Season 5 Descriptive Summary Ep 5.06 - Solo

Season 5: Episode 6 - "Solo"
11/10/2005
Summary by superintelligentone aka SIO

The show starts with the announcement “Previously on Alias.” We see a recap of Arvin Sloane getting into the backseat of a car and turns to see Gordon Dean is sitting beside him. The man greets him “Hello, Arvin.” Sloane replies “Hello, Gordon... So you’re my mysterious benefactor.” Gordon reveals “Your security clearance hasn’t been reinstated” and Sloane replies “My changes of returning to APO are slim.” Dean tells him “I need you at APO.” The scene switches to Rachel explaining to Sydney “I had to dig... through my friends (remains) yesterday...” We see the timebomb explode in The Shed, sending the office workers flying from the blast as she continues “because of Gordon Dean. If I can help you stop him, then that’s what I need to do.” Then the scene switches to Arvin walking through the APO access tunnel towards Director Jack Bristow who is standing in front of the security desk, waiting to meet him.

The episode starts outside of a suburban tri-level house at night. Inside, a teenaged girl sitting in front of computer with an Instant Messaging program running onscreen asks “Hey, Dad. Fiona wants to know if I can come over and study for awhile.” Watching the football game on TV, her grey-haired father replies “Maybe tomorrow night, okay, kiddo?” The girl turns back to the computer to relay the message. Her mother and brother are also sitting watching the television as a shadowy figure creeps several feet behind the couch. The son seems to notice, but when he turns around, he doesn’t see anything unusual behind him. The mother leans forward to get her husband’s attention and says with concern “Oh, I left another message.” The man leans forward and assures her “Look, you know she’s always traveling. I mean, where is she now, Europe?” She replies “Yeah, but she usually calls.” Suddenly, the electricity shuts off throughout the house. The father calls out in exasperation “Oh, come... That’s okay. I got it.” As he gets up, the man comments “It’s probably just, you know, a circuit breaker or some...” Behind him, faintly illuminated by the street lights, are the silhouettes of several men approaching. We hear the sound of furniture being knocked over and the mother gasping “Oh!” and the father protesting “Hey!” The struggling only lasts a few seconds, and then when the power comes back on, everyone is gone. A swag light hanging from the ceiling swings as a result of the ruckus. On the mantle of the fireplace next to a framed photo of the father and mother is a framed photograph of Rachel Gibson, their daughter.

Sometime later in a plain holding room, Rachel’s younger sister sits at a table with her hands folded. Mrs. Gibson reaches over and touches her hand for courage. Her son sits nearby looking at his family members. Mr. Gibson paces the room nervously. From behind the observation window, Agent Gibson looks at her family with concern and sadness. Inside the room, her father glances at the two-mirror, suspecting that they are being watched. With a quivering voice and tears in her eyes, Rachel asks Sydney, who is also observing them “How much do they know?” Syd replies “Not much... That this is a government facility, that they’re here for their own protection.” The young agent nods, then sobs “I’ve ruined their lives.” Sydney turns and assures her “That’s not true.” Rachel points out “They can’t go home... They can’t go back to work. They can’t even say good-bye to their friends.” Syd counters “Because it’s not safe. You know that... There were taps on their phones. There was surveillance equipment. Witness protection is the best way to ensure their safety.” The young woman nods and a tear runs down her cheek. After a pause, she says sadly “They say I won’t even be able to call them... How am I supposed to this alone?” After a few moments, Sydney explains “You do it because you don’t have a choice... Because you want the world to be safe for the people you love.” Rachel turns to look at her for assurance. Syd confesses “I know some people think I’m crazy, still working like this, but I can’t go home and sit there and just... be pregnant... Not when the men who killed Vaughn are still out there... It’s my responsibility to stop them... so this baby can be safe...” Turning to face her, Sydney adds “So you can be with your family.” Rachel nods in understanding, then after looking at her family for a while, she says wistfully “We’re kind of a weird family... We actually like each other.” Sydney then encourages her “Then go in there and let them see you’re okay... That’s all they care about.” Turning to Sydney with tears in her eyes, Rachel nods and replies quietly “Okay.”

Inside the Observation Room, Mrs. Gibson turns upon hearing the door open and gasps in relief “Oh, my God! Rachel!” She rushes over to Rachel and they embrace as the rest of the family gather around. The young woman weeps “I wanted to call. I just... I couldn’t.” As she turns to hug her father, he says “We were worried something had happened to you.” Her brother and sister look on as Rachel explains “Something did happen, and... and that’s why you’re here... Oh, where do I begin?” She takes a deep breath, then whispers “Okay” as she prepares to reveal what happened. We see Sydney watching through the two-way mirror with a look of sympathy.

Daytime on a pier, Sloane reveals to Gordon Dean as they walk “Rachel Gibson’s family has been moved to a witness protection program.” Dean replies unconcerned “We knew that might happen.” Arvin points out “I will not hurt Rachel or anyone else from APO. It was not part of our agreement.” Gordon counters “Our agreement is whatever I say it is... I’m the one who got you out of prison, and I can easily put you back.” Stopping at the side of the railing, Sloane stresses “Let me say this again... I will not hurt those people.” Dean replies “I’m not telling you to ... not yet, at least... But we both know you’ll do whatever it takes to save your daughter. If that means you have to hurt a few people along the way, well... so be it.” With annoyance in his voice, Arvin asks “Are we finished?” Gordon replies “Almost... Have you heard of a weapons designer named Janos Vak?” Shaking his head, Sloane replies “No.” Dean explains “We’ve been after him for some time. He’s disappeared. I want you to use your resources at APO and find him.” Handing him a small USB drive (computer data storage device), Gordon says pointedly “What would your colleagues do if they knew you answered to me... That you were betraying them on a daily basis?” Staring at him with contempt, Arvin replies “Same thing I hope to do to you someday.” Looking annoyed at Sloane’s defiance, Dean says “Call me when you find Vak” then turns and leaves. Arvin has a pensive expression after he is gone.

Later at the APO, Sloane toys with the USB drive for several moments deciding whether to search through the APO’s files for Janos Vak as Dean wants. With a reluctant expression, Arvin plugs it into the port at the left side of his laptop computer. As his computer performs a search, Sloane has a pensive expression as he looks through the windows of his office at all the employees that he realizes that he is betraying. His attention is drawn to the pregnant Sydney, stopping to talk with Marshall. A beeping sound is heard from the computer, so Arvin looks down and sees that it has located Janos Vak’s Magyar/Hungarian passport.

A short time later in the Briefing Room, Director Bristow is sitting next Sloane, explaining to the team “Now that Arvin’s returned in the capacity of Assistant Director, I’ve asked him to read Rachel Gibson’s debriefing.” Sydney and Marshall exchange skeptical glances as Jack continues “I believe his... unique insights into a covert organization like The Shed will be extremely useful to us.” Sloane replies “Thank you, Jack” then proceeds with his part of the briefing, saying “This is an extremely well-insulated organization. Of all the names mentioned in the debrief, there was only one that I recognized immediately... a weapons designer named Janos Vak.” Pulling up Vak’s computer file on the view screen, Arvin explains “Mr. Vak is a Hungarian national. For the past decade, he has specialized in designing targeting software. His present obsession... he calls it ‘Lasso Technology.’” Sydney adds “D.O.D.’s (Department Of Defense) been worried about this. It’s a software program that would allow an incoming missile to be electronically intercepted and redirected.” Marshall joins in “Right. Basically, you could lasso a target that was headed for a military target, say... in the Middle East, and then redirect it to... Switzerland, you know?” He chuckles “I mean, and then the Swiss call, and they’re like, ‘Hey, uh, we’re neutral, remember?’” Having little patience for the joke, Jack cuts him off by saying “Thank you, Marshall. I think we all... understand.” Marshall sheepishly apologizes “Right. That was just... a hypothetical.” Sloane has little patience for Marshall’s explanation, cutting him off by saying “Based on Ms. Gibson’s statement, Gordon Dean has been trying to locate Vak for the past six months.” Jack adds “Arvin has suggested, and I agree, that if we can find Vak first, we can then use him as bait to catch Gordon Dean.” Sloane continues “In the past, he has been known to frequently partner with an Algerian arms broker” and pulls up a file of a man named Zigza Zidane on screen. As the others study the display, he explains “Evidently, they had a meeting a few months ago. Nobody has heard from Vak since.” When Jack points out “The Algerian Underworld is particularly difficult to penetrate”, Syd replies “I think I know someone who can do it.” Her father pauses, then realizes who she means and says “Reneé Rienne.” Sydney replies softly “Yeah.” Jack thinks for a moment, then instructs “Make contact with her. See if she can get a lead on Janos Vak.” Syd closes her file folder and gets up to leave the room. Arvin looks at her as if he has a plan.

Sydney walks over to her desk and sets her folder down. Following a short distance behind her, Sloane calls out “Sydney, I haven’t had a chance to thank you for the letter of recommendation you wrote to the tribunal.” Syd looks surprised. Arvin continues “I know it helped persuade the judges regarding my release.” Sydney pauses, then replies “You’re welcome” with a weak smirk. After she turns her attention to her work, Sloane says “Look, there’s something I need to confess to you, and I hope you don’t judge me too harshly for it.” Sydney looks at him with suspicion. Arvin pauses, then explains “Every day I go to the hospital to visit Nadia... I get off at her floor, talk to the doctors ... And yet, I cannot set foot... into her room.” He shakes his head at the unpleasant concept, then continues “I can’t bear to see her hooked up to all those machines... knowing that it’s my fault.” Syd gets a sympathetic expression, then consoles him “I know you’ll do anything in your power to find a cure for Nadia.” With a sad expression on his face, Sloane replies “Yes, I will ... I will do whatever it takes to save my daughter.

Nighttime inside a dilapidated warehouse in Marseilles, France, Zigza Zidane and two tough looking thugs are playing Mahjong. They stop playing as they notice the sound of a motorcycle approaching at high speed. They are startled to see a motorcycle come crashing through the door, while doing a ‘wheelie’. The rider leans and drops the motorcycle to its side, letting it slide into the Mahjong table. The long-haired henchman is sent flying into the air from the impact, while Zidane and the other man dive out of the way. The shorter-haired henchman recovers and draws a pistol. But the helmeted biker, pulls a slim knife from her boot and throws it at the man’s gun hand. The thug screams from the pain and drops his gun. The motorcyclist strides toward the man, and removes her helmet, revealing that she is Reneé Rienne. She then uses her helmet in two-handed smash to the henchman’s head, knocking him out. Zigza tries to run away, but Reneé tosses her throwing knife into the back of his right thigh. Zidane falls forward and groans in pain. Reneé jumps to straddles his back, and then wraps a garroting wire around his neck, saying “Bon soir, monsieur. (Good evening, sir). Je cherche un concepteur d'armes... Janos Vak. (I’m looking for a weapons designer... Janos Vak).”

Daytime at the APO training room, Rachel Gibson is dressed in workout clothes and wearing boxing gloves. She pounds a series of combination punches to the heavy (punching) bag. We see that she is angry and frustrated. She concludes with a forearm smash to on the bag, the stops to rubs the tears from her eyes. The door opens and Thomas Grace comes in, wanting to use the equipment. Seeing that Rachel is using the room, he apologizes “Sorry” and turns to leave. The young woman composes herself and says “Ahh, no. Uh, you can use the bag. I’m done.” Tom stops and explains “No, I don’t really like to work out around other people.” As he starts to leave, Rachel calls out “Hey... I could use somebody to spar with.” Grace shakes his head slightly, saying “I don’t really... spar. The younger agent replies “I don’t either... which is why I could really use your help... Don’t want to get my ass kicked in the field... What do you say? Thomas looks reluctant to help train her.

A short time later, Rachel raises her fists in the defensive position about to spar. Thomas holds his hands open for her to use as targets. She asks “How many fights you been in?” Tom replies “I don’t know. Enough.” The young woman begins to ‘bob & weave’ and asks “You win?” then throws a ‘left-right-left’ combination at his open hands. He replies “Of course (I won) … mostly. Why, what did you hear?” Breathing hard, Gibson replies “Nothing. I’ve just never been in any real fights... I kind of want to know what to do” then throws a surprise side kick with her left leg. But Thomas blocks it, so she attempts a spinning round kick with her right leg. He blocks that too, then steps forward and shoves the off balanced Rachel onto the mat. Grace offers his hand to help her up and advises “Not that. Don’t ever do that spinning kung-fu felgercarb. You’ll get yourself killed.” After rising to her feet, she says angrily “Okay, fine. What should I be doing?” Tom replies “All right. For real? ... I fight dirty.” With a look of confusion, Gibson asks “Dirty?” He explains “Go for the eyes, the throat, the nuts.” She protests “The nuts?” Thomas continues “Cause as much damage, inflict as much pain as humanly possible.” After a brief pause, Rachel softly replies “I don’t know if I can do that.” Outraged, Grace scolds her “Well, then you shouldn’t be here ... I’m serious! Look, everybody is taking care of you. If they can’t depend on you... just go pack up your playthings! Go home to Mom and...” Before he can finish, the young woman hits him in the jaw with a right cross. Tom winces from the blow, yet has a small grin of satisfaction. Then he rubs his sore jaw as Gibson waits for his response. Rachel has an apprehensive expression, but has her trembling hands up at the ready position for his expected counterattack. But instead, Grace chuckles “That was better...” Nodding with satisfaction he adds “I want to see more of that.” Tom’s cell phone rings. She lowers her guard at the realization that he was merely provoking her to see her response. Answering the call, he says “Tom Grace...” He listens, then responds “Got it’ and as he flips the cell phone shut, Thomas informs Rachel “Briefing in fifteen (minutes). Tom turns and leaves, then she follows him moments later.

A short time later in the Briefing Room, Sydney announces “Renée located the Algerian arms dealer. The lasso technology is no longer a rumor. Janos Vak designed a program to intercept and redirect missiles. According to the arms dealer, three months ago, Vak met with a Chinese official who bought the new weapon.” Arvin asks her “Do we know where Vak is now?” Syd replies “No one’s seen him since the meet. He’s just dropped off the planet.” Director Bristow “Which is why we are going to pursue the Chinese official. His name is General Li Yum Sung, and he’s staying at the Chinese Consulate in Bombay. The General is marrying an Indian woman next month. The consulate is throwing them an engagement party.” Marcus adds “I’ve checked with our contact in Indian intelligence. He says the General keeps an encrypted copy of his contacts and schedule in a safe in his room. They should lead us to Vak.” Jack announces “Sydney, you’re going to break into the safe and acquire the intel. Agents Dixon and Grace will offer support. Marshall and Ms. Gibson will run op-tech. Good luck.”

On a black screen is the caption ‘Bombay’. Nighttime in the courtyard of the Chinese Consulate is the engagement party for the general and his fiancée. Agent Grace, dressed in a formal black suit, escorts Sydney, wearing a green sari, on his arm through the crowd. They spot Dixon, who is dressed in a tuxedo with a black scarf with a yellow design around his neck, chatting with a Chinese general wearing in white dress uniform and his companion. When he sees Tom and Sydney, Marcus excuses himself and walks over to meet them. He informs them “The general is still upstairs.” Grace deadpans “Doesn’t the man know it’s kind of hard to break into his safe if he’s sitting right in front of it?” Looking over at the distraught woman being consoled by two other women, Syd comments “I don’t think he’s coming down tonight.” Pointing with her head, she tells Dixon and Grace “See that woman over there? That’s the General’s fiancée.” They notice the fiancée looking up toward the General’s room while a friend pats her arm in sympathy. Sydney announces “She looks pretty unhappy... I think the General might be having second thoughts.” Dixon nods in agreement. Using her com-link, Syd calls out “Hey, Marshall?” He responds “Go, Phoenix.” She asks “What’s going on upstairs?” From inside a white surveillance van with Hindi writing on the side, Marshall replies “Wait for uno momento, por favor.” As he types at his laptop computer, Rachel smirks at his side. Tapping into the consulate’s surveillance feed, Marshall reports “Uh… okay. Looks like all’s quiet. Just one soldier outside the General’s door, very sharply dressed.” Sydney announces “We’ve got to go about this a different way.” Coming up with an idea, she says to Marcus “Remember the Prince in Bahrain?” Dixon recalls “The guy with the harem?” Syd replies “Let’s try and do that.” Confused, Tom asks “What are you talking about?” Ignoring his question, Sydney tells Marcus “I need your watch.” Grace wisecracks with a sarcastic grin “It’s okay, I’m not really here.” Dixon removes his watch off and hands it to Sydney, then tells Grace “Just follow my lead.” After the two men leave, Syd grins at Tom’s irritable nature.

Marcus approaches the General’s fiancée and acts heart-broken, saying with an Indian accent “I am sorry, but I cannot allow you to marry the other man.” The woman looks at him with a confused expression. Dixon continues “You belong to me.” The fiancée looks at her friends to show that she doesn’t know what he is talking about. Marcus tells her “It is time we told the world the truth... Our love cannot be denied.” The woman’s mother asks her in Hindi “Who is this crazy person?” The daughter replies in Hindi “I have no idea.” Dixon drops down on one knee and grabs the fiancée’s hand, saying “Marry me, Naomika. Let us share our joy with everyone!” The friend to the young woman’s left exclaims “Ay, yi yi!” and tries to pull his hand away. The fiancée begs in Hindi and in English “Let go of me!” Marcus insists “I know that you love me!” She makes an “Eeeh!” in disgust. Thomas rushes forward and places his right hand on Dixon’s shoulder, saying “Uh, the lady said let her go.” Marcus protests “But...” Grace insists “Let her go!” and waving for assistance, calls out to a guard “Hey!” The Chinese soldier leaves his post at the foot of the stairs and approaches, while Dixon continues grasping the fiancée’s hand, saying “We are destined for each other, Naomika.” Sydney uses the distraction to go upstairs unnoticed. The fiancée cries out “Eeeh!” as Dixon begs “Tell them!” Tom and the guard try to pull Marcus away as she continues groaning “Eeeh!” and he pleads “Tell them!” Dixon kisses the fiancée’s hand a few times, before being dragged away. She yells at him for being crazy in Hindi. As he is led away, Marcus proclaims “Ours is a forbidden love!”

Inside the second floor of the consulate, Sydney walks through a corridor and past some Asian antique artworks. Outside the general’s office, Syd approaches the soldier guarding the door and saying in Mandarin Chinese “I need to see the general.” Also speaking Mandarin, the soldier replies “He’s not to be disturbed.” She says confidently “He’ll want to see me” and touches her pregnant tummy to imply that the child is the general’s. Sydney then says sarcastically “You know what, never mind. I’ll talk to his fiancée instead. I’m sure she’ll love to meet me” then turns and starts to leave. The soldier then calls out “Wait.”

Watching from their tap into the consulate’s surveillance system, Rachel marvels as she sees the soldier knocking on the general’s door “She improvised that whole thing.” Smiling, Marshall agrees “Yeah, who’d think you could turn a pregnancy into an alias?” Gibson adds “And in Chinese.” Marshall boasts with his head swaggering “Listen, I’ve had to do a little alias magic myself to save the day a few times... Do you know what a spork is?” Still looking at the monitor, Rachel calls out “They’re letting her in.”

The soldier opens the door for Sydney to enter the General’s office and then closes it to give them privacy. The general has a despondent expression as he sits slouched at his desk, then turns to looks up at Syd who smirks at him. Seeing that she is dressed as an Indian woman, he presumes that Sydney is his fiancée’s friend, so he asks in Mandarin “Did she send you in?” Syd responds in the same language “Many of your friends are worried about you.” Switching to English, he explains “I just need more time. I just... need more time.” Sydney tells the general “ It’s okay. It’s still early” and pretends to check her watch for the time. But she is actually aiming, then fires a tranquillizer dart hits that hits the general in the neck, knocking him out. Syd rushes behind the general’s desk and removes the picture on the wall, revealing a safe. From her purse, she retrieves a makeup compact that has a piece of electronic equipment inside and attaches it next to the keypad of the safe. Using her com-link, she radios “Okay, Marshall, I’m ready.” He replies “Okay” and tries to establish a link to the compact, but his computer displays a ‘No signal’ error. Marshall informs her “You know what? I’m not getting a reading, Phoenix. There must be too much shielding in the building.” Syd asks with concern “Are you saying you can’t do it?” He replies sheepishly “Well, no... Of course not” and glances at Rachel who stares at him. Marshall opens his toolbox and searches through it, while saying “All right, Phoenix, this is going to take a sec. I need to set a relay closer to the building so I can boost your signal.” Sydney com-links “Copy that.” Finding the relay device, he announces “Got it.” Agent Gibson tells him “I can do it. You’ll need to be here when it’s activated. It’ll be faster this way.” Considering what to do for a moment, Marshall reluctantly hands the relay to her. Rachel smiles at the chance to prove herself and says “Thanks.” After she leaves, Marshall has a concerned expression on his face.

Back at the party, Grace and the soldier escort Dixon to a bench away from the fiancée in another part of the courtyard. Thomas tells the guard “Okay.” After they seat Marcus onto the bench, Tom explains “Thank you for your help. He’s not a bad guy, he’s just had his heart broken. I’ll get him home. Thanks.” Dixon acts as if he is heartbroken, but discretely watches the general’s fiancée. After the soldier leaves, Marcus com-links Sydney “Heads up, Phoenix. The fiancée’s moving your way.” Inside the general’s office, Syd com-links “Marshall, what’s the ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival)? In response, he com-links Rachel “Oracle, what’s your status?” The young woman attaches the relay device to the wall of the consulate wall, then flips its lid open to activate. It beeps and then a series of green LEDs indicating signal strength illuminate. Gibson reports through her com-link “Relay’s set.” Marshall replies “Okay” then as he types out the command code, he tells them “Hang on a sec.” The computer beeps and it displays ‘Receiving signal’ from Sydney’s compact transmitter. Marshall announces “Great. We’re at five by five (Maximum signal strength and maximum signal clarity - Best conditions). Way to go.” He then transmits a code cracking program to the compact. The safe displays the combination ‘11205' and then beeps and hisses open. Syd removes her compact device with her left hand and opens the safe handle with her right. Inside, she finds the general’s handheld computer containing his schedule & contacts list, then places it into her purse. She reports “I’ve got it. I’m on my way” and starts to leave.

Outside, Agent Gibson is headed down a path on her way back to the van, when a soldier on patrol spots her. He calls out in Mandarin “Halt... Stop right there.” She stops and has a startled look on her face. The guard approaches her and demands “What are you doing back here?” Rachel gives a nervous smile, but the soldier notices her fear. After a few moments, she panics and runs away. The guard chases after her, angrily shouting in Chinese. Gibson calls out through her com-link the distress message “I’m busted! ... East side of the building.” Hearing the call for assistance, Thomas turns to Dixon and tells him “Wait for Sydney” then heads off. Coming down the stairs, Syd looks at Tom leaving. Marcus rises from the bench and starts to leave. Grace sees a steel stand used to support a rope barrier and takes it with him. Sydney discreetly raises her purse a small amount as she walks through the courtyard to signal Dixon, she has the objective. After she walks past him, Marcus follows her out a few seconds later.

Rachel is running along the east side of the building, with the soldier seconds behind her. As she runs past a gap in some bushes where Tom is hiding, he calls out “Get down.” As Gibson falls to the ground, Grace steps out and swings the steel stand like a baseball bat at the guard, knocking the man unconscious. Thomas drops the stand, which falls on the soldier’s leg, then turns to check on Rachel. She groans as she tries to recover on the grass. Tom approaches and asks “You okay?” The young woman deadpans “If by okay you mean freaked and embarrassed, then yeah, I’m great.” Grace offers her his hand and helps Rachel up to her feet.

Late afternoon inside a children’s section of a store, Sydney is seated, trying out a small wooden rocking chair when she notices a toddler walk up to basket of stuffed animal toys for sale. A smile comes to Syd’s face as she delights in the little girl looking for the doll that she likes the best. The child’s father comes along and says softly “What you got there?” He reaches into his coat pocket, places a red hat on her head, and picks her up with obvious affection. Sydney’s smile fades at the sad realisation that her child won’t have a father to do the same. A saleswoman approaches Syd and asks “Finding everything okay?” Sydney looks up and smiles, saying “Yes, thank you. Oh... I’d like to get this, please” and strokes the armrest of the rocking chair. The helpful clerk replies “Okay, great.” Noticing that Syd is preoccupied with watching the father and daughter now with the mother showing a sleeper to them, the saleslady comments with a smile “How we get so many dads in the store these days. I don’t think my husband ever bought so much as a diaper.” Syd smirks and says “Yeah.” As she rises from the rocker, Sydney tells her “My dad wasn’t exactly hands-on either” and lets out a chuckle. Making conversation, the woman asks with a smile “What about your husband? Has he been doing his part?” Sydney pauses, then decides to express her fantasy, saying “He’s been great... Wishes he could do more.” The saleslady grins and turns to look at the young family again, saying “I love hearing that. Times sure have changed.” Syd has a wistful expression and nods, whispering “Yeah.”

Daytime at a clothing alteration shop, the door chime sounds as Arvin Sloane enters. He approaches the older woman sewing a dress and says to her “Hello.” She looks up and replies “Hello.” Sloane informs her “You altered a suit for me. Here’s the ticket.” The seamstress replies “Oh yes. Why don’t you wait in the back, and I’ll bring it to you.” Arvin has an intense expression as he says “Thank you.” The two of them were having a coded exchange.

Sloane walks to the back of the shop and the woman glances over at him, then returns to her sewing. Arvin walks through the curtained back room and sees Gordon Dean waiting for him with his arms crossed. Dean says with irritation “You should’ve told me about the Chinese Consulate before your team went in.” Sloane explains “There was no reason to complicate things. Anyway, I assumed that you wanted APO to do the heavy lifting.” Gordon rises and says with resentment “You don’t get to assume anything.” The two men stare at each other with hostility for several moments, then Dean asks “Did you locate Janos Vak?” Arvin continues his icy stare as he replies “The intel was encrypted... I’ll have an answer for you before the end of the day.” Gordon nods slightly and remarks with an antagonistic tone “Call me when you do.” Sloane as a look of satisfaction at Dean’s irritation after the man leaves, then his expression changes to concern about what to do next.

At the APO, Sydney arrives for work. Marcus who is at his desk on the telephone with someone sees Syd coming, so he tells the person “I don’t have time to explain. Yeah, she’s here now, thank you” then hangs up the phone. He gets up and meets Sydney, saying “Hey.” She greets him with “Hey” in response. Dixon reveals “We found Vak. He’s secluded on an oil platform in the South China Sea while he finishes his software program. Marshall’s still pinpointing the exact coordinates.” Sydney nods and replies “Great. How are we going in?” With a reluctant expression, he replies “We’re not.” Syd’s eyes momentarily widen in surprise. Then Marcus continues “We’re backup.” After a pause, she asks with a confused expression “Who’s my dad sending?” Dixon replies “Rachel Gibson.” Sydney gets a puzzled expression and says with scepticism “Rachel?” Marcus nods and glances away, also doubtful about Jack’s decision. She comments “He’s sending her in solo? ... Why would he do that?” Dixon explains “The Chinese government has suspended all shore leave for the men working on the platform. No one gets on or off until Vak is done. The sole exception is that every other weekend, Vak is allowed... female companionship.” Sydney looks away with a concerned expression.

A short time later, using the secret entrance to the APO for privacy, Sydney urges her father “You can’t send her in alone.” Irritated that Syd is challenging his judgement, he counters “Rachel’s incredibly bright. You’ve seen it yourself.” Sydney points out “You saw what happened on our last mission. She ran.” Jack asserts “The mission was a success, Sydney. You may not want to hear it, but this isn’t an assignment you can do. You know it as well as I do.” Syd’s demeanor softens, then says sadly “She’s not ready. At least delay the mission a few weeks. Just give her time to train.” The director replies “That’s not an option. If we’re going to use Vak and his weapon as bait to catch Gordon Dean, we can’t afford to wait. This is no different than when you were sent back into SD-6.” Sydney pauses, then says “It’s completely different... I had Vaughn.” Jack counters “And Rachel will have you.” She has a sad expression and looks down to compose herself, then reluctantly nods.

Marshall and Rachel are walking to his lab reviewing the op-tech needed for the mission. He tells her “Okay, once you see Vak, you’re going to need to knock him out, right? You know, I don’t mean, you know, like, rock’em-sock ‘em, knock him out. It’s more of a, um... Actually, here we go.” He picks up a tube of lipstick from his workbench and explains “Okay, take a look right here, this looks like a normal lipstick.” Marshall removes the top and twists the tube to show the nervous young woman its colour, saying “It’s a very nice shade of red. I think it would look good... But, anyway... touch it anywhere on his skin, it’ll knock him out for at least two hours. By the time he wakes up, he’ll think he had the time of his life. You? You’ll be on a chopper halfway home.” Rachel nods and smirks briefly. Marshall then remembers “Oh, and also...” picking up a circular hairbrush, he triggers its hidden weapon which startles her. He explains “I spring-loaded an ice pick into here. You know, just in case.” Seeing her reluctance at having to use it in combat, Marshall adds “But you’re probably not gonna... need that.” His assurances seem hollow as he says “I mean, I’m sure you’ll be... you’ll be fine.” Agent Gibson looks unconvinced.

Sometime later, Rachel is preparing for her mission in a locker room. She reaches into her purse and pulls out a pistol. Marcus walks into the room asking “Are you about ready?” The young woman tells him “I’ve been going to the firing range every night so that when the time came, I’d be ready... Of course, on my first solo mission, I have to go in unarmed.” She turns and places her firearm into her locker for safekeeping. Dixon encourages her “Rachel, Jack wouldn’t send you in if he didn’t have complete faith in your ability to succeed.” She replies “I appreciate you saying that, but I know what everyone is thinking... I’m the new girl. I panicked on the last mission, and everybody is asking whether or not I can do it. And the truth is... I don’t know... I’m terrified...” Marcus looks away, realising that she is correct. Then the young agent adds “But I’m more terrified of not trying... So... I’m gonna put on my strappy shoes and my teeny dress, and I’m gonna try... And by this time tomorrow... we’ll know whether I can do it or not.” Dixon smiles at her determination and nods his assurance that he has faith in her.

Inside a parking garage, Gordon Dean is waiting, when he hears the sound of car tires squealing. He turns to see a black car with darkened windows pulls to a stop next to him. When he walks up to the driver’s-side, its window rolls down. Arvin tells him “Janos Vak has been found” and hands him a sheet of paper, saying “The details are in here. APO is sending in your former associate, Rachel Gibson. She’s going in solo to get the weapons design.” Gordon says with surprise “Gibson? ... Alone?” Sloane explains “Once she acquires it, I’ll swap it out. I’ll get you the real program.” Arvin then rolls the window up and drives away. From the car parked behind him, Kelly Peyton steps out of the driver’s side door, asking “Did he just say they’re sending Rachel?” Looking at the car leaving, Dean comments “I don’t trust Sloane.” Turning to go to the passenger side door, he tells her “We’re not gonna wait... I want you to get the weapon yourself.” Peyton nods, but hesitates to ask something. Gordon sees her expression, so he asks “Is there a problem?” She shakes her head and explains “It’ll just be strange if Rachel and I cross paths... She thought I was her best friend.” Dean points out “Look, if we could’ve convinced her to play on our side, we would have. But things didn’t go that way.” Asking for clarification, she says “So... if I run into her?” He replies coldly “Show her the professional courtesy of putting a bullet in her head. Gordon opens his door and enters the car. Kelly has a momentary look of regret, then enters her side of the car.

On a black screen is the caption ‘South China Sea’. The rocking beat of the band, The Bodyrockers plays the song ‘I Like the Way’ as we see a large oceangoing speedboat approaching a group of oil-drilling platforms. Rachel steps out of the cabin wearing a long red wig and sunglasses. She is dressed as a hooker in a tight, revealing pink & purple minidress with a leopard print coat. As the boat pulls up to one platform, she gives a little nervous wave to an oil worker and the Chinese soldier dressed in blue camouflage watching her. Gibson then walks up a series of stairs, followed by an armed guard.

Rachel has a flashback of Sydney helping prepare her for the mission. Gibson looks at her reflection in the mirror dressed in her revealing outfit and shakes her head as she says “This is a mistake. I’ve never done anything like this with the... the wig and the dress and...” Turning to face Syd, she worries “What am I gonna say to him?” The experienced agent tells her “Well, it isn’t what you’d say. Remember, you’re playing a character. It’s what she would say.” Seeing that Rachel still doesn’t know how she should act, Sydney asks her “Who was the sluttiest girl in your high school?” Immediately, the young agent replies “Mandy Camarillo.” Syd smirks with amusement, commenting “You didn’t have to think very hard on that one.” Gibson explains “Tramp stole my date at junior prom. She had red hair and a pierced tongue.” Laughing, Sydney tells her “Okay, so you’re Mandy Camarillo. And Janos Vak is your prom date. Just say what she’d say.” Rachel grins, then has a doubtful look. Syd assures her “You’re not gonna be alone Rachel, not for a second. I’ll be on comms the whole time... The way Vaughn was for me.” The thought of him makes Sydney look down with sadness. Gibson thanks her “It helps, a lot ... having you.” Syd smiles her thanks for the complement. Rachel asks for a final assurance “I can do this, right?” Looking at her with confidence, Sydney replies “Absolutely.”

Back on the oil platform, Agent Gibson looks around to familiarise herself with its layout. As she and the soldier escorting her enter the living area, he touches her arm to stop her and points to Vak’s room. Rachel has an apprehensive look, then removes her sunglasses, glances at the man, then walks toward the room. She stops midway there and turns to look back at the guard, but he waves for her to continue. The young agent smirks and continues down the corridor. She encounters another soldier guarding Vak’s door. Gibson gives him a shy little smile and he looks at her from head to toe. The guard smirks as he turns to punch the code into the keypad next to the door. As Rachel memorises the access code, she uses her com-link to express her nervousness, saying quietly “Sydney?” Syd replies with assurance “Okay, I’m with you Rachel. Just breathe.” The door hisses as it unlocks and the soldier steps back to allow her in.

Rachel knocks the door. In presumably Hungarian, Vak replies “Come in. Come in.” The young woman nervously enters the room and sees Janos sitting on the footboard of the bed, waiting for her. As the door behind her locks, Agent Gibson smiles nervously, then says “You’re so cute. They didn’t tell me you’d be so cute.” When Vak doesn’t respond, Rachel asks “You do speak English, don’t you?” Looking frustrated, she comments “I mean, they told me you would speak English.” Janos gets up and walks toward her with his arms extended, saying “Of course, English. I love English!” To stop him from embracing her, Gibson smiles and extends her hand for a handshake, saying “Nice to meet you.” Vak is surprised and then amused, so he shakes Rachel’s hand and says formally “I am Janos” bowing deeply in chivalry. Confused, she almost uses her real name as she introduces herself “Ra... Man-dy.” Back at her post, Sydney winces at Rachel’s rookie blunder. Vak smiles and replies with charm “Ray-Mandy? A beautiful name.” Gibson comments “So this is where you live, huh?”and walks past him, saying “It’s pretty sweet.” Janos replies “Only for a few more days. My business here is almost done.” After glancing at his computer, Rachel turns to him and says “You must get very lonely.” Vak replies while walking towards his bed “Well, yes, which is why I’m so happy to see you. Perhaps you would be more comfortable over here on the bed, RayMandy.” Gibson nervously replies “No, I’m, uh... I’m good.” Sydney com-links her objection “Come on, Rachel. What would Mandy do?” Taking her advice, the young agent smiles and asks the man “Do you know how to make daiquiris?” Vak stops unbuttoning his shirt and says “I have champagne” and points to the bottle being chilled in an ice bucket. She smiles and says “Even better.” When the man turns to get it, Gibson whispers “Idiot.” Setting her purse down on the bed, Rachel searches through her purse for her op-tech. But when Janos pops the cork on the champagne, the already nervous agent is startled and drops the lipstick tube onto the floor.” She comments “Uh-oh.” Raising her eyebrows, Sydney asks with concern “What do you mean, ‘Uh-oh?’” Grace explains softly “I dropped my lipstick.” Overhearing her comment, Vak tells her “Not a problem. Your lips are absolutely perfect just the way they are” as he walks toward Rachel with two glasses of champagne. Syd urgently warns her “Don’t let him kiss you. You’re the one in charge.” Janos tells her “Let me show you” and moves in to kiss her. Reacting in outrage, Gibson instinctively slaps Vak across the face. Janos reacts in shock and stands there for a few moments, then smiles mischievously, saying “Has baby been bad?” Rachel is stunned at his unexpected reaction. Shaking her head at their good fortune, Sydney assures her “Oh, this is gonna be too easy, Rachel.” In response, the young woman smiles knowingly.

Meanwhile, an oil platform worker is descending the stairs to the lowest level when he is confronted by Kelly Peyton. She is dressed in a black wetsuit with her hair tied back in a French braid. Peyton shoots him with a silenced pistol, then continues on her way up to the living quarters.

Vak has stripped down to his underwear and socks, lying back expectantly as he is being tied to the bed posts with duct tape by his assumed dominatrix. In an excited voice, Janos tells her “RayMandy, you’re driving me crazy!” Finishing the last restraint for Vak’s left arm, she scolds him “Did I say you could talk?” Janos chuckles lasciviously. Agent Gibson makes certain that Janos is securely bound to the bed by tweaking his big toe. It makes a cracking noise and Vak cries out “Yoy!” Rachel leans forward and tells him in a dominatrix voice “You’ve been a very bad boy.” Janos pouts “I’m sorry.” She makes a sympathetic face and makes a “Mmm” sound. The young agent climbs over the footboard and crawls over his body, saying “You know what? I’m gonna be honest with you. This whole “baby talk” thing kind of creeps me out, so... I’m just gonna cut to the chase, okay?” Vak closes his eyes and opens his mouth, expecting a kiss. But Gibson tears a length of duct tape and quickly covers his mouth with it. She smirks and tells him “I gotta go.” Rachel rolls off of him and head to the computer. Janos looks at her with surprise, then struggles in vain to get free. He makes muffled sounds through his taped mouth and leans forward to see what she is up to. The young woman takes out an eyeglasses case and places it on the desk next to the computer. Opening the lid, she presses a button inside and then a red light illuminates case. When Vak grunts his protests, Gibson glances at him as if mocking his gullibility. Janos lies back in frustration. Rachel then com-links “Downloading now.” Sydney complements her “You’re doing great.”

Outside, Peyton arrives on the upper deck and shoots a soldier who shouts for her to halt. She walks through the corridor of the living quarters and confronts the soldier guarding Vak’s room. Kelly raises the pistol from her side and points it at him, saying in Mandarin “The code.” The guard sets down his assault rifle, puts his hands up in surrender, then turns to enter the access code. After she hears the door unlock, Peyton ruthlessly shoots the helpless soldier. She enters the room, only to find Janos making muffled sounds, bound to the bed. Glancing over at the desk, she sees the remnants of the computer emitting smoke. Kelly turns and hurries out of the room.

Elsewhere, Rachel is headed back toward her extraction point and com-links “Phoenix, I’ve got the data. I’ve destroyed the original.” Sydney replies “Copy that. Almost home.” After she descends from the upper level, Gibson sees a dead soldier, so she hurries to the stairs to the docking area. Finding that her ride is gone, Rachel com-links “Phoenix, I’ve got a small problem. There’s a dead soldier, and the boat’s gone.” Syd responds “Copy that. I’m sending in an emergency extraction. Outrigger?” Inside a helicopter with Grace at his right in the pilot seat, Dixon responds “We heard, Phoenix. We’re on our way. Rendezvous in approximately five minutes.” The helicopter lifts off on its rescue mission. Sydney calls to assure the rookie agent “Did you hear that, Rachel? You’re gonna be fine. Just make your way to the helideck.” She replies “Copy that” and makes her way towards the stairs to the next level. Elsewhere, Peyton searches the oil platform for her. Both women are headed upwards. Rachel climbs a ladder and when she reaches the top, she sees the helicopter landing deck not far away. She hears the sound of a gun being cocked behind her. She turns and is surprised to see that it is her old friend Kelly Peyton pointing a silenced pistol at her. After staring at each other for a few moments, Peyton smiles and says “Surprise.” Gibson exclaims “My God, you’re...” Kelly interrupts “Not dead?” Rachel explains “I was gonna say evil... Tell me I’m wrong.” Lowering her firearm, Peyton chuckles “Let’s just say we work for different teams.” In an accusatory tone Gibson says “You knew this whole time. You were in on it with Dean!” Taking a step toward Rachel, Kelly confesses in friendship “I wanted to tell you.” Gibson angrily responds “You blew up that building, and you killed all those people. Peyton protests “It wasn’t personal. I... I always liked you.” Stepping closer to her, Rachel angrily says “It was a lie... everything we did!” Kelly points her pistol towards Rachel throat to stop her from getting closer and demands “That’s enough.” Calming down, Gibson says “Now you’re gonna kill me.” With a regretful look, Peyton explains “That’s what Dean wants... You’ve made it really hard for him since you left...” Repeating her regret, she says “Like I said... I always liked you. I don’t want to kill you... Just give me Vak’s software program, and you walk away from this.” Listening in on the conversation, Sydney urges by com-links “Rachel, we can always track Peyton after she leaves the platform. If you believe she’ll let you live, give her the data. Your life is more important than the mission.” Kelly pleads “Come on, Rachel... You’re in way over your head... Don’t make me shoot you. Give me the disk.” After several seconds of considering what to do, Gibson replies “Okay” and reaches into her purse. She takes out the op-tech hairbrush and places it in her left hand, as she continues searching for the data device. Assuming that she is stalling, Peyton warns “You’ve got two seconds. One...” Rachel pulls out the eyeglass case and says “Here.” Taking advantage of Kelly looking at the case, the rookie agent triggers the hidden ice pick in the hairbrush and stabs Peyton in the right shoulder. Kelly drops the pistol and steps away in pain, so Rachel uses the opportunity to kicks the gun away. Kelly says in disbelief “You b*tch!” Gibson lunges at her with the ice pick hairbrush, but Peyton dodges Rachel’s swing and counters with a right elbow to the head. Gibson dodges a kick aimed at her head, then lunges again with the ice pick. Kelly blocks the attempt and counters with a left elbow to the head which makes Rachel drop her weapon. Smiling with satisfaction, Peyton tells her “You should’ve given me the disk.” Gibson replies “You were gonna kill me anyway.” Kelly admits “Yeah... But I would’ve felt bad about it” then draws a combat knife from the sheath on her right calf. With a maniacal grin, she tosses the weapon from hand to hand and says “Now it’s gonna be fun” and slashes at Rachel. Gibson jumps back to avoid the forehand slash and sidesteps the backhanded slash of the knife. Rachel attempts a spinning sweep kick on Peyton, but she jumps up to dodges it. Gibson loses her balance and falls to her side. As Kelly rushes forward to stab her, Rachel gives her a kick to the gut, sending her reeling backward. Finding a reinforcing rod lying next to her, Gibson uses it to club Peyton on the right side of her head and then knock the knife out of her hand when she rushes to forward to attack again. Getting back on her feet, Rachel swings the metal rod like a baseball bat to Kelly’s stomach. As her opponent stumbles backward, Agent Gibson mocks “Still having fun?” Unexpectedly, automatic fire is heard. They turn to see a Chinese soldier firing his AK-47 assault rifle from the other side of the platform. Rachel dives at Peyton to save her from the hail of bullets. The y fall behind the cover of some steel barrels. Kelly is astonished that Gibson saved her. They peek out from behind the barrels at the man firing at them. Rachel turns at hearing the sound of a helicopter behind her and sees that as it turns to the side, Dixon is in the back, firing his assault rifle. He shoots the first soldier, and then two more soldiers. Peyton looks at Rachel’s purse, remembering that it contains the data Dean wants. Looking at the helicopter, she sees Marcus has his gun trained on her, warning her not to take it. She decides to run to the edge of the platform and leaps feet first of the high platform into the sea. Dixon motions at Rachel to go to up to the helipad, so she nods and grabs her purse. She runs towards the stairs to landing deck, and the helicopter flies to meet her there. As Gibson gets to the top, Thomas lands the helicopter and Marcus slides the right side door open. Dixon extends his hand to help her in. Rachel closes the door and then they take off. As they fly from the oil platform, Tom glances back to see if she’s okay.

Late in the evening, Gordon Dean stands at the open door of a marina storehouse. The sound of a door behind him slams and Arvin Sloane walks up beside him. Dean turns and says impatiently “You’re late.” Sloane angrily tells him “I told you none of my people were to get hurt.” Dean stresses “I do what want, when I want. Now where is it?” Refusing to be his subordinate, Arvin counters “You didn’t trust me, and you nearly ruined the entire operation.” Gordon asserts “I want the weapon. Sloane angrily replies “You don’t get to have it... That’s my price for your mistake.” Infuriated, Dean responds “My mistake? I’m not the one responsible for one hundred thousand deaths. I’m not the one dangling on the end of a fish hook... I’m the one who decides if the little fish gets thrown back into the pond, or if it gets flushed down the toilet. Am I being clear? Sloane refuses to back down and growls “You don’t get Vak’s weapon.” Nodding at the realisation that shouting is pointless, Gordon says with insincere concern “How’s your daughter?” Arvin shakes his head that Dean has resorted to threatening his daughter, saying quietly “Nadia has nothing to do with this.” With an evil glint in his eyes, Gordon replies menacingly “Oh, sure she does ... I want a copy of the lasso software first thing in the morning” then he leaves. Sloane glares at him, then looks out on the marina, contemplating what to do.

Later at the APO, Sydney watches with concern as Jack debriefs Rachel about the mission in his office. She can’t hear what they are saying, but Syd can see her father nod then turn to return to his desk. Gibson leaves the room and walks toward Sydney. Syd gives her a brief smirk and Rachel grins, saying “Your father’s kind of scary.” Sydney’s eyebrows raise and she replies with amusement “Yeah, tell me about it.” The young woman continues with a modest tone “But he said we all did good, so...” Syd interrupts “No, you did great.” Gibson nods in appreciation of the complement, then says “Thanks... for being in my head.” Sydney replies “You’re welcome... I know how important that voice can be. Vaughn talked me through all my early missions with the CIA.” Syd then gets a wistful expression as she continues “Sometimes his voice was the only thing that kept me going.” Rachel tells her “I wish I could’ve met him.” Syd is touched by her heartfelt sentiment, then tells her “I’ll see you tomorrow.” She gives her protegé a brief grin and then turns to leave. Gibson watches Syd leave, then notices Tom Grace at his desk, turn and make eye contact with her. He gives her a nod acknowledging that he thinks that she did a good job too. Rachel gives a brief grin of thanks.

Background music plays Karla Bonoff singing ‘The Water is Wide’ as Sloane walks up to the door window of Nadia’s room at National Naval Hospital in Los Angeles. He looks at the lifesigns monitor and the medication pump next to her bed, then at his daughter resting quietly in a drug induced coma. His guilt at causing Nadia’s condition, causes him to hesitate, but he summons the courage to make his first bedside visit. Arvin opens the door and slowly walks to her bed. He seats himself on a chair beside the bed, then gently touches her hand and turns to look at her face. Tormented by guilt, Sloane is close to tears, so he turns away to look at her hand again. He lovingly clasps it and then turns back to look at her face with regret etched on his face. The scene switches to Agent Gibson still at the APO, working late at her desk. She looks troubled as she works on her report. As the young agent clears off a couple of files off her desk, she stops when she finds a photograph of her with family. Rachel looks at it, wistfully, regretting the trouble that she put them in. The scene switches once again, this time to Sydney’s house. In her bedroom, she is playing a recording of Vaughn and her talking while on a mission. He asks “You okay?” Syd explains “Just having some trouble picking the lock. My fingers are kinda numb.” Michael encourages “Look, you’re almost home. Just get inside and plant the bug.” Sydney jokes “That’s easy for you to say... It’s 20-below (Fahrenheit degrees) out here. You’re nice and warm.” He joins in on the joke, saying “I’ll tell you what, I’ll talk to Langley. See if we can send you someplace warm next time.” The camera pans from the stuffed dolls at the foot of her bed to the night table with Vaughn’s photo on it, and then to show Sydney sitting in her new rocking chair, holding a micro cassette player to her pregnant belly. She is familiarising the baby to Michael’s voice while she remembers nostalgically about better times. In the recording, Syd suggests “It should have a beach.” Vaughn chuckles “Absolutely. I’ll find a bad guy who owns a really nice beach resort. And... you’ll have to go undercover for like, a month... You know what? That sounds pretty dangerous. Maybe we both should go.” In response, Sydney laughs, saying “You’d do that for me?” Michael explains “Hey, we’re in this together, right?”

END
 
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