@4STAR TREK: "The Once and Future Starship" 8/9/91 - SCENE 1 1. SCENE 1 @3 @1FADE IN: EXT. SPACE - THE ENTERPRISE-D (OPTICAL) Scene is of deep space interrupted only by a distant nebula or other touch of color, not the same area of space as the TEASER, but very similar. Suddenly the Enterprise, designated NCC-1701- D, enters the scene. Camera closes on the ship as it passes. We hear the voice of JEAN-LUC PICARD, Captain of the Enterprise- D as the OPTICAL continues. PICARD (V.O.) Captain's Log, Stardate 44635.3. We are exploring a section of space never before open to Federation vessels. This sector was first claimed by the Klingon Empire and they are just now admitting that they do not have the time, resources or inclination to explore it. The Enterprise has therefore been given permission to explore here. INT. READY ROOM Twenty three years later, aboard the Enterprise-D, PICARD sits in his ready room pondering some abstract mathematical problem in a rare moment of ease. Suddenly the voice of his First Officer, Commander RIKER sounds over the room speakers. RIKER (O.S.) Captain, we are receiving a signal from a point five light years ahead along our present course. PICARD replies keeping his eyes on his terminal while he speaks. PICARD What is the nature of the signal, Number One? RIKER (O.S.) It seems to be a Federation code, Sir, from a starship. (a beat) Some sort of automated beacon. RIKER has PICARD'S complete attention now. PICARD But, that's impossible, Number One, we are the first Federation starship to travel into this sector. RIKER (O.S.) I know, Sir, but that's what our instruments say it is. PICARD What vessel registration is it signaling? RIKER (O.S.) NCC-1701-C, USS Enterprise. PICARD is startled out of his seat, he STANDS, tugs at his uniform and WALKS around his desk toward the door to the Ready Room. PICARD On my way, Number One. PICARD CROSSES the room as the camera follows, the DOORS OPEN and he steps out onto the bridge of the ship. INT. MAIN BRIDGE REVERSE ANGLE on PICARD as he steps out of his ready room. RIKER is STANDING at center bridge in front of the command chair, he follows Picard with his eyes as he approaches. WORF is at TACTICAL and DATA is at OPS. SUPERNUMERARIES as needed. PICARD WALKS over to his command chair and sits as he delivers his line. PICARD Exactly what type of signal are we receiving, Number One? RIKER takes up a position to Picard's right and NODS to WORF. RIKER Mr. Worf. WORF The signal is of the old style sub-space run length encoding. It is simply signaling position. (a beat) It could be a recorder marker. Coding is consistent with the era of the Enterprise- C. PICARD I see, thank you, Mr. Worf. (a beat) Mr. Data, what do you know about the Enterprise-C? RIKER smiles and sits in his chair next to Picard. He knows the answer and knows Data will give more detail than anyone is willing to listen to, but he remains silent. DATA The USS Enterprise, Navel Construction Contract 1701-C, commissioned on stardate 20134.5, first and only commander Captain Rachel Garrett. (a beat) Reported missing near Klingon space twenty three years, six months and five days ago. It is believed that the ship came to the aid of a Klingon outpost at Norendra III that lies 10 parsecs distant in the furthermost reaches of the Klingon Exploration Zone. (a beat) The Klingon outpost was attacked by Romulans and saved at the last minute by an unknown vessel. Two thirds of the population of the outpost were killed, including the Governor General. The Enterprise was last known to be in the area, so it is likely that she was the mystery vessel. However, because of the destruction on the outpost and the subsequent withdrawal from the planet by the Klingon's, records are not complete. Witnesses from the General's staff have testified that a Federation vessel did in fact come to their aid and drew the Romulans away, but they could not positively identify it as the Enterprise. (a beat) Star Fleet considers her missing in action, and presumed destroyed. The incident is widely considered to have been pivotal in the . . . Half way through Data's speech Picard begins to rub his head in dismay. Riker's smile widens. Riker decides to take pity on Picard and jumps in with some specific questions. RIKER Thank you, Data, a most thorough report. (a beat) What is our ETA to the beacon at our current speed? DATA ETA to beacon location is 12.75 minutes, at current velocity. PICARD Where is the beacon located, Mr. Data? DATA Beacon is emanating from within Star System KEZ591, directly ahead along our present heading, Sir. (a beat) Long range sensors now indicating that the source of the beacon transmissions is in orbit around the third planet of that system. RIKER In orbit! PICARD Are you thinking what I am, Number One? RIKER Could there actually be survivors on that planet? To have survived all these years would have taken an enormous amount of discipline and perseverance. PICARD Not only that, but if they survived the battle well enough to make it out here, why didn't they try to make it back to the Federation? Riker nods, he had not thought of that twist! PICARD (CONT.) Data, any additional readings on the source of the beacon, can we tell if it is a vessel or a recorder marker? DATA We are not close enough for that determination, Captain. But, sensors do show that the source of the beacon is in a stable orbit approximately two-thirds of the planetary diameter in apogee. Riker and Picard exchange a knowing look. RIKER Standard orbit? DATA It is within nominal parameters of a standard orbit, Sir. (a beat) Readings on KEZ591 III coming in now, Captain. Sensors indicate it is a Class M planet. DATA (CONT.) (a beat) Entering short range sensor range now, Captain. PICARD Can you get me a picture, Data? DATA Yes, Sir. RIKER On screen, Data, extreme magnification. DATA works his console. CAMERA SHIFTS to a shot from upstage toward the MAIN VIEWER. The view screen shows a shot of DEEP SPACE and then waivers to show a PLANETARY SCENE. The PLANET is BROWNISH in color with WHITE CLOUDS and some LARGE BODIES OF WATER but no oceans. A BRIGHT SPOT can be seen traversing the planet. The VIEW SHIFTS again to a CLOSE UP of the PLANET and the Enterprise-C. The ship looks badly damaged with a great deal of black scoring and patches on it's exterior. PICARD and then RIKER STAND and APPROACH the forward control stations for a closer look. RIKER My God, they actually made it! Camera shifts to reverse angle close-up on Picard. PICARD Not by much from the look of her. It seems that Star Fleet was hasty in their assessment. (a beat) Worf, are there any life signs on the ship? Camera SHOT WIDENS to encompass PICARD, RIKER and WORF at his station. WORF No life signs are registering, Sir. However . . . (a beat) There are life signs registering on the planet itself. No indication of how many or of what type, but definite life signs nonetheless. DATA Approaching KEZ591 III, Sir. Riker and Picard move back to there seats and sit. RIKER Take up a standard orbit, Mr. Data. Bring us in parallel to the orbit of the Enterprise-C. DATA Aye, Sir, standard orbit. EXT. SPACE - THE TWO ENTERPRISES (OPTICAL) Camera shows the Enterprise-C in orbit around the planet. The Enterprise-D approaches along a parallel course and slows to match speed with the Enterprise-C. INT. MAIN BRIDGE As we just saw them. Shot on DATA then widen to a MEDIUM SHOT of the bridge crew after Data's speech. DATA Standard orbit established. We are in a parking orbit, 500 meters from the Enterprise-C. RIKER Worf, pinpoint those life signs and give us a detailed reading. WORF Aye, Sir. Scanning now. (a beat) Reading a small village with a few tens of life signs. Definitely humanoid readings, Sir. A few refined metals, otherwise it looks fairly primitive. Minimal power generation. PICARD Picard to Doctor Crusher, have a medical team standing by for a possible medical emergency. CRUSHER (O.S.) Crusher here. Aye, Captain. PICARD Hail the surface, Mr. Worf, perhaps they still have working communications. WORF Hailing frequencies open, Sir. PICARD This is the . . . a Federation starship, Captain Jean-Luc Picard commanding. Do you read us? WORF Reply coming in, Sir. (a beat) It's audio only. A female with a hauntingly familiar voice can now be heard replying to the hail. There is a considerable amount of static. YAR We read you, Captain Picard. Picard and Riker exchange a glance, they recognize the voice but cannot quite place it. Data suspects who it is, but his logical mind does not permit him to speculate since he is not certain. PICARD Who am I speaking too? YAR That's not important right now, Captain, and I'm afraid it would take a little bit of explanation. PICARD We are standing by to transport a relief party to your location, are you in need of assistance? YAR Negative, Enterprise. Request that you beam us up so that we can explain our situation. Two to beam up from these coordinates. WORF Coordinates confirmed, Sir, we have a lock. PICARD Very well, we will beam you up shortly. Picard out. RIKER She said Enterprise, Sir. A slip of the tongue? PICARD I don't know, Number One, but I think we will find out. (a beat) Worf, Number One, with me. Mr. Data, you have the bridge. PICARD, RIKER and WORF DEPART for the transporter room to greet their guests. Camera follows them until they ENTER the TURBO LIFT stage right. INT. TRANSPORTER ROOM (OPTICAL) O'BRIEN works at the console as PICARD and party ENTER the room. They take up positions in front of the console, Picard up stage from Riker and Worf. Worf is closest to the forward pad of the transporter platform. PICARD Energize! O'BRIEN WORKS the CONSOLE to energize and TWO FIGURES begin to TAKE SHAPE on the platform. TASHA YAR appears on the platform, a middle aged Yar. Besides her is RICHARD CASTILLE, apparently in his early fifties. Yar sees Worf and her eyes go wild. She LUNGES at Worf. YAR Captain, look out, a KLINGON! Although she is now middle aged, she is still in great shape. She manages to take a stunned Worf down to the floor and pin him. Riker moves in and tries to pull her off Worf. He is still not aware it is Tasha Yar. RIKER No, that's Worf, he's part of our crew! Worf is stunned, he can't believe this woman has attacked him. He couldn't even bring himself to defend himself, since he could not make himself hit a middle aged woman. WORF Cease! Do not make me injure you! Castille and Riker finally manage to pull Tasha off Worf, she is helped to her feet by Riker, and Worf gets himself up. YAR You know him, Commander? RIKER Of course I do, he's our security chief. Of course she does not know Worf, since she is a war timeline Tasha, and not the Tasha they knew. She is irate that a Klingon is on the ship that she loved, that she gave up to help Castille and the Enterprise-C. Riker finally gets a good look at the woman and is stunned by what he sees. YAR How could a filthy Klingon become our Security Chief? Worf growls at Yar, he still has not made the connection. RIKER You bear a striking resemblance to a woman who once served on this ship! Worf finally notices the resemblance and is shocked into silence. Picard is still stunned by the whole incident, moves in closer to Yar and finally manages to speak. PICARD Tasha, can it really be you? YAR Yes, Captain, but I may not be the same Tasha Yar you remember. (a beat) You see, I've been living in my past for over twenty three years! Camera closes on Picard's face as dramatic music plays in the background. FADE TO BLACK. END OF SCENE 1.