From: efb@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Fred Byon)
Subject: BubbleGum Trek Part 3.1 - "The Final Battle"
Organization: Purdue University Computing Center
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 15:26:54 GMT

PART 3:  THE FINAL BATTLE

(SCENE:  The Enterprise and what is left of the Mega-Tokyo.)  

PICARD (voiceover):  Captain's Log, Supplemental.  The Enterprise has now
arrived at the border of the Romulan Neutral Zone, and we got our
firsthand look of the remnants of the USS Mega-Tokyo.  At a glance, the
damage appeared to be substantial and complete.  Hopefully though, the
investigation that will be conducted by my senior officers will yield some
possible cause of destruction.

(Shift to Shuttle Bay Two, where some chunks of wreckage are being inspected
by Engineering crewmen.  Riker, LaForge, and Data are also there.)

LAFORGE:  Geez, I don't think you could come up with anything from any of
this...

RIKER:  What sections of the ship is all this from?

LAFORGE:  Saucer section, outer hull.  I mean, I think ANYONE could guess 
that whatever laser fire that these "boomers" used could certainly damage
a hull, and of course that is pretty evident here...but DAMAGING doesn't
necessarily explain the CAUSE of destruction.  Right now, I'm thinking 
that a simple hull breach caused it to blow up, but there's got to be 
thing else than that...

RIKER:  So I guess we're just wasting our time.  We'd better compact all this
and make room for the next ship sections we can find...

ENSIGN FROM ENGINEERING:  Commander!  I think I found something that might
help... (gives LaForge a black box)  This is from what appears to be the
Mega-Tokyo's bridge...

LAFORGE:  Hmm...looks like some kind of voice print recognition mechanism.

RIKER:  Wait...do you know when the Mega-Tokyo was commissioned?

LAFORGE:  I think a little over a year ago...why?

(Data comes over)

RIKER:  Starfleet was testing some kind of...new recording system last year,
or at least that's what I've heard.  It would record what would be going
on on certain sections of the ship during an emergency.  This new system
was supposed to be put on some Federation starships, but the Enterprise
wasn't one of them.  Perhaps the Mega-Tokyo was one of those ships... 

DATA:  You are correct, Commander.

RIKER (raising an eyebrow):  So this is the new recording system?

DATA:  I am now running a full diagnostic on the black container, and I am
picking up voices of panic.  It seems apparent that these voices are coming
from the ship and engineering.

RIKER:  Can you do a simulation, Mr. Data?

DATA:  I will now do a simulation of the last thirty seconds of the
recording.  (Sounding like the MT's chief engineer)  Captain!  Both 
impulse and warp engines are severely damaged!  Picking up mass energy
fluxuations throughout the shi...AAAAAAAGGHHHH! 

(Riker and LaForge look at each other.)

DATA (now changing voices to the helm crewman):  Captain!  All systems
inoperative!  Mass energy fluxuations throughout the ship!  This thing is
going to blow!  (Mackie Stingray's voice)  All hands abandon ship!  Get the
hell out...

RIKER:  Enough, Mr. Data.  I think we're on to something...

LAFORGE:  Of course!  Yes!  Apparently these "boomers" must have made their
biggest impact on the warp nacelles.  Now there's one place where you could
have mass energy fluxuations!

DATA:  I would agree with Geordi's hypothesis.  It appears that the Mega-Tokyo's
chief engineer was communicating from the ship's engineering section.  The
scream was most likely the result of suffering from an excess amount of
pain.

RIKER:  Which could be caused by warp engines blowing up right in front of
you.

DATA:  Possible.  But pain can be the result of many other factors, such as...

RIKER:  Later, Data.  Mr. LaForge, I would like you and Mr. Data to collect
any other useful information linked to what we just found, and report back to
me.  The Captain wants a full report by tomorrow.

LAFORGE:  Aye, sir.

(SCENE:  Back to Earth, Mega-Tokyo.  Linna Yamazaki is walking up to the
building where Sylia Stingray lives in and where Knight Saber HQ is)

LINNA:  Wonder why Sylia wanted me to take my vacation now... (taps the
door chime button next to Sylia's door)

SYLIA'S VOICE:  Who is it?

LINNA:  Madamoiselle Yamazaki.

SYLIA'S VOICE:  Come in.

(Linna enters.  She sees Sylia running tests on the revised Knight Saber
hardsuits)

LINNA:  Well, I talked to my supervisor, and after fifteen minutes of
bickering, I got my vacation from the Academy.  Er say, what are you doing?

SYLIA:  Testing to see that all this works...

LINNA:  Why?  Are we going to use them now?

SYLIA:  We have to.

LINNA:  We have to?  I don't get it.  You wanted me to take a vacation from
the academy to fly around in my hardsuit?

SYLIA:  Perhaps I better explain.  I presume you heard about the destruction
of the USS Mega-Tokyo.

LINNA:  Oh, yeah.  One of the other proctors talked about it the other day.
Heh, the "thing" that did it was someone who called himself "Largo".  Wow,
what a coincidence.  Could he be just like the Largo we know?  Wouldn't it
be funny if it was...

SYLIA (suddenly looking stern):  Linna.

LINNA (suprised):  Huh?

SYLIA:  It IS the Largo we know.

LINNA:  Wait, that can't be.  He'd have to be about three hundrend something
years old.  And there's no Genom Corporation here, at least in this life-
time.

SYLIA:  Linna, do you remember the last encounter we had with Genom?

LINNA:  You mean the Mega-Tokyo's Nuclear Reactor?

SYLIA (nods):  Largo admitted to me that he's not human...he's immortal.
And I guess he wasn't kidding.

LINNA:  Okay, well, but how can you tell for sure?

SYLIA:  The Starfleet Public Domain Site ran a story the other day.  I
guess you haven't seen it yet.  (Sylia turns to a computer terminal.  She
taps a few keys and the Mega-Tokyo story appears on the screen, along with a
picture of Largo.  Sylia turns the screen in Linna's direction) 

LINNA (skimming the article):  Eeep.  That's him.  That ugly face.

SYLIA:  And the captain of the Mega-Tokyo is named Mackie Stingray the 
Fourth.

LINNA (somewhat shocked):  You mean...he is...related to you?

(Sylia nods)

LINNA:  I guess Largo has higher stakes this time around.  I wouldn't be 
suprised if he wanted to...control the universe.

SYLIA:  Knowing him, I certainly wouldn't be surprised.  I wanted you to take
a vacation so that, well... (gesturing to the Knight Saber equipment), Largo
WOULDN'T do that.  And apparently, there is NO Stingray that he'll allow to
get in his way, except (stern expression on her face)...for me.  This time
he will pay.  Dearly.  (pause) So...are you with me?

(Linna takes a long look at the blue ship and the Knight Saber equipment.
She tries to remember what it was like to be a Knight Saber, and all the
tragic yet memorable moments they've had together.  She looks at the
prototype hardsuit that looked like the one she wore back in the 21st
century)

LINNA:  I'll do it.

SYLIA:  Good.  I suggest that you take whatever you need now.  I would like
to take off as soon as possible.

LINNA:  But wait...where are we going to go?  There's no way we could trace
Largo, unless you got some kind of lead.

SYLIA:  You're right.  But...I do have a hunch.  The article mentions that
Largo will attack another Federation starship, and he mentioned about attacking
a Galaxy class starship.

LINNA:  Galaxy class?  That's supposed to the strongest class, I heard.

SYLIA:  Correct.  The Mega-Tokyo's class was Typhoon.  Typhoons aren't quite
as strong as the Galaxy but they are top-notch by Federation standards.  If
Largo does encounter a Galaxy class starship, it's possible that he'll just
tear it to shreds just like the Mega-Tokyo.

LINNA:  But there are several Galaxy class starships, aren't there?

SYLIA:  Only one of them is the Federation's flagship, however.  Which means
that that ship best represents Starfleet and the Federation.  And that one
ship is...

LINNA:  The Enterprise?

SYLIA (nods):  We need to catch up with that ship, somehow.  Even if it's
not Largo's next target, we need to get Nene and Priss, since they're both
serving on that ship.

LINNA:  But how?  Starfleet doesn't even know who the Knight Sabers are...

SYLIA:  Let's not worry about that until the time comes.  Our primary concern
right now is to track the Enterprise, since in all likelihood it's going to
be Largo's next victim.  

LINNA:  How are we going to do that?  Like, where is it right now?

SYLIA:  Starfleet doesn't release information on that to the public, but the
article does say that a ship will be sent to the Romulan Neutral Zone to 
conduct an investigation.  The Enterprise is most likely that ship.
Nevertheless, we are going to find that ship, no matter the odds.  Now,
I suggest that you get whatever you need for this trip.  I intend to leave as
soon as you are ready. 

LINNA:  Okay.  Fifteen minutes all right?

SYLIA:  As you wish.

(Fifteen minutes later.  Linna throws a suitcase into the hatch of the
Knight Saber ship.  Sylia runs a final check on the hardsuits and loads them
into the ship.  Then they both enter the craft.  Sylia takes the pilot's
chair and Linna sits in the rear) 

SYLIA (to console):  Activate.  Rise in altitude, one sixteenth impulse power. 

(Ship comes to life.  The roof of the apartment opens, and the ship emerges)

SYLIA (to Linna):  Brace yourself.  I'm going to engage warp.

LINNA:  Warp...?  This thing goes at warp speed?

(Sylia presses some buttons on the console.  The ship's warp engines roar to
life and then they take off into the blue sky.  Linna yalps as the force
throws her forward)

SYLIA:  Fasten your seat belt.

LINNA:  Oh, yeah.  (clicks the belt)

(SCENE:  Starfleet Command HQ in San Francisco.  Admiral Bennett Kyson is
relaxing in a lounge chair in the Communique Center.  Commander Tommy Hwang
is looking at a viewscreen.)

COMMANDER HWANG:  Er, Admiral, have you been stressed out lately?

(Admiral Kyson glares at the Commander strangely)

COMMANDER HWANG:  Well I mean, you're treating this Largo business  
too seriously.  Chill out!

ADMIRAL KYSON:  I BEG YOUR PARDON, COMMANDER?  Who is in command, you or me?

COMMANDER HWANG:  You are, SIR.

ADMIRAL KYSON:  And who gives the orders?

COMMANDER HWANG:  You do, SIR.

ADMIRAL KYSON:  Good.  (Relaxes again.  Several minutes of silence reign....)

LIEUTENANT IN FRONT OF A CONTROL PANEL:  Admiral!  I am picking up some
weird spaceship.

ADMIRAL KYSON (to himself): F*ck, already? (to lieutenant) Federation or
civilian?

LIEUTENANT:  Definitely not Federation.  

ADMIRAL KYSON:  Ah, you handle it, Lieutenant.

LIEUTENANT (presses a few buttons):  This is the Starfleet Communique Center.
Identify yourself.

(Scene shift back to the Knight Saber ship.  Sylia hears it from the
speaker)

SYLIA:  Linna, you handle it.  Tell them...we are a civilian ship delivering
lingerie to a starship.  (Presses a button on the console)

LINNA:  Er, Okay.  Um...we copy, Starfleet.  We...uh, represent the civilian
company..."Stingray Lingerie"...and we are delivering ladies wear to the
USS Hentai.

(back to Communique center)

LIEUTENANT:  The USS...Hentai?  What kind of ship is that?  

LINNA'S VOICE:  Uhhhhhhh....it's that ship for sexually deviant people. 

LIEUTENANT:  Ah, I see.  You're clear.

LINNA'S VOICE:  Thank you!

ADMIRAL KYSON:  So is it a civilian ship?

LIEUTENANT:  Yes, sir.  It's carrying bras and undergarments to the USS
Hentai.

ADMIRAL KYSON:  HUH?  Lieutenant, what is the ship's name again?

LIEUTENANT:  Uhhhhhh...the USS Hentai.  I can look up the ship's registration
if you like....

ADMIRAL KYSON:  BAKA!

LIEUTENANT:  What does "baka" mean, Admiral?

ADMIRAL KYSON:  YOU IDIOT!  THERE IS NO "USS HENTAI"!  You're gonna beam your
butt back to the Academy tomorrow!

ANOTHER LIEUTENANT:  Admiral, sensors picked up some high energy reading in
that ship's cargo bay!  

ADMIRAL KYSON:  Identify! 

ANOTHER LIEUTENANT:  Could be some mass weapondry of some sort.  I'm guessing
photon torpedoes, various types of lasers...

ADMIRAL KYSON:  They must be accomplices for this Largo!  (to commander)
Commander, alert all Federation starships and starbases!  Have them on the
lookout for that ship!

COMMANDER HWANG:  Sir, why do I have to send out all the subspace messages?

ADMIRAL KYSON:  Commander, WHO IS IN CHARGE HERE?

COMMANDER HWANG:  Right away, sir.

ADMIRAL KYSON (to himself):  Why do I have first class dorks working for me?
No wonder they won't let me retire......(continues to grumble)

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(SCENE:  Next day, 0700 Hours, Stardate 45871.2.  Enterprise Main Conference
Room.  Picard, Riker, Geordi, Data and Worf are seated around the table)

RIKER:  The only definite information we were able to dig out from our 
investigation was that the cause of destruction was a mass energy fluxuation
that originated from the Mega-Tokyo's engineering.

LAFORGE:  And one way you could have a mass energy fluxuation from 
engineering is a warp nacelle breech, which apparently is what these
"boomers" are capable of doing.

PICARD:  But what about the possibility of an outer hull breech?

LAFORGE:  Well, I think that's still very much possible, but my men weren't
able to find anything that suggested a hull breech, considering that the
damage was pretty complete.   
  
PICARD:  All right, so what could be the best form of defense against this
"Largo" and these "boomers"?

WORF:  Suggest that the shield power be increased by at least fifty percent,
particularly around the aft shields, so that the engines would not be as
vulnerable.

LAFORGE:  I'd agree we'd be better off that way, but I think we're probably
just as vulnerable as the Mega-Tokyo, in regard to what these "boomers"
are apparently capable of doing.  Typhoon class starships are almost as
good as Galaxy, so there's a good chance that we may not even be any match
to them as the Mega-Tokyo.

RIKER:  But at least we'd know what to expect this time around, assuming that
we ever encounter them...

PICARD:  It's kind of unusual that we haven't yet.  So far there has been
no sighting of these "boomers" ever since the Mega-Tokyo incident.  And if
memory serves correct, the time for the Federation to surrender to Largo
has well expired. 
 
RIKER:  They could be waiting until the Federation makes the first move...

PICARD:  Possible.  But then again, what would constitute the "first move"?

LAFORGE:  In the event we DO meet them, I'd sure like to learn more about
these "boomers".  Nobody seems to know what EXACTLY they are, and what their 
strengths and weaknesses are supposed to be.

PICARD:  Admiral Kyson described them as...some kind of android.  Perhaps 
they are related to Mr. Data here?

DATA:  I would find that highly unlikely, sir.  The image of one of these
"boomers" do not appear to be compatible with what I am capable of doing.
My analysis is that they appear more as robots rather than prototype of
myself.  

RIKER:  Robots...if you are right, Data...that can destroy.

PICARD:  This reminds me of something I learned back at the Academy.
In the 20th century, when there was still...television, there were many fans
of Japanese animation in the United States.

RIKER:  Animation?  You mean...cartoons?

PICARD:  Exactly.  Many of these "cartoons" had these...giant robots and
machines that were capable of destroying spaceships and planets and
what-have-you.

WORF:  And now it has been brought to life.

DATA (twitching his head):  Interesting.  I am curious to know why the
Japanese wanted to make such...animation.

PICARD:  Because it was fun to watch, Mr. Data.

DATA (stare look):  Now I am puzzled, Captain.  Why would it be fun to
watch animated characters be destroyed by robots?  I thought that violence
was...repulsive.

PICARD:  I think it provided great entertainment during that time.  Just
like movies, novels, Shakespeare...

DATA:  Now I understand, Captain.  I would like to watch some Japanese
Animation sometime.

PICARD:  I'm sure that can be arranged, but right now...  

LIEUTENANT FROM BRIDGE (over speaker):  Bridge to Captain Picard.

PICARD:  Go ahead.

LIEUTENANT:  We just received two messages from Starfleet.  We've been
ordered to go to Starbase 214 to pick up Commodore Jeffrey McNickol, the
Federation historian.  Starfleet says he knows about Genom and these
boomers.

RIKER:  Looks like we may be getting some definite answers now.

LIEUTENANT:  We've also been ordered to be on the lookout for some
blue colored civilian spaceship that may possibly be linked to Largo.

PICARD:  Description?

LIEUTENANT:  I think Admiral Kyson said it's a little bigger that any of
the Enterprise's shuttles, but no definite measurements.  At last report,
it was travelling around warp 5.8, and supposedly has a large cargo of
weapons.  Destination unknown.

PICARD:  Acknowledged, Lieutenant.  Set course for Starbase 214, warp six.

LAFORGE:  Warp 5.8?  That's pretty fast for a small spaceship....

(SCENE:  Deck 30 of the Enterprise.  Priss is on duty)

PRISS: (in her mind) Geez, I hope that boomer-wanna-be isn't around...okay,
let's give this a try...(to ceiling) Computer, where is Commander Ditty?
(Reference to Data)

COMPUTER VOICE:  THERE IS NO RECORD FOR COMMANDER DITTY.

PRISS:  No record for Ditty?  What kind of computer is this?  I guess all
computers are downright stupid...

COMPUTER VOICE:  THE ENTERPRISE COMPUTER SYSTEM IS NOT STUPID.

PRISS:  Yeah, that's what YOU think, you dork.  

COMPUTER VOICE:  THE WORD "DORK" NOT DEFINED.  PLEASE DEFINE.

PRISS:  That does it.  Let's see you eat some phaser fire. 

COMPUTER VOICE:  THE ENTERPRISE COMPUTER SYSTEM IS NOT CAPABLE FOR HUMAN
FOOD CONSUMPTION.

(Just then, Ensign Ro Laren is walking down the corridor.  Priss aims her
phaser at an angle toward the ceiling.  She fires.  The blast hits Ensign
Ro in the shoulder.  Ro yalps in pain and falls to the floor)

PRISS (startled):  Oops. 

ENSIGN RO (somewhat enraged, clutching her shoulder):  IDIOT!  What are you
trying to do?  What kind of security...

PRISS (upset at Ro):  Hey, who are you calling an idiot?  You're dealing with
a security officer, you...you... (takes a good look at Ro)  Say, were you
born deformed or something?

ENSIGN RO:  "DEFORMED"?!!?

PRISS:  Your nose looks out of shape.

(Before she can get mad, Ro is helped by another passing Ensign)

ENSIGN:  What happened here?  Are you all right, ma'am?

ENSIGN RO:  Get sickbay to send someone up here, NOW!  And report this
incompetent to Lieutenant Worf!

PRISS:  INCOMPETENT?  Okay, you loser, cat fights happen to be my specialty...

ENSIGN:  Lieutenant, no!  I dunno what's going on, but...

(Scene fades out as Priss wrestles with Ro)    
   
(SCENE:  That afternoon, somewhere in space.  The brand-new Knight Saber
ship zooming through space.  Linna is just waking up from a long nap as
Sylia is piloting the ship from the helm)

LINNA:  Where are we?

SYLIA:  We just bypassed the Romulan Neutral Zone.  Long range sensors
showed no indication of a starship, so they must have concluded their
investigation.  But they did leave an small trace of ion in their path,
so I think we're near.

LINNA:  Y'know, I feel funny...

SYLIA:  How?

LINNA:  We really shouldn't be here in the first place.  I mean, during
this time, we're supposed to be...dead.  I bet things would happen differently
if we wouldn't interfere with something that in reality shouldn't be our
problem.

SYLIA:  Well, we ARE here, and it IS our problem.  Largo has no right to 
abuse boomer technology like the way he's doing it, no matter what century
it is.

LINNA:  I suppose.  I wonder...how could Largo be...immortal?  Could he be
a...god?

SYLIA:  I must admit, even I haven't figured that out.  He could have
refined his..."boomerness" so that he could live forever.

LINNA:  Okay, hypothetical situation.  Let's say we defeat him again.  Does
it mean, as Arnie would say it, "he'll be back"?

SYLIA (stern):  There MUST be a way, Linna.  There must be a way.  He has
caused enough wrath in my family name.  And now...he will be the one to 
feel the wrath.

(Suddenly, a small blip appears on the ship's radar) 
  
LINNA:  Hey, something's flashing on that radar.

SYLIA:  Long-range sensors are picking up something.  (checks the panel)
It appears to be the size of a...starship. 

LINNA:  Could it be the Enterprise?

SYLIA:  I think we'll know for sure in a few minutes...

(SCENE:  Shot of the Enterprise travelling a warp six.  We then go into the
bridge where Picard and Riker are in their respectable chairs)

PICARD:  Mr. Data, ETA for Starbase 214?

DATA (at Ops):  At current course and speed, three hours, twenty six minutes
and six point three seconds.

(Riker notices the empty chair in the helm)

RIKER (to Picard):  Who's supposed to be on duty now?

PICARD:  I believe it should be Ro...she's usually doesn't report late to
her shift...

WORF:  Captain, report from sickbay.  Ensign Ro has been injured and is unable 
to report to duty.

PICARD (in bewilderment):  Injured?  How?

WORF (groans):  She was...hurt by one of my security officers.

RIKER:  Oh boy, let me guess...the one named...Priss?

PICARD (holds his head in his face):  Oh, god....

WORF (nods):  Request permission for offical reprimand from duty, sir.

PICARD:  No.  I'll talk to her myself, Mr. Worf.

RIKER:  We need an acting Ensign to man the helm with Data.  Perhaps I could
volunteer....

PICARD:  No, that won't be necessary, Number One.  I need you here.  There
are a bunch of ensigns just like Ro on this ship...

RIKER:  Hey, how about...Ensign Romanova?

PICARD (appears to throw up any moment):  Oh god, I'm going to vomit...

DATA:  Your physical condition does not suggest such involuntary actions. 

PICARD:  I was only kidding, Mr. Data.  Will, I thought she worked for
LaForge...

RIKER:  She has a part time shift in the conn as well, according to her
file.

PICARD (recomposing himself):  Very well, Number One.  Get her up here.
Let's see what see can do...properly, that is...

(SCENE:  Nene's quarters.  She is taking a shower.  In the shower stall,
there is a picture of Ray Combs (Family Feud host) hanging on the shower
head, and Nene is staring at it hungrily as she lathers her body)

NENE:  Uuuuuunnnnnngh, ooooooooooooooh, you sexy babe you....survey says...
HUNK!

(Intercom chime goes off)

RIKER'S VOICE:  Bridge to Ensign Romanova.

NENE:  DAMN!  What does he...wait, did he say "bridge"?  (turns off
shower, gets out, and wraps a towel around herself).  Romanova here.

RIKER'S VOICE:  Would you be willing to take a replacement shift on the bridge?
You should be very capable for it.

NENE:  Me?  On the bridge?  But I thought I would get a training exercise
first before...

RIKER'S VOICE:  Well, let's say that THIS is your training exercise.  Here's
your chance for making up from being a screwball earlier.  When can you get
up here?

NENE:  Ummmm....can you give me ten minutes?

RIKER'S VOICE:  Affirmative.  Riker out.

NENE:  Oh boy!  (Throws towel and dances naked around the room)

(Fifteen minutes pass.  Nene jumps out of her quarters and puts on the last-
second fastenings of her red uniform.  She hurries down the corridor and rams
right into Counsellor Deanna Troi as they both enter the turbolift at the
same time)

NENE:  Oops.  Counselor, are you all right?

TROI (holding her head as she gets up):  I'll be fine.  Eh?  (looks at
Nene)  Oh, you are the new graduate from that Japanese city.  You were
dating Wil Riker last night, weren't you?

NENE:  Uhhhhh...yeah.  Does that...bother you?

TROI:  Well, it's rather hard to explain.  Anyway, why are you in such a
hurry, Miss Romanova?

NENE (straightens her uniform):  I'm getting my first shift on the bridge
as a replacement on the conn.  (to computer)  Bridge.  

(Turbolift starts moving)

TROI:  Ah.  Your first time, I take it?

NENE:  Yeah...

TROI:  How do you feel?

NENE:  Oh...VERY excited.

TROI:  And perhaps a little nervous, too?

NENE:  Nervous?  Well, I never thought of that...

TROI:  I sensed a little bit of...uneasiness within you.

NENE:  Really?  Oh, of course, your an...empath.  Are all Beta-whatevers
mind-readers?

TROI (nods):  That's Betazoid, by the way.  Yes, everyone from my home world
are empaths, although the level of empathic ability varies from person to
person.  Since my father was human, my empathic ability is, well, "below
average" from most other Betazoids.  
 
NENE:  Ah, so it's hard to keep anything to yourself?

TROI:  Not entirely.  If I was a full empath, I could sense ANY thought
that runs through your brain.  But as I am now, I could only sense full
thoughts and feelings from my fellow Betazoids.

NENE:  We ought to sit down and talk sometime.

TROI:  That can be arranged.  Yes, I would like to get to know you better too.
I wouldn't be so tentative on the bridge; just be yourself.  Do what the
Captain and Commander say and you'll be fine.

(Turbolift doors open and Nene and Troi emerge into the bridge)

RIKER (gruff):  Ensign, you're late.

NENE:  Sorry, sir. 

RIKER:  You better realize, Ensign, that you can't just show up whenever you
want to...  

TROI (taking her seat):  Ah, so last night's date didn't go well, I presume?

RIKER:  What?  How did you...never mind. 

(Nene and Troi exchange smiles as Nene takes her seat in the helm)

(SCENE:  Borg ship, arriving at the Romulan Neutral Zone.  The USS Mega-Tokyo
wreckage is still there, but no Enterprise)

LARGO (hovering within the Borg ship along with his boomer army):  What?
Where is the Enterprise?

BORG:  CONDUCTING SENSOR SWEEP...THERE IS AN ION TRAIL OF HIGH DENSITY.
THE ENTERPRISE WAS WITHIN THIS VICINITY.  ON BASIS OF LEVEL OF ION DENSITY,
THE ENTERPRISE LEFT THIS AREA AT ESTIMATE ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES AGO.

LARGO:  Can you follow this...ion trail?

BORG:  AFFIRMATIVE.  AT MAXIMUM WARP, WE WILL INTERCEPT THE ENTERPRISE'S
POSITION WITHIN THIRTY MINUTES.

LARGO:  So what are we waiting for?  Let's go!

BORG:  AGREED.  WAITING IS IRRELEVANT.  PATIENCE IS FUTILE.

(Borg ship engines kick into action and zoom off)

LARGO:  Uhhhhh....can I ask you guys something?

BORG:  UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES, ASKING QUESTIONS WOULD BE IRRELEVANT.
BUT WE RECOGNIZE IMMORTAL BEINGS.

LARGO:  Well, thank you.

BORG:  BUT CHIVALRY IS STILL IRRELEVANT.

LARGO (groans):  Anyway, I got two questions...do you all consider everything..
irrelevant?

BORG:  ALL LIVING ORGANIC BEINGS SHALL FALL TO THE BORG.  YOU ARE NOT ORGANIC;
THEREFORE, AFTER FURTHER CONSIDERATION, WE HAVE NO REASON TO CONSIDER
YOU IRRELEVANT.  IN FACT, WE HAVE A...LEVEL OF ENVY FOR A MACHINE-LIKE RACE.

LARGO:  Okay, fine.  The second question...I was wondering if I could 
manipulate some of your fellow Borg.

BORG:  FOR WHAT REASON?

LARGO:  Well...I'm sure you've already studied on what we are capable of
doing.  Perhaps I can create some..."boomers" out of you guys?

BORG:  WE WILL CONSIDER YOUR REQUEST.

LARGO (smiling):  Heh heh.  Take your time, take your time...

BORG:  YOU WILL GET A REPONSE WITHIN THE NEXT TEN MINUTES.  PROCRASTINATION
IS IRRELEVANT.

LARGO (sighs):  Sheesh...(to himself)  Actually, a speedy response might
be useful...

(SCENE:  Enterprise bridge.  Picard, Riker, Worf, Data, Troi, and Nene are in
their respective positions)

WORF:  Captain, sensors are picking up a blue-colored spaceship travelling
at warp six, on course 215 mark 078.   It is within viewing range.

PICARD:  Onscreen.

(The Knight Saber ship pops onto the viewscreen.  Nene's eyes blink in
suprise)

RIKER:  That looks like the ship Admiral Kyson was describing earlier.

PICARD:  Let's make sure.  Mr. Worf, full sensor scan of the vessel.

WORF:  Completed.  There appears to be a largo cargo of weapondry in the
ship's cargo bay.  Various phasers, lasers, and photon torpedos of 
many different magnitudes.

DATA:  The dimensions of the craft appear to be approximately 2.37585 times
larger than the size of any Enterprise shuttles.  The exterior of
the craft is made up of an complex compound alloy mixture of steel and some
rare Earth metals, which is capable of withstanding any speed.  The ship is
also operating on some unusual warp technology.  

PICARD:  Life forms?

WORF:  The ship is being operated by two persons.

(Nene tries to maintain her composure as they talk)

PICARD:  Strange...how does Admiral Kyson figure that they are related to Largo?

NENE (in her mind):  Related to...LARGO?

RIKER:  Could be just a civilian cargo vessel carrying supplies or
something...

(Back to the Knight Saber ship, where its radar continues to pick up a
steady blip)

SYLIA (still in control):  I think it's within viewing range.  Linna, 
press that orange pad on your right.

(Linna presses the button.  Sure enough, the Enterprise pops up on the
screen)

LINNA:  So that's what it looks like?  Let me take a look...

SYLIA:  Linna, be care...

(Just then, Linna accidentally presses some keypads in the section marked
"weapondry".  Cut to outer space, where a phaser bolt is fired at
strikes the Enterprise's saucer section)

(Cut back to the Enterprise bridge.  The bridge rocks VERY violently,
and everyone is almost thrown out of their positions.  Red alert sirens
go off)

PICARD:  I have a feeling that just answered my question.

RIKER:  Is everyone OK?  (Nods go around the bridge)

NENE (in her mind):  Sylia, what are you DOING!!!!  We're on your side!

PICARD:  Damage report, Mr. Worf?

WORF:  Minor to severe injuries being reported in decks 5 through 10.  There
is some substantial hull damage.

DATA:  It appears that the phaser fire was not locked on to...anything.
Sensors would have detected it if it was. 

RIKER:  A random shot?  What is this?

PICARD:  A hostile action, nevertheless.  Ensign Romanova, set course to
intercept the unidentifed vessel, warp eight.  Engage.

NENE:  Aaaaaaaack...uhhhhh, yes...sir.

RIKER:  Something wrong, Ensign?

NENE (trying to smile):  Wrong?  What could be wrong?   

(Back to the Knight Saber ship.  Sylia checks her control panel)

SYLIA:  What did you do?  (checks instruments)  WHAT!  You just fired  
a class three phaser beam!

LINNA:  Oops...

SYLIA:  Now they're following us...

(Sylia points to the screen.  The Enterprise is closing in behind the KS ship)

(Back to the Enterprise Bridge)

PICARD:  Mr. Worf, open hailing frequencies.

WORF:  Hailing frequencies open, sir.

PICARD:  This is Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the USS Enterprise.  Please
identify yourself.

(Back to the KS ship)

LINNA:  Should we respond?

SYLIA:  Forget it.  They may already have a bad impression of us, thanks to
you.  Be careful, OK?  I really shouldn't have to remind you...

PICARD'S VOICE (through a speaker):  You have committed a possible act of
hostility toward a Federation starship.  I repeat, please identify
yourself.

LINNA:  Sylia, we need to do SOMETHING!!

PICARD'S VOICE:  If you do not respond within the next thirty seconds, we
will interpret your actions as hostile and you will be fired upon.

SYLIA:  Linna, I'm going to raise shields and see if we can outrun them.  

LINNA:  But we're going up against a Galaxy class starship here...

SYLIA:  We have no choice.  Maybe if Nene knows what's going on now she can
help us...

LINNA:  Huh?  I don't get it.  She's on the ship that's following us.  How can
she help us?

SYLIA:  Exactly... 

(Enterprise bridge)

WORF:  Captain, there is still no response from the unidentified vessel.

DATA:  The ship has increased speed to warp seven.  Estimated time of 
interception has now been increased by two minutes thirty-one point three 
seconds.

PICARD:  They've had their chance.  Mr. Worf, lock on photon torpedoes.

(Suddenly Nene's face is covered with sweat.  Troi notices from her chair)

RIKER:  Ensign, are you sure you're okay?

NENE:  Oh, I've never felt any better, Commander!   (Swallows)

(Troi has a worried look on her face)

WORF:  Photon torpedoes armed and ready, sir.

PICARD:  Fire!

(Shot of the Enterprise firing photon torpedoes)

(Back to the KS ship.  Sylia notes a digital readout of the Enterprise firing
at the KS ship)

SYLIA:  HANG ON!

(Sylia manipulates some keys on her panel and the ship makes a sudden shift
on starboard side.  Linna is pinned against the wall as a result.  
The ship manages to evade one torpedo but is hit by two others)

(Inside the KS ship, Sylia and Linna are jolted and the ship rocks
violently with sparks flying from some of the ship's components.)

SYLIA:  I must have underestimated Starfleet photon torpedo technology.
Another jolt like that and we'll be dead for sure.

LINNA (recovering):  Is there any way we can contact Nene or Priss?

SYLIA:  Not without the Enterprise detecting it.  I'll see if I can divert
more power to the shields...

(Enterprise bridge)

WORF:  Captain, shield power for the unidentified vessed has been reduced
to fifteen percent.

PICARD:  Open hailing frequencies again, Mr. Worf.

(Back to the KS ship)

PICARD'S VOICE:  This is your last chance.  Repeat, please identify
yourself.  You are trespassing Federation space and we have interpreted you
as hostile.

LINNA:  Sylia, why don't we just tell them that "lingerie story" again?

SYLIA:  There's no way in the world they're going to buy that now.  I think
Starfleet may have gotten suspicious of us the first time around.

(Suddenly, a flashing light pops onto the panel)

SYLIA:  They're going to fire another round at us.  I managed to divert 
another seven percent to the shield power, but I doubt that will withstand
any more torpedoes...

LINNA:  You mean...

SYLIA:  We need to pray for a miracle now.

LINNA (hides under the seat):  Oh, good bye, 24th century!  It's been
great to know you!  What a way to die...

SYLIA:  Linna, don't say that!

(Back to the Big E)

WORF:  Photon torpedoes armed and ready, sir.

(Nene eyeballs at Worf.  She is still very nervous)

PICARD:  Fire! 

NENE (panic in her mind):  NO!!!!!!  I CAN'T LET HIM...!!!!

(Nene then manipulates some of the helm keys)

(Shot of the Enterprise firing more torpedoes.)

(Back to the KS ship.  The radar picks up the torpedoes.)

SYLIA:  I could try firing back at the torpedoes to neutralize them....!

(A "system malfunction" message appears)

SYLIA:  Weapondry off line!  There's nothing else we can do!

LINNA (sobs):  I'd rather be killed by a boomer than the USS Enterprise!

SYLIA (joins Linna under the seat):  Come on, Nene....

(Sylia and Linna hear a big WHOOSH sound.  They notice all three torpedoes
miss the ship)

LINNA:  Huh?  I must be hallucinating...the torpedoes seemed to...just fly
by!

SYLIA:  Could it be...

(Back to the Enterprise bridge.  Picard and Riker are stunned when they
see the torpedoes miss the ship)

RIKER:  Those torpedoes WERE locked onto target, weren't they?

PICARD:  Mr. Worf, status of photon torpedo system?

WORF:  All weapondry systems still on line, Captain.  Captain, the trajectory
of the photon torpedoes were...altered.  The target coordinates were altered
by...the helm.

(Worf, Picard, Riker, and Data stare at Nene)

NENE:  Oops.  Did I do that?  Gosh, I'm such a clutz. 

(Meanwhile, back to the Borg ship again) 

BORG:  WE ARE NOW WITHIN TWO MINUTES OF INTERCEPTION, IMMORTAL LARGO.

LARGO:  The Enterprise?

BORG:  SENSORS ARE ALSO INDICATING ANOTHER SPACE VESSEL.  NOT FEDERATION-
RELATED.  

LARGO:  Ah, so I guess we can claim a little extra something to our victory.

BORG:  AT THIS TIME, IT HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED WHETHER OR NOT WE WILL LET
YOU...SHARE OUR VICTORY.  AS OF NOW, MUTUAL VICTORY IS IRRELEVANT.

LARGO:  Oh, come on!  We are one!  

BORG:  CORRECT.  BUT WE STILL DO NOT HAVE TO COLLABORATE ON EVERYTHING.

LARGO:  Well, if you aren't going to let me enjoy the taste of victory,
then why did you guys even started...liking us in the first place?

(Brief Pause)

BORG:  YOUR ANALYSIS HAS SOME VALIDITY.  YOUR BOOMERS DESTROYED A TYPHOON
CLASS STARSHIP, AND AS A RESULT, WE DEVELOPED AN ENVY FOR YOU.  WE WILL 
CONTINUE TO ANALYZE YOUR ARGUMENT.

LARGO:  Thank you.

BORG:  YOU ARE WELCOME.  AGAIN, POLITENESS IS NORMALLY IRRELEVANT, BUT WE
CAN MAKE EXCEPTIONS.

LARGO:  Fine, fine.  Now, are you guys going to let me make some boomer
prototypes of some of your Borg as I requested?  Just some...experimentation.

BORG:  AFTER CAREFUL ANALYSIS, WE HAVE CONCLUDED THAT EXPERIMENTATION ON
THE BORG IS FUTILE, BUT WE HAVE...TRUST IN YOU.  WE GRANT PERMISSION.

LARGO:  Heh heh heh.  First, though, let's make our presence felt...

(Back to the Enterprise)

WORF:  Captain, sensors are picking up another ship entering this sector.  It
is travelling at warp 9.2, and is on course to intercept the Enterprise. 

PICARD:  Ship configuration?

WORF:  It has a...cubicle shape.

RIKER:  Oh no, it can't be...

PICARD:  Is it within viewing range?

WORF:  Aye, sir.

PICARD:  Onscreen.

(Sure enough, the Borg ship appears)

RIKER:  How could they manage to go through Federation space without being
detected?

PICARD:  I think they are focused on one main motive, and that's us.   
Suggestions?  

RIKER:  Perhaps we'd better concentrate on the Borg instead of that
other ship...

(Back on "the other ship")

SYLIA:  What is that?

(Sylia points to the radar and an image of the Borg ship appears)

LINNA:  Eeek.  I've heard about them...they're called the Borg.  They're some
kind of inorganic race that captures organic races and turns them into
machines...just like humans into boomers.  They almost destroyed Earth, so 
I've heard.

(Sylia stares at the Borg ship image intently)

LINNA:  Something wrong?

SYLIA:  Largo.

LINNA:  What about him?

SYLIA:  He's...in that ship.

LINNA:  How do you know?  Is he part of the Borg now?

SYLIA:  I'm not sure.  But he's definitely there.  Somehow, I can...feel his
presence. 

(Back to the Borg ship)

LARGO:  Ah, so THAT is the USS Enterprise!  How many people are on it?

BORG:  CONDUCTING SENSOR SWEEP...ONE THOUSAND THIRTEEN ORGANIC BEINGS.
AND ONE INORGANIC.

LARGO (evil grin):  Let's blow 'em out of the sky.

BORG:  THAT IS AN IMPROBABLE ACTION.  OUTER SPACE DOES NOT CONTAIN ANY
GASES IN WHICH ORGANIC BEINGS CAN SURVIVE ON.  IMPROBABLE ACTIONS ARE
IRRELEVANT.

LARGO:  No dummies, I MEANT to just blow it up!

BORG:  INSULTS ARE IRRELEVANT.  IMPATIENCE IS FUTILE.

LARGO:  Huh!  Now you're contradicting yourselves!  Earlier you said
PATIENCE is futile.

BORG:  IT HAS NOW BEEN CONCLUDED THAT THE IMMORTAL LARGO HAS AN INFERIOR
EFFECT TO THE BORG LOGIC.  YOU MUST CEASE YOUR INFLUENCE.

LARGO:  Okay, I'm sorry.

BORG:  APOLOGIES ARE NORMALLY IRRELEVANT, BUT...

LARGO:  Yeah yeah, you can make exceptions...all right, no more talk, let's
put them out of their misery...

(Enterprise bridge)

WORF:  Captain, the Borg is locking on phasers!

PICARD:  Raise shields!

(Exterior shot of the Borg firing a green phaser beam, which strikes the
warp sections of the Enterprise.  Entire ship rocks)

PICARD:  Damage report!

WORF:  More injuries are being reported in decks 30 to 45...and in Engineering.

PICARD (taps communicator):  Mr. LaForge, status!

(Engineering section)

LAFORGE:  Some of my men got knocked out down here because of the force of
the beam, Captain!  I think were...damn!  We're losing warp power, fast!
I'll see if I can rerout to secondary...

(Back to the bridge)

WORF:  Captain, the unidentified vessel is turning about!

(Shot of the KS ship turning around)

RIKER:  I think we'd better let them be for now and alert any other 
Federation vessels in this area to look for them...

PICARD:  Make it so!   Mr. LaForge, see if you can also augment shield
power!  Mr. Worf, lock on photon torpedoes to the Borg ship.

WORF:  Aye, sir.

RIKER:  But I don't think torpedoes is going to even dent the Borg ship.
We've all seen that before.

PICARD:  Well, do you have any other ideas, Number One?

(Back to the KS Ship)

LINNA:  Sylia, what are you doing?  

SYLIA:  First, I'm going to fly UNDER the Enterprise...

(Shot of the KS ship going under the belly of the Enterprise)

(Back to the Big E)

WORF:  Captain, sensors indicate that the unidentified vessel has...flown
under the saucer section and has set course toward the...Borg ship.

(Viewscreen displays the Borg ship and the KS ship heading toward it)

(Back to the KS ship)

SYLIA:  ...and now, I'm going to see if the phaser fire is back on line 
again.

LINNA:  Sylia, you gotta be kidding!  The Borg ship must be like...a million
times bigger than us!

SYLIA:  Well, we've faced the odds before, haven't we?

(Enterprise)

RIKER:   What are they doing?  Looks like they're risking suicide!

NENE (in her mind):  My sentiments too, Riker!  Sylia, have you gone bonkers?

(KS ship)

SYLIA:  Weapondry on line again!  

LINNA:  I'll be suprised if we can even DENT the ship!

SYLIA:  Oh, I think we can do even more than that, Linna!

(Borg ship)

BORG:  IMMORTAL LARGO, THE BLUE IRRELEVANT SHIP HAS CHANGED COURSE AND IS 
EXPECTED TO COLLIDE WITH THE BORG SHIP WITHIN TWO MINUTES.

LARGO:  Ah, so I see...eh?

BORG:  IS THERE SOMETHING...WRONG?

LARGO:  I have a...feeling...a feeling for something that I knew...three
hundred years ago...from that ship...a feeling of something that I...desired.
Love, lust....

BORG:  FEELINGS ARE IRRELEVANT.  EMOTIONS ARE IRRELEVANT.

LARGO:  Oh, SHUT UP!  If all of you were human, maybe you'd...

BORG:  YOU ARE BEING INSUBORDINATE WITH THE BORG.  IF YOU CONTINUE WITH THIS
ORGANIC BEHAVIOR WE WILL CONSIDER ASSIMILATION OR TERMINATION.

LARGO:  Assimilate me?  How?  You are well aware that I am a machine like
you!

BORG:  BUT YOU ARE SHOWING SIGNS OF EMOTIONAL BEHAVIOR.  ONLY ORGANICS SHOW
EMOTIONS.

LARGO (trying to calm himself):  But...you don't understand!  I AM a machine!
There was a time where I WAS human, and a lot of human traits are within
my system...
 
BORG:  SUCH AN ANALYSIS IS DIFFICULT TO COMPREHEND FOR THE BORG.  BUT, SINCE
WE...ENVY YOU, WE WILL TRY TO UNDERSTAND.

LARGO:  Ha!  ENVY is an emotion!

BORG:  YOU ARE ONCE AGAIN MAKING BORG LOGIC INFERIOR.  WE REPEAT:  DO NOT
CONTINUE WITH THIS BEHAVIOR.

(Largo's face is covered with disarray as the KS ship closes in)

LARGO (in his mind):  These feelings...building up...where are they coming
from...

(KS Ship)

LINNA:  If we continue with this course, we'll crash into the ship!

SYLIA:  Don't worry...

(Sylia checks her panel and locks on target to the Borg ship)

SYLIA:  Eat some sh*t, Largo...

(Sylia presses some buttons and a phaser bolt is fired.)

(Cut to outside where the phaser fire strikes the ship)

(Cut back to the inside of the Borg cube.  Entire ship rocks.)

LARGO:  What was that?  

BORG:  WE HAVE BEEN STRUCK BY A PHASER BEAM.  BEGINNING ANALYTICAL PROCESS
FOR SELF-DEFENSE...

(Suddenly, just as the Borg finishes that sentence, images pop into Largo's
mind.  At first, they appears fuzzy, then finally they come into focus.  An 
image of Earth from outer space.  An image of Mega-Tokyo, 21st century.
An image of the Genom Tower.  An image of someone killing a scientist.
An image of the AD Police Building.  An image of four figures in hardsuits.
And finally, an image of a dark haired woman that Largo lusted for, named...)

LARGO:  Turn this ship around.

BORG:  WHY?  SUCH AN ACTION WOULD BE IRRELEVANT, SINCE AN IRRELEVANT FORCE
IS OPPOSING THE SHIP...

LARGO:  TURN IT AROUND!

BORG:  YOU ARE ONCE AGAIN BEING INSUBORDINATE...

LARGO:  If your not going to do it, I WILL!

(KS ship as it makes another turnabout to avoid a collision)

LINNA:  No offense, but I thought you lost it...

SYLIA:  But at least it was effective.  Take a look!

(Linna notices the Borg ship turning the opposite direction)

(Enterprise bridge)

WORF:  Captain, the Borg ship has reversed course.

(Viewscreen displays the Borg ship diminishing in the distance)

RIKER:  This is making ABSOLUTELY no sense at all...    

PICARD:  What about the blue-colored vessel?

WORF:  It appears to be leaving this sector as well, on course 167 mark 085
at warp three.

NENE (excited and with big grin):  Yes, Sylia, you did it!

RIKER:  What did you say, Ensign?  

NENE:  Oh, um, er, I was talking about those little hairs you have up your
nose.  I had a runny nose earlier today...

(Picard and Riker exchange glances as we fade to commercial) 

COMMERCIAL

Acme Inc. presents "You make the call!"  Sponsored by Acme, the greatest
corporation in the universe.

Today's question:  Why do a lot of people watch Kimangure Orange
Road?

(picture of Enrique Conty watching KOR)

Is it because...

A)  People like to see Kyosuke Kasuga make a fool out of himself.
B)  It's cute when Hikaru says "Darling".
C)  People want to see Madoka naked.

At Acme, we make the best products money can buy!  
(Wile E. Coyote getting run over by a truck)

If you picked....uh, what's the right choice?  Anybody know?

TOMMY HWANG:  The answer is obvious!  It's A!

ROOMMATE (wishing to remain anonymous):  Baka!  It's C!

TOMMY:  A!

ROOMMATE:  C!

TOMMY:  A!

ROOMMATE:  C!

THIRD PERSON:  B!

*SMASH*  (Third person flattens Tommy Hwang and his roommate simultaneously)

(Argument continues...)

TOMMY:  A!

ROOMMATE:  C!

.
.
.

COMMERICAL 2

(Ryo Saeba outside a McDonalds in Los Angeles)

RYO:  Hmm...I haven't eaten here in ages...

(Inside the restaurant.  Ryo notices, of all people, Sonia Field behind the
counter.)

RYO:  Well, hello.  You work here now?

SONIA:  Um, yeah.  Can I take your order?

RYO:  Why, of course...(gets closer to Sonia and starts drooling)  I...um
ORDER you to take off that uniform and...  

SONIA:  Oh, c'mon this isn't the time! 

RYO:  Please, Sonia?  Just one kiss!  (Puckers lips)

(Suddenly the lights appear to dim inside the restaurant)

RYO:  Huh?  Is it getting dark already?

SONIA:  Well, maybe you should, um, ORDER something better the next time you
come here...  (points in Ryo's opposite direction)

(Ryo turns around and a giant 1000 ton hammer lands on him)

ANNOUNCER (sings):  What you want is what you get at McDonalds today!

KAORI MAKIMURA:  Yeah, and he GOT IT all right...

RYO (in pain):  When did you start coming to the States, Kaori?

(SCENE:  Several hours have passed.  Enterprise traveling somewhere in space)

PICARD (voiceover):  Captain's personal log, Stardate 45881.6.  The events of
the past twelve hours have turned into a mystery that even Dixon Hill might
have serious problems solving.  We made contact with a mysterious blue- 
colored civilian ship that Admiral Bennett Kyson of the Starfleet Communique
Center suspected to be connected to the mysterious entity known as "Largo".
We managed to cripple the ship after it made an unprovoked attack on the 
Enterprise, and it could have been destroyed had it not been for the
"accidental" change-of-trajectory of three photon torpedoes by the part-time
helm officer, Ensign Nene Romanova.
     Afterwards, of all things, a Borg ship emerged into our sector and
crippled the Enterprise's warp nacelles.  The blue colored vessel then made
a phaser attack on the Borg ship and it suddenly reversed course.  The
blue vessel then made "tracks of its own".  Unable to pursue either vessel after
the damage done by the Borg, we proceeded to Starbase 214 under impulse power
and picked up Commodore Jeffrey McNickol, the Federation historian who is
knowledgable about Largo and these "boomers".  Although at this time I am not
sure how everything will...come together, I am certain that things will start
making a little more sense.
     Among other things, I am also having problems with the two graduates
of the Mega-Tokyo Academy branch, namely Ensign Romanova and her friend, 
Lieutenant Junior Grade Priss.  I cannot perceive how two incompetent
crewmen could serve as officers on a Galaxy class starship.

(As Picard finishes his log in his ready room, the door chime goes off)

PICARD:  Come!

(Nene and Priss enter)

NENE:  Er, you wanted to see us, Captain?

PRISS:  See, Nene?  I TOLD you he has less hair than you think!

(Picard stares at Priss)

PICARD (sighs):  Sit down, please.  Both of you.

(Nene and Priss sit)

PICARD:  I shall not mince many words here.  I've examined the records for
both of you, and needless to say, your files have certainly been..."less than
exemplary", shall we say.  First of all, (gestures to Priss) you have
developed a rift among certain members of the crew.

PRISS:  Um...what do you mean, bald-head?

NENE:  PRISS!

PICARD (angry):  What you just said is a prime example, Lieutenant.  What
do you think gives you the right to simply...FLING insults to other 
officers?  Worf, Ensign Ro, Wesley Crusher...of course, he doesn't officially
serve on this ship at this time.,.and my second officer, Mr. Data.

PRISS:  That andoid's annoying.

PICARD:  That's ANDROID...well, that's beside the point.  If you have
conflicting feelings to your fellow officers, you don't pull out your phaser
and...SHOOT him!  Had he been anything else, he probably would have been
dead by now, and you'd be in a lot more trouble than you are now.

PRISS:  Big deal.  Just a stinking boom...I mean, machine...

PICARD:  He is MY THIRD IN COMMAND!  I cannot believe you have a craving
for such behavior.  Does respect mean anything to you?  (Turns to Nene)
Now, the problem with you is that you...seem to do unexpected things with
the ship.

NENE:  I'm sorry, sir...

PICARD:  I'm sure you well aware an apology wouldn't necessary make the
situation any better, Ensign.  The entire Enterprise crew is probably well
aware of your vast...computer hacking capabilities after what you did to
the warp nacelles.  And also what just happened on the bridge.  I also
got the impression that you...had some friends on that ship or something, but
I'm sure that's not the case, of course.

(Nene's eyeballs roll toward the ceiling).

(chime goes off)

RIKER'S VOICE:  Conference Room to Captain Picard.

PICARD:  Go ahead, Number One.

RIKER'S VOICE:  Commodore McNickol has finished loading the historical data
into the conference room viewscreen and we're all waiting for you now,
Captain.

PICARD:  Acknowledged.  I'll be there in a few minutes, Will.

PRISS:  McNickol...?

PICARD:  No one of your concern, Lieutenant.  At this time, I will officially
relieve both of you from duty and recommend counselling to Counsellor Troi.
I will determine when you will be fit for duty again, and when that time comes,
I expect both of you to be just like any other officer on this ship.  If
you prove to me, however, that you are simply not going to behave like 
a Starfleet Officer, then I will send a communique to Command Headquarters
requesting for your termination as officers.  Do you have any further
questions?

NENE:  Understood.

PRISS:  You wouldn't have the guts, John-Lookie.

NENE:  Priss, don't...!

PICARD:  I've had enough.  Get out of here, both of you.

(Shot of the bridge, where Nene and Priss exit Picard's ready room and
head for the turbolift)

NENE:  Thanks a lot, Priss.  You got us both in a lot of trouble than we should
be right now.

PRISS:  Well, he just a fat-ass who isn't fat. (chuckles)

NENE:  Y'know, I've figured it out now.

(They enter the turbolift)

PRISS:  What?

NENE:  You're not used to working with superiors, aren't you?  (to computer)
Deck 5.

PRISS:  Hey, I worked with music directors back in Mega-Tokyo...

NENE:  That's not the same.  Starfleet is almost like a military organization.
You get ordered around a lot.  

PRISS:  Well, have you been ordered around a lot?  I mean, back in the 21st
century.

NENE:  Of course.  There was the chief at the AD Police....

PRISS:  Yeesh.   

NENE:  I dunno...perhaps Starfleet isn't for you?  Would you be better off
back on Earth?

PRISS:  And be bored half to death?  On a planet where there are absolutely
no problems to dream of?  Heck, Starfleet may have some first class crap,
but this sure beats Earth!

NENE:  Wait, you've managed to get along with a superior before...

PRISS:  Who?

NENE:  How could we forget...Sylia.

PRISS:  I think of her more as a friend than a...boss.

NENE:  Same here.  But she's a leader too, just like Picard, James Kirk,
Spock, Christopher Pike... 

PRISS:  Maybe, but...different.  Probably in more ways than one too.

NENE:  Hey, wouldn't it be fun if Sylia was a Starfleet captain and we were
all her bridge officers?

PRISS:  Well, she'd beat bald-head Picard anytime.

(Turbolift doors open and they enter deck five)

NENE:  Wait, let's go back to my quarters before we start talking again...

(Nene's quarters.  She is changing into civilian clothes)

NENE:  I'm pretty certain that ship was Sylia's.  I remember it when she
showed it to us a long time ago.

PRISS:  But why would she be out here?  Look for...Largo?

NENE:  Naturally, but I'm still wondering why she fired at the Borg ship,
of all things...wait...perhaps Largo is part of the Borg?  Or maybe
assimilated into a Borg?

PRISS:  What the heck is this "Borg" people anyway?

NENE:  A machine race.  They consist of various organic races, mostly
human, that have been converted into machines.  They all work under one
collective mind, and they are nearly...invincible.

PRISS:  What do they look like?

NENE:  I'll show you.  (turns on desktop)  Computer, display an image
of the Borg ship.

(Borg ship appears on Nene's desktop)

PRISS:  Looks like a black Rubics cube with things sticking out of it.

NENE:  The Borg ship is like...200 times bigger than the Enterprise, and
I would guess that they have captured over 200,000 living organisms.

PRISS:  And they're all...machines?  Like humans into boomers?

NENE (nods):  If Largo is human, then the Borg probably assimilated him.
If Largo was still a boomer during this time - which is probably more
likelier - then they could be working...side by side.  I don't think they
can assimilate a boomer.  But in any case, if the Borg got hold of boomer
technology...

PRISS:  Then they can beat the crap out of anybody.

NENE:  Right.  Oh boy...

PRISS:  Is Sylia still around?  Maybe we can find a way to "jump ship" the
Enterprise and...

NENE:  She took off at warp speed after the Borg incident.  But I think
she'll be back.  If we're going to jump ship, we'd have to find a way to
do it without being detected...

(SCENE: Enterprise Main Conference Room.  Picard, Riker, LaForge, Worf, Data,
Dr. Crusher, and Troi are seated around the table.  Commodore McNickol is
standing beside the viewscreen.)

PICARD:  Ladies and gentlemen, I would now like to introduce one of the
noted Federation historians, Commodore Jeffrey Leon McNickol.  He had a
brief tour of duty onboard the USS Akagi but earned his way up through
desk work, and is currently the second-in-command of Starbase 214.  He has
a vast collection of artifacts dating back to the 18th century, and admits
that history is his life, so to speak.

(McNickol smiles)

PICARD:  Anyway, without further preamble, here is Commodore McNickol with
his history on..."Boomer" technology.

MCNICKOL:  Thank you, Captain.  This is my first time on a starship for
quite some time, so don't be surprised if I become spacesick or something...
(laughs)

DATA:  Under current life support, it is not possible to become ill in any
fashion.  If you feel that the current oxygen levels are insufficient, they
can be adjusted.

PICARD:  He was only kidding, Commander.

MCNICKOL:  Wait, you're the android I've heard about...you're name is...
Data, correct?

DATA:  Correct, sir. 

MCNICKOL:  Hmm...interesting.  Artificial life has certainly gone a long way...

PICARD:  Commodore, with all due respect, I'd appreciate it if you'd...

MCNICKOL:  Ah, yes.  My apologies.  Okay...here is the history of boomers.
Tokyo, Japan was originally destroyed by an earthquake back in the early 21st
century, and the new city, Mega-Tokyo, replaced it.  Around that same time
frame, boomer technology was born.  Generally, boomers are android-like
machines that are capable of doing whatever you want it to do, depending on
what you program it to do...

RIKER:  Sure doesn't seem any different from Mr. Data, if you ask me.

MCNICKOL:  Well, there is a difference, or at least in my opinion.  There
is a very broad spectrum of what you can make a boomer do.  Here are some
examples...

(McNickol presses some of the viewscreen's keys and a AD police boomer 
appears on the screen)

MCNICKOL:  This is a police guard.

(A picture of a boomer waitress)

MCNICKOL:  This is a waitress in a restaurant. 

(A picture of a gas station attendant)

MCNICKOL:  This is a gas station attendant.

LAFORGE:  Heck, I think Data can do all those things...

MCNICKOL:  I'm sure.  But the big difference is that they can be...just like
regular people.

RIKER:  Regular people?

MCNICKOL:  A lot of boomers were programmed to be human.  Some can actually
display - not simulate - emotions.  They can feel.  They can touch.  
They can love.  In fact...some can fulfill your wildest desires while at the
same time fulfill their own.  Example...

(Picture of Sylvie the Sexaroid appears on the screen)

MCNICKOL:  This was known to be a Sexaroid.  From what I understand, they
were primarily lesbian and they sucked other women's blood.

(Repulsive faces pop up around the room)

TROI:  So they...can be human AND machine at the same time?

MCNICKOL:  Correct.  In fact, in some cases, dead humans were TURNED into
boomers.  When programmed properly, the human-turned-boomer can be just
like as if he was still alive.

LAFORGE:  I dunno...it still doesn't quite differentiate them from Data.

DATA:  I believe Commodore McNickol does have a valid analysis.  I am
able to SIMULATE human emotions, but I am incapable of actually feeling them
as humans.  If boomers can feel human emotions, then they have a definite
advantage.

PICARD:  Then how come these "boomers" aren't existing anymore, if indeed 
they can...feel emotions, since Commander Data cannot?

MCNICKOL:  A lot of boomers weren't smart or programmed correctly.  I've
heard that a lot of them malfunctioned pretty easily.  Now if Data was
one of those androids that don't...break down on you, then I guess he's
still pretty superior.

DATA:  Correct.  I have had several system malfunctions over the past six
years in Starfleet, but they are not frequent.

PICARD:  Now what about this..."Largo" character?  What exactly is he and
how is he connected to these boomers?

MCNICKOL:  Ah, that's a different chapter in itself.  In the 21st century,
Brian Meson was the head of a Mega-Tokyo manufacturing firm know as the
Genom Corportaion, which was well known for producing boomers.  He ran a
business that seemed innocent enough, but at the same time, he had hideous
desires of his own.

(Picture of Meson appears on the screen)

MCNICKOL:  His diabolic scheme was to rule Mega-Tokyo and the rest of
Earth by programming a herd on boomers to run a rampage on the city.  He was
also responsible for killing one of the "founding fathers" of boomer
technology...a Dr. Stingray.

RIKER:  Doesn't sound like a common last name...wait, could he be related
to...Captain Stingray?

MCNICKOL:  I was wondering the same thing...if indeed it WASN'T a mere
coincidence, then perhaps he has some kind of vendetta against the Stingray
family.  Anyway...the AD Police force of Mega-Tokyo tried to stop Genom's
terror but was very incompetent in doing so.  Incidentally, I had a 
relative who served with the ADP and investigated the boomer situation...

(Shot of Leon McNickol appears on the screen)

TROI:  There's a resemblance.

MCNICKOL:  Well, we've come a long way... (smiles)

WORF:  So why wasn't Mega-Tokyo flattened by these boomers?  The city is
still there today.

MCNICKOL:  In all likelihood, Mega-Tokyo probably would have been ruled by
Meson, had it not been for a certain all-female mercenary group that was
known as...the Knight Sabers.

RIKER:  The Life Savers?

DATA (twitches head):  Life Savers...a popular rock candy in the 20th
century that came in various different flavors...

PICARD:  He said "Knight Sabers", Number One.

(Picture of the Knight Sabers)

MCNICKOL:  The Knight Sabers were a group of punishers that targeted whatever
the Genom Corporation did.  They've been involved in various situations with
Largo, and they've saved Mega-Tokyo from complete obliteration several
times.  Somehow they've always managed to find a way to foil him.

PICARD (pulls his uniform):  How did Mr. Meson become...Largo?

MCNICKOL:  From what I understand, he became Largo after yet another
entanglement with the Knight Sabers at Genom Tower, the company's corporate
headquarters.  He was thought to be killed, but brought back to life thanks
to boomer technology.  So apparently, that's what he is now...a dead person
who is now...virtually immortal.

RIKER:  Just curious...whatever happened to these..."Knight Sabers"?  Could
they still be around?

MCNICKOL:  Doubtful.  My records indicate that they were last seen 
sometime in the late 2030's to early 2040's and to my knowledge they
haven't been seen since.  The hardsuits that you see on the screeen now are
NOT based on boomer technology, or at least that's what I understand.  I
don't think they are capable of sustaining life for 300-plus years, unlike
boomer outfits.  Also, no one was able to figure out who the Knight Sabers
were, or why they were always on the lookout for Largo; that's why people
thought they were mercenary.  They also travelled in a helicopter-like
ship - well, this isn't really relevant, but I'll show it anyway...

(the 21st century KS ship appears on the screen) 
     
PICARD:  That bears a STRONG resemblance to the ship we saw earlier...

LAFORGE:  But only the exterior design, of course; they were still reaserching
warp technology in the early 21st century, if I can recall correctly.

MCNICKOL:  You've all SEEN this before?

PICARD:  We had a run-in with an unidentifed vessel with the exact same
exterior design as this ship.  It fired a random phaser beam at the saucer
section of the Enterprise.  It then fired a shot at the Borg ship as well.

MCNICKOL:  Could be a coincidence...?

RIKER:  But two ships with an EXACT same exterior design?  Maybe there's a
NEW breed of these Knight Sabers flying around...

MCNICKOL:  Commander, I'm sure the Knight Sabers WOULDN'T fire at a Federation
starship.  They can recognize the good guys from the bad...

PICARD:  But you mentioned that they were mercenary...and they haven't 
responded to any of our hails.

MCNICKOL:  Well, they generally work in secret.

RIKER:  Doesn't mean they can have total radio silence 100% of the time.

PICARD:  Perhaps we can judge better when we encounter them again; that is,
if we do.

MCNICKOL:  Agreed.  I don't think we should jump to hasty conclusions at this
point.  I'd like to see for myself too... 
 
(SCENE:  Somewhere in outer space.  Linna is in the cargo bay of the Knight
Saber ship, looking at her new hardsuit)

SYLIA:  Well, we're still within the Enterprise's sensor range but it doesn't
seem that they're monitoring us...at least not now.

LINNA:  Sorry, Sylia...

SYLIA:  Eh...for what?

LINNA:  For getting us into...trouble.  And I thought Nene would be a bigger
clutz than myself.

SYLIA:  Forget it.  We all make mistakes.  Right now, I think if we have
a...REAL encounter with Largo, we can show Starfleet that we're on the
"good guy" side.

LINNA:  Well, if we do...then...perhaps we should...get ready or something?

SYLIA:  Get ready?

(Linna nods at the Knight Saber equipment)

SYLIA:  Ah...now I know what you're thinking!  (smiles)  But first, let me
check to see if any damage was done...

(Fifteen minutes pass.  We see the..."infamous" strip-and-get-into-the-
Knight-Saber-Hardsuit scene by Linna)

LINNA (inside the suit):  Eh?  It's still pretty dark in here...

SYLIA:  You need to toggle the "power" key.  The computer system will then
verify your identity.

(Linna presses the power key located within her metallic hand.  Sure enough,
the suit comes to life, and after a series of tests that are displayed on
Linna's faceplate, the message "ID VERIFICATION COMPLETE.  PROJECT KNIGHT
SABER FUNCTIONS OPERABLE".)

SYLIA:  Now I need to increase life support to 100 percent and you'll be 
ready to go.

(Sylia codes the life support systems and then opens the hatch to the cargo
bay of the ship)

SYLIA:  Ready, Linna?

(Linna nods)

SYLIA:  Knight Saber...SANJUU!

(Linna jumps out the hatch and the next thing she realizes is she's doing
somersalts in zero gravity)

LINNA:  Yikes!  I can't stop myself!

SYLIA:  Try to swim, Linna!

LINNA:  Swim in space?...oh, okay...

(Linna regains control of herself and starts doing the breaststroke)

SYLIA:  Okay, now, in the refined hardsuits, you can do some interaction
with the central computer of the ship.  As usual, you can control yourself
with regular body movements, and you can also travel through space.

LINNA:  Fly?

SYLIA:  Optimum speed would be one-sixteenth impulse power, but you can
go as fast as full impulse and even warp two...

LINNA:  Okay, computer, warp two...

SYLIA:  No, wait, Linna...!

(Suddenly, the small warp nacelles in Linna's hardsuit come to life in her
feet and she takes off.)

LINNA:  Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!

SYLIA:  Linna, are you all right?  Can you hear me?

LINNA:  Yeep!  Hey...look at the stars fly by!  Whee!  This is fun!

(From Linna's perspective, we see the stars fly by.)

(Suddenly, the message "DILITHIUM LOW" appears on the screen)

LINNA:  Sylia, what does "Dilithium Low" mean?

SYLIA:  You're exhausting your fuel!  You can sustain warp speeds for only
about forty-five seconds!  Go back to impulse and come back to the ship!

LINNA:  Yes, ma'am!

(Several minutes later.  Linna returns.)

SYLIA (again from the ship):  Hmm...seems you can...TRAVEL okay.  Remember,
you can only go at warp for a very LIMITED amount of time.  

LINNA:  I feel like some kind of...superhero from a comic book or something.

SYLIA:  Well, that's what the Knight Sabers have been for a long time,
hasn't it?  (chuckles)

LINNA:  But flying through space like...Superman?

SYLIA:  No no, you're a SuperWOMAN.

(They both laugh)

SYLIA:  Okay, now let's see if you..."still have it" in combat.

LINNA:  Are we going to look for Largo now or something?

SYLIA:  Oh no, not now!  We're still undermanned without Nene and Priss.

LINNA:  Then who am I going to fight?

SYLIA:  Do you think you can beat me?

LINNA:  Beat...you?  But I wouldn't even THINK of killing...

SYLIA:  No no, it's a war game.

LINNA:  Ah!

(Soon Sylia joins Linna in outer space wearing her hardsuit.  Linna looks
at Sylia's outfit for the first time)

LINNA:  Have you gained weight?  You look fatter...

SYLIA:  Well, so do you.

(Linna blushes)

SYLIA:  Actually, you're SUPPOSED to look bigger.  You have a much different 
and better armorment of weapons compared to the original 21st century 
hardsuits.  But you can still do a lot of things from the originals as well.
(brief pause)  Now, here is a brief summary of the hardsuit weapondry.

(Linna watches the list go by on her face helmet)

LINNA:  Lasers, phasers...photon torpedoes?

SYLIA:  I refined the photon torpedoes after seeing what the Enterprise's
torpedoes can do.  Now they're as strong as the Federation's...maybe even
stronger.

LINNA:  Wow.  What can I say?

CONTINUED IN PART 3.2.

"BubbleGum Trek"  Copyright 1992 Byon Productions Inc.  All lefts, rights,
ups and downs reserved.
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