Earth: Final Conflict s03e18 Episode Script

Previously on Gene Roddenberry's Earth Final Conflict: We have never questioned whether it is justified for us to kill others.
Self-preservation is a concept that you taught me.
Perhaps, it is time to take stock of our actions to determine if we have the right to sacrifice others for the survival of the Taelon race.
There's been a worldwide firestorm of religious fervor touched off by the Companion medical miracle.
One of the beneficiaries of this Taelon first is Travis Murray, founder of an organization calling itself "The Church of the Companions".
I honor your instinct for this work.
Shinouhee Uhuurah! Every year about this time my dad and I would go to the family cabin.
Not sure how he knew but we were always there for first snowfall.
When's the last time you went back? Right before he died.
So, you're working solo tonight? Hey.
Nah, Gina went back to the mission to warm up and have some dinner.
Truth is I'm not real crazy about the food up there.
- We haven't met.
- I'm sorry, Devon, this is Renee.
- Hey, nice to meet you.
- Me too.
- Girlfriend? - He wishes.
Hey, listen, tell Gina I said hi.
- Oh, I I'll give at the office.
- No problem.
How can you give money to a cult? I'm no believer, but they do some good work for the community.
Let go of me! Somebody help me, please! Gina, this is the path to ultimate salvation, Service of the highest order.
I don't want to be saved, I just wanna see Devon.
We have other plans for your boyfriend.
Devon! They have come to Earth with the promise of peace.
An alien race called the Taelons.
But, there are those who resist these Alien Companions.
For the Taelons' true mission, the secrets they hide will forever alter our world.
The fate of humanity now relies on those who dare challenge the future of Earth.
Liam.
Devon, what are you doing here? I don't want anyone from the mission know where I am.
- What's wrong? - Gina's gone.
They said she went on a mission, but she'd never leave without me.
Mission? It's a religious sojourn to spread the word of the Companions.
He said it'd be two years before I could even talk to her.
- Who said? - Reverend Murray.
You know, I threatened to leave the faith if he wouldn't tell me where Gina was, but he just questioned my commitment to the Church.
- Maybe you should contact the police.
- And tell them what? No crime's been committed.
That's why I need your help.
- What can I do? - I heard you're a Companion Protector.
Maybe you could talk to Reverend Murray for me.
I don't know what else to do.
I'll look into it.
Thanks.
Only a select number of Volunteers even know about the fields, and their loyalty is unquestionable.
If the Resistance discovers this unfortunate dependency, all Earth-based Taelons will be in peril.
Maybe you should look at this dilemma differently, Zo'or.
And how would that be, Agent Sandoval? Perhaps, you shouldn't view it as dependency, but rather adaptation.
Only in adapting can your species become stronger.
What can I do for you, Major? Appreciate you seeing me on such short notice, Reverend.
Anything for those who protect those whom I revere.
I understand a woman named Gina Richardson used to reside at the Georgetown mission.
Oh, yes, one of our devote.
What interest you have in Gina? Let's just say I'm a friend.
I see, you're here in regard to her mission.
I presume you've already spoken with Devon.
He's upset that she disappeared.
Gina did not disappear, she's left to continue the work of the Companions.
Perhaps, if you'd tell me where she was.
That's privileged information, Major.
I'd appreciate it if you'd make an exception this time.
I'm sorry, but it's the policy of the Church.
Well, don't you make policy, Reverend? Gina signed a consent form requesting that no one contact her until she's completed her mission.
Is there any reason why she doesn't want to be contacted? She's taking a vow of isolation.
The work requires great personal sacrifice, Major.
Most missionaries are sent to primitive societies that have had very little, if any, interaction with the Taelons.
Could you hold a minute? If there is any other way I can help, Major, let me know.
Thanks for your time.
A Companion Protector was just here.
No, he doesn't know anything about the fields.
You seem a little drained today.
My fatigue is simply the result of a malfunction in the energy showers.
Maybe I should shuttle you back to the mother ship.
Perhaps, after Agent Sandoval arrives.
You don't happen to know anything about the Church of the Companions mission program, do you? Only that its intent is to spread Taelon doctrine.
Although we agree with Reverend Murray's work, the Synod felt it best to keep its distance from Reverend Murray's Church.
Are you aware that there have been complains from the families of the missionaries about not being able to contact their relatives? The Reverend can hardly be blamed for that.
For most of these people, the church is their family now.
- Oh, what about the fields? - Fields? Yeah, I overheard Reverend Murray mention something about it.
Major.
Bottom's up.
- Starlight Motel.
- Devon Zy, please.
Sorry, he's already checked out.
Did he leave a forwarding address? No, just his suitcase.
I guess he was in a kinda of a hurry.
Thank you.
You have so much faith, Devon, so much potential.
Unlike your girlfriend, the church had plans to you.
Plans which now will never be realized.
Obviously you're still too attached to earthly concerns to dedicate yourself to Taelon teaching.
Now you'll have to serve in another way.
I don't want anything to do with your damn church anymore.
Tell me where Gina is! How about if we just sent you to her? Where are you taking me? Let me go! Major, what do I owe the pleasure this time? Actually I was wondering if you'd heard from Devon.
No.
Not since he left the faith.
Liam, should I pack the yellow or the orange? Oh, good idea.
I did a little bit of checking on the mission program.
It seems Reverend Murray has quite the following.
He's established missions all over the world, two in the DC area alone.
Hey, invitation's still open if you guys still wanna come.
And like all cults, people usually recruited for missions have little or no family.
Like Gina and Devon.
Exactly, people whose sole connection to society is through the church.
- So, what time are you picking me up? - In about an hour.
Don't be late, hon.
- So, hologirl's real, huh? - Cute.
- Does she have a name? - Yes, she has a name.
Well? Look, I don't ask you about your personal life, don't ask me about mine.
I have no personal life.
If Gina had traveled out of the country, the Portal Authority sure has no record of it, nor does the customs.
Were you able to track down Devon yet? Real question is what is the church doing with these people, and are the Taelons involved? We've already hacked into the church's records and found nothing, except the names of people currently on missions.
And unless I'm mistaken, none of Reverend Murray's flock is gonna talk to anyone who isn't a convert.
We need to get inside the program.
That's the only way we'll ever find out what really going on.
Whatever you guys are thinking, count me out.
- What are you thinking? - I don't know.
Never seen the inside of a mission before.
What is it with you two? Don't you ever take any time off? Time is right.
She's got the point, Augur.
Look, I've been planning this vacation for months.
Nobody's stopping you.
- I know what you're trying to do.
- What are we trying to do? You're trying to reel me in, make me feel guilty, but it's not gonna work.
My deposits non-refundable.
We're having a meeting in an hour if you are interested.
I don't know.
The Church of the Companions will help you to know.
I'm not really a religious person.
Neither was I.
Eh, maybe another time.
I haven't even eaten yet.
Well, you can eat here.
Name's Samuel.
Robert.
Robert Bryce.
Where are you from? I just moved here from Denver.
We'll make you feel right at home, Robert.
There is only one path to the truth.
Not just any truth, but the truth of a species 100 millions years older than our own.
A promise of our next evolutionary step stands before us.
But only if we spread the word and enter into a new relationship with the universe through the Taelon teachings.
Now.
Let us join hands for a moment of faith affirmation.
- Amen.
- Amen.
Thank you all for coming.
- Inspiring sermon.
- Yes, thank you.
So? - What do you think? - I think I should thank you.
I'm glad you got something out of it.
It's kinda nice being with people who share the same believes, huh? Especially being new in town.
Oh, this is Susan Evans, she is newcomer, too.
Susan, this is Robert Bryce.
- Nice to meet you.
- Hello.
Quite inspiring, isn't he? - Thanks again for inviting me.
- You're welcome.
By the way, where are you staying? Well, just at some motel until I find a place.
Well, there's plenty of room here at the mission.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to say goodbye before I left for Utah.
But I want to thank you for all you did and tell you that you can stop looking for Gina.
I finally made peace with her decision.
I just got a message from Devon to back off the case.
- You're okay, Susan? - I no actually.
Must be something I ate.
You don't know how right you are.
What do you mean? All food here is enhanced with the Taelon additive.
It acts as a purifying agent.
Reverend Murray calls it mana.
It comes from Exodus, chapter 16, verse 14, meaning food of the divine which God miraculously supplied to the Israelites when they were in the wilderness.
Don't worry, your body will adjust.
Soon you'll feel as normal as everyone else around here.
I checked with Devon's sister in Utah.
He never arrived.
I spoke to a private investigator who has investigated at least half a dozen of these cases.
He's traveled all over the world and never located a single missionary.
These people have completely disappeared from the planet.
Either that, or they're dead.
You analyzed that mana yet? Any guess as to what we're dealing with? Well, considering the fact it has a cellular makeup, it's clearly organic.
Probably some kind of alien vegetation.
But why are they feeding it to us? And always after we pray.
Well, maybe Reverend Murray wants to make sure his missionaries stay true to their faith.
Or maybe it's his way of making people find religion.
You know, there is something else.
I examined Devon's global message.
Look at his eyes, pupils are definitely dilated.
So he was drugged when he left that message.
Well, time to get back to the work of the divine.
What time is the next service? It's in an hour.
Maybe you should stick around? I don't even like meditating.
So, what's up? Police found the body of your woman, Carrie Truitt.
Name's not familiar.
Just another missionary whose fate got the best of her, right? - Already been to the morgue.
- What did she die of? Some kind of an allergic reaction.
Medical examiners still working on it.
Oh, they did find remnants of a strange substance near a puncture wound on her stomach.
What kind of substance? Ah, here, see for yourself, I happened to procure a courtesy sample.
- How did you get that? - Well, let's put it this way: I didn't have to bat my eyes and smile.
How soon before you got a line on what it is? Hey, I'm working on it.
But I need to tell you this.
There's been a lot of interest on Miss Truitt's body.
Volunteers are swarming all over the ME office.
Any particular reason why? You know how Volunteers are, they just do what they are told, right? Sandoval.
Never imagined Ronnie was a religious man.
Local authorities confiscated one of our fields before my people could get there.
Are you telling me that the police exposes the operation? No, nothing as serious as that.
If you're trying to point a finger, Agent Sandoval, I suggest you start with your own Volunteers.
They're responsible for security.
One field is unimportant.
What is most disconcerting is that a woman died.
- That couldn't be helped, Zo'or.
- And why not? It was screened like everyone else.
Ms.
Truitt showed no adverse signs to the substance.
If she had, we never would've placed her in the program.
Unfortunately some people have latent reactions, but we're talking less than 1%.
Which is a perfectly acceptable rate of loss.
Yet you assured me there would be no fatalities.
They hardly know each other, yet they spend most of their time together.
They're newcomers.
Besides, their profile checks cleared with flying colors.
In fact, neither of them have any family to speak of.
Sounds like perfect candidates for a mission.
No one seems to know where the fields are.
Except some of Reverend Murray's chosen disciples.
I analyzed that substance form Carrie Truitt's body.
And? The molecular elements are similar to that Taelon additive in the mana.
- Except for one thing.
- What's that? Well, this time I found a human component in the genetic makeup.
Are you sure? Positive.
But, it's been processed in some way.
- Any idea how? - Nada.
Oh, but get this.
Carrie Truitt's body was found off the highway about half a mile outside of Norton.
Never heard of it.
That's a little town in Southern Maryland.
It became a ghost town after the Church of the Companions purchased most of the land.
Sounds like a perfect place for the fields.
You two don't look very hungry tonight.
It's time to go, Robert.
Your time has come.
- Where are we going? - I'm sending you on a mission.
I know you haven't been involved with the church very long, but this is a real honor, Robert.
Not everyone is chosen.
- How long will I be gone? - That depends on you, Robert.
I'm not sure I understand.
Missionaries find their work so fulfilling few ever want to return to what they once considered normal life.
What if I'm the exception.
I seriously doubt that, I pride myself in being an extremely good judge of character.
I saw something in you the first time we met, Robert, something I believe you have yet to see in yourself.
What's that? A man whose purpose in life is greater than himself.
It was no accident we met, Robert.
I know that.
Just as it is no accident that you are now embarking on an important journey to serve the Taelons in their greatest time of need.
Fear not, for the Companions watch over each and every one of you.
Each field is producing about 3 ounces a day, but by the time the substance is refined, we're talking an ounce at most.
That hardly seems enough.
How many fields can we count on the church delivering by year end? As many as the Taelons need.
The demand for product steadily increases the longer we inhabit your planet.
Luckily converts to the church have increased as well.
But we need to be more selective about who is chosen.
I'm well aware that those close to some missionaries are beginning to ask questions, but There will always be questions, Reverend Murray.
What is important is that those questions never lead to any firm conclusions.
I should have listened to you, Zo'or.
We never should have spent so much time on Earth.
No, Da'an.
I was the one who was wrong.
We must not only find the means to live like humans, but also learn about their primal ways if we are to survive.
And the fields are a necessary step toward that survival.
But this project should not have been undertaken on their planet.
Your objection is understandable.
Unfortunately, only by being close to humanity can our species ever hope to defeat the Jaridians.
I detect some frustration, Augur.
You're mistaking frustration for panic.
Talk to me, hon.
It seems Renee and Liam checked out on a mission without checking with me first.
- Well, why not to track Liam on his global? - Already tried, it's inoperative.
Maybe you should go undercover, hon? I live underground, how much more undercover can I get? Not to mention that I probably have to buy some new cloths from the GAP.
I mean, can you imagine me in a work shirt and jeans? What are you gonna do? I'm going to get in my car, and I'm going to drive out to Norton.
Looks like we finally found the fields.
Any luck finding your friends? I spoke to everyone in town, which totals 4 people.
No one knows anything.
Maybe this place has no connection.
Maybe Carrie Truitt's body was just dumped here.
I checked the county zoning maps for your request.
And? No building permits were issued since the church bought the lands.
Well, if Reverend Murray constructed a facility, he'd be sure it wouldn't be visible on any map.
- But they'd still need power, right? - Oh, a whole lot of power, hon.
Yes, and my guess is that they're not getting it from DWP.
Well, then where? You know the Taelons utilize various energy sources.
Let's hope the one powering the fields gets us some heat.
I'm not following.
Just get me a satellite hookup over Norton county.
We're in business.
I need infrared temperature reading.
- I'm detecting a hot spot.
- Where's its source is found? A quadrant located another mile up the road.
Let's hope somebody left the lights on for me.
So, any guesses what the Taelons intend to do with these plants? I don't know, but something doesn't make sense.
According to Da'an, Taelon vegetation requires a temperature of complete its life cycle.
lot cooler in here than that.
Is that who I think it is? We better get to them before they blow our cover.
- Is Augur tracking our location? - No, my global's fried.
Apparently, Samuel doesn't trust newcomers very much.
Remember that your labor helps the Companions live.
What I don't understand is why human beings are even here when technology could do this more efficiently.
It doesn't make sense.
Break time.
Wonder what's on the menu today.
Bless this food of which we are about to partake.
And let us give thanks to the Taelons for this wonderful bounty.
Amen.
I wonder what effect it gonna have on us.
Eat, we don't have a choice.
You know the rules.
No interaction with newcomers until after first week.
There must be a reason they don't want us to interact.
You okay? No.
Must be the heat.
No, it's strange my skin What is it? - Something is happening.
- What's wrong? We need help over here! Okay, it's okay.
It's okay.
What the hell?! That's the same substance found on Carrie Truitt's body.
Plants growing in that dome aren't the fields, Renee.
We are.
The Companions thank you for the sacrifice you've made today.
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Kriss.
Unfortunately, it is now the only way the Taelons can survive on our planet, that's why this mission project was created.
To give back to those who have given us so much.
I can't ever imagine living in a world without the Companions.
Amen.
Robert, why don't you give me a hand and get this over to the processing? It's gotta be underground or - Agent Sandoval.
- Samuel, how are you? Who knew Earth atmosphere would become so inhospitable to the Taelons? Kinda makes you wonder, doesn't it, Agent Sandoval? Of course, you're no businessman, Samuel, but if you were, I'm sure the Taelons would pay anything to ensure a state supply.
They've already made a huge financial contributions to the Church of the Companions.
How do you think Reverend Murray's managed to build so many missions so quickly? Yes, I agree, it is remarkable what the Reverend has accomplished.
Really, it is.
I just hate for this all to go away, if by chance someone decided to go into the Kriss business.
You want a payoff, that's what you want, Sandoval? I'm not sure you can afford me.
Then what are you suggesting? I was thinking perhaps a joint venture of some kind.
Yes? There's been a security breach, Agent Sandoval.
Sound the alarm.
All missionaries, return to quarters.
All missionaries, return to quarters immediately.
Return to quarters.
Hi there.
I thought you might need a little help.
Our buddy Sandoval's in the building.
I knew I should've taken some time off.
Time to create a diversion.
- Yeah? What do you have in mind? - Ah, something that burns quickly.
Get the intruder! That fire will destroy the entire crop! You heard the Reverend! Get those missionaries down there to help out now! Moving, move, move, let's go! The home world plants are burning.
All of you out, now! - Let's go.
- Come on.
- Hey! We gotta get out of here.
- Renee.
Well, lucky for us you didn't go on vacation.
You can thank me later.
- Which way? - This way.
- What are you doing in this area? - Down! No have no choice but to abandon the facility.
I'm not leaving.
Suit yourself, but my people come with me.
All Volunteers, evacuate immediately.
In a few minutes, Reverend, even your Taelon fate won't save you.
This way! My fellow disciples! The Companions have spoken to me! They want us to spare ourselves before it's too late.
Hurry! Move back! As far as Reverend Murray's concerned, he thinks you're dead.
Which means the Church won't be looking for you.
So, if you know what's good for you, stay dead.
Think you can come up with two new identities? Shouldn't be a problem.
But I thought you were a Companion Protector.
He is.
- But then why did - Well, sometimes things aren't always the way they seem.
Come on, let's get out of here.
I'm tired of the lies, Da'an, how long is this been going on? Almost two years.
Although we started to see signals of energy drains, within months of our arrival, from Companions like myself, who spent extended time on this planet.
Kind of ironic that the Taelons now have to live off of mankind to survive.
Unfortunately, our alien physiologies are not sufficient for adaptation.
- So that justifies everything? - What did you expect us to do? I expected you wouldn't abduct people.
With few exceptions, almost all missionaries in this program chose to be of service.
Surely, no plan is perfect, Major.
Well, if you think I'm just gonna sit on my hands and let the Taelons And what, Liam? What are you going to do? Anything I have to.
I'm shutting down the fields program, Da'an.
What makes you think there is anything more to shut down, Liam? After all, the Norton facility no longer exists.
I know Reverend Murray and his missionaries are harvesting Kriss in other facilities around the world.
It's only a matter of time until I find them.
That will hardly be necessary.
Fortunately, we have found another way to sustain our species.
What way would that be? That I cannot disclose.
But rest assured we no longer have missionaries harvesting Kriss on Earth.