Photon Bullet
( Chinese Military Computer Compound, Ulan Hoto, Manchuria, March 2010)
(A man walks into a deserted hallway. He positions the surveillance camera so that it's facing the ceiling, and then he slips on a computerized glove that allows him to gain access to one of the rooms. Another man is sitting at the keyboard of that room, he is killed.)
(Pacific Ocean in the North Equatorial counter-current)
(seaQuest DSV - Bridge)
Ortiz: (Lucas walks over) . . . and Levin, and I need you to record…Lucas (pushes Lucas out of way) You're, you're distracting me, all right. (to scientist) I need you to get all the forward . . . (Lucas walks away)
Ensign: (bumps into Lucas) 'Scuse me.
Lucas: Sorry. (walks down stairs, bumps into Ford)
Ford: 'Scuse me.
Lucas: Sorry.
(He walks up other stairs and bumps into O'Neill)
O'Neill: Lucas, do you mind?
(Lucas steps aside, O'Neill passes, Lucas bumps into Hitchcock. Lucas steps aside, Hitchcock passes, Lucas walks backward toward the navigation table)
Ford: Well, if it goes down again, try rerouting the system, you never know. (bumps into Lucas) Do me a favor, (looks around, points) stand back there, behind the pool, please.
Lucas: Yeah.
Ford: Thanks.
O'Neill: Thank you. (Lucas looks dejected, leaves bridge)
Krieg: (exiting Mag-lev) No contest, he had the best arm in baseball.
Crocker: (exiting Mag-lev) You never saw Nolan Ryan. Oh, Lucas, you got that new routine program for the security system yet?
Lucas: Uh, no, Chief, actually…
Crocker: Don't tell me you're gonna do something if you don't intend to do it. All right?
Lucas: Yes, sir.
Crocker: All right. (Lucas enters Mag-lev)
Bridger: (walking over) Was that Lucas?
Crocker: Uh, yeah, Cap, sure was.
Bridger: I asked him to stay on the bridge. It's supposed to be part of his training. (both enter bridge)
(Lucas's room)
Computer: Welcome to Internex. Identify yourself please.
(Lucas types in 'FRANKENSTEIN')
Computer: Thank you.
Frankenstein: (on screen) Wolfman, Wolfman, you lurking?
Lucas: You going to ignore me, too?
Wolfman: (os, howls) How now, Frankie?
Frankenstein: (os) Another game?
Wolfman: (os) No, I'm still licking my wounds from the last game.
Frankenstein: (os) Please, I've got some wounds of my own.
Wolfman: (os) Who beat you?
Frankenstein: (os) Nobody. I'm sick of being pushed around.
Wolfman: (os) Push back.
Frankenstein: (os) It's not that easy where I am.
Wolfman: (os) Fine, if that's the way you want it. (disappears)
Frankenstein: (os) Wolfman, Wolfman.
Computer: Thank you for using Internex. See you soon.
Lucas: (notices Darwin) Oh, yeah, sure, you got it easy. You can swim out of this trap, take off whenever you want to. (Darwin swims off) Exactly. (starts playing with flippers)
Bridger: (on PAL) Lucas, I need you on the bridge.
(Lucas heaves a sigh and leaves the room.)
(Bridge)
Bridger: (Lucas approaches) Why'd you leave?
Lucas: Captain, nobody wanted me here.
Bridger: I did. Did you mention that to anyone?
Lucas: No.
Bridger: Maybe you should've. This message§ just came in. It's got a top UEO security clearance. seaQuest is being ordered to Node Three Communications Installation. Lieutenant O'Neill?
O'Neill: Um, Node Three is the central nervous system for all the major fiber optics highways across the Pacific. Everything from telephone calls to encrypted military information gets routed through there. Even the entire Internex.
Bridger: They also made a priority request for some OLA/5 modules.
Lucas: Optical Logic Arrays, we've got plenty of them.
Bridger: There's also been a request for a visit from Mr. Lucas Wolenczak.
Lucas: Oh, I see, so as soon as there's a computer problem I'm back in favor. Well I'm not going and you can't make me. There are such things as child labor laws you know. (Krieg clears his throat and puts his hand on Lucas's shoulder.)
Bridger: (surprised) Where's this coming from?
Lucas: I wanna get paid. Everyone else gets paid, why shouldn't I? What's wrong with that? And I don't want an allowance, I want a salary.
Bridger: OK.
Lucas: I'm the one that keeps everything running.
Bridger: Oh, really? Everything? (Lucas leaves)
(Melanesian Basin - depth 7000 feet)
(Node Three - Docking Bay)
Martin Clemens: (group exits launch, Clemens comes over) Captain Bridger, welcome to Node Three. I'm Martin Clemens.
Bridger: How do you do? Thank you. Uh, this is Lieutenant Krieg, Chief Crocker, and Lucas Wolenczak.Clemens: Frankenstein! (hugs Lucas)
Krieg: Frankenstein?
Clemens: Well, it's hacker's tag. We use it online, like a nickname. Frankenstein's a legend. Oh, those must be the modules.
Lucas: Yes.
Clemens: (takes box, hands it to girl) Thanks. Hey, I've got to show you something. You all can hang while we check out the modules, right? Not many people get a chance to see this. Come on. (walks down hall, all follow) I've got twenty-one sys-ops here, everyone a genius. Computers, the young learn on what their elders have built, find the keys to the next door. Who else is going to enjoy being trapped in a bubble on the ocean floor for a couple of years? They think they're in a candy store where everything is free. Adults want more, families, cars, houses. Never last for more than a couple of months.
(While he's been talking Lucas has been side-tracked by a couple of teenagers.)
Bridger: Uh, Lucas.
(Lucas quickly follows after him.)
(Command Center, outside)
Computer: (scans Clemens's hand) Martin Clemens, voice code please.
Clemens: Mycroft.
Lucas: (surprised) Mycroft?
Computer: Mycroft, identity confirmed. (doors open)
Clemens: (entering with group) No one knows how much band width we've got. The last time we tried to figure it out we got lost at a hundred exobauds.
Lucas: Unbelievable.
Clemens: The highest information density anywhere, anywhere. Have a seat. Some of the interface is voice activated. (holds out headset)
Lucas: Oh, thank you. (puts headset on)
Clemens: All yours. Walk around, check out the neighborhood. You're cleared to Level Dock one, you can't do any damage.
(Lucas begins to play a computer game and he's so good that a crows begins to gather around, including Julianna and Nick.)
Clemens: Man's a legend.
Girl: (into Clemens's ear) They're OK.
Clemens: Modules check out fine, Captain, thanks.
Bridger: Good, uh, Lucas, um, I hate to interrupt…
Lucas: Oh, I don't wanna leave.
Clemens: He's more than welcome to stay, Captain.
Lucas: Come on, Captain, we're basically in the area, you know, with the whales. We're just going around in circles. Why can't I just stay for a little while?
Bridger: I, I understand that, but…
Crocker: Where can he go, Cap?
Krieg: Looks like fun.
Bridger: Maybe a few days.
Clemens: (laughs) Great, let me walk you back.
Bridger: (to Lucas) Have a good time. I'll call you (he pauses to wave his hand in front of Lucas's face) …tomorrow.
(Hallway)
Bridger: Oh, it's great for him to be with kids his own age. He doesn't even have a toothbrush.
Clemens: Captain.
Bridger: Once he sits in front of a computer he won't even eat.
Krieg: What the Captain wants to know is, shouldn't you have some chaperones around here or something?
Clemens: We've got a support staff of five, plus Wendy. They clean up for us, make sure we've got enough food and air and generally take care of the administrative drudgery. There's nothing to worry about, Captain.
Bridger: OK, you know where to find me. (shakes hands with Clemens)
Clemens: OK, we'll see you.
(Bridger, Krieg, and Crocker enter launch)
(Command Center)
Martin Clemens: (entering) Come on, come on, come on. Meeting and greeting later; hacking and cracking now. Let's go. (the crowd disperses but two teenagers stay) Julianna, Nick; Frankenstein, meet Red Menace.
Julianna: Hi.
Lucas: Hi.
Julianna: My real name's Julianna.
Lucas: Lucas.
Clemens: And Wolfman. (Nick howls)
Lucas: (surprised) No!
Nick: Yeah. How now, Frankie?
Lucas: It's really you.
Nick: Yeah, but my name's really Nick.
Lucas: Nick.
Clemens: (to others) Work.
Nick: OK, see you in a bit.
Clemens: Photons, zipping around in tendons of glass. Our job is to make sure they all go where they're supposed to.
Nick: The money's moving, fifty seconds.
Clemens: We sift the light through our fingers like pure white sand.
Nick: Forty-five, we're gonna miss it.
Clemens: What do you think of the world, Lucas? Is it good, bad?
Lucas: It sucks, basically.
Clemens: If you could make it better, would you try?
Lucas: Yeah, sure I would.
Nick: Thirty seconds. (Clemens sits down at computer and starts working) Twenty-five.
Clemens: This is a foreign aid fund account in the States. The money was intended for humanitarian purposes in Asia. But it's moving, to a blind account in Geneva.
Nick: Fifteen.
Clemens: Held by a defense minister of the East Asian Confederation.
Nick: Ten seconds, five.
Clemens: Got it. I'm putting it where it's needed, in a hospital in rural China, where it'll buy vaccines and bandages.
Lucas: You don't even worry about getting caught!
Clemens: The money's all ready stolen, who's going to complain? In a world where people are hungry, people are greedy, people kill each other, we're taking a quiet stand. It's social engineering. What do you think of the world, Lucas, if you could make it a better place?
(seaQuest DSV - Sea Deck)
Westphalen: When my daughter was seventeen she shaved off half her hair and died the other half bright orange. And to this day I'm convinced she only did it to irritate me. I mean they have to irritate you, it's their job, no matter how bright they are.
Bridger: Well, Lucas is bright all right, and I can't stop falling into the trap of being parental. You'd think that having done this once before I'd know better.
Westphalen: He just wants to be with kids his own age. It's an age where any decision is better than the ones we make for them. In fact, the less we like it, the better. Why don't you give him a call?
Bridger: Oh, no, no, no. He'd think I was looking over his shoulder. How's he doing; is he having fun; are you behaving yourself? Nah, it just bothers me that right now I know more about those whales. (points at screen)
Westphalen: Maybe you'd like the WSKRS to follow Lucas around.
Bridger: That's not a bad idea.
Westphalen: Nathan!
Bridger: I know that being on your own is on every teenager's agenda, but that doesn't stop you from worrying.
Westphalen: Oh that never stops. One of my daughter's degrees is in nutritional biochemistry, and every time she comes to visit, I can't help but tell her what she should be eating.
(Node Three - Dining Room)
Julianna: Pizza and burgers are good but the sushi never thaws right in a microwave.
Lucas: How'd you get here?
Julianna: I was always good with numbers. I skipped a couple grades and graduated from college when I was sixteen.
Lucas: Yeah, sounds like me.
Julianna: And every other kid here. This is a great place for me to be on my own for the first time.
Lucas: Yeah. Well, as for me, I didn't fit my parents idea of a lifestyle, so they put me on seaQuest. Captain Bridger sends them a report card every couple of months; I don't even think they read 'em. What about Wolfman?
Julianna: (takes food out of microwave) Well, he's a slow learner. They didn't let him out of MIT until he was seventeen.
Clemens: (as Lucas and Julianna sit down) Scared you this morning, didn't I?
Lucas: You really are Mycroft.
Clemens: You were two years old when I crashed the Arpanet. That was the first auto-immune virus. Brought down the entire US defense system for twenty-four hours. They were talking peace, but they freaked when their systems stopped working. I spent three years in juvenile rehab for that hack.
Lucas: Then?
Clemens: Then I got cozy with corruption. Then I came here. That's all. (leaves)
Lucas: What's, uh, "cozy with corruption"?
Nick: The government, he worked for them for a while and then he just disappeared, sort of flamed out. He saw something bad. Anyway, then he got the job at Node Three when it went on line three years ago.
Lucas: Doesn't this, uh, social engineering stuff scare you guys?
Nick: Well, it's not really worth doing if it doesn't scare you, right? I mean, that is why we came here.
Lucas: Right.
Nick: Oh, you should stay away from that sushi, I mean…
(With a sheepish smile Lucas sets the sushi back down on his plate.)
(Command Center)
Clemens: Menu three, function one. Vocal command.
Lucas: Menu three, function one.
Clemens: Brazil, after the civil war old blood started seeping up through the earth; graft, corruption, intimidation. Brazil.
Lucas: Brazil.
Clemens: This function monitors all our data traffic for items relating to Brazil. Diplomatic messages, bank transfers, news reports, everything is synthesized into a topographic map of social stress. The higher the peaks, the more intense the colors, the greater the stress. Now, filter for election fraud.
Lucas: Now, these are areas the data indicates trouble.
Clemens: Right. Pick one.
Lucas: They're cheating.
Clemens: Make it right.
Lucas: (works at computer for a minute) I'm inserting a monitoring virus into their voting system. It'll alert us if there are any more problems.
Clemens: Very nice. The people speak, and now they are heard. (laughs) You made a better world. (Lucas laughs, looks at Julianna, she laughs, Lucas looks at Nick, Nick gives OK sign)
(Hallway)
Julianna: How did you get into the voting nets? There must have been five bridges between them and us. (to Nick) Did you see how he did that?
Nick: Uh, yeah, I was there, actually.
Julianna: Bye, Nick.
Nick: Oh, right. (walks off)
Julianna: You were terrific.
Lucas: Thank you.
Julianna: This is my stop. (points to door) Bye.
(She kisses Lucas on cheek then goes into her room, closes door. Lucas stands there for a second then the door opens again.)
Julianna: OK, come on in. (Lucas enters her room and she shuts the door behind him.) It's so great to have you here.
Lucas: Yeah, incredible.
Julianna: I had no idea, you know. (sits down on bed) When you're just words in cyberspace you imagine what someone like. I had this image . . .
Lucas: (sits down) An image? What kind of image?
Julianna: I expected brilliance, not cute.
Lucas: You, uh, you think I'm cute.
Julianna: Yeah, but all I had was your little Frankenstein picture on the screen. Not a positive reinforcement. When Nick and I were hacking the UEO codes we guessed what you looked like.
Lucas: What UEO codes?
Julianna: We didn't need any OLA/5 modules, we've got a rack of spares. Nick and I sent that message to bring you here.
Lucas: That's impossible, you can't break the UEO codes or even get on to their encrypted data link.
Julianna: We didn't need a data link 'cause it never went through UEO. And the codes are just numbers.
Lucas: Yeah, they're on triple keys, each forty digits long. I don't believe it.
Julianna: It's true.
Lucas: Why?
Julianna: Wolfman wanted to meet you.
Lucas: So now I'm cute and stupid.
Julianna: Don't you like being here?
Lucas: I just want to know what's going on. Julianna.
Julianna: You said you were sick of being pushed around.
(They kiss.)
(Command Center)
(Lucas and Nick are playing a 3-dimensional chess game on the computer. There is a crowd watching them and cheering them on.)
Julianna: He's great.
Nick: You reprogrammed this game so I couldn't win. (Lucas laughs) Try this.
Lucas: Got ya. (crowd cheers)
Nick: No. (Lucas laughs)
(The doors open and Clemens walks in. Julianna spots him.)
Julianna: Mycroft. (game ends, crowd disperses)
Clemens: (to Lucas) Has anyone ever beat you? I was like you, too smart, too young to know it. And it hurt too, in here. I didn't have the same places to hide, my sanctuary was in the streets, so I, probably see things through different eyes. You know what this is? My apology.
Lucas: You mean the Arpanet crash.
Clemens: No, I got more than even for that, three years in juvie. I've seen bad things, Lucas. Bad things at the end of my fingertips.
Lucas: What bad things?
Clemens: Pain, death, right out there, and I said, enough. What I do now is to end the pain. (pushes some buttons on the computer and the screen changes) I need you, to get access to the World Bank transaction network.
Lucas: That's the best engineered, best protected network ever built. It's impossible.
Clemens: Like hacking UEO codes?
Lucas: No, that's just hard.
Clemens: This isn't just a pleasure cruise where you can hack simple things like the Brazilian voting net, and show us how good you are at games. Games are over. I brought you here for this. The World Bank transaction network is the arterial channel through which the real money flows. Money, with a capital M. Not just the mortgage on your house or even Apple Computer buying Microsoft. This money controls armies, governments, even confederations. It is the fulcrum on which our world balances, and through which we can reshape civilization. An end to war, an end to greed, and hatred; money is their fuel. If we can control the World Bank, we can make them unaffordable.
Lucas: What do I have to do with this?
Clemens: You're better than us. We've all tried, and failed. (picks up headset) Make the world better, Lucas. Open the door for me.
(Lucas takes the headset, begins working at computer)
(Later)
Lucas: It's impossible. (sits back)
Nick: Come on, Lucas, you're so close.
Julianna: I know you can do it.
Nick: History's a signaling?
Lucas: Specifically trapped.
Julianna: Anthorder derivative?
Lucas: Nah, too many solutions.
Nick: Try a reduction algorithm.
Lucas: That could work. (works at computer) We're in!
Clemens: Yes! (laughs and celebrates)
Nick: All right. (Lucas and Julianna kiss) Good work, Lucas.
Clemens: You did good, you can stay.
(Clemens leaves. Lucas and Julianna kiss, Nick hugs Lucas and Julianna)
Continued