Counterstrike (TOS episode)

Counterstrike is the 55th episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 4.
==Plot==
The Federation and its allies are ready to go on the offensive. The target: the Khitomer System, a stepping stone to Kronos itself. The Enterprise is assigned to the Ninth Fleet as they make their way to the Expanse they encounter five squadrons of Klingon fighters and the Klingon orbital weapons platforms can the allied fleet achieve victory or will they be taken down. 
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-SPACE
The Enterprise is next to Starbase Six.
INT-STARBASE SIX WARDROOM
The senior staff is present as Admiral James T. Kirk walks up to Captain Branson.
VICE ADM. KIRK: To Captain John Timothy Branson, in recognition of your remarkable leadership and meritorious conduct against the enemy, and in particular for personal acts of bravery displayed during the battle to retake Archanis, Starfleet Command is proud to present you the Christopher Pike Medal of Valour. Congratulations, John. 
They shook hands as the others clapped.
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Thank you Jim.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON [smiles]: To think I knew him when he was just a callow youth.
LT. MASON: Oh, I bet even then he showed signs of greatness. 
ENS. BRANSON [smiles]: Proud of you dad.
SARAH: Good job father.
VICE ADM. KIRK: Now if you would all excuse us, I'd like a word with the Captain. 
[Everyone leaves as Kirk turns towards John.]
VICE ADM. KIRK: Good news, Ben. Starfleet Command has decided we've been waging a defensive war long enough. They figure we're never going to win this thing unless we take the fight into Klingon territory. Now, I know. I know you've been saying that since the Andorians opened a second front with the Klingons. It took a while, but your message finally got through.
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Jim, that's good news when do we leave?
VICE ADM. KIRK: That all depends on you.
CAPT. BRANSON [confused]: Me?
VICE ADM. KIRK [nods]: Yes, John as of right now Starfleet Command has chosen you to plan the invasion of Kronos.
John is surprised by that.
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT, STARTING CREDITS]
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
The ninth battlegroup is flanking Starbase Six.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS, BEDROOM AREA
John and Jessica are laying in bed together.
JESSICA: Today is the day we finally put this war behind us.
JOHN: Khitomer is the first step we have many more steps before we put an end to this destructive war.
Jessica looks at her husband.
JESSICA: I wish you weren't the one planning the invasion.
John fixes a strain of her hair.
JOHN: I know but if I didn't then someone else would of and we would of skipped Khitomer and proceeded straight to Kronos, and we would of lost more lives then ever.
Com activates.
CMDR. IVANOVA [com voice]: Captain Branson report to the bridge Admiral Kirk and General Shran are in the briefing room
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: On my way.
He gets up and gets dresses and kisses Jessica and leaves as Jessica ponders and worries.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
[Wall monitor shows Khitomer.]
CAPT. BRANSON: Five squadrons of Klingon attack ships. At the moment, that's the entire Klingon fleet protecting the Khitomer system.
GEN. SHRAN [surprised]: Only five squadrons. It appears you've found the weak spot we've been looking for. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Now all we have to do is to convince the Tellarites to join us. 
General Shran walks away from the two Starfleet officers.
GEN. SHRAN [groans]: That will not be an easy task. They're an arrogant and untrustworthy people. 
VICE ADM. KIRK: Without their help, we have little chance of success. 
GEN. SHRAN: We will succeed! Mark my words. By this time next year, the three of us will drink Andorian Ale in the halls of Kronos's Central Command. 
Both Branson and Kirk look at each other.
CAPT. BRANSON: Alright, I'll have Julia contact the Tellarite Ambassador.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE COMMANDER CLARKSON'S QUARTERS
Kyle is sitting on his bed looking at pictures of him and Jamie remembering the good times and hopes that there's a chance for them to rekindle what they had before he was infected with the neural parasite, he then turns to see three Tellarite warships emerge from warp as he is confused by the site of these impressive vessels that fought beside Starfleet, Andorian, and Vulcan forces during the Earth-Romulan War and is now doing it again.
EXT-FEDERATION/KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
A Tellarite battlegroup is with the Federation battlegroup.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
[Wall monitor shows the planet.]
VICE ADM. KIRK: The Klingons call them orbital weapon platforms. Intelligence reports indicate the Klingons has placed hundreds of them throughout the Khitomer system. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Are they operational yet?
VICE ADM. KIRK: No, not yet.
GEN. SHRAN: How long do we have till they're on-line?
VICE ADM. KIRK: Two, maybe three days.
BRIG GEN. T'ROK: So, it would appear that your weak spot is about to become much stronger.
GEN. SHRAN [scoffs]: Leave it to a Tellarite to run at the first sigh of danger.
BRIG GEN.T'ROK: And leave it to a Klingon to leap to the wrong conclusion. The Tellarite government has agreed to join the invasion of Kronos and we live up to our agreements. The only question is, can the invasion be launched before the defensive grid is activated? 
GEN. SHRAN: We'll have to leave first thing in the morning.
BRIG GEN. T'ROK: Very well then.
VICE ADM. KIRK: Good luck to us all.
They leave the ready room as John is worried.
[END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-SPACE
The Enterprise is next to the base.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Turbo-lift doors opened.
CMDR. IVANOVA: CAPTAIN ON THE BRIDGE!
The crew snaps to attention.
CAPT. BRANSON: As you were.
They assume their stations as Captain Branson walks over to the Captain's chair and sits down.
LT. SMITH: We're receiving a hail from General Shran.
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's hear it.
GEN. SHRAN [com voice]: This is General Shran to all ships. Assume tactical formation. We are moving out
CAPT. BRANSON: Take us to Kronos Lieutenant.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
EXT-SPACE
The Federation battlegroup moves out.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN ENGINEERING
Commander Clarkson is at the console facing the warp core as he's running diagnostics on it as Commander Williams walks over to him.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: I thought I ordered you to take a few weeks off?
He turns to her.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: I rather be working then off Commander.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Even so you've been through an ordeal Kyle you need time to recover from it.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: I am a Starfleet officer and we don't take days off.
He goes somewhere else to work as Commander Williams is worried about him.
[END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-SPACE
The Federation battlegroup continues on course for Khitomer.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
The crew are at their stations as Commander T'Lar reports.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: Sir, sensors are detecting the weapons platforms around the planet.
Captain Branson is sitting in the Captain's chair.
CAPT. BRANSON: Are they on-line?
Commander T'Lar examines her sensor readings and reports.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: Negative, Klingon fighters approaching, bearing zero five nine mark zero three one. 
LT. MITCHELL: They must know they don't stand a chance against a fleet this size. 
LT. MASON: That will not matter to the Klingons.
GEN. SHRAN [com voice]: Shran to Branson
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson here go ahead General.
GEN. SHRAN [com voice]: My attack wing is closest to those Klingon fighters. Preparing to engage
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Good luck General.
EXT-SPACE
The Klingons do kamikaze runs at the Andorians to destroy the ships.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
The crew are shocked to see what's going on.
LT. MASON (Surprised): Whoa, that's not good, (beat) the Andorians are taking heavy damage to their ships. 
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Enterprise to all ships engage the platforms make sure they don't activate.
EXT-KHITOMER SPACE
The rest of the battlegroup attacks the platforms destroying them, and moving deeper into the system. As the rest activate and attack the battlegroup, cutting huge holes into the ships as one hits the Enterprise causing explosions along the outer hull on the primary hull.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH! Sparks erupt from the ceiling.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: The platforms have activated.
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara evasive pattern delta!
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
Another hard jolt rocks the ship as the camera closes up on Branson. 
(END OF ACT THREE, FADE OUT)
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-KHITOMER SPACE
The Federation battlegroup is getting pounded, and taking heavy losses from the Klingon weapons platforms. As the Enterprise is moving around the carnage that is going on with the ships in the battle group, the Enterprise fires at some of the platforms as it takes damage.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MASON: We're unable to punch through their force fields!
WHUMPH!
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Captain, I've just noticed something odd about those platforms. 
WHUMPH!
CAPT. BRANSON: What is it Kyle?
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Not one of them seem to have a power generator on board.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: He is right, each one seems to be getting its power from a central source. 
CMDR. IVANOVA: We've got to find that source and destroy it. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Kyle?
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: On it.
Lieutenant Commander Clarkson searches for the power generators.
EXT-KHITOMER SPACE
The Enterprise flies over one of the weapon platforms as a plasma torpedo strikes the starboard nacelle and then the port quarter of the primary hull.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
A huge shower of sparks erupt from the ceiling and MSD as coolant vents from the ceiling and fires erupt from the damaged areas, as the klaxon blares. 
CAPT. BRANSON (cough): DAMAGE REPORT!
Lieutenant Mason gets up from the floor and goes to his console and checked the read out and reports.
LT. MASON: Deflectors are down to thirty percent! 
Commander T'Lar reports.
LTCMDR. T'LAR: Hull breaches on decks twelve-seventeen force fields are in place and holding, (beat) Sickbay is reporting causalities! 
Commander Ivanova hands off a crewmen to another one to head to sickbay for treatment as Captain Branson is worried.
EXT-KHITOMER SPACE
The carnage continues outside. The Enterprise a Andorian Kumari-Class cruiser and a Nimitz-Class vessel are nearly through the defenses.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH!
LT. MITCHELL: Approaching target.
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's see it.
Transparent viewer shows the asteroid as weapon platforms fire at the Enterprise.
LT. MASON: Deflectors down to twenty-seven percent!
CAPT. BRANSON: Lock on target.
Lieutenant Mason inputs commands into the tactical station.
LT. MASON: Target locked.
CAPT. BRANSON: FIRE!
EXT-KHITOMER SPACE
The Enterprise unleashed a barrage of photon torpedoes and phasers as the weapons hit the shields of the asteroid, and the ships fly over it.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MASON: Damn it we're unable to punch through their shields.
WHUMPH!
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: John I think I might have an idea.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm listening Kyle.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Maybe we can't destroy that power generator, but I bet those weapon platforms could. 
CMDR. IVANOVA: Why would they fire on their generator?
LT. MASON: We'd have to fool the platforms' targeting systems into thinking the generator's an enemy ship. 
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: We can use our deflector array to imprint a Federation warp signature on the generator's energy matrix.
LT. SMITH: Its worth a shot.
CAPT. BRANSON: Get started.
Commander Clarkson gets to work as the Enterprise takes another hit as sparks rain down from the ceiling and one of the stations.
CAPT. BRANSON: Evasive pattern Theta Kara.
LT. CARLSON: Aye, sir.
EXT-KHITOMER SPACE
The three vessels are dodging weapons fire as the Andorian vessel goes KABOOM!
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Commander Clarkson reports.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Induction stabilizers set. Booster modulators synchronized. Ready to activate deflector. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Do it.
Lieutenant Commander Clarkson activates the deflector.
EXT-KHITOMER SPACE
The Enterprise and the Nimitz-Class vessel flies over the moon as the platforms turn on it, the platforms change target instantly and the moon goes KaBOOM! No more shots are fired.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
The crew celebrates their victory.
LT. SMITH: We're being hailed its Commodore Johnson.
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's hear it.
COMM. JOHNSON (com voice): Well done, Captain. We will begin transporting ground troops to both planets immediately
EXT-KHITOMER MOON
The Enterprise is in orbit of the fourth moon.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Branson is reviewing the damage and casualty reports when the doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened and Admiral Kirk enters.
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Jim, what can I do for you?
VICE ADM. KIRK [sighs]: At ease Captain there's something you should know, (beat) your tactical officer has been reassigned. 
He hands him the PADD. 
CAPT. BRANSON [Shocked, re: PADD]: I am not losing my tactical officer, (beat) I didn't agree to it. 
Kirk sits in the chair in front of the desk. 
VICE ADM. KIRK: I know you're not enjoying this Captain but he's being reassigned by the squad leader of the one-thirty fourth squad currently on Khitomer IV. 
Branson throws the PADD on his desk. 
CAPT. BRANSON [Frustrated]: Damn it Colonel Tiki. 
Admiral Kirk takes the PADD. 
VICE ADM. KIRK (Sighs): He's to report to the transporter room in an hour before you depart for repairs at Starbase Six, (beat) then he's report to the Colonel when he beams down. 
Kirk leaves the ready room. 
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM
Mason has his bags, Hand phaser, tricorder, and compression rifle with him. 
LT. MASON (Sighs): I'm not liking this assignment Captain. 
Branson pats his shoulder. 
CAPT. BRANSON (Sighs) We'll come back for you when this war is over, (beat) it won't be the same without you Jack.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Be careful out there I love you.
LT. MASON: I love you to. 
They kissed and then Jack walks onto the pad. 
LT. MASON (To Branson): Permission to disembark Captain? 
CAPT. BRANSON (Smiles): Granted, (to chief) energize Chief. 
Chief Mackenzie beams Lieutenant Mason down to the surface. 
EXT-SPACE
The Enterprise departs from orbit and leaps into warp. 
[END OF ACT 4, FADE OUT, ENDING CREDITS]
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*Felecia Linkous as Commander Zhasa Ivanova
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Williams
*Jeremy Regan as Lieutenant Commander Kyle Clarkson
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Kara Carlson
*Blake Waymire as Lieutenant Tyson Mitchell
*Sadie Brickhouse as Lieutenant Julia Smith
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Commander T'Lar
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Christine Chapel
*TBA as Lieutenant Joshua Holiday
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
===Special Guest Stars===
*TBA as Vice Admiral James T. Kirk
*TBA as General Talas Shran
*TBA as Brigadier General T'Rok
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===