Rules of Engagement (episode)

Rules of Engagement is the 32nd episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds TOS Season 3.
==Plot==
After the event of the last episode Captain Branson and his crew are planning a rescue mission to retrieve those that weren't recoverable from the rescue mission, meanwhile Lieutenants Jack Mason, Carlson, Lieutenant Commander Clarkson and Doctor Joseph M'Benga as well as half a dozen colonist and 15 survivors from the 'Yorktown are trying to find away to escape.
==Script Chapters==
===Teaser===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER, AJLIDON SYSTEM, AJLIDON PRIME ORBIT
A Klingon battlegroup is in orbit of the planet.
INT-KLINGON BATTLE CRUISER BRIG AREA, PRISON CELL
Kyle wakes up and sees the others as well as the survivors.
LT. MASON: Easy Commander you took a bump to the head.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Oi, no wonder my head feels like I had too much of the scotch, where are we?
LT. CARLSON: We're inside a Klingon cruiser we were beamed up before the Enterprise could lock onto our bio-signs.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON [confused]: B-But why it's illogical for them to take us prisoner?
[Then the doors opened and Klingons come and take Kyle out as the others are worried about him.]
[END OF TEASER, FADE OUT]
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Theme song:
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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...
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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.
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STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS
A STAR TREK FAN FILM PRODUCTION'
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Enterprise emerges from warp.
BASED ON STAR TREK CREATED BY: GENE RODDENBERRY
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Enterprise flies by a Gas Giant
JARVIS DAVIDSON
 AS
CAPT. JOHN BRANSON
FELECIA LINKOUS
 AS
CMDR. ZHASA IVANOVA
Enterprise flies by a Watchtower-Class Starbase
KEVIN REGAN
 AS
LT. JACK MASON
Enterprise flies by a interstellar dust cloud
FERNE MYERS
 AS
LTCMDR. STEPHANIE WILLIAMS
Enterprise flies over Vulcan as Vulcan cruisers and frigates are flying by as there's a shot of a Vulcan Starbase in orbit.
JEREMY REGAN
 AS
LTCMDR. KYLE CLARKSON
BLAKE WAYMIRE 
 AS
LT. TYSON MITCHELL
Enterprise approaches a Sigma-Class Starbase.
SADIE BRICKHOUSE
 AS
LT. JULIA SMITH
JACOB ELLIOT
 AS
DR. STEVEN CARLSON
Enterprise departs from a Watchtower-class Starbase
DELENA "DEE" LUSK
 AS
LTJG. KARA CARLSON
Enterprise flies over a comet
BECKY ELLIOT
 AS
LT. T'LAR
Enterprise flies over Earth and her warp engines power up and she leaps into warp.
CREATED BY:
JARVIS DAVIDSON & JEREMY REGAN
===Act 1===
FADE IN
EXT-FEDERATION-KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER
[EPISODE NOTES: OPENING CREDITS FALL OVER OPENING SCENES]
Enterprise is docked at Starbase Six receiving a few minor repairs.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 7134.3, The Enterprise is docked at Starbase Six receiving a few minor repairs after our recent engagement with the Klingons a engagement that weighs heavily on me, just before we were ordered to depart from the system my landing party and a few survivors from the colony and Yorktown were beamed up to a Klingon Destroyer that was in orbit of the planet
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE TURBO-LIFT CART
John stands in the middle feeling defeated and distraught about his friends that he was forced to leave behind.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Z thinks I made the best tactical decision but to me I feel like I left people behind and I don't leave people behind not if there's a chance they can be recovered
Lift stops.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Branson walks onto the bridge as the Boatswain whistles.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Captain on the bridge.
She vacates the Captain's chair and sits at the helm station covering for Kara till she's rescued.
CAPT. BRANSON: Report?
LT. MITCHELL: All systems are in the green sir.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: All engines are ready for both warp and impulse.
CAPT. BRANSON: Let's move then we've only got moments to spare before that vessel leaves for Kronos and our people are lost forever.
Lieutenant Smith turns to report.
LT. SMITH: Captain, Admiral Austin is demanding we should stand down.
CAPT. BRANSON: Z, warp seven.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Course set and laid in.
CAPT. BRANSON: Hit it.
She presses the warp button.
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise's warp drive engages as particles emit from the back of the nacelles.
INT-KLINGON BATTLE CRUISER INTERROGATION ROOM
[Kyle is brought in blindfolded.]
CMDR. K'MOCK: Commander Kyle Clarkson.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: I demand to see a neutral representative as required by the Federation-Klingon peace treaty.
CMDR. K'MOCK: Of course.
Commander K'Mock removes Kyle's blindfold... and Kyle reacts almost as though in pain as the light hits his dilated pupils. Clearly he has been blindfolded for some time. He squints and blinks as his eyes gradually adjust.
CMDR. K'MOCK: We've already sent word to Kronos they're sending a neutral representative as we speak.
K'Mock walks in a circle around Kyle, studying him carefully. Kyle looks tired and worn... the last hours have not been pleasant. But he does not appear to be under the influence of any drugs.
CMDR. K'MOCK: I hate to use drugs but it was necessary.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: I can't imagine what information I have that would be meaningful to
you.
K'Mock smiles, doesn't reply... glances down at Kyle's hands.
CMDR. K'MOCK: Please... let me remove those restraints.
He enters a control on his PADD, then manually unsnaps Kyle's manacles. Kyle involuntarily rubs his wrists, which show deep bruises where the manacles have cut into them. K'Mock gestures to a chair, as:
CMDR. K'MOCK: Have you ever been tortured, Commander? 
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Yes I have been but that's all in the past.
CMDR. K'MOCK: Ah, yes I've heard of your torture by your people.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Me and my friends and colonist would like to be returned to Federation Space.
CMDR. K'MOCK: My dear Commander...you are a criminal. You have been apprehended invading one of our secret facilities... the least that will happen is for you to stand trial and be punished. [beat] I am offering you the opportunity for that experience to be --civilized.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: I'm an engineer.
Commander K'Mock stares at him for a beat, then shakes his head sadly, taps a command into his console, and the Guards ENTER. They pull Kyle to his feet... he struggles, having no intention of making anything easy for them. But they are able to snap the manacles onto his wrists again and then secure them to a bar on the ceiling. Kyle finally stands with arms stretched over his head.
CMDR. K'MOCK: It's a waste of energy Commander.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Torture is expressly forbidden by the terms of the Seldonis Four convention governing treatment of prisoners of war.
K'Mock lets Kyle's empty demand hang there as he gets a Klingon painstick.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: I won't corporate.
K'Mock looks at him.
CMDR. K'MOCK: No I suspect that you won't now what is the defense codes of your bases along the Zone?
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: I don't know.
CMDR. K'MOCK: LIES!
He hits Kyle with the painstick as Kyle screams out in pain.
[END OF ACT 1, FADE OUT]
===Act 2===
FADE IN
EXT-WARP TUNNEL
Enterprise soars at warp.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Captain Branson walks around the bridge.
LT. SMITH: Sir, we're being hailed by Starbase Six it's Admiral Austin repeatedly ordering us to return to Starbase.
CAPT. BRANSON: And inform him that we have reasons to believe that Commander K'Mock is behind the capture of our landing party as well as the remaining survivors of the Yorktown and colonist.
LT. SMITH [nods]: Aye, sir.
She sends the message as John walks over to his command chair.
CMDR. IVANOVA: You know he's going to court martial you.
CAPT. BRANSON: I know but I don't leave people behind.
CMDR. IVANOVA: You had no choice John.
Before he says anything the ship suddenly stops dead.
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise emerges from warp and her warp engines shut off.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Klaxons blare as the crew gets up from the floor.
CAPT. BRANSON: What happened?
CMDR. IVANOVA: We've dropped out of warp.
CAPT. BRANSON: Z?
CMDR. IVANOVA: It wasn't me John I can tell you that much.
Captain Branson toggles the com panel.
CAPT. BRANSON [to com]: Branson to engineering warp is down Steph.
CUT TO:
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN ENGINEERING [RED ALERT]
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: We're checking the warp plasma regulators now sir.
She and her engineering team get to work on finding out what happened to the warp drive, and hopefully fix it.
EXT-FEDERATION-KLINGON NEUTRAL ZONE BORDER, AJILDON SYSTEM, AJILDON PRIME ORBIT
The Klingon destroyer sits in orbit of the planet as fires can be seen from orbit.
INT-KLINGON DESTROYER BRIG AREA, PRISON CELL
The doors opened as two Klingons throw Kyle back into the cell and the doors closed.
LT. CARLSON: Commander are you alright?
She helps him up.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON [winces in pain]: I've been better but I feel like I went 20 rounds with an Andorian boxer.
She helps him sit down as M'Benga examines him.
DR. M'BENGA: You've got a few bruised ribs but none are cracked if I had my medical kit I could give you something for the pain.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: No need Doc.
LT. MASON: What did they ask you?
Kyle looks over at him.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Federation defense codes and battlegroup deployments same question over and over.
LT. MASON: But none of us are flag officers.
DR. M'BENGA: Still there must be a reason he captured us.
Then they hear something in the distances and see that it's another Starfleet officer with the rank of Commodore.
[END OF ACT 2, FADE OUT]
===Act 3===
FADE IN
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise is at station keeping.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
Commander Williams is at the engineering station as Captain Branson and Commander Ivanova are there with her.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Everything looks fine. The power converters are online. The dilitihium flow is stable the warp engines should be working.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Maybe there's some kind of spatial anomaly nearby that's interfering with the warp engine's power systems. 
Then Lieutenant Mitchell stands up.
LT. MITCHELL: This isn't the result of a spatial anomaly, Commander. The plasma injectors on the warp drive has been sabotaged. 
CMDR. IVANOVA: How do you know that.
LT. MITCHELL: Because I sabotaged it.
They look at him.
CAPT. BRANSON: Why?
LT. MITCHELL: I was under orders from Admiral Austin to stop you from returning to the Ajildon System to rescue the men and women we were forced to leave behind.
They all look at him.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: The man that was left behind was my husband!
LT. MITCHELL: We can still defend ourselves. I didn't damage any of the ship's weapon systems or the impulse engines.
He then puts his hands behind his back.
LT. MITCHELL: I'm sorry Captain, I didn't want to do this. Kara, Jack, Joseph, and Kyle my friends too but when a high ranking officer gives an explicated order I can't disobey it.
CAPT. BRANSON: I don't suppose you could. Steph, now that we know the problem is in the plasma injectors, how long until you can fix it? 
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Give me 10 hours.
CAPT. BRANSON: You've got 2 hours get started.
[Commander Williams glares at Tyson then leaves.]
CAPT. BRANSON: Lieutenant I am afraid I will have to confine you to quarters.
LT. MITCHELL: Sir, if we're going to run into Klingons you'll need your navigator.
CMDR. IVANOVA: What makes you think we can trust you?
LT. MITCHELL: Because I give you my word.
John walks up to him.
CAPT. BRANSON: I make it a policy to never question the word of anyone who wears that uniform. Don't make me change that policy. Man your station, Lieutenant. But I'd stay out of the Commander's way if I were you.
LT. MITCHELL: Yes, sir.
He looks over at Julia who shakes her head and turns back to her station to monitor communications.
CUT TO:
INT-KLINGON DESTROYER BRIG AREA, PRISON CELL
M'Benga examines the officer as he slowly stirs.
DR. M'BENGA: Easy Commodore you've got a concussion and a few broke ribs what's your name?
COMM. TANNER: Tanner, Jason Tanner I am from the Starship Paulson.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: The Paulson went missing 2 years ago you've been held captive that long?
He nods.
COMM. TANNER: The Klingons preferred not to kill me K'Mock seems to be interested in keeping me alive for ransom or something.
LT. MASON: Klingons don't put out ransoms it's likely they were going to sell you to the Orions and you were going to be put into slavery.
COMM. TANNER: Where are you all from?
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: We're from the Starship Enterprise we responded to a distress call from the U.S.S. Yorktown and came to rescue survivors the others made it but most were beamed up to this vessel.
COMM. TANNER: Enterprise so the flagship decided to come to the rescue?
They looks at each other.
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: Commodore we've got to get out of here somehow they're laying a trap for the Enterprise and we're the bait.
They look at him.
CUT TO:
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise hangs in space.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Admiral Austin is on the viewer.
ADM. AUSTIN [viewer]: I should bust you down to Commander for disobeying my orders.
CAPT. BRANSON: Sir, we have reasons to believe that the Klingons didn't take the landing party and the others for interrogations.
ADM. AUSTIN [viewer]: What makes you think that?
CAPT. BRANSON: They didn't even disable our warp drive they allowed us to leave.
Admiral Austin thinks for a second.
ADM. AUSTIN [viewer]: I've dispatched a battlegroup to the sector join them when you can
CAPT. BRANSON: Aye, sir.
ADM. AUSTIN [viewer]: Austin out
Transmission ends as Commander Williams enters.
LTCMDR. WILLIAMS: Warp drive is back on-line sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Very well then Z hit it.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Aye, sir.
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise re-enters warp.
[END OF ACT 3, FADE OUT] 
===Act 4===
FADE IN
INT-KLINGON DESTROYER BRIG AREA, PRISON CELL
Commodore Tanner slowly gets up as M'Benga helps him.
DR. M'BENGA: You should rest.
COMM. TANNER: I am fine Doctor M'Benga.
The doors opened and Lieutenant Mason and Commander Clarkson jumps the two Klingon guards are snap their necks.
COMM. TANNER: Impressive.
LT. MASON: Yeah thanks let's go.
They move out.
EXT-OUTER EDGE OF THE AJILDON SYSTEM
Enterprise emerges from warp as a battlegroup of 23 Federation vessels are in formation.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
Transparent viewer shows the battlegroup.
LT. MITCHELL: That's a lot of ships.
Then Lieutenant Smith turns to report.
LT. SMITH: Captain we're being hailed by the lead vessel it's the U.S.S. Farragut Rear Admiral James T. Kirk in command.
Captain Branson gets up from the Captain's chair and walks over to the viewer.
CAPT. BRANSON: On screen.
Transparent viewer shows the bridge of the Farragut a Bellaphon-class vessel.
REAR ADM. KIRK [viewer]: John welcome to party
CAPT. BRANSON: Sorry we're late we had engine trouble but we're glad to be here.
REAR ADM. KIRK [viewer]: Just glad you're here we'll enter the system as soon as we get the go ahead from Command
CAPT. BRANSON: We'll be waiting Branson out.
Transmission ends.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Now we sit, wait, and hope for the best.
CAPT. BRANSON: Yeah, and hope that we get that go ahead from Command.
CUT TO:
INT-KLINGON DESTROYER CORRIDOR
[Both Kyle and Jack vaporize two Klingon warriors as they continue to proceed to the shuttle bay.]
LTCMDR. CLARKSON: They're not making it easy for us are they?
LT. MASON: Nope they are not.
[They continue to the shuttle bay.]
EXT-OUTER EDGE OF THE AJILDON SYSTEM
The Federation battlegroup is at station keeping awaiting further orders from Starfleet HQ.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE
The crew are at their stations as they are awaiting orders.
CAPT. BRANSON: Anything Julia?
Lieutenant Smith turns to him and shakes her head.
LT. MITCHELL: What's taking them so long to give the Go order?
CMDR. IVANOVA: They're weighting the cost of life and resources before they can give the order.
Then T'Lar reports.
LT. T'LAR: Sir, sensors are detecting a vessel approaching us bearing 2-3-4 mark 2-1-1 distances 5.6 AU and closing.
Captain Branson goes to the viewer.
CAPT. BRANSON: Red Alert, Deflectors up!
Lights dimmed as klaxons blare as the transparent viewer shows the unknown vessel.
LT. T'LAR: 3 ships has broken formation and are moving in on the vessel and its attackers.
CAPT. BRANSON: Julia, hail that vessel.
LT. SMITH: Aye, sir hailing now federation Starship Enterprise to Klingon troop transport.
CUT TO:
INT-KLINGON DROPSHIP CANOPY
LT. SMITH [com voice]: Identify yourselves
LT. MASON: Well, what do you know? The cavalry showed up. This is Lieutenant Jack Mason.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. MASON [com voice]: We need emergency transport now
CAPT. BRANSON [smiles, to com]: You've got it Jack lower your deflectors and we'll beam you and the remaining survivors to Cargo Bay 1.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CARGO BAY 1 [RED ALERT]
The landing party and the colony and Yorktown survivors as well as Commodore Tanner materialized as Doctor Carlson and a medical team enters.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. T'LAR: The Landing party and the survivors have been beamed aboard sir.
CAPT. BRANSON: Lock weapons onto those Klingon vessels and fire.
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise fires her phasers destroying the D5 squadron.
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE MAIN BRIDGE [RED ALERT]
LT. T'LAR: No remaining Klingon vessels are appearing on sensors.
CMDR. IVANOVA: Too busy occupying Ajildon Prime no doubt.
CAPT. BRANSON: We've done all we can here.
EXT-WARP TUNNEL'
Enterprise is at warp heading back to Starbase Six.
CAPT. BRANSON'S [voice over]: Captain's Log Stardate 7134.4, We're on course for Starbase Six to drop off the rest of the wounded from our mission to Ajildon Prime, I am just glad that we were able to recover the rest of the landing party and survivors of the colony and Yorktown in addition we also rescued Commodore Jason Tanner someone who was missing for 2 years I can only hope that the Klingons didn't get too much out of him
INT-U.S.S. ENTERPRISE CAPTAIN'S READY ROOM/SITUATION ROOM
Captain Branson is reviewing the Commodore's record when the doors chimed.
CAPT. BRANSON: Come.
Doors opened and Kyle walks into the ready room.
JOHN: Aren't you supposed to be resting?
KYLE: Nope I never been the one for rest you know that John.
Kyle sits in front of the desk.
JOHN: Kyle, I am so sorry it took me this long to rescue you and the others.
KYLE: It's alright John you had orders and you followed them and plus you were outnumbered 8 to 1 those aren't good odds.
JOHN: I'm just glad that you're back aboard.
KYLE: So what are we going to do about our guest?
JOHN: He'll be taken to the nearest medical outpost for a full medical work up and therapy before he's allowed to return to duty.
KYLE: John, we've got to stop these Klingons somehow someway.
JOHN: We will Kyle.
EXT-SPACE
Enterprise approaches Starbase Six.
[END OF ACT 4, FADE OUT, ENDING CREDITS]
==Cast==
===Starring===
*Jarvis Davidson as Captain John Branson
*Felecia Linkous as Commander Zhasa Ivanova
===Also Starring===
*Kevin Regan as Lieutenant Jack Mason
*Ferne Myers as Lieutenant Commander Stephanie Williams
*Blake Waymire as Lieutenant Tyson Mitchell
*Delena "Dee" Lusk as Lieutenant Kara Carlson
*Jeremy Regan as Lieutenant Commander Kyle Clarkson
*Sadie Brickhouse-Waymire as Lieutenant Julia Smith
*Jacob Elliot as Doctor Steven Carlson
*Becky Elliot as Lieutenant T'Lar
===Guest Stars===
*TBA as Nurse Christine Chapel
*TBA as Security Officer Joshua Holiday
*TBA as Transporter Chief Kayla Mackenzie
*TBA as Lieutenant Junior Grade Angela Martine
*TBA as Doctor Joseph M'Benga
===Special Guest Stars===
*Josh Irwin as Admiral Joseph Austin
*TBA as Commodore Jason Tanner
*Mike Longo as Rear Admiral James T. Kirk
==Trivia Notes==
===Background Information===