East Wing
Episode Title: "Containment Protocol"
TEASER
INT. WHITE HOUSE – EAST WING – SECURE SITUATION ROOM – NIGHT
Phones ring and aides hustle as Director Ellen Hart (CIA), General Ricci (NATO), and Deputy Director Mason (CIA, clandestine ops) monitor news feeds. The President's chair is empty.
ON SCREEN:
News anchors debate the "Silent Echo" cyberattack. Social media explodes with conspiracy theories and leaked footage of the Scorpion team's infiltration.
ANCHOR (TV):
…with government officials refusing to comment, questions remain about the true nature of Silent Echo and the growing influence of the so-called Eye.
HART (muting TV):
We're holding the line, but the narrative is slipping. O'Brien's team exposed more than a glitch—they exposed us.
MASON:
We've locked down internal communications. Only Omega Black and above have access. Even the President is on a need-to-know leash.
RICCI:
Fifty-four institutions, decades of projects, and now the world is catching up. If the President finds out the full extent, we're all out of a job—or worse.
HART:
The President will not be briefed. This is legacy clearance only. If anyone asks, we're running a simulated cyber defense drill. All real files are compartmentalized, physical copies only, no digital trace.
MASON:
We've started Operation Obelisk. Social media is being flooded with counter-narratives. Whistleblowers are under surveillance. Anyone talking to the press is being flagged for immediate review.
RICCI:
And the Eye's operatives inside Scorpion?
HART:
If they can't sow doubt, they're expendable. This is about survival now.
ACT 1: DAMAGE CONTROL
INT. CIA – BLACK SITE CONFERENCE ROOM – DAY
A group of high-clearance officials reviews a wall of redacted files and video clips of the Scorpion team.
SENIOR ANALYST:
We underestimated O'Brien's reach. His team has allies everywhere—law enforcement, intelligence, even the press.
HART:
We need to discredit them. Leak partial truths, paint them as vigilantes. If we lose control of the narrative, we lose everything.
MASON:
We're already seeing cracks. Some mid-level staff are asking questions. We're increasing compartmentalization—no one gets the full picture except us.
RICCI:
And if the President pushes?
HART:
Redirect. Delay. Deny. We've done it before.
ACT 2: THE POLICY DILEMMA
INT. WHITE HOUSE – OVAL OFFICE – DAY
The President, unaware of the full truth, meets with a trusted advisor.
PRESIDENT:
Why is the public so anxious? Why are my briefings so vague?
ADVISOR:
It's just cyber defense exercises, sir. Routine. Nothing more.
PRESIDENT:
I want a full report on my desk by morning.
ADVISOR (nervous):
Of course, sir.
ACT 3: INTERNAL FALLOUT
INT. CIA – SECURE OFFICE – NIGHT
A junior analyst, troubled by the cover-up, quietly prints a redacted document and slips it into her bag.
JUNIOR ANALYST (V.O.):
Sometimes, the truth is the only thing that can save us from ourselves.
ACT 4: NEWS SPECIAL / SCORPION PREVIEW
INT. TV STUDIO – NIGHT
A special news segment airs, previewing the next episode of Scorpion. Clips of the team's daring escape and aftermath play onscreen.
NARRATOR (V.O.):
Next time on Scorpion: The team faces the consequences of doing what's right—even when the law says it's wrong.
CUT TO:
INT. SCORPION HQ – QUIET MOMENT – NIGHT
Paige sits with her son, Ralph, and a few team members. The mood is reflective.
PAIGE:
Sometimes, the only way to make something right is to do what everyone else says is wrong.
You see, just because someone in power says something is legal, or correct, doesn't mean it's actually right.
If the law is broken, or the policy itself is what's wrong, then it's up to people like us to fix it—even if that means breaking the rules.
Sometimes, you have to do the wrong thing to make things right for everyone else.
Ralph nods, understanding the weight of her words. The rest of the team exchanges thoughtful looks.
NARRATOR (V.O.):
Don't miss the next explosive episode of Scorpion.
ACT 5: THE SHADOWS FIGHT BACK
INT. EAST WING – SITUATION ROOM – NIGHT
Hart, Ricci, and Mason watch as the news special plays in the background.
HART:
No more leaks. No more heroes. We control the narrative. We always have.
The camera lingers on the muted TV, Paige's words echoing in the silent room.
FADE OUT.