An Ocean On Fire (aka Higher Power) (Cont.)
(Ward Room)
Bridger: Well, to be perfectly honest with you, we're in here 'cause I'm still a little leery of Lucas's hologram.
Westphalen: So am I. Do you regret what happened?
Bridger: Not yet.
Westphalen: (laughs) I talked to Lucas. I think he feels threatened by you and me. You're really all he has, and it's hard being seventeen and not having a family.
Bridger: You're right. But do you think we could have a nice quiet little dinner?
Westphalen: Absolutely.
Bridger: Thank you. (screen behind him changes to Ford and Noyce) What is it, Commander?
Ford: I wish I could say Captain, but I don't know sir.
William Noyce: Look, Nathan, world power has gone off line. We've got a global blackout.
Bridger: But your redundance systems can -
Noyce: A power surge has frozen us out. Everybody's running off of generators - police, hospitals, everybody.
Bridger: But you've got contingencies. Dr. Wolenczak is a smart man.
Noyce: Look, we don't have time for Monday morning quarterbacking from candlelit dinners. The last I heard is that Wolenczak is dead. And because the last communication we got from World Power was an automated report of a catastrophic oscillation.
Bridger: Lay on a course, full speed.
Ford: Yes, sir.
Bridger: And try to get back on line with our old systems.
Noyce: It's going to be weeks if we're lucky. Without power, this globe is going to regress in geometric proportions.
(Bridge)
Bridger: (entering the bridge) Status?
Ford: On course.
Shan: One hundred fifty miles an hour and climbing.
Hitchcock: Engines at full torque.
Ortiz: WSKRS on bow lock.
Ford: ETA three hours.
O'Neill: E-band open and holding.
Bridger: (to Lucas) Are you all right?
Lucas: Captain, my father.
Bridger: Noyce made a giant assumption about your father. Now you're stuck with it. I know what that's like.
Lucas: Yeah, and your son died.
Bridger: But I'll never be certain. Not knowing eats at me a little every day. But I'll tell you something. Do you know what's helped me?
Lucas: What?
Bridger: You. You can't imagine how important it is for me to have you here. And now I want you to know how important it is for me to be here for you.
Lucas: I know, I know.
Bridger: OK.
(World Power Hydroelectric Plant)
Dr. Wolenczak: We're off line and stabilized at zero output.
Jordan: We're stabilized, but the Earth isn't; thermal indicators are rising.
Dr. Wolenczak: Ocean temperature will balance.
Rosenthal: It's not happening.
Dr. Wolenczak: It's just got to cool down.
Rosenthal: It's not. We've got to evacuate.
Jordan: We can't. The shuttle has dislodged from the airlock.
Rosenthal: We're gonna die.
Dr. Wolenczak: Probably, and if you're gonna whine, why don't you just stand over there in the corner. (to Jordan) How long until you can get me communications?
Jordan: I don't know, and I don't know who you expect to communicate with.
Dr. Wolenczak: Just get me an uplink.
(seaQuest DSV - Lucas's Room)
Dr. Wolenczak: (on screen) Lucas, can you hear me?
Lucas: Dad. Dad.
Dr. Wolenczak: (on screen) You there?
Lucas: Yes, I am.
Dr. Wolenczak: (on screen) I don't know how long I have, but I, I want you to know, I, I want you to know that you're my son, and I love you. Whatever's happened, I want you to know that. (fades out)
(Bridge)
Shan: Two hundred miles an hour.
Ford: ETA, five minutes.
Bridger: Three quarters speed.
Shan: Three quarters speed.
Hitchcock: Hull temperature rising.
Ortiz: We're entering a thermocline.
Hitchcock: Five degrees, now ten.
Bridger: WSKR view.
Westphalen: This isn't a thermocline.
Bridger: Mr. Obatu, use target systems to measure this.
Obatu: Twelve feet wide below us, ten thousand at its source, three miles out.
Ortiz: Captain, three miles and closing.
Bridger: Dispatch WSKRS. I want a closer look.
Hitchcock: Twenty degree rise. We're at ninety percent on the hull skin tolerance.
Westphalen: Thermoclines cool off four hundred degrees within a foot of their vents. This can't be happening, this ocean is cooking.
Bridger: E-band. Bill, we've got an exposed river of lava, two miles wide, running underneath this power plant. We've got a twenty degree increase in ocean temperatures with no sign of abatement.
UEO Official: (on screen) Can we salvage the plant?
Noyce: (on screen) To hell with the plant. Didn't you hear what he said? We're destroying the oceans.
UEO Official: (on screen) A balanced ecology doesn't mean squat when compared to our cities. Collapse…
Noyce: (on screen) Now wait just a minute --
Bridger: Hey, guys, listen, a rise in temperature like this will melt the polar caps. You're gonna need scuba gear to stand on the observation deck of the World Trade Center. Your cities aren't gonna collapse, they're gonna drown. All right, let's go to alert on all stations, this is gonna get rocky. (seaQuest takes hit from lava in thermocline)
Ortiz: Going to emergency power.
Bridger: Maximize all stabilizers.
Ford: Stabilizers full. (seaQuest takes another hit)
O'Neill: Mayday, mayday, this is the seaQuest, location thirteen degrees, fifteen minutes. Mayday, this is seaQuest, location fifteen degrees, thirteen minutes, mayday.
Bridger: Attention all personnel, this is Captain Bridger. Go to your emergency launches immediately. We're abandoning ship. I repeat, we're abandoning seaQuest. Mr. Shan, go to automated systems, evacuate your helmsmen.
Shan: Aye, aye, Captain. (to helmsmen) Penny, Russ, Susan, launch bay.
Ford: Just giving up?
Bridger: Some of us are. We're going to abort the rescue mission. Mr. O'Neill, keep E-band open and then evacuate and take the doctor with you.
O'Neill: Aye, sir.
Westphalen: No, Nathan.
Bridger: Kristin, don't argue. Mr. Obatu, switch your systems down here. Ortiz, WSKR control at my station and then evacuate. Hitchcock, you're in charge of the launch bay and I want you out on the last one.
Hitchcock: Yes, sir.
Lucas: What about my father?
Bridger: Lucas, chances of survival -
Lucas: Will eat at me a little every day.
Bridger: I can't risk sending anyone over there, it's suicide.
Crocker: So maybe I die now instead of a little bit later. Besides, his old man can help us figure out what's going on here. Let me go see if I can find him.
Bridger: Chief, I can't.
Crocker: Captain, I don't want to waste away on some bar stool in San Diego. The sea is where I live and it's where I prefer to die. Now hold on to this for me. (hands the watch to Bridger)
Lucas: What are you doing?
Bridger: I'm trying to save my crew and maybe my boat. It goes with the job. Now would you get on a launch.
Lucas: If you do find my father, tell him I love him.
Bridger: I will. (Lucas leaves) You two, out.
Ford: No, sir.
Bridger: That's an order.
Ford: You can't save seaQuest by yourself.
Bridger: Mr. Shan?
Shan: No thank you, sir.
Bridger: OK, I need some time in my quarters.
(Launch Bay)
Hitchcock: OK, people, let's go!
(Crocker walks to his launch, but before leaving, turns and gives Wolenczak a thumbs up, which he returns)
(Bridger's Room)
Bridger: This is gonna be a tough one, sweetheart.
Carol: (hologram) Sorry I can't be with you. You'll be just fine.
Bridger: I know. I love you, kiddo.
(Launch)
Lucas Wolenczak: I'm OK.
Kristin Westphalen: I'm not.
(World Power Hydroelectric Plant - Command Center)
Dr. Wolenczak: (hears the launch outside) Jordan, quick, up there. (to Rosenthal) Come on, let's go.
(Launch) Crocker: (opens launch door) Come on, come on, come on. (to Rosenthal) Dr. Wolenczak?
Rosenthal: He's behind me.
Crocker: We gotta save seaQuest.
Dr. Wolenczak: How's my son?
Crocker: I don't know. Is this everybody?
Dr. Wolenczak: Yes, everybody's dead.
Crocker: We gotta go.
Dr. Wolenczak: I need to see my son.
Crocker: He needs to see you too. He has for some time.
(seaQuest DSV - Bridge)
Ford: We got 'em, sir.
Bridger: Good.
(Launch Bay)
Dr. Wolenczak: Hello, I'm Lucas's father.
Bridger: Nathan Bridger.
Dr. Wolenczak: Yes, where's my son?
Bridger: Well, we had to abandon ship.
Dr. Wolenczak: What?
Bridger: I've sent them all up world.
Dr. Wolenczak: This world power project was a noble idea, Captain.
Bridger: Most of them are. What are we going to do about this project?
Dr. Wolenczak: I don't know. I don't know.
Bridger: Gotta think of something. (to Crocker) Take those people up top.
Crocker: Cap, this is my ship too.
Bridger: Chief, you've done your job. Thanks. (throws the watch to Crocker)
(Hallway)
Bridger: How are we going to close up the ocean floor?
Dr. Wolenczak: Seismic activity. We've got to plug the hole and it'll take an enormous force.
Bridger: What about a million megatons? That's out nuclear capacity.
Dr. Wolenczak: Yeah, but how do we deliver it?
Bridger: We autopilot seaQuest into the heart of this thing.
Dr. Wolenczak: It'll destroy your ship.
Bridger: Maybe, but it's the only chance we've got.
(Bridge)
Bridger: Give me everything you've got.
Ford: If these aren't false readings, that lava well's at least two hundred miles deep.
Shan: Captain, what exactly are we doing?
Bridger: We're gonna dive seaQuest into this lava well and then we're gonna detonate her warheads.
Shan: What's the good news?
Bridger: That is the good news. Come twenty degrees left at half speed, then activate the automatic pilot.
Dr. Wolenczak: Captain, it's time.
Bridger: Arm all weapons.
Computer: Thermonuclear arming sequence initiated.
Bridger: (Bridger and Ford insert their keys) Commander, on my mark. One, two, three, now. (Bridger and Ford turn their keys, activating the warheads)
Dr. Wolenczak: How long do we have?
Bridger: I have no idea. We'd better go.
(Launch)
(The ship shudders)
Bridger: We've lost the auto pilot.
Dr. Wolenczak: No, wait. Please, there's nothing more you can do.
Bridger: Tell Lucas he's the best. (leaves)
Ford: Captain, no!
Dr. Wolenczak: Bridger!
(Beach)
Ortiz: Look. (everyone cheers as a launch surfaces)
Dr. Wolenczak: (dragging the lifeboat) Lucas. Lucas.
Lucas: Dad.
Dr. Wolenczak: You all right? You all right?
Westphalen: (to Ford) Where's Nathan? Where's Nathan?
Ford: (angry, points to sea) Out there!
(Just as the ship explodes Bridger escapes in the Stinger.)
(Beach)
(Lucas sees the Stinger pull up on the beach. He runs to it and Westphalen follows.)
Westphalen: Nathan, oh, Nathan.
Bridger: And now, for my next trick ?
(Pearl Harbor - A Room)
Ford: Look, I appreciate the offer, but I'm still a submariner.
Calvin: Face the facts. seaQuest is gone.
Ford: I'll think about it.
Calvin: There's nothing bigger than a carrier, Commander.
Ford: (closes door) No, sir.
Krieg: Says here to include the names of three people who will recommend you without reservation. Come on guys, it's just a recommendation.
O'Neill: What for?
Krieg: The seminary.
Ortiz: (doubtful) Father Krieg.
Krieg: All right, medical school.
Shan: (doubtful) Doctor Krieg.
Krieg: OK, a manager for a fast food franchise.
Shan: Better, I'll recommend you.
Krieg: Yeah.
Hitchcock: I think I'm gonna take that Captain's position on the H.R. Clinton.
Ford: What makes you think there won't be another seaQuest?
Crocker: There'll never be another seaQuest.
Krieg: Ya know, this is depressing.
Westphalen: It's supposed to be depressing.
O'Neill: (as Krieg picks up box) Ben, don't open the box.
Krieg: Come on, we could use a laugh. Ladies and gentlemen, live from Singapore…
Hologram: Each and everyone of you can have a great life. Ladies and gentlemen, the future's yours. The monies of the world are at your feet. Success is your birthright. Personal power is your destiny. Listen to me, I know what I'm talking about. Three words - it can happen. Build it and it will come. One day at a time?
Crocker: Who the hell is this guy?
Krieg: I don't know. It's supposed to be a nude saxophonist. (Westphalen gives him a dirty look)
(Beach)
Bridger: How'd it go?
Lucas: OK, I guess. Dad said even though he's going to be really busy, he promised to show up for my birthday next year. But I doubt it.
Bridger: Don't worry, Lucas. Next year's going to be great.
Lucas: What're we going to do?
Bridger: Well, first of all there's a small matter of building a new boat.
(Bridger and Lucas walk off down the beach)