STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION STAND-OFF
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From: Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk (Linus E.A. Twizell)
Subject: Stand-Off (Part I)
Message-ID: <CAGBou.2uH@brunel.ac.uk>
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Date: Tue, 20 Jul 1993 07:05:17 GMT
Lines: 566
Well, after several revisions and many months' writing, my first
attempt at a ST:TNG script is ready for the big, wide Internet.
I posted a promo a few days ago, and will be posting the entire
script approximately one part per day, although probably not
at weekends. I just hope it arrives in the right order! If
anyone knows anywhere else it should be posted/ftp'd I'd be
eternally grateful, as I would for any comments and/or
suggestions (puts on flame-proof jacket)...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION
STAND-OFF
by
Linus E.A. Twizell
(c) 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART I
-----------------------------------------------------------------
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE in warp drive.
PICARD (voice over)
Captain's Log, stardate 46001 point 3.
There have been times when I never
thought I would see this day. The
ENTERPRISE and her crew have just
completed the first of what I trust will
be many five year missions. Not once
over the past five years have I had
cause to find fault with my ship or her
crew. I have put my life in their hands
many times, and I would do so again
without question. One can pay no greater
compliment than that. It is customary at
the end of a Starfleet vessel's tour of
duty for her to receieve a thorough
overall, and for the majority of her
crew to be replaced. I am pleased to
note that Starfleet Command approved my
request that my command crew be left
intact. However, in line with
regulations we have left the majority of
the crew at starbase 54 and are now
progressing to starbase 130, where our
new crew awaits us. As it is the ship is
virtually empty, piloted by a skeleton
crew.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard in command chair.
Worf at Tactical.
Deanna at Helm.
Data at Ops.
DATA
Captain, we are receiving a message from
Starfleet Command.
PICARD
On screen please, Mr. Data.
DATA
It is encoded, Captain's eyes only.
PICARD
Right. I'll take it in my cabin.
PICARD'S QUARTERS
Picard enters his personal code and a Starfleet Admiral appears on the
screen.
PICARD
Greetings Admiral Lloyd.
LLOYD
Likewise. We have an urgent mission for
you.
PICARD
Admiral, the ENTERPRISE is vastly
undermanned due to...
LLOYD
I am aware of your situation, Captain.
Two days ago Starfleet Operations
received a distress signal from the
science vessel USS FARADAY.
PICARD
I can't believe the ENTERPRISE is the
only vessel capable of dealing with
this.
LLOYD
The FARADAY was monitoring the famine on
Omacron-Delta 7. A matter of a couple of
hours from the Romulan Neutral Zone.
PICARD
All the more reason why a fully-manned
ship should be chosen.
LLOYD
Captain, the ENTERPRISE is the
Federation flagship. All our most
advanced technology, and our best
captain is on the ENTERPRISE.
PICARD
Admiral, you flatter me, but I still
think...
LLOYD
In addition, the ENTERPRISE has a
certain... reputation. Even within the
Romulan Empire the name commands
attention. Ambassador Spock has advised
that the Romulans have a certain respect
for Jean-Luc Picard, and that's a very
valuable card in our deck.
PICARD
Do we know the nature of FARADAY's
difficulties?
LLOYD
Regrettably not. The signal received was
an automated transmission from the
ship's computer, and lasted a matter of
seconds.
PICARD
Was there any useful information in it?
LLOYD
Precious little, captain.
Lloyd leans forward, and touches a control.
COMPUTER
This is an automated transmission from
the USS FARADAY, NCC 8751. Complete
systems failure imminent. Immediate
assistance requested.
PICARD
That doesn't tell us very much,
including whether or not the crew is
alive out there. Is the ship still
intact?
LLOYD
We don't know. The locator beacon
continued to transmit for a couple of
hours after that, then failed.
PICARD
Whatever happened must have been very
quick if communications failed before
the crew or the computer could file a
more substantial report.
LLOYD
Starfleet needs to know what happened,
and quickly. You are to proceed
immediately to sector 87 and begin your
investigations.
PICARD
Admiral, with our current crew
complement that's hardly realistic. Now,
Starbase 126 in sector 92 is...
LLOYD
Is out of the question. It would take
two days out of your journey.
PICARD
Would you rather we went in as we are
now and functioned inefficiently?
LLOYD
Very well, I'll consult the council
about your request, but I don't hold out
much hope. For now head out towards the
Neutral Zone.
PICARD
Agreed. Picard out.
The screen goes blank. Picard considers the conversation for a bit and
then leaves.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Crew positions as before.
Picard strides purposefully on to the bridge.
PICARD
Commander Troi, set new course.
DEANNA
Aye Captain. What heading?
PICARD
Course 149 mark 37. Warp five.
DEANNA
Course and speed laid in, Captain
As Picard slumps pensively into his seat, Deanna exchanges a worried
glance with Data.
PICARD
Engage.
fade to OPENING CREDITS.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard in Command chair.
Worf at Tactical.
Deanna at Helm.
O'Brien at Ops.
PICARD
Open frequency to Starfleet Command,
please Mister Worf.
WORF
Frequency open, Captain.
Admiral Lloyd appears on viewscreen.
PICARD
Admiral, it's been two hours. Do you
have any options for me?
LLOYD
Captain Picard, I have discussed the
matter with my colleagues, and we have
reached a decision. Your request for a
diversion to Starbase 126 is refused.
PICARD (angrily)
Admiral, with all due respect...
LLOYD
When people say that to me Picard, they
usually mean without any respect at all.
PICARD
With all due respect, _Admiral_. The
ENTERPRISE is ludicrously short-staffed.
Starbase 126 represents our only chance
to bring her up to minimal operational
levels.
LLOYD
Not quite, Picard. There is a Starbase
less than two hours from your present
position.
PICARD (derisively)
Admiral, surely you're not
considering...
LLOYD
Starbase 101.
PICARD (disbelieving)
101? The Academy?
LLOYD
Many of our best people are instructors
at the Academy.
PICARD
Our best theorists maybe. Dammit,
Admiral, I need people with battle
experience. People used to command. I
need good engineers, medical personnel,
not people who've spent their entire
lives in study.
LLOYD (abrupt)
Captain Picard, this is my final word on
the matter. You will report to Starbase
101, where you may beam aboard any
personnel you feel appropriate. I want
you back on course for the Neutral Zone
in six hours.
PICARD
Admiral...
LLOYD
Lloyd out.
Lloyd's picture is replaced by starfield of ENTERPRISE in medium warp.
Picard presses buttons on chair panels - computing course.
PICARD
Commander Troi, adjust course to 278
mark 15.
DEANNA
278 mark 15, aye sir.
PICARD
Increase to warp 8.
DEANNA
Course and speed laid in, Captain.
PICARD
Engage.
Deanna manipulates controls of helm console.
Sound from warp drive increases, as starfield pattern on viewscreen
alters with ENTERPRISE's turn.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
ENTERPRISE in space at medium warp.
ENTERPRISE executes rapid turn to port, and increases speed.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Riker enters from the turbolift. Picard stands, and turns to Riker.
PICARD
Report, Number One.
RIKER
Mister LaForge estimates that an extra
thirty personnel are required in
Engineering alone if we're going to take
the ENTERPRISE on active duty. Data's
still down there with Geordi. They're
pretty busy. Geordi's raising hell about
the matter/antimatter seals.
PICARD
Surely the computer regulates them.
There's no danger.
RIKER
I know, but Geordi likes to have people
monitoring them. He's an engineer, born
and bred.
PICARD
Admiral Lloyd has suggested we stock up
with Academy personnel.
RIKER (hesitantly)
They may have some people we can use, I
suppose...
PICARD
But?
RIKER
But we need people with experience as
well as knowledge.
PICARD
My thoughts precisely. Still, it would
appear to be the only option open to us
at the moment. Number One, we'll be at
Starbase 101 in less than two hours.
Four hours after that we must be back on
course for the Neutral Zone. I want you
to scan the personnel records of
Starbase 101, liaise with Admiral
McKenzie.
RIKER
McKenzie? Is he still Commandant at 101?
PICARD
He took over some ten years after my
time at 101, I never knew him, but I
take it you did, Number One?
RIKER
In my first year. It'll be good to speak
to him again.
PICARD
Then I'll leave the matter in your
hands.
Picard taps his comm-badge.
PICARD (voice raised)
Replacement tactical officer report to
the bridge.
MURDOCH (voice over)
Lieutenant Jan Murdoch here, sir. On my
way.
PICARD
Mister Worf, you have the bridge, signal
me in one hour thirty.
Lieutenant Murdoch enters from turbolift.
Riker enters turbolift.
Picard enters ready room.
Worf sits in command chair.
Lt. Murdoch stands at tactical station.
RIKER
Officer's quarters, deck nine.
Turbolift doors close.
WORF
Helm, maintain course and speed.
DEANNA
Maintaining.
RIKER'S CABIN.
Riker is sitting at his desk, in front of his computer console. He
touches a large button at its base, and the screen lights up with the
Starfleet Command insignia.
RIKER
Request access, personnel records for
Starbase 101.
COMPUTER
Classified information, identify please.
RIKER
Commander William T. Riker, access code
alpha eight four seventeen theta alpha.
COMPUTER
Riker, Commander William T is
identified. Accessing.
Logo vanishes from screen, which shows a rapidly scrolling list of
names, with suitable heading.
RIKER
Computer, list most senior staff.
The list changes to a static display.
RIKER
Cross reference with experience rating.
A much shorter list appears on the screen.
Riker selects names from the list by touching them on the screen. He
brings up more specialised lists with a set of controls at the base of
the screen.
ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING
Data and LaForge are working by the warp energizer. Data is entering
commands on a computer console, and LaForge is reassembling some
equipment he has removed from a control panel. In his hand is a standard
Starfleet Gadget(tm). Occasionally members of the crew walk through
Engineering, carrying various items of equipment. The atmosphere conveys
a few people doing a lot of work.
LAFORGE
How's the leakage threshold now, Data?
DATA
As before, the danger of leakage is
statistically insignificant.
(pauses)
Geordi, is it not possible that we are
being too thorough?
LAFORGE
More than possible, my friend. But if
we're going into battle, I want to be as
sure as I can be that nothing's going to
go wrong on us.
DATA
But Geordi, we have taken the ENTERPRISE
into battle many times before. Why the
anxiety now?
LAFORGE
We've never been this short-handed
before.
DATA
But we have always left this task to the
computer. Why the desire for a manual
check?
LAFORGE
Because, Data, if something goes wrong
with the seals while we're out there, we
don't have the manpower to get them
changed in a hurry.
DATA
Ah! Human paranoia.
LAFORGE
Call it what you like, Data. I'll just
be glad if it keeps us alive.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
END OF PART I
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's the first section. Comments are more than
welcome on Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk
The second part should go out tomorrow, hope you're
all enjoying it.
Regards,
Linus E.A. Twizell
/= Linus E.A. Twizell ========================================\
| | |
| \o | Kids... they're as bad as |
| |> | Special Branch, you never |
| <\ Stayin' | know what they're up to. |
| Alive! | - Morse |
| | |
\============================== Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk ====/
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
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From: Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk (Linus E.A. Twizell)
Subject: Stand-Off [Part II]
Message-ID: <CAM0I3.395@brunel.ac.uk>
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1993 08:49:14 GMT
Lines: 695
Well, after several revisions and many months' writing, my first
attempt at a ST:TNG script is ready for the big, wide Internet.
I posted a promo a few days ago, and will be posting the entire
script approximately one part per day, although probably not
at weekends. I just hope it arrives in the right order! If
anyone knows anywhere else it should be posted/ftp'd I'd be
eternally grateful, as I would for any comments and/or
suggestions (puts on flame-proof jacket)...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION
STAND-OFF
by
Linus E.A. Twizell
(c) 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART II
-----------------------------------------------------------------
RIKER'S QUARTERS.
Riker looks up from his computer console, and presses a control.
RIKER
Computer, open channel to Admiral
McKenzie at Starbase 101.
McKenzie appears on the viewscreen.
MCKENZIE (smiling)
Will Riker. You've certainly come back
to 101 by the scenic route.
RIKER
Indeed, sir. Captain Picard asked me to
liase with you about the emergency crew
transfers. I'm transmitting the list
now. (touches console)
McKenzie pauses, studying the list on a screen to his left.
MCKENZIE
I don't think there's anyone there I
can't spare. Still, I'm going to be
short of medics and engineers for a
while. Actually, I'm surprised you don't
want more of our people.
RIKER
With respect, sir, we felt that we
needed people with experience, and
whilst you have some very learned
people, experts in their fields...
MCKENZIE
You feel that in the absence of the full
chain of command to channel their
advice, they may be a liability rather
than a help.
(Riker nods)
I must admit though, I'm surprised at
your request for a cadet.
RIKER
Wesley Crusher served on the ENTERPRISE
before he joined the Academy. Captain
Picard promoted him to ensign. In my
view, he would be a valuable addition to
the crew.
MCKENZIE
Well, it's unconventional, and he'll
have a lot of catching up to do, but if
you feel you need him, he's yours.
RIKER
Thank you, sir. Now, if you'll excuse
me?
MCKENZIE
Of course. Give Jean-Luc Picard my
regards, and... good luck, Will.
RIKER
Thank you sir, Riker out.
Cut to MCKENZIE.
McKenzie's smile vanishes abruptly as Riker's image disappears from the
viewscreen. He touches a control on a console.
MCKENZIE
Computer, locate Cadet-Ensign Wesley
Crusher.
COMPUTER
Wesley Crusher is in personal study lab
fourteen.
MCKENZIE
Computer, track and display Ensign
Crusher's movements.
COMPUTER
Tracking.
A screen lights up to show a plan of one level of Starbase 101. A
flashing yellow spot moves slowly around the map.
STARBASE 101 CORRIDOR.
The corridor should be a contrast to the ENTERPRISE scenes. The corridor
is bustling with life as cadets move through it. They all wear the
blood-red Academy uniform, and the silver comm-badges. The cadets are of
a variety of species, including Vulcans and Benzites in addition to
humans. A door on the left hand side of the corridor opens, and Wesley
Crusher enters, carrying an electronic clipboard. Wesley walks down the
corridor, and is stopped by a friend, Peter Wainwright, also in uniform,
roughly his age.
PETER
Hey, Wesley you heard the news?
WESLEY
Hi Pete. News?
PETER
About the ENTERPRISE? She's coming here.
WESLEY
Here? Why? Is something wrong? My
mother?
PETER
Slow down, man. I don't know why she's
come here, but it's probably just
routine. Why don't you ask Shelagh on
vessel tracking? It was her that asked
me to tell you.
WESLEY
Yeah, I will. Listen, I've got to go,
thanks a lot.
Wesley continues down the corridor, and enters a turbolift.
WESLEY
Cadet quarters, level thirteen.
The turbolift doors close, and the lift moves down several floors. The
doors open to show a less busy corridor. Wesley walks down the corridor,
and through a sliding door into his cabin.
WESLEY'S QUARTERS.
Wesley enters from the door. He walks to a chair in front of a desk/
computer console and sits down. As he does so, he taps his comm-badge.
WESLEY
Cadet-Ensign Crusher to Cadet Shelagh
Thomson.
The comm-badge beeps as the connection is made, and an English female
voice answers.
SHELAGH (voice over)
What can I do for you, Wesley?
WESLEY
Is it true about the ENTERPRISE?
SHELAGH
Yes it is.
WESLEY
Do you know what she's here for?
SHELAGH
That's not my assignment, and therefore
not my business.
WESLEY
Oh, come on Shelagh, you must have the
mission details there.
SHELAGH
Okay, okay, I'll check for you.
VESSEL TRACKING.
Cadet Shelagh Thomson is sitting at a console before a large screen. The
screen shows a display similar to a tactical display, showing the
movements of several ships in space around Starbase 101. Each ship is
represented by a Starfleet Command insignia and a registration number.
Shelagh presses a control, scrolling the screen to show the outer
regions of the tracking area, revealing the marker bearing the number
NCC1701-D. Shelagh touches the marker, and the screen changes to show a
complete data sheet for the ENTERPRISE. Shelagh manipulates more
controls, and a buzzer sounds.
SHELAGH (puzzled)
That's odd.
WESLEY (voice over)
What is it?
SHELAGH
There's no mission listing.
WESLEY
Routine then?
SHELAGH (irritated)
No, Wesley. Even if it was just cargo
transfer there would be a listing.
WESLEY
Classified?
SHELAGH
Then it would say so! You know that.
Nothing comes in or out of a Starbase
without a mission listing. Officially,
there's no record of the ENTERPRISE
coming here.
WESLEY
Just 'cause you've got the worst
assignment in the Academy, you don't
have to take it out on me, you know.
SHELAGH
I'm sorry, Wesley. Still, vessel
tracking is a real pain.
(more brightly)
Hey, have you heard from Oliana on the
FARADAY recently?
WESLEY'S QUARTERS.
WESLEY (frowns)
Yeah, the other day.
SHELAGH (voice over)
You sound worried.
WESLEY
So did she.
SHELAGH
Well, it's her first assignment outside
the Academy. We're not all starship
veterans you know.
(Wesley laughs)
She's probably just nervous.
WESLEY (unconvinced)
You're probably right.
VESSEL TRACKING.
Door buzzer sounds.
SHELAGH
Listen, Wesley, I've got work to do.
I'll see you later.
WESLEY (voice over)
Yeah, thanks Shelagh. Crusher out.
SHELAGH
Come in.
The door slides open, and someone wearing a red uniform enters. We do
not see the officer's face. Shelagh stands.
SHELAGH
Can I help you, sir?
Shelagh backs away from the console.
SHELAGH (horrified)
Sir?
We see a phaser in the hand of the officer. Shelagh screams, and the
phaser fires. It is set to "kill". The officer turns to leave, and is
revealed as Admiral McKenzie.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Crew as before.
DEANNA
Lieutenant Worf, our arrival at Starbase
101 is immenent.
WORF
Thank you, Helm.
(touches control on chair)
Captain Picard, we are approaching
Starbase 101.
READY ROOM.
Picard is standing at the window, reading a leather-bound book. As he
hears Worf's voice, he shuts the book (A Tale of Two Cities?), and turns
from the window. He taps his comm-badge,
PICARD
Thank you, Lieutenant.
(pauses)
Commander Riker to the bridge.
Picard pauses for a minute, looking out into space as the ENTERPRISE
drops out of warp drive, and Starbase 101 comes into view.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard and Riker walk onto the bridge from the ready room and turbolift
respectively, and take their seats in the command circle. Worf moves
back to tactical, and Lieutenant Murdoch stands at the mission
operations station.
PICARD
Have the crew transfer requests been
agreed by Starbase 101, Number One?
RIKER
Yes sir, Admiral Lloyd gave his personal
seal of approval to the scheme.
PICARD
How many people are we taking up?
RIKER
Not many, I'm afraid, sir. A handful of
medics and engineers, a few security
people, and some non-specific officers.
PICARD (sceptically)
Anybody with experience?
RIKER
A few. Some more than others.
PICARD
What about Galaxy Class starship
experience?
RIKER
Just Mister Crusher, I'm afraid sir.
PICARD (smiling)
Mister Crusher? I didn't know he was at
101.
RIKER
He was assigned there a few months ago.
PICARD
Number One, have you spoken to Doctor
Crusher about her son?
RIKER
I thought I'd leave that to you, sir.
PICARD
Ah. Standard Starbase orbit, Commander
Troi.
DEANNA
Aye, sir.
PICARD
Mister O'Brien, I'd like you to handle
the transfers from Starbase 101.
O'BRIEN
Very good, sir.
Picard presses control on chair.
PICARD
Commander Data to the bridge.
(pauses, presses control again)
Doctor Crusher to the bridge.
DEANNA
Standard orbit established, captain.
Data and Beverly enter from the turbolift. Data relieves O'Brien on ops,
who after a nod from Picard leaves by the turbolift.
PICARD
Let's get these transfers underway;
Mister Worf please instruct the
Transporter Room to start taking people
up as soon as possible. Now Doctor
Crusher, I have a surprise for you...
MCKENZIE'S OFFICE ON STARBASE 101
McKenzie is talking into a communicator of obviously alien design. The
instrumentation is unfamiliar, and definitely not in English. A harsh
male voice is responding.
MCKENZIE
The operation is proceeding according to
plan. The ENTERPRISE is in orbit,
preparing to beam people up.
VOICE (voice over)
Is there any suspicion to our intent?
MCKENZIE
A young cadet noted certain
inconsistancies, but she has been
destroyed.
VOICE
Did she communicate her suspicions to
anyone?
MCKENZIE
To another cadet, Wesley Crusher.
VOICE
Destroy him.
MCKENZIE
He is scheduled to beam aboard the
ENTERPRISE. If he is killed, it will
arouse suspicion when he fails to join
the crew.
VOICE
He may already have aroused suspicion.
You must set his mind at rest. It is
imperative the ENTERPRISE crew suspect
nothing.
MCKENZIE
I explained at the briefing that the
mission was too important to waste time
in paperwork. I think he believed me.
VOICE
The damage has been done. Once a
suspicion is born in a closed community,
soon everyone shares the suspicion. You
know the course of action you must take.
MCKENZIE
Of course.
VOICE
Wait until the ENTERPRISE is out of
scanning range. High Command out.
McKenzie folds up the communicator, and places it carefully in a drawer
beneath his desk. A tone sounds, and a cadet appears on a viewscreen.
CADET
Sir, the ENTERPRISE is seeking
permission to begin crew transfers.
MCKENZIE
Permission granted.
ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM
A group of StarFleet officers materialises on the platform. They are
carrying cases and various pieces of equipment, and are all wearing blue
uniforms.
O'BRIEN
Welcome aboard the ENTERPRISE gentlemen.
And you are?...
OFFICER
StarFleet Medical support team, sir.
O'BRIEN
Right, if you could report to sickbay,
Dr. Crusher's expecting you.
OfFICER
Very good, sir.
The medics step down from the platform and leave by the main door. It
should be apparent that they are somewhat in awe of their surroundings,
never having been aboard a Galaxy Class starship.
COMMS (voice over)
The next group is ready to beam up,
ENTERPRISE.
O'BRIEN
Thank you, Starbase. Standby.
O'Brien presses a couple of controls on his console, and then sweeps his
hand over the energizer controls. A group of officers wearing yellow
uniforms appears on the platform, and Wesley who wears a red uniform.
WESLEY
Permission to come aboard, sir.
O'BRIEN
Permission granted, Ensign.
WESLEY
It's good to see you, Chief.
O'BRIEN
And you lad. You're to report for bridge
duty as soon as you're settled in... the
rest of you report to Lieutenant
Commander LaForge in Engineering.
The officers leave the transporter room, as O'Brien starts to reset the
transporter controls.
O'BRIEN
Starbase 101, this is ENTERPRISE. We're
ready for the next lot.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE in orbit around Starbase 101, along with an Excelsior
class vessel. We see a shuttle craft approaching the ENTERPRISE, and
enter the shuttle bay.
SICK BAY.
Beverly Crusher is sitting at her desk, working at her computer screen.
We see a figure, not in uniform, come into view, although we can't see
his face. Beverly notes his prescence, and stands up quickly.
BEVERLY (very pleased)
Admiral, to what do I owe the pleasure?
MCCOY
At ease, Beverly. I just wanted a look
around the old girl before you jet off
again.
BEVERLY
You wish you were coming with us, don't
you?
MCCOY
No... I'm getting too damn old for that.
(pauses)
Hell, if Jim Kirk could hear me talk
like that... He'd tell me that was his
line!
BEVERLY
Would you like me to call the captain?
MCCOY
Beverly, it's you I came to see. I just
wanted to wish you luck out there. I
can't keep up with StarFleet politics
the way I used to... hell, the way Spock
still does, but I heard a little of what
you're involved in. Try to keep the
captain from doing anything too
foolhardy.
BEVERLY
Captain Picard's not a rash man. He's
not like that at all.
MCCOY
Beverly, all StarFleet captains are like
that. Oh, some are worse than others, I
grant you, but when it comes down to it,
the damn doctors are the only people
with any sense on a starship.
BEVERLY (grinning)
Maybe you're right, Leonard.
MCCOY
Now you're humouring a foolish old man.
BEVERLY (feigns shock)
As if I would!
MCCOY
We miss you at Starfleet Medical back on
Earth.
BEVERLY
Is that where you're headed now?
MCCOY
Yes, the USS LINUS PAULING's waiting for
me out there. I met your son on 101. You
must be very proud of him.
BEVERLY
I am.
MCCOY
He tells me he wants to be a starship
captain, and from what I hear there's a
damn fine chance he might make it. Will
you do me a favour, though?
BEVERLY
Anything, Leonard, you know that.
MCCOY
Don't let him get too damn stubborn.
(Beverly laughs).
A warning buzzer sounds.
COMPUTER (voice over)
The ENTERPRISE will be leaving starbase
orbit in ten minutes. All unauthorised
personelle are advised to vacate this
vessel immediately.
MCCOY
I guess that's my cue.
McCoy starts to walk away, leaning heavily on a cane.
BEVERLY
I suppose it would be pointless for me
to call you an escort?
MCCOY (grins)
Of course it would. Good luck, Beverly.
BEVERLY (sighs)
Thanks, Leonard.
(to herself)
Thanks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
END OF PART II
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's the first section. Comments are more than
welcome on Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk
The next part should go out tomorrow, hope you're
all enjoying it.
Regards,
Linus E.A. Twizell
/= Linus E.A. Twizell ========================================\
| | |
| \o | Kids... they're as bad as |
| |> | Special Branch, you never |
| <\ Stayin' | know what they're up to. |
| Alive! | - Morse |
| | |
\============================== Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk ====/
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Path: newserv.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!hobbes.physics.uiowa.edu!math.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!mcsun!uknet!brunel!masraqk
From: Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk (Linus E.A. Twizell)
Subject: Stand-Off [Part III]
Message-ID: <CAMK43.E78@brunel.ac.uk>
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1993 15:52:50 GMT
Lines: 564
Well, after several revisions and many months' writing, my first
attempt at a ST:TNG script is ready for the big, wide Internet.
I posted a promo a few days ago, and will be posting the entire
script approximately one part per day, although probably not
at weekends. I just hope it arrives in the right order! If
anyone knows anywhere else it should be posted/ftp'd I'd be
eternally grateful, as I would for any comments and/or
suggestions (puts on flame-proof jacket)...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION
STAND-OFF
by
Linus E.A. Twizell
(c) 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART III
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard in command chair.
Riker at Mission Ops, discussing something with Lieutenant Murdoch
Deanna at Helm
Data at Ops
Worf at Tactical
O'BRIEN (voice over)
O'Brien to bridge.
PICARD
Go ahead, Chief.
O'BRIEN (voice over)
The last of the starbase observers just
beamed out, Captain.
PICARD
And the incoming personelle?
O'BRIEN (voice over)
We took the last load of medics up a
couple of minutes ago, sir.
PICARD
Thank you, Chief, good work. Bridge out.
RIKER
I ought to get on with briefing the new
people on ENTERPRISE procedures. I wish
they had more than two hours star time
between them.
DEANNA (turns round)
Perhaps I should take on that task,
Commander. As you say, they are
inexperienced, and may be unused to this
level of danger and stress.
The turbolift doors open, and Wesley steps onto the bridge.
WESLEY
Ensign Crusher reporting for bridge
duty, Captain.
PICARD
Welcome aboard, Mister Crusher. I trust
Academy life treats you well?
WELSEY
Yes sir, thank you.
RIKER
We'll have to exchange a few stories
later in Ten-Forward, Wes.
WESLEY
I'd like that, sir...
WORF (interrupting)
Incoming transmission from Admiral
McKenzie on Starbase 101, sir.
PICARD
On screen.
Admiral McKenzie appears on the screen as Worf keys the appropriate
switches.
MCKENZIE
Well, Captain, my Operations Chief tells
me that last of my people are back on
base, and...
PICARD
...and we're running out of time, I know
sir. With your permission, we'll be on
our way.
MCKENZIE
The word is given, Captain Picard. Good
luck, and Godspeed.
PICARD
Thank you, sir.
MCKENZIE
Starbase out.
The viewscreen changes to once again show Starbase 101.
DEANNA
Sir, with your permission, perhaps
Ensign Crusher should take the helm. I
have other duties to attend to.
PICARD
Of course, Commander. Wesley, take your
station please.
(Wesley grins at him, and he nods approvingly in response).
Wesley walks down to the helm position as Deanna stands to let him in.
He sits, pulls the console towards him, and wriggles his fingers in the
air, Data-style.
DEANNA
It's good to see you, Wesley.
WESLEY (brightly)
And you, Counsellor...
(notices she is in uniform)
Commander?
DEANNA
I thought it was appropriate,
considering our mission.
WESLEY (quietly)
I still don't know what's going on.
DEANNA
The Captain will be giving a briefing
later. I'm sure all your questions will
be answered then.
WESLEY
Yes, ma'am... I didn't know you could
pilot a starship?
DEANNA
It was my subsidiary course at the
Academy. I was never really comfortable
with it, though. I have to go now, there
are a lot of people I need to speak to
in the next few hours.
WESLEY
Thanks for the chat, and...
(gestures to the console)
DEANNA
Don't mention it.
Deanna nods to Picard and Riker, and leaves by the turbolift.
PICARD
Mister Crusher, break Starbase orbit.
WESLEY
Aye sir.
Wesley manipulates the helm console.
EXTERIOR VIEW.
The ENTERPRISE continues to orbit the Starbase, and deviates in a wide
arc until it is heading into space.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
The viewscreen shows a slowly moving starfield.
WESLEY
We are clear, and free to navigate, sir.
PICARD
Mister Data...
DATA
Ensign, please set co-ordinates 174 mark
91.
WESLEY (works console)
Aye sir. Towards the...
PICARD
Yes, Ensign, towards the Neutral Zone.
Wesley looks concernedly towards Data, who looks back steadily, but not
exactly encouragingly.
PICARD
Warp 7. Engage
(makes usual gesture)
WESLEY
Warp 7, sir.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE leaps into warp drive.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The FARADAY, adrift in space. Its running lights are out, and the warp
nacelles unlit. The camera zooms onto the bridge bubble, and we see that
extensive damage has been sustained by the vessel.
FARADAY BRIDGE.
The bridge is deserted, lit only by a single engineering station. The
screen reads "Emergency Life Support : ACTIVE." The screen flickers, and
in a shower of sparks fades to black, and as the sparks die, we see the
bridge plunged into complete darkness.
Fade to black. Fade up to...
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE in warp drive. The camera zooms onto the saucer section,
and in through a window to the...
CONFERENCE LOUNGE.
This is the briefing room off the main bridge that doubles as an
observation lounge. Captain Picard sits at the head of the table, and
seated around him are:- Riker, Data, Deanna Troi, Beverly and Wesley
Crusher, LaForge and Worf.
PICARD
First of all, congratulations to all of
you for getting the ENTERPRISE ready in
such a short period of time. I regret
the neccessity of asking so much from
you, but StarFleet Command was adamant
that we get underway within the allotted
time.
DEANNA
Captain, these rapid preparations have
put the crew under a lot of stress.
They're all curious to know what is
going on, why the ENTERPRISE is heading
for the Neutral Zone with such a minimal
crew complement.
PICARD
I'm aware of that, Counsellor, and I can
assure you that when this is all over I
intend to make some very indignant
noises around StarFleet Headquaters.
However, until then we must press on
with this mission as best we can under
the circumstances. Carry on, please
Number One.
RIKER (standing to pace round the table)
Thank you, sir. The first thing I must
tell you is that Admiral McKenzie at
StarFleet Command has ordered that this
mission be carried out under maximum
security protocol. That means what I'm
about to tell you goes no further than
this room. Understood?
The crew nod one by one as the camera pans around the table.
RIKER
Well, I know you've all been given
varying degrees of information, so I'll
start from the beginning. Two and a half
days ago, StarFleet Command received an
emergency distress signal from the USS
FARADAY...
Wesley sits up in his chair suddenly. No-one notices this, but as the
camera moves back to Riker we pass Deanna who frowns slightly and looks
towards Wesley with an expression of concern.
RIKER
...a science vessel stationed near the
edge of the Romulan Neutral Zone. The
signal was sent by the ship's computer,
and gave us no useful information as to
the nature of the FARADAY's trouble.
Riker touches a control on the panel beneath the viewscreen set into one
wall.
COMPUTER (voice over)
This is an automated transmission from
the USS FARADAY, NCC 8751. Complete
systems failure imminent. Immediate
assistance requested.
RIKER
The locator beacon continued to transmit
for another two hours, then failed
abruptly.
Wesley bites his lip, and closes his eyes. Deanna lays a hand on his arm
and whispers something reassuring to him.
PICARD
The ENTERPRISE has been ordered to
investigate, and report to StarFleet
Command on its findings. We are
authorised to take whatever action
deemed necessary to accomplish this. I
think I should tell you at this point
that StarFleet Command is proceeding
under the assumption that the FARADAY
was the subject of a Romulan attack.
BEVERLY
Why didn't the FARADAY's computer sent a
more helpful message?
LAFORGE
You see, Doctor, that message wasn't
sent by the ship's main computer. The
emergency distress beacon is on a
separate system, like life support. It's
set to trigger if severe incapacitative
damage is sustained by the central
computer core itself, which would
prevent the ship sending a more detailed
message. It's very much a last resort
measure.
PICARD
We've been trying to put together a
vague idea of what happened, but with so
little information it's virtually
impossible to be accurate. Mister Data,
theorise please.
DATA
Yes sir. We must assume that the first
system to fail was communications,
preventing the human crew requesting
assistance. The signal from the locator
beacon showed the FARADAY to be in a
stationary position on the border of the
Romulan Neutral Zone.
WORF
On which side of the border?
DATA
The signal was too faint for us to say
with any degree of certainty. However,
the data we received from the beacon
suggests that the FARADAY was adrift, so
we must assume all propulsion systems
have failed. Next must have been the
ship's main computer core.
LAFORGE
I'd like to say at this point that total
failure of the main computer core is
highly unusual. It generally only
happens when the entire ship is
destroyed.
DATA
However, the continuation of the locator
beacon's operation for another two hours
after the distress signal tells us that
the FARADAY was not destroyed in the
initial onslaught.
TROI
Why did the beacon stop transmitting?
LAFORGE
Well, there's two possibilities. Either
the power levels on the ship had fallen
so much that the beacon had to be
switched off to maintain life support,
or...
WESLEY (downcast)
Or the FARADAY was destroyed.
DATA
That is the only other possible
explanation.
The camera pans around the room as the crew absorb this information. As
before, Wesley bears an expression of extreme concern.
PICARD
We'll be at the Neutral Zone boundary in
twelve hours. We'll reconvene then,
meeting adjourned.
The crew leave except for Picard and Riker. Picard wanders over to look
out of the window, when Riker joins him.
RIKER
What do you think happened out there,
sir?
PICARD
You know me better than that, Number
One.
RIKER (grins)
I suppose so.
(pauses)
You're worried though.
PICARD
Perhaps you know me too well, Will. Yes,
I am worried. I know we don't know much
about the Romulans, but everything we've
discovered about them tells us that they
never act without a reason. The
senseless destruction of a virtually
defenceless science vessel just doesn't
fit their pattern.
RIKER
A show of force, perhaps.
PICARD
Hardly an effective one, though. The
FARADAY can't have been much of a
challenge to them.
RIKER
Effective enough to get the Federation
flagship despatched to investigate.
Picard looks at Riker with an extremely serious expression.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
Starbase 101. The camera zooms in, and we fade to...
MCKENZIE'S OFFICE.
McKenzie is sitting at his desk, talking into the alien communicator.
MCKENZIE (sadly)
The ENTERPRISE should be out of scanning
range by now.
VOICE (voice over)
Excellent. You know what to do...
MCKENZIE (shouts)
No! It's monstrous, you can't ask me to
do it!
VOICE
You must.
There is a high pitched buzzing sound. The camera cuts to a view of the
back of McKenzie's neck. Grafted into the skin is a tiny piece of
electronic equipment, obviously a control implement of some sort. As the
buzzing sound starts a red light on the implant glows fiercely. The
affect on McKenzie is immediate. His shoulders slump, and his face
assumes a docile expression. He sits in his chair. The noise ceases.
MCKENZIE (calmly)
I apologise for my outburst, sir.
VOICE
Prepare to execute.
McKenzie picks up a small control device of the same alien design from
the desk before him. He flicks a couple of switches on the device, and a
button glows red. His thumb hovers over it.
MCKENZIE
I'm ready.
VOICE
Now.
McKenzie pushes the button. A shrill beep sounds. Cut to...
STARBASE ENGINEERING.
We focus on a piece of equipment resembling the warp generator on the
ENTERPRISE. Zooming in, we see a similar alien device to McKenzie's
affixed to the underside. A flashing green light on it turns to a steady
red suddenly, and we pull back rapidly as the engineering section
explodes.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
Starbase 101 explodes. The sense of destruction should be as impressive
as possible.A shuttle docked at the base attempts to escape, but is
caught as a second wave of explosions erupts amongst the debris. As the
debris is flung outwards in all directions we see a sign reading
"Starbase 101 - Starfleet Academy campus 4" fly past. Finally, the
matter/antimatter core of the starbase explodes with a deafening thud,
and the screen turns white. Fade to black...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
END OF PART III
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's the third section. Comments are more than
welcome on Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk
The next part should go out on Monday, hope you're
all enjoying it.
Regards,
Linus E.A. Twizell
/= Linus E.A. Twizell ========================================\
| | |
| \o | Kids... they're as bad as |
| |> | Special Branch, you never |
| <\ Stayin' | know what they're up to. |
| Alive! | - Morse |
| | |
\============================== Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk ====/
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Path: newserv.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!uunet!pipex!uknet!brunel!masraqk
From: Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk (Linus E.A. Twizell)
Subject: Stand-Off [Part IV]
Message-ID: <CArLGM.2qy@brunel.ac.uk>
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1993 09:09:58 GMT
Lines: 613
Well, after several revisions and many months' writing, my first
attempt at a ST:TNG script is ready for the big, wide Internet.
If anyone knows anywhere else it should be posted/ftp'd I'd be
eternally grateful, as I would for any comments and/or
suggestions (puts on flame-proof jacket)...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION
STAND-OFF
by
Linus E.A. Twizell
(c) 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART IV
-----------------------------------------------------------------
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE flies by at high warp speed.
WESLEY'S QUARTERS.
Wesley is lying on his bed, with the lights dimmed, turning the pages of
an old book. The door chime sounds. Wesley looks up, obviously very
upset.
WESLEY (unsteadily)
Come.
The door slides open, to reveal Deanna. Wesley sits up.
DEANNA (gently)
May I come in, Wesley?
WESLEY
Sure.
Deanna steps through the door, which closes behind her, and sits next to
Wesley
DEANNA
Wesley, I don't want you to feel that
I'm spying on your thoughts, but I
sensed you were very distressed during
the briefing earlier.
WESLEY (slowly, sad)
Yeah, I guess so.
DEANNA
I can feel you are very upset about
something. Something to do with this
mission.
WESLEY
Did the captain notice, ma'am?
DEANNA
I think he has enough on his mind
already. Wesley, I am here as your
friend, and if neccessary as your
counsellor, not as your superior
officer. I have no doubts about your
ability to fulfill your duties, I just
want to help you if I can.
WESLEY (relaxing)
Thanks, Deanna. I could do with someone
to talk to. Mom's got enough on her
plate in sickbay without worrying about
me.
DEANNA
And you feel as a StarFleet Officer
you're a little too old to run to your
mother every time you have a problem?
WESLEY (grinning)
Perhaps.
DEANNA
So what's on your mind?
WESLEY (serious again)
Oliana - my girlfriend - is - was - on
the FARADAY.
DEANNA
Oh Wesley, I'm sorry. I can't tell you
they're all right out there, as you know
it is more than possible that the
FARADAY has been destroyed, or that the
crew perished during the attack.
Wesley shudders, and closes his eyes.
DEANNA
But, on the other hand... Ambassador
Spock, a man I respect very much once
told me that he believes there are
always... possibilities. You cannot
afford to give up hope, Wesley. You owe
that to the captain, to Oliana and to
yourself.
WESLEY
I guess you're right. It's just not
knowing. I can't feel angry, or upset or
relieved or anything...
DEANNA (sympathetic)
I know, Wesley. Every time I see Will...
(their eyes meet, and she smiles)
Commander Riker or any of you go down on
an Away Team I feel the same way.
StarFleet asks that of its officers and
those who care for them.
WESLEY
Thanks, Deanna.
DEANNA
Try and get some sleep, Wesley. If you
need me, you know where to find me.
WESLEY
Goodnight, Counsellor.
Deanna leaves Wesley's room, and the camera follows her into the
turbolift. She closes her eyes and leans against the back of the car as
the doors close. After a few moments she opens her eyes, and shrugs her
shoulders to suggest "pulling herself together".
DEANNA
Computer, locate Commander Riker.
COMPUTER (voice over)
Commander Riker is in Ten-Forward.
DEANNA
Ten-Forward.
The lift starts to move.
SAILING SHIP.
A large seventeenth century sailing vessel on the high seas. It is a
fine day, with a good wind, and the ship is moving along at a good rate.
We pan around the vessel, taking in a collection of shabbily-dressed men
doing various nautical things to the sails. A couple of well-dressed
officers are standing on the bridge, and as we focus on the man steering
the ship it becomes apparent that it is Picard, in period costume. His
First Officer is a tall, bearded man, resembling Riker and yet subtly
different.
PICARD
Ah, this is the life, the open seas, eh
Number One?
FIRST OFFICER
It certainly is, sir.
PICARD
The crew has done well today, Number
One. Have the Quartermaster break out a
ration of rum.
FIRST OFFICER
Aye, aye, sir! The men will be well
pleased.
PICARD
Jolly good.
The First Officer moves off to give his orders, and see a section of the
main sail be replaced with a door, which slides open. Through the door a
section of ENTERPRISE corridor is visible. Dr. Crusher, still wearing
her StarFleet uniform steps through the door, which closes and vanished,
replaced by the sail once more. She looks around the scene, and having
located Captain Picard goes to join him.
PICARD
I'm glad you could join me, Beverly.
BEVERLY
Me too, Jean-Luc. It's marvelous here.
PICARD
Yes, it is. I often come here before...
(his voice fades)
BEVERLY
Before going into battle?
PICARD
Yes, I suppose so.
BEVERLY
Then, you do believe the Romulans
attacked the FARADAY?
PICARD
To be honest, I don't know. We've all
lost sight of the possibility it was
just some technical problem, but...
BEVERLY
But it doesn't feel like that. I know,
Jean-Luc, we doctors get intuition too.
PICARD (more lightly)
How is Wesley coping with all this?
BEVERLY
Better than I expected.
PICARD
Indeed?
BEVERLY
This mission is very difficult for him,
Jean-Luc.
PICARD
How so? He's been in situations at least
as dangerous than this before.
A bell rings, and the captain spins the wheel rapidly.
BEVERLY
He has a *very* close friend on the
FARADAY.
PICARD
I had no idea. Please, express my
sympathy to him.
BEVERLY
I don't think he'd appreciate me telling
you, *Captain*.
PICARD
Noted, *Doctor*.
(breathes in deeply)
You know, Beverly, sometimes I think
this is the sort of ship I should have
commanded.
BEVERLY
It does suit you. But things were no
easier then...
PICARD
"All I ask is a tall ship..."
BEVERLY
"...And a star to steer her by".
PICARD
I'm impressed, Doctor. Computer, advance
time twelve hours.
There is a small beep, and the holodeck computer adjusts the scene. It
is now a clear, but moonless night, and the scene is lit only by the
stars.
BEVERLY
"Straight on till morning", Jean-Luc?
PICARD
Perhaps, Beverly.
We pull back to see the ship sailing into the distance, the bridge
illuminated by a single lantern. Fade to black. Fade up to..
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE flies by at high warp speed.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard in command chair, Riker and Deanna on either side.
Data at Ops, Wesley at Helm, Worf at tactical.
DATA
We are approaching the Romulan Neutral
Zone, captain.
PICARD
Full stop, Mister Crusher.
WESLEY (manipulates console)
Answering full stop, sir.
The viewscreen shows the ENTERPRISE dropping out of warp drive.
PICARD
Commence scanning, please Mister Worf.
WORF
Aye sir. There is a starship in the
vicinity, captain. It is not
transmitting a locator beacon signal,
and I read no energy sources on board.
PICARD
Mister Data?
DATA
It matches the configuration of the
FARADAY, captain. I am, however reading
no life signs on board.
Wesley looks crestfallen.
WORF
Captain, my sensors show that the
FARADAY is now well within the Neutral
Zone.
RIKER
Sir, a scientific vessel like the
FARADAY shouldn't have breached the
Neutral Zone boundary under any
circumstances, and although Omecron-
Delta 4 is close to the Zone, there's no
way they could have drifted in, or
stumbled in by mistake.
PICARD
Curiouser and curiouser, Number One.
Mister Crusher, bring us to the nearest
point to the FARADAY on this side of the
Neutral Zone boundary.
WESLEY (slowly)
Aye sir, course laid in.
PICARD
Full impulse, engage
(makes usual gesture).
EXTERIOR VIEW.
The ENTERPRISE executes a turn to port, and proceeds for several seconds
at full impulse before coming to a halt.
CONFERENCE ROOM.
Picard is alone in the room, sitting in front of a terminal. He touches
a button on the control panel.
PICARD
Captain's Log, stardate 46002 point 1.
The ENTERPRISE has arrived at the border
of the Neutral Zone, and we have the
FARADAY in scanning range. We have
ascertained that it is adrift in space,
powerless and lifeless. We have
discovered that the FARADAY is now
within the Neutral Zone, and we believe
that it travelled there under its own
power, although we cannot be certain of
that. I have called a meeting of my
senior staff to discuss entering the
Neutral Zone and boarding the ship in
search of more clues as to what befell
it, although I fear all we shall find is
a collection of corpses.
The doors open, and Riker, LaForge, Data, Worf, Wesley and Deanna enter.
PICARD
Sit down, please.
They sit around the table.
PICARD
I think I ought to tell you I have just
received a message from Admiral Lloyd at
StarFleet Command. He has reviewed my
report on recent events, and has
authorised the ENTERPRISE to enter the
Neutral Zone, and board the FARADAY at
my discretion. The purpose of this
meeting is not to speculate as to the
fate of the FARADAY and her crew, but to
discuss possible strategies. Opinions?
RIKER
Only one, captain. We should send an
Away Team onto the FARADAY and find out
what happened out there.
DEANNA
The problem with that strategy is that
should the cause of the FARADAY's
distress be found not to be Romulan
Attack, our actions will be interpretted
as extremely aggressive by the Romulans.
RIKER
Counsellor, even the Romulans would
understand us wanting to investigate the
near-destruction of one of our vessels.
DEANNA
But surely we can do that at long range
with our sensors?
DATA
Whilst it is true that we can perform a
limited investigation from this
position, I suspect the answers we
require lie within the data banks of the
FARADAY's main computer. Until that is
back on line our options are limited.
WESLEY (hesitatingly)
Captain?
PICARD
Yes, Mister Crusher?
WESLEY
Cadet Oliana Mirren, a... close
friend... of mine was on board the
FARADAY.
The bridge crew display varying expressions of sympathy, and start to
murmur consolations. Picard raises a hand.
PICARD
Please. Go on, Mister Crusher.
WESLEY
We were in regular communication until a
few days ago sir, but in her last few
messages she seemed to be worried about
something. She said she was probably
overreacting, but there seemed to be a
strange atmosphere on board, as if
something was wrong but everyone was
trying to ignore it.
PICARD
That could be very valuable information,
thank you. And... I know how difficult
this is for you, Wesley.
DEANNA
I still don't understand what the
FARADAY was doing inside the Neutral
Zone. She's supposed to be a science
vessel, isn't she?
PICARD
Admiral Lloyd told me she was monitoring
the plague on Omecron-Delta 4.
LAFORGE
Well, Omecron-Delta 4 is near the Zone
boundary, but it's still Federation
space. I still don't get it.
DATA
Computer, access the mission schematics
for the USS FARADAY.
COMPUTER (voice over)
Authorisation is required for that
information.
Wesley and LaForge exchange looks to suggest that this requirement is
unusual.
DATA
This is Lieutenant Commander Data.
COMPUTER
Request denied. You do not have the
necessary security clearance to access
the requested information.
RIKER
That's damn unusual. Why would a medical
science vessel's mission schematics be
restricted?
PICARD (firmly)
Computer, this is Captain Jean-Luc
Picard, USS FARADAY rescue mission
commander, access code theta-sixteen-
hotel-oscar-lima-mike-echo-sierra.
Access USS FARADAY mission schematics.
COMPUTER
Accessing.
(there is a pause, followed by a beep).
The USS FARADAY is currently assigned to
Central StarFleet Intelligence. It's
mission is to patrol the Romulan Neutral
Zone, monitoring Romulan movements
within the Zone, and to gather
information regarding the development of
the Romulan cloaking shield and other
tactical devices. It has a crew
complement of 35, commanded by Captain
Rachael Chattle. The FARADAY has a
maximum warp capability of warp...
PICARD
Enough, Computer. Well, people that
changes the situation somewhat.
DATA
Captain, if the FARADAY was indeed
following that mission, StarFleet and
the entire United Federation of Planets
is in very serious breach of the Neutral
Zone Treaty.
RIKER
I just can't believe that StarFleet
would operate like that.
PICARD
The evidence does seem somewhat
overwhelming, Number One.
RIKER
I suppose so. I still think we should go
in though.
DEANNA
Even with the possiblity that the
FARADAY provoked whatever fate befell
it?
RIKER
I served with Rachael Chattle on the
HOOD. She never struck me as
Intelligence material.
PICARD
StarFleet Intelligence has a long and
honourable tradition of selecting
unlikely candidates, Number One.
WORF
Captain, we cannot fulfill our mission
without entering the Neutral Zone. The
longer we wait on the boundary, the
greater the chance of the Romulans
detecting our prescence.
PICARD
Agreed. Unless anyone has any further
comments?
The group shake their heads one by one.
PICARD
Then we're going in. Number One, prepare
an away team.
Fade to black...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
END OF PART IV
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's this section. Comments are more than
welcome on Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk
The next part will go out soon, hope you're
all enjoying it.
Regards,
Linus E.A. Twizell
/= Linus E.A. Twizell ========================================\
| | |
| \o | Kids... they're as bad as |
| |> | Special Branch, you never |
| <\ Stayin' | know what they're up to. |
| Alive! | - Morse |
| | |
\============================== Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk ====/
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Path: newserv.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!darwin.sura.net!haven.umd.edu!uunet!pipex!uknet!brunel!masraqk
From: Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk (Linus E.A. Twizell)
Subject: StandOff [Part V]
Message-ID: <CAs06L.Bn0@brunel.ac.uk>
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1993 14:27:56 GMT
Lines: 719
Well, after several revisions and many months' writing, my first
attempt at a ST:TNG script is ready for the big, wide Internet.
If anyone knows anywhere else it should be posted/ftp'd I'd be
eternally grateful, as I would for any comments and/or
suggestions (puts on flame-proof jacket)...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION
STAND-OFF
by
Linus E.A. Twizell
(c) 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART V
-----------------------------------------------------------------
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE and the FARADAY in space.
PICARD (voice over)
Captain's Log, stardate 46003 point 2.
It is with a due sense of trepidation
that I have ordered the ENTERPRISE to
breach the Neutral Zone, and Commander
Riker to board the apparently lifeless
USS FARADAY in search of clues as to
what befell her and her crew. I am
understandably uneasy at the prospect of
loitering here in the Zone with the
possibility of Romulan involvement, but
I am yet more concerned at the
possibility that StarFleet Command
itself could have been indirectly
responsible for the loss of the
FARADAY's crew.
TRANSPORTER ROOM.
Riker, Data, LaForge and Worf are standing on the platform, wearing
breathing apparatus, and carrying flashlights. A young ensign stands at
the transporter controls, and is setting the co-ordinates on the panel.
RIKER
All right everyone, phasers on stun, and
stay sharp.
(taps comm-badge)
Riker to bridge.
PICARD (voice over)
Go ahead, Number One.
RIKER
We're ready to beam onto the FARADAY now
sir.
PICARD
Very good, Mister Riker. Stay sharp, and
be prepared to beam back at the first
sign of trouble. Let's just get the
information we need, and get out of here
as quickly as possible, understood?
RIKER
Aye, sir, understood.
PICARD
Good luck, Number One.
RIKER
Thank you, sir. Riker out. Everybody
ready?
(the other three nod)
Okay then. Remember, there's no life
support over there, so it's going to be
cold, but within tolerable limits.
(to operator)
Energize.
The Transporter Operator sweeps his hand across the control panel in the
usual manner, and the Away Team is beamed off the platform.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE and the FARADAY stationary in space.
FARADAY BRIDGE.
As before, the bridge is in total darkness. Suddenly the bridge is lit
by the sparkling lights of the transporter effect, and the Away Team
materialises in the space in front of the command chair. As the sparks
die away, they activate their flashlights, and the room is lit by the
powerful, but highly directional beams of light. As the Away Team shine
their torches around the room we see that the bridge is mostly
undamadged, although the occasional piece of debris from a small
explosion can be seen. All the bridge stations are powerless, and the
main viewscreen shows no image. The bridge is deserted apart from the
Away Team. To convey the athmosphere of intense cold, the Away Team
should shiver and produce vapour when breathing (apart from Data,
obviously).
RIKER
Not exactly a tropical climate,
gentlemen.
LAFORGE
You can say that again.
RIKER (taps comm-badge)
Riker to ENTERPRISE.
PICARD (voice over)
Go ahead, Number One.
RIKER
We're down safe, sir. The sensor
readings we took seem pretty accurate.
The bridge is deserted and powerless.
There seems to be some minor damage to
some of the panels.
PICARD
What about the crew, Mister Riker?
RIKER
No sign of anyone, alive or dead up here
sir. Mister Data
DATA (manipulates tricorder)
I am reading no significant quantities
of organic matter, living or otherwise
except for the members of the Away
Team...
(pauses)
That is odd...
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard in command chair
Deanna next to Picard.
Wesley at Helm.
O'Brien at Ops.
Lieutenant Murdoch at Tactical.
PICARD (sharply)
What's that, Mister Data?
DATA (voice over)
There would appear to be a small power
source operating on the bridge.
PICARD
Why didn't our sensors detect it?
FARADAY BRIDGE.
DATA
It would appear to be a small personal
data unit, and its emissions would not
carry beyond the hull of the ship.
PICARD (voice over)
Can you locate it?
Data sweeps his tricorder around the room. It emits a steadily rising
tone until Data has located a small Starfleet Gadget(TM) lodged
underneath one of the consoles.
DATA
It is still active, Captain. I would
suggest you beam it aboard the
ENTERPRISE and carry out a detailed
analysis of its contents.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
O'BRIEN
I have the coordinates of the object
from Mister Data's tricorder, sir.
PICARD
Very good, transfer them to the
Transporter Room and have them bring it
aboard.
O'BRIEN
Aye, sir.
FARADAY BRIDGE.
The data unit is beamed off the bridge. Geordi has removed one of the
front control panels, and is poking around the revealed circuitry with
his tricorder.
PICARD (voice over)
What progress, Number One?
RIKER
Geordi?
LAFORGE
Well sir, both warp and impulse power
generators are off-line, and the
batteries have been completely drained.
PICARD
Probable cause?
LAFORGE
Well, we have encountered energy-
draining weapons before, and it's not
impossible that the Romulans could have
developed one, or more likely stolen
someone else's, there are technical
problems that could cause this, although
there are so many safeguards in the
system that should eliminate most of
those possibilities.
PICARD
Nor would that explain the disappearance
of the crew.
RIKER
It seems pretty safe over here, sir. I
reccommend we beam over a couple of
heating units and an engineering team
with some power supplies.
PICARD
Try to bring the FARADAY's computer back
on line on remote power, you mean?
RIKER
It's the only way we're going to get the
answers we need, sir.
PICARD
I'll get engineering onto it, Number...
Picard's voice is cut off by static, and with a beep the communicator
shuts down.
DATA (hits comm-badge)
Data to ENTERPRISE, come in please...
Data to ENTERPRISE, come in please.
The Away Team exchange worried glances.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard stands, and turns to face the Tactical Officer.
PICARD
Miss Murdoch, what happened?
MURDOCH
The transmission is being jammed at the
source, Captain.
PICARD (shouts)
Transporter Room, get them back!
O'BRIEN
We've lost our lock on them, Captain.
The FARADAY seems to be locked in some
sort of tractor beam.
PICARD (disbelievingly)
What?!
A buzzer sounds, and we see an area of space on the viewscreen distort
and reveal...
MURDOCH
Romulan War Bird uncloaking at 235 mark
87, sir.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
A Romulan War Bird hovers above the FARADAY, with the ENTERPRISE facing
them.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
PICARD
Shields and deflectors up, go to red
alert!
Lieutenant Murdoch activates Red Alert. The bridge lighting changes, and
we hear the shields charging up.
PICARD
Away Team status, Mister O'Brien?
O'BRIEN
We still can't scan the interior of the
FARADAY, sir. Communications with the
Away Team are still out.
PICARD (softly)
Damn.
FARADAY BRIDGE.
The Away Team are continuing to attempt to contact the ENTERPRISE.
Suddenly there is a green glow about the room, and six Romulan soldiers
beam onto the ship in various positions about the bridge.
RIKER (shouts)
Everybody down!
The Away Team dive to the ground as the Romulans open fire. LaForge and
Riker are hit almost instantly, but Data manages to score three hits on
the Romulans, stunning them. Worf stuns one of them, and leaps at the
one of the two remaining officers.
DATA
Lieutenant, behind you!
Worf knocks out the Romulan he was wrestling with, but as he turns to
face the other he is hit by the Romulan's disruptor. Data rapidly brings
his weapon to bear on the last remaining Romulan, and such is the speed
of his reactions we believe he will succeed in his attack, but before he
can fire the entire group is bathed in the Romulan transporter effect,
and they disappear.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard is pacing in the area in front of the viewscreen.
PICARD
Hailing frequencies please, Miss
Murdoch.
MURDOCH
Open, sir.
PICARD
Romulan vessel, this is Captain Jean-Luc
Picard of the Starship ENTERPRISE,
representing the United Federation of
Planets.
MURDOCH
No response, sir.
PICARD (sternly)
Romulan vessel, I must insist you
release your grip on the other StarFleet
vessel immediately, and...
The War Bird on the viewscreen disappears.
MURDOCH
The tractor beam on the FARADAY has been
deactivated sir.
PICARD
Beam the Away Team up immediately.
O'BRIEN
Sir, they're no longer on board the
FARADAY.
WESLEY
I'm picking up a faint trace of the
Romulan vessel's manouevering jets, sir.
PICARD
Can you pinpoint their position?
WESLEY
I'm afraid not, sir.
PICARD
Lieutenant Murdoch, get me StarFleet
Command. I need some options, people.
ROMULAN BRIDGE.
This is a typically moodily-lit Romulan bridge. The captain, Tavari sits
in the command chair, his first officer stands a couple of steps behind
him. A collection of Romulans sit at the various control stations, and
soldiers guard the entrances.
TAVARI
Status report.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
We have beamed the Federation Away Team
to the brig, sir. Three of them were
stunned, the fourth an android is
conscious, but has made no move to
escape.
TAVARI
I want to see them.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
By your command.
Tavari and his 1st Officer leave the bridge. Two Security Officers
salute them as they pass.
ROMULAN BRIG.
The glow of a forcefield covers the door, and two Security Officers
stand guard outside. Riker, Worf and Geordi are regaining consciousness,
whilst Data stands over them with a tricorder. Tavari and his 1st
Officer arrive, with their disruptors drawn.
TAVARI
You will place all weapons and
instruments in the box by the door
immediately, or I shall remove the
oxygen from this compartment.
RIKER (groggily)
I am Commander William T. Riker of the
Federation Starship ENTERPRISE. You will
release us immediately, or face the
consequences.
TAVARI
Very amusing, Commander Riker. Please
comply with my request, it will save so
much unpleasantness.
RIKER
(hits comm-badge) Riker to ENTERPRISE,
come in.
The comm-badge beeps, but there is no response.
TAVARI
Hear me now. You are prisoners of the
Romulan Empire. You will be conducted
back to Romulus, where you will be
excecuted as war criminals.
RIKER
War criminals, what are you talking
about?
TAVARI
The matter is not under discussion,
Commander. Now please, the weapons and
your instruments.
The Away Team exchange looks, and at a nod from Riker place their
phasers, tricorders, flashlights and breathing tubes in a large silver
box in front of the door force field.
TAVARI
Your communicators also.
RIKER (softly)
Damn!
The Away Team remove their comm-badges and reluctantly place them in the
box.
TAVARI
Close the lid, then get over by the
other wall.
Riker closes the lid, and they all back away. Tavari nods at the
Security Officer nearest him, who enters a code on a keypad next to the
door, deactivating the force field. Keeping the Away Team covered with
their disruptors, the Romulans remove the box.
TAVARI
Clear?
The Romulan 1st Officer sweeps a tricorder-like device around the room.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
All clear, sir. There are no concealed
weapons, communications or other devices
on the prisoners.
TAVARI
Excellent.
(gestures to a Security Officer who
reactivates the force field).
I'll be on the bridge. Shoot them at the
first sign of an escape attempt.
Tavari walks off briskly, followed by his 1st Officer. The Away Team
exchange anxious glances.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE and the FARADAY stationary in space. The camera moves
slowly between the two vessels, emphasising the absence of the cloaked
Romulan War Bird.
CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM.
Picard is sitting at his desk, talking to into his computer terminal.
PICARD
Captain's Personal Log, stardate 46005
point 2. It is now six hours since the
Romulans took my Away Team from the
FARADAY. I have sent no further teams, I
will not endanger my people again to
satisy StarFleet's curiosity. For the
past six hours, we have maintained our
position within the zone... A Stand-Off
with the one or more Romulan vessels I
believe to be out there, hiding behind
their cloaking shields. The Romulans
have refused all attempts at
communication, and Admiral Lloyd at
StarFleet Command has ordered us to
maintan this position at all costs. I
detest this high security protocol that
hampers my every movement, for whilst I
am mindful of the delicacy of the
situation I believe a solution could be
found more quickly were it not for these
infernal communication restrictions...
The door buzzer sounds.
PICARD
Come.
The door opens, and Wesley and O'Brien enter.
PICARD
Please, sit down gentlemen.
WESLEY
We've analysed the data unit we brought
up from the FARADAY, sir.
PICARD
And?
O'BRIEN
It appears to be assigned to a Cadet
Saalin, a Vulcan. It's mostly her
theoretical research into the Omecron-
Delta 4 plague, but it does contain a
personal log entry.
PICARD
Let me hear it.
Wesley turns the computer console around to face him, and types a rapid
series of instructions on the control panel. A young, female and
unmistakably vulcan voice begins to speak.
SAALIN (voice over)
Personal Log, Cadet Saalin, stardate
45996 point three. I am increasingly
worried about this mission, as are
several others on board, including my
colleague from the Academy, Oliana
Mirren. It has become apparent that we
are not intending to carry out our
mission on Omecron-Delta 4, and
navigational control has been passed to
the Captain, apparently by executive
order of StarFleet Command. There is a
suspicion growing on the ship that
Captain Chattle has taken the FARADAY
into the Neutral Zone, although whilst
navigational systems remain accessible
solely to the Captain it is impossible
to verify this. A more worrying
development is the sudden power failure
that has struck the vessel. We have
already lost warp and impulse systems,
and unless we can locate the source of
the power drain we will be without life
support in a matter of a few days.
Oliana and I believe that saboutage is
responsible for our predicament,
although perpetrated by whom, and for
what reason I am unable to ascertain at
this time.
Picard looks up, ashen faced. It is apparent that he is finding the
suggestion that StarFleet has acted illegally difficult to accept.
PICARD
It looks bad, doesn't it gentlemen?
O'BRIEN
Aye, it does that sir.
WESLEY
Sir, we've been running a through
strategies through the tactical
computers with Lieutenant Murdoch, and
we think we have a workable plan.
PICARD
Go ahead, Ensign.
WESLEY
Well, sir. The analysis of the Romulan's
actions so far suggests that they are
using an older version of the cloaking
device, that will require them to drop
their shields for a short period after
decloaking.
PICARD
Your point, gentlemen?
O'BRIEN
Well, if we can trick them into
decloaking we can beam a team onto the
War Bird to locating Commander Riker and
company, and the crew of the FARADAY,
assuming they're still alive.
PICARD
And then we beam everyone back when the
Romulans drop their shields in
preparation for recloaking.
O'BRIEN
Exactly, sir.
PICARD
How do we get them to decloak, though?
WESLEY
We thought if we deliberately set up a
closed circuit to overload, and dropped
the shields at the same time, the
Romulans would assume an engineering
accident and....
PICARD
Drop their cloak to attack us...
WESLEY (nervously)
Allowing me to beam aboard their ship.
PICARD (sharply)
Absolutely out of the question.
WESLEY
Sir, it has to be someone with
engineering experience, and I've taken
security training at the Academy.
O'BRIEN
And sir... there's no-one else we can
spare.
There is a very long pause.
PICARD (reluctantly)
Prepare a minimal away team, Mister Crusher.
Fade to black...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
END OF PART V
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's this section. Comments are more than
welcome on Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk
The next part will go out soon, hope you're
all enjoying it.
Regards,
Linus E.A. Twizell
/= Linus E.A. Twizell ========================================\
| | |
| \o | Kids... they're as bad as |
| |> | Special Branch, you never |
| <\ Stayin' | know what they're up to. |
| Alive! | - Morse |
| | |
\============================== Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk ====/
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Path: newserv.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!uunet!pipex!uknet!brunel!masraqk
From: Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk (Linus E.A. Twizell)
Subject: Stand-Off [Part VI]
Message-ID: <CAv78w.1Jy@brunel.ac.uk>
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1993 07:53:19 GMT
Lines: 553
Well, after several revisions and many months' writing, my first
attempt at a ST:TNG script is ready for the big, wide Internet.
If anyone knows anywhere else it should be posted/ftp'd I'd be
eternally grateful, as I would for any comments and/or
suggestions (puts on flame-proof jacket)...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION
STAND-OFF
by
Linus E.A. Twizell
(c) 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART VI
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
PICARD (to comms)
Transporter Room, prepare to energize on
my mark. Are you ready, Mister Crusher?
WESLEY (voice over)
Aye sir.
PICARD
Then good luck, Mister Crusher... and no
unneccesary heroics, you understand?
Your mother would never forgive me. Just
beam in, take your readings, and beam
out. We'll maintain radio silence until
you're ready to beam up.
WESLEY
Understood sir.
TRANSPORTER ROOM.
Wesley and two security officers are standing on the platform, a fourth
officer stands at the controls. Wesley carries an adapted tricorder in
his hand.
WESLEY
Set phasers to stun, and stay sharp.
(to Transporter Operator)
Try and put us down in one of the
engineering maintanance areas, there
shouldn't be anyone around.
TRANSPORTER OPERATOR
I'll try.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Beverly enters from turbolift, and sits down beside Picard.
PICARD
Lieutenant Murdoch, phase the shields
out slowly, now... Engineering, engage.
Jan Murdoch touches a control, and the shield sound wavers and
fades away. The officer standing at the engineering station pushes a
probe into a circuit panel, causing the bridge lights to dim
temporarily.
ROMULAN BRIDGE.
ROMULAN OFFICER
Commander, the Federation vessel's
shields have gone down.
TAVARI
Analyse.
ROMULAN OFFICER
Our instruments indicate a power surge.
TAVARI
We must use seize the opportunity to
raise the stakes a little. Cloaking
device off, close for attack!
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE is floating in space, with a small planet in the
distance. The Romulan ship appears.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
DEANNA
Romulan War Bird, Captain.
PICARD (stands)
Transporter Room, energize!
TRANSPORTER ROOM.
TRANSPORTER OFFICER
They've changed course. I'm re-
establishing the lock now.
PICARD (voice over)
Hurry...
TRANSPORTER OFFICER
Any second now...
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
O'BRIEN
Romulan vessel is locking on disruptors,
sir.
PICARD (shouts)
Transporter room, energize!
ROMULAN BRIDGE.
TAVARI
Fire.
TRANSPORTER ROOM.
Away Team Two is beamed off the transporter platform.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
O'BRIEN
They're firing.
PICARD
Raise shields, now!
MURDOCH (panics)
I can't sir, the transporter's
operating.
PICARD
Get those shields...
EXTERIOR SHOT
The Romulan War Bird fires two sets of disruptors simultaneously,
hitting both the saucer, and the stardrive sections of the hull.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
The bridge shakes and explodes a bit. The red emergency lighting comes
on.
PICARD
Damage report.
O'BRIEN
Shields and phasers inoperative. We
still have full warp and impulse
capability.
PICARD
Beam the Away Team back.
O'BRIEN
I can't, sir. The transporters are out.
(Beverly groans)
PICARD
Miss Murdoch, lock on photon torpedos,
prepare to return fire.
BEVERLY (outraged)
Sir, Wesley is over there!
PICARD
Doctor, with their shields, he's
probably safer than we are.
DEANNA
They're coming round for another attack.
PICARD
Lieutenant Murdoch...
BEVERLY
Jean-Luc...
PICARD
Fire.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE fires on the War Bird, which is closing for another
attack. Two of three photon torpedoes miss, one clips a wing, but is
easily deflected by the Romulan shields. The Romulan ships fires its
disruptors again, only managing a single shot on this approach.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
The bridge is in severe disarray. Picard is thrown against a wall, part
of which explodes, and he falls to the ground. Beverly runs to him.
DEANNA
(presses control on helm - hailing
signal sounds)
Attention all hands. This is Lieutenant
Commander Troi, assuming command.
Deanna moves to the command chair, and sits down. Her place at Helm is
taken by a young ensign.
MURDOCH
Ma'am, we're being hailed by the Romulan
vessel.
DEANNA
On screen.
Tavari appears on the viewscreen.
TAVARI
ENTERPRISE, we call on you to surrender
immediately in order to prevent further
bloodshed. You are in violation of
Neutral Zone Treaty, and we will destroy
you if you fail to comply at once.
Deanna makes the "throat-cutting" gesture, and the sound of the Romulan
transmission is suspended, although Tavari remains visible on the
screen.
MURDOCH
Muted, ma'am.
DEANNA (takes a deep breath)
We can't surrender.
O'BRIEN
We can hardly fight.
BEVERLY
Deanna, my son is over there, we can't
leave him.
DEANNA
Beverly, if we surrender to the
Romulans, we shall not be able to help
Wesley. The Romulans are counting on us
refusing to leave Will and the others,
they have taken care to damage only our
offensive weapons systems. Wesley is
resourceful, and the Romulan ship is
large, and mostly unpopulated.
O'BRIEN
They're closing again. There's no way we
can survive another full attack, no
matter how careful they are where they
direct their shots.
COMPUTER (voice over)
Warning, hull integrity threatened.
Warning, hull integrity threatened.
DEANNA
Cut communications, prepare for maximum
warp.
Tavari is replaced on the screen by a picture of the Romulan War Bird
closing to attack.
DEANNA
Ensign, warp nine, any heading. Engage.
On the viewscreen, the Romulan disruptors glow, and the War Bird
disappears as the ENTERPRISE's warp drive activates. For a short time,
no-one speaks, watching the starfield on the viewscreen. Suddenly, a
buzzer sounds.
O'BRIEN
Incoming photon torpedo, ma'am.
DEANNA
Evasive action...
O'BRIEN
Too late, ma'am.
DEANNA
Brace yourselves, everybody.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE is struck from the rear by the photon torpedo, and drops
out of warp drive.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
The bridge is in severe disarray.
HELM ENSIGN
We have lost warp drive, ma'am.
O'BRIEN
No sign of Romulan pursuit, ma'am.
ROMULAN BRIDGE.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
The Federation vessel has lost light
speed capability, sir.
TAVARI
An interesting encounter. I did not
expect them to abandon their colleagues.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
Shall we pursue, sir? We can easily
overpower their vessel.
TAVARI
No. They will return, when they can. The
purpose of this exercise is observation,
not destruction. We have learnt much
from this, valuable information for our
strategists. We shall allow them to make
the next move.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
The emergency lighting has gone off, replaced by the normal bridge
lighting. The status panels still show red alert, but the emergency
siren has been deactivated. Picard sits in the command chair, with
Beverly attending to a cut on his face. Picard taps his comm-badge.
PICARD
Picard to engineering.
BARTLETT (voice over)
Lieutenant David Bartlett here, sir.
PICARD
Damage report.
BARTLETT
It's not as bad as it seems, Captain.
Most of our systems weren't damaged,
only the connections. It's almost as if
the Romulans were trying not to damage
us to much.
PICARD
How long before we can re-engage the
warp drive?
BARTLETT
I estimate three to four hours, sir.
There really isn't too much to do.
However, phasers and shields were
heavilly hit. It'll be at least twelve
hours before they're fully operational.
We may have a few minutes of shield
power in six hours.
Beverly nudges Picard, and mouths the word "Wesley"
Picard nods.
PICARD
What about transporters?
BARTLETT
We were lucky there. The first attack
knocked out the interface to the main
computer, apart from that, there was no
damage. We should have full transporter
capability around the same time as the
warp engines come back on-line.
PICARD
Keep me aprised, bridge out. Commander
Troi, reduce to quarter impulse power.
Let's let them think we're a little more
impotent than we really are.
BEVERLY (shocked)
Sir!
PICARD (firmly)
Doctor, I appreciate your concern, but
we'll be no help to Wesley if we return
now. At the very least we need warp
drive before we re-engage.
BEVERLY
Anything could have happened to him over
there. You should never have let him go.
He's only a...
PICARD (interrupting)
Junior officer? Doctor Crusher, your son
is a Starfleet officer under my command.
He is doing is duty, and you must
remember that he volunteered for this
mission.
BEVERLY
But...
PICARD (gently)
Doctor, I give you my word I will not
abandon any of my people. We had to
withdraw, or be destroyed.
BEVERLY
I know. I'm sorry, sir. I'm so worried
about him, and Will and Geordi.
PICARD
This is the life they have chosen to
lead.
BEVERLY
It all seems so unnecessary, why did
Starfleet send us out here if they knew
what the FARADAY's mission was? Why
couldn't they delay, send a heavy
cruiser?
DEANNA
Captain, I agree with Beverly. I find it
hard to believe that Starfleet Command
despatched us into so effective a trap.
PICARD
I agree the whole business know seems
highly irregular, but our current
priority is to rescue the Away Teams...
BEVERLY (absently)
Irregular, that's what Wesley said.
PICARD (sharply)
What? Doctor Crusher, please elaborate.
BEVERLY
I don't know the details, but Wesley
said something about the documentation
for this rescue mission sent to Starbase
101 being incomplete.
The bridge crew exchange meaningful glances as they consider the
evidence
DEANNA
Captain, I am beginning to think that we
should consider the possibility that...
PICARD
We've been set up. I should have
realised hours ago. No wonder the
Romulans stayed by the FARADAY, they
knew we were coming.
(pauses)
Someone in Starfleet Command told them
we were coming, pulled strings to get
an undermanned ship sent here.
O'BRIEN
Captain, permission to leave the bridge.
I may be able to help the engineers with
the transporters.
PICARD
Granted.
(taps comm-badge)
Replacement ops officer to the bridge.
(pauses)
Engineering, you have my permission to
pull any off-duty personnel you need.
The Away Teams are counting on us, we
need shields and warp engines soon.
BARTLETT (voice over)
Aye sir, we're working on it.
O'Brien leaves his seat as a young ensign enters from the turbolift.
Seeing the distress on Beverly's face, Picard puts a hand on her
shoulder.
PICARD
Doctor, they'll be alright. I wouldn't
have let Wesley go if I didn't have
complete confidence in his abilities.
BEVERLY
I hope you're right, Jean-Luc.
(stands, and walks to the main
viewscreen)
I hope you're right.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
END OF PART VI
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's this section. Comments are more than
welcome on Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk
The next part will go out soon, hope you're
all enjoying it.
Regards,
Linus E.A. Twizell
/= Linus E.A. Twizell ========================================\
| | |
| \o | Kids... they're as bad as |
| |> | Special Branch, you never |
| <\ Stayin' | know what they're up to. |
| Alive! | - Morse |
| | |
\============================== Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk ====/
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Path: newserv.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!uunet!pipex!uknet!brunel!masraqk
From: Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk (Linus E.A. Twizell)
Subject: Stand-Off [Part VII]
Message-ID: <CAvu7z.JwL@brunel.ac.uk>
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Date: Wed, 28 Jul 1993 16:09:34 GMT
Lines: 701
Well, after several revisions and many months' writing, my first
attempt at a ST:TNG script is ready for the big, wide Internet.
If anyone knows anywhere else it should be posted/ftp'd I'd be
eternally grateful, as I would for any comments and/or
suggestions (puts on flame-proof jacket)...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION
STAND-OFF
by
Linus E.A. Twizell
(c) 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART VII
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ROMULAN CARGO HOLD
The hold is large, and sparse. A few containers are stacked in the
centre of the room, and there is a single, closed metal door in one of
the four walls. The room is dimly lit, with none of the furnishings or
comforts of the ENTERPRISE. The floors are metal grills. Wesley and his
two security officers stand in one corner, so as not to be visible from
the door way. Wesley is kneeling, operating the tricorder, whilst the
security officers stand over him nervously, covering the door with their
phasers. The security officers are non-commissioned, without any pips.
SECURITY OFFICER 2
How much longer, sir?
WESLEY
Just a few more minutes.
SECURITY OFFICER 1
I hope this is worth it.
WESLEY
It will be. When this scan is complete
we'll have a complete plan of this
vessel, and a lock on Commander Riker
and the others, as well as the crew of
the FARADAY.
SECURITY OFFICER 2
Fine, let's just get this over with, eh?
WESLEY
Any second... now.
(folds up the tricorder)
SECURITY OFFICER 2
Great.
WESLEY (taps comm-badge)
Crusher to ENTERPRISE, three to beam up.
Wesley pauses, but no-one replies. The Security Officers exchange
anxious glances.
WESLEY (to Security Officer 1)
Try yours.
SECURITY OFFICER 1
ENTERPRISE, come in. This is Away Team
Two.
No-one answers.
WESLEY
Great. The Romulans must have cloaked
again.
SECURITY OFFICER 1
Or the ENTERPRISE was destroyed.
WESLEY
Look, don't even think it. We'll just
stay here, and keep trying. Captain
Picard'll have us out of here in no-
time.
The door opens, and a Romulan enters, and sees Away Team Two. Hearing
the noise, Wesley turns. The Romulan reaches for his gun, but is
prevented by Security Officer 2, who fires first, stunning the Romulan.
WESLEY
Now we are in trouble. We've got to get
out of here, quickly.
SECURITY OFFICER 1
I think you could be right.
ROMULAN BRIDGE.
TAVARI
Report.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
The Federation vessel is holding a
stationary position. They still have
impulse power, but are choosing not to
use it.
TAVARI
Interesting. How are the experiments
progressing?
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
Very well indeed. The captives from the
ENTERPRISE are providing much useful
data. They are coping with the isolation
better than we expected, displaying an
admirable dedication and optimism. These
people could provide quite a challenge
for us.
TAVARI
And the tests on the other group?
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
Again, they exhibit surprising loyalty.
There is a strong sense of teamwork.
However, they have proved quite
vulnerable to both psychological and
physiological attack.
TAVARI
This is excellent. High Command wants a
full report as soon as possible,
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
It shall be done, sir.
TAVARI
You have command, I wish to see this
experiment for myself.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
As you command, sir.
Tavari exits, and the Romulan 1st Officer takes the command position.
ROMULAN BRIG.
Riker, Geordi, Data and Worf are searching the walls, floor and roof of
the brig. Although all their equipment has been confiscated, with Data
and Worf's strength, they are in the process of removing sveral of the
panels that make up the inner layer of the wall. Beyond the panels lays
complicated circuitry, which Geordi and Data are examining. Riker stands
guard at the door.
RIKER
Report.
LAFORGE
I don't know Commander, this circuitry
is different to anything I've ever
worked with. It's certainly a new
design.
RIKER
Do you think you can get the door open,
and the force shield down?
LAFORGE
In time, maybe. On the other hand, I
might blow up the ship first. In any
case, without proper instruments it's
going to be very slow. We might be able
to fashion something from this lot.
(gestures at the revealed circuitry).
DATA
Commander, this circuitry is different
from our own in that the whole
electronic structure follows different
premises at the lowest level. The design
is very sophisticated in that the force
shield encapsulates the area immediately
beyond all four walls and both the floor
and ceiling. It is as if they were
expecting to have to contain someone
capable of penetrating the strongest
metals...
LAFORGE
Unfortunately for us.
WORF (growls)
But extremely fortunate for them.
RIKER
Well, keep at it.
LAFORGE
We will sir. I don't fancy spending the
rest of my days in a Romulan jail.
RIKER
Mister Worf, what do you think our
chances of taking out the guards are?
WORF (shaking head)
Not good, Commander. The Romulans who
bring us food are armed, and work in
pairs. It is extremely unlikely we could
disable them both without casualties.
RIKER (to Data)
Then I guess it's down to you and
Geordi.
DATA (nods grimly)
I fear so, sir.
Data turns back to the circuitry he is
examining.
ROMULAN CORRIDOR.
Tracking shot as we follow behind Tavari, who stops at a door way, and
presses a button by the door, causing it to open. Tavari steps through
the door.
ROMULAN LABORATORY.
This large room is unusually brightly lit for a Romulan ship. There is
much evident technology, and several Romulans stand around, dressed in a
lighter, more practical version of the uniform the others wear. The
captives from the FARADAY, now numbering around ten are involved in
various experiments. Some of these experiments seem benign - one of the
captives is taking a basic intelligence test, another jogs on the spot,
monitored by a Romulan with a device like a tricorder. Another of the
Romulans is examing one of the comm-badges, and another a Federation
phaser. The other tests however, are more ominous. An elderly man lies
unconcious under a glowing emmiter, tossing and turning as the waveform
on a trace next to the bed jumps in response to the manipulations of the
Romulan operator. Several other humans, and a yound vulcan female stand
motionless, with blank expressions on their faces. They have glowing
devices attached to their foreheads, which are evidently inducing the
trance, whilst several Romulan scientists take readings, and administer
injections. The remaining FARADAY personel are being tortured in a
variety of ways, some are reluctantly giving information, whilst others
(including Oliana) are not being questioned, just observed and monitored
as the pain is administered. Tavari enters from the door, and the
scientists nod respectfully.
TAVARI
Are the tests going well?
CHIEF SCIENTIST
Very well, sir. As instructed, half of
the captives were allowed to die during
the experimentation.
TAVARI
And the others?
CHIEF SCIENTIST
They are alive. The effect of their
comrades' death was, as expected,
devestating on their morale. Although
interesting in many ways, this is a puny
species.
Tavari walks over to Oliana, who is restrained on a horizontal platform.
She is being struck from above by a phaser-like device, which inflicts
great pain. Her expression conveys this, but also determination.
TAVARI
Tell me about her.
CHIEF SCIENTIST
An interesting case. She is not an
officer, but a cadet, eighteen Earth
years of age. The others were most
distressed when we began testing her.
TAVARI
Then they attach great importance to
their young. I had read this was a
dominant theme in their culture. It is
interesting to see this at first hand.
CHIEF SCIENTIST
In spite of her youth, she shows
remarkable stamina. She has withstood
the experimentation for a considerable
time.
TAVARI
Increase the level.
The Chief Scientist moves a lever, and the intensity of the beam
increases. Oliana begins to scream. After a few seconds, Tavari
gestures, and the beam fades away.
TAVARI
Child, speak to me.
OLIANA (struggling)
Don't call me a child, you bastard!
TAVARI
Why the defiance? I can have you killed
with a wave of my hand.
OLIANA
You're still a bastard!
TAVARI
Do you want to spend your life in our
laboratories?
OLIANA
No chance. StarFleet will never let you
get away with this.
TAVARI
We have already defeated your
Federation's best. The ENTERPRISE has
been destroyed by this ship.
OLIANA (closes eyes)
You're lying.
TAVARI
I assure you I'm not.
OLIANA
What do you want from us?
TAVARI
Information. What else?
OLIANA
Those people you butchered told you
everything they knew. You have access to
the FARADAY's computer files. There's
nothing more we can tell you.
TAVARI
You are a tediously dull species, aren't
you? We have learnt a great deal from
you particularly.
OLIANA
From me? But you haven't asked me any
questions. You've just hurt me.
TAVARI
Of course, your reactions are the
important issue here. You are beginning
to bore me, child!
OLIANA
Don't call me a child!
TAVARI (to scientist)
Continue the experiments, keep me
informed if anything interesting turns
up.
Tavari leaves the room, and we follow him into the corridor. Oliana
begins to scream again, but the sound is dulled as the door closes
automatically.
ROMULAN HOLD.
Wesley and the security team have pulled the body of the stunned Romulan
behind a container, and are standing by the door, with phasers drawn.
Wesley carries his tricorder in one hand, and is studying the display.
WESLEY
Any reply from the ENTERPRISE?
SECURITY OFFICER 2
I'm afraid not, sir.
SECURITY OFFICER 1
We've got to get out of here.
(gestures to the body of the Romulan).
He'll be missed soon.
WESLEY
I can't get a firm lock on the Away
Team, they must be in a shielded room.
SECURITY OFFICER 1
You mean the brig?
WESLEY
Probably. There's no point in us trying
to storm that, it's bound to be heavily
guarded.
SECURITY OFFICER 2
What about the FARADAY crew?
WESLEY
There are seven non-Romulan life signs
on this floor. That must be all that's
left...
SECURITY OFFICER 1
What's your decision, sir?
WESLEY
We'll try to rescue the FARADAY people.
Take the Romulan's disruptor, we'll need
it if we find them Let's move out, and
stay alert. If in doubt, shoot first.
SECURITY OFFICER 2
Aye, sir.
Away Team Two slowly moves out into the corridor. Security Officer 1
leads, followed by Wesley and Security Officer 2.
ROMULAN BRIG.
Data has removed several more panels, and is removing some more
circuitry from behind them.
RIKER
Progress, Mister Data?
Data moves his arm a little, and there is a sudden shower of sparks and
he is thrown back from the wall. The force field remains active,
however.
DATA
Not good, sir. The workings of this
circuitry eludes me... although I find
it... intruiging.
ROMULAN CORRIDOR.
Wesley and the two Security Officers are creeping along the corridor.
Ahead of them is a door, guarded only by two Romulans.
WESLEY
According to this
(gestures to his tricorder)
the FARADAY crew should be in there.
SECURITY OFFICER 1
Are you sure this is a good idea, sir?
WESLEY
We don't have a choice, guys. Besides,
there's strength in numbers. If we can
take out those two guards we'll be home
and dry.
SECURITY OFFICER 2
Let's do it.
Wesley holsters his tricorder, and draws his phaser. He drops to one
knee, and peering round a corner fires at the Romulan guards, and misses
both of them.
WESLEY
Damn! Here we go.
The two Romulan guards charge towards Away Team Two, but the ENTERPRISE
crewmen manage to stun both of them without sustaining casualities
themselves. They drag the Romulan's bodies out of sight behind a piece
of equipment, and rush to the now-undefended door.
WESLEY
We're in luck, it's not a secured
facility.
SECURITY OFFICER 1
What would you have done if it had been?
WESLEY (unsure)
Improvised?
Wesley touches the only control at the side of the door, and it slides
open to reveal a small dormitary-like area, which although hardly
luxurious is a considerable improvement on the brig. The three
ENTERPRISE officers enter cautiously with their phasers drawn. Inside a
group of seven people sit around, obviously exhausted. They all show the
signs of the Romulan experiments, and turn slowly towards the ENTERPRISE
officers, obviously expecting them to be the Romulan guards. The seven
are all fairly young, and three of them (Oliana, Saalin of Vulcan and a
Benzite) wear the cadet's uniform, whilst the other four are either
ensigns or junior grade lieutenants wearing the blue medical uniforms.
One of the cadets stands, and runs to Wesley.
OLIANA (surprised)
Wesley!
WESLEY
Oliana!
(they kiss, but Wesley gently disengages from the embrace).
HAMMOND
It's good to see you, but we were hoping
for a more substantial cavalry, ensign.
WESLEY
Sorry about that, sir, things haven't
exactly gone according to schedule. I'm
Ensign Wesley Crusher, of the
ENTERPRISE.
HAMMOND
Lieutenant Paul Hammond, Assistant CMO
of the FARADAY.
SECURITY OFFICER 1
What happened to the rest of the crew?
OLIANA
Butchered by those Romulan bastards!
Wesley draws Oliana to him, and comforts her.
SAALIN
It is dangerous for us to remain here,
the guards will be missed soon.
HAMMOND
Can't the ENTERPRISE beam us up?
SECURITY OFFICER 2
We're out of contact. We think the
Romulans must be running cloaked.
WESLEY
We've got to find somewhere safe to
hide. Oliana?
OLIANA
Yes?
He removes his comm-badge, and pins it to her chest.
WESLEY
Just in case...
(he kisses her cheek)
Let's go.
He leads the group of ten out into the corridors, pausing to collect the
stunned Romulan's disruptors, which he distributes amongst Oliana and
the remaining FARADAY crew members before leading them deeper into the
ship.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard in command chair.
Deanna at Helm.
Lieutenant Murdoch at Tactical.
Ensign at Ops.
O'Brien enters from the turbolift.
O'BRIEN
We have transporter capability, sir.
PICARD
Excellent, Chief. Good work.
(taps comm-badge).
Picard to Engineering.
BARTLETT (voice over)
Lieutenant Bartlett, here sir.
PICARD
Progress report, Mister Bartlett.
BARTLETT
Transporters and shields are back on
line, sir. We expect offensive weapons
and warp drive within two hours.
PICARD
Not good enough, Mister Bartlett!
BARTLETT (wearily)
Aye, sir. We'll do our best. Bridge out.
ROMULAN BRIDGE.
As before, Tavari sits in his command chair, with his 1st Officer
standing behind him, consulting a computer screen.
1ST OFFICER
Sir, the Federation experimental
subjects have escaped, and are armed.
TAVARI
Despatch a security team immediately.
1ST OFFICER
By your command.
TAVARI
Wait! I have a better idea... And have
the men on guard duty at the time shot.
1ST OFFICER
Yes, sir.
ROMULAN CORRIDOR.
The Federation people, led by Wesley and Hammond are making their way
tentatively down the corridor, with Oliana and Saalin bringing up the
rear. A female StarFleet officer steps out in front of them. Hammond
straightens up, and walks towards her.
HAMMOND
Captain Chattle! We thought you were
lost.
CHATTLE
It's good to see you, Lieutenant. You
all look as though you've been through
hell.
The Federation people start to relax a little in the presence of Captain
Chattle's good humour.
HAMMOND
What happened to you, ma'am?
CHATTLE
I met some old friends, Mister Hammond.
She clicks her fingers, and two groups of Romulans step out from doors
along the corridor. Oliana and Saalin at the rear of the line are able
to slip away unnoticed, but the others are surrounded. Two of the
medical personelle make a break for a side entrance, but are cut down by
the Romulan's disruptors.
HAMMOND
Captain, I don't believe you're doing
this.
Chattle looks bewildered for a moment. We see the back of her neck,
where an implant identical to that McKenzie bore lights up for a second.
Chattle regains her expression of determination.
CHATTLE
Guards, take their equipment, and escort
them to the brig.
Fade to black...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
END OF PART VII
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's this section. Comments are more than
welcome on Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk
The next part will go out soon, hope you're
all enjoying it.
Regards,
Linus E.A. Twizell
/= Linus E.A. Twizell ========================================\
| | |
| \o | Kids... they're as bad as |
| |> | Special Branch, you never |
| <\ Stayin' | know what they're up to. |
| Alive! | - Morse |
| | |
\============================== Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk ====/
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Path: newserv.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!howland.reston.ans.net!noc.near.net!uunet!pipex!uknet!brunel!masraqk
From: Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk (Linus E.A. Twizell)
Subject: Stand-Off [Part VIII]
Message-ID: <CAx55p.28w@brunel.ac.uk>
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1993 09:03:25 GMT
Lines: 564
Well, after several revisions and many months' writing, my first
attempt at a ST:TNG script is ready for the big, wide Internet.
If anyone knows anywhere else it should be posted/ftp'd I'd be
eternally grateful, as I would for any comments and/or
suggestions (puts on flame-proof jacket)...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION
STAND-OFF
by
Linus E.A. Twizell
(c) 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART VIII
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ROMULAN BRIG.
Data, LaForge, Riker and Worf have given up trying to deactivate the
shield. We hear the beeps of the combination code being entered into the
lock, the force field drops and Wesley is thrown through the door,
followed by the other Federation prisoners, no longer bearing
communicators or phasers.
RIKER (sarcastically)
Come to visit us, Mister Crusher?
WESLEY
Sorry sir, things didn't quite go as
planned.
RIKER
What are you doing here, anyway?
WESLEY
It... seemed like a good idea at the
time.
HAMMOND
Like joining StarFleet.
RIKER
Now look here, Mister!
WORF
That attitude is unproductive,
Lieutenant.
LAFORGE
I suggest we all calm down, and tell our
stories... from the beginning.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
BARTLETT (voice over)
Engineering to Bridge.
PICARD
Picard here.
BARTLETT
We have warp power and offensive weapons
available at your command, sir.
PICARD
Well done, Mister Bartlett. Commander
Troi, set a course for the last known
position of the Romulan War Bird, warp
seven.
TROI
Course and speed laid in.
PICARD
Engage.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE in impulse power. She adjusts her course slightly, and
leaps into warp speed.
ROMULAN BRIDGE.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
Sir, the ENTERPRISE has regained light-
speed capability and is on an reciprocal
course.
TAVARI
Interesting. I need to know what extent
they will go to regain their comrades.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
Then you mean...
TAVARI (sharply)
Don't anticipicate. Drop cloak, raise
shields.
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
By your command, sir.
(slightly insolent tone. Tavari turns to
stare at him).
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The War Bird uncloaks, with the FARADAY visible in the distance.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE flies by at high warp speed.
ROMULAN CORRIDOR.
Outside the brig, where two Romulans stand guard in front of the force
field. A phaser stuns one of the guards. The other turns, to find Oliana
pressing a phaser against his neck.
OLIANA (angrilly)
Don't move!
ROMULAN
What do you want, child?
OLIANA (furiously)
(jabs him sharply with the phaser).
NEVER call me that again. I swear I'll
kill the last one of you animals that
called me that.
SAALIN (sharply)
Oliana! This is not helpful.
OLIANA (calmer)
Give me the door release code.
ROMULAN
No.
OLIANA
You know what will happen to you?
ROMULAN
I am no traitor. I am not afraid to die.
OLIANA
We're not the murderers. Saalin.
SAALIN
This is highly unethical, Oliana.
OLIANA
Do it.
Saalin leans close to the Romulan, and lays her palm across his face.
SAALIN
Your mind to my mind... Your thoughts to
my thoughts... I know what you know...
We are becoming as one... The code is...
With her eyes closed Saalin places her hand over the keypad, and types
out a code, with the Romulan passively echoing her movements in the air.
The force field dies away, and the door opens.
OLIANA
Now, why don't you ask our friend where
the armoury is? And then perhaps we
could discuss the auxilliary shield
control.
The Federation prisoners step out from the brig.
RIKER (smirking)
Data, why don't you, Geordi and Wes pay
a little visit to Engineering whilst the
rest of us commit a few breaches of
Neutral Zone Treaty up on the bridge?
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
MURDOCH
We have the Romulan vessel in visual
range, sir.
PICARD
On screen.
Lieutenant Murdoch zooms the viewscreen image to show the War Bird in
the far distance.
PICARD
I wonder why they aren't running
cloaked.
DEANNA
We know the cloaking device's energy
drain is significant over long periods
of time, sir.
PICARD
But they must have detected our approach
by now. I would have expected them to
drop their cloaking shield when we were
forced to disengage before, and
reactivate it on our return.
O'BRIEN
Either way we'll be in transporter range
in five minutes, sir.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The ENTERPRISE flies by at high warp speed.
EXTERIOR SHOT.
The Romulan War Bird stationary in space.
ROMULAN CORRIDOR.
Riker, Worf, Oliana, Saalin, Hammond and various other Federation
Officers now equiped with Romulan disruptors are fighting it out with a
group of Romulans at the other end of the corridor.
OLIANA
I think we blew our cover, sir.
HAMMOND
You could say that, Cadet.
WORF
I wonder what progress our comrades are
making.
OLIANA
Me too.
RIKER
If I know those three we'll all be out
of here in no time.
ROMULAN ENGINEERING.
The red alert claxon is sounding. Two of the FARADAY officers are
defending the door whilst Data, Wesley and Geordi work on a control
panel.
LAFORGE
Well Data, you're the one who can read
Romulan.
DATA
Yes Geordi. I believe we will find that
this bank of switches controls the
shield generators.
WESLEY
I hope you're right. I don't think we
can hold out much longer here.
LAFORGE
Here goes nothing!
(operates the switches).
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
MURDOCH
Romulan shields are down, Captain.
PICARD
Are we in transporter range yet?
O'BRIEN (manipulates his console)
In about twenty seconds, sir.
PICARD
Commander Troi, prepare to drop out of
warp speed momentarily in twenty seconds
time.
O'BRIEN
Near warp transport, sir?
PICARD
Precisely, Mr. O'Brien. We'll beam the
Away Teams off and withdraw to a safe
distance.
DEANNA
We are in transporter range, Captain.
PICARD
Disenage warp speed.
Deanna manipulates her console, and the warp effect on the view screen
coalesces into a normal view of space, with the Romulan War Bird in the
centre of the screen, but still closing quickly.
PICARD (taps comm-badge, urgently)
Transporter room, lock onto the Away
Teams.
TRANSPORTER ROOM (voice over)
Sir, I am only reading one communicator
badge on the Romulan vessel.
PICARD
What? Beam them directly to the bridge.
TRANSPORTER ROOM
Aye sir.
There is a slight pause as Lieutenant Murdoch moves down from her
position at tactical to the central area where someone begins to
materialise. Lieutenant Murdoch draws her phaser. Seconds later Oliana
appears, kneeling down, holding a phaser at arm's length. She looks
around, disorientated, and starts to struggle to her feet.
PICARD
Warp seven, Commander.
EXTERIOR VIEW
The ENTERPRISE is moving rapidly towards the Romulan War Bird and
suddenly leaps into warp speed without deviating from its present
course, past the War Bird.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard moves to Oliana, motioning to Lieutenant Murdoch to return to her
post, and helps her to get to her feet.
OLIANA
Am I on the ENTERPRISE?
PICARD
Yes, the dizziness is the after-effect
of a near-warp transport.
OLIANA
We've got to get over there, sir, they
need help.
PICARD (taps comm-badge)
Transporter Room, can you lock onto all
human life-signs on the Romulan vessel?
TRANSPORTER ROOM (voice over)
I'm sorry sir, the sensors are still out
of action.
PICARD (to Oliana)
Cadet, report.
OLIANA
Yes sir, my name is...
BEVERLY
(steps out of turbo-lift) Oliana!
OLIANA
Doctor Crusher, it's so good to see
you...
PICARD
Oliana Mirren, I presume.
OLIANA
You know me, sir?
PICARD
Let's just say we have a mutual
acquaintance.
Oliana smiles, blushes, and looks at her feet.
PICARD (to Deanna)
That should be enough distance between
us and the Romulans. Full stop,
Commander.
DEANNA (manipulates console)
Answering full stop, Captain.
PICARD
Please, continue, Cadet.
OLIANA
Yessir... The FARADAY was just inside
the Neutral Zone when the Romulan War
Bird appeared. They fired before we
could get our shields up, and disabled
the warp drive, and the weapons systems.
They held us in a tractor beam, so we
couldn't abandon ship, or signal for
help. The Romulans sent over a boarding
party, and stunned everybody... Next
thing I knew we were in a holding cell
on the Romulan ship.
BEVERLY (interrupting)
Have you seen Wesley, and the others...
PICARD (angrilly)
Doctor! Go on, cadet.
OLIANA
They did experiments on us...
(pauses, shuddering)
Picard and Beverly exchange horrified looks.
OLIANA
They killed so many of us, captain
(begins to cry)
PICARD (gently)
Please, we don't have much time.
OLIANA
Yes sir, sorry sir.
(blinks angrilly to clear her tears)
They took those of us that were left
back to our cell, then Wesley got us
out. We stole weapons from the Romulan
guards, and Wesley gave me his
communicator. We were making our way to
the bridge when we were ambushed. Some
of us got away, but Wes and the others
from the ENTERPRISE were taken.
(Beverly gasps)
OLIANA
It's okay, we found the brig, and
stormed it. Both of your Away Teams were
in there. Wesley, and Commanders Data
and LaForge went to Engineering to try
and get the shields down, and Commander
Riker lead the rest of us in an attack
on the bridge. We were on our way there
when we were attacked, and then you
beamed me up.
DEANNA
Captain, I can sense Commander Riker is
now very anxious.
OLIANA
Captain, we've got to help Wesley.
Picard moves to the view screen, and stares into space as he reaches a
decision.
BEVERLY
Captain?...
PICARD (determined)
We're going in. Commander Troi, set a
course to bring us alongside the Romulan
Vessel.
DEANNA
Aye sir, course laid in...
PICARD
Speed warp nine... Engage.
Viewscreen shows the ENTERPRISE turning and increasing speed.
PICARD (Presses button on chair panel)
Now hear this, this is Captain Picard
speaking. Security Team Two to
transporter room three. Mister O'Brien,
go to red alert.
O'BRIEN (touches control)
Red Alert, sir
(lighting changes).
BEVERLY
(taps comm-badge) Medical support team
to transporter room three.
PICARD
Mister O'Brien, you have the bridge.
DEANNA
Captain Picard, I wish to place on
record my objection to...
PICARD (dismissively)
Noted, Commander.
Picard, Beverly and Oliana stride to the turbolift as O'Brien leaves the
Ops position to take the Captain's chair.
TRANSPORTER ROOM
This is one of the large cargo transporters that easily accomodates
Picard, Beverly, Oliana, 6 red-shirts and two medical staff.
PICARD
Phasers set to stun, and stay sharp
everyone.
(to operator)
Energize.
The Away Team is beamed off the transporter pad.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
END OF PART VIII
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's the penultimate section. Comments are more than
welcome on Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk
The last part will go out soon, hope you're
all enjoying it.
Regards,
Linus E.A. Twizell
/= Linus E.A. Twizell ========================================\
| | |
| \o | Kids... they're as bad as |
| |> | Special Branch, you never |
| <\ Stayin' | know what they're up to. |
| Alive! | - Morse |
| | |
\============================== Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk ====/
Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative
Path: newserv.ksu.ksu.edu!moe.ksu.ksu.edu!vixen.cso.uiuc.edu!sdd.hp.com!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!pipex!uknet!brunel!masraqk
From: Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk (Linus E.A. Twizell)
Subject: Stand-Off [Part IX : Conclusion!]
Message-ID: <CAyz4L.283@brunel.ac.uk>
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1993 08:48:16 GMT
Lines: 811
Well, after several revisions and many months' writing, my first
attempt at a ST:TNG script is ready for the big, wide Internet.
If anyone knows anywhere else it should be posted/ftp'd I'd be
eternally grateful, as I would for any comments and/or
suggestions (puts on flame-proof jacket)...
-----------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK : THE NEXT GENERATION
STAND-OFF
by
Linus E.A. Twizell
(c) 1993
-----------------------------------------------------------------
PART IX
-----------------------------------------------------------------
ROMULAN CORRIDOR
Picard and company materialise at the end of a darkened corridor, and
assume battle stance. The corridor is empty, but at the other end phaser
fire can be heard as green and orange flashes illuminate the corridor. A
human wearing a starfleet uniform is flung into view by a hit from a
Romulan disruptor.
PICARD
Let's go.
(motions with his arm)
The six security men form a close formation around Captain Picard, and
the Away Team moves quickly to the end of the corridor, a t-junction,
and crouched down, turns the corridor. Commander Riker, Worf and three
of the FARADAY personelle are sheltering behind a computer console,
under attack from a group of Romulan troops. Picard and the Away Team
join him, and with the additional fire-power soon beat back the Romulans
onto the bridge, the door of which closes.
RIKER
I can't tell you how good it is to see
you, Captain.
PICARD
Likewise, Number One.
BEVERLY
Commander, where is my son?
RIKER
He's with Geordi and Data in
Engineering. It's thanks to them that
we're all still here.
PICARD (to red-shirts)
You two, get to Engineering, on the the
double. Bring Commanders Data and
LaForge, and Ensign Crusher up here.
The Security Officers move off, phasers drawn.
PICARD
Recommendations, Number One?
RIKER
In my opinion, sir, we must disable this
vessel.
PICARD
My view, also, Number One. And of
course, there's only one place we can do
that from...
RIKER
The Bridge...
BEVERLY
You're both mad! We should all get out
of here whilst we're all alive...
WORF
Doctor, this is a valuable opportunity
for us to seize an enemy vessel.
PICARD
Beverly, there may be other prisoners on
this vessel. Until we're in control of
it, compassionate practice forbids us to
leave it.
RIKER
I think the decision has been made for
us, Captain.
The door to the bridge opens, and Romulans begin to fire from the
doorway.
PICARD
Fire at will!
The Feds open fire, and manage to take out two of the Romulans. Worf
rolls forward, and crouches at the side of the doorway.
RIKER
Worf! Get back here!
WORF
Commander, battle is the right of a
Klingon!
PICARD
Lieutenant!
Worf gives a battle-cry and leaps onto the bridge, phaser firing wildly.
RIKER (looks at Picard)
Sir?
PICARD (nods)
Now or never, Number One.
RIKER
Move in!
The Feds advance to the doorway of the bridge, and cautiously move
inside. Worf is in hand-to-hand combat with two Romulans, whilst four
more open fire on the Away Team. The Feds retaliate, stunning the
Romulans, but at the cost of two of their Security Officers. Riker helps
Worf, and between them they hit the Romulans until they fall down. The
Feds stand around, feeling triumphant, when suddenly from a dark corner,
Tavari appears, holding a disruptor. He grabs Oliana, and holds the
weapon against her neck.
OLIANA
Captain!
(everybody turns)
PICARD
I am Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the
Federation Starship ENTERPRISE. Release
her immediately, and surrender.
TAVARI
Drop your weapons. I am arresting you
all for violation of treaty in the name
of the Romulan Empire.
Long silence... Picard steps forward with his arms open in a non-
threatening gesture.
PICARD
You are vastly out-numbered. You can't
keep us all prisoner on your own.
TAVARI
Reinforcements are already on their way,
Picard. StarFleet will pay for its
crimes, be assured of that.
BEVERLY
You can't hope to get away.
TAVARI
And who will prevent me?
(tightens his grip on Oliana causing her
some pain)
Tavari starts to back towards the door, and falls to the ground. We hear
the sound of a phaser.
WESLEY
Me.
Oliana breaks free from Tavari, and runs to Wesley. They embrace, and
kiss. Beverly and Picard exchange glances, and Beverly shrugs. LaForge
and Data enter from the doorway with the rest of the Security Officers.
Data looks at Oliana and Wesley, who's kiss is now ridiculously
protracted.
DATA
Intruiging!
PICARD (coughs)
Mister Crusher!
WESLEY (embarrased)
Yessir. Umm... sorry sir.
(lets go of Oliana)
PICARD
Mister Crusher, report.
WESLEY
We have lowered the shields and taken
the tactical computer off-line from
Engineering, sir.
LAFORGE
They could re-boot it, sir, but that
will take time, so they should be
without weapons systems for at least an
hour. We encountered three Romulans in
engineering, but they're all stunned.
DATA
However, we suffered two fatal
casualties.
PICARD
Is there anyone else on this ship?
Data takes a tricorder from one of the Security Officers, and proceeds
to perform a scan.
DATA
Negative, sir. All non-Romulan life
signs are in this room.
PICARD
Data, the Romulan Captain mentioned that
re-inforcements are on their way. What
is the most effective way to disable
this vessel?
WORF
To destroy it, sir!
PICARD
Lieutenant! My query was addressed to
Lt. Cmdr Data.
WORF
Sir.
DATA
Lieutenant Worf is correct, sir. But
assuming we are to stay within treaty,
the crew must not be fatally injured. I
suggest disabling the control
mechanisms.
PICARD
Very good, make it so.
Data and LaForge proceed to examine the controls on the bridge,
tentatively pushing the odd button. When they are finished, Data steps
back, and draws his phaser, firing at the control panels.
WORF
A pity, we could have learnt much from
their technology.
RIKER
Maybe, but our priority is to...
Picard's comm-badge bleeps.
O'BRIEN (voice over)
Captain Picard, we are reading energy
disturbances to stern...
PICARD (taps comm-badge)
Emissions from a cloaking device?
O'BRIEN
Possibly, sir.
PICARD
Stand by.
BEVERLY (kneeling by Tavari)
These people are going to be waking up
soon, Captain.
RIKER
We have our people, Captain. I suggest
we withdraw to the ENTERPRISE.
PICARD
Agreed.
(taps comm-bagde)
Picard to ENTERPRISE.
O'BRIEN
ENTERPRISE here.
PICARD
Beam us up.
The humans group together, and are caught in the transporter beam as
Tavari begins to stir. He looks at the chaos around him, and slumps
back.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
Picard, Riker, Data, Wesley, and Worf enter, and take their places on
the bridge.
PICARD
Shields up, go to red alert.
WORF
Aye sir.
DATA
Energy surge from astern, Captain.
PICARD
On screen.
The viewscreen shows a blurring in space, from which another two War
Birds appear.
WORF
Romulan War Birds uncloaking, sir.
PICARD
Open hailing frequencies.
WORF
Hailing frequencies open.
PICARD
This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the
USS ENTERPRISE. We insist that you leave
the Neutral Zone immediately.
WORF
No reply, sir. They are arming photon
torpedoes.
PICARD
Mister Crusher, set a course for the
Neutral Zone boundary.
WESLEY
Course 126 mark 0, sir.
PICARD
Warp seven.
WESLEY
Aye sir.
WORF
They're firing.
PICARD
Engage.
On the viewscreen the War Birds shrink to tiny dots as the ENTERPRISE
warps out. The photon torpedo passes the ENTERPRISE, missing narrowly.
DATA
The Romulans are pursuing, sir, at warp
8.5.
PICARD
Picard to Engineering.
LAFORGE (voice over)
LaForge here, sir.
PICARD
I need maximum warp speed, Geordi.
LAFORGE
You got it, sir.
PICARD
Maximum speed, Mister Crusher.
WESLEY
Aye sir. Neutral Zone boundary in four
minutes.
DATA
Warp nine point 3, 4...5....6. Warp 9.7
sir. The Romulans have matched our
velocity, and are closing.
WORF
Incoming photon torpedoes, sir.
RIKER
Shields and deflectors at maximum.
PICARD
Prepare to return fire.
WORF
Aye, sir.
EXTERIOR VIEW
The ENTERPRISE shoots by at high warp, and we see two photon torpedoes
impacting against its shields, and the War Birds closing in.
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
WESLEY
Neutral Zone boundary in sixty seconds,
sir.
WORF
We are being hailed, sir.
PICARD
On screen.
ROMULAN CAPTAIN
Federation vessel, you are in violation
of treaty. In the name of the Romulan
Empire I order you to heave to and
prepare to be boarded.
PICARD
This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the
USS ENTERPRISE. I insist you cease your
pursuit of this vessel and leave the
Neutral Zone immediately.
RIKER (whispers)
Neutral Zone boundary in twenty seconds,
sir.
PICARD
Romulan vessel, you will be in violation
of Federation space in less than twenty
seconds.
ROMULAN CAPTAIN
So be it, Picard.
RIKER
This could lead...
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
To war! To our destiny!
PICARD
Is that what you want?...
DATA
We are now in Federation Space, Captain.
PICARD
Enough of this.
(Turns to Worf and makes throat-cutting
gesture).
WORF (presses control)
Main viewer muted, sir.
PICARD
Consellor Troi, do you sense anything
from them?
DEANNA
Captain, they are fully prepared to
destroy the ENTERPRISE, and to go to war
with us if necessary. And yet, I sense
no anger from them. They are ruthless
and calculating, certainly, but not
incensed with battle...
WORF
A warrior is nothing without his rage.
PICARD
Sound up. Full stop.
WESLEY
Answering full stop, captain.
PICARD
Romulan vessel, you are now in violation
of Federation space. I order you to
surrender immediately.
ROMULAN CAPTAIN
ENTERPRISE, it is you that will
surrender. The Federation has shattered
the Neutral Zone agreement a hundred
times over with its patrol vessels.
RIKER (shouts)
Do you want it to be war?
PICARD (quietly)
Of course they do, Number One.
RIKER
Sir?
PICARD
It wasn't Starfleet that sent the
FARADAY into the Neutral Zone. It was
them!
ROMULAN 1ST OFFICER
Ridiculous. I order you to lower your
shields, or prepare to be destroyed.
PICARD
Cadet Mirren, it was you that gave us
the clue.
OLIANA
Sir?
PICARD
Your messages to Wesley about the
irregular mission listings on the
FARADAY told us that the paperwork was
not in order...
ROMULAN CAPTAIN
As it would be if Starfleet was enaged
in nefarious affairs and wished to keep
them secret.
PICARD
Or, perhaps if a traitor in Starfleet
Command wanted it to appear that
Starfleet was in breach of treaty. Data,
quickly. Access the FARADAY mission
logs, I want to know who authorised
their entry into the Neutral Zone.
DATA
Accessing. The FARADAY mission listings
are encoded using the admiralty cipher
system. The code used is assigned to...
Admiral Lloyd.
RIKER
The admiral who sent us in after them.
PICARD (to screen)
You control Lloyd, like you did Captain
Chattle of the FARADAY. Like a puppet on
a string. You got him to arrange a nice
little galactic incident, one that would
give you the perfect reason to go to war
with the Federation.
ROMULAN CAPTAIN
Excellent, Captain. For a human that is
an acute peace of reasoning.
PICARD
Data, fast encode to Starfleet Command
visual records of this conversation.
DATA
Aye sir.
PICARD
The only way you could win a war against
the Federation would be to split the
Alliance with the Klingons.
RIKER
And this incident would have shown the
Federation to be without honour,
something the Klingons could never
tolerate.
PICARD
You see, Number One, a very impressive
piece of strategy.
WORF
Captain, Federation border security
closing at 023 mark 19. They are asking
if we require assistance.
PICARD
Reply in the negative, Mister Worf. Our
guests were just leaving.
ROMULAN CAPTAIN
We go Captain, but remember this... We
have penetrated the very heart of your
pitiful organisation, and have entered
Federation space. Perhaps you are less
secure behind your Neutral Zone than you
like to think.
PICARD
Perhaps.
ROMULAN CAPTAIN
There will be another day, Captain.
The communication ceases, and the main viewer shows the Romulan War
Birds turn away from the ENTERPRISE, and warp out.
PICARD
They were right, you know Number One.
RIKER
Sir?
PICARD
About our security. How many more
traitors are there?
RIKER
I guess we'll never know.
DEANNA
Until perhaps, the day they spoke of
comes.
PICARD
A sobering thought. But, until then, we
have a crew to collect. Ensign Crusher,
set a course for Starbase 130, warp six.
WESLEY
Aye sir, course and speed laid in.
PICARD
Engage.
EXTERIOR VIEW.
The ENTERPRISE turns and leaps into warp drive. We follow the ENTERPRISE
and we see the mass of the galaxy explode in front of the ship. Planets
and stars stream past, and the viewpoint gradually circles the ship.
PICARD (voice over)
Captain's Log, Stardate 46006 point 4.
We are now en route to Starbase 130
where we our battle damage and be fully
repaired, and we shall be able to
finally complete our crew transfer
orders. At the eve of this incident I am
struck by the human cost of the
Romulan's political machinations. The
destruction of Starbase 101, and the
deaths of the crew of the FARADAY are a
powerful reminder of the dangers of our
complacency. I am also saddened by the
loss of Admirals McKenzie and Lloyd, two
of Starfleet's finest. It seems almost
obscene that two such distinguished and
brave men have come to such an ignoble
end. Although I never knew her,
Commander Riker assures me that Captain
Rachael Chattle, who was lost in the
battle on the Romulan vessel, will be
equally sorely missed. Starfleet Command
has ordered all relevant personelle to
return to Earth to attend a debriefing,
until which time all the events of the
past few days are to be classified top
secret.
fade to STARFLEET OFFICE.
This is a plush office, even by Starfleet's standards. It is spacious,
and there are paintings on the wall. A window shows a scene from San
Francisco, and there is a figure seated at a desk. The camera pans over
the room.
PICARD (voice over)
Ensign Crusher and Cadet Mirren will be
assigned to another Academy campus in
time... at present they are in the care
of Counsellor Troi and Doctor Crusher
who are helping them come to terms with
the loss of their friends and comrades
on 101.
(camera zooms onto seated figure who slumps forward in his chair)
I feel a dreadful sense of forboding
when I realise how close to war we have
come, and I believe that the day the
Romulan Captain spoke of will come, a
day when we will all be tested.
(we see the twisted face of the figure - it is Lloyd, dead)
Until that day we can only be vigilant
but undaunted, and continue to boldly go
where no one has gone before.
(at the base of Lloyd's neck we see the red light of a Romulan implant
fade to black).
Fade to END CREDITS.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
THE END!
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Well, that's it! I hope you enjoyed it, comments are more than
welcome on Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk, as usual.
Just to clear up a few points that have come up in correspondance
with various a.s.c-ers...
"Why isn't O'Brien on Deep Space Nine?"
Stand-Off is set around Stardate 46000, in the place that Time's Arrow
occupied in the canonical timeline. This explains O'Brien's prescence
on the ENTERPRISE.
"Why's Deanna flying the ship?"
The one thing that has aroused controversy has been my use of
Deanna Troi as a regular officer in addition to her Counselling duties.
I know the "ENTERPRISE is undermanned" plot is a bit laboured, but it
did give me a chance to let some of the characters deviate from their
expected paths. I was fairly consciously trying to build on the handling
of Deanna in "Disaster" and to show that she had learnt and grown from
that experience.
"Why'd you have to bring that bloody Crusher kid back?"
Several reasons for that. First, I wanted someone to lead the
second Away Team that the audience would identify with. Lt. Jan Murdoch
was originally going to have that role, but I didn't feel we'd learnt
enough (if anything!) about her character during the script for the
audience to care whether or not she lived or died. I also wanted to
develop Wesley's character a bit (hence the re-introduction of Oliana
Mirren from "Coming of Age" - NOT a good episode!), to give him someone
to care about, and to give him a chance to act as a team player rather
than Engineering whizz-kid. I'd decided fairly early on in the planning
stage that a group of cadets would be fairly instrumental in the
uncovering of the Romulan plot, and from there on it felt right to
involve Wesley.
"Isn't the thing with the Romulan implants a bit far-fetched?"
Yes.
"What are you writing next?"
Well okay, nobody's actually asked me that (sniff!), but I'd like
to use this opportunity to post a short teaser for my next project
(still in the very early planning stages).
COMING SOON TO ALT.STARTREK.CREATIVE...
STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE
Q-TURN
A battered Federation shuttlecraft emerges
from the wormwhole. Its' designation...
GALILEO, NCC 1701-A, James T. Kirk commanding.
On closer examination, the shuttlecraft is
revealed to be empty bar an alien homing device.
The crew of Deep Space Nine must travel through
the wormwhole, and into the long-forgotten
Klingon Civil War! But who, or what will they
find at the shuttle's launch point?
Regards,
Linus E.A. Twizell
/= Linus E.A. Twizell ========================================\
| | |
| \o | Kids... they're as bad as |
| |> | Special Branch, you never |
| <\ Stayin' | know what they're up to. |
| Alive! | - Morse |
| | |
\============================== Abdul.Khaliq@brunel.ac.uk ====/
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