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From: intertxt@network.ucsd.edu (Jason Snell)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.misc,alt.startrek.creative
Subject: SCRIPT: "Chain of Command"
Date: 8 May 1992 17:07:55 -0700
Organization: University of California, San Diego
Lines: 3145
Distribution: world
Message-ID: <uf54rINN2jd@network.ucsd.edu>
NNTP-Posting-Host: network.ucsd.edu
Xref: moe.ksu.ksu.edu rec.arts.startrek.misc:5069 alt.startrek.creative:2272
(Note: I co-wrote this, and am posting it with my dear co-writer and friend
Greg "Maddog" Knauss. He's to blame for the whole thing!!! If you want to mail
comments, you may want to send them to both intertxt@network.ucsd.edu (me) and
greg@duke.quotron.com (him). -J.S.)
Here's yet another rejected TNG spec script. The turn-around time between
when we sent it in and when they sent it back (with "Ha!" scrawled on the
cover in chicken blood) was just a little over a month -- maybe that room
full of scripts has emptied a little.
Anyway, yes, we know the plot is several steps into improbable and
in some spots the dialogue is pretty damn bad, but after looking at the
same sixty pages for months and months and months...
You potential TNG scriptwriters are welcome to use this as a layout
guide and save yourself the fifteen bucks Lincoln Enterprises is asking
for the production scripts -- we followed the standard TV conventions.
Any comments or criticisms are welcome. Have at it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Chain of Command"
Teleplay by
Greg Knauss & Jason Snell
Copyright (C) 1992 Greg Knauss & Jason Snell
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Chain of Command"
CAST
PICARD BRYAN JENNINGS
RIKER SUSAN JENNINGS
DATA QUAN
TROI COLLIER
WORF GARRISON
O'BRIEN DUFFY
JEFFERSON
PROTESTOR #1
PROTESTOR #2
THOLIAN
Non-Speaking
SUPERNUMERARIES
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Chain of Command"
SETS
INTERIORS EXTERIORS
USS ENTERPRISE USS ENTERPRISE
MAIN BRIDGE
READY ROOM USS GUARDIAN
OBSERVATION LOUNGE
TEN-FORWARD THOLIAN SHIPS
ENGINEERING
JENNINGS' QUARTERS
PICARD'S QUARTERS
CORRIDORS
TRANSPORTER ROOM
MEETING ROOM
BATTLE BRIDGE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Chain of Command"
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. ENTERPRISE
The Enterprise is slowing from IMPULSE POWER to a stop
next to the badly damaged U.S.S. GUARDIAN, a small
Federation ship. The Guardian has extensive exterior
damage and is obviously inoperable. It hangs unevenly
in space, seemingly dead.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log, Stardate 46453.5.
Interrupting a scheduled crew
transfer and shore leave at Starbase
2-0-9, the Enterprise has been
ordered into Tholian space to rescue
the crew of the U.S.S. Guardian.
A malfunction in the Guardian's
experimental reactor core led to
uncontrolled warp nine travel and
the destruction of her engines.
INT. CORRIDOR
Several FAMILIES walk through the corridor, talking
excitedly to each other, each a bit awed at being on the
Enterprise. A young couple, BRYAN and SUSAN JENNINGS,
are among them. Almost everyone carries a suitcase or
satchel of some sort.
PICARD (CONT'D, V.O.)
While new crewmembers and their
families move into quarters, we are
attempting to remove all traces of
Federation incursion into the
Tholian Assembly. Physical proof of
Federation trespass on their
borders, accidental or otherwise,
could easily be used by the Tholians
as a pretext for war. If
successful, only Starfleet Command
and our bridge crew will know of the
incident.
INT. BRIDGE
Riker is standing, nervously watching the image of the
Guardian on the viewer. Picard is sitting, just as
nervous, but showing it less.
RIKER
Away Team, your status?
GEORDI'S COM VOICE
Final adjustments are complete, sir.
We've finished placing the
detonators, and we're clearing out
the last of remaining crew members
right now. As soon as we're done,
there won't be anything left for the
Tholians to find but a cloud of
atoms.
RIKER
Make it as fast as you can, LaForge.
We don't want to be found.
GEORDI'S COM VOICE
Aye, sir.
A SENSOR WARNING sounds.
WORF
Commander, we are being scanned at
extremely long range.
RIKER
Tholians?
WORF
Unknown. However, the source of the
scan is at least four hours away at
maximum warp.
The information should be reassuring, but Riker is
still nervous.
RIKER
(looks to Picard)
I don't like this.
Picard shifts uneasily in his seat.
INT. JENNINGS' QUARTERS
The Jennings are a young couple, Susan a Starfleet
ensign and Bryan a civilian academic. Both are excited
about being on board the Enterprise, and they've
obviously just moved in. Boxes lie around, several
containing old-style books.
SUSAN
Oh, Bryan, this is so exciting! I
can't believe we're actually on the
Enterprise.
BRYAN
You're the one who earned this
assignment, Susan. You worked hard
for it. I'm just along for the
ride.
He walks over to her and hugs her.
SUSAN
It's still incredible. I'm going to
be on the bridge of the flagship!
And you'll get to finally see some
of the places you've written about.
He laughs.
BRYAN
Most of the places I've written
about, I don't want to see.
Revolutions can be dangerous.
They smile at each other and kiss. After a moment, as
they pull apart, Susan notices something out the window
and she moves past Bryan.
SUSAN
Hey...
BRYAN
What?
SUSAN
Something's happening out there.
EXT. SPACE
A small pinhole of light has appeared in space. It
expands slowly for a moment, then suddenly rips wide
open, sharp white light shining around its edges.
INT. BRIDGE
DATA
Sir, I am picking up a radiation
anomaly at heading 289, mark 6.
PICARD
Yellow alert. On screen.
The view switches to a picture of the tear, a swirl of
light pouring out of it.
PICARD (CONT'D)
A wormhole?
DATA
It appears so, sir.
A WARNING SIGNAL sounds.
WORF
Sensors indicate activity within the
wormhole.
EXT. SPACE
Suddenly, ramming trough the hole, the small, dart-like
form of a Tholian craft appears. It brakes unevenly for
a moment, then rounds on the Enterprise as the rip
closes behind it. As it maneuvers, the ship fires
phasers, barely missing a warp nacelle.
INT. BRIDGE
WORF
Tholians!
Picard stands.
PICARD
Red alert.
The KLAXONS sound.
RIKER
Shields up, defensive phaser fire
only.
WORF
Shields cannot be raised! The Away
Team is in transport!
PICARD
Evasive maneuvers. Raise shields as
soon as you can.
EXT. SPACE
The Tholian ship looms towards the Enterprise as the
bigger ship attempts to veer away.
The Enterprise's phasers fire, but are absorbed by the
Tholian's shields.
The Tholian ship fires again, this time scoring a
glancing hit on the strut supporting the port nacelle.
The blue glow in the nacelle flickers uncertainly for a
moment, then goes out.
INT. JENNINGS' QUARTERS
The Jennings are both rocked by the hit. The klaxons
wail in the background.
BRYAN
(shouting)
What's going on?
SUSAN
We're under attack! Hold on!
They grab for something to hold on to.
INT. BRIDGE
The bridge shakes from the hit.
WORF
Port nacelle is dead!
PICARD
Continue evasive. Long's Gambit.
RIKER
O'Brien, report!
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM
O'BRIEN
Transporters are getting heavy
interference, sir. I'm
restabilizing the transmission now.
O'Brien works feverishly at the controls.
EXT. SPACE
The Tholian ship banks and heads towards the Enterprise
again.
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM
O'Brien finishes his adjustments and Geordi and his team
begin to appear on the transporter pads.
INT. BRIDGE
WORF
Tholian ship is firing!
O'BRIEN'S COM VOICE
The Away Team is aboard!
RIKER
Raise shields!
EXT. SPACE
The Tholian ship fires again and hits the Enterprise
with one phaser beam on the saucer section -- before the
shields can go completely up. Explosions rock the ship,
and debris and fires are visible as the Enterprise
sweeps past the camera.
FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Chain of Command"
ACT ONE
INT. BRIDGE
The crew is tossed around.
WORF
Shields are up. Moderate damage to
decks fifteen and sixteen.
RIKER
Fire phasers! Take his shields
down, scare him off.
EXT. ENTERPRISE
The Enterprise suddenly turns on the Tholian ship,
shrugging off a couple of phaser hits. It fires a
phaser spread that takes out the Tholian's shields.
The Tholian ship turns and warps out.
INT. BRIDGE
WORF
The Tholian ship is retreating, sir.
Picard wants to ask about the casualties from the
saucer hit, but knows his priorities.
PICARD
Set course for Federation space,
Evasion Pattern Delta. Full
impulse. Mr. Worf, continue long-
range sensor scans.
WORF
Aye, sir. Casualty reports coming
in.
Picard waits for the information, stony-faced.
WORF (CONT'D)
Twenty-seven dead: six crew members,
twenty-one civilians. Fifty-five
injured, eight seriously. The third
phaser blast hit crew quarters.
Picard had hoped that it wouldn't be that bad.
PICARD
(to himself)
Damn.
FADE TO:
EXT. ENTERPRISE
The Enterprise is limping away on impulse, back toward
Federation space. Suddenly, a small flare lights
behind the ship -- the Guardian has been destroyed.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log, Stardate 46453.8.
With the destruction of the
Guardian, the Enterprise is
attempting to return to Federation
territory on impulse power alone,
our warp drive seriously damaged in
the Tholian attack. The death of
twenty-seven people has only
emphasized how precarious the
situation is -- our capture in
Tholian space would be a political
and military disaster.
INT. JENNINGS' QUARTERS
Susan is sitting at a table, obviously distraught.
After a moment, Bryan walks through the door, very
sullen.
Susan stands and goes to her husband.
SUSAN
Did you find out?
BRYAN
Richard's dead. Michelle's going to
make it, but she'll have to have an
artificial arm.
SUSAN
Jimmy?
BRYAN
Dead.
(beat)
Presumed dead. They couldn't find
his body. They think it was pulled
outside.
Susan pulls Bryan towards her and holds him tightly.
SUSAN
Oh, God, Bryan...
BRYAN
I know... I know...
SUSAN
It's so awful. Imagine losing your
whole family... just like that.
Bryan's jaw tightens as he continues to hold Susan.
BRYAN
(quietly)
Shhh...
Susan is near tears.
SUSAN
It seems so... so...
Bryan seems different; angrier.
BRYAN
...pointless.
(beat)
It all seems so pointless.
INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Data is concluding a background briefing on the
Tholians.
DATA
Little is known about the Tholians
beyond rumor and myth. They are
extremely territorial and have
attacked several Federation outposts
over the past decade, claiming the
settlements are an incursion into
their space.
PICARD
Thank you, Mr. Data.
(beat)
Discussion?
WORF
Where did that Tholian ship come
from? Sensors detected no vessels
in the entire sector.
DATA
The Tholian ship emerged from what
presumably was an artificial
wormhole. Such phenomena are
extremely rare and the likelihood
that a naturally occurring one would
directly benefit the Tholians is
remote.
PICARD
An _artificial_ wormhole?
DATA
It is the only available conclusion.
RIKER
It doesn't seem possible.
There is a brief pause, each is silently considering
options.
GEORDI
What about the Web?
Everyone looks slightly surprised. But it makes sense.
TROI
The Web?
DATA
The Tholians, through unknown means,
have the ability to create a field
of distorted space-time called the
"Web." The local effects of the Web
are thought to be unstable,
occasionally causing ships caught in
it to be thrown through subspace.
There is a standing Starfleet order
to avoid Tholian ships traveling in
the two-vessel configuration needed
to create the Web.
RIKER
There are half a dozen cases where
Federation ships were caught off-
guard by the Tholians and either
captured or transported light-years
from their original position. Two
were never heard from again, and
were assumed to have been thrown
clear of the galaxy.
WORF
But the Tholians do not use the Web
on their own ships.
PICARD
That we are aware of. Perhaps the
technology has been sufficiently
refined as to be used as a method of
safe transport.
RIKER
(brain-storming)
If they were to shift from two-ship
patrols to three-ship patrols, they
could move the third ship to
anywhere it needed to be.
WORF
That would explain how the outposts
were surprised by their attackers.
According to reports, there were no
warnings.
INT. JENNINGS' QUARTERS
Bryan's character, from here on out, changes. His grief
over the death of his friend is intense, but he has
trouble expressing it as grief. His trip on the
Enterprise is the first time he has stepped outside of
the Ivory Tower -- his first contact with the real world
after being steeped in theory and academia for most of
his adult life. In many ways, he is an intelligent
infant, unable to understand why things are not the way
he believes they should be. He is not a bad person, but
he is very, very naive, and he is reacting the only way
his life-experience lets him.
He and Susan have been having a intense discussion that
is slowly elevating into an argument.
SUSAN
Bryan! You can't talk like that.
BRYAN
Why not? Our friend is dead, Susan.
His five-year-old son's body was
sucked out of the ship. I just want
to know why they died.
SUSAN
But you can't!
BRYAN
Why not?
SUSAN
You just can't. This is a Starfleet
ship. You signed up to come with
me. It's not like being on a
planet.
BRYAN
I don't think that because I agreed
to come aboard, I gave up all my
rights as a Federation citizen. I
have a right to know, Susan! Don't
you want to know why Richard died?
SUSAN
Of course I do, but if Starfleet
decides that I shouldn't, then that
has to be good enough.
BRYAN
I can't believe you're saying that!
If I died tomorrow, wouldn't you
want to know if my death had some
meaning? Some purpose? If Rich and
Jimmy died to save a planet, or to
rescue a ship, or even in an
accident, fine. Great. But I want
to know.
Susan sighs.
SUSAN
I see your point. I really do. I
understand what you're saying, so
please try to understand what I am
saying.
BRYAN
And that is?
SUSAN
This is a Starfleet ship. It's the
defense of the Federation. Some
things have to happen in secret. If
you knew what the Enterprise was
doing, so would everybody else --
including the Romulans and the
Ferengi and the Borg and whoever
that was shooting at us.
BRYAN
Whoever that was shooting at us
already knows what the Enterprise is
doing! Why can't we?
SUSAN
You _can't_. That's just the way it
is.
BRYAN
Then the way it is... is wrong.
INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
GEORDI
The left nacelle strut is perforated
and the warp field guidance conduit
has been destroyed. I'm trying to
extend the starboard warp bubble to
enclose the entire ship, but even if
it works, we'll still be lucky if we
can hold warp one for more than a
few days. We need to get to a
starbase.
PICARD
How long will it take you to make
the repairs?
GEORDI
About four hours. I've already got
two teams working on it.
Picard pauses a moment as he considers this.
PICARD
Data, how long will it take us to
get out of Tholian space if we go to
warp one in four hours?
DATA
Approximately three days, nine hours
and forty-six minutes, assuming the
most direct route.
PICARD
And using Evasion Pattern Delta?
DATA
Approximately five days, two hours.
This is not welcome information.
PICARD
What are the chances of being found
for both navigations?
DATA
Given known Tholian technology,
there is a 99.5 percent probability
of being detected if we use the
shortest-distance route. If we
remain on our current course, there
is an 85 percent chance of being
discovered.
WORF
Permission to ready defensive
systems, Captain.
PICARD
Granted.
RIKER
We're going to need them.
INT. JENNINGS' QUARTERS
Susan is changing into a red Starfleet uniform. Their
argument has intensified and shifted focus, and Bryan is
beginning to shout. Again, his anger at Starfleet, at
the system, is his way of dealing with grief --
wrongheaded or not, he is attempting to give purpose to
the deaths.
BRYAN
Dammit, Susan! If I'm going to die,
I want to have some control over the
situation.
SUSAN
You're not going to die! Why do you
keep saying that?
BRYAN
I could die at any time! So could
you, or anybody else on this ship!
The difference is, you have some
control over the situation. You get
to sit up on the Bridge and know
what's going on. I don't. None of
the civilians do.
SUSAN
It's a Starfleet ship! I'm in
Starfleet!
BRYAN
And because I'm not, I don't get to
know what danger I'm going to be in?
That's not fair! I signed my name,
but I didn't give up control of my
life. If fifty percent of the
people on this ship are civilians,
why don't we have fifty percent of
the control?
SUSAN
I'm not going to argue with you
anymore, Bryan. I've got to go...
I'll be late for my first bridge
shift.
BRYAN
(sarcastic)
Great. Good luck. Drop me a line
if we're all going to get killed.
SUSAN
That's really unfair, Bryan. You
know it is. Maybe you should go see
the ship's counselor.
BRYAN
So now it's a problem with me?
SUSAN
No. It's just that... This is
normal, in a way. You feel trapped
and helpless. They expect that. We
read about it in the academy. You
can do something about it.
Bryan laughs bitterly.
BRYAN
Yeah, I'll do something about it.
Susan looks uneasily at Bryan, then exits.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
But not with the ship's counselor.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Chain of Command"
ACT TWO
EXT. ENTERPRISE
The Enterprise is in warp, and the port nacelle is dark.
INT. MEETING ROOM
A large group of people fill the room, most dressed in
black or Starfleet formal wear.
The small murmur that was running through the crowd
rises slightly as soon as Picard and Troi, both dressed
in formal wear, enter the room and everybody --
especially Bryan -- watches as they walk to a podium.
TROI
(quietly, to Picard)
Because of the number of people
killed, almost everybody on board
either knew one of the dead, or
knows someone who did. They are in
a period of grieving. Their pain is
acute, and it ranges from intense
sadness to anger to denial.
The sound of the crowd dies away as Picard reaches the
podium and pauses to collect his thoughts for a moment.
Troi stands behind him.
PICARD
Throughout history, intelligent
beings have sought out the unknown.
From wooden rafts to starships, the
common bond between sentient
species, no matter the cultural or
biological differences, is
exploration. We are here, deep in
space, far from our home worlds,
driven by a universal curiosity...
But this quest, this need to know,
brings costs.
Picard pauses.
PICARD (CONT'D)
Today, we mourn those who have lost
their lives fulfilling a destiny.
They have sacrificed the most that
any one being can sacrifice in the
pursuit of--
Bryan suddenly leaps out of his seat, a combination of
rage and deep sadness. Troi focuses in on him and her
expression changes.
BRYAN
Stop it!
Picard is taken aback.
PICARD
What?
BRYAN
Stop it! Stop with the patronizing!
Stop with the condescension! Stop
with the cliches!
Picard, normally a diplomat, is angry that someone would
upset such a formal and solemn event. He snaps at
Bryan.
PICARD
Who are you? Identify yourself.
BRYAN
My name is Bryan Jennings.
PICARD
And?
BRYAN
And... my best friend is dead.
Picard softens.
PICARD
I'm sorry.
BRYAN
(sadly)
I am too.
Bryan pauses for a moment, remembering Richard. Maybe
he should just sit down and shut up... This is Bryan's
point of no return, to accept the world the way it is,
or to fight it. His anger resurfaces.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
There's something I'd like to know,
Captain.
Picard waits for the question.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
Why did my friend die?
PICARD
(a little surprised)
I beg your pardon?
BRYAN
_Why_ did he die? Nobody will tell
me. Yesterday I lost someone that I
had known for almost ten years, and
I can't find a reason for it.
A ripple runs through the crowd, people begin murmuring.
PICARD
I'm sorry, Mr. Jenn--
BRYAN
(angry)
I know you're sorry. That's not
good enough.
Bryan pauses for a moment, as the people around him
begin to get louder.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
What are we doing here, Captain?
Who was that that attacked us? Why
did my friend die?
Picard sees where this is going and sets his jaw.
PICARD
(stern)
I cannot tell you that.
BRYAN
Why not?
PICARD
It has been classified by Starfleet
as secret.
BRYAN
(incredulous)
_Secret_? My friend died for a
secret? None of those people chose
to "sacrifice" their lives -- we
have a right to know why they were
taken from us.
The murmuring around Bryan gets louder. Another
civilian, QUAN, stands up, tears running down his face.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
We are Federation citizens, Captain.
We have every right to know what our
government is doing, especially when
it involves our lives.
(beat)
Who attacked us?
PICARD
I can not answer that, Mr. Jennings.
Bryan turns to the crowd.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
Are we supposed to follow the man
who managed to kill two dozen people
before they even set foot in their
quarters?
The room is churning, turbulent. The crew members,
conspicuous in their Starfleet uniforms, squirm
uncomfortably in their seats as some of the civilians
stand, shouting.
Bryan slowly turns back to Picard.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
_What_ is going on?
EXT. ENTERPRISE
The Enterprise is limping along at warp one, the port
nacelle still dark.
INT. READY ROOM
TROI and PICARD are seated, in the midst of an analysis
of the events at the service.
TROI
Their emotions are gathering a focus
they did not have before. For quite
a few, grief and denial are being
pushed aside by anger.
PICARD
The one who stood up.
TROI
Jennings. He is tortured, Captain.
He is grieving intensely, but does
not know how to cope with his pain.
There is a ferocious urge to action
in him -- he feels a need to change
the world, to justify his friend's
death.
PICARD
By revealing why he died.
TROI
I doubt that he would stop there.
The door CHIMES.
PICARD
Come.
Susan enters.
SUSAN
Ensign Jennings, reporting as
ordered, sir.
PICARD
Please sit down, Ensign. Thank you,
Counselor.
Troi stands and exits as Susan sits down.
PICARD (CONT'D)
Ensign, it is not a habit of mine to
welcome new bridge officers aboard
with a private conference. In your
case, however, I feel the need.
SUSAN
Because of my husband.
PICARD
Yes.
SUSAN
Captain, I don't know wh--
Picard holds up his hand.
PICARD
Ensign, your relationship with your
husband is none of my business. But
your position as a Bridge officer
will give you knowledge of our
orders... Knowledge that your
husband, as a civilian, should not
have.
Susan straightens up in her chair. She sees Picard is
all business and reacts to that.
SUSAN
(formally)
Sir, what my husband chooses to say
and do has no bearing on my position
as an officer. Secret orders are
just that... No matter what my
husband might want to know.
This is exactly what Picard expected to hear from a
Starfleet officer. He stands, as does Susan.
PICARD
Welcome aboard, Ensign.
SUSAN
Thank you, sir.
Susan turns and leaves.
INT. TEN-FORWARD
Bryan and a small group of people from the service sit
at a table. They have been having a heated discussion.
Bryan has collected himself and his political science
training is surfacing.
BRYAN
And what I say is that the moral
legitimacy of a government comes
from the local level. Every other
citizen in the Federation might
think that Picard has the sole
authority over this ship, but
they're not here. We are.
QUAN
So...?
BRYAN
So we define if the government is
legitimate or not.
COLLIER
(a little shocked)
Are you saying we should reject the
Federation?
BRYAN
No, no, not at all. You're
misunderstanding me. The Federation
is a good government, and it has the
legitimacy that all good governments
have: the ultimate source of
authority is the people.
COLLIER
(thoughtfully)
OK.
BRYAN
But the Enterprise is a government,
too. We are Federation citizens,
yes, but we are also citizens of the
Enterprise. Our day-to-day lives
have more to do with this ship than
with anything else.
QUAN
And...?
BRYAN
And we have no control over what
goes on here! We're trapped in a
totalitarian society!
COLLIER
That's going a little overboard with
the rhetoric, isn't it?
BRYAN
No, not at all. The key feature of
totalitarianism is that the
government controls every aspect of
the society. That's exactly what
the Enterprise is like: Picard
doesn't want us to know why we were
attacked, so we don't get to know.
It's as simple as that. When was
the last time you got to vote about
something that this ship did? Would
you have put my friend in danger?
(indicating Quan)
Or your wife?
QUAN
OK. Point made. So what do we do
about it?
BRYAN
Now? Thoreau and Machiavelli,
that's what we do.
EXT. ENTERPRISE
The Enterprise is at warp, and the port nacelle is
unlit.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log, Stardate 46455.1.
While the Tholians, to our
knowledge, have not yet detected the
Enterprise, a new situation has
arisen on board. A group of
citizens, claiming to represent the
families of crewmembers, has made
its existence known, loudly and
repeatedly. They have scheduled an
appointment with me, to present
their "demands."
INT. BRIDGE
Susan is at Conn.
The Turbolift doors open and Bryan and a small group,
Quan and Collier among them, emerge. Bryan and Susan
exchange cold glances.
BRYAN
The Citizens' Committee to see
Captain Picard.
INT. READY ROOM
RIKER'S COM VOICE
Captain?
PICARD
Yes, Number One.
RIKER'S COM VOICE
The "Citizens' Committee" is here.
PICARD
Send them in.
The door opens and the Citizens' Committee walks in,
Bryan leading.
Bryan sees this confrontation as a test of wills, of
democracy against totalitarianism, as his memorial to
Richard. Picard sees it as a nuisance.
PICARD
Mr. Jennings.
BRYAN
(coldly)
Captain Picard.
PICARD
Please sit down.
BRYAN
No, thank you.
PICARD
Very well. May I ask the reason for
this meeting?
Bryan straightens himself up, very formal.
BRYAN
Captain Picard, the members of the
Citizens' Committee, recognizing
that all power is derived from those
governed, demand to be consulted by
you on all matters affecting the
health or safety of the people on
board this ship.
Picard leans forward.
PICARD
Consulted?
BRYAN
Yes. It is our belief that your
sole executive control of this
vessel is a violation of the
democratic principles of the
Federation.
Picard sits silently.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
Therefore, as representatives of
fifty percent of the individuals in
this community, we demand an equal
share of the authority.
Picard remains silent. Bryan is a little flustered at
Picard's lack of response -- he hadn't considered this
possibility and is running out of oratory.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
You, er, you will consult with the
Citizens' Committee before any major
decision, and a mutual veto will be
put in place between the military
and civilian command.
Picard slowly leans back in his chair.
PICARD
Mr. Jennings, are you finished?
BRYAN
(unsure of himself)
Yes. I am.
PICARD
Then please remove yourself from my
Bridge.
Bryan is stunned.
BRYAN
What?
PICARD
Mr. Jennings, your "demands" are out
of the question. I grieve for your
friend, just as I grieve for
everyone who was killed in the
attack. But mutiny, or the threat
of mutiny, will not be tolerated
aboard this ship.
Bryan begins to grow angry.
BRYAN
You misunderstand me, Captain. This
isn't mutiny. We are simply trying
to gain control of our lives.
PICARD
There is precious little difference,
Mr. Jennings. This is the real
world. You made certain concessions
when you came aboard the Enterprise
-- and that includes accepting that
I am the commander of this ship. If
you choose not to abide by that
agreement, you may leave the ship
when we reach Starbase 2-0-9.
BRYAN
And until then?
PICARD
Until then... I would advise you to
cease your attacks on my authority.
Bryan is now quite upset.
BRYAN
You've just made a very serious
mistake, Picard. Remember your own
history -- Louis XVI was French, too.
He turns, pushes through the rest of the Citizens'
Committee, and storms out.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Chain of Command"
ACT THREE
INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
An "afternoon" briefing is in progress.
GEORDI
I'm sorry, sir, but the damage is
just too extensive. Warp one is all
that we're going to be capable of
until we get to a starbase, and
that's tenuous.
RIKER
Tenuous?
GEORDI
The modifications we did were all
sleight-of-hand. The circuit re-
routing isn't even close to standard
and there's no guarantee that it
will hold. The load required to
maintain a warp bubble is incredible
and the work we did is held together
by spit more than anything else.
RIKER
Great.
PICARD
Mr. Data, our progress?
DATA
At our current speed, the edge of
Tholian space remains forty-three
hours and nine minutes away. If
warp power were to fail, the journey
would increase to approximately
three weeks, two days, four hours.
INT. TEN-FORWARD
Bryan, Quan, Collier and about half a dozen others are
crowded around a table. Bryan's emotional response has
shifted from grief for Richard to anger at, and a
determination to best, Picard.
BRYAN
(shaking his head)
I still don't believe it.
COLLIER
You actually expected him to give
you what you wanted? You thought he
was just going to say, "Here, have
it"?
BRYAN
No... No, I didn't. But the way he
acted. He was so arrogant!
(mocking)
"Precious little difference, Mr.
Jennings." He actually treated us
with contempt!
QUAN
He's a power-monger.
BRYAN
He didn't even look at our demands.
He brushed us off like we didn't
matter. Like what the people think
didn't matter.
COLLIER
You're the one who called him a
dictator.
BRYAN
Looks like I was right.
QUAN
How do we get him? What now?
BRYAN
Now, we act. This is following the
classic cycle. He might as well
have said, "Let them eat cake."
COLLIER
So what do we do?
BRYAN
The first step toward revolution is
organization. We organize.
INT. OBSERVATION LOUNGE
Troi is standing next to the computer screen, which is
displaying a picture of Bryan with text next to it.
TROI
He graduated from the Gill Academy
of Social Science on Stardate 39225.
His thesis was titled "Authoritarian
Regimes and Their Democratic
Successors" and compared various
popular uprisings throughout
history. While Gill's graduation
committee criticized his work for
its use of overt rhetoric and
ideology, Jennings was unanimously
voted his degree. His wife, Susan,
is an ensign currently assigned to
the Conn during the second shift.
WORF
(to Picard)
Sir, she should be removed from
duty. If Jennings poses a threat,
his wife could--
PICARD
Mr. Worf, Susan Jennings is an
Starfleet officer and a member of my
crew. No matter what her husband's
intentions, she will not endanger
her ship any more than you or I.
WORF
I must object, sir.
PICARD
I refuse to punish a member of my
crew simply because her husband
dislikes me.
WORF
Then Bryan Jennings should be placed
under surveillance.
PICARD
Lieutenant, I need hardly remind you
that witch-hunts and dictatorships
begin when we question the right to
speak freely, no matter what is
being said.
Worf looks down at his hands.
PICARD (CONT'D)
(to the group)
Mr. Jennings is to remain unmolested
until he, or his group, commits a
crime or endangers this ship. I am
not the tyrant he believes I am.
INT. TEN-FORWARD
There is considerable heat in the discussion.
BRYAN
(passionately)
Every democratic revolution in
history has begun with just a few
people standing up and asserting
what was right. Half this ship is
civilian, and we deserve half the
control. If we're successful here,
we could make the Enterprise into a
Potempkin. It wouldn't just be _a_
revolution, but _the_ revolution --
the people would finally assert
themselves in the last bastion of
authoritarianism in the Federation.
The petty tyrant who runs this boat
will be beaten.
(beat, softer)
Richard's death will make sense.
There is a brief pause. Bryan looks sad.
QUAN
(caught up, eager)
How do we start?
Bryan snaps back to the present.
BRYAN
The Citizens' Committee is already
set up. If we use that as an
organizing body, half the battle is
won. We need to set up a voting
structure; design how we are going
to--
Bryan stops as he notices the Committee looking past
him. Picard has entered Ten-Forward and stops short as
he sees Bryan. Picard turns towards the bar and begins
to order a drink.
BRYAN
Ignore him. They'll all be
superfluous soon. After we set up
the voting structure--
QUAN
(to Picard)
Murderer!
Picard tenses up and turns towards the group at the
table. He approaches stiffly.
PICARD
(angry)
Who said that?
Quan stands up.
QUAN
You killed my wife!
Quan reaches for Picard, but is held back by the people
at the table.
PICARD
Mr. Jennings...
BRYAN
You do what you have to do, Picard.
We'll do what we have to.
PICARD
Inciting riots will get you thrown
in the brig.
BRYAN
Riots? We're not like you, Picard.
We think violence is immoral. This
will be a bloodless revolution.
PICARD
(surprised)
Revolution?
BRYAN
We have no choice.
PICARD
Everyone has choices, Mr. Jennings.
You chose to come on this ship.
BRYAN
I didn't choose to die. I didn't
choose to see my friends die.
That's what this is all about. None
of us has any choice. The people on
the Bridge make our choices for us.
That's what's wrong. That's why
we're here.
INT. JENNINGS' QUARTERS
BRYAN
It was great! He just stood there.
He knew I was right.
SUSAN
Bryan, you can't keep doing this.
You're blowing this whole thing out
of proportion.
BRYAN
Out of proportion? Remember Rich?
Remember Jimmy?
SUSAN
Of course I do. But you're running
around like a madman! The Captain
actually had to question my loyalty.
Bryan looks at Susan.
BRYAN
What did you tell him?
SUSAN
Bryan, I'm a Starfleet officer.
BRYAN
And what does that mean?
SUSAN
It means I'm loyal to Starfleet.
BRYAN
Loyal? Loyalty to tyranny is noting
to brag ab...
Bryan stops in mid-sentence, trailing off. Something
has just occurred to him.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
You know, don't you? You know
what's going on.
Susan had hoped that it would never come to this. She
sees what Bryan is going to do and considers it
tremendously unfair. She stands silently.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
You _know_. You know why we're
here...
SUSAN
I'm not going to answer that.
BRYAN
Do you know the entire mission?
SUSAN
I'm not going to answer that.
BRYAN
Tell me.
Susan turns directly toward Bryan.
SUSAN
No.
BRYAN
Tell me!
SUSAN
No.
Bryan suddenly looks vulnerable, almost pathetic.
BRYAN
Please. For Rich. I need to know.
SUSAN
(matter-of-factly)
You can stop asking, Bryan. I'm not
going to tell you.
Bryan dissolves back to anger and disgust.
BRYAN
So that's it. You've made your
choice.
SUSAN
What's that supposed to mean?
BRYAN
You've chosen the tyrant... over
your husband.
SUSAN
I'm not choosing sides! I'm doing
my job.
BRYAN
That's what they said at Nuremberg,
Susan. That's what they said at New
Delhi.
There's a long silence. Susan takes a slow breath.
SUSAN
You're not the man I married, Bryan.
You've changed. In three days,
you've become a completely different
person.
BRYAN
Susan, this is what I _am_.
SUSAN
(bitter)
A lunatic? A demagogue?
BRYAN
I don't believe you. Do you mean to
tell me that you're content to be
one of Picard's lackeys? To follow
him and oppress the rest of us?
For a moment, Susan looks at Bryan, unbelieving.
SUSAN
Get out. Just get out of here.
Find somewhere else to sleep.
Bryan stares at her for a moment, anger spilling over.
Suddenly, he turns and storms out.
INT. MAIN BRIDGE
The night watch is in place. SUPERNUMERARIES are
working at all the positions, with GARRISON at Tactical.
Data sits in the Captain's chair.
DATA
(to ceiling)
Ship's Log, Stardate 46456.2. The
Enterprise continues out of Tholian
space on damaged warp engines.
Despite the probability of Tholian
contact, we have thus far avoided
any confrontatio--
GARRISON
Commander! There are irregular
fluctuations in the warp bubble.
DATA
Are you able to stabilize them?
GARRISON
No, sir. The bubble is collapsing.
EXT. ENTERPRISE
The Enterprise drops out of warp.
INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS
Picard is asleep. An alarm wakes him.
PICARD
Yes?
DATA'S COM VOICE
Captain, the Enterprise has dropped
out of warp.
Picard stands and looks out the window. He begins to
take off his pajamas.
PICARD
On my way.
EXT. HALLWAY
The door opens and Picard, now in uniform, takes
one step out before pulling up short.
The hallway is lined with people, all sitting on the
floor, blocking any easy movement. Bryan is directly
across the hall from Picard.
BRYAN
Good morning, Captain.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT THREE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Chain of Command"
ACT FOUR
INT. CORRIDOR
PICARD
Mr. Jennings?
BRYAN
Captain. I warned you that there
would be a revolution. Welcome to
it.
PICARD
Civil disobedience.
BRYAN
And passive resistance.
Picard is deep in thought for a moment.
PICARD
I see.
(beat)
You will be asked to leave the ship
when we arrive at Starbase 2-0-9.
If your actions hamper the function
of this ship in any way, I will have
you confined to quarters.
BRYAN
Getting rid of me won't change the
situation, Captain. This is a
movement. There are hundreds of
people like us, all over the ship.
Picard looks surprised.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
Never underestimate the power of
ideas, Captain. Freedom of
information, freedom of choice,
freedom to know just what's going on
in our lives. That's what we want.
PICARD
Good-bye, Mr. Jennings.
He turns to leave, but stops suddenly, just short of
stepping on someone.
BRYAN
Good-bye, Captain. See you soon.
INT. CORRIDOR
Long shot down hall as Picard carefully picks his way
though a dozen or so people laying across the floor.
INT. BRIDGE
Picard enters from the AFT TURBOLIFT. The bridge is at
yellow alert, and the crew has shifted accordingly.
Geordi is working at the engineering station, Riker has
relieved Data of command, Data has moved to Ops, Worf
has replaced Garrison at Tactical, and Susan is
stationed at Conn. There is an urgency in everybody's
actions. Nobody wants to hang around long.
RIKER
Captain?
PICARD
I was delayed, Number One. Mr.
LaForge, the situation?
GEORDI
We've isolated the problem. It
looks like we collided with a fairly
large meteor. Normally the
deflectors would have had no problem
with the stress, but because we re-
routed warp power through them...
PICARD
How long until repairs are complete?
Geordi finishes working at the keyboard and stands up.
GEORDI
About five minutes. Some power
feeds in Engineering need to be
changed.
PICARD
Make it so.
Geordi heads for the Aft Turbolift and exits.
PICARD (CONT'D)
Mr. Worf?
WORF
We have not been scanned, sir.
Phasers and photon torpedoes are
standing by.
PICARD
Very well.
(beat)
Data, is there a way to determine
the number of people lying in
corridors?
RIKER
(surprised)
Sir?
PICARD
In a moment, Number One.
Data types a bit.
DATA
Yes, sir. There are 120 people in
corridors at the moment, 68 of whom
are lying down.
Picard is lost in thought. Riker snaps him out of it.
RIKER
Lying down, sir?
PICARD
Outside my quarters, I was
confronted by Mr. Jennings. Lying
across my doorway.
RIKER
Protests.
PICARD
So it would appear.
(to ceiling)
Picard to Engineering. Mr. LaForge,
your progress?
(beat)
Mr. LaForge?
INT. ENGINEERING
DUFFY
Uh, Captain, this is Lieutenant
Duffy. Mr. LaForge isn't here.
INT. BRIDGE
Picard and Riker exchanged surprised looks.
PICARD
Thank you, Mr. Duffy. Computer,
locate Mr. LaForge.
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Lieutenant Commander LaForge is in
Aft Access Hallway 42.
PICARD
Data?
Data types a bit.
DATA
No one is lying down, sir, but a
large group of people is assembled
in one area.
PICARD
Picard to LaForge. Geordi, what's
your situation?
INT. CORRIDOR
Geordi is surrounded by about a dozen people, a
different group than outside Picard's quarters. He is
unsuccessfully attempting to push his way through
clasped arms. There are angry shouts.
PROTESTOR #1
Fascist!
PROTESTOR #2
Killer!
GEORDI
Not good, Captain. I'm trying to
work my way through a crowd...
Geordi is hit, probably accidentally.
GEORDI (CONT'D)
Oof!
INT. BRIDGE
PICARD
Worf, send a security detail. Get
LaForge to Engineering. Stun the
protesters if need be.
WORF
Aye, sir.
Worf begins tapping keys, then suddenly reacts to a
display.
WORF (CONT'D)
Sir! We have just been scanned!
Riker reacts, Picard stands.
PICARD
Data?
DATA
Confirmed. A wormhole is forming to
starboard.
PICARD
Shields up.
WORF
Aye, sir.
PICARD
Status of the security team?
WORF
(beat, shamed)
Delayed.
EXT. SPACE
A Tholian ship rams through the wormhole and steers
towards the Enterprise.
INT. BRIDGE
DATA
The Tholian ship has cleared the
wormhole.
PICARD
Defensive fire only.
DATA
Another wormhole is forming to port.
PICARD
The security team?
WORF
Still delayed.
Picard makes a quick decision.
PICARD
Picard to Transporter Room. Beam
LaForge directly to Engineering.
Now!
INT. CORRIDOR
Considerably battered, Geordi continues to push his way
through.
GEORDI
Let me _throu--_
He beams out.
INT. ENGINEERING
Geordi beams in, finishing his push against nothing.
He regains his balance and heads for a console.
GEORDI
Engineering to Bridge. LaForge
here, Captain. Give me five
minutes.
EXT. SPACE
The second Tholian ship has just emerged from the
wormhole and both turn towards the Enterprise.
The Tholians fire, but their shots are absorbed by the
shields.
INT. BRIDGE
The ships shakes slightly.
PICARD
Pericles Evasion. Worf, a photon
torpedo between them.
WORF
Aye, sir.
EXT. SPACE
The Enterprise launches a photon torpedo directly
between the Tholian ships, and it explodes as both
ships veer off in opposite directions.
INT. BRIDGE
PICARD
LaForge!
GEORDI'S COM VOICE
Almost!
WORF
Sir! The Tholians are forming a
Web!
EXT. SPACE
The two Tholian ships have moved next to each other,
directly in front of the Enterprise. Suddenly, they
begin moving away from each other, the space between
them growing murky and distorted. The ships begin to
arc around the Enterprise, intending to surround it.
INT. BRIDGE
PICARD
LaForge!
INT. ENGINEERING
Geordi finishes his work.
GEORDI
Done!
INT. BRIDGE
PICARD
Warp one, any heading!
EXT. SPACE
The Enterprise stretches out and disappears.
The Web being formed collapses and the two Tholian ships
warp out after the Enterprise.
INT. BRIDGE
WORF
The Tholians are in pursuit.
PICARD
Continual fire of aft photon
torpedoes, random dispersal.
WORF
Aye, sir.
EXT. SPACE
Photons jet out of the back of the Enterprise.
The Tholian ships attempt to dodge the explosions, but
eventually give up and drop pursuit.
INT. BRIDGE
WORF
They have dropped out of warp,
Captain.
Picard is very, very stern.
PICARD
(to Susan)
Continue evasive course, Ensign.
Riker approaches Picard.
RIKER
Shall I have Jennings arrested?
Picard thinks for a moment.
PICARD
No...
RIKER
Something has to be done, sir.
PICARD
Something will be done, Number One.
EXT. ENTERPRISE
The ship is in warp, the port nacelle still dark.
Several hours have gone by.
INT. CORRIDOR
PICARD'S COM VOICE
Picard to Mr. Bryan Jennings.
Report to the Bridge.
People erupt in a cheer, clapping and whistling. Bryan
smiles. He stands and walks to a comm panel.
BRYAN
Ride got a little bumpy there,
Captain.
PICARD'S COM VOICE
(stern)
Report to the Bridge, Mr. Jennings.
BRYAN
That sounded like an order.
INT. BRIDGE
The Bridge personnel have changed. Worf is gone,
replaced by JEFFERSON at Tactical. A SUPERNUMERARY
works at Conn and Data fills Ops. Riker and Picard
stand.
Picard grits his teeth.
PICARD
(overemphasized)
Please come to the Bridge.
BRYAN'S COM VOICE
I won't be alone, Captain. The
Citizens' Committee will be with me.
PICARD
So be it.
INT. CORRIDOR
The members of the Citizens' Committee stand to join
Bryan.
BRYAN
This, my friends, is the first day
of the future.
He and the Committee exit.
INT. BRIDGE
The Aft Turbolift opens and Bryan and the Committee step
out.
BRYAN
Captain.
Picard whirls on Bryan.
PICARD
Mr. Jennings, you have made running
this ship an impossibility. Your
"passive resistance" very nearly
cost everybody aboard their lives.
Bryan is a little taken aback, but recovers quickly.
BRYAN
Come now, Captain. That's being a
little dramatic, isn't it?
(beat)
But then I wouldn't know. Civilians
aren't allowed to know when their
lives are in danger.
Picard fumes.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
You know what we want, Captain. I
don't see that there's anything
wrong with wanting to have the power
to control our own lives.
Picard nods.
PICARD
Indeed. And you shall have it. You
have made the situation completely
intolerable. I forfeit control of
the Enterprise to you.
Bryan really didn't expect this. He's taken completely
by surprise. Riker appears to be.
BRYAN
You what?
RIKER
Sir?
Picard ignores both Bryan and Riker.
PICARD
Number One, brief the... Citizens'
Committee. Good-bye, Mr. Jennings.
Picard walks stiffly to the Aft Turbolift and exits.
Jennings stares at Riker, stunned.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FOUR
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
"Chain of Command"
ACT FIVE
INT. BRIDGE
Bryan and the Citizens' Committee are all staggered.
Riker glowers.
BRYAN
Well... Uh... Riker, does this
mean I... I mean we, are in charge?
Officially?
Riker looks at Bryan with contempt.
RIKER
It means, Mr. Jennings, that you and
your Citizens' Committee are now in
command of this ship.
BRYAN
But... But if Picard resigns,
shouldn't command fall to you?
RIKER
Data.
Data is puzzled.
DATA
Sir?
RIKER
The regulation regarding a captain's
abdication.
DATA
Yes, sir.
(turns to Bryan)
Within certain restrictions, a
captain may temporarily relinquish
command to whomever he wishes.
BRYAN
Temporarily?
DATA
Yes, sir. The decision can only be
made in crisis situations, and can
be countermanded by any Starfleet
officer who outranks the captain.
RIKER
Until we re-enter Federation
territory and establish sub-space
communication... you are in charge.
Bryan begins to recover -- he's won.
BRYAN
(to himself)
I had no idea that it would be so
simple. I mean, I'd read about it,
but it actually happened...
(beat, to Riker)
Re-enter Federation territory?
RIKER
The Enterprise is currently in
Tholian space. The odds are that
there are Tholian ships out there,
right now, trying to find us. Shall
I call the Captain?
BRYAN
What? No. Of course not. The
citizens are in charge, now. We'll
do things my way.
(barks out an order)
Fill us in on the details of this
mission, Mr. Riker.
Riker sets his jaw.
RIKER
We're on a rescue mission. The
Tholians surprised us while we were
retrieving the crew of a damaged
ship.
BRYAN
That's--
RIKER
--what happened to the civilians.
BRYAN
Why are we still here?
RIKER
Our warp drive was damaged during
the battle. We can barely hold warp
one.
Bryan understands now.
BRYAN
If you had just told us...
RIKER
It's a Starfleet secret.
Bryan explodes.
BRYAN
Don't give me that! All of this
could have been avoided if--
JEFFERSON
Sir! We have just been scanned!
RIKER
Damn.
BRYAN
What?
RIKER
They've found us again. Data, begin
defensive postu--
BRYAN
Hey! I'm in charge here.
(he indicates Council)
We're in charge.
RIKER
You're kidding.
BRYAN
No, I'm not. We fought hard for
this.
RIKER
You don't know what you're doing!
BRYAN
One more outburst from you, Riker,
and I'll have you removed from the
Bridge! If I need your advice, I'll
ask. Otherwise, keep your mouth
shut.
RIKER
Jennings...
A warning sound begins.
DATA
Readings show a wormhole has opened
in our path.
BRYAN
(to Riker)
Wormhole?
RIKER
It's how the Tholians travel!
Bryan looks a little nervous.
BRYAN
OK. Uh, prepare to fire.
Riker steps quickly toward Bryan.
RIKER
You can't do that!
BRYAN
Why not?
DATA
Sensors indicate a Tholian ship has
emerged from the wormhole.
RIKER
Right now, all we've done is angered
the Tholians by trespassing into
their space. But destroying a
Tholian ship would lead to war. You
_can't_.
BRYAN
Uh...
JEFFERSON
The Tholians are firing!
Bryan's eyes go wide.
BRYAN
Uh...
A photon torpedo comes blazing straight toward the
viewscreen. It hits. Some lights go out, others blink
on and off, alert sounds are heard, and a few fuses blow
-- the ship, however, does not shake.
DATA
Readings show we have dropped out of
warp.
JEFFERSON
Moderate damage to secondary hull,
sir. Casualty reports coming in.
Bryan is stunned.
BRYAN
There were casualties?
On the viewscreen, the Tholian ship loops towards the
Enterprise.
JEFFERSON
The Tholians are firing again!
Phasers lash at the ship. More lights go out. Sparks
fly. A low rumble begins and builds.
BRYAN
What's going on?
The rumble gets louder, followed by a horrible
explosion. The ship still does not shake.
BRYAN
What was _that_?
RIKER
Computer, reverse angle on the
viewscreen!
The viewscreen changes to a view back over the spine of
the Enterprise. The remains of a warp nacelle can be
seen spiraling off into space as fires and small
explosions run up and down along the strut.
There is stunned silence for a moment.
BRYAN
Oh, my God...
DATA
Readings show complete destruction
of all propulsion systems and a
primary hull breach in Engineering.
RIKER
Bridge to Engineering! Geordi!
Static plays for a moment.
JEFFERSON
The Tholians are requesting
communication.
Bryan still stares horrified at the viewscreen.
JEFFERSON
Sir?
BRYAN
What? Oh! Yes. Yes!
The viewscreen switches to the face of the Tholian
captain.
THOLIAN
Federation ship, this space is
claimed by the Tholian Assembly.
You will surrender immediately or be
destroyed.
BRYAN
Uh... Look, can't we talk about
this? This whole thing has been a
mistake.
THOLIAN
Surrender immediately.
BRYAN
Listen to me. We apologize. If you
would just let us go, we promise--
The communications channel closes.
JEFFERSON
They've cut communications, sir.
Their phasers are powering up.
Again, Bryan panics.
BRYAN
Get them back! Get them back!
JEFFERSON
Channel open.
BRYAN
We surrender!
Riker jumps up out of his chair.
RIKER
You can't do that!
JEFFERSON
(to Bryan)
No response, sir.
BRYAN
(to Riker, almost
pleading)
Riker, there's got to be a way to
let them know that we'll surrender.
RIKER
We can't surrender.
BRYAN
Why not?
RIKER
You say you're representing the
people of this starship. Does that
mean that when you say you're
willing to taken prisoner, you're
speaking for everyone?
BRYAN
I don't... Of course not.
(turns to Committee)
Should we surrender?
The Committee collectively takes a step back. They're
more overwhelmed by all this than Bryan is.
QUAN
We, uh... We can't speak for the
whole ship. It wouldn't be fair.
BRYAN
You're right. We need to have a
vote.
A warning sound turns Bryan's attention back to Ops.
DATA
Readings show another Tholian ship
is entering scanner range.
BRYAN
What does that mean?
RIKER
They know we're wrecked. They're
probably planning on towing us back
home, taking us all prisoner and
stripping the Enterprise for its
technology.
BRYAN
So what do we do?
Riker stares at Bryan.
RIKER
You're asking my advice?
BRYAN
Dammit, Riker! What?
RIKER
I recommend self-destruction.
BRYAN
What?
RIKER
Self-destruction. It's the only
option left.
BRYAN
No. Uh-uh. That's ridiculous. I
can't order the death of everyone on
board!
(beat)
Mr. Data, do you have a
recommendation?
Data looks at Riker quickly, then back at Bryan.
DATA
No, sir, I do not.
Bryan starts to speak several times, pulling up short.
He knows he's out of options and begins to try to
justify himself.
BRYAN
The only reason I started this whole
thing was to get control of our
lives! It was for Richard! It
wasn't supposed to happen like this!
The only reason we tried to... _do_
any of this was to know what was
going on. We just wanted to know...
Riker is bitter and ironic.
RIKER
Was it worth it?
There is another warning sound. Data turns around to
look at Bryan and Riker.
DATA
Readings indicate that the Tholians
have locked on tractor beams and are
towing us.
(to Bryan)
Your orders, sir?
Bryan is dazed, confused, and lost.
BRYAN
I... uh...
DATA
Sir?
Bryan sits heavily into the captain's chair, his head
held in his hands. He is completely miserable.
BRYAN
Self-destruct.
(beat)
Self-destruct.
INT. BATTLE BRIDGE
A tight shot of Picard's face pulls back to reveal Worf
at Tactical, a supernumerary at Ops, and Susan at Conn.
Picard has been running the ship during the duration and
the events on the Main Bridge were viewscreen graphics,
rigged panels and rehearsed officers -- for Bryan's
benefit.
PICARD
Status?
SUSAN
We'll be entering Federation space
in sixteen minutes, twenty seconds,
Captain.
PICARD
(to Worf)
Any sign of Tholian pursuers?
WORF
No, sir.
PICARD
Plot a direct course for Starbase
2-0-9, Ensign.
SUSAN
Aye, sir. Course laid in.
PICARD
Engage.
EXT. SPACE
The Enterprise zooms by at warp, both nacelles intact,
the left one still dark.
FADE TO:
EXT. STARBASE 2-0-9
The Enterprise is docked at the Starbase, work crews
repairing the damaged port nacelle.
INT. READY ROOM
The chime rings.
PICARD
Come.
The door opens and Bryan steps into the room.
BRYAN
Captain.
PICARD
Mr. Jennings.
BRYAN
I'll be leaving the ship soon, and
I... I wanted to apologize. I let
myself get carried away, caught up
in what I believe.
PICARD
You needn't apologize for believing
what you do, Mr. Jennings. I have
seen many philosophies worse than
yours.
BRYAN
I could have killed everybody on
board...
PICARD
Indeed, and hopefully you've
profited from the experience. The
world is not made up of moral black
and whites, Mr. Jennings. A little
authoritarianism is sometimes...
necessary.
Bryan stands silently for a moment. They stare at each
other.
BRYAN
(quietly)
No, Captain. I think you're wrong.
Picard's jaw tightens.
PICARD
Good-bye, Mr. Jennings.
Bryan turns and leaves. Long shot on Picard, deep in
thought.
INT. JENNINGS' QUARTERS
Susan is in a Starfleet uniform. Bryan is packed and
ready to leave.
BRYAN
I love you, Susan.
Susan stands silently, facing away from Bryan.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
Dammit, Susan. Don't let it end
like this. I made a mistake. I
regret it. What else can I do?
Susan still doesn't acknowledge him.
BRYAN (CONT'D)
Susan!
She turns towards him.
SUSAN
What else can you do? Bryan, don't
you see? You're like a child,
seeing things in the shadows.
Captain Picard is no more a tyrant
than you're a liberator.
Bryan's anger boils over for just a second.
BRYAN
Picard--
SUSAN
--is a good man. The kind of man I
used to think you were. He's
practical, Bryan, and he knows where
the real world starts. That's
something you need to learn.
Bryan looks around and sighs.
BRYAN
You're really going with them.
SUSAN
Yes. I am.
Bryan picks up a few bags and heads to the door. He
crosses the threshold and turns.
BRYAN
I love you, Susan.
The door closes between them.
SUSAN
I love you, too.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT FIVE
THE END
--
Jason Snell / jsnell@ucsd.edu / Ashamed owner of a Communication BA!
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"What do you think, sirs?" -- "Push the button, Frank..." --MST3K