Thursday, 17 August 2000
Daytime, in the desert. We hear a beeping sound; a man is using a metal detector. The beeping accelerates, he puts the metal detector down and starts to dig.
In the back room of the Crashdown, Max, Isabel, Maria and Alex are watching a congressional subcommittee inquiry on TV. "Pierce" (Nasedo), who has not been in touch with them for 3 months, has discredited the special unit of the FBI and is being interrogated about its activities. Alex thinks this will solve all their problems. Isabel reminds him that they still have their enemies to deal with. Max points out that it's been over three months and no aliens have shown up. That perhaps there's no one out there and the war is over. He doesn't want to live in fear like Michael. Isabel replies "Maybe he's just preparing for the inevitable". Maria brings their attention back to the TV by saying "They're taking a vote". A pretty young blonde waitress comes into the back room, notices what they are watching and says "You people are way too into C-SPAN". Maria replies "Goodbye, Courtney" and Courtney leaves.
The chairperson calls for a vote to disband the special unit and only one congresswoman dissents. Alex recognises her as their congresswoman, Vanessa Whitaker. She gets up to speak "Members of the Committee, in 1972, the special unit of the FBI investigated a murder. Several curiosities surrounded the event; no murder weapon, no entry wound apart from the presence of silver markings left on the skin, which subsequently vanished. Yet the internal organs and tissues of the victim, were completely decimated. Now nuclear analysis of the victims bones showed traces of a substance dubbed Cadmium X, an element which doesn't exist on Earth. It is, simply put, not human". The chairperson questions Pierce on this information, asking why there was no mention of Cadmium X in the records they appropriated from his offices. Pierce tells them that Cadmium X is a hoax that they invented. Whitaker looks surprised by Pierce's response.
Maria says that their thirtysomething shapeshifter "rocks" then asks everyone to leave so she can change for her shift. Everyone but Max complies. Maria explains that, although they "bonded over the summer" she's not ready to undress in front of him. Max, somewhat uncomfortable, replies "No, I was just wondering if you heard from Liz yet". Maria, having heard this question repeatedly tells him that if Liz went to visit her aunt in Florida for the entire summer and barely said goodbye to him, he should take the hint. "In layman's terms, she blew you off, big time". She advises him to stop grovelling, play it cool and let Liz come to him. Max says to her "Didn't you just tell me that you left like five messages for Michael in the past two days?" Maria replies "What's your point?"
Alex and Isabel are in a booth at the Crashdown. Alex tries to interest Isabel in going to see a movie. She declines and says "Alex, I'm sorry. You know it's not you it's just that with everything that's happening and everything on my mind, I can't think about being with a guy right now; any guy". A good looking guy in his twenties comes over, introduces himself as Grant Sorenson and asks them if they can direct him to the Sheriff's office. Isabel is obviously pleased to meet him and asks why he's looking for the sheriff. Grant pulls the arm bone out of his backpack.
Grant is in Valenti's office handing him the bone with Deputy Hanson observing. Valenti asks Grant where he found it. Grant replies "30 miles northeast of here, off the old Clovis Highway". Valenti tenses slightly and says "That's a pretty isolated place to be digging around. What were you doing out there?" Grant replies that he was doing a geological survey and adds that what surprised him was, he was using sophisticated equipment to detect metal so he can't understand why he found the bones with it. Hanson says "OK, I just got goose bumps". Valenti thanks Grant for bringing it to his attention and says he'll look into it immediately. Grant leaves and Hanson says "You don't even need to say it Sheriff, I'll get an excavation team out there right away".
At Michael's apartment, with Tess's encouragement, Michael is using his mind to make rocks explode. Max and Isabel walk in. They tell Michael and Tess that they think a geologist found Pierce's bones. Michael is very upset. Max tells him not to worry, Valenti will take care of it. Michael want's to tell Nasedo and Max reminds him that Nasedo told them not to contact him unless it was an emergency. Michael says "What do you call this? What if this guy is not a geologist? What if he's one of our enemies, Max?" Max says that right now there is no reason to doubt him and that he'll decide when they call Nasedo. "Don't do anything until I tell you". Michael says "I'm not just going to sit around and do nothing like we've done all summer". Angry, Max yells back "Michael, we've been having this conversation for months, what are we supposed to do!" Michael sarcastically replies "You're our leader... why don't you lead us!" Losing it, Max shouts back "Fine, crack some more rocks!" Max calms down and says "Valenti has it under control. Let's not panic. I'll call you when there's news".
That night, in the desert, the excavation team is hard at work. Hanson, checking out the area surrounding the gravesite, finds a red pocketknife nearby. Michael is observing from a cliff up above. He hears a noise behind him and goes to investigate. Hanson goes up to Valenti and tells him about finding the pocketknife. Valenti reaches for it but Hanson says "I'm all over it Sheriff. I called the lab and I'm going to run it over right now and have it checked for prints". Valenti is distressed but has no choice than to let him go. Michael running after whomever he heard behind him. He trips over a rock and falls. The light of his flashlight shines on what looks like a piece of skin in the shape of an adult human hand. Michael picks it up and it completely disintegrates. Michael, amazed, says "What the hell?"
Friday, 18 August 2000
The next day, Max and Isabel are walking down the street in downtown Roswell discussing the geologist. Although Valenti has already checked him out, Isabel points out that Nasedo had a good cover story too, so she thinks they should talk to him and offers to take care of it. Max is distracted when he sees Liz standing outside a storefront. He leaves Isabel and runs up to Liz. The meeting is somewhat awkward. Liz is very nervous through the entire conversation. Max is obviously hurt that her responses are polite and sincere but not overly warm, however, he keeps plodding along. He says he understands how strange everything got before she left, but since no aliens have attacked and Nasedo is putting an end to the special unit, he thinks all of it could finally be over. Liz replies "Oh, I really hope that's true; you know, for all of you". Max continues by saying the whole Tess situation is definitely over. He has no feelings for her, he's told her and she understands. He knows it's probably irrelevant but he wanted Liz to know "just for the record". Liz says "Right, you know I just want to get a fresh start". Max notices she is dressed up and says, "Anyway, you look... great... different". Liz replies "Oh, I have a job interview, actually". Max says "Oh, what about the Crashdown?" Liz responds "Well, this really incredible opportunity came up, sort of out of the ..." She is interrupted when Congresswoman Whitaker approaches saying "You must be Liz Parker". Liz turns and greets her, telling her "You know, you are a real hero to me". Whitaker laughs and tells her there is no need to suck up, she has a paid staff for that. Liz, also laughing, asks if that means she won't be getting paid. Whitaker responds that they have a lot to talk about. Liz introduces Max to the congresswoman and then she and Whitaker go into Whitaker's office.
At the Sheriff's Station, Hanson has brought Michael into Valenti's office. Valenti shows Michael the pocketknife. Pretending to interrogate him, he explains that his fingerprints are on it, that it was found out by the old Clovis Highway and "reminds" him about the time he was picked up by Valenti because he and two of his buddies were out there drinking beer and taking pot shots out into the desert. He has a police report to go along with this concocted story. Valenti asks "Now... did you witness anything out of the ordinary that night, Mr Guerin?" Michael pretends to think about it and then says "No sir". Valenti pretends to be disappointed in his reply then says "Listen, do yourself a favour; the next time you're going off to break the law somewhere, don't leave a calling card". He tells Michael to "Get the hell out of here" and Michael leaves. Hanson says to Valenti "I smell a rat".
Michael is at a pay phone outside the station calling Nasedo and telling him "We have a code red. Get the hell out here". Nasedo tells him "Don't ever contact me again unless Max knows" then hangs up on him. Michael hangs up saying "Great people skills".
Isabel finds Grant out in the desert sifting rocks. She flirts with him and learns that he was hired by a corporation planning to build a chemical plant to test the area for radioactivity because there had been nuclear testing there in the 50s.
Whitaker, visiting Valenti in his office, is saying "Well, let's just cut to the chase, shall we Sheriff". She plays a tape recording of a phone conversation she had with Agent Pierce when he first came to Roswell. We hear Whitaker's voice saying "How's it going there?" Pierce responds "Don't know yet. My first note is to look into the sheriff here. I think he may be the key to everything". Whitaker turns off the recorder and says "That's the last I heard from him until he returned to Washington. That's when he started lying to me". Valenti says "Congresswoman Whitaker, I would strongly advise that you not spend too much more energy looking for aliens. I mean, you just might find yourself out of a job, like your friend Mr Pierce". Whitaker responds "How odd. That almost sounds like a threat". Deputy Hanson bursts through the door and blurts out the coroner's report on the bones, so Whitaker hears that "they found something on the murder victim". Whitaker says "Murder victim?" and Valenti says "There isn't any murder victim. It's some bones, that were dug up by a geologist. We don't even know if they're human".
In the coroner's lab, the coroner is saying "There's no doubt the bones are human". He says that the most unusual part of the skeleton is that the rib cage on the left side is fused together. Valenti points out that the remains were in a fire. The coroner says "Well, fire or no fire, bone doesn't melt. Only some bizarre form of radiation could do this". Whitaker asks sarcastically "Any nuclear accidents in the area, Sheriff?" The coroner continues "What we have here was caused by a short and very contained burst of unthinkable energy". Valenti, trying to take control and says "Well, I'm gonna start a full-blown investigation. Hanson, let's get back to the precinct. (to the coroner) Bender, you'll let me know the other test results? (to Whitaker) Why don't you go back to your office and I'll keep you informed as things develop". Whitaker says she has no intention of leaving this situation in the hands of a county sheriff. It's a matter of federal interest and she will be contacting the FBI. She says "I'm not taking my eyes off these bones until I get an explanation". Hanson says "Sheriff, based on this new information, maybe I should bring that kid back in". Whitaker asks "What kid?"
Michael is asleep in his apartment when the sheriff knocks on his door and shouts "Open the door. Police". Michael groggily walks to the door, thinking Valenti has come by to give him grief about the knife. He opens the door and is stunned to see Valenti, Whitaker and two other G-Men standing there. Valenti turns him around and puts the handcuffs on him as he reads him his rights.
Saturday, 19 August 2000
The next day at the Crashdown, Nasedo, as Pierce, walks in, looks around and says "You can never find those little pod people when you want them". A customer recognises him from the telecast of the inquiry. To avoid a conversation, Nasedo goes into the one stall restroom and shapeshifts into Ed Harding. He comes out, confusing the customer, and goes into the back room to meet the others. He sees the sheriff, goes to shake his hand and says "Sheriff Valenti, welcome to the ever- burgeoning 'I've met an alien club". Max asks Nasedo "How much do you know about Congresswoman! Whitaker?" Nasedo replies "I know her intimately". He explains that they've been having sexual relations all summer. Maria says to Alex "I hope he's using birth control". Max tells him that Pierce's bones were found and that some of them were fused in such a way that is not explainable in human terms. Nasedo wants to know who knows this information so he can exterminate them all. Liz, coming downstairs, overhears this last exchange and says angrily to Nasedo "Isn't it murder that got you into this situation to begin with?" Nasedo responds "My job is to protect the Royal Four. Their survival is critical to the survival of an entire race". Max interjects "No one's gonna die. Killing people isn't gonna solve anything". Nasedo derisively responds "Oh my, a pacifist for a king. Shall we all just commit joint suicide right now or shall we wait for our enemies to show up and have a nice box lunch of us?" Max replies quietly but assertively "We're not killing anyone. That's an order". Nasedo is unhappy about this but replies "As you wish". He explains that the Feds know about Cadmium X so they cannot let them find it on the bones. He asks where the bones are and Valenti tells them that Whitaker took them but he doesn't know where. Isabel says "Even if we knew where they were, what would we do with them? Hiding them isn't going to solve the problem". Max says "I know what to do".
That evening, in Whitaker's office, Liz is putting away files. Whitaker reminds her it's way past time to go home but Liz insists she wants to complete her project. Nasedo, as Pierce, comes in and starts flirting with Whitaker. Liz excuses herself and goes to another room in the office. Whitaker is surprised to see "Pierce" and chastises him for not supporting her during the inquiry. He doesn't want to discuss politics. She reminds him that politics was the reason he slept with her in the first place. He replies "Maybe at first. It's more than that now. You showed me a side of myself I didn't know existed". He starts nuzzling her ear. Liz returns and they break apart. Whitaker says "Parker, can you, uh, lock up on your way out? See you tomorrow". As she leaves Liz says "Yeah, have a good night". Pierce whispers to her "Oh, we will!" When they are both gone, Liz goes to the back door and let's Max in.
Michael is sitting dejectedly in his cell on the edge of his cot. Valenti comes in saying he only has a few minutes to talk. Michael asks "What's up?" and Valenti replies "I just want to make sure you don't do anything like use your powers to try to break out of here. The best thing to do right now is to sit tight". Michael says resignedly "You sound like Max". Valenti says "Look, I know it's hard for you to be locked up like this". Michael replies "It's not that bad. I killed a man, maybe this is where I should be". Trying to reassure him Valenti sits next to him on the cot and says "Michael, you killed a man who killed Agent Topolsky and killed Agent Stevens and who knows how many others and he was just about to kill me". Michael replies "Yeah, I've told myself all those things, but I still killed a man. (he pauses; he is very calm but you can hear the fear in his voice as he confides in Valenti) And the thing that I keep thinking about, is that what happened is just the tip of the iceberg. I've been trying to prepare myself for what's about to go down and I have no idea what to do. I'm cracking rocks. I have no clue who or what we're up against. And I've been so pissed off at Max for not leading, but he doesn't know anymore than I do... none of us do. We are all in the dark, waiting to be attacked, and all I can think about, is what if I'm not strong enough".
Max and Liz are looking through the files for clues but are unsuccessful. Frustrated, Max deliberately knocks over some in-trays and shouts "Damn it!", startling Liz. She says "So I guess it's not all over". Max calms down and tells her that it can be, that if they can just fix it, it can all be over and things can go back to how they were. Trying to be realistic, Liz says "I don't think they can". Max is hurt by her response. Liz continues "So, I never really got the whole story. Why are we looking for these bones. What exactly is Cadmium X?" Max replies "It's an isotope of Cadmium that might have been created when Michael killed Pierce". Clarifying, Liz says "Oh, so it's like some sort of after effect of Michael using his powers". Max replies "Something like that and if we don't get the bones before they are able to test for Cadmium X, Michael is screwed. We all are". Liz asks "Well, did you check the Particle Physics Lab at Las Cruces University?" Max says "The what?" and Liz reminds him that Mr Seligman, their science teacher, told them about it last semester. "The new cyclotron can measure isotope ratios so, if Cadmium X is extraterrestrial, that's where you would go to find out".
Later that evening Max is walking down the street in downtown Roswell when Nasedo, as Ed Harding, pulls him into an alley. Nasedo asks what he found out. Max tells him the bones will be delivered tomorrow morning to the Las Cruces University. Nasedo says "I'll be there". Max asks "So, did you have a good time distracting the congresswoman?" Nasedo replies "No comment. How have you and Tess been getting along?" Max says "Well, I haven't performed any mating rituals, if that's what you're asking". Nasedo reminds him that he knows his destiny. Max emphatically replies "I just want to get Michael out of jail and go back to my life. I am not a king and we are not at war". Nasedo says "You're the boss. I would just be careful not to confuse what you want to be true with what really is true". Nasedo leaves him and heads for his car. When he gets to it he notices a large piece of skin on the ground. He blanches and says "Oh no." and looks around.
Sunday, 20 August 2000
The next morning at the Particle Research Facility, Isabel flirts with the guard to get him to leave his post and show her the way to the Student Union. Max uses his powers to get by the lock.
Whitaker is in the control room and they are getting ready to start testing. Max calls Tess on his cell phone and tells her there are 8 people in the control room. She lets him know that Nasedo has not yet arrived. She also says that 8 people are a lot and that she will only be able to sustain the mind warp for a couple of minutes. Max says it will have to do and that he is counting on her to make sure that the people in the control room are unable to see him. She promises that she will not let him down.
Max heads for the cyclotron chamber that contains the bones and Tess begins the mind warp. Whitaker looks out the window of the control room but is unable to see Max entering the chamber. Max drops down from the opening and heads down a corridor until he reaches the skeleton laid out on a table. Max reaches out to the bones. In the control room the technician says "Initiating accelerator" and presses a key on his keyboard. In the chamber Max, caught in the stream of the accelerator, is thrust off his feet and down the corridor. He gets back up and fights the force of the stream to get back to the bones. Max waves his hand over the skeleton and uses his powers to manipulate the bones, while the countdown for the scan begins. He finishes and leaves just before the scan starts.
In the control room Whitaker and the technicians go over the results of the scan. Whitaker is flabbergasted to hear that there is no Cadmium X and, in addition, the carbon dating showed the bones to have been buried 42 years ago, the same time nuclear tests were done in that area, which could explain the fused bones. Whitaker says "Something about this isn't right".
In the Crashdown Max, Michael, Isabel, Tess, Alex and Maria have gathered together and are sharing pizzas. Max is explaining "So I thought if I could age the bones, it would totally take suspicion off of Michael". Michael thanks him. Max returns his pocketknife and says "Better sew the holes in your pockets soldier". They all laugh. Courtney comes in from the back room and asks what the celebration is for. Maria explains it's tradition before school begins "Our last hurrah". Courtney says "Cool" and heads for the door, saying "Hi Michael" and smiling as she passes. This does not go unnoticed by Maria, who then apologises saying she wasn't aware Courtney was still there. Michael says they have to be more careful and walks over to the counter. Maria follows him and starts to flirt. Michael reminds her that it is over between them. She asks "Why, because you're destined to be with Isabel?" He replies "No, I don't buy that. Because I'm destined to be this soldier and a soldier can't have some chick at home waiting for him". Maria counters with "Michael, half the movies ever made are about soldiers with chicks waiting at home for them". Michael says "Well, be that as it may... " and walks away. She follows and says "I miss you Michael". Michael pauses then replies "I know, but don't".
Max leaves the Crashdown and runs into Liz outside. He asks her to pretend for one second that things could go back to the way they were and asks with hope in his voice "Could you and I go back too?" She replies "I can't pretend Max". He strokes her arm and she has flashes of their more romantic times together. She smiles euphorically and Max says "What?" She is still somewhat dazed by the effect but replies "Nothing. Goodnight" and she heads for the door, turns, looks at him and then walks into the Crashdown. Max turns to leave, smiling enigmatically.
Max is in his bedroom. His shirt is off but he wearily lies down on his bed still wearing his pants and sneakers. He is annoyed when he hears a tap on his window, thinking it is Michael. He opens the window and is shocked when Nasedo, as Ed Harding, falls through the window and onto the floor. Max kneels down and rips open his shirt. Blood is pouring from Nasedo's nose and there appear to be stars burned onto his chest. He reaches up, touches Max on the chest and weakly says "They're among you now". Max asks "Who is? Who is among us?" Nasedo replies "The Skins" and dies. Max says "No, no!" puts his hand on Nasedo's chest and tries to use his powers to revive him but to no avail.