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Screenplay by:
John Logan
SHOOTING SCRIPT
INT. MEDICAL MONTAGE. DAY.
Life. Glorious in its many forms. The biological pulse
finding its way heroically through the cold manipu-
lation 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 famil-
iar 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 "nego-
tiations." 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
(Cont'd)
...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
(Cont'd)
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
(Cont'd)
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...
There is laughter from the crowd.
PICARD
(Cont'd)
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
(Laughing)
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.
GEORDI
(Cont'd)
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.
Riker 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
(Singing)
"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
(Groaning)
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
(Cont'd)
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
(Cont'd)
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
(Smiling)
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 maturer, 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 lis a large star chart.
SHINZON
Yet for generations one of those
planets has been Bwithout 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.
SHINZON
(Cont'd)
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.
SHINZON
(Cont'd)
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.
SHINZON
(Cont'd)
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.
RIKER
(Cont'd)
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 Engineer-
ing 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 with-
out 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 some-
thing 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 approx-
imately 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 your-
self. You are looking at me.
HEAD
(Looking at Worf)
You do not look like me.
WORF
No.
DATA
(To the 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 the 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 evading 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. They
are 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 is at work analyzing the torso section.
GEORDI
Well, he seems to have the same
internal mechanics as Data but
not as much positronic develop-
ment. 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 is trying to ignore the head.
PICARD
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 honey-
moon.
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.
PICARD
(Cont'd)
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 BI-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.
JANEWAY
(On viewscreen)
(Cont'd)
Believe me, we don't under-
stand 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 viewscreen}
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
(Smiles wryly, on
viewscreen}
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 -- disappear-
ing in a flash of dazzling light.
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
capablecommander. 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. e member, 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 any-
thing. 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 view screen. 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 dark-
ness, 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.
(Speaking 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.
(Smiling)
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.
SHINZON
(Cont'd)
But you're also thinking the
chance for peace is too
promising to ignore. Above
allyou'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.
SHINZON
(Cont'd)
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 illuminat-
ing 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.
Deanna stops him.
DEANNA
(Cont'd)
Sir, the strongest sense I
had was that he's more than
urious 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.
Riker continues to work.
DEANNA
(Cont'd)
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 enlight-
en 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
ash 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 tele-
pathic 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 hair-
line.
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 respons-
ibility 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?
PICARD
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 friend-
ship. 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.
Geordi refers to some readouts on his console.
GEORDI
(Cont'd)
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.
PICARD
(Cont'd)
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 I 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...
Shinzon realizes Picard is staring at the veins on
his face.
SHINZON
(Cont'd)
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 conven-
iently 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?
(Peering 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 I 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.
VICEROY
(Cont'd)
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
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.
(Pointing 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 break 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 is trying to figure out the controls.
PICARD
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
(Angry, on viewscreen}
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
(Grim, on viewscreen)
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.
PICARD
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.
PICARD
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 abi1ities of this
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 Bio-
genic 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 pro-
cedure 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
(Checking 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 project-
ions 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 electromag-
netic 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 streak-
ing 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.
PICARD
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, Captainn. 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 Scimitar 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 cloak inning to 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 iss 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 target-
ing 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 RIDGE. 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 shieJds,
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 Jeffriess 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 bole 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 brow 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 enter-
ing 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...
Picard glares up at the prow of the Scimitar.
PICARD
(Cont'd)
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 itselc 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 liqht 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 tear-
ing 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 an 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
(Scanning 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 backs 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.
PICARD
(Cont'd)
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 shuttle-
bay 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... To 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 com)
Captain, the Hemingway has
arrived to tow us to spacedock.
PICARD
On my way. Please notify
Commander Riker.
He stands, prepares to go.
PICARD
(Cont'd)
We'll talk later?
The B-9 does not respond. He is looking rather blankly
at 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.
Riker touches a wall of the corridor.
RIKER
(Cont'd)
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 question day and
night... I love it! Come to
dinner and 1'1 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
(Pointing)
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
(Cont'd)
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.
THE END
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