FROM JCOTE@ASTRO.RUG.NL FRI JUL 1 01:31:34 1994 DATE: 22 JUN 1994 18:43:51 -0500 SUBJECT:

FROM JCOTE@ASTRO.RUG.NL FRI JUL 1 01:31:34 1994 DATE: 22 JUN 1994 18:43:51 -0500 FROM: JACQUELINE COTE NEWSGROUPS: REC.ARTS.STARTREK.CURRENT SUBJECT: STVII GENERATIONS' SCRIPT ---- SPOILERS I GOT THE FOLLOWING FROM A FRIEND OF MINE. HE DIDN'T TELL ME WHERE HE GOT IT. AS TO ITS CONTENTS..... PLEASE NOTE SCENE 10: IT'S EXACTLY THE SCENE WE SAW DURING THE JOURNEY'S END' DOCUMENTARY.... SO...... POSSIBLE SPOILERS...... PLEASE NOTE: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL COPY. NO RESPONSIBILTY FOR AUTHENTICTY ***************************************************************** STAR TREK: GENERATIONS FADE IN: 1 ENT. SPACE (VFN-I) 1 A VAST AND SPARKLING STARFIELD. A PINPOINT OF LIGHT APPEARS AND STARTS MOVING TOWARD THE CAMERA. A SMALL AND DISTANT CYLINDRICAL OBJECT TUMBLING END OVER END, BUT WE CAN'T DETERMINE EXACTLY WHAT IT IS YET. 2 ENT. WHEATFIELD- DAY 2 A VAST AND UNDULATING SEA OF WHEAT. WE BECOME AWARE THAT THERE ARE TWO HEADS STICKING OUT OF THE STALKS OF WHEAT: TWO MEN STANDING AND LOOKING UP AT THE SKY. AS WE MOVE TOWARDS THEM, WE CAN SEE THAT THE TWO MEN ARE SCOTTY AND CHEKOV, DRESSED IN CIVILIAN CLOTHING. CHEKOV (POINTS TO SKY) THERE HE IS- THERE, TO THE SOUTH! SCOTTY (PEERS UPWARD) WHAT ARE YE, BLIND? THAT'S A BIRD. AS THEY STARE UP AT THE SKY 3 ENT. SPACE (VFN-I) 3 THE CYLINDER TUMBLING THROUGH SPACE IS NOW CLOSER, AND WE CAN NOW SEE THAT IT IS A BOTTLE OF SOME SORT, AND IT IS TUMBLING DIRECTLY TOWARD THE CAMERA. 4 ENT. WHEATFIELD- DAY 4 AS BEFORE, CHEKOV AND SCOTTY STARING AT THE SKY. SCOTTY (CONCERNED) REPELLING THE CRYSTALLINE TRENCH, RAFTING DOWN LAVA FLOWS, ORBITAL SKYDIVING.IT'S LIKE THE MAN IS RUNNING A BLOODY DECATHLON ACROSS THE GALAXY. SUDDENLY WE HEAR A DOUBLE SONIC BOOM. CHEKOV THAT SHOULD BE HIM NOW. I THINK HE'S JUST CROSSED THE SOUND BARRIER. THEY SHIELD THEIR EYES AGAINST THE SUN AND LOOK UP. 5 ENT. SPACE (VFN-I) 5 THE BOTTLE GETS CLOSER. 6 ENT. WHEATFIELD- DAY 6 A MAN IN A HIGH-TECH BODY HARNESS AND PARACHUTE LANDS IN THE WHEAT FLAT ON HIS BACK. HIS BODY-SUIT IS CHARRED, SCORCHED, WISPS OF SMOKE STILL CURLING OFF IT. THERE ARE SMALL THRUSTERS ATTACHED TO HIS BACKPACK AND BOOTS. SCOTTY AND CHEKOV MOVE TO HIM. THE MAN REMOVES HIS HELMET. IT IS KIRK. HE SMILES BROADLY, LIKE A CHILD WHO HAS JUST COME OFF A ROLLERCOASTER. KIRK RIGHT ON TARGET! I JUMP OUT OVER THE ARABIAN PENINSULA AND I END UP HERE, RIGHT ON THE DIME. KIRK GETS TO HIS FEET. CHEKOV ACTUALLY, CAPTAIN, YOUR PRECISE TARGET AREA WAS THIRTY-FIVE METERS (POINTS)THAT WAY. KIRK THANKS FOR POINTING THAT OUT. KIRK STARTS TO PULL OFF HIS SUIT, REACTS TO A SUDDEN PAIN IN HIS BACK. KIRK OH SCOTTY I'VE WARNED YE ABOUT THAT BACK OF YOURS. YOU SHOULD HAVE A DOCTOR TAKE A LOOK AT IT. KIRK WAVES HIM AWAY, AND CONTINUES TO REMOVE HIS HARNESS. 6A ENT. SPACE (VFN-I) 6A THE TUMBLING BOTTLE RUSHES PAST, AND WE CAN NOW SEE THAT IT IS A CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE- DOM PERIGNON, 2265. FOLLOW THE BOTTLE AS IT TUMBLES THROUGH SPACE. 6B ENT. WHEATFIELD- DAY 6B KIRK, SCOTTY AND CHEKOV AS BEFORE. KIRK TOMORROW I WANT TO MAKE A TRI-ELLIPTICAL JUMP. THAT'S WHERE YOU JUMP OUT OVER NORTHERN CHINA AND MAKE THREE COMPLETE ORBITS BEFORE YOU START RE-ENTRY. CHEKOV CAPTAIN. PERHAPS YOU HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT TOMORROW IS THE CHRISTENING CEREMONY. THIS STRIKES A NERVE WITH KIRK- WE SEE A FLASH OF HESITATION AND IRRITATION CROSS HIS FACE. KIRK I'M NOT GOING (BEAT) SCOTTY, HELP ME WITH THIS CHUTE. SCOTTY WHAT DO YOU MEAN, YOU'RE NOT GOING? WE PROMISED. KIRK WHEN I RETIRED, I SWORE I'D NEVER SET FOOT ON A STARSHIP AGAIN, AND I MEANT IT. CHEKOV CAPTAIN KIRK (FIRM) I DON'T WANT TO HEAR ANYMORE ABOUT IT. I'M NOT GOING, AND THAT'S FINAL. 7 ENT. SPACE (VFN-I) 7 THE CHAMPAGNE BOTTLE SMASHES ONTO THE BOW OF A FEDERATION STARSHIP (EXCELSIOR CLASS) SITTING IN ITS DOCK IN ORBIT AROUND EARTH. 7A ENT. SPACE (VFN-I) 7A FOLLOW THE SHARDS OF GLASS FROM THE BOTTLE AS THEY SPREAD OVER THE SHIP, REVEALING THE NAME ON THE HULL: U.S.S. ENTERPRISE NCC-1701-B. 8 ANGLE ON SPACEDOCK WINDOW 8 A LARGE PICTURE WINDOW OVERLOOKING THE STARSHIP IN ITS BERTH. THE WINDOW IS FILLED WITH PEOPLE IN STARFLEET UNIFORMS, APPLAUDING THE CHRISTENING OF THE SHIP (BUT WE HEAR NOTHING). 8A INT. SPACEDOCK OBSERVATION ROOM (VFN-I) 8A THE PEOPLE ARE STILL APPLAUDING AND WE CAN SEE THAT THEY ARE LOOKING OUT OVER THE SHIP IN ITS BERTH. 8B ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B IN SPACEDOCK (VFN-I) 8B THE GREAT SHIP SITS IN SPACEDOCK. 9 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 9 CLOSE ON A SET OF TURBOLIFT DOORS AS THEY SLIDE OPEN TO REVEAL KIRK, SCOTTY AND CHEKOV. A BRIGHT LIGHT SHINES INTO THEIR FACES AND THEY REACT. MOVE TO REVEAL THAT THE BRIGHT LIGHT IS COMING FROM A FUTURISTIC CAMERA WITH A SMALL BANK OF LIGHTS ATTACHED TO IT. THE CAMERA IS A HOLOGRAPHIC RECORDER WITH TWO LENSES AND IS WORN ON AN OPERATOR'S HEAD. THERE ARE FOUR JOURNALISTS CLUSTERED IN FRONT OF THE TURBOLIFT- ONE ASSOCIATED WITH THE CAMERA, THE OTHERS USING PADDS TO MAKE NOTATIONS. ALSO CLUSTERED AROUND THE DOOR ARE THE BRIDGE CREW OF THE ENTERPRISE-B.EVERYONE IS APPLAUDING AS KIRK AND THE OTHERS BLINK UNDER THE BRIGHT LIGHTS AND ENTER THE BRIDGE. JOURNALISTS (OVERLAPPING) CAPTAIN KIRK, HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE BACK ON THE ENTERPRISE BRIDGE ? CAPTAIN, CAN I HAVE A MINUTE? CAPTAIN SCOTT, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENT ON? COMMANDER CHEKOV CAPTAIN JOHN HARRIMAN PUSHES THROUGH THE CROWD. HARRIMAN EXCUSE ME, EXCUSE ME THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF TIME FOR QUESTIONS LATER. THE JOURNALISTS EDGE AWAY, AND THE CAMERAMAN MOVES TO GET A GOOD ANGLE. HARRIMAN (CONT'D, TO ALL) I'M CAPTAIN JOHN HARRIMAN. I'D LIKE TO WELCOME YOU ALL ABOARD. KIRK IT'S OUR PLEASURE. HARRIMAN IS YOUNG, CONFIDENT, EAGER. THIS IS HIS FIRST COMMAND AND HE TAKES IT VERY SERIOUSLY. HARRIMAN I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW HOW EXCITED WE ALL ARE TO HAVE A GROUP OF LIVING LEGENDS WITH US ON OUR MAIDEN VOYAGE. (BEAT) I REMEMBER READING ABOUT YOUR MISSIONS WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL. THE ORIGINAL ENTERPRISE OFFICERS ALL STOP AND GIVE HIM A LOOK. HARRIMAN LOOKS A LITTLE EMBARRASSED- HE DIDN'T MEAN TO INSULT THEM. BUT KIRK GIVES HIM A LITTLE SMILE, LETS IT ROLL OFF. KIRK WELL, MAY WE HAVE A LOOK AROUND? HARRIMAN PLEASE, PLEASE. CHEKOV SEES SOMEONE IN THE BACKGROUND, CALLS OUT TO HER. CHEKOV DEMORA! CHEKOV MOVES OFF. JOURNALIST (BREEZY) SO, CAPTAIN THIS IS THE FIRST STARSHIP ENTERPRISE IN THIRTY YEARS WITHOUTJAMES T. KIRK IN COMMAND. HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THAT? THE JOURNALIST HAS UNKNOWINGLY TOUCHED A NERVE. KIRK'S EYES FLASH FOR AMOMENT- THE LONGER HE'S ON THIS BRIDGE, THE MORE HE REALIZES HE DOESN'T FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT AT ALL. HE TRIES TO SHRUG IT OFF WITH A SMILE. KIRK JUST FINE. I'M GLAD TO BE HERE TO SEND HER ON HER WAY. HE TRIES TO MOVE AWAY FROM THE JOURNALIST, WHO DOGS HIM. JOURNALIST WHAT HAVE YOU BEEN DOING SINCE YOU RETIRED? KIRK I'VE BEEN KEEPING BUSY. AT THIS POINT, CHEKOV APPROACHES WITH A YOUNG, MID-TWENTIES, ATTRACTIVE, ASIAN FEMALE ENSIGN NAMED DEMORA. CHEKOV (TO KIRK) EXCUSE ME, CAPTAIN. I'D LIKE YOU TO MEET THE HELMSMAN OF THE ENTERPRISE-B. ENSIGN DEMORA SULU- CAPTAIN JAMES KIRK. DEMORA IT'S A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU, SIR. MY FATHER'S TOLD ME SOME INTERESTING STORIES ABOUT YOU. KIRK IS SHOCKED. FOR A LONG MOMENT, HE STARES AT HER IN AMAZEMENT. KIRK YOUR FATHER? HIKARU SULU IS YOUR FATHER? DEMORA YES, SIR. CHEKOV YOU MET HER ONCE BEFORE, BUT SHE WAS CHEKOV HOLDS OUT HIS HAND AND INDICATES A VERY SHORT HEIGHT. KIRK BUT THAT WASN'T SO LONG AGO. IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN MORE THAN... CHEKOV TWELVE YEARS, SIR. KIRK YES, WELL, CONGRATULATIONS, ENSIGN. IT WOULDN'T BE THE ENTERPRISE WITHOUT A SULU AT THE HELM. DEMORA THANK YOU, SIR. (TO CHEKOV) LET ME SHOW YOU THE NEW INERTIAL GUIDANCE SYSTEM. DEMORA AND CHEKOV MOVE OFF AND KIRK LOOKS AFTER THEM FOR A LONG BEAT. THE EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE CHANGES FROM SHOCK TO SADNESS. SOMETHING IS CLEARLY BOTHERING HIM. SCOTTY MOVES OVER TO KIRK, WITH A SMILE ON HIS FACE. SCOTTY (TO KIRK) DAMN FINE SHIP IF YOU ASK ME. BUT KIRK'S MIND IS STILL ON DEMORA. HE WATCHES HER AS SHE MOVES TO THE HELMSMAN'S POSITION. KIRK YOU KNOW, SCOTTY, IT AMAZES ME. SCOTTY AND WHAT WOULD THAT BE, SIR? KIRK SULU. WHEN DID HE FIND THE TIME FOR A FAMILY? SCOTTY IT'S LIKE YOU ALWAYS SAID- IF SOMETHING'S IMPORTANT ENOUGH, YOU MAKE THE TIME. KIRK NODS ABSENTLY. SCOTTY REALIZES SOMETHING. SCOTTY SO, THAT'S WHY YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING AROUND THE GALAXY LIKE AN EIGHTEEN-YEAR-OLD. FINDING RETIREMENT A LITTLE LONELY, ARE WE? KIRK GIVES HIM A LOOK. KIRK WITH THAT KIND OF TACT, I'M GLAD YOU'RE AN ENGINEER AND NOT A PSYCHIATRIST. HARRIMAN INTERRUPTS. HARRIMAN EXCUSE ME, GENTLEMEN, IF YOU'LL TAKE YOUR SEATS. KIRK OH, OF COURSE. 10 NEW ANGLE 10 REVEALING THAT THREE CHAIRS HAVE BEEN NEATLY ARRANGED TO ONE SIDE. SCOTTY, KIRK AND CHEKOV ALL TAKE THEIR SEATS. THE JOURNALISTS TAKE POSITIONS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE BRIDGE. HARRIMAN MOVES TO THE COMMAND CHAIR AND THE REST OF THE BRIDGE CREW GO TO THEIR STATIONS. HARRIMAN (TO ALL) PREPARE TO LEAVE SPACEDOCK. AFT THRUSTERS AHEAD ONE QUARTER, PORT AND STARBOARD AT STATION KEEPING. (BEAT) CAPTAIN KIRK, I'D BE HONORED IF YOU WOULD GIVE THE ORDER TO GET UNDERWAY. KIRK NO, NO. THANK YOU. HARRIMAN PLEASE, I INSIST. ALL EYES ON KIRK- HE HAS LITTLE CHOICE. HE STANDS UNCOMFORTABLY. THERE IS A MOMENT OF ANTICIPATION. KIRK (TO ALL) TAKE US OUT. EVERYONE BREAKS INTO APPLAUSE. KIRK SITS DOWN IN ACUTE EMBARRASSMENT AND ANNOYANCE. CHEKOV (SOTTO) VERY GOOD, SIR. SCOTTY (SOTTO) BROUGHT A TEAR TO MY EYE. CUT TO: 11 ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFN-I) 11 THE GREAT SHIP MAJESTICALLY LEAVES THE DOCK AND HEADS OUT INTO OPEN SPACE,PASSING DIRECTLY OVERHEAD. 12 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 12 A SHORT TIME LATER. HARRIMAN TURNS TO HIS GUESTS. HARRIMAN WELL, WE'VE JUST CLEARED THE ASTEROID BELT. OUR COURSE WILL TAKE US OUTBEYOND PLUTO AND THEN BACK TO SPACEDOCK. JUST A QUICK RUN AROUND THE BLOCK. (BEAT) IF WE HAVE TIME, WE'LL CONDUCT A FEW TESTS OF THE WARP- SUDDENLY THE COMMUNICATIONS CONSOLE STARTS TO BEEP. THE COM OFFICER HITS A FEW COMMANDS IN RESPONSE. COM OFFICER (TO HARRIMAN) WE'RE PICKING UP A DISTRESS CALL, CAPTAIN. THIS GRABS EVERYONE'S ATTENTION. HARRIMAN ON SPEAKERS. WE HEAR THE VOICE OF A CREWMEMBER WHO SOUNDS PANICKED AND URGENT. COM VOICE (FRITZED) THIS IS THE TRANSPORT SHIP LAKUL. WE'RE CAUGHT IN SOME KIND OF ENERGYDISTORTION. WE CAN'T BREAK FREE... NEED IMMEDIATE HELP... IT' TEARING US- THE VOICE IS DROWNED OUT BY STATIC. THE SCIENCE OFFICER CHECKS SOMETHING ON HIS CONSOLE. THE JOURNALIST WITH THE HOLO-CAMERA TURNS ON HIS LIGHT AND PANS IT AROUND TO CAPTURE THE ACTION. SCIENCE OFFICER THE LAKUL IS ONE OF TWO SHIPS TRANSPORTING EL-AURIAN REFUGEES TO EARTH. HARRIMAN BLINKS A COUPLE OF TIMES, SURPRISED AT THIS UNEXPECTED TURN OF EVENTS. KIRK WATCHES HIM INTENTLY. HARRIMAN CLEARS HIS THROAT, THEN TURNS TO DEMORA. HARRIMAN CAN YOU LOCATE THEM? DEMORA THE SHIPS ARE BEARING AT 3-1-0 MARK 2-1-5. DISTANCE: THREE LIGHT YEARS. HARRIMAN SIGNAL THE CLOSEST STARSHIP. WE'RE IN NO CONDITION TO MOUNT A RESCUE. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A FULL CREW ABOARD. THE NAVIGATOR CHECKS HIS CONSOLE. NAVIGATOR WE'RE THE ONLY ONE IN RANGE, SIR. THE HOLO-CAMERA LIGHT IS SHINED ON HARRIMAN AS HE SHIFTS IN HIS SEAT, HESITANT TO TAKE THE PLUNGE. KIRK IS DRUMMING HIS FINGERS IMPATIENTLY ON HIS LEG. FINALLY, HARRIMAN TAKES A BREATH AND STRAIGHTENS HIS JACKET A BIT. HARRIMAN WELL, THEN, I GUESS IT'S UP TO US. (TO DEMORA) HELM, LAY IN AN INTERCEPT COURSE AND ENGAGE AT MAXIMUM WARP. KIRK FIDGETS IN HIS CHAIR, ITCHING TO GET IN ON THE ACTION- HIS INSTINCTS TAKING OVER. SCOTTY SHOOTS HIM A SIDE-LONG GLANCE. SCOTTY IS THERE SOMETHING WRONG WITH YOUR CHAIR, CAPTAIN? KIRK GIVES HIM A LOOK. 13 ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFN-I) 13 THE SHIP SNAPS INTO WARP. 14 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 14 A FEW MINUTES LATER. DEMORA IS WATCHING HER CONSOLE. DEMORA WE'RE WITHIN VISUAL RANGE OF THE ENERGY DISTORTION, CAPTAIN. HARRIMAN ON SCREEN. 15 INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (VFN-I) 15 WHICH NOW SHOWS A HUGE RIBBON OF CRACKLING ENERGY DIRECTLY AHEAD OF THE ENTERPRISE-B. EVERYONE REACTS TO THE BIZARRE SIGHT. CHEKOV WHAT THE HELL IS THAT? DEMORA (OFF CONSOLE) I'VE FOUND THE TRANSPORT SHIPS. 15A INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (VFN-I) 15A THE VIEWSCREEN NOW SHOWS TWO TRANSPORT SHIPS TRAPPED LIKE INSECTS IN THE VIOLENT TORRENT OF ENERGY. THE SHIPS ARE BEING BUFFETED AND THROWN ABOUT BY LARGE TENDRILS OF CRACKLING ENERGY. DEMORA (CONT'D) THEIR HULLS ARE STARTING TO BUCKLE UNDER THE STRESS- THEY WON'T SURVIVE MUCH LONGER. THE SHIP SUDDENLY SHAKES. THE NAVIGATOR WORKS HIS CONSOLE. NAVIGATOR WE'RE ENCOUNTERING SEVERE GRAVIMETRIC DISTORTIONS FROM THE ENERGY RIBBON. HARRIMAN WE'LL HAVE TO KEEP OUR DISTANCE. WE DON'T WANT TO GET PULLED IN, TOO. HARRIMAN FROWNS AT THE SCREEN, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. KIRK CAN BARELY CONTAIN HIMSELF- TO HIM THE ANSWER IS OBVIOUS. HE BLURTS OUT THE ANSWER. KIRK TRACTOR BEAM... SCOTTY QUICKLY ELBOWS HIM IN THE SIDE- THIS ISN'T KIRK'S SHIP. KIRK SHUTS UP. HARRIMAN GLANCES AT KIRK. HARRIMAN WE DON'T HAVE A TRACTOR BEAM. KIRK YOU LEFT SPACEDOCK WITHOUT A TRACTOR BEAM? HARRIMAN IT WON'T BE INSTALLED UNTIL TUESDAY. (BEAT) ENSIGN SULU, TRY GENERATING A SUBSPACE FIELD AROUND THE SHIPS. THAT MIGHT BREAK THEM FREE. DEMORA AYE, SIR. WHEN KIRK HEARS THIS ORDER, HE SHAKES HIS HEAD SLIGHTLY AND MOUTHS THE WORD "NO" UNDER HIS BREATH. HE KNOWS THAT WON'T WORK. DEMORA (SHAKES HER HEAD) THERE'S TOO MUCH QUANTUM INTERFERENCE, CAPTAIN. HARRIMAN FROWNS AGAIN, TRYING TO COME UP WITH ANOTHER SOLUTION, BUT IT ISN'T EASY- IT'S HIS FIRST DAY IN COMMAND; HIS SHIP IS UNDER-MANNED AND ILL-PREPARED. IT'S A NIGHTMARE COME TRUE. KIRK IS ITCHING TO GET IN ON THIS, HIS FINGERS DIGGING INTO THE ARMS OF HIS CHAIR- BUT HE RESTRAINS HIMSELF. HARRIMAN WHAT ABOUT VENTING PLASMA FROM THE WARP NACELLES? THAT MIGHT DISRUPT THERIBBON'S HOLD ON THE SHIPS. NAVIGATOR AYE, SIR. RELEASING DRIVE PLASMA. A TENSE BEAT. HARRIMAN GLANCES OVER AT THE JOURNALISTS, THEN GLANCES OVER AT KIRK. KIRK GOVES HIM A PAINED SMILE, TRYING TO BE ENCOURAGING EVEN THOUGH HE KNOWS THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT COURSE OF ACTION. NAVIGATOR IT'S NOT HAVING ANY EFFECT, SIR. I THINK- DEMORA SIR! THE STARBOARD VESSEL'S HULL IS COLLAPSING. 15B INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (VFN-I) 15B SUDDENLY THE RIGHT-HAND SHIP ON THE SCREEN IS ENGULFED BY A FIERY TENDRIL OF ENERGY AND IT EXPLODES. THE OTHER SHIP CONTINUES TO BE THROWN ABOUT AND BUFFETED. EVERYONE REACTS WITH SHOCK ON THE BRIDGE. >>CHEKOV HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE ABOARD THAT SHIP? DEMORA TWO HUNDRED SIXTY-FIVE. >>HARRIMAN PALES AT THE SIGHT, SEEMS SHELL-SHOCKED BY THE DESTRUCTION OF THE SHIP. HE'S OVERWHELMED NOW; AT A GENUINE LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO NEXT. DEMORA (URGENT) THE LAKUL'S HULL INTEGRITY IS DOWN TO TWELVE PERCENT, SIR. HARRIMAN LOOKS OVER AT KIRK, WHO HAS REMAINED QUIET DURING THIS ENTIRE SEQUENCE ONLY THROUGH GREAT EFFORT AND OUT OF DEFERENCE TO THE YOUNG CAPTAIN. THIS IS A DELICATE MOMENT- HARRIMAN DOESN'T WANT TO LOOK INCAPABLE, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, HE NEEDS HELP. HARRIMAN CAPTAIN KIRK, I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY SUGGESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE. KIRK IS OUT OF HIS CHAIR LIKE A CORK OUT OF A BOTTLE. HE MOVES DOWN TO STAND NEXT TO HARRIMAN. KIRK (SOTTO) FIRST, MOVE US WITHIN TRANSPORTER RANGE AND BEAM THOSE PEOPLE TO THE ENTERPRISE. HARRIMAN LOOKS AT HIM WITH SURPRISE. HARRIMAN WHAT ABOUT THE GRAVIMETRIC DISTORTIONS? THEY'LL TEAR US APART. KIRK (GENTLY) RISK IS PART OF THE GAME IF YOU WANT TO SIT IN THAT CHAIR. KIRK GIVES HIM A SUPPORTIVE LOOK. HARRIMAN BUCKLES DOWN AND GRIMLY LOOKS AT THE IMAGE ON THE SCREEN. HARRIMAN HELM, CLOSE TO WITHIN TRANSPORTER RANGE. KIRK GLANCES AT THE CAMERAMAN, WHO'S STILL SHINING THE LIGHT ON THEM ALL. KIRK AND SECOND, TURN THAT DAMNED THING OFF. THE CAMERAMAN TURNS OFF THE LIGHT. CUT TO: 16 ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFN-I) 16 THE SHIP EDGES IN YET CLOSER TO THE CRACKLING RIBBON. THE TENDRILS FROM THE RIBBON LASH OUT AT THE SHIP, JUST MISSING IT. 17 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 17 AS BEFORE. DEMORA WE'RE WITHIN RANGE, SIR. HARRIMAN (TO LIEUTENANT) BEAM THEM DIRECTLY TO SICKBAY. CHEKOV (CONCERNED) HOW BIG'S YOUR MEDICAL STAFF? HARRIMAN (EMBARRASSED) THE MEDICAL STAFF DOESN'T ARRIVE UNTIL TUESDAY. CHEKOV TURNS TO THE TWO JOURNALISTS. CHEKOV YOU AND YOU. YOU'VE JUST BECOME NURSES. LET'S GO. CHEKOV AND THE JOURNALISTS ENIT TO THE TURBOLIFT. DEMORA MAIN ENGINEERING REPORTS FLUCTUATIONS IN THE WARP PLASMA RELAYS. SCOTTY BYPASS THE RELAYS AND GO TO AUXILIARY SYSTEMS. THE LIEUTENANT IS HAVING PROBLEMS AT THE AFT CONSOLE. LIEUTENANT SIR, I'M HAVING TROUBLE LOCKING ONTO THEM. THEY APPEAR TO BE IN SOME SORT OF TEMPORAL FLUX. KIRK TURNS TO SCOTTY. KIRK SCOTTY? SCOTTY QUICKLY MOVES TO LOOK AT THE TRANSPORTER CONSOLE. SCOTTY WHAT THE HELL... KIRK MOVES TO HIM. SCOTTY THEIR LIFE SIGNS ARE ARE PHASING IN AND OUT OF OUR SPACE-TIME CONTINUUM. KIRK PHASING? TO WHERE? SCOTTY BEGINS TO WORK. NAVIGATOR SIR! THEIR HULL'S COLLAPSING! 18 ENT. SPACE- THE LAKUL (VFN-I) 18 THE SHIP IS DESTROYED BY AN ENERGY TENDRIL. 19 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 19 ALL EYES ON SCOTTY. SCOTTY I GOT FORTY-SEVEN OF THEM (BEAT, GRIM) OUT OF ONE HUNDRED FIFTY. SUDDENLY THE SHIP IS ROCKED VIOLENTLY. KLAXONS AND ALARMS START TO WAIL AND THE LIGHTS FLICKER ON AND OFF. A BULKHEAD EXPLODES, SENDING METAL FRAGMENTS SCREAMING ACROSS THE BRIDGE AND KILLING THE NAVIGATOR. SCOTTY QUICKLY TAKES OVER THE DEAD MAN'S CONSOLE. KIRK REPORT! DEMORA WE'RE CAUGHT IN A GRAVIMETRIC FIELD EMANATING FROM THE TRAILING EDGE OF THE RIBBON. HARRIMAN ALL ENGINES, FULL REVERSE! 20 ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B & RIBBON (VFN-I) 20 THE SHIP IS TURNING SIDEWAYS INTO THE WAKE OF THE RIBBON, BUT CANNOT BREAK AWAY. IT IS CLEARLY BEING PULLED ALONG, OUT OF CONTROL. TENDRILS LEAP UP FROM THE RIBBON, LASHING AGAINST THE SHIP. 21 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- SICKBAY 21 THE ROOM IS FILLED WITH THE SURVIVORS OF THE LAKUL. THEY ARE ALL MEMBERS OFTHE EL-AURIAN RACE- HUMANOID AND DRESSED IN DISTINCTIVE CLOTHING. THE SURVIVORS ARE IN VARIOUS STATES OF SHOCK. MANY SIT ON THE FLOOR, STARING INTO MIDDLE DISTANCE. SOME LIE ON TABLES, UNCONSCIOUS. OTHERS ARE MUMBLING INCOHERENTLY TO THEMSELVES. CHEKOV AND THE JOURNALISTS ARE MOVING FROM PERSON TO PERSON TRYING TO GET CONTROL OF THE SITUATION AS THE SHIP IS ROCKED AND FLUNG ABOUT. CHEKOV HAS A TRICORDER. SURVIVORS (INCOHERENT, OVERLAPPING) THE COLORS ARE TOUCHING ME. I'M CAUGHT IN THE GLASS. HELP ME...I CAN SEE THE SECONDS...OVER HERE... CHEKOV IT WILL BE ALL RIGHT. WE'RE GOING TO TAKE CARE OF YOU. HE LOOKS AT THE TRICORDER. CHEKOV (OFF TRICORDER) ONLY MINOR INJURIES SO FAR. (BEAT) BUT IT LOOKS LIKE THEY'RE ALL SUFFERING FROM SOME KIND OF NEURAL SHOCK. ONE JOURNALIST MOVES PAST A MAN SITTING ON A BIOBED WITH A DAZED LOOK ON HIS FACE. HE HAS A NASTY LOOKING WOUND ON ONE SIDE OF HIS FACE. (WE WILL LEARN LATER THAT THIS MAN IS NAMED DOCTOR SORAN.) THE JOURNALIST IS ABOUT TO TURN AWAY WHEN SUDDENLY SORAN GRABS HIM ROUGHLY- CLEARLY A MAN OF GREAT STRENGTH- AND PULLS HIM CLOSE. SORAN'S EYES ARE SUDDENLY WILD, CRAZED. SORAN WHY, WHY? JOURNALIST IT'S ALL RIGHT. YOU'RE SAFE YOU'RE ON THE ENTERPRISE. SORAN NO, I HAVE TO GO... I HAVE TO GET BACK. YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! LET ME GO! SORAN BEGINS TO ATTACK THE JOURNALIST, BUT BEFORE HE CAN DO ANY REAL DAMAGE, CHEKOV INJECTS SORAN WITH A HYPOSPRAY AND SORAN FALLS UNCONSCIOUS. JOURNALIST WHAT WAS HE TALKING ABOUT? SUDDENLY A WOMAN WITH HER BACK TOWARD US STUMBLES NEARBY. CHEKOV QUICKLY GRABS HER ARM AND CATCHES HER BEFORE SHE FALLS. CHEKOV EASY THERE... THE WOMAN TURNS AROUND AND WE SEE HER FACE FOR THE FIRST TIME- IT'S GUINAN. SHE SEEMS DAZED AND CONFUSED. CHEKOV SMILES AT HER WARMLY. CHEKOV IT'S GOING TO BE OKAY. HERE, JUST LIE DOWN. AS HE GUIDES GUINAN ONTO A TABLE 22 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE (VFN-I) 22 ENERGY RIBBON ON VIEWSCREEN. DEMORA INERTIAL DAMPERS FAILING. SCOTTY ENGINES NOT RESPONDING! HARRIMAN IS GRIPPING THE ARMS OF HIS CHAIR WITH ONE HAND. HIS FACE PALES. HARRIMAN (QUIET) I DIDN'T EXPECT TO DIE MY FIRST DAY ON THE JOB. KIRK TRIES TO BUCK UP THE YOUNG CAPTAIN. KIRK (SOTTO) THE FIRST THING YOU LEARN AS CAPTAIN IS HOW TO CHEAT DEATH. (BEAT, THEN LOUDER) SCOTTY? SCOTTY (OUTRAGED) THERE'S JUST NO WAY TO DISRUPT A GRAVIMETRIC FIELD OF THIS MAGNITUDE! DEMORA HULL INTEGRITY FAILING. KIRK LOOKS AT SCOTTY EXPECTANTLY FOR A MOMENT. SCOTTY (CONT'D) BUT I DO HAVE A THEORY... KIRK I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT. SCOTTY AN ANTI-MATTER DISCHARGE DIRECTLY AHEAD IT MIGHT DISRUPT THE FIELD LONG ENOUGH FOR US TO BREAK AWAY. KIRK A PHOTON TORPEDO? SCOTTY AYE. KIRK (QUICKLY, TO DEMORA) LOAD TORPEDO BAYS, PREPARE TO FIRE ON MY COMMAND. DEMORA TURNS TO HIM. DEMORA CAPTAIN, WE DON'T HAVE ANY TORPEDOES. KIRK GLANCES AT HARRIMAN. KIRK DON'T TELL ME...TUESDAY. HARRIMAN NODS, A LITTLE EMBARRASSED. THE SHAKING GETS WORSE. SCOTTY CAPTAIN, IT MAY BE POSSIBLE TO SIMULATE A TORPEDO BLAST USING A RESONANCE BURST FROM THE MAIN DEFLECTOR DISH. KIRK (ONTO THE IDEA) WHERE ARE THE DEFLECTOR RELAYS? DEMORA DECK 15, SECTION 21-ALPHA. HARRIMAN (TO KIRK) I'LL GO. YOU HAVE THE BRIDGE. HARRIMAN HEADS FOR THE TURBOLIFT, AND THERE IS A MOMENT AS KIRK IS SORELY TEMPTED TO TAKE COMMAND OF THE SHIP AND SIT IN THE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR ONE MORE TIME. BUT HE PULLS HIMSELF BACK BEFORE HARRIMAN CAN EXIT. KIRK NO A CAPTAIN'S PLACE IS ON THE BRIDGE OF HIS SHIP. (BEAT) I'LL TAKE CARE OF IT. HARRIMAN NODS IN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. KIRK HEADS FOR THE TURBOLIFT. KIRK (ON THE MOVE, TO SCOTTY) KEEP HER TOGETHER UNTIL I GET BACK. SCOTTY (MATTER OF FACT) I ALWAYS DO. KIRK SMILES AS THE TURBOLIFT DOORS SLIDE SHUT. 23 OMITTED 23 24 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- CORRIDOR 24 KIRK RUNNING DOWN THE CORRIDOR, OPENS A DOOR. 25 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- DEFLECTOR ROOM (CONTINUOUS) 25 A SMALL CONTROL ROOM WITH A FEW CONSOLES. KIRK RUSHES IN AND RIPS OFF ONE OF THE LARGE WALL PANELS. HE QUICKLY BEGINS TO RE-ROUTE CABLING AND CIRCUITRY. 26 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 26 AS BEFORE. THE SHIP IS SHAKING BADLY. DEMORA FORTY-FIVE SECONDS TO STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE! SCOTTY IS WORKING THE CONSOLES FRANTICALLY. SCOTTY BRIDGE TO CAPTAIN KIRK. INTERCUT: 27 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- DEFLECTOR ROOM 27 KIRK WORKING FURIOUSLY. KIRK KIRK HERE. SCOTTY CAPTAIN, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH LONGER I CAN HOLD HER TOGETHER! KIRK FINISHES WORKING AND SLAMS THE WALL PANEL CLOSED. KIRK THAT'S IT. GO! 28 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 28 AS BEFORE. HARRIMAN (TO DEMORA) ACTIVATE MAIN DEFLECTOR. DEMORA WORKS THE CONSOLE. 29 ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFN-I) 29 A LARGE BURST OF ENERGY LEAPS OUT OF THE MAIN DEFLECTOR DISH AND EXPLODES IN FRONT OF THE SHIP. THERE IS AN IMMEDIATE REACTION WITHIN THE ENERGY RIBBON, WHICH ROILS AND FLUCTUATES IN RESPONSE. 30 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 30 AS BEFORE. SCOTTY WE'RE BREAKING FREE. 31 ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFN-I) 31 THE SHIP NOW BEGINS TO TURN AWAY FROM THE CRACKLING RIBBON. BUT JUST AS IT'S TURNING, ONE FINAL TENDRIL OF ENERGY SUDDENLY LEAPS OUT AND HITS THE SHIP. 32 OMITTED 32 33 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 33 THE SHIP IS ROCKED SO HARD THAT EVERYONE IS KNOCKED OFF THEIR FEET. GRADUALLY, THE SHAKING STOPS. DEMORA SCRAMBLES BACK INTO POSITION. DEMORA WE'RE CLEAR. EVERYONE REACTS WITH RELIEF. HARRIMAN (EXCITED, TO COM) YOU DID IT, KIRK! (TO DEMORA) DAMAGE REPORT, ENSIGN. DEMORA (OFF CONSOLE) THERE'S SOME BUCKLING ON THE STARBOARD NACELLE. (REACTS) WE'VE ALSO GOT A HULL BREACH IN THE ENGINEERING SECTION. EMERGENCY FORCEFIELDS ARE IN PLACE AND HOLDING. SCOTTY WHERE? DEMORA SECTIONS 20 THROUGH 28 ON DECKS 13, 14...(LOOKS AT SCOTTY WITH MEANING) AND 15. EVERYONE TURNS AROUND AND LOOKS AT SCOTTY. SCOTTY (TO COM) BRIDGE TO CAPTAIN KIRK. (BEAT) CAPTAIN KIRK, PLEASE RESPOND. STILL NO RESPONSE. SCOTTY'S FACE FALLS. SCOTTY (CONTINUING, TO DEMORA) HAVE CHEKOV MEET ME ON DECK 15. HARRIMAN, VERY CONCERNED, GETS UP AND FOLLOWS SCOTTY. THEY ENIT TO THE TURBOLIFT. CUT TO: 34 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- CORRIDOR 34 SCOTTY AND HARRIMAN HEAD DOWN THE CORRIDOR. THEY ROUND A BEND, AND THEN STOP SHORT. THEY REACT TO SOMETHING AHEAD OF THEM. 35 NEW ANGLE (VFN-P) 35 REVEALING THAT THE CORRIDOR AHEAD OF THEM IS GONE. A JAGGED HOLE HAS BEEN RIPPED IN THE SHIP AND OPEN SPACE CAN BE SEEN BEYOND THE TWISTED METAL. A FORCEFIELD FLICKERS ON AND OFF, HOLDING THE VACUUM OF SPACE AT BAY. SCOTTY AND HARRIMAN LOOK AT THE AWESOME SIGHT FOR A MOMENT. CHEKOV COMES RUNNING UP THE CORRIDOR BEHIND THEM. HE STOPS AND REACTS. CHEKOV MY GOD...(BEAT) WAS ANYONE IN THERE? A LONG SILENT BEAT AS SCOTTY LOOKS OUT INTO SPACE. SCOTTY AYE. 36 ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFN-I) 36 A HUGE CHUNK HAS BEEN RIPPED OUT OF THE ENGINEERING SECTION, LOOKING LIKE AN OPEN WOUND. SCOTTY, CHEKOV AND HARRIMAN CAN BE SEEN STANDING INSIDE THE SMALL CORRIDOR, LOOKING OUT INTO SPACE. 37 INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE 37 A SHORT TIME LATER. SCOTTY, HARRIMAN AND CHEKOV ARE LISTENING TO DEMORA, WHO IS WORKING THE HELM CONSOLE. DEMORA I'VE CHECKED THE ENTIRE SHIP AND THE SURROUNDING SPACE, THERE'S NO SIGN OF HIM. A SILENT MOMENT. CHEKOV LOOKS TO SCOTTY, HOPING TO HEAR SOME SORT OF MIRACLE. SCOTTY TAKES A MOMENT, LOOKS AT THE EMPTY COMMAND CHAIR. THEN HE SHAKES HIS HEAD. A LONG BEAT AS EVERYONE IS FORCED TO ACCEPT THIS TERRIBLE TRUTH. SCOTTY (QUIET) JUST A QUICK RUN AROUND THE BLOCK. CHEKOV I NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD END LIKE THIS. SCOTTY ALL THINGS MUST END, MR. CHEKOV. HARRIMAN FINALLY BREAKS THE STILLNESS OF THE BRIDGE. HARRIMAN LET'S GO HOME. HARRIMAN STEPS DOWN TO THE CAPTAIN'S CHAIR AND TAKES COMMAND OF HIS SHIP. SCOTTY AND CHEKOV EXCHANGE A FINAL LOOK. OFF THE REACTIONS OF THESE TWO FRIENDS WHO HAVE JUST LOST SOMEONE VERY DEAR TO THEM BOTH. CUT TO: 38 ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFN-I) 38 THE CRIPPLED SHIP TURNS AND HEADS AWAY FADE TO BLACK SUPER: SEVENTY-EIGHT YEARS LATER 39 CLOSE ON A HALYARD 39 AS A FLAG IS QUICKLY HOISTED TO THE TOP OF A MAST. THE FLAG REACHES THE TOP AND IS THEN CAUGHT BY THE WIND- THE BLUE AND WHITE BANNER OF THE UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS WAVES IN THE BREEZE. MOVE TO REVEAL THE LOCATION 40 ENT. SAILING VESSEL- DAY 40 A NINETEENTH-CENTURY THREE-MASTED SAILING VESSEL (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A FRIGATE) IS HOVE-TO AND SITTING IN THE WATER GENTLY ROCKING. ACROSS THE STERN OF THE SHIP, WE CAN SEE THE NAME ENTERPRISE PICKED OUT IN GOLD LETTERS. 41 ON THE MAIN DECK 41 WHERE PICARD AND RIKER ARE STANDING BEFORE THE ASSEMBLED CREW OF THE SHIP. EVERYONE IS DRESSED IN FULL-DRESS NAVAL UNIFORMS OF THE PERIOD, COMPLETE WITH COCKED HATS, EPAULETTES, ETC. THE CREW IS STANDING AT ATTENTION, THE WIND WHISTLES THROUGH THE RIGGING, THE TIMBERS CREAK. PICARD GRIMLY LOOKS OVER HIS CREW, THEN NODS TO RIKER. RIKER BRING OUT THE PRISONER! A DRUMMER BEGINS A LONG DRUM ROLL. 42 ON A HATCH 42 AS WORF IS BROUGHT ON DECK BY TROI AND LA FORGE. WORF IS SHACKLED BY HAND AND LEG IRONS. TROI AND LA FORGE HOLD HIM BY EITHER ARM AND SHOVE HIM TOWARD THECAPTAIN. THE DRUM ROLL STOPS. PICARD MOVES TO WORF AND PEERS AT HIM CLOSELY. PICARD MR. WORF. I ALWAYS KNEW THIS DAY WOULD COME. ARE YOU PREPARED TO FACE THE CHARGES? WORF DOESN'T ANSWER AND TROI JABS HIM IN THE SIDE. TROI ANSWER HIM! WORF I AM PREPARED. PICARD LOOKS TO RIKER, WHO THEN PULLS OUT A LARGE, ROLLED PIECE OF PARCHMENT. HE OPENS THE SCROLL AND BEGINS TO READ FROM IT. IN THE B.G., LA FORGE REMOVES WORF'S SHACKLES. RIKER "WE, THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, BEING OF SOUND MIND AND JUDGMENT, HEREBY MAKE THE FOLLOWING CHARGES AGAINST LIEUTENANT WORF: ONE. THAT HE DID KNOWINGLY AND WILLFULLY PERFORM ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL OF DUTY ON COUNTLESS OCCASIONS. TWO. THAT HE HAS BEEN A GOOD AND SOLID OFFICER ON THIS SHIP FOR ONE SCORE LESS TWELVE YEARS. AND THREE. MOST SERIOUSLY THAT HE HAS EARNED THE RESPECT AND ADMIRATION OF THE ENTIRE CREW." RIKER PUTS AWAY THE SCROLL PICARD THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE PUNISHMENT FOR SUCH CRIMES. (BEAT) I HEREBY PROMOTE YOU TO THE RANK OF LIEUTENANT COMMANDER, WITH ALL THE RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGESTHERETO. AND MAY GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL. EVERYONE ROARS IN APPROVAL. PICARD SMILES AT WORF AND SHAKES HIS HAND. PICARD (CONT'D) CONGRATULATIONS, COMMANDER. WORF (SMILES) THANK YOU, SIR. PICARD CONTINUES TO SMILE AT HIM FOR A MOMENT, THEN RIKER STEPS IN. RIKER EXTEND THE PLANK!! WORF'S FACE REGISTERS SURPRISE AS EVERYONE GRABS HIM AND HAULS HIM TOWARD THE SIDE, WHERE A LONG PLANK IS BEING PUSHED OUT OVER THE WATER. CREWMEMBERS INTO THE SEA WITH HIM. FEED HIM TO THE SHARKS! WALK THE PLANK! PICARD GIVES RIKER A QUESTIONING LOOK. PICARD DON'T YOU THINK YOU'RE TAKING THIS A LITTLE TOO FAR, NUMBER ONE? RIKER WHEN WE WENT TO ANCIENT ROME FOR DEANNA'S PROMOTION, WE THREW HER TO THE LIONS, REMEMBER? PICARD SHRUGS IT OFF- IT'S NOT EXACTLY HIS CUP OF TEA, BUT HE'LL GO ALONG WITH IT. WORF IS HUSTLED TO THE RAIL WHERE CRUSHER IS WAITING PATIENTLY BY THE PLANK, HOLDING A LONG PIKE. WORF IS PUT ON THE PLANK AND CRUSHER PRODS HIM WITH THE PIKE UNTIL WORF IS NEARLY AT THE END. WORF FINALLY STOPS AND TURNS AROUND WORF (A SHOUT) WAIT! EVERYONE FALLS SILENT A MOMENT. WORF LOOKS OVER THE SIDE AT THE WATER BELOW. WORF (A LITTLE EMBARRASSED) I CAN'T SWIM. LA FORGE (CALMLY, TO WORF) THE HOLODECK SAFETY PROGRAM IS ENGAGED. THE COMPUTER WON'T LET YOU DROWN. CRUSHER BUT THE SHARKS ARE QUITE CONVINCING. CRUSHER PRODS HIM WITH THE PIKE AND WORF FALLS INTO THE SEA WITH A HUGE SPLASH. EVERYONE LAUGHS AND CHEERS. REVEAL DATA, WHO IS STANDING NEAR THE SIDE RAIL, LOOKING A LITTLE CONFUSED AT THE REACTION. DATA (TO CRUSHER) DOCTOR, I MUST CONFESS I AM UNCERTAIN AS TO WHY PUSHING SOMEONE INTO FREEZING, SHARK-INFESTED WATER IS AMUSING. CRUSHER IT'S ALL DONE IN GOOD FUN, DATA. GET IN THE SPIRIT OF THINGS. DATA AH. DATA THINKS A MOMENT, THEN HE LIFTS CRUSHER WITH ONE HAND AND HOLD HER OVER THE RAIL. CRUSHER DATA...DATA-! DATA LETS GO AND CRUSHER PLUMMETS INTO THE OCEAN. DATA LOOKS AROUND- NO ONE IS LAUGHING. THEY ALL LOOK A LITTLE SURPRISED. LA FORGE DATA THAT WASN'T FUNNY. DATA IS PUZZLED BY THE REACTION OF THE CROWD. HE'S MORE CONFUSED THAN EVER. 43 PICARD AND RIKER 43 ARE STANDING ON THE QUARTERDECK AS A VERY WET BEVERLY CRUSHER COMES UP ON DECK. PICARD WELL, NOW THAT WE'RE ALL ABOARD (BEAT, THEN SMILES) NUMBER ONE, BRING THE SHIP BEFORE THE WIND. (SAVORING THE MOMENT) LET'S SEE WHAT'S OUT THERE. RIKER AYE, AYE, SIR. (TO TROI) TAKE THE WHEEL, COMMANDER. TROI TAKES THE SHIP'S WHEEL. RIKER (SHOUTS) ALL HANDS MAKE SAIL! RAISE UP TACKS AND STAND BY THE BRACES! THE CREW SPRINGS INTO ACTION, RUSHING TO THEIR PLACES ALOFT AND ON DECK,GRABBING ROPES AND LINES, STARTING TO UNFURL THE SAILS, TRIMMING THE YARDARMS, GETTING THE SHIP READY TO SAIL. 44 44 THRU OMITTED THRU 45 45 46 PICARD AND RIKER 46 PICARD IS DRINKING IN THE SCENE WITH A LOOK OF GREAT SATISFACTION AND CONTENTMENT. PICARD IMAGINE WHAT IT WAS LIKE, WILL. NO ENGINES, NO COMPUTERS, JUST THE WIND, THE SEA AND THE STARS TO GUIDE YOU. RIKER BAD FOOD, BRUTAL DISCIPLINE. (BEAT) NO WOMEN. BUT PICARD WON'T LET RIKER RAIN ON HIS PARADE- HE'S THOROUGHLY ENJOYING HIMSELF. COM VOICE BRIDGE TO CAPTAIN PICARD. PICARD PICARD HERE. COM VOICE THERE IS A PERSONAL MESSAGE FOR YOU FROM EARTH. PICARD (ANNOYED) PUT IT THROUGH DOWN HERE. (TO RIKER) BUT THE BEST THING ABOUT A LIFE AT SEA WAS THAT THEY COULDN'T GET TO YOU. PICARD WALKS TOWARD THE BOW. PICARD (TO COM) COMPUTER, ARCH. 46A ANGLE (VFN-P) 46A A U-SHAPED ARCH WITH SEVERAL COMPUTER PANELS VISIBLE APPEARS ON THE FORECASTLE. IT'S A STRANGE SIGHT TO SEE A PIECE OF THE 24TH CENTURY ON THE DECK OF THIS SHIP. PICARD GOES TO THE ARCH AND ACTIVATES ONE OF THE MONITORS AND WAITS FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO APPEAR. 46B NEW ANGLE (VFN-P) 46B A TEXT MESSAGE APPEARS AND HE STARTS TO READ IT. AFTER A MOMENT, HE REACTS WITH SHOCK AND DISMAY TO SOMETHING ON THE SCREEN. 47 ON TROI 47 WHOSE ATTENTION HAS BEEN DRAWN TO PICARD, AT THE ARCH. SHE REACTS WITH CONCERN AT THE EXPRESSION ON HIS FACE. TROI (TO CREWMEMBER) HERE. TAKE THE WHEEL. TROI MOVES TOWARD THE BOW. 48 ON PICARD (VFN-P) 48 WHOSE FACE IS NOW ASHEN WITH SHOCK. CLEARLY HE HAS JUST READ SOMETHING ON THE SCREEN WHICH IS VERY DISTURBING. HE STARES INTO THE MIDDLE DISTANCE FOR A MOMENT. TROI MOVES TO HIM. TROI (QUIET) CAPTAIN, ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? PICARD YES. FINE. IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME. HE TURNS OFF THE SCREEN. PICARD COMPUTER, EXIT. 48A ANGLE (VFN-P) 48A THE HOLODECK DOORS APPEAR WITHIN THE ARCH. PICARD IS CLEARLY DISTRACTED AS HE ENITS TO THE CORRIDOR. TROI LOOKS AFTER HIM WITH CONCERN. 49 NEW ANGLE 49 FAVORING RIKER. HE TAKES A COUPLE OF STEPS TOWARD WORF. RIKER SET THE ROYALS AND THE STUDDING SAILS, MR. WORF. WORF LOOKS AT HIM BLANKLY FOR A MOMENT. WORF THE ROYAL...STUDS? RIKER (SMILES, POINTS ALOFT) YOU SEE THE TOP YARDARM, NOW LOOK TO THE- SUDDENLY A COM VOICE INTERRUPTS. COM VOICE BRIDGE TO COMMANDER RIKER. RIKER RIKER HERE. COM VOICE WE'RE PICKING UP A DISTRESS CALL FROM THE AMARGOSA OBSERVATORY, SIR THEY SAY THEY'RE UNDER ATTACK. RIKER (TO ALL) RED ALERT! ALL HANDS TO BATTLE STATIONS! CAPTAIN PICARD TO THE BRIDGE. EVERYONE ON THE SHIP REACTS, AND THERE IS A GENERAL RUSH TO THE BOW OF THE SHIP. CUT TO: 50 ENT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-D (VFN-I) 50 THE GREAT SHIP AT IMPULSE. WE FOLLOW IT AND THEN SEE AHEAD OF THE SHIP, A SMALL SOLAR OBSERVATORY WITH A COMPLEX OPTICAL ARRAY. THE OBSERVATORY BEARS SCORCH MARKS AND OTHER SIGNS OF RECENT BATTLE. (IN THE B.G., A YELLOW SUN CAN BE SEEN.) 51 INT. BRIDGE (VFN-I) 51 PICARD IN COMMAND. RIKER, TROI, WORF AND DATA AT THEIR STATIONS THEY DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO CHANGE, SO THEY ARE ALL STILL DRESSED IN THEIR COSTUMES FROM THE CEREMONY. THE SHIP IS AT RED ALERT. THE IMAGE OF THE BURNT-OUT OBSERVATORY IS ON THE VIEWSCREEN. RIKER IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE TOO LATE. WORF (OFF CONSOLE) THERE ARE NO OTHER SHIPS IN THE SYSTEM. DATA SENSORS SHOW FIVE LIFE SIGNS ABOARD THE STATION, CAPTAIN. RIKER THE STATION COMPLEMENT WAS NINETEEN. A GRIM BEAT. PICARD GETS UP AND STARTS HEADING FOR THE READY ROOM- HIS ATTITUDE IS DISMISSIVE, ALMOST IRRITATED THAT THIS HAS INTERRUPTED SOME DEEPER CONCERN OF HIS. PICARD SECURE FROM RED ALERT. NUMBER ONE, BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION. I'LL BE IN MY READY ROOM. TROI AND RIKER EXCHANGE A SURPRISED LOOK. RIKER SIR? PICARD (HARD) MAKE IT SO. PICARD ENITS. AN AWKWARD BEAT. WHAT'S WRONG WITH THE CAPTAIN? BUT THEY HAVE THEIR ORDERS. AS RIKER AND WORF HEAD FOR THE EXIT, CUT TO: 52 INT. OBSERVATORY- OPS CENTER (VFN-P) 52 THE STATION IS A SMOKING RUIN- CONSOLES FLICKERING, LIGHTS DIM, DAMAGE EVERYWHERE. ONLY A FEW MINUTES HAVE PASSED SINCE THEY WERE ATTACKED. RIKER, WORF, CRUSHER AND TWO SECURITY GUARDS MATERIALIZE. THEY'RE ALL BACK IN UNIFORM, HOLDING PHASERS AND PALM BEACONS. WORF HAS A TRICORDER AND CRUSHER HAS A MEDICAL KIT. THE ROOM IS CRAMPED, THERE ARE FALLEN BULK-HEADS AND BLOWN- OUT CONSOLES. THE DEBRIS MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO GET A CLEAR VIEW OF THE ROOM. WORF THESE BLAST PATTERNS ARE CONSISTENT WITH TYPE III DISRUPTORS. RIKER WELL, THAT NARROWS IT TO KLINGON, BREEN OR ROMULAN. CRUSHER FOLLOWS HER TRICORDER READINGS. CRUSHER I'M PICKING UP LIFESIGNS...ABOUT TWENTY METERS AHEAD. WORF THAT RULES OUT KLINGONS. RIKER GIVES HIM A LOOK. WORF THEY WOULD NOT HAVE LEFT ANYONE ALIVE. CRUSHER OVER HERE. THEY PICK THEIR WAY CAREFULLY THROUGH THE CARNAGE OF THE STATION AND COME TO THE BODY OF A STARFLEET SCIENCE OFFICER. HE HAS TAKEN A DISRUPTOR BLAST TO THE BACK AND THERE IS A NASTY-LOOKING SCORCH MARK ON HIS UNIFORM. CRUSHER IMMEDIATELY TAKES SOME DEVICES OUT OF HER MEDICAL KIT AND BEGINS TO TREAT HIM. RIKER WORF, YOU'RE WITH ME. PASKALL, YOU AND MENDEZ SEARCH THE UPPER DECK. THE SECURITY GUARDS CLIMB A NEARBY LADDER WHILE RIKER AND WORF HEAD DOWN A DIMLY-LIT CORRIDOR. RIKER STOPS AT TWO BODIES IN THE HALL, CHECKS THEM OVER- BUT THEY'RE DEAD. THERE IS A SUDDEN BANGING FROM THE FAR CORNER OF THE ROOM. WORF AND RIKER QUICKLY MOVE TO A COLLAPSED BULKHEAD. WORF UNDER HERE. THEY BOTH GRAB HOLD OF A LARGE METAL PLATE, PULL IT ASIDE AND BEGIN TO DIG THROUGH THE DEBRIS. FINALLY, A HAND CAN BE SEEN GRASPING ABOUT FROM WITHIN THE PILE OF RUBBLE. RIKER AND WORF WORK FASTER. WORF GRABS THE MAN'S HAND. WORF IT'S ALL RIGHT. DO NOT STRUGGLE. WORF HOLDS THE MAN'S HAND AS RIKER SHOVES AWAY A FINAL CONSOLE. WE REVEAL THE HEAD AND TORSO OF DOCTOR SORAN, ONE OF THE SURVIVORS FROM THE LAKUL (AND LAST SEEN IN SICKBAY ABOARD THE ENTERPRISE-B). SORAN HAS NOT AGED AT ALL OVER THE YEARS BUT HE DOES HAVE A PERMANENT SCAR ON HIS FACE FROM THE EARLIER WOUND. HE BLINKS A FEW