STAR TREK: NEMESIS
by
John Logan
FADE IN:
INT. MEDICAL MONTAGE - DAY
Life. Glorious in its many forms. The biological pulse
finding its way heroically through the cold manipulation of
science.
CREDITS as we see a beautiful montage of futuristic medical
technology. Through a microscope we see cells multiplying
and gene strands exponentially increasing with the vibrancy
of exploding flowers. We see laser splicing and biological
manipulation on the molecular level.
CREDITS continue as we fade to...
INT. ROMULAN SENATE CHAMBER - NIGHT
Politics... In a cavernous, shadowy chamber. Dark figures
lean together and talk seriously. Their hushed, urgent tones
denote the gravity of their discussion.
We can't make out the words but there is no doubt what they
are talking about.
The three year old HUMAN BOY who stands before them. The boy
is alone and frightened, lost in the sweeping grandeur of
the massive chamber.
CREDITS continue as we fade to...
EXT. REMAN HOMEWORLD - NIGHT
Labor...
On a stark, desert planet with monolithic mountains and harsh
crags shooting upward. The only light in this dark
netherworld comes from the flames that accompany the hellish
mining operations everywhere around us.
The human boy gazes over this desolate vista and then he
looks up for a moment... at the stars.
Then a tall figure leads him firmly into one of the mines.
The boy seems to disappear into this flaming crucible.
CREDITS end as we go to...
EXT. ROMULUS - SUNSET
The sun is setting on the capital city of the great Romulan
Star Empire, The imperial monoliths and martial towers of
this bustling city glow red as the sun dips below the
horizon.
We slowly move down toward the most imposing building of the
city. The Romulan Senate chamber.
INT. ROMULAN SENATE CHAMBER - SUNSET
SENATOR TAL'AURA watches the proceedings with a studied look
of bored indifference. She glances to the familiar Romulan
crest that dominates one wall of the chamber: a ferocious
bird-of-prey holding two planets, one in either claw.
And then her eyes carefully cross the chamber to...
PRAETOR HIREN -- the head of the Romulan government --
presiding over the Senate from a throne-like chair. He is a
capable politician in his 50s.
SENATOR 1
... but if we hesitate we'll lose
this important source of dilithium.
A trade agreement is in the best
interests of the Empire.
SENATOR 2
Praetor, I recommend we dispatch a
diplomatic mission to Celes II to
open negotiations.
Senator Tal'Aura grunts slightly at the word "negotiations."
Praetor Hiren glances to her.
PRAETOR
Senator Tal'Aura, you disagree with
the motion.
TAL'AURA
No, sir. I would say "negotiation"
is to be advised. I support all
"diplomatic" overtures. But if you
will excuse me, Praetor, I have an
appointment with the Tholian
ambassador.
The Praetor nods. Tal'Aura stands and leaves the chamber...
but she had left something behind on her desk. A small,
silver box with unusual etchings on the surface.
The discussion continues as we focus on the silver box...
PRAETOR
Then I will call for a vote on the
motion to open trade negotiations
with Celes II...
The Senator at the desk next to Tal'Aura's glances over. The
silver box is moving.
The Senator watches, amazed, as the box begins to slowly fold
open. Then "legs" appear. The box unfolds like a spider,
standing on its legs. Then it is still for a moment. The
Senator looks at it, puzzled.
Suddenly -- a bright beam of green light shoots up from the
spider -- the Senators are stunned -- the beam shoots to the
high domed ceiling of the chamber and then cascades around
the interior of the room, enveloping everything in a glowing
shroud of green energy. In a way, it is bizarrely beautiful.
And then just as suddenly the light disappears.
A moment of silence. The Praetor and Senators are baffled.
PRAETOR
Would someone please tell me what
that was?
(he turns to a guard)
Alert security --
A plant behind the Praetor begins to shrivel...
PRAETOR
-- and have them run a --
The Praetor stops suddenly -- as the flesh begins to melt
from his face.
Every bit of organic matter in the chamber decays. Flesh
melts from bones while the Senators scream in agony. Every
living thing in the chamber is dead within ten seconds.
A stunning moment of silence as we take in the carnage. Then
a transporter effect ripples around the spider-weapon. It
disappears.
And the Romulan Senate is no more. We fade to...
EXT. EARTH, ALASKA - PAVILION - DAY
JEAN LUC PICARD, the most beloved and respected Captain in
Starfleet.
His face is resolute and set. Even stern. His white dress
uniform is buttoned tightly to the neck.
He looks at us evenly and then utters the word that has been
the watch cry for his entire life as a Starfleet officer.
PICARD
Duty...
He lets the word resonate and then continues.
PICARD
A starship captain's life is filled
with solemn duty. I have commanded
men in battle. I have negotiated
peace treaties between implacable
enemies. I have represented the
Federation in first contact with
twenty-seven alien species. But
none of this compares to my solemn
duty as... Best man.
Uproarious laughter. We pull back to reveal the wedding
reception of WILL RIKER and DEANNA TROI.
The Enterprise CREW is gathered with invited GUESTS, some
from other "Star Trek" series. Riker and Deanna sit at the
center of a long table.
PICARD
Now, I know that on an occasion
such as this: it is expected that I
be gracious and fulsome with praise
on the wonders of this blessed
union... But have you two
considered what you're doing to?
This is all a damned
inconvenience...
(laughter from the crowd)
While you're happily settling in on
the Titan, I'll have to train a new
first officer; no doubt a stern
martinet who'll quote the rule book
at me and never... ever... allow me
to go on away missions.
(laughter)
... Then there's the matter of my
new counselor. Undoubtedly some
soft-spoken, willowy thing who'll
be probing into my darkest psyche
as she nods her head and coos
sympathetically. Isn't that right,
Deanna?
Deanna nods her head and coos sympathetically. Hearty,
wonderful LAUGHTER!
PICARD
I notice Dr. Crusher laughing along
with the rest of you. As most of
you know, the doctor will also soon
be leaving the Enterprise, to
assume command of Starfleet
Medical. Again, I'm forced to ask,
Beverly, have you considered what
you're doing to little ole' me?!
I'll probably get some old battle-
axe of a doctor who'll tell me to
eat my vegetables and put me on
report if I don't show up for my
physical on time!
BEVERLY
It'll serve you right.
Laughter, laughter, laughter! He looks to Riker and Deanna:
PICARD
Really, it's not too late to
reconsider. No? Very well then...
He smiles and raises his glass, looks at them deeply.
PICARD
Will Riker, you have been my
trusted right arm for fourteen
years; you have helped keep my
course true and steady. Deanna
Troi, you have been my conscience
and best guide, the touchstone to
the better parts of myself. You
are my family. And in proper
maritime tradition I wish you full
sails and a clear horizon... My
friends, make it so.
They drink.
EXT. EARTH, ALASKA - PAVILION - LATER
The party guests mingle as a band plays. We are at a
beautiful open-air pavilion high in the Denali Mountains.
The soaring ranges of Riker's native Alaska can be seen
everywhere around us.
DR. BEVERLY CRUSHER goes to Picard.
BEVERLY
(playfully)
Sort of like losing a son and
gaining an empath, isn't it?
PICARD
Please, Beverly, this is hard
enough.
BEVERLY
If you start tearing up I promise
to beam you out. Level one medical
emergency. There's no crying in
Starfleet.
They head off toward Riker and Deanna.
Meanwhile, GEORDI LA FORGE sits with his girlfriend.
LEAH
I've never seen your Captain so
nostalgic. Maybe he's getting soft
in his old age.
GEORDI
(laughs)
Not likely. After we installed the
new Series Four replicators, he
tried to order his usual tea and
there was a glitch. Had us remove
the whole bunch of them and put the
old ones back in.
LEAH
There! Nostalgic about old
replicators.
GEORDI
He just likes things the way he
likes them...
(he looks at her, smiles)
Of course, so do I.
He kisses her gently as WORF comes to them. Poor Worf is
still suffering a bit from the bachelor party. He plops down
beside them, belches.
WORF
Romulan ale should be illegal.
GEORDI
It is, old chum.
WORF
Then it should be more illegal.
He groans and rests his head on the table, acts like he's
going to heave. Meanwhile, Riker and Deanna are talking to
Picard and Beverly.
DEANNA
Really, Captain, it was a lovely
toast.
PICARD
The least I could do for you,
Deanna. Besides, you know me...
I'm a talking head.
DEANNA
And you needn't worry. I'll brief
your new counselor on everything
she needs to know.
PICARD
The hell you will. You know too
much about me as it is... Now you
promised there are no speeches
during the ceremony on Betazed.
RIKER
No, no speeches. No clothes
either.
(winks, mischievously)
Picard looks at him. Deanna laughs.
Then the band stops playing. All turn.
DATA stands with the band.
DATA
Ladies and Gentlemen and invited
Tran gendered species... In my
study of Terran and Betazoid
conjugal rites I have discovered it
is traditional to present the
"happy couple" with a gift. Given
Commander Riker's affection for
archaic musical forms I have
elected to present the following as
my gift in honor of their
conjugation.
Riker shoots an amused glance to Deanna. Conjugation?
Data turns to the band leader.
DATA
If you please, Mister Band Leader,
a-one and a-two and...
The band launches into a jaunty, swing version of the Irving
Berlin standard "Blue Skies."
DATA
(sings)
"Blue skies, smiling at me, Nothing
but blue skies do I see. Blue
birds, singing a song, Nothing but
blue birds all day long. Never saw
the sun shining so bright, Never
saw things going so right..."
The crowd is appreciative. Loves the song. Except Worf, he
momentarily raises his head from the table.
WORF
(groans)
Ugghhh... Irving Berlin.
His heads thumps down again, is about ready to BARF!
Meanwhile, Riker is anxious as a kid to join the band:
DEANNA
(smiles)
All right, go ahead.
Riker eagerly joins the band. Grabs the trombone and starts
jamming with the orchestra. The song really swings.
PICARD
(to Deanna)
May I have this dance?
DEANNA
With pleasure, Captain.
Meanwhile, Geordi leads Leah to the dance floor as well.
Beverly goes to Worf.
BEVERLY
Commander Worf... Do Klingons
swing?
WORF
I am not a swinger. I am unwell.
BEVERLY
Don't worry, I'm a doctor.
She pulls him to the dance floor as:
BEVERLY
I'm so glad you made it back to the
Enterprise before I left.
WORF
I was not suited for the life of
a... diplomat.
BEVERLY
(wry)
Who'd have guessed?
They dance. Picard and Deanna sweep past them.
And we pull up and away as Data continues to sing and the
crew dances. It is a joyous celebration of these people.
This family. A family we love.
EXT. ENTERPRISE - SPACE
The Enterprise streaks through space.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CREW LOUNGE - NIGHT
Data sits in the empty Crew Lounge.
As always, the android's placid, neutral expression still
somehow manages to convey his wonder, curiosity and
idiosyncratic zest for life.
Picard arrives with a very old bottle of wine.
PICARD
I've been saving this. Chateau
Picard 2267. Batten down the
hatches...
He carefully uncorks the treasured bottle as:
PICARD
They say a vintner's history is in
every glass. The soil he came
from. His past as well as his
hopes for the future.
He pours two glasses of the wine, then raises his glass, a
toast.
PICARD
So... To happy endings.
DATA
To happy endings.
Picard carefully takes a tiny sip, savors the flavor, finally
swallows. Enjoys it. Ahhh.
Data mimics Picard. Taking a tiny sip, savoring the flavor
and finally swallowing. Ahhh.
DATA
Sir. I noticed an interesting
confluence of emotion at the
wedding. I am familiar with the
human concept of tears through
laughter and its inverse, laughter
through tears, but I could not help
wondering about the human capacity
for expressing both pleasure and
sadness simultaneously.
PICARD
I understand why it would seem
confusing. Certain human rituals --
like weddings, birthdays or
funerals evoke strong and very
complex emotions. These rites
carry great weight with us because
they denote the passage of time.
DATA
And you were particularly aware of
this feeling because Commander
Riker will be leaving to assume
command of the Titan?
PICARD
Will and Deanna joining the Titan.
Dr. Crusher going to Starfleet
Medical...
DATA
And this makes you "sad"?
PICARD
Well. I suppose it does a bit.
I'm very happy for them, of course,
but I'm going to miss them. The
ship will seem... incomplete
without them.
DATA
That is because you have a
familiarity with them. You can
predict specific reactions and
behavior and are comfortable in
that knowledge.
PICARD
Yes. And, frankly, I envy them as
well. They've made important
choices; they're going to have
great challenges ahead of them.
New worlds to conquer...
He takes another sip of wine. A beat.
PICARD
Seeing Will and Deanna today made
me think about some of the choices
I've made in my own life. Devoting
myself to Starfleet... Not marrying
or having children... All the
choices that led me here.
A beat. Data thinks about it.
DATA
The choices I made have led me here
as well. This is the only home I
have ever known. I cannot foresee
a reason for leaving.
PICARD
You never know what's over the
horizon, Data. Before too long
you'll be offered a command of your
own. Data looks at him; he has
never really considered this.
DATA
If I were... I believe my memory
engrams would sense the absence of
your specific reactions and
behavior. I would "miss you."
PICARD
(smiles)
Now, you make a toast.
DATA
To new worlds...
PICARD
New worlds. Yes Data, brave new
worlds...
They drink.
INT. ROMULAN SENATE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Flickering braziers dimly illuminate the cold, martial
splendor of a Senate corridor.
COMMANDER DONATRA and COMMANDER SURAN stride through the
corridor.
Suran is an elder Romulan officer, respected and tenacious.
Donatra -- a key figure in this story so pay close attention
to her -- is a mature, beautiful woman... not without a dry
sense of humor.
SURAN
The fleet commanders are nervous.
They've agreed to remain at their
given coordinates and await his
orders. But they're anxious to
know what's going on here.
DONATRA
I don't blame them. We can't keep
them in the dark forever.
A voice, from the shadows:
VICEROY (V.O.)
But in darkness, there is strength.
Donatra and Suran stop.
And the VICEROY steps from the shadows...
He is a terrifying sight A powerful, monstrous alien
creature; a tall, ashen-skinned ectomorph who bears a
disturbing resemblance to the original Nosferatu. He is
vampiric and lethal. He is a Reman.
VICEROY
Don't you agree?
He leads them along the corridor.
INT. SENATE CHAMBER - NIGHT
We observe the Romulan crest, an imposing bird-of-prey
clutching a planet in either claw, not unlike the KAOS emblem
from "Get Smart," that dominates a wall. As we hear:
SHINZON (V.O.)
Consider it The great symbol of
the Empire... But the bird-of-prey
holds planets. Romulus, Remus.
Their destinies conjoined...
And then we see him... SHINZON!
He is a dynamic young human in his twenties. Very handsome
with pale, almost white skin and shining, golden hair. He
wears a striking Reman military uniform.
He stands in the center of the eerily deserted chamber. The
entire floor is a large star chart.
SHINZON
Yet for generations one of those
planets has been without a voice.
We will be silent no longer.
Senator Tal'Aura (the female Senator who planted the weapon
in the Senate chamber earlier) and two other ROMULAN
COMMANDERS sit.
Cadres of Shinzon's fearsome REMAN WARRIORS stand around the
chamber. They are his sinister children of the night. Even
more chilling now in the flickering torch light. It's like
something out of Tim Burton.
Donatra and Suran enter the chamber with Shinzon's Viceroy.
SHINZON
Join us, Commanders. Now what's
the disposition of the fleet?
SURAN
They're holding position.
SHINZON
And?
SURAN
(bows his head)
They will obey, Praetor.
SHINZON
It's imperative we retain their
allegiance or our great mission
will be strangled before it can
truly draw breath.
DONATRA
They support your intentions, sir.
But they require evidence of
your... sincerity.
Shinzon looks at her. A quick beat. Shinzon decides to
respond with benevolence. He smiles.
SHINZON
And they'll have it.
(he begins to pace over
the star chart)
Tell the fleet that the days of
negotiation and diplomacy are over.
The Almighty Federation will fall
before us. As I promised you.
He stands on the area of the map that denotes the Neutral
Zone between the Romulan Empire and the Federation.
SHINZON
The time we have dreamed of is at
hand. The time... of conquest.
(sinister laugh)
He carefully steps into the area of the map marked with the
Federation symbol. He looks down at the star chart.
SHINZON
Cut off the dragon's head and it
cannot strike back.
A beat. Donatra watches him carefully. Something in his
quiet words disturbs her.
SURAN
How many Warbirds will you need?
SHINZON
None.
They look at him, stunned.
SURAN
Praetor. You have the whole fleet
at your disposal. They supported
the coup, they'll follow you.
SHINZON
The Scimitar will serve my needs.
SURAN
But surely --
SHINZON
I came this far alone...
(he looks at his Reman
warriors)
We came this far alone. We require
no assistance from the fleet. Now
leave me to my thoughts.
The Commanders and Senator Tal'Aura rise and leave. Shinzon
looks to his Viceroy.
SHINZON
Are we prepared?
VICEROY
Yes, Praetor.
A beat.
SHINZON
So many years for this moment.
(he looks up at his
Viceroy, smiles)
Bring him to me.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - DAY
The bridge crew are at their stations. Picard is not on the
bridge.
WORF
(grumbles)
I won't do it.
DEANNA
It's tradition,Worf. You of all
people should appreciate that!
(whispers)
Besides, I've already seen it.
WORF
A warrior does not appear without
his clothing. It leaves him...
vulnerable.
RIKER
I don't think we're going to see
much combat on Betazed.
DEANNA
Don't be too sure. Mother will be
there.
Worf groans. Picard emerges from his Ready Room as:
WORF
I won't do it.
PICARD
Won't do what, Mister Worf?
WORF
Captain. I think it is
inappropriate for a Starfleet
officer to appear...
(hates the word)
... naked.
PICARD
Come now, a big, strapping fellow
like you? What are you afraid of?
Deanna laughs. Then a readout on Worf's console attracts his
attention:
WORF
I'm picking up an unusual
electromagnetic signature from the
Kolarin system.
PICARD
What sort of signature?
Worf looks up. Glances at Data.
WORF
Positronic.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - LATER
Geordi is at the Engineering station with Picard, Riker and
Data.
GEORDI
It's very faint but I've isolated
it to the third planet in the
Kolarin system.
PICARD
What do we know about the planet?
GEORDI
Uncharted. We'll have to get
closer for a more detailed scan.
PICARD
(to Data)
Theories?
DATA
Since positronic signatures have
only been known to emanate from
androids such as myself, it is
logical to theorize that there is
an android such as myself on
Kolarus III.
GEORDI
How many of you did Dr. Soong make?
DATA
I thought only me, myself and Lore.
RIKER
(looking at star chart)
Diverting to the Kolarin system
takes us awfully close to the
Romulan Neutral Zone.
PICARD
(looking at star chart)
Still well on our side...
Picard glances at Data, recognizes the android's deep desire
to explore this possible connection to others like himself.
PICARD
I think it's worth a look. Don't
worry, Number One, we'll get you to
Betazed with time to spare.
RIKER
Thank you, sir...
PICARD
(to all, especially Worf)
Where we will all honor the
Betazoid traditions. No cold feet,
or any other parts of our anatomy.
Now, if you'll excuse me. I'll be
in the gym.
He goes.
RIKER
(to Helm Officer)
Mister Branson, set course for the
Kolarin system. Warp Five --
(Deanna shoots him a
glance)
-- Warp Seven.
HELM OFFICER (MISTER BRANSON)
Plotted and laid in, sir.
RIKER
Engage.
DEANNA
You better believe you're engaged!
Meanwhile, Geordi and Data remain at the Engineering Station,
studying the displays.
GEORDI
What do you think, Data, a long-
lost relative?
Data doesn't respond, but the curiosity on his face is
apparent.
EXT. ENTERPRISE - OVER KOLARUS III - SPACE
The Enterprise is in orbit around the uncharted planet. In
the distance we can see the distorting violence of an ion
storm.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE
Kolarus III is on the viewscreen, the ion storm raging beyond
it.
GEORDI
I read six distinct positronic
signatures, spread out over a few
kilometers on the surface.
PICARD
What do we know about the
population?
DATA
Isolated pockets of humanoids. It
appears to be a pre-warp
civilization at an early stage of
industrial development.
GEORDI
Captain, I don't recommend
transporting, that ion storm
doesn't look very neighborly. It
could head this way without much
warning.
PICARD
Understood. Data, Worf, you're
with me.
Picard, Data and Worf start heading toward the turbolift.
RIKER
(stands, protesting)
Captain, I hope I don't have to
remind you --
PICARD
I appreciate your concern, Number
One, but I've been itching to try
out the Argo.
RIKER
Sir --
PICARD
Captain's prerogative, Will.
There's no foreseeable danger...
and your wife would never forgive
me if anything happened to you.
He steps into the turbolift with the Data and Worf.
PICARD
You have the bridge, Mister Troi!
The turbolift doors slide shut.
The bridge crew heartily enjoys Riker's momentary demotion to
house husband.
EXT. ENTERPRISE - OVER KOLARUS III - DAY
The shuttlebay doors slide open and the transport vehicle
Argo emerges.
The Argo is larger than a regular shuttle with a particularly
large cargo area at the back.
EXT. KOLARUS III - DAY
The Argo lands on the planet. It is primarily a desert
environment with some canyons and mountains. Like Death
Valley, blazing heat waves shimmer in the distance. The
shuttle sits silently for a moment. We wonder at the delay,
then...
The rear cargo doors slide open and Picard, Data and Worf
roar out on a 24th Century equivalent of a military jeep!
Picard drives, Data beside him. Worf stands in the back at a
mounted phaser canon. It is a muscular, exciting vehicle; a
Starfleet version of the jeep from old television series "The
Rat Patrol."
Picard screeches to a stop. Data and Worf lurch. A cloud of
dust momentarily obscures them. Data quickly monitors the
positronic signatures with a tricorder:
DATA
The closest signature is two
kilometers to the west... that
direction, sir.
PICARD
Thank you, Data.
(he smiles)
Let's see what she can do.
He roars off in a cloud of dust!
Picard clearly enjoys driving. He roars over the desert
terrain at breakneck speed, having a hell of a good time.
His comrades don't exactly appreciate his free-spirited
driving panache.
Worf clings on to the mounted phaser canon for dear life.
Data steadies himself by grasping onto the rollbar
DATA
I will always be baffled by the
human predilection for piloting
vehicles at unsafe velocities.
Picard smiles and drives a little faster.
DATA
(monitoring with
tricorder)
Over that rise, sir... half a
kilometer.
They continue on. Before long they can see something on the
level desert floor before them. They approach and stop to
discover...
An android arm. The fingers patiently drumming the ground.
DATA
It appears to be...
(he scans with his
tricorder)
... an arm.
WORF
(suspicious)
Why is it moving?
DATA
Like me, it has been designed with
modular power sources.
PICARD
Mister Worf, if you please.
Worf climbs from the jeep and carefully approaches the arm.
Gingerly picks it up. The arm responds to being picked up,
the hand starts feeling around in the air like something from
a horror movie. Worf shudders.
He returns to the jeep. Quickly sets the arm down in the
rear cargo area.
DATA
The next signature is one kilometer
to the south.
Picard starts the jeep in motion.
Time passes as they continue on... coming across another
arm... a leg... a torso... another leg... various
disassembled components of a Data-like android!
EXT. JEEP - KOLARUS III - CANYON - DAY
Worf stands uneasily amidst the moving body parts. There is
only one component missing: the head. Picard steers the jeep
into a canyon. Stops. Data scans with his tricorder,
pointing it up into the gently sloping hills that form the
sides of the canyon.
DATA
The final signature is
approximately 300 meters up that
incline.
PICARD
Mister Worf, accompany Data please.
WORF
(uneasy)
To find the head, sir?
PICARD
(amused)
If you don't mind.
Worf and Data climb up into the hills in pursuit of the final
piece as Picard opens the jeep's hood and checks the engine.
EXT. KOLARUS III - HILLS - DAY
Worf and Data climb as Data scans and indicates the
direction:
DATA
Ten meters...
Worf pulls his phaser, ready.
DATA
I think it unlikely you will need
your phaser to recover the cranial
unit. Of course, it could bite
you.
Then they see it.
Data's head. Or the spitting image anyway. Lying inert in
the dust before them.
WORF
It's you.
DATA
The resemblance is... striking.
Then the head's eyes suddenly pop open. It looks up at them
with a sort of blank, childlike wonder.
HEAD
Why am I looking at me?
DATA
You are not looking at yourself.
You are looking at me.
HEAD
(looking at Worf)
You do not look like me.
WORF
No.
DATA
(to head)
I would like to pick you up now.
May I do that?
HEAD
(to Worf)
You have a pretty shirt.
WORF
Thank you.
Data gently picks up the head. Looks at it. The two
identical faces gaze at each other.
DATA
Fascinating...
Then BLAM! -- a boulder near them explodes. Worf and Data
spin to see...
A nomadic tribe of desert ALIENS swarming toward them firing
primitive plasma weapons --
Data and Worf race back down the canyon, toward the jeep --
some open-field running and a bit of phaser action -- Worf
firing to distract and slow the aliens, not kill them --
through all of this the head is chattering away blandly:
HEAD
I have two arms and ten fingers.
Do you know where my arms are? I
cannot see where we are going.
Where are we going?
(Etc... like Threepio in
"Empire" when he's
strapped to Chewbacca's
back.)
The action continues. Then Data finds himself almost
surrounded --
DATA
Commander!
Worf turns -- Data throws the head to Worf like a football, a
perfect spiral -- the head is still chattering away -- Worf
catches it --
WORF
STOP TALKING!
The head abruptly stops talking.
Data, hands free now, quickly incapacitates the aliens around
him with a dazzling demonstration of his superior strength
and agility.
Meanwhile, Worf tucks the head under his arm and sprints like
a master running back -- evading aliens and occasionally
firing his phaser --
They are closer to the jeep now -- but they are in trouble --
the swarm of aliens almost overtaking them -- !
When a thundering BLAST sends up a shower of debris, stopping
the aliens -- Picard is standing in the rear of the jeep,
firing the phaser canon.
Data and Worf climb into the jeep as Picard leaps into the
front seat and roars off --
INT./ EXT. JEEP - KOLARUS III - FOLLOWING
Worf, standing at the phaser canon, quickly hands the head to
Data in the front seat:
WORF
If you wouldn't mind.
DATA
Thank you.
The head looks up at Picard.
HEAD
You have a shiny head.
Picard glances at the head.
DATA
He is very observant.
PICARD
I can see that.
WORF
Captain!
Picard turns to see that they are being pursued! The aliens
are racing after them in crude desert-terrain vehicles --
PICARD
(to Data)
Shall we try some "unsafe
velocities?"
He floors it -- racing across the desert landscape.
Worf fires the mounted phaser canon -- blasting away at the
aliens, not killing them, just stopping them -- a few
dramatic crashes as the alien vehicles overturn --
Meanwhile:
HEAD
(to Picard)
You have a red shirt.
DATA
(to head)
This is not an appropriate time for
a conversation.
HEAD
Why?
DATA
Because the captain has to
concentrate on piloting the
vehicle.
HEAD
Why?
PICARD
Data!
DATA
Sorry, sir.
They continue to speed over the landscape -- bouncing and
flying over natural rises in the terrain -- trying to evade
their pursuers --
Picard puts the pedal to the metal and races through the
alien vehicles -- weaving in and out, avoiding their fire --
Worf blasts away with the phaser cannon -- an exhilarating
adventure --
Finally they are within sight of the Argo -- but they see it
is surrounded by more of the aliens!
PICARD
Mister Data. Let's make like the
wind.
Data punches some buttons on a dashboard console -- and the
Argo LIFTS OFF by remote control --
Data uses the console to swing the Argo around and lower the
rear cargo doors -- it hovers over the surface --
Picard floors the jeep -- using a natural rise in the terrain
as a ramp -- the jeep FLIES THROUGH THE AIR -- over the
aliens -- and into the cargo bay --
INT. ARGO - CARGO BAY - FOLLOWING
Picard slams on the brakes -- the jeep screeches to a stop as
the doors shut and the Argo shoots into the air.
Picard climbs from the jeep. He nonchalantly rubs a bit of
dirt from the hood and then disappears into the main cabin.
Data and Worf remain in the jeep for a beat, stunned.
WORF
(smiles)
He must have Klingon blood.
INT. ENTERPRISE - ENGINEERING LAB - DAY
Beverly gazes at the android head. It gazes back at her.
BEVERLY
I think you have nicer eyes.
We pull back to reveal she is speaking to Data. Data stands
with Picard, Riker and Geordi.
DATA
Our eyes are identical, Doctor.
The android is in a framework rig that holds the various body
parts in place. The parts are not yet assembled
RIKER
Geordi?
GEORDI
(at work analyzing the
torso section)
Well, he seems to have the same
internal mechanics as Data but not
as much positronic development.
The neural pathways aren't nearly
as sophisticated. I'd say he's a
prototype. Something Dr. Soong
created before Data.
DATA
(to head)
Do you have a name, sir?
HEAD
I am the B-9.
PICARD
Be-nign. Dr. Soong's penchant for
whimsical names seems to have no
end.
HEAD
(to Riker)
You have a fuzzy face.
PICARD
(trying to ignore the
head)
Keep me informed, Number One, and,
please, put him back together.
He goes. Geordi and Data begin to reassemble the B-9 piece
by piece like the Tin Man as:
DATA
Can you tell me how you came to be
on the planet where we found you?
B-9
(blandly)
I was taken from my homeworld by
people called the "PakJeds." They
are fat. They traded me to a ship
belonging to the "Bolians." The
"Bolians" are blue. They put me in
a seat and asked me questions.
Then they were attacked by another
ship...
Time passes...
And still the B-9 is yammering blandly away. He is more
fully assembled By this time Beverly is thoroughly bored.
B-9
Then people called the
Delviciansans picked me up. They
have long teeth. They asked if I
do anything to help them. I told
them I could do whatever they
wanted. They asked me to clean out
the matrix manifolds. I told them
I did not know what an Matrix
manifold looks like.
BEVERLY
Excuse me. I have some diagnostics
to run on some medical scanner
things.
She quickly exits.
B-9
And after they showed me the
"engine manifolds." Then they
showed me something called a
"plasma mop"
Time passes...
And still the B-9 is yammering away. He is almost completely
assembled by now. Riker is bored out of his mind.
B-9
... then the "Cardassians" put me
into something called a "garbage
chute" and I went out into space
again --
WORF (V.O.) (ON COMM)
Worf to Commander Riker. I have
the tactical manifests ready, sir.
RIKER
(quickly tapping his comm
badge)
Worf! Wonderful! I'll be right
there!...
(he stands)
Duty calls, gentlemen. Carry on.
He escapes.
B-9
Fuzzy face is gone.
DATA
Yes, please continue.
B-9
I was in space for a long time.
Then a ship belonging to the
"Talosians" picked me up. They
asked me where I came from. I told
them people called the "Pakleds"
took me from my homeworld. They
are fat...
Geordi groans.
Time passes...
And still the B-9 is yammering away. By this time Geordi is
slumped in a chair and only Data is listening. The B-9 is
fully assembled.
B-9
Then I opened my eyes and saw you.
A beat. The B-9 is finally done with his tale...
DATA
Do you know who I am?
B-9
You are me.
DATA
No. My name is Data... I am your
brother.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CREW LOUNGE - NIGHT
Riker and Deanna are having dinner with Worf.
DEANNA
(to Worf)
... and after the ceremony on
Betazed, three entire weeks for our
honeymoon.
RIKER
We're going sailing on the Opal
Sea. We've booked an old-fashioned
solar catamaran. Just us and the
sun and the waves.
WORF
It seems a very... soft honeymoon.
DEANNA
(amused)
It's meant to be relaxing.
WORF
A Klingon honeymoon begins with the
Kholamar desert march where the
couple bonds in endurance trials.
If they survive the challenge they
move on to the Fire Caves of
Fek'lhr to face the demons of
Gre'thor.
RIKER
Well, that sounds relaxing too.
WORF
It is... invigorating.
They see Data enter the lounge, carefully leading the B-9.
RIKER
So they've got him up and running.
WORF
He's a very unusual android
RIKER
(smiles)
Runs in the family.
They watch as Data leads the B-9 to a table. Data instructs
him to sit. The B-9 sits and stares forward placidly. Data
shows him how use a napkin.
A note of concern passes over Deanna's face as she watches
Data and the B-9.
There is something strangely poignant in the twin androids.
One a bundle of curiosity and intelligence; the other
somewhat like a slow, simple child.
INT. ENTERPRISE - READY ROOM - NIGHT
Picard is at his replicator unit.
PICARD
Earl Grey, hot.
A cup of tea appears. He takes it as the door chime sounds.
PICARD
Come.
(Deanna enters)
Counselor.
DEANNA
Do you have a moment, sir?
PICARD
Of course, sit down.
He sits at his desk She sits across from him.
DEANNA
It's about Data I've watched him
with the B-9 and I'm troubled.
Data's desire for a "family" is
very strong. I'm afraid he may be
investing too much in the B-9.
PICARD
You're speaking of emotional
investment?
DEANNA
The B-9 is like a slow child, sir.
And Data, in his own way, has
assumed the position of a parent or
guardian. I'm afraid he has
expectations based on his own
experiences. He'll be disappointed
when the B-9 cannot meet those
expectations.
PICARD
As much as we care for him,
Deanna... we have to remember that
Data isn't capable of
disappointment.
DEANNA
I don't believe that, sir. We've
shared many disappointing journeys.
A quiet beat.
PICARD
I'm going to miss you.
DEANNA
And I you.
They are interrupted by a comm signal:
RIKER (V.O.) (ON COMM)
Captain, you have an Alpha Priority
communication from Starfleet
Command.
PICARD
Acknowledged...
(Deanna stands)
... I'll talk to Data
DEANNA
Thank you, sir.
She goes. Picard activates his desktop viewscreen.
ADMIRAL KATHRYN JANEWAY appears on Picard's monitor. Janeway
is the former captain of Voyager. Her new rank fits her
well, she has lost none of her dry humor and down-to-earth
charm which made her a household name and beloved cult
figure.
PICARD
Admiral Janeway. Good to see you.
JANEWAY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
Jean Luc... How'd you like a trip
to Romulus? All expenses paid?
PICARD
(smiles)
With or without the rest of the
fleet?
JANEWAY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
A diplomatic mission. We've been
invited, believe it or not. Seems
there's been some kind of internal
political shakeup. The new
Praetor, someone called Shinzon,
has requested a Federation envoy.
PICARD
New Praetor?
JANEWAY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
There's more... as always. He's
Reman.
(Picard is surprised)
Believe me, we don't understand it
either. You're the closest ship so
I want you to high tail it over
there and hear what he has to say.
Get the lay of the land, If the
Empire becomes unstable, it could
mean trouble for the entire
quadrant.
PICARD
Understood.
JANEWAY (ON VIEWSCREEEN)
We're sending you all the
intelligence we have, but it's not
much. I don't need to tell you to
watch your back, Jean Luc.
PICARD
Not with the Romulans.
JANEWAY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
(smiles wryly)
The Son'a, the Borg, the Romulans,
the evil Soran and that pesky
Nexus. You seem to get all the
easy assignments!
PICARD
Just lucky, Admiral.
JANEWAY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
Let's hope that luck holds.
Janeway out.
The transmission ends.
Picard sits for a moment, intrigued. Then he goes to the
bridge
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Picard goes to his command chair:
PICARD
(to Helm)
Lay in a new course... Take us to
Romulus. Warp eight.
The crew is shocked.
HELM OFFICER
Aye aye, sir. Course plotted and
laid in...
RIKER
Romulus?
PICARD
I'm afraid the Opal Sea will have
to wait, Number One... Engage.
EXT. ENTERPRISE - SPACE
And the Enterprise jumps to high warp -- disappearing in a
flash of dazzling light. Yes!
INT. ENTERPRISE - OBSERVATION LOUNGE - DAY
Data conducts a briefing for the senior officers. Monitors
currently show an image of Romulus and Remus in orbit around
their sun.
DATA
As you can see the habitable half
of Remus is always in darkness
because, like Mercury, one side
always faces the sun. Due to the
extreme temperatures on that half
of their world, the Remans live on
the dark side of the planet.
Various grainy and unclear new images appear to illustrate
Data's words:
DATA
Almost nothing is known about the
Reman homeworld, although
intelligence scans have proven the
existence of dilithium mining and
heavy weapons construction.
Very obscure images of Remans appear, the crew can barely
make out the monstrous figures:
DATA
The Remans themselves are
considered an undesirable caste in
the hierarchy of the Empire.
RIKER
But they also have the reputation
of being formidable warriors. In
the Dominion War, Reman forces were
used as assault troops in the most
violent encounters.
PICARD
(grim)
Cannon fodder.
GEORDI
Then how did a Reman get to be
Praetor? I don't get it.
RIKER
We have to assume he had Romulan
collaborators.
PICARD
A coup d'etat?
RIKER
The Praetor's power has always been
the Romulan fleet. They must be
behind him.
Picard considers this.
PICARD
(to Data)
What have you learned about
Shinzon?
The images end. There are no images of Shinzon.
DATA
Starfleet intelligence was only
able to provide a partial account
of his military record. We can
infer he is relatively young and a
capable commander. He fought
seventeen major engagements in the
war. All successful. Beyond that,
we know nothing.
PICARD
Well... it seems we're truly
sailing into the unknown. Keep at
it. Anything you can give me would
be appreciated. Dismissed.
The meeting breaks up.
INT. ENTERPRISE - ENGINEERING LAB - DAY
The B-9 stares placidly forward.
We pull back and discover that computer conduits connect the
B-9's head to Data's head. Geordi monitors the connection.
DATA
At present he serves no useful
function. Dr. Soong created us to
become active and useful members of
society. I do not believe he would
have wanted the B-9 to live out his
life in his present state.
GEORDI
I can't believe the Captain went
along with a memory download.
DATA
Captain Picard agrees that the B-9
was probably designed with the same
self-actualization parameters as
myself. If my memory engrams are
successfully integrated into his
positronic matrix, he should have
all my abilities.
GEORDI
He'd have all your memories too.
You feel comfortable with that?
DATA
I feel nothing, Geordi. It is my
belief that with my memory engrams
he will be able to function as a
more complete individual.
GEORDI
An individual more like you, you
mean.
DATA
Yes.
GEORDI
Maybe he's not supposed to be like
you. Maybe he's supposed to be
just like he is.
Geordi completes his work
GEORDI
Okay... we're done.
Geordi removes the computer connections from between their
heads. He carefully closes the panel in Data's head as:
DATA
(to B-9)
Do you know where you are?
B-9
I am in a room with lights.
He looks blankly at the console lights.
DATA
Can you remember our father?
B-9
No.
Data glances to Geordi.
DATA
Do you know the name of the Captain
of this vessel?
B-9
No.
DATA
Is that your final answer?
GEORDI
(to B-9)
Do you know my name?
B-9
You have a soft voice.
GEORDI
(gently)
Data, he's assimilating a lot of
programming. Remember, he's a
prototype, a lot less sophisticated
than you are. We just don't know
if his matrix will be able to
adapt. Or if he'll be able to
retain anything. We should give
him some time.
Data has been studying some circuitry in the B-9's neck.
DATA
What purpose does this serve?
GEORDI
(also examining circuitry)
It seems to be a redundant memory
port. Maybe it's for provisional
memory storage in case his neural
pathways overload?
DATA
Dr. Soong must have found it
unnecessary in later versions.
GEORDI
It's possible the extra memory port
is interfering with the engram
processing. Mind if I keep him
here and run some diagnostics?
DATA
No, I do not mind.
Data looks at the B-9 with a sort of sadness.
DATA
But I believe he will prove
incapable of performing higher
functions.
GEORDI
Don't give up hope, Data. I know,
I know, you're not capable of hope.
DATA
(looking at B-9)
I am not.
Data stands. The B-9 stands to follow.
DATA
No, remain with Commander La Forge.
He is going to try to make you
well.
The B-9 sits. Data goes. Geordi watches him go.
EXT. ENTERPRISE - OVER ROMULUS - SPACE
The Enterprise is in orbit around Romulus. Remus can be seen
in the distance.
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Log. Stardate 47844.9.
The Enterprise has arrived at
Romulus and is waiting at the
designated coordinates. All our
hails have gone unanswered. We've
been waiting for seventeen hours.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The crew is tense. Silence.
Worf, at tactical, slowly stretches his neck. Trying to
release the tension. It cracks. Deanna jumps a bit.
RIKER
Why don't they answer our hails?
PICARD
It's an old psychological strategy,
Number One. To put him in a
position of dominance and make us
uneasy.
RIKER
It's working.
PICARD
(to Deanna)
Counselor?
DEANNA
They're out there, sir.
Picard stands and walks to the viewscreen. He gazes at
Romulus below and the black infinity of space beyond.
They're out there, Waiting.
WORF
Sir, I recommend we raise shields.
PICARD
Not yet, Mister Worf.
RIKER
Captain, with all due respect to
diplomatic protocols -- the
Federation Council's not sitting
out here, we are.
PICARD
Patience. Diplomacy is a very
exacting occupation. We can wait.
DATA
Captain...
And on the viewscreen.
Shinzon's magnificent Reman Warbird, the SCIMITAR, decloaks
directly before the Enterprise.
EXT. OVER ROMULUS - SPACE
Our first sight of this incredible ship is absolutely
breathtaking.
Shinzon's vessel combines the clean lines of the traditional
Romulan Warbird with unique weaponry and styling. It is
huge, easily twice as large as the Enterprise. And it is
aggressive. Awesome in its power.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The crew gapes at the huge ship on the viewscreen.
RIKER
(slowly rising from his
chair)
My God...
WORF
(tense)
Should I raise shields?
PICARD
No!
WORF
Captain -- !
PICARD
(firm)
Tactical analysis, Mister Worf.
WORF
(quickly analyzing
tactical display)
Fifty-two disruptor banks, twenty-
seven photon torpedo bays, primary
and secondary phased shields.
RIKER
She's not out for a pleasure
cruise.
PICARD
(grim)
She's a predator.
WORF
We're being hailed.
PICARD
On screen.
And the image on the viewscreen transforms to:
Shinzon's Viceroy.
He stands on the Scimitar's bridge. The bridge is as unique
as the rest of Shinzon's ship. Instead of the usual
mechanical clutter, this bridge is designed with an almost
Asian simplicity. Like the rest of Reman design, it is spare
and elegant.
Since the Remans are more comfortable in the darkness, most
of the light comes from the three steadily pulsing warp core
relays which dramatically soar up through the floor of the
bridge.
The crew gazes at the bridge and the monstrous features of
the viceroy.
VICEROY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
Enterprise. We are the Reman
Warbird Scimitar.
PICARD
Praetor Shinzon, I'm pleased to --
VICEROY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
I am not Shinzon. I am his
Viceroy. We are sending transport
coordinates.
The transmission ends abruptly. The Scimitar reappears on
the viewscreen.
RIKER
Not very chatty.
PICARD
Away team. Transporter room four.
Picard, Riker, Deanna, Worf and Data head toward the
turbolift, energized now that the endless waiting is over.
INT. SCIMITAR - OBSERVATION LOUNGE - NIGHT
The away team materializes in the most striking location on
Shinzon's ship: a large observation lounge.
It is a huge, empty chamber. No furniture. A simple Reman
mat on the floor is the only decoration. At the very top of
the room there is a large, etched glass dome.
It is very dark.
They turn when Shinzon speaks from the shadows:
SHINZON (V.O.)
I hope you'll forgive the
darkness... we're not comfortable
in the light.
PICARD
Praetor Shinzon?
Shinzon moves toward them a bit, becoming slightly more
illuminated, the low light shining off his golden hair.
The crew cannot see him clearly in the dim light but it is
evident he is human. Assuming that he was Reman, they're
surprised by this realization.
Shinzon just stares at Picard through the darkness for a
moment.
SHINZON
Captain Picard... Jean Luc
Picard... I don't mean to stare,
it's just -- well, you can't
imagine how long I've been waiting
for this moment. I always imagined
you taller, isn't that odd?
(to Data)
You may scan me without subterfuge,
Commander Data.
Data scans him with a tricorder as:
PICARD
And you're not as we imagined you.
SHINZON
No?
WORF
You are human.
SHINZON
Commander Worf.
(he speaks in Klingon)
I greet you as a valiant warrior...
and as my brother.
WORF
(terse, in Klingon)
I'll save my greetings for a better
brother.
Shinzon laughs, maniacally.
PICARD
Why have you asked for our presence
here?
Shinzon does not answer. He is staring deeply at Deanna,
moans softly.
PICARD
Praetor?
SHINZON
(quietly)
I've never met a human woman.
He slowly moves toward her, still hidden in the shadows.
DEANNA
I'm only half human.
SHINZON
Deanna Troi of Betazed. Empathic
and telepathic abilities, ship's
counselor. All of this I knew...
But I didn't know you were so
beautiful.
RIKER
You seem very familiar with our
personnel.
Shinzon moves even closer to Deanna, not taking his eyes from
her.
SHINZON
I am, Commander Riker...
(to Deanna)
... May I touch your hair?
PICARD
(firm)
Praetor, we've come to Romulus on a
matter we were -- assured was of
great importance. If you have
anything to say to us as
representatives of the Federation,
I suggest you do so now.
Shinzon continues to stare at Deanna. It is strangely
seductive. Almost disquieting in its intensity. Deanna
handles it with grace, her level gaze never leaving his.
SHINZON
(softly)
On the world I come from there's no
light. No sun. Beauty isn't
important. I see now there's a
world elsewhere.
PICARD
Praetor Shinzon. We're not here to
discuss your lack of a social life.
SHINZON
(turning back to Picard)
Yes, I'm sorry, Captain.
(he smiles)
There's so much we have to talk
about.
PICARD
I would be interested to know what
we are talking about.
SHINZON
Unity, Captain! Tearing down the
walls between us to recognize we
are one people. Federation and
Romulan. Human and Vulcan and
Klingon and Reman. I'm speaking of
the thing that makes us the same.
We want peace.
Picard and the others are stunned.
SHINZON
I want to end the centuries of
mistrust. I want to be your ally,
not your enemy. As a first step I
propose we eliminate the Neutral
Zone and begin a free and open
exchange of goods and ideas.
PICARD
And the Senate supports you?
SHINZON
(dry)
I have dissolved the Senate.
A beat.
SHINZON
Right now, you're thinking this all
sounds too good to be true?
PICARD
Yes.
SHINZON
And you're wondering why the
Scimitar is so well armed. Is this
the ship of a peacemaker? Or a
predator?
(Picard is startled at
Shinzon's choice of
words)
... But you're also thinking the
chance for peace is too promising
to ignore. Above all, you're
trying to decide if you can trust
me.
PICARD
Yes.
SHINZON
Then perhaps the time has come to
add some illumination to our
discussion. Computer, raise
lighting four levels.
Lights shoot up around the room.
For the first time the crew can see Shinzon clearly. Picard
actually gasps when he sees Shinzon's face. The rest of the
crew doesn't understand his reaction.
SHINZON
Allow me to tell you a story that I
hope will clarify my position.
When I was very young I was
stricken with an odd disease. I
developed a hyper-sensitivity to
sound. The slightest whisper
caused me agony...
Picard watches him carefully. Wary and strangely intense.
SHINZON
No one knew what to do. Finally I
was taken to a doctor who had some
experience with Terran illnesses
and I was finally diagnosed with
Shalaft's syndrome. Do you know of
it, Captain?
PICARD
You know I do.
The crew is dumbfounded at Picard's unusual reaction.
SHINZON
Then you know it's a very rare
syndrome. Genetic. All the male
members of my family had it.
Eventually I was treated. Now I
can hear as well as you can,
Captain.
He steps toward Picard who holds his ground.
SHINZON
I can see as well as you can. I
can feel everything you feel.
(He stops right before
Picard)
In fact, I feel exactly what you
feel. Don't I, Jean Luc?
Picard stares at him with a mixture of realization and
curiosity. It is as if Picard is looking into a strange,
remembered mirror: Shinzon's face is nearly identical to his
at that age.
SHINZON
Do you trust me now?
A beat.
PICARD
We need to talk, just you and I.
SHINZON
Come to dinner on Romulus tomorrow.
Just the two of us. Or just the
one of us.
PICARD
You know I need to verify this.
SHINZON
I know.
The crew is utterly confused. Their confusion turns to
outright shock when Shinzon calmly pulls out a Reman knife
and cuts his arm, drawing a little blood. He hands the knife
to Data.
SHINZON
Tomorrow then, Captain. We have so
much to discuss.
Picard touches his communicator pin:
PICARD
Picard to Enterprise. Five to beam
out.
They dematerialize, the shimmering glow illuminating
Shinzon's features. Picard's eyes never leave Shinzon as
the transporter effect ripples around him.
INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY - DAY
Beverly stands with Picard, Riker and Deanna. The Reman
knife is under a protonmicroscope and other medical readouts
and analysis are visible.
BEVERLY
There's no doubt, Captain. Right
down to your regressive strain of
Shalaft's Syndrome. He's a clone.
A beat as the confirmation sinks in.
PICARD
When was he... created?
BEVERLY
About twenty-five years ago. They
probably used a hair follicle or
skin cell.
PICARD
(touching head)
I think a skin cell's the more
likely of the two.
RIKER
Why?
PICARD
Believe me, Number One; I'm going
to find out. Contact Starfleet
Command and inform them of the
situation. I need to know where
the hell he came from. Deanna.
He goes, Deanna following.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR - FOLLOWING
DEANNA
I would say he's been trained to
resist telepathy. What I could
sense of his emotions were erratic,
very hard to follow.
PICARD
Is he sincere about wanting peace?
DEANNA
I don't know.
(she stops him)
Sir, the strongest sense I had was
that he's more than curious about
you. He very much wants to know
you.
(she looks at him deeply)
The same way you want to know him.
PICARD
How could I not?
DEANNA
Captain, don't assume he's anything
like you are. You should resist
the urge to think you know him.
PICARD
I not only know him, Deanna, I am
him... and he is me!
He goes.
INT. ENTERPRISE - RIKER AND DEANNA'S CABIN - NIGHT
Riker is hard at work over a series of padds. He has been
working for hours.
DEANNA
Will, you need to rest.
(he continues to work)
As ship's counselor, I'm
recommending you get me sleep.
Riker tosses a padd on the desk. Rubs his eyes. Looks up
her.
RIKER
Some honeymoon.
She smiles and goes to him.
DEANNA
We have time.
(she kisses him)
Come to bed.
She pulls him up.
RIKER
Imzadi, what am I going to do with
you?
They kiss deeply. She pulls him across the room and they
fall into the bed.
It is passionate, erotic. Her arms undulate around him
sensually... her fingers snake through his hair, but
something is wrong. Riker's hair is now blond.
She starts back, her eyes growing wide.
Riker is gone. She is now embracing Shinzon!
SHINZON
Imzadi. This is so good.
DEANNA
No!
He caresses her face...
SHINZON
He can never know you as I know
you... He can never touch you as I
touch you.
DEANNA
This isn't real.
SHINZON
Can you feel my hands... are they
real? Can you feel my lips, my
loins?
He kisses her neck -- but when he raises his head again. It
is the monstrous Viceroy! Holding her. Caressing her. She
is frozen in horror. But is it the Viceroy at all?
Shinzon's voice seems to come from the Viceroy's lips:
SHINZON (V.O.)
I'm with you, Imzadi...
And then it is Shinzon again, kissing her:
SHINZON
I'll always be with you now. Now
and forever...
DEANNA
You sick bastard!
She pushes him away...
RIKER
Deanna?! What's with the name
calling?
It is Riker. She stares at him, then clings to him
desperately.
EXT. ROMULAN SENATE - DAY
The Byzantine splendors of the Senate loom before us.
INT. ROMULAN SENATE CHAMBER - DAY
Heavy drapes are drawn against any hint of the sun. Shinzon
is in conference with the Romulan Commanders and Senator
Tal'Aura. Commander Donatra watches him closely.
Commander Suran is angry, pacing. Shinzon stands. His
Viceroy lurks in a corner.
SURAN
... then I don't understand the
reason for the delay!
SHINZON
You don't have to understand.
SURAN
And bringing the Enterprise here?!
What possible purpose could that
serve?!
SHINZON
I have a purpose.
SURAN
Then perhaps you will enlighten us?
SHINZON
(snaps)
Silence, Romulan!
A tense beat. Shinzon regains his composure.
SHINZON
You must learn patience, Commander.
Do you know where I learned it? In
the dilithium mines of Remus.
Spend eighteen hours every day
under the lash of a Romulan guard's
whip and you'll soon understand
patience.
SURAN
(carefully bows his head)
Praetor.
SHINZON
Now go. I have some personal
business.
Suran and the others go.
Donatra turns just as she is leaving the chamber, she sees
the Viceroy going to Shinzon. And then do something odd.
The Viceroy puts his hand on Shinzon's chest, leans very
close and talks to him quietly. This is an ancient form of
Reman telepathic medical diagnosis.
This strange sight perplexes Donatra. The doors close,
blocking her view...
INT. SENATE - CORRIDOR - FOLLOWING
We go with Donatra and the other Romulans. Donatra speaks
quietly to Suran:
DONATRA
How long before he has us in the
dilithium mines?
INT. ENTERPRISE - DATA'S CABIN - DAY
The B-9 sits placidly in a chair, staring forward.
Then, as if a switch was thrown, he moves. He quickly rises
and goes to a computer console. He efficiently starts
punching in commands at an amazing velocity.
INT. ROMULAN SENATE CHAMBER - NIGHT
Picard and Shinzon sit alone in a corner of the sweeping
Senate chamber. The remains of dinner before them.
SHINZON
And when I was ready they were
going to replace you with me, an
exact biological duplicate. Put a
Romulan agent at the heart of
Starfleet to influence your command
structure. It was a bold plan.
PICARD
What happened?
SHINZON
As happens so frequently here on
Romulus, a new government came to
power. They decided to abandon the
plan -- frankly, I think they were
afraid I'd be discovered and it
would lead to war. They weren't
ready for that.
Picard pours a glass of Romulan ale.
SHINZON
Romulan ale -- I'm surprised. I
can't stand it.
PICARD
(smiles)
You'll acquire a taste for it.
A beat. They look at each other.
SHINZON
It's not quite the face you
remember.
PICARD
Not quite. I envy the hairline.
SHINZON
A lifetime of violence will do
that. My nose was broken four
times. And my jaw... But so much
is the same. The eyes, you
recognize the eyes.
PICARD
Yes. The eyes have it.
SHINZON
Our eyes reflect our lives, don't
they? Yours are so confident.
PICARD
How did you end up on Remus?
SHINZON
They sent me there to die. How
could a mere human survive the
dilithium mines? It was...
(he can't find the words)
... I was a slave. And a monster.
The only thing the Romulan guards
hated more than the Remans was me.
But one man took pity on me: the
man who became my Viceroy. He
taught me how to survive. And in
that dark place, where there was
nothing of myself, I found my Reman
brothers. They showed me the only
kindness I ever knew.
A beat. He glances to the Romulan crest on the wall.
SHINZON
For thousands of years the Romulan
Senate has met in this chamber and
dictated the fate of its sister-
planet... But the time has come for
us to live as equals.
PICARD
You're doing this to liberate the
Remans?
SHINZON
No race should be a slave to
another.
Picard is impressed with Shinzon's quiet words.
SHINZON
You don't trust me.
PICARD
I have no reason to.
SHINZON
Of course you do. If you had lived
my life and experienced the
suffering of my people... you'd be
sitting where I am now. At least I
hope you would.
PICARD
And if you had lived my life you
would understand that there is a
great responsibility in
representing the Federation. I
can't let my personal feelings
unduly influence my decisions.
SHINZON
All I have is my personal feelings.
I wasn't raised with the ideals of
the Federation. But I'm trying to
understand them now. To live up to
them To live up to you.
A beat.
SHINZON
I want to know where I come from.
The Remans gave me a future. You
can tell me about my past.
PICARD
There's so much, and so much of it
is dull...
SHINZON
Were we always explorers?
PlCARD
No. I was the first Picard to
leave Earth. It caused quite a
stir, In fact. But I had spent my
whole life...
SHINZON
(finishing the sentence)
Looking up at the stars.
PICARD
Yes.
SHINZON
And you dreamed about what was up
there. About...
PICARD
(finishing the sentence)
New worlds.
A beat.
They both reach for a carafe of water at the exact same
instant. Stop.
PICARD
After you, Praetor.
SHINZON
(smiles)
Age before rank, Jean Luc.
Picard smiles, pours a glass.
PICARD
So I'm not as tall as you expected?
SHINZON
I always hoped I would hit two
meters.
PICARD
With a full head of hair.
SHINZON
(smiles)
There is that.
A quiet beat.
PICARD
Shinzon... I'm trying to believe
you.
SHINZON
I know.
PICARD
If there's one ideal the Federation
holds most dear it's that all men,
all races, can be united. From the
first time the Vulcans came to
Earth we've sought a future of
peace. Nothing would make me more
proud than to take your hand in
friendship. In time. When trust
has been earned.
SHINZON
I'm honored to think I might
someday speak with such eloquence.
A beat.
SHINZON
In time, Jean Luc.
PICARD
In time.
INT. SENATE CHAMBER - LATER
Picard is gone. Shinzon sits, thinking. His Viceroy enters.
VICEROY
This is a mistake.
SHINZON
He's gentler than I thought. And
he has a sense of humor.
VICEROY
(stern)
Don't forget our mission, Shinzon.
We should act. Now. Time is
running out.
SHINZON
(snaps)
My time. I'll spend it how I
choose.
A tense beat.
SHINZON
We'll return to the Scimitar.
Prepare yourself for the bonding.
INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - NIGHT
Picard emerges from the turbolift. Data, Worf and Geordi
wait at the bridge engineering station.
WORF
Sir, we've had an unauthorized
access into the main computer.
PICARD
Who was it?
GEORDI
It's going to take some time to
find out -- the data stream was
rerouted through substations all
over the ship.
PICARD
What programs were accessed?
GEORDI
That's what I don't get -- it's
mostly basic stellar cartography:
star charts; communications
protocols; some uplinks from colony
tracking stations. It's not even
restricted material.
PICARD
(to Worf)
Set up a security program to detect
any unusual data stream rerouting.
If it happens again, we want to be
ready.
GEORDI
(grim)
There's something else. I was
reviewing the sensor logs...
(he refers to some
readouts on his console)
When the Scimitar decloaked there
was a momentary spike in the
tertiary EM band -- there -- You're
not going to believe this but it's
Thalaron.
Picard is shocked.
INT. SICKBAY - NIGHT
Picard stands, concerned, with Beverly, Geordi and Data.
Monitors showing Thalaron research are visible.
PICARD
... I thought Thalaron radiation
was theoretical.
GEORDI
Which is why our initial scans
didn't pick it up. But he's got
it, Captain.
PICARD
As I remember, Thalaron research
was banned in the Federation
because of its bioqenic properties.
BEVERLY
It has the ability to consume
organic material at the subatomic
level. I can't overestimate the
danger of Thalaron radiation, Jean
Luc. A microscopic amount could
kill every living thing on this
ship in a matter of seconds.
PICARD
Understood. Keep on it. I need to
know what he has and how to
neutralize any threat. Give me
options.
Picard goes. Data thinks for a moment.
DATA
Doctor, will you excuse us for a
moment? Geordi, please come with
me.
He and Geordi head out. Beverly returns to some medical
displays showing Thalaron research, her expression deeply
concerned.
INT. ENTERPRISE - PICARD'S CABIN - NIGHT
Picard is sitting at his desk, flipping through an old photo
album. He stops and stares at one of the pictures deeply
troubled. We finally see the photo: Young Jean Luc Picard.
A serious, unsmiling cadet at Starfleet Academy. The face
before him bears a disturbing resemblance to Shinzon.
The door comm chirps.
PICARD
Come...
(Beverly enters)
... Beverly, come in.
BEVERLY
You're working late.
She sits, notes the picture of Young Jean Luc.
PICARD
Remember him?
BEVERLY
He was a bit proud as I recall.
PICARD
He was a damn fool. Selfish and
ambitious. Very much in need of
seasoning.
BEVERLY
He turned out all right.
He rises, goes to a window, gazes at the Scimitar in the
distance. A beat.
PICARD
I so wanted to believe Shinzon.
But the Thalaron radiation can't be
explained away. Whatever he's
after, it's not peace.
BEVERLY
Is he very much like you were?
PICARD
Yes.
Data interrupts on comm:
DATA (V.O.) (ON COMM)
Data to Captain Picard. Geordi and
I have identified the source of the
unauthorized computer access. And,
I believe, we have also discovered
an opportunity to gain a tactical
advantage.
PICARD
(to comm)
On my way...
BEVERLY
(stands)
Jean Luc -- whatever you were --
right now you're the man you've
made yourself. He's someone else.
PICARD
I wish I could believe that,
Doctor.
He goes.
INT. ENTERPRISE - TURBOLIFT - MORNING
Deanna is alone on the turbolift. Then a voice makes her
spin:
SHINZON (V.O.)
Imzadi...
Shinzon stands across from her.
DEANNA
You're not here.
SHINZON
(moving to her)
Very logical, Deanna... But your
heart doesn't constrain itself to
mere logic.
(he caresses her)
... Your heart longs to discover
me. To know me...
(he kisses her)
... To leave all of this behind and
be with me.
He pushes her against the wall, with passion and almost
violence.
DEANNA
No...
SHINZON
I can feel your desire, Deanna...
She forces herself to concentrate... to resist
telepathically... it is a mighty effort... this Romulan is
hot. And the world around her appears to be changing...
bending...
And she is momentarily in a cabin on the Scimitar. Although
entirely a telepathic experience, it is as if she has
actually traveled.
She sees Shinzon kneeling over a small flame, she realizes
she is looking through the Viceroy's eyes.
On the Scimitar, Shinzon looks up at the Viceroy/Deanna:
SHINZON
I can feel your hunger to know the
Reman ways... the old ways.
Then the world changes again...
Deanna is on the turbolift. Shinzon is pressed against her,
whispering:
SHINZON
Don't fear what you desire...
She forces him away from her and --
She is alone. She sinks to her knees. Overcome with
emotion.
INT. SCIMITAR - VICEROY'S CABIN - FOLLOWING
The Viceroy, in a kind of trace, kneels before a small flame.
Shinzon kneels across from him. The Viceroy raises his head.
VICEROY
The bond is broken.
SHINZON
Find her again.
VICEROY
No -- this is wasting time.
SHINZON
Do as I tell you!
A Reman officer interrupts on comm:
REMAN OFFICER (V.O.)
Praetor, we've received the
transponder signal.
SHINZON
(to comm)
On my way.
He begins to go -- but suddenly stops, a wave of illness
overtaking him.
The Viceroy puts his hand on Shinzon's chest. A strange
moment as the Viceroy shuts his eyes and feels Shinzon's
chest. His mind... probing.
Then the Viceroy looks up at him, grim.
VICEROY
It's accelerating. You have no
more time for games.
SHINZON
Have the doctors prepare. I'll be
on the bridge.
He goes.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - DAY
Shinzon stands with some REMAN ENGINEERS.
SHINZON
Transport.
An Engineer activates a transporter and the B-9 materializes!
SHINZON
Welcome home.
(to Engineers)
Begin the download.
Reman engineers go to the B-9 and open the panel in his neck,
begin connecting computer conduits to the extra memory port
we saw earlier.
(Note: Although the audience will not know it yet, this is
actually Data pretending to be the B-9.)
Shinzon goes to a replicator unit and orders:
SHINZON
Tea, hot.
A cup of tea appears. He takes it and sips as he watches his
Engineers connecting the conduits to the B-9.
INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY - DAY
Beverly is scanning Deanna. Picard and Riker watch,
concerned.
BEVERLY
Aside from slightly elevated
adrenalin and serotonin levels,
you're completely normal.
PICARD
(gently)
Can you describe it, Deanna?
She looks at Picard, tears in her eyes.
DEANNA
It was... a violation.
Riker takes her hand.
DEANNA
(with difficulty)
Shinzon's Viceroy seems to have the
ability to reach into my thoughts.
I've become a liability... I
request to be relieved of my
duties.
PICARD
Permission denied. If you can
possibly endure any more of these
assaults. I need you at my side.
Now more than ever I...
But before the words are out of his mouth... he begins to
dematerialize!
RIKER
(to comm)
Worf! Raise Shields !
But Picard is gone.
EXT. OVER ROMULUS - SPACE
The Scimitar cloaks.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIG - NIGHT
Picard stands in the Reman brig. His communicator pin has
been removed.
Beyond the security force field a ghoulish medical apparatus
is being prepared. A metal chair with laser scalpels, IV
tubes and hyposprays connected to it. Reman doctors work
over the mysterious chair.
Shinzon enters with the B-9 following. Shinzon stands on the
other side of the force field.
Picard notices something immediately. Tiny veins are now
visible on Shinzon's face; the faintest sign of an intricate
spider-web pattern of pale blue veins.
SHINZON
Hello, Jean Luc.
PICARD
Why am I here?
SHINZON
I was lonely...
(he realizes Picard is
staring at the veins on
his face)
Perhaps I'm not aging as well as
you did.
He nods to a guard. The guard deactivates the force field.
A Reman doctor enters and raises a hypospray toward Picard.
PICARD
(resists)
What are you doing?
SHINZON
I need a sample of your blood.
What do your Borg friends say?
Resistance is futile.
(maniacal laugh)
The Doctor takes a quick sample of Picard's blood as Picard
glances to the B-9.
SHINZON
Yes. The bait you couldn't refuse.
I learned there might be an
existing prototype from a
Cardassian historian, then went to
a great deal of trouble to find it
and scatter it about on Kolarus
III. I knew it would pique your
curiosity and conveniently make the
Enterprise the closest ship to
Romulus when I contacted Starfleet.
The Reman doctor leaves the cell. The force field is
reactivated. The doctor goes to the mysterious medical
apparatus and analyzes Picard's blood. As:
PICARD
All of this so you could capture
me?
SHINZON
Don't be so vain. After we found
it, we made a few modifications.
An extra memory port, a hidden
transponder. Perhaps your eyes
will be a bit less confident when
you learn I've gained access to
Starfleet's communications
protocols. I now know the location
of your entire fleet...
(to B-9)
... You may go.
B-9
Where?
SHINZON
Out of my sight.
The B-9 obediently leaves the room as:
SHINZON
Maybe I'll train it to do little
tricks for me like your robot does.
Or maybe I'll snap its ugly head
off.
PICARD
What's this all about?
SHINZON
It's about destiny, Picard. About
a Reman outcast who --
PICARD
You're not Reman.
SHINZON
And I'm not quite human. So what
am I? What do you see?
(he peers at Picard
deeply)
Do you see a life you might have
led? Lost youth never to be
recaptured?
PICARD
I see a young man trying
desperately to deny who he is.
SHINZON
I see an old man, set in his ways,
afraid to live without a uniform to
prop him up and a Starfleet
regulation to tell him what to do.
I see the man I will never be.
PICARD
I won't defend my life to you.
SHINZON
My life is meaningless as long as
you're alive. What am I while you
exist? A shadow? An enigma?
PICARD
(stern)
If your issues are with me... This
has nothing to do with my ship and
nothing to do with the Federation.
SHINZON
Oh, but it does. We will no longer
bow like slaves before anyone. Not
the Romulans and not your mighty
Federation. We're a race bred for
war. For conquest.
PICARD
Think about what you're doing,
Shinzon. Are you ready to plunge
the entire quadrant into war to
satisfy your own personal demons?
SHINZON
It amazes me how little you know
yourself.
PICARD
I'm incapable of such an act, and
so are you.
SHINZON
I think the facts speak for
themselves. The same noble Picard
blood runs in our veins. Had you
lived my life, you'd be doing
exactly as I am. Look in the
mirror, and see yourself.
Shinzon looks at him deeply.
SHINZON
Consider that, Captain. I can
think of no greater torment for
you.
He turns to go.
PICARD
It's a mirror for you as well...
Shinzon turns back to him.
A beat. Picard gazes at him evenly.
Picard's probing gaze makes Shinzon a bit uneasy. He glances
to the ghoulish medical preparations.
SHINZON
Not for long, Captain.
(back to Picard)
I'm afraid you won't survive to
witness the victory of the echo
over the voice.
He goes.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - NIGHT
The ship is on Red Alert. Worf stands at tactical, muscles
coiled, hungry for action.
WORF
No response to our hails.
Geordi is hard at work at the Science station. Riker stands
over him:
GEORDI
(frustrated)
His cloak is perfect... no tachyon
emissions, no residual antiprotons.
RIKER
Keep at it, Geordi. Find a way in.
Beverly arrives on the bridge, urgent. She carries a medical
padd.
BEVERLY
Will, I need to talk to you.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIG - NIGHT
Picard stands in his cell, peering at the edges of the
security force field, trying to spot any weakness.
Then the B-9 enters the brig, he holds a Reman disruptor
weapon.
B-9
(to Reman guard)
I am to take the prisoner to the
Praetor.
The Reman Guard deactivates the force field.
B-9
If you resist, I will incapacitate
you.
He leads Picard out.
INT. SCIMITAR - CORRIDORS - FOLLOWING
The B-9 leads Picard through the dark corridors, holding the
disruptor on him steadily. All the Remans they pass glare at
Picard with undisguised loathing.
The Viceroy approaches. Stops before them.
VICEROY
(to B-9)
Where are you taking him?
B-9
Praetor Shinzon wants him on the
bridge.
The Viceroy turns his malevolent gaze on Picard.
VICEROY
So, human... you've met your better
self!
PICARD
What are you doing to Counsellor
Troi?
VICEROY
I'm preparing her for Shinzon... To
sooth him as she soothes you. To
stand at his side as she does at
yours.
PICARD
That will never happen.
VICEROY
Listen to him, android. Such a
small and weak creature. Yet he
roars so valiantly...
(he raises one taloned
claw and puts a sharp
fingernail on Picard's
chest)
It would take me but an instant to
tear that valiant heart from your
chest.
PICARD
There'll be another after me. And
another after that. You'll find
we're a resilient species.
VICEROY
I look forward to the sport.
(to the B-9, harshly)
Take him.
The B-9 prods Picard's back roughly with the disruptor.
Picard grimaces in pain
B-9
Move.
The Viceroy continues away down the corridor. The B-9 leads
Picard along.
PICARD
(whispers)
Be careful of over-playing your
part, Commander!
And the audience now realizes it is Data pretending to be the
B-9 and rejoices.
DATA
Sorry, sir. I thought it added a
touch of reality to the
performance.
They are silent as they pass a few Reman guards. Then:
DATA
My mission was a success, sir. I
have discovered the source of the
Thalaron radiation.
PICARD
Good work. The download?
DATA
He believes he has our
communications protocols. But they
will give him inaccurate locations
for all Starfleet vessels.
Data assumes the B-9's posture again as they pass some some
Reman Warriors.
DATA
Move, puny human animal.
They pass the Warriors.
PICARD
A bit less florid, Data.
DATA
Aye, sir... This way.
He leads Picard down the corridor.
INT. SCIMITAR - GENERATION CHAMBER - NIGHT
Data leads Picard into a massive chamber that soars up like a
cathedral. It is the size of a small town.
The whole, cavernous chamber pulses with glowing green light.
DATA
This entire ship is, essentially, a
flying Thalaron generator.
(he points up)
All its power relays lead to that
device.
High above them, at the very top of the chamber, is a
gigantic version of the spider-weapon we saw kill all the
Romulan Senators before. It is breathtaking.
PICARD
A weapon.
DATA
It would appear so.
Data rotates his left hand and then slides it forward,
exposing a hidden compartment in his wrist. He removes a
small, silver disc. This is a cool new piece of Federation
technology called an ETU. (Emergency Transport Unit.)
DATA
Geordi equipped me with the
prototype for the Emergency
Transport Unit. I recommend you
use it to return to the Enterprise.
PICARD
It'll only work for one of us.
DATA
Yes, sir.
PICARD
We'll find a way off together.
Recommendations?
DATA
There is a shuttlebay 948 meters
from our current location.
Data inserts the ETU back into his wrist and they leave the
chamber.
INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE - NIGHT
The Viceroy arrives on the bridge, stops.
VICEROY
Where's Picard?
Shinzon looks at him, confused.
INT. SCIMITAR - CORRIDORS - NIGHT
Security alert klaxons suddenly begin to howl and harsh Reman
commands are broadcast through the corridors.
DATA
This way, sir!
They sprint down the twisting, dark corridors -- Reman
warriors suddenly appear before them! -- Data fires the
disruptor as Picard launches himself into them --
A fight -- Picard uses a dazzlinq series of Starfleet hand-
to-hand maneuvers -- he dramatically subdues the Remans.
More Reman warriors appear down the corridor. Picard grabs a
disruptor.
And instantly spins to fire a blazing disruptor. A battle
breaks out in the corridor -- the energy beams and explosions
illuminating the violent fire fight in strobe-like bursts.
They run to another corridor and finally arrive at the
shuttlebay door -- it does not open.
DATA
(looking at door security
panel)
It seems to have an encrypted
security system.
Reman warriors are closing in on them.
Data tosses his disruptor to Picard -- Picard catches it and
instantly spins and fires -- he uses both disruptors to fire
down both ends of the corridor like a Western sheriff --
keeping the Remans at bay --
As Data uses both hands to punch numbers into the shuttlebay
door security panel at an amazing rate --
PICARD
Alacrity would be appreciated,
Commander.
DATA
They are trying to override the
access codes. Reman is really a
most complex language with
pictographs representing certain
verb roots and --
PICARD
While I find that fascinating,
Data, we really need that Goddamned
door open!
The shuttlebay door slides open.
Picard lays down a blistering barrage of cover fire as he and
Data duck into the shuttlebay.
INT. SCIMITAR - SHUTTLEBAY - FOLLOWING
When the door closes behind them, Picard turns and fires a
disruptor blast -- sealing the door mechanism.
They turn to face...
A fleet of very small shuttles. They are uniquely designed.
Extremely compact and stream-lined. A disruptor turret on
each.
They move toward one as:
DATA
According to the ship's manifest
they are Scorpion-class attack
fliers.
They quickly climb a Scorpion.
INT. SCORPION COCKPIT - SHUTTLEBAY - FOLLOWING
The cockpit of the Scorpion is cramped. Picard climbs into
the pilot's position. Data assumes the gunner's position.
They see disruptor fire trying to burn through the door to
the shuttlebay -- Picard powers up the Scorpion as:
PICARD
(trying to figure out the
controls)
What do you imagine this is?
DATA
Port thrusters, sir. Would you
like me to drive?
Picard shoots him a look and presses some controls. The
Scorpion lifts off. Hovers a few feet over the deck. Picard
elegantly swings it around toward the large shuttlebay
external doors as:
PICARD
Can you open the shuttlebay doors?
DATA
(working controls)
Affirmative, sir. Negative, sir.
They have instigated security
overrides and erected a force field
around the external portals.
PICARD
Well then... only one way to go.
He swings the Scorpion around again so it is facing the doors
they came through, the doors back into the ship.
Data is dubious.
DATA
Do you think this is a wise course
of action?
PICARD
We're about to find out... Power up
disruptors and fire on my mark.
DATA
Ready, Captain.
PICARD
Fire!
And the Scorpion's forward disruptors fire! The doors into
the ship explode! Picard powers forward!
INT. SCIMITAR CORRIDORS - FOLLOWING
And the Scorpion shoots into the corridor, past the stunned
Remans. Picard banks sharply -- careens off the far side of
the corridor but keeps control.
The Scorpion zooms down the corridor.
INT. SCORPION COCKPIT - SCIMITAR - FOLLOWING
Picard is concentrating intensely -- it is like trying to
control the world's fastest roller coaster.
INT. SCIMITAR - CORRIDORS - FOLLOWING
The Scorpion banks around a corner --it zigs and zags through
the ship at breakneck speed --
INT. SCIMITAR - OBSERVATION LOUNGE - NIGHT
The doors to the observation lounge EXPLODE in.
The Scorpion SHOOTS into the room and up --
A disruptor blast SHATTERS the etched glass dome at the top
of the room --
And the Scorpion ZOOMS triumphantly into space!
EXT. OVER ROMULUS - SPACE
The Scorpion seems to appear from nowhere -- slicing through
the cloak of invisibility around the Scimitar --
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The crew sees the Scorpion appear on the viewscreen.
RIKER
Worf! Lock on transporters!
INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Shinzon sees the Scorpion as well.
SHINZON
Tractor beam! Now!
EXT. OVER ROMULUS - SPACE
But they are too late -- the Scorpion dematerializes --
INT. ENTERPRISE - CARGO BAY - FOLLOWING
And materializes in one of the Enterprise's cargo bays.
Picard and Data climb out --
PICARD
(to comm)
Number One, emergency warp!
EXT. OVER ROMULUS - FOLLOWING
The Enterprise dramatically powers forward and up -- rolling
over in a great arc going into warp while still upside down.
It disappears in a blaze of light. Fade to...
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - NIGHT
Shinzon sits in his command chair as the ship streaks through
space. He speaks on viewscreen with his Romulan
collaborators. His face is even more finely veined now.
SHINZON
The Enterprise is immaterial! They
won't make it back to Federation
space.
SURAN (ON VIEWSCREEN)
(angry)
This has gone far enough!
SHINZON
I thought we discussed patience,
Commander.
SURAN (ON VIEWSCREEN)
And mine is wearing thin, young
man! We supported you because you
promised action. And yet you delay
and you waste your time playing
games with Picard while --
Shinzon stands and briskly pulls down his uniform tunic
exactly as we've seen Picard do a thousand times.
SHINZON
Commander Suran, the games are
over. In two days the Federation
will be crippled beyond repair.
Does that satisfy you?
SURAN (ON VIEWSCREEN)
(grim)
For the moment.
SHINZON
(brutal)
And when I return... you and I
shall have a little talk about
showing proper respect!
INT. ROMULAN SENATE - CHAMBER - FOLLOWING
The viewscreen picture of Shinzon snaps out. The Romulan sit
for a silent beat.
DONATRA
Does anyone in this room harbor any
illusions about what he means by
"showing proper respect"?
TAL'AURA
What's happening to his face?
SURAN
I want opinions. He is clearly out
of his mind.
SURAN
But can he complete his mission?
DONATRA
Should he?
They look at her.
DONATRA
Are you prepared to have your hands
drenched in blood? He'll show them
no mercy. And his sins will mark
us all for generations. Is that
what you truly want, Romulans?
A beat.
DONATRA
I think you should consider that
question now -- or else you may
have a lifetime to think about it
in the dilithium mines.
She turns and stalks out.
INT. ENTERPRISE - READY ROOM - NIGHT
Beverly sits with Picard and Riker.
BEVERLY
The more I studied his DNA the more
confusing it got. Finally I could
only come to one conclusion...
Shinzon was created with temporal
RNA sequencing. He was designed so
that at a certain point his aging
process could be accelerated to
reach your age more quickly, so he
could replace you.
PICARD
But the Romulans abandoned the
plan...
BEVERLY
As a result the temporal sequencing
was never activated. Remember, he
was supposed to replace you at
nearly your current age. He was
engineered to skip thirty years of
life. But since the RNA sequencing
was never activated, his cellular
structure has started to break
down. He's dying.
PICARD
Dying?
RIKER
He wasn't designed to live a
complete, human life span.
PlCARD
Can anything be done for him?
BEVERLY
Not without a complete
myelodysplastic infusion from the
only donor with compatible DNA.
But that would mean draining all
your blood.
RIKER
That's why he went to all that
trouble to capture you.
PlCARD
How long does he have?
BEVERLY
I can't be sure but the rate of
decay seems to be accelerating.
Picard considers this.
PICARD
Then he'll come for me as a donor.
INT. ENTERPRISE - DATA'S CABIN - NIGHT
Data stands before the B-9.
The B-9 has been deactivated, he stands lifeless and
immobile. Data gazes deeply into his double's identical
features. Then he opens a panel in the B-9's neck and uses a
small instrument to activate the android's head.
The B-9's eyes spring to life. He looks at Data.
B-9
Brother. I cannot move.
DATA
No, I have only activated your
cognitive and communication
subroutines.
B-9
Why?
DATA
Because you are dangerous.
B-9
Why?
DATA
You have been programmed to gather
information that can be used
against this ship.
B-9
I do not understand.
DATA
I know.
A beat.
DATA
Do you know anything about
Shinzon's plans against the
Federation?
B-9
No.
DATA
Do you have any knowledge of the
tactical abilities of his ship?
B-9
No. Can I move now?
DATA
No. I must deactivate you.
B-9
For how long?
DATA
Indefinitely.
B-9
How long is that?
A beat. Data gazes at the B-9 deeply.
DATA
A long time, brother.
Data reaches forward and deactivates his brother.
The B-9's eyes lose the spark of life. He stands, frozen.
Data stands before him.
INT. ENTERPRISE - OBSERVATION LOUNGE - NIGHT
Picard is gathered with his senior officers.
A computer display illustrates Geordi's words about the power
of Shinzon's weapon. We see a chilling graphic of the
Biogenic Pulse beam spreading around a ship, then a whole
planet.
GEORDI
It's called a Cascading Biogenic
Pulse. The unique properties of
Thalaron radiation allow the energy
beam to expand almost without
limits. Depending on the radiant
intensity it could encompass a
ship... or a planet.
PICARD
(thinking)
And that's exactly what he's going
to do.
RIKER
Sir?
PICARD
His hatred of the Federation is
apparent. He would have built a
weapon of that scope for one
reason. He is going after Earth.
RIKER
Oh boy. Destroy humanity and the
Federation is crippled...
PICARD
And the Romulans invade.
DEANNA
How can you be certain?
PICARD
I know how he thinks.
A beat.
RIKER
(to Geordi)
And there's no way to penetrate his
cloak?
GEORDI
No, sir.
RIKER
(frustrated)
He could pass within 10 meters of
every ship in Starfleet and they'd
never know.
BEVERLY
But we do have one advantage.
(to Picard)
He needs your blood to live. He
might come after you first.
PICARD
I'm counting on it... We've been
ordered to head to sector 3274.
Starfleet is diverting the fleet to
meet us there.
RIKER
Strength in numbers?
PICARD
We can only hope so.
A beat as he looks at them gravely.
PICARD
He can't be allowed to use that
weapon. All other concerns are
secondary. Do you understand me?
Riker knows exactly what Picard is saying: the Enterprise is
expendable.
RIKER
Yes, sir.
Picard stands. Presses a comm button.
PICARD
All hands. Battle stations.
INT. ENTERPRISE - VARIOUS ANGLES
We see a montage of the Enterprise preparing for battle.
Crew members assume battle stations. Weapons locker ring
open and Security Officers hand out sidearms and phaser
rifles.
Geordi and his Engineers establish emergency force field
around the warp core.
Riker and Worf brief officers on tactical plans...
Data works at the bridge Science Station, analyzing data on
Shinzon's ship.
Picard walks through the corridors, he stops to talk with
apprehensive young ensign.
As we hear:
PICARD (V.O.)
Captain's Personal Log.
Supplemental. We're heading toward
Federation space at maximum warp.
The crew has responded with the
dedication I've come to expect of
them. And like a thousand other
commanders on a thousand other
battlefields throughout history, I
wait for the dawn.
The montage ends as...
INT. ENTERPRISE - SICKBAY - NIGHT
Picard enters sickbay.
Dr. Crusher and her medical staff are hard at work. They
position anti-grav gurneys and ready medical supplies.
Security officers are handing out phasers.
Picard watches the grim preparations. Beverly goes to him,
bolstering her phaser.
PICARD
(quietly)
To seek out new life and new
civilizations. Zephyr Cochran's
own words. When Charles Darwin set
out on the H.M.S. Beagle, on his
journey into the unknown... he
sailed without a single musket.
BEVERLY
(gently)
That was another time.
PICARD
How far we've come. Let me know if
you need anything.
He starts to go --
BEVERLY
Jean Luc...
(he stops)
... He is not you.
A beat.
PICARD
What makes us who we are, Doctor?
Can you tell me that?
She watches him go.
INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE - NIGHT
Shinzon sits in his command chair, lined with veins now.
His Viceroy again has his hand pressed to Shinzon's chest.
SHINZON
How long?
VICEROY
A matter of hours now --
Shinzon shoves him away. Stands.
VICEROY
If you don't begin the procedure
soon you'll never make it back to
Romulus. You shouldn't have
delayed. You should have killed
Picard the moment --
Shinzon slams his command chair in fury. The Viceroy watches
him carefully.
A beat. Shinzon regains his composure. He sits again in his
command chair.
SHINZON
How long until we reach the Rift?
VICEROY
(checks a console)
Seven minutes.
Shinzon leans back, satisfied. And looks at the viewscreen.
The image on the viewscreen is shocking.
The Enterprise only a few hundred yards away.
EXT. ENTERPRISE - SPACE
The Enterprise zooms through space.
Completely unaware of the predator directly above it.
INT. ENTERPRISE - ASTROMETRICS - NIGHT
Data is at work in Astrometry. Cartographic projections of
star systems ebb and flow on a large screen before him.
Picard enters.
PICARD
Show me our current position.
The images before them quickly change to show another sector
and a blip representing the Enterprise.
PICARD
How long until we reach the fleet?
DATA
At our current velocity we will
arrive at sector 3274 in
approximately 40 minutes.
The images before them change to show sector 3274. We see
blips denoting Starfleet ships moving into position.
Picard gazes at the projection of stars before them for a
moment.
PICARD
(quietly)
"For now we see but through a glass
darkly..." He said he's a mirror.
DATA
Of you?
PICARD
Yes.
DATA
I do not agree. Although you share
the same genetic structure, the
events of your life have created
unique individual.
PICARD
But so much is the same. On a
biological level he is... and I
will not accept the idea that there
is nothing I can do. I have a
responsibility to try to make a
human connection with him.
DATA
He would deny a "human" connection
is possible. He considers himself
entirely Reman.
PICARD
He may have already rejected my
humanity, but you also have a twin.
DATA
No, sir, it is not possible. The
B-9 is physically identical to me,
although his neural pathways are
not as advanced. But even if they
were, he would not be me.
PICARD
How can you be sure?
DATA
I aspire, sir. To be better than I
am. The B-9 does not. Nor does
Shinzon.
A beat.
PICARD
We'll never know what Shinzon might
have been. Had he stood where I
did as a child? And looked up at
the stars.
Picard's words linger in the air for a moment.
Then the projections before them sputter with static for a
moment. Flickering.
DATA
(working controls)
We are passing through the Bassen
Rift. The projections will return
when we have cleared it.
PICARD
It's interfering with our uplink
from Starfleet cartography?
DATA
Yes, sir. The Rift effects all
long-range communications --
PICARD
(urgent, to comm)
Commander Riker, evasive maneuvers!
Too late.
The ship QUAKES -- a photon torpedo blast -- the Enterprise
is under attack!
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
Disruptor beams appear from nowhere -- streaking through
space -- slamming into the Enterprise's warp drive. The
Enterprise recoils, dangerously dropping out of warp in a
furious lurch.
The Bassen Rift is a strange area of electromagnetic
distortion. Energy patterns crackle through space.
INT. SCIMITAR BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Shinzon sits in his command chair. The viewscreen shows the
Enterprise before him.
SHINZON
Target weapons systems and shields.
I don't want the Enterprise
destroyed.
On the viewscreen, we see disruptor blasts streaking from the
Scimitar -- slicing into the Enterprise.
SHINZON
Can you learn to see in the dark,
Captain?
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Picard and Data emerge from the turbolift as the ship
ROCKS --
PICARD
Report.
RIKER
He's firing through his cloak. We
can't get a lock.
GEORDI
(at engineering station)
He disabled our warp drive with his
first shot. We've only got
impulse.
WORF
Long range communication is
impossible as long as we're in the
rift --
The ship SHUDDERS again --
PICARD
Worf, prepare a full phaser spread,
zero elevation. All banks on my
mark. Scan for shield impacts and
stand by photon torpedoes.
WORF
Aye, sir
The ship ROCKS again.
PICARD
Fire!
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
The Enterprise fires her phasers simultaneously -- the energy
beams shoot into space --
And the Scimitar's shape is momentarily illuminated as one of
its shields is hit.
Photon torpedoes immediately shoot from the Enterprise -- but
pass harmlessly through the area where the Scimitar's shields
were momentarily illuminated.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
SHINZON
You're too slow, old man.
(entering commands in his
chair console)
Attack pattern Shinzon Theta.
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
The invisible Warbird makes a dramatic run straight over the
Enterprise -- firing steadily down as it sweeps past it; is a
brutal, close range assault --
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The bridge SHAKES violently under the ruthless attack--
DATA
We are losing dorsal shields --
PICARD
Full axis rotation to port! Fire
all ventral phasers!
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
The Enterprise instantly complies -- Rolling completely over
to the left, firing phasers up as Shinzon's invisible ship
streaks above it --
A few lucky phaser shots from the bottom of the Enterprise --
now shooting upward -- manage to momentarily illuminate the
bottom shields of the Scimitar as it sweeps past above.
INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
WORF
Minimal damage to the Scimitar.
RIKER
(to Helm)
Defensive pattern Kirk Epsilon.
Geordi, get those shields online.
PICARD
(to comm)
Counselor Troi, report to the
bridge.
RIKER
Unless we can disable his cloak
we're just going to be firing in
the dark.
PlCARD
Agreed.
WORF
Sir, we're being hailed.
PICARD
On screen.
Shinzon appears on the viewscreen. He is on the bridge of
the Scimitar.
SHINZON (ON VIEWSCREEN)
Captain Picard, will you join me in
your Ready Room?
INT. ENTERPRISE - READY ROOM
Picard stands in his Ready Room. A flickering light shimmers
across the room. And a perfect holographic representation of
Shinzon appears before him.
SHINZON
You can't trace my holographic
emitters, Captain. So don't
bother. And you can't contact
Starfleet. We're quite alone.
PICARD
We are.
SHINZON
It's just the two of us now, Jean
Luc, as it should be... Your ship
and mine... You and me.
PICARD
Why are you here?
SHINZON
To accept your surrender. I can
clearly destroy you at any time.
Lower your shields and allow me to
transport you to my ship.
PICARD
And what of the Enterprise?
SHINZON
I have little interest in your
quaint vessel, Captain. If the
Enterprise will withdraw to a
distance of one hundred light
years, it will not be harmed.
PICARD
You know that's not possible.
SHINZON
I know... you'll all gladly die to
save your home world.
PICARD
(intense)
Look at me, Shinzon! Do you feel
the blood pumping inside you? Your
hands, your eyes, your nature, are
the same as mine. Buried deep
inside you beneath the years of
pain and anger is a capacity you've
forgotten. It's the one way our
mirror can reflect the two of us
exactly because it's the very thing
that truly defines us. To be human
is to try to make yourself better
than you are.
Picard looks at him deeply, relentlessly refusing to give up.
PICARD
I know you as well as I know
myself, Shinzon. There was a time
you looked at the stars and dreamed
of what might be.
SHINZON
(quietly)
Long ago.
PICARD
Not so long.
SHINZON
Childish dreams, Captain. Lost in
the dilithium mines of Remus. I'm
what you see now.
PICARD
I see more than what you are.
Picard steps toward him.
PICARD
I see what you could be.
Shinzon slowly backs away as Picard continues to move toward
him relentlessly.
PICARD
The man who is Jean Luc Picard and
Shinzon of Remus won't exterminate
the population of an entire planet!
He is better than that!
SHINZON
(desperate)
He is what his life has made him!
Shinzon is in turmoil. Picard senses this. He proceeds
quietly:
PICARD
And what will he do with that life?
Shinzon looks at him, questioning.
PICARD
If I were to beam to your ship...
let you complete your medical
procedure, give you a full life...
what would you do with the time?
Shinzon doesn't respond.
PICARD
You once asked me about your past.
Your history. When I was your age,
I burned with ambition. I was very
proud and my pride often hurt
people. I made every wrong choice
a young man can... But one thing
saved me... I had a father who
believed in me. Who took the time
to teach me a better way. You have
the same father.
SHINZON
Yes.
PICARD
So if I gave you my life, what
would you do with it? Would you
spend the years in a blaze of
hatred as you are now? Or could
you change? Could you try to
remember a mother's touch you never
felt? A father's words you never
heard? Could you do that?
SHINZON
(quietly)
I don't know.
PICARD
But you want to.
Shinzon doesn't respond. But Picard knows he has made a
connection. For this brief moment reconciliation is
possible. He proceeds quietly:
PICARD
Let me tell you about our father.
Shinzon looks at him with an aching sadness. What might have
been.
SHINZON
That's your life... not mine.
PICARD
Please.
SHINZON
It's too late.
PICARD
You can still make a choice! Make
the right one now!
SHINZON
I have no choices! I can't fight
what I am!
Shinzon backs away, unable to fight his nature:
SHINZON
I'll show you my true nature. Your
nature. And as Earth dies --
remember that I'm forever Shinzon
of Remus! And my voice will echo
through time long after yours has
faded to a dim memory.
Shinzon ends the transmission and his holographic image
flickers and fades away.
Picard stands alone, drained.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Shinzon strides quickly to his command chair, barking to his
Viceroy:
SHINZON
Disable their weapons!
But before the Viceroy can move the Scimitar suddenly ROCKS
-- attacked from somewhere! Shinzon is stunned.
SHINZON
Report!
REMAN OFFICER
Two ships decloaking, sir!
Romulan!
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Picard strides to his command chair as two Romulan Warbirds
appear on the viewscreen. Deanna is now on the bridge.
RIKER
Believe it or not, I think the
cavalry has arrived.
WORF
We're being hailed.
PICARD
On screen.
On the viewscreen: Commander Donatra shimmers into view.
DONATRA (ON VIEWSCREEN)
Captain Picard, Commander Donatra
of the Warbird Valdore. Might we
be of assistance?
PICARD
Your timing is impeccable,
Commander.
DONATRA (ON VIEWSCREEN)
The Empire considers this a matter
of internal security. We regret
you've become involved.
PICARD
When this is over, I owe you a
drink.
On the viewscreen, the Valdore ROCKS from a disruptor blast.
DONATRA (ON VIEWSCREEN)
Romulan ale, Captain. Let's get to
work. Valdore out.
The transmission ends.
PICARD
(to Worf)
You heard the lady. Get to work.
Move your ass!
(The Romulan Warbirds must remain decloaked to fire weapons
and are visible throughout the battle.)
Although Shinzon's ship is still cloaked, the steady barrage
of triangulated phaser and disruptor fire from the Enterprise
and the two Romulan vessels illuminate its shields with
impacts.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
PICARD
(to Worf)
Coordinate our attack with the
Valdore's tactical officer.
Triangulate fire on any shield
impacts.
WORF
Aye, sir.
The Enterprise ROCKS from a photon torpedo impact --
DATA
Aft shields are down to forty
percent.
RIKER
(to Helm)
Keep our bow to the Scimitar.
Auxiliary power to forward shields.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Shinzon sits quite calmly in his command chair.
SHINZON
Target the flanking Warbird. All
forward disruptor banks on my mark.
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
It is a chaos of starships as the Enterprise and the two
Warbirds fire steadily -- illuminating the Scimitar's
shields.
The ships sweep around one another, maneuvering for position,
firing constantly. The battlefield seems impossibly crowded
as the four vessels evade and attack; as phaser and disruptor
beams criss-cross space.
Then the Scimitar unleashes a devastating volley... all her
forward disruptor banks fire at once --
They literally cut one of the Romulan ships in half -- a huge
EXPLOSION -- debris SHOOTS across space and SLAMS VIOLENTLY
off the Enterprise's forward shields -- !
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The ship ROCKS dangerously!
DATA
Forward shields are down to ten
percent.
RIKER
(to Helm)
Bring us about!
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
The Enterprise quickly turns about -- firing her aft phasers,
as the Valdore sweeps toward Shinzon's ship, firing --
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
SHINZON
Let her pursue -- drop cloak on the
aft port quadrant and prepare for
full emergency stop.
VICEROY
(startled)
What?!
SHINZON
You heard me.
INT. VALDORE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Donatra leans forward in her command chair, looking at
viewscreen. She sees part of the Scimitar's rear cloakning
fall away --
DONATRA
She's losing her cloak! Stand by
all forward disruptor banks!
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
VICEROY
She's almost on us.
SHINZON
Not yet.
On the viewscreen we see the Valdore in pursuit, gaining.
The Reman crew is getting nervous.
VICEROY
Praetor...
SHINZON
FULL STOP AND FIRE !
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
The Scimitar LURCHES to a stop! Too fast for the Valdore to
respond in time -- it flies over the Scimitar --
And the Scimitar fires!
A devastating volley of photon torpedoes rip into the
underbelly and aft of the Valdore as it streaks past --
The Valdore careens out of control and then slows to a stop.
It floats dead in space.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
SHINZON
Restore the aft cloak.and bring us
about.
He leans back in his command chair, ready for the final
battle.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
A bloody Commander Donatra is talking to Picard on
viewscreen. Her bridge is in ruins.
DONATRA (ON VIEWSCREEN)
I'm afraid that drink will have to
wait, Captain.
PICARD
Do you have life support?
DONATRA (ON VIEWSCREEN)
For the moment. But we're dead in
the water.
PICARD
Understood --
Then the ship ROCKS --
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
The invisible Scimitar sweeps past for a particularly brutal
assault -- disruptor blasts streak along the Enterprise's
hull -- a huge, ripping series of explosions tear away
several decks of the Enterprise --
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
DATA
We have lost structural integrity
on decks twelve through seventeen,
sections four through ten.
GEORDI
Emergency force fields are holding.
RIKER
Evacuate those decks and reroute
field power to forward shields.
Deanna goes to Picard:
DEANNA
Captain -- I might have a way to
find them.
PICARD
Counselor?
DEANNA
The one thing he may have forgotten
in the course of battle: me.
PICARD
Make it so.
She quickly goes to Worf at tactical.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - NIGHT
Shinzon is entering tactical commands in his chair console.
SHINZON
Prepare a lateral run -- all
starboard disruptors.
Then the viceroy suddenly stiffens, alarm in his eyes --
VICEROY
No!
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Deanna concentrates furiously, eyes closed. She stands with
Worf, her hand slowly moving his over the photon torpedo
targeting display.
It is a wrenching experience as she probes with her thoughts.
DEANNA
He's resisting me.
She is in pain.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The Viceroy concentrates, trying to block her probing
thoughts.
SHINZON
What is it?! Focus on your job!!!
VICEROY
She is here.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Deanna continues to move Worf's hand over the targeting
display. She is sweating, panting for breath, concentrating
fiercely.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The Viceroy resists her -- their psyches lock in battle.
Deanna appears in the Viceroy's mind, she glares at him.
DEANNA
Remember me?
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Her eyes snap open --
DEANNA
NOW!
Worf instantly fires a full volley of photon torpedoes.
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
A full spread of photon torpedoes shoot through space.
And connect! A series of devastating impacts -- and the
Scimitar's cloak fails!
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Picard stands quickly.
PICARD
Savage them!
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
And the Enterprise attacks!
It fires all weapons simultaneously -- phasers and photon
torpedoes slam into the Scimitar! Shinzon's ship responds
quickly -- maneuvering for position and returning fire!
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The bridge has been damaged, sparks sputter through the
darkness and debris litters the deck.
Shinzon eyes reflect a growing sense of desperation.
SHINZON
(spinning to his Viceroy)
Prepare a boarding party -- BRING
ME PICARD!
The viceroy strides out as Shinzon spins to another officer.
SHINZON
Get the cloak back! And target
shield coordinates beta three. All
disruptors. Fire!
On the viewscreen, we see disruptor beams focusing on a tiny
part of the Enterprise's lower shields, slamming into them.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - NIGHT
DATA
Captain, we have lost ventral
shielding on deck twenty nine.
PICARD
Divert power and compensate --
An alarm klaxon suddenly rings through the bridge.
WORF
Intruder alert!
RIKER
Let's go.
Riker and Worf quickly head toward the turbolift as:
WORF
(to comm)
Security detail to deck twenty
nine.
Data immediately assumes Worf's position at tactical.
INT. ENTERPRISE - LOWER DECKS - NIGHT
Riker and Worf stride with a SECURITY DETAIL through the
cramped lower decks.
A sudden disruptor blast stops them cold! The Viceroy and
his invasion force of a dozen Reman Warriors are down the
corridor!
The Enterprise crew returns fire. It is a blazing phaser
battle, Worf leading his men with Klingon courage. They
steadily advance in the face of the blistering disruptor
fire --
They are getting the upper hand when Riker sees the Viceroy
escape into a Jefferies tube --
RIKER
Worf.
Worf instantly dives into the corridor -- landing hard and
sliding forward on his stomach all the while firing a steady
burst from his phaser rifle.
Riker uses the cover to dive after the Viceroy, following him
into the dark Jefferies tube, intent on destroying the man
who has been tormenting his wife --
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The Scimitar sweeps into view on the viewscreen -- filling
the screen -- and launches a ferocious volley of photon
torpedoes.
A huge EXPLOSION as the viewscreen and some of the forward
bridge are BLOWN APART -- the Helm Officer is SUCKED INTO
SPACE before a flickering emergency force field springs into
position --
Deanna races to assume the helm --
Picard can now see his enemy directly through the gaping hole
in the ship's hull -- he sees the Scimitar banking for
another attack run as part of the ship disappears --
GEORDI
He's getting his cloak back. We
have exhausted our compliment of
photon torpedoes. Phaser banks are
down to four percent.
PICARD
What if we target all phasers in a
concentrated attack?
DATA
The Scimitar's shields are still at
seventy percent. It would make no
difference, sir.
Picard thinks.
DEANNA
They're stopping...
Through the hole in the hull, Picard sees the Scimitar slowly
turning. Slowly advancing. They see another part of the
Scimitar disappear, the cloak returning.
GEORDI
What's he doing?
PICARD
(grim)
He wants to look me in the eye.
INT. ENTERPRISE - JEFFERIES TUBE - FOLLOWING
Below decks, Riker stalks the Viceroy through a labyrinthine
series of access tunnels. It is like a scene from ALIEN.
The flickering half-light and red emergency strobes of the
crippled ship make this an ominous sequence. The Viceroy is
in his element, used to the perpetual night of the Reman
Homeworld, he can see in the dark.
Riker moves through the darkness, hunting for the Viceroy.
He stops, phaser ready. He peers into the dark tunnel ahead
of him. Sees nothing. We tilt up and see...
The Viceroy clinging to the ceiling directly above Riker!
Hidden in the darkness. The Viceroy attacks! -- diving down
on Riker -- his lethal Reman knife slashing through the
darkness --
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Picard stands... watching the Scimitar maneuver into
position. Large parts of it are now cloaked.
It stops. Only a few hundred yards from the Enterprise, its
great prow almost filling the gaping hole at the front of the
bridge.
Picard thinks, his mind racing. Then it comes to him in a
flash:
PICARD
He thinks he knows exactly what I'm
going to do...
GEORDI
Sir?
PICARD
We've got him!
He sits in his command chair and begins quickly entering
command instructions in his chair console.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Shinzon, supremely confident, leans back in his command
chair.
SHINZON
Open a channel.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Picard is still entering commands in his chair console.
DATA
We are being hailed.
PICARD
Deanna, stand by.
(to Data)
Open a channel.
SHINZON (V.O.)
I hope you're still alive, Jean
Luc.
PICARD
I am.
SHINZON (V.O.)
Don't you think it's time to
surrender? I'll have my cloak back
in a matter of minutes and your
poor ship is shot to pieces. Why
should the rest of your crew have
to die?
Picard continues to enter command codes -- transmits them to
Deanna at helm -- she receives the commands, nods. All of
this as Picard buys some time:
PICARD
I never told you about my first
Academy evaluation, did I? I
received very high marks for my
studies. But I was found lacking
in certain other areas.
Personality traits, you might say.
In particular I was thought to be
extremely...
(he glares up at the prow
of the Scimitar)
... over-confident.
Picard indicates for Data to end the communication. Then:
PICARD
(quickly)
Geordi, put 211 power to the
engines. Take it from life support
if you have to -- everything you
can give me.
GEORDI
Aye, sir.
PICARD
Deanna, on my mark.
GEORDI
Ready, sir!
Picard leans forward in his chair:
PICARD
(on comm)
All hands, brace for impact!
(to Deanna)
ENGAGE.
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
The Enterprise powers forward in a final thrust -- !
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Shinzon sees it coming -- utterly shocked -- bolts up --
SHINZON
HARD TO PORT !
Too late.
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
A massive COLLISION as the Enterprise SLAMS into the Scimitar
-- as it SMASHES and GRINDS into Shinzon's ship --
The Scimitar REELS --
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Everyone goes FLYING!
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
The two great ships are now locked together, slowly rotating
in space.
The forward part of the Enterprise's saucer is enmeshed in
Shinzon's ship; two scorpions with their claws locked.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Shinzon stands in the ruins of his bridge. Many of his
bridge crew are now dead.
SHINZON
Divert all power to engines. Full
reverse!
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
Every part of the Enterprise ROCKS -- a great lurch as the
Scimitar begins to tear itself free -- backing away -- a
deafening shriek of metal -- both ships are being torn to
pieces in the process -- but it is working -- the Scimitar
is ripping free, wrenching itself loose.
INT. ENTERPRISE - JEFFERIES TUBES - FOLLOWING
The Jefferies tube SHUDDERS as the Scimitar continues to tear
itself free -- Riker and the Viceroy careen through the tube.
The Viceroy recovers quickly and coils for a final attack.
Riker sees that an access plate has been loosened in the
collision -- he desperately rips it away -- knowing the
relays behind will provide him with the advantage he needs --
Bright light strobes from the relays and the Viceroy is
momentarily blinded -- Riker uses this opportunity to attack!
He dives forward -- slamming into the Viceroy -- they both
tumble into a long, vertical access tunnel -- they fall!
Riker shoots out a hand and grabs a ladder -- the Viceroy,
grabs onto Riker, his talons digging into his uniform -- a
long drop below them!
Riker forces the Viceroy's head back -- away from him -- a
brutal struggle --
Riker glares at him.
RIKER
Don't worry -- Hell is dark.
Riker uses every ounce of strength he has left -- pushes the
Viceroy off him --
The Viceroy falls down the long tunnel -- to his death.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
The whole Enterprise bridge QUAKES as the Scimitar continues
to pull itself free --
Picard stands, steadying himself on his command chair.
PICARD
Data, I need you.
Data joins Picard as:
PICARD
Computer. Auto-destruct sequence
Omega. Zero time delay. Recognize
voice pattern Jean Luc Picard.
Authorization Alpha Alpha Three
Zero Five --
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Auto-destruct is off-line.
Then the ship gives a final LURCH. The Scimitar is free.
An eerie moment of silence after the explosive tearing and
grinding.
Picard watches through the gaping hole in the hull as the
Scimitar backs away. Another section of the Scimitar
disappears. Shinzon almost has his cloak back.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Shinzon stares at the Enterprise.
A wave of sickness overcomes him for a moment, he doubles
over. We actually see more veins appearing on his face.
Time is running out.
SHINZON
Target disruptors. Destroy them.
REMAN OFFICER
Disruptors are off-line, sir.
A beat. Shinzon looks up.
SHINZON
Deploy the weapon. Kill everything
on that ship. Then set a course
for Earth.
REMAN OFFICER
What about Picard?
SHINZON
Our greater goal is more important,
brother.
REMAN OFFICER
But, Praetor, you won't survive
without him...
Shinzon gazes at the Enterprise on the viewscreen.
SHINZON
Some ideals are worth dying for,
aren't they, Jean Luc?
EXT. RIFT - SPACE
The entire Scimitar slowly begins to unfold. Like a gigantic
version of the small spider-weapon we saw kill the Romulan
Senators before, legs appear and hoist up a savage weapon.
The Cascading Pulse.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Picard and the others watch the monstrous Cascading Pulse
weapon slowly deploying.
PICARD
How long until he can fire?
GEORDI
The targeting sequence should take
about four minutes.
DEANNA
But how can he? He'll kill you.
PICARD
This isn't about me anymore.
Picard's face is set, resolute. He knows what he must do.
Picard grabs a phaser rifle from a weapons locker as...
PICARD
Prepare for a site-to-site
transport.
GEORDI
(concerned)
Sir, we won't be able to bring you
back. It's a one way trip.
Captain, I don't know if the
transporter --
PICARD
That's an order, Commander.
DATA
Sir, allow me to go. You are
needed here.
PICARD
Negative.
DATA
Sir...
Deanna takes Data's arm. Looks at him. She knows this is
something Picard must do himself.
DEANNA
Let him go.
Picard powers up the phaser rifle as:
PICARD
(to Data)
You have the bridge, Commander.
Use all available power to move
away from the Scimitar.
(to Geordi)
Now, Mister La Forge.
GEORDI
Aye, sir.
Geordi nervously works some controls on his console and
Picard dematerializes. Then the transporter panel explodes
in a shower of sparks.
GEORDI
That's it. Transporters are down.
Data thinks for a moment. Then:
DATA
Counsellor Troi, please assume
command. Geordi, if you will come
with me.
He heads toward the turbolift, Geordi following.
INT. SCIMITAR - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Several Remen warriors in the corridor turn and fire. Riker
returns fire, a series of lightning fast pulses from his
phaser rifle.
INT. ENTERPRISE - FORWARD CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Data and Geordi stand in a long corridor. The far end of the
corridor opens to space. An emergency force field is in
place at the end of the corridor.
Geordi operates a tricorder and another force field flickers
on around him.
Data looks toward the end of the corridor, readying himself.
DATA
What is our approximate distance?
GEORDI
(scans with tricorder)
400 meters.
DATA
Thank you.
Data backs up a little more He looks at Geordi again.
Deeply.
DATA
Thank you, Geordi. Deactivate the
field.
Geordi operates his tricorder and the force field at the end
of the corridor snaps off --
The void of space fills the corridor and Data takes a running
start -- he races down the long corridor and leaps --
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
-- into space.
He floats toward the Scimitar, his momentum carrying him.
Carrying him too far!
He is going to miss the Scimitar -- almost past it now! He
thrusts out a hand --
And just misses a piece of dangling wreckage! Data is
floating helplessly through space. Doomed. Then he SLAMS
into an invisible piece of the partially cloaked on the ship!
He grabs onto the invisible part of the ship and pulls
himself up to the hull. He rips open an access panel with
his superior strength and climbs inside.
INT. SCIMITAR - BRIDGE - NIGHT
Shinzon stands, his eyes glued to the Enterprise on the
viewscreen.
We see a monitor showing that the Cascading Pulse weapon is
locked on the Enterprise.
Most of the light on the shattered bridge now comes from the
three steadily pulsing warp core relays which soar up through
the floor.
COMPUTER (V.O)
Forty-seven. Forty six...
Suddenly -- a MASSIVE BLAST as the doors to the bridge
explode in. Shinzon spins to see --
Picard framed in the doorway, phaser rifle ready.
Picard instantly fires for the Cascading Pulse control -- but
Shinzon dives to cover it -- the phaser blast hits Shinzon in
the chest -- he recoils, slamming to the deck, stunned.
The few remaining Remans on the bridge spin to Picard, firing
disruptors -- Picard dives for cover and battles them with
his phaser rifle --
He succeeds in stunning the Remans but a final disruptor
blast knocks Picard to the deck -- the phaser rifle spins
away --
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Twenty nine... Twenty eight...
Shinzon pulls himself up and races to snatch up a disruptor
from a fallen comrade --
As Picard leaps up, grabbing a piece of wreckage, a long
metal rod -- Picard thrusts it forward like a spear --
Impaling Shinzon.
A stunned moment of silence as Shinzon gazes at Picard,
almost with a look of disbelief. Blood spews from his mouth
as he lets out a tormented cry.
And then, amazingly, Shinzon forces himself forward --
pushing Picard back against a wall -- Shinzon slowly walks
toward Picard, forcing himself down the length of the spear
-- the spear point explodes through Shinzon's back -- the
weight of Shinzon's body is pinning Picard against the wall
-- time is running out --
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Eighteen... Seventeen...
Shinzon forces himself down the spear:
SHINZON
I'm glad we're together now -- our
destiny is complete.
He finally thrusts himself down the whole spear and clasps
his dying hands firmly around Picard's throat --
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Ten...Nine...
Data sprints to the bridge --
He instantly tears open his wrist and pulls out the small,
silver disc we saw earlier -- the Emergency Transport Unit --
he slaps it on Picard's shoulder. A final look between
them --
COMPUTER (V.O.)
Seven.. Six...
Data activates the ETU -- Picard dematerializes.
Data looks at the space where Picard was and says simply:
DATA
Goodbye.
Then he spins and pulls out his phaser --
And fires point-blank into the Scimitar's warp core relays --
the bridge explodes -- Data is incinerated --
EXT. THE RIFT - SPACE
The Scimitar BLASTS APART in a massive flash --
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
Picard re-materializes.
He sees the brilliant flash from the explosion through the
gaping hole in the front of the bridge.
Deanna sits at helm, her face a mask of pain. Geordi stands
on the upper rear deck, head down.
A long beat as Picard just stands on his ruined bridge, the
thousand-yard stare of a combat veteran in his eyes.
Riker emerges from the turbolift. Goes to Picard.
RIKER
Sir?
Picard doesn't answer, he just stares forward. Deanna goes
to Riker.
DEANNA
Data.
Riker looks toward the glowing debris field in the distance.
He puts an arm around Deanna.
Silence.
GEORDI
Sir, we're being hailed.
PICARD
On screen...
(he remembers there is no
longer a viewscreen)
... Open a channel.
DONATRA (V.O.)
This is Commander Donatra of the
Valdore. We're dispatching
shuttles with medical personnel and
supplies.
PICARD
Thank you, Commander.
The transmission ends.
PICARD
(flat)
Geordi... prepare the shuttlebay
for arrivals. They don't know our
procedures so just... open the
doors.
GEORDI
I'll take care of it, sir.
PICARD
Number One.
(a beat)
You have the bridge.
He turns and heads toward his Ready Room.
The others watch him go with great sadness.
When the Ready Room doors close behind Picard, Deanna finally
allows herself to cry. Riker holds her closely. Slow fade
to...
INT. ENTERPRISE - CREW LOUNGE - NIGHT
Hours later. The senior crew is solemnly gathered in the
shattered remains of the crew lounge. Picard, Riker, Deanna,
Beverly, Worf, Geordi.
They wear their dress uniforms.
Picard goes to each of them. He carries a small, metal box.
They each take something from the box.
At first we, don't quite see what they are doing. Then we
realize they are affixing black bars to the collars of their
uniforms.
Mourning bands.
Picard pours six glasses of his precious Chateau Picard.
Each takes a glass.
Picard raises his glass.
PICARD
To absent friends... o family.
They toast Data. Slow fade to...
INT. ENTERPRISE - PICARD'S CABIN - NIGHT
Picard sits at his desk, speaking quietly to someone we do
not see.
PICARD
I don't know if all this has made
sense to you, but I wanted you to
know what kind of man he was. In
his quest to be more like us, he
helped show us what it means to be
human.
We see it is the now re-activated B-9 sitting across from
him.
B-9
My brother was not a human.
PICARD
No, he wasn't... But his wonder and
his curiosity about every facet of
human life helped all of us see the
best parts of ourselves. He
embraced change... because he
always wanted to be more than he
was.
B-9
I do not understand.
PICARD
Well, I hope someday you will.
Worf interrupts on comm:
WORF (V.O.) (ON COMM)
Captain, the Hemingway has arrived
to tow us to spacedock.
PICARD
On my way. Please notify Commander
Riker...
(he stands, prepares to
go)
... We'll talk later?
The B-9 does not respond. He is looking rather blankly at
the padd on Picard's desk.
Picard begins to leave when a sound stops him... humming. He
turns back to the B-9.
The B-9 is still looking blankly at the padd... but he's
humming lightly to himself... then he begins to sing, very
softly...
B-9
"Blue skies, smiling at me, Nothing
but blue skies do I see."
Then the B-9 is silent.
Picard watches him for a moment; great emotion playing over
his features, and then goes.
INT. ENTERPRISE - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
Picard and Riker head toward a turbolift... making their way
past the debris littering the corridor.
PICARD
I'm sorry you won't be here for the
re-fit, but I know the Titan needs
you immediately.
Riker does not respond.
Picard stops, looks at Riker deeply.
PICARD
The Titan's a fine ship, Will. And
she's getting a captain worthy of
her.
RIKER
She's the most beautiful ship I've
ever seen.
(he touches a wall of the
corridor)
... But she's not the Enterprise.
PICARD
I promise you in time, she'll
become your home... If I could
offer you one piece of advice?
RIKER
Anything.
PICARD
When your first officer insists
that you can't go on away
missions... Ignore him --
RIKER
(smiles)
I intend to.
A moment.
RIKER
(with difficulty)
Serving with you has been an honor.
PICARD
The honor was mine. Captain Riker.
EXT. ENTERPRISE - SPACEDOCK - OVER EARTH
A few weeks later. The Enterprise is enclosed in the great
womb of a spacedock. The ship is being rebuilt.
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - NIGHT
A fresh-faced young officer, COMMANDER MARTIN MADDEN, paces
nervously outside Picard's Ready Room. Bracing himself
before entering.
Behind him we can see technicians working everywhere around
the bridge, trying to rebuild it. Worf is talking to a young
officer at tactical and Geordi is working at the engineering
station. We also see new command chairs being installed.
(Although we do not see it in this scene, the gaping hole at
the front of the bridge has not yet been repaired.)
A young Andorian woman, the new OPS OFFICER, smiles at
Madden's nervousness. Her antennae twitch slightly in
amusement. He sees her.
MADDEN
So... what's the old man like?
OPS OFFICER
Why don't you go in and find out?
Commander Madden prepares himself.
INT. ENTERPRISE - READY ROOM - FOLLOWING
Picard is talking to Beverly on viewscreen. She is in her
new office at Starfleet Medical.
BEVERLY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
You can't imagine them, Jean Luc.
They're kids! All with advance
degrees in xenobiology and out to
conquer every disease in the
quadrant.
PICARD
(smiles)
Reminds me of a young doctor I used
to know...
BEVERLY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
They're running me ragged. Nothing
but questions day and night... I
love it! Come to dinner and I'll
tell you all about it. There's a
Bajoran band at the officer's mess.
PICARD
Not tonight, I have work here.
BEVERLY (ON VIEWSCREEN)
Soon then. I'll save the last
dance for you.
Commander Madden enters quickly -- he did not use the door
chime so Picard is surprised.
MADDEN
Commander Martin Madden reporting
for duty, sir.
Picard stands, they shake hands as:
PICARD
Welcome aboard, Commander. I hope,
your transfer didn't come as too
much of a surprise.
MADDEN
I was... honored, sir.
PICARD
I needed you immediately to help
oversee the re-fit...
(gathering up some padds
from his desk)
... Your service record on the
Talos is exemplary, but there are a
few things I would like to discuss
with you regarding my requirements
for a First Officer. Shall we say
dinner in my quarters at 1900
hours?
MADDEN
Very good, sir.
Picard heads toward the door, carrying a few padds.
PICARD
Commander, I don't know how they
did it on the Talos, but we have
door chimes on the Enterprise. We
use them.
MADDEN
Yes, sir. Sorry, sir.
Picard goes to the bridge, Madden following...
INT. ENTERPRISE - BRIDGE - FOLLOWING
They emerge to the bridge as Worf is arguing with the cocky
young ENSIGN busy installing Picard's new high-tech command
chair.
WORF
You don't understand the Captain --
there should be no changes until we
have discussed the modifications
with him.
Picard goes to them:
PICARD
What's this?
WORF
(grumbles)
Your new chair, sir.
ENSIGN
It's the Mark Seven, Captain.
State-of-the-art ergonomics...
command interfaces with --
WORF
I told him you're comfortable with
your old chair.
PICARD
Let's give it a try.
He settles into his new command chair. Looks around for a
beat at his new bridge crew. Fresh-faced kids. A new
generation to teach and nurture. He smiles.
PICARD
Feels good.
Worf and Geordi exchange a look, surprised.
ENSIGN
(points)
Try that button, sir.
Picard presses a button on the chair and -- zip -- metal
restraints fly into position around his waist and shoulders.
Seatbelts! Picard is surprised.
A beat.
Then Picard smiles.
PICARD
It's about time.
He presses the button again and the restraints zip back into
the body of the chair. He is delighted. He turns to Madden:
PICARD
Commander, please sit down...
Madden sits in the First Officer's chair, Picard shares a
padd with him.
PICARD
... We've received our first
assignment. We're going to be
exploring the Denab system. It
should be exciting. It's a
place... where no one has gone
before.
And we cut to --
EXT. ENTERPRISE - SPACEDOCK - OVER EARTH - FOLLOWING
Through the hole in the hull we see Picard talking to Madden.
Picard at work, at peace. Where he is meant to be.
We slowly pull back from Picard and the Enterprise. As we
hear the B-9's soft tones. Gentle. Hopeful.
B-9 (V.O.)
"Never saw the sun shining so
bright, Never saw things going so
right. Noticing the days hurrying
by, When you're in love, my how
they fly. Blue days, all of them
gone, Nothing but blue skies from
now on."
We revolve away from the Enterprise and Earth toward the
stars. Then ZOOM forward into the cosmos as the rousing
"Next Generation" theme explodes over END CREDITS.
FADE OUT.