Taskforce: Shadows United
Series Finale – Episodes 9 & 10:
"The Edge of Light" (Part 1 of 3)
TEASER
EXT. NEW YORK CITY – NIGHT
The city pulses with anticipation. News tickers flash: "Cult Threatens Citywide Attack – Police on High Alert." Helicopters sweep the skyline. The NYPD, FBI, and Taskforce: Shadows United are everywhere.
INT. OLIVIA'S APARTMENT – NIGHT
Olivia Benson sits at her kitchen table, hands cradling her belly. She's nine months pregnant, exhaustion and determination etched in every line of her face. The baby kicks—hard. She smiles, then winces.
Her phone buzzes. Penelope Garcia's face fills the screen.
PENELOPE (VIA FACETIME):
"Morning, Mama Bear. You ready for the big day?"
OLIVIA (smiling, tired):
"Ready as I'll ever be. Tell me you have good news."
PENELOPE:
"We traced the cult's last encrypted message. They're planning something huge. Sly's running the numbers now."
Sylvester Dodd appears behind Penelope, holding a tablet.
SYLVESTER:
"They're targeting the city's emergency broadcast system. If they get control, they can incite panic citywide."
Olivia's jaw tightens.
OLIVIA:
"Let's stop them before they get the chance."
ACT 1: THE FINAL PLAN
INT. TASKFORCE COMMAND CENTER – DAY
The room is electric with tension. William Lewis, now a consultant under heavy guard, stands at the center of a circle of agents. Olivia enters, her presence commanding.
OLIVIA:
"Lewis, you said they'd come for me. Why?"
Lewis studies her, his expression unreadable.
LEWIS:
"You're their symbol. The mother. The light in the darkness. They want to break you—on the world's stage."
Penelope, Sylvester, and the rest of the team exchange worried glances.
OLIVIA:
"Then we make this stage ours."
She turns to her team.
OLIVIA (CONT'D):
"We're going to set a trap. I'll go public—draw them out. But we do it on our terms."
ACT 2: THE PUBLIC APPEARANCE
INT. KELLY CLARKSON SHOW – BACKSTAGE – DAY
Olivia, dressed in a crisp navy suit, sits with Penelope and Sylvester. The show's producer hovers nearby.
PRODUCER:
"Captain Benson, we're so honored. The city needs hope right now."
Olivia nods, nerves and resolve mingling.
SYLVESTER (quietly):
"We'll be right offstage. If anything happens—"
OLIVIA:
"I know. I trust you both."
Penelope squeezes her hand.
PENELOPE:
"You've got this, Liv."
INT. KELLY CLARKSON SHOW – ON AIR
The lights come up. Kelly Clarkson beams at the audience.
KELLY:
"Today, we have a true hero—NYPD Captain Olivia Benson. She's here to talk about hope, resilience, and a very special announcement."
Olivia smiles, her hand resting on her belly.
OLIVIA:
"I'm expecting my first child. And I want every woman out there to know—you can be strong, you can lead, and you can be a mother. All at once."
The audience erupts in applause.
ACT 3: THE ATTACK
Suddenly, the studio lights flicker. Penelope's phone buzzes—an emergency alert.
PENELOPE (to Sylvester):
"They're here. The cult's in the building."
SYLVESTER:
"I'm locking down the exits."
Kelly's producer whispers frantically in her ear. Onstage, Olivia stays calm.
OLIVIA (to the audience):
"We have a situation. Please remain calm and follow instructions."
Backstage, Penelope hacks into the building's security system, sealing doors. Sylvester tracks the cultists' movements on his tablet.
SYLVESTER:
"They're heading for the stage."
INT. STUDIO HALLWAY – CONTINUOUS
Masked cultists move through the corridors, disabling guards. One speaks into a radio:
CULTIST:
"We have eyes on the target. Proceeding as planned."
ACT 4: SHOWDOWN ON LIVE TV
INT. KELLY CLARKSON SHOW – STAGE
The cultists burst onto the stage, brandishing weapons. The audience screams. Kelly shields Olivia, but Olivia stands, defiant.
CULT LEADER:
"Captain Benson. You will deliver the prophecy—here, now, before the world."
Olivia's contractions begin—sharp, sudden.
OLIVIA (grimacing):
"You picked the wrong day."
Penelope and Sylvester rush onstage as police pour in behind them. A standoff erupts—guns drawn, cultists desperate.
SYLVESTER (to Penelope):
"She's in labor."
PENELOPE:
"We have to get her out of here."
But the cultists block every exit.
ACT 5: CHAOS AND COURAGE
INT. KELLY CLARKSON SHOW – STAGE – MOMENTS LATER
A gunshot rings out. The NYPD and FBI storm the studio, subduing the cultists. Olivia doubles over, breathing through a contraction.
OLIVIA:
"I can't move. It's happening now."
Penelope kneels beside her, voice steady.
PENELOPE:
"Okay, Liv. We've got you. Sly, call 911."
SYLVESTER:
"Ambulances are on the way, but traffic's gridlocked."
Penelope looks Olivia in the eye.
PENELOPE:
"We're doing this here. You're not alone."
INT. STUDIO – LIVE BROADCAST
The cameras keep rolling as Penelope and Sylvester prepare to deliver Olivia's baby. Kelly holds Olivia's hand, whispering encouragement.
KELLY:
"You're the bravest person I've ever met."
Olivia squeezes her hand, sweat beading on her brow.
OLIVIA:
"Let's do this."
ACT 6: THE BIRTH
Penelope coaches Olivia through the contractions, her voice gentle but firm.
PENELOPE:
"Breathe, Liv. You're doing great. One more push."
Sylvester monitors Olivia's vitals, relaying information to the paramedics on speakerphone.
SYLVESTER:
"Everything's normal. You're almost there."
With one final push, Olivia's baby is born—crying, healthy, perfect. The audience erupts in relieved applause. Kelly wipes away tears.
PENELOPE (beaming):
"It's a girl!"
Olivia cradles her daughter, tears streaming down her face.
OLIVIA:
"Welcome to the world, little one."
ACT 7: THE AFTERMATH
INT. HOSPITAL – NIGHT
Olivia rests in a hospital bed, her newborn in her arms. Penelope and Sylvester sit nearby, exhausted but elated.
PENELOPE:
"You did it, Liv. She's perfect."
SYLVESTER:
"You were amazing."
Olivia smiles, her heart full.
OLIVIA:
"I couldn't have done it without you."
INT. TASKFORCE COMMAND CENTER – NIGHT
William Lewis watches the news coverage from his cell. For the first time, his expression is soft—almost proud.
CLIFFHANGER
INT. NYPD HEADQUARTERS – NIGHT
Detectives process the arrested cultists. One slips a message to a guard:
"It's not over. The Eye still sees."
The camera lingers on the note as the city skyline glows with hope and uncertainty.
[End of Part 1 – To be continued in Part 2]