Children of The Comet (First Frontier episode)

Children of The Comet is the 2nd episode of Star Trek: First Frontier First Frontier Season 1.
==Plot==
While on a survey mission, the USS Enterprise discovers a comet is going to strike an inhabited planet. They try to re-route the comet, only to find that an ancient alien relic buried on the comet's icy surface is somehow stopping them. As the away team try to unlock the relic's secrets, Branson and Commander Ivanova deal with a group of zealots who want to prevent the USS Enterprise from interfering. 
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-PERSPHONE III SURFACE, DAY
A mother and son are getting some water to survive when the son looks up and points at something in the sky, his mother looks up and sees that its a comet trail as she's curious about this. 
EXT-PERSPHONE III ORBIT
A Comet is flying by as the USS Enterprise is next to it. 
LTJG. SMITH'S (voice over): Chief Communications Officer's Log Stardate 5435.1, The Enterprise is surveying the Persephone System where the crew is studying the behavior of an ancient comet, C/2260 Quentin. I, however, am doing rotation in landing party readiness protocols, which doesn't really involve comets, ancient or otherwise, so duties are pretty slow at the moment. Except, of course, for a recent invitation to dinner at the captain's cabin, for which I have been encouraged by Ensign Carlson to dust off my dress uniform
INT-USS ENTERPRISE DECK FIVE CORRIDOR
Turbo-lift doors opened and Lieutenant Smith is adjusting the sleeves on her dress uniform when she sees Ensign Carlson is regular clothes. 
JULIA (surprised): I thought it was formal? 
KARA: Actually, what I said was you might want to wear your dress uniform. 
JULIA: Are you kidding? This is your idea of a practical joke? 
KARA: Kinda. 
JULIA: I'm going to go change. 
She turns to go back to the lift when Kara stops her. 
KARA: You uh don't want to be late to the Captain's table especially since its your brother in law. 
She turns back towards her. 
JULIA: What is that suppose to mean? 
KARA: Come on Lieutenant you and I both know the reason that you got this assignment is because of your brother in law being the Captain of this ship. 
JULIA [rolls her eyes]: Unbelievable the reason I got this assignment is because it was requested by my professors at Starfleet Academy, they knew John needed the best 
Communications officer and she recommended me. 
They walk to the Captain's quarters and the doors opened and John is wearing regular clothes as well. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS, MAIN AREA
Both Julia and Kara enter as John pats her on the back.
JOHN [smiles]: Julia its alright we'll work on it some more.
They walk from the doors.
JULIA: John usually when I hear the word formal I think of dress uniform. 
John pats her shoulder. 
JOHN: I know but here on the Enterprise we're just people I'll be back I have to go tackle some ribs. 
John walks over to the stove to go tackle some ribs, as Julia gives Zhasa a hand with some food. 
ZHASA: Julia you're a good officer and you'll have to adjust to John's way of running things when he was in command of Io Space Station we had dinners alot. 
At the Captain's table everyone is eating. 
JOHN: So I was taking a stroll at Earth Outpost Five along the Romulan Neutral Zone with my wife, and the next thing I know someone jacked my communicator so I ran after him and then I tripped over a Naussican who had his pants down if it wasn't for Jessica being there I don't think I'd be here right now. 
T'LAR (confused): I've never understood the Human inclination to laugh at others' misfortune. It feels… impolite. 
STEVEN: Because its funny honey. 
T'LAR: Because it breaks a social expectation? 
JOHN: T'Lar you'll have to learn that sometimes things go so badly, you just have to laugh.
T'Lar is still confused as Zhasa turns to Julia. 
ZHASA: So, Julia I hear you speak twelve languages. 
JULIA: Uh, 37 actually. 
JOHN: Wow 37 languages.
ZHASA: So, where do you see yourself in ten years?
Julia thinks.
JULIA: Are you asking me what I want to be when I grow up, Commander?
ZHASA: Sure.
JULIA [sighs]: I guess the truth is, I'm not sure I'm actually all that "Starfleet", my parents work in different areas my mom is a doctor at Starbase Five and my dad is a geothermal doctor and as you know sir my sister Jessica is a Captain of her own ship and my brother who died in a raid by the Romulans was a Station Commander.
Everyone is surprised about Julia's answer.
JOHN: Yeah I remember hearing about the raid by the Romulans it surprised me that they did that while they're in isolation from the rest of the galaxy.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE DECK FIVE CORRIDOR
Both Julia and T'Lar walk through the corridor.
JULIA [groans]: Guess I kind of blew it in there, huh?
T'LAR: Not at all, Lieutenant. The captain values honesty, as do I.
JULIA: But?
T'LAR [raises an eyebrow]: But I would say to you that Starfleet has been a lifelong dream for many, myself included. If it is not your path, you might consider making way for someone else who wants to walk it.
Julia takes T'Lar's words to heart but keeps walking.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS, MAIN AREA
John is cleaning up as Zhasa is giving him a hand. 
ZHASA: It was great to see Julia again after the last time I served with her. 
JOHN: Yeah it was before this I've not seen her since both me and Jessica got married. 
Zhasa looks at her friend. 
ZHASA: John what's wrong? 
John puts the plate down and leans forward. 
JOHN: I had that same dream again Z the one where Spock is at death's doorstep during that battle with the Klingons. 
She walks over to him. 
ZHASA: John you can't continue beating yourself up about what happened in the past, you have to move forward to keep going that's something that Chris told me once. 
Then the com activates. 
LTJG. T'LAR [com voice]: Captain Branson report to the bridge
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Transparent viewer shows a simulation of the planet being destroyed by the asteroid. 
LT. T'LAR: The computer simulation suggests that, when the comet strikes the planet in two days, there will be no survivors. Persephone III is an M-Class world. Previous surveys suggests it is home to an intelligent, pre-warp species that call themselves the Deleb. Given their current state of technological advancement, it is highly unlikely that they are aware of the danger they are in. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Options? 
LT. T'LAR: The Deleb cannot move the comet themselves so why if we move it for them? Branson turns to her. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Ion engines T'Lar? 
LTJG. T'LAR: Precise, four, programmed to fire in sequence to account for the comet's rotation. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Got it, Z thoughts could it work? 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Its possible. 
LTJG. MASON: We could use photon torpedoes as launch vehicles. Take about an hour for the retrofit. 
LT. WILLIAMS: A rosy assessment, considering I'll be the one doing the retrofitting. 
Captain Branson sits in the Captain's chair. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's get it done, people. We've got a planet to save before breakfast. 
The crew gets to work as Captain Branson leans over to Z. 
CAPT. BRANSON (sotto): I love this job. 
LTJG. MASON: Torpedo modifications are ready sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Fire. 
He presses the firing button. 
CUT TO:
EXT-PERSEPHONE SYSTEM, PERSEPHONE IV
The Enterprise launches the modified torpedoes but they struck a strange energy field.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Branson gets up from the Captain's chair. 
CAPT. BRANSON (confused): Does anyone want to tell me why a comet has a force field? 
Everyone is just as confused as Captain Branson is. 
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
=====
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''
=====
Theme Song:
======
A shot of Starbase 1 and the USS Enterprise as she slowly departs from the base, as her warp engines powered up and leaps into warp.
======
STAR TREK: FIRST FRONTIER
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
======
'BASED UPON STAR TREK CREATED BY:
GENE RODDENBERRY'''
=====
JARVIS DAVIDSON 
 AS
CAPT. JOHN BRANSON
The Archer flies by an asteroid
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
LTCMDR. ZHASA IVANOVA
The Archer flies by Mars 
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LTJG. JACK MASON
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LT. STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
BLAKE WAYMIRE
 AS
LTJG. TYSON MITCHELL
USS Enterprise is flying next to a comet
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
ENS. KARA CARLSON
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DR. STEVEN CARLSON
The Enterprise flies under a Pioneer-Class vessel
SADIE BRICKHOUSE
 AS
LTJG. JULIA SMITH
The Enterprise flies by a planet as the sunsets 
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LTJG. T'LAR
The Enterprise flies by Earth and her warp nacelles power up and she leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON
 &
JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-PERSEPHONE SYSTEM, PERSEPHONE IV ORBIT
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
Enterprise is in orbit of the planet following the comet.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
[Wall monitor shows the comet and the strange energy field as the camera pans back as Commander Ivanova is conducting the briefing.]
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: We've tried every hail, every scan you can think of. If there's life on the
comet, we can't find it. But we did find a structure. It's enormous and mostly subterranean.
 A structure suggests alien intelligence.
CAPT. BRANSON: Which is why I asked for Lieutenant Sean Hansen to join us in this briefing you are aware of what just happened a few seconds ago Lieutenant?
LTJG. HANSEN [nods]: Yes, sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: What is your recommendations?
LTJG. HANSEN: I've ran scans of my own and I found this it appears to be some sort of device in the middle I would like to get a look at it up close. 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Could we get a landing party on the comet?
LTJG. MASON: But how do we get on the comet without being scrambled by the force field we all saw what happened to the torpedoes.
LTJG. HANSEN: The shields are not constant. They only appear in response to a threat. It should be possible to beam to the surface without triggering them.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: It will be tight but I'm sure it can be possible. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Mister Mason you'll be leading that landing party. 
LTJG. MASON (nods): Aye, sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Take no risks if you feel threaten down there you have authorization to defend yourselves by any means necessary, and I mean it Lieutenant but if you find the pilot greet him and inform him of the danger. 
LTJG. MASON: Aye, sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Dismissed. 
The senior staff gets up from the table as John looks at the monitor worried. 
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE EVA SUIT ROOM
The landing party of Lieutenant Junior Grade Mason, Lieutenant Junior Grade T'Lar, Lieutenant Junior Grade Hansen, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Smith are suiting up to beam over to the comet's surface as Nurse Chapel enters the room with a med kit. 
NURSE CHAPEL: Alright now this comet has been dosed with massive amounts of different cosmic rays, so I made a hypo that can block it out. 
She injects the landing party with the meds. 
LTJG. MASON: Thanks Christine alright people set phasers to stun but like the Captain said be ready to increase power should we need to. 
T'Lar, Julia, and Sean set their phasers to stun and the team heads to the transporter room.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM
Chief Mackenzie is at the console.
CHIEF MACKENZIE: Coordinates are set for the comet surface sir.
They walk onto the pad.
LTJG. MASON: Energize chief.
Chief Mackenzie inputs commands into the console and activates the transporter system, as the landing party dematerialized.
CUT TO:
EXT-COMET SURFACE
The landing party materialized on the surface of the comet.
LT. HANSEN: You good? 
Julia turns to him. 
LTJG. SMITH: Yeah, I'm standing on the surface of a comet. 
They head to the structure. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the landing party and their vitals. 
CAPT. BRANSON (sighs, talk to self): Keep an eye on them Chief. 
Lieutenant Mitchell is worried as well.
INT-COMET SURFACE, UNKNOWN STRUCTURE
The landing party enters the structure and walks towards the center.
LTJG. HANSEN [re: tricorder]: We're getting close to the strange energy signature.
LTJG. MASON [gets out phaser as it powers up]: Keep ready.
They approach the center and see a strange looking object.
LTJG. T'LAR [re: tricorder]: Curious. According to my readings, there is breathable atmosphere inside the chamber. 
Lieutenant Mason turns to her. 
LTJG. MASON: We should make sure that the room is secure T'Lar scan the area and I'll do a perimeter sweep. 
LTJG. T'LAR: Aye, sir. 
T'Lar runs her scans as Jack does a sweep of the area as both Lieutenant Hansen and 
Lieutenant Junior Grade Smith are looking at the strange object. 
LTJG. HANSEN: These markings. What do you think, decorative or linguistic? 
Julia turns to him. 
LTJG. SMITH [re: tricorder]: They look linguistic these markings, they repeat in a sequence.
LTJG. HANSEN [surprised]: A sequence, huh?
LTJG. SMITH: Maybe a code? I don't know. Just Everything seems to point to this egg. It's important, just I don't know how. 
LTJG. HANSEN: Do you think these markings indicate some kind of control? If they do, then perhaps this is how we can affect the comet's shields. 
Lieutenant Mason walks back to them.
LTJG. MASON: Perimeter has been secured no one has been here for I don't a century or two, what do you make of that T'Lar? 
T'Lar scans it with her tricorder. 
LTJG. T'LAR (re: Tricorder): My tricorder cannot seem to get a good reading on it. 
Lieutenant Hansen walks over the egg and goes to touch it. 
LTJG. SMITH: Uh, Lieutenant I don't think that's a good idea. 
The egg and room lights up as the landing party looks around. 
LTJG. HANSEN (chuckles): Yahtzee. Huh? It's an old Earth game. 
LTJG. T'LAR (re: Tricorder): I'm familiar with Yahtzee Lieutenant but my tricorder is detecting a massive increase of power back way from the egg now, LIEUTENANT! 
A huge energy burst pushes Lieutenant Hansen back as the landing party goes to him. 
LTJG. MASON: Turn him over get his helmet off. 
They turn Hansen over and removes his helmet as T'Lar scans him. 
LTJG. T'LAR: His heart has stopped. 
Lieutenant Mason activates the com on his suit. 
LTJG. MASON [to com]: Mason to Enterprise we need an emergency beam out we've got a critically injury.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
LTJG. MASON [com voice, cutting in and out]: Ent prise. We ne ergency beam out
 
Captain Branson gets up from the Captain's chair. 
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Jack your communication is a bit spotty what's going on? 
INT-COMET SURFACE, UNKNOWN STRUCTURE
LTJG. MASON [to com]: Lieutenant Hansen is down we need emergency beam out now. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Bridge, to transporter room Mack get that landing party back up here now.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TRANSPORTER ROOM [YELLOW ALERT]
Chief Mackenzie is at the transporter console as a medical team led by Nurse Chapel enter.
NURSE CHAPEL: We're ready.
The Away team appears for a brief moment but then vanishes as she checks her console read out. 
CHIEF MACKENZIE: Damn it the comet's force field just went up. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
CHIEF MACKENZIE [com voice]: I can't beam them out
Captain Branson is tensed up as Lieutenant Mitchell is worried about Julia now more then ever. 
[END OF ACT ONE, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-PERSEPHONE SYSTEM, PERSEPHONE IV ORBIT
Enterprise is next to the comet.
INT-COMET SURFACE, UNKNOWN STRUCTURE
Jack scans Sean. 
LTJG. MASON: He's stable but he's got severe neural trauma from the discharge I've sedated him for now. 
LTJG. SMITH: Maybe we shouldn't touch anything around here anymore? 
They turn to her. 
LTJG. SMITH: Just a suggestion. 
LTJG. T'LAR: A good suggestion Lieutenant but we need to find away to get off this comet and get Mister Hansen back to the Enterprise for proper medical treatment. 
LTJG. SMITH: Lieutenant this is my first landing party mission since my posting to the Enterprise, my last one on the U.S.S. Gulliver didn't end so well. 
Lieutenant Mason gets up and walks over to her. 
LTJG. MASON: The U.S.S. Gulliver I had friends on that vessel I graduated from the Academy with so it was you who killed them. 
Jack starts aggressively walking towards her as Julia backs up as T'Lar blocks him. 
LTJG. SMITH: The Commander wouldn't listen to me. 
LTJG. MASON: DOESN'T MATTER I HAD FRIENDS THAT DIED ON THAT VESSEL! 
T'Lar backs him off. 
LTJG. T'LAR: Mister Mason now is not the time nor place for this we have to get Mister Hansen back to the Enterprise for further treatment go make sure the area is secured some more. 
Lieutenant Mason leaves to make sure no one detected the energy burst and is coming to investigate it. 
LTJG. T'LAR: Lieutenant, Julia we all have something that is weighing us down but we cannot allow it to keep us down forever it would destroy us and everyone around us. 
LTJG. SMITH: You maybe a Vulcan T'Lar but that was a great pep talk I'll get to work on figuring how to get us back to the ship. 
She starts getting to work. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE (YELLOW ALERT)
 
Captain Branson walks over to Ensign Christina at communications. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Anything? 
ENS. CHRISTINA: No, sir but I'm not giving up on the landing party. 
He pats her shoulder. 
LTJG. MITCHELL: Sir Julia is on that rock. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I know Ty we'll get her back I promise. 
He pats his shoulder and walks back to the center chair and sits down thinking. 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: John I did a check of Julia's record she was posted on the USS Gulliver. 
John turns to her. 
CAPT. BRANSON: How does that help us? 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Sorry but Jack had an old girlfriend on the Gulliver before he met Stephanie, she was apart of the landing party that went down to Sinbad IV during the four years war with the Klingons. 
Captain Branson is shocked. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Alright I want some ideas, We've got a planet full of people who will die without our help, and our crew members are trapped on that comet. We need to get through that force field. How? 
Everyone is thinking till Ensign Carlson speaks up. 
ENS. CARLSON: Phaser harmonics? 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Setting the weapons to a higher frequency to counteract the shield. 
CAPT. BRANSON (smiles): I like this plan. This is a good plan. Carlson, bring us around. 
ENS. CARLSON: Aye, sir. 
Ensign Carlson inputs commands into the helm station. 
CUT TO:
INT-COMET SURFACE, UNKNOWN STRUCTURE
Both Lieutenant T'Lar and Lieutenant Junior Grade Smith are working on how to shut down the force field blocking both coms and transporters. 
LTJG. T'LAR: So how did you come to get posted to the Enterprise? 
LTJG. SMITH: It was under the suggestion of my teachers at the Academy I went back after the incident on the Gulliver, I wanted to get better and to know more about communications and linguistically. 
LTJG. T'LAR: Wow. 
She reviews the PADD. 
LTJG. SMITH [re: PADD]: This translation is strange but I think I can translate it. 
EXT-PERSEPHONE SYSTEM, PERSEPHONE IV ORBIT
Enterprise is getting into position to shoot the comet.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
ENS. CARLSON: We're in position. 
LTJG. MITCHELL: Phasers locked sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Alright then Mister Mitchell you may.... 
WHUMPH! 
ENS. CARLSON: That was a photon torpedo hit. 
Captain Branson gets up from the center chair. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Where did it come from? 
LTJG. MITCHELL: Uh, Captain I think we found where it came from. 
Captain Branson faces the viewer and is in shock looking at the large vessel. 
EXT-PERSPHONE SYSTEM, PERSEPHONE IV ORBIT
The large vessel is between the Enterprise and the comet. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the large vessel. 
CAPT. BRANSON: What is that? 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Unknown but whoever they are they're blocking us from getting a clear shot at the comet. 
Captain Branson turns to Ensign Christina. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Ensign open a channel to that vessel. 
Transparent viewer changes to the bridge of the unknown vessel. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I'm John Branson of the Federation starship Enterprise. Who are you and why are you attacking our vessel? 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: We are the Shepherds
Captain Branson turns to Ensign Christina. 
CAPT. BRANSON: What is that? 
ENS. CHRISTINA: Sorry sir its how it was translated. 
Captain Branson turns back to the viewer. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Captain your vessel is blocking our attempts to keep a comet from touching the planet now I ask again why did you attack my ship? 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: We escort M'hanit
CAPT. BRANSON: The comet? 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: The M'hanit is far more than a comet. M'hanit is one of the ancient arbiters of life
CAPT. BRANSON (confused): Okay? 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: If you tamper with it again, we will not hesitate to destroy you
John tenses up a bit after that threat from the Shepherd Captain. 
[END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-PERSEPHONE SYSTEM, PERSEPHONE IV ORBIT
Enterprise is facing the Shepard's vessel.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: Z full scan of that ship I wanna know what they're packing. 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Aye, sir. 
She gets to work on scanning the vessel's weapons. 
LTJG. MITCHELL: What are we going to do about the landing party on the comet sir? 
CAPT. BRANSON: We'll get them out Tyson I promise Captain our intentions were not hostile. M'hanit is on a collision course with an inhabited planet. We were simply trying to divert its trajectory. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: Absurd. Would you adjust the height of the waves or the 
position of the stars? M'hanit's course is preordained 
CAPT. BRANSON: There are millions of people on that planet. The impact will kill them all and likely blow your comet Uh Blow your M'hanit into just as many pieces. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: Are you a reasonable man Captain Branson?
Captain Branson puts his hand behind his back. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I-I seem to think so. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: Then please entertain the proposition that M'hanit is not, as you continue to call him, a comet. It is an instrument, an ancient arbiter, one of the few remaining in the galaxy. If it is his will to move, he will move. If it is his will to bring life, he will bring life. If M'hanit wills the planet to die, even chooses to die with it, then that is what will happen. As I said, it is preordained. Since before our distant ancestors touched the sky and the stars beyond, my people have been charged with the protection of the arbiters. None of us even remember when the charge first came to us, but we accepted the mantle with honor. For centuries, we have protected the arbiters as they follow courses set long before our suns first burned in the sky, bringing life across the galaxy. It is not our prerogative to interfere, Captain, nor is it yours 
CAPT. BRANSON: Please, excuse me pause communications. 
Ensign Christina pauses the transmission as Captain Branson walks back over to the navigational and helm stations. 
ENS. CARLSON: Wow sounds like the preachers back home. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Shepherd's more like zealots what were you able to find out about their 
weapons. 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: Their systems are incredibly advanced, their ships faster than ours, and their weapon systems.
ENS. CARLSON: Let's just say we don't want to piss them off.
Captain Branson turns back to the viewer. 
CAPT. BRANSON: We've got to prevent that comet from destroying the planet. 
LTJG. MITCHELL: How we can't even touch it without them getting pissed off. 
Captain Branson looks over at him. 
CAPT. BRANSON: We've got to buy the landing party time to get that force field down and keep the Shepherds from finding out about them being on the surface. Ensign resume communications. 
Transmission resumes. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Sorry about that I had to chat in private with my senior staff but as I'm sure you understand me when I say this Captain, You have your sacred duty. We have ours. The Federation doesn't interfere in the development of species, but we also don't just let them die. We don't mean to disrespect M'hanit. We'd do the same for you if you were in danger. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: You say you don't interfere, that you mean no disrespect, but your crew has desecrated the temple on his surface
Captain Branson tenses up. 
ENS. CARLSON: I guess they already know about the landing party. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Believe me when I say we had no idea that it was a sacred object we thought that if we beam over there we could find out how to turn it away from the planet to prevent the people on the planet from dying. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: ABSURD! Their presence is blasphemy. M'hanit will be their tomb. Any further action to rescue them will be considered an act of war
Transmission ends as the Shepherd vessel takes up a defensive posture. 
LTJG. MITCHELL: They're taking up a defensive posture between us and the comet. 
ENS. CARLSON: They've blocked us completely off from getting to the others. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Find a way to get through to the landing party right now. Break the laws of physics if you have to. 
The crew gets to work as Captain Branson is worried and determined to get his officers back onto the Enterprise. 
CUT TO:
INT-COMET STRUCTURE
Lieutenant Mason is checking on Lieutenant Hansen as T'Lar is scanning the object with her tricorder while Julia is attempting to find away to get ahold of the Enterprise. 
LTJG. SMITH: I think I found it the comet responds to song. 
She starts humming a tune her father would sing to her every night when she and Jessica were little. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [YELLOW ALERT]
Ensign Christina is listening to something and then turns to Captain Branson. 
ENS. CHRISTINA: Captain I'm getting something on the low EM band. 
Captain Branson walks over to the communications station. 
CAPT. BRANSON: What is it? 
She's listening to it and then hands the ear piece to Branson who takes a listen. 
CAPT. BRANSON (smiles): Its Julia I remember that song Jessica said that it was what her father would sing to them when they were little, they're alright Hansen is down and in need of medical attention. 
LTJG. MITCHELL: The force field just went down sir. 
Captain Branson hands the ear piece back to Christina and then walks over to his chair. 
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Bridge to transporter room get a lock on them and beam them directly to sickbay. 
DR. CARLSON (com voice): Sickbay to bridge we got them Mason, T'Lar, and Smith are on their way back to the bridge 
CAPT. BRANSON (to com): Very well Steven keep me posted on Mister Hansen's condition Branson out, red alert. 
Lights dim and klaxons blare as Mason, T'Lar, and Smith walk onto the bridge. 
LTJG. SMITH: Sir the Shepherd vessel is hailing us. 
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen. 
Transparent viewer shows the bridge of the Shepherd vessel. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN (viewer): You continue to interfere! 
CAPT. BRANSON: Like I said we're only trying to redirect the comet's trajectory nothing more. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN (viewer): You were warned Captain!
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's discuss this like two civilized... 
Transmission ends as Captain Branson turns to Ensign Carlson with a worried look on his face. 
ENS. CARLSON: I think that went well sir. 
WHUMPH! 
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors down to sixty-seven percent. 
EXT-PERSPHONE SYSTEM
The Shepherd's vessel fires three more volleys. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTJG. T'LAR: Three more incoming! 
CAPT. BRANSON: All hands brace for impact, divert power to forward deflectors! 
[END OF ACT THREE, FADE OUT]
===Act 4===
FADE IN
EXT-PERSPHONE SYSTEM
 
The Shepherd vessel continues to fire on the Enterprise hitting its deflectors. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
WHUMPH! 
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors down to sixty-five percent! 
Captain Branson braces himself in the chair. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Re-route emergency power to deflectors, Kara evasive maneuvers. 
ENS. CARLSON: Aye, sir. 
Ensign Carlson inputs commands into the helm station. 
EXT-PERSPHONE SYSTEM
The Enterprise avoids some of the torpedoes. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
CAPT. BRANSON: Nice flying Kara.
ENS. CARLSON: Thanks sir.
LTJG. MASON: Should I return fire sir?
CAPT. BRANSON: Negative, Ensign Carlson escape pattern Kirk-Omega 3. 
ENS. CARLSON: Aye, sir Kirk-Omega 3 engaged. 
Lieutenant Mason looks at him. 
LTJG. MASON: Sir as chief tactical officer its my recommendation that we retreat. 
CAPT. BRANSON: We're already on the run. 
LTJG. MASON: We need to warp out and regroup. Facing off with them is suicide. We're outgunned here. 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: He's right John. 
WHUMPH! 
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors down to forty percent! 
LTJG. T'LAR: Sir, when we were on the surface, I believe the comet was trying to communicate with us. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Right, the music you guys recorded any idea what it means? 
LTJG. SMITH: I haven't been able to translate it yet. It might take days. 
LT. T'LAR: We have less than one hour before the comet hits Persephone III. 
Julia turns to T'Lar. 
LTJG. SMITH: You do a lot of reminding people of deadlines, ma'am. 
T'Lar raises an eyebrow. 
CAPT. BRANSON: She has a point T'Lar. 
WHUMPH! 
LTJG. MASON: Captain, unless we want them to blow us out of the sky. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Lock phasers and photon torpedoes target weapons and engines I don't want to hurt them. 
WHUMPH! 
ENS. CARLSON: Wish they felt the same way about us. 
Lieutenant Mason inputs commands into the tactical console. 
LTJG. MASON: Deflectors down to twenty-five percent phasers and photons locked on target. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara bring us about to one hundred eighty mark ten and fire! 
He presses the firing button. 
EXT-SPACE
The Enterprise comes about and fires a spread of photon torpedoes red energy blots and a blue phaser beam that scored a direct hit to the port side of the Shepherd vessel. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LTJG. MASON: Direct hit sir.
LTJG. T'LAR: They're moving off.
LTJG. MASON: Suggest we do the same.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can't do that we have to save that planet we brought down the force field so how to we move this comet? 
LTJG. MITCHELL: I don't think the monks in pajamas are going allow us to do that. 
Then Lieutenant T'Lar turns to face Branson. 
LT. T'LAR: What if we did not move the comet? What if it moved itself past the planet? 
John turns to her. 
EXT-PERSEPHONE SYSTEM
The Shepherd vessel moves in on the Enterprise after recovering from that phaser and torpedo strike. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Red lights are flashing as the crew is getting ready and the science station is empty. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Everyone ready? We only get one shot at this. Maximum impulse. 
Ensign Carlson inputs commands into the helm station. 
LTJG. MITCHELL: They're gaining on us. 
LTJG. MASON: They're lining up for the kill shot. 
Captain Branson gets up and walks over to the helm station. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Kara, you know how you used to brag you were going to be the best pilot ever to graduate the Academy? 
She looks over at him.
CAPT. BRANSON: Word gets around. 
ENS. CARLSON: What's your point sir? 
CAPT. BRANSON: We need you to prove it get us in front of that comet. 
ENS. CARLSON (smiles): Aye, sir. 
She works on her console. 
EXT-PERSPHONE SYSTEM
The Enterprise starts moving as the Shepherd's vessel fires at the Enterprise hitting her forward deflectors making them flicker. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT] 
LTJG. MITCHELL: They're in pursuit. 
Ensign Carlson works on her console. 
EXT-COMET DEBRIS TRAIL
The Enterprise enters as they continue firing but then stop. 
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Lieutenant Mason looks at his station. 
LTJG. MASON: They've stopped firing at us sir. 
CAPT. BRANSON: They don't want to risk hitting the comet. 
EXT-COMET DEBRIS TRAIL 
The Enterprise flies through the debris field as rocks are bouncing off the deflectors making them flicker as the Enterprise moves. 
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Then console screens start flickering as Lieutenant Smith turns and reports. 
LTJG. SMITH: I think they're hailing us. Yeah, they are. Captain? 
CAPT. BRANSON: Not yet, Kara bring us about and hold our position. 
ENS. CARLSON: Aye, sir Rerouting to bearing 180 mark five. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Reverse thrusters, full stop. 
ENS. CARLSON: Reversing thrusters and we are coming to a full stop sir and what plan is this? 
CAPT. BRANSON: Its not completed yet Steph shut down all power except life-support. 
Power starts shutting down as coolant is still venting as Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova approach the viewer. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Julia open a channel. 
Transparent viewer shows the Shepherd main bridge. 
CAPT. BRANSON: We surrender your attack has cause a complete system failure. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: Then we will destroy you for touching the M'hanit!
CAPT. BRANSON: Or you can help us we'll collide with the comet and when we do the trilithium resin in the warp core will utterly destroying it. And it will also happen if you destroy our ship. 
The Shepherd Captain doesn't respond. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Please help me and my crew I give you my word we'll never touch the M'hanit again. 
Transmission ends as Zhasa walks over to him. 
LTCMDR. IVANOVA: If this doesn't work. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I know Z. 
Then Ensign Carlson checks her read out. 
ENS. CARLSON: They've locked a tractor beam on us and pulling us away. 
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles, to com]: Branson to T'Lar you're up. 
CUT TO:
INT-GALILEO CANOPY [RED ALERT]
T'Lar engages the engines.
LTJG. T'LAR [to com]: Acknowledge Captain.
EXT-COMET DEBRIS TRAIL
The Galileo unclips from a piece of debris and heads towards the comet. 
INT-GALILEO CANOPY [RED ALERT]
T'Lar is working on the console. 
CUT TO:
INT-USS ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Transparent viewer shows the comet. 
LTJG. MASON: Its changing course. 
LTJG. SMITH: But what about Lieutenant T'Lar? 
Then a hint of static comes over the com. 
LTJG. T'LAR [com voice]: Galileo to Enterprise I am returning to the ship now 
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles, to com]: Great work T'Lar we'll be waiting for your arrival, get me 
the Shepherd vessel now. 
Transparent viewer shows the shepherd vessel's main bridge. 
CAPT. BRANSON: I gave you my word that we wouldn't touch it again and I kept my word as I always do my word is my bond. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN [viewer]: The glory and the mercy that is M'hanit
CAPT. BRANSON: I agree. 
SHEPHERD CAPTAIN (viewer): Perhaps in the future, the Federation would not be so quick to judge the faith of others, and now, we need not part as enemies 
CAPT. BRANSON: I will make that note to my superiors and we have witnessed a huge miracle as the people on the surface have been given a chance to live and grow. 
Shepherd Captain nods and transmission ends. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Cancel red alert, Kara set course for Starbase Six warp factor three engage. 
ENS. CARLSON: Aye, sir. 
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
The Enterprise is at warp. 
CAPT. BRANSON'S (voice over): Captain's Log Supplemental, We're on course for Starbase Six for some repairs and treatment of wounded
INT-USS ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM 
CAPT. BRANSON (to recorder): As I sit and wonder about the comet who made it and why was it abandoned and why did it pick that star system to go to, well I guess we'll never find out seeing that I gave the Shepherd Captain my word that we'll never bother the M'hanit. 
Doors chimed. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Come. 
Doors opened and Lieutenant Smith enters. 
LTJG. SMITH: John you got a minute? 
CAPT. BRANSON: Sure Julia come in. 
She enters and the doors closed. 
JOHN: What's on your mind Julia? 
She stands with her hands behind her back. 
JULIA: I was wondering if you were going to transfer me to another vessel. 
John looks confused. 
JOHN: I'm sorry w-what transfer you to another vessel for what reason? 
JULIA: Well we're family and Starfleet has strict regulations about family serving onboard a Federation vessel together, you risked the Enterprise to get not only your officers back aboard the Enterprise but me as well I can't have that on my mind if something like that happens again. 
John gets up and walks over to her. 
JOHN: Julia we're family but not by blood and you're apart of this crew and you proved that today. 
JULIA (smiles): Thanks John I think I found where I belong. 
They leave the ready room together. 
EXT-WARP TUNNEL 
The Enterprise soars at high warp. 
[END OF ACT FOUR, 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-Waymire as Lieutenant Junior Grade Julia Smith
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Christine Chapel
*TBA as Security Officer Joshua Holiday
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Sean Hansen
===Special Guest Stars===
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===