Episode 13: Blowback

EPISODE 13

“BLOWBACK”

FADE IN

OPENING CREDITS

RECAP

INT. WHITE ROOM

CHARLES stands in the all WHITE INTERROGATING ROOM of the SYSTEM. CHARLES has the same defeated look he had from the previous episode.

SYSTEM

SHOULD WE BEGIN?

CHARLES

What's going to happen to my crew that you have held here...

SYSTEM

WE HAVE LET THEM GO, PENDING FURTHER QUESTIONS, WE BELIEVE ANY ACTION AS A RESULT OF THIS HEARING WILL TAKE PRECEDENCE.

CHARLES

How very kind of you.

SYSTEM

SHALL WE BEGIN?

CHARLES

Yes.

SYSTEM

AS A RESULT OF A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE IN YOUR TEAMS ALPHA LEVEL INITIATION TEST, WE MUST START WITH THE REFUSAL OF YOUR TEAMS ALPHA LEVEL STATUS.

CHARLES

Fair enough.

SYSTEM

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO ARGUE?

CHARLES

I knew going into this that there was a good chance that we would not rank, I am not going to argue over something I did not want to begin with.

SYSTEM

WILL YOU ARGUE ABOUT THE MEN AND WOMEN IN YOUR EMPLOY?

CHARLES

That's why I am here.

SYSTEM

THEN YOU UNDERSTAND THE CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR ACTIONS, AND ALL THAT CAN COME OF IT?

CHARLES

Yes.

SYSTEM

THREE OF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS, AUSTIN BLACK, NIKKI LYNN, AND EMMA LAIN WERE SENT TO BRING BACK A WARLOCK WHO WAS BELIEVED TO OF BEEN STEALING SOULS. NOT ONLY DID TWO OF YOUR MEMBERS OBSCOND AND LEAVE THE MISSION IN THE HANDS OF ONE SOLE MEMBER, BUT THE GROUP WAS ALSO UNABLE TO BRING BACK THE WARLOCK ALIVE AND...

CHARLES

I don't care about the mission parameters, I want to know what they did wrong beside the obvious.

SYSTEM

CLARIFY.

CHARLES

AUSTIN and NIKKI ran off, and left EMMA alone, that is the only infraction I see that they brought upon themselves.

SYSTEM

LETTING THE WARLOCK DIE...

CHARLES

As I am to understand by the report my THREE and BARRY posted clearly states that he committed suicide, therefore bringing him in was not going to happen. I want you to be real about this meeting. This isn't solely about what happened with the ALPHA MISSIONS, so why not say it, and let's get down to business.

There is a silence.

SYSTEM

VERY WELL...THIS LATEST INSTANCE, IS ONE OF A LONG LAUNDRY LIST OF ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN BROUGHT UP TIME AND TIME AGAIN BY THE LIKES OF THE RECLAIMING UNIT KNOWN AS THE UNEVENTFUL, A UNIT THAT YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF. BECAUSE OF THE ACTIONS TAKEN AND THE MISTAKES MADE NUMEROUSLY, WE FEEL IT IS TIME THAT WE...HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT YOUR TEAM CAN HAVE A SUSTAINED FUTURE AS RECLAIMERS.

CHARLES

That's more like it.

SYSTEM

ARE YOU READY TO BEGIN?

CHARLES

More than you could know.

SYSTEM

VERY WELL.

EXT. SYSTEM BUILDING

EMMA comes out of the BUILDING as the group are waiting on her, SHANE and ANTHONY smiling as she comes over and hugs them, NIKKI looking her over as AUSTIN nods, a bit sheepish as SHANE taps her on the shoulder and half hugs her.

SHANE

Hey, you.

EMMA

Hope you guys fared better than we did.

SHANE

Can't say that we did. How'd it go?

EMMA

It's all up to CHARLES now.

SHANE

They just let y'all go?

EMMA

I think BARRY had a bit to do with getting some of the heat off of us, but I think this was just an excuse for the SYSTEM to come down on us hard, and to attack us as a whole, you gotta go through CHARLES.

AUSTIN

So what do we do now?

EMMA

I guess we wait.

NIKKI

To the TAVERN it is.

EMMA

I guess so.

The GROUP heads to ANTHONY'S CAR as EMMA grabs SHANE around the head, SHANE doing the same as TERESA watches them go from her office, TERESA biting her thumb as she looks on.

INT. TERESA'S OFFICE

TERESA comes back towards her desk as COLBY is seated across from her, COLBY sitting with a leg crossed on his other leg as TERESA rubs her head.

TERESA

Maybe this is my fault...maybe I didn't monitor well enough...or...

COLBY

Having your hands all over this would not have prevented what occurred.

TERESA

Maybe not, but I'm talking about more than just this last incident, I'm talking about a string of incidents that I and this unit have had to face over the course of their inception. I don't know, COLBY, perhaps...perhaps it's time to...disband.

COLBY

Folding? Not like you.

TERESA

I don't like the option, but this...is not good for my career, for your career. Even if CHARLES somehow manages to keep this group afloat, how long before something else fans the fire of our own destruction? Sometimes when the ship is sinking, it's better to get off then to stand around and...hope.

COLBY

Where is this coming from? You've never wavered this hard before? In the group, or in CHARLES, even if you won't admit it.

TERESA

BENJAMIN came to me the other day, asked me to give this group up, give it to him, in return for a different group.

COLBY

I see.

TERESA

It was like he was telling me that everyone knew, knew that not only we would fail, but fail like this. He was trying to help me.

COLBY

Or mock you.

TERESA

Either way, that is an option we should consider.

COLBY

Don't give up on them, TERESA. If the OVERSEER gives up, what hope is there for us to get better?

TERESA

Can we get better? Is it possible? Even with change, even if I give the group over or not, can this unit grow, be more? I don't know if CHARLES is the right person to do that.

COLBY

I think you need to give it some thought.

TERESA

I know that you two have a past...it's been helpful to me, and to him I'm sure to have you as that liaison, but I have to ask you, why do you have so much faith in CHARLES? Even after...

COLBY

Stop.

TERESA does as COLBY looks at her a bit angrily.

COLBY

At the end of the day, you put things behind you, and you bring it up only if it helps your future. My faith in CHARLES is only based on what I have seen from him with these guy's. He can do it. Let him show you.

TERESA nods as COLBY looks towards the window as he looks sure of the words he has just spoken.

INT. WHITE ROOM

CHARLES paces about as he rubs his temple.

SYSTEM

SOMETHING ON YOUR MIND, MR. REID?

CHARLES

There is a lot on my mind, none I'd like to put into words right now.

SYSTEM

HONESTY WOULD DO YOU WELL RIGHT NOW.

CHARLES

It's not a matter of honesty, it's a matter of feelings, something I doubt you would understand.

SYSTEM

WE ARE HERE TO DECIDE YOUR FUTURE, AND YOUR TEAM'S FUTURE, NOT THE MERITS OF HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT IT.

CHARLES

I know that all too well.

SYSTEM

THERE IS A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE IN YOUR LEADERSHIP, 15 DEMERITS ON YOUR RECORD, THE MOST BY ANY LEADER OF A RECLAIMING UNIT IN OPERATION TODAY, 128 FAILED MISSIONS, 1,356 DEAD, 687 OF THAT ON THE HANDS OF ONE MEMBER, AUSTIN BLACK, 8 FORMER MEMBERS, SIX OF THEM DEAD.

CHARLES

Quite a rap sheet there.

SYSTEM

YOU FIND NOTHING AT FAULT IN THESE NUMBERS?

CHARLES

Could you bring up my former RECLAIMING unit, with the same stats.

SYSTEM

OF COURSE...SCANNING...

CHARLES stands put as a DEVICE SCANS HIS RETNA'S over.

SYSTEM

38 DEMERITS BETWEEN THREE LEADERS, 289 FAILED MISSIONS, 3,434 BODY COUNT, FIFTEEN FORMER MEMBERS, 11 DEAD...

CHARLES

We were considered the prime ALPHA UNIT of our time.

SYSTEM

BUT THAT WAS OF A DIFFERENT TIME...

CHARLES

How do you see that? You haven't changed the rules, changes throughout the system have not changed, the hell we face then, pales almost in comparison to what happens now. Things are changing, the threats are getting bigger, looming and drawing closer and with bated breath we stand here arguing the merits of me and mine. Mistakes were made, and mistakes will be made, but you are making my unit out to be the worst there ever has been, but you compare us to what you considered the best...

SYSTEM

WHAT WE CONSIDERED THE BEST, WAS THAT OF THE PAST. YOU ARE JUDGED NOT BY WHAT CAME BEF0RE, BUT BY WHAT IS AROUND YOU, IN THAT COMPARISON YOU FAIL, BY A LARGE MARGIN. WE UNDERSTAND THAT CERTAIN THREATS LOOM BUT YOU FAIL TO UNDERSTAND THAT THE ONLY THING TO CORAL ORDER, IS TO ESTABLISH ORDER, ORDER THAT MUST FALL IN LINE, AND YOUR UNIT, FAILS TO DO SO.

CHARLES

We do what has to be done. Sometimes completing an objective isn't black and white.

SYSTEM

BUT GOING INTO EVERY JOB WITH THE IDEA THAT IT IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE GREY, IS YIELDING WHAT RESULTS?

CHARLES

I don't know.

SYSTEM

THAT WE CAN SEE.

CHARLES fumes as he doesn't have anything to come back with.

EXT. MISFIT HIDEOUT

BELPHEGOR comes around a LARGE TRUCK WITH A FLATBED ATTACHED TO IT, AS MEN WERE LOADING A LARGE DEVICE FROM A CRANE ONTO IT AS IT WAS COVERED IN A TARP, BELPHEGOR sports a new EYEPATCH as he comes over and directs what looks like a COMMANDO UNIT as CASSIE is running some numbers on her computer, pointing out spots on her screen and downloading the maps onto WRIST MONITORS.

JARED comes over as he nods at the preparation that was at hand, BELPHEGOR looking at him as JARED was not geared up like everyone else.

JARED

You have twenty three of some of our finest soldier's going with you on this, and I'm entrusting CASSIE'S well being in your hands, BELPHEGOR. Do not screw this up, this is an essential phase, if this goes off without a hitch, we will be in the beginning stages of the new world order, and then...we save this world.

BELPHEGOR

I will not fail you, JARED.

JARED

If you do...and you survive, it would be in your best interest to hide, because if I see you again upon your failure...I will kill your. Am I understood?

BELPHEGOR

Yes, sir.

JARED

Then make me proud, my friend.

JARED pounds his chest into BELPHEGOR'S VEST, BELPHEGOR smiling as he shouts an order and mounts up into the TRUCK, CASSIE giving JARED a look who nods at her, CASSIE nodding back in her understanding as she gets into a JEEP with a few others as the CONVOY begins heading out, JARED watching as they go as he turns and heads back into the COMPOUND.

INT. THE TAVERN

AUSTIN, ANTHONY, and NIKKI sat in a booth near the back end of the TAVERN as EMMA and SHANE sat at the BAR, AJAX at the end talking up some guys as EMMA was finishing her third beer as SHANE was still sipping on his first.

EMMA

I thought you could drink?

SHANE

I can but I was in here last night drinking a little too much so I'm a pull back on the throttle tonight, but don't let me stop you.

EMMA

You're not.

SHANE

Are you okay?

EMMA

I don't look like it?

SHANE

I mean, you look fine, but I mean...

EMMA

I know what you meant.

EMMA burps and sets her beer down as she reaches over and grabs another one, AJAX eying her but doesn't do anything about it as she pops the top and takes a large sip.

SHANE

So they left you high and dry...

EMMA

Yeah..

SHANE

I can see AUSTIN doing that, that doesn't shock me so much, but...NIKKI?

EMMA

Don't let NIKKI'S stick in her ass deter you from her still being a person.

SHANE

True.

EMMA

Look SHANE, I just...I don't want to talk about it.

SHANE

If you don't it's just going to fester, and then it's going to implode on all of us when we need to happen least so just...try?

EMMA

What do you want me to say about it? Huh? I mean seriously what do you want me to say? How I was abandoned, How they left me to track down a crazy fucking...

SHANE

Okay, whoa scale back the seething rage and the crazy, just...at your own time in calm and rational...

EMMA pushes SHANE hard, SHANE having to grab the table to stop from falling off of his stool as EMMA laughs, SHANE looking at her with a smirk as he shakes his head and finishes his beer.

ANTHONY looks at them as NIKKI and AUSTIN are sitting across from each other, not looking directly into each other as ANTHONY looks at the TWO.

ANTHONY

She said anything to you guys about it?

AUSTIN

She voiced her frustration while we were there, If it's not smoothed over yet, then...it is what it is.

NIKKI

Of course she's not going to right now, she's pissed. I would be too if someone did what we did to her to me.

AUSTIN

You got something you need to get off your chest? Because you're just as guilty in this as I was.

NIKKI

I'm not trying to argue or start a fight about it, I just seem to care more is all.

AUSTIN

Oh fuck off.

ANTHONY

Nice to see the love is still strong between you two.

BOTH

Shut up, ANTHONY.

INT. WHITE ROOM

SYSTEM

WE WANT YOU TO GIVE US A FAIR AND UNBIASED OPINION ON THE MEN AND WOMEN IN YOUR EMPLOY, AND WHOM YOU SERVE.

CHARLES

Like I have a choice in the matter. Go on.

SYSTEM

ANTHONY FERRA

CHARLES

Loyal. Dependable, capable, not the best fighter or bounty hunter but...has a real knack for reaping though.

SYSTEM

IT DOES NOT BOTHER YOU THAT HE IS NOT FIELD CAPABLE OF PROVIDING REAL ASSISTANCE?

CHARLES

Everyone has their worth. His just isn't in a fight, not yet at least.

SYSTEM

AUSTIN BLACK.

CHARLES

Wreck-loose, self absorbed idiot. A pretty boy savant more interested in himself then anybody else. He's also probably the best damn RECLAIMER south of maybe CHRISTIAN or myself in my heyday.

SYSTEM

DAMNING CHARACTERISTICS WITH HIGH PRAISE? HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT?

CHARLES

AUSTIN is flawed, but who isn't? AUSTIN'S flaws lead to more trouble than good, but the good that can come from it, is invaluable. And I have hope...hope that one day something or someone will ease whatever trouble lies in AUSTINS' soul...and when that happens he will reach his potential.

SYSTEM

NIKKI LYNN.

CHARLES

Tough. Good hearted, lost. Precise, and calculating, shrewd almost, but tender and focused.

SYSTEM

FOCUSED SEEMS A BIT OF A STRETCH GIVEN THE RECENT INVOLVEMENT OF HER ABANDONING A TEAM MATE.

CHARLES

She too is not without fault. I said lost because she is, especially when it comes to her misplaced and perhaps misguided affection towards AUSTIN. I think should they finally come to a definitive agreement upon what they are, both of them would reach heights beyond what they know now.

SYSTEM

YET FOR SOME TIME NOW, NEITHER HAS DONE SO, AND THEREFORE THEIR ACTIONS HAVE RESULTED IN SOME OF THE MOST DISTURBING AND TROUBLING DEMERITS YOU HAVE RECEIVED

CHARLES

I'm not saying it's not, I’m merely stating what we both know as fact.

SYSTEM

EMMA LAIN

CHARLES

Kind. Determined, broken, weak, yet...resilient.

SYSTEM

EXPLAIN

CHARLES

EMMA is too sweet to be a RECLAIMER, and then sometimes she's too wild for it. But what gets lost in the middle of all of that is her never wavering determination to succeed, to snatch that big score, to help land a criminal, to just...contribute. But she doubts herself...and I imagine now she doubts the others more so than she ever did before. She's broken. I know that what AUSTIN and NIKKI did was only bringing that aspect of her forward into a light I don't think she was quite ready to tackle. She made sure the job got done, at least as much as it could, but not before she felt the need to run back, to escape. That's why she's weak. A RECLAIMER would never run, no matter what happens, no matter the odds, but at the end of the day, I know I can count on her being there, and that's where her resiliency comes in.

SYSTEM

WE BELIEVE SHE IS THE MOST LEVEL MINDED OF YOUR CREW, MR. REID, SHE WILL BE A SAVING GRACE, NOT A WEAKNESS.

CHARLES

I believe it.

SYSTEM

YOUR NEWEST MEMBER, SHANE YATES.

CHARLES

It's hard to pin something on SHANE, he's so new to this.

SYSTEM

TRY.

CHARLES

I guess what I can say from the time we've spent together is that he reminds me of...me. Or COLBY, or LANCE...someone from the old days I guess, the way RECLAIMING was. Always thinking outside the box, looking at the Grey, questioning and bucking against the very foundation of the job we do. But he does it to the end, does what's right, not what I dub as right, or even the parameters in which this SYSTEM does, but what he feels. Granted it's not always right, but he's prime to something special.

SYSTEM

IF BY SPECIAL, YOU MEAN TROUBLE, THEN THAT WOULD SEEM TO BEST FIT WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED AND SEEN OUT OF HIM.

CHARLES

He may surprise you yet.

SYSTEM

YOUR OVERSEER, TERESA COLPAERT.

CHARLES

What is there to say?

SYSTEM

ARE YOUR ROMANTIC FEELINGS FOR HER OVER COMPLICATING WHAT IS A FAIRLY SERIOUS QUESTION?

CHARLES

I think my relationship with TERESA stems from a place of pure professionalism and...

SYSTEM

YOU CANNOT HIDE THE DESIRE IN YOUR HEART, YOU ARE MELDED WITH US, MIND AND SOUL, WE SEE EVERYTHING INSIDE YOU, WE KNOW EVERYTHING YOU ARE TO THINK AND SAY PRIOR TO YOU SAYING IT. WE HAVE KNOWN ABOUT YOUR ROMANTIC TRISTS WITH TERESA FOR SOME TIME, AND NOW IS THE TIME TO SAY WHAT YOU FEEL MUST BE SAID ABOUT THE MERITS OF YOUR BUSINESS, AND PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.

CHARLES shakes his head as he snickers to himself.

CHARLES

Of course you do...well...why say anything at all if you know what I am going to say?

SYSTEM

WE DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT NATURE OF THE WORDS SPOKEN, ONLY THE FRAME OF THOUGHT THAT IS TO BE EXPRESSED.

CHARLES

TERESA is my boss, a good person. Stern, and bound by regulation and tape and all the other bureaucratic bullshit you put in place, but she has shown nothing but infinite fucking patience and understanding with me, even if she hates it, even if it makes her job hell, makes her reputation less then what she desires it to be.

SYSTEM

BUT DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IS BECAUSE OF LOYALTY TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM, OR BECAUSE OF HER FEELINGS TOWARDS YOU?

CHARLES

I can't answer that, only she can.

SYSTEM

WE KNOW THE ANSWER, THE QUESTION IS, DO YOU?

CHARLES

No, and I don't care to know. She's stuck with us, and I believe regardless of whether it's because of me or not, she will stick with us...

SYSTEM

IS THAT SO? THEN IT MAY DISMAY YOU TO KNOW THAT SHE HAS A CURRENTLY PENDING TRANSFER INVOICE THAT SHE HAS YET TO CONFIRM THAT WOULD TRANSFER OVERSEER DUTIES OF THE UNEVENTFULS FROM HERSELF, TO BENJAMIN.

CHARLES

What...?

SYSTEM

ALL THAT IS NEEDED IS HER CONFIRMATION PIN, AND THIS UNIT NO LONGER BECOMES THE BLACK EYED STAIN SHE SEES IT AS.

CHARLES

She won't...

SYSTEM

AS WE HAVE SAID...ALL THAT IS NEEDED IS THE CONFIRM...

CHARLES

I don't care what you say! She won't...

SYSTEM

IS YOUR FAITH IN HER SHATTERED? IS WHAT YOU BELIEVED YOU SAID ABOUT THOSE UNDER YOUR CARE IN DOUBT? YOU CANNOT HIDE YOUR FEELINGS.

CHARLES

You wanna know how I fucking feel about it! Is that what you want!? You want me to say what I really wanna say?!

SYSTEM

IT IS ALL WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR.

CHARLES huffs and shakes his head, laying his back against a FAR WHITE WALL to his LEFT, CHARLES dropping onto his bottom as he holds back tears as he rubs his head, lost in thought.

CHARLES

I'm tired...Tired of the collateral damage, of the paperwork, and the bullshit that it comes with. Tired of placing my faith in people who do nothing but let me down...who step on every chance of reprieve I give them, who care more for the payday...for the body count, for the glory that they think there is. I'm tired of mentoring people who don't want to be mentored, or caring for people who may not be around the next day because I've sent them possibly to their deaths, lord knows I've had too many of those days before. I'm tired of demerits, and fucking...failing. As a leader, as a RECLAIMER, as a man. I've lived more lifetimes than most people will never know, and all that's brought me is pain and disappointment.

SYSTEM

THAT IS QUITE A REVELATION, MR. REID.

CHARLES

Like you didn't already know...

SYSTEM

BE THAT AS THAT MAY...WE HAVE CONSIDERED A LOT OF DIFFERENT SOLUTIONS TO THIS CURRENT DILEMMA THAT WE FIND THIS UNIT IN, AND BASED UPON WHAT WE HAVE HEARD AND GATHERED WE HAVE DECIDED THAT PERHAPS THIS IS NOT A MATTER OF SIMPLY RENDERING A VERDICT BASED UPON BLACK AND WHITE, AS YOU MIGHT THINK. SO INSTEAD, WE LEAVE THE VERDICT TO YOU, A LEADER WHO BELIEVES IN THE GREY. MR. REID, IF THE UNEVENTFUL CONTINUE, IT WILL ONLY BE IF YOU SAY THEY DO...TAKE YOUR TIME...

CHARLES doesn't know what to say as he nods to acknowledge that he understood the gravity of the choice he was given.

INT. TERESA'S OFFICE

TERESA stares at the FORM on her computer screen as COLBY looks a bit dejected as he sits in the chair still across from her, TERESA looking at the SCREEN as the CONFIRMATION CODE was awaiting her.

There is a slight rap at the DOOR before the DOOR OPENS and BENJAMIN steps inside, COLBY giving him a look as BENJAMIN smirks, COLBY standing as he creases his suit.

COLBY

I'm a go find the group, you let me know how this turns out?

TERESA

Of course.

COLBY

BEN...

BENJAMIN

COLBY.

The TWO exchange inquisitive looks before COLBY EXITS.

BENJAMIN comes over towards where COLBY had been sitting, BENJAMIN sitting down as TERESA looks at him.

TERESA

Something I can help you with, BENJAMIN?

BENJAMIN

I just wanted to say that you're making the right decision.

TERESA

I haven't made any decision yet.

BENJAMIN

I saw the transfer file is already pending, and I've already entered in my confirmation code to accept the change should you allow it to happen, all that it hinges on now, is your code.

TERESA

Yes, that I am more than aware of.

BENJAMIN

This is not a bad idea, TERESA. I am a ANGEL of my word, as we both are, I will transfer a group to you in exchange, there is no need to feel defeated by anything that has happened in regards to this.

TERESA

I am not defeated, I am merely...thinking about exploring opportunistic professional advancements that perhaps this move will provide.

BENJAMIN

And this very much will be that opportunity. A lot of the others are talking, disparagingly sure, but they understand that everything evolving around them is not on you, not all of it. Some groups can't be helped.

TERESA

But you think you can?

BENJAMIN

I don't know, I just think they need a different direction, one a little bit more...

TERESA

I think you've made a point.

BENJAMIN

Again, you're taking this more negative then it is as a positive.

TERESA

I understand both sides of this coin, I understand the failings and the shortcomings I have brought upon myself and my team, and that they have brought upon me, but do not think me foolish for believing in them. And do not think I am going to quit so easily.

BENJAMIN

Don't think of it as quitting. Think of it as...expanding. Take your time, I see my presence is not making the most profound impact on your judgment.

TERESA

Don't be so sure.

BENJAMIN

I suppose that's my cue to exit before I add further. TERESA, as lovely as you were yesterday, you are just as lovely if not more so then you have ever been, good day.

TERESA

Good day to you too, BENJAMIN.

BENJAMIN stands as he smiles and heads out, closing her door as TERESA leans back in her seat, now lost in even more thought and confusion, TERESA looking at the screen as she rubs her face and looks away.

EXT. SYSTEM BUILDING

The FLAT BED pulls up near the LEFT SIDE of the SYSTEM BUILDING as BELPHEGOR looks the building over before smirking.

BELPHEGOR

Move the device into position, and have CASSIE prepare the CODEX...strike units, prepare for infiltration.

BELPHEGOR watches as the JEEPS pull about circling around the SYSTEM BUILDING as BELPHEGOR and the TRUCK pulling the FLAT BED head off as well.

INT. TAVERN

COLBY enters as he notices everyone sitting together, COLBY coming over with a smile as he grabs an unused CHAIR and pulls it up to the booth as the FIVE greet him with a cheer and raised bottles.

COLBY

For a group on the brink of being split up you seem to be in offly high spirits.

EMMA

Sometimes you just gotta say fuck it, ain't that right, COLBY?

COLBY

I guess so.

AUSTIN

What's the word? Any news on our belated fates?

COLBY

None. Last I heard they were still talking to CHARLES...and there's also something. Something you guys should be aware of in case the band stays together.

SHANE

What's going on?

COLBY

TERESA may be switching off as our OVERSEER.

EMMA

She's what?

ANTHONY

Really?

NIKKI

Oh my...

SHANE

Ha.

COLBY

Well of course you may not have the same affinity for her as the rest of us but she's a good person, and a good boss.

EMMA

She really is, SHANE...why would she give us up?

COLBY

Sometimes things are just too much...

EMMA

Oh...

NIKKI

In other words we fucked up one to many times for her to handle.

COLBY

Perhaps, but I wouldn't count on her giving up on us just yet.

AUSTIN

What makes you say that?

COLBY

She's as stubborn as CHARLES, how ever much they fret about the situation they're in, they usually find a way to come around.

NIKKI

COLBY, be real with us...are we...

COLBY

I don't know. I really don't think it could go either way.

EMMA

Well, we were just discussing what we all will do should we get split up.

COLBY

Oh?

SHANE

Yeah, seems a few of us here aren't keen on staying in the business if they disband us.

COLBY

Oh is that so?

SHANE

Yeah, I mean I like the auto work I'm doing with BRUTUS at the shop, but I think I'd stay in.

AUSTIN

Yeah, me too.

NIKKI

I wouldn't, fuck it you know? I'd just devote my time more at the HOSPITAL, you know, giving back.

COLBY

I'm sure ANTHONY is giving it up.

ANTHONY

Hey!

EMMA

Oh don't bitch up you know it's true.

ANTHONY

I have a very successful film career, in hindsight I could've given this up a long time ago. And to a degree I have, hell until recently I haven't been doing much in the field, but I think I'd join another group if I could work just exclusively on reaps.

COLBY

EMMA?

EMMA

Oh...I haven't decided. There's always pros and cons.

NIKKI

EMMA...

EMMA

It wasn't an invitation to bring it up.

NIKKI

If we don't, EMMA...

EMMA

You guys abandoned me, left me in the thralls of a crazy fucking warlock and now all of this stems off of you and AUSTIN being to caught up in each other and yourselves to give a fuck! Excuse me...

SHANE quickly gets out of the booth as EMMA storms out of the TAVERN, SHANE looking at NIKKI as NIKKI looks away shamefully, AUSTIN shrugging as he takes a drink from his beer as ANTHONY looks a bit uncomfortable as COLBY looks up at SHANE.

COLBY

Go, talk to her.

SHANE

I think she just needs some space.

COLBY

You would think that, but maybe she needs someone from this group to be there for her, even when she doesn't want them to be...

SHANE nods as he heads out as COLBY smirks. COLBY looking to the others as AUSTIN snickers to himself.

AUSTIN

That was cheesy as fuck.

COLBY

Coming from the guy who caused most of this rift, that's quite a thing to judge.

AUSTIN scoffs as COLBY orders a beer once he catches AJAX'S eye.

EXT. TAVERN

EMMA is crying as she hurriedly walks down the street away from the TAVERN, SHANE spotting her before she turns the corner as he jogs and quickly walks up to her, cutting her off as she walks around him, SHANE keeping pace with her.

SHANE

EMMA...EMMA, stop, EMMA!

EMMA

What!?

SHANE cuts her off again as she stops, wiping her eyes as SHANE goes to say something but stops himself as EMMA just lets it all come out, SHANE wrapping his arms around her as he pulls her to his chest, SHANE not saying anything as EMMA cries into his chest.

INT. WHITE ROOM

CHARLES stands finally from his sitting position in the WHITE ROOM as CHARLES comes and stands in the center of the room, not saying anything for a few moments.

SYSTEM

HAVE YOU COME TO A DECISION.

CHARLES

Yes.

SYSTEM

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY BEFORE RENDERING US WITH YOUR VERDICT?

CHARLES

I had a good friend, an angel who became part of the system. He was known as JAVIER. Is he present?

SYSTEM

JAVIER IS US AND WE ARE HIM, HIS PRESENCE WILL FOREVER BE HERE WITH YOU AS PART OF THE SYSTEM, MR. REID.

CHARLES

JAVIER...If there is any part of you left, then I know you will understand, more than the others...I'm a beaten man. Emotionally, physically, spiritually, everything if you wanna get down to it. I've lost more friends, lovers, superiors, and partners alike in this line of work since I arrived in the FRINGE. People like to say that only the living in the living world truly understand the merits of life, but I don't think that's true at all...

EXT. STREET CORNER

SHANE continued to hold EMMA as she was still crying.

CHARLES

(O.S.)

This existence is full of pain...full of tears and uncertainties...

INT. THE TAVERN

The REMAINING group sat in the booth, saying nothing to each other as there seemed to be nothing left to be said.

CHARLES

(O.S.)

For everything that we do to be like how we were, time doesn't allow us to settle into a place where normality is given, sometimes normality is this...chaos, violence, order...whatever you chalk it up to be.

INT. TERESA'S OFFICE

TERESA looks out the window, TERESA nodding as she comes over to her DESK and sits down, the CONFIRMATION SCREEN still up as she reaches over to it.

CHARLES

(O.S.)

No matter what we do, reclaiming...working at a diner, a bar...fixing cars...dating women...hoping for a future after a life ends...that's all smoke and mirrors. Because what matters most...is preserving the idea that such a world can exist, even if you can't be a part of it...

TERESA goes to enter the pin, but stops herself as she shakes her head and cancels the code, swiping the screen away as she sits back in her chair with a relieved but also UNsure look.

INT. WHITE ROOM

CHARLES

That's what the UNEVENTFUL are...we were outcasts when we were alive...and together, no matter how many times we stumble and fall, or even get into each others own way...even if we let each other down...we'll find a way to stick together...to pick each other up, and to get each others backs...that's what we've always done, and that's what we'll always do. I'll be damned if I'll be the one to give up on us. We may never get what we want from this place, but we fight for it, and we fight for each other.

SYSTEM

WE SEE...AND THIS IS YOUR FINAL VERDICT?

CHARLES

Yes.

SYSTEM

THE UNEVENTFUL WILL BE REINSTATED UNDER BRAVO RANK, AND YOU MR. REID WILL BE DEMERITED FOR A 16TH TIME, UNDERSTOOD?

CHARLES

Yes.

SYSTEM

THIS DEMERIT WILL EXTEND TO TEAM MEMBERS AUSTIN BLACK, AND NIKKI LYNN, WHO WILL BE PLACED ON A THREE MISSION SUSPENSION WITHOUT PAY, EMMA LAIN WILL TAKE HALF A DEMERIT WITH ONE MISSION SUSPENSION AND NO PAY FOR SAID MISSION. TEAM MEMBERS SHANE YATES, AND ANTHONY FERRA WILL BE PLACED ON PROBATION DUE TO PRIOR INCIDENTS AND AS A MANDATE FOR YOUR DEMERIT. DO YOU AGREE?

CHARLES

Yes.

SYSTEM

THEN YOU ARE HEREBY REINSTATED, MR. REID. YOU WILL ALSO BE PLEASED TO KNOW THAT TERESA CANCELLED THE TRANSFERAL REQUEST, YOU WILL STILL BE UNDER HER OVERSIGHT.

CHARLES

No doubt in my mind.

SYSTEM

BEFORE YOU LEAVE, MR. REID, THERE IS ONE MORE QUESTION WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU.

CHARLES

Couldn't leave if I wanted too, so go ahead.

SYSTEM

YOU SAID THAT YOU BELIEVE THIS WORLD IS TAILORED TO BE THAT OF A PAINFUL AND WRETCHED EXISTENCE, HOWEVER WE BELIEVE YOU FAIL TO TRULY UNDERSTAND THE MEANING BEHIND THE FRINGE. THE FRINGE IS A WORLD THAT WAS FORMALLY POPULATED BY BEINGS WHICH KNOWS NOTHING BUT DESTRUCTION AND CHAOS, A DARKNESS SO UNTAMED THAT EVEN THE LIKES OF HELL ITSELF SOUGHT TO BRING TO IT ORDER, AS THEY STILL DO TODAY. TOGETHER, WE, THE REPRESENTATIVES OF HEAVEN AND HELL, BRING THE LIKES OF SOULS LIKE YOURSELF, LOST, FORGOTTEN, OR SOMETHING IN BETWEEN TO FIND THEIR OWN BALANCE, TO FIND THEIR CALLING THAT YOU DID NOT GET TO ACHIEVE BEFORE YOU DEATH. THE FRINGE IS NOT HEAVEN AND HELL, YOUR ACTIONS LEAD YOU TO THIS WORLD OF GREY. WE ARE HERE, TO TRY AND INSTILL THAT LINE OF BLACK AND WHITE.

CHARLES

Where's the question to this?

SYSTEM

WHEN THE WORLD YOU LIVE IN IS MADE UP ENTIRELY OF GREY, DO YOU BELIEVE YOURSELF TO BE HELPING BY ONLY ADDING TO IT'S GREYNESS? WE WALK THE LINES OF BLACK AND WHITE BECAUSE IN ORDER TO ESTABLISH THAT BALANCE OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY, THERE MUST BE LINES DRAW. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO ANSWER, MERELY...THINK ON IT, AND ANSWER IT YOURSELF WHEN THE TIME COMES.

CHARLES seems hit hard by the question and all it entailed as suddenly there is a flash and CHARLES is standing in a normal room, CHARLES looking about at the empty plain room as he takes a deep breath and heads out.

INT. TERESA'S OFFICE

TERESA is typing and filing out logs, as her printer was printing out sheets of paper with strange symbols on it as there is a rap at her door, TERESA rolling her eyes as she looks at it dreadfully before she sees that it's CHARLES, CHARLES looking in tentatively before he steps in after he sees her.

CHARLES

Mind if I...?

TERESA

No...no, come on in. Close the door.

CHARLES does as he comes over and stands by the window, TERESA expecting him to take a seat but smirks as he doesn't as CHARLES leans against the window sideways, glancing outside at the street below as he notices a JEEP come into view before parking a few spots away from the building.

CHARLES

They're letting us stick together.

TERESA

I know, memo just got sent a few moments ago, I was just printing up the dossiers and demerit forms for the group.

CHARLES

Yeah, I imagine that's what you want to be doing right now...

TERESA

What else would I be doing?

CHARLES

I know, okay.

TERESA

...COLBY?

CHARLES

No, the SYSTEM decided to bust my balls a bit, as they tend to do.

TERESA

I...

CHARLES

You don't have to answer it if you don't want too but...I have to ask...why...didn't you transfer? Your life, your job, would be so much better without us...I wouldn't have faulted you for doing what was best for your career here.

TERESA

CHARLES...Like me and you, it's just not that simple.

CHARLES

Ha, tell me about it.

TERESA

It's true...I wanted it so badly, CHARLES. Everything in me said that this was the right thing to do. When you get the chance to move up, an instant upgrade as they say, why wouldn't you leap at that opportunity?

CHARLES

Why didn't you?

TERESA

Because I don't quit. No matter what I said to myself, trying to convince myself that this was the right thing to do...it still felt like all I was doing was quitting...giving up on what I started...and I wasn't going to do that. I couldn't be that person. So yeah, I chose career hell...but I'm hoping maybe with all that's happened...with all that could still happen...maybe you and yours find a way to change that. Though I'm not counting on it.

CHARLES

They gave me the choice. Of whether or not to disband the group or not.

TERESA

Did they really think you were going to do otherwise?

CHARLES

Yes. Because they knew I wanted to.

TERESA

What?

CHARLES

Since I found out what happened with EMMA and the others...and then what happened to us here with the whole soul thing...I felt this overwhelming sense of...nothing. An emptiness that encompassed everything about me, and in that moment, and every moment leading up to that hearing I just felt like I was done, and If I was done, there was nothing and no one to trust in keeping the UNEVENTFUL going. And even though I said no, even though I'm more committed to seeing this through, and doing it with those guys and gals there's a part of me that's always going to look back on this, on this day...and wonder...whether or not I made a mistake...

TERESA

That's dangerous thinking, CHARLES.

CHARLES

Don't I know it.

TERESA

CHARLES...

CHARLES looks at her as she looks into his eyes, sympathetically.

TERESA

You made the right call.

CHARLES

You too.

TERESA nods as CHARLES moves away from the window, TERESA turning back to her computer as she motions him towards the door.

TERESA

I'm sure the group would like to hear the good news so if you don't mind, I think I need to be finishing up here.

CHARLES

Need me to take any of those files yet?

TERESA

No, I'll have COLBY send them to you tomorrow, I'm sure you'll be at your DINER...

CHARLES

Can't break tradition.

TERESA rolls her eyes as CHARLES heads out, CHARLES casting a final glance back at her as TERESA was back at it with her computer, CHARLES shutting the door as he heads towards the ELEVATOR on the far side of the OFFICE, CHARLES noticing as TWO MEN appeared out of it, CHARLES taking note that they weren't ANGEL or DEMON as the ENTIRE FLOOR was MADE UP OF CLERICAL ANGELS AND DEMONS.

CHARLES gets into the ELEVATOR as he presses the button for the ground floor as CHARLES looks about suspiciously.

INT. TAVERN

SOME TIME LATER

CHARLES comes into the TAVERN as he looks about the BAR, not seeing anyone as he raises an eyebrow and grabs his cell phone, CHARLES scrolling down to SHANE'S NAME but stops himself from calling as he smirks and leaves.

EXT. DINER

CHARLES arrives outside the DINER as the SUN is beginning to set in the distance, CHARLES smirking as he heads inside.

INT. DINER

CHARLES steps inside as CINDY smirks at him and waves him over, CHARLES looking at her curiously as he comes over and slowly begins to grin as he notices the UNEVENTFUL and COLBY sitting together at a table, EMMA seeing him first as she waves him over, the others standing as CHARLES shakes hands and hugs his group as CINDY brings another chair over, CHARLES taking a seat as COLBY pats him on the shoulder, the others already with their food as CHARLES quickly orders as he looks about proudly.

CHARLES

The hell are you guys doing here, I thought you'd still be at the TAVERN?

EMMA

It was getting too heavy there for my tastes, SHANE decided we needed some good food to kinda...chill us all out you know?

CHARLES

Good choice, SHANE.

SHANE

Learned from the best.

CHARLES smirks as AUSTIN looks at CHARLES.

AUSTIN

So? We fuck up too bad or are we still kicking?

CHARLES notices a hush silence as everyone looks at him.

CHARLES

We're still kicking. Albeit with some restrictions and some punishments for a few of you.

The GROUP looks a bit relieved as EMMA isn't sure what to think as he takes a drink from her orange juice as CHARLES notices the same look she has on her face as he had had the same look not too long ago. COLBY smirks as he wraps an arm around CHARLES.

COLBY

I know it was hard. But I'm glad you came through for them. And for yourself.

CHARLES

Yeah. I guess we'll find out.

CHARLES smirks as COLBY nudges him, SHANE and ANTHONY nodding at him as CHARLES subtle nods back, CHARLES looking his crew over as CINDY brings his drink over, CHARLES watching the varying personalities of his unit as he smiles and seems more confident about the choice he made.

INT. SYSTEM BUILDING-TERRACE

BELPHEGOR steps inside as he looks the area over, BELPHEGOR spotting the FOUR GUARDS as one was posted near the ELEVATOR'S as TWO were standing near the FRONT and one was roaming about the hall, BELPHEGOR taking note that they were all ANGELS.

BELPHAGOR cracks his neck as he walks in, arms raised as the TWO ANGELS STOP him and check him over, batting him down as BELPHEGOR notices one of his COMMANDO'S TAKE OUT THE ANGEL GUARD near the ELEVATOR as the other roamer was taken down soon after.

ANGEL GUARD

State of visit to the SYSTEM?

BELPHEGOR

Potential employment as a RECLAIMER.

ANGEL GUARD

Identification Card?

BELPHEGOR

Yes, here...

BELPHAGOR hands the ANGEL GUARD an ID CARD as the ANGEL GUARD scans it, BELPHEGOR waiting for a moment before the ID CARD tings loudly, the ANGEL GUARD going for his blade but BELPHAGOR slams his fist into the ANGELS HEAD, the SECOND ANGEL GUARD drawing quickly and takes a swipe at BELPHEGOR but BELPHEGOR moves his body quickly and shoulders the ANGEL GUARD DOWN, one of the COMMANDO'S sliding a LARGE BATTLE AXE over towards BELPHEGOR as BELPHEGOR kicks it up and uses it to block an ANGEL GUARD'S attack before he knocks the ANGEL GUARD'S ARMS UP and cuts it's head off, BELPHEGOR quickly blocking the last ANGEL GUARD'S attack as he kicks the ANGEL GUARD away before he catches a PISTOL that was thrown towards him, BELPHEGOR firing three times as the BULLET PIERCES the ANGEL where his HEART would be, BELPHEGOR coming over as he then decapitates the ANGEL GUARD'S BODY, BELPHEGOR watching as his UNIT comes up towards him as BELPHEGOR nods and pushes in his ear piece.

BELPHEGOR

CASSIE...It's time.

CASSIE

(O.S.)

Alright, starting it up.

BELPHEGOR

All unit's...shut it down.

BELPHEGOR smirks to himself as he hears the confirmation orders going about.

INT. OVERSEER FLOOR

TERESA comes out of her OFFICE as some OVERSEER'S are conversing to each other as TERESA waves at a few of the MEN who ogle her, TERESA rolling her eyes as she comes to the PUBLIC PRINTER and begins copying multiple files as suddenly the ELEVATOR DOOR BURST OPEN FROM AN EXPLOSION, TERESA falling over as she quickly scrambles and crawls towards her office but stops as she notices FOUR COMMANDO'S firing about, shooting OVERSEER'S down and shouting orders as one tosses a GRENADE like device that sends out a powerful CONCUSSIVE BLAST, TERESA hit with the brunt of it as she is knocked unconscious as are most of the ANGELS AND DEMONS on the floor.

Each of the FIFTEEN FLOORS are hit almost exactly the same way as BELPHEGOR reaches the top floor and steps out with TWO COMMANDOS, BELPHEGOR walking into the room that CHARLES was in earlier as he closes his only good EYE as the room suddenly shifts back towards the WHITE ROOM.

BELPHEGOR

The SYSTEM itself.

SYSTEM

A HOSTILE TAKEOVER OF THIS BUILDING IS FUTILE, ALL RESPONSE UNITS ARE CURRENTLY CONVERGING, YOU WILL NOT LEAVE HERE WITH YOUR LIVES...YOUR ONLY CHANCE OF REPRIEVE IS TO GIVE YOURSELF UP AND...

BELPHEGOR

You are no longer in charge. As of this moment, there will be no SYSTEM to corral and blind the masses. We, the MISFITS are liberating the people from your grasps, and then...we will save everyone from a fate worse than death. CASSIE...

EXT. ADJACENT BUILDING

In a BUILDING across the street from the SYSTEM BUILDING, CASSIE turns to a set of COMPUTERS as it was hard linked into a LARGE ORB LIKE DEVICE THAT WAS GLOWING GREEN AND BLUE, CASSIE typing in an algorithm before she grins and presses a button.

CASSIE

Goodnight, Gracie.

INT. WHITE ROOM

BELPHEGOR watches as suddenly the WHITE ROOM begins to flicker and the voice of the SYSTEM cuts and scrambles rapidly and randomly for a few moments before completely buzzing out, BELPHEGOR looking about before he watches as the WHITE ROOM suddenly dissipates and morphs back into the REGULAR ROOM, BELPHEGOR smiling to himself as he closes his eye and begins to laugh.

BELPHEGOR

CASSIE, patch our boss into the feeds, it's time we let the FRINGE know who's in charge.

CASSIE

(O.S.)

You got it.

BELPHAGOR walks out of the room as the COMMANDO'S follow suit.

INT. DINER

CHARLES stands as the EMERGENCY SIRENS were going off before suddenly a VOICE can be heard as if it were coming from a loudspeaker, CHARLES on edge as everyone in the DINER was looking about confused, as the FRINGE populace was stopped in their tracks as the sound and voice can be heard from every corner of the FRINGE.

JARED

(O.S.)

Citizens of the FRINGE. This is your new representative and figurehead, JARED MORTON, leader of the paramilitary coalition task force known to most of you as the MISFITS. For a long time, we have planned for this day, a day of freedom, or liberation. The SYSTEM, which all of you have come to follow like sheep, is no more. Wiped from this world thanks to something we call, the CODEX...

NIKKI

Oh god...

SHANE

How did they assemble one so soon?!

COLBY

Quiet!

JARED

(O.S.)

We have taken over the SYSTEM BUILDING, and are keeping the workers inside as hostages for the time being, though we wish no harm to befall them, any attempt on retaking that building, will result in massive casualties and fallout.

EMMA

TERESA...

CHARLES balls his fists angrily as he was shaking.

JARED

(O.S.)

For the time being, we advise everyone to go back to doing what they were doing, as we...deal with the response and work out some new kinks in our new regime. When the time comes I will be issuing new decrees and laws that are to be followed, anyone doing otherwise will be dealt with swiftly. You are witnessing change and history, brothers and sisters, and soon, you will see the folly of the SYSTEM'S ways, and your eyes will be opened to something far greater than you could even imagine. We are your liberators, and we will be your saving grace. Believe in the MISFITS. JARED, OUT.

The SIRENS and the VOICE FEED dies as CHARLES'S world seems to be spinning as SHANE comes up to CHARLES.

SHANE

Boss...what do we do?

CHARLES looks at the UNEVENTFUL as they all had determined and hardened looks in their eyes, CHARLES nodding as he looks at each and everyone of them.

CHARLES

We do what we do best...

CHARLES turns and heads out as CINDY says nothing and lets them go, CHARLES leading the charge as back at the SYSTEM BUILDING, TERESA is being moved into an area with other knocked out ANGELS and DEMONS, CHARLES sneering as he storms down the street, as from all over the FRINGE, anarchy and chaos was beginning to break out. CHARLES marching through it undeterred as the others follow suit.

FADE OUT

END OF EPISODE.