Truth

Da'an: I assure you that I remain unmoved by the attempt on my life.

Synod Member: Unmoved? Your outward body may appear untouched, yet none among us could endure such attack without duress. Even a prism may hide its cracks if they are clear.

Truth itself is such a prism.

Synod Member: Those of us entrusted with domains less perilous than America feel blessed by your courage, Da'an.

Its rewards match its dangers.

Synod Member: What measures have you taken to deflect further attacks?

You already know I have implanted another human, Boone, the one who has delivered me from the assassination attempt. I plan to announce his ordainment.

Sandoval: The press corps is ready, Da'an.

Escort them to me, Boone as well. William Boone's potential is beyond question.

Synod Member: Let us hope that he comes to embody the dreams you nurture for him.

[ Inhaling ]

[ Footsteps ]

Da'an: thank you, my friends. I am grateful to be among you again. We companions have come to earth to share our knowledge. To teach, to learn, that together, we might thrive. We remain thankful that most of you have accepted our goodwill. We rely on you to create a milieu where our friendship can flourish...

Kwai-Ling Hong: Kai dai!

[ Da'an's broadcast continues ] yet the tragic events of last week cause us to reevaluate our need for safety. Your president has graciously named a respected police officer to aid us in this effort. Captain William Boone now serves both our worlds as commander of security and interspecies relations.

Boone: Thank you, Da'an. Da'an's trust comes with a heavy burden. I would add only that I'll roll my sleeves up and do the best job I can for all of us. I'll take any questions you might have.

Reporter: Is it true that the sniper found dead was a friend of yours?

[ Confused flashback noises ]

Yes, Ed Jordan was a platoon mate of mine in the 01 war. He served his country with distinction.

Was he acting alone?

At the moment--

Da'an: Regrettably... There are those among you who oppose cooperation with the companions. One of commander Boone's tasks will be to make sure such groups never attain destructive cohesion.

Any more questions?

[ Beeping ] [ Whizzing and blipping ]

Sandoval: This is your new office, Boone. All the advantages of Taelon technology.

Boone: And those would be...?

A demonstration. [ Traffic noises ] Taelon virtual glass-- keyed to your security needs. Never breaks; never needs cleaning. Come on. I, uh, took the liberty of having your old office cleaned out.

[ Flashback noises ]

Huhh!

[ Laughing ]

[ Indiscernible ]

Sandoval: Incredible, isn't it?

Boone: What?

You're starting to feel the full effect of your cyber-viral implant. Our CVI's allow us to recall memories in complete detail. Sights, sounds, smell-- Every impression, no matter how remote.

This moment... I was there-- I was reliving it. This happens to you, too?

Of course. You had a memory intrusion back at the press conference, correct?

Yeah... But how do you get control of it?

Your cerebral cortex will adopt it as just another way of thinking. Once it does, you'll be amazed at what you can achieve.

I can imagine.

Actually, you can't imagine. March 12th, 1987.

What about it?

What did you have for lunch?

For lunch? A hotdog-- how would I remember?

But you do know; just recall it.

Sandoval, I was in junior high.

Boone... Humour me.

[ Stopwatch clicking on]

[ Watch ticking ]

[ Flashback noises ]

Sandoval: Stay with it. Look around! Explore the memory, Boone.

[ Flashback noises ]

Pizza. I had pizza. I traded lunches with Dan Spicer.

[ Watch clicking off ]

Lili: You remembered that?

Boone: I didn't remember it; I tasted it. That shouldn't surprise you. You and doors told me what the CVI would do. Hey, take a left here. Quick-- pull over to the curb. Pull over!

[ Tires squealing ]

This is where your wife was killed.

She was headed northbound-- she ran that light. Doing 60. She clipped a truck right there, rolled here. And all I wanna know is... How they did it.

You can't pursue this. You're an implant-- implants don't have vendettas. They have one purpose. That's to serve the companions. For your own sake... You gotta let this go.

Boone: Motor manual. Drive train schematics. Parts list, fuel cell supplement.

[ Computer blipping ]

Boone: Next, next, next, next, next, next, next, next, next, next, next, next, next, next-- stop.

[ Tires squealing ]

[ Sighing ]

Boone: Hey.

Lili: I hope you're not doing what I think you're doing.

Somebody blew up Kate's car-- I can prove it.

You cannot go down this road.

Look, I gotta do this for me-- either you help me or you don't.

It's not just about you anymore because everything you do now affects us all.

They used this.

What is it?

It's a thermal transducer-- It was in the wreckage of Kate's fuel vaporizer.

So?

It's not in the parts manifesto or manual. Somebody placed it there.

I'm a pilot, and theoretically this is possible, but--

They didn't plant a bomb. They used a transducer to turn a whole car into a bomb.

I understand you're grieving and I do not mean to be cold, but Sandoval gave us a job. If we don't make this look good--

[ Blipping ] [ Boom ]

That's what they did to my wife. Now I know how. Next comes who. And then why.

What do you mean, "why"? The companions had your wife killed to persuade you to join them.

That's one of two possible theories.

What's the other theory?

You figure it out.

Somebody lives in here?

Shh... He's listening.

Augur: You broke the rules, Boone!

Boone: She's working with me! She should know you. You should know her.

Augur: You should have asked me first!

You're right... As always. Captain Lili Marquette, Meet Augur.

Enchante.

[ Smack ]

[ Doors slamming ]

Lili: What the hell's going on?

Boone: It's just security. Gimme your piece.

[ Door unlocking ]

What does, uh... What does he...?

Uh, Augur is the ultimate home entrepreneur.

Augur: Hmm! New avatar package under development in Seattle. I think I'm going to st-- borrow it before it comes to market.

What's this?

There's going to be a currency blip in T'AI-PEI tomorrow. Big business opportunity, if you want in.

How do you know?

I caused it. Over here, we have an arms dealer in Managua who's transferring funds to a drug dealer in Grand Cayman. Somebody has to skim these people.

[ Whispering to Lili ]

Um... Interesting name. "Auger" like the drill?

Ehm! That's "auger" with an "e". I'm "Augur" with a "u". Two "u's", actually. An auspex. A haruspex. A seer. A prophet. An Augur!

Got it.

Oh, I like her. She can come back.

Boone: That's good to know.

I don't know about you.

Listen, my wife was murdered.

I heard. Sorry.

Whoever did it made it look like a car accident--

I'm good, Boone, but I'm not that good. I don't do resurrections.

[ Softly ] I want whoever murdered her. I brought a cash card.

Lili: How much?

Excuse her-- She doesn't understand your excellent work. She doesn't understand that not just any hacker can break into the N.C.I.C. Mainframe data store searching for murders similar to my wife's, without anyone finding out. Anyone. I mean, you can do that, right?

[ Scoffing ]

Fuel cell explosion, late night August 14th. She ran a light, was clipped by a truck. Killer was a real pro-- Used a thermal transducer in the fuel vaporizer.

Tomorrow... Maybe tonight.

I leave you to the excellence of your work. Thank you, Augur.

Bob Morovsky: It's all in the report, Will. The light turned; the trucker pulled out. Geez, Will! I don't feel very comfortable talking about this!

Boone: It's okay-- I'm asking.

Okay, the truck pulls out.

Right, with the light.

With the light, and I've got witnesses to that. Katie barrels right through on the red, last second, swerves, clips the truck, puts the car into a roll.

That's not like Kate.

I know-- I remember how careful she was.

[ Chuckling ] Yeah, it used to make me crazy to ride with her.

Maybe she had something on her mind.

[ Flashback noises ]

Bob: Are you okay?

Yeah. Yeah, I just, uh... Nothing.

Maybe you oughta take some time off.

I'm not the only one that thinks so.

One witness says there was someone behind her.

We never found the guy.

Think he was following her?

I dunno. Trucker said some guy came up behind right after the wreck. He got out, took a look around and took off.

Unidentified white male, black sports car, rag top...

With a fuel cell scoop on the hood. Probably one of those retrofits.

[ Flashback noises ]

Thanks, Bob.

You bet. Hey, hey, hey!

Yeah?

Take that vacation.

Yeah.

Yeah, think about it.

I will.

[ Snap ]

[ Flashback noises ]

Come on...

Come on...

[ Car humming ]

Augur: You're rushing me here.

Boone: You said tonight.

I said maybe tonight.

[ Computer blipping ]

Where'd you get those?

[ Snort ]

[ Blip, blip ]

[ Computer voice ] good evening, Doctor Askin.

Boone: Doctor, huh?

Augur: Okay, we're in. Searching... Bombs- Vehicular, Hydrofuel cell, Millennium to present.

[ Computer blipping ]

[ Sighing ]

What-- problem?

200 Problems. 206, actually, data matches worldwide.

How many of the cases have suspects' photos?

[ Blipping ]

Too many.

Run them.

You know we're going--

Run them.

[ Blipping ]

Faster. Faster.

You're not even looking.

Faster, please. Faster... Good... Back up. Back up more... Freeze!

Corr, Judson William. Suspect in the murder of Marilyn Kragen, age 44, Topanga, California. Case dismissed-- lack of evidence.

Punch in on the photo.

[ Flashback noises ]

Do you know this guy?

I've seen him once.

[ Blowing ]

[ Computer ] Judson...

[ Gasp ]

Judson, I need you.

Judson: What?

You asked me to notify you if certain LAN addresses were ever activated.

[ Blowing ]

I'm here.

And I'm waiting.

Someone opened files in the N.C.I.C. Pertaining to FBI case number 1440-b, accessed from a double-blind terminal.

Terminal. Where?

That information is not available. The purpose of the double-blind terminal is to conceal its user's whereabouts.

[ Beep ]

[ Whizzing and blipping ]

[ Beep ]

[ Hinges squeaking ]

[ Timer beeping behind door] [ Timer going off ] [ Boom ]

[ Clattering down steps]

Judson: Whooa!

[ Gasping ]

Lili: We've invested too much in you to let you run amok like this.

Boone: Maybe Doors backed the wrong horse.

I don't think so, but stop trying to prove me wrong.

I don't have a choice about this.

Of course you do. Sandoval doesn't have a choice-- he's a full-blown CVI.

If I don't find Kate's killer, I'll never be any good to you.

And if you do?

I guess we'll find out.

[ Computer ] call from Da'an.

Boone: Accepted.

Commander... Captain.

Yes, Da'an?

Is everything all right? You appear troubled.

Just the stress of a new job, Da'an.

I fear I must add to your stress. Please join me without delay in Washington.

[ Shuttle whizzing ]

Da'an: Has not agent Sandoval relayed to you my wish that you pursue suspected accomplices of Jonathan Doors's assassin?

Boone: Yes, he has.

And your implant is programmed to guide you always in the service of my kind.

Of course.

Yet you exhaust your potential in the pursuit of a perfect stranger, the imagined assassin of your wife. How might a human under my guidance defy the wish of a companion for a motive so paltry as revenge?

In pursuing my wife's killer, I serve only you.

Please explain.

One question first... Did you have my wife murdered?

Tell me for what reason I might choose the death of an innocent human.

It strikes me how much better I am able to serve you without the hindrance of a wife. If my wife's death was your wish then I shall turn from solving it and go back to my other duties.

And if her death has never been my wish?

Then most likely the bomb that killed her was meant for me, in retaliation for saving your life.

And so, by pursuing the killer of your wife, you thus serve the companions. I have never ordered the death of your wife. Clearly, your CVI has enhanced your cognitive abilities. I look to further our relationship.

Each day, I grow more grateful for the opportunities it provides.

Continue your pursuit. I offer no judgment. And, Boone... I hope you find peace.

[ Bar patrons chatting ]

[ Dance music pounding ]

[ Lock beeping ]

Boone: So, where is he?

Lili: I'm never sure. He likes it that way.

That makes sense, if the whole world thinks you're dead.

While we're waiting, why don't you brief me on the meeting?

I'm here; I'm alive. That should tell you something.

Doors: But not everything.

I wish I could do that.

It's nothing. What did Da'an want?

[ Clunk ]

To know why I'm after Kate's killer.

Lili: What did you say?

I asked him flat out if he ordered it.

Doors: And?

He denied it.

And that surprised you?

He's telling the truth-- He didn't do it.

Are you serious?

I gave him every opportunity to take credit for Kate's death.

You have no idea what really motivates a Taelon.

And you do?

You've literally bet your life I do. They're complex, they're duplicitous, and nothing about them-- nothing-- is ever what it seems.

[ Scoffing ] Just sounds like another species I know. I have Da'an's blessing to continue to hunt Kate’s killer.

I'll handle it from here.

No, you will not.

We have not worked this hard to position you among the companions just so some high-tech hit man could wipe you out.

It's a shame Dr. Belman can't fix my implant so that I could just serve you.

I'll have to talk to her about that.

Lili: We knew going in that he was an experiment.

But you think he's still with us?

Yes, I do.

If you're wrong... Can you kill him?

How did you get in here?

We have a little problem--

Your foolproof search-- Corr found out.

That's impossible.

Oh, yeah, impossible-- let me tell you something. I went to his apartment, but he was expecting me. He left me a welcoming gift-- you said that wouldn't happen.

I don't give refunds.

I don't want a refund. What I want is for you to hack into his files again. This time, let him backtrace you.

Boone, are you out of your mind? Did you look at this guy's resume?

Yes, I did.

Right-- and you want to lead him...

Right here.

[ Computer ] call incoming, screen 2-- caller I.D. Blocked.

Lili: Accept call.

Augur: Captain, it's me.

What's wrong?

Boone, that's what.

He's with you?

He is, and he's invited some very nasty company. About my inventory-- He breaks it: He bought it.

[ Corr walking quietly to self ]

[ Sniffing ]

[ Detector beeping ]

[ Smack ]

[ Doors slamming ]

Boone: Remember me?

[ Gunshots ] [ Gunshots ] [ Gunshots ]

[ Whizz ] [ Crash ]

[ Gunshots ]

Boone: 'Preciate that!

[ Shooting ]

[ Crunch, crunch ]

[ Whack, whack ]

Corr: Ohh!

[ Corr Laughing ]

Boone: Tell me a story. Tell me how you pressed a button and incinerated my wife. Who put out the contract? Who?

[ Gasping ] You really want to know? All right, you pull me up. [ Groaning ] [ Laughing ]

[ Whack ]

The truth.

[ Whizz ] [ Crashing ]

Sandoval: You looked like you were about to kill him. That would have been a mistake. Da'an wishes to study his kind.

[ Flashback noises ]

It was you, wasn't it? You had my wife murdered.

You don't have to thank me. Don't worry-- Your wife never felt any pain. Mr. Corr is an artist. I first discovered the problem when I received my implant. Naturally, my wife immediately knew something was different. Dee Dee was never a genius, but after I received my CVI, she seemed so... Infantile. Naturally, I lost further interest in her. Soon, she was whining about divorce, talking to her mother and her sisters, telling them how overnight I'd become some kind of monster! I had to put her away.

You had your own wife killed?

No. And that was my mistake.

No, Dee Dee's alive in a sanitarium in Reston, A place the bureau uses to warehouse people who can't be allowed in society. Informants... Psychopaths... No one should have to go through what I did. For months, it severely impaired my usefulness to the companion. We aren't cut out for love, Boone. Not anymore.

[ Skrill whirring ]

Lili: [ Whispering ] come on, Boone, don't do this. Okay.

Synod Member: Your faith in commander Boone seems well-placed.

Da'an: Truth.

Synod Member: You feel more than you say.

When first arriving on the surface, I may have expected the humans to be more compliant, Malleable, like the game pieces on a field of kalliol.

Synod Member: You are finding them more wilful than you imagined?

I find them... Enigmatic. They are so capable of such beauty, yet they brutalize each other with such intensity. But I suppose that is one of the reasons we are here.

[ Chattering background ]

Nurse: Ms. Sandoval? Someone sent you some flowers. Orchids. Aren't they beautiful? You help me keep these watered...

Dee Dee: Do you know who sent them?

No, ma'am, I'm sorry. They came without a card.

[Flashback noises ]

[ Squirt ]

[ Squirt, squirt ]

[ Laughing ]

Boone: Sorry, guys.

[ Squirting ]

Boone: You're gonna be okay. We're gonna be okay.