesn't mean you should.EXT. CITY - NIGHTGabriel is like a kid in a candy store as he races throughthe city. He scales a building's exterior, leaps to a farrooftop, then pauses to look down on people and traffic as

they flow through the streets.In the distance, he seesA BURNING HIGH-RISE.His focus narrows until he hears the CRACKLE of flames, theKEENING of fire engines, and the CRIES of people trappedinside.EXT. BURNING HIGH-RISE - NIGHTFire crews wrestle the out-of-control apartment blaze. AFIRE CHIEF tries to organize the chaos.FIRE CHIEF(into radio)

I've got civilians trapped on threefloors. Rescue crews are climbing.Send ladders 12 and 22 to thenortheast corner for support, Ninthand McFadden.71.A burst of flame and shattered glass rains from the buildingabove.


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shirt, hops onto the rail, and leaps out over the street.FIREMAN (cont'd)What the fuck?ACROSS THE STREETGabriel lands on a rooftop. Startled ONLOOKERS are gathered

to watch the fire, but turn now to face him.He sets down the SCREAMING Babysitter, begins CPR on NICKY.The Babysitter sees that Nicky is unresponsive.BABYSITTEROh God. Oh my God. Nicky?Nicky coughs, begins to WAIL.BABYSITTER (cont'd)Nicky! Oh thank Jesus!The rooftop Onlookers MURMUR and point. Gabriel rises.GABRIELGet him to a hospital.

A few Onlookers begin to approach, more than one with a videocamera. Gabriel considers them, then looks back at theburning high-rise. Rescue crews are helping other victimsdown via rescue ladder. The situation is in hand.The Babysitter holds Nicky. She looks up as Gabriel sprintsoff in a blur. The approaching Onlookers hesitate, then rushforward. A few go to the Babysitter. Others stare out overthe rooftop edge, watching Gabriel's impossible departure.EXT. POLICE LINE - CONTINUOUSGabriel pauses atop a single-story roof. Police fill thestreet, redirecting traffic away from the fire. An

extraneous FIRELINE OFFICER, sits in his car, bored, untilhis radio crackles.DISPATCH (V.O.)Unit 28 respond.FIRELINE OFFICERThis is 28. Go ahead, Dispatch.73.DISPATCH (V.O.)Reassign. 10-80 headed south onLangland, passing 17th East. DEApursuit, narcotics involved.

Suspects armed. Shots fired.Additional units en route.FIRELINE OFFICER10-4, Dispatch. On my way.He calls to TONY, another officer nearby.FIRELINE OFFICER (cont'd)I'll catch you later, Tony.He wheels his cruiser about, speeds off with siren flashing.


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Gabriel watches him go, then pounces after.INT. / EXT. CAR CHASE - SAMEFour thugs--"JAMMER" and "C" in front, "SLIM" and "GOODS" inback--ride in an SUV, leading VICE and DEA AGENTS on a highspeedpursuit. Jammer drives. C and Slim shoot AK-47s.

Goods readies a grenade.GOODSLet 'em choke on this. Slim, alittle cover, please?Slim fires out the window. Goods tosses his grenade. Itexplodes beneath one of the Vice cars, sending it swervinginto a building.GOODS (cont'd)Ah-ha! Love my bacon crisp!ATOP A NEARBY BUILDINGGabriel, zeroing in on the chase, hears Goods's taunt.

GOODS (O.S.) (cont'd)(echo)Love my bacon crisp... crisp...cri

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