Refugee

[We are in Yuna's chamber. It's dark, and she's sleeping.]

Gen: [beep] Yuna, wake up.

[The lights come on.]

Gen: [beep] Yuna, wake up. [She stirs and blinks herself awake.] Report to Command Deck. Lifepod distress signal received.

[So she changes into her clothes and goes to the Command Deck, and gets there at the same time as Reb and Bren.]

Reb: What the hell is a lifepod doing all the way out here? We're not close to any outposts.

Bren: Must be empty--no one can survive in a lifepod for more than a few of weeks.

Yuna: 'kay, the scanners got it. Here it is.

[The lifepod appears on the screen.]

Yuna: Bren, what do you make of it?

Bren: Scanning for any concealed weaponry, covert devices...nothing malicious or subversive that I can see.

Reb: [at the computer console] Well, infered shows there's probably a human lifeform on board. Yuna, bring her aboard.

[Reb and Bren leave the Command Deck.]

[They've put whoever it is on a stretcher and Lise, Gret, Reb and Bren are on the way to the medbay, Lise scanning the person.]

Lise: Her vitals are weak, but she's alive. I'm going to give her a stimulant.

[They reach the medbay and the person's on a table now. Lise is typing at the terminal.]

Lise: Well, she's got no injuries, her vital signs are normal, but she's not waking up. I did find unusual traces of chemistry in her bloodstream. Gret, I'd like you to do a genetic mapping for me.

[Gret nods and gets on it.]

Reb: Well, as soon as she regains consciousness and she's lucid, I want to talk to her. I want to know where she's from and what's she's doing out here.

[Reb, Yuna and Zak are on the Command Deck, scanning the lifepod.]

Zak: This lifepod has been retrofitted for cryosleep function.

Yuna: So crawl in and it's lights out until the next stop.

Reb: Well, here's something our pods don't have. Hyperspace capability. It should be impossible but this thing's been zipping all around space for over a year.

Zak: Check this out, guys--the activity log. This pod's been ejected from 4 different vessels over a period of ten years.

Yuna: What's that all about?

Reb: Good question. Zak--can you hack into the flight video record and check the last entry?

Zak: [grins] Watch me. Quick, anybody--what's the square root of 65,536? 256. [points] On screen.

[There is a man in the captain's chair, looking very stern.]

Man: Lifepod L-9, this is the Cygnus. Return to the ship immediately. That is an order. Kyra Megantic, we know you are aboard lifepod L-9. You are under arrest. Surrender now and return to the Cygnus.

[The patient snaps awake with a start, scared stiff.]

Lise: Take it easy. [Lise eases the woman back down onto the table.] Take it easy. You're OK. I'm Lise, I'm the medical officer on the ship.

Kyra: I'm Kyra. Where am I?

Gret: You're aboard the spaceship Deepwater.

Kyra: I think I've heard of the Deepwater. Heroic mission.

Lise: This is Gret, she's our geneticist. We're going to have her do a medical workup on you. 'kay, I'll be right back. If you need anything call me.

Man: Shut down your thrusters.

Officer: She's ignoring us.

Man: Go after her. Maximum speed. And full power to the tractorbeam.

[The screen suddenly goes blank and there's a loud noise.]

Yuna: What happened?

Reb: I'm not sure. [He taps a few keys on the engineering console.] Lifepod sensors recorded a violent concussion--as if the Cygnus had exploded.

Kyra: Gret! Can you help me, please?

Gret: Well, sure. How do you feel?

Kyra: I feel like I'm...close to dying. [Her face starts to crumple in fear.]

Gret: We're not going to let that happen to you.

Kyra: You can try not to let that happen. But sometimes, you don't succeed. Sometimes, you just have to sit by and watch somebody die. Have you ever had to do that, Gret? [Kyra grabs Gret's hand in her own.]

Gret: [sadly] Actually, yes.

Kyra: Tell me about it. Please!

Gret: I was on, um...Araxes...and there were so many of us, and...and we tried so hard...[she starts to cry] but we failed. There was somebody there that I was very fond of.

[As Gret is talking, a look of relief comes upon Kyra's face, almost as if she was getting something from the whole thing.]

Lise: Gret? You OK?

[Kyra lets go of Gret, the serene look still there.]

Gret: I'm sorry, I don't know what came over me...I guess I'm just...overtired, you know, long hours...I'll be fine.

[Kyra is talking to Reb in the Habitat.]

Kyra: We were returning to Aries 19, a terra-formed colony in the Delta-T solar system.

Reb: And what was your mission?

Kyra: Scientific. We were testing a new ship design.

Reb: So, why did you enter your lifepod?

Kyra: [sounding bored] The fusion reactor was melting down.

Reb: [mock surprise] When you ejected from your ship it was apparently in good order.

[Kyra starts looking at him oddly.]

Reb: The last transmission on your video flight recorder names you as a fugitive, under arrest. And, at the exact moment the Cygnus exploded. You want to tell me the truth now?

[Kyra stands herself up, angered.]

Kyra: That's it. [She grabs Reb's hand tightly.] You listen to the criminals who were after me, so you think I somehow caused the destruction of the Cygnus. You're a typical engineer: selfish and arrogant.

Reb: ARROGANT? Who are you? You don't even know me, what do you get off making judgments about me?!?

[Kyra discards Reb's hand.]

Kyra: The fusion reactor had a nasty little habit of exploding under stress. The engineers that designed them wouldn't admit that it was their fault, so people died.

[Reb stumbles down onto a seat, dizzy and disoriented.]

Reb: Uhh.... That still doesn't explain why you were escaping from your ship.

Kyra: I had proof which would have exposed certain important, powerful people. They were going to terminate me, so I escaped in the pod. When they decided to pursue me, it must have overstressed the faulty reactor and caused a meltdown.

[She regards him scornfully as Reb puts his hand up to his forehead.]

[Gret is doing the genetic mapping when she rises from behind the medical console questioningly.]

Gret: Gen, I need you to help me analyze this. Kyra has...an extra strand of genes in her DNA.

[Gen appears.]

Gen: During the height of the plague years, there were human colonies pursuing gene splicing as a route to immunity from the plague. Chances are that some of these colonies survived. Probability is that Kyra is a descendent of one of these experiments.

[Bren is showing Kyra around her quarters.]

Bren: Bed, bathroom, dresser, compact but convenient.

Kyra: I'd say, compared to my last accommodations, it's...spacious. [She grins and sticks her hand out, which he takes.] Thank you, Commander. You know, you should smile more. I know you're military and you have to present that stern, combat ready appearance, but, uh...I'm not an opponent. I'm just a guest. And I like your smile.

Bren: [grins] Thank you. Um... [Kyra starts holding onto his hand a little too tightly and Bren pulls it away. Bren's smile starts to become just a little too genuine.] Yeah. Thanks. I'm, uh, I'm really sorry but I have to lock the door--it's a security procedure, for now, at least. Um... [he taps the code on the door] Everything you need should be in the dresser--communicator and other various necessities. Just call if you need anything, OK?

[He leaves.]

[Kyra and Gret are talking.]

Kyra: I don't have extra genes, you have genes missing--that's why you're not immune to the Pandora Virus. Here, let me see your hand. [Kyra turns it over, palm up, and shows her own.] I'll show you how the lines in the palm differ. See the two crossed lines on my palm? A kind of genetic mark. [Kyra gets a bright idea and takes Gret's hand in her own.] You have a hard time making a connection with people, don't you? I sensed a warmth and compassion from Lise; a genuine flow of humour from Bren. Reb gets stirred up, defensive, angry--very human. But you, on the other hand... [Gret starts looking resentive.] You are withdrawn. You're isolated, aren't you? And you're trying to be human. You're ironic...sarcastic, detached. [Gret starts leaning onto Kyra's shoulder.] It's so sad...to be so distant from other people...not to feel the warmth, the joy, of connection. [Kyra lets go of her and prods her up off the shoulder.] You're tired. Go back to bed. Get some sleep.

[Gret leaves, Kyra's glance following her cruelly.]

[Zak is at Kyra's quarters, and knocks on the door.]

Kyra: Sorry, it's locked.

Zak: Oh, right. Just a minute. [He puts in his code and the door opens.] Ah, you must be Kyra. I'm Zak. [He's holding a black, thin wallet.] I found this on the lifepod--I presume it must be yours.

Kyra: [takes it] Oh. I'm so glad you found it. [She opens it and looks at the lone picture inside.] Would you like to see?

Zak: Sure.

Kyra: My family: my mother, my father. [There's one more person at the bottom of the picture, a young girl.]

Zak: Who's that? Your daughter?

Kyra: No, it's my little sister when she was about eight. Isn't she sweet?

Zak: Yeah, she is sweet.

[Kyra senses something and grabs his hand. His starts to shake.]

Kyra: You look sad. Is there someone you're remembering?

Zak: Yeah, sorta...

Kyra: We're lucky we have someone to remember--even if they're sad memories.

[Confused, Zak shakes the hand off.]

Zak: I, uh...I have to get back to the Command Deck. If you'll just step inside, I have to enter the security code to lock the door.

[She does, and he enters it. In his daze, he doesn't notice that right before the door closes, Kyra grabs a razor and sticks it between the door and the frame, where it gets stuck.]

[Lise, Reb, Yuna are in the Habitat--Reb is pacing around, talking, his voice rising with every word, sounding really nutso.]

Reb: Her whole story is bogus--she claims that a sudden demand for power caused a meltdown in the Cygnus' reactors. Reactors are built with multiple redundancy detection. And they have all kind of sensors to guard against any catastrophe--it can't happen!

Yuna: On the Deepwater, maybe, but in the case of the Cygnus, who knows for sure?

[Zak enters the room.]

Zak: Well, I did a thorough examination of the pod. [ironically] Fascinating cybernetics.

Reb: And what about this "proof" Kyra says she has? This so-called evidence against the ship designers?

Zak: [snort] Nothing. [ticks them off his fingers] No disks, no chips, no data banks, nothing. [He sulks down onto a seat.]

Reb: Just as I figured. Not only is she disagreeable and annoying, she's also duplicitous!

Yuna: So we program her pod into hyperspace--I don't see what the problem is.

Reb: The problem is I want her gone now--can you understand that?!?! [He starts scratching his palm with his nails almost demonically.]

Lise: It's all right, Reb, we agree with you.

Reb: Well, it's about time. Zak, get me a star-locator plotting on the Delta-T solar system.

Zak: You know, Reb, I just--I don't feel like doing that right now?

Reb: WHAT?!?! I want it, Zak. And I want it NOW!!

[Zak angrily eases himself up to full height, which is a bit more than Reb's, and looks at Reb like he's pond scum. He tries to take a hit at his shoulder, but Reb deflects it quickly, eyes wild. So Zak creaks his head and goes off into a corner.]

Lise: Reb, please calm down.

Yuna: Reb, it's an extra three hours, it's not like it's desperately urgent.

Reb: I would like to plot a hyperdrive plan to Aries 19. IS THAT OK WITH YOU GUYS?!?! HUH?!?!

[Reb stalks off to the Command Deck. Lise is about to follow him, but changes her mind.]

Lise: It's not him. It's her. Kyra's messed with all of them. Reb, Bren, Gret...look at Zak.

Yuna: What do you mean?

Lise: I don't know yet. But I'm going to find out.

[In Bren's quarters, Bren is staring out his window, laughing. Gret knocks on the door and comes in.]

Gret: Well, aren't you the happy one?

Bren: I am. I am, I don't know. Ever since I talked to Kyra, I've been feeling kind of different, you know--like things that seemed so important before, they seem absurd now.

Gret: [gently] Bren?

Bren: Yeah?

Gret: Can I ask you a question?

Bren: Sure.

Gret: Do you think that I am distant? Or...or detached? Or sarcastic?

Bren: No. Not with me, you're not. But, you know...you can be kinda cold sometimes.

Gret: Thank you. [She turns to leave.]

Bren: Wait. [Bren touches her arm and she turns around expectantly.] You're beautiful, you know that? And you're very special. [Bren's grinning the whole time.]

Gret: [laughs] You know, I like when you smile.

[They stare at each other for a few moments before Bren leans in gently and kisses Gret softly. A few seconds of this and Gret pulls away.]

Gret: Um.... I've got to get back to work. I have a lot to do. [She leaves.]

Bren: [still grinning] Later.

Gret: Maybe.

[Reb is typing at the Engineering console furiously when Yuna walks in. She puts his arm around him and rests her chin on his shoulder, pressing a button on the console.]

Yuna: Look up.

[The viewscreen is showing the space.]

Yuna: Nice just to look at sometimes, without wondering what we're doing or where we're going.

Reb: [sigh] I'm sorry about back there. I was kind of...

Yuna: Snarly? Yeah, you were. [concerned] You OK?

Reb: [another sigh] Yeah. Just...awake too long. Losing it... I'm sorry.

Yuna: [hugs him for a moment] Forget it. Why don't you shut down? I'll check on Gret before I turn in.

Reb: OK...

[Gret and Yuna are in the medbay.]

Gret: [agitated] So I've done a workup on Kyra, and the extra strand of genes apparently are causing increasing levels of endothylamine and oxydianaise. And I know that there is something else. I just--I can't solve it, you know. I'm too tired.

Yuna: [hand shaking slightly] Yeah, so am I. Well, whatever it is, the problem will still be here tomorrow, right?

[The next day, Lise and Yuna are in the Habitat.]

Lise: Yuna, it's not a crazy idea. Look. [She brings up a complicated chemical analysis on her computer screen, like the one Gret had the night before.] There's a very distinct pattern. I think she somehow induces emotions in us and then feeds on them.

Yuna: What? Like a vampire feeds on blood? Lise...

Lise: No. She had Gret dissolving in tears. And Zak went into a state of deep depression.

Yuna: I have to admit, she did a bad affect on Reb. I mean, he was crazy. Almost manic. I can't believe I actually settled him down.

Lise: You settled him down? How?

Yuna: I, uh...I gave him a hug.

Lise: [teasing slightly] You gave him a hug?

Yuna: [testily] Yes.

Lise: [thinking] Actually, that's not a bad idea.

[Kyra lifts the razor and pries the door open.]

[Reb and Zak are walking into the Habitat, where Lise and Yuna still are.]

Reb: We have to put up with her for another three days?

Zak: It's the best I could do.

Reb: Why? What's the problem?

Zak: Hyperspace vector points are temperamental.

Yuna: So we stay away from her until we get there.

Reb: No, we keep her confined to quarters until we get her back into the pod and back to Aries 19.

[Kyra walks in.]

Kyra: So that's it, isn't it? Lock me up like a prisoner and then get rid of me?

Lise: No, Kyra, we're not blaming you. We just want to keep you from having a toxic effect on us.

Kyra: Toxic? I'm not even close to toxic yet!!

Reb: [approaches her] Whoa, Kyra, easy...

[Kyra grabs his wrists and starts concentrating. Reb is slowly passing out in seconds. Yuna, angered, jumps onto her back and tries to stop her but Kyra just shrugs her off after throwing Reb against the wall.]

Zak: [to communicator] Bren, Gret, get in here! Kyra's gone crazy! We need help!

[Kyra's eyes fall onto Zak and she smiles sickly, while Zak takes a defensive stance.]

Lise: Zak, just stay away.

Zak: Kyra, we're just trying to help. Take it easy.

[Bren and Gret arrive. Bren points his gun at Kyra.]

Bren: Freeze!

Lise: Bren, don't, let me handle this.

[Lise puts her face in her hands, "prepping" herself, while Zak and Gret help Reb and Yuna. Bren keeps the gun on Kyra. Lise emerges looking very calm and, to quote Gret, "euphoric", and starts toward Kyra, who's looking at her suspiciously.]

Lise: Kyra, what am I feeling? What is it?

Kyra: [starts looking scared] I--I don't know.

Lise: Yes, you do. What am I feeling?

Kyra: [shrinks away from Lise fearfully] Oh, no. Don't.... It's...

Lise: Tell me, Kyra.

Kyra: It's...it's...

Lise: It's love, isn't it?

Kyra: Don't, please, don't...

[Lise is getting closer and Kyra is ever more resentful as everyone watches, amazed.]

Lise: It's love, that's what you're feeling.

[Lise moves in for the kill--a HUG! =D]

Kyra: Stop! Please, please...let go of me! You're killing me!

Lise: We're trying to save you, Kyra. It's all right. It's all right...

[Kyra passes out.]

[It's later, and Kyra is lying on the table, tubing attached to her wrist. The whole crew is at the medbay, looking at her.]

Lise: OK, we've got you stabilized now.

Kyra: I feel like such an idiot. I'm so sorry. I mean, I was awful.

Lise: You couldn't help it, your body was building up intolerable levels of oxydianaise and endothylamine.

Kyra: But...why?

Gret: Well, we don't have a clear answer, but we think it's linked to your extra genes.

Lise: It could be that when you're at home, your interaction with others prevents the buildup.

Reb: We've already programmed your pod--it'll take you home as soon as you're ready--and we've made contact to make sure you'll be taken to safety.

Kyra: Thank you.

Y (comm.): Kyra, we've contacted your associates and confirmed a flightplan to Aries 19. Stand by to disengage.

Kyra: Thanks, Deepwater. Safe voyage.

[Her pod is launched.]

[Bren is in his quarters. He turns on his communicator.]

Bren: Gret. [pause] Gr-et. It's Bren. You there? [Nothing.] Come on, talk to me. Talk to me.

[In her quarters, Gret is sitting on the bed, afraid to answer.]

Bren: What I said before.... I meant it.

[Gret still can't say anything, so she gets up and tears the communicator off, flinging it onto the bed, the tears flowing again.]

[Reb is working on the Command Deck again, Yuna standing behind him, grinning.]

Reb: Jefferson 4...reactor relay...and recharge 13's... [he notices Yuna] What?

Yuna: You were talking to yourself. Reminds me of our first time on the Command Deck, just after we woke up.

Reb: Yeah. We were so green. [On impulse, he rises from his chair and gives her a kiss, quickly glancing at her for a moment after before darting out of the Command Deck.]

[Seconds later, Yuna is still stunned. When she gets it sorted it, she kinda goes "OK..." and grins widely.]

Review

The episode on a whole was kind of creaky. The whole gene splicing angle was interesting. I thought Lise's All You Need Is Love approach was kind of lame. I was laughing my head off when I was transcripting that part, because I could not get over the corniness of it--it probably shows. =D I didn't think very much of the inducing emotions part of the plot. But I thought that the "mood swings" were carried out nicely by the actors, who were getting the chance to get a bit out of character.

The last two scenes, influential as they were, were a bit of a bad fit in this episode, to me. I remember asking myself for weeks after the first airing, "OK, but WHY did Reb kiss her?" And why was Gret crying at the end? This could just be showing my density.

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