7x08
Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.

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                                       TEASER

               FADE IN:

         1     INT. UTF HQ - WARD - NIGHT                               1

               Right where we left them. KIRSTEN, ILLYRIA, SPIKE and ANGEL
               are standing around SONIA's bed, as a serious looking WESLEY
               stands next to UTF members DAVID and DR. VASQUEZ, and their
               associate DR. MANSELL.

               Everybody stares at Wes in stunned silence. He's standing in
               front of a lightbox with a set of x-rays pinned to it.

               A long beat. Glances are swapped. Nobody is quite sure what
               to say after Wesley's revelation that Sonia is part demon.

               Until Sonia BURSTS OUT LAUGHING!

                                   SONIA
                         Oh, good one, Wes! 

                                   WESLEY
                         I assure you, I'm not-

               Spike starts to LAUGH, joining in.

                                   SPIKE
                         Yeah, nice one, Percy. Almost had
                         us going for a second there!

               The laughter is infectious, and soon Angel and Kirsten are
               joining in. A confused Illyria looks round at them all.

                                   ILLYRIA
                         What is so amusing? Have you all
                         been enchanted?

                                   ANGEL
                         It's a joke, isn't it? There's no
                         way she could be...

               Angel is the first to stop laughing as he registers Wesley's
               serious expression. One by one, the laughter of the others
               dies down until only Sonia is left giggling.

                                   WESLEY
                         Angel...

                                   SPIKE
                             (snaps back)
                         No, hang on just a sodding minute!
                         Sonia is part demon?!?

                                   WESLEY
                         That's what the tests are telling
                         us.

                                   SONIA
                         Be serious! That's impossible!

                                   MANSELL
                         Hey, I thought so too the first few
                         times I ran the tests. I kept
                         checking them, but it's all
                         correct.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         So, what you're saying is...

               Another moment of silence. Sonia's face finally starts to
               drop as the reality of the situation kicks in.

                                   SONIA
                             (quiet)
                         I'm a demon?

                                   ANGEL
                         No. No, that's not what he's saying
                         at all. He means...
                             (stuck)
                         Wes?

                                   WESLEY
                         All the data we've correlated so
                         far is hinting at some kind of
                         demonic DNA in your system, Sonia.
                         The source and species are
                         currently unknown, but I'm afraid
                         the end result is quite conclusive.

                                   SONIA
                         So...

                                   VASQUEZ
                         It's possible we just found the
                         reason for your rapid recovery.

                                   SONIA
                         Oh.
                             (beat; confused)
                         Wait, what? Are you saying my body
                         healed itself?

                                   DAVID
                         Uh, basically... yeah. We've been
                         unable to identify the specific
                         species as of yet, but we're
                         working on it.

                                   ANGEL
                         Okay, say this is true. Are there
                         any other test we can run to
                         confirm it?

                                   MANSELL
                         Here? No. I even brought some
                         equipment over from my own
                         department. If we could run it,
                         it's been run. Trust me.

                                   WESLEY
                         There are... other options.

                                   SPIKE
                         Then let's hear them! I'm all for
                         'other options' at this point.

                                   WESLEY
                         We could try a shaman, or witch
                         doctor, somebody with demon blood
                         in their own system, somebody else
                         who would share the same...
                             (chooses words carefully)
                         ... connection that Sonia does.

               Sonia has gone very, very pale, and looks ready to throw up.

                                   ANGEL
                         Well, what are we waiting here for?
                         Let's go!

                                   WESLEY
                         All of us? Shouldn't some of us go
                         back to the hotel to keep an eye
                         the children?

                                   SPIKE
                         I thought you said you had some of
                         your UTF chaps watching the place?

                                   WESLEY
                         I do, but I'd still feel more
                         secure knowing one of us was there.

                                   ILLYRIA
                             (steps forward)
                         I will go.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         Yeah, me too. Spike and Angel
                         should go check out this witch
                         doctor thing. Sonia should stay-

               Sonia interrupts her as she swings out of the bed.

                                   SONIA
                         The hell I will! I'm coming with
                         you guys.

                                   ANGEL
                         I don't think that's a good idea.
                         You've just-

                                   SONIA
                             (snaps)
                         I just found out I'm half monster!
                         Do you actually think I'm not gonna
                         do everything I can to find out
                         what the hell is going on right
                         now?

                                   ANGEL
                             (beat; to Wes)
                         She's coming with us.

                                   WESLEY
                         Agreed. I'll stay here, keep going
                         over the test results we have.
                         We'll rendezvous back at the
                         Hyperion in two hours.

               Spike hands Sonia a change of clothes from a pile on her
               bedside table, and she nods her thanks before scuttling into
               a nearby bathroom.

               Spike turns wearily to Angel, who watches as Illyria and
               Kirsten hurry out of the ward.

                                   SPIKE
                         It's going to be one of those
                         evenings, isn't it?

                                   ANGEL
                         It sure is...

               Angel looks to Spike, and from their dark espressions, we:

                                                             BLACK OUT:



                                    END OF TEASER
                                       ACT ONE

               FADE IN:

         2     EXT. LA STREET - NIGHT                                   2

               Angel, Sonia and Spike head down a city street, somewhere in
               a run down part of town. Sonia SHIVERS in the cold, despite
               wearing a thick jacket.

                                   SPIKE
                         Are you alright, luv? You look a
                         little...

                                   SONIA
                         Hey, if I can survive almost
                         turning into a zombie, this should
                         be a piece of cake.

                                   ANGEL
                             (blinks)
                         You were a zombie?

                                   SONIA
                             (corrects him)
                         Almost a zombie. Me and Conn...

               She trails off, lowering her head. They walk on in awkward
               silence for a few beats before Angel and Spike both stop
               suddenly, raising their heads and SNIFFING the night air.

                                   SONIA (cont'd)
                         What is it?

                                   ANGEL
                         Something...

                                   SPIKE
                             (sniffs)
                         Blood. Close by.

               Angel and Spike head towards a rickety-looking building to
               their left, suddenly a lot more focused. Sonia raises an
               eyebrow as she watches them.

                                   SONIA
                         I don't think I'm ever going to get
                         used to how you vampire guys do
                         that, you know.
                             (pales)
                         Oh, God, does that mean I'm gonna
                         start doing things like that now?

               Spike shoves away a few rusty sheets of corrugated metal to
               reveal a DOORWAY. A flimsy wooden door stands in the way, and
               Spike glances to Angel.

                                   ANGEL
                             (nods)
                         Go ahead.

               Spike grins and KICKS the door open. It blasts off into the
               darkness beyond in a shower of fragments, and after a beat
               the trio step through, into:

         3     INT. TUNNEL - CONTINUOUS                                 3

               A long, dark tunnel awaits them, lit by sporadically
               positioned flaming torches along the way.

                                   SPIKE
                         Reminds me of home.

                                   SONIA
                         Is there some kind of rulebook on
                         how these guys set up their lairs?

               Angel leads the way, pausing to yank one of the torches from
               the wall.

                                   ANGEL
                         It's an old school thing. A lot of
                         these guys are traditionalists, you
                         know. Like to do things a certain
                         way.

                                   SPIKE
                         Like Angel and his hair.

               Angel pauses, turning to glare at Spike, and as he heads back
               on his way Spike nudges Sonia and grins. She manages a small
               smile in return.

                                   SPIKE (cont'd)
                         That's better. Thought we'd seen
                         the last of that little beauty.

                                   SONIA
                         Yeah, me too. Haven't exactly had
                         much to smile about past few days,
                         what with the whole 'being in a
                         coma' thing and all.

                                   SPIKE
                         Yeah, but you're out now, aren't
                         you? Everything's shiny and happy
                         once again.

                                   SONIA
                         Apart from the 'me being part
                         demon' part.

                                   SPIKE
                             (smirks)
                         Who isn't these days?

               Sonia pauses, letting Spike walk on. She mulls his words over
               for a beat, then follows.

               Angel comes to a dead end in the tunnel. He holds the torch
               to each corner of the flat stone wall before him, but there's
               no visible way forwards.

               Spike joins him, pausing to casually light a cigarette on the
               torch.

                                   SPIKE (cont'd)
                         Leading us up the wrong garden path
                         again?

                                   ANGEL
                         This is the only tunnel we could
                         have taken. We must have missed
                         something.

                                   SPIKE
                         Or maybe...

               Spike takes off his leather jacket, rolling up his sleeves
               and walking up to the wall, placing his palms against it.

                                   SPIKE (cont'd)
                         ... you just need to apply a little
                         pressure.

               He grits his teeth and HEAVES, trying to push through the
               wall - but nothing happens.

               He rests and tries again, muscles bulging, but still nothing
               happens. He turns to Angel, irritated.

                                   SPIKE (cont'd)
                         Don't just stand there, you
                         poofter, help me!

               Angel puts his shoulder against the wall and HEAVES, but
               again there's no result.

                                   ANGEL
                         Remind me why we're doing this?

                                   SPIKE
                         Seen it before. These witch doctor
                         types love their dead ends, keeps
                         the unwanted visitors away.

                                   ANGEL
                         Yeah, but I don't see how us
                         pushing is doing any good!

                                   SPIKE
                         We just need to try harder... 

               They both HEAVE again, finally giving up and stepping away,
               exhausted. Angel winces as he rotates his shoulder.

                                   ANGEL
                             (sarcastic)
                         Great. Nice plan, Spike.

                                   SPIKE
                         Don't look at me, you're the one
                         who brought us down here!

                                   ANGEL
                             (weary)
                         And like I just said, only way we
                         could have come!

                                   SPIKE
                         Well, go back and check! Chances
                         are we walked right past the actual
                         bloody way in while you were busy
                         poncing about with your flaming
                         Indiana Jones torch!

               They continue to bicker as Sonia walks between them, frowning
               as she studies the wall.

                                   ANGEL
                         You were right with me! In fact,
                         you were following me, so before
                         you start accusing me of getting us
                         lost, maybe you ought to check your-

                                   SONIA
                         Guys!

               They turn to her. She lifts a cautious hand towards the wall,
               running her hand across it but not actually touching it.

                                   SPIKE
                         What?

                                   SONIA
                         Can't you see it?

                                   SPIKE
                         See what? It's a bloody wall, pet!

                                   SONIA
                         It's... it's glittering.

                                   SPIKE
                         Ah, no, I think you'll find that's
                         all the anaesthetic still in your
                         system.

               Sonia presses her hand forward - and it sinks right into the
               wall! Angel and Spike gape as Sonia steps forward - and goes
               STRAIGHT THROUGH the wall!

               A beat as the two stunned vampires stare at the wall, before
               dashing back over to it. They push against it - but it's
               solid once more.

                                   SPIKE (cont'd)
                         Did you see that?

                                   ANGEL
                         I, uh...

                                   SPIKE
                         She walked right through the wall!

                                   ANGEL
                         Yeah...

                                   SPIKE
                         How did she do that?

               Sonia's HEAD pops back through the wall, and they both JUMP
               BACK in shock.

                                   SONIA
                         Will you boys stop being so special
                         and follow me?

                                   SPIKE
                             (bewildered)
                         Er... we'd like to, we just don't
                         seem to have turned into one of the
                         bloody X-Men like you just have!

                                   SONIA
                         Oh, right. Sorry. Wait a second.

               She leans back through the wall, out of sight, and after a
               moment the entire wall starts to SHIMMER - and it FADES AWAY,
               leaving a grinning Sonia standing casually in the entrance of
               a second tunnel, this one lit by frosty blue light.

                                   SPIKE
                         How did you...

                                   SONIA
                             (points)
                         Control panel.

               They look - a small keypad is fixed to the wall inside the
               new tunnel.

                                   ANGEL
                         Doesn't explain how you walked
                         through in the first place!

                                   SONIA
                             (shrugs)
                         I don't know either. But even money
                         says we follow this tunnel and we
                         find out.

               She starts off down the tunnel, and after an exchange of
               glances Spike and Angel follow, as we cut to:

         4     INT. HYPERION - WESLEY'S OFFICE - NIGHT                  4

               A tired looking Wesley finally steps back into his office,
               YAWNING as he shrugs his bag off his shoulder. He heads round
               to his desk and takes a seat, putting his feet up on the desk
               and closing his eyes, clearly settling in for a quick nap.

               He shifts slightly, sensing somebody entering the room - and
               opens his eyes to see one of the fugitive Academy KIDS
               grinning at him!

               Startled, Wes jumps back, his feet crashing off the desk. He
               recovers and looks up to see Kirsten ushering in two more
               kids, closing the door behind her.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         Hey. Thought you should hear this.

                                   WESLEY
                         Kirsten, can't this wait? I had to
                         leave David and the others at the
                         lab because I could barely keep my
                         eyes open...

                                   KIRSTEN
                         This won't take long.

               She gets the kids to line up - two girls and one boy. The
               girls, RHIANNA and SUZI, are nine-year-old twins with
               matching blonde hair and freckled faces, while they boy,
               GEORGE, is a stroppy-looking eight-year old with dark hair.

                                   KIRSTEN (cont'd)
                         This is Rhianna, Suzi and George.
                         They were heads of their respective
                         classes at the Academy.

                                   WESLEY
                         Classes in what?

                                   KIRSTEN
                             (prompts)
                         Go on, tell Uncle Wesley.

                                   RHIANNA & SUZI
                             (together)
                         Telepathy and precognition.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         George?

                                   GEORGE
                             (mumbles)
                         Mind reading.

                                   WESLEY
                             (surprised)
                         Oh.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         These kids are the ones who know
                         what's going on, basically. I tried
                         talking to the oldest kid, Hayley,
                         who's fourteen, but they had her
                         working so hard that she didn't
                         have much time to find anything
                         out.

                                   WESLEY
                         I see.

                                   RHIANNA
                         Are you the man who's always with
                         the funny blue lady?

                                   WESLEY
                             (smiles)
                         Yes, that's me.

                                   SUZI
                         She's scary. I don't like her eyes.

                                   WESLEY
                         You get used to her.

                                   GEORGE
                             (mischevious)
                         I saw you kiss her.

               Wesley looks to Kirsten, who stifles a laugh and nudges
               Rhianna and Suzi to step forward.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         The girls here told me some stuff
                         they heard their teachers say.

                                   WESLEY
                         And by 'heard,' I take it you mean-

                                   SUZI
                         We saw it in their heads.

                                   WESLEY
                         And we're very glad that you did!
                         So what can you tell us? Do you
                         know what your teachers were
                         planning for you?

                                   RHIANNA
                         They wanted to know how we were
                         developing with the... the...
                             (searches for right word)
                         ... dithulometric implants.

                                   WESLEY
                         Right...

                                   SUZI
                         And how we'd be responding to, uh,
                         hypnotic suggestion and putting
                         thoughts into other people's heads.

               Wesley throws a serious look at Kirsten, who nods.

                                   WESLEY
                             (to George)
                         And what about you?

                                   GEORGE
                             (casually)
                         They wanted to know if I could make
                         somebody's brain catch on fire.

               Wesley reacts as the twins GIGGLE.

                                   RHIANNA
                         That's stupid!

                                   SUZI
                         Why would you want to do that?

                                   RHIANNA
                         I bet you couldn't even do it.

                                   GEORGE
                             (protests)
                         I could! All I had to do was
                         concentrate...

               He narrows his eyes, glaring at Suzi, and an alarmed Kirsten
               quickly ushers him out of the office, returning a moment
               later.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         Uh, sorry, he's a little... well,
                         emotional.

                                   WESLEY
                             (darkly)
                         Let's hope he can learn to control
                         himself.

               Wesley turns back to the twins, back to his friendly
               schoolteacher demeanour.

                                   WESLEY (cont'd)
                         Can you two girls do me a really
                         big favour?

               They nod, and Wesley hands them a notepad and pen.

                                   WESLEY (cont'd)
                         It would really help Kirsten and I
                         out a lot if you could write down
                         all the things you just told me,
                         and anything else you can remember
                         that you saw in your teacher's
                         heads.

               Rhianna takes the pad, but Suzi wrinkles her nose.

                                   SUZI
                         Can we just saw pictures?

                                   WESLEY
                         That will be fine too. Can you do
                         that for me?

                                   RHIANNA
                         I'm gonna need some crayons.

                                   WESLEY
                         I'll find you some. You'd both
                         better get back to your room now,
                         it's a long way past your bedtime.

                                   RHIANNA & SUZI
                         Okay!

               They skip merrily out of the office, and Kirsten watches them
               go. She turns back to Wes, grinning.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         Those kids really love you, you
                         know.

                                   WESLEY
                         I hadn't given it much thought.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         Oh, sure they do! They really look
                         up to you. You're like their Obi
                         Wan or something.

               Wesley seems pleased by this, but soon brings his mind back
               to more serious business.

                                   WESLEY
                         It looks like our initial fears
                         were correct.

                                   KIRSTEN
                             (nods)
                         Not all the kids knew what it was
                         they were learning how to do, but
                         the ones like Rhianna that I've
                         spoken to all gave me similar stuff
                         - that they're being trained as
                         assassins.

                                   WESLEY
                         It was her use of the phrase
                         'hypnotic suggestion' that worries
                         me. Are you certain they don't have
                         subliminal triggers, waiting to be
                         activated? Behavioural
                         modifications implanted at the
                         Academy?

                                   KIRSTEN
                             (sighs)
                         I don't know... I mean, I've been
                         trying to find out, but it's not
                         like they're gonna know if they
                         have subconscious 'on' switches
                         hidden in their brains!

                                   WESLEY
                             (thoughtful)
                         No... but some of the ones with
                         psychic powers may be able to tell
                         us!

                                   KIRSTEN
                         And what was that Rhianna said?
                         Something about 'dithulometric
                         implants'?

               Wesley nods and heads for his bookshelf, taking down a thick
               hardback medical textbook and flipping through it.

                                   WESLEY
                             (reads)
                         It's something I've come across
                         before.
                         It's a procedure that involves
                         splicing human DNA with that of
                         other creatures.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         Yikes. Very 'Dark Angel.'

                                   WESLEY
                         Very what?

                                   KIRSTEN
                         Never mind. So, what, they've been
                         injecting the kids with DNA from
                         other things to see what happens?

                                   WESLEY
                         More specific than that.

                                   KIRSTEN
                             (catching up)
                         Demon DNA...
                             (gasps)
                         Sonia!

                                   WESLEY
                             (nods)
                         It's an unfortunate possibility
                         that Sonia may be involved in all
                         of this somehow.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         But... how?

                                   WESLEY
                         That's something we're going to
                         have to find out.

               Wes takes off his glasses and rubs his eyes wearily.

                                   KIRSTEN
                         No, it's something I have to find
                         out. You need to get some rest.

                                   WESLEY
                             (yawning)
                         I'll be fine, I just need to-

                                   KIRSTEN
                         Don't worry about it. I think I
                         know where to go looking for any
                         intel we need on this - I just need
                         a little help getting to it.

               Wes looks up at her, and as Kirsten grins, we cut to:
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Script created with Final Draft by Final Draft, Inc.