Earth: Final Conflict (1997–2002): Season 1, Episode 17 - The Devil You Know - full transcript

Thomas Blanchard is a criminal who died in his cell. His body is being kept alive to be implanted with a brain of a dying old colonel. Meanwhile the Taelons show a new device that has been developed. It's a type of electromagnetic pulse weapon, that only disables the target and not all electrical equipment. Lili gets a message from her mother. Her father has died, with whom she didn't have a good relationship. Da'an orders she takes time off to grieve. Boone finds out the weapon has been stolen, although he had taken very good security measures. Boone fears it will fall into wrong hands and pose a danger to the Taelons. Meanwhile Thomas Blanchard visits Augur. He has the weapon and wants to sell it. Doors is very interested and is willing to risk a lot to acquire it.

Tell me about him.

Thomas Blanchard.

He was asleep in his cell at Attica,

when someone took a lead pipe to him.

Brain dead?

He's failed the neurological
tests repeatedly.

The only thing keeping
him alive is what you see.

Looks like he fits the profile.

Young, agile.

His cover is perfect.

He's a thief.



A good one.

I don't know.

Listen, Colonel.

We're not going to find anyone
more suitable within the time frame.

It's not your neck on the line.

Your neck's already on the line.

The doctor said you should
have been dead a month ago.

Thanks for reminding me.

Brain transplant complete.

Initializing memory
download procedure.

Memory download complete.

Brain activity confirmed.

Download successful.

Welcome back, Colonel.



How does it feel to
be forty years younger?

Subtitled by Axarion

Three years ago they came,

forever altering the future of humanity.

William Boone's life has been destroyed.

A man caught between two worlds.

Assigned protector to the Companions;

undercover agent for the Liberation.

An alien implanted
cyber-virus expands his mind.

Controlling a bio-engineered
weapon of unprecedented power.

William Boone searches for the truth.

Right on time Commander. For once.

Is Da'an here?

And Zo'or.

The lifeblood of today's world

is electronic data transmission.

The secure flow of information
is as important to us

as secure trade roots were in the past.

This device

is designed to attack that flow.

It's the most successful
weapon developed yet,

for information warfare.

IW around here.

I understood the IW prototypes
were first tested in the late 90's?

Primitive weaponry.

Which destroyed not
only their objectives,

but every other electronic
system around them.

We have shown your technologists

how to focus the electromagnetic pulse

through Taelon shielding.

With this weapon, an enemy can
be rendered both deaf and dumb,

without the direct loss of life.

What enemy did you have in mind
when you developed the weapon?

We do not employ weapons,
Commander, as you are aware.

We have aided Ms. Portnoy in
the creation of this device

merely to prevent its
misuse be those with

less enlighten views.

Would you like a demonstration?

Sandoval, you can't be serious!

Call the paramedics.

Something has changed dramatically.

Other than the skrill the Taelons

have never shown any interest
in developing weapons.

Doors has been predicting
this for a long time.

He thinks they're getting ready
for a more overt form of conquest.

We'd better hope he's wrong.

Lili.

Mom! Hi!

What's wrong?

I've got bad news.

Your father...

Oh, mom.

It was his heart.

No surprise there.

I've been trying to make
the arrangements, but...

Lili, I know how you
felt about him, but...

No, mom, come on, don't do that.

You know that I'll be there to help
you. I'll be there as soon as I can.

Your father and I have been separated
for all these years now, but...

All these emotions come flooding back.

I know, I know. I'll uh...

I'll see you first thing tomorrow.

Okay, honey.

Goodnight.

Goodnight, mom.

I'm so sorry.

Don't.

I mean, I mean, thanks, but uh...

You know, it's not like we
were very close or anything.

I don't think I've talked
to him in like, ten years.

Not since my brother...

Look, I can handle Doors if you want.

No, it's okay.

I'll be all right. Just uh...

Just give me a couple of minutes.

Yeah, sure.

I've got it.

I want every inch of the lab swept.

No one leaves until you come
up with an errant DNA sample.

When was it stolen?

Estimate 4 am.

Rooftop entry, disabling the
security sensors along the route.

The security here is as good as it gets.

That's why I'm convinced there
had to be inside help at the lab.

Agent Sandoval,

what may I inform the Synod
about the theft of this weapon?

Everyone with security clearance
is being interrogated, Da'an.

And I'm convinced we'll come up
with a conspirator at day's end.

Da'an, this weapon could prove
a nightmare in the wrong hands.

Do you fear such aggression?

I do.

Then you must retrieve it with haste.

We do not wish to see this device
used as the means of mass destruction.

Could this weapon also pose
a threat to Taelon systems?

You must prevent that
possibility from being tested.

I understand.

I have been informed about the
death of Capt. Marquette's father.

She should be removed from this case,

and allowed the proper time to grieve.

Da'an, knowing Capt. Marquette as I do,

I think she'd rather be...

I believe I have stated my wish.

Who the hell are you?

Calm yourself. I'm here to
discuss a matter of mutual profit.

My friend, if you're looking
for a fence, go to a pawn shop.

You have an enviable reputation as a
man who can sell anything to anyone,

even the most rarefied of objects.

And I suppose you just happened
to have a rarefied object.

The first practical
information warfare weapon,

Companion engineered.

Companion?

That is rare.

I suppose you expect me to
believe you based on faith.

Well, it's difficult to convince
you when I'm standing out here.

Fine.

You can enter.

Think you can find a buyer
for this, Mr. Pawnshop?

Depends.

Who did you have in mind?

I'm not particular.

Anyone who has at least 50
million in negotiable bonds.

And quickly. I'm not
anxious to hold onto this.

Noon, tomorrow.

I should be able to
find a buyer by then.

Let's hope your
reputation means something.

Oh.

and if you're thinking of going to
the police, or Companion security,

I've seen where you sleep.

How are you holding up?

It's almost surreal.

Playing the widow after
10 years of living apart.

You shared a lot of life together.

Two children.

You know, he called me out of
the blue about three months ago.

Of course, he didn't tell me
how sick he really was, but...

It seemed that he wanted to talk,

about you,

even about your brother.

What did he say?

Oh. Not very much.

You know how hard it was for your
father to really let people in.

But he did tell me how
proud he was of you.

Working with the Companions,

making a better world.

You try to remember that
when you think of him.

Thanks, mom.

Ooh, here's his cousin Frank.

I better go talk to him.

Fathers should be
mourned more than this.

I'm sorry.

I wish I could feel more.

Peace...

and love.

His name is Thomas Blanchard. He was
released from prison two months ago.

It looks like stealing a Taelon weapon's
a bit out of his league, isn't it?

Oh, a touch, but he has
the weapon. I've seen it.

I've seen this man.

Yeah. He was at the Doors International
Tower the night of the theft.

He must've been assessing the security.

Why would he come to
you to find him a buyer?

Because I can.

Unloading something like
this takes a certain gift.

I can think of only one or two
others he could trust it to.

I don't know.

You think this it a trap?

I have to think like that
if I want to stay alive.

He never mentioned you as a buyer.

All he wants is the highest price.

Well, the prospect of the Taelons

controlling this technology
scares the hell out of me.

Look, if we want to get this weapon
back, we have to move quickly.

Sandoval is working around the
clock to find it, and he will.

I'll check out Blanchard in the
security database, make sure he's legit.

Now that could be a problem.

What are you talking about?

Da'an has requested that I keep
you out of the investigation.

He's concerned about
your emotional state.

What?

Well, I think I'm a far better
judge of my emotional state.

So you can tell Da'an,
thank you very much.

Lili!

It's not that simple.

Da'an was adamant that
you not be involved.

You can't keep my out of this.

Lili, he's an implant.

He has to appear to follow orders.

Fine. I'll just talk to Da'an myself.

Until you clear this with
Da'an, you keep a low profile.

You understand?

Talk to Mr. Blanchard.

If he checks out, tell
him he's got a buyer.

I want that weapon.

Blanchard!

Blanchard, it's time to go!

Captain Marquette.

Da'an, I'm very sorry to interrupt.

I trust you do so with reason.

Cmdr. Boone has removed me from the
IW weapon investigation on your order.

Have I given you any reason at all
to question my judgment or ability?

You have suffered the loss of a parent.

I perceive that it occasions grief
and the need for private reflection.

Thank you, Da'an, but I know myself.

And the best thing for me
would be to keep working.

Captain!

I must insist that
you respect my wishes.

There's no need for violence.

I'm merely showing you that no
one enters without my permission.

Who else is with you, Pawnshop?

You're going to have to learn to
trust me if you want to do business.

Do you have a buyer?

Yes, one that can meet
your price in full.

Who?

That's not relevant.

Yes, it is. Get us out.

I've contacted a middleman who can reach

Jonathan Doors.

No, I don't need that kind of trouble.

What if the buyer were to
compensate you for your trouble?

Say...

75.

The purchase would have to be
made by the buyer, no middleman.

That's impossible.

Then find me another buyer.

Look in the corner.
You'll find a global.

I'll contact you when I know.

How do I know you won't trace me?

You don't.

What do you think?

I don't know. He says all
the right things but...

I don't know.

We have to look deeper into Blanchard.

Can you trace his global if you have to?

Come on! XOB, XOB...

XOB what?!

XOB...

Six.

Run all license numbers
beginning with XOB6.

- License plate search in progress.
- Yes.

Photo search all vehicular
matches with owner ID.

Stop.

Put the gun down.

Don't.

Don't move.

Blanchard, Thomas.
Prison records. Run files.

There's no red flags at all.

Let me try a diagnostic, see if any
of the files have been tampered with.

Boone!

Here.

In his prison infirmary charts
the diagnostic showed they'd been

altered before he was released.

Can you reconstruct what was there?

Well, no. But it's probably just
an overzealous clerk fixing typos.

No. Doesn't smell right.

Jonathan, is Lili there with you?

No. You haven't heard from her?

No.

There's some inconsistencies in
Blanchard's file. I don't like it.

It's a little to risky for my taste.

All right.

Tell Blanchard the deal's off.

You'll get another shot, Jonathan.

We kill her, we get out now.

No.

She's Companion security.

I said no.

No personal locators.

How'd you find me here Capt. Marquette?

That's a pretty nasty scar on
your arm. How'd you get that?

I'll ask the questions. Why
are you here without backup?

You must have had an
inside source at the lab.

That's how you stole the weapon, right?

Is that the game, serve and volley?

I think you weren't
supposed to be here at all.

I think you're here
disobeying someone's orders.

You've got a wild streak, don't you?

Well, you seem to know a
lot. Why don't you tell me?

You were born, Lili Purcell, at
Fort Hood, Texas, 30 years ago.

Your mother's name is Rachel.

Your father's name is Edward.

Signal Corps, retired.

Why do you know all this?

I make it my business to know
the people I'm up against,

to know everything about them.

Well then, if you really knew your
business, then you'd know my father's dead.

Score one for you.

I didn't see a ring.

Why'd you take your mother's
maiden name, Marquette?

Like I said, you seem to know
so much, why don't you tell me?

You shouldn't have come here, Lili.

Deal is off!

Who do you think you're dealing with?

I can't find another buyer now!

Call customer service.
Maybe they can help.

You tell Mr. Doors that I know

he's not funding this so
called Liberation movement

with savings from a shoebox.

He's pulling money out of his company.

Maybe you don't get to read
the newspapers in prison,

but Mr. Doors hasn't been
involved in his company

since he went underground.

Tell Doors to watch the evening news.

This is just the beginning.

If this deal doesn't happen, he
can kiss his cash flow goodbye.

What's he talking about?
The beginning of what?

Yeah.

I've found our suspect.

Who?

Thomas Blanchard, a convicted criminal.

Fits the profile.

I have a location.

I'm on my way.

I'll coordinate the
raid with Cmdr. Boone.

We'll get the weapon and the thief.

Thank you, Agent Sandoval.

Inform your operative to take
the necessary precautions.

You seem uncomfortable
with my methods, Da'an.

You have a gift for intrigue, Zo'or.

One that deserves watching closely.

Well, Blanchard's little stunt just
cost me over four million dollars.

Well, Blanchard is right.

You're funding the Liberation
with Doors International dollars.

I'm impressed!

After this is over, can
you tell me how it was

that you were able to shield...

Tell Blanchard we're back on.

I want to meet the man who's
got the guts to blackmail me.

They could have nabbed you right on
the street. What's the matter with you?

Doors needed a little persuasion
to follow through with the deal.

Yeah? So why hasn't he
called? The deal must be off.

Maybe they know she found us
and that's why they backed out.

The deal is on.

I know what I'm doing.
Let me play this out.

More blood?

You keep sticking your nose in
where it's not wanted, don't you?

Thanks.

I can be curious too.

Why did you take your mother's name?
Your old man that much of a bastard?

What is it to you?

I've got this fascination
with dysfunctional families.

He was strict, was he?

Midnight inspections,
hospital corners on your bunks.

Well, maybe he was
trying to toughen you up,

get you ready for the real world.

He wasn't interested in us,
he was interested in control,

even if it killed us.

And it did. It killed my brother.

He was two years younger.

My father was even tougher on him
that he was on me. After all...

He was his boy.

When he was 19 years
old, he took his own life.

Used my father's sidearm.

That would be very hard to forgive.

Your father must have
felt terrible about that.

If he did, he didn't say a word.

Not to me.

Blanchard.

How did they find out?

How long do we have
before they get here?

Turn this place inside out!

Blanchard is here somewhere!

Damn it!

It's still warm.

Somebody warned them.

Who?

The only ones that knew
about the raid are right here.

Not the only ones.

I've got to check in with Capt.
Marquette. Give me a minute.

Lili's with Blanchard.

What? How?

I don't know, but
you've got to trace him!

- All right.
- And stall for time.

Doors has already set the meeting.

Find her!

What's taking him so long?
He should be back by now.

Come on.

- Alex?
- Go!

Stop it or they'll kill you!

So will you!

I'm trying to help you!

Your brother?

- He shot himself with a Colt .45.
- What?

I found him sitting at my desk when your
mother and I came home from the beach club.

Let go of me!

I'm your father, Lili!

You're out of your mind!

I am your father!

I won't let them hurt you!

You got her?

Yeah.

It is time that you knew the truth about
the theft of the information weapon.

Its thief is a Companion agent.

He carries out a plan created by
Zo'or with the blessing of the Synod.

What plan?

The weapon itself poses no
threat to our Taelon systems.

The theft was designed
to entrap Jonathan Doors.

Our operative will meet with
the terrorist leader tonight.

Brilliant! I congratulate you.

Why weren't we informed about this?

A trap must appear seamless.

The vigor of your pursuit has
lent credence to the agent's theft.

Zo'or also fears that the dissidents
may have eyes and ears among us.

Only those essential were informed.

And you trust Blanchard?

A thief?

The man known as Thomas
Blanchard is dead.

His body endures, but
his mind is silent.

Human science has long sought to
capture and replicate neural intelligence

within the form of
artificial intelligence.

We have taken the first step
in enabling your technicians

to fulfill that goal.

You can extract a man's
mind and his memory?

The process is experimental.

But the body and cerebellum of one

have been reanimated with
the essence of another.

Who is Thomas Blanchard now?

An accomplished agent, who has served
your authorities for many years.

He embraced the risk

for his own body was dying.

You will remain here until
we receive his signal.

And then you will follow
him to the criminal Doors.

Either to arrest him,

or if that is likely
to prove impossible,

to eradicate him.

It would be our privilege to do so.

Doors has agreed to the deal.

Pack up the stuff.

You are not my father!

I buried my father. I don't know who
the hell you are, but you are not him!

I held you in my hands
when you were born.

When we baptized you at St. Mark's.

When you saw this you almost guessed.

You remembered the lawn-mower.

You remembered running to
call your mother for help.

Thomas Blanchard was clinically dead.

The Taelons downloaded my
mind and memory into his body.

I don't believe this.

Why would I be telling you any of this?

Lili,

you know what the
Companions are capable of.

Why you?

Why did they do this to you?

To capture Jonathan Doors.

I don't understand.

You were just in the Signal Corps! Why?

Nothing you think you
know about me is true.

I was never in the Signal Corps.

I've been military intelligence
from before you were born.

That's why they wanted me.

Lili,

what you said was true.

Andy's death was my fault.

When I lost him,

I knew I'd lost you too.

The only thing I ever wanted from you

was a connection,

some kind of opening,
and that never happened.

It's here now.

No more secrets.

Corner of Third and Main.

8:30, no weapons allowed.

We're on.

I'll get you out of this safely.

If she's hurt when I return,

you don't wanna be here.

Let's go.

Blanchard stopped.

We'll pick him up again
when he's back on the move.

What the hell are you doing?

Stretching my legs. You
got a problem with that?

I've got a problem with you doing
anything without my permission.

So, sit down! I'll teach
you to listen to me!

I'm not a very good listener.

- The signal...
- What?

It's gone! That's impossible.

Damn it!

Straight ahead. Keep moving.

You know, Mr. Blanchard, I really
don't appreciate being blackmailed.

It's a decision you're gonna regret.

Really? It's worked pretty well so far.

I can't explain our failure, Zo'or.

The signal should've not vanished.

The operative will act on his own if
he perceives he is without assistance.

We'll try and find him.

You will find him.

You take the car, I'll go on foot.

Look for any sign of a white truck.

Very impressive.

But why did you insist on
meeting in your own home?

Because it's the only place I'm
safe from electronic surveillance.

Now, may I see the weapon?

May I see the money?

Hope it's worth it.

Me technicians will have to examine
the device before you can leave.

It's a trap! Blanchard
is a Companion Agent!

Nobody moves! Nobody moves!

Where does this go?

Several hundred feet straight up.

Open it or you die down here.

Lili!

No!

Father!

Don't die! You can't die!

Help him! We have to help him!

Lili.

Don't speak.

I'm proud of you.

Can you help him?

Can somebody help him? Please...

- Hey!
- Hey.

How are you doing?

Okay.

Jonathan had no choice,
Lili, you know that.

I know. I know.

My father...

He lived his whole life like a lie.

Keeping secrets.

I'm living my life the same way.

There's a cost to that.

I saw it.

That's not all you saw.

You saw him fight against that cost.

You had a chance to
meet your father, Lili,

in a way that he always wanted you to.

As someone who cared for you deeply.

He had my father's mind,

and he had my father's memories...

But is that really what makes a person?

You know, because

maybe it takes every
single cell of our beings?

He said things to me that my
father never would have said.

I don't know if it was him

or Thomas Blanchard.

I choose to believe it was your father.

Subtitled by Axarion