[Largo is reporting to the chairman of the Terra Nostra]
I know where to look for them, chairman.
CChairman
Only your stupidity makes it necessary to look for them.
I had to ensure that they took my agent with them.
Well, she's reporting on their movements, I'll follow them and capture them.
Chairman, the rewards will be threefold: the money they are carrying, which is substantial; the bounty from the authorities, which is also substantial; and more important of all--the demonstration that we can punish where the Federation itself can't even reach.
CChairman
Very well, Largo. A heavy cruiser will be at your disposal, but don't delay too long, or the rewards will be onefold: the demonstration that we can punish.
Thank you for your confidence.
CChairman
Largo, that is too small a thing to thank me for.
[The chairman disconnects their call]
[angrily] You'll pay for that.
Before or after he finds out that you are lying?
[Largo's enforcer is reporting to the chairman of the Terra Nostra]
They'll be making planetfall any time now.
CChairman
Excellent. Are all Largo's addicts so available?
Yes, chairman. It seems he's been adding it to all the shadow we supplied.
CChairman
Radioactive, you say?
Not exactly. Controlled particle emission. Detectable only with the right equipment; which Largo's got, of course.
CChairman
Surely it damages the addicts?
[shrugging] Kills them a little sooner. But at least if you need one, you always know where to look.
CChairman
What a clever idea. We must consider it for general use.
What about Blake and his friends, chairman?
CChairman
You can leave all that to me.
CChairman
You've done well. Dispose of the body. His assets are now yours. [disconnects the call]
[the enforcer looks down at Largo's corpse]
Ironic, isn't it? We were hoping to use the Terra Nostra to attack the Federation, only to discover that it is already being used to support it.
Where are all the good guys?
Could be looking at them.
What a very depressing thought.
Sooner or later, Blake is going to attack Federation Central Control on Earth itself.
He wouldn't be alone if you just left him, Avon.
Avon (smirks): Virtually alone, then.
It is a triple-A security installation.
We have got into those before.
Usually with your screams of protest ringing in our ears. Are you telling me you're in favour of this idea?
No! Not exactly...I just don't think it's stupid. Perhaps...maybe I'm on your side, Cally.
It's not a question of sides, Vila.
Avon (to Vila): No, it's a question of intelligence. So your opinion has very little relevance.
We do not know what IMIPAK is.
Exactly. The least we've got to do is find out what it does.
Why have we? I can live without it.
It's just conceivable that you can't.
Unless of course you want your last words to be, "So that's IMIPAK."
(Presses a button on the intercom console and the walls are suffused by pastel lights, then speaks into the intercom) Send in Carnell.
(notes color changes) Supreme Commander.
It's going wrong, Carnell.
Wrong? Ma'am, I'm mortified by your lack of confidence.
If I lose Coser - and his invention - 'mortified' is exactly what you'll be.
A brilliant psychostrategist like me? Come now, Supreme Commander. How would I not?
Carnell...(She walks from her desk, around the back of his chair to the other side)
(Runs her hand down his chest) You miscalculated Coser's breakdown.
He went a little sooner, that's all. The rest will be on schedule. You'll get IMIPAK. And when you do, no one will realise you've got it, because everyone else involved will either be dead or running away. (Grasps her hand but she walks away)
(Picks up the flower and smiles) Oh, you're the strategist - you tell me.
OOfficer
(Enters carrying a folder) Supreme Commander?
(Appears from the left and looks out the window at the starfield) Almost the only thing I never find boring: contemplating the infinite. Is there something I can do for you?
OOfficer
I was to report to the Supreme Commander, sir.
Too late, I fear. She's already on her way. "To what?" do I hear you ask?
Excellent. It was a trick question. Remember, the officer corps can forgive anything they understand. Which makes intelligence just about the only sin.
OOfficer
Have I your leave to go, sir?
What did you want to see the Supreme Commander about? Or am I being indiscreet?
OOfficer
I have a report for her. (Carnell puts out his hand for the report folder) It's confidential.
From an official psychostrategist?
Officer (surprised): You're a Puppeteer?
Do they still call us that? I never really felt that did me justice.
OOfficer
My apologies, sir. I meant no offense.
I was offensive. Why shouldn't you be?
Give me the report. (Flips the folder open, scans it briefly and closes it) Do you play chess?
(Hands him the chess computer) Take it, it's yours.
OOfficer
(Accepts) Thank you, sir.
A small return for saving my life. But then, it's all I own. (brief pause) You have my leave to go now. (Officer leaves) And the other mistake I made was not getting an advance on my fee.
(Into intercom, startled) Gone?
Voice (V.O., over intercom): Uh...yes. He left a, uh, confidential message for you, Supreme Commander. It's on channel twelve.
Welcome back, Supreme Commander. I apologise for not being here in person to greet you, but I think you'll appreciate my reasons. I overlooked the girl. Well, no, to be fair to myself, your people overlooked her. I know she was only a bond slave, but they should have realised she was gone rather sooner than they did. I might have adapted the strategy. Ah well, even a genius can make mistakes. Look at it this way, Supreme Commander, you haven't lost anything. Whereas I, well, I've lost my career, my position, the respect of my peers. Come to think of it, I haven't lost much, either. On the subject of losers, be careful of Travis. The catharsis he got by killing that first clone will have worn off by now. He's as mad as ever he was. But then, aren't we all? One last thing, Supreme Commander. I must tell you this: you are undoubtedly the sexiest officer I have ever known. (Servalan smiles and picks up the flower)
You're not going to follow the freighter all the way to Horizon?
Oh, you are curious. Well, I'm glad we have a worthwhile purpose.
Doesn't it interest you a little?
No! There's nothing out there - we are on the edge. Even Zen has nothing on it. That could mean anything - an experimental warzone - anything.
That freighter's gone to Horizon for some good reason.
Which is more than you can say for us.
