Strange New Worlds (episode)

Strange New Worlds is the 2nd of Star Trek: Continues Season 1.
==Synopsis==
Enterprise encounters a new world much like Earth. A small crew stays on the surface overnight to continue researching the planet. A violent storm forces the crew to shelter into a local cave, but crew members believe they are not alone. 
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise is at high warp.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MESS HALL
ETHAN: How can you eat that stuff? 
(She is eating soup and reading about termites.) 
ELIZABETH: It's healthier than that. 
ETHAN: At least this tastes like something. 
CUTLER: I guess it just takes a more discriminating palate to appreciate Vulcan cuisine. Do you know there are over five thousand subspecies of termites on Loracus Prime? 
(A glow comes in through the window, every one gets up and looks at a beautiful blue planet.) 
ETHAN: I thought we were headed for a nebula. 
CUTLER: Anybody hear about this? 
CREWMAN: Not a word. 
CUTLER: I wonder if somebody lives there? 
ETHAN: There's a lot of plant life. It might be an oxygen atmosphere. 
CUTLER: What do you think, first contact? 
CREWMAN: I don't see any cities or agriculture. 
ETHAN: Maybe they live underground or in the water. 
CUTLER: Is that snow on those mountains? 
ETHAN: You'd think the Captain would make an announcement or something. 
CUTLER: Well, call him. 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Transparent viewer shows the planet. 
LTJG. T'LAR: Seventeen percent oxygen, eighty one percent nitrogen. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (Smiles): Sounds like home. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Any people? 
T'Lar runs her scans and then reports.
LTJG. T'LAR: The planet supports a diverse ecology, but there are no signs of humanoid life.
CAPT. BRANSON: Still, someone may have a claim on it. We don't want to go waltzing into their back yard. Scan for marker buoys, beacons, man-made satellites.
Lieutenant Mason runs a scan and reports.
LTJG. MASON: None in range, sir. Looks like no one's planted a flag just yet. 
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Z, prep a landing party.
As Commander Ivanova heads to the turbo-lift T'Lar chimes in.
LTJG. T'LAR: Captain. There are a number of protocols you may want to consider. 
Captain Branson walks over to the rail and leans on it.
CAPT. BRANSON: Protocols?
LTJG. T'LAR: Vulcan ships would begin by sending automated probes down to collect more detailed scans. If the planet proved to be Minshara-class, we would then conduct a geophysical survey from orbit.
LTJG. MITCHELL: Minshara?
Lieutenant Carlson leans over.
LT. CARLSON: Suitable for humanoid life.
CAPT. BRANSON: Go on how long will that take?
LTJG. T'LAR [raises an eyebrow]: Six or seven days.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA [still at the door]: You expect us to sit up here for a week while probes have all the fun?
LTJG. T'LAR: This planet has been here a long time. It will still be here in seven days. 
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: I understand that you have a more cautious approach, but we didn't come out here to tip-toe around. [to Ivanova] get the landing party ready.
[Ivanova leaves.]
CAPT. BRANSON: I'd like you to put together the survey team. I assume that's not a violation of protocol? 
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
=====
Theme Music:
======
INTRO:
CAPT. BRANSON'S (voice over): Space The Final Frontier These are the Voyages of the Starship Enterprise its Continuing Mission: To Explore Strange New Worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations to boldly go where no one has gone before!
The Enterprise leaps into warp.
=====
STAR TREK: CONTINUES
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
=====
BASED UPON STAR TREK CREATED BY: GENE RODDENBERRY
The Enterprise flies over a gas giant's rings.
STARRING
Jarvis Davidson 
 as
Captain John Branson
Felecia Linkous
 as
Lieutenant Commander Zhasa Ivanova
Enterprise flies next to a Pioneer-Class vessel
Kevin Regan
 as
Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Mason
Ferne Myers
 as
Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Williams
USS Enterprise flies by a Watchtower Starbase
Jacob Elliot
 as
Doctor Steven Carlson
Sadie Brickhouse
 as
Lieutenant Junior Grade Julia Smith
Blake Waymire
 as
Lieutenant Junior Grade Tyson Mitchell
USS Enterprise flying through an Asteroid field
Delena "Dee" Lusk
 as
Lieutenant Junior Grade Kara Carlson
Becky Elliot
 as
Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Lar
USS Enterprise flies by Earth as the ship's warp engines power up and she leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENNG CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
Enterprise is in orbit of the planet.
'INT-USS ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM
The survey team is gearing up as Captain Branson enters.
CAPT. BRANSON: You've got the coordinates Chief?
CHIEF MACKENZIE: Yes, sir the middle of the meadow seems to be a good place to beam you down at.
They step onto the transporter pad.
CAPT. BRANSON: Energize.
Chief Mackenzie inputs commands into the transporter console and activates the transporter and the survey team dematerializes.
EXT-PLANET SURFACE
The survey team beams down as Captain Branson looks around the place as he turns to the survey team. 
CAPT. BRANSON: We're walking on an alien world light years from Earth or Vulcan. Doesn't that impress you? 
T'Lar turns to him. 
LTJG. T'LAR: Before I joined Starfleet I've been to thirty six Minshara class planets. This experience is only marginally different. 
T'Lar turns to the survey teams. 
LTJG. T'LAR: You have your assignments. We'll rendezvous here at nineteen hundred hours, unless the Captain wants us to pose for more pictures. 
John shook his head and they split up, Cutler examines eel-like fish in a lake. There are two crescent moons in the sky. Ethan picks a yellow flower in an alpine meadow. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, BY A STREAM
Captain Branson, Commander Ivanova, Commander Williams, and Lieutenant Mason are looking around. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I don't think my report to Starfleet will do this justice.
LT. MASON: A cabin in these woods would be nice. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Three weeks in deep space, you're ready to jump ship? 
LT. MASON (Smiles): Nah, and plus you guys would be lost without your tactical officer.
[John's communicator beeps.]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson here go ahead.
LTJG. T'LAR [com voice]: Is there a problem Captain?
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: No, no problem. 
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, BEAM DOWN POINT, DAY
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Why?
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: We were scheduled to rendezvous fifteen minutes ago. 
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, BY A STREAM
Commander Ivanova rolls her eyes.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Sorry, we lost track of time we'll be right there Branson out.
[He closed his communicator and they head back to the beam down coordinates.]
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, DAY
Captain Branson, Commander Ivanova, Lieutenant Mason, and Commander Williams shows up.
LTJG. T'LAR: We've identified several nocturnal marsupials. I'd like to keep crewmen Cutler and Novakovich with me overnight to study them.
CAPT. BRANSON: Alright but remember the Klingons might be here so be on the look out for them. 
LT. MASON: Captain, if it's all right with you, Stephanie and I'd like to stay as well.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: We would? 
LT. MASON: When was the last time we got to campout under the stars? There's plenty of camping gear in the containers.
LTJG. T'LAR: This isn't shore leave Lieutenant.
CAPT. BRANSON: Why can't it be both work and fun exploring isn't the only reason we're out here pitch your tent Lieutenant.
Both Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova beam back to the Enterprise.
LT. MASON: Don't worry we'll keep out of your hair Lieutenant.
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, SURVEY TEAM CAMPSITE, NIGHT
JACK: Keep in mind those cargo vessels weren't equipped for rescue operations, so the Captain wasn't sure what to do when he picked up the distress call. But it wasn't a ship that sent the signal. It was a life-pod from one of the old Y-500-class freighters. 
STEPHANIE: Those were retired when we got the more powerful warp drive system.
JACK: Exactly. The pod had been drifting in space for sixty three years. Bio-scans showed one life-sign inside the pod. Human. The assistant engineer, George Webb, a friend of my father's, was assigned to open it. Took him over an hour to cut through the hull. He said the metal felt strange, cold to the touch. 
STEPHANIE: Of course it was cold. It was floating in space for sixty years. 
JACK: He could hear a tapping noise coming from inside, but when he finally got it open the pod was empty. No body, nothing. A few days later, Webb started acting strange, getting into fights with the crew, muttering to himself in some sort of alien language. Then one day he locked himself in Engineering and overloaded the impulse engine reactors. He almost destroyed the ship. Then he sealed himself in a life pod and ejected it. 
ELIZABETH: I assume the Captain went after him. 
JACK: No the engines were too badly damaged to attempt a retrieval of the pod, some people say it was an alien life form that got into him, others think it was the ghost of a dead crewman. I never knew what to believe, but Webb is still out there, drifting. When the subspace noise is real low, some com officers say they can still hear the echo of his distress call. Beep, Beep. 
[All laugh.]
LTJG. T'LAR: It's highly doubtful that a distress beacon could function continuously for sixty three years. 
JACK [groans]: Let me guess. No ghost stories on Vulcan. 
ELIZABETH [pointing up]: That's it, to the left of that trinary cluster.
JACK: What is?
ELIZABETH: Our sun. 
STEPHANIE: Are you sure? 
ELIZABETH: Yeah, positive. Just another speck of light no different than any other. 
JACK: When I was a kid I'd go camping with my buddies. We'd spend half the night looking up at the stars wondering what our own sun would look like from this far away. 
STEPHANIE: Now you know. 
Crewmen Novakovich starts feeling strange as Cutler looks at him.
ELIZABETH: Are you okay? 
ETHAN: Headache. If it's all right with you, I'd like to lie down for a while before we get back to work.
LTJG. T'LAR: Certainly I don't want my best officer to have a headache while we're observing some new life.
He heads to one of the tents.
CUTLER: Wait a minute. You notice something? Fireflies are gone. 
STEPHANIE: Nice going, Jack, you scared off the bugs. 
CUTLER: Maybe it's the ghost of George Webb.
(A gust of wind suddenly blows through the camp.) 
JACK: Looks like we might have ourselves a little weather. 
LTJG. T'LAR [re: Tricorder]: A front is approaching from the south west.
INT-JACK & STEPHANIE'S TENT
They're both in separate sleeping bags.
JACK: It must be gusting at eighty kph.
STEPHANIE: I remember the time on our honeymoon the place got hit with a seventy-one mile wind.
JACK: Trying being on a ship traveling through an ion storm with deflectors up.
INT-CREWMENS CUTLER & NOVAKOVICH'S TENT
Ethan gets up quickly. 
ETHAN: Did you hear that? 
CUTLER (Groggy): What? 
ETHAN: Someone's out there. 
CUTLER (groggy): It's the wind. 
She falls back to sleep as the young officer looks around. 
CUT TO:
INT-JACK & STEPHANIE'S TENT
JACK (leaping up): Ow! Son of a bitch! 
STEPHANIE: What's wrong? 
JACK: Something is in by bag. 
They see something strange. 
STEPHANIE: What is that? 
JACK: I don't know where's your boot. 
STEPHANIE: Are we allowed to step on bugs? 
JACK: Yeah if they're crawling in your sleeping bag, wait where did you put the phasers? 
STEPHANIE: You're going to shoot a bug? 
JACK: I'm just going to stun it and get it out of the tent. 
INT-LIEUTENANT T'LAR'S TENT
[T'Lar is seeing the couple move around and she picks up her communicator and flips it open.]
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: T'Lar to Mason.
LT. MASON [com voice]: Mason here
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: Are you guys alright over there? 
CUT TO:
INT-JACK & STEPHANIE'S TENT
JACK [to com]: Oh no, just an eight inch scorpion thing inside our tent. 
INT-T'LAR'S TENT
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: Do you require assistance?
LT. MASON [com voice]: I think we've got it under control
INT-JACK & STEPHANIE TENT
JACK: No not there, it's over there. 
[The tent ropes start to come loose.]
JACK [to com]: T'Lar, you said you found a cave this afternoon. 
INT-T'LAR'S TENT
LTJG. T'LAR: [to com]: About half a kilometers from here. 
INT-JACK & STEPHANIE'S TENT
JACK [to com]: I think we're going to need them.
[END OF ACT ONE, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
Enterprise is over the planet.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRSE MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Branson walks onto the bridge from the ready room.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Captain we've got a bit of a problem.
Captain Branson walks over to the Science station currently manned by Ensign Sheridan.
CAPT. BRANSON: What's going on?
ENS. SHERIDAN: A wind storm's moving across the northern continent. It looks like a nasty one. 
CAPT. BRANSON: The survey team?
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: They've taken shelter, but I'd recommend pulling them out. I've got a shuttle on standby. 
Captain Branson looks over at Julia.
CAPT. BRANSON: Julia open a channel to the survey team.
LTJG. SMITH: Aye, sir.
Captain Branson walks over to the Captain's chair and toggles the com.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Enterprise to survey team come in.
LTJG. T'LAR [com voice]: T'Lar here go ahead sir
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: T'Lar what's your status? 
CUT TO:
INT-CAVERN
LTJG. T'LAR (to com): We have relocated into a cavern. 
CAPT. BRANSON [OC]: Commander Ivanova thinks we should come down and get you
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: Sir a landing under these circumstances might be difficult. We'll be protected until the winds diminish. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: We'll keep an eye on the storm. Let us know if you need anything. 
LTJG. T'LAR [OC]: Understood. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Keep the shuttle on standby, just in case. 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Aye, sir. 
Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair worried about his officers on the surface.
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
 
The survey team is gathered together. 
LT. MASON: Anyone got the food packs? 
CREWMEN CUTLER: Not me. 
LT. MASON: Steph? 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Nope. 
LT. MASON: I'll go get it. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Be careful. 
Lieutenant Mason leaves to go get the food pack. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAMPSITE, NIGHT
Jack pounces on a food pack blowing in the wind, then sees a figure walking in the trees. 
LT. MASON [confused]: Steph? Hello? 
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
Jack returns with the food pack. 
LT. MASON: Was anybody outside just now? 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Just you why? 
LT. MASON: There's someone else out there. (hands over sole food pack) 
CREWMEN CUTLER [confused]: What? 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Alright, I think we have had enough ghost stories. 
LT. MASON: It's not a story. 
LTJG. T'LAR: We've scanned the planet, it's uninhabited. 
LT. MASON: Its the truth. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Calm down Jack come here get something to drink. 
She takes her husband over get some water. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: You've been up for over an hour since we've had to relocate to the caverns and its a bit toasty in here, you're sweating up a storm. 
LT. MASON: I'm sorry that you are down here seeing me like this Steph. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [smiles]: It's alright Jack I wanted to spend time with you. 
Jack gets up and goes over to the container and opens it showing the type-3 particle rifles and type-2 hand phasers and the holsters, and passes them out to the survey team. 
CREWMEN CUTLER: Isn't that a bit overkill Lieutenant? 
LT. MASON: No it's not the Captain told us to keep an eye out for Klingons forces. 
CREWMEN NOVAKOVICH: What? 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Crewmen they might be activate. 
CREWMEN NOVAKOVICH: There's someone back there. I heard voices. Are you going to tell me I'm imagining things too? It's not safe here. 
LT. MASON: They could be friendly who are also hiding from the storm or the Klingons. 
CREWMEN NOVAKOVICH: Then why are they hiding? Why don't they come out and say hello? We should leave. 
LT. MASON: Calm down Crewmen. 
Novakovich dashes out. 
CREWMEN CUTLER: ETHAN! 
LT. MASON: Stay here we'll be back. 
Both Jack and Stephanie leave to go after him. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, NIGHT 
Both Jack and Stephanie are searching for Crewmen Novakovich. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [tricorder]: ETHAN! 
LT. MASON: ETHAN! 
They continue to search for him. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN 
Crewmen Cutler is worried about her friend as Lieutenant T'Lar is reviewing her scans from her tricorder. 
CREWMEN CUTLER: Did you hear something? 
LTJG. T'LAR [re: tricorder]: My tricorder is not detecting anything. 
Then they see two figures that are Klingon soldiers but not their faces. 
CREWMEN CUTLER: Those are Klingons? 
LTJG. T'LAR [nods]: Yes, crewmen those are Klingons. 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
LT. MASON [com voice]: We've lost Novakovich and we're apparently not alone
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: What did you see? 
LT. MASON [com voice]: We saw Klingons my guess is that they were forced from 
wherever they came from to seek refuges in the caverns as well''
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Have they detected you guys yet? 
LT. MASON [com voice]: No, sir it seems they don't know we're here
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Can you make it back to the cavern? 
LT. MASON [com voice]: We're heading back now
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Alright I'm coming down with a well armed strike team and we're getting you guys out of there. 
LT. MASON [com voice]: We'll be waiting
Transmission ends Captain Branson leaves the bridge. 
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
Both Stephanie and Jack return. 
LT. MASON: The Captain's coming down to get us. 
CREWMEN CUTLER: But what about Ethan? 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: We couldn't find him. 
LTJG. T'LAR: My tricorder has picked up two Klingon soldiers in that direction. 
LT. MASON: Come on we'll head to the clearing where we beamed down. 
They leave the cavern. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE
The Class-F shuttle Gardner descends down to the landing site. 
INT-GARDNER CANOPY [RED ALERT]
Both Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova along with a security team are wearing tactical vests. 
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to survey team. 
LT. MASON [com voice]: Mason here 
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: We're closing in on your position, Trip. There's a clearing a 
hundred meters from the cave entrance. Get to it. 
LT. MASON [com voice]: We're heading there now sir
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: I'm reading them. Two kilometers due west. 
Captain Branson inputs commands into the helm station. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm taking us down. There's a lot of wind shear near the surface. Activate the auxiliary landing thrusters. Altitude seventy meters, forty meters. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, BEAM DOWN SITE, NIGHT
As the shuttle is about to land a green energy blot struck the port nacelle housing. 
INT-GARDNER CANOPY [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH! 
CAPT. BRANSON: What was that? 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Weapons fire Romulan sir. 
WHUMPH! 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Mountain to starboard! 
CAPT. BRANSON: I see it. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, BEAM DOWN SITE, NIGHT
The starboard nacelle grazed a rocky outcrop. 
INT-GARDNER CANOPY [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH! Sparks erupt from the ceiling as coolant spews. 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Thruster four's down. We're leaking plasma coolant. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Almost there.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: John, we can't safely land in this wind with a thruster out. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, BEAM DOWN SITE, NIGHT
The shuttle leaves as the landing party looks up as Commander Williams gets out her communicator.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [to com]: Captain, aren't you forgetting something?
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: We're going to have to wait
INT-GARDNER CANOPY [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Until the wind dies down. Try to manage till then. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CLEARING [NIGHT, WINDY]
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [to com]: We'll do our best, sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: If you run across
INT-GARDNER CANOPY [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: Any more of these aliens, try to make contact. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CLEARING [NIGHT, STORMY]
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: See what you can find out about them
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [to com]: Aye, sir.
They look over at Lieutenant T'Lar.
[END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
INT-CAVERN
[Sitting against the wall.]
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: You alright?
CREWMEN CUTLER: Never better.
Lieutenant Mason looks at T'Lar.
LT. MASON: You heard the Captain. He wants to know about your friends. What are you going to tell him? What are you going to tell him? 
T'Lar looks at him.
LTJG. T'LAR: This is pointless. 
LT. MASON: Is it? We're stuck down here for God knows how long with a bunch of rock people who, for all we know, are staring at us from these walls right now. Not to mention a crewman out there who probably won't last the night. Now if we're going to get through this, I need to know what the hell's going on. You beginning to see my point?
LTJG. T'LAR: I share your concern for crewman Novakovich, but as I told you...
LT. MASON: You couldn't care less about him or any of the rest of us. That would require some of those useless human emotions.
LTJG. T'LAR: Your emotions are beginning to affect your judgment. You're becoming irrational. 
Jack gets in her face.
LT. MASON: You've never seen me irrational.
Then Elizabeth looks at him.
CREWMEN CUTLER: Sir. I hate to add to our problems, but we're running low on water. 
LT. MASON: Great. We'll have to conserve what's left. 
LTJG. T'LAR: That won't be necessary. 
[She points further into the cavern.]
LTJG. T'LAR: I detected water about sixty meters in that direction.
LT. MASON: How do we know you're not going in there to talk to your friends?
LTJG. T'LAR: Join me if you'd like. 
CREWMEN CUTLER: It could be a trap, Lieutenant. 
LTJG. T'LAR: I can survive without water for several days. Can you?
Then he aims his phaser at her as the light turns from blue to red.
LTJG. MASON: Sit down.
He takes her phaser from the holster and tosses it to the ground.
LTJG. MASON: You heard me.
T'Lar sits down as Stephanie is a bit worried about her husband.
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
The Enterprise is in orbit. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
Captain Branson walks onto the bridge and walks over to the communication console.
CAPT. BRANSON: How is he?
LTJG. SMITH: Not good his bio-signs are erratic.
CAPT. BRANSON: Try him again.
LTJG. SMITH [to com]: Enterprise to Novakovich.
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, NIGHT
Crewmen Novakovich is in a ball curled up scared with his communicator out and flipped opened.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
[Ethan's screams come over the com.]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Bridge to Transporter room Mack do you have a lock on him.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM [YELLOW ALERT]
CHIEF MACKENZIE [to com]: Yes, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Looks like our only choice
CHIEF MACKENZIE [to com]: Understood standby.
[She begins to beam Ethan up.]
CHIEF MACKENZIE [to com]: There's a problem, sir. There are contaminants in the matter stream. The phase discriminator can't seem to isolate the debris. 
[Crewmen Novakovich finally materializes with twigs and leaves stuck on him.]
CHIEF MACKENZIE [to com]: Mackenzie to sickbay medical emergency transporter room.
She checks his pulse.
INT-CAVERN
Lieutenant T'Lar is examining her tricorder as Lieutenant Mason paces about.
LT. MASON: What are you doing?
LTJG. T'LAR: Working.
LT. MASON: On what?
LTJG. T'LAR: Scans I took this afternoon.
LT. MASON: Find anything you want to tell me about?
LTJG. T'LAR: There's nothing of scientific interest on this planet. Our mission here was a waste of time. 
LT. MASON: That's what you'd like us to think. Let me see that thing. (takes scanner off her) 
LTJG. T'LAR: The readings are in Vulcan. You won't understand them. 
LT. MASON: No, but Julia would. This could be evidence. 
LTJG. T'LAR: Of what? 
LT. MASON: Your little conspiracy. 
LTJG. T'LAR: I was wrong. There is something of interest here. I've learned a great deal about human behavior. 
LT. MASON: Oh? 
LTJG. T'LAR: Under stress, you become volatile. You're a far more dangerous species than I 
previously believed. 
LT. MASON: Your people have been telling us that kind of crap for a hundred years. Looks like you finally found a way to put us back in our cage. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Sir? 
LT. MASON: Imagine the news back home, Steph. Enterprise crew found dead. Six weeks into their historic voyage, the bodies of all four hundred and thirty crewmembers were located on an uninhabited world. A Vulcan ship made the unfortunate discovery. Cause of death remains a mystery. But what the Vulcans won't say is they know exactly who attacked us. In fact, they arranged the whole thing. They lured us down here so they could sabotage our mission. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: You were the one who found these caves, and it was your idea to stay overnight.
LTJG. T'LAR: I didn't ask you or Mister Mason to join us.
LT. MASON: We know you're here. Why don't you show yourselves? You're not afraid of us, are you? 
LTJG. T'LAR: There's no one there, Lieutenant. 
LT. MASON: Maybe you're waiting for the others to come down so you can kill us all at once. Did you see that? 
LTJG. T'LAR: ALL I SEE IS A DELUSIONAL TACTICAL OFFCIER!
Jack looks over at her.
LT. MASON: Sounds like you're getting a little volatile yourself, Lieutenant. I thought you had your emotions all locked up. Having a little problem, are you?
[Stephanie sees something slither across the rock roof.]
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: JACK! THERE!
[Lieutenant Mason fires his phaser but the beam hits the wall and sparks erupts from the wall.]
LT. MASON: You think I'm going to wait around here for you to slaughter us? I'll blow this whole cave apart if I have to. I know you hear me! 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [YELLOW ALERT]
Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova walks into sickbay and over the surgical bio-bed as Doctor Carlson walks over to them.
DR. CARLSON: We were able to remove the debris from his body he'll make a full recovery.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can I talk to him?
DR. CARLSON: Yes, but I doubt he'll make much sense. Have you ever heard of tropolisine.
CAPT. BRANSON: Not recently no but if you had the chance to look over Doctor Pholx's medical report you might find a match.
DR. CARLSON: I did and I am still going over it.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: I'm a bit lost what is this tropolisine?
DR. CARLSON: It's a psychotropic compound known for its hallucinogenic effects. This crewman's bloodstream is filled with it. 
CAPT. BRANSON: How come we didn't detect it?
DR. CARLSON: Weren't new sensor plates installed at Earth Space dock before we launched maybe they weren't calibrated to find this stuff.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Or perhaps it wasn't there until that damn wind started. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Will this stuff effect T'Lar?
DR. CARLSON: There's no way to know. It might affect her to a lesser degree, or a greater degree.
Captain Branson walks over to the com panel and toggles it.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to T'Lar.
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: T'Lar here.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: We've got Crewmen Novakovich
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: And I have a phaser pointed at my head. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: What?
LTJG. MASON [com voice]: Our chief science officer is working with the Romulans Captain she was the reason we came down here
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Jack put the phaser down.
LT. WILLIAMS [com voice]: This is Lieutenant Williams sir he's not responding he seems to be infected by something
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Listen to me. You've all been exposed to a psychotropic compound. It causes heightened anxiety and possibly hallucinations. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: The compound comes from the pollen of a flower. We think it was blown down from the mountains when the wind started. The doctor's run tests on Novakovich. He thinks he's going to be okay in a few hours. So if you can get As deep as you can into the caves, your symptoms should dissipate around the same times.
LTJG. MASON [to com]: We didn't imagine Klingon disruptor bolts strike the shuttle nor seeing Novakovich get shot in the back!
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: Jack, sensors so haven't picked up a Klingon warbird its safe to say they're still in isolation.
LTJG. MASON [com voice]: You're not down here sir
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
LTJG. MASON [to com]: You don't understand what's going on!
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Put your weapon down, Lieutenant. That's an order. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
Lieutenant Mason slowly lowers his weapon.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: T'Lar?
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: He has lowered his weapon sir.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Have you been affected? 
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: Yes, but only slightly.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Try to hang on Branson out
[Lieutenant Mason sits down.]
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: Get back to the bridge I want a weather report.
[Ivanova leaves.]
[END OF ACT 3, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
Lieutenant Mason gets worse.
LT. WILLIAMS: Jack, can you hear me?
Jack still watching T'Lar.
LTJG. T'LAR: [In Vulcan]
LTJG. MASON: I have no idea what you just said, but it didn't sound very nice.
[He thinks he hears something he fires his phaser at the wall just past T'Lar. She doesn't flinch.]
LT. WILLIAMS: JACK, FOR CRYING OUT LOUD STOP YOU'RE GOING TO BRING THIS WHOLE CAVERN ON TOP OF US!
[Jack turns to Stephanie has his phaser trained on her as she backs up worried he's going to shoot her, as T'Lar goes for the other phaser.]
LT. WILLIAMS [worried]: Jack, you're better then this don't do something you're going to regret later on down the road.
Jack quickly turns to face T'Lar who has the other phaser but its on the stun setting.
LTJG. MASON: Nice try Lieutenant.
LTJG. T'LAR: [in Vulcan]
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
Captain Branson, Lieutenant Commander Ivanova are at the science station watching the weather pattern.
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: The center of the storm's already passed over them, but the system spans some five hundred kilometers. We won't be able to beam down before dawn. 
CAPT. BRANSON: How long will that be?
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Nine hours.
[Com activates.]
DR. CARLSON [com voice]: Carlson to Captain Branson
Captain Branson walks down to his command chair and toggles the com panel.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson here.
DR. CARLSON [com voice]: Please report to Sickbay immediately. It's urgent
John looks over at Commander Ivanova.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: I am on my way.
He leaves the bridge.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [distraught]: I thought you said he was going to be fine. 
DR. CARLSON: I did, but each tropolisine atom contains a stray neutron. When it started to break down in his bloodstream it released an undetectable toxin. I've injected him with inoprovalene but I think it may be too late. If I'd run a sub-molecular scan I might have anticipated the complication, but there was no reason to. At least, there didn't seem to be. I can't tell you how sorry I am, Captain. 
CAPT. BRANSON: What about the others?
DR. CARLSON: They spent less time exposed. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I've got four people down on the surface, Doctor. I need to know if they're going to be dead when we get there in the morning.
Captain Branson leaves sickbay as the camera moves down and is at a wounded Novakovich.
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
[Lieutenants Mason and T'Lar have their phasers aimed at each other.]
LTJG. MASON: Stay awake, Steph. I can't afford to have you going out on me. 
LT. WILLIAMS: I'm trying Jack.
LTJG. MASON: Cutler, you okay? (to T'Lar) If you're waiting for me to pass out, you're wasting your time. You might as well have your friends come out now, do whatever they're going to do.
LTJG. T'LAR: Put the phaser down Lieutenant.
LTJG. MASON: Not happening.
[communicator chirps.]
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: T'Lar.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: How are you doing?
LTJG. MASON: Who the hell is that?
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Its the Captain Jack, are you guys alright?
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: He's irrational, sir. Williams and Cutler are nearly unconscious''
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Both of you listen to me very carefully. Novakovich may be dying
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Turns out the pollen contains some kind of toxin our sensors hadn't detected. He's responding to medication, but his odds of recovery would be a hell of a lot better if we'd treated him sooner. The Doctor and Christine are synthesizing ampoules of inoprovalene. We're going to have to use the transporter to get it to you, but it's imperative that you inoculate yourselves as soon as possible. Do you understand what I'm saying? 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE CAVERN
LTJG. MASON [to com]: Taking an injection isn't going to change a damn thing, don't you see that? They're planning something, Captain. First us, then all of you. 
LTJG. T'LAR: [in Vulcan]
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
LTJG. T'LAR [com voice]: [in Vulcan]
LTJG. SMITH [to com]: [in Vulcan]
LTJG. T'LAR [com voice]: [in Vulcan]
Captain Branson gets up from the Captain's chair and walks over to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: What's going on Julia?
LTJG. SMITH: She says Jack's going to kill her, and I don't think she's imagining it. 
LTJG. MASON [com voice]: Say one more word of that gibberish and I'm going to split you in two
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Jack, listen to me The pollen's affecting her too. Think about it. You've heard of people suffering from dementia who revert to their native language. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: She can't help it
LTJG. MASON [to com]: The only thing that's affecting her are the Romulans. If I can stop her now, I can save Enterprise.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Jack, there's no Romulans on the surface we've ran several scans for their warbirds and we've not detected any of them.
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
Jack sees two Romulan soldiers show up as he backs up.
LTJG. MASON [to com]: Too late, Captain. I'm not going to die with a hypospray in my hand.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Jack!
LTJG. MASON [to com]: No! It's not going to happen.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Alright!
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Forget the medicine. I think it's time I explain what's really going on, but just stand by for a minute. I need Commander Ivanova to target your position.
EXT-PLANT SURFACE, CAVERN
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Then I'll give you your orders
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to Carlson its now or never.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM [YELLOW ALERT]
DR. CARLSON [to com]: Understood.
[Doctor Carlson puts the case of hyposprays on the platform.]
DR. CARLSON: How close can you get it to them?
CHIEF MACKENIZE: I think I can safely place it two meters inside the mouth of the cave. 
DR. CARLSON: Good.
Chief Mackenzie works at the transporter console and activates the transporter as Carlson is worried about his wife.
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
Enterprise is in orbit.
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
LT. MASON [to com]: Captain? Hello? I'm waiting for that order.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
LT. MASON [com voice]: But I can't wait much longer
CAPT. BRANSON: Alright, Jack. This is a major breach of security, but I'm going to have to trust you. 
LT. MASON [com voice]: Standing by now sir
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Starfleet sent us here to make contact with a silicon-based life form. T'Lar was the only person granted clearance.
CUT TO:
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: To speak with them. Seems they've met Vulcans before
LT. MASON [to com]: Why didn't you tell me as I am the ship's chief security officer, and why did you let me and Stephanie spend the night down here?
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
LTJG. SMITH [sotto]: The winds.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: We never thought the storm would drive you into the caves. That's where these people live. They didn't want anybody in there except for T'Lar, so they're not too happy right now. I'm sure you can understand that. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
LT. MASON [to com]: But how come the Romulans didn't see them?
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: According to Fleet Captain Kirk they hid from the Romulans after the war, but they've even threatened to destroy Enterprise. Now, T'Lar needs to explain to them why you're all there, but she's not going to have much credibility with you pointing a phaser at her. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: If they agree to listen to her, you'll need to lower your weapon. If they don't, I'm going to have Ty destroy the cavern. Sacrificing four more crewmen is a small price to pay to save Enterprise.
LT. MASON [com voice]: I understand
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Now, I'm going to ask Julia to tell T'Lar everything I just told you in Vulcan. 
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Do you have an issue with that?
LT. MASON [sweating and shaking, to com]: G-Go ahead.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [nods]: Go ahead.
LTJG. SMITH [to com]: [In Vulcan]
LTJG. T'LAR [com voice]: [In Vulcan]
LTJG. SMITH: She says play-acting isn't exactly a Vulcan tradition, but she'll do her best.
LTJG. T'LAR [com voice]: [In Vulcan]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Jack, They've agreed to talk to her, so lower your weapon.
EXT-PLANET SURFACE, CAVERN
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: And act real friendly
[Lieutenant Mason lowers his phaser and Lieutenant T'Lar stuns him and goes get the hypo and injects Mason, Cutler, and Williams and then injects herself.]
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
Jack wakes up and looks over at Captain Branson and Doctor Carlson.
LT. MASON: C-Captain?
He slowly gets up but Carlson puts his hand on his chest.
DR. CARLSON: Easy Lieutenant you've been out for a few hours.
LTJG. MASON: T'Lar shot me didn't she?
CAPT. BRANSON [nods]: Yeah she did.
DR. CARLSON: Thanks to the meds you five will make a full recovery after we get you all checked out at Starfleet Medical Outpost 12.
LTJG. MASON: And Crewmen Novakovich?
DR. CARLSON: He's responding well to treatment but he'll have a little more time to recover.
CAPT. BRANSON: Get some rest Jack.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Enterprise is on course for Starfleet Medical outpost 12.
[END OF ACT 4, FADE OUT, ENDING CREDITS]
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*Felecia Linkous as Lieutenant Commander Zhasa Ivanova
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Stephanie Williams
*Blake Waymire as Lieutenant Junior Grade Tyson Mitchell
*Sadie Brickhouse as Lieutenant Junior Grade Julia Smith
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Kara Carlson
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Lar
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Christine Chapel
*TBA as Security Officer Joshua Holiday
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===