STAR TREK: Generations

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FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE (VFX-I)
A vast and sparkling starfield. A pinpoint of light appears and starts
moving toward the camera. A small and distant cylindrical object tumbling
end over end, but we can't determine exactly what it is yet.

EXT. WHEATFIELD- DAY
A vast and undulating sea of wheat. We become aware that there are two
heads sticking out of the stalks of wheat: two men standing and looking up
at the sky. As we move towards them, we can see that the two men are Scotty
and Chekov, dressed in civilian clothing.
Chekov: (points to sky) There he is- there, to the south!
Scotty: (peers upward) What are ye, blind? That's a bird.

As they stare up at the sky
EXT. SPACE (VFX-I)
The cylinder tumbling through space is now closer, and we can now see that
it is a bottle of some sort, and it is tumbling directly toward the camera.

EXT. WHEATFIELD- DAY
As before, Chekov and Scotty staring at the sky.
Scotty: (concerned) Repelling the Crystalline Trench, rafting down lava
flows, orbital skydiving. It's like the man is running a bloody decathlon
across the galaxy.
Suddenly we hear a double sonic boom.
Chekov: That should be him now. I think he's just crossed the sound
barrier.
They shield their eyes against the sun and look up.

EXT. SPACE (VFX-I)
The bottle gets closer.

EXT. WHEATFIELD- DAY
A man in a high-tech body harness and parachute lands in the wheat flat on
his back. His body-suit is charred, scorched, wisps of smoke still curling
off it. There are small thrusters attached to his backpack and boots.
Scotty and Chekov move to him. The man removes his helmet. It is Kirk. He
smiles broadly, like a child who has just come off a rollercoaster.
Kirk: Right on target! I jump out over the Arabian Peninsula and I end up
here, right on the dime.
Kirk gets to his feet.
Chekov: Actually, Captain, your precise target area was thirty-five meters
(points) that way.
Kirk: Thanks for pointing that out.
Kirk starts to pull off his suit, reacts to a sudden pain in his back.
Kirk: Oh!
Scotty: I've warned ye about that back of yours. You should have a doctor
take a look at it.
Kirk waves him away, and continues to remove his harness.

EXT. SPACE (VFX-I)
The tumbling bottle rushes past, and we can now see that it is a champagne
bottle- Dom Perignon, 2265. Follow the bottle as it tumbles through space.

EXT. WHEATFIELD- DAY
Kirk, Scotty and Chekov as before.
Kirk: Tomorrow I want to make a tri-elliptical jump. That's where you jump
out over Northern China and make three complete orbits before you start
re-entry.
Chekov: Captain. Perhaps you have forgotten that tomorrow is the
christening ceremony.
This strikes a nerve with Kirk- we see a flash of hesitation and irritation
cross his face. Kirk: I'm not going (beat) Scotty, help me with this chute.
Scotty: What do you mean, you're not going? We promised.
Kirk: When I retired, I swore I'd never set foot on a starship again, and I
meant it.
Chekov: Captain!
Kirk: (firm) I don't want to hear anymore about it. I'm not going, and
that's final.

EXT. SPACE (VFX-I)
The champagne bottle smashes onto the bow of a Federation starship
(Excelsior class) sitting in its dock in orbit around Earth.

EXT. SPACE (VFX-I)
Follow the shards of glass from the bottle as they spread over the ship,
revealing the name on the hull: U.S.S. ENTERPRISE NCC-1701-B.

ANGLE ON SPACEDOCK WINDOW
A large picture window overlooking the starship in its berth. The window is
filled with people in Starfleet uniforms, applauding the christening of the
ship (but we hear nothing).

INT. SPACEDOCK OBSERVATION ROOM (VFX-I)
The people are still applauding and we can see that they are looking out
over the ship in its berth.

EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B IN SPACEDOCK (VFX-I)
The great ship sits in spacedock.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
Close on a set of turbolift doors as they slide open to reveal Kirk, Scotty
and Chekov. A bright light shines into their faces and they react. Move to
reveal that the bright light is coming from a futuristic camera with a
small bank of lights attached to it. The camera is a holographic recorder
with two lenses and is worn on an operator's head. There are four
Journalists clustered in front of the turbolift- one associated with the
camera, the others using PADDs to make notations.
Also clustered around the door are the bridge crew of the Enterprise-B.
Everyone is applauding as Kirk and the others blink under the bright lights
and enter the Bridge.
Journalists: (overlapping) Captain Kirk, how does it feel to be back on the
Enterprise Bridge. Captain, can I have a minute? Captain Scott, do you have
any comment on? Commander Chekov?
Captain John Harriman: pushes through the crowd.
Harriman: Excuse me, excuse me, there will be plenty of time for questions
later.
The journalists edge away, and the cameraman moves to get a good angle.
Harriman: (cont'd, to all) I'm Captain John Harriman. I'd like to welcome
you all aboard.
Kirk: It's our pleasure.
Harriman is young, confident, eager. This is his first command and he takes
it very seriously.
Harriman: I just want you to know how excited we all are to have a group of
living legends with us on our maiden voyage. (beat) I remember reading
about your missions when I was in grade school.
The original Enterprise officers all stop and give him a look. Harriman
looks a little embarrassed- he didn't mean to insult them. But Kirk gives
him a little smile, lets it roll off.
Kirk: Well, may we have a look around?
Harriman: Please, please.
Chekov sees someone in the background, calls out to her.
Chekov: Demora!
Chekov moves off.
Journalist:(breezy) So, Captain, this is the first starship Enterprise in
thirty years without James T. Kirk in command. How do you feel about that?
The journalist has unknowingly touched a nerve. Kirk's eyes flash for a
moment- the longer he's on this Bridge, the more he realizes he doesn't
feel good about it at all. He tries to shrug it off with a smile.
Kirk: Just fine. I'm glad to be here to send her on her way.
He tries to move away from the journalist, who dogs him.
Journalist: What have you been doing since you retired?
Kirk: I've been keeping busy.
At this point, Chekov approaches with a young, mid-twenties, attractive,
Asian female Ensign named Demora.
Chekov: (to Kirk) Excuse me, Captain. I'd like you to meet the Helmsman of
the Enterprise-B. Ensign Demora Sulu- Captain James Kirk.
Demora: It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. My father's told me some
interesting stories about you.
Kirk is shocked. For a long moment, he stares at her in amazement.
Kirk: Your father? Hikaru Sulu is your father?
Demora: Yes, sir.
Chekov: You met her once before, but she was...
Chekov holds out his hand and indicates a very short height.
Kirk: But that wasn't so long ago. It couldn't have been more than...
Chekov: Twelve years, sir.
Kirk: Yes! well congratulations, Ensign. It wouldn't be the Enterprise
without a Sulu at the helm.
Demora: Thank you, sir. (to Chekov) Let me show you the new inertial
guidance system.
Demora and Chekov move off and Kirk looks after them for a long beat. The
expression on his face changes from shock to sadness. Something is clearly
bothering him.
Scotty moves over to Kirk, with a smile on his face.
Scotty: (to Kirk) Damn fine ship if you ask me.
But Kirk's mind is still on Demora. He watches her as she moves to the
Helmsman's position.
Kirk: You know, Scotty....it amazes me.
Scotty: And what would that be, sir?
Kirk: Sulu. When did he find the time for a family?
Scotty: It's like you always said- if something's important enough, you
make the time.
Kirk nods absently. Scotty realizes something.
Scotty: So that's why you've been running around the galaxy like an
eighteen-year-old. Finding retirement a little lonely, are we
Kirk gives him a look.
Kirk: With that kind of tact, I'm glad you're an engineer and not a
psychiatrist.
Harriman interrupts. Harriman: Excuse me, gentlemen, if you'll take your
seats.
Kirk: Oh! of course.

NEW ANGLE
Revealing that three chairs have been neatly arranged to one side.
Scotty, Kirk and Chekov all take their seats. The journalists take
positions on the opposite side of the Bridge. Harriman moves to the command
chair and the rest of the Bridge crew go to their stations.
Harriman: (to all) Prepare to leave spacedock. Aft thrusters ahead one
quarter, port and starboard at station keeping. (beat) Captain Kirk, I'd be
honored if you would give the order to get underway.
Kirk: No, no. Thank you.
Harriman: Please, I insist.
All eyes on Kirk- he has little choice. He stands uncomfortably. There is a
moment of anticipation.
Kirk: (to all) Take us out.
Everyone breaks into applause. Kirk sits down in acute embarrassment and
annoyance.
Chekov: (sotto) Very good, sir.
Scotty: (sotto) Brought a tear to my eye.

CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFX-I)
The great ship majestically leaves the dock and heads out into open space,
passing directly overhead.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
A short time later. Harriman turns to his guests.
Harriman: Well, we've just cleared the asteroid belt. Our course will take
us out beyond Pluto and then back to spacedock. Just a quick run around the
block. (beat) If we have time, we'll conduct a few tests of the warp-
Suddenly the communications console starts to beep. The Com Officer hits a
few commands in response.
Com Officer: (to Harriman) We're picking up a distress call, Captain.
This grabs everyone's attention.
Harriman: On speakers.
We hear the voice of a crewmember who sounds panicked and urgent.
Com Voice: (fritzed) This is the transport ship Lakul. We're caught in some
kind of energy distortion. We can't break free...need immediate
help....it's tearing us-
The voice is drowned out by static. The Science Officer checks something on
his console. The journalist with the holo-camera turns on his light and
pans it around to capture the action.
Science Officer: The Lakul is one of two ships transporting El-Aurian
refugees to Earth.
Harriman blinks a couple of times, surprised at this unexpected turn of
events. Kirk watches him intently. Harriman clears his throat, then turns
to Demora.
Harriman: Can you locate them?
Demora: The ships are bearing at 3-1-0 mark 2-1-5. Distance: three light
years.
Harriman: Signal the closest starship. We're in no condition to mount a
rescue. We don't even have a full crew aboard.
The Navigator checks his console. Navigator: We're the only one in range,
sir.
The holo-camera light is shined on Harriman as he shifts in his seat,
hesitant to take the plunge. Kirk is drumming his fingers impatiently on
his leg. Finally, Harriman takes a breath and straightens his jacket a bit.
Harriman: Well, then I guess it's up to us. (to Demora) Helm, lay in an
intercept course and engage at maximum warp.
Kirk fidgets in his chair, itching to get in on the action- his instincts
taking over. Scotty shoots him a side-long glance.
Scotty:Is there something wrong with your chair, Captain?
Kirk gives him a look.

EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFX-I)
The ship snaps into warp.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
A few minutes later. Demora is watching her console.
Demora: We're within visual range of the energy distortion, Captain.
Harriman: On screen.

INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (VFX-I)
Which now shows a huge ribbon of crackling energy directly ahead of the
Enterprise-B. Everyone reacts to the bizarre sight.
Chekov: What the hell is that?
Demora: (off console)I've found the transport ships.

INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (VFX-I)
The viewscreen now shows two transport ships trapped like insects in the
violent torrent of energy. The ships are being buffeted and thrown about by
large tendrils of crackling energy.
Demora: (cont'd) Their hulls are starting to buckle under the stress- they
won't survive much longer.
The ship suddenly shakes. The Navigator works his console.
Navigator: We're encountering severe gravimetric distortions from the
energy ribbon.
Harriman: We'll have to keep our distance. We don't want to get pulled in,
too.
Harriman frowns at the screen, trying to figure out what to do. Kirk can
barely contain himself- to him the answer is obvious. He blurts out the
answer.
Kirk: Tractor beam.
Scotty quickly elbows him in the side- this isn't Kirk's ship. Kirk shuts
up. Harriman glances at Kirk.
Harriman: We don't have a tractor beam.
Kirk: You left spacedock without a tractor beam?
Harriman: It won't be installed until Tuesday. Ensign Sulu try generating a
subspace field around the ships. That might break them free.
Demora: Aye, sir.
When Kirk hears this order, he shakes his head slightly and mouths the word
"no" under his breath. He knows that won't work. Demora: (shakes her head)
There's too much quantum interference, Captain.
Harriman frowns again, trying to come up with another solution, but it
isn't easy- it's his first day in command; his ship is under-manned and
ill-prepared. It's a nightmare come true. Kirk is itching to get in on
this, his fingers digging into the arms of his chair- but he restrains
himself.
Harriman: What about venting plasma from the warp nacelles? That might
disrupt the ribbon's hold on the ships.
Navigator: Aye, sir. Releasing drive plasma.
A tense beat. Harriman glances over at the journalists, then glances over
at Kirk. Kirk goves him a pained smile, trying to be encouraging even
though he knows this is not the right course of action.
Navigator: It's not having any effect, sir. I think-
Demora: Sir! The starboard vessel's hull is collapsing.

INCLUDE VIEWSCREEN (VFX-I)
Suddenly the right-hand ship on the screen is engulfed by a fiery tendril
of energy and it explodes. The other ship continues to be thrown about and
buffeted. Everyone reacts with shock on the Bridge.
Chekov: How many people were aboard that ship?
Demora: Two hundred sixty-five.
Harriman pales at the sight, seems shell-shocked by the destruction of the
ship. He's overwhelmed now; at a genuine loss as to what to do next.
Demora: (urgent) The Lakul's hull integrity is down to twelve percent, sir.
Harriman looks over at Kirk, who has remained quiet during this entire
sequence only through great effort and out of deference to the young
captain.
This is a delicate moment- Harriman doesn't want to look incapable, but at
the same time, he needs help.
Harriman: Captain Kirk. I would appreciate any suggestions you might have.
Kirk is out of his chair like a cork out of a bottle. He moves down to
stand next to Harriman.
Kirk: (sotto) First, move us within transporter range and beam those people
to the Enterprise.
Harriman looks at him with surprise.
Harriman: What about the gravimetric distortions? They'll tear us apart.
Kirk: (gently) Risk is part of the game if you want to sit in that chair.
Kirk gives him a supportive look. Harriman buckles down and grimly looks at
the image on the screen.
Harriman: Helm, close to within transporter range.
Kirk glances at the cameraman, who's still shining the light on them all.
Kirk: And second, turn that damned thing off.
The cameraman turns off the light.

CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFX-I)
The ship edges in yet closer to the crackling ribbon. The tendrils from the
ribbon lash out at the ship, just missing it.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
As before.
Demora: We're within range, sir.
Harriman: (to lieutenant) Beam them directly to Sickbay.
Chekov: (concerned) How big's your medical staff?
Harriman: (embarrassed) The medical staff doesn't arrive until Tuesday.
Chekov turns to the two journalists.
Chekov: You and you. You've just become nurses. Let's go.
Chekov and the journalists exit to the turbolift.
Demora: Main Engineering reports fluctuations in the warp plasma relays.
Scotty: Bypass the relays and go to auxiliary systems.
The Lieutenant is having problems at the aft console.
Lieutenant: Sir, I'm having trouble locking onto them. They appear to be in
some sort of temporal flux.
Kirk turns to Scotty.
Kirk: Scotty?
Scotty quickly moves to look at the transporter console.
Scotty: What the hell?
Kirk moves to him.
Scotty: Their life signs are phasing in and out of our space-time
continuum.
Kirk: Phasing? To where?
Scotty begins to work.
Navigator: Sir! Their hull's collapsing!

EXT. SPACE- THE LAKUL (VFX-I)
The ship is destroyed by an energy tendril.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
All eyes on Scotty.
Scotty: I got forty-seven of them (beat, grim) out of one hundred fifty.
Suddenly the ship is rocked violently. Klaxons and alarms start to wail and
the lights flicker on and off. A bulkhead explodes, sending metal fragments
screaming across the Bridge and killing the Navigator. Scotty quickly takes
over the dead man's console.
Kirk: Report!
Demora: We're caught in a gravimetric field emanating from the trailing
edge of the ribbon.
Harriman: All engines, full reverse!

EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B & RIBBON (VFX-I)
The ship is turning sideways into the wake of the ribbon, but cannot break
away. It is clearly being pulled along, out of control. Tendrils leap up
from the ribbon, lashing against the ship.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- SICKBAY
The room is filled with the survivors of the Lakul. They are all members of
the El-Aurian race- humanoid and dressed in distinctive clothing. The
survivors are in various states of shock. Many sit on the floor, staring
into middle distance. Some lie on tables, unconscious. Others are mumbling
incoherently to themselves. Chekov and the journalists are moving from
person to person trying to get control of the situation as the ship is
rocked and flung about. Chekov has a tricorder.
Survivors: (incoherent, overlapping) The colors are touching me. I'm caught
in the glass. Help me I can see the seconds... Over here.....
Chekov: It will be all right. We're going to take care of you.
He looks at the tricorder.
Chekov: (off tricorder) Only minor injuries so far. (beat) But it looks
like they're all suffering from some kind of neural shock.
One journalist moves past a man sitting on a biobed with a dazed look on
his face. He has a nasty looking wound on one side of his face. (We will
learn later that this man is named Doctor Soran.)
The journalist is about to turn away when suddenly Soran grabs him roughly
-clearly a man of great strength- and pulls him close. Soran's eyes are
suddenly wild, crazed.
Soran: Why? why?
Journalist: It's all right. You're safe, you're on the Enterprise.
Soran: No. I have to go. I have to get back. You don't understand! Let me
go!
Soran begins to attack the journalist, but before he can do any real
damage, Chekov injects Soran with a hypospray and Soran falls unconscious.
Journalist: What was he talking about?
Suddenly a woman with her back toward us stumbles nearby. Chekov quickly
grabs her arm and catches her before she falls.
Chekov: Easy there!
The woman turns around and we see her face for the first time-it's Guinan.
She seems dazed and confused. Chekov smiles at her warmly.
Chekov: It's going to be okay. Here, just lie down.

As he guides Guinan onto a table
INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE (VFX-I)
Energy ribbon on viewscreen.
Demora: Inertial dampers failing.
Scotty: Engines not responding!
Harriman is gripping the arms of his chair with one hand. His face pales.
Harriman: (quiet) I didn't expect to die my first day on the job.
Kirk tries to buck up the young captain.
Kirk: (sotto) The first thing you learn as captain is how to cheat death.
(beat, then louder) Scotty?
Scotty: (outraged) There's just no way to disrupt a gravimetric field of
this magnitude!
Demora: Hull integrity failing.
Kirk looks at Scotty expectantly for a moment.
Scotty: (cont'd) But I do have a theory!
Kirk: I thought you might.
Scotty: An anti-matter discharge directly ahead it might disrupt the field
long enough for us to break away.
Kirk: A photon torpedo?
Scotty: Aye.
Kirk: (quickly, to Demora) Load torpedo bays, prepare to fire on my
command.
Demora turns to him.
Demora: Captain, we don't have any torpedoes.
Kirk glances at Harriman.
Kirk: Don't tell me, Tuesday.
Harriman nods, a little embarrassed. The shaking gets worse.
Scotty: Captain, it may be possible to simulate a torpedo blast using a
resonance burst from the main deflector dish.
Kirk: (onto the idea) Where are the deflector relays?
Demora: Deck 15, section 21-alpha.
Harriman: (to Kirk) I'll go. You have the Bridge.
Harriman heads for the turbolift, and there is a moment as Kirk is sorely
tempted to take command of the ship and sit in the Captain's chair one more
time. But he pulls himself back before Harriman can exit.
Kirk: No, a captain's place is on the Bridge of his ship. (beat) I'll take
care of it.
Harriman nods in acknowledgement. Kirk heads for the turbolift.
Kirk: (on the move, to Scotty) Keep her together until I get back.
Scotty: (matter of fact) I always do.
Kirk smiles as the turbolift doors slide shut.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- CORRIDOR
Kirk running down the corridor, opens a door.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- DEFLECTOR ROOM (CONTINUOUS)
A small control room with a few consoles. Kirk rushes in and rips off one
of the large wall panels. He quickly begins to re-route cabling and
circuitry.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
As before. The ship is shaking badly.
Demora: Forty-five seconds to structural collapse!
Scotty is working the consoles frantically.
Scotty: Bridge to Captain Kirk.

INTERCUT:
INT. ENTERPRISE-B- DEFLECTOR ROOM
Kirk working furiously.
Kirk: Kirk here.
Scotty: Captain, I don't know how much longer I can hold her together!
Kirk finishes working and slams the wall panel closed.
Kirk: That's it. Go!

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
As before.
Harriman: (to Demora) Activate main deflector.
Demora works the console.

EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFX-I)
A large burst of energy leaps out of the main deflector dish and explodes
in front of the ship. There is an immediate reaction within the energy
ribbon, which roils and fluctuates in response.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
As before.
Scotty: We're breaking free.

EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFX-I)
The ship now begins to turn away from the crackling ribbon. But just as
it's turning, one final tendril of energy suddenly leaps out and hits the
ship.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
The ship is rocked so hard that everyone is knocked off their feet.
Gradually, the shaking stops. Demora scrambles back into position.
Demora: We're clear.
Everyone reacts with relief. Harriman: (excited, to com) You did it, Kirk!
(to Demora) Damage report, Ensign.
Demora: (off console) There's some buckling on the starboard nacelle.
(reacts) We've also got a hull breach in the Engineering section. Emergency
forcefields are in place and holding.
Scotty: Where?
Demora: Sections 20 through 28 on decks 13, 14 (looks at Scotty with
meaning) and 15.
Everyone turns around and looks at Scotty.
Scotty: (to com) Bridge to Captain Kirk. (beat) Captain Kirk, please
respond.
Still no response. Scotty's face falls.
Scotty: (continuing, to Demora) Have Chekov meet me on Deck 15.
Harriman, very concerned, gets up and follows Scotty. They exit to the
turbolift.

CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE-B- CORRIDOR
Scotty and Harriman head down the corridor. They round a bend, and then
stop short. They react to something ahead of them.

NEW ANGLE (VFX-P)
Revealing that the corridor ahead of them is gone. A jagged hole has been
ripped in the ship and open space can be seen beyond the twisted metal. A
forcefield flickers on and off, holding the vacuum of space at bay.
Scotty and Harriman look at the awesome sight for a moment. Chekov comes
running up the corridor behind them. He stops and reacts.
Chekov: My God (beat) Was anyone in there?
A long silent beat as Scotty looks out into space.
Scotty: Aye.

EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFX-I)
A huge chunk has been ripped out of the Engineering section, looking like
an open wound. Scotty, Chekov and Harriman can be seen standing inside the
small corridor, looking out into space.

INT. ENTERPRISE-B- BRIDGE
A short time later. Scotty, Harriman and Chekov are listening to Demora,
who is working the Helm console.
Demora: I've checked the entire ship and the surrounding space, there's no
sign of him.
A silent moment. Chekov looks to Scotty, hoping to hear some sort of
miracle.
Scotty takes a moment, looks at the empty command chair. Then he shakes his
head. A long beat as everyone is forced to accept this terrible truth.
Scotty: (quiet) Just a quick run around the block.
Chekov: I never thought it would end like this.
Scotty: All things must end, Mr. Chekov.
Harriman finally breaks the stillness of the Bridge.
Harriman: Let's go home.
Harriman steps down to the Captain's chair and takes command of his ship.
Scotty and Chekov exchange a final look. Off the reactions of these two
friends who have just lost someone very dear to them both.

CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-B (VFX-I)
The crippled ship turns and heads away.

FADE TO BLACK

SUPER: SEVENTY-EIGHT YEARS LATER

CLOSE ON A HALYARD
as a flag is quickly hoisted to the top of a mast. The flag reaches the top
and is then caught by the wind- the blue and white banner of the United
Federation of Planets waves in the breeze.

MOVE TO REVEAL THE LOCATION

EXT. SAILING VESSEL- DAY
A nineteenth-century three-masted sailing vessel (about the size of a
frigate) is hove-to and sitting in the water gently rocking. Across the
stern of the ship, we can see the name ENTERPRISE picked out in gold
letters.

ON THE MAIN DECK
Where Picard and Riker are standing before the assembled crew of the ship.
Everyone is dressed in full-dress naval uniforms of the period, complete
with cocked hats, epaulettes, etc. The crew is standing at attention, the
wind whistles through the rigging, the timbers creak.
Picard grimly looks over his crew, then nods to Riker.
Riker: Bring out the prisoner!
A drummer begins a long drum roll.

ON A HATCH
as Worf is brought on deck by Troi and LaForge. Worf is shackled by hand
and leg irons. Troi and LaForge hold him by either arm and shove him toward
the Captain. The drum roll stops. Picard moves to Worf and peers at him
closely.
Picard: Mr. Worf. I always knew this day would come. Are you prepared to
face the charges?
Worf doesn't answer and Troi jabs him in the side.
Troi: Answer him!
Worf: I am prepared.
Picard looks to Riker, who then pulls out a large, rolled piece of
parchment. He opens the scroll and begins to read from it. In the b.g.,
LaForge removes Worf's shackles.
Riker: "We, the officers and crew of the U.S.S. Enterprise, being of sound
mind and judgment, hereby make the following charges against Lieutenant
Worf: One. That he did knowingly and willfully perform above and beyond the
call of duty on countless occasions. Two. That he has been a good and solid
officer on this ship for one score less twelve years. And three. Most
seriously that he has earned the respect and admiration of the entire
crew."
Riker puts away the scroll.
Picard: There can be only one punishment for such crimes. (beat) I hereby
promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, with all the rights and
privileges thereto. And may God have mercy on your soul.
Everyone roars in approval. Picard smiles at Worf and shakes his hand.
Picard: (cont'd) Congratulations, Commander.
Worf: (smiles)Thank you, sir.
Picard continues to smile at him for a moment, then Riker steps in.
Riker: Extend the plank!!
Worf's face registers surprise as everyone grabs him and hauls him toward
the side, where a long plank is being pushed out over the water.
Crewmembers: Into the sea with him. Feed him to the sharks! Walk the plank!
Picard gives Riker a questioning look.
Picard: Don't you think you're taking this a little too far, Number One?
Riker: When we went to ancient Rome for Deanna's promotion, we threw her to
the lions, remember?
Picard shrugs it off- it's not exactly his cup of tea, but he'll go along
with it.
Worf is hustled to the rail where Crusher is waiting patiently by the
plank, holding a long pike. Worf is put on the plank and Crusher prods him
with the pike until Worf is nearly at the end.
Worf finally stops and turns around.
Worf: (a shout) WAIT!
Everyone falls silent a moment. Worf looks over the side at the water
below.
Worf: (a little embarrassed) I can't swim.
LaForge: (calmly, to Worf) The Holodeck safety program is engaged. The
computer won't let you drown.
Crusher: But the sharks are quite convincing.
Crusher prods him with the pike and Worf falls into the sea with a huge
splash. Everyone laughs and cheers. Reveal Data, who is standing near the
side rail, looking a little confused at the reaction.
Data: (to Crusher) Doctor, I must confess I am uncertain as to why pushing
someone into freezing, shark-infested water is amusing.
Crusher: It's all done in good fun, Data. Get in the spirit of things.
Data:Ah.
Data thinks a moment, then he lifts Crusher with one hand and holds her
over the rail.
Crusher: Data! Data-!
Data lets go and Crusher plummets into the ocean. Data looks around- no one
is laughing. They all look a little surprised.
LaForge: Data, that wasn't funny.
Data is puzzled by the reaction of the crowd. He's more confused than ever.

Picard and Riker
are standing on the quarterdeck as a very wet Beverly Crusher comes up on
deck.
Picard: Well, now that we're all aboard (beat, then smiles) Number One,
bring the ship before the wind. (savoring the moment) Let's see what's out
there.
Riker: Aye, aye, sir. (to Troi) Take the wheel, Commander.
Troi takes the ship's wheel.
Riker: (shouts) All hands make sail! Raise up tacks and stand by the
braces!
The crew springs into action, rushing to their places aloft and on deck,
grabbing ropes and lines, starting to unfurl the sails, trimming the
yardarms, getting the ship ready to sail.

Picard and Riker
Picard is drinking in the scene with a look of great satisfaction and
contentment.
Picard: Imagine what it was like, Will. No engines, no computers just the
wind, the sea and the stars to guide you.
Riker: Bad food, brutal discipline (beat) No women.
But Picard won't let Riker rain on his parade- he's thoroughly enjoying
himself.
Com Voice: Bridge to Captain Picard.
Picard: Picard here.
Com Voice: There is a personal message for you from Earth.
Picard: (annoyed) Put it through down here. (to Riker) But the best thing
about a life at sea was that they couldn't get to you.
Picard walks toward the bow.
Picard: (to com) Computer, arch.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
A U-shaped arch with several computer panels visible appears on the
forecastle. It's a strange sight to see a piece of the 24th century on the
deck of this ship. Picard goes to the arch and activates one of the
monitors and waits for the transmission to appear.

NEW ANGLE (VFX-P)
A text message appears and he starts to read it. After a moment, he reacts
with shock and dismay to something on the screen.

ON TROI
whose attention has been drawn to Picard, at the arch. She reacts with
concern at the expression on his face.
Troi: (to crewmember) Here. Take the wheel.
Troi moves toward the bow.

ON PICARD (VFX-P)
whose face is now ashen with shock. Clearly he has just read something on
the screen which is very disturbing. He stares into the middle distance for
a moment. Troi moves to him.
Troi: (quiet) Captain, are you all right?
Picard: Yes. Fine. If you'll excuse me
He turns off the screen.
Picard: Computer, exit.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
The Holodeck doors appear within the arch. Picard is clearly distracted as
he exits to the corridor. Troi looks after him with concern.

NEW ANGLE
Favoring Riker. He takes a couple of steps toward Worf.
Riker: Set the royals and the studding sails, Mr. Worf.
Worf looks at him blankly for a moment. Worf: The royal studs ?
Riker: (smiles, points aloft) You see the top yardarm, now look to the-
Suddenly a com voice interrupts.
Com Voice: Bridge to Commander Riker.
Riker: Riker here.
Com Voice: We're picking up a distress call from the Amargosa observatory,
sir. They say they're under attack.
Riker: (to all) Red Alert! All hands to battle stations! Captain Picard to
the Bridge.
Everyone on the ship reacts, and there is a general rush to the bow of the
ship.

CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE-D (VFX-I)
The great ship at impulse. We follow it and then see ahead of the ship, a
small solar observatory with a complex optical array. The observatory bears
scorch marks and other signs of recent battle. (In the b.g., a yellow sun
can be seen.)

INT. BRIDGE (VFX-I)
Picard in command. Riker, Troi, Worf and Data at their stations. They
didn't have time to change, so they are all still dressed in their costumes
from the ceremony. The ship is at Red Alert. The image of the burnt-out
observatory is on the viewscreen.
Riker: It looks like we're too late.
Worf: (off console) There are no other ships in the system.
Data Sensors show five life signs aboard the station, Captain.
Riker: The station complement was nineteen.
A grim beat. Picard gets up and starts heading for the Ready Room- his
attitude is dismissive, almost irritated that this has interrupted some
deeper concern of his.
Picard: Secure from Red Alert. Number One, begin an investigation. I'll be
in my Ready Room.
Troi and Riker exchange a surprised look.
Riker: Sir?
Picard: (hard) Make it so.
Picard exits. An awkward beat. What's wrong with the Captain? But they have
their orders.

As Riker and Worf head for the exit,
CUT TO:
INT. OBSERVATORY- OPS CENTER (VFX-P)
The station is a smoking ruin- consoles flickering, lights dim, damage
everywhere. Only a few minutes have passed since they were attacked. Riker,
Worf, Crusher and two Security Guards materialize. They're all back in
uniform, holding phasers and palm beacons. Worf has a tricorder and Crusher
has a medical kit. The room is cramped, there are fallen bulk-heads and
blown-out consoles. The debris makes it difficult to get a clear view of
the room.
Worf: These blast patterns are consistent with Type III disruptors.
Riker: Well, that narrows it to Klingon, Breen or Romulan.
Crusher follows her tricorder readings.
Crusher: I'm picking up lifesigns about twenty meters ahead.
Worf: That rules out Klingons.
Riker gives him a look.
Worf: They would not have left anyone alive.
Crusher: Over here.
They pick their way carefully through the carnage of the station and come
to the body of a Starfleet science officer. He has taken a disruptor blast
to the back and there is a nasty-looking scorch mark on his uniform.
Crusher immediately takes some devices out of her medical kit and begins to
treat him.
Riker: Worf, you're with me. Paskall, you and Mendez search the upper deck.
The security guards climb a nearby ladder while Riker and Worf head down a
dimly-lit corridor. Riker stops at two bodies in the hall, checks them
over- but they're dead. There is a sudden banging from the far corner of
the room. Worf and Riker quickly move to a collapsed bulkhead.
Worf: Under here.
They both grab hold of a large metal plate, pull it aside and begin to dig
through the debris. Finally, a hand can be seen grasping about from within
the pile of rubble. Riker and Worf work faster. Worf grabs the man's hand.
Worf: It's all right. Do not struggle.
Worf holds the man's hand as Riker shoves away a final console. We reveal
the head and torso of Doctor Soran, one of the survivors from the Lakul
(and last seen in Sickbay aboard the Enterprise-B). Soran has not aged at
all over the years but he does have a permanent scar on his face from the
earlier wound. He blinks a few times, seems a little dazed.
Riker: I'm Commander William Riker of the starship Enterprise.
Soran: Soran. Doctor Tolian Soran.
Soran puts a hand to his head, still trying to get his bearings.
Riker: Who attacked you, Doctor?
Soran: I'm not sure it happened so fast.
Security Officer: (calls out) Commander- you'd better take a look at this.
Riker and Worf move to the ladder as Crusher begins to scan Soran.

NEW ANGLE- UPPER DECK
Riker and Worf move over to the two security guards who are kneeling over a
dead body which is obscured from view. One guard turns over the body,
revealing a Romulan soldier. Worf looks at him in disgust.
Worf: Romulan.
Riker and Worf exchange a look.

Off their reactions
CUT TO:
INT. DATA'S QUARTERS
Data is sitting in a chair, petting Spot the cat. LaForge is standing next
to him.
Data: Is she still angry?
LaForge: No but I'd stay out of Sickbay for a while if I were you. I still
don't know why you dropped her in the water.
Data: I was attempting to get in the spirit of things. I thought it would
be humorous.
Data frowns, troubled by this recent experience. He puts Spot down and
moves to a bulkhead. He activates a control panel and a small compartment
slides open, revealing a small computer chip which is suspended in a glass
and metal framework. Data looks at the chip for a beat and LaForge moves to
him in concern.
LaForge: Data you're not thinking about using that thing are you?
Data: It has occurred to me on several occasions. But I believe this may be
the appropriate time.
LaForge: Wait a minute. I thought you've always been afraid it would
overload your neural net.
Data: That is true. However, I believe my growth as an artificial lifeform
has reached an impasse. For thirty-four years I have endeavored to become
more "human"- to grow beyond my original programming. And yet I am still
unable to grasp such a simple concept as humor. This emotion chip is the
only answer.
LaForge considers a moment, looks at the chip, and reluctantly has to
agree.
LaForge: All right.
Data sits down and LaForge moves to stand behind him.
LaForge: But at the first sign of trouble, I'm going to deactivate it.
Agreed?
Data: Agreed. LaForge works on Data's head for a moment, and the opens a
panel on Data's head, revealing the blinking circuitry within.

CUT TO:
INT. READY ROOM
Riker is standing next to Picard, who has his back turned and is staring
out the window. Picard seems distracted during the scene, his mind clearly
elsewhere as Riker finishes his report.
Riker: We found two dead Romulans aboard the station. We're analyzing their
equipment to see if we can determine what ship they came from.
Picard nods absently.
Picard: There's still no indication of why they attacked the station?
Riker: We think they were looking for something- they practically tore the
place apart.
Picard: Hmm (beat) Inform Starfleet Command. This could indicate a new
Romulan threat in this sector.
Riker: You want me to contact Starfleet?
Picard: Is there a problem?
Riker: No, sir.
Picard: Thank you, Number One.
Picard keeps his back turned, looking out the window. Riker hesitates,
awkward.
Riker: There is something else, Captain. One of the scientists, a Doctor
Soran, has insisted on speaking with you. (beat) I told him you were busy,
sir, but he said it was absolutely imperative that he speak with you right
away.
Picard: Understood. That will be all.
Riker: Sir is there anything wrong?
Picard: No. Thank you.
A beat, then Riker turns and exits. Off Picard's unreadable face.

CUT TO:
INT. TEN FORWARD
The room is bustling with patrons and activity. Data enters with an odd
look on his face, his body language subtly altered. He is looking at the
world through new eyes. LaForge is following him closely, watching his
every move. They move to the bar. Guinan comes over- she has not aged at
all since the Enterprise-B. She sets down an exotic-looking container full
of dark liquid.
Guinan: You two just volunteered to be my first victims. This is a new
concoction I picked up on Forcas III. Trust me, you're going to love it.
She pours two glasses of the liquid. Data takes one and sniffs it, then
takes a drink. LaForge watches him closely. Data frowns.
LaForge: Well ?
Data: I believe the beverage has provoked an emotional response.
LaForge: Really? What do you feel?
Data: I am uncertain. I have had little experience with emotions. I am
unable to articulate the sensation.
Guinan: Emotions?
LaForge: I'll explain later.
Data finishes the drink, concentrates, tries to make sense of the rush of
feelings. His expression is one of disgust.
Guinan: (to LaForge) I don't think he likes it.
Data: (excited) Yes. That is it. I hate it.
LaForge: Data, I think the chip is working.
Data looks at LaForge with a big smile on his face.
Data: Yes. I hate this! It is revolting!
Beat.
Guinan: Another round?
Data: Please.
In the b.g., we see Picard enter Ten Forward.

FOLLOW PICARD
as he walks through Ten Forward and heads toward a table by the windows.
Soran is sitting at the table, staring out at the stars, lost in thought.
His observatory uniform is distinctive, and sets him apart from everyone
else in the room. Picard walks up to the table.
Picard: Doctor Soran?
Soran: Yes, yes, Captain. Thank you for coming.
The men skake hands and Picard sits down. Soran is an imposing physical
presence, but at the moment he seems very much the eccentric scientists
consumed with his work. Picard waves away a waiter.
Picard: Nothing for me. (brusque, to Soran) I understand there's something
urgent you need to discuss with me.
Soran: Yes. I need to return to the observatory immediately. I must
continue a critical experiment I was running on the Amargosa star.
Picard's reaction is a little impatient- this doesn't sound that imperative
to him.
Picard: Doctor, we're still conducting an investigation into the attack.
Once we've completed our work, we'll be happy to allow you and your fellow
scientists back aboard the observatory. Until then-
Soran: The timing is very important on my experiment- if it is not
completed within the next twelve hours, years of research will be lost.
Picard: We're doing the best we can. Now if you'll excuse me
Picard moves to stand, but Soran reaches out and gently but firmly grabs
him by the arm. The unexpected physical contact and the change of intensity
in Soran's face stops Picard in his tracks.
Soran: (cryptically) They say time is the fire in which we burn, and right
now, Captain, my time is running out. (beat) We leave so many things
unfinished in our lives- I'm sure you can understand.
For some reason, Soran's words have struck a deep chord within Picard. He
looks away from Soran's compelling gaze and thinks for a long moment. When
he finally speaks, his voice is barely above a whisper.
Picard: I'll see what I can do.
Picard walks away without a word before Soran can thank him. Soran looks
after him with relief, then pulls out an antique pocket watch and opens it.
He looks at the watch for a long moment, then snaps it closed and head for
the opposite exit from the one Picard took. Follow Soran across Ten Forward
until he suddenly stops in shock at something he sees.

SORAN'S POV
of Guinan, who is now back at the bar.

RESUME SORAN
A dark look crosses his face- he is disturbed by the sight of Guinan. He
quickly turns and exits.

ON GUINAN
she begins to sense something, as though someone is watching her. She
turns, looks in the direction where Soran was just standing, but there's no
one there now. She shakes off the feeling and goes back to work.

CUT TO:
INT. ENGINEERING
A short time later. A Romulan tricorder is connected to some diagnostic
equipment near a console. Worf is talking to Riker.
Worf activates a monitor which shows a complex diagram of sensor
information.
Worf: One of the dead Romulans had a tricorder. We analyzed its sensor logs
and found they were scanning for signature particles of a compound called
trilithium.
Riker: Trilithium?
Worf: An experimental compound the Romulans have been working on. In
theory, a trilithium-based explosive would be thousands of times more
powerful than an anti-matter weapon. But they never found a way to
stabilize it.
Riker: Why were they looking for it on a Federation observatory? It doesn't
make any sense.
Riker considers.
Riker: (cont'd) Have Geordi and Data go over with the next Away Team. Tell
them to scan the observatory for trilithium.
Worf: Aye, sir.

CUT TO:
INT. OBSERVATORY OPS
The station is still a wreck. LaForge and Data are scanning the room with
tricorders.
LaForge: (off tricorder) There's no sign of any trilithium in here.
LaForge continues to scan. Suddenly Data lets out a quiet giggle. LaForge
stops and turns to look at him. Data giggles louder.
Data: (laughing, to himself) I get it. I get it.
LaForge: You get what?
Data laughs again.
Data: When you said to Commander Riker (imitating LaForge's voice) "The
clown can stay, but the Ferengi in the gorilla suit has to go."
LaForge looks blankly at him for a moment.
LaForge: What?
Data: During the Farpoint mission. We were on the Bridge and you told a
joke. That was the punchline.
LaForge: The Farpoint mission? Data, that was seven years ago.
Data: I know. I just got it. (laughs) It was very funny.
LaForge: Thanks.
LaForge indicates a corridor. They exit in that direction.

INT. OBSERVATORY CORRIDOR- CONTINUOUS
A short corridor connecting the Ops Center with other compartments. LaForge
suddenly stops in front of what appears to be a standard bulkhead.
LaForge: Wait a minute there's a hidden doorway here. I can see the joint
of the metal with my visor.
LaForge runs his finger in a vertical line along what appears to be a
smooth bulkhead.
Data: (off tricorder) There appears to be a dampening field in operation. I
cannot scan beyond the bulkhead.
LaForge puts his tricorder away and begins looking for a way to open the
door.
LaForge: I don't see a control panel or an access port.
Data: (off tricorder) It appears to be a magnetically sealed.
Data steps forward and opens a small panel on wrist and makes a quick
adjustment to the circuitry within.
Data: I believe I can reverse the polarity by attenuating my axial servo.
Data completes his adjustment and then moves his wrist over the door panel.
Data: (joking) "Open sesame."
There is a humming sound followed by a loud click. The door slides open.
Data: (smiles) You could say I have a magnetic personality.
LaForge reacts to the bad pun with a grimace.

They exit to
INT. OBSERVATORY PROBE ROOM- CONTINUOUS
A small room with several probes stacked in holding racks. LaForge and Data
scan.
LaForge: I'm still not picking up anything. Someone went to a lot of
trouble to shield this room.
They put their tricorders away and begin looking around the room. Data
continues to snicker and giggle as he tries not to laugh at jokes his mind
conjures up. LaForge begins inspecting the probes, finally stops at one
probe which has several odd devices attached to the side.
LaForge: Data, take a look at this. (Data comes over) You ever seen a solar
probe with this kind of configuration?
Data uses the tricorder as if it were a puppet as he opens and closes it
like a mouth.
Data: (making tricorder "talk") No, Geordi. I have not. It is most unusual.
Data giggles and LaForge reacts with the irritation of someone listening to
a very bad comedian.
LaForge: Just help me get this panel open.
Data helps LaForge as they try to open a panel on the casing of the probe.
They open the panel and LaForge looks inside. He reacts to something.
LaForge: Whoa my visor's picking up something in the theta band. It could
be a trilithium signature.
Data suddenly start laughing. LaForge turns in irritation.
LaForge: Data, this isn't the time
Data: (laughing) I am sorry, but I cannot stop myself. I think something is
wrong.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
Data's laughter escalates into hysteria, then Data begins to jerk and shake
and goes into a bizarre "emotional seizure." A rush of emotions race across
his face: anger, passion, shock. A kaleidoscopic blur of reactions contort
his features. Then it stops and he falls to the ground.
LaForge: Data!
LaForge rushes to him. Data has a look of surprise on his face as he blinks
a few times. He sits up.
LaForge: Data, are you all right?
Data: I believe the emotional chip has overloaded my positronic relays.
La Forge: We better get you back to the ship (hits combadge) LaForge to
Enterprise.
There's no response. LaForge frowns for a beat, then we hear Soran's voice.
Soran: Is there a problem, gentlemen?

INCLUDE SORAN
standing in the room. LaForge didn't hear him come in.
LaForge: Oh, Doctor Yeah, as a matter of fact, there is. There's a damping
field in here blocking our com signal. (re: Data) Will you give me a hand?
Over the above dialogue, Soran glances over at the solar probe LaForge was
inspecting. He notes the opened panel and a disturbed look crosses his
face. Soran looks back at LaForge.
Soran: I'd be happy to.
Soran moves toward them, and then without warning, he punches LaForge in
the face, knocking the visor across the room. He whirls around and points a
phaser at Data, who suddenly looks fearful.
Data: Please don't hurt me.

CUT TO:
INT. PICARD'S QUARTERS
Picard is standing at the replicator.
Picard: Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.
The cup of tea appears in the replicator and at the same moment, the door
chimes.
Picard: Come.
Troi enters. Picard would rather not be bothered right now, but he is
polite as always.
Picard: Counselor. What can I do for you?
Troi: Actually, I'm here to see if there's anything I can do for you.
Picard: Well, I appreciate your concern, but I'd rather not discuss it
right now, thank you.
But Troi won't be brushed away so easily.
Troi: I'm afraid I can't just leave it at that. The commanding officer of
this ship is clearly distraught about something. As ship's counselor, it's
my duty to-
Picard: As ship's counselor, it's your duty to know not only when you're
needed but also when you're not.
Troi: You can't fool an empath, Captain. I know exactly when I'm needed.
Picard is really not in the mood for this. His tone hardens.
Picard: Well, with all due respect to your Betazoid senses, I prefer to be
alone right now.
Troi: Very well. I suppose I could make out my weekly report to Starfleet
Command without your input. (beat) "Admiral Lusby, regarding the unusual
behavior of Jean-Luc Picard: I find him increasingly irritable, remote and
uncooperative. I recommend forced shore leave at a Starbase facility in
order to-"
Picard: All right, all right. You've made your point.
Troi takes a seat and patiently waits. Picard gets up, moves around the
room for a moment, and stops. He speaks in a flat, unemotional tone of
voice. Picard: The message I received (beat) My brother and his son- my
nephew- burned to death in a fire.
Troi reacts, genuinely surprised.
Troi: Captain, I'm sorry. (beat) I know there were a lot of unresolved
conflicts between you and your brother.
Picard: What I can't get out of my mind is the image of Rene- my nephew. I
just can't believe he's gone.
He trails off.
Troi: It's only natural to feel a heightened sense of tragedy when a child
dies. (sensing more) But it goes deeper than that, doesn't it? I can sense
that Rene meant a great deal to you.
Picard: In a way, he was as close as I ever came to having a child of my
own.
Troi eyes an open photo album on the table. She reaches over and flips
through the pages for a moment. There are many photos inside, from many
periods in time, including one of Picard's brother standing next to his
young son. This is the Picard family album.
Troi: Your family history is very important to you, isn't it?
Picard: (nods) Ever since I was a little boy, I remember hearing about the
family line. The Picards that fought at Trafalgar, the Picards that settled
the first Martian colony. When my brother married and had a son
Picard hesitates- this is difficult for him.
Troi: You felt it was no longer your responsibility to carry on the family
line.
Picard: (nods) My brother had shouldered that burden allowing me to pursue
my own selfish needs.
Troi: There's nothing selfish about pursuing your own life, your own
career.
Picard moves to the window, stares outside. A shadow crosses his face. He's
getting to the heart of the matter.
Picard: You know, Counselor I'm not getting any younger. For some time now,
I've been aware that there are fewer days ahead than there are behind.
(beat) But I always took comfort in the fact that when I was gone, my
family would continue. But now
Picard moves back to the photo album, open it to the last page, and then
flips through the remaining pages. They are blank.
Picard: I've had brushes with death more than I care to contemplate. I
always accepted it as a calculated risk that goes along with wearing this
uniform. (beat) But now the idea of death has a terrible sense of finality
to it.
He looks at her.
Picard: I'm the last Picard.
A quiet beat as Troi considers him.
Troi: Captain, perhaps we-
Suddenly, a blinding burst of light from outside the windows washes into
the room. Troi and Picard rush to the window and shield their eyes against
the glare.
Riker's Com Voice: Red Alert! All hands to duty stations!

CUT TO:
INT. BRIDGE (VFX-I)
Picard and Troi enter from a turbolift. Riker and Worf at their stations.
The star is on the viewscreen, getting darker by the second. More flaming
debris is being ejected into space.
Picard: Report.
Riker: A quantum implosion has occurred within the Amargosa star. All
nuclear fusion is breaking down.
Picard: How is that possible?
Worf: Sensor records show a solar probe was launched from the observatory a
few moments ago.
Riker: The star's going to collapse in a matter of minutes.
Something beeps on Worf's console.
Worf: Sir, the implosion has produced a level twelve shock wave.
Troi: (shocked) Level twelve? That'll destroy everything in this system.
Transporter Com Voice: Transporter room to Bridge. I can't locate Commander
La Forge or Commander Data, sir.
Riker: (to Worf) Did they return to the ship?
Worf: (works) No, sir. They are not aboard.
Picard: How long until the shock wave hits the observatory?
Worf: Four minutes, forty seconds.
Picard looks at Riker, who then quickly heads for the turbolift.
Riker: Mr. Worf.
Riker and Worf exit.

EXT. SPACE- THE STAR (VFX-I)
The star is almost entirely dark. Radiating out from the star is a huge
shock wave- a rapidly growing sphere of energy.

INT. OBSERVATORY PROBE ROOM (VFX-P)
Soran is standing at a console watching a graphic depiction of the star's
collapse on a monitor when the door suddenly opens. Soran whirls around and
fires his phaser at Riker and Worf. They dive for cover just outside the
room. (NOTE: The probe LaForge examined earlier is now gone.)
Riker: (to Worf) What the hell's he doing?
Worf dodges another phaser blast and sees LaForge lying unconscious on the
deck. Data is nowhere to be seen.
Picard's Com Voice: Enterprise to Commander Riker, you have two minutes
left.
Riker: (yells to Soran) Soran, did you hear that? There's a level twelve
shock wave coming. We've got to get out of here!
Soran's only answer is another phaser blast.

INT. BRIDGE
As before. Ensign Hayes is at Tactical. An alarm suddenly beeps on the
Tactical console.
Hayes: (urgent) Sir. A Klingon Bird of Prey is decloaking off the port bow.
Shocked reactions.
Picard: What?

EXT. SPACE (VFX-I)
as an old-style Klingon Bird of Prey decloaks near the observatory.

INT. OBSERVATORY PROBE ROOM (VFX-P)
Soran is continuing to shoot at Riker and Worf. Riker suddenly notices
something off-camera.

RIKER'S POV
Data is huddled in a corner of the room, cowering in fear.

NEW ANGLE (VFX-P)
The firefight continues.
Riker: Data! See if you can get to Geordi!
Data looks up at him with a terrified look on his face.
Data I cannot, sir. I believe I am afraid.
Suddenly Soran's communicator beeps. Soran reaches down and grabs the
unconscious LaForge by the collar and the two of them dematerialize. (Soran
has the visor in his hand.) Riker, Data and Worf react.

EXT. SPACE- THE KLINGON SHIP (VFX-I)
The Bird of Prey cloaks and vanishes.

INT. BRIDGE As before.
Transporter Com Voice: Transporter room to Bridge. I have the Away Team
aboard, sir.
Picard: (to Con) Helm, warp one, engage.

EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE & OBSERVATORY (VFX-I)
The Enterprise warps away just as the shock wave reaches the observatory
and vaporizes it in a fiery explosion.

CUT TO:
INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY- BRIDGE
On a monitor where we can see a graphic depiction of the darkening star and
shock wave. Move to reveal the inside of the old Klingon ship. It's beaten
up and patched in several places, obviously not a first-line model.
Watching the viewscreen are Lursa and B'Etor, two powerful-looking Klingon
women. They are sisters; aggressive, seductive and very dangerous. Several
N.D. male Klingons man the various stations.
The sisters stare at the image of the destroyed sun in awe.
B'Etor: Toh-pak-cha (Glorious)
Lursa: HoS qorDu. (A great power.)
Soran now enters the Bridge. His expression is dark and angry. He is
clearly not a prisoner here and strides up to the sisters.
B'Etor: (excited, to Soran) You've done it, Soran.
But without warning, Soran hits B'Etor squarely in the jaw, knocking her
back over a console. Several Klingons leap to their feet, drawing their
weapons, but B'Etor holds up a hand as she gets to one knee.
B'Etor: Wait!
She dabs a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth. Her expression is
angry and threatening.
B'Etor: I hope for your sake that you are initiating a mating ritual.
Soran: You got careless. The Romulans came looking for their missing
trilithium.
B'Etor: Impossible. We left no survivors on their outpost.
B'Etor has now gotten to her feet in the b.g.
Soran: They knew it was aboard the observatory. If the Enterprise hadn't
intervened, they would have found it.
Lursa: But they didn't find it and now we have a weapon of unlimited power.
Soran: I have the weapon, Lursa. And if you ever want me to give it to you,
I advise you to be a little more careful in the future.
B'Etor grabs Soran and holds a wicked-looking knife to his throat.
B'Etor: Perhaps we are tired of waiting.
Soran is unfazed by this threat.
Soran: Without my research, the trilithium is worthless as are your plans
to reconquer the Klingon Empire.
Lursa reaches out and calmly pushes her sister's knife away.
Soran: Set course for the Veridian system. Maximum warp.
Lursa: (to Helm) Bosh-ta-JaH Veridian (Set course for Veridian)
A Klingon Guard enters dragging the unconscious LaForge.
Klingon Guard: What shall I do with this?
Soran moves toward LaForge, a grim look on his face.
Soran: Bring him with me. I need some answers from Mr. LaForge.
Soran exits.

CUT TO:
INT. CORRIDOR
Riker and Worf are on the move down the corridor.
Worf: I have spoken to the Klingon High Council, sir. They identified the
Bird of Prey as belonging to the Duras sisters.
Riker: (surprised) Lursa and B'Etor? This doesn't make any sense. A
renowned stellar physicist somehow uses a trilithium probe to destroy a
star, kidnaps Geordi and escapes with a pair of Klingon renegades. Why?
What the hell's going on?

They exit to
INT. SICKBAY
Worf and Riker enter. Crusher is closing a panel on the back of Data's
head. He is sitting on a biobed, scanning himself with a tricorder.
Riker: How is he?
Crusher: It looks like a power surge fused the emotional chip into his
neural net.
Worf: Will that be a danger to him?
Crusher: I don't think so. The chip still seems to be working. I'd feel
better if I could take a closer look, but I can't remove it without
completely dismantling his cerebral conduit.
Riker: (to Data) Looks like you're stuck with emotions for a while. How do
you feel?
Data: I am quite preoccupied with concern about Geordi.
Riker: We all are, Data. But we're going to get him back.
Data: I hope so, sir.
Data's expression is still one of concern. Crusher pulls Riker aside.
Crusher: Will, I checked into Doctor Soran's background.
Crusher activates the wall monitor and a picture of Doctor Soran along with
some biographical information appears.
Crusher: He's an El-Aurian, over three hundred years old. He lost his
entire family when the Borg destroyed his world. Soran escaped with a
handful of other refugees aboard a ship called the Lakul. The ship was
destroyed by some kind of energy ribbon, but Soran and forty-six others
were rescued by the Enterprise-B.
Riker: (reacts) That was the mission where James Kirk was killed.
Crusher: I checked the passenger manifest of the Lakul. Guess who else was
on board?
She hits a control and suddenly Guinan's face appears on the screen. Riker
reacts to the image.

CUT TO:
INT. GUINAN'S QUARTERS
Close on Guinan as she looks up, surprised.
Guinan: Soran? That's a name I haven't heard in a long time.
Move to reveal Guinan's quarters, which are unlike any of the others on the
Enterprise. None of the standard furniture, consoles or decoration are
present. The floor is made of tile, not carpet; the walls are draped in
exotic fabric. The lighting is moody and subdued.
Picard is standing before Guinan, who is sitting cross-legged on the floor.
They talk to each other with an easy familiarity; two old friends who know
each other well.
Picard: Do you remember him?
Guinan: Oh yes. I remember everyone who was on the Lakul, every face. Even
the ones who didn't make it.
Guinan stands and begins to move about the room. She's clearly troubled by
the memories. She hesitates, looks off into the middle-distance for a few
moments. Picard moves to her.
Picard: Guinan. It's important that you tell me what you know. We think
Soran's developed a weapon a terrible weapon. It might give him enough
power to-
Guinan: Soran doesn't care about power or weapons. All he cares about is
getting back to the Nexus.
Picard: What's the "Nexus"?
Guinan moves to a table and begins to shift around some exotic-looking
alien artifacts, distracting herself. This is difficult for her to discuss.
Guinan: It's a place I've tried very hard to forget.
She makes the decision to plunge ahead.
Guinan: That ribbon isn't just some random energy phenomenon travelling
through space. It's a doorway. It leads to another place- the Nexus. It
doesn't exist in our universe and it doesn't play by the same rules either.
Picard: What happened to you?
Guinan: I can't remember very much what it looked like or how long I was
there. But I do remember how it felt.
She turns to him and her face is filled with some kind of awe at the
memory.
Guinan: It was like being inside joy. As if joy was a real thing that I
could wrap around myself. I've never been so content.
A long beat as Picard absorbs her words.
Picard: But then you were beamed away.
Guinan shows a rare burst of anger.
Guinan: I was pulled away. I didn't want to leave; none of us did. I felt
like I'd left a part of myself behind. All I could think about was getting
back. I didn't care what I had to do.
Guinan moves to a window and looks out at the stars.
Guinan: It took a long time, but eventually I learned to live with it. And
I began to realize that my experience in the Nexus had changed me. (beat) I
knew things about people, about events about time.
Picard: Your "sixth sense"- I've always wondered where it came from. (beat)
And what about Soran?
Guinan: Soran may still be obsessed with getting back. And if he is, he'll
do anything to find that doorway again.
Picard: But why destroy a star? (beat) Thank you, Guinan.
He heads for the door.
Guinan: Let someone else do it, Jean-Luc.
Picard stops, looks at her.
Guinan: Let them send another starship. Don't get near the ribbon. If you
go into that Nexus, you're not going to care about Soran or the Enterprise
or me. All you're going to care about is how it feels to be there. (beat)
And you're never going to come back.
Picard weighs her words, sees the warning in her eyes, and carefully back
away and exits.

CUT TO:
INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY- QUARTERS (VFX-P)
A dimly-lit room somewhere in the bowels of the Klingon ship. Like every
other room on this decrepit ship, the room looks well-worn and
ill-maintained. Soran is seated behind a table, holding the visor. A padd
and Soran's pocketwatch sit on the table. LaForge is sitting in a chair
across from him- his shirt has been removed. He looks very tense.
Soran: (re: visor) A remarkable piece of equipment but a little inelegant,
wouldn't you say? (beat) Have you ever considered a prosthesis that would
make you look a little more normal?
LaForge: What's normal?
Soran: Normal is what everyone else is, and what you are not.
LaForge: What do you want?
Soran takes a moment.
Soran: As you may or may not be aware, I am an El-Aurian. Some people call
us a race of "listeners". We listen. (beat) Right now, Mr. LaForge, you
have my undivided attention. I want to listen to everything you know about
trilithium- and me.
LaForge thinks.
LaForge: Trilithium is an experimental compund developed by the Romulans. I
think it's a derivative of-
Soran picks up the padd from the desk and activates it. Suddenly something
small, with sharp edges, can be seen moving just underneath LaForge's skin
near his chest. LaForge moves his hand to the spot, but then the protrusion
is suddenly gone.
Soran: I don't want a science lecture. You were on that observatory looking
for trilithium. Why?
LaForge: I was ordered to by the Captain.
On the padd in Soran's hand, we can now see an interior graphic of
LaForge's body sitting in the chair. The graphic is interactive, moving as
LaForge moves. A blinking dot represents the movement of the probe inside
his body. Right now, the dot is in the middle of his chest.
Soran: Let's try to move beyond the usual prisoner-interrogator banter,
shall we? You have information and I need it. (beat) Did the Captain
explain his orders to you? Did he say why you were searching for
trilithium?
LaForge: No.
Soran: What about Guinan? What has she told you about me?
LaForge: Guinan? I don't know what you're talking about.
On the padd, we now see the dot has moved to a position next to LaForge's
heart. Soran looks up at LaForge.
Soran: My instincts tell me you're lying. And I know that can't be easy for
you. (off padd) I can see you have a good heart.
Soran taps a control on the padd. Suddenly LaForge grabs his chest in pain.
Soran watches LaForge for a few seconds, then taps the padd again. LaForge
gasps and starts to breathe.
Soran: Oh, I forgot to tell you. While you were unconscious, I injected a
nano-probe into your bloodstream. It's been navigating your cardiovascular
system, and right now I've attached it to your left ventricle. (smiles) A
little trick I picked up from the Borg.
LaForge: (gasping) Yeah, they're full of great ideas.
Soran: I just stopped your heart for five seconds. It felt like an
eternity, didn't it? Did you know that you can stop the human heart for up
to ten minutes before the onset of brain damage?
LaForge: No I didn't know that.
Soran: We learn something new about ourselves every day. (beat) Now. Maybe
I didn't make myself clear. It is very important that you tell me exactly
what Captain Picard knows.
LaForge: I told you everything. You might as well just kill me right now.
Soran's features soften as he smiles slightly. For a moment, he looks
genuinely compassionate- and it's a disturbing contrast to his usual dark
intensity.
Soran: I'm not a killer, Mr. LaForge. (beat) Let's try thirty seconds.
Soran taps a control on the padd. LaForge gasps and strains against an
unimaginable pain.
Soran picks up his pocketwatch and opens the cover, sits back in his chair,
watching the seconds tick.

CUT TO:
INT. STELLAR CARTOGRAPHY (VFX-P)
A room filled with exotic-looking devices, sensors and computers which
handle the enormous task of tracking the ship's position in space. The
monitors around the room display various diagrams of the energy ribbon (as
seen in the beginning of the film).
Data is sitting at a computer console which has a great deal of complex
information on the screen. Picard is standing next to him. Throughout the
following, Data seems distracted and preoccupied.
Data: According to our information, the ribbon is a conflux of temporal
energy which travels through our galaxy every 39.1 years.
Picard: When is it expected back?
Data doesn't answer right away.
Picard: Data?
Data: Sorry, Captain. The ribbon has already entered the galaxy. It will
pass through this sector in approximately thirty-one hours.
Picard moves about the room. He's frustrated, tired, but determined to find
out what's going on.
Picard: Guinan said Soran was trying to get back to the ribbon. If that's
true, then there must be some connection with the Amargosa star.
Data: The star's destruction has had numerous astro-physical effects within
this sector. However, none of them appear to have a connection to the
energy ribbon.
Picard: Give me a list of those effects. I want to know every single thing
which has been altered or changed, no matter how insignificant.
Data: It will take a few moments for the computer to compile the
information.
Data works the computer and then the computer begins to work. Data sighs-
his expression becomes downcast and gloomy. He sits down and puts his head
in his hands. Picard finally has to say something.
Picard: Data, are you all right?
Data: No, sir. I am finding it difficult to concentrate. I believe I am
overwhelmed with feelings of remorse and regret concerning my actions on
the observatory.
Picard: What do you mean?
Data: I wanted to save Geordi I tried. But I experienced something I did
not expect. (beat) I believe it was fear.
Picard regards him sympathetically.
Picard: Fear is a very difficult emotion to overcome. It's something we all
have to learn to deal with.
Data: But I did not deal with it, sir. I let it prevent me from helping my
friend. (beat) Does that make me a coward?
Picard: No. And what you must try to avoid is becoming consumed by another
emotion which I believe you're beginning to experience: guilt.
Data (considers) Guilt. It is a most unpleasant feeling.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
The computer finishes its calculations and the console beeps. Data works
the console. Information appears on screen.
Data: According to our current information, the destruction of the Amargosa
star has had the following effects in this sector: gamma emissions have
increased by .05 percent, the starship Bozeman was forced to make a course
correction, a research project on Gorik IV was halted due to increased
neutrino particles, ambient magnetic fields have decreased by-
Picard: Wait. The Bozeman why did it change course?
Data (matter of fact) The destruction of the Amargosa star has altered the
gravitational forces throughout the sector. Any ship passing through this
region will have to make a minor course correction.
Picard is starting to get an idea, he's onto something here. He moves to a
large table in the center of the room.
Picard: (musing) A minor course correction (beat) Where is the ribbon now?

ANGLE (VFX-P)
Data moves to the table to work. After a few beats, an elaborate map of the
galaxy springs up on the ceiling of the room. A blinking dot shows the
position of the ribbon.
Data: This is its current position.
Picard: Can you project its course?
Data hesitates, still obsessed with his own emotional turmoil. Picard
finally has to lay down the law.
Picard: (firm) Data. I have nothing but sympathy for what you're going
through. But right now, I need your full attention on the task at hand. If
you can't provide it, then I'll have to relieve you of duty until Doctor
Crusher can remove this emotion chip of yours. I'm sorry, but you leave me
no other choice.
This snaps Data back. He considers this for a long moment, then looks
determined.
Data: I do not wish to remove the chip, sir. Although these emotions are
proving difficult to deal with, I cannot imagine going back to a life
without them. I have taken an important step toward becoming truly human.
If I were to turn back now (beat) I would like to continue in my duties,
sir.
Picard smiles at him.
Picard: Courage is an emotion too, Data. (beat) Now, can you project the
course of the ribbon?
Data: I believe so.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
Data works the console. A red line moves to form an arc through the
starfield. Picard examines the display for a moment and nods. He's excited,
on to something.
Picard: Enhance grid A-9.
Data works and the display now zooms into a single sector. The red line
cuts through the sector.
Picard: Where was the Amargosa star?
Data works. A star is highlighted near the red line.
Picard: Now, you said the gravitational forces in this sector have been
altered could that also affect the course of the ribbon?
Data: (thinks) I believe so.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
Data works and holographic display changes again. The red line representing
the course of the ribbon now shifts to the right- away from the Amargosa
star's position. Picard is beginning to realize what's going on.
Picard: That's what Soran's doing, he's changing its course. (beat) But
why? Why try to alter its path? Why not simply fly into it with a ship?
Data thinks for a moment.
Data: Our records show that every ship which has approached the ribbon has
either been destroyed or severely damaged.
Picard thinks about this, then has a flash of insight.
Picard: He can't go to the ribbon, so he's trying to make the ribbon come
to him. (beat) Data, is it going to pass near any M-Class planets?
Data: (works) Yes, sir. There are two in the Veridian system.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
The display zooms in on a star very close to the ribbon's path. We now see
a solar system with a single star and four planets. The red line moves
directly through the system- it passes very close to the third planet.
Picard eyes that planet and points to it.
Picard: It's very close to Veridian III, but not close enough.
Picard's mind is going a mile a minute. He suddenly has a horrible
realization.
Picard: Data, what would happen to the ribbon's path if he destroyed the
Veridian star itself?

ANGLE (VFX-P)
Data works. On the display, the Veridian star suddenly darkens and goes
out. The red line shifts slightly until it makes an exact intersection with
the third planet. They both react to this sight. They're both aware of just
how serious this is.
Picard: That's where he's going.
Data: It should be noted, sir, that the collapse of the Veridian star would
produce a shock wave similar to the one we observed at Amargosa.
Picard: (grim) And destroy every planet in the system.
Picard eyes the graphic with a sense of dread.
Picard: Are any of them inhabited?
Data: Veridian III is uninhabited, but Veridian IV supports a
pre-industrial humanoid society.
Picard: Population?
Data: Approximately two hundred thirty million.
A grim beat.
Picard: (to com) Picard to Bridge.
Worf's Com Voice: Worf here, sir.
Picard heads for the exit, a sense of urgency and determination in his
every move.
Picard: Red Alert, Mr. Worf. Set a course for the Veridian system, maximum
warp.
Picard and Data exit Stellar Cartography.

EXT. SPACE- THE ENTERPRISE (VFX-I)
as it goes into warp.

CUT TO:
INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY- BRIDGE
Lursa and B'Etor in command as Soran enters.
Lursa: Did you get anything from the human?
Soran: No. His heart just isn't in it.
Klingon Helm (off console) We have entered orbit of Veridian III.
Soran: Prepare to transport me to the surface.
B'Etor: Wait. When do we get our payment?
Soran hands B'Etor a small computer chip.
Soran: This contains all the information you'll need to build a trilithium
weapon. It's been coded. Once I'm safely to the surface, I'll transmit the
decryption sequence to you. Not before.
Klingon Helm: (urgent) Mistress! A Federation starship is entering the
system!
Lursa: What? On viewer.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
The Helm works. The viewscreen now shows the Enterprise at impulse entering
the system. Reactions.
Klingon Helm: They are hailing us.
B'Etor: Du'cha (On speakers.)
The Helm works.
Picard's Com Voice: Klingon vessel. We know what you're doing, and we will
destroy any probe launched toward the Veridian star.
Soran's expression darkens.
B'Etor: What do we do?
Soran checks his watch.
Soran: There's no time for this. Eliminate them.
B'Etor: (reacts) That is a Galaxy class starship. We are no match for them.
Soran thinks for a moment, then he gets an idea. He pulls LaForge's visor
out of a pocket. He eyes it with intent.
Soran: I think it's time we gave Mr. LaForge his sight back.

Off Lursa and B'Etor's curiosity.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE- THE ENTERPRISE (VFX-I)
nearing Veridian III. The planet's star is visible.

INT. BRIDGE
Picard is pacing. Riker, Data, Worf, Troi, N.D.s at their stations. The
ship is at Red Alert. Data's mood has improved. He's making an effort to
keep a positive outlook, to stay upbeat.
Riker: Maybe they're not out there.
Picard: They're just trying to decide whether a twenty year-old Klingon
Bird of Prey is any match for the Federation flagship.
Troi: Or perhaps they're on the surface. Picard: Mr. Data, scan the planet
for lifeforms. Data smiles, delighted at the request.
Data: I was hoping you would ask me to do that, Captain. I just love to
scan for lifeforms.
As Data works, he breaks into a merry little song.
Data: (sings) "Lifeforms tiny little lifeforms. Where are the lifeforms-"
Picard: Commander.
Data: Sorry, sir. (works) There is too much interference in the planet's
ionosphere for an accurate reading.
Worf turns to Picard.
Worf: Sir, according to my calculations, a solar probe launched from either
the Klingon ship or the planet's surface will take eleven seconds to reach
the star. (beat) However, since we do not know the exact point of origin,
it will take us between eight and fifteen seconds to lock our weapons onto
it.
They exchange a grim look.
Riker: (quiet, to Picard) That's a pretty big margin of error.
Picard: Too big. How long until the ribbon arrives?
Data: Approximately forty-seven minutes, sir.
Picard: (disturbed) I have to find a way to get to Soran.
An alarm goes off on Worf's console.
Worf: Captain, Klingon vessel decloaking directly ahead.

ANGLE (VFX-I)
On the viewscreen, the Bird of Prey decloaks.
Worf: They are hailing.
Picard: On screen.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
On the viewscreen, Lursa and B'Etor appear.
Lursa: Captain. What an unexpected pleasure.
Picard: Lursa, I want to talk to Soran.
Lursa: I'm afraid the Doctor is no longer aboard our ship.
Picard: Then I'll beam down to his location. Just give us his coordinates.
B'Etor: The Doctor values his privacy. He would be quite upset if an Away
Team interrupted him.
Picard: Very well. I'll beam to your ship and you can transport me to
Soran.
Riker: (urgent) Sir, you can't trust them. They'll kill you just like they
killed Geordi.
Lursa and B'Etor exchange a glance.
Lursa: (innocent) We did not kill your Engineer. He's been our guest.
Riker: Then return him.
B'Etor: In exchange for what?
Picard: Me. If you let me speak to Soran.
The two sisters appear to consider this for a moment.
B'Etor: (to Lursa) The Captain would make a much more valuable hostage.
Lursa: (to Picard) We'll consider it a prisoner exchange.
Picard: Agreed.
The transmission ends. Picard heads for the turbolift.
Picard: Number One, you have the Bridge. Have Doctor Crusher meet me in
transporter room three.
Picard exits.

CUT TO:
INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (VFX-P)
Picard stands on the platform. Crusher and Nurse Ogawa stand nearby. The
Transporter Chief works his console.
Chief: Receiving the coordinates, Captain.
Picard: Energize.
Picard dematerializes- and at the same instant, LaForge materializes.
Crusher and Ogawa rush to his aide, pull out their tricorders and scan him.
LaForge is conscious, and he's wearing his visor.

CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- DAY (VFX-P)
A large plateau ringed with trees and underbrush. A single rockface juts
upward, forming a backdrop for the plateau. Against the rockface, a large
scaffolding has been erected- planks and beams forming a complex structure-
ladders connect each level. It leads to a narrow ledge a dozen meters
above.
Picard materializes on the plateau. (NOTE: Picard's combadge is gone and he
is unarmed.) A moment as he looks around. Strange animals and birds can be
heard. He turns and sees Soran standing nearby, calmly looking at his
pocketwatch. Soran puts the watch away.
Soran: You must think I'm quite the madman.
Picard: The thought had crossed my mind.
Soran: The only possible reason you're here is because you're not entirely
confident you can shoot down my probe after all. So you've come to dissuade
me from my horrific plan. (beat) Good luck.
Soran turns his back on Picard and walks away.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
Picard takes a step to follow him and then is jolted backward by a large
forcefield which briefly flashes into view. The field completely surrounds
the plateau, enclosing Soran and the scaffolding, with Picard on the
outside.

Off Picard's surprise.
CUT TO:
INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY- BRIDGE (VFX-P)
The Klingon Navigator is working his console. Klingon Helm: I have
established the link.
Lursa: Put it through over here.
Lursa and B'Etor move to one of the consoles with a large monitor. The
screen shows static for a few seconds, then clears to a distorted view of a
ceiling on the Enterprise- this is LaForge's POV. (NOTE: The POV is
slightly fritzed, but free of the usual visor effects.)
Lursa: It's working.
B'Etor: Where is he?
Suddenly, Crusher's face looms large in the picture, as if she's leaning
over LaForge. She smiles and starts talking. We can see her lips move, but
we can't hear what she's saying.
Crusher: (silent) Don't worry, there's been no permanent damage. Your heart
is perfectly fine. There's been a little arterial damage.
Lursa and B'Etor pull back in surprise at the image.
B'Etor: Human females are so repulsive.

CUT TO:
INT. SICKBAY- CONTINUOUS
Crusher is leaning over LaForge, who is on a biobed. Mid-conversation.
Crusher: and some myocardial degeneration. I'm going to give you some
hematozine, and I want to run more tests, but I think you're going to be
fine.
LaForge: Thanks, Doc.

CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- DAY
Picard is walking the perimeter of the invisible forcefield, looking for
some way in. Soran is concentrating on his padd as Picard tries to engage
him on some level.
Picard: You don't need to do this, Soran. I'm sure we could find some other
way to get you into this Nexus.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
Soran gets up and works his control padd. Suddenly a probe launcher
decloaks in the middle of the plateau. The launcher is a cylindrical
apparatus the size of a small car. Soran goes to the launcher, steps onto
it and begins working the control panel.
Soran: (calm, distracted) I've spent eighty years looking for another way,
Captain. This is the only one. (beat) Of course, you could always come with
me. You fancy yourself an explorer. Here's a chance to explore something no
human has ever experienced.
Picard: Not if it means killing over two hundred million people. (beat,
then with meaning) I wonder, did your wife Leandra know that she married a
man who was capable of mass murder?
This has touched a nerve in Soran. Something dark and ugly flickers across
his face.
Picard: (pressing on) When you tucked your children into bed, do you
suppose they ever suspected that their father would one day kill millions
as casually as he kissed them goodnight?
Soran looks up at Picard, and for a moment we can see that Picard has
really gotten to him here. Then he finally smiles a smile that doesn't
quite reach his eyes.
Soran: Nice try.

CUT TO:
INT. LA FORGE'S BATHROOM- GEORDI'S POV
LaForge is taking a bath. We can see his legs and feet sticking out of the
water in front of him. He stands up.

Move to reveal
INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY- BRIDGE (VFX-P)
Lursa and B'Etor are still watching LaForge's POV on the monitor. They are
bored and irritable.
B'Etor: I thought he was the Chief Engineer.
Lursa: He is.
B'Etor: Then when is he going to Engineering?
The POV shows LaForge's view as he stops in front of a mirror, wipes away
the steam and reveals his own reflection. Lursa and B'Etor gnash their
teeth in frustration.

CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- DAY
Soran is working intently on the launcher's control panel. Picard is still
walking the perimeter of the forcefield. He's also still trying to engage
Soran, find some way to get to him.
Picard: What you're about to do is no different from when the Borg
destroyed your world.
Soran continues to work. He keeps his voice calm and conversational.
Soran: You're right. And there was a time when I wouldn't have hurt anyone.
Then the Borg came and they showed me that if there is one constant in this
universe, it's death. (beat) Afterwards, I began to realize that none of it
mattered. We're all going to die anyway. It's only a question of how and
when. You will too, Captain. You might contract a fatal disease; you might
die in battle.
Soran now turns and fixes Picard with a penetrating look.
Soran: Or burn to death in a fire.
Picard freezes at this. Soran steps off the launcher with a confident look.
He moves closer to where Picard is standing.
Soran: You looked surprised. But you shouldn't be. I've been to the Nexus,
Captain. I know things about people. (beat) Aren't you beginning to feel
time gaining on you? It's like a predator. It's stalking you. You can try
to outrun it with doctors, medicines, new technologies but in the end, time
is going to hunt you down and make the kill.
This strikes home with Picard's own recent concerns. He struggles for a
moment.
Picard: We're all mortal, Soran. It's one of the truths of our existence.
Soran: What if I told you I found a new truth?
Picard: The Nexus.
Soran: Time has no meaning there. The predator has no teeth.
Soran glances up at the sky expectantly, then turns away from Picard and
goes back to work on the launcher. Off Picard's disturbed expression.

INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY- BRIDGE (VFX-P)
B'Etor watching the monitor, impatient. The POV shows LaForge's view of
walking down a corridor. Lursa walks over to join her.
Lursa: Where is he now?
B'Etor: I don't know. He bathed, now he is roaming the ship. He must be the
only Engineer in Starfleet who does not go to Engineering!

CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- DAY (VFX-P)
Picard continues to walk around the perimeter of the forcefield. He sees
something on the ground- a gnarled root from a large nearby tree. The root
is poking out of the ground, leaving a small arch through which daylight
can be seen. Picard's mind begins racing. He glances at Soran and then
picks up a pebble and, while keeping his eye on the root, he tosses the
pebble into the air, where it hits the forcefield. The forcefield flashes
on briefly and Picard can see that the bottom border of the field follows
the contour of the root. But it does not extend underneath the arch. Soran
turns at the sound of the crackling field.
Soran: Careful, Captain. That's a fifty gigawatt forcefield. I wouldn't
want to see you get hurt.
Picard: Thank you.
Soran returns to working on the launcher, but Picard looks back down at the
root, then walks away, planning his next move.

CUT TO:
INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY- BRIDGE
Lursa and B'Etor are watching the monitor of LaForge's POV with irritated
expressions. On the monitor, LaForge rounds a corner and enters
Engineering. The sisters lean forward eagerly.
B'Etor: Finally!

INT. ENGINEERING
LaForge is talking to an engineer named Farrell, N.D.s working in b.g.
Mid-conversation.
Farrell: I'd like to run a Level Three diagnostic on the port plasma
relays. I think one of the generators is fluctuating.
LaForge: Okay, let's do it.
They both move to consoles.

INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY- BRIDGE (VFX-P)
As before. On the screen, we can now see several of the monitors in
Engineering. On the left side of the screen is the large cutaway view of
the Enterprise. Lursa suddenly reacts to something on the screen.
Lursa: That's it! (to B'Etor) Replay from time index 429.
B'Etor works. The image on their monitor runs backward for a moment and
then freezes. On the screen, we can see several of the monitors in
Engineering. On the left side of the screen is the large cutaway view of
the Enterprise. Lursa touches the diagram.
Lursa: Magnify this section and enhance.
B'Etor works. The picture zooms in on the cutaway graphic and sharpens in
focus. There are several blocks of numbers and text visible. Lursa studies
the image.
Lursa: Their shields are operating on a modulation of 257.4.
The sisters exchange an excited glance, then move toward the command area.
B'Etor: (calls out) Adjust our torpedo frequency to match- 257.4!
The two sisters smile eagerly.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE
Data: (to Riker) Sir, I am detecting an anomalous subspace reading in Main
Engineering. It may be-
The ship is suddenly rocked violently. Alarms go off on the Bridge.

EXT. SPACE- ENTERPRISE AND KLINGON SHIP (VFX-I)
The Klingon ship is firing four torpedoes at the Enterprise. The torpedoes
pass straight through the ship's shields and hit directly on the hull.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE
Another violent hit.
Worf: (shocked) They have found a way to penetrate our shields.
Riker: Lock phasers and return fire!

EXT. SPACE- THE ENTERPRISE & KLINGON SHIP (VFX-I)
The Enterprise fires at the Bird of Prey, but the phaser shots are stopped
by the Klingon shields, which flash on when they're hit. The Bird of Prey
returns fire. The shot carves a jagged tear in the Enterprise's hull.

INT. BRIDGE
As before. The ship is jolted again. The Con console explodes and the Con
officer is killed.
Riker: (to Troi) Deanna, take the helm. Get us out of orbit.
Troi rushes to the Con and works.

EXT. SPACE- THE ENTERPRISE & KLINGON SHIP (VFX-I)
The Enterprise turns and leaves orbit, but the Klingon ship is right on top
of them, firing at the defenseless starship.

INT. BRIDGE
A jolt.
Data: Hull breach on decks 31 through 35.
Another jolt. The Bridge lights flicker. The situation is desperate.
Riker: (urgent, to Worf) Worf, that's an old Klingon ship. What do we know
about it? Are there any weaknesses?
The ship is jolted. They all hold on.
Worf: It is a Class D-12 Bird of Prey. They were retired from service
because of defective plasma coils.
Riker: Plasma coils is there any way we can use that to our advantage?
Worf: I do not see how. The plasma coil is part of their cloaking device.

INT. ENGINEERING
There is a sudden explosion on the upper level. LaForge and the other
engineers rush to deal with it.
LaForge: Get a stabilizer on that conduit.

INT. BRIDGE
Riker suddenly gets an inspiration as the Bridge is rocked.
Riker: (to Data) Could we access the defective coil and trigger their
cloak?
Data (considers) Perhaps (suddenly enthusiastic) Yes! If we sent a
low-level ionic pulse, it might reset the coil and engage the cloaking
systems.
Worf: (onto the idea) As their cloak begins to engage, their shields will
drop.
Riker: Right. And they'll be vulnerable for at least two seconds. (to Data)
Data, lock onto that plasma coil.
Data (confident) No problem.
Data goes to work.
Riker: Worf, prepare a spread of photon torpedoes. We'll have to hit them
the instant they begin to cloak.
Worf: Aye, sir.
Riker: We're only going to get one shot at this. Target their primary
reactor. With any luck, their warp core should implode.
Worf works.

EXT. SPACE- THE ENTERPRISE & KLINGON SHIP (VFX-I)
The Enterprise rolls and turns back toward the planet, tries to get away
from the Klingon ship. But the Bird of Prey follows its every move.

INT. BRIDGE
Data: I have accessed their coil frequency initiating ionic pulse.
The ship is hit again. An aft console explodes.
Riker: Make it quick!

INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY
Lursa and B'Etor in command, savoring their imminent victory.
Lursa: (to Navigator) Target their Bridge.
B'Etor: Full disruptors.
The Navigator suddenly reacts to something on his console.
Klingon Helm: We are cloaking!
B'Etor: What?
Klingon Helm: Mistress- our shields are down!

EXT. SPACE- THE KLINGON SHIP (VFX-I)
The ship begins shimmering- engaging its cloak.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE
Riker: Fire!
Worf works.

INT. KLINGON BIRD OF PREY (VFX-I)
Lursa and B'Etor react to the sight on the viewscreen as the spread of
torpedoes heads directly for them. The two sisters exchange a look. The
ship is suddenly rocked hard and we can see the beginning of an explosion.

EXT. SPACE- THE KLINGON SHIP (VFX-I)
The ship implodes, completely destroyed. Pieces of the shattered vessel
float past the camera.

INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE
Data: (excited) YES!!

CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- DAY (VFX-P)
Picard has made his way back to the gnarled root. He stands a few feet
away, a couple of pebbles in his hand. He glances at Soran, who's absorbed
with his work on the launcher. Picard then surreptitiously tosses a pebble
toward the root. It misses and bounces off the forcefield. Soran looks over
his shoulder at Picard, who sits down on a rock. Soran returns to his work.
Picard tosses a second pebble- this one also hits the forcefield. Soran
turns with a vaguely irritated look.
Soran: (as if to a child) Don't you have anything better to do?
Picard doesn't respond. Soran goes back to work.
Picard waits a moment, then takes aim and tosses another pebble toward the
root. This time, the pebble bounces underneath the arch and rolls onto the
plateau- inside the forcefield. Picard keeps his expression neutral, but
he's found a way in.

CUT TO:
INT. ENGINEERING
The room is a disaster. Wreckage from destroyed consoles and debris are
scattered throughout the room. LaForge is desperately working with
engineers near the warp core, which is running faster and faster.
LaForge: (to com) La Forge to Bridge. I've got a problem down here. The
magnetic interlocks have been ruptured. I need to get the-
The warp core starts to spew white-hot gas.
LaForge: Coolant leak! Everybody out.
The emergency isolation door comes down and people start rushing out of
Engineering. LaForge heads for the corridor.
LaForge: (on the move, to com) Bridge, we've got a new problem. We're about
five minutes from a warp core breach. There's nothing I can do.

INT. BRIDGE
Riker is faced with a no-win situation. He makes the decision.
Riker: (to Troi) Deanna, evacuate everyone into the saucer section. (to
Data) Mr. Data, prepare to separate the ship.
Troi and Data work and Riker moves to the Captain's chair. He presses a
button on the armchair console, a unique and urgent alarm is heard
throughout the ship.
Series of shots as the alarm sounds:
Crewmembers and Civilians rushing through the corridors.

LaForge directing people toward the correct doorways.

Parents grabbing their children and heading down the corridor.

Crusher and a nurse grab a wounded crewmember and pull him down the
corridor.

People scrambling through Jefferies tubes and closing hatches behind them.

EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- DAY (VFX-P)
Soran is finishing his work on the launcher. On one of the monitors on the
control panel, we can now see alien graphics and numbers ticking by-
obviously a countdown in progress. Soran finishes and turns off the control
panel. He steps down and looks over at Picard, who is standing near the
forcefield.
Soran: Now, if you'll excuse me, Captain, I have an appointment with
eternity and I don't want to be late.
Soran turns and begins to climb up the scaffolding toward the top of the
rockface.Picard watches him intently for a few moments, then quickly
springs into action.

INT. JEFFERIES TUBE
People scramble through the tube and out into a corridor. LaForge is the
last man through the hatch. He turns and manually shuts the hatch behind
him.
LaForge: (hits combadge) That's it, Bridge- we're all out!

INT. BRIDGE
Data: One minute to warp core breach.
Riker: (to Data) Begin separation sequence. (to Troi) Full impulse power
once we're clear.
Data works.

EXT. SPACE- THE ENTERPRISE (VFX-I)
Looking forward from behind the rear of the massive ship. A crack appears
as the separation process begins.

INT. BRIDGE (VFX-I)
Everyone is watching the viewscreen with anticipation.
Data: Separation complete. Ten seconds to warp core breach.
Troi: Engaging impulse engines.

EXT. SPACE- SAUCER SECTION (VFX-I)
Moves away from the battle section. Before it can completely escape, the
battle section explodes. The force of the explosion hits the saucer
section, knocking it toward the planet.

INT. BRIDGE (VFX-I)
Everyone is knocked to their knees.
Riker: Report.
Troi: Helm controls are off-line!
They all look at the viewscreen. The planet is rushing toward them.

CLOSE ON DATA
as he reacts to the terrifying image.
Data: Oh, shit.

CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- DAY (VFX-P)
Picard has dropped to the ground and is on his back- he's trying to wriggle
underneath the root. It's not easy; he knows there's not much room between
the ground and the invisible field. He just gets his head and shoulders
underneath when he accidentally touches the field and it crackles violently
around him. Picard is jolted by the shock.

SORAN (VFX-P)
turns at the sound of the field, sees Picard, and then draws his weapon.
Soran quickly fires at Picard.

THE GROUND (VFX-P)
is blasted apart, creating a cloud of dirt and smoke, obscuring Picard and
the whole area momentarily.
Soran jumps down one level on the scaffolding, his disruptor still in his
hand, ready just in case Picard somehow survived. Soran peers through the
cloud of dust and debris.
The dust from the explosion finally clears but Picard is gone along with
several feet of the ground where he was crawling.

SORAN (VFX-I)
glances up at the sky and sees the distant energy ribbon just coming into
view. There's no time to look for Picard. Soran begins to climb the
scaffolding.

CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE- SAUCER SECTION (VFX-I)
Plummets into the planet's atmosphere.

INT. BRIDGE
The ship is shaking and rolling violently. Everyone hanging on for dear
life.
Series of shots:

CORRIDOR
Teachers and parents lead a group of children toward an intersection. The
parents go down one corridor, the teachers and children down another. One
child cries out and tries to reach for its mother, but there's no time- a
teacher keeps the child moving down the hall.

CREW QUARTERS
People are bracing themselves for the crash, taking emergency positions
against walls, etc.

INT. BRIDGE (VFX-I)
The ground is getting closer on the viewscreen.
Data: (off console) I have rerouted auxiliary power to the lateral
thrusters- attempting to level our descent.
Riker: (to com) All hands, brace for impact!

EXT. PLANET'S ATMOSPHERE- SAUCER SECTION (VFX-I)
The leading edge of the huge saucer tilts upward slightly, and then it hits
the surface. The saucer begins to plow through the dense rain forest. As
the ship continues through the jungle, we intercut the following sequences.

INT. BRIDGE
Riker and the others hanging on as the ship shakes violently.

CREW QUARTERS
A family huddles for protection as the windows are blown inward by debris.

INT. READY ROOM
The side window is blown out and Picard's photo album is tossed across the
room along with everything else.

EXT. SAUCER SECTION (VFX-I)
Outside the ship, we see a huge wall of metal crashing through the jungle,
uprooting trees, dirt flying, birds scrambling out of the way. An enormous
scene of destruction as it tears through the foliage.

INT. BRIDGE
The ship continues to jump and shake; every light on the ship goes out in
the crash. Finally, it comes to a stop. There is a long, quiet beat, then
people begin to stir in the darkened room.

ANGLE ON RIKER
who is slumped in his chair. He catches his breath, lifts his face and
looks up into sunlight. He shields his eyes and looks up at the ceiling and
reacts.

RIKER'S POV (VFX-P)
The sun is shining in through the shattered overhead window on the top of
the Bridge. There is a fluttering sound as a couple of birds perch on the
rim of the window.

EXT. PLANET'S SURFACE- THE ENTERPRISE (WIDE SHOT) (VFX-I)
The saucer has come to a stop in the middle of a rain forest.The passage of
the saucer has gouged a long trail through the forest behind the ship. Off
this startling sight

CUT TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- DAY
Soran is climbing up the scaffolding. He gets a couple of levels up, and
then suddenly a boot kicks him in the face. Picard has made it inside the
field.
A quick fight ensues, during which Picard is knocked a few levels down on
the scaffolding. He lands hard and happens to look up into the sky. He sees
something.

PICARD'S POV- THE SKY (VFX-I)
The energy ribbon can be seen in the distant sky: a bizarre snake of color
streaking across the deep blue sky. Time is almost up.

RESUME ACTION (VFX-I)
Picard avoids a vicious kick from Soran, glances down at the probe
launcher, and realizes he's got one chance. He rolls to his feet, runs
toward the probe launcher.
There is a thunderous roar as the launcher fires the probe into the sky.
The plateau is suddenly quiet as the probe streaks toward the distant sun
and disappears from view. Picard gets to his knees, stares after the probe,
shocked. He's failed. They watch the sun for a silent moment, waiting.

THE SUN (VFX-I)
begins to darken and collapse, as seen before.

RESUME PLATEAU
the scene darkens as the sun goes out and night falls on the planet.
Soran, a look of profound elation on his face, makes his way to the top of
the scaffolding and looks into the sky.

PICARD (VFX-I)
gets to his feet and stares at the onrushing ribbon, the wind whipping up
on the plateau. He backs away at the sight, coming to a stop with his back
against the scaffolding. There's no where to run.

NEW ANGLE- THE PLATEAU (VFX-I)
as the ribbon of energy tears across the scene in a terrifying torrent of
light and sound. The scene is washed out by a blinding flood of red light.
Then suddenly the ribbon is gone and so are Picard and Soran. The plateau
is strangely and utterly silent after the passage of the ribbon. Even the
birds have stopped chirping in the trees.

EXT. SPACE- VERIDIAN III (VFX-I)
As the energy ribbon rushes past the camera, a huge shockwave from the
destroyed star hits the planet and it explodes in a blast of fiery debris.

CUT TO:
CLOSE ON PICARD
being led through a darkened hallway. He is wearing a blindfold. O.s. hands
tug and pull at him, leading him forward down the hall.
He's lost and confused, unsure where he is or what's going on. He tries to
resist, but can't. The hands keep pulling at him.
He is finally brought out into a larger room, dark. The hands release him
and he stands alone. He takes a beat and tries to take control of the
situation.
Picard: What's going on? Where am I?
Two hands reach into frame from o.s. and remove the blindfold.

PICARD'S POV
The blindfold drops, revealing a blurry kaleidscope of colors and shapes.

ON PICARD
as he blinks and tries to focus.

PICARD'S POV
As the room comes into focus. The first thing we see is an enormous, gaily
decorated Christmas tree sparkling with hundreds of lights.

REVEAL THE ROOM
A 24th-century French living room. It is beautifully decorated with lights,
ornaments, holly. Brightly wrapped presents are clustered beneath the
Christmas tree. There are five children standing and sitting in the room,
all looking at Picard with bright, smiling faces, waiting for him to say
something.
Picard stares at the scene for a moment, unsure how to react. Then we hear
a woman's voice and we move to reveal an attractive woman in her forties
standing next to Picard. Woman: Go on say something. They're waiting.
Picard is stunned.
Picard: I don't know what to say.
One of the children, a young girl, speaks up.
Girl: Say Merry Christmas, Papa!
Picard: (in a daze) Merry Christmas
The children break out into applause. The woman kisses him on the cheek,
then steers him to a large, overstuffed chair. Picard sits down and the
children starts handing out presents with much laughter and chatting.
Children: This one's for you. Where's mine? I hope this is the book I asked
for. Take this one to Papa.
As the activity swirls around him, Picard begins to feel an immense sense
of satisfaction and happiness. It's like a drug- an overwhelming feeling of
joy and contentment fills Picard. It's a wondrous experience. He settles
back in the chair and a smile spreads across his face. For reasons he
cannot name and does not even want to understand at the moment, he is very,
very happy.
Girl: (to Picard) Isn't the tree beautiful, Papa?
Picard answers as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Picard: Oh yes yes, it's astonishingly beautiful. All of it.
All of the children now crowd around the chair with a single large gift and
hand it to Picard. One of the younger boys speaks up.
Young Boy: This is from all of us.
Picard: Thank you. I can't imagine what it is.
Picard tears open the box and pulls out a 19th-century sextant- an
old-fashioned nautical navigational instrument. It's a beautiful piece with
polished and gleaming brass.
Young Boy: (excited) It's a sack-tent!
Picard eyes it with delight.
Picard: You mean a sextant. And it's a handsome one at that from about
1820, I'd say. Wherever did you find it?
Girl: It's a secret.
Picard: (smiles) Oh, a secret. Well, that makes it a doubly special gift.
Thank you. Thank you all.
The children react with pleasure. They cluster around him, showering him
with hugs and kisses.
Children: Merry Christmas, Papa. I love you. etc.
Picard is covered in a blanket of love and affection. The children pull
back and return to their own presents. There is a swirl of activity and
commotion as a warm and heartfelt Christmas morning is played out.
Woman: (to Picard) I'll go get dinner ready. They'll be starving in a
minute.
Picard nods as the woman exits the room. He looks around the scene, utterly
happy, utterly content.
The children continue to chatter and laugh among themselves as Picard's eye
falls on the glorious Christmas tree. He can't help but smile as he looks
over the ornaments and decorations.

PICARD'S POV
of the sparkling lights and ornaments- a swirl of color and light.

PICARD
His eye is caught by something in particular on the tree. He leans forward
slightly and stares at it.

PICARD'S POV (VFX-P)
His eye has been caught by an ornament hanging near the top of the tree. It
is a large and beautiful glass ball with a tiny light in the center in the
shape of a star. As Picard watches, the star suddenly goes out, and it
radiates a shimmering light effect that expands outward into the glass
sphere.
It's a startling and beautiful ornament whose effect is reminiscent of the
star going out, as seen earlier in the film. But this is just coincidence-
this is the way the ornament was designed and it's simply one of many
ornaments on the tree.

PICARD
reacts. The image of the ornament has touched a nerve within him somewhere.
It has reminded him of something he'd nearly forgotten- a discordant note
in an otherwise wondrous and magical scene. He frowns, the reverie
momentarily disrupted. But he tries to push it aside, not wanting the spell
to be broken. He stands and turns away from the tree and looks out a nearby
window- it's snowing and the beautiful image of snow soothes him for a
moment. Then he reacts to something.

PICARD'S POV (VFX-P)
reflected on the pane of glass is the image of the ornament- it's still
blinking. Picard now realizes that this image is not going to go away- he
can't hide from it.
Picard: No this isn't right. This can't be real.
Guinan's Voice: It's as real as you want it to be.

Picard turns to see
GUINAN (VFX-P)
standing before him. She is wearing the same outfit seen in the beginning
of the film on the Enterprise-B. As they talk, the children and the woman
continue to move about their business as if Picard and Guinan aren't there.
Picard is stunned.
Picard: Guinan what's going on? Where am I?
Guinan: You're in the Nexus.
Picard looks around.
Picard: This is the Nexus?
Guinan: For you. This is where you wanted to be.
Picard: But I never had a wife, children, a home like this.
Guinan: Enjoy them, Jean-Luc
Picard tries to make sense of it- he focuses on Guinan.
Picard: Guinan, what are you doing here? I thought you were on the
Enterprise.
Guinan: I am on the Enterprise. I am also here. (off his puzzled look)
Think of me as an "echo" of the person you know. A part she left behind.
Picard: Left behind?
Guinan: When the Enterprise-B beamed us off the Lakul, we were partially in
the Nexus. The transporters locked on to us, but somehow everyone left a
part of themselves behind.
Picard: Soran?
Guinan: All of us.
Picard: Where is he now?
Guinan: Wherever he wanted to be.
Guinan smiles at him.
Boy's Voice: Papa, help me build my castle!
Picard glances over at the boy, who is building a play castle out of the
24th-century equivalent of Lego. For a moment, Picard is tempted to drift
back to the warm embrace of the fantasy.
Picard: (to boy) In a few minutes.
Picard looks around at the children, the lure to stay here becoming more
powerful.
Picard: (continuing, awed, to Guinan) These are my children my children.
Guinan: (smiles) Yeah. They're great, aren't they? You can go back and see
them born, go forward and see your grandchildren. Time has no meaning here.
Woman's Voice: Dinner's ready! Let's go!
There's a general rush toward the adjacent dining room. The youngest boy
looks at Picard, goes over to him and takes his hand.
Boy: Papa are you coming?
Picard looks down into the face of his child. His heart swells, the
temptation to stay here and live this out is profound. Almost in a trance,
he takes a few steps with the child toward the dining room. His eye is
caught again by the unusual ornament on the tree for a moment; he's torn
between the two images. And then, in one of the most difficult moments of
his life, he bends down to the child.
Picard: Go on go on without me.
The boy looks at him quizzically for a moment, then obeys his father and
dashes off toward the dining room to join the others. Picard straightens up
and tries to steel his voice.
Picard: Guinan, can I leave the Nexus?
Guinan: Why would you want to leave?
Picard: (insistent) Can I?
Guinan: Yes where would you go?
Picard: I don't understand.
Guinan: I told you, time has no meaning here. If you leave, you can go
anywhere, any time.
Picard realizes the opportunity before him.
Picard: I know exactly where I want to go, and when. Back to that
mountaintop on Veridian III, before Soran put out the star. I have to stop
him.
Guinan: What makes you think things will be any different this time?
Picard: You're right. I'll need help. (beat) Guinan, will you come back
with me? Together, we could-
Guinan: I can't leave. I'm already there, remember?
Picard looks crestfallen for a moment. Guinan gives him an enigmatic smile.
Guinan: I know just the guy.
Suddenly there's the cry of a hawk from o.s. Picard turns at the sound.

EXT. KIRK:'S HOME- DAY
Picard finds himself standing outside a rustic, but architecturally
striking house with spectacular views in the Canadian Rockies. A hawk is
circling overhead, making the crying sound that Picard heard. The air is
cold, frigid- Picard can see his breath. Picard is just starting to adjust
to this sudden change in location when he hears the sound of wood being
chopped from around the corner of the house. Picard moves to look around
the corner and sees James T. Kirk. He's still in his uniform and looks
exactly as he did the last time we saw him aboard the Enterprise-B at the
beginning of the film. He is vigorously chopping wood with an axe. He's
enjoying himself, lost in the sheer pleasure of the manual labor. He's
never felt this good in his life. There's no trace of back pain or any
other ailment. Picard recognizes the famous captain- as would any
24th-century Starfleet officer.
Picard: James Kirk
Kirk pauses, looks up at the strange man before him. His expression is
wondrous, almost child-like. Like in Picard's Christmas sequence, Kirk is
immersed in the sensual feeling of the Nexus. It's like a dream that has
overpowered him.
Kirk: Beautiful day, isn't it?
Picard: Yes yes, it is.
Kirk points to a nearby log on the woodpile.
Kirk: Do you mind?
It takes Picard a beat before he realizes that Kirk wants him to put the
log on the chopping block for him.
Picard: Oh.
Picard places the log on the block and Kirk gives it a vigorous chop with
the axe. Picard: Captain, do you realize that-
But Kirk interrupts as he sees something o.c.
Kirk: Wait a second. I think something's burning.
Picard follows his look to see smoke billowing out of one of the windows of
the house. Kirk rushes into the house, and Picard follows.

INT. KIRK'S HOME- KITCHEN- DAY- CONTINUOUS
Kirk rushes in. The kitchen's decor is 19th-century with a few 23rd-century
touches- copper pans and an antique stove mixed comfortably with computer
consoles and Starfleet paraphernalia. Picard hesitates in the doorway- a
little unsure about rushing into some stranger's house.
Kirk yanks a burning frying pan of food off the stove. It's very hot- he
quickly sets it down near the sink, waves the smoke away with his hand.
Kirk: Looks like someone was cooking eggs. (to Picard) Come on in, it's all
right. This is my house- or at least it used to be, I sold it years ago.
Picard comes in and tries to orient Kirk to what's going on.
Picard: I'm Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the starship Enterprise.
Before Kirk can react to this remark, an antique clock on a shelf chimes as
it strikes the hour. Kirk moves to the shelf and looks at the clock in
surprise and wonder- he is entranced by this experience, beginning to
connect with things and memories from his past.
Kirk: This clock I gave this clock to Bones.
Picard: (pressing on) I'm from what you would consider the future; the
24th-century.
Kirk hears what Picard is saying, but like Picard in his fantasy, he is
more interested in the sights and sounds around him. A dog barks from o.c.
They both look as a large black dog bounds into the room and greets Kirk
with enthusiasm.
Kirk: (affectionately) Jake! Jake, you miserable old mutt. How can you be
here? (to Picard) He's been dead seven years.
Kirk is still looking around the kitchen when suddenly we hear a woman's
voice from somewhere upstairs that stops Kirk in his tracks. As she speaks,
we can see the shock on Kirk's face.
Antonina's Voice: Come on, Jim, I'm starving. How long are you going to be
rattling around that kitchen?
A beat.
Kirk: (amazed) That's Antonia
Kirk looks at the food on the stove. He's beginning to realize something.
Kirk: Wait a minute
Kirk glances at Picard.
Kirk: The future What are you talking about? This is the past.
Kirk moves to a drawer and opens it. Inside is a horseshoe with a tiny red
bow tied to it. This confirms things for Kirk. He picks up the horseshoe.
Kirk: This is nine years ago, the day I told her I was going back to
Starfleet.
Kirk is swept up in the moment, overwhelmed by memeories, sensations,
feelings. He goes back to the frying pan and looks at the contents with a
sudden burst of recognition.
Kirk: These were Ktarian eggs- her favorite. I was cooking them to soften
the blow. (re: horseshoe) And I gave her this.
Picard steps in.
Picard: I know how real this must seem to you, but it's not. This isn't
really your house. We've both been caught up in some sort of temporal
nexus.
But Kirk's mind is clearly elsewhere. He's being swept away by the emotion
of the moment, realizing the opportunity he suddenly has.
Kirk: Dill weed.
Kirk indicates a shelf, as if asking Picard to go to it.
Kirk: There's a bottle of dill weed on the second shelf to the left, right
behind the nutmeg.
Kirk moves to the stove and tosses out the ruined eggs. He cracks open two
new eggs on the skillet and begins preparing a breakfast. Picard waits for
a moment, then goes to the shelf, grabs the dill weed and hands it to Kirk.
Picard: How long have you been here?
Kirk takes the bottle and uses it to season the eggs.
Kirk: I don't know. I was on the Enterprise-B, in the deflector control
room keep stirring these, will you?
Kirk moves to a cabinet and begins putting plates on a breakfast tray.
Picard is getting a little impatient, but stirs the eggs anyway.
Kirk: The bulkhead in front of me disappeared then I was out there chopping
wood. (back to stove) Thanks.
Kirk takes the pan of eggs back from Picard.
Picard: History records that you died saving the Enterprise-B from an
energy ribbon eighty years ago.
But Picard's words mean almost nothing to Kirk. He is thoroughly enjoying
himself and Picard is almost a distraction. Kirk begins serving the eggs
onto the plates and grabs a small vase of flowers to put on the tray.
Kirk: (amused) So you're telling me this is the 24th-century and I'm dead?
Picard: Not exactly. As I said, this is some kind of-
Kirk: Temporal nexus, yeah, I heard you. (frowns at tray) Something's
missing.
Then he remembers and turns to look at a nearby toaster- as if on cue, two
slices of toast pop out. Kirk grins and puts the toast on the plates. Kirk
picks up the tray and heads for the door.
Picard: Captain, I need your help. I want you to leave the Nexus with me.
Kirk goes out of the kitchen and Picard follows.

INT. KIRK'S HOME- LIVING ROOM- DAY- CONTINUOUS
Kirk and Picard both on the move. Kirk heading for a staircase.
Picard: We have to go back to a planet called Veridian III and stop a man
from destroying a star. There are millions of lives at stake.
Kirk tries to keep it light, hoping this man will go away.
Kirk: You said history considers me dead. Who am I to argue with history?
Picard: You're a Starfleet officer and you have a duty to-
Kirk: (hard) I don't need to be lectured by you. I was out saving the
galaxy when your grandfather was still in diapers. And frankly, I think the
galaxy owes me one (beat) I was like you once- so worried about duty and
obligations that I couldn't see anything past this uniform. And in the end,
what did it get me? Nothing. Not this time.
Kirk brushes past Picard and stops at the foot of the stairs.
Kirk: (looking up the stairs) I'm going to walk up these stairs, march into
that bedroom and tell Antonia that I want to marry her.
Kirk begins to climb the stairs.
Kirk: This time things are going to be different.
He goes through a bedroom door and closes it behind him. Picard glances
around the room in frustration, then gets a determined look on his face and
marches up the stairs after Kirk, grasps the doorknob, opens it and steps
through the door into

INT. BARN- DAY- CONTINUOUS
Picard suddenly finds himself standing in the doorway of a wooden barn.
Straw on the floor, farm implements on the walls, sunlight streaming in
through the slats. There are stalls in the barn with a few horses visible.
Kirk is standing a short distance away. He looks surprised as well- and he
is no longer holding his tray of food.
Picard: (re: barn) This doesn't look like your bedroom.
Kirk looks around for a moment, the pieces starting to fall into place. He
smiles with a growing realization.
Kirk: No no, it's not. It's better.
Picard: Better?
Kirk: This is my uncle's barn in Iowa.
He points to a horse with a saddle on it.
Kirk: (re: horse) I took that horse out for a ride seven years ago, on a
spring day.
Kirk moves to the barn door and opens it revealing a beautiful spring day.
Kirk: Just like this. If I'm right, this is the day I met Antonia.
He turns to Picard.
Kirk: This Nexus of yours is very clever. I can start all over again; do
things right from day one.
Kirk grabs the horse, swings up onto the saddle, and rides out of the barn,
filled with excitement. Picard watches him for a moment, then looks at one
of the other horses in the barn. He makes a decision and then moves toward
a saddle hanging on the wall.

CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE- DAY (VFX-P)
Kirk is riding his horse hard over the countryside and across a stream,
through a thicket of trees, and finally out onto a rolling plain. There is
a large ravine up ahead. Kirk sees it and smiles tightly. He spurs his
horse faster toward the ravine. The horse is tearing along, comes up to the
edge of the precipice, and makes a daring leap to the other side.
Horse and rider land together and Kirk spurs the horse on. But as he rides,
we begin to see a change come over him- a look of doubt crosses his face.
Something's not right. He slows the horse to a trot, and then to a complete
stop. He sits there for a moment and frowns, turns and looks back at the
ravine, which is now a fair distance away. Something about that jump is
nagging at him.
He turns his horse around and then digs in his heels. The horse breaks into
a gallop, racing back toward the ravine. Kirk grips the reins tight in his
hands and then the horse makes the leap across yet again.
This time when Kirk lands, he brings his horse to an immediate stop. We can
see on his face that something is very wrong. He turns and stares at the
ravine with a mixture of shock and sadness on his face.
In the distance, Picard can be seen approaching on a horse of his own. He
stops next to Kirk. There is a long, quiet moment as the two men sit there
side by side. Kirk is introspective as he sorts through his feelings.
Kirk: (re: ravine) I must have made this jump fifty times, and every time
it scared the hell out of me. But not this time. (beat) Because it's not
real.
A quiet beat. Kirk turns and looks toward a particular hill in the
distance, shading his eyes against the bright sun. Picard follows his gaze
and we can now see the distant figure of a woman walking her horse.
Picard: (re: woman) Antonia?
Kirk: (nods) She's not real either, is she? Nothing here is. Nothing here
matters.
All euphoria is now gone from Kirk. It's a moment of self-revelation. He
glances around.
Kirk: It's kinda like orbital skydiving. Exciting for a few minutes, but in
the end, you haven't really done anything. You haven't made a difference.
Kirk takes a beat, then looks at Picard. And in a way, he's truly seeing
him for the first time.
Kirk: Captain of the Enterprise, huh?
Picard: That's right.
Kirk: Close to retirement?
Picard: I hadn't planned on it.
There is a passion and a fervor in Kirk that we haven't seen until now.
Kirk: Well, let me tell you something- don't. Don't let them promote you.
Don't let them transfer you. Don't let anything take you off the bridge of
that ship. (beat) Because while you're there, you can make a difference.
The two captains face each other for a moment. Picard hears what Kirk is
saying but also knows that's not the whole story. Picard gives him a direct
look, and there is something in Picard's eyes- a glint of resolve and
determination.
Picard: You don't need to be on the bridge of a starship. Come with me.
Help me stop Soran. (beat) Make a difference again.
A long, silent beat as Kirk considers Picard. And slowly, unexpectedly, a
smile spreads across his face.
Kirk: How can I argue with the captain of the Enterprise? What was the name
of that planet Veridian III?
Picard: That's right.
Kirk: I take it the odds are against us and the situation is grim?
Picard: You could say that.
Kirk: (musing) Of course, if Spock were here, he'd say I was being an
irrational, illogical human for wanting to go on a mission like that.
And for the first time, we can see the twinkle in his eye that tells us Jim
Kirk is back.
Kirk: Sounds like fun.
The two men turn and walk away from Antonia, and as they walk, a roar of
color and sound washes out the screen, as seen before.

FADE TO RED
FADE IN:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- DAY (VFX-P)
Soran is standing in front of the forcefield, facing Picard.
Soran: Now, if you'll excuse me, Captain, I have an appointment with
eternity and I don't want to be late.
We realize we are watching the same events play out again.
Soran turns and begins to climb up the scaffolding toward the top of the
rockface. Picard drops to the ground on his back and begins to wriggle
underneath the forcefield. Picard accidentally touches the field.

SORAN (VFX-P)
turns at the sound of the field, sees Picard, and then draws his weapon.
Soran quickly fires at Picard.

THE GROUND (VFX-P)
is blasted apart, creating a cloud of dirt and smoke, obscuring Picard and
the whole area momentarily.
Soran jumps down one level on the scaffolding, his disruptor still in his
hand, ready just in case Picard somehow survived. Soran peers through the
cloud of dust and debris.
The dust from the explosion finally clears but Picard is gone along with
several feet of the ground where he was crawling.

SORAN (VFX-I)
glances up at the sky and sees the distant energy ribbon just coming into
view. There's no time to look for Picard. Soran begins to climb the
scaffolding. Suddenly a boot kicks him in the head.

REVEAL KIRK
who is attacking Soran in Picard's place. The two men begin to fight.

NEW ANGLE (VFX-P)
as Picard rushes to the probe launcher and steps up onto the control
platform and desperately begins trying to shut down the launcher.
The following happens very quickly:
Kirk fights with Soran, hand-to-hand, brutal.
Picard works the control panel, trying to make sense of it all. It won't
respond. The control panel is bizarre and confusing- many different screens
and alien graphics. The alien countdown continues to race by.

THE SKY (VFX-I)
the distant energy ribbon can be seen getting closer.

THE MOUNTAINTOP
Soran tries to pull his disruptor, but Kirk knocks it to the ground.
There's a struggle for the weapon.
Picard looks helplessly at the control panel. Nothing he does has any
effect. He keeps hitting buttons, looking for other control panels,
anything to affect the launcher.

ANGLE (VFX-P)
Suddenly, Picard touches one particular control and the screen changes to
an image of the Veridian sun, held in the center of the alien cross-hair.

PICARD (VFX-P)
begins working the control panel, desperate. He looks at the screen, hits a
control. Suddenly the probe cloaks. Picard reacts at his mistake. Picard is
left standing on an invisible platform three feet in the air. Picard isn't
sure what to do- he can feel the console, but he can't see any of the
controls.
Kirk punches Soran and sends him flying backward. Soran lands heavily on
the ground, unconscious. Kirk stands over him, breathing heavily. He holds
his back in pain- that old back pain from the beginning of the film.
Picard: (desperate) Kirk- there's a control padd in his right pocket!

KIRK (VFX-P)
sees Picard standing in mid-air and then reaches down, pulls the control
padd out of Soran's pocket. He begins working it.

CLOSE ON SORAN
His eyes open. He sees what Kirk is doing, looks around quickly, sees the
disruptor lying a few feet away, just beyond his reach.

THE PROBE LAUNCHER (VFX-P)
Decloaks. Picard goes back to working on the controls.

KIRK(VFX-P)
he smiles.
Kirk: The 24th-century isn't so tough.
Without warning, Kirk is blasted forward, shot from behind. Reveal Soran on
the ground with the disruptor in his hand. He gets up, whirls around,
points the weapon at Picard.

MOUNTAINTOP- WIDE
The probe is suddenly launched in a roar of flame. Soran freezes. His eyes
follow the probe as it arcs into the sky. The two men watch the probe as it
heads toward the sun.

THE PROBE (VFX-I)
makes a sweeping turn to the right and arcs back down toward the planet.
Soran watches in horror as the probe crashes harmlessly into the distant
jungle. We hear a muffled explosion.

SORAN (VFX-I)
can't believe his dreams have been shattered. He looks into the sky and
sees the distant ribbon streaking overhead. The disruptor falls from his
hand as he rushes to the top of the scaffolding.

PICARD
moves to Kirk, checks his pulse. The Captain's eyes flutter- he's still
holding on, but he's badly wounded.

SORAN (VFX-I)
is standing on the rock ledge. He reaches up toward the sky as if trying to
grab the ribbon with his bare hands, but the ribbon passes by and
disappears.
Soran: No
His look of shock turns to fury and madness. He turns to Picard.
Soran: YOU!!

NEW ANGLE (VFX-P)
He jumps down a few levels and then dives off the scaffolding at Picard.
But Picard is quicker. He grabs the disruptor and fires. The blast catches
Soran in mid-air.
Soran drops to the ground a short distance away. Dead. The pocketwatch has
been shattered.

PICARD
turns back to Kirk, cradles the dying man's head in his lap. Kirk's eyes
flick open, and he takes a ragged breath.
Kirk: Nice shot.
Kirk coughs. His eyes flutter. He's fading fast. Picard: I'll find a way to
contact the Enterprise. You're going to be all right.
Kirk: Did we do it? Did we make a difference?
Picard: Yes. (beat) Thank you.
Kirk: Least I could do for a captain of the Enterprise.
Kirk coughs again.
Picard: Try to hang on.
Kirk looks up at the sky, the sunlight is warm on his face. A quiet moment,
then, with a last smile on his face
Kirk: It was fun.
Kirk dies.

Hold the scene for a long moment, the two men in the quiet clearing.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- SUNSET
Close on Picard's hand
as he places a stone on a large pile of other stones. Move to reveal that
Picard is placing the final few rocks on Kirk's grave.
He reaches into a pocket and pulls out Kirk's command insignia pin. He
carefully places it on the grave, and stands there silently for a few
moments.
A distant whine of engines can be heard. Picard looks up into the sky.

PICARD'S POV (VFX-I)
An Enterprise shuttlecraft is flying through the sky toward the
mountaintop.

EXT. MOUNTAINTOP- SUNSET
The shuttle has just landed, and the door opens as Picard enters the
clearing. Worf, LaForge and N.D. security guards jump out to meet him.
Worf: Captain, are you all right?
Picard: Yes.
LaForge: What about Doctor Soran?
Picard: You needn't worry about the Doctor anymore.
Picard moves toward the shuttle, then stops as he notices that the shuttle
is damaged. Picard turns and notices for the first time that LaForge has a
bandage on his face and Worf's uniform is torn.
Picard: Was there a problem with the Klingons?
Worf and LaForge exchange a look.
LaForge: You could say that

CUT TO:
EXT. PLANET SURFACE- THE ENTERPRISE (WIDE SHOT) (VFX-I)
as seen before.
Picard: (V.O.)
Captain's log, stardate 48650.1. The starship Farragut has arrived in orbit
and has begun to beam up the Enterprise survivors for transport back to
Earth. Our casualties were light, but unfortunately the Enterprise herself
cannot be salvaged.

CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE- CORRIDOR- DAY
A hive of activity. Crewmembers moving about, carrying personal effects,
equipment, etc. Some wounded people being carried on stretchers. The
corridor is lit by emergency beacons and a hatch has been opened at one end
of the corridor leading to the exterior of the ship. Daylight can be seen
outside. Move along the corridor to find Crusher helping an injured
crewmember into the arms of a waiting medical N.D. Ogawa walks up to her.
Ogawa: That should be the last of the wounded, Doctor.
Crusher nods. She looks exhausted.
Crusher: Two hundred thirty-two patients in under two days
Two medical N.D.s walk past, carrying an empty stretcher. Crusher glances
at them.
Crusher: (calls out) Save that stretcher.
Ogawa: Is there another patient?
Crusher: No- that one's for me.

CUT TO:
INT. ANOTHER LOCATION
Data and Troi are looking through rubble in a different section of the ship
with tricorders. Troi reacts to something on the tricorder.
Troi: Over here, Data! I think I've found something.
Data moves to her, with a hopeful and excited look.
Troi: (off tricorder) One life sign, very faint.
Data hands his tricorder to Troi and then begins to pull debris aside with
android strength.

ANGLE ON DEBRIS
As Data pulls aside a large piece of plating, revealing Spot the Cat
sitting in the wreckage. She looks at Data and gives a plaintive meow.
Data (relieved) Spot.
He picks up the cat and holds it close, stroking its fur. The cat purrs
happily.
DataI am very happy to find you, Spot.
Troi smiles.
Troi: Another family reunited.
Data turns, revealing that there are tears in his eyes. Troi is surprised
and touched at the sight.
Troi: Data, are you all right?
Data I am not sure, Counselor. I am happy to see Spot, and yet I am crying.
My emotional program must be malfunctioning again.
Troi puts a gentle hand on him.
Troi: No, Data, I think it's working perfectly.
Data looks up at her and smiles through his tears. Off the image of Data
cuddling his cat.

CUT TO:
INT. READY ROOM- DAY
Picard and Riker are sifting through the rubble of what once was the Ready
Room, looking for something.
Riker sees something in the rubble.
Riker: Is this it?
Riker holds up the family photo album seen earlier.
Picard: (relieved) Yes, Number One. Thank you.
He takes the album, brushes off the dust and flips through the pages for a
moment. Riker looks around the wrecked room.
Riker:I'm going to miss this ship. She went before her time.
Picard has been rejuvenated by his experience, given a new perspective on
the issues of life and death.
Picard: It's not how many years you've lived, Will but how you've lived
them. (beat) Someone once told me that time is a predator that stalks us
all our lives. But maybe time is also a companion who goes with us on our
journey, and reminds us to cherish the moments of our lives because they
will never come again. (beat) We are, after all only mortal.
A quiet moment. Riker finally smiles.
Riker: Speak for yourself, sir. I kinda planned on living forever.

Picard smiles back at him and the two men exit to
INT. MAIN BRIDGE- DAY (VFX-P)
Riker and Picard enter from the Ready Room. They look around the wrecked
Bridge for a moment. Riker glances at the captain's chair.
Riker: I always thought I'd have a crack at this chair one day.
Picard: You may still. Somehow I doubt this will be the last ship to carry
the name Enterprise.
A beat, then Picard hits his combadge.
Picard: (to com) Picard to Farragut. Two to beam up.
The two men dematerialize.

FADE TO BLACK.

THE END

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        CAST

Captain Jean-Luc Picard         PATRICK STEWART
Commander William Riker         JONATHAN FRAKES
Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge   LEVAR BURTON
Lt. Commander Worf              MICHAEL DORN
Doctor Beverly Crusher          GATES McFADDEN
Counselor Deanna Troi           MARINA SIRTIS
Lt. Commander Data              BRENT SPINER
Guinan                          WHOOPI GOLDBERG
Doctor Soran                    MALCOLM McDOWELL
Nurse Ogawa                     PATTI YASUTAKE
Spot the Cat                    HIMSELF

Captain James T. Kirk           WILLIAM SHATNER
Captain Montgomery Scott        JAMES DOOHAN
Commander Pavel Chekov          WALTER KOENIG

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