S T A R T R E K
"REMOTE CONTROL"
Written by
Jacqueline Lichtenberg
FIRST DRAFT
STAR TREK
"Remote Control"
CAST
CAPTAIN JAMES T. KIRK
MISTER SPOCK
DOCTOR MCCOY
LIEUTENANT BARTHOLOMEW MATHEWS
NURSE CHRISTINE CHAPEL
UHURA
ENSIGN CHEKOV
SULU
ROMULAN SUB-COMMANDER
FIRST ROMULAN
SECOND ROMULAN
ENTERPRISE CREWMAN MUTATKAR
ENSIGN KIPEK
ROMULANS
ENTERPRISE CREW
SETS
INTERIORS:
SPOCK'S QUARTERS
ENTERPRISE BRIDGE
ELEVATOR
ENTERPRISE CORRIDORS
KIRKS'S QUARTERS
RECREATION ROOM
KLINGON BRIDGE
ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING DECK
ENTERPRISE MESS HALL
SICKBAY
MCCOY'S OFFICE
KLINGON TRANSPORTER ROOM
ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM
STOCK:
ENTERPRISE IN SPACE (SEVERAL ANGLES)
ENTERPRISE DERELICT IN SPACE
KLINGON VESSEL IN SPACE (SEVERAL ANGLES)
ENTERPRISE ORBITING STARBASE
STAR TREK
"Remote Control"
TEASER
FADE IN:
FLYBY EXTERIOR SPACE ENTERPRISE: IN FAR DISTANCE A KLINGON
VESSEL
INT. SPOCK'S QUARTERS WIDE ANGLE
SPOCK is lying on the bed. The room is orderly; LIGHTING is
low key. Spock's eyes are closed. He appears to be asleep.
We hear the SOUND of the shrill fluting of his desk intercom
and then see the intercom screen lighted.
After a LONG BEAT, Spock's eyes open and, laboriously, as if
"hung over," he rolls to a sitting position, very surprised
at his own weakness; Vulcans never experience such symptoms.
We see the room from Spock's viewpoint, wavering, darkening,
then steadying back to normal with focus on the intercom.
Moving to the intercom, he activates it and the lights,
composing himself. LIGHT increases to normal.
The screen FADES FROM BLANK to a view of SCOTTY'S face with
the Engineering Deck in back-ground.
SCOTTY'S VOICE
(filtered)
Mister Spock, you were right. It
appears to have been sabotage.
Could you come down to Engineering
and look at this?
SPOCK
I'm busy right now. I'll send
Lieutenant Mathews...
SCOTTY'S VOICE
(filtered)
Oh, no, Mr. Spock! Not Mathews!
SPOCK
(as if he didn't know)
Why not?
SCOTTY'S VOICE
(filtered)
Your new assistant is the most
obnoxious pestilence that ever
signed aboard a starship! He gets
on the nerves, though you wouldn't
notice. In five minutes, he'll
have my whole crew at each other's
throats. Not to mention his own.
SPOCK
(understands, but is
formal)
Mathews is the officer able and
free to do the job. You aren't
required to socialize with him,
only to work with him. Spock out.
(cuts connection)
Spock stands for a moment swaying
unsteadily, blinking away foggy
vision. He activates the intercom
again, leaning heavily on his desk
as he speaks and waits, trying to
pull himself together.
SPOCK (CONT'D)
Sickbay. Dr. McCoy.
Intercom FADES FROM BLANK to a view of McCOY at his desk.
INTERCUT between Spock and McCoy throughout conversation.
MCCOY
(shuffling tapes)
McCoy here.
SPOCK
(straightens, speaks
without urgency)
Doctor, if you have a minute, I'd
like to see you in your office.
MCCOY
(looks at Spock, puzzled)
Certainly, Mr. Spock, any time.
SPOCK
Thank you.
Spock cuts the connection and the glow DIMS for ONE BEAT, ten
strengthens as he reactivates the intercom, almost as an afterthought.
SPOCK
Bridge. Lieutenant Mathews.
Screen FADES FROM BLANK to a view of MATHEW'S face. He is a
human-Vulcan half-breed, but as human as Spock is Vulcan.
His ears have a slight hint of Vulcan elongation, as if
bobbed by an artistic plastic surgeon who didn't want to
spoil the harmony of ears and sensitive face. His brows are
human, but his complexion is a bit too jaundiced for human,
and too brown for Vulcan. INTERCUT between Spock and Mathews
throughout conversation.
MATHEWS
Lieutenant Mathews here.
(recognition)
Yes, Mr. Spock?
SPOCK
(brusquely)
Lieutenant, go down to the
Engineering Deck. Mr. Scott is
waiting to show you the site of a
malfunction. I'll want your
opinion of the cause.
NOTE: Mathews is always just barely within the bounds of
discipline in his tone. The problem is the effect of his
words on others. Call this the "Mathews Effect."
MATHEWS
(smugly, a test he
can handle)
Aye, Mr. Spock, right away.
Spock nods, cuts the connection and starts toward the door,
blinking hard again. He stumbles to the bulkhead and leans
against it. Frowning, he closes his eyes for a LONG BEAT in
concentration, then he turns and goes steadily toward the
door.
The door flies open to reveal SULU in the act of turning
toward the door as if he's just arrived and will touch the
signal. Sulu steps back in surprise.
SULU
(laughs apologetically,
then becomes enthusiastic)
Mr. Spock, I came to pick up your
instrument and anything else you
might need for the program. I want
to get everything arranged because
I go on duty in a couple of hours.
Spock nods and steps back gesturing Sulu in. Sulu looks
around, fascinated. He's never been here before.
SULU
(following Spock to
the corner)
Have you decided what you're going
to sing yet? Are you going to
do anything in English?
Spock picks up the Vulcan harp, checks its condition,
SOUNDING a chord.
SPOCK
(preoccupied)
We'll see.
(handing harp to
Sulu, herding
him toward door)
If you'll excuse me now, I'm busy.
They exit into the corridor, Spock hurrying off in one
direction, Sulu standing staring after him, about to head in
the other directions as the door closes.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR.
Sulu is standing in front of the closing door staring dazedly
after Spock. He shrugs, looks at the door and then discovers
he's holding the Vulcan harp. He plucks the strings
experimentally, producing a DISCORDANT SOUND, grimaces,
shrugs again and hurries away in the other direction.
FADE OUT:
END TEASER
ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. SPACE THE ENTERPRISE flies by followed in far distance
by a KLINGON VESSEL.
KIRK'S VOICE (OVER)
Captain's log, stardate 4929.7.
Mr. Spock and Lieutenant Mathews
have concluded that the readings
at the maximum range of the
Broglie sensors are ghosts, some
internal feedback, and not
either the U.S.S. T'kiltare'
(pronounces tek'il tahry)
and its Vulcan crew or a Klingon
ship with a Romulan crew.
Sincethe ghost is barely discernable,
shadows our every move precisely,
and does not answer on any frequency,
I'm accepting that evaluation.
INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE
ESTABLISH all regulars, including Kirk, at their stations.
They are busy with their routine duties. There have been
some temporary alterations to the Navigator's board and to
Spock's station. MATHEWS is seated at the library computer,
SPOCK leaning over him as if instructing.
MATHEWS looks like an acutely sensitive person. He
emphasizes his humanity with a frantic, defiant desperation.
He is uncomfortable with Spock's nearness. As we get a long
look at Mathews in comparison to Spock, we hear KIRK'S VOICE.
KIRK'S VOICE
(continues)
Mr. Spock is satisfied that this
lone difficulty can be overcome,
and that the new sensors can be
meshed with the conventional
systems to add fifteen percent
to transporter accuracy and
twenty percent to sensor range.
This completes scheduled tests
and the Enterprise is on
course for Star Base Fifteen
according to plan.
(an afterthought)
Security reports that there is
no evidence of a saboteur
aboard, and I conclude that the
apparent sabotage to starboard
engine circuitry was an honest
mistake by one of our crewmen
who's afraid to admit it.
The elevator doors open and MCCOY enters, strides over to
Spock and takes him a little aside, speaks softly so that
Mathews doesn't hear.
MCCOY
All your test results were normal.
There's nothing wrong with you.
Probably just a case of stage
fright. You'll be able to perform
at Sulu's...
(looks toward Kirk
who is approaching)
KIRK'S VOICE
(interrupts)
Is something wrong, Mr. Spock?
SPOCK
Captain, I have warning signs of
imminent failure of critical body
functions, but Dr. McCoy is,
predictably enough, unable to
locate any cause.
KIRK
You don't feel well, Mr. Spock...?
SPOCK
Sir, I don't feel unwell, and the
Chief Medical Officer certifies
me fit. I have no recourse
but to assume myself fit and to
continue to function.
KIRK
(dubiously)
Very well, Mr. Spock
(beat)
I want to see you in my quarters
for a moment before you go down
to the program.
Kirk goes over to Mathews.
KIRK
Lieutenant, you're sure you can
handle everything up there for an
hour or so?
MATHEWS
Yes, sir. Mr. Spock will verify.
Kirk restrains a sudden irrational anger, with difficulty.
It's the "Mathews Effect."
SPOCK
(no visible
Mathews Effect)
Lieutenant Mathews is entirely
capable, sir.
MATHEWS
(acidly)
Thank you, Mr. Spock.
SPOCK
(seriously)
My pleasure.
Kirk nods curtly, turns and steers Spock and McCoy into the
elevator; they group and turn as the doors close.
CUT TO:
INT. ELEVATOR
KIRK
Deck five.
With a HUM and CLICK the elevator WHINE builds and LIGHTS
flash vertically.
KIRK
(socially to Spock)
I saw the look on your face when I
said T'kiltare'. I didn't think
my pronunciation was that bad.
NOTE: Vulcan apostrophes are unvoiced aspiration, final "e"
is not pronounced, accent on second to last syllable.
SPOCK
(interrupts)
Sir, T'kiltare' was also the name
of the most revered Vulcan logician
of all time. It is a nominative
form crudely translated "the
implement of justice." I
distinctly heard you use
the word
(avoids Kirk's eyes)
which isn't used in polite company.
KIRK
(shocked)
I didn't mean to insult...
SPOCK
I understand that, sir. Every
human mispronounces it differently.
You just happened on a meaningful
mispronunciation. It's as if
I accidentally mispronounced
"Enterprise," and you heard me say
"hog wallow." No need to apologize.
Kirk looks embarrassed; McCoy is smothering a chuckle as the
elevator WHINE DIES and the doors fly open.
KIRK
Would you accompany us, Bones?
This concerns you, too.
MCCOY
Certainly, Jim. What's on your
mind?
The three exit into the corridor, Kirk in the lead, McCoy
next to him, Spock following.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR.
Kirk turns to McCoy as Spock catches up. They're moving
briskly.
KIRK
We'll be back at Star Base in three
weeks, but we've only finished
half our job.
MCCOY
Half!? I though we finished
testing the Broglie systems?
They approach a door, Kirk opens it and steps through.
CUT TO:
INT. KIRK'S QUARTERS ANGLE ON THE DOOR
Kirk paces to his desk; turns to face McCoy as Spock enters,
and the door closes.
KIRK
(to McCoy)
The other half of the job was to
civilize the most promising science
officer trainee in Starfleet, the
best Broglie technician we have
to date, Lieutenant Mathews.
Admiral Komack thought exposing
Mathews to Spock might succeed
where all Starfleet's psychiatrists
failed.
MCCOY
And I wasn't told!? I thought we
were supposed to endure him, not
cure him?
SPOCK
Admiral Komack judged you would use
your formal training in human
psychiatry, which has already
failed. You'd never get Mathews
near a Vulcan psychiatrist, but in the
line of duty, he'd have to work
with me.
MCCOY
But you're not a psychiatrist.
SPOCK
(approaching McCoy)
True. But Mathews is not a Vulcan.
Nor is he human. Admiral Komack's
theory was that neither human nor
Vulcan psychiatry would help; that
Mathews doesn't need a psychiatrist;
he needs an example. Supposedly, I
am an example of a well-adjusted
human-Vulcan. The Admiral wanted
me to try a less orthodox approach
to help Mathews adjust to his
dual heritage.
KIRK
(interrupts)
Which hasn't worked perceptively,
either.
MCCOY
Agreed!
KIRK
(continuing)
So, I'm proposing a combined
approach. The Admiral indicated
Mathews is worth considerable
effort, but this is his last chance.
He'll be discharged for incompatibility,
if we can't induce some improvement
before we get back to base.
SPOCK
I agree with the Admiral's
evaluation and I have made some
progress, sir.
KIRK
(surprised)
Tell us about it.
Spock turns and paces away, organizing his thoughts. Kirk
waves McCoy to a seat and seats himself on the corner of the
desk as Spock turns to face them and begins.
SPOCK
As you know, I customarily employ
the T'shailoh method of problem
solving in which the form of the
solution is implicit in the form
of the question...
McCoy casts a beseeching glance at the ceiling and sits down
heavily.
SPOCK
(not noticing,
he continues)
...hence, the greatest effort is
invested in the statement of the
problem...
MCCOY
(interrupts
impatiently)
Never mind the theory, Mr. Spock,
just give us your solution.
SPOCK
(injured)
But, Captain, I haven't got a
solution. I haven't even a proper
statement of the problem, but I
have made some progress toward a
statement...
KIRK
So let's have that.
SPOCK
(concedes reluctantly)
It's obvious that Lt. Mathews
rejects his Vulcan half with an
astonishing mixture of purely human
emotions...
MCCOY
(groans)
Tell us something we don't know!
SPOCK
(approaches McCoy)
Very well, Doctor.
(beat)
Mathews is a broadcast empath.
MCCOY
(nods sarcastically)
Now tell us something we can
understand.
KIRK
(chokes on a
short laugh)
Come on, Bones, we've got to work
this out. Spock, what's a
broadcast empath?
SPOCK
(looks blandly from
Kirk to McCoy)
Mathews is the only one I've ever
heard of. He combines part of the
Vulcan telepathic faculty with
human emotional sensitivity and
some unique factor witch broadcasts
his own internal strife to everyone
within yards of him. The result
is acute disturbances in all
susceptible nervous systems.
MCCOY
Of course, it doesn't bother you at
all...
SPOCK
(gravely)
He is also telepathically powerful,
Doctor. I find his crude,
undisciplined intrusions on my
mental privacy quite disturbing.
MCCOY
(keenly analytic)
Could that be the source of your
other difficulties?
SPOCK
Barely possible, Doctor...not
probable.
Kirk gets up, circles the room thoughtfully, you can perceive
the increasing energy. He wants a solution.
KIRK
That leaves us two choices: relieve
his "internal strife" or train
him not to broadcast it.
(turns to Spock)
The first has failed, what about
training him?
SPOCK
(perching on
Kirk's desk)
Note likely, Captain. He doesn't
know he's broadcasting and
certainly
won't accept the idea until he
accepts his Vulcan heritage.
(considers)
I wore the IDIC to greet him when
he first came aboard as a gesture
of respect for his decision to
emphasize his humanity. I had
hoped
there would be a
(wistfully)
basic communication between us.
We ought to have much in common.
(meets Kirk's eyes)
But, Captain, I have never met such
emphatic...total...rejection
ever before.
(beat)
However, such a unique talent, a
broadcast empathy, should be put to
good use, not wasted creating
discord.
Kirk looks to McCoy, inviting comment.
MCCOY
Jim, I'd say, basically, he's
ashamed of his Vulcan mother. I
understand he was raised in
orphanages all over Earth. With
both parents dead, he never had a
proper home. He's never had any
use for being half Vulcan. It's
always been cited as reason for
being left odd-man-out. Spock's
learned to live with that because
he's not emotion oriented, but it's
a tough row to hoe...
KIRK
(interrupts)
So, we find him a use for being
half Vulcan. Any suggestions?
MCCOY
(shakes his head)
No. But think, Jim. Komack is
about to toss him out of Starfleet
because he's half Vulcan. The
story of his life. I think it
would be the end of him. He
obviously loves Starfleet. He's
a model officer in every way
except his attitude and this...
(gropes for a term)
Mathews Effect.
Kirk nods sympathetically and looks at Spock hopefully.
SPOCK
Captain, I have very little use for
being half human.
KIRK
(resigned)
Well, think about it. We'll
discuss it again tomorrow. It's
time for Sulu's little presentation.
Maybe the diversion will sharpen
our wits.
Kirk starts toward the door followed by Spock, as McCoy
rises.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR.
McCoy catches up to Spock as they follow Kirk through the
door into the corridor. McCoy places an arm sympathetically
around Spock's shoulders.
MCCOY
Now you'll have to put your
mechanical logic aside and show us
your artistic nature.
SPOCK
(allows the hand
to remain)
Doctor, to understand logic is a
science resting purely on reason;
but to use logic is an art
requiring keen imagination and a
well developed esthetic sense.
Music is a mathematical discipline,
logical on the highest abstract
plane, and it is often the most
intensely beautiful experience
conceivable.
KIRK
(slows to
let them catch up)
Touché
MCCOY
(removes hand,
groans)
I don't believe it! Logical music!
KIRK
He's right, Bones. But Spock,
humans don't enjoy music in that
way.
SPOCK
(nods, frowning)
I know, Captain. And that is
regrettable. But I must admit that
I don't understand in what way
humans do enjoy music, if not for
its own sake.
KIRK
(laughs as he
calls elevator)
It's an "infinitely diverse"
universe, isn't it, Spock?
SPOCK
(eyes Kirk curiously,
then becomes grave)
It certainly appears to be.
KIRK
Perhaps if you could teach Mathews
to understand music the way you
do, he could teach you to see it
the way we do?
SPOCK
That's a thought, Captain. But his
refusal to attend Mr. Sulu's
program would seem to preclude that
approach.
Spock puts a hand to his temple and frowns, swaying slightly.
McCoy moves closer, reaching for his medical scanner. Kirk
looks worried.
MCCOY
(pointing the scanner)
Something wrong, Spock?
SPOCK
(shakes head with
resigned sigh)
Nothing new, Doctor.
McCoy looks at the scanner blankly, shrugs and puts it away
as UHURA comes up briskly, heading for the elevator.
She is dressed casually.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. RECREATION ROOM. ANGLE ON ENTRANCE.
A small dais has been placed in front of an array of chairs.
On the dais, a group of Israeli costumed folk dancers are
measuring distances by trying turns and leaps. They attract
some attention. People come in, moving slowly. The dais is
flanked by screens in lieu of a formal curtain, and provided
with a seat draped with colorful fabric. A few of the people
entering go behind the screens, but most fill the chairs.
There is the SOUND of casual conversation as KIRK, SPOCK,
MCCOY, and UHURA enter. CHEKOV, SCOTTY, and NURSE CHAPEL
are already seated. Spock and Uhura go behind the
screens while Kirk and McCoy take seats near the front.
There is the SOUND of a musical chime and the
remaining people fill the seats as the dancers leave the dais.
SULU comes out, looks around a little cowed, then hastily
covers all shyness with bravado.
SULU
Captain, officers, fellow crewmen.
We are gathered here to encourage
our very own amateur folk-artists
in the pursuit of their crafts.
So without further ado, I present Lieutenant Uhura, who will
introduce her own number.
MCCOY
(sotto to Kirk)
That's the shortest speech Sulu's
ever made on one of his hobbies!
KIRK
(nods)
I was expecting a half hour of
enthusiasm.
Uhura walks on stage and seats herself. She is warm, relaxed
and sparkling.
UHURA
This song really needs no
introduction, but for those of you
not familiar with historical American
folk music, this song grew out
of the twentieth century cry
against racial injustice. It
was...
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SPACE THE ENTERPRISE FOLLOWED BY KLINGON VESSEL.
CUT TO:
INT. KLINGON CONTROL ROOM – ROMULAN STYLE.
FIRST ROMULAN
(to Sub-Commander)
Program running, sir.
(looks toward viewscreen)
INSERT the Klingon viewscreen
showing the Enterprise in space
from the Klingon position.
SUB-COMMANDER
Good, it won't be long. Humans are
so weak ... but ...you're sure that
semi-Vulcan is taken care of by now?
SECOND ROMULAN
Definitely, sir. Our calculations
indicate...
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE THE ENTERPRISE CLOSE SHOT OF THE DISK.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE RECREATION ROOM.
Uhura has just finished her historical explanation and sings
a song of her own choosing.
After she finishes, the audience applauds enthusiastically.
Sulu comes out as Uhura bows and retires. With difficulty,
Sulu quiets the audience.
SULU
Lieutenant Uhura will be back at
the end of our program with a
medley of interplanetary
selections. But now, what you've
all been waiting for, our First
Officer, Mr. Spock, who has
graciously consented, after much
logical arm-twisting, to favor us
with a medley of traditional Vulcan
folk-airs...
Mr. Spock.
(gestures to his right)
FADE OUT:
END ACT I
ACT II
FADE IN:
INT. ENTERPRISE RECREATION ROOM.
Sulu is just completing his gesture of introduction.
Spock paces onto the dais, dressed casually, carrying his
instrument. He moves unselfconsciously. Sulu retires.
Spock looks at the audience, seating himself comfortably.
Through out, he speaks slowly, with a penetrating will to
communicate, to share something he values.
SPOCK
We, too, have songs, which point
out the inequities that creep into
any vital culture. I'm reserving
my example of that genre for the
third of my four selections.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING DECK.
We HEAR SPOCK'S VOICE as we get a close look at the duty
officer at the main engineering control panel.
SPOCK'S VOICE (OVER)
My first choice has been compared
to Calypso because the melody is
traditional, but he verses are
extemporaneous.
We see another crewman enter through the door, moving
furtively, carrying a heavy looking tool. He approaches
the duty officer without attracting attention.
SPOCK'S VOICE (OVER)
It is different in that the music
is structured in a perfect analog
of a logical system and there are
rules for selection of lyrics.
The result is an exercise in
general...
The duty officer stirs as if to turn and the crewman freezes.
SPOCK'S VOICE (OVER)
...problem solving by the T'shailoh
Abstract.
(informatively)
That's the T'shailoh who taught at
the school of T'kiltare'. I will
render a problem we've dealt with.
The crewman resumes sneaking up on the duty officer.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE RECREATION ROOM.
MCCOY
(sotto to Kirk)
He meant it! Logical music! I
still can't believe it.
KIRK
(sotto to McCoy)
Shhhh. I want to hear this.
SPOCK
(continues)
My second selection is a children's
riddle in which the progression
of vowels...
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING DECK.
The approaching crewman has almost reached the duty officer.
SPOCK'S VOICE (OVER)
(continues)
...can be rendered in a
mathematical group which yields the
answer to the riddle.
The approaching crewman knocks out the duty officer with a
Judo chop to the back of the neck. He ignores the fallen
officer as he surveys the engineering panel.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE RECREATION ROOM.
MCCOY
(mouths silently)
Children's!?
SPOCK
(continues)
My third selection, as I mentioned,
suggests a method of eternal
vigilance against cultural inequity,
and asserts that personal freedom
must be evolved anew by each
individual privately, within himself,
in order that freedom exist as a
cultural value. The relation between
lyrics and melody is subtle, and too
intricate to go into here.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
MATHEWS is busily working over the library computer. He
looks as if he's got bad troubles but is determined to handle
it himself. A crewman is sitting in for Sulu. As Mathews
goes over to the Engineering control section we hear SPOCK'S
VOICE.
SPOCK'S VOICE (OVER)
Suffice it to say that this
particular composition is one of my
favorites because it employs
"logical-implication" and "class-
disjunction" to derive a quantified
theory of "logical-intuition."
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE RECREATION ROOM.
SPOCK
My final selection is from an epic
poem, which predates musical
notation, so the original melody is
lost. However, portions are sung
to modern melodies, which attempt
to recapture the traditional
flavor.
We see the audience listening attentively. There is
curiosity, amazement, disbelief, but always respect. Even
McCoy is absorbed. Nurse Chapel is enthralled.
SPOCK
(continues)
The language is archaic, but there
is a symmetry of phrasing which
makes this the most quoted
authority in modern conversation.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE DINING ROOM.
A number of the crew are just sitting down to a meal. People
are arriving constantly. We observe a small group that
already have started eating as we HEAR SPOCK'S VOICE OVER.
They taste their food, look as if it isn't quite right,
consult each other, and shrug it off to go on eating.
SPOCK'S VOICE (OVER)
(continues)
The portion I have chosen here
deals with the validity of value
judgments, which is one of the
foundations of the Vulcan attitude
toward violence. It touches on
the universal sanctity of life and
culminates in the oldest, and
most poetic, formulation of the
IDIC concept: the dissimilar.
Here, the use of
"logical-implication:" and
"logical-disjunction" is most elegant.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE RECREATION ROOM.
SPOCK
These four compositions, in
uninterrupted sequence, form a
whole which has a profound
significance in the evolution
of Vulcan philosophy. I suggest you
listen to it directly as even the
universal translator can't handle
some of the concepts, and it has
a surface appeal which would be lost.
Spock's sincerity and reverence for his material have woven a
spell over the audience. They are "with him." In this
moment they have grown a little closer to what is a Vulcan.
They wait raptly, as an audience between movements of a
superbly performed symphony. Spock rises, give a quiet,
testing chord and bends to his instrument. A troubled
expression crosses his face. He looks back at the audience
and we see them through his eyes, wavering, darkening.
GO TO BLACK:
INT. ENTERPRISE RECREATION ROOM.
SPOCK is lying on the floor, unconscious. MCCOY is moving
toward him swiftly, pulling out his small medical scanner.
KIRK is also moving toward Spock, and arrives a split second
after McCoy. The audience is on its' feet, talking, craning
necks, disconcerted. But they are emergency trained and
don't all gang up on the fallen.
Just as McCoy starts to take readings, the LIGHTS flicker and
go out.
SCOTTY
(cursing)
By all the Angel Worms of
Archenar!!! Is there no justice!
A crewman has brought an emergency had torch and is flashing
it around. By this light
Scotty makes his way to the door and exits at a fast run.
MCCOY
Bring that light over here!
The crewman brings the light, and McCoy checks several
readings quickly.
MCCOY
(snaps over his shoulder
to Kirk)
To low to read! I've got to get
him to sickbay.
By this time NURSE CHAPEL has made her way through the crowd
and is at McCoy's elbow. Kirk motions to a crewman who goes
out to the corridors and brings back an anti-grav stretcher.
Kirk tries a wall intercom and finds it's out, motions to
CHEKOV and SULU and the three exiton the double.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING DECK DIM LIGHTING.
The duty officer is unconscious, on the floor where he fell.
The crewman who hit him finishes doing something at the
control console and heads for the door, going through it just
as Scotty is coming in. They collide, the crewman knocking
Scotty over, hiding his face in the dimness. Scotty picks
himself up and gives chase.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE ENGINEERING.
The crewman runs past, rounds the corner and is gone. Scotty
comes pounding after, stops at the intersection and looks in
each possible direction. He stares after the crewman and we
see a LONG SHOT of the dim, empty corridor. Disgusted,
Scotty runs back toward Engineering as the emer gency lights
come on.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING DECK.
The duty officer has picked himself up and turned the lights
on. He leans against the panel rubbing the back of his neck.
Scotty comes up, surveys the control panel very sadly, then
turns his attention to the duty officer.
SCOTTY
So, what happened?
The crewman shakes his head, badly dazed.
SCOTTY
(resigned)
Report to Sickbay. I'll clean this
up.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE FLYBY - KLINGON VESSEL IN FAR
DISTANCE.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY.
SPOCK on the bed, life signs near bottom of scale. MCCOY and
KIRK are near the corridor door, speaking softly.
MCCOY
Jim, it's weird, things like this
just don't happen to Vulcans! He's
clinging to life by sheer
determination, but I can't find
anything wrong.
The crewman brings the light, and McCoy checks several
readings quickly.
KIRK
(pacing)
It's all weird. Two cases of minor
sabotage. The method shows the
party is familiar with starships.
So, why minor mischief!? He could
put us out of commission, or blow
us to star dust. But why? The
Broglie systems aren't that
important. It would be more
logical
(looks at Spock)
to steal the design and test
results.
MCCOY
Could Mathews have anything to do
with it?
KIRK
No. He was on the bridge the whole
time. I admit he should have
called me the moment he noticed trouble, but that's just his
personality, nothing sinister.
(turns on McCoy, flaring)
And then, my Science Officer keels over just when we think
everything is quiet and routine, and peaceful and in order.
Has he been sabotaged, too? By whom? How? Why?
MCCOY
Well, if you don't keep out of the
way, we won't find out in time!
With a burst of exasperation, Kirk exits into the corridor.
AS that door closes, NURSE
CHAPEL enters form McCoy's office, carrying a clear bottle or
a clear solution (may be any color that shows well).
The bottle is labeled in red with "V-10" and some
small lettering. CLOSE SHOT OF LABEL.
NURSE CHAPEL'S VOICE
Doctor, this could be the answer... it's just water!
TRANSITION
FOCUS:
INT. ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR.
THE SAME RED LABEL. PULL BACK to reveal it's on a cubical
box carried by a crewman. MATHEWS, almost blank faced,
definitely not himself, waits around a corner as the man
approaches. The man passes the corner, Mathews stuns him
with a phaser, catches the box, plants a conical gadget on
the box. The TRANSPORTER EFFECT builds and the box and cone
disappear.
CUT TO:
INT. KLINGON TRANSPORTER ROOM – ROMULAN STYLE.
The V-10 box and cone appears on transporter plate, and
TRANSPORTER EFFECT FADES. Two ROMULANS walk over to inspect
it, smugly satisfied...
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE - ENTERPRISE FLYBY – VIEW FROM KLINGON VESSEL.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE.
KIRK seated in his chair. All regulars except Spock.
MATHEWS enters from elevator, walks briskly to Spock's chair.
Kirk is frowning thoughtfully, but takes no notice.
UHURA
(turns to Kirk)
Captain, Doctor McCoy...
KIRK
Pip it over here, Lieutenant.
(beat)
Bones?
INTERCUT between McCoy in his office and Kirk throughout
conversation.
MCCOY
Jim. A third of the crew is down
with food poisoning! Everyone who
ate at the last shift. I've
ordered the galley shut down. I
want someone to check out that
foolproof, failsafe, computerized
pseudo-chef..
KIRK
(burdened, inured to
shocks)
I'll send someone, Bones. How is
Spock.
MCCOY
I thing we've got it. Spock's
tissues are too low in a substance
called "vee-ten" . . .it's a raw
material vital in the bio-synthesis
of what Vulcans use instead of
Adenosine Triphosphate, the muscle
contraction chemical. Someone
replaced the working supply with
water! I've ordered fresh from
stores, should be here any minute.
KIRK
(shocked)
What took you so long!?
MCCOY
(aggressively)
Spock evidently requires a higher
concentration than the Vulcan
norm to maintain muscular activity.
The substitution must have
occurred weeks ago for the
deficiency to have advanced so
far... but it figures. He's
mentioned an increasing appetite
for certain fruits...
KIRK
(interrupting)
How soon can you have him on his
feet?
MCCOY
Within a couple of hours...but...
KIRK
(interrupting)
Good. I need him. Carry on.
(switches off and
turns to Mathews)
Lieutenant Mathews, check out the
galley computer. Take Ensign
Zrailyn with you... that's his
specialty.
MATHEWS
(amused)
I won't need help, Captain.
KIRK
(overreacts to
"Mathews Effect")
Are you questioning orders,
Lieutenant?
MATHEWS
I meant that I can handle the
situation alone. No need to tie up
more hands than necessary,
especially with a third of the crew
on the sick list.
KIRK
Enough, Lieutenant. Take Zrailyn
and straighten out the galley.
MATHEWS
(stiffly)
Yes, sir. Aye, sir.
Mathews heads for the elevator. Relaxing, Kirk goes to
Spock's station, examines the new attachments, then
thoughtfully taps the controls of the library computer.
KIRK
(to computer)
Probability that acts of sabotage,
food poisoning, Spock's V-10
deficiency, and the ghost image on
the Broglies are connected.
COMPUTER VOICE
Probability five one point two
three.
UHURA
(indicates her board)
Captain. Doctor McCoy.
Kirk moves to Uhura's station.
KIRK
Yes, Bones.
MCCOY'S VOICE (FILTERED)
(worriedly)
Jim, can you come down to sickbay
right now?
KIRK
(energized, crisply)
On my way!
(over his shoulder)
Mr. Sulu, you have the con.
(exits)
SULU
(to Chekov)
Poor Zrailyn! I wouldn't wish
Mathews on my worst enemy. 'Course
Zrailyn isn't human or Vulcan so
maybe Mathews doesn't get to him
so bad...
CHEKOV
No. Zrailyn's been complaining,
too. It's even beginning to get
the Captain, now, did you see?
SULU
(nods)
Mathews makes Mr. Spock seem warm
and friendly... I'll be glad
when we get back to base and get
rid of...how did Mr. Scott call
him? ..."That Pestilence?"
CHEKOV
If we get back. What do you
suppose is going to with this
sabotage?
On Sulu's shrug we
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY.
SPOCK is on the bed, life-signs even lower. Another bed is
occupied by the unconscious crewman that Mathews stunned,
MCCOY is pacing nervously as KIRK enters from corridor.
McCoy pounces on Kirk.
MCCOY
Jim! It's gone! The whole bulk
supply of V-10 concentrate is gone.
Stolen! Somebody stunned Ensign
Kipek and took the box.
KIRK
(casting an anxious
glace at Spock)
Well, can't you synthesize it?
MCCOY
Not in time to do any good! I've
got the lab trying to extract a
useful amount from Vulcan fruits we
carry, but it won't be enough.
(pacing)
We carry several years' supply...
(wheels on Kirk)
Jim, if we don't get the
concentrate back, he'll die.
FADE OUT:
END ACT II
ACT III
FADE IN:
INT. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY.
KIRK and MCCOY are as we left them, staring at each other.
SPCOK is unconscious on the bed. ENSIGN KIPEK is unconscious
on the other bed. Kirk slowly goes from shock to
determination, strides to wall intercom and activates it.
KIRK
Security.
(beat)
I want a compartment by compartment
search for the V-10 supply stolen
from Ensign Kipek. Top priority.
VOICE
(filtered)
Aye, sir. Under way.
Kirk flips off the intercom. NURSE CHAPEL enters from
McCoy's office carrying a hypo-gun with great care.
NURSE CHAPEL
Doctor, this is three hundred
milligrams of nearly pure V-10...
un-stabilized. Lab says use within
fifteen minutes.
McCoy takes the hypo carefully and shoots the whole dose into
Spock's arm. Kirk, Chapel and McCoy gather around watching
the life-signs display, which remains low and nearly
inactive.
NURSE CHAPEL
They said they could get about five
hundred milligrams more, but
that would be all.
SPOCK
(weakly, without moving)
That won't be sufficient.
The life-signs have barely changed. McCoy and Kirk look down
at Spock, surprised. McCoy
scrutinizes life-signs again.
MCCOY
Very good, Spock, keep it low like
that. The less muscular activity,
the longer we'll have to find the
bulk supply.
SPOCK
Doctor, try extracting Slidaht. It
should be somewhat richer in V-10.
MCCOY
Slie...what?
SPOCK
(thin patience)
The skin of the blue tubers.
MCCOY
It's not listed as a source...
SPOCK
It's not normally...
(no strength to argue)
...try it.
McCoy sends Chapel out with the hypo and the message and goes
to examine Kipek, who remains unconscious. Without turning
his head, Spock addresses Kirk.
SPOCK (CONT'D)
Captain.
Kirk steps into Spock's field of view, attentive. Spock
speaks softly
SPOCK (CONT'D)
I have the question. Why would a
Klingon vessel manned by Romulans
be shadowing us at the extreme
range of our new sensors? You see?
it now becomes obvious by
T'shailoh's Lemma. That ship
actually exists. They have
the equivalent of the Broglie
systems...and something else.
An outgrowth of the Broglie
refinement in transporter technique.
A method of reprogramming computers
from a distance!
KIRK
I don't follow you.
SPOCK
Our environmental computer runs a
constant subliminal program of
Earth sounds to help dispel
terrestrial claustrophobia. It
would be possible to reprogram the
computer to hypnotize picked
individuals in their quarters,
leaving post hypnotic suggestions
for sabotage.
KIRK
If they can program our computers,
why work through individuals?
Why not just program shutdown?
SPOCK
Experimenting to see if they could.
Also misdirection. They can't
read our data, but they know we
suspect their presence because we
were trying to hail them...I've got
to get to the environmental
computer... soon...
MCCOY
(approaching)
You're not going anywhere until we
find that bulk supply.
SPOCK
I'll wager you won't find it in the
Enterprise.
KIRK
Where, then?
SPOCK
The Klingon vessel, sir. And if I
don't get a our computers soon,
we very likely wont ever get it
back.
KIRK
You're not the only computer expert
on this ship. I'll get Mathews
on it right away.
(starts away)
MCCOY
Are you kidding, Jim? Some expert!
He's still working on the
galley...
SPOCK
(interrupting)
Mathews will be a good science
officer, Captain, but he isn't,
yet. I doubt if I could explain
to him what must be done.
KIRK
(paces away)
You're right. He'd never listen to
you.
SPOCK
Not just that. It's an unorthodox
problem. I'm not sure just how
they're doing it.
(beat)
I must see myself.
MCCOY
Why? Haven't you got enough
gadgetry on this ship to monitor
all circuits from here?
SPOCK
(patiently)
Doctor, what would show on the
screens would be exactly what
should show if there were not
interference. I have to get
inside the computer banks
themselves...
KIRK
(flares)
How can you be so sure, without a
shred of concrete evidence, that
that ghost image is real?
SPOCK
T'shailoh's Lemma, Captain, and a
bit of logical intuition.
MCCOY
I thought you were allergic to
intuition.
SPOCK
Not human intuition, Doctor,
logical intuition, as well defined,
formalized process of seeking
meaningful associations.
In this case it suggests a fifty
one point two five...
KIRK
(nods, interrupting)
The library computer estimated
fifty one point two three percent
probability of a connection between
that ghost, the V-10 business,
the food poisoning and the
sabotage, but then we didn't know
that the V-10 bulk supply had been
stolen.
SPOCK
IT DID? Interesting! The library
computer in error? Fascinating.
KIRK
More likely you made a slight error
in a hasty estimate.
SPOCK
(offended)
Captain, I am never hasty, and I
don't make that type of error.
(beat)
But computers do. And when they
do, its enlightening... Sir,
I believe I do know how they're
doing it...Get Lt. Mathews, perhaps
I can explain it to him. Leave
Zrailyn with the galley problem,
he'll do better by himself.
Kirk nods and begins to move away.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE ENTERPRISE FLYBY, KLINGON VESSEL IN FAR
DISTANCE.
CUT TO:
INT. KLINGON CONTROL ROOM.
Three ROMULANS bending over the temporary equipment, on e
stands back and addressed the SUB-COMMANDER.
SECOND ROMULAN
That's it, sir. Final program
running. Soon, the Enterprise will
be ours.
SUB-COMMANDER
(stands back, gestures
to First Romulan)
Tend to the transporters.
CUT TO:
EXT. SPACE THE ENTERPRISE FROM KLINGON VESSEL'S POSITION.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE ENGINEERING DECK.
SCOTTY stands back as TWO CREWMEN look over his shoulder at
the console he's been examining.
SCOTTY
(motions them forward)
Well, get to it. I'll report to
the Captain, but he'll not be happy
when I tell him he can't use full
phaser power for at least six
hours!
(starts away)
Where'll I get the manpower to
mount armed guards over everything!
The men start removing a cover plate.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY.
A viewer screen has been positioned over the bed so SPOCK can
see without moving. His life signs oscillate low. The other
bed is now empty. KIRK has been talking at the wall
intercom. HE cuts the connection disgustedly and approaches
Spock and MATHEWS and Mathews is saying:
MATHEWS
(angrily tapping the
screen)
Well, why not, Mr. Spock? It's
possible you're not thinking too
clearly just now. Can't you admit
I might be right?
SPOCK
Captain, it's no use, I simply
cannot communicate with Lt.
Mathews. He misunderstands
half of what I say.
KIRK
I've scarcely understood a word for
the last half hour, myself.
Thought I thought I was getting the
general idea.
SPOCK
He understands the words, sir, but
not the general idea. I've
explained what to do to block them
out, read their programs, and
reestablish our own...it's
delicate. Our only advantage is
that they don't know we know what
they are doing. We must be careful
to retain that advantage...but
Lieutenant Mathews and I simply can
not communicate.
KIRK
(faces Mathews)
You two should be able to
communicate better than any other
two science officers in Starfleet!
Especially about computers!
Mathews is about to explode with indignation, but Spock
interrupts.
SPOCK
Captain...
MCCOY enters from his office carrying a hypo-gun.
MCCOY
(interrupting)
Sounds to me like a little basic
communication is in order. Spock,
if the block is semantic, couldn't
you get around it with mind meld?
Kirk stands aside to let McCoy administer the shot while
Mathews retreats as far as he dares, shocked and terrified at
McCoy's suggestion.
SPOCK
(impassively)
The block is not semantic, but mind
meld would clear it, Doctor...
except that it's out of the
question.
MCCOY
It isn't as out of the question as
you getting up for a personal tour
of inspection. Mathews is half
Vulcan, it should be easy with him.
MATHEWS
(defiantly, glaring
fearfully at Spock)
I don't have any Vulcan
characteristics!
Mathews is throwing the full power of his emotional
projection at Spock with a strong telepathic component. At
the impact of this emotional barrage, Spock's head whips
around, and he rivets Mathews with a stare.
SPOCK
(snaps)
Untrue. You have some of the
telepathic faculty, and I find your
intrusions upon my mental
privacy...most vulgar.
(life signs rise as he
speaks with deadly intent)
You will stop it this instant, or I
shall retaliate!
KIRK
(steps between them)
That's enough, you two! Spock.
(puts restraining hand
to Spock's arm)
He doesn't know he's doing it! He
doesn't even know how to stop!
(tension rises, Spock's
and Mathew's eyes remain
locked)
Spock! You mustn't fight!
(Spock doesn't hear;
Kirk goes to Mathews,
shakes him by the
shoulders)
Lieutenant, calm down.
(turns him away)
Nobody's going to force you to do
anything.
(continues inaudibly)
McCoy has gone to Spock, all
soothing bedside manner.
MCCOY
Spock, control yourself. You must
keep those readings low or
you'll kill yourself. You fight
with Mathews, and we'll never
save him, either.
Slowly, Spock relaxes and life signs return to low level.
SPOCK
(gravely)
Some things are worse than death.
I cannot... will not... tolerate...
Kirk has Mathews under control, now, and they part, Kirk
approaching Spock, interrupting.
KIRK
I'm surprised at you, Mr. Spock.
What made you react like that?
Spock is badly shaken. He's never had such an experience.
SPOCK
(eyes Kirk)
You didn't perceive what he was
doing?
(reluctantly)
Mind invasion is not something I
must tolerate, Captain, especially
from an irrational half-Vulcan who insists on using his
native talents from the vilest perversions. The same
Starfleet General Order protects me, as protects him.
KIRK
(sympathetic)
All right, Spock, I understand how
highly Vulcans regard personal
privacy, especially mental privacy.
We'll put it down to justifiable
self-defense. But no more fighting,
(turns to include Mathews)
either of you, or I'll have you
both on report.
(paces away)
We have a problem to solve,
and we can't solve it with you
two sniping at each other.
(rounds on Mathews
...warmly)
Bartholomew, why can't you
put personal feeling aside
and try to understand Mr. Spock?
(smiles)
"Cold hands -- warm heart"?
And his ideas are usually
brilliant.
Mathews is wary, dubious. He retreats feeling chased.
SPOCK
Because the rejects the fact of his
Vulcan heritage...
McCoy, watching Mathews closely, but keeping a sharp eye on
Kirk and Spock, perceives that it's time to take the pressure
off Mathews and redirects the conversation.
MCCOY
But you don't reject the fact of
your human heritage?
SPOCK
(sees McCoy's purpose,
meets his eyes)
No, Doctor. Regrettable though it
may be on occasions such as this,
it is a fact.
(grudgingly)
On other occasions, it may be
useful.
Kirk has been poised, interrupted in the middle of a thought
train. Now, he understands what they are doing and turns
from Mathews pacing thoughtfully toward Spock, fishing for an
idea.
KIRK
Spock. Mightn't it be useful on
this occasion?
SPOCK
Sir?
KIRK
This...
(hesitates to mispronounce
T'shailoh)
Lemma you've been talking about.
It was formulated after the
Romulans left Vulcan, right?
SPOCK
Yes, sir. About seven thousand
years after.
Mathews relaxes now that the attention has shifted. He's
listening carefully.
KIRK
The Romulans don't have the Vulcan
techniques, the Vulcan's purely
logical approach. They think more
like humans, but not quite like
humans. You use
(louder, partly to
Mathews)
purely Vulcan patterns by choice.
But you have a dash of humanity
if you care to use it.
Kirk bends over Spock earnestly excided, suddenly sure he's
on to a solution. Mathews is genuinely interested. McCoy is
watching Spock intently, but surreptitiously keeping an eye
on Mathews.
KIRK
(continues)
Spock, try this. Look into
yourself, find your human half, see
if you can blend that screwy,
inside-out human viewpoint you so
vigorously suppress with the
straight-forward, logical Vulcan
thought pattern.
(beat)
Try to think like a Romulan.
Try to figure out exactly what
they are doing to us, how,
and why.
(softly)
What can we do to counter them?
Spock's eyes close. The stony look of complete concentration
freezes his features. The life signs sink to near
motionlessness, only one needle betraying life. All
attention is riveted on Spock. Mathews, unobserved in the
background, stands composed in deep, almost Vulcan
concentration, watching Spock. Kirk eyes the life signs,
afraid to breathe, to do anything to distract Spock.
McCoy inspects life signs, reaches up and adjusts the scale
range to maximum sensitivity.
The needles jiggle and sink down. He opens his mouth to
speak, looks from Spock to Kirk and thinks better of it. He
returns the range to middle scale.
Then slowly, the needles return to previous low levels and
Spock says, without opening his eyes:
SPOCK
It should be simpler than I had
thought.
(opens eyes)
Captain, at times you display
logical insight worthy of a Vulcan.
KIRK
(surprised, intensely
honored)
Thank you, Mr. Spock.
Mathews has returned to his usual self. Watches this
exchange with distaste.
MATHEWS
So, what's this miraculous new
discovery?
SPOCK
(evenly)
In should only be necessary to ask
the library computer to readout
temporary memory storage unit
T-12-J specifying simultaneous
transfer to unit K-3-F.
McCoy and Kirk, puzzled, consult the large viewer screen on
which is still the complex diagram they were discussing.
They look at each other, then at Mathews, who becomes
increasingly surprised as the implications sink in; he
doesn't need to look at the viewer, but he mouths T-12-J and
K-3-F thoughtfully.
SPOCK
(continues)
T-12-J will tell us what they plan
next, storing it in K-3-F will
prevent it's being acted on, and
simultaneously prevent them from
learning that we know their plan.
They won't be safeguards as
complicated as I thought, because
they don't consider humans
intelligent enough to see
what happened.
KIRK
(turns to Mathews)
Lieutenant, try it.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SPACE THE ENTERPRISE FLIES BY WITH KLINGON SHIP IN FAR
DISTANCE.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SPACE THE ENTERPRISE, A DIFFERENT VIEW AS TIE SEQUE.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE BRIDGE WIDE ANGLE.
ESTABLISH all regulars at their stations EXCEPT Spock, who is
replaced by MATHEWS. SCOTTY is busy at his station.
KIRK
Captain's log, Stardate 4939.7. We
plan to lure the Romulan Sub-
Commander aboard the Enterprise by
simulating total power failure as
if their plan had succeeded.
Security detail to meet them in the
transporter room where they
expect only their operative. All
target areas for their anesthetic
gas cylinders are sealed
off and guarded by security
details in breathing masks.
(switches off,
turns to Scotty)
Let's go, Mr. Scott.
SCOTTY
(turns)
Aye, sir.
Kirk and Scotty head for elevator. Mathews comes up behind.
MATHEWS
Captain, request permission to join
you.
KIRK
(looks at him, no
"Mathews Effect,"
decides on intuition)
All right, Lieutenant. Mr. Sulu,
you have the con.
They exit together, the elevator doors close, Scotty
examining Mathews unbelievingly.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY.
NURSE CHAPEL seated with a reader screen, is attending SPOCK,
who is apparently unconscious. MCCOY enters from his office,
comes up behind her and looks over her shoulder, eyebrows
raising.
MCCOY
Vulcan psychophysiology?!
NURSE CHAPEL
(turns with guilty start,
snaps off reader)
In the line of duty, Doctor!
MCCOY
Of course...
(Chapel flushes)
Rig for emergency, Nurse, we're
going to lose ship's power in a
few minutes.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM.
The lights are still on as KIRK, SCOTTY, and MATHEWS, armed
with pistol grip phasers, enter to meet four crewmen, also
armed.
NOTE: The crewman in charge is MUTATKAR, who may look Hindu
and/or speak with a Hindi accent.
As they approach the transporter console, the LIGHTS GO OUT
and all background NOISE dies.
The only LIGHT is from they lantern-type instrument set on
the transporter console.
SCOTTY
(as lights dim)
Here we go!
As Kirk's motion, they takes places around the transporter
but not too close, Mutatkar remains behind console.
KIRK
Be sure your phasers are on stun.
Mutatkar! Put the lights out and
stand ready.
MUTATKAR
(does so)
Aye, sir.
They wait tensely in the nearly total blackness.
LAP DISSOLVE TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE
CORRIDOR
INTERSECTION:
Temporary pressure doors close off the intersection. Two men
in breathing masks carrying
hand LIGHTS (LIT) crouch in the dark. A smoking canister
materializes. Until the SPARKLE CEASES, the smoke trail is
stationary, then it starts to roil properly, and a faint HISS
is heard. The two men pounce on it, hunting the cut-off;
find it, and it stops smoking. They look at each other.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM.
The men are waiting as we left hem in the DARK. The
TRANSPORTER EFFECT builds on all transporter plates.
The sparkle in the darkness is beautiful
FADE OUT:
END ACT III
ACT IV
FADE IN:
INT. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM.
The TRANSPORTER EFFECT is just fading leaving the ROMULAN SUB
COMMANDER, weapon in his left hand, on the forward plate, his
men behind him, armed, peering into the blackness, puzzled.
Suddenly, MUTATKAR flashes the powerful cone of LIGHT from
the lantern directly into the
Romulan's eyes, blinding them, and lighting the scene.
KIRK
(steps forward)
Drop your weapons, you're
outnumbered.
The Romulan Sub-Commander squints into the light, slowly
lowers his weapon, but doesn't drop it, and descends to
Kirk's level. His men follow slowly, keeping their weapons.
The Sub-Commander eyes Kirk, squinting less as he moves out
of the direct line of light; he circles left. Kirk turns,
following him.
SUB-COMMANDER
Captain Kirk, yes?
(nods appreciatively)
Nicely done.
KIRK
Drop your weapons, all of you!
The Sub-Commander nods, holding out his weapon to the side,
and drops it with a CLATTER. His men follow suit; the sound
RINGS hollowly. The Sub-Commander continues circling left,
very cautiously.
SUB-COMMANDER
(sincerely)
You're wrong about us. We're not
your enemies, Captain. We noticed
your sudden loss of power and came
to see if we could help.
KIRK
That's far enough! Hold it right
there!
The Sub-Commander stops, satisfied with his position. The
other Romulans slowly circle the other Enterprise men until
the group is well integrated, and paired off.
KIRK
Mutatkar! Collect their weapons!
Mutatkar starts out from behind the console toward the
nearest Romulan weapon. Just as h
reaches it the Romulan Sub-Commander protests:
SUB-COMMANDER
(with a gesture of
innocence)
Oh, look, Captain, you're making a
big mistake...
(attacks Kirk)
The other Romulans grapple with
Enterprise men, struggling for
their phasers. Mutatkar retreats
behind the console, rescuing the
light from accidental loss to
careening bodies, aswe get a CLOSE
SHOT of SCOTTY and his ROMULAN.
SCOTTY
(with relish)
Oh, you want to fight!
Scotty has lost the Enterprise phaser in the scuffle. The
Romulan dives for a Romulan weapon. Scotty's eyes widen.
SCOTTY
No you don't!
Scotty closes with his opponent, and throws him. The Romulan
shakes his head and comes around again. They circle. Scotty
is enjoying the fight, not trying to win immediately.
MATHEWS is paired with a much larger Romulan. Mathews is
technically proficient, but fights impetuously, without the
coordination that produces power. The Romulan gets his arm
around Mathews' neck. Awkwardly, Mathews throws him onto the
steps of the transporter platform. The Romulan bounces back,
burying his fist in Mathews' midriff. Mathews doubles over
and charges head first into the Romulan.
Kirk and the Sub-Commander are evenly matched and have
settled down to a long contest.
They circle warily, trading feints and bluffs. The Romulan
dives for a phaser, rolls over it and comes to rest against
the transporter platform. But Kirk is on him too quickly and
they struggle for the weapon.
Scotty, looking a little battered, has a hammerlock on his
Romulan's arm. The Romulan has an Enterprise phaser.
SCOTTY
All right, my friend, that's
enough.
Scotty removes the phaser from the Romulan's grasp, checks
the setting, and stuns him with it.
Mathews' Romulan is kneeling on Mathews' back, holding one of
Mathews' arms, trying to reach a phaser without losing his
advantage. Mathews' expression is a grimace of pain, and a
kind of wild, uncontrolled, almost "little boy" fury. Then,
his features assume a deep calm.
SCOTTY
(whispers)
Think like a Romulan!
With coordinated movements, Mathews overpowers the Romulan
and knocks him out. He stands
and looks at his Romulan, the controlled expression fading
rapidly to surprise and then to awe.
Kirk finally knocks out the Sub-Commander. They are both
more battered than any of the others. The Romulan is oozing
green blood from a cut near the eye. Kirk is bleeding from
the corner of his mouth; Kirk stand swaying, chest heaving,
and looks around.
The whole scene grinds to a halt, the Enterprise crew
standing over fallen Romulans. It took two of the Security
men to subdue one of the Romulans, and one of the Enterprise
crew is un conscious.
KIRK
(starts toward door)
Mutatkar, see that the Romulans are
locked up, and deliver this one
(points to the Sub
Commander)
to sickbay.
(over his shoulder)
Mathews, Scotty, come with me.
DISSOLVE TO:
EXT. SPACE KLINGON VESSEL FLYBY ENTERPRISE DERELICT IN
FAR DISTANCE.
DISSOLVE TO:
INT. KLINGON CONTROL ROOM ROMULAN STYLE.
The two ROMULAN OFFICERS, on watch at regular stations.
Temporary apparatus still behind them.
FIRST ROMULAN
Shouldn't we have heard from the
Sub-Commander by now?
SECOND ROMULAN
Patience. What could go wrong? At
worst they're lost in the dark.
Power will be on over there any
minute now.
They continue to monitor their instruments.
SECOND ROMULAN
See? There it is. It's our ship
now. Disappeared on patrol with-
out a trace. Nothing to link us
with an act of war...
CUT TO:
EXT SPACE ENTERPRISE FROM KLINGON VESSEL'S VIEWPOINT, LIGHT
SHINING.
CUT TO:
INT. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY.
SPOCK on one bed, life signs low. The SUB-COMMANDER on the
bed across the room, under restraints. The life signs over
him read Vulcan-norm. KIRK, looking slightly repaired after
his fight, stands w2ith MCCOY, surveying the Romulan. McCoy
is treating the gash at Kirk's mouth. He wipes away the last
bit of blood, and goes to the Romulan.
MCCOY
Oh, you can talk now. Your
Romulan's awake, anyway.
KIRK
(peering at indicators)
He is?
McCoy starts treating the Romulan's eye, prods him in the
shoulder.
MCCOY
You can stop pretending, now, but
be still while I fix up this cut.
At least I don't have to chase you
all over...
(notices Kirk studying
life signs)
You can't tell from that, you have
to have a Doctor's intuition...
more flexible than machinery...
(gives harder prod to
Romulan)
Come on, say something.
SUB-COMMANDER
May I get up now?
KIRK
(appreciative glance
at McCoy)
No, you may not. Not until you
order your ship to transport our
supply of
V-10 back over here.
SUB-COMMANDER
I don't know what you're talking
about, Captain. Am I a prisoner of
war? If so, what war? I came to
the aid of a ship in distress in
free space and I've been beaten and
restrained like a common criminal.
As far as I know, your federation
is not at war with the Empire, but
if my men and I are not released
immediately, there will be war!
McCoy finishes with the eye, and the Romulan looks at Kirk
steadily.
KIRK
Stow it! I have a man over here
dying for lack of something you
stole. I'm not going to mince
words or argue or beat around
diplomatic bushes. You have two
minutes to call your ship and
get that V-10 supply over
here. Otherwise, I'll have it
extracted from your flesh.
Kirk is in a dangerous mood. At this moment, for him, it's
no bluff. The sincerity communicates. The Romulan
considers warily. Either way, he loses.
KIRK
Thirty seconds.
SUB-COMMANDER
All right, free my hand.
McCoy move to oblige. Kirk puts out a staying hand.
KIRK
That won't be necessary.
Kirk taps the intercom, swinging it into position over the
Romulan. Throughout the conversation, his finger never
strays from the cut-off.
KIRK
Lieutenant Uhura, put this through
to the Romulan ship, no visual.
(to the Romulan)
Go ahead.
SUB-COMMANDER
Sub-Commander Chorn calling
D'linto.
The Romulan eyes Kirk steadily, he's conceded a battle, but
hasn't surrendered.
VOICE
(filtered)
D'linto here, sir.
Congratulations.
SUB-COMMANDER
Transport that box of V-10
concentrate to the same place where
I arrived.
VOICE
(filtered)
Box of V-10 concentrate?
The Sub-Commander looks at Kirk, to protest innocently. Kirk
jerks a thumb at the communicator fairly sparking with
lethal determination. The Romulan concedes without grace.
SUB-COMMANDER
Are you questioning a direct order?
VOICE
(filtered)
No sir! Right away, sir!
Kirk cuts the connection.
CUT TO:
INT ENTERPRISE CORRIDOR (DECK FIVE)
MATHEWS is walking briskly along, a crewmember passes, then
he is alone. HE walks beneath an arch, glances casually at
doors as if orienting himself. He stops suddenly as an idea
occurs to him. He considers it, looks around to see he's
alone, and walks back to a door.
Mathews stands in front of the door, struggling with a
decision; he want to go in, knows he shouldn't, is
irresistibly drawn. He looks up and down once more, and
slips quickly through the door. It closes behind him.
CLOSE SHOT: MATHEWS standing against the door on the inside.
PULL BACK to REVEAL SPOCK'S
QUARTERS. Mathews looks around, fascinated. He turns to his
left to the dresser near the door, goes to it, stands looking
for a moment, the, hesitantly, puts out a finger to touch
some of the objects laid out there for common use.
The, distracted, he follows along the wall toward the bed,
examining, touching. He steeples his fingers in the
Spockian manner, two fingers raised, elbows on the chair
arms, and composes his features in deep thought.
CLOSE SHOT: THE FINELY MANICURED FINGERS.
TRANSITION
FOCUS:
INT MCCOY'S OFFICE: CLOSE SHOT OF SPOCK'S FINGERS STEEPLED
THE SAME WAY.
PULL BACK TO REVEAL SPOCK, sitting in McCoy's chair at
McCoy's desk, elbows on chair arms. MCCOY is just finishing
taking scanner readings on Spock. KIRK is pacing
thoughtfully.
SPOCK
(as if continuing)
I'm quite all right, though I may
tend to tire easily for a few
hours. The problem is, what
are we going to do now? We
can't simply release them, they'd
try to destroy us to keep
us from reporting. We're too
evenly matched to chance a
running battle... especially
without full phaser power... and
we're too far out for Federation help...
Kirk confronts Spock across the desk.
KIRK
(with suppressed humor)
It's very simple, really.
(taps the desk)
You, Mr. Spock, are going to
perform a miracle.
SPOCK
I am?
KIRK
That is, if you feel up to it.
SPOCK
(considers)
What kind of miracle?
KIRK
(heading for corridor)
Come with me.
Spock rises and starts around the desk toward McCoy, who is
quite bewildered. Spock moves with the barest race of
unsteadiness.
CUT TO:
INT ENTERPRISE BRIDGE
UHURA, SCOTTY, CHEKOV and SULU in their places, busy. The
elevator doors fly open to reveal KIRK, SPOCK, and MATHEWS.
They enter as Kirk is saying:
KIRK
Think you can do it, Mr. Spock?
SPOCK
(nods)
With Lieutenant Mathews' help.
They form a group between library computer and Kirk's chair.
MATHEWS
(nervously)
It's risky. We could blow that
ship out of existence with the
tiniest error.
SPOCK
A calculated risk.
KIRK
Acceptable risk. Set it up, Mr.
Spock.
SPOCK
Aye, sir.
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