Chapter 3: In Times of War (Part 3)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Bennett

Sir, we have to deal with a witness.

Saunders

A witness to what?

Bennett

The nurse who was with Mr. and Mrs. Fields at the hospital.

Saunders

Oh, right… her. What’s her name again? ‘Welsh’?

Bennett

‘Walsh’, sir.

Saunders

I knew it is something that sounded weird…Irish maybe? Anyways, let’s go get her. I have a plan for her.

Bennett

What’s that?

Saunders

We need a doctor.

Bennett

We have plenty of doctors.

Saunders

Yes, but we’re already having them do too much. Come on, we’re not trying to be evil employers. It’s bad for business.

Bennett

So what’s the plan for this nurse?

Saunders

We need someone to take care of what’s going on downstairs, has knowledge of the Pods, and it also doesn’t hurt that she has a personal relationship with Mr. Fields and some of the other employees of LifeSource.

Bennett

I see what you mean. I’ll go get her.

Saunders

I’ll come too. No offense, Bennett, but you tend to scare people. Besides, I’ve been looking at surveillance videos all day; I need to stretch my legs.

---

A loud ringing comes from Gabriel’s pocket and he lets out a sigh as he takes out a phone and looks at the screen.

Carrie

What’s is it?

Gabriel

They’re coming.

Carrie

How do you know that?

Gabriel

Not important. I need to get going. Remember everything I told you. Stick to the plan. Do whatever they ask you to do. When the time comes, you’ll need to betray them and report that information to me so we can stop whatever they’re doing.

Carrie

We don’t even know what that is yet. They could be working on something good.

Gabriel

Whatever it is they’re working on, it can’t be for good. I just don’t know what it is yet.

Carrie

Alright. Will I see you again?

Gabriel

Yes. We’ll meet again. It was really nice seeing you, Carrie.

Carrie

You too, Daniel.

Gabriel

Oh, right. About that; you should know from now on, call me...

Carrie has a puzzled look on her face and Gabriel just stares into her eyes not seeing the point in finishing that sentence.

Gabriel

Never mind. It’s not important. Goodbye, Carrie.

Gabriel walks over to the window and crawls out of it.

---

2009 – Army Dormitories

Daniel

Leonard! Ouch!

Daniel trips in the dark over the chest that is laying at the foot of Leonard’s bed.

Daniel

Leonard, wake up!

Leonard

Ugh, what do you want, John?

Daniel

I can’t stay here. I have to leave.

Leonard

What? How the hell are you going to leave? Why would you want to?

Daniel

It’s my brother. It’s not right that he has to think I’m dead. It’s not right that I’m still here and I can’t see him. It’s not right that they’re making me stay here.

Leonard

But, John...

Daniel

I don’t think there’s much point to calling me that name anymore.

Leonard

Daniel, your brother is successful now. He started that company, the government is finally giving him funding, and he’s provided a lot of support for the military. Maybe they’ll reconsider your agreement and let you see your brother now that he’s on his way.

Daniel

I don’t know if they’ll do that.

Leonard

It’s worth a shot. Isn’t it?

Daniel sits on the end of the bed and shakes his head as they sit in silence for a moment until Leonard sighs.

Leonard

I shouldn’t be telling you this...

Daniel

What? What is it?

Leonard

Rumor has it your brother’s found a girl.

Daniel

Really?

Leonard

Yeah. Jimmy told me it’s the daughter of that billionaire, Joe Tyler.

Daniel

You’re kidding me!

Leonard

I’m just saying your brother seems happy. I’m sure that if you ask them they’ll let you see him again. Everything seems alright now. Those fancy looking machines we recently received that your brother worked on seem to be pretty important.

Daniel

Right now all they do is keep a heart beating a little longer before someone dies.

Leonard

It’s healed two men so far.

Daniel

One of those guys is in a coma and the other one is barely injured. And he seems different now.

Leonard

How so?

Daniel

For one his breathing improved. He had a small asthma problem, you see. Why someone with asthma joined the army is beyond me, but it seems like it’s all but gone now.

Leonard

I don’t really understand what that means.

Daniel

I don’t know. Never mind. I’ll talk to the general and see what he says.

---

Present Day

The doorbell rings and Carrie opens the door to see a large man standing in front of her.

Saunders

Carrie Welsh?

Carrie

Walsh.

Saunders

My apologies. I’m Agent Saunders of the FBI. May I come in?

Carrie

What is this about?

Saunders

I just have a couple questions to ask you.

Carrie steps aside to allow agent Saunders to come inside as Gabriel slides down the railing of the fire escape and walks out of the alley and into the streets. He looks around for a moment and sees Agent Bennett is sitting in the car outside the apartment.

Bennett

Where the hell is he getting that I scare people? I think I’m adorable.

Bennett is watching people walk by when he notices a man in a black hood leaving a nearby alley and walking in the other direction.

Bennett

No...

Bennett starts watching more closely until he’s almost certain the person he’s seeing is the same man he saw at the hospital before he picks up a radio.

Bennett

Uh, sir. I think I found him.

Saunders

What the hell are you talking about? Found who? Aren’t you still sitting in the car?

Bennett

It’s the man from the hospital. He’s walking across the street right now.

Saunders

Are you certain?

Bennett

I could swear that’s him.

Saunders

Follow him. Let me know when you’re sure. Keep me updated.

Gabriel peeks over his shoulder and sees the agent walking out of his car and following him. His eyes widen and he starts running.

Bennett

It’s him!

Saunders

How do you know?

Bennett

Because he’s running!

---

2009 – Army Base

General

No.

Daniel

‘No,’ sir?

General

That’s right.

Daniel

If you don’t mind me asking... I’m just a little confused. I thought we needed my brother to believe I was dead so he could make progress on his research. He has made progress and you’re funding him now. Why can’t I see him?

General

I do mind you asking. This isn’t a negotiation. This is an order. Your brother is far from where we want him to be. As for you, you were told to forget your old life. You’re dead and that’s the way it stays. Your brother could have single-handedly won this war but that doesn’t change the fact that you’re dead. Of course, with this new president things are looking promising but you are still ordered to forget that life and move on.

Daniel

How can I do that? You’re saying that I can never see my brother again?

General

I’m saying, as long as we are giving the orders you are to follow them. Do I make myself clear?

The General doesn’t even wait for a response and turns his back to Daniel as he starts to walk away.

Daniel

No.

General

What is that?

Daniel

I said no. I can’t go along with this anymore. I can’t keep hiding from Adam. I need to see him. He needs to know I’m alive.

General

Well I have no choice now. I’m sorry son, but you’re not going anywhere.

---

Present Day – In Carrie’s apartment

Saunders

Chase him. I’m going to call for backup and meet up with you.

Saunders puts down his radio and looks at Carrie, who now has a frightened look on her face.

Saunders

Damn, it’s me who scares people, isn’t it?

Carrie

Huh?

Saunders

Never mind. We’ll have to continue this conversation downtown. I’m going to call a backup car to take you there while I meet up with my partner.

To be continued...

Check back later this week for our third podcast and a Q&A with writer and co-creater, Jesse!