Cold Blooded Killers (TNG Novel)

Cold Blooded Killers is the 4th episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 1.
==Plot==
Captain Branson must find unconventional Starfleet methods to deal with a malevolent force that attacks the USS Enterprise. 
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise is at warp.
LTJG. MASON'S [voice over]: Chief Security's log Stardate 7854.3, The Enterprise is currently en route to deliver an atmospheric processor upgrade to Finibus III. Without our assistance, the air on this remote colony will become unbreathable in a matter of weeks. As we prepare for our arrival, we pause to remember Starfleet Remembrance Day
INT-USS ENTERPRISE LIEUTENANT MASON AND COMMANDER WILLIAMS'S QUARTERS
Jack looks at the pin of the USS Johnson as Captain Branson's voice comes over the com.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: All hands this is your Captain speaking we pause to remember those who lost their lives in the line of duty, friends, family, brother's sisters husbands wives
INT-USS ENTERPRISE VARIOUS DECKS
The crew are wearing different pins of the ships they served on when they lost a fellow officer as Captain Branson's speech continues.
CAPT. BRANSON'S (com voice): Today we remember the friends and comrades we lost. Exploration can exact a heavy toll. As captain, there is no loss more devastating than that of a crew member. Remembrance Day is about them. Those of us left behind wear the insignia of past ships on which we served together. As we honor the lives that have been given, let us also be grateful to be still on the journey
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair wearing the Starfleet pin of the USS Saratoga.
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): We will not forget their sacrifice and we will honor them continue to remember them Branson out.
He ends the ship-wide.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE DECK EIGHT CORRIDOR
Commander Williams and Ensign Sito are walking through the corridor.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Thanks for coming with me to check on the atmospheric processor. 
ENS. SITO: You're welcome Steph.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Ensign Kaye reports.
ENS. KAYE: Sir, we're approaching Finibus System.
CAPT. BRANSON: Drop us out of warp Ensign.
Ensign Kaye inputs commands into the helm station.
As Lieutenant Mason walks onto the bridge and goes to the tactical console.
LTJG. MASON: Captain I'm not detecting their com tower.
LTCMDR. KAL: Maybe its down for a tune up?
Captain Branson feels a bit unsettled.
CAPT. BRANSON: When was their last transmission?
He checks the log and reports.
LTJG. MASON: According to the log three days ago.
T'Mir turns to report.
LTJG. T'MIR: I have been monitoring radio wave interference emanating from a large brown dwarf in close proximity.
Captain Branson turns to her.
CAPT. BRANSON: Is that what's jamming the signal?
LTJG. T'MIR: Possible. Let me adjust sensors. The brown dwarf does not appear to be the problem, Captain. Finibus Three is not responding because the colony's communications satellite has been destroyed.
Captain Branson gets up from the command chair and walks over to her station.
CAPT. BRANSON: What do you mean destroyed who would want to destroy a communications satellite?
LTJG. T'MIR: Unknown.
Captain Branson turns to his crew.
CAPT. BRANSON: Yellow alert, alright Report it to Starfleet. Protocol now is we investigate, make contact on the ground. Go slow. No assumptions until we gather more intel.
LTCMDR. KAL: I'll prep a landing party Mister Mason.
Lieutenant Mason leaves his tactical station and follows Commander Kal into the turbo-lift.
CUT TO:
EXT-FINIBUS III COLONY SURFACE, NIGHT
The landing party materializes and they activate their flashlights on their phaser rifles and head out.
LTCMDR. KAL: Ensign Todd anything?
ENS. TODD (re: Tricorder): No, ma'am.
ENS. HOLIDAY: How is that possible there was over 1,234 people on this colony?
LT. KIRK: Rushed evacuation?
LTJG. MASON: Rushed under fire those are blast marks.
Then they hear something Jane gives them the military hand gesture to spread out and search for it, they head somewhere and she continues the silent hand gestures and the strike team moves quietly. So far they've not found anyone just destruction everywhere then they get to where there's nothing but blood streaks.
LTJG. MASON: The bodies were all dragged here.
LTCMDR. KAL: But where did they go?
Then the com activates.
CAPT. BRANSON [com voice]: Enterprise to away team
Commander Kal tapped her combadge.
LTCMDR. KAL [to com]: Kal here go ahead.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows a transport vessel approaching the Enterprise.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: We've got an unidentified ship on approach I want you and the others to beam back to the ship.
LTCMDR. KAL [com voice]: Aye, sir
LTJG. T'MIR: Away Team is back aboard.
Ensign Sito reports.
ENS. SITO: No Federation markings or badges sir.
Then Ensign Peterson reports.
ENS. PETERSON: We're being hailed sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Cancel yellow alert on screen.
The lights change from yellow alert to regular status as the Transparent viewer changes to the inside of the Cargo vessel.
DR. THADIE (viewer): Thank God. You're Starfleet
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm John Branson Captain of the Federation Starship USS Enterprise and you are?
DR. THADIE (viewer): Professor Thandie of Finibus Three. My apologies, but I needed to be sure
CAPT. BRANSON: What's your status?
DR. THADIE (viewer): Most of us are injured. This is a cargo vessel. Life support is overextended
CAPT. BRANSON: Prepare yourselves to transport aboard the Enterprise.
DR. THADIE (viewer): Uh, Captain, this ship is used for hauling radioactive ore. The hull is transport resistant
Captain Branson turns to T'Mir who scans the vessel from her station and reports.
LTJG. T'MIR: Confirmed sir.
ENS. KAYE: We'll have to use the transport tube.
CAPT. BRANSON: Mister Zuniga, attach the deep space transport tube.
LT. ZUNIGA (nods): Aye, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Mir you've got the bridge.
Captain Branson leaves the bridge as Lieutenant T'Mir takes command.
EXT-FINIBUS SPACE
The deep space transport tube attaches to the cargo vessel.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE DECK EIGHT CORRIDOR, STARBOARD AIR LOCK
A medical team is helping the colonist off the cargo vessel as Doctor Thadie is explaining what happened to the colony.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can you explain what happened to the colony.
DR. THADIE: A blast from the sky took out our main colony structure. We then all heard a loud ringing sound. Everything gets blurry after that.
CAPT. BRANSON: Get that arm looked at.
A medical officer helps Thadie.
CAPT. BRANSON: That's something isn't it.
LTJG. MASON: No residual warp signature no ion trail.
LTCMDR. KAL: That is strange.
Then a little girl rushes back to the cargo vessel.
YOUNG MOTHER (O.S): Fig come back here no.
LTJG. MASON: Hey, hey what's wrong?
FIG (scared): We have to hide the Monsters are going to get us.
YOUNG MOTHER: Sweetie there's no monsters here.
CAPT. BRANSON: What monsters?
FIG (scared): The ones that took daddy.
YOUNG WOMAN: It was awful.
LTJG. MASON: What did you see Fig?
Fig looks at her mother who nods.
FIG: I-I couldn't see them it was dark but they made a noise like this.
She starts clicking her tounge and the hairs on the back of Jack's neck raise as he's stunned by what he's hearing.
LTJG. MASON: Sir, we need to scan for any polarized EM signatures now.
CAPT. BRANSON: I'll head up to the bridge keep these people here till Doctor Langford and a medical team arrives.
He heads to the bridge.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
The turbo-lift doors opened and Captain Branson walks onto the bridge.
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Mir start scanning for any polarized EM signatures in the area now.
LTJG. T'MIR: Aye, sir.
She vacates the Captain's chair as Captain Branson still standing behind the helm and navigational station, and she sits at her station and starts running a scan and then reports.
LTJG. T'MIR: Sensors are detecting a slight optical distortion near the second moon a hologram, sir.
Captain Branson walks over to the command chair and activates the com.
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Jack we found something behind the second moon it appears to be a hologram of some sort.
LTJG. MASON (com voice): Raise shields! Now!
CAPT. BRANSON: Battle stations raise deflectors!
ENS. CARLSON: We can't the transport tube is still extended.
ENS. SITO: We can't raise the deflectors with the transport tube extended sir.
Captain Branson still standing.
CAPT. BRANSON: Oh, no.
EXT-FINIBUS SYSTEM
A high speed Gorn cruiser approaches the Enterprise.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE TRANSPORT TUBE
Jack sees the vessel.
LTCMDR. KAL: Jack move!
LTJG. MASON (shocked): Its the Gorn.
She grabs him quickly.
EXT-FINIBUS SYSTEM
The Gorn cruiser fires at the Enterprise scoring deadly hits on the vessel's port side causing explosions to erupt and then destroys the transport tube along with the cargo vessel and it flies over the Enterprise.
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
=====
Theme Song :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yweIpSWhyRc
=====
CAPTAIN'S OATH:
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Space The Final Frontier These are the Voyages of the Starship Enterprise its Five-Year Mission: To Explore Strange New Worlds, to seek out new life and new civilizations to boldly go where no one has gone before!
Enterprise enters warp.
=====
STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
=====
Enterprise emerges from warp.
BASED ON STAR TREK CREATED BY: GENE RODDENBERRY
=====
Enterprise flies by a nebula.
JARVIS DAVIDSON
 AS
CAPTAIN JOHN BRANSON
The Enterprise flies by a interstellar dust cloud.
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER JANE KAL
The Enterprise approaching a nebula.
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE JACK MASON
The Enterprise approaches a planet.
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
The Enterprise flies by a planetary system
JACOB ELLIOT 
 AS
DOCTOR PETER LANGFORD
The Enterprise flies through a debris of planets as a rock smashes into a larger rock.
SADIE BRICKHOUSE
 AS
ENSIGN SITO JAXA
The Enterprise flies next to a Galaxy-Class Dreadnought.
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
ENSIGN JAMIE KAYE
The Enterprise flies by a comet.
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LIEUTENANT JUNIOR GRADE T'MIR
The Enterprise pauses as her warp engines power up and she leaps into warp as particle streams emit from the backs of her nacelles.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
INT-USS ENTERPRISE DECK EIGHT CORRIDOR (DAMAGED, RED ALERT)
Jack is laying against the bulkhead as Nurse Chapel is scanning him with a medical tricorder as he comes to.
NURSE CHAPEL: You're alright next.
She helps an officer to sickbay as Jack gets up as Jack gets up from the bulkhead and sees Doctor Thadie on the floor bleeding badly. 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: She's dead. 
LTJG. MASON: The kid? 
She shakes her head that she doesn't know where Fig ran to and he sees Jane wounded.
LTJG. MASON: Commander?
LTCMDR. KAL: I'm good its just a scratch.
LTJG. MASON: I-I'm sorry I froze up. 
LTCMDR. KAL: Its alright Jack the Captain needs you on the bridge. 
LTJG. MASON: Aye, Commander. 
Jack leaves deck nine. 
EXT-FINIBUS SYSTEM 
The Gorn cruiser continues its assault on the Enterprise hitting her deflectors making them flicker. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (RED ALERT)
WHUMPH! Captain Branson activates the ships com. 
(EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES)
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Branson to main cargo bay warp drive is down Steph.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY (RED ALERT)
Commander Williams is at the AP Processor console.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (to com): Securing the processor first, Captain. It's not safe under fire.
CAPT. BRANSON (com voice): Do it and then get to main engineering we need warp drive as soon as you can get it back
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (to com): Will do Williams out Sito I need you to secure those lines there.
ENS. SITO: On it.
Then an explosion erupts.
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (RED ALERT)
WHUMPH! Sparks erupt from the ceiling as the turbo-lift doors opened and Lieutenant Mason takes the tactical console.
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors are down to seventy-eight percent!
CAPT. BRANSON: Anything?
LTJG. MASON: No response to hails sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: How fast can you push impulse? 
Ensign Kaye is checking her read out. 
ENS. KAYE: The Starboard nacelle is half damaged so I say about half impulse speed. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Take us to Patten Echo Zeta. 
ENS. KAYE: Aye, sir.
Lieutenant Mason looks up from his console. 
LTJG. MASON: Sir that's an offensive pattern. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I know. 
LTJG. MASON: No, sir we have to retreat we can't fight them. 
He walks over to him. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Confirmed sightings are rare, and they have never ventured - into Federation sp... 
LTJG. MASON: Its the Gorn. 
Everyone on the bridge is quiet. 
LTJG. MASON: Its the Gorn sir its them.
WHUMPH! Lights flicker along with console screens.
CAPT. BRANSON: Why would they venture this far into Federation Space it makes no sense?
LTJG. MASON: This was a trap. The hologram, the colonists as bait they waited for us to be vulnerable. We're too damaged to stand and fight. It's what they do first run you down, use up your resources.
CAPT. BRANSON: Tire us out smart tactic.
Lieutenant Mason is leaning on his console.
LTJG. MASON: And deadly.
WHUMPH!
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors are down to sixty percent!
Captain Branson walks over to T'Mir.
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Mir That brown dwarf that you mentioned before it's, uh, pretty much a gas giant, right? Where exactly is it? 
Lieutenant T'Mir checks her console read out and reports.
LTJG. T'MIR: 200 kilometers from our present position. But Captain, it is tethered in orbit around a black hole. 
Ensign Kaye turns to T'Mir at science. 
ENS. KAYE: How big of a blackhole? 
Captain Branson looks at her. 
CAPT. BRANSON: One problem at a time. Can we maneuver inside the brown dwarf? 
LTJG. T'MIR: While technically possible, there are a number of dangers involved. 
WHUMPH! 
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors down to thirty-seven percent! 
Captain Branson looks at T'Mir. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Bottom-line it for me. 
LTJG. T'MIR: The central mass of the brown dwarf has a density that will crush the entire ship. Surrounding that is a volatile gas cloud. 
CAPT. BRANSON: How volatile? 
LTJG. T'MIR: Enterprise will need to lower its electrical output. Primary and auxiliary systems need to go off-line. We will lose sensors, optics, long-range communications and, most importantly, the deflectors. 
CAPT. BRANSON: We'll be running dark. 
ENS. KAYE (worried): That sounds. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Perfect. Anything following us will have to do the same. If you're right, it's our best shot. You're the acting Number One again. Do you concur? 
LTJG. MASON: Yes, sir. 
Captain Branson walks to his command chair. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara set a course. 
ENS. KAYE: Aye, sir full impulse. Into a giant gas cloud of death. Why not? 
She inputs commands into the helm station as Captain Branson gives her a look. 
EXT-FINIBUS SYSTEM
The Enterprise speeds towards the gas giant as the Gorn cruiser fires at the ship. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (RED ALERT)
WHUMPH! 
LT. T'MIR: Captain, sickbay and their cargo stores to direct fire so did the main cargo bay.
John is worried but has to keep his composure to assure the safety of his ship and crew.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Debris is everywhere as coolant vents and fires are plumping as Ensign Sito wakes up, and slowly gets up as to not make her situation worse with her headache.
ENS. SITO: STEPH!, STEPH!
She hears groaning as she goes over to Stephanie who's on the floor she removes the debris from her and helps her up.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (groans): Oh my head what hit me?
ENS. SITO: More then half of the main cargo bay how are you feeling?
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Like a shuttle craft landed on my head but I'll be alright just give me a moment.
Then they hear the AP Processor powers up and alarm blares.
COMPUTER VOICE: Warning coolant pressure at 30 millimeters and climbing
ENS. SITO: That's not good.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: No its not.
[END OF ACT ONE, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-BROWN DWARF CLOUD
Enterprise is continuing to flee from the attacking Gorn vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
Both Commander Williams, Ensign Sito and Doctor Langford are on the monitor.
CAPT. BRANSON: How long till it blows?
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (monitor): I have time to stabilize it before it will explode
LTJG. T'MIR: An explosion of that magnitude w Would consume the Enterprise in an atomic blast.
ENS. SITO (monitor): Sounds bad
LTJG. MASON: Yeah it is.
CAPT. BRANSON: Transporters are off-line so sit tight we'll have a damage control team come and get you in a few hours.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (monitor): In the meantime I'll try to repair the AP Processor
Transmission ends and its just Doctor Langford on the monitor.
CAPT. BRANSON: It is me or is it a bit toasty in here?
LTJG. T'MIR: The ionic gas surrounding the ship is overwhelming climate controls. Many systems are down. Including Sickbay.
DR. LANGFORD (monitor): Everything is off-line. We're stabilizing patients, but without medical systems, no one is getting better. It's triage
CAPT. BRANSON: Causalities?
DR. LANGFORD (monitor): Yes, Captain nine confirmed
John says a prayer for those that were killed.
CAPT. BRANSON: How's Jane?
DR. LANGFORD (monitor): I've not had the chance to give her a full work up we've been busy with some of our own wounded, but I will get a chance to look her over when I get a chance but it appears she has a gash on her stomach but with the medical systems off I can't use the dermal regeneration packs
NURSE CHAPEL (O.S. monitor): Doctor I need some help here!
DR. LANGFORD (monitor): Sorry I've got to go I'll try to keep you posted
CAPT. BRANSON (sighs): Thanks Doc.
Transmission ends as Captain Branson turns back to the rest of his senior staff.
CAPT. BRANSON: What's our tactical status?
LTJG. MASON: No weapons no phasers Deflectors are down to forty-one percent they're recharging but it will take a few hours for them to recharge.
CAPT. BRANSON: Torpedoes?
LTJG. MASON (sighs): The torpedo bay was hit in the attack. We lost all but one.
ENS. KAYE: Only one torpedo how the hell do we fight someone with only one torpedo and no phasers?
LTJG. T'MIR: Let's not panic here.
ENS. KAYE: What do we do throw luggage at them? And the Gorn really? We're out here fighting the-the boogeyman? No one has even seen one. So how are we supposed to take them on?
CAPT. BRANSON: Not since Commodore Kirk's encounter with them during the Cestus III incident along their borders.
LTJG. MASON: I've seen them it was when I served onboard the USS Johnson we were on a patrol along their border when they attacked, their first shot knocked out our warp drive second disabled deflectors and weapons they boarded our ship. Killed half of the crew if it wasn't for the Captain's idea to separate the Saucer section I wouldn't be here right now.
CAPT. BRANSON: But if we can talk to them?
LTJG. MASON [scoffs]: They aren't supernatural. But they are monsters. The Federation teaches that if we can find a way to empathize with an enemy then they can one day become our friends. They're wrong. Some things in this universe are just plain evil. Have you ever seen eyes that are both dead and hungry at the same time? To them, humans are just walking feed bags of flesh and bone and jelly. The Gorn trigger a primitive, ancient, terror in warm-blooded species. We are prey. And when they hunt, they're unrelenting. The truth is plenty of people have seen the Gorn. They just don't live long enough to talk about it.
Captain Branson looks at the rest of the senior staff.
CAPT. BRANSON: All right. Be vigilant. Get creative. You're the best of Starfleet. We survive this by working together.
The senior staff gets up and heads to the bridge.
CAPT. BRANSON: Lieutenant a moment.
Lieutenant Mason remains.
LTJG. MASON: Sir what do you need we have a situation that needs our full attention.
CAPT. BRANSON: I understand that but I want to address your issue with the Gorn.
LTJG. MASON: The enemy doesn't care about my feelings, Captain, so I don't waste my time having any.
Captain Branson puts his hands behind his back.
CAPT. BRANSON: Well, that may be true, but it's not looking that way to the crew.
LTJG. MASON: With all due respect, you know me well enough to know that I don't care what the crew thinks. I've always been blunt. That's just who I am. Direct, looking at outcomes, not emotion.
CAPT. BRANSON: And Stephanie what about her?
LTJG. MASON: She's the only one that I care about and right now I can't do anything to help her in this situation.
He leaves the briefing room as Captain Branson is worried.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Ensign Sito moves a piece of debris and gets out a couple of tricorders and hands one to Stephanie.
ENS. SITO [re: Tricorder]: Let's see which of these are damaged.
She uses the tricorder to scan the rods.
ENS. SITO [re: Tricorder]: Ok the top and bottom ones aren't off-line but the middle one is.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS [re: tricorder]: Better remove it.
Sito puts down her tricorder and removes the damaged rod and puts it to the side as Sito looks at her.
ENS. SITO: Now what do we do?
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: We'll have to start by using the control panel to shut down the safety override.
ENS. SITO: Seems easy enough.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Not really I'll have to use the other panel to adjust the coolant system we should not allow the temperature to get above 110 degrees.
ENS. SITO: You'll work the coolant while I shut down the safety override.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Got it.
They get to work.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Captain Branson walks onto the bridge from the situation room. 
LTJG. T'MIR: Captain, a moment please? 
CAPT. BRANSON: You have something, T'Mir? 
LTJG. T'MIR: You challenged us to get creative. Computer, run program Vinci 7. Primary sensors aren't available. But navigation system constantly take in atmospheric data to maintain stability. 
ENS. KAYE: Hey, I still do most of the work. 
LTJG. T'MIR: A ship traveling through the gas cloud creates oscillation in the atmosphere. These are converted into rotational motions by. 
ENS. KAYE: Coriolis forces. Which the nav-com detects automatically. 
LTJG. T'MIR: Marking Coriolis force readings would allow us to triangulate movement inside the gas giant. 
Transparent viewer shows this as T'Mir explains more. 
LTJG. T'MIR: We've been tracking the Gorn ship. 
CAPT. BRANSON: T'Mir you just turned a compass into a radar good work. 
Captain Branson walks over to the command chair and sits in it. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Range? 
ENS. KAYE: Forty-one meters and closing.
Transparent viewer shows the Enterprise and the blip of the Gorn cruiser. 
LTJG. MASON: There she is sir it's the same vessel that's been harassing us since it appeared.
ENS. KAYE: Evasive maneuvers sir?
CAPT. BRANSON: Negative maintain course and speed.
Beeping gets louder as Jamie is getting anxious. 
ENS. KAYE (anxious): Preparing to engage the enemy. 
Captain Branson looks at Ensign Kaye. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Keep her steady helm. 
ENS. KAYE: Aye, sir. 
The transparent viewer shows the Gorn ship goes right by the Enterprise. 
LTJG. MASON: She passed us?
LTJG. T'MIR: It appears that they can't see us.
CAPT. BRANSON: We've got them Jack arm that last torpedo.
LTJG. MASON [nods]: Aye, sir arming torpedo now.
Lieutenant Mason inputs commands into the tactical console.
LTJG. T'MIR: Captain, I must remind you that if you fire a photon torpedo inside a brown dwarf the guidance systems will not work. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I don't plan on firing it I plan on shoving it down their throat. 
Captain Branson walks over to the helm station. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Set a course to pursue the enemy vessel. Quick but quiet, Jamie. 
ENS. KAYE: That's is my specialty. 
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
Unknown to the Gorn cruiser the Enterprise is quietly sneaking up on the vessel, and is ready to pounce on the Gorn cruiser. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
T'Mir looks at her console read out.
LTJG. T'MIR: We are less then one kilometer behind the enemy vessel.
CAPT. BRANSON: Deploy torpedo.
LTJG. MASON: Bombs away.
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
A close up of the torpedo hatches as the port one opens and the torpedo casing floats out of it and heads towards the Gorn cruiser.
INT-U.S.S. ENTEPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Coolant vents from the ceiling as the ship rocks a bit as T'Mir checks her scanner and reports.
LTJG. T'MIR: Enemy vessel has been destroyed.
Captain Branson leans back in the Command chair breathing a sigh of relief.
CAPT. BRANSON: Good work everyone let's get out of here.
Then the transparent viewer shows three Gorn vessels.
LT. KIRK: Aw hell more vessels.
Captain Branson slowly gets up from his chair.
CAPT. BRANSON [shocked]: They wanted us to fire. They sacrificed an entire ship just to get our location.
LT. KIRK: Why does that blip look bigger then the rest.
EXT-RED DWARF CLOUD
The two Gorn vessels are on the port and starboard sides of the larger Gorn cruiser.
(END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT)
===Act 3===
FADE IN
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED, EMERGENCY POWER]
LTJG. MASON: Three on one that's not good we're outgunned.
LT. KIRK: We need to run.
LTJG. T'MIR; I concur sir. But if we leave the brown dwarf they will see us. If we go deeper, it could destroy the ship.
CAPT. BRANSON: Good thinking T'Mir. We need to go deeper into the brown dwarf.
LT. T'MIR: That is not what I suggested.
Captain Branson walks over to Kaye.
CAPT. BRANSON: Jamie take us deeper into the red dwarf.
ENS. KAYE: Sure. Didn't our science expert just say that would crush the ship? Just asking, sir.
LTJG. T'MIR: I did, the pressure against the hull will increase the deeper we go. If we venture too close, the density field will obliterate us.
Captain Branson is at his command chair working on the right arm rest console.
CAPT. BRANSON: Whatever happens to us will also happen to the Gorn. I believe in Enterprise. We can outlast them.
LTJG. T'MIR: There is but one problem with this sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Like what?
LTJG. T'MIR: The lower decks will be first to take structural damage. Immediate evacuation of all decks below 20.
CAPT. BRANSON: I don't like it as much as you guys do but I'm not letting this crew be food for those monsters or breeding sacks for their babies, the Enterprise has to dive helm take us down.
ENS. KAYE (sighs): Aye, skipper dive, dive, dive.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Both Commander Williams and Ensign Sito are working till they hear the hull creaking and yawning.
ENS. SITO: Never heard the hull make that sound before.
 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: They must be taking us deeper into the red dwarf cloud. 
ENS. SITO: Like you said focus on keeping this thing from overloading destroying the ship and killing everyone onboard. 
LT. WILLIAMS: Let's disconnect these rods. 
They start disconnecting the damaged rods and reconfiguring the others.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
Captain Branson looks up as the hull continues to creak and groans as T'Mir reports. 
LTJG. T'MIR: The lower decks are starting to buckle! 
LT. KIRK: But the evacuation hasn't been complete yet! 
CAPT. BRANSON: Get those officers out! 
LTJG. T'MIR: Captain, Decks are collapsing. If we do not seal them off now, loss of pressure 
could spread to the entire ship. 
Captain Branson starts thinking and then sees Beverly badly wounded. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Seal the bulkheads. 
T'Mir seals the bulkheads on the lower decks. 
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPISE DECK TWENTY TWO [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED] 
Lieutenant Mackenzie sees a wounded officer and goes to him. 
LT. MACKENZIE: Hey, hey its alright I got you. 
She helps him to his feet and helps him to the otherside of the corridor. 
COMPUTER VOICE: Warning, structural collapse in three minutes
SCIENCE OFFICER: Leave me save yourself. 
LT. MACKENZIE: Not a chance you're coming with me. 
Then the doors start closing as they're an inch closer he pushes Kayla to the otherside as the doors closed sparks erupt from the ceiling. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
LTJG. MASON: Structural collapse on Deck 22.
CAPT. BRANSON: Was anyone there. 
LTJG. T'MIR: We lost a crewmen in the explosion. 
Captain Branson slumps back in his command chair. 
CAPT. BRANSON: No I can't believe it. 
T'Mir turns to the Captain.
LTJG. T'MIR: You made the logical choice.
CAPT. BRANSON: Then why doesn't it feel like that?
LTJG. T'MIR: For the same reason you made it. Because you value life.
Then Lieutenant Mason reports.
LTJG. MASON: Captain, we're approaching critical hull failure. If antimatter chamber become compromised, there will be no ship left to save. Enterprise can't take much more of this.
CAPT. BRANSON [determined]: We're overextended. You said they wanted to take us prisoner, Number One? Well, if they think they're gonna board the Enterprise, they're gonna find one hell of a fight. Battle stations. Make ready for close quarters. Jamie, full stop.
ENS. KAYE: Aye, sir all stop.
EXT-BROWN DWARF CLOUD
The Gorn vessel is approaching the Enterprise's position but is then crushed and destroyed.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
Transparent viewer shows this.
LTJG. T'MIR: The Gorn vessel has been destroyed sir.
LT. KIRK: They can't take the pressure?
LTJG. T'MIR: It appears the Gorn vessel could not withstand the atmospheric pressure.
LTJG. MASON: How did you?
CAPT. BRANSON: You said when the Gorn hunt they are relentless. They don't stop.
LTJG. MASON: You exploited their weakness.
CAPT. BRANSON: Yes I did get me a damage report T'Mir scan for the other two vessels.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE SICKBAY [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
The medical staff are hard at work treating or covering officers and colonists as Doctor Langford walks over to Commander Kal. 
LTCMDR. KAL: What's my condition? 
DR. LANGFORD: We got all of the sharpel out. 
NURSE CHAPEL: The intrusion on her abdominal aorta. 
LTCMDR. KAL: Is there something you're not telling me? 
DR. LANGFORD: Well its going to be painful. 
NURSE CHAPEL: She's going to bleed alot if it gets removed while she's awake. 
LTCMDR. KAL: What do you recommend? 
DR. LANGFORD: Sedation in order to remove it or you can decline. Wait for the systems to be online. 
NURSE CHAPEL: Or she could go into septic shock I've heard its like giving birth through the mouth. 
They look at her. 
LTCMDR. KAL: Who says that? 
NURSE CHAPEL: Well uh I do. 
DR. LANGFORD: But we only have one pack of blood left. 
Just as she's about to receive it she turns to see a wounded colonist that needs it. 
LTCMDR. KAL: Give it to that young girl. 
DR. LANGFORD: But its the last one Commander. 
LTCMDR. KAL: THAT'S A ORDER! 
Doctor Langford hands it to Nurse Chapel. 
LTCMDR. KAL: Give me the gas. 
They put a mask on her. 
DR. LANGFORD: Just breathe slowly. 
She starts fading and she falls asleep. 
[END OF ACT 3 FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-BROWN DWARF CLOUD
Enterprise continues through the clouds.
CAPT. BRANSON'S (voice over): Captain's Log, Supplemental, Enterprise is currently in the center of a gas giant, hiding from an enemy we've never faced before. So far, three civilians and seven of my crew have lost their lives
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMEGENCY POWER]
Transparent viewer shows a blackhole as John's log entry continues.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over, continuing]: The battle is far from over, but I am determined to keep everyone else alive. My newest obstacle is the presence of a nearby black hole
CAPT. BRANSON: Never been this close to a black hole before but its a first time for everything. 
Captain Branson walks back to the command section.
LTJG. T'MIR: Atmospheric density is decreasing. I believe the singularity is advancing its accumulation of substellar material.
ENS. KAYE: Do you ever speak English?
LTJG. T'MIR: The brown dwarf we're hiding inside is being sucked into a black hole.
ENS. KAYE: That makes me feel so much better.
CAPT. BRANSON: We stay, we go with it?
LTJG. T'MIR: Yes, sir.
LT. KIRK: We can't even pop our heads out to see if it's clear.
LTJG. MASON: Without long-range communication, we can't even send a probe.
CAPT. BRANSON: How much time before we can't escape the black hole's gravity?
T'Mir checks her console read out and reports.
LTJG. T'MIR: One hour, 32 minutes and 48 seconds.
ENS. KAYE: So far so good sir no sign of the Gorn forces but I wouldn't put it pass them to be behind us. 
LTJG. MASON: As soon as they see us come out they'll take a kill shot. 
CAPT. BRANSON: But not if they think we were destroyed. 
They look at him. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Tell me what does Possum's do to evade predators? 
LTJG. MASON: Play dead. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Exactly. 
He walks over to the command chair and speaks to the com. 
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Bridge to Williams Steph you and Sito get suited up we're going to vent the cargo bay. 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS (com voice): Aye, sir 
LTJG. MASON: Its risky. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Its all we got. 
Captain Branson sees the black hole on the transparent viewer. 
CUT TO:
EXT-FINBUS SYSTEM
The USS Yorktown NCC-1717, USS Sagon NCC-506, and the USS Excalibur NCC-26517-A emerges from warp and approaches the third planet. 
INT-U.S.S. YORKTOWN MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Jessica Smith sits in the Captain's chair.
CAPT. SMITH: Full sensor scans.
LTCMDR. JONES: Still no sign of the Enterprise ma'am but I am reading an ion trail and weapon signatures in the area its Gorn. 
CAPT. SMITH (shocked): Red Alert, deflectors up! 
Lights dimmed and klaxons blares. 
INT-USS YORKTOWN VARIOUS DECKS [RED ALERT]
The crew heads to their battle stations as weapon lockers light up and security officers armed themselves with hand phasers and the type-III Particle rifles.
INT-U.S.S. YORKTOWN MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. HARRISON: Battle stations are manned Captain.
LTJG. CAETANO: I'm still detecting the ion trail on my nav sensors ma'am. 
Captain Smith is worried about her husband and step-daughter. 
EXT-BROWN DWARF CLOUD
Enterprise still traveling through the clouds as the larger Gorn vessel gives chase.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMEGENCY POWER]
ENS. KAYE: I can't shake them!
CAPT. BRANSON: Evasive pattern delta.
Captain Branson goes to his command chair. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Divert all power to the structural integrity grid. 
LTJG. T'LAR: Aye, sir. 
T'Lar works at her console as the screen shows the Enterprise's structural integrity grid being boosted, Captain Branson activates ship-wide com. 
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Attention, this is the captain speaking. Earlier today, we were reminded of the cost of exploration. What it means to chart the stars, to push the boundaries of what is known and what is possible. When we seek out the unknown, we will find things that challenge us. That frighten us. But we do not back down. We do not give in to fear. And I believe today will not be our last mission, but our finest hour. All hands make ready for impact. 
ENS. KAYE (sighs): Alright let's go. 
She inputs commands into the helm station, the transparent viewer shows the accretion disk as the ship starts shaking. 
EXT-OUTER EDGE OF BLACK HOLE
Enterprise approaches it.
[END OF ACT 4, FADE OUT]
===Act 5===
FADE IN
EXT—SPACE NEAR ACCRETION DISK
The Enterprise is very close to the disk, tiny beside it. It enters the disk, leaving a streak as the Gorn heavy cruiser comes to a complete halt. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
Everyone is bracing. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Vent cargo hold. 
Lieutenant T'Lar vents the cargo hold. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY [RED ALERT, BATTLE DAMAGED]
Both Stephanie and Sito are lifted up so violently that the plate securing Sito to the deck begins to tear up. Stephanie grabs Sito's arm, and they hold on for dear life. 
EXT-OUTSIDE THE ACCESTION DISK
The Gorn vessel detect the explosion of the AP 350. Thinking it to be the Enterprise, they fall back. A moment later, the Enterprise slingshots free of the black hole's gravity, battered and singed, but intact. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT, EMERGENCY POWER]
Lights come back on as the senior staff are at their positions. 
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Bridge to main cargo bay. 
Static comes over the com. 
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Main Cargo bay respond. 
Static comes over the com still.
CAPT. BRANSON [saddened]: Jack, send a recovery team.
Then a few seconds later.
ENS. SITO [com voice]: We're still here Bridge we're alright
Everyone cheers as Captain Branson breathes a sigh of relief.
CAPT. BRANSON: Still send that recovery team.
LTJG. MASON: Aye, sir.
LTJG. T'MIR: Sir, I am detecting four Federation vessels on long range scanners.
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's see them.
The transparent viewer shows the Starfleet vessels.
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles]: Hail the lead vessel inform her we're going to need a tow.
LTJG. MASON: Aye, sir.
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise is docked outside of Starbase 324 as the hull is blackened and scorched as repair teams are on the hull repairing the damage along with worker bees.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE JACK & STEPHANIE'S QUARTERS
Jack has the pendant on his uniform of the U.S.S. Johnson as he leaves his quarters.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE DECK NINE CORRIDOR
Repair teams are working to repair the damage the ship sustained in the conflict.
LTJG. MASON'S [voice over]: Personal log, stardate 3177.9, Today, the Enterprise encountered the Gorn. Seven of the crew gave their lives
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE SICKBAY
As the medical officers are continuing to treat the remaining wounded officers that were less critical Jane regains consciousness, finding herself connected intravenously to Peter; the doctor had given her his blood so she could live. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN CARGO BAY
Captain Branson is looking at the caskets of the seven crewmen who died as the doors opened and Lieutenant Mason enters wearing the pin of the USS Johnson and he joins John to pay tribute to the seven officers that gave their lives. 
LTJG. MASON'S [voice over, continues]: But we...survived
EXT-SPACE
An establishing shot of Starbase 324.
[END OF ACT 5, FADE OUT, ENDING CREDITS]
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*Felecia Linkous as Lieutenant Commander Jane Kal
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Williams
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Peter Langford
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Ensign Jamie Kaye
*Sadie Brickhouse as Ensign Sito Jaxa
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Mir
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Christine Chapel
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Lieutenant Samuel Kirk
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===
*Inspired by Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 1 episode Memento Mori.
*A Lieutenant Junior Grade Jack Mason focus episode.
*The slingshot maneuver was inspired by Stargate SG-1 Season 10 episode Pegasus Project where the USAF BC-304 U.S.S Odyssey under the command of Colonel Paul Emerson had to slingshot clear of a Wraith Cruiser attacking them.
*And Starfleet Remembrance Day is inspired by Veterans Day.