FINNEGAN'S SQUAD: "Homecoming"



               BEGIN OPENING ACT:

                                                              ON BLACK:

               SUPER: THEN 

               FADE IN:



               INT. CHILDREN'S AID DORM - NIGHT

               The room is dark with the light of a full moon streaming
               through the windows as the only illumination.

               A young man, DAVEY (age 13), comes to a bed in an open dorm
               room where a young woman, ANGELA (age 12) is sleeping.  He
               gently shakes her awake.

                                   DAVEY
                             (whispering)
                         Angie.  Angie, wake up.

               She stirs, brushing a few locks of her blonde hair from her
               eyes and then sees his expression.  He's already guided her
               up and out of bed.

                                   ANGIE
                         The power out again?

               Davey nods leading her across the room.

                                   DAVEY 
                         Come on.

               She sleepily follows him to the window, moving past many
               empty beds.

               At the window they look out while a few adults are seen
               quietly leaving the building, each with either a suitcase or
               a box of their possessions.  They head for the gate and
               depart.

                                   ANGIE
                         Where are they going?

                                   DAVEY
                         To their families I guess.

                                   ANGIE
                         So we're alone now?

               From behind them a woman, 55-ish, answers.

                                   MRS BROWN
                         No child.

               Angie turns looking at Mrs Brown who joins them at the
               window.

                                   ANGIE
                         Why are they leaving, Mrs Brown?

                                   MRS BROWN
                         The authorities are letting people
                         leave.

                                   DAVEY
                         If they have sponsors.

                                   MRS BROWN
                         Yes.

                                   ANGIE
                         Do we have sponsors?

                                   DAVEY
                         No.  We're orphans, we got no
                         family to sponsor us.

               Angie looks up at Mrs Brown.

                                   ANGIE
                         But what about you?

                                   MRS BROWN
                         Just like you child, my family is
                         all here.

               Angie looks out the window.  The adults are gone.  In the far
               distance Hovering vehicles and other craft illuminate a gate.

               Mrs Brown pulls a small unit from her pocket and places it on
               the window ledge before them.  It activates creating a tiny
               video image of a News Reporters at the gate.  The volume is
               low.

               As the report progresses there will be reaction shots of each
               to the news but the final one we land on is Angela's.

                                   NEWS REPORTER (O.S.)
                         As midnight approaches the last of
                         those who qualify for sponsorship
                         are coming to gate. 
                         In just a few minutes this once
                         wealthy area of Toronto will become
                         a new sort of gated community. 
                         North America's first inner city
                         slum prison.

               Fade to black on Angela's reaction.

               SUPER: NOW 

                                   NEWSNET REPORTER (V.O.)
                             (overlapping last line)
                         North America's first inner city
                         slum prison broke out in violence
                         last night as competing gangs
                         across Rosedale met in a final show
                         down for control of this region. 
                         Network authorities are preparing
                         to bolster up the Rosedale
                         Contingent...



               INT. STATION 5 - CIMARRON WARDROOM

               We fade up during that line on BALE's reaction.  As much as
               possible her expression should mirror that of Angela's if for
               no other reason than to further establish that Angela was
               Bale when she was 12.

               Bale's expression hardens as she looks down in thought.  She
               turns and starts through wardroom with stark determination.

               Everyone else in the wardroom, members of her Squad are in
               various stages of undress, some going to showers or coming
               from, some merely changing their gear after another training
               exercise.

                                   DAVIS
                         I'm really starting to hate all
                         this training.

                                   BLOCKER
                         Nothing we can do until they finish
                         repairing the Lander.

                                   DAVIS
                         We shouldn't be that dependant on
                         the thing that we can't do missions
                         otherwise.

                                   BLOCKER
                         You're preaching to the converted
                         my friend.

               Bale passes them without stopping or comment.



               INT. STATION 5 - HALL

               Bale enters the hall, passes a few others and then comes to a
               door.  She taps the announce button and waits.  A happy CHIME
               is heard and when she taps the button again the door opens.



               INT. STATION 5 - MAJOR ACKER'S OFFICE

               Bale steps inside the Major's office just far enough that the
               door can close behind her.  She stands there, determination
               on her face, looking at the Major and waiting to be
               acknowledged.

               Behind him, through the large bay windows of his office, she
               can see the Cimarron parked in it's berth.  The absence of
               the Lander is keenly evident.

               Ackers looks up and sees Bale.

                                   ACKERS
                         Something I can do for you Lef
                         tenant?

               Bale steps forward, licks her lips and then begins.

                                   BALE
                         I'd like temporary re-assignment
                         sir.

                                   ACKERS
                         Oh?  Is something wrong?

                                   BALE
                         Not here sir. No.

                                   ACKERS
                         I know the waiting is getting to
                         everyone Lef-tenant.  It won't be
                         much longer.

                                   BALE
                         Major.  I was one of the first
                         people rescued from Rosedale after
                         the lock down but even then I saw
                         enough to know I wouldn't wish...

               Bale is fighting back tears and embarrassed by it.  Ackers
               realizes this is serious.

                                   ACKERS
                         It's alright Lef-tenant.

               Bale is a professional soldier, she quickly compartmentalizes
               the emotions and continues as though nothing is wrong.

                                   BALE
                         I'd like permission to join the
                         Rosedale Contingent until we're
                         ready to resume operations.

                                   ACKERS
                         That's one of the worse duties in
                         the force.

                                   BALE
                         I know that sir.

                                   ACKERS
                         Casualties are extremely high.  The
                         locals who remain do not want us
                         there.

                                   BALE
                         I'm aware of that sir.

                                   ACKERS
                         I don't want to lose a very able
                         officer to a group of rioting
                         thugs.

                                   BALE
                         I appreciate that sir.

                                   ACKERS
                         But you want to go anyway?

                                   BALE
                         Yes sir.  It's my home.  It's my
                         duty to serve.

               Ackers looks at her determination.  He nods.

                                   ACKERS
                         Alright.  I'll approve the
                         transfer.

                                   BALE
                         Thank you sir.

               She turns to leave.

                                   ACKERS
                         On a temporary basis Lef-tenant. 
                         The moment we're ready to go I want
                         you back here.

                                   BALE
                         Understood sir.  Thank you.

               Ackers nods.  Bale leaves.  Ackers sits in his chair and
               rotates looking at the Cimarron, or more accurately the empty
               space where the Lander should be.

               END OPENING ACT: