Justice (Ares episode)

Justice is the 11th episode of Star Trek: Ares Season 1.
==Synopsis==
While on course to an uninhabited planet Captain Branson cedes command to Commander Kal after a crew member is found dead from a phaser wound and the phaser is recovered from Branson's quarters. Meanwhile, a planet harbors a secret that threatens the Ares.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Ares is at warp.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 53455.3, The Ares is on course to rendezvous with Federation One, that will be delivering my cousin Federation President Danielle Branson to the Ares where she'll conduct a tour of the ship it will be the first time we have had the Federation President on one of our heavy cruisers and I will not disappoint the Federation
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
Close on the collar of a white dress uniform as it reveals that Lieutenant Sito is helping Captain Branson fasten the collar on his jacket as T'Mir briefs him, glancing at a PADD. All are wearing formal uniforms. They are running late. 
LTCMDR. T'MIR: The Federation President will be arriving soon. 
CAPT. BRANSON: How can I disappoint my cousin I know what I am doing T'Mir. 
LT. SITO: You either need a new uniform or a new neck John. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Jessica will back me up on this Sito on my collar size being the same as it was at the Academy. 
LT. SITO (dryly): Huh and you're getting older. 
John shoots Sito a look as the doors chimed. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Come. 
Doors opened and Commander Kal enters wearing her dress uniform. 
LTCMDR. KAL: Our guests are ready to beam over. 
They leave the Captain's quarters. 
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE
Ares approaches the M-Class world as Federation One approaches the Ares.
INT-U.S.S. ARES TRANSPORTER
The doors opened and Captain Branson, Lieutenant Commander Kal, Lieutenant Commander T'Mir, and Lieutenant Sito enter as Chief Mackenzie reports. 
CHIEF MACKENZIE: The President and her party are ready to beam aboard. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Energize Chief. 
Chief Mackenzie inputs commands into the console and activates the transporter and Federation President Danielle Branson Federation Vice President S'Tar materialized on the pad. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Madam President welcome aboard the Enterprise. 
MADAM PRESIDENT BRANSON: Thank you Captain this is my vice president S'Tar. 
VICE PRESIDENT S'TAR: Captain Branson. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Vice President. 
They walk off the pad. 
LTCMDR. KAL: Madam President if you'll follow me we've prepared a party for you in the mess hall. 
MADAM PRESIDENT BRANSON: Please lead the way Commander. 
Commander Kal leads them out of the transporter room. 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES ARMORY
Lieutenant Mason is overseeing the armory in preparation for the President's arrival as he looks around and turns to Ensign Holiday. 
LT. MASON: You've seen Crewmen Woods? 
ENS. HOLIDAY: No he didn't report for duty today. 
Lieutenant Mason taps his combadge. 
LTJG. MASON (to com): Ensign Woods, you have KP duty, and you are late. 
Nothing over the com. 
LTJG. MASON [to com]: Ensign Woods this is Lieutenant Mason please respond? 
Nothing still. 
LTJG. MASON [to com]: Computer locate Ensign Woods. 
COMPUTER VOICE: Ensign Woods is in his quarters 
Lieutenant Mason leaves. 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES DECK THREE CORRIDOR-OUTSIDE ENSIGN SPENCER WOODS QUARTERS
Lieutenant Mason presses the panel but no one comes to the doors as he knocks on the doors.
LT. MASON: Woods, get your sorry ass out of bed. You have KP duty.
Still nothing he enters his security codes and the doors opened.
INT-U.S.S. ARES ENSIGN WOODS QUARTERS
The doors are opened and Lieutenant Mason enters and looks for him and finds him in his bed still.
LT. MASON [groans]: I do not have time for this, Ensign! Let's go! 
[He turns on the light and sees Spencer half-lying on the bed. There is blood on the wall. Jack looks around warily, trying to assess what has happened.] 
LT. MASON: Ensign? 
[He touches Wood's shoulder, shaking him. The movement rocks Wood's limp body back.] 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S.ARES MESS HALL
The party is going on as the com activates.
LT. MASON [com voice]: Mason to Branson
John tapped his combadge.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson here Jack you're missing a very impressive party here.
INT-USS ARES ENSIGN WOOD'S QUARTERS
LTJG. MASON (to com): I'm in Ensign Wood's quarters. He did not show up for duty. I came by to check up on him. 
INT-USS ARES MESS HALL
CAPT. BRANSON (confused, to com): What are you saying Jack? 
INT-USS ARES ENSIGN WOOD'S QUARTERS
[Jack stares down at the phaser scorch mark in Wood's forehead.] 
LTJG. MASON (to com): He's been shot, sir. He's dead. 
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
====
Theme song:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZqTpbTsY70
======
The Ares is at the Federation Dockyards
STAR TREK: ARES
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION
====
The aft section of the U.S.S. Ares.
BASED ON STAR TREK CREATED BY:
GENE RODDENBERRY
=====
shot of the secondary hull of the Ares
JARVIS DAVIDSON 
 AS
CAPT. JOHN BRANSON
The Ares flies by an asteroid
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
LTCMDR. JANE KAL
The Ares flies by Mars 
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LT. JACK MASON
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LTCMDR. COURTNEY JAMES
USS Ares is flying next to a comet
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LT. JAMIE KAYE
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DR. PETER LANGFORD
The Ares flies under a Pioneer-Class vessel
SADIE BRICKHOUSE
 AS
LT. SITO JAXA
The Ares flies by a planet as the sunsets 
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LTCMDR. T'MIR
The Ares flies by Earth and as her warp nacelles rise up and power up and she leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
(EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALLING OVER SCENES) 
The Ares and Federation One are in orbit of the planet.
INT-USS ARES ENSIGN WOOD'S QUARTERS
[Branson, Mason, Vice President S'Tar, and Langford are in the room as Takahashi and another person seal up Woods in a body bag and carry him away. Other crew members stand outside in small groups, looking troubled. Peter takes off medical gloves.] 
CAPT. BRANSON: When did this happen? 
DR. LANGFORD: Rigor's set in pretty good, but not completely. So I'd guess…an hour either side of, uh, 0200? 
VICE PRESIDENT S'TAR: And no one heard the phaser going off? 
LT. MASON: As far as I can tell most are heavy sleepers or some where working on reports or writing to families back home. 
DR. LANGFORD: Based on the blood splatter on the wall and the position of the body, I'd say he was…sitting on the edge of the bed. 
[He mimes a gun going off by his forehead.] 
CAPT. BRANSON: Suicide? 
DR. LANGFORD: Its possible I'll know more once I do an autopsy. 
VICE PRESIDENT S'TAR: Why was he even allowed access to a phaser? 
CAPT. BRANSON: He was a highly trained Starfleet security officer who was the best on Mister Mason's team. 
VICE PRESIDENT S'TAR: Captain Branson a word. 
They go out of ear shot of everyone. 
CAPT. BRANSON: Yes? 
VICE PRESIDENT S'TAR: I would like to bring in the presidential security detail we brought with us. 
CAPT. BRANSON: My crew can handle this sir. 
VICE PRESIDENT S'TAR: That is why I am suggesting it to you because you and this crew were close to the man and it would make it an unbiased investigation. 
CAPT. BRANSON: This my vessel and I give the orders here sir we can handle the investigation end of discussion.
John leaves S'Tar standing there.
EXT-FEDERATION SPACE, PLANET ORBIT
Both Ares and Federation One are in orbit of the planet.
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
John is sitting at his desk holding a cup of tea when the doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened as Commander Kal enters holding a PADD.
LTCMDR. KAL: Doctor Langford's medical report on his autopsy of Ensign Woods.
She hands Captain Branson the PADD.
CAPT. BRANSON: So no alcohol in him?
LTCMDR. KAL: Nope according to Peter he had no other drugs in his system.
Then the com activates.
LTCMDR. T'MIR [com voice]: Captain Branson report to the bridge
Both Captain Branson and Commander Kal leaves the ready room.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
The walk onto the bridge as Commander T'Mir vacates the command chair and goes to the science station.
CAPT. BRANSON: Report?
LT. SITO: Sensors have detected another vessel entering the system its Starfleet.
CAPT. BRANSON: Can you ID her?
Sito checks and reports.
LT. SITO: NCC-75193 U.S.S. Horizon Captain James Munro in command.
LTCMDR. KAL: I thought she was on her three-year exploration mission on the edge of Federation Space?
CAPT. BRANSON: She is wonder why she's here Sito hail them.
LT. SITO: Their responding sir you've got the Presidential security onboard that the President forgot to bring with her.
CAPT. BRANSON: But how did they damn it S'Tar must of contacted them have the transporter room ready to beam our new guests over.
LT. SITO: Aye, sir.
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
The U.S.S. Horizon a Leviathan-class vessel Starfleet first deep space exploratory vessel since the end of the Dominion War, parks next to the Ares.
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
Doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened and Major Lianna Kemmer enters.
MAJ. KEMMER: Major Lianna Kemmer Presidential security.
Captain Branson shook her hand.
CAPT. BRANSON: Hello Lianna, its been a long time this is my first officer Lieutenant Commander Jane Kal.
They shook hands.
CAPT. BRANSON: Now before we get started I want it to be clear that this is my ship and you don't run things you report to my chief of security Lieutenant Jack Mason are we clear.
Major Kemmer gets a PADD and puts it on his desk.
CAPT. BRANSON: What's this?
MAJ. KEMMER: Orders from Commodore Shelby I'm assuming command of this investigation effective immediately.
She leaves the ready room as John is in utter shock.
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
Same shot.
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM
ELIZABETH [monitor]: Lianna is aboard?
JOHN: Yeah she is and she ripped the investigation out of Jack's hands.
ELIZABETH [monitor]: Well she does out rank him
He leans forward.
JOHN: Liz did you order her to take charge?
ELIZABETH [monitor]: She did come to me about it and she does want to make sure your cousin is safe and sound out there
John paces about.
JOHN: My chief of security can handle this Liz.
ELIZABETH [monitor]; I understand that John but Vice President S'Tar doesn't think so
JOHN: Why?
ELIZABETH [monitor]: I don't know
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN CARGO BAY
[Everyone stands waiting as Branson enters and faces the crew. Langford, Kal, and Mason have followed him in. Kal stands behind Branson. Mason is now wearing his tac vest.] 
CAPT. BRANSON: As I am sure many of you have already heard, Ensign Woods was killed last night. He signed the weapon out of the equipment lockup yesterday, and the phaser handgun was not returned and is still missing. I'm aware of how extremely disturbing this is for all of us. 
The crew mutters to their selves as Branson continues.
CAPT. BRANSON: So, this is what we're going to do. Commander James and her staff were together playing cards in the mess at the time of the murder. They can all corroborate each other's stories, which gives them an alibi…
[The crowd starts to murmur dissent.] 
ENS. FISHER: Hey, I was in the control room all night.
CREWMEN FRANKLIN: Yeah, I was in the hydroponics lab.
CAPT. BRANSON: Listen, I am sure others will have alibis. But some of us won't. I can tell you for a fact that I was in my quarters getting ready to give the tour of the ship to the Federation President at the time, but I can't prove that. And that makes me as much of a suspect as anyone. That is why I am turning over full control of the investigation to Major Lianna Kemmer of Presidential security Major.
Major Kemmer addresses the crew.
MAJ. KEMMER: Alright, we are going to do a room-by-room search, starting with quarters until the weapon is found. Now, everyone needs to stay here until that search is complete, but in the meantime—
CREWMEN FRANKLIN (interrupting): You are not searching my room without me there.
MAJ. KEMMER; Anybody who wants to be there when their room is being searched can come along when their name is called. Is that fair?
[There are nods of agreement.] 
MAJ. KEMMER: Okay, Mister Franklin, you can be first. Who else would like to be present when their…?
[Several people's hands raise, a large majority of the crew.] 
MAJ. KEMMER: Alright, okay, uh, it'll take all day that way, but we can, uh, we can do two…at a time. If that's what you want. Uh, you two, follow me.
[She points out Franklin and Ensign Fisher and they follow her and others out of the room.] 
INT-USS ARES CREWMEN FRANKLIN'S QUARTERS
[Kemmer, Jack, and Franklin arrive at Franklin's room.] 
MAJ. KEMMER: All right. Dr. Franklin. Stay near the hatch, please.
[She and Jack start to search the room while Franklin watches.] 
CREWMEN FRANKLIN (frustrated): Guess I should be thankful there's no cavity search.
LT. MASON (Annoyed): That can be arranged Crewmen so zip it I don't like this as much as you do but we must find the weapon.
INT-USS ARES MAIN BRIDGE
CAPT. BRANSON: As you can see the bridge is impressive.
FEDERATION PRESIDENT BRANSON: I am impressed by this John its a shame that you're not leading this investigation?
CAPT. BRANSON: I know but S'Tar wants to make sure the rest of the ship is secured.
Com activates.
LT. MASON [com voice]: Mason to Bridge
Branson tapped his combadge.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson here.
INT-U.S.S. ARES DECK THREE CORRIDOR OUTSIDE CAPTAIN BRANSON'S QUARTERS
LT. MASON (to com): You're up, sir. You wanna be here, or, uh…?
CAPT. BRANSON (com voice): No, no, you go ahead. I'll wait here
INT-USS ARES CAPTAIN BRANSON'S QUARTERS
[Mason does a cursory look around Young's bed, not even opening drawers.] 
LTJG. MASON: Alright, there's nothing here.
[Major Kemmer has panned her flashlight around the room, noticing a strange shadow coming from the ventilation grate. While Mason heads for the door, Kemmer moves closer to the grate.] 
LTJG. MASON: Major come on.
MAJ. KEMMER: Hang on I think I found something.
[He moves closer as Major Kemmer removes the grate and pulls out the phaser.] 
CUT TO:
INT-USS ARES CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
The phaser is on the table.
CAPT. BRANSON: Where was it?
LT. MASON: In the vent.
CAPT. BRANSON: Not very imaginative.
MAJ. KEMMER: By the authority of Presidential security Captain Branson I am placing you under arrest for murder.
CAPT. BRANSON: You're just a guest on my ship Jane you're in command till further notice.
LTCMDR. KAL: Aye, sir.
John leaves the ready room after everything the rest of senior staff are around the table.
LT. MASON: Well, this is bad.
LT. SITO: What was your first clue Jack?
LTCMDR. KAL: Did you fine anything your autopsy of Ensign Woods.
DR. LANGFORD: Nothing but what's on the report.
Commander Kal looks at the others.
LTCMDR. KAL: Check internal sensors and running scans of the phaser dismissed.
The senior staff leaves.
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
Both vessels in orbit of planet.
INT-USS ARES DECK THREE, OUTSIDE CAPTAIN BRANSON'S QUARTERS
[Sito stands outside the door as it opens. A guard is posted outside.] 
CAPT. BRANSON: Thanks for coming.
INT-USS ARES CAPTAIN BRANSON'S QUARTERS
[He shows her in and shuts the door behind her. The guard remains outside.] 
CAPT. BRANSON: So, what's going on?
LT. SITO: Well, we're going to run some scans on the phaser and then we're going to see what internal sensors turn up.
They sit at the desk.
CAPT. BRANSON: I need a favor to ask of you.
LT. SITO: What is it?
CAPT. BRANSON: Major Kemmer is going to come after me and come after me hard.
LT. SITO: What did you to her?
John leans forward.
JOHN: It was 14 years ago before I met Jessica me and Lianna were dating in high school and we were in love, we won prom king and queen seven times in a row till one day I was hanging out with friends and the guy spiked my drink with some sort of drug and I slept with one of the party girls for his bachelor party and Lianna found out about it and she didn't cry nor scream she just died inside and we haven't spoken to each since till now.
SITO [shocked]: Wow, that's cold well you-you could talk to Picard?
JOHN: Sito, I could stay in charge without having to run to Janeway if that's what I wanted to do. This is about more than that. The point is, if she's going to be the de facto prosecutor, I'm going to need a defense. So…
 
SITO [surprised]: Me?
JOHN: You took three years of law at the Academy.
Sito leans back in the chair.
SITO: I'll do my best.
CUT TO:
INT-USS ARES GUEST QUARTERS
Bill Cutter gets out a strange looking device and puts it the monitor.
CARDASSIAN SOLDIER [monitor]: Report?
LCPL. CUTTER: Its all coming along as well.
(END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT)
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
The U.S.S. Intrepid NCC-46000 approaches the three vessels.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MESS HALL
Vice Admiral Arthur Stone taps the ship's bell several times.
VICE ADM. STONES: This hearing will come to order. It will determine if Captain John Branson should be court martial for murder, Major Kemmer you may begin.
Major Kemmer gets up from her chair.
MAJ. KEMMER: Thank you sir.
She face the crew.
MAJ. KEMMER: I've been reviewing the reports of Doctor Langford, (beat) as well as the reports from Lieutenant Mason that found the Ensign's body. And I don't believe any of the reports from them I am here to prove that this man who claims to love both the Federation and Starfleet I'm here to determine why he killed Ensign Woods. 
Lieutenant Sito is next.
LT. SITO: Admiral what the Major failed to mention is that the day in question is that the Captain was in his quarters at the time of the "murder", and there were hundreds of people on the deck in question coming and going from their quarters.
VICE ADM. STONE: You may call your first witness.
Crewmen Franklin sits in the chair.
MAJ. KEMMER: Crewmen Franklin have you ever seen Captain Branson harm a member of his crew?
CREWMEN FRANKLIN: No, ma'am the Captain has been known to raise his voice at a crewmen who disobeyed orders, but physical harm never seen it or heard it.
Then Lieutenant Mason is in the chair.
LT. MASON: I was on the bridge running a test. Uh, Captain Branson and Commander Kal were-were talking. I don't think they realized that I could hear them.
MAJ. KEMMER: And what were they saying?
LT. MASON: Uh, Captain Branson was complaining about Ensign Woods. Said that he had gotten out of hand, and if the situation didn't improve, he might have to take drastic action.
LT. SITO: But you have no way of knowing what he meant by that, do you? Assuming you heard correctly.
LT. MASON: No, not at the time, I didn't.
[Now it is Commander Kal in the witness chair.] 
LTCMDR. KAL: I don't remember the exact details of the conversation.
MAJ. KEMMER: But you do remember speaking with Captain Branson about Ensign Woods?
LTCMDR. KAL: Yes, ma'am.
MAJ. KEMMER: Do you remember him saying that if things didn't improve, he was going to have to take drastic action?
LTCMDR. KAL: No he didn't say that at all and I know what you're trying to do Major, and its not going to work the Captain is a good man and he would never harm any member of his crew.
Major Kemmer looks at Commander Kal.
MAJ. KEMMER: Well?
LTCMDR. KAL: Well, that would be pure speculation, and I'm having none of it.
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
Same shot of the three Federation vessels in orbit of the planet.
INT-USS ARES ARMORY
Lieutenant Mason is looking over the internal sensor footage of the night that Ensign Woods was "murdered" as Commander Kal enters.
LTCMDR. KAL: Report?
LTJG. MASON: I-I've confirmed alibis for half a dozen or so people, but I haven't found anything that helps the Captain.
LTCMDR. KAL: Damn it you've got to get some answers Jack we both know he wouldn't do something like this.
LTJG. MASON: I know Commander I am not giving up.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MESS HALL
[Doctor Langford is now in the witness chair.] 
ENS. SITO: You found an empty hypo in Ensign Wood's quarters, didn't you?
DR. LANGFORD: Yes.
LT. SITO: Did you know he was taking them?
DR. LANGFORD: No I wish I did I might of been able to help him with his issues.
LT. SITO: You're suggesting that he had a dependence, and as a result, that he was suffering from withdrawal.
DR. LANGFORD: According to my medical scans his synaptic patterns prior to his death were in flux meaning he was suffering from depression being out here in the frontier during our five-year mission.
LT. SITO: Thank you Pete.
Sito goes to sit down then Major Kemmer gets up and walks over to him.
MAJ. KEMMER: You said that you could of helped him with the pain of being out here in the frontier far from Earth and medical help besides the ships sickbay.
DR. LANGFORD: Yes.
MAJ. KEMMER: According to your medical scans he took the phaser and put it to his head at point blank range.
DR. LANGFORD: Yes.
MAJ. KEMMER: Hypothetically, if he was suffering from withdrawal, it could have caused him anxiety, depression, even suicidal tendencies.
DR. LANGFORD: Yes.
Major Kemmer walks over to the table and picks up the PADD.
MAJ. KEMMER (re: PADD): Your medical report I was reviewing it for this trial In fact all the physical evidence: the blood spatter, the angle of the wound, the position of the body. It was all consistent with suicide.
DR. LANGFORD (nods): Yes.
MAJ. KEMMER: But you're not a forensic officer.
DR. LANGFORD: No, ma'am but I have seen my share of suicide scenes during my time in Starfleet.
VICE ADM. STONES: I think it's time that, uh, we took a short recess. We'll, uh, resume in an hour, thank you.
[Everyone starts to disperse.]
From afar Lance Corporal Cutter is watching but remains out of eye shot of everyone else.
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
Same shot of the three Federation vessels.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
Commander Kal is sitting in the command chair thinking as the turbo-lift doors opened and Vice Admiral Stones enters.
LTCMDR. KAL: ADMIRAL ON THE BRIDGE!
The crew snaps to attention.
VICE ADM. STONES: As you were.
The crew resumes their work.
LTCMDR. KAL: Welcome to the bridge sir.
VICE ADM. STONES: Thanks Commander its been awhile since I was aboard the Enterprise during Fleet Captain Picard's Court Martial.
LTCMDR. KAL: I'd like to say that I am sorry for snapping at the Major.
VICE ADM. STONES: Its alright Commander I understand that you and Captain Branson are friends I would of done the same thing in your place.
Lieutenant Mason walks onto the bridge holding a PADD.
LT. MASON: Commander, Admiral I finished my investigation and it turns out the Captain was in the mess hall at the time of the murder but I can't find the footage at the time before the party.
LTCMDR. JAMES: I've ran several scans of the internal sensors there's nothing wrong with them.
Commander Kal is worried.
LTCMDR. KAL: Keep at it.
LTCMDR. JAMES: I'll be in engineering.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN ENGINEERING
Commander James enters and then sees Corporal Cutter.
LTCMDR. JAMES: Corporal Cutter what are you doing in Main Engineering?
He turns to her.
LANCE CORPORAL CUTTER: Commander James I was just going over a few of your engineering files to see if the Captain messed with them to cover his tracks.
LTCMDR. JAMES: I guess you people never heard of innocent till proven guilty?
Then she sees what he's doing.
LTCMDR. JAMES [shocked]: I recognize that subroutine. You're into the weapons system. You're disabling them!
Cutter gets out knife.
LTCMDR. JAMES [to com]: James to...
He stabs her in the stomach as she wrenches in pain pulls back as there's blood on the blade of the knife and blood on her hands and side of her uniform as she slumps down and falls to the floor as Cutter finishes what he's doing.
[END OF ACT TWO, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
Same shot of the three Federation vessels in orbit of a M-class planet. 
INT-USS ARES CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
John is laying on the couch reading a book in regular clothes while Commander Kal is pacing about. 
JANE: I-I don't get it John what does this Lianna have against you? Besides having a few drinks with a friend at a bachelor party? 
Captain Branson looks at her. 
JOHN (sighs): According to Admiral Stone this will all blow over soon he hopes. 
She rubs her temples. 
JOHN: Have you been able to narrow down the strange hiccup in the communication array? 
JANE (shakes her head): No not yet Jack thinks it might be a glitch but we're not sure till we put in for a tune up, you tell me that I am in command that's fine but as far as me and Jack as well as the enlisted personnel are concerned, you are still our commanding officer, and nothing is going to change that. 
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ARES GUEST QUARTERS
Lance Corporal Cutter is at the desk. 
GUL REJACK [monitor]: Do they know about you contacting me?
LCPL. CUTTER: So far they don't know that I am contacting you for information on Federation defenses and Fleet deployments. 
GUL REJAK (monitor): Why are you betraying the Federation Mister Cutter?
LCPL. CUTTER: They are wrong in everyway and we both know that you could be better in charge of Earth. 
Rejak smirks. 
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE
Lieutenant Sito looks at her console.
LT. SITO: There's that strange hiccup again but I can't localize it.
LTCMDR. T'MIR: Keep trying Sito we've got to find out where its coming from and who it's being sent to.
LT. SITO: On it Commander.
Sito is determine to prove John's innocence.
INT-U.S.S. ARES CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS
John sits on the couch reading a book on the PADD then the com comes to life.
LT. KAYE [com voice]: Medical emergency main engineering
Captain Branson rushes out of his quarters.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN ENGINEERING
Doctor Langford enters with a medical kit as they walk over to Commander James who's badly wounded.
LT. KAYE: When she didn't respond to the com I came down and found her like this.
Doctor Langford gets out his medical tricorder and scans her from head to toe.
DR. LANGFORD [re: Medical tricorder]: She's got massive internal bleeding and trauma we need to get her sickbay.
LTCMDR. KAL: Do it.
Doctor Langford tapped his combadge.
DR. LANGFORD [to com]: Langford to transporter room 2 I need a site to site transport to sickbay now.
Both Doctor Langford and Commander James dematerialized.
CAPT. BRANSON: How could this of happened without tripping the alarm?
LTCMDR. KAL: We're not sure but whoever did this was smart taking out Commander James reduces our capabilities by 50% and Mister Payne is still on extended leave on Earth with his wife and kids.
CAPT. BRANSON: And the Harrison is in the Bajoran Sector too far from our current position to bring Kyle to us.
LTCMDR. KAL: And the Excelsior is to far as well.
Then Major Kemmer enters main engineering.
MAJ. KEMMER: What's he doing here?
CAPT. BRANSON: This is still my ship Major and I can walk freely around it as I see fit.
LANCE CPL. CUTTER: I was in here looking over a few engineering files to see if the Captain messed with them to cover his tracks, that's when I heard a commotion and saw the Commander down.
CAPT. BRANSON: But you didn't call it in my helm officer did Corporal.
Then the com activates.
LTCMDR. T'MIR [com voice]: Senior officers report the bridge
They leave main engineering.
EXT-PLANET ORBIT
A squadron of Cardassian Galor-class cruisers approach the three federation vessels.
INT-U.S.S. ARES MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
[KLAXONS BLARING]
Turbo-lift doors opened as Captain Branson and Commander Kal walk onto the bridge.
LTCMDR. T'MIR: A squadron of Cardassian battle cruisers are approaching our position.
LT. KAYE: They're 40,000 kilometers and closing.
CAPT. BRANSON: Are their weapons charged?
LT. SITO: No, sir.
===Act 4===
===Act 5===
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*Felecia Linkous as Lieutenant Commander Jane Kal
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Courtney James
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Peter Langford
*Sadie Waymire as Lieutenant Sito Jaxa
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Jamie Kaye
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant Commander T'Mir
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Harris Payne
*TBA as Ensign Spencer Woods
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Sean Hansen
===Special Guest Stars===
*TBA as Commodore Elizabeth Shelby
*TBA as Federation President Danielle Branson
*TBA as Federation Vice President S'Tar
*TBA as Gul Rejak
*TBA as Major Lianna Kemmer
*TBA as Lance Corporal Bill Cutter
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===